Easton Dollar Savings & Trust Co. Building (8 Centre Square)
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(Photo by Richard F. Hope)
Easton Dollar Savings & Trust Co. Building (8 Centre Square) The modern property is a strip starting with 24.17’ of frontage on Center Square, and running back along the entire northern edge of “Lehn’s Court”. This property is part of original town Lot No.90 as surveyed by William Parsons when Easton was founded in 1752.1 Laborer Michael Lehn (also spelled “Lean” and “Lane”, among other spellings) emigrated from Germany aboard the “fast” sailing ship (“Schnellsegler”) Mary und Sarah, arriving at the Port of Philadelphia on 26 October 1754.2 He was apparently a householder in Easton, probably at this location by 1761,3 and was in possession of the property at this location in 1767. He probably resided in a house in the Centre Square area in 1776.4 In 1770, he was one of the four first Vestrymen of the German Union (Reformed and Lutheran) Church, which five years later began building the German Reformed Church (now United Church of Christ) on North Third Street.5 Michael Lehn died in 1784; his will left his house and lot in Easton to his son, Adam Lehn.6 Michael Lehn’s son, Johann (John) Adam Lehn (usually known simply as Adam Lehn), inherited his father’s interest in the property in 1784, and obtained a formal title to the land on Centre Square from the Penn family in 1789. In the same deed, he also 2 obtained title to an “out lot” located on what is now called College Hill.7 The 1798 federal “Window Tax” assessment in Easton Borough recorded “John Adam Lehn” as owning a wooden house 20’ X 22’ with a stable, valued at $400.8 A long-time Easton resident recalled, years later, that Adam Lehn had a “low yellow house” with a productive apple tree in this area of the Square in the 1830s and ‘40s.9 Mary Maxwell’s 1835 watercolor of Centre Square, reproduced below from a black-and-white engraving, appears to show a low (perhaps single-story) house with a peaked roof facing Lehn’s Court, with a large tree at the front corner. The original color in her drawing, however, makes the house appear white rather than yellow.
SE Corner of Center Square (c.1835) 10
Adam Lehn’s property on what is now College Hill included an apple orchard. Lehn’s orchard “had some trouble with the boys, who had the common habits of boys when apples were ripe.”11 In 1803, Adam Lehn and another Easton man were employed as “master masons” to build a new Moravian Church in Bethlehem.12 He was named by the Easton Town council as one of two Supervisors for the borough in 1832.13 Adam Lehn was especially noted “for his financial integrity and strict dealings with his fellows.” Father Pomp remarked in his funeral sermon for Adam Lehn (see below) that “if Mr. Lehn owed a man half a cent, he would cut a cent in two but what he would pay him his just demand.”14 3
The property now located on the southern side of Lehn’s Court (original town Lot No.91) was informally possessed by Lehn’s neighborer, Philip Dotterer, in 1789.15 Shortly thereafter it was occupied “2/3 ds. By Adam Lane & 1/3 d. by Phil. Dotterer”;16 and in 1791 Adam Lehn acquired formal title to it from the Penn Family for £40 “in Specie”.17 Dotterer (also spelled Detterer) formally acquired the next-door properties (original Lot Nos.92 and 93) fronting on Centre Square, starting approximately from where Pearly Baker’s is now located.18 Adam Lehn died in 1844, at approximately age 85.19 The German Reformed Church provided two funeral sermons for Adam Lehn: Father Pomp’s (in German), and Rev. Diehl’s (in English).20 After his death, Lehn’s wife held his Centre Square property as a life estate21 until her death in 1851.22 Then Lehn’s son, John Lehn, and his daughter, Maria Lehn Tindall, inherited his property. Among other properties, John received Lot 90 and part of Lot 91, including “our present dwelling house on the public square”,23 which became the basis for the property now known as 8 Centre Square.24 Adam Lehn’s daughter, Mary Lehn (married to Ralph Tindall), received a “Stone House at the intersection of Pine and Sitgreaves alleys”, together with the southern strip of Lot No.91 next to Pine Street, and several out lot properties.25 Ralph and Mary Tindall’s son, John Tindall, married Elizabeth (“Eliza”) Herster, a daughter of industrialist John Herster,26 and thus acquired the Herster “Homestead” property located next door to Adam Lehn’s house on Centre Square.27 The Herster “Homestead” (now the Tindall’s house) at what became 5 Centre Square,28 was known as being “for several generations was the gathering place of many in the social circles”.29 John Lehn appears to have been a wealthy man, even prior to inheriting his father’s property. In 1843, the Sheriff seized and sold off land in Easton to satisfy $10,000 in debts owed by three men to John Lehn.30
Lehn’s Court The Lehn inheritance property was heavily occupied by the Lehn Family and its extensions. In 1855, prior to the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme, John Lehn’s residence had the address of 5 Lehn’s “avenue”.31 Since Adam Lehn’s will (which left the property to John Lehn in 1844) did not mention any alley or “avenue” through the two adjacent lots forming the property, the 1855 Directory entries referring to “Lehn’s avenue” suggest that it was installed between those dates. Accordingly, John Lehn (the owner at that time) must have installed the street now known as Lehn’s Court, which runs between the original Lot Nos.90 and 91, using land taken from Lot No.90 for the purpose.32 Other housing was now also installed along the sides of Lehn’s Court. Henry Bender was also listed in 1855 as residing in “Lehn’s avenue”.33 Bender was the husband of one of John Lehn’s daughters, Maria.34 Bender sold harnesses and trunks, and later on other leather goods such as saddles.35 In 1858, Henry Bender and John S. Lehn (John Lehn Sr.’s son36) combined their respective leather businesses into Military Hall on Northampton Street (next to the present day Hotel Lafayette).37 During the Civil War, Bender’s son George appears to have replaced John S. Lehn as partner in the leather business;38 after the War, John S. Lehn ran a tannery at the “foot” of North 3rd Street.39 4
3 Lehn’s Court. In 1860, John Lehn (Sr.) was listed as having a house at 3 Lehn’s Court.40 He died in that year, and his will divided up his Lehn’s Court property and other land holdings among various children. He specifically gave his residence on the South side of Lehn’s Court in trust to his daughter, Susan,41 who continued thereafter to live there at the 3 Lehn’s Court address.42 This plot of land bore the same address and measurements that 3 Lehn’s Court does today.43 In later times, 3 Lehn’s Court became the Court Barber Shop in approximately 1930, and The Press Club Bar & Grill thereafter.44 In 1995,45 it became Mother’s Bar and Grill,46 operated by Georges Moussa Sr. Known for “dim lighting and loud music”,47 the bar was used in for filming part of the movie “the Florentine”,48 which was issued in 1999 starring (among others) Michael Madsen, Tom Sizemore, James Belushi, Luke Perry and Virginia Madsen.49 Moussa had transferred his liquor license to Mother’s from his prior business as “Chicken George’s Palace Inc.”,50 which he had operated on Butler Street (as well as “Chicken George Too” at 22 North 4th Street).51 Moussa believed that Easton’s “downtown redevelopment started with Mother’s[, when] Crayola executives visited the business when they were considering locating the popular Crayola Factory in Centre Square”.52 Unfortunately, Mother’s was damaged in a February 2000 fire that gutted the nearby Bridges restaurant.53 The bar was purchased and reopened in August 200054 by businessmen William Cornish and Greg Melhem (under the name Lehns Court Management LLC), who have also been involved with Drinky Drinkersons, The Standard, and the nightclub The Circle in downtown Easton, as well as the Taste Budz restaurant on Sullivan Trail in Forks township.55 Under this new management, Mother’s Bar and Grill was redesigned to be “brighter, more relaxed and more comfortable”, to “create the rustic character of an Irish tavern.”56 It has subsequently been taken over by other owners.57 The underlying real estate was purchased in 2002 by Georges K. Moussa,58 apparently “Chicken George” Moussa’s son,59 who also owns a number of other pieces of real estate in Easton. 1 Lehn’s Court. John Lehn’s daughter Maria (married to Henry Bender – see above), received through a trust arrangement the rights to a plot of land immediately next to her father’s house, to the West. It bore the same property measurements and position as does 1 Lehn’s Court today. It included a “Dwelling House” that had been “erected” by Bender.60 In 1860, Henry Bender’s Lehn’s Court residence address (see above) was more exactly specified as 1 Lehn’s Court.61 It is currently valuable real estate: in 2005, 1 Lehn’s Court was sold to an LLC for $440,000.62 9 “Centre Square”/Lehn’s Court (at Sitgreaves Street). John Lehn’s daughter Matilda – a twin sister to Maria Lehn Bender63 -- received through a trust arrangement the rights to a plot of land and house at the corner of Lehn’s Court and Sitgreaves Alley (now Sitgreaves Street).64 Matilda was married to P.A. Sage; and her son was Henry A. Sage.65 The separate property at this corner is still numbered “9 Centre Square” in the modern Northampton County Tax Records, despite the fact that it does not border on Centre Square at all.66 [See below for modern history of this property.] 5-7 Lehn’s Court. Between Matilda Sage’s plot and John Lehn’s former residence, lay two plots of land. The one next to Matilda (to the West) was a plot that John Lehn willed to his daughter Ann, the wife of George Odenwelder.67 And between that and John Lehn’s former residence was a plot occupied by “the family of the late 5
Samuel Moon”,68 “one of the most prominent artists of Pennsylvania” at that time,69 who had just died in the same year as John Lehn.70 These two plots appear to correspond to those listed today as 5 and 7 Lehn’s Court.71 By 1870, Henry A. Sage (Matilda Lehn Sage’s son – see above) had become a resident of Lehn’s Court.72 He was best known as a liquor dealer in Centre Square (in the Jones Building, at what is now 24 Centre Square, across the Square from Lehn’s Court).73 By 1873, Henry A. Sage apparently took over the plot of land previously occupied by Samuel Moon’s family.74 In the prior year (1872), Sage sold a “large brick stable . . . at the corner of Bank and Pine Streets . . . to George D. Lehn for the sum of $10,000.” The newspaper account of this transaction recorded George Lehn’s promises to “make it a model boarding stable” through improvement. The newspaper opined that “as George is a go-ahead young man, alive to what is needed, we have no doubt that he will do all he promises, and may be even more.”75 Henry Sage was not permanently out of the stable business, however. He later succeeded Henry Bender as owner of the leather and harness business in Military Hall (now 353-55 Northampton Street – see discussion above).76 Sage’s various enterprises were evidently successful as a whole, because by 1883, Sage had apparently also taken over his mother’s old house at 9 Lehn’s Court.77 Another of Adam Lehn’s grandsons (John Lehn’s eldest son – and a brother to John S. Lehn, Matilda Lehn Sage and Maria Lehn Bender) was Michael Lehn, who later owned houses at 111 and 115 North 2nd Street.78 Michael Lehn also owned a residence on the property that became the Dr. Traill Green House at 222 Spring Garden Street.79 During the adoption of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874, many of the Lehn’s Court addresses changed, apparently sometimes in ways that were not completely consistent with modern usage. A table is provided in the footnote to summarize these changes.80 In the mid-20th Century, Lehn’s Court was a popular rental area for Jewish families.81 In the late 20th Century, these Lehn’s Court buildings were regarded as “symbols of Easton’s revitalization”.82 Their charm was captured in a 1995 drawing by Pamalee Ann and Joseph Paul LaDuca entitled “Lehn’s Court Christmas”.83 5-7 Lehn’s Court, sporting a period façade said to have been added in 1920, housed Bridge’s Restaurant84 (opened in 199985), which was considered (with the neighboring Mother’s Bar and Grill) to be an showcase of privately-funded businesses contributing to the commercial revitalization of Easton’s Centre Square area.86 Next door, Henry Sage’s original residence and his parents’ building at 9 “Centre Square” (actually, Lehn’s Court) at the corner with Sitgreaves Street, also survived. The apartment building at 9 Lehn’s Court showed a “distinctive yellow and green façade”.87 However, on 26 February 2000, the Mother’s restaurant building at 5-7 Lehn’s Court (sometimes described as two buildings) was gutted by a fire that also damaged the apartments at 9 Lehn’s Court, and the adjacent Mother’s Bar and Grill at 3 Lehn’s Court.88 The burned buildings were “owned by a tight-knit group of families of Lebanese 6 immigrants who came from Kfarsghab in northern Lebanon,89 specifically Edward and Joseph Melhem (owners of Bridges), George [Georges] Moussa (owner of Mother’s), and Joseph Kassis (owner of 9 Lehn’s Court).90 5-7 Lehn’s Court, where Mother’s restaurant had recently opened and where the fire originated, had been owned prior to 1985 by the Lebanese American Men’s Association, operated by Joseph Melham (Edward’s father) who died in 1995.91 After sitting empty for a year as the cause of the fire was investigated,92 a replacement structure at 5-7 Lehn’s Court was finally erected which attempted “to keep some of the first floor look of those [burned out] buildings”.93 Bridges Restaurant was eventually reopened, and in May 2002 hosted a 200-person campaign rally for then-gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell.94 The building at the corner with Sitgreaves Street (i.e. 9 Lehn’s Court – see above), including its bay window, appears to have been saved.95 As noted above, Mother’s Bar and Grill soon resumed operations under new ownership.
The John S. Lehn Homestead John Lehn’s will, when probated in 1860, gave his son, John S. Lehn, the “Lot of ground at the corner of Lehns Court and the Public Square” with the same measurements as the modern “Easton Dollar Savings” property at 8 Centre Square. The will specified it was the location where John S. Lehn “now resides and upon which he has erected a Dwelling House”.96 The County Directory for 1860 shows John S. Lehn’s residential address at 84 Public Square under the street numbering scheme in effect at that time97 – the address next door to the Tindall House.98 With the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874, John S. Lehn’s address (previously 84 Public Square – see above) was recast as 6 Centre Square.99 This was still clearly next to the Tindall House at 5 Centre Square.100 The 1879 City Directory lists John S. Lehn’s house as being at the corner of Lehn’s Court and North 3rd Street – which can only be interpreted as meaning at the corner with Centre Square.101 Thus, it would appear that the “Dwelling House” that John S. Lehn “erected” must have replaced or improved Adam Lehn’s old colonial house, shown at that corner in the picture c.1835 by Mary Maxwell (see above). In business, in 1863 John S. Lehn had built the Easton Tannery on North 3rd Street102 (presumably by the Bushkill, to draw off waste products and minimize odors to residential tenants closer to the center of town). John S. Lehn and his tannery appear to have gotten into financial difficulties in the 1870s. He took out a second mortgage on the Centre Square property in 1876, and two years later foreclosure proceedings were begun. In order to stave off foreclosure, Lehn agreed to make over his Centre Square property to lawyer Beates R. Swift as assignee for the benefit of creditors.103 Lawyer Swift was himself a prominent Easton citizen, having been Chief Burgess in 1870-71.104 The Lehn Family residences North of Lehn’s court were sold as a parcel in 1878 for a high bid of $10,100 to Annie E. Hutchinson, wife of John N. Hutchinson.105 John S. Lehn was a briefly a resident at 48 Centre Square in 1880.106 By 1881, he was the resident at 127 Spring Garden Street,107 next to the residence 7
(at 129 Spring Garden Street) of Margaret Wilking,108 his sister.109 By 1892, he was living at 1 North Front Street (evidently an apartment in what is now called the Moser Building), and working as a clerk for the Delaware Bridge.110 In 1881, Annie E. Hutchinson and her husband sold the property for $10,000 to Abraham S. Deichman,111 an insurance and real estate agent with his office in Phillipsburg.112 Deichman’s home was immediately listed with its modern address of 8 Centre Square.113 Deichman occupied the Easton Centre Square residence for nearly 40 years, until his death in 1920.114 The property then passed by will to his son, Frank R. Deichman.115
The Bank Building Frank Deichman sold the property to the Easton Dollar Savings & Trust Company in 1924 for $70,000.116 The new Dollar Savings bank building was built “on the foundation of an 18th century townhouse”,117 evidently the one owned by the Deichman Famly, descended down from the original foundation for Adam Lehn’s house. The Dollar Savings building (as currently restored) features a recessed entrance flanked by two columns in apparently “Greek Revival’ style, but its projecting window cornices and other ornamentation apparently persuaded one commentator to identify its style as “Italianate”.118 Despite the optimism of the 1920s when Dollar Savings opened, the Great Depression of the 1930s was not kind to the institution. In 1932, Dollar Savings agreed to a liquidation plan. Its assets were formally acquired by The Easton Trust Company119 as Liquidating Trustee in 1936,120 and for its own account outright in the following year.121 In approximately 1940, The Circlon, one of Easton’s most fashionable restaurants, was established in this building.122 Its co-owners were Neal H. Rumbaugh (ultimately the owner of the Hotel Easton)123 and William K. Rusk, Manager of the Pomfret Club.124 The restaurant was a supper club in the post-World War II era, featuring an orchestra. During the 1940s, nightly live music broadcasts originated from the Circlon were broadcast on the local WEST radio station.125 The Circlon formally purchased title to the property in 1947.126 The Circlon continued in business there until 1971.127 It was reopened three years later with a new owner, Howard Knuth, but shut again in approximately 1979.128 Title to the property was sold for $40,000 to Wallace and Elizabeth Rogers in 1983.129 The couple spent some $250,000 to remodel the building,130 and early in 1984, a supper club called A Touch of Class was opened in the building by “Wally” Rogers, with his wife “Betty Ann” singing there Tuesday through Saturday nights until closing at 2 A.M. Mrs. Rogers had performed in the Circlon some 15 years before. The club featured such dishes as escargots appetizers, Chateaubriand and Beef Wellington as entrees.131 Original plans to require men to wear jackets, and to provide valet parking, were later modified. Unfortunately, “Wally” Rogers had a heart problem requiring hospitalization, and was forced to sell the restaurant after only a few months. In response to a bid of $125,000 for the building and restaurant (including liquor license),132 the Rogers sold the 8 property to Larry Holmes,133 the former boxing Heavyweight World Champion from Easton.134 Holmes intended to keep the “stylish atmosphere” of the restaurant, in order to appeal to “a quieter and more sophisticated clientele” than his other establishments such as his “Round One” disco in Easton.135 Holmes apparently was unsuccessful in re- establishing a successful restaurant at the location,136 and instead sold the building in 1986 for $90,000 to law partners Daniel E. Cohen and Norman Seidel.137 The law firm renovated the building, restoring its bank façade, and opened law offices there in 1987.138 The firm now operates as Seidel, Cohen, Hof & Reid LLC at Crown Pointe Corporate Center, 3101 Emrick Boulevard Suite 205, Bethlehem, PA. Meanwhile, in May 2015 artists Tom D’Angelo and Chaz Hampton opened the Brick + Mortar art gallery and design studio in the building.139 1 Compare A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937) with Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org. The original Lot apparently had 35’ of frontage on Centre Square. 2 I. Daniel Rupp (indexed by Marvin V. Kroger), A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of Germans, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776 at 345, published online by Gale Research, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s (Database, Provo (UT): Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2010). Rupp’s asterisk notation makes it clear that Michael Lehn’s name was an autograph signature. See also Ralph Beaver Strassburger (ed. by William John Hinke), Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1808, Vol. I, at 660-63 (Norristown (PA): Pennsylvania German Society 1934, reprinted Baltimore (MD): Genealogical Publishing Co. 1964, repr. 1983), published online by Gale Research, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s – 1900s (Database, Provo (UT): Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2010). The first two lists of “Foreigners” from the Mary and Sarah (List 230 A and 230B) spelled the name “Lane”, and were apparently written by clerks. The third list (List 230C) was the list of subscriptions at the Court House where the passengers took their oaths, and there the name was spelled Michael Lehn. It is presumably to this list that Rupp referred. 3 The 1761 Tax List for Easton 2 (Easton) (compiled by Works Projects Association in Easton Public Library 1938), shows an entry for a Michael [last name untranscribed as illegible] immediately above John Moor. This would have been the correct alphabetical position for Micheal Lehn. Michael Lehn clearly does appear in the following year. 1762 Tax List for Easton 2 (Microfilm #21682 Tax Lists 1761-1793 Assessments, 1761-1815, held by Family History Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Salt Lake City)). See also 1767 Tax Assessment for Easton 2 (Microfilm #21682 Tax Lists 1761- 1793 Assessments, 1761-1815, held by Family History Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). 4 A.D. Chidsey, Jr., A Frontier Village 234-35, 264 (Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.65); accord, James Wright, “Lehns Court named for prominent Easton family”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sunday, 18 Feb. 1990, p.C-10. Chidsey also notes that the name Michael Lehn appears as a laborer in the tax lists for 1763, 1772, 1774 and 1776; and when his son obtained a formal deed from the Penn Family, it was for this property. 5 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 99 (George W. West 1885 / 1889). 6 Henry F. Marx (ed.), Abstracts of Wills Northampton County 1852-1840, Vol. VII, at 69 (Easton: Easton Public Library 1935)(Northampton County Orphan’s Court File No.1065); accord, A.D. Chidsey, Jr., A Frontier Village 234-35, 264 (Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.65). The will, for Michael “Lean”, was probated on 24 April 1784. It also mentioned his daughter, Margaret, married to Frederick Raeger (Reeger); and gives an “out lott” to Michael Lehn’s step-son, Michael Yohe, who was also appointed the will’s executor. The Clark Family Tree (owned by Esthler McDermott) on Ancestry.com states that Michael Lehn was 74 years old at his death, which would have put his birth in approximately 1710. No source was given for this data. 7 Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Adam Lehn, H1 357 (9 Nov. 1789)(Easton original town Lot No.90 measuring 40’ X 120’, as well as “out lot” No.88); see also Will of Adam Lehn, Will Book 6 252, at 253 (states the property was acquired by an indenture dated 9 Nov. 1789 recorded in H1 558); accord, Charles de Krafft, Map of Easton Original Town Lots (from the collection of Luigi “Lou” Ferone (“Mr. Easton”) auctioned 27 Feb. 2010, said to have been used by the Penn clerks for notations to keep track of the town lots c.1779-1801)(Lot No.90 “Sold by A.B. to Adam Lane – Consd. £25”); see James Wright, “Lehns Court named for prominent Easton family”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sunday, 18 Feb. 1990, p.C-10. 8 Federal Tax of 1798 (“Window Tax”), Roll 361, Easton Borough listing (National Archives records, microfilm located in Easton Area Public Library). 9 Charles Stewart, “Some reminiscences of Easton and Vicinity In The Thirties and Fourties”, in Easton Public Library, II The Book Shelf Scrap Book of Easton and Northampton County 49, 50 (Easton Public Library 1926). See also 1820 Census, Series M33, Roll 104, p.251 (Adam Lehn); A.D. Chidsey, Jr., A Frontier Village 234-35, 264 (Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society 1940)(Building No.65 – original town Lot No.90); A.D. Chidsey, The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Map 2 (Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, 1937)(original town Lot No.91 on southern side of Lehn’s Court); 1860 Census, Series M653, Roll 1147, p.312 (John L. Lehn, tanner, noted near record for John Tindall). 10 From a painting by Mary Maxwell (from 1839 Mrs. Washington McCartney), published in Ethan Allen Weaver, “The Forks of the Delaware” Illustrated xxiv (Eschenbach Press 1900)(dated to “c.1835”). A more detailed history of the painter is given in the separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 208 Spring Garden Street. The original of the painting is now possessed by the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society. The Society’s accession notes claim that the hill shows “the Jewish synagogue, built in 1842”, and dates the entire collection to “About 1840”. Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, Water Colors Painted by Mary Elizabeth Maxwell McCartney About 1840 Views of Old Easton (undated, in McCartney File)(No.8). The Covenant of Peace Synagogue (Brith Shalom) dedicated in 1842 was a small brick building with a tiny outhouse in the rear yard, which the Society may have thought is represented by the seemingly large building to the left of the walled structure. See Joshua Trachtenberg, Consider the Years: The Story of the Jewish Community of Easton, 1752-1942 132, 35 (Centennial Committee of Temple Brith Sholom, 1944). It should be noted that St. Bernard’s Catholic Church was dedicated somewhat farther South on Gallows Hill in 1836. See, e.g., Scott Hill, A Self Guided Tour . . . Historic Forks of the Delaware 8 (Eagle Scout Project, 29 April 1992); Marie & Frank Summa and Leonard Buscemi Sr., Images of America: Historic Easton 115 (Arcadia Publishing 2000); A Brief History & Architectural Tour of EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, www.easton-pa.com/History/HistoricEaston.htm, “St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church” (accessed 2 Jan. 2005). Another version of this picture, apparently an engraving (because it appears to show engraver’s lines), appears in the Marx Room Photo File, Easton Area Public Library. It is signed (in the lower left corner) by A.H. Markley. Despite many similarities (including similar vehicles in the Square), there are several minor differences from the Maxwell painting: notably the buildings on Gallows Hill (to the right) are much smaller and simpler structures; there are keystone entablatures over the Courthouse windows, which are not seen in any other pictures of the Courthouse located in the Marx Room; the clouds are different, and are not adorned by any birds, and the single fat citizen in Miss Maxwell’s painting down front is missing. Several versions of the Markley painting claim that it shows the Square as of 1815 – 20 years earlier than the Maxwell water color picture. One print of the Markley picture in the Marx Room has a printed caption, identifying it as coming “From a Painting Kindly Loaned by Mrs. M’Cartney”. This suggests that Markley copied the Maxwell/McCartney water color, rather than the other way around. That same print has an ink date of 1836 written on it – which is lined out, and “1815” is written underneath. One possible interpretation is that Markley changed the Gallows Hill buildings, in an effort to represent an earlier state of building around the Square, but otherwise kept the buildings (and even the vehicles) largely the same. Although the dates for A.H. Markley have not been definitively determined, an engraving of St. David’s church in Radnor, Pennsylvania by someone of that name and John Dalziel was dated to 1884. See The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Collection 1478, St. David’s Church (Radnor, Pa.) Records page 27, referenced item in Box 16 Folder 26 (catalog processing completed July 2007), online www.hsp.org/files/findingaid1478st.davids.pdf. A.H. Markley, engraver, also appears as an alphabetical entry in the City of Philadelphia Directory for 1890, with his home in Radnor. Both of these entries tend to suggest that Markley’s engraving was likely later than the Maxwell painting. Census entries are largely not helpful, although one entry in the 1840 Census, Roll 482, p.284, was found, but it was not possible to determine the age of the individual at that time. A slightly cropped version of the Markley picture accompanies an article by Madelaine B. Mathias, “Square Is Challenge to Drivers, Planners”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 28 Feb. 1970, p.28 (picture caption). 11 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889). 12 Joseph Mortimer Levering, A History of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 1741 – 1892 with Some Account of Its Founders and Their Early Activity in America 575 (Memorial Vol. by Sesqui-Centennial Committee of Moravian Congregation of Bethlehem 1903). The other mason was Nicholas Woodring. Adam Lehn’s son, John Lehn, and his grandson (John Lehn’s son), Michael Lehn, were both bricklayers/masons. See Obituary, “Aged Citizens Dead – Three of the Oldest People in Easton Claimed by Death”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sat., 5 Mar. 1904, p.5, col.4 (Michael Lehn learned bricklaying from his father, John Lehn). Michael Lehn is referred to as a “bricklayer” in Deed, Michael (Caroline) Lehn to Traill Green, H7 120 (1 Apr. 1848), and as a “mason” in Deed, Fanny I. Brown to Michael Lehn, H7 120 (7 Apr. 1841). 13 Ethan Allen Weaver (collector), Local Historical and Biographical Notes 72 (one of 30 copies privately printed, 1906). 14 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889); cf. Obituary, THE WHIG & JOURNAL, Wed., 17 Apr. 1844, p.3, col.1 (“during the whole of his life, which extended over nearly a century, [the deceased] maintained a high character for integrity and correct moral principle.”). 15 Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Adam Lehn, H1 357 (9 Nov. 1789)(recital that the property to the South, Lot No.91, was in the possession of Philip Dotterer). 16 Charles de Krafft, Map of Easton Original Town Lots (from the collection of Luigi “Lou” Ferone (“Mr. Easton”) auctioned 27 Feb. 2010, said to have been used by the Penn clerks for notations to keep track of the town lots c.1779-1801. This map shows original Lot No.91 to have been “In Possession 2/3 ds. By Adam Lane & 1/3 d. by Phil. Dotterer”, while Lot Nos.92 and 93 next door was “Occupd. by Phil. Dotterer”. 17 Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder, H1 356 (5 Dec. 1791)(Lot No. 91 measuring 120’ X 120’); see also Will of Adam Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will Book 6 252, at 253; see Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889)( “all the property on Lehn’s Court” was owned by Adam Lehn); accord, C.G. Beitel, Original Plan of Easton (1859)(located in Marx Room, Easton Area Public Library)(showing Adam Lehn as the owner of original town Lot No.91 as well as Lot No.90). A.D. Chidsey’s Penn Patents map shows the contiguous location of Lot Nos.90 and 91, but does not list any owner for Lot No.91. A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937). 18 Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder to Philip Detterer (or Dotterer), A2 117 (13 Nov. 1789); A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937); see Deed, John Penn the Younger and John Penn the Elder, H1 356 (5 Dec. 1791)(deed for Lot No. 91, reciting that Lot No.92 to the West was occupied by Philip dotterer); see generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 11 Centre Square.
19 See Obituary, THE WHIG & JOURNAL, Wed., 17 Apr. 1844, p.3, col.1 (John Adam Lehn died “on Thursday last, aged 85 years and 2 months”, buried in Lutheran burial ground); Henry F. Marx, II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County Newspaper Extracts 1799 – 1851 634 (Easton Area Public Library 1929); accord, Northampton County Orphan’s Court File No.5286 index shows that the will of Adam Lehn was probated in 1844. A different source indicates that he was not yet 85 years old when he died. “The Diaries of Isaac Levan Easton, Pennsylvania 1823-1828 & 1842-1846”, in III Pennsylvania Vital Records 165 (“Died April 11th, Adam Lehn, in his 85th year.” )(data viewed on www.ancestry.com). Adam Lehn’s wife, Mary Magdalene Lehn, died on 2 February 1851. Henry F. Marx (compiler), II Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1852 – 1870 Newspaper Extracts 856 (Easton Area Public Library 1934) (from the EASTON SENTINEL, Thurs., 6 Feb. 1851); id. vol. III, at 1127 (from THE EASTONIAN, Thurs., 6 Feb. 1851).
20 Obituary, THE WHIG & JOURNAL, Wed., 17 Apr. 1844, p.3, col.1. Rev. Pomp preached a sermon in German, and Rev. Diehl preached a sermon in English. Rev. Thomas Pomp was the long-time pastor of the German Reformed Church on North 3rd Street. See William Jacob Heller, II History of Northampton County (Pennsylvania and the grand valley of the Lehigh 134-35 (American Historical Society 1920)(incorrectly lists the death year as 1836, and is corrected in pencil in the Marx Room’s copy); see also Henry F. Marx (compiler), III Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1852 – 1870 Newspaper Extracts 685 (Easton Area Public Library 1934). 21 The original will is missing from Orphan’s Court File No. 5286, and is not included in the microfilm record of that file, either. However, a transcription of the will is available in Will Book 6 252. 22 Mary-Magdalene Lehn died 1 February 1851. John Eyerman, I The Old Grave-Yards of Northampton and Adjacent Counties in the State of Pennsylvania 48-49 (Easton: self-published June 1899). 23 Will of Adam Lehn, Will Book 6 252, at 253.
24 See James Wright, “Lehns Court named for prominent Easton family”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sunday, 18 Feb. 1990, p.C-10; see generally Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 77-78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889)( Adam Lehn’s children, John and Mary, divided an inhertance of Adam’s property “in other parts of the town”; Adam Lehn’s son John married Susan Gangawere of Allentown, and had 10 children; Adam Lehn’s daughter Mary married Ralph Tindall). 25 Will of Adam Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will Book 6 252. 26 John Eyerman, Genealogical Studies: The Ancestry of Marguerite Eyerman 42 (Free Press Book and Job Print 1898). 27 Will of John Herster, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File 6540, Will Book 7 187, at 190, 191-92 (proved 5 Mar. 1856). The will actually left a life estate to Eliza, with the remainder to her surviving children. See also reference to the “privy” shared with Eliza Tindall in Deed, Joseph Herster and John Eyerman, Executors of the Will of John Herster, to John J. Herster, C9 730 (6 Apr. 1857). Will of Adam Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will Book 6 252, explicitly described the property of John Herster to be at the northern edge of the Lehn’s Centre Square holdings. 28 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 5 Centre Square, and sources cited therein.
29 Article, “Real Estate in Business Section Changes Ownership”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Wednesday, 4 June 1919, p.7. See generally Ronald W. Wynkoop, Sr., It Seems Like Yesterday 329 (self published, 1989)(1911 picture of Mayer Building before he purchased the Tindall House). 30 See Deed Poll, Peter Steckel, Sheriff, for Jacob Gangewere, to Philip H. Mattes, A7 569 (25 Apr. 1843)(including several lots). The debt was owed by Jacob Gangewere, George W. Barnet, and Edward Swift, each substantial Easton citizens in their own right. 31 C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA 38 (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(John Lehn, Sr., gentleman, “5 Lehn’s avenue”). By contrast, John S. Lehn, who sold shoe findings at 133 Northampton Street, had his house at 116 Ferry Street, under the numbering scheme in effect at the time. 32 Compare A.D. Chidsey, Jr., The Penn Patents in the Forks of the Delaware Plan of Easton, Map 2 (Vol. II of Publications of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society 1937)(shows no Lehn’s Court; Lot Nos. 90 and 91 are contiguous) with Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org (showing Lehn’s Court). The modern tax map also indicates that the southern edge of Lehn’s Court is located where the lots along the southern face of Centre Square began. In addition, since the Centre Square frontage of 8 Centre Square is 24’ 2”, which is slightly more than 10’ less than the original 35’ of frontage occupied by the original town Lot No.90 as shown in Chidsey’s Penn Patents map, indicating that this 10’ has been used to create Lehn’s Court.
See generally James Wright, “Lehns Court named for prominent Easton family”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sunday, 18 Feb. 1990, p.C-10. 33 C[harles] Kitchen, A General Directory of the Borough of Easton PA 17 (Cole & Eichman’s Office, 1855)(Henry F. Bender, harness and trunks at 122 Northampton Street, house in “Lehn’s avenue”). 34 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 77-78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889); see John Eyerman, I The Old Grave-Yards of Northampton and Adjacent Counties in the State of Pennsylvania 49 (Easton: self-published June 1899); see also Henry F. Marx, I Marriages and Deaths Northampton County Newspaper Extracts 1799 – 1851 357 (Easton Area Public Library 1929)(Maria E. Lehn, daughter of John Lehn, maried Henry Bender on Tuesday, 30 August 1831; from EASTON CENTINEL, Fri., 2 Sept. 1831). 35 See William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 118 (William H. Boyd 1860) (Henry Bender, harness at 135 Northampton Street, house at 1 Lehn’s Court); Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 29 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(H. Bender & Son, harness, saddles and trunks at 137 Northampton Street, house at 1 Lehn’s Court); Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 54 (1873)(H. Bender, house at 1 Lehn’s Court). See also separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for Military Hall at 353-55 Northampton Street. 36 See John Eyerman, I The Old Grave-Yards of Northampton and Adjacent Counties in the State of Pennsylvania 49 (Easton: self-published June 1899). 37 An article in the Easton daily newspaper of 1858 described the firm of “Bender & Lehn”, selling saddles and trunks, moving into the building that had been the armory of the Easton Guards. Article, “New Armory”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 1 Apr. 1858, p.2, col.3; accord, William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 118, 125 (William H. Boyd 1860)(Henry Bender, harness at 135 Northampton Street; John S. Lehn, leather and findings, Northampton Street [no number listed]). 38 Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 5, 10 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864)(H. Bender & Son, manufacturers of harness, saddles, trunks, leather belting, and leather hose, 133 and 137 Northampton Street). The son was clearly identified in the 1870-71 City Directory as George H. Bender, then living at 48 Spring Garden Street. Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 29 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870). 39 Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 59 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(John S. Lehn, tannery at the foot of North 3rd Street); Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 78 (M.J. Riegel 1875)(John S. Lehn, tanner at the foot of North 3rd Street, house at 6 Centre Square). 40 William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 125 (William H. Boyd 1860). 41 Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Fifth Provision). 42 See Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory; 1875-6 78 (Webb Bros. & Co. 1875). It is suggestive that this post-1874 address retains the number previously assigned to John Lehn, despite the change in general numbering scheme. 43 Compare Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org. (for 3 Lehn’s Court, property measuring 25’ X 120’) with Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Fifth Provision: property with a 24’ front on Lehn’s Court and a deptch of 120’ to Pine Alley, located between a plot “occupied by the family of the late Samuel Moon deceased on the East (i.e. 5 Lehn’s Court – see below) and John Lehn’s daughter Maria [Bender]’s property on the West (i.e. 1 Lehn’s Court – see below). 44 Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., The Easton-Phillipsburg 2008 Calendar unnumbered p.20 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007).
45 Alyssa N. Colonna, “From ashes to appetizers, Mother’s bar to rise again”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 28 July 2000, p.A-1 (Moussa ran Mother’s for five years prior to the 26 Feb. 2000 fire). 46 Although it has been a familiar spot for some time, a local newspaper opined in 2011 that it was “recently brought back to life by Tara Simonetta and her four boys.” Article, “New to the Easton Area”, THE IRREGULAR, at 16 (March 2011).
47 Alyssa N. Colonna, “From ashes to appetizers, Mother’s bar to rise again”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 28 July 2000, p.A-1. 48 See Lisa Spitz, “Valley Man Lands Job on ‘Florentine’ - * Just a Gofer Now, Stephen Molinaro, 22, Hopes to Direct, Own a Production Company”, MORNING CALL, Tues., 18 Nov. 1997, p.B-1. 49 See Yahoo! Movies, “The Florentine (1999)”, movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800407537/cast (accessed 2 Aug. 2011).
50 See Article, “Police Confiscate bottles of Alcohol – Easton”, MORNING CALL, Tues., 5 Aug. 1997, p.B-3. 51 See Polk’s Easton and Phillipsburg City Directory 1994 Street Address Directory 7 (R.L. Polk & Co., Inc. 1994); see also Bell Atlantic, Yellow Pages 1996-97 100 (1996); www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Weygandt Building at 22-24 North 4th Street.
52 Tom Davis, “Businesses Fear Effects of Big Fire”, MORNING CALL, Tues., 29 Feb. 2000, p.B-1. 53 See Joe McDonald and Tracy Jordan, “Blaze inflicts severe damage to historic Easton building”, MORNING CALL, Mon., 17 Oct. 2005, p.B-1 (article primarily regarding fire in 60 Centre Square). 54 Joe McDermott, “Eatery ruined in 2000 fire will be rebuilt ** Bridges Restaurant in Easton was origin of blaze that damaged buildings”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 16 Nov. 2001, p.B-3.
55 See Joe McDonald and William J. Ford, “Easton mayor’s squeeze in bar scrawl brouhaha”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 12 Aug. 2005, p.A-1; see also Article, “Turkeys & Trophies”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sat., 29 July 2000, p.A-6 (“Trophy” to Greg Melhem and Billy Cornish for reopening Mother’s Bar & Grill); Alyssa N. Colonna, “From ashes to appetizers, Mother’s bar to rise again”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 28 July 2000, p.A-1; Tracy Jordan, “Council approves liquor license transfer into Easton ** Restaurant, nightclub sport bar to open in Centre Square”, MORNING CALL, 15 Jan. 2004, p.B-4 (regarding transfer of liquor license for Dinky Drinkersons, etc.).
56 Alyssa N. Colonna, “From ashes to appetizers, Mother’s bar to rise again”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Fri., 28 July 2000, p.A-1. 57 See Sara K. Satullo and Tom Shortell, “Families of victims sue over fatal crash * Civil Complaint Blames Drunken Driver, bars, bus trip organizers for causing Valley wreck”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Tues., 31 Jan. 2012, p.A-1. 58 Deed, My Mouna Inc. to Georges K. Moussa, 2002-1-180117 (10 July 2002)(sale price $60,000), as recited in Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org. 59 Cf. 60 Compare Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org. (for 1 Lehn’s Court, property measuring 25’ X 120’) with Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Third Provision: property measuring 25’ X 120’ given to “my daughter Maria E. wife of Henry Bender”, on which Bender “has erected a Dwelling House”, located between John Lehn’s residence on the East and “the County House Lot” [modern Pearly Baker’s] on the West). 61 William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 118 (William H. Boyd 1860)(Henry Bender, harness store at 135 Northampton Street, house at 1 Lehn’s Court); accord, Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 29 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(H. Bender & Son, harness, saddles and trunks at 137 Northampton Street, house at 1 Lehn’s Court); Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 54 (1873)(H. Bender, house at 1 Lehn’s Court). 62 Deed, Michael Jabbour, as Agent for Georges Moussa, to 713 Washington LLC, 2005-1-361368 (26 Aug. 2005)(sale price $440,000 for “three story brick messuage” on property measuring 25’ on Lehn’s Court X 120’ deep to Pine Street), noted in Article, “Northampton County Deeds”, MORNING CALL, Sun., 9 Oct. 2005, p.G-8. Georges Moussa had purchased the property in 1996 for only $163,000. Deed, Herman E. Weiss to Georges K. Moussa, 1996-1-044121 (23 Apr. 1996). Weiss had acquired it (along with a number of other properties) as Parcel No. 8 in Deed, Henry W. Buenning (Individually and as Surviving Partner of “Buennings Flowers”) to Herman E. Weiss, 217 396 (14 May 1964). 63 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889). 64 Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Fourth Provision). It would appear to be the same property that is today known as 9 Centre Square. Compare with Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org. 65 Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 77-78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889); John Eyerman, I The Old Grave-Yards of Northampton and Adjacent Counties in the State of Pennsylvania 49 (Easton: self-published June 1899); see also Henry F. Marx, III Marriages and Deaths Northampton County Newspaper Extracts 1799 – 1851 891 (Easton Area Public Library 1929)(Matilda Lehn married Peter Augustus Sage, an editor of the LEHIGH VALLEY PATRIOT newspaper of Allentown, on 28 March 1833). 66 See Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org. 67 Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Eleventh Provision). 68 Compare Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Fifth Provision recitals, showing the Moon Family to be located just East of John Lehn’s residence) with Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org (5 Lehn’s Court). 69 Frank B. Copp, Biographical Sketches of Some of Easton’s Prominent Citizens 110-12 (Hillburn & West 1879); see William J. Heller, II History of Northampton County and The Grand Valley of the Lehigh Biographical Section 287-88 (The American Historical Society 1920). 70 Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, “Samuel Moon 1805 – 1860”, in Northampton Notes, Vol.6, No.3, at 1, 4 (August 1990). 71 Compare with Northampton County Tax Records map, www.ncpub.org. 72 Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 73 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(Henry A. Sage, wines and liquors at 104 Centre Square, house in Lehn’s Court); see also 1870 Census, Series M593, Roll 1382, p.78 (Henry Sage, liquor dealer age 37, with wife Sophia, 6 children and a “Domestic Servant”, listed as the next household after the one occupied by John Tindall and Marc Sage and their families). 73 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 24 Centre Square; Advertisement for H.A. Sage’s Wine and Liquor Store, ARGUS, Thurs., 5 Feb. 1863, p.4, col.7; Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 110 (1873)(Henry A. Sage, liquors, at 104 Centre Square, house at 5 Lehn’s Court); cf. Talbot’s Lehigh Valley Gazetteer and Business Directory 1864-65 28 (Press of Wynkoop & Hallenbeck 1864) (A.A. Sage, wholesale and retail wines and liquors, at 104 Centre Square – this may be a typographical error for H.A. Sage, or possibly for his father, P.A. Sage). 104 Centre Square became 24 Centre Square with the adoption of the modern street numbering scheme in 1874. 74 Henry A. Sage’s address was later specified more exactly as 5 Lehn’s Court. Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 110 (1873)(Henry A. Sage, liquors, at 104 Centre Square, house at 5 Lehn’s Court); accord, J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 80, 124 (M.J. Riegel 1877).
75 “Stable Purchase”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Thurs., 1 Aug. 1872, p.3, col.2. 76 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for Military Hall, 353-55 Northampton Street; J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1877 80, 124 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(H.A. Sage & Co., apparently as a successor to Henry Bender & Co. of 1875). 77 See J.H. Lant, Easton [Etc.] Directory for 1883-4 121 (J.H. Lant 1883)(H.A. Sage, wholesale liquors at 24 Centre Square, house at 9 Lehn’s Court). However, by 1890, it appears that Henry A. Sage was living at the corner of 6th and Ferry Streets. Census Directory of Northampton County, Eleventh U.S. Census, 1890 (Joseph H. Werner, assisted by Geo. W. West 1891), Q-Z transcribed online at www.bethlehempaonline.com/beth1890/eastonqtos.html. 78 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entries for the Michael Lehn Row House at 111 North 2nd Street, and the Grotz / George Lehn Row House at 115 North 2nd Street. 79 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Dr. Traill Green House at 222 Spring Garden Street. 80 A concordance of these new addresses is provided by the following table. However, some of the changes may be due to physical moves by the parties, and otherwise by confusion over the new numbering scheme. OccupantPre-1873 scheme1874 / Modern scheme Henry Bender 1 Lehn’s Court (Boyd at 118) 2 Lehn’s Court (New Numbers) & (Webb at 25) John Lehn Sr., later daughter Susan Lehn3 Lehn’s Court (Boyd at 60)3 Lehn’s Court (Webb at 78) 4 Lehn’s Court (1877 at 100)Henry Sage 5 Lehn’s Court (Lant at 110) 10 Lehn’s Court (New Numbers) 5 Lehn’s Court (Webb at 104)Philip / T. Collins7 Lehn’s Court (Lant at 61) 8 Lehn’s Court (New Numbers)William D./B. Brown9 Lehn’s Court (Lant at 57) 6 Lehn’s Court (New Numbers) Jesse Lines 11 Lehn’s Court (Lant at 98)4 Lehn’s Court (New Numbers) The key to the citations in the table is as follows: Boyd: William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] (William H. Boyd 1860). Lant: Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 57, 61, 98 (1873). New Numbers: Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Mon., 1 Dec. 1873, p.3, col.5. Webb: Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory; 1875-6 (Webb Bros. & Co. 1875). 1877: J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1877 (M.J. Riegel 1877). 81 Interview with Daniel E. (“Danny”) Cohen (partner of Laub, Seidel, Cohen, Hof & Reid, PC at 8 Centre Square and long-time Easton resident) (3 Nov. 2006).
82 Rick Carnejo, “Bridges demolition begins today – Restaurant was gutted in a February fire”, EXPRESS- TIMES, Tues., 15 Aug. 2000, p.B-1. 83 “Lehn’s Court Christmas” by Pamalee Ann and Joseph Paul LaDuca (1995) appeared a the back cover of THE ELUCIDATOR (Winter 2010). 84 See Rick Carnejo, “Bridges demolition begins today – Restaurant was gutted in a February fire”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Tues., 15 Aug. 2000, p.B-1.
85 Stacey Gautier, “Up in smoke – Centre Square fire remains unsolved”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 25 Feb. 2001, p.A-1. 86 See Katie Wang, “Easton Fire a Setback to Revitalization? – Nearby Business Owners Say No, But Mayor Says Yes”, MORNING CALL, Sun., 27 Feb. 2000, p.A-11; see also Stacey Gautier, “Up in smoke – Centre Square fire remains unsolved”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 25 Feb. 2001, p.A-1 (after Bridges opened, “city officials dubbed Lehn’s Court ‘restaurant row’ for its three restaurants/taverns and a delicatessen”).
87 Jim Deegan, “Centre Square inferno – Firefighters show courage on rooftops”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 27 Feb. 2000, p.A-1; Tom Zanki, “ATF agents to investigate cause of fire”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 27 Feb. 2000, p.A-1 (“distinctive yellow and green façade”). 88 See Joe Nixon, “Officials Still Haven’t Determined What Caused Fire on Lehn’s Court – Feb. 26 Blaze Damaged an Apartment Building and Two Bar-Restaurants”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 5 May 2000, p.B-3; Rick Carnejo, “Bridges demolition begins today – Restaurant was gutted in a February fire”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Tues., 15 Aug. 2000, p.B-1.
89 Jim Deegan, “Centre Square inferno – Firefighters show courage on rooftops”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 27 Feb. 2000, p.A-1. 90 See Joe Nixon, “Officials Still Haven’t Determined What Caused Fire on Lehn’s Court – Feb. 26 Blaze Damaged an Apartment Building and Two Bar-Restaurants”, MORNING CALL, Fri., 5 May 2000, p.B-3. 91 See Joe Nixon, “No Rubble Too Small in Easton Fire Probe”, MORNING CALL, Tues., 29 Feb. 2000, p.B-1. 92 See Russ Flanagan, “State fire marshal to examine blaze – Easton bar and bus station damaged, nine left homeless by conflagration”, EXPRESS-TIMES, 30 Nov, 2004, p.B-3 (regarding fire at East Café owned by Josephine Melhem and her son John, cousins of Edward [and Joseph] Melhem who had owned Bridges). This article noted that the cause of the fire at Bridge’s was still undetermined, after five years. 93 Leonard S. Buscemi, Sr., The Easton-Phillipsburg 2008 Calendar unnumbered p.20 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007).
94 See Jenna Portnoy, “Rendell woos Valley voters – Gubernatorial hopeful stops in Easton”, EXPRESS- TIMES, Sat., 18 May 2002, p.A-1; see also Russ Flanagan, “State fire marshal to examine blaze – Easton bar and bus station damaged, nine left homeless by conflagration”, EXPRESS-TIMES, 30 Nov, 2004, p.B-3 (reopened as a bar; article primarily regarding fire at East Café owned by Josephine Melhem and her son John, cousins of Edward and Joseph Melhem who had owned Bridges). 95 See Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., The Easton-Phillipsburg 2008 Calendar unnumbered p.20 (Buscemi Enterprises 2007)(photograph). 96 Will of John Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will File No. 6992, Will Book 7 at 377 (filed 26 Sept. 1860)(Tenth Provision, property measuring 24’ 2” on the Public Square X 120’ deep to Sitgreaves Alley); accord, Deed, Beates F. Swift, Assignee of John S. (Mary D.) Lehn for the Benefit of their Creditors, to Annie E. Hutchinson, B16 29 (12 Sept. 1878)(recitals). 97 William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 125 (William H. Boyd 1860)(John S. Lehn, leather and findings, Northampton Street [no number listed], house at 84 Public Square); accord, Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 59 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(John S. Lehn, tannery at the foot of North 3rd Street, house at 84 Centre Square). 98 Tindall House’s address was 82 Public Square, evidently next door to No.84 Public Square. See William H. Boyd, Boyd’s Directory of Reading, Easton, [Etc.] 131 (William H. Boyd 1860)(John Tindall, distiller, 82 Public Square under the numbering scheme in effect at that time); accord, Fitzgerald & Dillon, Easton Directory for 1870-71 82 (Ringwalt & Brown 1870)(John Tindall, President of Delaware Rolling Mill, house at 82 Centre Square); Jeremiah H. Lant, The Northampton County Directory for 1873 123 (1873)(John Tindall, 82 Public Square). Adam Lehn’s will had explicitly described John Herster’s property as being at the northern edge of the Lehn holdings. Will of Adam Lehn, Northampton County Orphan’s Court Will Book 6 252, at 153.
99 Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Fri., 21 Nov. 1873, p.3: see Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory; 1875-6 78 (Webb Bros. & Co. 1875). See generally J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1877 100 (M.J. Riegel 1877)(John S. Lehn, tanner, with a house in Centre Square [no number specified]). 100 See separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Tindall House at 5 Centre Square. 101 See J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1879 110 (M.J. Riegel 1879). The modern Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org, show 8 Centre Square, but contain no listing for 6 Centre Square. 102 F.A.Davis (ed.), History of Northampton County 163 (Peter Fritts 1877). 103 Deed of Assignment, John S. (Mary) Lehn to Beates R. Swift for the benefit of creditors, Misc.16 596 (2 March 1978), as recited in Deed, Beates F. Swift, Assignee of John S. (Mary D.) Lehn for the Benefit of their Creditors, to Annie E. Hutchinson, B16 29 (12 Sept. 1878)(also reciting mortgages recorded in Mortgage Book 17 267 (21 Oct. 1861) and Mortgage Book 32 216 (13 Mar. 1876)).
104 Article, “Chief Executives of Easton Since 1789”, EASTON EXPRESS, Sun., 12 June 1937, Jubilee Section A, p.5, cols. 1-2; see also separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for 165 Spring Garden Street. 105 Deed, Beates F. Swift, Assignee of John S. (Mary D.) Lehn for the Benefit of their Creditors, to Annie E. Hutchinson, B16 29 (12 Sept. 1878)(property measuring 24’2” X 120’); see Deed, Annie E. (John N.) Hutchinson to Abraham S. Deichman, G16 304 (17 March 1881)(recitals regarding issuance of writ in 1878 being stayed to allow the assignment to Beates R. Swift). 106 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.408D. 107 J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 75 (1881). 108 See Article, “The New Numbers”, EASTON DAILY FREE PRESS, Friday, 21 Nov. 1873, p.3, col.7; Webb Bros. & Co., Webb’s Easton and Phillipsburg Directory 1875-6 132 (M.J. Riegel 1875); J.H. Lant, Easton, [Etc,] Directory for 1879 163 (M.J. Riegel 1879); 1880 Census, Series T9, Roll 1161, p.379A. 109 See, e.g., Jane S. Moyer (compiler), XI Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 74 (Easton Area Public Library 1976)(death notice of John S. Lehn (died 27 Feb. 1895), a brother of Michael Lehn, Mrs. Henrietta Grotz, and Mrs. Margaret Wilking, based on EASTON EXPRESS of 27 Feb. 1895). 110 George W. West (compiler), West’s Directory of Easton [Etc.] 136 (George W. West 1892). 111 Deed, Annie E. (John N.) Hutchinson to Abraham S. Deichman, G16 304 (17 March 1881). Mrs. Hutchinson died ten years later, on 11 April 1891, in Phildelphia. Jane S. Moyer (compiler), VIII Marriages and Deaths Northampton County 1885-1902 Newspaper Extracts 175 (Easton Area Public Library 1976). Her husband, John N. Hutchinson, died on 22 May 1899, also in Phildelphia. Id. at 176. 112 Obituary, “Death of A.S. Deichman – Well-Known Insurance Man Passes Away at Home in Square”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 22 Apr. 1920, p.1, col.8; see 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.81A (Abraham Deichman, real estate agent, 8 Centre Square); 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.17A (Abram S. Deichman, 8 Center Square, insurance agent); 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.42B (A.S. Deichman, real estate and insurance agent, 8 Centre Square); Transcription of data from Census Directory of Northampton County (Eleventh U.S. Census 1890) 39 (Joseph H. Werner 1891), data for City of Easton last names A through D available online at www.bethlehempaonline.com/beth1890/eastoncityabc.html (accessed 15 Feb. 2011)(entry for A.S. Deichman, insurance agent, residence with Alice G. and Frank R. Deichman at 8 Centre Square); J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 32 (1881)(A.S. Deichman, real estate and insurance, house at 8 Centre Square). 113 J.H. Lant & Son, Easton [Etc.] Directory 1881-2 32 (1881)(A.S. Deichman, real estate and insurance, house at 8 Centre Square). 114 Obituary, “Death of A.S. Deichman – Well-Known Insurance Man Passes Away at Home in Square”, EASTON EXPRESS, Thurs., 22 Apr. 1920, p.1, col.8; see Rev. Uzal W. Condit, The History of Easton, Penn’a 78 (George W. West 1885 / 1889)(Adam Lehn “also owned the property in the southeast corner of Centre Square, now occupied by the residence of A.S. Deichman, and all the property on Lehn’s Court.”); see also Transcription of data from Census Directory of Northampton County (Eleventh U.S. Census 1890) 39 (Joseph H. Werner 1891), data for City of Easton last names A through D available online at www.bethlehempaonline.com/beth1890/eastoncityabc.html (accessed 15 Feb. 2011)(entry for A.S. Deichman, insurance agent, residence with Alice G. and Frank R. Deichman at 8 Centre Square); 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.42B (A.S. Deichman, real estate and insurance agent, 8 Centre Square); 1910 Census, Series T624, Roll 1381, p.17A (Abram S. Deichman, 8 Center Square, insurance agent); 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.81A (Abraham Deichman, real estate agent, 8 Centre Square). 115 Compare Deed, Frank R. (Susan R.) Deichman to Easton Dollar Savings and Trust Company, E52 301 (30 June 1924)(and recitals) with 1900 Census, Series T623, Roll 1447, p.42B (A.S. Deichman, real estate and insurance agent, 8 Centre Square, identifying Frank Deichman as his son); 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, p.81A (Abraham Deichman, real estate agent, 8 Centre Square, identifying Frank Deichman as his son). 116 Deed, Frank R. (Susan R.) Deichman to Easton Dollar Savings and Trust Company, E52 301 (30 June 1924). 117 From text on rear of the Aura Ceramics 2008 “Hometown Series Collectible” Model, quoted in article, “Hometown Series Collectibles”, The Easton Christmas Book 2008 5 (Easton Is Home Winter 2008). The Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org (accessed 9 Sept. 2006) dates the building to 1922, two years prior to the purchase by The Easton Dollar Savings & Trust Company. 118 City of Easton, Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey Form, Attachment: Building Description Survey Area 1 Zone I (City Council Resolution approved 12 May 1982)(for 7-8 Centre Square, with a construction date listed as c.1855). 119 Booklet, Easton National Bank and Trust Company, (1963)(avail. Marx Room, Easton Area Public Library); History of The Easton Trust Company, Easton, PA, 1890 – 1959, 69 Years of Banking Service 31, 33 (avail. Marx Room, Easton Area Public Library); see Deed, Deed, Easton Trust Company, Liquidating Trustee of Easton Dollar Savings and Trust Company, to Easton Trust Company, C67 552 (5 Feb. 1937); see also separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for Wachovia Bank (successor to the Easton Trust CompanY) at 6 South 3rd Street. See generally Interview with Frank Barnako (Kirkland Village, Bethlehem)(28 Sept. 2006), whose father lost deposits in The Easton Dollar Savings & Trust Company. The Barnako family lived at 5 Lehn’s Court, next door to the bank, during the Depression years. Accord, 1920 Census, Series T625, Roll 1609, Page 80. 120 Deed, The Easton Dollar Savings and Trust Company to The Easton Trust Company as Liquidating Trustee, C67 62 (26 Feb. 1936)(Property No.1). 121 Deed, The Easton Trust Company, as Liquidating Trustee of The Easton Dollar Savings and Trust Company, to The Easton Trust Company, C67 552 (5 Feb. 1937)(Tract No.11). 122 See Leonard Buscemi, Sr. Easton Remembered 44 (Cadmus Publishing, expected in 2007)(picture dated 1940 shows a portion of The Circlon); Interview with A.J. Martin (1600 Sullivan Trail, Easton), Sept. 2006 (Mr.Martin specifically remembers doing the upholstery work for The Circlon in the early 1940s). See generally Leonard S. Buscemi Sr., The Easton Phillipsburg 2003 Calendar, (2002)(inside the front cover shows The Circlon door, with modernized façade, with motto “1 TILL 2 AM”). Neal H. Rumbaugh’s Obituary dates the opening of The Circlon in Easton to 1937. Obituary, “Neal H. Rumbaugh, 70; Ex-Owner of the Circlon and the Hotel Easton”, THE MORNING CALL, Sat., 30 Mar. 1985, p.I- 14. However, the restaurant first opened in the basement of the Mayer Building, before it moved to 8 Centre Square. Interview with Daniel Cohen, Esq., 3 Nov. 2006. The Circlon does not appear in the Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania Directory for Easton of 1941, but does appear in the 1944 Directory.
123 Obituary, “Neal H. Rumbaugh, 70; Ex-Owner of the Circlon and the Hotel Easton”, THE MORNING CALL, Sat., 30 Mar. 1985, p.I-14. This obituary states that Rumbaugh owned the Hotel Easton from 1956 until his retirement in 1984. But see Article, “Hotel Easton Plans Special Owners Meeting To Act June 30 To Change Control”, EASTON EXPRESS, Mon., 6 June 1966, p.1, col.3 & p.16, col.1; Article, “Hotel Easton Shareholders Elect Seven New Directors”, EASTON EXPRESS, Fri., 1 July 1966, p.5, cols.5-6; see generally www.WalkingEaston.com entry for the Historic Hotel Easton at 140 Northampton Street.
124 Obituary, “William K. Rusk”, THE MORNING CALL, 19 July 1996, p. C-7.
125 Edward Sieger, “After 65 years, WEST embodies local radio”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sat., 17 Feb. 2001, p.B-1 (“In the 1940s . . . Live music broadcasts originated from the Circlon Restaurant on Centre Square on a nightly basis.”). 126 Deed, The Easton Trust Company to The Circlon, Inc., F78 607 (11 Feb. 1947).
127 Obituary, “Neal H. Rumbaugh, 70; Ex-Owner of the Circlon and the Hotel Easton”, THE MORNING CALL, Sat., 30 Mar. 1985, p.I-14 (ownership in The Circlon ended in 1971). The restaurant ceased operations suddenly, when the two partners had a disagreement. Interview with Daniel Cohen, Esq., 3 Oct. 2006. 128 See Anthony Salamone, “A lifetime of hospitality – Howard Knuth has owned Cascade Lodge 50 years. He and Bucks County restaurant still going strong”, EXPRESS-TIMES, Sun., 8 Jan. 2006, p.D-5 (the former Circlon had closed by 1971; “Knuth purchased and reopened the Centre Square restaurant three years later. Within five years, he shut it down.”); see also Obituary, “William K. Rusk”, supra (retired from The Circlon in 1979). Compare Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania Directory (Jan. 1979)(entry for “Circlon, Inc.” at 8 Centre Square) with Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania Directory (Jan. 1980)(no entry for “Circlon”). 129 Deed, The Circlon, Inc. to Wallace (Elizabeth) Rogers, 656 796 (10 Oct. 1983).
130 Article, “Larry Holmes Offers Top Bid for Restaurant”, MORNING CALL, Sat., 16 June 1984, p.W-13. 131 Linda Luther, “A Touch of Class: Well-Prepared Food and Execellent Service Dining Out”, MORNING CALL, Sat., 3 Mar. 1984, p.W-68.
132 Article, “Larry Holmes Offers Top Bid for Restaurant”, MORNING CALL, Sat., 16 June 1984, p.W-13. 133 Deed, Wallace (Elizabeth) Rogers to Larry Holmes Enterprises, Inc., 670 1109 (20 Sept. 1984)(sale price for real estate $60,000); Article, “Larry Holmes Offers Top Bid for Restaurant”, THE MORNING CALL, 16 June 1984, p. W-13. 134 See Larry Holmes Enterprises Website, www.larryholmes.com (accessed 3 Jan. 2005); Larry Holmes and Phil Berger, Against the Odds passim (St. Martins Press 1998); A Brief History & Architectural Tour of EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, www.easton-pa.com/History/HistoricEaston.htm (accessed 2 Jan. 2005). See also Northampton County Tax Records, www.ncpub.org (sale to Larry Holmes Enterprises Inc., Deed 719 217 recorded 1 Jan. 1987, sale price $1,259,000). See generally separate www.WalkingEaston.com entry for Larry Holmes Ringside Restaurant / L&D Holmes Plaza at 91 and 101 Larry Holmes Drive.
135 Article, “Larry Holmes Offers Top Bid for Restaurant”, THE MORNING CALL, 16 June 1984, p. W-13. 136 See Interview with Daniel Cohen, Esq., 3 Oct. 2006. 137 Deed, Larry Holmes Enterprises, Inc. to Daniel E. Cohen and Norman Seidel, 708 894 (3 Sept. 1986). Although the purchase price is not stated in the deed, a tax basis of $90,000 is stated in the index, and the $90,000 purchase price is listed in the Northampton County Tax Records “Sales” available online at www.ncpub.org. In 2010, Cohen and Seidel transferred the property to themselves, to change their ownership from a joint tenancy to a tenancy in common. Deed, Daniel E. Cohen and Norman Seidel to Daniel E. Cohen and Norman Seidel, 2010-1-183380 (8 Sept. 2010). The property’s measurements were described as 24’ 2” X 120’. 138 The current firm name is Laub Seidel Cohen Hof & Reid LLC. Interview with Daniel Cohen, Esq. (Partner of the Firm), 3 Oct. 2006; see Peg Rhodin, “Board Told of City Club’s Long Decline, Downtown Woes Cited in Appeal for Lower Taxes”, THE MORNING CALL, 26 Sept. 1986, p. B-1 (“Attorney Daniel Cohen said he and attorney Norman Seidel are converting the former Circlon Restaurant - later opened briefly as a night club called Touch of Class - into a law office. They bought the property on Easton's Centre Square for $90,000 from Larry Holmes Enterprises, which purchased it two years ago.”). The restored building with a bank façade, and Lehn’s Court, are the subject of the artistic rendition in Timothy George Hare, Easton Inkscapes No.75 (Easton: Inkwell Publications 1989). 139 Luke Wynne, “Artist Profile: A look back . . . And a look ahead . . . at Easton’s burgeoning arts scene”, EASTON IRREGULAR CHRISTMAS BOOK 14 (Dec. 2015).