BULLETIN HISTORICAL 50CIETY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA JVOJ^RISTOWN

SSWERY

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT IT5 R00M5 18 EAST PENN STREET NORRISTOWN.PA.

OCTOBER, 1936

VOLUME I NUMBER 1

PRICE 50 CENTS Historical Society of Montgomery County

OFFICERS

Nelson P. Fegley, Esq., President

S. Cameron Corson, First Vice-President

Hon. George C. Corson, Second Vice-President

Mrs. John Fabeb Miller, Third Vice-President

George K. Brecht, Esq., Recording Secretary

Ella Slinglupp, Corresponding Secretary

Mrs. WH.L1AM M. Gearhart, Financial Secretary

Dr. W. H. Reed, Treasurer

Emily K. Preston, Librarian

TRUSTEES

Franklin A. Stickler, Chairman

Mrs. a. Conrad Jones

Katharine Preston

H. H. Gansee

Lyman a. Kratz Thomas R. Beebbr

1848-1930 THE BULLETIN of the Historical Society of Montgomery County Published Semi-Annually—October and April

Volume I Octobee, 1936 Number 1

CONTENTS Introduction 3 In Memoriam: Thomas R. Beeber 4 Annie Jarrett Reed 5 William M. Gearhart 6 Montgomery Square and Its Traditions Chauncey B. Knapp • 7 A Few Remarks Relating to Belmont Driving Park Milton R. Yerkes 13 Sampler-Lore Laura Riegel Cook 19 Glass Paper-Weights and What- - Not Mrs. William P. Moyer27 Backed Against the Hundred Miles Hills — The Spirit of Pennsylvania Irvin P. Knipe 35 Reports 43

Publication Committee

Charles R. Barker Howard W. Kriebel Chester P. Cook Dr. W. H. Reed Emily K. Preston, Editor

RECOGNITION The artistic etching appearing on the cover of this magazine is the •work of Howard H. Darnell, 2918 Horth 12th Stnreet, Philadelphia, Penn sylvania. The Historical Society of Montgomery County sincerely appre ciates Mr. Darnell's kindness in preparing the design and the artistic ability displayed in its execution.

1 THE BULLETIN Volume I October, 1936 Number 1

Introduction With the first issue of The Bulletin the Historical Society of Montgomery County begins a new series of publications under a new name and,in new form. The seven volumes of Historical Sketches, in which have been published all the available papers read before the Society up to 1926, are a source of pride to us all. That they occupy a worthy place among historical reference books is shown by the fact that they may be found in the libraries of many of the leading universities and historical societies of the country, as well as in those of private individuals. Volume I has long been out of print, but is still much sought after, and increasing interest is being shown in the whole series. However, to many members of the Society the wealth of material in these volumes is not available, and it was with this in mind that the change was decided on, in order to make possible the distribution of all future publications of the Society to members free and to others at a nominal charge. The hope is to keep abreast with the work of the Society by the publication of the papers read at the meet ings immediately preceding the date of publication, and to include in each issue selected material from the reserves accumulated between 1926 and 1936. This selection must, of necessity, conform to the restrictions of space and to such other rules as the committee may adopt. In presenting the first issue the Publication Committee hopes that The Bulletin may find a kindly welcome among the Society members, and that they will at all times co operate in the effort to make it a success. Its pages will keep them informed on the work, progress and needs of the Society, but the work can only be done, progress made and needs satisfied by an interested and loyal membership. 3 In Memoriam

Thomas R. Beeber ,

Dr. Thomas R. Beeber, former president of the Histori cal Society of Montgomery County, was born at Muncy, Lycoming County, Pa., June 18, 1848, the son of Teter D. and Mary J. (Artley) Beeber. His childhood was passed at Muncy. After a preparatory course at Selinsgrove, Pa., he entered, in 1865, Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, from which he graduated, with second honors, in 1869. The same year, he matriculated at Andover Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass., where, having graduated in 1872, he rounded out his course with post-graduate studies. In 1873, Dr. Beeber became associate pastor with Rev. Charles Beecher (brother of Henry Ward Beecher), of the First Congregational Church of Georgetown, Mass., a charge which he resigned about two years later to accept a callfrom the MahoningPresbyterian Church, ofDanville, Pa. In 1880, a call from the Second Presbyterian Church of Scranton, Pa., was likewise accepted by Dr. Beeber; and during his pastorate there, which lasted about seven years, a handsome stone church was built by the congregation. Finally, in 1887, in response to a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Norristown, Pa., Dr. Beeber be came its pastor; and only failing health at last obliged him, in 1918, to relinquish his charge, after a continuous pastor ate of thirty-one years. On his retirement, he was elected pastor emeritus. It was during his incumbency here that he received his degree of Doctor of Divinity (Lafayette, 1891). Soon after his call to the First Presbyterian Church of Norristown, Dr. Beeber became associated with the Histori cal Society of Montgomery County, and his active partici pation in its work culminated, in 1918 in his election as president of the Socieiy. His faithful service, and his char acter as a man and a friend, made him much loved and 4 IN UEMOBIAM 5 respected by all its members, who only regretted his retire ment, occasioned by ill health, in 1921. He was then elected president emeritus. Dr. Beeber was also a member of the Presb3d:erian His torical Society, and was the author of histories of the First Congregational Church of Georgetown, Mass., and the Second Presbyterian Church of Scranton, Pa., as well as of a pamphlet, "History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States." He was a member of the Board of Ministerial Relief of the Presbyterian Church. During his pastorate at Scranton, he became a director of the .Oral School for the Deaf, of that city. He was married, August 17, 1874, to Mrs. Mary F. Haley, of Georgetown, Mass., daughter of J. K. Harriman. To them were born two children: John Artley (b. Aug. 22, 1875; d. Jan. 11, 1889), and Whitman Boynton (b. May 26, 1877; d. June 27, 1885). Dr. Beeber died in Philadelphia, April 24, 1930.

Annie Jarrett Reed

Among the dear members of our Historical Society to pass to the Great Beyond during the year was Mrs. Annie Jarrett Reed, wife of Dr. W. H. Reed, who died at her winter home in Orange City, Florida, February 2, 1936, her remains being interred a short time later in the ceme tery of the Presbyterian Church at Jeffersonville, Pa. She was the daughter of Samuel F. and Amanda (Crawford) Jarrett, of Jeffersonville. In her modest, unassuming manner, Mrs. Reed always took part in the activities of the Society. She was one of the first to become a life member. Unostentatiously, she was ever alert to aid in the Society's progress and advancement, and faltered not in any work that might help it to succeed in its purpose. In her demise, we lose a dear and considerate friend. BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

In Memoriam — William M. Gearhart

Among the faithful officers of the Historical Society removed by death was William M. Gearhart, late librarian and curator, who for many years labored untiringly, in his modest and sincere way, for its advancement, development and success. Mr. Gearhart was a man of strong personality and genial disposition, whose right hand of fellowship, ex tended to members and visitors alike, never failed to make them welcome and feel at home, during their visits to the Society's rooms. It was largely due to his good judgment, and to his efforts to perfect the arrangement of these rooms, that they present the attractive appearance of today. In the hallway of the Society's building has been placed a tablet whose inscription reads:

In Grateful Recognition

of the

Faithful Services

of WILLIAM M. GEARHART Librarian — Curator

of the

Historical Society op Montgomery County Pbnnsylvanu

1922 1933 Montgomery Square and Its Traditions'

By Chauncey B. Knapp

The name Montgomery has been applied from a county in North Wales, also a borough and parish there. It origi nated from Roger de Montgomery, a Norman knight who, in 1067, was made Earl of Arundel, Sussex and Shrewsbury, and built a castle which was destroyed by the Welsh in 1095. This was afterwards rebuilt by Henry III, who granted it the privileges of a borough. From this originated the name of Montgomery township and, fully three-quarters of a century later, the name of the county. Rev. Evan Evans, in a letter to the Bishop of London in 1707, mentions a Welsh settlement called Montgomery, twenty miles dis tant from Philadelphia. In those days of travel by stage coach, the hotels were the centres of the community life, for the arrival of the stage meant the coming or departure of friends, relatives or strangers, as well as the arrival of the mail, the bustle of -changing horses, the furnishing of meals, and so on. Montgomery Square, with its two hotels, was one of these important stopping places. Here, in olden times, we find coaches from Bethlehem to Philadelphia stopping on schedule for refreshment. Later the mail came from Norris- town, the Post Ofiice being established here before 1827-8. It was removed after an interval to Montgomeryville, but in 1869 again came to Montgomery Square. For a number of years Johnny Banes, the diminutive mail carrier, trudged through all Idnds of weather carrying the mail from Colmar to Montgomery Square after the advent of the railroad. Still later the Post Ofiice was again moved to Montgomeryville,

•Read before the Society, April 25, 1936. 7 g BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY where it has remained, and some of the residents of the Square succeeded in obtaining one of the first rural delivery routes in the state. Among the first settlers of Montgomery township, at the Square, were Alexander Edwards, Gerret Peters and John Bartholomew. Edwards bought 996 acres in 1699, and moved there soon afterward, coming from Radnor, Delaware county. His tract was located on the northwest corner of Bethlehem pike and State road, and it is supposed that his home was what is now known as the Knapp house. During the Revolu tion this was the property of Preston Moore, a former Vir ginia friend of General Washington, who once visited him there and spent the night. The property has been in posses sion of the Knapp family for the past century. Gerret Peters bought 340 acres in 1702. This lay on the south side of the State road and on both sides of the Beth lehem pike, and included the Peter Wager farm, later owned by William Armstrong, who was a breeder of thoroughbred horses. This Peters farm was bequeathed to Moses Peters in 1747, and he erected a tannery on it. It was located on the land now owned by Irvin K. Moore. The building was one of the first erected in the vicinity, and the tannery was operated continuously from 1747 to 1866. John Bartholomew bought 150 acres at Montgomery Square in 1717. Here he established the first inn, and resided there until his death in 1756. This was on the north east corner of the Square. His widow, Mary Bartholomew, continued the business until 1760, when the property was sold to Blaize Weaver. The Bethlehem road was laid out about the time that John Bartholomew came into possession of his land. It began at the Welsh road in the southern corner of the township, and extended as far as the present village of Line Lexington. In 1735 it was extended southward to the Springhouse tavern, and northward from Line Lexington to Lehigh county. At the Weaver inn on this comer books were opened in 1805-6 to receive subscriptions for stock for making the MONTGOMERY SQUARE AND ITS TRADITIONS 0 turnpike, which was constructed on this road in 1814 from Springhouse to Hilltown.^ In 1731 a road was laid out from David's Corner on the Bucks county line to Montgomery Square. It commenced at Buckingham Meeting house and was afterward called State road, the present DeKalb street pike. This was widened in 1830 to forty feet. About the time the State road was opened, an inn was also established at the southeast corner of the Square by Rowland Roberts, who lived at the present Heckler home stead. At what date he opened his inn is not known, but it is mentioned in his will in 1749. The next year the property passed into the hands of Blaize Weaver, who conducted the inn until 1760, when he also bought the land on the north east comer from Mary Bartholomew and built the store, since destroyed by fire. This building stood between the inn and the State road, and to the east of it was the old dance hall, still standing. The old inn is portrayed in a book describing old high ways in and around Philadelphia, and was demolished about 1920, the stone being used for the foundation of the new Methodist church of Lansdale. At any important stopping place for horses and vehicles, naturally the services of a blacksmith and wheelwright would be.in demand, so the building north of the Weaver barn was the very necessary blacksmith and wheelwright shop, still standing and used at present as an antique shop. North of this again was the home of these two workmen. Weaver continued the business of the inn until his death in 1774, after which his widow kept it through the Revolutionary war. It was then sold to her son, George Weaver, who continued in business at this stand about fifty years. Both taverns continued to flourish until about 1860, when the travel on this route from Philadelphia to Beth-

1 The record books of the Springhouse and Hilltovm Turnpike Com pany are in possession of the Historical Society. 10 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY lehem was diverted to the North Penn Railroad. At the height of travel along the pike, farmers hauling hay or produce to Philadelphia always took the precaution of carrying arms to protect themselves from highwaymen. A gruesome tragedy is connected with the inn kept by George Weaver. Weaver was a man of importance in the community, a Justice of the Peace and a member of the State Legislature. His son Henry had been to Norristown on October 5, 1805, and while walking home along the State road beside his team loaded with store goods, he was shot and killed about three-quarters of a mile from home. This was one of the unsolved mysteries of the township. Young Weaver was buried with military honors in the Yellow Church cemetery. North Wales.^ The first school hoiise erected in the village was a log building on land purchased from Samuel Griffith. The Friends, however, also opened a school here at an early period. A grant of a school house lot was made, September 15, 1727, to four trustees of Gwynedd meeting — John Jones, George Lewis, Richard L. Lewis and John Roberts— and a stone school house was built the same year. The school was altered in 1821, and the dwelling house was probably added to the rear at that time. From 1850 to 1925 the directors of Montgomery township had charge of .the school, while the dwelling was rented to various parties. A distinguished teacher of this school was Benjamin Hancock, who lived in the dwelling. He was born in Phila delphia in 1800, the son of Richard Hancock, a British sailor. He was reared by Squire John Roberts, who owned the farm to the east. Benjamin Hancock's twin sons, Win- field Scott Hancock and Hilary Hancock, were born here February 14, 1824, and the following year the family moved to Norristown. Winfield Scott Hancock, of course, is well- known to every student of American history. Samuel Medary, a native of this vicinity, also attended Montgomery Square School. He afterward became Gover nor of Ohio. William Collum, an accomplished scholar.

2 St. Peter's Lutheran Church. MONTGOMERY SQUARE AND ITS TRADITIONS ^ resided here and taught sehool from 1805 to 1819. He cal culated the almanacs printed by Asher Miner at Doyles- town. The vicinity has a trace of Kevolutionary tragedy con nected with it. A body of American troops were stationed near, a short time before the battle of Germantown. They were under the command of General McDougal. It is said that from the limb of a large walnut tree that projected over the State road a short distance east of the old tavern the Hatfield Tory, Abijah Wright, was hung for committing depredations upon the persons and property of those loyal to the cause of American independence. While Washington was encamped at Valley Forge, the supply of provisions in the surrounding country became pretty well exhausted, and agents were sent to New York and other eastern states to purchase beef cattle for the army. A drove of 130 head on their way to Valley Forge were captured at Montgomery Square by a detachment of British troops from Philadelphia, February 24, 1778. It is presumed that spies informed the British in Philadelphia, and thus dealt this heavy blow to Washington's starving troops. The history of the remaining or southwest comer of Montgomery Square is the history of the Methodist church and cemetery. Starting with a Sunday School service in the school house early Sunday morning, the movement to build a church resulted in contributions of money, labor and teams. The land, about two acres, was donated by Thomas Rogers, and the church was finally completed and dedi cated October, 1842. At various times many improvements have been added, and it is the mother of several other churches of the same denominations. Sacn'l M. Carrlgues, C. E.

rlMl"' Sept. 1874

ToaiC^Tir IS ^ " rtn

Map of Roads Approaching Belmont Driving Park Race Course A Few Remarks Relating to Belmont Driving Park*

By Milton R. Yerkes

This paper is merely what it purports to be, "Remarks," and if it strays a little more than 3 feet from the pole in this race — though its trainer did his best — please be patient, a green jockey is taking us back to horse and buggy days. Looking at the picture of "Jay-eye-See" drawing the high-wheel sulkey—his tail laid over his driver^s knee, his nose reaching for his 2-10 record — can you imagine the thud of pounding feet, the blasts of throbbing breath? Thrilling? And what about a little on the nose of your favorite ? Belmont Driving Park first appeared on a map of Roads Leading to Belmont Driving Park in Lower Merion Town ship, on the west side of Meeting House lane, north of Montgomery avenue. This map was made, according to the date, in 1874, the track being opened in 1876. Atlas maps published in 1877 show the track. It was planned to be 80 feet wide and one mile in length, measured 3 feet from the pole. The straight away in front of the club house and view ing stands was wide, the opposite side and ends about half that width or less. The track approximated a rectangle with curving ends, A ground plan ortopographical map wasmade by Franklin & Company in 1924 when preparing for the development. Mr. Garrigues remeasured the track in 1890, finding it to be three-quarters of an inch more than one mile, meas ured three feet from the pole. About this time the half-mile track was introduced inside the mile track.

*Read before the Society, April 25, 1936. 13 ]^4 BULLETIN OP HISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

I am informed by a reliable racing master the track was built for "Smuggler," a racing stallion of note, he being the first of a series of record makers along, with "Jay-eye-See." "Jay-eye-See" for a time was blind and part of his racing was by instinct. The female of the species included Maud S. and Nancy Hanks. Mr. George Supplee (Philadelphia hard ware merchant) has a recollection of accompanying his father about 1880 to one of the races, and stroking the beau tiful soft nose of Maud S., she being much admired and vamping all the men. Shall I use the word "typical?" Nancy Hanks was reputed to have been guided for a time in one of her races by the pressure of her trainer's feet upon the shaft as she was trotting wild, due to the reins breaking in the heat of the race. When the track attendants noticed the trouble they ran out across the track with a white tape to stop the mare, but the driver waved them back shouting, "I am guiding her with my feet." The story is not quite perfect because she did not win, coming in third. "Mike" Goodin, who nursed Maud S. into fame, made so much money as a result of his venture that he went to Phila delphia and bought the old "Bingham House," and lived happily ever after so far as we know, until he was carried out to St. Denis' cemetery, south of Ardmore, and laid under a great monument he had previously erected. Michael Goodin was born in 1836 and died in 1890. Michael had a friend, Edward Gallagher, who, not to be outdone, built a bigger, and he thought better, monument with a slightly higher shaft (some 80 feet above ground) immedately alongside Michael's. Both men were products ofthe Emerald Isle, both successful and both popular. Edward was born in 1834, died 1915. When driving along Wynnewood road, those two tall marble shafts tell the story. They stand near the roadside and near St. Denis' Church. "Smuggler" was trained by Charles Marvin. He after ward trained record-makers for Leland Stanford, of Stan ford University fame, at Palo Alto, California. Quoting from Collier's, April 26, 1936: "The greatest jockey in history was Fred Archer, of England, who from A FEW REMARKS RELATING TO BELMONT DRIVING PARK

1870 to 1886, between the ages of 13 and 29 years; rode 2,775 winners out of 8,082 mounts." Incidentally, according to that same number, in the month of February, 1936, there were five issues of Collier's. It will be thousands of years before there are again five issues in the month of February. What has that to do with racing? Well, perhaps nothing, except that it will be a long time before there is another Driving Park at Belmont, in Lower Merion. The title deeds for the ground on which the track was built, recorded at Norristown, Deed-book 234, page 2, show a conveyance from Wm; L. McDowell, July 15, 1876. The McDowell land came from the Prices, descendants from the original land holders. The mansion house in which General Washington lodged has been removed to make way for improvements? Well, I don't know—changes any way. The house did not stand on land acquired for the track. Our attention is directed to the handsome granite monu ment near the northwest corner of Montgomery avenue and Meeting House lane, calling attention to the encampment of regiments of Colonial troops on this site. The original Friends Merion MeetingHousestands onthenortheastcorner. Many other interesting events have been lost with the passing of the individuals creating the sport and carrying it on. They and their equine friends covered a period approximating 50 years of tremendous history with the give and take of tragedy and comedy. It has been said the "owner drove his horse to the park and the horse drew his master home." Same has been tried with an auto, but not successfully. Your scribe, though familiar with the surroundings, was not identified with the Association. Inspired by my friend, Chester P. Cook, who owns a picture of "Jay-eye-See," I have endeavored to catch some recollections from "Steve" Deviney, George Markle, George Supplee, Joseph L. Serrill and others. That incomparable writer "Girard" in one of his "Talks of the Days," quotes an expression used by Watson when writing his "Annals of Philadelphia." "Sorry some one had not earlier done a similar thing." Ig BULLETIN OF HISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The increasing use of the horse and buggy in the United States at the beginning of the 19th century apparently hurt church attendance, for in Philadelphia the church authorities became so perplexed by it that they had permission, between 1798 and 1881, to stop all vehicular traffic on Sundays by hanging large chains across the principal streets.

NOTES OF MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1924

September 25, 1924, at a meeting of stoekholders in the office of Ferdinand D. Fleming, president, 1516 Chestnut street, by a vote of 590 shares against 205 in opposition, the members decided to part with the track for $300,000 to a real estate developer, Mr. Martin Molony. Mr. George W. Moore added his 980 shares to the affir mative vote, making the total vote for the sale 1570, he having agreed to withhold his vote and place it with the winning faction. There having been a difference of opinion concerning the sale, Mr. Fleming led those who wished to continue the club's existence, while Joseph Evans, former president, led the stockholders who wanted to dispose of the 75-acre property. John W. Emery, a former police captain, was in favor of selling, but for a higher price—$400,000. Others argued for the sale, the shares having cost origin ally $50 each and thus returning at the price ($300,000) 200 per cent on the investment. Mr. Evans urged the sale be ratified at once. "Horse racing has not proved profitable here," said Mr. Evans, "the property of the Belmont Driving Club, therefore, is a burden. The Club is not making any money now, so why continue a losing venture, when $300,000 is knocking at the door?" In the spring of the year the track was rented to the promoters of the automobile racing for a series of eight races, the last of which was held the Saturday preceding September 18. At times these fire-eating Speed Kings were paced by an airplane. A public sale of building fixtures and equipment was held later. Many trophies were secured by those who loved the old days. The judges' stand was bought for the Doylestown Fair. A PEW REMARKS RELATING TO BBLMONT DRIVING PARK

RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE

BELMONT DRIVING CLUB

1. Members have the privilege of driving on the track, except on Race days and while the track is being put in condition. On Race days permission to drive must be obtained from the Judges. 2. TO AVOID ACCIDENTS, AFTER 2 P.M., ALL PERSONS MUST DRIVE THE RIGHT WAY OF THE COURSE (left hand to the pole or inside rail). On Sundays all persons must drive the right way of the course. ALL PERSONS DRIVING ON THE COURSE MUST APPEAR PROPERLY CLOTHED. 3. No Races shall be permitted (except between members) unless previous permission has been granted by the Executive Committee, appli cation for which must be made on blank forma, which can be procured at the Club House. 4. All Judges of Races must be members of the Club, or such other persons as may be specially designated by the Executive Committee. 5. The privilege of stabling and training must be granted by the Executive Committee, and application for the same may be made through the Lessee. 6. All occupants will be required to keep their respective stables and surroundings in good order and repair. 7. Boisterous and profane language will not be tolerated, and Train ers will be held responsible for the action of their Employees.

By order of the Executive Committee,

John Strickland, Chaimum George W. Cook C. Henderson Supplee B. F. A. Fleming Walter S. Hine 18 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The Deed conveying the property to Martin Maloney for today's development is recited as follows:

Deed William L. McDowell and j D.B. 234 page 2 Mary, his wife I Dated July 15, 1876 to J Rec. September 5, 1876 William H. Jackson, Tinsmith, to The Belmont Driving Park Association

Meeting House Road, Lower Merion Township Containing 71A. 13 Sq.P. Wm. Sibley, Surveyor

Consideration $ 5,000.00 Subject to Mtge 62,527.19

Total $67,527.19 Sheriff's Deed Henry C. Kline, Sheriff 1 A. Louden Snowden j 71A. 13 Sq.P.

Deed A. Louden Snowden and ^ D.B. 334 page 225 Elizabeth R., his wife I Dated March 19, 1889 to J Rec. April 12,1889 Belmont Driving Club 71A. 18 Sq.P.

Deed Belmont Driving Club j D.B. 931 page 132 to I Dated October 2, 1924 H. Martin Molony j Rec. October 6, 1924 71A. 13 Sq.P. Sampler-Lore*

By Laura Riegel Cook

There are not many of us who find the quaint and often lovely sampler of bygone days lacking in interest. When I was a small girl a delightful magazine by the name of "Wide Awake" was given to me by some thoughtful rela tive. In one number was an article on "Samplers," and so strongly was their charm impressed upon my child-mind, that I decided then and there to have some samplers of my own some day, and to learn all that I could about them. Let me say in passing, I have never deviated one iota from that childish resolution. Samplers have an especial claim on our interest, aside from their sentimental value, for they seem to have pro vided the foundation upon which all textile design rests. It is marvelous what elaborate, decorative and really artistic designs can be achieved by the simple crossing of stitches at even intervals. It is also the oldest form of decoration in which the needle was used. The sampler world was a real and living world in those days, although it is difficult to ascertain just when the first sampler came into being. Per sonally I think, like most all other crafts, it was a matter of growth. I imagine a narrow piece of linen, from 6 to 9 inches wide, a yard or more long, and attached to a cylin drical piece of wood or ivory upon which it could be rolled and neatly disposed of, was always in evidence, ready to be used for a sample of this stitch or that design, known to some generous neighbor. These samplers, sometimes called "Examplers," "Samples," "Samp-cloths," or "Samplets," were without name or date. They were, in effect books" of design, and were very beautiful, especially those with drawn-work and lace stitches.

•Read tefore the Society, April 25, 1936. 19 20 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The earliest mention of a sampler so far found, agreed to by all authorities, is in 1502, when Elizabeth, of York, paid 8 pence for an ell of linen cloth with which to make one, an entry in her account-book providing the basis for this bit of history. John Skelton (1460-1529), wrote in his "Garlande of Laurell," "The sampler to sowe on, the lacis to embroider," ... In 1546, Margaret Thompson, of Lincoln shire, left a will in which she says, "I gyve to Alys Pynch- beck, my sister's daughter, my sawmpler with semes." Toward the middle of the sixteenth century, samplers grew increasingly in favor, so much so that an inventory taken in the early years of Edward VFs reign (1546-1553), men tions first, "Item, .. XII Samplers," and then again, "Item, .. One Sampler of Normandie Canvas wrought with green and black silk." These were still the long and narrow affaire of earlier days, although by now borders, alphabets, and human figures were beginning to put in their appearance, thus compelling a gradual change to a more square or oblong shape. Books of designs were practically non-existent in the early days of sampler-making. Peter Quentil printed a book of patterns in 1527, but there is no copy of it remaining. We only know of it from a book of designs printed in 1701, which gave him credit for certain border and corner designs. The Germans published a pattern-book in Nurem berg in 1748. The different stitches were used to decorate handker chiefs, table-cloths, napkins, towels, household linen. of every sort, curtains, clothing and chairs, almost everything in fact which could serve as a vehicle for such lovely embellishment. A fine balance between the decorative and the practical was always maintained. A new design was carefully cherished, shared with one's friends, and copied on the sampler for future use, perhaps to mark the linen with which they were wont to fill the beautiful old oak dower or marriage chests. Without sitches and designs there could be no ornament of embroidery. The patterns are supposed not to have been of English origin, but of Italian, or other foreign source. One early SAMPLER-LOKE 21

English sampler is a facsimile of the .design used upon a towel of Italian workmanship. From 1700 on, we find in- eluded among the old patterns elaborate running designs of flowers, conventionalized roses, tulips, strawberries, clover, Indian pinks, geometric designs and a greater variety of human figures, the famous "boxers" being very frequently used. These were men holding various unknown articles, but standing in a boxing position. It is not known exactly what they represent. Alphabets were used to mark linen to indicate the owner thereof, a necessary part of the house hold tasks, their color and fine stitches adding beauty and finish to the hand-woven material. They also helped the childish needle-worker to learn his "A, B, abs," texts from the Bible, hymns such as were written by Watts and Dodd- ridge, and moral instruction generally. Sir Philip Sidney in his book, "Arcadia," speaks of his love's beautiful sampler. Shakespeare, in "Midsummer Night's Dream," makes Helena say to Hermia, "We,. . have with one needle created both one flower, both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion." Again, in "Titus Ardron- icus he says, "Fair Philomela, she has lost her tongue and in a tedious sampler sewed her mind." The earliest English dated sampler was made in 1643. America claims the oldest dated sampler of all, though made in England. But Anne Gower, an English girl, mar ried Governor Endicott and came with him to America in 1628, and died about a year later. She brought her sampler with her, however, so we can claim it as American, and it can be seen at the Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts. The English themselves put the date of this sampler around 1610. We have Loara Standish's sampler, also, probably th§ first sampler made in America, which is in Pilgrim's Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Captain Miles Standish, was bom in 1623, and died before 1656. Anne Gower's sampler is made up of drawn-work, filet, and flat stitch in white on damask, beautifully executed. That of Loara Standish is worked in blues and browns in intri cate designs exquisitely worked. She also here began that long file of pious and mournful verse that persisted in both 22 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

English and American samplers to the very end. She was the first to mark her sampler thus, "Loara Standish is my name," a custom which also persisted, though with greater elaboration and with the date of accomplishment added. Mary Hollingsworth, a Salem girl bom about 1650, made a sampler about 1665, bearing an alphabet and her name. She married a Salem merchant about 1675. In 1692 she was accused of witchcraft, and her life was saved by a timely escape to New York, where she died shortly after her arrival, overcome by the shock of the accusation. Sarah Lord, another New England girl, made a sampler of extremely fine needlework, using patterns. One pattern especially is unique, showing the petals of a rose raised and free from the groundwork and done in buttonhole stitch. English samplers of this date also show this type of work and it was likewise used in the raised draperies of ladies' dresses and men's coats. About 1650 Elizabeth Roberts was bora in London, Eng land. She embroidered two samplers in her youth; one was made up of colored designs, and the other of lace stitches. She signed the lace one Elizabeth Robert, and repeated her initials, E. R., on the other many times. She married a Mr. Breeder, who died, and in 1672 she married Colonel Shrimp- ton, of Boston, a wealthy merchant, and when he brought her to Boston from her native country, she thriftily brought her samplers with her. The Colonel dying, she again mar ried, choosing another merchant by the name of Simeon Stoddard. The principal interest we have in her career and her samplers lies in the fact that her portrait has survived as well as her samplers, the first instance of the kind. (She died in 1713.) The Quincy family brought a sampler to New England before 1700, of a more pictorial nature than heretofore, showing three ladies standing together, on one side of the sampler, and just below them a man and a woman under a tree with a somewhat restless-looking lion between them. The three ladies represent three of the Quincy family and and are so marked, their heads are stuffed and their dresses sewed on, thus hiding three ladies worked on the fabric SAMPIiER-LORE 23 itself, wearing clothes of an extremely ancient style and marked "Fleetwood." The man and woman are marked Miles and Abigail Fleetwood. The connection between the two families has never been unravelled nor the reason for the substitution, which shows plainly on the back of the sampler. The rest of the sampler is filled up with unusual and lovely designs in very fine work, with a verse so sadly true, "In prosperity friends will be plenty, but in adversity not one in twenty." From this time on the making of samplers increased by leaps and bounds, though losing some of its elaboration, and becoming more utilitarian, ranging from the crude work of little girls, and not a few little boys, to the more ambitious work of their elders. The American sampler gradually departed from the style set by its English forbears, becom ing broader than long with a border worked on all sides. Within, one found stitches resembling fret-work, conven tionalized fiowers, vines, alphabets, genealogies, tributes to those who had passed away shown by funereal urns, tombs and weeping-willow trees, with the name of the deceased somewhere appended, birds, really almost everything per taining to their daily lives. Then a desire arose to ornament the bare walls of their primitive homes, and since they could not afford the French tapestries, from their natural longing for relief from cheerlessness and their love of color, came needlework pictures, pictures that told stories and which were often remarkably beautiful. In America, the invention of this form of needlework is credited to the Moravians of Bethlehem. These pictures were often more quaint than beautiful, especially when all idea of perspec tive was lost. Thus we find the flowers on the lawn larger than the sheep disporting there, the birds larger or .too heavy for the trees upon which they perch, the dogs larger than their masters and the same masters larger than the houses in which they were supposed to dwell. Nevertheless they had the quality of their defects, they were quaint, gay and interesting. Religious subjects were also highly re garded, such as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, with the Tree, upon which the serpent is usually seen twining 24 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY himself about the trunk, and bearing apples so large that any farmer would become envious at once, just looking at them. The most Interesting sampler of this type that we have is the one made by Abigail Adams, in 1789, the daugh ter of John Adams. It is interesting to know what kind of material fell to the lot of these early needle-women. "Let none despise the criss-cross row," said Sarah Troup in 1738, "nor that upon which it is laid." The greater number of samplers in all periods were worked on linen, fine or coarse as it may have been. The early looms, as we have said before, wove linen from 6 to 9 inches wide, but there were a few early samp lers with the selvages at the top and bottom. These were supposedly on materials of foreign origin, as their looms, particularly those of the French, were wider than those used in England. In the latter part of the 17th century a mustard-colored linen was used, not very attractive to mod ern taste. American-made linen was considerably coarser and rougher than the English linen. A dark green linen is often found, also light blue, brown and grey, and a some what elaborately woven bird's-eye linen. Some of the samplers were bound with silk tape, some with ribbon used either plain or quilled, the latter style coming from the Pennsylvania German. Rosettes of ribbon were often placed in the comers. Some children sewed their samplers to paper. Another material, a kind of canvas, was called "catgut," but it never seems to have been used in America. About 1750 the English began to use tammy cloth, a disappointing material, for being made of wool, it curled and shrank when washed, and worst of all became the easy prey of moths, which doubtless ended many a lovely sampler. Despite its drawbacks, this material, resembling our mohair, was liked because its threads were so much more evenly woven than those in linen fabrics. Canary can vas and Penelope canvas were used in the 19th century, then another woolen material appeared, a very transparent woolen gauze, used to bolt flour, and even more to the lik ing of the ubiquitous moth. Satin was largely used for mourning pieces, because the tombs and inscriptions could SAMPLER-LORE 25

be more easily painted in. This applied, too, to the making of human figures, as their faces, hands and arms were usu ally painted. The thread used was most often of silk, though we find linen, cotton and wool. The colors were produced by home- dyeing, using logwood, cochineal, imported indigo, saffron, native herbs, etc. Some of the thread was very kinky, and was used to depict grass. White embroidery was in vogue in the early 18th century and was used in satin stitch and geo metric designs; chenille was used after 1800. There were not so many stitches used, cross-stitch, tent stitch or petit— point, satin stitch, eyelet stitch round or square, back stitch and rope stitch being the favorites. Black dye con tained sulphate of iron, which sooner or later rotted the thread, making many samplers difficult or impossible to read. Genealogies, texts and verses were usually worked with black silk. The Bronte sisters each left a sampler behind them worked in this mournful silk, matching well their somber lives. EJmily Jane, at eleven, painstakingly copied the first nine verses of the 30th chapter of Proverbs, finishing it March 1, 1829, adding besides a mournful bit of poetry. Ann, nine year old, copied 18 verses of the ninth chapter of Proverbs in 1830, while Charlotte, later the famed authoress, when 13 years old, worked seven verses from various chapters of Proverbs, beginning with, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." These samplers were plain and severe, solemn words, made with solemn- hued stitches by solemn little children. Maps were also made with black silk thread. There are very few American maps but many of English origin. White and colored thread are mostly used in the lovely darned samplers, of which the Dutch are usually considered the originators. The designs were often drawn directly on the linen, but sometimes the outline must have been drawn on thin paper and placed on the linen, as old samplers often show bits of paper on them where the paper was not entirely pulled out from the embroidery. The workers at first were adults, using their clever stitches and designs for practical. 20 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY household purposes. Then the boarding-school took up the task of instruction in more elaborate and intricate work. It is surprising how much we learn about the history of girls' education from the record of the various schools em broidered upon these bits of canvas. The little children were taught at home and we cannot help but feel the pathos of those little fingers at their daily, and I am quite sure often distasteful, task. It is well that we cherish these quaint con ceits of the needle for the very hearts and lives of our ances tors are stitched into them, in colors somber and gay. The making of them doubtless wiled many a weary hour away in their voyage to a new and far country, and we, their descendants, are all the better for the heritages showing love of color, beauty and form, which have come to us from the past. The material grew coarser, the stitches and designs con tinually less artistic and elaborate. The fine material of early days was superseded by the coarse canvas upon which the impossible dogs, cats, stags, and roses in crude and vivid coloring were worked, known as "Berlin work." The perforated cardboard was the last stage of all, for upon it only the simplest designs could be produced. It is pleasant to note the revival of interest today in this art of the needle, shown in work imitating that of the past and in original work. Exhibitions showing both the art of the old and the new are not uncommon, and more can be learned from a study of their exhibits than from many books. Just as our ancestors left traces of their ingenuity and skill upon all the fabrics they touched, let us, too, try to carry on the torch they lighted, and hand to another gen eration our conception of the gracious art of needle-work.

Authorities consulted: -American Samplers, by Ethel S. Bolton and Eva J. Goe. The Development of Embroidery in America, by Candace Wheeler. Samplers and Tapestry Embroideries, by Marcus Huish. Glass Paper-Weights and What-Not*

By Mrs. William F. Moyer

Little seems to have been written on the subject of glass paper-weights. Percival, in his book, "The Glass Collector," gives two or three pages to them; and Walter A. Dyer, in an article entitled "Millefiori," in the June, 1928, number of "House Beautiful," writes at more length on the subject. I am indebted to these two for some of my information. Throughout the years glass-blowers in many lands have delighted in showing what curious and beautiful effects could be obtained by the use of their medium. The result has been a wide variety of glass objects. Curiously enough many of these were made to look as if they were useful, while they really were only ornamental. It has been thought that this came about probably because glass-workers were aware of the fact "that glass, which is capable of being at once perfectly adapted to a useful purpose and at the same time delightfully- ornamental, does not seem really suited for purely decorative effects, at least when divorced from the semblance of utility. Ornamental cups, vases and can dlesticks are often exquisite pieces of decoration, but it seems there must be this "peg" of service on which to hang the ornament or the result is unsatisfactory and almost tawdry." And so the glass-workers made button-hooks, pipes, glass chains, rolling pins and walking sticks, all of which would break easily and were of no real use. But in this great variety of odd or beautiful glass objects we find some that combine utility with beauty and that serve well the purpose for which they were made. These are the paper-weights, and it is of paper-weights that I wish to tell you most—^when and how they were made and something of their decoration.

""Read before the Society, April 29, 1938. 27 2g BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Mention is made of the making of paper-weights before 1800, but it was in the early part of the nineteenth century that in several countries glass-workers were vying with each other in making all sorts of curious and unusual designs. The decoration of these paper-weights varied greatly. In some whole glass lily-like forms were used, in others birds, flowers of different kinds (sometimes singly and sometimes as a bouquet), butterflies or moths, groupings of fruit, boats, spirals, lacy designs of glass, and so forth. These decorations "were made of colored, opaque white, silver and striped glass and then buried in the clear glass. Some times air bubbles and flakes of tinsel were added by way of variety." In some paper-weights the design was etched on the bottom of the heavy glass (sometimes this was in color) and in this type you find the heads of presidents of the United States, rulers of Great Britain, and other prominent people, also pictures of flowers or animals. Some were made by pasting photographs face up on the bottom of the heavy glass—Niagara Falls, your favorite camp-meeting ground, or perhaps your own photograph. In oth^r cases the paper weight was used for advertising, and a message pasted either face up or face down under the glass. Sometimes raised metal pictures were placed underneath and held in place by a marble base. Yet another kind was made hollow and filled with some product for advertising or with seashells for beauty, or perhaps — and this brings us to a famous type of old paper-weight—^the hollow ball of glass contained a small landscape and the figure of a person, the remaining space being filled with a liquid in which were flakes of a white material. On being shaken this was suspended in the liquid and gradually descended like a small snow storm. I called this a "famous" type because it is so well remembered and because many of these paper-weights have been made recently. It is my idea that the liquid in the old ones has evaporated by now. A solid paper-weight, if its upper surface is convex, will magnify what is beneath (either inside or under it); if its GLASS PAFEB-WEIGHTS AND WHAT-NOT 29 upper surface is cut in concave facets, each of these will make what is beneath seem smaller than it is. The use of facets adds much to the beauty of some weights. Some heavy kinds were made with a slender stem rising from the center of the top, which supported a dainty glass bowl, sometimes etched and decorated in color. This bowl probably was used as a tray for holding some small articles. Another type of decoration was that used on the prism paper-weight or ornament. These prisms varied greatly in size from very small to a foot or more high. A prism (often with a square base) was arranged to stand erect and looked much like a miniature cemetery monument. One long edge of the prism was cut out in several places, and on the two faces adjoining this edge were painted flowers of different colors. When you looked through the remaining face you saw the two real pictures and two reflections, and the com bination of cutting and painting and reflection produced an unusual effect, since it showed a vase of flowers. Just here let me insert a sort of parenthetical lamenta tion, It is a sad fact that these beautiful glass creations have in many cases throughout the years been put to uses that greatly marred their beauty. Children always have loved to play with them and always have wanted to get the objects inside, so many old ones are nicked and chipped and some even lack large portions. Then, too, many adults evidently thought these heavy glass objects fine to pound with. One woman, in speaking to me about a paper-weight which she held in her hand, said, "Now this hammer. .. !" No wonder the old ones are chipped and broken! I have mentioned the use of air bubbles in decoration. These were made by pricking the mass and sealing the holes with an outside skin of glass, and were used in several interesting ways. Sometimes they were of different shapes and sizes and were irregularly placed throughout the mass of glass. Sometimes they were round and graduated accord ing to size, making a symmetrical design. Often they were used on the petals of flowers as dew drops and always they caught the light and added brightness. Sometimes they were present apparently by mistake. 30 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Paper-weights vary greatly in size, some almost as large as door stops, and some so small that they must have been used for only very small pieces of paper. Many are dis tinctly personal, and may have been made by the glass- blowers for their friends or relatives. Some contain mes sages of friendship and some say intimate things, like, "From Jim to Uncle." The kind of decoration, however, that gives the most beautiful and most interesting results is that found in cer tain glass objects (including some paper-weights and other forms) that are called "millefiori." And here we have a subject quite worth a study all its own. Here, too, we must include in our thought other articles made of glass, for, while paper-weights far outnumber other objects decorated in this particular way, the complete millefiori collection would include also certain glass bottles, door stops, ink stands, door knobs, cologne bottles, bureau and mirror knobs, marbles, letter seals, button-hooks, decorations for the tops of newels, walking canes, ornamental balls, bottle stoppers, pepper pots, spirit flasks, "puzzle bottles" and so forth. Let us understand this term "millefiori." It is an Italian word meaning "a thousand flowers" and well may it be applied to these crystal-clear objects in many of which "blossom fairy beds of gayly colored flowers. One never ceases wondering by what magic they have been introduced into the center of the hard glass ball. In the same way one wondered how glass marbles were made, and how the colored flag got into the middle of the stick of Christmas candy. As a matter of fact the processes of manufacture are similar and came down to us from ancient Rome and Alexandria." The glass called "millefiori" was "a mechanically ingenious product of the middle of the last century which was a revival or development of the ancient Roman art of glass mosaic." It "enjoyed a great vogue both here and abroad for twenty-five or thirty years and then went out of style. It was in 1915 that an antiquarian interest was aroused in it, and this has been spreading ever since." In GLASS PAPER-WEIGHTS AND WHAT-NOT 3]^ that year the late Dr. Edwin Atlee Barber, our foremost pioneer in American glassware and ceramics, arranged at the Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia, an exhibition of millefiori paper-weights, inkstands, mirror knobs and so forth, which attracted widespread attention. In connection with this exhibit. Dr. Barber prepared for the Museum Bul letin, a monograph on the subject (now out of print) to which I am indebted for much of the technical data which follows. It describes not only the methods employed in the manufacture of millefiori glass, but also, in considerable detail, the historic mosaics of Rome and Egypt. Glass mosaics were made in Rome in the time of Aug ustus, and existing examples of the art are, of course, rare and valuable. The typical glass mosaic was formed by arranging side by side and fusing together small glass rods or threads or filigree canes of different designs and colors, and from the group thus formed cutting transverse sections or slices that were used in a variety of different ways. These slices cut from the ends of the fused rods often formed minutely perfect patterns of birds, flowers, animals, and so forth, which showed equally perfect on both sides of the title. The art was revived at Venice and Murano in the twelfth century, and again in the nineteenth, when the making of millefiori glass was developed by the simple process of surrounding and covering groups of the little decorative slices of variegated glass in clear glass. It be came the custom to arrange the slices or discs in kaleido scopic patterns, so that they came to bloom inside the clear glass ball or dome like little marine flower gardens of bril liant hues. About 1840-1850 millefiori paper-weights were exten sively manufactured in Bohemia, in Alsace-Lorraine, and at Baccarat (the source of some of our finest crystal), and elsewhere in France, and many of them were imported into this country. Foreign workmen also brought the methods of manufacture with them into England and the United States, and the American-made product was very abun dant and very popular between 1860 and 1880. 32 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

At first the American manufacturers imported the pre pared glass rods from France and Germany, and then the little glass flowers or filigree disks, ready for use. Soon, however, American workmen learned how to make the rods and to conduct the manufacture of millefiori glass in American factories from beginning to end. The domestic industry was at its height during the 60's. In the American process the vari-colored glass rods were cast in metal moulds, ropes or threads of colored glass being laid together in such a way as to form a design in cross section. These canes, when partly cooled, were drawn out to the desired slenderness, making the design as small as might be wished. Slices were cut off and patterns arranged with these highly colored slices or disks. Into an iron ring the size of the paper-weight was poured a cushion of clear, molten glass. While this was still soft the colored disks were laid in or stuck on in the desired pattern, an endless variety of arrangement being possible. Clear glass was then poured over the whole and was moulded into the required shape and finally polished. Another description of how paper-weights were made is as follows: "The process is clearly a descendant of the Roman millefiori glass handed on by way of Venice, and these things used to be spoken of as being made of 'Vene tian Ball.' Rods of glass of different colors were arranged in bundles so that a cross section showed the required pat tern, though in a larger proportion. They were exposed to heat, and the air squeezed out till they formed a solid mass. This was drawn out, the pattern diminishing as the bar increased in length. When cut across, the design showed exactly the same at each cross-section; of course, it differed a little when cut slantways, and this was sometimes done for the sake of variety. A selection of these pieces was arranged in some kind of pattern, or sometimes thrown to gether haphazard, and placed in a pocket or bubble of soft glass. The air was sucked out, making the sides of the bubble collapse in on the pieces, and the whole was rolled together to form a ball, with a smooth outside of clear glass showing the colored mosaic within. The small pieces which GLASS PAPER-WEIGHTS AND WHAT-NOT 33 form the pattern are, of course, much magnified by the rounded surface, and the contrast between the apparent size as seen on the top and the reality as viewed from beneath is quite astonishing." This was the true millefiori glass, but the name is given also to the lilies, boats and so forth already mentioned. These are not the true millefiori, having little connection with the old Roman mosaic or the Venetian revival, but objects so constructed are classed with millefiori by collec tors and are much in demand. The oldest examples we have were imported from St. Louis in Alsace-Lorraine, and from Baccarat, in France, but many are now found to have come from Bristol and else where in England. By far the greater number, however, are of American origin, having been made at East Cam bridge and Sandwich, Massachusetts, at various New Jersey factories, and at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. A number of interesting examples have been traced to the factory at Millville, New Jersey, where so many curious and decora tive glass toys and ornaments were made. The finest workmanship, perhaps, is to be found in the rare paper-weights imported from Baccarat, though the English pieces are held in high regard by collectors. The butterfly made in Bristol in the 50's is one of the rarest and most sought for. In general, the American-made pieces are less highly esteemed. Some of those made at Pittsburgh and elsewhere are somewhat crude and commonplace, but it is scarcely fair to condemn all the American work as second-rate. Some of the American paper-weights easily rival those from abroad in beauty and ingenuity of pattern. In fact, since none of them is marked, they often encourage speculation as to their origin. It is quite possible that some of the best ones were made in this country. Millefiori paper-weights vary widely, not only in size, coloring and design, but even in the tiny rods used in their making; these vary greatly in size, some being so small that a magnifying glass really is necessary in order to enjoy fully their minute structure. 34 BULLETIN OP EISTOKICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Some of the paper-weights are dated and marked with the initial of the maker, date and initial being of glass and placed among the tiny, flower-like units of the enclosed design in such a way as to be almost undiscernable. Both millefiori and other kinds of paper-weights are being made today in Italy, France, China, Czecho-Slovakia and other countries, so, if you are looking for old ones, be careful what you buy. Of the millefiori "it is possible to own a large collection without having any two that resemble each other. It is this varieiy, I think, that accounts in large measure for the continuing interest among collectors." Picture a group of these gay little flower gardens in a glass case with the sunlight shining through. It is a fairy scene to delight the eyes. "It is in this decorative quality, as well as in its variety and its historic significance, that the lure of millefiori lies." Backed Against the Hundred Miles Hills, But Ever Facing the Foe, the Continentals At Valley Forge Typified the Spirit of Pennsylvania*

By IRVIN P. KNIPE

As Washington led the Continentals up the Gulph road to Valley Forge on December 19, 1777, they well might have felt that even Providence had deserted their cause. Everything had conspired against them. At Brandywine, forced retreat followed initial success. At Germantown, fog and confusion, disregard of orders, an incompetent brigade leader, and delay, deprived them of almost certain victory. Winter set in early and with severity. Provisions were scant, clothes and shoes sadly lacking. The non-professional soldiery could not understand the reason for sending them to an unprepared camp ground in the wilderness, shelter less, destitute of the most ordinary comforts, and were seriously discontented at the prospect of months of want and suffering—needless want and suffering, many of them thought. Things had been bad enough in camp at Fort Washing ton, despite the available food supplies of two productive agricultural counties, and numerous converging high roads to facilitate transport. But after the army crossed the Schuylkill, and shivered tentless for two days in the.cold defile at Gulph, the march up the narrow and rough back road to the wilderness of the Hundred Miles Hills brought them to the depths of depression and discouragement. Axes and saws were few. Weeks passed before huts enough could be built to shelter the soldiers without unsani-

*Read before the Society, February 22, 1928. 85 36 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY tary crowding. Oftentime more than half the army was too sick to answer rollcall, and for months a large proportion were too poorly clad to brave the weather or too poorly shod to tramp the frozen snowy ground. Writes Chief Justice John Marshall:

"At no period of the war had the American Army been reduced to a situation of greater peril than during the winter at Valley Forge. More than once they were absolutely without food. Even while their condition was less desperate in this respect, their stock of provisions was so scanty that there was seldom at any time in their stores a quan tity sufficient for the use of the troops for a week. Consequently, had the enemy moved out in force, the American Army could not have continued in camp. The want of provisions would have forced them out of it; and their deplorable condition with respect to clothes disabled them from keeping the field in winter. The returns of the first of February exhibit the astonishing number of 3989 men in camp unfit for duty for want of clothes. Of this number, scarcely a man had a pair of shoes. Even among those returned capable of duty, very many were so badly clad that exposure to the colds of the season must have destroyed them. Although the total of the army exceeded 17,000 men, the present effective rank and file amounted to only 6012. The returns throughout the winter did not essentially vary therefrom."

The situation of the camp on the 12th of February was so critical that General Vamum wrote to General Greene "that in all human probability, the army must dissolve. Many of the troops are destitute of meat, and are several days in arrears. The horses are dying for want of forage. The country in the vicinity of the camp is exhausted." It is estimated that 3,000 men perished on the hills of Valley Forge from suffering and disease during the six months' encampirient, while in the twenty-six principal engagements of the Revolution the total number killed and wounded did not greatly exceed 9,000. On February 16th, Washington wrote to General Greene: "For some days past there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week with out any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starved as they are, we cannot enough admire the incom parable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have BACKED AGAINST THE HUNDBED MILES HILLS—SPIEIT OP PENNA. 37 not been, 'ere this, excited by their sufferings to general mutiny and desertion." The entoy in the Orderly Book for February 22, 1778, one hundred and fifty years ago today, is a direction to reserve rice for the sick, with corn meal as a substitute if not enough rice was procurable. Writers have referred to discontent bordering on mutiny among the Pennsylvania troops, who numbered between a third and a half of all the soldiers in camp. Reading only surface indications, they might be thought to have done their state no credit. But consider the facts. There was no "regular army" of professional soldiers. They were all amateurs at arms, brought into the war for varying enlistment terms, some as short as eight weeks, and in many cases their terms had expired. The Pennsylvanians made up about half of the- army. They were camped near their homes and families, probaby none a hundred miles off, most of them within fifty miles. The British were comfortably settled in Philadelphia for the winter and spring. Their army could not move until summer. There was no possibility of a winter campaign. The Americans were not stationed at Valley Forge to defend the back country. Its inaccessibility was its own defense. "Why not let us go home for the winter?" said the Pennsylvanians. "We cannot do any good here. Our families need us. We can be sheltered and nourished in comfort over the winter, and do our work. Our going home will relieve the shortage of supplies, and leave more food for the Virginians and New Yorkers and New Englanders who can not make the long journey to their homes. Then, in the spring, we will come back well clothed, well fed, hearty and strong, for training and for fighting." This was not insubordination nor mutiny. It was nothing more than the natural way of thinking of ordinary provin cial countrymen, voluntarily enlisted in support of a great cause, and not for wages nor for loot. They could not appreciate the danger that the army might never again be 38 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY re-organized, once it dispersed. They did not realize that it was necessary to keep that army within striking distance of the British for the double purpose of preventing the enemy from over-running the whole Province, and of keep ing alive in the Americans the spirit of determined resistance. The Continental Army encamped at Valley Forge had its back to the wall. Washington might have temporarily scattered the units of his army to be comfortably wintered in the back country, or in the south, without much likelihood of British pursuit or harassment; but the psychology of the situation demanded that the Continental Army should grimly hang on to the British, going back only from superior force, ever lastingly hanging on, following, never letting go, suffering, hungering, thirsty, going shoeless and naked, but doggedly, grimly, everlastingly hanging on—and gradually getting under the British hide the conviction that never would they let go. And that is why they "hung on" at Valley Forge. And that's why they had to hang on at Valley Forge. That was Washington's whole strategy throughout the seven fighting years of the Revolution. The discontent of the Pennsylvania soldiers did not last long. They plunged into the work of constructing the camp, and of gathering forage and provisions, and of holding their ground. "Yet, amidst all this suffering, day after day," says the historian Lossing, "surrounded by frost and snow, patriot ism was still warm and hopeful in the hearts of the soldiers, and thought of self was merged into the holy sentiment of love of country. Although a few feeble notes of discontent were heard at times, and symptoms of intention to abandon the cause were visible, yet the great body of the army was content to wait for the returning spring, and be ready to enter anew upon the field of strife for the cause of freedom." It was in Pennsylvania that the Continental Army spent its longest continuous stay. It was Pennsylvania that sup- BACKED AGAINST THE HUNDRED MILES HILLS—SPIRIT OF PENNA. 39 ported the army. It was Valley Forge that tried men's souls. It was there that the spirit of invincible determination and steadfastness was born; and that spirit of Pennsylvania has ever since been a dominant factor in the great composite that goes to make up America in its best and fullest sense. I wonder if we know what "The Spirit of Pennsylvania" means. The histories of my school boy days were full of Massachusetts and Virginia, and so scant in their refer ences to Pennsylvania as to make me almost ashamed of a state about which so little could be said. The late Judge Pennypacker's finest and worthiest con tribution to history is a volume entitled "Pennsylvania in American History" that ought to be read from cover to cover by every son and daughter of the Keystone State; and if my means permitted I would reprint from it and place in the hands of every school child a 20-page gem headed "Pennsylvania and Massachusetts," wherein, by irrefutable facts, he establishes the primacy of our state in liberality, tolerance, education, the arts, transportation, manufacture, abolition of slaves, and shows that the Boston Tea Party's resolutions of 1773 were nothing but a copy of those adopted in Philadelphia a month earlier. I sometimes think we Pennsylvanians need self-adver tising, more than anything else; and I would rejoice to see rise in our midst some speaker, to stir us up to an adequate realization and appreciation of ourselves. Let me paint for you my conception of "The Spirit of Pennsylvania." Behind the Speaker's rostrum in the hall of the House of Representatives at Harrisburg, stands a great picture called "The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania," depicting in face and figure many of its great historical personages. To the thoughtful student who knows the history and the antecedents of the living subjects portrayed before him comes the feeling that he is looking at a great composite of many different elements. There stands a type of Quaker kindliness and tolerance; here, a representative of Scotch- Irish grit and determination; between them, the Pennsyl vania Dutchman with his characteristic steadfastness and 40 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY adherence to the established order of things. In these pioneers of Pennsylvania were blended the best of the vir tues of the Nordic races of the Old World. Moreover, they were a religious people. There were Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists, Quakers, Romanists, Moravians, Bunkers and Mennonites. Their- places of worship dotted the hilltops, and their services were devout and sincere. "In God We Trust," first stamped in Philadelphia, by our distinguished Montgomery countian, Rittenhouse, appears upon every coin minted throughout a century and a half of national existence; and as the nation trusts, so do its people. Such was the splendid amalgamation of racial type, religious inclination and personal uprightness that devel oped the physique and the determination and the patriotism which Inspired and enabled the patriots of '76 to dare all at Trenton, to do against every adversity at Valley Forge, and which similarly actuated the Pennsylvanians in 1863 to fight on determinedly at Gettysburg for three long days until they rolled back the invading hordes and broke the backbone of rebellion. This is Pennsylvania's manhood contribution to the Union. In ability to contribute material resources, Pennsylvania has been blessed beyond measure. Nearest of all the states to being absolutely self-contained, self-reliant, self-support ing; able to supply to its people from its own resources practically all of their acutal needs and many of the lux uries which modern civilization has come to regard almost as necessities; Pennsylvania has had a vast super-abundance of everything from which to help its neighbors. From our unparalelled anthracite deposits are heated homes from Maine to Minnesota. Our bituminous coal goes everywhere. The oil which gushes from our northwestern counties oper ates and lubricates countless motors in many states, and abroad as well. Textiles made in Philadelphia, "the work shop of the world," clothe "the world and his wife," and furnish their homes; and machinery and tools from the same teeming hive of industry are sent to the four quarters BACKED AGAINST THE HUNDRED MILES HILLS—SPIRIT OF PENNA. 4^

of the globe. From the smoke of Pittsburgh come the fabri cated iron and steel for bridges over African rivers; for that great cathedral of trade, the Woolworth building in New York; for those towering spider-like masts along our coasts from whose tops radiate the wonderful, mysterious, unseeable waves that now carry the human voice clear across the ocean. Splendid modern highways and great transcontinental railroads gridiron the commonwealth, and carry its "people and its products everywhere. The Delaware is a wide and open path for commerce to the sea. One of the chain of Great Lakes touches the state's northwestern comer; and on the broad Ohio barges float to the Missis sippi) Queen of Waters, and on to the Gulf, the Atlantic and the Caribbean. All these splendid personal characteristics and all these great natural and material possessions and advantages have made and kept the people of Pennsylvania prosperous and healthy and contented and happy; and by sending its hardy men and its spendid women to pioneer new states, and by sharing its surplus wealth of natural resource with neigh bors less abundantly blest, the state has made untold con tribution to the welfare and expansion of the whole Union. But are man-service. and wealth of material and un equalled avenues of transportation Pennsylvania's greatest contribution to the Union ? No! When the Great Architect of the Universe, in His omnis cience and omnipotence, determined to set a new constella tion in the galaxy of world nations. He fashioned an arch and made Pennsylvania its keystone. By the permanence and enduring strength of that keystone state must the other twelve original states, and the many added since, be sup ported. If it weakens or crumbles, the others must inevit ably fall. So, the Great Craftsman melted all these Pennsyl vania men and material resources in the crucible of toil and travail and adversity. He skimmed oif the dross of intoler ance, ignorance, dissoluteness, general worthlessness. By His wonderful alchemy He transmuted this refined molten metal into a liquid, to still further purify it by distillation. Reports of the Recording Secretary, George K. Brecht

ANNUAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 22, 1936 The special committee on Publications of the Society, consisting of Miss Emily Preston, Howard W. Kriebel, Charles R. Barker, Chester P. Cook and Dr. W. H. Reed, made its report, and in it included a recommendation that the Society issue a semi-annual pamphlet of 48 pages on October 1st and April 1st each year. The report contained details as to suggestions for handling this publication. Included in the report by S. Cameron Corson for the Marker Committee was the fact that the Barren Hill marker had been taken care of and that Adolf Muller had been added to the membership of the committee. The Society resolved to go on record as opposing the closing of "Moore Road," near Valley Forge in Upper Merion township on historical grounds. This matter is now the subject of proceeding before a jury of view appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions of Montgomery County. The program of the day contained the following papers and addresses: 1. "Remarks on George Washington," by President Nel son P. Fegley. 2. "The Old Burying Ground at Erdenheim," by William R. Yeakle. 3. "History of Footwear," by Floyd Frederick. Officers elected for ensuing year. President—^Nelson P. Fegley, Esq. Vice-Presidents—S. Cameron Corson Hon. George C. Corson Mrs. John Faber Miller Recording Secretary—George K. Brecht, Esq. 48 44 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Corresponding Secretary—Miss Ella Slingluff Treasurer—Dr. W. H. Reed Financial Secretary—Mrs. William M. Gearhart Trustees—^Franklin A. Stickler Miss Katharine Preston Mrs. A, Conrad Jones Lyman A. Kratz H. H. Ganser

REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 25, 1936

The Publication Committee reported that Volume 7 of Historical Sketches is ready for distribution. The President and others discussed the subject of methods to get the co-operation of groups in different sec tions of the county with the work of our Society. This arose out of the information that a Pottstown group is about to organize a separate organization and that in some other sections of the county similar plans are being considered for separate organizations. This resulted in the appointment of a committee consisting of Miss Bertha Harry, Miss Emeline Henry Hooven, Howard W. Kriebel, George F. P. Wanger, Mrs. John Faber Miller and Mrs. A. Conrad Jones, to endeavor to secure co-operation with our work by the dif ferent sections of the county. The matter of securing the interest of the public school children in the historical work of the county received con sideration, and arising out of the discussion on the subject was the offer by Herbert Heebner Smith, of Ardmore, of $10 as a prize for the best article or essay on some historical subject by a pupil of a high school of the county. The President appointed Mrs. Stuart B. Molony, Miss Margaret Hallman, Miss Ella Slingluff and Miss Emeline Henry Hooven as a committee to work out the details of such essay contest. Rev. J. G. Francis, of Lebanon, solicited the interest of the Society in assisting to erect a marker at Audubon in memory of Capt. Arnold Francis and the men of his com- BEPORTS 45 pany mustered from Providence township during the Revo lutionary War. Considerable discussion was had on the sub- ject« and suggestions were made and questions asked by the members, but the Society took no action on the matter. The President referred the question to the Marker Committee.

Report of the Corresponding Secretary, Miss Ella Slingluif

DEATHS

Mrs. W. H. Reed February 1, 1936 Mrs. W. D. Althouse March 14, 1936 . Mr. Gerald Loeliger March 26, 1936 Mrs. Percy Corson April 23, 1936

NEW MEMBERS

Mrs. E. Leidy Brendlinger February 22, 1936 Miss Caroline Corson Cresson February 22, 1936 Mrs. Henry W. Topley ; .February 22, 1936 Mr. William R. Yeakle February 22, 1936 Mr. J. B. Yerkes February 22, 1936 Mr. Ronald Heaton April 25, 1936 Mrs, H. J. MeClelland April 25, 1936 Mr. W. C. Nice April 25, 1936 Mr. J. H. Rohrbach April 25, 1936 Mr. R. R. Titus April 25, 1936 46 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Report of Librarian

A detailed list of the accessions to the library and museum would be too long to insert in a limited space, but the following summary is given:

BOOKS SINCE JANUARY 1ST

Our American Ancestry (Gates and Allied Families), by Frederick T. Gates. Petroglyphs (Safe Harbor Report No. 1). Archffiological Studies of the Susquehannock Indians (Safe Harbor Report No. 2). Forges and Furnaces of Provincial Pennsylvania. Prepared by Colonial Dames. English Surnames: Their Sources and Signification, by Charles Wareing Bardsley. Titles: Being a Guide to the Right Use of British Titles and Honours, by Armiger. History of Trinity Lutheran Church, Germantown, Phila delphia, 1836-1936, by Edward W. Hocker. History of the Grim Family, by William Gabriel Long. History of the Long Family, by William Gabriel Long. The Adams Family, by James Trueslow Adams. The Pennsylvania Archives, Series VIH and IX.

PAMPHLETS

Newark—One Hundred Years a City. Catalogue of Old Coins, Stamps, etc. On the Road to Lancaster in Ye Stage Coach Days, Includ ing Ye Wayside Inns. Alms Book of the Skippack Mennonite Church, 1738-1936. BEPORTS 47

National Genealogical Quarterly, 1919-1928 (Incomplete). Collection of Old Almanacs. Collection of School Catalogues, Institute Reports, etc. Collection of Biographical Pamphlets. Collection of Political Pamphlets. Collection of Civil War Pamphlets. Collection of Railroad, Canal and Coal Co. Reports. Collection of Church and S. S. Reports. Collection of Memorial Addresses. Collection of Sunday School Books.

CURIOS Box of Quill Pens. Brick from Libby Prison. Part of Shutter from Bunker Church, Antietam Battlefield. Badge worn by Thos. C. Steele at Memorial Services at Pottstown on the day of President Lincoln's Funeral. Collection of Civil War and Political Badges. Collection of Baguerrotypes. Indenture Paper of Casper Smith to Peter G. Richards, Nov. 1, 1828. Erdman Family Chart. 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 othermanuscript 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 per sons, 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 $2.00; life membership, $50.00. Every member is entitled to a copy of each issue of The Bulletin free. Historical Hall, 18 East Penn Street, Norristown, with its library and museum, is open for visitors each week day from 10 to 12 A.M. and 1 to 4 P.M., except Saturday after noon. The material in the library may be freely consulted during these hours, but no book may be taken from the building.

To Our Friends

Our Society needs funds for the furthering of its work, its expansion, its growth and development. This can very nicely be done through bequests from members and friends in the disposition of their estates. 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. Following is a form that could be used in the making of wills:

I HEREBY GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA, THE SUM OF

DOLLARS ($ )