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https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniacoun14unse *

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MARK TWAIN’S scnap book.

PATENTS:

UNITED STATES. ■ GREAT BRITAIN. FRANCE.

June 24TH, 1873. May i6th, 1877. May i 8th, 1877.

TRADE MARKS:

‘UNITED STATES. GREAT BRITAIN. Registered No. 5,896. Registered No. 15,979.

DIRECTIONS.

Use but little moisture, and only on the gummed lines. Press the scrap on without wetting it.

DANIEL SLOTE & COMPANY,

NEW YORK. BOOK ’I INDEX.

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4 i - ip' W XYZ j erty until the whole comprised about 300 'acres, and extended for some distance j eastward along the road leading to the ' Delaware river at Monroe. He died Jau- iuary 28,1832, aged nearly 79 years, his wife having preceded him some time be¬ fore. His real estate was sold by his ad- ministratorsin 1S32. Among the purchas¬ ers were John Gruver, John K. Adams and Peter Steely. The woodland was sold in eight tracts. Owing to his ad¬ vanced age he had relinquished farming for several years. He left a considerable ! estate the result of his industry and en¬ THE AFFLERBACH' FAMILY terprise. Daniel Afilerbach, the eldest and only Read Before tHe Buckwampun Literary son, was born March 24, 1781, whom his father took pains to have well educated Association at Applebachsville, June 'in both the English and German lan¬ guages. From early lile he had an im¬ 9th, by William J. Buck. pediment in his speech which he never entirely overcame and prevented him [Continued from yesterday.) from entering on a profession as had John George Afflerbach had thefollow- been contemplated. Hence he settled ing children: Elibabeth born in 1801, down a farmer on one of his father’s married Frederick Smith; Samuel born places until near the close of his life Feb. 14,1S02, married Juliana Funk and when he became a justice of the peace. died in 18S1; John born Nov. 27, 180.3, His wile’s name we have notascertained. married Sophia Deihl, daughter oi Isaac, He had a son Lewis now long deceased Feb. 2, 1S40, and died Nov. 16, 1878; and probably other children. His Hannah born 1805, married Peter Swartz: death occurred March 11.1856, and was Tobias Aug. 6, 1807, married Qatharine buried beside his parents in Nockamix¬ j Deihl, died Feb. 13,18S3; Abraham May on. The interesting inscription on his 11,1809, married Magdalena Bibighouse, father’s tomb was composed by him in died Jan. 28,1S74; Charles, April 12,1811, 1832. died Oct. 10,1837; Daniel April 13,1813, Catharine, the eldest daughter of Lud¬ married Sarah Frankenfield, died Aug. wig, was married to Jacob Sumstone, ! 22, 1854; Sarah, May 21, 1815, married ' who was called alter his father, who died -Deihl, died Jan. 4,1S92; Josiah, Sept. in Nockamixon in 1812. He was a noted 15, 1817, died near Frankford; Dorothy teamster to Pittsburg in his day. They born June 4, 1819; Isaac, Aug. 15, 1821, had eight children. He died June 4,1832, married Caroline Kile and resides in aged nearly 46 years. His eldest son 'Philadelphia; Mary married Joseph Kel¬ ; Lewis died in Tinicum about 1875. Jacob ler. John Henry Afflerbach, son of was born on the old homestead in 1821, of ; Abraham, was a captain during the late which he became proprietor and died ' war in the 174th Pennsylvania regiment, ithereon in 1886. These brothers also jin which his brother George Franklin followed teaming down to about 1840. On ;served as corporal, died at Norfolk, Va., a visit to Jacob’s house in September, Dec. 6, 1802, aged nearly 30 years. 1879, l was shown his father’s huge wag¬ Although we have secured considerable on body that had repeatedly conveyed 'later information respecting the descend- freight from Philadelphia to Pittsburg ! ants of this branch, our time will not now drawn by six horses. It was 13 feet : permit us to enlarge further in this di- long and Si feet in height, painted a blue i recti o*i, color. After his father’s death, Lewis drove it to the latter destination down to LUDWIG AFFLERBACH, OF DURHAM, 1834. The barn here had been specially Was born at Wittgenstein, April 11, built for teaming purposes, so as to drive 1753, and in company with his elder therein in the most unfavorable weather brother arrived in Philadelphia, Septem¬ and to pass through it without necessitat¬ ber 30,1773, as is mentioned on his tomb¬ ing backing. Jacob had also a brother stone at Nockamixon church, being at Samuel and a sister Anna married to j this time only 20 years of age. He first Enos Wood, of Tinicum. All the afore¬ settled in Springfield and it is supposed said are now deceased but have surviv¬ jin the neighborhood of Henry Apple- ing descendants. j bach who had preceded him about three Magdalena Afflerbach .was married to 'years. His wife’s name was Anna and 'Charles Thatcher, a descendant of an ; respecting her possess nothing addi- early Nockamixon family. At the death itional. He gave in his allegiance Sep- of Ludwig he was a tenant on one of his jtemberS, 1778, and was married about farms. Christina and her husband were (this time. In 1780 he was taxed in deceased before 1832; they left an only I Springfield for 32 acres of land, 2 horses surviving child, Lewis Smith, a minor of .and 2 cattle. He had children Daniel, whom in 1834 John K. Adams was ap¬ j Catharine, Magdalena, Christina, Sarah pointed guardian. Respecting Anna and and Elizabeth. Sarah Afflerbach can give no particulars, Ludwig, or better knowh in English as except that they had deceased before 'Lewis, purchased June 18,1788, of Ciem- 1833. Considerable of our information ent Sew el, a farm of 112.acres in Durham, respecting this family has been derived 1 located about a mile south of the village [from the papers of Jacob E. Buck, who j of that name and on the east side of the was the princmal administrator of I Aid- old road leading to Philadelphia, where wig’s estate and now in our possession. J he removed and resided the remainder of his days. He subsequently had his JOSEPH AFFLERBACH, OF SPRINGFIELD. property divided into two farms, on The aforesaid was the nephew of Daniel 1 which he erected the necessary build- and Ludwig, and through letters relating ; ings and also purchased adjoining prop- the success that had attended their efforts w here, induced him to leave the home He left 5 sons and 5 daughters", all mar¬ of his ancestors at Wittgenstein, where I ried and have numerous descendants re¬ he was born Nov. 17, 1773, and settled siding chiefly in Illinois, Nebraska, Mis¬ near them. He had received a good; souri and Kansas, who are engaged in school education and in addition pursued various pursuits. a full terra of apprenticeship at the Henry was born about 1812, who had smith’s business, extending into the the misfortune through an accident to manufacture of various kinds of utensils; lose his right hand when a boy, in conse¬ and cutlery. So at the age of nearly 23j quence was sent more to school, finish¬ years, single and unaccompanied by ac¬ ing his course at the Doylestown Acade¬ quaintances, embarked at Hamburg on my prior to 1832. Hence he made teach¬ the brig Mary, Caleb Earl, master, and ing his profession down to his death in arrived in Philadelphia, July 30, 1706.I 1842. He taught both English and Ger- From the latter place with a good outfit j man. David was born in 182£ and be¬ ■ of clothing and mechanic tools was not came a skilled carpenter in frame work. long in wending his way to his relatives The latter part of his life he resided in in Springfield township. 'South Easton, where he died in January, There is a tradition that he first set up 1870. During the late war he served in his occupation ■with Isaac Diehl, married Col. Butler Price’s first regiment of to Catharine, the sister of John George Pennsylvania cavalry, for which he was Afllerbach, and thus became acquainted promoted to a sergeantcy. His surviving with Maria, the daughter of George and ' children are Ella, Joseph and Anna. The Palsaria Stonabach, who was a niece of last two are married and have descend¬ his wife, the latter being a daughter ofl ants. Christiana and Dorothy Steinbach, now anglicized into Stonebaeb, of Haycock. HENRY AFFLEEBACJI, OF NOCKAMIXON. The exact date of his marriage has not He was the filth and last number ol been ascertained, but it was before the the family that came to America. He summer of 1799. About this time be was also a native of Wittgenstein and rented the house and shop of Henry Ap- embarked at Hamburg on the ship Wil¬ pleback, who is supposed was a cousin liam Johnson, arrived at Philadelphia to his father. He here continued his oc¬ December 3,1807. By occupation a joiner' cupation until about 1805, when he erect¬ or carpenter, to which he had served a ed buildings on a 20-acre tract purchased' full term of apprenticeship and was now| of Isaac Burson, April 11, of the previous in his 25th year. Owing to the favorable tjyear, to this in 1811, purchased more land letters he had received from his relatives, ’ adjoining; making in all 64 acres, situ-i here, with the wars prevailing in Europe, ated at Bursonvilleand on the main road encouraged him also to emigration. He ■ leading to Bdlhlehem. Onthis property first followed house carpentering in the 'he made considerable improvements and Northern Liberties, near the city, where '> Iretained possession until April, 1838. he married. About his wife we know no He had children John, Catharine, more than that her first name was Eliza¬ I Joseph, George, William, Henry, beth. During the war ol 1812-14, he ; ', {'Elizabeth, Samuel and David. John, worked in the government armory at the eldest, was born June 20, 1800, who, Harper’s Ferry making musket stocks. with George, William, Elizabeth and He purchased April 20,1816, a messuage Samuel died in early life. He was an in- and tract of 34 acres of land in Nocka¬ geneous mechanic and a devoted reader mixon, of Benjamin Jacoby, adjoining f! ; of books; by 1834 had accumulated a li- Jacob Sumstone. Its location was on brary of upwards of 300 volumes. He the road leading from Easton to Revere, was one of the founders and long a trus- about a mile north of the latter place, the | tee of the famous old Eight Square stone' same more recently owned by the Rev. 3 school house, and for the time had his C. P. Miller. We possess no evidence children well educated. In 1823 he was; that he removed thereon until in the appointed postmaster at Bursonville, spring ot 1823, when he concluded to es-, J which position he held for some time. tablish a public house, for which purpose' After disposing of his place he purchased j‘ he greatly enlarged the buildings and a small farm in Nockamixon, about a gave it the name ot “The Traveler’s mile east of Revere, where he died Dec. 2, Rest,” which he conducted in connec-j ,1845, aged 72 years. Since his death a tion with carpenting and fanniDg. The! . record has been found that his given Delaware canal having been now com¬ ' name was John Joseph, but like his rel-j pleted to Bristol and venturing too far in rj ative John Henry, ofSpringfield, dropped his several enterprises, became embar¬ the first as rendering it more convenient. rassed and his real estate sold at as-i n Hence it is assumed that John has been signee’s sale, November 27, 1829, fort •j an old ancestral name in the family. 82100, not near as much as its first cost,' I CCatharine, his eldest daughter, wpsl hence thereby losing a considerable born Dec. 6, ISO.', and married Feb. 25, amount. 21824, to Jacob E. Buck, of Bucksville. After this occurrence he removed to ■’ Their wedded life extended to 56 years, the city where he resumed his former , without a death in this long interval in business and died about 1840. His chil-j ' their household. She died at Jenkin- dren were Mary, Heury, Louisa, Susan,! town, July 2, 1883, aged 81 years, 61 William and Charles. Mary, the oldest, . months. They have surviving descend-j married Jacob Rorerbacher in 1835 and! I ants in Montgomery county and at died about 1S83. Louisa married Mathias Louisville, Ky. Joseph learned the;, Weaver, and Susan, Joseph Clark. Wil¬ smith trade and on the retirement of his liam had sons Win. H., John C., Joseph j father succeeded him in the business. He C., and Martha, married to Joseph Hun¬ married in 1837, Elizabeth, the daughter ter. Charles is now the only survivor of : of John Weiss, of Williams township,* his father’s family. No descendants now and in 1849 removed near Davis, Stephen¬ reside in Bucks county, the larger por¬ son county, Illinois, where in connection tion in Philadelphia. j with his occupation entered into the man¬ Having now given a brief account of ufacture and repair of iron machinery, i the several branches ol the Afllerbach He died August 20, 18S8, aged 7$i years. | family, will in closing offer a few general observations thereon. The names of' John, George, Henry and Daniel prevail¬ "Bartholomew, Thomas Frederick and ing among them is in itself strong evi- William Keller, of the other part, trus¬ cience ol their originating from one par- tees of the Lutheran and Reformed con¬ | ent stock within the past two centuries. gregations. In the case oi iHenry Applebach, who A fourth tract, containing eight perches, came here in 1770, some doubt alone was bought from Henry K. and John K. 1 exists. It has been supposed that he was - Sheilenberger for five dollars. The deed a brother of Daniel and Ludwig, but bears the date of November 22, 1879, and , being sufficiently older the probability is was made between Henry K.and John K. i fbat he was their first cousin. The fami¬ iSheilenberger of the one part and the ly has been noted for its industry and trustees of the Tohiekon Church of the honesty, and not one has been ascer¬ other part. The time of the first burial tained bearing the surname that has fig¬ l is not known, but amongst the oldest ured in the criminal records of this coun¬ [.tombstones that can b9 found are dates ty though here now a century and a as far back as 1767. The cemetery was quarter- They have been remarkably [started in 1873. The first burial wa6 affectionate towards each other and not Harry Johnson In October, 1873. given to litigation. My object in this The ttret church was built before the eGort is to lay some foundation for the •deed was given. It is supposed to have preservation of the early history of the been erected about 1743. It was a log brst arrival and settlement, leaving it to structure, without a floor or a stove. It the later descendants thereof the task of (served the congregations until 17CG, when rendering it more complete through ad- ! the second church was built. This was a I ditional and later researches. stone structure, also without floors or stoves, except that the altar was laid with brick. It haA galleries on three sides, but at a later data gtoves and floors were also put in. The thfrcj building was From, erected in 1838 by Charles Hopamaker, contractor. It is a stone structure, fifty by sixty feet, also with galleries on three sides. It was remodeled in 1884. The first organ was purchased by Peter Henry at a cost of $1,500 and presented to the church by him. The second organ wag f Date, ... purchased in 1839 from Mr. Krauss, of Lehigh county. The earliest reliable record is that In |the “ Halleschen Nachriohten,” where re¬ OLDTOfllllOf UNIOFCHUKCH. peated mention of Tohiekon Church ap¬ pears as early as 1749. In that year the iRev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg had A THax^A£D COMMUNE charge of the Lutheran congregation, AND WORSHIP THERE. which ho describes as small and poor. As he had a large field and could not attend Historical Sketch lof the Ancient to his congregation regularly, he secured the services of a student op candidate Church, Read by Asa Frankenfield named Rudolph H. Schrenk, whose Refore the Buckwampnn Literary preaching was highly appreciated. rfhe Sacraments were administered by Muhl¬ Association at Applebachsvllle on enberg himself. The next regular pas- -Tune 0, 1894. ptors were, Lucas Raue, from 1751 to 1753;jj John Andre, from 1753 to 1756; Johann T Is hard at this late date to ascertain Martin MhalTer.from 1756 to 1759; Johann I Joseph Roth, from 1761 to 1764; Johann: the time the first church was built i Wolf Slzel, rrom 1765 to 1769; Conard here, but it appears that as early as IRceller, from 1772 to his death in 1796— j 1743 public services were held at this his body is buried beneath the alter of place. The first deed on record bears the the Indianfield Church—George Rcoller, from 1797 to 1839; Engelbert Fel^oto/ , Im.l n September C, 1753, which was ' from 1840 to 1864; P. Walz from 1868 to (made between Jacob Rees, Martin Shaf¬ 1893. The present pastor is the Rev. C. ; fer, Ludwig Wildonger, Jacob Rohr, John I Fetter. Worman and Michael Ott, trustees of the 1 It is impossible at this late date to as¬ certain when and by whom the Reformed Calvinist and Lutheran congregations of congregation of Tohiekon was organized. one part, and BlasiusBoyer * of In 1738 to ’43 a large number of French .’phefereounty, of the other part, for a Huguenots and Palatine families, with some Swiss and Germans, settled in the ! vicinity of the church, bringing in many Instances little else than the Bible, hymn- book and Heidelberg Catechism, and A second tract, containing two acres meeting in each others houses for wer- ; gold » frora Enos Lewis for 20£ ship as circumstances permitted. There gold or silver money. The deed hoara are evidences of an organization In 1743, dateT?f APril 11,1803, and was made but no pastor was settled here until EnosTLewis. of the one part, and [August 27, 1749, when the Rev. Jaeob dam? Han®y-Jacob Solllday, Jacob Bei- Illesz was installed. He had charge of delman and Philip Schreyer trustees of [the congregation until 1756. His succes¬ the Lutheran and Reform i st '/ sors number twelve, as follows: The tlons of other part. A third Haft was Revs. John Egldio Heeker, from 1756 to bought from Jacob Delp, containing one 1 765; Christopher Gebrecht, from 1766 to acre and 04 perches, for $303 4G. The deed bears the date of May 7 1864 and w«« 1770; Casper Waek, from 1772 to 1781; made between Jacob Delp 0f the one John Theobold Faber, from 1782 to 1787; papt. and John K. Sheljenberger, Thomas f'i jJohn William Ingold, from 1788 to 1789; Necoleus Pomp, from 1790 to 1799; Jacob .Seim, from 175T9 to 1818; John Andrew Through the courtesy of Dr. Joseph iStrassberger, from 1818 to 1854; JoshuaP Thomas, of Quakertown, Pa., I have been Derr, from 1854 to 1857; Peter S. lisber, furnished the following facts In relation from 1857 to 1871; Jacob Kehm, May, 1871, « to the military company that was or¬ ganized at Applebachsville shortly beforei present pastor. , , . Some of these pastors were highly edu¬ the War of the Rebellion, and which oc 1 cated. Latinlsms appears frequently,j cupled an important and conspicuous po particularly in the entries of baptisms. sition during the war. Mr. VVaclr was pastor during the Revolu¬ For several years prior to the war th> tionary period, and was an ardent patriot. upper districts of Bucks county wen Strassberger spent the whole of his famous for military organizations, whict ministerial life here. The average length were well equipped and well instructed' of the pastoral relation has been about in military training, as the manual drill ten years. This congregation has rapidly and manoeuvre In the field were at that, Increased In numbers and Is one of the time understood and taught, A military strongest numerically of the churches In spirit had been encouraged by numerous ,;the county. All the Reformed churches1 Acts of Assembly, passed to organize the ^'Of this neighborhood have derived their general militia of the State. All able- membership from old St. Peter's, as It Is bodied male citizens, from the age of 18 called. The transition from German to years to 45 years, were enrolled and re English in public worship is being gradu¬ quired to muster twice a year, or be sub ally effected by both denominations. ject to a fine of about one dollar per an Services have become more frequent. num. Provision was made for uniforme( Benevolent and local objects receive con¬ companies, and the fines were employee siderable attention. Although one of the In supporting and encouraging these uni oldest churches in the county and the formed volunteer companies. mother of quite a number of others of At the time the company was or more recent origin, this church still pos¬ ganlzed at Applebachsville, there were In sesses the nioments calculated to render the vicinity the following military com Jier future prosperous and useful. panles: The Jackson Guards, commanded j But one of the pastors is buried here— by Samuel S. Stahr, previously for seve¬ the Rev. Jacob Rios#, the first Reformed ral years commanded by Capt. AaroD B pastor. On his tomb stone you will find Walp, who was subsequently promoted to the following inscription;: "Rev. Jacob Major of the Second Regiment of Bucks Rieez. former pastor here, wa3 horn Abril county; the National Artillerists, com-| 10, 1700, and died December 23, 1?74. manded by Captain Ellas Slight; Union The two congregations together number Blue Artillery, commanded for many about 1.000 confirmed members. years by Solomon Katz, and more lately by Captain B. Frank Fisher; Keystone "i Rifles, of Springtown, commanded by Captain E. T. Hess, who was subsequently From,, CXrJ .LA/n.CA.fJ: L known as Colonel Hess; the Durham Ri¬ fles, commanded by Captain Lehnen; the Union Hussars Cavalry, by Captain Peter • M. Hager, and the Washington Cavalry, commanded by Captain John Youngken, of the neighborhood of Bursonville. These and other companies constituted the Second Regiment of uniformed volun¬ teers of Bucks county. John Maugle at this period was the Colonel and Aaron B. Walp the Major. The regiment was part BUCKS COUNTS MILITIA. of the brigade of which Brigadier Gen¬ eral Joseph Morrison was the command¬ ing officer, and this brigade was con¬ SOME INTERESTING FACTS AND nected with the division of which Major * DATA OF VARIOUS COMMANDS, General Paul Applebacb was the officer In command. The division embraced the counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester “The Applebachsvllle Artillery” and and Delaware. Kindred Organizations.—The Part In the SpriDg of 1858 the company at Applebachville was organized, and the They Took In the Rebellion. —A enrollment embraced nearly 50 members. Scrap of History, It was equipped, uniformed and armed with State muskets. The company was The following concluding portion of named “The Applebachville Artillery,” District Attorney Paul H. Applebach’s and Dr. Joseph Thomas was elected aDd commissioned its Captain; John F. paper on “Applebachsville,” read at the Ahlum, First Lieutenant, and Samuel T. Buckwampun Literary Association’s Bush, Second Lieutenant. Jacob B. Bar¬ meeting at that place, contains valuable tholomew was appointed Orderly Ser¬ geant. references to the militia movements in The company adopted the Hardee the county, and as it was not published Manual of tactics, and it became very I with the sketch of the village, it Is here¬ proficient in this practice of drill. At the with given as a separate article: different muslerings In which this com¬ pany participated, the somewhat novel We cannot close this sketch, however> mode of tactics it practiced gave it con without payiDg our tribute of respect to siderable eclat and notoriety. A spacious the gallant men of the town and vicinity, and comfortable armory was erected in Applebachsville for its accommodation who In the perilous days of the War of Although th9 loyalty of the company the Rebellion, marched to the front, and to the cause of the Union early in the gave their lives and their fortunes to the war was challenged by some parties service of their country. whose patriotism was more significant

22% ^an'deeds, yet the stars and sfloated over the armory day and the foremost man in his community, and night from the time the building was em¬ Justice of the Peace for forty years. His ployed as a drill room. Very earlv in the death took place in 1764 at the age of Lca0“fllct the service of the company was eighty, and fifty-four years after his com¬ tendered to the Governor, and when the assignment of three companies to Bucks ing to America from Wales. .county was made, the Applebachsville Artillery received the honor of being (chosen one of the number. Bristol 1 < thwSbe(^ seco“d and Newtown the From, 3^/1 thiid namely, Beatty’s Company Feaster s Company and Thomas’ Com¬ pany. As soon as the Applebachsville Company was chosen, recruiting was ., 1 actively entered into and preparations were made for departure to the new scene at Easton where it was to rendez¬ Date^ t j| vous for real service. \.J?lAane 10v,18f;l’ orders were re- 2?ule<*Prooeed t0 Quakertown Station where transportation would be furnished applebachville. ■ by rail to Easton. The officers of the i aa no5 organized were: Dr. : Joseph Thomas, Captain; B. Frank Fisher |THE ONCE BUSTLING VILLAGE AT I The Applebach, Lieutenants. 'TToa0^i-5^n?iPaiiy iiad an enrollment of THE FOOT OF HAYCOCK. nearly 100 men, was inspected and for- Jf^Phtered int0 the service of the ; fetate for three years. A Paper Read at the Meeting of the Buck- In the course of a week or more the several companies encamped at Easton wampun Literary and Historical Asso¬ were required to form regimental orS ciation by Paul H. Applebach, Esq., of ization, and the “Applebachville Artii- Thfrd Eeservn Ti*8 ,(’omPai1.y H, of the Doylestown, June 9, 1894. Anird Reserve Volunteer Corps of Penn- sylvanla. The few weeks at Easton were — ^PiPyed, ? borough drill and on the Applebachville is situated along the 22d day of July, 1861, the regiment broke J old Bethlehem road, in the upper part of Tnt^P97nfhm°Vef to Harrisburg, Pa. On regiment was mustered into Haycock township, and at present con¬ ^ates service, and assigned tains about twenty-four dwellings. Most J? the reserve corps as the Third Regi- of the land upon which the village is built belonged to the Stokes family, who Jcame from England about 1680, and ‘ sh“t settled in Burlington county, N. J. John this time on it was active!v en« Stokes, the eldest son, came to Haycock «a^in the war. It was in the famous Peninsular Campaign, and engaged in all about 1743, and remained until about the Important battles. During the nu¬ 1750, when he returned to N. J. While merous and fierce battles of this cam! here, a son was born, who was also called paign many of the soldiers of this gal¬ lant company were either killed or ohn, and was the immediate ancestor of wounded, and when the company after a ^fr,S^6S family that lived in the town- three years, on thellth 0f 'tu P many years. On the 7th day of June, 1864, was mustered out at Philadel¬ wfiwi m°ntu’ J78G’ John Stokes of phia, most of them had perished nnnn countv b\'r°T g V t0.wnshiP- Burlington the field of battle or died in hospitals, J county, IS. J., by his will, which was proven in the register’s office of Bucks ^ °rl ih6 12th, day °s September® InGhi«?r^f lu!t0 his son- J°bn Stokes, From, all his lands and improvements lying in : Haycock township, Bucks county, Pm j where the said John Stokes, the son then ~ r ',h /, d-.;* [lived, upon condition that he pay to his !™mhtr ,?r Mer heiJs the sum of 1004: in gold and silver com, within one ve»r Altor the death of the testator. , ;1!? tract of land, at that time con¬ /,V-rv. tained about 400 acres, and consisted largely of meadow and woodland which rwf«i«USe when Stog! mill built in 1723, and it was to open ac¬ deli, bv deed conveyed the one cess from their mill southward that he lequal undivided half part in thl opened a road about 1730—35. He was above tract to his brother John who then became the absolute owner of Kachline, of Doylestown, who was’the . the farm and held it untTTthe 5th day of j contractor,was probably one hundred feet January, 1837, when Timothy and square, one story in height, surrounded William Stokes, as administrators ol the on all sides by large piazzas studded said John Stokes, deceased, convey¬ with immense pillars. The roof is slant¬ ed the same to Wilson Dennis lor the, ing, coming to a peak in the centre. The consideration of $9200, who on the same! ceilings are very high and the apart¬ day, for the same consideration, corn ey¬ ments, consisting of parlors, dining and ed it to William Stokes, and who in turn sleeping rooms, very large, and light¬ on the 27th day of March, 183q tor the ed by many large windows on all consideration of $11,(300, conveyed it to sides. It was built of the very best ma¬ George Dutch. It will therefore he seen terial, and when completed was a sur¬ that for almost a century this large tract prise and world of wonderment to the of land was in the possession ot the primitive population of that section of j Stokes family, and during the early part t ie country, who called it “Dutch’s of the present century was known as Folly.” After its completion, on the “Stokes’Meadows.” While in the pos¬ 16th day of March, 1842, George Dutch, session of this family, large numbers of in consideration of natural love and af¬ cattle were raised upon it, which was the fection and the nominal sum of one dol¬ principle business of the Stokes, the land lar, conveyed the farm, with the mansion being especially adapted for that pur¬ upon it, to his son, who moved there and pose, and from which they realized a remained upon it several years. Butlikea handsome profit, This farm is not with¬ spoiled child, he soon beca m e tired of his out some historical interest, as it is said toys, and being of a roving and eccentric that when General Sullivan made his disposition, and the companionship of his celebrated march into New kork State neighbors, who were mostly Germans, to chastise the Indians; after the not being congenial to this city youth, • Wyoming massacre in 1718, the ex¬ ■ he forsook the home which his indul¬ pedition spent some time on this gent fatherhad built for him. and subse- tarm and Susan Stokes, the wife of John - quently spent much of his time abroad. Stokes, the second, frequently related to I am informed that a few years ago, un¬ her friends, how when she was a young; known and unrecognized, George F. wife and lived upon this farm during the Dutch joined the great army beyond the Revolutionary War, she drove the pas¬ dark river. turing horses into the woods to keep On the 31st of March, 1847. George F. them out of the clutches of the soldiers, Dutch conveyed the above tract of land who were scouring the country for am-.- with the mansion upon it to Paul and Henry Applebach. The grounds sur¬ mGeorge Dutch, who became the owner rounding the mansion were tastefully of the farm in 1837, was a New England¬ arranged and additional buildings were1 er by birth and education, having been erected for the convenience ot the owners. born in Salem, Mass., and was a sea The following year dates the beginning ' captain by occupation. For many; of the village proper, which was laid out! , years he was engaged m commerce; with South America and relin¬ along the Old Bethlehem road, then thei quished that business in 1826, when great thoroughfare between Philadelphia he came to New York to live. and the Lehigh Talley. The hotel, store Here he was a large owner of very valu¬ and several dwelling houses were erected able real estate and became very wealthy. and the village christened after the Mr. Dutch was a large, fine looking man, names of the founders, who did much arbitrary and dictatorial in his manner, for the future prosperity of the town. but was always regarded as a gentleman. A post office called Strawntown had been He died about 1868 in Bethlehem, Pa., conducted some years prior to this date where he lived with his family for some in a small log building in the upper part years prior to his death. About one year ot the village, used also as a general after he bought the St '■"' •.V A E W

Oit in the stillness of the night;' cross swords with Cornwallis at York- Kre slumber’s chain lias bound me, town; and, after his surrender, it re¬ bond memory brings the light turned by the same route later in the Of other days around me ; Fall. At the close of the war, delegates The smiles, the tears, of boyhood years assembled at the capital city of this pen¬ f’he words of love then spoken, insula and formed that constitution which ike eyes that shoue, now dimmed and welded thirteen feeble colonies into the gone, most powerful nation of the world; and The cheerful hearts now broken. here was established the capital of the In¬ fant republic, and the new government When I remember ail the friends so successfully launched on its career of | linked together, greatness. I’ve seen around me fall, Starting from this village, a pedestrian Like leaves in wintry weather, of ordinary power, can walk to any one of I feel like one that treads alone eight battle fields of the Revolution In a Some banquet hall deserted ; single day; Trenton, Princeton, Brandy¬ Whose lights are lied, whose garlands' dead, wine, Paoli, Germantown, Fort Mifflin, Red Bank and Monmouth, not to mention And all but he departed. y* the Crooked Billet. In addition to these fields is Valley Forge, where more cour- a age was required than in any battle of : the war. I repeat, that no section of the | From, Cjc2 C ^ iL country Is so rich in Revolutionary his¬ tory and incident as this peninsula. The Fall and Winter of 1777-78 were among the most trying periods of the; war. The preceding campaign had been disastrous to our arms. Defeated at - Brandywine; forced to retreat at German¬ town in the moment of victory; the fail of Fort Mifflin and Red Bank, the keys to 1 the Delaware, and the enemy In posses¬ sion of Philadelphia, military operations closed with little apparent hope for the ) cause of the Colonies. As the Winter set i In Washington marched with his ragged • battalions to the bleak hills of Valley Forge, where he encountered a more In¬ exorable foe than British bayonet or1 A SPIRITED ACTION BETWEEN Hessian sabre. THE AMERICANS AND BRITISH. Washington, finding It necessary to have this peninsula guarded by a mili¬ tary force to prevent supplies reaching Read Before the Inter-County His¬ the enemy at Philadelphia, he placed it | torical Meeting at Hatboro, Mont¬ in command of John Laoey, a Bucks county Quaker, Brigadier General of gomery County, July 17, 1894, by militia. He had seen service as Captain W. W. H. Davis. in Wayne’s regiment on the Canada frontiers, and was esteemed an excellent The Delaware-Schuylkill peninsula, In¬ officer. He entered upon duty in Janu¬ cluding both banks of these rivers, Is ary, 1778, under special instructions from richer in Revolutionary history than any the Commander-in-Chief. He was active during the Winter and Spring, with a . other section of the country. The war force never large enough for the duty re-' was almost fought within these narrow quired of him, patrolling the country L limits; it was the alpha and omega of and trying to prevent intercourse with; the movement that gave constitutional the city. He was constantly moving, and I I we find his headqurters, in turn, at S' government to America. Here the war Giseme Park on the County Line, Rod- 7 for Independence was given form and man’s farm, now the Bucks County • substance by that immortal Declaration, Almshouse property, at Doylestown, the Crooked Billet, and at other places. De¬ which electrified the world by announc¬ spite all his efforts to break up inter- ing that “all men are created equal; course between city and country, it had j * that they are endowed by their Creator become so frequent by the end of March with certain unalienable rights; that it was seriously contemplated to depopu-, among these are life, liberty, and the pur¬ late the country between the Dela¬ suit of happiness. That, to secure these ware and Schuylkill for the distance of rights, governments are instituted among fifteen miles, but the plan failed to re¬ men, deriving their just powers from the ceive Washington’s approval. He had . : consent of the governed.” As the war progressed, this peninsula frequent encounters with the enemy, sometimes meeting with loss. was repeatedly traversed by the Conti¬ Near the close of April we find Lacey nental Army with Washington at its '] moving down the York Road as far as head; and, in the dark days of December, Edge Hill to watch a party of the enemy, s 1776, when driven out of New Jersey, it but, learning they had gone to Philadel¬ sought shelter behind the friendly waters of the Delaware, whence it turned on the phia, he returned to the Crooked Billet!': foe and gained the victories at Trenton with his whole force, about 400 militia. • He encamped in a wood owned by Samuel and Princeton. On four occasions the I Irvine, on the east side of the York Road,' i army crossed this peninsula immediately preceding, or following, important events | at the upper end of the village, the right . in the war; in 1777, to open the campaign resting on the road and facing south. of Brandywine and Germantown; in 1778, Lacey quartered in a stone house, on the opposite side of the road, owned by one to strike the enemy in flank at Mon¬ mouth while escaping from Philadelphia Gilbert, many years the home of the to New York; in 1781, on its march to| late John M. Hoagland, and now the movements; arid Captain Kerr, who property of Thomas Reading. Here he marched with Simcoe, was ordered to was attacked at daylight May l, by a seize and hold Lacey’s quarters with his large body of British, suffered consider- detachment of horse as a rallying point. able loss In killed, wounded and prisoners, The enemy marched with all possible and was obliged to fall back a couple of speed but daylight, appeared before miles. He had taken the ordinary pre¬ Simcoe reached Lacey’s camp. He had cautions to prevent surprise, but his escaped all the patrols. orders were not carried out. The even¬ ing before he was joined by a body of un¬ I have stated that Lacey took the armed militia. necessary precautions to prevent sur¬ prise. He gave orders the evening before General Howe, the British Commander, for the patrols to leave camp at] 3 o’clock, had it in contemplation to attack and but it was near daylight before they left. disperse Lacey’s force, and Major Sim- Lieutenant Neilson, who took the road coe, the Commander of the Queen’s to Horsham, came within sight of the Rangers, a refuge corps, was charged cavalry and light infantry in a mile, with making the arrangements. He was familiar with the country, having tra¬ and sent a soldier back to camp to give i the alarm. He found the militia paraded. versed it in most directions; and had The patrol under Lieutenant Laughlin sent spies into Lacey’s neighborhood, and had all his movements watched. He returned to camp after a scout of a learned that Lacey expected to be at the i couple of miles without discovering the Billet May 1, and gained other Informa¬ i enemy, but heard firing before getting back. tion that would be of value, which was Abercrombie, fearing he should not be^ reported to General Howe with his plans. They were approved and the expedition in time to support Simcoe’s attack, de¬ ordered. In addition to the Queen’s tached a part of the cavalry and the mounted infantry to the place of ambush, Rangers a considerable bodv of cavalry and light infrantry was detailed, and while he marched up the York Road with spare horses were to be taken along to the main body to strike Lacey In front. mount the infantry should that be neces¬ From the way Lacey was hemmed in, sary; the whole to be under the com¬ Abercrombie probably sent a detach¬ mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrom¬ ment up the Easton Road to turn his bie. The time fixed was May 1, and the right flank and fall upon his rear in con¬ troops were ordered to hold themselves cert with the Queen’s Rangers. They In readiness. must have come into the York Road The following plan of attack was agreed where the County Line crosses it, and where the cavalry that attacked Lacey’s upon. The British were to reach the vi¬ left soon after he began his retreat. Gen - cinity of Lacey’s (lamp at daylight. The eral Lacey states in his report to General Queen’s Rangers were to attack his left Armstrong, that one detachment of the flank and rear, which, if successful, would enemy passed the cross roads in his rear prevent him falling back to the hills of before his scouts got there. Neshaminy “while a body, to be placed in The enemy was within 200 yards of ambush on the road leading from the Lacey’s camp when first discovered. He Billet to’Horsham Meeting House, would was in bed, but dressed in a hurry, cut off his retreat to the main Army at mounted his horse and joined his com¬ Vailey Jorge. Simcoe was to bring on mand. It is charged that he carried part the attack, and, when the firing of of his clothes in his hands. The enemy, I the Rangers was heard, a third in bis front and rear, opened fire about body was to move up the York this time, being sheltered by the houses Road through the Billett, and at¬ and fences. Seeing himself nearly sur¬ tack Lacey’s Camp in front. This would rounded, and the enemy’s force superior place the Americans between two fires, to his own, Lacey ordered a retreat, mov¬ and, it was thought by acting in concert, ing by column to the left in the direction i their object could be accomplished with¬ of a wood across open fields, the wagons out difficulty. | following, and in full view of the enemy The British troops left Philadelphia on in pursuit. He states that when he the afternoon of April 30, with guides emerged into the open fields, and a body acquainted with the country. They of the enemy’s horse appeared in front, marched out Second street, and up the his men gave him an anxious look, as if Middle, or Oxford, road through the Pox ■ asking him what they should do. He or- : Chase to Huntingdon Vailey. Here the dered them to “ deliver their fire and torce was divided, the main body, com¬ push on.” His flanking parties now began posed of light infantry and cavalry and exchanging shots with the enemy, and ;commanded by Abercrombie in person, were soon hotly engaged. marching by the nearest route to the Lacey moved across the fields in toler- lorx Road and thence to the place of the t, ! able order to the wood, probably the proposed ambuscade. Simcoe with the tract that belongs to the late William K. Queen’s Rangers and some cavalry, con¬ ' Goentner’s estate. Here he made a stand. tinued up the Middle road above the Sorrel By this time the several parties of the Horse tavern; turned into the Byberry enemy had come up, and attacked him road, and alongittoLlovd’s Corner; then I on all sides. He says in his report to turned to the right into the road leading Washington: “I kept moving on till I from the Willow Grove to the County made the wood, when the party of both Line; now changed to the left, at Bean’s ! horse and foot came up the Byberry road Corner, now Kimball’s, and came into the ' ; and attacked my right flank; the party County Line a short distance above where from the Billet fell upon my rear; the the old “eight-square” school house horse from the rear of my camp came stood. In a few hundred yards they took upon my left flank, and a body of horse to _ the fields across the farm of Isaac appeared directly in front.” The situa¬ Boiieau the nearest way to the Billet. tion of things shows that Lacey was sur¬ .During the night Simcoe fell in with rounded, and his position critical. The Captain Thomas’ company of armed 1 enemy now began to concentrate on the refugees and barely escaped an encounter wood, and General Lacey being much ex¬ with them. - The enemy was so anxious posed, and having already suffered con¬ to capture Lacey, spies were placed in siderable loss, thought it safer to move the trees about his quarters to watch his .,11, which ho did with the loss of all his yielding abouffird’onar'to each man baggage. The British are charged with extreme The force which appeared on Lacey s cruelty to our wounded at the Crooked right flank and front, about the time he Billet, which I faiD would disbelieve reached the wood, was Simcoe’s rangers for the sake of humanity and the credit and cavalry. When Simcoe left the of the English name, but the evidence is County Line and struck across the fields conclusive, and the witnesses unim- direotly for the Billet, and, while explain¬ peached. In a field on the Craven farm, ing to his officers his plan of attack, hear¬ and near the County Line was a large ing firing in the direction of Abercrom¬ pile of buckwheat straw. Garret Krew- bie’s detachment, he exclaimed, “ The son, a respectable man liviDg In the dragoons have discovered us,” and pushed neighborhood.says several of our fatigued on at a rapid pace to join in the action. militiamen crept into this straw about He came up on the right flank of the re¬ sunrise; that a tory told the British, and treating Americans, as already stated,in- j they set fire to the straw while our men terceoting on his march some small par¬ were asleep. Some were burnt to death, ties of fleeiDg militiamen, several of; and others so badly burned they died whom were killed. He dispatched a shortly afterward. Several of our party of cavalry to intercept Lacey’s bag¬ wounded,! who had crept into the straw gage, and captured it while crossing the for shelter, were likewise burned by the fields. While the Americans were march¬ enemy. General Lacey in a letter to ing through the wood, Simcoe resorted to General Armstrong, under date of May 7, a ruse, thinking it might induce them to writes: lay down their arms. Biding within hail¬ “ Many of the unfortunates, who fell ing distance he ordered them to sur¬ Into the merciless hands of the British, render, and, as they did not halt, he gave, were cruelly and inhumanly butchered. in a loud tone, the commands, “Make Some were set on fire with buckwheat ready, present, fire,” to deceive them straw, and others had their clothes into the belief that he had a body of burned on their backs. Some of the sur¬ troops with him. In this he was dlsap-i viving sufferers say they saw the enemy pointed; they continued to move on, pay¬ set fire to the wounded while they were ing no other attention to him than bow-1 yet alive, but struggled to put it out, but ing their heads at the word “ fire.” The were to weak, and expired under the tor¬ retreating Americans were pursued for a ture. I saw those lying in the buck¬ couple of miles, skirmishing with the, wheat straw; they made a most melan¬ enemy, an occasional man falling. They choly appearance. Others, I saw, who, passed across the farm of Thomas Craven after being wounded by a ball, had re¬ and by the present Johnsville to near the ceived near a dozen wounds with cut¬ Bristol Road, when they turned to the lasses and bayonets. I can find as many left Into a wood, when pursuit was relin¬ witnesses to the proof of these orueltios quished. Entering the York Road near as there were people on the spot, and Hartsville, Lacey moved down towards that was no small number who came as the scene of the late conflict, hoping to spectators." find the enemy off his guard in the hour After the British returned from pur¬ of victory, but he had retired. Carrying suit of the Americans, they visited sev¬ ! his wounded and most of his killed with eral houses, mainly in quest of something to eat. There was little plundering, but him. . , ., The loss was not heavy on either side, general consternation prevailed. A small and that of the British not accurately party went to the dwelling of David known. General Lacey reports 2G killed Marple, an aged man, grandfather of the and 8 or 10 wounded, most of which fell late Colonel David Marple, and ordered while crossing the open fields. Several the family to catch and cook the chickens were taken prisoners. Lacey lost three for them. They were not allowed even officers killed, two with the patrols, and to spare the setting hens on their nests. ■ Captain Downey, acting commissary of The conduct of the enemy was not as bad subsistence. The latier had taught as is generally witnessed on similar oc¬ school in Philadelphia, f nd rendered valu¬ casions. able services in the wjir; among other In my boyhood the old people of the duties making a military survey of the neighborhood were full of incidents con- Delaware. He was first wounded in the nected with the battle; I listened to their shoulder, and afterwam bayoneted and ! recitals with intense interest, and treas- hacked in a brutal man her. The loss of ! ured them up with the greatest care, the enemy is still morel uncertain, as he i Captain Baird, an oflicer in the action, carried most of his killed, and all his and, I believe, a witnessof the affair, said wounded, away with him. He left five the "last British soldier was killed in a dead bodies on the field. A held officer is : wood on the south side of the Bristol supposed to have been killed, and another Road just above what was then known officer was so badly wounded in the knee as “Hart’s Corner.” He was chasing a he was carried to the farm house of militiaman named Vandyke, and had Thomas Craven where his wound was Boapped on© ot his pistols at him. The dressed. In the report of Major feimcce he latter, in his alarm, forgot he was carry¬ admits some of his rangers were wound¬ ing a loaded musket, and was in a fair ed and says the shoe buckles of Captain way of getting a bullet through his head. : McGill probably saved the life of that of¬ As the dragoon was about drawing his ficer The Americans were buried in one second pistol, Vandyke thought of his grave above Craven’s Corner and near the musket, and, taking deliberate aim at the County Line; the wounded were taken to ■ soldier, shot him dead, when, mounting the house of Thomas Craven and treated his horse, he rejoined his retreating com¬ there until able to be renmved. After rades. burying the dead and oaring for the Stephen Beans, father of the late ■ wounded, General Lacey fell back to the Robert Beans, related substantially the north bank of the Neshaminy above the same story, as told him by a son of Cross Roads, now Hartsville. The cap¬ Thomas Craven, who said be saw a tured baggage was taken to Philadelphia trooper shot near a wood on the John and sold, the proceeds being divided Mentz farm, and within sight of the among the soldiers of the expedition. Craven homestead. tye was leading hii ! father’s horses to' the woocfto conceal Soon)after Simcoe turned into the cross¬ them, when he saw a militiaman rest his road at Lloyd’s Cornor on his way to the gun on a fence, aim at his pursuer, and Billet, he halted to get a guide from the shoot him from his horse; that the horse old house on the Kelley farm. A young i —dun colored, with a black stripe down man put his head out a window and was his back—ran to his horses, was caught ordered to dress and come down; and by him, and taken by the militiaman, wa9 then threatened with death if he who mounted and rode away. Mr. Beans did not show them the way. This he related another incident that occurred, agreed to do if they would give him under his own observation. His parents ■ their fastest horse to ride so he could lived at the old Beans homestead oppo¬ escape should the “ rebels” attempt to site the lane of Harman, now Stephen, capture him. They mounted him on one Yerkes on the Street Road. All the men of their fleetest horses, and, watching his being absent, either with the militia or opportunity, put whip to it and escaped. hiding the stock, his mother took him, The enemy fired at him but this only in¬ then a small boy, down to the Yerkes creased his speed. This was told me by the house, which then consisted of the small late Judge William Watts, when I was a end of the present building. During boy; he saw the escaped guide, without Lacey’s retreat a tired militiaman came hat or coat, riding at the top of his speed, into the room; said he was closely pur¬ J about daylight in the morning, across the sued and wanted to hide under the bed breast of the Davisville mill dam. that stood in a corner of the room. The One of Simcoe’s officers left his horse women advised him not to do so, telling at Isaac Boileau’s on the county line in . him there was a heap of straw in the charge of a negro, threatening him with Bean’s barnyard, where he could more punishment if he let the “ rebels ” have it, safely conceal himself. and hastened across the fields with his He went out the back door, and, by ; command. After a while a militiaman ! keeping the house between him and his came along and compelled the negro to pursuers, reached the straw without give him the horse, which he mounted being seen. The enemy, four in number, and rode off. After the fighting was over soon entered the house, and demanded the officer returned, and flew into a great where the militiaman was con¬ rage on finding his horse gone. The cealed. They refused to accept a denial alarmed negro explained it as well as he ithat he was there, and proceeded to could, but this did not satify the English¬ search for themselves, jabbing their man, the slave was arrested and taken bayonets into the very bed in which the . along, but released after going a few militiaman wanted to hide. He returned miles. This was related to me by an eye¬ after a while and thanked the women for witness. his deliverance, saying his pursuers Isaac Tompkins, a small boy at the walked over the straw in which he was ! time, was living with his parents in the i concealed, and came near bayoneting old Fretz building, and had a distinct him. Mr. Beans related this incident in j recollection of the day. He had just the same room which he saw the militia¬ gotten up, about sunrise, when his sister, man and his British pursuers enter. He who had been sent into the garden to also stated that some &f the Americans ’plant cucumber seed, came running into who were killed were buried on the Parry i the house shouting “ the British are com¬ farm, near the Quaker meeting house. ing,” and, on looking out, he saw a body The last American is said to have been of red-coated dragoons marching up the billed while sitting on the fence on road. They were part of Abercrombie’s the north side of the Bristol road command which came across from Horsham Meeting house and attacked at the end of the road that runs Lacey in front. across from Johnsonville. He and a man named Cooper retreated along Nathan Marple, father of the late Colo¬ this road together, and were sitting on nel David Marple, was then a boy of the fence resting before entering the about sixteen, and lived with his father at the Billet. He heard firing in the timber. Just then a couple of British dra¬ goons, who were pursuing them, raised morning, and, supposing Lacey’s men the little hill beyond where General Wil¬ were getting ready to drill, started across liam W. White lived, and, seeing the two the fields'to go to them. He had not militiamen, one of them fired and Coop- gone far, however, when he saw the Brit¬ er’s companion was killed. The blood ish dragoons riding across a field toward stains remained on the fence many years. The camp; they wore cloaks which con¬ At that time two men lived in the cealed their red coats. He took warning neighborhood named YanBusklrk; both at what he saw, and returned home. He had the title of Captain, one a Whig, the further related, that he saw an officer other a Tory. The British only knew the ride some distance in front of his men, halt, ri9e up in his stirrups and look Whig, whom they had long been anxiou3 to arrest. During the burning of the around as if reconnoitering. He imme¬ buckwheat straw, the neighbors collect¬ diately heard the report of a gun, and ed, and among them the Tory Captain. saw the officer fail to the ground, when Hearing him called by name, a British of¬ the horse wheeled round and cantered ficer asked him if he were Captain Van- back to the company. Buskirk; he answered “Yes,” probably Nearly forty years ago, Safety Maghee, expecting a compliment for his services of Northampton township, Bucks county, to King George, but he was arrested in¬ then in his ninety-sixth year, related to stead. He said he was not the Captain me the following as his recollection of VanBuskirk they wanted, and asserted events connected with the battle of the his loyalty, but it availed nothing. The Crooked Billet. He said : neighbors looked smilingly on, thinking “ In 1778 I was living with my uncle, it a good joke. He was taken to Phila¬ :Thomas Folwell, in Southampton town- delphia, thrown intojprlson and kept there iship where Horatio Gates Yerkes lives until some one vouched for his loyalty. i(now Cornell Hobensack’s on the road He was then liberated and apologies from Davisville to Southampton Baptist made, but this did not heal the wound. Meeting House). On the morning of the Ever after he was as good a Whig as his battle of the Billet, I heard the fir¬ namesake. The medicine effected a cure. ing very distinctly, and a black man named Harry, and myself concluded A few days'after the-Battle General we Would go and see what was going on. Lacey ordered a general court martial to I was then about 13 years old. We started; try the officers of his scouts and patrols from the house and went directly toward for disobedience and neglect of duty on where the firing was. When we oame the morning of the attack. It met at near where Johnsville stands, we heard a camp on the Neshaminy, May 4, with volley there which brought us to a halt. Colonel Smith, president and William The firing was In the ;wood. The Eritlsh Findley, afterward Governor of the State, were In pursuit of our militia and chased Judge Advocate. Lieutenant Neilson them along the road from Johnsville to was found guilty and dismissed the ser¬ the Bristol road and also through the vice, but Ensign Laughlin was acquitted fields from the street, to the Bristol road. and ordered to rejoin his regiment. The They overtook the militia in the woods court tried a number of citizens and near the Street road. When the firing soldiers for various offences, holding in¬ ceased we continued on and found three tercourse with the enemy, &c., &c., some wounded militiamen near the wood; were found guilty and sentenced to be they appeared to have been wounded whipped, others to be confined in the by a sword and were much cut and Lancaster jail. hacked. When we got to them they were General Lacey was subjected to severe, groaning greatly. They died in a little and unjust, criticism for the affair at the while ana I understood were buried Crooked Billet, and especially by those on the spot. They appeared to be hostile to the cause of the Colonies. The , Germans. We then passed on, and attempt to hold him responsible for the' in a field near by we saw two horses reverse he met signally failed and his lying dead; they were British. One of conduct received the approval of his | them was shot in the head, and the gun superiors. His situation was a critical j had been put so near the hair was one, and only the coolest judgment and scorched. While we were on the field, most determined courage of himself and Harry picked up a cartouch box that had men saved him from the capture of his been dropped or torn off the weaver. entire force. He took the necessary pre¬ Shortly after we met some of the militia caution to obtain the earliest imforma- returning, and, when they saw the black tion of the approach of the enemy and fellow with the cartouch box they became prevent surprise, but his orders were very much enraged; accused him of rob¬ disobeyed. His actions will bear the bing the dead, and took it away from closest scrutiny. His camp of 400 men him. These dead horses were on the was surprised and nearly surrounded; he farm of Colonel Hart, now the property had raw militia, the enemy were vet¬ of Comly Walker. Soon after this we re¬ erans inured to war. Practically, he turned home.” cut his way out with the small loss of The late Jonathan Delaney, of War¬ some 35 killed and wounded and a few minster, used to relate the following cir¬ ' prisoners. He had to march across an cumstance he witnessed. He was living open country most of the distance, fight- at the time at Frankford, through which i ing every foot of the way, the enemjr one detachment of the British passed on pressing him at the same time in front their return to the city. Among the and rear and on both flanks. I am prisoners was an old man who wore on astonished he was able to extricate him¬ his shoes a pair of large silver buckets. self atall from his perilous situation; and They attracted the attention of a soldier • it seems quite iike a miracle he did not while marching along the street, who left tall into the enemy’s hands with his entire the ranks and stooped down to pull them force. His action was so highly appre¬ off. The old man, who was not disposed ciated by the Executive Council of the ] to be thus robbed of hi6 property, struck State, that the Secretary wrote General the would-be thief on the head with his Lacey on May 16: “ Four conduct is fist and knocked him down; the other! highly approved; and your men have soldiers, who witnessed the act, giving a justly acquired great reputation by their loud shout in approval of the prisoner’s bravery.” courage. In conclusion, I present a new and in¬ The news of the battle soon spread over teresting incident connected with the , the country, and many of the inhabitants battle of the Crooked Billet, and although were so muoh alarmed they would not I had known of it for several years, I only venture from home until assured the received it In writing on the 13th inst. British had returned to the city. A child It came to me in a letter from the Eev. of Samuel Flack, who kept the tavern at E. W. Luther, D. D., dated Newark, N. Doylestown where the Fountain House J., July 12,1894. He writes: stands, had previously died, and was to “ My grandfather, James Luther, was be buried on that day at Neshaminy; but at the Crooked Billet with his brother, ; the alarm was such only four persons . William. At the surprise he and his would venture with the corps to the place brother were encamped some little dis¬ of burial. These were two young men tance away from the main body of our. and a couple of youg women; one of the troops, with several others guarding a latter being a Miss Mary Doyle, after¬ wagon in which was the camp chest with ward Mrs. Mitchell and "mother of the S8U0 in silver, together with papers, late Mrs. Nathaniel Cornell, of Doyles-!■ orders, etc. At some period he was Quar¬ town. They were all mounted, the men termaster of the Flying Camp, and, from being armed, one of them carrying the the fact that this money was committed coffin. They rode the fastest horses they to him, he was probably acting in a simi¬ could get, so they might be able to es¬ lar capacity at this time. This is only cape should the enemy pursue them. . conjecture. When they reached the burying-ground, ‘‘After the surprise, and during the con-1 the two young men dismounted and * fusion, he and his guard started to escape buried the corps, the two young women with the wagon and contents, intending remaining on horseback ready to fly at to get to Valley Forge. They laid down the first alarm. This sad duty discharged a panel of fence and tried to reach a piece the young men remounted, and they all of woods near by. They had crossed two rode home as rapidly as possible. They fields, when, suddenly over the brow of a could see the smoke from the burning buckwheat straw. 1. 15

horsemen appeared and rode down and Biographical Sketch of one of New surrounded them. The guard offered Hope’s Self Made Men. . what defence they could, especially my 4 grand uncle William, but soon were ! forced to surrender. Attracted by the The overshadowing problem of (he shouts of soldiers when they discovered the money, a group of British officers hour is the education of the youth, rode dp. As they approached, a trooper i On the elaboration of the details of was cutting at my grand uncle, who was *the solution of this problem the great disarmed, but sheltering himself by seiz¬ ing the trooper’s bridle and dodging un¬ state of Pennsylvania will this year der the horse’s head. The trooper was Ispend $5,500,000. In this connection enraged by the defence made. As the group of officers rode up, a young officer we to-day present our readers with a leaded out, “ has the man surrendered ?” striking likeness and authentic bio¬ The other troopers answered, “ He has, graphical sketch of the man—Casper l my Lord.” The young officer ordered the trooper to desist, and when he still Kauffman,—who at once holds the |cut at my grand uncle, paying no atten¬ most honorable as well as the most tion to the order, the officer drew a pistol responsible position in New Hope, and shot him off his horse. My grand uncle, who was severely wounded, was namely, Chairman of the Board of placed In the saddle, and the whole party School Directors. were taken to the tavern. “ My grandfather said that so long as Casper A. Kauffman was born to I they were with the British regulars they Malcolm and Theresa Kauffman in 'had good treatment, but the next day, Schlectern, near Frankfort on the being put in charge of some Tories, they | were stripped of most of their clothing Main, Germany, about sixty years ago. and their shoes, and all their valuables. Casper enjoyed no educational advan¬ When they were going into Philadelphia, tages save a very short time in the the Tories congregated at a tavern threw bottles in the road compelling them to public schools of Germany. At the age walk over the broken glass. My grand¬ of nineteen he came to America and father and his brother were taken to New York; afterward were exchanged, and j went out to his uncle’s ranch in Iowa, William died on the return tramp, from where he helped to herd cattle. Casper hardship and privations In the prisons. soon returned East and began boating “My grandfather returned to the village 1 of Concord in what is now Franklin on the Lehigh caual. This he followed county, Pa., to recruit men for his com- ! but one season, and then he opened a ipany, and there commanded the force store in Bristol. which rescued the village from an attack of Tories and Indians. Subsequently he In 1865 he moved to New Hope and j served during the war. opened a canaj store near the Union “ I have given you, my dear General, ! this account as I have heard it many Mills where he lived and carried on times from my father, he hearing it from business for 26 years, when he moved my grandfather and his fellow soldiers. to his present residence .on Main st reet. Grandfather survived until 1826.” At present Casper is engaged with From, . his son, George, in the paper business in Trenton under the name of George H. Kauffman & Co. Mr. Kauffman was married in 1861 to Mary Rhodes, of Bristol. To them were borne five children :—John, in business in Philadelphia; Mrs. John Velder, of Larabertvilie; George, in business in Trenton ; William, princi¬ pal of the Green Hill Grammar School, Lumberville; and Mary, attending the New Hope public school. Mr. Kauffman is a director of the Amwell National Bank. He also owns considerable stock in the Perseverance Paper Mills, of Lambertville. Casper Kauffman has ever been among the foremost for the advance¬ ment of the town. He is 6ne of the largest tax-payers of the Borough and is treasurer of the Improvement Com¬ pany. During his residence here he has held several borough offices, amoug them being Councilman and School Director. To the last named he has CASPER A. KAUFFMAN. 16

AND in "a solemn manner he ye Said been elected several times, the last William Hibbl Takiug the said Ann being 1894 when ne was unanimously Carter by the Hand did In Solemn man¬ chosen President of the Board. ner Openly Declare that he did take Her the Said Ann Carter to be his wife Prom-' Casper Kauffman 13 essentially a ifing by ye Lord’s assistance to be unto self-made man. His accumulation ofj her a loving and Faithfull Hufband un¬ til' death Should Separate them. And wealth is proof positive that he is an then and There In the Same Assembly accurgte reasoner. In this his career! The Said Ann Carter did in like Manner contains a lesson for business men geu-' Openingly Declare That she did take him ye Said William Hibbf to be Her Hus¬ erally, to wit, reason correctly then band proaiifing by the Lord’s afiiftance to results can’t helpjming satisfactory. J be unto him a louing and faithful wife until death Should Separate them or words to the Same purpofe. AND more- ouer They the Said William Hibbf and] Ann Carter (Sbe according to the Cuttom ot marriage affummg the name of her Husband) Now Ann Hibbf, AS a further Confirmation thereof did then and there to Thefe presents Set their hands. And we Whose names are Hereunder also Subfcribed Being prefeat at the Solomi-i zation of the Said marriage and Subtrip- Bate tion In manner aioretaid, Haue af wit- netted there unto Sat our hands The day and year above written. A RARE OLD RELIC. William Hibbs. j Ann Carter. Attached to the foregoing are the names A Marriage Certificate 166 Ye ars Old—It'; ot sixty-six Friends or Quakers as wit¬ nesses. The writing is still legible. On Contains the Names of a Number of Old , the reverse siae of the parchment is a record of the births in the family but lit¬ Bucks County Friends. tle of these but the dates can be read. This quaint old certificate together with a pocket book with the date 1766 woven Through the kindness of O. Cf. Fawcett,j into its fabric, and other keepsakes are^ * says the Fredericktown, Ohio. Free, being sent by Miss Lydia Trahern to rela-' Press, of the date of July 20th, we have tives tor preservation. Below are the names attached so far as been shown a rare old relic in the shape they can be deciphered: of the marriage certificate of the great- Thos. Stackhouse, John Stackhouse, . grand-father and great grand-mother ol; John Stackhouse, Jr., John Connor, William Wallton, John Cadvvallder, Lydia and Elizabeth Trahern. The John Cadvvallder, Jr., James Wild- certificate is written in elegant hand man, Thomas Wollston, John Wollston, writing on parchment, ana the docu¬ Win. Buckman, David Wilson, Rich. ment is 166 years old, having been exe¬ Sands, Benj. Scott, William George,Cuth- bert Havhurst, Joseph Stackhouse, Thos.| cuted in Bucks county in the province Gill, Stephen Sands, Dorithy Stackhouse,: ot Pennsylvania ,m 1728. We copy the Grace Wilson, Ruth Blaker, Jane Stack- wording of the priceless heir loom as house, Elizabeth Routledge. Agnes Comly, Sarah Cooper, Paul Biaker, Phe- • closely as possible; by Blaker, Martha Griffith, Sarah Hibbs, WHEREAS William Hibbf and Ann Elizabeth Hibbs, Elizabeth Noble, Han-j Carter Both of the townfhip of North nah English, Wm. Noble. Hampton In the Coun ty of Buck!'In the Prouince of Penffluania Haueing De¬ clared Their Intentionf of taking eatchj other In Marriage Before Seuerai Pub- lick Monthly Meeting! of the People Called Quakers In their Publick Meet-' ing Houfe In Middletown In the county] Atorsaid According to the Good order! used amongft them, Whofe Proceedings there in after Deliberate Confideration thereof, They appearing Clear of all others And Hauing Content of Parents relation! and parties Concerned. Their Said propofalf of marriage was allowed of by the Said Meetings. I NOW Thete are to Certifie all whom lit may Concern That for the full Ac-| f complithing of their Said Intentionf At New nope. Cut Down, And What Be-j Thit Second Day of the Second month < In the year ot our Lord According to came Of It. ’ \ \ Englifh account Qne Thousand Seuen g Hundred and Twenty Eight, They the The old Washington tree that stood a J, Said William Hibbf and Anna Carter ap- few feet to the north of the old York I peared In Publick aft'embly ot the 1: affortaid people and othert met together road, in New Hope borough, a very ■ for that purpofe In their Publick Meet¬ graphic and historical account ot which ing Houfe In Middletown attorefaid.

w was written by Richard Randolph Parry,! an able historian of that borough, and Benefactors of their country do not published in the INTELLIGENCES of Jan¬ always receive due honor from their uary 22d, 1894, owing to the owners of countrymgn. John Fitch, the first ir- the land wishing to erect a building at the . | ventor, who successfully applied the use place where that famous Revolutionary of steam to navigation, was for genera- tree stood, was ordered cut down, and so * tions forgotten, and his claims to recog insignificant to them was its bodily pro¬ nition have never been adequately al¬ duct, so little value the tree that lowed by more than a few. Probably no Washington, the Father of our great one is mentioned on the pages of Ameri¬ country, it is said, stood under and met can history except Washington, to whom his Generals Green and Alexander (Lord we are more indebted for the final result Stirling), and planned the battle ot Tren¬ of the Revolutionary struggle than to ton, that they even offered ’Squire East- burn, now of “Inghamdale,” near Robert Morris, whose wisdom and fore¬ Ingham Spring, the sum of $15 to remove sight as a financier were of incalculable it from off the property. ’Squire East- value in guiding the ship of State burn accepted the proffered sum and on the 28th day of November the historic through a sea of difficulties, which tree was razed to the ground by Mr. threatened to engulf it. Moore, a colored man, cut into fire wood As he owned and managed for a con¬ size and hauled to his home, without the siderable period an extensive estate in slightest inclination mauilested on the part of any ot reputed collectors of Bucks county, and iounded one of its relics and mementoes to procure or re¬ towns, which bears his name, it may not tain any portion thereof. be amiss to dwell briefly on this occasion Fortunately before its entire consump¬ upon his life and character. tion as fuel, George A. Hicks, ot Phila¬ His father, whose surname was like¬ delphia, a native born citizen of Bucks wise Robert, resided in Liverpool, Eng county, and a lineal descendant ot the land, and was taught the trade of a nail- noted Quaker,Robert Hicks, the ancestor maker, but had a partiality for mercan¬ of tne entire Hicks family in America, tile pursuits, which the son seems to who arrived in tne ship “Fortune” at have inherited. When the latter was a Plymouth, Mass., from London, on the boy of six years old, the family removed 11th of November, 1021, immediately to America and settled on the eastern after the “Mayflower,” and who has been shore of Maryland. They had been in sojourning tor several weeks past at the the New World about ten years when the “Logauvale” mansion at Ingham Spring, father made a social visit to a vessel in kept by Mrs. Charles J. Price, hearing of the harbor, and on his taking leave > the obliteration of the old Washington salute was fired from a cannon in his tree, and being a lover and collector of honor. The wadding struck him in the historic reminiscences, and learning of arm, causing a wound which proved its whereabouts, quickly had Mr. Price fatal. This occurred in 1750, when Rob¬ hitch up his team and convey him to the ert, Jr., was 16 years of age. Some time colored man’s home, whore he arrived in before this he was placed in the counting- time to select and purchase only enough house ot Charles Willing, of Philade - material from the remaining parts of the phia, where he soon displayed unusu 1 once mammoth tree that measured industry and enterprise. In afewyeais twenty-two feet in diameter to make a change took place in the firm and be sixteen canes therefrom. The material entered into partnership with Thom; s was promptly taken to New Hope where WilliDg and engaged in foreign auu Carpenter Frank Booz turned the pieces i domestic trade. He made several voy¬ into beautiful canes of nicely proportion¬ ages across the ocean as supercargo, in ed sizes. After they had received the one of which during the seven years war finishing touches of oil and a ferrel placed between France and England he was on the end or each Mr. Hicks presented Captured by the French and detained a them to his friends whom he knew would long time as a prisoner. While in con¬ appreciate and value them for their his¬ finement he earned some money by re¬ toric associations, which was his desire pairing a watch, which he used in pay¬ from the time he first heard of the demol¬ ing his passage home. ition of the old Washington tree. He also In 1769, when he was thirty five years presented one to Alfred Paschall, secre¬ old, he married Mary White, a sister oi tary of the Bucks County Historical So¬ Rev. William White, D. B., the first bis ciety, who received it on behalf of th hop of the Protestant Episcopal Church 1 society. .' in Pennsylvania, and chaplain to the Continental Congress. Before her mar riage she is pictured in a fascinating light From, in a poem written by Joseph Shippen, on the belles of Philadelphia, indicating that she was sprightly and beautiful. “In lovely White’s most pleasing form, What various graces meet; How blest with every striking charm, How languishingly sweet.” Date, Mr. Morris was successful in business and had acquired a considerable fortune ROBERT MORRIS, THE FINANCIER and a high reputation for ability in com¬ mercial transactions when the efforts of OF THE REVOLUTION. the British Parliament to oppress the colonies began to arouse their indignant Read Before the Inter-County Historical opposition. In 1765 the Stamp Act was passed. This was a measure to raise Meeting, July IT, 1894, by Rev. D. 7 revenue from America, requiring that |g legal documents, bonds, deeds and con¬ K. Turner. _ _ __ tracts should be written on stamped pa- per or parchment, which must be pur¬ land paid hah a crown, or t>t> cento, u. chased Irom the Royal Government. annum before the Revolutionary War-, The colonists insisted that England had! support the State. A fortnight before no right to lay taxes'ot any kind upon I the battle of Bunker Hill the report that them without their consent, as they1 a man in Salem, Mass., had 500 pounds bad no representatives in Parliament to lend to the Government was taken up they declared they could not be justly with eagerness by the authorities, so compelled to pay anything into thei hunted were their resources. The Penn¬ King’s treasury, unless they chose to sylvania Assembly, by an Act in 1775, do so. All the payments they had bere- voted to lav a tax on real and per- toiore made were in their view volun¬ ponal property, but they did not order tary contributions. To this new act they the collectors to collect it, and it was to would not submit. On the day it was to be paid when the bills of the Colony to go into operation the people manifested discharge its former debts were paid. In their grief and displeasure in the most 1779 taxation had lain dormant in South decided manner. In Boston, Philadel¬ Carolina four years, ever since the begin¬ phia and other cities the bells on the ning of the war, and previous to that churches were muffled and tolled as if period it had been slight. The planters lor a funeral, cannon were fired, flags of the South had been somewhat isolated were put at half mast for the death of1 and in the habit of defending themselves liberty, processions paraded through the , and punishing offenders with little cere¬ streets and orations were delivered mony, and in the North the structure of against the tyranny ot the ministry. In courts and jurisprudence was simpleand many places the stamps themselves were inexpensive. seized or were prevented from being Great Britain had indeed obtained landed ; the stamp officers were obliged muiua of money from the colonies,! to resign or hide to escape the vengeance of the populace, and at thesametime nu¬ but it was done indirectly, by duties on merous associations were formed by imports, tonnage and port dues. From ' merchants, who agreed not to import these sourcts at the opening of the con ' goods from Britain until the odious act nualiy® CwYth TiVnd ?0’000 Pounds an- was repealed. In these displays of in-1 y-o./U* Declaration of Inde- dignation against that measure Robert pendence this at once ceased. It was Morris fully sympathized. He signed was adorned thVreSent Constitution the non-importation agreement, though was adopted that the people of the this course resulted in interruption of United States paid for federal Dur poses as much as they had naffl his business and severe pecuniary loss, L to and he was on a committee of citizens to tne King. When he altemnt ■ compel John Hughs, the collector in e^„ to .ta.x. them in new modes for Philadelphia, to desist from collecting ihe maintainance of a power far awav the stamp tax. His standing in the city across the ocean, it is not surprising that! for energy and efficiency was almost un-; equalled, and iu 1760, when still a young discrfmiifation6toSubmit , man, he was appointed warden of the imposts rendered it extreme'yYlflficult ’ port. for Congress to realize funds necessary At the commencement of the struggle The neededmo™tri"n tbey -bad assumed with the mother country he was forty- toarm troops ana more money one years of age, and the commercial! stanffvVel? Pmfn; if they were contributed in old honunen supply six Hessians, who worked about! the town. Reed said, "a mulatto under! the deputy commissary has acquired a handsome fortune, some declare ten thousand pounds in specie, fnere havei been at times twelve deputy Quarter mas¬ *hat some of them were liable to oe put ters in this oue county alone. 1 Yet enforcing the payment of taxes in jail tor debts they had necessanlycon caused great hardships to individuals Granted and had no means to satisfy. H fae paid the salaries of those, who were, and in many districts. One man in jl ka imprisoned and not others, Pennsylvania with a small form owed tCe would be misunderstanding and , militia fines of twenty and one hall | pounds, |57.00. To satisfy the debt the faardfeXng: so he paid them all from, collector took a way two horses and seven & Fra^cePUarcknowledged the independ- | cattle. The collector of Caroline Co., V a., «nce of the United States and made an of¬ Br, reported that many of the people there fensive and defensive treaty with M in would pay the tax if they had any a778 and as hostilities arose with Great money, but they could not get it. They [ were willing to give up their property,: Britian in consequence, she sent a fleet and some had exposed it for sale, but no -and troops to our coasts to aid us. which) proved most timely and advantageous, j one had silver or gold to buy it with. In 1780 Mr. Morris, assisted by other cm-: Ct money was needed to recruit ana . zens of Philadelphia, established a bank, suDDort our own army. Net only miu by means of which 3,000,000 rations of Ssary and naval assistance was required^ provisions and three hundred hogsheads, but pecuniary funds also.A France of rum were forwarded to the army. In •.nade efforts to secure a ioan fromlrance 1781, before York town was captured, U was feared that Philadelphia might be attacked by the British, and Thotnad from Spain, but that country »« notin Paine proposed that one-tbird or one quarter cl the value ot the rents ot the which was the llrst loan our BO'^mment, houses should he levied on the mbabi- tents of the city for its defence, which it ever made from a foreign liat'°.n- fj,6 was estimated would amount to 300,000 -exerted a powerful influence in his own, pounds or 800,000 dollars. __I as weH as other States, in the way of in-. riucing the people to comply with the] Various schemes came before Congress, • demands of ^Congress. He pronounceii lb>v which it was hoped money might be vnppjfio supplies, grain, etc., to be bur obtained and order and efficiency intro¬ .foilsome Jid comparatively useless, a“dI duced into the management ot the -tressed the need of solid money. Albert, national finances. But they all proved: Gallatin in 1796 wrote, that Pennsylvania inadequate and that body was convinced, toad levied some enormous ^ that the fiscal affairs ol the country must war as he thought lar be>ond nei ‘ be placed in tbe hands ot one man, who: ability, the arrearages o^^^Xrgely .should be clothed with authority to vet fuily paid, and this was largely, devise and execute plans to replenish , Uirough the persuasive eloquence oi Mr. the exhausted treasury and revive the j public credit. For this duty in February, 'M£ord Cornwallis surrendered to the 1781, Alexander Hamilton nominated j ■combined French and American forces Robert Morris, and he was unanimously /Vntnhpr 19 1781. The day before that elected with the title “Superintendent of. important event Mr. Morris slated, that Finance,” which was abbreviated in com-, he could not command more ikon parlance to “Financier.” His salary twentieth of the sum necessary for the was to be 6,000 dollars a year, a small) current expenses of the year. He de compensation for the services he render-, dared, that he had not, since his ap¬ ed. Soon all the monetary operations ot pointment as Superintendent. ot * i- the government were under his control. •iiiinc.o, received a shilling irom any 4 floating debt of two and a half millions State but Pennsylvania, a«d that of dollars weighed down the treasury,,: onlv in paper money, and 7,500 pounos and more permanent obligations existed , in specie, which must be expended m the form ot currency and certificates for contracts in the State. For general of loan to the amount ot §140,000,000, or purposes almost nothing had come with¬ counting twenty of paper for one of in his reach during a Permd of eight silver, seven millions in specie, there months. Yet the war must be Prose¬ was no power in the Confederacy cuted, the soldiers must have food, 6a oblige the States to assist m meet slotting, tents, arms and ammunition, ing its responsibilities and no regu-j ,w,f3 \Va ™pen to him than to purchase what was population and resources than another. needed with his own pnvaie moaiis and Mr. Morris was from the first embar¬ to enter into contracts on bu’ P°rf1781 rassed with the general derangememt ol [ responsibility. The campaign of 1781 | pecuniary affairs, enormity of expeuur wls freighted with the gravest issues. wires, confusion,languor,complexity and j TMu’titudes of the people w®*e b®c°“t “f consequent inefficiency of the operations weary of war. Preparations must be of the government. lie wrote to Con ■vigorously made for the destruction or than three years Tic was in charge of ! i capture of the British forces under Corn¬ the treasury aud the navy, without in¬ wallis, aud Mr. Morris was obliged to crease of salary. Though he objected to /take upon himself the task. In the first this additional burden; yet he bore it, be¬ tot’.vti of the season he furnished the army cause it saved expense to the United several thousand barrels ol flour aud States. Joseph Reed, secretary ol Gen. during the summer issued his own notes Washington, wrote from London that .to the amount of §1,400,000 to provide Morris had “all the effectual powers of ■articles demanded. Marshall, in his the Government of the Union in his “Life ot Washington,’’ says that it was hands.” In 1781 he proposed to Congress •Sue to Morris that the movement on the establishment of a mint, and through York town was not frustrated by lack of his efforts the bank of North America men, transportation and subsistence. was incorporated and its operations Another writer says that “next to Wash¬ sanctioned by the Legislatures of Penn¬ ington the country owes the triumph of sylvania and several other States, and it l Yorxtown to Robert Morris.” Just be¬ proved a powerful agent in relieving the fore that event he obtained from the ! Confederation of its embarrassments. In "Chevalier Luzerne, a French nobleman, 1783, just before the ratification ot the 20.000 pounds in specie. treaty of peace, he wrote to the President People had so much confidence in him I of Congress, that “as nothing but the kihat his own notes circulated more freely public danger could have induced him ithan those cf the Confederation. Chas- to accept the office ol superintendent of [faUhnac says that on the strength of his finance, so little apprehension was now office as minister of finance his notes, entertained of the common enemy, that his <' bearing his own name alone, passed original motives had ceased to operate ; throughout the continent as cash, and that circumstances had postponed the es¬ the Legislature of Virginia enacted a law tablishment ol the public credit, and that making them legal tender. it did not consist with his ideas of integ Mr. Morris used every expedient pos¬ rity to increase the national debt while sible to raise funds. He had faith in the the prospect of paying it was diminish¬ I ability of the country to pay ultimately ing.” He thereiore resigned, but at the [ all fits indebtedness, but this was a sea- request ol Congress remained in charge iwpvu of poverty and sore distress. He till November, 1784. At the end of the applied to the Society of Friends for war the army would not disband unless efionations for the refugees from the the claims of the soldiers were satisfied, South who had fled from the incursions and Mr. Morris became responsible for the British. They answered that they the amount necessary. This with othei ,.Jbad contributed to the citizens of Charles- sums advanced made the nation at his •p’luq., Sjouth Carolina, and to the inhabi¬ retirement a debtor to him of a half mil tants’®! the frontier settlements during lion of dollars, for which he trusted his the French and Indian Wars and that it successor would indemnily him, ami was not convenient for them to accede to which was all finally repaid. He was I bis request now. In 1782 the quotas to elected by Pennsylvania a member of the l be paid by the States came in so slowly convention that trained the present con .that the general government had not stitution of the U. S., and a member ol ivnoney sufficient to pay debts of the ut- the first LT. S. Senate. When President I m at exigency and to support its em- Washington was about to organize his J bassadors in foreign lands, even with cabinet, he offered to Mr. Morris the po | ,the help afforded by France. [sition of Secretary of the Treasury, but any of the people in districts in pos¬ he declined it. Upon being asked by the session of the enemy suffered severely President whom be would recommend, MW-tfae contest. Farmers, on the opening i he suggested Alexander Hamilton, ano | «»! peace, found their farms out ot order, he received the appointment. j buildings dilapidated, fences gone, When the sound ot arms was nolongei stock carried off, crops destroyed and heard in the land, Mr. Morris formed a utensils missing, and many of the partnership with Gouveneur Morris, ^churches were torn down or deserted. though they were not relatives, and en the close of 1779 Mr. Tracy, a merchant gaged in commercewithChinaandlndia. • nf NewLmryport, Mass., had lost forty- L'hey sent out in 1784 the first American 1-nne ships. Facts like these account in ship that ever appeared in the port ol ►part for the laxity ot many of the States Canton. His residence in Philadelphia (■■in contributing for the Confederation. during the Revolutionary war was on ; Their reluctant delays laid an enormous Front street below Dock street, fac¬ ) load upon the shoulders of Mr. Morris. ing the Delaware river, but sub¬ But though the soldiers in numerous sequently it was on Market street, i instances met with great losses and all between Fifth and Sixth, and was the were poorly supplied and meagerly paid, finest in the city. It was in this mansion pvet-thwy behaved nobly. A French that Gen. Washington, by the invitation KtiiW", ill the X-Jfktovvn cam¬ of Mr. Morris, orcliuarily took up his paign wrete as follows: “I cannot too abode when in Philadelphia. The two qrequently repeat how much I was sur¬ eminent men were on terms of the warm¬ prised at the American army. It is be¬ est friendship, and there was no one yond understanding how troops, who | whom the President held in higher es¬ were almost naked, badly paid, compos- teem than the able and patriotic financier. ed;of old men, negroesand children could At a reception on one occasion, when a move so well, both on the march and large number of distinguished guests lunder fire.” were presented to Washington, he bowed Mr. Morris devised various forms of to them all, but shook hands with Mr. imposts upon the fitting out ot vessels, j Morris alone. After the alliance was and as no one had been appointed to reg¬ formed with France, he was visited by ulate the affairs of the nav v-, Congress in diplomats, noblemen and other foreign 1781 resolved, that until such an appoint¬ dignitaries, as the representative man ot ment should be made, the duties of that the city. In 1782 the Prince De Broglie department should be performed by the took tea with him, and spoke of him in superintendent of finance, and tor more i letters as the Controller General ot the LU. S. The Marquis De Chastellux says, “ He is a large man, simple iShis habits,I works and other manufactures. ; A'l• lives in fine style. His house is like the these enterprises failed to be renumera- i residences of wealthy Englishmen. “Au¬ tive. They were in advance of the times. gust 31,1781, is represented in the journ¬ The estimated value ol the property there als of the time as a gala day in Philadel¬ was $250,000; but on it were two mort¬ phia, when Washington came to the gages, the first to the Insurance Company wwn with a large number ot French of-;* of North America for $73,000, and the! ticers. They first rode to the city tavern,! second for $25,000 to George Ciymer, one thence to the house of Mr. Morris, where! of the signers of the Declaration of Inde¬ they were appropriately entertained, i pendence. This dwelling originally belonged to Morrisville is within the district orig¬ Richard Penn, grandson of Wm. Penn, inally chosen as the site of the capital! but had received extensive improve¬ of the United States. In 1784, while Con¬ ments from its proprietor. gress was in session at Trenton, it ap¬ pointed a commission of three members,! In 1795 Mr. Morris was persuaded by ] one of whom was Mr. Morris, to procure; Monsieur L. Enfant, a French architect, land near the Falls of the Delaware for to enter upon a scheme, which subjected public buildings. It was to be not less him to great pecuniary loss, the building than two, not more than three, miles of a splendid mansion on a new site. He |. square, and they were authorized to erect said he could sell his High street, or suitable edifices in an elegant manner, Market street property for f80,000, and and to draw on the treasury for $100,009. was told he could put up a magnificant It was understood that the spot for the structure lor $60,000. So the plan was de¬ Hall ot Congress was to be the high cided upon. He bought nearby the ground west of Morrisville. Soon after; whole square bounded by Chestnut, Congress adjourned to New York and in¬ Walnut, 7th and 8th streets, for 10,000 fluence adverse to the plan arose. The pounds, or $26,600, and the architpet pro¬ advice ol Washington being solicited, it ceeded with the work. The ground was was discovered that he was in favor ot a twelve or fifteen feet higher than it is at more southern location, and it was final-1 present, and was a commanding location. ly decided, as a compromise between the; Cellars of two and in some places three North and South, that the seat of' the, stories underground were dug with ex¬ National Government should be tempo¬ tensive vaults and massive arches; the rarily, lor ten years, in Philadelphia, and superstructure was reared two stories in permanently on the banks of the Poto-| height with lofty ceilings ; the whole ex¬ mac. terior was faced with marble with much Besides the village bearing his name,; carved ornamentation in relief, and Mr. Morris owned a tract which was furniture was imported from Europe at called in an inventory of his possessions, lavish expense. The result was the most the Neshaminy estate, and a farm of 110 beautiful private dwelling in America. acres in Plumstead township. With John But Mr. Morris was often seen gazing at Nicholson and .James Greenleaf he or¬ it with mortification and regret, and was ganized the North American Land Com-! heard to utter bitter exclamations at his pany and bought millions of acres in[ own folly and the extravagance of the, different sections of the country at iowj architect. Soon alter this he was in¬ prices, from a few cents to a dollar an volved in financial troubles, and the acre. They had 4,300,000 acres in the grand palace was seized by his creditors. region of the Genessee in New York But it was so far beyond the need of any¬ State and vast tracts in Northampton, one that no purchaser could be found Luzerne, Washington and other counties . even at a minimum price, and it was of Pennsylvania. Greenleaf was an un¬ taken down at great cost; most of the principled sharper and through him Mr. cellars were filled up and the materials Morris lost all he possessed. In 1798 Mr.! were sold in lots to the highest bidder. Morris was arrested lor debt by suit ol1 Towards the last part bt his life Mr. Charles Eddy, whom he pronounced I Morris displayed less wisdom in the j “the most hardened villian God ever! management of his own affairs than he made.” Having no means to satisfy his j had done previously in those of the gov¬ creditors, he‘was confined in prison three ernment. " He purchased 2500 acres of j years and six months. land in Bucks county along the Dela¬ It has been said with some truth that ware opposite Trenton. The earliest he used his private fortune for his date ot his ownership is 1787, when country, but that in his time ot trouble Manassah Cutler mentions that he his country forgot him. Still it is proper saw several long buildings, which Mr. to remark that his ultimate descent to Morris had erected. The place took the poverty did not comefrom his connection name of Morrisville. In the tract he had with the Government, but from his own fourteen farms, a grist mill, rolling mill, imprudent speculations. He wrote to a j wire mill, snuff mill, plaster mill, an friend iu England that “although he iron forge, a saw mill, a brewery, a fine suffered much loss of property by the house for his own residence with suitable war, on the whole he had gone through outbuildings, and a stone quarry. In the crisis about even. He had lost as 1794 he directed his son William, who many as one hundred and fifty vessels! was then in London to visit a Mr. Wood, and mostly without insurance, as he who he understood could build a steam could not get it effected ; but as many engine, and get him to come to America; escaped and made excellent profits, his and stated, that if the machinist had not losses were made good to him, or nearly money sufficient, he wouldfurnish means so.” While he was m prison he was to construct the engine and make the visited by Washington more than oncf, voyage: he cautioned him, however, not who still esteemed him a dear, unfoi- to attract the attention ot the British tunate friend. He was released in 1801, Government, which would do everything and lived about five years after, dying in its power to prevent the growth oi m 1806, at the age of 72 years. His wile manufactures iu the new Republic. The; survived him tv\ enty-one years. They Duke De Liancourt, a French nobleman, i had seven children, sons and daughters,! gives a description of Morrisville, and[ -everal of whom he sent to Europe to bt i remarks, that Robert Moms owned the educated in France and Germany. whole ol it; and that he had started iron [put in. The third building was erected in 1838, by Charles Nonamaker, con- ' tractor. It is a stone structure, fifty by From, LW-tiu? I c&L- sixty feet, also with galleries on three sides. It was remodeled in 1884. The first organ was purchased by Peter Henry, at a cost of $1500, and pre¬ a* sented to the church by him. The second organ was purchased in 1839, from Mr. Krauss, of Lehigh county. The earliest reliable record is that in the “Halleschen Nachrichten” where re¬ peated mention of Tohickon church ap¬ pears as early as 1749. In that year Rev. ., \ TOHICKON UNION CHURCH. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg had charge of the Lutheran congregation, which he Read by Asa Frankenfield, of Telford, describes as small and poor. As he had a large field and could not attend to his | Before tire Buckwampun Literary Asso- congregation regularly he secured the services of a student or candidate named i ciation, June 9, 1894. Rudolph H. Schrenk, whose preaching was highly appreciated. The sacraments It is hard at this late date to ascertain were administered by Muhlenberg him¬ the time of the first church here, but it self. The next regular pastors were Lucas Raus. from 1751 to 1753; John I appears that as early as 1743 public ser¬ Andre from 1753 to 1756 ; Johann Martin vices were held at this place. The first Schaffer from 1756 to 1759; Johann Joseph (deed on record bears the date of Septem¬ Roth from 1761 to 1764; Johann Wolf ILizel from 1765 to 1769 ; Conrad Roeller ber 6, 1753, which was made between (from 1772 until his death in 1796. His |Jacob Rees, Martin Shaffer, Ludwig body was buried beneath the altar of the . Wildonger, Jacob Rohr, John Worman Indianfield church. George Roeller! land Michael Lot, trustees of the Cal¬ from 1797 to 1839; Engelbert Peixoto from 1S40 to 1864; F. Walz from 1865 to vinist and Lutheran congregations of the 1893. The present pastor is Rev. C. : one part, and Blasius Boyer, of Chester Fetter. county, of the other part; fora tract of It is impossible at this late date to as- • land situated in Bedminster township, certain when and by whom the Reform- '» ed congregation of Tohickon was organ-! and containing one acre and a quarter ized. In 1738 to 43 a large number of'- and sixteen perches, which was bought French Huguenots with some Swiss and for five shillings. A second tract con- Germans settled in the vicinity of the : church, bringing in many instances little j ; taining two acres was bought from Enos else than the bible,hymnbook and Heidle- Lewis, for £20 gold or silver money. berg Catechism and meeting in each Thedeeds bears the date of April 11,1803, other houses for worship as circumstan¬ and was made between Enos Lewis, of ces permitted. There are evidences of an the one part, and John Haney, Jacob organization in 1743 but no pastor was Solliday, Jacob Beidelman and settled here until August 27th, 1749, when - Philip Schreyer, trustees of the Rev. Jacob Riesz was installed. He had Lutheran and Reformed congregations, charge of the congregation until 1756, of the other part. A third tract was his successors number 12 as follows: bought from Jacob Delp, containing one Revs. John Egidio Hecker from 1756 to acre and 94 perches, for $303.46. The deed 1765; Christopher Gebrecbt Irorn 1766 to bears the date of May 7, 1864, and was 1770; Casper Waek from 1772 to 1781; John : made between Jacob Delp, of the one Theobald Taber from 1782 to 1787; John , part, and John R. Shellenberger, Thomas William Tngold Irotn 178Sto 1789; Necoleus 1 Bartholomew, Thomas Frederick and Pomp 1790 to 1799; Jacob Seim from 1799 t William Keller, of the other part, trus¬ to 1818; John Andrew Strassburger from 4 tees of the Lutheran and Reformed con¬ 1818 to 1854; Joshua Derr from 1854 to 1857; i gregations. A fourth tract, containing Peter S. Fisher from 1857 to 1871; Jacob , 8 perches, was bought from Henry K. Kehm, May, 1871, the present pastor, dj and John K. Shellenberger, for $5. The Some were highly educated. Latinisms deed bears the date of November 22, appear frequently, particularly in the , 1879, and was made between Henry K. entries of baptisms. Mr. Wack was pas- ? and John K. Shellenberger, of the one tor during the Revolutionary period, and [ part, and the trustees ct the Tohickon wan- *n ardent patriot. Strassburger ■■ church, of the other part. The time of spent the whole of his ministerial life "i the first burial cannot be known, but here. amongst the oldest tombstone that can The average length of the pastoral re- :* be found date back as far as 1767. The lation has been about ten years. This j?» cemetery was started in 1873. The first congregation has rapidly increased in burial was Harry Johnson in October, numbers since its beginning, and is one * 1873. ot the strongest, numerically, of the The firs.t church, as known, was al¬ (churches in the county. All the Reform- . ready built before the deed was given. _ d churches of this neighborhood have It is supposed to have been built about (derived their membership from old St. 1743. It was a log structure without a Peter’s, as it is called. The transition floor or a stove. It served the congrega¬ rom German to English in public wor- tion until 1766, when the second church hip is being gradually effected by both was built. This was a stone structure, enomioations. Services have become also without floors or stoves, except the more frequent. Benevolent and local altar was laid with brick. It had gal¬ objects receive considerable attention. leries on three sides of the church, but at Al though one of the oldest churches in a later date stoves and floors were also the county and the mother ot quite a | jnumber of churches of more recent origin, this'church still possesses the defences of New Hope ia 1776 'from what Geu- 'elements calculated to render her future ' eral Washington evidently anticipated—an " prosperous and useful. vanee movement of a portion of the British There is but one of the pastors buried here, which is Rev. Jacob Riesz, the first |army"at that time. The old hip-roof house, | Reformed pastor. On his tombstone recently taken down (and which wa» imme¬ V you will find the following inscription : diately opposite the long avenue leading into 1 “Rev. Jacob Reisz, former pastor here ; was born April 10,1706, and died Decem- the Paxson estate), was known as “The Old jber 23,1774.” Fort,” and is said to have been used as Lord * The two congregations together num- Sterling's headquarters while his soldiers were ^ ber about 1000 confirmed members. The HI! first sheds were built about 1860. stationed at New Hope. Here Washington met his Generals Greene and Alexander (Lord 1 Sterling), and here, it is also said, under “The- From, Old Washington Tree,” they first planned the battle of Trenton. Washington had his own headquarters a few milts below New Hope (“Coryell’s Ferry”), at the Keith Homestead, and doubtless on many an occasion halted under this ancient tree to confer with General Bate Sterling, whose earthworks were here and up the hillside beyond. On Christmas, 1776, Dr Lambertville Record. Charles Todd, of New Hope (then a young Another Revolutionary Landmark Gone. lad), watching at the intersection of the Old A week or two since, to make way for im¬ York Road and the Trenton or River Road provements, was cut down the old historic where “The Old Parry Mansion” stands, wif chestnut tree known as ‘‘The Washington nessed the Continental troops march around Tree,” which had stood for 150 years upon the the corner into the Trenton Road and down Paxson estate, a few feet to the north of the it with hurrying steps to a point below, on the old York Road, in New Hope borough. Delaware river, now known as “Washington’s This grand old tree measured 22 feet in cir¬ Crossing,” where, crossing over that night in cumference, and though many of its limbs boats, they, early on the morning of December were dead, reached out far upon either side, 26th, advanced upon the city of Trenton and making grateful shade in the long Summer tought and won that famous engagement which days from the noontide sun. Had it ears, eyes has passed into history as the Battle of Tren and tongue, much could it have told of Revo¬ ton. Many of the boats used at Washington’s lutionary days, for before it, on many occa¬ Crossing had been collected at New Hope and sions, passed the Continental army in full kept secreted behind Malta Island and whence array, as they entered into and were driven they were floated by n ight to the former place from New Jersey. Nearly every foot of this and used for transportation ofthearmy. Lord . part of Bucks county is full of interest to the Cornwallis was informed that boats were being - student and lover of Revolutionary lore, for collected at New Hope (“Coryell’s Ferry”) the whole section abounds in historic Incident and sent troops to what is now Lambertville, 1 connected with Colonial and Revolutionary New Jersey, the opposite side of the Delaware days. New Hope, at the time of the Revolu¬ river, to seize them, but the soldiers were ap¬ tion, was known as “Coryell’s Ferry,” and parently afraid to cross over in the face of the ■ from Coryell’s Ferry are dated many letters frowning batteries which were planted on the from Washington and other of his prominent river’s bank at New Hope. Generals. During the war troops were quar¬ General Benedict Arnold, the traitor, was at tered here upon various occasions and at the Coryell’s Ferry on J une 16, 1777, and wrote time of the battle of Trenton, in 1776, this General Washington from there, -end on July whole district of country was held by the Con¬ ji I 29, 1777, we find the honored and lamented tinental forces. New Hope itself at this Alexander Hamilton (then a Captain of Ar¬ •1 period was in a state of armed defence, under tillery), who was killed by Aaron Burr in General William Alexander—more commonly their memorable due), writing to the Hon, known as Lord Sterling—who threw up a strong redoubt on top of the hill, across the Robert Morris from the same place. Col. James Monroe, afterwards President ol pond in a southwesterly direction from “The the United States, was quartered in December, Old Parry Mansion” and a part of that estate- 1776, on the Neely farm, just below New Lord Sterling also had anot her redoubt thrown up on the “Old York Road,” at the /Hope.___ corner of Bridge and Ferry streets—opposite “The Old Washington Tree” stood. These with stockade entrenchments and batteries just above the ferry landing, on the river bank, north of the Old York Road, constituted the ,

■ many an occasion haWmffflfehcient j tree to confer with General Sterling, whose From,. earthworks were here and up the hillside ten<3V Cbri8tmas> 1776, Dr. Charles Todd, of New Hope (then a young lad), watching at the intersection of the Old Ohr, I York Road and the Trenton or River Road where The Old Parry Mansion” stands, witnessed the Continental troops march Date, around the corner into the Trenton Road and down it with hurrying steps to a point below, on the Delaware river, now known REVOLUTIONARY LANDMARK GONE “ Washington’s Crossing,” where, crossing A week or two since, to make way for im¬ over that night in boats, they, early on the provements, was cut down the old historic ; morning of December 26th, advanced upon chestnut tree known as “The Washington [ the city of Trenton and fought and won Tree,” which had stood for 150 years upon j that famous engagement which has passed the Paxson estate, a few feet to the north of into history as the Battle of Trenton. Many I the old York Road, in New Hope borough. This grand old tree measured twenty-two u iif boats usec* at Washington’s Crossing had been collected at New Hope and kept' feet in circumference, and though many of .secreted behind Malta Island, and whence its limbs were dead, reached out far upon, j they were floated by night to the former either side, making grateful shade in the place and used for the transportation of the long summer days from the noontide sun. Had it ears, eyes and tongue, much could it 0-rmy. Lord Cornwallis was informed that have told of Revolutionary days, for before ; ,b°ats being collected at New Hope | (Coryell s Ferry) and sent troops to what is it, on many occasions, passed the Conti¬ nental army in-full array, as they entered nf°T>,LaI?1Vert'vilIe’.N- J-’the opposite side of the Delaware river, to seize them, but into and were driven from New Jersey. the soldiers were apparently afraid to cross Nearly every foot of this part of Bucks over m the face of the frowning batteries I county is full of interest to the student j which were planted on the river’s bank at I and lover of Revolutionary lore, for the jJNewHope,, whole section abounds in historic incidents connected with Colonial and Revolutionary General Benedict Arnold, the traitor, was at Coryell s Ferry on June 16th, 1777, and I days. New Hope, at the time of the Revo¬ lution, was known as “Coryell’s Ferry,” and °T,e>Goo/lra JIH3hingt0n from there- and I j on July 29th, 1777, we find the honored and from Coryell’s Ferry are dated many letters (lamented A exander Hamilton (then a cap¬ from Washington and other of his promi¬ tain of artillery), who was killed by Aaron nent generals. During the war troops were Burr m their memorable duel, writing to quartered here upon various occasions, and at the time of the Battle of Trenton, in placeHOn" Robert Morris frGm the same 1776, this whole district of country was held Col James Monroe, afterwards President by the Continental forces. New Hope itself, of the United States, was quartered in De- at this period, was in a state of defence, icember, 1776, on the Neely farm, just below under General William Alexander—more N ew H ope.—Lambertville Record. commonly known as Lord Sterling—who threw up a strong redoubt on the top of the hill, across the pond in a southerly direc¬ tion from “The Old Parry Mansion” and a joart of that estate. Lord Sterling also had another redoubt thrown up on the “Old York Road,” at the corner of Bridge and Ferry streets—opposite where “The Old Washing¬ ton Tree ” stood. These, with stockade en¬ trenchments and batteries just above the ferry landing, on the river bank, north of the Old York Road, constituted the de¬ l\ fences of New Hope in 1776 from what ■■ General Washington evidently anticipated THE HICKS FAMILY. —an advance movement of a portion of the British army at that time. The old hip¬ A Geaealogical Sketch of the Family roof house, which was recently taken down trom rheir Ancestor, Robert Hicks, (and which was immediately opposite the long avenue leading into the Paxson estate), Y'ho Came Over in the Fortune, 1621, was known as “The Old Fort,” and is said ■ to have been used as General Sterling’s I The following genealogical account of headquarters while his soldiers were sta¬ the Hicks family, obtained from George tioned at New Hope. Here Washington A. Hicks, of Philadelphia, who has be°n met his generals, Greene and Alexander sojourning at Mrs. Charles Price’s board¬ (Lord Sterling), and here, it is also said, ing house, “Logandale,” Ingham Sprint under “The Old Washington Tree,” they Buckingham township, the nast three first planned the Battle of Trenton. Wash¬ months, will doubtless prove of interest ington had his own headquarters a few miles below New Hope (Coryell’s Ferry), at to the many Hicks’ relations residing at the Keith Homestead, and doubtless on OfNewtown, the fiminfv Cfaurchville and. ,other _ 7 sctaonssection* of _ the couoty„as Ahe^LThasenm"cr neeu published ill the county , to Mr. I Hicks’ knowledge. n On toe ilth 01 November, 1621, the ship “Fortune” arrived at Plymouth, Mass., | • from London. She followed the “May 1 flower,” blinking over the parts ot) families left behind by those who came in that famous vessel the year before. In the fortune, with this second body of Puritans, came Robert Hicks, the an¬ cestor of the family in America. He was a leather resser from Bermondesej street, Southwark, London. His lathe:, James Hicks, was lineally descended from Ellis Hicks, who was knighted by Edward, the lilacs. Prince, on tbe battle-1 * field of Poictiers (September 9th, 1356). j • for bravery in capturing a set of coior,' from the French. Margaret, the wile o; Robert Hicks, and her children came THE CHICAGO '‘RECORD,” over in the ship “Ann,” which arrived I at Plymouth, Mass , during the lattei r part of June, 1622. The family settled in The Early Jblfe of Two FheeuixvlUe Boys Duxburv, Mass., but two ol the sons, j Joseph and Stephen, subsequently (about —The Political Lie Which was Cir¬ 1042), came to LoDg Island. In October,- culated About them—A Story 1645, Governor Kieft, granted a patent to, of the MacVcagh Family. Thomas Farrington, John Hicks and others, for the township of Flushing, L About two weeks ago, Mr. William f. John Hicks seems to have taken a, E. Curtis, of Washington, a special leading part in the affairs oi the settle j correspondent of the Chicago Record, | meift and was appointed at various time:-1 spent a (lay here, He met a number ■ to fill the most important olfices. of our townspeople, ail of whom were His name, and that ol his son Thomas, pleasantly impressed by him ; and the appear in connection with almost eveij , public-measure for many years. following, the result of hie trip, ap-; . Beginning with the .Robert Hicks peared in the Chicago Record of family in 1621, the lineal descendants lo Thursday. August 23rd, being pro¬ the tenth or present generation, are a.- • fusely illustrated by pictures of Main follows: . , „ , street, the Washington House, William , | 1st. Robert Hicks married first Eliza¬ Althouse’s home, St Peter’s Church, beth Morgan, and had. Elizabeth,Thomas, the father of the MacVeaghs in Masonic John and Stephen. He married second. Margaret Winslow, and had Samuel, costume, etc. Ephraim, Lydia and Phebe. .. Washington, D. 0., Aug 22.—Some: 2d. John Hicks married Horod Long, weeks ago, while seeking a series of and had Thomas, Hannah and Elizabeth interviews with the Democratic mem- He married second Rachel Starr, no bers of the Illinois delegation concern-: issue. . , _ . AT l ing their impressions of Franklin Mac- 3d. Thomas Hicks married first Mar., Veagh as a man and a candidate forj Washburn, and had Thomas and Jacob. the United States senate, one of the He married, second, Mary Doughty, and had Isaac, William, Stephen, John,, representatives told me a curious j . Charles, Benjamin, Phebe, Chanty, Mary story. He said it had come to him and Elizabeth. . .. I from a prominent official of the inter¬ 4th—Isaac Hicks married Elizabeth I ior department, who had formerly ' Moore, and had Charles, Benjamin, lived in Pennsylvania. The story was I 1 Isaac, Gilbert, James, Thomas, Henry, this: “Years ago there lived at Phco- j John, Edward, Margaret and Mary. nixville, Pa., an Irish catholic saloon-j 5th—Gilbert Hicks married Mary Rod-' 1 mail, and had Isaac, Sarah, Elizabeth, keeper of the name of Patrick McVey, Mary, and Joseph Rodman. who got rich selling poor whisky to1 6th—Joseph Rodman Hicks married the mill hands at 3 cents a glass. He Margaret Thomas, and had Charles, had two sons, Patrick and Michael- Joseph, Elizabeth, Margaret, Gilbert W., bright, ambitious boys—and he gaye Mary, William, Isaiah. them every possible advantbge for 7th—Charles Hicks married Elizabeth education and advancement. Having Cooper, and had Wiliiam C., Isaac, Ann C., Joseph, Wiilet, Charles 0., Cooper, reached the proper age he sent thenj Rodman and Elizabeth. to Yale college, but they never re¬ 8th—Wiilet Hicks married Margaret) turned. One of them, however, has' Mintzer, and had George A., Edwin M., since been identified as Wayne Mac- L. Elizabeth, Albert M., William U. and, Veagh, the United States ambassador Harry H. . to Italy, and the other as Franklin 9th—Albert M. Hicks married Clara \ . MaeVeagh, the Democratic candidate Young, and had George A., A. Wiilet, Lizzie L„ Clara V., Ella D„ George MJ for the United State senate in Illinois and Mabel. _ ' . —:- —both Scotch Presbyterians.” The inference to be drawn from this story was that the MaeVeagh brothers had deserted their parents, discarded their ancestry and changed their names and their religion. .Thinkin the matter worthy of investigation, ? determined to visit the scene and as¬ certain the truth. coin are cousins, although the latter rates one generation younger. The branch of the family from which Mr. Phcenixville is a small manufactur¬ ing town on the Schuylkill, about MacVeagh s mother came remained on che old farm in Berks county, which twenty-five miles from Philadelphia. .adjoins Chester, while the president’s There, nearly a hundred years ago, a jyoung iron mill was planted which has ancestors were migratory and went .west, being transplanted from Ken- grown so great that it now covers a Jtucky into Indiana and then into Illi- mile or more of the river bottom and I nois. tills the air with soot and smoke. They call this the Phoenix mill, and the group of houses that the puddlers Major McVeagh had kept a tavern and the molders and the furnace men ! over m West Vincent and Pikeland five in natually took the name of and came to Phcenixville about 1836 to Phcenixville, and by accretion gath¬ j take charge of the Phcenix hotel. He ered to itself not only the hands that was its landlord until he had a quarrel were needed as the works enlarged, with tno Phoenix Iron company, which but others, whose business was to feed Lj?reri 1 COuid set the details of and clothe them, so in time it became the difficulty with no accuracy, be- a place of importance, and has be¬ Icause it occurred away back in 1844 tween 8,000 and 9,000 people. and the oracles of the town differ It was to Phcenixville chat Lord somewhat in thoir recollection. But Howe came with the British army tha6 icgrew out of politics during that awful winter of 1777-78 and Major Mc\ eagh’a appointment as1 postmasier by President Tyler two when the prospects of independence years previous. The proprietors of looked very solemn to the patriots of the mill were all whigs and high-tariff the revolution. The house he occupied men, while Major McVeagh was a as headquarters is still standing—an free-trader and a democrat. Some old stone structure surrounded by say that the mill people refused to in¬ large trees. Two miles to the east dorse him for the post office, others is Valley Forge, where Washington that they had quarreled over general was encamped at the same time with politics ; but, howsoever that may be the continental army, reduced to rags and horsemeat. Squire McVeagh, as everybody here calls him, was postmaster at Phcenix¬ ville from 1842 until 1849, when the „ IJrearne(i that four generations of whigs came in. For some reason or MeVeaghs have lived and three have other he abandoned the Phoenix hotel died near Phcenixville. The lines of in 1844 and became proprietor of the Chester county were laid out by Wm.'S Washington house, which had just Penn in 1682, and its first families been completed. came over from England the same year on the good ship Welcome. The . When Squire McVeagh kept the McVeaghs are heard from early in the (house between 1844 and 1850, the four next century, and they came from the rooms on the ground floor were oc- Scotch protesants in the north of Ire¬ | cupiert respectively as office parlor, land. The father and grandfather and dining-room and kitchen. In the par¬ great-grandfather of Franklin Mac- lor was a bar and the post-office, so Veagh were born at Charlestown, a that the squire and his son Nathan, little village about five miles south¬ who generally managed the house’ west of Phcenixville, and his grand¬ could attend to their own and Uncle father was married by the quaker Sam’s business at the same time On ceremony to a Miss Potts, of the family the second floor were four bedrooms, for whom Pottstown and Pottsville and on the third four more, while the were named. They had a high place fourth was a large hall, used as a in quaker aristocracy. His grand¬ lodge-room for many years by the father married a Miss xMajor, who was masons. Squire McVeagh purchased also a quaker. His father unfortu¬ the house a year or so after he moved nately, was given the maternal family into it, and in 1850 sold it to his son name and christened Major McVeagh. Nathan for $8,000, which was a large This incident caused him and other advance upon its orginal cost. people a good deal of annoyance, for he is said to have been a very dignified Major McVeagh was a famous mason and the master of his lodge for many' and punctilious old gentleman, and years. His portrait hangs in the place always became indignant when strang¬ tv of honor behind the master’s chair in ers called him by his first name, sup¬ posing it to be a military title. the Masonic hall at Phcenixville. Hotel-keeping in those days as now Franklin MacVeagh’s mother was was an honorable occupation, and Margaret Lincoln, also a quakeress, whosefamily can 5e traced ag fap bac^ there was always a bar—refresnmeots for man as well as beast. The Rev as 1637, and was the same from which Dr. Stockton says that the Washing! Abraham Lincoln came. President ton house was a very respectable Lincoln’s great great-grandfather was tavern, and its customers were mostly franklin MacVeagh’s great-great¬ : * farmers who came to town to sell their grandfather, so he and Robert Lin- <• * "S\ produce and buy supplies, and tran- isitora who had business at the voung men were superinlencTents in .xiS. The farmers would arrive early the iron mill- and boarded at the in the morning, put up their teams in Washington house, where they fell in the sheds across the street, transact love with the daughters of the land¬ their business, get their dinner at the lord and married them. They were Washington house, discuss politics smart fellows,” she said, “and after¬ with Squire McVeagh and then drive ward went to Reading, where they put homeward as the sun got low. up a mill of their own and got rich “Major McVeagh,” continued Dr. making iron tubing and pipe for gas Stockton, “was a most estimable man. and water and sewers. Elizabeth, the For years he was, perhaps, our most elder, died early-when her first baby prominent citizens. The Washington was born—and she lies beside her house was not a tippling place, but a mother in the Phcenixville cemetery. very respectable tavern and was pat¬ Rebecca is living in Reading yet, a ronized by the best people. Squire wealthy and well-respected woman. McVeagh did not always live there, Ellen, another daughter, died single, but spend a great part of the time on while she was still a young lady, and his farm. His son Nathan managed Mary Anna, the fourth, married Wm. the hotel—a very excellent man, of Phelan, who had a lumber and coal high character and marked ability. vard in Phcenixville, ana afterward People used to think that if Nathan moved to West Philadelphia, where McVeagh had enjoyed the advantages he could do better. Phelan was the that were given to his brothers, Wayne only Roman catholic m the family. and Frank, he would have surpassed Mrs McVeagh, the mother, lived with them both. The father was a generally the Phelans for many years and was used citizens; a man of striking per¬ burled from their house.” sonality and strong characteristics. His individuality was as marked as Mrs. Thompson remembers Franklin that of any man I have ever known. Mac Veagh as a bright and active but He was the trusted friend and con¬ rather diffident boy, with an amiable fidant of the entire community. Mrs temper and a strong sense of humor. Mac Veagh was a very lovely character. He was a great admirer of his brother She was a quakeress, and had a very Wayne, and although the two were sweet gentle disposition. I would verv much aliae in appearance they judge’that the sons inherited their re¬ were very different in disposition and finement and taste from her rather Wayne was ten years older. than1from their father, who had more The family has always spelled the vigor and individuality, but less re¬ name McVeagh, she said, as long as i finement,” and Dr. Stockton s daugh¬ she had known them, and she had ter kindly interrupted the conversa¬ never heard of anvoody spelling it tion here to say that they had just fin¬ differently. The elder son was chris¬ ished that very mormug cleaning the tened in honor of Isaac Wayne, the communion service which was pre¬ son of the famous Gen. “Mad An¬ sented to the church by Mrs. Mc¬ thony” Wayne, who lived at Paoli, or* Veagh. EasttowD. just over the hill,and whose; house is still standing just as it was in During the later years of his life revolutionary times and occupied by [a lire McVeagh was not so prosperous William Wayne, his grandson. Isaac s formerly. I could not ascertain the Wayne, the son of “Mad Anthony,”; ctual nature of his financial troubles was a great friend of the McVeagh family, and there is a tradition that S rJfetfSi itf1854 ha got^an the souire served as a private in the regiment of which he was colonel in the war of 1812 ; but I have been un¬ able to find any record of his military service in the history of Phcenixville whatKrtss his duties were, but tbey or Chester county. Wayne McVeagh, ■I Estate agent,” and be lived at by reason of his name inherited the Parkesburg and died there in Novem- papers of Gen. Anthony Wayne, for u Zr Tfranklin, who was then a the purpose of writing a biography, but in his busy life in politics and atfc WmUefihafiTra^tedftnm the bar he has never found time to do so. He was always called Wayne; McVeagh by his family and the neigh¬ bors through his early boyhood, and; used the signature “L Wayne Me-' mburbs of Pbcenix\iilo- •, v,ag Veagh” until about twenty-five years Mrs Milton Thompson, who has ago, when he shortened it by dropping mown the McVeagh boys since tdey the useless initial. were born, gave me some interest g Others told me that the McVeagh crossip about the family. ,, fiu„ name was variously spelled, and that were four daughters,” she there had always been an animated said, “and two of them B.izubeth am dispute among tbe members of thee SST-rSfe. different branches of the stock as to i-J. I ‘ w* ^ JIPW 'Pr

Iwbich method is the genuine and gave his name to the registrar of Yale original. Tho genealogists here agree college as Franklin McVeagh. It ap¬ Ithat the family is Seotch-Irish—that is, pears that way in the catalogue for from Scots who lived in the north of 1858, the year he entered, and during Ireland. Some spelled the name Mc¬ his subsequent course. Veigh ; others McVey, like settlers of It is a singular coincidence that McVeytown, an ancient village on the three of the four great men who have Pennsylvania railroad; others McVay, emerged from Phcenixville dropped ;and several other forms are repre¬ their first names, for the great poet- sented in Pennsylvania by families ofj editor was known as James B. Taylor imuch respectability. The father ofj when he published the Phcenixville IFranklin and Wayne insisted upon Pioneer, and his first verses are signed spelling his name McVeage, because that way ; but when he went to be an bis father and grandfather had done assistant on the editorial force of the so, but several years after his death [New York Tribune he called himself Mr. Wayne MacVeagh made some in¬ Baynard Taylor, and is thus known to vestigations into his ancestry and de¬ fame. cided that the old Scotch method of The old farmhouse in which Frank spelling out the Mac in place of the MacVeagh was born is still standing abbreviation was preferable, so Frank¬ in excellent condition, although its lin and he adopted it. capacity has been increased since his time by the addition of wings, and the L The old residents say Wayne Mac¬ front is the only part that remains as Veagh was what they call a “forward” it used to be. William D. Althouse is jboy, always pushing himself into the present proprietor. (notice. But Franklin, they tell me, (was a bashful boy, “stiddler,” and I asked Mr. MacVeagh once if it [naturally reserved and diffident. was true that he had changed his Mrs. Evans, who went to school with religion. the boys, gave me some interesting ' “No, it is not,” was his reply ; and (gossip over her garden fence. She he continued: “I am quite sure that if said that in 1856, when Wayne turned I had been born a catholic I should republican, Squire McVeagh was very hot wished to change my religion, for indignant, and told her father that he I have always had a profound admira¬ would ratner bury Wayne than have tion and regard for that great church. him vote any but the democratic The truth is that my family for three ticket. To which Mr. Evans replied: generations, and the fourth is now in (“Squire McVeagh, what can you ex- the same line, have been wholly jpect of a boy when you have given episcopalians. These are the only |him so much education ?” generations I have personally known, but I have always understood from my | When Franklin MacVeagh was born, mother and father that our episco- his father’s aunt, Elizabeth Richard¬ palianism certainly ran back to my son, who must have been a fine, char¬ great-great-grandfather and possibly acterful old widow, with considerable further, although two of my grand¬ wealth, insisted that he should be father’s sisters were lovely quaker christened with the name of her son, preachers. It is a mark of the blood Benjamin Richardson, who had died a on both sides that I am especially few months before. It was intimated proud of, that my family has never (that this indulgence of Aunt Elizabeth’s shown either religious or political in¬ whim might induce her to leave him tolerance, but, on the ocher hand, fre¬ (some money, but Squire McVeagh had quently shows association and rela¬ no particular ao miration for the Rich¬ tionship. which would appear to most ardsons. and secured a compromise by people impossible. My mother was which the baby was called* Benjamin born a ouakeress, and became an Franklin, but there is no evidence on episcopalian when she married. The the records of St. Peter’s church that same trait is on the other side, and, for he was ever christened or confirmed in myself, I can worship in a Roman that parish. It appears, too, that Aunt catholic cathedral or in a methodist Elizabeth was )not satisfied with the meeting house, feeling perfectly at compromise, and by his father’s ob¬ home in both, and it never enters my stinacy Franklin MacVeagh probably mind ‘to lay it up against a man’ that lost a fortune. he differs from me in politics or reli¬ They called him “Ben” and“Benny” gion, though I have been the victim of as a lad, and most of the old settlers that sort of irritation in others to a used that name in talking of him to me; special degree.” but they all agreed that he never liked ;it, and made an earnest but futile pro¬ Washington O. Mellon, a man of test against its U9e by calling himself wealth and influence in Phosnixville “Frank” and “Franklin,” and by sign¬ and the secretary of the Board of ing himself “ B. F.” and “B. Franklin Trade, was Franklin MacVeagh’s most MacVeagh” when he was a youngster. intimate friend in his childhood, and When he went off to school at New corresponded with him until the care Haven and could speak for himself he of business terminated their boyish in- dropped the Benjamin entirely, and 1 timacy. “I can remember Franklin Mac- entered Yale in 1858. They told me Veagh as far back as 1849,” be said, that the Hon. Anthony Higgins, “but I think we were playmates sev¬ United States senator from Delaware, eral years earlier. We went to school was his room-mate. at that time in the basement of the Presbyterian church, and the Pev. “Yes, I was Frank MacVeagh’s Samuel Nash, an episcopal clergyman, I room-mate at college,” said Senator was our teacher. Then we went to! Higgins, in reply to my question ; Classical institute, of which Abel “that is, during his freshman year. Marple was principal, and we have We both entered Yale in 1858, but I been friends ever since, although of' had attended a scientific school at late years I have seen very little of Newark, in my state, and was pretty Mr. MacVeagh. well along in mathematics, so by “Do you remember his father?” cramming upon the languages I was. “Yes, indeed. He was a man whose able to eater the sophomore class, individuality was impressed upon while he entered the freshman. Dur¬ - e?ery one who knew him. My father ing my second year at College I went and he were about the same age and to room with one of my own class, were intimately associated in business because it was more con venient and to and public affairs. I suppose they my advantage for obvious reasons;, were two of the most public-spirited but we lived at the same dining club citizens in Phcenixviiie, and whenever all through our course, belonged to any movement was inaugurated here the same literary society and were they were generally the leaders. They very intimate friends until I gradu¬ acted together in the foundation of the ated. Ex-Secretary Whitney and episcopal church and were its wardens j Oliver H. Payne, of the Standard Oil for many years,and in the organization [ company were in the class behind him, of the oorougb. Squire MeVeagb, as! and Edward G. Mason, of Chicago, they used to call him, although [ be¬ was one year before. I visited his lieve ho was never a justice of the home during vacation and he visited peace, was the democratic leader in mine, and I knew all his family. the politics of this part of the county, “Our acquaintance was sudden and and besides running a farm and keep¬ purely accidental. I arrived at New ing a hotel had the care of several Haven one day in the fall of 1858 and estates. He was the guardian of sev¬ went to the old New Haven house. eral families of orphaned children and That evening I wandered into the did a general law business although he reading-room and found their a slender had no office and I believe was never pale-faced boy, who looked as lone¬ admitted to the bar. He was the ■ some and homesick as I felt. After a leader of whatever he went into, and few moments of shying around as took an active part in religious and boys do, we exchanged greetings and educational matter as well as politics. got into conversation. It soon de¬ He was President Buchanan’s con¬ veloped that we came from adjoining fidential man in this part of the coun¬ counties, but from different states, he try. The mother was a quiet, gentle from Chester county, Pennsylvania, and refined woman, wirh a fine senti¬ and I from Delaware, just across the ment character. I think Frank takes line, and we found that we had some after her a good deal. The last time I mutual acquaintances. That was a saw him was at his mother’s funeral geographical tie, at least, and as j eight or ten years ago. All of the neither of us knew a soul in New! family are dead except Wayne and Haven we clung to each other and Frank and their sister Rebecca, who soon became fast friends. After we lives at Reading, and the widow of passed our examination we went out their brother Nathan.” together to hunt a boarding place and “What kind of a boy was Frank ?” finally settled down as room-mates. “He was a gentle, quiet boy, ami “He was always known as Franklin never boisterous or unruly. He loved college, and was registered in the cat¬ books and was not so active and ener¬ alogue as Franklin MacVeagh, al¬ getic as Wavne.” though the boys soon got- onto the fact “What did you use to call him ?” that he was originally called Benjamin “We called him both Frank and Franklin, and they used to call him Benny, although he never liked the Benny to tea&e him, as he never liked latter name. He used to sign himself the name. ‘B, Franklin MacVeagh,’ and the boys often teased him about his first name. “MacVeagh was one of the most When he went away from here and brilliant men in college at that time, got among strangers he dropped it. especially in the classics, and took a After the death of his father Frank¬ number of prizes for composition, de¬ lin MacVeagh went to West Chester, clamation and oratory, and was one of where his brother Wayne was practic¬ our best debaters. His health was ing law, and from 1856 to 1858 made delicate and interfered somewhat with his home with him. He was prepared his standing, although he was gradu¬ for college by Charlton Lewis, a ated with honors. brother of Wayne MacVeagh’s wife “When he died Frank went to West and the son of his law partner, and Chester, the county seat of Chester _„ , to live withhis brother Wayne !wbo had studied law and gone into 1 Third —Ah anvil stone' or emblem, partnership with Judge Lewis, who which evidently embodies a myth. This 1 latter find brings out a few suggestions was commissioner of internal revepue in regard to the divinities employed or under President Lincoln. Wayne worshipped by primitive man. The stone married the daughter of Judge Lewis, or emblem is about eight by four inches, and her brother, Charlton Lewis, who consisting of hard, dark triassic shale. is now practicing law in New York, On its surface is carved a well defined j prepared Frank for college. half circle, crescent shaped, suggesting the moon in its first quarter. Opposite “I recollect,” continued Senator on a line are faint attempts at eyes, with Higgins, “that MacVeagh was knock a well defined nose and chin underneath. ing around hunting for health for The dividing line between the upper and more than two years. He made a ! lower portion of the body is well defined horseback tour through the eastern by a deep groove cut completely around the relic. The carving on the lower por- states and then out through the north- l tion of the emblem was accidentally some- ) west, going as far as St. Paul and pro- | what defaced by Mr. Purcell while clean¬ I bably to the British boundary. The ing the stone. | doctors told him he could not live on The study of this relic is interesting, as the seacost, and that a professional life | it shows how strong and how prevalent j or any sedentary occupation would I was the religious sentiment in primitive kill him in a few years. For that rea¬ man; for the very commonest carvings I in stone, weapons, ornaments, decora¬ son I believe he decided to locate in tions, &c., were turned into symbols and Chicago, and go into business, but I * emblems of divinity. In studying these am not so familiar with his career out | rare relics which have come down to us there.” William E. Curtis. from prehistoric times, we find they came by a gradual but very natural process to be devoted, to some religious purpose, I significant of some hidden thought or. i custom. These symbols are not all alike, some of them having more mythologi- jcal significance than others, yet all seem to have been raised to a level where they were more or less sacred. We find in different parts of the country mythologic emblems, carvings in stone, consisting of birds, animals and human ■ beings with wings, showing that all of these objects were sacred. The same is true of animal figures, monsters of the deep, etc. The pipe is another article which was in common use in pre-historic times, but which, by gradual transforma¬ tion, changed to a symbol significant of VALUABLE COLLECTION OWNED religious thought and sentiment. The BY BENJAMIN E. PUKCELL. symbolic use of the pipe has not yet re¬ ceived the attention from archaeologists It deserves. Some Interesting Archaeological A habit, as common in prehistoric times Finds In Upper Bucks County.—| as at present, was seized upon, and made to signify more sacred things. The Their Significance as Emblems of smoking of the pipe of peace was an im¬ the Religious Sentiment In Primi¬ portant feature in treaties or leagues tive Man. which were formed between the tribes. . It was also an important ceremony in all , ' Kecently we paid a friendly visit to our national councils. As a result, the pipe ,genial arohmological friend, Benjamin F, was always carried in the hand of the . chiefs and medicine men in their sacred Purcell, Esq., of Kintnersville, Bucks dances and in their war carnivals. Pipes in county, Pa., to look over his reported im¬ the shape of tubes may be seen in collec¬ portant and unique finds in that locality' tions in this vicinity—these also were sacred symbols. They were filled with Among his large and valuable collec¬ tobacco, and smoke was blown through tion we noticed several new, and, to this them by the medicine men. These pipes [section, very rare relics of primative art. are very significant. The stone celt, First—A stone about ten inches square wedge-shaped, without a groove—the and two inches in thickness, with two banner stones made of slate with a hole chipped saucer-shaped cavities on the perforated through the centre seem to upper side. One of the saucer-shaped have been also a symbol of divinity cavities is about six inches in diameter among-the prehistoric races. The war club and one inch in depth. The smaller one is another implement, which was no is about two inches in diameter and doubt one of the earliest implements of three-quarters of an inch in depth. The" savage man, and ultimately, became latter cavity also served for the conven¬ a symbol as well as a tribal emblem. ience of a thumb hold when transporta¬ The significance of the different articles tion became necessary. This relic was alluded to are very interesting to the used by primitave men for corn-pound¬ student of prehistoric art, as well as ing crushing and preparing medicine, as . suggestive, but are nevertheless open to the saucer-shaped cavities plainly indi- riscusslon, C. Lapbach, Riegelsville, Pa., Oct. 15,1894. Second—A hammer stone, of unique de- sign, being six inches in length, two in diameter at large end, tapering to one inch at smaller end. It has a groove cut on two sides, two-thirds distant from smaller end. >* \ I

‘ Owing to the inclemency of the weather on Saturday, the memorial ser¬ vices at Trinity Church, Springfield, were deferred until Tuesday afternoon, De¬ cember 4. As was expected, so unusual an, occurrence brought out a large as¬ semblage. After music from the choir and Invocation, the Rev. J. G. Dubbs read a portion of the Scriptures and the Rev. S. N. Phillips offered a prayer. Rev. O. H. Melchor, one of the pastors, offered some Introductory remarks on so extraordinary an occasion, and, under Ex-State Senator WilliamKinsey.of Bristol. the circumstances, one of great Interest rSPECIAL TO THE FUBBIC LEDGER. 1 in connection with the darly history of ^Bristol, Nov. 22.— Ex-Senator William i the church. Kinsey, one of Ifae best known residents, not Hon. Jeremiah S. Hess, late Senator of only of this, his native town, but of Bucks' Northampton county, read a paper, county, lo-day celebrated the 90th anniver- which he had carefully prepared, giving saiy ot his birth. Heisslill liaie and hearty the history of the church from 1743. It notwithstanding a recent illness, and is able contained considerable new information., to read without glasses. Mr. Kinsey was William J. Buck, of Jenkintown, the born In Bristol, November 22, 1894, In donor, made the presentation remarks, the old homestead, on Cedar street, which giving a brief history of the weather K still stands, and on the site of which he hopes cock that had been on the church therei to live, to see erected a handsome Methodist from 1763 to 1816, and of Its final return Episcopal church. He has signified his In¬ after an absence of 78 years. The Rev. tention of contributing $1000 towards that ob¬ A. P. Horn, on behalf of the trustees and: ject. During bis long life Mr. Kinsey has the members of the two congregations, served in the various offices of the borough responded. government. He was Postmaster for three The Rev. Jacob Moyer, of the Men- terms and Burgess of the town for seven nonlte congregation of the vicinity, spoke terms, while he was a Councilman for 14 on the subject of the worship of our fore¬ terms. fathers, noticing the gradual changes, In 1S02 he was elected to the State Senate ' that have been taking place since the for three years, and proved to be one of the early period of settlement, and stating ablest speakers In that body. At the breaking that his ancestor-had located here In out of the Civil War ho assisted in raisin"- a 1745, and that a number of the descend¬ company of volunteers, and went, to the front ants of the family still resided in the; as a member of the company. He was also vicinity. a frequent contributor to various newspapers, The trustees, having made every ar¬ and has written largely on matters of iocai rangement for the immediate elevation history. of the ancient relic to its former position Mr. Kinsey Is one of the oldest members of on the rear end of the church, at the con¬ the Bristol Methodist Episcopal Church, and clusion of the services, announced that probably the oldest Free Mason in the State. the audience could now behold its restor-i In politics he has always been and still is a ation. The ceremony was witnessed by, Democrat. Yesterday, In company with the the concourse assembled. The audience ; Trustees of the Bristol Church, he visited was highly attentive to what was said Philadelphia to arrange for the sale of a prop- ) and done. The public school immediately erty left to the church, so that the church - opposite was adjourned, that Its pupils here can use the proceeds in the erection of its might have an apportunity to receive a new edifice. lesson in local history. To-day the venerable ex-Senator received It is proposed to continue further re¬ calls from many of the older resident of the/ searches with the intention in the Spring town, while the Trustees of the Methodist1 of having the whole brought together and Episcopal Church pres vn ted him with hand-- published in a pamphlet, under the edi¬ somely engrossed resolutions. torship of Mr. Hess. The services wereI 1 conducted in English and German, the former predominating; yet it was sup¬ posed that at least three-fourths of those present were familiar and more or less educated In both languages, a mention of which may be a, surprise to those residing outside the German districts.

From, ck<-g^a

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Date, THE AFFLERBACH FAMILY. A Weathercock 130 Years Old Replaced.—Addresses by Ex-Sena- Read Before the Buckwampun Literary tor Mess, | Historian Buck, the Association at Applebachsvllle, June Donor, and Several Clergymen. 9th, by William J. Buck. /r?4 ■ ■ ... __ _ _ , As a surname Alllerbach or Applebach made the larger portion. As letters of administration were granted in 1816 for is undoubtedly ol' German origin. For the settlement of his estate it is likely this purpose T have made some research that he died within said year. A tomb-J o to get at the original signification, hut stone has been erected to his memory in not with satisfactory success. Api'el- the graveyard attached to the .Spring- field church, which unfortunately con- * bach and Auf-lehr-bach are the only tains no date, but states that ho was aged ' pure words of that language that can overi77 years, so we may conclude that he approach it. The former signifies an was born in 1789. The widow and heirs sold from off said, apple stream, or literally a brook along place 6 acres, June 5.1817, to Jacob Bar- which those trees grow ; the latter a bed /M. -1 —1___ ^i-__ ron,■ and^-n, is stated to haveuayo beenUOD11 boundedUUMUUDU or channel where a stream had formerly by iandsof Jacob Renshimer, probably flowed. The section of country from a brother of his wife. The balance of whence the family came is mentioned as the tract was retained by the family un- hilly and may additionally help to ex¬ tu sold at public sale August 4,' 1824. plain one or the other of the aforesaid Irom the advertisement we learn that it propositions,” of which my preference contained 46 acres and on the road inclines to the latter. to Bethlehem, the improvements being Wittgenstein, where they came from, a two-story stone house with a kitchen is an ancient lordship, where its reign¬ adjoining, frame barn with stone stab¬ ing family from an early period have ling underneath, tenant house, black¬ been the posrsessors of a castle, which is smith shop and stable, with spring house still existing, and gave it name. Its lo¬ and other outbuildings, abounding in cation is in Westphalia, and not in the meadow, woodland, apple orchard and kingdom of Wurtemburg, as has been a fine running stream of water. It thus' heretofore supposed. I presume it is passed from out the family and its mem-! situated about sixty miles northeast of bers removed to the vicinity of where is, Cologne, on the Rhine. Although I have now Pleasant Valley. The aforesaid,, failed in securing information on the property was long in the possession of antiquity of tho family, there is reason to Henry Stover, and is the same on which believe that, the Aflierbachs have resided the creamery has since been erected. around there from a remote period. I have as yet been unable to find traces John Applebach, the eldest son of the ancestor, removed many years ago to of them elsewhere, hence we may con¬ Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He had clude that it must be one there of local a large family and has numerous de¬ origin, and likely assumed since the year 1350. In the efforts to anglicise it scendants there. They have changed the name to Applebangh. Henry was born here is variously spelled in records, even m 1786 and according to a stone at the as Offlerbach, Appleback, Afflerbage, besides nearly a dozen other deviations. Springfield church, died September 9, In this county it is chiefly Attlerbaeh, 1855, aged upwards of 69 years, 7 months. which is generally accepted as the proper His wife’s name was Sarah and had a surname. son Levi born November 1,1827, but be¬ yond this can give no particulars of his HENRY APPLEBACH, OP SPRINGFIELD. family. The firstto arrive hereof this family, ac- Daniel Applebach was born July 12, cording to records, was “Johan Henrich 1788, and married June 2,1811, Catharine, Afterbach,” who embarked at Rotterdam the daughter of Paul Apple and his wife on the ship Sally, John Osmond, master, Christina Kappes. He was commissioned and arrived in Philadelphia October 29,1 to'*’??4™6 °t .t^..Peaf'e by G°y- George 1770, aged about 31 years, and a smith by* Wolf, May 15,1833, and I believe served o«cnnation.occupation. How early heho camenamo into in said capacity until the close of his life Springfield is not known, but very prob- .. He removed to near the site of Apple- ably not long thereafter. He was enrolled bachsville, Haycock township, where he a member of the Company of Associators died August 18,1852, his wife having pre- •?V August 21, 1775. In the following year ceded him four years. According to his we find him assessed as a single man, |will he was the owner of considerable residing with John Wolflager, the owner real estate in that vicinity. Among if of an 80-acre farm. It is very probable | his other effects mentions therein his li¬ that at his place he set up his occupa¬ brary. He had children Paul, Henry, tion. In 1780 he is no longer stated as William, Harriet, Catharine and Lucy single but is taxed for 20 acres and pos- i Ann, who have all exhibited strong local sessing two horses and one cow. So it attachments for the scenes of their child- may be assumed that before the latter hood. date he married Maria Renshimer, of Rosina, who was born in 1790, in early said vicinity. Thechildren of this union life entered into storekeeping on her ■were John, Henry, Daniel, Elizabeth, lather’s place, and after its sale removed married to Abraham Rondenbush; Cath¬ to the vicinity of Pleasant Valley, con¬ arine, to Nicholas Roudenbush, and tinuing in the same for many years She Rosina. Of these will have more to state I died December 13,1868, at the advanced hereafter. Two others, George and age of 78 years, 4 months. Maria, died in early life. Paul, the eldest son of Daniel Anple- There is reason to believe that the afore¬ bach, Esq., was born in 1816, and in early said Henry Applebach from tho begin¬ life began to exhibit business qualifica¬ ning settled in the vicinity of where is tions that eventually brought him into now the creamery, about a mile above the rank of the enterprising men of this Bursonville, where he spent the re-1 (section of the country. In the military mainder of his life. He is mentioned as he was advanced to the rank of Major having given m his oath of allegiance General of the militia. With his brother I May 28,1778, to the new form of govern¬ Henry he dealt extensively in horses ment, before George Wyker, Esq. His and cattle. In partnership with the lat¬ purchase from John Thompson was ter m 1847 purchased of George F. Dutch made June 15, 1797, of 50 acres of land. what was so long known as the "Stokes If he did not make the first improve¬ harm,” a tract containing 377 acres ments thereon, he certainly must have whereon had been built in 1837 one of «rars 34

t t / >£0 first country "seats in tlie upper end of Bucks, where he continued to reside vived to Decoin her HI, 1825, agedSC^I . to the close of his, life. In 1848 they com¬ and Anna Dorothy Pupp, his wife, fol¬ menced the erection of buildings and lowed him two days later at 72 years.1 chiefly through their enterprise grew They repose beside each other in tlielgrave- into a village, and when the post offlce yard attached to St. Luke’s church, Nock- was established their name was applied amixon. to the place. He maintained an active John George Afflerbach, the eldest and ■ tho only son, was born March 13, 1775,! career until overcome with dropsy! from! and married Dorothy, daughter of Bal- which he died March 26, 1872, aged up¬ thaser Steinbach, April 3, 1798. They wards of 56 years, 4 months. His demise had thirteen children, of whom eight was greatly regretted and it was sup¬ were bovs, thus causing this branch of posed that upwards of SOO persons at- •: tended his funeral. the family in surname to be now the most numerous in Bucks county. He Henry Applebach was born November was a member ot a company command¬ , 28,1818, married August 29, 1848, Sarah ed by Lieutenant Andrew" Apple, and Jane, daughter of James Ely, of Monroe did service in the summer and fall of) county. He was also an enterprising 1814, at Marcus Hook, for the defence ot ! man and in connection with his elder) Philadelphia. He was administrator oh brother done much to advance the prop¬ his father’s estate and at a public sale in erty ot the village and its neighborhood.) April, 1827, the farm of 147 acres was He was here for awhile the postmaster sold to Anthony Wirebach, who it is and kept the hotel. His children were presumed purchased it tor the aforesaid. James, Daniel, Camilla and Sarah Jane. He died December 22, 1837, aged 65 years. William, the youngest of Daniel’s sons, Through research a curious matter has was a life long resident of the village. just come to light. In this family there He married January 11, 1846, Sarah, is a tradition that he had early in this daughter of George Walp. His death century received a Bible as a gift from occurred in August, 1891, aged 70 years. his grandfather, after whom he had been . Three children survive, Paul the present called, and which is still in tho possession | District Attorney of Bucks county, Emma of one of his descendants. On being in-! and Lizzie. formed of this in my investigations in| DANIEL AFFLERBACH, OF HAYCOCK. Philadelphia for material on the Affler¬ Ho was the son of John George, who bach genealogy, I ascertained that there! . resided at the Burg or Castle oi Witt¬ was a John George Afflerbach who ar- I genstein, where his relative Henry had rived in the ship Fortune, from Ham¬ come from in 1770 and soon thereafter burg, September 8,1803. I have in conse¬ settled in Springfield, fn company with quence arrived at the conclusion that he was the person, and that he had been his brother Ludwig he arrived in Phila¬ there on a visit to his relatives and that delphia, September .30, 1773, aged at this time 28 years, and through letters re¬ this denoted his return and how he had ceived from the aforesaid Henry, resolved received said present. to emigrate to America, and was thus We shall now resume mention of the induced to come into the upper end of daughters of Daniel Afflerbach. Sarah Bucks county and settle down there a married Anthony Wiroback, Elizabeth farmer for the remainder of his life. born in 1777 married Abraham Mill, We possess no further evidence re¬ Catharine Isaac Deibl, Mary Isaac Mill, specting him until 1776, when he was as¬ Maria Dorthy born 17S3, Charlotte 1785, sessed in Haycock ior llOacres of “rocky and Magdalena born Jan. 21,1790, mar¬ land,” two horses and a cow, his tax ried John Welder. The latter couple therefore being 3 shillings or about 40 were well known to me and frequent cents ot our present currency. We find, visitors to my father’s house. She died foreigner as lie was and only a few years Feb. 7,1861, and her husband June 24, here, that lie was enrolled for military 1867, aged nearly 76 years. They had service, and fined in 1778 and 1780 for not children, William, David, Peter, Mary, regularly attending the trainings, John, James and Daniel. In 1827 he be¬ whether he was on moro active duty is came the owner of 66 acres of his father- not mentioned. That he was on the pa¬ in-law’s estate, on which he resided until triotic side we know by bis having taken1 sold in 1838, when about 1S43 he removed- the oath of allegiance, July 17, 1778, be-: from Springfield to the Bissoy farm in fore Thomas Long, Esq., of Durham. Tinicum, where he died. A majority of He purchased of John Schoch, April his descendants now reside in Pniladel- 10, 1797, 107 acres for .+.'425, at present! phia. owned and occupied by Jefferson Atiier-; John George Afflerbach had the follow¬ bach, his descendant. By patent he se-H ing children: Elibabeth born in 1801, cured 155 acres, January 22,1811, for $278, i married Frederick Smith; Samuel born which covered all of the present site ot, Feb. 14,1802, married Juliana Funk and! Danielsville and the surrounding section.. died in 1881; John born Nov. 27, 1803, On this he made the first improvements married Sophia Deihl, daughter of Isaac, ' and retained in the family, down to 1838, Feb. 2, 1840, and died Nov. 16, 1878;' when his son-in-law, John Welder, sold Hannah born 1805, married Peter Swartz; j a part of the old homestead portion to f Tobias Aug. 6, 1807, married Catharine; George Snyder, now owned by his son Deihl, died Feb. 13,1883; Abraham May: Tsaac. 111, 1809, married Magdalena Bibighouse, j§ In this connection I may state as aware < died Jan. 28,1874; Charles, April 12,1811, that Danielsville, in its application here,! died Oct. 16,1837; Daniel April 13,1813, for over half a century, has been looked married Sarah Frankenfield, died Aug. upon as a joke. Now I say let the name be 22, 1854; Sarah, May 21, 1815, married retained and perpetuated in honor of —— Deihl, died Jan. 4,1892; Josiah, Sept.' Daniel Afflerbach, the first original pur¬ 15, 1817, died near Franktord; Dorothy born June 4, 1819; Isaac, Aug. 15, 1821, ' chaser and improver of said section,! where he so long lived, and died leaving married Caroline Kile and resides in a creditable record and a numerous body j Philadelphia; Mary married Joseph Kel¬ ot respectable descendants. ler. John Henry Afflerbach, son of ■ Abraham, was a captain during the latel I war in the lTlfli PeuhsytTanfJWpgiinent, in which his brother George Franklin thereon in T88t>. These brothers also served as corporal, diod at Norfolk, Va., followed teaming down to about 1840. On Dec. <3, 1862, aged nearly 30 years. a visit to Jacob’s house in September, Although we have secured considerable 1879,1 was shown his father’s huge wag¬ later information respecting the descend¬ MW' . on body that had repeatedly conveyed ants of this branch, our time will not now . freight from Philadelphia to Pittsburg permit us to enlarge lurther in this di¬ drawn by six horses. It was 13 feet ‘ rection. long and 3i feet in height, painted a blue color. After his father’s death, Lewis LUDWIG AFFLERBACH, OF DURHAM, 'm drove it to the latter destination down to Was born at Wittgenstein, April 11, 1834. The barn here had been specially |1753, and in company with his elder % built for teaming purposes, so as to drive brothor arrived in Philadelphia, Septem¬ therein in the most unfavorable weather • ber 30,1773, as is mentioned on his tomb¬ and to pass through it without necessitat¬ stone at Nockamixon church, being at ing backing. Jacob had also a brother this time only 20 years of age. He first Samuel and a sister Anna married to settled in Springfield and it is supposed; Enos Wood, of Tinicum. All the afore¬ in the neighborhood of Henry Apple- said are now deceased but have surviv¬ bach who had preceded him about three ing descendants. years. His wife’s name was Anna and Magdalena Affierbach was married to respecting her possess nothing addi¬ Charles Thatcher, a descendant of an tional. Hejgavo in his allegiauco Sep¬ early Nockamixon family. At the death 1 tembers, 1778, and was married about of Ludwig he was a tenant on one of his I this time. In 1780 lie was taxed in farms. Christina and her husband were'' Springlield for 32 acres of land, 2 horses . deceased before 1832; they lelt an only and 2 cattle. He had children Daniel, surviving child, Lewis Smith, a minor of Catharine, Magdalena, Christina, Sarah whom in 1834 Johu K. Adams was ap¬ and Elizabeth. pointed guardian. Respecting Anna and Ludwig, or better known in English as Sarah Aillerbach can give no particulars, Lewis, purchased June 18,1788, of Clem¬ except that they had deceased before ent Sewel, a farm of 112 acres in Durham, 1833. Considerable of our information located about a mile south of the village respecting this family lias been derived of that name and on the east side of the from the papers of Jacob E. Ruck, who old road leading to Philadelphia, where was the principal administrator of Lud¬ he removed and resided the remainder wig’s estate and now in our possession. of his days. He subsequently had his > I JOSEPH AFFLERBACH, OF SPRINGFIELD. property divided into two farms, on which he erected the necessary build¬ The aforesaid was the nephew of Daniel ft t. ings and also purchased adjoining prop¬ ’ and Ludwig, and through letters relating erty until the whole comprised about 300 the success that had attended their efforts jj acres, and extended for some distance hero, induced him to leave the home eastward along the road leading to the of his ancestors at Wittgenstein, where Delaware river at Monroe. He died Jau- he was born Noy. 17, 1773, and settled uary 28,1832, aged nearly 79 years, his near them, lie had received a good wile having preceded him some time be- : school education and in addition pursued lore. Ilis real estate was sold by his ad¬ a full term of apprenticeship at the ? ministrators in 1S32. Among the purchas¬ smith’s business, extending into the ers were John Gruver, John K. Adams manufacture of various kinds of utensils • and Peter Steely. The woodland was and cutlery. So at the age of nearly 23 S sold in eight tracts. Owing to his ad¬ years, single and unaccompanied by ac¬ vanced age he had relinquished farming quaintances, embarked at Hamburg on for several years. He left a considerable the brig Mary. Caleb Earl, master, and estate the result ol his industry and en¬ arrived in Philadelphia, July 30, 1790. ’> terprise. From the latter place with a good outfit Daniel Aillerbach, the eldest and onlv of clothing and mechanic tools was not son, was born March 24, 1781, whom his long in wending his way to his relative; > lather took pains to have well educated in Springfield township. in both the English and German lan¬ There is a tradition that he first set up > guages. From early life he had an im¬ his occupation with Isaac Diehl, married ■ pediment m his speech which he never to Catharine, the sister of John George entirely overcame and prevented him Aillerbach, and thus became acquainted from entering on a profession as had with Maria, the daughter of George and been contemplated. Hence he settled Palsaria Stonebach, who was a niece of down a farmer on one of his father’s his wife, the latter being a daughter of places until near the close of his life Christiana and Dorothy Stein bach, now when he became a justice of the peace. anglicized into Stonebach, of Haycock. w!\W1ilG s nainT° we have not ascertained. The exact date of his marriage has not He had a son Lewis now long deceased been ascertained, but it was before the and probably other children, ilis summer of 1799. About this time he death occurred March 11, 1850, and was rented the house and shop of Henry Ap- buried beside his parents in Nockamix- plebach, who is supposed was a cousin \ ,1G interesting inscription on his to his father. He here continued his oc¬ cupation until about 1805, when he erect- 183261 8 t0mb WaS comP°sed '’y him in ed buildings on a 20-acre tract purchased Catharine, the oldest daughter of Lud-f of Isaac Burson, April 14, of the previous wig, was married to Jacob Sumstone year, to this in 1811, purchased more land < a oprung from this branch of the family, four of which were represented character of men they are-is always a at the reanion. The next aunual meeting matter ot deep interest; and ueare for- will be held as the residence of Wm. J. U'uaten, having had preserved to us so Hoover, at Glenaide. much that concerns ihe men who first penetrated the wilderness west of the Delaware. I From,_fyy"i ( A c / - J, 1 whauaiht eisis 1Downow Eu.Burks°PIeailS county,’ to 8ettJe were within a feu ' 'TutT2LdfUCh WaJJ,,OUS- w bu locat- nearSh 1 d g Post ou a small island neat the west shore of the Delaware just hel„w Trento falls, abouT^-t Fater V

pieopied' by Ua DutchmanD9ufJtrlCk8’ JsJaudnamed waParent« o^u- Herman Alricks, of Philadelphia grand son ot Peter Alricks, when ayWf man nettled in the Cumberland Valiev about’ HO, and when Cumberland county was organized, 1749-50, he was the first mem- ! bei ot the Assembly. He filled r ous Ortiees of Register, Recorder Clerk <>f the Courts and Justice of the pill, to his death, in 1775 His " J ’ Wife was ___ '■ early recordsas“Dunk”Williamson, ant ofPeterAlricks,asareprobablyall all borninCarlisle,theyoungest,James, and herbrotherFranciswasthegrand¬ youug girlnamedWeal, county. Hisdescendantsclaimthat settlers ontheriverfrontinBucks father ofthelateChiefJusticeGibson. Stenly andPeterBantonin1689. already owned,ofThomasFairman, acres additional,adjoiningthetracthe on thesouthsideofNeshaminyin Schuylkill fromthemouthup.He granted himontheeastsideof Alricks, ofHarrisburg,wasadescend¬ in December1769.ThelateHamilton Of hiswifenothingisknown.Hisson He diedabout1700,andwasburiedinj for £11silvermoney;partof4,000acres reads Duncan,wasoneoftheearliest but theinscriptiononhistombstone Herman Alrickshadseveralchildren, who bearthisnameintheState. (Jfozier, ofMorrisville.Asister grandson ofDuncan,wasthegrand¬ and livesons,Jacob,Abraham,John, Dunk's Ferrywasnamedafterhim. Fairman hadpurchasedofWilliam that township.In1695hebought100 hear ofhimin1669,whenlandwas the Johnsonburyingground,Bensalem.1 when 100acresweresurveyedtohim probably settledinBensalemabout1677, his wifeasearly1660-61.Wefirst he cametoAmericafromScotlandwith Thompson andmanyothersofthis aged 101years.Thedescendantsof father, onthemother’sside,ofRobert county andState,whereinmanyof early life,andbycloseattentionto embarked inmerchautilepursuits scendants ofDuncanWilliamson.He all hisdealings,becameoneofthe the familiesofVandegrift,Walton, ham Heed,diedinSolebury1834, William, whodiedin1722,leftawidow onel Britton,whoarrived in1680.He an earlysettlerinFallstownship, Ly- county, andprobablyintheState,was are taughttrades. business andthestrictestintegrityin vania. ThelateIsaiahWilliamson William andPeter.Peter,thegreat- a mechanicalschool,wherepoorboys made thegreatestnameofallde¬ the GrandMasonicLodgeofPennsyl¬ them live.Amongwasthelate Burton, Crozier,Brewer,Vansaut, Duncan Williamsonintermarriedwith Peter Williamson,whomarriedAbra¬ to himin1684. Adaughterdiedonthe corner ofthe Manor. Pennpatentedit richest merchantsofPhiladelphia,his Peter Williamson,GraudTreasurerof iu thebendofDelaware attheupper rive thatyear,andsettled on203acres was aFriendandblacksmith by He leftthebulkofhiswealthtofound fortune amountingtoseveralmillions. Lrade, andcamefromAlmy, inBucks, Engtaud. Hewasoueof the firsttoar¬ Duncan Williamson—knowninthe The firstknownCatholicinBucks ents borninBuckscounty,orprobably Wiiy uptneriser,an®wasburieda in theState.TherecordofMaryBrit¬ born June13,1680,was,sofarasis onel Brittonisfoundonthepanelof ton’s birthisintheRegister’soffice, known, thefirstchildofEnglishpar¬ Burlington. Anotherdaughter,Mary, delphia in1688,whichyearheeouvey- county, June10th,1685.Heprobably anuals asthefirstconverttoCatholic¬ ed hisrealestateinFallstoStephen the firstgrandjurydrawninBucks left thiscountyandremovedtoPhila¬ Phineas Pemberton.ThenameofLy- Doylesto^n, inthehandwritingof He diedin1721,andhiswidow1741. ism intheColony.Heassistedtoread and miller,wasoneofthemostpromi¬ settled atPhiladelphia,wherehecar¬ came tothisprovincein1683.Hefirst and leftahighreputationbehindhim. public massinPhiladelphia1708and He wasborninSurry,England;went was achurchwardenthesameyear. Beaks for£100.Heisnotedinourearly —some 2,000acres,includingthesiteoffl to theislandofBarbadoes,whencehe nent oftheearlysettlersinlowerBucks, At thecloseofcenturyhewas Thomas Holme,extendingbacktoth ried onextensiveshippingbusiness. acres. Helikewiseownedtwoislands, and afterwardpurchasedthetractofj Griffith Jones,runningdowntheDela¬ ter, SamuelClift,EdwardBeunetan the borough,andtractsofJohnOt¬ largest landowuerinBristoltownship small vesselscametoloadandunload ably builttheBristolmillsonwhatis cut 1,500feetoflumberintwelvehours, iu theriver.SamuelCarpenterprob¬ ered betweentwoandthreehundred of thecentury.Theyearnedaclear a largeamountforthatperiod,andthe now MillCreek,aquarterofmile Middletown line,makingabout1,400' ware tothemouthofNeshaminy acres. Thepinetimbersawedatthe tainty astothetimeMr.Carpenter undershot wheel.Thereissomeuncer¬ flour-mill hadfourrunofstone,withan mill wasbroughtfromTimberCreek, for thatearlyday.Themillpondcov¬ iu 1705,asbeiDg“newlybuilt,”itwas built themills,butashespeaksofthem long andthirty-twowide,ableto freight. Thesawmillwasseventyfeet from theriver,anduptowhosedoors in theprovince in1701,butlostheavily about 15feetheadandfall,there N. J.,andtheoakcutfromhisownland profit of£400ayear,veryconsiderable up hispermanentresidence there,about from PhiladelphiatoBristol andtook iu theyear.Mr.Carpenter removed probably notearlierthantheopening late as1828.Hewasthe richestman ton Island,wherehisdwelling stoodas uear by.Atthattimethemillracehad was waterenoughtorun eight months 1710-12, livinginSummer ouBurling¬ Samuel Carpenter,shippingmerchant by the JbiencBTsfndiuaiknwaror jyus. I left rive sons and three daughters, fn At one time be offered to sell his Bristol mills to his friend William Penn, and I his will he bequeated his real estate to I to Jonathan Dickinson of the island of I his three sous, Thomas, Jeremiah and * I John, after the death of their mother, j Jamaica, in 1705. The wife of Samuel Carpenter was Hannah Hardman, who I they paying their sisters, Mary, Rebecca I I and Sarah, live pounds each. The sons < came from Wales in 1684. He^died at I and daughters married into the families ] Philadelphia in 1714, and his wife in 1728. His son Samuel married a daugh- j I of Wing, Drake, West, Richards, I ter of Samuel Preston and granddaugh- i I Doyle and Carrel 1. William, the eldest ter of Thomas Lloyd. Samuel Carpen¬ I sou, married in Rhode Island, probably ter, the elder, was one of the most con- I I before he emigrated to Pennsylvania, spicuous men of that period, and largely tj The descendants of this Baptist pioneer invested in public affairs. Atdifferent * became numerous, and we have the , authority of Morgan Edwards for say- times he was a member of the Execu- i ’i iug, that by 1770 they numbered be- five Council, of the Assembly, and Treasurer of the province, and is spoken j tween 600 and 700. The family prob- of in high terms by all his contempor- , ■ ably left Bristol in 1698, when four of aries. The Ellets, who distinguished J the sous, Clement, Thomas, Jeremiah the war of the Rebellion on the side of ^ and John, conveyed 200 acres to Walter the Union, were descendants of Samuel Plumphluy, and removed to North¬ hampton township, the home of the Carpenter through the inter-marriage of the youngest daughter of his son I family for a long time. The descend- . Samuel with Charles Ellet. I ants are still numerous in the county, The Rev. Thomas Dungan, who came 1 noth in the male and female lines. from Rhode Island with his family I Some members of the family reached and settled in Bristol township, in 1684, ' honorable positions in life. One was was one of the most conspicuous of our | Major General of Militia in the early j early settlers. Emigrants of this name twenties; another, Joshua, of Nortli- from Rhode Island had preceeded him, f ampton township, an ardent ternper- and some of them were on the west ' } auce man and politician; and Hugh E., 1 sou of Daniel, of Northampton, was bank of the Delaware before Penn’s j arrival. William Dungan, probably ; educated at West Point, graduated the eldest son of the Rev. Thomas, into the Artillery, and died of yellow 6 fever at Fort Brown, Texas, in 1858. came in advance to the Quaker Colony, in which there was neither let nor William Yardley was one of the ji pioneers of Lower Makefield township. hindrance in freedom to worship God, : He came with his wife, Jane, children, f and took u p 200 acres near Bristol. The i Euoch, Thomas and William, and ser-i grant was made by William Markham, : vaut Andrew Heath, from Bauclough, 6th mo. 4th, 1682, and Penn confirmed j near Leek in Staffordshire, in 1682, it in 1684. About this time a small >] arriving at the falls September 28. The! colony from Rhode Island settled near Cold Spring, one of the finest in the j “falls of Delaware” was an objective^ ] point to Penn’s first immigrants, for a county, and near the river bank, three > j little colony of English settlers hadl miles above Bristol. It discharges 150'j[ I gathered there five years before; hither*' gallons a minute. When the Rev. r many directed their footsteps upon! Thomas Dungan arrived he settled in ■ •], landing, whence they spread out into; the immediate vicinity, and soon gath¬ ! the wilderness beyond. Several of ered a colony of Welsh Baptists about him, and organized a church, which these settlers pushed their way into the: was kept together until 1702. Its his-' ! woods up the river soon after arriving, tory is little known. If a church build¬ among them William Yardley, who ] took up a tract of 500 acres covering the ing were ever erected it long since passed away, but the graveyard, with a jj site of the present Yardleyville. He few dilapidated tomb-stones, remains. was born in 1632, was a minister among It. is about 50 feet square. It is sup¬ Friends, and had been repeatedly im¬ posed the land for the graveyard, etc., prisoned. He took a prominent place was given by Thomas Stanaland, who 1 in the new colony immediately he ar¬ rived, and we find him a member from died in 1758, and was buried in it. 1 Among others buried in this old grave¬ Bucks, of the first Assembly, and was,. yard, were two pastors at Pennypack, ! I also iu the provincial council. He died; the Revs. Samuel Jones, who died in j in 1693. Thomas Janney wrote of 1722, and Joseph Wood, in 1747. . William Yardley about the time of hisl Thomas Dungan, the pastor, died in s death: “He was a man of sound mind 1688 and was buried in the yard, but I and good understanding.” He was an; several yearns afterwards a handsome ; uncle to Phiueas Pemberton. From tomb-stone was erected to his memory j him have descended all the Yardleys of at Southampton. The Rev. Elias Reach, i“ Bucks, and many elsewhere, with al-. the first pastor at Pennypack, and who most unnumbered descendants iu the female line. afterwards became a celebrated English 7 Divine, was baptised and ordained by - The Kirkbrides were among the first1 Mr. Dungan, and probably studied with to settle in Falls. The ancestor was him. The Reverend Thomas Dungan ; Joseph Kirkbride, son of Mahlon and Magdalene, who came over iu the away from his master and^tarUng fo? toward their destination, stopping over the New World with a little wallet of night at the site of Philadelphia. Un- o olhi^ a£d a flail. He wa, tot em. able to procure accommodations for .^i Peuns|i>iirj, but soon removed their horses, they were obliged to turn to West Jersey. He was twice married them out in the woods. As they could not be found in the morning, our two RaDdall R1!6 tei.Ug Phoebe> daughter of Randall Blackshaw, to whom he was immigrants had to proceed in a boat up i the river to the falls. They continued Sed^afCh 1688’ aud tbe second Sarah Stacy, daughter of Mahlon V^srrti W11Jiiiam Yardley’8, at the site of Stacy, proprietor of the site of Trenton ,who had preceded them, 1 and alieady begun to build a house. f“d °ne.°f the “°rSt prominent men on the Delaware. This marriage took Pemberton, concluding to settle there, | p ace December 17, 1702. She died purchased a tract of 300 acres, calling three years after leaving one son and it Giove Place.” He and Harrison two daughters. Joseph Kirk bride lived the VVinVUedfh0 Mary!aud aud spent I to become an influential and wealthy D^f^.Wmter there coming back to man and a leading minister among Bucks county in May, 1683, with their 1 tlends; he was a magistrate and a amdies. It is thought Pemberton lived member of Assembly. In 1699 he went .■'p" S with Harrison for a time, but how long to England visiting his old master in 8!h ;kUrWU,' He owned considerable Cumberland and paying him for the laud in Bucks county, which Jay in services he had deprived him of seven¬ several townships, including the ‘‘‘Bol¬ teen years before, by running away. He ton farm, in Bristol township He is i supposed to have lived in Bristol bor-' alllT£ln a,'d died ^ 1738 atthe age of 75 From his son Mahlon have iroftb K J\ue His wife hied in descended all that bear his name in the 1696, he March 5, 1702, aud both were I conn y He married Mary, thedaugh Rill drT t16 p“Iut of laud opposite tei of John and Mary Botcher, favorite Biles’ Island, in Falls. They were the parents of nine children, only three vn1V«nHS °Vfy‘iJiam Penu- at the age of leaving issue; Israel becoming a lead¬ ■J°i aud. settled in Lower Makefield where he built a stone mansion that ing merchant of Philadelphia and dy- stood until 1855, when it was torn down mg m 1754 One of Phineas Pember¬ by a grandson of the same name. ton s daughters married Jeremiah I Colonel Joseph Kirkbride, who lived na“fh®fU?L pcniberton was the first opposite Borden town, and was prom CJeik or the Bucks County Courts ment m the county during the Revolu- holding the office to his death. There Whi’ aIfatndHOn of the Joseph. r ih r'(f i Pembertons lived on While the British army occupied Phila¬ . the fat of the land, as it was under- delphia in the Winter of 1777-78 thev J stood two centuries ago. In the letters made an excursion up the Delaware I fhat passed between him and members | of his family when he was absent KCkhrirf1 thw dwelling °f Colonel Knkbride. At the death of the first Sfnt1SrfreqUent mention of meat and Joseph, he left 13,000 acres to be divided d/rok In one, written by his daughter among his children. The homestead Abigail in 1697, she says she had saved '. twelve barrels of cider for the family. | until is-f u remaiued in the family until 18/3 when it was sold at public In one of his letters he writes of “a sale to Mahlon Moon for $210 an acre — goose wrapped up in the cloth at the one hundred aud one acres and a few u hidh°n the lttle bag of walnuts,” lTiiftJ® re«,mmends them to “keepa fe^with^n1 reCe“tIy- a 8ma11 dwel¬ ling with cellar underneath and used i httle after it comes, but roast it, get a HI “d wood house, built by the 1 aQd I?ake a PuddinS in the hist settler, was standing on the j j , ,.;/aroes, LogaD styles him that pillar of Bucks county,” and when , A, ferJ.y was established at Hrkbiides landing as early as 1718 Penn heard of his death, he wrote: “I I which came to be known as Borden- mourn for poor Phineas Pemberton, the ! ablest, as one of the best men in the' that1 name,' a”d’ WC be!,eVe' 9,111 province.” He lived in good style and had a “sideboard” in his house. n^,v'-neaS.Peml?erton’ one °f the most emigrants to arrive in 1682 Iradition, rather than reliable his-i rom Boston, county of Lancaster, Engl t>Vte 8 us that among the members glover by trade. He and his of Phineas Pemberton’s family was a young girl named Mary Becket, credit¬ *1*' James Harrison, came to- gether, sailing from Liverpool, July 7 ed with being a descendant of the great p‘d,lau,ded.111 Maryland, Octobe/sO.’ Northumberland home of Percy; that Pemberton brdught with him his wife she was married to Samuel Bowne, of I lushing, Long Island, October 4,1694; hisftfih chlldrfu Abigail and Joseph,’ that her mother was a ward in Chancery H^h* 6r’ ag6d 72> and hie “other, 81 Harrison was accompanied by his wife when she married Becket, and thev severai servants and friends.^ Leaving were compelled to fly to the Continent then families at the house of one William where he was killed in the religious Dickinson, Choptank, Maryland Pem¬ ™ Germany, Mary being the only berton and Harrison traveled on’horse- Child of ihis man iage- that after the1 death of her husband, Mrs. Becket mar¬ and removed to South Carolina, w~fieic ried one, Haydock, by whom she had he died at the age of 85. His sons were two daughters, both of whom became all cultivated men, Thomas becoming rriends, and came to America, but the an eminent lawyer, and dying in New time is not given. Such is the story as Hope, in 1838. Samuel, the youngest it runs, but its truth is called in ques¬ ] son, spent his life in Buckingham, uiar- tion by descendants of the Percevs. i ■'-« ried Martha Hutchinson and died in Among other things of interest in con¬ 1843. Ten years ago Judge Paxson nection with this romantic story is a published the memoirs of the Johnson love letter Samuel Bowne wrote to family with an auto-biography by Ann Mary Becket, dated Flushing, (Long J. Paxson, his mother, containing a Island,) 6th mo., 1691, and will be number of her poetical productions. found in full in Davis’ History of Bucks Samuel Johnson was a poet of no mean County. It is an unique production, merit, writing some really excellent in the stilled style of the seventeen cen¬ verse. In his history of Buckingham tury, but we have doubts whether a Valley, one of the most productive and lady of the present generation would beautiful in the county he wrote, be satisfied with such epistle from the “From the brow of I. .haska wide to the Dian she was on the eve of marrying west, coPy tde letter was furnished by The eye sweetly rests on the landscape Miss Parsons, of Flushing below; ’Tis blooming at Eden, when Eden was ,hA?^vi0u8ly8tated>James Harrison, the father-in-law of Phineas Pember¬ blest. As the sun lights its charms with the ton, came with the latter in 1682, land¬ evening glow.” __ ing in Maryland, October 30, and set¬ Two years and three months after tling in Lower Makefield the following William Penn and his immediate fol¬ Sprmg Penn appointed Harrison his lowers had lauded on the shores of the lawful agent” to sell for him any Delaware John Chapman, of Yorkshire parcel of land in Pennsylvania of not England, with his wife, Jane, and chil¬ ifter thpn| ,acres- This was soon dren, Mara, Ann and John, took up his alter the latter’s arrival or possibly be¬ fore he sailed. J residence in the woods of Wrightstown the first white settler north of New¬ The Paxsons were of the immigrants' town. Being a staunch Friend, and who arrived in 1682, James Paxson, the having suffered numerous persecutions Rv’^Th01 °f the Jamily. coming from for opinion’s sake, including the loss of Bycot house, parish of Slow, county of property, he resolved to liud a new Oxford. He embarked with his family home in the wilds of Pennsylvania. Of SiiWlfh’-7 and brother Thomas I the early settlers of Wrightstown, the died at sea, his daughter Elizabeth only surviving to reach her father’s new names of John Chapman, William | borne west of the Delaware. He set- Smith and Thomas Croasdale are men¬ tioned in “Bessie’s Collections,” as hav¬ nndthe f letow“ locating 500 acres ing been frequently lined and impris¬ I ?? , e Neshaminy above the site of HulmeviJle. After being there two oned for non-conformity to the estab¬ lished religion, and for attendance on of Win? ma"led Margaret, the widow Friends’ meeting. Leaving home June fLW ! ?1Um,ey' of Northampton township, August 13, 1684. He was a 21, 1684, and sailing from Aberdeen, man of influence and a member of As- Scotland, he reached Wrightstown sembly. In 1704 he removed from Mid-) toward the close of December. Before leaving England he bought a claim for dletown to feolebury, purchasing VVil-1 500 acres of one Daniel Toaes, which he ham Croasdale’s 250 acres, but at what located in the southern part of the town¬ time he came into Buckingham is not definitely known. The late Thomas ship, extending from the park square Paxson was fifth in descent from James to the Newtown line, on which the vil¬ through Jacob, the first son by his lage of Wrightstown and Friends’ Meet¬ ing House stand. Until able to build a who?? h'lfe> Samh1 Shaw>of Tiuinstead, log house, himself and family lived in a whom he married in 1777. But th-ee ol Jacob Paxson’s large family of chil¬ cave, where twin sous were born Feb¬ ruary 12, 1685. Game from the wood dren became residents of Bucks county Thomas, who married Ann, grand- supplied them with food until crops were grown, and often the Indians, be¬ ?aufd?r °f fWlll?lm Jenson,’and was the fathei of ex-Chief Justice Edward tween whom and the Chapmans there M. Paxson, of the State Supreme Court- was the most cordial friendship were the late Samuel Johnson Paxson pro¬ the only reliance. On one occasion prietor of the Doylestowu Democrat ■ while his daughter Mara was ridiug through the woods, she overtook a and Mary Paxson who married William frightened buck chased by a wolf, and H. Johnson, and died in 1862. William ' Johnson, probably of English descent * it held quiet until she had secured it was born in Ireland, and received a with the halter from her horse. The good education. He came to Pennsyl¬ first house erected by John Chapman vania after his majority, bringing 'an stood on the right hand side of the extensive library for the times, settled road leading from Wrightstown Meet¬ in Bucks county, married Ann Potts, ing House to Pennsville, in a field that ormerly belonged to OTJartes Thomp¬ mathematician __ son. After a bard life in the wilderness, sisted to run the line between Pennsyl¬ John Chapman died in 1694, and was vania, Delaware and Maryland. He buried in the old graveyard near Penns was noted for his elegant penmanship. Park. His wife died iu 1699. This was He died in 1761, in his 42d year, at the | his second wife, Jane Saddler, born house of William Blackfan, and was about 1635, and married June 12, 16V0, buried at Buckingham burying ground. and was the mother of two of his chil¬ The newspapers of the day expressed dren. The children of John Chapman great regret at his death. ‘John Wat¬ inter-married with the families of Oroas- son was Secretary to Governor Morris dale, Wilkinson, Olden, Parsons and at the Indian treaty at Easton, 1756. 1 Worth, and the descendants are numer¬ Franklin had promised to find the Gov¬ ous. The late Dr. Chapman, of W i ights- ernor a good penman, and mentioned town, and Abraham, of Doylestown, Mr. Watson; and when the Governor’s were grandsons of Joseph, one of the : party marched up the York Road, Mr. twins born in the cave. Watson was out mending fence, bare¬ The descendants of John Chapman footed, but, on invitation to accompany have held many places of public trust, them, he threw down his axe and walk¬ and, in the past, were in the Assembly, ed to Easton without any preparation on the Bench, in the Senate Chamber, for the journey. He engrossed the and Halls of Congress, at the head of the treaty on parchment, and his penman¬ Loan Office, County Surveyor, County ‘A, l ship elicited great admiration. Frank¬ Treasurer, &c., &c. In the early his¬ lin said that after the treaty was en¬ tory of the county they did much to grossed the Governor took off his hat to mould its affairs. Ann Chapman, the Watson, and remarked to him: “Since} daughter of John, became a distinguish¬ I first saw you I have been trying to I ed minister among Friends, traveling as make out what you are. I now have it. early as 1708, visiting England several You are the greatest hypocrite in the times. The family added largely to the world.” In personal appearance he was real estate originally held in Wrights- a large, heavy man, and not prepossess¬ town and elsewhere, and, about 1720, ing, but was both a scholar and a poet. the Chapmans owned nearly one-half He spoke good extempore verse. It is} the land in the township. The most stated that on one occasion an Irish- j prominent member of the family was man, indicted for stealing a halter, ask- j the late ex-Judge Henry Chapman, a ed Mr. Watson to defend him, and he! distinguished lawyer and jurist. Iu consented. The testimony was posi-j 1811 Seth Chapman was appointed President Judge of the Eighth Judicial five, but he addressed t. he jury-i nflu e; District, Pa. extempore poetry, beginning: The Watsons came into the county •‘Indulgenf Nature generally bestows the beginning of the 18th century, A foes^ete* kn0wledge o1'their mortal Thomas Watson, a malster, from Cum¬ and the fellow was acquitted. Thomas berland, England, settling near Bristol Penn wished John Watson to accept at a place called “Honey Hill,” about the office of Purveyor-General in 1760, 1701. His family consisted of his wife which he declined. He has the credit and sous Thomas and John. He brough t - \ of introducing the “New York cider” with him a certificate from Friends’ apple into Bucks county, by grafting meeting at Pardsay Cragg, bearing date two apple trees with it on his Bucking- 7th month 23d, 1701. He married Elea¬ ham farm, m February, 1757. John nor Pearson, of Robank, in Yorkshire. He removed to Buckingham iu 1704, Watson was the grandfather of the late Judge Richard Watson, of Doylestown. and settled on a 450-acre tract bought of one Rosile, lying on the south-east iQ,m°£?aS, Langhorne, of Westmore¬ land, England, arrived in 1684. He was side of the York road. Although he a minister among Friends and brought held Penn’s warrant he declined to a certificate from the Kendall Monthly have the laud surveyed without the ‘ meeting. He had been frequently im- consent of the Indians. He was a man pnsoned, and, in 1662, was fined £5 for of intelligence, and, there being no phy¬ attending Friends meeting. He took sician within several miles, he turned up a large tract of land below Attle¬ his attention to medicine, and built up a large practice before his death in 1731- r, borough, now Langhorne, running down to JNeshammy, and settled in Middle- 32. He was interested in the education town. He represented the county in of the Indians, and it is said kept a school for them, but losing his most l«o-flrS,t,As8fmbl-y^ aud died October 6, promising pupil by small-pox. Of his i””'- Pheud styles him “an eminent pieacher Thomas Langhorne was the two sons, Thomas, the elder, died be¬ father of Jeremiah Langhorne, who be- fore his father, and the younger, John, came Chief J ustice of the Province. The studied medicine, took his father’s place, son was a man of mark in the new Com¬ was a successful practitioner, and died monwealth, wielding large influence, in 1760. John, the son of Thomas, born and died October 11, 1742. He became about 1720, finished his education at a heavy laud owner. The homestead Jacob Taylor’s Academy, Philadelphia, tract of800 acres, known as “Langhorne and became one of the first men in the Baik, lay on the Durham road, aud province. He was a distinguished the borough of Langhorne is built on

■ Lj part of iL H w uec^OO^iere'Hii \Yar- An Interesting Bit of Local History. | wick aud New Britain townships, pur- ff Ex-Senator Wm. Kinsey, of Bucks oounty, i| chased of the Free Society of Traders; a lew days ago purchased the property of Mrs. Alice Rousseau, of this city, situated at [ two thousand at Perkasie, and a large the corner of Cedar aud Mulberry streets, I tract on the Monocacy, now in Lehigh ^Bristol, for 813,000, upon whloh It 1* proposed but then in Bucks county, fie owned to erect a new Methodist Episcopal church. I the ground on which Doyiestown is A week or two previously George Bradford « bLTilt- Iu will dated May 16, 1742, Carr, or this city, attorney for the church, H he made li beral provision for his negroes, sold to Mrs. Catharine Borsch the three prop¬ erties at the southwest corner of Twelfth and of whom he owned a number. They Spruce streets, 20 by 120 feet, for $18,000, as " h° i1 ad reached twenty-four years of mentioned In this oolumn at the time. Con¬ age, were to be manumitted, and others nected with th.se properties there is an inter¬ set tree at the age of 21. A few received esting bit of local history, as follows: The especial marks of his favor, among them ground was bougnt in 1815 by Wil¬ Joe, Ludjo and London, who were to j liam Carson, of this city, who subse¬ live at the park until his nephew, ■ quently built the three properties. He died i in 1828, leaving his estate to Rachel Carson, 1 homas Biles, to whom it was left, be¬ his widow. Many years after this Mrs. came of age; aud were to have the use Carson was visiting Bristol with ner daughter, ot the necessary stock, aud support all , when the latter was taken very 111 and died. the women and children on the place ! The members of the church were exceedingly at a rental of £60 per annum. Joe and kind to Mrs. Carson In her misfortune, and Ludjo were given life estates in certain when her daughter died she was buried in. lands in Warwick, covering the site of ! their churohyard. Mrs. Carson, in apprecia¬ tion of their kindness, when she oame to Doyiestown, after they left the park, make her will, In 1854, devised her entire hor a tew of his favorites he directed estate, subject to several life-estates which houses to be built, and 50 acres allotted have since expired, to the Bristol Methodist to each during their lives; specifying in Episcopal Church, which recently parted wltn his will that the negroes were to work It, and will use a portion of the funds In erect¬ for their support, but there is great ing a new edifice this spring. doubt whether they kept their part of t he testimen tary con tract. Old Deed Found in Bucks’ Archives. 1 he mansion of Jeremiah Laughorne specia' to the Inquirer. Manor House as called in ye olden time’ . DOYLESTOWN, March 23.—An old- has always been an object of interest.' time deed was unearthed at the Re- corder’s office here yesterday. It was it was built of stone, without any re¬ d^d 1<3S, and consisted of a piece gard to architectural beauty or effect of sheepskin two and a half feet long with two wings, aud stood on the site and eleven inches wide which was as of the dwelling late Charles Osborne’s tough as buffalo hide. The document two miles above Hulmeville. The old was signed by Bartholomew Long- road from Philadelphia to Trenton stieth as a transfer of property in Westminster to William Spencer. crossing the Neshamiuy just above Hulmeville, made a sweep around by the Laughorue house, aud thence to Iren ton by the way of Attleborough, lhe park was long since cut up into! several farms, aud the last vestige o From, c. the mansion obliterated. It is possible! the site of the dwelling is known. If * jO so that is all. In 1794, four hundred and! titty acres were sold to Heurv Drinker Samuel Smith and Thomas Fisher, an the part unsold, 285 acres, was calle Fate, Duinea.” A portion of this tract is i the borough of Langhorne. The last oi ,,a/‘£ho™.e Mlaves was one known as hiddler Bill,” who lived sometimes in the ruins ot an old house on thei premises, but was finally taken to the i'HE ROSS MANSION. I almshouse where he died.

TOW IT FIGURED 1ST DOYLES- TOWIN’S EARLY HISTORY.

It was Once Known as the Indian Queen Tavern. — The Tract was Originally Owned by a “ Welcome” Passenger. - The Names of Many Prominent Men Interwoven with Its Past.

The Boss mansion and triangle of land at the Intersection of Court and Main streets, Doylestowrf, which Is to "be sold bought five-acres on =Co«.„ at public sale at 1 o’clock this afternoon < bodylngthe tract we have in view. It has a most interesting history The was either Fell or Shewed who built a mansion itself dates back to the,opening dwelling here, and the old Fed black- of the century, while many prominent smitn shop was the germ of the Ross men held title to the land. mansion. By a glance at the arches Originally it was a portion of a large turned over the cedar windows and the tract of land,in New Britain, sold by the masonry of the southwest corner of the trustees of the Free Society of Traders to house, where the shop stood. It is easily Jonathan Kirkbride. This tract lay to be seen that this portion of the build¬ northwest of what is now Court street, ing is the oldest. The location of the build¬ then the dividing line between New ing, at the intersection of two Important Britain and Warwick townships highways, being advantageous for a pub¬ caJ?e over In the Welcome lic house, Shewed soon turned the dwel- j with William Penn, settled in Falls and ling into a tavern, known as the " Indian [ is one of the conspicuous first settlers, Queen.” .there is some doubt as to whether he In the romantic history of early on land he owned on the Doylestown the “ Indian Queen ” was a site of Doylestown. William Boyle, a noted place and men of prominence were prominent member of the family after Its landlords. The first was probably which Doylestown was subsequently Shewed himself, who kept hotel at an¬ named, bought 100 acres from Kirkbride other place here before he became owner \ 1 u 1737/ Tbis 100 acres was a peculiarly- of the “ Indian Queen.” Among the sub- ' shaped tract. It was only 5.0 perches sequent landlords were-Hare, Fred¬ wide, the line extending along Court erick Nicholas, Associate Judge William street to Broad, out Broad street and Watts, Abraham Black, Sheriff Stephen Dutch Lane to the road beyond the Men- Brock (from 1816 to 1818), and William nonite Meeting House, a distance of McHenry, who was probably its last about a mile; then 50 perches south¬ landlord. The place ceased to be a public west, then in a straight line back house during the ownership of Judge to the place of beginning on Court street, Watts, lhe tract covered portions of the town The transfers from Shewell’s time to now occupied by the Ross mansion, the the present were: Nathaniel Shewed to Court House, the Monument House and to Judge William Watts, April 14, 1818; the dwellings on Main street from Court Watts to Hon. John Ross, May 25, 1824. to Broad. The Hon. John Ross devised the property In 1750 Israel Pemberton bought 32 to his son Thomas Ross, who In turn ! acres from William Doyle, probably after willed it to his son Judge Henry P. Ross, or just about the time the latter moved at whose death it was purchased by the to Plumstead. Pemberton sold 17 acres late Hon. George Ross. to Edward Doyle, Jr., who had inherited Thus, It will be seen, the historic old from his father. Edward Doyle. Sr., other property has been In the possession of property adjoining William Doyle’s tract. the distinguished members of the Ross The younger Edward went to Philadel¬ family for nearly three-quarters of a cen¬ phia, where he became financially in¬ tury. It is now one of the oldest dwell¬ volved, and In 1771 his land here was sold ings in the town, and certainly about no by Sheriff Elliot to Nathan Preston. The other mansion is woven such a network same year Preston transferred 10 acres of tradition, history and politics. It is to John Robinson, who came to Doyles¬ one of the few remaining links that bind town in 1756 and who had previously (in the present to the past century. 1760) purchased 28 acres from Pemberton, The old mansion is In a good state of adjoining his later purchase from' Pres¬ preservation and has been greatly en¬ ton. Robinson probably lived in a house larged by substantial additions from at the corner of the Coryell’s Ferry and time to time. Embowered in tall shade Easton roads, and owned other land In trees, it is one of the most quaint and Doylestown. picturesque of buddings. The tract of Thus, at the outbreak of the Revolu¬ land upon which It stands Is exceedingly tion, we find Robinson, through his pur¬ valuable and would be a desirable pur¬ chases from Pemberton and Preston, in chase, either for individuals or for the possession of the whole southwest end of county. The 104th Regiment Battle the William Doyle tract, including the Monument stands upon the south angle subsequent Ross and Court House tracts. of the property, and the short strip of Old and infirm, Robinson in 1779 sold this street between the monument and the property, comprising about forty acres, mansion Is a private way, which can be j to Joseph and Jesse Fell, brothers, who closed at the pleasure of the property’s came here from Buckingham township owner. and were descended from one of the "TW’ yirV» fT'tr Sb1* »-« t oldest English settlers, their grandfather having come to this county in 1706. Now we come to the first mention of a building on the Ross tract, a blacksmith shop, in which Joseph Fell talked politics so suavely while he shod the farmers’ oxen, that he was elected High Sheriff of Bucks and served from 1795 to 1798, In 1788 he bought his brother’s interest in the property, and Jesse, who, it appears, was a merchant, moved to the Wyoming Valley. Date, ....w fj-.j Sheriff Fell died in 1802, and, when his estate was sold that year, Nathaniel Shewed, grandson of Welshman Walter Shewed, of Palnswick Hall, Doylestown,

■ ''

/■ thought the place where theiborough fathers met was not a suitable one, and In the early HISTORIC BRISTOL part of the present century, previous to his demise, willed tiie sum of $200 toward the construction of a town hall, provided stops A Brief Sketch of the Famous 'Old Town and I were taken to erect the building within live People. years after his wife’s death. The bequest had been forgotten, and one time, about Special Telegram to The Times. four years and ton months after the worthy Bristol, May 25. lady's death, a burgess of the town, while This old town, the site of which was orig¬ looking over some papers, came across a inally granted by Sir Edmund Andros to copy of the document. He hastily called the borough fathers together and laid the Samuel Clift in 1681, embracing a tract of matter before them. They at once decided 240 acres, by reason of its great antiquity, the, chance was too good to be lost, and | is full of historical anecdotes of interest to agreed to erect a town hall at once, with a the present generation. town clock. Then trouble arose as to the lo¬ The land was willed by Clift to his son- j cation of the proposed hall. Some wanted one place, some another, and a great manv in-law, John Young, in the following year, urged that it be built on Radeliffe street, s'o | and the legatee sold it in 1695 to Anthony that parties passing along the Delaware Burton and Thomas Brock for £90 cur¬ river in boats could see what a metropolitan rency. In 1697, upon petition of the inhab¬ air the town had assumed with a municipal itants of the tract, the Provincial Council building and a town clock. So the present ! site was purchased, including a strip of ordered a market town laid out at the ferry, opposite Burlington, and Phineas Pember¬ ton was ordered to make a survey accord¬ ing to the plans submitted. In 1715 a petition signed by Anthony Bur- | ton, John Hall, William Watson, Joseph Bond and others was forwarded to Eng¬ land, asking for the privilege of being in¬ corporated as a borough, and five years later,. November 14, 1720, letters patent were issued by the Crown, acceding to the j request to incorporate Bristol from a por- I tiou of Budslngham. Joseph Bond and John Plall were the first Burgesses, and Thomas Clift was invested with the dignity of High Constable. strange to relate, the old charter, with its antique and cumbersome features, with the addition of a few more modern amendments, still is in force and by reason of the refusal of the State Senate recently to pass a.special act allowing the townspeople the privilege of amending their old charter in order to incur a bonded indebtedness sufficient to provide a suitable and much-needed sewage system, much inconvenience was occasioned the people. The charter provides that the bonded Indebtedness of the borough shall not exceed $10,000, and until this is changed money cannot be secured to make perma¬ nent improvements that are greatly needed. The people are indignant that the pull of a single lobbyist kept them from getting the privileges accorded by a more modern legis- i lation and boroughs, and some of these days THE TOWN HOUSE. will get awake and apply to the State Leg¬ islature for a charter under the new State t it «■ ,, V «. luauwdy on law, and will work a miracle in this beau¬ each side of the hall, and the building was tiful and advantageously located town upon roofed in just in time to get the $200. It the Delaware. was completed in 1832, and for many years Here it was that the first seat of justice in ; prisoners were put into a cell in the base¬ Bucks county was established in "1705. In ment, while the Council met on the second that the year the Assembly authorized the story, and some years ago a fish market on erection of a court house, which was accord¬ the ground floor made the place odoriferous ingly built on Cedar street, above Market, on Finally, the fish market was vacated, and the ground on which the residence of Will¬ the place fixed for the accommodation of iam Bopz now stands. It was a two-story malefactors and tramps, while the borough brick structure, 24 by 24 feet, with a whip¬ Council erected another story on the build¬ ping post attached, which tradition relates ing of Engine Company No. 1, and trans¬ was frequently used. A beam extended from ferred their meeting place there, and now a gable of the house, to be used as a gal¬ the room once occupied by the local law¬ lows, but this was never used. The upper makers is used as a practicing place by a room was used as the court house, and the fife and drum corps. lower for a prison. In 1725 a more central location was desired for the convening of court, and building and lot were sold to John de Normandy. In 1772 the borough authori¬ ties purchased it, and for many" years the borough Solons met in the upper room, while school and elections were held in the lower From; • •*. At room. In 1834 the local historian, Squire William Kinsey, purchased the property from the borough for $1,000, tore down the old house and erected the dwelling now owned by William Booz. -7 7 ,V;/ ' ■' A curious story is told of the way the borough authorities were influenced to erect the present peculiar-looking “town house.” at the intersection of Radeliffe and Market streets, and to secure a bequest of $200 spent $3,725. It appears that a worthy cit¬ izen of the town, named Samuel Scotton mam their last reunion, as hestepped upon the platform he heard the commander calling FLAG PRESENTATION. upon the ladies to make an effort to raise money to purchase a new flag for the as¬ -- sociation. He did not know what put it into his head to ask them to give him the COLORS RECEIVED BY THE 104TH privilege of having the honor of present¬ SURVIVORS’ ASSOCIATION. ing them with a new stand of colors, an exact reproduction of the old flag that they had carried through swamp and Ceremonies at the Presentation of the battlefield. Mr. Wanamaker regretted that he had not the right to wear a Grand Beautiful Flag: by Hon. John Wana¬ Army button, and said he would readily surrender nearly everything he had for maker on Tuesday Evening—A Pleas¬ that honor. But it was not his fault that he was not a soldier of the rebellion. ing and Interesting Occasion. When he made application for enlist¬ ment in 1861 he was refused by the ex- amining surgeon and told to go home. The members of the Survivors’ Asso¬ •& In speaking about pensions Mr. Wana¬ ciation of the gallant 104th Regiment, maker made some humorous remarks Pa. Vols., Bucks county’s cracked regi¬ which drew forth exclamations ot ap¬ ment during the rebellion, had a gala proval from some of the veterans in the audience. No one, he said, should say night on the evening of Tuesday, May the pensions were too large and the list 28th, when amid music, song and speech, too long. they received from the hands ot the Hon. In closing his remarks he said : I re¬ John Wanamaker a beautiful stand of joice in the privilege to-night of present¬ ing you with the flag. It comes to you color, which he had promised to present emblazoned with the names of the battle Sto them when he addressed them at their fields, but not as beautiful as the old annual reunion at Newtown in Septem¬ battle flag. You went away with only the flag that bore the stars and stripes ber last. but brought it back covered with glory. The presentation and reception of the Let the new flag always be a reminder of regimental flag took place in the hall of what the old flag was once, and let it Post 2, G. A. R., 12th street, above simply illustrate that you are always ready to put it in the front if the country Wallace, Philadelphia. The hall was ever calls for it. It was an exceeding crowded with the members of the asso¬ pleasure to have been at the meeting at ciation, their wives and children, and the Newtown and the honor you gave me to veterans were unanimous in declaring present the flag. that it was one ot the most pleasing When Mr. Wanamaker closed the vet¬ : events they had ever attended. erans gave him three hearty cheers. Members ot the association were pres¬ The flag was accepted on behalf of the ent from Newtown, Bristol, Newport- association by Major W. H. Lambert. ville, New Hope, Hartsyille, Doyles- The Major said it was a high privilege to town, Hatboro, Lambertville, Tren¬ voice the sentiment of the association ta ton, Reading and others places. return thanks to Mr. Wanamaker for the Among those who had come beautiful gift. Such a gift should be for¬ a long distance to bo with his old mally acknowledged. While the regi¬ comrades was the assistant surgeon of ment accepts the beautiful flag the sad the 104th Regiment, Dr. Platt E. Bush, of thought comes to us that itis a memorial. Springville, Susquehanna county, Pa. In speaking of the old battle flags the The committee of arrangement, was Major said the flags were intrusted to composed of the following: Charles G. this organization, not for a holiday pa¬ Cadwallader, E. S. McIntosh, Dr. W. T. rade, but around which the men could Robinson, John Crock, H. A. Widdifield, rally in time of danger. These flags were Edwin Fretz, L. A. Rosenberger. Capt. borne through the swamps and the battle Alfred Marple, B. F. Jarrett, A. B. Warn- fields, and what was left of them were pole, Ely K, Walton, A. M. Rapp, Oliyer borne iu grand review at the end oi the Walton, Major T. B. Scarborough. They four years’ war. What more appropriate had planned a pleasing programme and present could be made an organization did all that could bo done to make it than the one made by Mr. Wanamaker. pleasant tor all who had the pleasure of Memorial for all that is past; promise being present. for all that is to come for the country. Shortly after 8 o’clock Charles G, Cad¬ The splendid gift speaks for itself. Those wallader, president ot the association, names there emblazoned answer for called the meeting to order. He stated themselves. It suggests to you not only why they had gathered together and the 1 the battles fought and won, but ithose exercises were opened by the audience I W'ho stood besides you. In committing singing “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” to your care this beautiful flag, loyalty While waiting for Mr. Wanamaker to and patriotism, is secure in the hands of put in an appearance the audience was those who fought for loyalty and patriot¬ treated to some fine vocal and instru¬ ism. Upon the conclusion of Major mental music. When Mr. Wanamaker Lambert’s address three cheers were appeared in the hall he was greeted with given for the speaker and the flag. a storm of applause by the audience. The exercises were brought to a close Upon being introduced to the audience by a beautiful and appropriate prayer by by the president, Mr. Wanamaker said Rev. Dr. Thomas. that as this is a kind of a family reunion The colors were unfurled upon the he would open his remarks by telling a platform and the audience was invited to story ot an old Irishman who was sitting come forward and inspect them. , at his dinner table one day. When he The following was the programme as I addressed the veterans at Newtown at carried out: Singing, “My Country ’’Tis of Thee,” to manhood. Captain George Hlnenne audience; violin solo, Dr. Rosenberger and Captain Andrew Raup here recruited accompanied by Miss Scbeck; solo, men to fill the constantly decimated George Ford; solo, Miss Sara Jarrett; army of Washington, and personally led solo, M. Harme? Brooks; recitation, their recruits in the front ranks of the “Why We Wear the Badge,” Inspector Colonial army. Suydaui; presentation of flag, Hon. John Time does not permit going Into a Wanamaker ; solo, George Ford, encore; lengthy discussion of the history of this reception of flag, Major W. H. Lambert; locality, but all Interested In local his¬ song, “Rally Round the Flag,” audience; tory and kindred matters are oordlaliy piano solo, Miss Edna Ha’T', (Edna is invited to meet with the Association June only 51 years old); reading t. letters from 115, and see for themselves. Mayor Warwick, Captain Marple and The Secretary of the Association will Thomas B. Scarborough, (who were un¬ cheerfully conduct visitors to the various able to be present); solo, Miss Sara Jar¬ places of historic interest along the rett; solo, M. Harmer Brooks: resolu¬ banks of the equally historic Durham tion of thanks to all who had taken part Creek. In this he will be aided by mem- ; in the entertainment; violin solo, Dr. bers of the Association, and others to the I Rosenberger ; benediction, Dr. Thomas. manor born. _ _ — The next reunion ofthe association will be held at Reading in connection with the reunion ot Durell’s Battery, which IN HISTORY'S REFLECTION, was a part ot the regiment while it was encamped at Camp Lacey, Doylestown, in 1861. BUCKWAMPUN MEETS ON SACRED The officers of the association are : SOIL. President, Charles G. Cadwallader ; vice president, Thomas P. Chambers ; record¬ ing secretary, E. S. McIntosh ; corres¬ Durham Entertains the Association ponding secretary, H. A. Widdifield; treasurer, John Crock. on Its Eighth Anniversary.—Able Historical Papers Read During the Day.—President Hlndenach’s Ad¬ dress.

From, It has been the good fortune of the Buckwampun Literary Association to be favored with fine weather upon the oc¬ casion of their pleasant annual gather- erlngs In the groves of upper Bucks to I listen to historical essay, recitation and music, but Saturday was especially au¬ spicious for the meeting at Durham. Dur¬ ham is particularly rich In historical as¬ sociations. It was, during the Revolu¬ (TO BE HELD ON HISTORIC GROUND tion, not only the seat of the Iron works which so effectually aided the Continental cause, but it had been the home of the Eighth Annual Sleeting of the great General Daniel Morgan, whose fame is second to that of no leader In the Buckwampun Association. War for Independence, save the beloved Saturday, June 15, 1895, the Buck¬ Commander-in-Chlef himself. It was a day when nature was all wampun Historical and Literary Asso¬ smiles. The fair county of Bucks ne’er ciation of Upper Bucks and Lower North¬ wore a more luxurient garb. Hill and ampton counties will hold its eighth an¬ brake and fen, stream and wood and glen j nual meeting in Henry Stover’s beautiful Invited admiration with such persist¬ ence that even the most prosaic said I grove at the village of Durham. The “ How beautiful.” Durham wore the 1 place of meeting is of great historic in¬ livery of holiday and the spirit of gayety, terest. It was here In all probability the and many were the people who con¬ first iron was made in the State of Penn¬ tributed to the festivities of the occasion. sylvania, although the first furnace was The Frenehtown Cornet Band was on not erected until 1728. Tradition in the hand and contributed lively airs during locality as early as 1779 and handed the afternoon. Promptly at l o’clook the down to the present tells us that iron tall figure of President C. E. Hindenach was manufactured on a small scale in a arose and asked the audience to come to j bloomery or strickofen earlier than the erection of the 1727 Iron works. order. President HlndenacSls the well- Here many prominent men of the known Legislator, teacher and now joint period between 1728 and later resided proprietor of the large Durham store, among them George Taylor, the Signer; kept for so many years by the Bachmans. James Morgan, father of General Daniel He Is a fine speaker, and in a clear, ring¬ Morgan; Richard Backhouse, one of the ing voice he began his address to the more prominent aids in furnishing sud- eighth annual meeting. He said: Pu08 of horses and ammunition during PRESIDENT HINDENAOH’S ADDRESS. Revolutionary War, which greatly aided In making that war a success. And Members of the Buckwampun Historical lere the renowned General Daniel Mor¬ and Literary Association, Ladles and gan, commander of the “ Neverfails ’ Gentlemen: /irglnla Riflemen, was born and raised “Breathes there a man with soul so dead,

' ’ ; ' ■» ! ' 7ho never to Jhimseir natn saia, -the village oif Monrdb,' now Known “As his is my own, my native land ? ” Lehaenburg. The research necessary in the prepara- Standing as we do to-day, over a cen¬ ration of papers on historical subjects be tury beyond the period of time when the yond doubt, requires more time and actors of this community, whose lives labor than that of any other subject and and achlvements we propose to consider, the writer should never lose sight of the lived and moved upon the stage of action. fact that two things are absolutely essen¬ I know you will pardon me when I say tial to render historical records interest¬ that it Is with a spirit somewhat akin to ing, namely: time and place, or chron¬ that embodied in the Immortal lines just ology and geography; for without these quoted that I stand before you now, and nothing can possibly possess historical In behalf of the good people of Durham importance. Hence, too many dates can bid you welcome to our annual meeting. not well be given *, this is chronology. All It has been my privilege as president of localities where important events or OO' this organization, to welcome you on a currences transpired should be definitely number of similar occasions in the past, and unmistakably pointed out; this is which naturally afforded me much pleas¬ geography. Dates and names of persons ure, and I can only say that it affords me and places are Inseparably associated an unusual degree of pleasure and satis¬ with historical records. faction to thus welcome you now, since What associations cluster around our to-day you have come to honor my own memories, what emotions heave within community with your presence. our breasts at the mere mentioning of True, we as an organization, have con¬ Independence Hall, Mount Yernon, Val¬ vened in localities more rugged, grand ley Forge, Gettysburg, Appomattox and and sublime, where nature presented to yet they are mere spots on the earth’s our view scenes calculated to arouse surface, but combined with dates and oc within our minds feelings of wonder and currences and events, their true signifi¬ astonishment. But to-day we are privi¬ cance is ascertained, and it is only in this leged to feast our eyes on the harmoni¬ way that progress can be definitely ous blending of the teeming valley, the traced. The newspapers of to-day will sloping hillside, the waving fields of be history to-morrow, so will all recent grain, the rugged peak, the beautiful events and occurrences become interest¬ grove, clad In Its rich garb of green, aye, ing and invaluable to future generations the rippling waters of the historic Dur¬ yet unborn. ham Creek, flowing on and on so merrily, It is to be hoped that the reading of soon to mingle with and become a part of the records of the noted characters who the waters of the boundless ocean. formed the links of the great chain of I Ladies and gentlemen, you have Indeed human industry, civic valor and patriot- [ this day made a pilgrimage to historic ism of Durham and surrounding com¬ grounds. Near the spot where yonder munity in the past, as well as the stirring grist mill now stands the first Durham strains of music falling with sweet and1 furnace was erected in 1728, and con¬ pleasing cadence on the listening ear, will tinued in active operation until 1792. It embalm our memories with pleasant and was at these iron works that a large por¬ profitable recollections of this day and tion of cannon balls, double-headed shot, stimulate within us a pure and noble am¬ grape and canister, bombshells and other bition to fulfill the great end of life, so effective peacemakers of the Revolu¬ that when the future historian shall tionary period were manufactured and record our life’s work—humble though it transported down the Delaware River, to maly be—hei may find his task as pleasant supply the Continental army in its heroic and profitable as is ours to-day. struggle for National supremacy. And now, ladies and gentleman, I We are in possession of unmistakable thank you for your kind attention, for it evidence that Iron was manufactured at certainly augurs well for the interest Durham as early,if not a few years earlier, that will undoubtedly be manifested in than anywhere else in Pennsylvania, and the exercises to follow, and once more, in that the first stoves, as well as the first behalf of the good people of Durham, steel carriage springs credited to Penn¬ among whom you have come, and among sylvania, were manufactured at the Dur¬ whom I trust you may have a pleasant ham forge and out of iron mined from the sojourn, I extend to you a most cordial Durham hills yonder, in about 1777. welcome. It was here, within the bounds of little The following is the complete pro¬ Durham, that a number of patriotic men, gramme: who participated, directly or indirectly, in the Revolutionary struggle,were born, Sketch of Durham Village, Miss Fannie or resided a part of their lives. Simpson. History of Durham Church, Rev. S. H. But a short distance down the Durham Phillips, Creek is the spot claimed as the birth¬ Music. place of General Daniel Morgan, the or¬ The Residents of Durham during the ganizer and captain of the celebrated Revolution, (1775-83) Historian William J. company called “The Never Fails.” Buck. Among the remaining noted charaters Rufe’s School House and Its Teachers, Rev. 0. H. Melchor. we find the name of George Taylor, one The Descendents of the Fackenthall of the signers of that immortal docu¬ Family, H. F. Ruth. ment, the Declaration of Independence; Music. Richard Backhouse, owner of the cannon Riegelsville and its Editors, Ryan Rapp. ball factory; Thomas McKeen.the cele¬ Living Within One’s Means, A. B. Har¬ brated sohool master and financier; Dr. ing, Esq. Daniel Dungan, the smallpox inocula- Springfield Schools, Miss Myra Brodt. Music. tor; Isaac Burson, the noted agricultur¬ Sketch of Quakertown, Miss Lizzie Yost. ist, and Thomas Pursell, the founder of Importance of Saving Family Papers, Walter S. Buck. Olden Time Militia, MBs Clara R. Lau- bach.. Music. The Stover Family, .Henry Stover, Esq. . James DeWale Cookman, .Tatnes Ma y All these papers were well prepared Duane, Edward Johnson Etting, Lincoln and contained a wealth of historical lore Godfrey, Sydney Pemberton Hutchinson, that made them exceedingly valuable. Joslah Granville Leach, John Selby Mar¬ The officers of the Buckwampun So¬ tin, Samuel Whitaker Fennypacker ciety, to whom the success of the meet¬ Sutherland Mallet Prevost, Lawrence ing was largely due,are: President, Hon. ' Taylor Paul, George Wharton Pepper, C. E. HIndenach; Secretary, Charles Lau- Thomas Potter, Jr., Walter George bach; Executive Committee, Clayton Smith, John Conyngham Stevens, Char¬ Judd, Hon. R. K. Bachman, Dr. N. S. lemagne Tower, Jr., and Ethan Allen Rice, John Knecbt, Henry Stover, Ed¬ v\ eavef. ward Hollenbach, H. H. Youngken, Zacha- j . TWO*-HUNDRED VISITORS. rlah Purdy, George Rlegel, Charles Was- ser, Henry Rufe anji George B. Seifert, ■ There were about 200 members of the society present, headed by the president, Major William Wayne. Among the prom¬ inent guests were Dr. Charles J. Stille president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Dr. Frederick D. Stone of the Historical Society of Pennsylva¬ nia; Dr. Edward Shippen, president of the Genealogical, Society of Pennsylva¬ nia; Julius F. Sachse, local historian of Chester County, and Colonel John P. Iy icholson, of the Loyal Leg’ion. The visitors were driven to Sconnell- town, and thence to Osborne’s Hill, JMte, where they were given an opportunity to survey the ground from a high eleva¬ tion, and finally to the ancient Birming¬ ham Meeting House. . DR. STONE’S ADDRESS. Beneath the shady old oaks at this historic spot, and on the anniversary of the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, the members of the society ‘gathered about the tables at 1 o’clock land partook of a sumptuous repast. Fred¬ erick D. Stone, secretary of the Penn- ; sylvania Historical Society, was then introduced, and delivered the following Sons of the Revolution Visit address:— s , J asxea to speak to you the Chester County Bat¬ °? t£e eY,ent? connected with the Battle ot Brandywine We must turn tlefield. ,back to the Winter of ’76 when Wash¬ ington checked the tide of disaster that (threatened to overwhelm him, with the victory at Trenton. Brilliant as it was In ito conception and execution, it was ERRORS OF THE CONFLICT. followed up by the still more brilliant movement at Princeton, where, after having withdrawn his army from a peri¬ lous position at Trenton, Washington turned the left flank of the enJmy Dr. Stone, of the Historical Society, marched directly through his lines, de¬ stroyed communications between the ad¬ Reviews the Clash of the Annies vance guard near Trenton and the re¬ serve at Princeton, drove the latter in to a Large Assemblage at confusion back to Brunswick, and then sought shelter for his almost exhausted Birmingham Meeting ristown°n the hi^!l 8Tound at*ound Mor- “With characteristic slowness Howe al¬ House. lowed the entire Spring of ’77 to pass before he took the field, nor v/ere his movements then marked with that con¬ fidence that his superiority in both, num¬ Special Despatch to “The Press." bers and equipments should have in¬ West Chester, June 18.—The Pennsyl¬ spired. Early in July he embarked his troops and. on the 23d of July, under vania Society, Sons of the Revolution, I the protection of the fleet, passed Sandy accompanied by a number of distin- : :Hook aim sailed for the Chesapeake. It guished guests, arrived in West Chester Is hard to understand Howe's reason for undertaking this expedition. At Amboy on a special train at 11 o’clock this morn¬ he was almost as near to Philadelphia ing, where they -syere met by the local ne was afterward at the Head of branch of the society and by the Chester Elk. To march from the latter to Phila¬ delphia he was obliged to sever his con¬ Cdunty Historical Society, and escorted nection with his base and defeat Wash¬ by them over the battlefield of the ington before he could enter the city. Brandyvtine. • have followed the same course iin New Jersey with an equal chance of The committee having general super¬ | succi-ss, and, having defeated Wa^hing- vision of the trip was composed of Alex¬ ton he could have crossed the Delaware ander Krumbharr, Dr. Alexander Wil¬ at his leisure, leaving New Jersey a half- liams Biddle, Charles Sydney Bradford, conquered State in his rear, across which he could have established posts reaching' Jr., Charles A. Brinley, Richard McCali to New York. The expedition undoubi> Cadwaiader, Richard Strader Collum, F^Fac1, Its orl§'in in the traitorous brain of Charles Lee, then a prisoner in the hands of the British. THK E AKL K MANHUVERS. Washington heard the sFund of _ " "When Washington saw Howe evac¬ drawing- closer and closerfto him, he un¬ uate New Jersey he supposed he would derstood only too well 1-Kat it meant. move up the Hudson-to co-operate with He ordered Greene to take the reserve Burgoyne, who -was advancing from and leinforce the right [wring while he Canada, and he was at a loss what to v.-Rh a guide mounted op the horse of expect next when he learned that the one of his aids rode in tlv? direction from fleet had passed Sandy Hook and had which the sound of the firing came. sailed southward. Finally, on the 22d of “With the brigades cjf Muhlenberg, August, he heard that Howe had entered Weedon and Nash, Greene hurried to the the Chesepeake and at once put his army scene of conflict. As he approached it in motion to meet him. Three weeks he ordered Weedon to take a position passed before they met. In the mean¬ across a defile that commanded the road while Washington marched to Wilming¬ | over which the .enemy was advancing. ton, and after thoroughly reconnoitering | With the remainder of the force he the country down to the Head of Elk, pressed on to hold Cornwallis in check, established his lines along Red Clay while Sullivan’s men could pass to the Creek. Howe's army disembarked at the rear. This he did and then fell slowly Head of Elk on the 25th. His advance back followed by the enemy. When the w'as slow, as several days were spent ' latter reached that part of the' road com¬ in collecting horses/. On September 3 he manded by Weedon, they received a atrived at Aitken’s Tavern, where a se- withering- fire that threw them into con¬ vp-p skirmish took place with Maxwbll’s fusion. The position here taken by the corps, which was driven back. It seemed Americans was stoutly disputed. The now as ;f the conflict was to be fought cor.duct of the brigades of Weedon and along the Red Clay Creek, and on Sep¬ Muhlenberg and of the regiments of tember 5 Washington issued a stirring SteVens and Walter Stewart was especi¬ appeal to his army, which was then ally brilliant. composed of about 12,000 men. Howe’s “When Knyphausen heard that Corn- command numbered 17,000, but he made ! wallis was engaged ho attempted to no attack, and Washington discovered , I cross at Chadd’s Ford and force the that while he was endeavoring to leave ’ American left, but Wayne, although out¬ the impression that he was about to at- > numbered four to one, held him back tack his left flank he was massing his j until tne retreat of the right enabled troops on the American right. Fearing Knyphausen to turn his flank, when he, that he might push past him in that di¬ too, was obliged to retire, which he did in good order. In the retreat a howitzer rection and gain the roads leading to was left behind for a short time, but Philadelphia or crowd him to the Bela-' through the bravery of Colonel Cham¬ ware, Washington decided to cross the bers, assisted by Captain Buchanan and Brandywine and throw his army directly Lieutenants Simpson and Douglass, it in H'oWe’s path on September 8. The Pennsylvania militia guarded the fords was rescued. ' below Chadd’s. THE END OF THE DAY. ‘‘At daybreak Howe’s army was in “Night finally ended the battle and motion. Knyphausen with from 7000 to the American army retreated to Chester, 10.000 men marched through Kennett from which place at midnight Washing¬ Square toward Chadd’s Ford. Another di¬ ton informed Congress of the loss of the vision, 7000 strong, under Cornwallis took day. While the Frenchman, De Borre, a road running to the north leading to whose troops were thrown into con¬ one that crossed the west branch of the fusion eai-ly in the day, said, ‘It was not Brandywine at Trimble’s Ford and the his fault if the Americans would run east branch at Jeffrey’s Ford. Howe ac¬ away,’ there is sufficient evidence to companied this column. It -was his plan \ Show that they ma.de as good a resist¬ that Knyphausen should engage the at- 1 ance as was to be expected from men so tention of Washington untji Cornwallis poorly armed and eouipped. After the could gain a position from which he : first onslaught it too’k Cornwallis about could attack his right, and only too well tferty minutes to drive Sullivan’s disor- for the good of the American cause was ’dcred troops one mile. The British loss it carried out. Washington soon learned In killed, wounded and missing is report¬ that Cornwallis had turned his flank and ed to have been about 600, that of the was not two miles distant. Americans 1000. “The British general ordered his men '“As the troops advanced a chronicler to advance. They were in contrast to fbHowing in the wake of the armv saw the Continental troops that stood on the doors and shutters of this building the opposite hill awaiting their attack. torn from the hinges and used as stretch¬ Of these no two were dressed alike; the ers on which to carry the wounded bo best wore hunting shirts, others were nedth this rpof in this humane work he almost naked. Every variety of arms assisted and witnessed here, surgical could be seen in a single company. operations that to-day would be consid¬ Their tactics were of the most primitive ered barbarous. character. “An English woman who resided on the THE FIJvST SHOTS. other side of the stream,was a member “The first shots were fired by the of the Society of Friends. As Knvp- Americans from an orchard on the Jones’ ' hausen was marching towards Chadd’s property on the west side of the road Ford, so anxious was she to prevent leading here, at the corner of the Street bloodshed that she run out of the lane road. It was nut until the British leading to ner house and exclaimed reached that raod that they returned the ‘Oh! clear man do not go down there. fire. Then they sprang upon the bank George Washington is on the other side at the side and fired at the Americans of the stream and he has all the men through the fence. Sullivan v*as attempt¬ in this world with him.’ ‘Never mind, ing to close the distance between his di¬ madam,’ replied Knyphafusen, ‘I have vision, and had not completed the move¬ all the men in the other world with me.’ ment when the British were upon him. Just where Knyphausen recruited his His troops wore soon thrown into con- I troops it is rather difficult to* under¬ fusion and were swept past this place, / stand. passing to the rear of the meeting house. “At the time, the battle was felt to be It was then that .Lafayette was wounded ! a humiliating defeat. It opened the way while endeavoring to rally the troops. to Philadelphia and destroyed the hopes ’•A slrort distance from here another I that had been raised by the victories stand was made, but the British had of Trenton and Princeton that the ill succeeded in separating Sullivan’s forces j armed American levies were more than and he was again obliged to fall bark. a match for their fully equipped, and He did so, fighting desperately. He wrote well disciplined opponents. It was neces¬ afterward that for fifty-one minutes sary to lay the blame at somebody’s the hill was disputed almost muzzle' to door and Sullivan, it was decided, was muzzle, and Conway, who had seen ser¬ responsible for the defeat. Burk, of vice in Europe, had never before wit¬ nessed so close and severe a fire. As ! *^orth Carolina, one of the Congressmen A-a-sau, jonn ±5. mison, Joseph For- who had witnessed the battle, preferred nand Persifor Frazer, D. Sc.; George charges against him. He offered a series G. Gillespie, Lincoln Godfrey. Jerome P. of resolutions, declaring that it "was the Gray, Frank _D. Green, Ebenezer W. sense of Congress that Sullivan had Greenough. Charles F. Gummey, Jr., neglected his duty in not informing H-imersly, Benjamin F. himself about the upper fords of the Hart, Edwmrd Hazlehurst, James M. Brandywine; that he had been ordered Hodge, James W. Holland. M. D. to do so and had had ample time; that „ DS,"laI. w: Howard, Charles H. Howell, he forwarded false information to the S. Pemberton Hutchinson, John H Ir- General that led to the defeat; that he wmv Bushrod W. James, M. D., Francis brought his troops into action in a dis¬ S. Keese, Albert Kelsey, Albert V/. TOl- order from which they never recovered, My’nHeATy T", Keat’ Feter D. Keyser, anj finally that he had not sufficient' Al. D., Alexander Krumbhaar. James I, talents for his rank and Washington Lardner, Benjamin Lee, M. D., Francis requested to remove him. Rut . A. lyte, • Joshua L. Lyte, Horace Magee Washington evidently had not lost faith 1 Marston, Caleb J. Milne, Caleb J. In Sullivan. It was his army that had j Milne, Jr., David Milne, anu his guest been outflanked and he made no attempt Colonel T. D Hilby, M. Reed, Minnich t2.pI,^ce t^le blame on his subordinates's ?hiue if11?®8 Tt't Mitchell, Robert MiG shoulders. He could ill afford to spare a :Cheil, Thomas H. Montgomery, Colonel General of Sullivan’s experience and Me lfonWArrd^e%" Mo,rre11’ Thomas S Sr asked Congress in the most pressing Dv Joseph M. Myers, Carroll B manner to suspend the order. It was lAichois, Laurence T, Paul, Tattnall granted but Chase, of Maryland, im- jo ancj ?°n Ellistcn Perct, Joseph iiT pfroJ and h>s guest. Rev. Joseph S. mediately asked that the troops from Perot, Jr., John ,J. Pinkerton, Louis P his state he removed from under Sulli- IfPf-, command. Read of Da Leland B. Potter, William f.- Potter, George W. Powell, Jr, and moved that the name o' his State be in¬ I his guest, C. G. Kates, Sutherland M serted with that of Maryland, ipowUSt,TWir K' r?rice’ William Brook COMMAND WAS TOO LATE, ip^7Je' ^Orr.^P1 R°binsoR? John G. c ,T.^S action was, in the main, just j Rodgers, At llliam S. Rowen, Slater b' . .was Personally brave. He raiSsell Captain John W. Shackford handled his troops well and had the con¬ Rev. Dr W. W. Silvester, John F Si- fidence of his officers, but it is impos¬ Charles a. Sims, Edmund Smith sible to acquit him of the charge of At alter G Smith. Robert P. Snowden having failed to inform himself of the Theodore K. Stubbs, Joseph H Stein- country and of the position of the fords metz. Humph rev D. Tate Henrv C to his right. In not doing this he ap¬ Terry, Frank E. Townsend, Clarenr-e W peared to have-lacked the qualities of a Taylor- Lew Jersey Society—Chandler true general It has been generally ac- i P. At ainwright, Joseph R. C. Wa-d W cepted as a fact that the false informa- ham Wayne, Jr„ Grant AA'eidman Alan • ,a,..furnislleii by Major Spear, of the Wood ■' Frederick Wood, Howard j militia, contributed to the defeat of the -V V ' r" - ■ *" ” "rJM 0 I day, and had it not been for that Wash¬ ington s plan to overcome Knyphausen before Cornwallis could aid him would have been successful. A careful exami- nation of the evidence leads me to a different conclusion. Washington’s order to Greene and Sullivan to cross and at¬ tack Knyphausen was given so late in tne day that I believe Cornwallis would have gained a position directly in his rear before he could have driven Knyp¬ hausen from his ground and that "Wash¬ ington’s defeat under those circumstances would have been even more disastrous than it was. After the address the party visited all other points of historic interest, includ¬ ing the spot where Lafayette was wound¬ ed, now marked by stone tablets, and at 5 o’clock this afternoon they boarded a j AJMUJVli THE MUSTY RECORDS train at Chadd’s Ford and returned to Philadelphia. An Old Deed Given in Consideration c THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT. The following members of the Society “Natural Affection” and a Marriag- of the Sons of the Revolution, the major portion of whom are from Philadelphia Certificate of the Last Century. enjoyed the trip: William Wayne presi¬ dent; Richard N. Cadwalader, vice-presi¬ Among the old records recently sent dent, Ethan Allen Weaver, secretary- the Intelligencer is a deed conveyii 9^1eIT JA.Gra"vj,1!e Leach, historian; Major J. Edward Carpenter, Judge Pen- four tracts of land from J. Henry Chi] nypacker, William Spohn Baker, and T- Haw-son Bradford, M. D., William to his son Cephas Child for 5 shillim MacPherson Horner, of the Board of and the "natural affection he had for h Managers; Joseph W. Anderson M D • Gordon M Ash, J. Howe Adams. Louis son,” bearing date 12th of 4th mo., 171 H. Ayres Richard R. Baker, William H now m the possession of T. N. Myers c Sf™-8- H£raC-e„ binder, Charles A. Plumstead. The first tract mentioned i Blakslee, David K. Bovd, Charles <3 600 acres in Plumstead, adjoining land c Bradford J. Benjamin Brooke, Francfs Widow Musgrove, being part of the trar Brooke,^ and his guests E. K. Hart and' Francis M. Brooke, Jr., H. Jonls i conveyed to J Henry Child undlr th I §r°tke’ ~L Browne, John W 7th mo"' mi1 -°rLWilIian} Penh 18th o ! Buckman, Eaw-ard Carpenter, Frank /in nio., looi. The second tract waq 1 £f£Pe™er’ Ja™es H- Carpenter, E. Her | adpfsfJ,n *e “Liberties of Philadelphia ’ I k?1 t, Clapp, Randolph Clay, Albert N I 0t3?er pieces of landmen ?rlchard S- Collum, V. lots, one fronting on the Schnwim I i » j,°hn Colton, James W Cookrnan, Edwin A. Damon, Rev. Benla- river, situated between Walnuty and I min J. Douglass, Janies M. Duane Spruce streets, 20x390 leet. and the othei WlffTlm ^ ,a-nd son- Edward J. Ettffig fifth a°tm?ilgR,Stfreet; !ocated between the IW imam Darlington Evans, Maurice | fifth and sixth streets from theSchuylkill .ver, 25 feet 5 inches by 306 feet. Very many years ago, when I was quite The original deed to the 500 acres in a little child, as the twilight came on we Plumstead from William Penn now in children would cluster about our aged possession of S. & T. Child, Philadel¬ grandfather, then a very old man. and phia, was published in full in all its pe¬ with wrapt attention listen to his stories culiarities in the Daily of March 27th. of “ how they did when I was young ”— The 16 acres and two lots in Philadelphia the exploits of his youth and the legends were conveyed to J. Henry Child of olden time. The favorite story—the under the great seal of the Province 20th one most frequently asked for and that of 7th mo,, 1705. The witnesses to the made the deepest impress upon my mind d eed to Cephas Child were James Lee and —was and Indian legend. Though many John Wilson. years have passed since grandfather Another interesting old document in went to sleep with his fathers, and I the possession of T. N. Myers is the have passed from a child to one well marriage certificate of John Kratz and stricken with years, I often find my mind Magdalena Swartzlander, grandparents reverting to this romance of the simple- of the late Mrs. Myers. The certificate minded savages. On memory’s wall reads as follows: hangs the picture of my grandfather, with snow white hair and venerable Pennsylvania, Bucks, ss. form, seated in the “ old armchair” be¬ This may certify to all whome it may tween “ grandfather’s clock,” standing in concern that John Kratz and Magdalena! the corner, and the wide open fire-place. Swartzlander, both of Bucks county,j The wonder-stricken faces of the grand¬ were on the 25th day of June, Anno; children, listening with Intense eagerness Domini 1799, married before George to the words falling from his lips, com¬ Wall, one of the justices of the peace in pletes the picture. and for the said county of Bucks, and Every feature and gesture are remem¬ that they took each other for husband bered. One little fellow puts his hand on and wife in his presence as also in the grandfather’s shoulder, and hia pleading presence of the other under named wit¬ face speaks more loudly than his words: nesses. “Grandfather, please tell us again the Geo, Wall. John Kratz, Indian legend ? ” Several little voices Magdalena Swartzlander. join In the chorus of the request, and The witnesses who signed the certific¬ with a smile at his youthful tormentors, ate were Mathias Cowell, Margaret Cow¬ he begins: ell, Sarah Wall, William Closson, Sarah “ When I was a little fellow, not larger Closson. Martha Wall, Elizabeth Wail, than this one [placing his hand on my Ann Wall, Elizabeth Wood, Moses head], it was my greatest pleasure to ac¬ Quinby, Michael F. Goss and Enphemy company my brothers when they brought home the cows in the evening, one evening in the late Spring time I remem¬ ber in particular. A balmy breeze played with the leaves and seemed to whisper lovingly to the dowers. The sun had gone to rest behind a golden canopy and twilight was fast approaching. While the cows slowly wended their way home¬ ward, we lingered to cull the bright flowers, or listen to the sleepy hum of the bees on their last homeward trip, or stopped to hear the birds chant their evensongs. Date, _ “ On this evening I was suddenly startled by the exclamation ‘ Hist!’ frc m my brother. Looking around I saw tbe tall form of an Indian stalking along In the direction of our house. With fear and trembling we crept towards the THE INDIAN LEGEND house and hid until the Indian left. “ To our many questions father an¬ swered that the Indian was known as i / OF WOLF ROCKS. Oak Leaf, and belonged to the tribe of ■ LennI Lenape, which had formerly lived in this part of the country; that Oak Leaf Mow the Romantic Spot Received seemed very friendly; that he spoke the Its Name, English language with tolerable fluency —so, at least, as to be easily understood; The following legend was sent to the that he had a tent near the spring at the Democrat for publication about ten foot of the mountain, a short distance from our house, and there he wished to years ago by a gentleman named Leigh, stay and visit the hunting grounds of his then residing in Lambertville, N. J. The j fathers. After this we often saw him, manuscript was mislaid and was only j and. as he was very gentle with us, we brought to light a few days ago from thej soon lost our fear of him, and listened with interest to his stories of the times recesses of an old drawer. As the Bucks when the LennI Lenape had their lodges County Historical Society will hold its here. mld-Summer meeting at the place men¬ • One day he stopped beneath a tall and tioned in the legend, Wolf Rocks, on far-spreading chestnut that stood near Buckingham Mountain, next Tuesday, the house, around which we were seated. i the story of the origin of Its name as told His brow was gloomy, his eye sad; his by Mr. Leigh below Is both timely and gaze wandered from one object to * interesting, and, it Is understood, has another. Presently he spoke in words ' never been related before: like the following: Rushfng^Yater was hearTbro^^TT 1 In this beautiful valley of Lafaaska le pined over the loss of his lovely bride, was the hunting ground of the powerful' n the silent night hours lie thought he tribe of LenniLenape. Opposite that pile —. jould hear the voice of White Flower, of rocks was the village of Lase-has-ka 1 borne on the winds, calling to him for home n the beautiful vale). Here dwelt help. Th80 he would rush out of his the children of the forest, and yonder lodge, trembling like a sedge in the rest the bones of those whose spirits have j meadow. Only the moaning of the wind gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds. In t‘ answered his piteous cries. yonder woods th0y chased the deer, and “'Wolf still sat upon thp rock with a under this tree the squaws and papooses - baneful smile, watdhlng the fruitless would come to welcome home the braves search. Rut ope mornjng Wolf was *£om cbase- that space over there missed from h}s perch. Some braves, they held their council fires and smoked | with keener sight than others, saw a the pipe of peace and told the legends of dark form lying on the roek. They set the tribe. out to find out what it was. There lay “ ‘ Of all the tribes none was so large or Wolf, raving and tearing his hair, but powerful as the Leni Lenape. In all the sthl aifye. 4a they hope him away }n world there was no spot so beautiful as strong arms.'Rushlhg Water heafd a|rain this loved valley of Lahaska, “ the home the* peculiar moaning he had often heard of the Good Spirit,” the greenest, the in the night breeze. It seemed to come sunniest, the most lovely that the great from the rock. Then they first saw an [ sun ever shone upon. Here the spring opening in the rock which had been was the clearest, the leaves the greenest, lade peeper and larger by1 some one. the deer most plentiful. looking through the opening they saw “ ‘ In all the tribe no one was so tall, so lying on the floor of the cave, poor White straight, so fleet, so skillful with the ar¬ Flower, tightly bound hand and foot, row, who came from the chase so heavily fa ?nd 4e§4- With gentle laden or was so loved, as the young chief. hands they carried her to the yfilage. 4s Rushing Water. they bore her opt of the mouth qf tlio “ ‘ Of all the maidens there was none so caye Wolf tried fognatph her from them fair as White Flower, whose step was like apd then throwing up his hands fell the antelope, whose form was like the bacKwara dead. Illy, whose eyes shone like twinkling “ ‘ Wolf’s |jodj, wgg burled stars, whose voice was like the sweetest songs of birds, whose every move was the rocks of the hill, away from the like the graceful, waving willow. There graves of his fatperp, and no one of all was none who wove so shapely a basket the Rennl Renapes we -fc of the mountains remembers thespof. p or who could cook the venison so tender and juicy. WnF( many days before “ ‘ It was to White Flower that Rushing white Flower again became stfong'; but Water ever turned his eye. Returning when the trees were clad in their gayest from the chase he carried the game and robes apd the fields were a sea of waving laid it at her feet. It was with her he gqldep grain White Flower went to the danced at the rejoicings; it was with her l0«ge of Rushing Waters as his bride.’ ” he walked beneath the trees. They Rocks iS tbe Indlan Ie&end of Wolf would stroll up that path and sit on yonder rock in the calm and peaceful light of the moon. “ ‘ The lodge was built, lined with the softest furs and decked with the greenest boughs. One short moon and Rushing Water would take White Flower to his From,.LjUL&jdft lodge as his squaw. “ ‘ There was one of the tribe known as Wolf, who had ever tried to be the rival of Rushing Water, in the chase, in the dance, in the sports—always trying, but never succeeding, to surpass Rushing Water, Wo[f had wooed the gentle White flower, but to hjm'she tufted a deaf ear. Then Wolf made a ypw to the Great Good Spirit that White Rjower should never wed Rushing Water. “ * Revenge grew from day to day in Wolfs breast, He did not follow the chase; his arrows moulded in their qulyer. He sat on the big rock and NEW LIGHT ON watched tne happy ioyers in' gfoomy silence. Bis looks were so black and threatening the brayes would say: “ Wolf COUNTY HISTORY. is on his rock looking like a thunder cloud." Wolf still sat on the rook the morning White Flower was to go to the lodge of Rushing Water as bis squaw The Bucks Historical Society “ ‘ The time for the wedding came but there was no White Flower. She was no¬ Holds a Meeting at where fipmog the lodges. Great was the fpar when they found her gone. Where Buckingham. was White Flower, they asked of one an¬ other. 41} the brayes of the tribe searched the streams, the forests and the moun¬ tain; but White Flower could not be found. For many days they searched LONG LOST SEAL UNEARTHED ■hut all lh vain. iUr* ge Yerkes Finds the Tree and l^mTfcastburn said: “Joseph Pell was pioneer in educational matters in the Vine Design After Baffled Anti¬ ! ?ountyv, He, was a man of broad learn¬ ing, distinguished for his ability, and be- quarians Give Dp the Search. | came one of the most widely-known men in the eastern section of the State ; During his early career as a teacher he Several Papers Bead. crossed Buckingham mountain dailv to j | teach his little school on the south side of the mountain, a trying ordeal when the storms of Winter were abroad Special Despatch to “The Press.” Great results can be traced from the Doylestown, July 16.—At least a thous¬ 1 arduous toil of those who labored so in¬ and people, many of whom are promi¬ cessantly to educate and enlighten the masses in the early history of the nent residents of Philadelphia and Bucks county.” County, assembled at the top of Buck¬ An excellent paper by Rev. D. K Turner, of Hartsville, was read. It ingham Mountain to-day, to participate related to the representatives of Bucks in the annual meeting of the Bucks in Congress. Rev. Dr. Turner recited County Historical Society. interesting events in lives of the dis¬ They climbed from the beautiful Buck¬ tinguished men who had represented the county from early times down to the ingham Valley to the mountain top, a present day. This was his second paper distance of a mile and a half by the on the subject. mountain road, enjoying a magnificent Charles Laubach, an eminent geolo- fipt. residing in Durham Township, con- view of the fertile farm lands of the tributed a paper upon the “Pennsylvania historic valley hundreds of feet below. . Palisades, ’ the strange rock formation The road leading to the spot had been on the Delaware, in which he found re¬ corded the history of the life of the cleared of brush and stones and neat globe in indelible characters. His de¬ signs posted about the highways indi¬ scription of the minerals found there cated the points of interest. Six large and of the strange fossils was extremelv entertaining. At the close of Mr. Lau- tents had been provided for the comfort bach’s paper the society adjourned for of the society and its guests. The large dinner, which had been prepared for the pavilion tent, where the essays were read, contained room and seats for 600 I people. All these preparations had been jnade by Colonel Henry D. Paxson, of Philadelphia, whose ancestors have been distinguished in the history of Bucking¬ ham. THE MORNING SESSION. I Morning and afternoon sessions were held. The meeting was called to order by President W. W. H. Davis, Bucks Cbunty’s chief historian, who without any preliminary remarks introduced

Hon. Harman Yerkes. guests by the hospitable residents of Buckingham. It was served in a large dining tent, the ladies of the neighbor¬ hood waiting upon their guests. WOLF ROCK’S RECLUSE. At the afternoon session, which con¬ vened at 2 o’clock, Colonel Henry D Paxson read a paper upon the “Hermit ot the Wolf Rocks,” whose strange life was passed in a rude cave upon the spot ! on which the meeting was held. Buck¬ ingham s hermit gained world-wide ce- lebnty, the English press years ago publishing long accounts of his life. The name of the noted recluse was Albert Parge, a native of Buckingham. death of a beloved mother,” j General W. W. H. Davis. said the paper, "and his unrequited pas- ; sions for a noted beauty in the town- : Hugh B. Eastburn, of Doylestown. The i ships drove him to seek the seclusion latter read an excellent paper on the j of the mountain, where he lived many Early County School Superintendents years, his. friends and relatives believ- I of Bucks.” Mr. Eastb'urn is an ex-county ing him dead. He was finally discovered superintendent and has always been by some negroes who passed over the prominent in educational matters. mountain. Great throngs of people came ' each Sunday to inspect his queer abode His paper was replete with valuable The old hermit appeared before them information. One of its most interest¬ ' in Rip Van Winkle apparel, with un- ing features was a sketch of the late j kempt locks and beard flowing: almost Joseph PeU, father of Supreme Court Ijto his knees. Finally all trace of ihe -Tustice Fell, of Philadelphia. -Of him old man was lost, and served by-having it reproduced in en- carried away every vestige of nis house larsred and suitable form to be placed house implements, even appropriating somewhere about the court ^^silver the rude wood work he had constructed The seal is of the size of a silver In his primitive abode.” x.Tpr,rv half-dollar, with the escutcheon or shield The next paper read was by Henry of the Penn family as Its central hgure. C Mercer, of Doylestown, curator of The background is white, with a hlack the University of Pennsylvania, who band and three plates above had charge of the recent Corwith .ex¬ which is a half moon, probably the dis pedition to Yucatan. Mr. Mercer s sub¬ tineuishing' mark of the proprietor s ject was “The Bed Man’s Bucks branch of the family. Surmounting the County.” Mr. Mercer’s experience In shield is a low, broad tree, having a archaeological research enabled him to rather heavy trunk, with thickly clu®“ write a most interestang and valuable tered branches similar to the apple or paper. He carried his hearers back to chestnut tree. Extending from the base . the time when the red man was lord of the tree and around the shield is a of all he surveyed, and recited a num¬ distinctly defined vine, representing the ber of facts he had discovered which m- old-fashioned trumpet vine, so common dicated that the primitive savage poss- about the old homes of Bucks. Within a essed more knowledge of geology and double dotted line on the outer circle is science than he had been given credit the inscription "WilUamPenn Propria- for He had his mines and workshops, tor and Governor, Bucks. The above where rude implements of war and he spelling of the word proprietor is fol¬ chase were manufactured. He had ou lowed in other old seals f tivated the soil and was probably fami The meeting was regarded as one. or liar with coal. „ . the most successful and entertaining A HUNT FOR THE COUNTY SEAL,. ever held by the society. _ An excellent paper, and one hlhs^°r‘° k -1 $ a-" -6-m r W 1 f value not to Bucks County alone but to tup State was read by Hon. Harman Yerkes president Judge of the Bucks County Courts. When Judge Yerkes, at -7) the request of the society, dipped into history, he made an important discovery From,^ ^C/lAt/LL.. of facts that historians have been search¬ ing for for many years. Judge Yerkes subject was the “Original Seal of Bucks County, or the Tree and the Vine. He stated that abo't a year ago he had received aMelegram from Dr. William H. Egie, of Harrisburg, asking for a copy of the original seal of Bucks County, “a tree and a vine,” to be used in de¬ signing the decorations of one of the rooms of the enlarged capital building. To send a satisfactory reply to this a a a a a ^ a.. . message, he discovered, would involve ^ ftii* ft V-'0, most arduous research. Antiquarians had sought for it in vain, and finally Judge Yerkes became deeply interested in the matter himself. In Council meeting held at Philadelphia, “Ye 23d of ye 1st month, 1683,” lit was ordered that the seal of Philadelphia be the anchor, of Bucks a tree and vine, and of Chester a plow. It. appeared that all these county seals Unearthed At the Annual Meeting were in use with the exception of that of Butks, of which there was doubt. of the Historical Society. In his efforts to discover the tree and vine df Bucks, Judge Yerkes encounter¬ ed mahy difficulties. He searched Davis’ history, and interviewed Historian Wil¬ THE GUESTS OP COLONEL PAXSON. liam J. Buck. The latter had expressed his a«ubt as to whether such a seal had ever been used for official purposes. A Large Assemblage On Buckingham j Dr. Bgle concurred in the general opin¬ Mountain—Papers Read On County His¬ ion. At last, however, after a long and tory-Judge Yerkes Tells Of An Original tedious examination of the files In the county officers at Doylestown, Judge Discovery Of The Old County Seal. Yerkes was able to appear before the Bucks County Historical Society, and Nearly a thousand people enjoyed the remove all doubts as to the existence of midsummer and annual meeting of the the tree and vine seal, though it might, he said, upset certain theories as to the Bucks County Historical Society which was composition of the great seal of the held on Buckingham Mountain on Tuesday Commonwealth. The seal of the tree and vine, he proved, had been actually afternoon. It was a splendid place for the made and used as the county seal con¬ meeting, but in order that the Society and tinuously until after the outbreak of the Revolution, though eminent anti¬ its guests might reach it easily lots of hard quarians had not been able to find it. work had to be done in the way of clearing Judge Yerkes discovered a number of the seals clearly defined. out roads, removing brush, stones, timber, STATE SEAL AFFECTED. etc. All this was managed by Colonel Judge Yerkes thinks that the theory Henry D. Paxson, who was highly compli¬ that the great seal of the Common¬ mented upon the efficient manner in which wealth Is a composite production of the it was done. provincial seals of the three original. He had provided every comfort for the counties cannot be sustained so far as Society and its guests. Six tents had been Bucks County is concerned, since the erected in the event of storm, one of them a sheaves of wheat supposed to have been large pavilion seats provided with a speak¬ upon her seal were never so used. In er’s stand and tents for six hundred people. closing the paper Judge Yerkes made the Hacks were at the station to meet guets ar¬ suggestion that the__origlnal seal be pre¬ riving by train. The ladies of Buckingham provided an Wfi

-cellent repast for their guests, which was served between the morning and afternoon An excellent paper, and one of hist session. value not to Bucks county alone, but to , The meeting was one of the most success¬ State, was read by Hon. Harman Yerku., ful in the history of the Society. In addi¬ President Judge of the Bucks county courts. tion to listening to excellent essays the When Judge Yerkes, at the request of the Society, dipped into history, he made an people enjoyed the magnificent view from the mountain tops, and inspected the pic¬ important discovery of facts that historians turesque “Wolf Rocks,” where neat signs, have been searching for for many years. erected by Colonel Paxson, marked the Judge Yerkes’ subject was the “Original points of interest. Seal of Bucks County, or the Free and the Vine.” He stated that about a year ago he THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. had received a telegram from Dr. William Hugh B, Eastburn, Esq., of Doylestown, H. Egle, of Harrisburg, asking for a copy of ex-county superintendent of the Bucks the original seal of Bucks county, “a tree ?>?nintT, sc,b°®lsi read an excellent paper on and a vine,” to be used in designing the The Early County Superintendency.” He decorations of one of the rooms of the recited the trials of the men interested in enlarged Capitol building. To send a satis¬ the early history of education in the State, factory reply to this message, he discovered, ihe educational work of the State was then would involve most arduous research. conducted m a haphazard method There Antiquarians had sought for it in vain, and was a failure to uplift the great body of the finally Judge Yerkes became deeply inter¬ people to the intellectual and moral plane ested in the matter himself. on which they should stand. The use of seals in Pennsylvania for the After describing the character of the earlv attestation of official and other documents schools Mr. Eastburn switched upon the dates back to the foundation of the colony. pioneers m the county’s educational work Charles II conferred the right upon William line of the most interesting sketches related Penn to use his arms on the proprietary to Joseph _ Fell, father of Judge Pell, of seals, and hence we find them forming the Philadelphia. He was the first superinten¬ basis or central figure of all the colonial dent m the county, elected in 1854. He was seals. The writer then gave an exceedingly a splendid teacher and an efficient superin¬ interesting account of the various seals used, tendent. He had the happy faculty of and methods of branding and marking arousing the interest of his pupils. cattle. Joseph Fell’s experience and success as a Separate seals were provided for each I teacher and his breadth of view as a school county in Penn’s province. In council officer led him to become, very early in his meeting held at Philadelphia, “Ye23rd of ye term, a potent factor in conventions and 1st month, 1683,” it was ordered that the seal organizations looking towards the re-con- of Pliiladelphia be the anchor, of Bucks a struction of our school system. He had en¬ tree and vine, of Chester a plow, of New countered many difficulties and suffered Castle a castle, of Kent three ears of Indian considerable privation as a teacher, walking corn and of Sussex one wheat sheaf. It was over Buckingham Mountain daily to teach made a penalty to counterfeit seals. It ap¬ a school on the south side of the mountain peared that all these county seals were in ins home being on the north side. use with the exception of Bucks, of which BUCKS COUNTY IN CONGRESS. there was doubt. In his efforts to discover Rev. D. K. Turner, of Harlsville, read a the tree and vine of Bucks Judge Yerkes en¬ paper relating to the Representatives of countered many difficulties and met with Bucks county in Congress. Rev. Dr. Turner much discouragement. gave interesting sketches of the more promi¬ He searched Davis’ history, ard inter¬ nent members of Congress who had repre¬ viewed Historian William J. Buck. The sented their county many years ago, ending latter had expressed his doubt as to whether with a complete list from the earliest times such a seal had ever been used for official down to the present. purposes. He had failed to find it anywhere HISTORY IN ROCKS. even among the archives at Harrisburg. Eugene Zeiber, of Philadelphia, author of a Charles Laubach, Esq., of Durham, con¬ work on heraldry in America, had the same tributed a very interesting paper on the experience. Dr. Egle concurred iu the “Pennsylvania Palisades,” describing the general opinion that the seal had never been formation of that peculiar rock formation used. Judge Yerkes determined, however, along the Delaware on the Bucks county to continue the search. side. From 1683, when the "tree and vine” were ROMANCE IN HISTORY. declared to be the emblem of Bucks county, One of the most interesting papers read nothing further than the Act of1705 appears was that of Colonel Henry D. Paxson his upon the Statute books down to the Revolu¬ subject being “The Hermit of the Wolf tion, concerning the seal. Rocks.” Colonel Paxson prefaced his pic¬ At last, however, after a long aDd tedious turesque story of the hermit with a charm¬ examination of the files in the county of¬ ing historical sketch of the Buckingham fices, at Doylestown, Judge Yerkes was able Valley, the home of his ancestors. to appear before the Bucks County Histori¬ He drew a striking portrait of Albert cal Society, on Tuesday, and remove all Barge, the strange old man who, disap- doubts as to the existence of the tree and appointed in love and broken with grief vine seal, though it might, he said, upset over the death of his mother, had taken up certain theories as to the Composition of the | nis abode in the rude cavern on the moun- great seal of the Commonwealth. tain, where he lived for years. The seal of the tree and vine, he proved, Colonel Paxson’s valuable paper will be had been actually made and used as the published in full in The Republican here¬ county seal continuously until after the after. outbreak of the Revolution, though eminent Henry C. Mercer, Esq., entertained the antiquarians had not been able to find it. audience with one of his best productions Judge Yerkes discovered a number of the upon the Red Man in Bucks county, relat¬ seals clearly defined. An impression in ing incidents of the most interesting char¬ wax of the seal attached by Jeremiah Lang- acter connected with his archaeological re¬ horne to a writ in partition between Thomas search. ■ and Robert Cobbert. issued the r—■ .-• i , _ _ . 13th day'of December, in the second yeai‘ fif; 1 ham and Solebury, original fypne to wiismp. George II, (1729) is as fresh and distinct as The name is English. We have “Bush¬ if made yesterday. The result of Judge ing” from becen, the beech tree; then Yerkes’ labor has been, therefore, to estab¬ “Becen-ham;” now “Bushingham,” the vil¬ lish beyond all question the fact that the lage among the beeches, and, lastly, “Buck¬ original seal of the tree and vine was used ingham.” Bristol was originally called ! by Bucks from 1683 to the Revolution, al¬ “Buckingham,” but the name was not given most 100 years. to this township until after that of Bristol After seeing the seals that had been un¬ had been changed. It was organized shortly earthed by Judge Yerkes, Doctor Egle and after 1700, and called “New Buckingham” Mr. Zieber wrote to him, stating that, in in 1706. their opinion, it was the long sought for It is impossible to name the first white 1 seal. settler in Buckingham, or the time of his Judge Yerkes thinks that the theory that arrival, but it must have been shortly the great seal of the Commonwealth is a after John Chapman located in the woods of ! composite production of the provincial Wrightstown. This was in 1684. The honor • seals of the three original counties cannot is claimed for Amor Preston, who tradition be sustained so far as Bucks county is con¬ says, was a tailor at Wiccaco, Philadelphia cerned, since the sheaves of wheat supposed county. The early settlers of Buckingham to have been upon the seal were never so were mostly Friends, well educated and in¬ used. Her modesty may have permitted telligent. her to be thrust into the back ground, while The names of some of the first purchasers the emblems of other counties were used have long since disappeared from both town¬ to form the great seal. This modesty ship and county records; among them are would be characteristic of the retiringjdis- those of Nathaniel Bromley, 2.292 acres; position of her people, a marked trait to Thomas Mayleigh, 1,622; John Reynolds, this day. 984; Edward West, 980; Widow Musgreave, In the light of the facts discovered by 980, and Richard Lunday, 1,025. These hold¬ Judge Yerkes it also appears that the seal ings foot up 7,883 acres, very nearly one-half printed in Davis’ History of Bucks County the present area of the township. Before was not the legally authorized seal of the Solebury was cut off, the entire area was county at any time. 33,000 acres. This was probably prior to In closing his paper Judge Yerkes made 1703. the valuable suggestion that the original Buckingham Friends held their first seal be preserved by having it reproduced Monthly Meeting in 1732. Their meeting in enlarged and suitable form to be placed house was destroyed by fire in 1768, and the somewhere about the court house. present fine old-fashioned building, 40x70 The seal is of size of a silver half dollar, feet, was erected the same season. The pre¬ I with the escutcheon or shield of the Penn sent house was used as an hospital while the | family as its contral figure. The background Continental army occupied tbe west bank ■ is white, with a black band and three plates of the Delaware, in December 1776, and sev¬ thereon, above which is a half moon, pro¬ eral soldiers were buried where the turnpike bably the distinguishing mark of the pro¬ crosses the hill, and their remains were un¬ prietor's branch of the family. Surmount¬ covered when the pike was made. ing the shield is a low, broad tree, having The Smith family did their full share in a rather heavy trunk, with thickly clustered peopling this empire township and from i btanches similar to the apple or chestnut wl ich have descended a numerous posterity. I tree. Extending from the base of the tree, The Byes were in the township prior to the and around the shield, is a distinctly de¬ close of the century. The Paxsons were fined vine, representing the old fashioned among the earliest settlers in Buckingham, trumpet vine, so common about the old and in the county. homes of Bucks. Within a double dotted One of the most distinguished residents of line on the outer circle, is the inscription Buckingham in the past century was Dr. “William Penn, Pkopeiatok and Goveenoe, Johh Wilson. The Watsons came into Bucks.” The above spelling of the word Bucks county from Cumberland, England, Propriator is followed in other old seals, in the eighteenth century, many of them namely, those of Kent and New Castle. In living in Buckingham. technical heraldry the seal is described as Among others who settled in Bucking¬ follows: Argent on a fesse sable, 3 plates, a ham about this period, were Mathew' i crescent for difference. Above the shield Hughes, several y ears a member of Assem¬ (in position of a crest) a fruit tree proper. bly, and'cdm'missiohed h justice of the peace In exergue, the legend “William Penn, in 1*738; Joseph Fell, theXintone, John.Hill,. Pkopeiatob and Goveenoe, Bucks. ” Ephrain Fenton, Isaac Pennington, Will- General Davis, President of the Society, ; lam Pickering, the Carvers, probably de¬ had prepared a paper an excellent paper scended from William, who settled in By¬ on “Buckingham, the Empire Township,” berry, in 1682, of which Elias Carver, of which he announced would be published, Doylestown, is descended, and many others. as it was too late to read it when his turn Among the earlier settlers in Buckingham, | arrived, but not classed among the earliest were the “BUCKINGHAM, THE EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.” Simpsons. Buckingham is entitled to special honor His paper contained a vast amount of for her activity in the cause of education. historical information. He said that the In this work she stands in the front rank. central location of Buckingham, its large The ordinary country schools were opened area, 18,488 acres, its productive soil, high soon after its settlement and the rudiments cultivation, beautiful rural scenery and taught to them. agricultural wealth, rich deposits of lime¬ stone, its distinguished sons, and the general MOKE MEMBEES ENKOLLED. intelligence of the people entitle it to be During the sessions several business mat¬ called the “Empire township” of the county. ters were transacted by the Society. In rela¬ Buckingham was among the earliest town¬ tion to Judge Yerkes’ suggestions regarding ships settled. The stream of immigration, the preservation of the original county seal that brought settlers into the woods of the following resolutiod was passed: Wrightstown, carried them up to the “Great Resolved, That a committee of five be ap¬ Mountain,” called "Lahaskekee” by the pointed who shall take steps to secure, if Indians, whence they spread over Bucking- - “•*--*--r**7V. 1 . gfe . mm ■' W \ possible, the proper recognition of bucks -TBTie called the “ Empire township” of tnC comity s original seal in the Great Seal of, county. Pennsylvania. Buckingham was among the earliest T*?.e Committee on Accounts, John S. townships settled. The stream of Immi¬ Williams and Dr. J. B. Walters, audited the gration, that brought settlers Into the accounts and found the balance in Treasurer woods of Wrightstown, carried them up to Paschall’s hands to be $418.51. : the “Great Mountain,” called “ Lahaske- kee” by tbe Indians, whence they spread The President appointed Judge Harman over Buckingham and Solebury, originally Yerkes, John S. Williams, Dr. J.P. Walter, one township. The name is English. We the Rev. D. K. Turner and Thomas C have “ Bushing” from becen, the beech tree; .Knowles a committee to revise the by-laws then “ Beceu-ham ;” now “ Bushingham,” -the following persons were elected to the village among the beeches, and, lastly, “Buckingham.” Bristol was originally membership: Mrs. William C. Newell, Miss called “Buckingham,” but the name was Mary L DuBois, Murray E. Pool, Edward not given to this township until after that B. Darlington, Mrs. E. Wesley Keeler of Bristol had been changed. It was or¬ Robert H Lyman, George W. Rogers ganized shortly after 1700, and called “New Walter Darlington, Mrs. George P. Brock Buckingham" in 1706. Mrs. John Yardley, Mrs. John L. DuBois The earliest survey was that by Cutler. 1703, showing parts of Buckiugham and Mrs. Harman Yerkes, Mrs. Alfred Paschal! Solebury, with the Street road dividing Amanda B. Buckman, William Jenks Fell them. This was probably laid out by Henry M. Twining Irving P. Wanger, G. Phineas Pemberton when county surveyor, W. Rubmcam, E. Watson Fell, Henry A. about 1700. A subsequent survey was re¬ James, Edward H. Buckman, Henry P corded September 15,1722, which I seen, but -,Ely and Samuel T. Buckman. I do not known when the lines were run. It begins at the northwest corner of the township and runs southwest hyaline of marked trees, 1,403 perches, and the last line was up the Street road to the place of beginning 2184 perches. There are substan¬ tially the present boundaries of Bucking¬ ham. The earliest map of the township I have seen wag drawn in 1726, giving its en¬ tire area from the Solebury line to the west end of the mountain. The York and Dur¬ ham roads are marked on it. At that time there were twenty landowners, and the names are all given on this map but one. Among them are the well-known names of Fenton, Hough, Preston, Fell, Phillips, ^- /frfJ \ Holcomb, Gilbert, Large, Kinsey and Bye. The Paxsons, Watsons, and others, whose descendants now people the township, were then residents, but the map does not con- I tain their names. It is impossible to name the first white settler in Buckingham, or the time of his arrival, but it must have been shortly after THE EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.! John Chapman located in the woods of ■ Wrightstown. This was in 1684. The honor is claimed for Amor Preston, who tradi¬ tion says, was a tailor at Wiccaco, Phila¬ What Descendants of Buck¬ delphia county ; that when his cabin was burned, the Indians, living about the Great ingham Have Done. Mountain, invited him to move up to their village, possibly 1o make fashionable gar¬ ments for the “four hundred.” His wife was the daughter of Swedish parents living A Paper Prepared by General W. W. H. on the Delaware above the mouth of Ne- shaminy. The Preston family produced Davis, of Doylestown, for the Meeting- of some prominent men. Paul Preston was a fine mathematician and linguist, and the the Bucks County Historical society, friend and associate of Franklin. A friend of Franklin, about to go to Court at New¬ Held at Wolf Rocks, Buckingham, June town, asked for a letter to Preston. This the philosopher declined to give, saying, 16th, 1895. “ You will know him easy enough, as he is the tallest man, the homliest-looking man and the most sensible man you will meet Three-quarters of a century ago, Samuel at Newtown.” JohnsoD, a poet of this beautiful vailev, The early settlers of Buckingham were sang its praises in verse, of which I give a mostly Friends, well educated and intelli¬ single stanza: gent, with a robust faith pleasant to con¬ template, some of them walking down to “From the brow of Lahaseka, wide to the Falls to attend meeting before getting per¬ west, mission to have one of their own. The pio¬ The eye sweetly rests on the landscape neers of Buckingham had a hard life, and below; imagination at the present day falls short 'Tis bloommg as Eden, when Eden was of the reality. Until a crop was raised blest, flour was fetched from Falls and Middle- As the Sun lights its charms with his town, over 20 miles, and grain was taken to evening glow.” Gwin’s mill on the Pennypack, below Hat- boro, to be ground down to 1707. This was We stand about where the poet is sup¬ to supply Buckingham and Solebury. It posed to have stood when he cast his horo¬ scope on the charming surroundings. The was not so convenient then as now for the fair daughters of Buckingham to purchase “ vale of Lahaseka” hath Jost none of its their Spring bonnets, as their was no store charms ; the eye, as then, “ sweetly rests north of Bristol, and it is doubtful if that on the landscape below and her “lovely kept a very good assortment; nor could streamlets” flow on in their “silvery they so quickly send the boy to mill for pride” from the hills on the west. flour to babe sponge cake and make cream The central location of Buckingham, its puffs on the eve of an entertainment, say large area, 18,488 acres, its productive soil, an evening reception, so popular now. high cultivation, beautiful rural scenerv The names of some of the first purchasers and agricultural wealth, rich deposits of have long since disappeared from both limestone, its distinguished .sons, and the township and county records; among them general intelligence of tb&pepple, entitle it are those of Nathaniel Bromley, 2,292 acres ; * 'T ' “ ’ '' w

omas Mayleigh, 1,'622T; town, as early as 1761. Thomas Smith, tbe 984; Edward West, 981); Widow Musgreave, older, of Buckingham, planted the seed that 98(b and Richard Lunday, 1,025. These hold¬ grew the tree that bore the firsi cider apple ings foot up 7,883 acres, very nearly one half in America, on the farm were the first Rob¬ the present area of the township. Before ert Smith settled. Samuel Smith, a cap¬ Solebury was cut off, the entire area was tain iu the Continental Army, was a natr. e 33,000 ac:es. This was probably prior to of this township, as was his son Andrew J. 1703. Smith, a Major General in the late war. A distinguishing feature in the settle¬ The father married a daughter of John ment of Bucks county with all denomina¬ Wilkinson, and I have heard my father say tions was their care in erecting houses for that Ms father helped Captain Smith steal religious worship and establishing schools. the bride-elect away from the parental roof. As the Friends were the first to come they More than a hundred years ago the Smith iedoffin this work. The township had no family of Buckingham established a valua¬ constituted meeting prior to 1700, when the ble industrial establishment in Tinicum i quarterly granted leave to the Buckingham township, on the Delaware, for the manu¬ - Friends to hold a meeting for worship. facture of plows and mould boards, and was I They— first^ met at the uuuochouse Ufof WilliamVV lilltuil run by water. The plant was called “Smith- j Cooper, and in turn at John Gillingham’s, town,” and the works successfully carried James Creator’s, and Nathaniel Bye’s, in on for half a ceDtury. Joseph Smith, of 1705 Streator conveyed ten acres, in trust, Buckingham, made the pattern for the first to build a meeting house on and for a bury¬ iron mould board about a hundred years ing ground with the privilege of roads to ago on the farm now owned and occupied get to it. On the west side of the road, that by Heston J. Smith, great grandson of the •wound up the hill and near the line of the Joseph that made the plow. It was cast at graveyard, a small log meeting house was Charles Newbold’s foundry below Camden, erected. In June of that year Buckingham N. J. It was patented in 1800. Friends notified Falls Meeting they in¬ Thomas Canby. son of Benjamin, of York¬ tended to build a meeting house, and asked shire, born ,:boutl667, came to Pennsylva¬ , their advice. Consent was given, and nia in 1683, as an indentured apprentice to j Stephen Wilson and John Watson were ap Henry Baker. He settled in Buckingham | pointed to collect money for the building about 1690, and married Sarah Garis in iund. It was begun that year, but not fin¬ 1693. He was married three times, and the ished untii 1708. father of seventeen children. He first Upon the establishment of a Monthly bought part of the Lundv tract; sold this to Meeting, in 1721, a. frame house was erected Baker and then bought part of the Scar¬ a little further up the hill; and, ten years borough tract in Solebury, including the later, a stone meeting house, with a stone Stavely farm. He subsequently purchased addition onestoryhigh for the use of women, Heath’s mill on the Great Spring Creek, was built still higher up the slope. In this near New Hope, where he died in 1742. His Buckingham Friends held their first descendants are numerous, and included Monthly Meeting inI732. It was destroyed General Canby, U. S. A., who was killed by by fire-in 1768, and the present fine old- the Indians in California some twenty' fashioned building, 40x70 ieet, was erected years ago. Among the families which have the same season, the meMings, in tbe mean¬ descended in parts from this ancestry are time, being held at the dwelling of Benja¬ the Daceys, Hamptons, Elys. Smiths, Stap¬ min Wiiifams. The mason work and plas. lers, Gillinghams, Paxsons, Wilsons, East- tering were done by Mathias Hutchinson, burns, Watsons, Pickerings and Mngills. of Solebury, and the carpenter work by Ed William Cooper, mentioned in “ Bessie’s ward Good, of Plumstead. The present sufferings ” among those fined and other¬ .house was used as an hospital while the wise punished for non-conformity, was an Continental army occupied the west bank early settler. He was born in Yorkshire in of the Delaware, in December, 1776, and sev¬ 1649; came to Pennsylvania in 1699, locating eral soldiers were buried where the turnpike here in the same year. He was twice mar¬ 'Crosses the hill, and their remains were un¬ ried, the first time about 1672, three years be¬ covered when the pike was made. It is said fore joining the Friends. Three childrc-n The soldiers, on meeting days, put one-half by the first wife and one by the second came the house tn order for Friends, and that to America with him. The name is writ¬ imany of them attended worship. During ten Cowper\n the parish record, in Ensland the war Monthly Meeting was held out of and in the deed for 500 acres purchased of the house but once, February 1, 1777, in Christopher Atkinson. It was at his home Thomas Ellicot’s smithshop. Friends first held meetings in Bucking¬ A word of some of the individual settlers, ham. William Cooper died in 1709 at the I who erected their altars aud their hearth¬ ageof60. This family is not identical with ! stones in the woods of Buckingham, will that of Cooper, the novelist; but as the i not be out of place, albeit. latter was the grandson of Hannah Hibbs, “ Each in his narrow cell forever laid, of Solebury, he was a descendant of Bucks ! The rude forefathers oftheham et sleep.” county ancestry in the female line. The Byes were in the township prior to j The Smith family did their full share in the close of the century. In 1699 Thomas ! peopling this empire township and from Bye purchased 600 acres of Edward Crews, which have descended a numerous poster¬ Nathaniel Park and others, extending down ity. At one time there were ten Robert to the mountain. Crews and Park were Smiths ;a the same neighborhood. A Rob¬ probably never residents of the township, ert Smith, second son of his father who the land they conveyed to Bye being died on tue passage, was the first of the granted them in 1681, the year before Penn family to arrive, coming in his minority, left England, and joined the tracts of Lundy prior to 1699. He made his way well in life; and Screafor. Charity Bye, daughter of marrying in 1719, and dying in 1745 the Iiezekiah and Sarah Bye, born in 17S0, was owner ol 700 acres in Buckingham, Make- the mother of William F. Johnson, Gov¬ field and SVrightstawn. He had six sons, ernor of Pennsylvania, 1850 54. The Bye and Jon i Watson, the surveyor, said they tract was laid out by John Cutler, October were the six best penmen he ever met in 6, 1701. He was an eariy settler In Middle- one tin. v. About this time came William town and made a resurvey of the county in Smith, with his sou Thomas, who took up 1702-3; came from Yorkshire in 1685; mar¬ 600 acres adjoining Robert. They were not ried a daughter of rut.hbert Hayhurst, of related. Joseph Smith, who introduced the Northampton, and died in 1720, use of anthracite coal into the county, and The Paxsons were among the earliest set¬ Charles smith, of Pineville, the first to tlers in Buckingham, and in the county. burn Hive with hard coal, were descendants William Paxson was in Middletown in it Robert, Smith the elder. A Robert Smith 1692, and a landowner in 1684, locating 500 was a pioneer in burning lime, having acres on the Neshaminy above Hulmeville, earned r kiln as eariy as 1785. The first He lost his wife, two sons and a brother kiln ws probably burned by Samue 1 Smith, on the voyage, and, two years after his .rancC'-tiier ef the late Joslalt B., of ■ arrival, married the widow of William , Plumley, of Northampton. William Pax- hrmihbhihk>! son became a man of influence in the com- AOPnity, and represented the county in the borough, 'Kinsey; Watson, Haines, rvrris, Church and Heston. He left a farm at his Assembly. Hts son Henry r death to his son Joseph, in Upper Make- Solebury in 1704 ; was in the Assembly in field, whither he removed. Here'his sou, 1705-7, and, subsequently, came to Bucking¬ who became Dr. David Fell, father of ham. The late Thomas Paxson was fifth Joseph and grandfather of Judge Fell, of in descent from Henry, through Jacob, his Buckingham, was born. He read medicine fourth son, and Sarah Shaw, of Plumstead, with Dr. Isaac Chapman, Of Wrjghtstown, his second wife, whom he married in 1777. and was a graduate of the University of But two of Jacob Paxson’s large family of Pennsylvania, his certificate, signed by Dr. children became residents of Bucks, Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration Thomas who married a grand-daughter of of Independence, bearing date of February- William Johnson,and Mary,who became the 25, 1801. wife of William H. Johnson, deceased; Wm. It is claimed that Jesse Fell, the son of Johnson was born in Ireland and received Thomas and Jane, born in Buckingham in a good education; came to Pennsylvania 1751, was the first person to make a success¬ after his majority and settled for a time in ful experiment of burning anthracite coal Bucks county; married Ann Potts, removed in an open grate. This was at Wilkesbarre, to South Carolina where he died at the age whither he removed about 1790, and where of thirty-five. His sons were cultivated he died in 1830. He was a prominent citi¬ men, Thomas becoming an eminent law¬ zen of Luzerne, and served one term as As¬ yer, and dying at New Hope, in 1838. sociate Judge. Samuel, the youngest son, spent his life in Buckingham, married Martha Hutchinson and died in 1843. Thomas Paxson was the father of ex-Chief Justice Edward M. Pax¬ THE EMPIRE TOWNSHIP. son, of the State Supreme Court, and of Samuel Johnson Paxson, for many years proprietor and editor of the Doylestown Democrat. 1 he latter was a man of “in¬ finite jest.” Upon the election of Mr. What Descendants of Buck¬ Buchanan, to the presidency, he announce 1 the fact in his paper in great head lines, ingham Have Done. thus: “ A Bachelor in the While House and all the Old Maids Tickled to Death." It was republished in the Dondon Times, and pro¬ duced a broad smile wherever read. A Paper Prepared hy General W. W. H. The Watsons came into Bucks county from Cumberland, England, with the eigh¬ Davis, of Doylestown, for the Meeting of teenth century ; Thomas Watson, with his wife and sons Thomas and John, locating the Bucks County Historical society. in Bristol township at a place called “ Honey Hill,” about 1701. As his meeting Held at Wolf Rocks, Buckingham, June certificate borejdate 7th mo. 23d, they proba¬ bly landed that fall. He removed lo Buck¬ 16th, 1895. ingham in 1704, and settled on 400 acres he bought of one Rosill, lying on the south¬ east side of the York road ; but he was so Concluded from yesterday. careful of the rights of the Indians he re¬ fused to have the tract surveyed without The ldens were long in the counly before their consent. A man of intelligence, he coming to Buckingham, a. Randall Iden turned his attention to medicine, and, there I was married about 1690. and his daughter being no physician within several miles, he Dorothy-, in 17 0. A second Randall Iden, grew into a large practice before his death, probably a son of the former, lived in Bris¬ about 1731-32 He was probably the earliest tol township In 1724, ar.d was married to physician in the township. His son John, Margaret Greenfield, of “ Middle township,” of greater med cal knowledge, followed his the present Middletown. A third Randall father’s profession, met with success and Iden, grandfatherof the late James C. Iden, died in 1780. He was sixteen years in the As¬ of Buckingham, and son of Jacob, of Rock- sembly. John, the grandson of Thomas, \ hill, married a daughter of Samuel Foulke, named after his father, and born about of Richland, iu 1772, and on the certificate 1720, was one of the most prominent are the names of twelve Foulkes and thir¬ teen Robertses, witnesses that the marriage men of the Province. He was a distin¬ was “ orderly done.” guished mathematician and surveyor, and noted for his elegant penman¬ Among others, who purchased land In the ship. He assisted to run the line be¬ township prior to 1706, but not all settlers, tween Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mary¬ were James Streator and Richard Parsons, land, known, in later days, as “ Mason and each 500 acres. In 1724 Streator styled him¬ Dixon’s Line,” and was Secretary to Gov¬ self “ practitioner in physic,” hut, as he was ernor Morris at the Indian treaty at Eas¬ a grocer iu 1683, he must have studied the ton, 175G. He was both a scholar and poei. healing art subsequently. The farm of the Thomas Penn wished him to accept the late Joseph Fell is part of tbeStreator tract. office of Surveyor General in 1760, which be In 1683 a warrant, covering several thou¬ declined. He died in 1761. The late Judge sand acres, was issued to Thomas Hudson Richard Watson was descended frcin this for land in this and other townships; and, ancestry. in 16S8, 1,0C0 acres were confirmed to Rich¬ Among others who settled in Bucking¬ ard Lundy. In 1687, 980 acres were surveyed to Edward West, and 984 to John Reynolds, ham about th's period, were Mathew lying on both sides of the mountain on the Hughes, several y-ears a member of Assem road fromRinevilletoClaytown. These two bly, and commissioned a justice of the peace in 173S; Joseph Fell, the Lintons, tracts have some historic interest, and gave JohmHill,Ephraim Fenton, Isaac Penning¬ rise to numerous lawsuits. Toe original purchasers never appearing, the land was ton, William Pickering, the Carvers, prob¬ settled upon by others without a color of ably descended from William, who settled title, the Proprietaries taking bonds from in Byberry, in 1682, of whom Elias Carver, the tenants against waste. In 1781 suits lisq.,of Doylestown, is descended, and many others I could name, would time permit. were commenced for the possession of these lands and continued for more than half a Of the Fells, Joseph, son of John and Margaret, of Longlands, County Cumber¬ century, the late Thomas Ross being one of thecouusel. The absecne of Reynolds was land, England, born in 1668, was the first comer. He arrived in 1705 with his wife accounted for by his alleged loss at sea, on his return to England, but that of West was and two children. Landing at the mouth never explained. of the Potomac they made their way to Among the earlier settlers in Bucking¬ Bristol by land and water; thence to Upper ham, but not classed am'ong the earliest, Makefield, where they lived a few months, t. and removed to Buckingham in 1706, where were the Simpsons. There were probably two families of this name. Those best re¬ he died. He remarried in 1709. He was the membered here are the descendants of Wil¬ father of eleven cbildreu, and they, and his liam Simpson, from the North of Ireland,f: thirty-five grandchildren, intermarried, born about 1732 and came here between 1748 among others, with the families of Scar¬ ij jand 1750, and bought 100 acres of John Penn fetan^iDgTutlio l°n^er used for grffboj nur- in 1706. He married Nancy Hines, of New «poses. When the Kriends seDaratpd thp Britain, and their daughter Ann wasNthe ||chool fund was divided The m^ties an mother of the late General John Davis, of 1 a1001 „was funded on a legacy left bv Davisville John Simpson, son of William, Amos Austin Hughes at his dSath, in 1811 was the father of the late Mrs. Ann Jami¬ to S2l 45nanit pSrso,ua> Property amounting l's on. William Simpson was a soldier of the Revolution, and, on oc.e occasiou, while on Ihfldrenof tl^aL e1° educate the poor a visit home, he escaped the search of a £s stood in need,niprt1' “forever.”lshlp’ a,nd If such neeessarv others iparty of Tories by having an empty hogs¬ ";e,re to !Je efothed and fed. A charter head turned over him in the cellar. A An 1812- and the building James Simpson was living in Buckingham reeled, and the school maintained for prior to the William mentioned above, nany years; but, within recent years the where his son John was born in 1744. He ichool was discontinued and the money 'settled on the Susquehanna, above Fort ilr^Hn^hoo t0 tIje township school fund7 Hunter, in the present Dauphin countv, in 11769, and married a daughter of Captain youth was ’ aV and James Marrav, in whose Company he served in the Revolution. He was the grandfather SS&ffi?1 °f MS “me SSSSf and of Hon. J. Simpson Africa, late Secretary of ttie teachers at one or another of lInternal Affairs. A branch of this family .these schools, and known to the present emigrated to South Carolina and Virginia Josenhl FpnWh«8f hv1 iam H- Johnson and General Grant was a descendant of our u , boiih Superintendents of the Bucks county Simpsons. A number of public schools of the county; Joseph Price other families of the township deserve men¬ land Albert Smith who served in the Con- tion, but I have neither time nor space to gress of the United States. Several of the notice them. reached prominent places in the One of the most distinguished residents Mthe ltn?e : Justj?es Baxson and Fell of Buckingham in the past century was oi the State Supreme Court, Judce Watsnn Dr. John Wilson. He was born in South’ president of our County Couns? a^d his ampton in 1768 ; graduated at Dickinson Qmmer’rra Judge in Kansas, Gen. A. J. college in 1792 ; taught a clasical school, of Smith, U. S. A.; J. Gillingham Fell, Dr which Samuel D. Ingham, Jackson’s Secre- Janney, one of the most prominent physi- of the Treasury, was a pupil; graduated in ?na^.h°f Bhiiadelphia, late Coroner and now medicine, in 1796, fiom the University of fUrprt?rren°f the u^d’cal department of Pennsylvania, one of the first from Bucks Girard Coliege, and Jefferson Baker and county. He settled in practice at Elm Amos Bon sal I, members of Dr. Kane’s Arc¬ Grove, where he died in 1835. He possessed tic expedition. Baker died in the Polar re¬ a rare combination of desirable qualities- gion and Bonsall, on his return, wrote a was accomplished, handsome and courtly book on the expedition. and his house the seat of refined and gen¬ erous hospitality. He was twice married, dad another school equally 1 ?ay>that should not be over¬ the second wife; being Mary Fell, widow of looked, Martha Hampton’s Boardin°- and William tell, and both wives were women of elegant manners and high intelligence. Yorl-ltonrt1 (°r Gir.Is at Greenville on the The late Lewis S. Coryell once remarked of *uIt was kept up for a number of him : “Dr Wilson knew more from a d *bere many of the matrons of potato hill up, than any other man I ever township received their education knew ” The late Dr. Cernea read medicine ‘on- e ls,“s tbe boys of the period with Dr. Wilson, and became a distin¬ anxious to enjoy the advantages of Miss Hampton s seminary, and possiblv guished botanist. His life was full ofro- I mance. the society of the girls as well, and a few of the very nicest boys, prime favorites, were ! _ Buckingham is entitled to special honor admitted to the school, of which Edward , for her activity in the cause of education. In this work she stands in the front rank “\^xsoVf said to have been oue. No jouth could have a better endorsement to The ordinary country schools were opened oegiu life on, and to it may be attributed I soon after its settlement and the rudiments ais success. Of the three early public libra - taught in them. Tradition tells us that ties in the county, that of Buckingham Thomas Watson opened a school for In¬ was established second, 1795, having been dians prior to 1730, but his philanthropic t work was closed by the small pox. In 1754 preceded by Newtown, in 1763, and followed | Adam Harker left a legacy of £40 to the hy .Balls, in 1800. Of the three, Newtown < and Fal s are still maintained, that of Buck- township toward maintaining a free school ^“Sham having been wound up forty years under charge of the meeting; and, in 1789 Thomas Smith leased a lot for thirty years’ at the annual rent of “ one pepper corn,” on I have, already. Ui.uucualiuded toLU theLUC sons ctof ' condition that a school house be erected i Buckingham who have made their mark within a year. This was done, and subse¬ I Pursuit. The Smiths.'who'es¬ quently known as the “ Red school house.” tablished the extensive plant on the Pela- It stood on the Street Road on the north¬ ware^jn Tim cum, rum-e than onehuudred west bank ofHyri’s Run. a new building years ago, introduced the use of anthracite erected on the opposite side of the creek, ?s coal into the county ; were the first to burn now used as a dwelling. My father re- lime with hard coal, etc., etc.; but another ceiyed part of his early education in that of your citizens should not be forgotten. I little school house. allude to the late James Jamison. The The three most noted schools in the town¬ county is probably more indebted to him ship in the past century were Tyro Hall ” than to any other one man for the present the “ Friends’ School” and the Hughesia’n method of burning lime in fixed kilns. He Free School. ’ Tyro Hall was builtabout tound, by repeated experiment, that by put¬ 1/89 on a subscripiion of £99 contributed by ting lime and coal in a kiln supported by th rty-two persons, and the lot was given in g ates, with space underneath for wood to trust, by David Gilbert, to the care of three kindle the lower layer of coal the manufac¬ trustees, elected by the contributors. The ture of lime was both expedited and cheap¬ last board were John C. Shephr-rd, Jesse ened. Previous to this wood had been ex¬ Haney and Joseph Beans, in 1S54. The clusively used, but the cost of lime was nouse stood on the roadside just above now reduced to about one-half. Greenville, and one on the same site is now No township in the county is superior to used as a dwelling, but whether the origi¬ Buckingham from an agricultural point of nal, or built subsequently, is not clearlv view; none, whose soil is richer; none, determined. v where there is more careful tillage; none The first action toward establishing where the labor of the farmer is rewarded ‘ Buckingham’s Friends’ School” was with better crops. The earliest attempt taken in February, 1792, by the Monthly was made here to improve the condition of Meeting appointing a committee to raise the husbandman by organized efiort. This means. In this way £7:9 were obtained to was by the organization of a societv “for , which the Harker legacy was added, £245, promoting agriculture and domestic manu- and others, Joseph Walker, Jonathan In<*- Jiictures,” the first in the county, in 1811. ham and Thomas Watson. The school “ bunding was erected in 1794, and is still The meetings were held in school hoijs “ Thou hast gone in thy brightness thou and it probably died a natural fleath, but beautiful star, & we are not informed pfithe date of its de¬ With the train of refulgence that streamed mise. It was followed by the Bucks j from the car,” County Agricultural Society whose first are deemed her best; while Mrs. Paxson’s exhibition was held at Newtown in 1824 stanzas, entitled “A Thanksgiving,” an In 1826 Jeremiah Bailey exh.bited the apostrophe,to Nature are not unworthy her model of a machine for cutting grass and reputation. The following is the last grain which had been in successful opera- , stanza: tion in Philadelphia county. James tV’orth used this machine on his farm at “ For the memories that encircle Newtown that season, and spoke in nign The happy days gone by ; terms of it. It is thought the introduction For the holy aspirations of a strong temperance resolution, by Dr. That lift the soul on high; Phineas Jenks at the May meeting, 1829, For the hope in brighter regions hastened its winding up. but jealousy and By seraph footsteps trod, rivalry among the members P'aye.d To meet the lost and loved ones part. Among the early industrial estab¬ I thank thee, Oh my God.” lishments of Buckingham was the scythe and ax factory of Edward Kinsey, two Others of the sons and daughters of Buck¬ miles northwest ofLahaska, where he had ingham have paid court to the Muse, whose atrip hammer operated by water power. productions have merit, but we have He was esteemed one of the finest mechan¬ neither space nor time to notice them. A glance at the taxabies and population ics in the county. , A century ago there was a cultivated and l of Buckingham is not without interest, scholarly coterie in Solebury and Bucking¬ and, in this, the singular fact presents ham, and the sons and daughters of this itself, while the census shows a gradual in¬ township have maintained their reputa¬ crease in population, down to i860, since tion in more recent times. Several culti¬ fi then there has been a falling off. In 1722 vated the Muse of poetry ; the earliest oi the taxabies were fifty-three, of which nine these was Dr. Joseph Watson, great-grand¬ were single men ; the heaviest tax-payer father of the late Judge Richard VVatson. being Richard Humphrey Morris, £1, 3s, 9d, His son, Dr. John Watson, devoted the ' on 1,900 acres. ’I hey had increased to 178 by latter years of his life to literary culture, 1761. The heaviest tax raised was in 1781, and indulged his taste for poetry. He the period of the greatest depression of Con- wrote in both prose and verse, and, among ! tinental money, when it reached £6,767, 8d. the former, is a “History of Buckingham In 1810 the population according to the and Solebury.” In his “ Ode to Spring, Federal census, was 1,7 5; in 1830, 2,193; in written in 1777, and rewritten and altered 1850, 2,737 ; 3,088 in 1860 ; and 2,544 in 1890. twenty-five years later, he sings the Now the population begins to decrease, praises of the flowing Delaware, as and, in the three decades, from 1860 to 1890, it has fallen off 514; that is, Buckingham “The jolly boatman down the ebbing has 6 per cent, less population than she had stream ,, thirty years before. She was then the first, By the clear moonlight plies his easy way. or second in population, and the fourth in '' 1890. In the same period twenty townships !. Upon the death of Dr. Watson, a friendly of the county had fallen off in population. ' J hand wrote his obituary in a single verse : In these figures is a serious problem. “ He is gone, who the lyre could awaken Despite the fact that Buckingham was! ' To ecstacy’s magical thrill, settled by Friends, who eschewed war and' • Laoaskekie thy mount is forsaken, all its belongings, a martial spirit always! < And the heart of thy poet is still exhibited itself in her young men. When! i Congress authorized an army, in 1775, John! Paul Preston, as well as his two daugh¬ Lacey, raised a company for Wayne’s- * ters, wrote considerable poetry. Among regiment,and Samuel Smith, also of Quaker; his productions was a translation of Tor- ancestry, was his first lieutenant. Robert] ciuatua on the “ Consolation of Philoso- Sample, a scholarly man, was a captain in- . phy,” from the Latin, which his friends, Hubley’s Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment}’ ( published as a tribute to his memory after and served to the end of the war,and Joseph' • • his death, in 1808, In 1787, his former Mend Fenton, Jr., was a surgeon in Colonel . and pupil, Dr. Jonathan Ingham, dedicated Joseph Hart’s battalion, in the Amboy ’ to Paul Preston an English translation of campaign, Fall of 1776. Samuel Smith was \ Theocritus. alBrigadier in the campaign on the Lower • Samuel Johnson, in his day, was one of Delaware in the war with England, 1812-15,1 ; the most cultivated and scholarly men of and his son, Andrew Jackson Smith, a the county, and paid frequent Miurt lo the Major General in the late war for thei Muse. The lines addressed to his wife, on Union, in which a number of her sons! , the 50th anniversary of their marriage, ; served, and several laid down their lives for, those on the “Harp;” his “Yale of La- the cause. haseka,” and an humorous poem entitled If the empireship of Buckingham were the “Banking Rats, a Fab e,” portraying determined by the number of her sons who the disastrous failure of a bank, are con¬ have entered the professions, she would get sidered his best productions. In a lady s the award without a contest. Eighteen of album he wrote the foliowing two verses . them have become “learned in the law” alone, and six ascended the bench ; two of “ Lady, I thus meet thy request. them reaching the court of last resort, one Else should I not have deemed it best the Chief Justice. In addition, in two ad To scribble on this spotless page joining townships, one in each reached the With the weak, trembling pen of age. State Supreme bench. Why is this? Why I’ve written in Time’s album long, should so many of the young men of this Sketches of life with moral song, immediate section seek to climb to fame Blotted in haste full many a leaf. up the steep ladder ot the law, and with Whose list of beauties might be brief. such signal success? Is it because of the air they breathe, the water they drink, or “ Could I some pleasing views now glean, of some occult influence that controls their ’Twould make at best a Winter scene ; young manhood? I challenge any other On the bleak side of seventy years township in the county to match it. How sear the foliage appears; And frost-nipt flowers we strive in vain By culture to revive again ; The snows of time my temples strew Warning to bid tne Muse adieu.’ Mr. Johnson’s two daughters, Mrs. Jona¬ than Pickering and Mrs. Thomas Paxson, both deceased, inherited the poetic fire of their father, of MrS Plciienn^ wj h. lines addressed to Halley a Comet, of 1885, after it had disappeared from this hemis¬ phere, beginning: _ _ Leopold Notnagle, who named the estate Bloomsdale, probably an Anglicizing of the German Bloomsdale. The Ferry then became known as Bloomsdale Ferry. “In 1804, on the 13th of July, Colonel Aaron Burr who had killed Colonel Ham¬ ilton on the 11th, then on his flight south¬ ward, crossed at Bloomsdale Ferry and proceeded out the Bloomsdale Ferry [Road westward. At that time the Jersey end of the Ferry was known as Schuyler’s Ferry, it being situated at the end of [I Date, \/V ''0 - V •.,J/:‘ ' Schuyler’s Road, the land adjacent being •owned by Aarent Schuyler, a son of Gen¬ eral Philip Schuyler, of New York. An old log structure a part of the remains of the old Ferry House, was standing on the Jersey shore as late as 1860. BLOOMSDALE FEKRI. “ In 1806 Notnagle sold Bloomsdale Ferry to John Mingen, who, in 1808, sold the Ferry to Dr. Amos Gregg, of Bristol, Pa. CAPTAIN BURNET LANDRETH’S He shortly after sold It back to Notnagle, LETTER. who died In 1813. “In 1815 John Newbold purchased it from Stephen Girard, administrator of Nicho¬ Interesting Reference to an Old las Barrebino and John Goldred Wasek- smuth, executors of Notnagle. Eerry on the Delaware Long Un- “ Notnagle was the grandson of Johann nsed.—The Eerry House, In Stage Bernhardt Notnagle, of Jena, High For¬ ester and son of Ludwig Notnagle, Court Coaching Days, was Known as the Physician. “Old Stone Tavern.” ‘Mr. Notnagle introduced the Lombardy ' Poplar along the banks of the Delaware Six weeks ago General Davis, of the and was interested in the breeding of im¬ .Democrat, received a letter from Adju¬ ported sheep. In 1807 he ereoted the tant General Stryker, of New Jersey large stone barn now standing and re¬ paired the Mansion House. making inquiry about a ferry on the “ Bloomsdale Ferry was discontinued in Delaware a mile above Bristol, stating 1840 upon the introduction of a new boat that It was not mentioned in Davis’ His¬ at Bristol. tory of Bucks County. General Stryker "The means of transportation at Blooms¬ was referred to Honorable William Kin¬ dale was by flat boats or scows capable of sey, of Bristol, who takes great interest carrying two wagons and four horses, the in local history, as one most likely to scow being propelled by oars. Flags know its locality, In the course of his were used in signalling by some simple investigation, Mr. Kinsey received the code arrangement. following interesting letter from Captain “ The Ferry House, In stage coaching .Burnet Landreth, of Bristol which Is so days, was a stopping place on the route complete on the subject there is no room between Philadelphia and New York, the for doubt. A copy of this letter was sent Ferry House being known as the “ Old fto A GeneralAnr 1 Stryker,-1 and’ also to the •Stone Tavern.” Democrat for publication, as follows: (Signed) “ Burnet Landreth.” “TheThe first known record of BloomsdaleRimmori, 29th June, 1895, ' Ferry occurs in the title deeds of a [*Thls is an error; no troops were 1 transfer of the land upon whioh It stood, drawn from Valley Forge to go to the when sold to Christian Minnick, in 1770. Delaware in 1776; the Continental Army It thereafter, for some years, was known did not occupy Valley Forge until a year as Minnick’s Ferry. later.—Ed j “ In a modern history of Delaware is to be found a letter from Colonel Thomas Rodney, grand-unole of the first Mrs. David Landreth, in which he related that on 25th December, 1776, he was an [officer present with a portion of the Con¬ tinental Army drawn from Valley Forge and assembled at NeshamlnyFord* On Col. Henry D. Paxson’s Paper Read that day the force was ordered, as a di¬ At Buckingham. version to the movement of Washington ’ aboven ATTA Trenton,4a A Ato A crossAnnnn i.the I. . DelawareW - 1 opposite Bordentown, and a "portion of ill .--J , > “““ " the troops crossed, but by reason of float¬ THE HERMIT OF THE WOLF ROOKS. ing Ice, the artillery and horses could not be taken over, and the infantry had to be recalled. The next night. 26th De¬ An Interesting Sketch of the Early History cember, a successful crossing was made of Buckingham Into Which is Woven a at Minnick Ferry, one mile above Bris¬ Tale of Romance—A Beautiful Valley tol, 3,000 men being taken over to Jersey, and moving upon Burlington and Mount Charmed the Early Settlers. Holly, the Commanders being Generals i Putnam and Cadwalader. Colonel Henry D. Paxson’s valuable paper I “In 1797 the Ferry, with adjacent farm on “The Hermit of the Wolf Rocks,” closes lands, became the property of Lewis in to-day ’s Republican. It will appear in full ■ana mat ne Deiievea fiim do be dead., j the weekly issue of Thursday, July 25. went to the place and found the person < ‘He sought his new abode where moonlight’s wing still in the same position as when first seen. Curtained the sleeping valley far below, His face was turned toward the heated And life to him seemed like a weary thing, ■stone forming the top, and upon examina¬ Lulled by the music of the winds so low.” tion it showed a livid paleness. His eyes Sadly twisted and warped as his mind were entirely closed. A close inspection must have then been, yet in selecting the showed a slight breathing at long intervals. wierd romantic Wolf Rocks as his abode he The kiln at the time being in full blast and seems to have had an appreciation of nature having been on fire for more than a day, left. The ponderous rocks forming the roof the carbonic gas was passing off very freely of his new home stand sentinels over the from the vent at the top, and the man hav¬ valley he loved so well. It was a fitting ing his face very near this opening had im¬ place for his retirement, for while giving an bibed the noxious vapor until his lungs outlook upon the busy world, was compara¬ were now incapable of performing their of¬ tively secure from the steps of any intruder. fice A phial of hartshorn was at once ap¬ The mountain and rocks were less fre¬ plied to his nostrils. This very soon gave quented then than now, and days and per¬ evidence that his lungs were yet capable of haps weeks passed without a traveller visit¬ inhaling, although they had suffered a tem¬ ing them. While his family and friends porary paralysis. This breathing soon be¬ thought him lost, yet here, amid the chang¬ came improved, and it was not long before ing seasons, with storm and wild tempests the whole body gave increased signs of ani¬ sweeping the mountains height and valley mation. He sat up and preparations were below with its white mantle of snow, he soon making for a cup of coffee and some was secure in his rocky castle. What must other refreshments. He showed no dispo¬ have been his thoughts as he sat near the sition to converse about his new abode or ■entrance of his lonely cell at midday, and his singular nap, and, although his intend¬ beheld his kindred tilling the soil and gath¬ ed repast was nearly ready, he seized the ering the harvest in the same field where he momentary occasion of the person prepar¬ was once a toiler, were known only to him. ing it being absent from the room, to beat a He was a silent watcher of all the improve¬ hasty retreat. This was the last opportun¬ ment going on in the valley and little on ity (until the time of his discovery) that the line of travel on the Old York Road presented of holding any intercourse with could have escaped his observation. His the man who obtained a distinction as the eye took in the quiet village of Lahaska, Hermit of the Wolf Rocks on Lahaska Greenville and Centreville, the spires of Mountain.” Doylestown and the far off Haycock Moun - William H. Johnson was a pear neighbor rfcain with its rounded and blue summit. Many of Albert. Large and had known him from years he thus lived unknown to the outside childhood. world. He must have sallied forth at times For some years after the incident just re¬ to gather in supplies to stock his larder, but lated Large was neither seen or heard of this was doubtless after the tired farmer had until there came on Friday morning, April sought repose and night had spread her 9, 1858, the startling announcement of his mantle over mountain and valley. At discovery. length he became less careful to conceal his identity and made occasional visits to near DISCOVERY AT THE WOLF ROCKS. villages. But how changed his appearance, The facts from well authenticated sources, his long growth of hair and beard flowing are as follows: On the morning of that day over his breast and shoulders left no sem¬ as William Kennard, a well known colored blance of "Bert” Large of the valley, and man of this township, was passing along ‘‘The very mother that him bare the foot of the Wolf Rocks, he observed Would not have known her child.” smoke issuing from the rocks and heard a At this period of his history, a few years strange noise like the rattling of tin ware; or, before his discovery, he seems to have fallen to use his own words, "like the dragging of into a very common but mistaken notion a kettle by a chain.” He became alarmed that to assuage grief or drown sorrow, a re¬ and ran to another part of the mountain to sort to the intoxicating bowl would give re¬ obtain the company of another colored man, lief. Accordingly to the village inn went Moses Allen, to go back with him and make he with his little brown jug to be filled; but some explorations. alas on his return home the jug or its con¬ The two men. armed with a crow-bar, went tents became too heavy and he fell, not back to the part of the rocks from which the among thieves as of old, neither by the road¬ strange sound emanated, and after making side, but upon a lime kiln’s summit. The considerable explorations were about to ab¬ light from the burning kiln in the darkness andon the enterprise, when it occurred to of the night had drawn him thither, and a them that making a noise might bring the chilly October air led him to take advantage stranger to sight. They commenced boring of the warmth there afforded, unmindful of the rock with a crow-bar, which had the the danger of inhaling the noxious coal gas. effect of bringing a voice from some hiding In the morning he was found by one of the place which asked, "who is it and what do ! employees of the late William H. Johnson, you want?” They proceeded to the cleft in the the great philanthropist and reformer. The rock and after diligent search succeeded in little brown jug, his companion of the previ¬ finding an entrance to a room or cavern in ous night, was yet beside him but showed no which was a human being. Upon being asked to come out he refused to do so. and signs of life, its spirits had departed, and it denied the obtruders admittance, threatening was thought at first that those of the traveler to “put balls through them both” if they had shared the same fate. Not so, however, attempted to enter. for friend Johnson acted the part of a good There had been so many strange rumors Samaritan, had him removed to his house concerning the Wolf Rocks and their envir¬ near by and the work ot resuscitation com- onments; their possible occupancy by a band enced. Mr. Johnson, in writing of this of counterfeiters and outlaws; the story of ncident some years ago, says;— the little girls who were gathering whortle¬ One of the hands brought intelligence, berries or chestnuts near the rocks, and ran early in the morning, that a man was lying at the top of one of the kilns then on fire, snow of aifunkhowndepth above his cave norne aiarmea, stating to their parents tnev and provisions and tobacco running low, had seen a man at the Wolf Rocks with a heard the situation was anything but cheering. a yard long; another, that the human voice During’ the Summer season parties came had frequently been heard there on moon¬ to the rocks almost weekly and kept him light nights, pouring forth a stream of wild pretty well posted as to the news in the valley. and romantic melody, when at the same While he was in their very midst, as it were, time no person could be discovered from and could hear all that was said, his pres¬ whom it could possibly have emanated. ence was unknown to them. The natural From these and other rumors the two men arm chair and sofa of stone, objects of rare thought it unsafe to proceed further without curiosity, are close by his cave, and he heard reinforcements, and they accordingly se¬ much in the way of “billing and cooing” cured the services of several stalwart men there happening. 'from the limestone quarries of the late The “Wolf Hole,” that dark recess, was Aaron Ely. . visited by another class in nowise allied to The large party, plentifully armed with those just alluded to, and while Large is not crowbars, churn-augers and other quarry- known to have disclosed the robberies and men’s tools, returned to the rocks and be¬ incendiaries there plotted, yet several parties gan the research. The sounding of heavy i of doubtful reputation found it convenient iron bars upon the rock roof of the cavern, to move from the neighborhood shortly after with a huge fire at its entrance, and the his discovery. loud voices of the quarrymen calling upon At the time of his discovery considerable the occupant to come out, compelled him speculation existed in the public mind as to to yield and he displaced the large stone the length of time he had occupied this se¬ that formed the door of his abode and re- questered and secluded spot. To his captors, j luctantly came forth. The exploring party Large claimed a residence of forty years, but i were dumfounded to find him to be the in this he must have been mistaken. The missing Albert Large. In appearance at best and most reliable authorities in the that time he is described as a man about the valley at that time agreed that his hermit average size, with rather round or drooping life was not over twenty years; perhaps shoulders, over which fell long grey hair in about 18 years, from the time he first entered profusion. His beard extended almost to the cave until his discovery in 1858. his waist, and with his ancient and tattered The news of the discovery of the long-lost clothing and general unkept appearance he Albert Large and his cave spread like a forest presented a picture of a veritable wild man. fire and the public curiosity was aroused by The exploring party having made a favor¬ the circumstances so novel and mysterious. able impression on him by promises that no That a man had been living Summer and injury should be done him, he at length be¬ Winter, for so many years in a cavern of a came composed and gave them some ac¬ rock, in sight of the heart of the valley, was count of his history and mode of living and too much for the credulity of the neighbor¬ invited them to inspect his den. The cave hood. The Sunday following his discovery was located about midway of the “Big Wolf all avenues leading to the mountain were Rocks” and a short distance below what is lined with vehicles heavily freighted with :ermed the “Wolf Hole,” a place that has humanity, all bent on reviewing the great seen observed by all who have ever paid this discovery. They came from Doylestown, wild spot a visit. The entrance was from the | New Hope, Lambertville.Flemington, and in lorth side and could only be affected by go¬ short the whole region of country from Tin- ng on all fours. The first place they enter¬ icum to Newtown. For many weeks the ex¬ ed was his kitchen or culinary department, citement was unabated and the Wolf Rocks [n it were found a rude fireplace, some pipe and hermit’s cave were the principal theme ;o carry off the smoke, several buckets, a | uppermost at inns and stores. Every article powder keg with a leather strap for a handle, found in his cave was thoroughly inspected, several tin pans, an iron pot for boiling his and it was not long before everything there, bod and a number of minor cooking uten¬ even to the board lining and mortar wall, sils. . were carried away as relics by curious The next apartment was his sleeping room people. vhich was separated from the kitchen by a Accounts of his finding were published ■ough mortar wall of his own construction. far and wide at the time, and residents of This room was not high enough for a man our county when travelling in the far West¬ o walk erect, but when once ensconced ern states have frequently Deen asked about herein, its occupant was pretty cozy and the Buckingham hermit. Not only in our somfortable. It contained a pretty good own land but from far offshores we find our nattress that served him as his bed, an old transatlantic journals giving the matter fool and a few other articles that made up great publicity. Some of them were wide of lis chamber suit. This room was so sur¬ the mark in matters of actual fact, and to rounded by board work and mortar that the show how the story got mystified in crossing penetration, of dampness was impossible. the ocean, we quote entire, as a matter of )ver the entrance leading to the cave was a I curiosity, m article printed at that time, in arge flat stone, which he rolled away at the Guide, a paper published in London, pleasure when he wanted to go out, and England: which was carefully replaced when he re¬ EXTRAORHNARY ! DISCOVERY OF A HERMIT ! turned and wished to enter his sanctum. Hermits are things of the past, only to be Altogether his cave was a place of some com¬ found in story-books, or old worm-eaten forts, and to a man who wished to be novels of the end of the last century, in secluded from the world was capable of be¬ which trai doors and caverns play a dis¬ ing a resort of much happiness and pleasure. tinguished and lugubrious part. It is, there¬ Large claimed V and in a ieW years it was preservation fof all time to come. found insufficient to accommodate the There is an eminent fitness lor this largely increased worshippers and a meeting to be held at this place, for we larger one, also of logs, was built near are truly upon historic ground; not made the site of the old one. This took fire in memorable by any achievements in 1768, while the meeting was in session, armed conflict for mastery, but rather by and in 17C9 was built the present house deeds of peace enunciated by Pennsylva¬ as we now find it. Thomas Canby, of nia's founder and great law giver. As Thorn, Yorkshire, England, came over the eye takes in the grand panorama of with Penn and was the first clerk, and he the valley and the wooded slopes out¬ and his descendants served in that ca¬ lining its western border, our minds pacity for a period of one hundred years. naturally revert to the changed condi¬ The late Thomas Paxson was the last in tions which two centuries of civilization i the line, his grandfather, also Thomas, have wrought. Let us look back to the having married a daughter of Thomas period when our early pioneers who Canby. Friend Canby was no ordinary halted by tho way at Newtown, while man, and to him was due in no small others pushed up through the woods ol! measure the growth and prosperity of Wrightstown, scaled our Mountain to this particular meeting. He lived many behold this land of promise. It was | years where we now find Samuel and not the land spoken ol in the Scripture Joseph Anderson and was rather of 17 which the leader of the children of children. The name is not common at Israel was led to view but not al¬ present, but this is accounted for from lowed to enter; on the contrary, they the fact that a large portion of the family came with passports that gave to were girls and that they had a fashion in them a lasting heritage. What a won¬ those days, as now, of changing their drous world of beauty met the pio¬ names in early womanhood, as good offers neers’ enraptured gaze as from the moun¬ presented. Thus the name was lost, not tain top their eyes rested on this beautiful so the blood, a proportionate quantity valley clothed in primeval forests of oak, yet remains, is carried down the stream hickory and walnut, and broken only ol time and the pulse will register its ebb here and there by small clearings where and flow to the latest generation. the aborigines practiced their rude form What hallowed memories cling around of agriculture. The smoke yet ascended this historic old meeting house i In the irom the wigwam of the Indian at Holi- Revolution its roof sheltered the sick and eongand the bright water ol the Lahaska wounded soldier, while its old casements creek rippled over its pebbly bed, on have resounded with the sharp report of whose banks the Lenni Lenape with his the flint-lock or the measured tread of bow and quiver startled the wild deer guard. And how rich and rare in re¬ from its repose. Is it any wonder that membrance of many sunny and sad the pioneers here rested, that here they scenes, of both bridals and burials, are built their meeting house and homes? those quaint old walls as they stand fes¬ Among the number who took title from tooned in stern and strict simplicity. Penn were the following: Thomas Bye, Here most of the marriage happenings 600 acres; James Streator, 500 acres; of this section were consummated. On Thomas Parsons, 500 acres ; John Rey¬ one October day, in 1824, tour parties nolds, 900 acres, and -Richard Lundy, 1000 knotted the golden tie that binds two acres. To one standing on Buckingham willing hearts. They were Dr. John Mountain the eye covers all of these vari¬ Wilson and Mary Fell, Samuel Eastburn ous tracts. Down to 1700, little inroad and Mary Carver, David Lewis and Ann had been made upon the forest and upon Saul, and Daniel Smith and Hannah the heavy timber the woodman's axe Betts. Daniel Smith long survived all made slow progress. the others and his decease took place very It was not long after the first pur¬ recently. • i chasers that others joined therein and a The ancient horse blocks are lasting new era of prosperity, civilization and re¬ sentinels of by-gone days when men and finement was inaugurated. The soil was women came to meeting on horseback found to be unsurpassed in fertility and and made use of them in mounting and the melodies of wood and stream brought dismounting, and those majestic old oaks , the Prestons, Canbys, Parrys, Larges, have stood ward and watcher around the Andersons, Elys, Fells, Paxsons and old edifice through many generations of others, and the large tracts were divided worshippers. and sub-divided to suit the views of Here, too, we find the old graveyard purchasers. wherein are gathered many generations The opening up of the Old York road of our forefathers. From 1700 to i860 and the Durham road, which cross at there was no other burial ground lor Centreville, also turned the tide of many miles around and here it may be travel thitherward, and was one of the truthfully said : forerunners of civilization. “Each in his narrow cell forever laid, A place of worship always makes an The rude forefathers of the hamlet important mark in the history of a com¬ sleep.” munity, but it was not until 1729 that a Monthly Meeting of Friends was estab¬ The school house, too, close by, has j lished at Buckingham. The early sett¬ strong claims to memory, for here under I lers were mainly Friends, or people in¬ such able instructors as JosepIT Fell, clined that way as distinguished from Wiliiam H. Johnson and Thomas Pax- church people, and were, previous to son, many men who have since risen to this time, a part of the Falls meeting. eminence received their early education. History has it recorded that occasionally While the yellow fever prevailed in the trip was made on foot; if so, it was a Philadelphia in 1793, Jesse Blackfan and religion of sacrifice and not an easy-go¬ Benjamin Ely, merchants of that city, ing one as now. brought their goods up to this school ^Tte first meeting house was built of house, and in the second story opened /Tkept stOreTintil they felt safe in re- ments and therefore presume tha. Smith had anticipated the wants __ — • min sc to the city. It is also memorable walkers and sent the provender along in as being the place where the first agri¬ advance. , cultural society of this county was or¬ Next in importance to the old meeting ganized. And so the old edifice has house, Righter’s Hotel at Centreville has claims historical as well as classical. probably more of historic interest con¬ ^Vhile.we cannot in this paper mention nected with it than any other building all of the events which have made this in the township, and it its ancient walls valley historical, or call to mind all the could speak what a talk they could un¬ men who have shed lustre on this county, fold. This old hostelry dates back tar yet here is a rather remarkable coinci¬ dence which must not escape our obser¬ beyond the Revolution and atthat trying period of our country’s history was vation. On yonder slope an unpretend¬ known as “Bogart’s Tavern.” Here ing farm house registers the birth-place General Green had his headquarters, and of ex-Chief Justice Edward M. Paxson. its hospitable roof sheltered the great and Upon anadjoining farm Justice D. New- good Washington on the many occasions lin Fell first saw the light of day. Still he passed through our township on the in front of them, with but a small farm A mission of his country. Here was the intervening, we find the birth-place of recruiting station, and here many a poor the late Judge Richard Watson. All fellow shouldered the flint lock and bade three were reared upon the farm and adieu to friends and family for the knew little or nothing of college liie, but chances of war, and never returned to re¬ drank in from nature’s fountain and our late the story of hisprivations and suffer¬ common schools the elements of success ing. Here the “Bucks County Committee in life ; who will say that the Empire of Safety ” was organized and many of its Township has not a prolific soil ? most important meetings held. What a The Old York Road over which many picture could be painted of this old inn. of you traveled in coming to this meet¬ Fancy a little band of patriot farmers ing is full of historic interest, and cover¬ gathered here late at night laying their ed oy long years of travel when it was rude nlans for the defense of their coun¬ the great thoroughfare between Phila¬ try. ‘Now there is a pause in their delib¬ delphia and New York. Along this road erations—each man grasps his flint lock ran the great, swift-sure four-horse mail for without there is borne on the mid- and passenger coach thundering along, j night air the noisy clatter of horses’ hoofs all weathers and roads, rocking and i hurrying down the Durham road. In surging on her leather suspenders. Now ; fear and breathless silence they wait un¬ she sticks in the mud—all out—heave oh! til the sound is lost in the distance of and onward we go, warranted withal the mountain. Now they breathe a sigh with many relays of horses to go through of relief for well they knew it was—Moses in three days. What mighty changes in Doan and his band oi Tory outlaws. travel since then, and yet itis only about These are a few of the many incidents fifty years since the sight was familiar. of history connected with the enviro- Now we run sitting still and fly without ments of our meeting to-day, which af¬ wings. A traveler going through Buck¬ ford a rich field for the historian, and ingham Valley, on the New Hope Can¬ which the limits of time allow but a pass¬ non Ball Express, recently remarked ing reference by way of a prelude or in¬ that he saw but tv?o objects, hay stacks, troduction to what is announced in the and they were both going the other way. programme as Nor was the old stage coach the only line of travel that has made the old roadway “THE HEBJ1IT OF THE WOLF F.OCKS.” famous. It was a common carrier—an In the year 1709, Joseph Large, the artery as it were—that supplied the life¬ great grandfather of Albert Large, the blood to Philadelphia. Long lines of hermit and subject of this sketch, at¬ white tented wagons, filled will farm tracted by the many inducements offered products from upper Bucks and New to agriculturists in the Buckingham V al¬ Jersey, found our road to meet their ley, lor it was then beautiful, as now wants. They, however, like the stage purchased of Richard Lundy, for the line have been withdrawn and gone into consideration of £20, a tract of 100 acres history. General Washington likewise; of land, extending from the line of John passed along this road with his army on Reynold’s land on the mountain, north¬ his way from Valley Forge to the ferry ward towards the York road, and was a at New Hope, after stopping over night part of a 1000 acre tract which Richard at the town of Doyle. Lundy purchased of one Jacob Telnor. Centreville, at the intersection of the; He also purchased ol Samuel Blaker in York and Durham roads, and in the line 1759 a tract of 50 acres adjoining the of vision from the Wolf Rocks, is an old above for £238. It will be noted there hamlet replete with historic interest. It was large increase in land values in 50 was on a Monday morning, September years. Joseph Large in his will, dated 19, 1737, at 7 o’clock, that a picturesque May 10, 1784, among other things de- group passed through this village on the vised to his son, John Largo, his farm line of what is now the Durham road. containing 150 acres, and extending from The party consisted of Timothy Smith, the Old York road on the north, to the sheriff of Bucks county, assisted by Ben¬ Reynolds line on the mountain, on the jamin Eastburn, surveyor general, and south. The Reynolds line is but a few his two deputies, Nicholas Scull and rods south of the Wolf Rocks, where the John Chapman, who with three Indians present meeting is held. John Large accompanied Edward Marshall, James died February 2,1794, leaving a widow, Yates and Solomon Jennings on the Rachel Large and seven children, Jona¬ famous walk to define the boundary of than, William, Samuel, (born December land released by the Indians to the Pro¬ 6, 1775), John, Archilles, Elizabeth and prietaries of Pennsylvania. Sarah, to whom the farm descended. In We have no record that the party the partition made in 1799, a tract con¬ stopped at the old Jiostelry for reiresh- - taining 122 acres land covering the_ won I'shihe that dispels the cloud is the bright- KocksJ was adjudged to Samuel .Large, | est, so the joy that foliows’griefoften the hermit’s father. Standing at the I the sweetest. Tender words of sym- Wolf Rocks the whole tract lies before ! pathy and encouragement from a fair you. Here Samuel Large pursued his I one of the valley did much to overcome occupation as an agriculturist, but what • his former grief and trials. Here tradi¬ ; made him famous was his skill as a fox tion broadly hints a love entanglement ; hunter. His appointments for the chase connected therewith. The valley, then • were the best, and his well trained as now, was the seat of beauty and re- hounds and fleet steed that knew no linement, and why should he escape the fence as a barrier was the admiration of ! smiles that from time to time had led all beholders. It was a gala day on the others captive. There was one above all hunt when Large with his aids, the Elys others whose charms were proverbial and Byes, gave chase. Foxes were then abundant and their runways covered a II She was the grand luminary of attraction, I large territory ot wooded tracts. Buck¬ j the star at which all others knelt, whose I ingham and Solebury Mountains, Bow¬ j smile was sweeter and whose silver man’s Hill and Jericho Mountain were laugh was merrier than all others as it favorite haunts of sly reynard, and rang among the sylvan bowers of La- however hotly pursued seldom varied to haska. That he aspired to her hand cover their relreat. Even to this day an there is every reason to believe and that ! occasional fox is seen on the mountain, mutual love did not materialize is also • but the baying of the hounds and the known, but at whose hands the fault lies horn’s clear notes on moonlight nights remains as yet an untold tale. A proper are no loDger heard in the valley. respect tor the changed condition of 01 the children of Samuel Large the things impels me to keep silent as to the most conspicuous were Joseph and Al¬ name of the fair one. On what a slender bert, the lormer as a teacher at the Old i cord sometimes hangs one’s future hap- Tyro Hall school, in Buckingham, and ; piness and station in life. This second afterwards as an Episcopal cleryyman in disappointment or lost hope turned him the Jar West, and the latter whose re¬ away from human society, and tor many markable case ol seclusion has made his years his abode was entirely unknown name historic and won lor him a world Jo his family or the outside world. i wide notoriety as the most celebrated |“He sought his new abode where moon¬ hermit of modern times. light’s wing We have no data to fix the exact year Curtained the sleeping valley far below, And life to him seemed like a weary I ol Albert Large’s birth, but cireum- thing, 1 stances lead to the belief it was about Lulled by the music of the wind so low.” the year ISOS. Of his childhood and j training there is little reliable informa- Sadly twisted and warped as his mind j tion now known ether thau his must have then been, yet in selecting the I general dislike for restraint and wierdand romantic Wolf Rocks as his confinement. The school room was abode he seems to have had an apprecia¬ no place for him, and books at tion of nature left. The ponderous rocks this period of his life were an abomina¬ forming the root of his new home stand tion. The late Joseph Fell, with all his sentinels over the valley he loved so skill as an able and successfulinstructor, well. It was a fitting place for his re¬ was unable to instill in the mind of this tirement, for whire giving an outlook j pupil, “ Bert” Large, a liking for books. upon the busy world, was comparatively Playing truant was not unknown to him, secure from the steps ot any intruder. and the wilds of Buckingham Mountain The mountain and rocks w'ere less Ire- were his delight. Here, like a child of . quented then than now, and days and Nature, he would wander for days at a perhaps weeks passed without a traveler time through the shady woods, admiring visiting them. While his family and j the wild flowers that grew unrestrained friends thought him lost, yet here amid along those leafy isles or listening to tne charging seasons, with storm and the wood bird’s sweet but plaintive note. wild tempests sweeping the mountains Then, when worn out, he would recline height and valley below with its white on some mossy rock and dreamily watch mantel of snow, he was secure in his i the fleecy clouds floating along the blue rocky castle. What must have been his firmament until lulled to sleep by the thoughts as he sat near the entrance ot gentle sighing of the winds through the his lonely cell at midday and beheld his I mountain oak. kindred tilling ihe soil and gathering Thus passed his boyhood days, and the harvest in the same field where he when early manhood arrived a train of was once a toiler, were known only to events occurred that may have changed him. He was a silent watcher of all the his purpose and turned his whole after improvements going on in the valley and life into the sad but interesting and ro¬ little on the line of travel on the Old mantic story we find it. Affliction came York Road could have escaped his ob¬ upon the family, and the pale messenger servation. His eye took in the quiet vil¬ bore his beloved mother, Elizabeth, lages of Lahaska, Greenville and Centre- across the river which separates us from ville, the spires of Dovlestown and the the long hereafter. However much it far off Haycock mountain with its round¬ may have borne heavily on them at the ed and blue summit. Many years be time, thus lived unknown to the outside world. “The father’s tears were fewand brief, He must have sailed lorth at times to For he woo’d and won another ; gather in supplies to stock his larder, But ever before the eyes of the son but this was doubtless after the tired Came the image of his mother.” farmer had sought repose and night had spread her mantel over mountain and It does not appear that the introduc¬ valley. At length he became less care¬ tion of the new mother, Mary Dean, add¬ ful to conceal his identity and made oc¬ ed to his home attractions, for now he is casional visits to nearby villages. But Jsnown to have absented himself from how_changed his appearance, his lODg home for long periods. Yet as the sun- t ' T growth ol hair and beard flowing over ot until there came. onr nday morning, his breast and shoulders left no sem¬ April 9, 1858, the st%rtLipg announce¬ blance ol “Bert” Large ol the valley, and ment ot his “The very mother that him bare Would not have known her child.” DISCOVERY AT THE WOLF ROCKS At this period of his history, a fe\v the facts of which, from well authenti¬ ‘years before his discovery, he seems to cated sources, are as follows: On the have fallen into a very common but mis¬ ' morning of that day as William Ken- taken notion that to assauge griet or mard, a well-known colored man of this drown sorrow, a resort to the intoxicat¬ township, was passing along the loot of ing bowl would give relief. Accordingly, the Wolf Rocks, he observed smoke is¬ to the village inn went he with his little suing from the rocks and heard a strange brown jug to be filled ; but alas on his noise like the rattling of tinware, or, to return home the jug or its contents be¬ use his own words, “like the dragging of came too heavy and he fell, not among j • a kettle by a chain,” he became alarmed thieves as of old, neither by the roadside,; and ran to another part of the mountain but upon a lime kiln’s summit. The: to obtain the company ot another colored light from the bvrning kiln in the dark¬ man, Moses Allen, to go back with ness of the night had drawn him thither, j him and make some explorations. The and a chilly October air led him to take I two men armed with a crowbar went advantage of the warmth there afforded, i back to the part of the rocks from which unmindful ot the dafiger of inhaling j the strange sound emanated, and after the noxious coal gas. • In the morning I making considerable explorations were he was found by one ot the employes j •about to abandon the enterprise, when of the late William H. Johnson, the it occurred to them that making a noise great philanthropist and reformer. The j might bring the stranger to sight. They little brown jug, his companion of the I commenced boriDg the rock with a crow¬ previous night, was yet beside him, but bar which had the effect of bringing a showed no signs of lite, its spirits had voice from some hiding place which departed, and it was thought at first that asked, “Who is it and what do you those of the traveler had shared the same! want? ” They proceeded to- the cleft in fate. Not so, however, for friend John I the roc-k and after diligent search sue- ! son acted the part of a good Samaritan, eeeded in finding an entrance to a had him removed to his house near by room or cavern m which was a hu¬ and the work of resuscitation com- man being. Upon being asked to . menced. -Mr. Johnson, in writing ot this •some out he refused to do so incident some years ago, says : and denied the obtruders admittance, “One of the hands brought intelligence threatening to “put balls through them early in the morning, that a man was ly¬ both” it they attempted to enter. There | ing at the top of one of the kilns then on had been so manv strange rumors con¬ fire, and that he believed him to be dead.! cerning the Wo it Rocks and their en¬ We went to the place and found the per¬ vironments ; their possible occupancy by son still in the same position as when a band of counterfeiters and outlaws; first seen. His face was turned towards the story of the little girls who were the heated stone forming the top, and gathering whortleberries or chestnuts upon examination it showed a livid near the rocks, and ran home alarmed paleness. His eyes were entirely closed. stating to their parents they had seen a A close inspection showed a slight ■ man at the Wolf Rocks ivith a beard a breathing at long intervals. The kiln at 'yard long; another, that the human the time having been on fire for more voice had rrequently been heard there on than a day. the carbonic gas was passing moonlight nights, pouring forth a stream off very treely from the vent at the top of wild and romantic melody, when at the and the man having his face very near same time no person could be discovered this opening had imbibed the noxious from whom it c-ould possibly have ema- i vapor until his lungs were now incapable jjThated, from these and other rumors the of performing their office. * * * A two men thought it unsafe to proceed phial of hartshorn was at once applied further without reinforcements, and they to his nostrils. This very soon gave evi¬ accordingly secured the services of sev-; dence that his lungs were yet capable of eral stalwart meu from the limestone inhaling, although they had suffered a quarries ol the late Aaron Ely. The temporary paralysis. This breathing large party, plentifully armed with crow¬ soon became improved and it was not bars, eburu-augers and other quarry- long before the whole body gave increas¬ men’s tools, returned to the rocks and ed signs of animation. He sat up and began their research. The sounding ol preparations were soon making for a cup heavy iron bars upon the rock roof ol of coffee and some other refreshments. the cavern, with a huge fire at its en¬ ; lie showed no disposition to converse trance, and the loud voices ot the quarry- about his new abode or his singular nap, men calling upon the occupant to come and, although his intended repast was out, compelled him to yield and he dis¬ nearly ready, he seized the momentary placed the large stone that formed the! occasion ot the person preparing it being door of his abode and reluctantly came absent from the room, to beat a hasty re¬ forth. The exploring party were dum- treat. This was the last opportunity founded to find him to be the missing jHuntil the time of his discovery) that pre¬ Albert Large. In appearance at that sented ot holding any intercourse with time he is described as a man about the 4he man who obtained a distinction as average size with rather round or droop¬ the Hermit of the Wolf Rocks on Lahas- ing shoulders over which fell long gray ka Mountain.” hair in profusion. His beard extended al¬ William H. Johnson was a near neigh¬ most to his waist, and with his ancient and bor of Albert Large and had known him tattered clothing and general unsempt 3rom childhood. _appearance, be presented a picture of^a For some years after the incident just related Large was neither seen nor heard ,i. • '* • - “ I • veritable wild man. Tne expiormgpari,.y having: made a favorable impression on spot. To his captors, Large claimed a bim by promises that no injury should residence of forty years but in this he be done him, be at length became com¬ must have been mistaken. The best and posed and gave them some account of most reliable authorities in the valley bis history and mode of living and in¬ at that time agreed that his hermit life vited them to inspect bis den. The cave was not over twenty years; perhaps was located about midway ol the "Big about 18 years, from the time he first en- Wolf Rocks,” and a short distance below “© cave until his discovery in 1858. ! what is termed the “Wolf Hole,” a place i . ?,^ew.ST°* the discovery of the long that has been observed by all who have lost Albert Large and his cave spread like ever paid this wild spot a visit. The en¬ a lorest fire and the public curiosity was trance was Irom the North side and could aroused by the circumstances so novel only be effected by going on all fours. and mysterious. That a man had been The first place they entered was his living summer and winter, for so many kitchen or culinary department. In it years in a cavern of a rock, in sight of were found a rude fire-place, some pine the heart of the valley, was too much for to carry off the smoke, several buckets, the credulity of the neighborhood. The a powder keg with a leather strap for a ounday following his discovery all ave¬ handle, several tin pans, an iron pot for nues leading to the mountain were lined boiling his food and a number of minor with vehicles heavily freighted with hu¬ cooking utensils. The next apartment manity all bent on reviewing the great was his sleeping room, which was sepa¬ discovery. They came trom Doylestown, rated from the kitchen by a rough mortar ’ ISew Hope, Lambertville, FJemington, wall of his own construction. This room and in short the whole region ol’countrv was not high enough for a man to walk Irom rinicum to INhwtown. For many erect, but when once ensconced therein, weeks the .excitement was unabated its occupant was pretty cozy and and the Wolf Rocks and Hermit’s'; Cave comfortable. It contained a pretty were the principal theme uppermost at good mattress which served as his i inns and stores. Every article lound in bed, an old stool and a few other his cave was thoroughly inspected, and articles that made up his chamber it was not long before everything there suit. This room was so surrounded even to theboard lining and mortar wall’ by board work and mortar that the pen¬ were carried away as relics by curious people. etration of dampness was impossible. Over the entrance leading to the cave Accounts of his finding were published ' was a large flat stone which he rolled far and wide at the time, and residents of away at pleasure when he wanted to go our county when traveling in the far out and which was carefully replaced Western States have frequently been when he returned and wished to enter asked about the Buckingham hermit. his sanctum. Altogether his cave was a °,n y m ourown land but from far place of some comforts, and to a man off shores we find our trans-Atlantic who wished to be secluded from the journals giving the matter great pub¬ world was capable of being a resort 'of licity. Some of them were wide of the much happiness and pleasure. mark in matters of actual fact, and to Barge claimed he purchased his tobac¬ show how the story got mystified in co and some provisions at the village crossing the ocean, we quote entire, as a stores several miles distant. Thisis prob¬ matter ot curiosity, an article printed at ably true, but it was thought at that that time, in the Guide, a paper pub- time that the balance of his provisions, lished in London, England : such as apples, potatoes, turkeys, chick¬ “Extraordinary—Discovery of a Her- ens, milk and beet from the smoke hl«U7nHeamitSi ar? things of the past, to house, were never paid lor. He stated be found only in story books, or old , that one hard winter he was shut in his worm-eaten novels of the end of the last leave for six weeks, and that with the century, in which trap-doorsand caverns snow of an unknown depth above his & aT.dl.stlafpished and lugubrious cave and provisions and tobacco running Dart. _ it is, therefore, with some little low, the situation was anything but surprise that we have to record the fol¬ cheering. lowing well-authenticated story: There During the summer season parties dlsta“ce 01 some miles from came to the rocks almost weekly and Doyles Town, Pennsylvania, a moun¬ kept him pretty well posted as to the tain known as the Wolf Rock. Goats news in the valley. While he was in alone find pasture on its barren cliffs* their very midst, as it were, and could they must be sadly starved to hear all that was said, his presence was seek food upon these naked and jagged unknown to them. The natural arm “ill*, a few weeks ago, however, chair and sofa of Jstono, objects of rare niaCtkiVr°m Doyles’ Town started in curiosity, are close by his cave, and he °t three stray goats, and tracked heard much in the way ot "billing and them to the foot of Wolf Rock. They had cooing” there happening. The “Wolf no alternative then but to scale the rug- Hole,” that dark recess, was visited by ged mountain. It was no easy task, for another class in now'ise allied to those the hunters had nearly all the time to just alluded to, and while Large is not crawl upon their hands and knees known to have disclosed the robberies Evening drew in and yet there were no and incendiaries there plotted, yet sev¬ signs of more than one of the goats. eral parties of doubtful reputation found They accordingly made up their minds it convenient to move from the neighbor¬ to redescend, when their attention was hood shortly after his discovery. at-racted to a noise in some hollow of the At the time of his discovery consider¬ , Eegroes are naturally curious able speculation existed in the public while they even fancied they were noon mind as to the length of time he had oc¬ the track of the two fugitives. They de¬ cupied this sequestered and secluded termined then to explore further, and ad- vanced towards the entrance of a mys- — ' vv

j-- r.a sterious-looking grotto, it was a narro w, fissure,obstructed by roots and stones. Al¬ HISIORICAL. ter much exertion,one succeeded m crawl¬ ing in upon his face; but just as his eyes were becoming used to the darkness, a voice from out the gloom cried. What The Early County Superin-1 do you want?” The negro knew not what to say. He stammered out that he was tendency in Bucks. looking for a goat. For some minutes there was no reply; then a mysterious voice cried out, “Wretch, you advance to | A Paper Read by Ex-Superintendent Hugh your destruction. One step B. Eastburn, of Doylestown, at tne vou are are a dead man.” The black, could stand it no longer, but backed out Meeting of the Bucks County Historical as speedily as possible Irom the hoilow, and rapidly regained Doyle fc low n, teii Society, on Buckingham Mountain, July inCT everybodv he met that he bad been face to face with the Prince of Darkness. 16, 1895. / Now the inhabitants cf Doyle;s Town are not superstitions, but they are curious. The question of education in its relation They accordingly determined to learn the to the individual, to the community, and to truth. Pientitully supplied With arms, the State, has always been from the found¬ lanterns, &c., they surrounded the ing of our State a matter of exceeding in¬ cavern, after lighting a great hre at .its terest to those who have been interested in entrance. The supposed demon, not lik¬ the progress and prosperity of our people. ing to endure the tate ot Marshal Pelis-1 As we all k'rihw, the greiyt founder of our sier’s Arabs, came forth. He was * man Commonwealth, in framing the Constitu of herculean stature, ciothed in skins ot tion which seemed to him to be necessary goats and foxes, with long hair and in guiding the infant energies of the young beard, and singularly wild eyes. He was -Slt&te which he had created, said, “That, therefore, which makes a good Constitu¬ at once made prisoner, and his dwelling tion must keep it, viz: Men of wisdom and examined. It was a large grotto, divid¬ virtue, qualities, which, because they de¬ ed into three compartments, lined with scend not with worldly inheritances, moss, and receiving light and air fro™ mast be carefully propagated by a virtuous above. There was a fire place, a com¬ education of youth.’’ Jtut while there have fortable bed, and numerous remains ot always been many institutions of a private character for the instruction of youth in poultry were there, which explained the our State tbat have done superior work frequent and mysterious disappearance and have aided in the development of great of fowls, &c., which had been noticed intellectual power amongst our people, by the neighboring farmers icr some while in our own county there have been such institutions to whose labors can be years. traced great results, notably the case of the Questioned as to his name an'l strango ibog College in Warminster founded nearly existence, the Sybarite hermit declared a century and three-quarters ago, while his name to be Albert Large. He assur¬ academies, seminaries and colleges nave ed his captors that for forty years be bad done much to promote the well-being of dwelt in that retired cavern, never leav¬ the State, yet our system of common school instruction has had to wait tor its ing it but at night to bunt for the poultry, ■ development and growth until within a goats and pigs on which be fed. Ad is- j comparatively re-ent period. In 1831 appointment in love had driven him t the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed its this extremity. His brother, Joseph S. first lieneral Act providing for a system of Large, is an eminent mmiste. ot the common schools. It was not made obli¬ gatory upon any township or borough in Episcopal Church.” the State to accept all of its provisions; Such, my hearers, are the storms, both those provisions could be made operative authentic and apocrypha), of Albert a nd of value only as each school district in Large the hermit, as I have g1®*™®^ tne State might see fii to put them into them. After his discovery he lingered force. The deep-rooted feeling of antago¬ nism upon the part of many people to my about the mountain but a short time, and system of education wnich required for its on yonder rocky promontory be is saidg support the payment of taxes by the gen¬ have taken his farewell yiew of the eral public, and consequently the contri¬ beauty woven valley, and bade a silent bution to the public treasury by those who but mournful adieu to those weird and &ad no children to send to school as well as romatic rocks, endeared to him as a home toy those who had, the former claiming that through all the changing seasons of those the* could not be benefited by tbe payment ■of a school tax, constantly manifested itself many years of liis lil© in solitude. __ in the disposition to render of no avail the From thence forth all traces of him an a provisions of tbe law ; and the result was his late history have been lost. It was -that in a large number of the districts of thought by some that be the State there was a failure to put the Act to another cave or hiding place some fully in force for many years after its en¬ actment. Assaults were made upon tbe where along the banks ot the river law in the Legislature, and it was only by Schuylkill, but. there is nothing to the labors of Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas H. warrant such belief. Surrowes and their compeers that it was It is now over 37 years since His de¬ saved upon the statute books. The districts that so failed to adopt were, with scarcely parture and if living he would be 90 exception, the most backward and un- years of age. It is most likely that long •enterprising in their respective counties ; Igo he paid the debt of nature, as his but even where the Act was accepted ana habits and mode ot life were not cumu¬ t.lie experiment tried, there was a failure to lated to lead beyond ‘‘the days ot our realize the results hoped for from the years” as alloted by the Psalmist. In¬ •system. There was a failure to devise nand carry out any well-considered plan stances ot life like this are very rare, and for the preparation of teachers for their if all were known ot him, an interesting work, for the examinationand selection of volume would be the meditations and reveries of Albert Large, the hermit ol the Wolf Rocks TiTuota fewTocaTftfes, teacners were ap- '■teachers, tor the grading and classification j !30inted who were of intemperate habits •of schools, for toe building of suitable 1 :»nd bad morals. The school houses to -school houses, and for properly furnishing which the children of that day were sent them, for the supply of proper books and were almost universally unfit in their ap¬ * apparatus, aud generally for a judicious pearance and architecture, in their lack of j Snancial management of the schools. Be wentllation, in their dearth of conveniences ror« Pennsylvania could lully realize the tooth within and without, to provide for the position in which she stood, educationally, proper moral as well as mental develop- And could awake to the perils surrounding (.•meat of the child. The books were crude f I ffter, it seemed necessary that the qulcken- *tBd meagre and uninteresting. i, «ng aud inspiringinfluenceofHoraceMann i commencing in 1837, as the Secretary of the ' 4nan should be sent to decent school build¬ HState Board of Education of Massachu- ings, and that whatever was necessary to ) sens, should summon our people to the r great work which iay before them. supplement the work of an efficient teacher should be done ; but there was a lack of The haphazard method of conducting the method, of organization, of management, j educational work in our State became 1 finally so notorious, its t vils so patent, and calculated to liftup the whole body of the schools and impress upon them throughout ■ the results so frightfully apparent in the failure to uplift the great body of our -he marks of a vigorous, upward and pro¬ people to the intellectual and moral plane gressive movement. Teachers were put in •charge of schools either without an exami¬ Aipoa which it was universally recognized they should stand, that the Act of 18J9 was nation at all as to their qualifications, or in •pas?ed, followed by that of 1854, the latter, iiaany cases with but the most superficial effort to ascertain what they knew and without reference to the narrow and selfish what they could do. "views of those districts which had either 1 felled to adopt the provisions of the Actcf .Naturally the members of the school J 1834 or had constantly endeavored to render ! t-ioards would be unprepared, at least in the •abortive any sufficient results from that majority of cases, to conduct a thorough • Act, provided as follows in the first section •examination of those who might j thereof: apply for the position of teacher '“That a system of common school educa¬ io all of the branches to be taught tion be, and the same is hereby deemed, It was the custom in certain places, if held and taken to be adopted according to Asome citizen had the reputation of know¬ the provisions of this Act, in all the coun¬ ing more of mathematics or geography or ties of this Commonwealth, and every grammar than his fellows to request him township, borough and city of this Com- ’to examine teachers in that sub- : mouwealth, or which shall be hereafter • .qiect; but no certificates were issued ■ere-ted, shall constitute and be a school ■ehowing the results of aDy examination. «iistrict subject to the provisions of ibis Tiae State authorities too complained that Act.” there was no proper accounting to the ; The school authorities of the State, as school department by the local sciiool ivell as all careful students of the subject at boards of the moneys appropriated by t lie i-hattime, recognized as the most import- State. There was no method by which unt feature of the Act those sections which accurate aud reliable data could be obtained provided for the election in each county of from these districts by the department : ran officer to be called the County Superin- und it was alleged in many cases that 1 'tecdent, and which specified his powers s.here was a deliberate misappropriation by j and duties. The law required the person . tbe local authorities of the moneys which elected to this office to be of “ literary and toad been intrusted to them, without there ^scientific acquirements, and of skill and ex- toeing any sufficient method on the part of > trerience in ttie art of teaching.” fthe State in ascertaining where the difficulty Many in this audience have from their lay. Muoh prejudice, born of ignorance personal knowledge had some conception and selfishness, which had always been en- tsf the magnitude and character of the tertained toward the common school sys¬ iluties which confronted the first officer in tem, yet remained, with the disposition to I tins county to be elected to that position. thwart and hamper as far as possible all | A majority of us ivto are here to-day have j efforts to render the provisions of the new •seen something of the gradual evolution Act a success Many people regarded the ■and development of the system, and as creation of the office of County Super! u- pupils or teachers we may have been di- tendent rs entirely unnecessary, aud the I rectly benefited by that development; but salary paid as a waste of the public monev. I ao one who was not familiar with the con- The outlook, therefore, for the first offi¬ . ‘iitiOD of the schools in our county prior to cers under this Act was one that promised 2 8:4, of the methods by which they were nothing but bard work. The Act has out¬ ! conducted, of the kind of teachers who lined nearly ad of the principal duties of the were in charge of them, of the facilities County Superintendent as they have ex¬ "hat were furnished in the way of books isted from that day to this. He was re¬ ;and apparatus to teachers and pupils, can quired to examine teachers, and to see that Jaave any adequate idea of the work that no incompetent teacher was employed; to I confronted the first county superintendent. see that there should be taught in everv I As I have intimated, there have always district certain specified branches, as well toeen good schools in this county. There as others that the Board of Directors might Suave been men and women who, specially require; to visit all the schools as often as qualified by mental and moral endowment, practicable, noting the course in methods rilled with enthusiasm and working vith of instruction in branches taught, and to i.aet and energy nave been quoted and re¬ give such directions in the art of teaching membered from one generation to another and the methods thereof in each school as s-s teachers of remarkable power ; who to him,together with the Directors and con¬ iiM,ve, in their respective communities, trollers, should be deemed expedient and Aided in preparing for the State good citi¬ necessary. He was given power io annul cer¬ zens, and in developing inherent genius in tificates given to teachers upon sufficient in any young people who otherwise might : cause, which annulment would result in .■have remained in comparative obscurity. I the dismissal from his school of the teacher But such schools were exceptional. They affected. It was directed that the annual were sporadic. Their existence was but reports of the several school districts fitful. should pass through his hands to tie Slate The majority of the schools were taught Superintendent, and that he should make s»y persons who were inadequately pre- j annually a report of the condition of the glared, and who taught with no idea that 1 schools under his charge, suggesting im¬ reaching could or would be a profession. 1 provements and furnishing such pertinent Most of the male teachers used the few information as he might think fit. These months of vinter to eke out a livelihood were amongst the requirements imposed which an agricultural, mechanical or other from the beginning. There have Daturally Kiarsuit would fall to properly provide for. Q e 0 \ y

competent to manage the affairs oi been aaaea irom We to time ocner acn.it.-, schools, and that as the Legislature had notably tbe holding of County Institutes, given them power, by refusing a salary, to and increased powers in regard to the issu¬ virtually annul the office, they should ing and endorsing of certificates to teacherr» adopt his amendment, which provided for The first of the incumbents of the office a salary of one dollar for each school dis¬ had no beaten track to follow. While the trict. The report of tbe committee was office was not a new one in some portions adopted, although the majority was not of the country, yet here it was entirely un¬ very large, the vote being 78 to 59. tried; and those who were first elected Amongst the school directors constitut¬ found it necessary that they should blaze ing the convention were many men who the way. Fortunately, the majority of the have been prominent in the, county, and people in our county, and all our papers, who, both at that time and for years after¬ recognized the necessity of selecting the wards, manifested a lively interest in the best person who could be found. And this advancement ofcommon schools. Amongst feeling was voiced in many ways, insisting them were such men as George Lear, Geo. that the person chosen should be a person H. Michener, Alfred H. Barber, John Clem¬ of “scientific and literary acquirements ens, of Doylestown borough; George Mc¬ and of skill and experience in the art of Dowell, of Doylestown township ; Tnomas teaching.” In some counties of the State Janney, Dr. David Hutchinson, Edward H. tbe feeling of opposition to the office was Worstall of Newtown borough ; Jacob manifested in the fixing of a salary which Buckman, Mahlon B. Linton, Daniel M. was purposely made so lowas to discourage Hibbs, Newtown township; John B. Clax- the efforts of the official choseD and to put ton, J. Watson Case, Isaiah Michener, Dr. a stigma of popular disapproval upon the Charles H. Mathews, of Buckingham ; officer and his work. The New York Tribune Moses Eastburn, Elias B. Fell.Chas. Magill, of that day, in noticing the salaries paid to Robert Simpson, of Solebury; Dr. J.D. Men¬ County Superintendents ot common denhall, Bristol boro.; Jesse L. Stackhouse, schools of this State, makes the following Samuel Hulme, of Bristol township; John caustic criticism: “Of course at such rates Buckman, Isaac Eyre, Pierson Mitchell, either, first, feeble men are appointed who Jesse G. Webster, of Middletown: Joseph will effect nothing, or, second, capable men A. VanHorn, Barclay Knight, John Yard- are chosen who are not expected to devote ley, Richard Janney, Benjamin Beans, of their time to their work, or third, good Lower Makefield; Samuel Bradshaw, Jo- men are expect d to give their services for siah Rich, Isaac G. Thomas, of Plumstead; half their value for the sake of the cause. John II. Mathias, Elias Hartzell, Hilltown ; In either case the policy is shabby, snort Theodores. Briggs, Henry Wynkoop, Wil¬ sighted and eminently Pennsylvanian. son D. Large, Edward Q,. Pool, of Upper Chester, Montgomery and Bucks want, men Makefield ; Isaac VanHorn, Northampton ; worth at least $1,500 and cannot afford to Henry Frankenfield, Samuel B. Thatcher, take an inferior article. Only think of of Haycock ; Jacob A. Bachman, Peter Lau- Dauphin, the metrocolitan county, Includ¬ baeh, of Durham ; William B. Kemmerer, ing a city of at least ten thousand inhabi¬ Dr. Charles F. Meredith, of Richland; Mah¬ tants, appointing a County Superintendent lon Long, Eleazer Wilkinson and Nathan¬ of Schools at the magnificent sum of WOO a iel J. Rubinkam, Warwick; Gedrge Com¬ year. No wonder the State is sold out three fort, of Fails ; Charles Kirk, Harman or four times a year by her Legislatures Yerkes, Joseph Barnsley, of Warminster. when public ignorance is thus cherished. The sa'aries in two of the counties were as The convention happily chose the rieht low as$109 a year. . man for the place in selecting Joseph Fell Prior 10 the convention, called under the of Buckingham. He possessed the require¬ Act, which was fixed for the first Monday ments which the Act called for, as his of June, 1851, there was much discussion m range of knowledge was extended and he our county as to who should be chosen. hao lor many years been a successful teach¬ Several teachers who had been successful er. There are those here to day who can either in the county or outside of it were testify to the thoroughness and accuracy of named. When the day arrived those who his work in the school room. He had the were especially interested in education happy faculty of arousing the interest of looked with intense anxiety for the result the pupil in the work before him, of stimu¬ of the work of the convention. It was held lating uis energies and of making the sub¬ in the old Court House, at Doylestown, ject so attractive and full of interest that June 5,1854. Its president was a gentleman the child found it a pleasure to study. He who then, as always afterward, manifested had moreover the great tact which was so his interest in public school work, and did especially needed in the incumbent of this not allow the fact that he was a profes¬ office. sional man to dull and narrow ills interest As a consequence, in making his tours of in the mass of the people, but who gave the the county, in examination of teachers, benefit of his eloquence to school work, in in visiting schools, in his Intercourse with educational meeting and institute when¬ the school directors, in the discussion of ever called upon. Tne convention was pre¬ methous and plans of work, in his appeals sided over by a member of the Doylestown for progress,on all of these lines,he was able Borough School Board, George Lear, Esq. to bo impress himself upon teachers, direc¬ The first work of the convention w-as to de¬ tors, and the people as well, with whom he l * i termine the salary. The appointment of a . same ia contact, official y and socially, as committee to consider that question was to disarm In many cases nostility, to win followed by the nomination of candidates converts to the cause aDd in all cases to for the office. The list comprised Joseph command a respectful attention and con¬ Fell, of Buckingham; James Anderson, sideration from those who had determined Bristol borough; Solomon Wright, Sole- onb to scoff. bury; Dr. E. D. Buckman, Bristol borough; A gentleman has told me,within a few days, Mahlon Long, Warwick; Aaron B Ivins, of bis experience when in 1858 he attended Philadelphia; James Robinson, New Hope; an examination in one of the upper town¬ Eugene Smith, of Doylestown borough, and ships with a view of applying for a certifi¬ Silas Thompson. The names of Aaron B. cate. He was young and diffident, and fear¬ Ivins, Mahlon Long and Eugene Smith ful of entering upon the ordeal before him, were withdrawn. Before taking a vote the but Mr. Fell, seeing him outside of the report of the Committee on Salary was pre¬ school house and ascertaining his purpose, sented, stating that the committee had \enc uraged him to make the effort, assur¬ agreed on $1,CO) as the salary of the Super¬ ing him that he would probably meet with intendent. Upon motion of George H. success. The timidity of the young man Michener, Esq., of Doylestown, ehat svas dissipated, aud he was thus euauled to the report be adopted, the spirit of approach tbe work with composure and to hostility to the system as well as to tne pass the examination creditably. He after¬ office became at once manifest when a di¬ wards became one of the leading teachers rector from one of the most intelligent dis¬ of the countv. Tnis was doubtless but one tricts of the county arose ana vigorously of hundreds of cases wherein young people opposed the motion, stating that he was were encouraged by Mr. Fell’s manner. ■ opposed to the law, and no good would re- In visiting the school. he usually carried : I suit fromMr the office, that tbejiirectqrs. were with film such apparatus as it was prac- ] vet.’ The master, thus being reTfiiuaea oi Ucabie for him to take with him, aud, as ' h s duty, called the roll, after which he pre¬ the schools at that time were almost bare ceded to business. The teacher seemed a of anything that could be used for illustra¬ S od deal worried with his scholars, who tion, the simple experiments and illustra¬ were of the vivacious kind, and who, spurn¬ tions which he gave were interesting and ing the prosing sedentary mood, illustrated suggestive to pupils aud to teachers as their admiration of social intercourse by well. This feature of his work resulted in frequent exchanges of friendly visits. Ex¬ improved teaching as well as caused the clamations, ‘John take your seat.’ expenditure of money for needed maps, ‘Thomas, what are you doing there?’ blackboards, charts, etc. j‘:Dout. The man was crazy aud had made his their disciplinary power. He described his escape from a mad-house to seek liis for¬ experience in one school as follows : tune ia Pennsylvania.” “1 found between 30 and 40 pupils of every Mr. Fell*s experience and success as a grade of size from mere infants to young teacher, and his breadth of view as a school women. The door was open, a bucket of officer led him to become, very early in his water having been emptied immediately term, a potent factor in Conventions lln front of it making no small amount of and organizations looking towards the re¬ Imud to be tracked in the room. The floor construction of our school system. Prior was literally littered with shavings, to the Act of 1851 there had been few meet¬ ships, apple cores, etc. Two benches ings of an educational character in the drawn up closely to the stove, in county having for their purpose the up¬ which there was sufficient fire to fill the building of the schools. I find in 1851 cr house with smoke, were densely packed 1853 that there were two woods meetings with interesting children who seemed much held, cue near Newtown aDd the other near more intent upon the exercise of munch- Pinevilleat which parents, teachers, and |ing nuts, apples, and persimmons, than the pupils of the schools were present, and they were with the proper exercises of the lo which lectures and instruction were iscnool room. During recitations it was a given intended to stimulate activity in the 'common thing for the scholars to spring educational work. There were also oceas- up on the top of the desk behind them and siODal informal gatherings of teachers ; but, remain there until the class was done One all of these movements were desultory and little chap was sitting in the middle of the fell far short of what was required to reach floor busily engaged stuffing the chips with the mass of schools, and the majority of whmh ne was surrounded Into his shoes. teachers. In July, 1851, on call of the State Others were stretched at full length on the Superin en lent of common schools, Mr. benches enjoying, if not a siesta, at least a Fell attend cl the first state Convention of Bomfortable lounge.” “Another school “Coffhty superimenuenTsqn me' State atHar- was visited during the absence of the risburg. The list of topics discussed is very teacher. The children who were out play¬ suggestive as showing thai there are some ing tollowed me in and after arranging questions we can never finally settle. Thus ihemseives to the best advantage for a per¬ history continually repeats itself. We find spective and eagerly scanning m.v person to-day the same topics troubling us and till curiosity satisfied commenced a very cUi iniDg much of the best thought of our animated romp; mounting benches and educators. This list was as follows: is , desks, sans ceremony, leaving on them the Grades of teachers’ certificates. 2nd. Mode footprints of mud and dust, which by the of examining teachers. 3d, Grades of by evidently indicated familiarity with school . 4th, Visitation oi schools. 5th, inch labor. The teacher soon made his ap- Teacheis’ Institutes. 6th, The best mode of pea ance. Apologizing for his absence be¬ interesting the directors. 7th, The best yond the usual hour of calling, on account mode of engaging the co operation of of company, he thumped furiously against parents. 8tb. Uniformity of books. the fash of the window with his ruler. The During the first year of his term we find well Known sound had the effect of hurry¬ that he recognized the necessity for an or¬ ing the scattered urchins pell mell into the ganization ot the teachers of the whole school-room. One little chap immediately county. Ou March 2S, 1855, a meeting was upon entering the door bawled out at the called by him at Doyles town to consider the lop of his voice, ‘Teacher-, swored the mattei of a county organization. After a hardest kind of a word while you was gone discussion of the question, which showed home for your dinner.’ ‘Hush! Take that the spirit existed which couid build up your seats. First class read.’ ‘Teacher, and maintaiu such an organization, the aid another, you haven’t called the r * meeting adopted a resolution of that excel- , *** ;.. pHL ■rein: man a h rf c i 11 z e%rit e v. ST'S!. An are unfit to leave the work, traveling over to the effect that ifwasexpedient to form county encountering privation (and at the a Teachers’ Institute of Bucks County A same time meeting wUh the hospitality for committee was appointed to consider which our people are noted), urging upon matter, and an adjournment was baaua til directors and citizens their duty in the sup¬ June 1st of the same year. The committee ply of those facilities so much needed, stir¬ then reported, and the meeting adopted the ring up the public conscience through edu¬ name of the Bucks County Educational So- I cational conferences and institutes, in pri¬ ciety. A two days session was held In the vate appeals and in contributions to the Court House at Doylestown which was press of the county, in repelling assault full of interest. Professor John H. Stod¬ upon the system by tactful administration dard and Professor Charles W. banders, of its principal office, in stirring up the whose names have been connected with ambition of teachers and leading pupils to text books in arithmetic and reading, believe that there was something more familiar to many of us in our school days, ahead of them than was to be found along were present and lectured. Ine work the miserable lines already laid down for proved so profitable and was so much them. Such was some of the work he did. | needed that another meeting of the Society At the expiration of his term he was not was held, commencing on the 22nd ot Oc¬ a candidate for re-election, and the office tober in the same year, and continued for for the next three years went to another. five days, which was attended by about 100 A pure and upright man, a teacher of large I teachers, and at which the instructors aside experience, a citizen interested in all phil¬ from the local aid were Professors Stoddard, anthropic movements, a native and resi , Sanders, and Grimshaw. Henry Chapman dent of the same Bucaingham Valley that and George Lear received resolutions ot had contributed the first incumbent of the 1 thanks for addresses which they made be office. William H. Johnson served for the fore the Institute. The citizens of Doyles¬ period ending June I860. The limits of this town entertained the lady teachers free of paper will not permit the discussion of the charge. I venture to say that there has work during his administration. Mr. Fell, been no greater zeal shown in the history in the Convention which elected his suc¬ of County Institutes in this county than cessor, delivered an address calculated to was exhibited in these meetings, which quicken anew the spirit which he had suc¬ laid the foundations of the organization ceeded so well in stirring into life. He laid which, voluntary at the outset, have been down the work, but never lost his interest finally required by law to be held. in it; attending Institutes, and always Thebeginning of the system of District offering encouragement and advice as he Institutes had also its origin during Mr. had been wont to do. The people’s schools <•/■ i. i Fell’s: term. Probably the most efficient owe him a debt of gratitude. In their de¬ i one was held at Centreville, in the town- velopment he must always be recognized ! ship of Buckingham. It was made up prin¬ as a large factor. He did his part towards cipally of the teachers of Buckingham and bringing nearer that time referred to by his superior in office, the Secretary of the Com¬ Soleburv I The necessity of Normal schools for the monwealth, and at the same time the Su¬ proper preparation of teachers naturally perintendent of Common Schools, the Hon. impressed itself upon the mind of our first Andrew G. Curtin, who said in his report County Superintendent as it did upon the in 1885, “ When the common school minds of every student of our educational si stem of Pennsylvania shall have un¬ condition and needs. We therefore find folded its vast powers; when a corps Mr. Fell giving substantial aid to thetas^ of trained and educated teachers to supply institution of the kind in our State, to wit, all its demands shall have taken the field; the school at Miiiersville, presided over m when the text-books used in the schools the beginning by Professor Stoddard, and shall be wisely selected, and the school- which was afterwards wonderfully devel¬ house built on the most approved model; oped during the Principalship of James P. when its protection and progress shall be Wickersham, his successor. Many of the the first object of the Government—then aspiring young people of our county went will all its mighty agencies to do good be Ihereonthe opening of the school and for felt; the public mind refined and en¬ many years, and until the institution of lightened; labor elevated ; patriotism puri¬ other Normal schools had somewhat in- fied ; our Republican form of Government teriered, the contribution of Bucks county' fixed on an immutable basis, and the people to the enrollment of Miiiersville s list of cre -ned with its benefits and blessiDgs. pupils was as strong as that of any county in the State. Mr. Fell encouraged our am¬ bitious teachers to go there. In this con¬ nection, as recalling the wonderful growth HISTORICAL. from small beginnings achieved by this school, I cannot forbear to quote from the prophetic words of the Hon, Thos. H. Bur rows delivered at the opening exercises of Unwritten Records—The Red the school, held on the 5th ot November,1855. “ But a few months ago and the words Nor¬ Man's Bucks County. mal School were never heard in our midst. And had they been, they would have elic¬ ■■ I ited no more than a passing remark. Who beyond its own immediate bounds knew A Paper by Henry C. Mercer, Esq., Read of Miiiersville? None. Its existence was only to be ascertained by reference to the Before the Bucks County Historical map of the State. But her name has al¬ ready gone forth, and in a few years, should Society at Woir Rocks, Buckingham, this School meet with the success which we, its friends, so ardently desire for it, July 16th, 1895. then will Miiiersville and its Normal School be household words on the lips 01 We have been meeting thus lor years e\enytheIyear previous to the adoption of the Act of 1854 the average salary paid male to rescue from oblivion, facts in that part teachers per month in our County was ®f the Delaware Valley known as Bucks §21.57, and the females *17.92 For the last of Mr. Fell’s term the salaries were 827.05 and county. Sometimes I am afraid that we $23.33 respectively, an increase of more than will exhaust the subject, for we only 25 per cent, in the one case and more than have some 250 years to talk about. Back 31 per cent, in thelother. . We may never Know the full influence of of that we find ourselves lost in the great the work of the three years of Mr. Hell s forest, a green shadow covering the term ending June, 1857. Examining teach¬ ers, encouraging the diffident, remonstra- whole eastern half of the North Ameri- ting* ~ - with- the careless, compelling the most can Continent, from Florida to Hudson’s different from other Indians. Though' Hay, from Louisiana to Labrador, On one class of students holds that all lu- tbe side of a bill like this, where the , dians belong to one parent stock; another wood-cutter works at a disadvantage, we contents for different stocks, Loth try to imagine what it was, but the leaving out the Eskimo, as a race apart. heaviest trees and their fallen, rotting ' W„kH°VT ,'jhat1PePu found the Lenape trunks are cut and gone. MaDy sounds , here, that they had a confederacy of re¬ oi the universal woods have ceased. flated tribes, that they were cheated out Plants have varied their habits. A ot lands at Wrightstown, and in conse¬ change has come over the animals and quence helped to massacre and torture and birds. But this immense woodland, our ancestors at Wyoming, under the larger than that crossed by Stanley in leadership of a ferocious woman called darkest Alrica, has lett us many insects : Queen Esther, and we know now that and reptiles and flowers, many streams J1tn6HQTr6J7elate?-1in ]an8uage to tribes and a soil rich lor a long time without ■ rn the far West, like the Sioux. When cultivation. Because ot it I believe there we gather their relics we soon come to is a louder noise ol frogs and beetles upon ihe end ol the list. All the wood and a summer night here than anywhere in skin and basket work and most of the the Old World. A study of the turn of |bone is gone. We have a few chipned fate that destroyed the fiercer and multi¬ | blades, grooved stone axes and a curious plied the gentler animals recalls to the r catalogue ol lantastic stones used in re¬ | naturalist this great sea of trees which we ligious ceremonies. That is all. And i know well sets a mysterious limit to rhere is nothing to differentiate the col- j to all our historical records. What hap-1 lection from the general run of “Indian | pened for centuries in its shadow ? Who ! relics” all over ihe United States. We knows? There was John Smith at are not dealing, therelore, with an iso¬ Jamestown in 1607, Hudson at Manhat¬ lated or unique race, but only with one tan in 1609, De Vries on the Delaware in i Indian lamily, whose character is about 1643, but what back ot that? Columbus the same as thatof all the others, Mound 1 in 1492, and then what? Our history is Builders included. 1 the story of transplanted Europe, and mounds, must long remain so. The chronicle of America is yet hidden under this forest ■jj The Lenane built three mounds six in | gloom. Once walk into the shade alone erght feet high, at Durham, which Wilb , and listen to the echoes. Books guide lam Walters ploughed down in 1S53 55 us no more. We have left behind us the I onened one and saw remains ol about annals of Penn, the struggles of the “'r)l “uch larger than Christian graves pioneers, even the founding of a new na¬ J along feaucon creek. There is a row of tion for the sake of a knowledge that no i little ones on Rattlesnake Hill, at Dur- one has yet grasped. We look for signs Iham. One has been described to me near on the ground, upon the rocks and hy ! a?,ot]lerfear Westchester, and the river side, fascinated by questions j Ji the so-called Giants Grave in Sole- ; that lose interest where books and his¬ bury is notaloam-covered rock.itmay be tories begin. ol Lenape make. Without it, however I Fifty years ago the European student we now know that they could buiid’ j stepped over tne boundary line of his- “rynraarelyedideiShi0 tribeS’ lh°U"h they jtory, lelt Herodotus and Tacitus and Egypt and Assyria and Greece behind to {(EAVES, djg in caves and find traces of a man who, it is said, hunted the mammoth in The first immigrants said that the; France and saw the woolly rhinoceros in andtif th~Td wf,Ir d8ad in the ground, ! England, but let us repeat it that to get Vfff k + last three years Mr. Ernest behind the record here, so as to use the *°uund many such burials at word pre-historic, we have only to go ^renton. Though I have found none I back three centuries at most. Then wo hear of others near Atlantic City and in are in the pre-Columbian darkness. the river sands at Taylorsville, at Dur¬ The great question is—who were the ham, below the Gap and at Minnislnk. thousands of tribes, with several scores a here is a graveyard near Doylestown, or hundreds ol different linguistic stocks, feCterr”IDg t0 & Writer in “-Hazard’s Reg- more or less red and more or less alike that Columbus found ? Where did they The chiet Tammanend it seems was come from? Did they emigrate hither buried on Prospect Hill about 1750. Had well equipped with primitive arts, or the Indians made mounds or marks at develop them on the spot? And in an¬ their graves, we should find them swer to the question, which a child asks easier. Had the holes been shallow we when it points to a grooved stone axe EefO’ildPlough up more skeletons. There¬ in a museum, and says, “ How old is it fore we are left to suppose either that we can hardly more than say that we they buried below plough-depth, that the do not know. But something has been bones have all decayed, which could learned in the last five years. After hardly be true in all of our soils, or that much digging and searching some lights they cremated the bodies or the bones glimmer on the subject in this eastern alter drying off the flesh, like the Nanti- part of the United States. eokes-oa the east shore pf Maryland. Mr. _ If we can account in any way for the mf> »Mnea ijenni-Lenape, found here in the Dela¬ 6E8&&—•_ ,owa mil, near Durham,supposed—a byt ware Valley, somethinghas been done. him to mark the site ot an ancient crema¬ THE LESNI-LEKAPE, tory, and be and I found curious paved areas, suggesting ovens, at Glen Gardner, When we sum up all that we know we ■ New Jersey, near Erwinna, on the Hex- ] find that tbe Lenui-Lenape or Delaware Indian, found at Manhattan by Hudson ankopt, amt at the Turk dam. There in 1609, and here by De Vries and Cam- were traces of decomposed auirnal matter paneus in 1631 and 1643, were not very at some of these places, but no human

noH wr^auTiT corpses of skeletons hatf copper they BaminerecfTt cold. As is . __ been burnt there, where were the teeth . iron so was their stone, a thing more im¬ We found charcoal in the chink sbe tween portant to them in the scale of needs than the stones, yet that means little >»nen railroads, electricity, steamboats, gun¬ - V we realize that underbrush has been powder or perhaps even printing are to burnt and woods fired all over the coun¬ us. For long periods in man’s unknown try, so that you can dig up bits of chai- past the cralt of making stone tools out- coai in almost any field or grove. rivalled everything else. Most of the IMPLEMENTS. tools were chipped and because notevery stone would chip, those that did were Arrow heads ought not to be worth five hunted for and valued. The Lenape, BBntd aniece. They are a drug m the and all his red kinsfolk prized the flak- market^ Together with the other stone able, pointed, smooth-grained jasper. tools they have been figured an<$ With pointed poles, stone spades, and by discussed over and over again. 1 A means oi heat they dug hundreds of holes 1 A^fVgcrjbes the whole rangj into a vein cl it which Mr. Berlin, Mr. of Lenape "stone work in TIs Laubaeh and myself discovered three ‘Primitive Industry,” buL°‘^fok^was years ago running along the Lehigh hills, havp been fouod since the dock was from Durham to Leading. It is v/orth a written, and I have summed up else- half day’s drive from here, or a less ; where every published account of eye journey on a bicycle, to see these pits, witnesses of the manufacture of chipped some forty feet deep originally, at Vera biadhsfshowing how the Indians made Cruz and Macungie, near Allentown-a ' them, in five ways, by (a) naking oy sight nearly as astonishing as that of the direct percussion with famous mounds at Newark or Marietta. , (in bv indirect percussion, or hammer^ I have tried to beg men of means in Phil¬ ing on punches ; (c) by direct pressure adelphia to buy the field that encloses with a pointed bone; '.^LV'h^abtol one ot these marvels at Vera Cruz before* pressure, or pressure aided by a bmw, the plough touches it and it is lost, and I and (e) by pressure aided by heat. have begged lovers of nature, to go and There are a few grooved stone axes in see it. but unfortunately in vain. Australia and you find grooved1 nammers The Lenape could not have been in this in Snain and Italy, but no one haspicked region a week betore they began to hunt m> a grooved axe in Europe. Jney are workable stone Almost as im portant as scattered all over North and South jasper and probably discovered by them America, and I saw them in Madi-idVrom in this region before it. was the meta¬ Urao-uay and the Argentine. About morphosed slate called argillite. To get three years ago Mr. Maguire, of Wash¬ it, I discovered in 1892 that they Lad cut ington, showed that you can easily make a dozen or more trenches along the hill¬ one with one of the familiar pitted peb- side at Gaddis’ run at Point Pleasant, : Wes-common at Indian village sites- and worked upon a solid cliff on the I held fast between the thumb and second Nesliaminy. . finger, so as to strike about 100 blows to This new information is not contained the minute. Chipping, polishing and I in any history. Five years ago no student drilling holes with hollow reeds and wet had thought of aboriginal blade quarries, > sand covers most of the stone work. ami and the boys who collect arrowheads do | made all the hoes, scrapers, drills, flake not yet know where to look for them. 1 knives, teshoas, pestles, mortars, ham Nevertheless these strange stony pits inerstones, bannerstones and gorgets in throw a flood of light upon the past. every boy’s collection, but as we are not They show that the Lenape, like all the trying to exhaust the subject we will other Indians, were geologists, ana in speak of things less known. the shade of the old forest had probably SHELL HEAPS. scrutinized the rocks in the Delaware Valley as they have been scrutinized ! Mounds of oyster and clam shells, J mixed with charcoal, rise from the low over every acre of ground between I salt swamps by the sea along the ^ e Maine anu Mississippi. Be not surprised, therefore, to ‘learn Jersey coast. Some standing m the water lo- k old, and as if the land must that the Red Man had seen coal, though he did not use it, and could find galena have sunk since they were formed. Ih - ory supposes them ot great antiquity and ore and hematite before the white man made bv a race of people who disappeared came. After white blacksmiths had shown the Lenape the use of anthracite before the Indian came. Savages eating they may have dug some lumps for molluscs at one spot produce such heaps, Peter Keller, at a secret mine somewhere which I have examined in Maine and aloDg Tohickon creek, as the story goes. Maryland, but not in New Jeisey. Now But, notwithstanding the traditions cur¬ \ we know, through the ancestors ot Mr. rent in Bucks county, up the Delaware S. P. Preston, of Lumberville, that the aud down the Susquehanna I do not be¬ Lenape remnant, in the last'century, lieve the legend ot their coming out of walked from Bucks county to the Allan- tic coast at certain seasons to eat clams the wood with armfuls of pure lead for bullet-moulding. Lead, save in the and so form shell heaps near N ew B runs- minute films, sometimes picked up m wick. The heaps would grow quickly Wisconsin, is not found pure, anu galena and whether the Indians and their an¬ cestors made all the deposits along the ore is a very different thing and will not do for bullets until it is smelted, at a coast is not certain. It they did we are done with the mystery of tne New Jersey temperature of about 1200 Centigrade. Any Indian tool made of a stone not shell heaps, and the notion ot then im¬ indigenous had to be carried froru a dis¬ mense antiquity. tance. A farmer near West Cnester BLADE MATERIAL. showed me an arrowhead of volcanic Like all other American Indians, the glass or obsidian found in his field, ana Lenape w’ere found in the stone age. i hey if his story was true and there was no || could not melt metals. When they used trick, the Lenape must have got it from I Mexico or the Yellowstone Park. ihe>

■ iL j quartzite at many points on corn bread, such as you get ln vTrgfnia. toe surface of the sea-hoard country and There the negroes learned how to make named ryolite an the southern Susque¬ their hoe-and-ash-cakes from Indians, hanna. I discovered an ancient chert whom they had seen pounding dry or digging in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, parched grains on stone and cooking the and soon found that the Indians had meal and water cakes in the hot embers continually used rolled stones on the of open fires. river beaches, just as I saw where they Ifyou let com run wild here it will die had chipped jasper pebbles into arrow¬ out, because the grains freeze in winter heads on the Chesapeake shore. Then it and therefore Prof. Harschberger, of the was easy to believe as I walked up and down these strands that by following up University ot Pennsylvania, thinks that the desirable pebbles to the parent rock, it came as a wild plant from Mexico, irom which the stream had torn and when it might reproduce itself without borne them, the inland mines above mentioned were discovered by Indians, help. Whatever was done to husband the plant for food up to 1500 the Indians at a time when the whole country was llirl HP A nnnionl- Ur, r.. __ T» . obscured by forest. Going np the Dela¬ did. The ancient cobs trom Peruvian ware stream Argillite pebbles cease tombs are small, like those from Ohio about Frenchtown, aud if you follow mounds, and show how cultivation has them as a dog would a trail you can walk helped the plant. The iZunis have out- straight from Bristol to the Indian mine I done all other gardeners by producing at on Gaddis’ run. Black chert runs far up 1 least five beautiful colored varieties— the river, and any boy who collects ar¬ yellow, blue, white, red and black— rowheads can on his holiday help science which they make into sacred breads and by tracing northward for these pebbles fuse in ceremonies, as when they scatter as far as they will lead him. Some¬ meal on rattlesnakes in the horrible where near the Gap of the Delaware or snake dance. If we could go out into the Lehigh, some creek black with them Mexican wilderness and find the wild will give him the clue, and he will 2nd plant we should know better what the quarry where most of the black ar¬ changes cultivation has made, but not¬ rowheads were worked out of the solid withstanding reports and experiments rock. Perhaps I had better not rouse we are not yet certain that the maize any boy’s curiosity with speculations brought by Professor Duges from about soapstone and mica, hematite, lead Mexico in 1888 and planted in Cam¬ and precious stones. Let him remember bridge, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia, that no one knows much as yet, and that which Lumholtztola me he found on the the most wonderful secrets ot the old Mexican plateau 2 years ago, is the true forest lie still buried in the ground, wait¬ original of the great grain. The Lenape ing for him or me or anyone who know3 stored corn in three or four still visible how to search. pits at Dyerstown and again, according to W. J. Buck at a place on the Penny-1' MAIZE. pack. De Soto says that he walked | As far as we now know Zea-mais-maiz, through Indian maize fields three leagues 'l as the Arawakas, of South America, call long. La Salle approDriated a lot of it—Indian corn, was one ot the great sur¬ maize from an underground cache in an prises of the New World. The Spanish old Illinois village, and our armies de¬ discoverers of the 16th century had never stroyed great quanties of stored maize, 1 seen or heard ot it when they found the when ravaging Iudian towns in the Indians growing and eating it all over Northeast. To maize we no doubt owe B America. There is a story that Itifaud, foe existence of another series of curious j a Frenchman, found rnaize in an Egyn- landmarks in Bucks county, as yet un¬ 1 tian tomb, and it might be true if Dr. Ls visited, unmentioned and unheard ot. fj Plonglon’s idea is correct that the Egyp¬ These are the mysterious clearings in tians came from maize-growing Yuca-t original tracts of woodland known as ‘itan, but Candolle, the great Italian “Indian fields.” It is probable that the ! botanist, thinks that itifaud was tricked Lenape, by charring the trunks of blazed by an Arab. Sopn after the Spaniards and dry trees, and then cutting them I took maize to Spam it was seen growing down with stone axes, made the old near Seville in 1524, Then it reached clearing of about seven acres once con¬ spicuous on the river bank above Dur¬ Italy, where the natives make tneir pos» ham Cave. I understand that there is i fonta mush ot it, and to Turkey, Egypt one of these fields very near us on the Hungary, France and Austria. It does slope of this mountain. I saw another not thrive m cloudy England, but Stan¬ on Jericho Hill, and one near Mozart. ley found it in the Congo Forest. In Fu Mr. Laubach has found one on Buck- rope and the Orient not one oi the strange wampun, and a few individuals at Jami- 1 names given it refer to America, and tow son’s Corner have seen or heard of the realize that th© widespread grain, lik© ancient opening in the woods on Fish the turkey, the potato and the tobacco Run, hardly halt a mile trom foe toll pipe came from America. What a lavish gate. noble, poetic plant it is ? A little genius We might think that the Lenape had or a touch of originality at World’s Fair had villages at these spots, but if so more rCag?’ fmild ^ave o^ered a whole relics would be found. I can find none ^ devoted to the strange his- in the open heath in Buckman & Wat¬ son’s woodland, west of Wrightstown, ! to foe wSrid GaU 1 gi“

V, ' jioffow, or the other at gesuon might it not be well to search lor i the Little Neshaminy, while the last -the topographical features described in class of forgotten villages run along the this deed, now hanging in the fire-proof whole Delaware Valley from Trenton to room ofithe Historical Society of Phila¬ the Lehigh, as for instance at Lower delphia. The parchment is the very be¬ Black’s Eddy, Taylorsville, Hall’s Is¬ ginning of history in Bucks county, and land and Gallows Run. speaks of landmarks that refer back into When we have hunted over these sites an unknown time. A mountain, a place we have reached the end of our collec¬ called Mackkeerikitton, a stream called tion of arrowheads and confront a much Towsissink, a corner spruce marked I larger subject. All these remains of one with the letter P, a white oak with another1 kind and class might be the handiwork P, by a spring, and a path close by lead¬ of the Lenape. In Europe you would ing to an Indian town called Playwicky. have found on one hand the ruins of a These places marked the upper boundary city with coins and iron ; on the other of the first part of Bucks county that the the floor of a cave bedded with chipped Indians yielded to the whiteman. Hence stone tools, and nearby possibly barrows, the line from which Marshall and the ■cromlecs or dolmens, marking the walkers of 1737 started or ought to have graves of people who used bronze. Here started. Between Wrightstown Meeting there is no such variety and distinction. House and the Delaware these landmarks Everything on the surface repeats its existed or still exist. There is a whole self over and over again and we might be lore upon the subject, and strange to say half inclined to refer it all to the Leoape. some chance of still finding the white But was there no man here before Wm. oak with the letter P even yet under its Penn’s Indian? A Lenape told the Rev. foark, a notable tree in 1682. Could the Charles Beatty, in 1767, that his people American Forestry Congress hold a had come to the Delaware, according to meeting at anymore interesting spot? a bead tally in 1397. The painted stick ' John Watson, surveyor of Bucks county chronicle of the Delaware, preserved by in 1756, and the late Josiah B. Smith, of them for centuries and rescued from des¬ Newtown, were the only two persons truction by Rafensque and Dr. Brinton, who, to my knowledge, became fasci¬ gives about the same date as does a nated with the puzzle of these lost land¬ native tradition of the same kind collect¬ marks. Would that the Camera Club ed by Heckewelder, all of which means and all who love to turn their backs vfV '*■ that the Lenape only came here when " upon a desk might catch their enthusi- Richard II was ruling in England, but • asm. As to Playwicky, a manuscript these accounts say that the pioneer In¬ ' foot note of John Watson, which Mr. dians found the country deserted, and ■ i Smith never saw, says that it was near this is very important. Had no man Philip Draket’s, below Heaton’s mill; been here before? Shall we go back over jin other words, somewhere along Mill geological epochs until there is no use creek, in Southampton or Northampton looking further to find this region (and township, below Rocksville, but I looked with it we must infer the whole Middle in vain for the signs of a village where Atlantic coast) untrodden by human they should have been in that region, foot? There is a way of answering this and concluded that the hearths and ■question without the help of legends. If relics of Playwicky lie buried under the man was here he left his trace, some¬ leaves of some woodland not yet cleared, A where he built a fire, somewhere drop¬ or that I have carried away baskets full ped a chip of stoije or fragment of bone • of chipped stones from the real site with¬ to tell the tale. And at this point dig¬ out knowing its name. ging has professed to startle us with a A map of the lower valley region with new discovery. the recently discovered village sites - marked on ifiwould show that they follow . THE MAX OF THE TRENTOX GRAVELS. the streams. That they lie often at the It is hard to dig trencher deep enough mouth of a confluent, on south facing for the student and lucky when others slopes, warm in winter and that there is Jig them for him. The Pennsylvania little use looking for thorn anywhere railroad cut an immense pit behind the else. The larger the stream the larger Pity of Trenton into a gravel bank, the the village, while the sites at springs are very sight of which might inspire any the smallest of all, from which wo infer one with a love of geology. It was wash- that the village builders entered the 3d there, for you can get into the great country by its streams, reaching last the pit and see the same kind of stratified • head waters or springs. When import¬ 3ands that water is seen to make in gut- ant trails had been worn through the er sand when you slice it and look at forest villages may have sprung up with he section, but what kind of a freshet ? reference to them, but until that time the A, freshet that overtopped the State stream—itself a natural highway and House at Trenton and foamed —- hunting trail, occasioned the village. igainst the Point Pleasant hill I would divide, therefore, habitation ops, a roaring deluge filling the sites in this region into three classes: (1) vhole valley with sand and stones, camp sites at springs or on trails, small¬ md caused by one of the wonderful est and most modern ; (2) villages on the )henomena of the world’s history if it larger tributaries of the Delaware, older ame as geologists say from the meltings and larger ; (3) towns on the Delaware >f the great glacier, that continental proper, oldest and largest of all. One out rust of ice that crossed the valley like a of every five farms in the county ought •w ugh wall at Belvidere ran westward to to show a site of the first-class, like that he Rocky mountains and northward to ■on the old Hausell farm near Mechanics- he Pole. Whatever was originally in ville, or that close to Dyerstown, or that his sand, therefore, was as old as the on the Montaine farm at Johnsville. reshet, and when Dr. C. C. Abbott said The large village, from which Dr. hat he found chipped tools of stone Michener, of Colmar, must have gather¬ aanufactured by man and since called ed a bushel of relics, belongs to the second'Otuegory. So does that at Dark turtle-backs, bedded between the layers ol gravel in this pit it surprised the build and unbuild banks, and that fact scientific world. destroys theirjvalue as tests of age. Other students have gone to Trenton This underplaced village site at Lower again and again and tailed to find a Black’s Eddy is the oldest human traces ‘turtle-back” in place, and tor the last that I have been able to find in the Dela- two or three years a tierce dispute has ! ware Valley and if I give up the Trenton raged between those who assert and deny gravel specimens it is all I have left. that Dr. Abbott was mistaken. These ' Who inhabited it? Was its denizen a turtle-backs resemble in shape very predecessor of the Indian, was he the ancient chipped stones lound in Europe, . Trenton gravel man himself, or was he and that tact was first recognized when only the first Lenape immigrant? To Dr. Abbott found them in 1S85. Then, i these questions I can say that no extinct strange to say, nobody knew that the animal bones were found to give a date Lenape and all other modern Indians, to the lower hearths. The lower village had continually produced the same kind man made pottery, which the ice men ot chipped stones. were supposed not to be able to do. He That new knowledge eame from the used more argillite than jasper. His ar¬ study ot the blade quarries above men¬ rows and spears were very narrow and tioned. There the Indians had mined long, but that does not seem evidence masses ot native rock, and when chip¬ enough to me to prove, as has been urged, ping it into blades had continually pro¬ that he was an Eskimo. Until other evi¬ duced “wasters” or failures,half-blocked dence is in, the reasonable supposition out pieces that would not thin down. seems that he was the first coming Lenape Thousands of these lay scattered about pioneer in the 15th century. the Gaddis Run mines above mentioned, made probably somewhere in the 15th CAVES. or 16tj century, rather than ten or twelve Early man is supposed to have visited thousand years ago. As we soon found habitable caves when he saw them. It that you could pick, “turtlebacks” up at so a cave is a place where you can gather all the village sites on the Delaware there at one spot and with least trouble traces was no reason why you could not have of every people that inhabited its neigh¬ found them at the village site borhood in the past. Visiting it they left now occupied by Trenton and origin¬ refuse layers on its floor, and you cut ally overlying the top of the gravel pit through these culture bands to find, by where the first turtlebacks were found. necessity, the latest on the top and the Eor these reasons the opponents of Dr. oldest on the bottom. Abbot said that his specimens were not The late Hill born T. Cresson said he found in place in the gravel, but had found a cave on Naaman’s Creek, con¬ slipped down the banks from the Indian taining a series of layers that began with layer above—that they were not finished the Indian and went back to the Trenton tools of tire ancient ice men, but half- man, but I have as yet found no such finished castaways of the modern Ler.ni- cave anywhere in the Eastern United Lenape. To continually fail to find States or Central America. The Indian turtlebacks is negative evidence, yet it House, a rock shelter on Tohickon Creek, grows stronger. Nevertheless, whoever contained only a film of Lenape refuse goes to Trenton and pulls another speci¬ no older than that seen at any village men out of the freshly cut bank, where site. The cave on the Neshaminy, near there is no downsliding, will settle the WorthiDgton’s mill, is a mere chink un¬ question, but he cannot have too many fit for habitation like the Doan’s cave witnesses. near Cassiday’s Rocks on the Tohickon, Though no more turtlebacks seemed to or the shelter near the Wildonger farm be discovered in the Trenton pits, there in Tinicum. Mr. Paret dug bone needles, are other ways at getting at the truth. If an argillite blade and the bones of the a savage, little better than the ape, sat on peccary, bison and giant beaver from the cold river beaches chipping turtle- Hartman’s cave, near Stroudsburg, but backs 12,000 years ago we ought to find was not certain that they were associated I ins traces somewhere else. There is a together in the same layer. The great! sand bank high above the canal at the room at Durham cave, close to the river mouth of try’s Run in Northampton and easy of access, must needs have con¬ county that by position looks at first tained the whole truth, but to the despair af o]d as the Trenton bank, but of thb students the Durham Iron Com¬ when Mr. Laubaeh had shown me chips pany blasted down its roof and if they charcoal and hammerstones buried deep did not destroy it’s floor covered it with in it, we learned from Mr. Salisbury,of tons of rubbish. I found a bone of the the New Jersey survey, that it was extinct peccary in one of its ceiling cran¬ nies, called Queen Esther’s chamber, but alL High as ifc is’the true glacial washings were seen much higher there was no human hearth to associate The river bending sharply there might it with. On the Schuylkill, the Port have overwhelmed the bank, just as Kennedy cave, at which I have worked Vi8 ao~oa^ed “punkin” freshet that nearly two months, the most remarkable filled the canal with sand and washed exposure of sloth, horse, mastodon, away Whip-poor-will Island, near by, peccary and tapir bones in East¬ lapped the bottom of it. The chips, there¬ ern North America would settle the to*6.' might have been made by Lenape question of human antiquity in the Indians. You can find fire sites upon an East if it contained man, but thus old surface about two feet below the pres¬ ! far I have found no trace of his presence ent bank top on Marshall’s Island, and I there, and much hunting at other places that°thtred a“er ?igging a deeP trench, and from many points or view repeats that there was a lower village layer be¬ the inference that in Eastern America low the well-known surface village at man’s remains are modern when com¬ Lower mack’s Eddy. But these llvels pared with the relics of Europe, and that are entirely at tne mercy of freshets that before the Indian there was no human inhabitant. * Arty •/A 1 asked the meaning of the mami THE I.EXAPE STONE. bones lying there, told the Governor of Virginia their legend of a great devas¬ The age test of extinct animal bones | tating animal destroyed by lightning. does not help us as much as we might! think when we reflect that the word ex-; The specimen is too interesting not to compel us to have a theory about it if wei tinct means “not observed by white men disbelieve its authenticity. If the In¬ tor the last 300 years,” but in Europe the dians did not make the stone, why the! name like the word “prehistoric,” carries ! us back 2 millenniums at once. Never¬ lightning? What conceivable connec¬ tion has lightning with a mammoth in theless Port Kennedy and other such de¬ the mind of any possible white fabricator posits will help science to learn which ot unless he knew of this legend, whose re¬r these older animals survived longest and lation to the stone, I believe, I was the; fixed relative dates. Meanwhile we are first to discover? Other evidence has not sure that a few mammoths, whose 5 come in for ihe Lenape stone, and Dr. hones were found undecomposed on the Brinton’s case should not be regarded as surface at Big Bone Licks in the last cen¬ complete until he has examined and tury, did not straggle along into com¬ given an opinion on the three other paratively recent times. This would be carved stones found on the Hansell the true meaning of the Lenape stone, farm. Are they forgeries, too ? which has not yet had its proper hearing They nave not been scrubbed and are f. before science. Bernard Hansel! found, ready for the microscope. Will anybody alter an interval ot nine years, two frag¬ shrug his shoulders and say that Dr. ments of a gorget with a picture scratched Brinton has settled the question until j upon it in Indian style, representing sun, they are accounted for ? Ten years have moon, stars and lightning and men fight¬ passed. I have watched and hunted for | ing the hairy mammoth. When Colone1 suspicions in vain, welcoming all criti-1 Paxson, its present owner, and Captai cism and taking all contradiction as a Bailey presented it to archeologists an. matter of course. To me the stone seems I tried to give the evidence in a pamph too important to let individual feelings let, objections were urged against i intrude between it and the light. There! which have succeeded in ruling it out as is no libel in the case ; hut only the pros j a record. The chief of these the one tha and cons that beset the truth. Provided seems to have prevented further exami you are hunting it consider them all. I nation, was that urged by Dr. Daniel G. Use any words you please, forgery in¬ Brinton, who said that the outlines rep¬ cluded. No one need look unutterable; resented a group and that Lenape Indians things. The cool scientific frame of mind could not draw groups. That its notion) let us hold fast upon, as the only frame of the brute, human and Divine types1 of mind that prevails here. I was con¬ placed side by side was above Indian vinced beyond a reasonable doubt ten conception, that the lightning was sus¬ years ago. And after weighing every¬ picious and the sun with divergent ray- thing that could be weighed and doubt¬ doubtful, that the stone lacked th ing every thing that could be doubted Ir patina of age, that the lines were stea cannotfind the evidence to change my [ cut and that a clever fabricator woulr opinion. have used aboriginal tools, to whicl I answered that we have no ade¬ quate library of Lenape pxctographs with which to compare this stone, or by HISTORICAL. which to guage the Eastern Indians’ power of drawing groups, as the modern Sioux draws groups on buffalo robes, fix a limit to his sesthetic conceptions, or John Ross and the Ross make up our minds about lightning and suns with rays. The patina was gone Family. because Colonel Paxson and I unwitting¬ ly washed and scrubbed it off, I cannot believe in the power of discriminating A Paper Read by Judgfe Harman Yerkes, steel cut lines from lines made from beaver teeth or arrow-heads in this case. Before the Midwinter Meeting: of the Under the circumstances it is beyond Bucks County Historical Society, on me. Mr. Wadsworth, lithologist at Cambridge, Mass., agreed with Dr. Brin January 21st, 1896. ton about the steel-cut look of the lines, but Mr. l'ddings, of the U. S. Coast Sur¬ vey, said that he did not know whether One hundred and six years have elapsed such discrimination were possible after scrubbing. I agree with him an 1 go per-) since a somewhat radical change in our haps a little farther. After experiments! Constitution provided that Law Judges "gwith aboriginal scratching tools, blunt! should preside over our county Courts. awls and scissors and scrubbing brush! In that period we have had twelve Presi¬ on similar pieces of slate I came to the) conclusion that it would be unreasonable dent Judges—James Biddle, John D. Coxe, j to assert that the Lenape stone lines were William Tilgman, Bird Wilson. John Boss, I steel cut. . . . John Fox, Thomas Burnside, David i The mammoth outline has been said to 1 Krause, Daniel M Smyser, HeDry Chap¬ resemble an etching of the same animal man, Henry P. Ross and Richard Watson I found in one of the French caves and if a people may be judged of their clvili-, published in Dana’s Handbook ot Geolo¬ zation aDd progress by their laws and the gy, but I do not see the likeness. The faithful execution thereof, then the free¬ stone is unique, and aboriginal draw¬ men of Bucks are entitled to occupy the I ings of any kind are exceedingly rare. first rank among their fellows. No coun-i This i> against the specimen, though not try of _tfce_world. can boast of a fairerri a final objection. A band of Lenape at ' ■ the Big Bone Licks, in Kentucky, when :£ . -m" • -— 3ystem of laws that) Peonsvlvania has uecfarea tiielr* infentfohs of marriage be- “ possessed since William Penn first gave us fore the meeting were passed, and Abra- his beneficent code, ami the records of I ksm Chapman and James Harker weroap- these men who administered the law here ! pointed a committee to attend the mar- are excelled by none lor purity, integrity rlage. At a monthly meeting at Wrlghts- and fidelity to duty. | town Sixth-month 3d, 1731, the committee 1 It so happens that for the first time In reported that the marriage was “decently 1 this more than a century, the occupant of aceompiished/’ Kesiah Wilkinson was! f the bench finds himself alone and without daughter of Elisha Wilkinson and sister a single one of bis honored predecessors to Colonel Elisha Wilkinson, of Buckln^- among the living to whom to turn, In any ; ^aciu, The record of his testimony before ;; great emergency, for counsel and advice. 1 ??0 H!l?ht9tovla Monthly Meeting shows . They all sleep among our honored dead, i that Thomas Ross was born in 1708 in the B revered for the good they did and secure County of Tyrone In Ireland, descended r f in that fame which purity of life and hon* i reP’Bable Parents, members of the Episco¬ • orable public service only can win. pal Churcn, and received a religious edu- ' ; But the story of tbeir deeds and of the oation. Coming into America about the lives they” lived, which gave them their ?,eaF, of. t!9 0ge and settling exalted places in the estimation of within t^a limits of Buckingham Monthly their fellow men. has been but partially Meeting, be soon afterward became con¬ told, If told at all. If I, who succeed them vinced of the principles of truth as pro¬ and but too Imperfectly discharge the fessed by the Friends.” v f duties of the office they so honored, can He immediately took an active interest* by a simple narrative of the more promi- in religious instruction and became a | nent events of their lives inspire a single: noted minister of the Society. In 1784 he additional epai k of gratitude and honor1 y sailed for Europe on a reiiglous mission in to their memory from those upon whose: | company with a number of Friends Re- [county they shed so much lustre, I shall 1 ibecea Jones, of Philadelphia, was of the feel amply repaid for the iittle labor re- ! inumber. She was a convert from the jqulred of me, and will but discharge a duty Church of England also, and became a I owe them for the Illustrious and worthy teacher and preacher of the Quaker sect (example they have left for their succes The record of her absence on thi3 mission , sors to emulate. (recites; ‘‘Granted a certificate by the I In a former paper I referred briefly to Monthly and Select Meeting, 1784 to James Biddle, John D. Coxe and William visit Great Britain. Embarked at New Tllghman, and with some particularity Cast!© on board the ship Commerce, Capt. traced the honorable and exceptionally I ihomas Luxtoa commander, 25 of successful and pure life of Bird Wilson. 4th-mo., 1784, in company with my valued The first native of Bucks countv to hold friends Thomas Ross, Samuel Emlen and the office of President Judge of her Courts son Samuel George and Sarah Diliwyn adoption of the constitution of and Melntable Jenkins, ail intending for Hi was “obQ. Boss, appointed January, Great Britain.” ' 1818. At the time of his appointment he General Davis In his history relates that was 48 years of age, seven years the senior the party were anxious to reach their of Bird Wilson, his retiring predecessor ( destination in time for the Yearly Meet- who had occupied the bench for twelve iog, out the Captain said it was tm possible, years and who was conseqently the young- I | One day, while Mr. Ross was seated beside est Judge who ever sat upon our bench. I Rebecca Jones, he turned and said to her lo form a correct measure of the capacity “ Rebecca, canst thou keep a secret ?" She of a public roan It is essential to have replied that she could, when he added some knowledge of bis antecedents, his “We shall reach England this dav two family and their influence, and of (he weeks, in time for the yearly meeting obstacles and surroundings through which On the morning of the appointed day one ■ _ , h8 may have reached and maintained his of the Friends, who was keeping a sharp . place. i lookout, saw land. The Captain admitted On June 8, 1737, John Penn, Thomas I that had it not bsen for the lookout en- Penn and Richard Penn, by tbeir patent couraged by the words of FrleDd Roes, his conveyed a tract of upwards of two hun- vessel would have gone upon the rocks. ured acres of land in Solcbury township No doubt the prophecy was made as a to Thomas Ross. The ancestors of this joke or Inspired by a bouyant hope. Thomas Ross were Scotch, but they set¬ Rebecca Jones returned to America In tled in County Tyrone, Ireland, where 1788, but Thomas Ross did not come back Thomas was born in 1708. At the age of 20 with her. He attended the Yearlv Meet- ' immigrated to Bucks county, accom¬ ing in London and traveled in IrelaLd panied by his sister Elizabeth, who after¬ and the north of Scotland, taking part in wards married Thomas Bye, Her de¬ many religious meetings. But through a scendants are quite numerous. mishap he broke a limb and was taken Thomas Ross took up his abode upon sick He was entertained and cared for at „hat portion of Penn’s Manor of High- the house of Lindley Murray, the gram- ui ® lyin" is now Solebury town¬ marian, at Holdgate, near York, in Eag- ship. The community in which he settled land, where he died Second-month 13th was composed almost exclusively of I 1786, in his 781,h year. He is burled there, Frienda. Soon after his arrival he re- and a modest stone erected by a descend¬ quested that he might join the Wrights- ant marks his grave town Meeting, and the record of the The letter of John Fembarton announc¬ Monthly Meeting held at Buckingham ing his death to the widow speaks of rim ] shows that on the Third-day of First- in high terms. Among his last words month, 1730, “ the meeting, after some were I see no cloud in my way I die in solid consideration, condescended to paace with alt men.” His g-urdsou accept him “ so far as his life and conver¬ Thomas Ross, ot Chester countv wrote a sation shall correspond with the truth he poem of considerable merit commemora¬ d esires to join himself to.” tive of his virtues Ip his wii;, dated In 1731 he and Kesiah Wilkinson twice Feurth -mnhth 12th, 1784. bespeaks rf his _ occupation or RHR^ns'thkt (TiHT He was a successful man ot business, arm i Thomas and nephew JoBtrUbap- v« possessed superior abilities, which, possi¬ man were appointed executors. lie be¬ bly, owing to the unsettling iniiuences of queathed thirty pounds to be appr.-pu- domestic troubles, were not developed in Ated to building a Friends’ school bouse, the law, as they might have been. In 1800, | probably t he same that stood near Wrights- aided no doubt by his neighbor and friend town Meeting House His widow, Kesiah, Samuel D Ingham and brothel John, then did not long survive him. She died the in the legislature, he obtained from Gov¬ ernor McKean, the appointment to the of¬ following year upon the farm in Solebury fices of Prothonotary, and Clerk of thei which he purchased from the Penns in Courts of Bucks county, which he held for| 1737. This was their home as long as they eight years These offices were the most: both lived, throughout a married life ot lucrative positions in the county. iifty-iive years. Upon it they built ast eQ went Hugh all became lawyers and were to Trenton and subsequently settled in prominent. , , ... Milford. Pike county, Penna., where ne Thomas, the oldest, born in 1767. studied built the bouse still occupied by his grand^ law and was admitted to the Bar in Eas- daughter, Mrs YanAukin, and In wbLh he ton in 1793. He did not remain in practice died. He married Catherine Blddls,ol there but went o the city ot New lork Pike county, and had two ohildren, Edward where he engaged in the business of hat¬ and Louisa. Edward graduated at West ter,” No. 3, Burling Slip, Queen street. He' Point and was in the Florida wa-. Ha was returned to Bucks county prior to 1800, anal celebrated as a mathemaGcian, ana Dans purchased of his father the Penn tract of lated Bourdon’s Algebra for the use of the land in Soiebury. He settled and prac¬ West Point Academy. He sold his trane- ticed law in Newtown, but having marrl- lation to Davies, _who published i^ as tial difficulties, removed to New Hope, bis place

Ohin°li^at!1??latic9 at K3ay°n College, (0-63 nvif\and.at the tlme r,f 1319 death at the t®?0

, Thomas Corwinmarr,£d the Ctlebrated i JoIhngRr^88’.

E»M wiuf tte'Sstrp’artSty oi cfded°to e^Sn,afDhJiWken Mr-R°88 hadda- persuadaffhi^ fUtVn Par8utt of fortune, I remairfh?pinnl0,ckai3g6) bis mind, and to him that he ^-d7 ^0 ' He suggested to him during lawacd o^red to assist andto h(Snhiit [Iifl required for reading, tice Mr Rnl? J,at,8.r ln obtaining a prac- ! of his frie^d"ifn? eld-d £p lt)e suggestion of th« iot£ad a,Pd entored upon tUe study cousin rLlTZ VoM destructions of his isliil The foun^?, Ro®3' °* West Chester, |t" > Delaware and Su ouelsann^1^feD of gratitoSn whi1^01*?116 8hows th9 feeling pr etieally a wilderne^^now “imo^ foS Irs R “ ? tbe family cherished S»thlBai;^0U6a One, Joseph Lewis a somewhat noted stage driver in his dav Phdade'lDh2‘e“aoh ,bet 'V ‘bat no member of the i oily approached him iu abllifv ” wa f } 8es bow this dominant, idea o/an B*s i .ded yet centrallz-d family' i- fluenrs £»Tay»?,a,Ltr8?ve8"*U ™Dt as b >>me instilled Into the minds of Uw“n •John Eoss was admitted to the Bar -of family and repeatedly controlled the Eas'mnCOthet Qsn1 Newtown ln 1792 and at : duct and settled the fate of its mem llblrationbH 8h y?5' Afcer aome do- > - in every generation. Iu thisdnetdS, Ee^tte in F«f«nawe°yed that be should ry eon of the race was instructed and £eMnrofhia8t'an-Northampton county, oevar of them failed to devoted^ abmut^this rw® reaS0D operated to bring ; □ifAS“,»reSdm!*S te"'e“t t0 » ^ !b0bJohn Ross settled in Easton his ssssasra aor,;s8bs of his management of the Duihanflron ■omc.;.V 'tet E«r l„ HM buj7tS " —--- -- Uj j \ pbver by Isaac Vanhorn, or micus. ta.D'ji'tflafnly went toTT.’^TorUl Pugh, of Bucks, John Rose, of Northamp¬ • a was us; so (leepiy imm».is> a in bis ton, and Frederick Conard, of Montgom¬ ifesslciDSl and ambitious schemes that; ery, were nominated by the Democratic vas proof against the blandishment of j Republicans. The candidates received e fair eex Id a Setter written in Oeto- nearly all the votes, there being but three 17&3, to his lately married brother scattering, and the nominations were >mas. with whom he luu been visiting,| made unanimous. declares his purpose “as soon as Court; But the action of the convention was : ..vet ! to turn his attention to ‘ some¬ unsatisfactory to a number of citizens of thing inThe poetical line whlch tnay Northampton county, who were dis¬ nieasa Mrs. lioss or her sister. The rei- gruntled over the proposed retirement of erence to the sister is significant in con¬ the veteran politician and soldier General nection with the purpose to do something Robert Brown, the then Congressman, in in the poetical line .Especua y te th^ eo favor of a young man of 34. when the sentence is injected ^to the mi^ Accordingly on the next day a meeting die of a letter upon liie prosaic subject or ‘ of the inhabitants” of Northampton county was assembled at Easton, and pro¬ a saddle and bridle, ^‘^.^^.^^ear^as voung man of 23 probabiy failed heart, as ceeded to nominate General Brown as an the letter was not sent, but founa in nis independant candidate. Their resolutions declared that they had papers, 103 years after It was written. Miss Lyon appears to have been sup¬ not been well used by the decision of the planted by one, Mary Jenkins whom he conferees so far as respects John Ross, for rm.rripd A COUDlB of y©8>r8 l8gd^farge tention to business, soon obtained a urge Republicau principles and more particu¬ larly In conjunction with the Federalists pIAttthat time one of the most prominent opposed the amendments to the constitu¬ UwUrs in the State. Samuel Sitgraves,re¬ tion of the United States. sided in Easton, and towered far above 3 That General Brown, who has served any member of bis profession Id that sec¬ heretofore in Congress with fidelity; who tion He was fresh from his triumph or in the year -1776 labored with his own ! oonvicUng John Fries for treason in the hands to procure sustenance for his fel¬ United States Courts, in Philadelphia, and low prisoners; who borrowed money at a had been honored by a seat Congress large discount to alleviate their distress ;i and held the appointment of foreign Am ana who has unceasingly and unremit¬ bassador from President Adams Wrthan tingly endeavored to promote the pros¬ audacity characteristic of moie than one perity of the Union is stlil entitled to our warmest confidence. That we will use ail of his descendants, Mr. E°% avidity, rather than avoided, forensic proper and descent means to support the conflicts with the great nun. His daring re-election of said Robert Brown as mem¬ brought him into popular notice and won ber of Congress. the fdmiration of the rough The Federalists made no nomination and the contest narrowed down to one between coen from above the mountains, whose f Sdance and support he always re- t?® ? and Brown. The latter was elected. Thf result showed that while the older j taiafhe division into Poetical parties then -t . man held the voters from the older settled rroing on, the Rosses took the side of the \ riiqt! lets the young advocate had won the J-ffersonians or Democratic RepuULans affection’s of the backwoodsmen of Luzerne against the Adams men or Federalists. and Wayne where Ross received nearly^afi iu Bucks. Thomas Ross and his n, th« votes and Brown hardly aDy. lhe large Thomas, when ho returned *ro“ vofe fof him in Bucks showed the influ¬ York, joined hands with SsamuelD, Ingram, ence of his connection here. Strange to say, i i support of the Jeffersonians, while in Northampton, John threw down the gago of battle to Samuel Sitgraves. tne great Federal leader, and by a skilful use of the copular prejudice, broke his pow-r foi- fn^nasse to General Brown. Such Is the

sver, for there is no doubt that Mr bit ft. £ /!■ ^rave’s liTluenoe was finally des.^o^ed ' r,trough the part he took in Proa-cotiog Fries. There was much sympathy, especi¬ prUn1i8mWb%8 defeat in the first ally amongst the Germans for' Fries m his venture in a popular election, dim more, tax rebaliion, and the severity 0 , hfrn Adams’ Administration alienated ihem Ero5”ft.»n toff.om

student, and with other young men was In the centre of the domain which he his warm supporter. Thus circumstanced. Mnatned Ross Common he set apart the Mr. Koss set about strengthening his * family graveyard still owned by bis de- power. After his defeat by General Brown, ‘ 'scendants. Such preparation is suggestive he and his Bucks county relatives formed of family affliction. When be moved to an alliance with Samuel D. Ingham, and Doyles town the little graveyard had al¬ became the leaders of the McKean men. ready received more than one of its eter¬ The understanding then entered Into with nal occupants. His brother Thomas was Ingham lasted to their mutual advantage I burled there In 1815, and other graves were . for nearly twenty years, when causes of ‘-'--(there. His oldest son, George, a graduate which I shall speak later caused their lof Princeton, and admitted to the Bar In paths to diverge. In 1808 Mr. Ross again j 1818 had become embroiled In a quarrel became a candidate for Congress and was [over a young lady, and as the result of a successful. At the expiration of his term (duel was either dead or a wanderer. In he was appointed Prothonotary of North¬ (either instance, mourned by bis parents as ampton county. In those days the county dead. Another son had become incurably officers were not prohibited from practic¬ (afflicted as the result of sickness, and un¬ ing law, and owing to the particularity re¬ wise medical treatment. Of all who twenty quired in proceedings lawyers were years before had formed that alliance frequently appointed .by the Governor I promising so much, In and Ingham only to fill these offices. One person often held I survived to reap Us fruits Under these cir¬ all the offices, which made the appoint¬ cumstances It Is probable it was a relief to ment very desirable. Samuel D. Ingham, (change his home to the county of his while in Congress, held the office of Pro¬ father’s. He occupied the Ross mansion, thonotary. Judge James Biddle felt that soon to be torn down, at Main and Court . he was making a sacrifice when he resigned streets, which a few years later he pur¬ the Prothonotaryshlp of Philadelphia to chased of Judge Watts. He did not as¬ i accept the position of President Judge of sume his office unknown to the district Philadelphia, Bucks and Delaware. In 1814 lover which he was to preside. The follow¬ Mr. Ross was again elected to Congress ing contemporary account of him, pub- and re-elected in 1816 but resigned before ilished in the West Chester Village Record, serving out the term to accept the Judge- I is no doubt an impartial description of ship. On January 25. 1818, he was ap¬ him as a lawyer, and is well worth repro¬ pointed by Governor Findley to the office duction as fairly describing at least two of of President Judge of the Seventh Judicial I his grandsons, known to us. district, comprising the counties of Bucks, “It Is announced in the omciai paper at Montgomery, Chester and Delaware, made Harrisburg, that John Ross, Esq., mem¬ vacant by the resignation of Hon. Bird ber of Congress from the district com- , Wilson. The office was then held for life. posed of Northampton, Bucks, Wayne and Samuel D. Ingham, Judge Ross’ col¬ Pike counties, is appointed President; league in Congro^s, was then Prothono- Judge of the district composed of the j tory of the county. Mr. Ingham shortly counties of Chester, Delaware, Montgom- j after resigned his seat in CongidS® to be¬ ery and Bucks. There are, without doubt, j come Secretary of the Commonwealth i many gentlemen within the district, of We find the first order of the new Judge -both poiitical parties, well qualified to fill published by Mr. Ingham as Prothono- ' the office, numerous as are the requisites tory, required that when payments were and great as are the responsibilities. entered of record, the warrants or con¬ But the usuage has recently obtained, fessions must be filed of record. It is sur- in appointing Presidents of court to select prising that this had not always been re- gentlemen out of tbe districts; and for | quired. this satisfactory reason—that a lawyer John Roes now returned to the county of who was in full practice would be called his birth after an absence of over a quarter upon for years, to decide upon causes in of a century. He was in the prime of life which he had been interested as counsel; and no doubt felt a proud satisfaction in or frequently to leave the bench, coming back to tbo home of his ancestors If then, no disrespect h3S been shown !o to assume the duties of its most important >■ the district, the only remaining question office. Twenty-eight years before he had l is, whether the person selected is quali¬ gone hence to win fortune, a poor and un¬ fied for the station. Mr. Roes is a man of noticed school teacher. He had been suc¬ active mind and decided character, and cessful beyond ordinary expectation or K lias entered with zs&i into the political hope. In the State Legislature, in Con¬ contests of the day. It he has been the gress, In Society, at the Bar and In mate¬ favorite of Northampton county, which rial wealth he had and now occupied a fore - 'Y has for years been the strdngho.d of most position. Besides the valuable prop¬ Democratic principles, I nped not, say, that erty In Bucks county devised by his Eg io politics we widely differ. Under the brother Thomas he had amassed much present feelings or excitement perhaps it valuable real estate in Northampton i could not have been ..expected, .that Mr. county. In Easton he owned a pretentious rtTndleyWbuld select a judge home, and had acquired a tract of 343 acres ranks of his opponents, but it Is hoped of land in what is now Ross township Mon¬ l that he will exercise, at least, as much roe county. There at the Delaware Water liherality as his predecessor, and cot Gap he contemplated establishing his make injudicial appointments, a devotion family home, and erected a commodious to particular political tenets, an indispen- and for the time, handsome house The sible requisite to promotion. spot is undoubtedly a beautiful one situ¬ Mr. Ross has been, for the last, fifteen ated on the divide of the Delaware and years, in active practice in Northampton Lehigh. To the north, the waters flow to and the neighboring counties. In com¬ the Delaware; to the south, by thd beauti¬ mencing business he found Mr.Sitgravesat ful Aquanohicola to the Lehigh. the head of the Bar in that district—as he would have been from his talents, in any “The Lehigh to the Delaware flows ■ The Delaware to the sea.’’ other in the Union, instead of being de- ~ - jessed by the high standing and attain - inents of this gentleman, whom he must I history. Yet when we reflect that but for meet or shun, they awakened the ardent these harpies, Samuel D. Ingham would spirit of Mr. Ross to the highest exertions not have been driven away to rile out of of honorable emulation. Almost always the county he so long honored. John Boss engaged in opposition, it was for many in his old age and sickness would not years an interesting struggle of the one to have been hounded to his grave: the I maintain in exclusive honor the heights so belligerence and bitterness of'John Fcx i fairly gained, and of the other, at least, to and the reserve of Henry Chapman in share the enviable elevation. public would never have appeared to con This conflict naturally led to study, j accuracy in proceeding, vigilance to de¬ | ceal the affectionate devotion of the one fend from attack, and alertness to see and; , and the kindness and affability of the seize upon the weak points of his adver¬ other to family and friends; and when we sary’s argument or cause. Mr. Boss is, | recall the anguish bitter tears of their dear therefore, a learned and an able law¬ j orles, no doubt often endured in silence yer. As an advocate he neither aims : we cannot but despise the despicable na- at pathos, nor goes out of his way to round 1 tares of those who with the opportunitv a period, but he always opens his cause in a of reaching the unimformed so abused a clear manner, preserves the strong points sacred privilege, lucidly to view, and enforces his argu- A careful statement of the events con¬ j ments always with perspicuity, often nected with the course of Judge Boss | with eloquence. In mentioning the poll- during the remainder of his life requires j tics of Mr. Boss I mean only to gratify the greater space than can conveniently be ; natural curiosity of my readers who, Included in one paper. I shall therefore I when a new officer Is appointed wish to continue it In another paper. know •' all about him ” and not to intimate that his politics will Influence him on the ^ v, iTWO « 9 W-w » 9 9 Bench. Quite otherwise. There, I am confident in saying he will be known neither as a Federalist nor Democrat, but an Independent Judge, doing his duty without fear, favor or affection.” From, I have now reached a period in the career of my subject, when a just narra¬ tion of his life Involves largely the politi¬ cal history of the county, and the relations thereto of one or two of his successors on the Bench. It was the beginning, In this county, of Date, the era of personal politics and personal journalism. It is not an agreeable under¬ taking to delve into the history of that time, and by the cold unprejudiced light of time read the discreditable and often vulgar personalities of the local press. For THE CLAIM OF CONNECTICUT TO a period of seventy-five years, with a few WYOMING. honorable exceptions, it has been the mis¬ fortune, not to say disgrace of our county Read Before the Bucks County Historic: that, the editors of our newspapers, many of them strangers, abiding here but a Society, July 19, 1892, by. Rev. D. short time, mistaking the mission of true K. Turner, of Ijpftsville. journalism, have substituted, for the ad¬ vocacy of principles and the publication of [Concluded.] ideas, personal abuse and vilification. They have systematically chilled and Captain Ogden having recruited his warped the local patriotism of our people forces in Northampton county appeared by belittling the public services, and at- tacking the characters of our prominent before the fort in May. Finding it too men, prefering not to encourage local strong and well defended to De attacked pride and admiration by bestowing just with safety, he withdrew to the south¬ praise where worthily earned ward. A military company in showy 1 When one goes over the old flies of the newspapers of our county and reads the uniform under Colonel Francis Turbot, j unjust and nauseating abuse of Samuel D. from Philadelphia, reached the spot in ; Ingham, the Chapmans, the Pughs, the June, were likewise disheartened and re¬ ; Bosses, Fox McDowell and others, wlth- j out whom our county would indeed be treated below the mountains to await re¬ ! meagre of honorable mention invoiun- inforcements. During the summer many I tarliy the question arises. Is it possible more emigrants arrived from New Eng¬ j that a fair-minded and disinterested peo- land, but this did not deter the Pennsyl¬ ! pie who knew the worth of these men and honored them, would tolerate their dis¬ vanians irom efforts to expel them as in¬ credit by supporting such degrading truders. Another expedition was organ¬ journalism? ized by the Proprietaries, consisting of But succeeding generations have been about250 men, well armed and equipped, j more liberal and time evens up ail things. Now when these men are remembered j under Sheriff Jennings and Captain Og- f only with honor, the slander and those who / den, and sent to the scene of contention Invented it pollute one common grave of m September. A four-pound cannon also • oblivion. Who remembers the names even ot the vilifiers of fifty years ago who thus was forwarded, on a boat from Fort muted their opportunities. They Augusta, now Sunbury. This was the first piece of ordnance ever taken so far _up_the Susquehanna. In some way they j

: " ’ ■ - . V lournl opportunity to seize Captain Dur- kee and despatched him in irons to Phila- icanife up the stream in suchT&rge multi- delplna, where he was put in prison and 1 tudes m the spring that with the rudest held tor some months. nets of bark and long grape vines a I ^ ankees, when their leader was boundless profusion was taken. captured, and the formidable cannon But Governor Penn was not disposed was brought to bear on them, despaired to abandon'the contest. He issued a ot victory and entered into articles of proclamation forbidding all persons capitulation, by which three or four ot making any settlement at Wyoming > them were to be retained as prisoners, without the authority of himself or his seventeen were to remain at Wyoming to agents, and then raised the largest armed gather the harvest, and the rest were to force he could muster and commissioned leave the valley immediately. Private it under his intrepid assistant, Ogden, property was not to be disturbed. When to expel the Yankees. The plan ot this i rJ hJul gone Ogden, in total disregard active officer was to march with the ut¬ i ol the terms of surrender, seized the cattle, most secrecy and celerity, and surprise j uorses and sheep and everything else he I them. Taking an unusual route by the could dispose ot, and sent them to places °, warrior’s path, which passed through ! on the Delaware to be sold. The seven- I I the Delaware Water Gap, he descended i j teen lett to harvest the crops, now with- i suddenly from the mountains upon them, out means ot sustenance, were compelled, I as they were scattered in small parties with sad hearts and in extreme destitu- ; ( busily at work on the cultivated plain, tion , to trace their way through the woods I j A considerable number were captured back to Connecticut. Thus ended the and the remainder fled to Fort Durkee. struggie pf !7fi9. The Pennsylvanians! This post, though bravely defended,’ having dislodged the Yankees three Ogden soon took by storm; the leaders the valley16 m uudi'sPuted possession of were imprisoned in Philadelphia, the rest in Easton, and their property became Hoping that their opponents would oe the spoil ot the victors. m1woaU t make 110 more attempts The triumphant partisan was now con- to locate there, Jennings and Ogden left fluent, that, after being four times driven ten men in the tort to guard it and care away from the contested ground, the ££ Property, and went themselves to hated Yankees would not dare to appear : Philadelphia to spend the winter. But there again. A company of twenty men in February, 1770, while enjoying the was left to guard the fort and vicinity luxuries ot city life, they were startled to during the winter, and with glad hearts learn that a company ot forty persons the main body of the Pennsylvanians trorn Lancaster county, Pa., and ten sought their homes. But the quiet that Connecticut people had obtained a town¬ rested upon the valley, was not to re¬ ship ot laud from the Susquehanna main long unbroken. On the 18th of De¬ company, repaired to Wyoming, driven cember Captain Lazarns Stewart with = gar?s<’"from the fort and planted twenty men from Connecticut, swooped then standards on its walls. Captain down unexpectedly upon the garrison, c°llooted fifty men with all the who in careless security had not even sBefd. P°ssible and hastened to the arena stationed a sentinel, and put them to fn Fhe"he fo""d stronghold flight. The pertinacious adherents ot the '?Jhe hands ot the strangers and too well Susquehanna company were once more defended to be easily subdued, he took m possession of the coveted prize. With up his quarters at Mill creek, about a the commencement of 1771 the second milem1Stianu’ and Proceeded to fortify the year of the contest expired, and all efforts old block house, while waiting for re- to banish the eastern adventurers perma¬ enforcements. Help was not easily nently had proved abortive. But the obtained. Many of the people of Penn¬ proprietaries were not discouraged. With sylvania disliked the proprietary govern- great exertion they soon secured one “eQt. They knew that the prof rimrns hundred volunteers and in thirty days had employed surveyors to set off most from the time Ogden’s force had been ex¬ i ot the rich land for themselves, and their pelled, he himself with his new command 1 w!hngS *we?'e enlisted with those who was near Fort Durkee. His first care was were actual settlers. Governor Penn to provide shelter for his men from the in¬ experiencing great difficulty in raising clemency of the weather. As the old fort troops, applied to General Gage, Com- at Mill creek, besides being in ashes, was mander-m-Chief of His Majesty’s forces too distant, they set about building one m North America, then in New York, for only sixty rods from the enemy. At this assistance in repressing what he termed they worked with such unflagging in¬ fDd "Principled invasion. dustry that in three or four days it was The general replied: “ The affair in nearly completed. Then Sheriff Hack- question seems to be a dispute concern- lein, acking as a civil officer, advanced to PfpPertT> in which I cannot but hort Durkee, and demanded its surren¬ Touid be improper for der in the name and by the authority of the King s troops to interfere.” The the government of Pennsylvania. Cap¬ Connecticut people soon attacked Ogden tain Stewart, standing with four or five and alter varying fortune, with the aid of others upon an elevated spot, answered, the cannon, compelled him to surrender That he had taken possession in the and retire from the vicinity. Then fear- n ame and behalf of the Colony of Connec¬ tbei5 adversaries might return ticut, in whose jurisdiction they were • will larger torces and occupy the Mill and in that name and by that authority creek fortress again, they set it on fire ! he would defend it.” and burned it to the ground. All was In thus assuming to act in behalf ot now quiet along the banks of the smiling Connecticut he transcended his authority, Susquehanna. The New Englanders, for neither the Executive nor the As- relieved ot annoyance from their southern neighbors, applied themselves to the labors of the farm and to the more agree¬ able employment of catching shad^which sembly had officially sanctioned the war¬ dressed himself in his drenched cloi_ like proceedings of its citizens in that and hat, perforated with bullets, a,«* region. But it had deeded the land to with the speed of the roe-buck was in the the Susquehanna Company, in which city on the third day, having accomplish¬ many of the principal men were pecun¬ ed one hundred and twenty miles, through a most rough and inhospitable iarily interested, and all the people es¬ wilderness.” poused their cause. Hence it is not strange that for effect its name should be His statements of the danger in which employed in the refusal to surrender. his men were,awakening intense interest The sheriff withdrew to the new block- in Philadelphia, a considerable force was house, called Fort Wyoming, which was raised and forwarded to relieve them. put with all dispatch into the best possi¬ But Captain Butler pushed on the siege, ble state of defence. Everything being and after several had been wounded and in readiness,Captain Ogden,accompanied hostilities had continued four months, by his brother Nathan and most of his the fort was surrendered to him and the ground was left in the control of the troops, advanced to Fort Durkee, and Yankees. after receiving a denial to a summons for surrender, began to fire. The besieged re¬ The war had. lasted nearly three years. turned it promptly, and at the first The New Englanders had foiled the volley four of Ogden’s men fell, among schemes of their opponents to compel them to forsake a region they believed to them his brother, a noble young man, be within the limits of the colony, to who in a few moments expired. This I sharp repulse induced the attacking which they owned allegiance. The set¬ tlers multiplied, and for sdrne years en¬ | party to retire, taking with them their joyed peace. In 1773 the General Assem¬ 1 wounded and dead. Captain Stewart, aware that the pro¬ bly of Connecticut sent a commission to prietaries were peculiarly exasperated Philadelphia to confer with the Governor and council upon the claims of the two against him, and that this battle would arouse their anger to a still higher pitch, colonies, but no satisfactory result was concluded it would be most prudent to reached. The Eastern people having put himself out of their reach. Accord-, formed a settlement on the West Branch ingly during the night, after the conflict, at Muncy, the proprietaries in 1775 sent Colonel Plunket with a company of with twenty or thirty of his most experi- j troops against it. Little resistance being enced soldiers, he abandoned the fort, offered, he took the men prisoners and leaving about twenty behind, who were placed them in jail at Sunbury, and sent less exposed than himself to the ill will the women and children to Wyoming of the enemy. The next day Ogden seiz¬ where many of them had friends. After ed the place and sent the garrison to jail this no further attempts were made by at Easton. This was the fifth time the Connecticut to plant her citizens on the Yankees had been forestalled in their West Branch. attempts to make the valley their own. During the war of the Revolution the They still, however, persisted in their people at Wyoming passed through determination to occupy it. In the spring of 1772 Captain Zebulon fearful sufferings from Indians,the actual loss of life being probably three hun¬ Butler and Captain Stewart, with 150 dred, or one in ten of the inhabitants, ex¬ men, arrived from Connecticut and laid ceeding one-third of the adult male popu¬ seige to Fort Wyoming. So closely was 1 lation at the commencement of the strug¬ it invested that the inmates could obtain ! gle. All the United Colonies at the same no provisions, and could send out no ratio would have lost 300,000. messenger with a call for succor, and Soon after the contest with Great Brit¬ they were soon reduced to the verge of ain was virtually closed, in 1782, Con¬ starvation. Captain Ogden, seeing that he could hold out but little longer, unless gress, at the request of Pennsylvania and Connecticut* appointed a court of five relief was obtained, determined to leave gentlemen from different States to trv the fort himself, though at the risk of his the validity of their claims to the terri¬ life, and carry tidings of his extremity tory m dispute. After a session at Tren¬ to Philadelphia. The mode in which he ton, N. J., of forty-one days they arrived accomplished his perilous task is thus at the conclusion that the civil jurisdic¬ narrated: “A little past midnight on tion and pre-emption belonged to Penn¬ the 12th of July, when all was quiet, one sylvania. To this decision, which was a of the Yankee sentinels saw something source of great surprise to multitudes, floating on the river having a very Connecticut cheerfully submitted,though suspicious appearance. A shot awaken¬ it entailed the loss of a splendid domain, ed attention, and directed the eyes of for which her citizens had been long con¬ every other sentinel to the spot. A vol¬ tending at the cost of much suffering and ley was poured in, but producing no ap¬ great expense. Upon the events which parent effect; the thing still floated gent- I followed in the subsequent history of ly with the current, the firing was sus¬ Wyoming and which were of a most stir¬ pended, while the wonder grew what the ring and memorable character, time for object could be. Captain Ogden had tied bids us to enter. his clothing in a bundle, and fastened his hat to the top ; to this was connected a | string of several yards in length, which i he fastened to his arm. Letting himself | noiselessly into the water, swimming 1 so deeply on his back as only to allow his mouth to breath, the whole movement demanding the most extraodinary skill and self-possession, he floated "down, drawing the bundle after him. As he had calculated, this being the only object visible, drew the fire of his foes. He es¬ caped unhurt, and when out of danger "F™ ? fi - t or' PROUB OF ITS UM r „ f\JL l ( > / From,.' Srr.F.... Newtown Has One That Dates Clear h Back to 1760. SfiSuJ?*-

THE REVOLUTION CLOSED IT Bate,

But it Took Life Again and is Now it its name. Tradition hns ic that Penn, More Flourishing Than Ever. on one occasion during a ride up coun¬ A Credit to Bucks try to look at some portions of his mg, farm, reached the spot now occupied by County. the pretty hamlet. Itwas covered with a thick growth of heavy timber, -with a stream' of clear water and several good springs. Delighted with the natural The 185th anniversary of the estab¬ beauty of the surroundings, Penn, ex- , lishment of the oldest public library in claimed, “I propose this for my new I Bucks County, the Newtown Library, town.” The delightful springs soon be¬ took place last Friday. Its long exist¬ came known, and were a stopping place ence- is a matter of pride not only to for the pioneers, and, in this way the Newtown borough, but to the whole place was named “Newtown before a county. “Old Sucks” has a number of house was built. Neshammy Creek old libraries among the thriving towns j winds around the north and west of the (within its fertile borders, attention hav- > town, and through its centre courses a line been called to the 9o-year-Pld Lang- j smaller stream, Newtown Creek. borne Library a week ago. Of ail these j worthy institutions hone are so vener- . Hbw IT WAS STAB TED. able as the Newtown Library. It was ; When the library was started the ham¬ organized on August 9, 1760, and has let was the country seat, and the whole been conducted continuously ever since country was yet peaceful undertbe sov¬ with the exception of a few years during ereignty of KJng George. T^e first the troublous times of the Revolution. meetings were held at the faipous old The peaceful and charming village ot Red Lion Inn. still standing, but new Newtown, the seat of this old horary, assuming the unpretentious title of the mav well claim to be Philadelphia s own “Brick Hotel.” The first o-rectors were sister city, for it was founded by Wil- _' .afliiential members ~of the conHntsn- ity, Jonathan Du Bois, Abraham a7m_ .Bin ■■■II i £ - •-_ Chapman, Amos Strickland, Daria After the battle of Trenton 1000 Hes¬ sian prisoners were quartered in New¬ Townmg and Henry Margerum. town, and the old Presbyterian church, Ihe secretary was Thomas Chap- erected in 1709 and still standing, was masi; treasurer, John Harris, and used as a hospital. Many years after- librarian, Joseph Thornton. The di¬ the bones of an English officer rectors often met at the librarian’s house, who died in the church were dug up in where the books were kept, and at other altering the building. times at the Red Lion. The town was an important military Secretary Chapman was a faithful I rendezvous during the succeeding years scribe and a good penman. The old and attached to itself no little 'Revolu¬ chronicles of the society, still carefully tionary interest. During these years the preserved, are perfectly legible and show library remained disbanded, but in Oc- evidences of good keeping. Prom these toocr, 1783, after peace had been de¬ records it may be judged that the lit¬ clared, reorganization took place erary tastes of the library’s patrons were rather severe. The fifty volumes pur¬ Through the efforts of Directors David chased in Philadelphia that first formed Town mg, Henry WynkOop, Thomas the library’s circulation were evidently Jenks, Timothy Taylor and Joseph Chap- selected to train a high, if dry, vein of man, the little library was again firmlv thought. Among the volumes were established. But in 178S it was again “Rowing’s Philosophy,” “Dignity of Hu¬ about to disband, owing to a lack of man .Nature,” “Paradise Lost,” “Watt’s interest, when a younger element took Loglck,” “Dictionary of the Arts and ‘Ci¬ charge, and incorporated a library as¬ on ces’ ” and others of the same character. sociation, with 45 members. The char- Evidently the careful fathers took good ter urns granted by act of Assembly on care that no literature of the French I Marco .27, 1789, and under this charter novel or Wild West varieties, should be the society still exists. circulated to disturb the peace of the HAS A SUBSTANTIAL HOME. community. In 1824 the first building for the li¬ Few changes occurred with the library brary was erected, a little frame struc¬ until the breaking out of the Revolution. ture on Court street, in the rear of The subscribers paid their annua! dues houses which are said to have been of 10 shillings, and were evidently de¬ built by Penn. Tn this building the lighted when such acquisitions as library existed, with varying fortunes, “-Burns’ Justice,” “Rollins’ Roman His¬ Pn,LA. 1^82, when a substantial brick tory” and other works on science and Dimaing on a corner lot Was erected theology were added to the library’s . Ihere are at present 3478 books in the shelves, as is recorded. But when the library, and the number is being added first mutterings of colonial revolt were to every year. In 1887 Anna Mary Wil¬ heard in 1774, and erstwhile friends were liamson bequeathed $4000. the interest divided into patriots and Tories, the I of which is to be devoted to adding to little library was temporarily forced out the library s books—a similar bequest to of existence by the momentous impend¬ ihe one she made to the Langhome li- ing struggle. brary. Care is still exercised that litera¬ FORGOTTEN IN THE REVOLUTION. ture of questionable merit remains ex- In the years of war that followed the £in!i7‘l> froln itf? emulation. MiSs wil- library. was forgotten. Newtown throb¬ s,0V provides that the bed with the spirit of the Revolution, jk bouslltT of a standard! and a number of the library subscribers entered the Continental Army, never to return to the green little hamlet. Dur¬ ing the battle of Trenton General Greene I made his headquarters at the Red Lion, From,.. .Ae and Washington made hie headquarters in the town during 1776, in an old stone I AaJa.K

Date,

r t t r I .ft /a f. f «.«-» OLD ST. JAMES’ CHURCH AT BRISTOL

--— Newtown’s Public Library. house which still stands. On the day A Landmark of History with iollowing the battle of Trenton, Decem¬ ber 27, 1770, he returned to Newtown Many Memorable Asso¬ and wrote a letter to Congress giving an account of the victory. He left the ciations. town two days later, crossed the Dela¬ ware and outflanked. Cornwallis at the EXCERPTS FROM THE RECORDS During the Ha volution the Original toettheWAaS ci,°3en as its first messenger Edifice Was Used as a OavalTy to the American Colonies. His mission Stable — Prominent Ohuroh- Gosnei° fread the teachings o he Wew t °n& the eastern shores o*

men Who Have Been On thetne1 " BritisbBritishnnSylVan!a man-of-war and which hnr„ Reoiors. Talbott0whonhriCa W“ a chaP-a-n named. Ih becameenthusiastic over he PlanS ,that he was Permuted to b® J11® comPanion in the work The Fall of 1702 found the ardent couple at an- OMBW hat of chorage on the Delaware, off Burlington the relation which their voyage happily finished. Talbot be' historic Christ aUraCted Bt tS Church, in Phila¬ at Burlington, or Borlingtowne as it delphia, holds to was then called, that heconeluded to the Province of de™,5f remainder of his life there Pennsyl vania to the Parishes of Burlington does the vener¬ able St. James hfandana KeithK°eithh bhad !f tterorganized. beinS whS Church,of Bristol, THE HUMBLE BEGINNING bear to Bucking- ham (now Bucks) J„he to come to Bristol was Keith, County. The church edifice of this lat¬ who obtained valuable assistance from ter was completed exactly seventeen Anthony Burton and John Rowland, years after that of the Philadelphia extensive land owners, who had former- parish. Prom its deeds, vestry minutes and other manuscripts we are enabled to gather a fair knowledge of its colonial origin and history. In 1690 George Keith, the distinguished Friend, sailed for England, a convert to Anglo-Catholicism, to return twelve years later as a missionary of the Church of England. In 1701 the So¬ ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was organized in London,—and in_the following- year

ST. JAMES* CHURCH, BRISTOL. come to the grant which furnishe quaint ianfl valu- ly been of the Friends persuasion. Bur¬ able indication of th« manner• in which in Pennsyl- ton and Rowland (the latter came over early deeds~ ) were d awn .. 'To All Chris- on the Welcome with Penn), gave their vania. I-It --is addressed time and means to build up this ancient iian People: The gr;■antor therein de¬ ls to bo held in parish. The former, about 1710, gave dares that the land of t le church, without Talbot a valuable tract to the north of trust for the use cf 1 ihallenge, claim or de¬ what was then the only road in Bristol, any manner of chall the King’s Highway—now known as mand from the gran ton). It names as thistee: ih Radcllffe Street. Upon this ground was ister for the time being for ever built a small church, which was com- first trustee to hold the legal tit nleted in 1712, and at that time was jaev. Robert Wevman, rector

j&Mi

THU OLD CBOKCH OP ST. JAMES. time the instrument was executed. Then, as was the custom, the grantor war¬ situated in a wood on a lane just be¬ rants the title and Matthew V. Rue yond the first Friends’ meeting house. and Thomas Worrall (two vestrymen) The only Information we have regard¬ witness the document and Anthony Bur¬ ing the origin of the building is to be ton has affixed his signature. Beside found on the title page of Book 2, St. the seal of the county is the name of James’ Church, New Bristol (which “Lawrence Growdon, Esq., one of tne contains the minutes of the vestry). Justices, etc., for the County of Bucks. Here is the inscription:— THE ORIGINAL CHURCH. "The Proceedings of the Vestry of The edifice erected on the band .thus "ST. JAMES’ CHURCH. given, through the financial “New Bristol. of Burton, Rowland, the De Norman- "In the County of Bucks and Province of dies and others, was one-story high and "PENNSYLVANIA corrDOScd of brick and stone. "THIS CHURCH was built by Sub- church, if such It could be called, faced serlntlon of sevl. well disposed persons the east, and the chancel contained but two articles—a plain communion table andPbelng finished was dedicated to the and a reading desk. At t.^ r®ar honour of St. James the Greater (the of the church was the pulpit, un festival of that apostle being ye 2ath derneath of ' which stood the chair day of July). of the “clarke. The nave at first "ANNO DOMI. 1712. contained but ten pews. on either side were two small windovs "The land appropriated for a Church filled with panes of ordinary glass. Yard and Burying Ground is thus de-^ The first pew, directly undertheread- scribed:—"etc.,—“Given by Anthony Bur¬ ing desk, was reserved in the giant to the use of Anthony Burton and his ton, Gent., for the Use and purpose heirs and assigns forever. Under this aforesaid, according to the following 1 pew Burton upon his decease was in¬ Grant or Deed of Gift, to the minister terred. A small spire rose above the of the said Church for the time being for ever.” n£Freom the date of the church’s con¬ This precious volume, which is m trie secration until 1733 there is no record of the progress of the little parish, al keeping of the present rector, Rev. Wil- though the church was continuously in lkvm Bryce Morrow, contains the vestry use, and the congregation under the minutes from 1712 to 1776 and from 1806 to pastoral care of various missionaries ol 1832 inclusive. A glance over its pages gives one a fair idea of the town itself as it was at that period and an Interesting glimpse of its pioneer inhabitants. ) Naturally, both Mr. O'dell and Aar. Lewis, then pastor of St. Mary’s, sided with the Crown and hence St. James’ the venerable Society for the Propaga- was left without a spiritual guide. The tlon of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. minutes of this year (1775) are hastily The first minutes of the vestry extant written, the only thing at all noteworthy begin with the exclamation, "Laus contained therein being this: “Agreed Deo!” and continue:— that the Space of Ground which lies im¬ “The Parishon-es being met, Present mediately betwixt the Pulpit and Mr. the Rev. Mr. Robert Weyman, By the Anthony Burton’s Pew shall be set apart Majority of Voices elected for the Ensu¬ for a Public Pew for the’ Accommodation ing Year.” Matthew Rue and Francis of Strangers resorting to this place.” Gandout are chosen church wardens, “And the following Persons to Consti¬ A CAVALRY STABLE. tute ye Vestry: Mr. John Abraham De In 1776, as a late rector has said, ‘‘the Normandie, Mr. William Hope, Mr. church was soon deserted and desecrated John Anthony De Normandie, Mr. John in becoming a stable for the horses of Bessonett, Mr. William Gregory, Mr. William Silverstone, Mr. Evan Harris, the American cavalry.” After the Revo¬ Mr. Matthias Keene, Mr. John Williams, lution the former house of God was used Mr. Jonathan Bourne, Mr. Thomas as a barn, and during this period it Worrall.” The Vestry placed Mr. Wey- was consumed by fire. The country I man’s salary, for the year, at £10, and church yard even as late as 1806 must engaged one Samuel Watkins as have been, to say the least, desolate, “Clarke.” for in that year the dying request of a At the vestry meeting in the following parishioner was that he be not “buried year the minutes say that it was in that neglected ground.” Half a cen¬ “Agreed that the present Ch. Wardens tury earlier (in 1758) Graydon wrote, imploy a proper person to enclose the “And on a still more retired spot stood | Communion-Table with decent Rails, a small Episcopal church, whose lonely ; and to make such necessary Repairs as graveyard, with its surrounding wood now appear to be wanting to the scepery might have furnished an ap¬ Church and Church House.” By a sub- propriate theme for such a muse as j sequent record we find that these Gray’s.” “Rails” cost 11 shillings! At the organization of the Diocese of INDICATIONS OF PROGRESS. Pennsylvania, in 1785, the parish was represented in the person of Christo¬ Passing to the year 1738 we find that pher Merrick. It has had since its re¬ “The Parishioners being mett, Present viving in 1806, to the present time, eight¬ the Rev’ed William Lindsay, Minister een rectors, some of whom have been for the Time being, elected and chosen men of note in the Episcopal Church of for ye Ensuing year.” The ministers America. salary was increased to £24. John Abra¬ In a secluded spot south of where the ham Normandie and John Bessonett De little church stood lie the remains of are named as church wardens. This ! the De Normandies. This family held latter gentleman was a Huguenot who feudal tenures in the province of Ch.am- came to Bristol in 1731 and was the pro- pagne. For several centuries the eldest I prietor of the then famous^King George male' in the direct line bore the title Hotel on the King’s Highway. In 1739 of "Lord de la Motte.” Some of the It was by the vestry “Agreed that ye descendants drifted to Switzerland, and Present Church Wardens Build at the , to America came in 1706 Andre De Nor¬ | Back of ye Church between ye north mandie in the role of a persecuted and windows a Vestry Room Eleven feet fugitive Huguenot. Andre was accom¬ wide & Sixteen feet Back, one Story panied by his two sons, John Abraham high and ye walls of brick and to Build and John Anthony. The father died in a chimney in the North end and all 1724 and the headstone raised over his other Conveniences that they may mortal remains bears this inscription:— think necessary, and to Repair ye "ANDREW DE NORMANDIE Church windows and shutters and such “Dyed ye 12th of Dec’er ; other things as are neadful to Be done, “1724. Aged 72 years.” and for defraying ye Charges thereof It i Is furder agreed that ye said Church On either side1 lies the dust of the two Wardens take into their Hands the sons: Anthony, who died in the Spring money Dew to ye Church from Mr. J. of 1748, and Abraham, who followed hla Abraham De Normandie, and ye Estate brother ten years later. Each of these of Jonathan Bourne and Matthias brothers occupied the office of church Keene and that ye Money to Be Col¬ warden for a short period. lected in ye Church be aproprlated to Hard by the graves of this princely that use, and If that Is not suffisslent family is the resting place of one con¬ then the Church lay their acco-ts Be¬ cerning whom we have no record save fore the Vestry to Consider furder etc." that found on her tombstone, as fol¬ The debt mentioned amounted to £27. lows: “Here Lyeth the body of | Mr. Lindsay was succeeded in 1842 by SARAH BULLOCK Mother of Thos Sugar of the City of Philadelphia Car¬ Rev. Colin Campbell. This gentleman penter who Departed this Life Augy was a grandson of the High Sheriff of 16th, 1734 Aged 34 years & Six monthes.” Nairn, and married the daughter of Jus¬ tice Bard of the Supreme Court of New On the reverse is rudely carved a skull Jersey. and beneath it is the following:— In 1743 that immense vdstry room (11x16 ft. !) was not completed. At this “Who e’er thou art, with tender heart, time the colonial parishioners resolved Stay, Read and think of mee, to “get ye church whitewashed.” and As thou art now so once was 1 likewise ten years later ordered that As i am now so shalt thou be.” the pews “be rated in a just proportion to the quantity of Ground the said sev¬ This is the second oldest stone that Is eral Pews shall take.” The country par¬ fully decipherable. sons then were not unlike those of to-day A few paces to the right of the walk in some respects. In 1755 the vestry con¬ j leading to the vestibule of the church cluded to fix the amount due the mis¬ edifice is a humble piece of marble, about sionary and the meek man agreed to four and one-half feet high, which bears labor among them for three' years for a I the following record:— recompense of £10 per year. At the ex¬ piration of that time he had received "Sacred to the memory of but £11, leaving £19 still unpaid. Ten years ANTONIN FURCY PlCQUET, prior to the Revolution ReV. Colin Camp¬ Knight of the Order of St. Lewis, bell died, and the Rev. Mr. O’dell, a sur¬ Capt. of the French Navy and geon in the British Army, took his place. Consul of France for the states of The last record we find of the colonial Massachusetts, New Hampshire and days of the parish is that of the Sum¬ mer preceding the' anno mirabilis, 1776. *J Marne; Born In Prance in the year 1777, Died in Bristol, August 31, 1816. Requiescat in paee.”-

TJis old gentleman carried in his body' a bullet received in a duel fought in France prior to his journey to America. Alongside of his remains are interred those of his -femme de charge. NOTABLES OP THE DEAD PAST. Just north of where the first church stood is the grave of Captain John Clark, of the British Troops. The memory of Clarke is worth a passing note. He was a distinguished soldier, who, a few years before the Revolution, settled on Badg¬ er’s Island, south of Bristol. At one time the captain was a worshipful master in the Bristol lodge of the Masonic Order. Farther on lies the body of John Green, LtUl.tt « « a captain in the American navy, who first had the honor to carry \pur flag on a voyage around the world. He brought EARLY SETTLERS. to America the first batch of Shanghai fowls. Near the grave of Green is that of John Sharp, captain Tenth United States Infantry. Rumor has it that Sharp, The Residents of Durham while in command of his regiment above the borough, in 1798, became infatuated i with a woman named Sarah McElroy, as j During' the Revolution. did also a quartermaster of his regi¬ ment. The enraged captain challenged) his inferior to a duel, the outcome of) A Paper Prepared by William J. Buck, which is apparent by the stone erected to ' his memory, The officer fell at the sec¬ And Read Berore the Buckwampun ond fire. Sarah McElroy died unmarried a-nd her grave is close to that of her im-1 Historical Association at Durham, June petuous lover, John Sharp. In the early part of the present century came a Prus¬ 15, 1895. sian nobleman, Baron Ludwig Niedestee- ter, with his Baroness Hortense and their infant, Ludwig, to Summer at the Bath Springs, then the Carlsbad of America. In the course of recent researches I be- Whilst sojourning there fho son suc¬ «ame impressed at the amountof original cumbed to a fever and is buried a few materials existing on this subject between yards distant from the fatally attractive maiden, Sarah. the years 1775 and 1783; the information Among a score of other stones worthy of mention are noted a marble in mem¬ from which has been embodied in a brief ory of Elizabeth, relict of William Hew- paper to be read on this occasion from son. William Hewson, F. R. S., prior meeting on the very soil to which it re¬ to his departure for America was a pro¬ A" - fessor of anatomy in an English univer¬ lates. That I should have ever been sity. A small headstone bears the name enabled to render it as complete and of George Gillespie, who died in 1781. Ho was the grandfather of the present within so short a time I could not have Bishop of Woste’rn Michigan, Right Rev. ; George De Normandie Gillespie, D. D. fancied. As a valuable and reliable con¬ The great English actor, Thomas Cooper, tribution to the history of the township, after being shamefully driven from the is now’ respectfully ottered, and no doubt London playhouses, ended his davs in may tend to correct some preconceived Bristol. He built a house1 on Radcliffe . V ideas thereon. J shall first touch on Street, overlooking the Delaware, which those to whom it is proposed to give the is now the residence of Mrs. Richard Henry Morris. Cooper was for several most space and desire it understood that years a vestryman of St. James’, an! at of all not otherwise mentioned that their his decease was interred in the parish residence was here in 1776 and occasion¬ churchyard. Not a stone’s throw from ally sometime earlier. the tomb of Cooper lies another rep¬ Thomas Pursell was the owner of a resentative of the English stage, John farm of 176 acres and on which he con¬ Henry, who in 1794, was carried away by consumption. His remains are in¬ tinuously resided as late as 1794. In 1791 terred in a leadeh casket. Upon the had thereon a grist and saw mill and top of the vault is a thin marble slab conducted a ferry. This W’as at the pres¬ bearing his name, the date of his death ent village ol Lehnenburg formerly called and an enumeration of his virtues which Monroe. He no doubt made all the im¬ latter would occupy a page or two of provements on bis purchase, having a foolscap. Beneath a large shaft of granite i-e'sts the mortal body of David front of 151 perches on the Delaware and I-andreth, the father of the seed indus¬ lay nearly all south of Rodge’s run, and try in America. The body of Rowland .known as No. 13, of the Durham tract Stevens was interred in this ground division of 1773. 1775 he was appointed Stevens was a wealthy London banker the first constable ol Durham and with¬ and for a time represented his county in the House of Commons. out doubt the first settler and improver Within a few months the parish sexton of the place. It is probable that he was in digging a fresh grave1 brought his the son of Dennis and Ruth Pursell, of spade in contact with something hard. Springfield, the owners and occupants ot Lpon examination he found, at a depth the Biehn homestead below Bursonville of about four feet, the bones of two pe- from 1753 to 1761. Adjoining Thomas on culiarly large men. By those acquainted with the early history of the countv. the north, Peter Pursell, his brother, lived they are’ believed to be the remains of on a tract of 164 acres, No, 12, extending Kevolutionary patriots. People with an to the river and is mentionded in 4776 as antiquarian bent of mind could pass a having “many children,” hence some day hardly anywhere filled with as much .reason that the surname in this vicinity satisfaction as in poking and peering has not yet become extinct. They were about in the churchyard of old St. James’, Bristol. r. m? •ft;”*-', v '' Tvr-ffC 3 489acres,sixhorsesand tencattle.It

—B imissioned secondlieutenantinCaptain iRamsey, asingleman.Hewascom- utes todine.This,nodoubt,wasnear Durham orCook’screek,andwasa here betweentheyears1779and1787. hither fromthetopofGallowsHill(now well todofamily,whosesurnamehasre¬ man. Thiswaslonghereanotedand ploy aservantandJohnOrr,single his territoryhadincreasedto430acres. signer forthetownshipin1775andone Stony Point)byanIndianpathanda the lateJohnHoupt’smill,havingcome justice ofthepeacein1777andcontinued nent officeholder.He_wasappointeda He wasanactivepatriotandapromi¬ being stillretainedbyhisdescendants. cently becomeextinct. later years.In1776hehadinhisem¬ He heldtheofficeofassessorin1782and line 402acresisituatedonbothsidesof mentioned asemployesoftheironworks David, HughandRobertWilsonare performed, September19,1737,itisstated retailer ofrum,”andalsoasan“Indian is mentionedasresiding“nearDurham,

ploy, besidesEvanPugh andPatrick He keptanindenturedservan tinhisem¬ in 1778andforseveralsubsequent years, major oftheThirdBucksCountyBat¬ M— sessor of382acres,andlocatednearthe of itsfirstoverseersthepoor.In1786 one ofthepioneerfamilies.James, was likelyhisdescendant.Ifsothisis line ofblazedtrees.ThesaidFrancis creek, wheretheystoppedfifteenmin¬ meadows oftheaforesaid,thenoccupied that atnoonsaidcompanyarrivedinthe in activeservice.In1730GeorgeWilson Heinline’s companyMay6,1777,andwas by hiswidow,onwhichwasCook’s Durham intoatownship.Thefollowing !ferry whereisnowthesaidvillage.There ment. TheLongs, liketheWilsonsand succeeding in1784asacounty commis¬ centre ofthetownship,aportionthereof as thebeginningof1776,andpos¬ trader.” WhentheIndianwalkwas allegiance to the newtormofgovern¬ was beforehim,duringthe Revolution, sioner; alsoforseveralyears assessor. and neighboring townshipsgaveintheir year hehadlivingwithhimSamuel farm of189acres,wasasignertothepeti¬ family werethefoundersofthisplace. Craigs, areofScotch-Irish origin. that manyof theresidentsofDurham O’Kane. In1791hewas the ownerof talion May6,1777,memberofAssembly therein to1791,ifnotlater.Hewas 'and in1774purchased225acresonthe tion, June13,1775,fortheerectionof Anthony andJacob,bothsinglemenin and cannonballsonaDurhamboatto 1781, whoconveyedfortheFurnaceiron six acres.Hehadatleasttwosons, It appearsby1794hehadsoldtherefrom liudicates anHishorigin. they erectedseveralhouses,hencethis up ontheEasternportionofhistract. first improvements.In1781wascollec¬ village ofRiegelsvillehassincegrown tor ottaxesforDurhamandhadaferry he removedandlikelymadethereonthe established before178G.Theflourishing Delaware, kn>wnasplotNo.32,onwhich early inthenorthwestcornerofDurham, Thomas Longwashereatleastasearly hiladelphia andlaterhadchargeofthe Henry HouDtownedattheSpringfield Francis Wilson,theproprietorofa Wendell Shank,orSckeuck,settled brprismg menanamenameJjen and rented withit2401 acresotland. He which timehe carriedontheironworks ers ofDurham townshipinJune,1775,at still remainin thevcinity. Durham. Descendantsof thelamily to 1786.Hewasacollector oftaxesin continuous residentonhis farmdown an originalsignerforthetownship anda there priorto1750. numerous inNockamixon, datingback doubt werehissons.This familyis in thetownship1780andlater,no! line andthefarmotPhilipKressler,be¬ Conrad andMichaelKeyser,whoresided! ing plotNo.19oftheDurhamtract.I Durham roadadjoiningtheNockamixon! continued onhisfarmdownto1782,if said twocompanieshavebeenlost, not later.Itlayonbothsidestheoldi to beregrettedthatthemusterrollsof| close ofthefblowingyear.Itismuch close ofthe'f1!?gthereiatoalmostthe and totheSecondBattalion,May10 andhto tlABnfSr,Countybattalion hf YheS.mrY1S!D10n,edcaPtaiu,May6,1777, be IndePendence.Forhisservices and anearlyactiveparticipantotthe of thesignersfortownshipin1775 most likelysometimelater.Hewaebne 91 acresandwasstillthereonin1794 ham andSpringfieldwheretheyhave year. DescendantsstillresideinDur been continuouslandholdersy■ acres andwascollectoroftaxesforsaid' on aGSacretract,Johnin1794ownldlOO prior toLSI,thesecondin1786residedI Peter andJohn.ThefirstwasofageI rou acresmL86.HehadsonsTnenh 190 acre?inP?«’WaSateamstertoPhiladelphil distance abovethevillageofDurham the nameofFry’sRun,andsodenoted from thenorthsideintocreekashort , sidesolthecreekforsomedistancedown loS acres.Thesmallstreamthatempties ufs o6’1,6becamethepossessorof pears tonavebeenthatofafarmer ated outhistract.Hisoccupationap¬ joiges andthelimestonecavewaresitu¬ to itsmouth.Themiddleandlower of. ??,pl0tT*0-x>thatIayonboth Durham until1790,ifnotlater.Here¬ ship. Hewasapatriotandcontinuedin and asignerfortheerectionoftown¬ Henry Knecht,orKnight,wasthe inoims vtnigwasarenterorss;acres °T! 277acres,knownasplotNo30 7',° do?5’,n,°tappeartohaveowned n?ar' -^esurnamedoesnotnow d ,untH1i8G’oronlyashorttime or *’ry’^thougharenter Daniel Stillwell was the renter acres, but prior to 1791 possessed 203 acres and a terry, the landing ot which was near the Durham cave, the place being now covered over with cinder from the W&sf&Pig*tion. subscquentiy beca ^ about furnace. At the beginning of the war William Erwin resided with him and continued t0 *esi°® “ ed to Easton, entered the service, and for meritorious sr&u,»6?oS conduct was promoted May 6, 1777, first lieutenant in Captain Heinline’s com¬ gtess and bec*findependence. pany, wherein he remained for some¬ While in Durham he dwelt^in^a large time. Michael Fackenthall was a resident cf ! Rofse^onThe map of 1773, winch was Durham in 1781 and four years later the owner ot 205 acres. He was a lieutenant in Captain Valentine Opp’s company in the New Jersey campaign of 1776, and ensign in Captain Heinline’s company from May 10,1780. until late in the fall of the lollowing year. He applied for a pension, February 7, 1833, stating therin that he was aged 78 years, and had served in the Pennsylvania Militia. It was granted with an annual allowance of f.56.66, commencing with March- 4, 1S31. He was a supervisor in 1801 and appoint¬ ed justice ot the peace, April 1, 1803. A sor in 1780 and »3^eh°f ^Mentioned son of Philip Fackeathall, of Springfield where he was born and first entered the army, died in Durham, January 21, 1846. ?7S2 he appears to have carried oa the Robert Smith, though owning 148 acres, is reported “land poor.” He resided thereon in 1781 and the previous year, did some farm work for Richard Back¬ house; John Kohl’s farm of 102 acres lay about a mile southeast ot the village of 2^c“ “h. dS £ is »dwL unfor- Durham on which he was still living in 1789. He has descendants of the surname in the vicinity. Abraham Eddinger had 85 acres, and a son George over age in 1780. Edward Beil’s tract of 193 acres fronted the river and lay adjoining north on the Wendell Shank’s farm. We iDler that Mary Bell was his widow in 1781, and his son Samuel a teamster said year the British in New York. acres and we lor the iron works. Andrew Barnet or Barnes had 100 acres, was collector of he was the possessor * the township know continued to reside in the tow us up taxes in 1782 and assessor 1786. The following continued residents on ’• their farms down to 1782, and more or said works by Dreorge lay to ^ tQ,g ,j0 less later: Caspar Fabian, 123 acres;John Grisler, 140 acres; Jacob Clymer, petition¬ er for the township, in 1775, 100 acres; Jacob Hartzel, 138 acres; Patrick Burgen,

represented as “old and poor,” yet the » WM ■ u, J' ^rr€EBs^« owner of 334 acres; Widow Smith, 128 acres; Christian Pearson, 102, and of S5‘S£”3Eir!.T£ Michael Root no further mention than his name, John Riegle, in 1791, was a ™d*SS.‘iV» Si£»» ««>«»“' resident on a acres, indicating that this ^IbeTjames, a distinguished merchant surname was not an early one in the township. We find a mention in 1781 of James Gordon, Henry Snyder, John Bucker and several others whom we have supposed were only transient labor¬ ers at the iron works. From the aforesaid list I make out that during the period 1775-83, there 1 Pursell’s tract toe nyer, henas were in the township thirty-three house¬ No. 14. He must have be in eariy^ne ^ holders. This I am gratified to say is some test of our accuracy for it agrees exactly with the number of houses re¬ |^hSh <|nmt public ported in 1784. The census of 1800 gives 405 inhabitants. Allowing six to a house, this would devote about 67 dwellings, a lot of 11 acres on the north sid Houpt>s showing a doubled increase in sixteen ham creek ad joining Henry years. The census of 1890 a population land, k’here he was s ill residing ^ ^ of 1570, almost a quadrupled increase in Michael Sigafoos, &uPJ°®fa, m6 and ninety years. Of the thirty-three occup¬ brother, was also a resi ent holne. ants in 1776, judging by their surnames with whom Jacob Stone naa u pg_ about two-thirds were of German extrac¬ tion, who at that time were cheifly farm¬ a?3£K5 %£& Sun «»« «• ers and hence must have done a great in K ocWamixon. . eft y'VitJ'Bf j- deal in clearing the laud rendering it fit —pound to see xne iun.” There were lots tor cultivation, Oi those mentioned of fun.” After the training some ot of English and Irish origin as tar as the soldiers and some others imbibed too positively ascertained, the descendants freely, to some it happened before tne of the Pursells and Longs alone remain. training was over, aud this generally re- Another evidence wherever the German isuited in a fight, winch sometimes Brew and Briton have settled together, in in¬ to large dimensions. And tnen mere domitable perseverance the former has was the dancing; started early in the not been out done in his holding to the morning and kept up tntil late at night, soil. nor did they dance as “gingerly then as now ; while dancing the \ irgmia reel, or OLDEN TIME MILITIA. the country jig, the heels ot the heavy boots of the soldiers and country lads A Paper Read by Miss Clara R. Laubacb, came down with a rhythm and a thud that made the building shake. It was a kind of Riegelsville, before the Buckwam- of a holiday. The hired man and maid, pun Literary Association, at Durham, boys and girls were allowed to go, and all enjoyed themselves. June 15th, 1895. When we take into consideration the fact that the militia were required to The militia system of the United States train in companies, but three days in a year, and not exceeding six hours a day, differs from every other country, on ac¬ we cannot expect the movements to have count of the people generally beiDg op¬ been very regular, graceful or exact . but posed to standing armies. After the it is a peculiarity, peculiar to this Nation, that when soldiers are needed, our Revolutionary War the regular army militia, in a very short time, will make was limited to the actual requirements, soldiers that will face an enemy as brave¬ and was supplemented by a militia, ly as blood and steel can face. All our which is defined, ‘'the body of soldiers m wars have been fought by the militia. a State enrolled tor discipline but en¬ True, the last war continued tor such a gaged in aetual service only in emergen¬ length ot time.that the soldiers were call¬ cies, as distinguished from regular troops, ed regulars, or veterans ; but the recruits ! whose sole occupation is war or military were militia. It was the mihtia that service.” The Act approved April 6th, fought the battles during the Revolu¬ 1802, by Thomas McKeen, Governor ot tionary war, and started into existence Pennsylvania, divided the State into the greatest of Nations, whose heart “division bounds.” Bucks and Mont¬ beats with a mighty throb, the energy of gomery counties were one division, and which is telt over the entire world.jjppp| the uniform or military dress ot this State, for the infantry, light infantry and cavalry, a blue coat, taced with red, the lining and buttons ihereof white; for the artillery, a blue coat, taced and lined (PJjUaTzJ~~ with red, with yellow buttons ; but the From A uniform of the general officers of the staff shall be blue, faced with buff, the regimental staff excepted, whose uniform may be that of the regiment to which they belong, and the cockade worn by the militia of this State shall be blue and red. No regiment was to consist of more than one thousand nor less than five hundred men, and the battalions in the same proportions. The regiments were numbered. ^ * » 4J1 n * * * ~* * J'," In the county of Bucks, the regiment commanded by Lieutenant - Colonel A CURIOUS AND INTERESTING Smith (in 1802,) was No. 15, by Lieutenant STONE. Colonel Piper, No. 31; by Lieutenant- Colonel Clunn, No. 32; and Lieutenant- i Colonel Vansant, No. 48. The commis- 1 Supposed Indian Relic of Great i sioned officers, infantry, light infantry, Historic Value. grenadiers and riflemen were required to i be uniformed and armed at their own ex- In the yard adjoining the residence of pense, and were trained a.nd exercised in Jere Kustler, on the Lehigh Hills, In j companies on the first Monday in May, Northampton county, Pa., may be seen a and on the first and second Monday in I October each year; and in regiments, the very interesting and curiously-formed third week in May. Somo of the com¬ stone. It is about two feet in height, with panies were uniformed and some were a base fourteen Inches square, topped off not in uniform. The term ot service of I the uniformed men expired at the end of with a well outlined neck and head; nose seven years. Those not uniformed were about six Inches in length, well-propor¬ required to drill until they were forty-five tioned; sunken eyes and ears of the im¬ years old. At the annual—Battalia—1 aginative order. Taking the obelisk all training ot the militia, there assembled in all, it presents a unique and striking immense crowds, so dense that the resemblance to primitive art objects or militia often times were compelled to fire nature’s mimicry of human busts. blank cartridge to make room for them to (Judging from the locality where found, drill. it\is evident that primitive man and his The roads leading to the place of train¬ successors utilized it for idolatrous pur¬ ing of the militia, early in the morning poses, being discovered in the Lehigh were filled with people, _youDg and old, liver near extensive cremator's angola j| trout of the buildings to meet Indian burying grounds and campmg streams. Twenty years ago there Dlaces. Geologically the stone or image remained considerable woodland, and was carved out ol a trappean boulder, along the fences was a considerable which are found In places among the growth of bushes and many cherry trees. grauulitic hills some distance south ol the The place was prolific of fruit, ot pears near the house and of the black cherry LThl Lehigh Hills, for a distance of10 or all about the farm. Here, at some dis¬ i c muoQ west of the Delaware and south tance from the highway, are the farm of the Lehigh River, are rich in arch geo¬ buildings, comprising a modern barn logical relics, and when the numerous and and the large stone house, built in two Instructive finds shall be Ldly coined portions in the long past Colonial times. and oroDerly placed, a comprehensive his The larger western end bears the date ol toryPof primitive man and his successors 1768 and the initials ot Thomas Mathias. may be evolved, showing how ] The eastern end issupposed to have been its 'slow, but sure, evolutionary efforts in built as early as 1750. The barn was differentiating the various stages of hu- luilt by the late Newton Rowland. manltv during the successive ages of the These, together with 79 acres, part ot the occupancyof the American Continent had original tract, now belong to Peter Yoder. Gradually brought man up to the higher JOHN MATHIAS. or neolithic stage of culture, as evidenced bv the red Indians when the Continent The American ancestor ot the family bearing this name, in Hilltown and other was discovered by , euri. While we do not claim that this cun townships, was John Mathias. He was ouYandnow water-wonitreak ^.actually born about 1075, in Nevern Parish, Pem¬ carved Into Its present shape, it is a weu brokeshire, South Wales. This lorms a known fact that primitive man, having a peninsula jutting out into thelrish chan¬ nel. He continued living in the old country till twice married. The name of his first wife is unknown. She had a daughter, Anna, who did not come to America with her lather, but remained in Wales, where she died at a great age general criticism. Chas. Daubach. m 1800. The second wife of John Ma¬ thias was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Morgan. The time of the emigration to 5. ^ America was about 1722 or 1723. A daugh¬ ter, Mary, was born in Wales and was a few months old on arriving here. Short¬ ly alter arriving here John Mathias, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Phillips and

■ other Welshmen settled in Franconia, on land whereon partot the town of Souder- ton now stands. The locality where they resided lor some years is still pointed out, and was known as “Welshtown” by the Germans of Franconia. This was a valley lying deep between opposite elevations. This begins to slope near the county line and running southwest is crossed just above Souderton station by the railroad on an embankment of fifty teet in height. On «fefejgg* » —a ».»«•*-* < the northwest side of this slope was the locality of old WTelshtown. The vale LOCAL HISTORY. abounds in springs, strong, cool and I steady, and it is in this valley, traversed through its centre by a highway that are the sources of the Skippack. The exact Early Land Owners in Hill- location of two ancient dwellings are known. One of these of logs stood on town Township. the brow of the farther slope on the line ot the North Penn railroad, and of course

was demolished at the time ot the build¬ ' [he Mathias Family and Homestead in ing of the latter in 1855. The other was Hilltown —John Mathias, the immi¬ of stone, twenty feet square, which stood part way up the slope which gradually grant—Thomas Mathias—Rev. Joseph rises from the highway and was on land now or recently owned by Christopher Mathias, the Baptist Preacher—Newton Huntsberger. A tew small trees stand near, while the spot where the old House Rowland. stood is clearly defined by wild flowers (yellow croenses) which grow nowhere The old Mathias homestead, in Hill- else in the vlftinity, but on this site. Here town, was in the northern part ot that they expand in golden bloom every sum¬ mer amid the grasses of the meadow bank. townshiD, about a mile west of Dublin. The Bethlehem road passed along its This ancient dwelling was demolished western siue and formerly divided the belore the memory of those now living. plantation. The whole country here- Farther up the valley northeastward, abouts slopes to the northward towards was the old “Welsh Orchard,” a few the Bast Branch of the Perkiomen. The sturdy trees of which now exist, situated soil is somewhat wet and clayey. A on land, now or recently owned by Sam¬ meadow rivulet passes northward in uel Moyer. Rev. Joseph Mathias, in his family says that be can find no proof i’hom"V.? KVan, utu now’ ot Philip tngu; oy that his grandfather was a land holder then Jacob Moyer northeast 223 perches: anywhere. Morgan, Mathias and others, i then by James Hamilton’s southeast 169 were probably squatters or tenants here perches to a post in line of Griffith Owen; perhaps for a dozen years, or till George then by same southw est 232 perches ; then Oressman bought the tract in 1734, which by Philip High northwest 169 perches to originally covered a thousand acres, the 1 beginning.” The price paid was £250,15 east corner of Franconia. The children j shillings. Ebenezer Owen ami Griltith of John Mathias by his second wife were [Owen were the witnesses. It will be seen six, viz: Mary, born in Wales; Griffith, That this was a right angled tract of about I born in 1727; Thomas, born in 17,30; ithree-quarters of a mile from southwest Mathew, born in 1732 ; John, born in 1734, to northeast. Gy one-half a mile wide. and David, born in 1737. Sometime after | Thomas Mathias engaged in clearing 1740, John Mathias married a third wife and improving this land, and in 17GS |W hose name was Jane Simons, of White- Imarsh. This was an unlucky match and erected one of those substantial dwell¬ they did not live loDg together. John ings. characteristic ot that time, and Mathias was not fortunate in wordly which attested the comparative prosperity prosperity, as he was a poor man towards of the people just prior to the Revolution. the close ot his life, which ended in Hill- His name appears among the list ofNon- town in 1748. He left four sons under Associators in 1775, though his brothei ge His administrators were Jacob John belonged to the Militia company. riffith, Thomas Phillips and Th omas Thomas and Elizabeth Mathias were the Thomas. parents of ten children, five ot whom THOMAS MATHIAS. died young. The five that grew up were it would be a long story to trace the Thomas, born December 16,1762; Eliza¬ line of descent of all the posterity of John beth, born September 12,1765; Abel, borr Mathias. For the purposes ot this sketch January 24. 1768; John, born December 4 we will confine the account to one single 1774, and Joseph, born May 8,1778. branch, that of Thomas, who came to The people of those times were be¬ own thq homestead under consideration. lievers in ghosts and apparitions. Rev Thomas Mathias learned the mason trade Joseph Mathias, has preserved two o and wrought at it lor many summers, these tales, though protesting that h( Sven until old ago, although he owned a himself was not credulous in regard tc large plantation which would necessar¬ such things. They related to his owr ily demand his attention a part of the family. One ot his sisters was named time. He, however, hired hands by the Martha. She was sent from home for th< year, month or day to attend to the con¬ purpose of going to school. One Satur¬ cerns of his farm in his absence. The day alter she came home her mother was walls of the mansion house on his farm about taking her bread out of the oven, are doubtless his handiwork, and the Martha was standing by. One of the honest workmanship in their building loaves wras split open on the upper side has been attested by tbeir long endurance which circumstance was considered in good condition. He was an expert ominous. Her mother remarked tha! and vigorous workman. His Son relates there would be a burying before tha: that whilst he was a young man and baking W’as all eat. Martha returned tc later when in the prime of life, he was a school as usual, but about the middle o. leader among his fellow’s in parties gath¬ ,-he w’eek she died even before the baking ered to tell trees, clear land and in the was consumed. Another death of c heavy labor of grubbing up bushes and child lollow’ed a presentiment that hap¬ roots. He possessed such vivacity and pened in this fashion. He and his wifi exuberance of spirits that he would be started one morning before daylight tc sure to keep any company in quick mo¬ go to Philadelphia with a wagon and i tion and good humor. horse, leaving a young child at home. Ir The wife of Thomas Mathias W'as Eliza¬ the darkness ot the morniDg a little be¬ beth, daughter of Thomas and Martha fore day as they w’ere going over the hil Jones, of Hilltown. The date of this near where is now Frick’s store they marriage wras between 1750 and 1753. In passed into the W’oods below, which was 1758 he bought the property whereon his thick and dark. Here they discovered a after life w'as spent. This had been light coming towards them. It oarnc granted in 1746 by John Penn, Sr., to stillneaier. The mother inquired “Wha; I Bartholomew Young. The preamble re¬ is that?” and became alarmed. Thomaf cites that iu 1735 John Penn sold 2384 said nothing for a moment, but present¬ acres to his nephew, John Penn, Lieuten¬ ly it came in tront of the horse’s head, ant Governor of Pennsylvania. This, by and near to them. Thomas then spoke a mistake of survey was returned as the audibly “Who is there?” But there was share or allotment of Richard Penn, no auswer. It then passed from before! lather of said John Penn. In 1748 Lyn- them and vanished out of sight. Their J fred Lardner, attorney for John Penn, minds were somewhat agitated, but they 7 Sr., granted the land to Bartholomew w ent on to Philadelphia. On their re'- ! Young, wrho in 1749 conveyed to Thomas turn next day Thomas Jones came toft Phillips. Possibly Phillips made the meet them w’ith the information that 1 ifirst improvements, but he only held their child was dead. They were firmly [possession nine years, as in 1758 he sold impressed with the belief that the light ]to Thomas Mathias. Phillips was a near they saw’ betokened the calamity that relative, being the husband of Joan Ma¬ followed. thias, a half sister of Thomas Mathias. Thomas Mathias, the father ot the He bought a tract in Hilltown where his above family, died on the 29th of April, life was spent, which later became the 1799, at the age of 69. He was a man Licey homestead. His sons all removed widely known and sincerely lamented elsewhere. The boundaries of the 2384 by all W’ho knew’him. His widow sur¬ acres in 1758 were: “Beginning at post vived him till old age, out-living all but in line of land intended to be granted to two of her children, and to know a host of grandchildren. She resided on the . • ’ . -TJ -- .ncestral "property with her youngest where he had loved to preach and coF- son, Joseph. She died after one week’s ceming whose history he had written so illness, on the 15th of December, 1821, in her 86th year. She had been a member : was blessed8with6'great "ength^? diy^,’ of Hilltown Baptist Church for sixty-one years. i87o'*t “»*»**■«<« Before the death of Thomas Mathias Of the eight children of Joseph Ma¬ we have record that he sold off fifty-three thias, several died when young'people. acres in 1796 to Jacob Moyer for £537. Harvey lived near Chalfont, where his Doubtless there had been other portions lather s latter years was past. He was a detached, for after his death in 1800 there prosperous farmer and justice of the was only 129 acres out of the original 238 peace. Mis death occurred in 1852. His left, and which was purchased by his son, wile was Sarah, sister of the late Dr. O. Joseph. At that time it was wholly sur¬ 1. James, of Doylestown. Rachael was rounded by landholders with German a well-known maiden lady. John kept names—Daniel High, Jacob Moyer, Isaac store at Carversville for many years, Kolb, Philip High and David High. and from thence removed to his fathers’ We have not space in this connection place near Chalfont. He served as post¬ to trace the history and genselogy of the master to the State Senate at Harrisburg. children of Thomas Mathias, who re¬ Elizabeth Mathias was the one who re¬ moved from the homestead. Thomas, Jr., mained at the Hilltown homestead. She was a merchant and farmer in Hilltown, married Newton Rowland,son of Wil¬ and became wealthy lor those times. liam H. Rowland, in 1829. They had a Elizabeth married Isaac Morris, and her family of daughters—Asenatte, Melvina, son, Mathias Morris, became one of the Sarah, Matilda and Emily. These as a .eminent men of Bucks county. He was family, were the flower and fruit of a lawyer, was a member of the State many generations of sprightly, upright Senate in 1829, and chosen to Congress in and intelligent ancestors; refined, com¬ 1834. Higher honors awaited him had panionable, cultivated, and most of them not death come in 1839. highly educated. There ’•emains but one now living, Mrs. Melv.na Frear, of EEV. JOSEPH MATHIAS Wilkesbarre, widow of Rev. George Was the youngest son of Thomas Ma¬ I rear, a Baptist clergyman of that city. thias, born in 1778. He took the home¬ Asenatte became the wife of Lemuel stead where he lived till near the close Taylor. Sarah married Rev. Samuel of his busy life. He married Dinah, Cox, another Baptist preacher. Matilda j daughter of Benjamin Mathews, Esq., of married a Mr. Loomis, a college pro- I New Britain. He began his vocation as mssor; and Emily was the wife of Rev. ! a preacher in 1805. He had charge of Thomas R. Evans, a native of Wales, I Hilitown church besides frequently sup- for some years pastor of the Baptist church at West Conshohocken, and I plying New Britain and other churches. where his wife died. ; With a tolerable education, he had no ; special training tor the ministry. He Elizabeth (Mathias) Rowland, the | possessed a vigorous and sprightly mind, °{ the above family, died March and in his career as minister and farmer ~2, Her husband he partly ministered to his own wants ->oid the old farm m 1884, comprising the by the labor of his industiious hands. m remaining acres to Peter Yoder, the! On Tuesday, October 5th, 1833, he had the present owner, it being part of 121 acres-,! honor of preaching the introductory ser¬ which m 1850 Rowland bad bought of his: mon before the Philadelphia Associa¬ iatlier-in-law, Rev. Joseph Mathias. Of tion. His jubilee sermon, preached Jan¬ this tract Rowland had in 1858 sold off 29' uary 1st, 1832, has been printed. It was acres with a house on it to John Kratzd W lth the sale to Yoder in 1SS4 the home¬ an interesting and able discourse, con¬ taining much historical information con¬ stead passed from the descendants off cerning the previous half century of the lDomas Mathias after an ownership of Hilltown church. His mind dwelt much ! years, Rewton Rowland died in the village of Dublin in 1S93 at the advanced , upon local history and family gemelogy. 4ge of e:glitv-sayjf;n. During leisure moments he collected a large manuscript volume of such facts i which were of exceeding value to those I who came after him. Of social habits, I til ST. .JAMB he was fond of visiting his relatives and j all the families of J his church, and was ever busy collecting information. Fond An Historical Landmark Down? in of travel and change, he utilzed these i tastes by acting as a missionary in Bristol. widely different directions throughout this State, and many vigorous churches elsewhere had their foundations laid through the instrumentality of his MANY MEMORABLE ASSOCIATIONS preaching. In 1845 Mr. Mathias bought a property The Records Give Uj> Some Interesting in New Britain, near Chalfont, whereon he remodeled a large house, thither lie Facts of the Early History of the Church- removed, and where his death took place Original Edifice Fsed as a Cavalry Stable March 10th, 1851. He had been on a traveling tour of preaching to Point During the Revolutionary War. Pleasant, and returned in his usual Somewhat of the relation which historic health. The end of his life came in the ' oall hours of the night. A large funeral Christ Church, in Philadelphia, holds to the nded his mortal remains to the Lower Province of Pennsylvania does the venerabie 3k '3T' n graveyard, to repose beside his and ancestors near the church 103

St. James’ Church, of Bristol, beario Buck¬ fair idea of the tow n itself as it was at that ingham (now Bucks) county. The church period and an interesting glimpse of its pio¬ neer inhabitants. Turning the title page edifice of this latter was completed exactly we come to the grant which furnishes quaint seventeen years after that of the Philadel¬ and valuable i’ dication of the manner in phia parish. From its deeds, vestry minutes which early deeds were drawn in Pennsyl¬ and other manuscripts we are enabled to vania. It is addressed: “To All Christian People.” The grantor therein declares that gather a fair knowledge of its colonial origin the land is to be held in trust for the use of and history. the church, without any manner of chal- In 1 COO George Keith, the distinguished i lenge^ claim or demand from the grantor

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH, BK'STOL, Friend, sailed for England, a convert to (Anthony Burton). It names as trustee: Anglo-Catholicism, to return twelve years "The Minister for the time being for ever.” later as a missionary of the Church of Eng¬ The first trustee to hold the legal title was land. In 1701 the Society for the Propaga¬ Bev. Robert Weyman, rector at the time the tion ot the Gospel in Foreign Parts was or¬ instrument was executed. Then, as was the ganized in London, and in the following custom, the grantor warrants the title and year Keith was chosen as its first messenger Mathew W. Rue and Thomas Worrall (twro to the American Colonies. His mission vestrymen) witness the document and An¬ was to spread the teachings of the Gospel thony Burton has affixed his signature. along the eastern shores of New Jersey, Beside the seal of the county is the name of Pennsylvania and Delaware. On the Brit¬ "Lawrence Growdon, Esq,, one of the Jus¬ ish man-of-war which bore Keith to Amer¬ tices, etc., for the County of Bucks.” ica was a chaplain named Talbot, who be¬ came so enthusiastic over Keith’s plans THE ORIGINAL CHURCH. that he was permitted to be his companion The edifice erected on the land thus given, in the work. The fall of 1702 found the Jhrough the financial assistance of Burton,' 104

*. coupie at anchorage on the Del a- This precious volume, which is in the .e, oil Burlington, their voyage happily keeping of the present rector. Rev. William nr shed. Talbot became so much attracted Bryce Morrow, contains the vestry minutes by St. Mary’s, at Burlington, or Borling- from 1712 to 1770 and from 1800 to 1832 in¬ towne, as it was then called, and he con¬ clusive. A glance over its pages gives one a cluded to devote the remainder of his lire Rowland, the Ue N^rmandies and others, there, ministering-to the parishes of Bur¬ was-one story high and composed-of brick lington and Bristol, the latter being one and stone. The church, if such it could be winch he and Keith had organized. ' called, breed the eas(, and the chance] con¬ THE HUMBLE BEGINNING. tained but two articles—a plain communion The first to come to Bristol was Keith table and a reading desk. At the rear of the who obtained valuable assistance from An¬ church was the pulpit, underneath which stood the chair ot the “clarke.” The nave- thony Burton and John Rowland, exten¬ at first contameu out ten pews. In the walls sive land owners, who had formerly been on either side were two small windows fi'led of the Friends persuasion. Burton and with panes of ordinaiy glass. The first pew Rowland (the latter came over on the Wel¬ directly under the reading desk, was reserved come with Penn), gave their time and means m the grant to the use of Anthony Barton to build up this ancient parish. The former and his heirs and assigns forever. Under about 1710, gave Talbot a valuable tract to this pew Burton, upon his decease, was in¬ the north of what was then the only road terred. A small spire rose above the nave. in Bristol, the King’s High way—now known brom the ^date of the church’s consecra¬ as Radcliffe street. Upon this ground was tion until 1733 there is no record of the built a small church, which was completed progress of the little parish, although the in 1712, and at that time was situated in a church was continuously in use, and the wood on a lane just beyond the first Friends’ congregation irnder the pastoral care of meeting house. missionaries of the venerable society for the The only information we have regarding Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts the origin of the building is to be found on _lhe first miiHit-j of the vestry extant begin the title page of "Book 2, St. James’ Church witti the exclamation, “Laus Deo!” and New Bristol” (which contains the minutes continue:— of the vestry). Here is the inscription-— “The Proceedings of the Vestry of "The Parishon-rs being met, Present the “ST. JAMES’ CHURCH. Rev. Mr. Robert Weyman. By the MajoiKy ] “New Bristol. of \ oices elected for the Ensuing Year ” ' “In the County of Bucks and Province of Matthew Rue and Francis Gandout are t “PENNSYLVANIA. chosen church wardens, “And the following j Persons to Constitute ve Vestiy Mr John ] “this CHUBCH was built by Subscription of sevl. well disposed persons and being Abraham De Normandie, Mr. William Hope j finished was dedicated to the honour of St Mr. John Anthony De Normandie, Mr. John j "

THE OLD CHURCH OF ST. JAMES.

James the Greater (the festival of that apos¬ Mr. William Gregory, Mr. VYifU tle being ye 25th day of July). iam Silverstone, Mr. Evan Harris, Mr. anno domi, 1712. Matthias Keene, Mr. John Williams, Mr. “The land appropriated for a Church Jonathan Bourne, Mr. Thomas Worrall.” Yard and Bu\rying Ground is thus de¬ The Vestry placed Mr. Weyman’s salary, for scribed:—“etc.,—“Given by Anthony Bur¬ the year, at £10, and engaged one Samuel ton, Gent., for the Use and purpose afore¬ Watkins as “Clarke.” said, according to the following Grant or At the vestry meeting in the following mister of the said year the minutes say that it was “Agreed ever.” that the present Ch. Wardens imploy a proper person to enclose tlife Communion-Table I 'Episbopai vainren oi America. with decent Rails, and to make such neces¬ ?! • In a secluded spot south of where the sary Repairs as now appear to be wanting little church stood lie the remains of the | to the Church and Church House.” I!y a De Normandies. This family held feudal subsequent record we find that these “RM's” tenures in the province of Champagne. cost li shillings' For several centuries the eldest male in the INDICATIONS OF PROGRESS. direct line bore the title of “ Lord de la Passing to the year 173G we find that “The Motte.” Some of the descendants dr;rf id P?nishloners being mett. Present the Rev’ed to Switzerland, and to America came in William Lindsay, Minister for the Time be¬ 1 170G Andre De Normandie in the role of a ing, elected and chosen for ye Ensuing year.” persecuted and fugitive Huguenot.' Andre The minister’s salaiy was increased to £24 was accompanied by his two sons, John John Abraham De Normandie and John Abraham and John Anthony. The father | Bessonett are named as church wardens. died in 1724 and the headstone raised over 4 lus latter gentleman was a Huguenot who his mortal remains bears this inscription:— came to ISristol in 1751 and was the proprie¬ “Andrew De Normandie tor of then famous King George Hotel on “Dyed ye 12tli of Dec’er the King’s Highway. In 173!) it was by the “1724, Aged 73 years.” vestry "Agreed that- ye Present Church On either side lies the dust of two sons: Anthony, who died in the Spilng of 1748,' be apropriatod to that use, and If that Is not and Abraham, who followed his brother suffissient then the Church lay their acco-ts ten years later. Each of these brothers oc¬ Before the Vestry to Consider furder etc.” cupied the office of church warden for a The debt mentioned amounted to £27. ! short period. Mr. Lindsay was succeeded in 1842 by Rev. Hard by the graves of this princely fam¬ Colin Campbell. This gentleman was a ily is the resting place of one concerning grandson of the High Sheriff of Nairn, and whom we have no record save that found married the daughter of Justice Bard of on her tombstone, as follows: “Here Lycth the Supreme Court of New' Jersey. , the body of Sarah Bullock Mother ofThos. In 1743 that immense vestry room (llxlG ; Sugar of the city of Philadelphia Carpent ?r ft.!) was not completed, at this time the who Departed this Life AugylGth, 1734, Aged colonial parishioners resolved to “get ye 34 years & Six monthes.” church whitewashed,” and likewise ten On the reverse is ludely carved a skull years later ordered that the pew’s “be rated and beneath it is the following:— in a just proportion to the quantity of “Who e’er thou art, with tender heart, Ground the said several Pews shall take.” Stay, Read and think of ruee, The country parsons were not unlike those As thou art now so once was i of to-day in some respects. In 1755 the As i am now so shalt thou be.” vestry concluded to fix the amount due the This is the second oldest stone that is fully missiomuy and the meek man agreed to decipherable. labor among them for three years lora re¬ A few paces to the right of the walk lead¬ compense of tin per year. ing to the vestibule of the church edifice is a At_ the expiration oLthat time he had re¬ humble piece of marble, about four and one- ceived but £11, leaving £19 still unpaid. half feet high, which bears the following re¬ Ten years Drior to the Revolution Rev. cord :— Colin Campoell died,and the Rev. Mr. O’dell, "Sacred to the memory of a surgeon in the British Army, took his J Antonin Furcy Picquet, place. The last record we find of the colo¬ Capt. of the French Navy and nial days of the parish is that of the Sum¬ Consul of France for the states of mer preceding the anno mirabillis, 1776. Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Naturally both Mr. O’dell and Mr. Lewis, Maine. then pastor of St. Mary’s, sided with the Born in France in the year 1777, Crown and thence St. James’ was left with¬ Died in Bristol, August 31, 1815. out a spiritual guide. The minutes of this Requiescat in pace. year (1775) are has.ily written, the only This old gentleman carried in bis body a ffhing at all notewoithy contained therein bullet received in a duel fought in France being this: “Agreed that the Space of \ prior to his journey to America. Alongside Ground which lies immediately betwixt the of his remains tire interred those of his Pulpit and Mr. Anthony Burton’s Pew shall i femme de charge. be set apart for a Public Pew for the accom¬ NOTABLES OF THE DEAD PAST. modation of Strangers resor"ng to this place.” Just north of where the first church stood A CAVALRY STABLE. is the grave of Captain John Clarke, of the Biistish Troops. The memory of Clarke is In 177G, as a late rector has said, “the worth a passing note. He was a dist;n- church was soon deseited and desecrated in guislied soldier, who, a few years before the becoming a stable for the horses of the Revolution settled on Badger’s Island, south American cavalry.” After the Revolution of Bristol. At one time the captain was a the former house of God was used as a barn, worshipful master in the Bristol lodge of the and dining this period it was consumed by Masonic Order. Farther on lies the body of fire. The country church yard even as late John Green, a captain in the American navy as 18C3 must have been, to say the least, who first had the honor to carry our flag on desolate, for in that year the dying request a voyage around the world. He brought to of a paiishioner was that he be not “buLed America the first batch of Shanghai fowls. in that neglected ground.” Haifa century Near the grave of Green is that of John earlier (in 1758) Graydon vfrote, “And on a Sharp, captain Tenth United States Infantry. still more retired spot stood a small Episco- I Rumor has it that Sharp, while in com- oal church, whose lonely graveyard, with ; maud of his regiment above the borough, its surrounding wood scenery might have in 1798, became infatuated with a women furnished an appropriate theme for such a named Sarah McElroy, as did also a quar¬ muse as Gray’s.” termaster of his regiment. The enraged At the organization of the Diocese of captain challenged his inferior to a duel, the Pennsylvania, in 1785, the parish was rep¬ outcome of which is apparent by the stone resented in the person ot Christopher Mer¬ erected to his memory, The officer fell a rick. It has had since its reviving in 180G, the second tire. Sarah! Me Elroy died ui to the present time, eighteen rectors, some I quarried and her grave it close Jo that of lie of whom have been men of note in the | impetuous lover, John Sharp. In the early men and boys. Back of the town rises part of the present century came a Prus¬ sian nobleman, Baron Ludwig Niedesteeter, Mine hill.ferstwhile lively with the with his Baroness Hortense and their in¬ shouts of miners ami teamsters digging fant, Ludwig, to Summer at the Bath and hauling away its treasures of iron Springs, then the Carlsbad of America. ore; but now, alas,given over to nearly Whilst sojourning there the son succumbed to a fever and is buried a few yards distant its original solitude. from the fatally attractive maiden, Sarah. Two roads meet in the centre ot the Among a score of other stones worthy of village, the Springtown road and the old mention are noted a marble in memory of Philadelphia and Easton road, thus Elizabeth, relict of William Hewson. Wil¬ making two streets. The town cohsist' liam Hewson, F. K. S., prior to his de¬ of nineteen dwelling houses, a^gtore, parture for America was a professor of an¬ mill, blacksmith, wheelwright and^ atomy in an English university. A small maker shops, a creamery and hot’ headstone bears the name of . George Gil¬ has a population of 91 persons. lespie, who died in 1781. He was the Giand- The place was, and is, by the old fatlier of the present Bishop of Western habitants, known by the name of Michigan, Right Rev. George De Nor¬ town. The Longs have always mandie Gillespie. D. D. The great English prominent people here and Irom tl _ _ actor, Thomas Cooper, after being shame¬ took its name. Cince the Durham post fully driven from the London playhouses, office was moved here in 1876, it has been ended his days in Bristol. He built a house gradually acquiring the name of Dur¬ on Radcliffe street, overlooking the Dela¬ ham, although it will be sometime yet ware, which is now the residence of Mrs. before the old name sinks into oblivion. Richard Henry Mon is. Cooper was for Not long since a gentleman from Phila¬ several years a vestryman of St. James, and delphia, wishing to visit the place, in¬ at his decease was interred in the parish quired the way to Durham at Riegeb - churchyard. Not a stone’s throw from the ville No one appeared to know what tomb of Cooper lies another representative place he meant, but, at last, advised him of the English stage, John Henry, who in to try Longtown or Bachman’s store. He 1794, was carried away by consumption. started to do so, and when he got to His remains are interred in a leaden Rattlesnake, a suburb of Durham by the casket. Upon the top of the vault is a thin way, he again inquired the way of two marble slab bearing his name, the date of men who seemed to be having a good- his death and an enumeration of his virtues natured dispute. They knew where the which latter would occupy a page or two of place was and directed him, but request- foolscap. Beneath a large shaft of granite ed him in return to settle the question rests the mortal body of David Landretli, under discussion, which was as to the father of the seed industry in America. whether the sun or earth rtvo’ved. He Ti,t..h,.wlv.nf Lowland Stephens was interred did so, apparently to their satisfaction, in this ground. Stephens was a wealthy and passed on wondering if they were J London banker and for a time represented fair samples ot the citizer s oi Durham and j his country in the House of Commons. vicinity. It is needless to say he found ; Within a few month the parish sexton in they were not. 1 digging a fresh grave brought his spade in Durham is quite a business centre with ! contact with som Thing hard. Upon exam¬ its mill, store, shops and creamery. ination he found, at a depth of about four The mill stands near the centre of the j feet, the bones of two peculiarly large village, and its race is the delight of the men. By those acquainted with the children, but adds considerably to the early history of the country, they are believ¬ anxiety of the mothers, as several small ed to be the remains of Revolutionary tots have taken unexpected plunges into i patriots. People with an antiquarian bent it, out so far with no serious results. ; of mind could pass a day hardly anywhere The mill stands on the site of the old I filled with as much satisfaction as in poking Dumam furnace, which was blown out | and peering about in the churchyard of old in 1792, and torn down in 1819 to make I St. James’, Bristol. 1 R. L. M way tor the mill built ov Mr. Long. In digging the foundation a large lump of iron, weighing from six to eight tons was encountered, and, as it was impossi¬ DURHAM VILLAGE. ble to move it, a pit was dug by its side and the iron lowered into it, so the mill stands on » solid foundation. It has passed through several hands. Mr. A Sketch of the Historic Ham¬ floupt owned it after Mr. Long, then Jacob Fulmer, alter him Benjamin let in the Upper End. Riogel, who sold it to his son John and son-in-law, John Knecht, for one dollar. David Bachman bought it in 1874 or ’75 of A Paper Read by Miss Fannie J. Simpson, the latter parties for his son, Reuben K. It was run by Bachman

this time it was again moved to its pres¬ now oocuMd Dy Mr. Hinkle, was and is ent site. Henry Kruin owned it trom known as the old Mansion House. It 1833 to ’35, when he failed. If a story we was probably the residence ot the super¬ hear of one ot the old-time store keepers intendent during the time ot the furnace, is true we cannot much wonder at fail¬ and was afterward used as a hotel for ures. Some say this was a Springtown many years. The elections were held store keeper, and whether Springtown or there a number of years since 1812. Durham, I can’t say, but this is the James Backhouse was the first landlord story: 'This particular man, so the tale i and Joseph Rensimer the last. In the goes, bought eggs at twelve cents a spring of 1871 it was happily closed as a dozen and sold them for ten, and when hotel aud put to other uses. asked how he could do that replied : “Oh, The first school house was situated in the he sold so many he could afford to do it.” I western pait of the town >,o, After Krurn, William Witte was the Wasser’s place. It was taken down in next to take it in charge, from 1835 to ’40. 1792 but the foundation may be seen He was quite a prominent man, at one theta yet. The present school house is time running for the nomination of Gov¬ 1 on jfche other side ot the creek to the ernor of Pennsylvania and almost mak¬ northwest of the village, and is a modern ing it, and afterward becoming editor of twoi&ory brick building to accommodate ' the Commonwealth. He was succeeded primary and grammar schools. jin the store by Christian Witte, from Davis’ history states that “the village ! 1840 to '43. He by Jacob Applegate, from l in 1.872 consisted ot eight dwelling houses i 1843 to ’46. It then passed into the hands aud sixteen taxables.” Since then it has jot William Steckel. The Steckels, Will¬ grown and imoroved greatly, especially iam and Samuel, one or both, had it in within the last seven or eight years. Ltheir possession until 1861, when Reuben .Several ot the old buildings have been IK. Bachman bought it. William Steckel torn down and new ones erected in their put up the second building, which stood Diaces notably the Steckel’s old cabinet somewhat to the left of the present build¬ shop where tfc e present hotel stands, also ing. When the third and last building the old stone building opposite the hotel was put up by Mr. Bachman, in ’65, the once used as the store. Another ancient old building was moved back and is now stone house stood where George Riegel j used as a warehouse. Mr. Bachman has put up his commodious dwelling. 1 took his brother George into partner¬ Before this Hon. B. K. Bachman erect d ship in ’71, and the store remained in his haDdsome brick house to the right ot their hands until March, ’95, when Hon. the store ; aud since seven pretty frame C. E. Hindenach and brother bought it houses has gone up in the western part and took possession. of the town, altogether making it a fresh It is considered one of the best store and modern looking place of which its stands in the county, and, of late years, citizens are justly proud. has been entered and robbed several Among j mr prominent people of the times. present day are our physician, Dr. W. S. The most notable robbery occurred in Rice, our veterinary surgeon and con¬ 1879, when five burglars forced an en¬ stable, Charles Wasser, our ex-United trance, and. after overpowering and gag¬ States Representative, R. K. Bachman, ging the clerks, who slept above the our ex-State Legislator, Hon. C. E. Hm- store, and handcuffing and abusing denach, m fact I don’t know when to George W. Bachman, secured about stop, as in our own eyes, at least, we are $2,500 worth ot merchandise and money. all prominent. . I One of the burglars was captured and It nas been remarked by a visitor to sent to the Eastern Penitentiary lor the place that the air seems to have a seven years, but the others escaped. singular effect, and any one settling for During the time of the furnace the any lenght ot time here, finds it almost managers established a mail service impossible to get away, and if, with a here, but this was discontinued in 1836. great effort, he succeeded in so doiDg, he In 1876, the Monroe post office was re¬ in all his alter life looks back with moved to Durham and Hon. R. K. Bach¬ longing eyes to the “Happy Valley.” man appointed postmaster. When he But, all joking aside, the people are was elected to Congress, his brother took . peaceful and contented, and the village a his place in ’79, and remained postmast¬ Kisy and prosperous little place. Teams er until Mr. Hindenach was appoint¬ •e constantly coming and going ed in the spring of ’95. om store, mill, shoios and creamery Before ’76 the mail was brought from ' In the morning the humming of the creamery separator makes merry music, Riegelsvilte by private carriers and dis- while all day may be heard the whirr of tnbuted from the store. the mill and the clink of the blacksmith’s The blacksmith and wheelwright shops have been established many years. In hammer. In conclusion we hope, in future years, olden times the wheelwright shop stood the village will go on improving until it under the old sycamore tree near the race. becomes one of the largest and most pro- O i its present site was once a tailor -=— towns in the county._I shop, afterward used as a shoemaker shop by Philip Traugh. The Hollen- bachs, Edward and Granville, bought mat and the blacksmith shop in ’89. They have since built two additions to the wheelwright shop and are doing a Fro flourishing business. The creamery is a comparatively new enterprise. The building was put up by George Riegel in 1889. It was sold to David Stem and run by him tor some time, bat came again into Mr. Riegel’s hands and is now run by his son, Ervin, and Harl Wasser. t Date, The house on the farm of Mrs. Boyer, THE^OoYLESTOWlI (xcards

. HOW THE FIRST COMPANY FROM BUCKS COUNTY TOOK THE FIELD ON THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR. A RECORD OF PATRIOTISM. XXtime passes every scrairoTinformation __ relating to the War of the Rebellion becomes-- of inestimable value, and is sought after I with the greatest eagerness. With a ma¬ unteer company called the Doylestown jority of the people the war has passed into Guards. (3) He had received a military history, and the surviving participants are education and served as captain in the Mex¬ thought to belong to a former generation. ican war. That morning, and before the One of the most interesting chapters of this President’s proclamation, calling for 75,000 v great struggle is the period embracing the men, had been received or was even known .. events transpiring immediately after the ; fall of Sumter, and which emphasized in a remarkable degree the patriotism of the loyal North. When the news reached the rural districts I the people sprang to arms with an alacrity ![ never surpassed, and can hardly be equaled !l in the future in the most pressing emer- I: gency; and it is refreshing, after the iapse |' of a third of a century, to recall with what II cheerfulness men, of every class and rank ! in life, laid down their civil pursuits and ' took up arms. If we may judge by their " actions, each individual citizen supposed the defense of the Union rested on his own shoulders, and that he would be held re¬ sponsible for its preservation. In the following page we purpose to tell the story of what took place at Doylestown, (1) Pa., in the days immediately following the firing on the flag and the surrender of the fortress in Charleston harbor; the part the. people played; how they emphasized their opposition to the traitors in arms; in¬ cluding the recruiting, equipment and organ¬ ization of their sons and brothers into a military company and its march to the front. News of the fall of Sumter reached Doy¬ lestown Saturday, April 13, 1861, and caused at Doylestown,“he issued the following call, great indignation and excitement. As the the first in the county, and one of the first next day was Sunday the quiet of the Sab¬ in the State; had it printed in his own news¬ bath gave the people time to reflect on the paper, and likewise in hand bills and widely perils that threatened the country and the circulated: means required to avert them. On Mon¬ day they were ready to act. MILITARY NOTICE. The first person to step forward in de¬ The members of the Doylestown Guards fense of the Union was W. W. H. Davis (2) and all other patriotic men in favor of main¬ editor and proprietor of the Doylestown taining the honor of the Star Spangled Ban¬ Democrat, and captain of an old-time vol- ner and the stability of the United States 1 Government, are requested to meet at Clem¬ ens Hall (4) on Thursday evening at 8 o clock, to take such measures as may be deemed necessary in view of the critical * condition of the eountrv. (Signed.) W. W. H. Davis, Captain. April 15, 1861. v

After consulting with friends it was thought advisable to change the place of

meetingo to the~ Courtc aaouoc,House, auuand CLa geiit-rd-lgeneral call was subsequently issued for the same evening, Thursday, April 18. In the mean¬ time the excitement had been increasing , and the additional information brought by Monday's papers added fuel to the flames That morning, April 15, Captain Davis offered the services of his company to Gov¬ :W. ernor Curtin (5) and on Thursday morning its acceptance was received by telegraph: < T Harrisburg, April 18 1861 • To Major W. IV. H. Davis: Your com¬ pany is accepted and will await orders. (Signed) R. C. Hull.

. G U -- .’*■ The reception of the Governor’s dispatch, HENRY CHAPMAN. •, it i . _

' : $ [ . < |. S.Bryan,CharlesH.Mann,JamesGilky- [ September12,attheGreenTreetavern.The - . "'.s|and“Columbia,theGemofOcean," ' ty,atthecrossingofroadleadingfrom | ;try. S' 5.Clemens’Hallwasalarge,unused E tertheDoylefamily.Itissome500feet -■."first captain,succeededinturnbyHenry ■ |ofWestChester,andinitthesonwasborn. f' |tv.HereadlawwiththelateJudgeFox, j^-'l practicallysuspended;musicofthedrum !•, Chapman,PughDungau,JohnB.Pugh, 8|! propriateandeloquentremarks. Afterthe j®kl aschairman,JudgeChapman madesomeap- : IsonandW.H.Davis.Thenamewas ■ andinthewarofrebellion,was 1 andfifewasheardinthestreets;,snatches ’‘ JaroseandstateditsObject, and,unfolding 1 Jconntvin1S17,waselectedGovernorof I isnearthegeographical'centreofeoun- ’ abovetidewater,andissituatedinthemidst 11 chairman.CharlesH.Matthewswasthe i youngerportionofthepopulationwasfairly . jalivewithpatriotic,fervor;businesswas . weresungandplayedatintervalsindoors I 2.W.H.DaviswasborninSouthamp¬ I fromrevolutionaryancestors.Afterreceiv- cl oftheCourts,andinvitedhimtopreside. I inghispreliminaryeducationheentered ; taughtschoolinVirginiaandBuckseoun- | ofDovlestown,andpracticedherein I NewMexico.HeservedintheMexicanwar; I agoandwhenrebuiltthehallfeaturewas ■ panywasnotreorganizedafterthewar. of adelightfulandhighlycultivatedcoun- town wassettledabout1730andnamedaf- Easton toPhiladelphia,andthatfromthe ton township,Buckscounty,anddescended Philadelphia byturnpikeand32rail.The Delaware totheSchuylkill;24milesfrom Norwich University.Vermont,amilitaryin¬ .IHou. HenryChapman(6),PresidentJudge j ing,Thursdayevening,April18,hadarrived. | andBlue,’’the“StarSpangledBanner” j ofpatrioticsongs,suchasthe“Red,White stitution, wherehiegraduatedandafterward | andout;flagswereflungtothebreeze, most fortyyears. an editor,whichhasbeenhisoccupational¬ vice inNewMexico.Heisbestknownas several yearsinthegovernmentcivilser¬ '.! DuringthedayCaptainDavisca^edon I wasthefirsttimesincewarwithEng- I land,in1S12-15,thattheyoungmenof the DovlestownGuards,uasorganizedin bouse wasbuilt00yearsagobySeptimus 1835, atameetingheldSaturdayevening, Caleb E.Wright,lateofWilkesbarre,was : uparmsindefenceoftheircountry. Evans, fatherofthelateHenryS. ! Thetimesetforholdingthepubiicmeet- omitted. TheClemensfamilyhasbeenlong It wasburneddownnearlytwentyyears The otherpartsofthebuildingwereoecu- after JohnClemens,itsbuilder,about1S57. room neartherailroadstation,andnamed changed toDoylestownGuardsbyactofAs¬ pied forasashfactoryandplaningmill. settled atDoylestown.,T sembly, jiassedMarch16,1847.Thecom- 1 eneeassembled,and,before takinghisseat j oftheCourtHousebellaconsiderable audi- Pennsylvania inI860andservedtwoterms. I Thisinvitationheaccepted. At theringing the generalexcitementthatprevailed.The announcing hisacceptanceoftheDoyles-I town Guards,asmaybeimagined,increased1 street cornerstodiscussthesituation.This knots ofmenandboysgatheredonthe 1. Dotlestowu,thecountyseatofBucks, Doylestown hadbeencalledupontotake meeting wascalledto:order. Captain Davis 3. TheDovlestownGrays,theparentof 4. AndrewG.Curtin,borninCentre name, theonlyoneuponit,laidittho come forwardandsign,theyresponded table andinvitedtheyoungmenpresentto a rollheheldinhishand,withown company beforethemeetingadjourned.The in sufficientnumberstonearlyfillupthe twelve lessthanthecomplement.Thefirst actual numbersigningwassixty-six,oniy to enrollhisname,nextthatofCaptain Davis, wasWilliamKachline(7),ofDoyles¬ hood, andlongsincedeceased.Duringthe town, ayoungcarpenterjustcometoman¬ cruit wasreceivedfromHarrisburg,thatof progress ofthemeeting,nameare¬ State SenatorMahlonYardley,whotele¬ was loudlycheered. graphed tobeenrolledasavolunteer.This their spiritedandpatrioticutterances,gave names astheircountry’sdefenders, elders wereconductingthemeeting,and,by Nathan C.James,Esq.(10),andEnosPrizer point totheenthusiasticfeelingthatpre¬ vailed. SpeechesweremadebyGeorge Mr. James;theformerafarmerinKansas, lapse ofthirty-fouryears,ColonelBlairand the latteroldestpracticingmemberof. Lear, Esq.(8),ColonelJohnBlair(9),: the Buckscountybar.Mr.Lear,subse-I (11). Ofthese,twoarelivingafterthe While theyoungmenwereenrollingtheir SIMON CAMERON. John S. Brown (14). The meeting adjourned > quently, became Attorney General of tbe with three cheers for the Constitution and[ State, and, for several years, was the leader the Union. Upon adjournment Captain of our bar. Before the meeting adjourned Davis ordered those who had signed the the following resolutions were unanimously j roll to “fall in” on the broad pavement in adopted: front of the Court House (15) for a few Resolved, That the citizens of Bucks minutes' drill. This they did with alacrity,i county are hereby invited to assemble in 1 but were soon dismissed. With those who! town meeting, in the Court Hose, at Doyles- j town, on Tuesday evening next at 7.30 signed the roll the next day, it contained o’clock, to take some action on the critical 134 names of young men who were willing condition of our country and assist in fitting to serve their country, but, as only seventy-'

6. Henry Chapman, son of Abraham, was descended from John and Jane Chapman, who settled in Wrightstown in 1684. He had a distinguished career. He was ad¬ mitted to the bar in 1825; elected to the State Senate in 1S43; President Judge of Chester and Delaware, 1847; member of Congress, session 1857-59, taking a promi¬ nent part in the Kansas-Ne'oraska debate; was elected President Judge of the Bucks- I Montgomery district in 1861, serving the I I full term of ten years, and died in 189i. 7. William Kachline was the son of Samuel Kachline, a carpenter of Doyles- town, and at one time Commissioner of the county. He re-entered the service by en¬ listing in the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and died in 1882. The family is descended 1 from John Peter Keichline, of Heidelberg, j Germany, who settled in Bedminster town- j ship in 1742. His son Peter commanded a company of riflemen in Colonel Miles’ regi¬ ment at the battle of Long Island, where ' he was taken prisoner. Lord Sterling wrote j to Washington that the English General Grant was killed by some of Kachline's rifle- j men. 8. George Lear, son of Robert Lear, of I ! Warwick township, Bucks county, was born ; in 1818. He was brought up to labor until nineteen; then taught school; assisted in a store; read law; admitted to the bar in I ‘ 1844; Deputy Attorney General 1848-50; | member of the Constitutional Convention, ! 1872-73, and Attorney General of the State - 1875-79. He died in 1884. 9. John Blair was born in Bucks county, [ ' and in business at Doylestown when the JOHN W. FORNEY. | war broke out, but did not enter the mili- tary service. He removed to Ohio about the close of the war, and subsequently to Kan¬ eight could be taken, a selection had to be sas, where he is engaged in farming. He made, no easy matter when all were not only took an interest in the militia and reached willing, but anxious, to go. The captain the rank of colonel. made choice of those he thought best fitted 10. Nathan C. James is the son of the for the hard duties of the field, but there I late John D. James, of Doylestown town¬ ship, who was crier of the Bucks county were many disappointments, some who were i court for half a century. The family set- rejected shedding tears. S tied in New Britain township in 1720. He The meeting called for under the foregoing i learned the watchmaking trade; then read resolution was held in the Court House the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851; following Tuesday evening, April_23, when was elected District Attorney in 1854 and re¬ action was taken toward fitting out the elected in 1857, the only man who twice company. Judge Chapman again presided, filled that office by election in the county. He is the oldest practicing attorney at the making an eloquent speech upon taking the bar. chair, and speeches were also made by the Rev. Silas M. Andrews (16J, of the Presby- 11. Enos Prizer was a native of Chester terian Church, and William Richards Gries: county, and learned the printing trade in the office of the Village Record when Henry (17), of the Protestant Episcopal. The day S. Evans was editor and proprietor, anil Bayard Taylor worked at the case. In 1855 12. Henry T. Darlington, business he and Henry T. Darlington purchased the partner of Enos Prizer in the publication of Bucks County Intelligencer. Mr. Prizer died the Bucks County Intelligencer, also learned at the close of 1S64. ,;’i the trade in the Village Record office under Henry S. Evans, West Chester. After the death of Mr. Pr zer he purchased his inter¬ defence*80 are abour'marching to its c est and conducted the paper until his own death, in 1S7S. Resolved, That the citizens of Doyles- 13. John B. Pugh is a descendant of town, who remain at home, pledge theru- Hugh Pugh, who emigrated from Wales to selves to support the families of those who Chester county, Pa., about 1725. His father shall volunteer for service, aud that a com- was John Pugh, the father and son being mittee be appointed (of which the chairman born in Hilltown townsh’p, Bucks county. or this meeting shall be the chairman) to j His father removed to Doylestown when carry out the resolution. John B. was a boy. After graduating at the The committee appointed consisted of t University of Pennsylvania he read law and Henry Chapman, chairma was admited to the bar in 1830. His wife was a daughter of the late Judge John Fox, ngton (12), John B. of Dovlestown. James, George 15. T'HiE Court House, at Doylestown, wherein the first public meeting was held in the county to take action in reference to j firing on the' flag at Sumter and the surren- ; der of that fortress, was built in 1.812-13, ‘ and the first regular term of court held in it liar 31, of 1S13. The present Court House j occupying nearly the same site as the old ( building, was built in 1877-78. 16. Silas M. Andrews, a Presbyterian ; clergyman of distinction, was born in North Carolina in 1805: was educated at the Uni¬ versity of North Carolina; taught school until 1828. when he entered the Princeton Theological Seminary. He was called to the Doylestown Presbyterian Church, his first and onlv charge, n November. 1831, and re- | mained there until his death. March 7. 1881. He was a man of great ability and of sehol- ! arly attainments. During his pastorate he . married 1,242 couples. 17. William Richards Cries was the j son of Dr. William Grtes, and was horn in Berks county. Pa., in 1820. He studied divinity, and was subsequently engaged in j missionary work in North Carolina. In 1855 J he was called to St. Paul’s Protestant /Episcopal Church, Doylestown, and was its I pastor until September, 1861. when he was appointed chaplain of the One Hundred and I Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served three years, rendering valuable services, i After the war he was called to Grace 1 1 stead township, Bucks county, and a printer Church, Allentown. 1868, where he died in 1 ! by trade. He was editor and proprietor of 1372. t' the Bucks County Intelligencer for several years prior to its sale to Prizer & Darling¬ ton. He removed to Philadelphia at the ' close of the war and became an officer in the : Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Com- i pany. He is now living retired a few miles out of the city. __ 0 w " State. The appointment, of non-co^.^,.,- sioned officers was deferred until the captain. ' had a better knowledge of the men. Both the lieutenants were officers of the old com¬ pany.

NATHAN C. JAMES.

prior to holding this second meeting Captain Davis received the following dispatch from Governor Curtin: Captain Davis immediately instituted a thorough system of squad and company drills, paying particular attention to the school of the soldiers, Clemens’ Hall, a large, unoccupied room over a sash factory and planing mil] near the railroad station, was used as a drill room, and there the com¬ pany was to be found most of the time, day and night. Both the drill and discipline were severe, and the men took on the bearing of soldiers in a remarkably short time. In the meantime the people of Doylestown and vicinity were not backward in discharging their duty. Money was liberally subscribed, goods purchased, and there was a union of hands in making up a complete outfit of un¬ derclothing for those who had volunteered, besides supplying them with many other necessary articles. In this emergency the women of Doylestown and those who lived

18. Jacob Swartzlander, the sou of John Swartzlander, of Doylestown town¬ ship, was born and brought up at his father’s mill. He. was teaching school when the rebellion broke out, and, being an officer GENERAL WILLIAM H. KEIM. of the company, was active in reorganizing it for the war. He was afterward a captain in the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, Harrisburg, April 22, 1861. and served three years. He was badly To Captain W. W. H. Davis: wounded at Fair Oaks by a ball passing Await orders. We may send you by way through his mouth, carrying awav part of of Philadelphia. Have no arms here to give his tongue. He removed to Omaha, Neb., you. soon after the war, where he still lives. (Signed.) A. G. Curtin, Governor. 19. George T. Harvey was the sou of Enoch and a descendant of Thomas Harvey, As the order to march might now be ex¬ who settled in' Upper Wakefield township. Bucks county, in 1750. Enoch Harvey pected at any moment, there was much rto be 1 came to Doylestown between 1785 and 1790 done, and it must be done quickly, to com¬ bought what is now the Fountain House and plete the outfitting of the company. The kept it for several years. George read med¬ most important thing was its organization, icine, and after spending a few years in which Captain Davis effected by appointing practice in Missouri established himself at Doylestown in the drug bus ness* When Jacob Swartzlander (IS), son of a near-by the war broke out he was one of the first to farmer and miller, first lieutenant and volunteer. On his return from the three George T. Harvey (19), druggist, of Doyles- months’ service he joined the One Hundred town, ^econd lieutenant, the emergency being and Fourth Regiment and served three too pressing to await the slow process of years as captain. He died in 1892. electing officers under the militia laws of the ■ „>' » f

"near were not unmindful of the duty they owed the cause. Their patriotism was not second to that of the men, and they were active in their efforts to fit out their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers for the field. I regret I .cannot recall the names of all who were prominent in this patriotic work, but the following were among the most active: Mrs. Pugh, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. McCoy, Mrs. Bryan. Mrs. Gilkyson, Mrs. Lyman, Mrs. Darlington, Mrs. Brock, Mrs. DuBois, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. James and Miss Fox. While the company remained at Doyles- town, awaiting orders, it was invited to at¬ tend service at the two leading churches, Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal, and availed themselves of this invitation the day before they "folded their tents and marched away"—Sunday, April 2S; at the former church in the morning, and at the latter in the evening—where sermons appropriate to the unusual occasion were preached in the presence of a large and sympathizing

fact you shall have orders "to march. We feel the importance of having a soldier of your experience in the field. Respectfully yours. Signed. e. M. Biddle.

PIarrisburg, April 23, 1S61. To Captain \\. W. H. Davis: Must wait a day longer. Will telegraph you to-morrow when to march. Cannot to-day. ■Signed. A. G. Curtin, Governor. Philadelphia, April 26 1861 To Captain W. W. H. Davis: Cannot say when. If possible to-morrow. Signed D. P. Dietrich. But the long looked for and anxiously awaited marching orders came at last; and the strain upon the company and the com¬ munity was in a measure relieved by tin receipt of the following dispatch at noon on Friday, April 26:

m ^ „ Harrisburg, April 26, 1861. To W W. H. Davis: Reach Philadelphia on Monday in time to take the 2 30 P M train at Eleventh and Market for Harris¬ burg. Signed. j. a. Wright.

The supreme moment had now arrived, WILLIAM KACHLINE. and to the men who had volunteered, as well as to their families and friends who remained at home, the realities of war stood audience. During all this period the ex¬ out to them more vividly than ever before cited and nervous condition of the com¬ Monday morning, April 26, 1S61, was not munity was maintained, and the dispatches second in importance to Doylestown and her passing almost daily between Governor Cur¬ inhabitants to Saturday, the 13th, when tin and Captain Davis, in no wise tended to news was received of the fall of Sumter. , allay it. The “Local” of the Democrat epit¬ The company was notified to assemble in omized the state of feeling in the following front of the Court House at 6 A. M. prepara¬ j brief paragraph: “On Saturday evening en- tory to taking the train for Philadelphia. Tfiusiasm and glorification had full and free It was there on time, and in a few minutes,' sway; martial music mellowed the spring was surrounded by hundreds of anxious rel¬ air; cheers for our Union rang out loud atives and friends who had come to bid fare¬ and clear along our streets; the ‘Star Spang- well to their untried soldiers. There was led Banner’ was sung o'er and o’er again, no time to be lost, and after the Rev. Silas and its inspiring chorus mingled in joy with M. Andrews had presented to each officer the voices of the night.” and man a copy of the New Testament, and The following dispatches now followed .the—last good-byes were said, the companv each other in quick succession: vas ordered to “Fall in," and, in a very few minutes, it was formed in marching order. Pennsylvania Executive Chamber. V!ls was tile trying moment: mothers, wives, Harrisburg, Pa* April 23, 1861. children, sweethearts, gave the last embrace Captain W. W. H. Davis: Dear Sir—We do not know where we shall need your com¬ pany. As soon as we can ascertain that

-n ■V'ih

and kiss to those neat' and dear, and Filbert streets, where the Misses Dunlap, living next door, had prepared lunch. The “There was sudden parting, family had formerly lived in Doylestown Such as press the life from out young hearts, and were acquainted with some of the young And choking sighs that ne’er may be re¬ men, and with the parents of others. The peated.” company was next marched to the Girard The company started at the wordiof com¬ House, an unoccupied hotel, at Ninth and mand, the drum and fife playing a lively air. Chestnut streets, where Captain Gibson (20), The march through the streets to the rail¬ military storekeeper, U. S. A., had a depot road station was a continued ovation, the of army clothing, and equipped the Guards whole population apparently turning out to in a handsome gray uniform, including over¬ give the boys “a good send off,” and their coats. I never saw a greater change made cheers made the welkin ring. A large crowd in the same number of men by putting them had collected about the station, and, as the into uniform, and, with their steady march¬ train moved off with the guards aboard, ing and admirable discipline, they had the parting cheers were interchanged. appearance of soldiers long in service. They The ‘'Local” of the Democrat, in the next attracted attention wherever seen. The issue, described the .departure of the Doyles- company was marched to the Pennsylvania town Guards on that eventful morning of Railroad station, according to Governor Cur¬ April 29, 1861, as follows: tin’s order, and took a train for Harris¬ “At 6 o’clock, punctual to the hour, the burg. company began to assemble. Cheering music, which seemed to mock the grief of many a heart, gave life and zest to the gathering : of the men; while the fairest of the fair, with smiles bedimmed with tears, were early at the scene. There were tremulous voices, choked utterances, fervent hand clasps, and earnest god-speed wished them each and all. A presentation of a Testament to each man, by Rev. Dr. Andrews, the order to march, the triumphal progress amid loud cheers, and a sea of handkerchiefs, through streets densely lined to the depot, the eager hundreds which there congregated, the entering of the cars, the shrill whistle, departing cheers for our brave and loya! boys—and the train, which bore away from sight our heart-idols, was gone.” The journey from Doylestown to Philadel¬ phia was not without interest to our young

The arrival of the company in the city and the departure for Harrisburg was no¬ ticed as follows by two of the newspapers: “A company of volunteers from the neigh¬ borhood of Doylestown reached the city this morning about half-past 9 o’clock. They are a fine-looking body of men and were uni¬ formed.—Evening Bulletin, April 29. “Captain W. W. H. Davis, editor of the Doylestown Democrat, arrived in this city yesterday morning with a fine company of i eighty men, named the Doylestown Guards, j This is the first company organized in Bucks county, and is composed of picked men. Cap¬ tain Davis served with distinction in the Mexican war, and is a valuable officer. They ' proceeded to the house of the Diligent En¬ gine Company, where they were hospitably entertained, and afterward marched to West Philadelphia, where they took the cars for W. W. H. DAVIS. Harrisburg. They will report immediately at Camp Curtin, and hold themselves in and untried soldiers of the Union. The readiness to march at any moment. The Guards, being the first company in this part Press, April 30. The trip to Harrisburg was without inci¬ of the State to start for Harrisburg, at¬ dent At Lancaster the City Guards, com¬ tracted no little attention. Crowds of people manded by Captain D. W. Patterson (21), were assembled at all the stations on the boarded the train and shared the journey road, who cheered and waved flags as the with us. Reaching our destination about train passed by. It reached the city at 9.30 and proceeded immediately to the Diligent dark the Guards were met at the railroad station bv State Senator Yardley (22) and Engine House, at the corner of Tenth and ' ' V

ana'observe and' obey .the "orders of the of¬ 20. George Gibson, son of the late Chief ficers appointed over me, according to the Justice Gibson, of the State Supreme Court, Rules and Articles for the Government of was appointed military storekeeper, Quar- the Army of the United States.” The com¬ ! termastPr’s Department, U. S. A., April 1, pany was now marched back to Camp Cur¬ I 1853 He was captain, Eleventh Infantry, May 14, 1801. and served through the war, tin, where the men were set at work putting ! receiving the brevet of major for gallantry their quarters in order. On the following ! at Gettysburg and lieutenant colonel for day, May 1, the company held a meeting at meritorious service at Lee’s surrender. He Camp Curtin, the captain in the chair, and was colonel. Fifth Infantry, August 1, 1S86, passed resolutions thanking the citizens of and died August 5, 1888, at Hot Springs, Doylestown, the ladies especially, and all New Mexico. others, for the courtesies extended them 21. David Watson Patterson was a na¬ and the assistance rendered in fitting them tive'of Lancaster county,Pa..a grandson of a out, etc. The resolutions were ordered to be soldier of the Revolution, and son of an offi¬ cer of the War of 1812-15; graduated at printed in the Doylestown newspapers and AVashington College, read law, was admitted entered upon the journal of the company. to the bar: a member of the Legislature in While at Harrisburg the company was vis¬ 1846 and District Attorney 1854-57. Having ited by Mrs. Chapman, wife of Judge Chap¬ a taste for military pursuits, he gave up his man, of Doylestown, who was received with practice at the outbreak of the war and all the honors. equipped a company at his own expense for the three mouths' service, returning to civil pursuits at the close of the Shenandoah Val- ley campaign. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1873; was elected an Associate Law Judge in 1873 and re-elected in 1883, dying in 1892. 22. Mahlon Yardlby, son of John Yard- lev of Bucks county, was born at Yardley- ville m 1824. He read law with Henry D. > Maxwell, of Easton, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He was elected to the State t Senate in 1858, serving a full term of three ;* years. He joined ‘the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment and served a year as first lieutenant; then resigned because of ill health and accepted the office of United States Marshal for the Fifth district. He was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the district at the close of the war, af- | terwards resumed practice, and died at Doylestown in 1873.

]l Representatives Barnsley and Riley, 'oT~‘ : Bucks, and other friends, who escorted us j to Herr's Hotel, where a very acceptable '-supper had been provided, and to which the members of the company paid the highest compliment, not exactly following the exam- \ pie of the immortal “Jack Spratt,” by “lick¬ ing the platter clean," but the next thing to it. The “boys” were fully justified in LIEUTENANT G. T. HARVEY. paying the attention they did to the supper, for they knew it would be three months before they could “look upon its like again.” The Doylestown Guards were not permit- The company was now marched to Camp ,: ted to tarry long at Camp Curtin. On May Curtin (23), two miles out of town, and 2 Captain Davis was orded to proceed to lodged the first night in a Methodist camp ■ ‘ Camp Scott, at Y'ork, with his own and meeting tent. As they lay down in the five unarmed and ununiformed companies, straw to sleep off the fatigue of the day, » and report to Major General William H. each “with his martial cloak around him,” ] they not only thought of the girls they had left behind them, but of their mothers' com¬ fortable beds. It was a new experience for these patriotic young men. J The next morning the company was marched into town to be mustered into the | military service of the United States, and I here was another new experience for the | men In the mustering officer. Captain S. G. I Simmons (24), Seventh United States In- i fantry, Captain Davis found a Mexican war | acquaintance, and they were mutually pleased to meet again. The ceremony of muster was clothed with a solemnity be¬ fitting the occasion. The company was drawn up in two ranks, when the officers and men, with heads uncovered and hands uplifted, had the following oath adminis¬ tered to them by the mustering officer, each one repeating after him: “I do solemnly swear that I will bear i true allegiance to the United States of I America, and that I will serve them hon- I cstlj and faithfully against all their ene- i miei or opposers whatsoever; and obey the orders of the President of the. United States, HENRY T. DARLINGTON. Keim. Arriving about dark, the command was marched to the exhibition ground and quartered in the newly-erected cattle sheds. The camp was commanded by Brigadier -jlJ \ General George C. Wynkoop (25), brother From, ''/iAS of. the late Colonel Francis M. Wynkoop, of the First Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Mexican War. Here were about 5,000 raw voluteers with only a few companies in uniform and armed. When Captain Davis was sent to Camp Scott with the six com- panies, it was for the purpose of organizing i Bate, . '/Z2/ fr a new regiment, to be called the Sixteenth, of which he was to be the colonel. This! Governor Curtin told him before leaving Harrisburg. But this was not carried out. . When the organization was about to be ef¬ - —* fected a committee of the company officers waited on Captain Davis and tendered him LOCAL HISTORY. the position of lieutenant colonel. This he declined, saying to the committee it was fairly understood he was to be colonel of the regiment, and that under the circum¬ The South Corner of Hilltowi stances he could not accept the second place; he must be “Caesar or nobody.” This ended Township. the interview, and the committee retired. This failure to carry out the wishes of Gov¬ ernor Curtin eaused some friction in mili¬ The Evans Plantation and Family of Hill- tary circles, and subsequently changed the destiny of the Doyiestown Guards. The offi¬ town—Evan Evans, the Pioneer—Ra¬ cer chosen colonel of the Sixteenth was Cap¬ ttan Evans, the Soldier. tain Thomas A. Ziegler (26), of the Worth! Infantry, York, who proved to be an able! and gallant commander, and laid down his The locality of the Evans tract in Hill- life for the cause. town can easily be remembered when it One of the objects that attracted the great¬ is said that it covered the extreme south est attention at York was the old Court House, situated about the middle of the ‘corner of that township. It also covered town. When the British army occupied a portion of the west corner oi New* 1 Britain, down to 1779. Upon it is built 23. Camp Curtin was a depot for raw troops, and to some extent was a camp of the greater portion of the village of Line instruction, from which thousands of volun¬ Lexington. It also comprised the site teers were sent to the front during the war. of several farms, including those now or 24. Seneca Galiisha Simmons was born in Windsor county, Vt., in 1808, was edu- recently owned by the Ruth, Swartley, . cated at Captain Partridge’s Military ■Press, Geisinger and other properties. i Schools, at. Norwich. Vt., and Middletown. Title homestead was the present farm of Conn., and at West Point, where he graduated John I), Ruth. This is upon a slop9 a few in 1834, and was assigned to the Seventh In¬ fantry. He served in the Florida and Mex¬ hundred yards northeast ol the County ican wars and was at one time Assistant Line, with which a laue connects. The Adjutant General on General Taylor’s staff. present buildings are modem. A short At the outbreak of the rebellion Captain ! distance north of the present house is Simmons was appointed mustering officer pointed out the site of the original dwel¬ for Pennsylvania. He was subsequently ling of the Evans family. A walled ;;commissioned colonel of the Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, and was killed June spring near by was till recently covered 30, 1862, at the battle of Glendale, Va. He by a springhouse. Here gushed forth was major Fourth Infantry, U. S. A. a Low of lasting water which induced the first settler to here build his habitation. 25. George G. Wynkoop, son of Nicholas Wynkoop, of Pottsville, and descendant of 1‘rom thence the lower moadow lands Henry Wynkoop, the friend of Washington, extends to the turnpiked County Line, and member of the first Congress under the whilst in the rear northeast the slope Constitution, was born in 1S06. He early rises to the greater elevation of the line exhibited a fondness for military life and I of the Bethlehem road. The original was an officer of volunteer cavalry for twenty years. At the outbreak of the war tract extended beyond that highway, he was one of the five brigadiers appointed running along the New Britain line till for Pennsylvania. He was subsequently ap¬ it met the Aaron and Lewis plantations. pointed colonel of the Seventh Pennsylva¬ Ib the pleasant woodland of John Pre«s nia Cavalry and served in the Army of Ten-1 by the roadside have been held many nessee. Pie was mustered out of service' feunday school picnics in the pa9t. On June 25, 1883, on account of disability. the southeast side it included the tavern 3 26. Thomas A. Ziegler was born at York, property, the store and the site of the Pa., in 1824, and educated at Pennsylvania shops and dwellings on both sides of the College, Gettysburg. He served in' Wyn- koop’s First Pennsylvania Regiment in the Bethlehem road, aud in New Briiain it Mexican war and reached the rank of cap¬ ioined the old Atherholt property. tain. On liis return from the ShenandoahJ ROBERT EVANS, THE IMMIGRANT. Valley campaign he re-enlisted and organ-1 ized the One Hundred and Seventh Regi-I Robert Evans, an original settler of meat and led it to the field, dying in service I jwynedd, was the American ancestor of from disease at Warrenton, ‘ Va., July 15, | ■he family. He was a Welsh Quaker. 1862. Colonel Ziegler was a lawyer by pro¬ -a 1/02 he bought a tract of 250 acres, ex- fession, but his tastes were martial. ending from the Horsham line to the Continued on Twenty-Sixth Page. jprmg House, or a mile and a quarter in I length. In 1745 he sold 200 acres of his I patent to bis son Evan, lor £2.00, this part ! Robert Evans, of the next generauuu, having a house on it. His death took did not long survive his father. He place in September, 1746, at Radnor. A made a will, May 26, 1774, devising fifty daughter, Elizabeth Jarvis, is mentioned acres to his son Nathan, in the following in bis will. He gave £3 to Gwynedd/ l words ; “I give unto my son, Nathan, all Meeting. To his son, Evan, he gave his that part ot my plantation lying on the Gwynedd plantation, along with Robert southeast side of the great road, joining and Jonathan, the sons of the latter. lands of John Lapp, the widow Elizabeth , This they held till 1760. j Aaron, Henry Lewis and my other lands. 14VAN EVANS. This was that portion of the Evans tract I Meantime, long before his father’s lying on the east and southeast side of death, Evan Evans had removed to Hill- j the Bethlehem road through the village town. He was already living in Hill- ! of Line Lexington, and followed that ! town, in December 30,1728, when he re- | road tor 3448 leet in its winding course. | eeived from Andrew Hamilton a title i As the name ol Robert Evans is not lor 250 acres of wild land, lor which he i found in the enrollment of Hilltown, paid £100. This was further confirmed I made in 1775, we may conclude that his to him in 1733 by Thomas, Richard and I death took place in or before that year. John Penn. It was part of 500 acres NATHAN E VANS. J that had belonged to John Harrison, de- Robert Evans left sons, Ezra and I ceased, who had bought of Samuel Nathan. The latter was born probably Thomas, of Hurling, Queene county, as early as 1750, or soon after. In 1775 j New York. The boundaries of the tract his name appears as a member of the bought by Evans were : “ Beginning on militia company of Hilltown, and later county line; thence along same north¬ ho became an officer who saw actual ser¬ west 144 perches to corner of land form¬ vice in the American army. One of his erly of Samuel Cart; thence by said land descendants, the wife of Rev. H. B. Gar¬ and that of John Moore northeast 395 ner, of Philadelphia, has in her posses- perches ; thence southeast 53 perches ; aion his commission as lieutenant in 1 thence southwest 160 perches: thence 1777, and that of captain, granted in 1780. i southeast 91 perches; thence by formerly Ihe records of Montgomery church say Thomas Stevenson southwest 135 perches that he was baptized June 2d, 1781. He to beginning.” It will be seen that this was married prior to 1779. In that year tract extended less than a mile along the .he sold his portion of 53 acres to a Ger- I county line; that it ran back a mile and inan named Tobias Shull, who was the an eighth northeast; that there was an landlord of the Line Lexington tavern in angle in the northeast boundary, and the days of the Revolution. i that it reached in this direction to the After the Revolution, his first wife be¬ i Aaron plantation, ing deceased, Nathan married Mary I Here, in the slope above the meadow Mathews, daughter of Thomas Mathews, Evan Evans built his humble habitation This took Place about 1 by the springside, cleared a portion ot the 1,90. His father-in-law lived atthepres- woods away, and lived the remainder of l-ent Mathews place, just east of Challont. , his life, extending thencefoi ward prob¬ vaffian Lvaus was one of the constituent able for forty years. He was away from |members of Hilltown church, formed his former Quaker neighborhood, and November 10,1781. Evans and his wife was surrounded by his countrymen ot removed to the Buffalo Valley, now another faith. The Baptist churches of Union county, whither there was much Hilltown and Montgomery were con¬ emigration at that time to lauds that venient. Then also the Baplists mostly were cheap and fertile. There lie died used the plain language of the Friends, in March, 1810. Some time after bis They called their places of worship meel- death his widow and family removed j ing houses instead ot churches. They back to Bucks county, where she died abjured all frivolous amusements, ail > (March 19, 1834. Their children were show and adornment in dress, and in j John, Robert, David, Joseph, Matthew manner and customs would not greatly (and George, all born between 1792 and offend one brought up in accordance with ■ '1804. Quaker usages. An entry in the old Il O-f these children George died in ! 2 j Montgomery church book for the year Robert became a merchant taiioTr auu 1719 says that Evan Evans, Daniel Evans, lived in New York and New Orleans, be¬ jJenkin Evans and Isaac James were tween which places he journeyed and 1 baptized. So it would appear that Evan traded, and by which business he became Evans had joined the Baptists nine years quite wealthy. He, however, fell a vic¬ before buying land in Hilltown, though tim to the pestilence of yellow lever then not that long before becoming a resident raging in that southern city. His death : there. It is not certain, however, that took place August 23d, 1S35. He was 1 there may not have been another Evan never married and left a consideraole Evans, who was baptized in 1719. fortune to his brother. He was buried at i We have no further record of the life of New Britain where there was placed a Evan Evans, save one or two. On the7th neat monument to his memory. of June, 1751, he and his wife Eleanor sold 200 acres to their son Robert. What be¬ Joseph Evans, another son of Nathan, came of his other son, Jonathan. we are lived in Doylestown township, near the not informed, but he was living in 1747. Sandy Ridge school house and married Perhaps he stayed in Gwynedd. Accord¬ Rachel Riale. He had two sons, William ing to another piece of evidence in pos¬ and Dr. Joshua. Joseph and his son, session of his descendants, it is known William, removed to Minnesota, where that he was yet living as late as 176S. He the former died of a prevailing fever in was then, doubtless quite aged, and is 1857. William, his son, died in the Union supposed to ha\e died shortly after¬ Army during the Civil War. Joshua wards. In 1770 one Eleanor Evans was was a practicing physician for many on the list of members of Montgomery years and died at Branchtown about 1882. church. John, another son of Nathan, married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Thomas, of j ROBERT EVANS. Hilltown. They lived in Montgomery pu the late Peter Bender property, a short warn distance northeast of Montgomeryville. [ she purchased a house and lot. This she They had a family of children. sold in 1842 to Aaron Rockafellar, and David Evans was born September 10, removed to Philadelphia with her son, 1794. He was a carpenter by trade and John M. Evans. afterwards became a lumber merchant Another portion ot the land of Robert in Philadelphia. He was twice married, Evans, was sold by his administrators first to Elizabeth Lunn, and second to in 1835 to Levi Markley. This was on the Mary, daughter of John D. Rowland. In ! northeast side, bordering the Bethlehem 1841 he removed from the city to New road. In 1836 Markley conveyed to Britain where he built the present Keeley George Markley, who, in 1867 sold to home. A more particular account of Daniel Geisinger. David Evans and family was lurnished ! Eleanor Evans, a sister, we believe of the Intelligencer a few years ago. j Robert and Joel Evans, died in 1S57. By His death took place in 1856. her will of that year, her property went The first wife of Nathan Evans was to her near relatives, Lucinda Rowland, Mary, daughter of John James, of New Gwmnie Rowland, Mary, wife of David Britain, who was bora in 1758. By her Evans, Eleanor Rowland, Anna M. he had children: Riaie, Abel M. Evans and John M. Septimus, Ezra, Elizabeth, Mary and Evans. John. Of these,Septimus married Catha¬ Rachel Evans, daughter of Ezra, Sr., rine Houpt, of Springfield township. He married John D. Rowland. The latter was a watchmaker and removed to West died in March, 1821. In his will, his real Chester. His son, Henry S. Evans, was estate was ordered to be sold. His for many years editor of the T Mage brother, William H. Rowland, and his Record, and State Senator from Chester brother-in-laws, Joel Evans and Robert county. His two sons, Willie D. and Evans, were made his executors* He Barton Evans, succeeded their father as publishers of that paper. Ezra, another left children, Mary, wifeof Daniel Evans, son, married Elizabeth Swartz, and had Lucinda, Gwinnie and Eleanor. He children Martin, Jacob, Nathan, Pharos, owned a farm of 36 acres in Hilltown, Christiana, Margaret, Jemima, Eliza¬ along the county line, above the Evans plantation. This was sold in 1824 to beth and Mary. Of these, Martin is a well-known citizen of Doylestown. Of Eleanor Evans, and which in 1825 she sold to her brother, Ezra Evans. the daughters of Nathan Evans, Mary married Stephen Rowland, and Eiiza- The wife of Robert Evans was the beth married Mr. Wismer, of Philadel¬ widow of Jacob Troxell, whom he mar¬ ried about 1825, She was the daughter of phia. John Miller, her name being Susannah. EZRA EVANS. Her first husband died in 1815. By him It was Ezra, son of Robert Evans, she had a daughter, Elizabeth, who be¬ who obtained the greater part of the came the wife of John O. James, the well Hilltown plantation, amounting to 19o known dry goods merchant of Philadel¬ acres. The writer has but few facts con¬ phia, who became prosperous and cerning him. He was baptised and re¬ wealthy in that business. Her sou, John ceived into the Montgomery church, Sep¬ Miller Evans, became a carpet merchant tember 14,1783. His wife, Mary, was re¬ of Philadelphia, and was a man of note ceived by letter irom Hilltown church in the musical profession. on September 17, 1786. As the name of The Troxell family were of German Ezra Evans does not appear in the en¬ descent, coming from the Palatinate soon rollment of Hilltown, made in 1.75, the after 1730. Jacob Troxell, Sr., was born presumption is that he was then too in 1760. He died March 1, 1806, and was j young. He died before becoming old. buried at the Lutheran church of Hill- ! His will was made in 1796. By its pro¬ town. His son, Jacob, was engagedin the vision his wife Mary received his planta¬ manufacuture and sale of hats in Doy¬ tion until her eldest son, Joel, was of age. lestown, in which place he died. He The other children were Eleanor, Rachel, married Susannah, daughter of John Robert, Gwennie and Ezra. Mention is Miller, a Mennonite, who resided for made of Elizabeth, his niece, daughter half a century at a grist and saw mill ory' ol his brother Nathan. , . the North Branch in New Britain. e. yy | Of the lands of Ezra Evans, his son Joel got 65 acres. He died in 1843. His widow, Mary, followed him in SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS. August, 1847. In 1849, her heirs, Eleanor Evans, Daniel Evans, Gwennie Rowland, John Riaie, Abel W. Evans and John W. Evans sold to Jacob Yoder, of Upper An Historical Sketch by Miss Saucon, Lehigh county. This ended the Evans’ ownership after a period ot 121 Myra Brodt, of Springfield. years. The succeeding transfers were: 1853, Yoder to Abraham Yoder; 1863, administrator ot Abraham Yoder to Read Before the Buckwampun Historical Abraham Lapp, a farm of 59 acres ; 1884, Lapp to John D. Ruth, the present owner and Literary Association at the Eighth j of the site of the original Evans resi- Annual Meeting at Durham, June 15, Robert Evans, brother ot Joel,obtained 1895. 1 that part of the plantation on the north¬ west side, the later Swartley farm. The f / name of his wife was Susannah. He died In looking over old deeds, and search¬ in 1834. The next year his administrator ing for old records, we find that the East sold to Charles Bartleson, and in 1837, Bartleson transferred to Eli Ruth, of New Springtown school grounds are the oldest i Britain. This property now belongs to in the township of Springfied. A deed i Henry Swartley. His widow Susannah, was giveil for this tract of land, January i removed to New Britain in 1838, where ] 2d, 1807. The land was given as a free • ■ " : --.tii ."jCFMi *' “Vi 2 chased oi David S. Gehman ior $100. In gilt by Henry Funk and bis -wife, 1392 a deed was given lor the Washington ■ school ground. The land was purchased Barbara, grand-parents of Hon. H. S. oi P. M. Landis ior $25. There is no Funk. But when the first building was deed for the Springfield Church school erected we have no means of ascertaining. ground. The ground on which the build¬ The building now standing on this tract ing is erected is owned by the Spring- oi land is the third one. At the time this field church, and is leased ior fifty years. deed was given we find that Jacob The first record we have of the school Kooker and Howard Shoemaker were I directors was in the year 1861. When trustees. We find the next* oldest school the teachers’ examination was held at grounds in the township is the Bocks, Fair Mount there were seventeen appli¬ now known as the Salem. The land was cants in the class, and comprised the purchased oi John Musselman and wife, following i J. S. Fox, J. A. Campbell, .1. for $1. George Schitz and Joseph Snyder, Boidleman, F. S. Mann, A. W. Benner, were trustees. The next deed is the one 1T. A. Weirbach, D. Y. Mann, J. O. Shirn- given for the Penn. The ground was mel, R. II. Deily, H. G. Pali, W. A. given as a free gilt by Joseph Schleifer. Werst, Tobias Sterner, M. J. Fulmer, The deed was given in 1849. A deed was W. S. Moyer, Manassas S. Moyer, L. S. ir- for the Amity school grounds in Biehn, J. A. Goforth. rru „ , ^ was purchased oi Levi There still remains the ruins oi an old J®0". Ike lanv. 'v*. This is the oldest log hut on Swope Hill, near the North¬ O. Kulp, Esq., for tjje ampton county line. In those days it ischool building now standing «<* contained two apartments. One was township. It was here were HeV. B. r. used as a dwelling and the other ior a , Apple, who was at that time but little school room, where, for a small consider- more than a school boy, taught his first ation, the occupant received day scholars, i term of school. Some oi the large boys It was here that some of the larger boys to tease him used his high hat tor a spit¬ became tired of the monotony of daily toon. He thrashed them soundly lor reading the same sentences irom the old their fun. Teaching was for him only a spelling books. They changed the sen¬ stepping stone to something higher, and tences to suit themselves. Instead oi he is now the pastor oi a prosperous reading the sentence “The little dog ran church in the borough oi Stroudsburg, out and began to bark,” they changed it Monroe county. The next deed given to “The little dog ran out and began to was that for the West Springtown school kick.” The teacher, of course, not know¬ ground. This deed was given in 1853 on ing of their plans, was at first speechless the 5th oi July. The ground was pur¬ with anger and astonishment. After chased oi Jacob Pearson for $25. We find using some profane language he threat¬ that the next deed given was the one for ened to strike them over the heads with theGruver’s Lane, now known as the his fist. The boys were almost smother¬ Keystone. This deed was given in 1857 ed with laughter but were compelled to on the 18th of July. The ground was keep straight faces. purchased of Daniel Landes for $15. A In 1S60 the school term was five months deed w'as given for the Rice’s school and the teacher’s salary was fixed at $25 ground the 9th of June, 1858. The land a month. In 1872 the school term was was purchased of Thomas Bice, Jacob raised to six months and the teacher’s Sterner and Samuel Algard, for the sum salarv was raised to $35 a month. In 1881 of $2. We find another deed was given the directors decided to pay experienced for a tract for the Rocks or No. 2. This teachers, holding first-class certificates, deed was given on the 14th of May, 1859. $30 a month. In 1882 the teacher’s salary The land was purchased oi David Ru¬ was raised to $33 a month. In 1SS6 the dolph, Abraham Kaufman and Abraham salary was raised to $38, according to ex¬ O. Moyer, ior $1. A deed was given for perience. Beginners were to receive $33 the Fair Mount school ground, in 1860, on a month. In 1872 the teachers were to the 29th oi August. The ground was attend the county institute three days. purchased of Samuel Seiple ior $20. A In 1874 they were to attend five days. In deed was given for the Pleasant Valley 1883 new lurniture took the place of the school ground on the 4th of May, 1862. old wooden desks and benches in the The ground was purchased of Joseph following school houses: Church, Salem, Moyer for $25. In 1864 a deed was given ; Zion Hill and Pleasant Valley. In 1884 for an addition to the Amity school new iurnitnre was put in the Franklin grounds. The ground was purchased of and East Springtown school houses, and William Cressman lor $45. "A deed was in 1887 in the Amity and Union school given for the Zion Hill school ground on houses. In 1877 the present Fair Mount the 19th oi April, 1865. The land was school house was built. In 18S0 the purchased oi Ephraim Hept for $140. A Gruvers Lane school house was rebuilt, deed was given for the Franklin school now known as the Keystone. The pres¬ ground on the 7th of August, 1866. The ent Church school house was rebuilt in land was purchased oi Jacob Barron for 1892. Owing to the large number of $50. This, however, was not the first scholars at the Fair Mount school the building erected here. The building school was graded during the summer of erected before the one now standing was 1S92 and a n6\v building erected by the called the “Eight Cornered” school side of the one already built. On the house, but lor some unknown cause there 30th of April, 1878, it was resolved that was no deed given until 1866. A deed the directors ot Springfield township was given for the Stony Point school recommend the board of examiners and ground on the 5th of June, 1873. The the faculty of the Kutztown State Nor¬ land was purchased oi Enos Biehn for mal School to grant Carrie \V. Kline and $50. A deed was given ior the present Vladie J. Horne State Normal diplomas, West Springtown school ground on the pn 1884 Butler’s Readers w'ere adopted, 30th oi March, 1881. The land was pur¬ lit 1887 geographies and spellers were chased oi Henry Pearson and Jacob adimted in the schools, to be supplied Pearson, ior $48. A deed was given ior free. In 1S91 the Fair Mount school was the present Penn school ground on the yac tit until the 12th oi October, when 16th of April, 1882. The land was pur¬ .uynn. ■ McCormick was appointed teach J Teachers for 1864 -Zion’s Church,Lewis $■ Hng the winter this school had! N. Benner; Rocks, Fair Mount, vr Jeachers. Frank McCormick re¬ John O. Shimmel; near A. D. Moyer’s, signed December 21st, 1891. John Ett- Quintus Hess; Springfield Church, Mii- wem was appointed January 1st, 1892, ton J. Fulmer; East Springtown, -; and died February 22d, 1892. Owen Batt Sleifer’s, A. W. Sterner ; Barron’s,-; was appointed February 25th, 1892. The near Thomas Rice’s, Manasses S. Moyer; latter finished the term. During the near E. Beihn’s, Jonas Swope ; near winter of 1892 and ’93 the Keystone school Samuel Cressman’s, Isaac Stahr ; West had two teachers, the first one being Springtown,-; near J. R. Benner’s, dri ven away by a white-cap notice. Enos L. Beihn. The first record we have of both teach¬ Directors for 1862—Henry Trumbower, ers and directors was 1861. But the deeds David Hess, David J. Weirbach, Charles give some of the directors’ names, or YoUngkin, W. H. Gruver and Samuel trustee, as they were called, as early as Scheetz. 1807, as follows: i Directors for 1864—Aaron Landbach, Trustees for 1807—Jacob Kooker and ! Saipuel Frey, John Eakin, Ephraim Howard Shoemaker. Shank, Nathan Cressman and LTriah Trustees for 1826—George Shitz and Jo¬ Lynn. seph Snyder. Jeachers for 1865—Zion’s Church, Har¬ Directors for 1849-Joseph Sleiffer.John rison H. Dichet; Rocks, George E. K. Marstellar, Jacob Barrow, Joseph Stover ; Fair Mount, John O. Shimmel; Mease, David L. Horn and John M, near A. D. Moyer’s, Manasses S. Moyer; Smith. SpriDgfield Church,-; East Spring- Directors for 1851—David L. Horn, John town, Lewis S. Jacoby; Sleifer’s, Quintes M., Smith, Dauiel Landis, John Eakin, Hess ; Barron’s, David W. Bachman ; Ephraim Beidelman and Amos H. Snv. near Thomas Rice’s, A. W. Sterner; der, near E. Beihn’s, Lewis Beihn; near Directors for 1853-John Smith, Alex¬ S. Oressman’s,-; West Springtown, andra Patrick, Ephraim Beidelman, Levi S. Zeiner ; near J. R.Benner’s,-. Samuel Mann, Samuel Horn and Solo¬ Directors for 1865—Samuel Frey, Eph¬ mon Hess. raim Shank, Uriah Lynn, Aaron Land¬ bach, Daniel Weirbach and John S. teachers for 1861—Zion’s Church, Reu- Fluck. il6? ®eiI^i Rocks, Allen W. Sterner ; Fair Mount, John O. Shimmel ; near A. Teachers for 1866—Zion’s Church, To¬ bias Sterner ; Rocks, E. B. Hottel; Fair D. Moyer s, Wm. G. Moyer ; Springfield Church, J, A. Campbell; East Snring- Mount,-: near A. D. Moyer’s, Man¬ town. Win. S. Moyer ; Sleifer’s, Milton asses S. Moyer; Springfield Church, Fulmer ; Barron’s, W. H. Worst; near Milton J. Fulmer; East Springtown, J. Dewis S. Jacoby ; Sleifer’s,Quintes Hess; Thomas Rice’s, John Beidelman ; near Barron’s, Asher L. Hess ; near Thomas E. Beihn’s, Henry G. Paff; near Samuel Rice’s, A. G. Weikel ; near E. Beihn’s Cressman’s, Francis S. Mann; West (changed to Stony Point), P. W. Hoff¬ Springtown, Aaron Christine ; near J. R. man ; near Samuel Cressman’s,I. S. Wei¬ Benner’s, Thomas B. Weirbach. kel; West Springtown, L. S. Zeiner; Directors for 1S60—J. Arney, Henry F. near J. R. Benner’s, John Shimmel. Trumbower, W. H. Gruver, David R. Directors for 1866—Samuel Frey, Aaron Hess, Henry Gruver and Samuel Scheetz. Landbach, Levi M. Johnson, Daniel Directors for 1861—Henry T. Trum¬ Weirbach, Thomas H. Ochs and John L. bower, fiaviu S?8®; W, H, Gruver, Fluck. ' Charles Youngkin, David J. Weirbach Teachers for 1867—Zion’s Church, W. and Samuel Scheetz. H. Mininger; Rock’s, C. B. Wolf; Fair Directors for 1858—John Youngkin, Mount, John O. Shimmel ; near A. D. Joseph Arney, George Wolf, Henry Moyer’s, Nf. S. Moyer; Springfield Gruver, Isaac Geisinger and George A, Church, Chester K. Leidy ; East Spring-' Hess. town, Lewis Beihn ; Sleifer’s, I. S. Wei¬ Directors for 1859—John Youngkitl, kel ; Barron’s, Wm. B. Rep; near Joseph Arney, Henry Gruver, George Thomas Rice’s, O. L. Rice ; Stony Point,' Wolf, Henry T. Trumbower and William P. W. Hoffman; near Samuel Cress¬ H. Gruver. man’s, John A. Snyder ; West Spring- Teachers for 1862—Zion’s Church,! town, Newton S. Rice ; near J. R. Ben¬ Charles Mason; Rocks, M. S. Moyer;' ner’s, Tobias Sterner. Fair Mount, John O. Shimmel ; Spring- Directors for 1S67—Daniel Weirbach, field Church, J. A. Campbell; East; Isaac Cressman, John L. Fluck, Levi M. Springtown, A. W. Sterner ; Sleifer’s, E. Johnson and Reuben B. Apple. A. Kratz; Barron’s, Robert S. Garner ; Teachers for 1868—Zion’s Church, Wm. near Thomas Rice’s, Francis Mann ; near H. Mininger; Rock’s, M. M. Swartley; Samuel Cressman’s, Leidy B. Landis ; Fair Mount, John O. Shimmel; Moyer’s, near E. Beihn’s, Lewis S. Beihn ; near Jj Ahrnon A. Apple; Springfield Church, R. Benner’s, W. H. Rudolph; West David A. Bachman; East Springtown, Springtown, John H. Krout. Harry M. Trumbore; Sleifer’s, Milton J. Teachers for 1863—Zion’s Church, L. N. Fulmer; Barron’s, Samuel Algard; Benner; Rocks, C. D. Walp; Fair Mount, near Thomas Rice’s, Oliver. S. Rice; A. M. Stauffer; near A. D. Moyer’s, Stony Point, P. W. Hoffman; near Leidy B. Landis; Springfield Church Samuel Cressman’s, Tobias Sterner;' J. A. Campbell; East Springtown West Springtown, Newton S. Rice ; near Sleifer’s, A. W. Sterner ; Barron’s, O. J. J. R. Benner’s, Samuel Lambert. b ox ; near Thomas Rice’s, D. S. Pulling ; _ Directors for 1868—Edward T. Hess, near E. Beihn’s, J. Swone ; near Samuel Isaac Cressman, T. H. Ochs, L. M. John¬ Cressman’s, -; West Springtown,! son, Adam Weirbach and R. B. Apple. -—; near Benner’s, Harrison Dichet. Teachers for 1869—Zion’s Church, W. Directors for 1863—David Weirbach, H. Mininger; Rocks, M. M. Swartz; John Eakin, Francis Ruth, Nathan Fair Mount, John O. Shimmel; Moyer’s, Crossman, Edward Dilgart and Uriah| R. W. Weirbach ; Springfield Church, A. a Weikel; East Sprmgtown, SamuaTR. Springtown, Wilson Strock; aieners, Trauch; Sleifer’s, Sam^uel ^Campbell, Catharine Fluck; Franklin, Amanda Hess; Union, A. G. Weibel; Stony Point, SEE. Oliver s. Rice;’ Stony Point Jonas W. Swope; Amity, Anna R. Lovett; PhiliuW Hoffman ; near Samuel Cress West Springtown, T. C. Strock; Gruver’s Lane, L. J. Link. Directors lor 1875.—William H. Gruver, |R. Eckert, Jacob Solliday, Ephriam ^Shank, Charles Mumbower and Eli- iFrankenfield. Weirb£rh,9He»ry Bissey and Edward T. Directors for 1876.—William H. Gruver, Ephraim Shank, Jacob K. Solliday, S. S. I /Teachers for lS70-Zion’s C^rc|^ru"; Cressman, Reuben Eckert and J. M, Kaufman. ^ ““r MouSohnO. Sbimmelj Mover’s, Teachers lor 1877—Zion’s Church, S. S. Rosenberger; Salem, E. H. Rosenberger; Fair Mount, Mary Rinle; Pleasant Amelia Hess ; Sleifer’s, Newton S. Rice , Valley, Carrie W. Kline; Springfield Barron’s,-•! near Thomas Rice s, _A. Church, Sadie J. Horne; East Spring- r WAikftl : Stony Point, Jonas »»• town, Wilson Strock; Sleifers (Changed Swope ; near Samuel Cressman’s, Oliver to Penn,) Anna R. Lovett; Franklin, ,,s. Rice; West. Sprmgtown,_ Anna C Amanda Hess; Union, Catharine Camp¬ l|,Raw ling ; near J. R. Benne. s, w bell; Stony Point, Laiayette R. Amey: Amity, A. G. Weikel; West Springtown, I ^The Continuation ol the records of the pf. C. Strock; Gruver’s Lane,-. teachers and directors of Springfield Directors lor 1877—Reuben Apple, Fred. I Trauger, I. M. Kaufman, Reuben Eckert, township schools are as follows. 8. S. Cressman and Ephraim Shank. Directors ior 1870—Isaac Chessman, Teachers for 1878—Zion’s Church 1 Charles Mambower, Adam Weir bach, L. (Changed to Zion’s Hill), S. S. Rosen¬ M. Johnson, Henry Bissey, Edmund T. berger; Salem, Francis R. Mann; Fair Hess Mount, Lewis J. Link; Pleasant Valley, Teachers for 1871—Zion’s Church, S. S. Carrie W. Kline; Springfield Churcfi, Rosenberger ; Rocks, (changed to Salem) T. Y. Weiderhammer; East Springtown, _; Fair Mount, Zeno W. Weirbach ; Wilson Strock; Penn, T. C. Strock; I Moyer’s, (changed to Pleasant Valley) Franklin, Amanda Hess; Union, Oliver Jacob S. Moyer ; Springfield Church, P. S. Rice; Stony Point, Jordon Stover; W. Hoffman ; East Spnngtown, Amelia Amity, Charles H. Ott; WestSpringtown, Hess; Sleifer’s, Alice M. Adams; Bar¬ -; Grus7ers Lane,-. ron’s, (changed to Franklin) Oliver S. Directors lor 1878—J. M. Kauiman, Rice; near Thomas Rice’s, (changed to Levi M. Johnson, R. B. Apple, Frederick Union) A. G. Weikel; Stony Point, Ger¬ Irauger, Tilgkman Barron and S. S. trude Adams ; near Samuel Cressman s, Cressman. Charles F. Meyers; West Springtown, Teachers for 1879—Zion’sHHill, East- Sue E. Zerne ; near J. R. Benner’s, Clem- aurn R. Hottle; Salem, Francis R. Mann; met Snyder. . m T TV/r Fair Mount, L. C. Link; Pleasant Valley, Directors for 1871—T. H. Ochs, L- M. MahloD C. Beringer; Springfield Church, Johnson, Charles Mumbower, Isaac - T. Y. Weiderhammer; East Springtown, Cressman, Adaiii Weirbach, Edmund T. JohnR. Koch; Penn, George S. Cress- Hess boan; Franklin, Amanda Hess; Union, Teachers for 1872—Zion’s Church, L. Y. Philip Barron; Stony Point, Jordon F. Clynier; Salem, Morris M. Swartz; Stover; Amity, C. Henry Ott; West Fair Mount, Lewis M. Shimmel; Pleas¬ Spriuglown, T. O. Strock; Gruver’s Lane, ant Valley, Charles F. Meyers ; Spring- Lavene D. Knechel. field Church, P. W. Hoffman ; East Directors lor 1879—John L. Fluck, Levi Springtown, Amelia Hess; Sleifer’s, M. Johnson, R. B. Apple, Tilghman Titus C. Strock; Franklin, Wilson Barron, ^sderick Trauger and Charles Strock; UnioD, A. G. Weikel; Stony Point, Jonas Swope; near Samuel Cress- R. Bechtel. man’s, (changed to Amity) E. M. Loux ; Teachers lor 1880—Zion’s Hill, Eugene West Springtown, John B. Keller ; near Gangewere; Salem, Lewis M. Beidier; J. R. Benner’s, (changed to Gruver’s Fair Mount, A. R. Trumbower; Pleasant Valley, E. R. Hottel; Springfield Church, \ Lane) L. J. Link. Directors for 1872—Edward T. Hess, Francis R. Mann; East Springtown, S. H. Isaac Cressman, Reuben Eckert, Adam Diehl; Penn, George Cressman; Franklin, Weirbach, Jacob Z. Fabian and Charles Amanda Hess; Union, Henry Mill; Mumbower. Stony Point, Philip Barron; Amity Vllred S. Snyder; West Springtown, W. Teachers for 1873.—Zion’s Church, T. T. H. Lantz; Gruver’s Lane, I). K. Knechel. Clymer; Salem, Henry Strunk; Fair Directors lor 1880—Tilghman Barron. Mount, M. M. Swartz, Pleasant Valley, R. B. Apple, Jonas W. Swope, Charles Zeno W. Weirbach; Springfield Churcb, Bechtel, Levi M. Johnson and John-L. C H. Hindenach; East Springtown, Fleck. Amelia Hes3; Sleiter’s, Peter A. Gruver; Teachers for 1881—Zion’s Hill, Lewis Franklin, Amanda Hess; Union, Tobias ML Beidler i Salem, S. S. Diehl; Fair Sterner; Stony Point, Newton S. Rice; Mount, Larene D. Lnechel; Pleasant j Amity, Edwin M. Loux; West Spring- Valley, James F. Lambert; Springfield ! town, Titus C. Strock; Gruver’s Lane, L. Church, E. R. B ottle ; East Springtown, Z. Link. , „ „„ , Titus C. Strock; Penn, Allred Snyder; The names ot the directors for 18/3 and Franklin, Elmer E. Funk; Union, 1874 are not given. Tfie names ot the Lydia J. Heramerly; Stony Point, Philip teachers lor 1874 and 1875 are not given. Teachers for 1876.—Zion’s Church,-; L. Barron ; Amity, Isaiah Hixson ; West Springtown, Amanda Hess; Gruver’s Salem,-; Fair Mount, A. G. Stauffer; Lane,-. Pleasant Valley, D. S. Shelly;Springfield Directors for 1881—Reuben JB. Apple, Church, T. Y. Weiderhammer; East Charles B. Bechtel, Jonas W. Swope, to Zion Hill, Oliver H. Urfer; Salem, Daniel Mease, David Walp and John L. Harry Saylor; Fair Mount, Hiram J. Fluck. Hillegas; Pleasant Valley, Lillie E. Doll; Teachers for 1882—Names of schools Springfield Church, Amanda Hemmer- are not given, John A. Ruth, Elmer E. ly; East Springtown, E. A. Franken¬ Funk, Samuel F. Wolfe, Jacob Cress- field ; Penn, Lizzie Yost; Franklin, man, L. D. Knechel, Philip L. Barron, S. Emily D. Gerbron; Union, Harvey Kiser; S. Diehl, Amanda Hess. Stony Point, Philip Barron ; Amity, El- Directors for 18S2—Jonas W. Swope, R. ™1*‘a Ochs; West Springtown, Charles B. Apple, John L. Fluck, Daniel Mease, Doll, Jr.; Keystone,-. I. S. Reiss and David B. Walp. Directors for 1888.—John L. Fluck, Ed¬ Teachers for 1883—Zion’s Hill, Harry win Kiser, W. C. Link, Josiah S. Weir¬ A. Heft; Salem, Samuel S. Diehl; Fair bach, R. Brodt and Daniel Mease. Mount, Eastburn R. Hottle; Pleasant Teachers for 1889.—Zion Hill, Oliver H.' Valley, Alma A. Schneck; Springfield Urfer, Salem, Frank Schaeffer; Fair Church, Clara S. Campbell ; EastSprins- Mount, Hiram J. Hillegas; Pleasant town, S. Lizzie Lownes; Penn, Lizzie valley, Meno S. Moyer; Springfield Applabach ; Franklin, Philip L. Barron ; Church, Henry B. Strock; East Spring- Union, J. D. Fackentball; Stony Point, town, E. A. Frankenfield ; Penn, Lizzie Webster Grim ; Amity, Jacob Cressman ; Yost; Franklin,Emily D. Gerbron;Union West Springtown, Amanda Hess; Harvey Kiser; Stony Point, Philip L. Graver’s Lane (changed to Keystone), Barron; Amity, Elmira Ochs; West Thomas J. Trumbower. Springtown, M. Lizzie Boyer ; Keystone, Directors for 1883—Josiah Weirbach, Victor Singer. Edwin Kiser, David B. Walp, Jacob S. Directors for .1889.—Robert Brodt. Mil- Reiss, John L. Fluck and Daniel Mease. ton T. Hess, W. C. Link, H. S. Mill, Ed¬ Teachers for 1884-Zion’s Hill, Howard win Kiser, Joseph Gerbron. Levi; Salem, L. D. Knechel; Fair Teachers for 1890.—Zion Hill, William Mount, Hiram J. Hillegas; Pleasant H. Christman ; Salem, Frank M. Schaef¬ Valley, Harry A. Heft; Springfield fer ; Fair Mount, Hiram J. Hillegas; I Pleasant Valley, Warren S. Long; Church, Clara S. Campbell; East Spring- Springfield Church, Henry B. Strock; town, John Hinkle; Penn, Peter I. East Springfield, Emily A. Boyer; Lantz; Franklin, Philip L. Barron; Penn, Ira Bergstresser; Franklin, Lizzie Union, Richard Schaffer ; Stony Point, Aost; Union, Oscar L. Barron; Stonv Webster Grim; Amity, Elmer Funk; Point, Harvey L. Kiser; Amity, Sallie West Springtown, Amanda Hess; Key¬ E. Angeny ; West Springtown, M. Lizzie i stone, Eastburn R. Hottle. Boyer ; Keystone, E. Wilson Dannehour. Directors for 1884—Isaiah Weirbach, Directors tor 1890.—John S. Fluck,f Edwin Kiser, Daniel Mease, Jacob Reiss, Robert Brodt, Joseph Gerbron, Milton John L. Fluck and David Walp. T. Hess, W. C. Link and Edwin Kiser. Teachers for 1885—Zion’s Hill, Howard Teachers for 1891.—Zion Hill, Warren A. Foling ; Salem, Emily D. Gerbron;) S. Long; Salem, Frank M. Schaefier; Fair Mount, Hiram J. Hillegas ; Pleas¬ Fair Mount, Frank McCormick; Pleas¬ ant Valley, Hattie R, Clemans; Spring- ant Valley, Cora B. Grim: Springfield field Church, Kate Lamb ; East Spring- Church, Emily A. Boyer; East Spring- town, Joseph H. McG^e ; Penn, Mary A. town, A. I. Reinhard; Penn, M. Lizzie Gannon; Franklin, Philip Barron; Boyer; Franklin, Lizzie Yost; Union, Union, Amanda Wismer; Stony Point, Oscar L. Barron ; Stony PoiDt, Mary E. Amanda Hunsberger; Amity, Lewis L. Fabian; Amity, Elmer S. Campbell ; Weiss; West Springtown, Amanda West Springtown, Harvey S. Kiser; Hess; Keystone, Eastburn R. Hottle. Keystone, H. Wilson Dannehour; Wash- Directors for 1885—Josiah Weirbach, ton, Ida R. FabiaD. Edwin Kiser, David B. Walp, Jonn S. Directors for 1891—Robert Brodt, Mil- Fluck, Daniel Mease and W. C. Link. ton T. Hess, W. C, Link, H. S. Mill, Ed¬ Teachers for 1886^Zion’s Hill, Oliverl win Kiser and Joseph Gerbron. H. Urffer; Salem, Charles Doll, Jr.; Fair; Teachers for 1892.—Zion Hill, Frank Mount, Hiram J. Hillegas; Pleasant H. Bean; Salem, Emma Daugherty; Valley, Amanda Hess; Springfield Fair M ount (grammar), Margaret Down¬ Church, Lillie E. Doll; East Springtown, ing ; Pleasant Valley, Carrie W. Kline; Edwin Frankenfield; Penn, Henry B. Springfield Church, Emily A. Boyer; Strock; Franklin, Harvey M. Loux;: East Springtown, A. I. Reinhard ; Penn, j Union, Amanda Wismer; Stony Point,! Lizzie Boyer; Franklin, Lizzie Yo*t; Philip L. Barron; Amity, Eastburn R. Union, Oscar L. Barron ; Stony Point,, Hottle; West Spritgtown, Erwin Die- Nora E. Grim ; Amity, Elmer S. Camp- ! terly ; Keystone, Jacob R. Snyder. bell; West Springtown, Minnie E. Hess: i Directors fox 1886-Josiah S. Weirbach, Keystone, Joseph A. Boyle; Washing-! David Walp, John L, Fluck, W. C. Link, ton. Ida R. Fabian ; Fair Mount (pri¬ Edwin Kiser and Daniel Mease. mary), Laura M. Weidner. Teachers for 1887.^-Zion’s Hill, Oliver Directors for 1892.—Joseph Gerbron, H. Urfer ; Salem, Ci arles Doll, Jr,; Fair Robert Brodt, Milton T. Hess, Andrew Mount, John F. Meyers; Pleasant Val¬ Apple, H. S. Mill and W. C. Link. ley, Hiram J. Hillegas; Springfield Teachers for 1893—Zion Hill, William Church, Lillie E. Doll; East Springfield, Rittenhouse ; Salem, Mary K. McCune ; Edwin Frankenfield; Penn, George W.! Fair Mount (grammar), Ella C. Sibbet: i 0. Mill; Franklin, Henry B. Strock; Pleasant Valley, Carrie W. Kline ; Union, Joseph D. fTackenthall; Stony Springfield Church, M. Lizzie Thomas; Point, Philip L. Bariron ; Amity, Darius East Springtown, A. I. Reinhard : Penn,. line ; WestSpringtqwn, Henry M. Cress- Calvin S. Boyer ; Franklin, Oscar L. vn ; Keystone, Jacob R. Snyder, Barron ; Union , Ida R. Fabian ; Stony < -ectorsfor 1887.—Daniel Mease, Ed- Point, ElmerS. Campbell; Amity, Annie -er, W. C. Link, Josiah Weirbach, A. Fluck; West Springtown, Minnie E. and John II. Fluck. Hess; Keystone, Edward Noble; Wash- . ^ for 1888.-|Zion’s_ Hill, changed ington, Emily A. Boyer; Fair Mount! float all fear’ Luring tfie time 61 Aaron 8. irimary), Laura M. Wefcther. I Christine’s school, William Johnson, a Directors lor 1893—Jacob Fabian, Mil¬ verv bright mathematician, was superin- ton T. Hess, H. 8. Mill, Andrew Apple, j tcndent ot^Bucks county. He encourag¬ W. C. Link and Owen Hillegas. ed obiect lessons in the higher branches Teachers lor 1894—Zion Hill, Joseph in the public schools. During D. W. ubach; Salem, Jesse Allem; Fair j Hess’time Simeon Overboil (with very bunt (grammar), Emma Weidner; J little more mathematics than arithmetic), Pleasant Valley, Elizabeth Martz; as superintendent, the e object lessor* Springfield Church, Rutus Moyer ; East were discouraged by him. He had a Springtown, A. I. Reinhard; Penn, C. S. , craze for mental arithmetic and in his Boyer; Franklin, Oscar L. Barron; examinations he generally spent several Union, Erwin Grove; Stony Point, hours with questions in Brook’s mental Elmer S. Campbell ; Amity, Lillie arithmetic. i Walter ; West Springtown, Anna Fluck ; During the summer of 1SS5 a select Keystone, Henry Darlington ; Washing¬ school was opened in East Springtown ton, Emily A. Boyer ; Fair Mount (pri¬ school house, with Rev. T. C. Stroc.k as mary), Laura M. Weidner. principal. After the school had been Directors for 1S94—Andrew Apple, L. =J opened a number of men organized a D. Knechel, Jacob Z. Fabian, Milton T. stock company and purchased a building Hess, Owen Hillegas and O. B. Facken- lot of Samuel M. Strock and erected a thall. j I building known as the Springtown About the year 1836 David Magill, a Academy. The time hai ing arrived for very old man, taught Bonnycastle’s 1 ) thepublic school to open after nine weeks mensuration in the East Springtown i school, in the East Springtown school school house. About the year 1837 Will¬ bouse, the school was moved to the iam Moyer taught Bonnycastle’s algebra Times building. The room is now occu¬ and Gummere's surveying in theFranklin pied by the Globe Insurance Company. school house, and about the same time After two weeks vacation the school Randall Myers taught Gummere’s sur¬ opened in the new building. In the veying at the Springfield Church school spring of 1886 when the spring term house. After that the theory and prac¬ • opened more students entered than one tice of surveying was frequently taught teacher was capable of teaching all the in the day schools of East Springtown, | higher branches. Rev. T. C. Strock was West Springtown, Springfield Church proiessor ot Latin,Greek and the sciences; and Franklin until the time of the com¬ Rev. O. T. Ettwein, professor of mathe¬ pulsion to accept the,free school when matics and methods oi teaching; B.jF. the science of mathematics dwindled Boyer, M. D., professor ot anatomy, down to arithmetic only ; mental arith¬ physiology and hygiene; Rev. O. H. metic becoming the craze. At that time Melchor, professor of moral philosophy ; practical surveyors were numerous. Miss Amanda Hess, teacher of music and About the year 1858, Aaron S. Chris¬ drawing. tine opened a “select school” in Spring- In the spring of 1887 several more were town, on the site where Jacob Pearson added to the faculty. Henry B. Strock, now resides, in which was studied al¬ now M. D., teacher of primary depart¬ gebra, geometry, chemistry, normal ment ; Miss Anna M. Kaufman, teacher philosophy, anatomy, geology, bot¬ ot orthography ; I. R. Walp, teacher of any, mineralogy, first lesson in Latin and j drawing. In the autumn of 1887 Rev. T. first lessons in Greek. At one time he : C. Strock left tor Ursinus College to re¬ had a class ol twenty-six in Latin and sume his theological studies, after which twenty-six in Greek. This school was O. T. Ettwein was principal. In the fall only open during the summer. In win¬ oflSS9 Rev. O. T. Ettwein also left for ter fie taught the public school. In July, Muhlenberg to study theology. To both 1862, David W. Hess opened a “select Strock and Ettwein teaching has proved school” in a newly fiuilt house, near his but a stepping stone to something higher. j place in Springfield in which was taught They are both now ministers of the Gos- \ iall the branches taught in Aaron S. pel. Rev. T. C. Strock is stationed at i Christine’s school; but in addition there James Creek, Huntingdon county, and was taught Robinson’s surveying and Rev. O. T. Ettwein is stationed at Pitts- navigation, Robinson’s Cormic sections, I ton, Pa. Rev. O. T. Ettwein’s successor Loomis’ calculus and Bussitt’s geo¬ | was Prof. M. L. Horne, who taught three graphy of the heavens. In the schools of terms, and having been elected principal Aaron S. Christine and David W. Hess, of the borough schools of Qualcertown, the students were not only' required to left for that place. Prof. M. L. Horne’s memorize the lessons of the text book i successor was Prof. A. H. Jordan, who but each scholar was required to-gather taught one term and one week, when the specimens in botany and mineralogy,etc., | academy was discontinued for the win¬ and the larger scholars to be able to ter. I:i the spring of 1891, Prof. A. I. point out the principal constellations Reinhard took charge of the academy. and to distinguish between the planets During the winter he taught the East and the large fixed stars. In anatomy a Springtown school. Since that the I human skeleton was used. Each scholar academy is only opon duriDg the spring I had the privilege to try to arrange tfie and early summer. But it has been j separate bones in their places. The moved to the East Springtown school! scholars handled the bones with no more house. disgust than if they were pieces of stove Two classes graduated from the acad¬ wood. There was a fine collection of emy, class of ’87 land class of ’88. The 1 mineraisand Indian relics and of little class of’87 comprise the following : Anna bottles containing the more common M. Kaufman. Emily A. Boyer, teacher j chemicals, all the kinds of wood growing inSpringfield township; John A.Gruver, j here, philosophical instruments, chemi¬ who was afterward a graduate ot Lehigh I cal apparatus, etc. Tfie human skeleton University, and afterward a successful j in Aaron S. Christine’s school was at teacher in Bucks county, died suddenly that time looked upon as dangersous February 7th, 1S95; Harry H. Funk, by some fathers and mothers, but when manager ol the Springtown Times ; Har¬ David W.Hess taught the human skeleton vey F. Nase, a studentat Lehigh Univer- became less dangerous, and every one sity; Eugene Si II. Leith, now clerking! 'purchase money and the said Isaac Wort ml in a store. Tup class of ’88 comprise thei iegton doth agree to secure the payment following': M. Lizzie Boyer, now teach-! of the remainder of the same by a mort¬ ingin Do.v his town township: A&nos O. gage of the said land upon receiving such Cawley, oi Lewisburg, now a veterinary! • title as witness our hands this 12th day surgeon practicing at Milton, Pa.;: Erwin! day of March, 1765. Dieterly, now, in the theological semi¬ Note—Ihat it Is hereby agreed by both nary at Gettysburg ; Laura Rhoad, who the parties that the tennant James Robin¬ is now Mrs. John Faekenthall, of Beth- | son shall have liberty to cut and save hie ; lehem; Henry B. Struck, who is now a crop of *corn now In the ground on the practicing physician located at Saxton, premises and to thresh it in the baru and iBedford county. Pa. _L carry the same away and to carry 200 dozen thereof away in ye sheaf if he thinks fit. Jonathan Fell, ISSAO WOBIHINGTON.” Witness present, From,c William Cakveb. Jonathan Fell, mentioned In the above, was the great grandfather of William Jonks Fell, president of the Backs County Railway Company, and the tract men¬ tioned in the article of agreement doubt¬ less included In part what is now the Mann farm on the Doylestown and Cen- Date, if J treville pike, beyond the borough mill. At the time the agreement was written and down to 1807 when the present Court street of Doylestown was opened, the > a a. /a a a actftAt Mann farm was in Warwick and extended across into Buckingham. Jonathan Fell, in ye olden time was a blacksmith and from the best evidence we have been able AN OLD PAPER to obtain on the subject, his emithshop was in the southwest corner of the Rose mansion recently sold to the Doylestown In the Possession of William Jenke National Bank, and doubtless was the be¬ ginning of that dwelling as anyone can ' ...ell Recalls see by examining the walls, as they are older at that corner than ia any other part of the building. Mr. Fell followed blaeksmlthlng there AN ARRAY OF HISTORIC FACTS. in June, 1778, when the Continental Army passed through Doylestown on Its way to ■ strike the British at Monmouth, and how It Is an Article of Agreement Be¬ long afterward we do not recall. During i tween Jonathan Fell and Isaac the time the Continental Army remained j at Doylestown on that occasion, two Worthington for a Tract of Hi nights and one day, Washington quar- | Acres and ICO Perches of Land tered in Jonathan Fell’s house, and the | Mad© In 1765. big clock that stood in the hallway, and r Is now m the possession of William Jenks R Fed, of Delaware, governed the move- t, The following copy of a document in meets of the troops while lying here and I the possession of William Jenks Fell of time of leaving. It ia still in perfect M brings to light a number of historic facts condition and keeps excellent time. ! which will be of interest to the readers of Tradition tells us, that while Washing- I ton occupied the Fell house, his pickets [I the Demqceat: brought in a couple of strangers, charged a “ Memorandum of a bargain made by with being spies for the enemy. They Ij and between Jonathan Fell and Isaac asserted their Innocence, and one said to fl Worthington as followeth, to wit: That Washington, “ If you allow me time I will I the said Jonathan Fell hath bargHlnsd and go and bring back evidence of it.” To this fl sold to the said Isaac Worthington a cer¬ the Commander-ln-Chlef replied, looking ^ tain tract of land containing 111 acres and up at the clock, “ You may go, and I will I j 100 perches, situate partly in Warwick give you until a certain time to return, ij and partly in Buckingham, at five pounds and if you are not here by that time your 1 per acre, one half of the principal money comoanion will be shot.” The prisoner to be paid on the sixth day of April next, left, and, good as his word, returned within when the said Worthington is to have the time fixed by Washington, with evi¬ possession of said laud; and the other dence that proved the Innocence of both, : half in 12 months from that day, and In whereupon they were discharged. case the said Isaac Worthington cannot Returning to Jonathan Fell and hi3 J pay one-half the purchase money on the blacksmith shop there is evidence that he " said sixth day of April then to give bond burned bis charcoal on the opposite side with satisfactory security for the payment of Main street on the property lately be¬ thereof with interest in 12 months time longing to William Thompson, deceased, and likewise give satisfactory security as charcoal remains were found there for the payment of the other half in 12 some years ago In building a cattle scale. months without interest, and the said Jonathan Fell, spoken of, was a descend¬ Jonathan Fell doth agree to make to the ant of Joseph Fell, who Immigrated from said Isaac Worthington a title to the said Cumberland, England, in 1705, with hla 111 acres and 100 perches of laDd when he wife and two children, and settled In Buck¬ shall have paid one hundred pounds of the ingham. There are many descendants of ■ u f What is commonly known as the “lower” this early pioneer, who may be found In several States of the Union, and have held hotel in Sellersville has again changed pro¬ many honorable and responsible positions prietors, Mr. C. M. Hartzell being now the In life. One of them was the first gradu¬ : owner of this ancient hostelry. Around ate from the Pennsylvania University Medical School and the certificate, with this old landmark cling memories interest¬ the name of the great Dr Rush upon it, is ing to the antiquarian and the student of still held by the family as a curio. local history. Around it cluster stories of *Tiie word *• corn” referred to was wheat. i the Revolutionary days, and of the times I when the sturdy Quaker and the Pennsyl¬ vania German, following the trail of the Perkiomen and its branches, settled in a new country. In the days of the stage , From coach this was an important station, relays of horses being kept here for the coaches on their way between Philadelphia and Bethle¬ hem. Just how long it has been occupied and when it was built cannot be definitely as¬ Date, l(rbziA. certained. It is known, however, that Thomas Sellers was born here in 1787. The hotel was built by Samuel Sellers probably in 1780. Samuel was a son of Phillip Henry Soller, who was the first settler of that fam¬ ily in this country. He was the owner of OfEll A CENTURY OLD several hundred acres of land situated along the Branch Creek in Sellersville. The building, as originally erected by The “Lower Hotel” In Sellersville Samuel Sellers, was a small, square, stone structure, consisting of two stories and an of Ancient Origin. attic. Since that time the hotel has been considerably enlarged and improved. A LANDMARK OF THE REVOLUTION Upon the death of Samuel Sellers his son, Thomas, took charge of the tavern and The Hotel Was Erected About One Hun¬ owned it for a long time. Here he kept a dred and Fifteen Tears Ago By Samuel store, post office and hotel. He was the first postmaster of the place, having been Sellers—His Son Succeeded In Ownership appointed in 1820. The office was named and

•t.owjbr hotel” jn sellersville—erected about 1780. after him, “Seller’s Tavern,”7which was J changed to Sellersville in 1866. I The “old-line-Whig,” as he was called, was

quite prominent in the politics of his day. v From, * He served the county as sheriff and several terms in the Legislature. The land where the Washington House now stands was part /%_ of his farm. He was the first to recognize tne necessity of a stage line connecting Philadelphia and Bethlehem. To him be¬ Date, . longs the honor of running the first coach and establishing the line between these two cities. Two coaches were run, one going ■'V-V luff * flit A* ^ III the other returning, occupying a whole day in making the trip. They were liberally EARLY CONGRESSMEI patronized, especially by pupils of Bethle¬ hem Seminary which was at that time a noted institution and attended by the sons Second Paper on Bucks of prominent Philadelphians. While the North Penn railroad was being built the County’s Representatives. coaches were made good use of by engineers and superintendents of the company. Read before the Bucks County Historical The animated discussions of old men who Society at the Wolf Rocks, in Bucking¬ nightly assembled at this ancient hotel would make interesting reading for the ham Township, by Rev. D. K. Tur¬ present generation. At the close of the ner, of Hartsville, July 15, 1895. Revolutionary War, with the patriotic spirit of the people fully aroused, the old On a former occasion I had the pleas¬ inn must have witnessed more exciting ure of bringing to the society a sketch of meetings than ever. members of Congress, who had repre¬ During the Fries rebellion, in 1799, the sented Bucks couuty, all of whom, with nine hundred troops, encamped near the lew exceptions, resided in the county. village, drilled in front of the hotel and no But for a considerable period our county doubt owned the house. . was united with several other counties The place has undergone great changes, in districts that sent to Congress more each new proprietor doing more or less than one member at the same time, and patching up. The narrow flagged pathway it has been deemed desirable to gather that planked the old roadway is no more. up the facts attainable in reference to all The stables and shedding which occupied those who acted tor us in the National the open space at the lower side of the hotel halls of legislation, though they W6re have been removed. The veranda has long not residents of our county, and though ago disappeared. The flat panneled shut¬ they represented the district in conjunc ters proclaim the grea. age ofthe building tion with others. For some items of in¬ most forcibly. formation that follow I am indebted to The old fashioned brass door knocker, -Hon. Harman York os, President Judge ornamented with the.initials of Samuel ?! ip® Courts of Bucks couuty, and to D. Sellers, r President of the United States ol glass, and the quainter little windows, should be chosen, but it does not divide aitest the great age of the building. the State into districts, and I ,am im- formed by W. M. Gearhart, Esq., Chief The hotel has successively passed from Clerk of the Secretary of the Common¬ Thomas .Sellers, Peter Kneckel, Amos wealth in Harrisburg, that it is impos¬ Jacoby, Simon Jacoby, Harry Jacoby, sible in his office to find who represented Thomas Kerns, Samuel Binder, Abraham W. Bucks county before 1803. All the mem- Reiff, James Bahl, W, B. Cressman to C. M. Hartzell. By another! year this'old Jnjpdr mark will probably have been removed ^ q' a large building, mor6 modern in da. 3 r will be erected by the present propriety / uerrrn tne last century may tie properly euvoy“to jungiaim tney~i,ope7l woUld termed “ Congressinen-at-Large,” as { carry great weight in his favor. Even they represented the whole State, strictly • then Gen. Brown prevailed by a large speaking, rather than any one portion majority. of it. During the Revolution he was an offi- One of the earliest representatives, who j cer in a body ol troops under Washing- had charge of the interests ot our county j ton, called the “Flying Camp.” They in Congress,was Hon. Samuel Sitgreaves. ■ comprised two thousand men and were He was born in Philadelphia, received a among the best of the American army. liberal academical education, studied | After Gen. llowo had captured New law and was admitted to the bar. He I York City, Washington retreated north- commenced practice in Easton, where he i ward, but lett Col. Morgan with three soon displayed eminent ability and pro¬ thousand soldiers, among whom were found learning, and was chosen a dele- [ Robert Brown and his comrades at ; gate to the Convention in 1790, which Fort Washington, with orders to hold it 1 framed a Constitution tor Pennsylvania to the last. This fortification was on under the new system ot national Manhattan Island, about eleven miles government. Decidedly and warmly in above the city. It was soon attacked by | favor ot a firm union ot the States, he a strong force of the British, and was , acted with the Federalists, and was defended with great courage and deter¬ | chosen a member of the lower house of mination. Tne tight continued alt day. Congress, and took his seat December 7, When the ammunition of the Americans 1795. Securing in a high degree the con- was exhausted they resisted assaults I fidence of his constituents and an eievat- with the barrels of their muskets, but at | ed place in public esteem, he was re- last were forced to surrender to superior i elected and entered again upon his duties numbers. The enemy lost about a thou¬ ] in 1797. His reputation tor mental sand men in killed and wounded, and acumen and deep reasoning became so the English commander was so incensed I conspicuous that he was appointed by at the stubborn resistance he had met I President John Adams in 179S a commis- ! with, that he deliberately put to death I sioner to treat with Great Britain iu re¬ one of the colonels. The prisoners were gard to difficulties, which had arisen in placed in a church under guard, and for the commercial relation ot the two three days and nights had no tood. Star¬ countries. We were accused of showing vation and exhaustion were fatal to partiality tor France in the war, in many of them, and the dead were carried which she was engaged with England. away iu carts by their heartless foes and The latter proud of her superority as dumped into pits with quicklime to “mistress of the seas,” endeavored to lay hasten decomposition. Being au officer humiliating restrictions upon our com- P ,■ Capt. Brown, who had learned the'trade merce, to which our nation did not pro- i of a blacksmith in his youth, was releas¬ pose to submit. Iu the struggles of’ ed on parole, and working at that busi¬ France with other European nations ness in the vicinity where his men were then in progress we desired to stand confined, he earned money with which neutral, and Mr. Sitgreaves was desig¬ ho bought bread aud distributed it nated as fully qualified to assist in ar¬ among them, saving most of them irom ranging measures, by which our rights .penstung. This tact reported at tome I and interests would be secured. To by survivors proved oneof the elements ! enter upon this important duty he re¬ in his long continued popularity. signed his seat in Congress and was suc¬ Hon. Isaac YanHorne was an.other of ceeded by General Robert Brown. Alter the three gentlemen who represented the a life ot distinguished honor his death district duriDg the period from 1802 to took place at a ripe old age in Philadel¬ 1812. He was born in Bucks county and phia, April 4,1824. served as a captain in the Revolutionary By Actot the Legislature of Pennsyl¬ War. He was coroner from 1786 to 1791 vania, ot April 2, 1802, Bucks, Mont¬ and member of the State Legislature gomery, Northampton and Luzerne irom 1797 to 1800 inclusive, being elected counties were constituted one district, and four years in succession, as that body were directed to elect three members ot then met annually. He was chosen Congress till the next apportionment, member ot the National House of Repre¬ which by law ot the United States would sentatives twice and served from 1801 to be made after the succeeding census in 1805. A conference of the different 1810. counties of the district was held at Naza- One of those who represented this dis¬ ~Another of the melnbers oi uongressf trict of tour counties during the period I in the early parts of this century from the irom 1802 to 1S12 was General Robert Brown. He became a member ot tbe district, in which Bucks county was House before the district was constituted, included, was Hon. John Ross. He was being elected to hit the vacancy caused the grandson of Thomas Ross, who was by the resignation ot Hon. Samuel Sit- born in County Tyrone, in the north of ! greaves. He first took his seat December Ireland, in 1708, and immigrated to Up¬ I 4, 1798, and served by repeated re-elec¬ per Makefield in 1728, when he was tions to March 2,1815, being in nine Con- twenty years of age. at a period, which ! grosses, Irom the filth to the thirteenth I was marked by the coming of large num¬ inclusive, about eighteen years. The bers ot Scotch-Irish to Pennsylvania. territory for which he acted comprised Thomas Ross, the grandfather of the most of Eastern Pennsylvania. His Judge, John Ross, is said to have been 1 services were eminently satisiactory to brought up iu the Episcopal church ; if | bis constituents, so much so that his so, he lelt the ecclesiastical associations I election on each occasion is said Ito have i of his ancestors, and in 1729 was admitted I | been unanimous, or without opposition, to membership in the Friends’ meeting ! I except once, when the Federal party set at Wrightstown, and subsequently be- I up as their candidate against him Mr. came a noted minister in that denomina- I I Sitgreaves. whose reputation as special tion. In June, 1784, he made a visit tor i •I- V- - - fr r1 *ETT ^ £ , .UVjffifv ly strong mind, and ei « sioou religious purposes in company with high among his fello- other Friends to England, Scotland and Ireland. During his travels he reached iDg sense and extensive information,and • in 1798, he wTas elected to the lower house the home of Lindley Murray, the cele¬ oi the State Assembly, and was re-elect¬ brated English grammarian, at Hold- gate, near York, where overcome by the ed the two following years, serving three terms. In 1804 and 1S05, he was infirmities of years, he died June 13, Lbb, paymaster of the 51st Regiment ot the in the 78th year of his age. He is spoken Penna. militia. of as a man of great excellence ot char¬ In 1803 having been elected as a Feder¬ acter and of unusual strength of mind. His grandson, John Ross, born February j alist he took his seat in Congress and was re-elected in 1805, holding the posi¬ 29 1770, received a good English educa¬ tion till December 3, 1807, four years. tion, and while a young man, taught His nomination the second time took school in Durham township. Here he place at a meeting of conference at became acquainted with Richard Back¬ Nazareth, Sept. 25,1801, when Hon. Isaac house, proprietor of the iron furnace, VanHorne presided. In his congres¬ Who seeing in him promise of future sional career his coadjutors were John distinction encouraged him to study law Pugh, of Bucks,—of whom I gave a at Eastou, agreeing to lend him money sketch in January—and Judge John for his expenses till he could support | Ross, of Northampton county. In 1809, himself in his profession. He applied | himself with diligence, was admitted to when Nathaniel B. Boiieau, ot iHatboro was appointed Secretary of the Com¬ the bar, and soon proved a learned coun¬ monwealth by Gov. Snyder, his seat in sellor and an able advocate. Interested the Legislature became vacant, and Mr. in the affairs ot the nation, he was elect¬ Conrad was nominated by the Federal ed to the Eleventh Congress, which be¬ party to fill his place, but was defeated gan its sessions May 22, 1809. His term by Richard T. iLseeh, Republican. In at this time continued to M-arcn o,. toll. 1807 he was appointed by Gov. McKean Being again elected without opposition, Justice ot the Peace, and probably con¬ in conjunction with Samuel D. Ingham, tinued a magistrate as long as he lived, to the Fourteenth Congress and re-elect¬ tor at that period the office was held dur¬ ed to the Fifteenth, his second period m ing good behavior. In February, 1821. Washington was trom December 4, 1815, he received from Gov. Hiester the ap¬ to February 24,1818, when he resigned toi pointment of prothonotary and clerk of accent the Judgeship ot the Seventh the courts of Montgomery county, and Judical District, consisting of the coun¬ ties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and was reappointed by Gov. Shultz in 1824, performing the duties of the post faith¬ Delaware, with two associate judges. fully six years. This position of influence and responsi¬ Mr. Conrad’s home and farm was at bility he held twelve years, till April 9, Centre Point, on the Skippack road, 1830. when he was appointed Judge o. the about four miles northeast ot Norris¬ Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. His town, to which borough he removed late tenure of this high office, however, was in life. Being a Justice of the Peace he onlv four years, as he was removed by wrote many deeds and mortgages and death in 1834, aged 64 years. He had joined many couples in marriage. In purchased some time previously a con¬ person he was of medium height, stoutly siderable tract ot land in a secm-et. sec¬ built, and inclined to corpulence. With tion of Monroe county, on which he had a flow of animal spirit he upited spright¬ set apart a family burying ground, and liness in conversation and his com¬ there his remains were deposited in their panionship was sought by a wide circle final resting place. In person Judge, ot friends in public and private life. He Ross was tall, erect and muscular. His' died in Norristown and was buried in manners were dignified, inclining the graveyard of the Wentz German Re¬ to austerity, and in some respects; formed congregation, of which he was a 4 he seemed eccentric. Ac one j5luQe, member and officer. he displayed a taste tor spotted or Another of those who represented calico horses, which were then Bucks county, when it was joined with 1 rarely seen, and with a span of them attached to his large heavy carriage, as Montgomery, Northampton and Luzerne, was Hon. Thomas Jones Rogers. Earn •he rode to and fro between Doylestown in Waterford, Ireland, in 1780, he was and Philadelnhfa, he was the object of brought by his parents to this country interest and respectful curiosity to all when he was six years old. His father observers. Among his descendants were settled in Philadelphia and engaged in his son, Hon. Thomas Ross, and his the. manufacture of glue and cow-skin grandsons, Judge Henry P. Ross, oi whips. His son, Thomas, in early youth Norristown, and Hon. George Ross. learned the art of printing and having Another of the gentlemen associated in acquired some skill anci experience in the representation of the district com¬ that, which is tire preserver of ali arts, hs prising our county between 1802 and went to Washington City, and remained 1812 was Hon. Frederick Conard. He there several years. Subsequently he1, was born in Worcester township, Mont¬ gomery county, where he resided most removed to Easton, Pa., where he pur¬ of his life. Of German extraction his chased the Delaware Democrat and Eas¬ father, or grandfather, crossed the ocean ton Gazette, which he successfully con¬ to find liberty and prosperity in this ducted a long period. During this time home of the free. His first vale was he compiled, printed and published a Catharine Schneider, by whom ha had work entitled, “A New American Bio¬ graphical Dictionary or Remembrancer seven children, one of whom was the mother of Judge Hoover, of Norristown. of the Departed Heroes, Sages and His education was received principally Statesmen of America,” which was de¬ i the common school, that intellectual signed specially for the use of schools. jrsery of many distinguished men, but This hook ran through three editions, -■ ; and study developed a natural¬ the last having been issued in 1S24. In I this time he sought the society of intelli¬ the war of 1812 he was an officer in tne gent and cultivated people in his vicinity Pennsylvania iroops that marched, to with a desire for personal improvement. Marcus Hook for the defense of Phila¬ Speaking of this period, when he was an delphia, and rose to the rank of Briga¬ old man he said, "I was engaged in my dier General, which he held a long time work sometimes from earliest dawn to in the militia of this State. Judge John latest twilight. Work absorbed every Ross having resigned his membership in i thought and feeling. I have felt at tunes Congress, Gen. Rogers was elected to fill a like abstraction when in office, dis- his place and took his seat in the 15th 1 charging public duties. To this faculty Congress, March 24, ISIS; re-elected to of entire absorption of my powers, the 16th, 17th and 18th Congresses he whether mental or physical, I owe any served until April 26, 1824, when here- success I have ever reached.” He read signed, as he had been appointed Register and studied morning and evening and of Wills and Recorder of Deeds for wrote essays that he mightlorma correct Northampton county, which position he and forcible style ol composition. occupied several years. He was one of In 1795 Jonathan and his brother, the incorporators named in the charter Matthew, leased their lather’s large farm of Lafayette college at Easton, and was I ct 375 acres and managed it with energy | an honored trustee of that institution and success, and in seven years he said, from 1S26 to 1S32. In 1830 he returned to “We could command 17000 and had m- Philadelphia, where he was an officer of i creased cur stock and improved the . United States customs. His death oc¬ land. At every spare moment 1 recurred curred in New York city, December 7, j to my studies. My desk and books were 1S32. at the age of 52 years. He married ever keot at hand. I never touched Mary Winters, daughter of Christian and them, however, but with cleanly washed Mary Winters, of Easton. They had hands.” In 1798, being then in his 28th eleven children, ten of which were born year, he was elected to the Legislature, in Easton and one in Philadelphia. and was one of the youngest members. One of the sons, Gen. William Findley I At that time the seat of the State Govern¬ 1 Rogers, was also a printer, having ment was at Lancaster. Speaking of his learned the trade with his father in Eas- return home at the close of the first ses¬ | ton. Early in life he removed to Buf¬ sion, he said, “I sat down to a plain falo, N. Y., wherein after years he filled farmer’s table, lodged in the old loft on a I the offices of city auditor, controller and chaff bed, and in three days had resumed ! mayor. During the war with the mv usual habits of daily toil.” Southern Confederacy he served his He was returned to the Assembly the country with distinction and was after¬ next vear and began to take partin the wards appointed Major General of the discussions before the House. In 1807 he Fourth Division, National Guards of the was elected contrary to his expec- ! State of New Yrork. One of the daughters i tation to the State Senate by a majority of Gen. Thomas Rogers was the wife of of 500 over John Richards, a popular the late Dr. F. A. Fic.khardt, of Bethle¬ German candidate. In this body he was hem, Pa. Another son. also a printer, a prominent actor, and at the close of i and a daughter reside in Philadelphia. the term had acquired a solid reputation J I Another of them, who represented this tor high character and ability. In 1811 district, was Hon. Jonathan Roberts. He he was elected by the Republican party was born in Upper Merion township, a member of Congress, in conjunction J Montgomery county, August 16, 1771. with Gen. Robert Brown, of Northamp¬ ! His great grandfather, John Roberts, ton county, and 'William Rodman, of emigrated from North Wales to America Bucks, andin theautumn wantto Wash¬ in 16S2, and settled in what is now Lower ington in a private hack through Lancas¬ Merion township. He was a millwright i ter, which was called the western route. and erected the third mill in the Province The question of a war with Great Britain of Pennsylvania. Jonathan’s father, tor her aggressions upon our commerce also named Jonathan, in 1771 was chosen soon came before Congress, and Mr. a member of the Colonial Assembly, and Roberts took a firm stand with the ad¬ continued to serve in that capacity four ministration ot Mr. Madison in favor of years. The son, Jonathan, the subject of that measure and made an able speech this sketch, when five years old was sent against the arbitrary assumptions of the to school to Lawrence Bathurst, a nephew mother country. of Allen Lord Bathurst, one of the En¬ By an arrangement instituted by the glish nobility, and was his pupil five Legislature in 1812. Montgomery and years. His teacher had received a lib- Chester counties were erected into one eral education in England, and being en- district, which Mr. Roberts was chosen I dowed with a strong mind made a last¬ to represent. He continued to favor ing impression upon his mental habits carrying on the war with vigor, and rose and character. When fourteen years of to such Drominence as a statesman, that age he came under the tuition of a Mr. he was chosen a member of the U. S. Farris, at the “Gulph.” While under Senate, and having resigned from the his instruction he was directed to com¬ House of Representatives he took his mit to memory and declaim Addison’s seat as Senator, Feb. 28, 1814, and served “Soliloquy of Cato.” This he refused to with honor till 1820, the end of his term. do, because he thought it wrong to learn He earnestly opposed the extension of and repeat the sentiments of a man who slavery and the Missouri compromise. had intentionally killed himself. He did After the expiration of his career in Con¬ not then understand that Addison de¬ gress be was sent again to the Pennsyl¬ signed not to commend the views of the vania Legislature and subsequently re¬ j ancient Romans, but to put into his elected. In the nolitioal contests be¬ mouth those of a heathen philosopher. tween Gen. Jackson and John Qfiincy When about seventeen years of age he Adams, he advocated the claims of the was indentured to learn the trade of a latter, and was henceforth associated wheelwright, and passed Ihrougb a full jvvith the Whig party, and was a delegate | apprenticeship of three years. During ■

from Bucks county, ana General Eeter to the national convention mat met at Ihrie were united in representing this Harrisburg and nominated General district. General Ihrie was born in Win. H. Harrison for the Presidency. Easton, February 3, 1796. It is said by When John Tyler became President, he those who knew him, that he was a appointed Mr. Roberts Collector of Cus¬ gentleman in every sense oi the term, toms at Philadelphia, greatly to his sur¬ courteous, brave and honorable. In 1829 prise, as he had recommended for the he was elected to Congress as a Jackson post Henry Morris, the youngest son of Democrat and re-elected in 1831, serving Robert Morris, the Financier of the Re¬ tour years. In the days of the organized volution. With President Tyler’s course militia he was Major General oi a in breaking away from his former affili¬ division, and had the reputation of be¬ ations he did not sympathize, and re¬ ing a thoroughly trained officer. For igned the collector ship", which was his many years he was a member of the last public office. So decidedly was he board of directors of the old Easton jn favor of home manufacture, that, he bank and the solicitor of that board. He would never knowingly wear a garment was one of the founders of Christ Luth¬ of foreign fabrics. He married when he eran Church in Easton, and for a long was in his fortieth year, in 1813, just be¬ period the president of its board of fore the adjournment of Congress, Miss trustees. Eliza H. Rushly, a lady of rare endown- His first wdfe was Camillia Ross,! ments in Washington. Previous to that daughter oi Judge John Ross. By this time he and his brother Matthew had marriage there were five children, two managed in partnership their father’s sons and three daughters. Their mother extensive tract and other lands they had died November 11,1841. He subsequently bought. Now they were divided, and married Eiiza Roberts, of Newtown, a his home was on his part till his death, sister of the late Judge Stokes L. Roberts. which occurred July 21,1854, at the ad¬ General Ihrie died at the family resi¬ vanced age oi 83 years. His wife sur¬ dence, on the northeast corner of the vived him eleven years. They had nine public square in Easton, March 28, 1871, children, one of whom, Jonathan M. in the 76th year of his age. His remains Roberts, still occupies the ancestral were interred in the Easton cemetery. property, which has been in possession He lived a long useful life, respected and of the family the protracted period oi 213 honored by the whole community. His years. brother Anthony, the only survivor of An Act was passed by our Legislature, his family, still resides in Easton. April 2, 1822, constituting the Eighth From 1832 to 1843 Bucks county alone Congressional District of the counties of constituted the Sixth District with one Bucks, Northampton, Pike and Wayne, member ot Congress. to be represented by two members. In From 1843 to 1852 the Sixth District was the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Con¬ composed of Bucks and Lehigh counties gresses, that is from 1822 to 1824, Samuel with one member. In the latter year the I D. Ingham and Thomas J. Rogers were name of the same district w’as changed to the two joint representatives. In 1824 the Seventh, and still up to the present Mr. Rogers resigned, and Hon. George time with several alterations of terri-! Wolf was elected to fill the vacancy. He , ffiry it has sent but one member to the was born in Allen township, North¬ National Lower House at Washington. ampton county, August 12, 1777, of Ger¬ I will now give a list of all wffio man parentage. He received a classical have represented our county in Congress, education, studied law, was admitted to as complete as I have been able to make j the bar, and commenced practice at it. Some having been in office at differ- ! Easton. When a young man he was ent times, I will mention their names! initiated into the Order of Free Masons but once, in chronological order, accord¬ and was lor many years a popular mem¬ ing to the date of their first election. ber of Easton Lodge. Active in politics Henry Wynkoop, Samuel Sltgreaves,j he was sent to the Pennsylvania Legisla¬ Robert Brown, Isaac VanHorne, Freder- j ture, and serving his constituents faith¬ lek Conrad, John Pugh, John Ross, fully there, was crowned with higher Johnathan Roberts, William Rodman, honors, and elected to the House of Samuel D. Ingham, Thomas J. Rogers, Representatives in Washington, for the Samuel Moore, George Wolf, Peter, second session of the Eighteenth Con¬ Ihrie, Robert Ramsey, Matthias Morris, | gress, taking the oath of office, December John Davis, Michael H. Jenks, Jacob 9,1824. Re-elected to the Nineteenth and Erdman, Samuel A. Bridges, Thomas Twentieth Congresses, his term of ser¬ Ross, Samuel C. Bradshaws Henry Chap- vice extended to March 3, 1829, nearly man, Henry C. Lorsgnecker, Thomas B.i five years. He was then chosen Gover¬ Cooper, John D. Stiles, M. Russell nor of Pennsylvania, and was an able Thayer, Caleb N. Taylor, John R. Read¬ and honored chief executive from 1829 to ing, Alired C. Harmer, Alan Wood, I. 1835, six years. An ardentDemocratand Newton Evans, William GodshalF an earnest friend of General Jackson, he Robert M. Yardlev, Edwin Hallow'' was appointed 'first Comptroller of the Irvin Is Wanger. Treasury oi the United States, and dis¬ • . charged with ability the duties of that responsible position from June 18, 1836, to February 23, 1838. When Mr. Van Buren occupied the Presidential chair, FrorfiJtteJL he received the lucrative appointment of Collector of Customs at 'Philadelphia. Two Presidents thus indicated their high appreciation of his talents, industry and integrity. He died in Philadelphia, March 14,1840, in the 64th year oi his age. In the Twentv-fiist and Twenty-sec¬ Date, / z ond Congresses Hon. Samuel A. Smith, whom I spoke on a former occasion as Colonel Ilanssafer, commanding; the Sec- olid Company of the State Artillery Bat-1 'TWO PATRIOTIC EVENTS talion, Captain Thomas Forrest, com¬ manding: the Second Company of Artil¬ lery, Philadelphia Association. Captain Joseph Moulder: and the Philadelphia Memorial Tablets to be Unveiled on Troop of Light Horse, Captain Samuel Morris. General Washington advanced i Tuesday—Why They Are Erected— with Captain Forest's Battery of six > The Monuments Illustrated—Inter- guns, giving direction as to the firing and Colonel Hand’s corps of Pennsylvania1 I esting Facts Relative to the History Riflemen cut off the retreat of Hessians' I of the Event They Commemorate. and compelled their surrender. In view of these facts it is meet and ' The Bucks County Plistorical Society fitting that the descendants of these per¬ of which General W. W. IT. Davis, of the sons, who so bravely stepped into the Doylestown “Democrat,” is President breach, in the hour of their country’s peril jwill dedicate at Taylorsville, on Tuesday should rear tablets of enduring bronze to jnext, a monument marking the spot their memory. where General George Washington cross- For days before the crossing was to be led the Delaware river before the battle of effected General Washington had men Trenton, on Christmas night of 177(5. The scouring the river on both sides for miles, story has been repeatedly told, and though gateliering up all the river craft that jOld yet it is always listened to with inter¬ could be made of service in conveying tho est, and the telling of it again and again troops, and on the 20th of December should not be omitted, that the boys and everything was in readiness for the sur¬ girls of today, who are to be the men and prise. Plans had been made for support¬ [women of tomorrow, may know and un¬ ing forces to co-operate with Washington derstand to whom and what they owe thd 1 both north and south of Trenton, but one I 'liberties they enjoy in this land of free¬ after another his aides deserted him' dom. through fear or lack of confidence in their We tell the story here briefly again: ability to meet the strong force of Hessi¬ The monument.is situated on the land of ans. so that when Washington was ready Dr. Gril'fee, in Taylorsville, and stands a to strike the blow, he alone, with but 2,400 few feet from the river road. It is in thd men, remained to make the attack. But centre of what was the road leading from he never faltered. The Hessian comman¬ the highway to McConkey’s ferry, at the der knew that the attack was contemplat¬ time Washington crossed. The following ed, but met the reports of it with ridi¬ inscription has been placed on the monu¬ cule. The patriots crossed the river, ment: blocked with ice, during a pelting hail “Near This Spot storm. It was broad daylight when the Washington Crossed landing was made. The jagged ice float¬ The Delaware on Christmas Night, ing swiftly by, struck the boats severely, 1776, the Eve of the Battle of and they had to be handled with the great¬ Trenton.” est care. The night was, as Captain Thomas Rodney said, “as severe as I ever Some cherished memories cling about saw it.” It was dark and cold and dis¬ the old Mc-Conkey ferry house, of the mal, and mingled hail and snow after 11 dark days of the Revolution. o’clock, but Colonel Glover’s Marblehead Pennsylvania bore a noble part in the regiment of fishermen at last ferried the events that were crowded in the few days. whole force over the river with all their of the Christmas holidays of 1776. horses and cannon. Colonel Knox, with The army, by expirations of terms of a stentorian voice that was heard above service, had been reduced to 1,400 men, thee rackling of the ice, repeated Wash¬ poorly clad and without proper support. ington’s orders on the Pennsylvahia side. Congress had adjourned from Philadel¬ It was after 3 o’clock when the Ameri¬ phia to Baltimore; two distinguished offi¬ cans reached the New Jersey shore and cers had grown weary in the cause. Un¬ j the order for the expected attack was 5 der such conditions, Dr. David Itamsey, j o’clock in the morning. This could not the historian, says: “Washington was now be carried out. During the last hour greatly discouraged, and had determined Washington had been seated upon what to fly to the Allegheny Mountains.” It had been a beehive, eagerly watching the was at this period that the support of 1,500 . passage of his troops. Here David Lan- Pennsylvania volunteers, known as the niug. the Birmingham blacksmith, who “Associators,” tendered their services, re¬ had left Trenton late on Christmas night, vived the spirits of Washington and deter- came up to Washington and gave him the jmined in his mind the movement upon latest news concerning the condition of Trenton. The Pennsylvania line was to the Hessian foe. Then Captain John I the Continental army what the Pennsyl¬ Mott, the grandfather of the late Major vania reserves were to the army of the General Mott, started out with a fusee Potomac—the very backbone of attack on his shoulder to guide the troops past 'and defense. Taking into his confidence his own dwelling house, now a part of jt-he President of Pennsylvania, with Gen¬ erals Ewing and Cadwallader, of the “As- the property of the lunatic asylum, to tha surprise of Trenton. soeiators,” the designs were laid for a sur¬ prise and attack on the morning following The farmers of old Hunterdon county Christmas day. To the glory of Pennsyl¬ had done good service to Washington, by assisting in ferrying over his soldiers, aiuL. vania she had a large share in the-sue- : were now ready to accompany his col¬ cess of the great victory. She was repre¬ umns as guides. Their names, in addi¬ sented by the First Regiment, Continen¬ tion to those just mentioned, were: Col. tal Foot, commanded by Colonel Edward Joseph Phillips who commanded the First Hand, the First Rifle Regiment, volun¬ teers. Major Williams, commanding; the Hunterdon regiment of militia, and his German Regiment^Continental Infantrv 132 ■” PC % 4 adjutant, Elias Phillips; John MuirFeicT .lohn Guild, Henry Simons, William Green, AmosScudder, Ephraim Woolsey, Stephen Burroughs, Eden Burroughs Jo¬ seph Inslee and Uriah Slack. The password of the day was “Victory or Death The wind that day was east northeast, and the storm for at least a part of the march beat rather more on the left shoulders than in the faces of the pa¬ triotic army. The ground was very slip¬ pery from the sleet and snow, and their miserable clothing made their condition truly pitiable. The New Jersey monument erected by the Society of the Cincinnati in New Jer¬ sey is situated on a red shale bluff about one hundred yards west of the railroad station at Washington’s Crossing, or Ber- nardsville as it was formerly called, and earlier still “Eight-Mile Ferry” and Mc- Conkey s Ferry.” A bronze tablet on the monument bears this inscription: Dhs tablet is erected by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey to commemorate the crossing ot the Delaware river by General Washington and the Continental army, on Christmas night, seventeen hundred and seventy-six.” The Society of the Cincinnati, which has taken up the work of erecting memo¬ rial tablets marking historic spots throughout the State, is an association founded by the officers of the American Kevohitionary army after the peace of lioo. Its object was to commemorate the success of the Revolution and to per¬ petuate sentiments of patriotism, benevo¬ lence and brotherly love, and the memory ot hardships experienced in common.' The original draft of its constitution was made by General Knox, the “Bookseller of Boston,” who won his General’s com¬ mission at he battle of Trenton. The meeting for the organization of the society was held at the quarters of Baron Steuben, in New York, on the Hudson river. Appropriate badges and ornaments were devised, including the eagle, and uniting the colors blue and white in conri plinient to the combined armies through which the Revolution had been achieved. The honors of life membership were con¬ ferred upon a number of French officers. A fund was formed by the contribution of one month’s pay for the relief of mem¬ bers in needy circumstances. The constitution declared that “the offi¬ cers of the American army associated I themselves into one society of friends to endure as long as they shall endure,’ or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral branches who may be judged worthy of becoming its supporters and members. At the second general meeting, held in 17S7, Washington was elected President General and was re-elected trienniallyl during his life. The society in New Jersey is one of tha oldest and bears upon its roll of members many honored names. Hon Clifford Stan¬ ley Sims is the President of the society in New Jersey and will participate in the dedication exercises. The dedicatory exercises will take place at Taylorsville on Tuesday afternoon next, at 1:30 o'clock. General Davis, President of the Bucks Countv Historical Society, will preside, and Adjutant Gen¬ eral William S. Stryker, of this city, will deliver an address, followed by an oration --7— BBS, 'a i life ,<*r

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