BULLETIN HISTORICAL 50CIETY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA JVOJ^R/STOWN

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PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT ITS BUILDING DEKALB STREET NORRI5TOWN.PA.

FALL, 1961

VOLUME XIII NUMBER .1

PRICE $1.50 The Historical Society of Montgomery County

OFFICERS

Hon. David E. Groshens, President George K. Brecht, Esq., ViGe-President Hon. Alfred L. Taxis, Jr., Vice-President Dr. Edward F. Corson, Vice-President Eva G. Davis, Recording Secretary Mrs. Earl W. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. LeRoy Burris, Financial Secretary and Librarian Lyman a. Kratz, Treasurer

TRUSTEES

KntKE Bryan, Esq. Robert C. Bucher Harry L. Cheistman Mrs. H. H. Francine Donald A. Gallager, Esq. Herbert H. Ganser Hon. David E. Groshens Kenneth H. Hallman Nancy P. Highley Arthur H. Jenkins. Hon. Harold G. Knight Lyman A. Kratz William S. Pettit Robert R. Titus Mrs. F. B. Wildman, Jr. I!!• I III ij. I I iiLiJjji "'' '• ' '' .1.1. II"' • —-^ — - ^ -• j

The Old Slate Roof House Philadelphia residence of members of the Norris Family, 1704-1749 Photo courtesy Dr. George W. Norris THE BULLETIN

of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Published Semi-AnmtaUy — Spring and Fall

Volume XIII Fall, 1961 Number 1

CONTENTS

The Lives and Interests of Isaac Norris —I and II William T. Parsons 5

Christopher Dock, Early American School Master Robert G. Hunsicker 25

New Light on the Gravestone of Christopher Dock Robert G. Hunsicker 47

Montgomery County's "Bivouac of the Dead" John F. Reed 49

Reports 65

PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Mrs. LeRoy Burris Jolin F. Reed Mrs. Earl W. Johnson

Dr. William T. Parsons Chairman Introducing - With this issue, William T. Parsons of Collegeville, Penna., assumes the post of Chairman of the Publications Committee. The son of Mrs. Florence Greene Parsons and the late Walter A. Parsons, he was born in Palmerton, Penna., and attended the public schools there. In September, 1947, following his graduation from Ursinus Collegein June of that year, he became a member of the faculty at Ursinus, where he now holds the rank of Assistant Professor of History. The University of Pennsylvania granted him graduate degrees of A.M. in 1949 and Ph.D. in 1955. There he specialized in American history and wrote his doctoral thesis on "Isaac Norris II, the Speaker," under the supervision of Dr. Leonidas Dodson. Mr. Parsons has also studied Russian at the University of Pittsburgh and French at Middlebury College and has taught college courses in French grammar, French civilization and Rus sian history. At Ursinus he currently teadies courses in United States and Pennsylvania history. His wife, Phyllis Vibbard Parsons, daughter of Edward L. and Marie Way Vibbard of New York, taught for several years in the Montgomery County school system, but is currently en gaged in historical research. During World War II, Mr. Parsons served in the Army of the United States from 1943 to 1945 and spent twenty-one months overseas in Signal Intelligence with the First Army. This service took him to England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, terminating in occupation duty in Berlin. He is an Elder in Heidelberg Reformed Church (United Churdi of Christ), Schwenksville, and served for six years on Schwenksville Borough Council, and five years as a director of the Schwenksville Community Library. He is also a member of numerous professional organizations, including American His torical Association, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Friends Historical Association and the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. Mr. Parsons has also participated in the activities of the Institute of Early American History and Culture. statement of Editorial Policy Your new Chairman of the Editorial Committee will endeavor to maintain the high standards of scholarship and interest which the late Charles R. Barker and his predecessors have established. We will be greatly aided by the experience and cordial cooperation of Mrs. LeRoy Burris. This Bulletin will continue to serve a three-fold purpose. First, to serve the members, we shall continue to publish articles of his torical and genealogical interest, viewing Montgomery County in the broadest historical sense. A particular interest in the colonial establishment, the early national period and the era of the Civil War will be obvious, but we will attempt to include the modern scene and contemporary history as well. Our second concern will be for other inhabitants of Mont gomery County (potential members). They will be reminded of the significance of this area in American life, for it is especially fitting today that we should know well our political and social heritage, and understand the people of the past who have made these freedoms possible. Not the least of our purposes will be the publication of schol arly articles and the journals or contemporary accounts that are history's primary sources. These are the raw materials from which later, broader historical interpretations may be drawn. Familiar authors and previous contributors will again appear on our pages. With them will also come new and promising writers, whose contributions may first appear in print in our publication. In short, it is our editorial intention to conserve the standards of the past, while adding an occasional touch of the new in style or approach. As ever, we welcome suggestions and criticism (pre ferably constructive) and we solicit the support of all our readers to secure additional articles of local interest and scholarly worth. William T. Parsons The Lives and Interests of Isaac Norris I and II ^

William T. Parsons In the first hundred years that Pennsylvania existed under the proprietary government, there is no father and son combination more important in the political and economic life of the province, than Isaac Norris I and his second son, Isaac Norris II. Common interests and occupations of the two Isaacs are many,' ranging from the Society of Friends to business ventures, and from an all-pervading interest in books and learning to practical solutions for political questions that become unusually difficult in Quaker Pennsylvania. In the latter, however, Isaac I made his presence felt mainly in the Provincial Council, the vestigial upper house of the legislature, which had continued in an advisory capacity to governor and proprietor, while Isaac II, once he entered the Pennsylvania Assembly, made it his entire political career. Even then, both Isaacs stood for the Quaker interest, Isaac I with the Penn family, while Isaac II maintained Friends' interest in the Assembly, even remaining a Quaker speaker when the Assembly was no longer Quaker-controlled, and opposing the now-Anglican Proprietors. Isaac Norris I was born in London, July 26, 1671, the last child of Thomas and Mary Moore Norris.^ Only seven years later Thomas Norris moved with his family to the trade center of Port Royal, Jamaica, less than twenty-five years after the seizure of Jamaica from the Spanish.^ Norris, son Joseph, and later son Isaac were traders, so it seemed natural for Isaac to travel to Philadelphia, chief trading center of congenial Quakers in North America. He carried a letter of introduction to Thomas Lloyd, prominent Philadelphia merchant, and friend of William Penn, from his son Mordecai Lloyd, who referred to Joseph and Isaac Norris as "my only true friends that I have met with since my

Read before the Society, March 30, 1960. Q BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY arrival."^ While in Philadelphia Isaac met Margaret and Mary Lloyd, but his stay was limited, so he returned to Port Royal, only to find that, in an earthquake, it had sunk "into the Sea."^ Hav ing lost his entire family Norris returned to Philadelphia his new home, where he married Mary Lloyd early in 1694.® During their married life, eight daughters and six sons were bom to Isaac I and Mary Lloyd Norris, including Mary in 1694, Hannah in 1696, Joseph in 1699, Isaac 1701 and Charles 1712.® Theirs was a close-knit family, and Father Norris provided well for the children, so well indeed, that some stricter Quakers ob jected. He accumulated lands in Philadelphia, where he bought the Slate Roof House and other holdings from Samuel Carpenter, and lands in country areas beyond, such as the purchase of the seven thousand acre tract called Williamstadt, located in Phila delphia County (now Montgomery) "Just above Plimouth" from "Young W. P." otherwise William Penn, Junior. Norris and William Trent jointly purchased the estate in 1704, but shortly after Trent sold out his share to Norris, and from about 1712, it was called Norriton Manor."^ Despite his yearning for a country estate, Norriton Manor was too remote, and Isaac I never built nor lived there himself. He kept an eye on affairs, for he contested a road "Said (or pretended) to be laid out" from "Plymoth Township to Perqueaminy Creek." He protested it ran "aslant more than four miles through his land commonly called the Man ner of Wmstadt obliquely cutting ye lines of the Severall lotts."® Norris bought land in the Northern Liberties from Arnold Cassel, just off the road from Frankford to Germantown, where in 1717, he built the mansion of Fairhill.® Family travels were extensive despite the obvious discomforts of Eighteenth Century travel. Isaac and Mary Norris travelled to Boston with Richard Hill and wife in 1702, but the major family trip was a trip to England for "Some business, Some curiosity & longings for my native Country & some desires to See [friends] there."^® Isaac I, wife Mary, and their oldest child, Mary, left in September 1706 and returned August 1708, bringing with them a son Thomas who was bom at Cork in January 1706/7. They mixed family visits, business and sightseeing in a number of Eng- THE LIVES AND INTERESTS OF ISAAC NORRIS 7 lish cities, but London was the main attraction; there Norris used his best efforts to attempt to unravel the confused finances of William Penn.^^ The family business prospered, and Isaac I made full use of Friends in other North American ports and the Caribbean as well as in England, for market reports, suggestions as to marketable commodities, and as merchantsin reciprocally favorable positions. Barrel staves, shingles, wheat and flour were among the major products shipped from Philadelphia and in exchange, the Carib bean islands shipped, rum, molasses, and sugar, and on at least one occasion in 1703, Negro slaves. Although he sold one Negro for £30, he requested of Jonathan Dickinson who had sent them, "Send mee nor recomend me no more negroes for sale. I don't like yt Sort of business."^^ Isaac Norris I was heartily opposed to the mercantile restrictions which taxed heavily or forbid the trading of products which seemed the most profitable. After 1719 the elder Norris became somewhat less agile, and although continuing the management of Fairhill and his agricultural estates, began gradually to turn trade affairs over to sons Joseph and Isaac II, and son-in-law Thomas Griffitts.^^ Instructions for Fairhill were drawn up by Isaac I in some detail. Wash ye Sheep, Sheer ym and Mark off ye Old for fatting and Killing — The fences all put in Order: Keep ym So — watch well and dayly that no Creatures get into the meadow or Mowing ground — As have leasure, cleanse ye wood & betterment of those grounds, & Scowr ye Drains or gutters in long mead. — Replant in time ye Indian Com where any fails. — The old Orchard must be plow'd for buckwheat ... If I shod stay out long, the Summer fallow must be made on ye NNW field, and on ye upland in ye back meadows wch lyes SSE of ye long field — Note ye fence at head of present Indn Com field must be first mov'd in Strait wth ye head of Barnfield — and ye dividing fence in ye NNW field taken away. Mind ye Road at Spare times after Wet. — A Rainy time, may clean out ye Barns & Destroy ye Rats wth Dilligence — Also mortice posts. — Stake ye tulips &c." In politics, Isaac served in the Assembly where he violently opposed the methods used by David Lloyd, who tried to discredit William Penn and his supporters by parliamentary maneuvers g BULLETIN OF HISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMBEY COUNTY and false reports. In this situation, Isaac found himself obliged to support evensoweak a Proprietor's representative as Governor John Evans, which he didwith some difficulty, all the while send ing progress reports to William Penn Sr. in England. While in the Assembly, Isaac I expressed discontent with the method of review of provincial laws by the Privy Council and the Board of Trade, and in 1711, was at least one of the first to circumvent Quaker objections to money bills for defense by suggesting the Assembly vote "ye Queen mony, notwithstanding any Use She might put it to, yt not beingour part, but hers."i^ But the twenty- five years Norris served on the Provincial Council constituted his major contribution to governmental stability in Isaac's opinion. He joined in Council advice to the governors, and the transaction of Indian business, in which Norris generally seconded James Logan's position regarding the Indians. The Council seems to have been a congenial group, for Isaac I served with brothers- in-law Richard Hill and Samuel Preston, and business associates James Logan and Jonathan Dickinson. Thomas Lloyd, his father- in-law, preceded Isaac I on the Council, and son-in-law Thomas Griffiths followed him. These men were also leaders in Friends Meetings, which seems to justify Norris' contention that those who were-by familytraining and experience capable of directing the government had both opportunity and responsibility to do so.i® In 1717 and again ten years later, the elder Norris vigor ously opposed the issue ofpaper money as unsound. He probably wrote the pamphlet whichset forth conservative -views onthe sub ject. Norris, Hill and Logan served as Commissioners of Property for the Province of Pennsylvania, as also did Griffiths." Isaac Norris I was one of the leaders in cultural aspects of col onial Philadelphia, and toward the end of his life was accepted as an elder statesman in intellectual and religious affairs. He began the accumulation of books in a Library that would reach greater fame under Isaac II, he recognized the advantages of a good life, which he, even asa Friend, might well enjoy. Reading and horticulture were supplemented by the best available clothes (still plain) and when a shipment of Madeira wine failed to measure up to his exacting standards, he complained bitterly to TEE LIVES AND INTERESTS OF ISAAC NORRIS 9

Panteleon Fernandez, his Madeira agent, that for the first time in thirty-six years he found himself "without a good Glass of Wine in the house."^® Of his several conveyances, the coach he ordered from England was to be one of the most impressive in the province, and of course Fairhill itself was one of the show places of the colony. He asked Isaac II to search England for suitable paintings to hang at Fairhill, and ordered surprisingly frivolous objects such as "Battel doors and shuttle cocks" for the young people "to keep them out of the dirt," and a violin for "Negro Peter" to replace the home-made fiddle he had been using, which would serve to lighten the long hours servants had to put in. Some of the family had portraits painted, which while not unique, was somewhat unusual.^® All in all, he set standards for the family which tended to emphasize the broad vistas which were possible even within the limits of Quaker restrictions: a solution evolved which neither compromised the demanding rules of the Society of Friends, nor neglected ap^ preciation of the potential of the good life. In the Society of Friends, Isaac Norris the elder was quite active, being named on numerous occasions to committees whidi were to determine proper course of action, orthodoxy of doctrine or simply to settle disputes. He heartily opposed the Keithian off shoot of the Society, and suggested George Keith acted from motives of self-aggrandisement when complaining "against frds, pretending to detect their Errors." Norris was in fact a leader in the religious community, one who reiterated the position of William Penn in the Society on many occasions.^® Further, Isaac Norris I was closely associated with the great Pennsylvania personalities of his time, as previous references to William Penn, Thomas Lloyd and James Logan would seem to indicate. Logan recognized the capabilities of the older Norris in the dedication of his major achievement, the translation of Cicero's De Senectute or Cato Major to his aging but still mentally agile friend, Isaac Norris I.^^ Like his proprietary predecessor, John Penn also acknowledged Norris' "Constant Good Advice & Friendly Assistance." Similarly Thomas Penn on his arrival in Pennsylvania sought to encourage Isaac's continued attention to 10 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY government affairs by the gift of lands bordering on Norriton Manor "ye bank-lotts [along the Schuylkill] and Barbados Island."®^ So also Francis Daniel Pastorius, founder of German- town, who, late in life presumed to ask Isaac Norris I to help solve a land title conflict, which the latter immediately did, re sponded with thanks to "Isaac Norris, my Rare and Real Friend, as I at present may Justly Stile thee according to the Old & true Saying, A Friend In Need, A Friend INdeed."^^ In the full comfort of retirement at Fairhill leaving the de bates of the Provincial Council behind him, Isaac I settled back to await the return of his eldest son from England. But once more he was called upon by the voters in the Assembly elections of Fall, 1734, even though he had last been elected in 1720. "I am chosen on the Assembly ... I was by assistance of the Division in Town brought in."24 Despite old age, disinclination to serve, and general misgivings, he did serve in regular attendance at the Assembly sessions. In Spring, 1735, he suffered ill health, and on June 4, 1785, after a stroke in the Germantown Meeting House, he died. He had set a demanding example of public service for Isaac Norris II, and for the Province of Pennsylvania.^'' Isaac Norris II was bom in Philadelphia on October 23,1701. As a child, young Isaac was accustomed to the activities of the busy wharves of Philadelphia, where he spent time watching tjie ships and sailors come and go. The early schooling of Isaac II was acquired at home, where William Roberts, Jacob Taylor and Matthias Pamphilius Bagger served as "Preceptors" to both Joseph and Isaac, but we know by Isaac's own statement that after 1717 he learned "without a tutor."-® Before his fifteenth birthday Isaac had concluded that would like "a London Educa tion" but that did not materialize. In 1722 he was sent to England in answer to his repeated requests, but his duties were to carry out details of family business. He travelled by way of St. Johns, Newfoundland, meeting with "a great deal of bad weather," but arrived safely in London in the Summer of 1722.^^ His father had written to a colleague in England, "My Second Son Isaac had been very Urgent & pressing for our leave to See England," and said further "Because of his Modesty of Behavior, [he] avoids Show- THE LIVES AND INTERESTS OF ISAAC NORRIS ^1 ing his real abilities & acquiremts, for he is not Showy & Super ficial, While Isaac managed some affairs in England, his brother-in-law Thomas Griffitts assumed family business re sponsibilities at home, as identified by Isaac I: "My Son-in-law Thos Griffitts ... in whose hands my business is."^ After 1730 Isaac II shared increasingly in business, attending to most of the routine correspondence for several years. From October, 1733, until November 1734 young Isaac made his most extensive trip to London, but with side trips to Bristol, Gravesend and Amster dam. While in Bristol, he visited William Logan, whose brother James was destined to become Isaac's father-in-law.^® Complications had appeared at home as sister Debby put it: "Thy going so soon Affter Jos[eph's] Death makes it much worse for Mother to bear," as also did the failure of letters to arrive from Isaac. News sent to Isaac emphasized the family unit, "If thou could but see what a Little Commonwealth we are within our Selves. We Bake our [own] Bread (but brew not our [own] Beer, because thou sold all our Mellasses & Stock's Low)." Now, the longer Isaac remained in England, the more urgent became letters from brother Charles and from Debby, who wrote: Father is dull at times when he Reflects he is now in his 64th year and his son at such a great distance from him, When I con sider how good and Gracious a God we have in granting the lives of our parents to such an Age, I cant but thiTiV it is our Duty not only in Obeying them, but Contributing as much as is in our power to make the latter part of Life as easy and agreeable as possible.*^ Shortly thereafter Isaac returned home. After his father's death in June 1735, Isaac seems to have taken stock of his own situation. With the expanding trade, which required Charles Norris to go to England in 1737-38, and several house-building projects ("I am finishing a large house by the Waterside & shall build two (if not four) more next Spring,") Isaac began to think of matrimony. After all, he was well situ ated financially, he was one of the larger property owners in Philadelphia through his father's will, and his share of mercantile trade promised a steady and dependable income.^^ Without men tion of the inception of the idea, he wrote of an "Alliance which I long endeavoured" which was his marriage to Sarah Logan, 12 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL' SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

"Sallee" as Isaac called her, one of the daughters of James Logan, which occurred "in the beginning of June," 1739.^^ Isaac un doubtedly gained added prestige by this marriage, and for a short time, Norris cast aside business and political responsibilities. A sizeable dowry, mostly in land holdings, was settled on the couple, although this would in time prove more troublesome than valuable. A daughter, Mary, was born July 17,1740, the only birth in this family not attended by tragedy. Two infant sons, James and Isaac died in 1741 and 1743.®^ Meanwhile in 1742, widow Mary Norris found life at Fairhill too strenuous or too lonely, so she moved back into town. Thereupon Isaac and Sallee Norris moved to Fairhill, which cost him a total of £1400 and there the brief remainder of their married life was spent.^® On October 13,1744, after five years and four months of marriage, Sarah Logan Nor ris died, leaving a void in Isaac's life that was never again filled and which had as a partial result his whole-hearted entry into the political arena. Her brother-in-law, Charles Norris, put it in simplest terms, "We have mett a heavy Loss in the Death of our Sister Norris, who died ye 13th of Last Month in Childbed. She has left Isaac a Daughter called by her own Name." Isaac agreed that "in her I have lost an excellent Woman and her Innocent Babes will ever miss her care."^® Just after the loss of Sallee, Isaac welcomed his sister Betty to Fairhill, to assist with the house and the care of the two girls.®' 'While business affairs were entrusted to the capable hands of Charles Norris, who worked first with brother Samuel Norris, then nephew William Griffitts, Isaac resumed his active political career with greater vigor than before.®® He had served briefly in the government of the city of Philadelphia before 1730, and following his father's death, was elected to the Assembly in Octo ber, 1735, on his first attempt.®® He was elected in 1737 and from 1739 was successful in every balloting until 1765, that is, every remaining election he was alive. In the early years, his major committee assignments involved trade and commerce, a field in which he had some experience.^® When John Kinsey was chosen the new Speaker of the As sembly in 1739, Isaac Norris quickly became spokesman for him TOE LIVES AND INTERESTS OF ISAAC NORRIS 13

and in fact, logical successor within ten years. They served on committees together, attended the 1745 Indian conference at Albany together, and planned common strategy against Governor George Thomas and his proprietary instructions. Thomas and the Kinsey-Norris Quaker faction held almost opposite views on such matters as Indians, defense, taxation of proprietary estates and paper money. In fact on the latter point, Isaac II and Charles Norris opposed views held earlier by Isaac Norris I, but Charles pointed out that Pennsylvania "had kept up our Reputation the best of all ye American Settlements whose paper current was Established."^^ Noteworthy also, the German element generally sided with Kinsey, Norris and the Quaker faction.'^® Upon the death of John Kinsey in May 1750, the choice of a successor was obvious, the Assembly minutes note: "ISAAC NORRIS, Esq: was unanimously chosen Speaker" on August 6, 1750.^3 He fulfilled the duties of the office so long and so capably that he is referred to historically as Isaac Norris, the Speaker. Of the many matters which demanded his attention while Speaker from 1750 to 1764, some of the more interesting his torically were his management of the purchase of the Liberty Bell, the defense question, maintenance of the existing govern ment, and friendship and final break with Benjamin Franklin. The bell commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of the Charter of Privileges of 1701, and after a series of disastrous breaks, the bell was finally re-cast and hung. On defense, Norris continued to present the Assembly's wishes against any armed force, even though he personally did not subscribe to that part of Friends' doctrine. "T am satisfied the Law of Nature & perhaps the Christian systum [stc] leaves us a right to defend ourselves as well against the Enemys who are within the reach of our Laws as those who owe no subjection to them."^* This enabled him conscientiously to retain the Speaker's chair in 1756, when the pacifist Quakers either resigned, refused elected seats, or refused to run, although even Norris had earlier found it convenient to let Franklin decide upon the wording for defense appropria tions.^® Norris and Franklin cooperated on other matters, from Indian conferences at Carlisle and Albany, to book orders for the 14 BULLETIN OP HISTQEIGAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Norris Library. In fact, a document in the Historical Society of Montgomery County indicates that Franklin on a visit to Norns shortly before the Albany trip, "proved" a deed of sale from Hannah Harrison to Charles Norris, and it would appear that, in that visit plans were laid for the Albany conference.^® They dis agreed in few things, but when, in Spring, 1764, Franklin pushed through the Assembly a resolution that Pennsylvania petition the Crown for a change from proprietary to royal status, Isaac Nor ris, friend of Franklin or not, resigned as Speaker rather than sign a bill so completely unacceptable to him.^^ The complete rupture between Franklin and Norris was not entirely unpre dictable, for several incidents had occurred earlier, especially in volving confidential statements which became public knowledge, with a scathing letter about Norris written by William Franklin, which came to Norris enclosed in an anonymous letter.^® As early as 1758 Franklin sounded out Norris* feelings "on the point of getting rid of the Proprietary Government." Isaac Norris con ceded he had considered such a plan before, but felt it "might operate [against] the People,'* and he produced voluminous argu ments against that action. Party lines were meaningless in 1764, as such widely differing figures as William Allen and Isaac Norris stood firm for proprietary government.^® When the Franklin- sponsored measure was passed by a vote of 27 to 3 with the Speaker opposed but not voting, Isaac Norris stepped down from the chair to present his objections as a member of the House, which he had not previously done, and then called for a one day postponement of final action. The next day he sent in his resigna tion, although he gave illness as his reason. Benjamin Franklin was elected Speaker, and in that position signed his own bill; in the Fall elections. Franklin was not returned to office, so he carried his bill to England, where he killed it himself by with holding presentation to Parliament as the political climate changed.®® Isaac Norris was elected in 1764 and 1765, and was even named Speaker again, but found health and Assembly sentiments unchanged, so after a week's trial, he gave it up "to avoid much fatigue or perturbation of Body and Mind," and Joseph Fox was THE LIVES AND INTERESTS OP ISAAC NORRIS ^5 thereupon elected Speaker. John Dickinson attempted to convince Norris not to retire, and to convince the Assembly that Norris was not retiring, but in vain.®i Despite the time he devoted to political matters, Isaac II con tinued active in many other interests. His family continued to command his attention, and a "Sattin Night Gown" as a gift for thirteen-year old Polly cost him almost £5. And he was pleased with them, "My Family, consisting of my two Daughters are well. They now grow up to be Young Women."^^ Fairhill was his home and his comfort. The attention he gave to the house and grounds is evident throughout his records. Fairhill also served as a convenient political meeting place, as in the several visits of Franklin before important trips, or when he asked Charles Norris to forward a letter "to Polly for the Politicians at Fair hill."®^ At Fairhill, Isaac Norris II also entertained a wide range of guests from Richard Peters and Israel Pemberton, Jr. to Teedyuscung and some unnamed refugee Gherokees. His interest in horticultural improvements and oddities is noted by many references to grafting fruit trees, or lease conditions that orchards shall be planted by the tenant, and journal references to yucca, ladys slipper, "scarlet bigonia" and others. Isaac was serious in finding time "to amuse my Self among my Dirty Acres," and after he had "left all Publick Business," managed **to employ my Time in improving my Meadows and my Woods and pick other Country Amusements." I find as I grow in Years a great desire to retreat for a little while from the pursuits which are more suitable to Youth, Health, and the eager hopes of tiiose who have the World before them. ... On a Retrospect of near Thirty Years, I presume the publick Debt is discharged on my Part to the best of my Abilities." This reflects wisdom due to experience and age, for this is the same Isaac Norris, who with his brother Charles and some other young friends had established the Bachelors' Hall in Philadelphia, causing no little concern in the Friends Meeting.®® The manage ment of Norriton Manor concerned Isaac II, Charles and Samuel Norris, who arranged for lease of some lots, and outright sale of others, generally in tracts of one hundred to onehundred fifty ig BULLETIN OF HISTQEICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY acres. Payment was usually in cash, but Isaac accepted payment in kind, "Fifty-four bushells of good clean Sound and Merchant able Wheat" per year paid the rent for 150 acres. Choice bank lots along the Schuylkill on the site of present-day Norristown were divided among Isaac II, Charles and Samuel Norris.®® Isaac was also an amateur in astronomy, he noted the passage of a comet in 1744, and ordered "a Telescopial Telescope of 24 feet" from Franklin in England in 1757.®^ The Library of Isaac Norris was probably the most exten sive in the province of Pennsylvania, which was begun from books willed him by his father, and supplemented by literary purchases during the remainder of his life, particularly through Benjamin Franklin, who acted as bookagent for Isaac. That the library was built for use, not for appearance only, is evident in the marginal notes in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French and English; in Isaac's own handwriting. The books were housed in a library building, containing several rooms, in the garden at Fairhill. For amusement and instruction, there was a glass-sided beehive built into the library, where Isaac II normally housed the first swarm of bees each Spring. The library survived when Fairhill was burned by the British occupying forces in 1777, for Fairhill was then the home of Mary (Polly) Norris Dickinson, and her hus band John Dickinson.®® The largest surviving portion of the Nor ris books (1500 items) served as the nucleus for the Dickinson College Library, with another two hundred of the books now in the Library Company of Philadelphia, which in fact received an other dozen of his books in the last year, some of them from Dr. (Seorge W. Norris. This then was the Isaac Norris II, who was given a grudging tribute by James Logan in 1749, "If he had as much Skill in ye Greek as he has in Hebrew, he would merit the general reputation of a Learned Man."®® Benjamin Franklin, who probably learned some of his parliamentary maneuvers from Norris, and who was certainly advanced in political affairs by Norris, was caustically critical of him in 1764. Franklin reversed that latter judgment ill 1787 when he used Isaac Norris' name and a quotation to woo conservative support for the Federal Constitution. !»• US Hovic«3 FAIK2IILL

wals-

Pkoto courtesy Dr. George W. Norris and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania THE LIVES AND INTERESTS OF ISAAC NORRIS 17

The Late Mr. Isaac Norris, whose memory will forever be rever'd by every Good Citizen of Pennsylvania — had served His Country with the Utmost fidelity, in the CSiaracter of a Legisla tor for More than Twenty years. His age & increasing Weakness of Constitution, at length oblig'd Him to Quit the Arduous Task of Reconciling and Directing the various Interests & views of his fellow Representatives, to the Good of his Country. Not long be fore this happen'd, some measures were Pursued, against which Mr. Norris thought Proper to Bear His Testimony with more Warmth than usual on This occasion, having Quited the Speaker's Chair, He, with All the fire of Juvenile Patriotism & the Dignity of venerable old age, made the following Remarkable Declaration: "No Man Shall ever Stamp his foot on my Grave & say 'Curse him, here He lies who basely betray'd tiie Liberties of His Country.' Finally, a just appreciation of the two figures, Isaac Norris I, the Councillor, and Isaac Norris II, the Speaker, may be gained from the philosophy of life eadi had expressed in various writ ings. Isaac I wrote "There is no happiness, I find, like a great mind and firm Soul, that can bear afflictions with a Christian Courage," and to daughter Mary in 1716, "Nothing is Better than a modest Assurance." In his will he voiced his feeling, "I do Earnestly pray & hope that [God] by his power and influence may Enable and Guide me to do justly Love Mercy and Walk Hurribly before Mm, that Summary of true Religion."®^ A sum mary of greatness in a different vein by Isaac II was, "To propa gate civilty, good Sence, Reason & Good Manrs, to propagate Moral Justice, & Erect a Church, In a Land 'till then Barbarous is a Revolution of some Importance." Assembly problems sug gested this valuable observation, "Never . .. condemn or sever'ly censure on hearing one side only." Parallel demands were recog nized by Isaac II; "I am conscious a Man owes something to the publick as well as to himself," and "It appears to be our Reason able duty both to [God] and to our Selves that we *act chearfully and well [our] allotted part'."®^ These were men worthy of the trust given to them. 18 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

FOOTNOTES ISAAC NORRIS I& II ^John W. Jordan, ed.. Colonial Families of Philadelphia, (New York, 1911), I, 81; Isaac Sharpless, Political Leaders of Provincial Pennsylvania, (New York, 1919), 181. Spelling of the family name sometimes appears as Norrice. ®Sharpless, op. cit., 183, 186; The Journal of Isaac Norris, (Philadel phia, 1867), 21. ®Mordecai Lloyd to Thomas Lloyd, [Feb.] 1691/2, Norris of Fairhill MSS: Blank Book #1, 15. The Blank Books and all letters and copybooks used for this article are found in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted. Isaac Norris kept a journal of his trip to Philadel phia and return to Port Royal, Mar. 5 - Sept. 13,1692, Ihid., 7-11, 23-35. *Isaac I to iMordecai Lloyd, July 11, 1692, Joseph Norris to Richard Hawkins, June 20, 1692, Ihid., 25, 28. ®Isaac I to Sarah Eckley, Sept. 1692, Ihid., 86; "I am as one alone in a wide "World." Sharpless, op. cit., 184-85. ®Sharpless, op. cit., 183; Jordan, op. cit., I, 83-84. Mary (1694-1751) married Thomas Griffitts, formerly of Jamaica, in 1717; Hannah (1696- 1774) married 'Richard Harrison of Maryland, in 1717; Joseph died un married in 1733; Isaac II (1701-1766) married Sarah Logan, 1739; Charles (1712-1766) married 1. Margaret Rodman in 1750, died 1752, 2. Mary Parker in 1759. ''Frederick B. Tolles, Meeting House and Counting House, (Chapel Hill, N. C., 1948), 96; Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, May 11, 1705, Logan Papers, IX, 74; Jordan, op. cit., I, 83. ®Logan Papers, XIII, 22, 26-29. On page 19 there is also an excellent but undated map titled "Draft of Road from Philada to Norristown." ®Isaac I to James Logan, Sept. 29, 1710,Blank Book #1, 237. The best description of Fairhill is the account by Deborah Norris Logan, daughter of Charles Norris, whose letter (otherwise unidentified) is cited in detail in Sharpless, op. cit., 182. "Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, Sept. 5, 1702, Logan Papers, "VIII, 11-13; Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, Mar. 21, 1705/6, Maria Dickinson Logan Papers: Miscellaneous Letters. (Hereafter, M.D. Logan Papers.) In Boston, they visited the Daniel Zachary family. Elizabeth Lloyd Zachary was a sister of Mary L. Norris and Hannah L. Hill. Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, June 8, Nov. 28, 1706, May 80, 1707, (birth of Thomas), Oct. 10, 1708, M.D. Logan Papers. A second copy of the letter of May 30, 1707, to insure receipt, is found in Logan Papers, VIII, 43. THE LIVES AND INTERESTS OP ISAAC NORRIS jg

"Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, May 11, 1705, Logan Papers, IX, 75; Isaac I to Dickinson, Nov. 8, 1702, Nov. 12, 1703, M.D. Logan Papers. " Isaac I to William Penn, Feb. 13,1704/5, GeorgeW. Norris Collection; Box. (Hereafter, GW Norris Papers.) Norris continued, "The Spaniard, who is as jealous of his trade in ye West Indies as of his wife at home. Allows us to carry [provisions] in time of peace, and Shall Subjects of the Same crown be suffer'd to do thus??" Norris Letterbook 1719-56, v-xxxi. ''"Orders Whats to be done at Planta[tion]," May 2, 1733, Logan papers, XIII, 43%. " Sharpless, Political Leaders, 127-28; Isaac I to William Penn, Feb. 13, 1704/5, GW Norris Papers; Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, Mar,13,1704/5, Dec. 31,1705, MD Logan Papers; Isaac I to Dickinson, Oct. 31,1705, Logan Papers, IX, 75; Isaac I to James Logan, Aug. 28, 1711, Norris Letters 1709-16, 286; Frederick B. Tolles, James Logan and the Culture of Provin cial America, (Boston, 1957), 53-59. David Lloyd's case is enthusiastically presented in Roy N. Lokken, David Lloyd, Colonial Latomaker, (Seattie, 1959), 133-61. ^^Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, IX, 624-26; Colonial Records, II, 429; III, 573-74; Isaac I to John, Thomas and Richard Penn, Nov. 13,1731, Penn Papers: Indian Affairs, I, 34, 36. There seems to have been no con cern over Norris' position in both legislative (Assembly) and executive (Council) posts. In fact, Richard Hill, Norris, Jonathan Dickinson and William Trent served simultaneously in both bodies, remaining on the Council even while Speaker cxf the Assembly (1711, 1712, 1718, 1719). Colonial Records, II, 631, 561, 629; HI, 58, 81. "Tolles, Meeting House and Counting House, 100-05; Tolles, James Logan, 121; MS Land Patent to Andrew Prey, Dec. 20, 1728, signed by Norris, Logan and Griffitts (document in possession of t^ author). "James W. Phillips, "The Sources of the Original Dickinson College Library," Pennsylvania History, XIV (1947), 110-11; Tolles, Meeting House and Counting House, 124, 182-83, 188-89; Isaac I to Pantaleon Fernandez, Nov. 9, 1733, Norris Letters 1733-39, 3. " Tolles, Meeting House and Counting House, 83, 130-31, 137; Isaac I to John Askew, Mar. 2, 1716/7, Isaac I to Joseph Norris, [1719], Norris Letterbook 1716-30, 55, 185. "•Isaac I to Jonathan Dickinson, Nov. 8, 1702, MD Logan Papers; Journal, 24; Sharpless, Political Leaders, 184-85. ^'Frederick B. Tolles, "Quaker Humanist, James Logan as a Classical Scholar," Pennsylvania Magaaine of History and Biography, T.TYTT (1955), 431-32. ®®John Penn to Isaac I, May 1, 1732, G. W. Norris Papers; Deborah Norris to Isaac II, Mar. 26, 1734, Norris Letters, I, 23. 20 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

^Francis Daniel Pastorius to Isaac I, Mar. 12, 15, 1716/7; Isaac I to Pastorius, Mar. 13, 1716/7, GW Norris Papers. Isaac I to Isaac II, Oct. 3, 1734, Copybook of Letters June 1730- Apr. 1735, 65. It is true he had the lowest total of the successfully elected mem bers, an unusual listing for Isaac I, but he was nevertheless included, and he did not decline to serve. '^Journal, 24. A single page, black-bordered memorial. The Suddermeaa of DEATH Exemplified, was printed immediately afterward. In a ten verse poem signed by John Dommett, it presented "a brief Relation of the most surprising Dissolution of the Honourable and mu

39, 14, 29, 50, 69. "The proceeds [of sale of investments of Isaac I] we desire you would carry to Acct of Isaac Norris & Compa. (Vizt: Isaac Norris one third, Charles Norris one 3d & Samuel Norris one tliird part) as also the ballance of our Sterlg account." Logan Papers, VII, 119. ®Isaac 11to Lawrence Williams, Apr. 6,1739, Isaac II to William Logan, Aug. 1, 1739, Isaac 11 to Prudence Moore, Oct. 4, 1739, Norris Letters 1733-39, 54, 57, 61. James Logan to Isaac II, Jan. 23, 1748/9, GW Norris Papers; James Logan to Isaac II, Jan. 3, 1741/2, Logan Papers, X, 72; Jordan, Colonial Families, I, 88. Agreement of Sale, Pairhill Plantation, Logan Papers, XIII, 63-64. Isaac II agreed with his mother, Mary Norris, to buy "her Negro man Larree plus all the Waggons, Carts, Gears, Tools, Nails, Hinges, Locks, Utensils, Stock." ^ Charles Norris to Richard Hill, Nov. 29, 1744, Norris Letterbooks 1730-52; Untitied Letterbook of Charles Norris letters; Isaac II to William Logan, Mar. 5, 1744/5, Isaac II to Prudence Moore, Nov. 21, 1747, Wall paper Letterbook, 40, 48. Because of the wife's death, Isaac II failed to make any journal entries from Sept. to Dec., 1744, an unheard of negligence for him. Journal of Isaac Norris H, 1744, interleaved witii Poor Richard's Almanac, The Philip H. and A. S. W. Rosenbach Foundation Museum. "Isaac II to Susanna Wright, July 22, 1746, Norris Letters, II, 44; Isaac II to Prudence Moore, Nov. 21, 1747, Wallpaper Letterbook, 48. "My Bro. Charles lives in town and my Sister Debby keeps his House." ®Charles Norris to Josiah Wallis, Apr. 25, 1746, Charles Norris to Lawrence Williams & Rockeliff, Apr. 25, 1746, Charles Norris letters; Franklin Papers, I, 1-40. Samuel Norris, who handled the legal matters for Isaac Norris & Co. "as he was in the Law," died in Jan. 1745/6. After that William Griffitts was brought in and was gradually given company responsi bilities. Cf. the partnership of Isaac Norris I and Thomas Griffitts. Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, IX, 731, 735; Votes and Proceed^ ings of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania, (Philadelphia, 1752), III, 246. The initial date of the election of Isaac Norris II to the Assembly has been the subject of much confusion. Sharpless, Jordan and ToUes, among others, state that Isaac Norris II was elected "in October, 1734" "a few months before his father's death." Li the election results for 1734 and 1735 (Votes, III, 219, 246) the name Isaac Norris is included in Philadelphia County returns both times. Isaac I in a letter to his son, who had not yet returned from England, wrote "I am chosen on the Assembly. . . . Ye Country had form'd various tickets but my name was in all —I was by assistance of the Division in Town brought in." Ihe father died in June, 1735, so the Isaac Norris elected in October must be the son. 22 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

This is substantiated by a letter Isaac II wrote some years later, "You were pleased to make dioice of me to succeed my Father at the Election of the year 1735." During the 1734-35 sessions of the Assembly, Norris' name received first mention on all committee assignments, including some com mittees of major importance, doubtless in deference to this prominent com munity leader, even though this was his first term in a dozen years. The following year, when the son was returned, he received last mention on a few relatively unimportant committees. (Votes, m, 246ff.) An accounting of monies received for Assembly services further confirms these facts. Norris Daybook 1735-42, 7. See John F. "Watson, Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, (Philadelphia, 1897), I, 519. *" Votes, III, 246fF; Pennsylvania Arehives, 2nd Series, IX, 722-26. "Votes, III, 246-47; I'V, 18-19; Pennsylvania Archives, 4th Series, I, 665-67, 692-703; Isaac Sharpless, A Quaker Experiment in Government, (Philadelphia, 1898), 108-09; Colonial Records, Y, 547; Theodore Thayer, Israel Pemherton, King of the Quakers, (Philadelphia, 1943), 50; Charles Norris to Isaac II, May 31, 1749, Norris Letters, I, 37. In England, Charles attended a debate on colonial paper money in Ihe House of Commons and reported, "I was in the House ... & was very much Surprised to find so many Noted Speakers say so much on a Subject wch they Understood so little." " Dietmar Rothermund, "The German Problem of Colonial Pennsyl vania," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, LXXXIV (1960), 7. Pennsylvania Gazette, May 17, Aug. 16, 1750; Votes, lY, 135. Again some confusion has existed, for Sharpless states that Norris was elected Speaker in 1751, but in fact, he was first elected in Aug. 1750, Sharpless, Political Leaders, 189. ** Votes, III, 223; Isaac II to Robert Charles, Nov. 1,1761, Sept. 1,1752, Mar. 10, Apr. 14, 1753, Oct. 7, 1754, Norris Letterbook 1719-56, 25, 30, 33, 89, 66. "Votes, IV, 564, 626; Sharpless, Political Leaders, 194; Isaac II to Robert Charles, May 18, 1755, Norris Letterbook 1719-56, 72. "Our Answr of yesterday ... was Penn'd by BP who as he was upon the Committee was very willing to undertake it, and it was very agreeable to me." "Julian P. Boyd, ed., Indian Treaties Printed by Benjamin Franklin, 17S6-1762, (iKiiladelphia, 1938), 125-34; Report of the Commissioners (John Penn, Richard Peters, Isaac Norris, Benjamin Franklin) on their Return from Albany, at the Treaty held there By the Cc«nmissioners of the several Governments, American Philosophical Society; MS Indenture, Jan. 31, 1754, proved May 22, 1754, Historical Society of Montgomery County. TH£ LIVES AND INTEBESTS OF ISAAC NOBBIS 23

The land thus sold was part of the land purchased in 1704 by Isaac Norris I from William Penn, Jr. "Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, June 1, 1764, Carl Van Doren, Letters and Papers of Franklin and Jackson, (Philadelphia, 1947), 163; Votes, V, 247-48. " Isaac II explanatory entry, 1761,Copybook of Letters beginning June 16, 1756, 114. (Hereafter, Norris Letterbook 1756-65.) " Benjamin Franklin to Isaac II, Sept. 16, 1758, Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, IV, 455; Isaac II to Franklin, Jan. 15, 1759, Isaac DC to Robert Charles, Oct. 27, 1764, Norris Letterbook 1756-65, 96, 146; Franklin's Preface to a speech by John Galloway, Smyth, Writings, IV, 342-43. ®Smyth, Writings, IV, 314-15; Votes, V, 247, 347-50, 380; Isaac II to Robert Charles, Oct. 27, 1764, Norris Letterbook 1756-65, 146. ®John Dickinson to Isaac II, Oct. 22, 24,1764, Norris Letterbook 1756- 65, 144-45. Isaac II to Sampson Lloyd, Aug. 6, 1759, Isaac II to C. and 0. Han- bury, Oct. 4, 1762, Norris Letterbook 1756-65. ®®I have used Isaac Norris' g)elling of Fairhill, for he almost never wrote it as two words, nor did he spell it with a capital H. Journal of Isaac Norris II, 1744, 1747, 1749, The Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Founda tion Museum; Isaac II to Charles Norris, 1753, 6. W. Norris Papers. ** Journal of Isaac Norris H, 1743, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Journal, 1748, The Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation Museum; Watson, Annals of Philadelphia, I, 493; Isaac II to Robert Hunter Morris, Jan. 15, 1755, Pennsylvania Archives, 1st Series, II, 245; Isaac II to Ben jamin Franklin, Apr. 7, 1757, Isaac II to Robert Charles, Dec. 24, 1763, May 19, 1765, Norris Letterbook 1756-65, 141, 150. ®TolIes, Meeting House and Counting House, 137-38. "Indenture, Nov. 16, 1758, Logan Papers, XIV, 48; Norris Papers: Real Estate — Montgomery County, 15-16. "Journal of Isaac Norris II, 1744, The Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation Museum. Entry for Jan. 21, 1743/4, "Comet set 1% past Juno, ye tail was 15° long." Journal of Isaac Norris II, 1737, 1742, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Entry — Feb. 7, 1736/7, "In ye Ev'ning a Comet appears ... scarce visible the Tail from ye Sun." Entry — Feb. 28,1741/2, "Abt 3 aClock this Morning I rose to See a Comet whidi appear'd as a star of ye Second Magnitude." Isaac II to Benjamin Franklin, Nov. 24, 1757, Norris Letterbook 1756-65. ®Shaipless, Political Leaders, 182-83; Tolles, Meeting House and Count' ing House, 161-68, 188-89; Robert Charles, Account with Isaac Norris, 24 BULLETIN OF HISTOEICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Franklin Papers, 1,171; Isaac II to Benjamin Franklin, Apr. 7,1757, May 18, 1765; Isaac II to C. and 0. Hanbury, Sept. 24, 1764, Norris Letterbook 1756-65, 143, 151; Journal Isaac Norris II, 1748, The Philip H. and A. S. W. Rosenbach Foundation Museum. Entry — Apr. 29, 1748, "1st Swarm of Bees put into Glass Hive." '^Animal Report of the Library Company of Philadelphia for the Year 1959, (Philadelphia, 1960), 14; James Logan to John Kinsey, Dec. 12, 1749, Logan Letterbook 1748-50, 23. "TAe Independent Gazetteer, Nov. 27, 1787; Logan Papers, IX, 73. ^Isaac I to Sarah Eckley, Sept., 1692, Blank Book #1, 36; Isaac I to daughter Mary Norris, 1716, M D Logan Papers; Logan Papers, VII, 119. Isaac n to Susanna Wright, Apr. 18, 1728, Sept. 14, 1746, Norris Letters, II, 42, 45; Isaac II to George Croghan, Sept. 9,1751, Norris Let terbook 1734-53, 23; Isaac 11 to Robert Charles, Dee. 24, 1763, Norris Letterbook 1756-65, 141. Christopher Dock, Early American School Master

Robert G. Hunsicker* The life of Christopher Dock has proved to be a very interest ing topic for research, but very little is known about the actual life of this man who served as schoolmaster at Skippack, Salford, and Germantown, all located in the colony of William Penn. What we do know about his life comes largely from his own work, the SchuUOrdnung, which is a treatise about the methods he em ployed in his schools and his philosophy of education. Much that is attributed to the life of Dock is largely tradition, with very little actual historical basis. The writer has attempted to include in this paper only that which is historically accurate, unless other wise stated. Excluding all tradition and fantasy, this much must be said about Dock: his schools in eastern Pennsylvania were very influential in their communities, and the educational methods he employed, as stated in his Schvl-Ordnung, were far in advance of his age. Christopher Dock was a German Mennonite who emigrated to America from the Rhenish Palatinate sometime between 1710 and 1714. According to a tradition, Dock had been drafted into ihe German army, but was discharged because of his conscientious objection to warfare. This is one possible reason for his coming to America. Another reason, which perhaps complements the first, is that he was attracted by the religious freedom enj'oyed by his Mennonite brethren in Penn's colony. He had been early attached to this religious body and remained a member of this faith the rest of his life.^ In 1702, a settlement of Mennonites was begun at the place which is now the town of Skippack in Montgomery County, Penn sylvania. On February 22 of the same year, Matthias Van Beb-

•Robert G. Hunsicker of Hatfield, Pa., is now a student at tiie Theo logical Seminary, Lancaster, Pa.

25 26 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ber, a prosperous Dutch merchant, bought from the Penns a tract of land in this area of 6166 acres, which became the famous Bebber's Township. On June 18, 1717, Van Bebber conveyed 100 acres of land in his township to seven trustees. This land was given in trust that "it shall be lawful for all and every the inhabitants of the aboves'd Bebber's Township to build a school house and fence in a suflScient burying place upon the herein granted one hundred acres of land there to have their children and those of their respective families taught and instructed, and to bury their dead." The school began operating in 1718 with Dock as its first teacher. Historians believe that the original school house stood in the same place as the Christopher Dock monument stands today in the Lower Skippack Mennonite church cemetery. While digging a grave several years ago, workmen came upon what is believed to be the school's original foundation wall.2 After ten years of teachins at Skippack, Dock quit and began farming. The reason for this was probably the uncertainty and insufficiency of his income as a teacher. Dock's was a subscription school and he found it impossible ever to refuse a student who wanted to attend. Because of his growing family, he apparently felt the need for a more dependable income.^ In 1734, Dock bought from William Penn's sons a hundred acre farm in what is now Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County, for the price of fifteen pounds and ten shillings. The farm was located on what is now the Schwenksville Road leading west off the Skippack Pike. The white oak tree which is men tioned as a marker in the original deed is still alive and healthy.'* According to Brumbaugh, during the ten years that Dock was engaged in farming, he taught for at least four summers in the old log meeting house of the Mennonites in Germantown. It was during this period that the son of Christopher Saur, the Brethren printer in Germantown, was enrolled in Dock's school. It was because of this relationship that the elder Saur became acquainted with Dock's methods and later asked him to allow the publication of several of his works.® Rev. J. C. Clemens believes that Dock taught at Germantown CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 27 during a later period in his life. He believes that Dock would have been needed on his own farm during this period and would not have been free to spend the summers in Germantown. During the later period, however, when Dock was also teaching at Skip- pack and Salford, the country schools would have been closed during the summers to allow the pupils to work on their farms, thus giving Dock time to teach elsewhere. D. K. Cassel in his History of the Mennonites, agrees with the latter view.® Later in life Dock confessed that he was not a good farmer and that he often felt "the smiting hand of God, which before had sensed me well. May the Lord graciously overlook my neglect of the youth during that time."^ In the following statement. Dock again alluded to his ten years of farming, and also shows us his sense of a divine calling to education: "The great Shepherd of the sheep entrusted the young lambs to me through 26 years ... but in this country I neglected that profession for ten years."® Dock says that his friends encouraged him to return to teach ing; "I was solicited in the matter until, finally, it came about again that I kept school in these two townships of Skippack and Salford, three days a week in each township." In 1738 he returned to tiie classroom and taught in these two schools until his death in 1771. Dock was the first teacher of this school in Salford.® Dock himself states that he was engaged in teaching in order that he might "erect something to the honor of God, and the benefit of the young." His profound Christian faith and his sincere interest in and love for young people are reflected in ihe methods he employed in his schools.^® Every morning he examined his pupils to see "whether they are washed and combed." Opening exercises consisted of a hymn and a prayer. Everyone knelt when the Lord's Prayer was re peated. Many of the Scripture texts were committed to memory and tiie New Testament was used as a reading book.^^ Dock familiarized his students with certain *'honeyflowers" of the New Testament by giving them as an exercise a certain number of quotations from the Scriptures, and by having them find them in the Bible. When they were found, the students 28 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETy OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY read them and answered certain questions about the truths they embodied." The pupils who did not know their lessons were not punished with the rod. Dock attempted to shame these students into industry by having the whole school shout the epithet "lazy" at them. He believed that "the slap of the hand, the hazel switch, and the birch rod, are all means to prevent the breaking forth of evil, but they are no means to change the depraved heart." Thus his discipline was aimed at breaking up the evil at its roots.^® In 1764 Dock wrote: Experience in keeping school shows that a child which is timid, if it is punished ... is tiierehy more injured than benefxtted. If such a child is to be improved, it must be by other means. In the same way a child that is stupid is more injured by blows than improved." The alphabet was taught by requiring the pupil to name the letters in order after the teacher, and then by saying them himself. Dock taught spelling by having the pupils name the letters and the teacher say the word, and then by having the teacher say the letters and tiie students pronounce the word. Music and arithmetic were taught on a narrow board painted black on which were three staves.^® Dock's class exercise in composition for his pupils in each school consisted in writing letters to those in the other school, with the schoolmaster himself serving as postman. In these letters the students told of their progress and asked for answers to cer tain Bible questions.^® Dock mentions this practice in his Schtd' Ordnung: Regarding the correspondence, I may say that for twelve years I kept two schools, as already said, and for four summers (during the three months that I had free owing to the harvest) I taught school at Germantown. Then the pupils in Skippack, when I went to SoUford gave me letters, and when I returned, the Sollford pupils did likewise. It was so arranged that pupils of equal ability corresponded." When pupils did a piece of work especially well. Dock re warded them with beautifully illustrated manuscripts which he made with his own quill. These Fractur-Schriften usually con sisted of elaborately printed Scripture verses surrounded by CHRISTOPHER DOCK. EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 29 beautiful designs of birds, flowers, and vines. Tradition has it that 25 of these were on the walls of his schoolroom. Many others were given to his pupils as "merit cards."^® Dock's school was patronized by Mennonites and other plain Grerman people. His skill as a schoolmaster became widely known and in 1750, Christopher Saur, the famous Brethren printer in Germantown, decided to ask Dock to write a treatise on pedagogy "in order that other school teachers whose gift was not so great might be instructed; that those who cared only for the money might be shamed; and that parents might know how a well arranged school was conducted, and how themselves to treat children."^® Dock was a very conscientious man and at first refused because such a project might bring personal honor to himself. Saur decided to write Dock's good friend, Dielman Kolb, the Mennonite preacher, and asked him to approach Dock about the matter. Kolb convinced Dock to write the treatise based on a number of questions provided by Saur, and with the stipulation that the work would not be published until after Dock's death. Thus in 1750 he wrote his SchuL-Ordnung (School Management) but for the next nineteen years the manuscript lay in Saur's print shop in Germantown.®® In 1769 some of Dock's friends persuaded him to consent to the publication of his Sckul-Ordnung. However, the elder Christopher Saur had died in 1758 and his son, who had taken over his father's business, could not find the manuscript. The younger Saur printed in his German newspaper a notice calling for the return of treatise: The contents consist of a well-prepared School Management which looks pretly old, for it was written quite long ago, and it is rolled up as one usually rolls up writing paper.... If anyone should have through an oversight received this manuscript for writing paper, let him search (it may easily be that manuscript) and either bring or send it back to the printer, and he shall receive of me ten shill ings for his reward and as much writing paper as thought he had, and besides!*^ Dock sent word to Saur that he shouldn't bother about it, that he hadn't wanted it published during his lifetime anyhow 30 BULLETIN OF HISTOEIOAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and that he was "well pleased that it had been lost."®^ In 1770 Saur found the manuscript in a corner of the print shop which he and his workers thought they had thoroughly seardied. The Schi^Ordnung was published at once in a booklet edition with a preface written by the printer, sixty-eight ques tions and answers, and two songs for children. The demand for the booklet was so great that a second edition was published in the same year. A third edition was printed almost a hundred years later by one Henry Kurtz in Poland, Ohio.^^ The full title of his treatise was: A Simple and Thoroughly Prepared School Management, clearly setting forth not only in what manner children may best be taught in the branches usually given at school, but also how they may be well instructed in the knowledge of godliness. Prepared out of love for mankind by the skillful schoolmaster of many years ex perience, Christopher Dock, and through the efforts of several friends of the common good authorized to be printed.®* The following passages from the Schvl-Ordnung are signifi cant in that they add to our knowledge about the character of Dock and the methods he employed in his schools. The translation from the German is that of Martin Brumbaugh. As regards reporting upon the questions that Friend Saur has put to Friend Dielman and the latter to me, I could easily answer th^, seeing that my daily dealings with youth are known to me better than to another. But the difficulty is this: that it would appear as though I were trying to build up for myself a reputation, testimonial, or unsavory monument, which, if it were indeed true, would deserve before God and all pious, Christian people, not honor, but rather ridicule and shame, and could not conduce to my soul's welfare and salvation. It would only be food for self-love. But may the Lord keep this far from me... . As I know that I can do nothing of my own strength without God's help and the strength of His Holy Spirit, and that my best work is incomplete, I give my school management to my friend on this condition: Should he find anything 'Qierein that would serve for the glory of God or the assistance of others, let him put it where it belongs, and render unto God what is God's ... also, if my friend during my lifetime can give to me or my pupils any useful directions (that will add to the glory of God) I am willing and duty-boimd to accept the same with love.®® Dock's was a subscription school and he was supported by CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER gj the tuition which his students paid. The following statement, however, shows that he was not a teacher because of the re muneration he might receive: The poor beggar child, scurfy, ragged, and lousy, if otherwise it have a good disposition and willingness to leam, should be as dear to him though he never receive a penny for it in this world, as the child of wealth from whom he expects good remuneration.. . Dock had a solution to a problem which faces some teachers even today: It is also to be noted that diildren find it necessary to ask to leave the room, and one must permit them to do this, not wishing the xmcleanness and odor in the school. But the clamor to go out would continue all day, and sometimes without need, so that occa sionally two or three are out at the same time, playing. To prevent this I have driven a nail in the door-post, on which hangs a wooden tag. Anyone needing to leave the room looks for the tag. If it is on the nail, this is his permit to go without asking. He takes the tag out with him. If another wishes to leave, he does not ask either, but stands by the door untU the first returns, from whom he t^es the tag and goes. .. One of the questions which Saur posed to Dock was "How different children need different treatment, and how according to the greatness of the offense punishment must be increased or lessened?" In his treatise, Dock discussed the different punish ments he used for different offenses. For example, when he heard a child curse, Dock said he asked that child whether he thought of the word himself, or whether he heard it from another person. The usual reply was that he had heard someone else say it. Dock then told the offender to tell the person who had cursed that he was doubly sinning, since the child got in trouble in school because of it. If the pupil promised not to use the word again, he would go free, but at the second offense, he would be placed in a special "punishment seat" with a yoke placed upon his neck.^® A second sin prevalent among young people, according to Dock, was lying. He said that this sin was as old as creation itself, when Cain first lied to the Lord about his brother Abel. To prevent this offense, Dock said that the first thing to do was to pray for the child and ask for God's help. He then exhorted the offender with certain verses from the Scripture and admonished 32 BULLETIN OF HISTOBICAL SOdETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY him that persistence in this habit leads to eventual unhappiness. If these methods were not effective, the pupil was then punished.^® Dock said that greed for honor is another evil exhibited by children, although "not to such extent as among adults. ..." If a student occupied a seat in the class higher than he ought to, he was placed at the end of the class. This humiliation in the eyes of the other students usually remedied the situation.'® If two children got into a quarrel and it was discovered that both were at fault, "they are placed together on the punishment seat, apart from the other children until they are willing to make up; if not, deserved punishment will follow. But it rarely happens that they are put on the punishment seat. They prefer shaking hands, and then the case is adjusted."'^ Concerning the matter of keeping silence, Dock stated, "It takes them long to leam to speak, and having learned they are loath to give up the privilege." He called silence the hardest lesson for children to learn. In the classroom Dock had one of his stu dents serve as a monitor, whose duty it was to write down the name of any student who talked out of turn. This enabled the schoolmaster to continue "with the lesson without an interruption. Punishment for offenders consisted of either wearing the yoke on the punishment bench or a rap on the hand." His love and devotion to children are clearly indicated in the following statement: ... ray colleagues will agree with me that the souls put in our keeping are very precious. We will be called to account for them by our God, and though we have the power to punish, they would, I think, agree with me in saying that it is preferable to bring the children to do things from a love of doing than to force them by the rod. .. .** Again we read in the following paragraph: Regarding my friend's question, how I treat the children with love that they both love and fear me, I will say that in this respect I cannot take the least credit upon myself, if I am at all successful with children, either in teaching or in performing religious duties. First I owe God particular thanks, because besides calling me to this profession He has given me an extreme love of children. For if it were not for love it would be an unbearable burden to live among children. But love bears and never tires...." CHBISTOPEER BOCK. EABLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 33

The Schid-Ordnung contains a list of sixty-eight questions and answers about the Christian faith "whereby the fear of God will be taught them through many excellent Scripture passages."^® Also included in the booklet were two songs composed by Dock. The first verse of his Children's Song (Kinder-lAedlein) is: Come, dear children, come hither, And leam to know Jesus. Do come and see how good He is. How innocent and faithful. Come! call Him master.^ His Dying Song (Sterb Lied) has ten verses, the first of which runs: 0, come here, ye children of men! 0 come and see the nothingness, The vanity of proud sinners And their life's emptiness. For all, all that ye see 'Bears the inscription: it perisbeth!" As stated before, the Sckui-Ordnung was published in 1770 by the younger Christopher Saur with a second edition appearing in the same year. According to Pennypacker, "The importance of this essay consists in the fact that it is the earliest, written and published in America, upon the subject of school teaching, and that it is the only picture we have of the colonial country school."^® Perhaps this is an over-statement, but, nevertheless, it should be given a more important position in the history of American culture than it has been accorded. A more modest appraisal of Dock's work was given by two contemporary educational historians, R. Freeman Butts and Lav^rence A. Cremin, in their book A History of Edtmtion in American Gvlture. A liberalizing outlook toward child nature and educational method began to appear among some of the smaller Protestant sects, such as ... the (Mennonites. ... One of the best descriptions of the way an elementary school was actually conducted is given in some detail by Christopher Dock. ... If he did utilize these meth ods, he was probably far in advance of his age. .. 34 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

As well as an educator and writer, Dock was also a hymn- writer. Pennypacker lists seven hymns which were written by Dock.^® Dock's hymns were full of warmth and childlike piety and five of them were published in 1803 in the first American Men- nonite hymnbook, Die Kleine Geistliche Harfe der Kinder Zions. Number 15 of volume II of the Geistliches Magazien, printed by Christopher Saur, contained "Two Edi^ng Hymns, which the pious Christopher Dock, Schoolmaster of the Skippack, Left Behind for the Meditation of His Scholars and all Others Who Head Them." The first and last verses of the second of these hymns are given here: 0, children, would you cherish A worthy lasting love? The good that does not perish Is only found above. Seek God, the highest goal, Witii spirit and with soul, Then you will find a raptur^ The heart cannot control.

Then praise to God above Upon the highest throne, To Him we offer love, To Christ His blessed Son, And to the Holy Ghost, In whom we place our trust They bring at last together The pious and the just." In 1764 Saur had published another of Dock's works in volume I, number 38 of Geistliches Magazien. The article was entitled, "A Copy of a Letter which the School-Master Christopher Dock, Wrote out of love to His Pupils, Who Were then Still Living, for their Teaching and Admonition." The following note was added at the end by Saur: The printer has considered it necessary to put the author's name to this piece, first because it is specially addressed to his scholars though it suits all men without exception, and it is well for them to know who addresses them; and secondly, the beloved aulhor has led, and still in his great age leads, such a good life that it is CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AUERICAN SCHOOL UASTER 35

important and cannot be hurtful to him that his name should be known. May God grant that all who hear it may find something in it of practical benefit to themselves." Number 40 of the same magazine consists of "One Hundred Rules of Conduct for Children" (Hundert Noethige Sitten^Regeln fuer Kinder). Pennypacker claims that this was probably the first American publication about etiquette. Its interest and value lies in the fact that it presents to us an illustration of the customs and mode of living of those to whom it was addressed.^^ Some of the rules included in the article are amusing: Do not look upon another's plate to see whether he has received something more than you. Chew your food with closed lips and make no noise by scraping on the plate.** Some are deeply religious: Before going to sleep, consider how you have spent the day, thank God for His blessings, pray to Him for the forgiveness of your sins, and commend yourself to his merciful protection. Offer up the morning prayer, not coldly from custom, but from a heart-felt thankfulness to God, Who has protected you during the night, and call upon Him feelingly to bless your doings through the day. Forget not the singing and the reading in the Bible." Another article written for Christopher Saur was included in number 41, volume I, Gdstliches Magazien and was titled "A Hundred Christian Rules for Children" (Hundert Christliche Lehens-Regeln fuer Kinder). Those listed bdow are several of the most interesting: 9. Never lie down at night before thou hast examined thy con science and reconciled thyself with God for thy errors, though Jesus Christ. 86. Love to go to school and church, that thou mayest learn what is good for thy i>eace, and ^ow thyself quiet, attentive, and respectful in the sacred presence of God. 90. Never be ashamed even of the lowliest work, and flee idleness as thou wouldst flee from the plague. 91. Do not love to sleep too much, lest thou become lazy. 98. Look upon each day as thy last, then the last day will not find thee unprepared.*® Dock's wife was already dead when on February 1,1762, he wrote his will. He was at this time survived by two daughters: 36 BULLETIN OF HISTGRXOAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Margaret, wife of Henry Strykers, resided on Dock's farm in Upper Salford Township; Catherine was married to Peter Jansen and lived in Skippack. His profound faith and character are re flected in his will when he speaks of death and burial of his body, .. nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God."''^ Authorities state that during the later years of his life, Dock lived at the home of one Heinrich Kassel, a farmer on the Skip- pack. Rev. J. 0. Clemens states that a bam still standing in Worcester Township has the name Heinrich Kassel carved on one of its beams. This farm is believed to be the one on which Dock spent the last years of his life.^® The story of Dock's death is a classic one among local his torians and cannot be told in finer words than those of Martin Brumbaugh: It was Dock's custom each evening after dismissing his pupils to remain in his schoolroom to pray. With the roll of his piQ)ils spread before him, he would kneel and ask God to forgive him for any act of injustice or a neglect toward any pupil in his sdiool. He also asked, as he pronounced each pupil's name, that God would help him on the morrow to do the best things for each one. One evening in the autumn of 1771, he did not return from his school at the usual time. A search was made and he was found in his school room on his knees — dead. Thus ended in prayer for his pupils a life singularly sweet and unselfishly given to the welfare of those whom he believed God had divinely appointed him to teach.*® It has been agreed by most historians that Dock's resting place is not definitely known.®^ Many fine tributes have been paid to Christopher Dock. Richard Boon, in his Ediication in the United States, calls him "a veritable Pestalozzi in his way." The Mennonite Encyclopedia states that "Dock was not only a good teacher of academic sub jects, but also an effective character builder and teacher of religion."®'^ One of the finest tributes was paid to Dock by one of his own contemporaries. In his almanac of 1752, the elder Christopher Saur published an article in the form of a dialogue between ah CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 37 inhabitant of the colony of Pennsylvania and a newcomer. Saur, in this article, praises two early schoolmasters and Brumbaugh states that the following is clearly a tribute to Dock: I remember still another one -who, out of the love of God, loved his pupils as if they all were his own children. They, in turn, loved him dearly. Whenever he was obliged to reprove the children for ill-behavior, he did so with grievious words coming from his wounded heart, so that he frequently softened their hearts; and when they were about to cry, tears crept into his eyes. He studied out many plans so that he might not need to resort to the rod. On going to and from school the children went quietly and orderly without stopping to play, loiter and quarrel. The children of the poor he taught as willingly without pay as he taught others for pay. Those who learned to write he induced to correspond with one another. The pupils were required to show him tiie letters and he pointed out for them the places where improvements should be made. He also told them that this was no ordinary matter. For those who could not compose a letter, he set copies so that they might apply their minds to good thoughts for the improvement of their souls. He regarded it indifferently whether he received the tuition fees or not and did not treasure up for himself anything but a good name and a clear conscience." On October 24, 1915, the Historical Society of Montgomery County erected a marker in tribute to Dock at the Lower Skip- pack Mennonite Cemetery. The Inscription on the monument reads: Here Christopher Dock, who in 1750 wrote the earliest .^erican Essay on Pedagogy, Taught School and Here in 1771 He Died on His Knees in Prayer." As previously stated, we know very little about the actual life of Christopher Dock. Different historians who have written about him make contradictory statements in some areas or about some incidents. Much that we have concerning his life and per sonality is tradition. However, of several facts we can be cer tain. The character and moral life of the man is immaculate. No historians anywhere doubt this in the least. His faith in God was profound and his love for children was sincere. This we can tell from his own writings and also from the few existing contempo rary accounts. His Schul-Ordnung was probably the first treatise on pedagogy written in America and was without a doubt, a bold 38 BULLETIN OP HISTOKICAL SOCXETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY statement of educational doctrine for the eighteenth century. This alone is sufficient to make him one of the greatest contributors to the culture of early America.

DEED TO THE CHRISTOPHER DOCK FARM (From a copy in the personal collection of Rev. Jacob C. Clem&ns, Lansdale, Pa. The original is in the lAbrary of the Franconm Mennonite Historical Society, Souderton, Pa.) JOHN PENN THOMAS PENN RICHARD PENN esqrs. True and absolute Proprietaries and Governors of the Province of Pennsilvania and Counties of Newcastle Kent and Sussex on Delware TO ALL unto whom these presents shall come Greeting WHEREAS in pursuance and by vertue of Our Warrant under the lesser Seal of our said province bearing Date the eighth day of January in the year of Our Lord 1734 there was Surveyed and laid out on the Sixteenth day of February then next ensuing unto Christopher Duck of the county of Philadelphia a certain Tract of Land Situate in the Township of Salford in the sd County BEGINNING at a white Oak at a comer of Ulrick Stuffen's Land thence by Land of Valentine Fraffs Soutii West fifty one perches to a white Oak thence-by vacant Land the same course continued twenty Four perches to a post thence by vacant Land North West two hundred and eight perches to a post thence by Land of Christian Leeman North East forty eight perches to a post thence by the same Land and by Land of David Young South East One Hundred and Forty Six perches to a white Oak thence by the said Young Land North East twenty seven perches to a Hickory thence by Land of Martin Hileboidle and the afor- said Ulridc Stuffen South East One hundred and thirty four perches to the place of Beginning containing One hundred acres and the allowance of six acres for Road and Highways as in and by the Survey there of remaining in our Surveyor General's Office may appear NOW at the Instance and Request of the said Christopher Duck that we would be pleased to grant him a Con firmation of the same KNOW YE that in Consideration of the sum of Fifteen pounds ten Shillings Lawfull money of Pennsil vania to our Use paid by the said Christopher Duck tiie receipt CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 39 whereof We here by acknowledge and there of doe acquit and for ever discharge the said Christopher Duck his Heirs and assigns by these presents and also for the yearly Quitrent herein after mentioned and Reserved WE HAVE Given granted released and confirmed and by these presents for us Our Heirs and Suc cessors DOE Give grant release and Confirm unto the said Christopher Duck and his Heirs the said One hundred acres of Land as ye same is now set Forth bounded and limited as afore said with all Mines Minerals Quarries Meadows Marches Savan nahs, Swamps, Cripples Woods Underwood Timber and Trees ways waters water courses Liberties Profits Commodities Ad vantages Hereditament and appurtenances whatsoever to the said One hundred acres of Land belonging or in any wise appertaining and Lying within the bounds and limits aforesaid (Three full and clear fifth parts of all Royal Mines free from all deductions and reprisals for digging and Refinning the Same and also one fifth part of the oar of all Mines delivered at the pits Mouth only ex cepted and hereby reserved) and also free Leave Right and Lib erty to and for the said CHristopher Duck his Heirs and assigns to Hawk Hunt Fish and Fowl in and upon the hereby granted (Except as before excepted) with the appurtenances unto the said Christopher Duck his heirs and assigns To the only Use and behoof of the said Christopher Duck his Heirs and assigns For ever TO BE HOLDEN of us Our Heirs and successors proprie taries of Pennsilvania as of the Mannor or reputed Mannor of Springets bury in the county of Philadelphia aforesaid in free and common Soccage by fealty only in Lieu of all other Services YIELDING AND PAYING therefore yearly to us Our Heirs and Successors at the City of Philadelphia at or upon the first day of March in every Year from the first Survey thereof One half Penny Sterling for every acre of the Same or value thereof in Coin Current according as the Exchange shall then be between our sd Province and the City of London to Such Person or Per sons as shall from time to time be appointed to receive the Same and in Case of non-payment thereof within Ninety days next after the Same shall become due that then it shall and may be Lawfull For us Our Heirs and Successors our and their Re- 40 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY ceiver or Receivers into and upon the hereby granted Land and Premises to ReEnter and Ye same to hold and possess until the said quitrent and all arrears thereof together with the charges accruing by means of such non-iiayment and ReEntry aforesaid be fully paid and discharged. IN WITNESS whereof the said Thomas Penn as well by vertue of ye Powers and authorities in Him vested by the said John and Richard Penn as of his own Right hath caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be here unto affixed. GIVEN at Philadelphia this Second day of Decem ber in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred thirty five the Ninth year of the Reign of George the Second over Great Britain King and the eighteenth year of our Government.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CHRISTOPHER DOCK (From a copy in the personal collection of Rev. Jacoh C. Clemens, Lansdale, Pa. Original in the Schwenkfelder Library.) IN THE NAME OF GOD amen, The first day of February in the year of our Lord 1762, I Christopher Dock of Upper Salford in the County of Philadelphia in the Provinz of Pennsilvani, being, old and weak in Body, but at this Time in good Health and Memory Thanks be given unto God therefore, calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye, do make and ordain my last Will and Testa ment, that is to say, Principally and first of all I give and recom mend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executor, nothing dout- ing but at all general Resurection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God And as touching such Wordly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this Life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, IMPRIMIS, it is my Will and I do order that in the first place, all my just Depts and funeral chargesby paid and satified. Item I give and bequeath unto my truly beloved Children, my daughter de oldest named Margareth Duck She is married with Henry Stryckers, and Dwellethupon my Plantation in the Down- ship aforesaid; de jungest her Name is Catharine Duck She is CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 4]^ married with Pieter Jansen at Skippack in Bebber Township I say I give and bequeath unto my benamed Children Which I constitute make and ordain my only and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament. All my Estate together with all my Household goods & Moveables all and singular the Lands Mes< suages and Tenements, to him his Heirs and Assignee for ever The Condition of this My Last Will and Testament stands further in form & order following, Belonging my Household goods, it is not my Will to sell it upon a Public Vandue, my order is dit, to chose Man, two upright Man can do it, let them bring it in two like parts and worth as good she can, and so likewise if any fruit, every a thing shall come in two like parts to Receive each of my Children one part, I have done out and lend my Son in Law in Money I say my Son in Law Henry Stryckers the Sum Ten Pounds and ten shilling. And I order in this my last will and Test ament that my Son Law Henry Strycker the same Ten pounds ten Shilling which he is indebted to me shall pay in Quit Rent I say he shall pay it in Quite Rent of my One hundred Acers of Laund. The Land that belong to me contain One hundred Acres of Land in Upper Salford Township, and it is paid to the Honble Proprie tors Penn. But when I consider the work which is done upon this Land in Building, Clearing, and other Work and it is beblessed with water, goode Meddowe and other good opportunity, that I Esteem this one hundred acres of Land, is worth in Equity the Sum of Two hundred Pound, Current lawful Money of Pennsil- vanien. NOW THIS benamed one hundred Acres of Land, with the work of them, and all that belongs to him I give bequeath and confirm in this my last Will and Testament that the worth of the said Sum of Two Hundred pounds in Current lawful! Money shall come in two Deal of part. One one Child shall inherit the Sum of one hundred pound. It is further my Will that my Son in Law Henry Stryckers and My Daughter Margareth his Wife shall have the right to my land, in such condition after my Death I Say from the first day and date after my Death there of shall he have two Years Time in which said Term Time he shall pay to my Son in Law Pieter Jansen and my daughter Catherin his wife, her inherit part in Current lawful Money, the sum of one hundred 42 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Pound. But when the said Term Time to end, and my Daughter Margareth and ray Son in Law Henry Stryckers has not paid the Said Sum one hundred pound, Current lawful Money to my Daughter Catharn or to my Son in Law Pieter Jansen than it is further my last Will, that my Son in Law Pieter Jansen and my Daughter Catharin shall have right to my Land, and likewise in such condition she shall have two years Term Time, from the Day and Date as the first Term Time is gone to end, shall her Term Time begin in wich two years Time my Daughter Catherin and son in Law Pieter Jansen shall pay the Sum of one hundred pound, to my Daughter Margareth or to my Son in Law Henry Stryckers in current Lawful Money. I ORDAIN further in this my last Will, that my Son in Law Henry Stryckers and Son in Law Pieter Jansen, in his said Term Time shall have no power to spoil any green Woods, Except to Reform the Fence. My son in Law Henry Stryckers shall in all this Term Time dwell upon my Plantation without Rent, Except if my Son in Law Pieter Jansen or his Wife my Daughter Catherin in the first year of her Term Time can pay the Sum of one hundred Pound Current lawful Money to my Daughter Margareth or to my Son in Law Henry Stryckers, than has the said Term Time and end. WHICH one of this my two Daughters or Son in Law, can give the Sum one hundred Pound, in Current lawful Money, to her Sister, shall have my Land with all my right to the Land, in all manner and form, to have and to hold To him his Heirs and Assigns forever. BUT if it should be that none of my both Daughters can give another in the said Term Time, the Sum one hundred Pound, Then it is further this my last Will to Sell the Lands, and I made to Arbitrators over this my last will, these both Honest Mans, Andrew Ziegler, and Frederick Aldarffer, which I give in hands my Batent, with all my right and Power which I have to the said one hundred Acres of Land, to sell the Land and give them Buyer a Diet as good as I can give, and when the Land is Sell it in the condition aforesaid, then the said Arbitrators must give the Sum of the Land written in two Division or part every of my Daughters one part in her hands, and further take care that my Children each may come to her inherit right The Arbitrators her Reward shall be like the law CHRISTOPHER DOCK. EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 43

Aloued. AND I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannual all and every other former Testaments Wills, Legacies and Execu tors by me in any ways before this Time named Willed and be queathed. Ratifying and confirming this and no otiier to be my last will and Testament IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the date and year above Written Hand Christopher Duck (Seal) Seal Signed, Sealed Published, pro- and nounced and Declared by the said C. D. as his last Will and Testa ment in the presence of us the Subscriber Vallentin Kratz Adam Hildenbeydel Philad'a November 22, 1771 Personally appeared Vallentine Kratz & Adam Hildenbeydel the two Witnesses to the within written Will, and on their Solemn Affirmation according to Law, Did declare that they saw and heard Christopher Duck the testator therein named Sign Seal Publish and declare the same Will for and as Last Will and Testamentand that at the Execution thereof, he was of Sound disposing Mind Memory and Understanding to the best of their knowledge and Belief. CORAM Benjamin Chew Reg. Genl. BE IT REMEMBERED that on the twenty second Day of No vember 1771, the last Will and Testament of Christopher Duck deceased in due form of Law was proved and Probate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to Pieter Jansen Executors in the said Will named, being first duly Sworn well and truly to Administer the said deceaseds Estate, and bring an Inventory thereof unto the Register (Jenerals office at Philadelphia, on or before the twenty second Day of December next, and render a true and just account of the said Administration on or before the twenty second day of November 1772, or when thereto legally required. GIVEN under the seal of s'd Office.

FOOTNOTES ^Martin G. Brumbaugh, The Life and Works of Christopher Dock, America's Pioneer Writer on Education with a TraTislation of His Works 44 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY into the English Language, Philadelphia and London, 1908, 12; John C. Wenger, History of the Mennonites of the Franconia Conference, Telford, Pa., 1937, 301. 'Brumbaugh, op. cit., 18; Wenger, op. cit., 96; Rev. Gerald Studer, Lecture given at the sixty-ninth annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Geiv man Socieiy, at the Central Schwenkfelder Church on October 24, 1959, Worcester, Pennsylvania. ' Studer, Lecture, 2. *Rev. Jacob C. Clemens, "The Dock Oak", Mission News, XXIII, Nov.-Dec., 1. ' Brumbaugh, op. dt., 14. 'Rev. Jacob C. Clemens, Interview, December 23, 1959; Daniel K. Cassel, History of the Mennonites, HistoricaUy and Biographically Ar ranged from the Time of the Reformation; More Particularly from the Time of Their Emigration to America. Containing Sketches of the Oldest Meeting Houses and Prominent Ministers. Also their Confession of Faith, Adopted at Dortrecht, in 1632, Philadelphia, 1888, 107. ' Studer, Lecture, 2. Ubid., 2. ®Wenger, op. cit., 301, 134. "James Pyle Wickersham, A History of Education in Pennsylvania, Private and Public, Elementary and Higher, from the Time the Swedes Settled on the Delaware to the Present Day, Lancaster, Pa., 1886, 223. "76i(Z., 223. "Ibid., 225. "Ibid., 223, 224. "E. Gordon Alderfer, The Montgomery County Story, Norristown, Pa., 1951, 107-08. " Wickersham, op. cit., 223. " Joseph S. Walton, Martin G. Bnunhaugh, Stories of Pennsylvania or School Readings from Pennsylvania History, New York, 1897, 62. "Brumbaugh, op. dt.. 111. " Walton and Brumbaugh, op. dt., 62; Quintns Leatherman, "Christo pher Dock," The Mennonite Encyclopedia, Scottdale, Pa., 1956, II, 77. "Wickersham, op. dt., 222; Wenger, op. dt., 301.

301. ^Ibid., 307. "Ibid., 307-08. " Ibid., 308; Studer, Lecture, 6. CHRISTOPHER DOCK, EARLY AMERICAN SCHOOL MASTER 45

"Brumbaugh, op. cit., 89. The original German is as follows: Eine Einfaeltige und Gruendlich abgefasste Schul-Ordnung darinnen deutlich vorgestellt wird, auf welche weisse die Kinder nicht nur in denen in Schulen gewoehnlichen Lehren bestens angebracht sondem auch in der Lehre Gottseligkeit wohl unterrichtet werden moegen aus Liebe zu dem menschlichen Geschlecht aufgesetzt durch den wolUer> famen und lang geubten Schul-meister Ghristoph Dock: und durch einige Freunde des gemeinen Bestens dem Druck uebergeben. = /6ia., 99-102. ^Ibid., 103. "Ibid., 109-10. ®76ta., 118-14. "Ibid., 115-18. "Ibid., 119. "Ibid., 120. "Ibid., 120. "Ibid., 123. "Ibid., 124. "Ibid., 137. "Ibid., 150. Eommt, liebe Kinder, Kommt herebey, Und lemet Jesum kennen: Kommt doch und seht, wie gut er sey, Wie fromm und treu; Kommt, thut ihn Meister nennen. "Ibid., 154. Ach! Konunet her, ihr Menschen-Kinder! Ach Kommt, und seht die Nichtigkeit! Die Nichtigkeit, der stoltzen Suender, Und ihres Lebens Eitelkeit. Dann alles, alles, was ihr s^t. Das traegt die Obschrifft: Es vergeht! " Samuel W. Pennypacker, Historical and Biographical Sketches, Phila delphia, 1883, 95. " Studer, Lecture, 1. " Pennypacker, op. cit., 95. The hymns are as follows: 1. Kommt, liebe Kinder, Kommt herbey. 2. Ach Kommet her ihr Menschen-Kinder. 3. Mein Lebensfaden lauft zu Ende. 4. Ach Kinder wollt ihr lieben. 46 BULUJTIN op historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

.6. Fromm seyn ist ein Schatz der Jugend. 6. An Gottes gnad und milden Seegen. 7. Allein auf Gott setz dein Vertrauen. "Robert Priedmann, Mennonite Piety Through the Centuries, Its Genius and Its Literature, Goshen, Indiana, 1949, 235; "Wenger, op. cit., 802; Pennypacker, op. dt., 97; Brumbaugh, op. eit, 185, 187. The title of the article and the two verses of the hymn in the original German are: "Zwey erbauliche Lieder, welche der Gottselige Christoph Dock, Schulmeister an der Schipback, seinen lieben Schnelem, und alien andem die sie lesen, zur Betrachtung hinterlassen hat." 0 Kinder woUt ihr lieben, So liebt was Liebens werth, Wollt ihr ja Freude ueben, So liebt was Freude werth; Liebt Gott, das hoechste Gut, Mit Geist, Herz, Seel, und Muth, So wird euch solche Liebe Erquicken Herz und Muth. Amen, Lob, Preiss, dort oben, Sey Gott im hoechsten Thron, Den sollen wir all loben, Und Christo seinem Sohn, Sammt dem heiligen Geist, Der unser Troester heisst, Der bring uns all' zusammen, Er sey allein gepreisst. "Wenger, op. oit., 302; Pennypacker, op. dt., 96. The original title of tiie article is "Copia einer Schrifft welche der Schulmeister Christopher Dock an seine noch lebende Schueler zur L^ und Vermahnung aos Liebe grachrieben hat." " Penn3q)acker, op. dt., 96-97. " Wenger, op. dt., 302. *'Ibid., 302. "Brumbaugh, op. dt., 214-224. " Wenger, op. dt., 309. "Rev. Jacob C. Clemens, Literview, December 23,1959. " Brumbaugh, op. dt., 23. "Wenger, op. dt., 309; Studer, Lecture, 6. " Ibid., 1; Leatherman, loo. dt. " Brumbaugh, op. dt., 17-20. " Wenger, op. dt., 309-10. New Light on the Gravestone of Christopher Dock *

Robert G. Hunsicker ♦Talk presented to the Society, February 20, 1960. I should like to tell you briefly about a discovery which we believe may add a new page to the unfolding history of Christ opher Bock. I have been interested in the life of Dock and the Skippack region for the last several years, partly because my ancestor, Valentine Hunsicker, lived in this area while Dock was teaching at the Skippack School. Christopher Dock was a Mennonite schoolmaster who cmne to the Skippack region sometime between 1710 and 1714, and taught there until his death in 1771, except for a period from 1728 to 1738, when he was engaged in farming at Salford. We know that he died in the skippack region in this year, but his torians are not certain where he was buried. John C. Wenger in his History of the Mennonites of the Franconia Conference, states, "His place of burial is not known. His wife was probably buried at the Salford Mennonite cemetery; if so his body prob ably also rests there." Bean, in his History of Montgomery County, states that Dock "was buried in the graveyard belonging to the old Skippack meeting, where probably no stone bears an inscription to denote the spot." Samuel W. Pennypacker and Martin G. Brumbaugh, both of whom wrote on the life of Dock and translated his works, mention nothing concerning his burial place. Generally speaking, the feeling has been that Dock was buried in the cemetery belonging to the Lower Skippack Men nonite Church, located on what is now the Evansburg Road in Skippack Township. This hypothesis seems logical, since we know that he died in the vicinity, and also that his school house was located within the bounds of the present cemetery wall. On January 9, 1960, I was looking at the monument erected by this socieiy in 1915 to the memory of Dock at Lower Skippack, While examining some of the fieldstone markers in the area, I

47 48 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY came upon one which attracted my further attention. The year on the stone was 1771; the initials were CH D and below these were the letters S M R. I remembered that Dock died in 1771, and then theorized that the bottom letters could represent Schvl- meister, which was Dock's position in the German community. Dr. John C. Wenger, who at the present is on the Goshen College Faculty, Rev. Gerald Studer, who has recently done ex tensive research on Dock, and Alan G. Keyser, of the Skippack congregation, also believe that this could very easily be Dock's burial place. The stone is located about 25 feet in a northeast direction from the Montgomery County Historical Society Monument. It is about 12 inches in height and is situated in a row of Ziegler stones between two fieldstones on which are the letters EZ and WZ respectively. During the Depression of the 1930's, the stone was moved several feet from its original position, as is shown by a record of all the stones in the cemetery which was taken in 1922. The stone was originally located in the same row, but be tween the stone of Christopher Ziegler and the marker bearing the initials EZ, which now is to the immediate left of the CH D stone. It is interesting to note that Dock's daughter, Catherine Jansen, is also buried in this cemetery. Her stone is marked by the initials C.J. and the year 1817, and is located two rows north from the CH D marker, about 100 feet towards the road. All of us have been very cautious in forming any definite conclusions concerning this stone. However, we believe that the evidence points to the fact that this may well be the grave of Christopher Dock. We welcome any further information. fS:!n m

M Fieldstone marker, Skippack Mennonite Cemetery

m! i jr%! "

i."iri <2f"ir

General view, Historical marker at left, Marker above in third range, at right. Montgomery County's "Bivouac of the Dead" *

John F. Reed Read before the Society, February 22, 1961. John F. Reed is a director of the Manuscript Society, and with this issue, joins the Publication Committee. Montgomery Cemetery here in Norristown holds the mortal remains of many an illustrious son of the County. No less than five generals and several equally heroic officers of lesser rank who served through the bitter years of the Civil War lie within its enclosure. Perhaps it can be rightfully said that no other ceme tery in all the land other than West Point and Arlington contains the dust of so many high Union officers. It is certain at least that none of its size does so. The Centennial Years of the Civil War that are now upon us not only bring to the fore national remembrance of those unhappy times but also bring to each local section of the country, North and Souih, the remembrance of local heroes too long forgotten or nearly so. Montgomery County may well be proud to join in this remembrance of the bright names of those old heroes whose ashes sleep beneath her soil. But in the remembrance of famous names we must not forget the lesser too, whose possessors likewise went to war to preserve the nation's safety. Heroes are those who exceed the average achievements of others; in fact they often exceed their own average abilities when crisis comes. Some heroes are great and famous, many unknown. Is not he who bravely faces the whine of an enemy bullet, even in the least capacity, in measure a hero? Many such heroes, great and small, have trod the soil of Montgomery County in war and peace. In war it was trod by that immortal band, famed and un- famed individually but collectively heroes, who achieved our liberties; in peace it was and still is trod by those later heroes, likewise famed and un-famed, who have sustained those liberties. Here our first great hero, Washington, and his "Ten Thousand

49 50 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

[odd] Immortals" mardied to and from the misty holocaust of Germantown, here encamped at Trappe, Fagleysville, Schwenks- ville. Skippack, Worcester, Kulpsville, Whitpain, Whitemarsh and the unforgettable Valley Forge. But these men of the very old times were not the sole warriors who have walked upon this ground. From the ancient Indian wars to the tragic Korean "police action" — that too was really a war — many another veteran has passed this way or settled -within the County limits to well-earned peace. Some few have left their names "-writ large" in the rolls of history, some few have reached reno-wn beyond the average glory that freedom's massed defenders have won. Montgomery County contributed a number of men-of-fame to the honor-rolls of the Civil War. Let us not forget them. Let us here today re-awaken the memory of them. Here in this County Hancock, called "the Superb," and hero of Gettysburg, was born, raised and is buried; here Hartranft, soldier, commander-in-chief of the G.A.R. and governor of the state, first drew breath; here Zook once lived, who went off to war to return to this county only in death, breathing his last on Pennsylvania soil at glorious Gettysburg; here Meade, his laurels great from Gettysburg, passed a while of his retirement. And there were others. This County also gave to the Union cause such men as Generals Bolton and Slemmer; and Colonel Schall who like Zook gave up his life on the field of war before he reached the full potentialities of fame. Nor must we forget Theodore W. Bean who, though rank ing no higher than lieutenant colonel, so gave of his being and love to our County that he well deserves, as far as we are con cerned, to be ranked close to those of more national fame. It is not enough, however, that we should sing the praises of these men in a moment's reading and then forget them. They made these towns and hills and fields a little more treasured for having passed this way in life, and their still-nearness here in spirit if not in flesh should make the sense of our o-wn love of country and county somewhat more acute. Their blood was shed, their fears and weariness given for all of vs. Hancock and Zook spilled their blood at Gettysburg, Schall on another field, each mingling his with that of those "honored dead" of whom the MONTGOUERY COUNTY'S "BrVOUAC OF THE DEAD" 5^ immortal Lincoln so compassionately spoke; but all our County heroes of that time, both great and small, likewise offered up their blood if the cause had need of it. We cannot here recall the whole long honor-roll of tiiose Montgomery Countians who marched off to the strife of the Civil War, but the names of the prominent few will serve as a remembrance for all. Let us speak of our famed heroes one by one and tell in brief their histories that reflect such ancient honor on Montgomery County — tales that if re-told are ever bright at each re-telling. Let us paint each man in his own heroic stature. Since Winfield Hancock is the greatest of "our very own," let him command the van of our remembrance of our County's birth-right sons. Winfield Scott Hancock, the soldier-to-be and namesake of another earlier hero, and his twin, Hilery, were bom in Mont gomery Square, Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, two miles east of Lansdale, on February 14, 1824, the sons of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hoxworth) Hancock. Prior to the year 1828 — ihe exact time seems an historical mystery — the Han cock family removed to Norristown, where the father, Benjamin, taught school, read law, and increased his family. Upon complet ing his reading the elder Hancock commenced his practice of law at the family's second borough home on Swede Street. Here Win field Hancock grew to approaching manhood. In 1839 he received a coveted appointment to the Military Academy at West Point, graduating four years later. His was to be a soldier's life. He served with promising gallantry in the Mexican War of 1846-48, together with numerous other young officers whose names were soon to be bright on either side of the fratricidal struggle just ahead. At the coming of the Civil War in 1861 Hancock was ap pointed brigadier of volunteers in the memorable Army of the Potomac. He served with distinction in McClellan's Peninsular Campaign of 1862; was in the desperate battle of Antietam on September 17 of the same year, succeeding the mortally wounded Israel Richardson to the command of the latter's division of the Second Corps. This division, under the command of Hancock, was soon to sustain excessive losses in heroic assaults at the tragic 52 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY battle of Fredericksburg on December 13. For his gallant serv ices in the last-named battle Hancock received promotion to major-general, and as such was involved in Hooker's disastrous battle at Chancellorsville prior to returning to his native soil in the Gettysburg Campaign. General Meade, of whom more later, and a Countian-to-be, assumed command of the Union Army at this perilous juncture, and the memorable battle of Gettysburg resulted in Union victory that was greatly due to the efforts of three Pennsylvanians fighting on the soil of their native state: John Reynolds of Lancaster, who was placed in command of the front until the expected arrival of Meade, but laid down his life in the first few hours of conflict; Winfield Hancock of Norristown, who assumed command a short while after Reynold's death and did much to set up the impregnable line on Cemetery Hill, and who repulsed Pickett's far-famed charge on the bitterly contested Third Day; and Meade, the Commander-in-Chief who won chief laurels. On tiiat same Third Day Hancock received a desperate wound inside his thigh that incapacitated him for many a month. The wounded general, the bullet still in his body, after hasty treat ment on idle field of battle was carefully shipped to Philadelphia, and thence to his parents' home in Norristown. His suffering continued immense. Here the painful bullet was finally removed by a fellow Countian, Dr. Louis W. Read, an army surgeon home on leave. The bullet is still preserved as a memento, but the memento of pain that Hancock kept in his body plagued him for years to come. Hancock has his critics, as does every other famous man, but these mostly reserve their comments for his actions after Gettysburg, not during and before. It is truly conceded that his fight at Gettysburg was his "peak performance," gloriously earning his sobriquet of "Superb." But Gettysburg took some thing out of him that never quite returned. His inspiring presence still was seen on the field of battle, but the old bright dash was somewhat gone. The fault was not his own, however; the wound he had taken at Gettysburg continued a constant sore with in his body. Nevertheless, despite its presence, he was able in the MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAO OF THE DEAD" 53 spring of 1864 to resume command of his old corps, the second, for the bulk of Grant's campaign against Lee and Richmond. He led it on at the terrible Wilderness carnage, at the very center of slaughter at Spotsylvania, at the senseless attacks at Cold Harbor; but when the siege of Petersburg began in earnest he had to retreat from the field of action. Worn out with long fatigue as well as by recurring pain, his warrior days were over. His fame continued such, however, that again he was sum moned to scenes of battle, the more peaceful yet often equally bitter strife of politics. In 1880 he consented to run as Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States. Unfortunately for him this time he knew defeat. Garfield, soon to fall beneath Charles Guiteau's lethal bullet, was the voters' choice. Perhaps the political defeat, however, saved Hancock's life for a few years more. Had he won, perhaps the bullet would have been fired at Hancock. Hancock, finishing out his long and notable career, was chief marshal, in 1885, at ^e obsequies for his old commander. Grant. This was to be Winfield Hancock's final public appearance, for in the following year, on February 9, 1886, his tall, erect figure was finally stricken down at Governor's Island, New York, a victim of diabetes and a painful carbuncle. He was buried, as he himself desired, in the simple vault he had earlier ordered constructed in Montgomery Cemetery. The last salute to the hero was fired on February 17 as with full military honors he was laid to rest. Sherman and Sheridan, with a number of other high officers who had served beside the deceased in the recent war, were pall-bearers. There our Hancock sleeps today, perhaps, as we have said, Montgomery Countj^s most illustrious son; and truly he was a Montgomery Countian, though most of his life was spent in duties far away from its soil: bom, as we have noted, in Montgomery Square in Montgomery Township in Montgomery County; buried in Montgomery Cemetery, again in Montgomery County. Even heroes are not perfect, nor was Hancock so despite his sobriquet "Superb," but his notable achievements so outshone any human fallacies as to make us quite forget whatever faults this hero might have had. 54 BULLETIN OF HISTORIOAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Next to Hancock, of all her native sons Montgomery County may most be proud of John F. Hartranft. John Hartranft per haps may have had some military inspiration indirectly; he was bom in a district deep with memories of Washington and Wayne. On September 22, 1777, Washington had led his tired and tat tered, but never dispirited army to the near vicinity of Fagleys- ville, in Upper Frederick Township, to bar the road to Reading to Howe's invading host. The Commander-in-Chief himself set up headquarters at the home of his friend, the militia Colonel Frederick Antes, on old Colonial Road. Wayne, rejoining the main army after his late discomfiture near Paoli, tradition says was quartered in the same house in which equal patriot John Hartranft was later bora. Perhaps Hartranft as a child and youth heard the first-hand stories of those heroic days. Hartranft was the son of Samuel E. and Lydia (Bucher) Hartranft, both of German descent. The place of his birth was the parsonage farm of the old Falkner Swamp Reformed Churdi on the Swamp Pike a scant half-mile east of the town of New Hanover in the township of the same name. The date was December 16, 1830. When grown to manhood Hartranft at tended Union College at Schenectady, New York, majoring in engineering and graduating in 1853. He soon settled in Norris- town, where he later married. A deputy sheriffdom in the County quickly swung his interests to law and politics, and in 1860 the aspiring politician was admitted to the bar. Meanwhile his military service commenced with the state militia, that most unsatisfac tory means of raising troops in times of stress, a method that plagued the nation until, in later years, Hartranft himself pro moted the establishment of a National Guard. He soon was ap pointed colonel of the 1st Regiment of Montgomery County Militia, an office often predicated upon popularity rather than upon ability. In Hartranft's case, however, the appointment proved to be based on both. The hard impact of the Civil War disrupted Hartranft's peace-time pursuits, as it disrupted those of the nation. North and South. Almost overnight the 1st Militia Regiment became the 4th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the Federal service, but MONTGOMEEY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAC OP THE DEAD" 55 by November 16,1861, the short-term service of the 4th ran out, and Hartranft returned home to form "Norristown's own," the 51st Regiment of Infantry. By late 1862 Colonel Hartranft was a veteran of a number of battles in North Carolina and Virginia. He and his regiment won bright spurs along the bloody Antietam. It was to a location near the site of that most sanguinary one-day's fight of the Civil War that the ladies of Norristown sent a new stand of colors via a committee of three consisting of Hartranft's own father, Abram Markley and B. E. Chain, to replace the bullet-tom banners of the regiment. Subsequently the 51st Regiment was engaged in Grant's Vicksburg Campaign in the West in 1863; and ihen went down through the Wilderness Campaign in Virginia in 1864 all the way to Petersburg and the final scene at Appomattox. Hartranft had not remained as its colonel all this while, however, for in 1864 he was breveted brigadier-general for gallantry shown at Spotsyl- vania. His greatest moment in the war arose during the siege of Petersburg in the defense of Fort Steadman against Confederate General John Gordon's desperate thrust on March 25, 1865. Lee, desperately attempting to relieve the pressure Grant was exerting on the southern end of the Confederate line, threw Gordon's brave Georgia division against Fort Steadman as a hopeful diversion. Gordon's wild charge quickly took the fort as the gray of the dawn was breaking, but Hartranft's gallant division under its equally gallant commander hastily swept the Rebels back, firmly re-establishing the partly broken line. This was to be the last dying Confederate offensive attempt in front of Petersburg, and a Pennsylvanian and Montgomery Countian had, with his division, the whole honor of destroying the brave en deavor. This action brought Hartranft a major-generalcy by brevet and considerably hastened the end of the war, for had the Confederates broken through, Grant's flanking drive to the south would have ceased, preventing an early seizure of Petersburg and Richmond. In 1872 Hartranft was elected governor of Pennsylvania, serving two terms in that office; and from 1875 to 1876 he was commander-in-chief of the famous G.A.R. — the Grand Army of 50 BULLETIN OF HISTOBIOAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the Republic veterans. To briefly pass over his subsequent career, in 1879 he was postmaster of PWladelphia, and from 1881 to 1885 Collector of the Port. He died October 17, 1889. His ashes too, like those of Hancock's, rest in Montgomery Cemetery. Samuel Kosciusko Zook was of Amish descent, which descent might have been expected to prohibit a military career to the future general. Fortunately for the nation it did not. Zook was born near Paoli on March 27,1822, Though a Chester Countian by birth, so that we must share him with our sister county, he early became a Montgomery Countian by not much more than a hundred yards. When Samuel Zook was yet young his parents moved to the now-ancient house at Valley Forge Park presently used by the State Forests and Waters Commission, on the Port Kennedy Road. The house stands just about that hundred paces distant from the Chester county line. During the War of the Revolution that part of the house then standing quartered Wash ington's commissary, and briefly Daniel Morgan, during the historic encampment of 1777-1778. So perhaps, like Hartranft, these early military associations influenced Zook's later career. In addition, his middle name was that of a soldier-hero — Kosciusko. Though Zook's education was incomplete, a natural flair and liking for the military art led him at 20, in 1842, to attain the adjutancy of the 100th Regiment of Militia. This, however, did not constitute a livelihood, and life on his father's farm apparently held no interest for the ambitious youth. In 1844, having cast his future with the pioneer New York and Wash ington Telegraph Company, he was appointed superintendent in charge of the construction of many of the companjr^s lines. He was later transferred to the company offices centered at New York City, and in 1851 was appointed major of the 6th Regiment of New York Volunteers, a militia regiment. By 1857 he was lieutenant-colonel. Zook, therefore, though a Pennsylvanian by birth, was to enter the Civil War with New York troops, entering the Federal service shortly after the first gun had been fired. The 6th Regiment, however, as was Hartranft's 4th Pennsylvania, was only on three month's call, and upon Zook's return to New MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" 57

York at the end of that time he organized the 57th New York Volunteers and hastened again to the front. On November 29, 1862, he received his commission as briga dier-general in command of a brigade of the Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. The rest of his story is tragically short. On July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, he advanced at the head of his brigade to plug a gaping breech in the Federal line at the bitterly fought- for Wheatfield in defense of the vital Round Tops and Devil's Den. Here the gallant Zook fell with a Rebel bullet through his body, d3dng the following day, but not before he was told the pleasing news of the triumph of Federal arms, for which good news he said he died content. As a result of his heroic conduct on the fateful field of Gettysburg Zook was breveted major-general, his com mission to date from the day that he fell. Zook too, like Hancock and Hartranft, sleeps in Montgomery Cemetery, brought back here in death to the home that he always loved, and one more hero to sleep in County soil. His was the first of these famous names to be engraved on Montgomery Cemetery's roll of honor, Adam Jacoby Slemmer was bom in Frederick Township, January 24, 1829, and was the youngest son of Adam and Mar- garetta Slemmer. A short while after his birth the family moved to Norristown, which seemed to be a focal point for the gathering of these youthful heroes-to-be. After a brief apprenticeship in his brother's drugstore, the younger Adam Slemmer attained, as Hancock before him, an appointment to the Military Academy in 1846, too late for him to engage in the then-current Mexican War. Upon his graduation the young lieutenant served in the artillery brandi of the service, being stationed in the then far away Florida and California; then returned to West Point as an assistant professor of English and mathematics. Here he re mained four years and married. Again in Florida in fateful 1860 and 1861, still a mere lieu tenant, he was placed in command of the forts in Pensacola Bay. In the earliest days of the Civil War, even before the fall of Fort Sumter, Slemmer and his handful of men were besieged in Fort Pickens by Confederate forces, The force he had was indeed as pitifully small as that of Major Anderson in the more famous 58 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Fort Sumter, but Slemmer defied every attempt that the Con federates could bring against him, winning by guile what a show of force could not, and the fort was safe for the Union throughout the war. For his brilliant conduct there Slemmer was jumped in rank to major of the 16th Regiment of Regular Infantry. He was received with public honor in both New York and Philadelphia. After recovering from the effects of the arduous defense of the fort, which had considerably drained his energy, Slemmer was ordered West and served in West Virginia and Tennessee, receiving a painful wound in the knee at the hotly-contested drawn battle of Stones River, or Murfreesboro, in December, 1862. Soon appointed brigadier-general for gallant services ren dered, Slemmer was, against his wishes, withdrawn from the field and assigned to the command of the Board for examining invalid officers. With the end of the war he briefly served in New York, then was ordered West to command Fort Laramie in the then Wyoming Territory, where he suddenly died, October 6, 1868. At his death he was only 39. His corpse, brought home to Norris- town as was that of many of his fellow heroes before and after him, wM placed in the 'hivouac" of Montgomery Cemetery, the fourth of the noted heroes whom we have mentioned to reside there in perpetuum. Next let us turn our eyes to the career of William Jordan Bolton who, though perhaps not so illustrious as these others, still may well maintain a place of remembrance in our hearts. William Bolton was bom here in Norristown on October 22,1833, the son of James and Mary Ann Bolton. Early in life he was apprenticed as a machinist and engineer. Although he became a politically active Democrat, the Republican call to arms in 1861 found him ready to serve his country. He had previously had some taste of the soldier's life as lieutenant and major in Hartranft's militia regiment, joining in 1859. With the 4th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, again under Colonel Hartranft, at the beginning of the Civil War, Bolton rapidly rose from lieutenant to captain during the regiment's brief three months' enlistment. At the end of this term he returned with his colonel to Norristown, where he helped his chief muster Norristown's MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" 59 own 51st, in which he continued as captain. Bolton served with the regiment in North Carolina and Virginia; was at Second Bull Run mid Antietam, being severely wounded in the latter engage ment. After recuperating at home he returned to his regiment as major, was with it with Grant at Vicksburg, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, commanding the regiment during the ab sence of Colonel Schall, of whom we soon shall speak. Returned to the East, Grant's campaign of 1864 received his services, and with the tragic death of the gallant Schall, Bolton was promoted to the full command of the 51st. Wounded again at Petersburg, he still was able to finish out the war in the field, receiving his brevet as brigalier-general four short days after the surrender of Lee. Back from the war and mustered out, Bolton married, settled in Norristown, and engaged in private business. He filled to satisfaction several political offices, and was major-general in the National Guard that replaced the old militia. Upon his death he too joined the distinguished roll of general officers previously noted in the "bivouac of the dead" in Montgomery Cemetery. Edwin Schall was another son of the County born to a soldier's traditions. His father, William, was brigadier-general of the County militia. Edwin Schall, like Winfield Hancock, was bom a twin. His mother was Caroline (Trexler) Schall; the place of his birth was Green Lane, in Marlborough Township, and the time was Febraury 15, 1835. In 1848 General William Schall and his family moved to Norristown. When Edwin Schall came of age, after an adequate schooling he commenced the study of law, briefly but apparently unhappily attempted to settle in Iowa, then returned to practice in Norristown. A Democrat, he soon exhibited political interests, but the fires of civil war quickly ended his political aspirations. Schall was one of five brothers who gave their services to flag and country. This fact reminds us of the famous Bixby letter of Lincoln; but Lincoln was mis informed — there were not five Bixby sons who served or died on the field of battle. But there were five Schalls who served, and one of them died — Edwin. Schall followed Hartranft and Bolton into the brief-term 00 BULLETIN OF HISTORIOAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

4th Regiment, and afterwards into the 51st. Schall rose through the ranks of major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, as the last, in command of tiie 51st. Death undoubtedly intervened to prevent his further promotion. In May, 1864, Grant plunged into the month's campaign that was to lead him to Petersburg and Rich mond. The Union Army crossed the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford and was caught by Lee half-way through the tangled Wilder ness. A furious battle followed. It was here in this lethal fight that cost so many combatants* lives that young Edwin Schall — he was only 29 — laid down his life while leading his regiment into the holocaust. It sounds repetitive, but he too sleeps in Norris- town, in old Montgomery Cemetery. Theodore Weber Bean, lawyer, orator and historian, and deeply remembered by many a County heart, was bom in Norri- ton Township, May 14, 1833. Despite his humble beginnings as blacksmith's apprentice, he by his own initiative rose, like a lesser Lincoln, to a place of local eminence. The Civil War deferred his legal studies when on September 17, 1862 — the very date that bloody Antietam was fought — he was mustered in as a private in the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. His talents in the war were apparent, for he left the service in 1865, at the end of the war, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His greatest eminence lay before him, however, as lawyer, orator, historian of the war, and author of early and distinguished histories of the County and of Valley Forge. The credit too is his for helping found the Mont gomery County Historical Society. All these remembered legacies he left to County posterity at his death on January 20,1891. To say it briefly, Montgomery Cemetery also keeps his dust. Another Montgomery Countian, he by adoption, who gained some little note in the Civil War was Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, scientist, inventor and aeronaut. Thaddeus Lowe was born and bred of New Hampshire stock. The date of his birth was August 20, 1832. He early exhibited interest in invention and science, especially in lighter-than-air balloons. At the opening of the Civil War he proposed to the Federal Government the use of balloons for spying across the Confederate lines of battle. The novel idea was soon accepted, and Lowe performed this duty often. MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" gl especially during McClellan's Peninsular Campaign of 1862. This was the first such successful use of balloons in history. After the war the Professor became a citizen of Norristown, puttering with frequent inventions with some success. These inventions included an ice-making process that was long in use, and the successful use of illuminating gas for lighting. He was virtually in charge of the services held for Hancock's funeral. One other hero — this a great one — we must note, though he acquired a County citizenship only by adoption. George Gordon Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain, where his father was American naval agent, in 1815. A graduate of West Point, he was a veteran of Seminole and the Mexican Wars. But his greatest fame of course is that as the victor of Gettysburg. Meade came back from the Civil War with his laurels modestly worn. Briefly before his death on November 6, 1872, he resided at near-by Ambler. Here, incidentally, passed away and is buried his old war-horse affectionately known as "Old Baldy." Meade, to the loss of Montgomery County within whose limits lie so many of his war-time comrades, is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, but the brief sojourn of this man, though late in his life, has given us honor. In passing from the roll of these honored heroes we might make note that our County was once the home of Grant's maternal ancestors. His great-grandfather, John Simpson — Grant's mother was a Simpson — a militiaman in the War of the Revo lution, resided at Horsham, and the related Wiers and Manns lived near Hatboro. Grant's own mother, it is said, was born near Whitemarsh, though the records are indistinct. Thus close to our soil is the Civil War, If a hundred years have passed since those unhappy events when brother was set against brother. North against South, the Centennial years that are now present recall those times to our minds. It is surely in place then to sketch, if briefly, the services other Montgomery County men and women rendered, and some of the events that here transpired in those terrible years of conflict. It is not the great events of history that bring us close to long-past times, but the lesser and local events that occurred. 02 BULLETIN OF HISTOEICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Long before the Civil War was a definite certainty, many citiMns of Montgomery County engaged in the widespread anti- slavery agitation that so enraged the Southern slave-owners. As early as 1837 an anti-slavery society was organized in the County with headquarters here in Norristown. Down through the years preceding 1861 this agitation constantly increased in intensity, and a regular route of the famous Underground Railroad that passed run-away slaves to the northward and safety ran through the County. When the war actually came, then, a majority of County citizens, excluding those whose religious principles discounten anced military service, were ready to take up the gage cast down by the Southern secessionists. The call to the colors was hur riedly answered and many a "Boy in Blue" went South at Lin coln's behest. Montgomery County contributed an honorable quota of men to sustain the Union. Beside the famed 51st Regiment already noted, the County produced or provided elements of no less than eight other regiments that were in active service on various fronts. The home front was exceedingly busy too. Many a County mill turned out the munitions and other supplies that sustained the cause of Union. Not only the men but also the women engaged in the efforts to win the war. They knitted, they sewed, they collected money and medical supplies; a number of them even appeared at tlie front to relieve the sufferings of the sick and wounded, notably Mrs. Anna Holstein. Without their dedicated efforts the war would have been far more dreary and sad than it was. Late in the war, in October, 1864, the Federal War Depart ment ordered a camp to be established within the bounds of the County where invalid troops might be discharged, or, if physically able, reorganized into new and needed regiments — needed be cause of the frightful toll of men that the war was taking. The site finally chosen was the high plateau southeast of Conshohocken near the present Gladwyne. Earthworks were thrown up on the outer edge of the camp and mounted with cannon. The buildings were roughly constructed of boards, much like the camps of all our later wars which many of you have seen. It was not a sightly MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S "BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" 63 place, but it served its purpose. Several thousand troops were processed through this place before the camp was ordered closed in July of 1865. For the war was over and the memories begun. If there is any shame at all to be attached to the otherwise honored name of Montgomery County during this War between the States, as the South would have us call it, it was the existence of an active, but fortunately small, organized group within the County whose aim was to aid its members to escape the call to duty. Montgomery County, however, was not alone in containing such a subversive group. Throughout the North a sum of about $300 could buy, if anyone were •willing, a "substitute" to take one's place in the line of battle. Fortunately this pernicious practice is long a thing of the past. No more do "substitutes" go forth to die in the place of men with ready money. Other than this, Montgomery County well may be proud not only of its military traditions that extend from the marches of Washington to the men who sailed for foreign shores in recent times, but also of that hero band which sleeps within her soil. Here rest the countless heroes, most unkno-wn, who gave up lives at Germantown and Valley Forge. Here rest the dead who looked upon dark scenes of carnage from First Bull Run to Appomattox; and here too sleep the newer ones brought home from foreign fields. Taps has long since sounded for the last heroes of the Civil War. No more do Yankee Blue and Rebel Gray deck the living breasts of those who bore the weight of civil struggle and sub sequent fraternity. Of those of whom we spoke by name and re- consigned to fame — Hancock, Hartranft, Zook, Bolton, Slemmer, Schall, Meade and Bean — these men, and all the lesser-famed, have looked upon their last sunrises and sunsets; but the flag for which they fought and bled, the flag that knew new luster for their deeds and has attained new brightness for the added stars they never saw, and the principles of liberty that these men sustained, still spread in fame across the world, still flaunt the glory of man's freedom in the face of heartless tyranny. What these men, and all the lesser souls who went forth to war beneath their standards, fought for — freedom and the union of the 64 BtJLLBTIN OP mSTOBIOAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

States in one perpetual design — are not just shadows in the passage of man's history. Their deeds stand out forever as bright examples for their children's children to the end of time. These men with silent words from out their tombs deliver to us their renewed command that we and our successors sh^ likewise when the need is great, as in the present, and even in those times of lesser need — and God grant that these shall someday come again! — stand firm against the grievous hosts of tyranny. It is only thus that too our eyes may see "the Glory of the coming of the Lord." It is only thus that we may join with those heroic souls of yesterday in that triumphant strain of "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah" with which th^r went to war in the hope that, as Lincoln said, "all men, everywhere, may be free." Acquisitions Edward W. Hocker: Civil War records of Private Edward Hooker, fattier of the donor, also his citizenship papers dated September 14, 1876. John F. Reed: Original War Tax of Lower Merion Township, 1780-1781, together with a descriptive article by the donor. Photostatic copy of deed, Andrew Hamilton to William Keith, March 5, 1718, together with a covering article by Mr. Reed. Copy of deed for 450 acres Perkiomen Mine Land, March 14, 1740/41. Harry L. Christman: Copy of Notice of division of Frederick township, October 16, 1919. Old newspapers and other items. Hon. David E. Groshens: HISTORY OF FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP by James Y. Hecker, a reprint, 1960; RUSSELL SMITH ROMANTIC REALIST by Virginia E. Lewis, 1956; THIS IS THE MAIN LINE, 1955; MANOR OF MOORELAND TO WILLOW GROVE, 250tti Anniversary Booklet, 1711-1961. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Reinford: Transcriptions of Skippack Brethren Churchyard. Leon H. Schirmer: Transcriptions of the North Wales Baptist Churchsrard. 0. Warren Vanderslice: '"Family of Thomas Milton Vanderslice" by the donor. Mrs. Ii^n P. Knipe: Family records "In the Matter of the Descent of Anna Lovett Knipe from James Wallace." Other items. Joseph Thomas: Holy Bible printed in Wales, 1690, containing Thomas family records in Welsh. Also other records of the Thomas Family. Estate of Charles R. Barker: The bulk of Mr. Barker's extensive genealog ical collection, as well as a number of fine published volumes from his library. Estate of P^rancis C. Schlater: Antique furniture, china, glass, etc., out standing among which are an elaborately carved mahogany tall clock with brass moon-phase dial; a walnut desk "svith three graduated drawers, two quill drawers and center drawer, original brass pulls and escutcheons; a mahogany drop leaf table; specimens of Sandwich glass and some flat silver. Estate of Lillian Hunter Brownback: Genealogical papers. Miss Sara A. Staley: Holy Bible with Staley Family records.

65 66 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Miss Mildred Goshow: "The Hockley and Other Families" compiled by the donor. Charles N. Myers: "Berkheimer Family Records" compiled by the donor. Aaron L. Willouer: THE WILLAUER FAMILY, compiled and published by the donor, 1960. Richard H. Sheffey: A HISTORY OF POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, 1752-1952. Rev. Maurice J. Neilson: "Record of Deaths kept by Jones Detwiler, 1850- 1900," from the original of Boehm's Evangelical and Reformed Church. Asquired by purchase: THE WEISER FAMILY, A Genealogy of the PamDy of John Conrad Weiser, the elder, as prepared on the 250th Anniversary of His Arrival in America (1710-1960). Other donors to whom we are grateful: Mrs. Phillip M. Allen, Herbert A. Ballard, Kirke Bryan, Esq., Miss Edna Charles, Mrs. Andrew Y. Drysdale, Miss Rachel £. Essick, Estate of Margaret Ross Gamer, Miss Anna F. Graber, Calvin S. Hathaway, Carroll D. Hendricks, Mrs. Theodore Heysham, Roy C. Kulp, Miss Dorothy Mallon, Mrs. Edith Custer Marberger, Norristown City Branch Needlework Guild of America, Miss Helen Richards, Calvin A. Ruth, Leon H. Schirmer, Mrs. E. S. Shoemaker, Herbert A. Wisbey, Jr., Robert W. Wright, Mrs. Anna Wurtz.

JANE KEPLINGER BURRIS Report on Membership

NEW MEMBERS (Elected AprU 29, 1961)

Miss Cecil Mae Smith Mrs. Norman Steinly

Jacob R. Sotter Miss Margaret L. Stevenson

LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Charles D. Dorworth Miss Marilyn L. Steinbright

Mrs. Charles D. Dorworth Dr. H. Ernest Tompkins

William H. R. Ralston

TRANSFERRED TO LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Mrs. H. Ernest Tompkins Mrs. H. Dixon Steinbright

DEATH

Mrs. Joseph L. Rapp

PRESENT STATUS OF MEMBERSHIP

Honorary Members 1

Life Members 54

Annual Members 565

Total Membership 620

HELEN W. M. JOHNSON CorrespondingSecretary

67 April Meeting

The regular meeting of the Historical Society of Montgomery County was convened at two o'clock on April 29, 1961, at the building of the Society, with President Groshens presiding. The minutes of the February meeting were read and approved. President Groshens announced that at the November 1961 meeting of the Society an amendment to ARTICLH IX of the By-Laws will be voted on, increasing the annual dues to five dollars, and the fee for life-mem bership to one hundred dollars.

President Grodiens called attention to the exhibition of Civil War material from the collection of the Society.

President Groshens was the speaker, the title of his paper being '*NOR- RISTOWN, APRIL 1861," highlighting the response in Norristown to the call for volunteers to defend the Union.

At the close of the meeting the Hospitality Committee served tea.

EVA G. DAVIS Recording Secretary

68 The Historical Society of Montgomery County has for its object the preservation of the civil, political and religious history of the county, as well as the promotion of the study of history. The building up of a library for historical research has been materially aided in the past by donations of family, church and graveyard records; letters, diaries and other manu script material. Valuable files of newspapers have also been contributed. This public-spirited support has been highly appreciated and is earnestly desired for the future.

Membership in the Society is open to all interested persons, whether residents of the county or not, and all such persons are invited to have their names proposed at any meeting. The annual dues are $4.00; life membership, $50.00. Every mem ber is entitled to a copy of each issue of The Bulletin, free. Additional copies, $1.50 each.

Historical Building, 1654 DeKalb Street, Norristown, with its library and museum, is open for visitors each week day from 10 A.M. to 12 M. and 1 to 4 P.M., except Saturday after noon. The material in the library may be freely consulted dur ing these hours, but no book may be token from toe building.

To Our Friends Our Society needs funds for the furthering of its work, its expansion, its growth and development. This can very nicely he done through he- quests from members and friends in the disposition of their estate. The Society needs more funds in investments placed at interest; the income arising therefrom would give the Society an annual return to meet its needs. Folio\nng is a form that could he used in the making of wills:

I HEREBY GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA, THE SUM OF

DOLLARS (I )