History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

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HISTOPvY OF

OKTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

KDITED HV

THEODORE

W.

KEAX.

PHILADELPHIA:

EVERTS

cV

PECK.

1884.

\

PREFACE. The

;

"History of Montgomery County"

century of

labor cheerfully bestowed

is

presented to the public as a memorial of the

first

Material facts have been diligently sought after and patient

corporate existence.

its

Events are chronicled

upon the work.

in narrative rather than in

controversial form, and truth, gleaned from a thousand sources, has been condensed in order to

make

it

work of

a valuable

reference for the presenf

and future generations.

make

prepared with care and liberality and a determination to possible.

It

submitted to a generous and intelligent people, in the belief that

is

been

and accurate as

as complete

it

It has

will

it

meet

their approval.

The years

labor of the editor has been shared by William

of his

to

life

of material

the collection

work.

For

valuable contributions to the volume. expresses acknowledgments to

of Pennsylvania

to

;

Richards ana B.

M.

Buck, who has devoted many

those originally contemplated for the

published in the county,

first

Although

assistance furnished

him

is

one of the most

his jiresent labors, he

in

and F. D. Stone, of the Historical Society

Jr.,

Samuel L. Smcd'ey, Howard M. Jenkins, and Prof. O. Seidensticker, of

M. Auge, of

Philadelphia;

John Jordan,

.J.

history of the county.

the

number

in enfeebled health, his contributions exceed in

His chapter upon Bibliography, the

for

Dr. George

Norristo\ n;

Schmucker, P.D., of Pottstown

Hon. William A. Yeakle, of Whitemarsh James Y. Heckler, of Lower

The acknowledgments of

Salford, tlie

S.

;

K.

W.

Mark H.

Holstein, of Bridgeport;

William Henry Cresson, of Conshohocken

;

Griraley, of

Upper Salford; A. H.

Cassel and

and Charles Mather, of Jenkintown.

editor are

due to Prof. Oscar C.

S. Carter, for his contribution

on Geology and Mineralogy; to Charles Z. Weber, M.D., for the history of the Medi

P Monument

jo6()

Ratrliffe,

Thomas

591

Soldiei-s'

Rea«i, L.

W

657

Soldiers of 1812

Reading, Edward

659

St.

H

lOU

Stabler,

1013

State Hospital for the Insane

1014

State House, Philadelphia, 1744

Reed, Michael Reese,

John L

Reese, William Reid,

John

K

468

Stiles,

Rex, Sarah S

44G

Stineon, Mar>"

George

669

674

Stuj'vesant, Peter

Super, Philip

Richardson, William

746

Super,

RittenhoTise, Christopher

578

Sutton,

Rittenhouse, David

Frontispiece

4

Henry

W

Swedes' Church

"11 711

Swedish Block-House

1010

Thomas, Allen

944

1184

Roberts, Jesse

1012

Roberts, Richard

Rogers, George

K

967

W

5I8

Swedes' Ford

1009

L

414

W. Henry

Rittenhouse, Samuel

Robeson, Samuel

67 1115

Rittenhouse, William

Roberts. Enos

154

606

H

703

Rittenhouse Observatory

498

M

865

Andrew J

1051 774

Button

Rennyson, William

B

187

William

Steele, J.

Rhoads, Jacob

768

James' Episcopal Church, Perkiomen

656

Rice,

1176

82

1100

Providence Friends' Meeting

858

«

136

Penn, William Pennsylvanische Geschicht Schreiber

farm of

home farm

57 868

Thomson, Charles

172

Thomson, Charles, residence of

172

E

Thropp, Joseph

627

Todd, John

660

550

Trappe Church

903

Trappe Church

873

Tremper, Jacob

830

Royer, J. Warren

654

Trucksess, David

1197

Royer, Lewis

522

Tyson, Jacob

P

Rowland, Thomaa

635

Van

Wilham

Rorer, Charles S

Rosenberger, Isaac

St.

R

Peters Church, Barren Hill

Sanitary Fair Buildings Sargent, G.

P

Buskirk,

1059 (interior)

1059

696

A

650

Upland Meeting-Place

101

296

Van

John

732

666

Walt, Henry S

922

1150

Pelt,

ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Wiiltou,

John

M'asliiiigtun's Headquarters,

Worcester

Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge

Washington Headquartere, "James Morris'" Watt, William

Weaver,

C.

P

Weaver, Joseph Weinberger,

J.

K

Shelly

PAGE

Morgan

R

984

Wills,

164

Wilson,

S.

M

819

170

Wilson,

Thomas

972

1164

Wood, James

594

683

W^oodward, Evan

575

Wright, Charles

671

Yeakle, Chailes

415

460

M

985

B

822 1081

Yeakle, Christopher, residence

of.

1073

Weiser, Clement Z

1112

Yeakel, Daniel

Wentz Kcformed Church

1186

Teakle, Jacob

Wentz, Abrara

1180

Yeakel, David

P

485

Yeakle, Joseph

1080

936

Yeakle, Samuel

775

White, Bishop William

1052

Wertsner, Beiijamin

Wheeler, Charles

Whitefield,

G

Williams, Anthony

373 824

Yeakle,

Yeakle, William

Yeakle, William

M

1160

Yost, D.

Williams, Henry J

1077

Yost, Isaac

Williams,

Thomas

810 811

1079

W

Thomas C

Williams, Charles

Williams, John J

1078

Yost,

1157

818 1082

A

521

277

F

Jacobs

998

52

HISTORY OF

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER

is bounded on the southeast by the line of the city of Philadelphia, on the northeast by Bucks, on the north and northwest by Lehigh and Berks, and on the west and southwest by Chester and Delaware

It

I.

TOPOGRAPHY.

MoNTGOMERF CouNTY, originally a part of Philadelphia County, was created by act of the General Assembly approved the 10th day of September, 1784.' ^

As Act for

erecting part

of

the County

Counties.

is

thirty miles in length from the south-

and about fifteen miles in breadth from the northeast to the southwest line.

of PhUaeUIphia into a separate

vania, and shall sit and act as such, as fully and as freely as

any of the

other representatives of this State do, may, can, or ought to do

county.

Sect.

I.

Wheeeas

a great number of tbe iDhabitanta of the county

of Philadelphia by their petition have

humbly represented

to

the

Aei>

of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania^ in Gmt^ral Axifemiihi met, and btj the autJtorili/ of the same. That all and singular the lands lying within that part of Philadelphia County bounded as liereinafter described, beginning on the line of Byberry township and the township

manor of Moreland where

it

intersects the line of

Bucks County;

thence westward along the northern lines of Byberry, Low^r Dublin,

and Oxford townships

to the line dividing the townships of Cheltenham and Bristol and thence along the said line dividing Germantown townflhip from the township of Springfield; aud thence along said line to the line dividing the township of Springtield aforesaid frum the town;

ship of

Roxbury

to

the river Schuylkill

;

thence

down the said river to Lower Merion and

the line dividing the townships of Blockley and

;

thence along said line to the line of the county of Chester; thence by

County to the line of Berks County thence hy the line of Berks County to the line of Northampton County thence by part of the line of Northampton County and the line of Bucks County thence along the said line of Bucks County to the place of beginning be, and hereby are, erected into a county, named, and hereafter to be called, "Montgomery County." Sect. III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That the inhabitants of said county of Montgomery shall, at all times hereafter, have and enjoy all and singular the jurisdictions, powers, rights, liberties, and privileges whatsoever which the inhabitants of any other county in this State do, may, or ought to enjoy by any charter of privileges, or the lawB of this State, or by any other ways and means whatsoever. Sect. IV. A»d be it further etuicted by the authority aforesaid, That the inhabitants of each township or district within the said county qualified by law to elect shall meet at some convenient place within their respective townships or districts, at the same time the inhabitants of the several township? of the other counties within this State shall meet for like purposes, and choose inspectors aud at the time appointed by law the freemen of said county of Montgomery shall meet at the house of Hannah Thomson, innkeeper, in the township of Norriton,and there elect representatives; and the freemen of the county of Philadelphia shall meet at the State-House, in the city of Philadelphia, and there elect representatives to serve them in Assembly [one counselor], two fit persons for sheriffs, two fit persons for coroners, and three commiseionere, as by the Constitution and laws of this State are directed in respect to other counties, which representatives so chosen shall be Euembens of the General Assembly of the Commoawealtb of Pennsylthe line of Chester

;

;

;

;

;

1

when

;

[and the

and act as fully aud as freely as any of the other members of tbe Supreme Executive Council of this State do, may, can, or ought to do. [Secf. V. And be it ftirlh^'r enacted hy the authoriiy aforesaid. That the county of Montgomery shall, until otherwise altered by the Legislature of the State, be represented in the General Assembly by four members, and the county of Philadelphia shall be represented in the General Assembly by five members.] Sect. VII. And be U further enacted by the aulhority aforemid. That the justices of theSupreineCourt of this State shall have like powers, jurisdictions, and authorities within the said county of Montgomery as by law they are vested with and entitled unto in the other counties within this State; and are hereby authorized and empowered, from time to time, to deliver the goal of the said county of capital or other offenders, in said counselor,

Bemblyof this State the great inconvenience they labor under by reason of their distance from the seat of judicature in the said county: For remedy whereof, Sect. II, Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the Representativis

of the

It

east to the northwest line,

so chosen, shall sit

manner as they are authorized to do in other counties of this State. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, Tbatitsball and may be lawful to and for Henry Pawling, Jun., Jonathan Roberts, George Smith, Robert Shannon, and Henry Cunuard, of Whitpaine township, all of the aforesaid county, yeomen, or any three of them, to purchase aud take assurance to them, aud Their heirs, in the name of the commonwealth, of a piece of land situated in some convenient place in

like

Sect. X.

the neighborhood of Stoney-run, contiguous to the river Schuylkill, in Norriton township, in trust and for the use of the inhabitants of the said county, sufficient to

Sect. XI. part of the

and thereon to erect and build a court-house and prison accommodate the public service of said county.

And be

it

further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That such

money as shall

arise

from the sale of tlieoldjirison and work-

house, and lot of ground thereto belonging, in the city of Philadelphia, as directed by

an act of General Assembly of this commonwealth to be and county aforesaid, he apportioned for the defraying the charges of purchasing the land, building and erecting the court-house and prison aforesaid, in the ratio or proportion of taxes as paid between the said county of Montgomery and the county of Philadelphia and this city but in case the same should not be sufficient, it shall and may be lawful to and for the commissioners and assessors of the said county, or a majority of them, to assess and levy, aud they are hereby required to assess and levy, in the same manner as is directed by sold for the use of the city

;

the act for raising county rates and levies, so

much money

as the said

any three of them, shall judge necessary for purchasing the said land and finishing the said court-house and prison. Sect. XII. Provided, always. That the sum of money so to be raised does not exceed three thousand pounds current money of this State. Sect. XIII. Provided, aleo,and be it further enacted by the autiionty afore«iid, That no action or suit now commenced or depending in Uie county of Philadelphia against any person living within the bounds of the said cmnty of Montgomery shall be stayed or discontinued, but that the trustees, or

1

HISTORY OF MONTGOiMERY COUNTY. The lands ranges of

by well-marked and with beautiful and fertile valleys.

are agreeably diversified

bills,

In the southeastern portion of the county these elevations are known as the "Gulf Hills," "Barren Hills,"

and

" Chelten Hills."

In the centre of the

county the " Providence" and " Skippack Hills" are in the northern part the "Stone Hills" are prominent, rugged, and somewhat inountainous in their character and appearance. All of

most notable, and

these ranges of hills are habitable, and

all but the Stone Hills are in a high state of cultivation. The latter are heavily timbered, and when cleared of trees and rocks respond liberally to the husbandmen who possess and till them. The valley lands of the county have been a source of perpetual wealth to agriculturists, who prize them not only for their surface products, but also for the useful minerals that abound in them. The Schuylkill, Plymouth, and Perkiomen Valleys are the most noted in the county, and present the most beautiful and picturesque scenery. But there is much to admire in following the Wissahickon, Indian, Swamp, and Manatawny Creeks to their sources, draining as they do large areas of rolling country, improved by

elegant and

commodious residences and farm-houses,

townships; from thence

it

passes through the country

in a southeasterly course until

delphia line. flowing

into

reaches the Phila-

it

watered by many streams the Schuylkill River, Wissahickon,

The county

is

—

Plymouth, Sandy Run, Mill, Rock Hill, Oulf, Valley, Indian, Stony, Skippack, Perkiomen, and Manatawny Creeks. The Pennypack and Neshaminy Creeks rise in Montgomery County, and pass through Bucks County to the Delaware River. The water-flow and fall of these streams and their tributaries, which form a network of irrigation, fed by thousands of perennial springs, rising in every part of the county,

were early utilized by the settlers, who erected dams, and built on the shores grist-, saw-, fulling-, oil-, paper-, powder-, and rolling-mills, forges, factories, and tanneries. In 1795 there were reported ninetysix grist-mills, sixty-one saw-mills, four forges, six fulling-mills,

and ten paper-mills. Many of these and during the Revolu-

grist-mills existed prior to

tionary war, doing active service for the contending

armies while in occupancy of this

section of the

In the early era of public improvements

country.

Montgomery County was

well

marked by public

roads leading from the city of Philadelphia to the

and

interior settlements of the colony

State.

The

with barns and improvements unsurpassed by any agricultural people on the face of the globe. Montgomery County has an approximate area of four hundred and seventy-three square miles, or

Lancaster road and similar highways leading to Reading and Bethlehem, with many parallel cart-

about three hundred and three thousand and eighty It is divided into thirty townships and sixty acres. There are twelve boroughs in the election districts. county, all of which will be referred to in subsequent The Schuylkill River forms chapters of this work. the southwestern boundary line between Montgomery

intersected

and Chester Counties

until

it

reaches the Merion

Fame action or actions already commenced or depending may be prosecnted and judgment tliereupon rendered, as if tliis act Imd not been made; and tliat it sliall and maybe lawful for the justices of the county of Pliiladeljiliia to issue any judicial process, to be directed to the sheriff or coroner of Philadelphia County, for carrying on and obtaining the effect of the aforesaid suits, which slierifF and coroner shall and are hereby obliged to yield obedience in executing the said writs, and make due return thereof before the justices of the said court for the said county of Pluladel|ihia, as if the parties were living and residing within the same. Sect. XXI. And whkreas it is represented, by petition to the General Assembly, that by the lines hereinbefore mentioned a long, narrow neck or point of land, beingpart of the manor of Moreland, and lying between the townships of Byberry and Lower Dublin, in the cunnty of Philadelphia, would be included in the county of Montgomery, to the great inconvenience and injury of the inhabitants of the said neck of land, who have prayed that they may remain within the county of Philadelphia. Sect.

XXII. Be

boundary that

is to

it

therefore enacted by the authoritij u/oremitl^

line of the said county of say,

beginning

That the

Montgomery shall be as follows: Bucks Couuty where the same is

in the line of

by the line which divides the townships of Byberry and the manor of Moreland; thence southwesterly along the last-mentioned

intei'sected

and thence on the sanio southwesterly course to the lino of Lower Dublin and thence westwardly along the uortherii line of Lower Dublin, and so on, as the lines of the said couuty of Montgomery are hereinbefore described, to the place of beginning; anything hereinbefore contained to the contrary in anywise line to the first corner or turning thereof;

;

notwithstanding.

Passed Sept.

10, 1784.

ways, opened up the county settlements at a very

These great thoroughfares were soon by public roads running from the Dela-

early period.

ware to the Schuylkill Rivers, increasing in number and importance until the region now comprising the county was accessible from all points by well-graded roads leading in the direction of Philadelphia, then the capital of the couuty and of the State as late as 1799, and the capital city of the nation as late as 1800. The general conformation of the face of tlje coun-

Montgomery County repeats in miniature that which has rendered the natural scenery of New York, Pennsylvania, JIaryland, and West Virginia so notable. The ranges of hills run uniformly northeast and southwest, as do the more distant line of the CatsAs the Hudson kills, Blue Ridge, and AUeghanies. River forces itself through the Narrows, the Delaware at the Water Gap, the Susquehanna between Harrisburg and Port Deposit, the Potomac at Hartry in

per's Ferry, so the Schuylkill

River

in finding its

way

Delaware, in the same direction, cuts its way through rock-hills at Conshohocken and again at to the

Fairmouut, Philadelphia.

The

primitive condition

of the area of country now known as Montgomery County was land heavily timbered with oak, hickory,

and chestnut.

The consumption

of

wood for fuel and bitumi-

prior to the introduction of anthracite

nous coal, was very great in Eastern Pennsylvania. Large quantities were used in making charcoal for furnaces all lime was made by use of wood for fuel every household had its " wood-pile," while the supply of Philadelphia City constituted a trade of vital ;

TOPOGRAPHY. owning and residing upon lands

interest to those

within twenty and thirty miles of the great

Time was, and those

still

possibly

living

is

among

city.

within the remembrance of when it was the work of

us,

each succeeding year to clear one or more acres of woodland, and the wood sold counted as a part of the yearly profit of the farm. This wealth of primitive

was the foundation of many substantial fortunes in years past, where, by means of judicious purchases made, the sale of the "wood-leaf" paid for the farm, and opened up an increasing acreage for the growtli of grass and cereals. Tradition says this stump or forest

"

new land" was

a test point in the character of the

If he was a provident, industrious man, his land" would seasonably blossom with buck-

owner.

"new

wood

pay taxes and upon militia trainings and horse-races, his new land would be left uncultivated and overgrown with briers and brush. Fifty years ago farms denuded of woodland were exceptional, and their marketable value greatly deprewheat

if thriftless, selling

;

his

to

incidental expenses of his attendance

The

ciated.

old characteristic farmer of

ery County took a

commendable pride

from ten to twenty acres of primitive

Montgom-

in maintaining forest.

It

was

many

ways, for fuel, building, and fencing, and, whether deemed ornamental or not, had a rare charm for him. It was these parks of woodlands that preserved to hunters until within the last quarter of

useful in

a century choice haunts for squirrel and bird; but the close of the first century of the county witnesses the final obliteration of all hunting-grounds lying between the Delaware and the Schuylkill.

The

surface soil varies greatly in different parts of

the county. alluvial

flats,

In passing inland from tide-water levels, and submarine formations, rock-faced

found at Chestnut Hill, four hundred feet above tide-water mark. The northwestern slope of

bluffs are

Plymouth of limestone some

these hills descends to the basin of the

Valley, through which runs a belt

husbandry of the modern farmer, and a liberal use of lime, manure, and fertilizers, this vast region of country yields abundant harvests, and supports a prosperous population equal in numbers to the square mile with the more favored limestone or valley lands. the Schuylkill, Wissahickon, Perkiomen, and their tributaries is among the

The scenery abounding along

most picturesque in the Middle States, while the landscape, from the successive ranges of hills,

is

extended,

and conveys to the observing eye a vision of pastoral peace and plenty. The topography of the county, as shown by accompanying maps, that of Holme's original survey and the recent one prepared for this work, shows the progress of two centuries in the matter of public roads and highways, and the subdivisions of the county into townships and boroughs. In 1681 it consisted of manors and large tracts, or proprietary grants, held by comparatively few persons, who lived

—

—

a frontier

in almost daily contact with native

life,

Since then its square miles and broad acres, under the equalizing operation of our laws of descent, have passed through at least six generations, and thousands of purchasers have acquired titles to soil that have always been a prize in the inventory of worldly possessions of those who tribes of Indians.

and died on the Montgomery.

lived

hills

and in the valleys of

The first era of public improvement demanded macadamized highways from tide-water to the interior. These highways still exist, monuments of early engineering, traversing the hills and mountains

The increased tonnage of merchandise on these roads, and the costly character of teams and means of transportation, the old Conestoga wagon, soon induced the bridging of all important streams, many of which crossed these highways, as surveyed of the State.

—

northwest of Philadelphia, within the lines now conMontgomery County. The spirit of public improvement seized on the Schuylkill River, and by a system of dams, locks, and canals connected it with

stituting

two miles in width, with rich beds of hematite iron ore, white and blue marble, limestone, soapstone, and large masses of gray rock, easily quarried, and largely used in heavy masonry. This limestone belt crosses the Schuylkill River between Conshohocken and

and

Swedes' Ford, and extends in a westerly direction to Howeltown, in the Schuylkill Valley. The soil of this locality is very productive, and is considered by

frequent changes of horses, it being thought a far more luxurious way of reaching the interior than by This system of navigation still exists on the stage.

many

Schuylkill, but

the most valuable in the county for agricul-

Contiguous to the Plymouth Valley are the Sandy Hills, a light, luminous soil, easily worked and productive, but often seriously affected by drought. The rolling lands northwest of the valley, drained by Indian, Skippack, Perkiomen, and tural purposes.

Manatawny Creeks and their tributaries, are principally of the red shales and sandstones of the " middle secondary" formation, with of clay

soil.

The

many

intervening areas

primitive condition of this soil was

unproductive as compared with that of the Schuylkill and Plymouth Valleys but under the skillful ;

means of which lumber, coal, manner of merchandise found its way through

the Susquehanna, by all

the county to Philadelphia. Many travelers sought the " fast packet line," pulled through at a trot, with

and stone.

It

or passenger

is

is

now

confined to ooal, lumber, lime,

no longer a

traffic.

The

rival for mail, fast freight,

use of steam opened

new era of public improvement. The railroads speedily followed.

up a

construction of

These modern highways

of travel and traffic found easy grades and eligible locations on the shores of streams and over depressions upon the face of the country, sought out by The topographical face of Montskillful engineers.

gomery County is traversed by three of the best-constructed and most liberally equipped railroads in the country, with a number of lateral roads connecting

'

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. The Philadelphia and lines. Reading Company drain the Schuylkill Valley, with branch roads in Plymouth, Stony Creek, Perkiomen, Pickering, and Oley Valleys. The North Pennsylvania Railroad, now under the management of the Philadelphia and Reading, crosses the " divide" between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, and extends to Bethlehem, having connections with the Bound Brook, New Hope, and Doylestown Railroads, and with the Lehigh Valley system of railroads. The

Washington and Lord Howe

trunk line of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company passes through Lower Merion township. The Philadelphia and Schuylkill Valley Railroad Company,

region by utilizing

these parallel trunk

now

leased to the Pennsylvania

Company,

is

con-

in 1777-78 in the stra-

of troops from the Brandywine to the Delaware for the defense and capture of the City tegical

movement

of Penn, our railroads in an enlarged sense would be in possible warlike movements, involving issues of greater importance than those referred to in the early history of the country.

of

The surface elevations and topographical structure Montgomery County has been heretofore made

contributory to the growth and development of the irrigation

its

flowing waters for purposes of

and propelling mills and

The demand a

factories.

sanitary requirements of Philadelphia

and skillful enmade and in prog-

liberal extension of its water-works,

from their main track at Fifty-first Street, Philadelphia, thence up the Schuylkill Valley, leaving the county at the line opposite Phrenixville. When this road is completed, Montgomery County will be most advantageously traversed with these modern highways. There are accompaniments to these public improvements of novel and increasing interest to the populous districts of country through which they pass, the telegraph and, later, the telephone. No system of railroading is now deemed complete without these

gineers have ascertained, by levels

necessary adjuncts to the safety of public travel, the

measurements were made, taking the " Norriton Ob-

prompt movement of

servatory" as a place of beginning. The extraordinary importance attached at the time to the work of these learned men, and the high standard of authority

structing a

new

line of road

and the methodical dispatch of business accumulating at centres of proThese duction, trade, and transatlantic shipment. means of direct and rapid communication with all freights,

parts of the country, focalizing as they pass through

the county and converging at the contiguous seaport city of Philadelphia, gives to the locality important

topographical advantages.

Lines of rapid

transit,

capable of transporting large bodies of men and corresponding tonnage of freight, are now essential agencies in travel and in conducting the exchange of commodities of the continent in time of peace as well as in time of war. They are anchored in the capital-

ress,

that the upper Perkiomen Valley has an eleva-

volume of water and storage capacity sufmeet present and future wants of the great city for a century to come, and furnish a healthful and perpetual supply of pure water. The true latitude and longitude of Montgomery County appears to have been ascertained with great precision in 1769-70 by David Rittenhouse and his

tion with a ficient to

distinguished scientific contemporaries. The astronomical observations which preceded the terrestrial

since conceded to them, renders of historical interest some account of their labors and the circumstances

connected with the event.

Latitude and tory.

— Norriton

Longitude, Norriton

Observa-

township, created by judicial pro-

ceedings, 1730, then

becoming a geographical subdi-

ized enterprise of the country, and are indispensabli to the success of the industrial pursuits in agriculture,

Their adaptation to manufacture, and commerce. the necessities and exigencies of war was well illustrated in the late Rebellion. The facility with which troops and supplies were transported to the line of the Susquehanna in the summer of 1863 was of great

importance in connection with movements relied upon to check the invasion of Gen. Lee, and in making the great battle of Gettysburg the turning-point of the war. In the event of foreign war, hostile agencies would first be directed to the capture or destruction of our seaport towns and cities. In that event Philadelphia and all the commercial advantages centring there would be a tempting prize to a maritime enemy. In such a contingency, one that may occur, all can readily see the importance that would be attached to the present topographical face of the county, checkered as it is with a network of trunk and lateral lines of railroads. What our common roads were to Gen.

l:

ITTENHOUSE OBSERVATOKY.

vision of Philadelphia, enjoys a world-wide celebrity

having had situated within its boundaries the "Norriton Observatory," at which place astronomical observations were made, and reported as " An Account of the Transitof Venus over the Sun's Disk, observed at Norriton, in the County of Philadelphia and Prov-

in

TOPOGRAPHY. ince of Pennsylvania,

June

3,

1769."^

was at the

It

point where then stood the "Norriton Observatory," about fifty feet north of the famous old residence, 1

The following gentlemRn were appointed by the American Philomake the observations and

aopliical Society, locatefl at Philadelphia, to

William Smith, D.D., Provost of the College John Lukens, Esq., Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania; David Rittenhrmse, A.M., of Norriton and John Sellers, Esq., Representative in Assembly for Chester. Communicated to the society July 20, 1769, by direction and in behalf of the committee, by Dr. Smith. "Gentlemen, Among the various public-spirited designs that have engaged the attention of this society since its first institution none does them more honor than their early resolution to appoint committees of their own members to make as many observations, in different places, of the rare phenomenon, the transit of Venus over the sun's disk, as they had any probability of being able to defray the expense of, either from their own funds or the public assistance they expected. As the mt^mbers of the Nurriton Committee live at some distance from each other, I am therefore, at their request, now to digest and lay before you in one view the whole of our observations in that place, distinguishing, howastronomical

c;iIciilatious

:

of Philadelphia;

;

—

and going back to the first preparations dependence which the learned world may place on any particular transit account will be in proportion to the previous and subsequent care which is found to have lieen taken in a series of accurate and well-conducted observations for ascertaining the going of the time-pieces, and fixing the latitude and longitude of the place of And I am the more desirous to be particular in these observations, etc. points in order to do justice to Mr. Rittenhouse, one of our committee, to whose extraordinary skill and diligence is owing whatever advantage maybe derived in these respects to our observation of the transit itself. It is further presumed that astronomers in distant countries will be desinms to have not only the work and reBults belonging to each particular transit observation, but the materials also, that they may examine and conclude for themselves. And this may be more particularly requisite in a new observatory, such as Norriti>n, the name of which has perliaps never before been heard of by distant astroimmers, and therefore its latitude and longitude are to be once fixed from principles that may be satisfactory on the present as well as on any future occasion. " Our great discouragement at our first appointment was the want of proper apparatus, especially good telescopes with micrometers. The generosity of our Provincial Assemblysoun removed a great partof this discouragement, not only by their vote to purchase one of the best reflecting telescopes, with a Dolland'a micrometer, but likewise by their subsequent donation of one hundred pounds for erecting observatories and defraying other incidental expenses. It was foreseen that on the arrival of this telescope, added tn such private ones as might be procured in the city, together with fitting up the instruments belonging to the honorable the Proprietaries of the province, viz., the equal-altitude and transit instrument and the largo astronomical sector, nothing would be wanting for the city observatory in the State-House Square but a good time-piece, which was easily to be procured. We remained, however, still at a loss how to furnish the Norriton Observatory, but even this difficulty gradually vanished. Early in September, 17GS, soon after the nomination of our committee, I received a letter fi'oni that worthy and honorable gentleman, Thomas Penn, Esq., one of the Proprietaries of thisprovince, which he wrote at the desire of the Rev. Mr. Makelyne, Astronomer Royal, expressing their desire 'that we would exert ourselves in observing the transit, fi.ir which our situation would be so favorable,' and inclosing some copies of Mr. Makelyne's printed directions for that purpose. Tins gave me an opportunity, which I inmiediately embraced, of acquainting Mr. Penn what preparation we had already made, and what encouragement the Assembly had given in voting one hundred pounds sterling for the purchase of one reflecting telescope and micrometer for the city observatory but that we would be at a great loss for a telescope of the like construction for the Norriton Observatory, and requesting him to order a reflector of two or two and a half feet, with Dolland's micrometer, to be got ready as soon as possible in London. It was not long before I had the pleasure of hearing that Mr. Penn had ordered such a telescope, which came to hand about the middle of May, with a most obliging letter, expressing the satisfaction he had in hearing of the spirit shown at Philadelphia for observing this curious phenomenon when it should happen, and concluding as follows: I have sent by Capt. Sparks a reflecting telescope, with Dolland's micrometer, exact to your request, which 1 hope will come safe to hand. After making your observations, I desire you will present it, in my name, to the college. ever, the part of each observer, for I

am

persuaded that

;

tlie

;

*

McKean and

Archibald 1770, to

2,

David Rittenhouse,

standing, that

still

Jesse Lukens,

assisted by met on July

commence the work of surveying a line

Mason and Dixon tell me they never used a better than that which I formerly sent to the Library Company of Philadelphia, with which a good observation may be made, though it has no micrometer.* We were now enabled t) furnish the Norriton Observatory as follows, Messrs.

viz.

A

"1.

Gregorian reflector, about 2

f.

focal length,

with a Dolland's

This telescope has four different magnifying powers, viz. 55, 95, 130, and 200 times, by means of two tubes, containing eye-glasses that magnify differently, and two small speculuma of differeot focal micrometer.

Made by Nairne; used by

distances. *'

A

2.

refractor of 42

f.,

its

Dr. Smith. magnifying power about

140.

The

glasses

were sent from London witli the large reflector, and belonged to Harvard College, New England; but as they did not arrive time enough to be sent to that place before the transit, they were fitted up here by Mr. Rittenhouse and used by Mr. Lukens. "3. Mr. Rittonhouse's refractor, with an object-glass of 36 f. focus, and a convt-x eye-glasa of 3 inches, magnifying about 144 times. Used by himself. Bdth these refractors, as well as the reflector, were in most exquisite order.

An

"4.

equal-altitude instrument, its telescope three and a half feet

focal length,

with two horizontal hairs, and a vertical one in

firmly supported on a stone pedestal, and easily adjusted to a

wire 4 feet in length by 2 screws, one moving

it in

its focus,

plummet

a north and south,

the other in an east and west direction.

A

meridian on an axis with fine can move in no other direction than along the meridian; in which are two marks, south and north, about 330 yards distance each, to which it can be readily adjusted in a horizontal position by one screw, as it can in a vertical position by another "r».

transit telescope, fixed in the

steel points, so that the hair in its focus

screw. "6. An excellent time-piece, having for its pendulum a flat steel bar, with a bob weighing about 12 pounds, and vibrating in a final arch. It goes eight days, does not flop when wound up, beats dead seconds, and These last three articles is kept in motion by a weight of 5 pounds.

were also Mr, Rittenhouse 's property, and made by himself. *'7. An astronomical quadrant, two and a half f. radius, made by Sisson, the property of the East Jersey Proprietors, under the care of the Right Honorable Wiljiam Earl of Stirling surveyor-general of tliat whom Mr. Lukens procured the use of it, and sent it up

province, from to

Mr. Rittenhouse

Thus we were

for ascertaining the latitu'le of

the observatory.

completely furnished with every instnmient As Mr. Rittenhonse's dwelling at Norriton is

at length

proper for our work.

about 20 miles nortliwest of Philadelpliia, our other engagements did not permit Mr. Lukens or myself to pay much attention to the necessary preparations.

But vk knew that we had intrusted them

to

a gen-

tleman on the spot, ^^UlO had, joined to a complete skill in mechanic8,8o extensive an astronomical and mathematical knowledge that the use, management, and even the construction of the necessary apparatus were

Mr. Lukens and myself could not set out till our arrival there we found every preparation so forward that we had little to do but to examine and adjust our respective telescopes to distinct vision. He had fitted up the different

perfectly familiar to him.

Thursday, June 1st; but

tfn

and made a great number of observations to ascertain the going of his time-piece, and so determined the latitude and longitude of the observatory. The laudable pains he had taken in these material articles will best appear from the work itself, which he has committed instruments',

into

my

liberty

hands, with the following modest introduction, giving me a care, and abilities leave no room to

which his own accuracy,

exercise "' Norriton, July 18,1709.

"'Dear

Sir,

—The

inclosed

is

the best account I can give of the con-

I saw during the interval between you would contract them, and also the other papers, into a smaller compass, as I would have done myself if I had known how, I beg you would not copy anything merely because I have written it, but leave out what you think superfluous. '" I am, with great esteem and affection, " Yours, etc., David Rittenhouse.

tacts as I

them.

observed them and of what

I should be glad

'

'**To Rev. Dr. Smith.'" Exbyicl from David Rittenhomf'' 8 Report of the Transit of Venus, June 3^ 1769, observed at the Nvrrilon Observatory.—"

began

to erect

an observatory, agreeable

'

Early in November,

to the resolutions of the

17*58,

Ameri-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

6

from the observatory to tlie State-House Square at Philadelphia. Mr. Rittenbouse having ascertained the latitude and longitude at the point with acknowl-

edged precision, and his reputation for exactness in all astronomical observations and calculations being duly credited in scientific and official circles in this

cxn Philosophical Society, but, through various disappointnienta from workmen and weather, could not complete it till the middle of April, 1769. I had for some time expectpd the use of an equal-altitude instrument from Philadelphia hut finding Icunld not depend on having it, I

others,

;

felt to

work and made one of as

March

Kiini)lea construction as I could.

the instrument was finished and put up out of doors, the observa-

'2uth

tory not hL'ing yet ready.

"'I had

some weeks

for

before this, however, with

though

my

equal-altitude instrument

«]nently I could not set

my

was not

my

36

f.

re-

such a manner that,

fractor, observed eclipsea of Jupiter's satellites in

finished,

and

conse-

time-piece to the true noon, I should, never-

theless, be able to tell the time of those eclipses afterwards

Fur

instruments sliould be ready.

when

the

almost every

this purpose I observed

was agreed to transact everything by signals, and that one know what another was doing. The situation of the telescopes, the two refractors being at some distance without tho observatory, and the reflector within, favored this design. Secondly, two persons, Mr. Sellers, one of our committee, and Mr. Archibald McClean, both well accustomed to matters of this kind, were placed atone window of the observatory, to count the clock and take the signal from Mr. Lnkens. Two of Mr. Rittenhonse's family, whom he had often employed to count the clock for him in his observations, were placed at another window to take his signal. My telescope was placed near the clock, and I was to count its beats and set down my own time. These preliminaries being settled, we prepared at two o'clock to sit down to our reit

should not

si>ective telescopes, or, I

should rather say,

lie

down

to

the refractors,

evening the time by the clock when the bright star in Orion disappeared behind a fixeil obstacle, by applying my eye to a small sight-hole made through a piece of brass fastened to a strong post. From this time to May 20 the clock was altered several times, once taken down and cleaned, removed back to the observatory, and regulated anew. Care was taken, however, to observe equal altitudes of the sun on the

on account of the sun's greatheight. As there was a large concourse of the inhabitants of the county, and many from the city, we wore appre-

days preceding and following any visible eclipse of the 1st satellite, when the weather would permit. May 20, in the morning, the clock was set

were over. And, to do them justice, during the 12' that ensued there could not have been a more solemn pause of silence and expectation if each individual had been waiting for the sentence that was to give him life or death. So regular and quiet was the whole that, far from hearing a whisper or word spoken, I did not even hear the feet of tlie count, era who passed behind me from the windows to the clock, and was sur-

fair

up

for the last time pretty

near the mean time.

It

had no provision

preventing the irregularities arising from heat and cold, nor could leisure to apply

any contrivance of

for

I find

This day I likewise put

this sort.

wires instead of hairs in the telescope of the equal-altitude instrument. Tlie

ill

state of

my

health would not permit

take equal altitudes of the stars.

I

me

to sit

up at nights

to

was, therefore, obliged to content

myself with those of the sun only.' *'It has been mentioned before that it was on Thursday afternoon, June 1, that Mr. Lnkena and myself arrived at Norriton, with a design to continue with Mr. Rittenhouse till the transit should be over. The prospect before us was very discouraging. That day and several preceding had been generally overcast with clouds and frequent heavy

common

a period at that season of the year in this part of America. But by one of those transitions which we often experience here, on Thursday evening the weather became perrains, a

thing not very

for so long

and continued the day fi>llowing, as well as the day of the ench a state of serenity, splendor of sunshine, and purity of atmosphere that nut the least appearance of a cluud was to be seen. fectly clear, transit, in

and the forenoon of June 3 were spent in making necessary examining and marking the foci of our several telescopes, particularly the reflector, with and without the micrometer. The reflector was also placed on a polar axis, and such supports contrived for resisting the ends of the refractors as might give them a motion as nearly parallel to the equator as such hasty preparations' would admit. Several diameters of the sun were taken, and the micrometer examined by such other methods as the shortness of the time would allow. The sun was so intensely bright on the day of the transit that, instead of using the colored glasses sent fi-oni England with the reflector, I put on a deeply-smoked glass prepared by Mr. Lukens, which gave a much more beautiful, natural, and well-defined appearance of the The smoked glass was fastened on the eye-tube with a Bun's disk. little beeswax, and there wjis no occasion to change it the whole day, as there was not tho least cloud or intermission of the sun's splendor. Mr. Rittenhouse, in his previous projection, had made the first external contact to be June 3, 2 h. 11' for lat. 40° N., and long. 5'^ W. of Greenwich, on a supposition of the sun's parallitx being 8". He happened to

June

2

preparations, such as

be very near the truth, for at contact was at Norriton,

lat.

'.i''

40°

10'3:i", 9'

mean

time, the

56" N., and long.

fiist

S""

external

1'31" West.

Other calculations made it generally from C to 8' later for the latitude and longitude. Though this calculatiou was not given to be entirely dependedon.yetit was sufficient to make us keep what, in the sea phrase,

would he called a good look-out and therefore at one o'clock we took the micrometer, which had been fitted to the reflector with a power of 95, and adjusted it to distinct vision, with the sumo power to observe the contacts, and during thi* hour that was to intervene from one to two we resolved to keep an alternate watch tlirough the reflector on that half of the sun's limb where Venus was certainly expected totouch, while the uthera not thus employed were fixing what more remained to be done, as follows, viz. First, That each uf us might the belter exercise our own judjiinent without being influenced or thrown into any agitation by the ;

off

:

hensive that our scheme for silence would be defeated by sume of them speaking when they should see any of the signals for the contacts, and therefore we found it necessary to tell them that the success of ourobservation would depend on their keeping a profound silence

prised,

when

I

turned from

my

till

the contacts

telescope to the clock, to find

them

all

there before me, counting up their seconds to an even number, as 1 im-

my associates had yet seen nothing As the contacts are among the most essential articles relative to this phenomenon, it is material, before we set down the times, to give a particular account of the manner in which they were observed and the circumstances attending them." Mr. Ititlenhouse^ a Account of the Contacts. " At 2i» 11' 39" per clock, the Rev. Mr. Barton, of Lanca^^ter, who assisted me at the telescope, on receiving my signal, as had been agreed, instantaneously communicated it to the counters at the window by waving a handkerchief, who, walking softly to the clock, counting seconds as they went along, noted down their times separately, agreeing to the same second; and three seconds sooner than this, to tho best of my judgment, was the time when the least impression made by Venus on the sun's limb could be seen by my telescope. When the planet had advanced about one-third of its diameter on the Bun,as I was steadily viewing its progress, my sight was suddenly attracted by a beam of light which broke through on that side of Venus yet off" the sun. Its figure was that of a broad-based pyramid, situated about 40 or 45 degrees on the limb of Venus, from a line passing through her centre and the sun's, and to the left hand of that line as seen through my telescope, which inverted. About the same time the sun's light began to spread round Venus on each side from the points where their limbs intei^ected each other. As Venus advanced the point of the pyramid still grew lower, its circular base wider,until it met the light which crept round from the points of intersection of the two limbs, agined, froui the deep silence, that of Venus.

—

80 that

when

half the planet appeared on the sun, the other half yet off

the sun was entirely suriounded by a semicircular light, best defined on the side next to the body of Venus, which continually grew brighter the time of the internal contact.

till

Imagination caunot form anything

more beautifully serene and quiet than was the air during the whole time, nor did I oversee the sun's limb more perfectly defined or more free from any tremulous motion, to which his great altitude undouhtodly contributed much. When the internal contact, as it is called.drew nigh, I foresaw that it would be very difficult to fix the time with any certainty, on account of the great breadth and brightness of the light which surrounded that part of Venus yet off the sun. After some conjudge as well as I could of the coincidence of the 28' and accordingly gave the signal for the internal contact at 45" by the clock, and immediately began to count seconds, which any one who has been accustomed to it may do for a minute or two pretty sideration I r'esolved to

limbs,

'l**

In this manner I counted no less than 1' 32" before the atmosphere of Venus on the sun's limb wholly disappeared, leaving that part of the limb as well defined as the rest. From this I concluded that I had given the internal contact too soon, and the times given by the other observers at Norriton confirm me in this opinion." near the truth.

effect of the

TOPOGRAPHY. country and in Europe, he was selected to report the difference of latitude and longitude between the *'Norriton Observiitory" and the State-House Square at Philadelphia, and harmonize the work with that of Mason and Dixon's Observatory at the soutli point of said city.

"ACCOUNT OF THE TERKESTRIAL MEASUREMENT OF THE DIFFERENCE OF LONGITUDE AND LATITUDE BETWEEN THE OBSERVATORIES OF NOBRITON AND PHILADELPHIA. American Philosophical Society, etc. : Agreeable to the appointment you made (at the request of the Astruuumer Ruyal), Mr. Lukens, Mr. Rilteuhouse, and myself, furnished with proper insirmuents, met at Norriton, early on Monday, July 2(1, for the above service, and took to our assistance two able and experienced surveyors, viz. Mr. Archibald McClean and Mr. Jesso Lukens. ^ The first tiling we did was accurately to a^iceitain the variatiou of our compass, which we found 3° 8' by Mr. Ritteu house's meridian **

To

thn

"Gkntlemen,

—

:

line.

We then carefully

standard of OG

feet.

Etruuient was duly

measured our chain, and adjusted itto the exact In the execution of the work, whenever the in-

set,

each course was taken off and entered

arately by three different peraons,

who

down

sep-

likewise kept separate accounts

of all the distances, and superinteniled the stretching of every chain, and the leveling and plumbing it whenever there was any ascent or descent in the road. July 1th we tinished the survey, and Mr. McClean, Mr. Jesse Lukens, and myself then agreed to bring out the difference of latitude and departure separately on each cour^se and distance to four or five decimal places and theie was so great an agreement in this part of the work when executed th;it we had all tlie samo results to a few links, and the whole was at last brought to agree in every figure by comparing the few places whore there was any difference, which scarce ever went further than the last decimal place. Mr. McClean and Mr. Lukena took Ihe trouble to bring out their work by multiplying each ;

distance by the natural sine of the course to

departure, and by the co-sine for the latitude. ertson's tables,

Distances.

and the following

radius unity for the

tlie

Mine was done by Rob-

results obtained

:

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

8

The mean, by comparison with the

the small difference ought perhaps to be divided; and 31

a

mean be taken

to reconcile

it

with the terrestrial

measurements, the lat. of the south point of Philadelphia would be 39° 56' 42", and that of Norriton 40° 9' 43". But as Mr. Rittenhouse had only Sisson's two and a half feet quadrant, and Messrs. Mason and Dixon were furnished with a complete astronomical sector, and did their work to fix the lines of two provinces, it may be thought that their determination is most to be relied upon. Nevertheless, the whole difference of

25"

in the celestial arc is so inconsidera-

ble as not to give 40 chains on the surface of the

CHAPTER

without any sensible error, by plain trigonometry, as the different arcs are so very small. In estimating the length of a degree to deduce the difference of latitude between the two observations, the spheroidal figure of the earth was taken into consideration, and the degree measured by Messrs. Mason and Dixon, in latitude 39° 12',

— 363,771

feet,

— was made the

standard, which being lengthened in the ratio of

59.7866 to 59.8035, gave 363,874 for a degree of the

meridian in the mean latitude between Philadelphia and Norriton, which is only 103 feet more than the deg. in lat. 39° 12', and makes but a fraction of a second difference in the latitude, so that it might have been disregarded. With respect to seconds of time in longitude, no sensible difference can be obtained in the small difference of about 11 miles,

whether we

consider the earth as a sphere or spheroid. In bringing out the 52" of time diff. of long., a degree of the

equator was taken in proportion to Messrs. Mason and Dixon's degree of the merid. in lat. 39". 12, in the ratio of 60 to 59.7866 (agreeable to Mr. Simspon's table),

By for a degree of the equator. taking a degree of longitude as fixed at the middle point by Mr. Maskelyne in lat. 38° 7' 35", and saying which gave 365,070

astheco-sineof that lat. is to co-sine of mean latitude between Philadelphia and Norriton, so is the length of adegree of long, at the middle point (viz., 284,869.5 feet) to the length of a degree in mean lat. between Norriton and Philadelphia, the result was got 52". 13, being only thirteen hundredth parts of a second more." Philadelphia, Aug. 17, 1770, William Smith, Norriton Observatory, N. Latitude, 40° 9' 43".

Note.

— The true latitude

and longitude of Phila-

delphia we give from a compilation made by Prof. B. A. Gould for one of the numbers of " The American

The data

Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac."

are

determined for the observatories in each case (Independence Hall being here taken)

Philadelphia, N. Latitude, 39° 57' 7.5". (MS. communication from Prof. Kendall) Longitude E. from Washington (U. S. Coast Survey) m.

By By

5 sets Eastern clock-signals

"

Western

8.

.

.

7 33.66

.

.

33.60

"

7 33.68

7 33.64

35.4" from

9' 23.4".'

AND GEOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY

BY PROFESSOR OSCAR

CARTER, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, PHILAD3LFH1A.

COUNTY. C. S.

—

Gold. The precious metals have been found throughout Montgomery County, but in such small quantities that their occurrence is more of scientific interest than of any practical value. Gold occurs disseminated throughout the azoic rocks, the oldest rocks with which we are acquainted. It is also found in the sands of rivers or in alluvial deposits which have been formed by the weathering and disintegration of the oldest formations. Southern Montgomery County, from Philadelphia as far north as Consho-

hocken,

is

made up almost

entirely of strata of the

oldest rocks, but only traces of gold

have been found,

1 On July 5, 1773, the Right Honorable the Earl of Dartmouth, who waa at that time Colonial Secretary (he had succeeded Lord Hillebor^ ongh one year before) in the cabinet of George HI., wrote to the Deputy

Governor of Pennsylvania (John Penn, the son of Richard Penn, who was the fifth child of William Penn by his second wife, Hannah Callow, hill) propounding certain " Heads of Enquiry relative to the present StHte and Condition"of Pennsylvania. The answers to these inquiries

were transmitted to Lord Dartmouth under date of Jan. 30, 1775, Id the communication the following occurs: " The City of Philadelphia, sit, uated near the Conflux of Delaware and one of its chief Branches, the Schuylkill, is the most considerable Town in the Province, or indeed in North America. The State-House in this City lies in North Latitude, 39^ 56' 53"; its Longitude from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, computed "West, 75° S' 45"; or, in time, 5 hours and 35 seconds. This Latitude and Longitude were both fi.xed by accurate astronomical Observation at the Transit of Venus, 17G9." In the Journal of Mason and Dixon, November, 1763, we learn tliat these surveyors established aa observatory in the southern part of Philadelphia, in order to find the starting-point of the parallel

which they were

run

to

off.

Their point

of departure was*' the most Southern part of Philadelphia," which they ascertained to be the north wall of a house on Cedar Street, occupied by

Thomas Plunistead and Joseph Huddle, and their observatory must have been immediately adjacent to this. The latitude of this point they determined to be 390 50' 29" nortii. In 1845, when the northeast cornerstone of Maryland could not be found (it had been undermined by a freshet, and was then taken and built into the chimney of a neighboring farm-house), the Legislatures of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware appointed a joint commission, who employed Col. Graham, of the

United States Topographical Engineers, to review Mason and Dixou'a woi k so far as was requisite in order to restore the displaced corner. Col. Graham, in thecourseof his measurements, determined thelatituda of the Cedar Street observatory to be 39° 66' 37.4" north. This is 8.3"

more than the

latitude given by

Mason and Dixon.

we add the diswe have for Inde-

If

tance from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street, 2650 feet,

pendence Hal 1 latitude as determined by Mason and Dixon, 39° 56' 55" ; as determined by Col. Graham, 39° 57' 03". Tlie slight variation id these calculations is surpiising. That reported by Governor Penn may have beeu based upon data differing from those of the surveys of 1761 and of Mason and Dixon. The greatest variation, however, is only about 1260

Mean

6'

IL

:

:

is

ORES, MINERALS,

All the results in the above work are got

earth.

mean

next East station (Jersey City),

Hence the longitude in arc is 358° Washington, and from Greenwich, 75°

feet.

feet,

or less than the fourth of a mile

Schar/^a HiHtorij of Philadtljthia.

;

the least

is

only

2(K1

CUES, MINERALS,

AND GEOLOGY. mining

districts of the

West the

silver is con-

notwithstanding frequent reports of rich deposits

richest

being discovered. Dr. Charles M. Wetherill found traces of gold on the property of Mr. Yoder, in Franconia township, Montgomery Co. The gold was found in quartz-

tained in either sulphide of lead or carbonate of lead.

rock and in iron pyrites. In the sand and gravel thrown out while digging a well he found brilliant From an analysis he found that every scales of gold.

In Montgomery County only traces of silver have been found, associated with a sulphide of lead which This lead ore is known as argentiferous galenite. holding silver was found at the Ecton mine, Shannonville, Montgomery Co., about four miles from Norristowu. This mine has not been worked since

hundred pounds, of gravel contained a quantity of

the war.

gold worth twenty-six and one-half cents. workman who had washed the sands of the

A

his native country for gold found in the gravel of the Delaware River at Bridesburg native gold in scales. The gold was extracted from the

Bhine in

sands by mercury and purified. It was estimated that one man could wash from the Delaware sands from twenty-five to sixty cents' worth of gold per day. From aipaper on the "Natural Dissemination of

Gold," by Messrs. Dubois and Eckfeldt, the following " There is a deposit of clay underneath the is taken city of Philadelphia ten miles square, with an average depth of fifteen feet. The inquiry was started whether :

gold was diffused in this earthy bed. From the cellar of a new market- house in Market Street, near Eleventh Street,

teen

we dug out some

feet,

where

it

clay at the depth of four-

could not have been an

artificial

The weight

of one hundred and thirty grammes was dried and duly treated, and yielded oneeighth of a milligramme of gold, a very decided quandeposit.

tity

on a

fine assay balance.

It

was afterwards

as-

its natural moisture loses about fifteen per cent, by drying, so that as it lies in the ground the clay contains one part in one million two hundred and twenty-four thousand. This experiment was repeated upon clay taken from a brick-

certained that the clay in

yard in the suburbs of the city with nearly the same In order to calculate with some accuracy the result. value of this body of wealth we cut out blocks of the clay, and found that on an average a cubic foot as it lies in the ground weighs one hundred and twenty pounds, as near as

The

ity 1.92.

may

be,

making the

specific grav-

assay gives seven-tenths of a grain

say three cents' worth

— of gold to the cubic

foot.

As-

Several beautiful lead minerals,

now

quite rare,

were found at this mine. Professor Geuth has assayed nearly all the lead ores According to his holding silver in Pennsylvania. assays, the lead ores from the Pequea mines in Lancaster County contain more silver than any in the State. The Lancaster County ores will yield from two hundred aud fifty to three hundred ounces of the metal silver per ton of ore. The Wheatley lead-mines of Chester County have these silver-bearing lead ores, which when assayed yield from ten to forty ounces of silver per ton.

At

the Wheatley mines silver has been found in its native state, that is, as the pure metal. It has not

—

The been found native in Montgomery County. Ecton mine, Montgomery County, yields silver in such exceedingly small quantities that it would not pay to extract the metal when assayed, the ores yield only from five to ten ounces of silver per ton. Copper. Copper occurs native and in a variety of Tlie only place in the United States where it ores. has been found native in great quantities is in North;

—

ern Michigan, near

Lake

Superior.

The Michigan

mines are vertical veins, mostly in trap-rock which intersect the red sandstone.

The

Clifi"

mine

in that

locality has yielded great quantities of native copper.

Que

mass was quarried out forty feet long, six and averaged six inches in thickness. This copper contains mixed with it about three-tenths per Copper occurs in crystalline azoic cent, of silver. rocks, such as gneiss, mica-schist, and in chloritic large

feet deep,

formations.

It

is

also found in the

new

red sand-

In the oldest rocks, such as the schists and gneisses, it does not occur in veins, but in beds which stone.

suming the data already given, we get four thousand one hundred aud eighty millions of cubic feet of clay under our streets and houses, in which securely lies one hundred and twenty-six millions of dollars.

are parallel to the strata in which it is found. It might be regarded as an accessory constituent in those

And

conformable.

if,

as

is

pretty certain, the corporate limits of

the city would

afl'ord

eight times this bulk of clay,

we have more gold than has yet according to the tralia.

The

statistics,

(18G1) been brought, from California and Aus-

gravel which underlies this auriferous

rocks.

You may

find

chalcopyrite and magnetic

iron ore disseminated throughout the rock, but always

Such deposits are called lenticular deand are found in Tennessee and North CaroThese deposits are very deceptive in one bed lina. you may find a good deposit of copper ore, and in the next bed you may find only a few crystals. Surface posits,

;

always richer than the clay above it in gold, hence if the gravel were assayed instead of the clay it would yield still more gold, but be of no practical

indications in these deposits are not reliable the best way is to sink a shaft and run adits in the direction

value."

formed

clay

is

—Silver

Silver. lead ores.

The

generally occurs associated with

rich Leadville deposits of Colorado

are found in carbonate of lead, and in most of the

;

of the ore.

Deposits like these are supposed to have same time the gneiss-rock which holds

at the

them formed. The two carbonates of copper known under the names of azurite and malachite are surface ores, nnd

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

10

are generally found near the top.

These ores are

Philadelphia, was president, and Samuel

The

Wilcox,

probably altered from other ores of copper by the

secretary.

Copper ores Such are the extensive deposits found in Montgomery County, which occur in quartz veins which have been deposited in fissures in the shale by means of infiltrating

Charles Macalester, David Longenecker, of Lancaster,

action of the carbonic acid in the

air.

are often found as true veins in quartz.

These ores occur in the new red

thermal waters.

sandstone and shale. Montgomery County Deposits of Copper. In the vicinity of Shannonville, Montgomery Co., indications of copper ore were discovered many years ago. As early as the year 1800 it was known that copper ore occurred in this locality. It is not known with cer-

—

tainty

who

first

discovered the ore, or

who

it

was

dug the ore from this neighborhood. On the property known as the Wetherill estate ore was first discovered by some teamsters; it was turned up with the mud by the wheels of the wagons. Stephen Girard became interested in these surface indications, and he had a shaft sunk, with the hope of obtaining rich ore in abundance. His that sunk the

efforts

proved

first

shaft or

fruitless.

Some

ore was taken out as-

sociated with lead ores, but copper

was not found

in

payingquantities. Samuel Wetherill sunk shafts along

the Perkiomen Creek near WetheriU's mill, but ore

was not yet found in paying quantities. From time to time copper ore had been found in considerable quantities at Shannonville, along the creek which empties into the Perkiomen. Several parties became interested at different times in these deposits. last

At

the ore was found in such abundance, and the

indications were so promising, that the attention of

was directed to this locality. About John and Robert Rowe, who were English miners from the Cornwall mines, became interested in these mines and sunk shafts. They obtained copper ore of a good quality. The mines practical miners

the year 1829,

changed hands several times during the next twenty The Ecton mine was managed by the Ecton Consolidated Mining Company, who sunk a shaft two hundred and forty feet deep, and drove a few levels. The Perkiomen mine was managed by the Perkiomen Mining Association, who sunk a shaft over three hundred feet deep, and mined much more successfully and extensively than the Ecton Company. They erected Cornish pumping-engines of great value, and were provided with all the necessary running machinery. These two companies were finally bought out by a new company, known as the Perkiomen Consolidated Mining Company. They purchased the real estate, mines, machinery, and other property of the Perkiomen Mining Association for the sum of one hundred and nine thousand dollars; and they purchased the property of the Ecton Association for one hundred and eleven thousand dollars. This new company carried on mining operations very years.

extensively. It

was a stock company.

George Cadwalader, of

directors were

George Cadwalader,

and Samuel F. Tracy and Horatio Allen, of New York. This company was organized in 1852, and they issued fifty thousand shares of stock the par value of each share was six dollars. At the Perkiomen shaft there ;

—

was some valuable machinery, a fifty-inch cylinder Cornish pumping-engine of one hundred horse-power at the Ecton shaft, a one hundred horse-power highpressure pumping-engine, twenty and a half inch cylinder. Besides these pumping-engines there was a whim-engine at both of the mines. Powerful crushers were on the mine, and other machinery at the surface, such as tram-roads and wagons, capstans and shears, whims and whim-chains, pulley-stands, etc. The value of the machinery at the surface was thirty thousand two hundred and twelve dollars. The value of the underground machinery plungers and drawing lifts, main-rods, bobs, ladders, bucket-rods, etc. was about nine thousand eight hundred and forty-two dollars. The Perkiomen mine was situated on low ground near the creek, while the Ecton mine was situated on high ground about eighteen hundred feet distant. The method of mining was to sink shafts, and then to drive levels in the direction of the ore. When a bed of ore was reached it would be taken out, and this would leave an open chamber of rock known as a stope, which is shown on the map. Levels were generally driven out from the main shaft at distances of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty fathoms from the surface of the mine, so that there would be no danger of caving in. This would leave a distance of sixty feet between each level. After the main shaft of the Perkiomen mine had been sunk two hundred and forty feet, and the main shaft of the Ecton mine had reached a depth of three hundi-ed and thirty feet, it was determined to connect these two shafts by a level or tunnel which would be eighteen hundred feet in length. This level was afterwards completed and the mines were connected under ground. The extent of these levels and shafts and the position of the slopes are shown on the map. The various depths of the levels from the surface and the depths of the shafts are marked in fathoms. In the Perkiomen mine, at the ten-fathom level the lode varies from one to fifteen feet in width, and is composed of gossan, quartz, malachite, and heavy spar; at the twenty-fathom level the lode varies from two to fifteen feet in width, and is composed of gossan, quartz, malachite, and heavy spar; at the twentyfathom level the lode varies from two to fifteen feet in width, and is composed of gossan, quartz, malachite, chalcopyrite, and heavy spar; at the forty-fathom level the lode varies from four to twelve feet in width, and is composed of quartz, chalcopyrite, and heavy spar at the fifty-fathom level the lode varies from four to nine feet in width, and is composed of quartz, gossan, heavy spar, malachite, and chalcopyrite. But

—

;

—

ORES, MINERALS, few lodes or mineral Teins were found at the Ecton mine. The miners were Englishmen who had been brought over from the Cornwall mines in England. In 1852 about two hundred men were employed at the mines. The miners were not under a regular sa:lary by the week or month, but a number of them would club

AND GEOLOGY. of the directors, shows the amount, percentage, value of the ores mined

This method of working sometimes proved profitable to the men, but occaThe sionall}' they would be losers by the contract. men went to work in the mines with candles in their hats,

feet for a certain

which

One

is

and

OKE SOLD BT PERKIOMEN CONSOLIDATED MINES FKOM AUGUST,

Whom

To

together and agree to extend a level or a stope so

many

11

TO APRIL,

1851,

1S52.

Sold.

sum.

5....

great difficulty they had to contend with was

the water which accumulated in the shafts and inter-

The pumping-engines

Samuel

65."*«

F. Tracy..

S19.10 85.10

82,767.86 2,190.39

17.50 64.25 2;s.2S

325 08 4,870.24 425.11

20i%

68.68

4,103.86

8l%

22.94

917.92

23/^5^ lOjVol

84.00 30.00

8,156.21 l,7oi.02

Baltimore Copper Smelting

Compauy

75.'=' i

18.14111 7

Company.. Oct.

28...

Snuiuel F. Tracy., 18.«ia

Dec.

16..

21

j

Baltimore Copper Smeltiugi

I

Baltimore Copper Smeitiog

Compaoy

at

both shafts were kept at work draining the mines. The farmers in the vicinity, also, were sorely tried, as their well3*(vere drained dry, and no water could be procured unless it was pumped from the mines. Charles M. Wheatley, who was manager in 1851, says "that all persons acquainted with mining opera-

1

25.1129 Sept. 24..

mode of illumination.

a rather primitive

fered with their mining.

1851.

Aug.

59.l»i!>

Baltimore Copper Smelting

40."

Company 1852.

AprillT. Samuel F. Tracy..

97.

Tone..

2M

52i.mi..

$30,573.80

examined the workings at Perkiomen have expressed astonishment at the regularity, size, strength, and productiveness of the veins, and the high percentage of the copper ore obtained from them. The Perkiomen is the first regular copper lode opened in this country, and bears a true resemblance Professor H. D. Rogers, to the Cornish system." former State Geologist, in speaking of the mines, says,

During the year 1853 one hundred and forty-three and sold for nine thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine dollars and thirty-nine cents. The principal copper ores and minerals which have been mined at this locality are chalcopyrite, covellite,

entertain a very firm

copper the sulphide was the more abundant. These mixed with an ore of zinc known as zincblende, or sulphide of zinc, which made the metallurgy of the ores more difficult and expensive. The ores were crushed and freed from zincblende by

ions that have

'"I hesitate

not to declare that

I

become an important mining district, and that the ores of lead and copper will return remunerative profits upon the exercise of skill and prudence. The remarkable regularity and parallelism of the lodes is an excellent indication of their consistency. Another fact is the belief that your region

is

destined to

exceedingly well-defined character of these mineral lodes, which do not spread and lose themselves or their ores in the adjoining strata, but insulate themselves from the rocks of the country by plainly-marked parallel walls,

between which

all

the metallic ores of

the region and associated gangue-stones are found.

The

A

veins are true

and regular metalliferous

very important feature

is

downwards from the outcrops of these

we have only

lodes.

the gradation in passing veins.

First

the vein-stones, the metals being weath-

ered out or dissolved; then at a few fathoms below the surface

we

find

mingled with these vein-stones

tons were raised

cuprite, nielaconite, chrysocolla, chite,

and

azurite.

libethenite, mala-

The most abundant

chalcopyrite and malachite

;

ores were of these two ores of

ores of copper were

mechanical means as

much

as possible before ship-

ment.

The mines were worked they were closed,

until the year 1858,

when

— not

enough ore was taken out to meet the running expenses. The shafts had been sunk much deeper, that of the Perkiomen mine being over four hundred and eighty feet in depth, while thatof the Ecton was oversix hundred feetdeep. The mines from the time they were opened until they were closed never paid the

Many

amount of money invested

in

mines were heavy losers. It is said that George Cadwalader, of Philadelphia, who was president of the company in 1851, invested one hundred thousand dollars, and many

them.

interested

in the

sums

those metallic ores of lead, copper, and zinc which

others invested large

and deeper still the same vein-stones contain the sulphurets and other permanent ores of copper." There were no smeltingfurnaces at the mines, and none of the copper ores

seems to be the general opinion that the mines were managed extravagantly and without prudence, and that there were too many needless officers drawing high salaries. In 18G5 a quantity of refuse ore was worked at a profit by C. M. Wheatley, of Phosnixville, and Capt. Cocking, of Cornwall, England. The property is now owned by Richard Ricard, of New York, who purchased it for forty thousand dollars. The shafts are now full of water, and the machinery and buildings are in a state of decay.

are readily vaporized by heat;

were smelted in the neighborhood, but were sent to New York and Baltimore for reduction. The ore was first sent to Umpstead's Landing, at Green Tree, and then to Philadelphia by canal-boats, and from there to New York. The following table, taken from the annual report

in

the enterprise.

It

HISTORY OF iMONTGOMERY COUNTY.

12

Copper ore has been found and mined in Upper Salford township.

Tliis vein

of copper ore

is

found

rare metal

is

found in

its

native state of purity in the

Montgomery Co. It occurs in the same gravel in which scales of native gold were found. The largest pieces of tin were found gravel of Franconia township,

on Abraham Kober's farm, situated on the Ridge road, about four and a half miles west of Tylersport, and in the vicinity of Sumneytown. The ore was first discovered on the surface in a small outcrop, and these surface indications led to further developments.

adhering to the gravel and forming a rounded mass of a white malleable metal, which was analyzed and found to be pure tin. By panning more spangles of

Excavations were immediately begun, and at a depth

native tin were obtained.

of fifteen feet a vein eight inches in thickness was

the county by Dr. C.

discovered.

The farm was afterwards leased by Mr. Phoenixville, who set a force of

Samuel Milligan, of

men

digging deeper, and finally a rich vein of ore

was reached, which at the beginning was only an inch in thickness, but which increased in width until a thickness of three feet was reached, when the rock was cleared away for several feet. About four tons of copper ore were taken out. The ore is found associated with quartz, which is characteristic of some copper deposits. It occurs in the new red sandstone belt. The ore appears to be chalcopyrite, or copper pyrites, which is a sulphide of copper and iron, CujS -\- FejSj, containing when pure 34.6 copper, 30.5 iron, and sulphur 34.9 color, brass-yellow, often iridescent. The other ore is bornite, which varies in color from brown to copper-red, but is mostly tarnished to purplish color. This ore is purer than chalcopyrite, but is also a sulphide of copper and iron, SCu^S -)- Fe,S3. It contains when pure copper 55.58, iron lt>.37, and sulphur 28.05. This is a valuable copper ore. Mr. William F. Dannehower informs me that native copper was also taken from this mine. The mine was finally abandoned, as the process of mining was expensive, and ore in paying quantities was not found after a depth of thirty feet was reached. Mining operations were first begun in Upper Salford in 1878, and the mine was abandoned in 1880. The ore taken from this mine was of a very good quality, but it does not exist in paying quanti;

ties.

The next

locality in the county where copper was about one and a half miles below Norristown, along the line of the new Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad. This very small deposit was found in the limestone belt, and was thrown out by a dynamite blast. It is unusual to find copper in

found

is

From an examination of the found them to be chalcopyrite, with very thin coatings of malachite. There is, however, no regular vein in this locality, but the mineral is disseminated through a vein of quartz which runs through bastard marble in the limestone. So far it has been found only in very small quantities. Tin. Tin is generally found in rocks of the oldest limestone deposits.

specimens

I

—

formations, and very often in the

gravels in which gold

is

found.

same rocks and The Cornwall mines

England are the richest and most valuable in the world. But little tin has been found as yet in the

in

United States. It

is

interesting to observe that this exceedingly

'

Tin was

first

noticed in

M. Wetherill.

These slight traces are the only instances on record of the occurrence of tin in Pennsylvania.

—

The principal ores of iron are magknown as magnetite red hematite, also called specular ore brown hematite, known under the name of limonite spathic iron ore, known as siderIron Ores.

netic oxide,

;

;

;

which contains titanium and which contains chromium. Among the ores of iron might be included iron pyrites, a compound of iron and sulphur, which is quite worthless for the manufacture of iron on account of the ite

;

titanic iron ore,

chromic iron

sulphur

it

;

ore,

contains.

Magnetic Ikon Ore,

—

FEjO,. The purest and most important ore of iron is magnetite. Pure magnetite is a combination of ferric and ferrous oxides, and is represented by the formula FcjO,. It contains when pure 72.4 per cent, of iron and 27.6 per cent, of oxygen. It is seldom found free from impurities, some of which influence its value as a source of iron. The minerals generally found with magnetite are feldspar,

This ore

hornblende, quartz, sahlite, and apatite. strongly magnetic, attracting soft iron

is

and the magnetic needle, and many masses of this ore are true native magnets, and from this interesting fact the ore derives its

name.

It occurs in crystals,

the usual form being the octahedron in

it

also occurs

The hardness gravity about 5. The color is

iron-black,

dodecahedral crystals.

the specific

;

is

5.5,

and

and the lustre metallic. The magnetic ores are found in the oldest rocks in the Huronian and Laurentian formations. The ore occurs in beds, which are often parallel, and they generally coincide with the inclination and direction of the crystalline strata between which they lie. They are generally found in beds of gneiss, schist, or in other granitic rocks that have been metamorphosed by heat. These ores are supposed to have reached their positions between layers of granitic rocks while they were in a melted state, their intrusion being due to a force which ruptured the earth's crust in the direction of the strata and pressed the liquid ore and other fused mineral matters into the open fissures. these ores are mined when the dip is not

The way

is to leave numerous solid pillars of ore standing to prop up the rock and act as a support, and then remove by blasting the ore which intervenes.

steep

Another supposition in regard to these ores is that they were once hematite ores, and have taken up an extra supply of oxygen and been altered by heat into magnetite. Beds of magnetic ore are searched i'ur

ORES, MINERALS,

AND GEOLOGY.

by means of the magnetic compass. Whenever the compass is in the vicinity of a bed of magnetite the

Iron

needle exhibits a strong disturbance.

Alumina Lime

This, together

with a geological clue and an inspection of the dip and direction of the adjoining gneiss, are necessary

data

for

finding the outcrop of the ore.

This ore is largely developed through Canada westward to Lake Huron. Extensive beds occur in New York, and a locality at Lake Champlain furnishes

many

puddling-furnaces in this State with

large blocks of crystallized magnetite.

some of the New England

It

is

found

and in the mountainous districts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The world-renowned Swedish ore, which is so pure, is massive magnetite. No very important deposits of magnetic ore are found in Montgomery County. Fine octahedral crystals are found at the soapstone-quarries near Lafayette, and on the opposite side of the river, near the abandoned soapstonequarry, I have noticed quite perfect crystals of the In many of the creeks and brooks of same form. the county, and in the Schuylkill River sometimes, is found a black sand which is composed mainly of fine in

States,

Crystals are found at Chestnut Hill. Although no large beds are found in the county, yet at Boyertown, which is but a few miles from the county line, several mines of magnetic ore are worked. These mines have been worked for many years, both by shaft and slope some of the The ore veins are over twenty feet in thickness. particles of magnetite.

;

contains a high percentage of sulphur, and before using;

many

is

roasted

blast-furnaces in the county use

There are mines of magnetic ore at Lebanon, Reading, and on an island in the These mines contain imporriver near Reading. tant and valuable deposits of magnetite. Magnetic ore is indispensable in puddling operations to burn the carbon out of the pig-iron. The large blocks of crystallized magnetite are arranged by the the Boyertown ore.

who term the process " building the furThe Lake Champlain ore is used by many

puddlers,

nace."

puddling-furnaces in this county. to melt than the hematites, but in iron.

The following

It is

more

diflicult

purer and richer

is

analyses were

made by

Dr.

13 (1)

Silica

botryoidal, stalactitic, fibrous,

The

Silica, chlorite, etc

very often specimens have a black, lustrous appear-

ance on the surface and are perfectly smooth, and sometimes they show a silky lustre this is noticeable in the fibrous varieties, which are often called fibrous hematite. The massive varieties have an earthy or clayey lustre. This ore contains when pure 85.6 per cent, of Fefi^ (oxide of iron) and 14.4 per cent, of water this would be equivalent to about 59.92 per cent, of metallic iron. Whenever brown ;

;

hematite

heated in a glass tube

is

99.804

Old Bed Mine, ViOOftet below

Magnetic oxide of iron Phosphate of lime Titjiniuir oxide Silica, chlorite, etc

New Bed Mine.

97.00 contains 70,24 per cent, of iron.

383 contains .076 phosphorus. 250 2.45

The

much

softer

than the other iron ores

5 to 5.5, specific gravity 3.6 to 4.

botryoidal

by the Pottstown Iron Company, phosphorus and sulphur not estimated

ore, furnished

:

ofi"

;

The

its

hardness

stalactitic

is

and

it frequently assumes are and serve to distinguish it from other It melts more readily in a blast-furnace

forms which

characteristic,

ores of iron.

than either of the preceding ores. Brown hematite is also known under the name of limonite. Brown ochre

and yellow ochre are varieties of this ore they are Bog-iron ore occurs in swamps, clayej' and ochreous. bogs, and in low grounds. It is a porous, earthy ore, of a brownish-black color. It is supposed that this ore was deposited from water which was charged with iron in solution, and when exposed to oxidation by air and the reducing action of decomposing organic matter, it was thrown down in layers and formed When brown hematite occurs stalacbog-iron ore. titic it forms what is commonly known as pipe-ore; the ore looks like a collection of little pipes, which sometimes are hollow sometimes it forms hollow spherical masses, commonly known as pot or bomb;

;

These hollow bombs often contain water

or masses of soft clay.

is

due

The

interior often presents a is

quite lustrous

to a fine coating of oxide of mangane.se

;

this

which

This ore generally occurs in pieces, be separated from the clay and quartz Brown hematite is a common ore in Montgomery County, and many thousand tons of this ore have been taken out. The ore occurs in the limestone belt from Edge Hill westward to the Chester covers the ore.

which have by washing.

to

line.

It

is

found in extensive deposits of clay.

ore ever dug in this valley east of the Schuylkill was near Spring Mill, on the farm of J. Kirkner; this was in the year 1828. It

following analyses are of Boyertown magnetic

will give

on the side of the tube. This fact distinguishes it from magnetic iron ore and red hematite, neither of which contain any water. Another peculiarity of this ore is it always contains phosphoric acid and manganese, besides the It is clay and sand which generally accompany it.

County

100.083

it

water, which will form in drops

Mine.

1.04

and radiating masses.

color varies from dark-brown to ochre-yellow;

varnish-like appearance which per cent, of iron. 104 contains .0208 pho8i)horus. 46

15.173 7.529 Trace.

—

ore Magnetic oxide of iron Phosphate of lime Titanium oxide

5.22 8.37 1.18

9.09

Browx Hematite, 2FeX>3,3B.fi. This widespread ore of iron occurs massive, and often occurs in

shell ore.

98. "20 coiitaios 71.11

40.159

Magnesia

Koenig, of the University of Pennsylvania, and show the composition of Lake Champlain magnetic New Bfd

(2)

46.36 11.90

is

said the

From

first

Hitner's mine, near Marble Hall,

immense

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

14

have been taken. In the year 1853 about twelve thousand tons were taken from this mine. It is estimated that from the time iron ore was first mined in the county up to the year 1858, over sixty thousand tons of brown liematite ore were taken from the ore-pits which are situated in the limestone belt

quantities of ore

on the

east side of the Schuylkill.

The

iron-ore belt

begins in the neighborhood of Edge Hill and Oreland.

In this vicinity there are quite a number of iron-ore pits, which furnish large quantities of ore many of the ;

have been exhausted, but new ones are constantly started. The ore from this locality is a highly silicious brown hematite; the silica varies from 10 to 30 per cent., and the average percentageof silica in these These ores ores is about 24 per cent., which is high. contain phosphorus; the percentage of this injurious impurity varies in different ores, but the average Edge Hill ore contains from .18 to .3 per cent, phospits

The percentage of

phorus.

metallic iron in the ores

Edge Hill and vicinity varies from 35 to 50 per The following analysis will give an idea of the composition of the Edge Hill ores. This brown hematite is known as the Harvey ore, taken from

of

",eut.

Oreland

:

Silica

27.16

Iron

«.91

Alumina

40

Phospiiorua

25 Traces.

Lime and magnesia

which the ore was mined in former times. Shafts now sunk vertically, and when a deposit of ore is found the opening is made in the direction in which

in

are

The

the ore extends. ally,

tion

shaft

is five feet

square gener-

and sometimes extends down in a vertical direcfor one hundred feet, and then levels are driven

in the direction of the ore.

The

ore, clay, etc., are

drawn from the bottom of the shaft in buckets, which are attached to a windlass. There are two or three shafts at this deposit, one of which is ninety feet deep. They strike water ab a depth of about one hundred This deposit yields about two thousand five feet. hundred tons of ore per year. Hallman's mine adjoins Tracey's and has not been worked quite as extensively. It also is worked by shafts, one of which is

over eighty-seven feet deep.

sooner at this mine.

As high

They iis

strike water

sixteen

hundred

tons of ore per year have been taken from this mine.

Neither of these two deposits are being worked extensively at present. The ores are brown hematites of

good quality, which are screened before using. Red hematite is found here also, but not in such large quantities. In an adjoining field a new bed of ore has been opened, and is worked by Mr. Hitner. The next deposit of iron ore is between Potts' Landing and Harmanville. On Mr. Freedley's property, near Potts' Landing, a new mine was opened in August, 1883. The ore is found a few feet from the surface in the clay about two hundred and fifty tons of ore have been dug from this deposit during August and September. The ore is brown hematite, and is shipped to the Pottstown blast-furnaces. It is mixed with clay to a considerable extent, and has to be screened before using. An iron-ore mine was opened on the property of William Wills, situated near Ridge Road Station, on the Plymouth Railroad. Ore was dug here in 1872, and the mines were bought by the Phcenix Iron Company, who went to considerable expense in erecting machinery and engines. It seems that the project was not a paying- one, and finally the machinery and engines were abandoned. In 1880 the mines were again worked. This ends the principal localities where ore is dug east of the ;

The

Edge Hill uses this they enrich on magnetic ore from Spain, which

ore;

extensive blast-furnace at

contains only .025 per cent, of phosphorus, and they also use a foreign hematite of great purity.

Edge

Hill ore contains so

much

stone must be used to flux the ore, which possible from silica.

This

silica that a limeis

The next important

as free as

deposits of

hematite are in the vicinity of Marble Hall, and are owned by Daniel O. Hitner. The pits in this

neighborhood have been worked for a great many years, and have furnished thousands of tons of ore. The mines at the present time are furnishing an excellent quality of ore, which is screened before using at Mr. Fulton's blast-furnace, in Coushohocken. This ore does not seem to contain as much phosphorus as the ore from the extreme eastern part of It is highly silicious, like the Edge Hill ores, and contains a high percentage of iron. The following analysis is of ore from Hitner's pit,

the iron-ore belt.

above Marble Hall

West of the Schuylkill River, in Upper Merion township, are extensive deposits of brown hematite, which were worked years ago. Between Henderson Station and Gulf Mills there are many abandoned ore- pits, which show the direction of Schuylkill River.

the iron-ore belt.

Silica.

Iron Pliosphorus

10

Lime ami magnesia

A short distance from

marble-quarries ore was

20.00 45.00

Traces.

Engines, washers, and screens were used, as the ore was mixed with a large amount of clay. It was

The next neighborhood in the limestone valley where brown hematite is dug is at Tracey's iron-ore pit. This locality is about one mile east of Conshohocken. The ore was first dug there in 1860, and from

screened and washed before

that time until the present a great deal of ore has

small

Deen taken out.

There

is

one large open pit where

the ore was formerly dug, which shows the rude

way

Henderson's

mined quite extensively.

furnaces.

Many

are exhausted.

it

was sent

to the blast-

some dug in

of these pits are neglected, and

The amount of hematite

ore

Upper Merion township at the present time is very when compared with what was dug in former years. Throughout tlie Jlontgomery County limestone valley we find extensive deposits of clay, and ;t is in

ORES, MINERALS, these deposits of clay that the occurs.

lu

fact,

nearly

all

brown hematite

ore

the beds which have been

worked thus far occur in this clay. The deposits in the neighborhood of Marble Hall, Potts' Landing, and Gulf Mills are found in clay. Another noticeable fact is that both the clays and iron ores are generally found in

the vicinity of the quartzose mica-schists or the

slates.

of iron.

These rocks contain quartz, mica, and oxide

They

are especially rich in o.xide of iron

(hematite), often containing as high as nine per cent.

supposed that the iron-ore deposits and clay-beds have resulted from the decomposition of these micaschists and mica-slates. This is extremely probable, because these hydro-mica schists and slates contain not only oxide of iron, but also hydro-mica, which contains the very elements clay is composed of, It

is

AND GEOLOGY. and

6.5,

its

specific gravity is

;

FcoOs

;

lustre, metallic.

steel-gray color of this ore,

a powder the color of

;

All of these slates contain free silica or sand,

hence when these mica-slates decompose they yield clay, brown hematite, or oxide of iron, and free silica, or sand. Another fact which goes far to prove that this is the true origin of the ores and clays, is that near many of the clay deposits we find a pure white sand, composed of very fine grains, although sometimes the sand has a faint brown or red tint. This sand bears no resemblance whatever to the new red sandstone, as it is often perfectly white, and is made up of exceedingly fine particles of silica, containing no admixture of feldspar. This is exactly the same kind of sand or free silica which these mica-slates contain, and it is extremely probable that these deposits of fine white sand found near the clay have resulted from the rotting and decomposing of the slates. This fine sand cannot be melted, and it is mined and shipped to the iron-works, where it is used when a substance that will stand a high heat without melting is

required;

its

principal use

naces and heating-furnaces.

is

to line puddling- fur-

it is

has a foliated structure

it

Notwithstanding the when it is reduced to

When

red. is

specular iron

called micaceous iron.

The finest specimens of crystallized specular ore come from the island of Elba. Red ochre and red chalk containing clay are varieties of red hematite. fossil ores are the most interesting of red hema-

The

There are extensive deposits of fossil ore in Tioga, Bradford, Blair, Huntingdon, Juniata, and tites.

other counties in Pennsylvania.

made of masses of

are plainly visible,

;

There

;

tion,

and of a somesometimes they are colored red by ferric oxide. They have an unctuous, soapy feel on exposure to weather they soon decompose, and are converted into a soft, unctuous clay. silky lustre

4.5 to 5.3.

Specular iron is a variety of red hematite which has a highly brilliant lustre, showing the Spiegel or mirror color, dark steel-gray or iron-black composi-

is

what

from

are several varieties of red hematite.

namely, silica, alumina, and potash. These schists and slates are generally of a grayish tint,

15

This ore

little shells

is

red,

and

or bivalves, which

and the middle bed of this ore contains remains of fishes, which are visible in the This bed is known as the fish-bed, and the ore ground and used for paint. These shells are supposed to have lived in a mud which contained an abundance of iron in some form, and when they died the organic matter decomposed and set up a galvanic action, which precipitated the iron on the shells. The organic matter may have reduced and precipitated the iron from solution. This ore occurs in layers, and is mined like a coal-bed.

ore. is

The

deposits are generally thin, varying from a few inches to three feet or more in thickness, and run in a zigzag style for over one hundred miles. These ores

contain sulphur and rather a high percentage of phosphorus. Red hematite occurs both in the crystalline

and

stratified rocks,

and

is

of

all ages.

The most

ex-

tensive beds, however, occur in the oldest rocks, while

the clayey varieties occur in stratified rocks. It is found in the new red and also the old red sandstone, and is found also in the limestone belt near Conshohocken. In Montgomery County red hematite has been found in several localities in the iron-ore belt.

At Edge Hill, where the iron-ore belt begins in Montgomery County, a variety containing titanium

Red Hematite, FcjOj. —-This important ore of iron named from its red color. When pure it is ferric

oxide has been found. It has also been found at the Perkiomen copper-mine, near Shannonville, Montgomery Co. the variety found here is micaceous. Oa the road from Jarrettown to Camp Hill, in Upper Dublin township, I found several large blocks of an impure micaceous hematite mixed with an iron-black stratified rock. The ore has never been found here in large quantities, but these surfoce indications warrant further investigation. At Tracey's mine, near Conshohocken, which is described under brown hematite, I noticed considerable red hematite interspersed with

oxide, Fe^Oj,

and contains seventy per cent, of iron and thirty per cent, of oxygen. It crystallizes in the hexagonal system, and the crystals are often thin and

brown hematite, which had been thrown out. Mr. Hallman, whose mine adjoins this one, informed me that quite a considerable quantity had been taken

tabular.

from his mine. The samples secured were massive and compact, and of a bright red color all over. Tlie red sandstone which covers the northern and central

I noticed

a deposit of

the sand back of Potts' marble-quarries;

and

it is

near

shipped to the furnaces at Conis also found at Lynch's claybeds on the Ridge road. I have been informed that, on Mr. Freedley's property, near Potts' Landing, in the vicinity of the mica-.slates, a bed of this sand was worked. It will be noticed that these deposits are in the mica-slates,

shohocken.

A

is

deposit

the vicinity of mica-slates.

is

It also occurs massive, granular, foliated, micaceous, and sometimes botryoidal and stalactitic. It is of about the same hardness as magnetite, 5.5 to

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

16

Montgomery County owes its color to the The red soils which are

jiortions of

j)resence of red hematite.

many

prevalent in

localities in the

county contain a

small amount of red hematite, which gives them their color, although in many cases, where the soil is derived from red shale, the percentage of hematite considerable.

The red

is

shales of the county contain

quite a high percentage of red hematite. Along the Stony Creek Railroad from Norristown to Lansdale are found beds of red shale, alternating with sandstone. At Belfry and Acorn Stations particularly the district is very shaly. I secured a sample of shale on this road near Norristown, and found on analysis that ityielded ten per cent, of red hematite. In case of any scarcity of ore perhajjs these shales could be utilized. Red ochre has been found in the iron-ore pits which are south of Henderson's marble-quarry, in Upper Merion township, and red hematite associated with brown hematite is also noticed there. Impurities.

—-The

impurities in iron ores are those

substances which tend to deteriorate or render unfit for use the iron

made from

the ore.

The impurities

often found in iron ores are phosphorus, sulphur, tita-

nium

oxide, copper, and zinc, all of which are injuri-

Phosphorus is the worst impurity with and the most difficult to eliminate. A high percentage of phosphorus in iron produces cold-shortne.ss, and makes both iron and steel exceedingly brittle. A pencil of cold-short iron containing one per cent, of phosphorus is so brittle that ous constituents.

we have

it

to deal

will readily

of metal.

snap in pieces when dropped on a piece

In the manufacture of steel, ores free from

phosphorus must be used, as .030 of one per cent, phosphorus is the maximum amount allowed in a good steel. It is on this account that such large quantities of ore are shipped to this country from Spain, Africa, and Sweden, these foreign ores containing but little phosphorus. Sulphur produces redshortness in iron when heated to a red heat, and the iron has a tendency to crumble when passed through the rollers. Much of the sulphur in ores can be gotten rid of by roasting, and much is eliminated in

—

the blast-furnace

by the use of a

basic slag like lime.

Titanium oxide generally goes into the slag five or six per cent, of this impurity makes a very tough blue slag. It is apparently of no value to iron ores, notwithstanding the fact that for a while there was great excitement about titanium steel made from ores ;

containing titanium oxide.

The titanium oxide

does

not alloy with the iron but goes into the slag, as the

There is not reduced to titanium very readily. seems to be a difference of opinion about copper as an impurity. The Bessemer Steel-Works at Bethlehem oxide

prefer a magnetic ore from

Lebanon which contains a

considerable percentage of copper; but the Midvale

Steel-Works at Nicetown prefer foreign ores free from copper. It is known that arsenic, antimony,

and like

tin make iron cold-short and brittle; they act phosphorus and are very injurious impurities.

Sometimes iron ores contain vanadium and tungsten. These elements go into the slag a.nd color it they are not injurious, but make slags of a high fusing-point. Clay and sand are not regarded as impurities, as they go into the slag. The following analyses of Montgomery County ores, kindly furnished by the Pottstown Iron Company, and the analysis of African ore made by myself, are given for comparison ;

:

ORES, MINERALS, extended

for

some

distance,

and was very near the sursurface sample which

made an analysis of a was mostly made up of earthy I

face.

impurities

able if a sample were secured at a

;

it is

much

prob-

greater

The depth that it would contain more graphite. analysis gave the following result Carbon, 7.50 per cent., the residue consisted of mica, oxide of iron, Graphite in this form can be readily silica, and clay. washed. Workmen from the neighboring quarries have used this material as a mineral paint in their houses, not knowing the nature of it. Another deposit occurs in a field near Henderson Station, at about the junction of the small strip of Potsdam sandstone marked on the map and the limestone. This deposit is not visible, as it is covered with from four to six feet of soil it seems to cover almost the :

;

entire field.

On

digging,in ditferent parts of the

field,

graphite

would always be found at a depth of a few feet. This deposit seems to be of the nature of a bed, and is mixed with sand, oxide of iron, and mica it occurs as a fine powder, and has a very soapy feel. The surface deposit of this bed is not pure. It is not known to what depth the bed extends it does not seem to extend beyond this field. At Henderson's marble-quarry, about two and a half miles from Bridgeport, theVe is ;

;

a beautiful vein of highly crystalline black marble, This vein is on the

susceptible of a high polish.

south side of the quarry, and is said to be very pure, analyzing ninety-eight per cent, of carbonate of lime.

marble is on dissolving the

It is very interesting to observe that this

colored black by graphite.

I found,

marble in hydrochloric acid, that very small specks of graphite were left as a residue. All the black marble in this vicinity owes its color to graphite. I found traces of graphite between Bridgeport and King of Prussia, in the small belt of Potsdam sandOn James stone marked on the geological map. Coulston's farm, near Chestnut Hill, in an iron-ore Several tons of it were thrown pit, graphite occurs. out. It is an impure variety, occurring in small scales and mixed with earthy impurities. The purest graphite is used in the manufacture of graphite pencils, it is

commonly called lead-pencils. When

in the form of a very fine powder, free

from

grit,

oil, and makes a most excellent lubriBeing very soft, its hardness only 2, there is no friction worth mentioning with the machinery. Hessian crucibles were formerly used in melting steel, but would soon melt away; now graphite crucibles are made from clay and graphite. They will stand several heats or fusions and very high temperatures without melting. Graphite is also used in the manuRich defacture of stove-polish and shoe-blacking.

it is

mixed with

cator.

posits of this mineral are valuable.

Coal.

— In the

triassic formation,

commonly known

as the

new

one

two inches in thickness have been found in Montgomery County. No large

to

red sandstone, small veins of coal from

several localities in

2

AND GEOLOGY.

17

workable veins have been discovered; only these exceedingly small deposits are found in the new red sandstone, although in Virginia, near Richmond, and in the Deep River Region in North Carolina, in the same formation of new red sandstone that we find in Montgomery County, there are thick beds of good mineral coal. The triassic coals are exceedingly interesting from a geological stand-point, because they occur in more recent formations than the coals of the carboniferous period, and are of an earlier age. In Norristown, on Elm Street, near the Stony Creek Railroad, a vein of coal was found about one inch thick in the new red sandstone; the vein extended only a few feet, and was not very wide. It was found during the grading of the sfreet, about twelve feet below the I secured samples of this coal for Professor Genth, of the University of Pennsylvania, and found This coal in the sandstone the stem of a fossil plant. was of a deep black color, with a somewhat pitchy appearance, was very brittle, with conchoidal fracture,

surface.

and seemed to burn very well. At Gwynedd, in Montgomery County,

in the

same

found a bed of carbonaceous shale colored black by traces of coal which it contains, and it is also said to contain vegetable remains. CoL, Bean mentions a vein of coal found in Lower Prov^ dence township, Montgomery Co., about one-half of a mile west of the Trooper. This vein, like the others, was found in the new red sandstone it was from two to three inches in thickness and from eighteen to twenty inches in length. During the summer of 1883 hands working upon the new tunnel near Phoenixville discovered a two-inch vein of coal in the sandstone. These triassic coals yield volatile matters, which burn with a non-luminous flame, but they have not the slightest tendency to form a coherent coke. They contain sometimes as high as seventyformation,

is

;

four per cent, of fixed carbon, eighteen per cent, of volatile matter,

and about two per

cent, of ash.

—

Lignite. Lignite, or brown coal, as it is sometimes called, has not been perfectly formed the lamellar or woody structure can be seen distinctly. In composiIt yields a tion it is more like wood than true coal. ;

powdery coke in the form of the original lumps. It is brittle, burns easily, and often contains from thirty to forty

per cent, of water.

It

is

of recent geological

and was evidently not formed like true coal. Dr. Leidy mentions it as being found on Plymouth Creek near Norristown. Fossils and Organic Remains.— Fossils are found in stratified rocks, such as sandstones, limestones, and These rocks were evidently in a soft state at slates. one time, like the sand, mud, and gravel which form many of our river-beds, and they were also covered with water. Corals, crinoids, shells, and other organisms lived in these seas, and when they died their remains became imbedded in the soft mud and sand which formed the bottom of these seas and oceans. In the course of time, under the influence of pressorigin,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

18 ure and other forces, the

mud and

verted into stratified rocks, and

which have

it

is

the boring of a marine worm.

one time been ancient ocean-beds, that we find fossils. Tlie highest mountains have been at one time the ocean's bottom, for even their peaks contain fossils. On the Himalayas at the height of nearly three miles organic remains are found. In Montgomery County there are very extensive deposits of igneous rocks, such as granites, gneisses, fossils

and

syenites,

and

think that the impression was produced by

fact

in these rocks,

at

mica-schists,

many

sand were con-

in rocks of this nature

terminates in a head, which

The end

of the fossil

always found at the upper surface of the sandstone enclosing it. The impression looks like a large pin. These fossils are very abundant in the Potsdam sandstone in Montgomery County." is

Bone Cave of Port Kennedy. account of the cave of Science

and

is

Arts, vol.

are not found, because they are igneous rocks;

—

The following taken from the American Journal i.

1871, p. 235

MESOZOIC RED SHALE.

and their structure shows that they have at one time been subjected to an intense heat, and it may be they were in a molten state, so that any traces of organic life that might have existed would be destroyed. The red shale and sandstone formations are the only strata in which organic remains are found in this county. This rock covers the upper and middle portions of the county, and although but few fossils have been found, yet these remains are very interesting and instructive. The reptilian relics found in Montgomery County are the teeth and bones of large lizard-like animals which lived in the ancient seas. These remains have been found at the Phcenixville tunnel, Montgomery County. Specimens of coprolite have also been found imbedded in the same rock. The vertebral bones of these large lizard-like reptiles are slightly concave, or hollowed out, at their articulating surfaces. Mr. Lea has named this reptile the Chpsisaunis Pennsyhanicus.

Remains of fishes have been found in this tunnel which belong to the order known as ganoids. These are fishes which have a cartilaginous skeleton, and are covered with enameled scales or with bony plates. The sturgeons and gar-pikes are living representatives of this order. Batrachian remains, such as bones and teeth, are found in this locality. But few fossil plants have been found in the new red sandstone in this county. Specimens of coniferous wood, either petrified or having the nature of coal, and still

woody structure, have been found. termed lignite, and is mentioned by Dr. Leidy as being found on Plymouth Creek near Norristown. When the small coal vein was found at Norristown, on Elm Street, near the Stony Creek Railroad, I secured a piece of sandstone from the bottom of the vein, which bore the imprint of a fossil plant. Near Gwynedd is found a bed of carbonaceous shale which retaining the

This

is

is

said to

fossil

contain vegetable remains.

yet discovered in Pennsylvania

This

linearis.

fossil

is

is

The

oldest

the Scolithus

found in the Potsdam sand-

Edge Hill, and in the vicinity of Willow " It consists of a Grove and Rubicam Station.

" Before the discovery of remains in the Port Kennedy Cave nearly the whole of the walls had been removed in quarrying. A tooth of a mastodon having been found by one of the workmen. Dr. Quick, of Phamixville, showed it to Mr. Charles Wheatley, and these two gentlemen immediately visited the cave and commenced the search for remains. They found one end of the cave still remaining, and having the form in transverse section shown by the figure. The width at the top is about twenty feet below it gradually expands to thirty feet, and then there is a rapid contraction downward until, at a depth of about forty feet, it is ten feet wide. The whole of the space above this level is filled with the debris of the adjoining mesozoic red shale, with occasional angular fragments of auroral limestone, without any trace of organic remains. Where the cave narrows to ten feet the floor is composed entirely of a black clay eighteen inches thick, filled with leaves, stems, and ;

seed-vessels of

post-tertiary

Scattered all

plants.

sandstone, usually smooth, but sometimes

through this mass of vegetable remains, and also in a red tough clay underneath for six to eight inches in depth, are found the fossils. The vertebrate remains are as follows (taken from the proceedingsof the Amer-

few inches to two or three

Professor Cope describes the remains so far identified) " Mammalia. Megalonij.v loxodon, Cope M. Wlieat-

stone at straight,

cylindrical,

stem-like

impression

in

the

grooved transversely to its axis. Its diameter varies from one-eighth to a half an inch, and its length from a rock

is

feet.

Its position in the-

perpendicular to the bedding, and from this

ican Philosophical Society for April

—

leiji,

C.

;

M.

dissimilis,

7,

1871, where

;

Leidy

;

M. sphenodon,

C.

;

M.

ORES, MINERALS, tortiUvt, C.

cinus, C.

;

Mylodon

Jacnlus

;

(?)

(?)

Harlani,

Hudsonius,

Owen Sdurus

Zimm.

;

caly-

;

Hesperomys,

Waterhouse; Arvicola speolhen,C.; A. ielradelta, C; didelta, C. A. involuta, C. A. sigmoides, C. A. Erethizon chacinum, C. Lepus sylvafhiaiidem, C. A.

;

;

;

;

;

icus,

Bachm.; Praotherium palatinum, C.

;

Scalops

;

Mastodon A7nericanm,C\iv.; Tapirus Eqiius ; Bos; T. Haysii, Leidy Americanus, Auct. Canis (?) Felis. Uritis pristinm, Leidy " Aves. Meleagris ; Scolopax. Verpertilio (?)/

;

;

;

;

—

"Jlepfilia.— Crotahis (I); Coluber (?);

Cistudo

(•>)

" Batrachia.

— Rana

list

;

Tropidonotus

and gives a

of the coleoptera, as follows (orthop-

"Carabidce. — Cychrus Wfieafkyi;

C.

minor ; Cymindis

aurora; Chlttnius punctatissimus ; Pterostichus Iwviyatus ; Pt. longipennis ; Dicmlus alutaceus. " ScarabaeidiE. Aphodius scuteHaris; A. micans; Pha-

—

" Jlisterida'.

Coprk punctulatus.

—Saprimis

Not only were minerals

fire-clay.

formed, but

and trap-rocks. All attempts to make rocks containing quartz, feldspar, and mica, or hornblende (such as granite and syenite), by fusion, proved unalso lavas

successful.

Montgomery County contains a variety of minerals. But few specimens are found in the new red sandstone, except in the localities where metallic veins of copper are found. Here we not only find copper minerals but ores of zinc and lead. The copper-mines near Shannonville have yielded many mineral species, cuprite,

insects,

tera were also found)

nceus antiquus;

in

19

such as copper, mispickel, iron pyrites, covellite,

(?).

"Dr. Horn has examined the preliminary

{1)

Emysl'!).

;

AND GEOLOGY.

(?) ebeninus.

"The remains of mylodon, ursus, and tapirus have been mostly obtained from the tough red clay directly under the plant-bed, but the remains of rodents, snakes, tortoises, birds, plants, and insects are mostly

melaconite, hematite, quartz,

These species pyromorphite, anglesite, cerussite. were found when the mines were in operation, and even at the present time many of them can be secured.

At the copper-mine in Upper Salford township native copper and several copper minerals are found. At Henderson's marble-quarry, near Bridgeport, graphite crystals of dolomite which are finely striated are found, and occasionally small pieces of malachite. At Conshohocken, quartz, flint, chalcedony, chlori-

and

and cacoxenite are found; at Bullock's quarry, and occasionally a small seam of iron

toid,

fibrolite, calcite,

confined to the plant-bed."

pyrites are found.

—

crystals of calcite,

Minerals. Minerals and fossils seldom occur together, because many minerals are the result of fusion which would burn out any traces of organic remains, but occasionally remains of plants are preserved in rocks which contain minerals for example, mica-schist ;

sometimes contains a mineral called made and the fossils orthis and spiriferes, but in this case the mica-schist is not an ancient igneous rock, but is of sedimentary

chrysocolla,

breunnerite, libethenite, malachite, copper pyrites, azurite, wulfenite, galenite, zincblende, calamine,

At

O'Brien's quarry beautiful

sometimes oearly transparent, are At the iron-ore mines near Conshohocken found. the hematite is sometimes coated with a manganese mineral called pyrolusite. Edge Hill furnishes specimens of hematite, braunite, pyrolusite, turgite, and The soapstone-quarries at Lafayette have gcethite. yielded many mineral species. The following copper minerals have been found there, bornite and chalcopyIron minerals found there are magnetite, pyrrho-

and has been formed of rocks of recent origin which contain fossils. Many minerals in nature have crystallized out of water which held them in solu-

are asbestos, hornblende, garnet, zoisite, albite, talc,

Of recent years science many minerals are made

serpentine, staurolite, jefferisite, enstatite. The sulphates found there are epsoraite and calcanthite.

and by the action of water at Marble has been made from limestone experimentally. A Frenchman, operating with the aid of water at a temperature of from one hundred and thirty to three hundred degrees centi-

Phosphate of lime (apatite) and carbonate of lime and magnesia (dolomite) are found. On the other side of the river, at the abandoned soapstone-quarry, talc, asbestos, and very fine octa-

origin,

tion at a high temperature.

has so imitated nature that artificially

by

fusion,

a high temperature.

producing in a crystallized state the principal minerals found in metallic veins, among

grade, succeeded in

rite. tite,

and titanium iron

spar,

—

antimony, mispickel, He also produced some of the copper minerals found at Shannonville in the same way. Facts like these show how nature has formed these metallic veins. In France, during the last century, nearly all the mineral species have been reproduced

silica, silex,

by various methods. When fusion was resorted to the apparatus was simple, consisting of a furnace, heated by a blow-pipe, supplied with illuminating gas, and driven by a blast. The substances to be fused were put in platinum crucibles encased

not melt

artificially

there

and iron pyrites are found. Quartz is known under the names of

Quartz.

spar, sulphide of

The silicates found

hedral crystals of magnetite are found. At Hitner's marble-quarry calcite, strontianite, dolomite, heavy

others quartz, spathic iron, carbonates of manganese

and zinc, heavy and red silver.

ore.

sand, silicic acid,

flint, etc.

It crystal-

hexagonal system, mostly in the form of hexagonal prisms, terminated with hexagonal pyramids. It is one of the hardest of minerals, the point of a knife-blade or edge of a file making no imlizes in the

pression on it

it. ;

The highest heat of

the

common

a furnace will

acids have no action on

Its hardness is 7. It readily scratches glass. Quartz occurs of various colors,— white, brown, yellow, it.

and often colorto some mineral

blue,

gray, green, black, violet,

less.

These colors are generally due

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

20

oxide whicb the quartz has taken up. The lustre is vitreous, the fracture is conchoidal and uneven. The Sioj. composition of quartz when pure is silicic acid

when found pure and white and free from impurities it is mined and made into sand-paper, and is used as

The mineral quartz occurs in many varieties. Rock crystal, smoky quartz, milky quartz, aventurine

mined

and amethyst are the Chalcedony, carnelian, prase, crystallized varieties. agate, flint, hornstone, jasper, and opal are the varieties of quartz which do not exhibit a crystalline

Amethysts of fine quality are used in jewelry. Suilding Stones of the County. The best and most desirable building stones are those which are compact and yet can be readily cut into any desired shape. The stone must not be soluble in water, or must not be acted on or altered by the impurities which are found in the atmosphere. Building stones which meet the above requirements are exceedingly lasting. The most durable building stones now employed are granite, gneiss, basalt, porphyry, serpentine and compact sandstones. All of these rocks are highly silicious, and but little acted on by the weather. The hardness of the first four of

=

quartz,

ferruginous quartz,

structure.

The

colorless variety

known

as rock crys-

found in many localities. I have noticed very They fine crystals on Eastburn's Hill, Bridgeport. have been found in abundance here, but the best specimens have been secured. Very large crystals, having a pyramid on each end, have been found at King of Prussia, and from this place to the Schuyltal is

River very fine crystals are found.

kill

I

have no-

ticed a peculiar variety of quartz crystals in Shainline's

marble-quarry, near Bridgeport.

The

crystals

are three-quarters of an inch long, and taper from the base to the apex of the crystal. Quartz crystals are

found in the limestone-quarries near by. Aventurine quartz has been found in Conshohocken. Ferruginous quartz, colored brown, red, or yellow by oxide of iron,

have noticed in the vicinity of Bridgeport. Chalcedony has often been found as a coating on other rocks near Conshohocken and Bridgeport. The arrowheads found in many localities are generally composed of jasper. There is a valuable deposit of sand near Valley Forge, which is used as a lining or covering for the bottom of the heating-furnaces in the pipeMost linings would not stand the mill, Reading, Pa. heat of these furnaces, but this sand is infusible. I was requested to examine it, and found on analysis that it is composed of fine grains of very pure quartz, free from iron, and not a trace of feldspar or any material that would flux with it was found. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in nature, and the most common constituent of rocks. The granites and gneisses, which are composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica, often contain as high as I

a polisher of metals softer than steel. It has been at Bridgeport and Valley Forge for this pur-

The

pose.

purest rock crystals are

made

into lenses.

—

these rocks

so great that

is

it

is

diflicult to dress

them, but even this obstacle does not prevent their general use. Besides the silicious building stones we have the calcareous stones, which are carbonate of lime principally. The difiierent colored varieties of marble and limestone come under this class they are ;

much

softer

granite

is

than the

much

the Masonic

silicious stones.

Of

late years

used, especially for public buildings

Temple and the new

post-office building

at Philadelphia are built of a variety of granite.

The

granites have been employed for too short a time as a

building stone to measure approximately weathering. first,

The

its

rate of

feldspar in granite begins to weather

while the quartz and mica are not so readily at-

been found that a polished surface of more rapidly than a rough one, but the decay of a polished granite surface is not apparent after exposure for twenty years or more there is no doubt but that the polish will finally disappear and the surface roughen when the weather begins to act on the crystals of feldspar. The polished columns and surftices of granite, syenite, etc., in the new Public Buildings at Philadelphia will furtacked.

It has

granite will weather

The mica-schists, garnetifer-

nish points of observation for the future study of the

and granitic rocks, which comprise the southern end of Montgomery County, from Philadelphia to the limestone belt, are made up to

weathering qualities of these stones. We have extensive beds of syenite and granitic rocks in Montgomery County, which have been little used as yet for building stones. They are very hard and compact, and are not the fine-grade building

forty per cent, of quartz.

ous

schists, syenites,

a great extent of quartz.

Mica-schist contains from

forty to seventy per cent, of quartz,

higher percentage of quartz varieties; the other constituent

still

is

is

and sometimes a found in certain mica.

The

large

new red sandstone which is found north of Montgomery County line stone belt, extending

stone.

The new

greater portion of

red sandstone, which

covers

Montgomery County,

much used

is

the

belt of

as a building stone,

the

in the

and nearly all the stone houses upper portion of the county are built of this

rock.

The

from the Delaware River as far westward as Valley is made up almost entirely of quartz colored red by oxide of iron. While existing in rocks abundantly as quartz, it also makes, on an average, a third of many other minerals that is, it is chemically combined with other substances making various common minerals. These minerals are known as silicates. Forge,

;

Of

recent years quartz has a

new use

in

tlie

arts

finest silicious

than granite. nearly a pure,

The

sandstones are more durable

best varieties are those

fine, silicious

which are

sand, as free as possible

from iron or lime. Sandstones are composed of grains of sand, which are bound together by a cement. This cement, or matrix, may be clay, lime, oxide of iron, feldspar, or even gelatinous silica. The grains of sand in sandstone are not affected by weathering, but

OKES, MliVERALS, it is

the weathering of the cement which binds the

grains that causes sandstones to crumble.

cement be

If the

at all soluble in water then the weather-

ing commences.

When

a sandstone

is

composed of

thin layers or planes of stratification, then it

is

very

apt to split up along these planes under the action of the weather.

This fact

is

well

known

to builders,

who

on its bed. The Potsdam sandstone, which is found in Moreland, Upper Dublin, Springfield, White Marsh, and Plymare always careful to lay the stone

outh townships,

is

a fine-grained white or gray sand-

AND GEOLOGY.

21

and Derr's marble-quarries are the principal ones in the county, and they furnish not only the county with marble but also Philadelphia. Nearly son's,

all

the marble used in Philadelphia, with the excep-

brought from these quarries. used principally in building. The handsome county court-house at Norristown is built of Montgomery County marble, and many handsome private residences are built of like marble. Notwithstanding the general use of marble as a building stone, it is more acted on by the weather than any stone in general use tion of the imported, is It is

in large cities.

When marble is used

narrow belts, and is composed of thin layers as mentioned above. This fact unfits it for a good building stone, and it is used but very little. It is the new red sandstone which is in such general use as a

poses

first,

building stone in this county, particularly in the country. Quarries of this stone are worked in nearly

ishing are

stone, with scales of a light-colored mica.

It occurs

in

every township in the northern and central portions of the county. In some localities the stone is white, and makes a beautiful building stone. This white stone is extensively quarried on Main Street, near the ea.stern limits of Xorristown. The red and the white sandstones are found in these quarries; the lower strata are white and the upper red, with an

The white contains a pink feldspar and scales of a pearly mica, and is free from iron. This stone makes a very handsome occasional layer of red shale.

building stone, and

is

much

used.

tains the constituents of granite,

Although it

is

it

con-

not granite,

but sandstone with a matrix of feldspar. Stone of the same nature is found in Bridgeport. In the northern part of Upper Dublin township there is a sandstone containing a feldspar, which weathers rapidly and soon disintegrates. One of the best stones for bridge-building and foundations and heavy masonry of all kinds is extensively quarried at Conshohocken, on both sides of the river. The West Con-

shohocken quarries were worked sixteen years ago, and now they daily average over one hundred tons of rock for shipment.

huge

The rock

is

blasted out in

which are cut by steam drills, and afterThe shipment of stone from this quarry on Sept. 6, 1883, was one hundred and seventyseven tons. Boyd, Stintson & O'Brien's quarry, in EastConshohocken, yields the same kind of stone, and wai-ds

is

pieces,

dressed.

a continuation of the

strata.

This rock

is

a tough

quartzose mica-schist, composed of quartz and mica mostly, and extends from the county line, in the

southern portion of

Upper Jlerion township,

across

the Schuylkill in a narrow belt and extends into

White Marsh township.

The handsome new

railroad

bridge across the Wissahickon was built of this Con-

shohocken stone. The blasting at these quarries is done by dynamite. The most important building stone Montgomery County furnishes is marble. The many valuable marble-quarries in the county are described under limestone in the geology. Hitner's, Potts', Hender-

for building pur-

exposure of two years in a large city sufiices to remove this polish, and to give the surface a rough granular charit

has, at

The

acter.

a fine polished surface

;

grains which have been bruised in pol-

first

attacked,

and soon drop out of the

stone.

If the marble be not cared for

stroyer

is

it soon becomes covered with a dirty crust, beneath which the stone seems to be a mass of loose, crumbling calcite granules. When this crust is broken the decay is rapid. The crust varies from the thickness of writing paper to a millimetre, and is of a dirty gray or brownish-black color. When examined under the microscope it is found to consist of particles of coal and soot, grains of quartz sand, fragments of red brick or tile, and organic fibres, which are held together by an amorphous cement of sulphate of lime. This decay and disintegration of marble in large cities is due to several causes. The most active de-

rain-water containing carbonic acid gas,

which dissolves marble. Eain-water always contains carbonic acid, and in large cities, where combustion produces an extra amount of this gas, rain-water will have an extra amount in solution. When rain falls on marble it begins to dissolve very slowly, and the grains of marble lose their cohesion. Marble exposed to rain always weathers more rapidly than marble that is sheltered. Another very active destroying agent

is

the sulphuric acid that

is

always present in the air of cities where much coal is burned. All coal contains sulphur, mostly in the form of iron pyrites, and when it is burnt it is converted finally on oxidation into sulphuric acid.

This Sulphuric acid is present in the air in a considerable quantity in large cities, where thousands of chimneys and furnaces send forth their smoke. It acts on marble by dissolving it and

acid

is

extremely corrosive.

forming sulphate of lime, which

is

the cement which

binds the dirty outer crust together.

Marble in the

much longer. The marble columns of the Philadelphia Mint had become so corroded and rotten that they were recently replaced by granite columns. The marble columns of the Custom-House show plainly the action of country, free from this destroyer, lasts

the weather.

It is

in large cities

is

and

its

employment

to stand in the

very evident that white marble

utterly unsuited for out-of-door use, for

open

works of art which are meant ought to be strenuously re-

air

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

22

The tombstones

sisted.

in our graveyards are con-

They

structed of white saccliaroid Italian marble.

are generally destroyed in less tlian a century, and

very often the inscription becomes illegible inside of forty years.

A walk through

many examples.

the cemeteries will

show

much

used

Granite and syenite are

of late years. Soils.

—Soil

is

formed by

decomposition and It is always

tlie

erosion of the underlying rocky strata.

mixed more or less with vegetable mould and decomposing woody fibre which have resulted from the crops.

When

rocks under the soil are exposed, so that

air, as

become changed, and begin to decompose and crumble to sand or clayey earth, and begin to form soil. Gneiss and mica-schist are very durable rocks, and yet much of the gneiss and mica-schist has undergone alteration, so that in some localities it has rotted down and decomposed so as to form soil of earth or gravel to the depth of one hundred feet, and in the tropical well as moisture, has free access to them, they

regions soils of

much

greater depth have been formed

by the wearing away of rocky masses. It must not be supposed that this erosion is the work of a few years; centuries rather have elapsed before these rocky masses have been worn down and decomposed. Granite is an enduring rock, and granite hills, it might be supposed, would last forever, and yet when the oxygen and moisture commence their work, and the heat of summer and the frost of winter lend a helping hand, the erosion begins, and the hillsides and plains below

evening when

it becomes cool they contract, and expansion and contraction has a tend-

this alternate

ency

to loosen the grains of rock, and often splits an outer layer when the rock has become weathered and softened. All of the above agencies are active in forming soils the action may be slow, yet it is none the less sure. Thus we see how soils are formed, and how they derive their mineral constituents from the rocks. The vegetable matter of soils is derived from the decay of plant life which the soil has nourished. On the Western prairies the grass grows luxuriantly and then rots, and the next spring a new crop grows. This growth and decay has been going on for years, and every year furnishes the soil a off

;

supply of vegetable matter, until in soil is tility. it

black,

places the

feet

which

is

due

of the prairies

soil

many

deep and of great richness and ferThe vegetable matter in soil generally colors

twenty

is

to the carbon

it

The The Eastern

contains.

of a dark color.

which are cultivated yearly are being exhausted its place is supplied by barnyard manure. Why are some soils fertile and others barren 7 All grains and vegetables require for their growth certain soils

of vegetable mould, and

soil; when these elements are absent the plants cannot grow, but will wither and

mineral elements in the

but when the soil contains an abundance of tliese mineral substances, and in a soluble form so that the die

;

plants can feed on them, then the soil will yield

abundant

is fertile

and

What

mineral constituare necessary to plants? All plants culcrops.

derive their soil from the constituents of the granite.

ents of soils

Sandstone rock, in which the grains are cemented together by clay or some other binding material, also gradually wears away, and the grains of sand do their part in forming soils. The enormous beds and clifts

tivated as food require for their healthy growth the

of limestone also suffer erosion and form a soil unfertility. Limestone is readily worn away by water containing free carbonic acid gas, in which limestone is slightly soluble pure water has no action on limestone, but when rain-water derives carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere and other sources, then its action on limestone begins, and it will begin its dissolution, however slow it may be. It must not be supposed that air and moisture are the only agents at work on the rocks to form soils. Frost and ice are actively engaged year after year in splitting and breaking up rocks. When the crevices in a rock become filled with water and the water freezes, the tendency is to split the rock into fragments which in

surpassed for

;

course of time form soil stones, loose shales

and

;

and ammonia, and the alkaline earths,

lime and magnesia, each in a certain proportion.

In

addition to these, cereals or grains cannot attain a healthy growth unless silica is present in a soluble

form suitable for assimilation. But of all the elements furnished to plants by the soil, and offering nourishment of the richest kind, phosphate of lime and the alkaline phosphates generally are the most important. A field in which phosphate of lime or the alkaline phosphates form no part of the soil is totally incapable

Wheat

of raising grains, peas, or beans.

especially cannot flourish without phosphates

in the soil. We find these phosphates in the kernels of wheat and in the hulls surrounding the kernels. Nearly all vegetables contain phosphates to a greater

porous rocks, such as sand-

and scarcely any plants are wholly and tho.se parts of plants which experience has taught us are the most nutritious con-

which readily absorb

tain the largest proportion of phosphates ; for example,

schists,

water, are often broken apart geals, so that fresh surfaces are

when

the water con-

exposed

to weather-

or less degree,

without them

seeds,

grain,

;

and especially the varieties of breadand lentils. And if we incinerate

corn, peas, beans,

these and analyze the ashes

ing.

Heat ing

alkalies, potash

soil,

the rock

—

it

may

way does

work in formhastens any chemical change which

also in a quiet

undergo, tending to

its

its

decomposition.

During the day the rocks are exposed to the rays of the sun and become heated and expand; towards

we can dissolve the alkaphosphates with water, and there will remain in the ashes the insoluble phosphates of lime and line

magnesia which are essential phates are as necessary to deficiency of

them

to the plant.

man

The

in the blood

is

phos-

and a accompanied al-

as to the plants,

ORES, MINERALS, ways with some form of debility or nervous prostration. They are much used in medicine. If we analyze the ashes of blood we will find phosphate of soda and potash present, and also the insoluble pho.sphates of lime and magnesia, the very salts we find in wheat, etc. Hence we are brought to the conclusion that no seed suitable to become food for man or animals can be formed in any plant without the presence and co-operation of the phosphates, and man derives his supply of this nourishing element from plants he uses for food. The cereal.9 require the alkalies, potash and ammonia, and in addition the silicates of potash and soda; these silicates are derived from the rock which in a fine state of subdivision forms the

soil.

When

the rock decomposes

it

yields these

and soda, which are soluble in water and which are taken up by the plant. Some soils»contain silicates which are decomposed so easily that in every two years enough silicate silicates of potash

or potash leaves

is

set free to furnish

nourishment

for the

In Hungary

and straw of a crop of wheat.

AND GEOLOGY.

23

air, moisture, and heat these rocks become and crumble and decompose silicate of potformed, which tlie rain-water dissolves, and

posure to rotten

ash

;

is

the roots of the plants absorb as food.

alumina

is

also

Silicate of

formed which will not dissolve, and

forms the familiar substance known as clay. The feldspars have a pearly lustre, are scratched by quartz, and cleave very readily; this property distinguishes them from quartz. The other mineral mentioned as containing potash mica. There are several varieties of mica, and in composition they are silicates of alumina and potash; is

sometimes part of the alumina is replaced by magnesia, iron, or soda. Certain rocks, such as granite, gneiss, syenite, etc., have been mentioned as containing potash. This becomes evident when we consider

and gneiss are composed of quartz, feldand mica; syenite, of quartz, feldspar, and hornblende and mica-schist is composed of quartz, mica, and a small proportion of feldspar. These rocks contain the very minerals that are necessary to form good that granite

spar,

;

The

there are extensive districts where wheat and tobacco

soil.

are grown alternately on the same soil for centuries,

the rocks also.

and both of these plants rob the

County granites aud mica-schists contain from one-

quantities

of potash, tobacco

twenty-five per cent, of the ashes

composed of potash.

But

soil

of immense

about

particularly;

of tobacco are

districts like this are the

In Virginia the tobacco-growing

exception.

are exhausted, because tobacco cannot

unless there

is

grow

soils

in a soil

a plentiful supply of potash, and

the potash of these soils has been withdrawn.

all

Silica,

soil derives its

supply of phosphates from

The Philadelphia and the Montgomery

tenth to four-tenths per cent, of phosphoric acid.

The

syenites, gneisses, trap rocks,

and even the new

red sandstone contain small quantities of phosphates.

In order

to get a correct

understanding of the

formed

;

we must know whether the minerals compos-

not required by potatoes or

ing the rock are such as contain plant-food.

turnips, since these crops

do not abstract a particle of

this

silica.

From what

source does the soil derive

sup-

its

ply of potash for the nourishment of plant-life? and

what rocks contain potash

The

?

soil

derives

its

supply of potash from minerals, such as feldspars and micas principally, and from many other silicates. The rocks containing potash are granite, gneiss, syenite, mica-schist, trap rock, mica-slate, fact,

nearly

all

and silicic acid. There are several varieties of feldspar,-— orthoclase, in which potash predominates albite, in which soda predominates; anorthite, having a base of lime and oligoclase and Labradorite, having bases of soda and lime. The above bases are always combined with silica and alumina, and form what are known as sili;

;

cates.

The

variety

known

as

orthoclase contains

often as high as fifteen per cent, of potash

;

a pure

orthoclase will yield silica, 64.20; alumina, 18.40; potash, 16.95.

Thus we

see that these feldspars con-

on but these elements are in an insoluble form, and are bound up in combination in such a form that the plant cannot feed on them unless they are decomposed and rendered soluble in water. On long extain the very elements that the crops feed

;

From

study we can get a most intelligent idea of the

fertility

of a

Montgomery County has a great

soil.

variety of rocky strata,

and hence a variety of

soils.

The limestone soils are generally the most fertile and productive. More wheat to the acre is raised on the limestone soils than on any other, and corn seems to attain a greater size.

Many

and many

micaceous and feldspathic rocks contain this important element. The feldspars contain potash, soda, and lime, combined with alumina others; in

of

that

underlie the soil and from which the soil has been

is

so necessary to wheat,

soils

Montgomery County we must study the rocks

this is

of the sandstone soils are productive, but probably due to the fact that they often contain

and sometimes mica. These rocks often conwhich seem to be loose and crumbling, and are decomposed feldspar. When the soil is made up of pure sand it is not fertile, as the plants cannot live on silica alone. When the underfeldspar

tain little white specks,

lying rock

is

red shale the soil does not amount to

much, and small crops are raised. Quite a number of the townships abound with this red shale, which often contains as high as seven per cent of iron.

along the Stony Creek, which per cent, of iron. the oxide of iron is

I

A red shale

analyzed, yielded seven

The red color of this it

contains.

applied to a red shale

soil,

When

shale is due to superphosphate

or one containing

much

oxide of iron, a great deal of the phosphoric acid is wasted it combines with the iron, forming phos;

phate of iron, which is insoluble and not readily decomposed, so that it is of no use to the plant. The red shale generally accompanies the sandstone, and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

24

the red soils are often derived from shale, although

sometimes from sandstone.

must not be inferred

It

that the soils in the sandstone district are not

fertile,

much on for

the edges

making

kind an analysis

The

as they generally yield good crops.

it is

is

clay-beds of

not the kind of clay suitable After a successful test of this

fire-bricks.

not necessary.

Montgomery County

are found ia

Some townships contain four different kinds of soil. The following is a list of townships and the. beds of rock that underlie them. The rocky strata mentioned

the limestone belt, generally in the vicinity of the

men-

hematite ore. The principal clay-beds are found in Upper Merion, Plymouth, White Marsh, and Spring-

first is

the most abundant, and the others are

tioned according to the extent of the deposit in the

The townships not mentioned below

township.

are

included in the sandstone district. Lower Merion. Mica-schist, garnet-schist, syenite

—

and granitic

rocks.

—

Upper Merion. Limestone, sandstone, and slates. Limestone, mica-schist and gneisses, Sprinrjfiehl. syenite and granitic rocks, and sandstone. Cheltenham. Garnet- and mica-schist, syenite and

—

—

and sandstone. and garnet-schist, syenite and granitic rocks, sandstone and limestone. Moreland. Syenite and granitic rocks, sandstone and mica-schist. Plymouth. Limestone and new red sandstone. White Marsh. Limestone, sandstone, syenite and granitic rocks, Ahincjion.

— Mica— —

—

granitic rocks, mica-schist.

Upper Dublin.

—Sandstone,

limestone, syenite and

granitic rocks.

— Red sandstone. — Red sandstone and Whitpain. — Red sandstone.

Horsham. Gwynedd.

Loioer Providence.

—

Clay and Kaolin Deposits. The composition of It contains is a hydrous silicate of alumina. forty-five per cent, of silica, forty per cent, of alumina, and fifteen per cent, of water; when pure it is as infusible as sand. It is very plastic, and can be kneaded into almost any shape when mixed with seldom found pure

;

it

generally contains

feldspar, mica, oxide of iron, or calcite,

of these impurities will

make the

best kinds of clay contain scarcely

stances which tend to

The

make

and any one

clay melt.

any of

tliese

must be

less alkali

it

from feldspar, which As a rule, the

you find the more refractory the in a

is

good refractory

best way, however, to test a

the

clay,

and

maximum The make a

fire-clay.

fire-clay is to

it, and put it in a shaft-furnace supplied with a blast and fed with anthracite coal. In a furnace like this steel will melt. After the brick has been in the furnace about one hour take it out and

brick of

examine

it;

if it

in these deposits of

The

brown

clay in all of these townships

pression in the limestone,

it

supplies clay for the terra-

owned by Mr. Morehead, and also the works owned by Mr. Scharff. At these works terra-cotta pipes of all sizes are made. Various clay ornaments and chimneys are manufactured here. There are several different kinds of clay at this pit: First a beautiful white kaolin, which is free from iron and is quite coherent this variety is used for making pottery and also for lining blast-furnaces and puddling-furnaces, where it has to stand a very high tem;

perature without melting.

has melted or crumbled or fused

This kaolin contains ex-

ceedingly minute scales of mica, which are scarcely

The next clay is the red clay used manufacture of terra-cotta and also for lining and fixing puddling-furnaces. This clay contains a The next variety is a blue clay, little oxide of iron. and is known as the new clay, and makes most excellent fire-bricks. It is more coherent and plastic than any of the others. Formerly the clay used for making the large cylindrical pots in which glass is melted was imported from Germany, but recently this blue clay was tried, and served the purpose very well, standing the high temperature without crumbling or This clay is now used by J. M. Albertson fusing. & Sons at the Star Glass- Works, Norristown. The extent of this deposit is not known the bed is about seventy feet in thickness and extends over the entire field. The clay is shipped to Philadelphia, Norristown, Pottstown, and Conshohocken. Near the clay is found a bed of fine white sand. in the

fusible.

six-tenths of one per cent, of potash

amount allowed

townships.

visible to the eye.

:

as free as possible

it is

found in the limestone.

The

the clay less refractory.

tests for

contains potash and makes

and

There seems to be a dewhich may have been the former bed of a stream, and the clay is found resting on the limestone and filling up this depression or bed. Most of the clay, however, has been derived from the mica-slates and schists, and the beds are parallel to the limestone, and occupy the position of those rocks from which they have been derived. These are the old clays, while the clay which is found occupying the depressions of the limestone and is not parallel to it is said to be a more recent clay. The most important bed of kaolin now worked in Montgomery County is found at Lynch's Kaolin Pit, situated in Plymouth township, on the Ridge pike, about two and a half miles from the borough of Conshohocken. This pit was opened in 1877, and Mr. Lynch informs me that over seven thousand tons of kaolin and clay have been mined the average yield at present is about fifteen hundred tons per year. This deposit is is

sub-

a good refractory clay are It must not effervesce when moistened with acid, as this shows the presence of carbonates which make it fusible; it must not contain more than two per cent, of iron it

schists,

find the extensive deposits of

cotta works at Spring Mill,

kaolin

It is

field

and

we

of local importance, as

Norriton.

water.

clay that

;

shale.

—-Red sandstone.

— Red sandstone. Worcester. — Red sandstone.

mica-slates

;

ORES, MINERALS,

—

Limestone Valley of Montgomery County. The Montgomery County, which has furnished such immense quantities of marble and lime, commences in Abington township, about a mile and a half north of Abington at this point it is quite great limestone belt of

;

but it widens as it extends westward, entering the northern corner of Cheltenham township, aud becoming a. broad belt of limestone as it extends through White Marsh, Plymouth, and Upper Merion townships. In Montgomery County it extends as far south as Conshohocken and Spring Mill, and it extends to within a short distance of the towns of a narrow

belt,

Barren Hill and Edge Hill.

It

extends along the

Schuylkill River from Conshohocken to Norristown,

and crosses the river, extending into Chester County, and forming the beautiful Chester Valley. But this limestone belt does not end here, it passes entirely through Chester County, and extends into Lancaster County as far as the -source of the Big Beaver Creek. The total length of this immense limestone belt from near Abington, Montgomery Co., its eastern extremity, to the Big Beaver Creek, in Lancaster County, its

western extremity,

portion of the belt

is

is

fifty-eight miles.

The widest

three miles, while the average

width of limestone is two and a half miles. In Chester County, at Downingtown, the belt is not so wide, being only three-fourths of a mile in width. The greatest width of the limestone in Lancaster County is not much more than half a mile. The general strucfirst main belt of limestone is that of a long slender basin or synclinal trough, the southern

ture of this side of

From

which

is

much

steeper than the northern.

the neighborhood of the Gulf Mills, a

of the Schuylkill, to

its

little

west

western end this oblique

symmetry prevails with scarcely any interruption. The strata of the north side of the valley, or from the synclinal axis northward, dip at an average inclination of about 45° southward, or more strictly S. 20° E.

But

this inclination is not constant east of

AND GEOLOGY.

25

are in a nearly vertical position or inverted. It is chiefly within these limits that the blue and yellow

limestone has been altered by heat and changed into and granular marble of different colors.

crystalline

Nearly within It

is

all

the marble-quarries opened are included

this steeply

upturned or overturned outcrop.

likewise along this convulsed and metamorphosed

side of the trough that nearly all of the largest, deep-

and richest deposits of brown hematite have been met with." The color of the limestone varies in dif-

est,

ferent localities,

— pale grayish-blue, white, pale straw-

and bluish-white. The marble is of various colors, white, black, and often mottled. The thickness of the limestone belt is not known. Professor Hall says, " The probability is that it is not far from yellow,

—

two thousand feet thick, but it may be much less." I have noticed that from Potts' Landing to Consholiocken the prevailing color of the limestone

and from

Potts' to

is

blue,

Norristown we have a variety of

— gray, white, yellow, and

blue. Gray is the Between these two points there are two small veins of mica-schist which are very narrow. The limestone directly in contact with these I have found has been metamorphosed into a white marble. The color of limestones is generally due to organic matter which they contain, although not always; the black marbles are colored by graphite or carbonaceous matter the yellow or brown limestones generally contain iron as oxide or carbonate. Very often in the same quarry will be found several veins, each vein having a different color. The limestones of Montgomery County are highly magnesian many veins contain enough carbonate of magnesia to form what is known as dolomite. Dolomite contains about 45 per cent, of carbonate of magnesia and 55 per colors,

prevailing color.

;

;

cent, of carbonate of lime

when

pure, although the

percentage of lime and magnesia

may

be less and

Dolomites are harder and tougher than limestone, and usually present a finer grain a true dolomite will not eflfervesce with acetic or hydro-

still

be dolomite.

;

There are two well-defined synclinal basins, flanked by the Potsdam sandstone.

chloric acid in the cold, while limestone,

West of the

river a synclinal basin extends to the

of carbonate of lime only, will effervesce at once with

northwestward between Bridgeport and Henderson Station, and is also flanked on both sides by the Potsdam sandstone. The south side of the limestone belt between Spring Mill and its eastern extremity is bounded by the Potsdam sandstone. But from Spring Mill west to the Chester County line the South Valley Hill quartzose mica-schists form the remainder of the southern boundary in Montgomery County. The limestone belt is bounded on the north by the Potsdam sandstone and by the new red sandstone. Folds of Potsdam sandstone extend in a diagonal direction across the main belt of limestone at Oreland, Cold Point, and Henderson. Here we find the Potsdam sandstone extending into the limestone. According

The hardness of limestone is while that of dolomite is about 3.5. The more magnesia carbonate enters into combination with carbonate of lime the more the nature changes; it will not effervesce so freely. From an examination of a large number of limestones from quarries in the county, I find that the. more carbonate of magnesia enters into their composition the less readily will they effervesce with hydrochloric acid in the cold; and when the percentage of carbonate of magnesia is small they will effervesce quite freely with hydro-

the Schuylkill River.

to Professor Rogers,

"The southern

steeply upturned

outcrop has been more metamorphosed by heat than the northern, aud this alteration is greater when they

composed

either of these acids.

about

2,

chloric acid.

This might be an approximate method

of determining whether a limestone be highly magnesian. Most of the county limestones are highly magnesian, containing from 10 to 35 per cent, of carbonate of magnesia, although many veins contain very little, if any, magnesia, and are mostly carbonate

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

26

The limestones of Port Kennedy are highly magnesian, containing as high as 42 per cent, carbonate of magnesia. Another sample yielded 38.40 per cent, of carbonate of magnesia. The first sample might be called a dolomite. The limestone near Conshohocken does not contain so much carbonate of magnesia. A sample from O'Brien's quarry yielded 17 per cent, carbonate of magnesia. The limestones from of lime.

Norristown to Potts' Landing along the river are highly silicious, at least some veins are more so than in the vicinity of Conshohocken. No rule, however, can be laid down about this, for very often in the same quarry one vein will contain 3 per cent, of silica and the next vein 9 per cent, of silica. The variation so great that it is a source of much trouble and inconvenience when the limestone is used as a flux in the blast-furnace. When so used it is advantageous to secure limestone as free from silica as possible, because the object of the limestone is to combine with thesilica and clay in the iron ore and form a slag, and if the limestone used contain a high percentage of silica it will necessitate the use of an extra amount of limeMarble is simply limestone which is changed stone. is

and rendered crystalline and granular; metamorphosis the organic matter of the limestone is burnt out and it become^ white, and changes from a morphous to a crystalline form. If limestone be broken into small pieces and examined under the microscope the fragments will be found to be of irregular shape, and are not crystalline; but when marble is examined it will be found to consist of a mass of crystals or grains, very often Marble and limestone are both carlike loaf-sugar. bonate of lime, but marble generally has less of foreign impurities, such as silica, iron, and alumina. Nearly all the marble-quarries hitherto opened in Montgomery County are included within or near the southern edge of the limestone belt. The largest marble-quarries in Montgomery County are at Marble Hall. Marble was first quarried at this place one hundred years ago, and immense quantities have been shipped all over the country. It has furnished in structure

by

this

Philadelphia with a considerable quantity for buildThe quarry is about four hundred feet long and nearly three hundred feet

ing and architectural purposes. in depth.

the great

from

this quarry.

feet in

The

The beautiful white marble used to build monument at Washington was obtained It

came from a vein about

five

near the bottom of the quarry. is Mr. Daniel O. This quarry is especially interesting, as it

thickness

present owner of these quarries

Hitner.

contains the only layer of statuary marble found in

was found at a depth of one hundred and is only six inches wide. It is of Nearly all marble dealers a. yellowish-white color. import the fine white statuary marble used for headThis marble is very finestones, etc., from Italy. grained and white, and can be readily cut and carved into ornamental figures. Our Montgomery County the county.

and twenty

It

marble

is

too coarse-grained for this fine work.

the vicinity of Spring Mill there

is

In

a marble-quarry,

next in position to the westward. This is owned by Mr. Channing Potts, and has been worked for many years, and has furnished an immense amount of marble. White, blue, and mottled marble have been mined from this quarry. The next quarry to the westward where marble is obtained is west of the Schuylkill, near Henderson Station, in Upper Merion township. This quarry is now worked by Daniel It is now in O. Hitner, and was opened about 1869. active operation, and is being extended. Both the gray and the blue varieties of marble are mined here. About two hundred yards from this quarry, on the opposite side of the road, there is Henderson's quarry. This is the next marble-quarry in order to the westward. It was opened about the year 1808. There are three kinds of marble mined here, the blue and the gray varieties and a very interesting bed of black marble. This black marble occupies the south side of the quarry, and is susceptible of a very fine polish. It is very coarse-grained and crystalline. On analysis I found the black color is due to graphite. When the marble is dissolved in muriatic acid these small specks of graphite can be readily seen. The amount of silica present in this marble is very small. It is quite pure, and when burned in a kiln turns white, the graphite being burned out. Tlie black marble of the limestone belt seems to be confined to this quarry and vicinity, where graphite is found. At the beginning of the belt in Abington township the limestone is very slaty and highly silicious, and where the surface has decomposed it looks like a white sand. As you proceed westward this is no longer noticed. Between the Schuylkill River and the eastern end of the limestone belt a great many limestone-quarries have been opened and are in active operation, supplying an exThese cellent quality of lime for building purposes. quarries are located principally in Plymouth, White Marsh, and Springfield townships, and are owned by L. K. Graver & Co., George Corson & Brother, George Hagy & Brother, Daniel Williams, Joseph Smith, Thomas Phipps, C. A. Cox, Frank Ramsey, David Marple, Charles Marple, and D. M. Leedom. About one mile north from Conshohocken there is O'Brien's limestone and marble quarry. It was opened

—

and

is within a short distance This limestone does not conmagnesia as many others. Mr. Fulton

aljout fifty years ago,

of the stone-quarry. tain as

much

says the stone seldom contains under seventy per cent,

The silica varies from three to nine per cent., and the phosphorus generally runs below .01. On analysis the stone yields of carbonate of lime.

feet,

Carbonate of lime Carbonate of magnesia Ferric oxide and alumina Phogpborus Silicic acid

Sulphur

75,00= Lime, 42.00. 17.00^ Magnesia, 8.09* 3.00 01 5.00 Trace.

100.01

ORES, MINERALS, This stone has been

much used

as a flux in the

blast-furnaces of Conshohocl^en and vicinity.

At Norristown

is

Mogee's quarry, situated between

a small belt of Potsdam sandstone and the new red sandstone. This is the end of the limestone belt east

of the Schuylkill.

At Swedesburg are the most extensive quarries and Montgomery County. They are owned by William Rambo. They have been operated for many years, and the stone is highly magnesian. Thomas Rambo and Nathan Rambo own valuable limekilns in

quarries near by.

Mclnnes' limestone-quarry, near

highly magnesian, and yields three Derr's marble-quarries, near the varieties of stone. Chester County line, furnished the marble of the NorBridgeport,

is

ristown court-house.

The

They are extensively worked. Montgomery County lime-

following analyses of

stones were kindly furnished by the Pottstown Iron

Company and

the Phoenix Iron

Company:

AND GEOLOGY.

2T

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

28

turnpike near the meeting-house.

It also crosses the

Perkiomen turnpike and the Norristown or Ridge turnpike. Tliis dike does not end in Chester County, but extends on into Delaware County, ending near a

In Pottsgrove township a short distance from Pottstown is the natural curiosity known as the " Ringing Rocks." These rocks are widely known throughout the county, and are visited frequently by curiosity-

Some of the rocks

seekers.

turnpike, between Marble Hall and Barren Hill, this

some are weathered, and many have

dike

is

Numerous bowlders and

thirty feet in width.

Camp

exposures of trap are found between

Hill and

the size of a hogshead or larger.

When

exposed.

mer

sound.

ferent rocks

has not been traced continuously." During the summer of 1883 I found almost a continuous line of trap bowlders and exposures between Jarrettown

it

and Camp

Hill,

which

is

about one and a quarter miles from Flourtown. The school-house at Jarrettown, Upper Dublin township, situated on what is known as Mundoek Ridge. Trap rocks are scattered around in great abundance on this ridge. They are of various sizes, from quite small blocks up to large bowlders which are three and four feet in thickness. On the road through the ridge which leads to Camp Hill, especially in the woods near the school-house, there are many bowlders of immense size. In many places between Jarrettown and Camp Hill the fields are enclosed by walls which are made of trap bowlders of irregular size. Some of these blocks are weathered, but most of them have fresh black surfaces exposed, and are not browned by the weather. Between these two points trap bowlders are found along the road. Sometimes for a short distance no is

blocks are found

Camp

Hill,

and

for instance, at the north base of

;

for a short distance

beyond, we find

no bowlders; but on the south side of the this road joins the road leading to

Edge

hill,

where

Hill, I found

These exposures do not butare found farther on along the road leading to Horshamville. I have since been informed that trap exposures are found at Horshamville, which is about two and a half miles northeast All of these exposures between of Jarrettown. Flourtown and Horshamville indicate that the dike, several large trap rocks.

end

at Jarrettown,

after leaving the limestone, enters the

stone,

and probably extends

tion as far as Horshamville,

new

red sand-

in a northeasterly direc-

and

it

may be

that the

dike does not end here. Future investigation will prove whether the course indicated after the dike leaves Flourtown is.

The

is

the true one, but

I

believe that

Mechanicsville is about eight miles, and if it be true that the dike continues as far as Horshamville,

Different tones are produced

the rock.

;

the entire length would be about fifteen miles.

There are several smaller dikes in the county, but none of these compare in size to the dike of the limestone belt. In Marlborough township near Sumneytown there is a small trap dike.

ham-

by striking

dif-

the sound seems to vary with the size of

Hence the name Ringing Rocks. These when they are struck with a

rocks are sonorous, and

is set in vibration, and these communicated to the air, and sound waves are formed. These rocks are trap rocks of the same kind as those which form the large dike. The popular idea is that this locality is the only one where these Ringing Rocks will produce sound. But any of the trap bowlders, no matter where found, when they rest on a good foundation (for example,

piece of metal the rock vibrations are

another piece of trap), will produce musical tones. Those near Jarrettown give good tones when struck with a hammer. There are two or three small trap dikes near Pottstown, which extend through the new red sandstone, and the bowlders belonging to one of these dikes comprise the Ringing Rocks. There are several varock those of the county are known under the name of dolerite. This rock is defined as a granular mixture of a bluish-black or gray color, having a density of about 3, and containing Labradorite and augite, and sometimes a small amount of magnetic iron ore. This rock is studied sometimes under the microscope. In order to do this the rock is ground on an emery-wheel until a thin slice is obtained, and when this thin section of rock is examined under the microscope the minerals composing the rock can be seen and identirieties of trap

fied.

The

;

augite occurs often in crystals of a bright

black color, and the magnetic iron occurs in

tlie

form

of irregular grains or crystals, arranged sometimes in files. The Labradorite is found in crystals. A sample of trap rock found near the " Bird-inHand" tavern, on the road from Gulf Mills to Bryn Mawr, which is near the end of the dike, was analyzed by F. A. Genth, Jr., of the University of Pennsylvania, who found

regular rows or disposed in also

Per cent

it

length of the trap dike from Flourtown to

fresh surfaces

these rocks are struck with a

or a piece of metal they give forth a musical

Jarrettown, and these probably mark the continua-

northeast of Flourtown, but

are

These bowlders are

scattered around the surface for a considerable area

tion of the dike. According to the most recent survey, " there are exposures of trap in several localities

many

are small, while

road leading from the Lancaster turnpike to the King of Prussia village.- This is the largest trap dike in the county. Where it crosses the Perkiomen

Loss by ignition Silicic acid

Titanic acid Phosplioiic acid

Alumina Ferric oxide Ferrous oxide

Magnesia

Lime Litbia

Soda Potash

2.15

51.56 1.63 0.13 IV-.'JS

6.57

3.85 3.42 10.19

Trace. 2.19 1.41)

1C0.53

ORES, MINERALS, This analysis gives a good idea of the general composition of trap.

—

is

Serpentine and Soapstone Deposits. Serpentine a mineral which does not crystallize, but occurs

The rock

massive in large rocks or beds.

is

usually

some shade of green, and is quite soft, being readily cut by a knife. It makes a very ornamental building stone, and many public buildings and handsome private residences are built of this rock. is

a magnesian rock; in composition

Serpentine

it is

a combina-

and hj'drate of magnesia, containing from forty to forty-four per cent, of silica, thirty-three to forty-three per cent, of magnesia, ten to fifteen per cent, of water, one to ten per cent, of ferrous and ferric oxides, and from one to six per cent, of alumina, and sometimes a little chromium or nickel oxide. This rock is susceptible of a high polish, and presents a most beautiful appearance when finely polished. One peculiarity of serpentine is it yields up nothing nourishing or sustaining to plant life or vegetation, and nothing except moss and lichens seem to flourish on its surface. Near West Chester are the Serpentine Barrens, so called on account of their unproductivetion of silicate

main composed of serpentine. In our own county in Lower Merion and Springfield townships, where the serpentine beds are ness

these barrens are in the

;

found,

we

notice loose blocks of serpentine of enor-

mous dimensions, and these are covered only by lichens and cryptogamous plants, which are low forms

of vegetation. Nothing else seems to flourish on these rocks.

In

New

Caledonia and among the Alps the natives

apply the name Dead Mountains to hills of serpenti ne, because they can raise but little on them, and they are almost devoid of vegetation. Precious serpentine is of a rich oil-green color, and is much used for inlaid work. Verd antique is a clouded serpentine, used

ornamental purposes and tables. Soapstone. Soapstone is also a magnesian rock, which contains about sixty-two per cent, of silica, for

—

thirty-two to thirty-three per cent, of magnesia,

about greasy

five

per cent, of water.

feel,

hence the name

various colors

;

and

has a very soapy or soapstone. It is of

It

white, green, and gray of various

shades are the most common.

It is

very

Soapstone

be readily cut or carved.

is

soft,

also

and can

known

under the name of steatite. There is a mineral of a green color which separates into scales like mica and which occurs in soapstone; this mineral is called talc.

It is of the

same composition

exceedingly soft

as soapstone,

and

being the first member of the scale of hardness. Soapstone occurs associated with serpentine very often it is found in the same belt or bed. Many serpentine beds in this State contain soapstone, and most always we find talc associated with serpentine. The deposits of serpenis

;

its

hardness

is 1,

;

tine in Montgomery County have yielded an abundance of soapstone and many specimens of talc. There are two extensive belts of serpentine in

AND GEOLOGY.

29

Montgomery County. The longest belt commences on the northern brow of Chestnut Hill, between the two turnpikes, and extends westward across the Wissahickon Creek. It passes through Springfield township; there is an exposure just north of Manatawna. This belt crosses the Schuylkill River between Lafayette and Princeton Stations. It extends through Lower Merion township to Bryn Mawr, which is at the county line. This deposit is a straight line of outcrop of steatite or serpentine from Chestnut Hill to Bryn Mawr. Along the eastern and central parts of

its

course the southern side of the belt consists

chiefly of a talcose steatite, the

taining

much

northern side con-

serpentine in lumps dispersed through

the steatite, but towards the western side this separa-

seems to disappear. The serpentine belt is from Chestnut Hill to Wissahickon Creek, where enormous blocks cover the surface of tion

plainly seen

the bed.

Near the Schuylkill the large blocks of and they

serpentine and soapstone are again seen,

choke the bed of the ravine next north of the soap-

On

stone-quarry. this serpentine

the west side of the Schuylkill

and

steatite

rock

is

still

visible in

bank Near Merion Square the exposure is

large blocks a little above the soapstone of that

of the river.

prominent, the surface being strewn with large masses.

These rocks may be distinguished from others by the enormous size of the loose blocks, and by the coating of lichens and mosses which flourish on them. The rock is visible in the Pennsylvania Railroad cut south of Bryn Mawr. It is not certain whether this belt from Chestnut Hill to Bryn Mawr is continuous; if this be proved, then the entire length of this serpentine belt would be six miles. It is found entirely within the mica-schist belt of rocks. The next serpentine belt is found near the Schuylkill River, about one-third of a mile north of Lafayette;

it

extends

which flows into the Schuylkill at Lafayette. This belt begins in White Marsh township, and extends westward across the Schuylkill, through Lower Merion township, to the Gulf road about onethird of a mile north of Bryn Mawr. This deposit east to the brook

occurs along the northern edge of the mica-schists,

and runs almost

parallel to the first belt described

they are only about a mile apart.

whether

this belt is continuous,

but

It is not if it

known

be continuous

would be about four miles. Another is found south of Gulf Mills, within half a mile from Morgan's Corner. This deposit is found between the slates of the South Valley Hill and the syenite. This exposure has only a length of a few hundred feet, but it is at least three hundred feet wide. It is thought to belong to the belt of serpentines which extend through Delaware County and part of Chester County. The serpentine belt of Bryn Mawr, after leaving Lower Merion township, extends through Delaware County in a curve towards the city of Chester, on the Delaware River. About a mile east of Roxborough, the length of

it

outcrop of serpentine

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

30

near the mouth of Cresheim Creek, there is a small bed of serpentine, which seems to be confined to this locality only, as it has not been observed anywhere else in the neighborhood. There is a quarry near the Schuylkill River, and an abandoned quarry near Merion Square. The soapstone-quarry at Lafayette is owned by Mr. Prince. A great variety of minerals is found here. The soapstone is very soft, and is readily quarried in blocks, which are used for fire-

jambs for fireplaces it There is a mineral found in soapstone called pyrophyllite, which when heated will curl like a worm, and sometimes crack the stone. Before marble came into use in the county for door-steps soapstone was used, but was too soft. Mesozoic, or New Red Sandstone.— The familiar red sandstone rocks cover the northern and central

stones in furnaces, will stand a

and

for

;

high temperature.

They extend from Trenton to Norristown and Valley Forge, and the sandstone and red shale can be traced along the Schuylkill River from Norristown to Pottstown. All that portion of the county north of the limestone belt and north of the Potsdam sandstone and syenite is covered with new red sandstone and shale. The mesozoic formation is composed of reddish-brown shale, sandstone, portions of the county.

and in some localities of conglomerate. The shales and sandstones are generally of red color, which is due to the red oxide of iron which they conThere are quite a variety of sandstones in the tain. county belonging to this formation. In some localiElseties we find sandstone mixed with much clay. where is found rock composed mostly of grains of sand, scarcely any clay or oxide of iron with it. At Norristown, Bridgeport, and other localities is found white sandstone, containing feldspar and mica, with not enough oxide of iron to color it red it makes an excellent building stone. The red sandstone is more abundant than those which contain feldspar. At Morgan's Mills and Fort Washington conglom;

erate

is

found;

A ride over the Stony Creek Railroad

from Norristown to Lansdale will show an unusually shaly district, mentioued under

soils.

The

rocks of

the red sandstone formation are supposed to have

been deposited in an inland sea which once covered this region, in the

mud

reptiles,

same way that

now forming

and

gravel, sand,

This was the age of and their footprints are preserved to this day.

are

Immense

frog-like

rocks.

creatures and

whose remains were found

bird-like reptiles,

in this rock at the Phce-

uixville tunnel (see Fossils, etc.), are supposed to

have

Trap dikes traverse

flourished during this age.

this

formation, and occasionally small veins of coal and

great development at Potsdam, N. Y.

The

principal

exposures of this rock in the county are found flanking the limestone valley on the north, between Valley Forge and the eastern extremity of the limestone basin east of Fitzwatertown.

It encircles the eastern

end of the limestone belt, and extends westward as a narrow belt south of the limestone to Spring Mill. At Henderson's Station, Bridgeport, Hickorytown. Cold Point, and Oreland folds of this sandstone are found penetrating the limestone. The historic hills of Valley Forge are Potsdam sandstone. The formation is well developed at Edge Hill, Rubicam Station, and Willow Grove; near the latter place there is a picturesque spot known as "The Rocks." They are cliffs of hard conglomerate with pebbles of blue quartz. This is supposed to represent the beach of an ancient sea, and the pebbles are among the first ever made. This Cambrian sea contained no fishes, but only the lowest forms of animal life. Any organic remains or fossils which may have belonged to this formation are either obliterated or so flattened that they cannot be recognized. One fossil found in

abundance near Willow Grove

is

the Scolithus

line-

aris (see Fossils).

The Potsdam sandstone does not much resemble new red sandstone; it is more slaty, and readily broken up into layers, and contains scales of mica, which sometimes make it flexible. It is generally made up of a fine-grained quartz, and contains fine the

scales of mica,

which give

it

a slaty structure.

It is

generally of a white or gray color, although some-

Occasional beds of conglomerate are met

times red.

Very

sandstone contains ripplefrom this fact it is supposed that this sandstone was formed at the edge of an with.

marks due

often

this

to water;

ancient sea.

Bryn Mawr Gravel.

— Upon

the tops of some of

the high hills north of Philadelphia, near Chestnut Hill and

Bryn Mawr, there

are curious patches of an

ancient gravel, which has been studied by Professor

H.

C. Lewis,

who names

it

the

"Bryn Mawr Gravel."

found at elevations of from three hundred and twenty-five to four hundred and fifty feet above the Schuylkill. It is supposed that these deposits of gravel are the remains of an ancient ocean beach and the remnants of a once continuous formation, and that erosion has swept away everything except these few isolated p.atches. The gravel consists of rounded or sharp pebbles of quartzite or grains of sand ceIt is

mented by

iron. Sometimes the gravel is covered with a brownish-black iron glaze. The pebbles are very hard. At Bryn Mawr the gravel is seen in the

lignite are found.

Red soils result from the rocks of The copper deposits at Shannonville and Upper Salford are found in the new red sand-

railroad cut below the station.

this formation.

dred and thirty feet high and nine miles distant from gravel

is

ten feet deep, and rests

stone.

the gneiss-rock, which

is

decomposed.

Potsdam Sandstone.

— Professor Rogers called this

rock the primal sandstone; Hill rock.

It received

it is

the

often called the

Edge

name Potsdam from

its

the river.

Hill,

'four

The

on the City Line road, at hundred and twenty-five

tliere is

about four hun-

It is

its

upon Near Chestnut

highest elevation,

feet

above the

river,

another deposit of gravel and conglomerate.

ORES, MINERALS.

AND GEOLOGY.

with numerous sharp fragments of quartzite. A similar gravel is found on some of the high hills of New

sistance offered

Jersey and Delaware, and

fossils.

it continues through the Southern States in the same relative position. ProIt is the fessor Lewis assigns it to the tertiary age. oldest surface formation in Pennsylvania.

South Valley Hill Mica-Schists and Slates.— These rocks form a ridge which flanks the Chester Valley limestone on the south, hence the name. In Montgomery County these slates are found in the southern part of Upper Merion township. They cross the Schuylkill at Conshohocken, and extend into White Marsh township. Near the Gulf Mills the hill divides into two spurs. This is the rock of the Conshohocken stone-quarries, which is always in demand for bridge-building and heavy masonry. This rock is a quartzose mica-schist, and contains seven

31

by the hard syenite rocks.

It is

the

Montgomery County, and contains no

oldest rock in

composed of quartz, feldspar, and horncomposed of the same minerals as granite, only it contains hornblende instead of mica. It makes an excellent building stone. The quartz in Syenite

blende.

is

It

this belt

of syenite

is

characteristic, as it is of bluish

sometimes

It is

tint.

is

difficult to

determine whether

the other rocks of this belt are granites or granitic

The

thought that some of the brown hematite ores are derived from the slates, as they contain over s?ven per cent, of oxide of iron, and when they decom-

both pinkish and white, rock contain so much feldspar as to have a structure like porphyry. Philadelphia, Manayunk, and Chestnut Hill The rocks exposed Mica-Schists and Gneisses. along the Schuylkill River from its mouth to a short distance above Lafayette Station on the Norristown Branch of the Reading Railroad have been divided into three groups by Professor Hall First, the Philadelphia group second, the Manayunk group and third, the Chestnut Hill group. The Philadelphia group underlies the other two, and the Chestnut Hill group is the highest. These rocks extend eastward as far as Trenton, and westward into Delaware County. These Schuylkill rocks are not visible in New Jersey, as they sink beneath the surface; but they come to the surface again on Staten Islaud and in New York. According to Professor Lesley, these three groups of rock are between ten thousand and twenty thousand feet

pose and form clay the oxide of iron

in thickness.

per cent, or more of oxide of iron.

It is slaty in ap-

pearance, and generally of a grayish tint and silky lustre.

The

deposits of clay in the county are found

in the vicinity of the slates, and it is supposed that some of the clay-beds are derived from the decomposition of the mica in the slates. This seems prob-

sand sometimes accompany the clay this sand is the quartz of the schists and slates. The deposits of iron ore in the county able, as beds of fine white ;

are found near the mica-slates in the clay.

The

is

It is

dejiosited.

rocks of this formation rest on the limestone, and

are of more recent age, according to Professor Hall,

who

assigns

them

to

Hudson River

gneisses.

feldspar

is

and certain bands of

this

—

:

;

;

They

are

known as the azoic rocks, and we have any knowledge

are the oldest rocks of which

;

most of the other rocks have been formed from them, as they are the foundation rocks of the old continents.

age.

—

Syenite and Granitic Rocks (Laurentian). The hard crystalline rocks of this group in Montgomery County extend from Moreland township, at the Bucks County line, westward across the Schuylkill River to the Delaware County line. In Moreland and Upper Dublin townships the new red sandstone forms the northern boundary. Between Chestnut Hill and the Delaware County line the mica-schists form the southern boundary, and from the Schuylkill to the Delaware County line the limestone and mica-schists of the South Valley Hill tbrm the northern boundary. East of the Schuylkill the Potsdam forms the northern boundary to the vicinity of Willow Grove. These syenite rocks are exceedingly tough and hard, and but little acted on by the weather. Hills of softer rock were in the course of time worn down to the surface, but the syenite ridges remain as monuments of the past. The hills known as Spring Mill Heights are syenite. The cuts exposed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in passing through the Schuylkill Valley offer an excellent opportunity for studying the syenite belt from Spring Mill to the serpentine rock. It was the hardest rock along the line to cut through. The Schuylkill River between West Conshohocken and Spring Mill is turned from its course by the re-

They were formed when the lowest forms of animal life were introduced on our globe, and were the

Any

beds of the old oceans. that

may have

trace of animal life

by the heat and pressure

literated

Many

subjected.

become obwhich they were

existed in these rocks has to

of the minerals of the county are

These rocks are micais comand mica but the gneiss

found in these formations. schists

and

gneisses.

Gneiss, like granite,

posed of quartz, feldspar, is arranged in parallel layers, while granite is not. Mica-schist is a crystalline assemblage of mica and ;

quartz,

and sometimes

feldspar, arranged in layers.

The Philadelphia group extends from River on

the south

The

Schuylkill.

variety of gneisses

to the vicinity

the Delaware

of Falls of

rocks of this group are different

and

mica-schists.

The Manayunk

group extends from the vicinity of the Falls of Schuylkill to a point half-way between Manayunk and Lait is exposed along the Schuylkill. fayette Station ;

The rocks

of this belt are schists and gneisses, and

much

are very

weathered, the feldspar especially

is

appearance from decomposition this is noticeable at Wissahickon Station. The Chestnut Hill group extends from the vicinity of Chestnut Hill to the county line at Bryn Mawr. often white ;

and chalky

in

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

32

contain an abundance of garnets. It is in this group that serpentine and soapstone occur. The division

from which we are led to infer that Samuel Carpenter and Madam Farmer, as has been mentioned, must have been among the earliest to convert limestone into lime. Even prior to the summer of 1685 considerable building had been done in Philadelphia and

of these Schuylkill .rocks into groups is somewhat geographical and is not definite. It is often difficult

article as

Along the Schuylkill the rocks are exposed from a point between Manayunk and Lafayette to the syenite formation,

Tlie schists

and gneisses of this group

to determine whether the rock

is

a gneiss or schist.

—

Early Accounts of Lime.' Among the extensive manufactures of Montgomery County can be mentioned lime, the history of which we are not aware of having been attempted by any other writer. The quantity now used for agricultural, building, and manufacturing purposes has become immense. The annual production here in 1875 was estimated at fully two millions of bushels, and has probably reached

now

to nearly one-third

The census of 1840

more.

gave the value of lime manufacture in this county at $236,162, and for Plymouth township, $45,218; White Marsh, S51,458 Upper Dublin, $20,275 Upper Merion, $74,772; and in Abington township, $11,800. In ;

;

18.58 the writer

personally visited seventy-five lime-

kilns in the township of Plymouth, said to contain

the average capacity of fifteen hundred bushels each.

This would alone make by one burning considerably over one hundred thousand bushels, and the number of kilns there has since been increased. The earliest mention we have been enabled to find of limestone, and of lime being made therefrom to be used for building purposes, is in a letter written by Robert Turner, of Philadelphia, dated 3d of 6th month, 1685, addressed to William Penn in England, from which we learn that " Samuel Carpenter is our limeburner on his wharf Brave limestone found here, as the workmen say, being proved." The next mention found is in another letter to Penn, written by Nicholas More, dated " Green Spring, the 13th of September, 1686," wherein he states that "Madam Farmer has found out as good limestone on the Schuylkill as any in the world, and is building with it; she offers to sell ten thousand bushels at sixpence the bushel upon her plantation, where there are several considerable hills, and near to your Manor of Springfield."

The

of Jasper Farmer, ber, 1685,

aforesaid

who had

was evidently the wife arrived here in

and had taken up

Marsh township a

NovemWhite

in the present

thousand acres of His son, Edward Farmer, subsequently became the owner of about tract of five

land, but died soon thereafter.

which required no small amount of the prepared from oyster shells. William Penn, in a letter to the Marquis of Halifax, dated 9th of 12th month, 1683, mentions that " about one hundred and fifty very tolerable houses its

vicinity,

for wooden ones" had been erected in Philadelphia. In his " Further Account of Pennsylvania," written in

December, 1685, he states that the number had been

increased to three hundred and fifty-seven houses, " divers of them large, well built, with good cellars, three stories, and some with balconies." He also

mentions in the same of "divers brickeries going on, and some brick houses going up." Robert Turner, in a letter from Philadelphia, 3d of 6th month, 1685, states that

"we

are

now

laying the foundation of a

plain brick meeting-house, sixty by forty feet," and that " Pastorius, the German Friend, with his people,

make brick next year." These statements show the necessity of lime, for which purpose no inconsiderable quantities must have been required, are preparing to

and that the discovery of limestone created at once a

demand from

its

ranking, as has since been proven,

so near the city

superior quality,

among

the best

found in the country. John Goodson wrote from Philadelphia, 24th of 6th month, 1690, "that six carters have teams daily

employed to carry and fetch timber, bricks, stone, and lime for building, which goeth on to admiration. We have rocks of limestone, where many hundreds, yea thousands of bushels of lime are made in one year fur this town." John Holme, one of the judges of the Philadelphia County Court, in his poem on "The Flourishing State of Pennsylvania," written in 1696, mentions therein that a few years previously lime had been burned from oyster shells, but since a " great store" of limestone had been discovered in the ground, from which "now is made good stone lime," which was not only superior but cheaper than the former article. He had arrived here from England in 1686,

and died

in 1701.

At a meeting of the Provincial Council, held May 19, 1698, a road was ordered to be laid out from White Marsh,

for the

purpose of hauling lime from the and to meet the Plymouth road

kilns there to the city,

three-fourths of this purchase.

near Cresheim, or the upper part of Germantown.

For building purposes the Swedes and other early settlers first used lime prepared from oyster shells, of which we find mention made by several writers. Thomas Budd, in his account of Pennsylvania,

In 1703, Nicholas Saul and others, at " Sandy Run," in the " Manor of Springfield," petition that they

printed in 1685, says, "

We make

lime of oyster shells, which by the sea and bay-side are so plentiful that

we may

load ships with them."

us that there

is

He

further informs

no limestone " as we yet know 1

By Wm.

of,"

had formerly received the grant of a road from the limekilns to Philadelphia on the

Buck.

road,

from the village of White Marsh through Chestnut In 1713 the road was opened from the afore-

Hill. J.

Germantown

which the court now ordered should be speedily opened. This is evidently the road proposed by the Council aforesaid, and the present highway leading

THE ABORIGINES. said kilns to Skippack, over

"a

out as tlie

which

also considerable

The Plymouth highway was

lime was hauled.

cart road" in the spring of 1G87.

laid

This

is

road leading from Plymouth to Philadelphia, and

now known pike, It is

Germantowii and Perkiomen turnon its bed and finished in 1804. likely that this was the first road opened for the as the

which was

laid

transportation of lime to the city.

What

known as mantown

the Limekiln road was laid out from Ger-

and probably

also first

opened

to

Upper Dublin for the

in

1693,

is

now

purpose of obtaining lime

from the vicinity of the present Fitzwatertown.

33

members at this time were George Tippen, Samuel Davis, John Shepherd, Daniel Fisher, Benjamin Marple, Eleazer Michener, Enoch Marple, John Hellings, George Egbert, George Lare, Henry John-

Abraham Marple, William Sands, Joseph Har-

son,

mer, and Daniel Davis.

The

On

was confirmed in 1724, and opened the following year.

would be interesting

it is

ascertained that

Thomas

Fitz-

the

in 1705.

off

who

arrived here in 1683, in his

accountof Pennsylvania, published at London in 1698, mentions that here " there is also very good limestone in great abundance plenty and cheap, of great use in buildings, also in

Mount

The Manor of

manuring lands."

Joy, containing seven thousand eight hun-

dred acres, was granted by Penn Letitia the 24th of 8th month, 1701.

to

his daughter This tract was

partly situated in Upper Merlon, and we have the authority of Oldmixon's " British Empire in Amer1708, that it abounded in lime; which had been made use of for some time. Edward Farmer, whose settlement in White Marsh was known in 1708 as " Farmer's Town," supplied lime at various times from there for the buildings at Springettsbury, erected by Thomas and Richard Penn, between the years 1732 to the time of his death, in 1745. Francis Rawle, who had settled in Plymouth about 1685, in his " Ways and Means," printed by S. Keimer, of Philadelphia, in 1725, and written the previous year, states on page 54 that of " limestone we have great plenty, of which stone lime is made, which gives the opportunity to the inhabitants to build good stone and brick houses in town and country." The lime used in building the State-House, from 1729 to 17.35, was hauled from the kilns of Ryner Tyson, in Abington township, fourteen miles north of the city. Those kilns and quarries have ever since been in the family, and the business of limeburning is still carried on by the descendants. The county commissioners in March, 1804, invite proposals for " hauling by the bushel a quantity of lime from Plymouth to Pottstown sufficient to complete the bridge" over the Manatawny, a distance of about ica," published in

stone,

twenty-three miles.

In 1810, if not earlier, the limeburners of the county formed themselves into an as-

which Alexander Crawford was president, and John Fitzwater secretary, meeting for

sociation, of

several

years, in January, at

Sellers,

White Marsh.

at

the house of

the house of Philip

In February, 1S24, they met

Andrew Hart, Plymouth.

The

to be regretted that there are so

amount

few

statistics.

It

to possess a list of the several

number of

kilns operated,

and

respectively made.

The quantity

sent

manufacturers, the

water carried on there the business of lime-burning Gabriel Thomas,

deemed unlawful,

so a great a business as the production of lime

it is

the petition

appears they soon after

but we presume no more so than any other combination of a similar character. Among their objects was to fix the price of lime and the wood they either purchased or received in exchange.

road from the latter place to Abington meeting-house

From

It

dissolved, their proceedings being

by water must be considerable, especially to the of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, as also by railroad to adjoining counties, Philadelphia, and other places, for building, manufacturing, and agricultural purposes. The townships of Montgomery that possess limestone are Abington, Upper Dublin, Springfield, White Marsh, Plymouth, and States

Upper Merion.

The limestone

probably comprise about

fifteen

surface

here

may

Plym-

square miles.

outh, no doubt, is now the greatest producer; next Upper Merion, followed by White Marsh and Upper Dublin. Norristown, Swedesburg, and Port Ken-

nedy are extensive shipping-points of

The lime of Montgomery County

this material.

for

among

building

all

purposes possesses a high reputation, and

regarded

is

the very best produced.

CHAPTER

II L

THE ABORIGINES.

Three hundred and

ninety-one years have elapsed

since the commercial nations of the earth

first

learned

of the existence of the North American Indians.

From whence they came remains an

>

archaeological

Their numbers' were the subject of con-

problem.

Robert Proud, historian, estimated the nnmber of fighting

men

of

tiie

ex-

eighteen given tribes at 27,900, and total number, 139,500. Besides, in an iiistorical account, printed in Philadelphia, of pedition against

tlio

BuiKjuet, there

a

saiil to

is

Oliio Indians in

list 4if tlie

be from good autliority. .and

tliat

on, so far as a matter of this kind can

which

it is

under command of

the account lie

number

Col.

may

be depended

brouglit near the truth, in

asserted that there are 50,580 figliting

as the French were connected with in this

1764,

Indian nations of Canada and Louisiana,

men

of such Indians

Canada and Louisiana. Assuming

to be one-fifth of the population, tliey would have had at

that date 282,000.

According to the

ment

at

202,000,

latest data in the possession of the Interior

Washington the number of Indians It

is

claimed that with regard to

in

all

Depart-

the United States

is

Indian tribes receiving

supplies from the government reasonably accurate statistics have been cltained, as in making issues of goods to the Indians the individual receipt of each bead of a family

is

required.

The accounts

divisiou of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

34

jecture until after the Revolutionary war,

became

and remarkable sagacity. The exceptional among them have been gifted with keen perceptive faculties, creating and preserving tribal relations among them-

when they

objects of governmental solicitude

and

care.

a race, they have displayed rare physical powers of endurance, they have shown indomitable courage

As

selves for centuries, recognizing the obligations of

and honor, the omnipotent power of a "Great Spirit," andagreat" future hunting-ground."

truth, virtue, the Indian Office therefore possesses a register of the names of all heads of families to whom goods, supplies, or annuities are issued Ijy the gov-

ernment.

Ill

must

iif

'

the States there are remniningsmall communities New York, the Eastern Cheiokees

away from the

of Indians, like the Six Nations in in North Carolina, the

Miamis

Having

in Indiana, etc.

dying out. Thefivecivilized

they maintain a trihal organization. The Indian Office exercises a sort of guardianship over tliem in the protection of their lands, manage-

ment

of their funds, limiting the contracts they

they

may pay

may make and the

to attorneys, deciding questions of

membership

the Cherokees,

who

dians cannot thrive

fees

white

in the

men

;

that,

tribes of thelndian Territory, and especially

are themselves prosperous, hold

being unable to compete with their neighbors, the In-

to confirm this doctrine.

figures given above appear

ever, modify or reverse the conclusions based

we have 1

from the Department. They are not dependent upon the government for the supply of tlieir daily wants, and consequently the Indian Department is not able to obtain from them such minute and detailed reports as are required from the seini-savage tribes. In some

quoted, which afford the best data

The following

interest

of

on the

more than usual

:

made from 1714, in the time of my youth, to this day (about the year 1746). If, by the word religion, people mean an assent to certain creeds, or the observance of a set of religious duties, as appointed prayers, singing, preaching, baptism, Jkc.,or even heathenish worship, then, it may be said, the Five Nations and their neighbors have no religion. But if, by religion, we mean an attraction to the soul to God, whence proceeds a confidence in, and hunger after, the knowledge of him, then his people must be allowed to have some religion among tiiem, notwithstanding their sometimes savage deportment. For we find among them some tracts of a confidence in God alone, and even,

show that the Indians are not now, and have not been, decreasing in numbers. The births

for sev-

question, these statistics

the tribes last year aggregated 2998

;

the

re-

number of deaths

2478. An examination of the reports from all the agencies in deshows many iustancesof decrease, but the general result is as stated. It is not claimed that these figures are either complete or exact, but they are beyund reasonable duubt sufficient to establish the factthatthc Indian race, as a whole, in spite of disadvantageous circumstances, is not dying out. The niDrtnary customs of most of the tribes render it improbable that many deaths should escape the knowledge of the agent. As regards the death of a relative or friend the Indian is not a stoic; mourning fur the deceased, whether slain in battle or dying from natural causes, is usually loud and long continued, and accompanied with ceremonies likely to make every pei-son within the sound of beating tom-toms and Wailing Voices aware uilders rather

the continent, proud and haughty as the

Romans whom they

so closely resembled,

and, like them, enabled to conquer by their

compact military and civil organization. Other tribes were split into small bands, between which there was only a feeble and defective concert and unity of action. The Iroquois, on the other hand, were a nation, and wherever we find them we discover that they lived and acted together in co-operative union.

In Pennsylvania, for example, in

purchases

made by Dutch, Swedes, and

Minquas acting

all

the land

English,

we

as one tribe, dealing as

one people and one name, whereas with the Lenapes each petty chief seemed to do what was best in his own sight. Tamine or Tanianend was probably the great chief of the Lenapes in the time of Penn, and his supreme authority was manifest in the councils, but when it came to selling land he was no more than on a level with the twenty or thirty sachems who signed their marks to the deeds of conveyance for the various find the

tracts.

Their industrial

DELAWARE INDIAN EAMILY.

were of the most primitive

Sweden."]

animals, which they fasten in with fish glue such a manner that the water cannot penetrate; at the other end of the arrow they put feathers. They can also tan and prepare the skins of animals, which they paint afterwards in their own way. They make much use of painted feathers, with which they adorn their skins and bed-covers, binding them with a kind fishes or

in

of network, which feathers very well.

warm

is

very handsome, and fastens the

With

these they

make

light

and

clothing and covering for themselves; with the

leaves of Indian corn

and reeds they make

purses,

mats, and baskets, and everything else that they want. .

arts

"New

[From Campanius*

.

.

They make very handsome and strong mats

fine roots,

which they paint with

all

of

kinds of figures;

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

46

make exThe women spin

they hang their walls with these mats, and cellent bed-clothes out of them.

Shtikakopptk.

thread and yarn out of nettles, hemp, and some plants unknown to us. Governor Printz had a complete set

bth

of clothes, with coat, breeches, and belt, made by these barbarians with their wampum, which was curiously wrought with figures of all kinds of aniThey make tobacco-pipes out of reeds mals. .

.

Mo.

30, 1685.

Mnnghhoughsin. Ath Mo. 3, 1684.

.

King Tnmauent. June

15, 1692.

June

15, 1692.

Koioyorkhukox, July 15, 1682.

^

Mnlebone. Mo. 14, 1683.

bth

Allowkavi. Jul,/ 15, 1682.

Meltii niicon.

June

1684.

7,

about a man's length to contain a great

;

the bowl

« of horn, and

made

is

quantity of tobacco.

They gener-

good friends when their houses and wish

ally present these pipes to their 5th

Secane. 14. 1683.

Mo.

them

jy Jrqnoquehnn.

Tamanen. June 23, 1683.

bth

Mo.

14, 1683.

visit them at some time longer

they come to to stay

not go away without having pipe.

They make them, ;

Essepenaike. Jime 23, 1683.

June 23, 1683.

Tamaiten {Receipt for Mimey).

June 23, 16S3.

1

a great quantity in the

and

.

.

They carry them along wherever they and when they come to some creek that they want get over they launch them and go whither they

very strongly. go, to

They

make

also used to

boats out of cedar

which they burnt inside and scraped off the coals with sharp stones, bones, or muscle shells." Charles Thompson,' who enjoyed the confidence of the Indians, and whose good offices in effecting purchases of land were often invoked, and who frequently spent days and weeks among them unattended, refers He to their want of knowledge in the metallic arts. says,— " They were perfect strangers to the use of iron. The instruments with which they dug up the ground were of wood, or a stone fastened to a handle of wood. Their hatchets for cutting were of stone, sharpened

trees, Okettarickvn.

JS

is

blue stones, which are so soft that they can be cut Their boats are made of the bark with a knife. of cedar and birch trees, bound 'together and lashed

please. Tajiianen. Jnue 23, 1683.

smoked out of the and

also of white, gray, green, brown, black,

.

C C

then the friends can-

otherwise, of red, yellow,

blue clay, of which there country

;

first

Kehelappaii

June 23, 1683.

Ncneahikkei,. hth Mo. 14, 1683.

Pendatiouf/hah Neshnnnock. 6th Mo. 14, 1683.

an edge by rubbing, and fastened to a wooden Their arrows were pointed with flint or bones. What clothing they wore was of the skins of animals took in hunting, and their ornaments were principally of feathers. They all painted or daubed their face with red. The men suffered only a tuft of hair to grow on the crown of their head the rest, whether

to

handle.

Wmtfcbnue.

Jmif 25, 16S3.

X tSictnipees. wtnipet

Hekerapptin. Sept. 20, 1683.

;

Junee 23, 1683. I 1

He was

in fact adopted by them.

proceedings in shori-liantI,and

by the coniniissioners to

Wtasapoot. bth

Malehoiie. Mo. 30, 1683.

tlie official

win tlieir prorouiul gratitude. nation, and gave him the name of

as to

June 23, 1683.

tiiese

tells tire

truth,"

He touk minutes of the conference were so uccurute as to be preferred record, and so just to the Indiana Tliey adopted liini into the Lenape

Weg/t-wii-law-tco-tfnd, " the

man

wlio

THE ABORIGINES. on their head or faces, they prevented from growing by constantly plucking it out by the roots, so that they always appeared as if they were bald and beardless. " Many were in the practice of marking their faces, arms, and breast by pricking the skin with thorns and rubbing the parts with a fine powder made of coal (charcoal), which, penetrating the punctures, left an indelible stain or mark, which remained as long as they lived. The punctures were made in figures according to their several fancies. The only part of the body which they covered was from the waist half-way down the thighs, and their feet they guarded with a kind of shoe made of hides of buffaloes or deerskin, laced tight over the instep and up to the ankles with thongs. It was and still continues to

be a

ears,

common

among

practice

the

men

to slit their

putting something into the hole to prevent

closing,

and then by hanging weights

part to stretch

it

out, so that

it

to the

its

lower

hangs down the cheek

They had no knowledge of the use of silver or gold, though some of these metals were found among the Southern Indians. Instead of money they used a kind of beads made of conch-shell, manulike a large ring.

factured

in

a curious manner.

These beads were

made, some of the white, some of the black or colored parts of the shell. They were formed into cylinders about one-quarter of an inch long and a quarter of an inch in diameter. They were round and highly polished and perforated lengthwise with a small hole, by which they strung them together and wove them into belts, some of which, by a proper arrangement of the beads of different colors, were figured like carpeting with different figures, according to the various uses for which they were designed. These were made use of in their treaties and intercourse with each other, and served to assist their memory and

preserve the

remembrance of

transactions.

When

made peace or alliance with each other they exchanged belts of one sort; when they excited each other to war they used different tribes or nations

sort. Hence they were distinguished by the name of peace belts or war belts. Every message

another

sent from one tribe to another wa-s accompanied with

a string of these beads or a belt, and the string or belt was smaller or greater according to the weight and importance of the subject. These beads were their

riches.

arms and

They were worn

like chains

as bracelets on the around the neck by wayof orna-

ments."

47

" Gen. George Crook has described a fire-stick used by the Indians of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges. The fire-stick,' he says, consists of two pieces. The horizontal stick is generally from one foot to a foot and a half long, a couple or three inches wide, and about one inch thick, of some soft, dry wood, frequently the sap of the juniper. The upright stick is usually some two feet long and from a quarter to half an inch in diameter, with the lower end round or elliptical, and of the hardest material they can '

'

In the sage-brush country it is made of " greasewood." When they make fire they lay the first piece

find.

in a horizontal position

with the

flat

side

down, and

place the round end of the upright near the edge of the other stick then taking the upright between the ;

hands they give it a swift rotary motion, and as constant use wears a hole in the lower stick, they cut a nick in.its outer edge down to a level with the bottom of the hole. The motion of the upright works the ignited powder out of this nick, and it is there caught and applied to a piece of spunk or some other highly combustible substance, and from this the fire is started.'

Of their tribal relations and intercourse Mr. Thompson seems to have been a close observer "Almost every nation being divided into tribes, and these tribes subdivided into families, who from :

relationship or friendship united together

and formed towns or clans these several tribes, families, and towns have commonly each a particular name and chief, or head man, receive messages, and hold conferences with strangers and foreigners, and hence ;

they are frequently considered by strangers and foreigners as distinct and separate nations. Notwithstanding

this, it is

found upon closer examination and

is composed of several of these tribes, united together under a kind of federal

further inquiry that the nation

government, with are ruled. Their lax, except as to having in his own

laws and customs by which they governments, it is true, are verj' peace and war, each individual

hand the power of revenging injuand when murder is committed the next relation having power to take revenge, by putting to death the murderer, unless he can convince the chiefs and head men that he had just cause, and by their means can pacify the family by a present, and thereby put an end to the feud. The matters which merely regard a town or family are settled by the chiefs and head men of the town those which regard the tribe, by a meeting of the chiefs from the several towns; and those that regard the nation, .such as the making war ries,

;

When

and how the Indians acquired the art of producing fire by friction, prior to the use of flint and steel, remains a great mystery. This element was

or concluding peace with the neighboring nations,

absolutely essential to their existence in the northern

are determined on in a national council,

and must of necessity have been in use by them. Nature may have supplied them by volcanic eruptions, and once in their possession they may have

the chiefs and head warriors from every tribe. Every

latitudes,

retained perpetual

fallen forest trees

The discovery of heat, may have been accidental in

fires.

generated by friction,

moved

or swayed by the wind.

tribe has a chief or

composed of

head man, and there

is

one who

In every town they have a council-house, where the chief assembles the old men and advises what is best. In every tribe there is a presides over the nation.

place,

which

is

commonly the town

in

which the

48

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

chief resides, where the head

men

of the towns meet

gun-barrels thrust into the abdominal cavity after he

them and in every matter there is a grand council, or what they call a council-fire, where the heads of the tribes and

had been disemboweled, he would still sing his deathsong and gather breath to hurl a last yell of defiance

to consult on the business that concerns

;

chief warriors convene to determine on peace or war.

In these several councils the greatest order and decorum is observed. In a council of a town all the men of the town may attend, the chief opens the business,

and either gives

his opinion of

what

is

best

or takes the advice of such of the old men as are heads of families, or most remarkable for prudence and knowledge. None of the young men are allowed or ])resume to speak, but the whole assembly at the end of every sentence or speech, if they approve it, express their approbation by a kind of hum or noise in unison

with the speaker.

The same

order

is

observed in the

meetings or councils of the tribes and in the national councils."

Like all barbarous nations, the North American Indians were superstitious. Parkman says, " The

by charms, magic songs, magic feats, and the beating of his drum, had power over the spirits and those occult influences inherent in animals and sorcerer,

inanimate things.

He

could call to him the souls of

They appeared before him in the shape chopped and bruised them with his hatchet blood and flesh issued forth and the intended victim, however distant, languished and died. Like the sorcerer of the Middle Ages, he made images of those he wished to destroy, and muttering incantations, punctured them with an awl, whereupon his enemies.

of stones.

He

;

;

the persons represented sickened and pined away." Subjects of fear as they were under the sorcerer's

at his

enemy

as

he expired."

It seems, however, that limitations

upon

this passion, at least

or customs of restraint.

were imposed

among themselves, by

rules

Offenses were chiefly against

the person, as there were but few property rights to be sinned against among them. Every crime could be condoned. This was possible in case of murder. If

murderer and victim belonged to the same clan, it was looked upon as a family quarrel, to be settled by the immediate kin. As a rule, public opinion compelled the acceptance of the atonement in lieu of bloodshed.

If the murderer and victim were of different

whole tribe went to work to prevent a feud from arising and leading to more bloodshed. Every effort was made to get the victim's clan to accept the atonement offering. Thirty presents was the price of clans, the

If the victim belife, forty for a woman. longed to a foreign tribe, the danger of war led to council meetings, formal embassies, and extensive

a man's

making of actual and symbolical presents. That the Indians .should place a higher estimate upon the

life

of a

woman than

the

man

contrast with their general character,

is

in strange

—perhaps

it

was

because of her greater value to them as a drudge or laborer.

A wild and singular people were the Indians who met our forefathers on the shores of the Delaware Evidences of friendship and Schuylkill Rivers. and comity towards our race they certainly manifested, as also a

consciousness of our superior condi-

and magic when in health, and pliant patients in the hands of the conjurer when stricken with disease, yet their ruling passion seems to have been that of hate and revenge in the redress of insults and injuries. To gratify this passion of their savage souls time, distance, suffering, peril were but food to feed upon disappointment and delay only served to in-

arts

;

crease their thirst for blood

geance.

"The

when

in pursuit of ven-

stealthy blow, the reeking scalp torn

from the prostrate victim, the yell of triumph when the deed was done this was compensation for all. Nor did death suffice; the enemy, public or private, must be tortured, and nothing but his agony and his groans could satiate the wolfish thirst of the savage for blood. His warfare was conducted by stealth and strategy and surprise; he imitated the panther, not the lion, in his assaults, and he lay by his victim and mangled him like the tiger. Sometimes he ate his victim if he was renowned, that all of the valor and virtue of the slain might not be lost, but some of it pass into the slayer's own person. If conquered or wounded to death his stoicism was indomitable; his enemy might see his back in flight, but never behold him flinch under torture; when his finger-nails were plucked out one by one, and the raw skull from which his scalp was torn seared with live coals, and red-hot

—

I)Er,AWARE INDIAN' FORT. [From Campantiis' " New Sweden.*']

tion

;

but,

withal,

their

adult people, rulers and

ruled, never yielded to the temptations of wealth,

the greater power or higher enjoyments of life as seen in the line of civilization, before which they

Ohio For almost four centuries they and Mississippi. have stolidly looked on the amazing progress and development of the continent over wiiich they roamed as its proud possessors. Eye-witnesses to the plain and simple forms of government cstabprotestingly retreated, league by league, to the

EARLY VOYAGERS AND TRADERS. upon lands purchased from them, in daily contact with a number of different Ianguages, all far superior to theirs, they remained unaffected; not even war, with all its potentialities, with all its destructive agencies, and in which they lished in their very midst

were used as factors by their cunning and adroit could wake them frona their barbarous inertia. One hope still remains it is for the youth of the race, who can beveducatedJ Through these there may be a final redemption of the tribes now on the

both must be equally sufficient to save, otherwise the end of the reveBesides, if they both be true they must be lation would be frustrated.

,

the same in substance, and the difference can only

i

:

missionary preached a sermon

which serand endeavored Iiy certain argnments to induce the Indians to embrace tlie Christian religion. After he bad ended his discourse one of the Indian chiefs made a speech in reply to the sermon, and the discourses on both sides wpre made known by interpreters. The missionary, upon his return to Sweden, published his sermon and the Indian's answer. Having written them in Latin, he dedicated them to the University of Upsal, and requested them to furnish him witli arguments to confute such strong reasoning of the Indians. The Indian speech, translated frum tlie Latin,

at an Indian treaty lield at Conestogoe, in Pennsylvania, in

is

he

his

creatures

and be utterly regardless of their welfare.

tent with His justice to force life

Then

to

upon a race of mortals without their

damn Owm cttniKiV y without ever opening to them the duor of salvation ? Our conceptions of the gracious God are more noble, and we think that those who teach otherwise do little less than

consent and then

blaspheme.

.

Again,

it is

through the care and goodness of the Almighty

many generations to this name has been preserved, unblotted out by enemies, unreduced By that same care we now enjoy our lives, are served with to nothing the necessary means of preserving those lives. But all these things are Therefore, since God hath been trifling compared with our salvation. that from the beginning of time, through

day, our

"Since the subject of his (the missionary's) errand is to persuade us embrace a new doctrine, perhaps it may not be amiss, before we offer liim the reasons why we cannot comply with his request, to accjuaiut him with the grounds and principles of that religion which he would have iia abandon. Our forefathers were under a strong persna«iOTi, as we are, that those who act well in this life shall be rewarded in the next, according to the degree of their virtue; and, on the otLer hand, that those who behave wickedly here will undergo such punishments hereafter as are proportionate to the crimes they were guilty of. This hath been constantly and invariably received and acknowledged fur a truth through every successive generation of our ancestors.

human

It could not

so careful of us iu matters of liltle consequence, affirm that

Admit

the contrary, thouglit

it

have

rather, are they not

pass that they are

man

by the badness of

The

Whatever the methods might

of.

If he

other than what

admits no is

evident

from

our understandings

to

way

know

it

to

auwen.

CHAPTER

is

conclude that

we

shall be eternally

it,

will

RIVERS.

The

I

I

damned ? j

Will be take upon him to pronounce damnation against us for not doing

IV.

EARLY VOYAGERS AND TRADERS— FIRST SETTLEMENTS ON THE DELAWARE AND SCHUYLKILL

be our iluty

yet hath left us under an incapacity of doing

their lives."

sacheautaugwasd, cuntehsalohaunzriikjtw, esa, nris.H,wu6, silwauneyou, eei, sashautzta, esa, soungwaaoung, ch6nueauhaiingwa,

|

who

this missionary, therefore,

are neg-

oungga,

But, supposing

to arrive at that end.

be so far illuminated as to

we

Soungwiiuncha, caurounkj'augS, tehseetiiroiin, B."iulwL)neyoufta, sawaneyou, 6korthem would be incomplete. Ordinarj' foresight and sagacity induced the belief in the minds of these first voyagers that settlements would speedily follow the line of commerce, and lands eligibly located would soon have market value. Ambitious capitalists, such as Samuel Godyn and Samuel Blommaert, prompted by so keen and observing a resident as Isaac De Rasieres, whose official position gave him

erence to the speculative greed of tunities misled

peculiar advantages in advising his friends, were not

slow in concerting measures to advance their interest in large land enterprises. As early as 1629 they re-

RIVERS.

55

buy lands from the Indians on the south side of the Delaware Bay. Their purchase embraced a tract thirty-two miles in length,

tained two purchasing agents to

extending a distance of two miles into the country from the shore line, the patent thereof being duly registered and confirmed June 1, 1630. Similar purchases were made on and near the Hudson River by

Van

Rensselaer, Michael Pauw, and John These extensive operations were viewed with disfavor, and led to general and unfriendly criticism, and naturally excited quarrels among the speculators and their retainers. To avoid scandal and exposure there seems to have been what was deemed an equitable division of advantages. In a word, there had been over-reaching and sharp practice. Explanations and restitution were discreetly made. Fortunately for Godyn and Blommaert, who were obliged to improve their land on the Delaware Bay, under

William

De

Laet.

the terms of confirmation of their purchase, they

fell

David Pietersen De Vries, who had just returned from the East Indies. He was a man of uncouth exterior, but of good heart, and from experience had become observant, not alone in nautical matters, but in all worldly affairs, and was on terms of great personal intimacy with Godyn. His services were deemed so important to the success of the enterprise i.e., his that he was admitted to equal advantages, experience was deemed equivalent to the capital of in with

those associated in the enterprise.

De Vries became a patroon Oct. 16, 1630, and at once set to work to promote the designs of his associates. The ship " Walvis," or " Whale," of eighteen guns, and a yacht were immediately equipped. They carried out emigrants, cattle, food, and whaling implements, De Vries having heard that whales abounded Bay of South River (Godyn's Bay, or Newport Bay, as it now also began to be called), and expecting to establish profitable fisheries there. The expedition sailed from the Texel in December under the command of Pieter Heyes, of Edam. De Vries did not go out at this time, and the voyage was not profitable. De Vries accuses Heyes of incapacity and cowaidice, saying he would not sail through the in the

May

West Indies

in

an eigbteen-gun ship.

did a large business for his employers.

Still,

He

Heyes

reached

South River in the spring of 1631, and established his colony on the Horekill, "a fine navigable stream, filled with islands, abounding in good oysters," and surrounded by fertile soil. The place was near the present site of Lewes, Del. Here a palisaded brick house was erected, and the colony of more than thirty souls was called Swaannendael, the Valley of Swans. The Dutch title was inscribed upon a pillar, on a plate of tin, surmounted by the arms of Holland. The fort, named " Oplandt," was given in the com-

mand

of Gilliss Hossett,

Van

Rensselaer's agent in

buying lands around Albany. Heyes, after he had settled matters at Swaannendael, crossed to the Jersey shore and bought from ten chiefs there, on behalf

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

56

On January

of Godyn, Blommaert, and their associates, a tract of

May

land extending from Cape

twelve miles north-

ward along the bay and twelve miles inland. This purchase was registered at Manhattan June 3, 1631. The whale fishery having come to naught, in September Heyes sailed for home to report to his employers.

De Vries now determined to go out to the South River himself, and preparations were made for him to take charge of another ship and yacht. Just as he was about to sail from the Texel, May 24, 1632, Governor Minuet arrived from New Amsterdam with intelligence of the massacre of the colony at Swaannendael. This was cold news for De Vries and his associates. The patroon sailed, however, and after a long and checkered voyage arrived off Swaannendael early in December. The site of the little settlement told a fearful tale; the house itself nearly ruined, the stockade burnt, and the adjacent land strewed with the skulls and bones of the colonists, the remains

of

cattle, etc.

The

valley was silent

De

and

desolate.

Vries returned

on board his yacht

and

fired a

gun

to

attract attention of

the savages. After

some mutual mistrust, communication was opened with tliem, and De Vries was told a cock-and-bull of a chief having ignorantly

story

UAVID PIETERSEN DE VRIES.

murdered by the

among

the adjacent tribes. Released from the ice, he reached Swaannendael on February 20th, and on March 6th sailed for Virginia, returning to South River only to break up the colony at Swaannendael and go home. Once more the Delaware River and Bay were abandoned to the Indians, and once more the attempt at settlement by white men had failed. There were no further efforts made to settle on South

River until the Swedes came in 1638, but, as has been must have been a more or less intermittent occupancy at Fort Nassau, and possibly there may have been a permanent garrison from the begin-

stated, there

ning of

it,

De

Vries knew too much about the Dutch cruelty and harshness to the Indians to believe any such story. He had before him all the evidences of the white

man's cruelty and the savage's wild revenge. The fatal deed was irreparable, and De Vries, keeping his own counsel, did what he could to restore confidence and peace by making presents to the Indians of

and Nuremberg

toys," so

them to hunt beaver for him, instead of lying The result in ambush to murder more colonists. was a treaty of peace, the first ever made in Delaware

as to get

Van

Twiller's director-generalship.''

— If the story of New Albion

is other than an )u3torica! myth, were among the earliest adventurers and settlers on the Delaware. Between 1G23 and 1634, for several dates are mentioned, Charles I. granted an extensive territory to Sir Edmund Plowden,

Note,

tlie

Englisli

which enihraced Long Island, all of New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, who formed a company of noble-

1 The bar of Jacques Eylandt embraces the spot where the city of Camden is now built. 2 The 'list of June, 1634, is the alleged date of the probably spurious Sir Kdwurd Plowden or Ploydon's charter for impossible territory somewhere between the Potomac and Newark Bay. Rev. Edward D. Neill, president of Macalester College, Minn., who has

given considerable attention to Maryland history, though from a rather sectarian stand-point, contributed two papers on Plowden to the tifth volthat State.

his tribe, in revenge, massacred the colonists.

" duffles, bullets, hatchets,

somewhere over against Willow what is now known as Windmill Island.' Thence he went down river again, anchoring half a mile above Minquas Kill, on the lookout for whales. He was finally twice frozen up, and in some danger from Indians, numerous war parties of whom he saw, there being some intestine feud

ume

colonists for doing

Vries cast anchor at the bar

city of Philadelphia,

removed the coat and been whereupon

De

Street, near the site of

of arms from the pillar

10th,

of Jacques Eylandt, precisely opposite the present

of the Pennsylvania MagaziiiCy conCvicted by the Historical Society of

He assumes Plowden's existence, and that he was the lineal Edmund Plowden, the commentator on English law, who Coke's encomiums and who died in 1584. Plowden, according to

descendant of earned

Neill, did obtain a

grant in

lG:j'.i,

through King Charles

I.'s

request to

the viceroy of Ireland for act-rtain " Isle Plowden" and forty leagues of the mainland, called " New Albion." The island lay between 39° and Capt. Young, commissioned by the king in September, an exploring expedition in 1634, which ascended the Delaware as far as the Falls. If this expedition ever sailed, it must have been the one mentioned by De Vries-as having been massacred by the Indians, There is no proof that Plowden sent out this party or had aught

40° latitude.

1633, sent out

to

Evelyn, who' commanded it, was in the service of Clayit, London partners, Plowden, says Mr, Neill, was living at hisseat Wanstead in Hampshire in 163.5, unhappy, heating his wife, quarrel-

do with

bortie's

at

ing with his neighbors, and chatiging his relieion. His wife and his clergyman's wife both had him arrested for assault and battery, and his wife procured a divorce from him. In 1641, Evelyn wrote a pamphlet descriptive of New Albion, dedicated to Plowden's wife. The next year Plowden was on the Chesapeake, This was ten years after he is said to

very cautiously, as they greatly outnumbered his

have procured this rich grant. No one can explain why he did not look Plowden lived most of his time in Virginia, after such an estate sooner. but waj* in Maryland, on Delaware Bay, at New York, and in New England. He was abroad just seven years, say his chroniclers, and then went home to return no more to " New Albion." It is conjectured that his seven years' residence was on account of being transported, and that his New Albion claim was trumped up after the time of his sentence was served out. Plowden is reputed to have died in 1665. Mr. Neill further says (hat in 163.5-40, Plowden was a prisoner in the Fleet Prison, London, fur refusing to jiay his wile's alimony, Mr, Neill must see that the dates of Plowden's adventures are as irreconcilable aa his adven-

men.

tures.

waters.

On Jan. 1, 1633, the navigation being open, De Vries proceeded up the bay and river in his yacht. At Fort Nassau he heard of the murder of the crew of an English sloop, and met some Indians wearing the Englishmen's jackets.

show of

offering peace, but

These Indians also made a

De

Vries dealt with them

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS. men and gentlemen under

the

title

Delaware was the chosen ground itself to

nists

to

of

"The AUdon Knights." The

settle,

introduce tlireo tlionsand trained

and

men

tlie

party of English who, under George Holmes, had taken possession of Fort Nassau. These adventurers, thirteen in number, were taken prisoners by the Dutch and sent to Virginia, from whence they came, as their captors believed, although it is said by some writers that they came to the fort from the New England colonies. Samuel Godyn died in the year 1634.

company pledged Colo-

into the colony.

were actually introduced, and made their homea on the Delaware; number nor exact location ran be told. Plowden was

but neither the

iord proprietor and captain-general, while one Beauchamp Plantagenet was made agent of this company of knightly settlers. Tlie earl and Plantagenet were here seven years, and became well acquainted with the country and Indian tribes. A government was framed, and the machinery of civil administration put in operation, but its duration is unknown. A history of tlie colony was publisbed in 1048, which contained the letter of one "Master Robert Evelin," addressed to Lady Plowden after his return to England. He was four years on the Delaware, and i[i his letter he states that "Captain Claybnurn, fourteen years there trading," sustains wliat he says of the country. Evelyn evidently sailed up the river to the falls, for he mentions the streams which empty into it, names the tribes which live along it, with their strengtli, with some description of the country and the productions. Six leagues below the falls he speaks of" two fair, woody islands, very pleasant and fit for parks, one of one thousand acres, the other of fourteen hundred or thereabouts." Tliese were probatdy Burlington and Newbold's Islands. Near the falls, he says, " is an isle fit for a city all the m:iteriala there to build, and above the river fair and navigable, as the Indians informed me, for I went but ten miles higher." The "isle fit for a city" refere, doubtless, to Morris Island, or the one abreast of Morrisville. It is barely possible that he fell into the popular error of some explorers of the period, that the Delaware branched at the falls, and that the two branches formed a large island above. He says that a ship of one hundred and forty tons can ascend to tlie falls, and that "ten leagues higher are lead mines in stony hills." At the falls he locates the Indian town of Kildorpy, with clear fields to plant and sow, and

,

near

it

are sweet, large

mendows of clover or honeysuckle." fish in

The

His heirs and legal representatives in adjusting his provoked contentions with those who had been engaged in land speculations, which led to discoveries bordering upon scandal. The West India Company came to the rescue of the litigants, and purchased from Godyn's heirs and associates all the territory owned by them on both sides of the Delaware River for the sum of fifteen thousand six hundred guilders. The wide-spread publicity which resulted from the operations of the enterprising Hollanders in establishing trade with the Indians and possessing themestate

;

speaks of the abundant store of

57

selves of large landed estates in the I

New World

nat-

Europe to power and dominion

urally stimulated the ambitious princes of efforts for the

extension of their

letter

the river, of water-fowl that

swim upon

its surface, and the game, fruit, and nuts to be found in the woods that line its banks, and of the magnificent forest-trees. Evelyn must have traveled well into the interior,and through portions of Bucks

He

County.

new town

speaks of the

of the Susquehannocks as a

healthy, and rich place, and with a crystal, broad river." refer to the

Susquehanna River and the

tribe

from which

**

rare,

This must it

takes

its

name.

What became of Plowden's colony would be an interesting inquiry if we had the leisure to pursue it or the data necessary to solve it. The late William Rawle, of Philadelphia, who gave the subject a careful and intelligent investigation, believed that some of those who welcomed Penn

Delaware were the survivors of the Albion

to the shores of the

History offers no (Edipus to unravel the mystery.

Knights.

Davis,

History of Bucks Counti).

SWEDISH DLOCK-HODSE. [Used for Public Worship in 1677.]

CHAPTER

V.

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS.

The ineffectual efforts of the Dutch to secure a permanent lodgment on the Delaware south of the Schuylkill River

left their large landed interests in an unprofitable and precarious condition. It is not seriously pretended by commentators that the Dutcli pioneers had any higher motives than those prompted by commercial advantages and the hope of obtaining

wealth.

It

post was

still

seems reasonably clear that a tnulingmaintained by them on the Delaware, known as Fort Nassau, but not permanently occupied. It was doubtless an outpost, and for some years after the colony at Swaannendael was broken up was visited by them at seasonable periods of trade and exchange with the Indians. Tliat they were vigilant in their

watch upon the Delaware

that they sent an

armed

is

proven by the fact

force to dislodge a small

on the North American continent. Efforts to establish colonies were always made by royal authority under liberal grants and chartered privileges. Large sums of money in many instances were expended in equipping these expeditions, and in capitalizing and controlling them and the commerce resulting from them. These investments were made upon the expectation of a fair return, and when financial reverses and disappointments occurred changes in the management ensued. Salaried officers were turned out at the home office or recalled from abroad, who became important factors in the formation of new projects, and all the more useful by reason of their experience. Such a person was William Usselincx,' a Hollander, born at Antwerp, in Brabant, who as early as 1624 presented himself to King Gustaf Adolph of Sweden, and laid before him a proposition for a trading company to be established in Sweden, and to extend its operations to Asia, Africa, and Magellan's

Land this

(Terra Magellanica), with the assurance that

would be a great source of revenue

to the king-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

58

Full power was given him to carry out this important project, and thereupon a contract of trade was drawn up, to which the company was to agree

dom.

and subscribe. this Contract,

convenience, and

its fertility,

imaginable resources. To strengthen the matter a charter was secured the company, and especially to Usselincx, who was all its

to

bought or sold by the company. The powerful king, whose zeal for the honor of God was not less ardent than for the welfare of his subjects, availed himself of the opportunity to extend the doctrines of Christ

power

the heathen, as well as to establish his

To

own

end he sent forth letters patent, dated at Stockholm, on the 2d of July, 1G26, wherein all, both high and low, were invited to contribute something to the company, according to their means. The work was completed in in other parts of the world.'

the Diet of the following year, 1627,

Queen Dowager,

He

Christina,

officers

of the army, the bishops and other clergymen, together with the burgomasters and aldermen of the ally.

well as a large

The time

was the

its

how

to

put

as its president,

it

A.xel

Oxen-

in operation.

Company

into his

and encouraged other

noblemen to take shares in it. King Charles I. of England had already, in the year 1634, upon representations made to him by John Oxenstierna, at that time Swedish ambassador in London, renounced in favor of the Swedes all claims and pretensions of the English to that countrj' growing out of their rights as its first discoverers. Hence everything seemed to be settled upon a firm foundation, and all earnestness was employed in the prosecution of the plans for a colony. As a good beginning the first colony was sent off,* and Peter Menewe was placed over it, as

the princess, John Casimir, the Royal Council, the

cities, as

Count

royal chancellor.

took the West India Trading

own hands

the estates

most distinguished of the nobility, the highest

The

stierna, understood well

of the realm gave their assent and confirmed the measure. Those who took part in this company were his Majesty's mother, the

appeared to be at

it

received

renewed.

this

when

it

he was not discouraged by this, and went over to Sweden, where he renewed the representations which Usselincx had formerly made in regard to the excellence of the country, and the advantages that Sweden might derive from it. Queen Christina,' who succeeded her royal father in the government, was glad to have the project thus

to

receive a royalty of one thousandth upon all articles

among

as

new life. Another Hollander, by the name of Peter Menewe, sometimes called Menuet," made his appearance in Sweden. He had been in the service of Holland in America, where he became involved in difficulties with the officers of the West India Company, in consequence of which he was recalled home and dismissed from their service. But

Usselincx published explanations of wherein he also particularly directed

attention to the country on the Delaware,

But just

with the king.

end

number of the people gener-

fixed for paying in the subscriptions

May

chaplain, assistants

being best acquainted in those regions. They set sail from Gottenburg in a ship of war called the " Key of Calmar," followed by a smaller vessel bearing the name of " Bird Griffin," both laden

of soldiers, duly officered.

with people, provisions, ammunition, and merchan-

of the following year (1628). For of the plan there were appointed an admiral, vice-admiral, chaplain, underthe

1st of

management and working

and commissaries, also a body But when these arrangements were in full progress and duly provided for the German war and the king's death occurred, which caused this important work to be laid aside. The Trading Company was dissolved, its subscriptions nullified, and the whole project seemed about to die J

suitable for traffic and gifts to the Indians. These ships successfully reached their place of destination. The high expectations which the emigrants had of that new land were well met by the first news which they had of it. They made their first landing on the bay or entrance to the river Poutaxat, which they called the river of New Sweden, and the place where they landed they called Paradise Point. A purchase of land was immediately made from the Indians, and it was determined that all the land on the western side of the river, from the point called Cape Inlopen, or Henlopen, up to the fall called Santickan,^ and all the country inland, as much as was dise

The plans of GuBtavus were both deep and patriotic. "The year "wasoneof the few ye-irstliat the king

1624," says the historian Geijer,

vas able

to devote to tlie iuternal development of the realm." He looked at the suhject of colonization in America, says Rev. Dr. W. M. in the introduction to his translation of Acrelius, " with the

Reynolds

eye of a statesman who understood the wants not onlyof liisown country but of the world, and was able with prophetic glance to penetrate into the distant ages of the future."

He

proposed there to found a free State,

where the laborer should reap the fruit of his toil, where the rights of conscience should he inviolate, and which should he open to the whole papal powers of Europe.

Protestant world, then engaged in a struggle for existence with all the All should be secure in their persons, their

the

property, and their rights of conscience. It should be an asylum for the persecuted of all nations, a place of security for the honor of the wives

when only

and daughters of those who were flying from bloody battle-fields and from homes madedesolate by the fire and sword of the persecutor. No slaves should burden the soil; " for," said Gustavus, — and we realize the profound truth of his political economy after an experience of two centuries at the end of which slavery expired amid the death-throes ot our civil

—"slaves

a great deal, labor with reluctance, and soon perish from hard usage. But the Swedish nation is industrious and intelligent, and hereby we shall gain more by a free people with wives and cliilwar,

di en."

cost

Scharft History of Philadelphia.

-

3

An autograph letter found in the royal archives in Stockholm name as commonly written in English, Minuit,

Christina succeeded her father, the great Gustaf Adolph, in 1632,

until she

*

and the kingdom remained uiidera regency Consequently she was only eleven years when the .\merican colony was established.

six years of age,

was

ciglitecn,in 1G44.

of age in 1637,

'

gives

In August, 1637, although

Se'Odhner, "Sveriges Inre

it

did not reach the Delaware until 1638.

Historia,' p. 302.

He

reached the Delaware

in the middle of April. &

Trenton

Falls,

which Campanius

Falls of Assinpink."

On

Iionceau's Translation of

Visscher's

Campanius,

given as the most northern point.

(p.

map

49 of Translation) calls "the of Pennsylvania, given in Du-

to face p. 78,

we find "SanhiecanV

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS.

59 Adrian van der Donck pub-

ceded, should belong to the Swedish crown forever.

Netherlands," which

Posts were driven in the ground as landmarks, which were still seen in their places sixty years afterwards.

lished in the year 1655, with the license

A deed was drawn up for the land thus purchased. This was written in Dutch, for no Swede was yet able The Into interpret the language of the heathen. dians subscribed their hands and marks. The writing was sent home to Sweden to be preserved in the

Company,

Mans Kling was the surveyor. He and made a map of the whole river,

royal archives.

laid out the land,

with

its

and

tributaries, islands,

which is still Sweden. Their

points,

to be found in the royal archives in clergyman was Reones Torkillus, of East Gothland. The first abode of the newly-arrived emigrants was at a place called, by the Indians, Hopokahacking.

There,

in the

year 1G38, Peter llenuet built a

which he named Fort Christina,

fortre.ss

after the reigning

and privilege West India proof of what we have said:

as well of the States- General as of the will serve as

why so called we some years back, before the English and Swedes came hither, it was taken up and settled as a colony by Hollanders, the arms of the States being at the same time set up in

"The

place

know

not.

brass.

called Horekihl,' but

is

But

this

is

certain, that

These arms having been pulled down by the commissary there resident

villainy of the Indians, the

demanded

that the head of the traitor should be de-

Indians, unable to e.scape in any

The

livered to him.

other way, brought him- the head, which was accepted as a sufficient

atonement of their offense. But some when we were at work in the fields,

time afterwards,

and unsuspicious of danger, the Indians came as friends, surrounded the Hollanders with overwhelming numbers, fell upon them, and completely exterminated them. Thus was the colony destroyed, though sealed with blood and dearly enough purchased."

Notwithstanding

all

this,

the Hollanders believed

that they had the best right to the Delaware River, yea, a better right than the Indians themselves.

PLAN OF THE TOWN AND FORT OF CHRISTINA, BESIEGED BY THE DUTCH IN 1053. [Fiom A, Fort Chriatina.

B, Chrislitm Creek.

D, TenneI well-born John Printz, to regulate himself as well during bis voyage as upon hie arrival in that "Instructions, according to which

cious Qneen, will have the Lieuteoant-Colouel,

country. Given at Stockholm, the loth of August, 1642. " Inasmuch as some of the subjects of Her Royal Majesty and of the Crown of Sweden have, for some time past, undertaken to sail to the

West Indies, and have already succeeded in conquering and purchasing a considerable tract of land, and in promoting commerce, with the especial object of extending the jurisdiction and greatness of Her Royal Majesty and of the Swedish crown, and have called the councoast of the

New Sweden

the river in the ship 'Key of CoImar,'and the yacht called the' Bird GrifHe gave out to the Hollander, Mr, Van der Nederhorst, the agent fin.'

try

West India Company in the South River, that he was on a voyage West India Isles, and that he was staying there to take iu wood and water. Whereupon, said Hollander allowed him to go free. But some time after, some of our people going thither, found him still there, and be had planted a garden, and the plants were growing in it. In astonishment we asked the reasons for such procedure, and if he intended to stay there? To which he answered evasively, alleging various excuses for his conduct. The third time they found them settled and building a fort. Then we saw their purpose. As soon as he was

able in

of the

to the

informed of

it.

Director Kieft protested against

it,

but in vain."

Thus Peter Menuet made a good beginning

for the

settlement of the Swedish colony in America.

He

guarded his little fort for over three years, and the Hollanders neither attempted nor were able to overthrow it. After some years of faithful service he died In his place followed Peter Hollenat Christina. dare, a native Swede, who did not remain at the bead of its affairs more than a year and a half. He returned home to Sweden, and was a major at Skepsholm, in Stockholm, in the year 1655. The second emigration took place under Lieut.-Col. John Printz, who went out with the aj)pointment of Governor of New Sweden. He had a grant of four hundred rix-dollars for his traveling expenses, and twelve hundred dollars silver as his annual salary. The company was invested with the exclusive privilege of importing tobacco into Sweden, although that article even then was regarded as unnecessary and injurious, although indispensable since the establishment of the bad habit of its use.^ Upon the same

proves and finds

riacat on tobacco for the yearlG4l.

wherefore and inasmuch as Her Royal Majesty apundertaking and voyaging, not only laud-

this, their

itself, but reasonable, and likely, iu the courseof time, to benefit and strengthen Her Royal Majesty and the Swedish throne: So has Her Royal Majesty, for the promotion of that work and for the assistance of

those

who

them

participate therein, furnished

for the

making of that

important voyage, and also for thecoi^rmingand strengthening of that important work thus begun in New Swedf^n, for said voyage, two ships,

named the Tama' and the 'Swan,'

as well as

sary thereto, under a certain Governor,

some other means neces-

whom Her

Majesty has provided

with sufficient and necessary powers, having thereunto appointed and legitimated Lieutenant-Colonel John Printz, whom she has accordingly seen good to instruct upon the points following: **2. The ships above named liaving proceeded to Gittheborg,

John

New

Sweden, shall now, without any delay, take his departure to said place, so arranging his journey by land that he may reach there by the first opportunity. Going down to Giithehorg, Printz, the Governor of

he shall

assist in

possible,

and

ordering and arranging everything

iu the best

manner

especially in accordance with the best regulations that the

members of the company can have made and as concerns bis own person and that of his attendants, he shall 60 arrange bis aff.iira that he may immediately, in the month of September next following, set sail ;

country and proceed to sea. But either beCore or at the time the ships are about to set sail from Giithehorg, tlie Governor shall consult with the skippers and officers of the ships, considering and deciding, according to the state of the wind and other circumstances, whether he shall direct his course to the north of Scotland or through the channel between France and Eng-

from

this

":i.

land.

"4. Under way and on the journ£y,he must see to it that the officers and peoi)le of the ships perform their duties at sea truly and faithfully; and in all important and serious mutters he can always avail himself of tlie aid and coutiselof"the persons aforesaid who usually form thecouncilof asliip; he shall also have every important occurrence carefully noted, causing a correct log, or journal, thereof to be kept, of which also he shall, by every opportunity, send hither a correct copy.

was long a favorite usage in Sweden to designate clergymen by name of the place or province in which they were horn, so that Holm may here be eriuivalent to "a native of Stockholm." 2 It

the 1

;

THE FIRST SWEDISH SETTLEMENTS. "5. The Governor, Gud willing, liaviiig arrived in New Sweden, he liis better iiiforniatioii, bear in miTjd that the boundaries of

must, fur

country of wliich onr subjects Iiave taken possession extend, in the articles of the contract entered into with the wild inhabitants of the country, as its rightful lords, from the sea-coast at Cape tlie

virtvie of

Uinlopen,^ upwards along the west side of Godin's Bay,- and so up the

Great South River,^ onwards built,

and

which the wild inhabitants ries of

to

Miugue's

tlience still farther along the

New Sweden

Kil,'*

call Sankikans,^

are to be found.

where Fort Christina

South river, and up

where

ttie

is

a place farthest boundato

This tract or district of couiitiy

extends in length about thirty German miles, but in breadth, and into the interior, it is, in and by the contract, conditioned that Her Royal Majesty's subjects, and the participants in this

may

hereafter occupy as

much land

as they

"6. Recently, and in the year last past,

Company

may vis.,

of navigators,

desire.

I64I, several English

amounting to sixty persons in all, have settled, and begun to build and cultivate the land elsewhere, namely, upon the etist eide of the above mentiotied South river, on a little stream named Ferken's Kil ;« so also have the ahove-nam«d subjects of Her Maji-sty, and participants in the Company, purchased for themselves of the wild inhabitants of the country, the whole eastern side of the river, from the mouth of the aforesaid great river at Cape May np to a stream named

families, probably

Vr'arraticen's Kil,^ wliich tract extends

about twelve German miles,

in-

cluding also the said Feiken's Kil, with the intention of thus drawing

This jiurcbase the Governor shall keep intact, and thus bring these families under the jurisdiction and government of Her Royal Majesty and the Swedish Crown; especially as we are informed that they themselves are not disposed thereto; and should they be induced, as a free people, voluntaiily to submit themselves to a government which can maintain and protect them, it is believed that they might shortly amount to some hundred strong. But however that may be, tlie Governor is to seek to bring these Englisli under the government of the Swedish Crown, inasmuch as Her Royal Blajesty finds it to be thus better for herself ami the Crown as partners in tliis undertaking; and they might also, with good reason, be driven out and away from said place; therefore, Ht-r Royal Majesty aforesaid will most graciously leave it to the discretion of Governor Printz so to consider and act in the premises as can be done with propriety and success. "7. There is no douht that the Holland West India Company will seek to appropriate to tliemselvos the place aforesaid, and the large tract of land upon which the English havesettled,and the whole of the abovenamed east side of the Great South River, and that so much the rather as their fort or fortification of Nassau, which thry have manned witli about twenty men, is not very far tlierefrom,upon thesame eastern side of the river, just as tliey also make pretensions to the whole western side of the aforesaid South Eiver, and consequently to all that of which our subjects aforesaid have t;»ken possession, which they have seized, relying upon their Fort Nassau, whereby they would take possession of the whole South River, and of the whole country situated on both sides of the same river. It is for this that they have protested against the beginning wliich her before-mention(;d Majesty's subjects have made in settling and building, and, so far as they could, have always opposed and suiight to prevent our people from going up the South River aud past their Fort Nassau. Therefore shall the Governor take measures for to

themselves the English aforesaid.

always, with

all

his power,

61

meeting the agents and participants of said Holland West India Company in a proper manner, and with mildness, but firmly remonstrate ami make known to them the upright intentions of Her Roj'al Majesty and her subjects in the premises, that nothing liereJn has been sought, or is now Sought, other than a free opening for commerce that Her Royal Majesty's subjects have, in a just and regular manner, purchased of the jtroper owners and possessors of the country thai district of which they have taken possession, and which they have begun to cultivate, and that ;

they cannot, therefore, without injustice oppose

her subjects, or seek

to disturb

them

Her Royal Majesty or

in their possessions without doing

But should the same Holland Company, contrary undertake any hostility, or make

them great injury.

to all better hopes, allow them-r Fisk

Hans Gostafsson

I

1

Matthias do Foff

Gustal'Giistafsson

I

\

Hindrick Faske

Andiira Frende Nils Fct-ndes (widow) Olle Fransson Eric Cristenberg Nils Gastenberg Eric Goran >3on Brita Go-tiifsson

I

1

Slobey Carl Springer Hindiic^'k

i 7 1

Rambo \ Fifty-four yeara ia Anders Bonde] New Sweden. A ndera Be}igt8Son.

OlleStobey Gunnar Svenson Johan Svenaon William Talley

j

5

List of those still living in Sweden ;

3

Peter

1 1

Kuckuw Hans Kyas {widow) Jonas Kyn Matts Kyn

*>

7 6 4 5 7 6

in family.

were born

Hindrick Jacob

Olle

:

Anders Robertson Paul Sahlunge Isaac Savoy John Schrage Johan Scute Anders Seneca Broor Seneca Johas Scagge's (widow) Johan Skrika Matts Skrika

4

Lasse Kempe Frederick Konig Uliirten Knulsson \

S

3 3 6 3 3

4

Nils Jonson

11

Sloens Cock

2 6

Peter Stillman

Christiorti Jiiraussou Huns JiiraHSSOn

1 9 7 7

6

6

Jonas Stillman

Thomas Jonson

6

Jacob Cliisson Jacob Clemsun Eric Cock

Johan Rambo Peter Rambo, Sr Peter Rambo, Jr Mats Repott

Number

Jacob Van der Weer William Van der Weer Jesper Wallraven Jonas Wallraven Anders Weinom Anders Wibler

2 9

9

Moem

5 8 6 7

Sven Bonde

3

Hindrick Iwarsson

Peti'r

ti

And-rsBotui-^ Johiiu Bot.de

Xamber infamUy.

Najnes.

in family.

Peter Stake {alias Petersson).... Reinier Peterson Anders Rambo Gumvtr Runibo

Nils Repott Olle Reese

sistant to the Rev, J. C. in the

Number

Names.

the assistant for Wicaco and Kingsessing, and was

79

OeleStille

Jan Claasen imd 2 sons Frank Walcker Peter Matson Jan Bot'lHon Jan Schoeten Jan Justa and 2 sons Peter Andreas and son Lace Dalbo

Andries Bertelsen

1

Jan Bertelsen Jan Cornelissen and eon Lace Mortens Antony Matson Claes Schram Robert Waede Neele Laersen and eons

1

Will Orian

1 1

Knoet Mortensen Carell Jansen Rich. Fredericx

Jurian Hertsveder

Juns

1 1 1

1

2

I 1 1 1 1

Oele Coeckoe

RiclidDuckett Mr. Jones yt, that none

among

took a prominent part in the elections for that year. He was a persuasive speaker, and met with generous

wrote an epistle of caution to their friends, the Quakers, which,

Lucjts,

the ecstasies of enthusiasm he explained " the universal principle" at Herford, in the court of the Princess Palatine, and to the few Quaker converts

—

of people; but

as

in

Penn explained the difference between and the papists, and yet, at a season when Protestant bigotry was become a frenzy, he appeared before a committee of the House of Commons' to plead " We must give for universal liberty of conscience. the liberty we ask," such was the sublime language of the Quakers, "we cannot be false to our principles though it were to relieve ourselves, for we would have none to suffer for dissent on any hand." William Penn was an enthusiast with a benevolent heart he despised the profligacy of the church that united the unholy offices of a subtle priestcraft with the His study of despotic power of a warlike state. English law intensified his love of tolerance and in-

through their

same kind

I

and

excited a direct appeal to the English Parliament. The special law against papists was turned against

Jersey being of the people

to prevent any of their religious society from rashly or inadvertently removing into this new country, or without due consideration, and contrary to the mind of their parents and nearest relatives, three of the principal persons among the Proprietors, viz., \V. Penn, G. Lawrie, and N.

soul of William

into fervors of devotion,

New

called Quakers, their part of the province consequently,

iofluence, tiecanie settled principally by the

the peasants, rebuk-

preaching in palaces ing every attempt to enthrall the mind, and sending

But the Proprietors of Western

1

the Rhine and the Neckar, distributing tracts, discoursing with men of every sect and every rank,

and among

electors

said,

of mercy, merited the highest honors of a statesman by the profound sagacity and unbiased judgment with which he unfolded the question of the rights of conits

grew eloquent before the

of England, invoking them to a consciousness of their own strength and authority. " Your well-being," he

England contains the clearest impress of the bigotry which a national church could foster and a parliament avow; and Penn, in considering England's present

science in

He

best things."

vested with village magistracies, the ferocious passions of irresponsible jailers? The statute book of

interest, far

85

'

him

to

John Fenwicke,

in trust for

Ed-

ward Byllinge and his assigns. "5. Forasmuch as Edward Billinge (after William Penn had ended the difference between E. Byllinge and J. Fenwicke) was willing to present Ills interest in the said province to his creditors, as all that he had left; him, towards their satisfaction, he desired W. Penn (though every way unconcerned" and Gawen Lawiie and Nicholas Lucas, two of his crediters, to be trustees for performance of the same, and because several of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

86

known to him and bis some measure from his official connection with the settlement of " West New Jersey'* and the division of that province in the year and

its

coufluents, were well

associates, resulting in

and very importunately pressed W. Penn to acwe did all of us comply with these and the like requests and accepted of the trust. '* 6, Upou this we hecame trustees for one moiety of the said proTince, yet undivided, and after no longer labor, trouble, and costa division was obtained between the said Sir George Carteret and us, as trustees the country is situated and bounded as is expressed iu the printed descriphia creditors particularly

cept of the trust, for their sakes and security

;

tion.

"7. This

now

divided moiety

is

to

be cast into one liuudred parts,

or proprietaries, ten of wliich, upon the agreement

made

their heirs

and

The ninety parts remaining are exposed to sale, on behalf of the Edward Byllinge. And forasmuch several friends are concerned as creditors, as well as others, and the disposal of so great apart of this country being iu our bands, we did in real tenderness and regard to friends, and especially to the poor and necessitbus, make friends the first offer that if any of them,thougli particularly those, who being low iu the world, and under trials about a comfortable liveliiiood for themselves and families, should be desirous of dealing for any part or parcel thereof, that they might have the refusal. '*9. This was the real and honest intent of our hearts, and not to prompt or allure any out of their places, either by tho credit our names might have with our people throughout the nation,^r by representing 8.

creditors of the said

;

the thing otherwise than it is iu itself. " As to the printed paper, some time since set forth by the creditors as

a description of that province, we say, as to two passages in are not so clearly and safely worded as ought to have been in seeming to biut, the

Tl''itt/i?r

we hear

;

it,

they

particularly

season to be so short a time; when, on

sometimes longer, and sometimes and that the last clause, relating to liberty of conscience, we would not have any to think that it is promised or intended to maintain the liberty of the exercise of religion by force of arms, though we shall never consent to any the least violence on conscience yet it was never designed to encourage any to expect by force of arms to have liberty of conscience fenced against invaders further information,

it is

shorter, than therein expressed;

;

thereof.

"And

be

it

known unto you

all in

the

name and

fear of

Almighty

God, bis Glory and Honor, Power and Wisdom, Truth and Kingdom, is dearer to us than all visible things; and as our eye has been single, and

our hearts sincere in the living God in this as in other things, so we desire all,

whom

it

may

concern, that all groundless jealousies

may

be

judged down, and watched agaiust; and that all extremes may be avoided, on all hands, by the power of the Lord that nothing which hurts or grieves the holy life of truth in any that goes or stays, may he adhered to, nor any provocation given to break precious unity. "This am I, William Penn, moved of the Lord to write uuto you, lest any bring a temptation upon themselves or others and, in off'ending ;

;

the Lord, slay their

them

own

peace.

cattle

Blessed are they that can see and behold

their Leader, their Orderer, their Conductor,

going and staying; whose

upon a thousand

is

and Preserver

in

the earth and the fullness thereof, and the

bills;

and, as

we formerly

writ,

pulsed in his ^

In 1675,

when

up

subsequent work of his

efforts

life

than

Checkmated and

to 1680-81.

re-

of reform by the brutal element

his disgust with

European society and hia conscioua-

ness of the impossibility to effect radical reform there had been con-

firmed and deepened, Penn became permanently identified with Amet^ ican colonial affairs, and was put in the best possible position for

acquiring a full and accurate knowledge of the resources and possibilities of the country between the Susquehanna and the Hudson. This, which Mr. Janney calls "an instance in which Divine Providence seemed to open for him a field of labors to which be was eminently

West Jersey lands. As has March 12,1664. King Cliarles II. granted to his brother James, Duke uf Yurk and Albany, a patent for all the lands in New England from the St. Cruix River to the Delaware. This patent, meant to lead directly up to the overthrow of the Dutch power in New Netherland, was probably also intended no less as a hostile demonstration against the New England Puritan colonies, which both the brothers hated cordially, and which latterly had grown so independent and had so nearly established their own autonomy as to provoke more than one charge that they sought presently to abandon all allegiance due from them to the mother-country. At any rate, the New England colonies

assigns.

"

for the

his experience

adapted," arose out of the fact of his being chosen as arbitrator in the

sum of money by way of satisfaction, for what he became concerned in the purchase from the said Lord Berkeley, and by him afterJohn Edridge and Edmund Warner,

preparation could have more thoroughly

lots,

able

to

No Penn

bet%YJxt E.

Bellinge and J. Fenwick, his executors and assigns, with a consider-

wards conveyed

1676.^ fitted

we cannot but

whomsoever a desire is to be concerned in this intetided plantation, such would weigh the thing before the Lord, and not lieadily or rashly conclude on any such remove; and repeat our request unto you that, in

th.it they do not offer violence to the tender love of their near kindred and relations, but soberly and conscientiously endeavor to obtain their good wills; the unity of friends where they live, that whether they go or stay it may be of good favor before the Lord and good people, from whom only can all heavenly and earthly blessings come. "This we thought good to write for the preventing all misunderstandings, and to declare the real truth of the matter, and so we recommend yuu all to the Lord, who is the watchman of his Israel. We are your real friends and brethren. "WiLLTAM Penn, "Gawen Lawrie, " Nicholas Lucas."

disputes growing out of the partition of the

already been stated, on

at once attempted to organize themselves into a confederacy for pur-

mutual defense against tlie Indians and Canadian French, as was alleged, but for divers other and weighty reasons, as many colonists did not hesitate to proclaim. The Duke of York secured New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to himself as his own private possessions. That part of New Netherland lying between the Hudson and the Delaware Rivers was forthwith (in 1664, before Nicolls sailed from Portsmouth to take New York) conveyed by the duke, by deeds of lease and release, to John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. The latter being governor of the Channel Islands at the time, the new colony was called New Jersey, or rather Nova Cxsarea^in the original grant. In 1675, Lord Berkeley sold for one thousand pounds his undivided halfshare iu New Jersey to John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Billinge and his assigns. Feuwick and Billinge were both Quakers, and Billinge was bankrui)t. Not long after this conveyance Fenwick and Billinge fell out about the property, and, after the custom of the Friends, the dispute was submitted to arbitration. The disputants fixed upon William Penn as arbitrator. When he made his award, Fenwick was not satisfied and refused to abide by Penn's decision, which, indeed, gave Fenwick only a tenth of Lord Berkeley's share in the joint tenancy, reserving the remaining nine-tenths to Billinge, but giving Fenwick a money payment besides. Penn was offended at Fenwick's recalcitrancy, and wrote him some sharp letters. "Thy days spend on," he said, "and make the best of what thou hast. Thy grandchildren may be in the other world bef »re the land thou hast allotted will be employed." Penn stuck to his decision, and, for that matter, Fenwick likewise maintiined his grievance. He sailed for the Delaware at the head of a colony, landed at Salem, N. J., and commenced a settlement. Here he carried matters with such a high band, patenting land, distributing office, etc., that he made great trouble for himself and others also. His authority was not recognized, and for several years the name of Maj. John Fenwick fills a large place in the court records of Upland and New Yoik, where be was frequently imprisoned and sued for damages by many iujured perposes of

sons.

embarrassments increasing, be made over hia Penn, with Gawen Lawrie, of London, and Nicholas Lucas, of Hertford, two of the creditoi-8, as trustees in the matter. The plan was not to sell, but improve the property for the benefit of the creditors. To this end a partition of the province was made, a line being drawn through Little Egg Harbor to a point where Port Jervis now is. The part of the province on the Billinge^s business

interest iu the territory to his creditors, appointing

right of this line, called East

New Jersey,

the most settled portion of

That on the left, West New Jersey, was deeded to Billinge's trustees. A form of government was at once established for West Jersey, in which Penn's hand is distinctly seen. The basis was liberty of person and conscience, "the power in the people," local self-governmen t, and amelioration of the criminal code. The territory was next divided into one hundred parts, ten being assigned to Fenwick and ninety to Billinge's trustees, and the land was opeued for sale and occupancy, being extensively advertised and the territorj-,

was assigned

to Carteret.

WILLIAM PENN. always conspicuous in British politics, he accepted the consequences of defeat, and faced the religious bigotry and tyrannical statecraft of the period with

manly courage and unbroken

will

;

New

World.

her

II. in 1682,

but

nies,

England's unfriendly his-

torians have never borne willing testimony to the

merits of the distinguished colonist

shores under the favor of Charles it

is

in pleasing contrast to

know

who

that American

commentators pay deserved tribute to the founder of the Keystone State, and among them none more truthfully and impartially than Bancroft. "Possessing an extraordinary greatness of mind, vast conceptions remarkable for their universality and precision, and 'surpassing in sped lative endowments,' conversant with men and books and governments, with various languages, and the forms of political combinations as they existed in England and France, in Holland and the principalities and free cities of Germany, he yet sought the source of wisdom in his own soul. Humane by nature and by suffering, familiar with

the royal family, intimate with Sunderland and Sydney, acquainted with Russell, Halifax, Shaftesbury, and Buckingham, as a

member of

the Royal Society the peer of

Newton and

the great scholars of his age, he valued the promptr ings of a free mind above the awards of the learned, and reverenced the single-minded sincerity of the Nottingham shepherd more than the authority of colleges and the wisdom of philosophers and now, ;

being in the meridian of

life,

was Locke when, twelve years

but a year older than before, he

had framed

a constitution for Carolina, the Quaker legislator was come to the New World to lay the foundations of

Would he

States.

great philosopher

liberty at the fires of

left

thenceforth, de-

his energies to the establishment of a free governin the

But Locke kindled the torch of

Penn, at the living light in the soul. Locke sought truth through the senses and the outward world Penn looked inward to the divine reveLocke compared the soul to lations in every mind. a sheet of white paper, just as Hobbes had compared it tc a slate, on which time and chance might scrawl their experience to Penn the soul was an organ, which of itself instinctively breathes divine harmo-

spairing of success in his native land, he addressed

ment

87

imitate the valued system of the

?

"Locke, like William Penn, was tolerant; both loved freedom, both cherished truth in

sincerity.

tradition

;

;

;

musical instruments which are so

like those

curiously

and perfectly framed

that,

when once

motion, they of themselves give forth

all

set in

the melodies

designed by the artists who made them. To Locke conscience is nothing else than our own opinions of our own actions;' to Penn it is the image of God, '

and his oracle in the soul. Locke, who was never a the duty of parents to preserve father, esteemed their children not to be understood without reward and punishment;' Penn loved his children with not Locke, who was a thought for the consequences. never married, declares marriage an affair of the '

Penn reverenced woman as the object of fermade not for lust, but for love. In studying the understanding, Locke begins with senses

;

vent, inward affection,

the sources of knowledge

;

Penn, with an inventory Locke deduces govern-

of our intellectual treasures.

ment from Noah and Adam, rests it upon contract, and announces its end to be the security of property; Penn, far from going back to Adam, or even to Noah, declares that 'there must be a people before a government,' and, deducing the right to institute government from man's moral nature, seeks its fundamental rules in the immutable dictates 'of universal The sysreason,' its end in freedom and happiness. tem of Locke lends itself to contending factions of the most opposite interests and purposes the doctrine of Fox and Penn, being but the common creed of humanity, forbids division, and insures the highest moral unity. To Locke happiness is pleasure things are good and evil only in reference to pleasure and pain, and to inquire after the highest good is as absurd as to dispute whether the best relish be in Penn esteemed happiness apples, plums, or nuts.' ;

;

'

recommended to Friends. Id 1677 and 1678 five vessels West New Jersey, with eiglit hundred emigrduts, nearly all

particularly flailed for

Two conipaniea of tliese, one from Yorkshire, the other from London, bought large tracts of land, and sent out commissioners to quiet Indian titles and lay off the properties. At Chygoes Island they located a town, first called Beverly, then Birdlington, then Burlington. There was a regular treaty with the Indians, and the Friends not only secured peace for themselves, but paved the way for the pacific relations so firmly

Quiikei-s.

sealed by Peon's subsequent negotiations with the savages. lington colony prospereil, and was reinforced by ally arriving in considerable numbers.

new

The Bur-

colonists continu-

In 16»0, Penn, as counsel for

the trustees of West Jersey, succeeded, by means of a vigorous and able

remonstrance, in getting the

York,

Duke

of York, then proprietary of

New

remove an onerous tax on imports aud exports imposed by the Governor of New York and collected at the Horekill. The next year Penn became part proprietor of Kast New Jersey, which was sold under the will of .Sir George Carteret, then deceased, to pay his debts. A board of twenty-four l)roprietarie3 was organized, Penn lieing one, and to them the Duke of York niadea fresh grant of East New Jersey, dated March 14, 10S2, Robert Barclay becoming Governor, while Penn's friend Billinge was made Governor of West New Jersey. Both of these governments were surrendered to the crown in (^ueen Anne's reign, April 15, 17U-J.

to

to lie in the subjection of the baser instincts to the

good and evil to be and food, and the inquiry after the highest good to involve the purpose of existence. Locke says plainly that, but for rewards and punishments beyond the grave, it is certainly rUjht to eat aud drink and enjoy what we delight in;' Penn, like Plato and Fenelon, maininstinct of Deity in the breast,

eternally and always as unlike as truth

'

tained the doctrine so terrible to de.spots that to

be loved

for

God

is

His own sake, and virtue to be prac-

ticed for its intrinsic loveliness.

Locke derives the

idea of infinity from the senses, describes

it

as purely

and attributes it to nothing but space, duration, and number; Penn derived the idea from the soul, and ascribed it to truth and virtue and God. Locke declares immortality a matter with which reanegiitive,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY

88

son has nothing to do, and that revealed truth must be sustained by outward signs and visible acts of

power; Penn saw truth by

moned

its

own

light,

the soul to bear witness to

its

and sum-

own

glory.

Locke believed 'not so many men in wrong opinions as is commonly supposed, because the greatest part have no opinions at all, and do not know what they contend for;' Penn likewise vindicated the many, but it was because truth is the common inheritance of Locke, in his love of tolerance, inveighed popish practices ;' Penn censured no sect, but condemned bigotry of all sorts as inhuman. Locke, as an American law-giver, dreaded a too numerous democracy, and the race.

against the methods of persecution as

'

all power to wealth and the feudal propriePenn believed that God is in every conscience,

COUiSfTY.

Charles II. was not blessed with an excessive ex-

Penn press for payment of This indebtedness was an available basis for tlie colonial enterprise which he was projecting, and he therefore proposed to the king to grant him a tract of land in America, situated between the country held under grants to the Duke of chequer, nor did William the claim in money.

York and Lord Baltimore,

or between Maryland and Penn's negotiations were successful, not, however, without great eflbrt upon his part, as his enterprise was considered Utopian by influential members of the government, and looked upon with distrust by the agents and proprietaries of the Duke of York and Lord Baltimore. William

the Delaware River.

resolved

Penn and

taries

prepared the draft of charter, which was submitted to the scrutiny of both state and church authorities.

His

;

light in every soul

and therefore he built

— such

are his

own words —

This

the praise of William Penn, that in an age

is

'

;

a free colony for all mankind.'

which had seen a popular revolution shipwreck popular liberty among selfish factions, which had seen Hugh Peter and Henry Vane perish by the hangman's cord and the axe in an age when Sydney

his confidential

and coadjutors

advisers

William Jones, attorney-general of the realm,

Sir

London

all

passed upon the form and substance of the grant.

It

the Lords of Trade, and the Bishop of

was

finally signed

by the king on March

(This historical paper '

is

4,

1681.

well preserved to this day,

;

nourished the pride of patriotism rather than the sentiment of philanthropy, when Kussell stood for the liberties of his order, and not for new enfranchisements,

when Harrington and Shaftesbury and

Locke thought government should

rest

on property.

CHARTER OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA. CHARLES THE SECOND, BY THE GRACE OF GOD King of Eng1

land, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, Ac,

To all to Whereas uur Trustie and well beloved Subject, AViUiam Penn, Esquire, sonn and heire of Sir William Penn, deceased, out of a commendable desire to enlarge our English Empire, and promote such useful] comodities as may bee of benetitt to us and our Dominions, as alsoe to reduce the Savage Natives by gentle and just manners to the love of civil! Societie aud Christiau Religioa hath humbley besought leave of vs to transport an ample colunie vnto a certaine Countrey hereinafter described iu the partes of America not yet cultevated aud planted. And hath likewise humbley besought our Royall majestic to give grant, and confirme all the said countrey wilh certaiue jiriviledges and Jurisdiccons recjnisite for the good Governmeut and saftie of the said Countrey and Colonie, to him and his lieires forever. KNOW YEE, therefore, that wee, favouring the petition aud good purpose of the said William Penn, and haveing regard to the memorie aud meritts of his late father, iu divers services, and perticulerly to his conduct, courage and discretion vnder our dearest brother, James Duke whouie

Ihetse

come Greeting.

presents shall

of Yorke, in that siguall baltell aud victurie, fought and obteyned against the Dutch fleete, comanded by the Herr

yeare One thousand six hundred sixtie

live,

Van Opdam,

iu

the

in consideration thereof of

our specia. gmce, certiiine knowledge and meere motion, Have given and granted, and by this our present Charter, for vs, our heires and successors.

Doe give and grant unto the

said

William Peuu, his heires and

assignes all that tract or parte of land in America, witli

therein couteyned, as the

ARMS OF

same

is

River, from twelve miles distance, Norlliwarde of

]>ENN.

New

uuto the three and fortieth degree of Northern latitude

Penn did not

despair of humanity, and, though all

history and experience denied the sovereignty of the people, dared to cherish the noble idea of a man's

capacity for self-government.

Conscious that there England, the pure enthusiast, like Calvin and Descartes, a voluntary exile, was come to the banks of the Delaware to institute The Holy Experiment.' "

was no room

for its exercise in

'

Upon

the death of his father, William

Penn

doeth extend soe farre Northwards; But

if

if

Castle

Towne

the said River

the said River shall not ex-

tend sue farre Northward, then by the said River soe farr as

it

doth ex-

and from the head of the said River the Easterne bounds are Ii> bee determined by a meridian line, to bee di'awn from the head of the said River vnto the said three and fortieth degree, tlie said lands to extend Westwards, five degrees in longitude, to bee computed from the said Easterne Bounds, and the said lands to bee bounded on the North, by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of Northern latitude, and on the south, by a circle drawne at twelve niiles, distance from New Castle Northwards, and Westwards vnto the begiuiug of tlie fortieth degree of Northerne Latitude and then by a streight line Westwards, tt> the limitt of Longitude above menconed. WEE DOE alsoe give and gi-ant vnto the said William Penn, his heires aud assignes, the free and vudisturbed vse, and continuance in and passage into aud out of all and singular Ports, harbours, Bayes, waters, rivers, Isles and luletts, belonging vnto or leading to and from the Countrey, or Islands aforesaid and tend,

;

fell

England and Ireland, with an income of fifteen hundred pounds a year. The government was debtor to the estate of Admiral Penn for money loaned, amounting to fifteen thousand pounds. heir to estates in

the Islands

all

bounded on the East by Delaware

;

all

the soyle, lands,

fields,

woods, vuderwoods, mountaines,

hills,

feuns.

WILLIAM PENN. and may be seen by have been

to

visiting the State

Department

the charter

Penn and

The name of the new colony seems

at Harrisburg.)

left

blank in the original draft of

friend,

comand

Lakes, Rivere, waters, rivuletts, Bays and Inletta, Bcituate or being within or belonging vnto tbe Liniitte and Bounds aforesaid together with the fishing of all sortes of fish, whales, sturgeons, and all Royall Isles,

and other

fishes in the sea, bayes, Iiiletts,

waters or

premises, and the fish therein taUen.and alsoe

Rivi-'rs,

within the

all veines,

mines and

quarries, as well discovered as not discovered, of Gold, Silver,

this

;

was consistent with the modesty of

his deferential disposition towards his royal

whose favor he evidently sought with extraor-

shall bee

most aheolute and avaylable in law, and that all the vs, our heires and successors, doe observe

Liege people and Subjects of

and keepe the same inviolable

in those partes, soe farr as they

concorne

them, vnder the paine therein expressed, or to bee expressed. Provided; Nevertheles, tliat the said Lawes bee consonant to reason, and bee not

repugnant or contrarie, but as neere as conveniently may bee agreeable to the Lawes, statutes and rights of this our Kingdomo of England, and saveing and reserving to vs, our heires and successors, the receiving, heareing and determining of the appeale and appeales, of all or any person or persons, of, in or belonging to the territories aforesaid, or touching any Judgement to bee there made or given. And forasmuch as in the Government of soe great a Countrey, sudden accidents doe

Gemms

and pretious Stones, and all other whatsoever, stones, metalls, or of any other thing or matter whatsoever, found or to bee found within the Countrey, Isles, or Limitts aforesaid; and him the said William Penn, his beires and assignes, WEE DOE, by this our Royall Cliarter, for vs, our heires and successors, make, create and constitute the true and absolute proprietaries of the Countrey aforesaid, and of all other, the premises, saving always to vs, our heires and successors, the failh and

allegiance of the said William Penn, bis heires and assignes, and of

89

—

often happen,

whereunto

itt

will bee necessarie to apply a

remedie

before the freeholders of the said Province, or their Delegates or Depu-

all

within the Territories and precincts aforesaid; and saving alsoe vnto vs, our heires and Successors, the Sovreignity of the aforesaid Countrey,

can bee assembled to the makeing of Lawes, neither will itt be convenient that instantly vpon every such emergent occasion, soe greate a multitude should be called together. Therefore, for the better Govern-

TO HAVE, hold and

possesse and enjoy the said tract of land, Countrey, and other the premises, veto the said William Penn, his heires and assignee, to the only proper vse and behoofe of the said William Penn, his heirs and assignes forever. To bee holden of vs, our heires and Successors, Kings of England, as of our Castle uf Windsor, in our County of Berks, in free and comou socage by fealty only for all services, and not in Capite or by Knights service, Teelding and paying therefor to us, our heires and Successors, two Beaver Skins to bee delivered att our said Castle of Winreceded him. Having purchased a tract of seven hundred acres in Gwynedd, he removed thereon the beginning of the following November. Having become sufficiently numerous, the Welsh Friends, iu 1700, erected in

Gwynedd

a small log build-

ing for wor.shipin the centre of the township. is

There

a tradition that William Penn, accompanied by

his daughter Letitia and a servant, came out on horseback to visit the settlement shortly after its erection, and that he preached in it, staying, on this occasion, over night at the house of his friend, Thomas Evans, the first settler, who resided near by. His return to England in November, 1701, will nearly determine the time that he made this visit. Owing to the

influx of more Welsh settlers, a larger stone building was determined on, which was erected in 1712. In a petition from this settlement, which is therein called North Wales, dated June, 1704, ])raying for a road through Germantown to Philadelphia, it is stated

numbered thirty families. The list of Gwynedd forty-eight resident taxables, of which number thirty-nine bear Welsh surnames. Immediately adjoining Gwynedd on the north is Montgomery township, which, according to the report of Rev. Evan Evans bore this name at least as

that they then

1734 gives

Here John Evans, William James, Thomas James, Josiah James, James Lewis, David early as 1707.

Williams, David 1720.

Hugh and James

In this year they built the

Davis settled before first Bajjtist

Church

above the present Montgomeryville, in which preaching in the Welsh language was main-

in the county,

down to the Revolution. In the list of 1734, out of twenty-eight residents in Jlontgomery, nineteen bear Welsh surnames. Before 1703, David Mertained

edith,

Thomas Owen,

Hugh

Jones,

Isaac Price, Ellis

Pugh and

from Wales, had settled in Plymouth township, where in 1734 they numbered nine out of Abraham Davis and David its sixteen residents. all

THE WELSH. Williams had settled in Whitemarsh before 1703. Stephen Jenkins, in 1698, purch.ased four hundred and thirty-seven acres adjoining the present borough of Jenkintown, after whose descendants the place has been called. Before 1710, Robert Llewellyn and Evan Hugh had settled in Upper Merion. The Rev. Malachi Jones, from Wales, organized at Abingcongregation in

ton, in 1714, the first Presbyterian

the county, and here five years later, a church was Evan Lloyd, who settled in Horsham in 1719, built.

was one of the

ministers there of the Friends'

first

Meeting, whose original membership was probably one-third Welsh.

From

the

list

of 1734

we

ascertain that the

Welsh

at that date outnumbered, in a total of 760 names, the

English in the proportion of ISl to 163, thus constituting at that time almost one-fourth the entire pojiulation within the present limits of the county.

With

the cessation of religious persecution, the Welsh almost ceased coming, and this is one reason for their

having since so diminished. According to the assessment of Lower Merion in 1780, out of 153 taxables only 34 bore Welsh names in Upper Merion for said year, out of 173 taxables, 36 are Welsh; in Gwynedd ;

for 1776, of 143,

only 43 are Welsh

for said year, of 74,

mouth

in 1780, of 93,

;

Montgomery

in

but 24 are Welsh only 13 are Welsh.

;

and

in Ply-

The dispro-

portion at present has become still greater. That the early Welsh possessed a pride of country,

language, ancestry and other characteristic traits at variance with the views entertained by their English neighbors here will admit of no doubt.

somewhat

That they are the

direct lineal descendants of

the

or no admixture of foreign That they fought valiantly in resisting the invasion of the Romans, Saxons, Danes and Xormans, as they w-ithdrew to their moun-

ancient Britons, with

little

blood, will not be denied.

tain

fa.stnesses,

Irish, the

Welsh

will not be disputed. is

now regarded

as

living languages spoken in Europe.

Next

to the

one of the oldest Essentially

it is

the same language that Csesar and Agricola heard on their first landing on the British shores, and in conse-

quence deserves

to

be regarded with veneration as

the only living link that unites those distant ages with the present. But the Engli-sh language is in-

debted to it but little, so strongly is it Saxon and Latin. Rev. Joseph Harris, with ideas like some of the genealogists among his countryman, stated, in the

141

and translator in their Bowden, in his "History of Friends in America,"' states that "the members of his meeting being Welsh people, his ministry was in that language." Ellis Pugh, who arrived in 1687 and soon after settled in Plymouth township, wrote a religious work there in Welsh, entitled " A Salutation to the Britains," which was translated by Rowland Ellis, and printed in Philadelphia in 1727, making a duodecimo of two hundred and twenty-two Respecting Hugh Griffith and the brothers pages. Robert and Cadwallader Evans, who settled in Gwynedd, Samuel Smith remarks in his " History of Penn-

countrymen

as an interpreter

intercoui-se with the English.

sylvania,"

that they " could neither read or write

^

any but the Welsh language." The subscription paper for the rebuilding of their meeting-house, in 1712, was written in Welsh, to which was affixed sixtyEdward Foulke, of this congregation, six names. wrote an account and genealogy of his family in 1702 in

in

Welsh, which was afterwards translated by his

Hugh

Foulke,

Gwynedd, who died

in 1864,

grandson, Samuel Foulke. a life-long resident of

The

late

aged seventy-six years, exhibited to the writer in 18.55 the family Bible of Hugh Griffith in Welsh,

London in 1654. Dr. George Smith in his History of Delaware County," mentions that the

printed in "

meeting-house at Haverford was built in 1700, where " William Penn preached to Welsh Friends, who sat quietly listening to an address from the Proprietary, of which they did not understand a word." William Jones, Hugh Griffith, Ellis David, Robert

Jones and Edward Foulke, as well as several others, by leaving their church and attaching themselves to Friends, appear to have attracted the attention of the churchmen, if we are to judge by the correspondence published in the "Collections of the Episcopal Church in

Pennsylvania."

The Rev. Evan Evans,

in his report

dated Septem-

ber IS, 1704, states that he frequently went out to Montgomery, twenty miles, and Radnor, fifteen miles from

"determined to lose none of those had gained, but rather add to them, where I preached in Welsh once a fortnight for four years, till the arrival of Mr. Nichols, minister from Chester, in 1704." He adds that a hundred names had been signed to a petition to have settled among them, in Radnor and Merion, a minister " that understands the Philadelphia,

whom

I

British language, there being

many

ancient people

"Seren Gomer," a work he edited in 1814, that "it is supposed by some, and no one can disprove it, that Welsh was the language spoken by Adam and Eve

among

in Paradise."

capable to bring in a plentiful harvest of

In their petition of grievances to Penn's commissioners in 1690, they particularly specify- therein that

Quakers, that were originally born in the Church of England, but were unhappily perverted, before any minister in holy orders could preach to them in their own language." He continues that "there is another Welsh settlement, called Montgomery, in the county

they are descended from the " Antient Britains," and desire that they may enjoy their " own language as Rowland Ellis, a minister afore in our Country."

among Friends, arrived here in 16S6, and settled in Lower Merion, where he made himself useful to his

understand Could a sober and discreet person be undertake that mission, he might be

those

inhabitants

that do not

the English.

secured to

1

Vol.

ii,

p. 21)2.

2

Hazard's Register,

Welsh

vol. vi.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

142

of Philadelphia, twenty miles distant from the city, vhere were a considerable number of Welsh people, formerly, in their native country, of the

communion

;

;

jn-eached in the

Welsh

language in the Montgomery Baptist Church down to his death, in 1768, in which he was also followed by his successor, the Rev. John Thomas, this establishes the fact that, in consequence, the language must have been retained and spoken in some of the families in that section and in the adjoining townships of Hilltown and New Britain until the beginning of this century. We have thus been curious to gather from

a variety of sources the aforesaid

of

many

A

of

the Church of England but about 1698, two years before my arrival, most of them joined the Quakers but some of them are reduced, and I have baptized their children and preached often to them." The Gwynedd congregation is evidently here meant, for which he has unintentionally substituted Montgomery, which, it is likely, at this early time, was the only name

known to him for this section. As the Rev. Benjamin Griffith

Jenkins,

Edward

Edwards, which are only a few

to

that can be mentioned.

now

question

arises in regard to their

and singular characteristic traits,

numbers

—What impress have

Welsh made here in the two past centuries, through their descendants, on the existing condition of society ? As respects their language, they have been certainly given to applying and perpetuating here local names from the land of their nativity. In a list of one hundred and twelve post-offices in the county, thirteen are ascertained to be more or less of Welsh origin. Outside of local names, remarkable to relate, after the most diligent inquiry, we cannot find a single word of the language retained or in use at this time that might have been either apjilied to some living object, utensil, or implement used in agriculture and mechanics, or relating to dress, food, the

furniture, it

scenery, habits, customs, etc.,

buildings,

thus seeming as

if

the language had never been

spoken here.

facts respecting the

powerful hold of the language on the early Welsh settlers in this county, and to show how most of them were unacquainted with any other. Its duration here

be set down at about a century before the English had entirely supplanted it. Necessity at first compelled the Welsh, English, Germans and the Swedes to form settlements by themselves, owing to a general ignorance of each others' language, which, of course, for a long time must have greatly inter-

CHAPTER

XIII.

may

fered with their social intercourse. The early Welsh that came here at

first

continued

the practice that had so long prevailed in their native country of reversing their family names. Thus John and Evan Griffith were the sons of Griffith John, taking their father's Christian name for their surname.

Ap

when he attained to manhood, wrote his name here Thomas Jones. Hugh Evan was the son of Evan Hugh, and married to Mary Robert, the daughter of Robert John. Edward and Evan Jones were the sons of John Evan Robert and Griffith Hugh sons of Hugh John Roger is mentioned in a marriage Griffith.

Thomas Ap John,

the son of John

Thiimas,

THE COLONIAL ERA.

The

proprietary or colonial government of Penn-

sylvania from 1682 to 1776 seems to have been of a peaceful and

conservative

character.

All nations

and tongues and kindred were here cordially invited to unite in their efforts to form and administer a system of government that would secure to mankind the measure of human happiness believed to be incident to the

providence of

life.

Peaceful relations with the

On the banks of the Delaware, at a point marked by a great elm-tree, the founder of the colony, surrounded by a few judicious followers, met in council a large delegation of the

aborigines were

first

secured.

" We Leuni-Lenape tribes. meet in good faith and good will no advantage shall be taken on either side, but all shall be openness and love. We are the same as if one man's body were to be divided into two parts, we are all one flesh and blood." The recertificate at Merion, as late as 1717, as being the son of Roger Roberts. In the early records of Haverford sponse was natural, " We will live iu love with you and Merion Monthly Meeting, and also in that of and your children as long as the moon and the sun Gwynedd, only a few instances are found in births shall endure." This covenant of peace and amity where the surnames were exchanged. A large had neither signature, seal nor oath to confirm it. ;

;

—

majority of the Welsh, however, soon after their adopted the English method, that the father's

No

arrival,

ness, returning to their forest

surname be retained and perpetuated, as indicative of a family origin, and which, from its simplicity, cannot be well improved upon. The Welsh practice,

wampum, and would count over the shells on a clean piece of bark, and repeat to child and stranger the magic words of "peace and good will." Honorable jjeace with the natives gave to all a sense of permanent security. Contentment and interest in the colony were inspired by assuring to a taxpaying citizenship a participation in making laws to govern themselves. The people responded promptly

consequence, has often here been puzzling in tracing early family genealogies. Welsh, like German names have also been Anglicized. John has thus in

been changed to Jones, David to Davis, Matthew to Matthews, Philip to Philips, Robert to Roberts, William to Williams, Hugh to Hughes, Jenken to

/

record of

it

can be found.

The sons of the wilderhomes, preserved the

history of the great event by strings of

later generations

THE COLONIAL ERA. and tlirough tlieir represeatatives enupon the work of preparatory legislation at Chester, and in a session of three days completed a to the privilege,

lurking in

tered

asylum

form of government.

By

the joint act of the people

and the proprietary all were united ou the basis of equal rights. The rule of eiiuality in descent and inheritance was secured in families by abrogating the laws of primogeniture. The standard of woman was

I'E.N^'S

TllEATY TKEE A>ect nothing

since been sent by the Commissioners for the use of this province,

Stamp

upon them not

to

render their case desperate you them the dreadful consequences ;

of the British Parliament, and the scene of misery and calamity to themselves and of mutual weakness and distraction to both countries insepa-

mitted to *'

rable from such a conduct. If by lenient

'

and persuasive methods you can contribute

to restore

that peace and tniuquillity to the provinces on which their welfare and happiufss depend, you will do a most acceptable and essential service to

'

to the

H.

S. Coitwuy, Inquire, Jrom the Governor.

" 'PniLAnELPiiiA, 19th February, 176G. *' * Sir : I had the honour of your letter of the 24th October last, re spectingthe distin-bances which have lately been committed in severa

of the Nortli

American

colonies.

Give

me

leave to assure you. Sir, tha

no one of his majesty's servants is more sensible than I am of the rash ness and folly of those who have been concerned in these outrages, which at the same time that they violate the public tranquillity and sej Government at nought, are undutiful and affrontive to the best of kings and productive iif the most dangerous consequences. lam sorry to be under the necessity of informing you that the dissatisfaction with some of the late Acts of the British Legislature iparticTilarly the is

almost universal in

among

all

numbers the same

all

men

;

but I should do great injustice to

of his majesty's faithful subjects if I did not represent to t-

you at

among them highly

ne that the wiser and more considerate

disapprove of and detest the violent and illegal measures which have

been pursued in

many

of the colonies.

In the province of Pennsylvania,

where I have the honor to preside, mattei-s have been conducted with more moderation and respect td his majesty and Parliament than in most others, and the giddy multitude have hitherto lieen restrained from committing any acts of open violence.

"'Upon

the arrival of the

province, in the

month

firet

of October

cargo of stamp'd papers into this last,

John Hughes, of

was reported and indeed generally known

concerted

crown, but the question of taxation without

Stamp Act became

general agent for

spicuous

i

all

the colonies,'^ and played a con-

part in the repeal of the infamous act.

Franklin was summoned before the bar of the House In of Commons on the 13th of February, 1766. answer to questions, he declared that "America could not pay the stamp tax tbr want of gold and silver, and from want of post-roads and means of sending stamps back into the country; that there were in North America about three hundred thousand white

men from

sixteen to sixty years of age; that the in-

habitants of

the provinces together, taken at a that in about twenty-four years

all

medium, doubled

demand

;

manufactures increased much faster; that in 1723 the whole importation from Britain to Pennsylvania was but about fifteen

their

for

British

Stamp Act)

the colonies on the continent, and prevails

ranks and orders of

The Sons of

of such widespread importance that he was appointed

*

Lftier to the Right Honhle.

and uncompro-

Xew England and New York

representation as embodied in the

" Deputy-Governor I'eun.'

A

bitter

the colonies.^

1764, to secure the transfer of all proprietary estates

'

*'

all

been commissioned by the anti-proprietary party of Pennsylvania to visit London as early as November,

am, with great truth and regard, Sir, " Your most obedient humble Servant, " 'H. S. Conway.

:

care.

have the honor to be, with great truth and regard, Sir, " 'Y'' most obed' 'hble servant, " 'John Penn." "

mother-country, which resulted in the speedy reconBenjamin Franklin had

not suitable,

" The above letter having been taken into due consideration, and an answer thereto prepared in order to be transmitted by the m-xt pacquet, the same was approver! by the B^iard, and is as follows

be

sideration of the measure.

any individuals, redressing grievances, should presume to violate

I

till

with leading citizens of Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas, and a united protest went back to the

the public peacf.

"

my I

Liberty of

either to the safety or dignity uf the British Empire, that

under the pretence of

shall

office of distributor

mising hostility of

you will make the proper applications to Geneiul Gage or Lord Colvill, commanders of his niiijesty's land and naval forces in America. For, however unwilling his majesty may consent to the exertion of such powers as may endanger the s;ifety of a single subject, yet can he mit permit his own dignity and the authority of the British Legislature to be trampled on by force and violence, and in avuw'd contempt of all order, duty and ilecorum. If the Subject is aggrieved, he knows in what manit is

the papers which have

can be received or another person

The Stamp Act excited the

your country. But having taken every step which the utmost prudence and lenity can dictate,Ali compassion to the folly and ignorance of some misguided people, you will not, on the other hand, fail to use your utmost power for the repelling of all acts of outrage and violence, and to provide for the maintenance of peace and good order in the province by such a timely exertion of force as the occasion may require, for which purpose

ner legally and constitutionally to apply for relief; but

all

;

that must inevitably attend the forcible and violent re(^istance to Acts

'

committed

Assemblys at the Congress held for that purpose at Xew York last Fall, and transmitted by them to the Parliament, will produce a repeal of the Stamp Act but if they should be disapi>ointed in their expectations, it is impossible to say to what length their irritated and turbulent spirits may carry them. Of this, however, Sir, you may rest assured, that I shall esteem it my indispensible duty on this ann of the troops was taken on the commanding gi'ound it. above Birmingham Meeting-House, the left extending toward the BrandyHis artilwine, both tlanks being covered by densely wondcd countiy.

other words, that the enemy had nut crossed the headwaters of the Brandywine, and hence the army of Howe was not divided for the day, and therefore not in such a position as to invite the attack designed by

Deceived

still

hfe, General, if I deceive

end

to

the other could resist the onslaught.

The fury of the enemy was

directed towanl Sullivan's left flank, which,

This success upon the part of Cornwas quickly followed up, the troops were thrown into confusion, the line felt the shock, wavered a few moments, and then gave way in rapid retreat. Sullivan's men fled into the woods in their rear, their pursuers following on the great road toward Diiworth. Upon the first fire of the artillery, Washington, having no longer any doubt of what was passing, had pushed forward the reserve to the aid of Sullivan but this corps, on approaching the field of battle, under the immediate direction of General Greene, was met by the very men to whose succour they had been rapidly marching, in full retreat. A proper disposition was at wallis

;

unce made to receive the fugitives, and, after their

p:iss:ige to

the rear,

Greene conducted 'the retreat in good order, checking the pursuit of the enemy by a continual fire of the artillery', which covered his rear. Having at length reached a defile covered on both sides with woods, he again

went into position, with the full determination to finally check the advancing foe. The troops of General Greene were composed ciation is

march and effective volleys The brave seamen and

of General Ross' troops.

more laurels from Washington than most American men. The news of the burning of Wiushington wiis variously received in England. The British Annual Register called it a " return to the times of barbarism," and the ican republic, which

on the heights of Bladens-

in position

placed his battery on an eminence, from which he opened a deadly fire of shot and shell upon the advance of the British, confidently relying upon the support of the troops under General Winder. The untrained militia fled on both

Shall in the coach, and you Shall ride after

Between seven and of General

command

Commodore Barney had

burg.

Cutts's children three,

On horseback

officer in

gallantly transferred his force to land,

i

enemy reached Capitol Hill in the afternoon, and demanded a ransom for the immunity of the government buildings equal to their money value; upon this sum being paid the troops would retire, and no property should be destroyed. Compliance with this

of the

demand was impossible. The civil authorities had

hastily fled with the re-

and there was no one present or available who was competent to enter into engagements

treating troops,

command.

satisfactory to the officer in

was applied

to the costly edifices of the

The

torch

republic, to-

gether with the president's mansion and a considerable

with

number of its

private dwellings.

The navy-yard

equipments, a large war-frigate in course of

and several small vessels were also deThe public archives, library and all the

construction, stroyed.

works of

art

contained

ill

the public buildings were-

midnight conflagration. The conduct of the American officers and troops on this occasion has always been declared discreditable, and in some measure invited the unparalleled act of vandalism of lost in the

the British commander. eral

Had

Winder exhibited but

Barney and met reverse

the

command

of (len-

a tithe of the pluck of

his marines, General Ross

would have

Bladensburg, as he did at a later day near Baltimore. The naval force co-operating with at

General Ross, under Commodore Gorden, took possession of Alexandria on the 29th, and iu order to save the city from fire and indiseriminating plunder, the

THE WAR OF civil

autliorities

supplies

1812

induced the people to give up

demanded hy the

invaders.

A

AND THE MEXICAN WAR. all

anchor

Point, fourteen miles below the city. General Strieker,

number of with

wharves were seized and loaded with flour, tobacco, cotton, wines and sugars, of which at the time Alexandria was a grand depot, and the whole was carried down the river with the The success of the invaders on victorious squadron. the Potomac hastened further operations of the combined land and naval forces, then in undisputed occupancy of the Chesapeake Bay. The city of Baltimore was the next objective point, having a fine harbor to anchor their fleet, and a rich country west and north of it, from which supplies could be drawn in the event of a permanent occupation, contemplated during the ensuing winter. vessels lying at

at the

187

three thousand five hundred militia troops,

directed to oppose their advance. fectively done,

and

it

This was most

was ef-

was while General Ross was

making a personal reconnoisance, rendered necessary by the stubborn resistance of the Americans, that he was shot through the breast by a rifleman. He fell into the arms of his aide-de-camp, and died in a few minutes. He was succeeded by Colonel Brook, who brought up his reserve, and in turn forced the troops of General Strieker to retire to Washington Mills, a half-mile in advance of the main army. Both armies slept on their arms, and on the 13th the advance on the city began. While engaging the American troops, the enemy waited the attack of the naval force on Fort JlcHenry, commanded liy Major Armistead, with a garrison of one thousand men. A storming-party of twelve hundred men were landed on the night of the 13th, and led to the assault of Fort McHenry. The attack was repulsed with great loss to the enemy, and the land forces were recalled, being pressed to the cover of the fleet by the troops of General Smith. The whole affair was admirably managed by the officers in command, and the troops, not excepting the militia, exhibited the courage and endurance of veteran soldiers. The whole fleet soon after sailed from the Chesapeake southward, and Baltimore escaped the ruin and desolation suft'ered by the neighboring The defenders of Baltimore city of Washington. have always been honored by their countrymen, and their memories are held in grateful remembrance to The New England coast was the constant this day. scene of depredations, being more defenseless than and, at the same time, that of the Middle States ;

operations could be carried on against

UMFOH.MED

!!!(:>Lri|Elt.

1812.

The loss of the capital had thhia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh, Northampton and Pike (in addition to those drafted aud designated for the Ber\'ice of the

United States, under orders of the 22d of .)uly who are already subject to the orders of General Bloomtield) he held in readiness to march, at a

for Philadelphia. will be evinced

It is

thus a proper

and many

spirit, to resist

ditlicidties obviated.

an intolerant

The Governor

foe,

jiromises

himself the satisfaction of meeting there an host nerved with resolution He to live free or die in defense of their lilierties and their country. will act with them iu any capacity for wljicli his talents shall fit him.

"Simon Ssyper, " Governurof the Common trefdih of Peinix'iJrdnh."

—

ri'iii"*;ili-ani'i

Archiiex, vol.

xii.

II

THE WAR OF

AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

1812

ing the point for several days alter the officers and main body of men had gone by. "Gexerai. Orders. " Fourth Military District Headquarters,

" Philadelphia, September

13, 1814.

"Tlie militia of the counties uf N'urthampton, Pike, Lehigh, North-

umberland, Union, Columbia, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Dehnvare who have volunteered their ser-

and the militia who have been dnifted, detailed and organized under the requisition of the President of the United Stales of the 4th of July last and genei-al orders of the Commander-in-Chief of Pennsylvania ofthe22d of the same month, will march with all possible exTices,

His Marcus Hook, equipped completely for the field. Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of the militia of Pennsylvania will be pleased to designate the senior officers in the respective counties, and pedition

to

names

cause their

Wigley, Joseph Serber, John Townsmen, Thomas Shepherd, Joseph Anthony Shull, Henrj' Shermer, Peter Dager, John Yost, James H. Welch, John Weant, William Grally, Henry Bishiug, ls«ac Shepbei*d,

Artman, Abmui Shafer, George Shafter, Jr., Elijah Gold (from October 1st), Thomas Khodeibagh, Nathan Keyser (from October 7), John Dager, George Shafer, John Dull, Eaber Van Horn, Jacob Dager, Daniel Nail» Charles Francis, John Harris, Amos Thomas, Jacob Hentz, Peter Welch John Tarrans, Henrip- Hoffman disi-harged from cauip October 26, 1814. " I do certify, on honor, that the company conmianded by Captain John Grosscup is in the service of the United States, under the com-

mand

commanding the Fourth military district. " Thomas Cadwallader, " Brigadier-General CoinmaudiHg Advance " Camp Dupont, November 2t>, 1S14."

**

Entered in

:

Adjutant- General.^'

Gtneral ami Staff Qffloers Montgomery County Volunteer CompanieSy 1812.

major-general,

sylvania ililitia

;

conmianding Second Division

Isaiah Wells, brigadier-general,

Penn-

commanding

Brigade

MusU-r-roll of Captain Jacob Fryer's

Company of Montgomery County.

Henry Hnuck, firet lieutenant; Jacob Yost, second lieutenant John Smith, ensign. Sergeants. Jonah Markley, Jacob Bortmau, Jacob Wannemaker, Jacob Frj-er,

captain; ;

—

Fryer.

CorporuU.

—Peter Burger, Peter Yost, Juhn Yost, George Houck. — Henry Yost.

Tmntptler.

fVi fates.

George Kulp, Samuel Detwhiler, Lewis Jones, Abraham Neas, Samuel Esterline, Anthony Bitting, George Fryer, Henry Specht, Frederick

John Sweesholtz, Abraham Zern, John Smith (tailor), William Henry Beikel, Daniel Houck,

Shafer,

CorpornU.—Y.ixoB Holdgate,

AfHsicjaiw.— Matthias Haus, William Miller. Privates.

Andrew Reed, John

Daniel Yost, Leonard Shuler, William Brecht, Jacob Smith, Richard

Benjamin Smith, Henry Royer, George Mowrer, Henrj- Seehler,

Cain, Roberts Roberts, George Willson, William

Kirk, R*jbert Matson, Henry Megee, Robert Elliott, Jesse Carver, William Harrison, William Thompson, Benjamin Yates, Samuel Forder,

John Mealy, Benjamin Smith, Jac4»b Linenbough, Henry Earnest, Samuel McCooI, Jacob Raniey, Benjamin Ramey, Henry Hallman, Job B.Jones, Charles Brooke, John Evans, Wickard Levering, Alexander Enoshe Benjamin Levering, Jonathan Matson, William McAnall, Jacob Peter man, Jesse Childs, Jushua McMin, Willium Fryer, John Carr, Peter Davis, William Davy. John Harrison, Jonathan Clemmaus, Jesse Cleaver, Thomas Graham, James Whitby, Jacob Lentz, William Lewellyn, George Streper, Joseph >Iartin, Jonathan Engler, Jacob Shade, John Woolf John Roberts, Lloyd Barr. " Camp Marcus Hook, November

Burger, Samuel Witman, Jonas Fetser, Bitting,

Andrew Louden, George Tippen, William

Sloan.

Insi)ector,

Militia; Nathaniel B. Boileau, aide-de-camp to commander-in-chief.

Jacob

AVilliamlluldgate, captain; Levi Evans, lieutenant; JohnSuplee, ensign. Ser^ea)i/s.— David Wilson, Thomas Davis, Jacob Ulrich, Henry Gilinger.

First

Second Division Pennsylvania Militia; Christian Snyder, First Brigade, Second Division Pennsylvania

Brigade,

attached to the First Brigade, Second Division Pennsylvania fliilitia, at cump, Slarcus Houk, commanded by Brigadier Genera I Samuel Smith, November 2'J, 1814

otfice.

"William Dvane,

Henrj' Scheetz,

" I do hereby certify, upon honor, that the above

Adam Zarn, Jacob Fox, Jacob Huntzberger, John Dutterer, Michael Helbert, Barny Fox, John Small, Conrad Dutterer, Peter Art, Daniel Sheifly, Jacob Weidemier, roll),

"

.\

true muster roll of Captain Jacob Fryer's

County, October

14, 1814.

Company of Montgomery " Jonah Markley, " Seryeaii/."

A

true

list

of Captain Grosscup's company,

conmianded by Colonel Thomas Himiphreys Edward Thompson, Simon Campbell, William Grofscup, ;

—John Gillinger.

"Governor Simon Snyder

Philadelphia, September 17, 1814. The Pennsylvania volunteers who

N. B. Boileau, Aid-de-Cump:

now assembled in and near the city of Philadelphia, in pursuance of general ordei-s issued on the 2Tlb of August last, will be organized into

are

battalions

riflemen

and regiments, as

Camp

Boileau

:

John Hurst, captain; M. Zilling, first lieutenant P. Hoover, second lieutenant; Peter Beam, ensign; Jacob Weber, quartermaster. Sergeants. H. R. Brown, H. Smith, William Wanner, Enos Beam. G>rporai.?. Thomas Deweese, Jacob Deweese, John Spare, Jacob Homsher. Bugler. David Thomas. ;

— —

Glathery, Swenk, Mungesser and Reehle shall form a battalion, and elect a mjyor. The comjianies of volunteer light infantry commanded by

Captains Wersler, Vanarsdalen, Taylor and Grosh shall form a battalion,

and

elect

one major

;

which battalions

shall

form a regiment, and elect

The captains composing

battalions, re-

follows, to wit

commanded by Captains Robeson,

:

The companies

this day, and then and there elect, by ballot, a major, and the regiments of riflemen and light infanti? shall, respectively, on the after-

and one

noon of this day, between the hours of t^vo and five, meet at the same and elect, by ballot, one colonel and one lieutenant-colonel for each regiment. The elections, respectively, shall be conducted and certified by two judges, who shall be designated to preside at the election of majora by the captains belonging to the proper battalion, and for conducting and certifying the regimental elections. The captains of each battalion shall appoint one judge for their proper regiment, who shall, for their respective battalion and regiment, as the case may be, so soon as practicable after the elections are closed, make out returns and transplace

to X. B. Boileau.

" General Order. "

John Hurst's company of Montgomery

qwctively, shall meet at the City Hospital, between the hours of eleven

George Grafiy, George Kupp, Jacob Wack, John Rickk-r Isaac Bilger, John Katz, Adam Mink, William Francis, George Heydrick, Joseph

"To

of Captain

Rifle Greens, stationed at

a colonel and lieutenant-colonel. Prirates.

1

A correct muster-roll

—

Benjamin Fries. Corporals.— lacoh Kfq)er, Joseph McCally, Eoliert Bayl, Jojin White. Bugler.

"Louis Bache,

of the Eighteenth Section of

'

riflemen,

Seryean?*.—

29, 1814.

a just and trua

" Colonel Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.^

Frederick Fox, George Burger,

John Houfman, Peter Trace, George Keider, Jacob Wensel, Jacob Zepp, John Gouckler, Daniel IIofT, Henry Long, John Royer.

is

muster-roll of Capt. Holdgate's.

Daniel Ale, Peter Horlocher, David Hart, Peter Foust, Jonas Slouneiker (on receipt

L. B.

of Capt. Holugate's company, in the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, infantry, in the service of the State of Pennsylvania for three months, from the 12th day of August last

Brigadier-General^ Comtuinidiug Fourth Military District.

the Adju taut-General's

of the general

3Iuster-roll

to be returned to the .\djutant-General of this district.

"Joseph Bloomfikld, **

189

of volunteer

McClean and ^^ igton shall form one battalion, and elect one major. The companies commanded by Captains Purdy, Horn, Denkey, Rinker and Ott shall form one battalion, and elect one major which battalions shall form a regiment, and elect one colonel and one lieutenant-colonel. The comSpeer, Groscup,

mit them to the Governor, that commissions

may

and Captain Creigh's companies of infantry orders, be attached to the regiment of infantry. bert

issue.

Captain Hol-

shall, until

further

;

panies of volunteer light infantry

commanded by Captains

Holgate,

Mc-

" Simon Snyder, **

Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.''^

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

190 Privateif.

Mekinstry, Septimus Harrah, Alexander Watt, Joseph Engles, Philip

Juhn Wanner, Jacob Deerzy, Seybult, .lulm Owen, Enoch Miller, James Stilwell, JliL-luiel Ainey, Mark Bciuie, John Snyder, William Huret, Benjamin \Ventz, Hubert Ingham, John Davis, Jesse Weber, James McKiney, Jacob Webt-r (WurL-estei), Benjamin Johnson, Abrani

Trupsbour, Samuel Hughes, .luhn Whitingham, Ephtuim Lewis, Beiya-

Stong.

Hunter, Rohert Pattei-son.

James Gleu, Daniel Helk-r, Saimiel James Thonipsun, Juhn Tripli;, Juhn

"We do

Deets,

on honor, that the within

certify,

roll exhibits

company commanded by Capt. John Hurst, and posite the men's names are accurate and just.

tliat

"John Hurst, (Japtutn. "Thomas Hlmphkey, Colonel

"Camp

A

min S. Mann, Is;uic li. Medani, William E. Patterson, John Moms, Samuel Smith, John i^IrKinney, J(»hn W. Stover, William Dennison, Daniel Markley, David Fell, James Picker, John Lowdislager, John Toy, Robert Roberts, Sanuiel Horn, William Horn, John P. Daniels, Joseph

"I do

a true state of

the remarks set op-

First

It.

P, V.

A

Ji.

true

list

sylvania Militia.

William McGlathrine, captain; John Bisson, first lieutenant; John Wanner, second lieutenant George Bisbing, ensign. John Jamison, John Ilauss, Richard Osborne, Nathan Sergeants.

—

LewiH.

John Bachnian, Job Lowry, Jesse Colson, Abraham Lutz. ;

Jacob Weaver,

fifer.

Samuel McGlathorie, Pa\il Custard, William Buck, Adam Deem, John Dyer, Philip Spear, John Roberts, Henry Deem, David Roberts, John Pluck, John Bacher (or Baker), Jacob Baker, Henry Garney (or Carney,) William R. Bisson, William Barton, Samuel Morris, Benjamin Boyer, Jacob Levering, Jacob Zerpass, Owen Thomas, Isaac Painter, George Pluck, Henry Dyer, Jacob Shearer, Nicholas Gerhard, John Berritt (or Banet), Joseph Hendricks, John Martin. " I do hereby certify, upon honor, that the above is a correct musterroll of Capt. McGlatherie's company, this 27th day of November, 1814. "John Wanner, Second Lieutenant. "Louis Bache, Col. Second Regiment Penna. Vol. Light Infantry.''^

Muater-roU of Capt. Joseph Sands' company of the riflemen of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:

Joseph Sands, captain ; James Sands, first lieutenant ; Samuel RodearJohn Pilger, ensign ; Jacob Rhoads, mel, second lieutenant :

quartermaster.

Ser^eanfo.— Richard Perry,

John

Lessig,

William Rafesneider, Michael

NLman. Musician.

—William Sands. Privates.

Abraham Zimmerman, John Wardman, John Albright, Jacob Stroman, John Leavengood, George Grove, Joseph Rafesnider, John Weasner, John Grove, David Yocom, John Beachtel, Andrew Kean, Solomon MisBimer, Charles Geiger, Samuel Ruth, Samuel Yeager, Joseph Leavengood, Jacob Fritz, Bartholomew Wamback, William Ninian, Martin Manger, Joseph Shaner, Thomas Conrad, Henry Keyser, Henry Weasner, George Ritemire, George

Henry Smith, Richard

Bowman, Abraham

Geyer, Jacob Specht,

Davis.

on honor, that this roll exhibits a true state of the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Sands, and that the remarks set opposite their names are accurate and just. "James Sands, Lieutenant Commanding. "Thomas Humphrey Colonel First Regiment P. V. 7?."

A

true

list

of Capt.

riflemen, Sergeants.

—James

Magill's

commanded by

company of the Sixteenth Section Colonel Thomas Humphrey:

Robinson, Isaac

Stelle,

of

—DaWd

Thomas Humphrey: John F. Shreeder.

Stickliouse, (.'yrus

Lukens,

Roberts,

Beans),

Aner

Abner) Milnor, Judali Columns, Jesse Banes (or Beans), David Fisher, Simon Snyder, David Willard, David Yerkis, William Sandman, Jonathan Guy, David Lloyd, Joseph Leech, Benner Butcher, William Beale, Amos Dungan, Elias Y\ Marple, Isaac Cadwal(or

Y'erkes,

Thomas

John

P. Roberts.

Isaac Cadwallader, second sergeant, promoted to a quartermaster-ser-

geant on the 4th inst. " I do certify (hat the above

is

a true statement, on liunor, the thir-

teenth day of November, 1814.

"J. T. Davis,

Lientennnt.'*

"Thomas Humphrey,

A

true

list

of Captain

Section of riflemen, Sergeants.

—Samuel

Colonel First Reyiment P. V.

William Harrah, John

commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey: John Boggs, Samuel Maires, George Mc-

Ladds,

—Andrew

Kettler, Philip Koplin,

p*rivates.

Jonathan Wood, Gooden G. Hall, William Marshal, Jesse Lacy, Morgan N. Thomas William Thomas, Job Simpson, Joseph Anderson, Christian Fritsinger, Benjamin Hare, Christian Ruth, Mark Tanner, Jacob Friece, Benjamin James, Joseph Friece, Daniel Mcintosh, Nicholas Cisler, W^illiam McGooken, John Dennison, John Doyle, Joseph Higgins, Anthony Rich, Jt)hn Everitt, John Williams, Samuel Hubbert, Robert Barclay, William Ditterlinc, David Evans, Jr., Andrew Kirkpatrick, 8em. Moyres, Paul Bruner, Isaac Dunlap, Conrad Shearer, Nathan |

John

Abraham

Harner,

Gregory. Bugler,

—Jesse Zaine. Privates.

Vandike, Francis Mather, Robert Carr, John Brough, John Hesson, Henry Deweese, Peter Raizor, Nathan Sturges, John Keesey, David Keesey, William Teaney, Abraham Jones, Levi Williams, Charles

David Daniels, William Kid, Samuel Keyser, Frederick Nuss, Joseph Tyson, William Keesey, Peter Betson, Philip Peters, Joseph Beard, John Beard, Joseph McClelland, John Hiltner, John Porter, William Crawford, Samuel Gilkey, M'illiam Griffith, William Hiltner, Nathan McCalla, Michael Byrne, Heurj' Kattz, Jeremiah Fogerty, Thomas Cleaver, John

John Llewellyn, John Reed, Jacob Keesey, Peter Streeper, George John Stroud, John Fisher, William Mathei-s, John Gouldey, David Schmck, M'illiam Bean, John Saylor, John AValker, Edward McNabb, John Neill, David Rees, Ralph AValker, Thomas AVhiteiiuvn, Isaac Tyson, Israel Jones, John Kinsey, Ilezekiah Newcomb, Aaron Eaizor, Jonathan Moore, Abraham Tyson, Neill,

Painter, Zachariah Davis, Frederick Clayer,

Hughes, Jesse Keesey, Mathew George Foster, Levi Roberts, Jacob Zieber, Conrad Lyde (orLeidy), Philip Lyde(orLeidy), John Conrad, Jacob Walker, John Royer, William Kittlei", John Hippie, John Buggs, John Vanforeen, Benjamin Thompson, John Mitchell, Zopher Smith, Nathan F. Zaine, John Boyer, Jacob Deweese, Robert Patterson. " I do certify that the above list is a true statement, on honor, the 13th Blelnor, Arthiu' Currin, Fi-ancis

Neiley,

John

Miller,

day of November

1814.

"James Robinson,

A

correct muster-roll

Montgomery

Heath.

^."

James Robinson's company ufthe Eighteenth

Clelland. Corporala.

Arcturus Todd, Joseph Blat-

Robison,

Barnes,

James Virtue, William Grace, Henry Sandman, John Banes (or Thomas Hughs, George Hobensack, David Terry, Philip Yerkes,

Captain.

" Thos. Humphreys, Colonel Evans, Benjamin

Benjamin

John Laird, Abi-aham Haselet, Jesse Barnes, John Leech, Jacob Barnes^ Abel Fitzwater, James Rice, John Grub, John Warner, Clement Barnes, William Sutch, Daniel SliKlmire, Haselet Dunlap, Robert Barnes, Thomas

thew. Corporais.

Regiment Pa. VoV^

IVifiitfs.

Isaac

"We do certify,

(_"oIonel

First

of the Eighteenth Section of

William Search.

lader,

Privates.

commanded by

— David Marple, John C. Corporals. — Joseph (.!adwalader,

Sergeants.

;

—

a true statement, on honor, this

company

of Captain McLean's

riflemen,

mander-in-chief of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, of August 27, 1814, and attached to the First Brigade, Second Division, Penn-

Corporals.

is

"William McGill, Cuptuin. Thomas Humphrey, Colonel

complete muster-roll for the Second ^Captain McGlatherie's) company of the Second Regiment, volunteer light infantry, under the command of Colonel Louis Bache, under the order of the com-

John Kline, drummer

list

"

24, 1814."

Dupont, Nov.

above

certify that tlie

lath day of November, 1814.

First

Regiment P.

of Captxiin George Sense nderfer's Rifle Greens, stationed at

Camp

V.

K."

company i of

Boileau

:

George Sensenderfer, captain Henry Schneider, first lieutenant; George Borkert, second lieutenant Michael Stoflit, ensign. ;

;

1

"General Orders. "Philadelphia, September

28, 1814.

"To John M. Hyneman, Esq., Adjutant- General You will immediately make known to Captains Jacob Tryer, John Sands, Jesse Weber and :

(ieorge Sensenderfer, conunanding

Montgomery County, and

vohmteer companies of riflemen from commanding a com-

to Captain tieorge Hess,

THE WAR OF

1812

AND THE MEXICAN WAK.

Dieter Bucher, Dauiel Sniitb, George Smith. —Jacob — Daniel Stitzer, Jacob Sasaman, John Gilbert, Mathies Gilbert. Sinitli,

SergeaiUa. Corporals.

PHo'iiea.

and extremely auxious to be called into service. They all (like your company) have orders to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Your patriotism is nmch applauded, and desri-vedly

George Smith, Jolin Yorgy, Jacob Gilbert, Peter Herpst, John Wiehn, Henry Linsenbigler, Jacob Reifsnider, Coniud Drease, George Dengler,

so; but under existing circumstances,

Anthony Gilbert, John Yerger, John Deeker, John Drase, John Herpst, Mareks Yerger, Peter Deeker, Isaac Yerger, John Kepner, Lewis Lin.sen-

Tents aud other equipments for the

Daniel Swiuehard, David Swinehard,

l>igler,

Mathies Yorgy, Conrad

Reiguer, John Wise, Peter Hanberger, Samuel Beydenman, John Frederick, Michael Kortz,

"

We

certify,

"Geoege SenSENDEKFER, Captain. Humpheev, Colonel First H.

*'Thos. List of

non commissioned

officers

and privates

P. V. ii."

in the Third

Marcus Hook, under command of Lieuteuant-Colonel Conrad Krickbaum

at

:

— William

Choyce, George

Ellicott,

Isaac B. Kmible, Jacob

Snyder, Abel Morris. Corporals.

—Abraham •Gunsinliouser,

David

Williams,

Jacob

Slack,

Joseph Ashton. Privates.

Henry Wilson. Charles Hanmier, William Burney, Jacob Deddier, James Dyer, Joseph Kyuear, Jacob Brand, Jacob Engle, John Bisbing, Samuel Yerkes, Jesse Ramsey, Edward 5IcCoon, Jesse Donley, John Barnes, Anih-ew Kreer, Israel Gilbert, Gilbert Walton, George S. Yerkes,

John Cooker, Jacob Cammel,

John

Henry,

Henry Foust, Michael

Hurlougher, George Shade, George Reed, Philip Daywalt, George Jacob,

Jacob Crouse, Daniel Bry, Israel Thomas, Elon Carmon, AVilUam Linn, John Henry, Henry Miller, Jesse Johnston, Richard Drake, William Johnston, John Uarr, John Trexler, Elias Gilkesun, John Wa»hborn, Jacob Kedheifer, John Getman, Samuel Wright, Abner Cope, Philip Smith, John Kreer, .lames Wentz, Jacob Daring, John Stetler, Isaac Root, Jiihn Sherer, Samuel Thatrhtr, Francis Tomliusou, John Reed,

Samuel Lessig, Joseph Ettinger, John Bighoard, George Sholler, David Wambold, Edward Sweeny, Tobias Shull, Jesse Gilbert, Thomas West, Jacob Smith, Christian Burns, John Forker, John Weeks, William Roberta, Benjamin Yerkes, Henry Kreer, William Mann, Samuel Davis, Andrew Roberts, Charles Search, Benjamin Y'erkes, Jr., Jacob Larkins, Elias Harsh, John Whitman, John Haring, Peter Kolb, Matthias Showeck, John Morty, Henry Zeibor, Conrad Bender, Christian Long, James Kelly, Benjamin Valentine, Henry Grub (entered into service October 8th), Edward Carson, Jacob Land.

"I

certify

upon honor that the foregoing is a cortect officers and privates under my command.

list

of non-

commissioned

"Jacob Wentz,

Captain.'"

"I certify, upon honor, that this muster-roll exhibits a true stjitement of a company of the Montgouiery County militia, of the State of Pennsylvania, now in the service of the United States, The remarks set opposite the names of the men are accurate and just. I believe the annexed

to

be a correct muster and pay-roll. " EDWARn Johnson,

I certify that the

thought most advisable

you receive

special orders.

cannot be procured suddenly.

field

Would give the Governor much pleasure

to see

your company march

as infantry for the defense uf this important section of the State.

that capacity you could render

much more important service.

In

Impelled,

is

Slilitary District.

"Samuel Smith,

Governor entertains no doubt they will be willing to render it in any way likely to prove most efficient. You will find an answer to your enquiries relative to the right of admission from one corps to another in the fifteenth section of the militia law of this Commonwealth, passed the twenty -eighth day of March, 1S14.

"N. [This letter

Brigadier- Gener a

"Camp Marcus Hook." "Philadelphia, October 1, 1814. Your letter of the twenty-sixth ult. was this day received. There are iu and near this city, iu the counties of Philadelphia and Chester, a considerable number of companies of cavalry, completely equipped, *'S^^.

from Nortbaniptoii County, that their several companies are to form a battalion, to be attached until further ordere to the regiment

officer

of the First Troop of Jluntgumcry County.]

Montgomery County Troops Serving in the Philadelphia Riots of 1844.— The following is the official roster of field, staff, line officers and enlisted men called into the service of the State from Montgomery County who served during the riots in Philadelphia, or were on their way to "headquarters," under the proclamation of the Governor of the commonwealth and commander-in-chief, in the year 1844. The citizen soldiers of Montgomery County resjionded promptly to the call of the Governor when the strong arm of the commonwealth was retjuired to repress the lawless spirit that rendered the civil authorities

the

and the

summer

city of

of 1844.

The

Philadelphia powerless in fire and smoke of burning

churches and adjoining buildings in the alarmed city could be plainly seen from the hills in our county,

and many of the

living

still

remember the sense of

towns in the Schuylkill Valley. The military moved promptly to the scene of danger, and by their presence, discipline, courage and good conduct soon restored order and confidence in the city and surrounding country. The record of their public service is a part of the history of Montfear that wiis felt in all the

gomery County. First Troop of Montgomery County Calvary. The precise date when this volunteer company was

—

organized cannot

now be

determined, as

definitely

now

in existence (as far

knows) which would

fix its

organiza-

AVe, therefore, have to resort to the oldest

tion.

inhabitants now living to get what we can from them with regard to its early history, and from information received we conclude that it was organized shortly after the war of 1812,' and may have been in existence even prior to that time. There is yet living a citizen who became a member in the year 1835, whose father

had been a member many years before

so that

we may

{lany

coiiunanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey, and that this afternoon, between the hours of fi-)ur and six o'clock, the officere and privates composing said battalion are to lueet at the new prison, and elect one major to Command the same. The commanding officers of the said companies to select two competent judges to preside at the election, and make retui-u thereof to the governor, that a commission may issue accordingly. "Simon Snvder. "N. B. BoiLEAU, Aid-de-Camp.'"

B. BoiLEATJ, Secretary.'"

supposed to have been written to the commanding

is

as the writer

LieutcnaM-Colotiel.''*

comi>any commanded by Captain Jacob Wentz

in the service of the United States, under ordere of the general com-

manding the Fourth

still

it is

for this place before

there are no books or papers

First Lieutenant.'"

" CoNEAD Keickbaum, *'

It

march

Company,

commanded by Captain Jacob AVentz, of the Fifty-Second Eegiment, First Brigade, Second Division Pennsylvania Militia, now encamped

SertjeuHts.

that you shall not

as was your company, from pure patriotism to otier their sei-vicee, the

John Erb.

on honor, that the within roll exhibits a true state of the company commanded by Captain George Sensenderfer, and that the remarks set opposite the men's names are accurate and just. do

191

that,

safely conclude that the time before

mentioned is about correct.

The

troop was then under

I The Montgomery Troop of Light Horse, commanded by Captain James Morris, Esq., paiuded in the Grand Federal Procession, Phila-

delphia, July vol.

i.

quently

1TS8.

4,

p. 44s.)

known

This

is

(Scharf and Westcott "Philadelphia History," believed by

as the "Fix-st

many

to be the

organization subse-

Troop of Montgomery County."

Ed.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

192

command of Captain John Mattheys of Norriton who was afterwards elected to the State Senate. It was known by the name of the Plrst

soldier.

Democratic Troop of Montgomery County, and numbered about one hundred members. The uniform then was as follows Black leather cap covered with bearskin, with a buck-tail on the right side; navy blue coatee, with scarlet breast facing, three rows of round silver-plated buttons about the size of a musket ball, one row in the centre and the other two on the outer edge of the scarlet facing, which was circular in form, silver braid around the collar navy blue pantaloons with scarlet stripe one and onefourth inches wide down tlie outer seam, black cravat,

of the State would retire from the service and young

the

township,

:

;

long

boots,

silver-plated

white

spurs,

buckskin

sword-belt, which passed over the right shoulder, ex-

tending down to the left side, witli silver-plated hooks by which the sword was attached, silver-plated medal in front, bearing upon its face the device of a mounted trooper, and buckskin gauntlets. The horse equipments consisted of a double bridle, with silver-plated curb and

snaffle-bits, breast-strap

breast-plate

with silver-plated

the shape of a heart

;

saddle,

plated

and

stirrups, blue saddle-cover, covering the saddle

extending as

•

back as the hips of the horse, with a stripe of red cloth one and a half inches wide around the outer edge. The cost of this uniform and horse equipments at the time the writer became a member (1841) was about one hundred dollars the sword and pistol holsters and other accoutrements were furnished by the State. This troop outranked all other military organizations of the county. It may be proper to state in this connection that there was another military organization, known as tlie Second Troop of Montgomery County, having about the same number of members, but differing from the First Troop in politics. Notwithstanding this difference, a general good feeling existed between them. Tliey formed themselves into a battalion and each company endeavored to excel the other in drill and military deportment. After the resignation of Captain John Mattheys, Jacob Scheetz, son of General Henry Scheetz, of Whitemarsh township, was elected captain How many years he continued in command is not known. Next in command was William Z. Mattheys, son of the former Captain John Slattheys, who was a brilliant oflicer, and the troop was in a high state of drill while under his command, which continued until about 1839. Then Robert Pollard was elected captain, but only served one year, when Dr. John A. Martin (who had been surgeon of the troop) was far

;

Adam Hurst, first lieutenant Henry G. Hart, second lieutenant David Z. Mattheys, first

elected captain

;

;

;

orderly sergeant.

The

troop then

numbered about

seventy-five members, and there was a general attend-

ance at every meeting for drill. They had a high regard for their captain, and he in turn took pride in teaching them the tactics and discipline of a

There were some changes made in the membership old members who had served as volun:

teers the required

men would up

fill

time according to the militia laws

their places, thus keeping the

to the standard

it

had held

for so

company

many

years.

In the month of July, 1844, a serious riot broke out in the city of Philadelphia, which was beyond the control of the police force of the city, and the mayor called ujion the

Governor of the State

for troops to

quell the riot.

The first to reach the scene was a company from Germantown, who were badly handled by the rioters on Sunday night, some being killed and many

On

wounded.

jNIonday, about noon. Captain Martin

received orders from the Governor to proceed with

members lived and lower section of the county, by eight o'clock of the same evening nearly every member reported for duty (many of them, being farmers, had to leave their crops unharvested). At one o'clock the next morning they commenced their march for the city, arriving at the outskirts about the troop to the city, and, although the

scattered over the middle

Many

daybreak.

them

of the rougher classes shouted at

as they passed

eral Patterson,

on to the headquarters of Gen-

who was

in

command

of

all

the mili-

headquarters being in the Girard Bank, on Third Street, near Dock. The troop was ordered to tary, his

quarters at Douglass' Hotel, on Sixth Street, and were

ordered to report at headquarters three times each day, at nine in the morning, two in the afternoon and

—

seven in the evening. They stood in line in front of the bank in the scorching sun of July, with the privi-

and standing by their horses, a» was ex])ected every hour that an attack would besj made at some point by the rioters. This routine o:7 duty continued from Tuesday until Saturday night, when it was thought there would be no further dislege of dismounting it

turbance of the peace. The troop was, therefore, at five o'clock dismissed to await further orders, but w£ not required to report at seven, as had been the customJ Couseciuently the members availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing something of the

city, and were But about eigh^

scattered about at different places.

o'clock

an

orders to

officer

from

headquarters

mount immediately and

rode

report to

with

Gen-

eral Patterson, as there was an attack made at the* Moyamensiug Prison to release some of the prist The alarm spread all over the city, and therflf oners. was a rally for boots and saddles and mount, and in a very short time every member was in his place ready for service. As the troop reached Third Street they

found the

street

packed with people

in front of General

Patterson's headquarters and extending up and down;

The sentinels in front of the bank; were unable to keep the crowd back, but as the column pressed on, the people gave way, and aj passage was cleared in front of the bank and thel crowd began to diminish.

several squares.

THE WAR OF The next order was

1812

AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

that the First Troop, together

with Captain Archamliault's troop from Bucks County, should proceed to the prison to ascertain tlie state of affairs tliere.

When

tlie

]irison

was reached, some of it was a false

the officers rode forward and found that alarm.

ported

The troops returned to headquarters and reThey were then dismissed for the

all quiet.

night, and, as there

was no

fiirther outbreak, all

were

discharged on the following Tuesday and returned to their homes.

At the commencement

war Captain Martin proposed

of thp

Mexican

to offer the services of

the troop to the government, but a

number of mem-

accede to the proposition. Many withdrew, and shortly after Dr. Martin resigned and went to California. Lieutenant Hurst was elected captain, but the membership declined very much and bers refused to

was on the eve of disbanding when Dr. Martin returned from California. There was a proposition to re-elect him, when Ca])tain Hurst withdrew altogether from the troop, which was then reorganized by the election of Dr. ,T. A. Martin, captain; H. C. Hoover, first lieutenant and Jacob Hoover, second lieutenant. The uniform was also changed to the following: Beaver cap ornamented with horsehair plume and eagle in front, buff cord and tassels; blue coat, with buff collar, cuffs and skirt facings, oval buttons (yel;

low); sky-blue pantaloons, with a buff stripe

down the

outer seam one and one-fourth inches wide, black cravat, long boots, yellow spurs and white sword-belt

with plate

in front.

The horse equipments were

similar

yellow mounting was used instead of silver-jdated. Many of the old members refused to equip themselves in the new uniform, but the ranks were soon filled by new members without to the former, except

regard to politics, as the Second Troop had disbanded, and, according to the fourth article of the constitu-

any white male person of good moral character between the ages of eighteen and forty-five tion adopted,

would be

eligible to

membership, but must receive

the vote of two-thirds of the

members

i)resent at the

meeting when proposed, provided a majority of the members be present at such meeting. The members were nearly equally divided politically, and the same military deportment characterized the membership which had always heretofore made it respected wherever it i)araded. Charles Thomson Jones, of Roxborough, captain of the Roxborough troop, extended an invitation to the First Troop of Montgomery County to jiarticipate in the unveiling of the

monument

erected in the

Leverington Cemetery inniemory of Virginia soldiers of the Revolutionary war who were surprised and bayoneted while asleep by a squad of British soldiers sent by a Tory. The troop accepted the invitation and participated in the ceremonies. General Patterson and several other prominent military men were present.

At the opening of hostilities of the civil war a meeting was ordered by the captain, and the question of 13

193

was discussed. Several it was impossible for them to leave their families and farms (and it was composed largely of farmers), and when the vote was taken it was a tie. It is but proper to state in this connection that this was not a party vote, but each member voted as he viewed his own private circumstances, and although the troop did not go as then offering the services of the troop

of the

members concluded

that

many of the single men volunteered in other companies and several lost their lives on battleorganized,

Owing to the continuation of the war and the members enlisting in other military organizations, fields.

the troop disbanded after an existence of about

fifty

years.

FIRST

TRl.lOP

3I0XTG0MERY COUNTY CAVALRY.

John A. Martin, captain

;

Adam

yon-Comm>ssioti€d

Hurst, second lieutenant.

Officers,

ami

Mu^iicians

Privates,

William Bickins, Henry Baker, James Burnsides, Samuel Beyer, Richard Bickins, George Burkhoinier, Samuel Beideman, Joseph Bruner, Jesse Beau, Joseph Cleaver, Henry Culp, Levi Cope, I'hilip Custer, George Cowden, Lemuel Eai^tburn, Amos Erb, Benuet Fulmer, Allen Fleck, Philip S. Gerheard, I'tter Gilbert, FranklinGouIdy, Joseph Hague, S. Heist, .Jacob Highly, James Highly, Jacob Hallnutn, Hiram C. Hoover, Jacob Hoover, Andrew Hart, George Hoof, Jacob Hurst, David Lukens, William Logan, Samuel Lightcap, David Z. Matheys, William

Daniel

Newman, El wood Norney, Isaiah Richards, George SenConrad Shive, William Teany, John W'aiker, George H. Wentz.

Martin, Charles senderfer,

SECOND TROOP MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAVALRY. Richard A. Edey, captain Wentz, second lieutenant. Non-CommisBioiied

;

Henry

Hitncr,

S.

Officers, Mtisicinns

lieutenant

first

and

;

John

Privates.

John Foulke, surgeon Charles T. Rogers, cornet Abram Weaver, first sergeant; John I. Kersey, quartermaster; William H. Cress, ;

;

trumpeter. Isaac Bell, George

Mark Dehaven,

W. Bisbing, Lephemia

Bolton, Moulton C. R. Dager,

Allen Dunehower, William H. Eder,

Henry Edey,

.\n-

drew Famous, George Famous, (liarles Fisher, George W. Fisher, Jeremiah Freas, Walton Freas, William Fratt, .\leKander Fulton, William Gilmore, Charles Hallowell, George B. Hampton, Stacey Haines, George W. Henderson, William Hiltner, Jacob Hinkle, Septimus W.Jones, John P. Knapp, David Livergood, William M. Lukens, Isaac Markley, William Michener, Edward Preston, Ross Rambo, Reuben Y". Ramsey, Edward Rhine, Anderson Stewart, Charles Stewart, Slark Supplee, George W^ Supplee, Thouiiis Tomliuson, Washington Ull'ich, Charles Weak, Abram Weutz, Thomas H. Wentz, Mordecai Dehaven.

UNION GREY ARTILLERISTS. Nicholas K. Shoemaker, (commanding),

first

lieutenant

;

George Lower,

Solomon Katz, second lieutenants. Non-Commissioned

Officers,

'Musicians

and

Privates.

Samuel H. -\iman, Charles Aiman, Samuel ,\rnistrong, Robert .Arthur, John Bickel, Jacob Bisbing, Joshua Copelberger, Charles Donat, Christian Donat, Robert Francis, Charles Gerhart, Eli Hoover, Adam Hoffman, Stephen Haley, W'illiani Knipe, Joseph Kline, Christopher Keyser, Daniel Keyser, Edward Lower, Christojiher Lower. Henry Lower, Joseph Mengesser, John Peterman, Edmund Stout, Peter Stott, Joseph Simmons, Charles Sh.aflfer, Jonathan Shaffer, John Shaffer, Christopher Smith, Samuel Van Winkle.

THE FIRST NATIONAL Daniel Fry, captain B.

;

Theodore Garber,

DR.iGO0NS. first

lieuteimnt

;

Dr. William

Hahn, surgeon. Xon-Comniissioited

Abraham W. Beard, ter-sergeant

;

first

Officers,

sergeant;

Uriah Grubb, cornet

;

Sfusicvntsand Privates.

Frederick M. Graff, quartennas-

Henry

Kline, musician

.\shenfelter, Frederick Emery, Peter Fry, William

S.

;

John H. John

Gilbert,

Razor, Ephraim A. Schwenk, Jacob Walt, Frederick W^eideroder, Y'erger,

Adam

William Evans, William Fisher, Rudolph Mauck, George Swell,

Charles D. Smith, Charles Williams, John Wismer.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

iy4

NEW HANOVER ABTILLBBISTS. Fi'ederick Bruiidlinger, captain

mon

;

Solomon

;

Solo-

Bretuilingor, second lieutenant, Noii-C'oiiimisiiioue'i

PENNSYLVANIA DEFENDERS.

Musicians and Privates.

Officers,

Brendlinger, James

Benjamin

Bushong, Jacob Feather, Samuel JMowrer, Daniel Polsgrove, Jacob Binder, George Dangler, Henry Decker, Deiler Bushong, Henry Newman, George BUUer, Solomon Kurtz, Isiuic Saylor, Aaron Polsgrove, John Stichler, Philip Koons, Francia Garber, Tbomas Stichler, Joseph Chnstman, William Peter Y.

Havbst,

Egolf.

GOSCHENHOPPEN GRAYS. Henry H.

JIartin Mager,

Dolts, laplain;

first

Musicians and Privates.

Officeis,

Samuel Bradford, captaiu

Reuben Gerg, John Mock, Charles Nuss, Reifsnyder, John Dotts, Ezra Brey, Jesse

Matthias Rummel, John P,

Henry (fNeal, Officers,

first

lieuteuant.

Musicians and Privates.

BL-ittbias Y. Sheffey, first sergeant Isaac Arb, second sergeant Josiah Cbiistman, Jonas Yost, James Christman, nnisicians Jtibn Rees, George Sheetz, Joseph Moyer, Joseph T. Miller, William Benter, George Ben;

;

;

Linderman, Joshua Smith, Eli Siiallkap, Oliver Kugler, John Smith, Jacob Hettlefinger, Benjaoiin F. Yost, Daniel Sballkap, William Boyer, Samuel Keeley, James Barlow, James Liiiderman,'Rcuben Moyer, Edward Kucher, Jeroine Ruth, privates.

UNION RIFLE COMPANY, UPPER DUBLIN.

Daniel Urffbr, Junatlian Gerg, Henry Mock, William Graber, John

Hersch, Jonathan Roeder,

;

Xon- Commissioned

ter, Isiiac

Samuel

lieutenant;

Welker, second lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned

Isaac Daves had a severe attack of camp-fever after he eturued home and lay for many weeks in a vei-y dangerous condition. John Foster was never well after his return. He died in the month of February.] .

Stetler, first lieutenant

Robert Pollard, captain

;

Yincent P. Jlontanua,

first

lieutenant

Silas

;

A. Cope, second lieutenant.

Gerg, Jesse Pannebecker, William Hei-sch, Josepli Hersch, Jacob Hoff-

man, Edward

Styer,

George

The

served as a private.

William

Seaslioltz,

name

[In this return the

services

made

will appear by the muster-roll

is

Non- Commissioned

George Erb.

Sell,

of Jonathan Roeder

returned as having

were performed by

Stabler,

at the time of service.

The reason

as

name of Roeder is that he is a member of the company, and empkiyed Stabler, who is not a member, as a substitute to serve for him, and the transaction being between themselves, the company recognized ouly Roeder his name is returned for the compensation,] for returning the

Officers,

Musicians and Privates.

Jacob Hess, Thomas P. Bright, George Ruahon, Frederick Green, Josiah A. Bright, Michael Dougherty, William George, Allen Thomas,

George Shuster, William

Abraham

Acuff',

Joseph

Henry

Stillwell,

Shaffer, Jacob

Neeman, James McAdams, Lewis Langdale, Daniel Gilbert, Geoi-ge A. Henk, Jacob Hoffman, Chai'les Stillwell, Samuel Evans, John Weeks. Shaffer,

Lightcap, Blartin Jones, William

;

RECAPITULATION.

WASHINGTON GRAY ARTILLERISTS. Jesse B. Davis, captaiu

David Trucksess,

;

Non-Connnieeioned

Non-Com.

lioutenant.

Musiciana and Privates.

Officers,

Andrew Allcbough, Adam

first

Ashenfelter,

John

Bean, Jacob Bur-

31.

ecse, Peter Fry,

liam

Abraham

Foust,

Henry W.

Foust, Jacob Gotwala, Wil-

Daniel Green, David Gouhiy, Joseph Keel, James McBride,

Gillis,

John Nungesser, George

Niblo, Philip Peters,

John Richardson, William

Thomas SnyWilliam Smith, Henry Soniera,

Roberts, William Royer, Joseph Reese, William B. Shupe,

Bernard Streeper,

der, Francis A. Sperry,

2 3 3

31

New Hanover

3 3 2 3 2 2

21 22

Washington Gray Artillerists JIuntgumery Guards

;

Non-Co7nmissioned Ellis

Aker, John

(Jarl,

Potts,

Union

fii-st

lieutenant

;

The Mexican War.

Frederick Conrad, Isaiah

W.

Davis,

John Erby

John K. Major, James Moyer, Edward Magee, James

fllendenhull, Jacob

Murry, Jonathan Poutzler, Benedict D. Potts, William Rapine, James W. John Shanor, Lewis Sickel, Florence Sullivan, I. Lewis

Schrack,

Worrell.

SUMNEYTOWN ARTILLERISTS. ;

Jesse Feustermacher, second lieutenant.

Nvn-Commissioned

Jacob

Gilbert,

George

Officers,

Gaugler,

William

Gilbert,

Daniel

Christian Royer, Tobi;is Schuyler,

John Schuyler, William

WiiliaTus, captain

Non- Com missioned

;

Charles Gerheart,

first

firat

Musicians and Privates.

sergeant;

[Joraim Engleman, second lieutenant of the company,

mwched

homo.

He was

has been preserved.

not reported at headquartei*s.

Among

those

who

entered the

service of the United States at the time from Mont-

gomery County was Andrew H. Tippen. He was appointed and commissioned fir.st lieutenant in the Eleventh Regiment of United States Infantry, and

He survived the conflict, and

Volunteers during the great Rebellion. George Lower and his brother, Henry Lower, of Springfield town-

day of the battle of Cerro and was buried at " Plan Del Rio," or the River of the Plains. His remains were subsequently brought home by his brother George, and interred in the graveyard at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh. Joseph Cleaver and Michael Dougherty were enlisted in the Mountain Howitzer Battery. Cleaver is dead, and the present residence of Dougherty is unknown. Benjamin Ehler, of

the

first

brain-fever,

Montgomery County,enIisted

Regular Infantry, and with

the company as far as Eighth and Market Streets, and then returned to his

was no company or

names of those volunteering from the county

Gordo of

Officers,

349

;

of the

Henry died

lietenant.

George Nuss, second sergeant* Lewis Hollnmn, third sergeant; Joseph Stackbouse, fourth uergeanti Francis Kehr, Jesse B. Fisher, musicians; Joseph Booze, Gideon Beck, George Buwers, Thomas Betting, Nathan Barnes, George Brownboltz Isaac Brant, Charles Brittain, George Cramar, Isaac Daves, William Frantz, John Foster, Joseph Hannabury, Daniel Heller, Richard Jackaon, William Kesell, Azor Kerbaugh, John Mattbi;is, Peter Jliller, John Nuss, Frederick Nash, George W. Nanneth, Francis Ott, Lewis Ott, Patrick RodgeiTi, Sanniel Seddinger, Samuel Snyder, Charles Sniitli, William Trexler, Jeremiah Trexler, Josiah Widener, William Winkler, privates. Daniel McClelland,

24

31

ship, served as volunteers.

LAFAYETTE BLUES. I.

—There

3

Hefner,

Sheffer.

George

27 14 38 26

served as colonel in the Kegiment of Pennsylvania

Charles Uersli, Henry Hersh, John Hunnnel, John Kepp, Henry Nace,

John Royer,

34

regimental organization from Montgomery County that took part in the Mexican war no publication

served with distinction.

Musicians and Privates.

20

2

Company

William

Joseph Fulforth, Samuel Groff, Frederick Haas, Thomas Hastin, Spencer Hutnot, Luther Kennedy, Joiin Keeler, George Keen, Philip S. Kirk,

John D. Apple, captain

Rifle

Total

Musicians and Privates.

tifficers.

.

Artillerists

Lafayette Blues

MONTGOMERY GUARDS. Henry Freedley, captain Thomas W. B. Hahn, second lieutenant.

Artillerists

Gi'schenhoppen Grays

Sumueytown

44 48

3

Pennsylvania Defenders

William Wise, Peter Wagoner, Ezekiel Williams, Lewis Ulman.

Officers

and Men.

Troop Cavalry Second Troop Cavalry Union Grey Artillerists First National Dragoons Firet

kimer, John Coulston, Cephas Davis, Albert Dehaven, Theophilus Dew-

Com. Officers.

still

survives

in the

a

Eleventh

resident

of

Springfield township.

Louis Monsert enlisted in the Second Pennsylvania

THE GKEAT KEBELLION. He is at this time a resiMr. Monsert enlisted from Beading, Berlcs County, Pa. Albert Artliur enlisted and served in the same command with George and Henry Lower. He also survives, and is at this date Regiment, and survives.

dent of Norristown, Pa.

a

resident

of Montgomery

township.

There

are

number of others who served their country in this war, from Montgomery County, but no record of them or their services is obtainable. doubtless a

the existing government, readily yielded to wise councils and the prompt suppressive measures of the national government. But when a great evil, such as the enslavement of four millions of human beings, became a subject of political controversy, sectionalizing thirty millions of people; the North uncompro-

mising in

its

a

rival

period of

TilE

The

which culminated in a breach of the public peace on the 19th of April, 18G1, was sectional in its character. The cause which evoked the long and acrimonious discussion involved a S3'stem of civilization with ques-

commercial values, and the overthrow of

which the people of the Southern States had become attached by interest, inclination and climate. An " irrepressible conflict " suddenly became an " impending crisis," followed by the shock of arms. Northern statesmen of rare sagacity and long experience in public life were blinded by their delusive hopes, and predicted a short struggle and easy triumph over the insurgents. The haughty and impetuous spirit of Southern leaders underrated the sturdy manhood and marvelous resources of the North, and, with more zeal than prudence, precipitated hostilities, the magnitude of which awakened the civto

powers of the world to tlie importance of the Both sections sadly failed in their estimate of the relative strength and endurance of the combatants. The South obtained an early advantage in the first battles fought, and entitled themselves to the rights of belligerents, compelling the national government to treat with them as equals in war. The ilized

conflict.

doctrine of a peaceable dissolution of the national

government, intended by its founders to be perpetual, was strangely confounded with the rights of rev-

and dissenting minorities, to fatally obstruct the popular will as expressed by the national legislature, naturally took refuge behind the indefinite reserved powers of the States. A well-marked differolution,

ence of opinion always existed in reference to the Constitution of the United States, and interpretations of the fundamental law by courts of last resort were not always accepted by the people as

final.

— these

conflicting

theories,

through a formation

—

without significant or well settled view of such a contention, it will not,

in

perhaps, be the subject of historical amazement that amicable adjustment defied the best efforts of political

GREAT REBELLION.

domestic institutions

republic,

astute statesmen

fifty years,

precedent,

violent conflict of political opinion

tionable

South

;

lish

XVI.

hostility to the institution, the

wedded to it the North insisting, by its majorities, upon union and universal freedom, the South fiercely maintaining the right to peacably secede and estabagitated by

CHAPTER

195

Early

instances of the spirit of revolt, incident to all

new

forms of government, were experienced in the Shay Rebellion of 1784, in the Whiskey Insurrection of 1791, the Hartford Convention of 1 814 and the at-

tempted nullification of 1833. Slight wrongs, real or imaginary, such as induced violence and resistance to

economists, and that brutal and terrible agencies of war were necessarily invoked to settle the disinite and vindicate the right.

The i)art taken by the people of Montgomery County during the four years' hostilities will possibly never

be

fully

The novel and who responded to the

told.

perience of those

President Lincoln

for

three

months'

exciting exfirst

call

troops

of

was

memorable, if not so important as that which resulted from the long terras of enlistments following the disaster at Bull

Run on

the 21st day of July, 18G1. The North which quickly succeeded of Fort Sumter was a national impulse, and

great uprising of the

the

fall

the

movement of men

to the defense of the capital

was through an excited and indignant populace. Crreat as the perils of war were known to be, they were extravagantly nuignified at the time, and the anxiety and solicitude for those who were the first to march was shown by every household in the county. Few among those who witnessed the memorable scene of the departure of the Fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers from Norristown, on the morning of April 20,

1861,

will ever

forget the event.

The

several

companies from the borough had been hastily cruited to their

maximum.

Many

of the

re-

members

being residents of the rural districts, had hastened to town, signed the roll, and, returning to bid the dear ones good-by, thoroughly aroused the plain country-

hundreds of whom came trooping into town, "to see them off." Fort Sumter had fallen, its brave defenders had

folks,

gallantly resisted the skillfully devised preparations made for its reduction, the flag of our country had

been shot down, and although not a single man of the had been killed, yet the loyal manhood of the North felt that the great wrong and insult must be promptly avenged. No response to country's call was ever more promptly made by more patriotic men than those who filled the first quota of seventy-five thousand troops. True it is, in the light of the tergarrison

rible struggle that subsequently ensued, the service

now seems

inconsiderable, but history will always

accord to those

who were

first in

the field of peril a

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

196 distinguished honor.

Those who were present when

appropriate ceremonies.

On

Saturday, April 20th, Harrisburg, and

surrounded by thousands of our best citizens and the

command proceeded by rail to reached Camp Curtin at two o'clock

families of those in the ranks, will recall the

intention to have remained in

the regiment was in line in front of the court-house intense

the

P.M.

camp

till

It w;is the

a sufiicient

excitement that jjrevailed. Th6 painful solicitude of the hour was deepened as the impassioned and eloquent words of the Hon. Daniel Smyser, then president judge of the district, fell upon attentive ears

number of men could have been procured Irom Montgomery County to fill the regiment to its maximum number; but the urgent necessities of the government rendered this purpose impracticable, and orders

from the steps of the court-yard. The word couiUry had a new and deeper significance for the men of that generation than was ever felt before. The beautiful

were issued to form a regiment immediately from such companies as were in caniji. This order had the

flag presented to these gallant

county was

felt

to

men by

the ladies of the

symbolize hopes and

interests

paramount

to all other

considerations, and

time being

all difference

of political opinion was sub-

for

the

ordinated to an exalted love of country. Men of all political oi)inions were requested to " put out their

and

flags,"

it is

due

to truth to say

that in deference

upon trifles, the The youth and manhood

effect

change the command from a militia

to

to a

volunteer organization.

An

was accordingly held, which resulted same field officers as those holding the militia commissions, which were as follows: John F. Hartranft, of Norristown, colonel Edward election

in the choice of the

;

Schall,

of

Norristown,

lieutenant-colonel;

Schall, of Norristown, major.

Edwin

Charles Hunsicker was

to public sentiment, that stood not

appointed adjutant.

request was complied with.

Scarcely was the organization completed when marching orders were received. Leaving Camp Curtin im the evening of the 21st of April, the regiment proceeded by rail to Philadelphia, where it was ordered by General Patterson to rejjort to Colonel Dare, of the Twenty-third. Taking one company of his own and the Fourth Regiment, Colonel Dare proceeded by rail to Perryville, Md., and took possession of the town, making such disposition of the troops as would prevent a surprise. On the following day General Patterson ordered the regiment to proceed without delay to Washington. Immediate ajiplication was made to Colonel Dare for transportation by steamer to Annapolis, the route by

of the county were well represented in the rank and file

of the command, and after receiving the public

assurance of magistrate and people that their conduct

was commended, and come what might, they would receive

the

hearty support of their friends, they

wheeled into column, and

to the quick

time of

ring martial music, amidst the ringing of

bells,

stir-

the

cheers of thousands of men, and tokens of love and

admiration of their devoted countrywomen, they marched through the town to Bridgeport, where they took the cars for Harrisburg. The following condensed statement contains the material i'acts of the short experience of the organization

:

Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. The Fourth Volunteer Regiment originated in the First Regiment,

Second Brigade, Second Division of

the State militia, organized under the militia act of 1858.

It consisted of six

companies and had a

full

Baltimore being then closed. Not feeling secure from capture. Colonel Dare imh' gave transportation for one wing of the regiment, which embarked under command of Colonel Hartranft. Arriving at Annapolis,

the troops were disembarked and quartered in

regimental organization, the officers holding State commissions. In response to the call of the President, a public meeting was held at Norristown, Mont-

the buildings belonging to the Naval Academy, by

gomery

Co., on the 10th of April, at which the feeling of patriotic devotion to the cause of the government

Schall,

was emphatically displayed, and resolutions were passed pledging assistance to the families of such as volunteered. On the following day the services of the militia regiment were tendered to the Governor for the term of three months, and were accepted on condition that the command would report in Harrisburg within four days. The officers immediately commenced the enrollment of recruits, and at the expiratioa of the time appointed some six hundred men from Montgomery County and vicinity were ready to move. The excitement and gloom incident to their departure can only be felt by a people unused to war. All business was suspended, and the whole population appeared upon the streets. Flags were provided by the ladies of Norristown, which were presented with

It was expected that the men would be fully clothed, armed and equipped at Harrisburg before marching. But when the urgent appeals came from Washington for troops, it was not the time for the patriotic citizensoldier to hesitate, and the regiment marched without uniforms or equipments, the men being armed with muskets, and provided with ammunition, which they

command of command of Major

order of Major-General Butler, then in

the town.

The

left

wing, under

was detained several days

at Perryville for

the security of the port.

were obliged to carry in their pockets.

Clothing was

sent to the regiment on the 28th of April, but not until

some time

in

June were proper uniforms supplied.

In pursuance of orders, the regiment proceeded, on the 8th of May, to Washington, and was quartered in the Assembly buildings and in a

Transportation and

camp and

church near by.

garrison equipage not

having been supplied by the State or national government, the regiment was prevented from going into

UEN. JXO.

F.

HAKTKAXFT.

THE GREAT REBELLION. camp.

close confluement of the

The

men

in

in the regiment,

now began

expire.

crowded

quarters soon prochiccd its legitimate results. ness, which, .up to this time, had been scarcely

make the regiment

known

the 24th of June

of the regiment to

ber,

who

pickets, only three in

this request will be placed

marched

commanding general

num-

men, adetail of which it is unnecessary here to give. It was at a time, too, when great activity prevailed in the organizatiic, Michael ."^'-wney, .^l.-.Daid,

V.

Thomas McEwen, George W. Milltfi', .\ur«(n Thomas Murray, .\ntrim Master, Jonas Moyer, Cltu'les O'Swi-h-, Jamcf* Poweiv, JohnQuinn. William Quinn. David Rt-ily., I ram Is Kiich, Llew.lyn Rhumer.

Chiu

I.k

H. Kbiinifr, Mathias

ShociUiJci-r, .Itdiu Smith,

THE GllEAT EEBELLION.

Company B was recruited in Montgomery County, and was trained for the distinguished service which it experienced by Colonel George D.

Robert Steward, Francis Tomaoy, William TJucufter, Vaghn, Isaac Varney, George Worliiser, John Welsh, John

three years.

Eliaa Springer, Patricli

Williams.

COMPANY

Recruited at Norristown,

Montgomery

I.

Mustered

Co.

2d sergt. Daniel Streper, 3d sergt. George Y. Hausell, 4th sergt. John ]1. Charles Durham, 2d Corp. George H. Smith, 1st corp. Benjamin Uelele, 1th Corp. William Hinkle and White, 3d Corp. ;

;

;

;

;

Edwin R. W.

;

Sickles, musicians.

Of the twenty-two regiments of cavalry organized in Pennsylvania during the great Rebellion, not one regiment was wholly recruited and accredited to a single city or county. Men volunteering for this arm of the or

McCool, Patftck JlcDaile, Jones Munshower, William B. Nichols, James Phillips, .\braham Print/., Nathan H. Ramsey, Andrew J. Kei-d, C'liarles Rodehaugh, George Rodebaugh, Samuel Rodebaugb, George K. Roberts, William Robinson, Patrick Rogan, David Schmck, J. W. Shuttloworth, Samuel SliugUiff, Benjamin R. Still, William F. Colly, .loshua

COMPANY

lieut.

;

;

time, the

;

;

;

Badman,

Philip

Silas Baker, .\.

Jonas Beckwith, George W. Bush, BerM. Carr, George E. Chadwick,

Curr, Tliomas

Isaac Conway, William Corner, Charles T. Dager, Reuben Dehaven. Henry Edwards, Augustus Fye, Francis Flanigiin, James Gihner, John Grundy, George Harkins, Samuel Hart, .Joseph H. High. Richard Kelly, Enoch B. Kirby, George Kutz, Terance Landy, John Marple, Thomas

Wars, .\rchibald SIcCorkle, Stephen McCloskey, William McGlathery, John McGowen, William McMain, James Maiden, John Miller, .John Moore, Thomas Slagee, .Tobn S. Nnss, Williani Ogdeu, John O'Neill, Joseph Palmer, Hiram Phipps, Stephen Pliipps, .lames Pierce, William I

W.

Potls,

.\llen

tjuarmby, Ivens Rambo, Nathaniel Rhoads. Robert

Daviil Signet,

Richard

William

Wills,

Note.

W.

B.

Wills, Jr.,

— "Colonel

John Styer, Jouathan SwalWeaver, Charles A. Weland, Clarence W. -\braham Wood, James Wood.

Street. Charles Styer,

John Ward, William

low,

W.

Tobias Schniearer, Walter Scott, John Sbeetz, Charles Sidders,

Scarlett.

.

.

sion."

— Col.

series

i.

W.

vol, U.^

B. FrniikUn's official reiwrt. ^*

First hrigade,

Itecords of the Viiion

OJlciul

Third

Dirisioiiy

and Confederate Armifs^^^

p. iim.

For the greater convenience of reference, the history of the military organizations identifieil witli Mont-

gomery County

War Department in force at the maximum number of men for a troop or

Twelve comThese companies were further organized into squadrons of two companies each, and the six squadrons were formed into three battalions. Three regiments generally formed a brigade, though sometimes four and even five regiments were united in the same brigade, but this was only in Two cases where commands had become decimated. brigades generally formed a division, and the three divisions operating with the Army of the Potomac constituted the cavalry corps. This branch of the public service was first organized by Major-General Joseph Hooker when he assumed command of the

Armv

of the Potomac in the winter of

1S63.-'

Hartranft, of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment,

accompanied nie to the field a-s itul-dc-cnmp. His services were exceedingly valuable to me, and he distinguished himself in his attempts to rally the regiments, which hsd been thrown into confu.

as substitutes in

panies composed a regiment.

iViiute.

nard Canney, John

arm of made exwho were

of this

company of cavalry was one hundred.

;

musicians.

Mi>ori*,

and sent forward

country

the

in

men

regulations of the

;

;

of young horse-

towns, but most

the latter part of 1863 to 1865 there were many unUnder the rules and fitted for the cavalry service.

2n, 1801.

;

;

;

recruited

a general rule, the

hastily recruited Mustered in April

them.

the service were of the best material and But in the mass of men cellent soldiers.

Henry K. Weand, 1st lieut. Charles Y. David R. Connard, Ist sergt. Noah B. Brown, 2d Frank Peter A. Brown, ;jd sergt. Sidney Brown, 4th sergt. sergt. Frank Hart, 3d .Joseph K. Corsou, 2d Corp. L. Wagner, 1st corp. Daniel M. Yost, Itb Corp. William >I. McGoweu and Samuel Corp. Walter H. Cook, capt.

Fisher, 2d

As

districts.

K.

Co.

for

of the companies were

Thomas, Thomas B. Yanfossen, George W. Whishlar, George W. White.

Montgomery

had a fondness

Some excellent troops were formed men from our large cities and inland

Nathan Mc-

McClaiie,

of a brigade of cavalry.

service were of a class accustomed to the use of horses

William Lath, George Lowry, Sylvester Makens, Allen Martin, William

Hugh

command

while in

John Badnutn, William Barry, John Bennet. Edward Bonter, James H. Buck, Charles Caru, James Carter, Thomas Chilling, Wm. R. Cox, Simon Clinborger, Ilan-y Davis, Samuel Deen, George Dehaven, Henry Dehaven, Michael Dillon, John Dougherty, George Emory, George J. Eckhorn, Jacob Erney, Nathan Fornwalt, Jac()b Fulner, Christian Geicel, Jacob W. Geiger, William M. Geiger, William R. Gilbert, Christian Cancer, Alexander Gotwalt, John Graham, Samuel Hallman, Jacob L. Hoover, Edward C. Jones, David Kane, Patrick Keven, John W. Lanisbach,

Recruited at Norristown,

December, 1862,

battle of Fredericksburg, Va., in

Private.

H. Martin. George Mercer, Julin Meris,

States

early distin-

guished himself as a fearless cavalry leader, and would undoubtedly have become a division and corps commander had he not fallen mortally wounded at the

;

;

He

Military Academy, class of 1856.

;

;

West Point United

Bayard,' a graduate of

in April 20, 1861.

Charles S. Lewis Banisey, Ist lieut. William AUabaugh, capt. Thomas Jones, Joseph Rylands. Ist sergt. McGlathary, 2d lieut. ;

199

be continued in the chronological order of their formation and departure for the seat of the war. Where companies have been organized and will

become attached

to

regiments,

it

is

due

to those

accredited to the county that an account of their services be related, as the

same has been

officially

•George D. Bayard, appointed at large by the President a cadet to the United States Jlilitary .\cademy, West Point, July 1. 18.52. Graduated July 1, 1850. and assigned to duty as second lieutenant. First Cavaliy. Served on frontier duty, and in the Kansas disturbances wounded in the ;

poisoned arrow in an engagement with the Indians near Bent's Fort, Col., July II, 1800 ; assigned to duty at the Military Academy as

face

bya

assistant instructor of cavalry, first

lieutenant, First Cavalry,

.\ugust 20, ISOl

;

September

teers,

March 10 March 10,

September

to

1801

;

Volunteers, .\pril 28. 18G2

;

assigned to

command

wonnded

of cavalry brigade,

at the battle of Fredericksburg,

December

13, 1802.

He

died

the following day, aged twenty-seven years. 2

ORIGINAL ROSTER OF THE CAVALRY CORPS

They appear as follows The Forty -Fourth Regiment (or First Pennsyl-

Brig.-Gen. Alfred Pleasanton.

term of

promoted

;

A.

OF

P.

First Division.

they were a part.

for the

;

.\rmy of Potomac participated in all the operations of the army in front of Washington during the summer and fall of 1S62, and fell mortally

Brig. -Gen. George Stoneman.

vania Cavalry) entered the service

1801

appointed colonel. First Pennsylvania Cavalry Volun14, 1801 ; promoted brigadier-genentl. United States

which

pre.served in the history of the regiments of

3,

captain, Fourth Cavalry,

First Bi-igade (Col.

New Y'ork,

9th

New

Benjamin York.

F. Davis).—Sth Illinois, 3rd Indiana, SIh

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

200

The

were mounted portion of the property which descended through Horse Artillery," and, with the ex- successive generations to Colonel Owen Jones came ception of Martin's Independent Battery of New York, into possession of his ancestors through the marriage were detached from the re£;ulars. The pro])ortion of of a son of the original settler, Edward Jones, with a artillery was one battery to each brigade. The guns daughter of Thomas Wynne, Speaker of the first Coloused were twelve-pounder Napoleons and the Griffin nial Assembly of Pennsylvania, who took up lands six-pounder rifled guns. Most of the latter were made adjoining those of Edward Jones. By that marriage at Phcenixville, Pa. The cavalry were armed with the Wynne and Jones lands became united in one sabre, Colt's revolving pistol and Sharp's carbine. estate, which, in honor of the Wynne family, received Many of the troops in 1864 were supplied with the name which it still bears, Wynnewood. the Spencer carbine, " seven-shooters." They were In the Wynnewood mansion, on this estate, Owen the most destructive arm of the kind in use. In the Jones was born, December 29, 1819. On reaching the campaigns of 18(54-65 the cavalry frequently fought proper age, and having passed through a preparatory dismounted, and owing to the superior arms in use, course of study, he entered the University of Pennsylthey were uniformly victorious, inflicting a heavy loss vania, where, in due time, he was graduated, and of life upon the euemy. Company B of the First commenced the study of law in the office of William Pennsylvania Cavalry was the pioneer organizati(m M.Meredith, of Philadelphia. Attheconclusionol liis of horsemen from Montgomery County. It was com- law course he was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia posed of a class of men representing the intelligence and soon afterwards (May 19, 1842) was also admitted and patriotism of the Schuylkill Valley, and left the to practice in Montgomery County. But having a county under the command of Captain Owen Jones, preference for the pursuit of agriculture, rather llian of Lower Merion. The regiment was one of the most for the practice of his profession, he gave his attention distinguished of Pennsylvania Reserves, and always chiefly to the former, becoming deejily interested in ranked among the best in the famous cavalry corps the raising of fine stock and in everything tending to of the Army of the Potomac. The public service of the promotion of improvement in methods of farming. the regiment from its muster in to the surrender of In 1845 he became the purchaser of property in West Lee at Apponuitox was fully shared by Company B. Philadelphia belonging to the Warner estate, which afterwards had a remarkable rise in value, and became It is therefore due to the men who comijosed it, and artillery assigned to the cavalry

as "

and known

—

their descendants, that the essential facts of history

known

as the " drove-yard property."

In 1856 Mr. Jones received the Democratic Con-

connected with the regimental organization be pre-

gressional nomination for the Fifth District, which

served.

Colonel Owen Jones, who, from

early

manhood

was one of the most prominent and honored citizens of Montgomery County and of the State of Pennsylvania, was a son of .Jonathan and Mary (Thomas) Jones, and a descendant of Edward Jones, who was a native of Wales, and came thence to Pennsylvania nearly two centuries ago, settling on lands purchased from William Penn and which forms part of the estate that has lieen held in the Jones family from that time until the present. A larger until his death,

then embraced Montgomery County and some of the northern wards of Philadelphia. He was elected and served in Congress from December, 1857, to March 4,

Prior to his election to Congress he had under apjiointment by Judge Thomas Burnas member of a commission charged with the

1859.

served, side,

duty of adjusting the basis of State taxation district

for the

composed of the counties of Montgomery and

Bucks.

On

the breaking out of the great war of the Rebel-

he immediately became pmminent as one of the most earnest and active supporters of the government and the Union. Under the legislion, in April, 1861,

—

Second Brigade (Col. Thomas C. DevinJ. Ist Michigan (Co. L), 6th New Yorlc, 8th Peuiisylvauia, 17th Pennsylvania.

ArliUern.—Sevr Yorll Lt. Art.,

(ith

Bat'y.

Brig. -Gen. W'illiam

W.

Horace B. Sargent). York, 6th Ohio, 1st Rhode Ishmd. Second Brigade (Col. John B. Mcintosh). First Brigade (Col.

Averell.

—1st

Miissachnsette, 4th

New

men, he

—3d Pennsylvania, 4th Penn-

sylvania, 10th Pennsylvania. .,lrli7(eri/.— 2a

U.

S. Artillery,

Battery A.

Thikd Division. Brig. -Gen. David First Brigade (Col.

10th

New

New

McM.

Kili)atrick).

Gregg.

—1st

Maine, 2nd

New

York,

York.

Second Brigade Ist

Judsou

(Col.

Percy Wyndhani).— 12th

Illinois, Ist

Blaryland,

Jersey, 1st Pennsylvania.

Regular Iteserve Cavalry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. John Buford.).— 6th Pennsylvania, Ist United States, 2nd United States, 5th United States, 6th United States. Artillery (Capt. Jolin

B and L

;

2Hd U.

M. Robertson). —2nd U.

S. Artillery,

Battery

M

;

May 15th of that year, providing for the formation of the " Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Commonwealth," to include one regiment of mounted lative act of

Second Division.

ith U.

S.

Artillery,

S. Artillery,

Batteries

Battery E.

at

once commenced the raising of a comjiany

of cavalry, which he recruited almost entirely

at his

own private expense. The company, which was made up of men of Lower Merion and adjoining townships, was soon filled and moved to the rendezvous at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, where it became Company B of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. It was afterwards designated as the Forty-fourth Regiment of the State volunteer forces and placed under command of Colonel George D. Bayard. Prior to this (August 5, 1861) Captain Owen Jones, of Company In SepB, had been promoted to the grade of major.

^n^^tyA-WSacOi^-

THE GREAT REBELLION. tember the regiment moved from Camp Curtin to Tenallvtown, Md., whence, on the 10th of October, it A few crossed the Potomac River into Virginia.

201

with the carriage, according to directions, but, on

reaching Dr. Gerhard's, was told that Colonel Jones

had not been

He

there.

then proceeded to the house

saw actual service in the battle of Dranesville, where it took a leading jjart in the attack, which resulted in the complete rout of the

of Mr. Wister, where he inquired for the colonel, but

enemy.

have taken, and about an hour later his body was found, lying face downward, lifeless and cold, within fifty yards of Dr. Gerhard's residence. His death had evidently been instantaneous and the result of apoplexy. The remains were interred in the family vault at Laurel Hill. The funeral was attended by a large concourse of people, among whom were a number of those who had been his companions-in-arms and many of the leading men of Pennsylvania. His death was deeply mourned by all who knew him, and by none outside the family more sincerely than by the worthy poor, to whom he had always been a

weeks

On

hiter

it tirst

the 3d of January,

18(52,

upon the resignation

of Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob Higgins, JIajor

Owen

Jones was advanced to the higher grade, and in the following May he was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment. Colonel Bayard having been made a brigadier-general.

While under command of Colonel Jones the First Cavalry performed severe and continuous service, and fought gallantly in a great

among

number of engagements,

the principal of which were those of Hart-

wood Church, Woodstock, Harrisonburg, Port Republic,

Fnmt

Royal, Cross-Keys, Groveton, Robertson's

Cedar Mountain, Chantilly, Second Bull Run, Falmouth and finally the great battle of Fredericksburg (December 11 to 13, 1862), where

River, Strasburg,

Colonel Jones, acting as brigadier-general,

commanded

occupying a jiosition on the advance of General Frankthat battle General Bayard was

a full cavalry brigade,

extreme lin's

left

corps.

and In

in the

one month

In .Tanuary, 181)3, about

of General Burnside's

army up the Raj^pahannock,

and then, after three days of severest

along impassable roads, back to their former position. This was the last of the military operations in which Colonel Jones participated. On the 30th of January, 1863, he resigned his commission and left the service. To his country he had done his whole duty, and had done it well. From the officers and men who served under him he had won the full measure of that respect

and love which soldiers always give and humane commander. On or of the

to all

great

Union army, there could not be found the name of a truer [jatriot or a more gallant and conscientious officer

than Colonel

Owen

Owen Jones was married, November 4, Mary, daughter of Isaac W. Roberts. Their children were four in number, Emily R., Owen Glenddwer, Annie and J. Aubrey Jones, the lastnamed being now the only survivor. He resides with his mother in the Wynnewood family mansion, where his father was born and which was his home during 1841, to

—

which brought

him

to the close of his honorable and useful career. Early in the evening of December 25, 1878, he set out from his home alone and on foot, intending, in com-

pany with his near neighbor, Mr. Wister, to spend the evening in a social way at the house of their mutual friend, Dr. George Gerhard. On leaving home he house at ten o'clock.

to call for

At

life.

FIELD .\ND STAFF OFFICERS. George P. Bayal-d, villf, Vh.,

must, in .\«g. 27, ISOl

col.,

Huv.

1861

22,

Fredericitsbnrg Dec. 13,

Owen

Jones,

8,

him

at the doctor's

that hour the

man went

1861

—

to lieut.-col. Oct.

;

at Dniiies-

1802

6,

liilled

;

at

18(i2.

must, in .\ug.

col.,

.\ug. 5, 1861

wounded

;

May

pro. to brig. -gen.

;

,

from capt. Co. B

pro.

;

1861

May

to col.

;

nmj.

to

1862

5,

;

res.

Jan. 30, 1863.

John

P. Taylor, col.,

1805

4,

to col.

;

March

lieut.M:ol.,

18, 1861

D

from capt. Co.

pro.

C to

lieut.-

to brevet brig. -gen. .\ug.

;

1864.

!),

must, in Aug. 2S, 1801

from capt. Co.

pro.

;

Gl

res. Oct. 8, 1861.

;

Aug.

Sylv. D. Barrows, lieut.-col., must, in Co.

;

1803

2,

must, out with regiment Sept.

;

Jacob Higgins,

Aug.

must, in .\ug. 10, 1861

1862

col. Sept. 15,

to niaj. Nov. 15, 1801

;

1801

11,

;

May

to lieut.-col.

pro.

from

1862

.5,

1st lieut.

res.

;

Sept.

15, 1862.

David Uarduer, lieut.-col., must, in Sept. 27, 1861 G to maj. Nov. 23, 1862 to lieut.-col. Feb.

pro.

;

10,

;

with regiment Sept.

Thomas

May Josiah

5,

II.

1R02

res.

;

Nov.

res.

C Feb.

;

capt., Co.

must, out

1861

5,

;

pro.

from capt. Co.

M

22, 1862.

Ray, maj., must, in Aug. 16, 1861

1802;

from

1863

1804.

9,

Richards, maj., must, in Aug.

S.

pro.

;

from Co. F March

Feb. 23, 18&3.

William T. ilcEwen, maj., must,

a further period of nearly fifteen years,

coachman

the years of his

1,

Jones.

Returning from the army to his beautiful home at AVynuewood, Colonel Jones resumed the peaceful vocations which had been interrupted by his departure for the field of war. In these pursuits and in the enjoyments of domestic life he continued through

directed his

liberal benefactor.

Colonel

toil,

a brave, generous

the muster-rolls of Pennsylvania,

and

friend

after the battle

of Fredericksburg, Colonel Jones, with his regiment, took part in the famous, but profitless, " Mud March"

made

search was then

along the wa}' that Colonel Jones was supposed to

all

killed.

A

received the same answer.

23, 1863

wounded

;

at

in .\ug. 10, 1801

Brandy

from capt. Co.

pro.

;

June

Station, Va.,

9,

1863

res. Oct. 17, 1863.

Kichard

J. Falls,

must, in Jan.

niiy.,

trans, to batt. Sept. 3, 1864;

mustered; disch. Jan.

3,

3,

com.

1862

wounded July

;

Nov.

lieut. -col..

11,

28, 1S64

;

1804; not

1865.

—

1861 pro. from capt. Co. I James M. Gaston, maj., must, in Aug. March 1, 1S03 must, out Aug., 1864. Charles C. Townsend, adjt., must, in Nov. 22, 1862; pro. from hosp. stew. Nov. 22, 1802 res. June 14. 1863. William P. Lloyd, at^t must, in Sept. 1, 1861 pro. from Ist lieut. Co. ,

;

;

;

;

,

E

Sept. 1, 1863

C. L. Bufflngton,

Co.

E

;

nmst. out with regiment Sept.

bvt. adjt.,

to Biitt.

ailjt.

Williams. Foster, bvt.

must in Aug.

Feb. 19, 1802

adjt.,

;

12,

9,

1801

;

1864. pro.

from 2d

lieut.

must, out Sept. 10, 1802.

must, in Sept.

6,

1861 ; pro.

March 1, 1862 must, out Sept. 9, 1862. Wiliam Bayard, bvt. adjt,, must, in March 1, 1862

from sergt. Co.

K

;

Job

II.

Cole, bvt.

May

5,

atljt.,

must, in .\ug.

5,

1861

1802; nmst. out Sept. 11, 1862.

;

pro.

;

disch. Sept.

from

1,

1862.

1st sergt. Co.

M

HISTORY OF MONTGOMKRY COUNTY.

202 Richard R. Corson,

q.iu

must, in Aug.

,

to q.ni. Sept. 17, 18G1

George H. Baker, q.m., must, q.m. -sergt. Sept. 28,

iment Sept.

B

186.3. c. s.,

June

sergt.

c. e.,

Gurdoo

8,

18G1

22, 18ii2

B

;

pro.

from

and

Jan. 27,

e. s.

180:i

must.

;

Sept.

Aug.

1801

27,

pro. to surg. U. S.

;

W,

;

4,

1801

with regiment Sept.

nuist. out

assist, surg.,

Aug.

—

1861

,

from

pro.

;

sergt. April

June

Calver, assist, surg., must, in

Hiram N,

—

1802

.

Kelly, assist, surg., must, in Dec, 17, 1802

X, E. Atkinson, 1864

disch. Sept.

;

R. H. Tuft,

assist, surg.,

must, in Jan. 24, 1863

Feb.

1802,

pany

trans to batt. Sept.

;

Martin

must, in July

C,

1803

trans, to batt. Sept. 3,

;

1804 and to 2d Regt. Prov. Cav. Jnm 17, 180.'>. Harvey Bcale, ehaplain, must, in Sept. 1, 1801 must, out with regiment Sept. 0, 1804. Jacob Wolf, vet. surg., must, in Aug. 13, 1861 pro. from private Co I 1,

1863

must, out with regiment

;

Feb.

C

sergt. Co.

Henry

to sergt.-maj. Sept., 1861

C. Beanifr, sergt.-maj.

lieut. Co.

July

C.

;

1801

1(1,

Nov.

to 2d lieut. Co. I

;

lieut. Co.

G

A

Jlay

sergt. -maj.,

186}

1,

must

in July

George W. Fincher, q.m, -sergt., must, Co.

L Nov

1H62

1,

trans,

;

Co. L, batt., Sept. 13, 1804

to

1801

2.'),

Se|>t.

disch.

;

July

;

;

2(1,

180.5

Wm.

March

;

appointed bosp. steward Sept.

vate Co,

G

Oct.

Charles Gardner, Co.

G

,

1861

ho.sp.

Oct. 23, 1«(;2

William

J.

G

A

1802

;

;

1,

disch. by order of

War

July

must, in Aug, 9,

;

;

10, 1861

18()3

;

;

;

from

iiro.

Sept.

;

Wm.

pro from

from corp. Co.

Jones, capt., must, in Aug.

8,

1801

from

sergt. Co,

8,

20, 1862 9,

;

Sept.

1861

8,

to sergt.

coi^),

1K64. ;

from corp.

pro.

;

;

trans, to

pro. to sergt.

;

:

trans, to batt. ;

1861

8,

pro. to sergt.

;

killed at

;

veteran.

;

1801

8,

pro. to sergt.

;

;

to q.m,-

0, 18(i2. coi"]j.,

must, in .\ug.

1861

8,

disch. (m surg. certif. Oct.

;

in

Aug.

1801

8,

disch.

;

on

surg. certif.

Aug.

1861

8,

;

killed at

Hawes' Shop, Va,,

1804,

Aug.

Corp., must, in Ist Pa.

28, 1862

;

wounded June

21,

Cav.

1864,

9,

9,

1861

8,

must, out with company

;

1804.

9,

in

Aug.

1801

8,

must, out with company

;

1864.

1801

8,

must, out with company

;

9,

1801

8,

must, out with company

;

1804.

Pyott, corp., must, in Aug.

1861

8,

;

must, out with company

Sept. 9, 1864.

3,

Henry

Z. Lair, bugler,

must, in Aug,

1801

8,

;

trans, to brigade

band

.Ian. 1, 1863.

;

."i,

1861.

Morris M. Mattaon,

;

pany Sept,

9.

buglei-,

must, in Aug.

pro. 28,

from

1804

8, 18(;i

must, out with com-

;

sergt.

May

disch. Sept.

1864, exp, of teini.

8,

1801

;

;

nuist. out

with com-

1804.

i

Theo. T. Ashenfelter, must, in Aug. 2(),

8,

ISOl

;

disch. on surg. certif. Feb.

1803.

William Adair, must, in Aug.

Aug. 8. 1861; Deep Bottom. Va., July

Aug,

piiny Sept. 9, 1864.

Aug. pro. from

pro. to maj.

1862.

at

Aug

must, in

Fraidclin Snyder, bugler, must, in

capt., must, in

wounded

1801

8,

R, Hagner, corp,, must, in -Vug.

Henry H.

B.

;

May

Aug.

C

;

res.

in

Mark

;

;

9,

Sept, 9, 1864,

trans, to batt. Sept.

;

1862

must

Joel L. Davis, Corp., must, in Aug.

Jacob L. Stadelmaii, capt., must, in Aug. 8, 1861 1st Heut. Aug. 8. 1801 res. March 20, 1802, Joseph C. Roberts, capt., must, in Aug. 8. 1861 pro. from sergt. to 2d lieut. Nov. 2.5, 1801 to Ist lieut. Dec. 30, 1801 to capt. March 26,

William Litzeiiberg,

from

pro,

;

must, out as sergt. Co. M, Iwtt., June 20, I860

I

1802.

1,

Recruited at Athensville, Slontgoniery Co.

Owen

;

H. Ramsay, corp., must,

Sept

0, 1864.

must, out by special order June 20, 1805; veteran.

COMPANY

1801

8,

Kline A. Graver, corp., must, in Aug.

pri-

veteran. ;

disch.

;

trans, to batt. Sept. 3, 1804;

saddler, must, in July 2o, 1861

;

;

22, 1803.

pro.

pro.

;

pro, to sergt.

;

George B. Rambo, corp,, must, in Aug. 8, 1861 must, out with company Sept. 9, 1804, Crawford Yocum, corp., must, in Aug. 8, 1801 must, out with company

pri-

24, 1802,

2o, 1861

Dept. Oct.

must, out by special order June 20, 1805

1864

E March

in

Tiinst.

1861

8,

to sergt. Jan,

9, 1804.

veteran.

;

Styer, corp,, must, in

Sept.

in Sept, 1, 1801

to 1st lieut, Co.

1863; wounded June

John W. Forney,

Cav.

William H, Edler,

ISOI

from

pro.

army Nov.

R. Starer, bugler, must, in Aug, 21, 1801

P. Landis, bugler,

May

28, 1801;

Feb. 25, 1863; must, out with regiment Sept.

Oct. 10, 18(U

James

18,

6,

trans, to batt. Sept. 3. 1804.

Jackman, hosp. steward,

sergt. Co.

Thomas

Dee.

May

May 28,

steward, must, in Oct. 20, 1802; pro, from private ;

William P. Lloyd, hosp. steward, must, vate Cu.

Aug.

o\it

must out with com-

;

from corp.

pro.

;

must, in Aug.

sergt.,

1864; trans, to batt.,

trans, to U. S. regular

;

Aug.

Stadelman, sergt., must, in Aug.

John R.

private

roll.

Ernest Conzler, hosp. steward must.

certif.

Jan. 19, 1863.

;

not on muster-out

on surg.

20, 1863.

Adon. J, Stanley, Corp., mnl

1801; pro. from 1st lieut.

10,

maj. Jan. 15, 1805.

tt>

capt., must, in Sept. 12, 1801

John H. Coulson,

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. F. Hartranft,

Joseph K. Bolton, capt., must, in Aug. to capt. Sept. 17, 1802;

out of service at Alexandria, Va.

tere4.

exp. of term. surg., must, in Feb. 11, 1865; must, out with regi-

James Cress, assist ment July 27,

Levi.

W.

S,

George

July

res.

;

27, 1861

;

re-

2, 1804.

must, in Oct.

Ciirtin B. Stoneroad, sergt.-maj.,

G June

from

pro.

;

sergt.

E

1861

17,

pro. to 2d lieut.

;

25, 1864.

C. Gutoliua, sergt.-maj.,

Co.

Jan. 14, 1805

;

must, in Sept.

0,

18G1

pro. to 2d lieut.

;

27, 1805; veteran. Wyckoff, q.ni.-seigt., must, in Oct. 10, 1801

F

March

8,

q.m.-4ergt. Dec.

to

12,

1803;

3,

1861

;

com. sergt;

18t'.l

com.

;

pro.

sergl., Sept. 28, 1801; pro.

to capt. Co. I Deo. 2, 1864

FUnum, com. sergt., mustered in Co. F July 22, 1804; veteran. Martin II. Dunn, hosp. steward, must, in

Allen H.

regiment July

Edward

pro.

from

by special order

diuch.

must, out with regiment July 27,

Thotna-s H. Parker, to

June

2,

Daniel Lare,

must, in Sept.

Fnink H. Mills, corp., nmst. June 3, 1864; veteran. George Vebele,

12,

1861

must, out Sept. 11, 1804,

;

Corp., must,

;

from corp. Co.

180-5

from

;

A

veteran. 1st

sergt. Co. I

Oct. 16, 1861

Sept. 15,

1862,

Sept. 12, 1801; died

in

1861

12,

wounds received

of

killed at Cold

;

at

June

Harbor of

18, 1864,

1864.

;

died at Middletown, Md., South Mountain Sept. 1^

Abraham John

Butz, Corp., must in Sept

Brannon,

C.

May

1.2,

1861; disch. April 21, 1863.

corp., must, in Sept. 12, 1861

diedat Newborn, N.

;

C,

21, 1862.

Levi Bolton, corp., must, in Sept. 12, 1861

;

to

i)ro.

com. sergt. Dec.

3,

1804.

John W. Shillick, musician, must, pany Jiily 27, 186.5 veteran.

in Sept. 12, 1861

;

must, out with com-

;

veteran.

Oct. 16, 1861

1801

in Sept. 12,

wounds received at Cold Harbor June 3, John Adams, corp., must, in April 27, 1864.

;

;

pro. to 2d lieut.

must, out with

William Barringer, musician, must, in Feb. company July 27, 1805. Edward D. Johnson, musician, must, iu April date

27,

coi-p.,

1862. ;

1865; veteran.

Levi Bolton, corn, sergt., must, in Sept. 12, Dec.

June 23

veteran.

;

Jones, Corp., must, in Sept. 18, 1861; disch. by G. 0.

S.

Joseph White, corp., must, in Sept. must, out with

;

regiment July cor. Cu.

pro. to corp.

;

must, out with company July 27, 1865

veteran.

Louis Cartuyvel, q.m. -sergt., must, in Oct. 17, 1801 Christopher

in Sept. 12, 1801

veteran.

;

exp. of term.

1804; disch. by S. O., Sept.

Jan. 14, 1805; must, out with regiment July 27, 1865; veteran.

Co.

corp., must,

27, 1865

1805.

Shingle, sergt. -maj., must, in Sept 13, 1861

Co.

John

;

company July

1865.

Daniel G. Mallory, chapn., must, in Oct. 17, 1861

com. April

must, out with

6,

1865

;

must, out with,

4,

1863

;

trans, to Co. C,

unknown.

1866; veleran. Pi-icates.

D. Johnson, principal musician, must,

irf

April

4,

1863; must.

out with regiment July 27, 1865.

Henry Abbott, must,

in Sept.

2:i,

18t>4

;

June

2,

by G. 0. June

2,

drafted; disch. by G. 0.

1S05.

COMPANY

A.

Recruited at Norristowu.

William

J.

1802.

Bolton, capt., must,

in Aug. 16, 1801; pro. to maj. Sept. 17,

Henry

Alter, must, in Sept. 20, 18C4

;

drafted

;

disch.

1805.

George B. Baker, nmst. 27, 1865.

in Feb. 23, 1864

;

must, out with company July

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

212 James W. Baten, must,

in Feb. 29,

18(.;4

out with comiiiiny .Tuly

iiiviet.

;

Henry BackuB, must,

in Oct. 12,

1SG4; must, out with company July

'J7,

Albert Barndt, must, in Feb.

C, 1S(J5

must, out with company July 27,

;

S.

Buzzard, must, in Feb.

18G5

15,

must, out with company July

;

Benjamin

F. Bolton, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861; must, out Sept. 11, 1804;

exp. of term. in Sept. 22, 1864

drafted

;

disch.

;

by

G. 0.

June

2, lS(i5.

Elijah Block, must, in Sept. 22, 1864

drafted

;

by G. 0. June

disch.

;

2,

in Sept. 22, 1804; drafted; disch.

by G.

June

O.

Jonas Beam, must,

in Sept. 20, 1804

drafted

;

by G. 0. June

disch.

;

2,

Burkhart, must, in Sept.

S.

June 2, 1805. William Brown, must,

1804; drafted; disch. by G. 0.

20,

Sept. 20, 1804; drafted

in

by G.

disch.

;

O.

Sept.

1861; disch. by G. 0.

12,

in Feb.

J. Bolton,

May

1864;

24,

12,

11,

Feb.

certif.

1864

;

Oct.

1861

16,

to Co. G, date un-

trans,

;

1861

died at WalTenton Junction, Va.,

;

veteran.

1864

10,

must, out with company July

;

27, 1865

27,

company July

must, out with

;

27, 1865.

disch. by G. 0. June 20, 1865. Samuel H. Frease, must, in Jan, 14, 1804; wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 12, 1804 absent at must. out.

1865

30,

;

in Feb. 17, 1864

wounded at Spottsylvania Court-

;

;

27,

John

Florey, must, in Sept. 17, 1804

Israel Foos, must, in Sept. 22, 1864

Archibald Findloy, nmst. in Sept.

by G. 0. Juno 20, 1866. by G. 0. June 2, 1866. disch. by G. 0. June drafted disch.

;

1864;

8,

May

Annapolis, 3Id.,

liied at

Berks, must, in Feb. 16, 1864

4,

May

captured

;

27, 1804

20,

;

20,

1804

1804

;

Jesse Frease, must, in Feb. 20, 1864

;

died

;

Sept. 20, 1864; drafted; died at Philadelphia,

in Sept.

.30,

Benjamin Browuell, must,

in

Aug.

Geo. Bond, must, in Sept. 12, 1801

;

disch.

;

June

24, 1863.

0.

2,

June

;

disch.

by G. 0. June

of

.Sept. 12,

1801

wounds received

;

died at Philadelphia, Pa.,

June

18,

Court-House

May

12,

March 4, 1863. company July

27,

at Spottsylvania

Samuel Foreman, must, in Nathan Foreman, must, in

Sept. 12, 1861

disch. Jan. 29, 1863.

;

Sept. 12, 1801

Gross, must, in

March

3,

1805

Joseph Gearhart, must, in March

Theodore Gilbert, must, in Sept.

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps

Nov.

8,

1803.

disch. Feb. 18, 1863.

;

died Nov. 19, 1862.

;

H. Carrier, must, in Oct. 10, 1804

13, 1805

1865. ;

must, out with company July

27,

1865.

in Sept. 27, 1804

substitute

;

on surg.

disch.

;

must, out with company July

12, 1861

;

must, out Sept. 11, 1864, exp.

of term.

Jeremiah Grey, must, in

drafted

;

1804.

Sept, 12, 1861

died

;

at Spottsylvania Court-House

rdceiied

Case, must, in Feb. 27, 1865

;

;

disch.

by G.

0.

June

2, 1865.

must, out with company July

;

disch,

;

must, out with

;

Israel Gauker, must, in Sept. 22, 1864

Gotlieb Bellman, must, in Sept. 12, 1801

Richard N. Capwell, must,

killed at Spottsylvania Court-

27, 1805.

disch. Dec. 2, 1802.

;

;

May May

wounds

16, 1864, of 14,

180»4

;

buried in

Wilderness Burial Grounds.

Benjamin Goodwin, must, in Aug.

13,

Frederick Geisinger, must, in Oct.

7,

1862 1864

deserted .\ug. 30, 1863.

;

substitute

;

;

deserted

May

30,

1805. in Sept. 22, 1804

;

drafted

by G.

disch.

;

0.

Jonathan Goodwin, must, in Sept. 12, 1861 disch. Dec. 2, 1862. William Hoffman, must, in Sept. 12, 1801 must, out with company July ;

;

in Sept. 20, 1804

drafted

;

disch.

;

by G. 0. June

1865.

27,

1865

Charles

Collego, must, in Sept. 21, 1864

drafted

;

;

disch.

by G.

0.

June

1865.

S.

;

veteran.

Hansell, must, in Sept, 12, 1861

July 27, 1865

;

;

Davis Campbell, must, in Sept.

12, 1861

Clare, must, in Sept. 12, 1861

disch.

;

19,

;

buried in

28, 1803.

K, U.

July

S. Art., Oct.

27, 1862.

out with company

25, 1864

nmst. out with company July

;

27, 1865.

George A. Hugnenin, must, in Oct.

June

trans, to Batt.

;

1864

uuist,

;

veteran,

William Herbster, must, in Feb.

died Aug. William Carney, must, in Jan. 8, 1864 Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island.

17,

1864

must, out with comimny

;

27, 1805.

Allen Hildreath, must, in March 13, 1805

must, out with compan.v July

;

27, 1866.

James Coulston, must,

in Sept. 12, 1801

killed at

;

Antietam Sept.

17,

1862.

Charles G. Hunsinger, must, in Jan. 27,1865;

July F.

by G.

1865.

died at Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 20, 1861.

in Sept. 12, 1861

June 2, 1865. Henry Constable, must,

disch.

;

1804.

John

18, 1804.

Jacob Bennett, must, in Sept. 12, 1861 Irwin Barudt, must, in Sept. 12, 1801

2::,

substitute

Lind'y R. I'ranklin, must, in Sept, 12, 1861

Archibald W. Berks, must, in Feb. 29, 1804.

John Claycomb, must,

drafted

;

12, 1864,

Charles Fix, must, in 1864,

at Andersonville, Ga., Oct. 24, 1864. grave 11,434.

certif. X)ec.

disch.

;

1865.

Henry Foucht, must,

House May

James Bolton, must,

;

C. Fisher, must, in Sept. 27, 1864

2, 1865.

in Feb.

William Backer, must, in Pa., July 1, 1865.

Benjamin

with company July

nnist. out

1805.

2,

12,

John Bare, must, in Feb. 20, 1864; died at Washington, D. C, May 1804, of wounds received at Wilderness May 0, 1864.

Doud, must, in Jan.

18,

1865

must, out with

;

company July

27, 1865,

in Jan. 24, 1865

;

must, ont with company July

1805.

Franklin Delinger, must, in March

29, 1865

;

must, out with company

27, 1805.

Joseph H. Divers, must, in Sept.

12, 1861

;

must, out Sept,

11, 1864, ex-

piration of term.

Thomas Doud,

must, out with company

27, 1865.

Patrick H. Hamill, must, in Sept. 12, 1861

must, out Sept.

;

11, 1864, exp.

of term.

Samuel G. Doud, must,

July

;

27, 1865.

1866.

1864.

27,

Charles B. Evans, must, in Feb. 26, 1864

1865;

by G. 0. July

disch.

must, in Sept. 12, 186>; disch. on surg.

Henry Boyer, must,

John

S. Art.,

House May 12, 1864 disch. by G. 0. July 24, 1805. must, out with company July John G. Fried, nuist in Jan. 5, 1805

veteran.

;

Jonathan Brooks, must, in known. George Bodey, must, in Sept.

2,

K, U.

Oct. 27, 1862.

Lewis

25, 1805

Henry

;

trans, to Batt.

Thomas Farrell, must,

1805.

2,

3,

1865.

1,

12, 1861

1805.

James M. Baker, must,

W.

;

wounds

June

veteran.

2,

in

1865, of

;

William Barr, must, in

Enos

De Haven, must, in Sept.

died ,\pril

;

2, 1805.

27,

received at Petersburg, Va, April

Harrison English, must, in Jan.

1865.

re-

;

George Eckhart, must, in Jan.

2, 18G5.

Wm.

;

May 28, 1864, of wounds 1864 Court-House May 12, 1864 buried died

;

in Sept. 23, 1864

Daniel Eiker, must, in Oct.

1805.

James Block, mustered

George

by G. 0. June 2, 1865. by G. 0. June 13, 1866. disch. by G. 0. June 2,

disch.

;

disch.

;

drafted

;

National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Isaac

Samuel Baifert, must,

May

1866

28,

Spottsylvania

at

Simon Dobson, must,

27, 1805.

Thomas

Jacob H. Derr, nmat. in Feb. ceived

1865.

Joseph

6,

Daniel Dried, must, in Sept. 20, 1864 1865.

1805.

Samuel

A. Druckenmiller, mtist. in Oct. 16, 1864

Samuel Delinger, must, in Feb.

27, 1805.

must, in Sept.

tion of term.

William II, Harner, must, in June 2, 1805.

Edward llallman, must, March 4, 1865. Samuel Haines, must,

Sept. 20, 1864

in Feb. 23, 1864

in Feb. 25, 1864

;

;

;

drafted

trans,

;

to

disch.

by G.

0.

Vet. Res. Corps

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps

March

4, 1SI15,

12,

1861

;

must, out Sept.

11, 1804, expira-

William

Ilorflf,

must, in Feb. 15, 1864

Salisbury, N.

C, Nov.

3,

1864.

;

captured Aug, 21, 1804

;

died at

THE GREAT REBELLION. Daniel McGugan, must, in Sept,

Daniel Hood, must, in Feb. 24, 1864; S. Hausell, must, in Sept. 12, 1861;

must, imt with company

Charles

;

12, 18G1

K, U.

truns. to Batt.

;

Art.,

S.

12, 1861

killed at Fredericksburg, Va.,

;

Dec. 13, 1862.

John Henniss, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861

trans, to Batt.

;

K, U.

S. Art., Oct.

27, 1862.

in Feb. 20, 1865

must.out with company July

;

1865

27,

;

iu Sept. 12, 1861

must, out with company July

;

20, 1864

must, out with

;

company July

27,

W'ilson James, must, in Jan. 12, 1865

must, out with

;

company July

27,

Jesse Johnson, mvist. in Sept. 12, 1801

nmst. out Sept. 11, 1SG4, exp.

;

of term. trans, to Vet. Res. C-orps JIarch

;

Samuel H. Jones, mustdiH Tenn., Dec.

Sept. 12, 1861

captured at Clinch Mountains,

;

in Sept. 12, 1861

captured at Clinch Mountains,

;

;

company

must, out with

Noll, must, iu Sept. 22, 1864; drafted;

by G. O. June

disch.

26, 1865

by G.

disch.

;

June

0.

6, ISHl.'*.

in Sept. 12, 1861.

1861

12,

must, out with company July 27,

;

veteran.

;

Ephraim Parvin, must,

must, out with

company July

in Oct. 4, 1864; must, out with

company July

in Feb. 20, 1864

;

Samuel G. Parker, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861

March

died at Annapolis, Md.,

;

1864; veteran.

Winfield Pinch, must, in Sept. 12, 1861; trans, to Batt. K, U.

Art.,

S.

unknown.

Edward Quinlan, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861

William Reed, must, in March

John Richard, must,

Asbury M. Johnson, must, in Sept. 12, 1861 disch. Sept. 8, 1862. Benjamin D. Jonys, nmst. in Siopt. 12, 1861 disch. Jan. 4, 1H63. ;

killed at

;

Columbus,

March

0.,

1864

4.

company July

must, out with

;

Culp, must, in Jan.

13, 1865

must, out with company July

;

in Feb. 18, 1864

nmst. out with company July 27,

;

1865.

;

Jacob W.

Harvey Pinch, must,

27, 1865.

T.-nn., IK-C. 13, 1863.

27,

James Richard, must,

27,

James

in Oct.

8,

1864

substitute

;

must, out with com-

;

l>any July 27, 1865.

1865.

Barney Kelley, must,

in Feb. 6, 1865

company July

must, out with

;

Reily, nmst. in Oct. 12, 1864

July

1S65.

Edwin Kelliilmer, must,

in S.-pt 12, 1861

nmst. out Sept. H, 1864, exp.

;

of term.

;

substitute

must, out with

;

company

27, 1865.

David Richard, must, in Jan.

5, 1865

must, out with company July 27,

;

1865.

Jacob Kelh-r, must,

in Sept. 22,

1864; drafted; disch by G. 0. June

2,

Jacob Rittenhouse, must, in Sept.

12, 1861

must, out Sept.

;

11, 1864,

exp. of term.

1865. 12, 1861

Charles Keyser, must, in Sept. received at AntietaTu,

I,

wounds

died Sept. 30, 1862, of

;

Md.

David R;iunzahn, must, 2,

10,

12, 1861

Albert Rodgers, must, in Jan. 25, 1865 Harrisburg, Pa.,

died at

;

1861.

Lucius Lake, must, in Oct.

1864

must, out with cumpaiiy July 27,

;

1S65.

must, out Sept.

;

11, 1864,

exp.

drafted

;

May

by G. O.

disch.

;

in Sept. 22, 1864

;

disch.

25, 1865.

by G.

0.

June

1805.

Lemuel Raudebaugh, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861; disch.

on surg.

certif.

Dec.

27, 1861.

Joseph N. Lewis, must, in Sept.

12,

1861

must, out Sept.

;

11, 1864,

exp.

of term.

John D. Smith, must,

Christian Linck, must, in Sept. 12, 1861.

at

Daniel Reed, nmst. in Sept.

20, 18i54;

dnifted

;

by G.

disch.

0.

June

2,

1865.

Charles A. Murray, must in Feb.

M.

Robert Roberts, must, in Sept. of term.

Lewis T. Keyser, nmst. in Sept. 12, 1861. William Kilpatrick, must, in Sept. 12, 1861

1864

8,

;

absent, undergoing sent. G,

Auburn, N. Y. ;

;

Thomas Morton, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861

must, out Sept.

;

11, 1864,

exp.

disch. by G. 0.

June

of term. J. Miller,

1865

;

in Sept. 12 l861

must, out with

;

company July 27,

veteran.

Joseph Supplee, must, in Feb.

Joseph Jloyer, must in Oct. 8, 1864 nmst. out with company July 27, 1865. William Mason, must, in Feb. 4, 1865 absent, sick, at muster out.

26, 1864

must, out with

;

company July

27, 1865.

John Saylor, nmst. in Feb. 10, 1864 wounded at Spottsylvania Court House May 12, 1864 absent at muster out. John Schafer, nmst. in Jan. 14, 1865 must, out with Cq. July 27, 1865. Abraham D. Stover, nmst. in March 4, 1865 nmst. out with company ;

;

;

must, in Sept. 20, 1864

;

drafted

;

li),

1864

killed

;

at

Petersburg, Va., July

1864. 25, 1864

captured July 30, 1864

;

;

died

at Danville, Va,, Jan. 10, 1865.

Lewi.t Myere, must, in Feb. 17, 1S64

Austin Shelly, nmst. in Jan.

1865

27,

must, out with

;

company July

27,

John W. Shriner, must, in Aug. 24, 1804 absent at muster out, Enos Shelly, must, in Jan. 27, 1865 must, out with company July 27, ;

;

;

died July 18, 1864, at Pliiladcli.hia,

wounds received at Petersburg, June 17, 1864. Alexander Mack, must, in Aug. 1, 1864. James Maguire, must, in Sept. 12, 1861 killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Pa., of

;

13, 1862.

1865.

Samuel Strayer, must, 2,

W. Markley, must,

in

Sept.

1861

12,

;

disch.

on surg.

certif.

in Feb. 12, 1804

;

must, out with company July

17,

1864

;

must, out with company July

27, 1865.

March

in

in Oct. Ki, 1864

;

must, out with company July

22, 1804

29, 1864

Charles Sheets, must, in Sept. 17, 1861

George Smith, must,

in Feb. 4, 1864

May

6,

;

;

;

;

;

by G.

0.

June

;

drafted

;

disch.

by G. O. June

March

;

unknown. unknown. of wounds re-

trans, to Co. G, date

;

;

ti-ans.

died

1864

;

May

to Co. G, date 28, 1864,

buried in National Cemetery,

Arlington, Va.

Heni-y Smith, must, in Feb. 15, 1864

James T. McMuUen, must, in Sept. 23, 1864 drafted disch. by G. O. June 2, 1865. Henry McLain, nmst. in Feb. 24, 1864 cuptiircd Aug. 21, 1864 died at Sallsbui-y, N. ('., date unknown. James McClincliey, must, in Jan. 6, 1865. Washington McDade, must, in Sept. 12, 1861 killed at Fredericksburg,

disch.

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps

;

in Sept. 16, 1861

ceived at Wilderness

27, 1865.

;

1865.

Jacob Sweeney, must,

William McKane, must, in 0.

1865.

2,

in Sept. 20, 1864; drafted; disch.

by G. 0.

in Sept. 12, 1801

disch. on surg. certif. Nov. 14,

;

1862.

Wood,

C.

17,

in action

corp., nmst. in Sept.

1864

13. 1861

Sei)t.

died

;

June

6,

1864, of

buried in National Cemetery, Arlington,

;

1801

i:i,

kilU-il at

;

Petersburg, Ya.,

veteran.

;

13, 1861

Joseph Cornog, corp., must, in Sept.

June 17, 1804; veteran. David Kane, corp., nuist. in

Sept. 13. 1861

;

killed at IN-tersburg, Ya.,

Antietam Sept. 17,

killed at

;

1802.

2, 1865.

George Widger, must,

Harry

Grim, corp., must, in

Ya. William Hooker,

June

in action.

B. Williams, must, in Sept. 23, 1864; drafted; disch. by G.

June

J.

wounds received

nuist. in Sept. 12, 1861

disch. on surg. certif. April 28,

;

Samuel Hart,

must, in Sept.

cori>-,

musician March

1863.

Andrew Widger, must,

in Sept. 12, 1861

on surg.

disch.

;

13, 1801

isentenced

;

marshal to Rii>-Raps, Aug. 1862. Edward D. Johnson, musician, must, in April 1,

4, 18)i:t

liy

;

general court-

pro. to jirini ipal

1865.

certif. Oct. 17,

Priniti'S.

1862.

Adam

\V. Yeager, must, in Sept. 12, 1801

July

May

eylvania Court-Honse

;

wounded and prisoner

at Sjwtt-

12,

1801; disch.

mdcr

Ijy

War

uf

;

disch on surg. certif. Feb.

COMPANY

6,

1863.

C.

Recruited in Montgomery County. Allebanp,li,

must, in Aug.

cai)t.,

1861

16,

pro.

;

to lieut.-col.

William F. Thomas,

John

;

nuist.

from Istsergt.

capt., must, in Sejit. 13, 1861; pro.

to 2d lieut. Sept. 10, 1862

1865

;

to Ist lieut.

May

18G4, to capt. April

13,

out with company July 27, 1865. must, in Aug.

J. Freedley, let lieut.,

16.

1861

pro. to regt. q.m.

;

lieut.,

lieut. Oct. 17, 1861

Lyngh,

J.

must, in Aug. 16, 1861

killed at

;

;

Antietam Sept.

must, in Oct.

1st lieut.,

lieut. Sept. 19, 1862

2d

Smith, 1st

II.

lieut.

from 2d

pro.

;

to 1st

wounds received

at Si>ott-

Aug.

lieut.,

1864

8,

must, in Sept. 13, 1861

;

pro.

to 1st lieut. April 25, 1865

;

May

sergt.; to 2d lieut. ;

;

from

sergt. to

must, out with

17, 1865

;

13,

1861

;

from sergt.

pro.

to 1st

must, out with company July 27,

1st sergt.,

May

1865

17,

;

must, in

Sejit. 13,

must, out with

1801

;

pro.

from

company July

sergt.

27, 1865;

Benjamin F. Miller, sergt., nuist. pany July 27, 1805 veteran. Montgomei-y Smith, sergt., must, pany July 27, 1865 veteran.

in Sept. 13, 1861

must, out with com-

;

;

must, out with com"

William M. Bryn, must, in Oct. pany July 27, 1865.

8,

1864

;

nuist. out

Charles Bryant, must, in April

W.

Levi

May

company July 27, 1865. John Biautlinger, must, in Feb.

sergt.,

1865

;

;

,

1865

13,

1861

must, out with

;

company July

nuist,

;

out Sept.

13, 1864,

exp_

of term. 13, 1861

;

must, out Sept. 13, 1804,

exp. of term.

Jacob Brunei', must, in March

25,

1865

Richard Brown, must, in March

Baum, must,

Levi

May

died at Alexandria, Ya.,

;

20,

1864.

2,

in Sept. 13, 1801

John Creamer, must,

in Jan. 20, 1865

Cori'S

Sept.

nuist. out

;

with company July 27,

J.

Cook, must, in Feb. 16, 1865

must, out with company July 27,

;

1865.

Thomas R. Cook, must,

in Sept. 13, 1861

;

nuist. out Sei)t. 13, 1864, exp.

tei'[n.

James Cundou, must,

in .Sept. 27, 1864 21,

must, out with com-

Albert Deeds, must, in Feb. 14, 1865

nuist. out

trans, to Yet. Res.

;

1865.

;

13,

;

disch.

by G. O. June

i

2, 186.5.

1865; substitute.

must, in Sept. 13, 1861

;

disch.

on surg.

certif.,

date

must, out with company July 27,

;

1865. ;

with company July 1861

;

pro,

from corp.

27, 1865

;

to

veteran.

pro. to sergt. -nuvj.

must, in Sept.

Michael Dillon, must, in Sept. 13, 1861 House Slay 12, 1804 veteran.

13,

1801

;

killed at Wildarnes.'?

May

John

T. Davie, must, in Feb. 22, 1864

;

;

missing at Siiottsylvania Court-

March

8,

absent, sick, at must. out.

;

1864; must, out with

company July

27, 1865.

John Darling, must,

1864; veteran.

;

;

Patrick Dillon, must, in

William Eastwood, sergt., must, in Sept. 13, 1801 disch. Jan. in, 1803. Samuel Fair, sergt., must, in Sept. 13, 1861 pro. to 2d lieut. Cu. D Oct., 1861.

must, out with company July 27,

;

6,

1861

nuist. in Sept.

veteran.

Patrick Kevin, sergt 6,

with com-

27, 1865.

Abraham Custer, unknown.

Shingle, sergt., must, in Sept. 13,

Jan. 14, 1865

sulistitute

;

Robert Barclay, must, in March 27, 1865; substitute; must, out with

must, out witii com-

1865; veteran.

17,

1865

;

W'illiam R. Gilbert, sergt., must, in Sept. 13, 1861 sergt.

1,

in Sept. 13, ISOl

;

27,

must, out with company

1864; substitute

Michael Carson, must, in March

;

Peter Undercofler,

;

veteran.

;

8,

of

veteran.

pany July

27,

William F. Black, must, in Oct. pany July 27, 1865.

John

Ramsey,

to Ist sergt.

Anna May

1803.

veteran.

11.

o^

180.">.

;

1865

27, 1864

George W. Breieb, must, in Sept.

17, 1862.

1861; pro. from 2d to 1st

2,

died Jlay 13, 1864, of

company July 27, 1865 veteran. John W. Fair, 2d lieut., must, in Sept.

Nathan

exp.

13, IS64,

missing at North

16, 18(i3;

Christopher Briggs, must, in Sept. 13, 1861

sylvania Court-House.

George

Aug.

Bell, must, in

William Barry, must, in Sept.

Oct. 17, 1861.

Davis Hniisicker, Ist

Thomas

Si-jit.

1865.

April 23, 1805.

24,

Andrew J.

July

27, 1805.

Zeigrist, must, in Sept. 12, 1861

William

must, out

;

1864.

12, 1864.

Joseph H. Zearfoss, must, in Sept. Dept. Jan.

Allen, must, in Sept. 13, 1861

term.

15, 1864.

Charles Yunker, must, in Oct. 27, 1861

John

killed at Petereburg, Ya.,

;

Thomas

in Jan. 12, 1.^05

must, out with coiupauy

;

.Iiily

27J

unknown,

fur

1865.

Henry Davis, must, wounds received

in Sept. 13, 1861

;

discharged, date

4

in action.

Ji

THE GEEAT REBELLION. Saimiel Dean, must, in Sept, 13, 1861 1864

died at Cliarleston, S.

;

C,

Sept. 20,

Jacob Hoover, must, in Sept.

veteran.

;

in Sliirrli 3, 18Ci4

;

died at Alexiindria,

A'u.,

James Hunt, must,

John Duffy, must, in Oct. 11, 18G4; substitute. Reuben De Haven, must, in Sept. 13, 18G1 died

.Itdy

;

Joseph Detwiler, must, in Sept.

13, 1861

l(i,

W.

Davis, nuist. in Sept. 13, 1861

date

discharged,

;

disdi.

;

unknown,

on eurg.

certit.,

date un-

3, iSfi.'.

out with company July

nniht.

;

;

]8i;4;

4,

must, out witli

company

must, in Sept.

in Sept. 13, 1861

must, in Sept.

13, 1861

must, out with ci'Mijiany July

;

niiiet.

;

out with ronipany July 27,

in Sept. 13, 1861

on surg.

disch.

;

certif. Sept. 20,

veteran.

died at Alexandria,

;

A'a.,

July

19,

Emery, must.

P.

iTi

1861

Sept. 13,

Antietein Sept. 17,

killed at

;

1865

13, 1S61

must, out with

;

company July

27,

vetpran,

;

13, 1861

must, out witli company

;

It.

Fox, must, in Sept.

13, 1S61

;

July

March

Henry Jago, must,

wounds received

at

1861; raptured; died in rebel

13,

8, 180:1

iu Sept. 13, 1861

Benjamin Johnson, must, 27, 1805

;

disch. by

;

special order

Nov.

absent, wounded, at must, out;

;

1801; must, out with company

in Sept. 13,

veteran.

John Johnson, must,

in Feb. 14 1865

Edward

must, out with company July 27,

;

C. Jones, must, in Sept. 13, 18(il

Frederick

W.

Johns, must, in Sept

George Kevin, must,

in

July

Jacob Keely, must, in Sept.

1865

27,

;

must, out Sept. 13. ISM, exp.

;

1861; must, out Sept

13.

13,

18r>4,

1863; nuist. out with coiupany July 27,

13,

180-i

Feb, 15. 1864

;

William Keeler, must, in March

Benjamin K(X)ker, must, ]\lay 12,

1864

;

;

;

ls(il

umat. out witli rompany

;

.\.

out with

nnu--t.

;

company July

27,

must, in Feb. 27, 18G5; must, out with company July

27,

18i".4

must, out with company July

;

mis. at SiJOttsylvania,

;

Court

14,

1805

must, out with

;

company July

27,

captured

;

died at Anderson-

;

veteran. 13, 1801

on

disch.

;

W.

Lightcap, must, in Sept. 13, 1S61 July 27, 1805 vetei'tin.

eur. certif.,

must,

;

oiit

with

date un-

company

;

must, out with company July 27, 1865. James N. Latham, must, in March 27, 1805; substitute must, out witb company July 27, 1865. Abraham Lape, nmst. in Aug. 30, 18(J4 substitute must, out with company Jvdy 27, 1865. 14,

1804

;

substitute

;

;

M. Favingcr, must, in Feb. wounds received in action.

Josiah

1864; disrh. July

22,

1865,

for

March, 1863,

for

6,

1861

13,

;

disrh.

William H. Lath,

in acticm.

Mathew Ferrington, must,

in Sept. 13 1861

Fry, must, in Sept. 13, 1861

;

discharged,

date

unknown.

killed in front of Peterebnrg,

;

unknown. nmstered out with company

1861;

13,

Thos.

Franklin Orubb, must, in Sept.

13,

1861

;

must, out with

1,

;

18G1

16,

pro.

;

from

sergt. to

must, out with company July 27, 18G5

;

veteran. M'illiam

Ii.

Hart,

W. Reed,

July

sergt.,

1865

27,

;

I,

pro. to capt.

;

and

.\.

l8G.i.

nnist.

;

out with company

veteran,

July

1865

27,

W.

Thomas

must, in Oct.

sergt.,

nnist.

;

out with com-

;

;

must, out with

company

veteran.

27, 18G5

;

must, out with com-

;

veteran.

Silas

;

on

disch.

surg.

Oct.

certif.

must, in Oct.

Kulp, Corp., must, in Oct. ;

ll'.,

ISGl

;

pro. to

com.

sergt.

1801; must, nut with comjiany July

1864

8,

;

disch.

on surg.

cer-

IG,

1S61

must, out with com-

;

died June

9, 18ii4,

of

wounds

1801; disch. on surg. certif, date

16,

in Oct. 10,1861

regimental band Nov.

trans, to

;

in Sept. 27, IHi'A

drafted

;

;

disch. by G. 0. July 18,

Bidler, must, in .\pril

'asselberry, corp., must, in Oct. 16, 18G1; must, out

pany July 27, 1865 veteran. John J. Scholl, corjJ-. must, in Oct.

with com-

George Bowman, must, in Feb.

16, 1861

July 27, 1865 ; veteran. Joseph Fizone, corp., must, in Oct. 16, 1861 July 27, 1805; veteran.

;

must, out with company

;

must, out with

July

J.

1S64; absent, in hospital, at must.

18,

Boyer, must, in Oct.

27, 18t;5

;

must, out with

ompany

16,

1861

22,

1864; drafted; disch. ou surg.

;

i

veteran.

Darran Blackmore, must, in

Sept.

Dec. 22, 1864.

Frank Bowie,

nuist. in Oct, 13, 1864

Henry Bousman,

Edwin A.

April

substitute

;

;

by G. 0.

disch.

May

27,

1804

iinistered in Sejit. 27,

;

drafteil

;

ilisch.

on surg.

drafteil

;

trans,

to 291st

13, 1805.

Biinous, must, in

James F. Baker, must, in Feb. Jeremiah W. Buck, must, in Nov.

M.

Nov.

26, 1864

Sept.

;

Oct. 16, 1861

;

1865;

must, out with com-

Oct.

Buckies, nmst. in Oct. 16, 1861

Burgert, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

Nov.

1861

115,

;

trans, to reginu'utal

band

;

to regimental

band

trans,

16, 1861.

in Oct.

disch.

;

ISGl

16,

;

on surg.

trans,

certif.,

date un-

to regimental

band

10. 1801.

in Oct. 16, 1801

disch.

;

on surg.

certif.

May

21,

1862.

out

unist. in Oct. 10,

1801

absent, in hospital, at mvist.

;

veteran.

;

Case, must, in Feb.

29,

1864; must, out with company July

27, 18G5.

in

Mar.

1804

8.

;

must, out with company July 27»

1865.

Coyle, nuist. in April

1,

1865

;

must, out with

company July

27,

1865.

Charles Elwood, must, in Oct. 2,

22, 18G4.

16, 1861.

known. James S. Baiid, must,

Thomas company

Martin Hiltner, Corp., must, in July 22. 1863; pro. to corp. April nuist. out with company July 27, 1865.

;

must, out with company July 27,

;

out.

Richard A. Cox, must,

;

John W. Truscott, corp., must, in pany July 27, 1865 veteran.

I8ii5

1,

18G5.

John B.

;

(

Amile

Judson Callendar,

Feb. 26, 1865.

William H. Yerger, corp., mnst. in Oct. pany July 27, 1865 veteran. Arnold

uuist.

John Boadwell, must,

veteran.

Geoi^eS. Casselberry, corp.,mvist. in March tif.

10,

18G1.

16,

17, 18G5

James Bidlack,

Adam

P. Stephens, sergt..

Nov.

in Oct.

:

18('f4.

i!,

John Batman, must, in Feb. 17, 18G4 absent, sick, at must. out. Joseph Batman, must, in Feb. 17,1864; must, out with company July

Jessie

B. Garner, must, in Oct. 16, 1S61

29, 1862.

Samuel

May

Regt. P. Y. Nov., 1864.

16, 1861

Hilner, sergt., must, in Oct. 10, 1861

pany July

uiu>t.

unknown. Samuel G. Arnold, must,

certif.

bSGl

17,

;

George

Harbor June

18G5.

must, in Oct. 16, 1861

James Y. Guyder, sergt., must, in Oct. pany July 27, 1865 veteran. William W. Fiet,

in Feb. 26, 1864

received at Wilderness

certif.

must, in Oct. IG, 1861

1st .>ergt.,

A. G. V. S. Yols. April

Jacob

killed at Cold

;

veteran.

ThomasG. Ashton, must,

Mannjissa must, in Oct.

1st sergt.,

April

sergt.

re-

18G5.

;

ird

wounds

veteran.

;

27, 1865.

must, in Sept.

Henry Jacobs, 2d lieut., must, in Oct. 10, 18G1 pro. from sergt. to 2d lient. Nov. 1, 18G4 must, out with company July 27, I860 veteran. Allan II. Fileman, 2tl lieut, must, in Oct. 16, 18G1 prser, must, in Feb. Sutton P. Kremer, must, in

must, out Ort. 15, 1804, exp.

;

must, in Oct.

on surg.

disch.

;

certif.

May, 1862.

16, 1861.

band Nov.

reg.

to

22,

1864

8,

1864

substitute

;

;

must, out with com-

absent, in arrest, at unister out.

;

Oct. 24, 1862

must, out with company July

;

27, 18(>5.

Sylvanus H. Daub, must, in Feb.

18, 1864

Harbor June

received at Cold

William Dresher, must, in Feb.

June

died

;

27, 1864, of

wound^

William M. Kurtz, must,

1864

18,

William Doyle, must, in March Charles Day, must, in Oct.

died July

;

8,

1864,

wounds

c)f

\\'illungbby Kulp, must, in Oct. 10, 1861 27, 1865

band Nov.

16,

Nov.

16,

wounds

re-

certif.

Jan.

1,

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps

Nov.

6,

(ruus. to regimental

:

!

1861. 16, 1861

in Oct.

nmst. out with company July

;

;

pro. to hosp. stewd.

'

Kepner, must, in Feb.

Nov.

16, 1861

inust. uut

;

Oct. 15, 1864, exp.

26, 1864

2d lieut. U. S. C. troops

pro. to

;

1864.

2,

Richards. Kartsher, must,

1861.

must, out with cumpany July

;

veteran.

of tenn. Aint)S

Martin H. Dunn, must,

;

Frederick Kremer, must, in Oct.

1864.

5,

1861

Hi,

in Feb. 18, 1805

27, 180-,.

3, 1864.

received at Spottaylvania Court-JIoust:, IVIay 12, 1864.

1S65

in .fan. 24,

disch.

;

by G. 0. July

I

Jamea Dulan, must,

in Oct. 16, 1861

disch. .\pril

;

1863, for

1,

ceived in action. IHiil

16,

disch.

;

on surg.

nuist. in Oct. 16, 1861

;

must, in Oct.

16,

1861

disch

;

Nov., 1862, for wouTiiis re-

ceived in action. 31,

186.'i

must, out with

;

company July

27, 1865. ;

trans, to regimental

;

trans,

band Nov.

16, 1861.

in Oct. 16, 1801

to

regimental band Nov.

Franklin, must, in Jau. 28, 1865; must, out with

company July

J.

Faulkener, must, in Sept. 27, 1864

;

drafted

disch.

;

by G. 0. June

16,

1801

;

disch.

on surg.

certif.

June

28,

1863. ;

;

L. Gerhart, must, in Oct. 16, 1801

;

must, out Oct.

15, 1864, exp.

nuist.

in Oct. 19, 1861

uuiat. out

;

Nov.

27, 1864, exp.

1864

8,

7,

substitute

;

1864

Gillesjae, nnist. in Feb. 27, 1864

killed at Petei-sbnrg

;

June

29,

1864 buried in Oth^Anny Cori)K Cemetery, Meade SUition, Va. Washington Griffith, died at Annapolis, Md., .\pril 1, 18ti4. James Gibbons, must, in Oct. 12, 18iVl. Henry M. Groff, nmst. in ()ct. 16, 1861 disch. Jnne, 1803. Sanmei Hendricks, nmst. in Maich 9, 1864 must, out witli company July ;

;

;

27, 1865. 17,

1804

nmst. out with comjiany July 27,

;

substitute

;

in Feb. 6, 1805

David Haas, must, in David Heisey, must,

Oct. 17, 1864 in Jan.

1,

;

disch.

1805

by

(i.

0.

July

12, lSti5.

must, out with company July 27,

;

1865.

;

uui^t. out

with company

out with

must,

company

must, out with

;

company July

Leister, must, in Api'il 3, 1865

must, out witli comp;iny July

;

27, 1865.

May

19,

William H. Lewis, must, in Feb. 2,

1864; disch. by G. 0. 1864

15,

May

15, 1865.

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Feb.

;

1865. S. Lent/.,

muet. in Oct.

16,

1861; killed at Antietam Sept. 17,

1862.

in Jan. 25, 186,i

nmst. uut with conii)auy July

;

27, 1805. 10,

1864; nmst. out with

company July

27, 1805.

Knos G. Minard, must,

in Jan. 10, 1805

must, out with comi)any July

;

27, 1805.

Dwight W. Menell, must,

in Sept. 30, 1804

disch.

;

on surg.

certif.

Dec.

22, 1804.

David Munsick, must, in Oct.

16, 1861

C. Millhouse, must, in

Nuv. July

;

on surg.

disch.

Oct. 16, 1861

certif.

Feb.

4,

trans, to regimental

;

1863-

band

16, 1861.

Samuel McClennan, must,

1865.

must, out with company

;

27, 1865.

Joseph

Milton Heller, nmst. in Oct.

company July

July 27, 1865.

Peter L. Miller, nmst. in March

of term.

in Feb.

16,

1864; nmst. out with company

27. 1865.

Samuel McCarter, must,

in Feb. 12, 1864

must, out with

;

company July

27, 1865.

Robert Heddifln, must,

in Jan. 25, 1865

;

nmst. out with company July

27, 1865.

James Home, nmst.

in Feb. 22, 1864

;

nuist.

out with company. July 27,

1865.

George K. McMiller, must, July 27, 1805. (Christ.

Mc(.'orniick,

tnust.

in Feb.

in

16,

1804; must, out with company

Nov. 28,

18til;

must, out Nov. 27, 1864,

Oct.

1861

died at Norristown, Pa.,

exp. of term.

Ephraim Home, must,

in

Feb. 28, 1865

;

must, out with lompany July

27, 1865.

Reuben McKeever, must, in March 17, 1864 vetei-an.

16,

;

;

Holler, nmst.

pany July

nmst. out with

;

27, 1865.

Rruno Maudley, nmst.

of term.

William Gerbait,

John

July

Henry

27, 1865.

nmst. out with company

27, 1865.

Christian Loch, must, in

Jacob Fisher, must, in Oct. 16, 1861 disch. on surg. certif. Oct., 1862. Wm. H. Griffiith, must, in April 1, 1862 must, uut with company July

Samuel

July

Benjamin

2, 1865.

Daniel Frease, must, in Oct.

Henry

Lewis, nmst. in Feb. 15, 1804

jLMemiah Lemkuhl, 'must,

27, 1865.

Wm.

W.

Frederick Lemkuhl, must, in Jan. 25, 1865;

10, 1801.

;

27, 1865.

Hiraui Lewis, nmst. in Oct.

John W. Eaip, must,

substitute

;

27, 1865.

Oliver Lewis, must, in Oct.

Alex. D. Earls, must, in Oct. 10, 1861

Wm.

July Gi'orge

Kobert Evans, nmst. in March

Vet. Res. Corps Nov. G,

in Oct. 10, 1861; trans, to

1863.

Charles Law, must, in Oct. 12, 1804

1803.

trans, to Vt-t. Res. Corps Oct.

;

1804.

6,

Nathan Kulp, must,

1862.

Samuel G. Daub,

5,

1865.

IJenneville Kulp, must, in Feb. 16. 1804

Jesse Derough, must, in Oct.

Thomas Deiner,

16,

1861.

27, 1865.

Isaac DetwiUM-, must, in Oct. 16^ 1861

in Oct, 16, 1861

William Jackson, must, in Oct.

;

Alexandria, Va., grave 3218.

Samuel Dresher, must,

1865; veteran.

27,

iti

lHii"i.

Od.

14, 1804; substitute; must, out with com-

William Mclntire, ville.

nuist. in Oct.

Ga., April in,

I.S04,

16,

1801

grave 401.

;

capturtd

;

died at Andei-son-

TPIE James HcGIincby, must, in Jan. 6, 1865. trans, Robert McGee, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

GREAT

Corps Nov.

Nov.

6,

trans,

;

Vet.

to

Corps

Res.

must, in Sept.

—

1861.

,

1865

must, in Feb. 20, ISC-f

absent, in arrest, at muster

;

out.

Abraham

must, in Aug. 24, 1804

Pilkington,

absent, in

;

arrest, at

muster out. "U'illiam I'yk'. must, in Jan.

1865

2ti,

must, out with company July 27,

;

1865.

1865

1,

must out with company July

;

1865

Keerl, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

must, out with

;

company July

in Feb. 14, 1864

must, out with company July

;

27, 1865.

Rambo, must,

C.

in

June

1861

1,

drafted

;

by G. 0.

disch.

in Oct. 16, 1861

disch.

on surg. certif. Oct., 1862. on surg. certif. Feb. 28,

;

27, 1865

veteran.

;

must, out Oct. 15, 1864,

:

Oct. 16, 1861

iu

drowned by sinking of West

;

Point, Oct, 20, 1862.

battles

which the

in

Fifty-first

Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers participated from its first entrance on the field to its retirement from

in Jan. 20, 1805. in Oct.

li">,

1801

trans, to regimental

;

band Nov.

camp-life, Roanoke Island, Februan* 7 and 8, 1802 Newbern, N. C, March 13. and 14, 1862 Camden, N. C, April 19, 1802 Bull Run, Va., August 29 and 3t», 1862; Chantilly, Va., September 1, 1862; South Mountain, Septeml>er 14, 1862 Antietam, September 17 and 18, 1862 Fredericksburg, December 12, 13 and 14, 1862 Vicksburg, Miss., June 16 to July 4, 1863 ; Jackson, Mise., July 8 to July 18, 1863 Campbell's Station, Tenn., November 16, 1803; Knoxville. Tenn., November 17 to Becember 5, 1863; ;

Jarrett D. Scholl, must, in Oct.

pany July 27, 1805. James Shorthill must, in Oct. pany July 27, 1805. Frank Sherer, must, in Oct. pany July 27, 1865. Daniel Smith, must, in Oct.

14,

1864

VJ.,

substitute

;

must. outVith com-

;

;

substitute

;

must, out with com-

;

substitute

;

must, out with com-

14, 18t;4

F. Sayres,

;

;

;

;

;

14, 1804

1804

substitute

;

must out

;

witli

company

;

Wilderness, Va., 3Iay

Cold Harbor, Va.,

27, 1805.

must, in Sept. 23, 1864

drafted

;

;

disch.

by G. 0. June

2,

August

18,

road, Va.,

1865.

Franklin Schreck, must,

in Sept. 23, 1804; drafted; disch.

by

June

G. O.

1805.

1864

Petersburg,

;

14,

1864

substitute

;

;

disch.

by G. O. June

disch.

by G.

1805.

6,

May

1804; Spottsylvania, Va.,

31 to

June

8,

1864

1864

21,

;

November

— Kelly's

must, in Sept. 22, 1864

drafted

;

;

June

O.

June

Shuler, must, in Sept. 29, 1864; drafted; disch. by G. 0.

2, 1865.

V. Syock, must, in Sept. 27, 1S64

drafted

;

;

disch.

by G. 0. June

Shaeffer,

May

must, in Jan. 25, 1865; died

4,1805; buried in

Natioual_Cenietery, .\rlington, Va. Shultz, must, iu Oct. 10, 1801

Jacob Sassaman, must, in Oct.

known. Samuel Taylor, must,

10, 18G1

in Feb, 16, 1804

Antietam Sept. 17,1862. to 2d U. S. Cav., date un-

killed at

;

trans,

;

;

must, out with company July 27,

Samuel D. Torrence, must,

in Oct. 16, 1861

must, out Oct. 14, 1864

;

;

exp.

of term.

Albert Teaney, must, in Feb. 15, 1864

John Time, must,

in Oct. 14, 1864

;

disch.

by G.

substitute

;

;

0.

disch.

June 3, 1805. by G. O. June

1864; Weldon Rail-

;

;

;

;

;

;

November 15, 1803 Tenn., December 16, 1863

;

Lenoir, Tenn.,

November

15,

1863

Blain's Cross-Roads, Decemberl

;

Rutledge,

PopGrove Church, 1864 Bethesda Church, 1864; Peeble's Farm, 1864; Ream's Station, 1864 Weldon Railroad, 1804 besides a large number of minor importance, of which there are memoranda. ;

8,

1863

;

Below

is

;

a perfectly reliable statement of the dis-

by the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, by marches, transports and railway, as taken from a diary, tances

traversed

from Harrisburg to Annafrom Aquia Creek to Fredericksburg, 15 miles from Bealtun to Culpepper Court House, Va., 15 miles; from Fredericksburg to Aquia Creek, 15 miles from Baltimore, Md., to Paris, Ky,, 778 miles irom Nicholasville, Ky., to Cairo, 111., 508 miles from Cairo, 111., to Nicholasville, Ky., 508 miles from Knoxville to Loudon, Tenn,, 28 miles from Nicholasville, Ky,, to Bridgeport, Pa., 789 miles; from Bridgeport, Pa., to Harrisburg, Pa., 95 miles; from Harrisburg to Annapolis, Md., 123 miles; from Washington, D. C.^ to Harrisburg, 124 miles; from Harrispolis,

Md., 123 miles

to Harrisburg, 95 miles

;

;

;

;

5,

1865.

;

;

;

Charles Thompson, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

Nov.

;

trans, to regimental band,

10, 1801.

Peter Urbine,

nmst. in Oct. 16, 1861

James Waddle, must,

in Oct. 12, 1864

unknown.

died, date

;

;

s\ibstitute

;

must, out with company

27, 1865.

Jacob Wheatley, must,

in Jan. 26, 1865

;

must, out with company July

27, 1865.

Adam Wentzel, ;

must, in Oct. 16, 1861

;

muwt. out with company July 27,

veteran.

Howard Wilson, must,

must, out with company July

;

burg to Bridgeport, 95 miles: total by rail, 3311 miles. By transj»ort8 from Annapolis to Fortress Monroe, thence to Roanoke Island, to Newbern, to landing at Albemarle Sound, back to Newbern, to Hatteras Inlet, back to Newbern, to Newport News, to Aquia Creek, to Baltimore, from Cairo to Vicksburg and back to Cairo, from City Point to Washington, from Washington to Alexandria total, 5390 miles. By marches, total, 1738 miles by water, total, 5390 miles by railway, total, 3311 miles,^ ;

;

aggregate, 10,439 miles.

Wicks, must,

in Feb. 29,

1864; must, out with company July

27, 1805.

Jonathan Wilier, must, 27, 1805

;

:

in Feb. 20, 1864

27, 1865. S.

;

;

From Bridgeport

1865.

19,

Rappahannock, 1802 Warrenton, Sulphur Springs, Va., November 16, 1862 Sulphur Springs, Augnst 24, 1862 Upperville, Va. 1662 Fairfax Court House, 1802 Big Black, Miss., July 6, 1863; Jackson, Miss., July 7, 1863 Loudon, 1862

lar

1865.

12 to 14, 1864;

29, 1864, to April 2, 1805.

Ford, 1802

Tenn.,

2, 1805.

May

Petersburg, Va., June 16 to

Hatcher's Run, Ya., October 27, 28 and 29,

;

Shiftier,

;

1864; Yellow Tavern, Va., August

August

Skirmishes.

Joseph Seylor, must, in Oct.

Jacob K.

;

16, 1861; disch.

must, out with com-

;

1861.

William

;

;

absent at muster out.

;

substitute

;

exp. of term.

Henry Reinhart, must, Benjamin Rolen, must,

1805

27. 1804

William Workizer, must, in Oct. 16, 1861 trans, to regimental band, Nov. 16, 1861. William Wise, nmst. in Oct. 16, 1861 died Nov. 1802, Joseph C. Young, must, in Oct. 16, 1861 must, out with company July

Below are the

pany July 27, 1865. William H. B. Ramsey, must,

July

Widgei-, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

William White, must, in Oct.

John M. Young, must,

Eraatus Robb, must, in Oct. 13, 1864

July

25,

Va.

20, 1864; must, out with company, July

27, 1865.

Henry

by G. 0. June

disch.

;

;

Frederick Reigle, must, in Feb.

Henry

in Oct. 10, 1801

veteran.

;

1863.

with couipany July

in Feb. 26, 1864; must, out

William O. Rider, must,

2,

27,

;

veteran.

27, 1805.

Henry

company July

must, out with

June 2, 1865. Henry White, must, in Oct. 16, 1801 died at Washington, D. C, of wounds received in action, July 5, 18G4. Charles Wagoner, must, in Feb. 15, 1864; killed at Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865 buried in 9th Army Corps Cemetery Meade Station,

Mark ;

George M. Reed, must,

George

;

Alexander Woodward, must, in Sept.

27,

1865.

Edwin W.

5,

in Jan. 25, 1865

:

Patrick Quinn, must, in April

2,

1861; must, out with company

1865.

Samuel D. Weidner, must,

186a.

16,

veteran.

;

James Wyatt, must,

Hugh McGucken, George W. Neece,

John

27, 1805

6,

1863.

Francis McFaddeo, must, in Oct. 16, 1861

1C-,

221

George D. Williams, must, in Oct. to Vet. Res.

;

Joseph

REBELLIOxNf.

:

veteran.

in Oct. 10, IfSOl

;

NoTEl.

—

" Headquartees Department of the Tennessee, " Vicksburg, Miss., July

must, out with company July

" In returning the Ninth Corps

to

its

fonner command,

31, 1863. it is

with

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

222 pleasure that the general

commanding acknowledges

its

valuable services

camimign Just closed. Aiming at Vicksburg, opportunely taking position to hold at bay Johnston's army, then threatening the forces investing the city, it was ready and eager to ai«ume the aggressive at any in the

moment. "After the fall of Vicksburg it formed part of the army which drove Johnston from his position near the Big Black Kiver into his intrenclinients at Jackson, and after a siege uf eight days compelled him to fly in disorder from the Mississippi Valley. "The endurance, valor and general good conduct of the Ninth Coips are admired by all, and its valuable co-operation in achieving the final

triumph of the campaign

is

gratefully acknowledged by the

Army

of

the Tennessee. "Major-General Parke will cause the differeut regiments and batteries of his command to inscribe upou their bannera and guidons Vicksburg '

and Jackson.' " By order of

Bowers

'T. S.

"Major-General U. .!.

A.

S.

Grant.

Ailjiitant-General.''''

nock by men of the Fifty-first illustrates the fact " The best of feeliug was expressed by both jiarties, and if a stray hog should by chance come within sight both Reb and Yank would start off in pursuit of the porker, and catch and slaugliter it, and then divide it equally between them with many jocular remarks about the mode of

The commencement of cessation living that each army was subject to. of hostilities by both sets of pickets began with hallooing to each other, then with tlie poking up of heads above their rude bre;istworks, and then by exposing themselves outside of the works, finally feeliug some confiaence in each other, and no shots being fired along either line, they be-

gan by advancing towards one another. Between the two picket-lines flowed a stream of water this was the Kappahannock of the two parties; when both parties met near the stream the following introductory re;

took place, the Rebs asking " 'Hallo, Yanks, what regiment? " raMi— 'The Fifty-fii-st Pennsylvania.' :

"Eeb

—'D — good buys, — 'Say, Johnnies, what regiment^?' too.'

" Yank

*'Be6— 'Eiglity-eighth Tennessee, Second Georgia and Fourth sippi.'

—

" Tank

Missis-

We've met you chaps before."' several times come across the creek.' " Tank — Can't see it will you reach your hand out *Ye8, here; give us your hand; now, jump!' and over one ^' Jieb »

'

Beb— 'Y'es,

;

'/

—

*

;

went, and in a few minutes the Fifty -first boys were on the rebel side, in return the rebels came over to our side, and all the civilities of an

and

enlightened race were extended to one another,

"The fire a

pickets of both lines

gun

made a

treaty

between themselves not

to

at each other during that relief, which would be until four

o'clock the next morning, and with true faith was

though the

flag of truce expired at 5 p.m.

fired until the

it

carried out, al-

There was not a solitary shot

next relief was put on the next uinrning."

Colonel Boltou made a farewell address to his comin the following order, as published to the

mand

regiment " HEAnQUARTERS 5l8T REGT. P. V. V. "ALEXANnaiA, Va., July 2lj, 1865. *'

Ojicers

and men of the

" In a very few days

!*Ut Eegt.

P^n.

Vet.

VoU.

)

f

:

Our mission armed hosts of the enemy no longer defy us, our long, fatiguing marches and hard fighting aud weary watching for the enemy, day and night, are things of the past. Y'ou have, by your has been

fulfilled,

this organization will cease to exist.

the

patriotic devotion, assisted in establishing a country, one, grand, glorious

aud indeed free. For nearly four years I have been associated with you, and for over one year of that time I have had the honor to be your commander. I would not be doing myself or you justice without giving expression to my feelings. A thousand thanks are due to buth officei's and your prompt obead. On the 27th it movetl to the right, where a deadly conflict was raging, and was thrown forward to the as.sistance of Porter's troops. It crossed the Chickahominy and came under fire of the enemy at Oaines' Mill. Forming in line of battle, the command covered the withdrawal of the troops, and at midnight silently recrossed the Chickahominy. Here began the memorable " change of base," in which it was the arduous duty of Sumner's corps to cover the rear of the retreating army. The post of honor and of danger the rear of the rear-guard was assigned to the Third Brigade. At Peach Orchard, on the 29tli, it participated in a fierce engagement, in which a number of casualties occurred, but none were killed. Immediately after the close of the action General Sumner rode up and complimented the regiment for its bravery, sayiug, " You have done nobly, but I knew you would do so." Moving to Savage Station, Sumner made another stand to check the enemy. The I'cgiment occupied a position in a wood, parallel to the railroad, and was fortunately favored by the high-ranged shot and shell of the

—

—

rebel artillery. After a short but desperate encounter the enemy withdrew, and at midnight the line of retreat was silently resumed.

The march now began 1

Organization of

tlie

to test the

endurance of the

Tliird Brigade (Brigadier-General

William H.

Frencli), Finst Division ^Major-General Israel B. Richardson), Second

—

Corps (3lajur-General E. V. Sumner). Fifty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel John R. Brooke Fifty-second Regiment ;

New York New York New York

Frank Paul Fifty-seventh Regiment Volunteers, Colonel Samuel K. Zook Sixty-sixth Regiment Volunteers, Colonel James C. Pinckney Second Regiment Delaware Volunteers, Colonel Henry W. Wharton Battery B, First New York Artillery, Captain Rufus D. Pettit. Volunteere, Colonel

;

;

;

;

in

became one fraught with

situation

small brigade, standing fearlessly alone

midnight darkness, was holding

at the

in check,

almost

point of the bayonet, one-half the rebel army,

temporarily attached to the Fifty-third for the purposes of

drill,

discipline

and camp duty,

command

of Major Octavius S. Bull,

promoted

to

fill

under

the vacancy occasioned by the death

of Major Y'^eagher, Colonel Brooke being in of the brigade

all

who had been

command

and Lieutenant Colonel McMichael ab-

sent on account of sickness.

Moving barked

for

via

Yorktown

to

Alexandria, where

Newport News, it

it

em-

arrived on the 28th,

and encamped on the following day at Lee's Farm, near the Aqueduct Bridge. The cannonade of the contending forces at Bull Run was distinctly heard, and the men were eager to again meet the foe. At two A.M. of the 30th, in light marching order, the command moved towards Centreville. But the battle had been fought, and Pope's army was retreating to the defenses of Washington. Reaching Centreville on the 31st, it was promptly deployed in line of battle, protecting the exposed flanks of the Union army. Here again Sumner's corps was interposed between

the

enemy and our

retreating troops.

Near Vienna

the regiment, and one section of a battery were thrown forward on the Leesburg turnpike to guard the flank

of the column against any sudden attack of the enemy. A force of rebel cavalry made a dash upon the Uuion troops between the pike and Chain Bridge, entirely separating the regiment from the main column.

Colonel Brooke, seeing the danger and the difiiculty way through, moved his command at

of cutting his

double-quick down the pike and thereby insured

its

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

224

enemy discovered the manwuvre. it rejoined the army at Tenallytown. On the 11th, General French, who had endeared himself to the troops of his brigade, was assafety before the

On

the 3d of September

command of a division, and was succeeded by Colonel Brooke. The enemy wa.s now marching into Jlaryhmd, and signed to the

the Third Brigade

moved

rapidly through Washing-

ton to Frederick, and thence to South

where

it

was held

moved

in

Mountain,

reserve during the battle.

On

during the morning with the enemy's cavalry, drove him through Boone.sboro' and Keedysville, and encountered his army in strong force on the highlands beyond Antietam Creek. The following day was occupied chiefly the 15th

it

in pursuit, skirmishing

in manojuvring for position, the regiment being under artillery fire

and suftering some

A.M. of the 17th the regiment

casualties.

left

its

At

four

position on the

Keedysville road, and moving a mile to the right, crossed Antietam Creek at a ford.

It c>ccupied

the

regiment proceeded to Falmouth, where it arrived on the lyth, and performed provost guard duty until the 11th of December, when it left quarters and took position nearly opposite Fredericksburg in support of the batteries that were engaged in bombarding the town. Early on the 12th it crossed the rive!', and, forming a skirmish line, drove the enemy'ssharpshooters out of the city, with the loss of one mortally wounded, when it was relieved, and rested for the night on the river-bank. Early on the morning of Saturday, the 13th, under a dense fog, the regiment marched into the city and halted for half an hour under fire of rebel artillery. The fight was opened at the front, near Marye's Heights, by French's division, which was repulsed. Soon after the Third Brigade, led by the Fifty-second, moved, amidst a shower of deadly missiles, by the right flank, up St. Charles Street, and formed in line of battle along the edge of the town. The rebel infantry, but a few hundred yards in front, was prf)tected by a stone wall along a sunken road, while, immediately above, the hill-tops were bristling with cannon. At the word of command, Colonel Brooke, at the head of his regiment, led the charge, under a storm of shot and shell that swept the ranks with terrible effect. But, undismaj'ed, they closed up and pressed steadily on till they reached a position within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's lines, which was held, despite every effort to dislodge them, even after their ammunition was spent. At evening, when the battle was over and the day was lost, what remained of the regiment retired silently from its position and returned to the city. It went into battle with two hundred and eighty-three effective men. Of these, one hundred and fifty-eight were either killed or wounded. Among the former were Lieutenants Cross, McKiernan and Kerr, and the latter. Captains Coulter and Eichholtz and Lieutenants Potts, Root, Hopkins and

In front was the extreme right of the division. "sunken road" occupied by the enemy's first line. His second line was protected by a stone wall on the hill beyond. To the right and rear was an orchard, immediately in front of which was the cornfield where, subsequently, the battle raged with great fury. It was important to drive the enemy from t'nis position, and the Fifty-third was chosen for the charge. Changing front to the rear, and advancing at double-quick, in a short but desperate contest it drove him from his well-chosen ground. The regiment was subsequently engaged in the hottest of the fight and shared the varying fortunes of the day. The position gained was of great importance, and was held with tenacity until the regiment was ordered to the support of a battery. Lieutenant Weaver, of Comjjany K, a brave young officer, was mortally wounded. The loss in killed and wounded was twenty-eight. On the 22d it forded the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, Smith. and encamjied on the following day on Bolivar The regiment now returned to its old position as Heights. Here the wasted energies of the troops were provost guard to Falmouth. On the following week recruited, and full rations and clothing, which had it formed part of a detachment, under command of been much needed, were furnished. On the 16tli of Colonel Brooke, that crossed the river, under a flag October it participated, under command of Major of truce, for the purpose of burying the dead. During Bull, in a reconnoissanceto Charle.stown, skirmishing the two days occupied in this work nine hundred and with and driving the enemy and occupying the town. thirteen were interred and six were dispatched to Captain Miutzer,of Company A, was appointed provost- their friends. The rebel soldiers had strijiped the marshal of the place, who at once instituted a search, bodies of the dead in a most heartless manner. In and captured a number of prisoners. The object of many eases fingers were cut off to get possesion of the reconnoisance having been accomplished, the rings. The Fifty-third remained at Falmouth until command returned to camp. Moving from Bolivar February 1, 18133. While here three companies, under Heights on the 30th of October, it crossed the Shenan- command of Major Bull, were detailed as provost doah River, and proceeded down the Loudon Valle}', guard at division headquarters. The major was participating in a skirmish with the enemy on the assigned to the staft' of General Couch, and remained 4th at Snicker's Gap, driving him out and occupying it successively with Generals Couch, Hancock, Hays, until the column had passed. It arrived at WarrenWarren, and again with Hancock in the Wilderness ton on the 9th, when General Burnside assumed campaign, until the 18th of May, 1864. command of tlie Army of the Potomac, and proOn the 28th of April the regiment moved on the jected the movement upon Fredericksburg. The Chancellorsville campaign, and, crossing the Rappa-

THE GREAT REBELLION. hannock

at

United States Ford,

for three

days was

actively engaged, suffering considerable loss.

the withdrawal of the army

it

returned to

Upon its

old

camping-ground near Falmouth. On the 14th of June the Fifty third, which was now attached to the Fourth Brigade of the First Division of the Second Corps, left camp, and marched to Banks' Ford to watch the movements of the enemy, who was about entering on his Pennsylvania campaign. Withdrawing from the ford when it was found that the rebel columns had passed, the command moved forward with the army, and on the 20th made a forced march to Thoroughfare Gap, where it remained in pcjsition until the 25th,

when

the

enemy

attacked, driving in

the pickets, and, as our column had

now

command was withdrawn. Marching

rapidly towards

Gettysburg,

it

arrived

upon the

passed, the

field at eight o'clock

225

where it went into camp. In the toilsome campaigns which followed, ending at Mine Run, the regiment participated, encotintering the enemy at Rappahannock Station and at Bristow, and losing some men. It went into winter-quarters at Stevensburg, where the men re-enlisted, and on the 27th of December proceeded to Harrisburg, where they were dismissed for

Upon their return to the army they again encamped near Stevensburg, in their old a veteran fiirlough. quarters,

where they remained

until the

opening of

the spring campaign.

On

the 4th of May,

1S(;4,

the regiment broke camp,

and, crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, marched to Chancellorsville. On the following day it moved

forward and confronted the enemy in his earth-works, and again on the 6th was engaged, but without serious

At evening of the 9th

loss.

Po

it

moved forward

to the

on the morning of the 2d of July, and took position in rear of the line of the Third Corps, then forming. Later in the day it moved to the left, near Little

several hours, resulting in considerable loss to the

became hotly A rebel battery, posted upon an eminence wheat-field, had become very annoying to

conmiand, but, owing to the woods and undergrowth taking fire from the explosion of the shells, without any decided advantage. Late on the evening of the

Round Top, and engaged.

beyond

a

at three o'clock p.m.

which

and

once met the enemy, the contest being continued with spirit for River,

it

crossed,

at

Colonel Brooke led a charge, in the face fire, to capture it or drive it away. At the word of command the men dashed forward, and, with loud shouts, drove the enemy, scattering

11th, withdrawing from its position on the Po, proceeded about six miles towards Spott-sylvania.

and gained the position. The lines upon and left had failed to advance as far, and, discovering that the enemy was taking prompt ad-

Second Corps upon the strongly fortified position of the enemy. Advancing silently until within a short

our troops. of

its

destructive

his ranks,

his right

vantage of his fearfully exposed flanks, the colonel reluctantly ordered his men to retire to his first position, which was executed, but not without serious loss. On the 3d the regiment was under a heavy In this artillery fire, but was not actively engaged. battle the command was much reduced in number, three companies being

still

on detached duty, and

the remainder having but one hundred and twenty-

Of

number, only forty-five escaped uninjured. Six were killed, sixty-seven wounded and six missing. Of the latter were Captains Dimm and Hatfield and Lieutenants Pifer, Shields, Root, Smith, AVhitaker and Mann and Sergeant-Major four men.

this

Rutter.

Remaining upon the battle-field until noon of the the regiment marched in pursuit of the retreating enemy, and arrived on the 11th at Jones' Cross-Roads, near which the rebel army was in position. In the

r)th,

evening

advanced in line, driving back the enemy's skirmishers, and during the following night threw up breast-works. On the 14th it was deployed in line at right angles to the Williamsport road, and advanced cautiously, only to discover that the Rebels had vacated their works and fled. After remaining for

it

a few days in Pleasant Valley,

it

crossed the

Potomac, and, marching down the Loudoun Valley, made descents upon Ashby's and Manassas Gaps, passed White Plains, New Baltimore and Warrenton, and arrived on the 1st of August at Morrisville, 15

There, on the following morning, in readiness to join in the

it

it

stood in column

grand charge of the veteran

distance of his works, the well-formed lines rushed forward with wild hurrahs, and, in fiice of the desperate defense offered, carried the jiosition, capturing an entire division. No more brilliant or decisive charge was made during the campaign than this. Captain Whitney and Lieutenant Foster were among the killed. Colonel Brooke was promoted to brigadier-general soon after this engagement. Major Bull to lieutenant-colonel,

and Captain

Dimm

to

major;

subsequently, upon the muster out of service of the

Captain William M. Mintzer was made major. The regiment remained in the vicinity of Spottsylvania, throwing up earth-works at different points and almost constantly under fire, until the 25th of May, when it crossed the Pamunkey, thence to Tolopotomy Creek, and on the 2d of June arrived at Cold Harbor. It was pushed close up to the enemy's entrenched line and immediately threw up breast-works. At five latter.

morning of the 3d a furious but fiitile was made to drive the enemy from his position. Two other gallant charges were made, wherein men never marched to death with stouter hearts; but all o'clock on the effort

in vain.

severely.

In these charges the Fifty-third suflered General Brooke, commanding the brigade

was severely wounded by a grape-shot in the hand and thigh. Captain Dimm and Lieutenant Pifer were also severely wounded. On the night of June 12th the regiment marched, and, crossing the Chickahominy and James Rivers arrived on the evening of the 16th in front of Peters-

226

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. In the afternoon a charge was ordered upon

of April, and was at the front on the day of the sur-

the enemy's strong works, which was galhintly exe-

render of the rebel army. Encamping for a short time near Burkesville, it proceeded from thence, through Richmond and Fredericksburg, to Alexandria, participated in the grand review of the armies at Washington, on the 23d of May, and wiis finally nuistered out of service on the 30th of June, 1865.

burg.

cuted, but was repulsed, the Fifty-third losing in this

On the 22d an attempt was made to establish a new line, which proved alike unsuccessful. For several weeks digging and the construction of defensive works constituted the principal occupation of the troops. On the 26th of June the regiment moved with the brigade to the right of the line, beyond the James River, and for two weeks was engaged in promiscuous skirmishing along the rebel works, after which it returned to the neighborhood of Petersburg. On the 12th of August the command again returned to the left bank of the James, where it skirmished heavily with the enemy until the 21st, when it recrossed the Jame-s and the Appomattox, and, passing in rear of the army to the extreme left of the line, commenced demolishing the Weldon Railroad, near Ream's Station. Five miles had already been destroyed when the enemy appeared in force, and a line of battle was ha-stily formed to repel his advance and protect the working-parties. His first charge was gallantly reBut reforming and massing his troops in pulsed. heavy columns, he again struck with overpowering force upon the Union lines, and was partially sucBut his advantage was cessful in breaking them. gained at a fearful cost, and he was finally forced to abandon the contest, and the Union forces retired to their lines in front of Petersburg. During the autumn and winter months the regiment was engaged in severe duty in the front lines before the besieged city. On the 18th of September, Colonel McMichael having been discharged upon the expiration of his term of service, Lieutenant-Colonel Bull was promoted colonel. Major Mintzer lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Philip H. Shreyer major. In November, upon the muster out of service of the colonel, LieutenantColonel Mintzer was made colonel. Captain (teorge C. Anderson lieutenant-colonel, and Captain George D. Pi far major. On the 28th of March, 1865, the regiment moved on its liist campaign, proceeding directly to the Boydton Plank-Road, where, on the 31st, it was briskly engaged. The Fifth Corps was now actively employed in ])ushing the enemy from his foot-hold about Petersburg, and in this the Second Corps was called to its In the operations at Five Forks the regiment aid. joined, charging the enemy's lines, driving him in conftision, and taking possession of a portion of the South Side Railroad. In this engagement Major Pifer led the Fifty-third, Colonel Mintzer having been jilaced temporarily in command of a detachment skillfully deployed to deceive a division of the enemy and prevent him from changing his position. For the success attained in this service Colonel Mintzer was promoted brevet brigadier-general. Following up the retreating enemy, the regiment participated in the desperate struggle nearly seventy men.

capture of his wagon-trains at Deep Creek, on the 6th

FIELD AND ST.\FF OFFICERS. .UAui R. Brouke, col., must, in Nov.

1«G4; to brev. nijy.-geu. .\ug.

William M. Mintzer,

June

to maj.

1804

M,

:

March

to brev. brig.-gen.

;

12,

pro.

;

from capt. Co.

A

1804

1^, 180.^

col. Oct. 30,

to

;

must, out with regt. June

;

186.').

Richards McMichael,

May

certif.

George

lieut.-col.,

must, in Nov,

1801; lUsch. on surg.

7,

10, 1804.

C. .-Vnilerson, lieut.-col., must, in Oct. 29, 1801

K

Co.

to maj.

Sept.

out with regt. June 30, 180.n. maj., must, in Nov.

June

June

to maj.

George D. Dec.

killed at Fair Oaks, Va.,

;

1804

13,

must, out Nov.

;

maj., must,

Pifer,

1804;

17,

\

capt. Co.

col. Sept, 18,

1804, expiration of term.

1,

in Oct. 10, 1861

Charles P. Hatch, adj., must, in Nov.

from

pro.

;

capt. Co.

1801

7,

on surg.

disch.

;

I

certif.

must, in Sept. 18, 1801; pro. from private Co.

adjt.,

Dec. 24, 1803

sergt.maj.

from

pro.

;

May

must, out with regt. June 30, 1805.

;

July 24, 1864. Samuel H. Rutter,

1801

18,

1802; com. lieut.-col.

2,

not mustered

;

capt.

1804; must.

10,

1802,

1,

Octaviua Bull, mty., must, in Sept.

1804

1801

7,

from

pro.

;

1864; to lieut.-col. Nov.

.20,

Thomas Yeager, S.

18, 18f)l

lieut.-col. Sept. 29,

to

May

pro. to brig. -gen.

;

18G4.

must, in Sept.

rol.,

1862

2,

1801

5,

1,

and

to lieut.

;

on detached service in V. R. Jacob Rice, q.m,, must, in Nov.

C. at must, out 7,

1861

1864

Sept, 5,

ad.jt.

A to

absent

veteran.

;

must, out Oct.

;

;

1804,

12,

ex-

piration of term,

Theophilus T, Davis, q,m,, must, in Nov, I

to com. sergt. Dec. 24, 1803

;

must, out with regt. June 30, 1865

George W. Jackson, surg,, must, in Feb, Aug, 12, 1804.

W.

Spayd, surg., must, in Oct.

29, 1804;

;

j

veteran,

;

John Fromberger, surg., must, in Nov. 7, 1801 M. J. McKinnon, surg,, must in Feb, l.-i, 1802

Charles

pro. from private Co. and q,m, Oct, 31, 1804

1801

4,

to Isi lieut,

1,

1802

;

disch.

on surg.

from

asst. siu-g.

pro.

;

Jan, 20, 1803.

res,

1863

24,

Jan, 28, 1862,

res,

;

;

certif.

Aug.

must, out with regt, June 30, 1805,

William B, Wynne,

asst, surg,,

must, in Nov.

7,

1801

pro, to surg, 159th

;

Regt, P, V, Oct, 29, 1802, J. P. Burchtield,

P. V. April

as.st.

surg,, must, in .Vug, 1, 1802

pro. to surg. 83d Regt.

;

1803.

3,

Jacob C. Oatchell,

surg., must, in Oct, 17, 1804

usst,

;

nuist,

out with

regiment, June 30, 1865.

Daniel Barber, chap,, must, in Nov, J.

R, Taylor Gray, chap,, nnist, in

ment, June

Thomas

7,

1801

June

res, .Tuly 7, 1862,

;

16,

1865

must, out with regi-

;

30, 1805,

Iteifsnyder, sergt, -ma,i., must, in Nov,

1801

7,

pro, to 1st lieut.

;

Co. D, Dec. 14, 1802.

G.

W,

Butterworth, sergt, -maj,, must, in March

Co. G, .lune 12, 1805

Levi

;

2,

1864; pro; from sergt.

must, out with regiment, June 30, 1805 ; veteran.

J. Fritz, sergt, -maj.,

must, in Dec. 22, 1803

;

pro. to 2d lieut. Co.

A.

Oct. 8, 1804.

M. M. Brannock, April

7,

1865

sergt. -maj. , must, in Dec. 22, 1863 ;

trans, to Co.

;

K,

veteran.

Albert H, Hess, sergt, -maj,, must, in Dec. 22, 1863

June 12, 1865. Mahlon S, Ludwig, q,m. -sergt., must, Co. B. March 1, 18li3, John S, Weand, q,ni, -sergt,, must, in

pro. to 2d lieut, Co.

;

E,

Co. A, Nov,

John W,

1,

1804

;

Nov,

7,

1801

Sept, 18, 1801

Riley, q.m. -sergt., must, in Feb, 29, 1804

June

0,

;

pro. to 2il lieut.

pro.

;

from private

must, out with regiment, .Tune 30, 1805.

q.m.-sergt. Dec. 23, 1864

G, 0.

in

;

trans,

pro,

;

from

from 140th Regt. P. V.

;

sergt. to

disch.

by

1805.

Lewis R. Bland, com.

sergt,,

must, in Nov.

7,

1861

;

pro, to 2d lieut, Co.

B, April 28, 1862.

Thomas

E. Clark, com, sergt., must, in Sept, 18, 1861

Co, A, Dec, 10, 1864 J,

;

Wilson Baruett, com, t,T,

S.

colored troops.

;

pro,

from private

absent, on furlough, at muster out, sergt,,

must, in Nov.

5,

1861

;

trans, to 10th Regt.

THE GREAT REBELLION. Bei^aiuiD J. Gushing, com. sergt,, must, in Oct. 29, 18C1 Co. G, Sept. 21, 1804 veteran.

pro. to 2d lieut.

;

;

W. W.

Deutler, com. sergt

H, Dec.

1804

8,

Albert Lorenz,

must, in Nov.

liosp. Stewart,

1801

7,

Foltz, hosp. steward, must, in Oct. 10, 1861

Nov.

I,

John

pro. to

;

lieut. Co.

2il

Nov,

nulst. out

;

7,

expimtion of term.

1804,

John H.

must, in Oct. 23, 1861

,

16, 18*54

from private Co.

pro.

;

must, out with regiment, June 30, 1805

;

Caldwell, principal musician, must, in Oct.

musician Co. H. Nov, 1865 veteran.

1,

1804

veteran.

;

1861

2.'i,

pro. fi-om

;

must, out with regiment, June 30,

;

Privaiea.

Joseph Ashdale,

veteran.

;

227

;

June

in July 21, 1804; sulistitute

PhiUp Brown, nmst. in Sept. company, June 30, 1866.

1804;

3,

substitute;

A.

Recruited at Pottstown, Montgomery County. S. Octavius Bull, capt., must, in Sept. 18, 1801

William M. Mintzer,

June

to capt.

1802

2,

must, in Sept.

capt., ;

lieut, Se])t.

1864

John

1804

;

1801

18,

to Ist lieut.

Oct.

1802

on snrg.

disch.

;

July

certif.

;

Oct. 8, 1804

Juno

J. Fritz, 1st lieut.,

1804

15, 1865

;

;

must,

company June

June 1,

30, 1805

1804

1804

1,

30, 1865

1st sergt.

Nov.

Nov.

1804

Joseph Spang, April

Jonas Brickart,

1861

lieut. Oct. 30,

9, 180;J

1864

pro. to corp.

;

to sergt.

;

pro. to corp.

;

;

;

to sergt.

;

to sergt.

;

;

;

;

must, out with company

June

must, in Sept.

sergt,,

1861

18,

;

Harbor June

sergt.,

must, out Nov.

;

sergt.,

3,

must, in Sept.

pro.

;

from private

1861

18,

1804

7,

to

;

18,

;

pro.

from private

to

Sept.

1861

18,

1864

10,

;

must, out Nov.

7,

1864,

substitute

;

Beeker, must, in Aug. 27, 1804

by G. 0.

disch.

;

May

substitute

;

;

disch.

by G. 0.

disch.

by G. 0.

31, 1865.

Boston,

C.

must, in Sept.

ISM

1,

substitute

;

;

31, 1865.

in

Aug.

1864; substitute; disch. by G. 0.

24,

May 31, 1805. W. Bechtel, nmst. in March 1, George W. Beard, must, in Dec. G.

1864; died

March

28, 1866.

22, 1863 died of wounds received at Spottsylvania Court-Houso Jlay 12, 1864 ; veteran. Franklin Belle, must, in March 17, 1865; killed in action, Aju-il ;

Michael Boyer, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 not on muster out roll. Jacob K, Boyer, must, in Sept. 18, 1801 not on muster out roll. Owen Boyer, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 not on m\istor out roll. Milton Brant, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 died Dec. 6, 1861 buried ;

18,

1861

company June

30, 1865

roll. 1,

Counterman, must, in Aug.

pro. to corp.

;

killed in

;

died while prisoner, date

unknown

;

Fredenck Boyer,

,

must, in Sept. 18, 1801

coriJ.,

;

captiu'ed

must, in Sept.

;

18,

;

not on muster-out

;

out with company June 30, 1805

18, 1861 ;

1865

6,

;

must, out with company Jnue

;

in Sept.

18, ;

18,

;

pro.

3,

must.

from private

;

;

30, 1865.

disch.

by G.

May

0.

substitute

;

;

disch.

31,

by G. 0.

;

pro. to

com.

sergt. Dec. 10

veteran.

1864

;

in Sept. IS, 1801

;

killed at Cold

Harbor June

veteran.

George Comfort, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 died Sept. Military .\sylum Cemetery, Washington, D. C, ;

Elhannan Cook, must,

in Sept. 18, 1861

in Sept. 18, 1801

Benjamin Day, must,

in Feb. 22, 1804

18,

1862

;

buried in

not on muster-out roll. not on muster-out roll.

;

;

;

must, out with

;

company June

30,

1805.

veteran.

1861

;

1865.

William Carr, must, 1861

ISIH

7,

E. Clark, must, in Sept. IS, 1801

Samuel H. Campbell, must,

roll.

not on muster-out

from private

pro.

substitute

;

1805.

1804

roll

veteran.

Franklin Detwiler, mus., must, in Sept. nmst. out with company June 30, 1865

Thomas Donohoe, mus., must,

;

;

;

May

May 31,

roll.

Jonas W. Burns, nms., must, in Sept

;

;

roll.

not on muster-out 1801

must, out with company June

;

.Tames Cane, must, in Sept. 3, 1864

Thomas

not on nuister-out

;

Corp., must, in Sept. 18, 1861

Gausline,

pro. to corp.

veteran.

Cornelius U.xley, Corp., nuist. in Sept. 18, 1801

George Sheets, corp.

;

;

A. Clark, must, in July 18, 1803 wounded May 12, 1864 absent muster out. McClure Cowen, must, in March 4, 1864 wounded June 7, 1864 absent at muster out. William Crane, must, in Sept. 18, 1863 prisoner from Oct. 26, 1863, to

George W. Carpenter, must, in Sept.

Josiah Godshall, Corp., must, in Sept. 18, 1861

;

2.% 1863

;

;

;

roll.

absent, on furlough, at muster

30, 1865.

;

1801

;

1, 1804.

at

;

18,

June

Thomaa

18, 1801 ; pro. Corp. Jan. 1, 1805 must, out with conipany, June 30, 1865 ; vetei-an. John H. Fryer, Corp., must, in Sept. 18, ISOl killed at Cold Harbor Juno 3, 1804; buried at National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. veteran.

James McFarland, Corp., must, in .Sept. action March 31, 1865 veteran.

in

out. J. B.

veteran.

;

;

not on muster-out

1801; pro. from Corp. to

pro. to Corp. Oct 1, 1864

;

in .Ian. 19. 1865

Collins Boyer, must, in

not on muster-out

;

;

James Brady, must,

Patrick Collins, must, in Aug. 24, 1863

Benneville Harp, Corp., nuist. in Sept.

not on muster-out

James R. Dye, must,

in

Aug.

13, 1862;

must, out with company June 30,

1865.

roll.

.\yer9,

30, 1865

in

must, in Aug.

veteran.

died April 31, 1865.

;

Corp., must, in Sept. 18, 1861

must, out with

John

1864,

4, 1865.

;

David Houck,

W.

7,

Military .\sylum Cemetery, Washington, D. C.

Christian G. Lessig, corp., must, in Sept. 18, 1861 ; pro. to corp. Juiy 1804 ; wounded Nov. 4, 1864 ; absent at muster-out veteran.

Charles

out Nov.

must,

;

;

veteran.

;

must, in Sept.

unknown

captured, date

;

Joseph Davis,

31, 1865

must, in Sept.

sergt.,

killed at Cold

Edward K. Weand, sergt.

March

killed in action

William H. Graham, sergt.

1801

18,

;

Shingle, sergt, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 ;

1864,

;

30, 1805

1864, exp. of term.

W.

7,

;

William P. Yergey,

sergt.

in Sept.

must,

Henry Benner, must,

veteran.

George

must, out with company

;

31, 1865. S.

May

Nov.

veteran.

pro. to Corp.

Be

20, 1865

1865.

Thomas

EUet Aug.

Seiple, must, in

30,

1864

substitute

;

;

disch.

by G. 0.

May

31, 1865.

in Jan. 17, 1863

must, out with company June

;

1865.

:jO,

Jan.

Thomas A.

out.

1865

;

;

30, 1865.

1865

30,

in Aug. 24, 1863

company

must, out with

;

1,

absent, in hospital, at muster

;

out.

1,

from q.m.-sergt. to

\8U

1,

to capt. April

;

from

in Sept. 13, 1863

llouse yiay 12, 1864

wounded

;

at Spottsylvania Court-

1861

1,

1861

7,

res.

;

Feb.

lieut.,

must, in Dec. 22, 1863; pro. tocorp. May must. to 2d lieut. Feb. 13, 1865

Dec. 18, 1864

;

;

;

veteran.

not mustered

;

1861

;

;

must, out Nov.

1864

7,

let sergt., must, in Oct. 30, 1861

wounded

at

exp. of term.

;

pro. to 1st sergt.

;

May

Court-Houee

Spottsylvania

John Chrisman, sergt., must in Dec. 24, 1863 captured at June 22, 1864 disch. June 21, 1865, to date May 8, 1865; ;

must, out Nov. 1864, exp. of

1861;

18,

term. in Sept. 18, 1861

must, out Nov.

;

exp. o

1S(;4,

7,

1865

in Feb. 24, 1864

disrh. by special order

;

veteran.

;

company June

30,

veteran.

W. Millard, sergt., must, in Dec. 24, 1863 ; pro. to corp. Nov. 1, 1864; to sergt. April 25,1865; must, out with company June 27,

Nov

1865

25, 1804.

Mrthlon V. Smith, must,

in Sept, IS, ISiU

"William Smith, must, in Aug. 24, 1803

;

not on muster-out

David

roll.

disch. by G. O. :May 31, 1865.

;

Jacob Bower,

;

mond,

;

nnist. in Sept. 18, 1861

Henry Seward, must,

in Sept. 2, 1864

not on muster-out

;

not on muster-out

;

substitute

;

;

1864; pro. from private to sergt.

must, in Oct. 30, 1861

sergt.,

;

;

;

sergt.,

must, in Dec. 24,

Va., Nov. 30, 1864

;

Jaeob Taney, must, in Sept. IS, 1861 not on muster-out roll. Elias I'rsner, must, in Aug. 22, 1864 substitute disch. by G. 0.

18(>.3

;

May

veteran.

John Dolby, corp., nmst. in Dec. 25, 1863 absent, sick, at innster out veteran.

31, 1S65

;

disch.

by G. 0. June

must, in Aug.

Welt'/,,

1864; wounded in action March

Samuel Lacy,

;

corp., iuut.t. in Dec. 24, 1863

must, out with company June 30, 1865

James

1864; substitute; absent, sick, at

1864;

;

;

pro. to corp. Nov.

1,

1864

;

veteiuu.

;

May

pro. to corp.

;

must, out with company June 30, 1865 ; veteran. pro. to corp. May corp., must, in Dec. 14, 1863 ;

must, out with company June 30, 1865 veteran. Henry Hahn, corp., must, in Dec. 24, ISKi; pro. to corp.

1,

1,

1865;

30,

1865

;

May

Albert Hoffman, Corp., must, in Dec. 24, 1863; pro. to corp. ;

must, out with comi)any June 30, 1865

Samuel W. Kerst,

1,

1865

;

veteran.

Corp., must, in Oct. 30, 1861

1,

veteran.

;

must, out Nov.

;

May 7,

1864

;

exp. of term.

muster out.

George W. Williams, must, in Feb. 22, 18C4 must, out with company June 30, lSi;5. James Weakley, must, in Feb. 25, 18()4 wounded June 16, 1864 absent ;

;

;

Jacob Zerger, Corp., must, in Oct. 30,1861; must, out Nov.

7,

1864;

exp. of term. Curtis

M. Supple,

corp., must, in Dec. 24, 1803

;

captured

;

died at Mil-

len, Ga., Dec. 8, 1864; veteran.

at nuister out.

William Weakley, must, absent at muster out.

in

Feb.

1864; wounded Aug. 14, 1S64

16,

;

George W. Mills, corp., must,

wounds received

W. Willard, must, in Aug. 15, 1863; absent, sick, at muster out. Edwiird Warley, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 nuist. out Nov. 7, 1864 exp.

Charles

;

;

Levi Walleigh, must, in Sept.

18, 1861

must, out Nov.

;

7,

1864; exp. of

in Dec. 24, 1863

at Cold Harbor, Va.,

Cem., Arlington, Va. veteran. Augustus Wert, corp., must, in Dec.

June

;

died 3,

June

1864

;

19, 1864,

of

buried at Nat.

;

wounds received

of terai.

lington, Va.

;

in action

March

24, 1863 31, 1S65

;

;

died

June

11,

1865,

of

buried in Nat. Cem., Ar-

veteran.

Caleb H. Bland, musician, must, in Dec. 24, 1863; must, out with com-

term.

John Wabl, must,

in

Aug.

24,

1864

;

substitute

;

disch. by G. 0.

May

31,

1:S65.

John Ward, must, in Sept. 6, 1864 substitute. John S. Weand, nuist. in Sept. 18, 1861 pro. to ;

pany June 30, 1S(>5 veteran. William O. Beard, musician, must, in Dec. ;

pany June

;

q.m.-sergt. Nov.

1,

30,

1865

;

24, 1863

;

nmst. unt with com-

veteran.

1864; Privates.

veteran.

Abraham Wean,

3,

must, in Dec. 24, 1863

Kelley, corp.,

T.

1865

1865

14, 1865. lit,

March

pro. to corp.

;

nmst. out with company June

31, 1865. 1,

captured; died at Rich-

;

;

;

March

1864;

veteran.

Samuel Hall,

1865.

'Wandler, must, in

7,

;

disch. by G. O.

;

;

must, out Nov.

;

;

May

Thompson, must, in Sept. 5, 18G4 substitute; must, out with company June 30, 1865. Nathan Trine, must, in Feb. 10, 1864 prisoner from June 22 to Nov. disch. by G. O. June 22, 1865. 20, 1864 Levi Trine, must, in Sept. 17, 1863 must, out with company June 30,

Frederick

4,

Charles Langle, corp., must, in Dec. 24, 1863 pro. to Corp. May 1, 1863 i wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864 absent at nmster out;

roll.

roll.

I860. J.

Jan.

in

must, out with company June 30, 1865.

;

of term.

ex[».

:

Siissaman, must, in Sept. 18, 1861

veteran.

Richard Moyliii,

;

Jacob Shaneloy,

;

Bless, sergt., must,

April 25, 1865

Samuel Sebohi, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 not on mustei-out roll. Harvey Skeam, must, in Sept. 18, 18(il not on muster-out roll. Hubert Summers, must, iu Sept. 18, 1861 not on muster-out roll. Francis Schick, must, in Sept. 18, 1861 not on nnister-out roll.

AVilliam

Petei-sburg

William

term.

Augustus G. Straub, must,

David

May

1864

12,

Jaciib N. Engbretli, sergt., must, in Dec. 24, 1863; pro. to corp. Feb. 10,

1864; to sergt. .\pril 25, 1865; must, out with

Morgan Snyder, must,

Andrew

1862

1,

from com. -sergt.

pro.

;

;

absent at muster out.

;

Peter Seashult/., must, in Sept.

31,

2d

absent at muster out.

Henry Smith, nmst.

Andrew

sergt. to

must, out with com-

;

Dec. 17, 1862.

res.

;

pro.

;

L. Hoopes, 1st sergt., must, in Oct. 30, 1861; com. 2d lieut. Oct

1863

Bernard Boner,

Elias Swartzlander, mu&t. in Feb. 29, 1864

must, in Nov.

lieut.,

to sergt.

;

to 1st lieut.

veteran.

;

out with company June 30, 1865

Henry

Edward Sanbowrn, must, June 30, 1865.

1864

from 2d

pro.

;

March

Roberts, 2d lieut., must, in Sept.

April 26, 1862

1,

1861

7,

to 1st lieut.

to 1st lieut. April 20, 1805

;

Calvin B. Selheimer, 2d

Jacob Smith, must, in April 17, 1863 absent, sick, at muster out. George Saulentine, must, in Aug. 17, 1863 must, out with company June

;

pro.

;

disch. Sept. 13, 1864.

;

must, in Dec. 22, 1863

lat lieut.,

1,

Lewis R. Bland, 2d

Frederick Sherman, must, in Sept. 18, 1863; absent, sick, at muster

Ist lieut. to

absent, without leave, ht muster out.

;

pany June

Edward Spangler, must,

1863

1,

1862

6,

must, in Nov.

cai)t.,

March

Brown,

L.

lieut.

must, in Feb.

to capt. Oct. 1, 1863

Ludwig,

S.

lieut.

from

pro.

;

res. Sept. 30, 1863.

;

capt.,

;

April 26, 1862.

res.

;

Eicholtz, capt., must, in Aug. 19, 1861

capt. April 26, 1862

must, out with company June 30,

;

roll.

B.

must, in Aug. 17, 1861

S. Potts, capt.,

M.

G. C.

veteran.

;

not on muster-out

;

Recruited in Chester and Montgomery Counties.

2-1,

William S.

18, 1861

COMPANY

roll.

pro. to sergt.-maj. Dec.

;

1863.

Augustus

229

must, in Sept.

18, 1861

;

not on muster-out

E. Williams, must, in Sept. 18, 1861

;

roll,

not on muster-out

roll.

aiichael Albright, must, in Jan. 14, 1864 30, 1865.

;

nmst. out with

company Juno

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

230 John Aiichey, must,

in Feb. 12, 1864

;

must, out with company June 30,

Belts, must, in Sept. 1, 1863

;

absent, sick, at muster out.

1865.

William

must, in Feb.

Bottroff,

1864

25,

company June

DiU8t. out witb

;

Austin Grove, must, in Oct

30, 1SI15.

Court-IIouse

in Oct. 15, 1802

May

John Borland, must,

12, 1864

wounded

drafted;

;

Spottsyhania

at

in Oct. 31, 1864

;

must, out with company June 30,

in Oct. 30, LSGl

;

must, out witb coinpaiiy June 30,

Briggs, must, in April 15, 1865

Dorance Burdick, must,

June 30, 1865. Emanuel Bowers, must,

must, out with company June

;

April

in

1865

15,

must, out with compjiny

;

in Nov. 12, 1S62

;

drafted; must, out Oct. 12.

Feb. 24, 1864; captured

in

;

drafted

;

mustered out with

;

1865. in

Elhannan Hahn, must,

died at Andersouville

;

Aug.

1863

2'J,

drafted

;

absent, sick, at muster

;

in Feb.

1864

6,

must, out with company June

;

Nov.

in Oct. 30, 1861; must, out

in Nov.

John B. Holden, must, not on muster-out roll

;

•

10, 1864.

March

must, in Feb.

Co.-i,

muster

mtist. in Oct. 10, 1863

company June 30, Heniy Hi-lman, must,

1864; exp. of

7.

1,

1862; diufted

must, out Jan.

;

2,

1865,

8,

1865

31,

absent

;

in Oct.

nuL-it.

3,

drafted

;

drafted

June 28, 1865. John Clapham, must,

by G.

in Oct. 21, 1864; drafted; disch.

must,

;

by G. O. June

disch.

;

;

0.

disch. by G. 0.

;

drafted

otit

with company June

30, 1865.

June

;

;

disch. by G.

16,

0., date

unknown. William H. Hutton, must, in Feb. 4, 1864 captured dird at Florence, S. C, Nov. 15, 1864. George Heasteley, must, in Feb. 24, 1S64 died at (.'ity Point, Va., June ;

in Feb. 25, 1864

by G. O. June

1865.

Tobias P. Hecker, nmst. in Oct. 22, 1863

out.

William A. Chestnut, must,

disch.

;

16, I860.

wounded March

;

substitute

;

1864

Josiah Howe, nuist. in Aug. 18, 1868

2, 1864.

1864

in Oct. 21, 1864

16, 1865.

Elijah B. Heston,

Baidenstine, must, in

;

;

Crissy, must, in Feb.

9, 18ii4

drafted

;

must, out Oct. 16, 1864

;

;

exp. of term.

18, 1864.

Daniel Heller, must, in Jan.

must, in Sept. 22, 1864; drafted: disch.

l>y

0. 0.

May

31,

May

31,

1865.

Harrison Cook, nnist. in Sept.

1S64

21,

drafted

;

disch.

;

by G. 0.

1865.

14, 1864

killed at Spottsylvania Court-

;

House May 12, 1864. Edward Hall, nmst. in March 23, 1864. John Jones, must, in Oct. 30, 1861 must, out Nov.

7,

;

1864,

exp. of

term.

Joseph A. Coons, must, in Sept.

19,

1864

di-afted

:

;

disch.

May

by G. O.

31, 1865.

G. Craig, must, in Oct. 30, 1861

must, out Nov.

;

7,

1865

;

exp. of

James Johnson, nmst. in March 8, William Kennedy, must, in Nov. company June 30, 1865.

Abraham

term.

William Canvell,

njust. in Oct.

Florence, S. C, Nov. Crishard, must, in

George Dailey, must, in June 30, 1865.

1863; drafted; captured; died at

15,

March

21, 18(;4

not on muster-out

;

Oct. 3, 1864; drafted

company

;

;

;

1864; substitute; must, out with

1,

Kibler, nuist. in Feb. 25, 1864; drafted; must, out Nov. 27,

in Jan. 14, 1864

nuist.

killed near Petersburg, Va.

;

Oct. 28, 1804.

roll.

must, out with

;

1864.

1864, exp. of term.

George B. Kupp,

I8i>4.

1,

James Deckert, must, in Aug. 28, 1863; drafti'd must, out with company June 30, 1865. John Davis, must, in Oct. 30, 1861 must, out Nov. 7, 1864 exp. of term.

Daniel Kcslinger, must, in Jan.

House May 12, 1864. Charles Lackmau, must, 30, 1865

;

1864; killed at Spottsylvania Court

1,

in Dec. 24, 1S63

must, out with

;

company Jinie

veteran.

Koscue N. Lee, must, in April

15,

1865

company June

must, out with

;

30, 186.5.

Mablon Doan, must,

in Oct. 30, 1864

G

substitute; disch. by

;

0.

June

16, 1865. ;

;

;

vania Court-House Alfred Eaby, must, ;

May

12, 1864

absent at muster out.

.

in Feb. 26, 1864; discli.

in Oct. 20, 1862

di-afted

;

;

Francis Little, must, in Feb. 24. 1864

must, out December^

on surg.

disch.

;

certif.

Dec. 7,

Daniel Lob r, must, in Oct. 15, 1862; must, out Nov. 14, 1864, exp. of term.

William

F.

Loughridge, must, in Oct.

1864

3,

drafted

;

;

disch. by G. 0.

12, 1865.

Peter Lohr, must, in Nov.

1,

1862

drafted

.

;

died at Johnstuwn, Pa., Oct.

5, 1864.

nuist. in Feb. 1,

1864

disch.

;

by G. 0. June

James F. Logue, must,

20, 1865.

in Sept. 21, 1864

Peter Fogenroth, must, in Oct. 15, 1862 ; drafted wounded at Petersburg June 18, 1864 disch. Sept. 14, 1861 ; exp. of term.

William Legau, must, in April

William U. Fulton, must, in Feb.

Daniel Missinger, must, in Feb.

;

;

1864

22,

;

absent, wuunded,

at

muster

out.

Va,

;

drafted

;

died near Petei-sburg,

Jan. 26, 1865. 13, 1864. 1,

1864

drafted

;

;

absent, sick, at muster

out.

Michael F. Fryer,

luust. in

Feb.

1,

1864

;

out witb company .Tune

mui^t.

30, 1865.

George Fisber,

by G. 0. June 16,

1864.

June

exp. of term.

George Fuster,

William H. Leonard, must, 1865.

John Pressler, must, in Feb. 26, 1864 killed in action near Petersburg June 16, 18(;4. Thomas Dunn, nnist. in April 22, 1864 not on muster-out roll. John Day, must, in April 26, 1864; not on muster-out roll. M'illiam Eymer, must, in Aug. 18, 1863; drafteif wounded at Spottayl'

Henry

C. Miller, must, in April 7, 1864

;

must, uut with companj' June

30, 1865. nuist. in Sept. 27,

1864

drafted

;

discli.

;

by G. 0.

May 31,

186.5.

Fogle, must, in Feb.

IG,

1864

;

drafted

Juno 14, 1864 grave 2143. Samuel Freed, mtist. in Oct. 15, 1862

;

died at Alexandria, Va.,

;

drafted

dersonville, Ga., Nov. 8, 1864; grave 11,016.

FinU-y, must, in Feb. 13, 1864.

John Myers, uuist. in Oct. 26, 1864 substitute must, out with company June 30, 1865. lYancis M. May, uuist. in Sept. 1, 1.S63 drafted absent, sick, at muster ;

;

;

;

out.

;

John

must, out with company

;

exp. of term.

William Brady, must, in March

Cless,

William U. Henley,

Andrew Hay, must

veteran.

John

absent, sick, at muster out.

;

drafted

;

term.

in Nov. 26, 1862. William E. Beals, must, in BJarch 31, 1864

1864

1864

;

Henry Henry, must,

Sept. 4, 18(>4.

Henry

1863

1,

absent, sick, at muster out.

;

26,

June 30, 1865. Moses Gilbert, must, in Feb. 22, 1864 absent, sick, at muster out. Samuel Guistwite, must, in Aug, 9, 1862 must, out Nov. 3, 1864, exp.

died at Andersonville

JohnH. Browne, must,

John

Gates, must, in Feb. 26, 1864

William Garberick, must, in Feb.

30, IsOo.

A. Bowerman, must, in Feb. 16, 1864; captured

George

com-

out.

exp. of term.

;

Jacob Boyer, must, Nov. 4, 1864.

Franklin

must, out with

;

of term.

30, 1865.

1864

substitute

;

;

1865.

Anthony

28, 1864

30, 1865.

Philip Glesner, must, in Sept.

absent at muster out.

;

1865.

Edward Bland, must,

Samuel

pany June

Thomas

out.

John Baker, must,

;

;

Josiah Beam, must, in Aug. 20, 1863; drafted; absent, sick, at muster

at

;

;

Henry A.

John

William Fury, must, in April 22, 1864 not on muster-out roll. Michael Fulton, must, in April 22, 1864 not on muster-out roll. Aaron Good, must, in Oct. 27, 1864 substitute must, out with company June 30, 1S65.

;

captured

;

died at

An*

Morris Mock, mu,st. in 5Iarrh

22,

1864

;

nmst. out with company

June

30, 1865.

Ignatz

Sillier,

must, in Aug. 10,

l8r>3

;

drafted

;

absent, sick, at mu.ster out.

THE GREAT REBELLION. Joseph Mock, must, in March

1864 ; disch. by G. 0. June 16, 1865.

17,

Maims, must, in Aug.

Jl'-iiiy

22, 1863; dnifteil

discb. by G. 0.

;

;

Joseph Snowden, must, in Sept,

March

M. Millard, must, C.Nov. 21, 1864.

in Feb.

21, 1864.

1864

1,

captured;

;

dii^d at

Salisbury, \.

;

sick, at

;

William V. date

sick, at

;

McGowan, must,

Dec.

in Oct. 15, 1S62 drafted

disch. on surg.

;

1864.

2,

1,

1864; disch. by

Isaac Niiniller, must, in Oct. 15, 1862

drafted

;

O.

ii.

June

28, 1863; drafted; disch.

1864

1,

captured

;

0.,

1862; drafted

in Oct. 15,

;

died

May

17, 1864,

12, 1864.

James Swan, must, June

died at Salisbury, N.

;

at uuister out.

John Parks, muat.

March

in

1864

25,

drafted; must, out with

Aug.

28, 1863

drafted

;

must, in April

bury, N. C, Nov. S.

1804

6,

drafted

;

captured

;

Wickline, must, in Feb.

6,

1864

uuist.

;

out with company June

William Wolf, must, in Aug. 29, 1863; drafted: must, out with company June3 0, 1865. Boyer A. Whipple, must, in .\ug. 20, 1863 dratted must, out with

company June

1864

1,

drafted

;

by G.

disch.

;

May

O.

drafted

;

Jacob J. AVebb, must, in Aug. 20, 1803 drafted wounded at Spottsylvania Court-House May 12, 1864 absent at muster out. ;

John Petenuan, nmst. in Aug. 28, 1862 substitute disch. by G. O., date unknown. Nathan Keeder, must, in Oct. 2, 1864 substitute must, out with company June 3(1, 1865. John Ueiley, must, in Oct. 22, 1864; substitute; absent, wounded, at ;

;

Philip Wiler, nmst. in .\ug.20, 1863

Court-House

May

1864; drafted

1,

7,

Amos

1865.

John II. Randall, nuist. in pany June 30, 1865. John Roof, must, in Aug. June 30, 1865.

Oct. 14, 1863

drafted

;

1863

;

drafted

lJ3 John S. Surver, q.m. -sergt., must, in Aug. 18, 1862; pro. to 1st lieut. :

Abner Auman, must,

;

A March

pro.

;

must, out with regiment June Davis H. Slisainier, com. sergt., must, in .\ug. 25, 1802

Aug. 22, 1804. Samuel T. Schofield, com.

from

Aug. 25,1862; disch. on surg.

in

H

Samuel Baker, must,

must, out with company June 9,

in .\ug. 25, 1862

;

must, out with comjiany June 9,

1805. sergt.,

must, in .\ug. 18, 1802

A

trans, to Co.

;

Zacharius Bowman, must, in Aug. 25, 1862

must, in Aug.

sergt.,

4,

1862

disch.

;

on surg.

;

must, out with

;

;

;

;

;

COMPANY

Thomas Boyd,

must, in Aug.

2r>,

1862

on surg.

disch.

;

William

Bach, must, in Aug. 25, 1862

P.

received at Gettysburg July

disch.

;

May

disch.

;

Joseph B. Clark, must, in Aug.

;

9,

1st lieut.,

must, in Aug. 25, 1802

to 1st lieut. Dec. 25, 1802

q.m. Oct.

;

pro. to 1st .sergt. Doc.

;

must, out with company June

0,

nmst. in Aug. 25, 1862

lieut.,

June

1,

must, in Aug. 25, 1802

1st sergt.,

1805

;

1,

1S03

Pa., July

1803;

2,

Richard W. Missimcr, ;

tiiins.

Dec.

sergt.,

1804

1,

;

25,

1862; disch. on surg.

certif.

Feb. 18,

William Cummings, must, in Aug. 25, 1802; disch. Aug. 27, 1862. Joseph Derolf, must, in Aug. 25, 1802; nmst. out with company Juno

9,

1863; com. 2d

Aug.

25, 1802

;

1865

unknown

;

H. Malhberger, 1,

sergt.,

nmst. out with

company

nmst. in Aug. 25, 1862; pro. to sergt. July

;

pro.

from corp.

to sergt.

disch.

on surg,

must, in Aug. 25, 1802

pro. to

;

com.

sergt.

with company June

9.

25, 1862

pro. to corp. Dec.

;

1,

1805. ;

i>to.

to corp. Jan.

1,

1863

;

absent, sick, at muster out.

must, out with

company June

9,

corp., must, in

Aug.

;

pro. to corji.

Aug.

15,

1805.

Jacob G. Focht, coi-p., must, in Aug. 25, 1862 must, out with company June 9, 1805.

;

pro. to corp. Dec.

1,

1804

;

Aug. 13, 1863, for

1863. pro. to q.m. -sergt.

1863.

G. Miller, curp., must, in Aug. 25, 1862; disch. on surg. certif. 1865.

must, out with company June 9,

Ellis,

must, in Aug. 25, 1802

;

must, out with

company June

9,

Fnllert.m, nmt^t. iu Aug.

.\.

2.5,

1802; disch. Aug. 30, 1802.

Gehris, must, in .Vug. 25, 18G2

S.

wounded

;

unknown

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, date

;

at ;

Gettysburg

.Inly 2,

disch. by G. 0. .lune

29, 1805. ;

disch.

on surg.

certif.

Dec. 25,

1802. in

Aug.

25, 1862; pro. to principal

musician Marcli

19, 1804.

Geoi"ge

W.

Nov.

19,

Geigei*,

must, in .\ug. 25, 1862

;

died near Fahnouth, Va.,

29. 1862.

F. Guss, must, in .\.ug. 25, 1862; died near

Falmouth, Va., Dec.

1862.

William Gray, must, in Aug. 25, 1862. Henry G. Heist, must, in Aug. 25, 1802

June

nmst. out with company

;

1805.

John H. Hoffman, must, in Aug. 25. 1862; mvist. out with coinjiany June 9, 1865. Henry Hoffman, must, in Aug. 25, 1862 must, out with company June ;

9,

25, 1862; disch.

wounds received at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, John C. Missimer, corp., must, in Aug. 25, 1862;

8,

Henry

9,

Daniel M. Engle, corp., must, in Aug. 25, 1802

1,

Fnincis

Henry

1865.

William Brooke,

William

John Green, must,

1864.

nuist. out

;

Daniel Guldin, must, in Aug. 25, 1862

Peter G. Skean, corp., must, in Aug. 25, 1862

;

Endy,. must, in Aug. 25, 1862

1803

0, 1865.

must, in Aug. 25, 1802;

Harrison F. Ludwig, corp., must, in Aug. ;

1804.

Henry

Franklin Fry, must, in Aug. 25, 1862.

1865.

0,

;

9,

;

;

disch.

William II. Large, corp., must, in Aug. 25, 1862 must, out with company June 9, 1865. Charles Childs, corp., must, in Aug. 25, 1802; must, out with company

Juno

J. B. Dnuuheller, nmst. in Aug. 25, 1862; wounded at Gettysburg July trans, to A'et. Res. Coi-ps March 15, 1864. 2, 1803 Thomas Derolf, must, in Aug. 25, 1802 died at Philadelpliia July 18,

1805.

must, in Aug. 25, 1862

sergt.,

'J,

at Gettysburg'

Dec. 25, 1862.

certif.

company

Elijah Derolf, nmst. iu Jan. 11, 1865; must, out with

.Iiiue 9,

1805. iu

must, out with company June

;

George L. Keifsnider,

Sept.

sergt.,

wounded

to Vet. Res. Corps; date

nmst. out with com])any June

George Hanes,

1,

not nmst.; nmst. out with company June

by G. O. June 30, 1865. James M. Engle, sergt., must, June 0, 1865. 1803

and

pro. to corp. Sept.

;

July

to 1st sergt.

;

David Q. Geiger, sergt., must, in Aug. 25, 1802

Feb.

.\.ug.

1865.

1802; to sergt. Jan.

lieut.

pro. to Ist lieut.

;

1802.

1,

Samuel D. Neiman,

James

must, out with couipany June

;

1805.

George R. Clark, 2d

Aug.

25, 1862

1863.

1865.

1803

25, 1862.

1865.

William Carr, must, in

;

Feb. 14, 1803.

1802

;

28. 1865.

.\mos Brooke, must, in .\ug. 25, 1862.

;

J.

1864. of wounib*

3,

2, 1863.

iu Aug. 2.5, 1862; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Jan. 1, by G. O. July 3, 1865. Albert W. Rurkett, must, in Aug. 25, 1802 wounded at Gettysburg July disch. by G. O. trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Jan. 28, 1865 2, 1803

1804

Martin Baruhart, must, in Aug.

;

1,

Dec. 25,

John Barlew, nmst.

June

William Auchenbach, capt., must, in Aug. 25, 1862 disch. June 1, 1863. Benjamin M. Guest, capt., must, in Aug. 25, 1802; pro. from 1st sergt. to 1st lieut. Aug. 20, 1863; to cupt. Dec. 25, to 2d lit'Ut. Dec. 2, 1862 1803 must, out with company June 9, 18S5. Hiram C. Fegcr, 1st lieut., must, in Aug. 25, 1862 disch. on surg. ceitif.

16,

certif.

1S02.

:

;

9,

;

H.

Kecruited in Jlontgumery County.

1862

cumpany June

1805.

James Tait. hosi^ stt-wanl, nuist. in Aug. 2-3, l8i'.2 must, out with regiment June 9, 1805. John Green, prin. musician, nmst. in Aug. 25, 1802 pi-o. to prin. musician March 18, 1864 absent, on detached duty, at muster out. John F. Miller, prin. musician, must, in Aug. 25, 1862 pro. from mui^ician disch. by G. 0. May 22, 1865. Co. H Aug. 25, 1803

2,

company

1805.

9,

Peter Bowlig, must, in Aug. 25, 1862; nmst. out with

certif.

Feb. 28.1803.

David Albiight,

Jan. 2

certif.

;

B. Boyer, must, in ,\ug. 25, 1862

June

com.

Stiles,

absent, sick in hosp., at muster

;

ISOk).

trans, to Cu.

;

John

sergt.

1805.

0,

Oct. G, 1802.

John H.

must, out with company .June

;

1863.

11 Sept. 1, 180-t;

Co.

in .\ug. 25, 1862

Henry Auchey, must,

10, 1865.

Slalsborger, com. sergt., must, in Aug. 25. 1862

John H.

company

out.

;

Co.

25, 1802

must, out with

1866.

9,

;

;

1865.

Henry Hughes, must, 9,

William F. Hetzel, 9,

in

-Vug. 25, 1862; must, out

with company June

1805. nuist. in Sept. 9,

1864

;

must, out with company

June

1865.

Frederick Hetfelfinger, must, in

March

2,

1863.

Aug

25, 1862; disch.

on surg.

certif.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

236 Hank, must,

Jiicob

Aug.

in

25,

1862; disch. on surg.

certif.

Dec. 11,

John Hendricks,

must, iu Aug. 25, 1862

trans, to Vet. Ki-s. Corps Oct.

;

Hiram W.

Iback, must, in .\ug. 2i, 1862

1862.

Aug.

C. Jones, must, in

Aug.

1862

25,

Franklin Yerger, must, in Aug. 26, 1862 disch. by G. 0. Blay 15, 186S. John Zeigler, must, in Aug. 25, 1862 trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps Oct. 1, ;

Ninety-third

1804; must, out with company June

29,

in

Aug.

must, out with company June

25, 1862;

1866.

Charles Kane, must, in Aug. 25, 1862 disch. Aug. 30, 18132. Edward Koclier, must, in Aug. 26, 1862; died at Falmouth, Va., JIarcli ;

20, 1863.

Aug.

Lightcal>, must, in

teers.

—

Pennsylvania Volun-

Regiment

following officers and enlisted

TliL'

25, 186.!

must, out with

;

company June

the best volunteer regiments in the service. being no company organization accredited

A\ig.

26,

1804; must, out with

2ll,

1862; disch. on surg.

company

certif.

May

field

2,

COMPANY nui.st.

in

Aug.

1862

25,

disch. on surg. certif. Feb. 26,

;

Aug.

26, 1862; died Dec. 25,

COMPANY

1862; buried in

3Iai«liall McCai-ter, capt.

.\sylum I'enu'tery, Washington, D. C. William G. Lesher, must, iti .\ug. 25, 188 Jonah Mock, must, in .\ug. 25, 1862; must, out with company June Blilitar>'

.

must, in Aug. 25, 1862

must, out with

;

1865

2,

;

by G. 0. June

company June

in

Aug.

ceived at Gettyslnirg July

26,

1862

at Petersburg, Va.,

;

must, out with company

died July

6, 1863,

of

wounds

Ruddach,

1st tieut.

William i:ildfield, William Booth, Charles Foreman, Ijemge. A. Garrow, Thonuia Gash, .loseph Harper, Oliver X. Keisan, John Kester, John McCaully, John Piper, Charles Parker, Augustus Solomon, William Sutch,

Jacob

27, 1865.

25, 1862;

David H. Missimer, must, in .\ug.

June 9, 1 865. Solomon Miller, must,

wounded

in .4ug. 25, 1862;

disch.

.\.

9.

9 1865.

John Mowatt, must,

William

;

capt.

G.

rririiles.

1865.

Abraham Moyer,

E.

Samuel Mct'arter,

1863. Leffet, must, in

the

and staff roster and the general history of the command. The reufimcnt was organized at Lebanon, November 3, ISGl.'

we omit the

1864.

George H. Lessig,

There to

'.I,

1865.

William J. Livongood, must, in June 9, 1865. John M. Landis, nmst. in Aug.

April

men Irom

regiment were recruited iu and accredited to Montgomery County. The regiment ranks among the veteran organizations of the State, and was among

county,

David G.

with compauy Juna

mttst. out

;

this

Lawrence Kepuer, must,

John

in

186S.

company June

1865.

0,

at Gettysburg July 2'

1863.

must, out with

,

1865.

9,

;

;

company June

1865.

9,

Aug. 26, 1862. Aug. 26, 1862 missing

in

ISfti.

9,

must, out with

;

"William H. Jones, must, in .^ug. 25, 1862

Hiram

Wade, must,

S.

John H. Yerger, must,

nn, 1863.

Ephraim Herbst, ninst. in Aug. 25, 1862. Washington HetfL-ltiuger, must, in Aug. 25, 0,

William

F. Wilderruuth, must, in

1862.

re-

John Vanse, Dennis Oakes, Chailes Thomas. Daniel Meenan, M'l'uvei'.

Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. command was organized as the Pennsylvania

Ninety-fifth

—This

Z'iuaves, then as the Forty-fifth

2, 186:i.

James McGugert, must, in March 13, 1865; must, out with company June 9, 1805. Jonathan M. Neiman, must, in Aug. 25, 1862; must, out with company June 9, ]86."i. Thomas R. Neiman, must, itj Aug. 25, 1S62; must, out with company June 9, 1865. Heni-y Nagle, must, iu Sept. 7, 1863 nnist. out with company June 9, ;

1866.

Washington S. Pugh, nmst. iu Aug. 25, lSli2; must, out with company June 9, 1865. Jacob Quinten, nmst. in .\ug. 25. 1862 trans, to Vet. Res. CorjM Jan. 18, 1864 disch. by G. 0. Jime, 1865. Thoma.s Riley, must, in March 13, 1866: must, out with company June ;

Ninety-fifth.

August, 1861, in the

Army

It

mustered

was

for three

Potomac from

of the

its

finally as the

the

into

service

The regiment served

years.

the close of the war, and

and

its

organization to

losses in the service are

reported as the most severe experienced by any Pennsylvania troop in the field. The following officers and members of the organization were recruited from

Montgomery County. ment will be found in

A

general history of this regi-

Bates' "Pennsylvania

Volun-

;

9,

Nov. 27,

p. 335.

Aug.

in

25. 1862.

;

;

must, out witli company

Pril'ettes.

Jimi--

must, in Aug. 25, 1862; must, out with

company June

Franklin T. Shaner, must,

June 9, 186."). Willoughby SeashoUz, must,

in

in

Aug.

Aug.

must, out with company

25, 1862;

25,

1862

;

disch.

on surg.

certif.

Feb-

18, 186:1.

Schealer, must, in Aug. 25, 1862

;

disch. Jan. 4, 1864, for

woinids received at Gettysburg, July 2, 1803. Henry Seipel, must, in ,\ug. 2.5, 1862 wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., ;

5,

Abraham April

ISK!

;

trans, to Vet. Res. Corps

.Souder, nmst. in 2,

Clmrles .Vurier, Joseph M. Linker, JIansfield Giiftitli, Fninklin Beaver, Jtihn II. Bond, .Mbaiuis Brunner, Benjamin Banks, James .\. Clayton,

James Cnlp, William Garner, George W.

9, 1865.

May

;

corji

in .\ug. 25, 1862.

1866.

Beuben G.

E.

Theodore Selah John S. Jeffries, sergt. William Foreman, lieut. John Burnett' Corp.; George Kulp, Corp.; Nathan .\uner, Corp. ;

Charles Simpkins, must, in .\ug. 25, 1862

Adam Schwenk,

COMPANY'

1802; killed at Mine Run, Va.,

in A\ig. 26,

186:i.

Washington H. Root, nmst. Jacob K. Reifsuyder, nmst.

.\ug.

25, 1862

May ;

10, 1864.

killed at Petei-aburg, Va.,

1865.

Edward rndercuffor, nmst. in .\ug. 25, 1862. John romoted to colonel

of the

One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, J. Sperry, of Company A,

whereui)on C'aptain John

regiment," says Lieutenant-Colonel Curry, who was in command, and who was afterwards killed at

was commissioned major. On the 3d of May the regiment broke camp, and after a severe march crossed the Rapidan, and arrived The on the 5th on the Wilderness battle-ground. fighting for three days in the tangled wiles of that ever memorable field was for the most part at close From the Wilderness the quarters and very severe. regiment marched towards Spottsylvania Court-House, but before reaching it encountered the enemy, and the contest was renewed. On the afternoon of the 11th the brigade withdrew from the breast-works in fr(uit of the court house, and marched with the corps

Spottsylvania, in a letter to a friend, written on the

to the left of the line,

A crash as out from the voice of the commander. from a single piece was the response, and in the twinkling of an eye bayonets were fixed, and, with a cheer that betokened the determination which fired

each breast, the line went forward, striking the enemy upon his extreme left Hank, and hurling him back in The One Hundred and Sixth and two comdisnuiy. j)anies of the Second New York pursued the retreating

as far as the

foe

field,

"opened

fire

Emmettsburg

road.

"

Our

and charged so deternunetain (Jeorge J. Lawrence and Jonathan K. Taylor were mortally wounded. Captain Taylor was shot through the

command

command. Captains WilHerbert Thomas, E. Godfrey Rehrer and Levi C. Leib and Lieutenant A. A. Lukenbach were wounded. Lieutenant Joseph Oliver was wounded and fell into the enemy's hands. The loss in killed was sixteen. General Tyler, in his official report of the battle, says: "Colonel O'Brien, One

ter liaving .safely delivered the train, the

was, for the

first

time, under

fire,

the rebel artillery

throwing shells into the woods near C'entreville, where it was resting. Proceeding on its return to Fairfax Seminary, it was brigaded on the 3d of September with the Xinety-firtt, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth, and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiments, commanded by General E. B. Tyler. Brigade, battalion and company drills wore studiously practiced, and on the 7th its camp was changed to a point near Fort Richardson. On the morning of the 14th the brigade started on the march through Maryland, arrived at the Monocacy on the Kith, where it was halted, and on the 17th resumed the march to the sound of heavy canonading, arriving early on the following morning on the field of Antietam. But the enemy had by this time retired, and the command soon after went into cani|), where for six weeks, with the exception of an expedition up the Shenandoah Valley with the division, the regiment remained engaged in drill and unimportant picket duty. On the 30th of October the army com-

menced ruption

moving down the movement, with a slight inter-

crossing into Virginia, and

valley, continuing the at

Warrenton, until

it

arrived

opposite

Fredericksburg, and Burnside's bloody but fruitless

campaign was inaugurated. Shortly after noon of the 13th of December the division crossed the Rappahannock, and proceeding through the town to a position in full view of the field, awaited the order to enter the fight. It was not long delayed, and again advancing by a main road, the brigade halted in low, open ground, where the men were ordered to lie down. Tempted by the esisy range and unprotected situation of the brigade, the enemy opened a destructive fire from his batteries, by which Lieutenant Jacob Parvin, Jr., was mortally, and a number of privates severely wounded. Moving to the left of the road, the division was shortly after formed in line of battle on the crest of the

hill,

the brigade in two lines, the

One Hundred

lungs early in the charge, but refused to leave the

and

field,

retired with his

liam Wren,

Jr.,

Hundred and

Thirty-fourth,

left;

right

front;

held the right rear and Colonel Gregory, Ninety-first, the

left rear.

These

officers

discharged their respective

duties creditably and satisfactorily, their voices being

frequently heard above the din of battle urging on their

men

shell

and the

against the terrible shower of shot and terrific

Of

the stone wall.

we approached

musketry as

their conduct I cannot speak too

Lieutenant-Colonel Rowe, Lieutenant-Colo-

highly.

nel Armstrong, Major

Anthony and

son

great

are

and

entitled

to

conduct

officer-like

during

JIajor

Thomp-

for their ettbrts

credit

the

engagement.

Armstrong had a horse shot under him. Adjutant Green exhibited great coolness in the discharge of his duty. It may not be improper for me to say that Captain Thomas, acting inspectorgeneral on the statt'of the division commander, having his horse shot, and thus prevented from serving him, joined his company in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, and was severely wounded while leadLieutenant-Colonel

ing his

men

in the charge."

After dark the regiment wius again

marched upon

the field for guard duty, but was withdrawn towards

On

midnight.

the 14th and

town, losing one

man by

l.'Jth it

remained in the

the shot of a sharpshooter,

and on the morning of the the night in throwing up a

16th, after

having

sjient

breast- work on the right

of the town, recrossed the river and retired again to

The knapsacks which

camp.

liad

been thrown aside

before going into battle had been carefully guarded,

but were not recovered. During the cold, rainy days preceding the 23d of December, when extra clothing

and Twenty-ninth on the left front. In the hopeless and fruitless charge which followed, made under a cea.seless fire of musketry and artillery from the impregnable position which the enemy held, officers and men did everything that true soldiers could do, traversing in good orderthelinesof dead and wounded left in previous charges, and pressing forward in

and blankets were furnished

the gathering darkness until they attained position

paign.

advance of every previous charge, and from which it was impossible to go farther. In the brief space that it was in motion the regiment lost one hundred and forty-two in killed and wounded. The caps of some were subsequently found close up to the famous stone-wall, and an officer and seven privates of Com-

the

led

One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, the Colonel Elder, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth,

Colonel Frick,

to supply the place of

men suffered greatly from one dying and many being thrown into those

lost,

Drill

and

the

)>icket duty,

which was

exjjosure, hospitals.

at times severe, the

Mud March

from the 20th to the 24th of January, and occasional reviews filled up the measure of duty until the opening of Hooker's first cam-

1863, its

'

in

Towards the middle of January an order was issued tlirough division tlie men to dmw dress coats. As tliey bad warm underclothing, and hat. out with company

May

IS,

must, out with company

;

May

18,

Albert L. Gehnian, must, in .Vug.

1802

11,

must, out with company

;

company May

18,

in

Aug.

11, 1S02

;

must, out with company

May

must, out with company

May

18, 1803.

Levi Gotchall, must, in Aug. '

13, 1802

May

must, out with company

;

18,

Robert H. Tyson, must, in Aug.

11,

1802

;

18, 180:!.

•

must, in .Vug.

Jr.,

Aug. 11, 1862; must, out with company

Stern, must, in Aug. 11, 1862; must, out with

Benjamin Swartly, must,

1803.

1803.

in

18, 1803.

1863.

April 18, 1802.

11, 1802

must, uut with

;

company May

Charles C.

Watt.-*,

must, in Aug. 11, 1802

must, out with

;

company May

18, 180;!.

18, 1803,

William H. Gristock, must,

11, 1802

Aug.

in

;

must, out with

company

Joseph

1).

May

18, isc:i.

Christian Groff, must, in Aug. 11, 1802

must out with company

;

May

18,

Watson, must,

in -Vug. 11, 1862

must, out with company

;

18, ISia.

Isaac T. Weer, must, in -Vug. 11, 1802

;

must, out with company

May

18,

1803.

1863.

Jesse K. Gordon, must, in .Vug. 11, 1802

died at Snicker's Gap,

;

Va

,

Nov.

Jacob R. Weikel, must, in -Vug. Va., Dec. 13, 1862

1862.

wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1802 must, out with company May 18, 1863. Ephraim Ilarner, must, in Aug. 11, 1862 must, out with company May George Harpst, must, iu -Vug.

11, 1802

;

;

;

W.

William

May John W.

18,

;

II,

1802

;

wounded

must, out with company

Wisler, must, in Aug. 11, 1862

;

at Fredericksburg,

May

18, 1863.

must, out with

company

1803.

Worrell, must, in Aug. 11, 1862

;

must, out with company

May

18, 1803.

IS, 1803.

Henry, must, in .Vug.

11,

1802

must, out with company

;

May

Edward B. Watts, must.

In

Aug.

13,

1862; disch. on surg.

certif. Oct. 30,

1862.

18, 1863.

Hiser, must, in Aug. 11, 1802

must, nut with company

;

May

18,

Abraham

Zollors, must, in .Vug. 11, 1S02

;

must, out with company

May

18, isoii.

1863.

William Hoffner, must, in

-\ug. 11, 1802

nuist nut wiih

;

company May

18, 1863. B. Horn, must, in

Aug.

11,

1862

May

must, out with company

;

18,

1803.

Morris Huusicker, must, in Aug. 11, 1802 wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862 must, out with company May 18, 180;J. John Q. Huusicker, must, in Aug. 11,1802; must, out with company ;

;

18, 1803.

Jesae Jarrett, must, in Aug. 11, 1802

must, out with

;

company May

18,

May

18,

1863. Jarrett, nmst. in -Vug. 11, 1802

must, out with company

;

1863.

Henry Kooker, must,

in Aug. 11, 1862

must, out with company

;

May 18,

1803.

Joseph D. Keyser, must, in Aug. 8,

11, 1802

;

died at Washington, D.

C,

One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Kegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.'— Recruiting was comnieuced tor the esecraus, cooped uj) in a i)recari«us position at Chattanooga. Feeling that he could now with safety tery B of the Fifth New York Light Artilk-ry. After tlie campaign was ended the regiment was again left to assume the ofl'ensive, Lee commenced a sudden Hank Many deserters and strag- movement by the right, and Meade, to save himself, perform the duty alone.

B

at Ellieott's Mills, a

—

•

glers from the L^nion army,

and aiders and abettors

retreated to Centreville.

In this movement the regi-

ment was divided, a portion being assigned as guard to the ammunition train and the remainder to the On the 2nd of corps ambulances. At Centreville the movement of change the regular routine of duty. May, Lieutenant-Colonel McClennan was promoted the two armies was reversed without coming into On conflict, and Lee retreated and Meade pursued. to colonel, in place of Colonel Sumwalt, whose connection with the service was severed on 30th of the 23d of October the regiment was relieved from guard duty with the trains and rejoined its brigade. Marcli preceding. On the lt>th of June the regiment was ordered to After crossing the Rappahanock, and when within active duty and proceeded to Harper's Ferry, wliere two and a half miles of Brandy Station, the enemy's Elliott's division had rear guard was encountered. it was assigned to Elliott's lirigade, a part of tlie command with which Milroy had in vain battled with the that day the advance, and the One Hundred and advancing columns of Lee's army, at Winchester, on Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania and the One Hundred General French was in and Tenth Ohio were immediately deployed, the their way to Pennsylvania. command at Harper's Ferry, with the brigades of former to the left and the latter to the right of the The heights railroad, and with Berdan's sharpshooters and ComKenly, Morris and Elliott under him. were strongly fortified, the trees in front were swept pany A of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth

The of the enemy, were arrested and committed. winter and s]iring of lS62-(33 passed with little to

away,

artillery

was advantageously

posted,

strong

picket lines were established and every precaution

taken

to

give the foe a

warm

reception.

wisely shunned this route, his bivouac

fires

But' he

and

his

long trains being visible in the distant valley as they pa.ssed and crossed the Potomac at Williamsport. Har-

was evacuated on the 1st of July. All munitions and stores that could not Ije renxived were destroyed and the remainder was loaded on canalElliott's l)rigade boats and sent to Washington. was charged with guarding it and taking it through, per's Ferry

the

rest

of French's division moving to Frederick.

From Washington

the brigade proceeded by

rail,

on

advanced with supportlire ofthe enemy's Early in the engagement a shell artillery was severe. struck and exploded in the ranks near the centre of the regiment, mortally wounding Caj>tain Lazarus C. Andrcss and carrying away the left arm of Sergeant Abraham G. Rapp. The missile burst as it struck the former, fearfully mangling his hip and thigh and The hill was cari-ied and the shivering his sword. The loss enemy barely escaped with his artillery. was seven wounded. At Brandy Station the army halted, and remained until the 23rd of November, when it set forward on

thrown forward

as skirmishers,

ing regiments to the attack.

The

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

246 the

Mine Run campaign.

The Third Corps

crossed

the Rajjidan at Jacob's Ford, and on the 37th came up with the enemy at Locust Grove. The Second Division was

the

Tliii'd,

first

engaged, and Ijeing hard pressed,

now commanded by General

to its support

and formed on

its

left,

Carr,

the

was sent

One Hun-

dred and Thirty-eighth being on the extreme left of The fighting soon opened on its front, at

the line.

and buck and ball were hurled with tellthe advancing enem}-. Colonel McClennan, while moving along the line encouraging his men and directing the fight, was stricken down and carried from the field. Captain Fisher had an arm shattered and Adjutant Cross was disabled. At dark, after having gallantly held the ground, and close range,

ing

effect

against

repulsed repeated chaiges, inflicting great slaughter,

was relieved by fresh troops, and rested for the field. The loss in (he engagement was seven killed, forty-five wounded and three missing. During the night the enemy withdrew to his fortified position behind Mine Run. After advancing to and reconnoitring his ground, it was decided to abandon the campaign, and the army returned to camp near Brandy Station, where the regiment was soon settled it

night on the

in comfortable winter-quarters.

Colonel McClennan, having measurably recovered from his wounds, returned to duty on the 18th of March, 1864, and was received in camp with demonstrations of warm regard. The smooth-bore muskets with which the regiment was armed were soon afterwards exchanged for Springfield rifled muskets. In the reorganization of the corps, preparatory to the opening of the spring campaign, the Third Division of the Third Corps became the Third Division of the in command. The army May, and on the •'ith, soon after crossing the Rapidan, it was attacked in the tangled thickets of the Wilderness. It was near midday

Sixth,

General Ricketts

moved on the

.Srd

of

Rickett's division was put in motion. Towards evening, after having marched and countermarched, the brigade, to the command of which Gen-

before

and the ominous sound of the fortifying in front and far out on the right flank was distinctly heard. General Seymour was apprised of these threatening indications, but the order of the previous evening to renew the assault in the morning was not modified, and at dying

filled

the

air,

enemy chopping and

moved

nine o'clock the brigade

to the desperate work,

and now the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth on the front line. The men were charged not to fire a shot until they had reached the enemy's works. Api)rised by the clanking of arms of their approach, he was ready to receive them. skirmishers deepened

The

pattering

fire

of bis

showers as they went, and finally a perfect storm of deadly missiles greeted them; but without wavering, the lines moved on until within fifty yards of his breast-works, where the flashes of his guns were plainly visible through the tangled wood. And now, when the moment for a final dash had come, impatient soldiers began to stop and into

fire. Felled trees and tangled branches made it more and more diflicult to advance. The momentum of the charge was lost, and the men, taking shelter behind trees, and lying prostrate upon the ground for an hour in the face of a mo.st destructive fire of infantry and artillery hurling grape and canister, held their ground. Seeing that there was no hope of success, the brigade was finally ordered back to the posi-

to

tion of the morning, unavoidably leaving

many

of the

dead and wounded on the field. Late in the evening, while the men were preparing their coffee behind their hastily constructed breast-works, Shaler's bri-

had been posted upon the right of Seymour, was suddenly attacked in flank and rear by a powerful body of the enemy under Gordon. Sweeping down upon the unsuspecting troops, as did Jackson ui)on the Eleventh Corps at Chancellorsville, Gordon scattered and drove all opposed to him. He was finally cliecked by reinforcements from other jiarts of the line, and the lost ground regained. General Shaler and Seymour, with numbers of their troops, were taken prisoners. Weakened by two fatal and unsuccessful charges, the brigade was in no condition or heart to resist, and the general who had refused to listen to the representations of danger in the early morning added another to the misfortunes which had attended his career at Charles Cit}- Cro.ssRoads, Fort Wagner and Olustee. The regiment lost in these engagements twenty-seven killed, ninetyfour wounded and thirty-five missing, of whom twenty-si.x were known to be prisoners. Lieutenant John H. Fisher was killed, and Lieutenants H. C. (trcissmau and John E. Essick were wounded, the gade, which

Truman Seymour had that morning been assigned, was detached and hurriedly led to a position on the extreme right of the corps, passing on its way the scene of a most sanguinary struggle, where the dead of both armies were thickly strewn on the wild wooded battle-fleld. At dark it was formed in two lines, the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth on the second line. It was thought that only a picket guard of the enemy's extreme left was in front, and in swinging around to enveloj) it the command was suddenly brought under a severe front and flank fire from strong columns. For two hours, with the most stub- latter mortally. born fighting, the ground was held, when on both On the 7th the contending parties acted on the sides the fighting gradually died away, and the lines defensive, operations being confined to skirmishing. rested on the field where they had fought. The cas- On the night of the 8th the first of Grant's moveualties in the regiment were slight. Sergeant Biesecker, ments by the left flank began. In the fierce fighting and John H. Ashen felter, of the color guard, being which occurred alwiut Sjiottsylvania, and in the subsekilled. All night long the moans and the cries of the quent movements during the month of May, the regieral

THE GREAT REBELLION. and was fVeqiU'iitly under fire, losing wounded on the 12th, three wounded on the 13th one killed on the 18th, one wounded on the 19th, two wounded on the 20th, and one wounded on the 31st, but did not become involved in the more desperate mi'Ut shared,

five

fighting.

On

the 1st of

June the troops from Butler's army

247

Union army was quietly withdrawn and moved towards the James. The loss was seven killed, fifty-four wounded and seven missing. Lieutenant Charles P. McLaughlin was among the killed. After crossing the James, about the middle of the month, the Third Division moved up to Point of Rocks, and was assigned a position in the trenches at the oft

of the .lames were met in the vicinity of Cold Harbor,

Bermuda Hundred, but subsequently

and orders were given

corps in front of Petersburg, and near the close of

an engagement. "A hasty disposition of these commands was made," says Lieutenant Lewis, in his narrative of this regiment, " skirmishers were advanced, the enemy's posito prepare for

tion partially developed, a plan of a.ssault selected;

and

at five o'clock the attack

The

was commenced.

Third Division, on the right of the corps, adjoining General Smith's left, moved forward in four lines of battle, and with great promptness. "The front line of the Second Brigade consisted of the Sixth Maryland and the One Hundred and Thirtyeighth Pennsylvania, and these two regiments were the

first to

encounter a galling

sharp-shooters and a difficult

fire

from the enemy's

swamp which had

to be

These obstacles overcome, the rebel main line, situated on a ridge thickly wooded with pine, was found defended by strong numbers. The Sixth and the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth were the first troops to clamber over the works and break the reliel front, which was only accomplished by a solid rush and hard fighting. The confusion and flight of the enemy resuhing from this breach in his line was quickly followed up, and in a short time the two above specified regiments had captured more prisoners than crossed.

their

own

nundjers.

On

other portions of the line

our troops had not carried the works, and we, in our zeal to drive the enemy, soon distanced all supporting columns to the jeopardy of our own safety. At one period the men of our regiment drove the gunners from a battery; but when within a few yards of its

and aljout to seize it, our scattered and weakened numbers became apparent to the enemy, who

IMisition,

and checked our further advance by a raking charge of canister. We were hard-pressed, but the captured ground was maintained. The entire Third Division joined in the work with alacrity at the first onset, and to this command belongs the credit of being the only division of two cori)S to successfully accomplish the task assigned it in this battle." The conduct of the division drew from General Meade a congratulatory order, in these words: "Please give my thanks to Brigadier-General Ricketts and his gallant command for the very handsome manner in which they conducted themselves to-day. The success attained by them is of great importance, and if promptly followed up, will materially advance our operations." During the night the lines were reformed and the rebel works were reversed. On the 3d another assault was made, but without success, and the two armies fell to digging, which was continued until the 12th, when rallied heavily against us, returned to his guns,

the

month joined

in the

rejoined

the

movement upon the Weldon

Railroad, at Ream's Station, in which several miles of the road were destroyed.

On

the 6th of July, Ricketts' division was ordered

to City Point,

and thence moved by transport

Cars were in waiting, upon which

timore.

it

to Bal-

imme-

Monocacy, and there awaited the advance of the enemy under Early, who, with a powerful division of Lee's army, was advancing on Washington. Line of battle was hastily formed, the troops of General Wallace, who commanded the department, occupying the right, which rested on a high fortified bluft' overlooking the railroad and Monocacy Creek, and Ricketts' division, drawn up in two lines, the left, the whole in crescent shape, stretching across the railroad and the Washington turnpike. By ten on the morning of the 9th the skirmishing was brisk, and it soon became evident that the Union force was vastly outnumbered. To equal his front, Ricketts' division was stretched out in a single thin line, and against this the enemy came on in heavy force, rejoicing in his strength and confident of victory. The One Hundred and Thirty-eighth occupied a position on the unprotected left flauk. To prevent this from being turned, which seemed to be the object of the enemy, the Hue was refused until it became imposdiately proceeded to

sible for

him

his force.

to execute his purpose without dividing

Foiled in this, he

As

made

a direct assault in

he came within range a welldirected fire was opened, and rapid rounds were poured in with admirable effect. His first and second lines were broken, and the third advanced in their places; but still the division held its ground. At five p.m. the troops on the right gave way, and Ricketts was compelled to order a retreat to save himself from capThe enemy was well supplie " The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry (One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteei-s) was recruited by officers of the Anderson Troop, a conjpany named after General Robert Andereou, the hero of Fort Sumter, which had been in service under General

1804

;

;

grave 1U,803.

captured at Monocacy, Md.,

26, 1862

;

command

of the gal-

of the Southwest.

Applicants were numerous, aud some of the best material of the State

was tlms secured. "The men were measured

for their uniforms at Rockhill & Wilson's Chestnut Street clothing-house, and purchased their heavy cavalry boots

of Dickerman, Philadelphia.

"It was originally intended to increase the old troop to a battalion it has been frequently urged that no sufficient authority waa given for a greater number, but a full regiment was enlisted and placed only, and

in active service.

" The men were taken in detachments to Carlisle Barracks, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and were drilled there by officera of the regular army, on duty at the barracks.

died at Danville, Va., Oct. 13, 1804.

;

Dennis McCabe, must, in Aug.

**

Army

must, out with comjiauy June

"It the

23, 1865.

is

asserted that there

War Department and

was some

conflict as to the

regiment between

the State authorities.

Stephen 3IcCullough,must. in Aug. 20, 1862 captured at Andersonville, Ga Sept. 19, 1864 grave 9922. Bernard McMahon, must, in Sept. 30, 1862. William Neff, nmst. in Aug. 20, 1862; wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., Jtine 1. 1864 must, out with company June 23, 1865.

" At all events, there was some hitch or hindrance at some important point which resulted in trouble to officers and men, and occasioned considerable irregularity in the organization and equipment of the regi-

Henry Nicholas, must, in Aug. 26, 1802 wounded at Cold Harbor, June 1, 1804 disch. on surg. certif. Ajiril 15, 1805.

succeeded in teniponiry

;

,

;

;

;

Va.,

;

Charles O'Neil, nmst. in Aug. 26, 1862.

Hiram M.

May

Puff, must, in

6th,

and

June 23, 18ti5. George H. Paulus, must, Oct. 19, 1864

;

Aug.

26,

1862; wounded at Wildernsss, Va.,

at Opetiuan, Sept. 19, 1864

;

must, out with company

ment. " Acting Colonel Palmer was captured at Antietam, and was afterward command by Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer.

"The

officei-s,

however, were only temporary, and orders were issued

as mere 'temporally arrangements.' Men not above the grade of sergeants were in command of companies, while the men of the regiment

had no

voice

in the selection of their

non-commissioned or other

officer's.

in Sept. 10, 1862

;

wounded

must, out with company June

at Cedar Creek, Va.,

23, 1865.

" In

this

unfortunate condition, without equipment, without commisall efforts to secure a

sioned officers, aud apparently without remedy,

THE GREAT REBELLION. autumn of 1862, by order of the Seeretarv of War, and was designed for special service. Captain William J. Palmer, who had previously organized an independent company known in history as the Anin the

derson Troop, departed from the usual rule of permitting the enlisted men to elect the line and field officers, the recruits "having by their terms of enlist-

ment waived their right to choose their own officers." The duty ot selecting line, field and staff officers for a new regiment imposed a task of more than ordinary responsibility, and the men who patriotically waived the privilege, universally accorded to all Pennsylvania troops, subsequently learnedby a painful exi)erience that the selection of subordinate officers

is

attended

with a measure of dissatisfaction not less marked than that which prevails where they are made the subject

of popular choice. Home associations were not recognized in the organization of this regiment, nor in the appointment and assignment of line officers to duty. The promotion of line officers was not by company, as was the custom among Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was thought judicious to ailopt the rule prevailing in the regular army, and promote by

255

marching

and their first ex])erience was realized in their native State. Their historian says, "The regiment was ordered to remain in the Cumberland Valley, and two hundred and fifty picked men, with three days' rations and thirty-six rounds of ammunition per man, were ordered to the front. They proceeded by rail to Greencastle, where the detachment procured horses for one hundred and fifty of their number, and were ]mt

in

orders,

in the hanlsliips of active service

with these they picketed

all

the public roads leading

enemy being in force atornearHagerstowu. The outposts came in conflict with the enemy on the south, the

12th and 13th of September and acquitted themselves

These troops were on duty during the and subsequently, on the ISthof September, Captain Palmer, who was to be commiswith credit.

battle of Antietam,

sioned colonel of the regiment, while in discharge of

assigned them who, by the aid of the post-officers

hazardous and difficult duty within the enemy's lines, was captured and sent to Richmond. U|)on the retreat of Lee south of the Potomac the entire detachment returned to their camp at Carlisle, having returned to the good people in the neighborhood of GreenCiistle the horses used in their first campaign. The capture of Captain Palmer at this critical juncture proved a great misfortune, as the command was left without a head. On the 1st of October, William Spencer, first lieutenant six brisk skirmishing opened, and the enemy was driven miles from Nashville, and on the following day made back nearly five miles. On the 29th the command their way to the front, but the remainder returned to marched by a circuitous route to Wilkinson's Cross- their old camp near the city, from which they refused Roads, where it encountered a body of rebel cavalry. again to move, and on the evening of the 31st were Dej^loying skirmishers, the enemy was driven a mile, sent by General Mitchell to the work-house. On the when a charge was ordered, and was led by Majors 20th of January, 1863, General Roseerans sent them Rosengarten and Ward. Gallantly the command a proposition that if they would return to duty he went forward, but soon encountered the enemy's in- would have them speedily reorganized and fully offifantry in overpowering numbers. The struggle was cered. As this was all that they were clamoring for, they maintained with desperate valor, and at close quarters, accepted it. On the 7th of February, Colonel Palmer the men using their pi.stols and clubbing their car- returned from captivity and resumed command, when bines. At the height of the encounter Major Rosen- everything began again to wear a cheerful aspect. garten was killed, and Major Ward mortally wounded. Horses and a full complement of equipments were reThe battalion was finally forced to retire. Major ceived, and the regiment was organized in twelve Ward, who had been helped to the rear, insisted upon companies, with the following field officers William another charge, though bleeding from several wounds. J. Palmer, colonel Charles B. Lamborn, lieutenantThe attempt was made, but the command was again colonel. Mucli abuse was heaped upon the men who refused repulsed. The loss was thirteen killed or mortally wounded and sixty-nine wounded and missing. The to march, and the wildest rumors prevailed concerning command now devolved on Captain Vezin, and, with their motives. The rebel organs throughout the South the First Tennessee Cavalry, it moved in pursuit of proclaimed that the Yankee soldiers at Nashville the enemy's horse, which had destroyed a Union were laying down their arms by regiments, in consewagon-train. All night long the march continued, quence of the issue of the President's emancipation 2>robut without avail. On the afternoon of the 31st clamation whereas, it is probable that not a thought of it joined General Minty's brigade in a charge on this proclamation ever entered their counsels. Charges Wheeler's cavalry, led by (ieneral Stanley in person, of cowardice and disappointment at not being taken to in which the enemy was driven in upon his supports. duty at the headquarters of the commanding general In this charge. Private Holt, of Company H, cajjtured were made, but the lack of organization and of offiand brought off the colors of the Tenth Tennessee cers, and want of efficient leadership, seems to have (rebel) Cavalry, on which was inscribed: "Death been the simple and only cause of their conduct. before Subjugation." At night the command was ad- While the unfortunate situation in which they were vanced and deployed in line of skirmishers, where it placed must ever be deplored, and their refusal to remained until the morning of the New Year. The march condemned, the conduct of the men who folenemy, who had gained a signal advantage in the lowed the gallant Rosengarten and Ward, even under morning of the 31st, routing and driving back the the most discouraging circumstances, and met death right wing of Roseerans' army, had been stopped and in the face of the foe, will never cease to be regarded signally repulsed at evening. There was little more with admiration and gratitude. hard fighting, the enemy retreating rapidly on the 3d, Active operations commenced .soon after its reorand leaving the field in the hands of the Union army. ganization. On the 4th of April a detachment of On the morning of the 1st the battalion, with the three hundred, with infantry and artillery, all under Third Ohio, was detailed to guard a train on its way command of General I. N. Palmer, scouted in the diback to Nashville, and was twice attacked, losing four rection of Woodbury, the detachment having a brisk killed and three wounded. skirmish four miles beyond the town, and on the folIn the mean time General Mitchell, in command at lowing day took some prisoners and released some Nashville, determined to compel the men who re- Union conscripts near McMinnville. On the 7th it mained in camp to go to the front, and accordingly charged a body of the enemy near the Barrens, capsent General Morgan, on the 30th, to execute his turing eighteen of his men. Returning to camp near purpose. Upon the offer of General Morgan to take Murfreesboro', the regiment was reviewed on the 10th them to General Roseerans they were soon in saddle, by General Roseerans. and all, save a detachment left in charge of the camp On the 24th of June the army moved forward on and the sick, were upon the march, under command of the Chickamauga campaign, when Companies B, Colonel Woods, of an Illinois regiment, who had been and K were detailed as escort to the general com-

move; but the order

cers,

for

it

was peremptory.

The

offi-

detailed

with about three hundred of the men, under the

:

;

;

H

THE GKEAT REBELLION. manding, and the remainder of the regiment was employed for courier duty between the right and left wings of the army, under Generals McCook and Crittenden. The latter was required to obtain a knowledge of the topography of the country in advance of

much

On

257

on his way to Knoxville to relieve the beleaguered army of Burnside. Sherman did not cross at King-

up the left bank of the Tennessee, and Palmer, consequently, moved forward on the right bank, and was the first to report at Knoxville. On

ston, but kept

arrival General Burnside ordered meet a body of the enemy, in part Oeneral Mitchell, at Rover, encountered a party of Indians, from North Carolina, under Colonel Thomas. the enemy and dispersed it, killing two and capturing Sending a squadron under Lieutenant-Colonel Lamseveral, delivering the dispatches in safety. Again, on born to demonstrate in front, Colonel Palmer led the the 29th, nearly the entire regiment, under the com- main body, by night, across the mountains by a cirmand of Lieutenant-Colonel Lam1)orn, encountered a cuitous route, coming in upon the rear of the rebel body of rebel cavalry north of Tullahoma, driving force, and by a well-concerted action, attacking at them in upon their intrenchments, and capturing fif- daylight in front and flank, completely routed it, wounding seven and capturing two of the enemy, fifteen. It soon after advanced with Thomas to Tullahoma, the enemy retreating. About the middle of teen horses and twenty stands of arms, and burning August the army again moved forward, and until the the camp. Captains Charles M. Betts and George S. openinjofthe bittle of Chickamauga the regiment Clark were among the wounded in the engagement. was ke])t busy in scouting the country and preparing Captain McAllister, with two companies, F aud G, maps for the use of the general commanding. During was sent in pursuit of the fugitives, but failed to overthe first day of the battle, September 19th, the regi- take them. The regiment was now engaged in scoutment w;is on duty at General Rosecrans' headquarters, ing on the left flank, and in rear of Longstreet's army, guarding flank-roads, watching the movements of the which was leisurely pursuing its way towards Virenemy and carrying dispatches. When the right ginia, extending along the French Broad River as far gave way, on the second day, Colonel Palmer was as Newport, having frequent skirmishes with rebel ordered' by General Rosecrans to form the regiment cavalry, and capturing prisoners from whom importso as to stop stragglers. The line was formed near ant information was gained. On the night cif the 23d the foot of Mission Ridge, west of the Crawfish road, of December the command crossed the French Broad, and had stopped a larger number, when the regiment and pushing up under cover of darknesss to the rear was ordered to the rear by General Sheridan, moving of the enemy's cavalry corps, captured a number of by the top of the ridge to the left. Following the his pickets, thirteen horses and twenty-six head of rear of the w.igon-trains and batteries to a point cattle, and brought them safely into camp, though twelve miles south of Chattanooga, Colonel Palmer closely pursued. On the 2-lth the regiment particiturned to the left, and formed his regiment across the pated in the battle of Dandridge, which was fought valley, a mile south of where the trains debouched toby the brigades of Sturgis and Elliott. After a sharp wards Chattanooga, and sent out scouting-parties in skirmish the enemy was driven, and in full retreat, the direction of Pond Spring and Stevens' Gap. The but was timely reinforced by a brigade from Morrissmoke of Colonel Watkins' wagons, which the rebel town, and was thus enabled to make a stand, before cavalry were burning atStevens' Gap, was here visible. which the Union force was obliged to retire. In the Remaining until the cavalry of General Mitchel had fight a spirited dash was made by Colonel Palmer, come up, the regiment moved on with the rear of the with ninety of his men, before whom the enemy fled train to Chattanooga. Company L, sent ten miles in confusion but returning, he w'as tired on by a out on Lookout Mountain to watch the movements of party in concealment, and ten of his men were disthe enemy, was cut oif, but succeeded in making its mounted and fell into the hands of the foe. Captain way through his lines, and rejoining the regiment in Washington Airey was among these, and for fourteen Chattanooga. months endured the hardships and privations of imBragg closed in upon the array of Rosecrans, send- prisonment, being finally released to die of disease

the army, requiring

Companies

E and

L.

activity.

while

the 24th,

bearing dispatches to

the day following it

its

to Sevierville to

;

ing out his cavalry to operate upon his communications.

The animals were soon reduced

to a starving

condition. Colonel Palmer was, accordingly, sent with his calvary into the Sequatchie Valley, thirty miles awa)', and encamped on Robinson's plantation, where corn and provisions were found in abundance, and from which supplies were sent to Chattanooga.

Soon after the battle of the 2-5th of November, which swept Bragg from his strongholds around the city, and gave light and life to the starving army of Thomas, Colonel Palmer was ordered to move to Kingston with his regiment, and join Sherman, now 17

The entire loss was seventy-five wounded and prisoners. On the 29th a sharp engagement occurred at Mossy Creek, aud after a content lasting six hours the enemy was handsomely repulsed. Two spirited cliarges were made contracted thereby.

in killed,

by the Fifteenth, gaining and holding an important position on the field, for which it was complimented by General Sturgis. It lost one officer, Lieutenant and Acting Adjutant Harvey S. Lingle, killed, and five men wounded. Longstreet having put his army in winter-quarters near Russellville, was sending his cavalry back to the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

258

rich corn-fields of the French Broad Valley for supplies.

Tlie Fifteenth

ascertain the

had become expert

in scouting to

movements of the enemy and

to harass

It was, accordingly, posted at

his foraging-parties.

Dandridge, and charged especially with this duty. For two weeks it scouted the whole country on the enemy's flank, coming down upon him at tlie most unexpected moments, marching day and niglit, picking up prisoners and gathering stock almost within

On the 13th of the limits of reljel encampments. January, 1863, while in camp opposite Dandridge, Colonel Palmer learned that Brigadier-General Vance, with a force of three hundred cavalry and dismounted Indians, with two pieces of artillery, had advanced from North Carolina, and entered Sevierville,

twelve miles in Colonel Palmer's rear, captur-

ing twenty wagons loaded with wheat, belonging to

army at Knoxville, Though a brigade of rebel

the

and

twenty

prisoners.

cavalry was in his front,

threatenening an attack, Colonel Palmer determined to

go in pursuit of Vance.

Accordingly, heading a

been reinforced, and by timely warning to the main Union force saved it from disaster. The campaign having now ended, the regiment returned by easy marches to Cliattanooga, where it arrived on the 11th of February, and was joined by a part of the regiment which had been left at the camp in Sequatchie Valley. During the three succeeding months the command was kept busy in scouting on the flank of the enemy holding position on Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost and Dalton. In reconnoissances to Lafayette, Snmmerville, Alpine and Lookout Valley it gained important information and captured some prisoners. By the hard service during the fall and winter the horses had become com|)letely worn out, and on the 4th of May, as the army was about breaking camp for the spring campaign, the regiment was ordered to Niishville to remount and refit. It was August before the requisite horses, arms and equipments were obtained and the command was in readiness for the field. In the mean time the men had been kejjt busy in drill and target practice. Captain Betts had been

On

the 8th of August

party of one hundred and twenty-five men, and leav-

previously jjromoted to major.

ing his pickets out to deceive the enemy in his front,

the regiment started for the front, but in consequence

his daring mission. On the way he learned that Vance's forces had been divided, one

of the raid of Wheeler on Sherman's lines of supply,

he started on

party, including- the

Indians, going toward

Carolina, the other, headed by

Vance

North

himself, with

the captured train, taking a back numntain-road to-

wards Newport.

After a march of

mer come up with the

tliirty

latter party at

miles Pal-

a point about

eight miles from Newport, and by a bold charge with

the sabre captured the general, two of his staff offi-

men, one hundred and fifty ambulance filled with captured medical stores, recaptured tlic entire wagon-train and prisoners, and brought all back safely to Sevierville. For his gallantry in this affair. Colonel Palmer was strongly recommended by General Foster, in command at Knoxville, seconded by Generals Sturgis and Elliott, for promotion. cers, a lieutenant, fifty

horses, the general's

On the 24th, Colonel reinforced by

Palmer's command, temporarily Colonel Brownlow's First Tennessee an expedition into the enemy's foraging-

was stopped

at

Chattanooga, and scouted to

Gap and Spring

Red

and upon the movement of Wheeler north, followed him in force, returning finally to Calhoun, where it was employed protecting the railroad. On the otli of September the regiment, about four hundred strong, was ordered to Clay, Parker's

Place,

move north

to prevent the return of a force of Wheeler's cavalry, which had been cut off at McMinnville, and was making its way, under Dibberel, to the Tennessee River, below Kingston. It accordingly

moved

to Sevierville, the

enemy keeping up on the finally' joining Vaughan

opposite side of the river, and

near Bristol, Va.

From

Sevierville, the

regiment

marched to Bull's Gap, and joined General Gillem in a movement towards Virginia. At Jonesboro', on the 3d of October, where the enemy was encountered. Colonel Palmer, who had the advance, was ordered to develop the enemy's strength and position.

He accordingly charged the rebel rear guard,

ground, near the mouth of the Big Pigeon River, and captured a train of eighteen wagons, ninety mules and seventy-two of the enemy, including a captain

driving

ten miles to the

ing the retreating rebels, discovered that they had

rebel cavalry, lying in wait for his capture, and at-

Cavalry, made

it

Wautauga

River, killing

one and capturing eight, where he found Duke in force. On the 4th and otli there was some skirmishand three lieutenants, losing one man killed. The ing. But Burbridge was now in the enemy's rear, country around had become very familiar to the men and he retreated rapidly towards Abingdon. Gillem of Colonel Palmer's command, and full reliance was did not pursue, as Forest was raiding into Tennessee, placed in them for information by which the move- but returned to Knoxville. Colonel Palmer was, ments of heavy bodies of troops were guided. They however, permitted, at his own suggestion, to make were kept constantly upon the move. The plan of diversion in fiivor of Burbridge, and advanced, via the considerable engagement at Fair Garden, on tlie Bristol, to Kingsport. Here a party of nine, with 28th, in which tliree steel guns and one hundred dispatches for Burbridge, who had withdrawn to prisoners were taken, was based upon infornuition of Kentucky, was met. Taking seventy-five picked men, the enemy's j^psition and strength furnished by Colonel Palmer started to carry them through, and scouting-parties of the Fifteenth. On the following after five days' severe marching came up with Burday Colonel Palmer, by taking a flank trail in follow- bridge at Prestonburg, succcssftilly eluding Prentiss'

THE GREAT REBELLION. tacking one of Prentiss' scoutiag-parties, killing

a

captain and one man, and taking twelve prisoners

and

thirty horses.

Lamborn held the ford of the North Fork of the HolsVaughan for one day, and at night, hav-

ton against

ing no supports, retired towards Bull's Gap, losing in

man wounded.

On

company was

made

it

sent to the rear of the

enemy un-

a

took to

its

heels, leaving the

Union

force, of

only one hundred and twenty-five men, to cross and

move unmolested to Bull's Gap. Upon their arrival camp General Gillem complimented them, in an

in

order, "for their

when

action

at Rogerville, October 7th

in the face of a rebel force

much

larger than

own, they crossed the Holston River, capturing three rebel lieutenants and eight enlisted men, with no loss." their

its

return

arrival Colonel

sudden dash, capturing three officer^ and eight men, and .so disconcerting the entire party that

Upon

main stream,

attacking party, which, coming upon the awares,

in.

Huntsville for

he was again attacked by a large force. The command was in column, along the river-bank, the enemy occupying a steep bluflF commanding the ford and the road which led to it, over which the column was

A

;

and route of Roddy's forces, causing their disbandment. The entire loss of the command was one man killed and two wounded. It successfully eluded largely superior forces of the enemy while on its return to Decatur, and brought all its captures safely

the following

day, while crossing a dilEcult ford of the

advancing.

the capture and destruction of his train, with the papers and baggage of the brigade and the repeated defeat

In the mean time the remainder of the regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lanihorn, was attacked by Vaughan's forces, which had returned from Virginia.

the skirmish one

259

available eral

Lyon

rest,

the

command was

but on the

ordered

night following

to its

Palmer was directed to take all his mounted men and intercept the rebel Genat Fort Deposit.

Failing in this, Colonel

Palmer crossed the river in pursuit, came up with Lyon on January 16th, surprised his camp before daylight and routed his command, capturing his only piece of artillery and ninety-six prisoners, which were brought off. Lyon himself was taken, but succeeded in making his escape, after shooting the serwho had him in charge, the only loss. Colonel

geant

—

Palmer led out another scouting- party, on the 27th, of one hundred and fifty men in pursuit of a guerilla band, under Colonel Meade, infesting the Cumberland ilouiitains, returning on the 6th of February with one captain, two lieutenants and twenty-three privates as prisoners.

Before starting on the spring campaign fresh honses were supplied and the command was completely reGeneral Stoneman was fitted for active service.

After this the main body of the regiment and the detachment under Colonel Palmer assembled in camp placed in command of the cavalry, and Colonel near Chattanooga, and for two months were engaged Palmer, who had been promoted to brevet brigadierin scouting for a long distance on all sides, frequently general, was assigned to the command of the First meeting bands of the enemy. On the 20th of Decem- Brigade of Gillem's division, whereupon Lieutenantber, Colonel Palmer, with his own and detachments Colonel Betts, who had been promoted from major, from other regiments to the number of six hundred took command of the regiment. Towards the close men, proceeded to Decatur, whence he pushed for- of March, Stoneman started on an important expediward, on the south bank of the Tennessee River, in On the 29th he reached tion towards North Carolina. pursuit of Hood's demoralized troops, now in full Wilkesboro', on the Yadkin River, where he had a retreat from Tennessee, having been thoroughly deskirmish. Here he received intelligence which deterfeated, in the battle of Nashville, by Thomas. With- mined him to turn north towards the Virginia and out attempting to give the details of this eminently Tennessee Railroad, which he fell to destroying, the successful expedition, its character may be judged by Fifteenth being actively employed in this work. From the following summary of results The capture of two this point Major Wagner, with four companies, made hundred prisoners, including two colonels, three cap- a demonstration to within sight of Lynchburg, Va., tains and eight lieutenants, and the destruction of destroying two important railroad bridges. He reseven hundred and fifty stands of arms the capture, joined the command, after an absence of ten days, on the night of December 28th, of two pieces of Gen- near Salisbury, N. C, having sustained a loss, of one eral Roddy's artillery, with horses and equipments On the 19th killed and eight wounded and captured. the capture and complete destruction, on the 31st, of of April a detachment of the regiment under Major the entire pontoon bridge, having seventy-eight boats, Garner destroyed a railroad bridge ten miles north of on which Hood crossed the Tennessee River, with Greensboro', N. C, after a brisk skirmish with the two hundred wagons loaded with tools, ropes, engineer- guard. At the same time Lieutenant-Colonel Betts, ing instruments and supplies; the capture, on the with ninety men, surprised the camp of the Third night of January 1, 1865, of a supply train of Hood South Carolina Cavalry, near Greensboro', and charged of one hundred and ten wagons, while on its way upon it, capturing the commanding officer, Lieutenanlfrom Benton Station to Tuscaloo.sa, and its complete Colonel Johnson, four of his officers and forty-four destruction the surprise and complete rout, on the men, with their horses, reginiental wagons and camp Tuscaloosa road, below Moulton, of the rebel Colonel equipage. On the following day a detachment under Russell's regiment of cavalry. Fourth Alabama, and Captain Kramer met and defeated a superior force of :

;

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

260 the

enemy

at

Jamestown, destroying the depot and a

Deep River. On the 12th, Salisbury, N. C, was captured and immense rebel stores destroyed, when the command turned towards Knoxville. Towards the close of April, intelligence of the surrender of Lee and Johnson having been received, the division of General Gillem, now commanded by General Palmer, was ordered to proceed south for the capture of Jefferson Davis and train. Night and day, with the most untiring energy and truss-covered

bridge at

Hotel, Norriton township,

etor of the Jeffisrsonville

authority to

received

under the

call

recruit

a

cavalry company,

of President Lincoln, July

2,

1862, for

three hundred thousand volunteers to serve for three

Hartranft had been an

years or during the war.' active

member

of Captain Leidy's Washington Troop,

a volunteer organization

which melted away,

in

the days of peace, but

like almost all

similar organi-

when active service invited men of arms to the front. The period was favorable skill, the pursuit was pushed. On the 8th of May to enlistments. The Peninsula campaign, with that seven wagons, containing the eflects of the banks of of General Pope in front of Washington, had closed The ordinary channels of trade and Macon, were captured. " On the morning of the 8th, ill disaster. business were paralyzed. The fact w:is painfully instant,'' says General Palmer, in his official report, "while searcliing for Davis near the fork of the Appalachee and Oconee Rivers, Colonel Betts, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, captured seven wagons in the woods, which contained one hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars in coin, one million five hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars in bank-notes, bonds and securities, and about four millions of Confederate money, besides considerable specie, plate and other valuables belonging to private citizens of Macon. The wagons contained also the private baggage, maps, and official papers of Generals Beauregard and Pillow. Nothing was disturbed, and I sent the whole in by railroad to Augusta to the commanding officer of the United States forces, to await the action of the government." Two days after, Company G, Captain Samuel Phillips, captured CJeneral Bragg, his wife, stafl' officers and three wagons, which were sent under guard to the headquarters of (xeneral Wilson. On the 1.5th news was received of ihe ca|)ture of Davis and party by Colonel Pritchard, of the F'ourth Michigan Cavalry, detachments from Colonel Betts' command being close upon his trail. The regiment now started northward, and on the 12th of June arrived at Nashville, where, on the 21st, it was mustered out of service. REC'RIITS FKOJI Henry K. M'eaud, mustered Oct. 30, 18i;2 lieut.

May

8,

into Ben'ice

isra

company June

;

;

Aug.

24,

to Ist scrgt.

com. capt. Co. H, Feb.

2ii,

18G2

March lSr,rt

;

;

1,

pro. to Corp.

1863

;

to 1st

must, out with

21, 1805.

Privates.

Jacob Fitzwater, Henrj- Cress, Cba3. H. Cress, Robert Dager, Theodore F. Ramsey, Josiah C. Reitf, 0. S. Spang, Fred. Spang, William Spang, Fred. S. Shrack, .\bner Evans, John J. Shelmin, Andrew W. Wills, Edwin H. Hiltner, Nicholas F. Dager, Abraham Hartranft, Geo. W. Lukens, Courtland F. McCarter,

Samuel

F.

Tyson, .Joshua .Tohnson,

Wm.

Wills,

Jr.,

manifest that the struggle was and, if the

men

unity of the

still

gathering fury,

country was to be pre-

would have to fill up the from the ill-fated battles fought in front of Richmond and WashingtonHitherto the young and unmarried men largely filled up the company and regimental organizations Mccredited to the county, but this call appealed to served,

dreadful

of

gai)s

the patriotism

classes

all

resulting

of

men

of family and those settled

company were was for three years' service i.r duriiKj ilie war, and the rough experience of those who were then in the field had dispelled all fancy notions of the glitter and pomp of war. Those who were now to march felt that it was a serious matter.ind this feeling was fully .shared by the families of ihe men and the public in general. Among those recruited by Hartranft were fifty men in temporary camp at Zeiglersville, Frederick township. These men had been enlisted b\' John B. .Vdams, who was authorized to organize a regiment of Fully

in life.

mounted men.

per cent, of the

fifty

The

call

Under the pressing exigencies of the public month of August, 1862, an order was

infantry.

service, in the

issued by the Secretary of

ments

in

War

to consolidate regi-

process of formation and forward

David R. Conrarl,

Thos. B. Tucker, Harry .Somere, J.

the

execution of this order the

Adams and EUmaker were

men

enlisted

organized into the

now

at

In

by

One

Hundred and Nineteenth regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Under this arrangement Peter C. Ellmaker was commissioned colonel. This gave oflfense to Adams, who failed to report the men in camp at Hartranft found these fifty men, who Zeiglersville. represented that the officer recruiting them had abandoned them, and they expressed their desire

R. Steinmetz.

.\lexander R. Cutler, of the Philadelphia bar,

them

once to Washington for assignment to brigades.

MONTGOMERY COINTY.

to sergt. Nov.' 1, 1802

;

zations in the country,

to join

C also John W. Ecknian, Montgomery Furnace, at Port Kennedy, Weatherby, a resident of Norriton township, near Penn

company of cavalry then forming. They were accepted, fifty in number, and about the middle of August, 1862, the full company of one hundred

The One Hundred and Sixty-Second Regiment

breakfast, provided by the kind-hearted people of the

town, was a

member

of this regiment, Co.

residing in Norris-

;

present superintendent of the

and Joseph

C.

Square.

men assembled

Pennsylvania Volunteers (Seventeenth Cavalry).— The organization ol Company L, composed of men from Montgomery and Chester Counties, was attended with some unusual circumstances, which seem to .require special

the

mention.

David B. Hartranft. propri-

village, the

at

Zeiglersville, and, after

company took

farmers and business t

men

a royal

carriages, furnished by the

of the neighborhood, nnd

Under the call, Pennsylvania Wiis required to furnish three regimeufs The Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth were organized.

of cavalry.

(See Bates' History, vol. iv. pp. 950, 1001, 10+3).

THE GREAT REBELLION. drove to Pottstown, where they took the cars for Harrisburg. The company otiicers upon leaving the county were as follows First Lieutenant, R. B. Rhoads Second Lieutenant, Joshua Houck. L^pon arriving at the State capital the company was marched to Camp Curtin, commanded by Captain Tarbutton, where it drew camp equipage and provisions. The men passed the usual physical examinations and

to

which they subsequently becume attached and their country.

is

highly

OX MUSTER-ROLL, COMPANY PENNSYLV.\NI.ointing inexperienced

as your comniamling

sonal bravery, but

and untried men as commanding officers of regiments, which has resulted in the unnecessary sacrifice of hundreds of gallant Penusylvaniuns. In the first days and months of the war this may have been unavoidable, but

who have been trained for tiie profession of arms, own State, officers of exi)erience, many of whom liave been commended by their superior officers fordi^itinguiahed conduct

now we have

officers

natives of our especially

and

capability in active servi.o.

Anl)-61

18f)l

1862

;

;

;

firat

served

through the Peninsular campaign and the Maryland campaign, and was appointed colonel Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavah-y Volunteers, November 19, 1862; breveted major July 3, 1863, for gallant and meritorious services at the

commission December

Academy

battle of Gettysburg, Pa. 27, 1864

;

;

resigned volunteer

on duty at the United States Military

as assistant professor of national

Februar>' 22, 1865, to .\ugust 23, 1866;

and

experinient.al philosophy,

"retired from active service

February 6, 1865, for disability resulting from long and faithful service and disease contracted in the line of duty ;" professor of civil engineering and military tactics at Kutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J., .\ugust 30, 1860,

by the authority of the law of July

28, 1866.

263

General Stuart's command, which immediately attacked. Being overpowered, it was obliged to retire, and recrossed the creek. On the 5th of January, 1863, it rejoined the regiment near Staftbrd CourtHouse. The Seventeenth was here assigned to the

Second Brigade of the First Cavalry Division, where it was a.ssociated with the Sixth New York, Sixth United States and Eighth Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonel Thomas C. Devin, in which it served throughout its entire term. On the 18th of February Companies C and I, Captain Spera, were ordered to escort duty with General Meade, commanding the Fifth Corps, where they remained until after the battle of Chancellorsville, and during the engagement were kept busy in the transmission of orders. Only three regiments of cavalry, of which the Seventeenth was one, moved with the columns of Hooker on the Chancellorsville campaign, the major part having been dispatched under Averell and Stoneman to cut the enemy's communications and harass his rear. When, on the evening of the 2d of May, the enemy under Jackson had driven the entire Eleventh Corps, and was pushing on victorious to sever the Union army, and gain its only line of retreat, few troops were in position to stay his course. At this juncture General Pleasanton, who had been out in advance of the line on the centre, in su])portof General Sickles, then demonstrating upon Jackson's flank and rear, happened to be returning with the Eighth and Seventeenth Pennsylvania Regiments towards the centre, and had reached the breast-works just as hordes of Jackson's men, who were pursuing the routed Eleventh Corps troops, were approaching that Divining the condition of affairs by part of the field. the evidences of rout in the

Union columns, Pleas-

anton ordered Major Keenan, of the Eighth to charge with all his force and with impetuosity, which he

knew was an element of the

major's nature,

full

upon

the head of the rebel advancing column, though he knew that the execution of the order would involve the sacrifice of that gallant regiment.

order that, by checking for a

This he did in the rebel on-

moment

might gain time to bring his horseartillery and thus interpose some more effectual "I immediately ran up," says General barrier. Pleasanton, " this battery of mine at a gallop, put it into position, ordered it unlimbered and doubleshotted with canister, and directed the men to aim at the ground-line of the parapet that the Eleventh Corps had thrown up, about two-hundred yards off. Our artillery, as a general rule, overshoots, and I ordered them to fire low, because the shot would ricoI then set to work with two squadrons of the chet. remaining regiment (the Seventeenth Pennsylvania) to clear this field of fugitives, and to stop what cannon and ammunition we could, and put them in position and I managed to get twenty-two guns loaded, double shotted, and aiming on this space in front of us for about a quarter or half a mile, when the whole woods slaught, he

into position,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

264

appeared alive with large bodies of men. This was I I was going to give the word fire.' had ordered those pieces not to fire unless I gave the word, because I wanted the effect of an immense shock. There was an immense body of men, and I wanted the whole weight of the metal to check them. fire,' when one of the I was about, to give the word General, that is our flag.' I soldiers at a piece said Mr. Thompson, ride forward said to one of my aids, there at once, and let me know what flag that is.' He then went to within one hundred yards, and those Come on, we are friends.' He people cried out then started to move on, when the whole line of woods blazed with musketry, and they immediately commenced leaping over this jjarapet, and charged on the guns; and at the same time I saw from eight to ten rel)el battle-flags run up along the whole line. I

just at dusk.

'

'

'

:

'

:

'

immediately gave the order, actually swept the

those

We

men

men away

'

and the fire seemed to blow

fire,'

and

;

it

in front clear over the parapet

between musketry and artillery At one time they got within There were two fifty yards of the guns. squadrons of the Seventeentli Pennsylvania Cavalry This remaining regiment I had was composed left. of raw men, new troops, and all I could do with them was to make a show. I had them formed in single line, with sabres drawn, with orders to charge in case

had

this fight

there for nearly an hour.

.

the

enemy came

to the guns.

.

.

They

sat in rear of the

have no doubt that the rebels took them for the head of a heavy column, as the country sloped back behind them, and they could not see what was back of them.'" And thus was the mad onset of Stonewall Jackson's army checked by artillery, supported by a single line of raw cavalry. It was a trying position for the regiment, but the firm front [iresented saved the day, and enabled Hooker to reform his shattered columns, and once more present an unbroken line. Early in the evening Sickles' troops came up and took position in support of the guns, and the regiment was relieved. In a general order, issued immediately after the battle. General Pleasanton says: "The coolness displayed by the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Regiment in rallying guns, and

I

and supporting the

fugitives

batteries

(including

Martin's) which repulsed the enemy's attack under

Jackson, on the evening of the 2d instant, has excited the highest admiration."

Under Buford and Gregg, the cavalry, on the 9th Rappahannock at Beverly and

of June, crossed the

Kelly's Fords, and boldly

attacked

the

The

cavalry, supported by his infantry.

enemy's

battle raged

during most of the day. At length, finding that the rebels were moving up an overpowering force, the Union cavalry retired. In this engagement the Seventeenth participated, and in the retreat was of the rear guard, where it was subjected to a heavy

1

"Conduct of the War,"

1865, toI,

i.

pp. 28, 29.

Two

artillery fire.

ment was posted

days after the battle the

regi-

to picket the line of the river

from

Beverly Ford to Sulphur Springs, while the main body of the army was marching northward. It was not withdrawn until the loth, when it rejoined the division. Early on the morning of the 21st it was formed in line half a mile west of Middleburg, and met the enemy, repulsing his attack, and driving him

When arrived near was ordered to charge the left flank of' the foe, and in executing it was brouglit under a heavy fire of his artillery. He was finally driven in in the direction of Upperville.

the town

it

confusion.

As General Buford, who commanded the division, moved northward through Maryland and Pennsylwas hailed with demonstrations of rejoicand as he entered Gettysburg was saluted with shouts and patriotic songs. On the night of theSOth he eni'amped near the grounds of Pennsylvania College, and on the morning of the 1st of July moved out by the Cashtown road. At a distance of a mile and a half from town be met the enemy in force. Dispositions were immediately made to resist his further advance, and for four hours, and until the arrival of the First Corps, Buford held at bay a third of the entire rebel army. " Buford, with his four thousand cavalry," says General Pleasanton, " attacked Hill, and for four hours splendidly resisted his advance, until Reynolds and Howard were able To to hurry to the field and give their assistance. the intreiiidit\ courage and fidelity of (reneral Buford and his brave division the country and the vania, he ing,

,

army owe the

field

of Gettysburg."

^

As soon

as the

had come up, the cavalry moved upon its flanks, and during the remaining part of the battle was active in preventing tlic movement of flanking columns of the enemy and in protecting the lines of communication witli the base of supply. Buford's division retired to Taneytown on the evening of the 2d, Westminster on the 3d and Frederick infantry in force

on the

5th.

On

the 6th

it

encountered the enemy

west of Boonslioro', and after a sharp fight drove from his position. On the following morning

him

he renewed the attack, but was again driven, the Seventeenth Penn.sylvania and Ninth New York having a encounter while ujion the skirmish line. Skirmishing continued daily until the enemy retired across the river, and the campaign was at an end. The fall campaign was one of great activity for the cavalry. The part taken by the Seventeenth is reflected by the following extract from Captain Theo'' At Racdore W. Bean's manual of the regiment severe

:

coon Ford," he says, "you left your horses under shelter, and rushed to the support of your brother comrades in arms (Fourth New York), who were

and under and canister from the

gallantly struggling against fearful odds,

a murderous

fire

of grape

""Conduct of the War," Supplement, part2,

p. n., Pleasanton's Report.

THE GREAT REBELLION. enemy saved them from

capture, re-established the

and held it until relieved by the Twelfth Army Corps, for which you received the special commendation of the division commander. In the subsequent movements of the same year, when the wily rebel chief proposed to flank the army of the Potomac, and line,

thus gain possession of the capital, history will accord to the regiment an honorable association with

the

commands

that beat back his advance at Morton's

and Oak Hill, where, holding the extreme left of the line, you skilfully changed front as a distinctive organization, by direction of your immediate commander, anticipating a well-intended surprise, and repulsing, with heavy which the loss, a reckless charge of cavalry, for In the countereneni)' at that time were notorious. movements of the campaign, closing with the battles of Bealton Station and Rickseyville, the occupation of the line oo the Rapidau, and the indecisive engagement at Mine Run, the regiment was present, bearing its share of the toils, and sustained its proportion of losses, and, with the command, went into winter-quarters on the battle-beaten plains of CulFord, Stevensburg, Brandy Station

pepper."

The regiment was engaged during the winter

in

picket duty, holding a long line in the direction of

James City. On the 27th of February, 18()4, a detachment of two hundred men, under command of Captain Sjiera, was ordered to report to General Kilpatrick, who, with a force of five thousand cavalry, was about to start on a raid upon Richmond. The command moved on the following day, and at Beaver Dam Station, on the Virginia Central Railroad, the work of destruction was commenced. Here Hall's brigade, to which Spera's detachment belonged, was sent to operate on the Fredericksburg Railroad, and at Taylorsville met a superior force of the enemy, which it failed to dislodge but near Yellow Tavern, on the Virginia Central, eflected the destruction of rolling stock, and there rejoined the main column. Kilpatrick approached to within two or three miles of Richmond, carrying the outer works and throwing ;

shells into the city, but found the forces opposing

too great to overcome,

and

retired

him

by Meadow Bridge,

265

which the Seventeenth, holding the Spottsylvania road, suffered severely.

Rejieated charges of

enemy were repulsed and the

the

position held until re-

On the 9th, Sheridan led lieved by the Fifth Corps. the cavalry on his grand raid towards Richmond. At

Dam Station many Union prisoners were rescued and large amounts of rebel stores were de.stroyed. At Yellow House serious fighting ensued, Beaver

in which the Seventeenth, dismounted, was of the charging column, and drove the enemy. At night the regiment was put upon the picket line stretching out

towards Richmond, reaching near to the rebel fortifiMeadow Bridge, which had been destroyed, cations. wa.s repaired by the First Division, and in the face of the enemy, with infantry and artillery, on the opposite

Seventeenth took the lead in crossing, and him from While the battle was raging his works in confusion. a severe thunder-storm set in, adding to the terror of side, the

delivering a most determined charge, drove

Lieutenant Joseph E. Shultz was killed He was shot through the heart, expiring almost instantly. Sheridan rejoined the Army of the Potomac near Chesterfield Station on the 2oth. Resting But for a day, the cavalry again moved the scene.

in the charge.

forward, and crossing the

Pamunky

at

New

Castle

Ferry, engaged the enemy; and after several charges drove him from his position. On the 28th two squadrons of the regiment were sent towards Hanover, encountering the enemy's skirmishers and driving

them in, and on the .30th, while reaching out to open communication with the left of the army, brought on the battle of Bethesda Church. On the same day the regiment was engaged near Old Church Tavern, where Lieutenant John Anglun, regimental quartermaster, was killed, and Captain William Tice wounded. At Cold Hai'bor the regiment moved, dismounted, and in the charge there delivered held the left of the line. In its first advance it was repulsed and suffered severe

but renewing the charge, the enemy was routed and driven. He subsequently made repeated attempts to recapttire his lost works, but was as often driven back with loss. At daylight of the 1st of June he made a desper.ite assault, determined upon victory. loss,

was allowed to come within short range, when the and repeating carbines were opened on him with terrible eff'ect, the ground being covered with his slain. When relieved by the infantry, Sheridan led

He

where a sharp skirmish occurred. At New Kent Court-Honse the infantry of Butler was met, whence, some days later, the command returned by transports to Alexandria, and thence to its old camp near Cul-

artillery

pe2)per.

10th the regiment was sent to the Spottsylvania battle-

At the opening of the spring campaign the lirigade moved to Chancellorsville, and on the 6th of May

ground, where, in a

was sent to the Furnace, on the left of the line, where it met the enemy and fought dismounted, foiling numerous attempts of the rebels to turn that flank, being heavily engaged during the entire day. On the following morning it relieved Gregg's division on the Spottsylvania road, where the enemy was driven with heavy loss, and at night encamped at Todd's Tavern. On the sth the fighting was renewed, in

his cavalry in the direction of Lynchljurg.

On

the

field hospital, thirty-five wounded Union soldiers were found in a famishing condition and brought away. On rejoining the column near

Trevilian Station, Sheridan was found hotly engaged.

The Seventeenth was immediately

sent to the front,

and during the 11th and the following day was hotly engaged, sustaining heavy losses. Finding the enemy The Sevenin superior numbers. Sheridan returned. teenth was again engaged near White House Landing on the 21st, at Jones' Bridge on the 2.3d, and at

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

266

Charles City Court-House on the 24th, in each engage-

ment sustaining considerable losses. On the 26th, Sheridan crossed the James, but a month later returned to the left bank and moved up towards Richmond. At Ruffin's House the enemy's videttes were found and driven upon his infantry supports. On the morning of the 28th the brigade^ dismounted, was sent to dislodge the enemy's infantry from a strong position on

commanding ground

in

front of Ruffin's.

Difficult

ditches had to be crossed, but pushing resolutely forit opened fire from the rejieating carbines, and though losing heavily, drove him out and occupied his ground. On the following day Sheridan recrossed the James, and soon after retraced his stejjs for -the purpose of misleading the enemy as to his real strength on the Richmond side. On the 30th he returned to

ward,

the lines before Petersburg.

Early in August, Sheridan was ordered to the com-

mand

of the army in the Shenandoah Valley, and two divisions of cavalry, the First and Third, were sent to his aid. Upon the arrival of the Seventeenth in the valley, Major Reinhold resigned and was honorably discharged, whereupon Captain Weidner H. Spera was promoted to succeed him. On tlie 11th of August the cavalry moved towards Xewtown, driving the enemy, but at six in the evening found him in position, determined to dispute further advance. The Seventeenth was at the front and was immediately ordered to charge. The enemy oH'ered obstinate resistance, but was finally dislodged and retreated rajjidly up the valley. (_)n the 16th the enemy attacked the pickets of the brigade near Front Royal, the Seventeenth holding the centre of the brigade line. The division was immediately put in motion and repulsed the over-confident foe, capturing two battle-flags and three hundred jirisoners. General Devin, commanding the brigade, was wounded in this engagement. On the 25th the command moved forward to Kearnysville, where it came upon the enemy's intantry. Of the battle which ensued. General Sheridan says " This attack was handsomely made, but instead of finding cavalry his (enemy's) infantry was encountered, and for a time douliled up and thrown into the utmost confusion .... This engagement was a mutual surprise, our cavalry expecting to meet the enemy's cavalry, and his infantry expecting no opposition whatever." The Union forces retired in the direction of Shepherdstown, and :

when near

that place the

enemy attacked

Custer's

For the purpose of diverting attention from Custer the Seventeenth was ordered to charge upon the enemy's flank. In column of fours it dashed down a narrow road, and drove a body of his infantry from a wood, creating consternation in his ranks. In this charge Lieutenant James Potter was killed. For three weeks almost constant skirmishing was kept up, the Seventeenth participating in the actions at Smithfield on the 29th, at White Post on the 1st of September, at the Berry ville and Buncetown cross-

division.

ing of the Opequan on the 7th, in which Captain Martin R. Reinhold was killed, and at Bunker Hill on the 13th. Sheridan was now about to assume the oftensive. At noon of the 18th the cavalry at Bunker Hill wag ordered to break camp and move quietly without sound of bugle, and at a mile east of Summit Point encamped for the night, drawing sixty rounds of ammunition per man and sending all regimental baggage and supply trains to Harper's Ferry. At one o'clock on the morning of the 19th reveille was sounded, and at two the cavalry moved towards the Opequan. Before daylight heavy firing was heard. The First Division moved on the road towards Stevenson Station, crossing the Opequan, and driving the enemy from his position at the ford. The fighting was now general along the entire line, Sheridan having moved Step liy step the to the attack with his entire army. ground was disputed. When within half a mile of the Valley pike, near the station, the enemy was discovered massing his cavalry to dispute the advance of Averell. At this junction General Devin was ordered to charge with his brigade. With the Seventeenth in advance, the charge was made, and the enemy driven in great confusion towards Winchester, opening the way for a junction of Torber's and Averell's

commands.

Moving

in line u])

the pike

towards Winchester, the enemy's line was again charged and driven from its position. Tlie fighting

was very severe. " I

General Sheridan says, in his report Early over the

attacked the forces of General

Berryville pike, at the crossing of the 0[)ciiuan Creek, after a most desperate engagement, which lasted from early in the morning until five o'clock in the evening, completely defeated him, driving him through Winchester and capturing about two thousand five hundred jirisoners, five pieces of artillery, nine battleflags and most of their wounded." After the battle the regiment was ordered to report for duty to Colonel Edwards, post commander at Winchester, and was employed in guarding against tlie attacks of guerillas and in keeping open communication with the base of supplies. On the 15th of October, Major Spera was sent with a detachment

and

to

Martinslmrg, and while there was ordered to escort front,' and was with him in

General Sheridan to the

1 Early on the tSth of October, Major Spei-a, in command of a detachment of the Seventeenth Cavalry, while at Martinsburg, whither he had been sent on the previous day, was ordered to report to Major Forsythe, of General Sheridan's statf, then at Martinsbnrg, and waa directed by him to hold his command in readiness to escort Miyor-General Sheridan, in company with Colonels Thorn and Alexander, to the front. The column left Slartinsburf; at nine A.M., arrived at Winchester at three p.m., Geneml Sheridan stopping at post headijualtere, Colonel EdThe escort enwards, Thirty-seventh Slassachusetts, commanding. camped for the night at Mill Creek, a mile south of the town, with orders Very early to be in reiuliness to move at five on the following morning. in the morning rapid artillerj- firing was beard in the direction of the front. At about eight a. m. General Shgridan came riding leisurely along, remarking that the artillery firing was no doubt occasioned by a reconnoissance which had been ordered fur that morning. Shortly after

THE GREAT REBELLION.

267

and demolishing the canal and destroying supplies destined for the rebel army. On the 8th the Second Brigade marched via Howardsville, Scottsville and Fluvanno Court-House to Columbia and thence to Until the 27th the regiment remained on duty at Goochland Court-House, returning during the night Winchester, when it was relieved and rejoined the to Columbia, continuing the work of destruction. division. On the 19th of December, General Torbert From the James River the command moved upon led his command by Front Royal into the valley of the Virginia Central Railroad, which was likewise Virginia, and on the 22d met the enemy at AVhite's rendered unserviceable, and on the 26th rejoined the Ford, driving him, and again on the following day army before Petersburg. " There perhaps never was near Gordonsville, where, finding his infantry in a march," says Sheridan, " where nature oftered such heavy force, Torbert was obliged to fall back. The impediments and showed herself in such gloom as Seventeenth was of the rear guard in the retreat, and upon this; incessant rain, deep and almost impassable successfully held the enemy in check, who made streams, swamps and mud were encountered and repeated attacks. In repelling one of these, Lieu- overcome with a cheerfulness on the part of the To every tenant Alfred F. Lee was killed. Returning to the troops that was truly admirable. vicinity of Winchester, the regiment went into per- officer and man of the First and Third Cavalry manent quarters, and during the winter was employed Divisions I return ray sincere thanks for patriotic, unmurmuring and soldierly conduct." in picket ait^ scout duty, detachments being occaSheridan reached the army just as it was moving sionally sent out against roving bands of the enemy. On the 27th of December, Colonel Kellogg was on its last campaign, and he at once took the van. honorably discharged and Lieutenant-Colonel Ander- At Stony Creek the cavalry became engaged, and the son promoted to succeed him. Major Durland being Second Brigade was hastened ibrward to the support promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Captains Luther of Davie's division, which was forced back, the B. Kurtz and William Thompson to majors. On the Seventeenth losing a number wounded and missing rendered famous by the stanzas of T. Buchanan Read, taking part in the great battle which completely crushed the enemy in the valley, and returned to Winchester with dispatches on the 20th. that ride

!

...

of December the Second Brigade was sent to

•31st

Lovettsville, in the

Loudon Valley,

for the jirotection

in the engagement.

fighting

At daylight of the

was renewed, the L'nion

lines

of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and for guarding

enemy

the citizens against lawless bands that were constantly

dred [Prisoners and two battle-Hags.

committing depredations.

Seventeenth was severe.

On

the 24th of February, 1865, Sheridan led the

cavalry in a grand raid upon the James River Canal

^nd other rebel communications in rear of Richmond. At Staunton the head of the column began skirmishing with the enemy. On the I3th of March the

command reached

and the work of destruction commenced. Locks were blown up, and mills and rebel stores were destroyed. The First and Second Brigades went to Howardsville, cutting Scottsville,

passing Milltown fugitives from the interpretation of

Itie

field

to appear, giving

Spera to take twenty

men

General Sheridan then ordered

with the best horses from the escort and

follow him, a3 he wa-s going to

"move

of April

in his works, the division capturing six

hun-

The loss in the Captain James Ham being

killed, and Captains English, Donehoo, Beinhold and Lieutenant Anglun among the wounded. Rapid marching and hard fighting continued until the 6th, when General Ewell, with one wing of the

among the

rebel

From

army, was cajjtured.

that point the

cavalry kept up a running fight with the enemy's

advance until he reached Appomattox Court-House, where the whole rebel army was forced to lay down In securing this joyful result the cavalry, largely, the Seventeenth sustaining its hard-earned reputation for gallantry to its

arms.

led

by Sheridan, contributed

the

last.

another

morning. All trains going to anil reonce ordered to be parked to the right

tiring of tlie

turning from the front were at and left of the road near Milltown. !>Iajor

began

1st

charging the

lively" to the front, the re-

mainder of the escort being directed to report to General Forsythe, and Colonels Th()rn and .\Iexaniler to do " what they could in stemming the tide of fugitives." On the way up the pike towards Xewtown the crowds of men and wagons thickened, until the multitude became almost a jam, so much so that it was impossible to keep the pike, and General Sheridan struck to the left of the road, dashing through fields and over fences and ditches. He spoke to few, occasionally crying out, "Pace the other way, boys !" A chaplain was met mounted on a mule who seemed importunate to speiik with the general, and beckoned him to stop; but the general told him to face about and ride along if he had anything to say. But the mule-mounted chaplain was soon left behind with his story untold. On arriving upon tlie field the general struck to the right of the road, where were Generals Wright, Getty and members of his own staff, one of whom remarked; "General, I suppose Jubal Early intends driving you out of the valley." "What!" exclaimed Shendan, "drive me out of the valley, three corps of infantry and all my cavalry? I'll lick him before night." With a lion heart he set to work disposing his forces, and by nightfall he had redeemed his promise.

From

Ajipomattox the regiment returned and after a week's rest marched to the neighborhood of Washington, where it remained in camp until its final muster out of service, on the 16th of June. A detachment of this regiment was consolidated with parts of the First and Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment.s, forming the Second Provisional Cavalry, and remained in service until the 7th of August, when it was mustered .out at Louisville, Ky. In his farewell order to the Seven" In five successive teenth, General Devine says campaigns, and in over threescore engagements, you have nobly sustained your part. Of the many gallant regiments from your State, none has a brighter record, none has more freely shed its blood on every battle-field from Gettysburg to Appomattox. Your gallant deeds will be ever fresh in the memory of to

the

Petersburg,

:

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

268

your comrades of the Iron Brigade and the First Soldiers, farewell

Division.

I

William C. Walker, saddler, must, in Oct. 3, 1862 pro. from private Co. April 6, 1863. Nov. 1, 1862 trans, to Co. James Hyde, chief bugler, must, in Feb. 28, 1864 pro. from bugler Co. B Nov. 1, 1S64 disch. by G. O. June 21, 1865. Jonathan M. Darrow, farrier, must, in Sept. 21, 1862 pro. from privat* Co. B Nov. 1, 1862; trans, to Co. B May, 15, 1863. ;

M

M

;

;

;

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. Nov.

Josiali II. Kullogg, col., must, in

James

19,

18('.2

6,

1862

Q. Antlei-son, col., muBt. in Sept.

maj. June 1865

lieut.-col.

by G. O. June

(iisih.

;

1863; to

13,

;

res.

Dec. 27, 1864.

pro.

from

;

A to

capt. Co.

April 30, 1864; to

Jan

col.

David B. Ilartranft, 1802

7,

res. May 31, 1863. I Nov. C, 1862 Coe Durhind, lieut.-col., must, in Oct. 23, 1862 to nii^i. Nov. 20, 1802 to lieut.-col. Feb. la, disch. by G. 0. June 20, 1863. 13, 1865

from capt. Co.

pro.

;

186.5

;

from

pro.

;

capt. Co.

brevet

;

col.

M

March

David B. Ilartranft, iniy., must, in Oct. 14, 1862 Nov. 20, 1862 res. Jan. 11, 1863. Eeuben R. ReinboUI, mn,i., must, in Oct. 2, 1862 E Oct. 22, 1862 res. Aug. 9, 1804.

from capt. Co.

pro.

:

L

from

pro.

;

Ist lieut. Co.

Weidner II. Spera, maj., must, in Oct. 14, 1862 pro. from capt. Co. C Aug. 10, 1864 disch. by G. 0. June 20, 1865. Luther B. Kurtz, maj., must, in Oct. 30, 1862; pro. from capt. Co. C Feb. disch. by G. 0. June 20, 1895. 13, 1S65 William Thompson, maj., must, in Nov. 1, 1802 pro. from cjipt. Co. H brevet lieut.-col. March 13, 1865 disch. by G. 0. Feb. 13, 1865 ;

;

;

;

;

;

20, 1865.

K

Co. Nov.

22, 1804

July

Henry M.

A

Co.

A

Nov.

1802

I'J,

Nov.

to com. sergt.

byG. O.June

disch.

March

13,

1865; disch. by G. O. June 20, 1805.

Newlin,

Ellis P.

B

to capt. Co.

;

1,

1862

to

;

L

from

pro.

;

;

nnist. out witli

C. Jones, sergt.,

1863

May

com. sub.

sergt.

26, 1865

20, 1865.

assist, snrg.,

must, in April

July

res.

;

1", lSO:i

18, 1803.

;

by G. 0.

disch.

;

chaplain, nnist.

Nov. 21,1862;

in

Jliirch

re.s.

8,

Morton, chaplain, must,

June 20, 1305. Samuel ]M. Drew, vet.

in

March

B June

surg., must, in .Tune

James Brannon,

4,

1803

disch. .Vug. 7th, to

;

1803

must, in Sept. 26,1802; pro. fri>m corp_

to 1st lieut. Co. I

;

B Aug.

1864

1,

July 22,.1864.

in Sept.

to 2d lieut. Co.

;

D

1862

21,

sergt.-maj., must, in Sept. 22, 1802; pro. to 2d lieut. Co. JI

;

June

Boyd,

Nov.

q. ni. -sergt.

I ,Tan. 1, 1865

.

;

trans, to Co. I

must, in Oct.

by G. 0. June

disch.

;

John A. English, com.

May

1862

1,

sergt.,

6,

pro.

;

from

Dec. 28, 1864.

from private

Aug.

from q.m.-

pro.

;

25, 1804.

1804; pro. from private Co.

20, 1805.

26, 1861

must, in Sept.

6,

1862

pro.

;

from private

;

1865.

K

Co.

John M. Co.

hos]..

March

1,

1864

Nov. 20, 1862

James N. Smith, private Co.

B

K

;

hosp.

April

Thomas Lawrence, Co.

steward, must, in Sept. 21, 1862; pro. from private ;

must, out with regiment June

F\iriuan, hosp. steward, must, in Oct. 3, 1802

D

G, O.

June

by

disch.

;

.\pril 0,

16, 1865.

;

pro. to sergt. Dec. 10,

;

;

1805

;

sergt,,

May

15,

by G. 0. Slay

15,

must, in Sept. 25, 1802, pro. from Corp.

must, out with

Lewis B. Bailey,

Oct.

1,

sergt.,

company June

16, 1865.

nmst. in Sept. 25, 1862

;

disch.

(i.

must, in Sept.

sergt.,

1802

17,

on surg.

disch.

;

certif.

1864.

Hunter,

must, in Sept. 17, 1862; disch. on surg. certif.

sergt.,

Oct. 1, 1864.

Edwin A. Bean, Enos

sergt.,

must, iu Sept.

1862

17,

;

pro.

to q.m.

July 22,

com. 2d lient. Co. E .Inly by G. 0. June 21, 1805. must, in Sept. 17, 1862 prisoner from Sept. 22,

P. Jefrrii>s, sergt., must, in Sept. 25, 1802

not mustered

;

Cliarles J. Keeler, rorp.,

;

;

disch.

;

;

must, out with company June

10, 1805.

date un-

Gideon Saylor, Corp., must, in Sept. 17, 1802 pro. to Corp., known must, out with company .lune 16, 1865. ;

Robert

Gill, Corp.,

must,

in Sept. 25, 1802

i),

disch.

on surg.

1863

;

1803

;

10, 1865.

pro.

;

1862

disch. on surg. certif., date

nnist. out

from private

certif. .\pril 11, 1863.

steward, must, in Sept. 21,

saddler, must, in Sept.

.30,

;

pro. to Corp., dat.-

must, out with company June 16, 1865. JIahlon Kline, Corp., must, in Sept. 17, 1862

to Corp.

i]ro.

Nov.

;

1S03

1,

pro. to Corp. Dec. 10, 1863

;

must, out with company June 16. 1865. Ezekiel Fogel, Corp., must, in Sept. 25, 1802 ; pro. to Corp. must, out with company June 10, 1865. James M. Kennedy, entV; "mst. in Sept. 25, 1862

March

1805

1,

;

date

pro. to Corp.,

;

;

must, out with comiian,v .Tune 10, 1865.

:

Daniel Farner,

unknown

16, 1865.

Josiah Tyson, corp., must, in Sept. 17, 1802;

corji.,

must, in Sept. 25, 1862

pro. to Corp. Slay 15, 1865

;

must, out with company June 16, 1805. Preston Shoemaker, con)., must, in Sept. 25, 1862

John G. Tysim,

disch.

;

on surg.

;

certif.

1802

;

pro.

with regiment June

;

pro.

from

10, 1865.

2',

in Sept. 25, 1802

Savage, bugler, must, in Oct.

6,

;

;

;

must, out with company

1862

must, out with com-

;

pan,v .Mine 10, 1865

Andrew Irwin, blacksmith, must, pany June 16, 1865.

in Sept. 25, 1862

Samuel Linsenbigler, ssiddler, must, company June 16, 1865.

in Sejit.

;

must, out with com-

17, 1862

;

must, out with

Prirtites.

unknown. from private

C, Feb.

John A. Ross, bugler, must, June 10, 1805. .\.

raptured Sept. 6, 18C4 1802: burial record Jan. 31. 1865.

corp., must, in Sept. 25, 1802

died at Salisbury N.

Franklin

Peter K. Clark,

Nov.

Oct. 28, 1803.

must, out with regiment June 10. 1865. Henry J. Tarble, hosp. steward, must, in Sept. 22, 1802 ; pro. from private Co. 51 Oct. 4, 1863; must, out with regiment June 16, Co. ,\

sergt.

must, out with company June 16, 1805. William A\' right, sergt., must, in Sept 2.5, 1802 |)ro. to sergt., date unknown must, out with company June 16, 1805. 1863

unknown

10, 1805.

Drexler, sergt.-maj., must, in Sept. 26, 1802

sergt. Co. I II.

by G. O.

in Sept. 21, 1862 ; pro. from 1st 1865; must, out with regiment June 10, 1805.

10,

Co. SI July 21, 1804

Thos.

company June

must, out with company June

sergt. -mjy.,

23,

private Co.

.S.

disch.

;

sergt. -maj., must,

.Stanton,

Aug.

from

pro.

;

20, 1865.

;

Stanley N. Mitchell, sergt. -nuij., must,

George

1865

24,

16, 1865.

Grubb,

Co. I

by

must, in Sept. 17, 1862; pro. from Corp. Nov. 1,

1803, to Feb. 28, 1805

1803,

leaac N.

Ist

must, out with company June 10, 1865.

10, 1864

Henry A. Wheeler,

I.

;

1864.

20, 1865.

sergt. Co.

1864

1865.

;

Jerome

in Sept. 17,1862

C. Yerkes. sergt., must, in Sept. 17. 1862

George Ferree.

from com.

pro.

;

surg., must, in Oct. 23, 1862

:\I..ore, assist,

date Jan.

from disch.

pro.

;

T. Johnson, sergt., must, in Sept. 17, 1862; pro. to sergt. Oct. 30,

1864

Henry

S.

8,

;

1802

6,

;

Robert

Aug.

to 1st lieut.

;

Henry

Dec. 20, 1862.

1802

6,

K

;

June

;

John M. Bean, q.m. -sergt., must, in Sept. 17, 1802 must, out with company June 16, 1865. Tliomas 11. Humphrey, com. sergt., nmst. in Sept. 25, 1862 must, out with company June 16, 1805.

62dRegt. V. V. Oct. 23, 18i;:! res. April 6, 1864. George B. Ponieroy, surg., must, in .^jn-il 8. 1863 pro. from assist, surg. llcth Regt. P. V. May 2, 1804 disch. by ti. 0. Juiie 28. 1865. Wilson Hewitt,

1802

must, in Sept. 25, 1862

1st sergt.,

WiUiam Hunsicker,

J.

21,

1st

to

2il

19, 1865.

Isaac Walborn, surg., must, in Jan 10, 1863 ; res. Sept. 28, 1803. Thad. S. Gardner, surg., must, in Aug. 2, 1862 ; pro. from assist, surg

Jas. B.

Nov.

1,

in Sept. 25, 1862

1st lieut., nnist.

lie\it.

;

Joseph

;

Ross, con), sergt., must, in 8ept.

P.

1st sergt.

;

Douelioo, com. sergt.,

private Co.

John

E

20, 1805.

by G. O. June 20, 1865. must, in Sept.

disch.

;

1st sergt. Co.

pro. from 1st lieut. Co. 2, 1802 Church Tavern, Va., Jlay 30, 1864. pro. from sergt. Co. Sept. 17, 1802

killed at Old

;

q.m., must, in

Edwin A. Bean,

1802; to capt. Nov.

to 2d

from

pro.

;

1863; brevet maj. and lieut.-

21,

June 20, 1865. Thomas J. Owen, 2d lieut., must, dis8, married to Hannah, daughter of Solomon Feather, of Norristown.

Vancourt

Jesse Ambler, Wilmer Atkinson, James M. Julm Budey, Enos Bt.scli, (harles Biswick, William H. Bddey, Lawrence A. E. Ci>rS(.>ri, John H. Bager, Peter I'efeuback, William Killer, CliarlesP. Han-y, Juhn H. IIui.,-, Rubcrt Iredell, Jr., Charles C. Isett, Huward 31. Jenkins, Thomas A. 3Iontgomery, Edward 3lurray, William Moore, John 3IcDonald, Robert McDonald, William Rittenhuuse, Samuel Rossiter, I««u: M. TempHn, Elijah Tliomas, Jonathan Thomas, Carroll S. Tyson (pro. to sergt.-inaj. Sept. 20, 18i;2). Isniel Wentz, John H. White, Juhn C. Wielaiid, Arnuld Williams, Wallace Williamni, H. C. Zimmerman, Jolm Zim-

PrivaUs.

return from service he was commissioned lieutenantcolonel of the

F.

Howard Gordon.

the time of their enlistment they were en route for the State capital. Colonel Yost was promoted from a captaincy to the position of lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was the first regiment that crossed the line into ]\Iaryland and

On

;

Benjamin

Isett, W'nlter St.*ott,

Fluck, George Delp, John K. Ralston, Benjamin F. Solly

hours from

reinforced General Reynolds at Hagerstown.

O'Neil,

Potts,

AVilliam H. Shelve, Daniel G. Sherman, William T. Shnell, i^amuel

of April

enlisted for three

cruits

John

Jacob H. Richards, Sylvester N. Rich, Theodore F. Rodenbough, Levi Rush, Lewis Styer, William IL Stroud, Fmucis G. Stinson, Levi Shniuder,

months in the Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was during this period of service promoted to the position of first sergeant of his company. The following spring he embarked in business with J. H. Brendlinger, and during the fall he

W. Neiman, Thomas

Daniel McCIurey, George

O'Neil, Irvin Foley. Walter E, Pattou,

;

—

Brendlinger, Franklin Bicndlinger,

The children

tolet.

Ji)hii

John M. Decker, Abntliain H.

Banmaii. Abraham R. Ber-

Itutterer.

John H.

Dolterer,

of this marriage are Daniel F., Harry F., Walter,

t^uerine Eckenfels. Isaac L. Erb. Frederick S. Fagley, Peter Faust,

Maria R. and

Jr..

Colonel Yost

Ella.

luis

been largely

A

as also of the county.

Democrat

in politics,

a

member

he

1).

—Colonel,

AND Staff. Daniel M. Yost

TiKi.D

North

18G2

Sei.t. 12,

;

;

dischiirged Sept. 24-25, 18G2.

Cluiiles A.

;*ni:tjur, W'jilter

Knoderer; lieutenant-colonel, adjutant, Gnstavus A. surgeon, Jnlm B. Stearly

H. Couke

quarlermafitcr, Antiiuiiy G. Ely

;

;

;

;

CoMi'.wv H.

C— Captain,

Henry W. Bunsixll fii-st lieutenant, Florence Sullivan; second Ueutenaut, Enoch A. Banks; fii-st sergeant, William R. Lesher

Thomas

E.

Ambler, Lewis H. Auchey, Fnincis

H. Bossert, Barnet W. Beaver,

B. Bickel, Charles G. Bare,

Isiiiah

James Buck, William

C.

V. Cuthbertson,

;

— William

S;eniple.

Charles Simpson, Davis Smith, Robert Smith, Benjamin

Stevens. Owen Scanlan, Jacob Uliick, Hiram C. Wager. Levi Whiteman, Robert White, Thomas Wilfong, Joseph Wheeler, James Wood.

Charles Fegeley, Robert C. Fries, Cluirles Fit/.walter, Joseph Greaves, David Gruff, James >I, Ganser, Ju^hna Gilbert, Samuel Got-

Samuel Uenshall, Aarou Hendricks, Joseph Jones, David Krause, Henry Kinkener, Benjamin F. Kerper, Wattson Kirkbride, Marcus Kipncr, Charles Lewis, Malcdim Lindsjiy, J. Wodd Lukens, Beaton Maloney, Juhn R. Major, William H. jjcCrea, Walter L. JlcClennan. Saiuuel L. McClennan, James !Mc-

Ednnuid B. Nuss Edwani S.

sergeant,

James Holland. Henry Hnmmcl. Henrv Jones, William Ijooney, Edward Mochler, Patrick JIurphy, John Mahlon. Robei't McCunly, Andrew McFarland, William Pollock, Andrew tjuinley, John Razor. William Ray. Henry Smith, David

Jr.,

Washington

first

;

Ford, Matthiiis Glauzinger, George Hibbs,

Brend-

Bender, John

Demcks, Charles Day, Augustvis F. Day, Harrison Evans, David W. Freas, William Fox John Fitzgerald,

SnUon H. Hauek,

lieutenant.

first

I>alby

Pugh musician, John Murray. Adams. Juhn Bailey. Connul Bnmgarten. Martin Bumgarfen. Edward Bailey. Curncline Bradley, Daniel Culler. Murton Caffey, Roger Cuirey. Samuel Dnnlap. Edward Downey, B»_"jlh Dnrnip, Richard Ewing. .Samuel Elliott, Freeman Fleck, Daniel Francis H. Lubee, Sanuicl

P)-intte8.

Charles F. C^i-son, Jacob

walts,

;

W. ;

"Bergeants,

;

linger, Charles

Zoller.

Barclay Hall

;

;

Ashenfelter,

—Captain,

Tomlinson sergeants. Francis Vmitheiuan, William F. Donley, Edward Hoary. Peter F. Davis corporals, Jesse Hall, James Davis, John S. Hippie. Brailford Lee. Conmd Burke, Charles J. Halloway,

;

George Coier, Thomajs J. Reiff, Valentine S. Schrack, Samuel Jamison corpomls, Henry Bodine, James Moyei-, James HI. Taylor, Samuel J. Potts, Samuel Walker, Joseph B. Jloyer, I. Isett Freedley, George A. Lentze numicians, Samuel C. Walker, Comly Wright. ZVi»a(e«.— Theodore Adie, William H. Adle, John F. Ambler, Adam ;

William K. Ki-pner. Joua?; G. Kranse. Aaron K. Kalb,

second lieutenant, William

;

Company

Gotsliall,

K.

Kase, Geurge Ladshaw. Charles Lacliiuan. D. G. Leidheiser,

S.

Yahn, John Yahn, Julin M.

sergeant-major, Carroll Tysuii D. JIcLean quartennaster-sergeant, J. Howai"d Murray; commissary -sergeant, Richard K. Kuhn lionpital steward, Tlmnuis H. Walton. assistant surgeon, li.

Hi-nry GrofE, Jesse

Geist.

David Levenguod, Augustus Mayberry. Juhn V, Meckert, Sylvester Muser. Henry M. Muyer, Henry M. Jliller. Jesse Nyce, Jesse Oxenford, Jeremiah Prutzman, Francis Uawn. Jonas F. Reinerf, Albert H. Richards, George R. Ruchstulil, Jlahlon Hatz, Washington H. Smith. Levi Scheffey, William Sabolil, Augustus Shaffer. Eplmiim B. Sclieffey. Henry Y. Schwfinhart, George H. Slianer. Jon:is K. Smith, Henry Stuftlet. Henry Sletler. John Steller, William Umsted, Henry W. Weand. Siimnel Wcit^s. Josiah M. Yerger, William Young, Philip

ELEVENTH KEGIMEXT.

•

S.

Ivalb,

John

of Trinity Lutheran Church, Norristown.

Organized

Hallman. John

Hauek, George W. Hauek, Conrad Hauser. Thomas F. Hoffmeier, Danitd H. Heffner, David P. Herb. Juel Hartenstim-. William B. Hoffman. Levi

does not participate in the various political movements of the time and invariably declines office. JIc is

Jacob Fryer, Natlumiel Feather, Milton Gilbert, Enos

Henry

identified with the business interests of the borough,

Griffith, Jr., Ivins B. Hansell.

Isaac R. Hunsicker,

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA Organized Sept.

17,

1802

;

discharged Sept. 25,

FiELn AND Staff. — Colonel, James Gilkyson

;

;

3IILITIA.

6, 27,

2S, 1802.

lieutenant-colonel, Charles

,

1

>=.

Lcadt-r; major,

Edwani

S.

Shessh*r

;

adjutant, Franklin

March;

THE GREAT HEBELLION. quarteraiaater, Jolin A. L. Tice

surgeon, Isiac Hughes; quarter-

;

Joseph Potts,

Jr.,

279 Joseph

McKean

Ephraim Reifsnyder, Peter

Potts,

\\. Reifsnyder, Peter S. Reifsnyder, Ht-nry P. Rntrer,

master-sergeant, Cluirles S. Atkinson.

William

I.

Sutch, Jacob R. Hunsicker, James D. Ash, Franklin March (pro. to

John D. Ruthruck, Henry A. Richards, 3Iark H. Richards, Christopher Shauer, Enos H. Shaner, Euglebert Shaner, Augustus W. Shick, Henry B. Smull, Henry K. Stout, OUver A. Shelladay, William B. Stranford, John Wagner, LGvns Ward, Harrison R. M. W'hitman, John Weidner, George Wanger. William L. Williamson, Samuel Y. Weaver, Henry Walt,

adjt. Sept. 17, 18G2).

Jr.,

Boyer tiret lieutenant, Charles Ilunsicker; second lieutenant, William H. Snyder; fii-st sergeant, William B. Blaitland sergeants, Hiram Lysinger, Samufl Kodenbaugh, Edward P. Benter, Lewis H. Bowman coriwrals, Adam H. Fetterolf, Julius Hood, Josiah Cliristman, George Emery, Charles

OiMPANY B.— Captain, Benjamin

31.

;

;

;

Rutter, Jerome Ruth, Peter Ruth,

Matthias G. Yergy, Jacob C. Yost.

Piivates.~Ja.mes C. Allabaugh, Jacob S. Aaron, Richard Bate, John Butcher, Samuel Brooke, Isaiah Bradford, Isjiac Barton, John Cole-

John Deem, Henry Edwards, Sanniel Edwards, Thomas B. Fisher, Edward Fagiin, William F. Force, William E. Fulmer, Lewis Garner, John Giirbor, James Gotwaltz, Jacob M, Hensell, Robert S. Hood, John Holland, John Heddleson, David K. Humbert, John Hart, Elias C. Jones, Samuel Johnson, Jacob Ki-amer, Daniel C. Kepler, Henry W. Kratz, Henry Lehman, Preston Lewis, Laurence Lai'kins, Benjamin Lightfoot, Isaac C. Lysinger, Daniel Lysinger, Morris S. Lungstreth, Henry C. Moser, Allen Martin, Edward Murray, Enos Msyor, Daniel Millsr, James McGintey, John McCoy, Peel B. McCord, Jarrct T. Preston, William W. Painter, Henry Quillman, George W. Rogers, Da^is

INDEPENDENT CAVALRY COMPANIES.

houser, Jacob R. Custer, Lsaac Cooke,

Rjimage, Charles

W. Roycr, William

Royer, Joseph

J.

Organized Sept. Captain, Samuel

Thomas

first

second

;

sergeant, William R. Wister

;

WhUou, Juhn S. Wise, McNeill, John Donat, George Snyder, Thomas Patton

Bitting; coi-porals, George G.

—

Comley,.Cliarles Gulp, Jr., George

W. Englemau,

Isaac Fell, Manas-

sah Fries, Andrew Gilinger, Harrison Goodwin, Elwood Gourley,

William T. Harvey, Daniel Jones, Evan Jones, George M. Jones, Francis A. Katz, Elwood Kirk, Joseph Kirkner, Andrew Lightcap, Jacob F. Lukens, Elwood Paul, Enoch T. Parvin, Hiram Potts, Elias H. Potts, James Quirk, Philip S. Reed, Petor Rittenhouse, Ezra S. Shermer, Edward

S.

Stahlnecker, Jacob Stahlnccker, Charles Stout,

Jonathan Thomas, William Tobid, Wood, Frank Yerkes. Organized Sept.

Holstein, William'H. Holstein, Charles D. Hess, JosL-ph Barrett,

John Richards, David

F. Skean,

Frank Tomney.

—Henry Armstrong, John Broughton, Hugh

Cassiday, Samuel Edward Delany, Jonas Eastwund, Juhn Graham, Lewis Glenn,

Charles R. Griffith, Frederick Goll, William H. Geiger, Josej-h Har-

Amos

T. H'jlt, S.

Hallman Hart, Hiram

C. Hallriiaii,

Juhn A.

13, 18i>2

Captain, Dauiel H. Slulvany;'

;

rison,

;

Jr.,

Joseph E. Van Meter, David

;

;

Coat^?.

discharged Sept. 28, 1802.

Charles T. Aimau, Matthew Anson, William Bitting, William H. Boude. Benjamin E. Buzby, George W. Castner, Abraham H. Clayton, Enos Clayton, Hamilton Clayton, Charles Condey, Nathan

Pi-ivates.

;

;

P>ira/es.

;

lieutenant, Joseph Longstreth

F. Robeson, Christian Stout. Alfred J.

George Rodlbaugh, George Seelah, John Shuttleworth, James Sloan, George W. Snyder, Peter H. Schaffer, Francis R. Shape, Thomas Slutterer, Samuel Taylor, Reuben Taney, Samuel H. Treichler,

—

1862

first

sergeants, Charles C. Longstreth, Charles C.

R. Ritteu-

Thomas White, Matthias P. Walker, Edward P. Zimmerman. Company G, Captain, Harrison M. Lutz fir^^t lieutenant. Henry C. Hughes second lieutenant, Horatio Ogden first sergeant, Charles sergeants, Henry E. Newberry, James Hustler, William S. Griffith H. Shainline, Colbert Reiger coi-porals, Isaiic Ramsey, George W.

;

lieutenant, Austin L. Taggart

Adam Rodebaugh, Samuel Rodebaugh,

honse, Levi Rosenberger,

18,

W. Condy

;

disclmrged Sept. 27, 1802.

fii-st

lieutenant, A. Jackson Anderson

lieutenant, J. ;

first

Kurtz Zook

Becontl

;

sergeant, Frederick K.

Haws,

Channing Potts, Jidin S, Shearer, George Peckin, A. Brower Longaker corporals, Thomas Humphreys, Solomon Gilbert, Archibald D. Thompson, Benjamin Custer, William W. Davis. Pnt'a/e8.— Lewis K. Beerer, John Coats, Josiah Gulp, Frank R. Deeds, Lewis H. Davis, Hugh Dehaven, Philip Daniels, John Grant, George Garrett, John Gft-ahain, Jacob Gaus, Leonard Hendrick-s, Nathan R. sergeants, E.

;

Keiger, James Keating, Robert Kellei-, NaMianiid Lavi-r, Charles Lyle, Franklin Lyie, Heiu-j' Linley, William Millington, John A. Mitchell, John H. Jlangle, William McCracken, Charles Pickup, Robert Patton, Joseph Russell, Walter B. Ramho, Morris Richardson, Christian F. Skean, Hiram Supplee, James Supplee, Benjamin Y. Shainline, Jonathan R. Supplee, Martin Stamp, Davis Sweeny, Elias Smith, Michael Sherry, William Swann, Jesse Updegrove, Squire

\Vhitehoad, Patrick Waltei-s, Michael Wheeler.

peril to the

NINETEENTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA. Organized Sept.

15,

1862

;

discharged Sept. 27, 18G2.

—

lieutenant-colonel, Daniel Field and Staff. Colonel, Robert Klotz Nagle major, William H. Churchman adjutant, Herman B. Gnieff^; quartermaster, 'Lewis W. Crawford; assistant surgeon. Daniel T. ;

;

;

Batdort'; chaplain, Alfred A. Fisher; sergeant-major. D. Sylvester

Stine

;

quartermaster-sergeant,

William H. Bowyer

H. McNair. r'oMPANY E.— Captain, John H. Hobart

;

commissary

sergeant, David

second lieutenant,

Thomas

sergeants, William

C. Steele

S. AVells,

:

first first

;

lieutenant, George Rice;

Yocum, Beecher, Samuel R.

Robert H. Hobart.

— Charles J.

Adamson, Lyman Beecher, Robert Bice, Jerome B. John S. Bachman, Mahlon R. Buchert, W'illiam J. Binder, Benjamin B. Brant, Harrison Bean, Horace \. Custer, John Corbitt, Marmaduke B. Casselberry, William Davis, Anthony Dunn, Samuel S. Daub, David D. Endy, Oliver Evans, Samuel Y. Byar, Francis Bach,

Eisenberger, Jonathan Fregh, Charles Frick, Heni*y F. Fogle, Jonas D. Fritch, Peter Good, Daniel F. Graham, Davis R. Hendricks, Na-

Ephraim Hartranft, Josiah Huber, Luke Higgin.'*, W. Hollowbush, John Hause, John R. Hunsberger, John R. Irwin, Hiram C. Jones, William II. Johnston, Francis Jordan, Daniel H. Keim, James W. Keim, George T. Keim, Henry G. Kulp, Enos Keller, William H. Lachman, Michael Lessig, William H. Landis, Henry P. Leaf, Van Buren JHssimer, Cornelius Mara, Cyrus \\. 0. Nyce, Lewis R. Neiman, Ednuiml E. Newlin, Nathaniel Harner, John

:

the Rebel invasion.

"A.

(Siguaturei,

" Gov.

Potts, Jr., Franklin A.

Henry

;

thaniel P. Hobart,

commonwealth

" H.MiRisnuRc, June 15, 18fi3. "Received June 15, 18(13, 10 o'clock, 30 minutes a.m. " To D. Muliauy, Es^.—Lsti is moving in force on Pennsylvania. He lias defeated our forces at Winchester and JLirtinsburg, and part of his army is now at Hagerstown. The President has caviled on Pennsylvania for fifty thousiind volunteers to check the Rebel movement, the men so raised to serve for six months if not sooner discharged, to be clothed and paid l)y the United States, and to be accredited on the draft. Unless our people respond promptly a large part of the State will belaid waste by

sergeant, William A. Dyer;

Alexander Malsberger; corporals, William C. Ellis, Charles Lessig. Miller D. Evans, George D. Meigs, Isaac Urnmusicians, George W. Jlorrow, stead, Daniel W. Davis, John Lord Privatea.

1 The following con*espondence between Captain Dauiel H. Mulvany and Governor Curtin recalls the period of anxiety and apprehension felt throughout Eastern Pennsylvania in the summer of isr.;j. It also shows the promptness with which the patriotic citizens of Sloutgomery County responded to the call of the executive in an emergency that was rife with

Also the following letter

G. Curtin,

State Penn»yh-ania.^^

:

" NoRRiSTOW.v, Sept.

— Sir:

Itl,

1862.

have the honor to report the troop of cavalry raised in this borough and vicinity as in We propose to mount our horses for Harrisburg on readiness to march. Thui-sday morning next. Please have the goodness to let me know by Very respectfully your telegraph whether we may go at that 'time. "D. H. Mulvany, obedient servant. " Cuplaiii Norristoirn Troop. *^

His Excellencif, A.

Onrliu,

(,'ov.

of I'enna.

I

—

Fifty-four members liave positively agreed to march on Thursand some others would go to Harrisburg to join us in a few days."

*'P. S.

day,

Cf.

The above

"We,

is

appended

to a

paper drawn up in the following terms

the undersigned citizens of Nurristown and

its

vicinity,

:

between

18 and 55 yeare of age, do hereby agree to form oureelves into a troop uf cavalrj', for such militaiy service as the defen.se of our native State may in the present

emergency require. The membera will meet to organize H. Mulvany on Saturday next, at 7.30 o'clock p.m."

at the officeof D,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

2S0

Alexander Gotwalts, Peter Grouse, Charles P. Egbert, William H. Stillwagou; musicians,* Hophin V. Johnson, John Q. Hunsicker. PrmUes. James Q. Atkinson, George W. Berry, William M. Bainbridge, Jacob Buckwalter, John Coats, Charles A. Cox, Benjamin Custer, Edwin Conrad A. W. Cooper, William R. Cox, John Deal, L. Y. Eisenberry, Samuel Edwards, Hiram M. Fulmer, John Fulmer, Jr., Seth Fulmer, Edward Freas, Edward Gorgas, Theodore Gilingei, George L. Garrigues, Leonard Hendricks, George Hagy, Jesse Hutz, Ivins Hansen, Charles Hansell, Charles L. Haws, Charles C. JohnStacker,

Hughes, Lewis Hagey, Alexander Hanna, Samuel F. Jairett, Daviil S. Kulp, George Keys, George Lougaker, William B. Logan, John Leedon, Edwin Moore, David McClure, Davis Koudebiish, John Rigley, Charles Kazor, William Stillwagou, David M. Stacker, John S. Temple, Spencer Thompsou, William N. Walker, John A. Wuodlius. Mustered iu June

17, 1863

W. Comly,

Captain, Samuel

discharged July 30, 1HG3.

;

lieutenant, Joseph

firet

second lieutenant, Austin L. Taggart

Wister

first

II.

Browu

C.

Longstreth

sergeant, William R.

Kirkner,

Clayton, William G. Hosier, Joseph

Harry

;

quartermaster-sergeant, Tboma-; Bitting

;

—

;

Jr.,

sergeants,

John

S.

Euos Wise,

Augustus Huhn, Stephen T. Kirk, George W. Kibblehouse, R. Moyer, Edwin Moore, Hugh Mason, John C. Morgan, William H. Meigs, George W. Mancill, Henry Mavaugh, Josiah Note, William B. Nungesser, Enoch H. Parvin, E. Channing Potts, Cornelius Rhoads, Andrew S. Rahn, .\tkinson H. Ritch, Reuben Y. Ramsey, Louis Styer, Charles Sniith, Jacob Shaffer, Morton C. Streeper, Albert F. Shaw, John Spencer, Harry Sturgis, Thomas M.

son,

corporals, Charles Coniley, Charles Stout, EUwvJod

;

Gourley, Benjamin R. Meyera, Jacob H. Micliener, George

George B. Rayner, David

Abraham

W. Bush,

S. Grafly.

Duger Bush, Mar*;hall E. John E. Bartholomew, Andrew X. Brice, Michael Bushey, Charles A. Brinton, Charles Culp, John Cross, Thomas M. Clayton, Edwin Claxton, Henry Cook, Walter H. Cook, William Cahill, John J. Dager, Robert P. Dager, Fmnklin Dewees, Henry C. Deckart, Joshua L. Eit-Ids, John E. Kaurice, Charles E.

IVtofttes.— Josiah Ambler, Wiliner Atkinson,

Battin, Jacob Y. Bates,

Snyder, Isaac M. Templin, Isaac

The

Faurice, Harrison C. Green, William B. Hart, Natlian E. Hughes, Samuel H. Hough, John Jaci>bs, William Jones, Howard 11. Jenkins,

Ellwood Kirk, Abraliam S. Kulp, Rader K. Kraft, Jlorris I*. Kirk, Z. Kibler, Hicks Lnkens, Charles Lungstioth, Samuel D. Moser, Patrick fliurray, Richard Moore, William R. Myers, Patrick McMiller, Charles Newirian, John

S.

J.

CoMP.^NV A, First

Perry,

Company

B.i

— Captiiin,

Mont-

served in the First

it

New

Nrw Jersey

Cavalry.

— Theodore Michenor, private,

Marple, cori)oral and sergeant; Cephas Ross, and sergeant Edwin Twining, sergeant; G William M. Shaw, private R. l^Jberts, corporal and sergeant and sergeant; William HoUowell, corporal and sergeant; HarJames D. Walrison Megargee, private, corporal and sergeant ton, private, c*)riiond and sergeant; John D. Williams, private, corporal and sergeant Epbraim M. Crosdale, private and sergeant John C. Ilobensdck, sergeant Isiuic Jannett, private, corporal and

sergeant; John P. private,

corporal

;

;

;

discharged Aug. 21, 1803.

;

Woolf, James Wells.

geant; Samuel Waalton, private and sergeant; Algernon Waalton,

IXDEPEXDENT CAVALRY BAHALION. 2-ll), 1S(1;1

S.

recruited from

sergeant an

Thefollowing extract from a

of the

summer

deemed of nnnsual

period were

C()unty

J.

by an emergency soldier mind the cinumstances which at that

letter written

of 1803 will call to

interest to the peojih* of

Montgonieiy

:

men

town and went into the most patriotic. (.'avalry

the

;

lose our crops

'

pitched

'

their

tents,

fed

their

borse(4, in

they reached

the ground the disunkTed troops impeded the advance of the brigade. If you can't get out of the way,' cried Zook, lie down and I'll march '

'

over you.' "

The men were ordered to lie down, and the chivalric Zook ami his splendid brigadedid march over them and into the deadly breach. Here, among the granite rocks and boulderB of the wheat-field, in command of invincible troops, who had followed him in battle from Fair Oaks

December

14, 1866.

Joseph K, Bolton, olst Pa, Vols,, must, in December 14, 1866. Harrison Bickel, 138th Pa, Vols., must, in February 18, 1867. G. E. Blackburn,! 114th Pa. Vols., must, in February 18, 1867.

Death of General Zook. .\

December 14,1800. June 24, 1807.

Pa. Vols., must, in

P.a,

Joseph Andei-son, olst Pa. Vols., must, in May 1, 1882. William .\llen, 3d Pa. Art., must, in May 1.5, 1882. George Arp,l"5tli Pa. Vols., must, in .\ugust 7, 1882.

Iloury Fuhuer. quarternia.ster, January. 1884. D. B. Rothrock, ailjutant, January, 1884.

George W. Holmes,

Sl.^st

Adam

1884.

Hiram Hansel,

a.

.\lleljangli,=

James H. Buck, Ind. Charles

W.

Pa. E., must, in

March

Bard, Ind. Pa. E., must, in .\pril

25, 1867. 1, 1867.

Breitenbach,- Imltli Pa. ^ole., must, in .Vpril 27, 1807. John S. Bennett, 138th Pa. Vols,, must, in June 10, 1807, J, K.

to Gettysburg,

William Bean, olst Pa, Vols., must, in July 1, 1867, David D. Bath, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in July 22, 1867. Theodore W. Bean, 17th Pa, Cav., must, in July 22, 1807, William W, Bennett, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in July 22, 1867.

entire field of operations, surrounded by a brave

Howard Bnice, olst Pa. Vols., must, in September 23, 1867. William Barr, .'ilst Pa. Vols., must, in November 4, 1807. William Bate, 4tli Pa. Vols., must, in December 10, 1807.

whose courage and endurance were never questioned, marching under a national flag to fill a gap in an imperiled line of battle, his conduct and that of his men involving results affecting the and

was for the time being the most conspicuous

man on

the flood-tide of his truly distinguished and

manly

efficient staff,

the field and

fyll

he in

At or about three o'clock p.m. the fatal bullet went crashing through his body. Leaning forward on his horse, he was caught in the arms of Captains Favill and Brown, of his staff, to whom he said "It's all up with me, Favill." He was carried from the field an object of sympathy, and died on the afternoon of the following day. He was cool and composed to the last moment of his life. About fifteen minutes before his death he career.

:

quietly inquired of his attending physician

how

long he had to

live,

hav-

ing previously requested his adjutant-general to ascertain and advise him the battle was going. Just at this moment Captain Favill reported

how

"that the bands had been ordered to the front, flags were flying and enemy were in retreat.'' "Then I am perfectly sjitistied," said the general, "and ready to die." In the hour of victory for the cause he loved and served so well, "satisfied" and "ready to die," liis great and fearless soul went out fmm his suffering body, amidst scenes and sounds, joys and triumphs, thundered forth by the victorious Army of the Potomac, from Culp's Hill on the right to Round Top on the left. the

Among none

is

the

An Unique Memorial Shaft. many memorials placed upon the battle-field of Gettysburg

more original

in design, pleasing in taste, inexpensive and,

withal, so enduring as Zook's.

where Zook

fell,

diameter at the

A huge gmnite

soil line or base,

apex, about five feet from the earth's surface.

mound a blue marble material known to the teen iTiches at the

boulder, near the spot

measuring about nine feet in rounded in irregular form to a cone or

rises out of the earth,

art

bsise,

Into the top of this rock-

sunk and wedged of masonry. The shaft

shaft

is

witli the

most durable

is eight feet high, sixtapering in pleasing proportion to a rounded

The blue marble is conspicuous in contrast with the prevailing giuy tint of the rock, while at some distance rock and shaft seem the most prominent object upon the famous wheat-field. Here, un the 25th of July 1882. assembled the comrades of the lamented Zook, mingling with them companions of his boyhood from the hills of Valley Forge, to do honor to his distinguished service to the country and memorialize his untimely death. Here, to the charming melody and anthems of praise top.

deepened by the impressive voice of prayer, the spot was solemnly cated and made historic for all time to come. Ed. Hist.

19

Edwin J.

W.

X. Bean, 17th Pa, Cav,, must, in II.

November 2,

1808.

Brookes,! 2Sth Pa. Vols., must, in April 6,1809.

David R, Beaver, 191st Pa. Vols., must, in July 4, 1869, William Booth, 93d Pa. Vols., must, in November 15, 1869, Charles A. Bodcy, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in January 10, 1870, Berstler, 2d N. J, Cav., must, in December 19, 1870.

Edward D,

F. T. Beerer, 90th Pa. Vols., must, in

George W. Berstler, 2d N,

May

29, 1878.

must, in Sept. 30, 1878. Pa. P. C, must, in October 21, 1878. J, Cav.,

Edward Bonter, 1st J. W. Bainbridge, 67th

Pa. Vols., must, in October 21, 1878. Charles Beswick, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in November 11, 1878. II. C.

Bobst, 19th

(J, S,

Inf,,

must, in June

16, 1879,

H. Bell, 8th Pa, Cav., mast, in October 0, 1879. Albanus Bruuer, 95th Pa. Vols., must, in October 27, 1879!

Josojih

John Burnett, 95tli Pa. Vols., must, in February 10, 1880. John A. Blake, 198th Pa. Vols., must, in December 6, 1880. .V. D. BickingM, 175th Pa. Vols., must, in February 21, 1881. Levi Bolton, 51st Pa, Vols,, must, in March 28, 1881.

.lames

S.

May

Baird, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in

James Baldwin, 26th Pa.

22, 1881.

June September

Vols., must, in

20, 1881,

Joseph Bry, 8th Pa, Cav., must, in 20, 1881, William T. Benner, 24tli V. B. C, must, in October 31, 1881. Thomas Bean, Ind. Pa. E., must in November 14, 1881, Matt, B. Bunn, 97th Pa. Vols., must, in January 16, 1882.

W. Bush, 15th Pa, Cav., must, in March 0, 1882. Banghardt.l 4Sth Pa. Vols., must, in March 20, 1882.

George S. T.

T. R. Bartleson, 2d Pa. P.

C, must, in April 24, 1882. Butcher, 175tli Pa. Vols., must, in June 19, 1882. John C. Baker, 11th Pa. Cav., must in .\pril 9, 188:!. J.

W.

.1.

Benken,

Jr., 71st

N. B, Bechtel,U.

S.

Pa, Vols., must, in April 9, 1883. Mar., must, in June 4, 1883.

Isaac Bennett, 138lh Pa. Vols., must, in February 18, 1884. A, J, Baumgardner, 40th Pa Vols,, must, in June 2, 1884.

George F. Baile.y, 124tli Pa, Vols., must, in June 30, 1884. George N, Corson, 4th Pa, Vols., must, in December 12, 1866.

df.-di!

Transferred.

2

Dead,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUiXTY.

290 Joseph M. Cnfrel,2 H S. J. H. Coulston, -Jlst Pa.

P. A., must, in Fubnisiry 4, ISC.T.

Andrew

Vols., nuiBt in Jlarch 4, ISUT.

\V.

James Crozier, 138tli Pa. Vols., must, in March 11, Henry Cook,2 6th Pa. Cav., must, in April K, ISUT.

Abraham E.

May

Custer,^ jlst Pa. \'}U., must, in

51. Cfi-son,

69th Pa. Vols.,

ISGT.

I. S.

13, 18G7.

1867.

iinist. in S7.

W. George W. Charles

Guiubes,

Robert

Griffiths, U. S.

Art., nnist. in

1882.

March 27, 1882. June 26, 1882.

Vols., must, in

Vols., nnist. in A]>ril

9,

1882.

James Conrad, 2d Pa. Vols., must, in October 15, 1883. James Dykes,' 119th Pa. Vols., nnist. in December 12, 1S6G. F.

S.

Davis, olst Pa. Vols., must, in February

Samuel G. Daub, I.

W.

alst Pa. Vols., must, in February 18, 1807.

Davis, 6th Pa. Cav., must, in Mari-h 25, 1867.

James

T.

S.

February

Decker, 97th Pa. Vols., nnist. in January

Y. Guyder, Slst Pa. Vols., must, in

Gilligan, 5lBt Pa. Vols., must, in

James

R.

Grittitlis,

W.

George

13, 1871,

December G, 1880. December 13, 1S8().

51st Pa. Vols., nnist. in

F. Dickinson, 61st

P.i.

Vols.,

must, in February

1881,

7,

22, 1880.

1881.

138th Pa. Vols., must, in December 19^ 1881.

Glisson, 1st V. S,

must, in January

.\rt.,

James Gibbons, I05th Pa.

W.

Vols., must, in

Geiger, 215th Pa. Vols., must, in

James

1882.

2,

January 30. 1882. August ^8, 1882.

November

27, 1882.

December 10, 1883. must, in December 14, 1866.

Heebner,"- 13Sth Pa. Vols.,

William B. Hart, ^ A. A. Gen'I., must, in February 11. 1868. Charles M, Hennis. Slst Pa. Vols., must, in March 4, 1867.

Abraham

C T.

1879.

1."),

Charles Gleckner, 8th Pa. Cav,, must, in .September 26, 1881.

J. F. Hartranft, B. 31. Gen'I.,

H.

December March

John Graham, 175th Pa. Vols. must, in July 12, 1880. John J. Glis.ion, 124th Pa. Vols., must, in January 10,

George W. Daub,

Dolby, 13Sth Pa. Vuls., must, in

1879.

2,

2, 1S79.

Vols., must, in

Buel W. Dean, 1st U. S. Cav., must, in May 19, 1879. Harpole Davis, 138th Pa. Vols., nnist. in March 8, 1880.

Edmund

June

B. F. Gilbert, 2d Art. Pa. Vols., must, in

1879.

6,

1879.

G.

3, 1^79,

Charles Garber, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in June

A.

Eli Dyson, I7th Pa. Cav., must, in Decemb.u- 27, 1869. J. S. Dougherty, 2 4tli Pa. Vols., must, in

1S70.

Levi Goilshall, 129th Pa., Vols., must, in April 21, 1879.

Chri-stian Ganaer, 4th Pa. Vols., must, in

1867.

4,

23, 1867,

186S.

in

Mar., must, in March

William R. Gilbert. 51st Pa.

A. ComiUL-rfurd, 119th Pa. Josepli Cameron, 68th Pa.

June I, January 17,

"

1867.

lo,

Grady, 3d Pa, Res,, must, in Scpli-mber

John

William Culp, 3d Pa.

must, in June

S. I'. S. Vols,,

John

9,

1867.

\V.

J. U. Chandler, 192(1 Pa. Vols., nnist. in Dftcember 12, 1881. Cain, 7th Mich. Cav., Tunst. in January

1883.

5,

James Grinrod, 9rth Pa. Vols., must, in January 14, John Guyder, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in April 1, 1867,

Ainandvis Garges, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in .January

11, 1881.

Pen. \V. Clare, aist Pa. Vols., must, in August 29, 18S1. George Carney, nlst Pa. Vol;*., must, in October 3, 1881. Jacob Colter, I38th Pa. A'ols., must, in November U, 1881.

John

llith Pa. Vols., must, in October 23, 1882.

Fislier,

Charles Fore, 68th Pa. Vols., must, in .May

T. T, GratK, 4th Pa. Vols., must, in

Cav., must, in April 2.\ 1881.

D. Carniathan, 119th Pa.

Flint, Del. Bat., must, in April 3. 18V2.

Edwin

Franklin Grubb. 51st Pa. Vols., must,

18S0.

21),

Fair, olst Pa. Vols., must, in April 26, 1880.

H. R. Fox, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in Deiember 27, 1880. A. G. Famous, 95th Pa. A'ols,. must, in December 19, 1851.

Lane

S.

Hart,

'

4, 1867.

March

11, 1867.

51st Pa. A'ols., must, in April 15, 1867.

Lewis Hallman,2 5l8t Pa.

John M. Hart, G8th

Durliani, 4th Pa. Vols., must, in April 18, 1881.

must, in March

Hartranft, 15th Pa. Cav., must, in

A'ols.,

must, in April 22, 1867.

Pa. Vols., must, in

May

"

27, 1867.

AVilliam Dutlinger, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in October 24, 1881.

Joseph Holt, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in June

Benjamin Doud, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in December 12, 1881. Xsiuic l>e Haven, 1st U. S. Art., must, in May 22, 1882. Alexander M. Derr, G8th Pa. >ols., nnist. in February 26, 1883.

John Hallman, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in Octi>ber21, 1867. John L. Hoy, 82d Pa. Vols., must, in November 14, 1870. John H. Hartzell, 129th Pa. Vols., must, in November 4, 1878. John H. Hennis, 1st U. S. Art., must, in Blay 5, 1879. G. AV. Holmes, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in June 9, 1879. G. W. Horner, 20th Pa. Vols., must, in June 23, 1879. Edward Hocker. 5th U. S. Art,, must, in September 29, 1879. Jesse Herbster, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in November 24, 1879. M'illiam A. Hartley-, i loth Pa. Cav., must, in December 15, 1879.

\V. H. Davis, 9Gth Pa. Vols., must, in October 15, 1883.

Isaac Evans, 2d Pa. H. Art., must, in

March

11, 18G7.

Frederick Ervine,! olst Pa. Vols., must, in December

George W. Evans, 138th Pa.

January

Vols., must, in

\Villiam G. Evans, 13Sth Pa.

"N'ols.,

must, in July

1878.

1,

November

IVilliam Earl, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in

20, 1869.

10, 1870.

25, 1878.

Charles H. Earl, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in ^March

17, 1879.

Joseph Hamilton, U.

T. Eastwood, 8th Pa. Cav., must, in September

1879.

AV. Hartenstein, 67th Pa. Vols., must, in

Samuel Engle, Ind. Pa.

E.,

must, in June

i>,

Fred. Evans, 5l8t Pa. Vols., must, in July

Henry Edwards,

1,

1881.

18, 1881.

17oth Pa. Vols., must, in August 22, 1881.

Samuel Edwards, 51st Pa. Vols,, must, in August 22, 1881. John M. Engle, Slst Pa. Vols., must, in September 26, 1881. Edward L. Evans, Slst Pa. Vols., must, in Nnveniber 14, 1881. John S. Emery, 2d Pa. Vols., must, in November 21, 1881. J). Espenship, olst Pa. Vols., must, in November 21, 1881. J. K. Espenship, 129th Pa. Vols., must, in January J. W. Eckmau, 15th

Joseph Everhart,

March

Pa. Cav., must, in

91st Pa. Vole., must, in

>V. J. Espenship, olst Pa. Vols., must, in

27, 1882.

May 7,

1883.

November 5,

Charles Foreman, 93d Pa. Vols., must, in January

John W. 0. A. 1.

30, 1882.

February

Filluian, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in

E. Fillman, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in

March

25, 18G7.

4, 1867.

Charles Y. Fisher,^ 138th Pa. Vols., must, in March

John J.

I.

1883.

21, 1867.

Fair, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in January- 28, 18G7.

R. Fleck, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in IHarch rreedley,2 4th Pa. Vols., Tuust. in

June

4,

1867.

11, 1867.

24, 1807.

Peter Frey, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in July 8, 1867. 'William Fulmer. 95th Pa. Vols., must, in January- 1, 1872. Henry Fulmer, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in May 1, 1878.

Ivan

C.

Famous, 8th Pa. Cav., must,

in

June

30, 1879.

«'harles R. Fox, olst Pa. Vols., must, in July 28, 1879.

1

Transferred.

2

Dead.

Mar., must, in .June

S.

3, 1867.

G,

1881.

June 27, 1881. John Hallso, 15tb N. Y. Eng., must, in August 8, 1881, Hiium Hansell, 186th Pa. Vols,, must, in Septembers, 1881. William Haines, 50th Pa. Vols., must, in September 26, 1881. John Hurd, 13Sth Pa. Vols., must, in March 13, 1882. D. B. Hartranft, loth Pa. Cav., must, in May, 22, 1882. E, L. Hiltner, 15th Pa. Cav., must, in May 29, 1882.

George

S.

Heaney,

Charles P. Hower,

Ist N. J. Vols., '

must, in June

12, 1882.

147th Pa, Vols., must, in July

Daniel Hurley, 38th N.

J. Vols.,

must, in

March

Charles R. Haines, 7th Pa. Res., must, in April

17, 1882.

19, 1883.

9,

1883.

Charles Hansell. 4th Pa. Vols., must, in April 30, 1883. T. P. Hampton, 186th Pa. Vols., must, in June 25, 1883. Vi^. J.

Hesser, 50th Pa. Vols.,

John Hughes, 3d Pa. Heni-j* C.

Hughes,

must

in

February

11, 1884.

Vols., must, in April 21, 1884.

lieut.

175th Pa. Vols., nmsl. in July 12, 1884.

John S. Hilsman, 83d Pa. Vols., must, in September 29, 1884. Henry Jacobs, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in March 4, 18G7. David Jamison, 106th Pa. Vols., must, in March 18, 1867. Charles R. Jones, 138th Pa. Vols., nmst. in April

Thomas H.

Jones. Ind. Pa. Eng., must, in April

1, 8,

1867. 1867.

H. Jones, 2d Pa. Cav., must, in April 8, 1867. S. Johnson, 9Gth Pa. Vols., must, in December 30, 1867. E. M. Johns, 51st Pa. Vols,, must, in Fcbniaiy 7, 1870. Joseph Jobbins, 58th Pa. Vols., must, in Jnly 22, 1872. J. P.

Joseph

1

Transferred. 2 Dead.

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. KaDdolph Jacobs, 8th Pa. Cav., must, in May 1, 1878. Theodore Jacobs, 187th Pa. Vols., must, in May 8, 1878.

John

S.

December

Jones, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in

Charles P.

.iorrlan,

Ralph Jones,

15, 1879.

Ind. Pa, Eug., must, in February 14, 1881.

5lBt Pa. Vols., must, in

Isaac Jones, Ind. Pa. Eng., must, in

May 9, 1881. May 23, 1881.

William Jamison, 95th Pa. Vols., must, in September

November

Charles Jaggei-s, Ind. Pa. Eng., must, in

William D. Jenkins, 51st Pa.

Vols.,

5,

1881.

14, 1881.

must, in December

19, 1881.

H. H. Kain, Ind. Pa. Eng., must, in .\pril 15, 1807. John W. Klair, 1st U. S. Art., must, in June 3, 1878. Silas

Kingkiuer, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in October

H. M. Keiffer, hosp. steward, must, in

May

June

21, 1878.

14, 1880.

Henry Keeler, 195th Pa. Vols., must, in February 21, 1881. M. V. B. Knox, 172d Pa. Vols., must, in June 13, 1.881. D. R. Kreibel, 128th Pa. Vols., must, in October 17, 1881. Albanus Lare, Slst Pa. Vols., must, in Februai-y 11, 1867. 18, 1867.

Isaac Leedoni, 15th Pa. Cav., unist. in February 18. 1867.

Pa. Vc.ls., must, in June 3, 1867. Linker, 96th Pa. Vols., must, in February

Albert

List, olst

Joseph

M

Daniel Linker, 138th Pa. Vols,, must, in

Jeremiah Lynch, 4th U.

S.

May

J.

McCarter, Corp., 93d Pa. Vols., must, in .September 29, 1884.

1880.

6,

Charles Lysinger, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in December 13, 1880.

Osman Ortlip, 5l8t WilUam W. Owen,

Pa. Vols., nuist. in October

December 12, 1881. DecembiT 14, 1866.

O'Farrel, 5th Pa. Cav., must, in

Samuel

T. Pretty, 45th Pa. Vols., must, in

0.

Pennypacker, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in

S.

B. Painter, 8th Pa. Cav., must, in

May

May

William W. Potts, 124th Pa. Vols., must, in May 19, 1868. 0. F. Pluemacher,! 20th N. Y. Vols,, nmst. in May 22, 1878. L.

W.

May

Patterson,^ 51st Pa. Vols., must, in

22, 1879.

George R. Pechin, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in November 10, 1879. Jacob Pluck, 2d U. S. Cav., must, in December 15, 1879. R. W. Perry, 34th S. C. Vol. Cav,, nmst. in February 28, 1881. Michael Peters, 51st Pa.

A'ols.,

must, in August 22, 1881.

John Piter, 93d Pa. Vols., must, in September 5, 1881. John Powera, 116th Pa. Vols., must, in October 17, 1881. James Pierce, 4th Pa. Vols., must, in September 18, 1882.

George W. Lewis, olst Pa.

G.

Alfred Piatt,

1881.

4,

20, 1867.

27, 1867.

Reese Pugh, 138lh Pa. Vols., must, in October

July

7, 1867.

51st Pa. Vols., must, in July 14, 1879.

M. Lewis, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in March 14, 1881. John Lindsay, 6th Pa. Cav., must, in Jime 13, 1881. S.

Vols., must, in

W.

U9th

June

Pa. Vols., must, in

1. 1883.

30, 1884.

Peunell, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in September 22, 1884.

S.

William H. Lewis, 12th Pa. Res., must, in July 18, 1881.' P. H. Levering, 1st Pa. Cav., must, in August 8, 1881. Eli Long, 1.38th Pa. Vols., must in October 17, 1881.

Allen Quamby,- 138th Pa. Vols., must, in .lanuary

H. C. Lysinger, 61st Pa. Vols., nuist. in November 21, 1881. Ellwood Lukens, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in December 2fi, 1881. F. B. Lyle, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in Januarj' 2, 1882.

L.

John D. Linker, Ind. Pa. Eng., must, in March 20, 1882. H. S. Longaker, 119th Pa. Vols., nmst. in June 19, 1882. Willia Lare, 99th Pa. Vols., must, in June 26, 1882. W. R. Lyle, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in December 10, 1883. James S. Lyle, 12l8t Pa. Vols., must, in August 25, 1884. S. M. Markley, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in December 17, 1866. M. R. McClennan,= 138th Pa. Vols., must, in Slarch 4, 1807. Hugh McClain.l 51st Pa. Vols., must, in March 18, 1807. Allen Martin, Ind. Pa. Eng., nmst. in

May

W.

Megilligan, U. S. Mar., must, in September 23, 1867. McGlathery, 4th Pa. Vols., must, in Septemljer 30, 1867. Joseph R. Moyer, 138t,h Pa. Vols., must, in October 7, 1867. C. S.

Thomas

Morris,2

H9th

Pa. Vols., must, in July

1,

1869.

John Macombs, 34th Pa. Vols., must, in March 31, 1879. Samuel McCarter,i 51st Pa. Vols., must, in March 8, 1880. S. McOlennan, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in March 8, 1880. Daniel McDa*le, 51st Pa. Vols., must, iu April 19. 1880. William Morris, U. S. Vet. Res., must, in May 24, 1880. H. McGonigle,= 1st N. J. Cav., must, in May 31, 1880. Samuel McCombs, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in November 22, 1880. J.

Philip

McManus, 26th

Pa. Vols., must, in

November

22, 1880.

David McDonald,2 52d Pa. Vols., must, in May 22, 1881. Jesse Macombs, 106th Pa. Vols., must, in August 29, 1881. Samuel Miller, I7th Pa. Cav., must, in September 12, 1881. William H. Miller, 26th Pa. Vols., must, in September 26, 1881.

Washington

Amos

Miller, 13th Pa. Cav., must, in

September

Mitchell, 138th Pa. Vols., must, in October

John Maxwell, 198th

Pa. Vols., must, in October

20, 1881.

3,

1881.

3,

1881.

William McManamy, 5lBt Pa. Vols., must, in October

17, 1881.

McCoy, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in December 20, 1881. Uriah McCoy, 51st Pa. Vols., must, in January 9, 1882. John Murphy, 9th III. Vols., nmst. in January 23, 1882. Nicholas Murphy, 5l8t Pa. Vols., must, in April 17, 1882. Patrick McGrath, 59th Ohio Vols., must, in June 5, 1882. .biriics McCormick,2 U. S. Mar, nuist. in July 31, 1882. Philip Mack, 5th Pa. Cav., must, in September 11, 1882.

John

L.

1

Transferred.

-

Dea'ols.

John

II.

Carver, Co. C, 215th Pa. Vols.

Scott, Co. II, 54th Pa. \ols.

Seth C. Smith, Co

I,

138th Pa. Vols.

Present officers, 18.''!4: P. C, Reese E. Lewis; S. V. C, Chas. T. Miller; J. V. C, Henry Cash; Adjt., H. L. Gerhart; (J. .M., Goo. Hause; Surg., Chas. Johnson; Chap., Chas. Foy; O. D., .Vbni. News; S. M., Jacob Reed Q. M. S., "O. G., Wm. Grosscup ;

Vols.

Hiram

Jordan Cooper, Co.

Martin W. Wireman, Co. G, 179lh Pa. Vols.

Charles Craven, officer of the

C,

Sanuiel White.l Co. G, 119tli Pa.

David

Vols.

Arthur D. Marklej', M.D., " Release," U. S.N.

Kush

F, 28tli Ohi.i Vols.

Strasser, Co. F, •29th N. V. Vols.

Christopher Krnst, Co. E, 27th Pa. Vols.

Vols. II.

Frank

Ellison Stackhonse, Co.

t'av.

Sprogell, qnartermaster, 34 months' service

Edward

William Wolsrhuh, Co.

J.

K,13StIi Pa. Vols.

Vols.

.Jacob Reed, sergeant-major, Co. F, 51st Pa. Vols.

He was a son of the Eev. P. S. Fisher, an esteemed clerynian of the German Keformed denonunation of Lieutenant Fisher was a Sellersville, Bucks Co. bright, cultured, heroic patriot and military genius, and about twenty-one years of age when he was kilU-d. 01"

officers

51st Pa. Vols.

.-V.

George M. Lnkeus, officer of the day. Abraham News, otticer of the gnard, 19SIh Pa.

battery.

LIST

its tirst

Charles Johnson, surgeon, Hth Pa. Cav.

the battle of the Wilderness, lantly leading his men in a eharge against a rebel

JoiiatluKi T. Rurer, i-onimaiider, 31 niuntlis'

whom

:

H. L. Gerhart, adjutant, Co. F, 61sl Pa. Vols. George Hause, quartermaster, Co. H, 53d Pa. Vols.

The post was named in honor of Lieutenant .Tohn H. Fisher, Company I, One Hundred and Thirtyeighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was killed in 6, 18(i4,

follow.s

William Ensley, post commamler, Co. I, 13.sth Pa. Vols. Reese E. Lewis, senior vice-commander, Co. G, 82d Pa. Vols. Charles T. Miller, junior vice-commander, Co. F, 19Gth Pa. A'ols.

assistant adjutant-general.

May

295

private Co. K, lli4th Pa. Vols. ;

private Co. G, 91st Pa. Vols.

Fitzgerald, 34 mouths' service

;

seri;t.

Co. C, 13Sth Pa. Vols.

Post meets the second and fourth Jlonday evenings month at Pluck's Hall, York Street, Hathoro'.

of the

Colonel

Edwin

Schall Post, No. 290,

Depart-

ment of Pennsylvania, 6. A. R. (Liinsdalc, l';i.). This post was organized November 10, 1882, in honor of Colonel ScFiall, who fell at the battle of Cold Harbor on the 8rd day of June, 18G4, while gallantly leading the Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers into action. It was inustcrel with

;

Ellison Stackbous,'.

Lady Attendants Upon Hospitals.— Immediately receipt of the news of the battle of Antietam a was made in behalf of the wounded who needed nurses and supplies of food and raiment. Among the first to resiiond from Jlontgomery Count}' to the call were Mrs. Rachel P. Evans, of Bridgeport; Mrs. Alice H. Holstein, Mrs. Anna Carver and Miss SalMiss S.irah Priest, lie L. Roberts, of Upper Merion of Bridgeport and Miss Lizzie J. Brower, of Norristown. These patriotic and humane ladies freely gave their services to the sick and wounded men who fell in battle or were stricken with disease resulting from exhaustion and exposure. Many of the men of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers received attention from the ladies named, who remained on the field of battle and near Sharpslnirg for some two

upon call

;

;

weeks. A number of the men of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers were also cared for by them at or near the village named. Mrs. Anna M. Holstein, who followed the example of these six pioneer and heroic

human

horror, ^

The

women

to fields

of

and who, with her husband, Major

first

eighteen were the charter members.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

296 William H. Holstein,

rciuaiiioil in this sacrificial ser-

vice until the close of the war, iu 1865, thus refers to

her sister co-workers iu her " Three Years in Field Hospital :" "From our midst six women felt called upon to oticr their services for a few weeks to nurse the wounded. Though strongly urged to make one of their numher, I declined. The idea of seeing and waiting upon wounded men was one from which I

shrank

instinctively.

But when

my husband

re-

turned from the battle-field of Autietara, whither the six women had gone, with the sad story that men were dying for iood, home comforts and home care, lying by the road-side, in barns, sheds and out-houses, I hesitated no longer."

and

Although not among the

enter this truly good service to the country defenders, once engaged in it, a conviction of

first to its

duty detained l>oth herself and husband in field and hospital duty until the conllict ended. Mr. and Mrs. Holstein followed the .\nny of the Potomac in its deadly and discouraging campaigns in Virginia, at Fredericksburg and

the terrible loss of life, the waste and desolation and human anguish which resulted quickened the sense of patriotism felt by all

Gettysburg had been fought

;

sympathy with the Union army and the

those in

success of the national administration in

its efforts

to

crush out the Rebellion.

From of

the

the

commencement

of hostilities to the close

women of Montgomery those who volunteered in de-

the loyal

conflict

County were devoted

to

fense of the country.

The world

will

families

at

benevolent

know

possibly never

men

friendly acts toward the

of all the

and their

in the field

home bestowed by the C'hristian and women of the country; to them is emi-

nently due the liberal contributions to the Sanitary Commission from this vicinity, and from which

and wounded on

the sick

the

and

field

in

lios-

received needed supplies of food and raiment through all the long and weary years of the strugjiitals

gle.

Many of these good women felt that this

Chancellorsville, at

Gettysburg, accom-

was not enough, but

panying

that

in its bat-

it

feelings

tlieir

should find

Wilder-

tles of the

public

ness, Spottsylvania,

expression, and that

South Anna, CoM Harbor, south of the

their influence also

James River, Peters

exerted in sustain-

Five

burg.

and

should be unitedly ing

Forks,

and published a de-

Appomatto

and

Point,

GRIOAT SANITARY FAIR BUILDINGS, PHIl.A.,

first

six

a

loyal

and

rejoicing

who

are above mentioned, Mrs.

Evans became very ill from over-work and exposure, and suffered long and dangerous illness. Her place was promptly taken by her sister, Miss Lizzie Brower, who remained with Mr. and Mrs. Holstein

for

the

greater part of the three

following

years.

We may here say that of self-sacrificing women

among all the hundreds who gave their time and

government during the long years of that cruel war, none have received the slightest practical recognition from the government they upheld and contributed so materially to save in its day services to the

of great peril.

The Women's Loyal League of Montgomery — The invasion ol' Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863 aroused the loyal blood of the women as well as the men of the State. The great battle of County.

pur-

poses, viz.

from tlience to

the

of

claration

1864.

City

North.

Among

end,

formed a branch in the Loyal League,

tox wa.s flashed over wires

tliis

in July, 1863, they

surrender of General

the

To

ment.

upon acre of field hospitals, when the glad news of the at

pub-

lic

supplies, with acre

Lee

a strong

sentiment insupI'ort of the govern-

at the base oT

"PKI'LAEATIONOF TURPOSES IX OliGA.NIZIXG TMK WOMKN'S 1,0V AT, l.KAOSK OK JIONTdOMKKY COrXTV. 'Mlelii-\ing that the woiiit'U

have

it

power to ami being

in their

intlueiice in tlie destiny of this Nation,

[ii-eat

e.\ert a

very

satisfied that

more fan be aermnplished by nniteii action tlian individual effort, we deem it expedient to form a Society to be called the Loyal League of the Women of Montgomery County. " HeBolceil, That we will use every means in our power to aid in sups'riiggles for existence, by the developporting the Government in ments of love for the Union and respect for the constituted authorities, and to this end we will constantly labor for the uprooting of all treasonit--*

able sentiments and the discouragement of those wln> foster

ai-e

" Hmdeed, That our in the field

deavoring

and

efforts for the

comfort and benefit of the soldiers and that while en-

in the hosiiitnl shall be nncea.. (Jod for the successor our cause, and the triumjih of Truth, Justicp ;inil Lilterty. We aslc all to unite with us by signing their names, and contributing a small

their

arrival

right

to

sum

years, to

to

maintain and cany out the objects of the League.

rresidenf.

Miss .\nna

C.

country the *^

"

ever, on

The members held their stated meetings in the rooms on the second Hoor of the old Washing-ton Inn. They were rented by the gentlemen belonging to the " Loyal League" (not, however, the one organized by the ladies), aud usually under the care of a janitor, and open at all times, especially during active campaign periods. It was general headipiarters for all information touching army affairs. Files of newspapers were here kept, and general and special correspondence cenIt wa.s a place of groat tred in the ''League Rooms." jiublic interest immediately after battles fought, as the people from all parts of the county would visit there to have the news fi'om the front and obtain from their personal friends in the different

In those days " war corrcs])ondents " flashed along the wires the long list of '' killed, wounded and captured" always sure to follow a movement of the "Army of the Potomac," Sherman in the Southwest, or Sheridan in the Valley. Bright faces were often saddened, and trembling hearts here first heard news of victory or defeat, and with it the lo.ss of those near ;irmies.

them. The organization exercised a healthful influence during its existence, and dissolved by mutual consent upon the termination of the war. to

XVIII.

REDEMPTIONERS — SLAVERY— THE UNDERGROUND R.\rLRO.AD.

—

Redemptioners.' From the early settlement of Pennsylvania a considerable business was carried on, chiefly by ship-owners and captains of vessels, in importing from Europe persons who were desirous of emigrating to this country, and were too poor to pay for their passage or have a comWith ])etency for an outfit in so long a journey. this class, who generally came from England, Ireland and Gernuiny, arrangements would l)e made, through agents, to contract and bring them over, furnish them with food during the voyage and perhaps some other necessaries, on condition that on 1

By Wm.

J.

Buck.

greatly

through

increased,

perhaps, just before

laborers, and,

How-

greatest height.

its

the return of peace

it

did

slacken

not

much, even to the commencement of this century. Such a matter, of course, would also receive some attention from the government, and the special legislation thereon, tipon which as yet but little has

" Exectttu-e CommWee.^*

CHAPTER

business for

Treasitrer.

C.

"5lRS. C. P. Harry, Norristown.

and dear

demand

the Revolution attained

Secretary.

Evans, Bridgeport. "Mrs. B. B. Hughes, Bridgeport.

tidings

With the growth and settlement of the this

}'ice-Presiiltiit.

Yerkes,

"?lBs. L. H. .Tones,

•'Mrs.

repay the cost thus necessarily incurred, profit to those engaged in such

ventures.

Mrs. Robert Iredell, '*

'•

American port they have the for a certain number of

time

their

and be of some

"Mrs. Jonathan Roberts. '*

an

in

sell

been written, will demand a brief consideration. In the Charter of Laws agreed u|>on in England, and confirmed the 25th of April, 1G82, by Penn, we find this mention in the twenty-third article " That there shall be a register for all servants, where their name, time, wages and days of payment In the laws prepared on the 5th shall be registered."

month

of the following

marks: "That

all

proprietary wisely re-

the

Province of

children within this

the age of twelve years shall be taught some useful ;

i

I

or skill, to the end that none

trade

may work

but the Poor

to

live,

may

be

and the

idle,

Rich,

they have become poor, may not want. That be not kept longer than their time, and .such as are careful be both justly and kindly used if

servants

in

the

their

service,

expiration

Penn,

for

in

i)ut

equipage at

fitting

according

cibstom."

to

the justice here displayed, certainly de''

serves credit. ter,

and

thereof,

December

The Great Law," passed

7th, contains

this clause

:

at

"

Ches-

That no

master or mistress or freeman of this Province, or territories thereunto belonging, shall jircsume to sell

or dispose of

any servant or servants into any other

province, that

is

or are bound

to

serve his or her

time in the Province of Pennsylvania or territories thereof, under the penalty that every person so offending shall for every such servant so sold forfeit ten pounds, to be levied by way of distress and Strange

sale of their goods."

to say,

excellent enactments, on William and

the aforesaid

Mary

reach-

In the ing the throne, were abrogated in 1693. beginning of 1683 "A bill to hinder the selling ot servants into other Provinces, and to prevent runaways," was passed by the Council. On the 29th ot August the Governor, William Penn, " put ye question whether a proclamation were not convenient to

be put forth

their servants,

to

and

impower Masters to chastise punish any that shall in-

to

any servant to goe from his master. They unanimously agreed and ordered it accordingly."^ The Assembly passed an "Act for the better Regulation of Servants in this Province and Territories" in 1700, which provided veigle

" That no servant

shall be sold or disposed of to

- Cuhtiiiiil

Records,

i.

p. Vfl.

any Person residing

in

HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY.

298

any other Province or Government, without the consent of the Siiid Servant and two Justices of tlie Peace of the County wherein he lives or is sold, under the penalty of Ten Pounds, to be forfeited by the seller. That no Servant shall be assigned over to another person by any in this Prov-

shipper advertises in 1728, " Lately imported, and to be sold cheap, a parcel of likely men and women ser-

ince or Territories, but in the Presence of one Justice of the Peace of

that those that

And whoever

the county, under penalty of Ten Pounds.

hend or take upany ruTiaway

servant,

and

shall bring

shall apl)re.

him or her

Sheriff of the I'uunty. such person shall, for every such servant,

up within

ten miles of the .Servant's abode, receive

Ten

if

Shillings,

whom

it happened sometimes had been well-to-do in the Fatherland,

the other hand,

in their desire to

to the

immigrate, were taken advantage of

various ways by unprincipled men, their chests

taken

in

and

rifled

or their property taken or put on board the

wrong

vessels,

if

ten miles or upwards. Twenty Shillings reward of the said Slieritf, who is hereby required to pay the same, and forthwith to send notice to the

Master or owner, of

On

vants."

he shall receive Five Shillings, Prison

fees,

delivery of the said Servant, together with all disbursements and reasonable charges for and upon the same. Whosoever shall conceal any

upon

Servant of this Province or Territories, or entertain him or her twentyfour hours without his or her master's or Owner's knowledge and consent, and shall not within the said time give an account to some Justice of the

Peace of the County, every such person shall foifeit Twenty Shilling-s for That every Servant who shall faithfully every Day's concealment. serve four years or more shall, at the e,xpiration of their servitude, have a discliai-ge, and shall be duly clothed with two complete suits of apparel, whereof one shall be new, and shall also be furnished with one new axe, one gi-nbbing-hoe and one weeding-hoe, at the charge of their

Master or Mistress."

and

in

such cases, from their destitute

condition on arriving in America, would be compelled to sell

themselves as redemptioners to meet their exIt was also the practice for over half a cen-

penses.

means should be reand pay the passage of their poorer companions, and thus reduce them to a common level of dependency or beggary. They brought but little property with them, says Dr. Rush, in his account of the "Manners of the Ger-.

tury that those that had the ,sponsible,

man

Inhabitants in Pennsylvania," written in 1789. few pieces of silver coin, a chest with clothes, a Bible, a prayer or hymn-book, constituted the chief

A

This latter clause was abolished in 1771. The object of this undoubtedly was to encourage the removal of timber, that the land might sooner come into cultivation. An act was passed May 10, 1729, "laying a

Many bound

property of most of them. or one or

more of their children,

passages across the ocean.

this province."

depended somewhat on the

Masters of servants were regarded for the time being as holding property subject to taxation. The rate in 1776 was fixed at one and a half pounds each,

which was increased in 1786 to ten pounds. The State passed an act March 12, 1778, making compensation to those masters whose servants or apprenAmong those that tices had enlisted in the army. were taxed in the county 1776, ton,

we

holding servants

ibr

in

names of John Bull, Esq., of Norritwo servants; Rfibert Bhannon, one; Henry find the

Jacob .Tr., two Jacob Leach, two. In nS.") Pawling,

Cheltenham, three there were eighty ser-

Miller,

;

vants taxed within the present limits of the county. The highest number was in Abington, 18 Provi;

Cheltenham, 7 Upper Merion,7 Douglas, Moreland, 4; Mont5; Horsham, 5; Whitemarsh, gomery, 4; and Lower Merion, 3. None were returned as being in the remaining townshijis. That they were diminishing at this time, like negro .slaves, "The can be observed in comparing e.irlier lists. labor of the plantations," says the " Historical Review" (attrilnited to Frankin, 1750), " is performed chiefly by indented servants, brought from Great Britain, Ireland and (terinany; because of the high price it bears, can it lie performed any other way. These servants are purchased of the captains who dence, 10

;

;

;

.');

bring them

;

the purchaser,

liy

a positive law, has a

legal property in them, and, like other chattels, they

Servants from the Palatinate were disposed of in 1722 at ten

pounds each

for five years' servitude.

1727 mo.st of the (icrmans sons of means. 17.'iO

and

In

17.t1 gretit

Prior to

who immigrated were

per-

the years 1728, 1729, 1737, 1741,

numbers were brought

hither.

A

The

usual terms of sale

and had to

age, strength, health

Boys and

ability of the jiersons sold.

girls

serve from five to ten years, or until they attained the

age of twenty-one. Many parents were necessitated, as they had been wont to do at home with their cattle, to sell their own children. To be released from the ship the children had in

some

cases to

pa.ssage-money with their parents. five years

They were

could not be sold.

assume the

Children under disiiosed

of

gratuitously to such persons as agreed to raise them,

be free on attaining the age of twentn'-one. It was an humble position that redemptioners occupied. " Yet from this class," says Gordon, in his "History of Pennsylvania," "have sprung some of the m st reto

spectable and wealthy inhabitants of the State." Sutcliff, an English Friend, in his "Travels America," thus speaks of the redemptioners in a visit he paid, in the summer of 1804, to his relative, William Bakewell, who was at the time residing on a farm of three hundred acres in Lower Providence township, opposite Valley Forge,

Robert

in

"

I

noticed that

tlu'

two female servants emplityed

in

the t!^mil^ had,

both of them, been lately hired from on board a vessel lying io the l)elaware, and which had recently arrived from .Vnisterdam with several

hundred Germans, men. women and children, of that description of people called in .\merica redemptionei-s.

They are the people

in

low circum-

who, being desirous of settling in .\merica, and not having money to pay their passjige, agree with the American captains of vessels to be taken over on condition of hiring for a term of yeai-s, on their ai-rival in America, to nia.sters who are willing to advance ten or twelve guineas to stiinces,

be deducted out of their wages

are liable to be seized for debts."

years to pay for their

arrival for four, five or seven

duty on foreigners and Irish servants imported into

themselves,

to masters after their

;

and

it

not inifreqnently happens that

they agree to serve two or three or four yeare for nu*at and clothes Yet, as wages in the only, on condition of their paasage being paid. general are rather high in .\menca, it will easily be supposed that an jictive

and clever person conversant

in

some business

will

make nnich who come

better terms on landing than the old or the infirm, or those

over ignorant of any business.

I noticed

many

families, p irticularly in

I'ennsylvania, of great respectability both in our Society and

amongst

KEDEMPTIONERS. others, ej-s.

who

themselves come over to this country us redemptiim-

liai]

And

or were chihlren of such.

is

it

remarkable that the German

residents in this cuuntr.v have a character for greater industry and stability tlian lliose

tif

any

otlier nation.''

We

have here the admission that even among Quakers some had come over as redemptioners to near the beginning oftliis century. Redemptioners l'rei|uently ran away from their masters, and advertisements appeared in tlie newsjiapers of this period of rewards being otlered for their arrest

A sample is here given of three who were residents of the county. Mathia.s Holstein.of Upper Merion, gives notice, in the Pennsi/lvania and recovery.

Gazette

of

.Tannary

servant man,

named

years of age,

tall

that " an

29, 17o0-.51,

English

Cliristopher Major, about

thirty

and slender' and pock-marked, run

away on Saturday, the 20th instant. Whoever takes up and secines said servant, so as his master may have him again, shall have forty shillings reward and reasonable charges paid. He had a pass from his master to go to Philadeliihia on the 19th instant, to return the 2(jth, which it is supposed he altered." Jacob Paul, of Abington township, offers, in the Evening Post of February 15th, 1776, " Tiiree

reward.

dollai:s

— Ran awa.v on the 28th of JanualT,

the subscriber, an apprentice lad, hound, by the

name

177t>, Ironi

of Robert Mans,

of a slender make, abonf nineteen yeai-s of age, hear five feet six inches high, and whitish

liair.

He had

and took with him, one home-made

on,

light-colored cotuitry I'oatce linetfwith striped linsey, an upper .jacket, a

two

pair of buckskin breeclicH, hose, of a dark

made at secures him

mixed

in jail, so that

above reward and

William

charges."

reasonjiljle

Was committed to the who says he is a

New

weeks from

Jersey.

this elate,

at Xorris-

pri.so'.i

advertisemcit in the PeiiHsi/tuania

this

goal of

7,

1789,

Montgomerv County, a

certain George

servant to Tatrick Story, in Sus-sex County,

His master is desired to take him away or he will be sold for his fe^s." "

in three

The aforesaid advertisements, from tlie varied information furnished, are admirably calculated to give us an insight into the system of servitude as it formerly jirevailed here,

fully

confirming the harshness of

the act passed in 1700, and was forced,

still

practically en-

though almost a century had passed away

its adoption. Eespecting .Jacob Paul, we know from the assessor's list of said year that he was the owner of a farm of two hundred and eighty-eight acres, kept at least two grown negro slaves, seven

since

horses,

seven

cattle,

diminishing,

and a

riding-chair.

It

may

German redemptioners

are mentioned

our statutes in 1817 and 1818. A law was only passed February 8, 1819, " that no female shall be arin

rested or imprisoned for or by reason of

any debt con-

tracted after the passage of this act."

With the

final

imprisonmentof debts the institution had necessarily to die out without any special enactment or repeal, so slow has ever been the advancement and regard for ])opular rights, even in this great commonwealth and enlightened age. abolition for the

In connection with this subject, interesting stories

have been told that border on romance.

For the

fol-

lowing narrative we are indebted to a descendant, the family ranking now among the most respectable in Lower Salford. George Heckler was a native ot' Lower Alsace, on the Rhine, where he was born in 1731). At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the tailoring trade, and at eighteen

became

free

from his master, when he was compelled to go on his " wanderscraft " for three years as a journeyman ere

he

could be permitted to set up for himself.

This deterto America, and he arrived in Phila-

mined him to flee delphia, September 30, 17.54, in the ship "Neptune" from Rotterdam. Such was his poverty that he was unable to meet his expenses, and in consequence was sold by the captain to serve three years as a redemptioner. His purchaser was John Steiner, a German farmer, residing in Coventry township, Chester Co.,

opposite the present Ijorongh of Pottstown.

was equivalent

paid

currency. tained

under date ofO/tober

Sharpe,

State of

Whoever takes np the siliil apprentice and his miwter gets him again, .shall have tlie

Stroud, keeper of the

town, has

"

li une-made shirts, two good paii'-* of yarn one pair of strong shoes and a sniall-rinnned

(.ierniantown.

hat,

Packet,

color,

299

to

The sum

dollars

forty-eight

of our

After the ex|)iration of his service he ob-

employment

in

Lower

Salford,

where he mar-

ried Christiana, daughter of Peter Freed, a substantial

Such was

yeoman. 1785 he hundred pounds. to the

his industry

and

frugality that in

purchased his father-in-law's tarm of two and forty-three acres for two thousand

His surplus products he generally conveyed

Philadelphia market on horseback.

He

sur-

vived until August 28, 181(), at his death being eighty years of age, leaving an estate valued between thirty

and

thousand dollars. Joseph J. Lewis, of West Chester, in 1828,. wrote an amusing account of the " soul-drivers," a name given to those men that drove redemi)tioners through the country with a view of disposing of them to farmers. They generally purchased them, in lots of fifty or more, from captains of ships, to whom the redemptioners were liound for three or more years of sei'vice in payment of their passage. For awhile the trade was brisk, liut at last was relinquished liy reason of forty

The

late

therefore be possible from the system that prevailed,

the numbers that ran

that the said lad of nineteen years of age was forced

These ignominious gangs disappeared about the year 1785. A story is told how one of these w.-s tricked by one of his men. The fellow, by a little manage-

to live

and be treated on a

level

with those slaves.

As passes were required to go abroad, we see here how easy it wiisto arrest such on mere suspicion, and if no owner came, to sell them for charges. Through brutal treatment the round might be kept

up, and

thus eud at least his best days in a degrading state of bondage.

We

find

tliat

though the system was

away

i'rom those dealers or dri-

vers.

ment, contrived to be the

last

of the flock that re-

mained unsold, and traveled about with liis master. One night they lodged at a tavern, and in the morning the young fellow, who was an Irishman, rese early,. sold his master to the landlord, pocketed the money.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

300 -and hastened

took the

lie

though

Previously, however, to his going,

oft'.

precaution to clever

tolerably

rather saucy and a

little

the purchaser that

tell

in other respects,

given to lying

;

he was

that he had

done according to Cliristianity. Thi.s makes an ill report Knrope that the Quakers do here handle men as they tliero handle the cattle, and for that reason have no inclination to come -\nd who shall maintain this your cause, or plead for it? Truly hitlier.

manner? and

if

in ttiose countries of

we cannot do

so,

have liberty

even been presumptuous enough at times to endeavor to pass for master, and that he might possibly represent himself as such to him. Though the system of servitude possessed its advantages, especially to a people residing in a new and unsettled country, it had its attending drawbacks.

tians

was a relic that originated in the long past of Europe, and, like slavery, was continued and enforced on the colonies. That it was also the means of bringing here numbers of vagrants, paupers and convicts there is no doubt. The evils of this system Dr. Franklin,

Pennsylvania."

It

except you shall inform us better hereof, that Christo practice these things.

W^e

who profess

that

it is

not

purchase such things as are stolen, but rather stop this robbing and stealing, if possible, llave not those negroes as much right to fight for their freedom as you may have to keep them slaves? We desire and require you hereby lovingly that you lawful to

steal,

must likewise

.avoid to

us herein that Christians have such a liberty to do, and

may inform

our good friends and acquaintances in our native country, a terror or fearful thing that men should be treated so in

satisfy likewise to

whom

it is

From the importance of this document and the proceedings connected therewith, we regret from its length in not giving the whole. Suffice it to say that

sarcastically attacked,

was duly signed and transmitted to the Monthly Meeting, from thence assigned to the Quarterly Meeting at Philadelphia, and lastly to the Y'early

as a proper exchange,

Meeting held

in his paper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, of

May 9, 1751,

where he says, that in return, we should furnish rattlesnakes, to be distributed through the parks and haunts of the British courtiers and otiice-holders, especially for the ministers, nobility and members of Parliament. With

it

at Burlington, the 7th of Fifth

KiSS, with this result *'

.\

Month,

on their minutes

Paper being here presented by some German Friends, concerning and keeping Negroes, It was

the lawfulness and unlawfulness of buying

servitude has now gone its kindred evil, the indentured apprentice system. The laws, as well as the sentiment that upheld these, show% from the power

adjmlged not to be so proper for this Meeting to give a Positive Judgment in the Case, it having so General a Relation to many other Parts, and

conferred, that in the hands of the cruel, arbitrary,

oppressive and avaricious they must have been often abused, to the deterioration of the morals of both

We see here in this evasive reply the prevailing sentiment of the English element in its favor. The moral right to uphold and countenance the institu-

parties.

tion

—

Slavery.' The early history of slavery as it existed within the limits of Montgomery County lias It is a subperhaps not heretofore been treated. ject

now

so

variance with existing ideas that

at

becomes only the more interesting from the diversity it jjresents in denoting the changes going on in our social and domestic life. There is no question, but as established in Pennsylvania, it was of a rather milder character than that of the other colonies. It was a forced institution, continued and upheld by the British government as long as they possessed the authority, which an eight years' war and independence only checked. The blood shed at like servitude,

Brandy wine,

it

at

Germantown, and the

suffering

at

Valley Forge was also for the benefit of the African, and for which he should also be grateful, for even Ijefore the return of peace Pennsylvania had made provisions for his emancipation. Judging from the legislation here on slavery, the importation of negroes must have commenced soon after the arrival of Penn. In the famous jirotest from the Oermans at Germantown, the 18th of Second Month, 1688,

to

their

fellow -members

of the Society

of

Friends, they say, "Here is liberty of cunscience, wliich is riglit and reasonable, here ought to be likewise liberty nf tlie Itoily, cvcept of evil-(loen5, wliicli is another case. But to hriii^ men liitlier, or to rob or sell tlieni against tlieir will,

we

stAiul against.

conscience sake

Ah

I

;

In Kui-ope there are

ant! Iiere arc tliose oppressed

do consider well

tliis

thing, wlio do

it,

if

many

oppressed for

which are of a black color. you would he done in tWs

tiierelore at present

they forbear

by Friends was the question, and to whom for purpose it was alone directed. This effort at early abolition was made but little over five years after Penn's lauding, and shows that slavery must have been tilready pretty well established to have thus claimed attention, as it existed among a body that at this time constituted a majority of the popuhition. The Ger-

this

mans, however, practice,

slavery,

to their credit,

By

Wm.

.1,

Buck.

put their theory into

and forbore in any manner to countenance and this result alone saved us from pos-

sessing a large negro population like in all

of the

neighl)oring colonies.

Reference has been made to early legislation on been too much overlooked. We thus find, from the proceedings of this subject, a matter that has hitherto

Council held July

11, 1693,

that

" L'pon the request of some of (he meinbere, thut an order niadf by the Court of Quarter Sessions for the Countie of Phihidelphia, tlie 4th instant, procyeiling upon a presentment of the Grand .Miry against the tunuiltuous gatherings of the negroes of the towne of Pliihulelphia, on the fii-st days of the wceke, ordering the ConstaWes of I'hiladelphiii, or jinio

other person wluitsoever, to have power to take up negruos, male or whom thoy should find gadding abroad on the tiret dayes of the

female,

week, without a tickett from their Master or Mistress, or not in their company, or to carry them to goale, there to remain that night, and that witlmut meat or drink, and to cause tlieni to be publicly whi])t next morning with thirty-nine lashes, well laid on, on their bare backs, for which their said Master or Mistress should pay tifteen pence to the

y

Master or Mistress, and that tlie by the Lieut. -Governor [Markham] and Oonncill. The Lieut. -Governor and Councill, looking upon the sjiid presentment to proceed upon good grounds, and the onh^r of Court to be reasonable and for the benefit of the towne of I'biladelitbia, and that it will be a means to prevent furtlier miscliiefs that miglit ensue upon such

whipper att his deliverie of

y'" to

Slid order should be Confirmed

disorders of negroes, doe ratifie 1

it."

and confirme the

are required to putt the sd order in execution."

sanu",

and

all

pei-sons

SLAVEKY. Au act was passed in 1705 " for the trial and punishment of Negroes." It inflicted lashes for petty offences and death for crimes of magnitude. They were not allowed to carry a gun without license, or to be whipped,

if

they did, twenty-one lashes, nor to

301

by almost eveiy one who could aftord it. The Quakers alone scrupled to have slaves but they are no longer so nice, and they have as many Negroes as tbe other people. However, many cannot conquer the ;

being contrary to the laws of Christianity to keep slaves. There are likewise several free Negroes in town, who have been lucky enough to get a very zealous Quaker for their master, who gave theui idea of

its

their liberty after they

meet above four together, le.3t they might form cabals and riots. A petition was sent to the assembly 4th of Twelfth Month, 1706-7, "from several freeman inhabitants of the city of Pliiladelphia, complaining of the want of employment and lowness of wages, occasioned by tlie number of Negroes belonging to some of the inhabitants of the said city and others, who, being hired out to work by the day, take away the work of the Petitioners, to their great discouragement, and praying that provisions for restraint Negroes as are at present employed be House, was read, and ordered to be read A spint was now being aroused from or

common

people that the

fiirther

of so many made by the again."

the laboring

importation of

negroes be checked by increased duties and some

The first act was passed in 1705, another in 1710, and again in*1715, all of which the British government disallowed. In 1708 a committee other restrictions.

of the

was

"

House of Commons reported that the trade important and ought to be free," and again in

1711, " that the plantations ought to be supplied with

negroes at reasonable rates."

Good Queen Anne, who

abrogated the act of 1710 prohibiting the importation of slaves into the province, three years latter congratulated Parliament in having secured for the nation a

new' market for slaves in the .Spanisli dominions.

So

was the importance attached by the to this sinful commerce that an English merchant, in 1745, published a political treatise, entitled " The African Slave Trade the Great Pillar and Supjwrt of the British Plantation Trade in America." Unfortunately, to the great encouragement of the traffic, the British colonists here would purchase them, and we cannot find that any particular or active efforts were made here to discontinue this by any religious denomination down almost to the Revolution, and was then only brouglit about from the excitement attending the passage of the Stamp Act,

bad

faithfully served hijn for

some

time,''

Among those early advocates for the abolition of slavery residing in our county can be mentioned the eccentric Benjamin Lay, of Abington, who wrote a book against its evils, printed by Franklin in 1737, being a 32mo. of 280 pages, wherein he calls " all slave-keepers tliat keep the innocent in bondage, apostates. A practice so gross and hurtful to religion, and destructive to government, beyond what words can set forth, and yet lived in by ministers and magistrates in America. Written for a general service, by him that sincerely desires the present and eternal welfare and happiness of all uwnkind." He reflects on the Society for holding slaves, and says, " The best and only way for Friends or others that now have slaves is to discharge themselves of them." He uses rather coarse language, and complains of his forcible ejections speaking on the subject in their meetings.

for

ing and influential slave-holding members. In the Friends' Miscellany (vol ix.), edited by John and Isaac Comly, we find this extract respecting Ab-

ington Meeting *'

:'

The concern of Friends on the

to in the

minutes

subject of slavery, frequently referred

conmiittees were appointed to visit such

members as held slaves, or were concerned in buying or selling them. In 1769 report was made that all such ha*i been visited, and there aitpeared a dispo;

great, in fact,

sition prevailing in divers to set their slaves free at a suitable tinie.

home government

17713 it is

when the

questions of political liberty and the rights of man arose and were being violently agitated and

foreboded revolution.

The

Society of Friends, en-

couraged by this feeling, no doubt, now forbade its members any further purchasing or holding of slaves, under penalty of disownment. We introduce the subject here in this connection from the powerful influence that the Society had so long here maintained,

down

opening of the French and Indian home government forced their retirement from political positions, and were consequently hereafter not no accfiuntable for subsequent proceedings. Peter Kalm, in his "Travels" in 1748 —ill, thus expresses himself on the subject: at least to the

war, in 1755, w^hen the

" Fomierly tbe Negroes were brought over from Africa, and bought

He

also introduces personal allusions concerning its lead-

In

noted that the labors of Friends appeared to be well treated in most instances. Tbe next year two slaves are reported to have been

manumitted by Jonathan Clayton. sion are afterwards noted.

Several other cases of

Selling slaves at this time

manumiswas considered a

disuwuable oftense, and against the remonstrated,

those free

holding them Friends earnestly with great patience and pei-severence, and at length

members who continued were disowned.

It is

Meeting that but few cases of

We give

obstinate in refusing to set their slaves

much

to tbe credit of

Abington Monthly

this character occurred within its limits.'*

these statements to remove an erroneous

opinion, that the Friends as a body had from an early period resisted the introduction of slaves, and had

even disowned members therefor. As to the latter, it was uotdone until a few years previous to the passage of the emancipation law.

Among the evils attending slavery, it was not the African alone that was the sufferer. The Briton, worse than the Spaniard, enslaved the native Indians centuries later, aud the long existing period of enlightenment did not avail. In the records of the past

no unusual thing to find mention even here in Pennsylvania of Indian slaves. In the bill of sale, still existing, of the personal eflfects of Sir William Keith on his Horsham estate, to Dr. Thomas Grteme and Thomas Sober, May 21, 172f), seventeen slaves are mentioned,-ten males and seven fema!e.s,-of which ten were adults. One of the number is stated to be an Indian called Jane, with a son, wife of one of tliose negroes. However, an act had been passed in 1712 to it is

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

302

"

prevent the importing and selling of negroes or Indians within the province, which the home goverumeut also annulled. Thomas Mayberry, a Friend, shortly

Month,

after 178lt erected a forge on the Perkioraen Creek, at

sylvania had passed a law

the present borough of Green Lane, which was chiefly carried on by the lab(jr of negro slaves down to about

marry a white and

great Rebellion, yet had they

the Revolution.

laws

With the increased sentiment of popular rights, Friends took more advanced grounds. Through instructions received from the Yearly Meeting a com-

which there is reason to believe has not been repealed. It was passed in 1725, and provided that " any Minis-

1738,

deceased

negroes forbidden

be

to

buried within the bounds of the graveyard belonging

Meeting."

to this

Although the Legislature of Penn-

making

it

a penalty to

negro, a short time before the late

examined the early

they would have found such an enactment,

Pastor or Magistrate or other, whatever, joining marriage any negro and white person " should incur a penalty of one hundred pounds. Taking a twenty-dollar note of our national cnr-

ter,

mittee was appointed to ascertain the exact number of slaves belonging to the members of Plymouth Meeting, who reported to Gwynedd Monthly Meeting,

in

25th of Seventh Mouth, 177o, that the number was who possessed seventeen slaves. This effort,

rency and turning to

a view to their liberation, though coming at a late hour, entitles them to some credit and shows that they were not so indillerent to the subject as formerly.

see a comely

But still, with the powerful h(jld of the British government and from the conditions imposed, it was no easy

That young woman was the favorite daughter of one of the most powerful Indian chiefs throughout all

matter to carry this into execution. We will take, for instance, the case of Thos. Lancaster, Sr., a member of Plymouth Meeting and the owner of a farm of two hundred acres in Whitemarsh, and after whom Lancaster-

that section, at a time, too, wdien the colonists were

•eight,

made with

ville

was

Having been prevailed upon by the

called.

Society, after several years' entreaty, he at length con-

sented and we

now here

present for the

upon him

print the conditions imposed this

measure legally according

first

time in

to carry out

to the royal require-

" At a general Court of Quarter Sessions of tlie Peace, held for the City ami County of Philadelphia, 0th of June, a. d., 1774, Thomas

Lancaster of Whitemarsh township, in this county, Yeoman, acknowledges himself to be held and firmly bound unto our sovereign Lord the King iu the sum of Thirty Pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania to be levied on hia Goods, Chattels, Lauds and

Tenements

to the use of

our said

Lord the King Btib condUiune. That, "Whereas the said Thomas Lancaster hath manumitted and set free from Slavery a certain Negro Man named Cato, aged about forty-six years, and if the said Thomas Lancaster, his Executors and Adniinistratoi-s, shall and do well and truly hold and keep harmless and indemnified the Overseei-s of the Poor of the City and County of Philadelphia, respectively from all costs, charges and incumbrances whatsoever which shall or may happen or accrue in case the

Negro Man

porting himself

shall be sick or otherwise rendered incapable of sup-

Then the above

obligation to be void, otherwise to be

and remain in full force and virtue agreeable 8uch case made and provided."

While the

to

an Act of Assembly

in

institution prevailed here

we

find from

buried in their masters' orchards or on the edge of Friends, on this matter, also exertheir woodlands. cised a care that they be not placed in too close

we

we observe thereon a

maiden on her knees before the

We

altar

iri

a church, with a clergyman in his robes administering the rite of bajitism in the early history of this country.

She was fre%-born, and if historians of that day state truth, her liberty had not been restrained. We shall now change the place, but not the subject. On October, 1745, the venerable stone church still standing at the Trappe, having just been finished, was solemnly dedicated in the presence of many hundreds from the surrounding country. Three negroes, the" property of a Mr. Pawling in the vicinity, were on but few.

publicly examined as to their faith, which proving satisfactory, they were baptized by the names of .loliii, .Jacob and Thomas by the Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, the pastors, Brunnholtz, Wagner and Newberg being the sponsors and bearing testimony as True, these were lowly African to their profession.

From Middletown

records,

Bucks County,

learn that on 6th of Third Month, 1703, "Friends

are not satisfied with having negroes buried in Friends'

burying-ground therefore Robert Heaton and Thomas Stackhouse are appointed to fence off a portion for such uses." Again, from the same, 1st of Second ;

slaves, but

who

will not hail this occurrence as illus-

trative of the universal brotherhood of

elevating tendencies

practical

Christianity in

its

man and

the

exhibited herein of

broadest spirit?

The former was

the baptism of Pocahontas, and has been celebrated in a national painting, while for our information of the latter

we

are indebted to the early church records as

entered by Mr. Muhlenberg's

From

records that slaves generally possessed but one name, as Pompey, Caesar, Soipio, Cato, Prince, Jamaica, Females Guinea, Cuflf, Tom, Jupiter and Cupid. were commonly called Silvia, Jude, Flora, Venus, Sail, Sook and Phill. Gn their death they were frequently

proximity.

back,

this occasion

ments.

said

its

scene that has been suggestive for this article.

a

list

own hand. 177G, of the

of taxables, jirepared in

several townships in the present limits of the county,

we propose slaves.

to give a partial

In Cheltenham

:

list

of those holding

Joseph Linn,

Lower

1.

Providence: Henry Pawling, Esq., 2; John Pawling, 1; Samuel Halford, 1. Horsham John Barnes, 1 Hugh Henry Ferguson, Thomas Davis, 1. Montgomery: Dr. Peter Evans, 1

Salford: JacobReiff,

.Jr., 1.

;

:

;

2; George Smith, 2; Tbeophilus Shannon, 2;

Bartholomew, Bull, Esq., 2

;

Edward

William Bull, 2; John Dr. Robert Shannon, 2. Perkiomen

2.

Norriton

:

Joseph Pawling, 2 Abraham Saler, 2 John PawMoreland Samuel Erwin, Esq., 1 Isaac ling, 4. Boileau, 1; Richard Corson, 1; David Perry, 1; Samuel Boutcher, 2 Casper Fetters, 1 and Daniel Thomas, 1. In Abington for 1780 Thomas Beans, 2 ;

;

;

:

;

:

THE UNDERGltOUND RAILROAD.

303

Jacob Paul, 2. Whitemarsh William West, 2; Walter McCool, 1 Jonathan Robinson, 3. Lower Merion Philip Pritncr, 2; David Briggs, 2; Robert Elliot, 1; Hugh Jones, 1 Frederick Bicking, 1 and Benjamin

lation in the county, in

Scheetz,

illustrative of the subject,

:

;

;

;

1.

1870, 1237

We shall once

and

;

now

1850 was 857;

1860, ,904:

in 1880, 1763.

present a variety of advertisi.mn.'

circulated

in

county

this

and

.

additioii;;liy

showing the great

cliangtjs

greatest height

that time has wrought here in less than a century

about 1765, or when the Stamp Act was passed, and attention began to be directed to the evils attending the colonial system of government. In the convention held at Philadeliihia from January 2?i, to 28,

sylvania Gazette of July 24, 1751, that he has for sale, " near the Gulf Mill, a likely negro man about thiny

Slavery here probably attained

1775,

was resolved

it

"That

its

it lie

and

this Cunventiou to

is hereby recoininended to the several members of promote and encourage instructions or advice from

to their representatives in general Assembly, to

tlieir several counties,

procure a law pridiibiting the future importation of slaves into this province."

We had

here see renewed evidence that the feeling that

so earlj^exhibited itself against the importation

of negroes had not died out,

in spite of

long and contin-

ued enforcement by the royal government, but instead the people were becoming more and more sensible of

As the Revolution progressed, and independence became more and more assured, the act of March 1, 1787, was passed, the evils of the slave

"That

traffic.

Negroes and Mulattoes as otliei-s, who and after the passing of this act,

pei-aons, as well

all

shall be born within this State, from

deemed and considered as servants

shall not be

that all servitude for

life,

slavery of their mothers, in the case of .State,

by

is,

for

life,

or slaves, and

or slavery of children, in consequence of the all

chilihen l)orn within this

from and after the passing of this act aforesaid, shall be, aiui hereutterly taken away, extinguished anil fnrever abolished."

and a

Richard Bevan gives notice, in the Penn-

half.

fit for town or country business. Also a negro girl about fifteen years of age." John Jones, of the ' Manor of Moreland, near the Crooked Billet,"

years of age,

announces in the .same paper of October 12, 1752, that he has for sale "a likely negro woman, about twentynine years of age, had the small-pox, and understands country business well. Also a negro child, a boy, one year old." In the same issue Dr. Thomas

Graeme

states that "a mulatto slave, named Will, about twenty-nine years of age, being of a Negro father and an Indian mother," ran away from his

plantation in

him

in

Horsham township.

any goal shall have

five

"

Whoever secures

pounds reward and

" Peter Custer, in Providence township, near the Trap," advertises in the Norristown Herald of February 14, 1806, that he has " for sale a black woman about thirty-five years of age and slave for life, with two children, the one about nine and the other three years. The children

reasonable charges paid."

are entered in the office."

In the advertisement of .John .Jones

To

strike

more

fully at the root of the

system an

the sad features of slaveiy,

— for

we

see one of

gain to sell a child

was passed March 29, 1788, which declared that all employed in the slave trade should be liable to forfeiture, and a penalty of one thousand pounds be imposed for building and equipping them for the traffic. Congress took no action on this important matter until March 2, 1807, when an act was passed

one year old from its mother. That of Peter Custer possesses an interest, as p 1866 to October 1867; on frontier duty at Fort Laramie, Dak., November 17, 1867 to October 7, 1868; died October 7, 1868, at Fort Laramie, Dak. aged forty.

Hexey W. Freedley,

;

Yuma,

Cal.,

1854

(first

lieutenant First Artillery, April

30, 1854); in garrison at

the Military

Academy

Fort Moultrie,

S.

C, 1855;

at

18.55-59, as assistant professor

of geography, history and ethics September 13, 1869

September 6, 1856, and assistant professor of mathematics September 9, 1856 to August 31, 1859; in garrison at Fort Moultrie, S. C, 1859-60, and Barrancas Barracks, Fla., 1856-61 served during the Reto

;

bellion of the seceding states, 1861-66; in

command

of

Fort Barrancas and barracks till January 10, 1861, when he transferred his forces to Fort Pickens, in defen.se of which he remained till May 9, 1861, being in

command

April 14, 1861; in garrison at Fort

till

May 18 to July 3, 1861 (major SixMay 14, 1861); in organizing and re-

Hamilton, N. Y., teentli Infantry

regiment at Chicago,

born in Pennsylvania.

Military History: Cadet at the United States Military

Academy from July

1852, to July

1,

was graduated and promoted

sick 12,

leave of absence

1862;

in

Mississippi,

tucky,

December

Major-General

12,

Buell's

1861,

to

operations

in

North Alabama, Tennessee and Ken1862, being engaged in the

May-November

siege of Corinth,

May

13-30,

1862,

movement

to

and advance into Kentucky by Bowling Green to relieve Nashville, September-November, 1862 in the Tennessee campaign (Army of the Cumberland), November 7, to December 31, 1862, (brigadier-general United States Volunteers, November 29, 1862), being engaged in the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, where he was severely wounded (lirevet lieutenant-colonel December 31, 1862, for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Murfreesboro', Tenn.); on sick leave of absence, disabled by wound, March 10 to July 3, 1863; as president of board of examiners of sick and wounded officers at Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, July 3, 1863 to September 14, 1865 (lieutenant-colonel Fourth Infantry February 8, 1864); in garrison at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., September 30 to November 24, 1865, and Jladison Barracks, brevet colonel March 13, 1865, for gallant and meriLouisville, Ky., June-September, 1862,

;

torious service during the Rebellion (brevet brigadier-

general. United States

Army March

13, 1865, for gal-

and meritorious service during t)ie Rebellion) Harbor, N. Y'., November 28, 18(55 to October 1, 1863 (mustered out of volunteer service

when he

;

1861); states,

served during the Rebellion of the seceding 1862-66 as assistant to the commissary-general ;

of prisoners at Washington, D.

C, June

14, 1862, to

Rappaliannock campaign (Army of the Potomac) April to June, 1863, being engaged April 10, 1863

;

in the

in the battle of Chancellorsville

(brevet lieutenant-colonel July

;

1855,

1860 J^ort Clark, Tex., 1860-61, and on quartermaster duty at San Antonio, Tex., 1861, where he was captured and paroled (captain Third Infantry May 14,

May

;

1,

the army to brevet

;

the Pennsylvania campaign, in

111.,

in

second lieutenant of infantry July 1, 18.55; served in garrison at Fortress Monroe, Va., 1855, and on frontier duty at Fort Fillmore, N. M., 1856 (second lieutenant Third Infantry September 30, 1855); Tucson, Arizona., 1856-57 Fort P^illmore, N. M., 1857-58 Los Lunas, N. M., 1858-59; Fort Defiance, N. M., 1859; Los Lunas, N. M., 1859-60; march to Texas,

July 3 to August 20, 1861 as acting inspector-general of the Department of the Ohio, August 20 to November 5, 1861, being engaged on an expedition from Parkesburg to Roane C. H., Va., September, 1861 on cruiting his

315

May 2^,

command

1863

;

in

of the Third

Infantry (Army of the Potomac), .hineto July, 1863; being engaged in the liattle of (iettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, where he was wounded on sick leave of absence, disabled by wound, July 4, 1863 to November 23, 1864 ;

2,

1863, for gallant

and

meritorious services at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa.); in 23,

command 1864

to

of draft dejiot at Carlisle, Pa.,

May

30,

18(;5;

November

as mustering officer at

Providence, R. I., May .30. 1865 to February 1, 1866; on quartermaster and commissary duty at Jeffei-son Barracks, Mo., February 1 to March 28, 1866; on recruiting service March 28, 1866 to February 21, 1868 (major Thirty-nintli Infantry July 28, 1866); on duty at headquarters Department of California, June to September 25, 1868 (major Fourteenth Infantry December 31, 1867); as deputy governor of "Soldiers'

Home," near Washington, D. C, September

11,

1869,

February 21, 1870 (retired from active service, as colonel, September 25, 1868 (changed to major March 3, 1875), for disability from wounds received in battle). Charj.es H. Brightly, born in Pennsylvania. Military History : Cadet at the United States Military Academy from September 1, 1857, to June 24, 1861, when he was graduated and promoted in the army to brevet second lieutenant Fourth Infantry June 24, second lieutenant Fourth Infantry June 24, 1861 1861; first lieutenant Fourth Infantry June 24, 1861; to

;

served during the Rebellion of the seceding states, 1861-64; in drilling volunteers at Washington, D. C,

lant

June

to July, 1861

Sackett's

N.

August

J.,

camp

;

as mustering officer at Trenton,

30, 1861

to April 21, 1862; as aid-de-

to Brigadier-General

Whipple

in

the defenses

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

316 of Washington, D. C,

May

6 to October 10, 1S62

June 17, 1862 to Febrnary 7, 1SG3), and on tlic Rappahannock River, October to November, 1862; on leave of absence November 28, 1862 to March 17, 1863 (captain Fourth Infantry September 16, 1862); in command of company at Falmouth, Va., March 17 to April 20, 1863; on sick leave of absence April 20 to August 21, 1863 (brevet major May 3, 1863, for gallant and meritorious (nutjor of

services

staff',

at

additional aid-de-camp,

the battle of Chancellorsville, Va.);

instructor of heavy artillery drill at Fort

as

Richmond,

N. Y., September 17, 1863 to January 19, 1864; in command of regiment at Fort Wood, N. Y., January 10 to April 23, 1864; in the Richmond campaign, commanding Fonrth Infantry (Army of the I'otoniac), Ajn-il to May, 18()4, licing engaged in the battle of the Wilderness May 6, 1864 (brevet lieutenant-colonel

May

5,

1864, for gallant

and meritorious

the battle of the Wilderness, Va.),

services at

when he was mor-

wounded; and on sick leave of absence, disabled by wound, May 7 to June 9, 1864; died June 9, 1864, tally

at Philadelphia, Pa., of

wounds received

at the battle

of the Wilderness, Va., aged twenty-five. William H. Chase, born in Pennsylvania. Military History : Cadet at the United States Military Academy from July 1, 1861 to June 23, 1865, when he was graduated aner 13, 1876 to May Baton Rouge, La., May 26 to July 28, Louisville, Kv., Wilkesbarre and Scranton,

25, 1877;

1877

Bayou

2,

Camp

in garrison

Orleans, La., October 23, 1874 to

1875; Baton Rouge, La., June 29, 1876

;

suppressing railroad disturbances, July 28 to October 31, 1877 Baton Rouge, La., October 31,

Pa.,

MosER, 1864 to 1870. HuxsiCKER, 1867 to 1873.

W. G. Hannum, 1872 to 1878. Thomas H. Mathews, 1876 to 1882. Cadet Engineers. — Charles C. Lubbe, Drowned

at

Edward

Cape May, 1878. O. C. Acker. 1874-78.

1874-78.

In service.

MONTGOMERr COUNTY ESTABLISHED.

311

The first court^ was held December 28, 1784, in the barn on the premises owned by John Shannon, Hhen known and licensed as the Barley Sheaf Hotel, situated in Xorriton township, on what is now the

William H. Gartley, 1877-81. Resigned. Charles W. Dyson, 1879-88. In service. George F. Zixxel, 1879-S3. Resigned.

Gennantown

short distance northwest

turnpike, a

of Hartrauft Station, on the Stony Creek Eailroad.

CHAPTER XX, MONTGOMERY COUNTY ESTABLISHED— MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT— THE "COUNTRY SQUIRE." Montgomery County was

established September

1784/ by act of the General Assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The act was approved by the Supreme Executive Council. The following gentlemen comjiosed the Council at that period: His 10,

Excellency John

Dickinson, Esq. (president), the

Honorable James Irvine, Stephen Balliot, George AVall, Jr., Barnard Dougherty, John McDowel, John Byers, Sebastian Levan, John Neville, Samuel J. Atlee, Isaac Ma.son.

As public convenience- in the administration of was a moving consideration in the formation of new counties, the following message from His Excellency John Dickinson, President of the Council,

BARLEY SUEAF BARX.

justice

Assembly, delivered January 19, 1784, is of showing the responsibility devolving upon those who were charged with the execution of the

to the

interest, as

laws

Zebulon Potts, the

was and commissioned by the Executive Council. Thomas Craig was appointed the first prothonotary September 10, 1784, and commissioned by John Dickinson, president of the Executive Council on the following day, September 11, sheriff of the county,

first

elected October 14, 1784,

—

"Gentlemen, It is much to be desired that the system of uur jtirisprudence may receive every improvement we can give it as soon as such a work can be accomplislied. Constancy in the laws, the preservation of domestic concord, order, and tranijuillity, and a strength sufficiently prepared for defense against injuries are essential to the happiness of a State. They are also the foundations of a reputation that invites an accession of ingenious and industrious people from other parts of the world to share *n the blessings of which such a character offers them an assurance.

Every

citizen, therefore,

who

respects his

own

interests, the welfare of

his family, or the prosperity of his country, will desire

the vast importance of these subjects

may be

and endeavor that and

perfectly understood

religiously regarded."

3

MINUTES OF FIRST COURT HELD IN M0NTG0M:ERY COUNTY.

'*

MONTGOMEEY COUNTY,

V SS.

"

Minutes of a Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in and for the Countj- of Montgomery, held at the bouse of John Shannon, on Tueadaj', the 'iOth day of December, 1784. "Present, Frederick Auf!vistu8 Muhlenberg, James Norris, John Richards, Henrj- Scheetz, William Dean, Esquires. "The Court opened at 1*2 o'clock. M. Proclamation being made enall manner of persons to keep silence. Commissions from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania were read appointing the following Gentlemen Justices of the^Peace, viz. William Dean, Esquire, Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Esq., bearing date July 14, 1783 March 19, 1784 John Richards and Henry Scheetz, June 24, 1784 and James Morris, Esq., September 20, 1784 ;j and a commission to Thomas

joining

:

The

judges of the several courts of the county were appointed by the Supreme Executive Council, first

as follows:

Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Esq., James

Morris, Esq., Esq.,

John Richards,

Esq.,

Henry

Scheetz,

;

;

Craig, Esq., appointing

" Proclamation for the

William Dean, Esq.

AiUe p.

i.

We belieTe the name Montgomery to have been given to the county honor of the Montgomeryshire, in Wales. This name was given to a township prior to the fall of General jVIontgomery, and before the county was created. The number and influential character of the Welsh settlers and land-owners residing here at the time the county was formed, a reason to induce this belief, while there can be but little doubt that the name and public services of General Montgomery conspired to make the selection a popular one. L. H. Davis, Esq., of Pottstown, a gentle2

i:^

has given the subject attention, has another possible derivation i. e., that there were two members of the Legislature

of the name,

named Montgomery,

in the session of 1784, Joseph

Montgomery, of

Lancaster, and W'illiam Montgomery', of Xorthumberland, both of

Mr. Davis

alleges, took

an active part in supporting the

bill

whom

creating the

The original petition of the citizens, is is said, was blank as to the name this circumstance would seem to favor Mr. DavLs' view, while it is possible that the " Montgomerys "' of the Assembly anticipated the natural wishes of the Welsh, and utilized the name of General Montgomery with that of their own.

county.

;

SheriflF of

Precept to him directed being

in

man who

him Clerk of the Court

of General Quarter Ses-

sions of the Peace.

Potts, 1

;

made

Montgomery ;

Conntj' to return the

the said Sheriff to wit,

Esquire, returns a Grand Jury, to wit

:

Thomas

Zebulon

Rees,

Henry

Cunnard, James Wotmougli, Linzey Coats, Robert Shannon. John Rutter, James Stroud, Lewelling Young, Henry Powling, Samuel Wheeler, Peter Muhlenberg, Archibald St. Clair, Samuel Holstein, William Lain,

James Veaux, Robert Curry, John Edwards, Benjamin Markley, Jacob Auld, Anthony Carothers, Frederick Weise, Nathan Pawling, Abe Morgan, Francis Swain, who were all except Archibald St. Clair and Frederick Weise, severally sworn or affirmed.

"Proclamation being made

for silence, the President, Frederick

tus Muhlenberg, delivered the charge to the

Augus-

Grand Jury.

" This proceeding was followed by a return of the Constables of the Several Townships.

The only cases adjudicated at this Court were the Overseers of the Poor of New Hanover Township. v$. The Overseers of the Poor of Providence Township, and the Overseers of the Poor of ^Miitemarsh Township v». the Overseers of the Poor of Springfield Township." Quarter Sessiona '*

Docket, No.

1.

p. 1.

*The premises are now owned and occupied by Benjamin Baker, who rebuilt the barn some years since the court-house hara was built in ;

1735.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

318

same Thomas Craig was appointed clerk of courts, and duly commissioned by the same authority. The first recorder of deeds was Augustus Muhlenberg. He was appointed on the 21st of September, 1781, by the Executive Council, and on the same day was appointed register of wills. The office of county com-

Uehtware and Montgomery Comities^ District

1784, the

—

— United States Congress, 1849-51. —John Freedley. Thirty -second United States Congress, 1851-53. — John 3IcNair. Thirty-fii-st

Montgiiniery and Part of Philadelpliia Coltidy, District

Thirty-third United States Congress, 18,53-55.

No records can be found of an earlier date. The following-named persons constituted the board at that

Thirty-fiftli

Scheid,

The

county treasurer

earliest

John Mann. of which we find record

Nathan

Potts,

was Isaac ilarkley. Directors of the poor were not county officers at the date Montgomery County was

5.

—John McNair. Thirty-fourth United States t'ongress, 1855-.57. —John Cadwalader,

missioner appears to liave been organized in 1790.

date: Christian

5.

—

Twenty-eighth United States Congress, 1843-45. Jacob S. Yost. Twenty-ninth United States Congress, 1845^7. Jacob S. Yost. John Freedley. Thii-tieth United States Congress, 1847-49.

United States Congress, 1857-59,— Owen Jones,

Thirty-sixth United States Congress, 1850-61,

—John Wood,

Thii-ty-soventh Uniteii States Congress, 1801-63.

Hfoiitymncry and Lehigh Connties,

— Wm,

DistrUt

Morris Davis. 6.

Thirty-eighth United States ( 'ougress, 1863-05.— John D.

Stiles.

Thirty-ninth United States Congress, 1865-67.- B, Markley Boyer. Fortieth United States Congress, 18C7-C9.-,B, Markley Boyer,

organized.

United States Congress, 1860-71,— John D,

F'orty-first

At this period the State had no Governor, no State Senate. The several States were acting under the Articles of Confederation, adopted

November 15,

Forty-third

1777.

The Constitution of the United States had not then been achjjited, and the first Congress did not assemljle

Stiles,

— Ephraini L, .\cker. United States Congress, 1873-75, — James S, Biery.

Forty-second United States Congress, 1871-73,

Montgomery and Bucks Ojimfws,

District 7,

Forty-fourth United States Congress, 187.5-77.— .\llan Wood, Jr. Forty-fifth United States Congress, 1877-79.

— Newton Evans. —William Godshalk. I.

Forty-sixth I'nited Stales Congress, 1879-81.

until 1789.

The only

Forty-seventh

representation the county had was in the

The first memGeneral Assembly of Pennsylvania. bers elected to represent IMontgomery County in the General Assembly were Peter Richards, Robert LoUer, George Smith, and Benjamin Rittenhouse. The Senator elected under the revised Constitution of 1789 was Linsay Coates.

first

CIVIL LIST OF LEGISLATIVE .\ND COUNTV OFFICERS. VNITED STATES SENATORS FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Peter Mulileiiberg.

Jonuthau Roberts,

First United States ;it

Pott.s.

Bucks comi)rised a Senatorial Disand was represented i)y William Chapman, of Bucks. 1797-98,— Joseph McClellan, 1798-99.—Dennis Wheeler.

trict,

1790-1801.- Zebulon 1801-7.

17811-01

Congress,

(Pennsylvania elected eight

1807-11,— Jonathan Roberts, 1811-15, Samuel tir(,)ss, 1815-19. George Weaver.

Jr,

— —

S.

JIarkley.

— K, Maun, 1829-31,— Benjamin 1832-35, — lohn 3Iatthews, loel

Reiff, Esc],

.\ccording to the provisions of the Appor-

the Third Senatorial District was composed of the counties of Montgomery, Chester and Delaware.

tionment

Inrgc).— Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg. Chester

Potts.

—lohn Richards,

1824-20.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, REPRESENTING MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

members

State Senators.

—Zebnlon 1706-97. — Montgomery, Chester and 1796.

1819-24.- Philip 181.5-21.

Congress, 1881-83.- William Godshalk.

I'niteii Stjites

Forty-eighth United States Congress, 1883-86.— I. Ne\.ton Evans.

and Montginnery Cimntiea.

Bill of

June

16, 1836,

1836-40.— Henry Myera, of Chester. Second United States Congress, 1791-93.— Frederick A. Sluhlcnberg. Frederick A. ^lulilenberg. Tliird United States Congress, 17"j:j-9o. Fourtli United States Congress, 1795-97.— Frederick A. Muhlenl)erg.

—

United States Congress, 1797-99.

Fiftli

BhcA's, Mo}ilgomei'!/,

Sixth

United

.States

Northampton^ Congress,

]Vointed March 5, 17iHi, by Thomas Mifflin, Governor under Constitution of 1790. ;

6, 1800, by Thomas McKean. Hahn, appointed January 21, 1809, by Simon Snyder. William Powell, appointed March 25, 1818, by William Findlay.

Francis Swain, appointed January

Philip

1 The judges who have signed the return for Montgomery County inform the House, by a Nota Be»a written opposite to their signatures, that Thomati Rees and Samuel Wheeler had each a co-equal number

of votes, and they transmit the request of Samuel Wheelei- that his

name

may -

be not mentioned in the return. During the session of the House in 1797, Cadwalader Evans attended 122 days, at S^l per day §306 00 20 miles mileage, at 20 cts

4 00 at 33 per

day

.

.

.

.

S366 00 2 80 3368 80

Peter Muhlenberg attended 122 days, at $3 per day 26 miles mileage, at 20 cts

Nathaniel B. Boileau attended 116 days, at ^i per day 16 miles mileage, at 20 cts

.

8,

1824,

by

S366 00 5 20 S371 20 S348 00 3 20 S351 20

7, 1821,

by Joseph Heister

;

re-

J. A. Schultz.

Thomas Lowry, appointed December

21, 1826, by J. A. Shultz. Jacob Fry, appointed Februarj' 12, 1830, by George Wolf. Adam Slemmer, appointed April 1, 1833, by George Wolf. John Bean, appointed Jauuary 28, 1836, by Joseph Ritner. Josiah W. Evans, appointed February 7, 1839, by David B. Porter.

W. Evans, elected in 1839 under the amended Constitution of commissioned by David R. Porter, November 14th. Jones Davis, elected 1842. Mehelm McGlathery, elected 1845, J. B. Evans, elected 1848. Josiah

8370 00

Benjamin Brooke attended 122 days, 14 miles mi leage, at 20 cts

Frederick Conrad, appointed February'

appointed January

1838

;

N. Jacoby, elected 1851. Bowyer Brooke, elected 1854. Florence Sullivan, elected 1857. Jared Evans, elected 1860.

John R. Grigg,

elected 186:^.

Jesse H. Gery, elected 1866.

HISTOEY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

320 John

Court of Quarter Sessions and ORPiiiNs" Court Dockets.

B. Yerkes, elected 1859.

William F.

ReeiJ, elected 1S72.

No.

1.

Quarter Sessions Docket.

Philip Quillinau, elected 1875.

No.

2.

Orphans' Court Docket.

A. Franklin Hart, elected 1878.

No.

3.

Public Roads Docket.

John McLean, elected 18S1. William B. Woodward, elected

No.

4.

Decedents' Estates Docket.

No.

5.

No.

6.

County Bridges Docket. Widows" Appraisements Docket. License Docket.

1884.

DOL'KKTS IN PrOTHONOTARY'S OFflCE.

No.

7.

No.

1.

Continuance Docket.

No.

8.

Spring Elections— Township Olficers Docket.

No.

2.

Judgment Docket.

No.

9.

Triennial Guardians' Accounts Docket.

Execution Docket.

No.

10.

No.

11.

Mechanics' Lien Docket.

No.

12.

Register fur Dogs Docket. Township and Independent School Bond-Book Docket.

No. No.

13.

Recognizance Orphans' Court Docket.

14.

Trustee

15. Administrators'

No.

3.

No.

4. Sheriff's

No.

5.

Deed Docket.

No.

6.

Equity Docket.

No. No. No.

7.

Partition

8.

Assignees' Docket.

No.

%

Treasurer's Deed Docket.

No. 16. 5Iinute-Bouk.

No. No. No.

Medical Register Docket. 11. Naturalization Docket. 12. Insolvent DebtoiV Docket.

No.

13.

Common

No.

14.

Ejectment Docket.

No.

15. Attorneys' Docket.

No.

16.

Common

Pleas Docket.

Bond Docket. Bond Docket

10.

Recorder of Deeds.

Miuute-Book.

—

Clerk of Courts. Tliis officer is clerk of the Orphans' C'ourt and Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace. Each of these courts has separate dockets,

which the proceedings of each are kept. The jurymen drawn, and certifies the time of attendance of each in

clerk of courts also keeps a record of the

All matters relating

widening or vacating of roads are recorded and kept by him. He enters a record of the accounts of guardians of orphans, executors of wills and administrators of estates in the Orphans' Court docket after they are confirmed by the court. The clerk of courts is elected for three years. This office was tilled by appointment till 1839. to the opening,

Thomas Craig, appointed under Executive by James Ewing

March

third time

Wm.

reappointed July

;

14, 1702,

by Thomas Mifflin

;

and a

by the same.

R. Atlee, appointed

under Constitution of

Council, September 11, 1784,

11, 1791,

March

5,

1790,

by Thos.

G,

ISOO,

by Thos. McKean.

Mifflin,

Governor

1790.

Francis Swain, appointed January

Philip Hahu, appointed January 21, 1809, by Simon Snyder. Wm. Powell, appointed JIarch 25, 1818, by William Findlay.

Frederick Conrad, appointed

February

7,

1821,

by Joseph

Heis-

ter.

recorder of deeds is Vacancies are filled by appointment by the Governor. It is the recorder's duty to record all deeds, mortgages and conveyances which shall be brought to him for that purpose. He must enter every deed or writing in the order of time it was made. Mortgages should be recorded as soon as delivered, as they take precedence over each other in the order of time in which they are placed upon record. The recorder also certifies to any one ordering the same a complete search of all unsettled mortgages resting upon any particular property. This office was filled by appointment till 1839. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, appointed September 21, 1784, by Supreme Executive Council. Robert Loller, appointed September 10, 1789, by Thomas MiflQin,

Governor.

Rubert

;

reappointed

21st by the same. Jacob Fry, appointed February 12, 1830, by George Wolf. John H. Scheetz, appointed February 23, 1830, by George Wolf. Benj. Johnson, appointed February 17, 1839, by D. E. Porter. Geo. H. Pawling was elected 1839, and commissioned by D. R. Portei-,

November 14tb

of the

same year.

Loller,

appointed

September

Tobias

Sellei-s,

appointed February

elected 1860.

Daniel Fry, elected 1842.

H.

elected 1845.

G, Hart, elected 1848.

R. B. Longaker, elected 1851.

Thomas G. Butter, elected 1860. Henry Unger, elected 1863. Christopher Wycoff, elected 1806.

Saniuel B. Helffenstein, elected 1869.

W. Neiman, elected 1872. John W. Schall, appointed March

Franklin T. Beerer, elected 1875.

Henry

S.

Smith, elected 1878.

0. N. Urner, appointed vice

Edward Edward

Henry Smith.

Schall, elected 1881.

Schall, elected 1884.

by D. R. Porter.

Electedhy the People aiui comuiu(sioi)edby the Governor.

Daniel Fisher, elected 1863. Jacob F. Quillnian, elected 1866.

Merrit M. Missimer, elected 1872.

17, 1839,

Tobiiis Sellers, elected 1839.

George Lower, elected 1854. William H. Hill, elected 1857.

James Burnsides,

Thomas Mif-

D. Patterson, appointed February 23, 1833, by George Wolf.

Washington Richards,

E. B. Moore, elected 1857.

by

James Wells, appointed June 11, 1834, by George Wolf. Robert Iredell, ai>pointed January 28, 1836, by Joseph Ritner.

Henry Drake,

Jepse B. Davis, elected 1854.

17U0,

James Morris, appointed June 24, 1791, by Thomas Miflflin. Thomas Craig, appointed August 8, 17l>o, by Thomas Miflflin. William R. Atlee, appointed March 5, 1799, by Thomas Mifflin. Thomas Potts, appointed January 6, 1800, by Thomas 5IcKean. Archibald Darrah. appointed January 21, 1809, by Simon Snyder. George Wack, appointed .January 25, 1818, by William Findlay. Jesse Roberts, appointed January 7, 1821, by Joseph Heister. Jacob Hubley, appointed November 21, 1822, by Joseph Heister. John Markley, appointed January 8, 1824, by J. A. Sbultz. .John Markley, appointed December 21, 1826, by J. A. Shultz. William Powell, appointed February 12, 1830, by George Wolf.

William Rossiter, elected 1842. John McXair, elected 184.5. Andrew H. Tippin, elected 1848. elected 1851.

14,

flin.

S.

Thos. Lowry, appointed Januarys, 1824, by J. A. Shultz

December

— The

elet'ted tor three yt.^ars.

Pleas Miscellaneous Docket.

to the county commissioners.

Districts Dockets.

Henry Bernard Nase,

elected 1869.

George

died.

John W. Schall, elected 1875. John W. Schall, elected 1878. Henry W. Kratz, elected 1881. Aaron Weikel, elected 1884.

28, 1875, vice

George

W. Neiman,

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. DoCKKTS

IN Office of

No.

1.

Deed Docket.

No.

2.

No.

3.

Mortgajic Docket. Comniissiou Docket.

No.

4.

Miecellancous Docket.

Elected by the people

Recorder of Deeds.

and commisehned by ExecxUive

Council.

Zebulon Potts, elected October 14, 1784 re-elected October 15, 1785 ; commissioned by John Dickinson elected a third time October 17, 178G commissioned by Charles Biddle. Francis Swain, elected October, 17H7 commissioned by Benjainiu Franklin, October 12th re-elected October, 1788; commissioned by David Reidick, October IGth elected a third time, October, 1789 commissioned ;

;

;

;

;

—

Register of Wills. The register of wills liolds his a term of three years. He grants letters testamentary to executors and letters of administraHe examines and files the tion to administrators. accounts of executors, guardians and trustees of life Wills are admitted to probate, recorded and estates. This office was filled by appointment filed by him. office for

till

321

;

;

by George Ross, October 17th. Henry Kooken, elected October, 1790 tlin,

;

commissioned by Thomas Mif-

October 15th.

Under the amended Constitution of having been extended

1790,

tlio

sherifTs

to three years, the following

tei'in

of office

have been elected

:

Nathan Pawding, 1793 commissioned by Tliomas Mifflin, October 19th. Mr. Pawling dying whilst in office, Isaiah Welle was apiwinted by Gov;

ernor Mifflin, April

8,

1795, to

till

the residue of the term.

John Pngh, elected 1795. John Markley, elected 1798.

1839.

Thomas Ewinj;', appointed by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, September 21, 1784. was Robert Loller, appointed September 10, 1789, by Thomas MilHin reappointed ScpteinbLU' 4, 17Uii, by the same.

Isaiah Wells, elected 1801.

William Henderson, elected 1804. David Dewees, elected 1807.

;

Isaiah Wells, elected 1810.

Thomas Lowry,

elected 1813.

Justice Scheetz, elected 1816. Appoitiied by the Governor.

James Morris,

iipiwintcd

June

4,

1701,

Philip Sellers, elected 1819.

by Thomas

Miffliu.

Philip Boyer, elected 1822.

William Richardnon Atlee, appointed March 5, 1799, by Thomas MitHin. Potts, appointed January 0, ISiX), by Thomas SIcKean. Archibald Darrah^appointed January 21, 1809, by Simon Snyder. George Waek, appointed March 2r), 1818, by William Findlay. Jesse Roberts, appointed Foliruary 7, 1821, by Thomas Heister. Jacob Hubley, appointed yuvcinhcr 1,1622, by John Heister. John Markley, appointed January 8, 1824, by J. H. ShuU/. was re-

Thomas

;

by the same. William Powell, appointed February 12, 1830, by George Wolf waa reappointed February 23, 1833, by the same. Nathaniel B. Boileau, appointed January 28, 1836, by Joseph Kitner.

appointed September

24, 1820,

;

Elected

John Shearer,

bij

thf Pt^ople

awl coiinnisswned by

the Gonenior.

Christian Snyder, elected 1825.

Jones Davis, elected 1828.

Henry Longaker, elected John Todd, elected 1834.

1S31.

Ardeinus Stewart, elected 1837.

Jacob Spong, elected 1840.

James Wells, elected 1843. John Boyer, elected 184G. Philip Hahn, elected 1849. Boyer, elected 1852.

.M. C.

Samuel D. Rudy, elected 1855. John M. Stauffer, elected 1858. Francis Kile, elected 18G1. E. N. Beyshcr, elected 18G4.

elected 1S39.

William Earnest, elected 1842.

Philip Gerhart, elected 18G7.

B. F. Yost, elected 184.0.

William

William Fronetield, elected 1848. John M.Jones, elected 1851.

John W. Hnnsicker,

J, Bolton, appointed October, 18ii8, vU-e Philip Gerhart, died.

elected October, 1808.

Charles Hurst, elected ISGO.

Jeremiah B. Lazelere, elected October, 1871. John Linderman, elected October, 1874. Jacob Tyson, elected October, 1877. Joseph Frankenfield, elected October, 1880.

Isaiah B. Houpt, elected 18G3.

Edwin

S.

Septimus Roberts, elected 1872.

No.

1.

Judicial Docket.

Solomon Snyder, elected 1875. Warren B. Barnes, elected 1878. J. Roberts Rambo, elected 1881. J. Roberts Rambo, elected 1884.

No.

2.

Primary Docket.

No.

3,

Miscellaneous Docket.

Isaac Schneider, elected 1854.

Philip

S.

Gerhard, elected 1857.

Stahlnecker, elected October, 1883.

Christopher Lower, elected 18G0.

John

J.

DOCKKTS Index Index

DiPCKETS IN SHF.RIFF's OFFICE.

Nocton, elected 18G9.

IN

County Treasurer.— The county treasurer

to Adniinistratoi-H.

to Wills.

,

|

Miscellaneous Docket. Collateral Inheritance Docket.

—

The sheriff is elected for three years. a vacancy occurs in the office of the sheriff the coroner fills it until the expiration of the term. The sheriff is the executive officer of the court. All writs SheriflF.

When

him by the court must be executed by made to the court. He, with the jury commissioners, draws the names of the jurors and the sheriff summons them to attend court. He gives notice of the time and place of general elections and the qualifications of voters. By the directed to

him and

a return thereof

revised Constitution officer

of 1874,

was made ineligible

term.

art.

for the

xiv., sec,

i,,

this

next succeeding

elected

^

and mercantile

licenses,

and pays the same

to the State of his duty to collect the county and State taxes, and for that purpose sits in each district at a certain time and place designated!

treasurer.

It is also a part

by himself.

From

office waa filled by appointment by the county being the rule to appoint the retiring commissioner for the period of one year. From 1841 to 1874 the office was elective for 1

1790 to 1841 this

commissioners,

it

the term of one year, and by a party rule the incumbent was re-elected for a second term. By the revised Constitution of 1874, article xiv. section

made 21

is

term of three years. Vacancies are filled by the Governor. The treasurer receives and holds alL the money belonging to the county and pays the same on warrants drawn by the commissioners. He also receives taxes due the commonwealth, such as hotel for a

THE OFPICR OF REGISTER OF WiLLS.

1,

the term was extended to three years and the incumbent was

ineligible for the next succeeding term.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

322

Moore Stevens, Moore Stevens,

Isaac Marklt-y, ap]iuinted 1813.

elected'1845.

J.

H. Steiner, elected 1847.

Philip Boyer, elected 1800.

OweiJ Evans, aiipointed

J.

H. Steiner, elected 1848.

181t.i.

Julm McFarland, appointed Casper

Sehlatei",

John Hines, John Uioes,

1817.

appointed 1818,

elected 184*1.

Mehelm McGlathery,

James Bean, elected 1798. Henry Sheetz, elected 1799.

George Heist, ajipoiiitftl 181-i. Samuel Maiiii, apiiointed 1815.

Christian Weber, elected 1801.

Daniel Yost, elected 1843.

elected 1849.

Richard T. Leach, elected 1802.

elected

Philip

Samuel Shoemaker, elected 1844. Samuel H. Graff, elected 1845. John Smith, elected 184.').

18.'»(t.

Michael Cope, appointed 1819.

Jesse Gable, elected

Samuel Weiitz, ajipointed 1820. Saumel Went/., appointed 1821. Henry Kerr, appointed 1822.

Jesse Gable, elected 1852.

Hahn,

Jr., elected 1803.

Thomas Humphries, elected 1804. John Markley, elected 1805.

18.jl.

George Bucher, elected 1806.

George Kline, upiiointed 1825. Win. 3IcGlathery, appointed 182(;.

Fred. Brendliuger, elected 1857.

George Heist, elected 1810. Samuel Mann, elected 1811.

Henry

Aaron Drake, elected 1859. Aaron Drake, elected 1860. George Sechler, elected 1861. George Sechler, elected 1862. K. B. Lougaker, elected 186:i. R. B. Lougaker, elected 1864.

Samuel Patterson, appointed by court and com niissio net's. Jacob Yost, elected 1813. Samuel Patteraon and Schlatcr,

Joseph Beerer, elected 1865,

J.

Blatti.s,

P.

ajipointed 1823.

M'illiam Ayres, ai)pointed 1824.

Fred. Brendliugerj elected 1858.

Doul), appointed 1827.

Henrj' Douh, ajipointed 1828.

David C. Kidp, appointed 1820. George Piper, appointed 1830. Henr^' Schneider, appointed 1831.

John Todd, appointed

1832.

Christian Keisel, appoi?ited 1833.

John Geiger, appointed 1834. Ardemus Stewart, apjwinted 1835.

Josepli Beerer, elected 1866.

Jacob Heighley, apitointed 1836. Fred. Dalleclcer, appointed 1837.

G.

William Hamill, appointed 1838. Samuel E. Leech, appointed 1839. Benjamin B. Yost, appointed 1840.

Evans, elected

McFarlaud and Cope,

elected

Hough,

elected 181G.

Tobias G. Hauge, elected 1864.

William G. Smith, elected 1865. Henry H. Hartman, elected 1866.

F. Jarrett, elected 1873.

William Ayere, elected 1820. George Kline, elected 1821. Wm. McGlathery, elected 1822.

V. Jarrett, elected 18V4.

Henry Doub,

Reiff, elected 1871.

F. Jarrett, elected 1872.

G. Jones, elected 1877.

Cole, elected 1883.

Abraham

elected 1823.

Order-Book.

Cash-Book and

— There

Ledgt^r.

are three

com-

missioners elreted in eaeh county for a term of three

two persons, but the three having the highest vote are elected, thus always giving the minority party a representative. Vacancies are filled by appointment by the remaining members. It is the duty of the county commissioners to determine the tax-rate from statements of the assessors, and levy the county taxes. They must keep in repair the court-house and prison, and build new ones when authorized to do so. They must also build county bridges and keep them in repair. Road damages assessed to property-holders for land taken for new roads or streets within the county are paid by the county on warrants of the commissioners. All bills against the county must be proved by them before they are paid by the county treasurer. At the close of each fiscal year they publish a statement of the receipts and expenditures. elector votes for

Christian Schuid, elected 1700.

John

Nathan Potts, elected 1790. John Mann, elected 1790. Conrad Boyer, elected 1791. John Wentz, elected 1792.

Morris Hobsou, elected 1794,

Samuel Maulsby, elected 1796. Conrad Boyer, elected 1797.

;

three years, under the rule of minority representation.

of 1874, article

xiv., sect. 7).

(See Constitution

elected 1807.

Francis Kehr, elected 1868.

Christian Keisel, elected 1829.

George Erb, elected 1875.

Jr., elected 1824.

C. Kulj), elected 1825.

1827.

elected 1830.

William Hamill, elected 1831.

Amos

Amos

Charles M. Soliday, elected 1875.

Addis, elected 1832.

Samuel E. Leach and Benjamin B. Yost, elected 1833. F.

Burnside

C.

(for three years),

elected 1834.

Jacob

John

Fritz, elected 1835.

Schctfer, elected 1836.

Abel Thomas, elected 1837. William Stevens, elected 1838.

John Bechtel,

elected 1839.

Silas Yerkes, elected 1839.

D. Moser, elected 1875.

Jesse B. Davis, elected 1878.

Noah D. Frank, elected 1878. Amos D. Moser, elected 1878. James Burnett, elected 1881. Hiram Burdan, elected 1881. William L. Kittenhouse,

elected

1881.

James Burnett,

elected 1884.

Hiram Burdan, elected 1884. Thomas McCuUy, elected 1884.

Public Dockets in the Office of County Commis-sionf-rs.

2.

County Commissioners' Tax Lien Docket. Commissioners' Cash-Book Docket.

3.

Contract Docket.

1.

4.

Bond Book Docket.

5.

Register of Expenditures of County Docket.

6.

Asaessoi-s'

7.

Tax Duplicate Docket.

8.

Assessors'

9.

Registry of Jurors' Docket.

Valuation of Taxable Property Docket.

Return of Voters' Docket.

11.

Enrollment Docket. Registry of Variations of Surveyor' Compasses Docket.

12.

Minute-Book.

10. Militia

Directors of the Poor. of the poor in

—-There are three

Montgomery County,

directors

elected for three

one each year. Vacancies are filled by the remaining directors. They liave the general superyears,

vision Three commissioners were elected in 1790 their terms of otfice expired in one, two and three years, respectively, and thereafter one commissioner was elected each year until the adoption of the revised Constitution of 1874, when three commissioners were elected for the period of

Benjamin Tysob,

John Geyer,

Jarrett, elected 1793.

Fred. Conrad, elected 1795.

C. Cole, elected 1863.

John Y. Fritz, elected 1869. Dennis Dunne, elected 1870. John Stever, elected 1871. John T. Comly, elected 1872. Edward Johnson, elected 1873. Charles M. Soliday, elected 1874.

Peter Bastras,

Henry Schneider, elected John Todd, elected 1828.

Dockets ix Office of County Tkeasurf.r

^

George Pennick, elected 1861. Jacob Slifer, elected 1862.

Christian Mattis, elected 1819.

George Piper, elected 1826.

Each

1858.

Daniel Carr, elected 1850.

Nath. Wagonhui-st, elected 1870.

David

years.^

18.57.

Adams, elected

Natb. Wagonhurst, elected 1860.

1817.

Henrv A,

County Commissioners.

B.

Dr.

Evan

t

Jacob Brant, elected

Isaac Huber, elected 1860.

1815,

David Beard, elected

Lv.lger Docket.

elected 1853.

Isaac F. Yost, elected 1854.

John Hoffman, elected 1865. Benjamin Fleck, elected 1856. John

elected 1814.

J. R. Yost, elected 1880.

License Docket.

Archibald Bains, elected 1852.

John Cowden,

181-2.

Jones Smith, elected 1842. David Beai'd, elected 1843.

Tax

William W. Dunn, elected 1850. Michael Hartzel, elected 1851.

Andrew Gilkeson, elected Henry Kerr, elected 1818.

George C.

1844.

Daniel Harp Major, elected 1849.

Jacoby, elected 18G8.

W. W.

Samuel Samuel Samuel

V. C. Burnside, appointed 1841.

Isaac Markley, elected 1809.

Owen

elected 1847.

Daniel ijnillmau, elected 1848. 1808.

Jacoby, elected 1867.

G.

Jones Smith, elected 1841.

John Lowery, elected 1807. Mahlon V. Booskirk, elected

Charles Greger, elected 1S40.

John Katz,

M. Hunter, elected 1853. P. M. Hunter, elected 1854. John M. Fenton, elected 1855. John M. Fenton, elected 185ti.

Chris.

elected 1840.

Joseph Nettles, elected 1841. Isaac Burk, elected 1842.

of the almshouse and of the poor of the

They

steward and other officers, management of the almshouse. The expenses are paid by the county treasurer by orders drawn by the directors. They also make a report of the receipts and expenditures at the close of county. in

whom

is

elect the

vested the

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. each

The

year.

Montgomery

directors of the poor of

323

has power to cause arrest and to commit to prison other cases neither the coroner nor the jury have defined responsibility, and may only recommend. This oflice was filled by appointment till 1889. ;

County

under a

act

sjiecial

law

;

other counties have

different hiws. .Samuel Hendricks, elected 1SG4.

KeinhiirJ Keelor, elected 1830. Inane Scliuider, elected 1840.

Uriah B. Shade, elected 18Go.

Reinhard Keelor, elected 1841.

.lacoh Kolb, elected 1800.

No

Henry Kneedler,

return, 1S42.

Peter Iloxwortli, elected

Adam

Joseph Kolb, elected

Lutz, elected 1844.

Aaron Lindernian,

elected

Peter IJoxwortli, elected

Adam

John Major, appointed by the Governor, 1816.

Henry Kneedler,

184.'i.

18lt!l.

John Brant, appointed by the Governor,

elected 1870.

Lutz, elected 1847.

Henry Scluiler, elected 1848. Samuel Miller, elected 1840.

Martin Ruth, elected 1873. William R. Dettra, elected 1874.

John

Henry V. Wile,

1S.5(I.

Henry

Sclniler, elected 1851.

Sanuiel

Sillier, elected 1852.

John

B. Holland, elected 185:J.

Daniel Jacobus, elected 1855.

John

Field, elected 1877.

Daniel Shuler, elected 1879.

William Maclinet, elected 1855.

John A. Righter, elected 188(1. John O. Clemens, elected 1881.

Kneedler, elected

185(1.

Wm.

Harry S. Lowery, elected 1883. Benjamin C. Ki-aus, elected 1884, died December 30, 1884.

William Specht, elected

Samuel Hendricks,

1801).

elected

Uriah B. Shade, elected

John U- Clemens, appointed

18til.

—There

auditors

three

county, elected for a term of three years.'

in

each

They

are

same manner as the couuty commisThey meet at the county seat on the first Monday in January of each year, and audit, adjust and settle the accounts of the commissioners, treasurer, directors of the poor and prison inspectors. elected in the

sioners.

Oeorge S. Williams, elected 1830. David Evans, elected 1840. Tliomas Bitting, elected 1S41.

Richard Young, elected 1863.

No

Richard Young, elected 1866. Solomon K. Grimly, elected 1867.

W.

Solomon K. Grimly, elected 1864. E. H. Shearer, elected 1865.

record, 1842.

John

Eidemiller, elected 1843.

E.

Richards, elected 1844.

II.

Shearer, elected 1868.

E. A. Schwonk, elected 1846.

George W. Shriver, elected 1869. William Gilbert, elected 1871).

Jacob Prunner,

John

Francis Kehr, elected 1845.

George

Jr., elected 1847.

S.

Holloway, elected 1871.

W. Shriver, elected 1872. W. Corson, elected 1873.

George

Lov\-er, elected 1848.

Jacob F. Yost, elected 1849. Jacob Prunner, elected 18.50.

Allen

Abraham

elected 1852.

William Gilbert, elected 1875. Frederick Wagner, elected 1875.

elected 1853.

E. S. Stahlnecker, elected 1875.

Abraham H. Reuben

John

Carn, elected 1851.

Reuben Shively, .Tacob M. Hui-st,

S.

Holloway, elected 1874.

Chas. Slingluff, elected 1878.

Carn, elected 1854.

Shively, elected

"\\'illiam

18.55.

Jacob M. Hui-st, elected 1856. William J. Buck, elected 1857.

E.

S.

Davis, elected 1878.

Stahlnecker, elected 1878.

John H. Bergey,

elected 1881.

George Bulger, elected 1858.

Isaac R. Cassel, elected 1881.

Jones Detwiler, elected 1859.

Charles Slingluff, elected 1881.

"William J. Buck, elected 1800.

Isaac R. Cassell, elected 1884.

George Bulger, elected

.\braham M. Bergey, elected 1884.

18G1.

.Tones Detwiler, elected 1862.

—

Coroner. The coroner is elected every three years. Vacancies are filled by the Governor.

The duties of the coroner are almost exclusively confined to holding inquests upon persons who have died by violence or accident,

mysterious manner.

who

He

or in a sudden or impanels a jury of six men

inquire into the cause of death, after which a

verdict

is

rendered.

Isaac Fry, elected 1874.

Harry B. Long, elected 1877, Samuel Akins, elected 1880. .^amuel .\kin3, elected 1883.

for

are

l.s

County Surveyor.— The county surveyor

William Specht, elected 1863.

Auditors.

elected

to

serve one year.

18(!2.

McEwen,

H.

.lacob Strahley, elected 1871.

Christian Markley, elected

18.58.

'

Joiseph C. Beyer, elected 1865

Daniel Shuler, elected 1882.

Kneedler, elected 1859.

185'''.

Jacob F. Weber, elected 1864

"William Macknet, Elected 1857.

Adam

C. Snyder, elected

Daniel Jacobus, elected 1861 0. (^'lemens, elected 1878.

leasure or gratification it allbrdcd to

selves.

Though they thought and wrote on

and

lived in the present, yet

animated them

to

renewed

it

them-

the past

was the future that True, they were

zeal.

and speculative in the treatment of it was the beginning, and, like all beginnings, crude, and with time shoukl lie impmved

generally

ilry

their subjects; but

upon.

The authors or writers who resided witbin our small down to half a century ago could not have

territory

fancied the great changes that have since transpired,

and that have so respectively tended to disseminate a knowledge and love of letters. No public or free schools theu existed, the post-offlces were only onefourth the present number, with but one or two arrivals weekly.

The

first

newspaper established in

the county was in 1799; in 1810 the number had increased to two, and in 1831 to issued once a

week and small

five.

in size.

They were

all

" Locals," in the

general acceptation of the term, were then unknown, and astomarriagesand deaths, few were yet mentioned. Editorials on useful or instructive subjects rarely made an appearance. Party spirit and rancor was strongly exhibited, and that of a personal kind. That this occasionally led to duels and personal assaults we need not wonder. Manv of the earlv

which

prices.

need of suitable dictionaries and encyclopedias of well-digested infornuition, ncjw so comhistories

in

down

Even many of the

to a century

best-written

ago were largely made

up of connected tales or frivolous aneri()d.

Charles H. Garbek, at-law of

an attorney-

1823-1882, "

Norristown.

The

Seeker, or the

Ex-

and other Poems," Phila., 1845, 154 pp., 18mo. Prepared from selections that had previously appeared in magazines and newspapers. The miscellaneous poems are fifteen in number. F. W. Gelssenhainer, Jr., D.D. Sermons, " Repentance Delayed, a Dangerous Ground for Hope," Winchester, Va., 9 pp. " The Sin Against the Holy Ghost," 7 pp. "The Believers' Desire and Aim," iled Spirit,

1835, 7

p]).

Abrah.vm Grater. "An E.xplanation of Incidents that took place among the so-called Mennonites," 8 printed by J. M. Sehueneman & Co., pp., 12mo, Skippack, Pa., 1855. J. C. GULDIN, formerly a Reformed minister, wrote in German a work on " Baptism and Feet- Washing," published about 1840, 75 pp., and a volume of ser-

mons.

John Gummere, and resided

for

1784-1845

some time

received his education.

"A

;

a native of

Horsham

Moreland, where he Treatise on Surveying,

in

containing the Theory and Practice; to which is prefixed a Perspicuous System of Plane Trigonom-

demonstrated and illustrated by a lai'ge number of appropriate examples, ]>articularly adapted for the use of schools, 1st editicm, jmblLshed by Kimber & Richardson, Phila., 1814, 358 "Treatise on Astronomy," first published pp., 8vo. the whole

etry,"

clearly

Gwynedd, where he

died.

Evangelisehes Mag-

Von Nord Amerika, " von Ehrw. Herrn Samuel Helfenstein, Phila., gedruckt bey Goszler und Blumer, 1829, 290 pp., 8vo. " The Doctrines of Divine Revelation as Taught in the Holy Scriptures Exhibited, Illustrated and Vindicated," designed for the use of Christians generally and for young men preparing for the gospel ministry in particular, by the Rev. Samuel Helfenstein, D.D., Phila., James Kay, Jr., & Bro., 1842, 394 pp., 8vo; this work Vereiuigten Staten

contains a fine steel engraving of the author.

Mrs. Lydia W. Hilles, formerly of Upper Merion, of Norristown. " Heart Problems," Doughty &

now

Becker, Phila., 1870, 274 pp., 8vo. F. G. Hobson, b. 1857, a native and resident of Upper Providence. " Hi.story of Providence Township," published in the Providence Independent in 1883.

"Township and County Government," in Harley's " Geography of Montgomery County." A " History of Providence and Upper and Lower Providence," in the present history of the county.

One

and on jHiblication committee of the "

of the editors

Official

Record

of the Centennial Association of Montgomery County," 1885, 450 pp., Svo.

Balthasar Hoffman,

1686-1775, a minister of

the Schwenkfelder denomination, resident in Salford, left a catalogue of his

writings,

Lower

embracing

on religious matters and eighty-three on kindred topics.

fifty-eight tracts letters

John Holme

arrived from

England

in 1686,

and

in the beginning of 1688 married

a native of

Mary, the widow of Nicholas More, making his residence in the Manor of Moreland, where, in 1696, he wrote a poem of some length, entitled "A True Relation of the Flourishing State of Pennsylvania." In the article on " Early Poetry" in this work an extract is given therefrom this poem was originally published in the " Bulletin of

Cheltenham, became an eminent teacher at AlexanVa. "Autobiography," published by his descend-

the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1847, pp. 20, 8vo.

in 1822, the 6th edition in 1854.

Samuel R. Gummere, 1789-1818, author of the " Progressive Spelling-Book," " Compendium of Elocution " and a "Treatise on Geography," was a brother of John, and for some time a teacher of youth. BenjamIjnt .

;

Hallowell,

1799-1877

;

dria,

Anna M. Holstein,

ants in 1883.

Benjamin

F.

Haxcock,

1799-1867.

"The Law

Without the Advice of an Attorney or. Every Man His Own Counsellor," carefully compiled and arranged, 2d edition, Norristown, Pa., published by David Sower, Jr., 1831, 152 pp., 8vo; the 1st edition was published in 1831). "A History and Geography J. K. Harley, M.D. of Montgomery County, Pa., together with County and Township Government," designed for the use of schools and the general reader, 1883, 108 pp., 16mo that jiortion relating to township and county government was prepared by F. G. Hobson, Esq. James Y. Heckler, a resident and native of Lower Salford. " Ecclesianthem or, A Song of the Brethren," a poem, with foot-notes and explanations; Lausdale, ;

;

;

Pa., A. K.

Thomas

&

Co., printers, 1883, 131 pp.,

16mo.

Samuel Helfenstein,

1775-1866

;

long a resident

Hospitals of the

Lippincott

wife of Major William

Upper Merion.

Holstein, of

&

Army

"Three Years

H.

in Field

of the Potomac," Phila., J. B.

Co., 1867, 137 pp.,

12mo.

George W. 'Holstein, M.D.,

Bridgeport.

"The

Early Swedish Settlements in Upper Merion," a paper read before the Montgomery County Historical Society in

and published

in several of the History of the Early Days of Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, I.O.O.F., Norristown, Pa., read before the members October 30, 1882,"

1881,

county newspapers.

"A

Herald Job Printing Rooms, 1882, 21 pp., 8vo. Rev. S. M. K. Huber. "Historical Sketch of Wentz's Reformed Church, in Worcester Township." Schwenksville N. B. (xrubb, jirinter, 1881, 27 j'p., 16mo. NiMROD HUGH.S. " Fierliche Warnung von Nimrod Hughs," Norristown, David Sower, 1812, 20 pp., Svo the aforesaid is, no doubt, an assumed name. ;

;

BIBLIOGRAPHY. Abraham Huxsicker,

1793-1872

;

a bishop in

A

Statement of Facts and Summary of Views on Morals and Religion, as Related with Suspension from the Mennonite Meeting." He is stated to have written several other pamphlets. "

the Mennonite Church.

Howard M. Jexkins, b. 1842, in Gwynedd. " Our Democratic Republic," containing three ehxborate articles on the right of suffrage, Wilmington, Del., 18138, 8vo.

"The Name Gwynedd

Phila., 1882, 10 pp., 8vo.

acter

more

Welsh History," " William Penn His Charin

:

and Career," an address delivered at SwarthCollege, Penna., in November, 1882, Wilming-

ton, 1883, 28 pp., 8vo.

" Historical Collections Relat-

ing to Gwynedd," Phila., 1884, 400 pp., 8vo. He is at present editor of The American, a weekly literary, scientific

and

political journal, published in Philadel-

phia; he has edited and published several newspapers and has contributed, besides, to magazines, various

on historical and social topics. Daxiel K. Kassel. " Gebeter und lieder zum gebrauch der Tugend," compiled by Daniel K. Kassel, printed by Enos Banner, Sumneytown, 1844, 18mo. Sir William Keith, 1(570-1749; Governor of Pennsylvania and a resident of Horsham. "History ol' Virginia, with Remarks on the Trade and Commerce of that Colony," London, 1738, 187 pp., 4to, with two maps. While Governor he delivered adarticles, chiefly

355

Philadelphia County, Penn., 17th of 9th month, 1736. It is a rare

work.

Peter Le Gaux,

Frenchman by

a

birth, lived

A contributor to the

and died at Spring Mill.

Columbia

by William Young for the years 1786 to 1790, chiefly on meteorology and observations thereon. They show him posPhiladelphia

published in

Magazine,

sessed of scientific acquirements.

David Lloyd, 1778-1861, a life-long resident of "Economy of Agriculture," 1832, 120 pj).,

Horsham. "

12mo.

The Gentleman's Pocket-Piece," being

a re-

choice selections and golden precepts

pository of

taken from the best of authors, 1845, 156 pp., 12mo. " Modern Miscellanj'," consisting of poetry, history, philosophy, moral essays and promiscuous

pieces,

Philadelphia, 1848, 216 pp., 12mo. "A Poetic Eulogy on the City of Philadelphia," read before the Hat-

Lyceum

in Slarch, 1850 contains upwards of This was probably the last of his puljlished productions. His first communications were proljably

boro 270

;

lines.

published in the Norristown Register, to which known he contributed at least as early as 1827.

it is

He

Oermaniown Telegraph a series of articles on agriculture, which were collected and published in the first-mentioned work. "The Gentlemen's Pocket Piece," as might be expected from also wrote for the

its title,

is

The

a compilation.

" Miscellany " con-

dresses at treaties held with the Indians, at Conestoga,

tains the greater portion as well as the best of his

in 1721, and the following year; they were of interest, and among the very best of the kind during the Aquila Rose, a young Philadelphia colonial period.

writings. Of his poetical effusions, the best " Red Bird's Lamentation."

poet, celebrated the events in a

Joseph Lloyd, b. 1777 a native ot Horsham, removed to Philadelphia, where he became the editor of

Professor in Pennsyl-

the Pennsylvania, Democrat. Contributed poetical articles to the newspapers in the beginning of this cen-

vania College and a native of Montgomery County, is the author of several works, but we cannot at present give particulars.

Reubex KREiBEL,b.

"Genealogical Record of the Descendants of the Schweukfelders who arrived in Pennsylvania, 1733-37; from the German of Rev. by Rev. Reuben Kriebel, with Balthasar Heebner Joseph Yeakle, historical sketch by C. Heydrick." 1820.

;

jirinter,

Manayunk,

"The New and Much Improved Musical Teacher, compiled l)y Abraham Krujtp," Norristown, printed by David Sower, 1832. " A Choice Selection of Hymns by Abraham Krupp,

Mathetchey," printed by David Sower, 1814, 18mo. He was a good Greek scholar and an excellent penman, but remarkable for his eccentricities labored for some time to invent a flying-machine. Ben,tamix Lay, 1681-1759, lived and died in Ab" All Slave-Keepers that keep the Innocent ington. ;

Bondage Apostates, written for a general serby him that sincerely desires the present and eternal welfare and happiness of all mankind all the world over, of all colors and nations, as his own soul, Benjamin Lay, Philadelphia," printed for the author, 1737,280 pp., 32mo; the preface is dated Aljington, in

;

tury.

One poem

is

given in our article on "Early

Poetry."

Mrs. Susan Ltjkexs.

" Gleanings at Seventy-

216 pp., 12mo. and 62 pages of poetry.

Comprises reminiscences

five," 1873,

Edward Mathews,

formerly of the Bucks Counfij

the past five years has contributed numerous articles to the North Wales Record, relating Intelligencer, for

to the history,

1879, 339 pp., 8vo.

Abraham Krupp.

vice

the

at the

poem published

time.

Charles Philip Krauth,

is

biography and antiquities of Gwynedd townshijis, which have been read

and the surrounding with interest.

Jacob Medtart, Blue

Bell.

"We

Preach not

Ourselves, but Christ," a sermon, 9 pp., 8vo. LucRETiA Mott, 1793-1880, a resident for some" Life and Letters of James and Lucretia MotJ," Boston, 1884, 566 pp., small 8vo, with portraits, edited by their grand-daughter, Anna

time of Cheltenham.

Davis Hallowell contains selections from their correspondence for sixty years, to which is appended a ;

memoir of these

philanthropists.

Henry Ernest Muhlenberg, a native of the Trappe. dfcs

D.D., 1753-1815, ",Rede bei der Einweihung

Franklin Colegiums," Lancaster, 1788.

"

English

and German Lexicon and Grammar," 2 vols., 8vo. " Descriiition uberior Graninum, Index Florte Lan-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMKKY COUI^TY.

356

vol. iii., "Amer. Philos. i^ociety's 28 pp., 1789-93. " Catalogus Plantarum Ameiicse Septentrionalis," Lancaster, 1813,

in

castrieiisis,"

Transactions,"

112 pp. 8vo

;

2d

ed., Phila., 1818,

122 pp., 8vo. D.D., 1711-

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg,

"Hallische Nachrichten," Halle, 1747-1763, " Extracts from the Journal of Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg from 1704 to 1780," translated by Heister M. Muhlenberg, M.D., 1863, 47 pp., 8vo. 1787.

1580

Ellis Pugh, 1650-1718, an early settler in Plymouth township, where he wrote the following work in Welsh a short time before his death: "Annerch ir Cymri," printed by A. Bradford, 1721. It was afterwards translated by his friend Rowland Ellis into English and published in 1727.

James Grier Ralston,

pp., 8vo.

" Journal of a

teacher at Norristown.

181.5-80,

long a successful

"Historical Sketch of the

Church of Norristown, Pa., with its Ministers and Reminiscences of its Revivals and of Oakland Female Institute," by J. Grier Ralston, D.D., Norristown, Herald Steam First Presbyterian

Voyage to Georgia in 1774." To the fiist-mentioned work he was the principal contributor. The second was published in the "'Collections of the Hist. Society of Penna.," vol. i., 1853. The last was translated from the German by his grandson, Rev. J.

Biographical Notes of

W.

for the Inhabitants of Delaware become Rich: Wherein the several Growths and Products of these Countries are demonstrated to be a sufficient Fund for a flourishing Trade," printed and sold by S. Keimer in Phila., 1725, 05 pp. At p. 54 he says: "Limestone we have in great plenty, of which store of lime is made, which gives the Opportunit)' to the Inhabitants to build good stone and brick houses in town and country." The substitution of Delaware for Pennsylvania may have been done intentionally, for he was one of the sixty-nine signers, chiefly Friends, who sent a petition to the Assembly 17th of Seventh Month, 1701, charging William Penn with

Richards, and published in the

first

4 vols, of the

Evangelical Bevieto, Gettysburg.

Francis Murphy,

surveyor in Norristown and vicinity. "Tales of an Evening," founded on facts, compiled by Francis

Murphy, Norristown, printed by James Winnard, 1815.

Samuel Musselman,

a resident of

Lower Salford

"

Die ueue Choral Harmonie, enthaltend die vornehmsten Kirchen Melodien," eingerichtet zuni Gebrauch aller Christlicher Religionen von jeden Benennungen und auf drei Stimmen gesetzt, township.

zum

absonderlich eingerichtet

"Ways and Means

to

some time a teacher and

for

Printing-Hoixse, 1870, 06 pp., 8vo. Francis Rawle, an early settler at Plymouth.

oft'entlichen

Gottes-

Versammluugen und SingKomponirt und zusammengetragen von Schulen. Samuel Mtisselman. Gedruckt bei Hickok und Can-

grave misconduct in his government.

tine, Harrisburg, Pa., 1844.

James Rees, b. in Norristown in 1802. "Dramatic Authors of America," Phila., 1842, 12mo. "Mysteries of City Life," 1849, 12mo. "The Tinker Spy," Buf-

dienste,

als

Kirchen,

David Newport,

1822, long a resident of " Indices Historical and Abington.

Moreland and

b.

of vol.

vi.

See pp. 275-277

of "Collections of the Historical Society of

Pennsylvania."

"The Pleasures Rational," Phila., 218 pp., 12mo. of Home and other Poems," Phila., J. B. Lippiucott

falo, 1856.

&

treats

Among his plays may be mentioned " The Headsman,"

The

"Washington at Valley Forge," "Charges," "Marion," "Pat Lyon" and "Anthony Wayne." Contributor

Co., 1884, 99 pp., 12mo.

The

first

work

principally on the early history of Christianity. latter contains sixteen

since 1800. entitled

"

poems written

at various

times

Amongst this ninnber is a spirited poem Lincoln and Liberty," which has been

justly admired.

Samuel

Philadelphia.

Political

"The Lyric Works

lated into English verse, to

of Horace," trans-

which are added a number

of Original Poems, by a native of America, Phila., 1780, 334 pp., 12mo.

Considerable of this work was

written in this county, while he was with the

army

under the command of Washington, dating several of his pieces from camp at Perkiomen and M'hitemarsh, An extract of his but chiefly at Valley Forge. " Elegy on General Howe," is given in our article on " Early Poetry." It seems remarkable that one shfiuld be thus given to the muse amid the din and bustle of

camp

life.

"Life of

Edwin

Forrest," 524pp., 12mo.

Dramatic and other

to the Saturday Eoening Post, Tfic I'icai/une,

Mirror, The PhiUmthrojikt periodicals.

"A

Hand-Book," containing rules of the Republican party of Montgomery County, Pa., election statistics, acts of Assembly regulating primary elections, etc., Ha-ald Book and Job Printing House, 1882, 39 pp., lOmo. John Parke, b. 1750, and chiefly a resident of E. Nyce.

"Foot-Prints of a Letter-Carrier," Phila.,

1866, 12mo.

Home

,

Weeklij

Resides in Philadelphia and

is

still

a

vigorous man. J. W. Richards, D.D., formerly of the Trappe, and grandson of Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg. "Centenary Jubilee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of

Augustus, Trappe,"

mon"

at the close

May

2,

1843, 43 pp., 16mo.

"Ser-

of his nunistry at Easton, Pa.,

"H. M. Muhlenberg's 9, 1861, 12 pp., 8vo. Journal of a Voyage to Georgia in 1774," translated from the original MS., published in the Evangelical March

Review, Gettysburg, vols.

i. ii.

Norriton township until the

91 pp. 1732-90, resided in

iii. iv.,

David Rittenhouse, LL.D., fall

of 1770.

"Calcula-

tion of the Transit of Venus over the Sun," 1769, 14 pp. " Observations on the Comet of June and July,

1770," 5 pp.

"

An Easy Method of Deducing the Time

of the Sun's Passing the Meridian," 4

pj).

" Effect.i

of Lightning," two articles, 8 pp. "Astronomical Ob" On a Method of Finding the Sum servations," 5 pp.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

357

cations were published in the tirst four quarto volumes of the "Transactions of the American Philosophical Society." He translated from the German the

" Collections of Penna. Synod," 1860, 220 pp., Svo Hymns of Penna. Synod, " 1865, 468 pp., 24mo. " Lutheran Church Book," 1868, 16mo. "Lutheran Sunday-School Book," 1873, 322 pp., 18mo. " LuthHe is also one of eran Kirchenbuch," 1877, 16mo. the associate editors of the " Halle Reports, with Historical Notes," begun in 1881, issued in parts, to be To completed in three or four volumes 'royal' Svo. The Lutheran Church Review has contributed several articles, namely: " The First Penn.sylvania Liturgy," " Early History of the Tulpchockcn Churches " and " The Rite of Confirmation in the Lutheran Church ;'

ublished in 1809. It is a farm map, with the names of the owners, acres, bounds and in some cases the date of first settlement thereon. This is probably the first local map of the kind relating to the city and

Maps.

Environs," surveyed

containing views of the county buildings, churches, and plans of the principal towns and The names of 20,000 real estate owners are villages.

seminaries,

Published in 1857, price, $5.00. D. J. Lake and S. N. Beers. " Map of the Vicinity of Philadelphia, from Actual Surveys," by D. J.

mentioned thereon.

Lake and S. N. Beers assisted by F. W. Beers, L. B. Lake and D. G. Beers. C. K. Stone and A. Pomeroy, ;

publishers, Phila., 1860.

Size, 5^

by 5

feet

;

contains

Montgomery County, with its townships, boroughs, roads and names of land-holders, besides This is undoubtedly several small maps of villages. the finest aud most correct map of the county up to the whole of

the date of

its

publication.

It is

much

valued, and

is

It found hung up in many oflices for reference. contains also almost the whole of Bucks County. John Levering. " A Map of Lower Merion," by John Levering, published in 1858, from surveys by

still

Lower

himself; contains lithographs of the Old Friends'

Merion and two-thirds of Cheltenham. G. H. Hopkins. " Atlas of the County of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, from x\ctual Surveys and Official Records," compiled and published by G. M.

idence of Charles Thomson. Subscription price, $3.00. Denotes location of buildings, the boundaries of all

It includes nearly one-third of

its vicinity.

Hopkins

&

Co.,

320 Walnut Street,

Phila., 1871,

— the

first atlas on the aud Environs, from Official Records, Private Plans and Actual Surveys, Based upon Plans deposited in the Dejiartment of Surveys," surveyed and published under the direction of G. M. Hopkins, C.E., 320 Walnut Street, Phila., contains farm maps of the townships of 1877, 89 pp. Lower Merion, Whitemarsh, Springfield, Plymouth,

103 pages of colored maps,

county.

" Atlas of Philadelphia

;

Abington, Lower Providence, LTpper Merion, NorriUpper Dublin, Cheltenham and Whitpain, with a

ton.

map

of

Montgomery County; also maps of the West Conshohicken,Jenkintown, Bridge-

bor.iughsof

Meeting-House, Lower Merion

Academy and

res-

farms and lots in the township. This, it is likely, was the first township map published separately relating to the county.

William E. Morris. " Township Map of Montgomery County," by William E. Morris, published iu This was the first map rePrice, $5.00. 1849, Phila. lating to the county that gave the names of the landholders, mills, manufactories, school-houses, churches,

wheelwright and blacksmith-shops, post-offices, inns, and houses in the several townships. Original price, $5.00, but has been recently sold at public sales at much higher rates. John Mellish, 1770-1822, a native of Scotland and a resident of Philadelphia, the author of several

stores, turnpikes, toll-gates

360

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

useful geographical works.

"

Map

of

Montgomery

County," by John Mellish, with an actual survey of the River Schuylkill, in 1827, by T. H. Gill, published by B. Tanner, Phila., 1827. Size, 22 by 24 inches. Denotes the boundary lines of all the townships and boroughs, principal mads, with names of places and distances from Philadelphia. This, it is very probable, was the first separate mrt]i imlilished on the county.

Edward

N. Radcliff, native and long resident "Township and Business Map of Mont•gomery County, Pa.," published 1873; scale, one and of Hatboro'.

a half inches

to the mile.

James D. Scott, a native of Horsham. " Combination Atlas of Montgomery County, Pa., Compiled, Drawn and Published from Personal Examinations and Surveys," James D. Size',

141 by 17 inches

;

Scott, Phila., 1877, 107 pp.

contains 43 pages of

maps

re-

" Valley Forge."

Mr. Smith was a teacher at the time Easttown townshiji, Chester Co. There is a report that after he had it juiblished he changed his mind thereon, and destroyed the copies. This, however, in confirmation demands some inve.stigation. There is no question but that this map is rare, for no other of the original copies are known. One cause assigned for so extraordinary a course was that he was instigated thereto by the descendants of several Tory families It was jirobably published residing in that vicinity. by Mr. Smith about 1830, or somewhat later. James L. Smith. "New Driving Map of Philadelphia and Vicinity," published by J. L. Smith, 27 South 6th Street, Phila., 1883. Scale, one inch to the in

mile

;

contains nearly three-fourths of the southern

of the county. Denotes all the railroads, townships and common roads, hotels and toll-houses.

section

The names of all the

lating to the several townships, boroughs and villages,

given.

handsomely

jileasure drives

colored, besides 34 lithographic views of

The general and local history was a condensed manner by William J.

Price, $12.00, with a published

list

is

Buck.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Nicholas Scull,

1701-61, descended from an Whitemarsh, where he was born. " A Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent," by Nicholas Scull and George Heap. " Map of the Improved Parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland," pubin Philadelphia, 1759; dedicated to

as " true

Thomas

and absolute Proprietors

This can be considered the first correct map published of the province on a large scale, taking up more than half the present area of the State. Mentions the counties and townships, the residences of the most prominent citizens, also the

and streams. The small portion of Lower Merion

roads, forges, mills, churches, inns first

map

contains a

township, with names of its principal land-holders. The second was a considerable undertaking, and far

and fulness all that had which must have required and knowledge of the country,

surpasses in correctness

preceded

it,

to accomplish

considerable travel

and

at that time, too,

consider the

then

under great unsettled

ditficultics

condition

when we

of

affairs.

His grandson, William Scull, published a map of the province in 1770, on a much smaller scale, and is but little more than a copy of the aforesaid. David G. Smith. " Map of Valley Forge and its Immediate Vicinity," showing the location of the several divisions of the army there in the Revolution. Prepared chiefly from iuformation derived from William Davis, Esq., John W. Davis and John Evans. But two copies of this map, or, j)erhaps, rather plan, were known in 1880, one belonging to George Lower, of Flourtown, and the other to the late Charles A copy has been reJ. Elliott, of King-of-Prussia. produced from the one in Mr. Lower's possession, and published by Colonel T. W. Bean, in his work on

—

roads arc also

and pedestrians.

early family in

and Richard Penn and Governours."

common

of nearly 1100 sub-

scribers in the county.

lished

principal

a pocket map, particularly useful for

written

huildings.

in

It

EAELY POETRY.'

The specimens of early jioetry in this chapter have been selected from the writer's collections on account of relating more or less to Montgomery County, and

their authors

have been

They may be regarded exist,

some time deceased. and but few copies

and a considerable portion now appear in

print for the copies

for

as rare,

were

time.

first

nearly

all

Respecting the

made from

latter,

the

the originals

to thirty-five years ago, and have not been offered before for publication. Their average merit is certainly above the mediocrity of the present

twenty-eight

day some, indeed, are of great excellence, as the " Ode written at Graeme Park in 1766," " Lines to a Gentleman who made Laura a good Pen," "To a Bride with an Artificial Rose," "The Pennsylvania Spinning Song," ;

"Ode "

to

"Sylvia's Song to Damon," Swedes Churchyard " and " The Beech-

Gratitude,"

The Walk

in

Tree."

an extract from a poem written "A True Relation of the Flourishing State of Pennsylvania." The author was one of the judges of the County Court of Philadelphia, and married Mary, the widow of Judge Nicholas More, of the Manor of Moreland, where he resided at the time he wrote this poem. The

The

first

piece

by John Holme

is

in 1696, entitled

extract has only I'eference to the limestone in this county, no other being found nearer the city. Our

lime-burners can be congratulated at having found at so early a period a poet to celebrate their labors. Sir

William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania and 1

By

Will. J.

liiicl;.

EARLY POETRY. a resident of this county, held two councils with the Indians at Oonestoga respecting the troubles and inthe other in June, 1722,

— the in.Tuly, 1721, and —the proceedings of which are

unusually interesting.

On each occasion the Governor

trusion of the M-irylaiulers,

made

first

addresses to the natives, which are

among

the

very best to be found in the colonial period of Pennwhich the Indians made interesting re-

sylvania, to plies;

a consequence, both parties separated in the

a.s

Aquila Rose, a young and prom-

greatest friendliness.

ising poet in the city, celebrated the event soon after

361

marsh and Valley Forge. We have selected as one of the best his " Elegy on General Howe," written while the army was encamped in Perkiom en township in the latter

jiart

Respecting Mrs. Ferguson we have occasion to say little here, as her biography is given in the article on Graeme Park, where she resided the greater

four lines are beautiful.

portion of her

He

made the

first

improve-

alternated farming with teaching iu his

township and in Perkiomen adjoining. He was a man of some literary ability, having prepared in 1")0 a work on school-teaching, which was published by Christopher Sower in 17iay'd But now. contined, I here must be By

Mhen

oh,

When

BY DAVID LLOYD.

In the shade of that beech-tree

to recline,

And dream of the maiden who gjivo And left it thus hallowed in mine

betruy'd.

her love,

it

!

I flew lium

home

in search of food

Beneath a shady tree, left behind a helpless brood, Whicli I shall never see.

And

CHAPTER XXV.

Entan-jird in a wily net

Contriv'd by wanton boy,

"Which caus'd

And I see

does

my

me

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS— CHURCH HISTORY.'

sore regret

all this

my health

destroy.

—

Eeligiox or a sense of some power above or beyond ourselves is tlie deepest iustinct of the human soul, and it is so nearly universal that no race has been found on the earth destitute of the feeling; nay, few, if any, have been discovered whose aspirations do not extend beyond the present life; we may,

mate's at play eugag'd,

With pU'iWure on their wing, While here, within tliLs lonesome cage, In solitude

My wings, And

I sing.

impatient, long to

free themselves in air

and know not

I linger here,

I'm dooniM

therefore, approjjriately quote the lines of Addison,

to this despair.

My days must pass away To

fly,

;

why

"Whence then this

in grief

Condemns me here

—1830.

to die.

And

He

lies

left

'Tis the divinit}' that stirs within us

now has gone

the noisy world

rolling on

intimates eternity to

:

out an hereafter

man."

seen in the widespread observance of "signs," "tokens," "portents" and "warnings" by the uneducated amongst civilized people and universal

'

and barbarous. Hardly occurrence .strikes the mind but is noted by many as " a sign " or forecast of something more important about to happen hence man, of all sentient beings,

'

is

;

Just BO the richest flower decays,

And all must

And

itself that points

,

in peaceful silence lays is

Heaven

causation from some i)0wer or agency outside ourselves,

^Vhc^e SchuylkiU's waves are curl'd.

The world

'Tis

Universal perception of the sujiernatural, and of

;

beneath the verdant lawn

While he

?

Or whence this secret dread and inward horror Of falling into nought?

relief,

ELEGY OX ELIHU PALMER. Elihu Palmer

pleasing hope, this fund desire,

This longing after immortality

please a tyrant's eye

Unfeeling man, without

—

superstitions of the savage

soon he gone.

ail

Shed no vain tears upon his urn, For such the base obtain But let his virtues all return ;

And

;

is

live in us again.

said to be " the only religious animal."

the germ of vital existence,

THE BEECH TREE, nv RoitEKT M.

which

by the Schuylkill, the river of hearts, And a beech-tree that grows on its side, In a nook that is lovely wlien sunshine departs

There's a

And

How

hill

twilight creeps over the tide

eweet, at that

moment,

who gave

maiilen

through the grove,

When

hallowed in mine

it

her love,

I

she bent round its grey trunk with

smiled

as,

with

soft,

timid

ej'es,

me

;

singing thrush moans on that beech-tree at morn.

The winds through the laurel-bush

sigh.

And afar comes the sound of the waterman's horn And the hum of tlio waterfall nigh. Ko echoes there wake but are magical, each, Like words on

They speak

And

my

spirit

of the houre

they

fall

my

"Whence am

living essence

when

body returns to dust, whence it was taken ? These questions rise so naturallj', and the instinctive longings of the

human mind

are so universal, as to

demonstration of a future state and the immortality of the soul. A fiirther evidence of the universality of religious sentiment may be seen in the fact that nearly all the literature of antiquity has to a

us as a record of the sayings and gods and demi-gods nearly all other account of the remote past has perished forever. And

doings of

to

its

;

further, a judicious writer observes that " the idea a })eople

have of God

servative force of

its

is

both the initiative and con" thus all nations

civilization

;

grow into and develop after the types that obtain in this realm of thought and feeling. In the absence of an authenticated divine revelation, therefore, the

;

when we came

listened together to all.

to

the moulding pabulum of our

intelligence muses,

here and what of

come down

she beheld

The name I had carved on the tree, So carved that the letters should look to the west, As well as their dear majic became, So that when the dim sunshine was sinking to rest The last ray should fall on her name.

The

is

Next

—religion,

this

amount

Here's the rock that she sat on, the spray that she held

And

why

I,

educational,

Dawning

life,

;

to steal

In the shade of that beech to recline,

And dream of the And left it thus

is

being.

itinn.

— human

to the

beech

1

Histories of individual churches, excepting the Methodist Episcopal,

will

be found in the townships or boroughs in which they are situated.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. ancient world was subjected to the divinities and (brnis

of worship

by kings and priests denomiuations, as we under-

prescribed

conjointly hence free stand the term, exercising the inherent right of free belief, was a claim and liberty unknown to the ancient world. Even the Christian Church that was united to ancient Rome never conceded this right, because, both being imperial, they not only claimed to be supreme in temporalities, but in matters of conscience also. This dearly-bought franchise, the glory of our ;

age and nation, is the legitimate fruit of the great Eeformation of the sixteenth century. In that era the Sacred Scriptures were dragged forth from cloisters, translated into the common tongue and sent forth as " The Word of God," to be thenceforth held fls

the sole, authoritative expositor of divine truth

and moral conduct. The Roman Catholic Church denied and still partially rejects the Protestant tlieory of the right of private tliat

judgment, affirming

Christ gave to St. Peter and his successors in that

church the sole right of Biblical interpretation, and that the writings of "Christian Fathers" after the apostolic age are of nearly ei[utd authority in matters of faith. Nothing is more patent in our early history than that most of our progenitors fled to a then wilderness shore for this grand idea, the right to worship God according to the dictate of their consciences, the Sacred Scriptures being their model and symbol of faith and duty. For this they were willing to leave civilization behind them, face the wide ocean, a continent of savage men and more savage beasts in America nay, for this many of them were even ready at home to lay down their lives as a testimony. All denominations, then, conjoining to settle our now Montgomery County, with a few exceptions, perhaps however they disagreed in other things), held as the most sacred dogma the individual right of dissent or private judgment, only claiming to be bound in

—

;

(

367

doctrine amongst us

is the i)roper religious sanction testimony in law proceedings, the obser-

to qualify

vance of a day of dence, and

rest,

recognition of God's Provi-

employment of chaplains

the

the

in

common law

public service, all arising under the

notion, which assumes the governmental duty of providing things needful for the public welftire apart from individual conscience.

Europe

Publicists of

and seven-

in the sixteenth

teenth centuries had no conception that a civil com-

pact founded upon a presumed right of

was

dissent so

much

They thought

possible.

at every point,

friction

religious

there would be

and such universal

fanaticism abroad, that society would soon degenerate into crime,

remained this

and

anarchy

for

final

demoralization.

us in happy America

great right and

actual experience;

it

to

It

demonstrate

doctrine by two centuries

now

is

of

so strong in public esti-

mation that the very " gates of

hell shall ne'er pre-

be denied that our average social, political and religious institutions have been mainly derived from what we hold as fundamental Bible truths. Our denominations are vail against it."

distinguished

It cannot, therefore,

by

slight

differences

in

belief

and

external conduct, chiefly growing out of their difler-

As Christian what the Bible teaches, so our current civilization and morals may be regarded as the natural outcome of such composite religion as was established by the people themselves. The symbolic dogma of our ent expositions of divine revelation.

theology, however, consists in harmonizing

country

is that religion is strictly a matter between each adult individual and his Maker, that his pre-

servation and welfare in the future fully

committed

to

his

own

life

are freely

individual

custody, just as the preservation of his

care

and and

temporal

matters of religion by the dictates of conscience as

and watchfulne.ss. Of course, the right of parents to guide and instruct their immature children is but a sequence to

determined by the divine Word.

the doctrinejust stated.

This was especially

true of the Baptist and non-resistant sects, who, for

being

The

is

left

to his

natural

central doctrine

of

instinct

Luther's theology

was

such precious boon, were willing to encounter pos- justification by or through faith alone. That propsible dissent and schism for all time to come. Now osition established as divine swept away from as E plurihus Uiium many in one expresses our religion (except in elementary morals) all right of national character, so doe.s this common ground of civil interference with mattters of religious belief unity combine us of Pennsylvania in religious mat- Free religion, however, on the contrary, accepts the ters, as also in the civil compact. The lead in raising constant tendency to schisms and sects as necessary this great bulwark' against religious bigotry and evils attending a greater good. Still, some of the prointolerance must be awarded to Friends, of course, foundest thinkers of modern times regard these even and, second, to the non-resistant German or Baptist as emerging naturally from the Providential drift, sects. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Re- and that all past religions have flowed toward a formed and nearly all denominations alike, however, proximate object the better understanding of the agree that the divine ^\'ord is the only authoritative divine mind. The following passage from a lecture standard of religious belief, and that no man, church of Dean Stanley on the significance of Islamism is or government has any right to enforce religious con- worthy of quotation in this connection; he says: formity by aid of the civil arm, or lay disabilities "Mohammedanism should be regarded as an eccentric upon any one who believes in God and a state of form of Eastern Christianity, for Islamism resignation future rewards and punishments. to the will of God and image-breaking constituted The only seeming excejjtion to this great rule and those zealots' grand mission to the world " he adds,

—

—

—

—

— ;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

368 " the iconoclasm of

Mahomet

Leo the Isaiuian

either

or

far

exceeded that of

John Knox. Islamism

was,

in fact, the extreme Protestantism or Puritanism of

our religious denominations of Montgomery

classify

County.

They divide themselves Friends,

Thus sects or denominations have their mission, al we sliall proceed to sliow even in tlie progress of this

Baptists, or

Dunkers

copalians,

Presbyterians,

short paper.

All our various churches have undoubt-

.

Methodists and Baptists copalians,

" testimony "

Methodists, Mennonists,

own, and there is more true Christian charity and unity abroad amongst the people now and less denominational jealousy than at any period of our history. This should inspire the its

hearty thanksgiving of all to the Beneficent Power above, which has thus kept us at peace within our borders. Thus it has come to pass, also, that the word " sect " or " sectary " has ceased to be amongst us, as

a word of reproach. nearly a century after the settlement of our county began, emigrants of all

of

old,

As

before stated, for

were religious refugees or pilgrims, seeking the right of free worship for themselves and Thus we perceive the sterling texture of posterity. n.ationalities

our

primitive population.

It

is

only necessary to

imagine how different our condition would have been to-day if early emigrants had been identical in character with those who seek our shores from the same A short review of the state of countries at present. society in Europe at the Reformation era will better enable us to understand the progress we have made since that period.

At the commencement of the fifteenth century the Church of Rome, by the confession of learned and pious men of her own communion, contained many hoary abuses, the accumulations of time both it and most civil governments ruled by alleged " divine ;

right," few daring to question the justice or tenure of either. force,

Civil power had been first seized by brute and transmitted afterwards by legal descent; by

like inheritance, " the

Church" claimed

its

right from

Nothing was held by the individual as an inheritance direct from his Maker, because the church and the state absorbed all power to themselves. Efforts at reform in church matters at first sprang from the civil power of different nations, but the work only proceeded by the lopping ofl' a few Papal customs, and so far modifying church creeds as These did not to slightly simplify forms of worship. satisfy thousands of zealous believers, who now had the sacred Word in their own hands in the native tongue, and would not thenceforth consent that government should define and prescribe the form and modicum of true religion. Hence Europe was full of di.ssent and unrest, and the wildest theories and docReligious trines obtained with some of the people. toleration, also, was then little understood or practiced by anybody. It was left for the non-resistant sects, whose grand idea was " suftering for Christ's sake," to bring this doctrine before the world and establish it forever. It will be proper here to contrast and St. Peter.

non-resistants,

as

and German

" Evangelicals,"

;

edly learned one from another, each having a special of

into

Mennonists, Schwenkfelders

the East."

;

such as EpisReformed^ Prelatists, embracing EpisLutherans,

and,

Catholics

a

in

qualified

degree,

German and African IMethod-

Lutherans, Reformed, Presbyextent. Friends, for the last refer matters of truth and order from lower to higher " Meetings " of the body, by ajjpeal or reference. Baptists, being Congregationalists, are in church government a pure democracy, their Associations exercising only advisory functions. They gain in freedom, however, what they lose in unity. Methodists, ists

Synodists,

;

and

terians,

to

as

some

Mennonites and Dunkers, having no clergy higher in rank than bishops, cauuot be regarded as diocesan all. The Synodists are republican in government, the ruling power

episcopal, in a strict sense, at strictly

residing

in

clerical

and

lay representatives of the

churches, in about equal proportions, convening at stated times and in assemblies having appellate jurisdiction.

The

dift'erent

denominations must be treated of in

historical order as to their settlement in the county.

Thefirst that claims attention

is

the Society of Friends,

usually called " Quakers."

These people for the most part came with the proprietary, William Penn, and very soon several " Meetings " were established in the eastern borders of our county, they at first forming the bulk of the population in all the southeastern townshijjs, extending north and westward as far as Gwynedd. In the colonial period there were seven or eight houses of worship of the society within our limits, and now, after the lapse of two centuries, they have not increased beyond the number of a dozen, and these time-honored places are rarely crowded as of old. As their predominating tenets were " the quiet guidings of the divine Spirit," a patient testi-

mony

against worldly living and arbitrary authority

(except as they modify the views and lives of the

people of other denominations), they have come to exert less influence in modern than in early times. Through their patient " sufferings," kind precejits and example, however, they have brought Calvinistic and other sects to imbibe, to a great extent, their benevolent and peace principles, as also their quiet defense of the rights of conscience. Though they

make few

converts

now from

the outside world, they

are wielding no less power in the

body

politic througli

others.

Friends and Schwenkfelders are distinguished from all

other Christian denominations by their non-use of

the sacraments, in their testimony against war, oaths, generally.

They

use also great plainness of speech and attire,

testify'-

a paid ministry

and the pride of

life

ing against ostentatious mourning for the dead, law-

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. suits, slavery,

intemperance, worldly sports of every own disputes and maintain their own

kind, settle their

They

poor.

believe that all

patient seekers after

divine truth are led into the right way by the light of the divine Spirit within but they place this super-

Mennonists also in

369 strictly

observing feet-washing and

the love-feast, a sort of simple supper of plain food, to testify brotherly unity

and

love.

They

also differ

natural guidance above the written

from Mennonists in our county in holding revival meetings after the manner of English-speaking Baptists. In common with all denominations bearing

open a wide door

the

;

Word, and thus Such being their views of truth, Friends wisely formulate no creed, not even accepting the Bible, as some German for individual dissent.

non-resistant sects do, as a sufficient confession of

In common with the societies last-named, they hold that scholastic learning is not necessary to qualify ministers to preach the gospel, and stand alone faith.

amongst the sects by including their children as members by inheritance. We shall have more to say of them under the head of " Schisms." Almost contemporaneous with Friends came the disciples of Menno Simon, usually called Mennonists.' He was a native of Friesland, a principality of Holland, and was contemporary with Luther. Penn had

made

the accpiaintauce of these people in their native

country, and after the founding of his colony invited

them to emigrate to Pennsylvania, which some of them did so early as 1683, and many others in the early In faith they are mainly

years of the last century.

shown by a confession instituted at Dort, 1632. Though they hold peculiar views about the "Persous" of the Trinity, still they are Trinitarians. They baptize adults only, by pouring, and evangelical, as

partake of the Lord's Supper; originally observed feet, and only allow marriages " in the

the washing of

Lord," or between church members.

Their testimony

against war, oaths, litigation, and participation in the affairs

in

of civil government and against civil constraint

matters of religion, has

been ever maintained

from the first. In industry, frugality, plainness of attire and speech, they are in exact accord with Mennonists settled in our county rather Friends. compactly over the central townships, and had a number of churches erected at an early day. Gordon's " Gazetteer" for 1832 sets down their houses of worship at five, which has been increased, as shown by the census of 1870, to ten, and now probably exceeds that number by two or three. They have been several time,s rent by schisms, which will l)c treated of elsewhere under that head.

German

Baptists ("Bunkers").— Nearly simultaneous and intermixed with the Mennonist emigra-

came the German

tion tized

who had been stigmaGermany under the name of (rebaptizers). They were a very pious,

and persecuted

"Anabaptists "

Baptists,

in

devoted people, differing except

little

from the Mennonists,

the rite of baptism, which, with them, is always administered by what is called "trine immersion,"

in

the penitent being dipped three times, face

downward, in the name of the Trinity hence the appellation Bankers (" Dippers"). They differ from 1

Pronounced by themselves

24

as

though

Bpelleti,

" Menneest."

name

of Baptist, they utterly reject infant baptism

as unscriptural.

The Bible

is

their only creed.

The

census of 1870 places the number of their congregations or houses of worship, at nine. They are located

from the mouth of the Perkiomen to the northward, generally along the tributaries of that stream. There have been some divisions in this denomination in Lancaster County and elsewhere, but none in ours.

They

distinguish the

affectionate

a

little

members of their society by the The Brethren." Though

designation "

out of the true order of time as to settlement,

the next church to notice

is

the

—

Schwenkfelders. This plain German sect are the worthy followers of Casper Schwenkfeld, a Silesian nobleman of learning and piety, who was contemporary with Luther, being born in 1490, fourteen years after the great reformer.

The adherents of this church,

which has become extinct in Europe, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, and planted in our county and parts of Bucks and Lehigh what has increased to five or six congregations. Schwenkfeld organized no churches himself, but those in unity with him were much persecuted by both Lutherans and Catholics, and, as a consequence, they emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, arriving at Philadelphia September 24th, which day they keep as an annual memorial or religious

rotation

festival,

among

uniform with

all

called

Gedach/ness

their churches.

Tag, held

Their testimony

the other non-resistant

sects,

in is

against

war, oaths, lawsuits, a paid ministry and agreeing

almost precisely with friends in non-use of the sacraments; they differ, however, with the latter in reading prayers, electing preachers, singing and reading Scripture during worship and in dedicating children to

God by a prayer at the meeting-house or home. Their form of government is mainly congregational,

the church at large being divided into two districts the upper and lower, each having a president and three elders, two trustees and a treasurer of the poor fund, and another for the school fund.

Some

of the

most eminent citizens of our county are descended from this excellent people. Episcopal Church. The next denomination, in order of time to establish itself in our county in the colonial age was the Church of England, St. Thomas' congregation of Whitemarsh, founded in 1710, and about ten years later St. James, of Providence (now Lower), and by 1832 the number had been increased to four, and in 1870 to ten, including "Swedes Ford," which strictly is Swedish Lutheran. According to latest statistics at hand, the denomination has about a dozen churches in the county. Being at first chiefly composed of English and Welsh

—

HISTORY OF MOxNTGOMEllY COUNTY.

370

emigrants, and in close connection with the established church of the mother-country, it differs little in doctrine and polity from that great English Protestant Church of the Reformation. It is proper, however, to remark that the Episcopal denomination in this country at that early day, was what is denominated " Low-Church," evangelical in doctrine and fraternizing more or less with other Protestant sects in

Being fixed in doctrine and under a learned and liberal Episcopate, it has been subjected to few changes, and differs in no essential doctrine from what is generally accepted among evangelical denominations. Though somegeneral Christian work. polity, strictly

times charged with teaching in the ritual the doctrine of "baptismal regeneration," it is generally admitted that few hold that view in strictness at the present

from Presbyterians and Reformed and agrees with jMethodists in holding the Arminian view of free redemption, as against Calvin's belief in partial atonement, which, in fact, even few of the It difters also

day.

hold now in its original strictness. The Episcopal Church is conservative, demanding

latter's followers

the thorough training of its clergymen in perfect accord with the work of the Reformation, encouraging the utmost consistent latitude of individual judgment

upon

doctrinal points,

and relying upon an

intelligent,

as distinguished from an impulsive following, incul-

convene in a Synod composed of the same elements as a Presbytery, one minister and one elder (formerly composed of all the churches of a State), but now recently constituted to consist of a smaller number, chosen or delegated by the Presbyteries, but embracing a whole state. The whole denomination is finally represented (of the same elements) in the General Assembly for the United States. This last body meets annually, and is the fourth and highest territory, as a State, lor instance,

once a year, which

is

known Thus the Presbyterians

court of judicature

to the

denomination.

are noted for ecclesiastical

law proceedings,

for interminable disputes and hairchurch matters. AVe have more to write of this subject under the topic, "Schisms." Lutherans. This most numerous denomination of Montgomery County was reported in the census of 1870 as having twenty-five houses of worship, now probably still more. Most of their ancestors came from Prussia and other German nations of Central

splitting about

—

Europe between 1710 and 1770, though doubtless some landed with Pastorius, who founded Germantown before 1700. Like most of our early emigrants, they were refugees from religious disabilities in the Old World, bringing a reformed faith, with sterling,

moral and domestic habits, with them.

From

the

date of the founding of the mother-churches of Old

among men, and

Goshenhoppen and St. Augustus,' at Trappe, their emigration and settlement must have been large and towards the poor and unfortunate. The service of rapid during the period named, as Gordon, in his " Gazetteer" of 18,32, puts down the Lutheran Churches of the Episcopal Church is iturgical and therefore formal while this is true, it is in the highest sense devotional, our county at eight, which by 1870 were increased as and when effectively rendered by pastor and people, above. This denomination has probably undergone The pastoral fewer changes by trans]ilanting from Europe to it is both impressive and instructive. work of the church includes great attention to the America, and been less disturbed by schisms and disyouth of the congregation. Its Sabbath-schools are agreements amongst themselves, than any other. The

cating a broad spirit of tolerance

constant

in

its

organized

efforts

of philanthropy

1

nurseries to the church, and annual classes for confirmation are usually drawn from them in all effectively conducted parishes. Presbyterians. Presbyterians, composed of Hollanders, French, Scotch-Irish and a few English, founded three churches in our county in the early age, which had increased by 1870 to twelve, and now probalily near fifteen. This denomination has always been distinguished for rugged defense of Bible truth,

church mainly accepts Luther's matured faith, as embodied in. the Augsburg Confession of 15.30, and follows, with slight variations of form and doctrine,

the Christian Sabbath, lay representation in Church courts or assemblies, and a parity in the Christian

who administer

the " bread and the cup " in the ceremonial are merely

testimony in our State in favor of

symbolical and commemorative of the body and blood

—

ministry.

Its

the worship established then.

In

belief,

trine of "transubstantiation,"' while

human redempThis latter view, according to Smucker, is now most generally accepted by the Lutherans of the United States. The church in this country does not hold to prelacy, though in Sweden and some other parts of Europe the church was so cou.stituted but here they generally maintain the parity of the minof Christ, as the great oflering for tion.

—

others into a Presbytery, the second church court, the

former meeting at any time on statedly, twice a year.

call,

and the

The Presbyteries over

;

l"0f

tho Supper of the Lord,

blood of .Tesus Christ

latter

a large

most Protestants

the Lord's Supper hold to the view that

ment

been equal to that of other churches of its class. Its church system is purely representative, holding to two elements in government, the joint and equal authority of the minister, with one or more lay ruling elders for each Church, (the ''session," a jiriniary church court), which governing officials are combined with a number of

little

difference being a slight leaning to the idea of the " real presence " of Christ in the Eucharist, they maintaining " consubstantiatiou " as against the former doc-

religious freedom, or non-interference of civil governin matters of religion, has

they are

distinguished from other orthodox sects, the chief

bread and wine in ceived."

is

tlie

verily

we

teach that the time body and

present under the external signs of

Supper,

and there

Aiigshia-g Confession, art. x.

communicated and

re-

KELIUIUUS DENOMINATIOxNS. and admit lay representation

istrv

Many

in the

Synod and

the old "

erans,

371

German Reformed,"

or "

German

language continue to use the old ritual brought from the Fatherland. Some years ago a few of their congregations also held " pro-

came to our county from different parts of Germany, they only differing from their countrymen as Zwingli and Calvin disagreed with Luther about some non-essential doctrines and the proper form of church government. They were stern defenders of the Holy Scriptures as the sole rule of faith, and of the perpetuity of the Sabbath as a day of divine appointment. They also maintained that

tracted meetings," but none do so at present.

baptism took the place in the

Like most denominations, Lutherans have an organization to promote church extension, but their great increase over some Protestant bodies is found in the practice of regularly catechising the youth at jirojier age, and inducting them into church fellowship by the rite of "confirmation." This keeps the membership Jull, as in Europe, where formal instruction in religion with all state churches i.s a necessary

held in the Old Covenant.

Ministeriiiin.

years ago,

in

rouiuled by English-speaking people,

churches

siir-

some congregaand threw

tions used but a small part of the liturgy

aside the vestments; but in recent years an English liturgy has been generally adopted, while those

German

are wholly

The

part of secular education.

mode

which

in

efficiency of this

of keeping up church membersliip leads some

it is a better method than that in vogue since the advent of Methodism, of " discipling " the people by " protracted meetings," as an

to conclude that

adjunct of Sabbath-school instruction.' The advocates of the latter system allege that religion learned in the former

mode only

fills

the

or atfections are unreached by

lienil,

while the heart

it.

Half a century ago, when Sunday-schools became

common with English-speaking churches, there was much opposition to their introduction, as also special meetings for prayer amongst our German-speaking Lutherans but they have now become general and valued as a further means of training the young. The Lutherans of Montgomery County were settled north and westward from Lower Merion, through the ;

central townships, to the Berks

County

line.

The

love

of liberty natural to the Teutonic race made these people loyal to the patriotic cause through our great Kevoluiioii, the Muhlenbergs becoming famous during

momentous

that

struggle.

Reformed Church.

—Contemporaneous

Presbyterians,"

they resisted

Eomau

New

that circumcision

Equally with Lutherans, Catholic authority and the claim

of mere priestly rule in the Church of Christ, insisting,

with

English Presbyterians, that bishop,

minister

and elder were nearly convertible terms, and that lay believers had a right to equal rule with the clergy in church affairs. The Reformed denomination of our county in the early day gathered congregations nearly as fast as the Lutheran brethren, their number in 1832, according to Gordon, being seven, which by 1S70 had increased to nineteen, and now is doubtless This church has suffered more from greater still. schismatic influences than Lutherans, though no serious open rupture has ever taken place, but rather disagreements, mainly consisting of " old " and " new " views of theology, and old and new measures, such as "protracted," night and prayer-meetings for the ]iromotion of revivals, as

al.so

of a liturgy, vestments,

etc.

about the reintroduotion One thing in our history stands to the credit of both Lutheran and Reformed in the colonial age, reaching down even to the present to some extent, that they fraternized in building houses of worship, which, for more than a century, in

—

some cases, have been oecupiedjointly and alternately That is amity in dissent, by both denominations. a wholesome lesson to adjacent sects to live peacefully with each other As wealth and more frequent worship have afforded the means and opportunity in re!

cent years, however, the desire arose for separate buildings; so nearly all these union churches have di-

with Luth-

new The greatest source of disquiet in all our German Churches has been the lapsing of the

vided, and, in most cases, one or the other erected buildings.

1 Early SusniY-ScHOOLS, 1818.— "The ladies of Norriatown are certainly entitled to the highest praise for their exertiona in establishing a Sunday-school for the instmctiou of youth. This institution

founded on a broad and liberal

basis, confined to no sex nor conbe a general diffusion of useful kuovvThis undoubtedly merits tho applause and patronage of every parent, guardian and master and, inis

Its object appears to

dition.

leilge

among

the rising generation.

;

dred, of every friend of morality

and good order within the borough

and vicinity. "There is no

exercise of the human faculty so truly meritorious aa exerted in the cause of religion and virtue. The writer of this has the honor of an acquaintance with several of the ladies who conduct the school, and he deems it no more than justice to say that

when

it ie

their abilities and acquirements are such as to warrant the assertion youth will derive from them the best moral and religious instructions, as well as the principles of polite education. tliat

"Tlic

ancient

German tongue and introduction of English to accommodate the new generation, who do not fully underThe introduction of stand the former language. and the Sunday-schools, which seemed innovations upon old customs, was for a while resisted by the elder members of the upper churches. In doctrinal views the Reformed are Calvinists, and nearly identical with Presbyterians. The Reformed Church will be further discussed under the topic of " Church Troubles or Schisms." prayei'-night-ineetings

—

Baptists. It is probable that the single Baptist congregation gathered by Welsh emigrants in Mont-

have done themselves the greatest honor, and I do fondly hope they \vill not be obliged to struggle through the difflcnlties of their undertiiking without experiencing that sui)l)ort which is due to such laudable efforts to improve the present condition and to promote the future happiness of mankiTui." "A

gomery township (1720) antedated the earliest Lu. theran and Reformed Churches, but it would seem that

FniEND TO Youth," Norrislown Herald, Feb.

of a century hence the

ladies,

in this instance,

25, 1818.

this society stood almost alone for nearly three-fourths

German denominations were

HISTORY OF ^MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

372 recorded

The

first.

must therefore be

set

Baptist Churches in our county

down

as the children of revival

to

new

life in

"a

the believer, instead of

substitute''

circumcision in the Old Covenant, which the lat-

for

now

preaching during the past half-century. In 1832 statists show them as having two church edifices, which had grown by 1870 to eleven, and now probably several more. The first important accession was the founding of the Norristown Church, through revival labors of Elder Leonard Fletcher andothers,in 1832-3.3.

ter teach

spring of revived religion, the churches of the connec-

only advisory functions, there

have taken the lead in protracted meetings, efforts for temperance, anti-slavery and other moral reforms. One of the first Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Conventions in the State was held at the Norristown Meeting-House in 1839 or 1840, and was presided over by Rev. Nathan Stem, then newly chosen rector of St. John's Episcopal Church. Of all sects. Baptists are the most courageous defenders of religious liberty and strenuous opposers of govThis ernmental interference in matters of religion. feeling was so deeply ingrained among them that for many years after our State fell into the New England custom of appointing a day of " public praise and thanksgiving" the denomination in this locality did not respond to the recommendation at all. Their church at large claims to have derived a hatred of church-andstate and infant baptism through the Waldenses of the Alps, who resisted both the Church and Empire of Rome for centuries. Whilst they generally subscribe to Calvinistic theology, except as to the form and proper subjects of baptism and concerning church government, they slightly differ among themselves on the doctrines of election, free grace and final perseverHolding that immersion only is baptism, they ance. resolutely maintain that those who have only been sprinkled in infancy or adult life have not had Christian baptism at all, and, therefore, have not entered through the true " door of the church." In this view they are probably sustained by the letter of Scripture and the weight of ecclesiastical history but by making t\\&form of an ordinance the essence of it, they exclude the rest of the Christian Church from the Lord's

and discipline existing among them. Their stated convocations are made up of several delegates (of which the minister is one) from each church, elected Perhaps all the churches of at a church-meeting. Montgomery County belong to what is called New

as a type of inward purifying of the

heart by the blood of Christ, as enforced in the

New

During the past century the Baptist denomination of the United States (which is much separated into parties on other grounds), without division in their ranks, was somewhat divided formerly Being strict conIts organization was also promoted by the transfer of about " old " and " new measures." a few members of the Great Valley Society in Chester gregationalists in church government, and each conCounty. Since that time the advance of the denomi- gregation supreme judge and dispenser of truth and Being the off- order, and their associations having no judicial, but nation has been steady and uniform. tion

;

tabic very

much

as the Catholic

Church does the

laity

from the use of " the cup " in the same sacrament. This exclusion, which is only a logical result of their belief, creates

much

prejudice against them

among unthink-

ing religionists of other sects, the latter calling them "close comniunionists."

Their exuberant liberality

and charity

fail

in

other things

them

here. It

is

but jus-

however, to add that in our locality they fraternize with other denominations in most departments of Christian work, and tice to all parties to this controversy,

are highly esteemed on other accounts by

all.

It

should also be stated that they differ from the rest of the Calvinistic family in holding baptism to be a symbol of death unto sin in the subject and a resurrection

Dispensation.

is

considerable diversity

of faith

School or Revival Baptists. Methodist Episcopal. This is the next demanding notice, the last of the first Reformation or the first of

—

—

the

new ?

After two centuries of social and religious

and America

effervescence from the time of Luther, Zwingli

Calvin, Protestant Churches of Europe, and also,

had

fallen into the

ways of dead orthodoxy, when

Wesley, Whitefield and others were raised up to "bring judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet." These men, fired with a new "zeal for God and perishing sinners," went preaching every-

where and were soon joined by lay evangelists, carrying a " free gospel,"

—the

''

necessity of the

new

birth

and holy living to all." As in the beginning, some believed and repented while others derided or met them with open violence. To the amazement of the then reformed world, the signs following an earnest preaching of the gospel were nearly as marked as at the apostolic era. Camp-meetings, and others in churches, where they could be opened to them, were filled with anxious or wondering hearers, until thousands, many of them the most abandoned of society, " turned to God," and became as eminent for faith and good works as they had been noted for wickedness and unbelief. These conversions were nearly as confounding to the church and outside world as was the healing of the impotent man by Peter and John at the beautiful gate of the

Temple

in Jerusalem.

religionists stood apart

INIany quiet, sedate

and wondered

;

thized or opposed, as they felt inclined.

others sympa-

As, however,

was the outgrowth of the right of private judgment in religion, which all acknowledged, the work went on almost down to our own times, many Christian sects falling into the same way of disciplining the indifferent and unconverted. For many years the only Methodist house and society in our county was Bethel, in Whitjjain township (1770), and some years later the Union, near by_ it

According to the census of 1870, the houses of the denomination had grown to fourteen, some of them large, commodious edifices, and now the number is

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. much

greater.

Although the Methodist body has no

lay representation in the governing Conference, but, on tlie

contrary,

acknowh'dges

Episcopal control,

preachers and members are perhajjs

less

its

influenced

by mere ecclesiasticism than any other religious people in our community. Its ministers are noted for their outspoken boldness on all matters of faith, government and morals indeed, their bishops being elected by the Conference, can hardly be regarded as ;

even in their rule and oversight, there being really hut one rank and grade among them. In the palmy age of Methodism, many years ago, prelates at

all,

their typical

symbol was "Free salvation

no

for all,

and

badly, causing a rent in the denomination

and they traffic

society derives its

in

name

from the habits of the two great founders, "Wesley and Whitefield they were called so at Oxford University, because of their methodical atteution to hours of prayer and other daily duties and their standing aloof from worldly follies. Roman Catholics. Nearly the last, though not the ;

—

least

denomination,

tli.at

remains to be described

order of settlement here)

claims to be

known by

is

(in

that great body which

its title,

"The Holy Roman

Catholic Apostolic Church, which was founded by

But during the past half-century a

period had no

better acquaintance has enabled each to learn of the other; hence most of the old accrbitv between them

The

intoxicating liquors.

the Apostles at

the believer."

;

have been equally outspoken against the

predestination " In that rallying cry they antagonized Presbyterians and Baptists of the period, as also the latter's doctrine of " final perseverance of !

373

Rome

in the first century."

Most of

the early settlers of Pennsylvania being Protestants,

who located in our county at that convenient church privileges except

the few Catholics

by going

This continued until near

to Philadelphia.

when the

1835,

first

congregation was gathered at Nor-

ristown and a house of worship erected the next year. During the past forty years, however, people of that faith have come in rapidly, and now in all centres of population parishes have been located, houses of worship built and pastors appointed, so that at present This most their churches number seven or eight.

ancient of churches holds in

common

with nearly

all

Nicene or Apostles Biblical interpretation and

Protestant denominations, the

Creed

nevertheless, in

;

ecclesiastical polity

it

claims exclusive authority, so

that while the said formula of belief stands as a basis for all, Rome, or " The Church " hasbuilded so much

more upon it that the line of demarcation is broad and impassable between them. Some of the distinguishing doctrines and customs of this great body

may

be stated briefly in contrast with Protestants as She, the Catholic church, teaches that the

follows:

and rightful interpretation of the Sacred Scripwas committed to the Apostolic Church, of which Peter was made the head by the words of our Lord (St. Matt. xvi. 17, 18), and that Apostle became first Bishop of Rome and that all rightful authority in religion has descended from him, and that the Popes

true

tures

has worn away and, doubtless, their bickerings have disappeared forever. It may be added here that their early efforts in evangelizing were largely carried on by preaching the terrors of the divine law against

and portraying in contrast heaven and liell and the tender sympathy of Jesus " for the chief of sinners." The very effective discipline of the church and the itinerancy of the clergy have spared them from schisms and "family disturbances." Occasionally sin,

the withdrawal of a few gregation, with the

place

;

members

of a particular con-

permission of the bishop, takes

but such secessions only result in the founding

of a new society of the same order, as a mission church. In all pecuniary and most social matters they are like Baptists congregational ists, the people managing things in their own way, only subject to church rules; the supreme governing power, however, resides in the General Conference.

Next

to Friends,

Methodists bore the earliest testimony against the sinfulnessof slavery, though in theSonth the society lapsed

;

are his successors tuted, holds,

Councils,

all

;

that the

true church, so consti-

through the concurrence of Ecumenical authority, as also the only right of inter-

preting Scripture to the end of time.

The church

enjoins the duty of hearing

Mass and

resting from servile works on Sunday, also the duty

of observing holidays commemorating the saints, and especially fasting in

Lent

Ember-days, Advent, and

abstaining from flesh on Fridays

;

to confess to a

and obtain absolution at least once a year. The church teaches unwavering obedience from her children and affirms that " out of her pale there is no salvation ;" it holds, furthermore, that dissent and priest

—

schism are mortal sins, that is, subjecting the transIt also gressor, if unrepented of, to final perdition. teaches that in the celebration of Mass at the altar Christ

is

offered as an

atonement

for sin

or " a bl'iod-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

374

Catholics teach " that the

less sacrifice " for penitents.

good works we do receive tlieir whole value from the grace of God, and that by such works we not only comply with the precepts of the divine law, but that

we thereby likewise merit

eternal life;" hence

many eminent

it

is

have performed more than duty or salvation required, which have been called " works of supererogation." Protestants, on the contrary, affirm that good works are not meritorious, but only performed from the dictates of duty, and are the mere evidence of faith and obedience, as nothing secures salvation but Christ'.s sacrificial, asserted that

saints

It is proper to add here that all orthodox Protestants hold that Christ, once for all, offered himself an atonement for sin on the cross; that there were

death.

but two sacraments instituted by him

no

;

that there

is

and that therefore jjrayers to departed saints and for tlie dead are unscriptural and unwarranted. The Catholic Church teaches that Christ pu.'-^";atory,

instituted seven sacraments, to wit Baptism, Lord's Supper, Confirmation, Penance, Extreme Unction, :

Holy (Jrders and Matrimony, some of these being fonndedonthe writings of " the Christian Fathers,'' which that church regards of nearly equal authority which Pr(jtestants do not re-

as the evangelists, but

ceive as such.

There is another strongly marked distinction between Catholics and Protestants in church polity With the former all temporalities, such as church edifices, htnds, colleges and eleemosynary institutions, are held by the ecclesiastical authority of a diocese,-

having now over a dozen congregations. They were originally called "Albrights," from a German

years,

named Jacob

minister

who founded the

Albright,

They

society in the year 1800.

are almost identical

and are often confounded with another German Methodist Church, that called '"United Brethren in established near the same time by Rev. William Otterbein, p. divine who had been raised in the Reformed Church. They, as also the church above named, in fitith and church government, are almost identical with the great Methodist Episcopal Church. Most of them are Germans, and they largely use that language in their worship. Beyond active zeal for total abstinence from intoxicating drinks, and earnest eftbrts in evangelizing the unconverted, they are in nothing distinguished from the great Methodist family. Another small branch of the same Arminian flock was nearly overlooked, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, of which there are four or five societies in the county, all in towns along the Schuylkill. A few critical observations on the status and drift of our current religion may not be out of place here by way of review. First, the original formation and substructure of society here was Christian Protestant, on a square basis of equal social and religious rights. The peace sects have aimed to confine their work at Christ,"

home among

their

own

people,

Evangelicals

the

are held in trust by lay trustees exclusively, these being elected by the people of each congregation.

and mould the pojuilar drift flowingin upon us. Catholics, with a few Hebrews, stand rather aside now, disinclined to fully coalesce with th& mass. Popular education, journalistic activity and the inflow of wealth make rapid inroads upon old Protestant manners and customs. German and other continental people have been pouring in upon u» until Puritanic and Quaker notions are giving way

Formerly the children of Catholics attended public

before them.

:

latter, church edifices and most other property of churches or church institutions

while with the

common

schools in

common

with others, but

recently the

church has founded parochial schools, where, in conjunction with secular learning, the doctrines of their church are also inculcated.

The Catholic Church

is

noted for

its

opposition to

secret societies, at least all such as are out of the pale

of

own communion, and

its

indi.ssolubility of the

marriage

for tie.

maintaining the Its testimony on

the latter point, as also against color-prejudice in church, which was the opprobrium of some Protestant

Churches previous to the abolition of slavery, is worthy of commendation, as is also the brotherly respect paid to their dead by large attendance at funerals. Although the Catholic denomination here has only grown up or gathered within the past fifty years, it has within that period increased more rapidly (chiefly by emigration Irom abroad) than any, and now has

more worshipers for their space than any other. Evangelical Association (German Methodists).

— This

Methodist persuasion is the denomination planted in our county, and must conclude our series. This humble, zealous people have br.inch

of the

latest

come

to

be

quite

numerous within the past

forty

striving to catch

A

few years ago, when Friends, Pres-

byterians and Baptists were influential, Christmas day, " Christmas-trees," Easter evergreen adornments-

and other holiday observances, birth-day, golden and silver weddings, flowers and floral crosses at funerals, with wedding-gifts, were unheard-of things. Now these social gifts, observances and adornments have grown into such fashion that, with stylish churches, jesthetic religious ceremonials and other social meetings of the people, we are now, to say the least, rapidly

new

the

progressing into

Commenting on

civilization.

this,

continental

or

the recent issue of

a denominational journal makes the following dolor-

ous observations "Every one not introdurtion of

'

i\iid

growtli, in HOH-prelatical chmclies, of tlie observtince

holy days,' aiereii

foz'ms of woiiship.

plain forms

;

raiin,'

for

husband

The ship

It is

'

chureh nuisic and elaboration of with remains of who begins witli brandy and water, it ends

syniliolH, costly

It is true that this dilution exists

but, like the

with brandy alone.

"

:

utterly bliml has seen within the piust few years the

man

Let us not

exalt oui-selves over idolatrous

'

even our Itacksliding Judah is beginning and burn incense at the altar of ritualism." '

'

writer further adds

Eph-

to 'forsake

her

:

has always been true, from the

.^jiostles' times,

that theatric

wor-

ever accompanied by intense worhllines,s, decay of heart religion,

growth of heterotloxy and scepticism within the bosom of the church."

CHURCH

375

HISTOllY.

Having thus given a hasty and imperfect review of of worship for themselves at Abington, Moreland, Plymiiuth and Gwynedd, and at Horsham a meeting was religious denominations, some of their contrasted held weekly for a time in a private dwelling. In doctrines, discipline, social peculiarities and moral recent years the Providence Meeting has been " laid drift, we proceed further,and describe church divisions (iiir

and other disturbing matters, with such fundamental First or natural changes as have arisen amlace also of stone. was left without a floor to afford the writere a place to stick their gooBe-

sufiicient

number of

families lived near

;

;

;

;

in-

stances of eminent ability.

and pay the sum of

forfeit

Among

following pen-picture of our

on the Perkiomen

thousand two hundred and ninety-four Germans who reached London in 1709, on their way to this country, there were eighteen school-masters, and these teachers were all associated Avith the religious societies to which these migratory people belonged. In many instances the teacher was also sub-preacher, and had ministerial powers delegated to him; as, for instance, the catechists were men who catechised, read sermons and baptized chiklren the eleven

in cases of necessity in connection with their regular

five

...

dollars,

to be paid to the

county

treasury.

"

Section II.

The Assessor

shall send a list of the

names

of the children-

aforesaid to the teachers of schools within his township,

whose duty

it

shall be to teach all such children as

may come

same manner

and each teacher shall keepof days each child enbe tanght, and he shall also enter

as orher childien are tanght

;

number

a day-book, in which he shall enter the titled to the provisions of this act shall

to their schools in the-

book the amount of all the stationery furnished for the use of said from which book he shall nnike out his account against the county on oath or affirmation, agreeably to the usual rates of charging for tuition in the said school, subject to the examination and revision of the trustees of the school, where there are any, but where there are no trustees, to three reputable subscribers to the school which account, after being so in said child,

;

school duties.^

he shall present to the county Commissioners, who,, if they approve thereof, shall draw their order on the county treasurer for the amount, which he is hereby authorized and directed to pay out of

examined or

iPenu's frame of government provides that sliiill

tlie

Provincial Council

erect antl order all public scliools.

Corietitutiuii

(il

177t)

provides that a school ur scbools

sliall

be estab-

lished in each co\inty. Coustitiition of 17'JO provides that the Legishiture, as suun as

may

be,

by law for the establishment of schools throughout the State in such manner that the poor may be tanght gTMtis.

shall provide

Constitution of 1S3G adopted the provision of 179U.

"Constitutitm of 1874, Article X.

Section

I.

The General Assembly

revised,

—

any moneys in the treasury." ^lc( of April 4, 1809. The The schools were located and managed in the following way: cost of building the school-liouse was met by voluntary contriI)ution8. Whenever a neighborhood felt the need of a school-house one was erected at some point convenient to those who Contributed towanls its erection. The patrons selected trustees whose duty it was to take charge of tha^ schocd priiperty and to select a teacher for the school. If the teacher chosen by the trustees could secure pupils enough to warrant him in opening the school, he would do so if not, be would seek a school elsewhere. The teaclier was paid by those who sent pupils to his school. The rate W!i6 two doUare per quarter, or three cents per day for each pupil. Those who could not pay received instruction at the cost of the county, according to the act of 1809, The outfit of a pupil cost about one dollar, and con.sisted of an English Readeror a New Testament, a Comly's or Byerly'sSpelling-Book, a Pike's or Kose's Arithmetic, a slate and pen;

maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public schools, wherein all the children of this Conimomvealth above the age of six years niay be educated, and shall ajipropiiate at shall provide for the

least ^*

one million dollars each year for that purpose.

Section 2.

No money

raised for the support of the public schools ot

the Commonwealth shall be appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian school. **

Section

gible to

X Women twenty-one

any

ottice of control

or

cil, si.x

yeai-s of

age and upwards shall be

management under the

eli-

school laws of

this State."

Among

Montgomery County was that maintained at the residence of the late Thomas Hopkins, in Upper Providence township, in 1851-52. This school was taught by Elizabeth Garret, Elizabeth Yerkesand Ann E. Casselberry, nCe Heebner. 2

the latest of the family schools in

3

'^Section

I.

It shall

counties within this

"Act

ot-

Assembly.

be the duty of the Commissioners of the several

commonwealth annually

to direct the Assessor of

every township, ward and district to receive from the parents the names of all the children, between the ages of five and twelve years, who reside therein,

and whose parents are unable

the CDirectors have manifested a great deal of interest in the schools, and are l>eginning to realize more teachers hence local prejudice scddom now forcibly tbe need of good installs poor teachers, and considerable anxiety is often manife^ed to secure the best teaching talent. Closer super\ision by an efficient |>er¥on is much needed in our ungraded schools, and we trust the directors will soon see the necessity of it, and pn»vide for it to some degree, at least.

almoer of teachers in attendance, tbe names of the lecturers or instructors who officiated,

the subjects upon which the instruction was given,

degree of popular interest awakeued by the proceedings.'"

— P.

and the i,.,

1867,

* There is a marked contrast between the examinations of the teacher underthe present laws and usages and those prior to the Act of 1834, as the following illustrations of ** teachers' examinations " fifty years ago

abundantly show. At an examination held in ISol the examiner, aftergiving some problems in the more elementary portion of arithmetic, will

propounded the following: "What is one-half of three levies?" The applicant became indignant and said " Xo, I will not be examined in fractions. Tt is of no use. I have been teaching school now for three years and have never had a scholar go through fractions, and it is of no use." The examiner then struck upon a better customer. He propounded to him a problem in "single rule of three," which the applicant solved very readily, whereupon an elated director raised himself up from his lazy posture, and exploded in tbe following exclamation " D n him :

;

:

go to the hotel ckise by and did tbe examination.

p. 6.

26

;

Give him another " It was then moved by one of the members of the board that they take recess to take a drink. They did take a recess, did all

take drink, after which they resumed

Penna/lvania School Report^ 1S7T.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY.

402

text-liooksused in the schools shall be wisclj' selected,

370, the

number

and the school-house built on the most approved model when its protection and progress shall be the first object of the government, then will all its mighty agencies to do good be felt, the public mind reformed and enlightened, labor elevated, patriotism purified, our republican form of government fixed on an immutable basis, and the people crowned with its benefits and blessings." At the time of the passage of the common-school law, in 1834, Montgomery County contained thirtyIn that year one district actwo school districts. cepted its provisions in 1835, two districts and in

number

of months taught was 7.99, at a total expendi-

;

;

183(J,

nine

districts.

;

The following

table will give

of scholars being 18,f310.

ture for all purposes of $175,895.24. It

is

a gratifying fact that every year since 1838

the average number of months taught in the schools of Montgomery County has exceeded that of the State. The highest average for the State was for the

year 1883,

it

being

;

Montgomery

;

Schuylkill, 8.06.

Including Philadelphia, with her 2139 schools,

open

for ten

mo nths,

in the State to 7,02,

age period

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

which have

while that of

;

8.50

for the year 183G

Districts

6.62,

County was 7.99. There were only four counties in the State having a higher average than Montgomery, Allegheny, 8.33 Dauphin, 9.46 Lackawanna, viz.:

an accurate idea of the status of the common schools :

Average

taught

it

which in

all

raises the average time taught still

falls

below the aver-

Montgomery County.

The

EDUCATIONAL. whichever they may be, of the divining rod. It trie.s its experiments over the whole surface of society and wherever a buried fountain of genius is flowing in the darkness below, it brings it above and pours out its waters to fertilize the earth."

The average rate of tax

— Allegheny, 6.07

2.85

Montgom-

;

warm

institute,

Montat

the

he always manifested

interest in the education of the masses,

and

behalf he was schools of the

The institute, under the direction of Professor Rambo, has enjoyed a deservedly high reputation for

its

attention to vocal and instrumental music.

The Trappe has always been noted

ery, 2.18.

The

head of an academical

schools of

Although

counties.

elected superintendent of the common county in 1863, and served till 1878.

that of

Schuylkill,

;

gomery and adjoining

preparing students for

Montgomery

;

2.18.

Dauphin, 9.07

common

in recognition of his services in this

stands in the most favorable light, ;

to

a

Contrasted with the rate of tax levied in the above four leading counties, she still mills

he gave special attention the duty of teaching in the

levied in the State in 1883 for

school purposes was 5,65 mills

County was

403

for its choristers.

Montgomery County, for 1883, shows the whole number of schools to be 370.' Average number of months taught 7.99 number of male teachers, 171 number of female number of male scholars, 9711 numteachers, 200 ber of female scholars, 8899. Average number at-

church choirs have for many years past been and still are amongst the best in the county, and the vocal and instrumental music rendered at the literary ex-

tending school, 11,816

many

State superintendent's report for

;

;

;

ance, 80.

;

average per cent, of attendTotal amount of tax levied for school and ;

building purposes, $175,895.24.

Washing'ton Hall CoUegiate Institute is located in the village of Tnipi)e, Montgomery Co., Pa., on the turnpike road leading from Philadelphia to Reading, twenty-five miles from the former and tw-enty-six from the

latter,

five miles

Collegeville, a station

from Phoenixville, two from on Perkiomen Railroad.

This school was established in the year 1830 by Prizer, in whose charge it remained until 1838. S. Rodenbough succeeded him and had charge of it till 1845. A company then purchased the property, and continued the school by electing principals.

Henry Henry

The

Its

ercises

of

its

schools,

academies

and neighboring

colleges has always been of a choice character, exhibiting taste

and

culture.

It

has been customary for

years past for this institute to give an annual entertainment of vocal and instrumental music. The

music performed on these occasions is chiefly oratorios and cantatas by the best composers. The following oratorios have frequently been performed The oratorio of "Abraham and Ishmael," of "Daniel," of "Absalom," and "The Messiah;" the cantatas of " The Pilgrim Fathers," " The Storm King," " Burning Ship," "Settlement of Jamestown," "The Haymakers," " The Creation," Haydn's " Third Mass," " IJelshazzar's Feast," " Esther," "The Transient and the Eternal," De Monti's " Mass," " Moses in Egypt," "St. Cecilia's Day," oratorio of "David" and Mo:

zart's "

Twelfth Mass."

Besides these,

many popular

stockholders in 1838 disposed of the old hall, and the present jirincipal then erected a large and commo-

overtures have beeu performed, and also choice selections from the most popular operas. These concerts

dious brick building, in which the school

arelargely attended, and are anticipated with manifest interest by the intelligent and apjireciative residents

now kept.

is

In planning this building the comfort and health of the students were duly considered, and in consequence

the rooms are large and well ventilated.

This, with

the healthful climate, the beautiful scenery of the neighborhood and the quietness of the village, renders it

quite a desirable place for those

their studies with success

who wish

to

pursue

and advantage.

Principals of the school from the time

it

com-

menced Henry Prizer, commenced March 7, 1830, died November 15, 1838 Rev. Henry S. Rodenbough, chosen November 20,1838, resigned April 1, 1846; Rev. A. J. M. Hudson, A.M., chosen April 4, 1845, resigned October 10, 1846; Abel Rambo, A.M., chosen August 4, 1845, resigned October 10, 1846; John :

;

Sandt, A.M., M.D., chosen October 12, 1846, resigned June 18, 1847; Jos. W. Hunsicker, A.M., chosen

June

18, 1847,

resigned

A.M., chosen April

2,

March

31, 1849;

Abel Rambo,

1849.

Professor Rambo has been in charge of the institute from that date to the present time. As early as 1850 For the year 1883 thirty of these buildings were reported unfit for and thirty-three badly ventilated. Twenty-four rooms contain furniture reported as injurious. There are flfty-four log school-houses still in the State, none, however, remaining in Montgomery County. '

use,

of the Trappe, Freeland, Collegeville and surrounding country.

Students in this institution have prepared for and have entered nine different colleges from freshman up to sophomore and junior advanced. Many students from this institution occupy high and honorable positions in life. Fifty-six have received the degree of M.D., seventeen have been licensed to preach the gospel, thirty-nine are graduates of college, having

recSived the degree of A.B.

those

who graduated

;

all

of these, excepting

since 1873, have been honored

with the degree of A.M., by their respective

Alma

Maters.

Treemount Seminary, Norristown,

Pa.— This was founded in the year 1844 by the Rev. Samuel Aaron, A.M. In times of prosperity and periods of financial depression, and through consecutive years of war its doors have been open and its waiting teachers have been in place to receive, guide and instruct the hundreds and thousands of young men of Montgomery County, and many others from all parts of the country, who sought its privileges, opportunities and advantages. Its founder was academical

institution

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

404 justly esteemed,

among

the eminently ijualitied

his day, for his ability to impart

govern them and

to inspire

knowledge

men

of

to students,

them with an

early

and

vivid coneeption of the responsible duties of manhood.

Mr. Aaron

first

settled in

Norristown

in 1S41 as the

pastor of the Baptist Church, and, in addition to the duties of this office, he opened a select school in the

mansion-house formerly owned by the Hon. Burd Wilson, on the present site of Oakland Female Seminary. He was subsequently induced to transfer his school to the Norristown Academy, where he conducted the same until 1844, when he built Treeniount Seminary and occupied it. His original announce-

ment

discloses the carlv character

of

the

iustitu-

Tliere was nothing luxurious in the original accommodations of Treemount. "Good beds, spacious and well-ventilated bed-rooms plenty of plain, substantial food four commodious school nxmis, with blackExcellent boards, maps and all needful fixtures. drinking-water, and pure rain-water under cover for washing. Students can enjoy an equal share of pleasant fruits, and other delicacies that come to hand, and are all made to feel as much at home as jiossible. The government is intended to be reasonable, ajid even kind, but inflexibly firm. Students are never permitted to saunter about the town. Taverns and low shops must be especially shunned. Certain decent cnnfectioneries pointed out by the teachers may ;

;

REV. SAMUEL AARON. tion

;

"Instruction

in

Reading, Writing,

Sjielling,

Phonography, English Composition, English Grammar, Elocution, Rhetoric and Logic; in the reading, writing and speaking of the Latin, Greek, French, German and several other languages in Geography, the use of Globes and the rudiments of Drawing; in Arithmetic, Book-keeping and practical Accountantship; in Algebra and the higher Analysis, and their various applications; in Geometry, Plane, Solid, Analytical, and in its applications to Surveying, Mensuration, Navigation, Engineering and Astronomy; in Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, with the aid of good Apparatus. To Chemistry, especially, much ;

attention will be paid, because of to Agriculture

its

and the most useful

vast importance

arts."

be occasionally visited.

and pupil

is

code of the to

them

as

The deportment

of teacher

designed to be regulated by the moral

New

Testament as regards others you would they should do to you.'

' :

Do

With

regard to yourself, cultivate health, truth, purity of

mind, and

all extern.al

decencies."

The

cost " for in-

washing, mending, fuel, lights, does not exceed $75 for five months, one-half payable in advance." Mr. Aaron's administration was popular, the average annual attendance being struction,

board,

lodging,

one hundred and ninety pupils from 1844 to 1857. As an educator he left a lasting impress of his individuality upon his scholars, and all of the young men who studied under him acknowledge his conscienFinancial embarrassments tiousness as a teacher.

EDUCATIONAL. in tlie years of 1857-58, with

overwhelmed him

dreds of others, resulting from

luil)ilities

hun-

it.

pujiils

from

all

parts of the Union, with foreign patronage from

"Inl8C8 the Uuivei-sity of Pennsylvania conferred on Mr. Loch thg honorary degree of Masterof Arts, and Lafayette College in 1877 conferred that of Doctoi- of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Consequent ujion this misfortune Treemount was unused for the purposes intended from 1858 until April, 1861, when it was leased by Professor John W. Loch, who transferred the De Kalb Street Institute there, since which time he has successfully conducted

"Dr. Loch's distinguishing characteristic iS his rare gift of combined and firmness, with an intuitive penetration or perception of character, joined to an invincible self-control, which eminently

affability, gentleness

him to intpress and manage young men while pursuing their studies. The marked feature of the course of his seminary is thoroughness, every effort being directed to give the pupil a full training in solid and endurfit

ing instruction rather than that which is superficial and showy. "In his early scholastic days Dr. Loch devoted himself largely to mathematics, but later has given more attention to a fine public reader,

A.M.,Ph.D.(princimoral and men-

jial

,

1

German, mathematC. Henshen,

tal science, !iio:her

ics; C.

A.B., Latin, Greek,

French, rhetoric J. Hench, A. B.,

down

;

a frame connecting-struc-

B.

and

English, Latin, ma-

erycting instead a solid one

of brick, rough

cast,

thematics

seventy

high, and surmounted witli

glish,

a cupola. The school buildings now consist of an miia-

jdiysics;

centre

extending in tinwhole two hundred feet. The wings were erected by 5Ir. Aaron, one in 1844 and «iiiK^,

the other in

IS.'i-t.

The

of this seminary

tiort

of the tinest in

painting

IL

one

THE BURP WILSON MANSION, NORRISTOWN.

etc.

"In 1857 Norristown fell under a commercial revulsion that wrecked many of its strongest men. Mr, Aaron had given indoi-sements for friends, whose failure carried him down with them; so in Septembei-, 1859, he removed to take charge of the Baptist Church in Mount Holly, in connection with his

de-

to the

one closed in Nor-

:

departure of an individual suggests so many interesting reflections as does that of the Rev. Samuel Aaron, whose family left our borough on last Wednesday for Mount Holly, N. J. " For nearly twenty years Mr. .\aron's laboi-s and influence have been intimately connected with every improvement of a moral or social nature that has occvipied the attention of our people. During that titne no scheme for the elevation of society or the i>ublic improvement of the town and county has wanted his indorsement or co-openition and no one who has had a plea of real charity to prefer, or enterprise of benevoIn relence to inaugurate, waj> ever turned empty away from liis door. ligious matters he has been the pack-hoi-se of the community, always depended upon to till other people's forfeited engagements, or make speeches impromptu at anniversaries, in all ciises gratuitously, of Unselfishness, excess of charity and benevolence combined, course. prevented his acquisition of wealth, for no one in the community has worked harder tbiin be. .Tudged by the true stjtndard of htunan effort, his labors among us have been abnndantlyA'Hice,'c/n'. for wi- doubt if any

flute,

Miss Flora M.

as a school October 29, 1845, in a small room seventeen by twenty-four feet, with four pupils. Before the close of the first term the pupils numbered twenty-eight. During the second term the numbers increased so rapidly that it became necessary to build

To show how the people of this locality regarded his lailinv and abandonment of Treemount, we transcribe from the Norrintown lieristown.

publican, of September 3d of that year, the following editorial

cornet, :

was originally the location of a small two-story stone building, owned as the residence of Hon. J. Burd Wi'lson. It was bought, with four acres of ground, by Rev. J. Grier Ralston, on July 4, 1845, and opened

son, Charles E. Aaron, A.M., to

open Mount Holly Institute, a seminary similar

"

condnc-

music

Oakland Female Institute, Norristown, Pa.— The site now occupied by Oakhmd Female Institute

1

and,

Thomas

Loch, music department, piano.

very

J.,

of

lin,

^

an

eminenre overlooking the town and the Schuylkill, and is surrounded with shade and fruit-trees. About twelve acres of land are attached to

N.

;

partment, piauojvio-

Pennsyl-

vania, being sitiuited on

Edward A.

Krvin,

tor

loca-

is

mathematics,

Ruch, drawing and

tuu

and

Martin

;

Lovering, A.B., En-

feet in length, five stories

niental

is

and refined."

and uncertainty of the war upon whicli we were then entering had measurably jmssed, Mr. Loch brought up the school to its former scale of prosperity. In 1873 he greatly improved the

centre,

He

Officers and Instructors of Treemount Seminary, 1888-84.— W. Loch, John

served prominence: "Ab soon as the gloom

the

belles-lettres.

— a very rare accomplishment, — and his literary tastes

are in an eminent degree acute

has come into de-

in

was

ordained a ruling elder in the same.

bought the property in 1866. Professor Loch was warmly attached to Treemount, having been identified with it as vice-principal and teacher of mathematics for many years during Mr. Aaron's administration. The following, from the pen of his l)i()graplier, pt of note

character.

The

diverse liturgical systems of the "Provisioiud Liturgy " having frustrated its purpose, and the desire

anil,

for a liturgy cast in one mould having increased, the Synod of Easton resolved upon a revision. The former

sermons and adperformed literary work as follows In 1857 appeared his "Five Years in Race Street," with a full, general and statistical appendix relating to the origin and condition of the Reformed Church. In 1860 he

committee was intrusted with the work. Upon its reassembling, a prolonged controversy regarding the principles of revision having arisen, Dr. Bomberger stoutly defended Reformed customs and traditions. The question was referred for decision to the Synod

edited and in large part retranslated " Kurtz's

of Chambersburg the following year, Dr. J.

tained honorable distinction as a controversialist, in addition to occasional publi-shed dresses, has

:

HandBook of Church History," now extensively used as a

text-book

in

the theological seminaries

of

many

"Infant Baptism and Salvation" appeared in 1861. In this year also Dr. Bomberger began to edit a translation of " Herzng's Encyclopjedia," liimself preparing one-half the translations, and carried it through nearly six volumes of the original. But the German translation having far exceeded the limits proposed for it, the publishers were not prepared to complete the work, and it was suspended. In 1866 appeared the " Revised Liturgy," a history and criticism of the ritualistic movement in the Reformed Church. " Reformed not Ritualistic," a reply to Dr. Nevin's" Vindication," was published in 1867, and by its vigorous and well-nigli exhaustive treatment of the subject at once designated its author denominations.

as a natural

champion of the Reformed

in its histori-

Reformed Church Monthlij, a popular religious and theological journal, was founded and continued for nine years, during which Dr. Bomberger served as editor and furnished more than three-fourths of the articles. cal sense.

In 1868

tlie

As early as the Synod of Norristown, in 184!t, Dr. Bomberger was appointed one of a committee intrusted with the task of preparing a Reformed Liturgy on the basis of the various litnrgies of the Reformed Churches, and especially of the old Palatinate Liturgy used by the early ministers of the

Reformed Church

in

this

country.

It

was

not

long, however, until a majority of the committee were

W. Nevin

preparing the majority report and Dr. Bomberger

The Synod continued the comand the majority, no longer respecting the earlier rules of the Synod, pursued their work in accordance with their own liturgical views, and finally submitted the whole work to the Synod of York in October, 1866, and a few weeks later to the General Synod of Dayton. The latter body, by a small majority, allowed the use of this "Revised Liturgy," but that of the minority. mittee,

it. In Dr. Bomberger's tract, " The Revised Liturgy," the seriousness of the situation is delineated. He proposed, as a remedy, to modify the Provisional Liturgy; but all phrases of doubtful import or contrary to pure doctrine should be changed. Notwithstanding these just and temperate propositions, the extreme liturgical i)arty were in no mood

did not indorse

any concessions. Dr. Nevin, in his tract, "Vindication of Revised Liturgy," violently assailed the position of Dr. Bomberger, and sought to fasten the stigma of schismatics upon the adherents of Reformed doctrine in its purity. This called forth Dr. Bomberger's "Reformed not Ritualistic," in which to grant

the whole nuxtter in dispute was succinctly stated and

an elaborate defense of Reformed doctrine and custom For the calm and dignified manner in which the nature and extent of the innovations were discussed, and for the wealth of historical and doctrinal matter brought to light. Dr. Bomberger merits the lasting gratitude of the Reformed Church. From this time forward he applied himself with additional presented.

EDUCATIONAL. what he regarded Keformed

zeal to the defense of

The Refunned Church

usage and doctrine.

3fonthti/,

with Dr. Bomberger as editor and principal writer, establislied in January, 1868, and was supported

was

as the theological exponent of the evangelical wing

of the church.

This periodical rendered incalculable

Reformed Church by its exposure of the aim and tendency of the new theology. Early in 1869, Dr. Bomberger was called to the presidency of Ursinus College, located at Collegeville, Montgomery Co., an institution founded by members and friends of the Reformed Church. At this institution, which imparts instruction on the basis of Christianity and service to the

with chief regard

to

religious ends, he has

found

battle of

413 North Point, September

and with very limited education was placed in the counting-house of C. W. Karthaus, a prominent shipping firm of the city, succeeding that of Peter A. Karthaus, a wealthy firm dating back to the Revolution, but ruined by the devastation caused

by the Berlin and Milan Decrees of Napoleon. The "French spoliation claims" of that firm have lingered from that period to the present, and though

many

higher branches of education in particular should be pursued in full harmony with evangelical Protestant I)rinciplcs, he has been heartily supported by the friends of education in general and by the evangelical

of Congress.

or anti-ritualistic (sometimes inaccurately called

Low

Under

his jjresidency of Ursinus College, including a theo-

young men have come under his educational influence, while a number of these have entered the ministry. In addition to his duties as president and professor of ethics and intellectual science and theology, he served as pastor of St. Luke's Reformed Church, at Trappe, Montgomery logical department, not a few

when

at that period of life,

ample opportunity for a wide field of usefulness and for making his influence as a scholar and educator widely and permanently felt. Believing that the

Church) portion of the Reformed Church.

12, i«14,

Baltimore was assailed by the British under General Ross. The chief brunt of that battle fell upon the Twenty-seventh Regiment, to which he belonged. By the loss of his father at an early age the subject of this sketch was left without the parental help so necessary

eilbrts

Congress to (1885) has a

have been made to get bills through pay them, not until the present year bill received the sanction of both Houses

The experience of four years in the countinghouse, though of great benefit in teaching method and business habits, could not quell the longing for higher education and a professional life. Having connected himself with the First Reformed Church of Baltimore in 1840, he resolved to devote himself to the Christian ministry. Without helj), other than that saved from his clerkship, he started for college,

and managed

to take a full course,

aided in part by

teaching during vacations.

Entering Marshall College, Pennsylvania, in 1844, he continued his studies without interruption until his

He

Co., until October, 1883.

graduation, in 1849.

At the General Synod of Lancaster, in 1878, a " Peace Movement " was inaugurated, which has brought the liturgical controversy in the Reformed Church to a close. A new " Directory of Worship " is in process of adoption, which omits the objectionable features, and Dr. Bomberger has suspended his

During the following year he ]iroceeded South, traveling through several Southern States, and finally locating in Memphis, Tenn., where he established a classical academy, the only one at that time in the town, and probably the first established in that city. Intent upon entering the ministry, he returned North, but on the way paid a visit to Tiflin, Ohio. Here he was urged at once to locate in the West, and with this in view attended a meeting

public opposition to the advocacy of so-called im-

proved doctrines, which

is still carried on in different some ministers of his church. During the summer of 188-t he made a brief tour through Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany, paying special attention to the historical places of the Reformed Church. He took a consjiicuous

periodicals by

part in the debates of

Churches holding sessions in

the

Alliance

of Reformed

the Presbyterian System, at

Belfast, Ireland, in the

mouth

of-

its

June.

Since returning he has delivered, with great acceptance, in diflFerent parts of the State, a number of lectures and sermons, based on his observations abroad.

Dr. Bomberger has

then entered the Theologi-

Seminary.

Maumee Classis, covering territory now occupied by the Tiffin Classis. He was examined by a committee, consisting of Revs. J. H. Good, Hiram of the

Shaull and Reuben Good, at the house of Elder Heilman, on Honey Creek. The examination proving satisfactory, the license

was granted.

The

services

connected with the granting of this license were held in Mt. Pisgah Church, Seneca Ctounty, Ohio, on Sunday, April 27, 1851.

Without waiting

for a call in the West, he returned Mercersburg, Pa., and completed his theological course. He soon received a call to Waynesboro'. to

been twice married.

By

his

Marion E. Huston, of Mercersburg, he has four daughters and one son by his second, Julia Aymar Wight, of Philadelphia, three sons. Rev. Henry W. Super, D.D., vice-president of Ursinus College, was .born in Baltimore, Md., December 31, 1824. He was the son of John Super, for first wife,

;

many

cal

years a resident of that city,

who fought

in the

His introductory sermon was preached in that charge on Sunday, November 23, 1851. Received very kindly, by this people, he remained with them about ten years, interrupted, however, for a time by illness in 1854, when he resigned the charge, but was again recalled on the restoration of his health in the following year. This charge was on the border-line of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

414 Maryland, and during

tlie

war was exposed

lo raids

history.

About the same time he received the degree

of D.I), from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio.

and other military movements, which caused great anxiety and disquietude. Receiving a call to the English Reformed congregation of Greensburg, Pa., he removed to that place

In addition to pulpit

efforts,

Dr. Super has con-

tributed articles and essays to reviews, magazines

Some

and

of Ursinus College have also been deemed worthy of publication, and at their request have appeared in

papers.

andremaineduntilApril, 1865. Finding his that the work of the ministry was detrimental to health, be now resolved to devote himself to the work

in April, 1862,

of his addresses to the students

pamphlet form. In April, 1878, Dr. Super was married to Mrs. Sarah H. Detwiler, daughter of the late Francis Hobson, of Limerick township, and sister of Frank M. Hobson, of Collegeville.

of education.

Receiving an offer from the Keystone State Normal School to become the professor of mathematics in that institution, be accepted it, and began his duties in

J^ u. that position in April, 1867, remaining there until he received a call to Ursinus College in 1870. Freeland Seminary had been a high school of many years' standing, sending

and

professional men.

from

To

its

walls

increase

its

many

J.

—A few miles north-

the county of Bucks, stand three Mennonite meeting-

houses within a radius of

business

usefulness and

elevate its standard of education it was resolved to apply for a charter granting the full privileges of a college. This was granted in 1869, and the institution was opened in its new form in September, 1870. The services of Professor Super were secured for the chair Subseof mathematics and natural philosophy. quently the theological department was opened, and in this he occupied the position of professor of church

Shelly Weinberger, A.M.

west of Quakertown, in the township of Milford and less

than a mile, and no The country still known as the

others within a range of several miles. is

"

a fine open

Swamp."

level,

and

is

Fifty years ago the citizens of the place

almost I

I

:

1

;

'

exclusively held the religious faith of the Mennonites, and on the Presidential election cast their ballots for the Whig candidate. The school-house

was attached to the meeting-house, and the most advanced in scholarship was generally called on to become the schoolmaster. The true genius of the Penn-

EDUCATIONAL. home

415

sylvania Germans was well displayed in this locality. The inhabitants were farmers, with the exception of a

of

few mechanics and store-keepers, and were early noted

a recollection of

for sobriety, industry,

non-resistance and shunning

pay one's debts was considered a and to sue, unrighteous. The dictates of conscience were regarded far more binding than statute law. Their over-cautious habits, however, prevented them from taking the initiative in any new enterprise, and the fact that a thing was new was thought sufficient ground for its rejection. Hence Amidst their slow progress in their early history. of debt.

marked

Js'ot

to

disgrace,

surroundings and associations of this kiud lived the Weinberger family in humble style, having the Biblcj

hymn-book, prayer-book and a few printed sermons for a library. Joseph Weinberger's grandparents emigrated from the borders of the Rhine, in Germany, to this country. He was married to Mary Shelly, and John to them were born four daughters and one son, Shelly Weinberger, named after his maternal grandJoseph Weinberger could father, John Shelly. read and write German, was esteemed for his correct habits and resoluteness, and died in the eighty-first year of his age, while his mother had become almost a centenarian. The first remembrance that the son has

—

him by

training

is

the wholesome chastisement given

his mother, who, in her old age, has as distinct

educated in the

it

as

he has.

common

Young Weinberger was

schools as they were con-

ducted forty-five years ago.

When seventeen years of age he joined the his parents.

In addition

to

church of

subscribing to the creed

he promised to obey the regulations of the church and would fall on him. Bishop John

to preach if the lot

H. Oberholtzer was the

district school-teacher.

His

increasing parish labors divided his time unfavorably for

discharging the duties of either

office.

When

young Weinberger was nineteen years of age the bishop asked him to succeed him as teacher. The local director proposed to make it easy by requiring but a partial examination and allowing the novice to attend a term at boarding-school before the district

Meanwhile his brother-inHenry A. Hunsicker, principal of Freeland

school would commence. law. Rev.

Seminary, was paying the family a social visit, and was urging the young man by all means to accept the That was the turning-point of his proposition. future career. The attendance of one term at a seminary gave no little weight to the young teacher's standing in the estimation of the community, and he

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

416

above his own expectations, especially Having completed the winter session, he drew his pay and went to Freeland Seminary for two terms during the summer, the directors not requiring him to come home to attend examination, succeeded

far

in discipline.

Before Mr. Fetterolfs

fractory classes.

directors of Ursinus

College.

The

consist of

members not belonging In the election

had given satisfaction the previoiis winter. twenty-oue years of age he resolved to take a collegiate course and make teaching his profession. The resolution was strong, but the funds were wanting. Kev. Daniel Weiser oilered to provide the means if

Church.

ered wise by the board to

young Weinberger would become a Reformed clergyman. His brother-in-law proposed to loan him all the

students of Freeland Seminary, some of

to insure

became

an independent course.

After the

fully acquainted with the strong reso-

lution of his son he resolved to furnish half the

sum

required and take notes for the other half The way now was clear, and he concluded to prepare for Yale

where his

College,

classical teachers,

ated.

Two

years'

Wayne Mac-

L. Williamson, had lately gradu-

Veagh and William

teaching

studying, besides

and

acting as prefect in Freeland Seminary for board, amidst many discouragements, regrets and mortifications,

was regarded

an Eastern

sufficient preparation for entering

college.

In the second week of September,

18.55,

John Hun-

Joseph Alonzo Chistman, a junior, Henry Royer, a sophomore, and J. Shelly Weinberger, an applicant for admission, all of Montgomery County, started for Yale College. In the evening they found lodging at the Florence Hotel, in the great metropolis, and on the following noon arrived at the " City of Elms." Weinberger became Mr. Worrall's proUge in all the preliminary arrangements for appearing to the best advantage in Alumni ter Worrall, a

Hall

for

senior,

examination.

ber of the freshman

hundred and

The applicant became class

fifty-three.

of

He

'59,

a

mem-

numbering one

spent four profitable

years at college, towards the close changed places with some whose early training had been far more favorable,

and

at the age of twenty-seven graduated with

respectable honors.

commencement

On

the

Monday

following the

of his alma mater he took his place

Freeland Seminary as teacher of ancient and modern languages. He saved all of his salary he could for two years to pay his notes, when he considered himself financially free, and had but a meagre balance to his credit. He entered into a new covenant by marrying a young lady of fine intellectual endowments and good taste. Miss Emma Kratz, daughter of Jacob S. Kratz, of Plumstead, Bucks Co. In 1863 he purchased a small farm, stock and all, moved on the farm and managed it successfully without interin

fering with his teaching.

After having taught for Mr. Hunsicker for six years, the school was leased for five years to Mr. Adam H. Fetterolf, now Dr. Fetterolf, president of Girard College. The services of Mr. Weinberger had previously

been secured, and he became Mr. Fetterolf s righthand man in governing unruly boys and teaching re-

may

Reformed of the faculty it was considmake J. Shelly Weinberger to the

as he

father

had

constitution of

the college provides that one-fourth of the board

When

money

lease

expired Freeland Seminary was sold to the board of

a member, to represent the old element in the school, a stroke of policy for which there has been no cause for regret.

He

saved for the college one-half of the

whom

subse-

He

has rendered valuable aid to the Reformed brethren in their ettbrts to put the college on a firm basis and in their endeavors quently graduated.

to establish a

good sj'stem of discipline.

Professor Weinberger for

some years studied the

co-education of the sexes in colleges by reading all

the books treating on the subject at his command, pro and con. Besides his own theory, the experience at Oberlin College for fifty years, as well as those of other colleges which have opened for ladies at a more recent period, has satisfied

him that

it is

the natural

and normal way to educate, as mind knows Being acquainted with the difficulties which be overcome to introduce the system and effective at Ursinus, he proposed what he might prove an entering wedge to it. He

no sex. have to

make

it

thought

made a

request that his daughter should be allowed to enter

the college classes, proposing to pay for her tuition

The school had just and immediate action on the request was painful and every intimation unfavorable. After a consideration of one week the request was granted, with the understanding that no others be allowed to enter should they apply. Everything went on as before, and at the end of the scholastic year Dr. Super, the vice-president, and Professor Weinberger were appointed a committee to present an overture to the board of directors for admitting young The board ladies as day pupils into the institution. reported favorably, and the president of the faculty, in his next annual report, stated that the " experiment of admitting young ladies had jiroved the wisdom of

the same as

commenced

if

its

she were a son.

session,

the measure."

The

quarter-centennial of the office of teacher in

the different halls, on the same grounds, through three successive administrations, was celebrated on the 2(5th of June, 1884, by the graduation of his only child, Minerva, who was the valedictorian in a class of nine, and the

first

lady-graduate in the classical

department of Ursinus College.

The

professor

is

senior elder in Trinity Christian

Church, which is orthodox in faith, congregational in polity and independent in its organization (Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, A.M., pastor). He officiates in the pastor's absence, is radical and orthodox in

He has had different offers become principal or president of higher institutions, all of which he declined, pre-

his views, yet liberal.

since graduation to

EDUCATIONAL. responsible

ferring a less

position,

increasing

as

rosponsibility weighs heavily on him.

He

teaches from nine to twelve o'clock in the

forenoon, and the afternoon he devotes to his private

He is now fifty-three years of age, and lives modest home fronting on the beautiful Perkiomen. Haverford College. This celebrated and prosperous institution holds an estate of about two hundred and twenty acres in the northern part of Haverford township, Delaware Co., and in Lower Merion township, Montgomery Co. It was founded in the year 1832 by prominent members of the Society of Friends in the Middle 8tates, the larger number being The purresidents of Philadelphia and its vicinity. pose of its founders was to provide a place for the instruction of their sons in the higher learning, and for moral training, which should be free from the business.

in a

—

temptations prevalent at

A

many

of the larger colleges.

tract consisting at first of forty acres, luit gradually

it now contains upwards of seventy, was set ofi' by an experienced English landscapegardener and planted with a large variety of trees, to constitute the academic grove in which the college buildings should stand. This park is now the most beautiful which any American college can boast, and

enlarged until

the extichx. (false pennyroyal), along the Schuylkill. Mentha, L.

stricta, Ait. (erect loosestrife),

quadrifolia, L. (four-leaved loosestrife),

viride, L. (spearmint).

ciliata, L. tfringed loosestrife),

piperita, L. (peppermint).

longifolia, Pursh. (long-leaved loosestrife).

Dunimularia, L. (moneywort), after Wood

;

arvensis, L. (cornmint).

escaped in some places.

Anagallis, Tourn.

Canadensis, L. (wild mint).

Lycopus, L.

man's weather-glass pimi>ernel), found near Oakland Institute Miss A. L. Ralston rare.

arvensis, L. (poor

;

;

Virginicus, L. (bugle-weed).

Europa;us, L. (European bugle weed),

Ltmtibulacem.

var. ainuatus. Gray.

Utricularia, L.

Cunila, L.

Mariana, L. (common Pycanthemum, Michx.

vulgaris, L. (greater hiadder-wort). Jiiynoniacese.

Tecoma,

muticum, Pere. (not frequent), John E. Overholtzer. lanceulatum, Pursh. (lanceolate mountain-mint). Unifolium, Pursli. (flax-leaved mountain-mint).

Jiiss.

radicatis, Juss. (trumjiet-creeper).

Catalpa. Scop., AValt.

Bignonioides, AValt. (catalpa, Indian-bean),

ciinopodioides, Torr.

Martynia, L.

&

Gray.

Origanum, L.

proboscidea, Glox. (unicorn plant).

vulgare, L. (wild maijoi-am), sparingly throughout; dry bauki

Orobanchacese.

below Norristown.

EpiphegUfr, Xutt.

Thymus,

Virginica, Bart, (beech -drops).

uniflorum, Torr.

&

L.

serphyllum, L. (creeping thyme). Calamiutha, Mcench.

Aphyllon, Mitchell. Gr. (one-flowered

cancer-root), sparingly

throughout.

chiropodium, Benth. officinalis, L.

Verbascuni, L.

Hedeoma,

(common

Thapsiis, L.

mullein).

(common balm).

Pers.

pulegioides, Pers. (Aiuerican pennyroyal).

Blattaria, L. (moth-mullein, a noxious weed).

Collinsonia, L.

Linaria, Tourn.

Canadensis, L. (stone-root).

vulgaris, Jlill. (food-flax). Slill.

(prostrate linaria), along

Salvia, L.

Perkiomeu

;

Jos. Crawford

Scrophularia, Tourn.

lyrata, L. (lyre-leaved sage).

Honarda, L. didyma, L. (Oswego

nodosa, L. (tigwort).

Chelone, Tourn.

tea).

punctata, L. (horse-mint).

glabiu, L. (turtle-headj.

Pentstemou, Mitchell. pubescens, Solander (beard-tongue). Digitalis, Xutt.

(wild bergamot).

fistulosa, L.

Lopanthus, Benth. nepetoides, Benth. BcrophulariEefoliuB, Benth.

Mimulus, L.

Nepeta, L.

ringens, L. (monkey-flower), alatus, Ait.

(ba^iil).

Melissa, L.

Scrophulariaaeie.

Elatine,

dittany).

(winged monkey -fiuwer).

Gratiola, L.

glecboma, Benth. (ground

ivy).

Brunella, Tourn.

Virginiana, L, (hedge-hyssop), aurea, Muhl. (golden hedge-hyssop).

Teronica, L. oflBcinalis, L.

cataria, L. (catnip).

vulgaris, L. (heal-all). Scutellaria, L. pilosa,

(common

speedwell).

Anagallis, L. (water speedwell).

serpy Hi folia, L. (thyme-leaved speedwell). arvensis, L. (corn speedwell).

Virginica, L. (Culver's physic).

Americana, Schweinitz (American brooklime), not common. scutellata. L. (marsh speedwell).

Michx. (hairy skull-cap). (mad-dog skull-cap),

lateriflora, L.

integrifolia, L. (entire leaved skull-cap).

versicolor, Nutt.

Marubium,

L.

vulgare, L.

(common horebound).

Leonurus, L. cardiaca, L.

(common motherwort).

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

432 Stachye, L,

Nicotiaua, L.

palwstris, L. (hedge-nettle),

lustica, L. (wild tobacco),

var. cordiita, Gray.

Lamium,

tabacum, L. (common tobacco).

L.

Oeiilianaveie.

araplexicaule, L. (dead nettle).

Sabbatia, Adans.

Borraginaceie.

angularis, Pursh (American century).

Ecliium, Tourn.

Geutiana, L.

vulgare, L. (viper's-bluogloBs).

Andrewsii, Griseb. (closed gentian),

Lycopsis, L.

crinita, Froel. (fringed gentian).

avveneis, L. (small bluegloss).

Obolaria, L.

Symphytum, Tourn. ulticiuale, L. (common comfrey).

Virginica, L. (obolaria).

Apocynaces.

OuosiJiodium, Michx.

Apocynnm, Tourn.

Virginianum, D. C. Norristown.

(false

gromwell), along the Schuylkill,

amiroaeniifoliimi L. (spreading dogbane),

bi-h.v

cannabinuni, L. (Indian hemp),

Lithospermnm, Tourn.

var. vulca (after

arvense, L. (corn gromwell). Merti'U^ia, Roth.

Asclepias, L.

Virginica, D. C. (Virginian cowslip), found on Barbadoes j.sland,

Cormiti, Decaisne

in the Schuylkill, above Norristown.

niilkweed).

purpurascens, L. (purple milkweed),

With, (true forget-me-not).

palustris,

var. laxa,

variegata, L. (variegated milkweetl).

Lehm.

verna, Nutt., not

incarnata, L.

common

;

Jos. Crawford.

Lehm.

;

quadrifolia, Jacq. (four-leaved millcweed).

Jos. Crawford.

Michx. (obtuse-leaved milkweed).

obtusifolia,

Cj'noglossum, Tourn. t'ffitinale, L.

(swamp milkweed),

tuberosa, L. (pleurisy-root),

Echinospermum, Swartz.

Gonoiobus, Michx.

(hound's tongue).

hirsutus, Michx., rare;

found along river-banks below Norristown, near Potts' Landing; Dr. E. M. Corson.

Virgiuicum, L. (wild comfrey). Morisoni, D. C. (beggar's

lice).

Oleaceie.

BydrophyUafese.

Chionanthus, L.

Hydrophyllum, L.

Virginica, L.

Virginicum, L. (water-leaf). Phacelia,

(common

phytolaccoides, Pui-sh. (poke milkweed),

Myosotis, L.

lappula,

Wood).

Asclepiadacefe.

(cultivated for ornament).

Lignetrum, Tourn.

Jiisa.

(common

vulgare, L.

bipinnatifida, Michx.

privet).

Fraxinus, Tourn.

Polemoni'fces.

Americana, L. (white ash),

Polemonium, Tourn.

Lam. (black ash), Lam. (red ash).

sambucifolia,

reptanB, L. (Greek valerian).

pubescens,

Phlox, L.

Syringa.

paniculata, L. (panicled phlox),

vulgaris (after Wood).

macidata, L. (wild sweet William).

Persica (after Wood).

Bubulata (moss pink), frequent throughout

;

along banks of

the Schuylkill.

Arisiolochuicete.

Asaruni, Tourn.

ConvolviilaceiP.

Canadeuse, L. (wild ginger).

Quamoclit, Tourn.

Aristolochia, Tourn.

coccinea, Mcench. (cypress vine), along the river-banks of the

Schuylkill.

Sei-pentaria, L. (Virginia snakeroot).

sipho, L'Her.

Ipomcea, L.

John

purpurea, Lam. (counnon morning-gloj-y), escaped from gardens apparently natiu'alized.

;

(Dutchman's

pipe),

near Henderson's quarries;

E. Overholtzer.

PItytolaccaceie.

Phytolacca, Tourn.

pandurata, Meyer (man-of-the-earthj.

decandra, L.

(common

poke).

Convolvulus, L. arvensis, L. (bindweed), along

Stony Creek

;

along Schuylkill.

Chenopodium, L.

Calystegia, R. Br.

sepium, R. Br., along streams around Norristown Corson, spithanuva J(Pur6h),

John

Cltejiopodincea:

;

Dr. E. M.

along Scbuylldll, above Indian Creek

album, L. (lamb's quarter, pig-weed). boti78, L. (Jerusalem oak). ambrosioides, L. (Jlexican tea),

John

E. Overholtzer.

;

Aniarantacfie.

E. Overholtzer.

Amarantus, Tourn.

Cuscuta, Tourn. Gronovii, Willd.

(common

dodder),

compacta, Juss. (close dodder).

paniculatus, L. (panicled amaranth), retrotlexus, L. (pigweed), albus, L.

Solanacese.

spinoBus, L. (thorn amaranth),

Solanum, L. Diih-amara, L. (bitter-sweet),

nigrum, L. (common night-shade). Carolinense, L. (horee-nettle).

tuberosum, L. (common potatoes). Physalis, L.

Polygonaceie.

Polygoniuii, L. Orientale, L. (prince's featlier), hydx-opiper, L. (smart-wt'ed).

angulata, L. (ground-cherry),

Lam. (common ground-cherry),

var. Philadelphica,

pubescens, L. viscosa, L.

hypochondriacus, L. (garden amaranth).

(clammy ground-cherry).

Nicaudra, Adans. Physaloidee, Gaertn. (apple of Pern).

Datura L. stramonium, L. (conmion Htramonium). ,

var. Tatula (purple thorn apple).

hydnqjiperoides, Michx. (mild water-pepper). aviculare, L. (doorweed).

Careyi, Olney.

Pennsylvanicum, L. (Pennsylvania knotweed). nodosum, Pers.; var., incarnatura. Virginianum, L. (Virginian knotweed). Convolvnlns, L. (wild buckwheat),

dumetorum, L. (climbing wild buckwheat), arifolium, L. (halberd -leaved tear-thumb).

I

FLORA OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Polvgunum,

Betttlacex.

L.

Betula, Tourn.

euKittatum, L. (tear-thumb |. Fersicaria, L. (la'iy's

(American white birch).

alba, Spach.

tliuiiilj).

papyracea, Ait. (paper birch).

Fagitpynnu, Touru.

AIdus, Tourn.

escuk'iitmu, IVIu?nc!i. (liuckwlieat).

Kumex,

433

sen-ulata,

L.

.\it.

(alder).

iucana, Willd. (speckled or hoary alder).

crispus, L. (curled dock),

aauguineus, L. (bluody- veined dock),

iyilicacese.

acetusella, L. (sheep sorrel).

Salix,

fjanrace;e.

Tourn.

viminaljs, L. (basket osier),

Sassafras, Nees.

huniilis,

officinale, Nees. (sassafras).

lucida,

Benzoin, Nees.

Marshall (low bush-willow),

Muhl. (shiuing willow),

alba, L. (white willow),

udunfernm, Nees. (spice-bush).

fragilis, L. (brittle willow).

Santalacese.

Babylonica, Tourn. (weeping willow).

Oomandra. Nutt.

Populus, Tourn.

umbellata, Nutt. (bastard food-Hax).

tremuloides, Michx. (American aspen),

iSawuracete.

balsamifera, L. (balsam poplar).

Saururus, L.

Coniferie.

cernuus, L. (lizard's-tail).

Pinus, Tourn.

EtiphorhiaciP.

rigida, Miller (pitch pine),

Euphorbia, L.

strobus, L. (white pine).

iiiaculata, t. (spotted spurge).

Abies, Tourn.

Cyparissias. L. (border spurge),

Canadensis, Michx. (hemlock spruce).

hypericifolia, L. (St. .lohn's-wort spurge),

Larix, Tourn.

corollata, L. (flowering spurge).

.\mericana, Jlichx. (.\merican or black

Acalypha. L.

larcli).

Juniperus, L.

Virginica. L. (three-seeded mercury).

communis. L. (common juniper).

Vrticaceie.

Virgiuiana, L. (red cedar savin).

Ulmus,

L.

fulva,

Taxus, Tourn.

Michx. (slippery elm).

baccata, L. (Americjui yew).

Americana, L. Willd. (American elm). Morns, Tourn.

Chs8

nibra, L. (red luullierry).

. 1

wild nettle),

(conimon

dioica, L.

Symplocarpus, Salisb. fiftidus, Salisb.

nettle).

cylindrica (wild false-nettle).

Cannabis, Tourn.

calamus, L. (sweet-flag, calamus). 'fifphacex.

Typha, Tourn.

(hemp).

latifulia, L.

Iluniuhis. L.

(common

Lnpuhi-s, L.

liop;

along river-courses).

Plataiiaceie.

Platanus, L. occidentalis (.VmericuTi plane or sycamore).

(common

cat-tail),

augustifolia, L. (nan*ow-leaved, or small cat-tail).

Sparganium, Tourn. eurycarpum, Engelm. (large bnr-reed). simplex, Hudson, around Norristown A. F. Itakor. ;

Leiii nuvese.

Juylamlnceie.

Lemna,

.luglans, L.

ni^ra, L. (black walnut), Ii.

(butteniut).

L.

minor, L. (lesser duckweed), pond» near

alba, Nutt. (ghellbarkl.

microcarpa, Nutt. (small-fruited hickory),

lands.

plantago, L.; var. Americanum, gray.

Engelm. (arrow-head),

glabra, Torr. (pig-nut),

variabilis,

simplex, Pui*sh.

(common armw-licad).

Orchidacem.

Vripulifer^.

Orchis, L.

Quercus, L.

macrocarpa, Mich, (burr oak, or mossy -cup white oak), alba, L. (white oak).

(swamp chestnut oak), Wang, (scarlet oak),

Prinus, L.

rubra, L. (red oak),

Du

palustrus,

Roi (pin oak),

nigra, L. (black-jack), tinrtoria,

swampy

Sagittaria, L.

amara, Nutt. (bitter-nut).

coccinea,

river,

AlisrnaceK.

Alisma, L.

Carya, Nutt.

Bartnim (black oak).

Caatanea, Tourn. vesca, L. (chestnut).

Fagns, Tourn. ferruginea. Ait. (American beechV

CoryluB. Tourn.

Americana. Walt, (haxlenuf). Carpinus, L.

Americana, Michx. (hornbeam). Myricaceie.

Comptonia, Solander. asplenifolia, Ait. (sweet fern).

28

(skunk-cabbage).

Aconis, L.

Uuhmeria, Jacq.

cinerea.

or KmlmjKnon* Plaiila.

triphyllum, Torr. (Indian turnip).

gracilis, Ait. (tall

I-i.

—Monocofi/leilotwH^

Arisa'raa, Martins.

alba, L. (wliite mulberry).

Trtica, Tourn.

sativa,

II.

racem.

spectabilis,

L.

(showy

orcliis),

sparingly throughout

;

in

rich,

moist thickets. Platanthera, Richard. lacera,

Gray (ragged

orchis).

Goodyera, R. Brown. pubescens, R.

Brown

(i-attlesnako plantain).

Spiiunthes, Richard. cernvia,

Richard (nodding

ladies' tresses),

gracilis,

Bigelow (slender

ladies' tresses).

Microstylis, Nutt.

ophioglossoides, Nutt. (adder's-mouth

;

raro

;

John

E. Overholt

zer.

Liparis, Richard. liliifolia,

Richard (tway-blade), not frerjuent.

Corallorhiza, Haller.

odontorhiza, Nutt. (coral-root), innata, R. Brown, rare

;

moist woods.

multiflora, Nntt. (many-flowered coral), rich

rare in these parts.

woods, thicketa

;

434 Aplectruin, Nutt.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

FLORA OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Aspidium, Swartz.

435

of America," though published a third of a century

TUelypteris, Swartz (swan»i) sbield-feru).

and mink have each been marmot with four, the wildcat seven, and even our common American rabbit with no less than three. Now, as similar names are being made and applied more or less through all ago, the ground-squirrel

Novaboraceuse, Willd. (New York fern).

furnished with

spimilosuni, Swartz (spiny-shield fern).

Swartz (crested

(.-ristjituiu,

fern).

Guldianum, Hood (sbield-feru). Cystupteris, Bernh. fragilis,

Bernh (bidder-fern). h. (sensitive fern).

Wuodsia, R. Brown. Ilvensis, R.

Brown

(Woodsia).

Dicksunia, L'Her. puiictilobula,

Osmunda,

the

animated nature, who is to decide as to which is the proper one, or when and where the number is to end ? Hence, to help tostay this evil, we shall treat all alike, by dispensing with such cumbersome and useless labors. However, a.s more important in a historical work, we have concluded to give in this connection, as far as we could ascertain them, the names of the

Onuc-lea, L. seiisibilis,

five,

Hook. (Dicksouia).

L.

regalis, L. (flowering, or royal fern).

Claytoniana, L. (Clayton's fern). cinnanionea, L. (cinnamon fern).

animals, birds, fishes and reptiles

several

Botrychiuni, Swartz.

the

in

Virginicuni, Swartz (rattlesnake fern).

Delaware Indian language, with our several authori-

lunarioides, Swartz (moonwort).

ties

moonwort). (cut-leaved moonwort).

var. obliquuiti (oblique-leaved var, di!=!Sectum

welder;

Lycopodiaces.

will

stand for Campanius

Schmick William Strachey and

P, Pyrlacus;

Str.,

Williams.

Lycopodiiini, L.

C

therefor.

Zeisberger;

8,

;

davatuni. L. (club-moss).

we

tempt,

Z

for

W

Heckefor Roger

This result has only been accomplished

through many years' diligent labor.

dendruideiim, Michx. fgriiuDd-i)ine).

;

H,

;

will

I

As a

first at-

state that three-fourths of the

num-

ber have been derived from original manuscrijits.

The spelling is retained as found in the Swedish, German and English sources; only nine names being

CHAPTER

XXV

1 1 r

.

ZOOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.'

Very

little

attention has yet been given in our

county histories to the habitation and distribution of Botany, in this respect, has not been neglected; the exact localities of many of ournative trees, shrubs and plants, when not too common, have been especially pointed out or noticed, and thus serve as a valuable guide to the practical student. It is our purpose now to treat on this more fully than has probably hitherto been done. Certain errors that our existing animals.

originated in our

natural

history nearly half a mentioned, we regret to say, even in quite recent works. For instance, that quadrupeds and birds are nearly all decreasing, and some

century ago, are

still

are

rare that are actually numerous, or vice versa. This shows that the writers thereof have studied nature more in books at their desks than abroad in the fields. Another matter is becoming too serious to be longer overlooked, the names of the most

—

common and

familiar objects being overburthened

with technical nomenclature.

Hence, we need not wonder that our bluebird, which cannot be mistaken, is called by Swainson Scialia W/sonii, by Bonaparte Saxicola Sialis, by Wilson Sylvia Sialis, and lately by another Sialia Sialis. As this examination has been superficial, liow many more technical names liave been given it we are consequently unable to say. Our common partridge has no less than eight, the pewee four, the snowbird, the kingbird and house-wren an equal number. As may be seen in Audubon's " Quadrupeds 'By

Wm.

.T.

Buck.

derived from the first and three from the latter, which otherwise could not have beea thus supplied. In the arrangement of the catalogues we have closely followed Professor S. F. Biard, as the most simplified f'cr this purpose.

Quadrupeds.

— The existing native mammalia with-

the present limits of

in

Montgomery County,

it

is

very probable, do not exceed at the utmost thirty-

The

five species.

from

at

ber

bats have been variously estimated

five to eight distinct kinds.

may be

The

latter

too high, and accidental varieties

num-

may

have been mistaken for distinct species. The common mole is now much more numerous than formerly this may, in part, be accounted for by their having less enemies. The star-nosed mole is not as rare as is supposed. In high, early spring freshets, along our rich low, grounds, they are driven from out their haunts, and frequently found drowned, thus proving that they arc more numerous than is commonly supposed. We must confess it is difficult otherwise to procure specimens.

The

wild-cat or lynx

was

shot

We

think

may

possibly

exist.

One

February, 1860, in Rockhill township, Bucks Co., within a couple of miles of the line of Marlborough and Upjjer Salford, where thev could yet find secure retreats, from the rocky character of the hills, still covered with native forests. in

it

can be safely stated that the gray fox no

The red found on the hills of Upper Merion, Douglas, New Hanover, ^Marlborough, Ujiper Salford and Upper Hanover. A fox was killed in Moreland townlonger exists in this orthe adjoining counties. fox

is still

ship in 1847, and since then none have been known anywhere in that section. An otter was captured on

the East Branch, in Pcrkiuraen township, about 1858.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

436

We have been

unable

to ascertain of

ing since been seen in the county. abounds in the townsliips of Limerick,

any other hav-

The raccoon

New

Hanover, Marlborough, Upper Salford and Perkiomen, but is diminishing. The flying squirrel, though seemingly scarce, is more common than is generally supposed. A friend residing in Limerick a few years ago, had a favorite shellbark tree on his farm that appeared to yield quantities of nuts, but somehow they would disTaking a lantern one night to the place, he a|)pear. was amazed at the siglit of numerous flying squirrels, scampering previously

By

similar

off"

in various

directions.

He had

not

known of their existence in the vicinity. means we have ascertained that the several

11.

Common

1*2.

Star-nosed mole, occasionally seen.

is

difticultto capture.

Ited fo.\ (Tloacws, Z., MWujifmliim, P.), in

15.

Weasel, not common.

It).

Jlink {Hwijiimgtts, C, Wimiwjus,

17.

otter {Huinwkijlc, C), very rare.

IS.

Skimk

Ut.

Raccoon

or ground-hog

is

a

common and well-known

animal in Eastern Pennsylvania. Our observations, made for many years, do not confirm this. There is something about it that is remarkable, and applies as After the well to Bucks as to Montgomery County. most extensive inquiries among the descendants of our earliest families, we cannot ascertain that it was ever known or found in Horsham, Moreland, Abingtou, Cheltenham or Tapper Dublin. Kear Flourtown, in •Springfield township, one was discovered about ISliS curiosity. In Lower Salford they disapi>eared a quarter of a century ago. A few are still found in Upper Hanover and Upper and Lower Providence; but, strange to say, they are com-

and regarded with great

Hill and Eastburn's Hill, in Upper Meriou, the latter elevation being only about a mile from the borough of Bridgeport. The muskrat, In Moreland, with its like the mole, is increasing. numerous small, lasting streams, it is no unusual cir-

mon around Red

cumstance for a person in high, early spring freshets, twenty or thirty of these animals in less than half a day. In this township, by the Pennypack, in the winter of 1861 and the following year, Tyson Micheuer caught in a box-trap twenty minks, which were all males, showing the sagacity of the other sex. The people of the vicinity were justly surprised The disappearat this number being caught there. to shoot

ance of former animals will be noticed tory. C.VTALOOl'K. 1.

The gray

bat,

cominou.

common.

3.

Brown Red bat,

4.

Large gray

5.

Carolina bat, occasionally seen.

2.

bat,

occasionally seen. bat, rare.

brown

bat, rare.

6.

Little

7.

BUint-nosed bat, occasionally seen.

8.

The large shrew, common.

9.

Small shrew, rare.

10.

Gray shrew,

occaflionally Been.

in local

his-

(y4ro/;ione, Str.,

20.

Opossum

21.

Cat or fo-Y-squirrel, rare.

22.

Gray

23.

Red

common.

Nacheunim and

Efipaji, 7..),

in

some parts

ot

{Wo'tpinic, Z.l, occasionally seen.

squirrel,

common

at places.

squirrel or chickaree {Cmrewanick or Plmiiigtis. Z.), occasionally seen.

24. Striped or 2.^).

ground

common

squirrel,

at places.

Flying squirrel {Blacnik, Z.), common at places. Warniot or ground-hog {Mornchgeu, Z. ), found in a few townships.

Muskrat {hama^kus, C), abundant.

Jumping mouse, occasionally seen. Conmion or Norway rat, abundant

Common

mouse, abundant

Field-mouse

;

(.4c/'j3orfHS, Z.),

;

introduced.

introduced.

connnon.

Native black rat, rare.

The

has been repeatedly published that the

It

marmot

{Ctittettamoii'hemt, L.),

common.

not

Z.),

some parts of the county.

the county.

Sleadow-mouse, common.

white-footed mouse, which has been stated as rare, is found almost everywhere, and cannot readily be mistaken.

lynx {Lingwees, C), very rare.

14.

kinds of shrews and mice are more numerous than is generally supposed. The interesting ground squirrel at this time does not appear nearly as frequent as thirty years ago. The jumping mouse resorts in the vicinity of thickets or copses, and

mole, abundant.

13. W'ild-cat or

White-footed mouse,

common

Hare or rabbit (Symowiis,

C.J,

;

partial t" di"y, sheltered retreats.

connnon.

— While

perhaps one third of our various we do not doubt but in this county the balance are increasing. In the lower townships, the planting of groves and numerous evergreen trees in and around lawns, and by lanes and roadsides, has greatly tended to promote Birds.

species of birds have diminished,

their

augmentation and security.

shelter

by affording them additional

The turkey-buzzard,

strange to

become more numerous.

In October, 1881, in Horsham township, the writer saw three flying together, and was informed that it was no unusual say, has

circumstance in that vicinity.

The Hon.

I.

F. Yost,

New

Hanover, stated that he had recently seen as many as forty or more at one time in that township. It is doubtful whether the hawk tribe has diminished. Both the golden and bald eagle are repeatedly shot over the county. We have kept a partial record of those that have been shot or captured within a distance of three miles of the Willow Grove during the last thirty-five years, and the number is above twenty of

nearly one-third being of the former species. They are mentioned in books as being rare and only seen in

Pennsylvania during the winter. From our record we were secured in the month of May. That eagles sometimes breed in Montgomery County In the spring of 1852, a pair were is very probable. seen daily around the sujnmit of the high hill to the The male east of Willow Grove for above a month. bird was shot the 31st of May by William Thomas, The supposition after which the female disappeared. is strong that they had a nest somewhere in the woods of that vicinity. The fish-hawk still abounds and rears its young along the Perkiomen, below Schwenksville, to the Schuylkill. A great horned owl was captured a mile from Jcnkintown within the The common red-headed woodpast three years. pecker is now almost an entire stranger in the lower find that nearly all

half of the county.

Wild pigeons are still occasionally

ZOOLOGY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. hills of New Hanover, Upper Hanover, Upper Salford and Marlborough, and no doubt still The pheasant or ruffed grouse still breed there.

Bank swallow,

found on the

abounds on the

AVbip-poor-will

the aforesaid townships, and

hills of

Edge

Hill, in

common diver

The

forty years ago.

it

A

common.

Wood

Traill's tlj'catcher, occasionally se«*n.

pelican was

Small flycatcher, common. Green-crested flycatcher, frequent.

Robin

summer or wood ducks attempted to dam in Moreland township, about thirty

iTschisgotfinx.

abundant;

Z.),

Wood

thrush,

common

;

young man

Hermit thrush, common.

still

neighborhood,

in the

indicating

thus

yet rear broods here.

The crow

the eggs of our most useful birds.

over

Olive-backed thrush, occasionally seen. is

Bhie-bird {Tschiiiiahin,

young and

abundant, and very destructive to the

remainiufr

a favorite songstei".

Wilson's thrush, conimon.

may even

s*tmeiiiiu-s

winter.

years ago, but, unfortunately, were both shot by a that they

bird.

pewee, common.

Olive Hycatcber, rare.

A. pair of

breed near a

along stream**.

Z.), freiiuent

Pewee, a conimon and favorite

shot on the .Schuylkill, within a mile of Pottstown, in 1880.

common.

{Pischk, Z.),

Great-crested flycatcher,

was

loon or great northern

winter.

in boxes.

at places.

King-bird iSucheni or Siignmore, W.l, common.

occasionally shot along the Schuylkill

is still

and Perkiomen during the

bawk

Night

common

Wecoolis, Z.),

(

Kingfisher (!r«A-ciHiH»is,

It

Moreland and Abington, where

occasionally along the Schityjkill.

Rough-winged swallow, occasionally seen. Puri)Ie martin, abundant at places; building

has only recently disappeared in Lower Merion, and is now becoming scarce along Ujjper Merion.

437

Z.),

a

common

Ruby-crowned wren, common

Bounties for their

fuviiiite

in spring

common

Golden-crested wren,

and avitiimn.

in spring and autumn.

Titlark, or pipit, frequent in winter.

heads, as well as for the heads of the hawk tribe, should be continued, as the laws thereon have not The English sparrow, introduced been repealed. since 1860, has multiplied rapidly and spread over the county, keeping chiefly in flocks in our larger towns and villages. It has to some extent driven away from their usunl haunts some of our nu)re useful birds, as the wren, bluebird, and even tlie robin.

Black-and-white creeper, common.

Blue yellow-backed warbler, common.

Maryland yellow-throat, conimon. Connecticut warbler, occasionally seen.

Storning warbler, occasionally seen,

Kentucky warbler, mre. Yellow-breasted chat, occasionally seen.

Worm-eating warbler, common Bliie-wingcd yellow warbh-r,

in spring

ami autumn.

common,

(iolden-winged warbler. t>ccasionally seen, Nashville warbler, occasioTially in spring and autumn.

CATALOGL'K. buzziird {Aundschipuis, Z.

Tennessee warbler,

Tiirk. Estimated value of all productions sold and consumed Berks. S4. 485,551 ;

:

to that little Simrtan

;

;

;

:

:

Lehigh, 813.90

value of land per acre Lancaster. 8140.41

;

:

ties ter,

;

Berks. 591.04

;

;

assets

Bucks, 8111.31

;

;

Chester. 897.50;

Montgomery, 8135.85.

Bucks, not reported

;

8132.958; Lehigh. 840.122.

Laucjlfiter.

Gross in-

Montgomery, 8324,145.

;

Berks. 8135.700

:

;

Estimated m.irket

Bucks, 895,049; Chester, 89.54,821

Lehigh, $1,014,019

and convertible not reported:

;

ilontgomery, 822.54.

Lehigh, 8103.41

debtedness: Berks, 81,384,450 caster, 81,270,919

;

band of si.x that then and there hound difficulties and

fmx

officers

were

:

its

infancy.

Its

Vice-Presidents. ,lohn Bean Treasurer, Samuel Shannon; Recoixling

President, William

;

Miller and Robert

Stinson

Secretary, Michael S.

Ramsey Corresponding Secretary, A. W. Shearer. when first organized the offices were filled by six

Thus, you

see,

that

;

;

gentlemen, and, although but ten years have rolled by since that period, more than one-half of that little party have already i>assed off the slagc* of action, and gone to find their reward in a higher sphere other memorial of their useful career

monument

to their wiu'th in this

is

left

;

and

if

no

behind them, they have a

honorable and prosperous

insti-

tution,"'

The meetings of this society were held every two mouths, alternately at Jeflersonville and Penn Square. These meetings were often informal in their character, combining social features with those of a business

;

Bucks, 85,900.05U; Chester. 55,970,229: Lancaster, Sn.320.202 Lehigh, S2.416,815 Montgomerj', $0,080,078. Value of annual products sold and consumed per acre Berks, SU.OO Bucks, 818.83 Chester, S14.86 Lancaster, ?18.9ii

:

such an enterprise must always encounter in

trials that

lasting

comparative

W. Hol-

this Society t)n

themselves together and resolved to battle against the

;

cost of building

Dr. George

an address before

the 19th of October, 1856, referring to the organiza-

areas

;

The Montgomery

be considered the starting-point

tion of the society, says

33

S8.T

chinery, §1,567,046

may

This

the history of the society.

in

28 47 60 45 12 00

to style themselves "

Jeflersonville Agricultural Association of

S'2o

Total

Farm

by which they agreed

County."

Averags Annual Valw^ of Prodncl of Milk Cows. Gallons of milk per cow, loS, 10 2[ 2,:t48 2,230 l,tK)9l

971

998

1,:)44!

1.419

l,).:i5

1.'69|

7)i3l

1,2.19;

1,292J

743 1,007 904' 1,1:17

025

1,27:!

l,:i)HI,

1,407

1,741

2,12.1

10,21H)|

1,150

1,01S!

2,.'i04

2.2: ix

:i,427

12,)H)5

l,:i95i

1,285 1,070

,222 .209 .188 ,197 ,870

1.0H2

2,244

2,S2:l

,2) (2

1,008!

1,108!

l,:ioi

2,457 1,440

1,084

,71I5|

1,001

1,9241 2,079 1,137 1,224

2,408 I,:i51

3,048' 1,402

'.I"''*!

'.™"

14,700 ,

.1.10

1,050

8,840i

830

12,7.15!

1,:122

l,:i:iii

1,4:17

,

.

.

.

2.,440

1,011

a

;i:il

!i,MMi|

.i.i.w'

New Hanover

.

.

.

998l l,ls:i

2,:1IH)

.

Pottsgrove

.

.

2.0,")8

o72

1,292 1,981 727, 1,741

1001

•

.

l,8:l(i

[

.

.

. :

941

K48i

10,90)1

.\bington .June, 173(i . Original Before 1714 Part Manor of Mount Joy November, 1805 Providence, 1729 Ujiper Providence Salfor.1, 1727 March, 1741 Ul)per Salford Uj»per and Lower Merion Weat Conehuhocken Borough Oct. 6, 1874 1704 . Original Whitemarsh Original 17U1 Whitpain Original, 8000 acres . . March, 17:B Worcester

Before

.

T.'iO

)i5G|

8,.^(KI

Limerick G. Maria Penn's Manor

.

.

"(187

(129

8,9:10

& Van Behber's,1713

Douglas and '

,

i

!l,"i20'

9,14:)'

ih-iginal

.

.

i,o,'>;i

21191

.

Gwynedd

.

IS I.-.

.

1880. -S

!

.

Skipjiack

.

1.

Edge Hill, Fairview village, Frederick, General Wayne, Harleysville, Huntingdon Valley, King of Prussia, Limerick Bridge, Lower Merion, Montgomery\iIIe, Norritonville, Pennsburg, Penn Square, Plymouth Meeting. Port Kennedy, Port Providence, Royer's Ford, Salfordville, Schwenk's Store, Sorrel Horse, Tylersport. , 18.51-58.

1858-71.

— Broad Axe, Cabinet, Cbeltenhain, Eagleville, Fitzwatertown, Hoppenville, Hickorytown, Prospectville, Shoemakertown.

—Bridgeport,

who

are required

is

a great disadvantage to the sender.

When

the

author resides in the country, and wishes to communictite with his publisher in the city, though near a post-

may

many miles from an expresscompelled to go in order to send his parcel, unless he pays letter rates for it by mail, which is sixty-four cents per pound. In either case, it will be observed, considerable unnecessary expense is incurred, to the great detriment of authors. It is time that a more libertd pidicy Ijc pursued here towards the encouragement of literature. With our present easy and frequent mail facilities yet he

office, to

which he

be

is

and numerous post-offices, the disadvantages labored under formerly can be best understood by the following announcement of letters not called for remaining at Norristown, October 4, 1799, as advertised by John Davis, postmaster, which we give verbatim (3),

Miss

Ann

Little,

Nockamixon

:

Messrs.

George and Andrew Stewart (nierchants\ Maurice Stephans, Esq., Dr. Charles Mcjore, Montgomery township William Orr, C'bester County Nathaniel Boileau, Esq., near the Billet; William Boyd, care of A. Crawford (3), Robert Morrison, James Mclntire, Lower Merion township, 2; William Paine, Cornelius Fornoston, Andrew Todd, Trap; ;

Mordecai

IMoore, Sen., Great Valley Cadwallader Roberts Stephen, Love Mayson, Horsham township, 2 David Rittenhouse, Jacob Longaker to the care of A, Darragh, William Bl'Cray, Benjamin ShultJS, Upper Hanover; Daniel Jonrdan, near the Billet William Dill, Merion township; Jocob Bittle, Mrs. Berey de Sebert, Trap; Conrad Zorns^ ;

;

;

—.\bington. Blue Bell, Conshohocken, Crooked Hill, Douglas,

Gilbertsville,

rates of letter postage,

on but one side of the paper. The result of this is to compel authors to forward their manuscript by express, to the great emolument of those companies and a loss to the government. In either respect this

"Charles Polaski, Esq.

town, Sw.amp Churches, Whiteniarsh, Willow Grove, Trappe. 1816-27. Barren Hill, Bird-in-Hand, Evansburg, Montgomery Square,

Jeffersonville, Kulpsville, Limerick,

pay the

:

Posl-Offices ]>rior folSlO.

New

to

a serious expense to those

to write

office,

evening: of a marliet day,

is

Collegeville,

Faglcj'sville,

Flourtown, Grater's

Blargaret Dutf."

Several to whom those letters were addressed must have resided above sixteen miles distant, and in one instance all of thirty-five miles. The first newspaper was published in Norristown in 1799, and the second In 1810 the number was only two within in 1801.

I

KOADS. the county, in 1831 it had increased to five, in 1840 to six, and in 1858 to eight. Such were the limited mail fac-ilities that for some time, at first, the aforesaid

453

not to be encroached upon by any planter or builder, may build irregularly to the damage of

that none

another."

The amount thus allowed was

in the pro-

every one hundred as sold to

newspapers were chiefly delivered by regular carriers throughout the county, employed to make weekly trips for this purpose by the several publishers, which entailed some expense. It is very probable that even as late as 1840 one-half of the entire number were Since the inconveyed thus or by stage lines. troduction of railroads and the reduction of newspaper postage the mails have been more and more resorted to, until now we believe that within the county the "paper-carrier " or the "post-rider," as he was respectively called, has become a matter of the past, the deliveries for their patrons being chiefly made in packages to stores, inns, mills and mechanic shops, or the road-side box, placed there on purpose for this accommodation, where no house stood near. Roads.' As an index to the progress of settlement roads have considerable to do, as well as with the

])ortion of six acres for

development of a country's resources. We introduce this subject with the idea of shedding light upon the obscurity that somewhat environs our earliest history down to a period when more ample materials exist. The first highway for travel by land in this State was the road leading from the Swedish and Dutch settlements below Philadelphia to New York. We find this road in 1677 called the "King's Path," and extending through the present towns of New Ca.stle, Wilmington, Chester and Bristol to the Falls, where the Delaware was crossed in canoes. Overseers for the same were appointed by the court at Upland March 14, 1681, to serve for one year, to whom were respectively assigned particular portious, which were to be put in order before the last day of May. This would show that at a remarkably early period the matter was receiving some attention, and at a time when the population must have been necessarily very .sparse and Philadelphia as yet unknown. William Penn, in his "Frame of Government" for the Province of Pennsylvania, adopted the 2d of Second Month, 1682, in section 8th, states "That the Governor and Provincial Council shall at all times settle and order the situation of all cities and markettowns in every county, modeling thereon all j)ublic buildings, streets and market-jilaces, and shall appoint jdl necessary roads and highways in this province and territories thereof." In his "Conditions and Concessions to First Purchasers" he provides "that the surveyors shall consider which roads and highways will be necessary for the cities, towns, or through the lands. Great roads from city to city, not to contain less than forty feet in breadth, shall be first laid out and declared to be for highways before the dividend of acres be laid out for the purchaser, and the like observation to be had for the streets in the towns and cities, that there may be convenient roads and streets preserved,

by six sufiicient householders of the neighborhood, and its expediency and necessity agreed to by at least four of the number. The width, formerly limited to forty feet, was now reduced to thirty -three, and to be

—

1

By

Will. J.

Buck.

the

first

purchasers and was given as a compensation they might sustain, not only in consequence

for the loss

all roads or highways, but also for the unevenness of the grounds and for barrenness or waste. After Penn's return, in his instructions to LieutenantGovernor Blackwell, dated London, 25th of Seventh Month, 1688, he charges him "That care be taken of the roads and highways in the country, that they may be straight and commodious for travelers, for I understand they are turned about by the planters, which is This showed a mischief that must not be endured."

of laying out

him

on •the subject that is creditable. was passed in 1700 to authorize the justices of the Quarter Sessions, upon petition presented to them, to cause roads to be laid out from or to any dwelling-place not near a highway, to be first viewed in

An

a solicitude

act

duly recorded as public roads or highways.

In 1705

was passed that "No travelling waggon or cart, or other carriage, going or coming to the city of Philadelphia, between the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill, in the county of Philadelphia, carrying any burden, shall be drawn in any highway or road with above If any person shall three horses or oxen in length." cause such "to be drawn with a greater number of horses or oxen, then in such case the horses or oxen shall draw in pairs, that is to say, two abreast for such a number as they shall use, except one horse;" the The act fine for every offense to be forty shillings. of 1734 provides that no roads shall be laid out through any man's improved grounds unless there be an actual In this case the land wa.s to be valued by necessity. six persons, to be appointed by the court, and the price an

act

thereof to be paid to the owner by the persons at

whose request and for whose use the same was laid These were also to be recorded as public roads, and to be cleared and maintained by the persons using the same; and to stop or interrupt the course, or commit any nuisance thereon, subjected the offenders out.

to a penalty.

We find in the early petitions lor townships to the Court of Quarter Sessions that the principal cause assigned therein for the request, seers to keep the repair.

highways

in

is

the want of over-

proper condition and

Take, for instance, this extract, presented in

June term, 1736: " Whereim, upon the petition of

tjeveriil

of

tiie

luhabitaiits of the

township of Ouley to the last Court, setting forth that for several years past about four miles distant from the High Road leading to Philadelphia through George McCall's Manor and several other tracts of land, have been so bad that it was ditlicult for a single Horse to pass without damage, and th.it the said Petitioners had several times represented to this Court the badness thereof, but that nothing as yet

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

454 had beeu done

;

the reason

is,

they were informed, was because no

Overeeers have been yet appointed by the Court over the said roadi

and that

tliere

was

at least thirty families settled in the

are not in Hanover or

the aforesaid road lieth erect the said

.sjtid

lauds

who

Amity townships, between which townships prayed the said Coiirt would be pleased to

;

Lauds into a Township, aud appoint a

C'oustable

and

Whereupon the Court erected said township of Douglass, and appoint John Ball and James Yokhaui Overseers of Highways of the said township, aud Andrew Ringberry Constable." Overseers.

To the same court was

also presented a petition Cor

the erection of Upper Hanover townsliip, wherein is stated "that there are above sixty families settled on lands between Salford and New Hanover, which land is six miles long and six miles wide, and no Constable or Overseer of the Poor or Highways within the said lands." Robert Thomas and Frederick Hillegas were apiioiuted overseers of the highways within the new township and to serve for the ensuing year. For without a township organization no taxes could be collected to meet such expenses neither was there any local authority to keep roads in proper order or enforce repairs, no matter how impassable or danger;

All public roads or highways within the boundaries

of a township were placed under

One

—

Joshua Knight aud Lewis Roberts; 1773, Evan I7sr>, Isaac Whiteman and Joseph W'ebster. Cheltenham. 1707, Bartholomew Mather 178.">, .\lexander Loller and Thomas Shoemaker. Horsham. 1707, Daniel Jones and Abraham Lukeus 1773, Robert Iredell and Samuel Conau 17H.'), Abniham Lukeus and William Miller ; 1810, Joseph Keuderdine aud Is;iac Parry. Lower Meriou. 1707, Robert .[ones and Stephen Goodman 1773, Stephen Carpenter and John SCell 178.^, William Stadlenian and John Jones 1810, Lewis Knox and Peter Pechan. Moreland. 1707, Philip Wynkoop and John Hancock 1773, Isaac Cadwallader and John Summer 1785, Garret Van Buskirk aud John Rlioads 1810, Amos ,\ddiB and Charles Johnson. Montgomery. 1707, Humphrey Bate 1773, Samuel Hiues 1810. Jacob Kneedier and John ({ordon. Plymouth. 1707, David Morris; 1785, Frederick Dull ami Joseph Levering 1810, John Shoemaker and Henry Clare. Springfield. 1810, Jacob Miller and Robert McCurdy. Towamencin. 1773, Frederick W^ampole 1810, Joseph Smith and .\bingtou.

17157,

Roberts and John Paul

;

—

;

—

;

;

—

;

;

;

—

;

;

;

—

its

care and manage-

or two overseers were appointed by the

—

;

— —

John Boorse. Upper Dublin.

;

— 1773, Jobti Spencer and John

;

—

;

A

;

county situated as Montgomery

roads spreading through

When summoned, every taxable or

framework of a

freeholder was comhe refused to obey, a penalty could be imjjosed. This was imperative in the case of damages arising from great floods and snows of considerable depths. The expense was met through county levies well into this century. The overseers or supervisors were also responsible for the repair or renewal of all causeways and small bridges, those on the dividing or boundary lines to be shared equally by the districts. A petition was presented to the court in December Sessions, 1731, by .some of the inhabitants of Upjicr Dublin, praying that the township line road with Horsham be divided, and that the supervisors of the latter township be required to keep their portion in proper condition, "which hath been hitherto neglected," and the court so ordered The town-book of Upper Dublin has been preserved, commencing in 176.5, from which we ascertain that but one overseer or supervisor was appointed down to 1772, since which period the number has been two. Edward Burk retained the office longest, from 1777 to 1786. The town-book of Cheltenham commences in November, 1767, when the road expenses amounted 8rf.

The

if

act of April

6,

1802, authorized

the election of two supervisors in each township on

every third Saturday of JIarch, who, in addition, were required to put up index-boards.

In case of no elec-

March

24, 1818, empowered the judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions

tion or irregularity, the act of

to

fill

We

vacancies.

here present a

of overseers of highways in

is,

and embracing

the contiguous territory from the north to the west

Philadelphia, must

of

have numerous from that point, like the

necessarily it

fan. Such roads were the earliest highways, and, as settlements extended farther and

farther in those directions,

theybecame more and more

has been stated, on good authority, that the products of Pennsylvania became so considimportant.

It

erable that in 1760, for their transportation to the city alone, from eight to nine thousand

quired.

Now,

wagons were

re-

as two-thirds of the territory surround-

ing Philadelphia was within our present county limits, is

it

reasonable to conclude

th.at

of the

.said

number of

wagons about six thousand must have passed over our roads to market within the space of one year. Hence

we

see the importance of this subject with reference promoting easy and ready means for the several purposes connected with business or traffic so long to

before the era of steamboats, canals

The

and

railroads.

mention of a road within the county's present limits yet found is in the petition of James Fox and other settlers of Plymouth to the Council to laid out from the city to said have a " cart-road place, for which a permit was given 5th of Second Month, 1687, and the road must have been opened not long after for use. Nicholas Scull and some others petitioned from Sandy Run for a road for the purpose of hauling lime from the kilns to the city, the road to meet the Plymouth road near Creisheim, or the upper This road tlie Council ordered part of Germantown. but it appears, from to be laid out May 19, 1698 earliest

''

;

a subsequent petition, that nothing further

was done

matter until March, 1703, when the court ordered it to be opened according to the petitioners' in the

list

18|0, Christopher

;

attention to the roads within their respective districts.

work upon them, aud

;

Upper Salford.— l:S7, John Hildebidle aud Philip Wentz 1773, Rich178.'}, Valentine Kratz and Michael Schall 1810, Frederick Barndt and .\braliam Schall Whitemai-sh. 17*67, John Kitler and Jacob Edge; 1773, John Kitler aud Jauies White 1785, Joseph Lukeus aud George Freas 1810, Jacob Gilbert and .Andrew Fisher.

all

to £23 19s.

Burk

Dresber and Jonathan Scout.

Court of Quarter Sessions in each, the number someits territorial extent and population. The overseers were held responsi!)le for due

what depending on

pelled to

;

;

ard Klein;

ous their condition.

ment.

the several townships, being the earliest and fullest we could secure:

ROADS. request.

We

next find that the inhabitants of North

up to their settlement, staling that they then numbered in said township above tliirty families. The court ordered the road to be laid out from Philadelphia, through Germantown, up into the present Gwynedd. This was the beginning of what lias been since known as the Bethlehem road. The same court also confirmed the laying out of a road leading from Merion MeetingHou.se to Powell's ferry, on the Schuylkill, which

Wales

petitioned, in June, 1704, for a road

was, very probably, at or near the present

West Man-

ayunk.

We

now approach

rapid extension

At March

a period that was

marked by a

of settlement up into the country.

Sessions, 1706, the grant of " a

common

extend from Wissahickon Jlill up to Perkioming Creek at Edward Lane's" (which wa-s laid out Bfty feet wide), was confirmed by the court. John Henry Sprogell, Mounce Jones and cartway or road,

to

others petitioned, in

March

Sessions, 1709, that the

might be extended from Edward Lane's up to " Mauntitaung,'' and it was so ordered. This was the original Reading road, and ran about to the present limits of the county. According to a petition and grant of March Sessions, 1711, a road was laid out " from the bridge between the land of John Humphreys and Edward Foulke, in Gwyneth, to the mills on Penne])ack Creek," at a ford in Moreland township, which grant and laying out the court, in September, 1712, confirmed. This was the original Welsh road, leading from the present Spring House to Huntingdon Valley, where the early settlers went to have their said road

455

Richland township, Bucks Co., to John Humphrey's, near the present Spring House, in Gwynedd. To this same point another road was located in 1717, commencing " at Theophilus Williams' plantation, on Neshaminy creek." The Limekiln road, extending southwards from Fitzwatertown, was in use and known by that name before 171G. The road leading from Whiteland, in Chester County, to Swedes' Ford, on the Schuylkill, was laid out in 1723, thus showing travel from a new direction. The road leading from the present Salfordville, through Lederachsville, to Skippack was surveyed and confirmed in June, 1728. The present highway from Sumneytown, through Harleysville and Kuljjsville, to the Spring House was surve3"ed and confirmed in June, 1735. In August following the Bethlehem road was originally laid out from the lands of Peter Trexler, in the present Lehigh County, to the Spring House, thus making this an early and important centre for roads. Friends' Meeting-houses were made early and prominent termini for roads, particularly in directions at

variance with the usual routes towards the city.

From Abington Meeting-House to Byberry MeetingHouse a survey was made and confirmed in September, 1712; from the latter place to Horsham MeetingThe road from Plymouth House in tlune, 1720. Meeting-House to Gwynedd or North Wales ilectingMarch, 1717, and which, it from Fitzwaters lime-kilns, in Upper Dublin, to AbingThe road ton Meeting-House in December, 1724. from Germantown to Abington Meeting-House was

House was surveyed

in

appears, was reconfirmed in December, 17ol

;

over one-

confirmed in June, 173o, since known as Washington Lane from St. Thcnnas' Church, in Whitemarsh, to

answer to the prayer of a petition presented to Governor Gookin and Council, who appointed twelve prominent freeholdere residing along the route to make the survey. The action of the freeholders was subsequently confirmed. This important thoroughfare commenced at the intersection of Fourth and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, and terminated at John Reading's land-, ing, on the river Delaware, now known as Centre Bridge. It passed through the present Rising Sun Shoemakertown, Jenkintown, Willow Grove and Hatburo'. It received its name from being one of the early routes of travel between the two great cities. The want and laying out of this road at the time shows that the progress of settlement had been pretty well extended towards the north and northeastwards, even to the boundaries of the province.

Oxford Church, was surveyed and cnnfirmed in September, 1734. The road from Gwynedd Jleeting-House to Swedes' Ford was surveyed in March, 1738, and ordered, in September, 17.56, to be resurveyed and opened thirty-two feet in width, which the court conAlso a road fnnu the latter meeting-house firmed. through Whitpain was surveyed and a review ordered This is very probably the presin December, 1746. ent highway from Gwynedd to Blue Bell. That which became the greatest of all our traveled thoroughfares, the road from Lancaster to the foot of High (now Market) Street ferrv, was laid out November 23, 1741 and since denominated the old Lancaster road, in contradistinction to the turnpike route, which was materially straightened. By Lewis Evans' map we know that' the Gulf road must have been opened to travel, at least as far as Valley Forge, several years before 1749. Several im|)ortant roads were laid out in 1766. The

grain converted into flour,

it

being but

little

third the distance to the city.

The York road was ordered

A

;

to be laid out in

road commencing " at a stake in the upper line towuship, over Skippack Creek," to

of Bebber's

Edward Farmar's

on the " Gwynedd road," was laid out and confirmed in March, 1713, and in the following August was surveyed and a draft made. This is the well-known Skippack road, terminating about a mile above Flourtown in the Bethlehem turnpike. As early as June, 1714, a road was laid out from mill,

,

Upper Ridge, commencing on the

line

of Bucks

County, was laid out August 26th, passing through the jiresent Tylersport and extending w&stwardly through the townships of LTpper Salford, Marlborough, Fred-

New Hanover and Pottsgrove, ending at "Turkey Point," on the Schuylkill. It was reviewed

erick,

Feljruary 19, 1767, and confirmed by the court,

who

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

456

directed the several overseers of highways along the

route to open the same.

On September 3d

a road was

out through Marlborough township to Funk's

laid

mill (formerly Grove's), on the east side of

Perkiomen

Creek, to be thirty-five feet in width. lu November of that year likewise a road from the Pottstown ferryi by the division lines of New Hanover and Douglas,

and across the Skippack road and lands of the late William Mayberry, deceased, to the Bucks County line.

We

are unable at present to state the exact date of

the opening of the Kidge road through the present

borough of Norristown, but we find it called the " New Reading or Egypt road" in 1774, which would imply that it could not have l)een long in use. As an important auxiliary to roads and travel, we must not omit some mention of bridges. In looking over the early laws very little can be found on the subject; and no wonder, for during the whole colonial period comparatively few were built, and these were very rude and chiefly constructed of logs. An act was passed August 15, 1732, authorizing bridges over all small creeks to be built and maintaiued by order o^ the justices of the Quarter Sessions, the grand jury^ assessors and commissioners, the latter defraying the expenses from the county funds. The earliest mention ascertained of a bridge in the county was in 1717, at John Humphreys', in Gwynedd township. In the laying out of the Governor's road from the Bucks County line to the present Willow Grove, in 1722, mention is made of a bridge over Round Meadow Run, at the latter place. The grand jury, in 1773, reports the bridge on the York road, over Penny pack Creek, at Hatboro,' as very much out of repair, and recommend its improvement at the cost of the county. It was en. tirely rebuilt in 1789. We have the authority of Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg's journal that in the Revolution there were no bridges on the Reading road over either the Perkiomen or Skippack Creeks, though a main road to Philadelphia and in a thickly-settled country. The grand jury reports, in 1786, the bridge over Stony Creek, at Norristown, as being unsafe, from one of its abutments being undermined. The venerable bridge at Bird-in-Hand, over Gulf Creek, must be considerably over a century old.

Substantial stone bridges

were built on the Ridge road, over Plymouth Creek and the Perkiomen, in 1798, and both are in use. The latter was considered a great affair in its day and cost sixty thousand dollars. The bridge on the Bethlehem road, over Sandy Run, below Fort Washington was erected in 1792, and over Tacony Creek, at Shoemakertown, in 1798. The bridge over the Manatawny, at Pottstown, was completed in 1805, and was also quite an undertaking at the expense of the county, costing thirty-five thousand dollars. Milestones, in this connection, also deserve attention.

We

some

could find no law whatever respecting

Gulf road, in Upper and Lower Merion, on the faces of which are denoted the number of miles They are of soapstone, and hence to Philadelphia. more easily wrought upon. They average about three and a half feet high and ten inches in thickness. This road was probably laid out about 1740, and these milestones are the only ones known to bear such emblems. The late H. C. Hill, of Norristown, took sufficient interest in them a few years ago to have those that had fallen over replaced, and traced them up to Valley Forge. It is singular by whose order it was done. The county, no doubt, bore the expense, for the Penn family took no lead or interest in promoting works of public utility. On the road from the Spring House to Sumneytown the milestones bear the date of 1767, thus proving them to be of colonial origin. On the Bethlehem road, above Pleasantville, Bucks Co., a milestone bears on its face " 1793. 44 M. to P." There may, perhaps, be found, on some other roads in the county, milestones with dates. This matter is deserving attention and ^yorthy of future investigation. Peter Kalm, in his "Travels in 174849," states that " there are not yet any milestones put up in the country; the inhabitants compute the distance side of the

by guess." Turnpike roads claimed the attention of the people of Montgomery County at quite an early period. The Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike was the road

first

vania,

if

of the

kind

constructed

not in America.

It

per mile, having a course in the county of about

The Germantown and Perkiomen turnpike, on the Reading road, twenty-five miles in length, was commenced in 1801 and finfour and one-half miles.

ished in 1804, at a cost of $11,287 per mile,

sum

for that day.

and Spring House turnpike, eight miles in length, on the Bethlehem road, finished in 1804, at over .$8000 per mile, and in 1814 extended into Hilltown, Bucks the PerkioCo., three miles above Line Lexington men and Reading, twenty-nine miles, at $7000, commenced in 1811 and finished in 1815; the Ridge turn;

pike, twenty-four miles, at $7500,

commenced

in

1812

Doylestown and Willow Grove turn])ikc, eleven and one-half miles, at $3000, commenced in 1839 and finished in 1840; the Sumneytown and Spring House turnpike was completed in 1848 the Fox Chase and Huntingdon Valley turn-

and finished

in 1816;

;

pike was finished in 1848 to the "Sorrel

Horse"

March

11, 18.50,

tavern, five miles to

extend

soon

after

it

to

(an act was passed

Richborough, Bucks Co., which was the Conshohocken and

accomplished)

;

Pcnn

"

standing along the east

— certainly

Next, the Cheltenham and Willow Grove turnpike, eleven miles in length, on the York road, commenced in 1803 and completed the following year, at $8000 per mile; the Chestnut Hill a nice

Plymouth turnpike, constructed, " Broad Axe," and extended, in

still

in

1792 and finished in two years, at a cost of $7500

them; hence guide-boards would have superior claims. Several venerable stones, bearing on the rear side the coat-of-arms, are

Pennsyl-

in

was commenced

Three Tons," seven and one-half

in

1855, miles,

1849,

to

the

beyond the on the Butler

ROADS. road; the Perkiomen

and Sumneytown turnpike,

course. About half its distance in the county has been turnpiked since 1852. It was a beneficial improvement, and deserves, in this connection, honorable mention.

twelve miles, completed in 1849, and the following year extended one and one-quarter miles, to Green

Lane; the Hatboro' and Warminster, commencing at Willow Grove, on the York road, four and one-half miles, finished in

1850, cost $2800

per

mile;

Even down to the beginning of this century much way of transportation was done on horseback

in the

the

;

huge

Limekiln turnpike and also the Goshenlioi)pen and Green Lane were completed in 1851 the Bridgeport and King of Prussia, on the State road, completed in 1853, and the Skippack pike the following year; the Limerick and Colebrookdale turnpike in 1855 the Willow Grove and Germantown plank-road and turnpike, completed in 1857, cost $8000 per mile the Gorysville pike and the Harleysville and Souderton pike were completed before 1866 the Harleysville and Lederachsville and the Norristown and Centre Square pikes were finished in 1868; the pike from Blue Bell to Penllyn in 1872.

conveyed on horseback, it mattered not whether on business or pleasure, as well as to their different

;

may

be justly

e.stiniated

this time

about two hundred miles of turn-

places of worship on the Sabbath.

For hauling, sleds latter were at first very rudely constructed, with but little or no iron, and the wheels generally of solid wood, cut with a saw from the end of a log. The roads, which were made with little regard for the removal of rocks and stumps or the bridging of streams, through the action of frost and unfavorable weather, could not fail at were used previously

that there are in the

pike roads, constructed at a cost of upwards of a million dollars. It was this improvement in facilitating tran.sportation that opened the way for the introduction of canals and railroads, the latter now so

larly

be but thirty-four miles constructed to surpass in

How

to

wagons.

The

be rendered almost impassable, particuduring the winter and early spring.

intervals to

decidedly leading the way that at this time there need length the aforesaid total turnpike mileage.

and baskets, or panniers, were

and horsemen would thus be seen nearly surrounded with poultry, pork, butter, flax, etc., and even live calves and sheep would be taken to market by such means. Old and young, male and female, were usually

;

It

sacks, wallets

constructed and used for this especial purpose. In this way nearly all produce was taken to Philadelphia,

;

county at

457

I

wonderfully illustrative of our progress in population

A tongue-cart was the first general conveyance lo market, and, as a protection against the weather, a coverlet would be stretched on hickory boughs. Gigs

I

and wealth within a period of considerably less than a century In our recent researches we have become con-

and chairs began

vinced

fifty-three

that

the

construction

of

our

turnpikes

ham,

tered in

riton,

1828,

and,

after

several

years'

exertions,

was abandoned, when incorporation was obtained ]8;i.S, and it was completed in three years. The Sumneytown and Spring House Company was first incorporated in 1829, and was not successful. A second charter was obtained in 1845, and after a three years' struggle this road was also finished. Tlie Willow Grove and Germantown Plank-Road and Turnpike Company, which was chartered in 1858, was fourvears in progress, and, owing to expensive lawsuits for right of way, cost its stockholders more than dduble its again in

original estimate.

Pursuant

to

an act of Assembly, pa.ssed

1830, the State road

was

laid

following, forty feet in width,

A|)ril

(!,

out December 21tth

commencing

at

New

Hope, on the river Delaware, pas.sing tlirough Dovlestown and the townships of Jlontgomery, Gwynedd, Whitpain, Norriton and Upi)er Merion, and the boroughs of Xorristown and Bridgeport, on the present De Kalb Street. It extends the full breadth of the county, the distance being sixteen miles, seventy-two chains and sixty-nine links, passing through West Chester tothe Maryland line in ageneral southwesterlv

come for

into use just before the

conveyance on business or

As these were

pleasure.

was often attended with great difficulties, which reand indomitable perseverance to overcome. We find, for instance, that the Doylestown and Willow Grove Turnpike Company was char-

f Davis,

4, '99.

P.

M."

s.ame issue of the Gazette contains the report of the October elec-

tion for the year 1799, the editor prefacing the statement as follows

"The good we

conducted, its

order with which the election of the First District waa are happy to observe, rertects no small degree of praise on

The following

mend)ei's.

are the totals of the votes of this county

for the flifferent candidates; although the statement

allowed to be accurate

GoVERNOn. 2,2->l

James Ross

1,79.-,

3IcKean

3Ij\jority for

is

not

oflicial, it is

:

Thomas McKean

.

.

.

42(i

Frederick Conrod Isaiah Davis

....

*1,1-M

Jonathan Roberts

....

2,227 2,21G

Federal Candidates.

'

.Sen.\tor.

Cadwallader Evans Benjamin Brooke .... Henry Pawling

I,i51>

Henry Sweitzer

1,

.

John Richards

2,211 1,775

Zebulon Potts

Richards

The number of newspapers which have existed in Montgomery County is very large, and we can scarcely all.

(to the care

.

,

l,7.'i7

1,811 1

7a

Ma.jority in this county for

the county.

hope to trace in detail the history of tluni

Cornelius Fcrnis-

;

Jlordecai Moore, Sen., Great Valley; Cadwal-

Love Mason, Horsham township,

Jacob Longaker

Skippackville, North Wales, Lansdale, CoUegeville,

Schwenksville, Telford,

;

Benjamin Shultz, Upper Hanover township; Daniel Jordeu, near the Billet William Dill, Merion township Jacob Jeans, John Hood, and Jacob Bittle.

of local or

county newspapers are among the most desirable works of reference, and should be found in all public There are nineteen newspaper establishlibraries. ments within the limits of the county, and these are located at fourteen difl'erent places, viz. Xorristown, Pottstown,

Tmp

lader Robert Stephen, luiuse,

ners are mirrored in them.

Ttidd,

For

Norristown, who, in June of that year, commenced the publication of a small paper which he called The

'

\ssEMiiLV .-is.tMBi.1.

County Commissioners.

'

Henry Sheetz John Roberts

(Rep. Can.) (Fed. Can.)

2,21;-!

...

«9

1,774

Hepnhltcan Candtdaies.

Nathaniel Boileau

The number

years after the organization of the

county there were but two local journals, the ITerald, which was Federal in poltics, and the Register, which supported the National Repuljlican, sulisequently the Democratic party. The first i)rinting-(>ftice in the county was established in 179!) by David Sower, at

43t;

....

2,223

Majority lor Sheetz

of the Gazette referred to contains the following:

"

"An

Indian chief being asked his opinion of a cask of Madeira wine presented to him by an officer, said he thought it a juice extracted from women's tongues and lion's hearts, for after he had drank a bottle of it, he said, //e

coidd

2'rhe

/or ever and Jight the dtvil/'

tall: fil>,t

number

of the NoiTistoim Herald and ]\'eeHii AdrertiHer was

issued October 13, 1800.

inches

l)y

ten

;

It

was a four-page paper, nineteen and a half It was pub-

each page Wits divided into three columns.

lished by David Sower,

half-yearly in advance.

and the price was two dollars per annum, payable It was Federal in politics.

JOURNALISM. of editorial facts.

comment than

But the

editor's

a detailed narration of the

columns teemed with reading-

matter of another and not less interesting description. private correspondence and from the cohimns

From

of his exchanges he gathered a great amount of valuable information, and those who catered to the taste of the reading public of

Montgomery County made

their selections with judicious care.

A series of letters

from Europe, published in the Herald during the early part of the present century, and written by an officer attached to the American squadron then cruising in the Mediterranean, would even now interest the historical student. The letter-writer of that day enjoyed

459

violence that his printing-oflice was

mobbed by the

supporters of the administration, probably the first

and

instance of that species of public criticism

last

Montgomery County has afforded. After some other changes of fortune the paper passed, in 1816, into the hands of another member of the same family, David Sower, Jr., who continued to that

publish it.

it

and four times enlarged John Hodgson, of Chester

for eighteen years,

In 1834

it

was sold

to

who

sold it, three years later, to Robert Mr. Iredell united with it the Free Press, which had been established in 1829 as the organ of the Anti-Ma.sonic party, and the name of the publication was changed to the Herald and Free Press, which

County, Iredell.

an advantage which has been lost to his posterity. No correspondent, for example, would now dream of it still retains. At a much later date the same estabnoting the bombardment of an important seaport, lishment absorbed still another office. About 1842, knowing that the fullest particulars of the event would F. P. Sellers started the Olive Branch, at Doylestown, be wired to the entire civilized world within twenty- as an organ of Washingtouian temperance sentiment, But when such cor- and in 1850 he removed it to Norristown, where it four hours after its occurrence. respondence was the sole source of information, it became, under the auspices of the Rev. Samuel Aaron may well be imagined tliat the unpretentious sheets and others, the exponent of both temperance and free soil. In 1853 it was sold to a stock company, and in which it was published were sought for with eagerNor were the Dr. Joseph Moyer, of Hilltown, Bucks Co., assumed ness and read witli profound interest. researches of the editor confined to the columns of the management. Two years later he retired and his exchanges. His pages often contained extracts was succeeded by Lewis H. Gause, who conducted it from works of the highest merit. He reproduced the until the spring of 1857, when most of the stockholders essays of Addiscm and the speculations of Locke. sold their interests to M. Auge and James Hooven, Public libraries were not easily accessible; books who changed its name to the Norristown Republican. were dear, and the editor of the year 1800, if he had Mr. Auge became the editor and manager, and in hi* not the means of collecting news which have been so hands the publication continued until 1862. It was abundantly developed within the memory of the pre- then sold to Howard M. .Tcnkins and Wilmer Atkinson. In 1864, Morgan R. Wills purchased of Robert Iredell sent generation, supplied other and equally important wants which are now filled through other channels. one-half interest in the Weekhj //pra/rf, publishing it This It must not, however, be supposed that these early jointly thereafter with Robert Iredell, Jr. journals contained nothing of local interest. If arrangement continued until 1865, when the firm reporters were not employed, their services were not became Wills, Iredell & Jenkins, the Norrisiou-n so indispensable as they have since become. Full Eejinblican, owned by Atkinson & Jenkins, being accounts of all political gatherings of importance consolidated with the Hrrald, Mr. Atkinson retiring. appear in the respective organs f)vcr the signatures The Eej/iil/liran was continued for several years as a of their secretaries. Societies of various description semi-weekly. Mr. Howard M. .Jenkins retired from were equally accommodating. While the editors the firm in 1867, and the remaining members. Wills did not feel called upon to give tlieir own views on & Iredell, became possessed of the Lehigh Reyliter, public questions at length in every edition, they Allentown, Pa. In 1869, Robert Iredell, Jr., puropened their columns ircely to corresjjondents of chased Mr. Wills' interest in the Lehigh Register, and their own political faith, and the correspondents removed to Allentown, Mr. Wills purchasing Mr. seldom failed to avail themselves of the privilege. Iredell's interest in the Herald and Semi-Weeklij Over assumed names they argued matters of public Republican, thus becoming sole proprietor of the controversy, abused opposition parties and put awk- Herald. On the 20th of December of that year Mr. ward questions to candidates in a style upon which Wills issued the initial number of the Norristoirn the modern writers of political leaders, it must in Dailij Herald, and for three years issued it as a onecandor be said, have nuide little, if any, improvement. cent journal. It has been several times enlarged, and The progress of the county journals, tlie increase the price increased from one to two cents per copy. in their size and numlier and tlie change in their It is now universally regarded as one of the most character have been as gradual as the alteration in readable publications in the L^'nited States, and owes the condition under which their business was con- much of its popularity to Mr. John H. Williams, a ducted. The Herald was published Ijy David Sower humorist of national reputation, who is one of its until 1809, when he transferred it to his oldest son, editors. The Daibj Hcruld was the first daily newsCharles Sower, Jr. l)aper successfully established in Montgomery County. The latter opposel the war with England with such Robert Ikedell. Mr. Iredell is descended from

—

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

460

whose genealogical record, dating back several hundred years, is in the possession His great-grandfather, Thomas of one of his sons. Iredell, was born in Cumberland, England, became much interested in the preaching of William Penn, a very old English

ftiinily,

finally, leaving the Church of England, joined the Society of Friends, from whose Monthly Meeting, held at Pardsay Cragg, Cumberland, he received his

and

27, 1700, when he sailed for Philawas married, March 9, 1705, at the old Friends' Meeting-house, corner of Second and Market Streets, Philadelphia, to Rebeckah Williams, and

June

certificate,

delphia.

He

August 17, 1710, moved to Horsham, Montgomery Co., where he purchased a large tract of land,

died

December

8,

1850.

He

married

Hannah

Kirk, daughter of Rynear and Elizabeth Bliss Kirk, Their children were on the 10th day of May, 1792. Charles, George B., Joseph L., James W., Thomas, Jonathan, Seth and Robert. The last named, the subject of this sketch, was born October 15, 1809,

homestead at Horsham, where his youth, until His educahe was seventeen years of age, was spent. tion was received at the school at Horsham Meeting, and later at LoUer Academy, Hatboro', Montgomery Co., after which, having determined to learn the I)rinter's art, he removed to Norristown and entered into an apprenticeship with David Sower, publisher of the Norristown. Herald, remaining with his emat the old

^^c-^ T- /f.^^A

In August, 1831, he purchased the Henry Bell, of Reading,

part of which he gave to the Friends and U])on which

ployer

Thomas and Rebeckali Iredell had seven children, oneof whom, Robert (born .January 4, 1721, and^died in 1799), married Hannah Lukens.' Their children were sixteen in num-

Norrisloirn Free Press from

was

ber.

built the meeting-house.

Jonathan was born

October

10,

1765,

It

may

county in operation at tlie present time. Ue gate of tlio lane leading to his residence two pine-trees, wliich grew to be very large trees. Both were torn by storms, t>ut tlie trunk of one of them, consisting of two logs twelve feet in leugtli, wjis in .\pril, 1680, tJikeu to tlie wiw-niill which been bad erected nearly one buu'lreil and forty years before, and sawed into boards by his grand-

liaps the oldest in thej

planted at

tlie

years.

who founded lie it

it

as

an anti-Masonic journal.

In 1837

became owner of the Norristown Herald, and united with

tiie

Free Press, the paper being

known

as the

and

not be uninteresting or inappropriate here to state that Hannah Lukeuswiisa sister of Jolin Lultens, wlio, in 1743, erected a saw -mill on the head-waters of the Penuypack Creek, in Horeham township, per1

furchaser of another jiaper. Hon. Jacob Fry, being the political rival of Mr. Sterigere, had induced his brother Daniel to start Two years the Montgomery Watchman in 1849. later it passed into the hands of Daniel H. Neiman and E. B. Moore, and in 18.53 the latter became the sole proprietor. In 1858, through the Hon. Owen Jones, it was purchased by Dr. Acker as a means of securing harmony in the party, and the publication was continued under the name of the Register and Dr. Montgomery County Democrat and Watchman. Acker continued publishing the journal until 1877. In 1875 he started the Daily Register, which he pubout the Montgomery Democrat, a rival

lished

for

three years.

In 1877 the establishment

was sold by the sherifi" and purchased by Isaiah B. Houpt. The question whether the latter purchased

JOURNALISM. the exclusive right to use the name of "Register" was contested in the court, and decided in favor of the purchaser by Judge Ross, reserving to Dr. E. L. Aclcer

tlie riglit to publisli

The

the Da'dij Registur}

having omitted to sell the title of the Doily Jtecjister, Mr. H(_)upt changed its name to tlie Daily Watchman, and published it under that title for about a year, when it was discontinued, and the Norristoien Hey isler was sold to E. K. Kneule. Mr. Kneule, in 1880, resumed the publication of a daily edition, which for a sliort time was issued in the morning and gave telegraphic news, but the experiment was soon discon-

sheriff

tinued.

It

is

now

issued in the afternoon as

Norristown Register, and

is

the

the leading Democratic

The Weekly Register is published on Tuesand is Democratic in politics. Mr. Albrecht Kneule founded the Penusburg Democrat, a German weekly newspaper, April, 1857, and continued its publication until July, ]8o8, when it was consolidated with the Baturn Freund, also a German newspaper founded by Enos Benner at Sumncytown about 1830. The Bauer ii Freund has been edited by Mr. Kneule since its consolidation. The paper is published at Penusburg, and has always had a large circulation. It is Democratic in jjolitics, and received a large share of the patronage from that party when

463

Esslinger from his sixth to his fourteenth year, during

which time he acquired a knowledge of the branches of useful learning taught in the German schools, and also a knowledge of the rudiments of the Latin and French languages. In 1846 he entered the Esslinger Zeitiing printing-office as an apprentice and served a term of four years. He subsequently worked as a compositor on a French newspaper at Berne, remaining there for several months.

he accepted an engagement

In the spring of 1850 in

a

large

book and

printing-house in Stuttgart, the capital of berg,

where he worked

when he emigrated His emigration was

Wurtem-

as a compositor until 1852,

to the

United States of America.

to avoid the enforced military

Germany, which was

him.

daily.

service of

n

The Neutralist. Co.,

the

daily,

commodious

office

on

Higli Street, Pottstown, and general job printing

is

the borough and

December present

5,

size.

The founder

of this journal,

who

also

is

identified with the industrial interests of the Schuylkill

Valley, soon found

it

necessary to place the

establishment on a permanent basis, and therefore transferred the entire property to the Times Company,

Limited,

March

11,

1882,

associating Mr.

Yerkes, formerly of Hatboro' Public

Spirit,

W. H. who

as-

sumed the business management of the paper. The editorial and local departments were placed under the direction of Mr. George F. Meredith, with an

carried on in connection with the publication of the

eflicient corps of assistants.

daily and weekly papers issued.

The Daily and Weekly Times is Republican in with the independence to be fearless in the advocacy of the right when in its judgment party leaders and managers are reckless and partisan methods are wrong. The Daily Times originated the

The News.

— The News was established July

1,

1881,

Bryn Mawr, by Frank A. Hower, who has been and is at present the editor and publisher it is a fourpage paper, of eight columns each. It is a weekly TTie Ne^vs is inpaper, and is issued every Friday. at

;

politics,

movement

to secure a free bridge over the Schuvlkill

HISTORY OF MOMTGOMERY COUNTY.

468 River at Norristown in

its initial

number.

Its tiles

show the persistency with which it waged a war with corporate power, and the support given by the public to the movement was responsive to a necessity long felt and hastened to a consummation by sagacious and The successful establishindependent journalism. ment of The Daily and Wee/:/;/ riwe-s was accomplished without the aid of partisan patronage, deriving its support from the public upon its merits as a wellmanaged local journal. The Times office has connected

with

it

a large job and printing establishment, sub-

improved presses and all tlie the prompt execution of orders

stantially equipped with

necessary material for

in this important line of business.

William Rennyson was

His early school advantages were limited. His occupation was that of locomotive-building; he subsequently was largely engaged in mining and manufacturing in various parts of the United States, always in advance and always making a success of whatever he undertook. He always had a fondness for^ books, music and literature of the higher order, and has been a hard first

student

He

is

all his life,

devoting

to studies his leisure time.

French and Latin, and has devoted

proficient in

much time

to algebra and the higher mathematics. His curriculum can properly include everything from a steamboat to a locomotive, and his alma mater is the universe. He is a Bachelor of Laws, a graduate of

born in Paterson, N. J., His ancestry on the maternal side were Scotch-Irish and on the paternal side English. The death of his father at an early age, leaving his family of five young children without means of

the University of Pennsylvania.

support, rendered

Jersey Volunteers.

March

31, A.D. 1841.

it

necessary for the subject of this

sketch to exert himself for a livelihood.

Mr. Rennyson is a veteran ofiicer of the Union army, having entered the same, at the age of nineteen, as a first-lieutenant, soon afterwards being promoted to the

command

and resigned

of his

He

company

in the

Tenth

New

served two years and a half,

his commission, giving as his reason for

JOURNALISM. leaving the service that he was "the only support of a widowed mother." He was married, on April 25, 1865, to Miss Sallie C. Bright, eldest daughter of M. There are living Bright, Esq., of Pottsville, Pa.

—Nellie

469

understand his business, we do not know it; but in any event neither of these reasons would be sufficiently strong to impel us to the drudgery and responsibilities

incumbent upon the editor who enters as such into

May, Charles Edward, Gertrude Irene, Florence Estelle and Harry Bright. These children have all spoken French, and at one time adopted as the home language by all its it was

the journalistic arena.

members. Mr. Rennyson is devoutly and sincerely a worshiper of Almighty God, and has full faith in the doctrine of future rewards and punishments, believing that good work.s, honesty and uprightness of character, with "good-will to all men," will certainly be a subject for future happiness, if not immediate reward. Born in the Episcopal Church, he connected himself with the Baptist Church. He is, however, cosmopolitan in his idea of religious worship and is a patron of all churches. " His religion is exemplified by the twentyfour-inch gauge, which is emblematical of the twentyfour hours of the day, which he has been taught to

this has

children,

divide into three equal

jiarts,

whereby eight hours are

devoted to the service of God and a worthy distressed brother, eight hours for our usual avocations and eight hours for refreshment and sleep," and finds

"

The

.

.

.

aim of our new enterprise will be to make our 'local columns' replete with all kinds of news and intelligence that our citizens shall first demand; after first

been accomplished we shall turn our attention from distant nationalities, and report

to intelligence

what men are doing

in another hemisphere, and hope be able to chronicle the passing events of many continents, and comment upon them with propriety and judgment, bringing to our aid such talent as may, from time to time, be necessary, in order that we may succeed in doing so. to

"We shall always be glad to receive advice from any public-spirited citizen having in view the general good and welfare of our people. "We have no quarrels to adjust, no differences to heal, and while our personal preferences are oicr own, we shall strongly endeavor to keep fully abreast with our highest convictions of public duty, as led to understand them.

"In

we may be

be independent, with and on that line we shall be reflection." free to commend men and measures of all parties, Cradled as an Abolitionist, when it was odious and when they are deserving, and the reverse when they dangerous to be one, during all his life he stood the are icrong. We shall take a hand in all matters of brunt and bore the responsibility of his convictions public concern, commending or condemning as our upon occasions when it required physical courage and judgment may lead us. We shall never be disinterstrength to maintain his position, sometimes amount- ested. In politics we will join in all the scrambles ing to positive discomfort. Naturally, from an Abo- for oflice and place, commending only the good and litionist he became a Eepublican in polities, was a pure, and denouncing dishonesty and insincerity, befollower of Lincoln, Seward, Sumner and Greeley. lieving this to be pre-eminently the sphere of healthy He is now a Republican, though not always in har- journalism. mony with the powers that be of that party, but will "And in this matter we wish to be well understood, carry out his convictions of right and wrong in any while we will go into politics, we will always keep

good and very agreeable, as

is

also the

it

"chamber of

proclivities,

clear from all embarrassing affiliations of factions or

event.

The above sketch

politics this journal shall

Republican

preliminary to his career as an

party; and while we make no secret of our Repubone of the now widely-known journals of lican proclivities, the Times will never be the mouthMontgomery County, of which he was the projector piece of any boss nor the organ of any ring. and sole proprietor and editor for several years. No "We shall discuss all these things with fearlessness, better description could be given of his mind and but with dispassionate fairness and liberality, which work at that time than the following quotations from shall be our aim in all our discussions. is

editor of

.

his salutatory, introducing the first

number of The

Daily Times to public consideration and patronage, " We ofi'er no apology for our appearance to-day as a journalist. None is needed. Norristown may or may not require another daily newspaper and not be willing to support another.

may

Neither

or

is

may

it

be-

cause there are no good editors or good papers already in the service of the Norristown people or that these other papers are not well deserving of support, that

Quite the contrary. We have heard and we believe that the best-conducted papers of the interior of the State of Pennsylvania are published in Norristown. If there be any editor who does not do his duly, or any publisher who docs not calls us into existence.

"

We enter

upon our enterprise

full

.

.

of confidence in

our ability to carry through to success what we have undertaken. We have ample resources in ourselves

and in those we have called to our aid. Fully convinced of our ability to achieve success, and this in no spirit of assurance, and fully determined at any and every sacrifice to deserve it, we submit this introduction to our friends, who are on the qui vive to hear from us." Mr. Rennyson

still

retains his connection with the

though the active work is transferred to others. Conshohocken TelegTaph, Edward Baumgard, editor and proprietor, a weekly newspaper established at Conshohocken, Pa., August 5, 1884. Its size was Times,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

470

twenty-eight by forty inches, with thirty-six columns, was independent in politics and suspended publication February 5, 1885. Towamensing Item, established January 13, 1885, at Kulpsville, Montgomery Co., Pa., H. R. Boors, publisher. It is a weekly newspaper; size, twenty-two inches by sixteen, with twenty-six columns. It is independent in politics and devoted to local news. Montgomery Law Reporter, F. G. Hobson, Esq., editor and proprietor, a weekly journal devoted to reporting legal decisions and the interests of the business public. The initial number was issued January 31, 1885, at Norristown, Pa.

Colonel Samuel D. Patterson, who most prominent position

for fully

Bayard Taylor, Griswold,Willis Gaylord Clark, George R. Graham and others of equal celebrity. Subsequently he became editor of the Saturday Evening Po.toint

i>f

May, 1876,

ten roniniissionel's to

hosi>ital for the insane for the

Southeastern Dis-

of Pennsylvania, embracing the city and county of Philadelphia

and

the counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Northampton and Lehigh, four of said commissioners to he chosen from citizens of the city ties

and county of Philadelphia and one from each of the other counembraced within the district aforesaid, who shall serve without lom-

pensatiun.'*

to

avoid this waste

Norristown that would be comfortable and substantial, but at the same time shorn of all unnecessary ornamentation.

They accomplished their difficult task at a cost not exceeding eight hundred dollars a bed. •

This is in harmony with public sentiment, and is a long stride towards the correction of the lamentable inconsistency of caring for a portion of the indigent

number them are lying in sipialor in the almshouses. The principal advantages of this i)lau of buildings

insane in palaces, while an equally deserving of

tients

it

facilitates

convenient classification of paand turbulent

(separating widely the noisy

from the mild and convalescent), that it insures more light and sunshine into the wards, and that it also greatly diminishes the

better ventilation, admitting

risk of extensive conflagration.

The

17, 1880. is

thousand

of public funds in erecting an appropriate hospital at

classes

The plan

fifteen hundi'ed to three

dollars.

Messrs. Wilson Bros. & Co. were preferred. (The construction of the hospital was awai'ded to the well21, 1878,

the reforms of the old system was

Formerly the palatial structures upon which untold thousands were expended in external architectural

are that

and was completed February

among

method of providing acccmimodations for the largely-increasing numbers of the insane.

plan of hospital buildings. Among the five competing architects, the plans of

known liuilder, John Rice, Esq.) The erection of the hospital l)egan March

and strenuously oppose any

required a more economical

;

;

or school-house,

departure from their specifications.

that

act of Assembly referred to further jirovided upon the completion of the hospital the commis-

sioners "shall

managers

whom

surrender their trust to a board of

to consist

members, five of by the Governor from the

of thirteen

shall be appointed

by the Councils of Philadelphia and one by the county commissioners of each of the other counties embraced in theS(mtlieastern District" described in said act, and "shall manage and direct State-at-large, two

the concerns of the institution and make

all necessary by-laws and regulations not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the commonwealth." The commissioners completed their duties and

maoor to the present time.

The subject of providing a home and a house of employment for the poor, instead of the former method of having them work or board around with those that would consent to receive them, began to receive at-

During the whole of the colonial period, down to the and employment of tention soon after the formation of the county. The the poor, they were maintained by their respective first move in this direction was the holding of a pubtownships or districts. For this purpose two overseers lic meeting at the house of John Davis, at Norristown, were appointed for each by the judges of the January 23, 1801, on the expediency of petitioning the County Courts. Their duties were to secure for Legislature of the State for the privilege of building those committed to their charge homes and employ- a poor-house for the use and benefit of the destitute ment at the most favorable rates. At March Sessions) in Montgomery. But little was done in the matter until March 10, 1806, when an act was passed author1736, a petition was sent to the court by residents of Hanover, stating that there was a dispute as to the izing the purchase of a farm and the erection thereon of suitable buildings for the purpose by the county. line of Limerick, whereby they were compelled to support a cripple who had served his time and received Subsequent acts were passed January 26, 1807, and December 22, 1810. The location of the place now his misfortune in the latter township, and that the began to attract attention, and a meeting was called court satisfactorily determined. The same may be ordered that as the bounds had not been fixed or re- and held in regard to the matter at Centre Square, corded at the proper time, that both townships be at Whitpain township, October 8, 1806. Strange to say, this was so managed as to recommend the purchase equal charges for his keep or maintenance, and the of the out-of-the-way site that was shortly afterwards line be ascertained by the surveyor-general. An act was passed in 1771 that provided for the ap- chosen, namely, on the east bank of the Schuylkill, in pointment of two overseers in every township by the Upper Providence township, ten miles above Norristown, and all of said distance west of the centre of the justices at a special meeting to be held every year. erection of houses for the support

—

The expense

incurred in providingsubsistence.shelter

county.

and employment for those whom misfortune had rendered a burden to society was to be supplied out of the

The name

The overseers were responsible for the collection of the amount assessed and were required to pay over the moneys in their possession. A

sixty-five acres at a cost not ascertained.

regular county rate.

record was kept of the poor, and an order from a justice of the

to the

list

peace was necessary to become admitted before assistance could be furnished.

All

having near relations who were paupers were compelled to support them,

if

their circumstances enabled

Those who liberated slaves were resum of thirty pounds each to keep harmless and to indemnify the overseers in case such negroes became a charge through sickness or otherwise and rendered inca|)able of supporting them-

them

to do so.

quired to give bonds in the

selves.

Among

the duties of the overseers we're sup-

plying the immediate wants of families reduced to

place was purchased from a

person by the

of C'utwaltz, to which a few additional acres

were added, making together about two hundred and rectors,

The

di-

Ezekiel Rhoads, Henry Scheetz and Jacob

Houck, gave notice that they would be on the premises May 28, 1807, at nine o'clock a.m., "to meet persons who may desire to erect by contract a.J house for the reception of the poor agreeably to al plan to be shown. The person or persons contract-l ing to find all the materials for completing the same."J It would appear that by fall the building must have been completed, for in the county statement for thel year ending February

9,

1808, the cost of kee|)ing the!

On

same

is

May

17th the directors gave notice to the overseers

rejiorted to be $5217.10.

the following

of the several townshijis that they would be present at

the poor-house " in order to receive the paupers of >

By

Wm. J.

Buck.

the said county, " with their goods, which are to be

INSANE HOSPITAL AND POOR-HOUSE.

501

valued

by two' men

the purpose.

shall provide places for them, thus rendering schools

Among

the expenditures for the year 1809 are men-

unnecessary here for the instruction of the young. In 1872 the former building was burned, fortunately

appointed

for

implements of husbandry, $245.98; bedsteads, bedding and furnitioned horses, cattle and swine, $696.35

;

ture, $839.67.

Among

are 5 barrels of shad, 435 bundles of flax, 3 yards

of flannel, 45 of linsey, 500 of linen and 30 yards of carpeting. Jacob Barr, of Pottstown, was steward, probably from the beginning until about 1816, at an annual salary of S400, which included his wife's services as matron. fire.

1821 the poor-house was deAt this time Philip Keed, Samuel In

Horning and Samuel Mann were directors, who shortly afterwards had the same rebuilt. The barn and out-buildings were burned March 31, 1867, and rebuilt that suiiHner. The former is of stone, 126 feet long, 76 feet wide, and cost $9790.71. The wagonhouse, slaughter-house, sheep-stable, barn-yard wall, corn-crib

and

chicken-house

cost

additionally

$3189.91.

The house proving inadequate and

not well adajjted

was resolved to erect another more comformable to modern taste, improvement and requirements. The contract for the building was awarded by the county commissioners, August 15, 1870, to William H. Bodey, of Norristown, for the sum of seventy-one thousand dollars. The grading cost upwards of five thousand dollars; the engine, pipe and plumbing, four thousand dollars; in 1874 the l)uilding, steam-heating apparatus and necessary fixtures, cost nearly thirteen thousand five hundred dollars; the following year the steam-pump, plumliing, gas fixtures, etc., above ten thousand dollars. The main building is two hundred and forty-four feet long, from seventy-five to fifty feet wide, and three stories high, surmounted by a stone belfry. A central rear wing extends back one hundred and two feet in length, fifty-four feet wide and two stories high. The whole is substantially built from the red sandstone of for the

purpose designed,

it

the neighborhood. Sixty dormitories are for the use of the paupers. The architect was Henry Sims. An adjacent building contains three large boilers for the jiurpose of heating water to

water,

which

is

warm

The

the house.

brought hither from a spring about is pumped from a cis-

eight hundred yards distant, tern by a steam-engine.

A

three-story stone building

used for hospital puri)i)ses and for the insane, and also another of two stories, a department of which

is

is

assigned to colored persons, the insane numbering

about twenty-five.

Water

is

brought to these build-

ings and the barn by gravity from a spring about five

The

present was nearly completed.

officers

of the institution in January, 1884, were as follows Directors, John A. Righter, John O. Clemens and :

the items in the report of the farm for 1813

stroyed by

when the

hundred yards

distant.

steward

lor,

A

law

has been lately passed that all children between the ages of two and sixteen years are not to remain at the poor-house over sixty days, but that the directors

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

of each per week, .§1.46; net expenses, $18,798.80.

Through a late purchase the farm now contains two hundred and ninety-eight acres, of which but ten or twelve remain in timber. The woodland in 1858 c )mprised about thirty acres. The land is quite rolling and appears to be under good cultivation. The main building fronts south, and, as seen from below on the east bank of the river, presents a fine view, the scenery around being unusually interesting. Above it is the Black Rock bridge spanning the Scliuylkill, nearer a lovely island reposing on its bosom, and the boats passing up and down the river impart variety. The government of the entire place is under the complete control of the three directors,

who hold

their posi-

tions for threeycars, one being elected annually.

They

the oflieers of the institution and are ac-

a]>])oint all

its management. They are required by law to meet at least every mouth at the place and see to the proper regulation of the same. On the

countable for

Monday of January the directors, county audiand treasurer meet here to adjust and make out

first

tors

The expenses

the accounts of the previous year.

are

met by funds raised from taxes levied by the county commissioners on requisition of the directors, and througli their order paid by the county treasurer. From the following statistics relative to pauperism in this county

tained:

may be

interesting information

Xumher

;

in 1825, 106

1832, 110; in 1849," 198; in 18.58, 233; in 1876,

and

in

305. The important question now Have the poor increasedor diminished with the

population according to the

By

made? in 393

;

calculation in 1815

in 1825,

in 3-50

1

290; in 1858,

in

1 in

;

enumerations was about 1

several

we

find

in 1832, 1 in

343; in 1876,

it

360 1

in

;

in

1849,

340; and

It would have we could have had the statistics

1883, 1 in 280 of the population.

for

materially aided us at

;

265;

in 1884,

arises,

1

ob-

of paupers in the poor-house on the

day of January, 1815, was 82

1st

if

hand of the number of paupers in the poor-house which would have been more accu-

in census years, rate;

The male and female paupers eat apart and have their separate rooms. The graveyard is neatly inclosed and contains nearly an acre of ground.

David H. Ross, clerk Adam F. SayJoseph H. Johnson, deputy steward Samuel Rambo, farmer Dr. J. W. Royer, physician Horatio Sands, engineer and Charles Ulrich, watchman. Number of paupers, three hundred and five monthly average, two hundred and forty-seven cost Daniel Shuler

is

but

it

is

evident that pauperism

among us

increasing in spite of the great diminution tak-

ing place in the use of intoxicating liquors and the

considerable sums

now

and jjaid out by benevoward off' poverty and ameliorate the condition of society. It must be adlent

and

raised

secret associations to

mitted that a considerable number of the poor are

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

502

improvident foreigners, as the oiBeers of the poorhouse liave informed us yet we doubt that the ratio is near as great now in proportion to our native popu;

lation as formerly

One

vious.

;

at least,

it

does not appear so ob-

of the great causes, most probaljly,

is

the

larger manufacturing towns,

rapid increase of our

where habits of dissipation and idleness are more readily acquired and more prevalent than among the simpler habits and more regular pursuits of country life.

county at the time of its creation, and onlj' threa places fixed by law to poll the vote, i.e., Norristown, George Eckart's tavern in Whitemarsh township and Michael Krepse's tavern in New Hanover township. There was no general government of the Union at

The States that had become independent were operating together by reason of certain articles" of confederation. All of the first officers of the county were men who had been identified with the Revolution, and while there were minor differences of opinion among them, they were always united upon political this date.

questions involved in the contest, and this condition of things continued until the Union was established,

CHAPTER XXXY. THE PAST AND PRESENT POLITICS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and the election and re-election of Washington to the Presidency had become a matter of history. It was in the candidacy of John Adams and his subsequent administration

During the

The

political

changes of a century are many and

difficult to chronicle.

Montgomery County became

a

subdivision of the State at the close of the Revolution,

and

at that

time the people recognized but one

and

politi-

and Tory. For almost eight years the contention was for independence of or submissicjn to the continued dominion of Great Britain. Patriots and Tories could not live in the same jtolitical atmosphere, and between these radical and warlike parties many conservatives and peacefully disposed men, while the fierce struggle lasted, were crushed as between two mill-stones. cal division, that of loyalist

It

is

difficult to recall

mind

rebel, patriot

the exact condition of the

Montgomery County during the winter of 1784, when our municipiJity became oflicered by appointments made at the instance of the Supreme Executive Council, composed of men who had been members of that repository of power through the last years of the war, and who were prominent officials in the execution of summary laws, by which a large public

in

projjortion of the landed estates of the county were

and their owners disfranchised and practiTo have been a loyalist, or to have favored the mother-country, was to be proscribed in all political matters. Although the commonwealth had been established by the Constitution of 177li, yet the forms of the colonial government were still in use. confiscated

cally exiled.

The only

State officers elected at that date were the memliers of the General Assembly, and the only county officers elected were the sheriff, coroner and county commissioners, all others being appointed by the

Supreme Executive Council, or by the few oflScers electeatrimony of about ten thou-

director

&!ind dollars.

and

as the vision-

ary effusions of a disappointed man, and finally denounce him ajs au enemy to Democracy and unworthy the confidence of his former po-

We should be happy to hear from you previous to the and your candid opinions as to the result in your resjiective The Recounties. Our majority will not be less than five hundred. publicans are firm, vigilant and active with \ifi, and resent, with decision and promptitude, the views and overtures of disappointed men. litical friends.

election,

"Philii'S. M.\rklev,i *'

Henrv

Sciieetz,

"Bex.i.vmin Reiff,

"John Wentz, "Jon.N Jones,

" ConimitU'c of Correnpondttice ftppfinic'J by the " H'trrifilmrij Convenlion.*''

double-roomed mansion in Norriptown, where he lived till he retired from business, and which, witli the adjacent office, was occupied by his The building in which son, James M., till the hitter's death, in 1S38.

a

prepared

importance that we should be on our guard, aud indefatigable ia in the respective counties throughout the

" Philip Yost,

;

is

our Republican brethren

'Philip Reep,

who occupied part of the old homestead but for when he had become old and decrepit, he lived with

mind

extend his political treachery to every possible length in order to It is a matter of prostrate the election of the Democratic candidate.

to

we

yeaitf,

those

political cUaiucter

Mr. Findley, gratify his disappointed ambition aud sa-

daughters,

But instead

he attempted to destroy, and renewed in them double vigilance and exertion in support of the real Democratic candiWe have strong grounds of apprehension, from the date, Mr. Findley.

whose

comuioiiwealtli.

Martin Molony recently died embraces about half the old mansion. After the death of the son just named he continued to reside with the

to his friends in

e-vcited the indignation of

Mr. Boileau, not content with denouncing the chanwter of are assured that in order to

lettei-s

oppose Mr. Findley.

1

Philip S. JIarkley was the son of

John and

Elizabetli

(Swenk) Mark-

His father, John Markh*y, was one of the most prominent citizens of Norristown, and was sheriff of the county in 1T«I8. The son, Philip S., was quite distinguished as a lawyer, being admitted to the bar in ley.

November,

181H,

and had

a large practice, but soon fell into the whirl

of

His father before him had been a very influential Democrat, and he, walking in his footsteps, becaTiie active in party mattei-s. So in 18l;l he was appointed deputy State's attorney, probably serving during IKjIitics.

the whole of Governor Findley's term of office, or from the spring of 1818 till 18-21, though by the record he was nominated for State Senate

and elected in 1819, continuing there till 1824. It would seem, therefore, that pei-sons were then eligible to lx)th offices at the same titiie, for we have ascertained to a certainty that IMr. Markley wt»s deputy State's attorney in 1811) and 1820, when, as appears also by a newspaper announcement which lies before ns, of the date of January, 1821, that " Alexander Moore was appointed district attorney vice Philip S. Markley, removed." Soon after the conclusion of his service as State's attorney and Senator, he was tjiken up by the party for Congress and elected iu 1823, serving during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Cougressee, from His term in the national House of Representatives was during the famous rise of what wa-s known as " Jacksonism," when Hon. Nathaniel B. Boileau and Htm. Jonathan Roberts, the great early lights and leadei-s of the party, retired from their places ia disgust at the dawn of what was called "mere military statesmanship." At the conclusion of his Congressional term, or shortly, after, on the 1824 to 1828.

ITth of .\ugnst, 1829, he was called by Governor Shulze, near the close of his administration, to fill the post of attorney-general of the State,

which he held one yeitr, till the accession of Governor Wolf, in Jannai^, 1830. This was the last public office he occupied, but he continued at the bar till 1834. While attending aii arbitration at Spang's hotel he dropped iu a fit of apoplexy, and died instantly, in his forty-sixth year. It would not be within the possibilities of this work to hunt up his legislative record, and he has been so many years dead that even liis have faded from the memories of most of the living. His widow and some of his children reside in Philadelphia, v.-ry worthy pei-soual qualities

and respectable

people.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

508

" Hatborough,

Oct.

1817.

i),

There is a certain congeniality of suuls, syiiipatliy or fellow-feeling which attaches rat-'u of siniilarmanners, habits and prin*'JMr.

Stiles:

The following will explain in a satisfactoi-y manner Mr. Markley, the secretary of the corresponding committee, rallies round the standard of Mr. Fiudley, and issues his fulminating anathemas ajrainst all who ojipose him. The ofticers of the militia who served on ciples together.

why

The Democrats

carried the county and State, electFindley Governor, who three years later was succeeded by his competitor, General Pliester. The want of a representative system in making party nominations led to dissatisfaction among the rank and

ing William

the court-martial for the trial of delinquents for non-performance of

employed Dr. Halm, member of Congress from the Treasui-j' of the United States Compensation for their services and gave liiin power of attorney for that purpose. About the month of Febniary last Mr. P. 8. Markley went to Washington, and without any authority from those officers, got the militia duty in the fall of 181i

fr7, wo have no record beyond the fact that he was interested in Fitch's efforts to perfect his boat to run by steam. Mr. Boileau himself was an ingenious man, ainted him secrftary of the commonwealth, to which office he was reappointed December 17, ISll, and December 20, 1814. On his

When

it came to a Whether personal by Mr. Findley had anything to do with warping

were informally nominated.

vote, Findley received ninety-nine to Boileau's fourteen.

I

—

reseutatives be requested, to support a

William Findley, who had been

a representative in Congress almost from the organization of the govern-

I

tocratic bearing of

In March, 1817, however, the legisDemocratic can-

1817.

didate for Governor before the people.

anti-

wasalleged impossible for unlearned

know under what laws they were

Isilti,

lative caucus, or State Convention, assembled to place a

As before stated, party spirit ran very high, and much tUssatisfaction was felt and expressed in " Republican " circles at the austere and aris-

relative,

it,

Boileau and his family were Republican or Denmcratic in

May,

expediency of repealing an act of Assembly,

English feeling in the country, and persons to

the duty of aid to the Governor,

military appointment he filled was that of acting adjutant-general, from

of resistance.

On

a^ume

so appointed in 3Iay of that year, in

thority of one I

healthy condition.

committee

wisdom aud fidelity. The war breaking out in the summer of 1812 greatly increased the duties and responsibilities of Governor Snyderand his secretary. Though

son, Wilson

hundred dollars by lottei"}* to build an English school at Sumneytown, and on February 25th, being cbainnan of the Committee of Ways and Means, he made a report on State finances, exhibiting the revenue in a

action upon

anil

residue of the estate, with great

and was

adopted by his agency, authorized the raising of one thousand four

leged Britisli seamen, produced a prufound feeling of exasperation

own judgment

Boileau erected during 1811-12 on ground

31r.

bred only a civilian, he bad to I

Barren Hill asking for "permission to raise three thousand dollars by a its benffit." He also framed the law fur the establishment of

bill,

charged in the will with the duty of build"

adjacent to his pi-operty, and disbursed some eleven thousand dollars, the

'

lottery for

the Jlontgumery County poor-house, and got

This institution

plans.

Stephen Porter treasurer. The year ISO" was a busy one fur Mr. Boileau, and his name appears as connected with almost every public movement. On Januar>- 1st he

German Lutherau Church

He was

I

and Mr. Boileau presented a very able paper, which was passed by both Houses (in the House by tifty-six to nineteen) and sent to Washington. During this j'ear politics were fiercely contested, and a Democratic-Republican Association formed, of which Mr. Boileau was president, Dr. William Smith vice-president, Jonathan Roberts, Jr., secretary, and

presented a petition from members of the

responsibility.

ing and providing for the seminary according to his

address to President Jefferson, urgiug

used as a candidate for a third term.

and

him upon the race for PresiThe confusion among leaders natu-

started

confounded their followers. Many changes ocamong those who had been prominent in local

rally

the leader of the House of Representatives, mo>ed a committee to draw

up an

509

'

in 18(19 to the vacant seat. I

a curious fact that one of the last legislative acts of Mr. Boileau, as one of the first signed by the new Governor (Snyder), wasan omnibus It is

hands of the

latter party,

canvass, and a crisis In Mr. Boileau's political

life

Democratic party, the editor of the yorristown Herald, alluding to it, says " We have never been the eulogist of Mr. Boileau, but his integrity and probity have never by us been questioned." ;

I

lotterj'

means

scheme, entitled an act to raise seven thousand dollars by that an association in Montgomery County " to promote the

to enable

1

I

culture of the vine and to pay their debts and accomplish the objects of their association ;" also including two thousand, as before stated, to build

a school-house at

In the

fall

Sumneytown

in

which to teach English.

I

of 1808 Colonel or Judge Robert Loller, an eminent and

Mr. Boileau joined ^le anti- Masonic movement with considerable zeal, and when Joseph Rituerwas elected Governor by that party he received the appointment of register of wills in Januar>". 183G, and held it three years, bis son Thomas acting as his deputy and clerk. This was the last public office he It only

filled.

remains further to refer to Mr. Boileau's exalted private

life,

I

wealthy neighbor, died, leaving the bulk of his estate, after the death of his widow, which happened in 1810, t(» build and endow Loller Academy, and Mr. Boileau was left sole executor, a position of great trust

sum up

his political career

and record

integrity, patriotic aims, ingrain

his peaceful death.

In sterling

Republican principles and unselfish be-

nevolence Mr. Buileau has had few,

if

any, superioi'sin our county.

Cue

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

olO

A

politics.

leading editorial in the

-flcra/t/

The

of July

"The

rrt-fiidential

question

is

now

the topic of Jisijute with the major-

some of whom have already coninienced with that vvilgar ahuse which characterized their proceedings in the gubernatorial contest in lS2n-2;!. Tlie Democrutic Press and Americitn ity of

tht-

Democratic

Sentinel are the

warm

eJitors,

supportera of the cancus candidates, wliile the Co-

on the 4th day of March last, dismounted their old horse, called undeviaticg Democracy,' and mounted a more poiiular steed, called 'Old Hickory.' It is said that Old Hickory frequently halts and tlies from the Democratic cause and gets in the

iumbiaii Ohsei-ver

aud

Franfcliii Gazette, '

track of Federalism, a most aboiuinable and unforgiving offense. He is followed by John Binns, Walter Luwrie, Jonathan Roberta i and other

worthy coadjutors.

is

certainly

.

."

.

:

"When we

:

;

;

was very handy with tools for working in wood made nearly all liis farm implements, even wagons, carts, plows, harrows, etc. He was the most capable and trusty business man of the time to settle estates, act on arbitrations and the like. The most interesting remains of this tnily great and good man are two oil-portraits in the iiosseesion of Mr. William Sprogel, of Hatboro', one o*^ them taken early in life and the other when he was secretary of the ;

commonwealth and ;

the large Bible containing family records in the

handwriting of

this

eminent man, as

portrait of Blr. IJuileau's firet wife, are

whose wife

J.acob8, of Norristown,

sit

is

now

also

a painted

life-size

in possession of Mr.

a sister of the wife of

John

Thomas

L-

Boileau, deceased.

Thus died in jjoverty Nathaniel two wealthy wives, was

L.

who was

Boileau,

born

rich,

to

'

'free, sovereign

knew him host of any says " He was very benevolent. The indigent never went away from bis door empty-handed he gave to the poor as long as he had anything to give. He worked on the farm in haying and harvest till past middle life. He was very industrious and never idle

that

down

pen the above paragraph we had intended it to be quite diftereut from what it turns out to be. It is not an uncommon thing for us editoi-s to frequently commence an editorial paragraph with very great reluctance. Yet, as many of our patrons are in the common practice of firet turning to the Norristuwn head to see what comes from the editor, whether it be good, bad or indifferent, we are not willing that our readers shall ahvaj's be disajqiointed. We wish once more to inform our readei-8 who may be Jacksonites, Crawfordites, Adamites, Clayites, or whatever other kind of 'ites' rhey may choose to be, that we are as yet the advocate of none of them. We hold ourselveB

make

hold, clear

following conclusion of the editor

and illustrates the unsettled condition of the public mind at that date

frank,

24, 1824, says:

'

and independent,' and we intend so to be until we can But our columns shall be open to any well-writ-

a better choice.

ten article on the subject of the Presidential canvass, believing

it

to be

right that the merits and demerits of each should he fully canvassed, that

the people

may

be better able to judge of the most suitable person, and

then make their choice accordingly.''

Subsequently the same paper sums up the result of the October election, 1824, as follows: "Perhaps there never was so much political indifference and apathy the people as was evinced at the last election. We have already

among

mentioned that there was no opposition

to the

Democratic ticket in this

county."

The following ticket was

elected

:

Congress, Philip 8.

Assembly, Jonathan Roberts, John B. .Sterigere, ]\Iichael Cope, Robert E. Hobart; Commissioner,

Markley

;

James Sands;

Director, Peter Fritz; Auditor,

Samuel

and patriotic. He outlived all his early friends and relatives, except his un fiu-tunate son. till he was nearly left alone in the world, and went up like Lazarus to his reward on high. As his life was no sham, bo there are no

E. Leech.

"lies" nor fulsome eulogies on his tomb-stone, tlie inscription un which, in Abington Pi-esbyterian Churchyard, reads ae follows

same year the following votes were polled in Montgomery County for the several candidates in the field, all of whom were designated by writers and public speakers of that campaign as " Democrats " or "Democratic Republicans:" Andrew Jackson, 1497 John Quincy Adams, 28; William H. Crawford, 445; Henry Clay,' 27,— total, 1997. The population being at this date 3''). 793, as shown by the census of 1820, and the estimated or possible

married

honest,

industrious,

frugal

:

"N. B. BOILEAU, DIED MAUCU 16th, 1850, In the 88th year of his age."

The highest

vote polled at this election was for

Michael Cope, being 1873.

In the Presidential elec-

tion of the

;

1

Jonathan Roberts was invited

tion which, with

much

an invitaAt that time public at-

to stand for the Legislature,

reluctance, he accepted.

became engrossed with the duty of selecting a successor to Presi. There wen; several randidates, all claiming to be DemoOawford of (i^orgia, Adams of Ma.f those who were carried away by the military renown tif .Jackson. Mr. Koberts was a warm and able defender of Mr. Adams who was made the target fur the bitter assaults of men like Samuel I). Ingham and Timothy Pickering, who sought to advance Jackson's interest by creating popular prejudice against President Adams, who, as well as Jackson and olitical history of the county carries us forward to the second term of President Jackson. The administration of John Quincy Adams passed into history with satisfaction to the people, during which time Andrew Jackson became a prominent candidate for the succession. It was in his cauva.ss that he gathered up the broken fragments of the National Republican party, and crystalized them in name and practice the Demo-

He had made a distinguished record himself as an otHcer in the war of 1812, and the signal victory over the British at New Orleans gave him a world-wide and deserving fame. He had a strong personal following in Montgomery County, cratic party. for

having

in his first

run polled three times as

many

He

was elected President in 1828, over John Quincy Adams, by 178 to 83 electoral votes, and re-elected in 1832, by 219 votes as his most popular competitor.

electoral votes to 40 for

Henry Clay. The great

issue of

President Jackson's administrations turned upon the

The United States Bank was chartered by Congress and sanctioned by financial policy of the country.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

512

President Washington, February, 1791, and the char-

shall be received for

tered powers were renewed by

aforesftiil.^'

President Madison,

any person

The language used

1816.

The

financial

through

this

operations were largely conducted

bank, and the capital used, thirty-five

many

million dollars, was thought by

be too centralizing, and therefore dangerous in the hands of a

and

political

partisan

to

administration.

President

Jackson antagonized the hank, alienated the moneypower of the country, refused to recharter the liank in 1832, and removed the government deposits in 1833, producing a crisis in tlie agitation that had been

somewhat

more preceding

violent for a year or

this

All the political elements descending from

event.

shall

in the

We

not ajjpear on record. it

tcho

refuse

to

pledge himself as

pledge referred to does

are unable to say whether

was written and subscribed to or only verbal.

The

idea of pledging the disappointed candidates not to

permit the use of their names for office during the same campaign seems to have been Jacksonian, and appears to have become obsolete in the usages of modern Democracy. The following ticket was placed in nomination at the meeting referred to: Congress,

Jacob

Assembly, John M. Jones, Joseph Fornance, Esq., Henry Schnieder Sheriff, John Todd ComFry, Jr.

;

;

;

missioner, Francis C. Burnside

Directors of the Poor,

;

the Federalists, and

John Getty, Frederick R. Smith

(the latter in place

cans

of George

Auditor,

many of the National Republiwho had supported the financial policy of the

Hillegas,

deceased)

Thomas W.

;

Jacob

H.

country from the days of Washington to .John Quincy

Geyer

Adams, now arrayed themselves against Jackson,

Adam Slemmer, James Wells, John Scheetz, Colonel William Powel, Enos Benner and David Jacoby were appointed a committee to have tickets printed and distributed to the several committees designated to receive them for use on election day. The Federal or Anti-Jackson county ticket for the same year was as follows: Congress, Joseph Royer; Assembly, James Paul, Nathaniel P. Hobart, Benjamin Frick Directors of the Poor, Anthony Vanderslice, Samuel H. Bartolet(the latter in place of George Hillegas, deceased) Auditor, Alan W. Corson Coroner, Stephen Rush. No nomination was made for sheriff by the Whigs or Federalists. Mr. Walter W. Paxon, a hotel-keeper of Norristown, ran as an independent candidate, polling the party vote, as shown in

who, willing to part with whatever power the great bank gave to his administration, went to the people, declaring the United States Bank to be a dangerous monopoly of privileges that should be better distributed throughout the States. The political divisions of men became marked in every community in the country. Montgomery County shared fully in the fierce debate and partisan activity of the period. There are many persons still living who recall the campaign of 1834 in Montgomery County. The meeting of Democratic delegates was held at the publichouse of Arnold Baker, in Norriton township, on the 13tli of September of that year. Dr. Jones Anderson was chosen chairman, and Dr. John R. Grigg and William W. Moore secretaries. John B. Sterigere offered the resolutions, among which we find the following

;

Seeolved,

That uur confidence

wisdom of our present chief

in tlie pulitical intef^rity, patrotism

ruatjistrate

remains unimpaired

firmness in sujiporting measures deemed essential to

tlie

;

and

that his

;

the

official report,

tlie people and his dignified conduct under the persecuand slandersof the bank advocates and his political enemies in the Senate of the United States are calculated to endear him still more to his

the liberties uf

fellow-citizens."

Mr. Sterigere was then in the vigor of youth, and the seventh of the series of resolutions shows the zealous partisanship of the (lay " That

we

OFFICIAL RETURNS.

and the laws and of Democratic principles and equal rights should rally around the standard of Democracy in ojiposition to modern "Whigism (the ghost of Revolutionary Toryism), under which standard are arrayed the descendants of the Tories of '7(i, advocates of Alien and SediBtitution

Laws

CoMMISS[ONER.

Jacob Fnj, Jr Joseph Royer

3700

/•Vancis C.

;)0J7

Robert Stmson

30UT

Burnside

3741

Assembly. John M. Jones

3542

Fredericl- R. Smith

Joneph Fornance

:J532

Samuel H. Bartolet

354* 3154

Henrij > past ajipeared very

hearty in the Proprietor's interest, notwith-standing disposition to bo on the side of those

power; hut of nature.

He

late

he had somewhat

is vei-j'

true

when he

who

for any plaintift"

who appeared

best

known by

the greatest

in

his conduct in one celebrated hiw case,

liis

own

This was in the case of William

province.

IJnulford, tlie first printer in Philadeli»hia.

Hamilton appeared

Tlie case in whicii

Peter Zeiiger, indicted in

17.'tr>

in

New York was that of John Governor of Xew

for a libvl against the

York before Jiidge De Lancey, chief justice of the province, Frederick second judge. Zenger was defended by James Alexander and William Smith but those counsel having made hohl to question the Philli]ise,

;

jurisdiction of the court for the trial of the cause, the following order wjis pasned in quick indignation

:

"James Alexamler,

Esq.,

and William

Smith, attorneys iu this court, having presumed (notwithstanding they

were forewarned by the court of their disjileasure if they should do it) to and having actually signed, and put into court exceptions iu the name of John Peter Zenger, thereby denying the legiUity of the judges their commissions, though in the usual form, and the decree of this sign,

Siqireme Court,

it

is

therefore ordered that for the

sjiid

contempt the

James Ale.\ander and William Smith be excluded from any further practice in this court, and that their names be struck off the roll of attor-

8;iid

neys of this court.

"Per

J.\MES LvLE, C/."

cur,

Ileing the duty of the court to appoint for the defendant counsel, as

he was such as to promise a speedy conviction. It was in this emergency that the friends of Zenger ajiplied to Andrew Hamilton, whose fame, especially as a courageous defender of the innocent and oppressed, had spread throughout the whole country. He accepted the call and repaired to New York. Whatever were his opinions concerning the exceptions taken by his predecessors, Alexander and Smith, he wiis too Jtstute to wage a warfare at a Wits

now

]H)int

withovit, they

shown

to be

named one whose

servility

impregnable, and, with a boldness amounting to

audacity, assumed the i)osilion taki-n by William Bradford nearly half a

a century before, admitted the truth of the facts alleged to have been

committed and then projwsed to adduce testimony to their existence. This proposition was of course refused by the court. But Hamilton entered uj>on an argument, wherein he gave a history of the trial by jury, how it had been instituted by our ancestors in order to take from kings and their minions the absolute power they claimed over the lives,

recoiled,

and given more way

to

professes friendship, unless he thinks

for

dangerously hurt

is

nut his natuiul

it is

He

is

a very able law-

and has generally refused to bo concerned not to have justice on his side. He has

done many considerable senices

is

which he conducted for a defendant in another colony. The motives that led to his undertaking this case were not onl^* nor mainly the defense of the individual client who had been prosecuted, hut the establishment of a iiioHt important jninciple that before his day had lieen assaulted and of peisona

are accounted great, or one in

himself slighted, which he cannot easily brook. yer, very faithfnl to his client,

That, liowever, for which Hamilton

our fiovernor

(Sir

but of late they have openly been at variance, for which

William Keith), i-esison I

am

of

property and security of the people.

In this connection he spoke with most splendid eloquence of that other provision, that in criminal trials the jury, however unlearned they might be, when they were brought within

—

1724, iKiving before then resigned as attorney-general,

Court-room, were invested with powers eqmi! to the judges who sa^ upon the bench above them in deciding what were the laws in such cases, with the added power of sjiying whether or not they had been vioWithout derogating from the powers of the court, he enlarged lated. upon the equality of the jurors, and then be appealed to tbem to say if it was possible for tbem to find that their fellow-citizen, free as they were, and as upright, was deserving of punishment for what he had done, and what the bravest and best citizen of Xew York would feel that he had a right to do, not only without punishment, but without the fear of it. Most masterly was bis praise of truth. His peroration was spoken of as the very highest height of majestic

solicitor in the

eloquence.

opinion that he will not appear against the Governor,

fitr he is singularly generous that way. I have been much obliged to him, both on my own account and the Proprietor's, and I heartily wish he may be treated there

by the family in such a manner as may engage him, of which lainsomewbat apprehensive." This letter was written to GouMney, one of the friends of the I'enn family in England, on the occasion of a prospective

voyage of Hamilton thither. Among other subjects of dispute with Governor Ivcith wa-s di>ubtless Hanulton's opposition to the Court of Chancery that the latter had established in lT2n, and which afterward Hamilton bore the h-ailing jiart in abolishing. He Kuletl for Europe iu

Penn.

and appeared as Court of (^hancerj- in London for proving the will of

For his services to the Penn family he rec^eived as reward one hundred and fifty-three acres of land, lying north of the city, and west of what is now Ridge Avenue, whereon he built bis country seat, " liush Hill.*' In 1727, Hamilton became prothouotary of the Connnon Pleas and recorder of the city. The same year he was elected to the Assembly, of which, in 1729, he became Speaker. For ten years consecutively, with one exception, he was returned to the Assembly. The exception occurred during the adminietration of Governor Gordon, and was owing to a social n Westcott, antlior of the "History of Philadelphia," is l>y John Hill Martin, in a note U) the latter's "Beueh and Bar,'' as having in the Sunday DutpalcJi, OctolH^r 8, 1876) this foUowinp aecount of the "Midnight .Judges'' ".John Adams, while President, toward the end of his term, seriously urged a reorpmizalion of the Federal judiciary. The Circuit Courts were held by the judges of the Supreme ('oiirt. but the husines.s was increased so much that the appointment of additional quoted

Constitution of 1790 the executive department of the

I

State

vv;is

vested in the office of Governor, and early

Governor elect, Thomas ^litfiin, commissioned James Riddle judge of the courts of Jlont-

in 1701 the

first

gomery County. Judge Diddle served until 1797, when he was succeeded by Judge John D. Coxe, who filled the office till 1805. when he was succeeded liy William Tilghnuin.

By the effect

act of April 13, 1791, in

the provisions of the

establishing Courts of

order to carry into

1790

Constituti(m of

Common

Pleas, the State was

divided into five judicial districts, the city and county

Bucks, Montgomery and Delawaie constituting the First District, and a president judge

of Philadelphia, learned

iit

the

law was

to

be appointed lor each

dis-

and not fewer than three normorethan fouro//(ec person.^ appointed in each county as judges, which. said I>resident and judges were empowered to execute the powers, jurisdictions and authorities of the Court of trict,

;

On

judges was considered necessary.

1

Elizabeth Shannon, gnnidcliild of the proprietor named, is

the editor's authority.

now

residing

of February, 1801, an act

l.-ith

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

;

Carolina.

appointment, Mr. Tilghman was The term " Jlidnight Judges" arose from a story that the names of some of them were confirmed just before midnight, 1801, when Mr. .\dauis' term expired. The act was repealed

Jared Ingei-soU

bavin;.; declined the

afterwards nominated in his place.

at Norristown,

the

was passed reducing the number of the judges of the Supreme Court to tive w-henever a v.icancy occurred, and released those judges from all circuit duty. The number of United States District Courts was increased to tw-enty-three, and the districts were arranged in si.\ circuits, each cirThe result was to create sixteen new judges, cuit with three judges. Iwsides attorneys, clerks, marshals and other officere. .\3 it was near the end of .\dams' term, and as Jefferson was elected four days after the act was passed, it wjts supposed that the President would allow- his successor to make the appointments, but he did nothing of the sort. He sent to the .Senate, on the 18th, the names of Cliarles Lee, of the Distnct of Columbia Jared Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania Richard Bassett, of Delaware AVilliam Griffith, of New Jersey Egbert Benson, of New York Oliver Wolcott, of Connecticut Samuel Hitchcock, of Vermont Philip Barton Key, of Maryland John DavLs of Mas.sa»-hu.';etts Jacob Read, of South Cartdina Elijah Paine, of Vermont Ray Greene, of Rhode Island .bjlin .Sitgreaves, of N5»Z^U2

father was ,Tohn Fox, for some years president judge of the Seventh Judicial District. His mother was Margery Rodman, daughter of (Jilbert Rodman, of Edington, Bucks Co. He graduated at Princeton College in June, 1835 received his diploma as Master of Arts in 1837 admitted to the bar of Bucks County in September, 1838 removed to Norristown and was admitted in Montgomery County November 10th of the same year. In 1839 he was appointed by the attorney-general, Ovid F. Johnson, deputy for the founty of Montgomery, and continued in that office about six years. In January, 1860, he was appointed

is

courteous in his address, and deservedly enjoys the

with Daniel H. Mulvany, and was admitted to the bar in ily

August,

tice,

;

j

'

;

Mr. Boyd's legal attainments speedestal)lish a successful general prac-

and caused him

to be retained in leading cases in

He has seldom permitted any outside issues to divert him from the labors of his profession, in which he is still actively

all

;

18-12.

enabled him to

the courts of the county.

He was, in 184ii, married to Mi.ss Sarah, daughter of the late Samuel Jamison, an extensive manufacturer of Norristown. Their children are Robert, who died at the age of five years Wallace J., who was elected to the Legislature in Noengaged.

]

1

f

;

>

HISTORY 0¥ MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

550

veinber, 1881, and died the following

month

;

and

defenders. Since the close of the war he has not taken

Howard.

any

The death of Mrs. Boyd occurred in September, 1876. Mr. Boyd is identified, either professionally or He in an official capacity, with many corporations.

public spirited

has been since 1856 counsel for the Reading Railroad, is president of the Stony Creek and Philadelphia Railroad, and tills the same position in connection with

gas

Newtown and New York Railroad. He is also president of the Norristown Water Company, the Norristown Bridge Company, the Norristown Gas Company and the Montgomery Cemetery Company, and otherwise connected with bank and trust companies. Sir. Boyd was early a Whig

director in that institution from

the Perkiomen Railroad and the

to affiliate with that party.

The

stitutional

proceedings.

He

is

one of the most

the advancement and prosperity of

He was

one of the corjjorators of the

company of Norristown, and its president for a number of years. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Norristown, and ha.s been a

He

its

establishment to

now, and has been for several years, senior warden of St. John's Episcopal

the present time.

Church

is

at Norristown.

Henry

A. Stevens, son of John Stevens, was boru

in 1827 at Pittsburgh, Pa.,

where

his father

was then

anti-slavery issue

commission ajipointed for surveying the channel of the Ohio River. The son, Henry A., commenced a preparatory course of study at a very early age, and

Convention of 1873, and participated

its

his native town.

He

of Montgomery County, and has

temporarily residing while acting on a government

of the period caused him to cast his vote with the Democracy. He was elected a member of the Contively in

contributed

men much to

until 18.56

and continued

in his political predilections,

jiroinineiit part in politics.

also filled

ac-

the office

afterwards entered Rutgers College, where he completed his education.

He

then studied law in Phila-

and

of burgess of Norristown during the years of 1844 and 1845, but aside from this has devoted his time

delphia, where he was duly admitted to the bar

exclusively to his profession.

mitted to practice in the Montgomery County courts, where he then had occasion to act as counsel for

Chain, now one of the senior and leading members of the bar of Montgomery County, was a son of John Chain, and was born at Norristown His education was on the 15th of October, 1823.

Benjamin

E.

commenced

some of

practice.

In October, 1848, he was ad-

his Philadelphia clients.

istration

Under the admin-

of President Pierce (while he was yet a

resident of Philadeli)hia) he was offered the appoint-

town

ment of charge d'affaires at Caracas, Venezuela, upon the strong and flattering recommendation of some of the most prominent public men of Pennsylvania. He,

Lawrenceville, N.

for a col-

however, declined the appointment, believing that his health would not withstand the severe ordeal of In 1857 he relinthe South American climate.

In 1839 he entered Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa., where he graduated in the year 1842. He then returned to his

quished practice in Philadelphia and removed to Whitemarsh township, Montgomery Co., whence, in 1868, he removed to Norristown, and has remained

commenced

in the public schools of his native town,

continued through a course of study in the NorrisAcademy, of which Eliphalet Roberts was then the principal, and afterwards pursued at the seminary of Messrs. Hugh and Sanuiel Hamill, at J.,

where he was prepared

legiate course.

native county, and

commenced the study

the preceptorship of G.

Rodman Fox,

of law under

of Norristown.

About the end of the year 1843 he removed to Easton, Pa., and there continued his law studies in the office of Hon. James M. Porter until the fall of 1844. In

November of that year he was admitted to the bar; on the 22d of the same month he was enrolled as a practitioner in the courts of Montgomery County, and immediately afterwards located at Norristown, where he has remained, actively and prominently engaged in the

practice of

his profession,

to

the

present

for the Emigrant Association of that city. He was also one of the original members of the Glenwood Cemetery Association, and for a long time its solicitor, being succeeded in that position by Hon. William D.

Baker.

George W. Rogers.

In 1850, Mr. Chain was elected district attorney, being the first who held that office by election. Prior to the secession of the Southern States, and the commencement by them of armed resistance to the laws, he had been a prominent member of the Democratic party. During the great civil war of 1861-65 he was unwavering in his support of the government in

its efforts

to

suppress the Rebellion, and in the campaign of Gettys-

when

the Confederate

was marching

army under General Lee

to the invasion of Pennsylvania,

he

volunteered for service in the ranks of his countrv's

—William

Charles Rogers,

the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, and the son of David Rogers, M.D., of Con-

Susan Tenant, was born in the He removed, when a young man, to Philadelphia, and there married, in 1796, Mary, daughter of Jacob Hiltzheimer, to whom were born nine children. Mr. Rogers ultimately settled in Warrington, Bucks Co., Pa., as a farmer. He served in the war of 1812 as brigade major, and was for many years a justice of the peace. David Rogers, the third son of William C. and Mary Rogers, was born in Bucks County, Pa., November 5, 1800, and in 1828 married Cynthia Watson, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah JIcKinstry Watson, the former of whom achieved a brilliant record in the war of the Revolu-

necticut,

and his

latter State

time.

burg,

there in practice until the present time. In Philadelphia Mr. Stevens wa,s for about six years solicitor

in

wife,

1776.

"^^y/J^^

THE BENCH AND BAR.

551

The children of David and Cynthia Rogers were George W., William C. and Mary H. The eldest of these, George W., was born June 15, 1829, in Warrington township, Bucks Co., and in 1830 removed with his father to Montgomery County. He

sentenced to be hung, and the sentence afterwards, commuted. Mr. Rogers was, as a Democrat, formerly

received instruction at a private school in his na-

of three years.

tion.

tive county,

and subsequently engaged

in

teaching.

He

determined to follow a professional career, and choosing that of the law, in January, 1852, entered the office of Joseph Fornance, of Norristown, whose death occurred in November of the same year, when

he became a student of Hon. David Krause. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1854, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Norristown. Mr. Rogers was married, on the 1st of July, 1858, to Cara C, only daughter of Jesse and Mary Bean, of Norristown. Their children are Cara, David Ogden, Austin (deceased), and Jesse B., of whom David Ogden was admitted to the bar in 1883, and is now engaged in practice with his father. The legal attainments of Mr. Rogers early secured for him an extensive clientage, his most signal success having been won in the defense of Blasius Pistorius, who was, on the conclusion of his trial for murder.

active in the field of politics,

and on the year of

his ad-

mission to the bar was elected burgess of the borough. In 1856 he was made district attorney for the term,

His religious associations are with

the First Presbyterian Church

tees.

of Norristown, of

member and one of He has also been for many

which he

a

is

the board of trus-

years superinten-

Mr. Rogers is an active Mason and member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, a.* dent of

also

of

its

Sabbath-school.

the

Hutchinson

Commandery, of Norris-

town.

Charles

T.

Miller.

—Isaac

H.

Miller, father of

Norristown where he was a carriage manufacturer. He married Eliza Rambo, and had children, Catherine, Charles T. and Jane. Charles T. was born January 22, 1832, iu Norristown, the scene of his youthful experiences and Charles

T. Miller, resided in

—

later of his business career. His first educational advantages were obtained at the public school, after

which he became

a pupil of the

Treemount Seminary, At the

of which Rev. Samuel Aaron was principal.

age of nineteen he entered the junior class of 1851

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

552 at

Brown

in

1853.

Choosing

its

study in the

gan

University, tlie

from whicli he graduated hiw as a profession, he beoffice

Marlvley Boyer,

of B.

of Norristowu, and was admitted to

tlie

bar on the

Mr. Miller began his profesand has since con-

22d of August, 1855.

sional career in his native town,

tinued a successful practice of a general character. Mr. Miller was married to Lydia, eldest daughter of John R. and Elizabeth W. Supplee, of Lower Merion

A Republican in polihe has been devoted to his profession and found

township, Montgomery Co. tics,

participation in the political issues of

little leisure for

He

however, elected and served a term as burgess of the borough of Norristown. He is secretary of the Norristown Gas Company and one of the directors of the Norristown Water Company. His religious belief is in harmony with the creed of tlie Protestant Episcojial Church. Geoe«e N. Corsos was born March 11, 1833, on his father's farm, at the mouth of the Skippack, on the Perkiomen, in Lower Providence township, Montgomery Co. He was reared on the farm. His the

(hiy.

education

was,

was

almost

entirely

self-attained,

scholastic life being exceedingly brief.

A

his

few weeks

of one winter were spent under tlie tuition of the Rev. Samuel Aaron, at Treemount Seminary, Norristown, and subsc:t

Country CHStings

8

Forge

1

ditto

l(i2

10

3

2

7

1

14

To To To To

573 Shot of 24 lb each

W^

out

November

Country cjistings Forge ditto

1((

12

3 13

q. lb.

3

1260 Shot of 22 lb eath W-* 12

7

2

0247 Shot of 18 lb each W''

3

3 20

1420 Shot of 12 lb each

\\-^

T.O

s

d.

£.

s.

rf.

4

IG

7 12

78 8(J

c.

£.

K.i

21

1.S

I'l.

Pigs

II:

3

2

•

.

3'^

3

99

111

To i:)22 Shot of lb each WJ 2 To 3153 Shot of 8 lb each W^ 11 5 To 1472 Shot of lb each W* 3 18 To 3IH)G Shot of 4 lb eacii \\^ 5 7 W-i 4 11 To Clock Weights Iishnu-nt uf maniifactoriew, and were severally combated by the speaker, that tlu-y were injurious to the health of the working-people.

A

propt-r regard fur the inter"

was recuniniended in any measures that 'might be ado])ted for the advancement of manufacturesIn this cunnertion the cultivation of cotton in the Southern States was recomiiiendud as an article from which the best-informed manufacturers expecttd the greatest i)rotits, aTid njion which some established factories depended. It tliriveil as well tht.*re, Iil' Kiid, as in any part of the world, and those States raised it formerly when the i)rii.e was not lialf what it had been for several yeai-s past. It was then worth double the money in America which it sold for before the Revolution, Enroi»eau nations having prohibited its expoi'tiition from their colonies to foreign countries. The great progress made in agriculture and manufactures, particularly in Pennsylvania, since the year 1762, and still more since the late wan was adverted to, and a lengthy list of articles then made in the State was given. These included hosiery, hats and gloves, wi'aring apparel, coarse linens and woolens, some cotton goods, wool and cotton cards, etc. The advantages of America in having tlie raw materials and market at home, in exemption from duties, in the ability to sell for cash by tht* piece instead of large invoices on long credits, as imported goods were then sold, in the superior strength of American linens, in the benefits of a better atmosphere for bleaching linen and cotton, were severally urged ae so many inducements to undertake manufactures. He recommended the exemption from duties of raw materials, dye stuffs and certain implements jtremiums for useful inventions and processes the invitation of foreign artists to settle hy grants of land, and that every emigrant ship should be visited to ascerUiin what persons were on hoard capable of constructing useful machines or of conducting manufactures. The Wiisteful use of foreign mannfartiu'es was illustrated by the fact that the importation into Philadelphia alone of the finer kinds of coat, vest and sleeve-buttons, buckles and other trinkets was supposed to amount in a single year to ten thousiind i)ounds, and cost the wearers sixty thousand dollars. In urging the benefits to the agricultural iuterestri of manufactures in their miilst, he ventured the assertion that the value of Anieri" can productions annually consumed by the nminifactnrei-s of the State, exclusive of the makers of flour, lumber and bar-iron, was double the aggregate amount of all its exports in the most plentifid year. }iiehop^8 eetB of agiicuUure, as tlie most inii)ortant,

;

"Eist. Mm,,,/.,'-

;

col.

stated, in

and

conclu-

take the business."'"^

-Public seutiment upon the subject had reached and sensildy affecteit the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and as early as 1778 an act

"Act

passed, entitled an

This

the State."

act,

waa

encourage and protect the manufactures of which was limited to two years, prohibited, under to

the exportation of manufacturing machines, th© which was the great obstacle to such undertaking's. This act isstated by the editor of the American Mnstum, M. Carey, to have owed its existence to the fact that in the year 177S two carding and spinningmachines in the possession of a citizen of Philadelphia, and calculated ttx save the labor of one hundred and twenty persons, were purchased by the agency of a British artisan, packed np in cases as common merchandise, and shipped to Liverpool. A quantity of cotton-seed is also stated, to have been soon after purchased in Virginia and burned, in order to penalties,

scarcity of

prevent,

if

possible, the extension of the cotton

and their injurious

manufactures in America,

upon the importation of Manchester goods. In October, 1788, a reward of one hundred pounds was given Joha Hague, of Alexandria, Va., for a carding-machine completed for the Act

It appears

The committee

its value shall induce some proper persons, either citizens or foreigners, to under-

society in

1

entire product from the beginning-

edge and due sense of

;

factured of jeans, corduroys, flowered cottons, flax

to

being impressed with the conviction of the importance of the cotton branch, they "beg leave to recommend in the strongest terms the prosecution of the manufacture by fresh subscriptions, until a knowl-

certain

for

571

March

to assist the

signed to

assist

effects

of the ensuing year,

when

the Legislature passed "

The

Cotton Manufactures of this State."

"The Manufacturing Committee

act

Aa

was de-

of the Pennsylvania

Encouragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts, and a manufactory of cotton articles has accordingly been established with givat prospect of success in the city of Philadelphia, but

Society for the

whom

under the

sums subscribed

to

which are inadeqmite

to the prosecution of the

plan upon that extensive and libeiul scale which State to promote."

name and

It

it is

the interest of this

authorized the treasurer of the State to subscribe

one hundred shares, of tea pounds each, in the manufacturing fund of the said society, which wasdone accordingly, and an order drawn upon the treasurer, Dr. Rittenin the

for the use of the State for

house, in favor of Christopher Marshall, Jr.,

treasurer of the society^

one thousiind pounds, April 9, 1789. The manufactory was burned down on the night of the 2-ttli of March, 1790, and evidence having been obtained that it was lired by design, a reward was offered by for the simi of

the State for the detection of the culprit.

The earnest recommendation of Mr. Cose and the

eflforts

influence with the

of the society

have had

to introduce the manufactvire of cotton are believed to

members of the convention assembled

much

in Philadelphia,,

at the time of its organization, to

frame a constitution, under which a government could he adopted to remedy the numerous evils arising under the old confederation. The Southern delegates, on returning home, generally recommended the cultivation of cotton, and

more

efficient

with such success as to secure increased attention to that crop. The same influence and the necessity of a revenue induced the

first

Congress to

raw material and its manufacture by a duty of threepence a pound on foreign cotton and of five per cent., which was soon after increased to twelve and a lialf, on foreign manufactured cottons. There is protect the

little

doubt that the

first

Secretary of the Treasury derived important

hints in the formation of his fiscal scheme, and

much

material for his

able report on mamifactiu-es, from the statesmanlike views and accurate

knowle

manufacture of car-

lor the

They

pet-yarn at Robinson's mill, on Mill Creek.

had one mule spinning-frame, three condenser cards and twelve hands. For two years they struggled on, and then rented the Nii)])es Mill, on Mill Creek.

Two

years later the partnership was dissolved, Mr.

of Worrall

title

&

liatitlitie

is

still

retained.

The

located on Front Street, having a frontage of one hundred and sixty feet, two stories in height, mill

is

witli a

depth of forty-four

Canal. ing

If

feet, close to

commenced with

upon low-class

the Schuylkill

thirty-two hands, work-

jeans, but

now

emiiloys seventy-

Scholield drawing out of the firm.

The next firm's title was that of James Lees & Co., when they went to Mana-

two hands, the capacity for production being more than doubled. The machinery in operation consists

yunk, and engaged in the manufacture of carpet-

of three sets of sixty-inch cards, three self-acting mules, eighty-eight looms, one sixty horse-power

yarn.

In 1856, Joseph Lees, son of James, was admitted member of the firm, the same title being retained.

as a

They then returned

engine, one one hundred and twenty horse-power boiler, with the full proportion of dyeing, warping

the old mill building which was the

and finishing machinery. The productive capacity is five hundred thousand yards per annum of jeans and doeskins. Thomas Ratcliffe.— James Ratcliffe, the father of the subject of this biography, was united in marriage to Grace Hoyle, whose home was in the vicinity of Halifax, England. Their children were Thomas, Mary and James. By a second marriage, to a Miss Roberts, were born sons, David and John. The

them

birth of

to Mill Creek, to Deringer's mill.

In October, 1860, Mr. Schofield's interest was bought out, and the firm l)ecame James Lees & Son. Two years later Dr. John Lees was admitted into partnership, aUd the firm took the holds,

title

whicli

now

it

— James Lees & Sons.

In February, er's mill,

and

lSlj4,

in the

they were burned out of Deringnext month, March, 1864, bought

first occupied by There was nothing but the building standing they put in the machinery themselves, and in August of the same year they commenced the manufacture of carpet-yarn. From that date to the present it has been an un-

at Bridgeport. ;

interrupted figures will

march of show

The small five

mills,

the

progress, as

mill, witli ten hands,

following

has develoi)ed into

with one thousand hands.

No.

1

Mill

is

one hundred and forty feet, four No. 2 Mill is forty-eight by one hundred and forty-eight feet, five stories high; No. 3 is fifty by one hundred feet, five stories high No. 4 isseventy-two by one hundred and thirty-seven feet, four stories and No. 5 is fifty by seventy-five feet, four stories in forty-six

by

stories high;

;

;

height.

In addition to these are dry-rooms, store-

rooms and a number of other minor liuildings. The machinery consists of two hundred and ninety narrow looms, twenty-six broad looms, eighteen sets of woolen machinery and ninety-five worsted-spinning frames. The worsted yarn for ingrain and Brussels carpet produced per week is forty thousand pounds, the woolen carpet-yarn per week is thirty-two thousand two hundred pounds, and the jeans produced by the looms amount to thirty thousand yards a week. One thousand hands are employed, the wages per month amount to seventeen thousand dollars, and the value of the entire plant is estimated at six hundred thousand dollars. WOEEALL & Ratcliffe'.s Mill. Better known in It was founded local parlance as the Brick Mill. by Saville Schofield, now a wealthy manufacturer of Manayunk, during war-times, and was purchased by the firm of Worrall, Ratcliffe & Smith in 1869. Of the original members of the firm but one is now living, but he drew out of the business years before the

—

death of the other two.

The

Thomas W. Worrall and

Isaac Taylor, but the old

firm

now

consists of

of the mill

Thomas occurred near Halifax on

of September, 1820, and his early

life

the 3d

was spent

in

Manchester. He emigrated, when a youth, to America, and immediately found employment in a cottonmill, and became thoroughly versed in the various departments of manufacturing. After being engaged for some years with his father-in-law, John Maxson, of

Manayunk,

he, in 1868,

made Bridgeport

his

home,

and, in connection with George Worrall, established a woolen-mill. Here he continued actively engaged Ills death, which occurred in September, 1883. Mr. Ratcliffe was married to Miss Deborah Maxson, of Wissahickon. Their surviving daughter is Mary, married to Isaac Taylor, an enterprising manufacAnother daughter, IMargaret, turer of Bridgeport. is deceased. Mr. Ratcliffe was a strong Rej)ublican in his political sentiments, and wa.s tin' several terms a member of the Borough Council of Bridgeport. He was educated in and always adhered to the faith of the Church of England. He was a man of modest demeanor, possessing integrity of character and a reputation for probity antl honor which won universal

until

regard.

RiDGEWAY & Care, Manufactueees of Woolen Yarn.

—

These gentlemen occupy the building on Front Street the property of William Potts, of Swedeland. In 1874 it was fitted up as a manufactory of stone-cars for the limestone quarries of Upper and Lower Merion. The business failing, the building was occupied by Messrs Ridgeway & Carr, who manufacture woolen yarn, and it is also adapted for the manufacture of hosiery and woolen jackets. The machinery consists of two sets of cards, one selfacting mule and one hand-mule, with a thirty horsepower engine and boiler. Seventeen hands are employed in the mill, producing about two thousand pounds of yarn per week.

Cox & Dagee's Papee-Mill.

—Messrs.

Cox

&

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

one hundred and forty-five The machinery consists of two sets of cards, two self-actors, one one hundred and twenty horse-power engine, and eighty The business consists of the horse-power boiler. manufacture of doeskins, jeans, diagonals and flannels, of which about forty-five thousand yards per month are produced. There are sixty hands employed, and the aggregate of wages per annum will amount to The mill is about twenty-two thousand dollars.

Dager, both of Norristown, fitted up the old saw-mill formerly occupied b}- John C. Richardson as a papermill in 1881. It wa.s a large frame building, and was

is

They fire on the 23d of May, 1SS4. immediately erected the present building of stone, and it is now one of the best-fitted and most substanthe State.

The machinery-room is one hundred and eighteen by forty-two feet; beater-roora, eighty-five by thirtyfifty by thirty feet rag-boiling by forty-five feet. There are two engines, one of one hundred and twenty horse-power and one of forty. The capacity of production is

five feet

;

cutter-room,

;

is of Welsh descent, Aaron Smith, having been a resident of Lower Merion township, where he cultivated a farm and also followed his trade as a shoemaker. He married Sarah Free, whose children were William F. (of Ogden, Utah), John Alvin (of Lower Merion), Sarah A. (wife of Joseph Shaw, deceased), and one

fifteen tons a week of Manilla paper. Twenty Lands are employed, and about eight hundred dollars

are distrilnited in wages.

plant

included,

is

Isaac

fifty

thousand

fine

establish-

dollars.

Smith's

ment

Woolex-Mills.

— This

the newest acquisition to the industries of Bridgeport, and probably of the county, for it has is

only been built and put into operation during the last few months. It was opened on December 1, 188.3.

This mill

died in youth. By a second marriage, to Mary Watkin, of Delaware County, were born children,— George (deceased), Isaac W., Aaron and Mary Emily. The birth of Isaac W. occurred July 29, 1839, in Lower Merion, where he received in youth such education as the public schools aftbrded. At the age

who '

Isaac W. Smith, Esq., the proprietor, is an experienced manufacturer, who, for a long term of years,

operated the woolen-mill at Valley Forge.

W. Smith.—Mr. Smith

his father,

The value of the

about

front,

and Reading Railroad track, on Third Street, above De Kalb, and cost thirty-four thousand dollars.

about

property,

I'eet

long and two stories in height.

located in a beautiful spot near the Philadeljihia

liouse, thirty

a month

fifty-eight

feet

destroyed by

tial mills in

591

I

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERi' COUNTY.

592 of twelve

years he

entered the

carpet-yarn

an apprenticeship to the business, subsequently removing with him to Valley Forge, and acting in the capacity of manager until the death of Mr. Shaw, in 1863. Mr. Smith continued, in behalf of the widow, the superintendence of the interests of the estate until 1872,

when he became

lessee of the mill

Rebecca Paper-Mills, Hugh McInnes, Pro-

fac-

tory of his brother-in-law, Joseph Shaw, and served

and

machinery for three years. He later purchased the machinery and continued to operate the mill until 1882, when, having disposed of his property at public sale, he made Norristown his home. In the spring of

—

prietor. The Rebecca Paper-Mills are located oa Front Street, with a frontage of two hundred and sixty-seven feet, and reaching back to the river. The buildings were erected as an oil refinery, in 1868, by Dr. H. T. Slemmer, and were afterwards leased to

George Zinne as ice-houses. The present proprietor purchased the property from the Standard Oil Company, and, in ixirtuership with Mr. Robert Dager, commenced the manufacture of Manilla paper. In a. short time Mr. Dager left the firm, and since then Mr. Twenty-three Mclnnes has run the mill himself.

Smith purchased ground and erected a mill hands are employed steadily, with a pay-sheet of one where he began the manufacture of thousand dollars a month. Two engines furnish the motive-power, one of one hundred and twenty and cloths, flannels and ladies' dress goods, in which he is now actively engaged. Isaac W. Smith was married, one of thirty horse-power. Three boilers, of one hun1883, Mr.

in Bridgeport,

Mary Ella, daughter of the George Grow, a farmer of Lower Merion townTheir children are Joseph S., Isaac A., Mary ship. K., Emma L., Louis Y., J. Futhey and one who is deceased. Mr. Smith is in politics a Republican, and though not active in the political field has held various oflices in the county and townshiji. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian Church,

The mill known to the

in June, 1867, to Miss

dred horse-power each, furnish the steam.

late

is

of which he

is

a member.

furnished with the best machinery

and produces thirty thousand pounds of Manilla paper per week. The mill and plant is estimated in value at seventy-five thousand dollars. DeKalbStreet Roller Floiiring-Mills. Thissubstantial old stone building stands near the south end of the De Kalb Street bridge, close to the edge of

trade,

—

the canal, and has a history of

its

own.

It

was built

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

593

in 1824 as a saw-mill by Jacob Pastorius, and was superintended by Mr. Cadwalader Evans. In 1826 it was changed to a grist-mill, Mr. Evans assisting in

other labor-saving mechanical appliances for hotels, public buildings and private residences. The build-

arranging the machinery, dressing the burrs, and

height.

for

two years more suiierintended it as a tlouring-mill It was put up at sheriff's sale and for country trade. bought in by the Schuylkill Navigation Company, whose property it still remains. For two years it was run by John Gorgas, who erected a drying-mill and ground corn for shipping. The late Christopher Heebner run the mill for some years, and was followed by John Tyson and Henry and others, who worked it occasionally. Israel Newbury leased the mill for a time, and added new and improved machinery. They failed, and in March, 1880, it was taken by the present lessees, Messrs. Hilibert & Brook, under whose management It has a capacity of it has been a complete success. one hundred and twenty-five barrels of flour a day, and two hundred bushels of choppings. The machinery consists of nine pairs of steel rolThe first pair of rollers merely crushes the lers. grain, which, in its broken condition, is carried by elevators to a bolting roll, where the flour is shaken out. The crushed grains then pa^^s through the second pair of rolls and again to the bolting roll, and so on continuously until it has been broken and ground between each pair of the nine rollers, the particles becoming finer with each break. The middlings remaining after this process has been gone through with passes to the only remaining run of stones, and more flour is extracted. Pork-Packixg. Several years ago Charles Whitman established a large butchering and pork-packing business on Front Street. Since his death it has passed through several hands, and ha-s been most successfully operated since the year 1882 by the present Since taking possession proprietor, John B. Horn. Mr. Horn expended about four thousand dollars in improvements, and it is now one of the most complete pork-packing and butchering establishments in the State, having all the newest and most approved machinery for slaughtering and curing pork and beef. The proprietor has increased the business to an enormous extent since he took hold. From the 1st of January up to the last day of July during the year 1884 he shipped of hams and shoulders alone, by rail, four hundred and thirt3'-two thousand pounds, and this was exclusive of home trade or his large shipments of beef. Seven hands are employed at the works, which extend one hundred and sixty-five feet in front and ninety-five feet deep, with an ice-house one hundred feet square. W. S. Richards, Elevator.s, Automatic Doors,

—

Etc.—In

the year 1880,

W.

S.

Richards, Esq.,

a

mechanic in wood and iron, leased the building on Fourth Street the property of Joel Andrews, Esq., of Norristown, and established a manufactory of dumb-waiters, automatic doors, elevators and skilled

38

ing

twenty-five by seventy feet, three stories in

is

There

are

stock, etc.,

is

thirteen

The

the premises.

employed on

hands

jiroperty, with the

machinery,

valued at about seven thousand dollars.

—

Jacob Andrews, Brick Manufacturer. Mr. Andrews is a well-known citizen of Norristown, residing on De Kalb Street, near Spruce. He engaged in the manufacture of bricks

Fourth the

on his property at and has conducted

Street, Bridgeport, in 1844,

business

successfully since that

capacity of his kilns and yards

The

period.

two million bricks

is

annually.

Schuylkill Valley Creamery.

—This

estab-

lishment was erected and adapted as a creamery on Fifth Street, in 1880, by Mr. Jacob Tripler, of Norristown.

It is

now operated by Mr. John Kinze, and

has a capacity of making one hundred and sixty

pounds of butter and thirty cheeses daily, provided they could obtain a sufficient quantity of milk. The machinery and ajipliances are kept in beautiful order,

and the whole

is

evidently under skillful manage-

ment.

CONSHOHOCKEN.

Alan

Wood &

—

Co. ^These well-known ironworks and rolling-mills were established in 1856, and front on Washington Street about one thousand feet, from Poplar to Ash Street, the buildings and lots covering fifteen acres of ground. The firm employ five hundred hands, with a monthly pay-roll of twenty thousand dollars. The monthly product is one thousand tons of finished iron. There are twelve engines, thirty-four boilers and seven trains of rolls. The value of the plant is a million and a half of dollais.

JoHX Wood & Brothers' Sheet and Plate-Iron

—

Mills. The business of this firm was first established by James Wood, father of the present proprietors, in 1832.

The

firm

now runs

Two

three mills.

of them are

on Washington Street the other is near Matson's Ford bridge, on a strip of land between the canal and the river. This latter is driven by two

situated

;

fifty- four-inch

turbine wheels, the water from

canal being used for that jjurpose.

the

Three hundred

hands are employed, producing about seven thousand tons a year of finished work, with a pay-roll of twelve thousand dollare a month. The Washington Street mills were burned down in 1882, but were soon rebuilt in a more substantial and convenient The frontage on Washington form than before. Street is six hundred feet depth, two hundred and fifty feet. There are ten engines, eighteen boilers and ;

The property

seven roll-trains.

hundred and

fifty

John Wood,

is

valued

at

seven

thousand dollars.

Jr.

—The

titles

the Conshohocken Car- Works

Foundrv and Machine- Works.

of these works are and the Schuylkill Engine-boilers and

HISTORY OF .MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

594 rolling-mill

machinery are a

specialty.

Tlie proprie-

a son of Hon. John Wood, and commenced operations in 1867, with ten hands, doing business the first year to the amount of about ten thousand dollars. In 1873 he built the foundry, machine and pattern-

tor

is

shops, and in 1880 erected the car-works.

There are

595

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. He was educated in the faith of the office. Church of England, as was also his wife, and their

cepted

allegiance

is still

Plymouth

to that taith.

Rolling-Mill

Company.—These

well-known mills are located near the upper end of the borough, close to the lines of the Philadelphia

and Reading and the Plymouth Railroads. They were built in 1842 by Steidien Galwell. For many years they were operated by Samuel Fulton, and he This company also owns is now the general manager. we include in this sketch. which Norristown, a mill in The works, when in full operation, employ three hundred hands, and pay out in wages fifteen thousand

are seventy hands employed, the pay-roll being three thousand tive hundred dollars a month. The production is about six thousand five hundred tons of muck-

bar per annum. The building is in the lower part of the borough, fronting on Washington Street four hundred feet, with a depth of six hundred feet. There are three engines and three boilers; the latter are Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers, with a full plant of first-class modern machinery. Lewis A. LuKENS.^Jan Lukens, the progenitor of

the family in America, sailed from Holland during Among the year 1683, and located in Philadelphia. his sons was Abraham Lukens, who became a farmer

"i^d^u^ thousand tons a year in Towamencin township, Montgomery Co/Hia son and sheet-iron. The John, the grandfather of Lewis A. Lukens, though by works front on Washington Street eighteen hundred occupation a farmer, was a man of scientific attainThere are ments, and won some rejiutation as a skillful surveyor. feet, with a depth of five hundred feet. He married Jliss Rachel Robinson, and became the three blast furnaces No, 1, No. 2 and the Lucinda and four trains of rolls. There are fifteen engines, father of children, David, George, Joel and Edith (Mrs. Mordecai Davis). David Lukens was born on the six of them averaging over five hundred horse-power, and twenty-five boilers. These figures include the 18th of October, 1761, in Towamencin township, where engines and boilers at the works in Norristown, the he continued the healthful pursuits of his ancestors, property of the company. and married Jliss Mary, daughter of William and Jawood Ltjkens' Iron- Works. These works are Elizabeth Shepherd, whose birth occurred November quite modern, having been erected in 1S82 by the 16, 1760. Their children are Charles, born in 1790 proprietor, Jawood Lukens, Esq., formerly connected William, in 1793 Elizabeth, in 1795 (who became with the establishment of Alan Wood & Co. There Mrs. George Shoemaker) Aaron, in 1798 Maria, in

dollars a

month, producing

fifty

of pig-iron, muck-bar, plate

—

—

—

;

;

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

596

1801 (who became the wife of Robert Fowler) Rachel, in 1804 (who became the wife of Dr. Samuel Tysou); ;

leaving his interest in the hands of his sons, Charles

having been built upon land owned by his father. His youth, until eighteen, was spent in the pursuits

Mr. Lukens was, on the IGth of SepMary T., daughter of James Wood, of Conshohocken. Their children are Alan W., Charles, Jawood, Clara (^Mrs. Charles Heber Clark), Frank and Mary, the last two being deceased. Mr. Lukens is a stanch Republican in politics, having been member of the board of school directors and of the Borough Council of Conshohocken, as also for

peculiar to a farmer's son, with such educational oppor-

several years

Mark, born in 1810 and Edward, in 1812. The death of David Lukens occurred in 1828, and that of his wife in 1818. Their son, Lewis A., was born on Lewis A.

;

;

the 8th of April, 1807, in Plymouth township, now a portion of Conshohocken, the half of the borough

tunities as the neighboring school afforded, alter

he removed

to Philadelphia

the trade of a cabinet-maker.

which

and became proficient This

field

in

of action was.

and Jawood.

tember, 1834, married to Miss

chief burgess.

its

Bank

He

is

a director of

Conshohocken and one of the corporators of the Conshohocken Gas and Water Company, of which he was for ten years president. the First National

of

^u^^^ t^^^^Ai ^^.^^^ however, too circumscribed for the progressive mind of Mr. Lukens, who, in 183G, made Lebanon County his residence, and there leased the Newmarket Forge

At the expiration of this and after a brief interval, he removed to Bridgeport, and was, during the succeeding four years, engaged with his brother in the lumber business. In 1851 he purchased a farm on the Wissahickon, in Whitemarsh township, and in 1858 removed to Confor a period of ten years.

lease,

shohocken, having the j)revious year, in connection with his brother-in-law, Alan Wood, built the rollingAfter a lengthened period of mills at that point. great business activity he retired from business.

He

is also a director of the Plymouth and Whitemarsh Turnpike Company. He is in his religious predilection.s a Friend, and worships with the Plymouth Meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Lukens in 1884 cele-

brated the

fiftieth

anniversary of their marriage,

the occasion being replete with interest to the

who assembled

mem-

do them honor. Conshohocken Tube Company was incorporated in 1882. The works are located in the lower part of the borough of Conshohocken, adjoining the iron-mills of Jawood Lukens, who is president of the comjiany. bers of the family

James W. Harry L.

Murphy

is

is

secretary

the manager.

to

and treasurer and Albert

The

capital stock of the

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

597

feet

(now a print-cloth establishment) employ two hundred hands, paying seven thousand dollars a month in wages, and putting through the machinery about fifty thousand pieces of goods per month. The two main buildings are of the following dimensions: the main print-works, ninety-four by three hundred and thirty-four feet, and the bleach, dye and boiler-house, ninety-eight by two hundred and sixty feet. The property is valued at five hundred tliousand

was erected

dollars.

company, which

is

one hundred and

fully paid up, is

company is the manufacture of wrought-iron tubing by the new and improved method invented by Stephen P. M. Tasker, Esq., of the firm of IMorris, Tasker & Co. At

The

fifty thousiinil dollars.

present the business

is

business of the

conducted in a large frame

hundred and twenty-five feet front towards Washington Street and six hundred and twelve building, one

deep towards the river Schuylkill. This building for temporary purposes, and will be replaced in the near future by more extensive and substantial works. This enterprise has been a complete success and has contributed largely to the growing

They

jirosperity of the Isorough.

are

now

])roducing

twenty-five tons a day of finished work, which, with

the receipt of raw material, coal and

all

the other

Conshohocken Waep-Mills, Hamilton Maxwell, Proprietor. ilton

Maxwell since 1S66

amount of finished work, gives a great impetus to local and other industries. The company has one of the

river Schuylkill,

which

They

is

are

and

making of cotton

are made, and about fifty hands are steadily employed.

The building

try,

in the

warps, of which about six thousand [)ounds a week

accessories necessary to the production of so large an

largest pipe-welding

—

These mills were built by George Bullock in 1865, and were occupied by Ham-

is

located between the canal and the

with dimensions one hundred and feet. It was originally run by

fourteen by forty-seven

lieating furnaces in the coun-

a sixty-horse turbine wheel, but the supplj' of water

a very great advantage to their business.

was found to be unreliable, owing to floods and the drawing off tlie canal, and the mill has for many years been run by steam. Horace C. Junes, Cotton Manufacturer. The mill is located on Washington Street, and was formerly operated by John Whitton. The present proprietor, Horace C. Jones, took possession in ISSO. Sixty-five hands are employed, amongst whom fifteen lumdred dollars a month are distributed as wages. There are sixty-four looms weaving cottonades, four sets of cards and fifteen hundred woolen spindles. Tlie production is about fifty thousaud yards a month. The works consist of two buildings, one one hundred and fifty by two hundred feet, the other fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, three stories in height. George S. Yerkes' Lumber -Yard. The origin of this yard dates back over forty years, when Jonathan Jones & Sons establLshed it in connection with a saw-mill. In 1855 they were succeeded by E. D. & E. Jones, who remained proiirietors until 1875, when the firm was changed to Evan D. Jones & Co. In 1881, Mr. George S. Yerkes, the present proprietor, was admitted into partnership, and is now sole proprietor. There are two buildings, one one hundred feet by ninety-two feet, the other one hundred feet by eighteen feet, both two stories in height. They are located on Elm and Cherry Streets, and produce

steadily increasing

production, and

when busy

will

tlieir

capacity

for

employ one hundred

hands, with a pay-roll of one thousand dollars a week.

CONSHOHOCKEN

COTT0N-MlLL.Si,

STANLEY LeES,

—

Proprietor. These mills were established in 1856 by the brothers, J. & S. Lees, who formerly operated ii mill at Mill Creek. The extent and capacity of the works have been quadrupled during their occupancy by the Messrs. Lees, and the only change in the firm has been made by the deatlr of J. Lees, when the junior member assumed the whole management. The is the largest single building used for purpose in the Schuylkill Valley, being two hundred feet long by fifty feet deep, with separate buildings for engine, machine-shop, picker-house, dye and sizing-houses. About two hundred hands are employed upon the looms and other machinery. Four

mill building this

tliousand dollars are ])aid montlily in wages, the pro-

duction of cotton goods being about thirty thousand yards per week. The mill was almost totally destroyed

by fire in 1S80, but was quickly rebuilt and fitted up with new and improved macliinery. Albion Print- Works. The extensive range of buildings known as the Albion Print-Works stands on the low grounds between the canal and the river, at the east end of Matson's Ford bridge. Tradition says tliat in and subsequent to the Revolutionary times a grist-mill stood on the spot, and still later it is reported that a saw manufactory was conducted here. These, however, have disappeared, and in 18()5 a Philadelphia firm, Joseph Lea & Co., Ijuilt a silk-mill and dye-house here, with Mr. Jonas Eberhardtas manager, seven natives of F' ranee having been brought over to assist in the work. The mill was destroyed by fire August 21, 1875 was rebuilt and started again January 1, 1876, with Richard H. Brehn, Esq., as manager, the firm being then Lea, McCarter & Co. When in full operation the works

—

;

—

—

—

a large

amount of

cases, etc.

firm

is

sashes, doors, frames, desks, book-

Twenty-five hands are employed, and the

in a flourishing condition.

—

East Conshohocken Quarries. These quarries are in Plymouth township, and are famous for the building-stones they produce. They belong to Boyd Samuel F. Prince and Michael O'Brien, and were bought from George W. Jacoby in 1868. The stone produced at tliese quarries is famous for its enduring qualities. It has been tested at Washington Stinson,

by the best experts of the profession, and has been pronounced perfect. The Wissahickon liridge and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

598

many

others along the lines of the different railroads

are built of this stone.

In

full

blast the quarries

employ one hundred and hfty men, at a monthly wage of four thousand dollars, and produce fifteen hundred tons of stone per day. Michael O'Brien. Michael O'Brien, the grand-

—

father of the subject of this biographical sketch, born

was an extensive lessee married Eose Fitzsimmons, of County Meath, whose only son, Christopher O'Brien, was born about the year 1800 near Dublin, where he was in Dublin, Ireland, in 1776,

of land.

He

educated, and followed a mercantile career. in 1830, nuirried to Catherine, daughter

(jf

He was, .John and

Elizabeth Gugarty, of County Meath.

Among

ten children of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien

is

the

Michael,

whose birth occurred on the 18th of February, 1832, in the above county, near the line of County Dublin,

He

received a thorough English education in the

own county and in Dublin, and at the age of twenty, discovering no advantageous career open to him in his own country, emigrated to the United States. He first settled in Philadelphia, but schools of his

laterremoved to Conshohocken, where forsixteen years he was employed in various capacities and finally as general agent for the Philadelphia, Oermantown and Norristown Railroad in the transportation of coal, lime and iron. He had, during this time, become the landlord of the Conshohocken Hotel, of which he remained for twenty years the popular proprietor. Seeking a broader field of operation, he, in connection with his partners, under the title of the Plymouth Quarry Company, purchased the Plymouth Quarry, located on the Jacoby farm, in Plymouth township.

and at once obtained from the iiirnaces at Norristown and Conshohocken and various glass-works in New Jersey large orders for fluxing-stone. The company, in course of time, erected works, laid railroad tracks

and made other improvements incident

to the needs In 1880, Mr. O'Brien acquired an interest in and became sujierintendent of the Conshohocken Stone Quarry Company, the prod-

of an increasing business.

uct of this quarry being the Conshohocken granite,

now

in general use for bridge-building

ing of large foundations.

and the lay-

This (juarry has supplied

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. the stone for the bridge built by the Philadelphia,

Germantown and Norristown Railroad Wissahickon, for that

Manayunk and

crossing the

crossing the Schuylkill

at

the bridge across the Perkioinen

Creek built by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

It sup-

plies all the stone used for purposes of construction

by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. The companj- employ one hundred men, two hoistingengines, one double hoisting-engine and work five massive derricks, three sets of boilers, six steamdrills, one hundred railroad cars, and have two miles of track connecting with both the Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia and Reading Railroads. The extensive liusiness connections of this quarry

ceptional mechanical equipment

make

and it

its

seventy-five tons per week,

—

say thirteen thousand hundred tons per annum. In addition to the two blast furnaces, as above described, there is a fine mansion-house and about eleven acras of laud, situated in the borough of West Conshohocken, belongfive

ing to the corporation, together with

all the tools, implements, railroad-cars, horses, carts and necessary working fixtures, all of which were included in the purchase of the property, at a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, paid for as follows

Three thousand shares of capital stock at par, S50 per share

8150,000

Bonds secured by mortgage on the premises, bearing

ex-

the most

worked quarry in the State. Mr. O'Brien is a pronounced Democrat in his political sympathies, and has served for two terms as burgess of the borough of Coushohocken and for six years as .school director. He was one of the earliest directors of the Fir.st National Bank of Conshohocken, as also of the Plymouth Turnpike Company, and treasurer of the

599

iive

per cent, interest per

annum ....

100,000

Total

8250,000

successftilly

Franklin Building Society. faith a

He

is

in his religious

Roman Catholic and member

of St. Matthew's

Church of that denomination in Conshohocken. Mr. O'Brien was married, in 1856, to Mary Ann, daughter daughter of Thomas and Ann Fox, of Philadelphia. Their children are Annie (Mrs. Horace Hallowell),

Thomas C. (a student of medicine in the MediDepartment of the University of Pennsylvania), Minnie, Madaline, Lizzie, Michael and Louis H. Kate,

cal

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN. The Meriox Iron Company, West ConshoHOCKEX.

—The

charter of the

company authorizes

the manufacture of pig-iron, rolled-iron of

all sizes

and shapes and iron castings of every description.

The fifty

cajiital

dollars

stock consists of four thousand shares of

—two

hundred thousand dollars. J. B. Monrhead (presiThomas, Jay Cooke, Jr., Joseph E.

each,

Tlie board of directors are

dent), George C. Thropp, Edwin P. Bruce. The Merion Furnace was built in 1848 by Stephen Caldwell & Co., and purchased by J. B. Moorhead in 18.57. The capacity of the furnace in the last-named year was about one hundred tons of pig-iron per week, say five thousand tons per annum, since which date a new blowing-engine has been put in use. Three of Player's hot-blast ovens have been erected, the furnace-stack raised from forty to fifty feet in height, a new hoist and other improvements added, increasing the capacity of the furnace from five thousand tons up to twelve thousand tons per annum. The Elizabeth Furnace was built by J. B. Moorhead in 1873 at a cost of about one hundred and fourteen thousand dollars, and further improvements have raised the cost to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The cai^acity of the Elizabeth Furnace is about two hundred and sixty to two hundred and

—

—

From 1857

to 188.3, a period of twenty-five years,

the average annual net earnings applicable to the payment of interest or dividends were, under the

management and ownership of J. B. Moorhead & Co., equal to more than fifteen per cent, per annum on the present capital stock, and when it is considered the average producing capacity of the works during the same time was less than three-fourths of

that

may be considered reasonable annual earnings as being equal to the payment of the interest on the mortgage bonds, and at least twelve per cent, per annum on the capital stock. This estimate is based on the present depressed condition of the iron market the results may, and probably will, prove much more remunerative to the stockholders, taking a period of seven to the present eai>acity,

it

to estimate the future

;

ten years in the future.

B. Moorhead was born on the 13th of April, on the banks of the Susquehanna River, at Moorhead's Ferry, Dauphin Co., Pa., at which point his father, William Moorhead, owned a large farm and established a ferry. There being no bridge across this river at that early day, Moorhead's Ferry, twenty-two miles above Harrisburg, was widely known in that portion of the State. In 1815, William Moorhead was appointed by the President of the United States collector of internal revenue for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which necessitated his removal to Harrisburg with his family, where his

Joel

1813,

death occurred in 1817. The family soon after returned to the ferry property, the eldest son, James

Kennedy, being, at the age of twelve years, his mother's main reliance in conducting the ferry and managing the farm. When the State began, in 1828, the construction of the canal on the river-bank, .Tames K. obtained a contract in connection with this improvement, his younger brothers finding employment with him during the progress of the contract work.

The

subject of this sketch being ambitious for

more successful business career than had yet been opened to him, when eighteen years of age, demanded an interest with his brother in one or more of these contracts. Meeting with an unfavorable response to a

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

600 his

was, in 1842, appointed by the canal commissioners

to

superintendent of motive-power on the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, which position he held until

demand on the plea of his youth, he determined operate independently. A letting of contracts was made soon after by the State Railroad, covering a and Lancaster, at and made a successful bid a large contract covering one and one-half miles

which he continued

for several years to

stretch of territory between Paoli

1844, after

which Joel B. was

execute contracts, residing meanwhile on his farm.

for

present,

west of Paoli, in Chester County. He associated with him an older partner with influence, but no practical experience, and at the expiration of the

second year the contract was completed. He subsequently became engaged with his brother in the filling of important contracts on the Portage Railroad, the Monongahela slack-water navigation, in bridge-

In 1850 he

made

Philadeljihia his residence, and two

years later was awarded the

contract to build the

Sunbury and Erie Railroad, extending from Sunbury to Lock Haven, a distance of nearly sixty miles.

Owing

to financial

embarrassments of the company

the work was greatly delayed, and was not until 1856

brought to a successful conclusion. In 1857 he purchased the Merion Furnace, located at West Cousho-

JI^J/a^^L^crtir^ jf^^TjpyfU building in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and in va-

Mr. Moorhead, in 1837, prior to entering upon his Kentucky contracts, married Miss Elizabeth Hirons, of Wilmington, Del., whose children are Charles N. (married to a daughter of John Hickman), Ada E. (wife of G. C. Thomas), Clara A. (married to Jay Cooke, Jr.) and Caroline F. (married to Joseph E. Thropp). Mr. Moorhead, on the completion of his Kentucky contracts, in rious important railroad enterprises.

1840, returned to the site of his

first

venture in Chester

C!ounty and purchased a fine farm that he had, during his migratory

life,

determined eventually to make his

permanent home. One year's experience, however, convinced him that farming was not his vocation. He

hocken, and commenced as a novice in the iron Inisiness. The plant has been greatly enlarged, and the capacity increased from one hundred tons per week in 1854 to six hundred and fifty tons per week in 1884.

He

is

also largely interested in the Sterling

Iron and Railway

Company,

in

the State of

New

York. Mr. Moorhead was formerly allied in politics with the Democracy, but a careful consideration of the important public issues of the day caused him to give his allegiance and support to the Republican His religious associations are with the Protesparty. From 1841 until 1850 lie tant Episcopal Church. was a vestryman of St. Paul's Church of that denomination, in Chester Valley, and has since 1864 held

J.-il'"*??^^'''"

/-^^ ^^^ e .cy^

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

601

the same relation to the Holy Trinity Church, iu

of

Philadelphia.

cleanly,

James Kennedy Moorhead, of whom mention has been made in this sketch, died March, 18S4, at his home, in Pittsburg. He was not less identified with

best-kept in the country.

the leading business enterprises of Pittsburgh than with various interests which were inseparable from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The leading

dollars monthly.

industries of city

ment

to his

and State stand

name and

fame.

as a great

monu-

In his business, as in

his social relations, he never deviated from the high line of an irreproachable

life.

Having

filled

well the

measure of a well-rounded career, he went down an honored grave revered and beloved by all.

to

CONSHOHOCKEJf WORSTED-MlLLS, GeORGE BUL& Co. This grand establishment for the man-

—

IjOCK

ufacture of textile fabrics

is

one of the oldest in the

fifty

by fifty feet. Within, the mill is neat and and has the reputation of being one of the It is

divided into four

departments, and gives employment to seventy hands, to

whom

are paid about

An

two thousand two hundred

engine of sixty horse-power,

with boilers of one hundred horse-power, supply the necessary power and steam for the dyeing and drying of goods. The mill is furnished throughout with all

the modern machinery for the manufacture of

black broadcloths and woolen goods.

GeoegeBullock

is of both English and Scotch lineSamuel Bullock and his wife, Hannah, emigrated from Yeadon, Yorkshire, England, to America, and Their children were settled in Germantown, Pa. Benjamin, John and Sarah, who became Mrs. Charles Cummings. Benjamin Bullock, who was born in Bradford, England, in 1796, at the age of nineteen came to the United States and began an active business career. He became associated in 1822 with Anthony Davis in the wool-pulling business. In 1837 he embarked in wool manufacturing, and continued for a

age.

and has a national reputation. Our limited space forbids us to do as we would wish, and give a detailed record of the family and of the enterprise. But history is inexorable, and demands that we give nothing but facts and figures. The new worsted-mills in West Conshohocken period of thirty-seven years actively engaged in this were built in 1881, and produce three hundred thou- and other enterprises in Philadelphia and vicinity. sand pounds of the finest worsted yarns per annum. He married Martha, daughter of George Maxwell, The building is ninety feet wide by four hundred feet whose children were eight in number, of whom George, long, costing, with the machinery, two hundred and the subject of this biographical sketch, was born fifty thousand dollars. The number of hands is two March 9, 1830, in Philadelphia, where his youth was hundred and seventy-five. spent as a pupil of the public schools. At the age of The Balligo Mills were established in 1858 and fourteen he entered his fathers wool-store and became 1859, and then ]iroduced from eighty thousand to one thoroughly versed in the various details of the busihundred thousand yards per annum of three-quarters- liess. His fidelity and service were rewarded by an yard and yard-and-a-half-wide goods, at a monthly interest in 1851, which continued until the death of his pay of two thousand five hundred dollars. Now they father, in 1859, when the enterprise was continued by produce three hundred and twenty-five thousand him both as a wool dealer and a woolen manufacturer. yards of yard-and-a-half-wide cloth per annum, and In 1862, Mr. Bullock removed to West Conshohocken, jjay one hundred thousand dollars a year in wages. having acquired a valuable mill with water-power at The mill is seventy-five by fi)ur hundred and fifty that point, and conducted an extensive manufacturing feet, one and two stories high, with sixty-five tenementinterest under the firm-name of Benjamin Bullock & houses. Two hundred and seventy-five hands are Sons, the style of which was in 1865 changed to BenThis extensive enterprise employed, and the full value of the plant, real estate, jamin Bullock's Sons. machinery, etc.. is estimated at two hundred and eventually became a corporation under the corporate fifty thousand dollars. title of the Conshohocken Worsted-Mills, with George The whole mills are established under the firm-title Bullock as president, treasurer and owner of the and name of the Conshohocken Worsted-ilills. controlling interest. In 1862, Mr. Bullock, finding it George Bullock, treasurer; James Moir, superintend- desirable to make his permanent abode among the ent capital, six hundred thousand dollars. There scenes of his business activity, purchased a picturesque are eight sets of cards, sixty-eight broad looms and site, embracing three hundred acres of valuable land, eight thousand two hundred and sixty-tour spindles and erected a spacious residence, surrounded by all that on worsted yarns and French worsted suitings. is beautiful in nature and art, and embracing views On woolen suitings, two sets of cards, twenty-five from various points which are unsurpassed. The broad looms and nine hundred and sixty spindles, subject of this sketch is a man of great administraand in Mill No. 2, thirteen sets cards, eighty broad tive ability coupled with rare energy and force. He looms and five thousand one hundred and eighty is, as a citizen, public-spirited and liberal, manifesting a spindles. keen interest in the material welfare of those who are The mill on JIain Street, Norristown, belonging to identified with his various interests. He is a RepubState,

;

tliis

firm

is

tour stories in

height, built of stone,

mnrtar-coated, and is fitly by ninety feet in size, with a rear building, used as dye and picker-house.

lican in politics, but frequent!)' votes independent of his party

He

when men

or measures are obnoxious to him.

has served for two vears on the Board of State

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

602

Prison Inspectors and for ten years has been a member of the State Board of Charities. He has been burgess of the borough of its

organization.

He

West Conshohoeken

since

also president of the First

is

National Bank of Conshohoeken. He is a liberal supporter of the Baptist Church of AVest Conshohoeken, and a stanch advocate of the cause of tem-

Mr. Bullock bj' precept and example. was married, in 1851, to Miss Josephine, daughter of Samuel Wright, of Philadelphia. The following summary of the character of Mr. Bullock has been prepared by a friend " Mr. Bullock possesses in the line of business what was attributed to the great mind of John C. Calhoun, of South Caroperance, both

:

lina, in the line of political

measures,

—the ability

to

judge of the future of any public measure. He reads the future from the experiences of the past and from He inherits great principles evolved from the same. business qualifications from his father, Benjamin Bullock, who in his day was a most reliable man on the wool question, a committee of Congress having

honored him by summoning him before them to be enlightened upon this interest of the nation. " George Bullock believes in having everything done hence he has the best of workmen, in the best way pays well and turns out the best quality of goods. As the president of a bank, he has a thorough knowledge of commercial paper and acts from a fixed principle, not asking how much a man may be worth nor how large his bank account may be, but what kind of man is he that made the note, and how does he do business, ;

believing that certain principles succes-s,

mean

of business

while the reverse insures, some time in the

near future, failure. successful managementof hislargemills he with decision and promptness, and at times seemingly with prospective loss, but the end is found tojustify the means. As an illustration, if times are dull and goods have accumulated largely on his hands, he takes steps to dispose of them. First, his goods are

"In the

acts

exactly as represented, always up to the standard.

market may be applied, the warp anr.son is still engaged in his profession, wart and active man, fuU of mental and moral energy, and as prompt as ever to succor the poor and suffering.

Benjamin Johnson was born May 30, 1787, Quakertown, Bucks Co., Pa. He graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1809. He located at Pottstown, and was a|iDit.

in

pointed regimental surgeon towards the close of the

war of 1812, and served three months while the regiment was stationed at Marcus Hook. After peace was declared he returned to Pottstown and practiced 1818.

_

this place. in

till

,\bout this time he married Sarah Jones, of

He

then practiced successively two years

Long Swamp, Berks

Co.

;

ten years

at

Sumney-

town; five years at Philadelphia, and finally returned to Norristown in 1836, where he continued in active practice until his eyesight failed, in 1861. During a portion of this time he filled the office of clerk of courts, continuing also in practice. He was a man of great energy and noted as possessing a remarkable memory. He died January 17, 1870, in his eighty-

Leedom,

is

thorough primary training he received a classical education, and on its completion entered upon his career as a student of medicine, and graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He at once located in Plymouth, and has for a period of nearly half a century pursued his profession successfully in the field made familiar by the footsteps of his father, who preceded him in practice. Dr. Leedom has for many years been a valued contributor to various journals, having written on mechanics, natural philosophy and medicine. He published two papers in SiUiman's American Journal of Science and Art, entitled "An Astronomical Machine: the Tellurium," and "Experiments and ObIn the American servations on the Solar Rays." Journal of the Medical Sciences were likewise two papers on "The Structure of the Eye Examined in Connection with the Undulatory Theory of Light," and "Night Blindness Successfully Treated." He has also now- in readiness for the press a

work

entitled

Dr. Joseph Leedom was born in Northampton, Bucks Co., August, 1769. He was the son of Richard and Sarah Leedom, members of the Society of Friends.

"Enquiries concerning the Origin and Destiny of Man." In early life he manifested a great fondness for astronomy, and constructed several machines which elucidated the movements of the heavenly bodies, the "Tellurium," among them, having already been re-

He

ferred

third year.

received a classical education at

Rhode

Ishuul

to.

Dr.

Leedom

is

a

member of the Montgomery

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

648

and Wistar were professors therein. He graduated and commenced practice in the spring of 1812, at Skippackville, and followed it continuously there until 1844, when his son James had finished his medical education and entered into partnership with

Society, of which organization he has been president. He was, in 1848, married to Susan, daughter of Peter Lukens, of the same neighborhood, and a member of the Society of Friends. They have five sons, of whom Oscar, viho graduated from tlie Medical Department of the University of Pennsylva-

County Medical

nia,

has succeeded his father in practice.

who graduated from

the

Law Department

him.

of the

In

however, practiced at times as all

those thirty-two years or practice,

extending

largely over the townships of Perkiomen, parts of

is

and Franklin

elder,

more he had a very laborious

same

pursuing his profession in Philadelphia. Daniel M. graduated !is a mining engineer from the Polytechnic College of Pennsylvania, and Howard university,

James, the

long as he lived.

Joseph,

Upper and Lower Providence, Lower Salford, LimFranconia, Towamencin, Hatfield, Worcester and Norriton, covering an area, perhaps, of

erick, Frederick,

are engaged in other pursuits.

>i

IHr»P

all the Hallowells in Montgomery and Bucks Counties, at least those of Abington, Moreland and neighboring districts.

probably,

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.

we should mention Charles Hallowell, one of the most respected men of Moreland, so long residing on the adjoining property of Dr. Hallowell mentioned, who died 13th of Tenth Month, 1855, aged seventy years. He has also descendants residing in this section and in the West. Thomas Hallowell, the weaver, son of William, who resided in Moreland on a farm of one hundred acres given him by his father in 1786, also carried on farming. He died the 4th of Eleventh Month, 1788, aged nearly seventy-four years, and was a noted hunter

John Hallowell conveyed to his eldest son, Thomas, on the 1st of Eighth Month, 1702, two hundred and twenty acres of liis tract, witli the imiirovenients thereon. The balance of four hundred and eight acres he divided equally, on the 11th of Fourth

this connection

Month, 1706, between his younger sons, Samuel and Benjamin, as they became of age. The aforesaid Thomas Hallowell, on the 25th of Twelfth Month, 1730, conveyed his farm of two hundred and twenty acres to his eldest son, William, who was a carpenter by occupation. The latter purchased of William Dunn, in Morelaud, one hundred acres, in 1730, which he conveyed, on June 3, 1736, to his son, Thomas Hallowell, weaver, who had previously occupied it. This tract was situated a short mile northwest of Willow Grove, and is still owned by a descendant, Dr. William Halluwell, the son of Joseph (now of Norristovvn), who was born thereon ui)wards of eighty-three years ago. The said Thomas was his grandfather, and consequently this farm has been owned by these three the long period now of one hundred and forty-eight years, showing a remarkable instance of longevity. Thomas died in 1788, and his son Joseph near the close of 1843, at ui)wards of

and marksman. year,

when

He

related that, in the spring of the

the early-budding forest-trees would be

come and browse upon About them, even, at times, close to the house. 1744 he happened to bring down at one shot This two deer that were together iu a thicket. remarkable feat was done on the farm recently owned by Tabitha Kirk, but little over a mile from his home, and still lingers in tradition among some of the old families of that vicinity, as, for instance, the cut down, the deer would

Tysons, Kirks and Homers. A deer was also shot by him on the farm lately owned by Washington Kimball.

He

shot,

one spring, on a

tall

hickory-tree, an eagle

of an unusual size that had carried off two of his

eighty-five years of age.

Thomas

689

Hallowell, the son of John, died near the

small lambs.

end of 1734, and his wife, Eosamond, in 1745, both buried in Abington Meeting-house graveyard. Their children were John, born iu 1703; Mary, 1705; Thomas, 1706; William, 1707; Rosamond, 1709; Elizabeth, 1711 Sarah, 1714; Thomas, 1715 Samuel, William, who was born in 1717; and Joseph, 1719. 1707, resided on his farm in Abington until 23rd of Eighth Month, 1794, when he died at the age of eighty-seven. The children of Samuel and Jlary Benjamin, Hallowell were Joseph, born in 1739 1741; Elizabeth, 1743; Rachel, 1744; Mary, 1747; Martha, 1751 John, 1753 and Samuel, in 1756. Thomas Hallowell, Jr., the son of Thomas, the weaver, of Moreland, was married,on the 16th of Eleventh Month, 1762, to Margaret, the daughter of Peter Tyson, of Abington. We find another marriage of Thomas Hallowell, yeoman, of Moreland, the 30th of Tenth Month, 1746, to Margaret, the daughter of John Tyson, of Abington. It may possibly be that in these two marriages the aforesaid Thomas Hallowell may have been the same person. We also find a Thomas Hallowell married to Mary Craft in 1735. Owing to a similarity of names, these are some of the

Joseph Hallowell, son of the aforesaid, who was born on said farm in 1758 and became its subsequent owner, also became a distinguished marksman. He survived iill the 18th of Eleventh Month, 1843, when

puzzles that frequently attend the researches of gen-

a short mile's distance from the west of his house,

;

he died

;

when

Among

44

As he was

Previous to 1779 he had shot four of those birds on or near the vicinity of his farm. He stated that James Dubree had shot a wild turkey by moonlight in 17C2, on a tall hickory tree, that weighed thirty-two pounds. This tree was pointed out to the writer in 18.50, and it stood about half a mile northw'est of Willow Grove. It was fully nine feet in circumference, and owed its preservation to being on a boundary line, but a storm several years afterwards blew it down. On the morning of May 1, 1778, Joseph Hallowell happened to be up early, and hearing the noise of wild turkeys, hastened in pursuit. About the break of day he came into the woods near the Welsh road, fiock of eleven wild turkeys.

Thomas Hallowell, John Johnson, de-

when

his

attention

was

soon

peculiar sounds coming from

stooped

among the

arrested by

down

the road.

most

He

bushes, and as he peeped there-

from, to his surprise, beheld a detachment of the

members the names of

the original

Abington Library in 1803 we find AVilliam and Isaac, William and Charles Hallowell. Jonathan Hallowell were owners of real estate in Willow Grove between the years 1784 and 1803. In

of the

related, that

the late George Spencer he observed in the bushes a

having purchased the share of ceased, became a member of the Hatboro' Library in 1758, served as a director in 1761, and in 1767 sold it to Isaac Cadwallader.

He

returning one evening from school, on the farm of

;

ealogists into extensive families.

age of eighty-five.

boasting of having killed bears with clubs.

;

;

at the

a school-boy, he heard several of the larger boys

army from Philadelphia hastening northwho had resided in Horsham. He estimated the number at about six hundred men, one-half of whom were mounted on horses, being now on their way, by Horsham MeetingBritish

wards, piloted by several he knew,

I

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

HISTOllY OF

690

Vancouit, 62

house to attack General Lacey on the rear of his lamp near Hatboro'. Fortunately they were too late, for the division that had proceeded uj) the Middle road made the attack too soon, and Lacey, by moving

ham

when they had gone

one

astray, the

that carried the bell being called the " king-cow." John Tomlinson, a neighbor of his, having gone with

produce to Philadelphia while it was in possession of the British, on his return was cai»tured by a party of Lacey's men, who sheared off closely the hair on one side of his head, deprived him of his clothing, and, instead, gave him an old shirt and a pair of breeches which he found filled with vermin. The neighbors afterwards jested on the matter by saying that he was

a fortunate man to have safely returned to his home with so much more than what he had taken with him. Mr. Hallowell stated that after 1785 he had no knowledge of any wild turkeys having been seen anywhere through all that section. He verified the great abund-

ance of wild pigeons seen at times near the close of last century, and of their still breeding in the woods of that vicinity as late as 1810. the

ASSESSMENT OF ABINGTON FOU John CoUum,

c.

c.

;

Abra-

;

Castor, 3 h.,

c.

1

;

;

1 h., 1 c.

;

Joseph Phipps,

;

Jr., lab., 1 c.

;

Jacob Fisher, cordwainer,

1 c.

John Kiuman,^ h., 2 c. Charles Roberts, carpenter, 2 c. John Hoogle, weaver; Henry Krier, 100 a., 3 h., 4 c, 100 a. in Moreland John Shaw, Sr., 7o a., 1 h., 3 c. John Norman, 120 a., 3 h., 2 c. Phin eas Jenkin s, Sr., 00 a., 1 c. Jesse Jenkins, 14 a., 3 h., 2 c. John Fry," 59 a., 2 h., 2 c. David Krier, 2 h. Jacob Joseph Phipps,

70

Sr,,

2 h.

a,,

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Paul, 28S

7

a.,

Daniel Hone,

59

treas.,

grist-mill, 3 h., 4 c.

103

weaver, 2

c.

a.,

1

2 h., 3

Thomas

;

c.

c.

;

lab., 1 c.

negroes; William Roberts, 100

a.,

;

1

3 h.,

a.,

1 c.

Robert Paul, miller, 101»^ 3

a., 3 h.,

Fletcher, 175

Joseph Gold,

;

Bmnt,

Jolin

;

a.,

Julin Ycrkes, 09

;

Richard Wliitton, 95

;

bertson, 55 a., 2 h., 2 c. Aslibridge,

;

;

7 c, 2 negroes, 1 chair

li.,

h., 2 c.

;

c.

Elizabeth

;

John McMasters,

;

Thomas Beans,

;

a.,

Benjamin Al-

;

3 h., 5

a.,

h., 1 c.

1

c.

145

a.,

4 h., 4 c, 2

Susanna Fletcher, 70a.,

Jacob Holcombe,

tailor, 4'^ a., h., 1 c. John Thomas Dungan, inn-keeper, 44 a., 1 h., 1 c, 1 chair Peter Merkle, 1 c. Duncan McDermot, lab.; Joseph Webster, 00 a., 1 h., 3 c. Thomas Randall, 1 h., 4 c. Amos Harmer, carpenter Jacob Cotfin, lab., 24 a., 1 h., 1 c. John Nice, of Northern Liberties, 09 a. in Abingtori LJuIiS. Jenlsins,^2Ji., 2 c.^ Demas Worrall, cordwainer, 1 h., 1 c. Robert Fletcher, "297 a., h., 7 c. Naylor Web1 h.,

c,

1

chair

1

;

Wharti;nby, blacksmith, 2

c.

1

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

30^

ster,

2 h., 1

c.

;

3 h., 3

c.

;

ward

a.,

2 h.,

1

;

c.

;

Martin Ague, weaver; Jesse Roberts, 100

John Yerkes, Sr., 1 h., 1 Thomas AVebster, Jr., I h.,

Jeffreys, lab.

;

Thomas Webster,

c.

;

3

c.

;

Sr.,

William Parker,

Thoniiis Hallowell, 15 a. woodland

112

lab.

;

and meadow,

a,, a.,

Edre-

Lower Dublin John Megargle, 10 a. Abner Bradfield, of Cheltenham, 50 a. Benjamin Hallowell, 200 a., 4 h., 3 c. Moses Shepherd,

sides in

;

;

;

137

a., 1

h.,

2

;

c.

William Jenkins, ^ent^ 173

;

a.,

1

h.,

5

c.

;

George

Bewly, Samuel Tyson, Jonathan Morns, Jonathan Leech, John

James Megargle, Jonathan

jCraft,

Petere, Jesse Clark, jlaco b Ful more (wCT^er),

William Connel (weaver), Jacob Albertson (tailor), Clement Remington, Jacob Baughman, John Roberts, Joseph Tyson, William Bremnn'r, Charles Shaw, Jarob Shaw, Abraham Hanner, Stephen Reese, Jacob Hanner, Aaron Lockbart, Stephen Beans, William Petere, Isaac Knight.

•

17sn.

and Alexuiukr Moans,

assessor,

2 h., 2

a.,

Isaac Fisher, cordwainer, 1

;

;

several times done so on horseback in j)ursuit of his father's cattle

c.

;

and that he had

to the Schuylkill River,

Abraham Cadwallader, 58

;

3 h., 4

a.,

William Hendricks, 122 a., 3 h., 2 c. Benjamin Simpson, Samuel Simpson, 188 a., 4 h., 4 c. Lewis Robeits, 197 a., 3 h., 3 c, grist-mill Robert Henry, weaver, 34 a., 2 h., 2 c. John Knight,

northeastward with his forces, escaped the danger. The detachment he saw was under the command of Major Simcoe. Joseph Hallowell stated that, wlien a boy of fifteen, he could, in some directions, jtnirney through the

open woods

2 h., 2c.

a.,

Joshua Morris, 400

colleetnr.

cows; Goorge Shrivcr, GO a., John Nash, laborer; William Shri-

Patricfe jVIegargle, 99 acres, 3 horses, 3

4

b., 3 c.

;

Esther Berrell, widow

vcr, lab.. 1 h.

;

Arnold Michener, cordwainer,

;

Keyser, miller, 6 a., grist-mill, 1 h., 2 c.; Charles Alexander, lab. ,1 li., 1

Isaac Knight, Sr., 2m)

c;

Hugh

Ilaverford;

200

a.

Tolan, lab.,

in Springfield, 150 a. in

Connvd Kemp, 12 Tyson, 150

burner, 200 carpenter,

c.

3 h., 2

a.,

Craft, lab., I

c.

Ic; William

in Weriou, 300 in

George Morris,

lab., 1 h,

Abraham Bunnell,

;

a., 2

Jacob Lukens,

;

;

c.

;

a.,

2 h., 4

Abraham Tyson,

Sr.,

c.

c.

c.

a.,

h., 1 c.

;

;

Christian Smith, 1

;

Baltus

;

c.

b.,

1

c.

Jacob

;

lab., 1 c. c.

;

;

Jacob

;

;

;

;

(i

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

,3

c.

;

Jeremiah Boileau, 2

Jesse Colluni, 1 h.,

1 c.

;

4

h.,

c.

;

William Shepherd, 78

2 h., 2

a.,

Elijah Tomlinson, inn-keeper, 2 h., 1

c.

;

c.

M'il-

Cheltenham; David Lockbart, 1 r. Nathan Thomas, 100 a., John (liild, lab., iab., 1 h., 1 c. 2 h., 2 c. John Waterman, .Ir.. 17 a., 1 h., 1 c, John Waterman, Sr., 115 a., 3 h., 3 c. John Pembertun, of Philadelphia, 15 a. of woodland George Stirk, aged, 50 a., 1 c. Ebene/.er f^TLydia Jenkins, widow, 05 a. Peter Phipps, 199 a.*, 2 h., 1 c. Joshua Ilallowoll, Jones, 1 h., 1 c. 70 a., 2 h., 2 c. Grace McGargle, widow, 30 a., 2 c. Caleb Hallowell, 65 a., 2 h. John teeters, Gi) a., 1 li., 2 c. Henry Clino, lab. Isaac Waterman, 12+ a., 3 h., 4 c. William Johnson, miller, 2 h., I c. Daniel liam Webster, 10

a.,

1 h., 1

i-.,

S2 a. in

1 h.,

;

;

;

;

T.

HALLOWELL.

Hallowell, the progenitor of the family,

came

from Nottinghamshire, England, with William Penn, in 1682, and settled in Abiugton township, Montgomery Co., Pa., where, in 1696, he purchased six hundred and thirty acres of land, a portion of which

;

;

1

Isaac

;

Bernard Craft, wheelwright, 4 h., 2 c. George Joseph Tysun, Fisher, cordwainer Joseph Austin, 105 a., 2 h., 5 c. Jacob Kirk, 200 a., 5 b., c, 30 a. in Upper Dublin, 155 a., 4 h., 5 c. 107 a. in Biiatol, 1 stage-wagon William Hallowell, 80 a., 2 h., 4 c, Thomas Leech, 100 a., 3 b., 2 c. Sarah 1 chair, 50 a. in Upper Dublin Abraham Tyson, Jr., 14G a., 3 h., Francis, widow, 130 a., 2 h., 2 c. 4 c. Rynear Hallowell, 144 a., 3 h., 2 c. Thomas Tyson, 113 a., 4 h., Ilutrty, 94 a., 2 h., 2

John

;

juid lime-

;

Robert Wil^son, 9

BENJAMIN

yc,

Isaac Knight,

lab., 1 c.

David Coombs, tailor, 27 a., 1 h., 1 Alexander Means, 2 h., 1 c. Daniel Logan,

;

h.,

1 h., 1 c.

James Middleton, Kynear Tyson, son 130 a., 4 h., 5 c. John

Peter Tyson, Jr., 5 h., 2

;

2 h.,

a.,

Cabo, woul-comber,

a.

Matthew Tyson, 150

Bucks County ;

250

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Andrew

;

130

Joseph Fisher, cordwainer, 12 a., 2 Peter, farmer

;

a., 4 h., 4 c.

Collum, 100

;

l"ia., 1 h., 1 c.

Ot-orge W«!bster,

;

b., 4 r.,

Jacob Lippiucutt, 100

;

c.

Ryuear Tyson, son of

;

4 h., 3

a.,

1 h.

of John, 107

c.

1 c.

h.,

c.

4

1 r.

(confiscated)

c.

3 h., 2

a.,

lab., 1

2

a., 1 h.,

Jr., 200a., Oh., 2

Neal,

a.,

1

is

still

in

possession

of the family of the subject

of this biographical sketch. descent was Peter

Hallowell,

In the direct line of

who

also

resided in

same township, having married Rachel Taylor. Their children were Julianna, born September 2, 1782, who died March 1, 1785; Joel, born May 26, 1784; Sarah, born February 25, 1786, whose death the

occurred in 1856;

Eleanor, born October 11, 1789;

May

21, 1792; Benjamin, born February 23, 1795, who died the same year; and Ben-jamin T., born July 11, 1797. The last named, andB youngest of the number, whose birth-place was Ab-

Martha, born

iugton township, enjoyed such advantages of instruc-

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

the boarding-school of Joseph Foulke, in

township.

He

and

at

Gwynedd

early acquired a habit of intelligent

;

;

;

tion as were obtainable at the public schools

;

reading, and possessed a

retentive

memory, which

Inf^ijAHmtOae

'JhfS.^€t£icaJ^£^

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. proved more serviceable iu

later years

than the disciBeing with-

native county.

691

He

served in 184.5 on the committee

pline derived from study under teachers.

on

out means, he engaged in farm labor, subsequently

the committee on lands and

assuming the direction of a school, and,

later,

the

position of clerk in a country store. In 1832 he purchased a portion of the original tract in Abington township, now occupied by his family, and began his career as a farmer, wliich was continued without interruption for the remainder of his life. Mr. Hallowell was, on the 26th of January, 1837, married to Eliza, daughter of Phineas Buckman, and left chil-

lin,

—

Buckman, Reuben, Edwin, Joshua I., FrankLydia (who died in 1852), Sallie and Mary B. Mr.

dren,

J!'^,

local

appropriations;

was, in 1846, chairman of

member of that on ways and means. In 1848 he was a member of the committee on banks, and chairman of the committee on elections. Mr. Hallowell also filled for years the offite of justice of the peace and served as school director of the township. He was active in the organization of the first grange in the county and first Master of Pennypack Grange, No. 8. He was educated in the faith of the Society of Friends, of which Mrs. Hallowell was a birthright member, and worshiped with the Abington Meeting. The death of Mr. Hallowell

^^^Z^^rz-c^^

Hallowell was foremost in all enterpri.ses affecting the development of the township, having been the first to

occurred on the 29th of September 1884, in his eightyeighth year, and that of his wife September 10, 1877,

agitate the matter of the construction of the

in her sixty-third year.

German-

town and Willow Grove plank-road, of which company he was one of the incorporators, and for many years its president. He was also largely engaged in real estate operations. His influence was widely felt in the arena of politics, in which he manifested a keen interest, and particijjated actively in the various political contests of the day. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1844, re-elected in 1845, defeated in 1846 and re-elected in 1847, his defeat being the result of a loyal opposition to an effort to effect a division of his

JOHN HALLOWELI,. John Hallowell, the grandfather of John ,T.

J. Hallotownship of Cheltenham, Montgomery Co., from whence he removed to Abington township, where he died, in 1793, of yellow fever. He married Martha Roberts, whose children were Isaac, Israel, John R. and Ann, the wife of Joseph Williams. Israel was born in 1776, in Montgomery County, where his life was spent, his business hav-

well, resided in the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERi' COUNTY.

692

ing been that of a miller; he was also the owner of valuable farms in Abington township. He married Mary, daughter of William Jarrett, of Horsham township, and had children,

— Ann

J.

(Mr.s.

Isaac

Mather), Martha(Mrs. Samuel Parry), John J., Jarrett, Tacy (Mrs. David Eastburn), Israel, Jonas W. and Mary (Mrs. George Ely). The death of Mr. Hallowell occurred in 1853. His son, John J., was born on 25th of June, 1811, at his lather's house, in Abington, and received his education at the Westtown Boarding-School, and later under the careful

the

training of Joseph Foulke, apopularinstruetor of that

day,

who

resided in

Gwynedd

township.

He, on the

completion of his studies, entered the flouring-mill

and became branches of milling, which engaged

owned by

his father,

proficient in all his

several years in connection with farming.

attention for

In 1834 he

married Rachel, daughter of Anthony Williams, of Cheltenham, whose children are Williams, who married Sallie, daughter of Edwin Tyson, and died leaving one child, also deceased

;

Elizabeth; and Franklin

W., who cultivates the farm, and is married to Sallie, daughter of William and Caroline Fenton, of Abington. The children of the latter are Carrie F. and Helen R. Mr. Hallowell, aliter conducting the mill for

a period of years, devoted his time exclusively to

farming, which was continued until his son, Franklin W., assumed control of the land, when he retired from labor other than that involved in the his private

business.

management of Though a decided Whig and

Republican in politics, lie has never accepted office, and has filled no official position other than that of treasurer of the Fox Chase and Huntington Turnpike Company. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends, and worships with the Abington Meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Hallowell celebrated in 1884

when a most interesting reunion of relatives and friends octhe fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, curred at their lios]iitabk' home.

JOSEPH W. HALLOWELL. John Hallowell, the grandfather of Joseph W., was descended from English stock. He resided in Abington township, where he owned and operated a grist-mill, located upon the Pennypack stream, prior to the war of the Revolution. His death occurred in 1793, of yellow

fever,

contracted while

He marMartha Roberts, of Quakertown, Bucks Co., Isaac, Israel and John R., Pa., and had three sons and one daughter, Ann, who married Joseph Williams, of Plymouth township. John R. Hallowell was born at the homestead in Abington township, and spent the

prosecuting his business in Philadelphia. ried

—

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. of his life in the miil owned by his which he became the own^r, by purchase,

earlier years father, after

of the farm now the residence of his son, the subject He married Ann, dauj^hter of Wil-

of this sketch. liaua Jarrett,

of

Horsham

township,

;>I'^f^ educating himself with what books and papers he could obtain from different sources. He became interested in the various branches of labor incident to a

and on the 26th of August, 1841, married Miss Hannah, daughter of John and Rachel Tyson. farmer's

life,

The children

of this marriage are

John C, Mary C,

Margaret, George, Rachel T. (Mrs. Joseph DruckenI. and four who are deMr. Hamel removed to his present home, then the property of Mrs. Hamel's grandfather, Benjamin Tyson, and later to another farm located in the same township. He embarked for a brief period in mercantile ventures at Willow Grove,

miller),

ceased.

Ida Amanda, Harry

On

his marriage

interests of

Abington, having been

auditor of the township, and

filled

for thirty years

the office of school

director. He was for many years a director of the Willow Grove and Germantown Plank Road Company, and is actively identified with Tacony Grange, Xo. 59, of Montgomery County. 3Ir. Hamel is a member and an elder in the Carmel Presbyterian Church, at Edge Hill, having formerly filled the same office in connection with the Abington Presbyterian Church, and been superintendent of the Sabbath-schools at Edge Hill, from which grew the present church organization since its commencement, in 1872.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY.

698

SAMUEL N. KULP. Mr. Kulp is of German descent, his grandfather, Isaac Kulp, having been a weaver at Milestown, now tlie Twenty-second Ward of Phihulelpliia. He married Elizabetli Moore, whose children were Joseph, Philip, Jacob, Mary Ann (Mrs. George Wentz), Hannah (Mrs. Jacob Wentz) and Eliza (Mrs. John Piergon). Philip, of this number, was born at Milestown, and followed the trade of his father until his later purchase of a farm, which he cultivated. He married Ann, daughter of Jolin and

married to Mary Aun, daughter of John and Kitty Ann Blake, of Abington. Their children are Margaret B. (Mrs. Samuel R. Livezey), Joseph (who resides at home, and is married to Viola S. Tomlinson ), Ida A.

John R. Reading), John

(Mi-:^.

B.,

Emma L.

and William.

Mr. Kulp, three years after his marriage, purchased a farm within the limits of the city

of Philadelphia (Twenty- third Ward), and for eighteen years resided upon

it.

He

then removed to his

present home, in tne township of Abington, where he

has since 1873 been employed in farming of a gen-

e^.^n^.j^,J€4i Sully Nice, of Milestown, and bad

I'liildren,

—Isaac

John (deceased), Samuel N., Sarah N. (Mrs. Reuben Harper, deceased), Margaret H. (Mrs. Alfred Buckman), Maria L. (Mrs. John Hawkins), Eliza A. (Mrs. Franklin B. Thompson). Samuel N. was born November 29, 1826, at Milestown, now a part of Philadelphia, and in youth became familiar with farm labor. At the age of seventeen, after a (deceased),

period of attendance at the neighboring public school, he learned the trade of millwright in Abington township, and continued to follow it until twenty -six years of age.

He

was, on the Kith of December,

]8.')2,

eral [

character, as also to a limited

extent in real

estate operations.

His

political

lican party,

associations

are with

the Repub-

though his various business

interests

have left no leisure for participation in political movement.* either of a local or general character. He is a supporter of the Lower Dublin Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Kulp is a member. Mr. Kulp began life with no aids other than were supjilied by his own industry and ambition, and is consecjuently indebted to no other agencies for his success in

life.

I

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM BLAKE. John Blake, the grandfather of William Blake, emigrated to America prior to the war of 1S12, in which he served as a soldier. He, on the completion of his term of service, made the present Twenty-third Ward of Philadelphia his residence, and there followed his trade of carpenter.

He

having purchased the property now owned by his son William. He was identified with the interests of the township, having for twelve years been supervisor of roads. He died July 3, 1860, in his eightieth year. His wife died in her ninety-second year. William Blake was born in September, 1814, on the farm he now occupies, and spent his youth in labor, varied by attendance at the district school of the neighborhood. He then rented a farm in Cheltenham, from which he removed to Bucks County, but finally returned to the homestead, a portion of which came

married Catherine Stev-

Bucks County, whose death occurred in her eighty-ninth year. Their children were Abram,,Tohn, Henry and Jacob, all of whom followed the trade of ens, of

their father.

Mr. Blake's death occurred on the

699

(ith

^^

November, 1829, in his eighty-sixth year. His son, Henry Blake, was born in 1780 in Philadelphia County, and early removed to Montgomery County, of

was spent. He married Rachel, daughter of Jesse Hawkins, who was an e-xtensive farmer. He was of Welsh extraction and a prominent where most of his

life

representative of the Society of Friends. The children of this marriage are Mary, Kesiah, William and Elizabeth. Mr. Blake for many years pursued his trade of carpenter, but ultimately

became a farmer.

him by inheritance and the remainder by purchase Here he has since continued the pursuits of a farmer.

to

Mr. Blake was, in the fall of 1830, married to Elmina, daughter of William H. and Martha Ball. Their only child was Martha Jane, who died in her third year. He was a second time married, in 1854, to Hannah, daughter of Samuel Deaves, of Philadelphia. Mr. Blake has been for three years a director

Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery County. He is a Republican in politics. of the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

*I00

but not active beyond the casting of his ballot. He is in religion a Friend, and worships with the Abington Meeting.

JOSEPH KIRK.

township.

to

Penrose,

John

Kirk,

the

progenitor

of

the

family

in

He married whom were

Sarah, daughter of Rynear born eight children. John Kirk was by trade a mason, and in 1722 did the mason-work for Sir William Keith, then Governor of Pennsylvania, on what was later known as the Graeme Park mansion, now in possession of Abel

Tyson,

of

Horsham

township,

in

Montgomery

America, came from Alfre*4town, Derbyshire, England, in 1687, and settled in Darby (now Upper

Jacob Kirk, the son of John and Sarah Kirk, who was born in 1735, survived until his ninetythird year, and died in the same house in which he

He was married in Darby), Delaware Co., Pa. Darby Meeting, the following year, to Joan, daughter of Peter Elliot, to whom were born wu. children. John, their second son, whose birth occurred January 29, 1692, purchased, in 1712, of John and Sarah Ironmonger, two hundred acres in Abington town-

was born. He was married, in 1760, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Cleaver, of Bristol township, Philadelphia Co. Their son Jacob, born the 23d of September, 1769, married Rebecca, daughter of Charles and Phebe Iredell, in 1792, and located on part of the Of their original purchase of two hundred acres.

ship, adjoining the

Upper Dublin

line, for

which he

paid one hundred and sixty pounds, and subsequently

added

to this tract

by

hunUpper Dublin

a second purchase of five

dred acres adjoining, but situated

in

County.

eleven children, the survivore are Charles Kirk, of

Warminster township, Bucks

Co.,

active and Phebe Paxson,

still

enterprising in his eighty-fourth year;

I

'

i

widow of Joseph Paxson, of the vicinity of Stanton,

i

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.

701

and Abram Kirk, of and worship with the Abington Meeting. D. Jarrett Upper Dublin, in his seventy-fifth year. The latter, Kirk, brother of Joseph Kirk, married Cornelia, born March .5, 1810, married Caroline, daughter of daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Kenderdine. Their Levi and Mary Jarrett, on the 27th of December, children are two aons, Benjamin K. and Joseph. Of their five children, Joseph, the eldest son, 1838. .JOHN SMITH. was born on the 13th of December, 1839, in Upper William Smith, the progenitor of the branch Dublin township, where he resided until thirty years of age, becoming a pupil first of the public school of the Smith family represented by the subject and later of schools in Hatboro' and Norristown. of this biography, came, in 1684, from Yorkshire, On the completion of his studies he returned to England, and settled in Wrightstown, Bucks Co. the farm and assisted in its cultivation until his He married, on the 20th of the Ninth Month, marriage, on the 10th of March, 1870, to Miss 1690, Mary Croasdale, and had among his children a Del., in her ninety-second year

;

Lydia, daughter of the late Reuben and Elizabeth Williams, of Abington township. Mr. Kirk soon

farm near Weldon, Abington township, engaged in the employments of a farmer. At the expiration of this time he removed to Weldon, having purchased a residence, and made the latter place his home. A Republican in politics, he is not active in the political field nor ambitious for office. He is a member of the Weldon Building and Loan Association. Mr. Kirk and his wife are

after rented a

and

for thirteen years

both members by birthright of the Society of Friends,

William Smith, who was united in marriage to Rebecca Wilson. Their son Thomas married Sarah Townsend, whose son William, representing the fourth generation, married Sarah Buckman. Among the sons of the latter was John Smith, born in 1803, who, after spending his early years upon the farm, learned the trade of blacksmith, which he prosecuted in Abington, to which township he removed for the purpose. Here he met and married Agnes Hallowell, daughter of Caleb Hallowell, their children being Caleb H., married to Susan V. Hallowell Franklin, son,

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

702

whose wife was Caroline E. Kinsey Hutchinson, married to M. Elizabeth Comly Mary and AnnaMr. Smith, on his marriage, settled at Huntington Valley, Moreland township, where he for years carried on his trade. He wa.s for an extended period justice of the peace of his township, and elected county commissioner for the unexpired term of Samuel Shoemaker. On retiring from this office he embarked in the real estate business. His excellent judgment and thorough familiarity with property and its value in Montgomery and Bucks Counties, and also in the city of Philadelphia, enabled him to establish a lucra-

liam

;

;

;

I

Penn from England

settled in

Bucks County,

successlul

business as

children was Thomas, trade, '

and located (Jlrs.

a

blacksmith.

who succeeded

in

children were Thomas,

and Hannah

America in 1682, and where he conducted a

to

Pa.,

to

Among

his

his father's

Newtown, Bucks Co. His Jesse, Phebe (Mrs. Kelly),

Leedom).

Thomas and

Jesse both

followed the blacksmith's trade, the former having

married Mary, daughter of Abram and Rachel Harding, of Bucks County, whose children were Abram, Priscilla (Mrs. Jacob Twining), Rachel (Mrs. Chillian Cooper),

Hannah

(deceased),

Harding (deceased).

^ly^tyyv

tive business,

which he managed with great success He was president of the Indepen-

until his death.

dent Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Phihidelphia, and identified with the leading projects in his township and county. Mr. Smith was a Friend by birthright, and worshiped with the Abington Meeting. His death occurred in July, 1867, in his sixtyfifth

year.

THOMAS BUCKMAN. Thomas Buckman, the

great-grandfather of the

subject of this biographical sketch, accompanied Wil-

William Bailey), Phebe (Mrs. John Thomas, Sarah Ann (Mrs. John Jones), William and Benjamin. Thomas was born on the 11th of December, 1802, in Falls township, Bucks Co., and after a period of early youth spent at home, became a member of the family of his brother Harding. Moreland township, in the same county, next became his home, where, for three years, he rented and culti-

Mary

(Mrs.

Jones),

vated a farm, moving, at the expiration of that time upon a farm situated in the vicinity of

to Abington,

Jenkintown.

Mr. Buckman continued his vocation

as a farmer in various portions of the county until an

li

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP. ailvantageotis

opportunity

occurred

to

engage in

gave hia attention for six years, after which he purchased a farm in Delaware. Three years later he became a resident of Cheltenham township, and the owner of land on which he resided In 1851 his present home was purfor eight years. lime-burning, to whicli

lie

reference to the offices dispensed by the party.

Amos, Alfred, Mary (Mrs Charles Harper), Jacob, William, Thomas and Joseph. Mrs. Buckman died and he was again married, in 18(54, to Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas Brooke, who served in the war of 1812, and granddaughter of Ma,jor William Brooke, a soldier of the war of the Revolution. Their children are Linford and Jesse. Mrs. Buckman's mother died in November, 1883, in her ninetyfirst year. Mr. Buckman has no political aspirations, and is content to vote the Republican ticket without in ISGl,

He

a Friend by birthright, and worships with the Abington Meeting. is

ANDREW

chased, to which he removed the following year,

having since been assiduous in his labors as a farmer. Mr. Buckman was married in 1828 to Anne, daughter of Clement and Rebecca Comly, and has children,

703

Mr. Rice

is

of

German

J.

RICE.

descent,

his great-grand-

having been a resident of Frankford, Pa., where he was a miller prior to the Revolutionfather, Daniel,

His sons were Daniel, Peter and another not mentioned. Daniel resided near Philadelphia, and followed his trade as a journeyman miller, having married a Mi.ss Dungen, to whom were born children, Daniel, George, Isaac, Phebe and Elizabeth. Daniel of this number, whose birth occurred in 1816, at ary war.

—

German town,

early removed to Montgomery County where he purchased the mill property now operated by his son, the subject of this biographical sketch. He married Sarah Weiss, of Holmesburg, Pa., and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

704 had children,

—Phebe,

Cornelia, Caroline, deceased

Susannah,

Mary, deceased;

deceased;

Sarah,

in

de-

;

He moved

latter

wards used as a

and Andrew J. was born on the 28th of April, 1851, at Fentonville, now a part of Philadelphia, and accompanied his father on his removal to Abington township. Here his youth was spent, his education having been received first at the public school of the neighborhood and later at Jenkintowu, after which he entered the mill as an apprentice to the miller's trade. He finally resumed its management and conducted the business until his father's death, on the 30th of October, 1880, when the property came by inheritance ceased

The

to the

surving children,

Andrew

continuing

J. still

manager of the

This one of the oldest in the State, and a distinguished landmark in the county, having been operated long prior to the Revolutionary war. Mr. Rice, in 1883, remodeled it, introducing the roller process and otherwise adding to its advantages. Andrew J. Rice, was, in 1874, married to Mary, daughter of John Brooks, of Chester County, Pa. Their children are a son Charles Harvey, and a daughter Loretta Washburn. Mr. Rice is in politics a Democrat, as were also his ancestors, but does not participate in to act in the capacity of

mill

mill.

is

the active campaign

work of the

member of Friendship Lodge, No.

He

party.

is

a

and Accepted Masons, of Jenkintown, and of Peace and Love Lodge, No. 337, of 1. O. O. F., also of Jenkintown. In religion he inclines to the New Church doctrines, though not identified by membership with any church.

ABNER The

400, of Free

BEADFIELl).'

Abner Bradfiebl sprang from an old and came from England to this coun-

ancestrjMjf

English family,

try early in the eighteenth century, and,

from best

information that can be gathered, at this time, settled in

Bucks County,

Pa., but

engrafting the stock in the to the writer.

The

who

the pioneer was in

New World

records of

is

not

Buckingham

known

Friends'

Meeting, Bucks County, furnish thebeststarting-point.

The meeting was in the year 1700,

By

Edge Hill

established as a meeting of worship

and as a meeting of business

the records of this meeting

it

in 1720.

appears that one

William Bradfield married Hannah Pennington, and that they had eleven children, whose births are registered, being the birth of Abner, the eldest, registered as on the 21st of the Ninth Month, 1748. There is a further registry of the mari'iages of five of the children, that of Abner not being

among them.

Abner violated the rules of the meeting in that respect, for which offense he was disowned, this being the

among Friends for so grave an married Phoebe Cadwalader, the date of

penalty at that time otTense.

He

which marriage is not now known. Some time after his marriage he built the old log house still standing I

Hy Thomas

Bradfield, Attorney-at-Law, Philadelphia.

village,

which he moved.

He

Cheltenham township, into only lived there a short time.

into another house in the village, afterstore,

and which was

He

the only store in the village.

for a long

time

afterwards pur-

chased the Dotts property, on the south side of Edge Hill, fronting on the Susquehanna Street road, in

Abington township, and removed thereto and continued to reside there up to the time of his death, in about the year 1810. He had several children, of whom William was next in line. William was married to Martha Minor, August 15, 1799, and moved into a house then owned by his father, on the Jenkintown road, near Weldon, in the township of Abington. It was in this house that Abner, the subject of our history, was l)orn,on the 18th day of May, 1802. The house was afterwards Ijurned down, and the one now standing there was built upon the same site. The property has lately passed into

Xanthus

Smith,

artist,

he

the

possession

of

having

purchased

it

from the heirs of John JIartin, deceased. Besides Abner, William had two other children, William and Esther. The latter died in her infancy. William, the father, moved to Bucks County while Abner was yet but an infant. He did not reside there long, for his father (Abner the elder) having willed him the homestead in Abington township, before mentioned, he moved thereto after his father's death, in 1810, when Abner was eight years of age and from this time, and from this early age, the active life of the present Abner may be dated and considered to have been entered upon. William, his father, was a man of a social and kindly disj)osition, lacking, however, that force and energy which is said to have characterized his father. Aimer the elder, and of whom it is said by those who knew him that his grandson, Abner, was a true scion. William could easily be influenced to make bargains he would afterwards regret, and the sometimes strain his difficulties entailed would energies l)ut fortunately the wife and mother, with the aid of her sou at this time, was equal to the ;

;

At this tender age of eight years Abner commenced to accompany his mother to the Philadel-

occasion.

phia markets, which he afterwards attended regularly, at the age of twelve years commencing to go alone. Many incidents are related of his courage and determination, as also of his discretion wdiile yet a youth.

Abner, shortly after becoming of age, on the 26th day of August, 1823, married Sarah Ann, daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth Thomas; he took charge of the homestead, his parents making their home with him, and resided there some eight or nine years, during which time his father and mother both died. After the parents' deaths, Abner and his brother William, who were the only heirs, agreed upon an amica-

homeand a small place, containing about seventeen acres, fronting on the northwesterly side of the Willow Grove and German-

ble division of the property, consisting of the stead, containing fifty-four acres,

».

^^^^^^

N>

^a9^^

ABINUTON TOWNSHIP. town

Weldon, now owned by and Xanthus, his son. They

phiiik mail, north of

Russel Smith, the

artist,

agreed upon three thousand doilars as the value of tlie

farm, and eleven hundred and

value of the

fifty

dollars as the

Abnergave William the

lot.

first

choice,

and he took the homestead, which left the lot to Abner. There was no administration (their father having died law proceedings whatever, excepting the Abner deeding his interest in the homestead to William, and William his interest in the lot to Abner, and paying him such sum as they intestate) or

necessary deeds

;

had agreed ui)on

moved

in

Abner and in the

equalizing values.

to the lot in the spring of 1832,

refall

of the same year bought the farm on the north side of Edge Hill, fronting on the Susquehanna Street road,

and shortly moved

in

and took possession, though he

did not get his deed until April, 1833. reside there

uaitil

He continued to

the time of his death,

June

14, 1875.

—

The farm passed to his three surviving sons, Jonathan, Thomas and Joseph, under provisions con-

—

tained in his will.

He and

his wife lived together

nearly fifty-two years, she, the wife, being

still living.

Whatever knowledge he possessed may be said

to

have been self-acquired. In hisyouthfnl days the advantages for ol)taining an education in the country among persons of moilerate means, who were struggling to raise a family, were very limited, and, as has already been shown, he had very few opportunities of

705

mittees on which he was appointed.

was so with He was many years one of the directors of the Willow Grove and Germantown Plank-Road Company, of which he was one of the original charter members and took a

him

in every position

It

he was called to

fill.

very great interest in trying to make it a success. He was frequently called upon ;is an arbitrator in disputes between individuals and very generally the finding would be satisfactory to both parties they ;

would have so much confidence in his ability to find the truth and see the justice of the matter that they would accept the result without further question. He was a man of a social turn, and liked to chat with his friends and neighbors. It made no difference to him as to the financial or family standing of a man, it was enough for him if a man properly conducted himself It mattered not whether he was a common laborer or the landed proprietor, he could always spend a few minutes to chat with them. Strangers

happening in at meal-time, black or white, if they were sufficiently decent in appearance to admit of it, were invited to partake of the meal, always seating them beside himself.

Wliatever he undertook he as to its utility

and

take it and accomplish it. thoroughly and in season.

first

made

uj)

his

mind

he would then underWliatever he did, he did

feasibility

;

He was a farmer by occupation early in life he burned lime to a limited extent, and furnished and years, having been forced to the front as a breadpersonally hauled the lime to build the stone posts, winner and supporter of the home. The amount of many ofwhich are still standing, on tlie farm known his schooling, as he has often related, was seventeen as the "Stone Post Farm," on the Holmesburg turnpike days one winter and nineteen another, the last being below Holmesburg, in the Twenty-third Ward of the when he was about sixteen years of age. Yet he city of Philadelphia he burned the last kiln of lime could, in a short time, by natural and correct mathe- he ever burnt in the spring of 1840, and that for the matical deductions, find the area of almost any-shaped purpose of fiirnishing lime to build a barn on his piece of laud from the line with his head alone. He farm, which he did. was ready and quick at matters of interest and figures He had no faith in making money hastily, his generally. He was a reading man and kept himself motto being that a dollar earned by honest indu.stry informed in what was going on. He took a great inter- was worth ten made by si>eculation small gains honest in matters attecting his neighborhood, was a close estly made would leave the surest results in time. He observer and would retain thoroughly in his mind or could never be induced to touch any of the speculamemory whatever came under his observation, or in tions that sprung up in his day, such as morua muttiwhich he took a part or had an interest, ever after- caulus, coal, oil, etc; none of the exciting reports of wards. His memory was wonderful in all money fortunes made in them had any weight with him nor transactions. They seemed to be photographed upon turned him for one moment from his steady business his mind as they would be written upon a day-l)ook and pursuits, as he would say great gains to the few meant ledger. All matters as to the measurement of lands and much loss to the many. land-marks had an attraction for him, and he could His idea of honesty and truth was not to be honest locate the place of land-marks many years after they and truthful because it was the best policy, but bewei'e made, and long after their immediate evidence cause it was the right thing to do and to be. He could had been obliterated. not have two faces he was the same at all times and He took a great interest in education, and after the to all men he would not profess what he could not or adoption of the free-school law was a school director would not carry out. for many years. The office was often pressed upon He was a man that took little pride in dress in fact him when, however, he accepted the trust, he per- he was almost indiflerent in that particular but he formed his duties with all his ability. No business took considerable pride in horses, and enjoyed driving matters of merely personal interest would keep him a horse that could move without whip or spur and from meeting the board of directors and visiting com- that could move the dust. ;

enjoying what there were, he, at the early age of eight

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

45

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

706

He

seemed

to

have no desire

other countries or places

;

the

for travel

real, living

or seeing

world to him

was in his own immediate family. He loved his home, and when away on business, when the business was done, hastened to return. He had eleven children, all of whom could not exhaust his boundless love he always assisted in the care and nursing of the ycrung children; in sickness he never seemed to tire in watchin health they were his soing and caring for them cial companions he counseled w ith them on almost ;

;

;

every matter.

Even when

handle and care as a mother.

yet of tender years he could

for a child or for the sick as tenderly

He would youth and all the way up to manhood they were all good, they were all wise, they were all tempered by love, they became more plain, more vivid to him as he advanced in life in a word, her advice was the living counsel and guide of his whole life. She has been spoken of by others, who remember her as a woman, though of delicate constitution, possessed of great kindness, always yet, with all, having ready to lend a helping hand

He had

a great veneration for his mother.

often speak of her counsels to

him

in

;

;

and

Of the

close.

three died

ceased;

eleven children six, are

now

de-

Julianna, the

in early infancy.

second child, died from burns caused by her clothing taking fire when near thirteen years of age. She was a girl of very active intellect and gave great promise of noble

womanhood.

The sadness caused by

event seemed never to leave the parent. his fourth child, died

when

this

Elizabeth,

thirty-one years of age.

She had married and had a son, who died before her. She inherited largely her father's ways and disposition, particularly the gentler and kindlier ])arts. Albert, the sixth son and eighth child, died at the age of thirty years. He, in early childhood, was almost as staid and earnest in the real work of life as is usual with persons of mature age. He never had to be corrected at school or at home. He cheerfully took hold of the work set for hiin to do, and with the same earnestness that his father had done before him. At the age of fourteen he met with an accident on the

fered radically,

playground at school, receiving a severe bruise on the hip, which caused him great suffering for two years, and which left him badly lamed for life. After his recovery he attended Rev. Samuel Aaron's school, and so much impressed was Mr. Aaron with his scholarship and energy that he gave him an assistant tutorship in his second year. He afterwards studied law with G. R. Fox, and was admitted to the bar, and two years afterwards received the nomination for district During the canvass he took a severe cold, attorney. the result of exposure, and this, with the injury received in youth, caused his death about two years

Early in

afterward.

;

great firmness and decision of character.

In politics, he was a Whig until the rise of the Eepublican party, which he always afterwards warmly supported. Early in his life he became impressed with the enormity of American slavery, and boldly asserted and maintained his views on this subject yet he would not intentionally give ortense to any, though they dif;

and he always retained their respect. he saw the evils of the use of intoxicating drinks, and quite early in life quit furnishing liquor to his laboring men, which it was the general custom of the neighborhood to do at the time. During the

life

last

few days of his

tried to urge

him

last illness his

physician

to take liquor as a stimulant, but

he

Jonathan, the first-born

for

the support and maintenance of the meeting. His remains were followed to the grave by a very

Shoemaker, Esq., and

removed

The two youngest

to the

homestead.

children, daughters, are

still liv-

married and have families of children. Thomas, the third son and child, and from whom the above memorial was gathered, was acciden-

ing, are

tally hurt at thirteen years of

age by a

wound

in

the knee with a pitchfork while working at hay-making,

and from which he was confined

pretty

much

for

seven years,

when he

to the

house

got so that he

could go to school, and after a couple of years went to teaching school in the country,

which he followed

seven years, then went to Philadeli)hia in 1859 and entered upon the study of the law with John S. after a couple of years was admitted to practice at that bar where he still continues

Some two or three friends made remarks at the grave, and one of the colored men present, who had occasionally exhorted among his own people, feeling that more might be said, and

to practice.

should be said, more directly as to the religious views of his deceased friend, was incited to speak. We will hastily refer to the children of our subject

family

several colored people.

on

when he j)urchased a farm moved thereto, and Joseph the seventh son and ninth child, who had been living

often expressed a desire to be allowed to contribute to

among whom were

He moved

near North Wales, and in Philadelphia,

large concourse of sincere friends,

lives.

there until quite recently,

most positively refused, saying his intellect might be clouded thereby, and he wanted to die in the full possession of his faculties, which he did. In religion, he was a firm believer in the views he subscribed to the views maintained by F'riends preached by Ellas and Edward Hicks. Though so firm a believer in the religious views held by Friends, and as much as he felt interested in the progress and welfare of the society, he never felt that he had got to that condition which would warrant him in seeking a closer fellowship by becoming a member, though he ;

still

the old homestead a few years ago, and continued

J

For a corroboration of some of the above statei we are indebted to George W. Bradfield, ol

facts

who is the oldest living member of the now know-n in this county. He remembers Abner Bradfield, the elder, who was his grand-

Philadelphia, seeing father.

BOROUGH OF

CHAPTER

XL.

BOROUGH OF BRIDGEPORT.' The borough of Bridgeport is of recent origin, having been incorporated by an act of Assembly passed February 27, 1851. Its area is four hundred and sixty acres, and was wholly taken from the township of Upper Merion, in which it had been previously situIn its form it is irregular, having somewhat ated. the shape of a scalene triangle. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the Schuylkill, and on the south and we.st by Upper Merion. Few towns have It is a more beautiful and advantageous situation. opposite Norristown, and the land rises gradually from the river. The borough e.xtends on the Schuylkill from the dam down to' the outlet lock, a distance of a mile. De Kalb Street, which was laid out in 1830 as the State road, extends across the bridge from Norristown, and is turnpiked. Front Street extends from De Kalb Street to the Swedes' Ford bridge. The nearest street running parallel with the river is called Front Street, the next is Second, and so on to Tenth Street, which forms the southwestern boundary of the borough. De Kalb, Front, Second and Third are the handsome brick houses, several of which are occupied by persons who have

principal streets, and contain

BRIDGEPOilT.

707

Mill in the manufacture of Manilla paper. They occupy the building, formerly used as a saw-mill, near the canal basin, which they have enlarged and improved. Isaac Richards occupies the building formerly used by Joel W. Andrews as an agricultural warehouse, employing ten hands in the manufacture of elevators and patent dundj-waiters. Allen Ridg-

way occupies

a portion of

W. W.

Potts' car-works

building, employing fifteen hands in the manufacture of woolen yarns. Benjamin Gardner occupies the

other part in the manufacture of Turkish toweling, giving employment to ten hands. In the spring of 1883 a creamery was put in operation by Kersey & Brothers, from Chester County. Besides the aforesaid there are two extensive flouring-mills and several smaller manufacturing establishments and mechanic shops. 525,

and

In 1882 the real estate was valued at $695,for 1883, 455 taxables were returned, holding

a total property of §755,550, the aggregate per capita being $1656.

The public schools are five in number, all held in one commodious brick building, erected in 1856 on a lot of gnmnd one hundred and fifty feet square, situ-

De Kalb and Sixth Streets. They are divided into three departments, grammar, secondary and primary. The schools are open ten ated at the south corner of

—

months, with an average attendance of one hunAccording to the census of dred and fifty-five pupils for the year ending In 1857 the schools were three in 1850, Bridgeport contained 572 inhaliitants; in 18(50, June 1, 1882. number, open only five months. The school-house 1011 in 1870, 1578; and in 1880, 1802. That Bridgeport is no inconsiderable business place previously used was built for this purpose in 1842, and stood at the corner of Mill and Second Streets. is sufficiently proven from the number of its stores, manufactories and other establishments located within It was a stone structure, twenty-five by fifty-eight its limits. In May, 1883, it contained seventeen stores, feet in dimensions, and the schools were kept in it four hotels, two dealers in flour and feed, two restau- until the erection of the present large building, when rants and one lumber and three coal-yards. The it wiis used for several years for the meetings of the Minerva Mill ranks among the extensive manu- Borough Council. After remaining awhile unoccupied it was torn down in the spring of 1883. factories in the State. It is now conducted by James The Baptist Church of Bridgeport was constiLees & Sons in the manufacture of blankets, Kentucky jeans and worsted carpet-yarns, giving employ- tuted JIarch I'J, 1850, with fifteen members, by a ment to near one thousand hands. In consequence council composed of delegates from the Baptist of the space required for such extensive operations Churches of Norristown, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill this firm has greatly enlarged the buildings. The and Balligomingo. A preliminary meeting had been factory was originally erected in 1854 by Bodey & held February 20, 1850, at the house of Samuel YoJacobs, and afterwards owned by Needles & Brothers. cum, and eleven persons, mostly members of the Next in extent is the woolen-mill of Worrall & Rad- Baptist Church of Norristown, signed an agreement cliflf, manufacturers of Kentucky jeans, employing to endeavor to organize a church. A lot, eighty by one hundred and seventy hands. Isaac W. Smith, one hundred feet, had been purchased on" Fourth formerly of Valley Forge, has erected an extensive Street, and a church edifice, forty-five by sixty feet, building on Swede Street (in 1883) for the manufacture was then being built, and was completed at a cost ot of cotton and woolen goods, calculated to give em- two thousand four hundred dollars. It was dedicated' ployment to about one hundred hands. Hugh Mc- June 16, 1850, the Rev. A. S. Patton, of West Chester, Innes carries on the manufacture of Manilla paper at and the Rev. J. A. McKeau, of Philadelphia, officiatthe Rebecca Mill, employing some thirty-five hands. ing. On the 9th of April, 1850, the Rev. William Smith This building, was formerly known as the Norris Oil- was called to the pastorate, and accepted and served Works, established by Dr. H. T. Slemmer in 1866. until September 19, 1851. The church was admitted Dager & Cox employ twenty hands at the Eureka to the Philadelphia Baptist Association October 10, 1850. The pastors who have served the church from the resignation of the Rev. William Smith are as folBy Wm. J. Buck. retired from business.

;

'

HISTORY OF MONTUOMEEY COUNTY.

708 lows: David T. Canuihan,

May

15, 1852, to

April 30,

185G; Charles Thompson, January, 1857, to February 27, 1861; Miller Jones,

December

14, 18(51, to

March

30,1864; Henry Bray, January 13, 18(!5, to March, 18(37; Samuel C. Meade, June 26, 1867, to February 26, 1868; E. E. Jones, December 3, 1868, to March 27, 1872; Miller Jones,

May

1879; Charles F. Williams,

tember last

is

3,

1884

;

1,

1872, to

March

December

31, 1882, to

7,

Sep-

The member-

C. C. Earle, September 29, 1884.

the present pastor.

The church has

a

about two hundred and fifty. the church lot was built in 1868^ at a cost of about three thousand five hundred dollars. The church edifice was remodeled and refurnished in ship

oi'

The parsonage on

1880 at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. The Second Presbyterian (Old School) Church of

Uorristown, located at Bridgeport, was constituted in 1850 and its charter was obtained the same year. A meeting was held in 1849 at the house of Samuel Stewart, at which a number were present. A committee was appointed to visit Samuel Paul, who was sent out from

He

New York

as a missionary to near Phoenixville.

and services were held for a time in the CTernuui RefDrmed Church of Norristown. In 1852 the small frame building that had been used by the Protestant Methodists, and which stood on the visited this jilace,

corner of Green and Airy Streets, was rented and, Jlr. Paul preached to the jieople later, purchased. until 1852, when the Rev. Joseph Nesbitt assumed

charge of this church with the church at ConshoLocken, and continued as i>astor until about 1859 when he was succeeded by the Kev. Samuel Harrison Upon the breaking out of the war, in 1861, the entire male members of the church, except three, joined the army; this left the congregation so small that the Rev. Mr. Harrison resigned. From that time until the close of the war the pulpit was supjilicd, without charge, by the Rev. Charles (^'ollins, a clergyman oi the German Reformed Church who resided near hereAt the close of the war the Rev. James Mosten was chosen as a stated supply, and remained until about About this time the church and lot were sold^ 1870. with privilege of use for church purposes for one year. In 1872 the congregation began to hold service in Mogee's Chapel and continued to do so for two years. In the spring of 1874 a lot, seventy-seven by one liuiulred and fifty feet, on Sixth, De Kalb and Green Streets, ih Bridgeport, was purchased of Benjamin F. Hancock's estate, and the jn-esent church edifice was •erected, at a cost of twenty-two thousand eight hundred dollars. About 1872 the Rev. Belleville Roberts was chosen as supply and, later, as pastor. He served four years and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry F. Jlason, who served until 1882, since which time the church has been served with supplies, mostly frcmi Princeton College.

The various public improvements that either pass through or begin here contribute much to the pros-

and business advantages of the place. Among constructed was the Schuylkill Navigation and Canal. This great work is one hundred and eight miles in length, beginning at the F'airniount dam and extending to Port Carbon, above Pottsville. It was commenced in 1816 and finished in 1824 for the pasperity

the

first

It was sufficiently completed to this place in 1818 to admit the descent of a few boats. The whole line in 1846 was enlarged, and boats of one hundred and ninety tons now pass and repass. When the navigation company constructed the dam here it was their intention to make the canal on the east side of the river, but the people of Norristown were so much opposed to the measure that, through the liberal offers of Elisha Evans, the Iirincij)al owner of the land on the Bridgeport side, they were induced to locate it there. No doubt at this early day, when there were but two houses here, Mr. Evans foresaw the advantages that would arise in the future from such an arrangement. The result, however, occasioned some alarm, for a public meeting was held in Norristown June 27, 1820, reconunending the appointment of a committee to purchase from John Marklcy the right of way aci'oss the lower end of Barljadoes Island that readier access be afforded to the canal in the shipment or transportation of goods. This, it should be remembered, was ten years before the completion of any bridge over the Schuylkill for miles within this vicinity. The entire works of the navigation and canal were leased by the Reading Railroad Company July 12, 1870, and have since been under their control.

sage of boats of sixty tons' burthen.

The is

bridge over the Schuylkill, at

De Kalb

Street,

eight hundred feet long, resting on three stone

and with the abutments ten hundred and fifty The original cost was thirty-one thousand two hundred dollars; of this amount the county subscribed ten thousand dollars and the State six thousand dollars. It was erected by a joint-stock company, chartered April 6, 1830. It was commenced in the spring of 1829, and by September was so far completed that foot-passengers were enabled to cross. It was finished in 1830, but the largest portion has since been rebuilt. In October, 1884, it was made a free bridge and now belongs to the county. A company had been charjiiers,

feet.

tered as early as 1815 to erect a bridge here, but failed for the

want of

Bridge

Company was

sufficient capital.

incorporated

The Swedes' Ford March 30, 1848,

but the bridge was not finished until the close of 1851,

thousand dollars. On the evening of March 15, 1883, it was destroyed by fire, but has since been rebuilt by the Reading Railroad Company, whose tracks are laid over it, and who have at a cost of about forty

leased

No

it

since 1872.

De Kalb Street bridge been were made to have a State road laid out from New Hope, on the Delaware, though Doylestown, by way of this place and West Chester, to the Maryland line. To authorize this the Assembly passed sooner had the

built than eftbrts

BOROUGH OF BRIDGEPORT. an act at the same time the bridge was chartered. accordingl)' laid out December 29, 1830> passing through Montgomery County a distance of

The road was

sixteen miles.

The

court,

August

17, 1831, directed

be opened and cleared to the breadth of forty feet. It has since been generally known as the State road. This road w.os turnpiked from Bridgeport to it

to

King of Prussia in 185.3. The Reading Railroad Company was chartered

the

April

4,

1833,

and the next year the

the road was put under contract.

larger portion of

On December

9,

and train of cars passed over it to Reading. It was not opened to Pottsville till early in 1842, when the event was celebrated with a military display and an immense procession of seventy-Hve passenger cars, twelve hundred and fifty1839, the first locomotive

five feet in length,

containing two thousand one hun-

dred and fifty.persons, three bands of music, one hundred and eighty tons of coal, part of which was mined the

same morning four hundred and twelve

water-level.

ing in

feet

below

In August, 1858, the writer, while stand-

De Kalb Street, counted a train of ninety-five cars

passing loaded with coal, drawn by a single locomotive.

The depot here was thirty feet wide.

built in 1838, eighty feet long

Near by the company have

by

also a

l)uilding or reservoir to supply locomotives with water is elevated by means of waterpower furnished at the spring. The Chester Valley Railroad Comijany was incorporated by act of April 22, 1850, and extends from Bridgeport to Downingtown, twenty-two miles. The first train of cars passed over it September 12, 1853. It is also operated by the Reading Comj)any, and is connected with their road here and in Xorristown. In the desire to have a po;;t-office here in 1836 a contest arose as to what it should be called; some were in fiivor of Evansville, others of Keigersville, but the majority settled on Bridgeport, which name has been retained. The post-office was established in 1837 and Jonathan Morris appointed postmaster. He kept at this time a store in De Kalb Street, near the bridge. Strange to say, from the want of support it was a1;)olished about 1843. After the borough had been incorporated over two years, or in 1853, the application was renewed and it was re-established, with Francis Lyle postmaster. He was succeeded the following year by John H. Rowan, next Abraham Schoflher for two years, E. M. Bickel in 1858, Jacob M. Hurst until May, 18(51, when Dr. George W. Holstein was ap-

while sto])ping, which

pointed,

who

still

retains the position.

The mails

have increased from one daily arrival and departure to seven, thus showing that the office is no sinecure. Although Bridgeport is of recent origin, as has been already stated, yet its history extends back to an early Swedes' Ford is within its limits, around period. which cluster both colonial and Revolutionary remiIn the year 1712, Mats Holstein, niscences. with his wife, Brita Gostenberg, moved into this neighborhood from the country below, accompanied

709

by Gunner Rambo, Peter Rambo, Peter Yocum and John Matson. His tract lay farthest up the river, along which it had a frontage of nearly a mile, and extended back into the country twice that distance, embracing all the territory upon which the borough of Bridgeport is now laid out, the Shaiuline farms and the land from Red Hill to the river. The house into which he moved his family was built of logs, on the site of what was afterwards known as the Swedes' Ford Hotel. In 1714 he built a stone house, upwards of a mile from the river, the walls of which are still standing, having been built upon and added to several times since.

He died

in 1738,

aged sixty-one

His eldest son, Andrew, inherited the land in the vicinity of Swedes' Ford, where he settled and remained until his death, in 1769. He had an only son, Peter, who inherited the property, who married Abigail Jones. He kept the Swedes' Ford public-house in 1779, if not earlier, and the following year was appointed collector of taxes for Ujiper Merion. In 1780 he was assessed for holding here one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land. Mats Holstein, the first settler, at the time of his death had a second son, Mathias, who was just then aged twenty-one years. He soon after married Magdalena, daughter of Marcus Hulings, an early Swedish settler at Morlatton, on the Schuylkill, four miles above the present borough of Pottstown. From this union has descended all of the name now in this locality. They liad one son and seven daughters. Samuel, the son, married Rachel, the daughter of Philip Moore, of Haverford. The oflfepring of this marriage were four sons, Mathias, Charles, George W. and William. Samuel Holstein is rated in the assessment of 1780 as holding in Upper Merion two hundred and seventy-eight acres, one negro, five horses and nine cattle. Respecting his son. Major Mathias Holstein, who became a prominent citizen of Bridgeport and Xorristown, we shall have more to years.

—

say.

Swedes' Ford must have borne this before 1723, for in

November

name sometime

of this year applica-

was made to the Governor and Council to have a road laid out from Whiteland, in Chester County, to this ford, which, in the spring of the following year, was confirmed, and ordered to " be with all convenient speed opened, cleared and made good." A portion of the old Swedes' Ford tavern was supposed by the late Matthias Holstein to have been built before 1730. How early a public-house was kept here is not known, but certainly before 1760. It is a tradition that betion

fore the Revolution the inn

sentation of a ferry.

A

had on

its

sign a repre-

road was opened in 1730 from

now New Hope, on the river Delaware, through the present Doylestown, to this place, and in an advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 1780, Wells' ferry

is

called " the great road to the Swedes' Ford."

That was an early noted and important crossing-place also confirmed by other authorities. Lewis Evans,

this is

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

710

maps of 1749 and 1755 mentions it, also Nicholas and William Scull in 1759 and 1770, Thomas Powual on

his

and Reading Howell in 1792. The battle of Braudywine was fought September 11, 1777; at twelve o'clock that night Washington wrote a dispatch to Congress from Chester, in which in 1776,

he

says,

"This day's

engagement resulted in our

On

the 13th he formed his headquarters at Germantown, with the determination of having another

defeat."

engagement before the

fate of

Philadelphia should be

General Armstrong, with a portion of the militia, was posted along the Schuylkill to throw up

decided.

redoubts at the different fords where the enemy would be most likely to cross, and which were to be occasionally occupied while Washington moved with the main body of the army to the other side to make another Apprehending that it would be very likely attack. that the British would attempt to cross at Swedes'

Ford, Chevalier structed a

Du

Portail, a

upwards of half

river,

French engineer, con-

number of redoubts on the

east side of the

a mile in length, with the as-

sistance of Armstrong's connnand.

It is said that

they

had scarcely completed these works before the British Made their appearance on the opposite side of the river, and on beholding the defenses, changed their purpose and crossed at Fatland Ford. When Washington broke up his encampment at Wliiteraarsh with the intention of going into winterquarters at Valley Forge, it was his intention to cross

the Schuylkill at Matson's Ford now Conshohocken, for which purpose a temporary bridge was formed, but on reaching there they iound that Lord Cornwallis was in possession of the Gulf Hills, when the troops

and he proceeded up the east side of was ascertained afterwards that the British trooi)S on this occasion had only been out At Swedes' Ford the here on a foraging expedition. army crossed December 13th, which was witnessed liy Major Holstein, then a boy accompanied by his father, who related that it was effected by making a bridge of wagons all Ijacked to each other. The aforesaid date is confirmed by an eye-witness in a letter, Colonel John Laurens, Washington's private secretary, to his fatlier, i'rom which we take an exwere

recalled,

the river.

It

tract,— " Tlie army was onlered

Furd and encainp with tlie want of provisions— could weep tears of blood when I say it— rendered it impossible to marchWe did not march till the evening of that day. Our ancient bridge, an

right to the Sclmylkill.

to inarcli to SweJes'

Tlio next raoiniug the

infamous construction which in many parts obliged the men to march in Indian file, was restored, and a bridge of waggons made over Swedes' Ford, but fence-rails from necessity being substituted to plank, and furnishing a very unstable footing, the

ber of troops.

On

the lOtli instant

last

served to cross a trilliug

we marched from the Gulph

num. to this

camp."

The aforesaid is interesting, showing conclusively Washington crossed here at the aforesaid date and that they remained encamped in the vicinity until the 19th, when they reached Valley Forge. Historians have been heretofore somewhat puzzled as to the

that

exact date of the army arriving at their winter quar-

which this now clearly establishes. Mary, the only child of Peter Holstein, on the death of her father in 1785, inherited the whole ot Within four months of that occurhis property. rence she married Levi Bartleson, stated to have been of reckless habits and to whom her parents had been opposed. Records show that he kept the Swedes' Ford tavern in 1786. In one year she was compelled to sell one hundred acres of the tract to pay off his most pressing debts. Thus the property became divided and before long passed entirely out of her ters,

hands.

The Chevalier Louis L. Du Portail, mentioned as an engineer, arrived in this country in 1777, having previously served in that capacity in the French army. On the following November 17th he was commissioned a brigadier-general, and in the beginning of 1778 a colonel of engineers. He was at Yorktown, and for his services in November, 1781, appointed a major-general. He soon after this sailed for France, but returned before 1789, and purchased a farm here from James Philip Delacour, assessed in 1804 as containing one hundred and seventy-one acres. He built a dwelling where the present Evans House stands, where he resided with his ftiniily. He advertised to sell at public sale,

June

16, 1801, all his

farming stock and utensils, including "two plantaHe soon after this tions adjoining each other." sailed for France, but it is stated died on The property going to decay the i)assage out.

and the taxes unjiaid, it was sold by the sheriff some time after 1804, and purchased by Elisha Evans, and from him came into the possession of his son, Cadwallader Evans, who laid out the upper part of Bridgeport, and also largely contributed to its improvement. The remaining portion of the tract around Swedes' Ford, which Mary Holstein was obliged to part with after her marriage with Bartleson, was purchased by Jesse Roberts, who sold it in 1800 to Samuel Holstein, from whom it descended to his son, the late Major Mathias Holstein, of Norristown. We find in the asses1 S( 14 that he then kept the old Swedes' Ford tavern and was the owner of two farms in Upper Merion, one of fifty-one acres, which we presume was here the other crmtained one hundred and fourteen acres. He was also taxed for keeping the ferry, which was rated at one hundred and twenty dollars per annum. While he resided here he built an addiIn 1806 his property here was tion to the house. pur,chased Ijy Samuel Henderson, and he removed to Norristown. In this connection a further account of Major Holstein may not be amiss. He was born October 10, 1772, on the old homestead that had been He related that about 1790 he so long in the family. was the means of killing, on his father's farm, a bear, by shooting it while on a tree where it had sought In the spring of 1802 he was elected major refuge.

sor's list of

;

BOROUGH OF BRIDGEPORT. of

Regiment

of Pennsylvania General Francis Swaine appointed him quartermaster of the First Brigade in the Second Division. In 1808 he went into partnership with David Thomas, and continued for several

the

Thirty-sixth

711

or lioat in transporting passengers, horses,

wagons,

and sheep to the other side. The ford or main crossing-place was about one hundred yards above the present bridge, and is not now readily recognized from the great changes madeherebytheimprovements years storekeeping at the corner of Main and Swede of more than sixty years. The white-pine spoken of Streets, where they also kept a lumber-yard. In was a remnant of the forest, and stood till 1847, 1812 he was elected a member of the Borough Coun- when, through decay, it was deemed prudent to cut it cil, a Presidential elector of the Clinton ticket, down. It had been a twin-tree its companion had director of the Ridge Turnpike Company and one of been blown down in a violent storm in 1822. From the building committee of the new Episcopal Church. their great height they had long served as conspicFrom 1800 to 1829 he was the proprietor of the uous marks to the surrounding country, and thus princi])al mill for manufacturing flour, in which became an object he did an extensive business. Eliza, his first wife, of interest to travdied February 22, 1815. In the summer of this year elers. the Bank of Montgomery County was chartered, and he Samuel Henderwas made the first cashier, which position he held for some time. Militia,

and

in October, 1805,

cattle

;

When

bridge

the

over

the

Schuylkill was built he was one

of the directors.

came the

In 18.37 he beagent of the and Norristown

ticket

Philadelphia

He

Railroad.

died Augu.st 10,

upwards of seventyseven years, and his remains were deposited in the graveyani 1849, aged

attached to Christ Church, Bridgeport.

He

l)elo\N

was a man en-

dowed with more than ordinary powers of observation, and withal enjoyed a strong, retentive

mem-

and before his death few minds could be found better

ory,

stored with

the reminiscences

of the past.

A view of Swedes' Ford was taken from an eminence on the east side of the river, by Mrs. Mary Ann Potts,

SWEDES FORD View

in 1812. In this sketch a rope is repre-

sented stretcl'ed across the Schuylkill, fastened to the trunks of

The only

tw'o trees,

and a boat on the western shore.

buildings seen are the stone tavern and

its

barn to the northwest. A short distance south of the house is the sign, suspended beneath a stout and elevated frame; standing near it is a tall white-pine and in the front a row of five fair-sized Lombardy po]ilars. It has been sujiposed that the said Mrs. Potts was a resident of Valley Forge, and a daughter-

who was known to sketch landAnother drawing was made in 1828 or a short time previous l)y William L. Breton, which is The sui>erior to the former, engraved by fJilbert. in-law of Isaac Potts,

scapes.

house

is

very well-done

ing to the Schuylkill

is

;

the road in front of

it

lead-

represented as passing over

Only one pine and one Lombardy poplar are given, but of a large size. Immediately on the river's bank by the road-side the same trunk is represented with its ferry-rope to aid the flat the canal on a bridge.

son,

as

of

rlmrcU

has

at

been

IN

ls2s.

Swcles Ford.

mentioned,

in

1806

purcha.sed

Ford property, which he afterwards sold to Jacob Ramsey, who kept the public-house and carried on the farm until his death, in 1827. Lewis Ramsey, his son, and Daniel Schupert, as the Swedes'

administrators,

August

sale

advertised the

15,

" valuable

1829,

property

wherein

they

at

state

public it

to

and desirable Tavern-stand and Ferry, " containing one hundred and sixteen acres and one hundred and one perches, situated half a mile below Norristown, adjoining lands of Elisha Evans, Samuel Coates and the river Schuylkill. "The improvements are a large two-story stone Tavern-house, large stone barn and other out-buildings. A fountain of spring water at the door, from a large and never-failing spring, which is suflicient to turn a wheel for grinding scythes, axes, etc., and is now used for that purpose. The canal passes through the premises, and affordsoneofthemost eligiblesituations for factories on the Schuylkill. " From this we be

a

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

712

thence uorth OG degrees east 73 perches to a point in a line between lands

learn thatthewater-powerof tliestreamhadbeen used

of Jolin and Lindsay Coates

some time previous to its present application by the Eeading Railroad Company. The aforesaid property

;

tbence by lands of Saiiinel Coates, south 83

degrees, east 145 perches and four-tenths of a perch to a point

was purchased by Davis Henderson, who, in 1846, sold it to Colonel .James Bush and John Freedly, who divided it into building lots and made many improvements in the lower portion of the borough. Mr.

The following

is

a

list

of the burgesses of the bor:

;

;

;

preserved.

;

;

After the incorijoration of Bridgeport into a borough, in the winter of 1851, Perry M. Hunter, L. E. Corson,

;

;

ap-

pointed commissioners to lay out its territory from the Upper Morion. The following boundaries

;

Corman; 1875-78, Benjamin

B.

Hughes;

1879, .Tdhn

j

A. Keigcr; 1S80-S2, C. D. Hess; 1883, Isaac

townshi[) of

were then agreed upon

thence

ough of Bridgeport since its incorporation 18511853-56, Francis Mul52, Washington Richards vauey 1857, George W. Holstein 1858-59, Francis Mulvaney; 1860, George Pechin; 1861-62, Philip Bowman 1S63-G4, F. Mulvaney 1865-George S. Patterson; 1S66-A. D. Delp 1807-68, Benjamin B. Hughes 1869-70, F. Mulvaney 1871, C. D. Hess; 1872-73, Thomas Thomas; 1874, Charles L.

Bush converted the old house into a private residence, which is now occupied by his widow. It is still in good condition and its former appearance has been

M. McGlathery and Alexander H. Supplee were

;

by lands of said Samuel Coates, north 63 degrees C^O minutes, east 253 perches to low water-mark of the river .Schuylkill aforesaid, and along and up said river the several courses thereof to the place of beginning."

sey; 1884, William

:

Rennyson

;

1885,

Ram-

William Kenny-

son. "Beginning

at

low ^ater-niark of the river Schuylkill, in said t(»wnj

thence on a line dividing lands of K. C. Kvans and the Schuylkill Navigation Company, south 20 degrees and 20 minutes, west 34 perches

ship

;

two-tentlis of a perch to a point in a public road in the great valley thence along the middle of said road, south 65 degrees and 40 minutes, west 165 perches and five-tenths of a perch to a point in the middle of a

and

;

road lejiding to Swedes' Ford road tlience along the same south 26 degrees 30 minutes, west 156 perches to a point in lands of Henry Novioch

i

In 1830 Bridgeport contained but three dwellinghouses, a tavern, and a large three-story stone mill, still standing near De Kalb Street and the canal, built in 1826.

;

;

after,

The

erection of the Norristown bridge

and the opening of the State road the year began to give the first impulse to improvement.

in 1829,

BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN. which has not since been materially checked. In 1832, besides a store, the houses had increased to eight in 1840, to fifty-three, and in 1849, to ninetysix. Elisha Evans, who did much through his enterl)riso to promote the growth of Bridgeport, kept in the beginning of this century the Rising Sun Hotel, in Norristown. He died in 1830, his wife having some time preceded him. His son, Cadwallader Evans, still resides here, the owner of considerable real estate. Gas was introduced in 1876, from Norristown, by means of a large pipe over the De Kalb Street bridge. Water is still procured from wells, being readily obtained at a depth of twenty feet of excellent quality.' ;

713

time married, in 1858, to his present wife, who was Miss Mary J., daughter of David Brooke, of Upper

Mr. Hughes was formerly a Whig in and has more recently affiliated with Though not ambitious party. the Republican for the distinctions of office, he has served as county auditor and been repeatedly chosen burgess of the borough of Bridgeport. He is a director of the First National Bank of Norristown, and has filled the same His inposition in the Montgomery National Bank. tegrity and excellent judgment have caused his serMerion. politics,

vices to be much in demand in the capacity of guardian and as the custodian of important trusts. He is a member of Christ (Okl Swedes) Protestant Episcopal Church, of Bridgeport, in which he has

served for forty years as senior warden.

BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH.

Mr. Hughes

BENJAMIN B. HUGHES. of Welsh descent, his

is

CHAPTER

John Hughes, having emigrated from Wales about the year 1750, and purchased a tract of nine hundred acres in Upper Merion township, Montgomery Co. He had two sons, Isaac and Hugh, the latter of whom had a son Isaac, the grandfather of Benjamin B., who married Hannah Holstein, and had children, four daughters and one son, John, who married Hannah Bartholomew, of Chester County. Their children were Rachel (Mrs. Jacob Dewees), Isaac, Benjamin B., Slator C, Francis W., Theodore J., Collin and J. Curtis. Benj.amin B., of this number, was born June 27, 1808, on the Walnut Gr.ive farm, in Upper IMerion township, which is a portion of

BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN.'

grandfather,

—

the ancestral estate.

XLI.

great-great-

After such educational oppor-

tunities as the nearest school afforded, he determined

The borough of Conshohocken was incorporated by an act of Assembly May 15, 1850, and in population It is situated on the is now the third in the county. east bank of the Schuylkill, four miles below Norristown and thirteen from Philadelphia, and is bounded on the north and northwest l)y Plymouth, east and southeast by Whitcniursh, and south and southwest In its territorial extent it is one by the Schuylkill. mile square, and therefore contains six hundred and forty acres, one-half of which was taken from PlymThe outh and the remainder from Whitemarsh. land on which it is situated slopes gradually from the river for the distance of a quarter of a mile,

when

it

by a moderately steep elevation, the height of upwards of one hundred feet, after which it becomes level. Just below the borough and along the Schuylattains,

render himself independent by the acquirement of

to

a trade, and chose that of tanner and currier, serving his apprenticeship at Frankford, Pa.

Very

little

time was spent, however, at this trade, Mr. Hughes having soon after returned to the farm, which he purchased of his father.

Upon

this land

were extensive

deposits of iron-ore and a limestone quarry of value, to til

1851,

date his

which

his attention

much

was mainly devoted un-

when he removed to Though residence.

Bridgeport, since that released from the re-

sponsibilities of active business,

much

of his time

is

absorbed in the management of his varied interests. Mr. Hughes was, in 1829, married to Miss Mary, daughter of Jonas Rambo, of Upper Merion township.

Their chiUIren are John, Isaac W., Nathan R. (deceased), Collin, Mary (Mrs. H. O. Blackfan), Henry C, Hannah (deceased), Kate (Mrs. E. M. Evans),

William C. and Francis (deceased).

He

was a second

kill

Acknowledgments are due to Dr. George "W. Holstein, of this borough, for information, he having also kindly furnished the writer with some materials on the same subject for two previous works on the county, —namely, in 1868 and 1870.

an extensive

flat

reaching nearly to Spring

Though of recent origin, Conshohocken has become an important place, particularly in the variety and extent of its manufactures. According to the census of contained 727 inhabitants; in 1860, 1741 in and in 1880, 4561. In the assessment for 1882, 1110 taxables are returned, holding real estate and personal property valued at $2,085,555,being an average 1850,

it

1870, 3071

of $1869.

;

;

Licenses were issued in 1883 to 18 hotels, 7 3 dry-goods, 15 grocery, 3 tobacco, 3

restaurants,

drug, 2 meat, 4 confectionery, shoe,

and

coal-yards.

1

The

First

Ward

contained only

and lumber and 5

carpet, 3 boot

2 clothing-stores, besides 1

in 1880 contained

inhabitants, and the Second 28.35.

mill 1

is

Mill.

The

1726

place in 1832

1 store, 1 tavern, a rolling-mill, grist-

and 6 houses

;

in 1858, 4 taverns

and 22

stores;

the census of 1860, 323 fiimilies and 324 houses.

1

By Wm.

J.

Buck.

The

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

714

manufacturing establishments in 1870 were 4 rollingmills, 3 furnaces, 1 cotton-mill, 1 print-works and a woolen-mill.

The

first

improvement which

laid

the foundation

Canal and Navigation, which was commenced in 1816, and sufiiciently completed in 1818 for the descent of a few boats of sixty tons burthen, but was not finished till 1824. It was the water-power of the dam here that gave the impetus The bridge over the to this manufacturing town. •Schuylkill was built in 1833. In August, 1835, the railroad was finished through here to NorristownThe railroad to Plymouth was completed in 1836, and extended in 1870 to Oreland, where a junction is formed with the North Pennsylvania Railroad. A turnpike was made in 1849 to Plymouth Meeting^ which was extended in 1855 to the Three Tons where The Schuylkill Valley it strikes the Limekiln pike. Railroad was opened through here in 1884, affording for its prosperity was the Schuylkill

additional facilities for transportation to Philadelphia

and the

coal regions.

These several improvements

have all tended to j)romote the prosperity of the placeIn addition to these, the abundance of excellent ironoi'e, marble and limestone found in the neigiiborhood, aftbrd unusual facilities for the borough to become a large manufacturing town. The first rolling-mill in Conshohocken, and among the first in the State, was l)uilt by James Wood in 1832. It was erected for the manufacture of sheetiron, saws, shovels and spades. The saw and shovelworks were built in 1835, and after running a few years were removed to Philadeli)bia. The rollingmill was propelled by water-power furnished by the canal, and at the time was regarded as a great curiosity, people coming many miles to witness it in operation. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1845, again in 1867, and also in 1883, when its capacity was more than doubled. When first started three hundred ton.s of sheet-iron were thought a good production for one year, but now, under the management of John Wood & Brother, sons of the former projirietor, it has been increased to fifteen hundred tons. This firm, in 1852, built a new steam-mill on the opposite side of the canal, which has also been rebuilt and greatly improved. They also erected a second steam-mill in 1864, which was destroyed by fire in 1882, but since rebuilt and enlarged. The production of their mills is now about six thousand tons of sheet and plate-iron per year, giving employment to two hundred and fifty men, who receive one hifndred and twenty-five thousand dollars for wages. The Schuylkill Iron-Works of Alan Wood & Co. have a capacity of fifteen thousand tons of sheet and plate-iron per annum, ten acres of ground being inclosed for their operations and buildings. They employ between five hundred and six hundred hands, and pay out thirty-five thousand dollars monthly for wages. Before 1858 they employed twenty hands, but in that vear thev built their large steam rolling-mill, to which

they have since several times made additions. John Wood, Jr., has an establishment for making boilers and machinery, with a foundry and car-shops, giving em-

ployment to twenty-five skilled hands. W. T. Bate & Son also carry on the manufacture of patent boilers and machinery, employing from thirty to forty men. The Longmead Iron- Works, Jawood Lukens, pro. prietor, employ about sixty hands in the manufacture of muck-bars.

The)' possess a capacity of five thou-

sand tons annually.

The Plymouth Furnaces

and

Rolling-Mill,

be-

longing to a company, are in charge of Samuel Fulton, as general superintendent. They have a ca])acity of

twenty-two thousand tons of iron per

annum, and give employment to three hundred men. They also carry on the Lueinda Furnace, at Norristown. These works were originally started by Stephen Colwell, an enterprising citizen of Philadelphia, in 1844, and in the following year he had the furnace in operation.

same

He

also erected here, at the

time, a large foundry for the

making of various

So extensive had this manufacture become that it is reported on re-

kinds of water and gas-pipes. latter

liable authority that for several years previous to 1849

three thousand tons of iron were used for this purpose

Mr. Fulton is a nephew of the late Mr. ColThe second furnace was built here in 1864. A company has been recently incorporated with one alone. well.

hundred thousand dollars capital, called the Conshohocken Tube Works, A. L. Murphy, manager. The Conshohocken Cotton and Woolen-Mill, Stanly Lees, proprietor, employs one hundred and eighty hands. It contains one hundred and forty looms and produces twenty-five thousand yards of cottonades weekly. This mill was built in 1856, one hundred and forty by sixty feet in extent, and the present proThe prietor has been a manufacturer here since. Conshohocken Woolen-Mill of H. C. Jones & Co. employs seventy-five hands and has capacity for making three thousand yards of cloth per week. This establishment in 1858 was conducted by James and The Albion Print-Works, Lea Lawrence Ogden. & Cresson, proprietors, is an important industry, employing two hundred and fifty hands. This establishment is on the site of Walter Cresson's mill, who was an early manufacturer here. The Conshohocken Warp-Mill, Hamilton Maxwell, late proprietor, is not now in operation. Jones & Yerkes have a steam planing-mill

giving

labor

to

twenty-five

hands.

Evan D. Jones & Co. carry on an extensive lumberyard. The East Conshohocken Stone Quarry Company carries on a large business. They have supplied the heavy foundation-stones for the railroad bridges lately Iniilt over

Manayunk.

the Wissahickou and Schuylkill at

The North Conshohocken quarry

also

gives considerable employment.

The

public schools are twelve in number, open ten

months, with an average attendance of four hundred and tliirty-fjurinipils for the school year ending June

BOKOUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN. 1,

These are

18S2.

all heltl in

Methodist Episcopal Church, and Jo.seph Lees, a resident of Mill Creek and a member of that church. They visited this place and held service in the old Temperance Hall. Among the first Methodists in this place were John Major and Caleb Collins.

two buildings, Professor

Warren Schlicliter, principal the primary department occupying four rooms, with four teachers the

J.

;

higher, eight rooms in four division with eight teachers.

The

buildings are of stone, rough-cast and two-stories

in height.

library of

possesses a col-

Services were held by the Rev. Mr. Pettit until the

apparatus and a

Conference of March, 1857, when the congregation was organized and was made a charge, and the Rev. Rufus Owen, D.D., now of Philadelphia, was appointed pastor. The church was erected in that year, and has Among the pastors who have since been remodeled. served since the organization are the Revs. Jerome

The grammar department

lection of chemical

and

i)hilosoi>hical

upwards of nine hundred volumes of stand-

The public schools in 1857 ard works for reference. were only three in number, attended by two hundred and thirty-two pupils, kept in one building, erected for this

purpose in

185'), at

and Second Avenue,

in

the cornerof Fayette Street

whi1, amounted to £14 10s. 9d. David Rees made and general management of the library, for which the generous ofler that for ten shillings he would give purpose they were to meet every three months. The a year's attendance as librarian and do the advertising, on condition that the directors speedily secure a booklibrary was to be ojien on every other Saturday afterIn noon, commencing with the yearly meeting, and no case for the books, which they consented to do. book was permitted to be taken out if under a quarto the fall of 1762 a catalogue was prepared, from which in size longer than four weeks, if larger from eight to we learn that the library contained one hundred and twelve weeks. Section 16th contains this provision twenty-five works, comprised in two hundred and " Provided always that no supidement, addition or thirty-nine volumes, and had cost £124 13-s. 2d., of article whatsoever shall be made or become in force which amount £3 S.f. Id. had been paid for freight which may divide or alienate the books and effects of and insurance from England. David Rees having said library company aforesaid, but forever, and from died May 31st of this year, aged forty-nine years, the time to time to be and remain the undistinguishable books were removed in November to the house of property of the members of the Union Library Com- Jacob Tomkins, the secretary. A handsome donapany from time to time being, according to the true tion of books having been made in November, 1763, intent of this our present Instrument of Partnership." by Dr. Thomas Gra-me and Elizabeth, his daughter, At the aiinual meeting held November 1, 175.'), ,Iohn ofCxrieme Park, thanks were returned therefor. Jarret, Samuel Erwin and Joseph Hart were elected The newly-printed catalogue was brought in by the directors, William Loofbourrow, secretary, and Daniel directors August 4, 1768, from which we learn that the Thomas, treasurer. At the directors' meeting held on library now contained two hundred works, in four December 19th the sum of £44 7s. was given in hundred and sixty-one volumes. Du Hamel's " Huscharge to the Rev. Charles Beatty, who was directed to bandry," the gift of Hon. Thomas Penn, was de[)osited send the catalogue of books ordered to the stationer in the library May 5,1770. February 22, 1771, the in London, who was to secure the same. At this forfeited share of John Watts was sold at puldic sale, meeting a gift of four pounds was received from Hon. and purchased by Arthur Watts, of Southampton, for Lawrence Growdon, £1 7«. from John Lukens, and three pounds, being equivalent to eight dollars of our one pound from John Ross, Esq. At tlic meeting of present currency. David Hall, of Philadelphia, was the directors, held August 14, ITotJ, announcement paid £22 6s. Sit. for books purchased from him. was made that the books sent for had safely come to November 2, 1776, the company met and chose for dihand, and were placed in a room in Mr. Potts' house, rectors Isaac Cadwallader, Daniel Longstreth and where they would be delivered for the use of the Abraham Lukens; Daniel Thomas, secretary and

who may therefore be considered the original members and founders of the same. The number is

Gilbert,

—

:

BOROUGH OF Jacob Tdinkins, treasurer. It was agreed anuual payment, and as David Kennedy ously offered the company the use of a

to

omit the

liad frener-

room in his house

one year, the offer wasthanlifully accepted. May 3, 1777, a locl^ was secured to the room and given in cliarge It ajipears from November, of Isaac Longstretli. 1778, for one year the directors held no quarterly for

In November of this year John Fitch became a member. November 6, 1779, the company taking into consideration the depreciation of the currency, think that the fines on delinquent members are meetings.

too small late

and

and therefore appoint a committee to reguthe same according to tlie currency. In

fix

the spring of 1780 the librarj' was

moved

to the

house

The

HATBOliO'.

7J7

was applied to the erection of a new and more commodious building, completed in 1849, and the balance invested and the income- applied to the purchase of books. It is a neat and classic stone structure of the Doric order, designed

and

its

B. Yerkes, lot

liy

John Sloan, of Philadelphice,

erection was superintended by the late Joseph

who was appointed

of one acre on which

it

fiir

the purpose.

The

stands was purchased from

November, 1848, for the sum of and the books removed to the new building in March, 1850, when the former one was directed to be sold. In commemoration of its centennial, in 1855, a committee was appointed, consisting of Charles H. Hill, William J. Buck and David New-

Robert

Radclitt' in

four hundred dollars,

committee having neglected to regulate and fix the fines, it was ordered 'that they be paid in specie or in

due observance, but, fnmi the conditions imposed on them, their plan could not be carried into effect, and in consequence only a brief mention was

money equivalent to the depreciation. June 14, Waterman was employed to alter the

made thereof in the minutes. The library contains at present upwards often thous-

of William Wilson

other

and placed under

his charge.

1783, lluiuphrey

shelves on purpose to accommodate the books.

Mrs.

Ferguson made a donation of fifty volumes to the company, valued at £18 18s., for which the secretary was directed to return thanks. In 1787 the library was incorporated by an act of Assendjly, and a second catalogue prepared, in which are mentioned two hundred and ninety-five works in The annual paysi.x hundred and twenty volumes. ments November 1, 1788, amounted to £3G 8s. lid. Up to February 3, 1787, eighty-five had been received as members, who had signed the Instrument of Partnership, and we herewith present a list of their names in the order they were received, omitting those mentioned as its founders, Benjamin Lukens, James Spcnc'r, John Bond, Moses Cherry, William Vansant, Titus Yerkes, John Johnson, William Folwell, Evan Lukens, Thomas Hallowell, Abraham Lukens, James Scout, Peter Lukens, Abel Morgan, Daniel DuDgan, Jonathan Jarret, James Young, Daniel

—

Longstreth, Josiah

Hart,

John Limgstreth,

Isaac

Jacob Tomkins, Jesse Lukens, Daniel Thomas, Amos Watson, John Hart, Evan Lloyd, Isaac Cadwallader, Joseph Longstreth, Arthur Watts, John Folwell, Mordecai Thomas, Robert Anderson, H. Hugh Fergus'in, Joseph Lukens, Clement Dungan, James Ogilbee, Seneca Lukens, Stephen Yerkes, Jolin Longstreth,

Hough, John

Jarret,

John

Fitch, Isaac

Hough,

Jr.,

Joseph Folwell, William Vanhorne, Archibald McClean, Nathaniel Irwin, Abraham Duffield, John Shoemaker, Abel Marple, Isaac Leech, John Hough, William Todd, Thomas Hough, William Crawford and Robert Loller. Nathan Holt, a native and resident of Horsham, who died in 1848, in his eighty-fourth year, donated most of bis property for the benefit of the library company. He had been a member since 1791, and stated, not long before his death, that for most of his knowledge he was indebted to this institution. The amount realized was five thousand eight hundred dollars, whereof three thousand eight hundred dollars

port, for its

and volumes and the association numbers one hundred and forty-six members. The directors are A.L. Philips, Edward Reading and John B. Carrell, with Mrs. Jane E. Carr, librarian. Theseventh and last catalogue was printed in 1874, a duodecimo of one hundred and eighty-eight pages. The annual income now amounts The membership in to about four hundred dollars. 1857 was ninety-eight; in 1861, one hundred and By five; and in 1876, one hundred and thirty -six. an act of Assembly, passed in 1852, the house and lot are exempt from taxation, except for State purposes. Among the rare and valuable works on its shelves may be mentioned forty-one volumes printed between the years 1593 and 1730, and one hundred and thirteen volumes relating to the history of America printed before 1800.

The formation

of a cabinet of

was commenced in 1857, and it now numbers upwards of four hundred objects in the several departments of antiquities, mineralogy, botany, entomology and ichthyology, and which it is hoped will It is considerably the oldsteadily keep increasing. est library in the county, and, with only one recent exception, is still the largest. That it has been the means for upwards of a century and a quarter of diffusing considerable information to those who have availed themselves of its advantages there can be no curiosities

question.

An

institution of this nature flourishing

so long through voluntary efforts speaks well for the

intelligence of the neighborhood.

—

Loller Academy. Robert Loller resided in the house that has so long been occupied by the principal of the academy. He was the son of Robert and Grace Loller, and was probably born in Horsham. In early life he was a school-teacher, and followed the business of surveying and conveyancing, which must have impressed him with the importance of education.

During the Revolution he became a

nel in the army, a

member

colo-

of the library in 1787, a

member of Assembly and an associate judge of Montgomerv Countv for manv vears. In 1805 we find him

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

r28

assessed for fourteen acres of land, a horse and a cow.

Being

with a painful malady, he was taken to Philadelphia, where he died under treatment October afflicted

^1, 1808,

aged sixty-eight years, his wife surviving

him only a short time, leaving no children. made a will, dated June 4th of that year,

He had

which and several nieces and nephews, twenty pounds were directed to be paid for the use of a room for the Hatboro' I>ibrary, fifty pounds to the Norristown Academy; the remainder of his estate he bequeathed "untoN. B. in

after leaving small legacies to his brothers, sister

Boileau, his heirs, assigns,

etc.,

forever in trust for

only use, intent and purpose

o erect a suitable building for an academy or seminary of learning. tlie

We see by the aforesaid extract that his near neighbor, the Hon. Nathaniel B. Boileau, was invested with full authority in carrying out the requirements of the will. After this lapse of time there is not a doubt that he faithfully and honestly performed all the important duties assigned him ;is executor by his deceased friend, and who, in addiwas serving as Secretary of State under Governor

tion,

Snyder.

The

menced

in 1811

building for the academy was com-

and finished the following year. Nine

were assigned to the charge of it, to be elected annually in December by the patrons of the schools held therein. On March 14, 1812, they held their first meeting, appointing George Murray principal of the educational department. The academy was built, at a cost of upwards of eleven thousand dollars, on a portion of Judge Loller's estate, and within a hundred yards of his residence. It was incorporated by an act of Legislature February 12, 1812, and was at that time the thirty-fifth academy chartered since the settlement of Pennsylvania. It is a substantial twotrustees

story stone edifice, sixty -one

ing on a

commanding

site,

by forty-two feet, standand from a distance its

cupola attracts the attention of the traveler. The clock

was made by Isaiah Lukens, an ingenious mechanic, of Horsham, but has been

some time.

On

out of rejiair

now

for

a final settlement of the estate, after

the cost for building, there remained an annual in-

come from the endowment for its .support, amounting to two hundred and eighty-three dollars, certainly a handsome sum for this period, calculated, if judi-

—

ciou.sly

exiiended in

tlie

extension of knowledge, to

greatly benefit the neighborhood.

academy there may have Moreland township, one near Hatboro' and another near the present Morgan's mill, also, within three miles, one at Horsham, one in Warminster and another on the Welch road, by the Upper Dublin line. The one near Hatboro'
, 1870, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, thus having gained sylvania Volunteers.

the object of his aspirations for the previous ten years.

He

supplied the Orwigsburgh charge, in Schuylkill County, during the winter of 1870-71, and accepting a

Lehigh

call to Slatington,

work May

12, 1871.

at Lehighton,

He

Carbon

Co., Pa., entered

upon the

organized a new congregation Co., Pa.,

and

built a church,

serving the same in connection with Slatington and

RUFUS

B.

LONGAKER.

Peter Longaker, the father of Rufus B., was a native of Lawrenceville, Chester Co., Pa., where he was born

on his ber

1,

father's

farm March

14, 1786,

nah, daughter of George and

and died Novem-

He

married HanMary Boyer, who was

1866, in Limerick township.

born in Churchville, Hereford township, Berks Co., Pa., September 1, 1795, and survived until her ninetieth year. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Longaker six

children,

—Rufus

B.,

Mary

(Mrs.

Abram

Kohl, deceased), Louisa (Mrs. Sebastian Kohl), Emelijie, John B. and Francis Elmira (deceased). Rufus B.,

in

the eldest of this number, whose birth occurred Limerick township (where his father then resided)

on the 6th of April, 1816,

at the

age of sixteen became

a pupil of the Trappe Boarding-School. On completing his course of study he removed to Berks

County and engaged in teaching, which pursuit was continued for two winters. He was for one year clerk in a country store at the Trappe, and soon after embarked in mercantile pursuits at Crooked Hill, Pottsgrove township, Montgomery Co., remaining at this point from 1840 until 1851. Having been in that year elected recorder of deeds, he removed soon after to Norristown, and remained for three years the incumbent of the office. Returning to Pottstown in 1855, he engaged in the purchase and sale of cattle and horses, continuing the business for several

Mr. Kepner accepted a call to EmmanLutheran Church of P;

in 1850,

It contains 390 inhabitants is

almost double the county

for 1882 returned 690 tax-

ables, real estate valued at $2,531,060, including per-

Its surface is quite rolling,

sonal property, $2,721,970, the average per taxable

composed of loam and gravel, which is well cultivated and productive. The Edge Hill range is the most elevated, and crosses its southwestern corner, by the village of that name. Cheltenham is well watered by numerous small lasting streams. The Tacony Creek is much the largest, flowing through the township about eight miles, and emptying into the

being $3945, surpassed only by Springfield and Abington. The common-school system was accepted in the spring of 1838 by 16 majority, William Gillingham and Thomas Rowland being elected direc-

the smallest in extent.

with a

soil

For the school year ending June 1, 1882, public schools were open 10 months, There averaging an attendance of 250 pupils.

tors.

thirteen

are four houses of worship '

By Wm.

.T.

Buck.

makertown

;

Presbyterian,

:

at

St. Paul's,

Ashbourne

near Shoe;

and two

CHELTENHAM Methodist Ejiiscopal Churches.

In May, 1883, 8 gen-

eral stores, 4 hotels, 1 restaurant, 1 coufectionery, 3

lumber and coal-yards, and 3 dealers in flour and feed were returned. In 1785, G grist-mills, 3 saw-mill.s, 1 tannery, and 1 t'ulling-mill were assessed. The census of 1850 mentions 181 houses and 192 families. Along the valley of the Tacony, and within this township in 1870 were 5 grist-mills, 1 fork, 1 edge-tool, and 2 shovel and spade manufactories. Ashbourne, now the largest village in Cheltenham, c:ist side of the \nrth Pennsvlis situated on the

I'lMCsllV

vania Railroad,

Philadelphia

aii'-tive houses,

a store, post-ofhce and church. gives

it

IKUIAN IHI

The census

of 1880

three hundred and forty-two inhabitants.

This

jdace has entirely sprung into being since the construction of the railroad in 1856.

established since 1876.

The

The

post-offlce has

station

is

a

been

handsome

TOWiNSHIP. with

fiicilities

803 the

abounds

city,

in

sity of

a

beautiful

country,

and from

its

the

increasing

raj)idly

Philadelphia.

An

etibrt

number of families from was made by a member of

the Presbytery to hold services in Shoemakertown, a

mile north of Ashbourne, but the attempt was soon

K(ll,

ASHBoritNIC.

About

given up.

time a number of Presbyterian moved into the neighborhood of Ashbourne, and the necessity of providing a place of worship was impressed upon them. Accordingly, on June 5, 1878, a meeting was held, at which it was determined to open a Sabbath-school in a small building, the use of which was kindly ofi'ered this

families from Philadelphia

J.

Dobbins. The school was opened on June

On

the 8th of

surrounded by

nearness to and

had

planting one or more churches along the line

16th with about one hundred scholars.

is

located,

of the Xortli Pennsylvania Railroad, to accommodate

by Mr. R.

This village

is

their attention called, several years ago, to the neces-

The

some time before 1750.

resi-

The Presbytery of Philadelphia North, within whose bounds the Ashbourne Church'

two-story building, with nice and neatly-kept grounds.

place was formerly a grist-mill, that dated back

elegant

dences.

'

Sketch written by Rev. Richard Montgomery.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

804

October following a petition was presented to Presbytery asking for chiirfb organization at Ashbourne. The petition was granted, and on October 25, 1878, the committee of Presbytery formally organized the Ashbourne Presbyterian Church, with fourteen members. Mr. Charles S. Luther, formerly an elder in the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, and Mr. 'Diomas C. Van Horn were elected elders. After the ordination of Mr. Van Horn, these were inOn March 12, 1880, Rev. J. VV. Kirk, who stalled. had been in charge of the Somerville Mission, Germantown, was elected the pastor of tlie church, and During Mr. Kirk's pastorate the installed May 13. church increased in membership and the general work was systematized. October 3, 1882, Mr. Kirk, having received a call to another church, resigned

On November

this charge.

30th of this year the

Rev. Richard Montgomery, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and of Princeton Seminary, was called to be pastor, and on December 19 was ordained

and installed. In April, 1883, a contract was entered into with Messrs. Bird and Given, of Philadclpliia, to erect the

new church

building, according to plans furnished by

Isaac Pursell, and in January, 1884,

it

now

was finished

The church

at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars.

is

membershi]) of

in a flourishing-condition, with a

The present elders are T. C. about one hundred. Van Horn, 1). H. Yerkes, H. .T. Laird and J. L. Ervin.

About half a mile from Ashbourne, on the Tacony Creek, is Myera & Ervien's fork-factory, which gives employment to fifty hands. Tlie business was by Jacob

established

first

INIyers

The

about 1848.

old stone grist-mill here of Jacob Leech was built

some time before 1751, and

is

now used by

Just below this

for other purposes.

edge-tool manufactory of C.

is

the firm

the extensive

Hammond &

Son,

who

employ between sixty and seventy hands. The buildings are all of stone, and have been recently enlarged.

The

father of the present proprietor

manufacture

liere

are

jiroducts

eliief

in

1840, with

hatchets,

commenced

a few hands.

sledges and

the

The

hammers.

The Philadelphia office is at 13 North Fifth The adjacent country is rolling and abounding

Street. in fine

sjprings of water.

The ea.st

is

corner of the township and within a quarter of a

mile of the Philadelphia

line.

It contains

near sixty

houses, two stores and a two-story Methodist Episcopal

surrounded by a rolling country. Here extensive shovel and spade manufactory of is the Thomas Rowland's Sons, the firm being now com-

Church.

It is

posed of Howard, Rush and Lynford Rowland.

Tlie

works are propelled by steam and water-power, and give

employment to ninety-five hands. In the census Montgomery for 1810, mention is made that

report of

the

onlv

two

Rowland, by means of manufactured twelve hundred dozen of spades and shovels annually. Gordon, in his " Gazetteer of 1832," mentions the manufacture of fourteen thousand five hundred dozens, consuming for this purwhich

he

one hundred tons of iron. Benjamin Rowland brother William died within a few days of each other in December, 1872. Members of this family are also extensively engaged in iron and steel manufactures at Kensington and Frankford. Cheltenham post-office was established at this village before 1855, when Thomas Rowland, Jr., was postmaster. Within a quarter of a mile, on the city line, the Philadelphia and Newtown Railroad has a two-story station for passengers. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Cheltenham is recognized in the minutes of the Conference for the first time in 18134-65 by the appointment of the Rev. G. W. Lybrand a-s pastor. His successors liave been M. A. Day, J. B. Maddox, D. L. Patterson, H. E. Gilroy, M. D. Kurtz, T. W. Simpers, William Mullin and T. C. Pearson. Shoeniakertown is situated near the centre o*' the townsliip, on the York turnpike road. It contains thirty houses, a merchant mill, carriage-factory, hotel, store, Episcopal tJhureh, two halls for concerts and lectures, several mechanic shops and a passenger station at the North Pennsylvania Railroad. The country around is quite rolling, and abounds in handsome country-seats. This is an old settlement, and was known by its present name at least in the beginning of this century. Gordon, in his " Gazetteer of 1832," mentions that it then contained "a grist-mill, store and four or five good dwellings." The hotel was licensed here soon after the opening of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, and was the first public-house The post-office was established in in the township. the fall of 1857, and J. Q. Rand appointed postmaster. The York road was laid out through here in 1711, and whei'e it crosses the Tacony Creek no bridge had been The venerable stone bridge here was erected in 174G. built by the county in 1798. A short distant'e to the southeast of this bridge Richard Martin had a tannery in operation in 1776, and no doubt established .some po.s6

and

his

time before. The railroad here is stated to be one hundred and seventy-si.x feet above Delaware tidewater.

Cheltenham, which wa-s long known situated pen Run and Society Run. The surface of the township is detaries

(

cidedly rolling, verging to a hilly character

;

but

it is

well adapted to farming in all parts except in the north, where the

—

Deep Creek I

By Henry

S.

hills attain

Dutterer.

considerable

is located on and Sumneytown turnpike, at the point where the Great road diverges from it to the west, while the turnpike continues towards the north.

the Perkiomen

It was, before the building of the railroad,

an import-

ant meeting-point for stage lines.

Here the passengers from Pennsburg and Boycrtown met three times each week, and were transferred from small, antiquated coaches to the commodious and stylish omnibuses drawn by four or five horses and here on the ;

alternate days the returning passengers were again separated and sent their different ways. The inn, located on high ground in the forks of the road, and facing to the south, was an old-time house of genuine

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

832

entertainment to the traveler and drover breadth disproportioned to

its

;

it

A

kiomen Creek, a distance of about one and a halt miles. Two of its stations Zieglerville Station and

welcoming piazza extended before

its

entire front.

two blacksmith-shops, one wheel-

wright-shop, one tinsmithery, one tannery, one schoolhouse, two clothing-factories, one shoemaker-shop, one tavern, one saw-mill, one tlour-mill, forty-four dwelling-houses and about two hundred inhabitants. A lodge of the Knights of Pythias meets here. A German weekly newsjjaper, the Wahrheits Freund, was published here in 1858. Frederick village, on the Great road, near the

northwestern line of the township, long.

It

about half a mile

is

contains a post-office, one general store, one

creamery, one blacksmith-shop, one tannery, thirteen

and about sixty inhabitants. Green Tree tavern is located at its lower end. dwelling-houses

The

of Perkiomenville

village

is

located in

The the

on both sides of Perkionien Creek, which is here spanned by a fine stone bridge. The larger part It of the population is in Marlborough township. consists, in Frederick, of a post-office, one general store, one tavern, an Odd-Fellows' Hall, a creamery, wheelwright-shop, eight houses and about sixty inA lodge of the order of Odd-Fellows meets habitants. This vicinity is a favorite resort for camping, here. fishing and hunting-parties, and during the heat of summer the hotel here, kept by Isaac Rahn, is patronnortheast,

ized by city residents,

who come out

to enjoy the bath-

ing in Perkiomen Creek and the natural attractions of

the locality. Frederick Station, on the Perkiomen Railroad,

compactly built village of about one hundred and inhabitants.

a general

is

a

fifty

It contains a post-office (Klein's), a hotel,

a lumber and coal yard, one feed store, manufactory, planing mill, blacksmith

store,

a clothing

shop, one segar factory, two grist mills, one saw mill, and twenty-one dwelling-houses. Christian Allehach

has lately fitted up a large hall for the purpose of holding religious services in this ])lace. Obelisk, in the central jjortion, on the Great road, derives its name from the post-office established here. In it are contained Keeler's church, one general store, one tinsmithery, one school-house, one clothing-factory, twelvedwelling-houses and sixty-five inhabitants.

Delphi

is

the

name

of the post-office at Zieglerville

Perkiomen Railroad. The village is on the Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike. It is located at the romantic point where Swamp Creek flows into the Perkiomen, at the foot of the rugged Stone Hills. The natural attractions here have made Station, on the

this

hotel

a place of

summer

resort.

A

fine

four-story

— the Weldon House—has been built for the ac-

commodation of visitors. The village has one feedand lime-yard, hay-press, a saw, gri^t and oil-mill, one tannery, one brick-yard, seven dwellings and about fifty inhabitanf.s. store, coal

skirts the southeastern

border of the township, following the course of Per-

modern building of brick has taken the old tavern's place. At present the village contains one general store, a post-office,

The Perkiomen Railroad

was of

two-story lieight, and a

—

Frederick Station

— are in

the limits of the township.

The Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road was completed in the year 1847, and extends through the township from Schwenksville via Zieglerville to Perkiomenville, a distance of somewhat more than four

The company was incorporated February 14, by act of the State Legislature. At the first election of officers, held at Perkiomen Bridge, March President, Henry 14, 1846, the following were elected Longaker Managers, William Schall, Jacob Snyder, George Poley, Jacob Johnson, Jr., Abel Kerr, Henry Ziegler, Aaron Schweuk, William Worral, Abraham Hunsicker, David Beard, Joseph Hunsicker and Abraham Steiner; Secretary and Treasurer, John Steiner. John H. Steiner was secretary and treasurer from 1852 to 1862 Daniel D. Hunsicker, from 1862 to 1866; Abraham G. Schwenk, in 1867; George W. miles.

1845,

:

;

;

Steiner, 1867 to the present date.

The

is eighteen thousand and fifty This sum was not sufficient to build the road, and a debt burdened the company until about The company de1875, when the last of it was paid. clared its first dividend in 1876, and has paid divi-

capital stock

dollars.

dends annually since that time. The road extends from Perkiomen Bridge to Green Lane, a distance of twelve miles.

The present officers are: President, Abraham G. Schwenk Secretary and Treasurer, George W. Steiner Managers, Michael Alderfer, Henry Snyder, Gideon Fetterolf, Thomas B. Hillegass, John B. Landis, Jesse Cressman, Mark Hiltebeitel, A. H. Seipt, Jacob G. Schwenk, William A. Welker, Evans P. Koons and ;

J.

A. Strassburger.

The headquarters

company

of the

are at Ziegler-

where the elections are held. Erection of the Township.— Up to 1731 the territory now comi)rised in Frederick was without an ofIt was ficial name and without a local government. known as Falkner Swamp, in common with the remainder of the extensive region drained by Swamp Creek and its tributaries. With the influx of settlers the necessity of civil authority became manifest. The following petition was made as a remedy for this want ville,

" To tho Wui-shipfull the Justici'S at the Quarter SessioDS held at Phil-

adelphia for the Ooiiuty of Philad«, the

"The

I'otition of tlie lohaliitantK

first

liviTig

day of March,

IT-W-'il.

lletween I.irark-k township

and Perkioniy. " Ilniiibly sheweth. " That there are Settled a great many families on the North East side of LiniriL-k township, between the same & lieblter's township & Salford, A are bounded on the northwesterly side with New Hanover township. The Tract of Land on which your Petitionert. & many more are settled is Suposed to he about Seven miles long & live miles broad. "Now forasmuch as your Petitioners' case is such that they think it is too great a Circuit for a Constable out of any of the aforcs^ townships & Ulso nnconvenient in making and Repairing of highways. And your Petitionei's living

on the

s''

Tract of Land are humbly of opinion that

it

FREDERICK TOWNSHIP. would be more Convenient for them that the same tract of Land was laid out for a Township. " Therefore your Petitionei-s, both for the publick good & their own Conveuiency, Earnestly Desire that you will be ple;ised to take the premises into your jjcrious Consideration, and order a Township to be laid out & Established Between the fores'! Townsliips according as you shall think fit, And your petitioners shall thankfully acknowledge your favour in the premises, and be obliged Ever to pray, as in the duty bound.

833

Shattick five hundred acres, part of a great tract which William Penn granted to Richard Pearce on

May

4,

1682.

David Powell, who, on the Sth of Eighth Month (October), 1683, was appointed deputy surveyor by Thomas Holme, the surveyor-general, had surveyed to him, as " part of three thousand acres of land back Herger. Dodderer. Gotlieb "Georg Pliilib Johann Ludwich Dederer. in the said province (Pennsylvania), near or on the William Frey. Thom.is Addis. Andrew Frey. Branches of Perkeaw-ming," under warrant dated Hauns Michell Doderer. Han Ludwig Engelhart. September 10, 1717, two tracts of two hundred acrcg Henrich Steller. Fauth. Baltlias Joseph Groff. each, and on December 7, 1717, a ti'act of one hunJacob Fauth, Hans Crauss." Friederich Reimmer. dred and fifty acres. Michael Horricher. Before March 25, 1720, John Henry Hagerman Appended to the petition was a draft of the town- purchiised of David Powell two hundred acres of the The court granted the prayer, and made the four hundred acres surveyed to the latter September ship. following indorsement thereon "The Petition here- 10,1717 this was confirmed to him by the proprietors unto annexed being taken into Consideration by the May 23, 1728. Henry Antes purchased one hundred Court, the Praj»r of the sd Petition is Granted, and and twenty-five acres of this tract in 1735, at which the Township is now named Frederick Township." date Hagerman was a resident of Lancaster County. This simple record does not answer the question March 25,1720, James Steel, of the city of PhilaAfter whom was the township delphia, purchased five hundred acres, near a " Branch sometimes asked named ? The name was probably selected because it of Parkeawning," from William Clayton, of Chichester, had been borne by the German emperors in the Mid- to whom it had been surveyed under a warrant dated die Ages, and because the petitioners were, with per- April 14, 1 718, " in full satisfaction of a demand by ye haps one exception, of Teutonic stock. said William Clayton against the Proprietary in or Early Purcliasers. The circumstances connected about the year one thousand seven hundred, for part with the taking up of the large tract of twenty-two of the land granted by ye said Proprietary to the thousand three hundred and seventy-seven acres by Swansons in lieu of the ground whereon the city of the Frankfort Land Company, a large portion of Philadelphia is built." On the 17th eople." Creorge Heebner and Rosina Kriebel were married November 22, 1738, and had Melchior, born July 2, 1742, died December 21, 1744. Rosina Heebner died July 25, 1745. He married. May 16, 1749, Susanna Schultz, who died November 2, 1772, without issue. John Heebner, a brother of George Heebner, also came with the Schwenkfelder colony. Before March 22, 1738, he acquired land in Frederick township, near Society Run. His wife's name was Maria. Their children were Hans, Melchior (who married February 11, 1752, and settled in Worcester township), Anna. John Heebner, while assisting his son, Melchier, in taking in the second crop of hay, fell from the wagon, and of the injuries received he died September 17, 1754. Daniel Christman,

September

5,

who

arrived

in

1730, bought of Martin

dalena, his wife, on

March

27, 1735,

and the following day sixty

acres.

Penn.sylvania

Funk and Mag-

one hundred acres, These tracts were

The

early settlers were mostly

—The

Germans.

Their

dialect.

official list of taxables of Frederick township is furnished in the return made by the i>roprietaries' agent, in 1734, as follows:

Statistics.

Adam

first

25 acres

Bai'steller,

;

Michael Bastian, Ludwig Detterer, Joliaa-

Dilbeck, George Philip Dotterer, Ion acres

iies

aires

Ludwig Englehart, 100

;

Fautb, 100 acres

acres

Michael Dotterer, 100

;

Baltus Fauth, 100 acres

;

Jacob

;

Daniel Frantz, Wilhelm Frey, 150 acres Jacob Fuchs,

;

;

IW iicres

Marliii

Fu nk.

Gi-aaf,

100 acres; Job. Heiu. Ilagetiian,

;

Job. Geo. Ganser, Christian Getzendonner, Joseph ILK)

Juliaunes Herb, Gotlieb Herger, 80 acres

;

acres

Michael

;

Michael

Hen dicrks.

jtlerger, nOiJ acres

Adam

Hill, Michael Hill, Paul Hippel, Martin Husiicker, Johannes Kraus, 150 acres; Joh. Georg Kraus, 22 acres Michael Kraus, 150 acres ;

Jacob Mecklin, Christian

ham Pfenning, Christian

acres

Schneider, Joh. ;

Geo.

Henrich

;

;

;

;

Stettlcr, 140 acres

Henrich Stover, 100 acres

;

(Nice), 200 acres AbraHenrich Schmidt, 80 acres Schwenhart, 100 acres Joh. George

Frederick Reyiner, 100 acres

120 acres

Sprogell,

;

JohanuesNeus

Mijllcr,

;

;

Christian Stettler, 50

George Trumbauer.

In 1741, Frederick township had seventy-six taxables.

In 1785 the taxables were: Francis Bard, .Jacob Beniger, Samuel Bertolet, Conrad Bickhard, .\nthony Bitting, George Boyer, Henry Boyer, Jacob Boyer, Leonard Buyer, Philip Boyer, William Boyer, David Broog, Pliilip Brown,

Valentine

Bull",

Joseph Butterweck, Jacob Christman, John De Haven,_^ Conrad Dutterer, John Dotterer, Michael Dotterer,

Jacob Detweiler, Philip Dotterer,

John Faust, Peter Faust, John

biuer, Charles Fox, Peter Gable,

Mathew

Ferer, Jacob Fingen-

Geist, Godshall Godshall, Isaac

Goschin, Michael Gougler, Connui Grobb, Henry Grobb,

Henry

Groff,

John

Groff,

Abraham

Groff,

Jacob Groner, Jacob Grnbb, Conrad Haffen-

Hartenstein, Henry Hartenstein, John Hartenstein, Hartman, Jacob Hauck, John Heebner, Philip Heebner, .\nton,v Herb, John Herger, John Hiltebidle, Peter Hofstat, Adam ger,

Elias

.lacob

IloUenbush, Reiser,

Sr.,

Henry

Hollenbusb,

Michael Koons, Nicholas

Krause,

Adam

Henry

Krause,

Joseph Koons,

Michael

Hollenbush,

Krause,

Jr.,

Balthaser

Krause,

Christian

Michael

Daniel Krause,

Kngler, Jacob Kugler, Francis Leidig, Philip Leidig, John

Ley, Slartin Lightly, Thomas Mayberry, George Michael, Ueuiy Miller, George Moore, George Xyce, Jr., George Nyce, Sr., Zacbarias Nyce, Michael (Esterlein, Jacob Pennybacker, John Keimer, Ludwig Reinier,

Heni-y Roschon,

George Scheffey, Slichael Schillig, William Schlotterer. Ludwig

Scbiitt-

ler, Frsderick Schwartz, Abraham Schwenck, Daniel Sdiwenck, George Schwenck, Henry Smith, Jacob Smith, Benjamin Snyder, Valentine

Abraham Solomon, Christian Stettler, Jacob Stettler, Jolin SutDavid Underkofller, Jacob Underkoffler, Jr., Jacob Underkoffler,

Snyder, ton, Sr.,

—

Peter Roschon, John Rotenbacher, Henrj' Sassaman,

Adam Wartman,

Gottfried

Woodley, Daniel Yost. John Yost,

AVisler, Jr.,

Nicholas Wolfinger,

John

Zieber. Jlartiu Zieler, Gottlieb Zink, Tobias

Y'ost, Sr.,

George

Peter Yost

Zink.— 114.

^

,

John

.

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

838

In 1800 the population was 629, which included 1 the number of taxables was 132. In 1810 the jiopulation was 828 taxes assessed,

slave

;

;

The

taxes assessed in 181(3 were S475.29. In 1820 the population was 927, including 17 free colored persons. In 1830 the jjopulation was 1017.

In 1832, the township contained 215 horses, 478

under cultivation, valued at an average of S20 per acre. In 1840 the census showed a 'population of 1217. Of these, 229 were employed in agriculture, 8 in commerce, 106 in manufactures and trades, 3 in navigacattle 10,989 acres

of the ocean, 5 in the learned

professions

;

2

persons were blind and 4 of unsound mind.

whom

number of families, 268;

17 were free colored;

number

of dwellings, 232

;

In 1860 the population was 1783 $915.82 farms, 220 dwellings, 220. ;

taxes assessed,

;

In 1870 the population was 1818. In 1880 the population was returned as 1944. The persons who were appointed to offices in Frederick township prior to the beginning of the present century are given below, CONSTABLES. Henry Kraus anil Henry Hartweck were appointed IVrif*, Henry Kraus 1756, John Unistadt 1757, Scbnlidt 1758, Jolin Herger 17G8, George 1759, Juhn Hevener, Michael Renn 1767, John Jost Nyce 176!), Peter Hauck 177(1, Conrnd Giiibb 1772, Anthony Houser 1773, George Jlichael 1775, John Rymer and George Watenian 1776, Henry Stetler 1777, Adam Ilollobush. Jr. 1780, John Heebuer, Henry HoUobush 1781, Henry Kranss, Charles Zellner 1782, Ludwig Reimer 1783, Henry Sassaman 178.5, Philip Boyer; 1786, 1784, John Zieber 17o4,

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Christian SteUer

;

1793,

John Nyce

Jacob I'nderkoffler

;

;

1794,

1799,

;

;

David UnderkofHer

1788,

;

John Gougler

17111,

Bartolet

;

;

;

17!I2,

1796, Fraiicis Leidig

Grant,

290;

1876:

Grant, 95.

;

;

Lincoln, 55.

Tilden, 310;

Garfield, 151.

Greeley,

Hayes, 118.

1884:

1868

=

219; 1880

r

Cleveland, 307

;

Blaine, 100.

and

Churches settlers were,

Burying'-Grounds.

—The

with few exceptions, Germans,

early

who were

most cases driven hither by the scourging wars, and religious persecutions then raging in Europe. Being pious men and women, they soon formed them-

in

selves into religous societies.

John Philip Btthni, a schoolmaster, as early as 1720, " maintained the ministry of the Word, to the best of his ability

and

to the great satisfaction of the people,"

among the Reformed From his efforts grew

inhabitants of Falkner

Swamp.

Swamp Reformed exists in New Hanover town-

the Falkner

1798,

he continued until 1748 to exercise spiritual care over this congregation. In 1728, George Philip Dodderer, residing in the territory afterwards erected into Frederick townshi]), was a member of the consistory of the

;

>Iichael Dotterer

;

Scdmttler, George Boyer; 1770, Philip Boyer, .lohn Yost 1773, Christian Stetler, George Weickert 1775, Jacob Cbristman, William Boyer, Henry Boyer, George Schwenk 1776, Michael Koons, John Heebner; 1779, Henry S;issanian, Philip Boyer 1780, Jacob Detwiler, John Zieber 1790, Abraham Graff, Michael Gougler.

still

Brehm was ordained

to file ministry,

and

Falkner Swamp Church. In 1742, Frederick Reimer and John Jacob Kraus, of Frederick township, were

;

elders.

;

;

;

;

;

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. March, 1768, Zacliariah Nyce and Jacob Underkoffler were appointed; HoUobush 1769, George Deal, Christian 1770, Jacob Christman, Christian Stetler; 1772, Ludwig Reimer, Ludwig Schiittler 1773, Michael Dotterer, Jacob Stetler, John Fried, Andrew Trumbauer; 1775, Adam Hollobusli, William Boyer 1776i, .John Hildebeidel, Henry Kraus, 17.S0, Jacob Zieber, Jacob Jr. 1779, Matliiiis Goist, George Zellner Underkoiller 1795 Martin Detweiler, Henry Seipel. ;

;

;

;

;

;

beginning of 1885 are: Justices of the Peace, George W. Steincr, John H. Gottshalk Constable, Ambrose S. Kccler Supervisors of Roads, Henry Bolten, Jacob Welfly Assessor, Isaac G. Grimley Judge of Elections, N. W. UnderkofHer; Inspectors of Elections, James Bernhard, Jacob D. Daub. officials

at the

;

;

;

;

1872:

;

;

;

96.

1860: Lin-

congregation, which

Michael Dotterer.

Henry .Smith, Wondel Hoch 1767, Henry Boyer, Barnet Tytele, Peler HoUobush 1769, Ludwig

The township

1864: McClellan, 289

coln,65.

;

ship. In 1729,

;

1768,

34.

1780,

September 1754, Andrew Boyer and Jacob Whitenian were appointed; 1757, John Jost, George Slicliael; 1758, George Nyce, JacobUnderkoffler 1759, Caspar Achenbacll, Peter Werner 176U,

Fremont and Fillmore combined,

Breckinridge, Douglas, and Bell, (Fusion), 258

John

OVEKSEEltS OF HIGHWAYS. 1755, Felix Lea, Peter Ettlenian

1856: Buchananx

1852: Pcirce, 216; Scott, 47.

;

1787, Matthias Geist

Philip Leidig; 1790, Peter Roshon ;

;

;

;

;

;

establishment of our present

;

69.

Hancock, 321

;

For

the Democratic party.

Ity

:

Seymour,

taxes assessed, 1862.54.

held

years after the

form of government and the erection of the county the voters of a group of a townships held their election* at one polling-place. Frederick township was attached to that district which voted at Krebs' tavern, in New Hanover township. The vote for candidate* for President of the United States since Frederick votes by itself, from 1832 to the present time, was, 1832: Jackson, 113; Clay, 22. 1836: VanBuren, 109; Harrison, 34. 1840 Van Buren, 156 Harrison, 69. 1844: Polk, 207; Clay, 73. 1848: Cass, 216 Taylor, 274;

In 1850 the census returned 1431 inhabitants, of

Yost

Jackson, and

many

$450.

tion

In politics the views of the citizens of Frederick accord with the princijiles enunciated by Jefferson and

In 1747 an event important in the history ot hou.se of John Miller»

this church, occurred at the

mouth of Society Run. On the March of that year Rev. Michael Schlatter, superintendent of the Reformed Churches in Pennsyl-

who

resided near the

17th of

vania and adjoining colonies, came, by invitation, from Philadcliihia, and administered the sacrament of baptism to the wife and eight children of Dr. Miller,

hundred persons assembled Dr. ^Miller was at this the church, and continued to hold

in the presence of several to witness the

solemn

time an elder in

service.

1755. In 1748, Rev. John Leydich came from Europe, and began to The labor here, and continued to do so until 1765 Reformed peo]ile residing in the eastern 2)ortion of the township connected themselves with the Old office until his death, in

Philip

Goshenhoppen congregation, in Salford township, near Perkiomen Creek, which was formed as early

FREDERICK TOWNSHIP. as 1732.

Christian Hollobush and Peter Hollobush

were among the

earliest wlio did so.

New Hanover Lutheran Cliurch,

located

Falkner Swamp. This congregation was organized about the year 1720. It is stated the liev. Justus Falkner, a Lutheran minister, preached here in 1703; but this occurred probably at Morlatton (Douglasville), where the Swedes organized a Lutheran Church in 1700, and not at New Hanover, where the in the heart of

earliest settlers, according to the records, arrived later.

About 1734 John Casper Stcever was pastor. In 1742 Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg came, and he continued in charge of the congregation until 1702Daniel Christman and Michael Herger were of the

Lutheran

faith.

The means

ent day, were by no means wanting.

In the year

1740, Whitefield, the revival preacher,

came

to the

house of Henry Antes, in Frederick township, and preached to the people, the number assemlded on this occasion being two thousand. Seward's journal describes this event as follows 24, 1740.

.

.

.

Came

:

Plautation, in

many Dutch People are settled, and where the famous Spangenberg resided lately. It was surprizing to see such a Mul-

titude of People gathered together in such a wilderness Country, Thirty

Miles distant from Philadelphia.

.

.

.

Our dear

Peter Bohler,

friend,

who could not undei"stand our Brother (WhiteCame to Henry Anti's Plantation, in Frederick Township,

preached in Dutch to those field) in

English.

Ten Miles farther

in the

surprizing with that

Country, where was also a Slultitude equally

we had

in

There was much was drawn to sing and Brother Whitefield was very

the Morning.

melting under both Sermons. ... At Kight

pray with our Brethren in the Fields.

weak

:

;

;

;

Wigners

to Christopber

Skippack, where BIr,

Reformed, Mennonites, Dunkers and now became a Moravian interest. The second week in March, 1745, the Moravian Synod met at the house of Henry Antes, in Frederick township. A Moravian congregation was formed in Frederick township wdiich, in 1747, numbered twentythree persons. Of those who were permanently settled in Frederick township, the following were connected with this Jloraviaii _congrg£ation William Frey and family, Andrew Frey and Henry Antes and family. Of those who were temporarily in Frederick township, coming wfth the several Moravian immigrant colonies who passed through here, or working for Antes for a time, or engaged at the Moravian school, were Abraham Andreas, who learned wheelwrighting with Antes Gottlieb Demuth, who resided here in 1739; Mary Catharine Gemehle, daughter of David Gemehle; John Henry Knauss, weaver and farmer, from Gorlitz; Sebastian Knauss, brother of the pi'eceding, born in Tittelsheim, near Frankfort-onthe-Main, and learned the trade of wheelwright with Henry Antes John H. MoUer, miller at Antes' mill, and Rosina, his wife John Michael Miicke, cooper, a native of Upper Silesia Daniel ffisterlein, born in Ulm Christopher Pans, shoemaker, a native of Hungary David Reichard, born in Silesia; John Adam Schneider, farmer, from Schaumburg-Lippe Frederick Pfeiffer, born in Frederick township; Frederick Weber, weaver, born in Nassau-Siegen Adam Kremser and Rosina, his wife Adolph Meyer and Justina, his wife; Frederick Boeekel, farmer, born in Diirrheim, Rhenish Bavaria; J. George Hautsch, Jr., from Altendorf, Saxony John Turner and Elizabeth, his wife; Anthony, a negro, bequeathed to Bishop Spangenberg by Thomas Noble, of New York John George Stieffel, born in Reinheim, Hesse-Darmstadt, who immigrated in 1720, and Adam Schaus. At present there is no Moravian congregation in Fred;

of religious instruction in the primitive

times, althougk they differed from those of the pres-

".\pri!

Lutherans,

Schwenkfelders,

Tlie Lutlieran peoi)le of P'rederici;: township worsliiped at tlie

839

.

.

.

I

Lord Jehovah was his Strength, for I never They were Germans where we dined and supp'd, and they pray'd and sang in Butch, as we did in in Body, but the

.

.

.

heard him speak more clear and powerful.

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

English, before and after Eating.

a

A religious movement of importance, in which number of the inhabitants of Frederick township

were interested, took rise in 1742 in Pennsylvania. Count Zinzendorf came to America in 1741 upon a religious mission. Henry Antes, of Frederick, soon made his aciiuaiutance. They conferred with reference to uniting

"such souls out of the

ditferent religious

denominations who sought their salvation through Jesus Christ, through the bonds of love,"

—a subject

which they both felt a deep interest. On the 15th of December, 1741, a call was issued, over the signature of Henry Antes, for a meeting of Christians at Germantown on New Year's day. Another meeting was held at the house of George Heebner, in Frederick township, on the 14th and 15th of January, at which John George Stiefl'el, William Frey, Andrew Frey, Henry Antes and Adam Schaus, all of Frederick township, were in attendance. On the 7th of December, 1742, Count Zinzendorf preached at Falkner Swamp (doubtless at the house of Henry Antes), from Psalms cxxx, 3: " If thou. Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" The unity movement meeting with opposition from many of the in

erick township.

The Mennonites have a house of worship on Mine The congregation was

road, west of Schwenksville.

founded about the year 1815.

Rev. Moses H. GottIn the adjoining place of burial are stones bearing the family names: Allebaugh, Gottschall, Grubb, Longanecker, Moyer, Pannepacker, Tyson, Upright, Urweiler, Wasschall has been pastor for thirty-nine years.

ser.

Keeler's church, on the Great road, near the cen-

township, was built jointly by the Luand the Reformed congregations. Lewis Schittler, Jacob Hauck, George Moore and Philip Krause, representing the two congregations, under date of June 20, 1833, purchased three acres and eight tre of the

theran

perches of land from the following parties

Ludwig

:

First, of

one acre and eight perches; second, of Joseph Keeler and Mary, his wife, one acre third, of Jesse K. Reifsnyder, Richard K. Reifsnyder, Reinhard March and Esther, his wife, Abraham Mattis and Sarah, his wife, Lydia Reifsnyder and Mary Matilda Schittler,

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

840

Reifsnyder, heirs and devisees of Salome Koons, deceased,

deed is

one acre.

is fifty

named

Tlie consideration

cents in each case.

of brick, was erected on

tlie

The

in the

building, wliicli

spot previously occu-

graveyard adjacent to the meeting-house lot is inclosed with a substantial stone wall, and the grounds are planted with evergreens and carefully kept. Of those

who

sleep here, the stones give us the family

De Nice, Dotwere Ludwig Schittler and Philip Krause, of the Lu- terer, Frcy, Gottschalk, Grobb, Hummel, Hunsberger, theran congregation, and George Moore and Jacob Nyce, Shoemaker, Smoll, Weidnum, Zoller. Many Hauck, of the Reformed congregation. The corner- are buried here whose graves are not marked; among stone was laid on September 28, 1833, and the church these are Esterline, Hahn, Grode and Cresar, a colored was dedicated May 10 and 11, 1834. The Reformed resident of former times. The River Brethren, an offshoot from the Mennondeacons at that time were John Dreisbach, Daniel Hauck, Samuel Leidig and Jonathan Nyce. The ites, have a society which meets at intervals of Reformed pastors have been Rev. H. S. Bassler, 1834 to thirteen weeks at the house of its pastor. Rev. Henry 1844; Rev. Samuel Seibert, to 1851 Rev. A. L. Dech- A. Landis, on Swamp Creek, west of Zieglerville. ant, to the present time. The Lutheran pastors have Their name originated in this wise They called been Rev. Conrad Miller, 1834 to 1852 Rev. Nathan themselves Brethren in Christ, and their membership Yeager, to 1857; Rev. Henry Wendt, to 1864; Rev. was composed of persons residing on the banks of the Messrs. Struntz, (}roh, Francis T. Hoover and Lait- Susquehanna River. In the same neighborhood, not zle, each for a short term, from 1864 to 1869; Rev. so near the river, were the Dunkers, who also called William B. Fox, to the present time. About the themselves Brethren. The common people, to disyear 1848 an organ was purchased. In 1855 a Sunday- tinguish them from the Dunkers, called the Brethren school building of brick was erected on a lot on the in Christ the River Brethren. hill on the west bank of Society Run, a short distance In the early times it was custonmry among the from the church. Within a few years the interior of leading families to bury their dead on the farm, on a the church has been altered and improved, the gal- spot set aside for this purpose. In the course of time leries on the three sides having been removed and the the neighbors brought their dead for burial to these high pulpit on the southwest side taken down, a ])rivate grounds. A number of these family gravemodern pulpit and chancel placed in the southeast yards are maintained in this township, others are neside, and modern pews introduced; a neat steeple glected and overgrown with brambles and bushes, was at the same time placed upon the edifice. The and still others have relapsed into their former uses as cemetery adjoining the church is large, and has been fields for farming, and traces of them are lost. several times enlarged. The following families have The Leidig private burying-ground is the largest of made interments here Albright, Anderson, Apjjle, its kind in the township. It contains one-quarter of Bardman, Berks, Bolton, Bowman, Boyer, Christman, an acre of ground, square in shape, taken from fouradDaub, Dorn, Dyson, Erb, Faust, Fisher, Franken- joiningfarms is inclosed with a stone wall. It is locaberger. Fryer, FuUmer, Gaugler, Geyer, Godshalk, ted in the southwestern part of the township, east of Greigg, Gresh, Grobb, Grode, Haucli, Hollowbush, Im- Swamp Creek. On the the 17th of January, 1764, body, Jolmson, Kalb, Keeler, Keeley, Knerr, Koons, David Shultze made a survey of the lands of Krause, Leidy, Maberry, Meddinger, Messinger, Mil- Christian Stetler and a draft which shows that was ler, Mock, Moor, Moyer, Neidig, Neifter, Nelson, the space set apart for the burial-place was taken Pannepacker, Rahn, Reed, Reichard, Reifsnyder, from the farms then belonging to Christian Stetler, Rev. Roeller, Royer, Samsel, Sassaman, Saylor, Schenkel, John Philip Leydich, Henry Smith and George Michael Schittler, Schmoll, Schwenk, Seasholtz,Setzler,Shaner, Kuntz. Another quarter of an acre has been given Smith, Steiner, Stetler, Stoneback, Styer, Sweisfort, for like use by the will of the late Christian Stetler; Thomjison, Tyson, Umstead, Underkoffler, Wagener, this adjoins the original plot and is not inclosed. The wall was built in 1783, at a cost of £36 4s. Sd. It Weand, Weiant, Wick, YoaJ. In 1846 the brick meeting-house known as Ber- was covered with tiles until 1797, when a board covering was put on, and the tiles were sold for £2 4s. 5(Z. tolet's was erected on a lot of ground in the western portion of the township. It was dedicated on Whit- The improvements made in 1795, cost £3415s. 6rf. The suntide, 1847. same year Henry Krauss left a legacy of five pounds It adjoins a private burying-ground in lor the benefit of the graveyard. use since 1766. A Mennonite congregation, formed The contrilmtors in about the year 1847, worships in this building. Rev. 1783 were, Abraham Hunsicker, who was bishop of Skippack, £. Ludwig Eiigolhiirt preached the first year Rev. Moses H. Gottschall Philip Le.ydicli, Sr followed from 1848 to 1872 Rev. N. B. Grubb, except 2 Heiiu'ich Schmidt a short interval, from 1872 to 1882; Rev, William S. Casper Achenbach I 10 pied

l)y

The building committee

a school-house.

names of

Bertolet, Bertolette, Bliem,

;

:

;

:

;

s.

.

:i

cl

;

:!

;

Gottschall is the present pastor. In the summer of 1848 the first Sabbath-school in this section of the country was opened in this house. Tlie ancient

Fredorick Kuntz

Michael Kuntz Christian Stetler

Jacob Stetler

.

....

1

10

1

10

1 10 1 10

rf.

FREDERICK TOWNSHIP. .loliaiines Stetler

Joseph Bittins Frederick Weiss Heiurich Sassaniau Lenhart Leydicli

f

».

1

10

I

'Z

1

.'i

1

."i

d.

Schools.

6

in view in this

(I

10

(I

formed Church jieople organized schools contemporaneously with their congregations. As was the custom in Germany, schools and churches were inseparable. The schools of these two denominations were located in New Hanover township and the youth of Frederick, in the earliest times, of necessity went there to be

i;

7

i;

Catharine Stetler

7

ti

Benjamin Sclineider

7

Andreas Will Philip Leydich Heinrich Grolj Daniel Krauss David Brncb

7

taught.

7

The Moravian

7 r,

Total

Vir,

a

4

:s

i;

7

liimily iiaiMos of those l)Liriel

lierc, iiicIiKliuo;

both the graves marked by stones and those without stones, are Achenbaeh, Aeker, Bender, Bitting, Boycr, Christman, Emerich, Fuchs, Grob, Herb, Herman, Herrigcr, Hoftman, Koons, Krausz, Langbein, Leydich, Litecaj), Mattis, May, Mebry, Moor, Neunze-

Sassaman, Scheid, Sehloneeker, Schmidt, Schneider, Schwartz, Sehwenk, Seylor, Stetler, Sweisfort, Weisz, Wiilling, Zieber. '

The Antes burial-place, in the western corner of the township is invested with historical interest, owing to

Henry Antes

of his

offered the use

— Christopher and Christiana Francko of Betlilehem. —John C. Heyne. Managers the Farm. — Christopher and Ann Demutli.

Superiulcrideut^. 'Putar.

JI.

itf

— John and llosina Jloller. — Eiias Albreclit, son of Anthony and Catlierine Albreclit,

Manaijcrs of the Milf. PiipiU.

II.

born Jonathan Beck, son of H. F. and Barbara Blum and Francis Blum, sous of Fmncis and Catharine Blum, born in Saucon, Bucks Co. Daniel, a Mohegan, of Shecomeco Christopher Dcmuth and Christian Deniuth, sons of Gotthard and Kef^ina Demuth, born in Germantown Tobias Denintll, son of Gottlieb and Eve Demnth, born in 1741 in Saucon Emanuel, a negro, from St. Thomas Benjamin Garrison, born on Staten Island Lawrence Hartmauu and Thomas Hartmann, sons of Frederick and Margaret Hartmauu, born in Frankford, Philadelphia in

County

Philadeljihia

Beck, born in Georgia

;

;

Stephen Blum, Jacob

;

;

man known and

a

established a

and the mill, for use as a boarding-school for boys, and on the 3d of June the same year a school was opened with the following organization and twenty-three pupils, whose names, as recorded in the Moravian archives, are:

Roth,

Henry Antes,

1745,

in

plantation, the buildings

henlioltzer, Pannepacker, Puhl, Reifsnyder, Reinier,

the fact that

brethren,

some importance. At the meeting of their Synod the second week in March, at his home in Fredschool of

erick township,

The

schools

young has always been kept township. The Lutheran and Re-

for the education of the

4

II)

7

— The importance of maintaining

il

1,')

JohanDes Herger Michael Krebs Jacob Cliristman George Michael

841

re-

;

over Pennsylvania in the colonial times, once owned this property, and is buried here. It is spected

all

;

;

;

inclosed with a post and rail

grown with young

trees

Antes, the tather of 17413,

fence,

and wild

and

it

flowers.

is

over-

Frederick

Henry Antes, was buried here

in

and Henry Antes himself in July, 1755. Other

members of the family

also

stones remaining are those of

member

rest

here.

The only

Henry Antes and of a

of the Schoelkop tiimily.

In the middle of a

On

who

Albreclit

JIary

M

;

;

Miller, born

in Milford

township, Bucks Co.

;

D.aniel

Neu-

Daniel and Regina Neubert, born in Holstein Conrad Schaus, son of J. Adam and Barbara Schaus, born in January, 1738, in Henry .Vntes' mill Daniel Vetter, .lolin Vetter and Peter Vetter, sons

bert, son of

;

;

field, in

settled here early, are buried.

the ftirm of Hon. Samuel Faust, in the

;

Philadelphia

of

an unenclosed space, a short distance north of Zieglerville, on the farm owned by Willoughby Smith, members of the Beyer family,

Klemm, son of Frederick and Susan C, Klcmm, born Andrew Klutz and John Nicliolas Klotz, sons of and Ann M. Klotz, born in Tulpehocken Abraham I^Iillerand

Frederick

t'o.

in

Jacob and JIagdalena Vetter, born

in Oley.

following also entered the school as pupils:

During the year

the

Henry Antes and John

Antes, sons of Henry and Christina Antes Mathias Frey, son of William and Verona Frey, born in Falkner Swamp Jesse Jones and Levi Jones, sons of John Jones, of New Providence township, Philadilpbia Co.; Henry Knauss, from Macungie .\braham Montanye, son of .lames and Mary Montanye, of New York Christian Newman, sou of John W. and Eliz,abeth Newman; Isaac Noble and Thomas Noble, sons of Thomas and Mary Noble, of New York 4*eter Schuttelhelm, from Philadelphia. ;

;

;

meadow

beside Society Run,

is a |)rivate burial-place, unenwhich are grave-stones bearing the names Faust, Grob, Hunsberger, Miller, Reimer, Sehwenk, Smith, Walt, Yost, Zieber. In Zieglerville, a few steps from the turnpike, is

;

;

closed, in

the burying-place of the Underkoffler family,

were the

first settlers

The names

here. It

is

who

inclosed with a wall.

of those resting here are Cressman, Dreis-

bach. Long, Scholl, Slotterer, UnderkofHer.

On

the farm of Charles

Zieglerville, the

Koch, a mile north of

Bickhard, Hollobush and Millhofi'

families are buried.

On the farm of David Wood, west of Zieglerville, some burials are made. One is Michael Krause, born August 29, 1750, died June 9, 1807. Tradition states that the space between

Keeler's

church and the school-house, through which a puhlic road runs, was formerly occupied with graves.

In 1750 this boarding-school was discontinued. In 1754 a movement was started by wealthy and pious persons in London, having for its object the

opening of schools in the more populous German communities in Pennsylvania, for the purpose of teaching the English language and spreading the Protestant religion. The congregations of Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg and Rev. Mr. Leydich favored the project. The Lutheran vestrymen and wardens at New Hanover sent a petition on the 1st of August to the Pennsylvania trustees of the London Society, and offered the use of the new-built large school-house, very con-

veniently situated in the middle of said township.

The

"ministers, elders and chief

men

of the

Calvinist (Reformed) congregation, and of

German

some other

Protestant denominations in the township of

New

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

842 Hanover,"

also,

on the

28. an exhortation late in

life

addressed to his children,

which was published in The Friends' Muscellaiiy for 1832. He was a man of literary taste, which seems to have been transmitted to several of his descendants. He died in 1741, aged ninety years. William John, whose surname has been since changed to Jones, and a joint purchaser with Thomas FIvan of the (Jwynedd tract, still retained, in 1699, two thousand eight hundred and sixty-six acres, and at his death he was much the largest landholder in the township. He had children, (iwen, Margaret, Gainor, (Catharine, Ellen and John. He settled near the present Kneedler Station, and a tw(j-

—

so, taking John Evans with him, they went John Humphrey and told him he had better burn that all his bonds and mortgages than preserve them it would be much better for himself and his posterity,

message

;

to

;

and

was the word of the Lord

this

who was

a son,

to

Humphrey

called

him."

Welsh custom, which mode, however, was not long

much

retained in this section,

to the relief of

At the

Thomas Penn, in 1734 a list cd" Gwynedd was returned by the

re(pLest of

resident freeholders of

constable, being forty-eight in

number, whose names

were as follows: Evan Griffith, John Jones (penman) John Griffith, Robert Hugh, John Harris, Theodorus Ellis, John David, Eliza Roberts, Rees Harry, Evan Evans,

Owen

f^vans,

Thomas Evans,

erto refused

to

give the constables the account of

which reason it is not known what AVe do not wonder at this, evidently they hold." they lirought about by the resurveys, in which After a sethad some experience, as has been stated. tlement now of more than a third of a century, through

we

are enabled to

make an

the aforesaid

1

2, is

supposed

to

der great exercise of phrey.

He

mind concerning John Humhome and rode

passed a restless night at

back to John Evans' in the morning. Arriving there, he would not eat or drink until he had delivered his

Thomas

their lands, for

estimate respecting the nationality of

7

Jr.,

Wyat, Leonard Hartling, Peter Wells, John Jones (Robert's son), John Parker, Hugh Evans, Morris Roberts, William Roberts, Robert Evans, Catharine Williams, Thomas Evans, Cadwallader Evans, Robert Parry, John Jones (weaver), Cadwallader Jones, Hugh Griffith, Hugh Jones (tanner), Robert Evan, Edward Foulke, Robert Roberts, Rol)ert Humjihrey, (laiuor Jones, John Humphrey, Rowland Hugh, Jenkin Morris, Evan Foulke, Edward Roberts, Rees Nanna, Evan Roberts, Thomas David, Hugh Jones, .Tohn Chilcott, John Wood, William Williams, Lewis Mention is m ide in Williams and Thomas Foulke. the same that " the township of (xwinedeth have hith-

have been erected by him. He died in that year, leaving to his only son, John, who was one of the executors, fourteen hundred acres, including the plantation and ilwelliiig. John Humphrey's tract of five hundred and seventyfonr acres lay just north of the present Spring House. At his i)lace the early Friends occasionally held meetings for worship, of which he subsequently became an elder. A bridge is mentioned at or near his house in 1709, no doubt being one of the earliest in He died the 14th of Ninth iMonth, 1738, that .section. aged seventy years. It appears he accumulated considerable property and was regarded as the banker of the neighborhood, his personal property amounting to above one thousand i)ounds, his bonds and notes being eighty-two in number, Mr. Jenkins, in his recent work, relates that " a Friend from Richland attended the Monthly Meeting at Gwynedd, and in the afternoon rode to his home, twenty miles distant, un1

our

recent genealogists.

story stone house standing near by, bearing the date

of

He had

Jones, after the

Of the

tlers.

names given

forty-eight

were Welsh, probably excepting ling being the only

six,

its

interesting several set-

all at

said date

Leonard Hart-

German.

Cadwallader Evans died 30th of Third Mouth. 1745, aged eighty-one years. .Tohn Evans was born in Denarrived in Pennsylvania bighshire, Wales, in 1689 ;

with his parents, in 1698 years

;

in 1684,

was a minister forty-nine

Evan Evans was born

died in 1756.

onethshire

;

and

parents to (iwynedd.

in

He

in

Meri-

1698 emigrated with his died in 1747, having trav-

eled extensively through the

several colonies in the

Robert Evans, one oftheearly settlers, died in 1731, aged upwards of eighty. A malignant disease prevailed thoughout this section from July 1st to August 24, 1745, of which sixty-three died within the bounds of the Monthly Meeting, the majority being ministry.

This was certainly a great number young persons w hen we come to consider the population at that time. Robert Humphreys was collector of taxes in 1722, Cadwallader Roberts in 1723, Thomas Evans in 1742, Henry Bergy in 1776, and John Hoot in 1781; Robert Jones was commissioned a justice of the peace

aWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. of " North Wales," one of the County Courts in 1720, and Cadwalhider Foulke, in 1738. Jacob Albright was constable in 1767 and Nicholas Selser in 1774; John Jenkins Among the surnames mentioned assessor for 1776.

iu 1718;

Owen Evans,

justices of the

in the list of

township,

1734 who are

still

may be mentioned

kins, Roberts,

land-holders in the

the Foulke, Jones, Jen-

Evans and Davis

families

;

the rest

probably no longer exist here. As has been mentioned, for the third of a century

Gwynedd was almost exclusively settled by the Welsh, as we can infer from the list of 1734, wherein but one German name is found. Leonard Hartling or Harthein, therefore, can beregarded as the pioneer settler of the latter.

This element has since become

a very important one, probably fourths of

its total

population.

now

constituting three-

In the assessment of

hundred and fourteen names, Germans numbered already fifty-five, or almost one-half, while the Welsh had barely made an in1776, out of a total of one

the

crease, either in taxables or land-holders, within

preceding thirty-two years.

Germans,

it

Many

the

of these early

appears, had removed from the upper

townships, j'articularly Towamencin,

Lower

Sallbrd

and Perkiomen, and consequently located themselves at first chiefly in the upper or northwestern section

boru in 1750, married Rachel Johnson iu 1778, and He had seven children, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Catharine, Mary, Jacob, Sophia and John.

—

died in 1828.

Benjamin Kulp married Ellen, daughter of Edward and Mary Hoxworth, of Hatfield. She was a sister of He died May 16, General W. S. Hancock's mother. 1862, aged eighty-three years. He had eight children among these were Isaac, Enos, Simon, Oliver and Ann. The latter was married to Asa Thomas. Tillman Kulp, mentioned in 1776 as a .single man, was no doubt a son of Isaac, Sr. Philip Hoot came from New Hanover in 1768 and purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres from David Neuman in the western corner of Gwynedd; in 1776 he was assessed for three hundred acres. He died in 1798, aged sixty-eight years, and left his homestead to his son Peter. The latter, in 1792, married Barbara Kriger. John Hoot, who was collector of Gwynedd in 1781, was probably his son. Philip Heist, is rated in 1776 as holder of one hundred and twenty acres of land, fifty-one acres of which were purchased in 1772 of Abraham Lukens, Sr., which was situated just below the present borough of North Wales. He died before 1780, and his executors conveyed half an acre to the trustees for the erection thereon of St. Peter's Church, now the cemetery ground.

of the township.

Melchior Kreible came about 1735 Christopher Neuman or Neiman purchased, iu 1751, two hundred and twenty-five acres in its western corner from the executors of Edward Williams' estate. Henry Snyder was married to a daughter of Neuman, and was returned

Garret Clements, or Clemens, resided in the east

;

Welsh road, and was hundred and thirty-six acres. He was a Mennonite, and on account of his conscientious scruples for not bearing arms was fined by the authorities several times. His wife's name was Keturah, and his daughter Mary married Charles Hubbs. His large two-story stone house is still standing close beside the road, and as it has been for some time corner of the township, on the rated for one

one hundred and seventy-five acres, and having ten children in his family, whose names were Kosina, George, Christopher, Henry, Christian, Abraham, Isaac, Susanna, John and llegina. George Snyder at the same date possessed a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and was taxed for a servant. This place wa.s situated on the Upper Dublin line, he having purchased it from Francis Peters, in 1762. He died in 1792, leaving three sons, Adam, Jacob and

in 1776 as holding

abandoned, attracts the attention of passing travelers. John Frey, or Fry, of Towamencin, in 1735, purchased a tract of one hundred acres from Jane Jones, situated about a mile southeast of Lausdale. In 1742 he sold it to Paul Brunner, of Salford, whose widow, about

John.

1757, married

Abraham Danehower, the ancestor of an extensive land-holding family, came from Germany before 1755,

who had it

thus passed into his control. in 1776,

was the owner of two

tracts,

containing one hundred and five acres, and a grist

and saw-mill.

This property was situated at the inFord road and the Wissaliickon Creek, near the Whitpain line. It was sold in 1777 to Samuel Wheeler, and the mill is now owned by H. Mumbowcr. Peter Troxal was rated at tersection of the Swedes'

hundred and seventy acres. John rated for one hundred and fifty acres, purchased in 1762 from George Klippengerand sold it to David Lukens in 1793. This property is now owned by Charles Lower, and adjoins the Upper Dublin line. Martin Raker, who was rated in 1776 for fifty-seven acres, resided near the present borough of Lansdale, the place being now owned by Charles S.

that time for one

Everhart,

;

Philip Fetterman.

George Gossinger, a " redemptioner,"

followed the occupation of a tanner, and

John Troxal,

and purchased one hundred and thirty-six acres iu 1 762, of David and Sarah Gumming. He died in 1 789, aged sixty-seven years, and his wife, Catharine, His children were in 1798, aged seventy-four years. George, Abraham, Henry, John, Catharine, Elizabeth and Sarah. George died in 1793, aged forty-five years. Abraham resided on a farm he purchased from Samuel Evans, on the west side of the Bethlehem Catharine married road, above the Spring House. Jacob Snyde): Elizabeth, Philip Hurst and Sarah, ;

857

1

Kolb (now Kulp) purchased a farm before 1769 to the east of North Wales. He was rated in 1776 as holding one hundred and forty-three acres, and his sou Isaac, Jr., for the same amount. The latter was Isaac

I

who was

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

858

He was

Jenkins.

one of the

first

four trustees of St.

Peter's Church.

Jacob Heisler's farm of one hundred and fortyseven acres was located on the Allentowu road, near the present Kneedler Station. It is known that he kept a licensed inn here in 1779, if not some time earlier, and it has been continued as such unto this day. Martin Schwenk's farm of one hundred and sixty acres was located on the present Sumneytown pike, below the borough of North Wales. This was the residence of Thomas Evans, the first settler. George Heist set up a public-house on this place in 1784. Thomas Shoemaker, who was rated for one hundred and ten acres in 1776, was the son of George, and was married to Mary, daughter of Joseph Ambler. This farm lay to the northeast of North Wales, and remained many years in the family. Adam Fleck, who was rated for one hundred and forty acres, was one of the building committee, with George Gossinger and Peter Young, of Gwynedd, in the erection of St. John's Church, Whitpain, iu 1773. Nicholas Selser's farm was assessed as one hundred acres. He was constable of Gwynedd in 1774. It is probable that Henry and John, mentioned as single men, were his sons. Henry Bergy (fifty acres) was collector in 1776; Michael Hoflman, two hundred acres John Conrad, sixty Conrad Gerhart, one hundred John Shelmire, fourteen George Shelmire, ninety-six acres (the latter had a son George, who was a taxable) Matthew Lukens, one hundred and thirty acres and a saw-mill. Jacob Albright, constable in 1767, appears as a renter, taxed for two horses and two cows. Ezekiel Cleaver (one hundred and forty acres) was the son of Peter and Mary, of Upper Dublin, and a descendant of Peter Cleaver, of Germantown, who was naturalized in 1691. ;

Germantown,

delphia, through

to the

utmost portion

Wales"

of their above-mentioned Township of North

;

;

;

;

The

court appointed six persons to lay out the road,

but

it

appears not to have been fully opened until This is the present road leading by way

June, 1714.

of the Spring

At March

House and Chestnut

Hill to

tlie city.

was presented to the court stating that a road had been laid out nine years before from a bridge between the lands of John Humphreys and Edward Foulke, in Gwynedd, to the mills on Pennypack, and that it be now confirmed as a public highway. Viewers were appointed, who, on March 28, 1712, went over the ground, and their report was adopted. This is the present Welsh road, forming the line between Upper Dublin and Horsham it terminated in Moreland, where is now Huntingdon Valley. In June, 1714, a petition was presented for a road from Kichland to .Tohn Humphreys', near the present Spring House, which was confirmed in 1717. In March, 1715, a road was desired by the "inhabitants of Gwynedd, Montgomery and Skippach," leading to the mill of David Williams, at the present Spring Mill, in Whitemarsh. Portions of the distance, they stated, had been in use as roads for ten or twelve years previous. This was confirmed and soon after opened. The road from the present Spring House to Horsham Meeting-house was laid out and confirmed in 1723. The road from the present Montgomery Square to Gwynedd Meeting-house was confirmed in 1728. The Goshenhojipeu or Sumneytown road was surveyed and confirmed iu .lune, 1735, commencing at the i^resent Spring House. This old and important highway has milestones on its course bearSessions, 1711, a petition

What

now known

as the

Swedes' Ford road, leading to said place from

Gwyn-

ing the date of 1767.

is

edd Meeting-house, was ordered

to

be opened in 1738.

The descendants of the early German settlers of In a survey of 1751 the distance from the Gwynedd Germantown and vicinity are also now quite nu- meeting-house to Plymouth Meetinghouse is stated merous in Gwynedd, namely, the Shoemakers, to be seven miles and twenty-four perches. The Cleavers, Lukens, Tysons, Custers, Snyders and EitState road crosses the centre of the township in a tenhouses, concerning whom the want of space pre- southwest course it was laid out in 1830, forty feet

—

;

vents us here from entering into details. at the

map

of

in 1877, will

A

glance

Gwynedd,

as published in Scott's Atlas

convince

any one that the German

element are extensive holders of real estate here at the present time.

Soon

wide.

The people of Gwynedd were ca2)ing

many

of the

some of

disasters

which

befel

bors.

The sympathies

fortunate in es-

of the Revolution,

their not very distant neigh-

of the

Welsh element,

like

In June, 1704, a petition was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions wherein it was

German, was generally inclined to the patriotic side. This may be more particularly observed in the residents of Lower Merion, who successfully maintained their neutrality though so near the city and between the contending armies. At this period the

stated that there were "in said township above thirty fa-

Society of Friends, with the Mennonites, Schwenkfel-

and probably many more to settle in and about the same, especially to the northward thereof, and as yet there is no road laid out to accommodate your petitioners, but what Roads and Paths have formerly been marked are removed by some and stopped by others." They therefore ask an order from the court for " a Road or Cartway from Phila-

ders

made

Gwynedd, efforts were have public highways laid out and opened general advantage and intercourse, especially

after the settlement of

to

for their

to Philadelphia.

milies already settled,

the

and Dunkards, who were opposed to bearing arms through conscientious scruples, constituted a decided majority of the population. To their credit, however, not one was arrested here for treason or any

No battle took place within its nor was any marauding done by the contending parties. Small divisions of the American army several property confiscated.

limits,

r

GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. times passed over

its

territory,

with

Christian Dull, Jr., Daniel Price and Samuel Jones,

camp at Valwhen Washington

of whom taught at that place prior to 1859. Joseph Foulke died February 16, 1863, in his seventyseventh year. Hugh Foulke, mentioned, was a brother of the latter, and at his house, in October, 1855, he ex-

but this was

all,

the exception of the breaking up of the ley

Forge, June 19 and

20, 1778,

all

whole command moved over the Swedes' Ford way of Doylestown, to Wells' Ferry, now New Hope, where they crossed into New Jersey in pursuit of the retreating British, whom they encountered at Monmouth on the 28th. Miss Sally Wister, of Philadelphia, who was at that time staying with her rela-

and

his

road, by

All

this

march

men

into two

Christian Dull had the lower

companies.

Pennsylvania dates

Gwynedd

for that

acceptance, and opposition to

it

year

was main-

it

was carried by a vote of eighty-six to

In 1844 there were four schools, taught by four male teachers, with four hundred and fifty-two enrolled pupils. The average compensation to the teachers was twenty dollars per month, nine

open

in

Two

the year.

months

of the school-houses were

" eight-square " or octagonal,

a form of building then

common. In 1856 the public schools in the township numbered six, eight months open, taught by six male teachers, with four hundred and thirty pupils enrolled and an average attendance of one hundred and fiftyThe amount of tax levied for the support of the five. schools was $1444.48. With the loss of North Wales and half of Lansdale, six schools are still maintained, however, nine months open, with only three hundred and thirty-four pupils enrolled, teachers' wages now being forty dollars.

Friends' Meeting

House at Gwynedd, owing to

antiquity and long-extended infiuence,

worthy a separate

article.

is

deemed

its

well

From its being almost in

the

exact centre of the township or original purchase it was the third house of worship erected in the county, being

preceded a few years only by those erected in Lower Merion and Abington. Nearly two centuries have now passed away since these occurrences, producing great changes in almost everything, and from which even their ancient meetings have not been by any means exempt. Hallowed and venerable associations cluster around them, the impress of which should by no means be entirely lost on their numerous and respected descendants. Posterity owes much

Marmaduke Pardo, in 1729, who may school- house. The

Collections of Gwynedd,"mentions a native of Wales, a teacher here

have taught in the aforesaid Friends had charge of a school at the meeting-house

which it is supposed was there for some time Joseph Foulke, a respected minister among Friends, who for some time kept a boarding-school for boys on his farm, on the Bethlehem road, about a mile above the Spring House, states that when he went here to school, prior to 1795, the principal books used were the Bible and Testament, Dilworth's spelling-book and arithmetic. On and after that date he went to school to Hannah Lukens and Joshua Foulke, in 1793,

and as long as gratitude exists it will remain a serious question as to the best or most proper method to meet such obligations. The labors of the historian are certainly not calculated to weaken such to the past,

before.

ties,

but to ennoble or exalt them.

The minute-book of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting commences in 1714, but it is stated therein that this place was settled " and called by the name of Gwyn-

in a log school-house about

edd township in the

suc-

Benja-

min Albertson, Hugh Foulke, John Chamberlain,

in

eighty.

far

Hannah Foulke,

its

apprcipriations,

from the old road to Philadelphia, which, probably, was about halfway between the present Spring House and the Upper Dublin line. Mr. Jenkins, in his "Historical

ceeded by William Coggins,

aged seventy-

1864,

tained until 1840, when, through the influence of State

school-house was mentioned, in a road petition for 1721, as being situated near the dwellings of Rowland

They were

in

six school directors of

declined

A

They taught

settlers

origin to an act of the Legislature passed in 1834.

The

Captain

terred in the grave-yard beside the road.

half a mile above the Spring House.

died

The common-school system its

Stephen Bloom the upper, and both were attached to the Fourth Battalion of Philadelphia County militia, of whom William Dean, of Moreland, was colonel. For rel'iising to attend the musters of the aforesaid companies, sixty-eight persons were fined in one year two thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight pounds Continental currency, equivalent to seven thousand eight hundred and eighty dollars of our persent money. As the total number of taxables in 1776 was one hundred and fourteen, we thus [ireceive that those fined must have considerably exceeded half the enrolled population liable to the service. The making out and collecting of those fines, as may be well imagined, imposed an unpleasant duty on the oflicers, the prejudices against whom have not yet died out or been forgotten in some of the old neutral families. It is a tradition that the old Friends' Meeting-house was used as a hospital immediately after the battle of Germantown, and that several solders who had died there were in-

his uncle.

one of the early

six years.

command and Captain

Hughes, Robert Humphreys and not

Griffith,

Hugh Foulke

1654.

"

residing in the township liable to military

duty, were enrolled

Hugh

Gwynedd, and which he had brought over with him, in the Welsh language, printed at London in

of

Washington was escorted by of the life-guard with drawn swords."

that on lifty

hibited to the writer the family Bible of his great-

grandfather,

near the present Penllyn, states in her journal

tives

859

I

latter

end of the year 1698 and

the beginning of the year 1699.

The principal

and purchasers, among

were William Jones,

others,

settlers

Thomas Evans, Robert Evans, Owen Evans, Cadwalla-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

860

Hugh Griffith, John Hugh, Edward Foulke, five hundred followers of George Fox joined themJohn Humphrey and Robert Jones. Of this number selves to the Church of England." those who were Friends met together " at the houses of The log meeting-house proving inadequate for the John Hugh and John Humjihrey, until more were accommodation of the society, which was no doubt in added to their numbers." With the exception of part brought about by the influx of immigration and the the latter two and most jirobably Hugh Griffith, continuous prosperity of the settlement, a subscription the remainder were attached to the Estublislied paperwas drawnnip in the Welsh language, in 1710-11, Church of England. An identity of interests in this to which were signed sixty-six names headed by Wilnew settlement was calculated to draw them closer liam, John and Thomas Evans. The sums ranged der Evans,

together.

It is

evident that the meetings held at

the aforesaid houses led to the organization of this congregation. The churchmen for a brief term did assemble for worship at the house of Robert Evans, where his brother Cadwallader supplied in part the place of a minister, by reading to them portions of

and passages from his Welsh Bible. This may not have been maintained much beyond a year, for on building the first small log meetinghouse in 1700, on the site of the present edifice, they all united, assisted by later immigrants, who, must have also increasedthebody of Friends. The relation is that Robert and Cadwallader Evans first sought them by attending at their place of worship, and finally through their influence the rest were brought over, on which the meeting-house was agreed upon. It is a well-settled tradition that William Penn and his daughter Letitia and a servant came out on the services

horseback to

visit

the settlement shortly

after

its

and that he preached in it, staying on this occasion overnight at the house of his friend, Thomas Evans, the first settler, who resided near by. As he returned in November, 1701, to England, we may erection

determine nearly the time that this transient

visit

was made. would seem that the Rev. Evan Evans, a Welsh Episcopalian minister, was sent over here, in 1700, to

in its building,

and

it

was completed

in 1712.

It

was

considerably larger than the former, and was built of stone, with two galleries and a hip-roof. It occupied the former

site,

and the ground was a portion of

Robert Evans' purchase, forest.

The

still

covered with the original

subscription paper mentioned

is an inand has long been preserved and the Foulke fiimily.

teresting relic

retained in

Rowland

Ellis, in

behalf of Haverford, represented,

on the 10th of Fourth Month, 1G90, to the Philadelphia Jlonthly Meeting, about this Welsh settlement, twenty miles distant, who had for some time held a First-day Meeting by their advice and consent, and, as they do not understand the English language,

Monthly Meeting, which consent was given. At the Monthly Meeting held at Radnor Meeting-house on the 9th of Tenth Month, 1714, it was left for consideration as to what time the Monthly Meeting of Gwynedd and Plymouth be left to the appointment of this meeting by the Quarterly Meeting held in Philadelphia. The Third-day of ever}- month was pi-oposed and agreed desired to be joined to Haverford to

upon.

In consequence of this change in their religious principles,

from one to eleven pounds each, the total reaching to about two hundred pounds. Hugh Griffith assisted

it

make

reclaim them.

efforts to

In a letter to

the bishop of London, in 1707, he mentioned this

settlement as "twenty miles distant from the

city,

where are considerable numbers of Welsh people, formerly, in their native country, of the

the Church of England

communion

of

but about the year 1698-^two years after my arrival in that country most of them joined with the Quakers; but by God's blessing some of them were induced to return, and I have baptized their children and preached often to them." In the "Collections of the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania," edited by Rev. W. S. Perry and published in 1861, considerable may be seen on this subject, which appears to have attracted some attention at the time. There is a tinge of exaggeration running through Mr. Evans' correspondence, (prompted, no dcmbt by his zeal,) that cannot now be substantiated by records. Partly in corroboration, Mr. Millett, in his "History of St. Thomas' Church, Whiteraarsh," states that the "Rev. Evan Evans, who came to this country in 1700, for many years rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, within two years after his arrival more than ;

—

Being now constituted a Monthly Meeting, they were allowed the privilege of recording all their births, marriages, deaths and removals, which had heretofore been entered in the records of Haverford. Plymouth Friends being few in numbers and the meetings being chiefly held here, it was called Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, which name has been ever since retained. John Evans was appointed the first clerk, and Edward Foulke and Robert Jones overseers. On the 26th of Second Month, 1715, Friends in Providence were allowed to hold a meeting on the first First-day of every month, and a few months thereafter liberty was given to have aburyingplace. But the meeting-house again proving too small, it was decided, the 28th of Tenth Month, 1725, to have it enlarged, John Cadwallader, John Jones and John Evans being appointed a committee to have charge of the same.

The

first

ministers were Robert and Cadwallader

whom

it is stated by Samuel Smith, in "Historyof the Province of Pennsylvania," that "they could neither read nor write in any but the Welsh language." The former died in First Month, Thomas 1 738, and was aged upwards of eighty years. Chalkley, in his journal, mentions being present at

Evans, of

his

GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. Among

his burial.

other early niini.sters belonging

Danehower.

861 These

course, from its convenience,

and John Evans died in September 1756, having been in the ministry forty-nine years. John Fothergill, of England, visited this meeting several times in 1721, and again, on his return to America, in 1736. Alice Griffith was the wife of Hugh Griffith, and died in Second Month, 1749. Gwynedd Monthly Meeting remained in Philadel-

ham Lukens,

si.Kty-three years,

Quarter until 1786, when it comprised, with Abington, Horsham, Richland and Byberry, Abington Quarter, whose meetings are now held at Abing])hia

Horsham

ton in Second Month,

GwynEleventh. The It is a

plain, substantial, two-story stone structure, forty

seventy-five

in

feet

When

dimensions.

first

by

built

must have been very secluded. and burial-ground attached several original forest-trees are still preserved, one here, in 1700, the spot

In

the

ample yard

of these, a chestnut, nearly four feet in

Near the

southern

corner of the yard

diameter. is

a stone

name of Mary Bate, daughter of Humphrey and Ann Bate, who died in 1714. The many associations of the past that cluster bearing the

around this spot, where for three-quarters of a century was the only house of worship in the township, make it an object of much interest to the antiquary. That it is no longer flourishing is to be reRes|iectgretted, even by those not in membership. ing this subject, Mr. Jenkins, in his recent work, thus expresses himself: " At the timo of

its

erection

tlie niiiulier

part in the erection of a house of worship in their

of nieinliers

iiiiil

who

others

habituuUy attended warranted so large a bouse but the time is long since post when its benches are filled, except upon very cvtraordinary ;

For a number of j'eara it has been the custom to open only the house the southern end on First-days, and even this is more

Sr., fifty-one acres in 1772, on the upper side of the Old Goshenhoppen road, immediately below the present borough of North Wales, proffered half an acre from it for the use of a church, which was very probably erected thereon before 1775. Having died, his executors made a deed to the trustees of the church dated June 10, 1780, which states that said lot of ground is hereby granted for a house of worship, erected thereon for the use of the German Luth-

eran and Reformed denominations.

Tradition states that this church was a small frame

and answered the purposes of these denomIt becoming too small for their numbers, a committee was appointed in the fall of 1815, consisting of George Neuvil, Jacob Kneedler, Conrad Shimmel, Joseph Knipe and Philip Lewis, to procure subscriptions and make collections for the erection of a larger and more commodious stone edifice. The corner-stone was probably not laid till near the beginning of May, 1817, and the church not building,

inations until about 1817.

finished until the following fall or winter. iither

—

—

Ihan sufficient fur the couiiregations that usually iissemble."

St.

Peter's Church.

Sumneytown

— On

turnpike,

the upper side of the

and

but

a short distance

southeast of the incorporated limits of North Wales,

may be observed

a cemetery,

which was the

site

of a

church wherein worship was maintained jointly by the Lutherans and German Reformed for nearly a century.

Though

the spot

may be now

only poinlcil

members who

did

much

Among

the

to aid the enterprise can

be mentioned Philip Hurst, John Hurst, Abraham Danehower, Jacob Schwenk, John Martin, Adam

Henry Hallman, and George, Adam, Samuel and Daniel Kneedler. In

Fleck, Christian Rex,

Joseph,

'onsequence of its walls having been plastered with an "Yellow it received the name of the

ochre color,

Church." Its ceiling was lofty and galleries were placed on three of its sides. The pulpit was elevated and set directly against the wall, after the manner of that day.

For the want of records considerable obscurity

t'Ccjisions. lialf

Philip Heist, having purchased of Abra-

vicinity.

in the Fifth,

edd in the Eighth and Byberry in the present meeting-house was built in 1823.

Gwynedd, and, of would take an active

resided in

all

may be mentioned Evan Evans, Alice Griffith, Ann Roberts, John Evans, Hugh Foulke, Ellis, Hugh and Mary Evans. Evan Evans died in 1747, aged here

is

involved in the early history of this church. It is '.ery probable that the first Lutheran pastor was Rev. .lacob

Van

of the

Upper Dublin

Buskirk, of Germantovvn,

who had charge

or Puft's Church, not five miles

from 1709 to 1785, and may have thus preached here, as we know he subsequently did. The earliest officiating pastor known was Anthony Hecht, distant,

the Lutheran portion of this congregation with that at

Tohickon, having applied to the Ministerium for He had been a schoolmaster

out within the inclosure, yet the result has been two

bis ordination in 1785.

flourishing and distinct congregations, each possess-

in

the neighborhood, and thus became known.

The

ing a lot and church situated within less than half a

request was refused for several successive years.

He,

mile's distance.

Here was

erected the second house

of worship in the township, out of which they respectively originated.

members German Reformed denomination attended

Before the building of this church the the

Wentz's or Boehm's, and the Lutherans

This will account for his

at

regular records.

at St. John's,

Whitpain. Among the prominent members of St. John's can be mentioned Michael Haenge, George

Adam

Fleck, Peter

name not appearing on the The Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk became

of

the former being in Worcester and the latter two in

Gossinger,

however, succeeded in being ordained by an independent preacher, and through this the congregation gave him the charge about 1787 until the close of 1792.

Young and Abraham

pastor in 1793, and of St. John's, in Whitpain,

till

The next was the Rev. Henry A. Geissenhainer, who was licensed at the request of the Upper Dublin and North Wales congregations, and contin1795.

ued

in the

charge until 1801.

He

soon after removed,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

862

and was probably succeeded by Rev. Frederick David David aud Solomon, from Germantown, which arrangement was maintained to about 1810 or a little later. The Rev. John K. Weiaut continued in the pastorate from 1812 to Rev. George Heilig, 1828, and also at Wliitpain. received the charge of the two congregations near the close of 1826 until 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob IMedtart, who was unable to preach in German thus the English language became introduced, and has since been maintained. Rev. John W. Hassler followed Mr. Medtart in 1856, and continued until 1862, when he resigned for a chaplaincy in the army. Rev. P. M. Rightraeyer officiated from 1863 to 1867. The following year Rev. Ezra L. Reed succeeded, and was the last minister here. For some of Schaefler, assisted by his sous,

century,

became abandoned,

and the away, except

walls razed

its

recollection thereof left to soon

pass

what may be preserved in history. The Spring House Tavern. In the history of

—

Gwynedd from vicinity,

its earliest

around

which

period this has been a noted

many memorable Humphrey settled here,

cluster

In 1698 John

occurrences.

and the Friends held their first meeting, for worship. Mention is made of a road being in use from here to the Pennypack Mills in 1702. Soon after 1704 the road was extended from the city, by this place, to the North Wales Meeting-house, a mile and a half distant. A bridge near Viy is mentioned as having been

Rev. George

The road leading from here Richland was confirmed in 1717, and was the commencement of the present Bethlehem road. From this point to Horsham Jleeting-house the road was confirmed in 1723, and the Goshenhoppen or Sumneytown road in 1735. We see liy this date that through the construction of these several highways and the

Wack was

extension of settlements farther into the interior this

and

ordained to the ministry in October, 1801, on the 2.5th of April following, received the

spot was calculated before long to become, in conse-

the preceding facts

we

are indebted to the researches

of Rev. B. M. Schmucker, of Pottstown.

Concerning

German Reformed congregation

the

who worshiped

here

little is

known.

charge of Boehm's and Wentz's Reformed Churches,

and

from 1834 to 1845. This last congregation he resumed after resigning his connection with Boehm's church. He later preached occasionally to the North Wales members. He died in Whitpain, February 17, 1856, aged eighty years, and was buried in Boehm's churchyard. The Rev. Samuel Helfenstein had charge of the Boehm and Weutz congregations in 1797. The following year he went to Philadelphia, where he officiated in the Race Street Church. In 1832 he removed near North Wales, where he continued to reside until his death, October 17, 1866, aged ninety-one years, and where he was buried. He officiated occasionally in this church, but we have not

constructed before 1711. to

quence, an important traveling centre.

The town of Bethlehem, on the Lehigh

St. Peter's

travel

whom we

are unable to say.

public-house at April, 1758,

Bethlehem

to Philadelphia,

who

finally

latter, in

determined on the same

the spring of 1867,

commenced

In a table of disBethlehem road, published in 1769, Benjamin Davis's " is mentioned as being sixteen

tances on the

The

Boehm's church was and mention is made

in the report of its " beginning

cured within the limits of the present borough, and the new church completed by the close of 1869. As has been stated, for many years one pastor served St.

we can perceive what has

In 1870 this arrangement was terminated, and since then each church has maintained itsown pastor. Rev. L. G. Miller received the charge in 1874, Rev.

St. John's.

Wm. H.

Heilig in 1878,

Meyers

in 1876, Rev.

who was succeeded by

Theophilus the present

incumbent. Rev. George D. Foust, in the summer of A Sunday-school was organized about 1831, to which, a few years later, a library was added, and both have since continued to flourish. The German 1880.

Reformed Church was

same time, and a use of upwards of half a

Imilt about the

thus old St. Peter's, after

stage line passing

laid out in the spring of 1769,

near a stone spring-house in

and

first

through the present county was started in September, 1763, from Bethlehem to Philadelphia, making one weekly trip and stopping at this inn. The road from this place, by the present Penllyn to

Subscriptions with such success that a lot was also se-

Peter's

with six Indians in his

charge, mentions stopping here. "

The

In

Daniel Kunckler, on his journey from

miles from the city.

course.

Benjamin Davis kept a

point from 1758 to 1772.

tliis

During Mr. Reed's incumbency the old church needed repairs, and in consequence the German Reformed congregation decided to remove and erect a

congregation,

and

from there and the surrounding country as well as from Allentown to Philadelphia was confined to the road passing by this place. It is probable that it was not long after the latter date that the first inn was located here, but at what exact time and by all

ascertained to what extent.

house of worship for themselves in the adjacent village of North Wales. This agitated the Lutheran

River,

thirty-eight miles distant, was founded in 1741,

name.

This fact

is

Gwynedd

road."

Here

led to the origin of the

further confirmed in

tion of the tavern in 1827, wherein

^a

mention

descripis

made

of a "durable spring of water a short distance from the door, over which

is

a stone milk-house."

General

Lacey mentions the "Spring House Tavern" in his dispatches of 1777, and the name is also mentioned in a report of a raid made in this direction by the That it is a striking and British in February, 1778. peculiar name there is no question, and it must therefore have originated here from just some such local cause.

Christian Dull, or rather Doll, in the German, of

whom we

shall give a few additional particulars, sue-

GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP.

863

ceeded Davis as inn-keeper.

He was a native of Perand his father, bearing the same name, is mentioned in the census of that township taken in 1766, as liaving seven cliildren and renting from Solomon Dubois one thousand acres of land, whereof two hundred are cleared. John Dull, who was probably a brother, is mentioned as a taxable and residing there in 1776. It is likely that Catharine Doll was also one of those seven children. She was married, in this

years,

kioraen,

assist

county, to Charles J. Krauth.

Their son, Charles

miles from Philadelphia, containing nineteen acres of

Porterfield Krauth, D.D., LL.D.,

who

and therefore did not survive long enough to in carrying out the trust. John Roberts

had been for many years a store-keeper here, and on the most friendly terms with Mr. Dull. The property was advertised at public sale No" that vember 8, 1827. It was described as well-known stand, commonly called the Spring

House

tavern,

situate

at

the

junction

of

the

Bethlehem pike and the Allentown road, eighteen

laud, a horse

commodious stone tavern and stone house, in more than thirty years past and stabling for more than one hundred horses." Mention is made, besides, of two other dwellings, a blacksmith and wheelwright-shop, and an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres, with good

out,

buildings.

died in 1883,

aged sixty years, was one of the most eminent divines and scholars in the Lutlieran Church. Christian Dull removed to the Spring House in 1772, where he was rated in 1776 as holding a tavern, eight acres of

and cow. The Revolution breaking he actively espoused the cause of his country. Owing to the connivance of some well-to-do people in this vicinity concerned in furnishing supplies of .provisions and information to the British in Philadelphia, General Lacey stationed a portion of his men here for a short time to make arrests and intercept and check such pi-actices. The American army suffering greatly, in December^ 1777, for clothing at Valley Forge, he was appointed to collect such sujjplies in his vicinity and forward them at once for their use. For the part he had taken in the war, on the organization of the Fourth Battalion of Philadelphia County militia,

commanded

bj'

Col-

land, a

wliich store has been kept for

This

denotes that Christian Dull, in

all

his residence here of half a century, certainly did

much

improvement of the place. The extenshow what an amount of travel and hauling must have then been exclusively confined to the highways, since so much reduced by railroads. An additional stage line was placed on the road from Bethlehem in 1797, which also stoi)ped here. What greatly added to the business of this stand was its suitable distance from the city for all travelers or market men stopping in coming or going that way. In October, 1804, Alexander Wilson, the distinguished ornithologist, with his two companions, on their pefor the

sive stabling will

onel William Dean, he was chosen and commissioned

destrian journey from Philadelphia to

a captain of one of the companies to be raised in his township. By accepting these several charges he

Niagara, remained overnight here, and in his

was placed in a delicate position, much more so through a considerable majority of the surrounding population being bent on remaining neutral during the Among his other duties was to report the contest. fines of

of "

The Foresters "

Till in the

market, reported

;

attend-

there

that

himself and wife had been guilty of murdering one or

more

;

that he was " ]jrivy in robbing a collector.'' or, rather, disafi'ected, in

travelers,

their property.

of 1789, and

who had stopped at his To this he also replied in

again offered a

similar

damaging

to the

From " the two long rows of market folks " described,

house, for

we can judge of the extent of Christian

the spring

This description of the economical arrangement of farmers taking their provisions along in going to market is no doul)t true, and was even

reward.

He

states as to the latter that he had seven children, " several of them young and helpless." That such

reports were

close,

tavern furnished us repose.

Here two long rows of market folks were seen, Ranged front to front, the table placed between, Where bags of meat, and bones, and crusts of bread, And hunks of bacon all around were spread One pint of beer from lip to lip went round, And scarce a crumb the hungry house-dog found Torrents of Dutch from every quarter came, Pigs, calves and sour-croiit the important theme While we, on future plans resolving deep, Discharged our bill and straight retired to sleep."

Gazette of Februarj' 17, 1783, he was induced in consequence to have inserted an advertisement ottering a reward of one hundred guineas for the author of a

ing the Philadelphia

west the day began to

And Spring House

delinquents for not attending the musterings-

of the neutrals,

poem

amusing

" The road was gouij, the passing 9(^enery ga,v, Mile after mile passed unperceived away,

sooner did the war close than slander was busy to ruin his character and business. In the Philadelphia

Some

the following

account:

No

rejxirt

gives

the Falls of

keeper of a public-house

Dull's busi-

ness at that time.

further,

by their sleeping on the bar-

floors at night.

(Gordon, in his "Gazetteer of

carried

room

still

we do not wonder, even if they have never been Pennsylvania," published in 1832, has well said that proven. With it all. Christian Dull outlived many of the Spring House is "a noted tavern." Four incorhis enemies, throve in business

and attained

to a

good

old age, closing his career as the landlord of the Spring

House tavern about the beginning of 1822. He made a will appointing John Roberts one of his executors, but Roberts died in 1823, aged seventy -three

porated turnpikes meet here,

the

first

constructed

from Chestnut Hill in 1804, and the last to Penllyn and the Blue Bell in 1872. John W. Murray had the 1829. The completion of the North Pennsylvania Railroad to Bethlehem, in

post-oflice established in

HISTORY OF MOxVTGOMERY COUNTY.

864

was the first great blow to the travel on the which has since more and more diminished

1857,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

roads,

through the construction of other railroads. The old stand here was kept by David Blyler for some time.

On

JACOB

the opposite corner another public-house was es-

RHOADS.

Ii.

were authorhold their elections at the present public house on the site of the famous old hostelry, whosj

Jacob B. Rhoads, one of the thrifty and enterprising farmers of Gwynedd township, and one who has made agriculture a study and a success, was born on the farm he now owns, July 20, 1820. His early life was spent upon the old homestead farm, half a mile from the town of North Wales, and his educational advantages were such as the common schools of that period

name

afforded.

tablished by

many

years,

On

ofiice.

Thomas Scarlett, and kept as such for now occupied as a store and for the post-

the division ot'Gwynedd into two districts,

iu 1876, the voters of the lower section ized

to

perpetuates.

it

ASSESSMENT OF GWYXEDD FOR John Jenkins,

He commenced

177G.

and Henry Bergy, collector. and a grist and saw-mill Thomas Kvans, 2:J0 a., 1 servant, 2 h., 6 c. George Snyder, 150 a., 1 servant, 3h., G c. Michael Hawke, loO a., 2 h., 4 c. Jephtha Lewis, -lOO a., 2 h., 6 c. Eneas Lewis, 160 a., 2 h., ;i c, Isaac Lewis, 2 h., 3 c. assessor

Jesse FonlUe, 210 acres, 6 horses, 6 cowa

:

;

;

;

;

Reese, 200

;

2 h., 6

a.,

Gossinger, 100

Hood,

4

3110 a.,

143.1., 2 Ik, 5

3 h., 4 2

a.,

c.

c.

h., G c.

c.

Hnniplirey Jouee, 180

;

5

c.

K olb.

Isaac

;

Amos

c.

170

3 h., G

;

Huberts, 189

c.

143

3 h.,

a.,

Philip Heist, 120a., 2 h., 4

;

110

2

a.,

c.

c.

c.

fi

Philip

;

Margaret Johnson, in

;

c.

Nicholas Selser,

;

;

In the

latter

year he added to the duties and responsibilities of a

markets, which he has successfully carried on to the

)

present time.

At the death of

lOii

2 h., 4 c. Blurris Morris, 30 a., 1 h., 2c. Henry Rapp, 1 h., 1 c. George Miller; .Tacob .\lbright, 2 h., 2 c. Samuel Gamble, 29 a., 1 h., 1 c. Martin Schw cnk^ IG!) a., 2 h.,^ p. Abraham Donenhaner, 135 a., 2 h.,'Sl5:T Jacob Heisr5r7~l47 a., 4 h., 4 c. Henry Snyder, 175 a., 3 h., fi c, h;is 9 children Peter Troxal, 80 a., 2 li., 2 c, and grist and sawa.,

1856, laying well the foundation for the future success

that has attended his every enterprise.

a.,

John Davis,

;

when

large farmer that of butchering for the Philadelphia

a.,

Daniel Williams, 130

;

2 h., 5

a.,

George

;

I saac Kolb, Jiv,

;

3 h., 8 c, has 9 children

a.,

c.

3 h., 5c.

a.,

JoEh Thomson,*123

c."T

3

h.,

2 h., 2

a..

Enoch Morgan, loO

;

3 h., 5

a.,

Meloliior Kreable. 119

;

Stephen Bloom, 3n

;

3 h., 4 ii.,

c.

Ii.,

Thomas Shoemaker,

;

4

h.,

2

a.,

;

business for himself in 1846,

he rented his father's farm, and attended strictly to that branch of business for several years, or until

;

;

he inherited

his father, in 1866,

one-half of the old homestead farm, containing one

hundred and

forty

and jiurchased from the

acres,

;

;

;

;

;

Thomas Evans,

140

mother Baltzer George Maris. 450 a., 4 h., c. Conrad Dimond, 40 a., 1 h., 2 c. Walter Howell, loo Thomas Leaman, 1 c. a., 2 h., 2 c. Jlichael Hoffman. 200 a., 2 c. Jacob Sigfried, 1 h., 2 c. Barnabas Be iver 50 a., and grist-mill MatIbew Lukens, 130 a., 2 h., G c, saw mill JIartin Hoffman, 1 c. John mill

;

Spitzniigel, 1 c. fi

Jr.,

a.

2 h., 4 c, supports his

,

William Williams, 120

;

3 h., 5

a.,

;

;

c.

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Jenkins, 252 100

fith,

Knipe, 150

3 h., 5

a.,

2 h., 2

a.,

1

0.

Peter Buck, 50

;

George Shelmire,

2 h.,

c.

;

;

4

h.,

2 h.,

a.,

c.

:

h.,

1

George Shelmire, 9G a., 1 h., 1 c. William Erwin, 100 a., 2 h., 2 c, aged G c, 8 children .Joshua Foulke, 200 a. c.

;

;

;

:

;

;

;

;

c.

c.

;

a.,

3 h., 3

c.

;

c.

c.

;

a.

;

;

Daniel Leblance, 75 Jacob Smith, Jr., 1 h., 2

c.

c.

;

c.

;

h., 2 c.

;

a., 1 h., 1 c.

Heury

;

c.

;

John

c.

John Troxal, 25

Davis, 15

Michael

a., 1 c.

;

c.

;

a.,

;

Bergj-, 50 a., 2 h., 3

c.

Wendle

a.,

2 h., 1

Fetter,

a., 1 h., c.

;

2

c.

15 ;

;

a.,

c.

c.

Jacob Wiant.

Levi Foulke, 100

William Johnson, 123

Singer, 50

2 h., 2

a.,

;

;

Matbias Booz, 1

;

William Roberts, 100 John Evans, 250 a., 3 Peter Young, 50 a., 1 h., 4

h., S c.

;

Springer, 2 h., 4

Evan

2 h., 2

a.,

2

2 h., 2

a.,

4

c. Conrad Gerhart, 120 a., 2 h., 5 Conrad Smith, 2 h., 2 c. William Moore, 2

;

;

a.,

Peter Hoffman, 1

Foulke, 3 h., 2

Lukens, £0

2h., 5

2

a., 1 h.,

Martin Raker, 57 c.

a.,

;

Robert Davis, 75

;

Michael Consler, 40

;

h., 1 c.

c.

Ezekiel Cleaver, 140

Samuel Kastner, 80

Hugh

;

2

a., 1 h.,

3

h.,

;

dons, 1

c.

Joseph Grif-

;

;

130 a., 3 h., 4 ;

c.

;

;

Jacob Smith, 100 c.

3

John Conrad, GO a., 2 c. John Shelmire, 14

;

h., 8 c.

;

;

David Davis, 75 2

h.,

John Sparey, 100 a., 2 h., 5 c. George Fleck, 2 h., 3 c. 100 a. George Week, 7 a., 1 )i., 1 c. Samuel Castner, 50 a., John Everhart, 150 a., 2h., 4 c. Nicholas Rice, 50 a., 2 h., 4 c. Adam Fleck, IH) a., 3 h., 6 c. John Davis. Jr., 75 a., 1 h., 1 c.

3 h., 6

a.,

c.

tiiveru, 1 h., 1

15i) a.,

Ann Week, 6 c.

3 h., 6

a.,

Jr., 3 h., 2 c.

Alexander Major,

2

a.,

;

and

a.

;

300

Griffith,

;

Garret Clemmens, 136 Christian Dull, 8

Sarah

;

;

3

a., 1 h.,

c.

Benjamin Rosenberger, 50 a., 1 li., 2 c. John c. William Dixey, 10 a., 1 h., 1 c, a cripple;

c.

;

h.,

3 h., G

a.,

2 h., 2

c;

John

Sid.

2

Job

c.

;

;

c.

;

deep cut and tunnel south of North Wales is on or through his farm. Since Mr. Rhoads has owned the old homestead he has remodeled the dwelliTig and built the large and commodious barns and out-buildings, that are not only a convenience for the farm, but an ornament to that part of the township where they are located. He has also owned two other farms of one hundred acres each, which he sold to George Castner and G. B. Kittlehaus. Mr. Rhoad.s has by his industry, economy and fair dealing with his fellow-men not only merited but has received their confidence and esteem in business transactions, and has been honored for six years with a seat in the board of school directors of his township.

Mr. Rhoads married, March 13, who was born November 22, 1818. union has been as follows

Smith, 1

cember

1

William

W.

c.

;

Philip Hurst, 80

William Hoffman, 2

Jacob Brown, 2

passes through the farm of Mr. Rhoads, and the long,

Adam

li.,

4

a.,

c.

Christian Delacourt, Nicholas Shubert, 7 a.,

Itzel, 1 a., 1 c.

The farm was formerly owned by Joseph Evans, and purchased by Abraham, father of Jacob B. Rhoads, in 1806. The North Pennsylvania Branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad heirs the other half.

Jacob Walton,

1

h.,

;

Castner

June

;

20,

Mary, born March 18, 1851, married, Anna, born 1885, to Charles Jacobs

24, 1857,

;

died

1

born September Elizabeth Hood.

Evan Roberts, Eleazer Williams, Tillma n Ivplb, Griffith Edwards, Jacob Booz, William Smith, Rees Roberts, Robert Roberts, Henry

wife,

;

December

23, 1857;

Abraham

J.,

1,

Jacob Preston, John Delacourt, 2 c. Benjamin Williams, Philip Berkhoimer. Single-men. Hugh Evans, John Jenkins Jr., John Kidnev, John Evans. Robert Roberts, David Harry, Jr., Rces HaiTy, Benjamin Harry, Joseph Lewis, John Johnson, Enoch 5Iorgan, Joseph Long, John c.

Jenkins,

The result of this Sarah Amanda, born De-

married, October 29, 1868, to George

10, 1846,

January

:

Ann

1845,

;

—

M'illiams,

Selser, John Selser. Christian Knipe, George Sperry, M'illiam Oman, Samuel Singer, Conrad Bouz, George Ganger, Joseph Yost, Benjamin Gregory, Abraham Docnenhauer.

7,

1859, married, October 23, 1883, to

Abraham, the father of Jacob B. Rhoads, was born December 4, 1782, and died November 22, 1866. His Sarah Baker Rhoads, died April

3,

1840.

Their

children were as follows: Charles, born February 1816, died October

1820

;

Elizabeth,

6,

1820

;

Jacob

born November

B.,

5,

born July

3,

20,

1828, married.

GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. February

March

20,

1849,

to

Jacob

May

Annie, born

Acuff;

George Colyer (she died January 17, 1857) Samuel Joseph Morris; Issachar; Catharine; Ellen; and Ezekiel. Ann, mother of Abraham and grandmother of Jacob B. Rhoads, died March 16, 1839. 7,

1827, married,

1,

1856, to ;

Mr. Bisson

is

;

JAMES W. BISSON. of Huguenot ancestry,

—

Evau, who served with distinction in the war of the Rebellion, and subsequently removed to Nebraska and Phebe. By a second marriage, to Hannah Skeen, were children, James W. and Eliza-

children,

;

—

The death of Mr. Bisson occurred at his house on the 5th of AuHis son, James W., was born September gust, 1876. beth Virginia (Mrs. Ohalkley Jarrett).

17, 1842, in

his

great-

865

Gwynedd

The schools near by

township, his present re.sidence.

afforded opportunities for a com-

grandfather, Charles,

mon

having come

season to study at Bryant

who was born in France in 1756, United States in his youth, where He married Miss he followed his trade of tailor. to the

of. Elizabeth, daughter of in 1825, his

Evan Roberts.

S On

his death,

remains were interred in Bethel Church

His son, Evan Bisson, was born in 1779, and died in He made the township of Gwynedd his residence, and there plied industriously the trade of a stone-mason, in addition to which he cultivated a farm. He married Ann Beiff, of the same county, whose children were Charles, Samuel, John, Richard, Hilary, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Malinda. Hilary was born in Montgomery County and acquired the trade of his father, which he conducted on an extensive scale both in his native town and in the adjacent counties. He married Rebecca Eaton, and had 55

College,

in

&

Commercial became thoroughly

Stratton's

Philadelphia, and

'^-^rc^

burial-ground.

1851.

English education, after which he devoted a

Returning he remained a valued assistant until twenty-five years of age, and then by purchase became the owner of the homestead farm, formerly familiar with the principles of business. to his father' farm,

the property of his grandfather.

He

has since that

employments, meanwhile gratifying his taste for horticulture by propagating rare fruit, and also engaging largely in the breeding of fine fowls, in which he has established an extended reputation and derived much profit. Mr. Bisson was married, February 20, 1868, to Miss Kate, daughter of John S. Danehower, of the same township. They have one child, a daughter, Blr. Lilly May, born on the 15th of September, 1884. date devoted

his

energies

to

farm

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

866 Bisson

is

in politics a Republican, but not actively in-

possible in the country at that date.

He became fa-

He is a member of Othello

miliar with the labor of the farm, and lent a willing

Lodge, No. 50, of Knights of Pythias, and of Montgomery Council, No. 18, of the order of United American Mechanics.

occasion of his marriage, when, desiring to be more

terested in public measures.

hand

independent, he for two years worked it on shares, and subsequently spent a brief period at Penllyn. On his return he became the lessee of the property, and the owner on the death of his parent. He was married, on the 4th of March, 1875, to Miss Lizzie P., daughter of Samuel A. and Maria Posey Willetts, of

ALLEN HEKKHIMEK. Mr. Berkhimer represents one of the oldest families His grandfather, who was in Montgomery County. Jacob Berkhimer, married Maria Rubican, of Delaware County, Pa., and had children, George, Charles,

—

William, Julia Ann, Susan. the property

He

now occupied by

purchased, in 1824,

and re.sided upon it until his death, when it came by inheritance to Charles, his eldest son. The latter married Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob Fleck, of Gwynedd township, and had children, -Mary Ann (Mrs. David Dunnett), Allen and Anna (Mrs. Milton Ruch). Allen was born on the 6th of July, 1842, in Upper Dubhis grandson,

township, Montgomery Co., and at an early age removed with his parents to Gwynedd township, where his youth was devoted to acquiring a modest education under such favorable circumstances as were lin

to the cultivation of his father's land until the

Gwynedd

i

I

township.

Their children are Charles W.,

Samuel W., born in 1877 Bessie W., in and Allen W. in 1880. Mr. Berkhimer is a Democrat in politics, but too much engaged in the absorbing duties connected with the farm to devote special attenborn

in 1867;

;

1878;

I

i

tion to the political issues of the day. theless, the

He

was, never-

incumbent of the office of postmaster while

a resident of Penllyn. He is a member of Spring House Lodge, No. 329, of Independent Order of OddFellows of Fort Washington Lodge, No. 308, of Free ;

and Accepted Masons of Fort Washington Ch.ipter, No. 220 of Fort Washington Lodge, of Knights of Pythias, No. 148 of the Benevolent Society of Fort ;

;

;

GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP.

867

Am- gomery County, where he acquired the trade of a He blacksmith, and followed it in connection with the is also a director of the First National Bank of Amoccupations of a farmer. He married Mary, daughter bler, and has been for ten years a director of the Amof James Craig, of New Britain, Bucks Co., Pa., and

Washington, of which he

is

a trustee

bler Beneficial Society, of which he

;

and of the

is

treasurer.

bler Building Association. Mr. Berkheimer was educated in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, and worships at the church of that deuomination in Upper

Dublin, to the support of which he contributes, as that of many other worthy causes.

to

ALLEN THOMAS. William Thomas, who was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, in

had children,

— Albert, Allen, Charles

Ashbel C, The death of Mr. Thomas occurred on the 2d of July, 1882. His son Allen was born January 20, 1827, in Gwynedd township. After a period of youth devoted to study he removed to Bucks County, Pa., and embarked in the lumber business, wdiere the advantages of trade were sufficiently great to make him a resident for fifteen Mr. Thomas then returned to his native vears.

Ann

E. (Mrs.

'!n->T.4»

the

last

settled c[uired filled

century emigrated from Wales to America and in Hilltown, Bucks Co., Pa., where he actwelve hundred and

the

preacher.

fifty

acres of land and

of a farmer and a Baptist

double

role

Among

his family of seven children

Thomas, born

in

Wales and an infant

was

at the time of

his father's emigration.

Thomas resided on thehomestead in Hilltown, where was spent in the cultivation of its productive acres. His son Asa succeeded his father on the estate. Abel, the second son of the latter, was born in 1799, and removed when a voung man to Monthis

life

B.,

John Lampen) and Abel.

^

county and engaged in the same pursuit in Frederick In 1879 he became again a resident of township. Gwynedd township, where he conducts an extensive and successful business in hardwood lumber. Mr, Thomas was, in December, 1848, married to Anna R., daughter of John Goucher, and has children, Emma G. (Mrs. M. K. Gilbert), born in 1849; William B.,

—

in 1851

;

Franklin

P., in 1853,

deceased

;

Martha K.,

Arthur K., in 18.57; Lukens, in 1859; Mary, in 1861; Lizzie L., in 1862; Alfred, in 1865 and Edward K. in 1866. Mr. Thomas is in his political preferences a Democrat, though not ambiin

1854, deceased

;

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

86S

He is president of the tributaries of that stream. The surface is rolling, West Point Turnpike Company, and actively con- and has an easy drainage into the creeks named; the nected as a Mason with Shiloh Lodge, No. 558, of prevailing soil is red clay, with surface loam, the pro-

tious for the distinctions of office.

the

Lansdale, as also with Zicglerville Lodge of Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members

ductive character of which has been greatly improved by the enterprising farmers within the last quarter of

of the North Wales Baptist Church.

a century.

-yVtAjL/t^ ^J^'^'Z-*^

CHAPTER

LVII.

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP. This township is located on the line of Bucks County, and adjoins Montgomery on the east, Towamencin on the southwest, Franconia on the northwest and the borough of Lansdale on the south. It is three and three-quarters miles long and three miles wide, with an area of eleven square miles, or seven thousand and

The area was reduced by the incorporaforty acres. tion of Lansdale as a borough, in 1872, a considerable

The name of this township is thought by Wm. J. Buck to have been derived from a town and parish in Hertfordshire. He also says tliat a John Hatfield resided in Norriton township as early as 1734; there are circumstances that point to the possible derivation of the

been

of business were

a family long

among the

The

known

have

to

following places

assessed property for

two grist-mills, one saw-mill, one tannery; there was one liotel licensed in the township for the same year. The population in 1800 was 520 in 1830, 1785:

;

portion of the borough being taken from this townThe township is located on what is sometimes ship.

835

called the "divide," or highcstpoint between the Del-

in

Streams of water risaware and Schuylkill Rivers. ing and flowing in and through this township empty into both rivers. The head-waters of the Neshaminy rise in this township, also of the Skippack, or rather

name from

residents of the county.

;

in 1850, 1135; in 1870, 1.512

;

in 1880, 1694.

were 211 in 1858, 346 and unable to state the date when the township was decreed by the Court of QuarIt did not exist ter Sessions of Philadelphia County. prior to 1741, and was known to exist at tlie close of the Revolution, as it appears that damages were

The taxables 1884, 465.

in 1828,

We

are

;

;

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP. assessed to Jaenb Reed, forty-five pounds,

and Isaac

869

dious hotel, a country store, a large warehouse, under

management of

R. Rosenberger, who deals

Wisler, twenty-five pounds, both of Hatfield, resulting

the

from incursions of the enemy this country was open to the foraging-parties of Lord Howe while wintering his army in Philadelphia, in 1777-78, and the scat-

extensively in feed, flour, hay and those commodities

;

tered farmers doubtless suti'ered

more

or less loss in

John Fries, of "Fries' Rebellion " nowas born in this township about 1750. Fries removed to Bucks County and entered the military

necessarily connected with such establishments, there

being extensive railroad sidings for the shipment of coal, lime, manure, lumber, live stock, etc.

Treewigtown, or Hatfield Square, as

consequence. toriety,

service with the patriots.

He

resisted

the "

House

and Window Tax Law," and subsequently, by his contempt for the authorities authorized to collect it,

made himself so obnoxious

th.at

he was arrested,

tried,

convicted and sentenced to be hung, April, 1793.

The

event was of great local interest at the time, and by the interposition of kind and influential fri*nds, he was pardoned by President John Adams. Mr. Fries died about 1820.

The

are Line Lexingon the county line, and partly in Bucks County Hatfield, Colmar, Hockertown. The North Pennsylvania Railroad passes in an almost direct line through the centre of this township, in a northwestern direction. The Doylestown villages in the townships

ton, situated ;

Branch of the same

railroad, leaving Lansdale, passes

through the northeast portion of the township, with a station at Colmar. These public improvements have been of great advantage to the inhabitants and land-owners, aflbrding improved facilities for the transportation of farm products, and also convenient depots for the shipment of hay, feed, lime, manure* lumber and all those commodities dealt in by an enterprising agricultural community. The township is well provided with public highways intersecting every part of it, all of which are kept in good order, with substantial bridges over the streams crossing them. The main line of railroad, leaving Lansdale, passes through and near lands now or late of A. Swepenhiser, J. Reed, J. Krupp, T. House, H. Heckman, P. Boyer, J. Steiner, W. Steiner, D. Rosenberger, the Evangelical

Church grounds,

J.

Rosenberger,

reaching Lower Hatfield village, thence, a short distance, Upper Hatfield village, and beyond, through lands of J. H. Rosenberger, E. Kriebler, John Frick, S. Shellenberger, C. Gehman and H. Clemmer. The Doylestown Branch passes through lands now or late of P. S. Jenkins, H. Hoppel, J. Troyard, M. Kramer, J. M. Gilmer, A. Manuel, J. Kile, P. Hondel, J. AUebach, G. Garmer, M. Beehtel, N. Harrar, J. M. Jenkins, A. H. Fretz and others,

A. H. Rosenberger,

reaching

Colmar, a station and railroad village. Everything here indicates a place of recent growth. The railroad at this point crosses an old turnpike road, first opened as a common or dirt road in 1735, then called the Bethlehem road. Along this highway are seen many fine old-time farm-houses, large and substantially built, and in striking contrast with the more modern and ornamental residences comjirising the village of Colmar. Thjre is a large and commo-

I.

Scott's Atlas,

it

is

called in

on the old Bethlehem road,

situated

is

about a mile northwest of Colmar. The village is (ormed of residences scattered along the road, and indicates its ancient origin by the old-time Farmers' and Drovers' Hotel, a place of local importance when market men drove to and from Philadelphia with their produce,

Bethlehem

to

when

stages ran through from

Philadelphia, and

dairy and

stock

were driven through the country and nightly herded at these old-time taverns, like this one, having The farm-lands connected with it for pasturage. old-time industries are here represented by blacksmiths, shoemakers, wood-workers and the toll-gatherer. A half-mile or more northwest of this village is the Line Lexington, a portion of which is situated This is an old settlement, spoken in this township.

cattle

of by the historian sMVs

it

and a

Gordon

as early as 1832,

who

contained at that time eight or ten dwellings post-oflice.

The

place has grown very consid-

erably since then, having upwards of a hotel,

fifty

residences,

two stores and the usual mechanical indus-

tries.

Villages have grown up with rapidity at Upper and Lower Hatfield Stations, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad. Lower Hatfield takes precedence in age. Located at the junction of the "Old Cowpath" and " Forty-Foot" roads, it was many years ago known as a village, and since the location and opening of the railroad it has become a centre of local trade and traffic for

the township, finding a sharp rival in

its

Among

its

sister village, a short distance

from

it.

idaces of business are found a hotel, a store for the s

de of general merchandise, two hay-presses, coaldrug-store and a number of mechanical indus-

y.ird,

tries, all

of which appear to be in a prosperous condi-

tion at the time

Upper

we

write.

though of more recent origin, presents the appearance of a young and promising vilItige. It owes its existence, in some measure, to the enterprising character of Joseph Proctor, Esq., a citizen of Hatfield township, who purchased a considerable tract of land where the town and railroad station is located, and divided it into building lots, encouraged improvements and the building of residences. There is here a convenient station for passengers and freight, a hotel, store for the sale of general merchandise, with the post-office, coal and lumber-yard, tinsmith and other industries. H. M. Ziegler is the postmaster at the place. Both Upper and Lower Hatfield villages are of local importance to the townHatfield,

ship, situated so near

its

centre, the former atfording

a convenient point of shipment for milk and general

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

870

farm produce, and for the distribution of freiarlit and the general supplies consumed and used by an agricultural community. The following exhibit of the mercantile appraiser for the year 1884 illustrates the

house of Peter Conver, and again, by a similar act of April 23, 1829, the elections were ordered to be held The elections at the house of Jacob C. Bachnian.

commercial enterprise of the people of this township Jeremiah Alderfer, produce George Brecht, merWilliam Bear, chandise E. K. Blanck, drugs

in

:

;

;

;

James Clark,

butcher;

stoves;

Jr.,

Frank

Cassel,

agricultural implements; William B. Fretz, stoves, etc.

Isaac R. Hunsberger, organs

;

;

Earl

Jenkins,

butcher; Jacob Kindig, butcher I. R. Kulp, hay; I. R. Kulp, coal, lumber; I. R. Kulp, flour and feed; Henry Kile, butcher; Joseph i^nndis, lumber; Wil;

liam B. Moyer, butcher; B. M. Moyer, merchandise Joseph Proctor, live stock I. R. Rosenberger, flour, feed; I. R. Rosenberger, hay; J. M. Romich, live stock; H. Robinson, merchandise; F. H. Souders, F. H. Souders, lumflour, feed F. H. Souders, coal A. Sorver, lumber; D. Smith, sewing-maber, hay Philip Svvartly, butcher; George Snyder, chines hay; George Snyder, coal; George Snyder, flour, ;

;

;

;

;

;

John Treflinger. Isaac Tyson, live stock butcher; Ziegler & Meyers, merchandise; H. M. Ziegler, merchandise. Educational. The common-school system is said feed

;

;

now held at the public-house of Oliver Althouse, Lower Hatfield village. Religious Worship. There is a Men nonite meeting-house located on what is locally known as the

are

—

"Plains," or township line road, between Hatfield and Towaraencin, and in the latter township another of the same denomination, known as the New MennonChurch, near Hatfield village both of these ite places of religious worship are plain, unpretentious structures, such as are in use by this denomination throughout this part of the country comforts, and ;

;

;

necessary conveniences are provided

but all ornate embellishments of exterior and interior are studiously for,

avoided.

The Evangelical situated on

the

or

German

Cow Path

Baptists'

road,

Church

i»

a short distance

south of Hatfield village this is a plain but substantial structure, corresponding with the habits and tastes ;

of the

humble people who worship

there.

—

have gone into operation about the year 1840. The leading citizens of the township have always taken a lively interest in the education of the young, but it is due to say that a conservative element has always opposed "long terras" and advanced salaries for teachers. This conservatism has recently found expression in the township in opposing the creation ol' an independent school district for the better accommodation of the progressive inhabitants of Upper and The district has been Lower Hatfield villages. created, and the advantages will doubtless be enjoyed by those seeking the benefit of longer terms and superior teachers, although residing beyond its limits. to

(18S4) there are six schools in the town-

At present

ship, with three

hundred and fifty-nine pupils en of term for the present year is

The length

rolled.

seven months, and the salary paid to teachers is forty dollars per month. Male and female teachers are em-

There is an independent school district at Line Lexington, the advantages of which are shared by a portion of the ployed, and equal salaries are paid them.

The cost of maintainamong the townships out

inhabitants of this township.

ing

it is

distributed as follows

was created one-fourth from Hatfield township, one-fourth from Hilltown township, and onehalf from New Britain township, the two latter town ships being in Bucks County. The average attendof which

ance

it

is fifty

;

— By act

HON. OLIVER

of the General Assembly, ap-

proved March 24, 1818, the township of Hatfield was formed into a separate election district, and the elections ordered to be held at the house of John Buchanan. By a similar act, approved April 11, 1825, the place, of holding the elections was changed to the

G.

MORRIS.

Cadwallader, the lineal ancestor of Oliver G. Morris, immigrated from Wales, located in Pennsylvania

and intermarried with the Thomas family, who also came from Wales to this country in the early part of the last century.

Morris Morris, son of Cadwallader Morris, married

—

Gwently Thomas, and had seven children, Cadwallader (second), Abraham, William, Benjamin, Enoch, Joseph and Morris, Jr. Morris Morris, Sr., husband of Gwently Thomas, inherited two hundred and sixty-seven acres of land lying at Hilltown, which he possessed and bequeathed to his son, Cadwallader (second), the latter paying A cane which his brothers difterent sums of money. belonged to Morris Morris, was, in 188.5, owned by Oliver G. Morris, of Line Lexington, and has been in the family as an heir-loom over one hundred and fifty years.

Cadwallader, the eldest son of Morris and Gwently Morris, was born in 1737.

He was a man of consideraHe became a school

ble education for those days.

teacher and surveyor, and was widely early period,

known

at that

and was sought after for his skill and know-

ledge concerning

pupils.

Elections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

many

things.

He

married Elizabeth

Kastner, of Hilltown, and died August 23, 1812, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife survived him a few years. Their children were Alice, Abel, William,

Rebecca and Hannah. William, son of Morris and Gwently Morris, the of Oliver G. Morris, was born

great-grandfather

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP. 5, 1739. William was married, in 17(53, to Ann, daughter of Nathaniel Griffith, of Hilltown, where now (1885) stands the Leidytown Hotel, which property William Morris subsequently purchased. Wil-

March

liam and

Ann

both died at the house of their son Line Lexington, the former 1821, aged eighty-two years, and the

Isaac, in the village of

on April 22, latter on July

17, 1821, at the age of seventy-seven Their children were Isaac, Benjamin, Morris, Eliam, William, Jr., GriflSth, Ann, Elizabeth and

years.

She was a person of much intelligence and and ability a good and estimable woman in all the relations of life. She died August 1, 1856, aged eighty-five years. Isaac died Sept. 13, 1843. By his first wife Isaac was the father of three children, Mathias, Justus and WilThe two latter died young. liam. Mathias Morris was born Sept. 12, 1787. He possessed unusual abilities, and was proficient in classical

6,

1806.

vivacity of mind, as well as business tact

—

literature.

Morris,

Huldah. Isaac Morris, grandfather of the subject of this

May

871

town

in

He

studied law with his cousin,

and was admitted to the bar 1809, where he lived some time.

at

Enoch New-

He

mar-

Wilhelmina, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Chapman, and sister of Hon. Henry Chapman. In Gwently Morris, his grandmother, adjoining the Lower 1828 he was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected Hilltown Baptist Church, which he held till about for a second term, and was elected two terms to ConISO"), when he removed to Line Lexington, where he gress, 1834 and 1836. He died Nov. 9, 1839, aged was for many years justice of the peace. Isaac mar- fifty-two years. His widow lives in Doylestown, with ried, October 12, 1786, for his first wife, Elizabeth, her daughter, Mary Ann, who married John C. Lydaughter of Thomas Mathias. She was born Sept. 12, man, of Vermont. The children of Isaac Slorris, by The second wife of his second wife, were Oliver Goldsmith and Burgess 1765, and died Aug. 28, 1803. Isaac was Rachel, daughter of Benjamin jNIathews, Allison (twins), and John D. The first-named died Esq. She was born Feb. 21, 1771, and married April in 1826, aged nineteen years. sketch, was born

He

purchased, in

5,

1764,

and was twice married. homestead of

1789, the ancestral

ried

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

872

John D. Moi'i'is was born April 9, 1811, became a lawyer and practiced bis profession for many years in Stroudsburg.

lie represented

Monroe County

in

the State Legislature in 1851 and 1852, and subsequently held responsible jjositions in the Philadelphia Mint and Custom House, under the administra-

and Buchanan. He was an excellent and agreeable in manner, and popular among his acquaintances. His wife was Sally, daughter of Stroud and Jeannette Hollinshead of Stroudsburg. He died in Line Lexington, at the house of his nephew, Oliver G. Morris, Jan. 5, 1868. Burgess Allison Morris was born Dec. 23, 1806, and on Jan. 28, 1836, married Mary G., daughter of John Riale, Es(i. She died June 27, 1837, leaving one son, Oliver Goldsmith Morris. John Riale, the father of Mary G. Morris, was for many years a prominent man of New Britain, and long a justice of the peace of that township, and held in just esteem by all who knew him. He was the son of Richard Riale and grandson of John Riale, who emigrated from England about 1725. He was twice

nal revenue under the administration of Presidenit

Johnson. He was married, October 11, 1858, to Miss Susannah, daughter of Michael and Mary Snyder. She was born Jan. 12, 1840. They arc the parents of the following children, 1861, died

June

— John

born April

D.,

17,

Charles E., born Sept. 14, Allison M., born March 29, 1866, died July 28, 23, 1864;

tions of Pierce

1863

man,

Mary, born born Jan. 4, 1877. The father of Mrs. Morris was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Snyder, who were born in Bucks County,

affable

married, the second time to Elizabeth Griffith, the

mother of Mary G. Morris. The second wife of Burgess A. Morris was Matilda Hoxworth. Oliver Goldsmith Morris was born March 26, 1837, at Line Lexington, on the old homestead. His early life was spent upon the farm, until the death of his father, which occurred December 20, 1847. He was then sent to a boarding-school at New Britain, kept by Rev. John C. Hyde, for a term of three years, then to the Treemount Seminary, at Norristown, Rev. Samuel Aaron, principal, for two years then returned to the farm, where he has since continued to reside, engaged in farming and such other occupations as are usually connected with that branch of business. He needs no ;

laudations in this connection to jirove the character

of the man, nor to show the estimation in which he is

held by the citizens of that part of the county in

which he

lives.

His business connections and the

suffrages of the peojile are the best tests of the high

esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. When at the age of twenty-one years he was elected a school director, and in April, 1884, was re-elected for the ninth term, of three years each, to the same office, and has been secretary of the board and district superintendent from his first election to the present

time.

He has been for several years one of the board of managers of the Spring House and Hilltown Turnpike Company, also one of the managers of the Line Lexington Fire Insurance Company. He has been one of the directors of the Stony Ci-eek Railroad Company for fifteen years, secretary of the Self-Defense Horse Company " of Line Lexington for twenty-three years, a trustee of the Hilltown Baptist Church for twenty-five years, and was a member of the State Legislature for the sessions of 1871, 1872 and i873, and

also held the office of assistant assessor of inter-

1860

May

;

;

W. Norman, born 1870

17,

Arthur

;

Sept. 28, 1807

;

S.,

Pa. The mother of Mrs. Morris, Mary Snyder, was a daughter of Isaac and Susanna Rosenberger, of Hatfield townshiji,

Montgomery Co.

ISAAC Isaac, the

R.

EOSENBERGER.

grandfather of Isaac R., was a well-

to-do and highly respected farmer, living in Montgomery County, Pa., near the village of Line Lexington, on the farm now owned by Milton Jenkins.

Mr. Rosenl)erger was of German descent, his parents, Isaac and Christiana, emigrating to this country about the middle of the last century, and located

where Isaac lived nearly or quite

He

all his

died leaving children as follows

living

at

Isaac D.,

lifetime.

Martin,

:

now

Broad Street, Bucks Co., Pa.; now living at North Wales, this county; near

or

.loseph, father of Isaac R., the subject of this sketch;

who

William,

beth, married,

John; Eliza-

died in Philadelphia; first,

a Mr. Eckert, and for her second

husband, she married Michael Snyder, also deceased she

is

S.irah,

still

deceased,

Mary, married Jlrs.

;

Bucks County left her husband, Jacob Ruth Snj'der, and became the mother of

living,

and

resides

in

Oliver G. Morris.

Joseph Rosenberger, father of Isaac R. Rosenberger, was born September 15, 1811, and died March 30, 1877, at the age of sixty-five years, six

months and

He

married Mary, daughter of Henry Ruth, of Bucks County. She was born February 4, 1815, and died July 1, 1881, aged sixty-six years, five months and seven days. They were the parents

fifteen days.

Susannah, married Reuben Bucks Co., Pa; Emcline, deceased, married, first, Abram Hursberger, and for her second husband, William Sender Anna Mary,

of children as follows: Alderfer, of Hilltown,

;

married Mahlon

Bucks

Myers,

Co., Pa.; Isaac R.,

who

resides

born July

15,

at

Perkasie,

1846; Joel,

married Sally, daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Moyer, deceased

Lizzie, married Edwin Jones, and now Doylestown Charlea R., married Amanda of Hilltown, Bucks Co., and is now a ;

resides at

Fluck,

;

I)artner with his brother, Isaac R., in the coal, flour,

feed

and hay business, atColmar and

at

Doylestown,

Pa.

Joseph Rosenberger, the father of these children, was a farmer, merchant and lumber dealer at Mount Pleasant, Bucks Co., Pa., where he located after marriage and where he died. He was one of those well

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP. and fivorably known popular men who always looked upon the bright side of life, beloved and respected by all w'lo knew him. and especially by the poor and needy, who well remember his acts of kindness, many

873

he had, from time to time, in his employ. was prominently identified with township and county affairs, yet in no sense of the word a politician. He was for many years prior to his death one of the directors of the Doylestown Bank. His demise left a void in the community still unfilled. Isaac R. Rosenberger spent his early life upon the farm of his father during the summer months, and at

business, having all the facilities of a large and commodious warehouse, with all the necessary railroad facilities. In the early part of 1885 the Rosenberger Brothers extended their business by building a large warehouse, with railroad accommodations, at Doylestown, where they are also engaged in the same kind of trade as at Colmar Station. Isaac R. was married December 4, 1866, to Miss Harriet, daughter of William aud Sarah Bruner, of Chalfont, Bucks Co. His wife was born February 16, 1848. They are the parents of children, Mary Alice, born Harrington, April 12, 1868, died September 29, 1881

the district school in the winter season, until lu^ was fifteen years of age. From that time until he arrived

born October 27, 1869 Flora Estella, born June 4, Ella Blanche, born March 1861, died June 20, 1876

at the age of twenty-one years he performed such

4,

of

whom

He

work

as

was necessary

for

him

to

do upon his

farm, in the store and in the lumber-yard. that he worked a farm on his

and

in

own account

father's

After

for six years,

1872 he located at Colmar Station, on theNorth

Pennsylvania Railroad, and engaged in the wholeand retail flour, feed, coal, hay and phosphate business. Here he conducted the business alone until 1881, when he admitted his brother, Charles R., as a partner. They are doing a large and prosperous

sale

—

;

;

;

1873; Charles Grant, born December 4, 1874; William, born September 20, 1878. William Bruner, father of Mrs. Rosenberger, was a

son of

Henry Bruner, who

for

Bucks County, near the county favorably

known

many line,

years lived in

and was well and

as one of the substantial, honest old

Her maternal grandparents were of the well-known and highly respected Clymer families of Bucks and Berks Counties. farmers of Bucks County.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

874

CHAPTER

aforesaid tracts were located here before 1710.

LVIII.

respects dates the

though

HORSHAM.

Horsham

one of the eastern tier of townships, and is bounded on the northeast by Bucks County, northwest by Montgomery, south by Upper Dublin, southeast by Moreland and west by Gwynedd. It is of regular form, five and a half miles in length and three in width, with an area of nine thousand nine hundred and sixty six acres. Its surface is moderately rolling, and the soil in the central and lower sections is a fertile loam, but as it approaches the Montgomery It is watered by line becomes more of a red shale. several branches of the Neshaminy, one of which propels within its limits two grist-mills and a saw-mill. The Pennypack has its source in this township, about two miles west of Horshamville, and propels a grist

and

The

chief public improvements of

Horsham

are

the Doylestown and Willow Grove turnpike, which passes through its eastern angle nearly three miles; the Whitehall turnpike, ibur miks; and the Bethlehem turnpike, for a few perches across its extreme western corner.

The population

in 1800

was 781; in 1840,

1182; and in 1880, 1315, showing a decrease of sixtyseven inhabitants since the census of 1870. The real

was valued at and including the personal, $1,447,020.

estate for taxable purposes in 1882

11,348,390,

The number

of taxables

is

482, possessing an average

of $3380, and thus in point of wealth ranks the sixth in the county, being surpassed by Springfield, AbingIt conton, Cheltenham, Moreland and Whitpain. tains three public schools, open ten months, with an

may have been commenced is

the tracts that

was

filled

up even

Lady Ann Keith, 800 acres; Thomas .lohnJames Coddy, 100; Richard Shoenuiker, 100; Ellis Davis, 200; William Dunbar, 100; John Cadwallader, 150; JohnCadwallader,

Thomas, 100;

map

purchasers of land in

of original surveys, the

Horsham were the

follow-

beginning at the Moreland line: Samuel Carpenter, Mary Blunston, Richard Ingels, Thomas Potter, Sarah Fuller and .John Barnes. These tracts embraced half the township and extended from the Bucks County ing,

line to the

Horsham

road.

The next,

following in the

extended from the southwest side of said road to the Upper Dublin and Gwynedd line, were George Palmer, Joseph Fisher and John Mason. There is no doubt that the whole of the

same

order,

whose

tracts

1

B.v Will.

.r.

niuk.

150; Richard

Thomas

Palmer, 300; Widow Iredell, 2110; Peter Lukens, 75; Evan Lloyd, 250; John Barnes, 229; Jolin (iarret, 200; and

(

Widow

Parry.

Samuel Carpenter's purchase of five thousand and eighty-eight acres was made from Penn's commissioners of property May 26, 1706, and although a portion extended into Bucks County, yet it may have comprised over one-third of the area of the present township. It had a front on the Horsham road of Horshamville, four miles, or almost to Prospectville. Davis Grove and Grseme Park are located on it. The executors of Samuel Carpenter, a distinguished mer-

chant of Philadelphia, sold twelve hundred acres of 3, 1718, to Andrew Hamilton for hundred pounds. The latter, March 5, 1718, conveyed the same to William Keith, LieutenantGovernor of Pennsylvania, and this became the original Grseme Park tract. George Palmer's purchase of three hundred acres, through his early death, came in possession of his son, Thomas Palmer, and lay in the corner of the township adjoining Moreland and Upper Dublin and extended up to the present Horshamville. He arrived from England in September,

the same, February five

1682, and, according to tradition, soon thereafter set-

on his tract, and it is supposed that he was the Eurojiean who made his residence in the township. He here dug a saw-pit, and with a whip-saw cut the lumber with which

According to Holme's

Jr.,

Alexander McQuee, 150;

one hotel, three general stores and two dealers in Friends' Meeting-house is flour and feed licensed. the only place of worship. There is a hall for lectures and literary purposes at Horshamville and another at The villages are Horshamville, ProsProspectville. pectville and Davis Grove, each possessing .a post-

first

The

in 1734:

tled

oflice.

after 1730.

son, 200;

average attendance of one hundred and five scholars for the school year ending June 1, 1882; in 1856 the average was one hundred and three. For 1883 we find

near the'close

positive evidence from the sale of

of 1681, yet there it

As

calculated to deceive, for

is

following are given as land-holders and taxables here

is

saw-mill.

it

map

first

to

build a two-story

house, which stood for nearly a century.

His de-

scendants state that on his first arrival here he caught shad and herring in the Pennypack Creek, near the present turnpike bridge.

ham wc

In the

list

of 1776 for Hors-

names of John Palmer, two hundred and eighty acres, and Thomas Palmer. Several descendants of the family have here been conveyancers and justices of the peace. Thomas Iredell came from Horsham, in Sussex, and settled in the present township perhaps as early as 1709, where he purchased two hundred acres, on which he built a house about half a mile north of the meeting-house, and beside the present turnpike. According to the records of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting he was married in that city, in 1705, to Sarah Williams. In 1717 he was one of the overseers of the meeting, and in 1722 one of the jurors in laying out the (Governor's road, which passed Ijy his liouse. He died before 1734, when the property came in posThere was preserved an iron session of his widow. find the

'

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP. door-knocker, from the doDr of his house, that had

on

" T.

probably the date of its erection. Tradition states that the township received its name througli him, being applied from the place of his nativity. Wo find that it is both the name of

drilled

it

I.

172(1,"

a borough and parish, and where William Penn preached in 1672. The earliest mention yet found of

Horsham here

875

David, Peter and Seneca Lukens. Few families have done mcire to encourage literature and promote a love for knowledge among the people during the colonial period of Pennsylvania. Peter and John Lukens were among the founders of the Union Library, at Hatboro', in 1755, and furnished to the same no less then eight members prior to 1776. Jonathan, Levi and Samuel L. Lukens were the active promoters and

meeting records of 30th of probable that about this incorporators of Horsham Library in 1808. The sawtime or a little sooner it was formed into a township, mill of William Lukens was erected in 1740, was though its population must have been quite sparse, rebuilt in 1844, and is now owned by James Iredell. judging by the list of 1734. Robert Iredell, son of John Lukens was a collector of taxes in Horsham Thomas, was born here in 1720, and in the list of 1776 in 1742. owned here one hundred and fifty-five acres, four John Lukens, the mathematician and philosopher, horses and four cattle, and had a son, Robert. We find was the son of Peter, and when a young man served near this date also Charles, Thomas and Abraham his time with Nicholas Scull as a chain-carrier and Iredell, surveyor, who were probably brothers and practical surveyor. In 1774 he sold his farm a short sons of the aforesaid Robert Iredell, Sr. Robert distance southwest of Horshamville, to William Iredell, so long proprietor of the Norristown Herald Lukens, at the gate of which, by the road-side, he and at present postmaster there, is a descendant, born planted two white-pine trees when a young man, here October 15, 1809. which grew upwards of three feet in diameter and The Kenderdine family was also an early one in to an extraordinary height. One blew down in a Horsham. Thomas Kenderdine came from Wales, storm about 1850, and the other survived thirty years and we know, if not a resident, owned land here be- later. They are yet well remembered by the writer, fore 1718. His son, Richard Kenderdine, settled in who could not pass that way without gazing in adChester in 1703, and died in Horsham in April, 1733, miration at their tall and noble trunks, associated as aged fifty years, which will account for the name not they were with the memories of over a century. We being on the list of 1734. He is stated to have been learn from the records that John Lukens was one of a diligent attender of the meetings here from the the active founders of the Hatl)oro' Library, July 19, beginning. In the list of 1776 we find here Joseph 1755, and November 6, 1756, was elected one of its Kenderdine, three hundred and ninety acres and a directors and continued for several years; was authorgrist-mill Thomas Kenderdine, one hundred and fifty ized by them in 1757 to purchase books to the extent acres Benjamin Kenderdine, one hundred and fifty of ten pounds. He was appointed by the American acres; and Joseph Kenderdine. John E. Kenderdine, Philosophical Society to assist David Rittenhouse to the noted improver of the Cuttelossa Valley, Bucks observe the transit of Venus, in June, 1769, and of Co., was born near Prospectville in 1799, and Mercury, in November, 1776. On the death of Nicholas was the son of Joseyih and Ann Kenderdine. After Scull, the surveyor-general, he was commissioned, following millwrighting here for several years, he December 8, 1761, to fill the place, and continued in purchased the old mill property, near Lumberton, in the position until his death, in the fall of 1789, the 1833, to which he removed, and continued to reside long period of almost twenty-eight years, from there until his death, in January 1868. He was de- the colonial period to the establishment of the State feated by only two votes as a candidate for the State government. He was appointed one of the four comSenate in 1843. missioners to run the boundary line between Pennis

in the

Fifth Month, 1717, and

it is

;

;

—

The Lukens family of

this township, as in

Towa-

mencin, has been a noted one. Peter, one of the sons of Jan Luken, the German immigrant, was born at Germantown in 1696, and how soon he settled in Horsham is not exactly known, but it was before 1734, when he is mentioned as residing on a tract here of seventy-five acres. The following year the Horsham road is mentioned as having been laid out from his house up into the centre of Montgomery township. He had a son, Abraham, who is represented as " a gentleman of a philosophic turn of mind," who left here a numerous posterity. In the list of Horsham for 1776

we

find rated Williaju

a saw-mill, and

Lukens

for 293 acres,

Joseph Lukens, 178 acres; John Lukens, 1.50 acres; Abraham Lukens, 120 acres and as single men, Jonathan, nine children

;

in

family;

sylvania and Virginia in

1784-85.

Barton, in his

"Life of Rittenhouse," calls him "the ingenious astronomical observer, Mr. Lukens." His farm is

now owned by

Charles Dager, Jr. Seneca Lukens, who was the grandson of Peter, was a prominent man in the township, and an ingenious clockmaker by profession, who was taxed in 1805 (or two hundred and thirty-one acres. It was at his house that the celebrated Mrs. Ferguson made her last home, from near the close of the last century until her death, in February, 1801. His farm was located about hi.lf a mile .above Horshamville, on the west side of the turn])ike, and is now the estate of Chalkley Kenderdine. His will is dated February 8, 1829, and he died in the following fall, appointing his wife, Sarah, and 'lis son Joseph executors. His surviv-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

876

list of 1734 as owning two hundred was one of the founders of the Hatboro' Library in 1755 and a director from 1761 to 1764. Tabitha (widow of John Kirk), 1882, In 1776, William Jarrett was rated in Horsham for one aged ninety ninety -two, and Martha B. (widow of Sanuiel Shoe- hundred and seventy-six acres Jonathan Jarrett, maker), the last of the family, December 2, 1883, in one hundred; and William Jarrett, in 1805, two hunher ninety-second year. All except the first were dred and thirty-seven acres. William Penrose, of well-known to the writer, and in talents decidedly Grteme Park, married Hannah, daughter of the latter, above mediocrity, possessing force of character and in 1810. William Dunbar is in the list of 1734 for excellent business qualifications. one hundred acres, and in 1776, Andrew Dunbar ninety Isaiah Lukens, the son of Seneca, was born acres. We have thought probably that this may be August 24, 1779, in Horsham, where he received but a the present Dunn family, who have been land-holders common English education, but by subsequent dili- in the township for some time yet this name is not gent study he acquired a profound knowledge of the so found in early records. sciences. He learned clock-making from his father Evan Lloyd came from Wales and purchased, in and the excellency of the workmanship of his 1719, two hundred and fifty acres half a mile northhigh-standing clocks, spreading far beyond the east of the meeting-liouse. He was a minister circle of his neighborhood, formed the basis of his among Friends, and we find that he was still living future reputation. He made the clock of Loller here alter 1734. He had a son John, who settled Academy, Hatboro', in 1812, and the large clock in on an adjoining farm, and who, in 1776, was rated for the State-House steeple in 1839, for which he received one hundred and fourteen acres, and his brother, five thousand dollars. In early youth his mechanical Hugh Lloyd, sixty acres. The latter, in 1777, married skill exhibited itself in constructing wind-mills for Christianna, daughter of Enoch Morgan. He had pumping water, and air-guns of improved construc- three children, David, Enoch and Miriam. Of Dation, besides other ingenious applicances. While a vid Lloyd, who was born in 1778, the writer prepared young man he made a voyage to Europe, spending a biographical sketch published in the Bucks County some time in England, P'rance and Germany, in visit- Intelligencer February 3, 1862, and also in the Norrising the greatest objects of interest, particularly those rislown Register. Like his father and grandfather, he involving a high degree of mechanical knowledge. was brought up a farmer and received in his youth He finally settled in Philadelphia, and became a but an ordinary education. Possessing a studious member of its several literary and scientific institu- disposition, he became, in the course of time, a man tions, and was one of the founders and a vice-president of intellectual ability. Though brought up a Friend, of the Franklin Institute. He died in the city No- he dift'ered from some of their principles. In the vember 12, 1864, in age the youngest of the family. late war with England he joined the rifle company of Alexander McQuee, on the list of 1734 for one Captain McClean, and drew for his services several hundred and fifty acres, we find is represented in 1776 bounties in public lands. As respects the Sabbath, he by Seth McQuec, who had now become the owner of maintained the doctrines of the Seventh-day Baptists. the tract. Richard Shoemaker, with one hundred In whatever related to education or the dissemination acres in 1734, was still living in 1776, and is mentioned of knowledge in his neighborhood he took an as " aged ;" John C'adwallader, one hundred and fifty active part. Our earliest personal knowledge comacres, and John Cadwallader, Jr., one hundred and menced in 1848, while attending the Hatboro' Lyceum, fifty in 1776 two of the names are again mentioned, at Loller Academy, and the Horsham Debating one with one hundred and seventy-five acres and the Society. His first literary attempts were probably other sixty, and Benjamin C'adwallader, filty acres. published in the Narristown Register in ]827. For John Barnes, two hundred and twenty-nine acres in the Germanloivn Telegraph he wrote a series of articles, 1734; in 1776 the name is still here, with one hundred chiefly on agriculture. These were collected in 1832 and fifty acres, one negro, four horses and five cattle in a small volume of one hundred and twenty pages, besides, as single men, John and Earl Barnes. John entitled " Economy of Agriculture." In 1845 he had Barnes was one of the jurors in laying out the Gover- published " The Gentleman's Pocket-Piece: being a nor's road in 1722, and advertised in 1750 his farm of Repository of Choice Selections and Golden Precepts one hundred and forty acres, in Horsham, with taken from the best of Authors," contained within buildings, sixty acres cleared and two orchards. He the compass of one hundred and fifty-six pages. He was probably a son or relation of John Barnes, the still continued to contribute, during his times of early settler near Abington Meeting-house, who was a leisure, to the periodical publications of the day, man of note. Of the Jarrett family we do not remem- among which may be mentioned the Norristown Herber having seen any account whatever. In the Ger- ald and Free Press. He collected these various efl^umantown Court records mention is. made in 1703 sions and had them published, in 1848, in an octavo of Jacob Gerrets, which is reason for believing this volume of two hundred and sixteen l)ages, under the family to be of German origin. Johp Garret is thus title of "The Modern Miscellany," which contains the

ing children were Isaiah, Muses, Josejsh, Rachel, Tabi-

called in

tha and Martha. Isaiah died in 1846, aged sixty-seven years Moses, 1852, aged seventy-one Joseph, 1875,

acres.

the

He

;

;

;

;

;

—

;

HOKSHAM TOWNSHIP.

877

Mordecai Holt, one hundred and ten acres. The latter was collector of taxes in 1781, and became the which no doubt helped to bring on his financial em- owner of the old Iredell homestead, situated on the barrassments, when his personal property was sold by east side of the turnpike, above the meeting-house. the sheritr in the beginning of 1860, and in the He had an only child, Nathan Holt, who inherited montli of Ajiril his real estate. On the following the estate and retained it during his lifetime. He 29th of July lie died, aged eighty-three years, lacking died in 1848, in his eighty-tburth year, and donated by one day, completely enfeebled in body and mind, the his will nearly all his property to the Hatboro' Library last survivor of his father's family. Company. He was a member of that library fiftyTunis Conderts arrived in October, 1683, with the seven years, and stated, not long before his death, German Friends who .shortly afterwards founded that tor most of his knowledge he was indebted to this Gcrmantown, where he died in 1729. At his house institution. The amount realized was five thousand William Penn preached before the meeting-house eight hundred dollars, whereof three thousand eight was built. His family consisted of his wife, Ellen, hundred dollars was applied to the erection of a new and four sons and three daughters. Three of the sons building, completed in 1849, and the balance invested Conrad, Mathias and John, were born in Germany and the income used in the purchase of books. and, with their father, were naturalized in 1709. John The earliest public highway that extended into Conard, as it is now called, settled in Horsham, but Horsham, most probably, was the Welsh road, which at what time we have not ascertained. In the list of was laid out in 1712 from the "Ford" over Penny1776 we find John Conard rated for one hundred and pack, at the present Huntingdon Valley, along the twenty acres; Dennis Conard, ninety acres; and Den- whole southwest line of the township, and separating nis Conard, Jr., a single man. The two preceding, it from Upper Dublin and Gwynedd. In 1731 comno doubt, are the sons of John Conard, who first set- plaint was made to the court by the inhabitants of tled here. Descendants still exist in this section, and Upper Dublin that the Horsham overseers did not the family is now numerous in Montgomery County. keep their part of said road in proper order, when a Archibald McClean was for sixteen years a justice division of the same was made, and the respective of the peace in Horsham, and in 1772 was elected to townships required to attend to it in the future. The the Assembly. He died December 1, 1773, in his road from Groeme Park by way of Horsham Meetingseventy-fifth year, having resided in the same place house to the York road, at Willow Grove, was opened for forty years. He was buried in the graveyard in 1722, and also the same year from the former place attached to Abington Presbyterian Church. On down the county line, to Hatboro'. As these were the list of 1776 we find his estate rated at 220 acres laid out from Governor Keith's settlement, the former William McClean, 220 acres; Mary McClean, 45 was long known as the " Governor's road." The acres and Robert Loller, 15 acres. The latter was road from the present Spring House to Horsham his son-in-law and also a colonel in the Revolutionary Meeting-house was laid out and confirmed in 1723. army, of whom a sketch will be given in the account The Horsham road extends through the centre of the of Hatboro'. Dr. Archibald McClean, a distinguished township; was laid out from near the meeting-house physician, was a son of the aforesaid, educated at up into Montgomery township in the spring of 1735. Princeton College, surgeon in the Revolutionary The Butler road, which extends in a northern direcarmy, and in January, 1783, was appointed surgeon of tion across Horsham, must have been opened near the the Firet Battalion of Philadelphia County militia. aforesaid date, having received this name from This year he also became a member of the Hatboro' leading to Simon Butler's mill, on the northwest Library. He was a noted wit, a poet and a man of branch of the Neshaminy, in New Britain township, extensive acquirements, and possessed a very large near the present Whitehallville. Butler was quite a medical practice. It is said he was six feet six inches prominent man appointed justice of the peace in in height, a lover of strong drink and a free thinker. 1738, and continued therein for over twenty years. For these reasons Mrs. Ferguson wrote a poem, enti- The County Line road, from Graeme Park to the prestled his " Epitaph," which she sent him, signed ent Line Lexington, was opened in 1752. The super" Anonymous," for which he retaliated, as is noticed visors of roads in 1767 were Daniel Jones and Abraelsewhere. In attempting to cross the Wissahickon ham Lukens in 1773, Robert Iredell and Samuel in a high freshet at the present town of Ambler Conan in 1785, Abraham Lukens and William on horseback, he was drowned. May 13, 1791, leaving Miller in 1810, Joseph Kendcrdineand Joseph Parry. a widow and four children. He resided near the James Craven, was constable in 1774. greater portion as well as the best of his writings.

In his eightieth year his

mind became impaired,

—

—

;

;

;

;

;

;

centre of the township, adjoining his father's place.

His writings and family record were accidentally destroyed by a fire about eighteen years ago. Descendants of the family In the

list

of 1776

still

we

find

reside in the vicinity.

rated

Benjamin Holt,

one hundred and two acres and eight children, and

Horsham, or

better

known

as Horshamville,

Doylestown and Willow Grove turnpike,

on the

the midst of a fine agricultural district, contains about twenty houses, a Friends' Meeting-house, two schoolhouses, a store and several mechanic shops. The postoffice was established here before 1816, when Charles is

in

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

878 Palmer was postmaster. Jarrett was appointed,

lu January, 1826, Charles its name changed from

and

Horsham. This is an old settlement, the meeting house having been commenced in 1722, if not earlier. The Pennypack fiows near by into which empty several streams of water that have their sources near by. A hall was built in 1855 in which literary exercises and lectures are held. A library was founded here in 1799 and incorporated in 1808, having in 1853 thirty-two members. Owing to a lack of interest, in 1874 its remaining nine hundred volumes were sold, and thus became scattered in a day the accumulation of three-quarters of a century.

Horsham Meeting-house

to

Prospectville, situated at the

intersection of the

Whitehall turnpike and Horsham road, contains eight houses, a store, hall and several mechanics. The post-office was established before 1858. Here, in 1779,

the

inn, succeeded by This place formerly bore Davis Grove is within half a

Thomas Eoney kept an

David Caldwell

name

in

1785.

of Cashtown.

mile of the Bucks County line, and about that disIt contains four or five tance from Grz-

'U>zz^h

at the age of fifty years. in Christ

who had

Churchyard be-

him in 1759, Owing to his reSir. Young was in

[ireceded

the early age of thirty years.

gard for his motherless children, many years of spending a portion of his time at Groeme Parke, and was thus induced to become a member of the Hatboro' Library, November 1, 1760, which he retained for the benefit of himthe practice for

and children for thirteen years. Mr. Young had four children, of whom two died Of these, Anna, the subject of this notice, in infancy. was the oldest, and was born in Dr. Graeme's house, in

self

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP. Fourth

Street, Philadelphia,

November

5,

175G,

lost

her early training was chiefly confided to her aunt, and thus she became a long and intimate resident of

Grajme Park. On this matter Dr. Rush stated that Mrs. Ferguson " had no children, but she now faithfully performed all the duties of that relation to the son and daughter of one of her sisters, who committed them to her care on her death-bed. The mind of her niece was an elegant impression of her Mr. Young wrote in 1765 that " Anna," then own." aged eight and a half years, "grows more and more like her dear mamma in every respect, and that is saying as

much

as I could wish."

A

few months after the death of her grandfather Miss Young, then in her sixteenth year, left Graeme Park to reside with her father in the city, on which

November 24, 1772, she sent her aunt, fnmi which we take an

occasion, under date of

an affecting

letter to

On

and

than two years and three months thereafter her mother. It was owing to this circumstance that

in less

897

the birth of her

from the

"Now

I

have got

"

my

would wish

to tell

me when ;

I

dear

—

want her

little girl, I

the happiness of seeing you in

to

pay her respects to

town before."

In regard to the flitch of bacon, reference is here to an old custom respecting happy marriages, described in Nos. 607 and 608 of Addison's Spectator. Anna Young Smith, who was of a naturally delicate constitution, died March 22, 1780, at the early age of twenty-three years and nearly five months, which was a sad bereavement to her aflectionate husband. Dr. Smith, on the following 23d of June, thus wrote to

meant

Mrs. Ferguson, "I am

engaged in collecting the few little performances in left behind her, and many a stray sigh does it cost me. I think I see and hear in every line that heavenly look and voice that so lately charmed me. Alas Madam, when I reflect on the extraordinary worth of that most amiable of women, and that at present

way my dear Anna has

the poetical

I

my

soul's happiness,

am

my heart

dies

within

me

at the

amazed how 1 can possibly sustain the dreadful shock but we know not what we can hear till we are put to the test. But why do I dwell on this mournful theme V Your own good heart, which can so keenly feel another's woe, will, I know, excuse me. I must at last bring myself to submit in humble silence to the severe blow, and heaven alone can witness my feelings and mournful thought of having

you tho grateful sense I have received of your look back on the last six years of my life, I fee] oppressed with your goodness to me. You took me at an age totally incapable of giving you pleasure, too old to divert you with innocent anuisement in the prattling way, and too young to be company to you. Over my growing reason you watched with patient care, and instructed me both by your precepts and example in the practice of every virtue and now that I am of an age to know and return your tenderness I must leave you without any other recompense for your goodness hut the testimony of your own heart; however, it shall be my study in my future conduct in life to show that your goodness has not been thrown away upon me. I feel the deepest regret at leaving a place where I have spent the most careless, and I fear, the most hai)py part of my life. I was always fond of the country, but to Grjeme Park 1 was more particularly attached, and I must now take my leave of it, and though 1 may sometimes visit it. it will never again be my delightful home. May you, my dear aunt, possess health and every blessing in this world, and may Mr. Ferguson, when be crosses the .\tlantic, more than return all the love you have for him may he unite in one all the endearing characters of father, husband and friend. May this be your portion here and eternal happiness hereafter is the sincere wish of your grateful and affectionate I

kindness to

child Mrs. Smith wrote

her grand aunt, but 1 do not hope for that pleasure till the 30th of Hovember, the anniversary of my marriage, when I hope to be at the spot that made me happy, to claim my flitch of bacon, unless I should have

she once constituted

extract,

first

September, 1776,

city in

lost her,

and

I

often

;

recollections."

For her only daughter, then aged about three and a half years, Mrs. Ferguson, in June, 1789, prepared an

poems in a manuscript volume of four hundred and seventy-six pages, in the preface of which she says, " My dear Anna Smith, as this will fall into your hands when, perhaps, interesting selection of her

—

my

niece."

do not think that I transcribe this from by no means an essential part of a female character to write verses though I do not think it, on the other, that it ia Writing and love of books, I can speak from experito ho ridiculed. ence, is a happy resource for the evening of life, when the more active Virtuous sentiments, scenes either slide from us or we from them. however brought into action, whether we fill a wide or narrow circle, is worth them all. I write in solitude and with my spectacles on."

liefiirc the early aL'e of fourteen Miss Young had written an " Ode to Gratitude," wherein she exhibits

1791, purchased of Mrs.

;

I shall

be in

mere vanity.

As has been mentioned. Dr. Smith, estate,

ness and care.

The him

just before the entry of the British

army

into

Phila-

delphia he conveyed, for their greater security, his wife and children to Bethlehem, where they remained

On

he found con-

it is ;

her regards to her aunt for her long devoted tender-

A strong attachment having been formed between Miss Young and Dr. William Smith, a native of the city, the parties were married at Grceme Park November 30, 1775, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Dr. Richard Peters, rector of Christ Church. Mr. Smith had graduated in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1771, and sub.sequently became an extensive druggist under the firm of Lehman & Smith. Being an ardent patriot,

silent giuve.

No,

which

he

retained

to part

and

wife

of his

loss

with

it,

to

the

year

alone

1801.

induced

great reluctance,

no

was a

warm

friendship had so long existed.

highly-respected and successful business man, and sur-

vived until

May

20, 1822,

had three children,

aged seventy-six years.

— Ann, Thomas Gramme

He

and Sam-

The latter was born March 16, 1780, uel F. Smith. only six days before the death of liis mother. He also became a successfiil merchant of Philadelphia, and married Ellen, daughter of John Mark, of FredericksHe was long a director

burg, Va., October 27, 1806.

of the Philadelphia Bank, and for some time

No. 1411 Walnut

Street,

kindly permitted access to the his possession,

its presi-

Mr. Smith resided at and the writer, in 1856, was

ticularly to his furniture

57

the

He

a

siderable damajie

had been done to his property, parand medicines, which they had either used or wantonly destroyed.

until

family

whom

it

his return

of

doubt, of both himself and Mrs. Ferguson, with

dent, retiring from

until their departure.

in the spring

Ferguson the Grseme Park

in 1852.

many family papers in from which copious extracts were made.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

898

As will be

observed, he was a great-grandson of Dr.

Graeme, of

whom

now (1884) numerous deThe daughter, Anna Smith,

there are

scendants in the country.

and Peter Chevalier, who are in the shipping business, and shall here get an insight into both branches of business. I like it much better than the other

according to Dr. Rush, died in 1808, aged thirty-two years, of

whom

lie

mentions " exhibiting to a numer-

ous and aflectionate circle of acquaintances, a rare instance of splendid talents and virtues, descending

unimpaired through four successive generations." Respecting the j)()etical performances of Mrs. Anna Young Smith, we must say tliat they will compare favorably with any other writer of that period. A portion was published, after her death, in the Columbian Magazine. Several of the pieces were reprinted

and became deservedly popular, erty," " Elegy to the Volunteers ton," " Lines to the Memory of

the Churchyard at

as the

who

"Ode

to Lib-

at LexingWarren," " Walk in Wicaco " and "Lines in Praise of

eral of her contributions.

JoHiy Y^ODNG, tlie son of James and Jane Y'oung and grandson of Dr. Gramme, was born in Philadelphia November 6, 1757. His mother having died when he was but little over two years old, he was, not long afterwards, consigned, with his sister, to the care of his aunt at Gramme Park, where he received most of his education. Dr. Rush thus speaks of Mrs. Ferguson and his early training: "Her nephew, John Young, became, under her direction, an accomplished

scholar and gentleman."

When

Mrs. Ferguson was

in England his father wrote from the city, April 3, " John is really a good and fine boy, 1765 learns

—

:

Academy." He was at that time only about seven and a lialf years old, but this would indicate that he had already made some progress in fast

and

loves the

his studies.

From

a letter he wrote to his aunt near the beginning of 1774, he states that the reason he did not

come

to see

her when last in the city was because she

'* lodged at Mr. Stediiiau's, a house my father has laid his commands on me never to enter his reason I know not. I received the presents from yon through the hands of my sister with pleasure and gratitude, ;

particularly the pocket-hook as a menu-nto of ehall rank

them among the innumerahle

your hands.

My

situation

my

good grandfather, and

obligations I have received from

very different to what

it was with you I Mr. Carmack, who treats me very kindly, but has very little husinefis. Nevertheless I am seldom idle, but divert my leisure hours with books. Since I have been with liini I have read the histories of Knglaud, Charles the Fifth and Buchanan and Robeiison's Scotland."

am

is

;

ajiprentice to

right, for I was affected at the death of Jlr. Carmack, who about six in the morning with an apoplectic fit and expired at .leven in the night."

It appears lie was engaged with him to learn the dry-goods business.

•'

nnich more variety and exercise.''

I

sincerely thank

1st,

you

for

your good advice

and your groundlesa them groundless, because yon must my power to enjoy the plea«nres of this world, be my inclinations ever so great, for I have not tlie Philoeopher's stone to procure them, and as for company, I keep very little fears for

my

know

certainly

till

falling into vice.

that I have

it

I call

not in

I can afford to maintain the appearance of a

gentleman."

Washington had been appointed, in Philadelphia, by Congress, June 14, 1775, commander-in-chief of the American tirmy, resjiecting whom Air. Y'oung made an interesting and comi)limentary allusion, dated the following July " I I

am

1st,

heg you will return my compliments to Mr. Ferguson, and tell him extremely obliged to him for his present of the book, which 1

accept with pleasure.

wish the autumn was arrived, that

I sincerely

we may gather in the fiuits of our evergreen we may obtain it at all

glorious toils

:

but as the laurel

—

I think myself very lucky in getting a place. I

is

an

seasons. 1 dare engage our noble General will soon nod under a whole grove of it. I think it is happy for America that the person promoted to that high dignity has always borne the character of a man of honor, and is remarkable for his honesty and integrity for he certainly has it as much in his power to raise himself ;

on the ruins of his country as old Oliver."

young man fancy the troubles that and of whose dire

Little (lid this

were now so rapidly approaching, effects he should also receive his mentioned how his father, James very beginning of the contest, had

We have Young, from the

share.

ardently espoused but not so his son, then aged but little over eighteen. It appears that on the 24th of January, 1776, he fled from his home in the city, with a Mr. Baynton, to New Y'ork, where Governor Tryon the patriot cause

;

recommended him

Howe for a comwas that he was placed on board the " Pha^iix " ship-of-war and shortly after taken a prisoner by the Americans. His father, on learning this, petitioned to Congress, March 2.3d, that he be permitted, on his parole, to reside on to Sir

mission in the army.

William

The

result

the estate of his late grandfather, at Graeme Park, on condition that he remain there and confine him.self

within a distance of six miles of the same, which was granted him. AVe know that he was still there in the following September, but it is probable that he fled a second time to the British while they held the city or shortly afterwards, for he was charged, with a number of others, with high treason April 10, 1779. What services Mr. Young engaged in to aid the British cause we are unable to state, but he was reported as having purchased a lieutenancy, in 1780, in the Forty-second Foot, and that he was in the Sixtieth in 1787. It would ajipear from the information derived

from him

in the fiiU of 1785,

he had

government

made

he sent

application

for losses incurred in

the American war, but without success.

Ton were

jras seized

wrote to his aunt, August 10th,

tliere is

as a loyalist to the

(^n July 15th he wrote,

He

"

fell

Wedlock." Besides the aforesaid, she left other pieces in manuscript, among which we would name " Ode to Gratitude," "True Wit," "Lines on Dr. Swift," " Epistle to Damon," " Sylvia's Song to Damon," and "Lines on the Death of Dr. Gramme." In the article on "Early Poetry," in this work, we have given sev-

;

On December

From

dated London, October appears that he had suffered from remorse. to his aunt,

4,

a letter 1787,

it

He stated

therein, "I went

to

bed with these meditations, and in the midnight hour the drew my curtains, and stared at me with such an

spectre of Poverty j

am with

away my philosophy. In tliis temper I arose in the morning and carried in my name to the War-Office as one who wai

aspect as frightened Mesara.

Johu

HORSHAM of serving again, and was yesterday informed that I was appointed to uiy old regiment in one of tbe additional companies to be

dHijruni

war

is determined on I shall be sent to the As euon, then, as most remote and dreary corner on the Island, in the most dreary season among people with whom 1 had been lung enough associated

raised.

of tbe year,

TUWiNSHIP.

but with a countenance so clouded with disappointed pride and humbled ambition that I thought Milton himself must have had some such idea

he had lost all hi.s original brightness. was much gratified by having an opportunity of inspecting the remains of Roman greatness, which still exist in Tours, Vienna, for the prototype of Satan, before I

to dislike to

commence again an employment which

Orange,

long enough

to be sated with,

cement, and are as perfect at

I had practiced by raising men in the service of a country have no particular affection. 1 have been the instrument of injustice without compunction, but now I have not even a prejudice to With such sentiments, to become a keep me in favor with myself.

for

which

is

to

become

a character that a galley slave would not contemplate with envy, for have his reluctance without having his consolation."

In July, 1789, Lieutenant

Young

I

again wrote to

Mrs. Ferguson, mentioning that he had only recently recovered from a paralytic stroke; that his physician

had advised him to seek a warmer climate, and he was therefore going to Provence or Langucdoc. As the revolution in France was then showing symptoms of approaching troubles, he says, in relation to his journey, that he meant to return in a ship in the spring from Marseilles, unless " I should be detained by the commotions of the country. If there should be a civil war, I shall join the people, that I may atone in some measure for the offences against the rights of mankind in my former conduct." He

mentioned having written an article on "Aristotle's Poetics " in the late European Magazine, and meant on his return to apply himself to translation as the most ])rofitable department in letters. At what exact time Lieutenant Young returned to London we are unable to state, but he forwarded an interesting letter from thence to his aunt, July 7, 1790, wherein he remarked, " During

my

and

An

awful and edifying spectacle,

means.

mankind unexampled in the nature and Twenty-four millions rising with one accord, to

tramp on regal, aristocratic and ecclesiastical tyranny, under which they had been crushed fur fifteen ages However, I hope the peojde of France will follow the example of the .\niericans yet further, and reform the constitution made on the spur of the occasion. Paris and London strike me as being no less dissimilar in their external appearance than In the deportment of their respective inhabitants. Paris abounds In more noble edifices many in such a chaste correct taste as would have done honor to the city of Minerva in the purest ages of the ails. Its public libraries and cabinets are splendid beyond comparison. Its charitable institutions are upon a grand scale, but appear tu me to have a tendency to increase the evils they were intended to alleviate. Its quays have an aspect noble and pleasing, without being polluted with a ca.sk or a bale, while its streets are narrow and ill-jiaved and no footwalk for foot-pas.'iengers, as in London. Add to this an accumulation of filth, removed only once a week. " The furniture of their houses is correspondent in a like degree of contradiction. Damask curtains and chairs, in most splendid apartments, !

;

carjict or taljle of better materials

manufactures which have usefulness for their

than oak or deal. object,

In

all

their specimens

put beside English work ajipear like rude essays of barbarians.

They some of the mechanic arts, and these have a tendency to mark the diflerent geniuses of the two nations. The manufactures in which they have no competitors are paper-hangings, tapestry, plate-glass, embroidery and the richest silks nor does it require sagacity to discover an analogy between the arts and genius, habits and manners Now that the aristocracy is abolished, and of thinking, of the people.

excel us, however,

in

;

the exertion of every individual

may

be directed to the public good,

we

whether or not they be capable of that degree of industry or application which have produced such wonderful effects among their neighbors. I had almost forgot to tell you that when I was at VerThe queen was a fine woman. sailles I saw the queen and royal family. shall see

some of which are

day as when

These extracts are calculated

first

built

without

erected."

to

imjiresa

one with

As mentioned, Lieutenant Young did enter into the work of translation, which was the "Compendium of Ancient Geography by Monsieur D'Anville," from the French, which was published in London in 1792, in two octavo volumes, together containing eight hundred and forty-eight pages. The translator's preface contains fourteen pages, and ia an able and profound production. It contains several finely-exeThis translation at that time, by a young American, was certainly no ordinary undertaking, and appears to have been satisfactorily accomplished. Mrs. Ferguson presented a copy, March 22, cuted maps.

1798, to the Hatboro' Library, "as a mark of her regard to that institution," and also one to the Phila-

delphia Library.

John Young died in Loudon, April 25, 1794, aged but little over thirty-six years and six months, and was interred at " St. Martin's-iu-the-Fields," where Mrs. Ferguson had a tombstone erected with the lowing lines '*

fol-

Far distant from the soil where thy last breath measure of their various woes. One female friend laments thy mournful death, Yet why lament what only gave repose?"

Seal'd the sad

In the P/iiludelphia Daily Advertiser of July 29, appeared the following from the friendly pen

1794,

in the history of

efficacy of its

without a

etc., tliis

the literary abilities of the author.

residence in France, I had an opportunity of witnessing

the regeneration of a great empire. !

Carpentras, Nismes,

I

joiirnej'man, with penurious wages, in the trade of blood,

iinleed

899

of Dr. Rush: "

By

from London we learn that John Young, Esq., died in last. Philadeljihia gave birth to that extraordinai-y young man. lie was grandson to the late worthy Dr. Thomas Gramme and educated under his immediate direction. In literary attainments he had few equals; his translation of 'Ancient letters

that city on the 25th of April

Geography,' published originally in French, will long continue a monu-

ment

of his singular taste and classical erudition."

—

Additional Respecting Gk^me Park. Before we leave this interesting subject a few more facts may be given. Having ascertained from our neighJoseph Lukens, the son of Seneca, where Mrs. Ferguson died, that the old vane that Sir William Keith had placed on one of his buildings was still in existence, we sought it up and made a draw-

bor,

ing thereof in October, 1855.

It was then in possesFoulke, of Gwynedd, who informed us that he had purchased it, with a lot of old iron, at the sale of Seneca Lukens, deceased, in 1829. It was

sion of

Hugh

made of wrought-iron, thirty-eight inches in length. The part bearing " W. K., 1722," which was seventeen inches in length, was cut out in it after the manner of a stencil. At the lower part was a screw, with which might be secured to its place. Governor Keith's found on several documents, to which his seal was affixed, one of which was relative it

coat-of-arms was

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

900 to the contract with

John Kirk

for building his

man-

sion-house at the park, dated December 12, 1721, the original having been presented to us, in 1860, by an antiquarian friend a short time before his decease.

Ann Graeme, Ann Stedman and Jane Young. For E. Grseme, 1766." After Dr. Grseme became the sole owner of the estate, in 1739, he formed here a gallery of paintings Keith,

after the

manner of the

nobility in Europe.

these were life-size portraits of Dr.

Graeme, Jane Young,

Ferguson in early its

life

Among

Gneme, Mrs.

Ann Stedman, two of Mrs. and four of Grseme Park and

surroundings, representing the four seasons; the

names of the others we have been unable to ascertain. Mr. H. C. Turnbull's mansion was destroyed by fire but fortunately nearly all the aforesaid porwere saved. A copy of the summer view ot Grseme Park has been secured, which now possesses From Mrs. Ferguson's porconsiderable interest. traits we are enabled to judge about the time when these paintings were made, as in the latest one she is not quite full-grown, and it was therefore probably done before 1754. Professor Samuel Jackson and Mrs. Susan Eckhart, of Philadelphia, informed us in 1853 that in early life they remembered seeing those paintings in the main hall at Cirseme Park, which was about 1782, during the ownership and residence there of Mrs. Ferguson. To the great credit of the Penrose family, they have taken good care of the venerable mansion, now one of in 1847, traits

ANCIENT VANE OF GRAEME PARK. At Samuel F.

Smith's, the grand-nephew of Mrs.

Ferguson, was shown the Gr;eme coat-of-arms worked in various-colored silk about two feet square, which the latter had made shortly after her return from Great Britain, designed from a family book-plate in the presentation volumes given by her cousin, Thomas Graeme, Esq., of Balgowan. Mrs. Ferguson's family

the very few baronial halls existing in this country.

good preservation, and not occupied, with walls two feet thick and in dimensions sixty by twenty-five feet. The main or drawing-room, at the north end, is twenty-one feet square, and its walls are handsomely wainscotted and paneled from the floor to the ceiling, a height of fourteen feet. The fire-place is adorned with marble lirought from England, and tho.se of the other rooms It is a substantial stone building, in

with Dutcli tile-i)lates, after the fashion of that day. Above the mantel cf the drawing-room is saiy an equal and peraonal, and on f^imjle Freemen ,

and paying the

interest

furnishing the quota of this State loiranU

on the

bert Barnes, 75 a., 1 negro,

;

;

c.

h.

;

;

Jere-

3 h., 4 c. Rachel Dubree, widow, 1 c. Abraham William Shoemaker, 119 a., 3 h., 3 c. Colin McSwine, h., 2 c. Joseph Hart, Esq., 40 a., 2 c, grist-mili

a.,

a.,

;

;

;

;

2 h., 2

c.

;

Silas Yerkes, 100 a., 3 h., 5

c, grist-mill,

and 1 idiot Joliu Nesmith, GO a., 2 h., 2 c, grist and sawmill William Patterson Robert Little, 25 a., 1 c. John Kennedy William Littleton, 200 a., 1 negro, 4 h., 7 c. Elias Yerkes, 150 a., 4 h., 9 children

;

:

;

;

;

;

.%

c,

;

Joseph Butler, 2

Thomas Walton, 220

a.,

h.,

2

Walton was

September 10, 17%, and was left an orphan, and went to live with an uncle, Samuel Walton, one of the pioneers of what is now Montgomery County. Of .Icihu

l)oru

at a very early period in life

;

;

;

3

WALTON.

;

c.

3 h., 5

;

Thomas Michenor, IGO

c; Jnhn Wood,

90a.,

1

a.,

2 h.,4

h.. 2i-.

;

c.

;

Thomas

his early life but

known beyond the

little,

if

anything, of interest

is

he was industrious, and his moral and upright bearing a model for other young men. Dependent entirely upon his own resources, he started out to fight the battles of life, and by his indomitable energy overcame obstacles that to a less courageous nature would have been insurmountable. In IS.'il he purchased of .James Comly the farm and merchant mill owned by him at his death. The mill was known throughout this vicinity as " Walton's Mill," and the farm, for the beauty and picturesqueness of the location of the old mansion, was, and is still known by the name of " Hill's Highlands." This farmand mill lot was formerly a partof agrant of land from William Penn, to Nicolas More, and by him named the " Manor of Moreland," from which the present township of Moreland derived its name. This grant was made October 17, 1681. June 7, 1684, William Penn, for reasons not known, made a second grant to Nicolas More, of nine thousand eight hundred and fifteen acres of land, as a part of fact that

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

984

Probably a shortage was found when the survey was made. The next owner of the tract was Samuel, .son of Nicolas More, and one of six heirs. November (>,

the ten thousand acre tract.

1694, Samuel More empowered his father-in-law, John Holmes, to sell so much of the estate as would pay his debts, and in the same year (1694) bequeathed to his brother Nicolas and sister Sarah the balance

of his property.

and

Sarah married Richard Hill,

in 1713, Nicolas

More

transferred

all his

Sr.,

right in

the estate to Richard Hill, Sr.

In 1729, Richard Hill, to

Richard Hill,

Jr.,

and

Sr.,

in

bequeathed the ])roperty 1749, Richard Hill, Jr.,

having stood for nearly or quite a century, when, Mr. Walton removed the old house, and in 1849-50 erected the present stately mansion, where he so pleasantly spent the remainder of his days. In 1851 he rebuilt the grist-mill. Of Mr. Walton's career a friend who knew him well thus writes " Every year of his long life wai spent in our midst, an open book which all might read no obscure passages nor sealed pages to kindle doubt or arouse distrust and it has been the privilege of few men to win true afl'ection and esteem from their immediate associates. " Square-dealing and sincere, genial and generous, his

ages,

in 1849,

:

—

;

;

^^^.-^^ ^^^^\m\\

known

as " Hili's Highlands."

November

13, 1747, Samuel Butcher and wife sold same Thomas Austin a part of their three hundred and fifty acre tract, and Thomas Austin (who was Mrs. Walton's great-uncle) sold to Joshua Comly, who bequeathed the same to his son, James Comly, and he subsequently sold the same to John

to this

Walton, the subject of this sketch. The old mansion or farm-house stood just on the

brow of the hill, partly in front of the present dwelling. It was one of those quaint old relii-s of past

warm social qualities awakened and held the respect and friendshij) of two generations. " Public-spirited and progressive, he was closely identified with the development and improvement personal integrity and

of his neighborhood. "

Often the projector and always the earnest advocate

of every worthy enterprise

tending to jiromote

growth and advancement, he never

failed

its

to con-

and by the inspiration of his euthusia.sm and the confidence infused by his clear discernment and firm faith in the future possibilities of his tribute material assistance, not only of his time

means, but no

native vale.

less

MOKELAND TOWNSHIP. "

Notwithstanding the engrossing nature of his liis mind and Iiands were neverso fully occu-

business,

but he found time to respond to every appeal, to visit him in sickness and distress to honor his inanimate form with the last tribute of respect. pied with seltish interests

remember

his neiglibor

to

;

;

Positive in his oi)inions, true in jiurpose, unfaltering

and steadfast in right, he has gone to receive the reward of those faithful servants who have been true to their

tru.st

of

life."

affairs Mr. Walton was a Friend, and in Henry Clay Whig. In business habits he

In religious polities a

was ever zealous

in

the performance of every con-

985

The first record we have of any Anthony Woodward (2nd), who, as early as 1725, " Gentleman."

is

styled "

He

of that

name

is

of

some deeds dated Yeonuin," and in others

located

in

near

Bordentown, N.

and died in October, 1784, leaving five sons, Israel, Anthony, Thomas, Joseph, George, and a daughter, Margaret. Of these sons, Anthony was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and married Deborah Williams, of Shrewsbury, N. J. George, a son of the last-named Anthony, was born in 1744, and died December 25, 1817, aged seventythree years. He married Margaret Mount in 1777. She was born near Middletown, Monmouth Co., J.,

^4;.a^/f7, /^£rTreU^^^~~^ tract,

whether verbal or written, and until within a

year of his death was actively engaged in the transaction of his every-day

affairs.

He

was married, Third

Month 8, 1832, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Elisha Thomas and grand-daughter of Joshua Comly. She was connected also with the pioneer Austin family, of what is now Huntingdon Valley. Mr. Walton died

N. J., in 1750, and died at White Hill, on the Delaware, May 4, 1830, aged seventy-four years. Of this marriage we find the following minute in the Friends' record Fourth Month 5, 1781, " The friends appointed report they informed George Woodward of the charges against him, he having married con:

trary to Discipline to a

Fifth Jlonth 26, 1884, the result of an accident. Mrs.

with us

Walton died Ninth Month 29, 1872. They were the parents of six children, Mary (died in .lanuary, 1835,) Eliza C, Charles, Susan O., Anna F. and Henry Clay.

by a

—

MAJOR EVAX

M.

Major Evan M. Woodward

Woodward

family,

who

first

WOODWAKI). is

a descendant of the

settled in

New

Jersey.

;

woman

not in membership

the said friends informed he was married

priest, therefore this meeting disowns him, the George Woodward, from being a member of our religious society, until he comes to a sense of his errors and condemns the same as Discipline directs." This Margaret Mount was of a patriotic family, not less than fifteen of her relations serving in the Revolutionary war. Her brother, Colonel Timothy Mount,

said

HISTORY OF MOiMTGOMEKY COUNTY.

986

was one of Washington's most trusted confidential agents, he receiving from him a letter stating he had ' rendered most important services in the cause," in

recognition of which

Congress granted liim a large

tract of hind in Ohio.

Mount that he formed a Arnold in New York and For this purpose he encarry him into our lines. tered the city in disguise, and obtained a situation as bar-tender at the tavern frequented by the general Two nights were fixed and other British officers. u[)on to carry the scheme into execution, his confedeshoremen from Monmouth County, N. J., rates, coming over in a large and swift barge to assist and It is

traditional of Colonel

daring plot

to seize (Jeneral

A

carry the jirisoner across the bay.

dinner-party

upon one occasion and a severe storm upon another frustrated tlieir designs.

The country around Middletown and Shrewsbury was

filled

active

and

with partisans, with Tories and Whigs, bitter

in their hostilities.

The

patriots

were continually receiving information of the British, and suspicion was created that Margaret Mount was one of the mediums through wliich it was conveyed. One night a party of British and Tory horsemen went to her father's house, searched lier bed and discovered a letter she was to deliver to the patriots the next morning. She and the young lady friend who brought the letter were fallen prisoners and carried away. The next night they escaped from the house in whicli they were confined, and concealing themselves in a corn-field, eluded the pursuit of the Brit-

Margaret, fearing to return home, was concealed by her friends till the enemy left the country. It was during this period that she met her ish cavalry.

Woodward, They had children, Lydia, who married William Woodhouse, a merchant of Philadel[)hia; Margaret, who married Jacob Sebohm, also a merchant of that

all the prominent owner of two tracts of land, of twelve hundred acres each, in Mecklenburg County, Va. Since Major Woodward attained his majority he has been prominently identified with all Politithe progressive movements of his township. cally he was a Henry Clay Whig, then a Dougla.i Democrat, and both during and since the war of 1861 -65, has been a stanch and unyielding Republican, several times leading a forlorn hope as its standard-

of the country, and familiar with points of interest.

city

;

Of

and George. these children,

George

moved

to

Moreland

township, Montgomery Co., where he married Margaret Wynkooj), and in 18o4 went to Kansas, where he

was killed. The sons of (icorge and Margaret were Timothy M., who lives in Pluladclphia Charles, a resident of Philadelphia James, resides in Camden, Wynkoop, deceased; Martha; Mary; N. J.; Rebecca Anna; Anna, who married William Schallcross, of Maryland and Evan M., who was born March 15, 181.'!, on the old homestead, which he now owns, adjoining the one upon which he lives. The whole life of ICvan M., except a few short intervals, has thus far been spent upon these two farms, ;

;

;

He has also taken a promigraduated April 9, 1864. nent part in the politics of the township, and was elected by the Republicans, in the spring of 1882, to the office of justice of the peace for a term of five years. He was married, January 5, 1870, tf) Miss Rebecca A. Clayton, of Montgomery County. The Clara, result of this union has been four children,

—

born July 18, 1871, died April 10, 1879; Mary Elizabeth, born August 4, 1873 Justus C, born August 26, Frank H., born April 2, 1876, died March 10, 1879 ;

;

1880.

.IKUEMIAH BERRELL LAEZELEEE. .Jeremiah Berrell Larzelere, of Moreland township,

Jlontgomery Co., comes of Huguenot stock. The famous P>dict of Nantes, signed by Henry IV., of France, April, 1598, gave religious freedom to all Eighty-seven years later Louis XIV., for parties. political reasons, revoked it, October 22, 1685, and by the persecutions which followed France lost a halfmillion of her best and sturdiest citizens. They fled to Gernu\ny, England, Scotland and North Ireland. Many families came to the colony of South Carolina, and from these Huguenots the South Carolinians inherited largely their intelligence, wealth, dauntless

Both Calhoun and courage and political power. Hayne were of Huguenot blood.

Among

the

Huguenot pilgrims who

century were Nicholas and John Larzelere, who seton Long Island. Nicholas subsequently moved

tled

west from Somerton Station, on the Bound Brook Branch of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.

to Staten Island,

large plantation. Major

Woodward

(as

he

is

to a

jjopularly

known) has visited several of the States of the Union and thus become conversant with the prominent men

fled the perse-

cutions of France in the latter part of the seventeenth

pleasantly located on the table-land, about two miles

Besides attending to the duties pertaining

also the

is

He has been honoreil bearer in legislative contests. by his townsmen with official positions, and for twenty years with that of justice of the peace. He wiis married, March 7, 1838, to Miss Margaret Snyder, who was born May 6, 1814, in Montgomery County. They are the parents of two children, Sarah S., born November 18, 1839, died March 5, 1841; Harrison, born January 20,1842. Harrison's life thus fiir has been spent upon the old homestead, except that portion spent at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution he

future husband, (Jeorgc

—

He

where he married and raised a family two sons, Nicholas and John, and In 1741, Nicholas, the youngtwo daughters. Pa., er, moved witli his family to Bucks County, He and settled in Lower Makefield township.

of four children

;

raised eight children, died at the age of eighty-four,

MORELAND TOWNSHIP. and was buried

The

in the Episcopal graveyard at Bristol.

was also named

eldest son of the second Nicholas

He

Nicholas, and was born on Staten Island in 1734.

married

Hannah

Britton, of Bristol

township, and

moved into Bensalem, where he owned a large estate, and raised a tamily of ten children he fought in the Revolution and died at the age of eighty-four. Benjamin, the eldest son, married Sarah Brown, of Bristol, moved into that township, hud eight children and died at eighty-four. Part of Bristol is built on his ;

farm.

The

eldest son of

Benjamin was Niclmlas, wIki was

the father of the subject of the present sketch. Nicholas married Esther, daughter of Col. Jeremiah Berrell,

moved

987

dence in Ohio, has always lived in Montgomery County. In 1858 he married Elmina, daughter of James Lovett, of Doylestown, Bucks Co., who died in 1874, and in 1876 he was again married, to Carrie E., daughter of Dihvorth Went/., late of Philadelphia,

He had

deceased.

whom

a family of seven children, all of

are living save one.

Inheriting the strength and health of his ancestors, he is now in the prime of life and in the midst of a busy and active career. At the age of eighteen he taught school in Horsham. United with his large agricultural interests, he has for many years been ex-

tensively engaged in the shipment and sale of live-

stock from the Western States.

Among

the (>rojectors

into that township about the

of the North East Pennsylvania Railroad, which was

year 1825, and lived in that township and Moreland the balance of his life. He reared a family of twelve

opened in 1870, he became a director, and remained such until it passed by lease into the possession of the

of Abington, and

children,

all

Nicholas

died

of

whom in

the

are living

year

1858,

excepting at

the

one.

age

ol

and was buried at the Presbyterian graveyard at Abington. His widow still survives him at the advanced age of eighty-two. Jeremiah was the third son of Nicholas, and was born in 1828, and, with the exception of a short resisixty-seven,

Reading Railroad. director

lie

The

position of school

and bank

has held for years.

Notwithstanding the taxation of his energies in business, he has always found time to take an active

part in politics,

honors. ]iolitics,

A

and

is

naturally fond of a contest for

pupil of the old Jetfersonian school of

he has, nevertheless, kept abreast with the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

988

John J., where he died December 22, 1856. His wife, born May 5, 1781, and died June 26, 1867, was Mary, daughter of the late William Jarrett, of Horsham township. Mr. Hallowell was, for over half a century, proprietor of thePennypack Mills, and was well and favorably known for his ujn-ightness of character and fair dealing with his fellow-men. His heart and hand were always open to the demands of charity. He died as he had lived, a purely Christian gentleman, loved while he lived, and by all who knew him mourned in death. He was the father of a highly-

advanced and progressive ideas of the better element of his party. In 1871, selected as the candidate of his party for sherift', he was elected by upwards of a thousand majority, and received the highest number of votes on tlie ticket. This office he held from January 1872, until .January, 187-3, and administered its arduous and responsible duties to the eminent satisfaction of all. It may be said that in disposition, generous and benevolent, he has endeared himself to many, who, in darkest hours, have found in him the friend

his son,

No higher test of character is required than the esteem in which one is held by his they needed.

respected family,

^^ THE H.^r.LOWELL FAMILY. The Hallowell family was among the

J(.

mnissi'mers.^' i

Under the assessment of 1792, two hundred and sixty-one laud-holders were assessed to the aggregate amount of £75 18s. 7rf. The following is a list of the

single

men taxed

ac-

cording to this order in the said township: Philip Yerger, Henry Smith, Tobias Yerger, Jacob Dachen-

John Liebengood, John Erney, Henry Gilbert, Frederick Hartman, Jacob Malsberger, Joseph WalkBingeman, Michael Feadly, er, John Ruth, Isaac

bach,

Henry

ham

Egolf,

Dotterer,

Adam

Egolf, John Reifsnyder, AbraJohn Lick, George Gousenger, John

Christian Fryer, Adam Bartman, Andrew Hank, Philip Haun, Lewis Linsebegler, Michael Hoph, John Rusher, Johanas Reifsnyder, John Looch, Jacob Stalpt and Jacob Achey.

The

7 12

14

following exhibit from the mercantile appraiof 1884 shows the business advancement of

ser's list n

this township: F. Brendlinger, dry-goods;

I.

Christ-

r,

£3 15

2

15

2

For collecting Balance due

•.

d.

s

"To

The

Loch,

" March 3U, 1741, Bornhart Dotterer and Jacob Freyer settled the counts of Dilmun Zeiglcr and Samuel Yerger, overseers of the poor '*

This praiseworthy act was continued, as the books show, until the year 1807.

£S

be delivered to the ovelijeers, tieorge George and Simon OBps, for the year 1740."

man, flour and feed; N. G. Drace, merchandise; Jonathan Erb, butcher; Elias Fagley, merchandise; Charles Fox, merchandise; Good-Will Grangers, Patrons of Husbandry, merchandise; W. B. Groft", merchandise; Solomon Hoflhian, butcher; John Hotiman, butcher; John Kehl, feed; and live stock;

•

NEW HANOVER TOWNSHIP. Washington Leidy, livestoek; J. Lenhart, flour and feed; Aug. Schafter, flour, feed; Henry Schneider, leather; C. Weyant, merchandise; J. 31. H. Walter, Hour, feed; Weyant & Co., live stock; George Weand,

Henry Zern, butcher. The present number of tasables

095

ment, which were as promptly accepted by Governor Curtin. The President's call had been made on the 15th of April, 1861 on the 16th, Colonel Hartranft ;

reported to the Governor at Harrisburg

;

on the 20th

Montgomery County companies forming the is 471 value of Fourth Regiment left for the rendezvous at Harrisimproved lands, S848,051 value of unimproved lands, burg, and two days later the regiment was on its way, .'f35,.'?00; value of 461 horses, $36,263; value of 1200 via Perryville and Annapolis, to Washington, D. C, live stock;

the seven

;

;

cattle, $36,284; total

value of

all

property taxable for

where

county purposes, $988,228.

it

of June,

arrived

when

May

8th,

and remained until the 24th

crossed the Potomac into Virginia.

it

The Fourth had been mustered

into the service for

three months, and during that time no collision with

the

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN FREDERICK HARTRANFT.l .John Frederick Hartranft, who was one of the most prominQBt generals in the Union army in the great war of the Rebellion, afterwards Governor of Pennsylvania, and is now collector of the port of Philadelphia and major general commanding the

National Guard of the State,

is

!

page 196.

W.

B.

Franklin.

He

passed safely

Atthe close of the Bull Run campaign Colonel Harthome, and, under authority which he had asked while the Fourth was yet in the field, commenced the raising of a regiment for the three years' service. The story of his gallantry at Bull Run had given him great popularity, which rendered the rais-

.Tohn

portrait of General Hartranft, aee

of Colonel

ranft returned

where, for several years following that time,their son,

For

but on the day of the expi-

through the battle, though he performed services for which he was afterwards mentioned in complimentary terms in Colonel Franklin's report of the action.

gomery County, born on the 16th of December, 1830, in New Hanover township, which was then the home of his parents, Samuel E. and Lydia (Bucher) Hartranft. In 1844 they removed from New Hanover, and took up their permanent residence in Norristown,

1

;

was issued for a general advance of the army, which resulted in the battle of Bull Run. On the day of the advance to that field of disaster the regiment was ordered to the rear for muster out, but there were a few of its members who preferred to go to the front, though not compelled to do so. Among these wasColonel Hartranft, who offered his services, and was accepted as a volunteer aid on the staff

a native of Mont-

F., attended the Treemount Seminary, then under charge of the Rev. Samuel Aaron. Afterwards he passed freshman year at Marshall College, Mercersburg. Pa., and iu the twentieth year of his age entered Union College (Schenectady, N. Y.), where he was graduated iu 1863. After leaving college his first employment was as an assistant engineer on a preliminary survey of the line of a proposed railroad from Chestnut Hill, via Doylestown, to New Hope, and also of the route beIn the tween Mauch Chunk and White Haven. following year Michael C. Boyer, sheriff of Montgomery County, appointed him a deputy, which office he continued to fill under Mr. Boyer and his During his last successor. Sheriff Rudy, until 1859. term as deputy sheriff he commenced the study of the law, and was admitted to practice October 4, 1860. Prior to the commencement of his law studies he had joined the military company called the Norris City Rifles, of which lie was afterwards successively elected lieutenant and captain, from which latter grade he was promoted, by election, to the colonelcy of the Fourth Regiment of Pennsylvania militia in the spring of 1859. Two years later, when the war of the Rebellion had been opened by the attack on Fort Sumter, and President Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand troops to sujiport the government, Colonel Hartranft promptly offered the services of his regi-

enemy had occurred

ration of the term an order

1

ing of the

On ^

new regiment

a comparatively easy task.

was designated as the Fifty-first of the Pennsylvania line, and was assigned to the its

completion

it

command

of General A. E. Burnside at Annapolis, form part of an expedition to be led by that general against the enemy's forces and strongholds JId., to

in

North Carolina.

The expedition

sailed from Annapolis

on the 9th

of January, 1862, and after a long and stormy passage passed Hatteras Inlet, and entered Pamlico

On the 7th of February occurred the battle and victory of Roauoke Island, in which Colonel Hartranft and his regiment participated with conspicuous gallantry. Again, on the 14th of March, it formed a part of the column that assaulted and carried the strong works at Newbern. In August folSound.

commands of Burnside's army, moved, by water transportation, from lowing, the regiment, with the other

North Carolina to the Potomac River, and, disembarking, marched into Virginia to the relief of General Pope, who was then hard pressed by the enemy. In that campaign Colonel Hartranft and his regiment took part in the engagements of Second Bull Run and Chantilly. Crossing the Potomac with the army, they were engaged in the battle of South Mountain, where General'Reno was killed, and again, on the 17th of September, fought in the great battle of Antietam

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

996

where, in the heat of the conflict, the Fifty-first was ordered to cross the stone bridge on the extreme left of the Union line, which was held hy the enemy and

The order was promptly

commanded by obeyed and the bridge was carried, Colonel Hartranft his guns.

leading his fire

command

across in the face of a terrific

from the enfilading

In General Burnhe paid a high compli-

batteries.

side's report of that battle

ment to the gallantry and other soldierly qualities of Colonel Hartranft, and recommended him for promotion to the grade of brigadier General. A more minute account of the services of the Fiftyfirst and its commanding officer, Colonel Hartranft, from their

first

gallant fight at

Roanoke Island

to

their crossing of the historic stone bridge at Antietam,

followed (the Ninth Corps having in the

Army

joined the

commanded a

mean time

of the Potomac on the Kapidan), he

brigade, with the proper rank of brig-

which he had long been entitled, he having received that promotion nearly two years after it had been urged by General Burnside in recognition for his gallant service at Antietam. In the engagements at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Poplar Springs, Hatcher's Run, Weldon Railroad, Ream's Station and the mine explosion. General Hartranft and his brigade fought gallantly and well. But the action in which he won his highest renown was the recapture of Fort Steadman, before Peters-

adier-general, to

On the morning of March 25, 1865, in the darkness just preceding the dawn, the Confederates burg.

In April, 1863, Colonel Hartranft and his regiment, with others forming the Ninth Corps, moved from NewportNews, Va., by river and rail to Kentucky, whence,

and with such impetuosity had carried the work, taking a large number of prisoners. About a mile away was the headquarters of General Hartranft, who was then in command of the Third Division of the Ninth Corps, composed largely of raw troops. At a little before four o'clock the general was awakened by the noise

were trans-

of the Confederate assault, and, immediately learning

bloody storming of the Heights of Fredericksburg, on the 13th of December, 18(32, will be found on pages 20-1 to 208 as also of the part they took in the

of this history.

after a few

weeks of active

service, they

ported to Mississippi, taking part in the fight at Jackson, on the 12th of July, and in the occupation

From Mississippi

the comKentucky, where Colonel Hartranft was prostrated by illness, and remained for On his recovery he some time unable to do duty. rejoined the regiment at Lenoir, East Tennessee, where he was placed in command of the Second Division of the Ninth Corps, and immediately afterwards fought the battle of Campbell's Station, from which he retired to Knoxville, where, largely on account of the engineering skill which he displayed in the fortifying of the place, it was successfully held until the siege was raised by the approach of General Sherof that city, on the 18th.

mand then moved back

to

man's troop.s from Chattanooga. Early in January, 1864, the regiment

re-enlisited,

and, receiving the veteran ftirlough, returned home to On their arrival, Benjamin E. Chain, Esq., recruit. in

an address of welcome delivered on behalf of the

citizens of Norristown, said

:

" It

is

to you, Colonel

Hartranft, that the regiment owes the character

it

camp, your foresight on the march, your coolness, bravery and judgment on the battle-field have won the confidence and love of your men, and made them heroes in the fight. They knew you never ordered when you did not

bears.

Your

discipline in the

assaulted the fort suddenly, that in a few minutes they

had been taken, he formed his division advance of the enemy. Having done this, he soon received orders from General Parke (then temporarily in command of the army) to suspend the attack until the arrival of the Fifth Corps. Notwithstanding this countermand of his orders, feeling confident of his ability to retake the work without reinforcement by the Fifth Corps, he determined to make the attempt, and moved quickly on, with only his own and the First Division, himself leading the assault. The Confederates, though surprised, made a most obstinate resistance, but were driven back with heavy loss, and the work was retaken, with about three

that the fort

to resist a further

thousand prisoners. It was a complete victory, and acknowledged to be one of the most brilliant achievements of the Petersburg siege. General Hartranft's services on this occasion were promptly recognized by his jjromotion to the brevet rank of major general, as nominated by Lieutenant-General Grant, on recommendation by Generals Meads and Parke. The following official communications show the action taken in the matter.

" Headquarters Army of the I'otomac. "

"To

proceeded to Annapolis, Md., where, in the absence of General Burnside, the entire corps, numbering twenty thousand men, was for the time placed under the command of Colonel Hartranft, to whom all new regiments were ordered to report, and to whom was committed the supervision of the work of organization and equipment. In the Wilderness campaign, which

Ninth

March

27, 1S65.

,\nii.v ('oll)s:

—

"Generai. Tlie commanding general directs me to acknowledge the your letter of this date, recommending lirigadier-General

lead."

At the expiration of the veteran furlough the regiment (having received a large number of recruits)

IVIajor-Generiil J, G. Parke, coniniamling

leceipt of

Hartranft, United

States Volunteers, for the hrevet

of volunteers

his

for

conspicuous

gallantry

in

of major-general re-ca|ituring

Fort

during the action of the 2oth instant, a* well as for his industry and efficiency in organizing and discijilining his division, In reply, I am directed to inform composed of new regiments. you that before the receipt of your letter a communication to the same effect had been made by the commanding general to liieutenant-General Grant, to which a response was received that his nominatiim had been made to the Sccretiry of War, and a telegraphic answer returned that

Steadman

the appointment should be made. is

Since then the

commanding general

informed by telegraph that Brigadier-General Hartranft is breveted

NEW HANOVER major general, and the appointment has been forwarded by mail. Your communication, however, has been forwarded to complete the record. " I am, general, verj- respectfully, your obedient servant. " George D. Ruugles, A. A. G."

"Headqu.^rters Ninth Army Corps. March 28th, 180.5. " Brevet Major-General J. F. Hartranft, commanding Third Division "Gener.vl The commanding general instructs me to transmit herewith a copy of communication from the commanding general of the Army of the Potomac, of yesterday's date, which will ex])lain itself. He bids me say, however, in connection therewith, that such prompt recognition of your services on the 25tli instant by the President, the lieutenant general, and major general conmianding the army, affords liim the greatest pleasure, and he begs you will accept his hearty con:

—

gratulations on your well-deserved promotion.

"1 am,

"P. M. Lyuig Brevet Lieutenant, Colonel and A. A. G."

On the 2d of April, one week after the recapture of Fort Steadman, a general assault was made on the inner defenses of Petersburg. In the fighting of that day a prominent part was taken by the division of General Hartranft, who, at dawn on the 3d, entered the city, and passing through it, pursued the retreating enemy to Nottoway Court-House. Six days later came the closing scene of the war, at Appomattox, and soon afterwards General Hartranft was mustered out of the volunteer service. The government, wishing to retain the services of so able and gallant an officer, proffered him the appointment of colonel of the Thirtyfourth Infantry of the regular army, but declining

he returned to civil life. In 1865 the Republicans of Montgomery County urged the claims of General Hartranft for the office of this,

In the convention

99t

April, 1872, the gubernatorial nomination on the

first

ballot."

In the election of 1872, General Hartranft was elected Governor of Pennsylvania by an absolute majority of thirty-four thousand four hundred and forty-seven, and a plurality over his Democratic opponent, Buckalew, of thirty-five thousand six hundred and twentyseven. He was inaugurated January 21, 1873. " True to his ancestry, who were pious German refugees to America for the sake of conscience, the Governor opened and closed his first inaugural, as, in fact, all his

general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

auditor-general of Pennsylvania.

TOWNSHIP.

subsequent papers of the kind, with a rec-

ognition of the Divine power that rules the world,

Him

confessing his dejiendence upon

for direction

and and

True also to his generous sympathy with the humble, while the pageant to his honor was in progress, he stole aside to take by the hand a large number of soldiers' orphans, who had gathered at Harrisburg on the occasion." In 1875, Governor Hartranft was re-elected, and was inaugurated on the 18th of January, 1876. During his second term as Governor (in 1877) the quellsuccess.

ing of the terrible railroad riots in the State (principally at Pittsburgh) subjected his executive ability,

firmness and

judgment

to the severest test to

they had ever been brought in

all his

which

military and

career. "This popular commotion found the Governor on the way to the Pacific in company with some friends. Having, however, eflicient subordinates in Secretary Quay and Adjutant-General Latta, he was able to direct movements immediately on civil

that assembled at Harrisburg on the 17th of Septem-

being apprised of the outbreak.

ber in that year, he was unanimously nominated on

whole military power of the State at once and appeal-

the second ballot, and in the en.suing election

he

received a majority of twenty-two thousand six hun" His long tour of duty in the army, and the frequently manifested hostility of hi.s original party friends (the Democrats) to the administration charged with the prosecution of the war had detached him from them, and yet his prudent reserve had not incurred the rancor that often arises when a

dred and sixty votes.

man

shifts his political

ground.

Still

the Democracy

watched his administration of the finances with Argus eyes. But the simple honesty of purpose that had carried him through the war without reproach enabled him to close his first term with the report that, in connection with Governor Geary and the Legislature, the State debt had already been reduced several millions. In 1871 he had filled the post of auditor-general so fiilly to the acceptance of his party that he was re-nominated almost by acclamation. It was admitted that during his second term he had drawn before the light of day some parties who had been evading State taxes, and were about to realize large sums Although which belonged to the commonwealth. there was a relentless clamor raised against him by the opposite party, alleging corruption and nearly every possible oflense, he was so fully vindicated in the judgment of his party as to obtain, on the 9th of .

.

.

.

.

ing to the Federal

Government

In ordering out the also for help (the lat-

probably unnecessary), he met the trouble as Washington did the Whiskey Insurrection, frightened the rioters at the out-start. The result proved the wisdom of the measures adopted, and it is worthy of remark that after the (xovernor arrived on the ter

—

scene of the disorder scarcely a

life

was

sacrificed

either on the part of the military or of the people."

With

and their supGovernor Hartranft, in his next succeeding message, said "Thus ended the great railway strike of 1877 in Penn.sylvania, which resulted in violence, murder and arson, which caused the death of over fifty civilians and five soldiers and the wounding and maiming of a hundred or more, and the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of property. While it true that the workingmen who began it contemplated no such terrible results, it cannot be denied that the manner in which they proceeded to enforce their demand, by stopping inland commerce and seizing the property of corporations and individuals, and driving citizens from their occupations in defiance of law, made the breach through which the lawless elements of society poured to plunder and destroy. By reference to these outbreaks,

pression,

:

i.s

thus inconsiderately inviting the co-operation of the criminal classes, labor did itself a great and grievous

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

998 injury,

and

it will

be long before

it

can remove the

ISAAC Philip Yost

suspicion and distrust with which the people will

view

strikes

F.

YOST

the

great-grandfather

of

West Ger-

many, about the year 1740. He was born in 1718, and married Veronica Dotterer, of Limerick township, where he afterwards settled. His children were three sons John, Harman and Philip and several daughters. The death of Philip Yost occurred in his eighty-seventh year. His son Philip was born August 24, 1757, in Limerick township, and on attaining

—

—

a suitable age learned the trade of a wheelwright.

He removed

in the year 1768, with his father, to the farm in Pottsgrove (then New Hanover) township,

still

in possession of the family,

and soon

after en-

^r^^^-^t:^

^^^^ which was promptly confirmed by the Senate, and which, after .some hesitation, he accepted. He continued in the office until July 1.5, 1880, when he; entered upon his duties as Collector of the Port of Philadelphia. He was confirmed by the Senate, and commissioned for four years, in the following February. In February, 1885, he was re-appointed, confirmed, and re-commissioned for a second term of four years. On the 30th of November, 18S3, he was reappointed by Governor Pattison, Major-General of the National Guard, for a term of four years, from the expiration of his previous commission, Januarv 23,

On his discharge Revolutionary army. from service and return to his home he married, in Mary 1783, Rosina Berminger, and had children, Magdalene, wife of Henry Shefley; Tobias; Jacob; Benjamin; Salome, wife of Frederick Linderman; Rosina, -who Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Linderman married Jacob Schlichter; Herman; Jonas; Sarah,

delphia,

tered the

—

;

Samuel Gilham; and Philip. After his marYost removed to a farm in the present Pottsgrove township, where his death occurred on the 28th of August, 1832. His son Benjamin was born in 1787, in Pottsgrove (formerly New Hanover) township, where his death occurred September 30, wife of

riage

i

"

1884.

Jost),

Isaac F. Yost, emigrated from Nassau,

and organizations." The last term of Governor Hartranft expired on the 21st of January, 1879. On the 23d of the same month, his successor. Governor Henry M. Hoyt, appointed him Major-General commanding the Division of the National Guard of Pennsylvania. His friends urged on President Hayes his appointment to the Berlin Mission, as the successor of Bayard Taylor, an office which he was eminently qualified to fill, though it was not known that he wished it. Political considerations prevented the selection as desired by his friends, and be was tendered the appointment of Postmaster of Philaits

(or

I

Sir.

NORRITON TOWNSHIP. 1858, in his seventy-first year, his life having been

He

spent in the occupations of a farmer.

was a man

of influence in the county, having held the

of

offices

county commissioner, county treasurer and register He married Sarah, daughter of Isaac of wills.

New Hanover township, and

had children, Benjamin, Herman, who died in youth, and Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Knoll. Isaac F. was born on the homestead farm, in Pottsgrove township, on the 2d of March, 1815, and after a conmion-school education engaged in teaching, the winter being devoted to this pursuit and the summer to farm labor. In 1844 he purchased a farm in Pottsgrove township, which he continued to cultivate until 18G9, when Swamp, in New Hanover township, became and is now his place of residence. Judge Yost is still engaged in farming, though not as extensively as in his younger days. He was, on the 1st of November, 1838, married to Rosina, daughter of Daniel Miller, of Pottsgrove, whose children are Daniel M., Louisa M. (deceased), Benjamin M., Rosina (deceased), Amelia (Mrs. Tobias Shelley), Salome Feather, of

—Isaac

F., Sarah,

"Manor

the

999

of Williamstadt."

It

was intended as a

princely gift for the son of the great proprietor, and lay directly opposite to a similar manor surveyed and

on the south side of the river for his daughter, Penn. A patent was granted October 2, 1704, conveying to William Penn, Jr., the manor or tract above described. The record disclosed the fact that on the 7th day of October of the same year, or five days after coming into the possession of this great estate, he parted with it to Isaac Norris and William Trent, merchants of Philadelphia. Eight years later, on Janlaid out

Letitia

uary

11, 1712,

Mr. Norris acquired

all

the interest of

Mr. Trent. The cost of the manor to Messrs. Norris and Trent was £850, a sum that has always been thought grossly inadequate, and by some writers believed to have resulted from the reckless and improvident character of the vendor.

The ancient manor

of Williamstadt remained intact until 1730, when, by

the usual proceedings upon the petition of resident

property -owners, the township of Norriton was created and duly decreed bj' the Court of Quarter Sessions of

Philadelphia County.

The

original area of this town-

M. (Mrs. AVilliam S. Bliem), Isaac M., Mary Ann (Mrs. James B. Staufl'er), Josiah M., Philip M.,

ship was lessened by the creation of the borough of Noiristown in 1812, which contained five hundred and

Emma, Rebecca

twenty acres, and subsequently (1853) extended its limits, embracing about fifteen hundred additional acres, thus reducing the area to about five thousand At the time the manor was five hundred acres. changed into a township there were twenty land-

E. (deceased) and

(Mrs. Franklin Binder),

John R.

Hannah

Judge Yost, always an

ardent Democrat in politics, has been frequently honored by his constituents with positions of importance.

He

filled

the office of county auditor, was in 1854

made county

commi.ssioner and in 1871 elected asso-

ciate

judge of the county, being the

that

office.

He

incumbent of

last

also served for twelve years as school

director and held

minor township

Yost's religious faith

is

positions.

Judge

in accord with the doctrines

Reformed Church, his membership being with Swamp Church of that denomination, The death of in which he has officiated as elder. Mrs. Yost occurred .January 7, 1885, in her sixtyof the

the Falconer's

eighth year.

CHAPTER

LXVI.

a special order, dated Eleventh

of land on the canoable part of Schuylkill."

In pur-

survey was made,

"Beginning at a hickory-tree by the said Skoolkill, being the corner of Plymouth Township thence noi-thwest by the same township nine hundred and fifty jierches to another hickory-tree thence northwest in the line of a tract of land called Whitpain's Township, eleven hundred and ;

;

sixty-nine perches, to corner oak in the line of said Proprietary's

line

Manor

taxable inat-

which at that day were of great importance to land-owners. The condition of the people from 1730 to 1784, fifty-four years, when the county was established, is greatly obscured. Being remote from Philadelphia, then the seat of municipal government, to which all assessments of property, justices' dockets and returns of all public officers were made, and the most valuable of these crossed in reaching saw and grist-mills,

lost,

show the

we search

in vain for authenticated

h.abits,

died in the early days of Norriton. The name of the township is in honor of the Norris family, the head of which, Isaac Norris, was prominent not only as a large land-owner, but also in public affairs. He was chosen eighteen times Speaker of the General Assembly, being He was finally appointed to first elected in 1713. the office of chief justice of the jirovince, and was in the enjoyment of that position the year he died, 1735.

of

(now Lower Providence) thence southwest, along said Manor 1848 perches to a dog-tree, by the said Skoolkill thenco down the

Gilberts

five additional

manifest that the early settlers

manners and customs of the comparatively few people or families who lived and

surveyor-general of the province, "to lay out a tract this order a

It is

tached importance to the advantages of municipal government in the opening of public roads and the construction of bridges over streams that had to be

facts to

Month, 1689, directed Captain Thomas Holme, the

suance of

liabitants.

records being

NORRITON TOWNSHIP.

William Penn, by

owners and tenants and

It

was about

this period that the people built a

;

;

place of public worship,

known as the Norriton PresThe stone structure now all its material parts as when

said River to the place of beginning."

byterian Meeting-House.

The tract was said to contain seven thousand four hundred and eighty-two acres, and was designated

standing built,

is the same in though substantial repairs have undoubtedly

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1000

been made.' Tradition says the building was used and greatly abused by the soldiers of both armies during the Revolution, and we are inclined to credit the story for tlie reason that it lay on the line of march of Washington when he moved to the battle of Germantown, and on his line of retreat it was doubtless used by the stragglers and perhaps by wounded and wornout soldiers for shelter and protection from the cold frosty nights of that period of the year.

and

The

place was on the line of patrol between Valley Forge and Trenton, as traversed by the mounted men of

Colonel Lacey, in keeping open communication between the places named. This portion of the county was between the established lines and scouted by the horsemen of both parties. The main picket, east ol the river, was stationed at the junction of roads now known as Jeffersonville, and where the old hotel was partially burned by the British in the winter of 1778. The danger to which the patriots was exposed at that time in this locality is referred to by David Rittenhouse, who was then perfornang his duty as treasurer of the commonwealth at Lancaster City, and who wrote to his wife, then living with her children on the old Rittenhouse homestead, now occupied by Emanuel Gouldy. Mr. Rittenhouse wrote, January 2(5,

1778, as follows:

Appoint a time to meet you. In promised to come to stay a fortnight with you but / do In our present situation, I should not now think U eo safe as I did then. not think it prudent to sttiy above one night with you, iis parties of horse are employed to pick up i)articular persons. For this reason I

"I

my

shall perhaps, before I seal this,

laat I partly

;

would rather meet you at one of your Brothers', or at Sister's, but I apprehend the Schuylkill is at present difficult, if not diingerous, to cross, on account of the ice."

Mr. Rittenhouse seems oblivious of the

fact that

Washington had constructed a long bridge over the and that he could have crossed

river at Valley Forge,

The brothers he refers The sister referred

at that point without hazard.

John and

to were

Israel Jacobs.

was Mrs. Colonel Caleb Parry, whose husband was

to

killed at the battle of

Long

Island, in July, 1776.

Mr. Rittenhouse adds the following postscript to the above-mentioned letter " Tuesday Morning. I am now nearly determined to appoint next Sat urday week, in tlie eveiiitig, to meet yon at Brother John's and I fear itmay e.vpose one or both to a very uncomfortable ride. I wiU^ however, be there, if the weather be tolerable and health permits but do not come ;

;

my

dear H.,

if

the weather be bad, because

where accompany you home.

shall proceed to Brother Israel's,

day in order

to

if I

do not tind you there,

I

be glad to find you on SunIf you can lind any opportunity

I shall

to write before then, I shall be glad to receive a line."

We not,

are not advised whether the visit was

but

if it

scouts,

made

or

eluded the vigilance of the British the treasurer of the

who would have esteemed

commonwealth a

prize of the

first class.

Buck, in his "History of Montgomery County," puban act of Assembly, approved September, 1785, authorizing money to be raised by means of a lottery to make repairs This fact would indicate that repairs were to this meeting-house. needed at the date hostilities ceased, while lotteries were used in those days for all manner of public improvementa.

iWUliam

lished in

J.

1859, cites

personal property assessed in the

name

of the

:

Hannah Thompson, John Shannon, John Wentz, George Gilbert, Josiah Wood The land-holders assessed and Abraham Wolford. in 1734 were John Coulson, Samuel Evans, Henry Johnson, Evan Hughs, John Eastburn, Nicholas Robinson, William Hayes, Joseph Armstrong, Thomas Warner, Bartle Bartleson, John Hatfield, Aaron Roberts, Job Pugh, Jesse Pugh and Ellis Roberts. Persons named as tenants were Francis Mahony, Robert Roger, Robert Shannon, Charles Morris and William Robinson. The population of Norriton in 1810 was 1336 in the following persons

:

;

1850,1594. It 1820,1098; 1830, 1139; 1840, 1411 appears remarkable that this township, composed of ;

agricultural people,

and without a transient popu-

so largely and lose two hundred and thirty-eight of its numbers between the The public highways of this years 1810 and 1820. township were opened early in its history. The Schuylkill River being of great importance to the people, and being fordable at ordinarj' stages of water, public roads led to and over it at many points The Ridge and long before the county was created. Germantown turnpike roads pass through the entire length of the township, while these are intersected by lation,

should

decrease

cross-roads at convenient distances,

making

it

possible

almost every household from one or more of these public highways. There are about fifty miles of public roadway in this township. Two supervisors to reach

have care of them, and they are kept

in

good

repair,

with substantial bridges built at all points where they cross Stony Creek, Indian Creek, Five-Mile Run,

Saw-Mill Run and tributaries flowing into them. As the manners and habits of our ancestors changed in the matter of travel and transportation, public highways were improved and new ones were laid out and opened. So long as the farmers conveyed all their dairy products to Philadelphia on horseback, attended places of public worship, weddings, funerals,

and social gatherings in same manner, indifferent highways answered their purposes, creeks and rivers were forded, and the slight

elections, militia trainings,

the

was, the distinguished citizen of Nor-

riton certainly

The

twenty land-holders at the time the township was created is reported to be one hundred and eightyone horses, two hundred and sixty-nine horned cattle, fourteen negro slaves, two riding-chairs. The following places of business are noted two grist-mills, four saw-mills, one tannery, six taverns, licensed to

dangers experienced in times of high-water or in seasons of sledding only added zest to the courage and

horsemanship of the period. The supervisors would have been thought reckless in the expenditure of road tax if they would have cut down hills, filled trifling depressions, and planked over small water-courses, for our fathers and mothers, who galloped over these hills and hollows, could clear a trifling stream or ford a creek or river without moistening a skirt or soiling polished boot and buckskin in their merry rides.

NORKITON TOWNSHIP. When, however, the two-wheeled chair was supplanted by the four-wheeled " Dearborn wagon," first with wooden and then with steel or elliptic and subsequently, with still more luxurious means of travel, when pack-horses gave way to the stage-coach, and great Conestoga wagons and teams, and these were required to pass through Norriton, then it was that public highways were greatly improved and rapidly multiplied. The Egypt road^ springs,

opened to public travel prior to 1776, was a very important one to through travel, while the construction and opening to public use of the Ridge and Germantown turnpikes, the former completed about 1800, the latter 1816, were deemed a matter of State

ways

interest,

as

they afforded

certain

high-

at all seasons of the year for the transporta-

tion of commodities to the interior,

and connected with a system of turnpike roads leading to the Ohio River and settlements on the frontier. It was in this

connection that the taverns or inns of Norriton enjoyed

deserved prominence as houses of public accommodation. It is still

within the

ing people of the township ville,

memory of the oldest survivwhen the hotels

at Jefferson-

Trooper, Barley Sheaf, Penn Square, Spring-

town, the old St. Clair House, near Hartranft Station,

were crowded with teams and market people, two or three nights every week. Those were days when landlords " poured out " whisky and brandy for their patrons,

and gave cordial welcome

to the traveler

who

carried his eatables in his wallet, enjoyed his cofl'ee and lunch in the " bar-room," paid a levy for his

own grain and hay to his horses and groomed them, gave a fip to the hostler, and was goodnaturedly smiled upon by the jolly proprietor, who

bed, fed his

pressed

all,

in genuine hospitality, to " stop again."

Time has wrought

changes upon the face of the le.ss marked than in the manners and customs of the people. The wood-leaf or timbered lands have gradually disappeared, until but few groves are left that remaining on the old country and

its

its

business, not

;

now owned by Dr. John Schrack, is perhaps the largest. Log houses and barns have Norris

estate,

nearly all given place to substantial stone and frame improvements, neatly painted, indic.iting that substantial thrift and fondness for home comfort that everywhere characterizes the permanently-settled

people of this region of country. The commerce of this township has undergone

marked changes within the

last thirty years.

In

1850 Port Indian was an important point of local

Lumber, coal, plaster, flour and feed, groceries and provisions were commodities dealt in by George B. Rieff and his successor, Philip Harley. A short " distance below Port Indian, " Cherry-Tree Landing was constructed, and E. C. Boorse for many yeais carried on the lumbering business there between these two points Jonas Ashenfelter built a landing to transship coal for the supply of the Trooper SteamMills. All of these places of business have gone into traffic.

;

1001

and the trade transferred

disuse

to other points.

The

Trooper Steam-Mills, built by Jesse L. Bean in 184748, and operated for several year.s as saw and flourmills, and subsequently, in 1855-56. remodeled by Dewalt Weber, and converted into cotton and woolenmills, and as such operated by Christopher Blount and James Shaw, have also gone into disuse. The older residents will recall the store kept by William

Hamill and Samuel Markley at the Trooper, more recently those at Harley's Corner and Penn Square; these have been closed, and of the six hotels that

when the township was created only two within the present limits of the township are licensed, the one at Jeffersonville and public travel doubtless supported

the other at

The

Penn Square.

township heretolbrc noted by Penn Square and Sjiringtown, to which we may now add Hooverton, or Hartranft Station, on the Stony Creek Railroad, at the point where it crosses the Germantown turnpike. It is worthy of note that in the changes of time, and within a century, the place where stood two hotels, and (hence a village), where the first court in the county was held and many important conventions and assemblages in the history of the county occurred, should become obscure, and should so remain until the advent of railroads and then should become the location of a depot and place of business, promising to absorb rival villages on either side of it. Stony Creek flows by this new village, on which have been erected five saw and grist-mills, only three of which are still villages

in the

'

writers are Jeffersonville, Norritonvillc,

;

in

use,

—the

Metz saw-mill, Wack's

grist-mill

and

Sheetz's grist-mill.

The

Post-OfB.ce was

established in this townwas located at Jeffersonville, and the mails were received from the line of stagecoaches that ran over the Ridge pike in going from Philadelphia to Reading and thence to Pittsburgh. Subsequently post-offices were established at Penn Square and Norritonville. Within the last few years the office at Penn Square has been changed in name to Hartranft and located at Hartranft Station. General Elections were first held in the township under the act of Assembly approved May 3, 1S52. The first election was held at the publichouse of Reynard March, Jeffersonville, in the following October, and by the terms of the act they were to be held alternately at the place first held and at Penn Square, and all general elections have thus been held since that date. Previously the vole of Norriton was polled at the court-house, Norrisship,

January

1,

first

1829. It

town.

The mercantile

appraiser for the year 1884 makes

having the usual mewas noted for many years as the place of manufacture of the famous Roberts and Foust plows the former pattern was patented by Seth Roberts, and were popular for many years among the farmers of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Foust plow w;is not patented, but acquired great favor by the .superior workmanship of the mechanic who made them, Henry W. Foust. iTiie villages of Norriton are all Bmall in size,

chanic industries.

Jeffersonville

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1002

return of fifteen persons and places of public business

inside,

in Norriton, viz.

done.

W.

B.

Baker, butcher

dise; F. Brusch, flour

;

and

;

his mortification found the house closed.

feed; Joseph Custer, but-

the " big boys " were in the adjoining woodland " playing ball." By the aid of the small boys and a bar of iron that happened to be at hand the teacher pried open the

A. S. Clouser, flour and feed

;

;

Hoover

& Son,

lumber and feed

T. L. Moore, butcher

;

;

Kennedy, butcher;

E. E. Ritter, butcher

;

D. H.

;

for

by the

general acts of Assembly, 1834— 36, went into operation Inquiry made of those connected about 1838-39.

with educational affairs of the township fails to disclose the exact time, although we find Norriton noted among the early townships which took advantage of Among the first directors who gave the system. their aid and encouragement to the cause of popular education in the township were John Schrack, Daniel Getty, Robert Shannon, William Bean, A.

and Samuel

Miller.

As

W. Shearer'

early as 1845 they

employed a

female teacher. The person referred to was Miss Sarah Carson, who taught for several years at the Indian

The innovation was severely Creek school-house. criticised by many tax-payers, who thought the " big boys" could never be controlled by a "young lady Experience, however, demonstrated that teacher." she maintained one of the best-conducted schools in the

district.

In the period referred to some por-

tions of the district were certainly noted for incorrigible " big boys." There are some gray-headed

men, now residents of this township, who can recall with the writer the conduct of the scholars, greatly at variance with the uniform good behavior of the pupils of the present day. Charles Ames, a teacher in the JefFersonville school, or " Yellow College," as it was facetiously termed in later years, being quite severe in his treatment of pupils, finally incurred the displeasure of the incorrigible boys of the old yellow

school-house.

A

council of mischief was held and

concerted action was at once agreed upon.

remained at noon, while the teacher went ner at a neighboring farm-house.

The

Leaders to his din-

little

children

were induced to leave the school-room as soon as they had eaten their dinners, and, in less time than we can describe the event, the shutters were closed and bolted on the inside, the iron poker was used to fasten the door leading to the school-room, and the last boy stepped out of the south-side window upon a rail held for his footing, and there securely nailed up the last shutter to

the window-sill, his accomplices aiding

him to reach the ground in safety. The cellar-door had been securely fastened from the 1

The land on which the Indian Creek school-Louse and ai^uining

play-grounds stand, was given gratuitously by the heirs of the Norris

and the same is excepted out of the deed executed by A. W. Shearer and wife, to the present owners, so long as the same shall be estate,

When no longer thus used was originally taken.

used for educational purposes. the premises from which

it

little

pupils could

nailed shutter

tell

it

reverts to

who

did

it,

while

all

and repossessed himself of the school-

room.

The event was the

R. F. Wood, butcher. The Common School system provided

Ritter, live stock

None of the

John E. Bean, merchan-

D. U. Cassel, mercliandise A. S. Davis, merchandise; D. C.Getty, agricultural implements; H. C. Hoover, merchandise; cher

and the work of " locking the teacher out" was Mr. Ames came at the appointed hour, and to

subject of neighborhood gossip

and the question was, who was to be the "master?" The "lock-out" took place on Thursday, and the " big boys" who planned and executed it for the time,

did not return for study until the following

Monday

Meantime, parents and directors had been informed, and the " boys " were all ordered to school, there to account for their conduct. After the opening exercises had taken place the absentees were called from their seats and paraded in front of the teacher's desk. Many of them were young men in size and weight. All had not been participants in the work of " locking out the teacher." A number had accompanied the leaders at the time of the event, and were induced to remain out of school until compelled to return by their parents. This fact was known to the teacher, who gave them the option of confessing their folly before the school or take the punishment to be morning.

inflicted

;

or, if

unwilling to do either, then to suffer

Not one of the line wavered, not one made any acknowledgment of error or pleaded any excuse. Then came the final alternative, " Will you leave the school or suffer punishment? " The moment was of supreme interest to all present. There were little boys and gentle sisters who had big brothers in the line of insubordinates. Some heads were bowed in conscious shame some mischievous eyes gazed expulsion.

;

still others appeared stolid, having made up their minds to suffer the infliction, but none were willing to leave the school. Opening his desk, the teacher took out a heavy oak ruler, and, taking number one by the hand, pressing the palm open, he inflicted a number of blows upon it, the severity of which was keenly felt and silently suffered. To all the others he meted out the same measure of punishment, and then all were dismissed and ordered to their seats. Tlicnceforth, Mr. Ames was " master " of the situation; but he was not a successfiil teacher, and never returned to the school after his term expired. We instance this episode in a Norriton school as an illustration of what our schools were forty and fifty years ago, as contrasted with those conducted under a different system of discipline now. Had the good-will of these pupils been sought after, had their confidence been obtained by kindly offices, instead of seeking to control them by arousing their fears, results would have been widely different, and the relations between pupil and teacher would have been respectful and affe.ctionate. The boys and girls of this period, not less than their

steadily at the teacher

;

NORRITON TOWNSHIP. parents, are to be congratulated

upon the disuse of

1003 This, however,

date as early as 1679.

is

traditionary,

punishments that made the school-room a terror to timid and innocent children, and upon the prevailing kindness, yet firmness, of teachers who have been able to preserve order and discipline among boys and young men in attendance upon the common schools throughout the county. There are five public schools in Norriton township. They have one hundred and ninety-nine pupils enrolled, and are open eight months in the year. Teachers are paid thirty-eight dollars per month. Male and female teachers are employed, and receive

and must be taken with some allowance for the naWhile circumstances tural zeal of the antiquarian. point to greater antiquity than is generally conceded this place of worship, we have but little definite in-

equal salary.

a new meeting-house, called the same congregation that

Places of Religious Worship.— The Norkiton

Presbyteeian Church,

located at the north corner

formation of the congregation until about 17-tO. It is said that large accessions were made to the church, resulting from a general religious revival, which began in New Jersey under the ministrations of Kev. John Tennent, and found its way to this community It is certain

in 1832.

that a division occurred in

this congregation in 1741,

many

which resulted in building

New

Providence, being now, and has been for years past, presided over by the Rev. H. S. is

THE XORRITON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. of the township, where the line crosses the Germantown turnpike, was the first built by that denomination in the county.

It

has been designated " the mother

of all the Presbyterian Churches in this vicinity, is among the oldest in the State.'"

and

gable wall

many

which had

fallen

1

from the

years ago, was observed to bear

The old Btone Ijuilding still stands, and in the graveyard adjoining there were discovered, several years since, some tombstones dated

between 1689 and

1700.

a sandstone tablet was Sli-ftch

of

First

IliMoii, D. D.

It is said also

that at the

same time and place

found bearing the date of

Preshytfrian Ontrch, Norrietotvn,

I67;>.

Pa., 1876,

Historical

by

J.

still

Occa-

held in this church and the

burial-ground used for interments.

Among

the families

who have

buried at this place

names of Armstrong, Hooven, McCrea, Porter, Darrah, Richards, Thompson, PatterColonel Archibald son, McGlathery and Fitzwater. Thompson, of Revolutionary fame, who died November 1, 1779, in his thirty-ninth year, is buried at this place, as

The it

Lower Providence township.

in

are the familiar

of this religious persuasion. Rev. Historians Messrs. Ralston and Collins, claim that it was known It is as a place of burial as early as the year 1700. said that a date stone,

Rodenbaugh,

sional services 'are

Orier

is

also Colonel Christopher Stuart.

Centennial Presbyterian Church.

—

This modern and beautiful church was built in 1876,

and

is

located at Jeffersonville.

It takes

the place of

the former Presbyterian Church, founded about 1841,

and located on the Ridge turnpike, near the Trooper village. The congregation were originally of the

HISTOllY OF

1004

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ProviJence Church, and represented the " new school" element of that deiioiuination in a division which occurred in 1840-41. Among its founders were Henry Loucks, Christian Weber, James Smith,

township; the first was built at Penn Square in the year 1847 the same building is used fur public-school

Joseph Smith, Daniel Croll and others. The cornerstone of the new edifice was laid July 4, 1875. The chapel was opened for public worship January 2, 1876, and the church building was dedicated Sunday, October 1, 187G. The building committee was appointed May 5, 1875, viz. James Shaw, Dr. David Schrack, Joseph D. Smith, Michael Eeed, Francis Whiting and the Rev. Chas. Collins, pastor. Although the edifice cost over twenty thousand dollars, the public announcement was made at the time of dedication that " all claims against the church property have been liquidated, and it is declared free of debt.'" The officers of the church at the time of its dedication were Eev. Chap. Collins, pastor; Elders, James Smith, John C. Weber, Francis Whiting, Michael Reed and Dr. David Schrack Trustees, Dr. David Schrack, A. L. Davis, G. W. Brown, Michael Reed, Francis Whiting, H. S. Parmalee and Samuel Scheetz. A Sabbath-school has been maintained in connection with this church since its organization in 1841-42. Auxiliari/ Branch of the Women's Foreign Mission-

room

ary Society.

The company is still in existence, and annual meetings are held in the month of December of each year at the Jeffersonville Hotel. In these latter days of express-trains by rail, of telegraphs and telephones, horse-stealing has become a " lost vice " in this locality, and if, perchance, an old-fashioned thief should attempt his vocation, he is certain to be intercepted before he can reach the " Jersey Pines " or the famous " Lancaster Gap." The people of Norriton, from time immemorial, have evinced a fondness for the useful associations of civil life. We cannot recall the time when the township was the headquarters of a military organization, unless it was of the " Home Guards," in 1861-62. Militia trainings were held in the township, the last of which was commanded by Captain PeterG. Richards, in 1841. Parades of the F'irst Troop and tlic " Washington Greys," the first commanded by Captain John Matheys and the latter by Captain Jesse B. Davis, were of frequent occurrence thirty ;md forty years ago, and a number of the public-spirited young men of the township were members of the organizations named. But

:

;

Mrs. H.

The

— President, Mrs. M.

W. Whiting following

church

;

AVallace; Secretarv,

M. W. Snyder.

Treasurer, Miss

have

pastors

ofliciated

at

this

Rev. Chas. F. Diver, 1842 to 1844 Rev. N. S. Aller, 1844 to 1848 Rev. Charles Wack, 1848 to 1849; Rev. George Foot, 1849 to 1851 Rev. William Fulton, 1851 to 1853; Rev. Saml. Helff'enstein, 1853 to 1854; Rev. A. J. Snyder, 1854 to 1865 Rev. Chas. Collins, 1865 to present time. The Revs. Messrs. :

;

;

;

;

Wack, Foot and Helff'enstein are deceased. Meeting-House, located at Norritonville, a one-story stone building, and has always been

Diver,

Burr'.s is

free to the use of all

evangelical denominations.

It

was built by Marmaduke Burr, who still survives at an advanced age, and resides in Philadelphia. The place is kept in rejiair, and used for all the purposes originally contemplated, under the direction of a local board of trustees. A Sabbath-school has been maintained in connection with this place of worship for

many

years.

Religious worshiji at stated times was for many years held in the second story of the old Jeft'ersouville

These services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Rodenbaugh and Trites, the latter at the time pastor of the Lower Providence Baptist con-

school-house.

Rev. John Rees, of Norriton, also officiated from time to time at the evening meetings held

gregation.

at this place.^

There are two public

halls in this

;

purposes.

The

other

known

as

Jefferson Hall,

located at Jeffersonville, built 1872.

The audience-

will seat three

is

hundred people.

Both these

halls are used for public entertainments, public meetings, festivals, etc.

A

public library was founded in connection with

Jefferson Hall, 1873-74,

and several hundred volumes

of well-selected books were purchased and placed in substantial cases for circulation in the neighborhood.

was organized upon a stock subscription basis, and time was usefully emploj'ed in furnishing entertaining and jirofitable reading- matter to the people of that vicinity. The collection of books and property of the company still remain in the library-room, but have not been used for the last few years, nor has the number of volumes been increased by purchases or contributions since it was organized. Among the ancient organizations of the township we must note the Jefferson Express Horse Company, organized prior to 1840, and among the most efficient in the county in the detection of thieves and recovery It

for a

of stolen horses.

In

its

early history

its

members did

most excellent service, and prided themselves in horsemanship and in the ownership of fleet-foooted riding-horses.

its

the history of Norriton

is

without a military organiIt had, however, its de-

zation exclusively her own.

bating and literary societies.

Many

of our readers

made at the Indian Creek, Jeffersonville, Eight Square and Penn Square school-houses by the members of debating societies will

recall the forensic

efforts

tlie places named, of which Colonel Thomas P. Knox, Alban Thomas, Col-

organized at different times at

A

Sabbatb-scbool was

organized and regularly taught for many years in tliis building prior to tbe founding of the "New Srhool Church," near the Trooper, in 1841-42. Among its earliest superintendents was 1

the Hon.

Thomas

P.

Knox.

Among

Shannon, Weher, Hamil, Bean and

its

lady teachers were the Misses

.Stinson.

Stephen P. Hamil was

foi-

many years lilirarian, and the late Rev. Owen Shannon was among young men prominently connected with the school.

lli»

NORKITON TOWNSHIP. onel

Henry Beyer, Teachers Latimore, Walker, Mc-

Closkey, Burnside and Bechtel were leading

Subsequently, literary

debating societies,

a.'isociations

spirits.

took the place of

among which was

the " Calliope."

Two

annual public entertainments were given by this association at the Indian Creek school-house in 1856-57.

The attendance upon the bitions "

was estimated

last

of these " literary exhi-

be between one and two thousand persons. An elaborate stage was erected at the south gable of the school-house with seats for a large audience. The programme, of music, declamations, original essays and dramatic personations was to

executed to the satisfaction of the public, and the event

was pronounced a success by the local press of the peLiterary and musical entertainments were frequent in Norritou. As early as 1836 a musical entertainment was held in the old Yellow School-house, in the second story. The room was crowded, and in the midst of the performance the floor gave way in the centre of the room, precipitating many to the floor beriod.

low, with injuries of a mcjre or less serious character;

In later years Hon. Hoover has taught a number of musical classes in the township and given numerous public concerts of an entertaining and instructive character. The Yellow Club, of Norriton. was for a time an

1005

hold goods in excess of exemptions, $900 value of all property taxable for county purposes, $1,238,160. The Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad, recently constructed, traverses the township, running parallel with the river, with a passenger depot on the Township Line road, opposite Port Kennedy. JoHU Bull was a native of Providence township, ;

the family had resided In the beginning of 1771 he lived in Limerick, where he resided till he purchased the mill and plantation of Charles Norris, the following 17th of September, where is now the present borough of Norristown. He was at this time a justice of the County Court, which office he held for several years. In January, 1775, he was one of the twelve

Montgomery

Co.,

where

for several generations.

members of Philadelphia County that met in a provincial convention, whose object was to get the Assembly to pass a law

imporThis same year, in consequence of the Revolutionary troubles, the Assembly authorized the enlistment of a battalion of to prohibit the future

tation of slaves into the colony.

none, however, were tatally hurt.

eight companies for the Continental service, to be

Hiram

under the command of Colonel Bull, until January, 1778. With three others, he represented Philadelphia County in the convention that framed the Constitution of the State, and which was adopted the 28th of September, 1776. In November of this year he disposed of all his property in Norritou township to Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia, for the sum of He was confirmed a justice of six thousand pounds. the courts by the Assembly, August 31, 1778. Not long after this date he moved to Berkeley County, Va., where he erected a mill on the Opequan Creek. He was still living there in 1795, which is the last we know of him. Benjamin Bittenhouse, a brother of the celebrated philosopher, and who was commissioned by Governor Mifflin, in 1791, as one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas of this county, was married to a daughter of General Bull. Wm. Bull, who was probably a brother, resided in Norritou township in 1770, where he had purchased a farm of Henry Connard. Andrew Porter. Robert Porter was a native ot Ireland and emigrated in early lifeto this country, and settled in Worcester township, Jlontgomery Co., where his son, Andrew Porter, was born September 24, 1743. His father furnished him with a good education, and in the spring of 1767 he removed to Philadelphia and took charge of an English and mathematical school until the spring of 1776. On the 19th of .Tune he was commissioned by Congress a captain of marines, and ordered on board the frigate " Effingham." He afterwards left the navy and joined the army as a captain, and served with great gallantry at Trenton, Princeton and Brandy wine. At Valley Forge he was major of a regiment of artillery, and during the war was in considerable service. With David Rittenhouse, in the spring of 1785, he was appointed a commissioner on the part of Pennsylvania to ascertain the boundary be-

C.

from it was to make an annual pilgrimage to the " Yellow Springs" of Chester County, of interest to those composing

a.ssociation

1848-51.

Its chief object

a watering-place or resort of great popularity in those days, and an " excursion " to the place during the " season "

was an event of more than ordinary interest and gentlemen composing the club. There were no cheap and popular excursions to the sea-shore, Coney Island, up the Hudson and elsewhere in those days, and hence the " drive to in the social lives of the ladies

the springs," the glimpse of fashionable life there to be seen, the exhibition of dress, the music, the grand dinner and the extravagant price paid for it, the beautifiil grounds, the curative water, these considerations were subject matter of rare importance, and the "club" made the most of them on their annual pilgrimages. Among the families connected with the organization were Matheys, Bean, Crawford, Owen, Schrack, Shearer, Markley, Weber, Carson and others. The

—

The

club dissolved by mutual consent about 1852-53.

farmers of the township were

among

the

first

to or-

ganize an agricultural society, the particulars of which are referred to elsewhere.'

The advantages of good husbandry

are everywhere

and substantially improved farms and commodious residences that make up the taxable values of the township. Number of taxables, 417 value of improved land, $1,156,580 value of unimproved lands. $28,240 assessed value of 386 horses and mules, $24,650; assessed value of 919 horned cattle, $27,790 value of housemanifest in

the

well-tilled

;

;

;

;

1

See chapter on Agriculture.

—

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1006 tween

and Virginia. In the spring of 1787, Samuel Linton), Harry (deceased), Hiram C, Albert he commenced the survey of the C, Elizabeth (Mrs. Daniel B. Kieffer), Andrew T. northern boundary of the State, which was completed and four who died in ini'ancy. Hiram C. Hoover was by the middle of the following November. While en- born on the 23d of October, 1822, on the homestead gaged on this work, he says, "The Indians appear in Gwynedd, and until the age of twenty-four interfriendly and have expressed no dissatisfaction to our ested himself in the various pursuits peculiar to the running the line." For his services Governor Snyder, farm, having during the mean time received a rudithe 4th of April, 1809, appointed him surveyor-general mentary education at the neighboring public and of Pennsylvania, which office he held till his death, select schools. Judge Hoover was gifted with rare which occurred November 16, 1813, at the age of musical taste, which was early cultivated and properly seventy years. He died at Harrisburg, where he was directed. At the age of eighteen he became an buried with military honors in the Presbyterian bury- instructor, and for twenty-five years continued this ing-ground, and a neat white marble monument desig- favorite vocation, including both vocal and instrunates the spot. At the close of the Revolution Mr. mental music in which he was equally proficient. He Porter was colonel of the Fourth Pennsylvania Regi- executed with skill upon several instruments, devotment of Artillery and subsequently brigadier and ma- ing his abilities especially to music of a sacred character and the formation and direction of church-choirs. jor-general of the Second Division of the militia. It is said that President Madison oft'ered him the commisHe was, on the 4th of March, 1847, married to Miss sion of brigadier-general of the American army, and Margaret, youngest daughter of Frederick and Sarah also the office of Secretary of War, both of which he Dull, of Whitemarsh. Their children are William A., declined. Mr. Porter resided in the upjier part of the Irvin W. (deceased), Sarah D. (Mrs. James W. Hercus, borough of Norristown, near the Ridge turnpike, in of Richmond, Va.), and Mary M. (Mrs. Albertus the mansion recently occupied by the late Colonel Hallman, of Norriton). After his marriage Judge Thomas P. Knox. Robert Porter, the general's father, Hoover leased the farm for a period of two years, and died in 1770, at the age of seventy-two years, and is in 1849 purchased his present home. Here his efforts buried in the Norriton Presbyterian graveyard, where were directed to the cultivation and improvement of a large stone is erected to his memory. The sons of a productive estate until 1870, when his son succeeded Andrew Porter have been quite distinguished. Gen- to the farming interest. He erected an attractive eral David R. Porter was Governor of Pennsylvania residence in the immediate vicinity and retired for from 1838 to 1844. General James M. Porter was a the time being from active employment. member of Assembly, president judge of the TwentyJudge Hoover's energetic nature found little to second Judicial District, and Secretary of War under satisfy it in a life of inactivity, and on the complePresident Tyler. George B. Porter was judge, United tion of the Stony Creek Railroad he established a States marshal of the Eastern District of Pennsylva- coal, feed and lumber business at the station known nia and subsequently Governor of Michigan, in which as Hooverton, opening, two years later, in connection office he died in 1834, in his forty-fourth year. All with it a general store. these sons were natives of Montgomery County. In politics the judge is a Democrat. He was elected justice of the peace in 1851, and served for eleven years as school director of the township, having presided atone of the conventions for the election of acounty superintendent of schools. He was also, for three successive years, chairman of the County Democratic Committee. Judge Hoover was elected to the State Legislature in 1861 and re-elected in 1862 and 1863, having HIRAM C. HOOVER. served as chairman of the committee on agriculture Judge Hoover is a descendant of Levis Henry and done other imjjortant committee work. He wa.s, Hoover, whose father, the first member of the family in 1865, elected associate judge of the Montgomery to emigrate, resided in Bucks County until 1800, County courts, and at the expiration of his first term when he made Gwynedd township, Montgomery Co., re-elected for an additional five years. He was for his home, and followed his trade of a tailor in five years a trustee of Franklin and Marshall College, connection with the cultivation of a farm of two hun- Lancaster, Pa., and now fills the same office in connecdred acres, purchased by him. He married Miss tion with Ursinus College, at Collegevilie. He has Margaret Kern and had children, Christian, .Jacob, been, since its organization, the president of the NorPhilip, Elizabeth (Mrs. John Rile) and Mary (Mrs. ristown and Central Square Turnpike Company. He William Kneedler). Philip succeeded to his father's is a prominent Mason, and member of Charity Lodge, occupations in Gwynedd township, and married Miss No. 190, of Norristown, as also of the Royal Arch Mary, daughter of Frederick W. Conrad, of Worces- Chapter of the borough. He was, in 1841, made a ter township, whose children were Frederick W., member of the First Troop of Montgomery County, and Susanna (deceased), Julia Ann (deceased), Maria (Mrs. served during the riots that occurred in Philadelphia with

this State

Andrew

Ellicott,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

—

NORRITON TOWNSHIP. He

in 1844.

and

was

for six years

one of

its

musieians

later served as first lieutenant until the disband-

Judge Hoover, in 1838, became Boehm's Reformed Church, of Blue Bell, in which he has been an elder since 1856, and was also president of the consistory for the whole period, with ing of the company.

a

member

of

the exception of one year.

He has

frequently served as

delegate to various church bodies and been, since 1875, treasurer of the Philadelphia classis. Hia zealous efforts in behalf of the good work of the Sunday-school have resulted in his repeated election as superintendent and instructor of the Bible-classes, in which labor of love he has few superiors.

^;^eyia^n^ Augustus is

AUGUSTTJS W. SHEARER. Shearer was born July

W.

it

known as the " Buttonwood Farm,'' comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres. This property he purchased in 1861 and substantially improved. In the management of this estate he pursued the life of a successful farmer, and after the marriage and settlement of all his children he sold the premises, in 1876, and retired to his present residence, at the Trooper village, three miles northwest of Xorristown. Mr. estate

^ ^^'

-?T-2>-C^'7^

He

Esq., de-

the public duties of exactness.

He

citizenship

life,

with

but fulfilling fidelity

and

took an active part in securing the

Lower Providence township, who

adoption of the common-school system in Norriton township, and was one of the early school directors

senting

Montgomery County

during

the

years

in the

1830-33, and

elected Register of Wills, 1839, justice of the peace in

General Assembly was subsequently

and held the

office of

Lower Providence township

for

a period of twenty-five years.

His son, the subject of this sketch, was married, 9, 1834, to Miss Eunice Norris Schrack, the only daughterotthe late John and Mary Norris Schrack,

December

from the son of William Penn, the founder In the spring of 1835, Mr. Shearer settled in Norriton township, on a part of the Norris purchased

of the colony.

identified with public affairs, repre-

ceased, a citizen of

was prominently

deceased, of Norris Hall, the estate of the maternal parent having descended Irom the Norris family, who

Shearer has lived an unostentatious 12, 1812.

John Shearer,

the eldest son of the late

ion?

by the people, an office which he held for During a part of this period he was secretary of the board. The Indian Creek school was under his immediate direction he was among the first to employ female teachers, the trial being made in the school under his management about 1844. He was one of the six citizens of Norriton township who originated the Montgomery County Agricultural elected

nineteen years.

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1008

Society, in 1847, and drafted the

first

constitution for

government, and the rules and regulations of the first annual exhibition of the society, held at Jeflersonits

ville. He was a member of the First Troop of Montgomery County, a cavalry organization whose origin antedates the war of 1812, and whose membership for more than half of a century comprised the most intelligent and energetic young men residing near the center of the county. In 1846 he was commissioned colonel of the Sixty-third Kegiment of the Pennsylvania militia, at the time this regimentwas connected with the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the State service. Mr. Shearer was clerk of the board of county

V^^

many

others took issue with

its

leaders

upon the

He

supported Stephen A. Douglas for President in 1860, and subsequently gave a friendly and active support to the administration of Abraham Lincoln and to all measures for the suppression of the subject of slavery.

Mr. Shearer and family have long been connected with the Presbyterian Church at Lower Providence, under the pastorate of the Rev. H.

great Rebellion.

S.

Rodenbaugh.

Although living

well-earned repose, he takes an

active interest in all public matters

that pertain to

and welfare of the community in which he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Shearer celebrated their golden wedding on the day and evening of December the progress

9,

1884.

SAMUEL RITTENHOtrSE. William Riitenhouse resided in Montgomery County, where he was an industrious farmer. His children were David, William, Henry, Catherine and Jesse.

Henry was

a native of

Montgomery County,

>^(2^^Cperty dated 7th of 4th month, 1090, a tract of land

ill

Philadelphia County was

limestone, which, at

granted unto the Plymouth Purcluisprs, and also together with 600 acres adjoining the southeast part thereof, which was intended by the Pro-

surface,

prietary for a town, containing in the whole 6000 acres,

whole front on the Schuylkill is a blufi' of limestone, and few places are more favored for burning it, both from the convenience of the material and the advantages of sending it to market either by railroad or navigation. The census of 1840 gave the value of lime manufactured in Plymouth at forty-five thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars. In 1858 seventy-five kilns were personally visited that on an average would produce fifteen hundred bushels of the article, and thus this number, at one burning, could yield considerably over one hundred thousand bushels. The number of kilns luis since been inNearly

its

creased and the extent of the business enlarged. Hence we may well judge the extent of this produc-

investment to capital and employment to Iron-ore which seventy years ago was almost unknown, is obtained now in abundance. In that part of the township which lies betion, giving

was sui-veyed

month, 1686, beginning .at a corner beech-tree standing by the Slcoolkill, being also a corner of Major Jasper Farmer's land thence northeast by a line of trees 1342 perches to a corner-post thence northwest by a line of trees 696 perches to a corner-post of Benjamin Chambers and Company's land thence southwest by the same 956 perches to a corner-tree standing by the aforesiiid Skoolkill thence down the several coni-ses thereof to the place of beginning, containing in both

and

laid out 14th of 5th

;

;

;

the aforesaid tracts, as above said 5000 acres. tary Secretary's office 20th of 4th

Returned

month, 1690."

to the Proprie-

1

From the preceding interesting pieces of history, now for the first time published, the important question who were the Plymouth purchasers. One account mentions that they were James Fox, Richard Gove, Francis Rawle, John Chelson and some other Friends who came from Plymouth, in Devonshire,

arises as to

t

In connection

mth

the

subject the foUoviring has been recently

a number of hands.

secured

tween the Plymouth Railroad and the Whitemarsh line there appears to be one vast bed of ore from the borough of Conshohocken. The Ridge turnpike traverses the township two and a half miles, and the Germantown and Perkiomen pike about three miles. The turnpike leading from Conshohocken to the Broad Axe forms the entire southeast boundary of Plymouth, a distance of three and one-fourth miles, and separates it from White-

Grove, in behalf of themselves and other Friends of Plymouth, joynt purchasers with them of five thousand acres of land, that we would

The Norristown Railroad passes along the outhwest side by the Schuylkill over two miles.

"L. S. By the Commissioners empowered to grant lota and land in the Province of Pennsylvania and Territories thereunto belonging. At the request of .Jonas Fox, Francis Rawle, Nicholas Pearce and Richard

five thousand acres of land together for a township in the most convenient place for water for the encouragement of the woolen

grant the said

up by them these we therefore, in the and require thee forthwith to survey, or cause to be surveyed, unto them the said number of acres in the aforesaid County, where not already taken up, according to the method of Townships appointed by the Governor, the seating and improving the same within six months after the date of survey, and make return hereof to the Secretary's oflice, at Philadelphia, the 6th of 5th month, 1686. manufacture, intended to be

set

;

Proprietary's name, do will

" James Claypoole, *' Robert Turner.

marsh.

"To

Capt. Tho. Holme, Siirueyor-O'etierah^^

HISTOKY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1030

From an

England. phia,

early record of arrivals at Philadel-

ascertained that in the ship "Desire,"

it is

Cock, commander, which arrived June Francis Kawle, Sen., Francis Rawle,

Thomas

2.3,

Jr.,

James

1686, were

and

servants,

John Marshall, SamJames

Janvers, Francis Jervis,

uel Rennell, Isaac Garnier and Elizabeth Saries,

Fox and

Elizabeth, his wife, children George, James,

Elizabeth and Sarah, servants Richard Fox, Stephen Nowell, Christopher Lobb, Richard Davis, Nathaniel Christopher, Abraham Rowe, Mary Rowe,Mary Lucas and Sarah Jeffries. These were all from Plymouth and hence the origin of the name of their settlement here and of the township. It will be seen from the preceding list that Francis Rawle and .Tames Fox must have been persons of some note and means to be at least the principal purchasers of the Plymouth tract and undertake its improvement accompanied, as they were, by so many servants. The survey was made only three weeks after their arrival. There is no doubt they settled here immediately after. purchase, though published accounts have heretofore made it a year earlier, which the registry of arrivals proves to be an error. After remaining here several years and making considerable improvements, they became tired of their isolated life in the woods, and removed to Philadelphia, abandoning the settlement. In 1701 a resurvey was made of the tract, which was somewhat different from the former one. It was then mentioned as " Plymouth township " and as containing five thousand three hundred and twenty-seven acres. " Beginning

.at

a beech-tree, mai'ked, standing by the river Schuylkill,

being near a corner dividing it from the land

firat laid

out to Jasper Farmer;

thence by an old line of marked trees northeast 1290 perches to a marked white-oak, standing in the Wliitpain township thence by an old line of ;

marked trees northwest

fi43

perches

;

thence by marked trees dividing this

from reputed lands of Benjamin Chambers

marked It

;

thence by an old line of

trees southwest 840 perches thereof to the place of beginning."

would be interesting

to

know on which

of those

surveys the existing boundaries of the township have

been formed or the most closely followed. It is most probably the first, because the latter width is too narrow to conform with its present dimensions. After the latter survey, Francis Rawle and Eliza-

commenced selling purchasers, who became

beth Fox, the widow of James, off

tract

after

tract

Among

to

David Meredith, Thomas Owen, Isaac Price, Ellis Pugh, Hugh Jones, David and Edmund Cartlege, all from Wales. Meredith purchased his tract of nine hundred and eighty acres in 1701, adjoining the Whitpain line, and lying on both sides of the present Reading turnactual settlers.

pike.

He

settled

these were

on his purchase we know before

and consequently must have made the first improvements thereon. He died in Januar}', 1727, aged eighty-nine years. He left a widow, Eleanor, and several children, whose surviving descendants of the name are land-holders in the township, and still retain a portion of the original tract. John Maulsby 1703,

made Point.

and Fox, four hundred and seventy-two latter sold off nearly half

acres.

The

of his tract soon after to

Lumly Williams.

Benjamin and Joshua Dickinson, came in possession of part of said purchase which lay in the immediate vicinity sons-in-law of the aforesaid,

of the Friends' Meeting-house.

In the

names of

list

of 1734 the following are given as the

residents

and land-holders

in

Plymouth

:

Eleanor Meredith, widow, 500 acres Rees Williams, 2.50; Benjamin Dickinson, 100; John Hamer, 200; John Davis Joshua Dickinson, 100 John Redwit;

;

;

Peter Croll, 100; Thomas Isaac Price, 328 Joseph Jones, 200

Davis,

200;

zer,

;

estate,

400;

;

Jonathan Rumford, 200;

150;

Mary Davis' Henry Bell,

200; John Holton, 100. In this names about half are Welsh. John Redwitzer and Peter Croll came from Germany, the former having settled at Germantown before 1700. 100; Philip John,

list

of sixteen

In 1709 he was naturalized, with the privilege to hold

The names of Jones and Davis township as land-holders.

or enjoy lands. exist in the

still

Among the early settlers of Plymouth may be mentioned Ellis Pugh, a native ofDolgelle, in Wales, where he was born in 1656. In his eighteenth year he became a member of the Society of Friends, and at the age of twenty-four, came forth in the ministry. He arrived in Pennsylvania in 1687, and not long after settled in Plymouth. He died in the year 1718, at the age of sixty-two years.

In the year 1707

he went on a religious visit to the inhabitants of his About native country and shortly after returned. this time he wrote a religious work in the Welsh language, with the following curious title " A Salutation to the Britains, to call them from many things to the :

one thing needful, for the saving of their souls especially to the poor unarmed Traveler, Plowmen Shepherds and those that are of low degree like myThis is in order to direct you to know God and self. Christ, the only wise God, which is life eternal, and to learn of Him, that you may become wiser than This work w;is translated by his their teachers." ;

friend,

and revised by David Lloyd, of was printed by S. Keimer, in a small octave volume of two hundred

Rowland

Ellis,

Philadelphia, where 1727.

It is

it

and twenty-two pages, and, of course, rare. It is particularly interesting as an early specimen of Pennsylvania typography. Rowland Ellis the transmentioned was an early settler in Merion, where he was for some time a justice of the peace. In 1720 he removed either into this township or near lator

by in Whitemarsh, where he resided until 1729, in which year he died, while on a visit to his son-in-law,

John Evans, of Gwynedd. the notable men of Plymouth was Zebulon who was appointed a constable of the township

Among Potts,

a purchase, in 1690, in the vicinity of Cold

During the Revolution, and while the British held possesson of Philadelphia, he resided about half a mile from Conshohocken. He was an ardent Whig,

Isaac Schaffer purchased, in 1702, of Rawle

and through spies the British became informed of his

in 1774.

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. opposition to their cause.

They

to the city, and now better known as the Germantown and Perkiomen turnpike, which was laid

Meeting

several times sent

parties out to his house to capture him,

and once they

prosecuted their search so close as to almost find him.

on its bed and finished in 1804, at a cost of eleven thousand two hundred and eighty-seven dollars per

In 1777 he was appointed one of the justices of the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas. In the assessor's list of 1780 he is represented as having

mile. A road was granted from Plymouth Meetinghouse to Gwynedd in December, 1705, but, it appears from the records was not open until 1751. Philip

one hundred acres of land, five horses, three cows and an " aged mother to maintain." In October, 1784, he was elected (the first) sheriff' of the county, and continued in the office until 1787. He died in March, 1801.

From

his will,

made the previous 27th

of February,

Thomas petitioned, in December, 1759, that he had built a new grist-mill on Plymouth Creek, and desired a road opened from the same.

we

His

The "Seven

dren were Robert T., Joseph, William, Daniel, Ann, Alice, Esther and Martha. Robert T., died at Swedes-

burg in 1873,

in his eighty-third year.

is

very probably

Station.

chil-

Stars

"inn ranks among the

oldest

In 1754, Benjamin Davis received a license to keep it, and Nicholas Scull on

stands in the county.

William was

the last survivor of the family, and died at the residence of his son-in-law, Evan D. Jones, at Consho-

This

the road following the stream to the present Plymouth

learn that he appointed his wife, Martha, son Joseph,

and son-in-law, Joseph Thomas, executors.

1031

his it

map

by

of the province, published in 1750, mentioned

this

name and which

it

has ever since borne.

in the fall of 1801,

French and Indian war, and also, later again, the British army as they passed by it on their march to take possession of Philadelphia, and yet the sign of the " Seven Stars " has

ordered an election to supply the vacancy. In March, 1803, his personal effects and farm of eighty-two acres,

been perpetuated and still exists amidst the numerous changes of so long a period. The Davis family were

hocken, January 31, 1881, in his ninety-fourth year. Zebulon Potts died while a member of the State Senate,

and the

sheriff,

JohnMarkley,

[

Soldiers gazed on

its

sign

in the

whom

including a tan-yard, was ordered to be sold for the

early settlers in this immediate

benefit of his creditors.

Samuel Davis was a captain in the American army during the Revolution. William Lawrence kept an inn in Plymouth in 1767 John Hamilton, in 1773 Mathew Henderson, in 1774 James Hamilton, Hannah Koller and Daniel Neill, in 1778 Samuel Caughlin, Elizabeth Bartleson and Daniel Deal, in 1785. Some of these must have kept the present

Jacob Ritter, a noted minister of Plymouth Meeting, was born in Springfield township, Bucks Co., in His father and mother had come from Ger1757. many, and to pay their passage hither had bound themselves to serve respectively, three and four years. The Revolution bi'eaking out, he joined as a soldier,

and

at the battle of the

Brandywiue was made a

pris-

oner by a body of Hessians, and confined, with nine hundred others, in the prison at Philadelphia Througli the influence of his cousin and Joseph Galloway, the superintendent of police, he was discharged from confinment. In the spring of 1778 he married

Dorothy Smith, and moved

to the city.

dence there of several years he

After a resi-

lost his wife,

and, in

the spring of 1794, he moved with his children to Springfield. In 1802 he married Ann Williams, of Buckingham. Having sold his farm and purchased

one

in

Plymouth, he moved on

it

in

1812,

and con-

tinued to reside there for the remainder of his

He

life.

was a minister among Friends for fifty years, and of Plymouth Meeting nearly twenty-nine. He died December 15, 1841, aged eighty-five years, and was interred in the Friends' burying-ground. Though he never received more than a very ordinary education, yet he wrote a journal and a memoir of his life, which was published in 1844, with a preface, additions and notes, by Joseph Foulke, of Gwynedd, in a small duodecimo of one hundred and eleven pages, from which chiefly this sketch has been prepared. Through the petition of James Fox and other early settlers, the Provincial Council gave a permit, the 5th of Second Month, 1687, to lay out a "cart-road," from Philadelphia here, which was not long after accomplished. This is the road leading from Plymouth

vicinity,

of

;

;

;

;

" Black Horse," for this

Of

is

also an old stand.

we find Rees Mana a and David Morris supervisor in 1767; Frederick Dull and Joseph Levering, supervisors in 1785 and John Shoemaker and Henry Clare, supervisors in 1810. In the assessment of 1780 mention is made of Martin Whiteman, possessing a grist and saw-mill and 64 acres John Pringle's estate, a gristmill and 130 acres John Bayard, merchant, 50 acres and 4 slaves Joseph Fitzwater, wheelwright, 44 acres Jacob Peterman and Nathan Potts, smiths Peter Arnold, John Dickinson and John Davis, shoemakers; Nathaniel Van Winkle, turner; and Samuel Cowdon, weaver. One of the aforesaid mills must have been near the mouth of Plymouth Creek, and within the present limits of Conshohocken. The village of Plymouth Meeting is situated at the intersection of the Perkiomen and Plymouth turnpikes, on the township line. On this side are the Friends and Orthodox Meeting-houses, a schoolhouse, some eight or ten dwellings and a station of early township officers,

constable

;

;

;

;

;

the railroad,

;

much

the larger portion of the place

being situated in Whitemarsh.

It was here that the original settlement of Plymouth was made, and

where William Penn. according to the survey of 1686 had previously ordered six hundred acres to be laid out for a town. It was thus that the first house of worship throughout all this section came to be located

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1032

here. In the map acompanying Gabriel Thomas' "Account of Peuusylvauia," published in London in 1(>98,

the settlement here

is

denoted, being the only

one so mentioned within the present limits of the county. Lewis Evans also noted it on his map of 1749. The post-office was located here before 1827. Considerable lime is burned in this vicinity and sent off by railroad. It was from the kilns here that the county commissioners requested proposals, in the spring of 1804, for hauling a quantity of lime by the bushel to complete the bridge then building over the Manatawuy, at Pottstown, twenty-three miles

Being tradesmen, and not accustomed to a country life, they afterwards removed to Philadelphia. Not long afterwards, however, the land was repurchased and settled. Among a number of others were David Meredith, Price, Ellis

Edmund

Cartlege,

Pugh and Hugh

Thomas Owen, Jones,

all

Isaac

Friends.

It

numerous here to receive the consideration of William Penn, who, in a letter to Thomas Lloyd, from England dated the 14th of Fourth Month, 1691, among other things, said ''Salute me to the Welsh Friends and the Plimouth

seems they had become

sufficiently

:

—indeed to all of them."

Friends^

distant.

Hickorytown is situated on the Germantown and Perkiomeu turnpike, three miles southeast of NorrisIt contains town and fourteen from Philadeli>hia. an inn, store, school-house, a blacksmith and wheelwright-shop and about thirty houses. The post-office ^vas established here in May, 1857. The electicms of In 1832 Gordon's "Gatlie township are held here. zetteer" mentions it as containing ten houses. Captain Robert Kennedy, an officer of the Revolution, kept the inn here in 1801 Frederick Dull, in ISOIJ and ;

;

In the beginning of the century

.Jacob Hart, in 182.5.

was a noted training-place for the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Pennsylvania militia and the Second this

Battalion of

Company,

The Friendship

Montgomery County.

for protection against

organized here in the

fall

of 1807,

horse-stealing,

and

was

in the follow-

numbered sixty-four members. Near by is Plymouth Valley Creamery, belonging to an association of farmers, which went into operation in ing year

the

August, 1882. Harmanville

is

situated on the line of

Whitemarsh

township, at the intersection of the Ridge and Plym-

outh turnpikes, one and a half miles hocken.

It contains a store, sevei'al

from Conshomechanic shops

and about thirty houses in the two townships. It has grown since 1850. The ore and marble pro-

chiefly

duction in the vicinity has given an impulse to prosperity.

Where

its

the Ridge turnpike crosses Ply-

mouth Creek and Railroad

Ridge Station. Here are four or five houses, the Seven Stars Hotel and a coalyard. The venerable stone bridge over which the turnpike passes was built in 1796. About a quarter of a mile below this on the turnpike a considerable quantity of clay has been dug in the past seven years, which Is manufactured into fire-brick for the linings of furnaces, especially th ose used in the manufacture of is

glass.

Plymouth. Meeting. —The Friends were undoubtthe earliest settlers of Plymouth and of the contiguous portion of Whitemarsh. It appears that William Penn had conceived the plan for a town to be laid out of about one mile square where is now the edly

site of

held meetings for worship at the house of James Fox.

the present meeting-house.

In the summer of

The members, with the consent of Haverford Monthly Meeting in 1703, continued their worship at the same house that had then come in possession of Hugh Jones,

and remained there for several years, was held at the house of John Cartlege

which it some time. Through the increase of population, it was agreed to build a meeting-house for their better accommodation, which was accordingly done at the present site, which for some time previous had been used as a buryingground. With the consent of Haverford Monthly Meeting and the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, the Friends of Plymouth and Gwynedd were permitted to hold the first Monthly Meeting for themselves the 22d of Twelfth Month, 1714-15. It cannot be ascertained from the records at what exact time this meetinghouse was built, but there is reason to believe that it could not have been long previous to that date. John Rees was appointed, the 25th of Twelfth Jlonth, 1723, to keep the records of the births and burials which had been commenced in 1690. A school was kept from the beginning in connection

after for

^cith

the meeting,

and was the only one in the township down to the Revolution. Pupils came to it from miles around on horseback, in consequence of which a log stable was built on the premises. In his visit to America, the celebrated John Fothergill, an English Friend, preached on two difl'erent

—

the first time on the 15th of Twelfth Month, 1721, and again the 27th of Tenth occasions at this place,

Thomas Chalkley, in a visit here in Month, 1736. Fourth Month, 1726, mentions David Meredith as one of the elders, who was then nearly eighty-nine years old, but who died in the following Eleventh Month. Ashorttime before the Revolution the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia adopted a minute that the " members do not hold negroes in bondage," and "that they shall Eight incurred the cennot buy or sell any slaves." sure, when a committee was appointed, in 1775, to ascertain the exact number held by the members of the meeting, which was ascertained to be sixteen Thomas Lancaster, Sr., negroes and one mulatto. was among those prevailed on, who emancipated his man, Cato, aged forty-six years, 6th of Sixth Month,

1686 the township was purchased and settled by James

1774.

Fox, Francis Rawle, Richard Gove, John Chelson and some other Friends, who lived here for a time and

several being disowned for

The Revolution was

also a trial to its

entering the

members,

army or

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

bearing arms, contrary to their precepts. The meetinghouse was also used as a hospital for the sick or

wounded from the

battle of Germantown. In 1827 and the following year a division took place among the members on points of doctrine, and the result was that a portion separated and built not long afterwards a two-story stone meeting-house near by, which is known as the Orthodox congregation, who have retained for

The

their use a portion of the ancient graveyard.

an ancient stone structure one story high, situated in the west angle of the intersection of the Germantown and Plymouth turnpikes. Having been injured by fire, it was repaired in present meeting-house

is

1033

THE CORSON FAMILY.' The Corson family trace their descent from the Huguenots who fled from France in 1675 on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which drove nearly all

fact

Protestants from that kingdom. is

The

historical

that two French ships sailed with

for Charleston, S.

C, one

of

them landing

families its

exiles

the place of destination and the other being either cast away on the shores of Staten Island or at

and discharging its we are informed the summer of 1858 and a gallery placed in the e;tst by Weiss, in the appendix to his "History of the end. The graveyard has but one stone that bears Persecution of the French Huguenots, by Louis an early inscription, and that is to the memory of XIV.," came the Corsons, Kreusons, Lefferts, LarzaMathew Colly, who died March .3, 1722, aged fifty-five leres, Du Bois' and other French families, who, about years. As he was not a Friend, that portion of the 1726, pressed their way westward and settled in ground has since been incorporated with the rest, the Northampton township, Bucks Co., Pa., where, to the meeting-house standing on its eastern portion. present day, their descendants are ((uite numerous. ASSESSMENT OF PLYMOUTH, 1780. There is documentary proof that Benjamin Corson, Fretlericlc Dull, assessor, and James Stiepliei-d, collector. of Staten Island, on the 19th of May, 1726, bought ZebuloD Potts, 100 acres, 5 horses, 3 cows, and aged mother to maintwo hundred and fifty acres of land half a mile IleniT Gnibb, 3 b., 4 c. Slartin Wtiitetain James Robinson, 106 a. below the present Addesville, Bucks Co., for three a, man, grist and saw-mill, 64 a., 2 h., 2 c. Widow Leake's estate, hundred and fifty pounds. This was the original John Davis, shoemaker, 2 h., 4 c. Jacob Wager, 95 a., 2 h., 2 c; Wigard Levering, 200 a., 4 h., 8 c, aged Michael Wills, 225 a., 6 h„ 4 home of the family in Bucks County, and remained c, aged Barnabas Coulston, 100 a., 1 h., 2 c, aged Andrew Lisinger, This Benjamin Corson was in its hands until 1823. 2 h., 2 c. James Stroud, 111 a., 2 h., 4 c. Frederick Dull, 120 a., 4 h., the great-grandfather of Joseph Corson, a merchant 4 c. Jacob Peterman, smith, 92 a., 3 h., 3 c. Christian Steer's estate, and farmer, who in 1786 came from Bucks County 40 a. Andrew De Haven, 2 h., 2 c. John Ettridge, Sr.'s, estate, 60 a. James Shepherd, 100 a., 4 h., 2 c. Henry Hence, 2 h., 3 c. John Woods, and located near Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery 62 a., 2h., 3 c. James Wood, 96 a., 2h., 4 c., maintains an aged mother; The latter married Hannah, daughter of Co. Moses Meredith's estate, 150 a. Charles Linensheat, 2 h., 2 c. Moses William Dickinson, whose ancestor, Walter DickinDavid David, 'J6 Meredith's estate. 250 a. John Timberman, 2 h., 1 c. Nathan Potts, smith, 36 a., 2 h., 3 c. Michael Trump's son, of the Church of England, received a patent for a., 2 h., 2 c. Jacob Brown, 1 c. Elizabeth Meredith, 198 a., 2 h., 2 c, estate, 11 a. four hundred and twenty acres of land on the William Ellis, 1 h., 1 c. Jo hn (Campbel 148 a., 2 h., 3 c. John Sisler, Patapsco Eiver, in Maryland, in 1658. From this 126 a., 2 h., I c, Simon Armstrong, 137 a., 2 h., 2 c. Ludvvig Sharer, John Halman, 126 a., 4 c, an aged mother to main.50 a., 2 b., 2 c. ancestor descended William Dickinson, who became William Ryan, \W) a., 1 h., 2 c. Samuel Brooke's estate, 186 a., tain a Friend, moved to Pennsylvania and settled at Peter Arnold, shoemaker, 1 h., 1 c. John Davis, 166 a., 3 h., 2 h., 3 c. Plymouth Meeting shortly after Penn founded his 2 c. Thomas ^Vhorloo, 1 c. William Gregory, 60 a., 1 c, 2 h. Alexancolony, in 1683. He was the great-grandfather of der Loyal, 50 a., 2 h., 2 c, aged Samuel Caughlin, inn-keeper, 18 a. Sarah Wagstaff's estate, 10 a. John Dickinson, shoemaker. 2 h., c. Hannah Dickinson, who married Joseph Corson, and Rebecca Lloyd, 21 a., 1 c, aged Philip Lloyd, 2 h., 1 c. 1 h., 1 c. became the mother of the children mentioned in this 2 c. Rudolph Bartle, 2 h.. 3 c., John Coulston, inn-keeper, 130 a., 3 sketch. The mother of Joseph Corson was a Dungan, Levi Trump, 3 a. Joseph .Vathaniel Van Winkle, turner, 5 a., 2 c. Jesse Israel Dickinson's estate, 47 a. Buttler, innkeeper, 2 h., 2 c. a lineal descendant of Rev. Thomas Dungan, a BapHex, 1 h., 2 c. Nicholas Knight, 6 a., 2 h., 2 c. Joseph Jones, 25(1 a,, Island and tist preacher, who came from Rhode Davis, 130 a., 4 h., 2 c. Mercy Reese BfiU, 2 c. Thomas 3 h., 3 c. Spring, near Bristol, Bucks Co., in Cold settled at O. BlcCall's estate, 75 a.; Daniel Archibald Davis, lOfi a-, 2 h., 2 c. /' Neal, inn-keeper 2 b., c. Joseph Levering, 70 a., 2 h., 2 c. John 1684. This minister was the founder of the Baptist John Wliiteman, 5 h., 3 c. Priugle's estate, 130 a., and grist-mill Church in Pennsylvania. He had left England to ;

;

making a harbor

in

distress

passengers there.

On

this vessel, as

;

lo.*)

;

;

:

;

;

;

;

;

:

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

l.

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

I

;

;

;

;

;

II.,

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

:

;

;

;

1

;

;

;

;

Alexander Colley, 2.50 a., 4 water, wheelwright, 44 a., 2

Andrew Crawford,

h., 6 c. h., 2

180

a.,

2 c.

John Bayard, merchant, 50a., 3

;

kins,

1

b.,

;

Stephen

1 c.

StinfjU

Potts, 70 a.

3fe».

;

;

b.,

c.

;

Samuel

4 c, 4slave8,

John

— Patrick

1 c.

;

Joseph Kitz-

Daniel Deal, inn-keeper, 52

3 h., 4

1 c.

plate 130 oz,

;

c.

2 h.,

;

Philip Sidney,

Yetter, 1

McCk)unel,

c.

a.,

Ckiwdoii, weaver, 1 ;

chariot,

1

chair,

Jonathan Tom-

Hugh

McKiiowles,

William Samuel, George Wolf, William Tippeu, Amos Pharoah, Joseph Levering, Benjamin Levering, John Colton, Michael Wills, Jacob

Whiteman, John Whiteman, Jesse Wager, John Loyal, Andrew Norney, David Jones and Jonathan Colley.

sect, but finding Peuusylvania to share the religious liberty of the Quakers. In the graveyard of the church to which he ministered he buried the remains of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Revolutionary fame. The zeal of the Corson family for

escape the persecutions against his

New England

no better, came

to

of conscience, therefore, is derived from Huguenot, Baptist and Quaker sources, certainly forming a strong pedigree in that direction. liberty

' For sketches of Drs. Hiram. William and Elwood Corson, on the Medical Profession. ,

see chapter

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1034

ALAN W. CORSON. " Let the mind be great and glorious, and able in comparison." Seneca,

all

other things are despic.

—

Without doubt, the best-known and most justly celebrated scholar and scientist in Montgomery County was Alan W. Corson (son of Joseph and HanWe have nah Corson), of Whitemarsh township. others whose general scholastic attainments are more classical, but in the higher mathematics botany, geology, mineralogy, conchology, entomology and astronomy he was distinguished in ouj.

—

county.

Born

in

Whitemarsh township, Second Month

21,

1788, he continued on the farm of his father and attended Friends' school until twelve years of age,

when

his father having entered the store business

and

needing his services he entered on his duties there, That at which he continued until grown to adult age. business in the country ofttimes aflbrds much oppor tunity for study and, with an ambition to learn, a good memory and great mental capacity, he soon made rapid progress in knowledge. The libraries were visited ;

for volumes of history, science and general literature, and he rapidly took place among the brightest young men of the time. " He possessed such decided mathematical capacity," says Mr. Auge, " that he was able to master these studies nearly unaided by teachers. By the time he was grown, therefore, he was capable of teaching all the common mathematical branches, as well as the other studies usual in high schools. He was thus early a self-taught scholar and teacher also, a For many profession to which he devoted himself years, in addition to carrying on a farm of about fifty acres, he taught Friends' school at Plymouth

Meeting, and afterwards for school in his

own home,

in

tion as a teacher being so

many

years a boarding-

Whitemarsh, his reputahigh that he drew many

pupils from Norristown and other places.

Mary, daughter of Lawrence Egbert, of Plymouth, and they had born to them the following children I. Hannah, who married James Richie, and lives in Philadelphia. II.

Sarah, married to Isaac Garretson, of White-

marsh. III. Martha, wife of Isaac Styer, of Plymouth. IV. Elias H. Corson, whose life and family history appear elsewhere in this volume. V. Lawrence E., who married Mary, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Johnson, of Norristown. VI. Joseph, who studied medicine with his uncle,

Dr. Hiram, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania,

and

till

the breaking out of the Rebellion

Ohio was surgeon of an Ohio regiment during the war, and died soon after his return. He was married to Martha Cutler, of that place, and his widow and two sons still reside there. VII. Luke is a farmer in Nebraska has two sons. Alan W. Corson's eldest daughter, Mrs. Richie, inherited her father's love of natural science, and more than thirty years ago furnished to the Montgomery County Cabinet of Natural Science, which her father had been mainly instrumental in forming, a valuable herbarium. She stands high as a botanist, and the vast collection of rare specimens which she has gathered and cultivated, as also her museum of salt and fresh-water shells, have made her justly celebrated among her acquaintances. She has two daughone the wife of Dr. John ters living in Philadelphia, Graham, the other married to Mr. George Perkins. No man could be more careful than Alan Corson to so deport himself as to give no offense, so sensitive and unobtrusive as to refuse to be put forward in places above his friends, or more ready to discover th(2 appearance of neglect and quick to refuse to receive a practiced at Portsmouth,

;

;

—

favor bestowed with a shade of reluctance.

He

became a member of the Society of Friends

at

however, he abandoned teaching as a profession, and having a large farm and a nursery of trees and shrubs, he divided his time between these and land-surveying, an art in which he was regarded as the most accomplished in the His reputation in that department was county.

a very early age, and attended the meetings very regularly. Once, after an attendance at Philadelphia

so

eminent that he was often called to distant places and employed wherever there were difficult lines to run that required extra skill and accuracy to de-

with some of his family in it, but yet a vacant seat. He felt that now he could have a ride home. As they neared he turned and spoke to them, and instinctively

termine true boundaries. " In this calling he was not relieved from service until he was nearly, if not quite, eighty years of age,

held up his hand just as they seemed to be passing. They stopped and took him in. He had scarcely

"About middle

when he deemed

life,

prudent to decline further labor. •' He was also, during nearly all his adult life, because of accuracy in accounts, excellence of judgment and high character for integrity, employed by neighbors and acquaintances to write wills, deeds and it

agreements for them he was frequently, also, appointed executor by testators or chosen administrator by those dying intestate. Quite early in life Alan W. Corson was married to ;

Yearly Meeting, he was returning on foot (at that time there was not even a stage), w-hen, as he reached the hill at " Robin Hood " (now Laurel Hill), he saw a neighbor coming behind

him

in a two-horse carriage,

been seated before the conviction seized him that but for the gesture he made they would have passed without inviting him in. At once he said he desired to get They endeavored to detain him, but he sprang out.

home with a very light This little incident was most characteristic of the man. Mr. Auge, in his biography, already alluded to, thus sums up his history, "A notice of Alan W. Corson would not be complete out and afterwards walked

step.

without further reference to his brothers and

sisters.

Enah 'y'iyAM.BUOde

^V'^Vl.

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. the other children of Joseph Corson,

who

left

the lowlands of Delaware, Maryland, the sandy pine-

a large

woods of New Jersey, and even to the Adirondacks, specimens of botany, geolog}', mineralogy and entomology, and in search of other scientific matters."

whom

were well educated and possessed commanding talents and marked moral characteristics. The author will be pardoned for saying that they exhibit marked peculiarities, reminding him of some of the time-honored clans of Scotland. The Corsons will arraign each other, sometimes, sharply, but to the outside world they are a unit. This results from the very commendable and warranted pride of family, or esprit de corps, as the French phrase it. Almost all the race possess a keen, jocular turn of mind, and some of them a talent for mimicry and critical badinage peculiarly French. The author may also add that he has no knowledge of any man of the county from whom are descended so large a number of cultivated and distinguished offspring, both in the male and female branches, as are dascended from Joseph Corson. " With few exceptions, the whole Corson race have been cultivated in mind and are notorious for their love of free thought. True to their Huguenot origin, they have been outspoken for freedom, the deadly foes of slavery, and most of them life-long teetotalers. As the phrenologists say, the moral instincts have predominated over those strictly religious, Alan W. being the only one of the male members of the family who assumed the strict garb and life of Friends, although most of them adhere to the society's teachings. Alan family, nearly all of

—

1035

for

He died June 21, 1882, in his ninetj'-fifth year, and was buried in Friends' burying-ground at Plymouth, where he had been accustomed to attend meeting for nearly ninety years, the last seventy years, almost in-

when well, twice a week. Mary Corson, the second child of Joseph and Hannah Corson, married Charles Adamson, of this county. They, soon after marriage, moved to Chester County. Their children now living are Hannah, who married variably,

the widely-known philanthropist, the faithful antislavery and temperance advocate, one of the purest

and best of men; they have several

children.

Mary's

second child was Sarah, who, either inheriting or being taught the woman's rights principles so ardently cherished and advocated by her mother, and yearning for knowledge and work beyond the narrow bounds at that time accorded to woman, commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of her uncle. Dr.

Hiram

Corson.

At that time (1851) the

medical schools of Philadelphia,

New

York, Boston

and other places refused her admission to the lectures, as they had refused Elizabeth Blackwell, who finally

succeeded in graduating at Geneva, in the

State of

New

Y'^ork

—the

first

woman

physician

who

W. is justly noted for his doctrinal unity with those who hold the views of Elias Hicks, and for the con-

obtained the degree of M.D. in the United States.

scientious fulfillment of every precept of Christian

losing students, shut their doors against

morals.

fortunately a medical college was established at Syra-

"

Alan W. Corson's mind received

a strong religious

bent at a very early age, and his conscientiousness

and truthfulness have been controlliug during his long

life.

John Evans,' he used

characteristics

Many years ago, with to

make annual

his cousin,

excursions to

1 An incident in the life of Alan W. Corson and John Evans may be mentioned here which, though commonplace, doubtless exerted a great influence on their after-movements. Alan, on returning from a visit to his daughter (present Mrs. Richiu), at Westtuwn School, felt that he ought to call on his cousin, John Evans, whose house was but little out of the direct roJid home. The Corson and Evans families, though so closely related, had lived in different counties, and these two cousins had but Blight acquaintance with each other. John was a millerand farmer, living in a most romantic place among the hills of Radnor, and kept hounds, and

among

had one famous for following the dogs as they sped miles and miles away after foxes in winter-time. Fox-hunting was a grand pastime with the Radnor boys and men, in those days when foxes were plenty. Alan reached his home in the evening, and early next morning was along the creek and on the hill-side looking for plants. He was delighted with the variety and luxuriance of the flora of that hornblende region, and returned before breakf;ist bringing with him several plants. John inquired of him what be was going to do with them. Alan then explained to him the bot^inical systems of Jussieu and Linnaeus, and pulling to pieces the plants he had gathered, showed him how to analyze them. The quick mind of John Evans s;iw before him a new field to explore. The flowering plants, the weeds and briars, the evergreens and other trees growing around him wereseen in a new light where before there ofttimes seemed to he deformity and confusion, he then saw the order of nature. From that day the foxes were no longer molested by him the hunting-horses and the hounds were forgotten, and instead of dashing at breakneck speed over the hills, he became, with his cousin, an explorer of nature. Together they often traveled over the same hills on his horses always

:

:

Even the Geneva College had

then, through fear of

women

;

but

N. Y., which expressed a willingness to reThither she went, and in due time graduated. She then spent one year as an assistant cuse,

ceive females.

to the physician in the

Blockley Hospital, in Philadel-

subsequently married Lester C. Dolley, M.D., a former professor in the medical school in which she phia;

They both practiced in Rochester, N. Y., until his death very successfully. She still

had graduated. resides there,

and enjoys a high place in the profes-

sion in that city.

Her only child, Dr. Charles Lester Dolley, occupies in the great Marine Laboratory at Naples the chair of bi-

—

ology accorded the University of Pennsylvania, the onl}' chair occupied by an American. He is there as the representative of the university.

He

is

yet

scarcely twenty-five years of age. Nearly every nation in Europe is represented in this great laboratory, some of them filling from six to twelve chairs, with the most skillful biologists known to the world. It will be no light work to cope with these scientists. which he had followed the fo.xes, but it was now to study geology, mineralogy and botany. From that time until his death, nearly forty years, '*

they made their excursions.

\vinter-garden

plants to the '

" and

his green-house,

From

his "sand-garden," his he sent many rare and valuable

Kew Queen Victoria. His home was a center which lovers of nature delighted to come his generosity to them had no bounds. Mrs. Elizabeth Abrams, of Norristown, and Mrs. Daniel Paxson, at the old home in Delaware County, are his only living children to

Gardens " of

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1036

Mary Corson is Thomas, who twenty years or more has been consul at Kio Janeiro, Pernanibuco, Sandwich Islands, and consulThe

third child of

for nearly

Panama. They have two sons. Charles, the youngest son of Mary Corson, lives at Phcenixville, and is engaged in railroad business. Though long an invalid, suffering from bronchial disease, Mrs. Adanison had her sitting-room and her

general in Australia, and

He

is

at present in

married Sarah Wright.

and soon after married Martha, daughter of Samuel Maulsby (whose grandfather had come to America with William Penn,) and who then resided at Plymouth. Here George Corson continued in business for several

law,

years, until the death

of his father-in-

when he purchased the homestead and farm

bed-chamber always crowded with flowering plants,^

and then dropped the mercantile engage in farming and manufacturing lime. Here he continued in active and successful business until his death from consumption, November

a measure in direct opposition to the prevailing medi-

18, 1880.

but the pleasurable enjoyment of their presence, and her long life of eighty-five

Moses Auge, in his " Biography of Men of Montgomery County," said of him, " He was justly distinguished for high moral qualities, being a most untiring anti-slavery man and temperance advocate." Few men have exerted a better influence in a neighborhood than the subject of this sketch. Though never a member of Friends' Meeting, he was a frequent attendant there, and his family were brought up in accord with the principles of the society. On engaging in the limebusiness, where themen employed had been in the habit of whipping and abusing the horses, he exercised a marked influence for good. Not a man was allowed to strike or maltreat a horse even drivers in the employ of other people were often stopped in their abuse of animals by his fearless in-

cal

opinion of the time

years,

;

and the conviction

in the

minds of physicians

of the present day prove the wisdom of her course. Her love of flowers, and her enjoyment of poetry, that

essence of literature, were marked characteristics of

her quiet, beautiful life. Sarah Corson (third of Joseph Corson's children)^ born married Thomas Read. With but a brief ,

two years, they always lived in the countyFor many years he kept store at Hickorytown after" wartls owned and managed the mill in Upper Merion, near to Catfish dam. They had several children, Sarah, married to Charles Jones, who resides in Coiishohocken. Her son Joseph served through the

interval of

;

and

lime-kilns,

business to

;

George Schultz, whose two

No threat of injury from the driver for a moment checked him. Often were whips and even clubs raised to strike, but those who raised them

sons were both killed in the war of the Rebellion,

quailed before the courage and demands of the friend

one at Antietam, the other at Gettysburg.

of the noble animal.

war.

Hannah, married

to

Mary (married to John Roberts, now who still resides in Norristown. Lewis

W.

deceased),

At this time, too, every workman in the quarries and had to be supplied with whisky, as much He at once announced that no as he chose to have. none allowed at the liquor would be furnished works. The skilled workmen at once left. In presNothing daunted, ent parlance, there was a strike. at the kilns

Read, M.I)., whose history appears

else-

where.

Joseph,

terference.

;

who

is

a

lumber merchant

in Florida,

who

and

bore an active part in the late war. Alan Corson Read, a dentist, who has resided for more than twenty years in Copenhagen, Denmark. To her Their mother died of consumption and her sister (Mary Adamson) were entrusted the care of their brothers (when William was yet only four years old) when their mother passed from them. For their loving care, their wise counsel and, shall I

he called raw hands to the work, supervised the parts which demanded skill in management and succeeded No kiln of lime had been burned bein his purpose. fore that time but by the aid of whisky. In 1830, Benjamin Sundy, the little, meek New Jersey Quaker, the first of American Abolitionists, came to Plymouth to speak about slavery, to show say, to their daily aspirations for protection from all that Southern slave-holders were contriving to embroil that brings sorrow, these children have ever been us with Mexico, in order that we could then have a grateful. pretense to sever Texas from that country, so that George Corson, the fourth of the six sons of Joseph slavery could be spread over a new and fertile counand Hannah (Dickinson) Corson, was born First try of great extent. He had traveled through that Month 4, 1803, in Plymouth township. He was an then sparsely -settled region, had mingled with Southapt scholar, with a remarkable mathematical talent, ern slave-holders and had become cognizant of their His visit North wiis to get subscribers to a branch of learning in which his father had marked schemes. ability. the "Genius of Universal Emancipation," which he In his brother Alan's school, where were congre- was then publishing in Baltimore occasionally, and gated some of the brightest boys from different parts to awaken here an anti-slavery sentiment. He came of the country, he led them all in that branch of to George Corson's. A meeting was called only a few study, while in some other studies some of them sur- persons came. Alan, George and Hiram Corson, Jonpassed him. In early manhood he engaged in store- athan Maulsby and two or three others. This was the keeping at Plymouth Meeting with Jonathan Maulsby, beginning of George Corson's giving a home and en.

;

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

—

1037

for thirty years.

completed the great painting, now on exhibition in New York, " John Brown coming from the Charleston Jail with a rope about his neck, on his way to execu-

his wife threw

tion."

tertainment to anti-slavery lecturers, the beginning of a generous hospitality which was continued tothcra

From that time George Corson and open their house to all the anti-slavery speakers. It was there that Garrison, McKim, Lucretia Mott, Mary Grew, Abbie Foster {nee Kelly), Charles and Cyrus Burleigh and many others were welcomed and entertained. .This will seem a trifling thing to many to speak of now, but to those who know how Abolitionists weredenounced by nearly the whole people, even by the ministers in their pulpits, who called them infidels, and that even Friends treated their

members who joined the

Abolitionists with ex-

treme coldness, how the vulgar people cursed and threatened them, those who know these things, know that no faint-hearted, cowardly man was then an AboWhile every brother and sister of George litionist. Corson was an outspoken Abolitionist and warm in the cause, there was not one of them that entertained

—

the despised members of the Anti-Slavery Society so

much

But this wiis partly owing to the fact of its greater convenience to the lecturers to stay with them. And this brings me to another event worth naming. Even the Friends at Plymouth, after as his family did.

the anti-slavery crusade got fairly started, refused the

Every church and school-house, with rare exceptions, was shut against them and even when granted, the meetings were disturbed, not only by men sometimes drunk and noisy, but often by " persons of property and standing, " as was the " Boston mob." The subject of our sketch therefore determined to build a hall, over which he could have control. He made quite a large one and furnished it well with seats, warmed and meeting-house

the

to

anti-slavery

people.

;

lighted

it

at his

own expense.

And now we

can see

was for the lecturers to make his house their temporary home. As time wore on more and more neighbors and friends were attracted to the meetings to hear the eloquent and earnest men and women

how convenient

who

it

pictured the atrocities of slavery.

Many,

too,

were the fugitives fleeing from slavery whom his family entertained, by night and by day, in his home and in the hall.

Time flew along. George Corson, worn down with The war which sunk slavconsumption, died in ery forever and gave freedom to four million human beings, was brought on by John Brown in 1861. Before his death George had sent his young daughter to the School of Design, in Philadelphia. After completing her studies there she spent several years studying art in Paris, then returned and made the old hall her .

A few years later she was married to Thomas Hovenden, an artist, whose beautiful picture entitled " Elaine " had attracted much attention. Mr. Hovenden was sought by a gentleman in New York to paint him a picture of John Brown. The most liberal offer was made, and Mr. Hovenden undertook the work, on a design of his own. The old hall then became the studio of Mr. Hovenden, and there was designed and

studio.

It may not be deemed inappropriate to introduce here a brief extract from a published criticism of Mr. Hovenden's picture, just as it was about being sent

from the studio, "George Corson, one of the fathers of the present genemtion (of was an earnest Abolitionist, ami dwelt in an ancient homestead His home was a immediately opposite the HicliSite Plymouth Meeting. centre of the active agitation which friends and foes united in regarding as a harbingrer of war. To furnish accommodations elsewhere denied for Corsons),

the gatherings of the faithful,he erected on his premises a good-sized hall, where many notable meetings, conferences and conventions were held and

His place, too, became an important business transacted. Undergound Railroad station, and the entertainment of unexpected guests of dusky hue at breakfast is one of the memories of the family. This old homestead is to-day the residence of Thomas Hovenden, the historic painter, and his wife, also a distinguished artist, Helen Corson Hoven-

much weighty

den, the daughter of George Corson.

"That

old anti-slavery centre

is

now

a centre of artistic interests, and

the gatherings of fleeing slaves and their .abolition friends have been

succeeded by weekly levees attended by painters, sculptors, literarj' folk and lovers of art, the traditional hospitality of the household being de-

By one of those coincidences w hich cannot faij whether regarded as significant or not, it was to this home that Thomas Hovenden came, two years ago, when he received a Amid the association and commission for a picture of John Brown. memories which cling about this Cnderground Railroad station the picture The Anti-Slavery Hall was converted into a has been painted. Mr. Hovenden studio, and there the first sketchesanddraftswere made. built a studio especially adapted to his purpose when he determined what maintained.

lightfully

to e-xcite interest,

'

'

conditions would be required, but the tentative subject, composition

and treatment, was done

work, deciding on the

in the Abolitionists' meet-

ing room."

That room is still the studio of Mrs. Hovenden. There is another incident which shows the zeal and courage of him of whom we write, which we may mention here. As he was one day coming home from his brother's, Charles Corson's,

Shannonville, he overtook a

on the back road east of riding on horseback,

man

man with a rope around his neck, one end of it being fast to the saddle of the rider. Mr. Corson was also on horseback, and on coming alongside the stranger asked him why the man was thus tied. He replied that he had been his slave, had run away and that he had found him and was taking him home. After some more talk George hurried on to Norristown, and when the master and slave arrived had them arrested and taken before a magistrate. The slave-holder procured a lawyer the magistrate's office was filled with people indignant that a "Southern gentleman" (?) should be thus insulted and Norristown disgraced by such an unwarwhile behind him walked a black

;

rantable proceeding.

The magistrate decided

that

"the master had a right to his property," and the " The master has a prosecutor had to pay the costs. "'You want to rob him of his right to his property," property," was the battle-cry of the opjjonents of the Abolitionists at that time. George Corson was a small man, and in his latter years a weak one, but a braver, truer man never stood by a friend in his hour of peril. Of the children of George and Martha Maulsby

—

—

Cordon a few brief words.

Mary died

in infancy.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1038 Susan died

Dr. Marcus H. died

in her fifteenth year.

in his twenty-tliird year, of consumption.

was a youth of remarkable

talents,

but

fell

Tliis

son

a victim to

disease soon after his graduation at the University of

Pennsylvania. Possessed of a remarkable memory, and having a great craving for knowledge, he gave promise of eminence in his profession, but the hopes of his friends were soon blighted by his early death. Samuel M. graduated in the Literary Department of

Helen Corson, the oldest living daughter, now wife Thomas Hovenden, has already been sufficiently referred to in this history of her father and mother. She and her husband occupy the old homestead, and both are earnest and aspiring in their profession. They of

the University of Pennsylvania, afterwards studied law

have two children. Miss Ida Corson is a graduate of Vassar College, and quite remarkable for her mathematical ability. She resides at Washington, D. C, with her uncle. Dr. George Maulsby, surgeon in the United States navy.

and began practice in Philadelphia. Like Marcus H., he was a brilliant scholar, but was not fitted for the law: it was distasteful to him.

His father, Samuel Livezey, was of Welsh origin, a

in

,

THOMAS LIVEZEY.

his brother,

4HMi,i

uj^e^ i^/h&'yyt-^f^^jL^ He was a book-worm. For he taught school in Whitemarsh township, near to his old home, with great success, and while so engaged wrote many interesting articles for A modest, kind gentleman and the public papers. scholar, he died in 1883, and was buried, as were all Literature was his delight.

several years

his father's family then deceased, in the Friends' burying-ground near his birth-place. There are of George Corson's children still living

f>

minister of the Society of Friends, and with his wife, Mary, settled in Plymouth township, Montgomery Co., in 1788, where he reared his family and died. The children of Samuel and Mary Livezey were Thomas, Martha (married Jacob Albertson), Rachel (married Jonathan Maulsby), Samuel, Mary (married Lewis Jones), Joseph, and Ann (who married William Ely).

Thomas

Livezey, born the 27th of Fourth Month, Plymouth, on the

only Ellwood, Helen and Ida.

1803, died in his native township,

Dr. Ellwood M. Corson is the only surviving sou of George and Martha Corson. A sketch of his life appears in the chapter upon the Medical Profession.

A friend of Thomas 2d of Tenth Month, 1879. Livezey paid him the following tribute at his death " His brothers selecting other business, he became

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP. The

a farmer and store-keeper.

estate

left

him by

hisfotherhe kept intact, having died on the farm on which he was born, and he leaves a good estate be-

He

was a director in the Bank of Montgomery County during its controversy with the late David M. Conkey, in which the bank came off victorious, also a

sides.

director in the First National

many years he was "He was a member of

and

for

Bank of Norristown,

a school director.

Friends' Meeting at Plymouth, and though he did not have a gift in the ministry, as hia father had, yet he wielded a large influence in the meeting, and his opinions were always respected. As a business man he lacked nothing in ability or integrity.

He

lived to see the

flail,

the rake,

from England about 1784, and setted at Peale Hall, Their chilin Philadelphia. She survives in 1886. dren are seven sons, viz. Dr. Edward Livezey (1833:

medicine with Dr. Hiram Corson, was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1859, served one and one-half years in Wills' Eye Hospital, one year in the Pennsylvania Hospital, afterward in the Government Hospital at Broad and Cherry Streets, and subsequently located at 507 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, where he to 1876), studied

continued to enjoy a large practice until his death. Samuel, in the packing business, Chicago.

Joseph

John R.

.JONATHAN

the turnpike road, and

road

;

the

steel

it,

in turn, give

way to the

rail-

and wooden springs supplanted by springs under his carriage, and they, in

his leather

the mail-bags on horseturn, by the passenger car back by express trains and the special messenger by the telegraph. Finally, he lived to see his country redeem herself from the sin of slavery, and re-enter ;

;

upon a new career of business prosperity." His wife, Rachel, born at Attleboro', Bucks Co. Pa., on the 27th of Eighth Month, 1808, whom he married on the 18th day of the Tenth Month, 18.32, was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Richardson, who came

R.,

engaged

in

the real estate business in

Philadelphia.

the scythe and the pitch-fork, which he had wielded

on many a weary day, give place to the threshingmachine, the horse-rake, the mowing-machine and the horse-fork. He saw the dirt road substituted by

1039

conveyancing with

(1842-18(?7), studied

.lOXES.

Nathan R.

Potts, of Philadelphia,

where he had a

lu-

crative business.

Henry Henry,

(1843-1846). 2d. (1847-18731,

read law with Judge F.

and D. H. Mulvany, of was admitted to practice at the Montgomery County bar, November 10, 1869, and at the time of his death he was associated with the present Judge Boyer. C. Brewster, of Philadelphia,

Norristown

;

Thomas Ellwood,

a farmer on the home-stead.

JONATHAN JONES. Isaac Jones, the father of the subject of this bio-

graphical sketch, resided at Conshohocken, where he cultivated a productive farm.

He was

three times

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERy COUNTY.

1040 married,

his

first

wife,

the mother

of

Jonathan

Jones, being Elizabeth Yerkes, whose children were

John, William, Jonathan, Ann, Susan (Mrs. Thomas Hopkins), Charles, Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Sheppard). Jonathan was born on the 10th of January, 1800, in

Whitemarsh township, and

mon

in

youth received a com-

school education, after which his time and skill

were devoted to the farm which his father owned and cultivated. At the age of twenty-five he married Eliza, daughter of John and Anna Davis, of Plymouth, and

and motives of These qualities caused him frequently to be made arbiter in the adjustment of differences among his neighbors, and rendered his services invaluable as guardian and trustee. He was a Whig, and later a Republican in politics, but not active as a politician. He was by birthright a Friend, and one of the most useful representatives of that denomination at the time of his death, which occurred October 5, 1867. liberal in his estimate of the character

others.

—

had children, Anne J. (Mrs. Samuel Foulke), Evan D., Elwood (deceased), Esther, Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Wil-

Ham

Webster), J. Davis (deceased) and Rachel (deon his marriage, removed to a farm

ceased). Mr. Jones,

located in Plymouth,

owned by

his father-in-law,

Mr.

Davis, which for twenty-one years he cultivated, and

on the death of the latter removed to the Davis homestead, where he resided during the remainder of his life, his widow and two daughters being now the occupants of the farm. Mr. Jones possessed excellent business qualifications, combining much judgment and sagacity with the most absolute integrity. In connection with his farm, he conducted a successful lumber trade at Conshohocken. Mr. Jones was a man of benevolent and kindly instincts, with a keen sense of justice and

JESSE SHEPARD.

The Shepard

family are of English descent.

Thomas

Shepard, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, resided in Whitemarsh township, where he followed his trade of carpenter, combined with which were the frequent duties of an undertaker. He married Miss

Sarah Streaper, whose children were Debo-

rah (Mrs. Henry Zern, of Indiana), John, Thomas, Charles and Jesse. The death of Mr. Shepard occurred on the 4th of October, 1821, in his fifty-fourth and Mrs. Shepard died on the 20th of the

year,

following. Their youngwas born September 30, 1814, in Whitemarsh township, and during his youth attended the paid schools of the neighborhood, after which he

same month during the year est son, Jesse,

POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP. learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, under the direc-

While

tion of his brotlier .Tolin.

still

pursuing his

1041

It is called by this only a clover and chopping-mill. name on Scull's map of 1770. Formerly, on its banks,

and combined

near the centre of the township, a copper-mine was worked. Sanatoga Run, though only about three and

the labor of the farmer with that of a cabinet-maker.

a half miles in length, furnishes valuable water-power.

In 1866 he retired from the latter occupation, and has since devoted his time exclusively to the superintend-

It rises

trade he, at the age of twenty-one, removed to the

farm -which

is

his present residence,

ence of his farming interests.

Mr. Shepard was mar-

ried to Harriet Y. Schultz, granddaughter of Chris-

topher Yeakle, of Chestnut Hill, and daughter of

Henry W.

Schultz, of

Henry W.

Whitemarsh township.

Anna

children are Sarah,

E. (Mrs.

Charles E. and John S.

S.,

Their

Abram A. Yeakle) Mr. Shepard

votes the Republican ticket most frequently, but re-

serves to himself the right to cast an independent ballot his

when

measures or candidates challenge

jiarty

approval.

Though

the incumbent of

various

minor township ottices in the past, he usually declines such distinctions. In religion he worships with the Friends at Plymouth Meeting.

by two branches in

—

an Indian name, and we find it variously spelled, on map of 1770, Sanatoga; on Howell's map of 1792, Sanatoga and the same on the county maps of ;

1849 and 1857.

Among

the

natural

curiosities

Montgomery

of

County may be mentioned the Ringing Rocks, as they are called, on Stone Hill, which are situated about

They consist of a bed of trap rocks; exceedingly hard and compact, which, on being struck with a hammer, ring like iron. The rocks are piled on one another and cover about one and a half acres of ground, within which space

three miles northeast of Pottstown.

trees or bushes are

the largest

that

supposed from five to

found growing.

It is

rocks would weigh

twenty-five tons each, and

some of the apertures are

depth of twenty-five feet. A number of impressions can be seen on them, among which are three closely resembling the human foot, from three to six inches in depth, and also a number resembling the tracks of horses, elephants, and cannon-balls of visible to the

CHAPTER LXIX. POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP. is

township

Scull's

no

This township

New Hanover

with a general southwest course, and propels in Pottsgrove four grist and three saw-mills. This stream has

situated in the extreme western

corner of the county, and the uppermo.st on the river

from

and is bounded northeast by Douglas and New Hanover, southeast by Limerick, south by the Schuylkill and the borough of Pottstovvn and west and

emitted by these rocks are various, depending on their

northwest by Berks County.

mediate tones. In fact, there is not a note in music As Aristotle that has not here a corresponding key.

Its

length

is five

miles,

average breadth three and a half miles, with an area of eleven thousand six hundred square acres, or about eighteen square miles. The entire southern portion

which lies between the Reading turnpike and the river, is fertile and well cultivated. The eastern part is more rolling and towards the Douglas, New Hanover and Limerick line is quite hilly. Among the most prominent elevations can be named Ringing Hill, Stone Hill, Prospect Hill and the Fox Hills. The soil on these elevations Pottsgrove is pretty is generally thin and very stony. well watered by the Manatawny and Sprogel's Creeks, Sanatoga and Goo.se Runs and their various branches. The Manatawny is the largest stream, which rises in Rockland township, Berks Co., and after a general southeast course of about eighteen miles empties into the Schuylkill at the borough of Pottstown. Of its of the township, especially that portion

length, two miles are in this township, in which disit propels three grist-mills. The earliest mention we have found of this stream is from a visit of Governor Gordon in its vicinity in 1728. He calls it the " Mahanatawny." It is an Indian name, and Heckewelder says in their language it signified "where we

tance

drank."

Sprogel's

rising in the

Fox

Run

Hills,

is

wholly in this town.ship,

and

after a southeast course of

four miles empties into the Schuylkill. 66

It

propels

size

si.\

The sounds

to twelve inches in diameter.

and shape. Some, when struck, resemble the rmg-

ing of anvils, others of church-bells, with

all

the inter-

is a might be some note in

has stated that in every block of marble there statue, but it took a sculptor to find

it,

said of these rocks, in every one there

music, but to verify

it.

it

would

still

so

is

it

require the aid of a musician

The German inhabitants of the neigh-

borhood from an early period have given this hill the name of Klingleberg, signifying Ringing Hill. On the west end of Stone Hill, about two miles from Pottstown, a fine view is obtained of the surrounding country. The hills of the Schuylkill can be traced in Chester and Berks Counties for thirty or forty miles.

Pottsgrove was erected into a township in 1807, and

was taken from the townships of Douglas Hanover. William Penn, the 25th of October, 1701, conveyed to his son, John Penn, a tract of twelve thousand acres of land, which the latter, the 20lh of June, 1735, sold to George McCall, a merchant of Philadelphia, for the sura of two thousand guineas, or, in our present currency, nine thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars. On a resurvey it was found to contain fourteen thousand and sixty acres. This purchase comprised all of the pi'esent township of Douglas and the upper half of Pottsgrove and the whole of Pottstown to the Schuylkill. According to its territory

and

New

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1042

the records, it was commonly called "McCall's Manor" George McCall was a native of Glasto 1753.

down

gow, Scotland, and after his arrival here became a merchant in Philadelphia. There isreason to believe that he first built the iron-works in this

successful

he called after the place of his and which has been retained to this day. Judging by the extensive purchase he made here, he must have been a man of some means. In 1722 he was elected a member of the City Council, and died in Among the first settlers of the township was 1740. John Henry Sprogel, who, with his brother Lodwick Christian Sprogel, by invitation of William Penn, came to this country from Holland. They were both naturalized in 1705, and John Henry purchased here about six hundred acres, on which he settled with his family. The present Sprogel's Run was called after him and flows through this tract. From the dates upon difterent stones in the ancient burial-ground, east of the borough line, it is inferred that he must have been amongst the first that resided in the townJohn Potts, in 1753, lived in Pottsgrove (now ship. called Pottstown), after whom both the borough and township, which nativity,

have been named.

this township

By the **

act of April 11, 1807,

Tbat the Sixth Klection

it

District shall be

was enacted composed of the township

of PottagroTe, lately erected from a part of New Hanover and a part of Douglas, and shall hold their elections at the house of Wm. Lesher, Pottstown, and the electors of the remainder of the township of Douglas

and

New Hanover at

the house of

Henry Kreps, New Hanover."

Alexander McCall sold the Forge property to Joseph and John Potts and James Hackley. In 1789 it was sold at sheriff's sale to David Rutter and Joseph Potts, Jr. Rutter, in the same year, sold his share to Samuel Potts, who, by will, in 1793, authorized his sons to sell his interest, and f^ebruary 13, 1797, it was conveyed to Joseph Potts, Jr., who was the owner of the other half. It was continued by Joseph Potts, Jr., and his family until March 12, 1832, when it was sold to Jacob Weaver, Jr. In 1820 there were at the place a small sheet-iron mill, two bloomTract.

eries, a grist-mill,

a saw-mill,*two mansion-houses, ten

log tenant-houses and two stone tenant-houses.

the purchase by

Weaver

After

ten stone tenant-houses in

one row were erected and the other houses were abandoned. Weaver assigned the property September 2, 1846, and on April 5, 1847, the assignee conveyed it to .Tames Rittenhouse, David and William Schall. About this time a stone school-house was erected, which is still used. Jacob Weaver also built a furnace, which was, however, not successfiil. The Forge property passed, in 1864, to James Hilton, and in 1873 to Joseph L. Bailey and Comley B. Shoemaker. About 1874 a brick school-house was erected, which is used by the Methodists, who are supplied with preaching mostly by the Methodist pastors of Pottstown. of

Glasgow

at

present contains the iron-works

the Glasgow Iron

Company,

several

fine

resi-

dences of the proprietors and about eighteen other dwellings.

The Court

June

of Quarter Sessions,

divided the present township into what

Upper and Lower Election

10,

1875,

called the

is

Districts.

Grosstown is a small settlement about two miles west of Pottstown, on the Philadelphia, Reading and Perkiomen turnpike. It contains at present a half-

in 1884, 1225. By the tri1858, 406; in 1875, 937 ennial assessment of 1858 the real estate was valued at

dozen houses, school-house and blacksmith-shop. It derived its name from a family by the name of Gross, who i ved there seventy or eighty years ago, and who disappeared from that neighborhood over fifty years since. Crooked Hill is a hamlet containing fifteen or twenty houses, a post-office, hotel, store, school-house

$348,511, and the horses and neat cattle at $15,136.

and

In 1884 the value of improved lands was §1,588,830 value of unimproved lands, 8116,535 value of 443 horses, $26,125 value of 950 cattle, $24,000 value of

northerly from Sanatoga Station, on the Philadelphia

Pottsgrove, according to the census of 1810, con-

tained 1571 inhabitants

in 1820,

;

in 1850, lG8!t;

and

1882; in 1830, 1302;

l.'iei

number

of taxables in 1828 was 252

;

The

in 1880. 3985.

in 1840,

;

in 1849, 351

;

in

;

;

;

;

all

;

property taxable for county purposes, $1,884,510.

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad

passes

through the whole length of the township, a distance of five miles, with a station at Sanatoga the Colebrookdale has a course of more than tw(i miles, with a station at Gla-sgow, and connects with the main line ;

1

grist-mill.

It is situated

on Crooked Hill Run,

and Reading Railroad, and three miles east from Pottstown on the old Philadelphia, Reading and Perkiomen turnpike. Sixty years ago the tavern was kept by Levi Winderrauth. The grist-mill, and, later the post-oflice, were kept by one of the family. It was a favorite stopping-place for teamsters on the turnpike, which was one of the great routes of travel. It derived its

name from

the peculiar formation of hills in the

at Pott.stown.

vicinity.

The villages are Crooked Hill, Glasgow, Grosstown and Half- Way. Glasgow is a small manufacturing village about one and a half miles north from Pottstown, and is the site of the Glasgow Iron-Works and Rolling-Mills. George McCall, by his will, dated September 21, 1739, bequeathed five hundred acres of what was known as McCall's Manor to his son, Alexander McCall,. and which subsequently became known as the Forge

There are eighteen public schools in the township, Twenty nine hundred and twenty pupils. teachers (ten males and ten females) are employed, at a salary of thirty-two dollars per month. The school term is six months. For the school year ending with June 1, 1857, the schools were open only four months and attended by four hundred and eighty-five pupils. The sum of fourteen hundred and fifty dollars was with

levied to defray the expenses of the same.

POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. WILLIAM BROOKE. Thpmas Brooke, the father of the biograjihical stead,

ill

sketch, resided on

Pottsgrove township,

laurels and the rank of major-general during the war of the Rebellion, and subsequently entered the regular army and was made commandant of Fort Shaw, Mont. Caroline (Mrs. Samuel S. Campbell) ; and Mary (Mrs. William Hopkins). Major Brooke ;

subject of this

the Brooke home-

still

1043

in possession

of

the family, where he was both a successful farmer and an iron-master. He was married to Miss Anna Grant, whose youngest son, William, was born at the

homestead on the 8th of January, 1792. After securing such rudimentary education as was obtainable at

the Old-Line Whig party during its and was subsequently a stanch supporter of the Republican party, its platform and principles. Though public-spirited and well-informed in all questions of the day, he was averse to the excitements and inditferent to the honors attending a political career. His sympathies during the late war were athliated with

existence,

WILLI.^M BROOKE.

that early day, he was attracted to the congenial

of the agriculturist,

first

as assistant to his father

later as general superintendent of his

On

ests.

life

and

farming inter-

the death of the latter he became the owner,

by inheritance, of the life

estate, where the whole of his was spent in the cultivation of its productive

land.

He

in early life entered the service during the

war of 1812, though his command did not participate in any important engagements. Major Brooke was, in 1837, married to Miss Martha, daughter of David Rutter, of Pine Forge Works, in Berks County. Their children are John R., who won distinguished

manifested not only in expressions of loyalty to the Union cause, but in more practical form when substantial

aid

was needed.

He was

faith of the Society of Friends, to

educated in the

which he adhered through life, worshiping with the Friends' Meeting at Pottstown. Major Brooke bore a reputation for scrupulous honor and the most unquestionable integrity in both his social and business relations, having been in his character and bearing a fine example of the old-school gentleman. His death occurred at Pottstown on the 7th of October, 1872, in his eightyfirst

year.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1044

is

CHAPTER LXX.

called

theory

is

Indies

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP.'

New that

William Penn, as the true and absolute proprietary of the province, sold the lands of the commonwealth, he reserved for himself a large tract of the land on the east side of the Schuylkill River. It embraced the whole of the present townships of Upper Providence and Lower Providence and parts of the townships of Perkionien and Worcester. The tract was named by him "The Manor of Gilberts," and was The name was in honor of so known for many years.

who was

Penn's mother,

of the family of Gilberts.

of the early purchasers of land in this manor was Jacob Tellner, one of tlie founders of Germantown, who owned a large tract along the Skippack

One

Creek, svhich

now

constitutes the northwest corner

of the present township of

many

Lower Providence.

For

years, from about the year 1700, the land lying

along the Skippack Creek was

known as

Tellner town-

ship, while that between the Skippack and Perkiomen, was called " Perkoming," the present township of Perkiomen being then known as " Van Bebber's town-

At the March term of court,

ship.''

1725, the petition

of divers inhabitants along the Perquomin Creek was presented, praying the court to establish a township of

This petition was signed by William Lane, Samuel Lane, James Lane, Peter llambo, John Morris, James Shatlick, Casselberry, Richard Jones, Thomas Dienier, Thomas Loch, John Bull, Richard Adams, Thomas At that time Potts, Daniel Philips and Lewis Rees. nothing was done. At the March Sessions, 1729, a new petition of the same persons was presented, accompanied by a draft of the proposed township, and setting forth the bounds and limits thereof as follows: the territory upon which they resided.

Beginning at a hickory, marked for a corner, standing in the line of thence extending by the same southwest twelve hundred perches to a Gum tree standing by Schuylkill side thence up the same the several courses twenty-two hundred and ninety-one perches to a Hickory at a corner of Limerick Township thence by the same northeast thirteen hundred perches to a Hickory, a corner of Bebber's land; thence by the line uf said Bebber's land on Skippack southwest and New Bristol township (so called) twenty-two hundred and ninety perches, to the place of beginning. Cont-aining by computation, 17,S'.)2 acres and 30 perches." *

Isaac Norris's land

;

;

;

On

the 2d of March, 1729, the court decreed that

received

Islands, viz.,

Jamaica.

Afte? a time the township lost the " its name simply "' Providence."

They are bounded on the west by Limerick, on the north by Perkiomen and Worcester, on the east by Norriton and on the south by the Schuylkil River. The surface of both townships is rolling, the soil is mostly red shale and very productive, especially along the rivers Schuylkill and Perkiomen. There is little waste land. The Perkiomen Creek, which forms the natural division line between the two town-

very

is the largest stream in Montgomery County. about thirty miles in length, following its niean-

ships, It is

The name Perkiomen is of Indian origin, and means " the place where grow the cranberries." The spelling of this name has undergone many changes. In Penn's deed of purchase it is called " Pah-he-homa." In Nicholas Scull's map it is spelled " Perquamink." Afterwards we find it known as " Perquoming," "Perkioming," "Perkoming," " Perkionan," "Perquoning," " Perquonum,'' "Perquomin," and later as " Perkiomen." The Mingo Creek rises in Limerick township and derings.

runs through the western part of Upper Providence, where it empties itself into the Schuylkill. Its stream is weak. Another small stream, known as Zimmerman's Run, rises near Trappe and empties into the Perkiomen, near Yerkes. In Lower Providence there the Skippack and Mine are two streams of water, Run. The Skippack is about seventeen miles in length and empties into the Perkiomen, at Areola. Its name, which is of Indian origin, and means "a stagnant stream" or "pool of water," symbolized its nature. Mine Run rises in the township and is about three miles in length, and it empties into the Perkiomen, at Oaks. It would be impossible to give the history of the roads of the township. The Great road from

—

Philadelphia

to

the Perkiomen

some of the Island.

of " Providence"

is

not

by of Roger Williams, of Rhode

followers

it

was

settled

Ne.arly a century before this time the settle-

ment in Rhode Island had been named " Providence." Hence his followers coming here called this region "

New

Providence."

In most of the old documents

IKy

V. G. Hobson.

it

In

is

a very ancient one.

1709 this road was extended towards Reading.

Morris Jones, John

name

"

county.

petition

Tradition says

New

This township, or, as it is now, townships of Upper Providence and Lower Providence, face the Schuylkill River, and constitute the central townships of the

gell,

known.

Craig, an

place, while the

and retained as

The

origin of the

Providence."

Lanes and Richardsons, two of the foremost families of the township, came from the neighboring Island of

township."

The

name from one of the West

"New

the territory just specified be erected into a townsliip, and the same be called by the name of " Providence

certainly

its

came from that

early settler,

When

Another more plausible

Providence.

it

Robert Belling they have

signed by John

Henry SproNewman, Jlatthew Brooks, and Henry Paukor, and recites that

therefor

is

"plantations

remote

lying very

in

the

county, and on the edge or outskirts of any inhabitants of the county, and no public road

they therefore pray for a road from the late house of Edward Lane deceased, being in the Queen's highway, unto Mauni;

tauna, etc."

In 1734 a jury consisting of Richard Jones, Christopher Zimmerman, John Umstat, Joseph Armstrong,

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP. John Bull and Samuel Evans, laid out a road from Henry Pawling's plantation to the road or cartway leading to Norriton Mills, and thence, by or near the mill to Edward Lane, to St. James' Church on Manatawny road in Providence. In 1736 a public road was laid out which now conBtitutes the Eidge turnpike road. In public improvements Providence has its full share. The Perkiomen and Reading turnpike road was completed in 1815. It runs from the Perkiomen Bridge to Reading. It passes three and one-half miles through the township. The Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road was incorporated in 1845. This

forraly belonging

Perkiomen Railroad, running from Perkiomen to AUentown, Lehigh Co., passes through the whole length of the township along the Perkiomen Creek. There are four stations in the township, viz. Oaks, Areola, Ycrkes and Collegeville, the last being the most important. The road was opened to travel as far as Collegeville on May 8, 1868, and was gradually extended to AUentown. The Pennsylvania Schuylkill :

Valley Railroad passes

ships.

There are three railroads. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad runs about two miles through Upper Providence, with one station, " Mingo." The

along the east side of the

Schuylkill the entire length of both townships.

It

—

was completed in 1884, and has four statious, Port Kennedy, Perkiomen, Port Providence and Mont Clare. There are four bridges spanning the Perkiomen,

PERKIOMEN BRIDGE, BUILT

road is eleven miles in length, one mile of which is in the township, where it terminates at Perkiomen Bridge. In Lower Providence there are two turnpike roads, both beginning at the eastern end of Perkiomen Bridge at Collegeville. Both the Germantown and Perkiomen road and the Ridge Turnpike road have been neglected for many years, and no tolls are collected for travel thereon. The burden of keeping them in repair has thus fallen on the town-

1045

1798.

connecting Upper Providence with Lower Providence, Yerkes, Areola, and Oaks. The wooden superstructures erected upon

viz.: at Collegeville,

latter three are

stone piers and abutments, while the one at College-

and known as "The Perkiomen Bridge." In addition, there is a county bridge over the Mingo, and one near the almshouse ville is a fine stone structure,

In Lower Providence there are two county bridges over the Skippack, one on each of the turnpikes. In addition, there are two pay bridges over the Schuylkill, one at Port Kennedy and the other at Pawling. In Upper Providence there are also two pay bridges across the Schuylkill. The over a small stream.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUiNTY.

1046 bridge at Quincyville built shortly thereafter. built in 18G0,

There are

— an

and

was incorporated in 1844, and The one at Black Rock was nineteen thousand dollars.

cost

also four fine railroad bridges in the town-

iron one over the Perkiomeu, ou the line of

sliip,^

Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad a frame one over the Schuylkill, on the Perkiomen Railroad a stone bridge over the same river on the and an iron Philadelphia and Reading Railroad structure over the Schuylkill at Mount Clare, on the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad, erected iu the

;

;

;

The

1884. is

present bridge structure at College ville

The place where known before this time

the oldest in the township.

the bridge

now

stands was

as "Philip's Ford."

was a very dangerous one,

It

Henry Buckwalter having drowned

there, April 14,

1737, by reason of his horse stumbling. successful attempts were at this

place.

appropriated

made

to this object

on condition that

the county would furnish the balance.

May

un-

In the year 1794 the Legislature

money

was presented

Many

to procure a bridge

to the

A

Montgomery County

Sessions, 1795, asking for

petition court, at

two thousand pounds

towards building this bridge, which was allowed. This sum was seen to be so insutlicient that the commis-

Another petition was

sioners refused to proceed.

therefore presented at the

May

term, 1796, asking for

an additional appropriation of a sum

sufficieat to war-

The grand jury unanimously recommended an additional two thousand pounds. On August 10, 1796, the court (Robert rant the completion of the work.

Loller judge) refused to concur.

The people then

again had recourse to the General Assembly of the State.

On the 21st of February, 1797, the Legislature passed " An Act for raising, by way of lottery, the sum of twenty thousand dollars, to be applied to the erection of a stone-arched

Creek, in

bridge over the Perkioming

Montgomery County, on the road leading

borough of Reading." named as commissioners to superintend the drawings of this lottery, viz., Peter Muhlenberg, John Richards, Samuel Baird, Francis Swaine, Moses Hobson, Frederick Conrad, Samuel Markley, Francis Nicholas, William Smith, Philip Boyer, Elisha Evans, James Bean, John Markley, Robert Kennedy and John Elliot, nearly all of whom from Philadelphia

The

to the

following persons were

There were two drawings of ten thousand tickets each. The first was commenced July 17, 1797, and continued twenty-one days.

The

capital prize of ^SOOO

No. 1268 drew $1000 No. The second-class was drawn November

was drawn by No. 8252. 1,

;

and continued twenty-five days. The $1000 was drawn by No. 2376. No. 9823 drew $500.

1798,

prize

On July

24, 1797, the

They

— Freder—together

county commissioners, Samuel Maulsby,

ick Conrad, Moses Hobson,

—

with the judges of the court, Messrs. Loller, Rittenhouse and Markley, met at the public-house of Elisha

there decided that the bridge should

—

three of fifty feet, two of fortytwo of thirty-five feet, two of thirty feet, and two of twenty feet. This was afterwards changed, and the bridge was built with but six arches. The contracts for the various works at the mill were given out March 23, 1798. At the end of the year the county had expended the sum of $34,683.12, and the bridge was only one-half completed. On March 28, 1799, an act was passed in the General Assembly which gave the commissioners power to complete the bridge and charge toll for persons passing over the same. This was to be charged until the tolls so received were sufiScient to pay the whole cost of building the same, together with the costs for collecting the toll. As soon as this was accomplished the court was to declare the same a free bridge. The bridge was finished in 1799 in the style It cost the county about sixty thousand it now stands. dollars. The formal dedication took place on the 4th of November. Samuel Bard was toll-gatherer. It was declared free by the court some five years later, and became a county bridge. The Legislature in chartering the Perkiomen and Reading Turnpike Road Company, March 20, 1819, gave the custody of this bridge into the hands of the company, in whose hands A toll-house was erected at it has been ever since. the west end of the bridge in July, 1867. Before its completion the house was burned by incendiaries, and the gate removed and thrown into the Perkiomen Creek. In October, 1872, the Turnpike Company again erected a toll-house at the east end. This led to litigation, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania decided that the company, under their charter, could not maintain a gate within one mile of said bridge. arches,

five feet,

January 30, 1873, the decision of the court of last That same evening the old resorc was announced. its predecessor, being burned down. The bridge stands to-day as it was built, an everlasting monument to the memory of the men who built the same, and a splendid model for

toll-house shared the fate of

bridge-builders of the present time to take pattern

The bridge over Evausburg,

of.

the Skippack, below the village of

on the

is

site

of the

first

bridge built in

The predecessor of the one now stand-

the township.

ing was built' by lottery, as was the bridge over the

Perkiomen, but we Tiave very

The

little

data as to the

September who were empowered to deceive such sums of money as were due by the managers of a lottery, and to receive voluntary subscriptions and donations towards the better perfecting of a bridge over the Skippack Creek, in the county of Philadelphia. This old bridge h?8 long since been destroyed and the present structure circumstances.

lived in this vicinity.

6785, $500.

Evans.

consist of

20,

1765,

erected in

Near the

created

its

certain

commissioners,

place.

village of Shannonvillc

is

Pawling's bridge,

There was a bridge here in 1778, Colonel John Bull made a report to the Executive

over the Schuylkill. as

Legislature, by act of

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP. Committee, on August 31, 1778, as to the condition of "the Bridge over Schuilkil at ye Fattliiiidford, near the Valey Forge;" in consequence of wliich report the same was then repaired. This bridge was, no doubt, built for military purposes, and was subsequently washed away. Near its site was a bridge erected about the year 1809, as on April 3d of that year the com-

The bridge was destroyed in pany was chartered. 1820 by ice, in a high freshet, but wa.s shortly afterwards

rebuilt.

Of the early settlers in Providence township quite a number are worthy of special mention. Edward Lane, an Englishman, came from Jamaica

On the 9th of Twelfth Mouth,

1698-9, he purhundred acres of land from Thomas Fairman, which was confirmed to him by patent, in 1701, by William Penn. This tract wa.s situated on both sides of the Perkiomen, upon which now stand the viflages of Collegeville and Evansburg. He erected a grist-mill on the Skippack in 1708. He married Ann Richardson, and left seven children, viz.: James, pjlizabetb, William, Samuel, Christiana, Ellinor and Ann. He died in March' 1710. He kept the first hotel, wliere now stands the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel. .Vt his death Samuel Lane became owner of that part of his plantation lying west of the Perkiomen, and William Lane of that to the east of the same stream. Samuel Lane kept the hotel, and was elected assessor of Philadelphia County from 1737 to 1740. His son, Edward Lane, was constable in 1767, and cried sales. He was in Bradd^ J

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP. hold the same without applying for any such act so long ae the present

Home,' Mies A. W, Clement, is able and willing to continue the manager thereof, and they shall permit her to have the full, free and absolute control of the internal affairs of the same so long as she is willing to remain but upon her death, resignation or departure, then to apply for an act of incorporation, according to the provisions of

manager

of the

*

;

the foregoing codicil to

my

will."

Mr. Williams, in his endowment, only perpetuates customary annual contribution to the Home. Owing to the decrease in the rate of interest and the growth of the work (continually increasing the cost of its maintenance), the endowment is now less than twenty per cent, of the actual cost of carrying on the his

.

institution.

Henry J. Williams, to whose memory the Bethesda Homeof Chestnut Hill is only one of many monuments is

in this

immediate region, and whose character

held in reverent love, not only by the people of

this locality,

cause of his

but by those of a

many

far

wider

circle, be-

benefactions and the constant ex-

throughout a long lifetime, was a native of Philadelphia, and was born upon Christmas day, 1791. His descent was through a line ercise of his kindly qualities

of distinguished ancestors, nearly

all

of

whom

were

possessed ofthose elements of Christian piety which attained so rich and perfect a fruition in the subject

of the present biography.

was a Puritan, a native

His paternal grandfather of Boston, Ma.ss., a

wealth, of integrity, of extensive influence, a of the honored band of patriots fully

against

his patriotism,

ton

who struggled success-

tyranny of Great Britain, and of that memorable assemblage at

the

for

when the

British invested Bos-

of his property was either confiscated or de-

all

helpmeet of her husband in all of work for the improvement of those around him and the advancement of the Christian religion. The greatest works of Mr. Williams for the betterment of his fellow-man, aniit

lawful

money

of Pennsylvania, the said

George Groner hath baigained and sold, and doth bargain and sell, unto upon a the said George Shenk all the improvements and work done Sproegel piece or tract of land that was bought of Lodowig Christian gome yeai-s ago, in the township above mentioned, situated on Macove poscreek, an improvement which Henry Roder hath improved and

some years ago, containing in one hundred and tifty acres of land, which has been surveyed to the said Groner and said Eoder, doth except sessed

or assigns for a reserve of the said plantaticjn for his heirs, exes., adnis., one perch or pole of land upon one side of the mill-race, and one perch

or pole upon the other side forever, fur to mend the race, but the said Groner, his heire, execs., admins., and assigns shall not moe any giniss \ipon the said reserved land, and the said George Shenk, his heirs execs.,

and

adnis,,

and assigns

shall

not

make any

license within a perch or pole distance of the said race,

fence without

and

it is

also

agreed that the said Geo. Shenk, his heire, execs, adms., or assigns shall keep the said George Groner, his heire, execs., adms., or assigns harmless of any costs or charges or interests which could or should bo

deiuanded any time hereafter of the said tract or piece of land. As for the time performance, the both parties have interchangeably sot their bauds and seal in the 12th year of his Majesty's Reign, George the second, by the Grace of God, King of Great Brittain, Sic, in the year of

our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ihii1y-eight and nine. N. B. —The said George Groner hath accepted the half crop of winter corn which is now sowed in the ground, which shall be divided next harvest

upon the

field.

" Sealed and delivered in the presence of

us,

" Ll'DWIG BlTTINQ. " Peter Walstein. " George Groner. " George Shenk. "[Seal]"

These documents co nclusively prove that there was a mill on the

Makove

Creek, in

Upper Hanover

But when it came to agreeing upon a name, the unanimity of the meeting was at once broken up, the advocates of the difierent names becoming very much excited, and each vehemently It insisting upon the adoption of his favorite name. becoming evident, after a long discussion, that neither time to come.

party could

command

a majority of the votes of the

meeting for the name desired by it, a compromise was effected, by which it was agreed to adjourn the meeting for a week, and to invite all either in or out of the village who felt an interest in the matter to attend.

Notice of the adjourned meeting was accordingly published, and as each party had been busy in advocating

its

thusiastic.

cause, the meeting proved large

and en-

After another heated discussion the vote

was finally taken, when the name of Pennsburg was adopted by a considerable majority over its competitors. The proceedings were ordered to be published in the Bauern Freund, at that time published in Sumueytown, and from thenceforth Pennsburg was the name under which the village has grown and prospered. At that time the village contained twelve houses scattered along the road, in one of which was a country store. It also had a blacksmith -shop, a carpenter-shop, and

was wanting.

some

out-buildings.

The

tavern

There had formerly been a tavern kept

township, before the 6th day of February, 1739. Pennsburg is situated on the Green Lane and Go-

in the large two-story store building at the crossing of the Pottsl;own and Quakertown roads, but for want of

shenhoppen turnpike, and the

patronage this had for several years been abandoned. It was not till the year 1847 that a tavern was again opened in the place, when Mr. George Graber put up

men

Kailroad here

is

station of the Perkio-

twenty-three miles from the

Reading Junction, and forty-eight from Philadelphia. The greater part of the ground on which Pennsburg now stands was formerly owned by several brothers by the name of Heilig, and as each of these had built a house along the public road, which has since become the turnpike road, the place began to assume the appearance of a village, and people, in speaking of it, began to name it, some calling it by one name, and some by another, the gretitest number speaking After much talking, a meeting it as Heiligville. was held at the store of Jacob Hillegass, Sr., on an evening in the beginning of the year 1843, for the ]>urpose of deciding the question in dispute, at which three difterent names were proposed, viz.: Heiligville, Pennsburg and Buchananville, this last after James Buchanan, who was then a Senator of the

of

United States, and afterwards President. At this meeting it was agreed that the village should com-

mence at the line of Frederick Hillegass' (later Thomas B. Hillegass') land at the south, and extend up the road to die iqipcr line of land then owned by the heirs of James :\sbmead, deceased, on the north, a distance of a mile and a half.

There was no

diffi-

culty in fixing the boundaries, as each one was agreed

that the village was destined to become an important place,

and that

it

was therefore desirable

to

have

plenty of ground to spread upon, and thus prevent

the necessity of annexing more territory for a long

the large two-story frame building, which was licensed the same year, and which has since been kept as a

name of the Pennsburg Hotel. For many years before the village was named there was a post-office established and kept at a house iu the lower end of the place, at present owned by Mr. Aaron Griesemer, which was called Upper Hanover post-office. At that time there was a weekly mail to and from Philadelphia, by which a person could with reasonable certainty count upon getting an answer to a letter sent to any part of the State in from two to About the year 1840 the post-office was four weeks. moved to the house before mentioned as having been a tavern, where it was kejit till 1866, when it was moved to the store of Jacob Hillega.ss, Sr., where it is The name of the post-office was kept at present. changed to Pennsburg about the year 1850. The first improvement in mail service was a tri-weekly mail from Philadelphia to Hereford and return, established about twenty-five years ago, which passed through the village. Then came a daily mail over the same route, after which another daily mail was established from Pennsburg, by way of Quakertown, to PhiladelThese services were kept up till phia and return. the opening of the Perkiomen Railroad rendered a At the present time the mail serchange necessary. vice consists of two daily mails from Pennsburg to tavern by the

UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

1107

Philadelphia and return, one by the Perkiomen Railroad and the other by the way of Quakertown and the North Pennsylvania Railroad. A daily mail is made up from Pennsburg to Hereford, and a tri-

improved, and the station is one of considerable importance to the community.

weekly mail from Pennsburg, by way of Hillegassville, Pleasant Run, Douglas and Frederick, to New Han-

vicinity,

over and return.

containing about fifteen houses, most of which are neat and comfortable farm-houses, surrounded by the usual farm buildings. We here find the tavern, the

In 1851 a lodge of Independent Order of Odd- Fellows was opened in the village which now numbers one hundred and seventy-five members, and meets on Saturday evening of every week. An encampment of the same order has been established, which meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Penns-

burg contains upwards of one hundred dwelling-houses, two potteries, two blacksmith-shops, one wheelwrightshop, one butcher-shop, two carpenter-shops, two cooper-shops, one fine school-house, one brick church (occupied jointly by a Lutheran and a Reformed congregation), a printing-ofiice (at which the Baucrn Freund u/id Pennsburg Democrat is published, also the Perkiomen Valley Press), a steam brick-yard where bricks are manufactured by machinery, a steam felloe manufactory, a large steam planing-mill and sash-factory and numerous out-buildings. There are in the place a hotel, a restaurant, two large country stores, a hardware and drug-store, a shoe manufactory employing a number of hands, and a tinware and Several trades in addition to those enu-

stove-store.

merated are carried on in the place. William M, Staufler began the manufacture of cigars here about 1S70, and later John Dimmig, J. M. Keller and William M. Jacobs entered the business. About sixty persons are emploj'ed in this industry, and four millions of cigars are

made annually.

The Perkiomen

excellent prices, the place, " that

being realized.

Tlie village has

its

hotel, store, post-office

station, with

cently built.

The

village

is

pleasantly located near

the base of the Hosensack Hills, and near where the Hoseusack Creek empties into the head-waters of the

Perkiomen.

The

is

divided into two parts, each of

a])parently about to set

lage consists of a hotel

up

The upper

repudiate the old name.

for itself

and

to

part of the vil-

and several dwellings. The by George Hille-

hotel was built about fifty years ago gass,

who died

shortly after

its

erection.

It then,

with

a large tract of land, pa.ssed into the hands of his sons,

who, several years back, sold the hotel, with about Henry N. Hevener, This part of the village is but a fourth of a mile from eighty acres of land, to

Hanover

Station, on the Perkiomen Railrord, and Mr. Thomas B. Hillegass, the owner of the land on the north side of the public road leading from the

hotel to the station, has laid out his front in buildinglots,

which have been sold

several of

to parties

who

The upper and divided by a tract of

intend to erect buildings thereon.

lower parts of the village are

farm-land of more than a quarter of a mile in length, making the two parts of the village more than a quarter of a mile apart.

Some

years ago a post-office

Red Hill, a hill on the turnpike road about a mile below Hillegassville. was established

at a place called

Upper Hanover

District,

a blacksmith-shop, a tailor-shop, a cigar manufactory

mechanic industries and a number of dwellings, most of which appear to have been re-

and

is

a school-house belonging to

are

Palm Station or village is situated on theGoshenhoppeu and Green Lane turnpike, between two and three miles northwest of East Greenville. The main highway is here intersected by a cross-road leading to the Schwenkfeld meeting-house, and the Perkiomen Railroad passes within a few hundred yards of the turnpike.

Hillegassville

which

part of the village contains about a dozen dwellings,

command who named

offered for sale,

fast

blacksmitli-shop, shoemaker-shop and several

useful trades.

in the

Streets

being opened, building-lots laid out, which, when

is

level piece

was to

greatly increased the value of property.

valley,"

store,

and

It is a rather scattered village,

and most imjjortant town

& Mensch have opened a coal, lime and lumber-yard near the depot. The railroad facilities enjuyed by this village have Messrs. Hillegass

largest

nicely located on a straight

of the turnpike road.

and the

and

engine-house, cattle-pen and the necessary sidings.

become the

is

named from two brothers by the who owned several farms in the

it

erected here a large

convenient depot, and have also put up a large frame

idea of those

so

Klein,

of

At that time a store was kept there, the proprietor of which selling out, and there being no other place for the post-office, it was removed to the store in the lower part of Hillegassville, which at once adopted the name of Red Hill. This part of the village was commenced in 1836 by Jacob A. Hillegass, now deceased, who in that year built a large store and dwelling-house and a large barn and out-houses, which were occupied in the spring of 1837. Subsequently he put up other buildings in the place. This

Company have

Railroad

Kleinville,

name

surrounding

country

is

well

and other buildings. in the basin

This is the last of the villages through which the Perkiomen, the

Northwest Branch and the Macoby Creeks flow. There are eleven public schools in Upper Hanover, including the independent school district of Pennsburg. The regular school term is five months, nine teachers (all male) being employed at a salary of thirty-two dollars per month. When Pennsburg was formed into an independent school district a large two-story brick school-house was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars, which is conveniently fitted up and is an ornament to the place. Two schools are organized in this building, for which two teachers, one

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1108

male and one female, are employed, the former

at a

salary of fifty dollars and the latter thirty-two dollars

per month.

The school term

number

tire

of pupils

schools in the township

lic

is

The

six months.

en-

upon the pubfour hundred and sixty-

in attendance is

six.

The number of taxables

628; value of improved

is

lands, ¥1,.305,970; value of

unimproved

lands, $74,-

540; valueof 540 horses, 133,615; value of 1205 cattle,

.$35,360

of property

value

total

;

taxable

for

county purposes, 11,511,705. The following, from the mercantile appraiser's list of 1884, gives an accurate idea of the present business places in this township Joseph B. Bechtel, livestock Frank Bachman, butcher William Christman, live stock William Did, stoves B. B. Emery, merchandise; M. K. Gilbert, merchandise; D. K. Graber & Brother, stock S. P. Hillegas & Co., live:

;

;

;

;

;

stock flour

M. H. Houch, merchandise Hillegas & Heyner, and feed J. G. Hillegas, lumber and coal John ;

;

;

;

G. Hillegas, flour and feed; William Hiestand, coal; William Hiestand, flour and feed; Charles Kentz, coal

and feed; D.

&

Brother butcher;

Kern, sewing-machines Krause, Milton Kern,

S.

;

Leshcr, flour and feed

John Kepler,

flour

and

feed;

;

S.

John Mack, merchandise

;

Wilson

Jesse Rodenberger, live-stock

;

&

Hitter, live-stock

;

E. Senkle, butcher

;

Schelley, merchandise; J. F.

S.

Kline

G. Mensch, hardware

Brother, flour and feed

F.

;

Seasholtz, live-

M. Snyder, flour and feed W. H. Trump, coal and lumber; W. H. Trump, flour and feed; Charles Void, boots and shoes William A. Welker, merchandise J. Yergey, flour and feed C. A. Miller, stock

;

;

;

;

;

butcher

Peter

;

Renninger,

S.

live-stock

Henry

;

Schwenk, live-stock Henry Stahsel, truck and fruit; F. K. Walt, boots and shoes. Reformed Church of Goshenhoppen. About one mile west of East Greenville, and close to the east bank of the Perkiomen, stands the Reformed Church of New Goshenhoppen.' The reason of its location at this point was owing ;

—

to the donation

of six acres of land for graveyard purposes by John Henry Sproegel at the opening of

the eighteenth century.

It is impossible to fix the

date of this benevolent act

known from the

more

definitely.

It

is

public entries that the Sproegel

brothers entered the province of Pennsylvania

as

Hollanders, and that they were naturalized in 1705.

By

several purchases they acquired thirteen thousand

acres of land, which was the " Sproegel Manor."

known

A

for

many

part of the

years as

domain em-

Tho region known

Valley, and comprises

as

two

" Goshenhoppen "

sections,

—Old

and

is

a part of Perkiomen

New

division of the territory does not imply an earlier

Goshenhoppen. The and later occupancy,

whole was settled simnltaneously but that the southern portion (Old) was brought into note somewhat sooner than the northern part (New) in consequence of its proximity to Philadelphia. Since the date of the oldest record extant Goshenhoppen has been variously written, viz. Quesohopen, Cossehoppa, Goshenhoppen, Coshahoplti, Cowissaliopen, CoscUehoppe, Goshenhoppen. since the

;

:

Their

townships.

homestead of six hundred acres lay in Pottsgrove. In the neighborhood of Pottstown, on the bank of the burying-grounds are still which were donated for burial purposes were given to the Reformed, Lutheran and Mennonite denominations, and were used by the Schuylkill, the to

several

Sproegel

The

be seen.

parties

establishes the

first

six acres

till

quite

a late period.

early

it is

at

New

1716, but, adhering to the

.as

church records, of which there

edge,

Tradition

German Reformed Church

Goshenhoppen as

only safe to date

its

is

certain knowl-

organization from the

opening of the book. In 1731 the following preface was written "A Record of the names of the Fathers of Families who belong to the congregation at New Goshenhoppen." Catologue of names: John Steinman, Henry Gallman, John Bingeman, Joh. George Welker, Benedict Strohm, Philip Emmert, John Hut,. Abraham Transu, Aredreas Graber, Philip Ried, George Mesz, John George PfalsgratF, Jacob Fischer, Paul Staab, Wendel Wiandt, Herman Fischer, Conrad Colb, John Michael Roeder, John Michael Moll, Frederick Hillegass, John Bartholemaus Kucker, Michael Lutz, Andreas Loehr, George Mirtz, Michael Fabian, Henry Jung, Philip Jacob Shellhammer, Loenhart Fnozf, Jacob Fnozf, Caspar Lamm, Ca.spar Holtzhauser, Michael Zimmerman, Baltasar Hut, Michael Lefy, Jacob Maurer, Frederick Maurer, Christian Fnozf, Frederick Pfanenbeker, Benedict Raderly, Valentine Griesemer, Lorentz Hartman, George Philip Dotder, Jacob Meyer, Daniel Lanar, Peter Walzer. Some of the emigrants whose names had been entered in this early church-roll had arrived prior to 1727. Quite a :

goodly number of this colony are

still

represented in

the congregation by their posterity.

Of these are

especially to be noted the Hillegasses, Grabers, Molls,

Griesemers,

Reids,

Maurers,

Roeders,

Welkers, Wiandts, Pannebeckers, Kolbs,

Youngs, Fishers,

Kuckers, Lefys, Moyers and others. The church at this time had a membership of about one hundred and thirty-five persons. The bulk of these original

members had been

to the

Germanic churches what

the Pilgrim Fathers were to the Puritans in America.

With

these Pilgrim Fathers of the Reformed

Church

New

World, we count the primitive members of the German Reformed congregation at New Goshenhoppen. Johann Heinrich Goetschy, who brought a number of Swiss to this country about the year 1731, is accredited with being the first minister of this in the

congregation.

The 1

New Hanover

braced Upper and

Weiss,

pastors

who

— Boehm, who had arrived

in 1720,

and

piloted a colony of Palatinates in 1727 to

—doubtless

Goetschy in his which were Skippack, Old Goshenhoppen, Egypt, Maxatawny, Masillon, Oley, Bern, Tulpehocken, Great Swamp, Saucon, and here at New Goshenhoppen. Pastor Goetschy was a learned man, being familiar with the Holland, Pennsylvania

installed

large field, the various points of

UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

1109

Dominie Goetschy had really been the first pastor at New Goshenhoppen. All that can be declared is that he opened the church register in a regular way. Pastor Weiss may have been the pioneer and founder of the congregation, and he m.ay have

enslavement and imposition above all things. When Pastor Weiss presented his ordination certificate in Latin they ignored it, and obliged him to secure a German copy, which they could themselves read, ere they conIt was during Pastor Weiss' term that fided in him. the six acres which John Henry Sproegel had originally donated as a burying-ground to the Reformed Lutheran and Mennonite denominations were increased by fifty

placed Pastor Goetschy in the field after an organiza-

acres

German, Latin and Greek languages, and was a most diligent worker. His pastorate seems to have closed in

1739.

It is

not to be unmistakably interred that

1725. He emigrated in 1727. Ministering in Philadelphia and visiting outlying points for the purpose

The purchase was deed was not secured until February 23, 1796. The instrument was executed by Abraham Sniger and his wife, Anna, and Thomas Tresse and wife, Mary, who succeeded to the Sproegel estate, to Wendel Wieandt and John Schell, of the ReThe Lutherans and formed congregation, in trust. Mennonites became joint owners with the Reformed. The first church was accordingly a Union Church.

of organizing congregations in various localities, such

In what year

he returned to Holland in 1729, in company with Elder Reifl^, of the latter point,

primitive log building

had been

tion

efi'ected

under his hand,

for

he was

Reformed field at that day, and subsequently became closely identified with this charge. Pastor Weiss was born at Stebbeck, in Necherthal, Germany, about 1700.- He was educated at Heidelberg well and thoroughly, and licensed in familiar with the whole

as Skippaelt especially,

to collect funds for church-building.

In 1731, Domi-

nie Weiss returned to America, Elder Reiff remain-

ing aljroad

pack,

we

still

find

longer. Instead of returning to Skip-

him operating

in the State of

New York

and twenty -six perches.

effected in 1749, although the

after

it

was erected no record declares. The may have been planted shortly

the organization of the congregation, in 1731.

Perhaps the year 1744, during which the church in Old Goshenhoppen was built, may be taken a-s a good and a correct one. The Lutheran congregation sold out

its

right, in 1796, to the

from 1731-35, the reason for which being thus accounted for The Rev. John Philip Boehm, who had

The Mennonites had

emigrated in 1720, already had, as a schoolma.ster, performed ministerial functions at the earnest solicita-

in 1741.

:

and flocks scattered over the provDominie Weiss could not endure such an ir-

tions of the people ince.

regular course. A long quarrel ensued between the two men and the several parties siding with them. Weiss' trip Opposition organizations were forming. to Holland was directly occasioned by a desire to gain Meanfunds for the church edifice at Skippack. while Boehm was ordained, in the wake of which act a reconciliation was effected and the opposition ceased. Consequently Weiss sought another field on his return.

In

174(3

he returned

the records extant.

to

Pennsylvania, according to

He commenced

his labors

now

at

Goshenhoppen (New and Old) and Great Swamp, in Montgomery and Lehigh Counties (then Bucks), receiving an annual salary of forty pounds and continued in this charge until the day of his death, in His tomb is inclosed in the churchyard at 1763.

New

Goshenhoppen. Comparing the roll of membership which Pastor

Goetschy entered withthatof Pastor Weiss, an addition of a number of emigrants is noticed, whose names were mingled with those of the primitive colony. Although they were all possessed of a religious mind and identified with the Christian Church in the Old World, it must not be forgotten that the Reformed colonies planting themselves over the province of Pennsylvania during the early period of its history were a chaotic body. Many and severe were the trials of the zealous and cultured Dominie Weiss in organizing the ma.s.ses into They were suspicious of ecclesiastical congregations.

Reformed

for

ninety pounds.

erected for themselves a meet-

Washington township, Berks Co., in They, however, held a burying right until a very late day. The parsonage grounds, a tract of some fifty acres, were likewise approjiriated to the use of the three Reformed congregations during Piistor Weiss' In 1834 the Old Goshenhoppen reign, in 1749-50. In congregation seceded from the triune fellowship. ing-house

1865 the remaining two congregations sold the parsonage to Mr. Jonas Welker, in whose possession it still remains.

The death

of Pastor Weiss caused a break

in the

New

Goshenhoppen. The congregation had not been left wholly without a shepherd, the following persons having temporarily officiated Jacob Reiss, a pastor almost unknown, who had been minister in charge at Indian Field and Tohickon from 1749-53. It is probable that he had not been a regular j^astor after the year 1753. He died December 23, 1774. Another pastor was Philip Jacob Michael. Though a weaver by trade, he He was the is said to have been a man of culture. founder of Ziegel's church, and succeeded in gathering a series of congregations around himself near his Pastor Leydich had been the minister at home. Falconer Swampand New Providence, in Montgomery County, a man in good repute and loyal to the church. He emigrated in the year 1748, from which time dates, likewise, his long and settled pastorate to the end of regular line of ministers likewise at

:

his

life.

Besides ministering faithfully to his

charge, he supplied, in seasons of emergencies,

own

Upper

and New Goshenhoppen. Pastor John Theobold Faber was born in the Palatinate in Milford, Salzburg

1739.

His early training and

later

preparation for the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1110 office of

the mmistry had been of the highest order.

He sailed for

country and lauded at Philadelphia 1766. On the 24th of Octoljer of the

this

September 2, same year he opened his pastorate as minister in the charge composed of the three congregations at New and Old Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp. resided near Sumneytown, Montgomery Co., having found a home at Mr. Hiester's house. On the

he was licensed, ordained and installed pastor of the charge. His return to the flock as pastor was a circumstance of much interest to all parties. In his introductory he did not

7th of August, 1770, he was married to Miss Barbara Rose, of Reading, and after his marriage moved to the parsonage. For thirteen years his ministry in this

successor

unanimously desired to retain him as their pastor, but, notwithstanding, the thrice-repeated call led the Synod to urge him to make the change. He preached his farewell sermon at

New Goshenhoppen

October

which he found himself

youth and hasty preparations to become his sire's the questionable propriety of becoming a prophet in his own country, on all these points the young pastor delicately touched with much trembling and many tears. He was married to Mary Arndt, of Easton, Pa., in 1796, and then established himself in the parsonage, becoming fully his father's successor. He filled the pulpits in charge acceptably, the older memhis

;

—

bers regarding all

him

and

love.

flocks,

He

and at words of encouragement

in the light of a dear son

times addressing

him

in

wisely cared, too, for the

and gave himself no

little

tenance of parochial schools.

and frequently expressed his regret over Nor did things move on so smoothly in his nfw field, and he assured his wife and intimate friends that he would return to the lower counties by the first opportunity. After the lapse of three years the Indian Field charge, in Bucks County, Pa., became vacant. A call having been extended him, he promptly accepted it, and now he was within fifteen miles of his former home. He labored in Bucks County during two years, when he moved back into his first and favorite field. During his

for the period of fifteen years.

the change he had made.

absence the Rev. Frederick Dellicker officiated at Goshenhoppen from 1781-84, and Rev. Frederick

Wilhelm Vandersloot from 1784-86. The reunion of Pastor Faber with

his flock resulted

was not of long continuance. At the close of a funeral sermon, preached on the 2d day of November, 1788, he became unconscious and in a short time breathed his last. Two days later his grave was dug within the walls of the church, beneath the pulpit. The elder Weiser had a memorial tablet i)laced over his remains, with an inscription corresponding to another similar one which he had also placed over the remains of the younger well to both parties, but

it

young of

his

concern for the main-

In consequence of some he resigned his charge, in 1807, Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa., after

It seems that the city of Lancaster contrasted 6, 1779. unfavorably as against the quiet vailey of Goshenhoppen in Pastor Faber's mind. In his correspondence with his former rural friends he betrayed a

restlessness

father occurring, as

were, in the very spot on which he then was speaking his mouldering remains lying under his very feet; it

went on smoothly. In 1771 a new church was erected, and the inner life of the congregation near The Reformed his home had especially revived. Church at Lancaster had, at various times, extended a His old charge call to Pastor Weiss to that charge.

to call attention to the pe-

The death of his beloved

placed.

He

field

fail

culiarly solemn position in

dissatisfaction arising,

for one in New having served this people in the room of his father

The Rev.

J.

Albert C. Helffenstein succeeded to the

His

first church record in the church was made April 21, 1808, and his ministry extended over a period of two years and ten months. The Goshenhoppen charge was his first field of labor, he having been a licentiate fresh from his studies. Being a youiig man and somewhat inexperienced, as well as wholly unused to the ways of a rural people, he found himself ill at ease in his work here. Besides, the English language was his vernacular, which he was obliged to lay aside entirely among this peoBelieving that a more congenial field had ple. opened for him, and I'ully persuaded, too, that another shepherd could be chosen who might prove more efficient in this charge, he left for Carlisle, Pa. When Pastor Heltt'enstein left Goshenhoppen, in 1811, the choice.of a successor fell at once upon Pas-

pastorate. register

the opposite side of the pulpit.

Frederick Wilhelm Von der Sloot, Jr. The remembrance of the father, no doubt, contributed much towards the selection of the son. His father and grandfather having been men of liberal education, Frederick Wilhelm enjoyed many advantages over He had been prepared others in his own country. with a view of entering the legal profession, and it seems he had actually entered upon the active prac-

after the

tice

Faber's dust, likewise buried within the church, at

For nearly one year sudden demise of Pastor Faber the Goshenhoppen flock was without a pastor. The neighboring ministers did the Rev.

all

Nicholas

necessary services, but in 1789

Pomp commenced

his ministry

here and remained in charge till Johann Theobald Faber, Jr., had prepared himself to be his father's successor. John Theobald was in his eighteenth year (1789)

the

li

when he entered upon his

>ly

ministry.

prcpar.atory course for

In the early part of the year 1791

tor

of his chosen calling for a

t'evr

years prior to his

Coming thence to search of his father, who

emigration, which was in 1801.

Philadelphia and Easton in had preceded him to America, he fell in with a farmer from Allen township, Northampton Co., who conducted him to the parsonage which the older Von der The meeting of father and son Sloot occupied. proved, in a measure, the narrative of the parable of the Prodigal

Son over again.

The

elder exclaimed,

Uri'ER

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

"This is my only beloved son from Germany! " The stepmother said, " And a fine-looking son he is." He remained with his father and prepared himself for the ministry. Later he visited the charge at Gosheuhoppen, preached trial-sermons in the several pulpits, received and accepted a call and entered upon his duties in this locality in 1812-13.

He

served in the

charge for a period of five years, supplying the Reformed congregation at Trappe, Montgomery Co., in addition to his regular duties.

By an inscrutable Providence, the younger Pastor Faber was led to follow still further in the foot-prints of the elder Faber. Both father and son had commenced their pastoral life among this people, and both had been called to separate charges, the one to Lancaster City, the other to Lancaster County, and so, too, had it been ordained that both should again be recalled to and end their histories among- this Wfien Pastor Von der Bloot had vacated the peoi)le. field, the minds of a large majority of the membership

in

his coijgregation tiivored

the

recalling

was during this election of pastor that the Reformed congregation of Old Goshenhoppen became dissatisfied and severed of their former pastor.

its

It

connection of eighty years' standing with

the

was supplied by the pastor over the charge in Falconer Swamp other churches of this charge. until

Its pulpit

the death of Pastor Faber,

when

it

became

identified as a factor in that pastoral charge.

congregation at

room

Upper Milford was

The

substituted in

in Pastor Faber's field on the 22d

its

day of October,

and remained a part of his field to the close of He entered upon the discharge of his duties on the 3d day of June, 1819, and continued his second 1820,

his

life.

pastorate over thirteen years, both periods swelling

it

His field of lalwr was still the same, though its complexion had vastly changed. The old house at the parsonage had been removed and a new two-storied stone building erected in its stead under Pastor Helffenstein. The few who remained of his father's time at the close of his first term had ended tlu'ir days, and the companions of his youth and early ministry had become aged like himself. He was no longer " young " Faber, but " Father " Faber rather, and in his own mind he determined that, as he had been young and old in this field, his bones should lay beside the dust of his father, if it pleased God. Pasto twenty-nine.

tor Faber's history, like that' of his sainted

father,

While in the to a close. middle of a funeral discourse he was taken suddenly It was just forty-five years later ill and sank away. than the time his father had received his final call to the eternal world. He lingered a few days, his death occurring on the 16th day of February, 1833. The congregation decided to lay his remains beside the

came suddenly and solemnly

dust of his father within the chancel. repairing of the second church was

forward, the pastor

When

the

being carried

had the unpretending mark of

Pastor Faber's tomb supplanted by an entablature.

nil

Thus did the tombs of the two Fabers, under the In right and left sides of the puljjit, seem as pillars. the erection of the third church these sacred spots

without the walls.

The temple now standing

all its predecessors, it

is

true,

fell

excels

but the glory which

these tombs conferred on the former the latter has not.

The next

pastor over this charge

was the Rev.

Daniel Weiser, the youngest child of eleven born to Conrad and Barbara Weiser. In his youthful years

he was employed as clerk in the service of his brother Conrad at Beavertown, Snyder Co., Pa. In his fourteenth year he enlisted as a volunteer in Nerr Middlesworth's company and served in the war of 1812 for four months, after which he was discharged, the war having ended. For this act of youthful patriotism he was rewarded with one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1861, and a pension of twelve dollars per month in 1871 to the day of his death. His trade was In his that of a nailsmith during his first manhood. twenty-second year he commenced the study of theology under the Rev. James R. Riley, of Hagerstown, Md. He subsequently continued and completed his course under the Rev. Henry Yost Fries, of He was licensed to preach the Mifflinsburg, Pa. gospel in 1822 and ordained by the Synod in 1823. His first charge was composed of three congregations, located around Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa., which Here he subsequently embraced fourteen stations. labored ten years. During this part of his ministry he married Lydia Ruth, of Milton, who died seven months later of yellow fever. Several years later he In 1833 married Caroline Boyer, of Norristown, Pa. he succeeded as pastor over the New Goshenhoppen

and Great Swamp charge, over which he ministered as an active pastor for thirty years, serving during the last

twelve years as superintendant of the Infant Sun-

day-school, occasional assistant to his son

and tem-

Pastor Weiser conporary supply in vacant fields. tinued healthy and vigorous to the last. On the 22d

day of November, 1875, after complaining of a cold lor several days, he was stricken with paralysis. After lingering for ten days, with consc'ousand unconscious intervals, he died December 2d, at the age of seventysix years. He was buried on December 9th, at the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, amid many of his former members and friends. But two children survive him, a son and a daughter. Pastor Weiser had served but two charges during a ministerial life of

His first field embraced the church in which he had been baptized by the Lutheran pastor, lasensky, and subsequently confirmed by the Reformed He was a self-made man, and pastor, Isaac Gerhart

fifty-two years.

for a ties,

man

in his circumstances, or of his

opportuni-

we would pronounce him well-made.

Franklin

and Marshall College conferred the title of Doctor of Divinity upon him during the evening of his life. Pastor Daniel Weiser had often said the next evil to a pastorate too brief seemed to him to be a pastor-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1112

As little as lie approved of itinerating, he favor the outliving of one's day. Accordingly, after laboring diligently and successfully through thirty years, his son was called to his side as assistant pastor, April, 1862. The younger Weiser had been serving his novitiate pastorate in and around Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa., his native place, as it had likewise been the birth-place of the father, as well On the 2d day of November, us his maiden field. 18(53, the Rev. C. Z. Weiser was elected pastor-inchief of the Gosheuhoppen charge by a literally unanimous vote. Thus for the third time in the history of this charge had father and son worn the same mantle in the same field, the Von der Sloots, the Fabers and the Weisers. On the 21st day of August the installation services were held in the Great Swamp Church, the brethren Revs. A. J. G. Dubbs, R. A. Van Court and P. S. Fisher having been appointed the committee by Goshenhoppen Classis to attend to After a term of service, extending over this duty. twenty years, the j)resent pastor has reason to be thankful for having had the labor of his heart and ate too long.

being the

BO little did

field as pastor

of labor for both. Serving in this from the time of his ordination, in 1855, he was callel as an assistant to his father in Goshenhoppen, Montgomery Co., where he has now lived first field

A fact worthy of note is that Dr. Weiser began his pastoral duties where his father did, and closely followed in his footsteps, each serving but two charges. The charge he now holds has quite a history, and has on three different occasions been served by father and son, first, by Pastors Vandersloot, Sr. and Jr. second, by Pastors John Theobald Faber, Sr. and Jr. third, by Dr. Weiser and his son. The congregations at Lancaster, Philadelphia and at several other points placed calls in the hands of Dr. Weiser for his consideration, but he invariably refused to leave his country parish. Here his spare time is zealously devoted to general literature and study. His pen is not idle, and whatever time is allowed him from his pastoral duties is used in the pre2>aration of articles for the Messenger, Guardian, Hausfreund, Reformed Quarterbj Review and, other publications. Among his literary productions is a " Life of Conrad hand so largely blessed. The number of the several Weiser." He also devotes much time to the aiding flocks has constantly increased by fair accessions, the of churches and Sunday-schools by the delivery of guests at the altar now numbering near one thousand lectures. Dr. Weiser stands high in the councils of souls. He attriljutes the steady and healthy growth his church, is much esteemed for his good qualities of of the field, under God, to the long line of properly- mind and heart by his brethren in the ministry, and equipped and very worthy pastors before or back of dearly loved by the people of his congregation. As a himself. In comparing the condition of the church man fully equipped for the work and the field of work to-day with that of more than a century ago striking of his choice, the church cannot, perhaps, show many contrasts are noticed. One hundred and fifty years as his equal and none as his superior. Dr. Weiser ago Pastor Goetschy served in a diocese which ex- has been since 1874 a member of the Historical On the occasion of the tended from Skippack to Tulpehocken, from Goshen- Society of Pennsylvania. hoppen as his centre. Many laborers have entered celebration of the Centennial of Montgomery County the field, whilst New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp he was honored by an invitation to deliver the Cenhave sustained their own shepherd exclusively since tennial oration. He is chaplain of the Sixth Regiment the advent of Pastor Daniel Weiser, in 1833. We National Guards of Pennsylvania. Dr. Weiser was, doubt whether the whole territory numbered as many in 1859, married to Louisa C, daughter of Judge communicants as now surround the altar at New I. Gutelius, of Mifflinbmg, Union Co., Pa. Their children are three sons and a grown daughter, all Goshenhoppen. The church at New Goshenhoppen is a large deceased. brick edifice, built in the year 1857. It is one of the OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL AT NEW GOSHENHOPPEN, 1840-80. largest and most. showy churches to be found outside of the cities and is the third church built at this Superintendents. Rev. Daniel Weiser, 1§41—46; place. Henry Dotts, 1846-49 Charles Hillegass, 1849-55 Rev. Clement Z. AVeiser, D. D. Dr. Weiser, John F. Gerhard, 1855-59; Jonathan Gery, 1859-60; the only survivor of three sons, was born in Union John F. Gerhard, 1860-63 Jesse D. Pannepacker, (now Snyder) County, Pa., which was also the na- 1863-71 George Deisher, 1871-74; Rev. C. Z. Weiser, tive place of his brother, the late Dr. Daniel D.D., 1874r-80; Professor C S. Wieand, A.M., 1880, Weiser. He is the fourth removed from the re- etc. nowned and historical Conrad Weiser. He graduAssiMani Superintendents. Philip Super, Esq., 1841 ated from old Marshall C(dlcge in 1850, and then ^4; Lewis Masteller, 1844-46; Rev. Daniel Weiser, acted as German tutor, and .subsequently as co- 1846-49; Lewis Masteller, 1849-50; John F. Gerhard, William Trippe Cramer, 1855-56; Rev. principal over the preparatory department for two 1850-55; years after the removal of the college to Lancaster. Daniel Weiser, 1856-57 Charles Hillegass, 1857--58; Just twenty-five years after graduation Franklin and William Trippe Cramer, 1858-59; Rev. Daniel Marshall College conferred upon him the meritorious Wei.ser, 1859-60; Henry L. Gerhard, 1860-82; Rev. title of Doctor of Divinity. He was called to his C. Z.Weiser, D.D., 1862-64: Reuben Masteller, 1864native place as pastor, and so also was his father, it Jonathan Gery, 1865-66 Abraham Welker, 65 seventeen years.

—

;

;

—

—

;

;

—

;

;

—

;

;

;

•

ez

-.IJUtchie-

S», ^»^

^ ^\-v.

UPPER HANOVER TOWNSHIP.

1113

William H. Kehl, 1873-75 Professor C. S. Wieand, A.M., 1875-80. 7Veas»i-e)-.v.— Lewis Masteller, 1841-19; John F.

known

Gerhard, ]8iy-75; Adam J. Uimmig, 1875-81. Charles Hillegass, 1841-49; Mahlon Secretaries.

two plans, one with a fourcornered building and one with six corners, he, in the goodness of his heart, supposing that the congregation would be able to decide on one or the other of them. In this he was mistaken, as there immediately arose two parties in the congregation, one for the four-cornered and one for the six-cornered plan. After much heat and contention, the six-cornered plan was finally adopted. The church was built with six corners, and has ever since been known as the '•'Six Cornered Church." The six corners are caused by the building of an alcove, in which is placed the large organ of the church. In 1860-61 the large steeple, containing a bell weighing fifteen hundred pounds, was erected on the part forming the six

1866-73

;

;

—

1849-55;

Hillegass,

1855-57;

Secretaries. Benjamin Gery, James D. Bobb, 1868-74; Mrs. Mahlon

Hillegass,

Hillegass,

Mahlon

Charles

Hillegass, 1857-81.

—

Assisfaitf

1870-74; William

II. Steltz,

1866-70

;

1874-81.

—

Jonathan Gery, 1863-65; James D. Librarians. Bobb, 1865-68: Nathanial R. Reed, 1868-69; Ambrose E. Roeder, 1869-81 George F. Hoot, 1876-81. ;

Chorister.— MiMon J. Gerhart, 1869-81. Co//ec?ore.— Nathaniel Deisher, 1869-73; Charles Kehl, 1873-80; Charles L. Fliick, 1880-81. Sunday -School Paper Agent. Tobias Fried, 1876

—

-81.

—

Superintendent, Infant Sunday-School. 1865-70 Assistant Superintendents, Rev. D. Weiser, D.D. Mrs. Maria Hillegass, Mrs. Elizabeth Deisher, Mr. Samuel Roeder, S. M. Beysher (chorister). 1870-73 Superintendent, H. E. E. Roeder; Assistant Superin:

;

:

tendent, Mrs. Maria Hillegass, Mrs. Deisher, T. K.

Gerhart, E. H. Steltz (chorister), W. Krause, D. Dimmig. 1873 to date Superintendent, Mrs. C. Z. :

Weiser; Assistant Superintendents, Mrs. M. Bobb, Mrs. M. Roeder, D. Dinimig, T. IC. Gerhart, M. J. Gerhart (chorister), F. L. Fhick (u.ssistant chorister).' The New Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church, commonly called the " Six-Cornered Church," is about a mile east of the village of Pennsburg. It is a large and handsome stone building, surmounted with a tall steeple, and constitutes one of the land-marks of the valley. The congregation

probably as old, or nearly

Reformed congregation,

it

stands formerly stood an old log church. When it was built is uncertain, but it was probably in the be m

r

WHITEMAKSH TOWNSHIP. He was

Christ Church.

frequently invited by those

make journeys

that visited his church to

and twenty

of fifteen

senters, or

1149

Germans who had received some knowledge

of English.

It is

supposed that on the removal of William Smith,

Neill, in 1766, that the Rev. Dr.

from the city to minister to their spiritual wants, which opportunities he did not neglect, and thus an interest was maintained for wor-

Mr.

sliip.

the following entry made April 17, 1786, it be observed that all early records of the church have been unfortunately lost, except one book from 1742 to 1766; " Ordered, That proper books be provided

niilea

Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1718, appointed the Rev. JVIr. Weyman as their missionary at Oxford and Radnor. He for the

country and entered upon his ministry

to this

with diligence and

made

his residence at the former

He

place. shortly afterwards informed the society " that there is a congregation at Whitemarsh, about

ten miles distant from Oxford,

and have,

who

are desirous of a

decent performance of divine worship, erected a goodly stone building." This certainly implies that at that early date the conminister,

for the

gregation could not have been small, and that they

had a creditable church.

Mr.

Weyman now

resigned

the Radnor charge and confined his labors chiefly to the Oxford and Whitemarsli congregations, which

came thus

to

be associated ibr a long period.

He

was succeeded, June 24, 1733, by the Rev. Alexander Howie, wliose ministry lasted nine years, when he left for the West Indies. The Rev. William Currie assumed the duties in 1742, at which time the wardens were John Barge and Hugh Burk, and the vestrymen Thomas Bartholomew, William Malchior, Edward Burk, Francis Colley, William Dewees, Jr., and John Burk.

From

a record of the business proceedings of the

wardens and vestrymen esting extract *'

It

is

taken

for

1742 the following inter-

:

waa agreed that James 'Whiley,

for officiating as Clark, cleaning

the church and keeping things in decent order, should receive five pounds per annum.

That the old

be sold for the best price, and the roof That a new pew and pulpit be made in the northeast corner, and new bannesters round the communion table. Also to fence in thQ graveyard with red cedar posts and cedar hoards, and make three gates, one on each side, and the other at the end of the tiles

covered with cedar shingles.

graveyard."

This establishes the fact that the original roof had been covered with tiles. The expense of repair was met by some forty contributors. The accounts show that Samuel Gilkey repaired the roof and Jacoby Whiley and George Lawrence attended to the carpenter-work.

The Rev. Eneas Ross came over from London in June, 1741, and became pastor of Christ Church, Philadelphia, which he resigned in June, 1743, to take charge of the churches at Oxford and Whitemarsh, in which he continued until 1758. He was the first minister to make any record of baptisms and marriages unfortunately, his example was not followed for over half a century afterwards. Mr. Ross having been transferred to New Castle, Del., the ;

Rev.

sonally until 1779.

From

The Society

came

provost of the college at Philadelphia, officiated occa-

Hugh

Neill

became his

successor,

who

stated,

on

entering on his duties, that the attendance at worship was about one hundred and

more than

thirty were

fifty,

members, the

of which not

rest

being Dis-

will

keeping the registers of this Parish, the old books destroyed during the registers having been late war." At the aforesaid meeting of the congregation John B. Gilpin and Andrew Redifer were elected wardens, and Edward Burk, Levi Stannerd, William Hicks and Frederick Hitner vestrymen. for

and

Efforts

were at once made

sulting from

the war.

That, as the church

to repair the injuries re-

It

is

therefore

much gone

is

to

" Resolved,

decay and the

round the graveyard totally destroyed, the be immediately put into decent repair, a communion table provided and a desk made for the clerk. Also, that a rail-fence of cedar be made round the graveyard." The Rev. Joseph Pilmore was, on this occasion, chosen minister and John Stewart appointed clerk. For the long space of twenty years, extending from 1766 to 1786, they had no regular pastor and but irregular worship, the members being scattered and the building and grounds in a ruinous

fence

church

condition.

Mr Pilmore retained the charge until 1794, when Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith succeeded until 1796, followed by the Rev. John H. Hobart to 1797, who afterwards became bishop of the diocese of New York, next the Rev. Slater Clay until 1812, then his son, Rev. J. C. Clay. The Rev. Bird Wilson, rector of the church in Norristown, officiated until 1821, followed by Rev. Mr. Robertson for a short period. He was followed by Rev. John Rodney, in connection with St. Luke's Church, Germantown, to 1833, the Rev. Dr. Cruse and Rev. John Reynolds to 1836, Rev. Wm. H. Delhi to 1852, Rev. George Foote to 1855, Rev. David C. Millett from 1856 to 1864, Rev. Charles Bonnel to 1869, Rev. Mr. Stryker to 1876, who was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. H. I. Meigs. On the erection of the church, in 1817, the tower and spire were not completed until between the years 1847 and 1857,

when

the parsonage and school-house

ground purchased and a bell of hundred pounds weight and a communion service presented. The church was forty by sixty feet in dimensions, built of stone, one story high, with a spire of one hundred and thirty feet. So weak at were

built, additional

eleven

times has been the congregation that in 1817

membership was only

the

and worship was held only once a month. A drawing was made of this building in May, 1857, which may now be the only one extant. The distance to the Oxford Church does not exceed nine miles, and it was not till 1734 that the road was opened between them and declared a public fifteen

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1150

highway, which has ever since borne the name of Church road. The remains of Edward Farmar, who died in 1745, were placed in the upper part of the north aisle

the original slab retains

;

position,

its

Tradi-

thus denoting the site of the old church.

St.

Lutheran Church.

Peter's

church appears

to

tive efforts of the is

—The

Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, which

thus acknowledged in the minutes

having, in his

origin of this

be greatly due to the early and ac-

name and with

:

"Our collectors recommen-

his letters of

Indian chiefs were buried

dation, raised contributions to defray the expenses of

here, but the exact place of their interment is un-

the school-house, and having, after these were paid,

known.

also,

tion

that several

states

The church both parties.

was occupied by During Washington's encampment in in

the Revolution

the vicinity soldiers were quartered in it, who made hearths of the grave-stones for their cooking purposes,

which

will

for the loss of

account

head-stones from

the earliest graves, fragments of which may be still discovered with lettering on them. On the retreat of the Americans from Germantown, the British, in their

and again on their march out here attack Washington. On this last occurrence they

pursuit, occupied to

made

use of

it

it,

for several days.

The

by means of his written petitions, collected money and in the Provinces of New Jersey and New York for the building of St. Peter's church, he himself having, at the same time, as far as it was possible for himself and his fellow-labourers, served us in in Philadelphia

From

the preaching of the gospel." school-house, dated

March

Roberts,

Christopher

Miller, Philip

15,

Philip

Hersh and

1758,

the deed of the

we

Cressman,

Adam

learn

that

Valentine

Snider, of White-

marsh, had commenced the building, but, through a

late church, be-

lieved to be the third erected here, was torn

down

in

1868, and the present large and beautiful edifice commenced in the previous year, which, however, was not

used for worship until 1877, and not fully completed It is built of dressed red sandstone, prountil 1881. cured in the neighborhood, forty-two by one hundred and twenty-four feet in dimensions, with a tower at the east end eighty-two i'eet in height. The windows are of stained glass and of the most elegant designs.

From

this elevated

churchyard a

fine prospect is af-

forded of the surrounding country, including Flour-

town, Chestnut Hill, Barren Hill,

Camp

Hill, Fort

Washington and the romantic valley of the Wissahickon. It is undoubtedly one of the handsomest church buildings in the county. The grounds embrace all of six acres, substantially inclosed and kept in a neat condition. As may be expected from its antiquity, many have been buried here, probably above

two thousand.

The

olde-st

stone

bearing a date is that erected to the memory of James SevAllison, who died in 1727, aged forty-five years. eral quaint and curious epitaphs are here, bearing the dates of 1732, 1738, 1749, 1755 and 1763.

numerous surnames

to

Among

be found here can be mentioned

Burke, Barge, Wells, Farmar, Allison, Woolen, Brant, White, Shay, Houpt, Ingleman, Cleaver, Bisbing, Robinson, Nash, Acufl', Donatt, Taylor, Nague, Loeser, Bradfield, Hayes, Hinkle, Lukens, Smith, Jackson,

Hickling, Young, Warley, Comly, Corson, Aimen, Stackhouse, Hersh, Summerfield, Grafly, Hart, Gibbs, Janney, Dodson, Kifer, Piatt, Foote and Vancourt.

In the spring of 1883 this church was represented in the Episcopal Convention by William H. Drayton, John H. Bringhurst and Hamilton Taggart as lay delegates.

The

one hundred

;

parish-schools

present communicants

number nearly Sunday and Of the eleven

the children attending the

number about eighty. now in the county,

Episcopal Churches

this

was estab-

lished the earliest, the next beingSt. James', in

Providence, in 1721.

ST.

the

Lower

Peter's church, barren hill.

majority of votes, transferred their rights to Rev. Richard Peters Charles Magnes Wrangel, D.D., pro;

vost of the Swedish Lutheran Churches in Pennsylva-

New

Henry M. Muhlenberg, first German Evangelical Congregations in Pennsylvania; Henry Keppele, Sr., of Philadelphia; John Koplin, of Providence; Valentine Miller, Ludwig Kolb and Mathias Sommer, memnia and

Jersey;

minister of the United

bers of the church in Whitemarsh.

The

aforesaid school-house

and worship was held in

it

was completed

in 1758,

until the completion of the

The first teacher was Michael Seely, who subsequently had the misfortune to become blind. church.

it is supposed, was commenced in 1761. but was not finished until a few years later. It was a substantial stone edifice, with galleries on three of iu sides, surmounted by 'a steeple, which remainedstand-

The church,

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP. ing until 1849,

—a period of

The school-house was

and taken from the people their horses, oxeu, cows, sheep and hogs. Lafayette quartered in the church, as a point for observation, during his brief tarry on the hill, in the middle of May, 1778, and came near being captured by General Grant, with a strong detachment of the British army. After the war, as may well be supposed, it was almost a ruin, full of rubbish and dirt, and its members, from being pillaged, were miserably impoverished and destitute of even the necessaries of

nearly eighty-eight years.

built of logs; since, three others

have been successively erected on the same spot, the two last, by the directors, under the public-schoolsystem. Conrad Bischoff, in 1765, taught the school, followed by John George Kuhn in 1768. Mr. jMuhlenberg officiated at the laying of the corner-stone of the

church, and gave towards

it,

its

it

before roofed,

had cost five hundred pounds, and completion, upwards of five hundred pounds

which

on

new

out of a certain legacy,

twenty-four pounds, and preached in in

state

it

life.

The Rev. Frederick D.

It

Schaeffer has left the follow-

ing interesting account of the condition of affairs here

more. but

1151

appears that the congregation had subscribed towards its building, for they were in debt

" In the year 1790 1 was caUcd to the cuugregatiou of St. Peter's Church as their regularly ordained minister, and found the church and school in

little

upwards of £1000 ($2666.66) when the church was finished. Hearing of the pecuniary embarrassment Dr. Ziehenhagen, chaplain to the King of England anthorized Mr. Muhlenberg to draw on him for five hundred pounds sterling. After the most clamorous of the creditors had been paid the church, school-house and lot of ground were conveyed to the German Lutheran congregation of Philadelphia. But what principally enabled the securities to meet their engagements was a legacy of thirteen thousand gulden (five thousand two hundred dollars) from the Count of Roedelsheim, in Germany, which he bequeathed to the German Lutheran congregations of Pennsylvania, three thousand gulden (twelve hundred dollars) of which were expressly given towards the indebtedness of this church. Thus was the debt of the church paid otr to save it from being sold, and not long afterwards the whole was freed from incumbrances. At an election held at St. Peter's, April 1, 1766, Henry Katz, John Bauer, Andrew Koeth and Philip Lehr were chosen elders, and William Hiltner and

John Fisher deacons. In June, 1769, Rev. John Frederick Schmidt accepted the charge of the Germantown congregation, and preached every other Sunday in the parochial churches of Frankford and Whitpain, and occasionally at Barren Hill, in which church divine service had been prevously held every other Sunday by the Germantown ministers, during the time of Pastors John Nicholas Kurtz, John Ludwig Voight and James Vau Buskirk. Through the war and for several years after its close the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, no doubt, occasionally officiated here, also his son, the Rev.

H. E. Muhlenberg, of

St.

Michael's

Buch alanientable condition as to be commisel'ated. families adhered to this congregation

;

the greater

Only a few heads of

number of the

chil-

dren had already been sent to English schools, and an English schoolmaster had been appointed to teach without my knowledge. The church building was in a deplorable condition, like a neglected or disordered bouse, the rude walls, windows and frames broken and shattered, and

the roof appeared also ready to

j

fall

in."

Thomas' Church, at Whitemarsh, it .seems it required some time to get over the disasters occasioned by the war and relieve themselves from the difficulties under which they had labored. Through the exertions of Mr. Schaeffer the church and surrounding premises were put into better condiLike

tion,

St.

but from having been built nearly half a century

To

considerable repair was needed.

made

the congregation

who passed an

act,

carry this out,

application to the Assembly,

April 13, 1807, authorizing

them

meet the expense. For the want of unanimity this was not carried out, when a committee of seven members was appointed, in 1809, to rebuild the structure and restore the fence and graveyard, which was accomplished within the year. It was dedicated January 7, 1810, in the presence of a numerous assemblage. The preaching in the forenoon was in the German, and in the afternoon in English. After a service here and with the Germantown congregation of over twenty-two years, Mr. Schaeffer resigned and went to Philadelphia, i)reaching his farewell sermon August 23, 1812. The Rev. John C. Baker succeeded in the charge and remained its pastor until During his ministry the German language was 1828. entirely dispensed with and the English substituted. The Rev. Benjamin Keller, D.D., commenced his labors in February, and remained till 1835. to hold a lottery to

LTnder the charge of Rev. C.

W.

Schaeffer the par-

Philadelphia, followed by the Rev. Daniel Schroeder

sonage was

and John Henry Weinland, in 1786 to 1789, of the Germantown congregation, whose several labors helped to keep the congregation together. During the Revolution the church received considerable injury, having been by turns occupied by the contending armies, and used as a battery and stable. The Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, in his journal, under date of November 4, 1777, says " that it was used as a stable for horses by a portion of the American army, encamped in the vicinity," and further mentions that a short time previous the British armv had been here,

hundred dollars. The Rev. F. R. Anspach, D. D., became the pastor January 1, 1841, and remained until 1850. He held the last communion in the old

built,

church April

8,

in

1836, at

a cost of nearly nine

1849, w-hen the present fine edifice was

hundred dollars. Through the industry and perseverance of Dr. Anspach the membership of the congregation here and at Whitemarsh was greatly increased. In connection with erected, at a cost of six thousand five

his other duties,

he conducted a

select school

wherein

the higher branches of English education were taught.

Rev.

Wm.

H. Smith succeeded

in 1850,

and resigned

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1152

May

In November of said year Rev.

10, 1852.

Baum, D.D.,

accepted, and served until

and was followed by Rev.

May,

Wm. 1858,

Sentman, wlio remained

S.

April, 1862. In his ministry the centennial celebration of the church was observed with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. C. F. Keedy was the next pastor, till

Jacob Hanser, laborer, l^ a., 1 h., 2 Lndwig Dagen, inn-keeper, 05 1 c.;

c.

Wm.

;

Jolinson, laborer, 23 a.,

2 c.; Henry Kuntzman, c; Margaret Robins, 15 a.; Martha Shoemaker, widow, 30 a., I c; John Conard, aged, 1 h., 1 c; Jaeob Shoemaker, aged, 150 a., Ic; smith,

a., 1 h.,

1

Bavid Shoemaker, 3 h., 3c.; Elizabeth Baker, 7 a., aged and infirm; Michael Lentz, 30 a., 2 c.; Christopher Carr, Ic; John Rickert, 212 a., 5 h., 6 c, 1 still; Jacob Jones, schoolmaster. 84 a., 1 h., 1 c. Griffith Thomas, 85 a., 2 h., 2 c. Samnel Miles, gentleman, 2 h., 3 c, 1 fourwheel carriage, 1 two-wheel do.; Joseph Paul, miller, 25 a., grist and ;

;

followed by Rev. J. Q. Waters, when Rev. R. Demme succeeded in 1867. The Rev. T. C. Pritcherd received the charge September

1871,

1,

and remained

when the latter was connected with Upper Dublin Church. The present church, as has been stated, was built

1818 until 1858, the

1849, in the Gothic style,

two stories high, with and stained-glass windows. Its dimensions are forty-eight by seventy two feet, with a tower and spire one hundred feet high. The steeple, from its high situation, is seen for many miles around. From the churchyard a fine prospect is obtained, particubuttresses

larly in a northeast direction.

The ground probably

all eight acres, inclosed

by an iron railing and wall. A considerable number have been buried here in the past one hundred and twenty-five years. On the stones are found the names of Dettere, Dager, Morris, Prutzman, Barnet, Crawford, Bel>, Rapine, Harbst, Cook, Gilinger, Gulp, Dewees, H+*ner, Robinson, Righter, Bond, Pflieger, Young, Staley, Lyle, Johnson, Jago, Keys, Mattis, Rex, Bolton, Sassaman, Wolf, Thomas, Lysinger, Kline, Ellis, Garn, Becher, Boyer, Lightcap, Gray, Neil, Klair, Streeper, Bartle,

Haugh, Culp, Wampole, Hiltner, Cole, Heritage, Coltman, Kirk, Davis, Johnson, Goshen, Bickings, Ludy, Pifer, Kenzie, Mclntire,

Matlack, File, Haines, Butter, Markley, Marple, Fisher, Shiukle,Hellings, Freas, Pe-

John

;

.lames .Stroud,

3

Livezey, 125

Isaac Fryer

;

1 h.;

a.,

John Conard,

Philip Lehr,

laborer, 1

c;

c, Christopher Lehr,

1 h., 1

c.

;

.lones, 190 a., 2 h.,

,

1 h., 1

Davis Davis

Christian Steer, inn-keeper, 200

;

George Fries, 100

3 h., 3 c;

a.,

8 h., 7 c, 1 chair

a.,

William Hiltner, 30

a.,

1 h.,

2

;

c; John

c. Jacob Sharp, shoemaker Valentine Cressman, George Fries, Jr., shoemaker, 2 c; Catharine Rapp, widow, 100 a.; Peter Streeper, smith, 1 h.,1 c. George Cressman, laborer, 10 a., 1 c; John Bower, 48 a., 4 h., 2c.; Adam Kitoer John Fisher, 25

Ketler, IIG

a.,

laborer,

c.

1

2 b., 2

;

;

;

;

;

a., 1 h., 1

c; AVilliam

Kenton, laborer

Hirscli, laborer

Adam

;

Frederick Gilbert, 1

Krouse, 2

c.

h.,

comprises in

;

Ic; John Harry, 100 a., 3 h 4 c; c; Michael Mitchell, 4 h., 2 c; John Hart, 14 a., 1 c; John Clinton, shoemaker; Jacob Kuhn, 2 h., 1 c; John Wolf, Laborer, 15 a., I c; Frederick Zorn, 20 a., 2 h., 2 c; Hannah Maulsby, widow, 100 a., 1 c; Thomas Shepherd; Wm. Stroud, laborer; John Yetter, 2 li.; Jonathan Powell, 95 a., 2 h., 4 c; John Hufty, 120 a., 4 b., h., Ic.

I

July, 1883, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Q. McAtlee. To the pastors of this congregation was also assigned the charge of the Union Church at Whitemarsh from

in

Thomas

saw-mill;

Francis Henry

until

c.

;

h.,

c.

tailor, la., 1 c.

Snyder, 2

Wm.

;

;

;

h., 1

James

c; Joseph c; Catharine Moyer, 25 a., 1 c; Griffin, 2 h., 2

Dewees, laborer, 6

Philip Sharp,

%

a.;

a.,

1

c.

;

Benjamin

Isaiah Hups, 100

a.,

Leonard Culp, 50 a., 2 h., 2 c, 1 still Leonanl Streeper, 180 3 c; Dennis Streeper .Jacob Shearer, 2 h., 2 c; Peter Dager, 4 .\lbrecht Houser Jacob Edge, 198 a., 2 h., 3 c; David Acuff, 50 ;

;

;

;

3 c

;

Jacob .\cuff

Wm.

;

4

h.,

a.,

2

h.,

5

a.,

5

c; 3 c; Conrad

Fitzgerald, school-teacher, 6 a., 1 h., 1

Abraham Houser, 20 a., I h., 2 c. George Aimen, 45 a., 1., h., 1 c. John Derrick, laborer; James Ilaslett, 1 c, laborer; ;

Bean, 2

;

Richard Mairs, millwright, 2 h., 1 c; Isimc Mathers, 2 h., 3 c, 1 still William West, 280 a., 6 h., 10 c, 2 negroes, one four-wheel carriage Samuel Morris, tanner, 29 a., 3 h., 2 c; Jesse Gilbert, 1 h., 1 c; Henry Joseph Lukens, 190 Scheetz, paper-maker, 80 a., 3 h., 4 c, paper-mill

;'

;

;

c; George Ankele William Jones, lal»orer; Marchant John Kerbaugh, 18 a., 4 h., 1 c; Edward Maulsby, 80 a., 3 c, aged Hopkins, 1 h., 2 c. Mai'tin Faringer, 80 a., 2 h., 3 c. Jacob Mathews, smith, Ic; Samuel Cos, shoemaker, 1 c; .\ndrew Miller, 3 h., 1 c; 3 h.,

a.,

fj

;

;

;

;

Edward

Davis, 50a., 2 h., 2 c; Henry Gordon, laborer Walter McCool, 1 negro, 60 a., 2 h., 2 c.; Samuel McCool, 1 David Evans, laborer, 1 c; Joseph McClean, 230 a., 3 h., 2 c, tailor David White James White, 47 a., 2 h., 5 c. Jacob Cook, weaver, Ic. Robert Kane, shoemaker, 1 c. John Cox, schoolraaeter h., 2 c, tailor Thomas Cox, 11 a., 1 h.. 1 c, laborer Dorothy .Tarret, widow, 200 a., 3

Henry Enghart,

2h., 2

;

c.;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

Heilman, Hagy, Harner, Graver, Vandike, Cressman, Kirker, Ritter, Van Winkle, Moyer, Nelson, Faringer, Deshong, Spealhoffer, Hart, Thorp, Keely, Hesser, Polta, Zern, Schlatter, Herman, Barnholt, Hallman, ters,

Steer, Share, Sharp, Fight, Bauer, Calender, Kutz,

Shaw, Dennison, Snyder, Wood, Thompson, Cress, Jacoby, Faust, Edelman, Scheetz and Brant. A handsome white marble monument, about twenty-five feet high, was erected to the memory of the soldiers

who

The oldest stone obthe memory of " Johan

died in the late civil war.

served, bearing a date,

is

to

Heinrich Klein, gestorben 1760." During a severe storm in November, 1878, which passed over the centre of the township and did considerable damage, the steeple of the church was blown down and greatly injured, but was restored in the following year. ASSESSMENT OF WHITEMARSH, Leonard Steeper,

Andrew

assessor,

a., 2 h., 3 c; John Ilallowcll, 120 a., 3 b., c; John Eldriilge, 1 servant, 150 a., 4h., 6 c; Sarah Egbert, widow, 60 200 a., 4 Egbert; Thomas Lancaster, Lawrence a., 4 h., 1 c.; John Egbert h.; Thomas Lancaster Joseph James, IGO a 2 h., 2 c ;Georgo Shatinger, laborer, 2 c; Evan Meredith, miller, 6 b., 4 c, 1 chair, rents of Robert Wells 300 a. and grist-mill Jossph Wood Samuel Williams, 2 h., 2 c; C'asper Freas, 3 h., 4 c.; Jacob Lesley, laborer, 1 c; Jonathan Robeson, 238 a., grist-mill, 3 negroes, 1 chair, 5 h., 4 c; Mich.ael Knorr, 170 a., 5,

h., 5

;

,

;

;

;

c; George Harker, 200 a., 4 h., Oc. .Melchior Kuorr, 170 a., 5 h., Bernard Knorr, laborer, 2 h., 2 c; Isaac Williams, 470 a., belonging to Anthony Williams' estate Michael Bowman, 2 h., 1 c; Henry Seaholt, shoemaker, I c; Michael Miller, 33 a., 1 h., 1 c; Frederick Miller, 11 a., 1 c; Michael Miller, 1 c; Joseph Ramsey, laborer, 1 c; Israel Bverly, shoemaker, 2 c; Patrick Menau, aged, 50 a., 1 h., 2 c; h., 5

;

6 c;

;

JoHiah Dickeson, 2 h., 3 c; Frederick Hitner, 4

h., 2c.;

Jesse Greenfield.

Mi-n— George Geiger, George Aimen, Owen Morris, Philip Keese, Morris Maulsby, Lawrence Egbert, Joseph Wood, Lewis Wood, Peter

SiiiriU

Robeson.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1780.

and John Bower,

4 c; John Wilson, 117

collector.

cows; John Sheppard, 83a, 2 h., c, 2 stills Jacob Cate, laborer; Henry Katz, 17 a., 2 h., 3 c, paper-mill and 43 a. in Springfield Joseph Alie, miller, 1 c; Wm. Kagge, 3 c paper-mill; Hagge, 100 a., 2 h.,2 c, paper mill Caspar Wampole, 50 a., 1 h 2 c; .\dam Miller, 3 h., 3 c.; Gate, 100 acres, 2 horses, 3

2 c; Christopher Shupart, 50

a.,

1

h., 3

;

,

;

John Shnpart,

,

1

c; George

Kiiitle, 2 h., 2

ELIAS HICKS CORSON.

;

c; George Geiger, 2h.,2c.;

The

subject of this biography

is

the son of Al.an

Corson, of Whitemarsh townshi|), and was born on the 19th of February, 1816. His father.

W. and Mary

^

WHITEMAKSH TOWNSHIP. a distinguished mathematician and botanist, was able to give his son superior opportunities of instruction, to

which primary

knowledge lie added by At the time of his majority

store of

reading and observation.

he engaged in lime-burning in Chester County, but soon returned and began the same business in Plymouth, where it was continued with energy and profit

on the otli of November, 1877. Hewas engaged in the coal business, and was the owner of a fine farm adjacent to the quiirries, which he culMr. Corson, on the tivated to its fullest capacity. 13th of March, 1845, married Miss Emily R. Harris, daughter of Henry and Rachel Harris, of Philadeluntil his death,

also

It

may be

said of Mr. Corson that few

section of the State were better

73

possessed a strong individual-

.

and true, his influence will survive, while he remains as a bright memory, a spur noble deeds in the cause of humanity.

to

lence or prevent his administering a deserved rebuke.

in his

more uni-

was a marked man in stature, strength and symmetry, and pos.sessed not less remarkable business qualifications than strong mental endowments. He was fond of literature, a reader of the poets, and kept pace with the transactions of the times. His conversation and presence were magnetic, his manner agreeable and his wit devoid of sting or bitterness. Good

died in early youth.

was active in the cause, contributing freely and aiding in all proper ways to give freedom to the To the temperance cause he also gave his slave. heartiest approval, for which work he was eminently fitted, no amount of opposition or inconsistency of others being able to tempt him to unbecoming vio-

men

or

ity,

pure, strong

strife

He

tleness of a child.

Their children are Henry H., George, Emily, Martha, Walter H., Carroll, Percy H. and four who

Mr. Corson, early in the anti-slavery movement, joined his efforts to those put forth by the friends of human rights, and through the long years of that

known

versally esteemed. He displayed a varied knowledge, was quick of apjirehension and possessed a rare facility of conversation, combined with the kindness and gen-

o-u phia.

1153

to his friends

JOSEPH FREAS. Mr. Freas is of German extraction, his father having been George Freas, who married Barbara Wolf. Their children were John, George, Samuel, Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel, Joseph, William, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Roberts) and Catherine (Mrs. William Freas). Joseph was born on the 6th of May, 1794, on the homestead farm, in Whitemarsh township, and during his youth remained with his parents, receiving

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1154

meauwliile such education as the neighboring schools

He

then chose as his trade that of a blaclcsraith, and became an apprentice to his brother Samuel, in Plymouth. This trade he followed for some afi'orded.

universally esteemed in

occurred

November

of a farmer, with which he had been

familiar in

youth, was

his

more

to

made

his taste,

he

abandoned his trade and returned to Whiteraarsh. Here he purchased of his father the farm, which for many years he cultivated, and on retiring from active farm-labor he erected the residence on the same farm which is now the home of his widow and daughter. His political sentiments were those of the Old-Line

home,

His death in White-

marsh.

JESSE W. FEEAS.

years in Plymouth, but, concluding that the occupation

the township.

22, 1879, at his

The great-grandfather as originally spelled)

of Jesse

W.

Freas (or Fries,

and uncle of Jacob Frederick

Fries, the founder of a philosophical school in

Germany

and professor at Heidelberg in 180.5, was from Saxony. His son, Simon, resided at Marble Hall, in Whitemarsh township, where he followed the blacksmith's craft. He was united in marriage to Margaret

Rapin, born in 1773, died in 1863, a descendant

J:A^^&^ Whig

though he did not take an active part

in

of the celebrated Paul da Rapin de Thoyras, an emi-

the public movements of the day, and devoted his time and eftbrts wholly to his own business. Mr.

nent historiographer, born in Languedoc in 1661. A member of the family, Philip Kapin, was a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war, and Daniel

party,

Freaa was married, on the loth of January, 1818, to Ann Keely, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Keely, of Philadelphia County, whose birth occurred No-

vember

Their children are Henry, born in Walton, in 1822; Essachar, in 1824; Elizabeth, in 1826; John Quincy, in 1828; Orlando, in 1830; Caroline, in 1834; Tacy A., in 1836; and Barbara A., in 1839. Mr. Freas was not 17, 1792.

1818; Joanna, in 1820

less

favorably

known

right character

and

;

than for his upwhich caused him to be

for his industry

integrity,

Rapin was the

first

mayor of Washington

City, justice

of the peace, appointed by President Jefferson, and

postmaster of the House of Representatives at the time of his death, in 1825. The children of Simon and Margaret Freas were William, David, Ann, Charles, Nicholas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Philiii,

Elizabeth

(2d)

and David

(2d).

Henry,

William, of this

number, was born December 27, 1796, in Whitemarsh, where he was early a blacksmith, and later became the

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP. He married Catherine daughter of George Freas, the latter of whom was but an infant of one year on his emigration from Germany. Their children were a son, Jesse W., and a daughter, Barbara Ann, now Mrs. Philip

owner of a productive farm. Freas,

Jesse W. was born on Whitemarsh township and

Cressraan, of Philadelphia. 2.3d of October, 1818,

in

devoted his boyhood to labor, varied by attendance at the nearest school, where he acquired a substantial education. He was instructed at an early age in the uses of the hammer and forge, as also in the various occupations pertaining to the life of a farmer, and continued thus industriously occupied until his mar-

1155

engaged in a general merchandise business. The Freas family have been blessed with great longevity. also

W. is now sixty-seven, William died at eightyMargaret at ninety, and nearly all her children at advanced ages. Mr. Freas is in politics a Republican, having formerly voted with the Democratic party, as Jesse four,

did his father.

He

has served as school director, but

declined other ofhcial positions, though holding the

commission as postmaster at Lafayette Hill. He is a Lutheran in his religious faith, and member of the Lutheran Church at Barren Hill, as are his wife and most of the children, his son, William S., being a clergyman of that denomination, settled at Carlisle,

S^Sa.^-^ 24, 1846, to Miss Ann Catherine daughter of Leonard and Sarah Streeper. Their children are William S., born in 1848 FrederEva, in 185.3 (died in 1854) Luick R., in 1851 ther, in 1855 Henry M., in 1859 L. Streeper, in 1862; Oliver S. Abold, in 1864; Lilly, in 1868 (died in 1883) and IdaM., in 1872. Mr. Freas, on his marriage, removed to a farm belonging to his father, which he cultivated in conjunction with the mining of iron-ore.

December

riage,

Streeper,

Pa.

Mr. Freas was

for

many

years superintendent

of the Sunday-school of his church.

;

;

;

;

;

;

Though

was changed, a spacious dwelling erected by his father becoming his home, he continues his customary pursuits as a miner and farmer. For a number of years he was at a later period his residence

SILAS CLEAVER. The Cleaver family are of German antecedents, though little is known of the advent of the first representative in

America or of his immediate descendant?.

Salathiel Cleaver, the father of Silas, a brief sketch of

whose

life is

here given, was a resident of

Montgomery

County, where he followed farming pursuits during life. To his wife, Mary Shoemaker, were born five sons, Nathan, Josiah, Daniel, Silas and John. The birth of Silas, of this number, occurred on

his active

—

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1156

He was a member of the Corn Exchange of Philadelrwynedd township. He was educated at the boarding- phia for many years, and at his death a director of the school of Joseph Foulke, in Gvvynedd, and at the age Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was by birthright of nineteen repaired to Whitcmarsh township, where a Friend, and worshiped with the Plymouth Meeting. he entered the mill of William Ely for the purpose of Mr. Cleaver, though a man of modest and unobtruacquiring a thorough knowledge of the miller's trade. sive demeanor, wielded a commanding influence in On completing his apprenticeship he removed to Wal- the township. His sterling integrity in all matters of nut Mill, in Lower Dublin townsliip, and became the business won the respect of the community, while the lessee of a mill, which he operated for a period of qualities of gentleness, kindness and sympathy caused eight years. Mr. Cleaver, at the expiration of this him to be greatly beloved by those who, through time, purchased a mill property at' Wissahickon, in daily intercourse, became familiar with the tender Whitemarsh township, which, in connection with his and loving heart and the generous and unselfish brother John, he operated for thirty-six years. Hav- nature. the 7th of February, 1819, on his father's farm, in (

ing during this time been assiduous in his devotion to

JOHN CLEAVER.

have abandoned active labor in connection with the mill, and he retired to a home he had purchased. His life was, however, suddenly ended on the 18th of February, 1884, before Mr. Cleaver was, this project was consummated. on the 9th of March, 1848, married to Miss Mary

Nathan and Ruth German descent, and born on the 10th of August, 1780, was numbered among the enterprising farmers of Montgomery County, his residence

business,

E.,

it

was his intention

to

daughter of John Ruppert, of Lower Dublin, who

survives him.

In politics the subject of this sketch

was a Republican, his affiliations having formerly been with the Whig party. Apart from the office of school director, he held no official positions in the township.

Salathiel

Cleaver,

Cleaver, the son of

who was

of

He married Mary, daughter of Daniel Shoemaker, of Upper Dublin townshij), Montgomery Co., who was of Welsh extraction, and had during his lifetime.

—

Nathan, Josiah and Daniel (deceased), and John. The last-named and youngest of the number, who is the subject of this biographical sketch, was born November 1, 1822, on the homechildren,

Silas

'UJ fo l^^^L^C^^€^^

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP. Montgomery township. Here his youth, until the age of nineteen, was spent, his education having been received at a private school on his father's prop-

stead, in

and later at the boarding-school under the direction of Joseph Foulke. He decided upon acquiring a trade, and chose that of a miller, entering as apprentice a mill on the Pennypack stream, near Bustleton. Two and a half years after, having completed his apprenticeship, he repaired to Byberry, in Philadelphia County, and spent a year as journeyman, at the expiration of which period he formed a copartnership with William Buckman, and continued this business relation for two years. In the spring of 1848 an aderty,

ried,

1157

on the 11th of November, 1852, to Miss Sarah Ann Jarrett Kender-

Jane, daughter of Chalklcy and

dine, of Horsham township, Montgomery Co. Their children are William J.; Anna K., wife of George Ilex Ella (deceased) Chalkley K., married to A. Laura White; Mary R.; Emma; Sallie Tacey K.; ;

;

;

and five

Silas, Jr. (deceased).

years been a

Mr. Cleaver has

member

for

twenty-

of the Commercial

Ex-

change of Philadelphia. He was formerly, in politics, an Old-Line Whig, and readily adopted the platform of the Eepublican party on its organization. Aside from the exercise of his privilege as a voter, he, however, finds

little

leisure for participation in mat-

.3rt^^::^M6^ vantageous opportunity was offered in connection with his brother Silas,

township.

This

who owned

a mill in Whitemarsh

copartnership of social and busi-

ness relations of the most agreeable character continued until the death of the senior partner, in the

and Chalkley Cleaver having been admitted to the firm in 1883, under the name of S. & J. Cleaver & Sons. The mill has been greatly improved, much new machinery and many modern appliances having been introduced, and its spring of

1884,

William

J.

capacity largely increased. In the fall of 1876, Mr. Cleaver purchased the farm adjoining the mill propHe was mar•srty, known as the Peter Phipps farm.

of political import. He was in religion reared a Hicksite Friend, and with his family worships at ters

Plvmouth Meeting.

DAVID W. YEAKEL. Mr. Yeakel is the great-grandson of Christopher Yeakel, who emigrated to America in 1734, and marSusanna Sohultz. Among their sons was Abraham, who was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Christopher Wagner, whose children were Isaac, ried

born in 1777; Samuel, in 1779; Jacob, in 1780; Susannah, in 1782; Maria, in 1784; and Christopher, in 1787.

Isaac, of this

number, whose birth occurred

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1158

November 9, 1777, married Regina, daughter of Andrew Schultz, on the 4th of November, 1800. Their children were Jacob S., born in 1802 Sarah, iu 180.5 Samuel, in 1807 John, in 1809 Charlotte, in 1811 Emeline, in 1814 Daniel, in 1816 Mary, in 1818 and David W., the subject of this sketch. Isaac Yeakel died on the 23d of October, 1847, and his wife, Regina, on the 16th of January, 1860. The birth of their youngest son, David W., occurred on the 30th of December, 1821, in Springfield township, where the -early years of his life were spent. After a period of youth devoted to the acquirement of a plain English ;

;

;

;

;

^l^J. 1 -t^^J

active business.

where he having some years since retired from

settled near Lafayette Hill,

at present resides,

He

was, in his early political asso-

a Whig, and joined the ranks of the RepubHe has neither desired lican party on its formation. nor accepted office, nor been actively allied with the working phalanx of the party. He was a loyal supciations,

war and actively Mr. Yeakel is not identified by membership with any religiou.s denomination, though his belief is that of the New Church (Swedenborgian). porter of the

Union during the

late

interested in tilling the quota for his township.

^^.^^^^^

education, he began the routine of farm labor, and continued thus occupied until thirty years of age,

when, being ambitious for a larger sphere of industry than was opened in his native county, he removed to Lehigh County, Pa., and engaged in the foundry and machine business at Allentown. Here he remained nine years, having meanwhile, in September, 1852, married Sarah Lentz, ofWhitemarsh township. Their children are John L., married to Bertha Hellings, who had four children George K., of Whitemarsh; and M. Lula. Mr. Yeakle, on his return to White;

marsh township,

.lAMES M. COULSTON. family is of Welsh descent, the grandJames M. having been William Coulston, who resided in Whitemarsh township, where he was

The Coulston

father of

an enterprising farmer. His children were Charles, William, John, Thomas, Mary (Mrs. William Kettler) William Coulston and Sarah (Mrs. Jacob Rohrer). was born August 9, 1797, in Whitemarsh, where he He devoted his active life to farming employments. married Ann, daughter of Joseph and Hannah MereTheir dith, whose birth occurred October 29, 1802.

WHITEMAllSH TOWNSHIP. children are James M., Elizabeth and Hannah. William Coulston died April 17, 1863, in his sixty-sixth

and

1159

liberty of conscience, all conscisely, but fully set

which commences with the Ann, March 25, 1833, in her memorable declaration that no men nor number of thirty-first year. Their son, James M., was born on men upon earth hath power or authority to rule other the 27th of January, 1831, in Whitemarsh. His men's consciences in religious matters,' etc." youth was similar to that of other lads whose parents Although it formed " the common law or fundawere farmers. At the age of eiglit years he removed mental rights and privileges of West New Jersey," with the family to his present home, attended school it has been but little improved in this or any for a period and lent a willing hand at the labor of other county since its promulgation, though two the farm. He was married, April 7, 18.i7, to T. Am- centuries have elapsed. anda, daughter of Joseph and Ann Freas, of the same Thomas Stokes became the proprietor of a farm township, and granddaughter of George and Barbara on the north side of the North Branch of the Rancocas Freas. Their children are Ann Freas (Mrs. Daniel River, about three miles west of Mount Holly, and had Maguire), Alice Hinckley (Mrs. Harvey Lentz), Wil- three sons, John, Thomas and Joseph, all of whom liam Carpenter, Lizzie, Sarah Roser, Francis Coudie, were farmers. The latter two were heads of large Joseph Percival and Walter. William Coulston, hav- families of children, by whom the name has been ing died in 1863, his son, James M., inherited his por- widely extended. John, who married Elizabeth tion of the estate and purchased the remainder of the Green, daughter of Thomas Green, and grandpaternal Tiome. Here he has since continued the daughter of Arthur Green, of Bugbroke, county of healthful pursuits of a farmer. He has always affili- Northton, England, became proprietor of a farm on ated with the Republican party in politics, and served the north side of the Rancociis River, less than two as a school director of his district. He is also a di- miles westwardly of his father's location. He had rector of the Montgomery Mutual Fire Insurance biAone son, John, who married Hannah, daughter of Company, and active in the promotion of the Isest in- Jervis Stockdale, and succeeded his father on his terests of the township of which he is a representative farm on the Rancocas. He left three sons, John, He is identified as a member with Marble David and Jervis. David married Ann, thedaughterof citizen. Hall Lodge, No 351, of Independent Order of Odd- John and Elizabeth Lancaster, of Bucks County, Pa., Fellows. He adheres to the faith of the Society of and succeeded his father on the farm on the RancoFriends, and worships with the Plymouth Meeting. cas he had four sons, named Israel, John L., Charles and David Stokes, but no daughters. Charles Stokes married Tacy, daughter of William and Ann Jarrett, Montgomery County, Pa., Tenth Month 18, CHARLES WILLIAMS.' 1816. He erected buildings and commenced business on Charles Williams, born Fourth Month 11, 1814, part of the homestead farm on the Rancocas River. married Fourth Month 27, 1837. They had three sons David (who died when an inHe very decidedly prefers having a biographical fant), Jarrett and William and three daughterssketch of his wife's father, Charles Stokes. Hannah, Alice and Annie married as fiillows Charles Stokes, farmer, of Rancocas, son of David Jarrett, married Martha, daughter of William and and Ann Stokes, born in WilHngborougb (now Hannah Hilyard William, married Annie, daughter Beverly), in the county of Burlington, N. J., Eighth of James and Rebecca Mcllvaine Hannah, married year,

and his

forth, especially the last,

wife,

'

—

—

\

—

;

—

— —

;

;

genealogy from Thomas Stokes, of Loudon, England, who was born in 1640, married Mary Barnard, daughter of John Barnard, Tenth Month 30, 166S, and settled in Burlington County, N. J., soon after the making of " The Concessions and agreements of the proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of the province of West Jersey, in

Mouth

12, 1791, traces his

To

he was a party. Tliis constitution or form of government for the province was thus characterized, in a letter to Richard Hartshorne, liy William Penn, Crawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas and others, dated Sixth Month 25, 1676: "There we lay America."

this instrument

a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought into bondage but by their

own

consent, for

we put

the power iu the people, etc., etc. In it was established a representative ibrm of government, trial by jury

^

Written by the family.

and Ann Williams; Alice, married William, son of J. R. and Letitia P. Parry; and Annie, married Chalkley, son of John and Ann Albertson, all forming an unbroken succession of farmers, including a space of nearly two centuries, and continuing to the present time. Charles Stokes, Charles, son

of Joseph

—

the subject of this sketch, received the greater portion of his school education at Friends' School, at

Ran-

cocas.

At a time when but few aspired to anything further than such branches as were thought necessary to qualify for the ordinary business of life, he,

havinga

taste for

study and the acquisition of knowledge, with a few others of about the same time of life, availed themselves of an opportunity which presented, and took

deep interest in advanced studies, particularly of a mathematical character. These tended to enlarge his a

views and stimulate in his mind a desire to obtain useful knowledge from every available source. Books

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1160

of a character to gratify this desire were but few and

ment

hard

and

No

to

be obtained

in the

vicinity of his residence.

library existed nearer than Burlington, five miles

where was an ancient and good collection of books for that day. In addition to this, he was proffered by Joshua Wallan, a venerable citizen of

distant,

Burlington, the

He now commenced make himself acquainted with the

a study of history, seek-

library.

ing to

private

extensive

use of his

free

rise

and

fall

of nations and the acts of distinguished characters

who had

signalized themselves in the different de-

partments of life. Love of liberty and aversion to tyranny of every description appeared to be inwrought in his nature, and he felt it to be his mission to cherish and support the one and discountenance the other on every proper occasion, and by

means. He endeavored

suitable

all

make himself acquainted

to

with

the history, constitution and laws of his State and country, to judge of the acts of such as were in power to

administer them calmly and without excitement,

and to

in his

own judgment mete out

impartial justice

to

this

pay a chaplain for services at the State Prison, was effected on the ground that the consti-

tution as

money days

for

New

then stood prohibited the payment of etc. In those

it

the support of a ministry,

Jersey did not have any clergyman to open The old

the session of the Legislature with prayer.

sentiments embodied in the " concessions and agreements " had not become entirely obliterated in the

minds of the people, and legislative bodies left the important matter of approaching Infinite Mercy in It was supplication to the individual members. believed by Charles Stokes to have been quite as well done and with more safety to our religious liberties.

In 1831 the constitution required the Legislature to be elected and meet in the fall of the year, the custom being to meet, organize, perform a few official acts and adjourn to an early day in the ensuing year.

adjourned session in 1831, Dr. W. B. Ewin, an member from Cumberland, moved that J. Hancock (a worthy member from Morris) should open the session with prayer. Charles Stokes

At

this

old and influential

objected to the right of the House, by resolutions or

all.

he became impressed with the conviction that Infinite Wisdom was not unmindful of

otherwise, to direct a

man

to

In his early

life

his introduction into

after

this

by

but,

life,

His omniscience and omnipresence, was always with him as a sure and unfailing rule, to rightly instruct

him

in

ability

perform

furnishing

matters of duty,

things in

all

to

it,

providing

the

terms

were

accepted.

This conviction, deeply engraven, had fluence in

moulding

endeavored his

his character

in all things so to

mind would be

at

ease

and

much

in-

He

pursuits.

conduct himself that

and avoid remorse,

being-

gave all the liberty necesenjoymonts and would qualify for its

satisfied that this rule of life

sary for

its

duties.

He

Agriculture was the pursuit chosen by him.

during

summer

the

This wa-s months, teaching the balance of the year. continued for several years, keeping him in sympathy with the manual laborer, and also brightening what he had acquired of school learning, and furnishing His time opportunities for extended improvement.

was occasionally employed in surveying land, writing, and taking acknowledgments of deeds, etc., being a master in the Court of Chancery, settling estates and performing the duties of township

offices,

ship committee, clerk, chosen freeholder,

as townetc.

'

He

was one of the originators and stockholders of the Mount Holly Insurance Company, an institution organized in 1881, with which he was identified from its commencement, and served until his decease as a

member

of

its

finance committee.

In the

fall

of

he was elected a member of the House of Assembly for the county of Burlington. After taking his seat the first duty presented to his mind was to have repealed an enact1830, without his wish or desire,

act of find

it

be a duty to engage in the solemn act of public invocation he would be among the last to object. Hancock arose and stated that such was his case, but he did not wish to impose upon the House without consent.

Charles Stokes then withdrew his objections, whereupon Hancock knelt, and the House arose, as by common consent, without vote. The prayer was im])ressive and accompanied by due solemnity. When the House was about to close, sine die, and the

members separate to made a short address, if

labored on his father's farm

member to perform an any member should

this kind, stating that if

their several

homes, Hancock

suited to the occasion,

and said

there was no objection he would address the Throne

of Grace in supplication.

The House (without

vote)

manifested their approval by rising, and a fervent immediately the l)rayer was uttered by Hancock ;

Speaker pronounced an adjournment without delay,

and the members separated with

much

friendly feeling.

homes At the preceding session

to their respective

of the Legislature two companies were incorporated, one to unite by canal the waters of the Delaware and

Raritan Rivers, the other to construct a railroad from Camden to Amboy, under the names of Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, and Delaware and Raritan

Canal Company. Stock was taken

commenced 31 the Canal

;

organized and In the session of 1830asked for additional powers

both companies

operations.

Company

enable them to build a railroad on the bank of their canal. This was vigorously opposed by the Railroad Comi)any, and upon this point the House of to

The result Assembly was nearly equally divided. was the introduction of a bill to unite the two companies under the name of the Delaware and Raritan

-^^A ^

rn^aJimJ

January HI, 1857, married, in October, 1877, Harry C. Hoover, of Whitpain township Charles T., born November, 10, 1859, died December 8, 1876; Anna C, born March 29, 1864. ;

Phebe. G. McCanu, daughter of Charles K. Shoeis the mother of children as follows: Mary L.,

maker,

born April

29,

1868; Sallie

S.,

1867; William, born November born November 11, 1871 Charles ;

3,

S.,

born February

1, 1874; Anne, born July 18, 1876. George Shoemaker is the father of George M., born March 17, 1865, died July 6, 1865; Sarah P., born August

November 9, 1872 Charles H., born July 9,1870; Fannie M., born June 26, 1873, died 20, 1866, died

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1180 August

18,

1873; Ella M., born October

:28,

187i),

Albert Shoemaker's children are Irene D., born October 13, 1876 Lida May, born April 23, 1880. Jesse Shoemaker's children are C. Harvey, born January 13, 1881; Katie Vaughan, born July 19, ;

1882; Gertrude M., born January Sallie

maker,

is

tober 15,

5,

1884.

daughter of Charles K. Shoethe mother of children, Elsie C, born Oc1879; Emma S., born April 11, 1881.

C. Hoover,

—

The children of Mathias and Hannah Shoemaker (grandparents of Charles K.), were Agnes, born 23d Ninth Month, 1765, died June 29, 1851 Margaret, ;

born First Month 9, 1767, died November 10, 1816; Dorothy, born 25th Seventh] Month, 1769, died in August 1777 Thomas (father of Charles K.), born Eighth Month 1, 1771, died January 2(), 1853. He ;

was married, December 1, 1803, to Jane Suj^plee, who died July 6, 1857 Kachael, born Twelfth Month 13, 1773, died January 20, 1855; Mary, born Seventh ;

Month of

Hannah, wife 19, 1776, died in August, 1777 Mathias Shoemaker, and mother of the above

named

;

children, died in October, 1777.

ABRAM WENTZ. Abram Wentz,

Colonel John Wentz, son of

Abram, was Whitpain township, and came to be one of the prominent and progressive men of his time. Under the old militia laws of the State, John, above named, was commissioned colonel of a regiment, and was ever after known as " Colonel Wentz." His ancestors were either German or of German descent, but when they came to America is not known. Colonel Wentz owned the farm now occupied by Abram, and in the latter part of the last century built the house in which his grandson, Abram, now lives. Colonel John Wentz was paternal great-grandfather of the present

the pioneer of the family of that

died October 13, 1884.

the

not only a military

officer,

but a

name

in

civil officer

as well.

He was for many years a justice of the peace, and was as popular in that c;ipacity as in the military. His justice dockets were neatly and accurately kept, and might properly be used as a model for like officers It was customary in those days at the present day. for justices of the peace t"o do their share in the matter of uniting lovers in bonds of holy wedlock, and the colonel was as popular in that line as in the other two. His side-board was never empty, and no newly married coujde ever left his house without being refreshed with the best of wine, and that in abundance. It is one of the misfortunes that we sometimes labor under, that neither the date of the birth or

WIIITPAIN TOWNSHIP. death of so good and great a

man

as

he was cannot be

given.

His son, Aliraui, inherited the farm, and added to the farm on the oi)i)osite side of the road, where his son Abram Wentz now lives. He, lilre his illustrious father, was a man of sterling worth, respected it

by

all

He

who knew him.

was one of those unob-

trusive men, always attending strictly to the affairs

pertaining to the duties of the farm, allowing others to look after township and outside affairs. He died in

September, 1870,

at the ripe old age of eighty-four

years; Charlotte, wife of

Abram Wentz,

in her ninety-third year.

ber, 1881,

died

Decem-

His children

were Joseph Tyson (who owns forty acres of the olil homestead and in whose house he died), Hannah

1181

and when Henry, the youngest son of Dennis, moved to Whitpain township May 16, 1711, he brought with him a letter from the Germautown Friends, signed amongothers by Francis Daniel Pastorius. This letter ia now in the possession of Lewis Conard. Upon his arrival in Whitpain, Henry settled on a tract of two hundred and twenty-three acres,a part of which is now comprised in the property owned by the Strogdale family and by

The Strogdale farm is a part of owned by direct descendants of the first owners, making a period of one hundred and Christian Dufheld.

the

original

tract

seventy-four

years

which

in

Upon

proper to state here that the property upon which the present Abram now resides lias been in possession of the Wentz family for about one hundred and twenty-

spent the earlier part of his

five years.

iron business

Abram Wentz was born by

his brother, J. Tyson,

in the

house now occupied

on the opposite side of the

turnpike, where, and upon his

own

farm, his

life_

far, has been spent. He has quietly and honorably followed in the footsteps of his father, seeking not the plaudits of men, nor places of public trust or political preferment yet his townsmen discovered in him the qualities best suited to fill a position where honesty is requisite to a just balancing of accounts, and for many years have kept him in the board of

thus

;

township auditors. He has also been honored with a seat in the board of directors of the Montgomery National Bank, at Norristown. He was married, April 30, 1868, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Jesse and Parthena Castner, of Gwynedd

They

township. three of

whom

are

the parents of four children

are deceased.

The surviving

son, Earj

Oastner, was born October 27, 1883.

Mrs. Wentz's father, Jesse Castner, died September Her 1883, in the seventy-second year of his age. grandfiither, Jesse Castner, was in his ninety-second 9,

when he

died,

Castner, died

when

year

and her great-grandfather, Samuel in his

ninety-eighth year.

Her

in

the

the decease of Henry, the land comprising

willed to

infancy),

in

has been

these two farms passed to Joseph, his

Mary (deceased), Elizabeth, Barbara, John (deceased), Abram (who owns the fifty acres formerly owned by his father, Abram, and grandfather, John Wentz) and Henry (deceased). It is (died

it

])Ossession of the family.

being Joseph

fifth son,

him under date of Sei)tember, had two sons, Joseph and John, and

1758. to

them the

property descended in equal parts.

John Conard, son of

.Joseph, life

was born in 1782 and upon the home farm.

Having a taste for mechanics he served an apprenticeJames Wood, one of the pioneers in the

ship with

and the

first

iron-master in Consho-

hocken.

John intermarried with Sarah Childs, of Abington, was born in 1786, and in 1805 settled upon the Duffield farm. Here he built the house barn, and which are yet standing, and

who

transformed the then uncultivated

tract

into

one

of the most productive farms in the neighborhood.

Here he also built a log blacksmith-shop, where he subsequently began the manufacture of the " Conard Screw Auger." This business is now greatly enlarged and improved by the introduction of machinery, and is carried on by two of his sons, Albert and Isaac, at Fort Washington, upon the site of Daub's old oil-mill. John Conard's death occurred in Seventh Month 30, 1853, he having lived to the good old age of seventyone years and filled well the position of an energetic but quiet and modest life of a useful citizen and a sincere and devout Friend. To .John and Sarah Conard were born twelve children, James, Mary, Peter, Joseph P., Tacy, John E., Albert, Charles, Elizabeth, Lewis, Isaac and Levi R., of whom nine are still living. Two of the sons merit special mention, on account of their patriotism. James, the oldest, though hav-

—

mother, Parthena Castner, died May 15, 1881. They were all residents of the township of Gwynedd. Mr. Wentz and wife are members of Btthm's Reformed

ing passed the age of those subject to military duty,

Church, at Blue

unteers),

Bell.

Company B, of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry (Forty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volenlisted in

and served

till

sickness caused by exposure

necessitated his discharge. Levi R., the youngest son,

.lOSEPH

Among

p.

CONAKD.

the hardy pioneers

who sought the shores of

America, was one Dennis Conard anglicized),

who came

year 1683.

He

(as

the nanle was

in the ship " Concord," in the

was from Saxony, Germany, and ui)on

his arrival settled with the German colony, in Germantown. From him all of the Conards of Whitpain

township are descended.

The family were

P'riends,

was a private in the Nineteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died at Columbia College Hospital, from the effects of a bullet wound received at the second battle of Bull Run. He was buried in the Plymouth Friends' graveyard September 21, 1862. Most nobly was the motto of his regiment, "Non sibi sed Patrice " exemplified in him.

Joseph P. Conard, fourth child, of John and Sarah

1182

HISTORY OF iMONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CoDard, whose portrait accompanies this sketcli, was horn Twelfth Month 24, 1812, upon the original Conard tract in Whitpain township. His early life, until he was sixteen years of age, was spent upon the home farm, and he followed the pursuits incident to his method of life. At that age he began to acquire the trade of screw auger making, which he followed till twenty-one years of age, when he purchased the Wentz farm upon the Skippack Road, near Blue Bell. Upon this farm he has lived the period of forty-six years, till 1882, when he sold it to his son, Henry Fasset, and now resides with his daughter, Mary S., wife of Charles Shoemaker, of Whitpain township.

Alice, born 10th of Fifth Month, 1843, married John Walton, of Horsham township. Elizabeth, born 15th of Third Month, 1847, married Frank Stackhouse, of Ujjper Dublin township. Henry Fasset, born 22d of Tenth Month, 1849, married Sarah, daughter of Harper Nice, of Whitemarsh township. Ellwood, born 25th of Ninth Month, 1852, has a

large

roller grist-mill,

and was married

at

Kellogg, Jasper Co.,

la.,

to Ella Burke, of Kellogg, Iowa,

formerly of the State of Ohio.

born 1st day of Sixth Month, 1856, mar Jane Cline, of Whitemarsh township.

Israel S.,

ried to

/r:^7.a^2yrL^ He has been formany years a prominent farmer and market gardener, supplying the Philadelphia markets. Though now in his seventy-second year he is hale and hearty, and is enjoying, in his declining years, the fruits of an industrious and useful life. He was married in 1834, to Rebecca A. Shaw, Meeting, Third Month, formerly of Richland township, Bucks Co. To them have been born the following children, Sarah, who

—

died in infancy.

Ann, who was born 13th of Sixth Month, 1837, and married Jacob T. Buckman, of Abington township. Mary S., born 9th of Twelfth Month, 1840, married Charles Shoemaker, of Springfield township.

Rebecca A. Conard, died 28th of Fourth Month, 1874.

The Conard family Joseph

P., is

are

a birthright

nearly

all

Friends, and

member of that

Society.

CHARLES KRIEBLE. who resides near Centre Square, descendant and bears the name of an old family

Charles Krieble, is

a

His ancestors upon both sides ibis region, and his paternal grandfather, Melchior Krieble, was born in America. His son John married Agnes Yeakle, daughter of the Christopher Yeakle who built the historic house still of Schwenkfelders.

were early

settlers

in

WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP. standing, at Chestnut Hill, a cut of which appears in this volume.

now a resident of Norristown; Mary (Mr.s. Schultz, of Colebrookdale) Susannah (Gerhart), deceased, and Sarah (Anson), of Worcester township, was born ;

Chestnut Hill. Working during his youth his father's farm he acquired a practical knowl-

in 1814, at

edge of agriculture, which he put to good use when he began for himself, in 1842, upon theftirm of eightyfive acres,

Mr. Krieble was married the year he made his. in Whitpain, February 18th, 1841, to Sarah, daughter of Abraham Anders, of Worcester township, and enjoyed her loving companionship until her death, November 21, 1884. They were the parents of two

home

Charles, the eldest of five children of John and Agnes Krieble, of whom the juniors were Samuel,

upon

1183

where he now

lives,

and which

his father

—

Hiram A. Krieble, who is a farmer and with his father at the old homestead, married Susannah, daughter of Rev. Jacob Meschter, of Upchildren, lives

per Hanover. They have had four children, viz., Alan (deceased), May, Charles (deceased), and Edna.

Mary Ann Krieble

is the wife of Dr. Georo-e K. Meschter, of Worcester township.

/.

him

Ten years after he removed one of the evidences of his prosperity appeared in the erection of the substantial house in which he now lives. Other improvements were made from time to time. His life has been a busy one, and the thrift which has followed industry has enabled him not only to enjoy comparative ease during his later years but to help others. He is a liberal sustainer of the Schwenkfelder Churches in Worcester and Towamencin. He has been a friend of the educational and other interests of the community in which he dwells, and has served a number of assisted

to procure.

to this spot,

years as a school director.

ENOS ROBERTS. Enos Roberts, of Whitpain, is a descendant of the Roberts family of Gwynedd, which figures largely in the history of that township, and whose progenitors were among the earliest Welsh settlers of Montgomery County, coming over the sea soon after William Penn. Sketches of several other representatives of this family, we may remark in this connection, have places in the present volume. The grandfather of our subject,

Enos Roberts, was a resident of Gwynedd, and

his

remains repose with those of many others of his kindred and faith in the burying-ground at the Friends'

Meeting

in that township.

The parents

of the gen-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1184

tleman we now have in consideration were Nathan and Barbara (Ruth) Roberts (the latter the offspring of David Ruth). He was boru in (iwvnedd, November 25, 1856, and was the oldest of three children, the younger of whom were David and Annie (now Mrs. David Wismer, of West Point, Gwynedd township). Enos was left an orphan by the death of his father when about four years of age, and was brought up by his paternal uncles, John and Edward Roberts, both of

whom

are

now

deceased.

He

vocation of a farmer, which he

was reared

now

follows,

to the

and on

bought his ]iresent farm of about eighty acres near Blue Bell, which he has brought by.judiApril

1,

1878,

cious labor into an excellent state of cultivation,

absorbs his attention, and he ranks

among

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. Ix

its

location Worcester in the most central town-

ship in the county, and

is bounded on the north by Towamencin, south by Norriton, east by Gwynedd, southeast by Whitpain, west by Perkiomen and southwest by Lower Providence. Its greatest length is four and a half miles, greatest breadth four and a quarter

miles, with an area of 10, 180 acres or 1575 square miles.

The

surface

is

rolling, the soil red shale

good cultivation.

Methacton Hill

and

The farm the most

successful agriculturists of the neighborhood.

He

is

elevation, that

commences

in

Lower Providence and

entire southern part of the five miles.

The summit

township

of these

activity as his occupation calls for.

near Green Lane, to the northward.

he

is

Montgomery County, perpetuated through Enos Roberts, for

family, of long descent in farther

married and the father of three children.

Miss

Clara E. Ralston, of Philadelphia, became his wife upon May 23, 1878. The offspriog of this union are

Edith

E.,

Annie V., and Kate A.

as the Fairview Hills,

is

for a distance

hills,

known

is still

and under

a considerable

extends in a northeast direction across almost the

a Republican in politics, but is not a very active worker in the cause of the party, and is not in any sense a seeker for place, being satisfied with such

The

is

ii^(?%t-*A>b^

Qn/uiTL upon which he has a comfortable home.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

of

more familiarly

equal in altitude to

the highest point of the Chestnut and Chelten Hills, in the southeastern portion of the county, or those

them the

traveler obtains beautiful

From

points on and extended

views of the Schuylkill and Perkiomen Valleys. forests

that

once

covered

these highlands

The have,

during recent years, been cleared away, and the land is

well cultivated and improved by thrifty farmers. It

was the commanding prospect afforded by these

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. hills

guard

that enabled General Washington's advanceto observe the movement of the British army in

moving on Philadelphia in the autumn of 1777, and from which he subsequently moved to attack them at Germantown.

Washington broke up his camp at Pennypacker's Mill October 8, 1777, and the army proceeded on its march down the Skippack road and Reading and Ridge turnpikes'. On the 16th,

Washington established his headquarters at the house of Peter Wentz, near said church, from where he wrote an interesting letter to Congress, in which he says,— ' It

with the highest satisfaction I congratulate Congress on the siicceasof our arms northward in the action of the seventh, an event of is

the most interesting importance at this critical juncture. From the happy train in which things are now, I hope we shall soon hear of the most decisive advantages. We moved this morning from the encamp-

which we had t>een for six or seven days i>afit, and have just arrived at the grounds we occupied before the action of the 4tJi. Oue motive for coming here is to direct the enemy's attention from the

ment

at

•

forts."

This communication establishes the fact that it wa.s from the encampment at Wentz's church that the army proceeded to make the attack at Germantown.

Having

retreated to these

same

hills after their defeat

in this battle, they maintained a strong position

when they took up

thera for several days,

and proceeded established

to

Camp

their

on march

Whitemarsh township, where they Hill.

Zacharia Creek

is the prominent stream of Wor. and has a course of about four miles across its northern angle, in which distance it propels three grist-mills and a saw-mill. In 1758 mention is made of a saw-mill where the Zacharia Creek crosses the Skippack road, near the present Centre

cester township,

Point. It may be possible that the singular name given to this creek has been applied from Zacbariah Whitpain, an early resident of the adjoining town-

A

branch of the Skippack crosses near the western extremity of this township and furnishes power to a grist-mill. Five-Mile Run and Stony Creek have their sources in its southern and eastern ship.

parts.

The name of Worcester has been applied from a and county in England, and is supposed to be derived from the Saxon word Caester, signifying, a city

1185

Germantown before 1700; Conrad Conrad Germantown before 1700. The population in

resided at settled at

1800 was 782; in 1830, 1587; in 1880, 1641. 249;

in 1858, 425

;

11.3.5; in 1850, 1453; in 1870, Taxables in 1741, 70; in 1828,

in 1875, 426; in 1884, 478.

For the last twenty-five or thirty years this township has remained almost stationary in population. In 1785 there were within its limits two taverns, two grist-mills, one saw-mill and five slaves. In 1884 the following licenses were granted according to the mercantile appraiser's list: Beyer

&

Swartley, live-stock

;

William H. & W. R. Baker, merchandise Daniel Cassel, merchandise; Daniel Cassel, hardware; S. L. Frank, live-stock; M. J. Harley, merchandise; Krebel & Son, flour and feed A. B. Schults, livestock Joseph Shults, flour and feed Frank Swartley, ;

;

;

;

live-stock.

In 1884 the value of improved lands was $1,316,180; value of unimproved lands, S34,295; value of 378 horses, $47,975 value of 526 cattle, $46,500 value of property taxable for county purposes, $1,493,398. ;

;

The Germantown and Perkiomen turnpike commonly called the Reading, passes through the

road,

west-

ern extremity of Worcester about two miles. TheStony Creek Railroad has a course of about a mile near its

The villages are quite small, and are Centre Point, Fairview and Cedar Hill. The postoffice at the first-mentioned place is Worcester, and southeastern angle.

at the second,

Fairview Village. The township was formed into a separate election district in 1828, and the township elections are held at Centre Point. There are eight public schools in Worcester, with three hundred and sixty pupils in attendance. The school term is seven months, and eight teachers (three males and five females) are employed at a salary of forty dollar:* per

month.

Wentz's Reformed Church is situated on the Skippack road, nearly a mile above Centre Point.

The congregation existed as early as 1727, but was known as "Skippack Reformed Church," which was then located in Lower Salford township, in the vicinity of the

Northwest Branch of the Skippack

Creek, on the tract of land the farm of Benjamin

Reiff".

known for many years as The church was built of

strong logs and stood on the border of an oak-grove, It was at the battle of Worcester, in where Cromwell and his party defeated the on the farm mentioned. Close by, the visitor beholds Royalists and took eight thousand prisoners, most of a small circular rise in the ground, which marks the whom were sent to America and sold as slaves. Ac- place once held sacred. It was on that spot where cording to the list of 17.54, this township contained the Rev. George Michael Weiss and other German twenty-five taxables and land-holders. Amongst these emigrants from the Palatinate settled down, after may be mentioned Robert Jones,_James_Bainej. Law- they had, on the 21st of September, 1727, subscribed rence Switzer, Henry Flower, Leonard Spare, Conrad the oath of allegiance, by which they promised to be Conrad, JolinLefe\'re,John_Baine^Adam Vanfos-sen, true to the British crown and the laws of the provThe organization of the Jacob Engle, Henry Rittenhouse, Stephen Stahr, ince of Pennsylvania. John Vanderslice, Peter Keyser, Richard Osborn, Skippack congregation, with its consistory, was conWilliam Robert Foulke, Conrad Vanfossen, Daniel stituted of the emigrants who accompanied the pastor Chrisman and Anthony Conrad. Derrick Keyser and named, and followed immediately upon their settlement, and the Rev. Mr. Wei.ss became the first pastor, his son, Peter, were naturalized in 1709 the better to One bearing the latter name who. also, at a later period, served, in connection with hold and enjoy lands. station or camp. 1650,

.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1186 the Falkner

Swamp and

Old Goshenhoppen conof the old Skippack Reformed Church were Jacob Deimer, Michael Hillegas, Peter Hillegas, Yost Schmidt, Henry Weller, Jacob Seigel and William Rodrick. How long Mr. Weiss preached to this congregation cannot be definitely determined. It was doubtless, however, until 1746, when we again find him in Old Goshenhoppen after his return from Rheinbach, Dutchess Co., N. Y., from which neighborhood he had to flee on account of Indian troubles. The Rev. Michael Schlatter remarks, in his journal, among other things, in reference " This to the Skippack Reformed Church, as follows congregation, which was, previous to this time, one of the most respectable, has been so much reduced through the seducing influences of the many various sects that the number remaining are not able to it,

The

gregations.

first officers

:

stones

which were once

there,

have long since disapfarmer draws its

peared, and the plow of the busy

furrows over the resting-place of the silently-reposing pioneers.

According

to recollection, supported

indicated, the assumption

is

by the facts Wentz's

fully correct that

church is the same organization of the former Skippack congregation, and that the only difference is to be found in the change of the name and place of meeting. It has been asserted that this was the first Reformed Church organized on this new continent. This statement, however, has been earnestly called into question, and as there cannot be found any direct evidence in regard to this point, no positive claims are set

up

for this honor.

The name Wentz

is

de-

from the well-known families of this name which at that period were quite numerous in this neighborhood but at the present time there is not one of this name, still held in honor, to be found among the large membership of the congregation. In 1760 a few isolated members of the Skippack Reformed Church held a conference meeting, the object of which was the making of preparations for building rived

;

a

new church.

tion

a

it

After long deliberation and consulta-

was resolved

little in

to build a

new church on

a spot

the rear of the one recently torn down, and

that on the boundary line between the properties of

two members, who had each given an acre of ground for the purpose. According to the records, these members were, on the one part, John Lefevre and Christiana, his wife (the latter's family name is supposed to have been Wentz), and on the other part, Jacob Wentz and his wife, Elizabeth. The original deeds are dated January 2, 1762, and the land is conveyed to Philip Wentz, Peter Wentz, Jacob Weber, Philip Spare, Henry Conard and Jacob ReifF, in trust for the congregation, as a legacy for their descendants and those who may connect themselves with the Spiritual

Reformed Zion. At a later period a small piece of ground was added to the original grounds, so that the whole then contained two acres and twenty-seven perches, the strip at the upper end, where the sheds stand, and the acre and a half on which the parsonage

WENTZ'S REFOR.MED CHURCH. collect for the support of a minister

more than eight

is

erected not included.

The

About

first church building, after the removal and assumption of the new name, was commenced in 1762, but, on account of repeated pecuniary troubles, was not completed until nine years later (1771). It was

place of

painted inside with strong colors, and highly orna-

meeting to the spot now occupied by Wentz's church,

mented with a number of inscriptions on the walls, as is still remembered by many of the older persons who

pounds, which

is

equal to fifty-three Dutch guilders,"

The

or twenty-one dollars of the present day. log church already

when

it

named

stood from 1757 until 1760,

was torn down and never

rebuilt.

this time the congregation transferred its

inasmuch

as

the majority of those

adhered to the church resided It is said that

old

in that

who

faithfully

neighborhood.

the logs of the old church building

frequented the years.

first

church on this spot

The few highly-colored

in

pieces

earlier

of wood,

on the Skippack Creek, where they still at the present day form a part of the walls of the old building. The graveyard of the congregation, located not far from the church, or, more

found underneath the wood-work of the recently demolished church, and which are remains of the old church, still indicate the remarkable character of the painting. The congregation, at that time poor and numbering only about fifty members, was not

correctly speaking, all traces thereof, with the grave-

able of itself to provide the

were, at a later period, used in erecting a grist-mill,

known

as

AUebaugh's

mill,

means required

to finish

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. the church, and hence a subscription-book was sent around, in which tlie names of neighboring clergymen appear, encouraging contributions, the recommendations being written in German, Low Dutch and Old

Owing to an extraordinary money-pressure which prevailed at that time, the subscriptions were but small, and the congregation still laboring under a heavy debt, they at length resolved to raise money by means of a lottery, a method by no means uncomEnglish.

mon in those days. In this they were successful, for the proceeds furnished not only enough money to pay oft' the debt, but also left a small balance in the The first church was an exceedingly strong and durable building, erected of stone, with the joints closely cut and pointed with mortar, and the roof was high and steep, after the old Holland style. The building cost two hundred and fifty pounds, and was dedicated on the 13th of November, 1763. treasury.

This building withstood the storms for eighty-nine which time it was served successively by fifteen different pastors, all of whom, except one,

years, during

have closed their labors and

rest peacefully in their

graves.

With the removal of the the change of

old Skippack Church, and

name which

followed, all further conformer pastor. Rev. G. M. Weiss, with it ceased, and the Rev. John George Alsentz became the first pastor of the recently organized congregation.

nection of

its

1187

head from the windows

for the purpose of training should his services be needed in the war. His sympathies were warmly with the colonies during the struggle for freedom. The congregation

him to the

fire

was now vacant

In 1784 the Rev.

for several years.

John Hermann Winkhaus became pastor and ued

contin-

After a vacancy of

in this relation until 1787.

three years the church received a pastor in the person of Rev. Philip Pauli. He remained four years to Reading, Pa. From this time forward the church was for a number of years without any settled pastor, but was served interchangeably

and then removed

by the Rev. Nicholas

Pomp and

his son, who, in ad-

dition to the church at the Trappe, preached to the

congregations at Falkner

hoppen.

The

pastor

Swamp and Old Goshen-

who next served Wentz's church Helffenstein, who also remained

was the Rev. Dr. S. only two years, and then accepted a call from the Race Street Church, Philadelphia, which he served during the following thirty years. His successor at Wentz's church was the Rev. Gabriel Gobrecht. At the end of eighteen months, however, his labors here were also brought to a close. The congregation remained vacant until 1802. A call was then extended to the Rev. George Wack, at that time a young man who had just brought his studies preparatory to the ministry to a close.

He

call, and soon amongst this people. He continued in charge until his death, a period of They were attended with marked success, and he seven years. His remains repose in the old cemetery added largely to the congregation by baptism and of what was once the Reformed Church of Germ an confirmation. His pastorate extended through fortytown. Pa. The successor of Alsentz was the Rev. three years, during which time he baptized seven Christian Fohring, who continued in this relation hundred and five children. In consequence of growonly two years. It was during his ministry that the ing infirmities, he resigned the charge of the congregainterior of the church received the peculiar gaudy tion in 1845, and retired to private life. He died at painting for which it was characteristic until it was the house of his son-in-law, Philip S. Gerhard, near torn down. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Centre Square, Pa., on the 17th of February, 1856, at Gabriel Gebhard, who also remained only two years. the age of seventy-nine years. His remains lie inDuring his pastorship the Sacrament of the Lord's terred in the cemetery attached to Boehm's church. Supper was administered on Easter Sunday of 1772 to Rev. Abraham Berkey became successor to the Rev. fifty-eight members. In the following year Mr. Geb- George Wack. He did not succeed, however, in hard was succeeded by Rev. John W. Ingold, whose gathering together the members who had become connection with the congregation was short. At the scattered during the last years of the ministry of his opening of the Revolutionary war, in 1776, Rev. John predecessor. Hence he resigned at the close of the H. Weikel was pastor of the congregation. His con- first year of his pastorate.

thereafter

On

nection with the charge, however, did not continue

many

Various difficulties arose, growing out of the war, of such a nature as to lead to his separation from the congregation. At the commencement of the Revolution he preached a sermon from Eccl. iv. 13: "Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be This sermon so excited a great poradmonished." years.

tion of the congregation that the dissatisfaction led at

Mr. Weikel resided at the time on the parsonage farm owned by He the two congregations (Wentz's and Boehm's). was often seen, after having turned his horse into an last to his resignation of

the charge.

inclosure in front of the house, firing pistols over his

commenced

accepted the

his labors

the 21st of February, 1846, the Rev.

became pastor of the congregation.

John Naille

He at

first served only as a supply, as he belonged to the Goshenhoppen Classis, and the congregation then was connected with the Philadelphia Classis. it

At a

later period the congregation

was transferred

Goshenhoppen Classis, and along with Keely's and Towamencin congregations constitute what has to the

been since then

known

as '' Wentz's charge of GoshRev. Mr. Naille found his hands full in contending with existing difficulties. However, through the help of the Great Head of the Church, he succeeded in overcoming them in a short time, and as the congregation was now in a flourishing

enhoppen

Classis."

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1188

without a parsonage, steps lot on which to The contract for building the house was erect one. given to Mr. Naille himself, who handed it over completed to the trustees of the congregation on the 21st of October, 1849. The congregation continued to grow still stronger, so that in 1851 the pastor began

M. K. Huber, who was at that time serving the Keely's congregation, now a part of the Wentz's charge. He was chosen on the 1st of January, 1867. At this time the membership numbered one hundred and ninety, of whom only one hundred and twenty-seven partook of the Lord's Supper at the first communion held by the new pastor. Success attended his unintermitted

remind them of the necessity for a larger house of The church was, it is true, in a good condition, but it was not by any means convenient, and was, besides, too small for the congregation, and as it also did not meet the taste of the people any longer, the congregation soon gave its consent to the erection of a new church. Within the same year a resolution to that end was unanimously adopted, and preparations being made immediately for the erection of a new church, the corner-stone was laid on the 21st of August, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Samuel HelfTenstein preached in the German and the Rev. Jacob

labors, and during the first year fifty-two persons were added to the church by confirmation, which number, through his activity, has been increased from year to year until it has reached two hundred and fifty, more than half of its present membership. During the first

condition, but were

still

were taken

purchase of a

for the

to

worship.

for dedication

from the remoteness of the parsonage from the prinbecame sensibly manifest both to

cipal congregation

pastor and people.

September, 1869, and active entered upon to erect a

it on the 21st of March, 1870. The from the change of the location of the parsonage soon became manifest. The contiguity of the parsonage to the church enabled the pastor to look more carefully after the spiritual interests of his

took possession of

ably accommodate the continually increasing congre-

to the

it in February, Notwithstanding his advanced age. Rev. John Naille is still laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, A vacancy as a minister in the Reformed Church. of eleven months followed, at the close of which

1857.

his

The subject of providing better and more suitable accommodations for the Sunday-school was agitated, and as the church itself was too small for the comfortable accommodation of the membership, and also needed extensive repairs, the Consistory resolved to

labors

His efforts in the interests January, 1858. of the congregation were from the very first crowned with success. The Sunday-school largely increased, in

lay the entire subject before the congregation for

was not room for its accommodation in it was resolved, in the fall of

This its special use. was erected during the following year and dedicated on the 4th of August. General satisfaction prevailed at this time, and the congregation continued to prosper for some years to come. After a pastorate of eight years Rev. Mr. Hackman resigned and accepted a call in St. Joseph's Couut>', Mich., in which he has con1858, to build a school-house for

for his welfare

panied him to his new field in getting a fast hold upon the affections of the people, and was highly esteemed by the community generally the Rev. William G.

Accordingly,

it

.

spot was a thing of the past.

1

The

corner-stone of the

new building was laid on Easter Monday, the 22d of April, and was the same that had been u.sed in the The first building erected on this spot, in 1762. following articles were placed in the box

:

the Minutes

Synod Potomac and of the Pittsburg Synod German and English almanacs for 1878, monthly Guardian, ReJ'ormirte Hausfreuiui, constitution of the Reformed After the resignation of Church, English and German hymn-books and cate-

accomof labor. He had succeeded

and hearty prayers

outside of the congregation.

its

was almost unanimously resolved that the new church should be built during the summer of 1878. On the 17th of March, 1878, the last communion season in the old church was held. It was a specially interesting and solemn occasion The demolition of the building was commenced the following Monday, and by the close of the week the third church on this decision.

the old school-house,

tinued to labor up to the present time. The people were extremely sorry to see their pastor removed from

to give his personal attention

the school.

a call was extended to Rev. William G. Hackman,

commenced

and especially

Sunday-school work in his church. So great were the additions to the number of scholars and general prosperity of the school that the room in the school-house soon became inadequate to the wants of

After Rev. Mr. Naille had served the church

and

results

flock,

eleven years, he resigned charge of

their midst,

of

chased from Samuel Schultz. The work was carried forward to a successful completion, so that the pastor

good

as there

lot

the Wentz's church property, which had been pur-

Lutheran, and Rev. Reuben Kriebel, of the Schwenkfeldian Church. The new church was a plain onestory building, with a gallery at the end, and with It difficulty would seat only three hundi-ed persons. was soon felt that the house was too small to comfort-

and

were immediately

on the 29th of January, 1852, officiated who had partici-

pated in the services at the laying of the corner-stone, and were assisted by the Rev. Mr. Medtard, of the

which he accepted,

eflbrts

new parsonage upon a

ground, containing an acre and a quarter, adjoining

The new

when the same brethren

gation.

After considerable deliberation

the old parsonage property was sold on the 4th of

building

Keller in the English language.

was ready

year of his labors, the great disadvantages resulting

Hackman, the church succeeded

in securing the services of the present pastor, Rev. S.

for 1878 of the

of the

Synod of the United

States, the ;

chisms, English Bible, large issue of The Messenger, Christian M'or/il, United States coin to the amount of

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. $3.14 of the coinage of 1878, a silver quarter of a dollar found in the old corner-stone, and a half-cent piece found in tearing down the old church. In a

temporal point of view the congregation has made remarkable progress during the pastorate of the present pastor, and if the outward may serve as a basis for conclusions in regard to the inward, the necessary inference must be that a corresponding progress has also taken place in the spiritual condition of the membership. The congregation has been re-

markably active during

late years as regards its prop-

The

1189

Joseph Pillmore, a nomination in the county. minister from England, had the first charge. The present church was erected in 184.5, and the old one torn down a few years afterward. The oldest stone in the graveyard containing au inscription is that of Johannes Supplee, who died in 1770, a short time before the first meeting-house was finished. The most numerous names on tombstones are the Supplees, Zinimermans and Bissons. J^or further information in regard to this meeting, the reader is referred to the

chapter on Methodism in Montgomery County.

A

German Baptist, or Bunker, Meeting-House is located at the corner of the township, where it ad-

greater part of the extensive sheds, for sheltering horses and vehicles, has been built, the dwelling for the sexton of the church has been en-

joins

larged and improved, the

one-story building.

erty.

new parsonage has been built and the church provided with a new organ. At the time the erection of the new church building was entered upon the following were the officers of the congregation Pastor, Rev. S. M. K. Huber Elders, James W. Slough, Tobias G. Hange and John Custer; :

;

Deacons, William G. Markley, Samuel G. Fenstamaker, Hillary M. Snyder, Henry Slough, Daniel Beyer and George F. Strong Trustees, Peter S. Fry, S. K. Kriebel and John Deckert; Building Com;

Lower Providence and Norriton. It is a small The principal names on the

tombstones are Harley, Cassel,

Detweiler,

Balser,

Goshow, Rittenhouse, Damuth, Tyson, Dettra, Yost,^, Bauer, Baker, Garner, Stem, Coulston and Stauffer. The earliest stone observed liearing a date was that of 1809.

Worcester Schwenkfelder Meeting-Honse

is sit-

uated on the Township Line road, dividing Norriton from Worcester township, about two miles north of It is a

Norritonville.

plain stone building, with a

K. Kriebel, John Deckert, Reuben Scheffy, Eli Frick and Henry Slough. The basement of the new church was dedicated on the first Sunday in September the same year, and the pastor was assisted by the Rev. S. R. Fisher, of Philadelphia, who preached a very impressive sermon on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon addressed the Sunday-school, which was for the first time assembled in its new home. The work on the auditorium was resumed immediately after the basement dedication, and by the 1st of November the new church was completed, and dedicated on the 9th and 10th of November, 1878. The following clergymen took part in Rev. Moses Godshalk, of the dedicatory services Schwenksville (Mennonite); Rev. Frank J. Mohr, of Quakertown Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D.D., of PennsUurg Rev. J. A. Schultz, of Worcester Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, of Collegeville (these last-named Reformed); Rev. S. Coleman, of Centre Square (Lutheran) Rev. H. Rodenbough, of Eagleville and Rev. C. Collins, pastor of Centennial Church, Jefferson

seating capacity of from three to four hundred persons.

(Presbyterian).

partly historical in

mittee,

Peter

Fry, S.

:

;

;

;

;

;

and well attended to it would seem invidious to mention but a few, and space forbids The Hon. John Weber and wife to name the many.

The burial-grounds

there are so

are large

many families

;

interred here that

are buried in these grounds.

The Bethel Methodist Meeting-House on the Skippack road, a

little

is

situated

over half a mile above

The first house of worship was the Whitpain line. built in 1770 by Johannes Supplee, but for no particIn 1784 a congregation was ular denomination. regularly organized by the Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose control it has since remained. This was the first congregation organized by this de-

Quite a large congregation worships here. The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the

Schwenkfelders in America was celebrated in this church September 24, 1884. Among the notable persons present at the anniver-

John F. Hartranft Rev. Chester D. Hartranft, D.D., of Hartford, Conn.; Revs. Dr. Rice, of the Moravian Church, Philadelphia; Moses Godshall, of Schwenksville J. H. Hendricks, of sary were General

;

;

Collegeville

;

Eli Keller, of Zionville

and, of Pottstown

;

Charles Wie-

Charles Collins, of the Centen-

;

Church; J. H. A. Bomberger, of and others. The morning services were mo.stly in German. Rev. William S. Anders, the pastor, opened the exercises by announcing the hymn, commencing, nial Presbyterian

Ursinus College

;

" Great God of Nations

!

now

OurhyniD ofgnititude we

Howard W.

Rev. the

Upper

to titee

raise."

Krieble, of Clayton, Berks Co., in

District, delivered a its

sermon

in English,

character.

Rev. Jacob Meschter, of Palm Station, also in the District, delivered an able sermon from the Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all text:

Upper

'

his benefits."

Rev. Joshua Schultz, of Hereford, Berks Co., also Upper District, read a " Sketch of the Development of the Church in this Country." in the

The singing

of a

hymn

closed the

morning exer-

cises.

A recess was taken for dinner, which was served in the basement of the church, being furnished by the members resident in the neighborhood. Nine hundred persons in all were fed.

The dinner

consisted of

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1190

They addressed the Mennonites of Hol-

bread and butter, cold meat and other substantials,

the country.

cold water being the only beverage.

land to intercede for them with their government,

The event of the afternoon was the able and exhaustive history of the Schwenkfelders and their founder by Rev. Charles D. Hartranft. It was col-

where liberty of conscience was allowed. The crisis had now come and they resolved upon flight. Mr. Heydrick explained the reason of their coming to Pennsylvania, which was the similarity of their belief to that of Friends and the unexampled liberality of the offers made by Penn. They arrived here September 24, 1734, and at once set up the altar of

The

lated partly from manuscripts of Schwenkfeld.

paper treated of the works of Schwenkfeld, his wanderings and those of his people after his death and Speaking of the also of the doctrine.s he taught.

he

latter,

their religion.

said,

Schwenkfeld tauglit Ilie need of individual reformation before you can have a reformation of society. The very revolution from Home had increased the degeneracy of the agft. The first great essential in repentance. No wonder he loved the ancient Schwcnkfeld's preaching prophets, and declared there could bp no Christian life which did not '*

He came **

iti

A man's Christianity must be seen in his actions and not heard merely from his lips, according to his doctrine. And Whether for strength, courage, gentleness, what a sublime life was his flow from repentance.

Such were the distinctive

.Schwenkfelders

has

its

Chri^!t, I

know

Who

not his peer.

Many and many

nign piety and they could not account

it

;

his doctrine, they said,

giving and praise

we can to-day unite together in thanksfor them unto him from whom all blessings flow."

their religious liberty.

"How

immeasurably superior do the qualities of Caspar Schwenkfeld It was but another M'hat he preached be first indication of his possession of the new life.

shine forth in comparison with his contemporaries

He was equipped on every press

was

his greatest

point,

pulpit.

!

and had a masterly eloquence.

And

yet not half bis manuscripts

have been published. " He found his vocation in the graces God had given him. How be lashed the priests in their notions that they were the successors of the

He could not but regard the insisted on social worship. machinery of the church, even in the Reformation, as tyrHis ideas are being practically carried out in the churches around

He

apostles!

ecclesiastical

us.

" He believed

in liberty of conscience

ment, with theScriptures as a test.

H

test.

taught individual liberty

and the right of private judg-

Everything was to be brought

among

believers.

How

to thig

rich are his

arguments against the interference of the State with conscience! He never used the State to advance his own views. How can I represent to you the Borrows of his exile? With his zeal to adAh vance the cause of Christ, to be hunted from village to village Sons that we might recall the afllictions of those bands of wanderers and daughters of those noble sires, let us rise up and call them blessed. Was the seed, which Schwenkfeld planted, without fruit? Behold today its fair fruits wave from every branch of Protestant Christianity. Let the children of such sires love Christ as they loved him, and we need not fear for the future of the American Republic." works

called,

principles

tnents.

anny.

we can-

;

whatever name we may be

was

presence of Christ himself instead of the hollow observance of eacra-

The

planted by our fathers

have, under the divine favor, flowed blessings which

this occasion,

did.

American

Pennsylvania and maintained by their prayers and

which Schwenkfeld emphasized have made themselves everywhere living forces. In what sphere of Christian activity are they not prominent factors? Hisdoctrinesare remarkjible for the conspicuous exaltation of the heavenly over tlie earthly, the living inward word over that which is written. They teach the nourishment of the soul by the

The

early

;

so bad.

"

the

They have reached us who are here assembled at the end of one hundred and fifty years, in obedience to the injunction of our godly ancestors, to commemorate their deliverance from their persecutors they have reached us whether we have remained in the ftdd, or from accident or choice, cast our lot with other communions and by

a reformer acknowledged his be-

for

of

From these institutions

charities and schools.

sacrifices,

institutions

according to what the church should be,

not over estimate.

faced graver

dangers without the shadow of fear ? Who disputed more courteously ? Where do yon find the breath of slander in him ? He was a Chiistian gentleman, who never forgot his manners, nor did he give signs of a too prostrate sensibility.

— the church,

in the free soil of

!

devotion or loyalty to

dwelt upon the history of the sect since they and closed with the words,

to this country,

in practical

!

!

!

!

Christopher Heydrick, of Franklin, Venango Co., followed and read an account of the causes which led to the exodus, commencing with 1724. To prevent it the Schwenkfelders were forbidden to sell their property.

They had sought the

intervention of

the States-General of Holland and of the sovereign On July 30, 1725, the Schwenkof Great Britain. felders were handed over to the .Jesuit missionaries by an edict of the Emperor, after having been two hundred years in Silesia.

They

loved their

German Fatherland, but

craved only to be allowed to

sell their

they

goods and leave

General John F. Hartranft prepared a paper and in his remarks said,

for

" The Schwenkfelders have never surrendered, never compromised They unwittingly became instruments with other sects, the Huguenots, the Puritans and others, in building up the They estabcivil goverimient and establishing the civil liberty we enjoy. lished the grandest republic

on earth."

Rev. Charles Collins offered the closing prayer. Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., made a brief address, expressing the satisfaction he had experienced in joining on so glorious an occasion. The exercises then closed by singing the doxology.

An Evangelical German Methodist Church on the road from Fairview

to

built

Centre

about 1850,

is

Point. It

a one-story stone building, with a seating-

is

capacity of one hundred and

fifty

persons.

The Methacton Mennonite Meeting-House. This meeting-house is located on a public road leading from the Germantown turnpike to the Skippack road, about one-half mile northwest of Fairview village. It is a plain, one-story stone structure, and was early founded by the denomination worshiping there. There is a large burial-ground connected with

some of the oldest settlers of the locality it, and and many of their descendants are buried there. It was a well-attended place of worship as early as 1812, and many interments were there made prior to that date. Prominent among the names noticed on the tombstones may be mentioned the following: Drake, Kittenhouse, Wismer, Detwiler, Longacre, Gallagher, Landes, Funk, Baughman, Styer, Conard, Roosen, Freed, Fenstermucher, Beyer (1744), Beard, Wagner (1760), Yeakel (1768), Gearhart, Zimmerman, Clouard, Schrack, Casselberry, Stem, Sower, Steiger, Custer, Vanfossen, Heebner, Reiff, Bea% Clemmens, Cassel, Heyser, Wanner, Sechlar, Schwartz.

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

delphia of ye

1191 part and

first

Adam Van Voson

.

.

.

of ye second part.

In the early part of the last century Jacob Custer which still stands upon this farm

built the old house

DAVID CrSTEE.

fronting a by-road leading from the

The family of David Custer, of Worcester township, is both upon his side and his wife's, a very old one

in the

county of Montgomery.

The great-grand-

father of the citizen

pike.

Here he

lived

December

nationality to locate in Pennsylvania, and

and died December

4,

third year of

1804,

King

George, .

reign of our

year of the

sixth

.

.

of

Great Britain,"

" between

of Philadelphia, and

Sovereign etc.,

Thomas Shute

James

of

a. d.

ye

Lord, 1720,

county

Steel of ye city of Phila-

Reading turn-

The

stone over his

Van Voson were our subject.

and that he was in the seventyHe and his wife Elizabeth

his age.

the parents of Jacob, the father of born upon the farm in 1778

He was

4,

1854, aged seventy-six years.

-^

^eZ^^^^^-^^^ Van Voson^ took up a large quantity of land in Skippack and Worcester, extending from the farm now owned by David Custer to Skippack Creek. His son, Jacob, owned the farm on which David now resides, which was originally a portion of the large property acquired at an early day by his An old parchment father-in-law, Adam Van Voson. in the pos.session of Mr. Custer, recites that the " indenture was made the eighteenth day of May, in the

died.

grave in the burying-ground at the old Mennouite Church in Skippack shows that his death took place

whose name forms the caption of the present brief article was Jacob Custer,— or, as the name was originally spelled, Kister,— a native of Holland, who was among the earliest settlers of that with the

and

His wife was Mary, daughter of David Gouldy, who

owned the David Eittenhousefarm. Jacob's

religious

was with the Mennonites, while his wife was a member of the Lutheran Church, and they brout'ht affiliation

up

their children to revere those great principles of Christianity which are the precious property alike of the two sects or denominations, and of many others. They were the parents of three sons and five daughters,

whom

save one are now living. Samuel, the died without issue; Charlotte (Tyson), is a resident of the county; Rebecca (Heiser), lives in

all

of

first-born,

Skippack; Jacob,

in

Lower Providence; Mary (Davis),

in Philadelphia; Elizabeth

(Getty), in

the oountv.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUiYPY.

1192

David, upon the homestead farm and Barbara (Detwiler), in Lower Providence.

David Cu9ter was born April 21, 1820, and served upon the farm, gaining under his father's directions an accurate and practical knowledge of the vocation which he has successfully followed. Of school advantages he enjoyed but few, and the deficiency of his early education had therefore to be supplied through

daughter of George Hallman. He is of the fourth who have lived on the homestead farm. David graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1884, and is a promising physician at Manayunk. The youngest of the family, Mary, resides with her generation of the family

parents.

ANDREW MORGAN.

the later and slower, but perhaps better, processes

Andrew Morgan,

of general reading, of observation and of mingling

with men. father's

After his marriage he carried on his

farm on shares, and inherited

By

his death in 1854.

his

skillful

it

in part

upon

riton

township, not far from the Schuylkill River, is

is

of

the well-known farmer and tanner

Welsh descent and

fairly illustrative of

one

His great-grandfather, William Morgan, a native of Wales and one of the earliest

settlers of his nationality in this

country or region,

located, on his arrival here, in Hatfield township, be-

tween the Hatfield road and what is now the Bethel turnpike. His grandparents were Andrew and Rebecca (Levering) Morgan, and his father, Daniel Morgan. Their eldest son' was born February 6, 1770. He married Jane Wigton, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Wigton, of Bucks County. They made their home in Lower Providence township, and it was

of Mr. Custer's energy and activity. In the autumn of 1884 the barn upon the Norriton farm caught fire

there that their seven children, five of

and was quickly consumed, with

maturity, were born.

all

of

its

contents,

Mr. Custer went burned building, and in less than six weeks a handsome and cunimodious structure seventy-four by fifty-two feet a combination of stone and frame was completed, greatly causing a very considerable

immediately

to

work

loss.

to replace the

—

—

to the surprise

of his friends and neighbors.

this faculty for quiet, quick organization

It is

and execu-

which has been one of the largest factors in his A substantial and hospitable appearing home was erected upon the Worcester farm a few years since. Mr. Custer holds a high place in the regard and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant for place within the gift of the party or people, and

were as follows

his interest in public affairs being entirely unselfish,

only such as

it is

the duty of every

man

to take in

His religious predilections long since led him into membership with the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a consistent adherent and supporter, for nine years subsequent to 1860 a trustee, and since the close of his service in that office until the present, an elder. In 1872 Mr. Custer was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Christian and Catharine (Heebner) Detvviler, who was born January 26, 1829. Her father was from Perkiomen township and her mother from Norriton. The latter was the daughter of Abram and Catharine (Rittenhouse) Heebner, who were the descendants of very early Montgomery settlers of the Schwenkfelder faith. Mr. and Mrs. Custer are the parents of five children, Christian, who married Susannah, all now living, daughter of Ephraim Buorse; Jacob, married Belle, daughter of Samuel Lewis and Urias, married .\nnie, them.

—

;

:

October

whom grew

to

Their names and dates of birth Samuel, born July 10, 1803, (died in

infancy); Rebecca, born

August

14, 1808, (died in

Mary, born Theodore, born

1805

2,

infancy)

;

;

November

26, 1811, (died March 20, 1870); Andrew, born September 28, 1814 Elizabeth W., born April 2, and Mary Jane, born 1817, (died October 20, 1883) ;

;

December

26, 1818.

Rebecca was married February

tion

success.

is

a representa-

family in Mont-

tive of the fourth generation of the

management of gomery County.

and twenty-eight acres he was enabled, not only to bring up his family under conditions far superior to those which had governed his own early life and to contribute liberally to the needs of others, and advance the interests of good institution, but to secure a second farm of one hundred and fortyMention of this property, located in Norsix acres. these one hundred

suggests an incident which

of Worcester,

24, 1824,

to

John

Casselherry, one of the sons of William Casselberry,

of

Lower Providence township, Montgomery County, and he died September 4, 1834, leaving issue, four

Pa.,

D. Morgan, D. Hearn, Melville L. Morgan Casselberry was born April 3, 1825, and was married March 25, 1852, to Ann Eliza, daughter of John and Susanna Heebner, of the same township, and have eight children living, John H., M. Alice, Ann Rebecca, C. Wigas follows children, as follows

and Catharine

J.

:

D.

:

Catharine J., Theodore M., Hannah Amelia, Leonora Russel, with two who died in infancy. The eldest, John H., married Clara, daughter of Emanuel and Kate Gouldy, who have two children living. Flora and Arthur. Ann Rebecca was married to D. M. Y. Weber, of the same township, and have two ton,

children, J.

Stroud

and

Morgan

C.

D.

Hearn

Casselberry was born April 27, 1827, and was married in 1854 to Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Sebora Loucks, of the same township said Ann Eliza;

beth died February

who both

11,

died in infancy.

1857,

Dr.

and

left

two children,

M. L. Casselberry was

The other children were William, Mary, who marriwl Septimus The last-named marriad Elizabeth, Benjamin, Andrew. daugliter nf .lysae Beans, and he has one daughter, Elizabeth, eurviv1

Evans,

ing,

who

ehip. in

I'e.sidea

on her grandfather Bean's farm, in Wiirintn*t«r tnvrn-

Bucks Connty

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. born November

29, 1830, graduated at the Homceopathic College in 1853, removed to Morgantown Va, where he married Mary, daughter of William and Ellen Willey, on the 10th of May, a.d. 1859. She died September 24, 1862,

W

October.

he

1866,

John Prutzman,

without children, and in married Margaret, daughter of

of -Alorgantown, W. Ya and have three children.-Mary, Byron and John. Catharine J

was born October 1856, to

27, 1833,

and was married March

Henry W.

6,

Bonsall, attorney-at-law, Norristown, Pa., and had two children, Alice C. and J. Bar-

tram. ShediedAugust2,1861,agedtwentv-sevenyears.

1193

make additions to his farm, effect many improvements, and erect a good house and out-buildiugs, the former being built in 1852 and the latter at different times as needed. able to

Mr. Morgan has been a very active man, but having no particular taste for public affairs, has taken but little

part in them, preferring the more modest and

quiet walks of

life.

In politics he was a Whig, and

now a Republican. He has been member of the Baptist Church. is

Although

for forty years a

Mr. Morgan is mind unimpaired. He lost

in his seventy-first year,

hale and sturdy and his

p^ c^d^d^^^^/^^

^.i^'Z-^

Theodore was married ian Detwiler, February

to

3,

Mary, daughter of Christ-

1835.

Andrew, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he grew to manhood gained a practical knowledge of the tanner's trade and farming. In 1836 he married

men

Ann Rebecca

Allabough, of Perkiii-

township, daughter of David and Sarah Alla-

In 1841, having purchased about sixty acres of the farm in Worcester township, on which he at present resides, he removed here with his little family-

bough.

He

his wife, his faithful helpmeet through the years oi his

bought a tannery and began business in that useful department of industry, and at the same time carHe applied himself closely to his ried on farming. two avocations and prospered in both so that he was

of

mature life, on September 4, 1881. Six children, one died in infancy, were the offspring of

whom

this union.

Sarah

March der,

child of Andrew Morgan, was born and married Dr. John S. Shraw1870. They have had five children,

J., oldest

11,

1839,

October

27,

whom died in infancy the other four are In the order of their birth, their names are as follows Clifford Beecher Shrawder, born December 3, 1871, died October 1, 1872; Larrie E. Shrawder, the oldest of

;

living.

:

born October

Joseph Shrawder, Jr., born 8, 1873 August 27, 1875; Laura K. Shrawder, born 3Iarch 15 1879 James M. Shrawder, born June 7, 1881. ;

;

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1194

John C, who was boru October

20, 1840,

his father in the tanning business in 1866.

married December

Benjamin

17, 1868, to Cornelia,

Balcer, of Norriton townsliip,

succeeded

He

was

daughter of

and have two

Adele C. and Anna Rebecca. James A. was born March 9, 1844, and married Bella, daughter of Henry Baker, of Norriton town-

daugliters,

ship.

Theodore, who was born September 22, 1847, resides with his father at the old homestead and carries on

He

married Fannie, daughter of Joseph Brower, of Upper Providence. Their children are Theodore H., born November 8, 1873 Mary B., born the farm.

;

December

16,

Helen A., born December 31, born September 14, 1880; Andrew,

1875;

1878; Flora R.,

born February 13, 1884. Belle was born March 4, 18.50, and was married William Wood, of Whitpain township, .January

9,

:

Wood.

W. Morgan married Garrett D. HunFebruary 19, 1839. The latter died February Their 19, 1879, and the former October 20, 1883. children are Theodore M., born June 14, 1841, died March 14, 1843 John Quincy, born March 23, 1844, an attorney in Philadelphia Morgan, born June 10, 1846, died March 14, 1847; Mary M., born June 1, 1848, died July 31, 1876; Ella M., Iwrn January 2.5, 1851 Robert Melville, born April 25, 1854. Mary M. Hunsicker married John R. Thomas, P'ebruary 16, 1871. John Quincy Hunsicker married Mary E. Elizabeth

sicker,

;

;

;

June 26, 1873. She died December 21, 1879. Mary Jane Morgan married George Knabb, Feb-

Stiles,

ruary 22, 1S42.

He

was at that time

Upper Providence, but was sliij),

He

a native of

a resident

of

Union town-

Berks County, and was born .January 26, 1809. Montgomery County, on

died at Port Indian, in

November 7, 1865, and was buried at the I..ower Providence Baptist Burial-Ground. The children of George and Mary Jane (Morgan) Knabb were Morgan, born February 10, 1846, died in infancy Ida, born October 11, 1850, died February 27, 1879; Theodore, born April 28, 1854; Wigton, born June 8, 1856, died in infancy and Ella, born March 17, 1861. Mrs. Knabb ;

;

is

a resident of Norristown.

REV. SAMUEL AARON, A.M." The most noted clergyman that has figured in Montgomery County annals during the past forty years was undoubtedly Rev. Samuel Aaron. In mere scholastic sermonizing or revival power we may have had his superiors, but in breadth of intellect, exalted imagiuamelting pathos, abounding charity and liberality, both of religious sentiment and

tion,

gifts

of

oratory,

we never had a greater. He was preacher, politician, philanthropist and teacher, all combined in

alms-giving,

1

For'portniit of Samuel Aaron, see chapter on Education.

of his death (April 11, 1865), in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

He

was of Welsh-Irish extraction, his father

being of Welsh and his mother of Irish descent. The offspring of a second marriage of his father, he was

the youngest but one of four brothers, the familj' con-

His

sisting also of three sisters.

father,

Moses Aaron,

a farmer of respectable circumstances, was (also his

Hannah,) a member of the Baptist Church, and of sincere piety. Mr. Aaron always spoke of his father as " a good man," and cherished his memory. His mother died when he was but three years old, and at the age of six he had the misfortune to lose his father also. Left an orphan at this tender age, he was placed under the care and control of an uncle, a kind-hearted man by nature, but unfortunately addicted to habits of intemperance. The little boy was wife,

to

and their children are as follows Andrew Morgan, Jonathan Howard, and Rebecca Allabough 1883,

There was no necessary incongruity in this for, gays one of his biographers, " his religion was his politics and his politics his religion." He drew his political aphorisms from the Bible, and his faith within the compass of Scripture morals had no sect in it. Samuel Aaron was born in New Britain township, Bucks Co., Pa., October 19, 1800, and was at the time one.

strange conjuncture of functions,

a

man

frequently obliged to trudge bare-footed to the village

and back with a jug of

and the sad conand business aflairs, and the neglectful treatment he experienced then, made him in after-life the terrible enemy he was of every form of intemperance. He worked on his store

liquor;

dition of his guardian's family

about sixteen years of age, receiving schooling, when, obtaining a small patrimony inherited from his father, he entered the academy of Rev. Uriah Dubois, of Doylestown. At uncle's fiirm

till

each winter a

little

twenty he connected himself with the Classical and Mathematical School of .lohn (iummere, at Burlington, N. .1., as both astudentand assistant teacher. In theyear 1824 he married Emilia, eldest daughter of his old friend and preceptor. Rev. Mr. Dubois, and not long after left Burlington and opened day-school at Bridge Point, about two miles from Doylestown. Remaining there but a short time, of Doylestown

Academy.

he next became principal In 1826 he made a pro-

fession of religion, becajne a

member

of the Baptist

Church and was ordained a minister, and in 1829 became pastor of the church of New Britain, near Doylestown. In February, 18.30, his wife died, leaving him two children, Martha and Charles E. Aaron, two others having died in infancy. The death of a wife, with children to care

for, is

a terrible loss to a young

minister; so three years after, April, 1833, he married

Eliza G., daughter of Samuel Curry, a farmer of New

He immediately removed to Burwhere he was assigned to the principalship of the High School he also became pastor of the Burlington Baptist Church. In April, 1841, he was called to the Norristown Baptist Church, at the same time opening a select school for boys on the premises of the late Dr. Ralston. Mr. Aaron's popularity at Britain township.

lington, N.J.

,

;

AVOKCESTER TOWNSHIP. this date

as a champion of temperance and antiand also as a teacher of youth, was such as prepared the way for the establishment of " Treemount," which was operated in 1844. He taught

slavery,

for

a period of forty-five years, and for seventeen yeai-s added the duties of an active, aggressive pastor,— three years at New Britain, five at Burlington, three at

Norristown and six at Mount Holly. The degree of JFaster of Arts was conferred upon him in 1838, and later he was tendered the presidency of Central College, at McGrawville, which he declined. His declining years were darkened by financial reverses, but

these troubles never obscured his philosophic visions of

life

and

its

true source of happiness.

biographer, says of

him

"

:

He

Mr. Post, his

lived to

see

the

triumph of the principle he advocated, and the dawn-

new

On

hearing of the fall of Richmond, and the surrender of Lee, April 9, 186.i, two days before his death, he exclaimed, Thank God, ing of a

national day.

'

I

rejoice in the salvation of

words were,

— 'Thy

grace

is

my

country!'

suflScient

for

His me.'

last

He

died April 11, 1865, in the sixty-fifth yearof his age."

Andrew

.T.

SAYLOR.

J. Saylor, of Worcester, arid

—

most successful farmers, so successful, in fact, was the is about to retire from active labor, son of Arnold and the grandson of Peter Say lor, and was born in Lower Providence, September 15, 1828, of

its

that he

the fourth in a family of nine children,

—

—seven

girls

and two boys. Those older than Andrew J. were Elizabeth (widow of Abram Hallman, now living in Philadelphia), Einmeline (Mrs. George L. Bossert, deceased), and Mary Ann (Mrs. Jesse Hallman), of Norristown. Those younger are John C, who married Mary Ann Detwiler, and is now a resident of Lower Providence; Susannah, [Angeline, Sarah K.

and Isabella. The wife of Arnold Saylor and mother of these children was Mary Casselberry, a native of Lower Providence, who is now living and in her eighty-fourth year.

Her home

is

in Pliiladelphia,

and

she has, in her old age, a great comfort in the companionship of her daughters, who reside with her.

Reverting to Arnold Saylor, the father of our presit may be stated that in 1843 he purchased, and in 1844 removed to, the farm in Worcesent subject,

ter,

whicli his son

and Andrew

ANPREW

1195

now owns. He died here who came to the farm

J. Saylor,

in 1856,

a lad of

sixteen, being then in his twenty-eighth year, possess-

known

as

one

ing a practical knowledge of farming, and being

full

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1196 of energy and ambition to

make

his

way

in the world,

homestead from the heirs. It consisted of seventy-two acres of good land, but the improvements upon it were not of the best order. Mr. Savior's industry and good management, however, goon provided means for the erection of suitable building.s and a very material betterment of the conbouglit

tlie

The dwelling

dition of the farm. structure, plastered

—

is

—a

barn and other out-buildings are in keeping with

served his time faithfully,

learned the trade thoroughly, went to Norriton and

worked

six

months

as a

journeyman, and then began

business for himself, boarding in the house of George

A year

Anders.

later,

on the 19th of April, 1835, he

The

married Sopliia Foster. The young couple rented two rooms of Mr. Anders, and a year later, upon his advice and assistance, Mr. Trucksess bought the little farm of sixteen (now twenty-eight acres), upon which

it.

he now resides.

house and

barn

wife

spacious stone

three stories in height.

He

trade in Philadelphia.

As we have already said, years of diligent and judicious labor had placed Mr. Saylor in an independent position, and the remainder of his life will, if no un-

In April, 1836, he had a and in April, 1837, he and his Farming was their home upon the place. in connection with shoemaking, and Mr. built,

made

carried on

Trucksess

should take place, be passed in He has always been an adherent

succeeded, finally, in bringing the land, originally

of the Democratic party, but never has taken more

calling the beginning of his business career, says that he " had no capital, but good health, willing hands,

foreseen

disaster

well-earned ease.

than a good citizen's interest in politics and has never had a thought of office-holding. His religious affiliation is with the Lower Provi-

dence Presbyterian Church.

On January

1857, shortly after Mr. Saylor

1,

had

acquired ownership of the farm, he took, as his wife, Julia A. Johnson, of Norristown,

who was born

in

Worcester township in 1830, her parents being Isaac Brumback Johnson, the latter a daughter of Matthias and Mary Brumback.

and Catherine

DAVID TRUCKSESS.

quite poor, into good condition.

Mr. Trucksess, in

re-

and a good wife." This seemed, however, to be suffiThere was then but one shoe-store in Norriscient. town, but he made boots and shoes for Bean & Schrack, Hoven & Thomas and Moore & Longaker, general store-keepers of that place.

was a period of hard work and

The

first

self-denial

ten years

and many

discouragements, but better days came, as they are apt

who do the best they can during the dark The farm was made to maintain the family, and what was made by labor at the shop was either used in making improvements or invested from year to year those

to, to

ones.

in other property.

Close application to business and

This active, influential and well-known resident of Montgomery County was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany (im Maulbroner Oberamt), March 25, 1814, and was of noble blood, but his ancestral branch of

economy have been the elements of Mr. Trucksess' He has now four farms and two houses, prosperity. all paid for, and enjoys a comfortable independence.

the family did not enjoy any of the usual privileges of

ents during their old age

the titled classes because their descent was not in the line of the oldest son.

were of such sturdy

It

may

be added that

stuff as that of

if

they

which the present

He

ftimily of his

own

The

subject of our sketch has been, outside of the

of his calling, fully as untiring and indus-

strict lines

did not need the advantages of class prerogative or

trious as within,

inherited wealth to insure successful careers.

man

The parents of David, Jacob and Reghena Truckbrought him, with a younger brother, who died after, to America, in 1819. There were no steamships then, and the tedious trip from Amsterdam, Hol-

soon

land, to Philadelphia, occupied about four months'

time

— from balmy April

in the old

world to burning

in

for

tages.

generations of the family in Worcester are made, they

sess

and give a home to his parand has brought up a large the enjoyment of unusual advan-

was able to care

and enjoys a wide reputation as a His activity has been almost incredible and his reputation for carefulness and strict probity has led his fellow-citizens of the township and county to place him in various positions of trust, which have largely added to the demands upon his time. Early in life he was identified with the militia, being of

chosen

affairs.

first

lieutenant in 1838, captain in the follow-

The family settled in Worcester township, Montgomery County, and there the parents

ing year, and major ten years later.

passed the remainder of their lives with the exception

served during the riots in Philadelphia

August

in the

new.

They

of a few years.

A

eran Church.

are buried at the Trappe Luth-

daughter was born to them, but she

died in her sixteenth year, leaving David the only child.

The boy was hired out during the summer

seasons and sent to school a his early education

little

in the winter, but

was limited, because there were

then no free schools for the poor and his parents could not

affi^rd

to

pay

his tuition for long periods at the

At the age of seventeen he was bound an indented apprentice to learn the shoemaking

lieutenant of the Washington

Gray

He

was

first

Artillery,

and

in 1844.

He

was an early advocate of the free-school system, and us'sd his influence

toward bringing about the adoption

of the law providing for that measure,

When

when

it

was

law he was made president of the board of directors for Worcester township, appointed by the court, and was once afiterwards elected to the quite

an

unpopular

one.

came

into force, in 1851,

same

position.

the general

Having considerable natural

talent for

private schools.

music, he occupied his spare hours for a period of

as

teen years in teaching singing

and organizing

fif-

choirs.

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. At one time he had nine different classes and over six hundred pupils to meet each week. Mr. Trucksess aerved, for five yeais, as a justice of the peace,

and has held numerous olher offices since 1838, among them being that of assistant internal revenue assessor in

1867-8

set-

Nicholas More, a physician from l^on-

Abington before 1697.

don, arrived soon after William Penn, in 1682, and had conveyed to

by patent, 7th of Sixth Month,

1684, the

manor

him

of Moreland, contain-

About 1685 he

ing nine thousand eight hundred and fifteen acres.

conmienced thereon the erection of buildings, where he lived and died, Jasper Farmar, by patent, January 31,

calling the place Green Spring. 1683, took up, in

two

tracts,

it

was the

settlement in Whitemarsh.

first

His widow,

thousand acres of land.

five

3Iary Fiirmar, settled thereon, with the family, in the

Edward

fait

of

IBS."!,

Farniai-,

and

on the

death of his mother, about the close of 1686, became the owner.of three-

He became

fourths of the original purchase.

and before 1713

of the Indians,

a noted

on

built a giist-niiH

About 1685 Plymouth was originally purchased and

nuiii, intor]>i"eter

in Devonshire, but

mouth,

WiesaliicUon.

thi-

settled

Fox, Richard Grove, Francis Rawle and John Chelson,

all

by James from Ply-

afterwards removed to Philadelphia,

who

John Barnes, who had purchased

in 1684,

two hundred and

fifty

acres in

Abington, and settled there, by will, iu 1697, vested in the trustees of

Abington Meeting, one hundred and twenty

same

anil for a school house.

use of the

acres, for the

This was, no doubt, the

donation for

fii-st

educational purposes within the present limits of the county, if not

among were

the

first in

among

Thomas Palmer and Thomas

Pennsylvania.

Iredell

Edward Lane and Joseph

the earliest settlers in Horsham.

Richardson settled in Providence in 1701, and the former built a mill in the vicinity of Collegeville in 1708.

Henry Pawling came from Buck-

inghamshire, and was also an early settler in Providence. lish

belongs the honor of having burnt the

tirst

To the Eng-

lime from lime-stone,

in Pennsylvania.

"Nicholas More, in a

letter to

William Penn,

in

England, dated

Seii-

temberia, 1686, states that 'Madame Farmar has found as good limestone as any in

the-

world, and

is

building with

ten thousand bushels at six pence the bushel,

Thomas Fitzwater present

"We to

will

OMmixon mentions

;

ami nine Welsh

;

Welsh

;

Upper Dublin,

Springfield, nine English

as settled in 1734,

Abington had twenty-four English and

Cheltenham, eleven English and

forty-seven English and seven lish

offers to sell

lime burning in Upper

now take up the most English townships,

Welsh

She

1708.

comimre with the Welsh.

thirteen

it.

upon her plantation.'

carried on the burning of lime before 17(Ki, at the

Fitzwatertown.

Merion before

seven hundred and

numbered one hundred and eighty-one and the

Welsh, the English and the Germans to form settlements by themselves,

u^ing

On

is

and

one reason of their having since eo diminished.

is

through Toby Leech, one of the

much

from Wales, settled in Ply-

Lower Merion,

house of worship erected in the county. Wales, organized the

all

its

Thomas Owen,

Before 1703, David Meredith,

greater productiveness.

tenham.

'

in

The next settlement most probably was made by

rhase had been

had not then been founded.

"This

'*

came

formed nearly one-fourth of the entire popula-

but with the cessation of religious persecution at home, ceased

;

coming, which

almost two months preceding Penn'e arrival, on board of which was Ed-

ward Jones, with

for the first half century,

tensively, for in 1734 they

six

Welsh

;

Sloreland,

Whitemarsh, twenty-three Engfifteen

and no Welsh.

English and

five

Welsh

;

It will be pcireived that even

APPENDIX. moat Enslish

in tbe

possessed

house in 1697 town, 1753

and

settled towoBhips, i^ith

some strength.

James^ in Providence,

St.

" According to the

sixty names, three

list

In

one exception, the Welsh

Abington Friends' Meeting-

at Providence, 1730,

;

and at

in ^\llitema^8h, about 1710,

of 1734, out of a total of seven hundred

settlers of over half tbe tenitory in the

than a year from the landing of Penn, a colony of

less

Creyfelt,

arrived in October, 1683, and shortly

afterwards founded the village of Germantown.

lower townships,

Here, liberty of conscience had been proclaimed, and

to come.

an exemption

though neither was tolerated in Great Britain,

even to

or,

land-holders.

Germans were the

Towamencin, Upper

Salford,

New

Lower

a

more peacefully and

company was organized

To

liberally disposed.

facilitate this,

Fran kfort-on-tbe- Main, and numerous

at

pamphlets circuteted throughout Germany, in the language of

its

ple, setting forth the peculiar

Hence,

it

advantages of the distant colony.

need not be a wonder that tbe weaker of the persecuted

come

disposed to

for

first,

nativity, the fatherland presented,

The

bright or sanguine future.

bow

no matter

church and

''

A

state,

were

sects

strong the attachments of

from their experience in the

doctrines of the Reformation

been established almost a century and a half tion of

peo-

yet,

;

past,

no

bad now

through tbe connec-

progress to toleration was very slow.

original settlers of Perkiomen,

the English in the settlement of Chclteuham, Springfield, and Upper

Dublin.

**The Frankfort Land Company purchased twenty-two thousand three

hundred and seventy-seven

hundred and thirty

in

Sprogell purchased a tract of six

borough of Pottstown,

acres, adjoining the present

and consequently among the

settled before 1709,

Plymouth

Jacob Schrack settled in Providence

in 1702.

George Gankler, John Henry Beer, George John Martin Derr, in Salford and

New Hanover

Lutheran congregation organized in

was

built in

Upper Providence

in 174.^ in

The German Reformed had congregations Salford,

and

New Hanover,

A church

1727.

was

at which

Lower

Salford in 1741,

and

in 1740,

and

1088.

As

was the

this

waa a

result

first

document ever issued

against the iniquitous system,

it

demands

in English -America

for these people

whom

some

credit.

Concerning themselves as a body, and

to

Friends did not approach

long period of three-quarters of a

it

until the

it

was alone

directed, the

century had elapsed, through the excitement brought about at the dawn of the Revolution by the passage of the Stamp Act, as to the rights of

The

mankind.

in its effects

start,

however, made by these Germans, was so powerful

on their countrymen, the Blennonites, Dunkards, and

their other sects, as to cause

them

ing negroesor Indians in bondage

;

to abstain

all

of

almost entirely from hold-

and hence the great exemption, from

an early period, of the present territory of Montgomery County from the evils arising

from African

Towamencin in

a tract of six thousand one

hundred

sixty-six acres of land, which, by patent dated Febniary 22, 1702,

was

located on the Skippack creek, constituting about one-half of the southern

portion of what

is

He began

now Perkiomen township

thus early, for

so remote a distance from the city, to invite settlement by selling parcels.

Among the

settlers prior to the close of 1703

;

Edward

were Henry Penne-

Djrck and William Benberg before the here William and Cornelius Dewees,

merman, John

Scholl,

Herman

Strayer.

Van Bebber gave one hundred

is

known

thHt

In 1708 we find

Knster, Christopher Zim-

But even prior

somenf the German

1709,

The settlement

Henry Frey,

or Fry,

stated tu have arrived in the colony

the landing of Penn.

and

by Jacob,

so increaaed

acres towards a DIennonite meeting-

house, which was built prior to 1726. in this vicinity,

close of 1707.

John

;

Indehoffin,

and Daniel Desmond, followed, in

John and Martin Koib and Jolin tliut

Herman

Beer, Gerhard and

off in

it

packer, John Ku&ter, John Umstat, Clans Jansen, and John Frey

Jacobs in 1704

had

sects

;

German Reformed,

Evangelical Association, nine

;

balance,

Of

;

ten

;

number the

this

man element, which

will

make

exclusive

foHows

;

Lu-

Mennomite, ten Dunkards, ;

and Schwenkfelders,

estimated that at least one-fourth

it is

and had

still earlier,

gives the cou-nty one hun-

sixty-eight, only four less than half, as

theran, twenty-five

nine

The census of 1870

in 1726, in

The Schwenkfelders

1750.

may

Of the

five.

be allowed the Ger-

two-thirds of the total number, which

is

about their present proportion of the population. '*

Although the Swedes had and four

1642,

settled near the

j'cars later erected

mouth of the Schuylkill

of their having settled early within this county.

Gunner Kambo,

before 1702, and that

It has

Cox had made a purchase of land

ascertained that Peter

in said year,

However, there

secure a tract beside him.

in

a church there, yet no evidence exists

is

in

been recently

Upper Merion

bad endeavored

no doubt that the

to

latter,

with Peter Rambo, Peter Yocum and Mats Holstein, had settled on their

slavery.

"Mathias Van Bebber purchased and

German

Barren

in 1769.

Worcester In 1770.

in

Perkiomen

of worship erected in

in

church

1754, at

Whitemarsh, Skippack,

at

dred and forty-four bouses of worship.

The

John

John Philip Boehra preached before

Whitpain

bnilt at

A

in 1703.

Lower Merion^

Hill in 1761, St. John's, Whitpain,andSt. Paul's,

maintained and continued by tbe English

colonists.

;

and John

W'ciker,

Upper Dublin in

organized congregations.

dated at Germantown, 18th of Second-month,

in 1717

Justus Falkuer had a

vicinity, before 1728.

arrived herein 1734 and 1740, and the Dunkards

subject,

in

Frederick Hillegass in Upper Hanover in 1727; and Elias Long, John

Friends, and they bad not been in Pennsylvania five years, before they

on the

first

Isaac Schaeffer was a settlor and a considerable landholder

were shocked at the system of negro slavery that prevailed, and waa

protest

New Hanover and

acres, that chiefly lay in

John Henry

adjoining townships.

The Mennonites had houses

majority of the earliest Germans were membera of tbe Society of

Frederick, Marlborough,

Hatfield, Franconia,

Salford,

Hanover, Upper Hanover, and Douglass, and contend almost with

that section.

the results of which combined, were strong incentives to emigra-

The

were located pretty early there, as substantial

tbe frontier lines of powerful France, and the frequent wars of Ger;

Forthe Shoemakers,

Melchers, Leverings, Reiffs, Conrads, Lukenses, and Yerkeses,

stalls,

upon which he

tion to those

Cheltenham, Springfield, Whitemarsh,

Tysons, Snyders, Clines, Ottingers, Cleavers, Redwitzei-s, Rinkers, Bartle-

a very limited extent, along the valley of tbe Rhine, where also were

many

as, for instance,

Abington, Moreland, Upper Dublin, and Horsham,

Tbe ProprieUry had

been among them in their native land, and encouraged them

tithes;

and

hundred and ninety-five were already Germans, and

Germans, chiefly from

from

Potta-

in 1721.

can be regarded as tbe original county.

built

Thomas' Episcopal Church,

St.

;

Horaham, 1721

at

;

The English

to the

who

settled

two yeara before

Skippack settlement,

settlers located

themselvps in

N.-.me

it

is

of the

John Matson,

purchases here previous to 1714. settle

here

till

considerably later, as his

At Morlatton, beside the Schuylkill, had

settled before 171G.

We find

Mounce Rambo, John Ranibo, stein,

and Peter Tocum.

and were selves

We

in

name

is

it is

in tbe present

Upper Merion,

this

means

of 1734.

in 1734, the

names

of

Rambo, Mats Hol-

partiality to the Schuylkill,

skilled in its navigation with the canoe,

and their produce by

list

Berks County, several

Gabriel Ranibo, EUas

Tbe Swedes bad a

probable, did not

not on the

transporting them-

to mill, to church,

and market.

even asceitain that to their weddings and funerals they were also

frequently thus conveyed. It

is

known

that some of their canoes, in 1732,

earned from Morlatton as much as one hundred and forty bushels of

wheat

to Philadelphia.

The Swedes were a pious

people,

who lived along

the valley of the Delaware, in peaceable relations with tbe Indians, for forty years before the arrival of

the Swedes

is

remarkable.

William Penn.

Although

One matter concerning

their writers

have

left

us most ex-

cellent books on the country, yet there are no accounts of early explorations

up or along the

Schuylkill.

Indeed, they do not appear to have been

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. to the English

an exploring people, leaving that

among Germans,

and the Dutch, and

such fearless and adventurous

to

spirits as

Conrad

lines

had been established

in 1763

Weiser, and the deToted missionaries, Zeisberger, Pyriaeus, Scbmick, and

by William Coleman.

Heckewelder.

numbered about

" The Scotch-Irish did not list

To our

here early.

settle

surprise, in the

of 1734, only some sixteen or seventeen names can be aacertained,

chiefly in the townships of Norriton, Whitpain, ters,

and

The

later.

in-

greatly increayj'

that rules.

A

To have seen the talking

To our county and our county town

their flesh to stone

And on the

And

surely they would

Thou

And

left to

have fled the land

Their plow&and yokes and scythes and sickles

;

escutcheon of the world,

man everywhere xmfurled

hast to

Those Vast

the Indians, contraband,

how

;

century of growth and station,

To have heard the laugh by telephone.

Could they have seen

State,

the fate

Prosperity, happiness, renown,

telegraph,

And would have tranaformed

;

thou gracious parent

thee,

Of millions of our race and nation

and mnles.

the place of eaiU

would have made our forefathers laugb

;

truth,

Words

of Hope, immortal hence,

VIRTUE, LIBERTY, INDEPENDENCE!!"

the bicycles, Tlie

poem was followed by the "Hallelujah Chorus,"

effectively ren-

of spinning-wheels turmid upside down.

Made

Are ridden

men through Norristown

fry

dered by the vocalists accompanied by the orchestra. !

Dr. C. Z. Weiser delivered the following

Poor spinning-wheelSr pig-yokes, grain- cradles. ORATION.

Flax-brakes, drag-rakes, and wooden ladles,

Where

Down

are

you

Oh

?

dames and men of yore,

!

— The

life

of

man

the world, by the cycle of the ages

Could you have cast prophetic glances, leaped at these advances

" Montgomery County completes to-day.

Threshing, milling, printing and preaching,

sound and a savor loud enough to

trne,

Do our And

and a pleasant flavor

preaching and teaching

e'en hatching our chickens, by steam

Are not

;

half wool enough,

John

St.

Without seam and woven

But

this priceless suit

With the harrows So,

we

Make And

to

coat

the throat

;

has gone beneath.

of the

wooden

teeth.

more ancient honored

parts

As

**

twelve " and

'*

forty-eight,'*

But on

Won Were True

all

the

were ne'er outdone

fields

;

famed in story

man and

State

Montgomery

" Our twin

and nation,

may grow

wear the manly

"So

speedily

priest,

Mother of love

To which

to every creature

creation has given

life

and beautifully

and so general an e^rit du

live

five

hundred square miles of

with

That

it

;

on a

if

:

one

Our proud

— old But

Mankind

'Whether one member

member

past.'

Common-

shire is of age

'

not good to be

mankinned.

is

the

Bufl"ers, all

members

Not

on the big

It is written

be honored, all the

;

acres,

enough, and large it is

members

rejoice with

inscribed on our

commentary on the legend

it is

meet and right

to inquire

now

into the

ask,

What

?

sweet American singer

But surely

may

PLURIBUS UNUM.

"Inasmuch, however, as

day

too,

hundred thousand

five

reason of things, as far as mortals may, let us here this gala

they,

pervading the

coi-pSy

territory

festive occasion.

Paul's

is St.

when

less,

the better to be here, and helps to swell Mont-

it all

heart of humanity

"A

from denizen

Pope or preacher

as well as their elder sister's majority,

enough, and rich enough, to rejoice alone.

means

among men,

with the province of

Peers and compeers, you are welcome.

toga.

We

praise thee, because

(1772),

Fayette (1783)— all are glad to

gomery's jubilee to real grand proportions.

suffers

mother of peace, equal laws,

soul.'

Cumberland (1750)

Northumberland

(1771),

(1781),

(1784,) crosses the line

" The junior counties are happy

Pennsylvania

of conscience

Bedford

and the flow of (1749),

and speed heron with cheering words, that their own period of adole-

national escutcheon— E

Or dynasty,

(1762),

Franklin

it.'

Freedom

feast of reason

Montgomery, arm-in-arm.

the Constitution.

Justice, equality

and the

into the mystic guild of the centenarians.

sister,

Broad based in every institution

!

from rural and

borders, too, tlie music

its

only misery loves company, but joy a« well.

to that cause of toleration,

art

'

Washington

(1773),

By our laws and Thou

the domain with a bracing melody

(1G82), like the three ancient Graces, discern the echo,

alone,' especially

laurels for their deeds of glory,

true to

hail

and

In eighteen hundretl and sixty-one, in valor

fill

has one hundred thousand inhabitants,

in the Rebellion, horn of hate,

Our men

primal round of one hundred years

to its centre the masses

And beyond

to taste of the

wealth, renders

Pine with PhilUps over the Loet Arts. In the wars of

by the

from thirty townships and twelve boroughs, like a

Berks and Northampton

scence

lose in clothes, in iron gain.

progress here with the hand and brain,

there in

its

The senior counties, Lancaster (1729), York

Westmoreland

sewing

—had a

the course of

;

eternity,

float.

and Bucks

'

Pretty seams, that part with our growing.

The ancients— says

quai-ters,

and are with us *

Their coats and jackets of sterner stuff

for

odor

ter,

fine,

stronger with oak than onrs with pine

Made by modern machines

and the ages of

*'Our twice venerable and bi-centennial neighbors, Philadelphia, Ches-

better than our fathers' were.

Than our shoddy, with

drawing

;

magnet of great power.

.'

clothes, our fur.

Their houses were just as large and

And

from urban

washing, and churning of cream,

But our crops, our eggs, oor

;

Like a century plant, our proud shire opens into bloom with a

Plowing and Imrresting and sheaving.

it is

flight of yearn

Creator Himself.

I

To have seen us spinning and weaving,

Aye,

measured by the

is

the history of a province by the revolution of centuries

the corridors of time, before,

You would have

Fellow- (Htizem

*'

this is

tells

us inflowing

rhyme

not Montgomery's funeral

!

to

'bury the dead

It

were a lively

;

corpse, indeed. tlie

dry bones of

It is

an Eastertide.

its hills

and

dales,

Some unseen power has touched breathed upon them, and wrought

APPENDIX. the miracles of a resurrection.

is filled

with shrines, as Athens once stood

Our goodly-disposed

Who does

citizens are

is

Why

"Is

post-mortem

this great

this

mania

the old

'

Why

?

is

That we should, one and

the prolific present, to revere alone the

"This one '*

:

'

is

the Sphinx that

Solve

me

or die

'

sits

we should be

bo

"

That we

7

A

As the

of

roadside, mutely challenging each

see but

men.

as the souls of

falls of

an occasion

to

Let us preser\'e a

jubilee.

it

Many men

'

prove to some.

'

Niagara suggest a goodly

of

Only site

many

is it

'

boisterous silence

To deny does not

road so long as a sentiment so

highway of

Ages,

all

'

is

?

on a wrong

Age

animates the bosom.

filial

" Nevertheless, Montgomery's jubilee must be rested on a firmer base

might be propounded.

unless a vast heap of combustibles

is

The occasion

at hand.

And he

the cause of a great conflagration.

is

to declare that the centennial jubilee of

gomery County does not

Young America,

A

rest as the 'baseless fabric of

least of all, will content itself

is

an airy

"Our

them

to such a glorification

An

?

What

?

altars declare, all

unsophisticated race

built

an engine

;

they never launched a steamboat

phone

;

they never rode a reaper

vision.'

!

that

;

never heard of the

human

fittest."

And even through

"And

They

They never

believed in ape.

oysters without discerning the blood of their sires within

"Does not

so, too,

"Under such a strong fathers, the better

;

fifty

years ago

indictment, the less

unless

we luay

cast

"

and maintain

Jubilee

"I

;

They

Adam They

as

ate

we

'

will answer.

I will tell

which every memorial to xtaud.

in

:

act,

either

is

a more invulnerable coat of mail

the propriety of their Centennial

'

of an

and

Golden

'

merry Eng-

characters illustrious

;

and

used.

is

its

countless 'In

the

all

more

so,

might

that they

eatvt/actortj b-ise

on

individtial or sociul nature, finds

all

the cemeteries of the world for the

hope interred.

Death, where

is

thy victory

A

?

a

to be chiseled in

solid

lying down, exclaims—

Lo, I live forever

!

oldest civilization set the precedent, so

layers continued to build.

have all successive

The horror of annihilation pervades all souls.

conscious rebellion, an irrepressible instinct protests against having

one's being measured by the brief space of an ephemeral existence. text, history ever

preaches

its

'

sermons in

key, all those paeans of himianity are ever set. ;

They are rather rounds

stones.'

Monuments

nor are the songs of jubilee like campaign

in their sounding.

On

are not

glees,

that

dumb

which cloy

in the ladder of immortality,

which the angels of our better nature have been building ever since the ancient patriarch saw a stairway between heaven and earth.

" If we are

silent,

the

'

stones will cry out,' declared Jesus of Nazareth.

"Montgomery's centennial jubilee needs no

novice,

the reasonable

Even

of men.

orders his body to be embalmed, and,

sentinels

wisdom of the

you :—

mankind

'

over the grave of her Newgate felon.

'

"The Egyptian Pharaoh commands his name

defence

" The jubilee imtinct

lost

?

talk of the

That

faces, as it

us of the

tell

the blazing ages of cremation an urn

search in vain through

" On that

!

?

room enough

You

grave of

rock,

shall be the and build a mor« impregnable wall around them. What may argument, then, by which the citizens of Montgomery County

successfully defend

and

does the nation and the race erect

Memoriams over deeds and

in a tele-

that golden-mouthed but blear-eyed orator boldly declare

This world was not worth lining in

With two

since, like the grain of wheat, thej fell into the earth

they never surveyed a

They despised the

race.

the Bethel stones and

Like faithful sentinels, those

mark the graves

land' grants an 'initial letter

"And, as the

survival of the

'

all

along the track the race has broken.

fructify the more.

uttered the term 'protoplasm' or 'evolution.'

the progenitor of the

of protesting against a flnal

what

" Tombs and epitaphs vreary mortals ever crave at the end of their

they never walked in electric light.

"They never

man's sense of an

'

they never ran a sewing machine

;

is

monuments, not

are of

I

saw a telegraph, they never whispered

railroad; they never

They

way

journey, cold and frigid as they seem.

ancestry's record does seem verj' meagre aside of the prolific cata-

logue of to-day, and ahuost justifies such a disparagement.

and Modern

we may, we dare not

They, like the singing

the language of pyramids, pillars and statues.

white, sepulchral stones

Mont-

is it

as

it

Age' that was, and of the 'Good time coming.'

with a ground so narrow.

so loudly lauded

pri-

commem-

They are the incarnation

hymns.

history's

'

must the fathers and mothers be

entitles

'

It

life.

its

'In honor of a departed ancestry

class so progressive will cry out:

^^^ly

Account for

Rightly interpreted, that

Ebenezer

not

that argues our jubilee on

the basis of a sheer sentimentalitj*, would place the stream far above

first

Orient, the Middle Ages,

were, they look into the Past and Future,

sparkmay kindle a great

little

The memory

In the wiike of the

They are both proof* and prophecies

mounds.

is

" The thoughtful do not believe that *a

The

of mankinds' creed in an immortality.

Otherwise, cer-

never so noble.

aifords, be that

We make bold

the stages of the world's

all

and jubilee songs bloomed along and flavored the

time.

honor-

is

instinct of the

to the surface of

to antagonize history.

utter psalms, not requiem

nihilism.

source.

an

is

come

mausoleums, erected over dead and buried dust.

everlasting

'

by-gone ages,

" Nor are these commemorative demonstrations to be regarded as frozen

in the presence of souls

son or society

theme

ignore the fact.

Memnon,

No

A

is.

of a time, or a people, that did not grace itself

voice this race instinct.

able.

fire

is

to enter the

is

what he

is

!

and at

all nations,

know

great to plant a

not an event celebrated in honor of a departed ancestry

tain perplexing queries

facts of

this proposition

orated, festival days

!

That were a healthy motive, indeed.

than a mere sentiment

on a holiday

to carry

among

society

man

and

this

*eataud drink and die* in a centennial

so radically utilitarian or epicurean

"But

why man

tell

with monumental deeds and memorial seasons.

mill, or the leaning tower at Pisa, to build a derrick, so, too, can these

men

and hea,vy

march.

?

'

hay, straw and stubble,' either, but of gold, silver

To canonize consummated

human

and

This

mem-

their

built

mal Sabbath of God, when the miracle of creation was

conventional holiday will

nothing more.'

dead past

'

ever

race which ever did and ever will continue to

I

The answers vary even

minds.'

by the

'

men have

" To undertake to account for this disposition in man,

slight the glorious future

all,

stones.'

wide sphere of psychology, and

should, so simultaneously and unanimously, turn from the rising to the setting sun?

not of

;

and precious

too large

anxious to place our eyes in the back of our heads, just now

lasting foundation, the countless apotheoses of the

withstand the assaults of the wise and of the foolish.

orial temples

?

?

not a phenomenon, worth our study, that

it

'

graud review of the

this

for the vanished century

better

by the

and

this broad

may

a chief corner-stone on which

is

their knees, worshiping relica.

ancient, the gray -haired, and confess that

dead ?

with altar«and with gods.

filled

down on

world

Norristown

!

not pass by the new, the fresh, and the green, to tarry

" But why

"On

AVhat an aroma collects around and

from the shades and handiwork of our ancestors

diffuses

that

;

not even an apology.

an event,

we bring

solitary or peculiar.

for the walls of the

it

It is

no

but another building-stone

temple of immortality, which

heavenward, since the creation of will

ivords of justification,

not confront us as a historical

It does

man

prove a Babel tower, once more.

'

in the

is

rising

image of God.'

Nur

'The maker and builder

is

HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY. The primal centenary jubilee

God.'

now

regardof all thoughtful eouls

of this province will challenge the

living,

and yet

to

within the

live,

province.

'

"The tower

at Rhodes,

euch memorial

and

memory

in the

It

festival.

on two shorea. And so does every

said, stood

it is is

rooted in the hopes of vanished ancestry

made

these they

frail structures

fathers anticipated just

They made but a few

of to-day, with the moss of a full century

hand-work

is still,

of patient souls and nimble fingers, and proof against

under their

—the products

moth and

rust

In every sur^'iving

yea, proof against dissolution, the tooth of Time.

which the hands of our fathers and mothers have made, we may

name and

read their craving after an enduring

"Nor can

We

ing.

things, but

Their homesteads stand like castles aside of the

well.

Their handywork was, and

roof-trees.

Our

of a living posterity.

such a memorialization at our hands.

article

wbo gave them

their offspring

fail to

need not blush over

They were

" The century's

hundred years

genuine and noble as ours proved.

sires so

;

men and women,

a hardy race of good blood.

relics are precious then,

but because

old,

'

of fathers and

not merely because they are a

seemed a

our young eyes, asserts

fiction to

George Washington did indeed

band of

December, in 1777,

did truly

We

that went before.

and did indeed move a bare-footed

live,

From this martyr

march upon

What General

fact.

from the chilly month of

the June flowers foretold the budding of freedom

till

—six whole months.

a frozen

itself as

patriots about this historic centre,

scene, those

Knights of Liberty

Monmouth, during the

the hard-fought field of

darkest hour and gloomiest period of the American Revolution.

" Parker's Ford

— that,

swarms with phantom troops before our

too,

once more pursuing the enemy, after the battle of Brandywine,

vision,

less

than one hundred years ago (September

11, 1777).

"Skippack, 'the stream of sluggish waters,'

moved along

its

now, like

liquefies just

The

tbe blood of St. Januarius, in the presence of the faithful.

legions

banks, before and alter the battle of Germantown.

a century back, on the 4th of October, revisit

'Tis as

it.

them I've read in

'

—of the generation

are their original

'Valley Forge, laved by the Schuylkill, rises to view, like a fresh-wafih-

that

these are they which testify of

They

ed mermaid on the sea, rebaptized with revolutionary glory.

seven years and one day

respond heartily to so natural a long-

stalwart generations of

mothers, of sons and daughters

being.

and name and fame.

birth

sponsors.

some

old,

marvelous

tale,

admire the mountains, not

Some

legend, strange and vague,

because of their dizzy height alone, but for that these have been standing

through

That midnight hosts of epectera

We

the ages that have been.

all

admire the

pale.

not because

stars,

Beleaguered the city of Prague.'

down on

of their brilliancy alone, but because they have looked

And such an

generations of men.

all

unction rests upon the remains of our

"They have

all

vanished,

all

vanished

!

But

we may look upon

if

handiwork, are the hands themselves no more? ed,

has the corn perished

the temple ceased to be

" Then that

is

more than

warrior, under ground

The

jubilee, surely.

'

:

old

if it

never had been

Why

?

not follow the

and bury the warrior's weapons with the

A

?

Dust to dust

preserv-

the dried and withered effects of an ancestry

funeral pyre were far

more becoming than a

requiem that was doubtless sung over the mor-

dust of our sires, had better be intoned over

remains

is

Earth

!

to earth

!

!

all their

musty

Ashes to ashes

relics

and

!

But

all these

are shrines

and niches

Owners and occupants of

From graves

And

in

still

so gallantly,

They are the

father or mother.' sires

in

once acquired

;

title

heirs.

"Nor dare we

*

without

Hence, do we embalm

memory's cabinet their clumsy tenements, their rude

John Frederic Hartranft and Winfield genuine Montgomery-countians.

Zook stand

in red letters

civil list

stark

mad

unless the ancients were

homes and scenes familiar with

in peopling

'spirits of the

men have

Are haunted houses.

The harmless phantoms on

With *

feet that

and

died.

make no

their errands glide,

noise

upon the

floor.'

Is

the illuminated ball

silent as the picture

places orient theniaelveB

on the

in the Revolutionary at

wall.'

and

whose records shine so strife

through tbe presence of uur

sires.

— Major-Generala These are

its

brighter lights a cluster of very

Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker soil.

And

much good timber

rot so readily matched.

who would

not have disgraced that

could not be accommodated for want of room

me

there

ia

of which

David R. Porter, Francis R. Sliunk and

?

trio

others might be noted,

fail

real,

not tbe names of Brooke and

to record all the candidates for those

These, those

who come

" Our religious pages glow most brilliantly.

this fruitful field

wrought

I

go, too,

honorable

after us,

may

seats,

tell.

Rev. Dr. Henry Melchior

during forty-five of his most active year*.

his greatest deeds.

eight years.

Here he died

its

Schlatter, the first Missionary Superintendent of the

United States, made his head centre in Mont-

in the

gomery County.

From

flocks of his faith,

and died within

and

"And

all

of

name

goodly savor.

Reformed church

for Christ

Here he

at the ripe age of seventy-

His ashes rest at the old Trappe church, and his

Christendom with

an asylum •

Brandywine, and

this county.

Scott Hancock.

this point

outward he organized the scattered its

borders, a Christian soldier both

Ciesar.

the counties of the Commonwealth, none opened

wider to the oppressed for conscience' sake.

thronged with inoffeusive ghosts

As hititoric

;

lived

?

born here.

"Rev. Michael

There are more guests at table than the hosts Invited

*'The

lived

Through the open door

the fruit.

Muhlenberg, the patron saint of the American Lutheran church, abode

fills all

All houses wherein

is

men who

Princeton,

And do

embnices among

in the century to come.

dead.' *

all

who

would time

on us,

still

chair, but

utensils, their

hands have made.

" The shades of our ancesty hover over

so

soil,

who fought

forget our grand citizen-soldiers,

John F. Hartranft form a

instruments so rough, their coaches lubberly, their homespun linens, and all their

at

brilliantly since the late period of contention

Governors are usually made

their old estates.'

deeds to homes and lands our

and we are but their

Porter,

Trenton,

another province that has furnished so

order of Melchizedek,

relics are not after the

Andrew

at

wherever courage was needed, was a native of

"And " The century's

the

is

of the brave

of the lower house of Congress, was a son of the

which

earlier dates,

forgotten, stretch their dusty hands,

hold in mortmain

made

General Peter Muhlenberg, of Independence days,

General

our borders.

worthy men, '

is

whose statue now graces the rotunda at Washington, was born within

"The

! !

honorable mention

lore,

on our territory.

army

why dance around

to-day no

If the husk

stands, has the builder of

still

?

example of the red man,

tal

If the temple

?

their

As

^^Our worthy heroes present a fine galaxy.

In military

venerable pioneers.

for their peaceful spirit

but our county,

too.

;

not only the State received

The Welsh Quakers baptized

native place beyond the sea.

its

doors

Here the Friends found

it

in

its

name,

honor of their

APPENDIX. " Here the persecuted Palatines pitched their early homes. houses, their log school -houses, and their log churches,

tell

Their log

a most inter-

fathers denired to see

their sons see, and did not

of Schwenkfeldians, a persecuted flock in Silesia, lo-

see

it

There

!

I

" But the harvest of to-day,

esting tale of patience, endurance and martyrdom.

" Here the colony

what

never has been an age like ours

but the seed of yesterday matured.

is

whatsoever things are pure,

Therefore, 'whatsoever things are tnie,

cated and continue wjth us to this day, the sole place of staying in the

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report

wide, wide world.

there be any virtue,

if

year of grace, 1884,

all is

'And

and

besides these scenes

spirits

and in song, there are yet many more

known, and lauded

whom God

history

in

alone knows.

mean

I

the

wheat

All these

There

the stalwart patriots of the Revolutionary hosts; the braves of 1812

heroes in the Mexican war; the martyrs in the rebellion.

under their

toiled faithfully

leaders,

;

and died unhonored and unsungby

"And

the victors in peace must not be slighted

of the

— the home guards,

when

the honest traders in times

field,

dred cents made a dollar

"Let us mention,

the

Indians and wild

beasts prowled about, the trusty servants of daily toil

who wove, and

is

when one hun-

;

may

posterity it

munion of

"An

spun, and

made the household

liappy within,

when

if

And we may

saints.'

there be such a mystery as the

things are falling upward.

All

to the

work of perpetuating the

achieving,

spirits,

hail

That

is

The snow whit«

Only a

the practical

What

the

Roman, the

still

no Jeremiads be sung.

It is

more

practical

Yankee, will ask the ques-

answer be

shall the

?

tresses

little

Him

whose

in

way from the

Te whose

Who Who

have

hearts are fresh and simple. faith in

God and Nature,

believe that in all ages

Every human heart

bo-

is

human,

I

follows hard on

Let

its birth,

so

is

we ascend the higher plane

grander history awaits the county.

Let

Vanity of vanities,

all is

no time to say,

Of the hero and the

this fes-

be, as every second birth

it

should be, a regeneration period, from which

A

still

'

Cut Bono ?

'

Listen to this simple story

ginning, and hardly any nearer to the end

of a yet nobler hfe.

to wait.*

Aged one century, and

that float in the sunbeam, to the big eye of history, or to

day but the name of the province.

;

"After our jubilee anthems have died away in total silence, and the

Shades of our fathers

county, a century old.

"As the christening of the babe

and

to labor

fate

pursuing,

waves of rejoicing are merged again in the steady stream of time, like

tion,

thousand years are as one day.

any

still

we

if

!

Montgomery

for

and draw a new

do ourselves the best of service

'

van

*

hereafter.'

"This province has made a confessional

God

for his amiable

edgement on

its

historical Ebenezer.

'

Almighty

act'of gratitude to

and adorable Providence, but records

acknow 1-

its

Hitherto the Lord hath helped

us.'

" This province has performed an act of

ty.'

filial

memory

piety, in

worthy ancestry, and thereby challenges the fulfillment of the '

Tell US not in Life

is

And

mournful numbers.

but an empty dream

For the soul

is

mandment with promise

Victor

Uugo

dead that slumbers,

living,

things are not what they seem."

almost say there

'There

wisely says:

is

only one evil

:

in living if

would be no dignity

evil in

our times

;

I will '

a certain tendency to place everything

we had to

ens labor, sanctifies work, renders nevolent, just, at once

humble and

man

the fact that he hns before

is

What

die completely.

brave,

light-

good, wise, patient, be-

worthy of knowledge, wofthy

great,

Honor thy

him

better world shining across the shadows of

the perpetual vision of a

'As for myself,'

life.'

and yet

to

live,

that brave

"This province has erected a

This serious and eloquent Frenchman declares: 'There

in this life.'

of liberty,

an

is

'

;

many struggles, much

surance of

my

"As there

God's— the is

is

reason, as

no dead

we turn

sires as

these.'

No

!

Manhood in

is

soul.'

*

He

was,

"And,

surely, with such aspiritof reverence within

gomery county may be considered good

is,

read

for

its

another century,

loins,

Mont-

I trust.

At the conclusion of Dr. Weiser's oration, the whole audience arose, by request,

from

and united in singing the long meter doxology,

whom

all

'Praise

God

blessings flow.'

After which the Rev. Mr. Rodenbough pronounced the following

BENEDICTION.

The grace of 6ur Lord Jesus Father, and the

All time

and

may

led the sires will lead the sons.'

is

us,

and with

all

communion

Christ, the

love of God,

our Heavenly

of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, be with

the people of God,

now and

evermore.

Amen.

and

outrageous optimists as to look

such

upon an age of darkness and

into morbid pessimists, and say, as

best of history's crop

my

Agamemnon.'

tower of Faith, Hope and Charity,

this

the supreme as-

a dead future.

and the future, since

ing ever since the time of old Nestor

than

it is

the supreme consolation of

not be

us

Let

trials

past, so neither is there

back upon the age of our will

it is

past, the present,

to come.'

many

study and

triple

a

which teaches those

act,

lived before

another century to come, on which we and our children

He who

better world; and gospel novelist affirms, 'I believe profoundly in this after

men

of

com-

first

father and thy mother.'

"This province has achieved an educational

;

for *'

of

grown.

com-

'

that crown the head of our goodly province are but as the grains of dust

tive

and

from our hands, even as we have fallen heir to

With a heart

Learn

with us to-day.

all

it

all

Still

ancient seer spoke of a child a hundred years ago.

sight a

be consecrated

like the grain

fiiictified

Let us then be up and doing.

mothers, wives, sisters and daughters,

but an infant in the arms of Father Time.

still

to

has

but

proved. '

finally, the

supply of Inspiration for the century before us.

portrait of

is

receive

!

allow ourselves to be baptized afresh by their

and mothers

mummy,

by the fathers' will and testament,' another century's length im-

*

was dark without. " These are

but the fruiting of the seed embedded by ances-

no new thing under the sun.

Our chief business

if

;

our borders in the

has not been lying torpid

It

the Egyptian

in

praise,' within

building which the sires have founded; building on and up, that our

pen and tougue.

tillers

hands years ago.

tral

there be any

:

'

men have

void.

THIRD DAY. THE PARADE.

The former days were

better than infancy or childhood

not under ground.

Nor

kept on saybetter !

The

Blessed are our eyes, for our

Thursday, September llth, was Parade day.

The parade was formed on the

streets west of

Stony Creek.

Every

HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. division

had

particular street

its

upon which

Juhn W.

Col.

Schall was Chief Marshal,

success of the parade in a great measure

than usual on such occasions. o'clock A. M.

At

on Main

and

to his efficient work, the

There was

was due.

The parade was

to

less delay

have started at ten

right resting on

form on Kohn

will

Dairy display on Stanbridge

Main

street,

and

street, right resting

on Airy

north of Marshall

street,

street,

right resting on Marshall.

The column

Til.

following route

selected.

— On Haws Avenue,

right resting on Stanbridge street, and facing east.

street,

Sewing machine display street.

minutes past that time, the head of the line

fifteen

moved over the route

Fourth Division

to form, bo that the pro-

cession started with very little confusion.

will

move promptly

at 10 o'clock a. m., over the

Marshall to Stanbridge, to Main, to Walnut, to Airy, to

:

Arch, to Marshal], to Church, to Airy, to De Kalb, to Penn, to Swede, to Chestnut, to DeKalb, to Spruce, to Willow,

tfl

Elm, to Swede,

to Oak, to

Cherry, to Main, and dismiss.

IV.

Division Marshals will appoint a sufficient

number

of Aids,

and

will issue such orders relative to the formation of their respective divi-

may deem

sions as they

at

necessary.

All organizations arriving via the Reading Railroad will disembark

V.

Main

and those arriving via Pennsylvania Schuylkill

street station,

Valley will disembark at Franklin avenue station.

By

order of Chief Marshal.

Thomas

Stewart, Chief of

J.

Staff.

At the court-house the parade was reviewed by the Association,

who

The following

left

the line

when

it

constituted the order of the parade:

Chief Marshal— Col. John Chief of Staff— Thomas Aide

—Dr.

K. Weaver, Dr. William

J.

of the

oflficers

arrived at that point.

W.

Schall.

J. Stewart.

Ashenfelter,

J.

John Pugh,

Roscoe K. Moir, and Isaac Chism, Esq. FIRST DIVISION.

Marshal Aids

— George

—Col.

Hoover,

G.

Daniel C. Swank.

Esq.,

J.

Schrack

and John A.

Shearer,

Vanderelice.

Pottstown Cornet Band.

20 pieces.

Zook Post Drum Corps. rilK

Company

I'AKAKE.

Regiment, N. G. Pa., uniformed and armed, Capt.

F, Sixth

Henry Jacobs, commanding.

The parade was

forinerl

and marched according

to the following order,

Zook Post No.

11, G. A. R. of

issued by the Chief Marshal.

NoRitisTOWN, September

General Order, No. I.

flags.

1884.

1,

1.

The parade in honor of the centennial

of

Montgomery county, on

George A. Smith

Twenty Indian boys from FIRST mvisioN. Col. P. C.

Army

Indian childreo. Grand

the Republic,

Drum

79,

Guard of

Pcnnfiylvania.

Goi-ps.

G. A. R., of Conshohocken.

James

the Indian Department of Lincoln Institute,

Under charge

Institutiou, in carriages.

National

uniform, with battle

Seventy-five Indian girls from the same

uniformed.

Swank, Marshal. of

Liberal

full

Commander.

Wolfong, Commander.

Thursday, September 11th, 1884, will be composed of four divisions, as follows

Hansell,

No.

Post,

Norristown, in

Hiram

David

of

Schall, Marehal'sAid.

Carriages with OfBcei-s of the Centennial Association and invited

gxiests,

as follows

SECOND DIVISION. J. P. Ilale Jenkins, Esq., Marshal.

Joseph Fornance, Esq., F. G. Hobson, Esq.,

1.

Will be composed of fraternal and benevolent organizations.

Esq.,

Hon. B. Markley Boyer, Hon. Isaac

2.

THIRD DIVISION.

J. A. Strassburger,

Muscoe M. Gibson, Esq. F. Yost, Gen.

John H.

Hobart.

Major

J).

B. Hartranft, Marehal. 3.

Will be composed entirely of

William

J.

Buck, Abraham H. Cassel, Henry

S.

Dotterer, Robert

firyiiien.

Iredell. 4.

Hallowell. 5.

Manufacturers, Trades, and Industrial Pursuits. II;

The

respective divisiuns will form at 9.30 A. m, as foUuws

First Division

—On

Hon.

Royer, John

:

Astor street, right resting on Marebail, facing

6.

I.

W.

George W. Holstein, Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, Mrs.

Newton Evans, Hon.

C. R.

W'illiam H. Sutton, Hon. Lewis

Bickel, Esq.

Henry W. Kratz, Edwin

S.

Stahlnecker,

Hiram

Biirdan, William

Rittenhouse.

west.

Second Division

—On Chain street,

nortli

and siuuh of

^larslinll street,

—On George strper.

right resting on Marshall street.

7.

Prof. J. Shelly

Weinberger, Dr. Milton Newberry, Prof. R. F.

Hoffecker.

right resting on Marshall street. Thii-d Division

3Irs. Dr.

FOURTH DIVISION. T. J. Baker, Marshal.

nniili

and Bmub of Murpball

street,

8.

George

Prof. F,

S.

r.

Wnngcr.

Bninner, Thomas G. Kutter, James B. Hnrvey,

APPENDIX. B.

9.

Frank Tyson, Septimus Roberts, James

B. Hollands,

xvii

Majur

William H. Holsteiu.

Town

Carriages containing

Town

Regiment Band of Wilmington,

First

Council of Norristown.

Assistants

Richard Wilson.

Montgomery Fire Company, and helmet

SECOND DIVISION. Marshal

—J.

Liberty Legion Pioneer Corps, in

W. H.

uniform, carrying axes.

full

No. 449

;

Sixth Regiment Band of Camden.

Repre-

Norris, No. 430

;

Pennsburg,

Second Division in

Humane Steam

Independent Order of Odd Fellows,

viz.

Uniform

horses.

ovei'coat, red shirt,

Spring House, No. 329. Ironbridge Cornet Band.

disguised as

25,

an Indian, bearing a

battle axe.

Junior Order

James

hand.

Mechanics.

drawn by four

Uniform —red shirts

and white

Marshal

—John

Markley Murray, Commander.

Marshal

Protection, No. 8

;

full regalia,

—Louis

Sritzinger,

George Washington, No. 16

plumes.

William Flowers, State Fencibles

Employees of Conshohocken Worsted

Dark

clothes, fatigue caps,

R.

float,

S.

K.,

Float, with

Isaac Taylor, Olivet Castle Castle

Cyrus

Castle,

No.

1,

;

E.

;

Members of Keystone, Pennsylvania,

City,

St.

John

New

C.

Hoover whetting old-fashioned scythe. flail.

Agricultural machines.

West Point Engine and Machine Works.

Two

large floats, with steani

farm machinery running.

Cceur De Lioo

Samuel

Castle.

Effrig

&

H. R. Lightcap, N.

C.

Shekinah, Olivet,

Smoke-house on wheels curing hams.

Co., Lausdale.

A. C, Godshalk

&

A. D. Ruth. Lansdale. J.

W. H.

S.

Gulf Mills.

loaded with flour.

Agricultural machines.

Agricultural machines.

Wagons with

G^Uer, Lansdale.

Derrickson,

Wagon

Bro., Lansdale.

Heebner & Sons, Lansdale.

Philadelphia, Crusaders, St. John,

Cyrene, Kenilworth, Lincoln, Fidelity,

and

W. M. MacKenzie, Mar-

Aids— Dr.

Southwark, Pilgrim, Warwick, Apollo, Constantine,

De Lion. Knights and Grand

Mills.

The Hubbard Gleaner and Binder.

Lumpkin, Marshal.

Aurora, Ingomar, Ivanhoe, Waverly, Columbia, Welcome, Oriental,

Quaker

M. Mack,

A. Bunting,

Samuel F. Jarrett threshing grain with

De Haven, Norristown,

Corps.

50 men.

K. of G. E.

Stacker,

W.

with engine and machinery running.

Hon, Hiram

Float, with

Commander.

J. D. Barnes,

M. Lowery,

S.

White helmets and R. R.

Drum

J.

W.

225 men, with blue silk banner, followed by large

and

Delegation from the Firet Regiment, Philadelphia.

Knights of the Golden Eagle.

Baker.

Bau'l.

Shoemakertown.

388, of

—T. Jefferson

William D. Heebner,

Adolph Dagen.

Charles Gentry, S. K., Commander.

Knights of Pythias, No.

Assist-

Charles Ramey, James Hunsicker, J. C. Jones,

shal.

swords.

Kehoe.

George Bullock Band.

Alpha Fife and Drum Corps of Reading.

Abington Lodge, Knights of Pythias.

—Edward

R. Shaffer.

Walter Keim, David Ross, Esq., 0. K. Beyer,

white plumes, and appropriate banners.

Jenkintown

truck

and black pants.

— Howard Moore and L.

Alpha, of Camden; Consonance, of Norristown; Fidelia, of Reading.

In

shirt, red hat,

C.

the following chambers ;

Norristown, with

FOURTH DIVISION. H.

Represented by

Aids

1

Marshal.

Company Marshal

Burnett. ants

Hon. George N. Coreou, Marshal.

Gerhart, Assistant Marshal.

J. Daly,

and hose carriage drawn by hand.

horses,

Frankenfield's West Philadelphia Band.

Harmony, No.

William

pants.

Fairmount Hook and Ladder Company, of American

of

William Thompson, Marshal.

Knights of Friendship.

and black

Metropolitan Band.

Republican Invincible Pioneer Corps, uniformed iu red helmets.

Engine drawn

hat, nickel front, light

Southwark Drum Corps.

Eagleville Cornet Band.

No.

Council,

—white

Niagara Hose Company, of Philadelphia, with hose carriage drawn by

Milton T. Miller, Marshal.

Neville

Corps.

Stabler, Marshal.

Limerick Council, No. 278, Order United American Mechanics, in

man

Drum

Gray overcoats and helmets.

uniform.

full

Fire Engine Company, of Norristown.

by four

210; Gratitude, No. 214; Banyan

Economy ,^0. 397; Merion, No.

regalia, with

Stanton,

Weccacoe Band.

Merion Cornet Band.

;

R. M.

First Division, in fatigue dress.

Northern Liberty Fife and

Perkiomenville, No. 367.

Tree, No. 100

and helmets.

Marehal.

Aaron Sperry, Marshal.

;

shirts

Volunteer Firemen's Association, of Philadelphia.

sented by the following lodges: Curtis, No. 230

Red

Henry Stedelman, Marshal.

Capt.

Commander.

Bisbing,

Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

;

Koplin, Marshal.

South Penn Hose Company, of Philadelphia.

East Greenville Cornet Baud.

Montgomery, Xo. 57

Dark overcoat

of Norristown, uniformed.

hats.

Independent Band of 5Iauayunk.

Hale Jenkins, Esq.

P.

Hon. George N. Corson, and Dr. M. Y. Weber.

Edward

Marshal.

Esq.,

Franklin Baud of Philadelphia.

Visiting officials from other boroughs.

P. Greah,

Del.

Egbert,

—F. W. Hillebrecht, Levi Landis, and

Council of Bridgeport.

Town Council of Pottatown.

Aids— Edward

Eugene D.

Hose Company.

Norristown

furniture.

Bricklayers with tools on decorated

Ca?ur float.

Castle officers of Delaware, Maryland, J,

K. Hendricks, Norristown.

Jersey.

Wagon

loaded with wheat and

flour,

with musicians on top.

Washington Grays' Band. A. F. Jarrett, Norristown. T.

M. K. Lee Drum Corps of

nouncing

S. P.

J. G. Landis, Norristown.

D. B. Hartranft.

Aids— Augustus W. Lukens, Samuel Money,

his mill the first in the county.

Hibberd and Brooke, Bridgeport.

THIRD DIVISION.

Marshal— Major

Float loaded with flour, and placard an-

Pliiladeli)hia.

Jr., Esq., Col.

Hanson, Esq.

Edw.

Schall.

F, G. Stritzinger,

Nomstown.

Wagon

Wagon

load of flour.

lo-^ul

of flour.

Imitation of an oven on wheels, «ith

bakere at work, and several decorated wagons.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERV COUNTY. Decorated wagons with tin ware.

Williani H. Kypliii, Nuiristown.

lIiMcnles Cigiir Factory.

Wagon with a

Buucot, Bridgeport.

E.

.1.

with cigar

\Vuteration.

little girls.

Decorated

wagfin.--.

in a tent, erected as

cles sent for exhibition

ty

Drop cabinet

with three machines run by

was the only feature on the concluding

Tlie Antiijuarian Exposition

organelle attached.

Singer Manufacturing Co.

Our people have been

to-day.

moralize your inscrutable past in picture and story, and worthily lead you

riage Containing a gaily dressed colored lady. S. Fi'eeiiian,

first

unify with our sister counties in

Roxborongh Carriage Works.

31.

Chil-

We

Rev. Joseph L. Miller, chaplain of the institution, responded to the

a model of a hay wagon on

Rose, Norristown.

as the

remnant of a people

Western homes the potent agencies of a

fai-

(hiven by a masked demon, iunl had

it

Father of Watere, over

address, on behalf of the visitors, in a short speech.

the udvanrement of skill in labor."

Mi'oi-e

here on exhibition as antique

you have been gathered

improve the advantages of training

women.

Coal cart, with large shield bearing his

is

now

an ethnological mysteiy, and whose honor is vouched

the redemption of your tribes

with German Band

Six large wagons, one with a transparency

w ribed, "Our motto

into wide areas of

with the thought and reality of having you as our guests, and hope you

name.

Neal, Jarrettown.

is still

eral Chribtian civilization

Ilathoro Band. 10.

of living are

carry with you to your

Continental uniforms.

W. H. Kneas, Norristown.

years and more have elapsed

your forefathers in the Schuylkill

to the Alleghenies, across the

loaded with watennelons.

paints, driven

float

we now occupy, and

you are the hopeful wards of humane men and women.

have grown

Wagons from North Wales Marble Works. Quillman, Norristown.

our

learned of your presence in our midst through the eflbrts of Mrs. Coxe,

with tri-colored cover.

William Rittenhouse, Norristown.

I'bilip

festivities of

by Acrelius, Penn, Logan, Heckewelder, Gordon, and Weiser.

will

M. Moore, Nonistown.

Two hundred

children of lost tribes, in the hope of saving the

Wagons.

S.

mode

Back

whose origin

and men on

six horses,

Roberts, Jo.seph

A. Uicliardsnii, Norristown.

the proud possessors of the ground

plains and forests of the Pacific slope

and

transparency bearing his business card.

Jerry March and A. Finley, Norristown.

II.

memorial

recognize in you the descendants of the race

and beyoml the Rocky Mountains, your race has receded, and from the

top throwing soap to the crowd.

A.

of the good people

agricultural wealth and commercial splendor, and the rude implements of their simple

and blue Siishes. Forty men on

wagon with

in charge, to the

We

name

the

welcome you and the Christian phi-

Your hunting grounds have been turned

valley.

with large screen, decorated with

back. S. J.

— In

since Christian civilization confronted

curiosities.

R. Scheetz, Nonistown.

behalf of the Centennial Asso-

;

cordially

of our great Commonwealth.

Long, Marshal.

hams, sausages, and tongues. Butchers in

sang several

honorably and peaceably acquired of them by William Penn, the founder

S. J.

Wagon

we

who have you

centennial celebration.

Lansdale Band. Butcbere' Association.

B. Horn, Bridgeport.

as follows

of Montgomery County, lanthropists

loaded with furniture.

shirts.

John

them

Children of dtifftains aitd Warriors

Ornamented wagon, decorated with

Hathaway, Norristown.

after wliich they

W. Bean, on

Theo.

this puint, Col.

ciation, addressed

Ornamented wagon.

Sons, Norristown.

D. y. Hlowday, Norristown. J. 0.

At

tin

Perkins' wind-mill on ornamented wagon.

Streeper, Norristown.

II.

After the parade they were taken to the tents in the court bouse

Schall.

Ornamented wagon.

C. Mnller.

J.

Ornamented liquor wagons.

McGrath.

P.

John

They

Bellangee Coxe and their chaplain. Rev.

J.

choruses.

terra-cotta woik.

born, with four horses, two ridden by knights in anuor. P. (.'urran

Institute, of Phila-

in the procession.

and were received and cared for during their stay by David

L. Miller,

with workmen

Wagon surmounted by immense

Son, Plymouth.

charge of Mrs.

yanl, where they received their dinner,

Wagon with

Hill.

in

was the delegation of Indian

Department of the Lincoln

They occupied open conveyances

delphia.

were

Deconited wagon and

Barren

Bros.,

feature of great interest in the parade

children, frwn the Indian

heattii-s.

canning digging

&

Gillinger

S.

wuiU.

Float with freight elevators.

Co., Bridgeport.

Norristown.

Stiver,

btovee and

:it

A

containing monuments.

Company, Nonistuwn. tlieir

of Life wagon, with red tent and blue banners.

It

was held in the Court House rooms,

an annex, in the Court House yard.

The

arti-

were appropriate in selection and endless in varie-

Their number was far in excess of the space available and prepared

for their display

;

yet under the able

management and sound judgment

of the committees, such disposition was satisfaction to the exhibitors

made

of

them

as

gave general

and unbounded jdeasure to the

visitors.

APPENDIX. The

diara,cter of the exhibit,

was tlioronghly representative.

Every

era in our Imtory, every nationality rooted within our borders, eveiy denomination which lias here enjoyed religious freedom, contributed objects select

and

Moat of the prominent families identified with the progress of this region, from the time of the pioneer settloi-s, down to the present day, sent their Bibles and books, treasured heirlooms, works of art

typical.

and antiquity-their Lares and Penates-symbols of refinement and

taste-evidences of reverential regard for the

men and

things of the

Past.

The Exposition was educational stimulated a taste for the of antiquities,

the

how

is

the love for that which

and the

beautiful, for the preservation It afforded

The following

It will leave a

a classified

is

and

permanent impress for good. of

list

appended notes,

articles are

furnished generally by the owners, respecting the history of the exhibiLs,

which

fbimd of much interest now, and of great value in the

will be

future.

CLASS

DOTTERER.

S.

.Toseph, Abnvms.

on the supposed

site

of Elliott's run and

tlie

tor

Fifty Arrow-heads, found by exlul)i-

of a Lenni-Lenape village, near the junctiuii Schuylkill river.

E., Amhler. Indian Riding Whip and Mocasins, presented to exhibitor by Indians on the reservation of the Iowa tribe and the Sacs and Foxs.

Anders,

Amos

S., Norritonvillo.

Trappe.

Indian Arrow-heads. Indian Axe, found in Plymoutli

township.

Rates, Cornelius, Jenldntown. gomery County.

Blackfan,

Airs.

on a farm

in

Two

Stone Axes, found in Mont-

Norristown.

Indian Tomahawk, found

Kurmingdah% Monmouth county, New

Boorse, Ella R., Kulpsville. Boorse, Jolin C, Kulpsville.

Buck, William

.!.,

Jei-sey.

Iron

Tomahawk, from an

Indian grave in Moreland, in 1855.

Supposed to be of Putcli or Swedish make, some time before Penn's arrival. Twenty-nine Indian Tarts, found in Montgomery county between 1842 and 1880.

Chllds, S. Powell, Plymouth. Indian Relics. Conrow, Mrs, George E, B., Non-istown. One Mexican Indian Disli.

Both made by

th*^

Bliss Georgle, Norristown.

Indian Arrow-heads, found

Ambler.

Splint Basket,

made by

Indians,

l(ii)

Dalton, John, Abrams. Indian Axe, plowed from the farm in 1883. Detwller, Jones, Blue Bell. Arrow Points, Tomahawks, Skinning Stones, Hoes, Sling Stones, Rubbers, and Whetetones.

1(54 pieces.

Elklnton, Paul

P., Blue Bell. Indian Axe-head and Arrow-heads, found on the farm near Bliie Bell. Fitzgerald, Jesse O., Horsham. Collection of sixty-eight Indian Relics, found on tlie farm of .Tames \V. Iredell, in Horsham townThis farm of seventy-five ship, between the years 1874 and 1884. acres was formerly owned by the Lukens family. It is near the head-waters of the creek bearing the Indian name Pemmapeeka, which passes thnuigh it. On the adjoining farm, formerly of Isaac liukens, now of Harris Webster, is a springcallpd tin- Indian sprinc vicinity.

Jacobs, Harry^, Frederick. Jacobs, John, Frederick. Jones, Henry, Ambler. 187(1

asfterts (h;il

Indian Arrow-head. Indian Battle-Axe. in excellent state of

Indian Curiosities and Relics, obtained

on the reservation of the Iowa

Kettarar,

Roman, Somerton.

hawk. K^rleble, Jesse

S., Worcester.

tribe

Two

in

and Sac and Fox.

Indian Jugs.

Indian Toma-

Arrow-heads, found in the

fields.

Indian Canue, made of birch hark.

Markley, Freundschaft, The Tomahawk. Mclz, Jacob B.,

Norritonvillel

Indian Axe.

Belongs to Augustus

inches long by 2J^ found in Norriton some years ago. Xlce, Robert, Branchtown. Indian Stone Pestle, for grinding corn. Nyce, George S., Frederick. Indian Battle Axe. i},.^

inclies wide,

Collegeville. Indian Axe of stone, found on the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, above Flat Rock tunnel, in the cleft of a rock. A Stone Arrow-head.

Ralsfon, Mrs. J. G,,

Norristown. Five pieces Indian Pottery from Pitchers and three Bowls, part of the large collection of the late Dr. J. G. Ralston. Two of the Bowls are the work of the Pueblo Indians ; one Bowl is of dark soapstone. The Pitchers are L..,

Trappe.

Indian Axe.

Reed, Dr. W. H.,.TeffersonviIle. Arrow-heads, collected at Ritchie, E. S., Hatboro. Indian Axe, found on a farm Mnndand. Roberts, Septintns, Whitpain. Indian Hammer. Rossiter, Mrs. Anna, Blue Bell. Indian Tomahawk,

Norriton. in

Upper

stone.

Flint

and .\rrow-point.

Schildt, Charles, Worcester.

Indian Axe and Relics.

Niantic. Five Indian Arrow-headg.

Shambough, Jackson, Shay, Elizabeth farm

years old.

Tradirion

Indian Axe, found on Fry's estate,

Indian Hatchet anti Arrow-

Collegeville.

heads.

on the banks of the Susquehanna.

Cox, Mrs. Charles,

Ironbiidge.

Bucks county.

Schultz, Amos,

DatJTes.

Corson,

Hoot, Simon F.,

Rambo, Frank

Indian axe.

Pepper Grinder, and one Mexican Indian

Clare.

of a micaceous clay.

Indian Basket.

Jenkintown.

Mont

Indian Darts, found August 18, I«S4, in a pust-hole, on the farm of Mrs. Gertrude Thompson.

McKico-two

Twenty-eiglit Stone Hatchets.

Joseph,

McGowan,

Fossils.

Petermau, Frederick,

In, the glass set in leaden frames, from a house still standing

Cope, O. W., in

Bucks County. Bridgeport. Coat-of-Arms

;

came over

in

a vessel

Property of John Eastburn, Surveyor General

with William Ponn.

but as

;

my

MaUlon,

Lock and Key, brought over in 1734 by David Seibt, one of the Schwenkfelder immigrants, who was the greatDavid Seibt (now written grundtatber of the exhibitor's mother. Seipt) died in 17G5, in Towamencin township, on the farm now owned by Lewis Hakel. Small Sheep Shears, brought over by the Hcydrick family, who were uf the Schwenkfeldei-s who came in 1734. Port Providence.

Seal,

bearing date

1G99, supposed to have belonged to William Penn.

Arm-Chair, brought from Germany by Wicliael Ziegler traced back two hundred yeare. Pruning Knife, Bread and brought from Gernuiny by Henry Fryer 105 years old. S., Skippack. ;

;

Cake Basket, brought from Cermany

Grlmley, SoIoimou backer, 1730.

in 1719

K.., Schwenksville.

by Henry Fryer.

Tiles of Heinrick Pfanne-

Piece of an Antler, taken out of

an Indian cave, about

1781, by Sobuiioii Giimlcy. who settled here in 1751. Jones, Mrs. Kd*var*l Price, Korristown. China Bowl (mended), brought frt)ni Wales in 1(184 by Hugh Roberts now belongs to his ;

descendant, the exhibitor,

Krleble, Abraliani K.,

Kulpsville.

Flax,

raised in

Silesia

brought by the Schwtiikft'lders one hundred and fifty years ago. 'Wanger, Geo. F. Price, Norristown. Scales and Wi;ightB, brought from Germany by Heinrich Wanger, founder of the Wanger family in

Inscription on case

Montgomery County.

:

Properly adjusted

Scales and Weights, Waster-maker Jacob Freckenberge, Scale-Maker, Underhelm, 1742. Wolfe, Dr. Samuel, Skippack. Button-Hole Hatchet, brought over by the Schweukl'elders in 1734, and since then in possession of the

Seipt family.

CLASS

Boorse, Jol&u C,

Kulpsville.

aud Comity

of

one of^'our Re|)resentative8 at the

Attendance at the beg you will choose some other Person at the com-

am

I

stead.

John Potts.

respectfully yours,

notice from the ladies also appears, that they "will neither

Ribbons or Jewelry or drink Tea which has

The

land."

editor,

last

my

to be

commenting on

appear in their native Beauty,

this,

says

stript of their

:

How agreable

"

wear

purchased from Engwill they

Ornaments, from the prevail-

ing motive uf Love to their Country."

Ziegler,

Klmer

R.,

Kulpsville.

Bullet,

found by Rev.

Samuel

Hamil, one of the participants in the battle of Great Meadows, in Allegheny County, in 1754, and given to his son. Rev. Samuel Hamil, Norristown.

street,

CLASS

IV.

RELICS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Bates, Cornelius, Jenkintown. Revolutionary Pistol and Small Two Cannon Balls, found on Edge and Camp Hills, supposed Pistol. to be Itevohitionary.

Blackfau, Mrs.

«Iosepli, Norristown. Coat, worn in the battle of Pitcher, used by Brandywine, 1777, in the Revolutionary war. General Washington while in the battle of Germantown. Carr. Mrs. E,, Fort Washington. Cannon Ball, from near the camp at Fort

Washington.

Cassel, Isaac R,, North Wales.

Knife, belonging to an English of-

during the Revolution. Looking-Glass, with a diamond ring on the Cope, O. AV., Hatboro. face, done by a British officer during the Revolution, in honor of the ficer

was stopping, Bucks County. Cannon Ball, from the battle of Germantown. Gold Watch, which belonged to Lafayette, and was carried General Lafayette gave this watch by him during the Revolution. pretty daughters of the hostess at the house at which he in Bristol,

to

General Smith, of Maryland,

of

its

present owner,

John Van

who

in turn sold

Pelt, of

it

to the

grandfather

Hatboro.

Cravrford, Mrs. V, Virginia, Bryn Mawr.

Certificate to

Oath of

Allegiance, taken by William Crawford, to the State of Pennsylvania, in 1777.

Curw'en, George F., Villa Nova. Congress Chair, 1776. Davis, Jesse B., Norristown. Sword of the Revolutionary

war, used

by Captain James Shannon. Detwiler, Jones, Blue Bell.

Statement of the acccunts of Col. George Smith, a sub-lieutenant of Philadelphia County, in which is

III.

EELUS AND RECORDS OF THE COLONIAL PERIOD. Naturalization Papers, with names,

1743.

Cope,0. W,,

Ilatboro. Square Tile from the Park House, erected and formerly occupied by Sir William Keitli, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, appointed by William Penn. ThisTile, brought from England in 1717, was one of several around the large open fireplace.

exhibited, fur the information of the public, the

amount

of fines re-

ceived and accounted for him, between March, 1777, and April, 1780.

This pamphlet contains the names of the enrolled militia, and the amount that each individual paid for non-performance of militia duty

Plymouth, Whitpaiu, Providence, Norrington, Whitemarsh, Gwynedd, and Worcester. Oath of Allegiance, dated May 30, 1778, of Christian Loeser, of Whitpain township, before Seth Owen. Continental Certificate, to William Long, for one cow, dated June 9, 1780. Continental sold to the government for^l.lOU Certificate, to EliasRosenberry, for one red heifer, two yeai-s old, Return of Whiskey, uf-ed by Ibe dated June 15, 17S0. forSS*i67 Third Picket Guard, October 17, 1781, amounting to twenty -two gills. Return of Whiskey, used by the Firet Picket Guard, under the care of James Irvine. Captain, at Newtown, Bucks County, for twentj*in the townships of

;

Ralston, Mrs. J. G., Hamilton

to

Norristown.

Commission from Hon. James

Kithard Peters, Esq., 1746.

Taylor, Jolm, Lower

Merion.

;

Collection of Chartersof Pennsyl-

Royal Charter of William Penn, from Charles II. Firet Act of settlement made at Second Frame of Government, granted 1683. Charter Chester, 1G82. New Charter to the of the City of Philadelphia, October 25, 1701. vania, viz

Frame

A

I

my

me

present Indisposition renders

Kulpsville.

Pitz^vater, Mrs. Josepli,

Fryer, Henry

ing Election, in

born on Main

to the Proprietary.

Et\>,

Electors for the CUij

of Rye, found in the

gn~.iins

plastering of the chimney ofahoube built by William Teunis in 1733. Ink Jug of the great-great-grandfather of exhibitor.

Kastbnru, Aiintc,

Potts, founder of Pottstown, appears

—I return you my sincere and hearty Thanks for the 3Iark

House impossible, ANTIQUITIES OF THE FIRST SFTTLFKS AND KAHLY PURCHASERS.

Boorse, Joliu C,

others.

of your Esteem in choosing

CLASS II.

John

notice from

:

Philadtlphia

farm and thereabouts.

Teakle'ii

Washington and

Fielding Lewis, Trustees.

the other twn »t Burlington, N. J.

AValktr, Howartl,

Fauquier County, Virginia, estate of George

13,f 00 acres of land in

Pestles, foiinrt

one found at Norristown,

:

of Government, granted 1682.

Providence, October 27, 17U1.

Draft of

Bill,

dated Philadelphia,

April 14, 1778, declaring the intentions of the Parliament of Great Britain concerning the imiiosing of taxes within His Majesty's Do-

miniuuB

in Nortli

.^inerita.

'Wanger, Geo. F, Price,

Niirristuwn.

Chioniclo for the year 1767.

Volume of PennsyWania

Contains an advertisement of sale of

two

gills

;

dated October

7,

17S1

Dismant, Amos, Royersford. Cannon Ball of 1777. Sckard, Jantes Read, Abington. A Musket and

Sword, which

crossed the Delaware with Washington's army.

Norristown. Two Pewter Plates, lettered on the rim " Margreth Beitenmannen, 177:i.' One of these plates was used in camp at Valley Forge by John Emmerich, a Revolutionary soldier in the company of Captain Richiirds, of New Hanover. John Emmerich

Kuiery, Peter,

APPENDIX. and Slargret Bejteman were married in 1773, and were the grandPewter Plate, captured from a Hessian

Rue, Ijonlsa,

parents of the exhihitor. 6cildier

.it

1776.

Filz-nater, Josepli, Port Providence. Cannon Ball, found in Montgomeo- County, oprcsile Valley Forge. Bayonet, found on

Schnmo, Dr. Engene, tioner of medicine in

Fornance, Mrs. EUeu Knox,

Norristown. Commission of Captain ThomasRice, of the Third Company of Artillery, 1783. Oath of Allegiance of Captain Thomas Rice, dated July 1. 1777. A Door. This door is from tlie house formerly occupied by Captain Andrew Knox, ti\o miles from Nonistown, at which he stood alone, and with

tlie battle-field

to cut off the sup-

ing the Revolution. King-of-Prussia. Washington's Candleand Lantern, used by him at Valley Forge. They were brought from Valley Forge by John Jlowerer, General Washington's wagon master, and were bought at Mowerer's sale by Joseph T. Pearce,who cried the sale, and in whose possession they now are. "Welier, George M., Worcei^ter. Box, containing Musket, Rifle Balls, and Grape Shot, gathered on the ground on which Washington's army was encamped before going to Valley Forge. Also, a Rifleman*8 Axe or Tomahawk, plowed up at a spot where at that time was a spring at which the soldiers drank, but which entirely disappeared forty years ago. Large Chest, bearing the name, Barbara Briderin, dated 1769. This was the property of the exhibitor's grandparents, Abraham and Elizabeth Weber, .\braham Weber served for a time in the Continental army, and died in 1844. This Chest, tradition says, was brought to this country from Germany before the Revolutionary war. During the war certain valuable goods were placed in it for safe keeping, and it, with these contents, was put in a hay stack. Certain parties, searching for the chest, discov ered it by thrusting pointed sticks of hard wood into the stack, producing marks which it still bears. The chest was broken open and stick

his broad-sword, used

it so freely on their heads as they attempted tIay

3,

field of Chancellorsville,

1SG3.

Calvary Post, No, 35, G. A. R., of a Horse, with

Regiment, Pennsyl-

drum.

Schall, Col.

battle of Hlonterey.

RELICS OF THE

by

Dagger, captured

Lamp made from a bomb

Norristown.

The

Gettysburg.

Mexican Cartridge, taken at the

Merion.'

Confederate

E., Forty-Fifth

vania Vnlunteei-s.

RELICS OF THE MEXIC.VN \V\R.

Keech, Jacob, Lower

Povrers, John, Norristown. Charles F. McKenna, Company

Philadelphia.

arms and equipments used

Wooden Fignre

in the cavalry service in

the Rebellion.

Confederate Sword.

Stelu, 'Irs. R., Norristown.

Gun, used in the battle of Antietam. A., Norristown. Revolving Rifle, ten-shooter, captured by Captain D. L. Stevens, of the six-gun battery of the t'nited States ship Mississippi, under Farragut, on the right of the river, below New Orleans, in a hand-to-hand encounter, on April

Stevens,

Henry

2.^ 1862.

"Walker, E. H.,

Jarrettown. Canteen, from the late war Picture, Frame, made in Virginia during the late war. Bayonet, from Petersburg, 18G5. Head of a Standard, from Kichnmnd. Cane, from City Point, in the late

the late war.

war.

Elmer R.,

Zle^ler,

found on Kulp's

United States Badge,

Kulpsville.

Hill, Gettj-sburg.

CLASS

VIII.

mPLEMENTS OF EARLY HITSBANDRV.

Ahralkam

Cassel,

H.,

cut Saw, which, with piece of steel,

st'lid

blacksmith,

known

Ancient Cross-

Harlej-sville.

its

handles, was forged out of a

on a common

anvil,

in early colonial times.

one hundred and

for

by an ingenious Its history

fifty years.

is

Hand-saw,

formerly the property of Hupert Cassel, a famous carpenter of Worcester, and the grandfather of the ex-

At

hibitor.

Comly, J.

least

one hundred years

J,, Horsham.

old.

Plow, with wooden mould

board.

Cnster, Philip B., hundred years

Sickle, over

Norristonville.

one

old.

Henry

Fryer,

S.,

West

brought from Germany.

Point. Pruning Knife, One hundred and sixty-five

years old.

John

Heebuer,

S., West Point.

Wootien Fork.

Homer, Morris,

Willow Grove. Sickle, for cutting on the handle, Jones, Margaret H., Oak Lane. Seed Chest, nearly two hundred years old. " D.

grain.

HORyE MADE

Roman, Somerton.

Kettarar, IIP

OF MILITARY ARMS.

J. 1750," cut

Old-fashioned hand-

made Hoe. Yoke, one hundred and

thirty years old.

Old Tree Clipper.

Kvans, 'Willlant of the WiMrrness,

G., Norristown.

Hllles, liizzie, Port Kennedy. tlie late

.Soldier's

Belt, Cartridge

lSfi4.

Cap, from the batlle

Box, and Knapsack,

Sabre, used

18ii3.

by Henry Clay Moore

in

war.

W.,

Holstcin, Mrs. Dr. George Boxes and Knife,

These

articles

Bridgeport.

Pair of Dice

were made in Libby Prison by

Lieut. T. Dewees.

Cr.nsliohocken.

Sabre,

taken from the battle

Jones, Percy, Conshohocken. of Antietam.

Locli, Joliu

Minie

W.,

Ball,

Sword, picked up on the battle

found on Gettysburg battle

field.

Sword, found on the

field

Norristown.

field

Moore, Mrs. IVathun, the

war

for the

in the Civil

Sickle,

one hundred years

Hoe, one hundred and thirty years old.

Whitpain.

Scythe,

Wooden Shovel and Flail; very old. 'Williams, Thomas, PittviUe. Plow, used

Sickle,

Rake,

Forks,

Hoe,

the year 1812.

It

is

in Delaware, 0.,

marked "1776," and

is

up

supposed to have

been made at that time. Sr.,

Norristown.

Sickle,

one hundred and

twenty-five years old.

CLASS IX.

of Get-

tysburg;.

IMPLEMENTS AND ARTICLES OF HOUSEHOLD USE IN EARLY TIMES. Centre Square.

Flag, Knife,

and Relics of

Ambler, Aaron,

Union.

Morrison, Mrs.,

Loos, Mrs., Norristown. Roberts, Septimus,

Young, Samuel,

of Antietam.

Kulpsville.

old.

to

Jones, Cliarles W., field

Krlehle, Septlmns A.,

Conshohocken.

Two

Knives, taken from the Rebels

Anders,

War.

Peterman, Frederick,

Tray.

Collegeville.

Block of stone from

blown-u|i mine at Petersburg. Va., July 30, 1864.

the

Norristonville.

Shovels and Tongs,

Snuffer

Dust Brush.

Amos

Beerer, Rosa,

S,, Norritonville.

Spinning-wheel and Reel.

Lamp of ye olden time, formerly owned by Mrs, K*»mmerer, great -grandmother of the exhbitor. East Perkiomen.

Parlor

APFExNDIX. Berkhelmer, Mrs. Jolui,

Broad Axe.

Kneas, Miss Ella,

Caudle Stand, very old-

fashioned.

wheel,

Wool WHieel and Spinning-

N'urritonville.

cester, a great-great-aunt of the exhibitor.

t^ausage Sluffer.

Kobl George

Blckel, 'MrB. E. B., and

Blck«l, Mrs.,

NorristoH-n.

Flax Hackle, one Property of Thomas Dorworth.

six years old.

Norristown.

Candlestick.

hundred

McClain, Mrs. John, and

Candle,

very old.

Thomas Gneme,

l>*r,i),

as a

David Lloyd's

at

"Bed Pan."

of Sir William

May

Bought by

21, 1726, to

J. E.

Buck, in

sale.

Abraliam H., Harleysville Iron Lamp and Rack. Couard, Edward B., Port Kennedy. Two Barrels, hollowed logs.

The property

Hatboro.

Spice Mill of the seventeenth century.

of William

Wade, Horaham.

Geor^ Washington's

The property

of .^lolinda

Coffee Mill, used in

family while living at

MouLt Vernon.

Wood, Philadelphia.

Corson, Mrs. Dr. Hiram,

Conshohocken.

Shovels and Tongs.

Lard Lamp, supposed

to be 100 years old.

Davis, Jesse B., Norristown. Warming Pan, 120 years old. Davis, «Toliu J., Jenkintown. Crimping Machine, brought from Wales, many years ago, by the mother of the exhibitor. DIsmaut, Mrs. Amos, Koyersford. Candlestick, l.'w years old. Spinning Wheel.

Hartranft.

H., Horsham.

Spinning Wheel, over 100 years

Foot Stove, 75 years

Markley, Margaret, Fairview Village. MatUer, C, Jenkintown. Warming Pan, Mt-reditk, Mrs. Samuel, Norristown.

old.

Clothes Brush.

very ancient. Old-fashioned

Warming

Pan and two brass Candlesticks, brought from England many

Miles, Mrs. Isabella. Gulf Mills. Bed Warmer. Mills, Mrs. Jane., Norristown. Clothes Brush, over

Ebersole, Mrs. S. A., Klkington, George, tain coal for

warming

Hartranft.

j'ears

WO years

in

Bmss Warming Pan

con-

(to

beds), 10.3 years old.

Emory, Jokn, Cheltenham. Bed Warmer. Famous, Andrew S., Norritonville. Old Snuffers.

Four Hackles.

Eeltou, Mrs. Joseph, Jenkintown. Snuffers, date 1707. Tungs and Iron Lamp, brought Pelty, Samuel, Jenkintown. from Germany before the Revolution. F^islier, Jacob, Worcester. Bellows. Frcedley, Mrs. Dr., Conshohocken. Basin and Ewer, over 100 Fryer, Henry S., Skippack. Hanging Lamp, 100 years

Flax Hackle, suitposed

to be

200 years

Wyce, George years old.

Ardmoi-e.

Cotton Spindle, 125 years old.

Samuel,

Norristown.

Spinning AMieel.

Oiven, Mrs, AVlUiam AV., \ears old;

Bellows, over 100 years old.

Old-fashioned Lard Dip (Lamp), 130

S., Frederick.

owned by Miss

Norristown.

Brass Candlestick, 150

Shearer.

Paiste, Robert, Norristown. Pair brass Candlesticks, 100 years old. Pawling, Mrs. Dr., Norristown. Spinning Wheel, Reel and Spindle.

Peciiln, Jobin FniDce

;

W.,

King-of-Prussia.

Lamp, from

Candlesticks.

very old.

Pomeroy, Mrs. H.

S., Norristo^\Ti.

Pair of Candlesticks.

originally

owned by

Mrs. Lane; 125 years old.

Spinning Whee'l.

Blue Bell.

Morgan, Mrs. James,

Prince, Lcm^Is, Norritonville. Scissors. Rambo, Mrs. Il'allace, Oaks. Candlestick,

Dotts, George, West Point. Ancient Lamp, Eberle, The Misses, Oak Lane. Brass Candlestick.

Reid, Mrs. Dr. John K., Conshohocken. Bellows, 75 years old. Warming Pan. Roberts, Lloyd, Norristown. Clothes Brush, 150 yeare old. Roberts, Septimus, ^^^litpai^. Warming Pan, very old. Tobacco Box of pumpkin, 75 years old or more, Two copper Candlesticks,

very old.

Rogers, Mrs.,

Two

Norristown.

Rotzell, Mrs., Noiristown. Schaefer, Miss, Nomstown. dlestick.

old.

of Bellows.

old.

Candlesticks.

Shovel and Tongs.

Snuffers, 100 years old.

Snuffer and Snuffer Box.

Iron Candlestick.

old.

Got^vafs, Abraliam, Belfry. Tongs, 100 years old. Spinning Mlieel, Got^vals, AVilliam K., Fairview Village. marked " I. R., 1760," made by I. Rosen, at Fairview, iu the year

Steel

and

Flint.

Scheeiz, Mrs. Frank, Flourtown. Pair of Bellows, Searfoss, Mrs., Jenkinton. Sweeping Brush, old.

Shaw,

C. H.,

Bi-ass

Hearth Brush.

CanPair

1791.

Tinder Box. Three Tuns. Spinning Wheel, lOU years

Jeffersonville.

Shay, Mrs. Edward, old.

ITtiO.

Grimley, Miss Olivia

K.., Schweuksville.

Have been in the Benner and Bergey owned by John Itatclifl'.

old.

Grimley, Solomon

K.., Schweuksville.

Fire Tong-s, 100 yeai*s families,

and are now

Haltemau

Loom,

in 1714, to

ancient.

Hellermau, Mrs. Joslah,

Foot Warmer, over 100

Cheltenham.

years old.

Hendricks, Mrs.

Jesse, North Walra.

Two Flax

Hackles,

made

in 1772.

Holland, Mrs. Eliza,

Jarrettown.

Pair Candlesticks, 75 years

Shoemakertown. Warming Pan, 1780. Shoflfuer, Misses, Norristown. Two brass Candlesticks, 50 yeara

Shultz, John,

Norristown.

Basket, SO yeare old.

Sllcher, Mrs., Norristown. Two brass Candlesticks, 100 years old. Slinglutr, Mrs. William H., Norristown. Bellows and Brush, r.O yeai-3 old. Spinning Wheel and Reel. Smith, Alfred, Spring House. Spinning AVheel. Spencer, Mrs. Ella, Jenkintown. Brass Candlestick.

Springer Brothers,

Two Candlesticlcs. Two AVarming Pans.

Kulpsville.

Styer. Aaroit, Blue

Bell.

Summers, Aaron

H., East

Greenville.

Teas, George S., Horsham. Traut, liouis, Jeidiintown.

Flax Hackle, dated 1776. Pan, over 100 years old. Flax Hatchel, bearing date of 1765.

Warming

Brass Snuffei-s, 160 years old.

old.

Huglies, Mrs. AVilliam,

K!ng-of- Prussia.

Candlesticks over 100

years old.

Hnnsicker, A.

Jr.,

Collegeville.

Bed Wai-raing Pan, formerly be-

longing to Wright A. Bringhurst. C, Spring Mill. Jones, Mrs.

Ann

Kemery,

Shoemaker, Robert, old.

Belonged

Old Hackle.

Solomon Grimley in 1701, and to B. Scholl IVom 1808 to 1800, when it was purchased by the exhibitor. Harvey. Mrs. J. J. C, Jenkintown. Tinder Box. Ileebner, Jolin S., West Point. Spinning Wheel, dated 1741. Tape to|B.

Mann, John

0*Bfeil,

Cresson, Mary J., Norristown. Warnung Pan, age unknown. Custer, Pklllp B., Xorriton^ille. Spinning Wheel, 106 years old.

old,

in the family.

Cope, O. AV., Gen.

years

ago.

Cassel,

trom

120

Candlestick,

Oalcs.

old. I

in a bill of sale,

Thomas,

brought from England.

Branln, Cieorge, Jeukiutuwn. Wuol Card. Braulu, Mrs, George, Jenkinton. Candlestick

Mentioned

tal-

and Tray.

fers

McCabe, Mrs.

old.

Keith, of Horsham.

Snuffem, used in the days of

Jenlunton.

Lowe, Mrs. T. S. C, Norristown. Old Brass Candlestick. Lukens, Mrs. Jawood, Conshohocken. Brass Candlestick, Snuf-

Spinning-wheel.

Jane, Three Tuns. Pair Brass Candlesticks, 75 yeai-s old. Blackfan, Miss, Nurristuwn. Pair Tongs and Shovel, 100 yeara

Brunner, Miss Mary, Worcester. Old Basket. Buck, 'William J., Jenkintown. Wanning Pan

M.,

low candles.

Blssoii,

Dr.

Round and Oval Paper Boxes, of Wor-

Norristown.

various colors, formerly the property of Mrs. Savilla Boot, of

Beyer, Benjamlu,

C. M., -Vhrahams.

Hand Loom.

Wood

Stove Rake,

known

to be 203

from Wales, and presented

yeaii) old.

K.et1arar, Ilat-iron.

'Walker, E. H., Jarrettown. Flax Hackle. AValton, Harry C, Blue Bell. Glass Candlestick. 'W^elkel, 3Ira. Jacob, Collegeville. Old iron Lamp. 'Williams, 3Ir8., Fitzwatertown. Two Spinning Wheels. Yeakle, S. Y., Norristown. Tape Machine, 125 years old. Young, Miss Annie, Lower Merion. Brass Candlestick, brought

Roman,

Soniorton.

Five old Lamps.

Foot Heater and Bed Heater.

different kinds of Candlesticks.

Self-beating

Tongs and Poker. Four Washing Machine.

Old-fashioned

to

Ariadne Young one hundred and

twenty-tive years ago.

Zimmerman, Twist of Flax.

Esther,

Norristown.

Spinning W'heel, with the ;i-earB old, Hackle Tow

Swift and Reel, over 100

HISTOUY OF MONTOOMERr COUNTY.

XXIV

Cra-ven, Mrs. Alice, Davis Grove. Coffee Pot. Crelghton, Mrs., Norristown. Two Dishes, very

in the Bhip with William

The Hackle came OTgr

and Twiatof Flax. Penn's surveyors.

Zimniermau, Mrs. Lorenzo,

Sweeping Brush, over

Nurristuwn.

50 years old.

Ztmmerman,

Sylvester, Blue Bell. Wool Hackle, brought to country by Benjamin Eastburn, a surveyor in William Penn's Said Benjaparty, at the time of the settlement of Philadelphia. this

min Eastburn was the

exhibitor's

Tho

great-great-grandfather.

Hackle has been passed from one generation to another, until reached the exhibitor from the hands of her mother in the year

it

1842.

CLASS X.

Ambler, Aaron, Norritonville. Pewter Plates, 110 years old. Anders, Mrs. George S., Knlpsville. Pewter Sugar Bowl. Anders, William H., Kulpsville. Tea Pot, over Apple, Mrs. John S., Kulpsville. Copper Tea

Davison, Mrs. May,

Pewter

A slate

Shoe makert own.

Dearolf, Sirs, Tlllle* fifty yeai-3

Tea and Water

Pot,

Spice Box, one

Norristown.

hundred and

in the family.

Dettra, Mrs, John, Norristown. Pewter Cream Pitcher, brought from Germany lUO years old. Dietrich, Mrs. John, CoUegeville. Pewter Plate, from Germauy. Copper Cake Mould, over 100 years old.

Dlsmaut, Mrs. Amos, Royersford. Two Dorworth, Joseph H., Norritonville. Drake, Mrs. Aram,

Kettle, 150 years

Edwards, Mrs, Elizabeth,

Plate, over 100 years

to

be 300 years old.

Barr, T. P., Kast Greenville. Pepper Box, 1682. Bartman, Mrs. Mary R., Trappe. Pewter Plate, 100 years old. Bean, Mrs. Margeret, NorriHtown. Earthen Dish, 100 years old. Beau, Mrs. Sarah, Fairview Village. Sis Pewter Plates, 80 years

"

Tea

Canister,

brought

to

Iron Kettle, 150 years

Pewter inkstand, dated 1749. Pewter 3Iug, bearing

Kulpsville,

Kulpsville.

H." 150 yearsold.

S.

3Ieat Knife, from

;

Wales 200 years ;

Humphrey

"W., Kulpsville. Six Tea Spoons, Pewter Cups and Saucers over 100 years old. E\-aus, Mrs. Prank, Centre Square. Old Pewter Tea Pot. Felty, Samuel, Jenkintown. Small Copper Kettle and Coffee Mill, brought from Germany before the Revolution. FetterolfT, Dauiel G., Kulpsville. Pewter Plate, 1718. ;

Fltzwater, Mrs. Joseph,

Port Providence.

Fanny Brower

Originally used by

years old.

old.

East Greenville.

large Pewter Plates.

old.

Ed'tvards, Mrs. Copper Tea Kettle, said

Centre Square.

Beruhart Miss Maggie,

Copper Kettle, over 100

120 years old.

100 years old.

old.

Baker, Mrs. "Wllllain,

in the

years old.

initials

J., Bryn JIawr.

Has been

this country, in 1782.

old.

Ashbrldge, Mrs.

old.

Plate.

;

KITCHEN FURNITURE AND COOKING UTENSILS IN USE 100 YEARS AGO AND PEWTER WARE.

Fox, Mrs. Jacob,

Kaat Greenville.

Tea

Pewter Plate, 100 meat plate.

as a

Kettle, nearly 200 years

old.

old.

Beyer, Benjamin,

Copper Kettle.

Bread Tray.

Norritonville.

Fryer, Mrs. Barney, posed to be

Coffee Pot.

Six Pewter Plates, over lou

Biekel. Mrs. E. B., Norristown.

lO(j

Part of Pewter Dinner Set, sup-

Skippack.

years old, and

soup dishes, two meat

is

the property of the e.^hibitor

Two

:

four dinner plates, sugar bow], and

plates,

salt cup.

years old.

Blckel, Mrs., 75 yeara old.

Boorse,

Cresson, Mary J., Norristown. Pewter Leedom family 100 yeare. Cnlbert, Mrs. Joseph W., CoUegeville.

Copper Kettle. 150 years

Norristown.

Gird-iron,

old.

Bread Waiter.

John C,

Kulpsville.

Earthen Dish, made of

common

clay,

Garrlgues, Mrs., Norristown. Pewter Plates. Garsed, Mrs, Robert P,, Norristown. Kettle and Pan. Geyer, Mrs. Charles, Worcester. Pewter Tray, dated 1748.

Abraham,

burnt, fifteen incbes in diameter, glazed inside, and decorated with brown, yellow and green flowei-s, the stems and outlines of flowers

Ootivals,

marked by grooves. Around the rim is the inscription, in English " Be Ashamed I advice thee Most if one Learneth Thee what Thou not Knoweth, the Ingenious is Accounted Brave but the Clumsy None Desire to have 17G2." The outside of the dish is not glazed or

Grifieu, Mrs. Samuel, Oaks. Tea Kettle, lOfJ years old, Griinley, Miss Olivia K., Schwenksville. Pewter Tea Pot, large Belonged to Frederick and Plate, three small Plates, and two Dishes.

:

Bosch, Knos, of

Norristown.

Pewter Dish, over 150 years old. Property

Braut, Miss Bmnia,

Pewter Tea Pot and two Formerly the property of the Custer

Limerick Square.

Pewter Plates, 150 years and Grubb families.

Brooke Mrs.,

old.

Norristown.

Pewter Plates.

Brownback, Mrs. Edward, Trappe.

Copper Tea Kettle, nearly

100 years old.

Buck, James H.,

Norristown.

tu exhibitor's

Dough Tray, 150 years

great-grandfather

;

Mrs, Thomas,

.lenkintown.

Came over in the ship "Welcome." Buehler, Mrs. Elizabeth, Norristown.

Be-

to the exhibitor.

;

;

Bnckmau,

old.

then to his grandmother,

Buck next to his father, John Buck now Has never been outside of Montgomery County over one hundred years in Norristown. Polly

;

has been in use

Two Pewter Tea

Pots.

Waiter and Bread Tray,

dated 1715.

Carson,

Mary Cook,

Three Pewter Dishes, used in

Norristown.

the family of Samuel Burns, a Revolutionary soldier.

Abraliam H.,

Pewter

from the Saur and meat over Old Tripod, used for setting a pau or kettle. Dutch Oven coals. much used for baking, etc., before plate or cooking stoves were

Cassel,

family.

Harleysville.

Plate,

Grid-iron, used in olden times to broil fish

invented.

Caesel, Isaac

R.,,

North Wales.

Knife.

Belonged

to

exhibitor's

great-grandfather.

Cassel, Mrs. James, Belfry. Pewter Mug, over 100 years old. Cope, O. AV., llutboro. Pewter Dish, brought from Germany about 17411,

from 1761

by the Slyer lamily.

Corson, Mrs. Dr. Hiram, Conshohocken.

;

Old Copper Kettle.

and Tea

;

to Solomon

and Elizabeth Griin-

to Elizabeth Grim ley,

widow, from 180G to 1821; 1843 to Amos Grimley, from

from 1821 to Solomon K. Grimley, since 1866. Six small Pewter and two large Funeral Bread and Wine Plates. Belonged to Peter Umstead in 1734, and remained in the Umstead family until 1856, when they c-anie into the hands of Lydia Guttsball, who sold them in 1883 to Solomon K, Grimley. Mr. Grimley furnishes the following " The Funeral Plates measure information 14J^ inches in diameter' In olden times people sometimes had to drive five and ten miles to the church and burying place with their dead. It was customary to provide bread, cake and wine on such occasions for the refreshment of those in attendance. The daughter of a principal farmer was selected, wlio took a large pewter plate, laden with bread and cakes, and stationed herself on the side of the path by which the procession was to pass from the church to the grave. A young man, sun of one of the farmers of the first class, held a large plate, upon which was a bottle of wine or whiskey and a wine cup, and took a Each person in passing took a position opposite the young woman. piece of bread or cake from the maiden, and then turned to the other side and took a sip of wine from the cup, which the youth replenished ;

;

to

:

from time to time My grandmother, Mary Keely, who died in 1848, aged 85 years 10 months and 25 days, told me that she was on one occasion chosen to hold the bread plate, and that it was deemed a Pewter great honor to be a Leichenwarter, or funeral waiter." Belonged to Henry Pawling, to 1734; Coffee Pot and Cream Jug. to .Toseph Pawling, to 1787 to to Henry Pawling, Jr,, to 1757 Rachel Pawling, the great- grand mother of the present owner, to 1828 to Isaac Grimley, to 1S72 to Solomon K. Grimley, since 1872. Pewter Drinking Cup. Belonged to Henry Pawling, to 1734 then iu the hands of C. Pawling, until 1757 tliU. Coffee Mill, formerly used by the Moravian Sisters at Bethlehem, Pa.

Daniel,

;

very old.

Pewter Dishes, and Cream

Point.

Buckwheat Cake Shovel,

Norristown.

Frederick.

Three Pewter

Plates,

age un-

known.

Miss Annie

31.,

Two Pewter

Royersford.

Plates,

two

sizes, I'Hi yearsoliJ.

Niee, Robert,

Two Pewter

Bniii-.htown.

Noble, Klizabeth H.,

Fork, used by Benjamin Lay. about 75 years old.

Owen, Mrs. William W., initials of

Plates.

Abington.

tortoise shell,

Norristown.

Simon Shunk.

It is

Pewter Plates.

now

Pewter

in possession of the

seventh generation.

Paiste, Robert, Norristown.

Mid.

and

1792.

Bowl, with

by the Jones family.

initials

17Sti.*'

Jug.

Tea Caiidy,

troru

Plate.

Miller, 31rs. Catharine T., Trappe. Iron Fork, with

Iffaille,

Jarrett, Mrs. Aiiuie, Ambler.

Pewter Plate, made in Lon-

G., Pennsburg.

Metz, Mrs. Oliver, Fairview Village. Pewter Meat Miles, Mrs. Isabella, Gulf Mills. Frying Pan.

Moyer,

VL-jirs old.

Iredell, Pbeebe, Xorristown.

Pewter Cream Jug, 100

in 174S.

Money, Mrs. Samuel,

yciu^ old.

Hiiuslcker, Mrs. J. R.,

the large

Potato Masher and Punch

Limerick Square.

Miller, Mrs. Matilda, West

vt-ars uJiL

Hughes, Mrs, "Wmiam,

Jones, Joslalk, Oak

Jenkintown. Susan Pierie's outfit, 1792.

;

yt-ars old-

longed to Edith liuckalew. liartranft.

^titk, pait of

Manck, Miss Addle,

ago.

Hallowell, Peter, Abington. Pewter Urn, 150 years old. Hart, Jenule, Hatboro. Wooden Bowl, 100 years old Helliugs, Mr.,

Dishes, Pewter Plates,

Large Pewter Plate, over 100 yeara

old.

Pannepacker, John years old.

Belonged

B., Schwenksville.

to the

Copper Tea Kettle, 110 great-grandmother of exhibitor.

Pannepacker, Mrs. William C,

Klein's.

Pewter Cream Can

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

XXVI

and Pewter Salt Cup. Owned in 1775 by the Hiestand family; now by Ilannuh Gcisiiiger. Pa^vllni:', Mrs. Dr., Nurristown. Tea Caddy. Phlpps, Thomas, Plyiiiuuth Meeting. Pewter Plate, 200 years

gave

it

to the exhibitor, in

Q,utllntan, Mrs. Fhtllp, Norristown. Pewter

uld.

Pewter

Plate, 60 years

IMates, 100 years old.

Ralhtoii, Miss A.

Norristown.

Ij.,

Pewter Spoon, dug up from

Walton, Elizabeth

Horsham.

Ii.,

very

Plates,

Knife and Fork, 1(0 years

Rambo, Miss

Sallle A,, Swedeland. Tcu Kettle, ahont 1 50 years Belonged to the exhibitor's great-great-grandniother, Polly Ague. Pewter Plate, about 75 years old. Formerly owned by Mary old.

Cunaway.

Ramsey, Miss

Pewter Plate, 75 years Sallle "W., Swedeland. Formerly owned by the exliibitor's grandmother, Nancy Pugh-

old.

AVarner, Elizabeth, Norristown. Old Jug. W^eikel, Mrs. Jacob, Collegeville. Large Pewter 'Wentn'orlh, Mrs. George B., North AVales. Plates, 22r> yL-ars

the fortifications at Valley Forge.

Formerly belonged to the exhibiPepper Box, about tor's great-great-grandmother, Polly Rowland. 150 years old. Fornurly belonged to Katie Kambo. Rapp, Mrs. Tliomas, Centre Square, Copper Kettle. Rex, Mrs. Josepli, Ambler. Copper Tea Pot, 120 years old. Tea

t.ld

fifth

;

Norristown. Two Pewter from Germany by exhibitor's great -grand mother.

Worrell, Elisha, Tost, Miss JiUia, I'f

Oil

Norristown. Knife Sharpener, brought from Germany one hundred years ago. Rigliter, George, Abninis. Two Pewter Plates. Roberts, Mrs, Mary R., Norristown. Pepper Box, SOyearsold. Two Pewter Plates, very old. Roberts, Septimus, Whitpain. I'rn

;

family

relic, at least

75 years old. Pot Hook, very old.

Rogers, Mrs., Norristown. Brass Tray. Roseitberger, Mrs. Jacob, Kulpsville.

Earthen Plate, with

in-

Seliiielder, Mrs. Mai-y, Norristown.

Zimmerman,

Esther,

Copper Tea Kettle, 125 years

from Wales

years.

Large Pewter

Tuns.

Earthen Coffee Pot, 100 years

Shoemaker, Hauuah

T., Norristown.

Plate, 100

old.

Pewter

Plate, 100 years

Brass

Skimmer and

iron

WUliam If.,

Norristown.

PewterTea

Pot, 1748.

Money

P., Norristown.

one of the

first settlers

a

;

Chest brouglit over

relic of the

Pugh and Wil-

Norristown.

Kulpsville.

Spice Box,

2iiU

Adams, Mrs. David,

King-of-Prussia.

Ambler, Aaron,

Looking

Norritonville.

Ambler, David

J., Ambler.

Mary

Da-

to

And-

glass, 110 years old.

Clock, 111 years old.

H., Spring House.

first

Traveling Knife and Fork, nearly

Abrams.

Bureau, 100 years

Philadelphia.

Brass Clock,

by Commodore Decatur, Barrett, Adam, King-of Prussia.

Iron Spider, 100 years

Chair.

R,, Trappe.

Pewter Tankard. 100 years old.

Four buck-horn handled Knives, and Carving Knife and Fork. A\'alker, Mary, Belfry, Tea Canister, 100 years old. Walton, Mrs. Amos, Blue Bell. Earthen Dish, dated 17fi9. It is tifty-fivc' and one-half inches in circumference, with two rows of inscriptions around the rim, and in the centre are painted three large It was first owned by Susanna Berkheimer, maiden name tulips. Hagner, to whom it was given as a bridal present by the manufacAfter her death it passed intx> the turer, whose name is not known. possession of her daughter, Catherine Fetzer, whodiedin 1884, after till

Toy

Bean, 9Irs. Margaret, Norristown. Beldeman, Mrs. John, Hartranft.

Cradle, 100 years old.

Chair, lOOyearsoId.

Andirons, over 100 years

old.

Bell, Mrs., Centre Square. Child's Chair. Bennett, Daniel R., Jenkintown. William Penn Chair. Blckel, John AV., Norristown. Mahogany Paper Case, unique planned and Imilt by the

late

Christopher Loeser, Esq., a

Montgomery and Schuylldll county

bars.

;

member

Now owned

by the

exhibitor.

Work Box and Work

Lady's

Norristown.

Table, 40

years old, nicely inlaid with brass.

nearly

200 years old. Chair, said to be 125 years old.

Corson, Alan W., Norristown. Duke of Wellington's Desk. Corson, Walter, H., Plymouth. Andirons. Cresson, Jautes, Norristowu. Desk, descended twelve generations, was made

Cresson,

in Ireland.

Mary

Small Chair, made before the

Norristown.

J.,

RevolutiuUiiry war.

Davis, Benjamin, Davis, John J., Jenkintown.

Jenkintown.

probably

2oit

Money

she

Dorewortlt,

Chest, old.

Large high-backed walnut Chair,

years old.

DeHaven, David, King-of-Pnissta. Dlsniiant, Amos, Royersford. Arm

old.

belonged to Eliza Fitzer, daughter of the last-named,

formerly owned

irons.

100 yf'ars old.

Toaster,

old.

Coates, Miss E. R., Swedeland. Looking-GIase. Cliair. Cope, O. W., Hatboro,' Looking-Glass, with marks. Pair of And-

;

Tyson, Mrs. Sarah H., King-of-Prussia, "Walker, E. H,, Jarrettown. Iron Bread

owned by

Looking-Glass 100 years old.

Ste«'art, Mrs., Norristown. Mustard Pot, 80 yeaiB old. Streeper, Miss Amauda, Broad Axe. Coffee Pot, vei-y old. Styer, Aaron, Blue Bell. Two large Pewter Plates, very fine and old exact age not known. Snpplee, Myra, Bridgeport. Pewter Plates. Teas, George S., Horsham. Six small I'ewter Plates, large Pewter Plate, and Pewter Mug, all over 100 years old. Dutch Oven, over Noiristown.

Desk, formerly

Secretary of Congress.

Coates, Mrs. David, Norristown.

I/.,

Belonged

Chair.

vid Rittenhonse.

Carson,

years old.

200 years old.

Trlpler, Mrs. Jacob

in vessel

Buckman, Mrs., Fitzwatertown. Mirror. Mary Cpok, Norristown. Child's Rocking Chair,

in the family befoi'e the Revolution.

Mrs.AV. F.,

Snyder, Sophia, East Greenville. Earthen Dish, 1787. Solomou, Mrs. William, Norristown. Old Knife. Staiiffer, Mrs, J. P., Swedeland. Pewter Plates. Stewart, Mrs. Kliza, Abington. Pewter Dish, 200yearsold.

it

120 years old.

Plate,

with William Penn.

Bosch, Kuos,

12i».

Merion. China Cup, Saucer, and Plate,

Cream Pitcher, 100 years

old,

and

time.

its

Ann C., Jonkintown.

Glass Fruit Bowl, bought in

Silver Table Spoons, bought aboutl702.

V., Port Kennedy. Tliree silver Tea Spoons, about 100 years old. Cnp and Saucer, 75 years old. Conrow, Mrs. George E. B., Norristown. Modern Cream Jug, 1SS4.

Cook, Mrs.Trappe. Cliina Tea Pot andSugar Bowl. Corson, Mrs. George N., N orristown. Pieces of China, Corson, Mrs. Dr. Hiram,

Conshohocken.

Silver Table Spoons,

in almost daily use since the Revulution.

Old Silver Fruit Bas-

Old silver Sngar Bowl, Cream Jug, Coffee Pot, and Cotfeo Urn,

Pitcher, presented to Sarah Butter by

Thomas Adams,

of Blassachu-

son of John Adams, President.

Cottnian, Mrs. Charles, by Charity Vou Deron

Cnp and

Abington.

Saucer, purchased

Six Bilver Tea Spoons, da-

in the year 1701.

ted 1809.

China Tea Cup, outset of Mrs. China Tea Cup, outset ofMre. AN'illiam Cottinan in 1832. Tea Cup, Saucer, Sauce Dish, and Sugar Bowl. Crawford, Mrs. V. Virginia, Biyn Mawr. China Plate, 200 years in 1824.

old.

Cra^vford, Mrs. 'W'^illiam H., Lower

Merion.

Four

China Saucer, 100 years old. Mary A., Norristown. Half dozen

silver Table

Creigliloik, Mrs.

silver Spoons,

P., Blue

years

over 100 years

Brass Flemish Coat-of-arms, and

Bell.

Elliott, Miss

S.

E., Jenkintown.

Tt-a

Pot and Pitcher.

Evans, Gertrude, Hatburo.' Marble Punch Bowl, made in 1603. Evans, Mrs. Priscilla, North Wales. China Image of a Lass, 110

Famous, Andrew

S., Norrituuville.

Faust, Mrs. H. H.,

Frederick.

Cresson. 3Irs. Annie, H.,

Silver Needle Case, of

Consholiockcii.

the sevfjitt-enth reiitury.

Cresson, Mrs. Sarah,

Cream Jug. and Saucer, 75 years old.

Dec^uiter and

China

(_'up

Small Bronze Cream Pitcher, with illustrations of General Lafayette receiving a sword, and a portrait of that distinCliina Plato.

Blue China Tea Pot.

Feltou, Mrs, Joseph, Jenkintown.

Cream Pitcher and China

171)0.

Felty, Mrs., North Wales.

Tea Pot.

Belonging

to exhibitor's great-

grandmother.

Fisher, Jacob, Worcester. Tea Cup. Fisher, Mrs. John, Worcester. Wine

Pitcher and Tea Pot, from

Fisher, Susan, Worcester. Wine Glass. Fleck, Mrs., Norristown. Cream Cup, 100 years old. Fornance, Mrs. Ellen Knox, Norristown. Three Tea Cups and two Saucei-s, about 80 years old. Tureen, oval Plate, and Cream Jug, about SO yeare old.

Fornance Joseph,

Norristown. Punch Bowl, about 100 years old

was broken and fastened with

Modern Finger Bowl

Conshohocken.

;

rivets.

Fox, Mrs, Maggie, Fairview Village. Fraley, Miss Julia Ann, Weldori.

Lai'ge Plate, dated 1790.

Pitcher of the ;

War

of 1812,

was the property of Cap-

tain Flinn.

Freas, Mrs. David W., Nurrietown.

years old.

A

Jar,

from Germany in

Filled with fruit.

1756.

Freedley, Sophia, Norristown. Five Freedley, Mrs. l>r., Conshohocken.

cliinn Platrs,

modern. Dish, very

Three-cornered

old.

liisbee.

Ella, Port Kennedy.

Toy Wash Bowl and Pitcher, 100

years old.

C'urwen, George F.,

Punch

Villa Nova.

Ladle.

Charles

11.,

Fry, Mrs. Peter, Worcester. Plate and Glass. Fryer, Mrs. Barney, Skippack. Inkstand. Fryer, Henry S., Skippack. Half dozen silver

Spoons, traced back

200 years.

1003.

Cnster, Mrs. Oavld, Fairview Village. China Cup and Saucer. Custer, Mrs, Lydia, North Wales. Half dozen Tea Spoons, unite

Fulmer, Mrs., Gulf 31ills. Garsed, Mrs. Robert P.,

China, antique.

Antique Pitcher, decoraAntique Pitcher, decorated in four

Norristown.

ted with figure of Washington.

old.

China Cups and Sau-

In use more than one hundred years. Anmore than one hundred years ago; china Punch Bowl, china Cup and Saucer, and silver Spoon. All owned

Pin, ovcra lOOyeara

by Mrs. L. W. Read. Antique china Saucer, owuctl by Mrs. L. B. Dewees. Inlaid wooden Box.

colore

Custer, Philip B., Nonitonville. Sngar Bowl, SOyears old. Cutler, C. D,, Three Tuns. Uiiupie Inkstand, loO years old.

Daneulioiver, Mrs. Roland, cer>*,

Elkinton, Paul

with man-of-war and Masonic emblems

12o years old.

Cumndns,

IW

Pot, over

Germany.

Cottinan, Mrs. J. F., Jenkintown.

Spi'inis,

China Tea

Norristown.

Egolf, Gus, Norristown. Dishes, lOo years old. Blsenhart, Miss Clara, Kulpsville. Gilt Pitcher,

Bowl, used since

Jacob E. Buck

in the familyof

old.

guished Frenchman. nearly 200

years old,

setts,

;

years old.

Conard, Ella

ket.

Phitets

Hook.

very Itandwunie in

3Irs.

Two

Collegeville.

exhibitor since 1800.

old.

painted.

Coates, Mrs. David, Norristown.

Colton,

Old-fashioned Salt Cellar.

Twoaiitiqno Ivpi*rty of Hester Reed,

Haas, Mrs., Daniel, smndmuther's, and

3Iug.

East Greenville.

Was

Hall, Miss Sallle, Ni)rristown. China Pitcher, 100 yeareold. Hallntan, Mrs. Lewis, Ilartrauft. Meat Dish, 150 years old. Halloivell, Mrs. C. R., Norristowu. China Cream Pitcher, over

1(H»

Cup, Saucer, Plate, Vase, two C. R., Plymouth. and Card Stand. Hallowell, Ellzabetli, Jenkintown. China Tea Cup and Sauceri and Coffee Cup and Saucier Were the property of Tabitha Kirk, defa-c-simile of ceased. Silver Sugar Tongs, made by Seneca Lukens PlatL's,

;

;

one owned by George Washington. Hallowell, Mrs. Isaac, Sjiring House.

Hallowell, Jennie E.,

Salt Cellar.

Finger Bowl, over 100 years

Norristown.

old

Skippack. Sugar Bowl, Cream Jug, Plate, and Saucer, over 100 years old came from the Alderfer family. Hurst, Miss Anna, Norristowm. China Coffee Pot, Sugar Bowl, two Cream Pitchers, and one Cup and Saucer, ino years old. Hnston, Lizzie, Blue Bell. Pitcher, over lOO years old. Iredell, Sarah B., Norristown. Small Dish. Belonged to Hannah ;

Jacobs, Al., Norristown. Cream Pitcher, 150 years old. Jacobs, Miss B., Norristown. Sugar Bowl and Cream

Pitcher,

Jacobs, Mrs. M. S., Norristown. Water Pitcher, 100 years old. Jacobs, Mrs. Oliver K., Norristown. Cream Pitcher, over

100

Jacoby, Mrs. Kate B., Bowl, 100

China Tea Set and Punch

Norristown.

yeai-s old.

Jarrett, Mrs. Anule, Ambler.

Pair of silver-plated Candlesticks,

08 jears old.

Jones, Mrs, C, Gulf Mills. China. Jones, Mrs. Evan D., Conshohocken.

Cup

Plate KiO years old.

and Saucer, 00 years old. Jones, Mrs. Israel, Nonistown. Plate engraved " Capt. Jones of Macedonian " over 100 years old. Jones, Mrs. John L., JaiTettown. Tea Pot and Coffee Pot. Silver Ware. Old china Plate. Gravy Boat, over 100 years old. Two ;

HaniUl, Miss Clara, Jug.

Norristown.

Silver

Sugar Bowl and Cream

ITS'.t.

Hamilton, Mrs.

R., Lower Merlon. Cup and Saucer, over 80 years

Bowls.

oldfa.-^hiotied

Jones, Mrs. Jonathan, Lower

(.Id.

Hange, Mrs.

M.,

Glass Jlug, 100 years old.

"Worcester.

female white child born of English parents on the banks of the Delaware. By reiison of this child, Mary Killcup, being the firet

Peuu granted her land near

female born on the Delawiire, AVitliam

Arch

Saucer, Spoon,

Harry, Miss Mary,

Cup and Saucer, over 130 years

Norristown.

old.

Hart, Mrs. EllzabetH, Blue Bell. Two old-fashioned Plates. Hart, 3Ilss Kate, Norristown. China Sugar Bowl, Plate, and Puucli Bowl, over 100 years old.

Tumbler, 100 years

old.

China Cup and Saucer, 80 yeai-s Belonged to the great-grandfather

Heacock, Annie, Inkstand,

Six silver Tea Spoons, 100 yeai-s

Jenkintown.

made

China Ware, 100 years old. Heller, Miss Clara, N'urristown. Vase, hand painted 100 years old. Helllngs, Mrs. C, Plymouth Meeting. China Cup, 125 years old. ;

Hendricks, Llzxle H., small

Wine

Norristown.

Bottle, 100 years old.

Two

W.

C,

Norristown.

Communion

Service,

Cups and a Ewer, of the uld Dutch Kefomied Church, of Phila;

Tavo silver Cake Biiskets,

Racl&el, Gcrmantown.

Joseph Coreon, grand-father of exhibitor.

liy

100 years old.

HeAvett, Mrs. Charles, Jenkintown

Heysliam, Robert,

Norristown.

Ancient silver Spoon. China Cup and Saucer, 100 years

P., Norristown. Two Plates, 200 years old. China Cup and Saucer, and silver S. T., Norristown.

Hod^klns,

a wedding present.

for

Homer, Mrs, and two

Clips

Saninel, Norriatown.

Roman,

Ketturar,

from Germany

Hartranft.

before 17:i5 by exhibitor's grand-fiither

Bowls, Tea Pot, Plate

Hnnsleker, Mrs. Ann,

;

Whiskey

Flask, brought

over 100 years old.

Cross-

Spoons, over 100 years old.

ed the ocean three times.

Trappe.

Round white

Plate,

from Europe

D

.,

Iroubridge.

Tea Pot and Water Pitcher,

Mug. and

bottle,

J. R., Norristown. over

2iH)

Hunsleker, Miss Mary year.s old.

Bread and Cake Basket, brought aud Milk Pitcher. China Set, supposed to be 100 years

old Pitehei's

Trappe.

old.

Keyser, Mrs. Elizabeth,

Samples of complete China

Trappe.

over loo yeara old, and owned by exhibitor.

Kirk, Ed^vln, to

Nesliaminy. Silver Tea Spoon, over 115 years old. Pho'be Thomas, great-grandmother of the exhibitor.

Klalr, Hester, Norristown. Cup and Saucer, brought from many by exhibitor's great-grandmother. silver,

Norristown.

Knipe, Mrs. Dr. J. O. Castle

Fruit Dish and five Plates,

Glass

Mug, glassDish, china

A., Kulpsville.

Glass Cup,

abottt 100

German

Norristown.

Two

Parian Tea Pots, an-

Blue China Plate, illustrating the landing of Lafayette ut

Garden

in 1824.

Blue

Half dozen blue Plates and two

Bell.