BULLETIN jo/^fAe> HISTORICAL 50CIETY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA JfORR/STOWM

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PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT IT5 ROOM5 18 EAST PENN STREET NORR15TOWN.PA.

APRIL, 1952 VOLUME VIII NUMBER 2

PRICE ONE DOLLAR Historical Society of Montgomery County

OFFICERS

Donald A. Gallager, Esq., President George K. Brbcht, Esq., First Vice-President Foster C. Hillegass, Second Vice-President David E. Groshens, Esq., Third Vice-president Eva G. Davis, Recording Secretary Helen E. Richards, Corresponding Secretary Mrs. LeRoy Burris, Financial Secretary Lyman a. Kratz, Treasurer Mrs. LeRoy Burris, Librarian

TRUSTEES

Kirke Bryan, Esq. Mrs. H. H. Francine Donald A. Gallager, Esq. Herbert H. Ganser Nancy P. Highley Foster G. Hillegass Mrs. a. Conrad Jones Hon. Harold G. Knight Lyman A. Kratz Douglas Macfarlan, M.D. Katharine Preston Frankun a. Stickler Mrs. James I. Wendell Mrs. Franklin B. Wildman, Jr. Norris D. Wright Photo by Wm. M. Rittase, Phila. Chapel at The Hill School, Pottstown, Pa. THE BULLETIN

of the

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Published Semi-Anrmally — October and April

Volume VIII April, 1952 Number 2

CONTENTS

The Hill School Dr. James I. Wendell 67 Early History of Lower Pottsgrove Township Rev. Carl T. Smith 86 Henry S. Landes Jane Keplinger Burris 96 Deaths in the Skippack Region. ..Hannah Benner Roach 98 Early Land Transactions of Montgomery County Charles R. Barker 115 Neighborhood News and Notices Compiled 128 First Sunday School in Norristown. Rudolf P. Hommel 141 Reports 145

Publication Committee

Mrs. LeRoy Bubbis Jean E. Gottshall Charles R. Barker, Chairman

65 The Hill School*

Dr. James I. Wendell, Head Master

Mr. Chairman, and members of the Historical Society of Mon- gomery County: 1 appreciate deeply your invitation to speak at your annual meeting and especially so when I was asked to speak on The Hill School on this, its Centennial Year. To cover the history of a great institution over a period of one hundred years is a difficult but challenging task. It is also exciting, because it gives one an opportunity to bring again into sharp focus the lives of those who built the School, for it is they who make an institution, not bricks and mortar or well planned programs which melt away when not sustained by forceful and inspired leadership. 1851—Ours was then a small nation—31 states, 23,000,000 people. The California gold rush was still under way. Cali fornia, itself, had just become a state right after Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin and Texas. Yes, all this in the year 1851, when a teacher by the name of Matthew Meigs gathered a few pupils together and lit the educational fires of a new school on the hill top in the Schuylkill Valley which was to become a bright fibre in the nation's fabric. The Hill School was but two years old when Admiral Perry opened Japan to the world. It was ten years old when the roar of guns at Sumter sounded for Armageddon. It was twelve years old when that young back country lawyer smote mens' minds forever, when he said that govern ment should be of the people, by the people and for the people.

* Read before the Society, February 22, 1951.

67 gg BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The Hill School grew and prospered. It grew amidst the strengthening ideas and ideals of the young and growing nation of which it was a part. It was sixty-one years old when the last states entered the Union which that back country lawyer had preserved. It was ninety years old when the rolling smoke at Pearl Harbor dimmed the lights of civilization. 1851—More than half our country's life time when our School came into being. Let us take a quick glance at those early years of the School's development. Those years were retarded by lack of capital to provide buildings, and equipment for a growing school and in greater measure by the lack of business ability in the scholarly figure of Matthew Meigs. He was fond of travel and to provide himself with funds for a summer abroad, after the close of a school year, he never hesitated to sell a piece of property or a house which was used for boys, with no thought of future consequences, or how it might affect the enrollment of boys for a new term on reduced living quarters. , Of the few boys which Matthew Meigs had when he started in 1851 and when he withdrew in 1876, to live thereafter until his death the life of a recluse, it can be truly said that he had neither more nor less boys at the end of his direction of the School than he had in its beginning in 1851. In 1876, his son, John Meigs, took over the management, and it was under his brilliant leadership that The Hill was to establish itself as one of America's leading secondary schools and to number in its roster many boys who were to become some of America's best known men in professional and public life. The going during those early years was hard. There was little capital to provide desperately needed equipment for the growing school, growing in the quality of its curriculum, its faculty and the number of boys entrusted to John Meigs' care. THE HILL SCHOOL 09

The heart of any great school rests not in brick and mortar, but in the lives of its faculty and those even in the most humble tasks who contribute to its greatness. A great headmaster once said, "As your Faculty is, so are your boys." It was true one hundred years ago; it is equally true today. I am, therefore, not going to dwell on the physical development of The Hill School, but more especially on a few of those great personalities whose lives were so intricately woven into the fabric of the School in those early and forma tive years, whose character is so deeply etched into everything we see about us, who live in every brick and stone whose sub stance gives form to The Hill School. ' John Meigs' battle cry in his work was CHALLENGE, a word most closely associated in his work with boys and mas ters : CHALLENGE to the boy to take from the School all it had to offer in building up his body, his character, to be clean in life and thought, to build up those inner spiritual reserves to face the days ahead, to serve his God and mankind. That was John Meigs' educational philosophy. This remarkable schoolmaster passed into the great beyond when he was but 59 years of age, at the very height of his power. In his 35 years of matchless direction of his school, he saw his life work grow from a handful of boys to a school of over 400. He saw with keen delight and satisfaction the development of a faculty of strong men, out of whose ranks were to come the headmasters of over 20 schools. On the shoulders of his faculty was .to rest the responsibility of the School after his death. To them he bequeathed his life work. They did not fail him. Those long years of John Meigs' direction of The Hill School were more often beset with trials than with pleasant accomplishment. His path was thorny; the going hard. To find funds to keep pace with his plans for the development of the School was no easy task. From the red clay of the surrounding hills he fashioned building after building only to see them destroyed by fire. 70 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Yet, he always quickly re-built and ever better. His rugged shoulders' carried back-breaking debts. A typhoid epidemic cost the lives of nine boys; yet the following Autumn, a parent who had lost a son in that tragic experience brought his only other son to the School to place him in John Meigs' care. Surely no greater tribute could be given to any man. But through all those dark clouds of heartache and frustration, there shone the confident courage of a great man, supported by optimism for the future, and a philosophy which did not admit defeat or linger long over disaster. He was a magnificent fighter. John Meigs was essentially one who greeted the unseen with a cheer. Right makes might; never might makes right, was his view. The common life of the School was a phrase often on his lips. It represented the thing for which he most earnestly sought; not that he wanted a school made up of saints—far from it. Any boy willing to learn and anxious to face his difficulties manfully, had a place in John Meigs' school; but if a boy persisted in following a pattern of be havior which injured school morale, John Meigs, regardless of loss of tuition or school standing in a given community, never hesitated to have that boy withdrawn from the School. This kind of unwavering courage commanded the respect of parent and boy alike. Individual effort on the part of every boy and hard work joined with earnest purpose, became rec ognized as essential in the School. Here was inspiration to work, for every boy was faced with a Head Master who did not spare himself. Every hour brought its appointment that must be kept. Inattention and laziness of effort were almost un pardonable sins with John Meigs. The result of such a moral and intellectual regimen was two-fold as John Meigs saw it—^not only did it serve the im mediate purpose of the School, to get its boys into college, but it moulded the School's great and most important bi-product, character. The College Board examination results, testifying to a perfect score in getting boys into college, were not enough. John Meigs wanted to know how his boys stood up against the THE HILL SCHOOL 71 moral backbone he had tried to give them—how well did they do in college—did any of them let him down. If John Meigs was the trumpeter of the challenge to masters and boys, it was his wife, affectionately known to all as "Mrs. John" who made it live and drove it home. For ove^ a half century thousands of Hill boys knew her and felt her influence. Always dressed in white she was a commanding figure with a radiant smile which encompassed all with its glow and warmth. Her office, a square turreted room, at the top of the main building, was known to all as "The Sky Par lor". Here "Mrs. John" brought the challenge to master or boy, "speaking to his condition" to use the Quaker phrase. When a boy was summoned to the Sky Parlor he knew that he had better take stock of his shortcomings and be ready to come up with a quick and honest answer, for there was no one who could pierce through the false and the sham more quickly than Mrs. John. Her challenge to a boy was in a sense, "Are you your brother's keeper? If not, why not?" And if a boy confessed he wasn't, Mrs. John told him that he had better do something about it, and that right early. How she could touch a boy's moral and spiritual shortcomings! It was, the affirmation of truth and beauty embodied in Christ that she fed her boys in the Sky Parlor. Yet, withal, Mrs. John was realist; her smile was quizzical, yet tender when she knew a boy earnestly felt that he was not all he should be. She was the great mother, always fighting for her sons—not so much to save their souls, ,though they were precious to her, but to make their hearts conscious of their responsibility to their God and fellow men. All boys did not take kindly to her ministrations. There were those who shrank from the challenge she projected and were frequently prone to state that Mrs. John trespassed on those inner sanctums of boys' life in which they honestly be lieved she had no right to intrude. But, in later years, to most boys, those hours spent with Mrs. John in the Sky Parlor were some of their highest moments, for only then did they realize 72 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

that a great woman of her generation had brought them face to face with "Whatsoever Things Are True." As great a man as John Meigs was, Mrs. John was in every sense as much the creator of The Hill as he. Professor, as he was affectionately called by his masters and boys, was the great educational genius, the organizer and leader, the inspirer of man and boy who could make boys love him because he was hard on them and demanded the full measure of their energy and devotion. He was the mind of the School. Mrs. John was its heart and soul. When he exploded in wrath, she poured on the hurt the soothing oil of a Balm of Gilead which soon righted the situation. Of Professor's explosiveness. Dr. Russell Bowie, his bi ographer, tells the story of Professor one evening at prayers when he prayed with a deep feeling for patience and on his way out of the Chapel snapped at a boy so sharply that Mrs. John cried out, "Oh, John, how could you, when you had just prayed so beautifully for patience?" He answered, "Marion, I wouldn't have prayed for patience if I hadn't known how desperately I needed it!" Professor was the express train often going around the curves at dizzy speed! Mrs. John kept him on the rails I Years before his death, John Meigs knew his years were numbered and that the few remaining sands in his glass of life were running slowly but surely out. His sublime faith, which always bore him upward and outward from those clouded regions of earthly worries, will ever remain an in spiration for generations of Hill masters and boys to come. The Chapel, in which we worship at the School, was erected in 1904 by those old boys of The Hill who wished to create a living and enduring monument of their affection for John Meigs and Mrs. John. It was most fitting that their feel ing should take form in this beautiful memorial where in the Cloister to the East of the Chapel, catching the first rays of the morning sun, lie the earthly bodies of this great man and THE HILL SCHOOL 73 his wife. "Their courage was the foundation of The Hill School; 'their passion for truth was its light." I want, also, to tell you of two other great men who had no small part in the building of our School, Alfred G. Rolfe and Michael F. Sweeney, whom some of you here today knew during their years at The Hill. Mr. Rolfe had 52 years of matchless teaching and influence on community life at The Hill School. Those were his con tributions. This kindly, witty, cheerful and unassuming gentleman. Head Master, counsellor to men and boys, writer, poet, un rivalled humorist and after-dinner speaker, drew to himself and held fast the deepest affections and the most loyal friend ships ever given to any man we have known. The story of his life is hard to tell adequately because all the fine and great qualities that made him unique and raised him on a pedestal above imitation, defy adequate portrayal. Mr. Rolfe came to The Hill in 1890, where he remained until 1942. Those who sat at his feet in his Greek classes did not always remember in later years the Greek he taught them, but they never forgot the vivid word pictures he painted of the changing lights and shadows, the brilliant sunsets, the green islands and shores of Greece and Asia Minor as he re called them from his visits to those countries. Most men begin to grow old at fifty; a few gracefully; most otherwise. But Mr. Rolfe began to grow young, and it was after fifty that he had his greatest development. His life at The Hill was not all smooth and serene. In 1911, after the death of John Meigs, much against his will, he con sented to become the Acting Head Master of The Hill. At that time the School was still owned by the Meigs family. In the Head Master's House where Mr. Rolfe worked and lived, there were also four generations of the Meigs family! Each, down to the smallest great-grandchild, had his or her own ideas on how the School should be conducted. Believe me, Mr. Rolfe did not lack advice. His responsibilities were legion; his 74 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY authority limited. From his friend and counsellor, Mr. Sweeney, he often sought advice and once when he was par ticularly troubled on a problem and dreaded what the next day might bring forth, he remarked hopefully to Mr. Sweeney, "Well, before tomorrow we may all be dead and then we won't have to worry about its solution!" In 1913, with real relief, he turned over the direction of the School to Dwight Meigs, son of John Meigs. As a writer and humorist, Mr. Rolfe had few equals. A search of The Hill School Song Book and through the volume, "Mr. Rolfe of The Hill," edited by Boyd Edwards, reveals that almost every Hill School Song in existence came from Mr. Rolfe's pen. One of his happiest inspirations took form when he wrote that beautiful hymn, "For All Thy Bounty," set to the music of the old Russian National Anthem. His writings were wide and varied in character. Who, of those who have heard it, will ever forget his satire of Progres sive Education, which he first gave as the Commencement address at a nearby school ? Little did he know then how many times he was to be called upon in later years to repeat this classic. His Songs of Saints and Sinners brought mingled praise and criticism. One letter of criticism took him to task for speaking irreverently of such old Biblical characters as Jezebel! The best treasure house of Mr. Rolfe's writings is in "My. Rolfe of The Hill." His papers on Professor Meigs, "Teachers Three," "The Fun and Happiness of School Life," and "The Letherhead Series" are priceless gems. His picture of a de serted New England Village .with the title, "And I have seen my Carcassonne," contains some of the loveliest and most beautiful paragraphs he ever wrote. When Mr. Rolfe died in 1942, The Hill lost one of its greatest men. We still see him in our mind's eye in the Chapel, seated on the left-hand side—^behind the pillars, or in the pul pit, reading the scripture in a clear, strong voice and praying with such clear and natural sincerity. When Mr. Rolfe died. THE HILL SCHOOL 75 for US of the old generation, something of the light and grace of a day that is dead went with him from the world forever. But Mr. Rolfe lived a happy life at The Hill, his faculties un- dimmed to the very end, and, at the last, ceased upon the mid night without pain, leaving to all who knew him, radiant memories of golden years, filled with friendship, honor and unaffected goodness, leavened with exquisite wit, humor and charm. Another great schoolmaster of The Hill I want to speak to you about today was Michael F. Sweeney. To me, he was a guiding light in my early days as a young master at the School. I wish you could have all known Mr. Sweeney as we did in those days when he was at his best and those great qualities of schoolmastering were in such abundant evidence. Mr. Sweeney came to The Hill in 1896. His background was humble; his education meager. His great reputation was in the field of athletics, where in 1895, he had made a new world's record in the high jump, which was to stand for almost 25 years. Mr. Sweeney had never played football before coming to The Hill; yet he was asked, almost immediately upon his arrival, to coach this sport. He was not slow in learning the game. To work out plays, he used simple clothes pins. In a short time he picked up the fine points of the game to such an extent that Hill teams, which heretofore had been considered early season set-ups for other schools, began to take a front rank with those of the best. Mr. Sweeney's football teams were moulded from his own fertile mind. What they lacked in brawn they made up in the confidence he inspired in them. Those teams, often outweighed 20 pounds to the man by the larger and more mature freshman teams from Yale, Harvard and Princeton, played like giants and presented to their coach and inspirer a most impressive string of victories. But Mr. Sweeney's uncanny athletic skill was not confined solely to football. In baseball and track where the fundamen- rjQ BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY tals of rhythm, timing and footwork were in large part identi cal, he achieved equal success. His track teams became even more famous than his football teams and out of the gener- ations of youngsters who came year after year to The Hill, physically immature, he fashioned his great champions. Mr. Sweeney's teaching in athletics was most unusual. He attempted to bring the boy's mind in tune with his own in the absorption of principles and techniques of the particular sport in which he was engaged. But, if Mr. Sweeney was a great athletic coach, he was even a greater schoolmaster. Here he brought out the best in the individual boy whose mind always seemed to Mr. Sweeney to be an open book. When beset by doubts or fears, boys came to Mr. Sweeney for help. He heard their stories with sympathetic ear; out of his heart and mind he gave them help. They left him with lighter hearts and a resolution to fight all the harder to con quer their difficulties. How many times Mr. Colbath, the track coach, and I used to stand with Mr. Sweeney at the head of the straightaway of the outdoor track and watch him send a boy over the hurdles. Each fault of technique was noted by Mr, Sweeney, who would say to us, "John did this or that incorrectly because he was thinking about this as he approached the hurdle; or that, in his stride between them." When the boy returned, Mr. Sweeney would ask him what he was thinking about as he was clearing the hurdles. To our astonishment, the boy would answer almost in Mr. Sweeney's identical words to us, as though he had been coached in advance as to what he was to say. This is but one example of the influence of a great coach on a performer. No wonder Mr. Sweeney's boys made great records in football and track. They were inspired by a great personality beside them, one whose influence they felt at all times, whose confidence in them was so great that they be lieved, and honestly so, that they could move mountains if they were called upon to do so. THE HILL SCHOOL 77

Mr. Rolfe, when he was acting Head Master, spoke elo quently of what Mr. Sweeney meant to him during those trying years. "Many times on the school grounds," said Mr. Rolfe, "we used to discuss our School problems often into the late hours of the night. To me," said Mr. Rolfe, "he was always the same; sympathetic, keen in judgment, sometimes humor ous, but always helpful. When," said Mr. Rolfe, "we turned back towards the School dormitories from one of these vigils, I, at least, had the feeling that, after all, God was in His Heaven, and all would be right with the School on the morrow!" Such a dynamic man, who gave to each a full measure of himself, burned himself out almost as fast as a short-lived candle. Despite his 40 years at The Hill, he had in the first 20 years so spent himself in service to the School and to the boys, that he became an invalid, never to know what it was to be in good health again from 1914 to the time of his death in August, 1947. Few men among the great masters of The Hill have ever- left a more lasting stamp of their influence on the life of the School and on the hearts of masters and boys. Mr. Sweeney was a moulder of boys, a maker of men. Those old boys, many of them fathers of boys now in School, whose lives were so mightily moved by this great master, rise up and call him blessed. There were other great masters who built their lives in the School: George Q. Sheppard, Francis L. Lavertu, Luther W. Turner, Charles T. Evans, Howard Bement, John Lester, John Warnock, Howard Smith, George Robins and Chris Kogel, all of whom I could portray more vividly did time per mit. All were great influences in the steady development of the School, and although many of them have passed on into the life beyond, they still carry on here in so many unseen ways. It had been the fond hope of Mrs. John, following her husband's death and the accession to the Headmastership of. her son, Dwight R. Meigs, that the School might continue "yg BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

under family leadership. Mrs. John at that time was still the dominant figure in The Hill community and it was not long before she realized that in all probability, looking forward over a long period, her son, Dwight, would not continue in the Headmastership. Mrs. John was very much disappointed in this thought and realized that if the School was to be perpetuated and to grow as she and her husband, John Meigs, had envisaged, it would need far greater support than could be accorded under private ownership. Consequently, in September, 1920, the Meigs fam ily turned, over their School to the Alumni Association. When the Trustees elected by the alumni took over the control of the School, they had two objectives in mind: one, to raise a sufficient amount of funds to develop the educational program of the School; two, to provide accompanying equip ment to make the School increasingly available to boys of limited means. As funds permitted, scholarships were in creased so that today over 51% of our boys are on scholarship or tuition aid. During the 30 years since the foundation of the School in 1920 as a charitable corporation through the support of the 'alumni, there has been given in aid to deserving students the sum of approximately $2,600,000 over and above the amount the parents of these boys have paid in tuition. All of our new buildings which have been added to the School since 1920, have been the gifts of alumni and friends. There are boys from all environments at The Hill today. They come from 89 states and 10 foreign countries. They are the sons of bankers, lawyers, farmers, doctors, dentists, min isters, teachers, business men, tradesmen, artisans and many others. They pay as much as they can afford. Some parents pay $2,000 a year for their sons' tuition; others pay $100, but it is impossible to distinguish one boy from another. Every boy participates in the self-help program, makes his own bed, waits on table, and devotes a half hour a day to the care and maintenance of school property. Here is democracy in action \

THE HILL SCHOOL 79

— in its truest and finest form. The Hill School is not a rich boys' "exclusive" school. It is a democratic school which seeks boys who can benefit by what the School has to offer. These are the boys who are at The Hill today. Not all of them will achieve honors in college, nor is there any guarantee that they will become distinguished leaders. They are a cross section of American life, learning to live with each other in order to develop the ability to lead others. ! What of our alumni? Are they making worthwhile con tributions to professional and civic life? We who know and have followed the alumni closely can feel justly proud of what they have accomplished in college and in life — in war and in peace. Today in Washington four of the top men in the State Department are graduates of The Hill: George W. Perkins is Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Affairs Overseas; Edward W. Barrett is Assistant Secretary of State in charge of the "Voice of America"; Robert A. Lovett is Deputy Secre^ tary of Defense; and Frank Pace, Jr., another alumnus, is Secretary of the Army. In public life such as I have described above, and in all other walks of life we can measure them — and have measured them, and find that our record is excellent. But the School is dealing with people and not statistics. An alumnus may be doing a better job as a worker than the executive above him, or the citizen better than the official. We must always think of alumni of a school as individuals against the background from which they came and the circumstances into which they have gone. We who know our alumni individually and collectivelj? are convinced that they are doing a magnificent job in the many varied activities in which they are engaged. I have told you something of the progress of the School to date under alumni direction. But what of the future of our school of tomorrow, and in speaking of our future I am think-: ing of every other school of independent standing. We all know that searching questions are being raised today in the public mind as to the place of the independent or private school in 80 BXJLLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

American education. These questions constitute a challenge to the existence of such schools as ours. Two years ago, as we approached our one hundredth anniversary, it seemed an ap propriate time for a re-appraisal of what the School is and what it has accomplished. The appraisal was carried out by the Head Master and Faculty and by outside experts who have made independent critical evaluations of the many aspects of the School's activities. Among the findings of these evaluations is the fact that The Hill School is maintaining a program out standing in the field of education and is, in the opinion of those expert evaluators, doing more than a first-rate job of education. I think one of the factors that has contributed most to the continuous progress of the School has been its strong adherence to one fundamental plan and that is embodied in the School Motto, "Whatsoever Things Are True," as applied to every boy in his life at the School, to every master in his'Vork, and to every ideal which the School represents. Truth is a dynamic quality—it is never static. The search for truth is the basis for almost all the achievements of man kind. As truth advances, it requires unending vigilance and effort to keep pace with it. We believe that the most priceless possession that The Hill School has, is its ability to keep pace with its motto, "Whatsoever Things Are True." This is a time of new ideas, of so-called revolutionary cur rents which sweep the world. Empires fall, nations melt away, whole new kingdoms of knowledge open about us. The air plane, flying daily overseas, shrinks the world we live in; the world of our problems and our capacities, enormously expands. In the confusing conflicts of the present day, men's minds and spirits are disturbed. What once looked like permanent values vanish. What once seemed strong anchorages turn out not to be there at all when the tempests without and within rise. What is the place of a'school and education in such a world in which we live? This is the question we have been asking ourselves as we turn our sights on the second century THE HILL SCHOOL gX of our School. How have we weathered the so-cahed revolution ary currents? How have we kept abreast of the changing needs of the times? How true have we held to the precepts laid down by its founder of many years ago? Education at The Hill School today is based on principles tested and tried in the fire of nearly a century of experience of great head masters and skillful teachers. But changes have taken place, changes in the application of these principles, in the enrichment of the curriculum, in the methods of instruc tion, all being continuously improved to meet the contempor ary needs of our modern world. In our educational program we have recognized the value and permanence of sound fundamentals: first, to teach a few things well and, secondly, to maintain a high ratio of masters to boys resulting in personalized instruction. The keystone of any sound curriculum is Religion, but Religion which is confined merely to Chapel Exercises is of little value unless it is integrated with the educational program as a whole. It is in the curricular and extra-curricular activi ties, with faculty motivation, that the basic principles of Chris tian living have their practical application in and out of the classrooms, the dormitories, and the playing fields. This type of coordination of religious training with the educational program is not in the province of one master, for every man on the faculty assumes a daily responsibility of teaching boys how to live with each other as well as how to- live with machines. The close association of masters with boys in daily activities is considered the "laboratory" of religious teaching wherein every boy experiences the test of good sports manship and leams to interpret the real meaning of "What soever Things Are True" as applied to his way of life. The Hill School has been a leader in breaking many new educational pathways. It makes a complete study of every in dividual boy in order to determine his ability and then to demand of him in his work an achievement commensurate with that ability whatever it may be. 82 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The Hill School believes that a boy should be taught how to study, for we all remember our own troubles in our school days when we were called upon to concentrate on a particu larly mean subject. In these days, alert schools attack that difficulty through the organized efforts of each teaching de partment under the supervision of reading specialists. Every new boy in the School is required to take this course in which techniques of proper study habits are explained — how to prepare assignments, how to budget one's time, how to take notes, how to work out correlation of ideas for the improve ment of memory and a great many other positive aids which, when thoroughly mastered, contribute to the development of the individual ability to concentrate — the core of the "How to Study" program at The Hill. These we believe to be wise and alert methods. They give sinews to the School's educational ideals. The Hill has pioneered in the use of its Library. How can that be, one may ask, how can a library be used for anything but a place to keep books? Yes, that is the old idea, but in a live school today, the library is a dynamic presence. It goes into the boys' lives with books, recordings, films, pictures, maps and radio. The Hill Library can assemble for a study of Shakespeare, a film of Stratford country, recordings "of. a Shakespeare play, mounted pictures of Elizabethan England, models of Elizebethan theatres or a radio talk on Shakespeare. So, in a real sense, Shakespeare comes alive and Stratford lives on the Schuylkill as well as on the Avon. The second function of the Library is to enrich the teach ing of courses in the curriculum through the use of audio visual aids as a supplement to textbook material and class room teaching. The fulfillment of these aims has resulted in a Library which is unique in secondary education. At present, under the direction of an unusually competent staff, the Li brary is developing a broad cultural program. The purpose of this plan is to awaken in each boy an intellectual curiosity of the various fields of study, in the languages, arts or sciences. THE HILL SCHOOL 83

As contrasted with technical training which gives a boy the necessary background for a place in profession or business, this plan emphasizes the liberal phase of education. It assumes that a man, whatever his career, is a better man, if during his adolescent period, he is able to develop an appreciation of the spiritual and cultural values in life. We in the schools and colleges today are facing the out right question, can our independent institutions continue to exist? School masters are facing difficult years ahead and they will be confronted with problems that will challenge the best thinking they have to offer. They know full well that their schools cannot continue to remain unaffected by the social and economic revolution through which our country is passing; and yet, I firmly believe that those schools which show their awareness of the responsibility of a new day will not only con-, tinue, but will do increasingly a better job. Those of us who have been studying our curriculum for the past several years believe firmly that the best preparation for life in a troubled world does not lie primarily in scientific education. It does lie in an education which is general in char acter, designed to lay a foundation of clear thinking and an ability to distinguish between the false and the true. In an age of the "big lie," and the wholesale swallowing of half-baked philosophies by the gullible, this is not only important but actually vital. Leaders in business, industry, and the professions are telling us that the most promising young men of today are those who have had a thorough grounding in the liberal arts. The dean of one of our leading schools of medicine has re cently advocated abolishing the "pre-medical" course given in the colleges and substituting for it the general courses in lit erature, science, history and the arts. The best of our technical schools are introducing courses in the humanities and insist ing that their students take such courses. Perhaps the best statement made in support of the liberal arts course was that made by Winston Churchill in his notable Boston Garden g4 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY speech: "No technical knowledge can outweigh knowledge of the humanities, in the gaining of which philosophy and his tory walk hand in hand. . The value of the general course is that it enables those who take it to see one thing in the light of other things; to set up a train of thought and follow it through to a conclusion which will have truth in it. This is a faculty which is valuable in any field of endeavor. And in closing, I come back and ask myself the question, "What is the use of the little school that was founded in 1851, one hundred years ago, which has become the great school on The Hill in 1951?" I think that the answers are found partly in the tangible things and those intangibles which cannot be readily photo graphed. We think of the tangibles, in our faculty, in the con stant supervision of our boys, for we are truly their parents while they are with us. In our library program, teaching boys how to study, the democracy of self-help in all of our school activities, a program of athletics for all, a live and integrated religious program — all these are tangibles which add up to an answer, "Yes, there is a vital place in America for the pri vate school." And I think that when these tangibles are linked to the intangibles to which a good school must be dedicated, and those, I believe, to be the motivating influence of fin& teachers, the development of a boy's character, the unfolding of his concept of democratic living, the guiding to confidence in basic institutions and possession of fundamental beliefs — then the answer is indeed a clear and emphatic "yes." So long as The Hill School remains such a good school, we know it can continue to meet the challenge of these searching questions. For almost one hundred years, the motto of The Hill has been, "Whatsoever Things Are True." These words, applied to every boy in his life at The Hill, to every master in his work with boys, answer the challenge. Schools such as The Hill form a large part of the history of the last century of the free system under which we have flourished and which is now under its most severe test. In THE HILL SCHOOL 85 times of trouble, however, our mission becomes all the clearer. We are dealing with the country's most precious possession — its youth. As we do well with our mission, those to come will bless us, just as we, looking back over a hundred years, bless those who labored so well for us. Early History of Lower Pottsgrove Township

Rev. Carl T. Smith

Most of Lower Pottsgrove Township and the south-east section of Pottstown were originally a part of "The German Tract" of the Frankfort Company. The proprietor of the Tract was John Henry Sprogell, a German-born merchant. He is a controversial figure, and several articles have been published discussing his acquisition of the Tract from Daniel Falckner, the agent of the Frankfort Land Company.^ This article, how ever, shall confine itself to the disposal Sprogell made of that part of the Tract now included in Lower Pottsgrove Township, with some account of the early families living there. Before Sprogell's purchase of "The German Tract" on December 16, 1708, there probably was only a handful of set tlers in this area. In the Fall of 1700, Peter Bezalion, the French Indian-trader, had built a house on the Schuylkill River over against the mouth of Manatawny Creek in what is now Pottstown Landing, North Coventry Township, Chester County. He probably used this as a trading center with the Indians, as he seems to have made few improvements upon the land.2 About the same time, a few Swedes settled farther up the Schuylkill in what is now Amity Township,' Berks County.

^ Sachse, J. F., German Pietists op Provincial Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1896, pp. 307-319; The Perkiomen Region, Vol. VI, No. 1, Jan., 1928, p. 2 if., "The German Tract"; also Vol. XII, No. 1, Jan., 1934, p. 2 ff., "Richard Heather vs. the Franckfort Land Company," by Harry E. Sprogell. - See his statement in an application for a grant of "a few hundred acres" on this site made at a Commissioners' of Property Meeting, held the 15-16, 4 mo. (June), 1702. The application was refused, although he was granted the privilege of occupying the site without molestation until it was settled by those who would make a plantation there. Penn sylvania Archives, Series II, Vol. 19, p. 317.

86 EARLY HISTORY OF LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP §7

acres in one piece thirty-six miles from Philadelphia; there I have also already begun my residence; what kind of plants in this garden shall be transplanted is known to God."^ From this statement it appears that Falckner had few, if any, near neighbors when he first settled here. He seems to have divided his time between a home in Germantown and his settlement on "The German Tract," as his name appears as a resident of Germantown on deeds and in the Germantown Court Records for the years subsequent to 1702. Here, on October 28, 1701, they were granted 10,000 acres, called the Manatawny Tract. The first documented date for an actual settlement within "The German Tract" proper is 1702. In a letter dated April 16 of that year, Daniel Falckner mentions that "with great trouble, I have at last received about twenty-five thousand The Swedish Lutheran Pastor of Wicaco (the present "Old Swedes Church," Philadelphia), Rev. Andreas Sandel, states in his diary under date of October 15,1704, that "with Giosta Giostason, a Swede, and Daniel Falckner, a German, I went to Mahanataning where the Swedes have 10,000 acres of land and one Mans Jonson has taken up his residence there, situated near by Philadelphia the way thither is forty miles long, after noon the first day we went to Gunnar Rambo at Mattzon (in present Upper Merion Township)." They arrived at Mana tawny the next day, spent a day looking about the country, re turned to Passayunk, near Philadelphia, on the 18th. He makes further references to trips to this out-parish in 1708 and 1710.'* The earliest mode of transportation between these settle ments and Philadelphia was the River, but in March of 1709,

* A Contribution to Pennsylvania History, Missives to Rev. August Herman Franckb from Daniel Falckner, Germantown, Apr. 16, 1702, AND Justus Falckner, New York, Feb. 12, 1704, Lanc aster, Pennsylvania, 1901, p. 11. * Sandel, Andreas, Brief Review op my Journey to West India, A.D. 1701, Aug. 24, including Philadelphia Diary 1702-1719. Translated from the original Swedish manuscript by B. Elfoing, Stockholm; MS Copy in Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., p. 133. gg BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

a petition was presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions at Philadelphia for a "Road from the late'house of Edward Lane, deceased, being on the Queen's Highway to Manitania."° This road when laid out followed generally the present Route 422 from the Perkiomen Bridge to Douglassville, Berks County. The petition was signed by John Henry Sprogell, Mons Jones, Walter Newman, John Justus, John Newman, Joshua Roben- son, John Jones, Thomas Millard, Andrew Leickan, Mathew Brooke, Robert Billings, Thomas McCarty, Henry Parker, and Hubert Hubertzen. Of these, the Joneses, Newmans, Justus, and Millard were of Manatawny, Brooke was of Limerick, Parker as of 1717 lived in Coventry Township, Chester County.® Sprogell was conducting his mercantile business in Philadelphia in 1709, and McCarty presumably was living in "The German Tract." Thomas McCarty, writing his will, March 18, 1725/6, styles himself a yeoman of "Hanover." He mentions a wife Hannah and daughters, Mary and Hannah. The executors and trustees named are John Ball and Barnabas Roads, with Edward McVeagh, James McVeagh, and John Roades acting as witnesses. The will was probated at Phila delphia, April 10,1730.^ There is no evidence of his ownership of property. The Harwood-Read Tract The first tract of land Sprogell disposed of in The German Tract was one of 1,258 acres to Joseph Harwood, a mariner, of the City of Philadelphia, on April 7, 1712.® This land fronted on the River but extended back along the north-west side of The German Tract adjacent to Penn's Manor of Mana tawny, later to be known as McCall's Manor. Harwood died in the Fall of 1712, and by his will®, 658 acres was to go to his

«Perkiomen Region, Past and Present, Vol. II, No. 9, Dec. 15, 1899, p. 135. ®See recital in Chester County, Pa., Deed Book "M" vol. 2, p. 226. 'Philadelphia County Will Book E, p. 129. (Hereinafter given as Phila. W.B.) * Deed not on record. •Phila. W.B."C,"p. 317. EARLY HISTORY OF LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP gg

son, Joseph, Jr., and 600 acres on the River to his wife. Alee, The son, Joseph Harwood, Jr., at the time of his death held title to the entire tract and bequeathed it to his wife, Sarah, in his will probated October 24, 1732.^" By virtue of a Court action and a Sheriff's Deed Poll dated, June 7, 1736, the tract was conveyed to John Hyatt, merchant, of the City of Phila delphia. By deed of December 8, 1736, Hyatt transferred the land to Charles Read, Sr., and his wife, Sarah, formerly the widow of Joseph Harwood, Jr. They sold 258 acres, December 11, 1736, to Charles, the eldest son of Charles Read, Sr., by a former marriage. The Harwoods and Reads did not live on this land, but on May 18, 1742, Charles Read (Jr.), of the City of Burlington, the West Division of New Jersey, Gentleman, with his wife, Alice, conveyed the 258 acres fronting on the River to Robert May, of Manatawny, a blacksmith, for the consider ation of &100.^^ A year earlier, however. May 19,1741, Robert May had bought 160 acres lying to the rear of the 258 acre tract, from Sarah, the widow of Charles Read, Sr.^^ The Widow Read sold the remainder of the tracts as fol lows : April 14, 1741, to Hans Nicholas Miller, 147 acres and 24 perches^^; April 17,1747, another tract of 1271/^ acres to the same^^; April 14, 1741, to Martin Bechtel, 54% acres^®; April 17, 1746, to Andrew Kepler, 1271/^ acres^®; February 15, 1748/9, to Christian Bleim, 156V^ acres^'; and April 17, 1746, to Adam Reader, 1271/^ acres.^®

" Phila. W.B. "E," p. 195. "Philadelphia County Deed Book "G" vol. 4, p. 205. (Hereinafter ^ven as Phila. D.B.) " Phila. D.B. "G" vol. 2, p. 383. " Phila. D.B. "H" vol. 16, p. 49. " Phila. D.B. "H" vol. 16, p. 59. " Phila. D.B. "G" vol. 2, p. 542. " Phila. D.B. "I" vol. 16, p. 130. "Montgomery County, Pa., Deed Book, Vol. 21, p. 307. (Hereinafter given as Montg. D.B.) " See recital in Montg. D.B. Vol. 2, p. 214. 9(3 BULLETIN OP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Of the above settlers, Hans Nicholas Miller wrote his will, March 20, 1762, and it was probated, April 24, 1762^®. In it he mentions a son, Nicholas, and names as his executors his wife, Elizabeth, Jacob Cropp (Grubb), and Cassimer Mis- simer. George and Martin Bechtel acted as witnesses. His widow survived him a number of years. Her will was probated, May 14, 1799, having been written, May 17, 1796. In it she mentions five daughters: Magdalena (b. 1753), Catherine, Gertrude Wambach (b. about 1745), Elizabeth Smith (b. about 1746), and Mary Smith (b. 1749). She names as executors her sons-in-law, Bartholomew Wambach and John Smith.^® The lists of confirmands of the New Hanover Lutheran Church show that the son, Nicholas Miller, Jr., was born about 1755.^^ Christian Bliem, a native of Manheim, Germany, was born Christmas Day, 1711. Emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1735, he settled on the tract near Pottstown which he had bought of Sarah Read. Here he died, March 9, 1810. His wife is sup posed to have been a sister of Hans Jacob Bechtel. Their son, Christian Bliem, born February 23, 1746, died February 21, 1816, married Salome Longaker, born June 20, 1746, died September 5, 1811, daughter of Jacob Longaker.-- The will of Andrew Keppler (sometimes given as Kepner) was probated, May 7, 1766, having been written, September 11, 1762. As executors he names his second wife, Catherine and his eldest son, David Keppler. The witnesses to his will were John Ringer and Michael Walter.^^ The Henry S. Dot-

» Phila. W.B. "M," p. 281. '"Montgomery County, Pa., Will Book, Vol. 2, p. 102. (Hereinafter griven as Montg. W.B.) The birth and confirmation records of a number of the children of Hans Nicholas Miller are found in the church records of the New Hanover Lutheran Church; see Publications of the Pennsylvania- German Society, Vol. 20, Norristown, Pa., 1911. " The record of the Bliem family may be found in the George P. P. Wanger Collectioh in the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown. " Phila. W.B. "N," p. 508. EARLY HISTORY OF LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP 9]^ terer Papers in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania list thirteen children: David (confirmed in New Hanover Luth eran Church, 1744), Bernard (confirmed 1746), Catherine (b. about 1734, confirmed 1749), Jacob (b. about 1739, confirmed 1754), Andrew (a son by his second wife, married Margaret, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Martha Brown) , William (b. about 1744, confirmed 1759, married Catherine Leibengut), Elizabeth (b. 1746, married, 1769, John Betz), John (b. 1748, d. 1772), Dorothy (married, 1771, Peter Ickes), Hannah (b. 1751, d. 1769), Henry, Tobias, and Mary. Catherine, the widow of Andrew Keppler, was living in Berwick township, York County, Pennsylvania, when she wrote her will dated, January 4, 1785; it was probated, February 27, 1790.". She names as her children, Andrew, William, Elizabeth, wife of John Betz, Dorothea, wife of Peter Ickes, Henry, Tobias, and Mary, wife of Samuel Knisel. A few days after Adam Reader had bought his tract of 1271/^ acres of the Widow Read, he sold it to Andrew Smith. Smith kept possession of it for a number of years, selling 303^4 acres of it to Philip Kuhl, April 15, 1778.-® TheLodwick Christian Sprogell Tract Below the large tract Sprogell sold to Harwood was the 666 acres he sold to his brother, Lodwick Christian Sprogell, of the City of Philadelphia, dyer and merchant, by a deed dated, June 21, 1715.-® This tract fronted on the River and extended back toward the Ringing Rocks 832 perches along its south-east boundary, 118 perches along its north-west boundary, and 918 perches along Joseph Harwood's land. A small strip 6 perches wide and 70 perches long was left vacant for a burial ground along its south-east boundary, fronting on the River. Lodwick Christian Sprogell never lived on this land but sold it off to three settlers. The first sale was made, June 21,

Abstracts of York County Wills, p. 262, in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, under the name "Kepner." " Montg. D.B., Vol. 2, p. 214. " Phila. D.B. "G," vol. 5, p. 282. 92 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1715, to Henry Wenger (Wanger), a Swiss Mennonite, being 100 acres along the River out of the south-east section.-"^ Wen ger lived here until his death in 1753. Letters of administration were granted to John Wanger and Christian Beary for his estate, January 11, 1754, in Philadelphia."® In June, his heirs, consisting of his widow, Elizabeth; a son, Jacob Wenger, of Windsor township, Berks County, sawmiller, and his wife, Magdalena (presumably a daughter of Christopher Holder- man, of Coventry township, Chester County; Abraham Wen ger, of Millberry township, Berks County, farmer, (b. 1730, d. 1794), and his wife, Anne; a daughter, Barbara, wife of John Heistand, of Upper Milford township, Northampton County, yeoman; a daughter, Fronicka (b. 1720, d. 1799), wife of John Switzer, of Coventry township, Chester County, skin- dresser; and three spinster daughters. Eve and Elizabeth of Coventry township, Chester County, and Magdalena of Han over township, Philadelphia County, convey Henry Wenger's property consisting of a tract of 100 acres, one of 70 acres and 50 perches, and one of 9% acres to a son, John Wenger, of Hanover township, Philadelphia County, (b. 1726, d. 1797) October 8, 1720, Lodwick Christian Sprogell, of Philadel phia City, dyer, with wife Katherine, conveyed 366 acres, being the back half of the original 666-acre tract, to Hans Jacob Bechtel, of Mahanatawny, Philadelphia County, another Mennonite immigrant.®^ The will of Hans Jacob was written, February 14, 1736, and probated, August 22, 1739.®^ The witnesses for the will were three of his co-religionists, Daniel

See recital Phila. D.B. "H," vol. 20, p. 106. Philadelphia County, Pa., Administration Record, Book F, p. 525. (Hereinafter given as Phila. Adm.) " Phila. D.B. "H," vol. 20, p. 106. For a complete record of the Wenger-Wanger family, see the George F. P. Wanger Collection in the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown. ^ ^ Phila. D.B. "G," vol. 5, p. 311. « Phila. W.B. "F," No. 145, p. 155. EARLY HISTORY OF LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP gg

Longenacre, Jacob Hoch, and Hans Schweitzer. He mentions his four children: Samuel Bechtel (d. 1802, married Maria Oberholtzer), George Bechtel (d. 1768, married, 1730, Magda- lena Kolb,) to whom he bequeathed 114 acres of his plantation, Martin Bechtel (b. 1710, d. 1786, married Elizabeth Bicker) to whom he bequeathed 2051/^ acres of his plantation, and a daughter Fronica, wife of Samuel Moyer.^^ Ludwick Christian Sprogell sold the residue of the original 666 acres to Robert May, of Philadelphia, blacksmith, Novem ber 22,1726. This tract of 200 acres lay to the north-west of the Wenger tract being on the River, running by Henry Wenger 432 perches, by Jacob Bechtel 72^ perches, and by Joseph Harwood 442 perches.®^ The two tracts of 160 acres and 258 acres, which May later bought of the Reads, joined the 200 acres to the north-west. This Robert May (bom 1696, died 1749) .married Elizabeth (born 1705, died 1775), daughter of James Brooke. The Gilbert Cope Collection in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania^^ gives their children as James (bora 1724, died 1751, married Margaret Githen, born 1724, died 1789), Robert (died young), Thomas (born 1731, died 1792, married Sarah Holland, died 1803), Mary (born 1734, died 1813, married Christopher Garret, born 1728, died 1805), Elizabeth (died young), the second Elizabeth (born 1740, died 1786, married John Brooke, born 1740, died 1813), Sarah (born 1743, died 1826, married Alexander McClintock, died 1777, in Battle of Brandywine), Hannah (married Henry Moore), and the second Robert (born 1749, died 1812, mar ried, first Rebecca Potts, born 1750, died 1789, married, second, her sister, Ruth Potts, born 1768, died 1820). The southern section of Pottstown is located on what at one time was the property of Robert May. His will written March 4,

" For a complete record of the Bechtel family, see the George P. P. Wanger Collection in the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown. Catalogued in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania as Co 56, p. 111. 94 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY '

1747/8, and probated. May 1, 1750, bequeathed to his son James his smith's tools and 160 acres with improvement on the north-east side of the Great Road, and to his son Thomas the plantation that lay between the Great Road and the River Schuylkill, being about 180 or 190 acres. The witnesses to the will were James Brooke, Jacob Frick, and John Lunday; and additional witnesses to a codicil written, August 1, 1749, were John Campbell and Valentine Haun.®® The George Miller Tract Below the tract of 666 acres Sprogell sold to his brother Ludvrick Christian, was a tract of 464 acres which he sold on March 6,1715, to George Millerby his will, dated, September 21,1719, and probated the same year,^' George Miiller, of Som- merhausen, Philadelphia County (the present Chestnut Hill) conveyed a life estate in this property to his wife Anna Sibilla (born 1684, died 1764), a daughter of Wigard Levering.®® After her decease the property was to go to his sons and daugh ters, but before her death, she joined with the eldest son, George Miller, and the other heirs to convey 160 acres of the tract to David Miller, presumably also a son, under date of August 1, 1742.®® This David Miller, a potter, lived on this tract which fronted on the River. He and his wife Hannah, a daughter of Mathias Crentzman, a neighbor, sold out their property in Hanover on February 2,1743, when they conveyed 70 acres between the Great Road and the River to Henry Wenger, as well as a small piece of woodland containing 9% acres,and 80 acres north-west of the Road to Jacob Frick.-'i

" Phila. W.B. "I," p. 250. Deed not on record. Phila. "W.B. "D," p. 142. Levering, Col. John: The Levering Family, published by the Lev ering Historical Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, William B. Burford, printer, 1897; p. 102. Deed not on record. Recited in Phila. D.B. "H" vol. 20, p. 106. " Recited in Montg. D.B. Vol. 72, p. 486. EARLY HISTORY OF LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP 95

The history of the remaining 280 acres of the original 464 acre tract of George Miller is vague until May 19, 1749, when John Barge and wife Elizabeth convey it to Martin Urner.^^ Urner soon disposed of most of the tract, on January 3, 1749/50, selling 40 acres to Jacob FricV® 73 acres to George Beightle (Bechtel), and a like, quantity to Martin Beightle (Bechtel) On March 12, 1749, he sold 40 acres to Jacob Shantz.-*® Urner retained 50 acres out of his original 280 acres until March 16,1756, when he sold it to Jacob Grub.^® The Mathias Grentzman Tract Sprogell sold 100 acres fronting on the River, December 31, 1713 to Mathias Grentzman, a tailor.-^^ It was bounded on one side by 400 perches; its breadth of 40 perches lay along the George Miller tract; and to the south-east for 396 perches it joined a tract sold to Arnold Guster. Grentzman died leaving as his heirs two daughters, Elizabeth, wife of Yost Fulkerd, and Hannah, wife of David Miller. On May 9,1746, they conveyed their father's plantation of 100 acres to Jacob Shantz.^®'

(To he continued)

" Recited in Montg. D.B. Vol. 72, p. 486. Recited in Montg. D.B. Vol. 72 p. 486. " Montg. D.B. Vol. 39, p. 38. " Phila. D.B. "I," vol. 14, p. 511. " Recited Montg. D.B., Vol. 109, p. 198. " Phila. D.B. "F" vol. 7, p. 178. Phila. D.B. "I," vol. 14, p. 507. " For record of the Shantz family, see the George F. P. Wanger Col lection in the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown. Henry S. Landes

Jane Keplinger Burris

Henry S. Landes, late of Souderton, Upper Salford town ship, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, occupied a lofty place in the lives and hearts of his many friends and fellow-workers. His accomplishments and endeavors were equally prominent in the civic, historical and social affairs of his community and county. He was greatly respected and frequently consulted for his vast store-house of knowledge as a historian. He was especially noted for the reliability of his research. When Henry S. Landes made a statement, he had the facts on which he based it. He was a member of the Historical Society of Montgomery County for over 32 years. He had served as first vice-president of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, and was a member of the Pennsylvania German Society. He was the author of several important publications, among them, "The History of Souderton," in 1930, and "The Descendants of Jacob Landes," in 1943. He was of great assistance to count less other genealogists and historians in compiling their own family records. In the later years of his life, more and more of his time was devoted to studies of historic value. In the civic and vocational fields, it may be mentioned that he served as tax collector of Souderton from 1903 to 1949, and was treasurer of the Perseverance Fire Company for forty years. He was the first regular police officer of Souderton, hav ing been appointed in 1910, and he served as constable for twenty-five years. He had worked many years as a bricklayer, and was a pioneer cigar-maker, operating a shop in Souderton from 1904 to 1908. Mr. Landes was one of the first members of the Souderton Band, and was the founder of Grundsow Lodge, No. 2, on the Skippack. He was treasurer of the. Independent Order of Odd

96 HENRY S. LANDES 97

Fellows in Souderton for thirty-five years and was a member of the Junior Order, United American Mechanics. In addition, he was a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, Tel- ford, and the Souderton Chamber of Commerce. In 1946, he was the recipient of the Souderton Lions Club Golden Deeds Award for outstanding service to the commun ity. In 1949, he received a distinguished service award from the Souderton American Legion Home. Henry S. Landes was bom in Hatfield township, March 25, 1871, the son of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Souder) Landes. He attended the schools in his native township, and as a young man, in 1893, moved to Souderton and occupied for his entire life the same house at 83 Walnut Street. He died December 20, 1950, aged 79 years, at the Sellersville Grand View Hos pital, and was interred, December 23d, at the Souderton Men- nonite Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Mary (Hause) Landes and four children: Florence, wife of Wesley M. Miller, Hatfield; Irene, wife of Eugene Cdnsaley, Line Lexington; George H. and Harold H., both of Souderton; also, sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Two chil dren predeceased him: Marion, in 1910 and Henry, in 1933. This modest, soft-spoken gentleman of the Old School, was never too busy to be kind. Of him, truly it can be said, his was a life of service. Deaths in the Sklppack Region

Hannah Benner Roach

(Contimced from page 11)

No. 37. "BASEL HAFT died February 12, 1805." Has not been identified.

No. 38. "WILLIAM PREISS died November 4, 1805," Son of No. 31. (Daniel Price), he was born May 2, 1760; married May 20, 1783 Catherine Reiff (No. 517). They lived in Lower Salford where, during the Revo lution, William Price was enrolled in the Lower Sal- ford Militia Company. Issue: Rev. Jacob, married to Mary Barley; Anna, wife of Joseph Ruth; Cath erine, wife of John Landis; Elizabeth, wife of John W. Benner; Hannah, wife of Jacob Landis; Sarah, wife of John Anderson and Rachel who died at the age of Nine. (Henry S. Landes) *

No. 39. "WIDOW DOLLIN died November 8, 1805." Has not been identified, but is perhaps the widow of John Dull of Perkiomen' and Skippack. On the basis of tax records, John Dull appears to have been one of the sons of Christian Doll who in 1756 was renting from Solomon Dubois' estate. After his father's death in 1758, John Dull worked for the Detweilers and did not acquire land of his own until 1785. His name ap pears on the tax lists as credited with ten acres and dwelling until 1794.

* Hereafter abbreviated to HSL.

98 DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK BEGION 99

No. 40. "ABRAHAM ZIEGLER his wife died November 17, 1805." Born August 21, 1772 she was Elizabeth Stamm, wife of No. 527 and probably the daughter of Baltes and Susannah Stamm of Providence.

No. 41. "MARTIN BOGER died January 1, 1806." The brother of Paul Boger, he was born May 5, 1738 and married Elizabeth Schwenk (No. 34). They lived in Lower Salford township and are both buried in the Mennonite Cemetery. Issue: Martin, Elizabeth (No. 346) wife of Abraham Markley (No. 336); Maria, wife of Michael Wagner; Barbara (No. 86), wife of John Ott. (HSL; Heckler p 35; Montgy Dd Bk 539/470)

No. 42. "SOLOMON GRIMLY died March 18, 1806." Son of Solomon Grimly or Kriimlich, the elder, he married December 20, 1759 Elizabeth Reimer (No. 180) the sister of No. 29. Members of Old Goshenhoppen Re formed Church, they lived in the north corner of Perkiomen township, owning land also across the line in Upper Salford. Issue: Three sons and five daugh ters of whom are known Salome, wife of Phillip Schil- lig; Johannes who predeceased his parents; Solomon who married Hannah Truckenmiller and his twin sister Maria Magdalena who married Valentine Keely; Anna; Friedrich who married Elizabeth Schwenk. (Montgy Dd Bk 19/4.)

No. 43. "HBINRICH KOLB his wife died April 7, 1806." Wife of No. 74, according to the Kulp Family History she was Susanna Detweiler. Her tombstone in Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery gives her age as 69 yrs., 5 mos., 24 da. Could she have been the Susanna Detweiler, daughter of the emigrant Hans and sister of No. 44 who had married the John Friedt who died in 1777? 200 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

No. 44. "JOHAN DETTWEILER died December 9, 1806." Son of the emigrant Hans and his wife Susanna Det- weiler and husband of No. 10, he is buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. His will, probated December 18, 1806 names his children: Abraham, Jacob (No. 104) who married Mary Margaret Harley (No. 570); John (No. 87); Barbara, late wife of Isaac Gassel (No. 221); Mary (No. 213), wife of John Landis (No. 210); Elizabeth, second wife of Nicholas Haldeman (No. 148); Hester (No. 331), wife of Henry Hunsicker (No. 419); Sarah, late wife of John Moyer; Catherine (No. 116), wife of Jacob Longacre; Hannah, late wife of Jacob Benner; Mag- dalena (No. 347), wife of Abraham Gotwals and Salome, wife of John Corner. (Montgy RW #1391, W Bk 2/569)

No. 45. "Old CHRISTIAN HALTEMAN died in November 1800." Son of the emigrant Nicholas Haldeman and his wife Mary, he married Catherine Krey (No. 46). They lived in Lower Salford township and are buried in the Mennonite Cemetery. Known children: John Haldeman and wife Mary; Jacob Haldeman and wife Elizabeth; Christian Haldeman who married Mag- dalena Fried; Nicholas and Henry Haldeman. (Rev. Carl Smith) No. 46. "CHRISTIAN HALTEMAN his wife died March 12, 1807." Wife of No. 45, she was Catherine Krey, daughter of John and Sytge (Updegrave) Krey. (Rev. Carl Smith) No. 47. "MICHAEL BERGE died November 14, 1807." Son of the emigrant Hans Ullrich Bergey and his wife Mary, he was a brother of No. 33. He lived in Lower Salford township where he died unmarried. Tradition states his mind was deranged in his later years. (HSL) DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK REGION

No. 48. "DILMAN ZIEGLER his wife died December 13, 1807." Has not been identified. Possibly Barbara Ziegler whose husband had died in 1794.

No. 49. "Old GEORGE REIFF died January 25, 1808." Bom January 5, 1740, the son of Jacob and Anna Reiif, he married by license dated February 15, 1764 Elisabeth Hendricks (No. 134). Enrolled in the Militia Com pany of the Lower District of Skippack during the Revolution, he lived in Lower Salford township. Issue: Abraham, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Mathia Stouffer; George who married Elizabeth (No. 506) daughter of Jacob Clemens; Jacob who married Sara Clemens; Daniel (No. 127) who married Mary Boyer; Elizabeth, wife of Christian Detweiler, and Joseph (No. 342) who married Elizabeth Bechtel. (HSL; Heckler p 112)

No. 50. "BARBARA MERCKLIN died January 27, 1808." Widow of No. 18, she was Anna Barbara Ickes, born August 8,1721.

No. 51. "JACOB WAGNER his son died January 29, 1808." Has not been identified, but is possibly Abram Wag ner, son of No. 289 Jacob and Barbara (Dies) Wag ner, who was born August 20,1788.

No. 52. "JOHANNES KAMPFER his widow died February 19, 1808." Widow of No. B, her name was Gertrude. In addition to the issue previously mentioned there were also a daughter Gertrude and son Abraham who married Mary Johnson, daughter of Walter Johnson. (Montgy WBk 1/366)

No. 53. "Old NICHOLAS SCHWENK died March 19, 1808." Son of Hans Michael and Maria Elisabeth Schwenk and brother of No. 27, he married first Maria Elisa beth who died before 1760. His second wife Anna 102 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Barbara was No. 76 of this record. He was a black smith by trade and lived in Lower Salford at what is now Harleysville. According to the records of the Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church he had at least seven children by his two wives: Susanna, confirmed 1762 at the age of 15; Elizabeth (No. 34) wife of Martin Boger; George who married Susanna Krupp, daugh ter of Jacob; Daniel, born November 6, 1756; Maria Magdalena who married Andrew Campbell; Jacob who married Eva Krau, and Barbara Schwenk. (Heckler p 35; Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church Records in Perkiomen Region, Vol. 1-2, 1921-1922)

No. 54. "HEINRICH WEIERMAN died March 20, 1808." Born in 1753 he was probably a son of Christian and Elizabeth Weierman, grandson of the emigrant Hans Weierman and probably the husband of Anna Weier man (No. 128). He is buried at Lower Salford Men- nonite Cemetery. Issue: Christian Weierman who married Hannah Price; Jacob; John who married Elizabeth Price; Nancy, wife of John Shaffer; Eliza beth wife of Benjamin Pennebacker and Catherine, wife of Samuel Pennebacker. (Montgy OC Bk 2/247)

No. 55. "Old HENRICH WALDT died March 30, 1808." Naturalized in 1765 he and his wife Catherine lived in Upper Salford where they were members of the Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church. The Tax List for 1776 states they had nine children at that time; of these are known: Anna Elisabeth; Solomon; Andrew who married Elisabeth Schwenk, Philip, Henry, Frederick and Hannah. (Montgy Dd Bk 7/779; 23/208) No. 56. "JOHN DETTWEILER his wife died May 1, 1808." Born January 12, 1759 she was Catherine Funk, daughter of No. 72 Rev. Christian and Barbara (Cas- sel) Funk. Her husband John Detweiler, born Jan- DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK KEGION

uary 8, 1747; died July 1, 1826, was the eldest son of Joseph and Maria (Kolb) Detweiler. They lived in Francohia where he owned and operated a mill on Indian Creek, and are buried at Delp's Cemetery. Issue; Susanna, wife of Jacob Landes; Elizabeth (No. 547), wife of Rev. John Hunsicker; Joseph who married Mary Johnson; Mary, wife of Henry Hun sicker (No. 604) ; Sarah, wife of Jacob Moyer; John who married Anna Hunsicker Detweiler; Christian who married Hannah Derstine; Catherine, wife of Garret Hunsicker; Abraham (No. 374) who married Mary Horning and Daniel (No. 373) who married Catherine Reiff. John Detweiler, husband of Cath erine Funk, married secondly Elizabeth Hall Horning (No. 249), widow of John Horning. (HSL)

No. 57. "ABRAHAM CLEMENS died September .... 1808." Son of Abraham and Catherine (Bachman) Clemens, he was born November 30, 1752 and married Maria Steiner (No. 224). They lived in Lower Salford where they are buried in the Mennonite Cemetery. He was enrolled in the Lower Salford Militia Company dur ing the Revolution. Issue: John; George (No. 586) who married Catherine Oberholtzer; Jacob who moved to Canada; Abraham who married Rachel Derstein; Catherine, wife of Jacob Kulp of Hilltown township and Magdalena, wife of Henry Clemmer of Bedminster township. (HSL; Heckler p 221) No. 58. "ISAAC LANDIS died September 23, 1808." Son of Yelles and Elizabeth Landis, he died unmarried at the age of 70 yrs., 8 mos., 26 ds. and was buried at the Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. (HSL) No. 59. "CHRISTIAN BERGE his wife died October 28, 1808." She was Mary Bergey, wife of No. 152; was born November 18, 1743 and is buried at Lower Sal ford Mennonite Cemetery. (HSL) ^04 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

No. 60. "CONRATH STAMM his wife died May 21, 1809." Wife of No. 65, she was Elizabeth Stamm and died at the age of 70 yrs., 9 mos., 4 d; buried at Norriton Dunkard Cemetery.

i No. 61. "Old RUDOLPH HARLEY died July 9, 1809." Born July 14,1719, son of Rudolph and Barbara Barley, he married Maria Becker (No. 82). They lived in Lower Salford and are buried at Klein's Meeting House, Franconia township. Issue: Johannes (No. 99) who married Margaret Landis; Joanna wife of John Uly Stauifer (No. 112); Magdalena whose first husband was a Landis and her second Frederick Diehl; Maria; Rudolph (No. 293) who married first Barbara Bach and secondly Sarah Bomberger; Elizabeth (No. 475) wife of Christian Duttera (No. 141); Jacob (No. 147); Henry who married Elizabeth Keely (No. 229) ; Sarah, wife of George Price (No. 230); Samuel (No. 473) who married Catherine Sauer; Joseph (No. 409) who married Catherine Reiff Price (No. 517) ; Mary Margaretta (No. 570) who married Jacob Det- weiler (No. 104) ; and Abraham (No. 384) who mar ried Catherine Geisz. (HSL; G. F. P. Wagner Notes)

No. 62. "Old HENRICH PREISS died July 9, 1809." Son of No. 31, he married Magdalena Lederach (No. 520). They lived in Hilltown' township, Bucks County, where he was enrolled in the Militia Company of the Southwest District of Hilltown Township during the Revolution. Issue: William, Joseph, George, Cather ine, wife of John Reiif; Maria, wife of Isaac Schlich- ter, and Daniel and Jacob who both died young. (HSL)

No. 63. "JOHN CRATER his wife died September 4, 1809." Wife of No. 144, Barbara Crater is buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK EEGION IQS

No. 64. "Old HENRICH DETTWEILER died October 23, 1809." Son of the emigrant Hans Detweiler and brother of No. 44, he was born November 23, 1726; married Sarah Kolb, daughter of Deacon Jacob and Sarah (Van Sintern) Kolb, who died January 8,1778, aged 45 yrs, 6m, 23d. Both are buried at Lower Skip- pack Mennonite Cemetery. Issue: Johannes who mar ried Barbara Weierman; Susanna, wife of Henrich Bean (No. 349); Henry (No. 380); Jacob and Isaac (No. 627). (Montgy W Bk 3/165)

No. 65. "CONRATH STAMM died December 31, 1809." Born September 16, 1737, son of Conrad and Maria Cath- arina Stamm of "New Providence," he and his wife Elizabeth (No. 60) lived on the tract devised to him under his father's will. Both buried in Norriton Dunkard Cemetery. Issue surviving: Catherine, wife of Jacob Zimmerman; John; Salome, wife of Jacob Engle; Elizabeth, wife of David Engle; Lydia, and Jacob and Elizabeth, the last two children of a de ceased son Mathias Stamm. (Montgy Dd Bk 28/136)

No. 66. "JACOB MAYER died January 4, 1810." The eldest son of Christian and Susanna (Detweiler) Moyer of Lower Salford, he was born November 4, 1751 and married Maria Detweiler (No. 154). He owned the land on which the meeting house known as "Delp's" was erected, and is buried in the adjacent cemetery. Issue: Susanna, wife of Henry Kolb; Christian who married Mary Landes; Jacob who married Sara Detweiler; Mary, wife of Valentine Kratz ("Deaf Felty"); Abraham who married Barbara Landes; Sarah, wife of Jacob Landis and Joseph who married Elizabeth Detweiler (No. 467). (HSL; Moyer p 28 ff) No. 67. "Old WILLIAM TEYSON died January 28, 1810." Born March 26, 1722, a son of Mathias and Barbara BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

(Sellen) Tyson, he married Alice Nash, daughter of William and Magdalena (Godshalk) Nash who died February 15, 1803, aged 80yr, 5m, 19d. Both are buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. Issue: Mathias; Joseph (No. 231); Ann, wife of Jacob Gasselberry; Magdalena, wife of Richard Umsted; Mary, wife of Jacob Shoemaker; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Peters who had married first William Nice; Barbara, wife of Michael Ziegler, Jr.; John; Catherine (No. 155) wife of Abraham Hunsberger (No. 117) ; William and Isaac. (Montgy W Bk 3/180) No. 68. "Old JOHANNES HAAL died January 31, 1810." A shoemaker or tanner of Lower Providence, he prob ably married Barbara Horning, daughter of No. 23. His'surviving issue were: Sybilla, wife of Michael Allebach; Ann, wife of Henry Fox; Elizabeth (No. 249) second wife of John Detweiler (No. 56); and the issue of a deceased son Henry: John, Mary and Elias Hall. (Montgy OC Bk 2/326) No. 69. "Old ANDREAS HEYSER died February 14, 1810." Born in 1726, the son of Johannes and Dorothy (Hall- man) Heyser of Skippack, he married Sarah Zieber (No. 192) July 19, 1764. Both are buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. Issue:Rachel, wife of John Barnes; Elizabeth, wife of John Markley (No. 164) ; Mary, wife of Isaac Markley; Sarah, wife of John Drukenmiller; Susanna, wife of Peter Wanner; John (No. 633) ; Jacob (No. 193); and Samuel who married Sarah Opdegrave. (Charles Major's Notes, Zieber-Markley Family) No. 70. "PETER HENRICH his widow died July 27, 1810." Not definitely identified, but possibly Ann Godshalk, daughter of John Godshalk of Hatfield township. Her husband Peter Hendricks, son of LawrencCjOf Towa- mencin, died in 1787. DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK KEGION 107

No. 71. "Old CHRISTIAN CLEMENS died August 17,1810." Not definitely identified, but possibly the son of Jacob and Barbara Clemens who was born April 21, 1741.

No. 72. "Old CHRISTIAN FUNK died June 1,1811." Born in 1731, son of Rev. Henry and Anna (Moyer) Funk, he married in 1751 Barbara Cassel, daughter of the emigrant Yelles Cassel, who died December 29, 1792. The Bishop responsible for the schism in the Men- nonite Church during the Revolution, he lived in Franconia township and is buried at Delp's Cemetery. In Wenger's History of the Franconia Mennonite Con ference, his death is given as May 31, 1811; possibly he was buried on June 1. Issue: Anna, wife of David Rosenberger; Elizabeth (No. 13p wife of Henry Got- wals; Mary who married a Rynard; Catherine (No. 56) wife of John Detweiler; Barbara, wife of Rev. John Reiff (No. 268) ; Sarah, wife of a Brodt; Rev. John Funk (No. 246) ; Abraham and Susanna wife of a Detweiler. (HSL, Moyer p 308ff)

No. 73. "JACOB REIFF his wife died September 18, 1811." Born in August 1736, she was Catherine Schneider, wife of No. 118. An alternate birth-date is given as February 15,1737. (HSL)

No. 74. "Carpenter HENRICH KOLB died October 8, 1811." Born in 1736 he was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Kolb and grandson of the emigrant Henry Kolb. He and his wife Susanna (No. 43) are buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. No known issue.

No. 75." "ANDREAS KOLB the school-teacher died November 18, 1811." Born in 1749, son of Isaac and Maria (Swartz) Kolb, he remained in Skippack when his parents removed to Bristol township, but never mar ried. He is buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. 1Q8 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

No. 76. "NICHOLAUS SCHWENK his wife died March 12, 1812." widow of No. 53, Anna Barbara Schwenk was apparently his second wife. Old Goshenhoppen Luth eran records show his first wife to have been Maria Elisabetha — who died between 1756 when their son Daniel was born, and 1761 when Nicholas and Anna Barbara Schwenk's son Jacob was born.

No. 77. "Old widow SCHOTTIN died March 28, 1812," Has not been identified.

No. 78. "GERHART STAUFFER his wife died May 15, 1812." She was Margaret Kolb, daughter of Nos. 35 and 260 and wife of No. 85.

No. 79. "Old HENRICH KASSEL died May 16, 1812." In his will dated Oct. 28, 1796 and proved May 27, 1812 he calls himself a widower far advanced in years, of Skippack township. Therein he devised his plantation of 64 acres to his brother Yelles' son Henry Gassel, whose mother's name was Elizabeth. From a study of deeds, tax lists and wills it is apparent he was the last surviving child of the emigrant Hupert Cassel and his wife Syche Up de Graf but not the Henry Cassel who married Margaret Godshalk. Hupert Cassel devised the plantation on which he lived at the time of his death to his son Henry, a weaver by trade; it was with him that Christopher Dock spent his last years. James Y. Heckler says Henry Cassel was his son-in-law but there is no evidence to support the claim in Dock's will. Who Henry Cassel's wife was remains unknown; they had no issue. The Henry Cassel who married Margaret Godshalk, daughter of the miller Godshalk Godshalk and his wife Eve, was a son of Yelles Cassel, the emigrant and brother of Hupert Cassel. He was a resident of Lower Salford township probably from about the time of his marriage—around 1747—^to 1776 when he made over his property to his son-in-law DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK REGION 1()9

John Springer and removed, to Towamencin, pur chasing land from the heirs of Leonard Hendricks. He died in 1797. (Montgy Dd Bk 55/261; W Bk 3/389; Mathews: History of Towamencin, p 48; Montgy W Bk 2/5; Phila. OC Bk 1768 p 198).

No. 80. "Old ISAAC MARKLEY died May 19, 1812." Born May 24, 1729, brother of Nos. 18 and 19 and son of Jacob and Barbara (Dodderer) Markley, he married Sarah — (No. 286). In 1765 he bought land in Sal- ford from Nicholas Holderman, Jr., brother of No. 45, on which he lived until a year before his death when he sold it to his son Henry Markley. He died in Hatfield township and is buried at Lower Salford Mennonite Cemetery. Issue: George (No. 121) ; Henry (No. 322); Abraham (No. 336) and Isaac. (Dotterer P93)

No. 81. "Old ABRAHAM GERKES died October 5, 1812." Born about 1744 son of John William and Margaret Gerges and brother of No. 5, he married March 26, 1776 Elizabeth Ziegler, daughter of Philip Ziegler. She was born January 12,1756 and died July 19, 1836 aged 80 yrs., 6 mo., 7 ds., having been blind for a number of years. They lived in Perkiomen township and are buried at Old Goshehhoppen Lutheran Ceme tery. They had no children. (HSL)

No. 82. "MARIA HERLIN died aged 92 yrs., 4 mo., January 1, 1813." Born September 1, 1720, the daughter of Rev. Peter Becker and his wife Dorothy Partman, she was the wife of No. 61 and the mother of thirteen children. (HSL)

No. 83. "ABRAHAM KRAUS died February 25, 1813." Son of Charles and No. 275 Susanna Kraus, he was an innkeeper in Skippack township. His father Charles moved to Skippack in 1791, renting Gabrield Klein's ]^]_Q BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

tavern stand and 50 acres which he purchased in 1796. He operated the tavern until 1805, turning it over that year to his only son Abraham, who had married in 1797, for whom Charles had purchased 35 acres in 1802 from Henry and Maria Wismer. Abraham Kraus married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Tyson) Ziegler and a grandaughter of William Ty son. She married second Peter Yost. Issue: Susanna (No. 235), wife of William W. Ziegler (No. 216) ; Rachel, wife of Abraham Ziegler; Anna and Elizabeth Kraus. (Montgy Dd Bks 9/428, 10/158, 15/448, 40/179; 00 Bk 3/259, 270; W Bk 3/180)

No. 84. "JOHN HEINRIGH his widow died February 27, ' 1813." Possibly Margaret, the widow of John Hen- rich, of Limerick, who had died in September, 1803 and is buried at St. James Church, Limerick.

No. 85. "GERHART STAUFFER died March 18, 1813." Husband of No. 78, he was a son of John Ulrich and Catherine (Clemens) Stauffer. He lived on his father's farm in Lower Salford until 1788, when he sold the property to Jacob Reiff, Jr., and moved to Skippack. He was enrolled in the Lower Skippack Militia Company during the Revalution. Issue: Catherine, wife of Jacob Speer; Dillman, who mar ried Susanna Schaum; John (No. 167) (HSL, Stouf- fer-Stover History, pp 167,171).

No. 86. "JOHN OTT his wife died April 8, 1813." Daughter of Nos. 34 and 41, she was Barbara Boger Ott, born March 1, 1787. (Heckler p 35).

No. 87. "Young JOHN DETTWEILER died May 8, 1813." Probably the son of Nos. 10 and 44, he married Mary Oberholtzer, who died August 22,1834. He purchased a plantation of 150 acres in Lower Providence in 1790, perhaps the year of his marriage, adjoining the "old" DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK REGION HI

and the "new" meeting house lots and along the Great Koad to Philadelphia. At the time of his death his ten children were still all minors. Issue: Jacob, John, Catherine, Nancy, wife of Samuel Harley, Mary, wife of Jacob Rosenberger, Henry, Abraham, Sarah, Elisa beth and Susanna. (OC Bk 3/39, 4/135; Dd Bks 5/269, 38/447). No. 88. "JOHN HUBLBR his wife died May 11, 1813." Mar- garetha Hubler, daughter of No. 174 and wife of No. 161 is buried in Salford Mennonite Cemetery beside the graves of Christian Halteman and his wife Cath erine. Her tombstone gives her age as 26 yrs., 10 mos., 1 d. (Rev. Carl Smith). No. 89. "Old GEORGE BECKER died June 11, 1813." Born June 23, 1732, the son of Frederick and Mary (Ak- horn) Baker, of Norriton township, he married Cath erine, daughter of Derrick and Mary Casselberry. She died February 3, 1809, aged 76 yrs. Lived in Norriton township on his father's old farm and is buried at Norriton Dunkard Cemetery. Issue: Fred erick, Nancy wife of John Shade, John and Sarah. (W Bk 3/499; Rev. Carl Smith notes.) No. 90. "Young WILLIAM GOTTSHALL died June 25, 1813." Letters of administration on his estate were granted July 5, 1813, to Andrew Ziegler, probably his uncle, since he appears to have been the son of Gerret Godshalk of Towamencin, who died in 1796, and his wife Hester, who later married John Bean and died in 1855. Buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery, his tombstone gives his'age as 25 yrs., 10 mo., lids. (OC Bk 2/308, 317; RW #11, 255) No. 91. "Young MICHAEL STILLWAGON died July 2, 1813." Possibly the son of William Stillwagon of New Hanover, who married, August 9, 1788, Mary Hen- dricks, of Towamencin, he was living in Skippack at 112 bulletin of HISTOBICAL society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

the time of his death. William Stillwagon, a well-dig ger, had been a resident of the township until the year before, when he had sold out to Henry Young. Letters of administration on Michael's estate were granted July 6, 1813, to Peter Wisler and Jacob Heiser. The inventory made the same day was by John Tyson and John Johnson. (RW #16,438)

No. 92. "Old PETER WAGNER died August 25, 1813." A cordwainer of Skippack township at the time of his death, he had come from Towamencin in 1807, pur chasing from Henry and Susan Landis 50 acres ad joining Charles Kraus' land. He named' his wife Mary and Isaac Wampole, of Philadelphia, executors of his will. Issue: John, Elizabeth, Baltes, Peter, Frederick, George, Dorothy and Katherine. (W Bk 3/540, Dd Bks 33/587, 391/328)

No. 93. "Stout ANDREAS ZIEGLER died November 28, 1813." Son of Andrew (No. 8) and Elizabeth (Kolb) Ziegler, the date of his death is erroneously given in The Strassburger Genealogy as October 26, 1811. He was born March 14, 1737, was a weaver by trade and lived on the southern part of his father's plantation in Lower Salford. He and his wife Margaret (No. 278) are undoubtedly buried at Lower Salford Men- nonite Cemetery. Issue: Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Tyson; Dillman, who married Abraham's sister, Polly Tyson; Michael, known as "Little Mike," who married Sarah Oberholtzer, and Andrew, who married Susan Freyer. (DC Bk 10/79, RW #18,014, Dd Bk 32/14)

No. 94. "Old ' GEORG SCHLOTTERER died April 15, 1814." Overseer of the Poor in Lower Salford in 1768, he married Magdalena Johnson, widow of Nicholas Johnson, and settled in Upper Salford, where he oper ated an oil-and saw-mill on the Perkiomen. Issue: DEATHS IN THE SKIPPACK BEGION 113

William, who married Catherine Wierman, Christian, Ann, wife ofChristian Pigart and Barbara, wife of Henry Boyer. (Heckler p 350, OC Bk 3/84)

No. 95. "Old ISAAC LANDIS died April 26, 1814." Son of Jacob and Mary (Cassel) Landis he married about 1780 Catherine Oberholtzer (No. 129). They lived in Franconia, where he was enrolled in the Militia Com pany during the Revolution. Issue: John, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna. (W Bk 4/23, HSL)

No. 96. "CHRISTIAN CROLL died April 27, 1814." Born February 9, 1758, the son of Philip Croll of the Old Goshenhoppen Lutheran Congregation, he was a blacksmith, living in Maxatawny township, Berks county from 1784 to 1790, and an innkeeper in the latter part of his life, operating a stand in Whitpain from 1800 to 1804, in Springfield in 1804, then in Skippack, where he ended his days. Although in 1772 he was confirmed at the age of 14 at the Goshenhoppen Lutheran Church, he and his wife Hannah (No. 160) are buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Cemetery. Issue: Jacob, Michael, Mary, Sarah, David, who mar ried Catherine Schwenk (No. 190), Charles (No. 190) and William. (OC Bk 3/86, 106) No. 97. "Old JACOB OBERHOLSER died May 8, 1814." Born about 1740, the son of Jacob and Deborah (Haldeman) Oberholtzer, he married, first, Esther Lederach, daughter of Andrew and Magdalena Led- erach, and second, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Maria Clemmer. His second wife was a sister to Esther Lederach's brother Henry's wife, Catherine Clemmer. Jacob Oberholtzer was a Mennonite preacher of the Franconia Congregation, where he and his wives are buried. Issue: Henry (No. 338), who married Hannah Detweiler (No, 403); Maria, wife of Rev. Samuel Gehman; Hannah, wife of Isaac 114 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Alderfer (No. 574), who married also his first/wife's sister Elizabeth; Catherine, wife of John Schott (No. 360); John, who married Susanna Moyer, and Jacob, who married, first, Catherine Rush, and second, Mary W. Wismer. (HSL, Perk. Reg. Vol. 10/35)

No. 98. "GOTTSHAL GOTTSHAL his wife died August 7, 1814." Born January 1,1740, she was Sara Hunsicker, daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Kolb) Hun sicker. Buried at Lower Skippack Mennonite Ceme tery with her husband, No. 153.

No. 99. "Old JOHN HARLEY died December 3, 1814." Born August 16, 1741, son of No. 61, he married Margaret Landis, born October 24, 1742; died October 10, 1824, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Naasz) Landis, of Amwell, New Jersey. Buried Union Meeting House, Parkerford, East Coventry township, Chester county. Issue: John, Benjamin, who married Elizabeth Rine- hart; Rudolph, who also married Elizabeth Rinehart; Anna, wife of Daniel Rinehart. (HSL, Rev. Carl Smith)

(To he contirmed.) Early Land Transactions of Montgomery County

Charles R. Barker (Continued from page 58.)

1690 -1699

29. DEED. 7-20-1690. Richard Hall, county Philadelphia, blacksmith, to Richard Dungworth, said county. £ 5 Pa. money. Part of 210 acres in Sheltenham township, purchased of Ne- miah Mitchell [date blank], and by him purchased of Governor Penn, 20 March 1682; beg. at an ash in Quesenaman's creek, adj. Richard Hall, Thomas Maddocks, John Day; cont. 6^ acres. Under yearly rental. Wits.: Tho. Maddock [mark], Abraham Pratt [mark], Tho: Faireman. Ack. in County Court held at Philadelphia, 8-7-1690. Rec. 12-10-1691. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 201. 30. DEED POLL. 12-28-1691. Ellas Keach, Carmell, in the Manor of Moreland,® and wife Mary, to William Huntley, carpenter, of Carmell aforesaid. £ 20 Pa. money. 200 acres in Carmell aforesaid, adj. Rebecca More and Samuell More, "the west side of Moreland," "the main Creek of Pennipacc run." Under annual rental of 7^ d. in silver. Pa. money. Wits.: John Craiford, John Tulle, James Browne [?]. Ack. in County Court held at Philadelphia 1-1-1691/2. Rec. 1-23-1691/2. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 220. Elias Keach, "of Middleton in New East Jersey," consti-

* "The Manor of Moreland." From this tract have been carved two tcwnships of Moreland—one, now absorbed by the city of Philadelphia; the other, in Montgomery county, much subdivided in recent years. (See the Bulletin; VI. 30.) 115 116 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY tutes his father-in-law, "Mr. John Holme of Greenspring in the county of Philadelphia," his lawful attorney, 1-2-1691. Wits.; V. Alton [?], Wm. Purdy. Ibid. 31. DEED. 5-5-1691. Thomas Lloyd, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, to Edward Rees. £ 25 Pa. money. Tract of land adj. Richard Cuarton, Evan Harries, Robert Owen, Merion Tract; cont. 125 acres, "situate between the townships of Haverfprd & Meirion."'^ Under yearly quit-rent of 3 s. silver. Wits.: Robert Owen, Da: Lloyd. Ack. in County Court held at Philadelphia, 7-1-1691. Rec. 9-4-1691. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 175. 32. DEED. 5-20-1691. Lancelott Lloyd, Philadelphia, tan ner, to Philip Price, Haverford township, county Philadelphia. £31 Pa. money. 100 acres now in possession of said Philip Price, on west side of Skoolkill River near Radnor township, adj. Jno. Eckley, Rowland Ellis, and John Humphrey, 1 mile in length and 50 perches in width, purchased from said John Eckley, 3-1-1685. Under yearly quit-rent; (etc.). Wits.: Saml. Richardson, Cadder Morgan. Ack. in County Court of Philadelphia 7-1-1691. Rec. 9-3-1691. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 172. 33. DEED. 6-5-1691. Thomas Lloyd, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, to Robert Owen. £ 100, Pa. money. Tract of land adj. Edward Rees, ffrancis Lloyd, James Thomas, ffran- cis Howell, Thomas Jones, John Roberts and Marion Line;® cont. 542 acres. Under yearly quit-rent of 2 s. 6d. per 100 acres.

'As Haverford and (Lower) Merion townships now adjoin, it will be seen that this reference is to the original township of Merion (or Meirion) which was laid out in what is now the eastern corner of Lower Merion. On Thomas Holme's Map of the Province of Pennsyl vania, this tract is indicated as "Edward Tones & Compa, being 17 Families." ' See preceding foot-note. "Marion [Merion] Line" is evidently the boundary of the original Merion township. Roughly, this boundary runs along Wynnedwood avenue from All Saints Church to Overbrook station, P. R. R. EAELY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ^17

Wits.: Richard Andrews, Da. Lloyd, Thomas Lloyd, Jr. Ack. in County Court of Philadelphia 7-1-1691. Rec. 9-4-1691. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 174. 34. DEED. 20 November 1691. William Huntly [mark], Carmell, in Mooreland, county Philadelphia, to John Tuly, Shrewsbury, East Jersey. £ 9, Pa. money. Piece of land bound ed by Pemapecka creek on east side, adj. said Tuly and Samll. Vosse; cont. 80 acres. Purchased from Elias and Mary Keach, 20 February 1691. Wits.: Waler pumphery, Thomas ffairman. 19 July 1744. Charles Brockden proves signature of Thomas Fairman, of Shackamaxon, one of the foregoing witnesses. Rec. 21 July 1744. Book F 9, p. 415. 35. DEED. 30 November 1691. Elias Keich [signed KeacK], Town of Burlington, West New Jersey, Gentleman, and wife Mary, to John Euly, "now Resident of the Town of Shrowestbury," carpenter. £ 65, "Current Money of ye place aforesaid." Tract at Alesbury, part of tract called Moorland, in county Philadelphia, "Beginning at a White Oak Tree Marked for a Corner Standing on the East Side of Pemapecka Creek opposit to the Dwelling House of William Hartly," adj. land of Samuel Moore; cont. 316 acres. [No recital of title.] Wits.: Isaac Decow, Abimeleck Hudson [mark], William Foster [mark]. Ack. in open Court at Philadelphia, 4 June 1696. Rec. 5 September 1739. Book G 2, p. 156. 86. DEED. 1-2-1691/2. Thomas ffairman, county Phila delphia, to John Whitpaine, same place. £ 8 Pa. money. 100 acres in said county, adj. John Davy, Plymouth township, said ffairman, said Whitpayne. Part of 1000 acres purchased of William Stanly, and laid out by order of the Commissioners by their warrant dated 1-10-1689. Wits.: Theo. Roberts, Cha: Wier. Ack. in County Court begun at Philadelphia 1-1-1691. Rec. 1-16-1691/2. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 210. 118 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

37. DEED. 28 May 1692. Elias Keach, now or late of Burlington, West New Jersey, yeoman, and wife Mary, one of the daughters of Nicholas Moore, late of county Philadelphia, Esq., deed., to Thomas Wood, county Burlington, West New Jersey, yeoman. £20, West New Jersey money. 400 acres of land, to be laid out at southeast end of tract called Gillead in the Manor of Moreland, county Philadelphia, adj. Rebecca Moore, said Elias Keach and wife Mary, Thomas Fairman, Sarah Moore. Under yearly quit-rent of 12 pence sterling per 1000 acres. Wits.: Henry Waddy, J. P., Jacob Hall, Sarah Charles- worth. Jacob Hall, atty. to within-named Elias Keach, substitutes Thomas Curtis, atty., to acknowledge these premises, 8 June 98. Aek. in County Court held at Philadelphia, 4-9-1698. Rec. 1-26-1713. Book E 7, vol. 8, p. 301. 38. DEED. 10-5-1692. John Blunston, Darby, county Chester, by virtue of letter of attorney® from William Shard- low, of London, merchant, dated 30 September 1691, to Thomas Pott, Philadelphia. £9, Pa. money. Tract on west side of Schuylkill, adj. land formerly of William Wood, cont. 150 acres, being part of 2500 acres belonging to said Shardlow. Wits.: Joseph Wood, John Wood. Ack. in Open Court held at Philadelphia 1-7-1693. Rec. 1-12-1712/13. Book E 7, vol. 9, p. 53. 39. DEED.' 4-18-1694. Rees Jones [signed Rees John], Meirion in the Welsh Tract, to Cadwallader Morgan, of Meirion, in said Tract. £ 10, Pa. money. Piece of land, on Schoolkill, cont. 761/^ acres. Under yearly quit-rent. [Appoints John Claypoole to deliver these presents.] Wits.: Hugh Roberts, John Roberts, Thomas Jones. Ack. in Open Court held at Philadelphia 7 March 1694/5. Rec. 12-4-1695/6. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 300.

®Blunston was acting as general agent for Shardlow, who owned many tracts in Pennsylvania, but probably never came to America. EARLY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Hg

40. DEED. 4-18-1694. John William [signed Williams'], Meirion in the Welsh Tract, yeoman, to Cadwallader Morgan, same place, yeoman. £ 50, Pa. money. Parcel of land on Schoul- kill; cont. 76^ acres. Under yearly quit-rent. [Appoints John Claypoole attorney, etc.] Wits.: John Roberts, Abel Thomas. Ack. 7 March 1694/5. Rec. 12-4-1695/6. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 299.

41. DEED. 10 October 1694. Samuel Moore, Philadelphia, son and heir of Nicholas Moore, Esq., deed., to John Butcher, said county, husbandman. £30, Pa. money. Tract in said county, adj. Patrick Kelle, said Samuel Moore, land appointed for Nicholas Moore, John Baker, widow Boeden, Walter Pumphery and Thomas Kimber; cont. 300 acres. Part of 10,000 acres granted by the Proprietor to Nicholas Moore, father of said Samuel Moore, located by the Surveyor General, and confirmed by patent. Under rent of 3 half pence per 100 acres. Wits.: Toby Leech, Edward Williams [mark], William Wells, Thomas ffairman. Ack. in open Court held at Philadelphia 10 December 1694. Rec. 4 April 1734. Book F 6, p. 401.

42. DEED POLL. 1 December 1694. Robert David, Meir- ion in the Welsh Tract, to Richard Walter, same place, yeo man. £42, Pa. silver money. Piece of land, "Beginning at a Stake planted in the ground in a Line formerly runn for Gay- nor Robertscont. 25 acres. Also, a "piece of Land that was Gaynor Roberts aforesaid, containing about 75 acres. Which said several pieces of land, in all about 100 acres, are now in tenure of said Richard Walter." Under yearly quit-rent. • MMts.: Griffith Owen, Hugh Roberts, Robert Owen, Anne Jones. • Ack. in Open Court at Philadelphia 7 December 1694. Rec. 7-26-1695. Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 292. 120 bulletin op historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

43. DEED. 25 February 1695. Thomas Fairman, county Philadelphia, to Richard Tayler, same place, husbandman. £ 30, Pa. money, silver. 300 acres in county Philadelphia, adj. John Brock, John Jones, said Fairman, late Rebecca Moore, deed., laid out in right of said Fairman's purchase of 1100 acres from Thomas Hooton, deed., 10 June 1689. Under yearly quit-rent of 12 d. per 100 acres, English money. Wits-: Richd. Whitfield, Jacob Hall, Peter Tayler. Ack. in Open Court held at Philadelphia 4 March 1696/7. Rec. 7 March 1731. Book F 5, p. 437.

44. DEED. 16 September 1695. Hester Elfreth, widow and admx. of John Bowyer, late of Philadelphia, deed., and John Bowyer, son and heir apparent of said John Bowyer, Philadelphia, ship carpenter, to William Wilkins, county Philadelphia, husbandman. £31, Pa. money, silver. 150 acres, remainder of 200 acres in Philadelphia laid out and confirmed by patent, 30 July 1687, unto John Bowyer in right of Walter King. [Patent Book A, p. 235.] Wits.: James Shattick, James White, Francis Cooke. Ack. in Open Court held at Philadelphia 5 March 1695/6. Rec. 4-29-1708. Book E 4, vol. 7, p. 150.

45. DEED. 25 November 1695. John Holme, late of town and county of Philadelphia, but now of Salem, West New Jersey, gent., who married Marie, relict and admx. of Nicholas More, late of said county. Doctor in Physick, and admr. of the goods and credits of said Nicholas More, deed., yet unadmin- istered by said Marie (etc.), and who is execr. of Samll. More, son of said Nicholas; to Robert Heaton, Junior, late of county Bucks, but now of county Philadelphia, husbandman. William Penn, Proprietor and Governor, by patent dated 6-7-1684, granted to said Nicholas More (purchaser of 10,000 acres by lease and release, 17 and 18 October 1681) a tract in said county called Moreland, cont. 9815 acres (part of said 10,000 acres, as per warrant dated 11-5-1682, and laid out 6-1-1684), under annual rental of 10 English shillings for the EARLY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY 121 whole 10,000 acres (etc.), by which said Nicholas More became seized of said 9815 acres, and died intestate, and said Marie his wife, on 23 May 1687, administered upon his estate. On 1-1-1688, said John Holme (husband of said Marie) and Elias Keech (who had married Marie, one of the daugh ters of said Nicholas and Marie), with other Friends, metIn Philadelphia to consider an equal division of said 9815 acres called the Manner of Moreland, so that Elias Keech could have his wife's share. [Here follows account of agreement made be tween said John Holme and Elias Keech as to their respective portions, and subscribed by David Lloyd, Thomas Revell, Jno. Deweldee, Jno. Fanner and Mickell Barron, and approved by the Orphans' Court, 1-7-1688/9] And whereas, because of various debts, losses and "Cross accidents in Husbandrie," the estate of Nicholas More is 50 reduced that said John Holme is obliged to dispose of some of the land to provide for the widow and children of said Nicholas More; And whereas said Samuel More, by will dated 6 November 1694, bequeathed his mother Marie Holme Vs of residue of estate descending to him by his father, and gave his brother and sister, Nicholas and Sarah More, the residue of his estate, and made his father-in-law, John Holme, execr.; And whereas, on petition of said John Holme to Governor Markham, it was ordered that he sell the plantation of Green Spring, and such parts of the Manner of Moreland as descend ed to Samuel More, deed., or were allotted to said Samuel and Rebecca More, deed., as amounted to their debts (etc.); And whereas, the attornies of said Elias Keech, on 19 November 1695, released all interest in the Manner House of Moreland; NOW WITNESS: that for £ 72 15 s., John Holme grants to said Robert Heaton, Jr., 150 acres, part of said Samuel More's proportion of said Manner, and 150 acres more, part of Nicholas More's allotment of said Manor, upon which last 150 acres the Manor House belonging to said Samuel More '122 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

stands "near the Line of Division between the said Samuel "and Nicholas allottments" (etc., etc.) in all 300 acres; adj. John Eaton, said Nicholas More, Sarah More, Patrick Kelley •and Jno. Butcher. Wits.: Saml. Carpenter, Antho: Morris, Pat. Robinson. • Ack. in Open Court at Philadelphia 5 March 1695/6. '• Rec. 26 May 1739. Book F 10, p. 351. ' {Note: this deed covers about six pages.) .. 46. DEED. 1 March 1696. James Shattick, county Phila delphia, baker, to Johann Ritwizer, same place, tailor. £ 46, Pa. money, silver. Three tracts in Plymouth: (a) adj. Jasper Farmer, and township line; cont. 180

acres. (b) "being a certain town Lot situate in the Villiage Township," cont. 20 acres, adj. James Fox. . (c) on Skuilkill, cont. 12 acres, adj. said James Fox. Purchased by said James Shattick from said James Fox, 8-22-1690. Wits.: Edward Lane, Robert Wallis. Ack. 26 June 1721. Rec (no record found). Book F 3, p. 204. 47. DEED. 3 mo. (May) - 16 - 1696. Mary Broadwell, .Philadelphia, widow, to Evam Morris, Philadelphia, glover. .£96, Pa. silver. Land in county Philadelphia, adj. Joseph Philip, "a street or road;" cont. 300 acres. Now in possession of said Mary Broadwell by virtue of patent from the Com missioners of Property, dated 5-6-1686, to Wm. Chamberlin, who, by atty., assigned said tract to said Mary Broadwell, 5-7-1686. Wits.: Francis Stone [ ?], Thomas Makin. Ack. in Open Court at Philadelphia 4 June 1696. . ' Rec (no record found). Book E 6, vol. 7, p. 146.

48. DEED. 24 July 1696. Robert Skelton, Province of East Jersey, and wife Alice [mark], relict and admx. of John Thfockmorton, deed., who was sole execr. of Joseph Throck- EABLY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY. COUNTY 123^ morton, deed., to Philip Richards, Philadelphia. £249 10 s., Pa. money, silver. Tract in Cheltenham township, county Philadelphia, adj. John Russel; cont. 500 acres; granted ^ William fframpton by patent from the Proprietary, 5-29-1684. (Also, other properties, in Philadelphia.) [Deed recites, that judgment was obtained against real estate of William fframpton, deed., in the hands of his sole execx., Elizabeth Basnett, on behalf of said Joseph Throck-* morton, creditor; and that as no person could be found to bid' on said properties) the sheriff, on Court order, delivered same' to said Robert and Alice Skelton.] Grantors make David Lloyd their attorney. Wits.: James Fox, George Hutcheson, ances [page torn.] Ack. in Open Court held at Philadelphia .. August 169.. Rec (no record found.) Book E 2, vol. 5, p. 332. 49. DEED. 16 January 1696/7. John Claypoole, sheriff of Philadelphia, to Robert Heaton, county Bucks, husbandman' Judgment was obtained against John Holme, county' Philadelphia, who married Mary More, relict and admx. of Nicholas More, late of said county, doctor in physick, deed.,' for £ 52 2 s.. Pa. money. A writ of fieri facias was issued 11 June 1696. 600 acres unimproved land, part of the Manor of More- land, in county Philadelphia, adj. John Butcher, Nicholas, Sarah and Rebecca More, Richard Taylor and John Brock, Rebecca and Sarah More, Henry Comly. Sold at house of Thomas Parsons at Frankfort Mill," 19 December 1696; "at the going out of the Flame of the Candle;" Robert Heaton bid £ 90.

This seems a very early use of the name Frankford, which is still applied to a locality within Philadelphia city.

""Auction by inch of candle, an old method of selling by auction, still sometimes practised, in which a small piece of candle is lighted at the beginning of a sale, and the highest bid made before the wick falls is successful." (Century Dictionary.) 124 BUI^LETIN of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Rec. 17 9 br. 1736 Book F 7, p. 367. Wits.: Robert Adams [mark], Tho. Fairman, Pat Rob inson. Ack. in Open Court at Philadelphia 4 March 1696/7. 50. DEED. 28 December 1697. Richard Wall [mark], Sr., Cheltenham, yeoman, to Thomas Tester, same place, husbandman. £ 15, Pa. money, silver. Tract of land in Chelten ham, adj. George Shoemaker, said Wall, said Thomas Tester, Edward White; cont. Sli/g acres. Part of 100 acres granted to said Richard Wall by the Proprietor, by patent dated 5-17-1684. Wits.: George Simmons, William Peter Taylor. Ack. in County Court at Philadelphia 7-9-1698. Rec. 9-3-1702. . Book C 2, vol. 3, p. 186. 51. INDENTURE TRIPARTITE (Mortgage). 4-18-1698. William Jenkins, Spring Head, Abington township, yeoman -[1st part]; John Barnes, now of Philadelphia, yeoman [2d part]; Samuel Cart, Everard Bolton, Evan Morris, Robert Fletcher and Thomas Canby, all of Philadelphia, yeomen [3d part]. Said party of 2d part, by deed poll dated 2-5-9 Wm. III,^^ granted to said parties of 3d part, a yearly rent of £ 8 silver. Pa., issuing out of a messuage and 436^ acres in Abington aforesaid, then in the tenure of the said John Barnes, known as Springhead, which annuity, together with 120 acres of said 'land, was intended to be conveyed only in trust to be after wards declared, but before declaration was made, said John Barnes obtained a release of said annuity from said parties of 3d part, provided he would secure said £ 100 for uses intended, whereupon he, on 17th instant, sold said messuage and 437 acres, for £ 400 Pa., to said William Jenkins. Now, as £ 100, part of said £ 400, is left by said Barnes in hands of William Jenkins, who signifies by being made a party

The fifth day of the second month of the ninth year of the reign of King William III. EARLY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY J^25 hereto, and charges said messuage and 437 acres with pay ment of same, he, said Jenkins, grants to said parties of Bd part, said messuage and 437 acres, in his tenure now being, paying to said Barnes annually &8 silver Pa. Wits.: Samuel Atkins, Lewis Lewis, Dadd Lloyd: • Ack. in County Court held at Philadelphia 9 March 1698/9. Rec Satis. 16 November 1716. Book E 7, vol. 9, p.266. 52. DEED. 7-6-1698. Edward Shippen, Philadelphia, mer chant, and wife Rebecca, sole execx. of Francis Richardson, late of New York, merchant, her former husband, deed., to Richard Taylor, of Cheltenham, yeoman. £ 32 10 s. Pa. Piece of land "near the township of Cheltenham," adj. Humphrey Morrey, Robert Row, Jacob Telner, Israel Hobbs, cont. 200 acres. Being the moiety of 400 acres which said Francis Rich ardson purchased from Thomas Phillips, and by will dated 5-7-1688, gave 200 acres thereof to said Rebecca, who, after his decease, intermarried with said Edward Shippen. Wits.: Henry Badeoke, William James. Ack. in County Court, 4-9-1699. Rec Book F 4, p. 310. 53. DEED. 30 November 1698. Jacob Isaacks, Philadel phia, merchant, to Thomas Fairman, said place, yeoman. £ ICQ, Pa. 800 acres in Upper Dublin township, on Susquehanna street or road, adj. Tryall Holme, Joseph Fisher, said Thomas Fairman. Conveyed to said Jacob Isaacks by deed of lease and release from William Penn, Proprietary and Governor, dated 4-11-1683, and laid out by warrant dated 9-14-1685. Jacob Isaacks makes Thomas Curtice, of Philadelphia, his attorney to make acknowledgment in open court, and deliver deed. [signed] Jacob Isaacks Van bebber.^^

This is a good example of the complexity of Dutch colonial names: in this deed, we have, apparently, three surnames where one should suffice; but actually, as among the Welsh, there were no surnames. (See Samuel W. Pennypacker: The Settlement of Germantown, for a dis cussion of the subject.) '12Q BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Wits.: , Rainer Tesen [mark], Susanna L. Brandts. Payment made to Isaac Jacobs, son of Jacob Isaacks. Ack. 9 January 1700. Rec. 27 August 1740. Book G 1, p. 127. 54. DEED. 2 mo. (April) -1-1699. Edward ffarmar, ffarmer's Town, county Philadelphia, gentleman, to Paul Klumges Jansen,^-* Germantown, weaver, £ 37 silver Pa. Tract "Lying in the County of Philadelphia and ffarmer's Town aforesaid," adj. Henry Kesselberg upon Wissaheckam creek, and Thomas Cox. Wit.: EverardBolton. Ack. in Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, 4 December 1701. Rec. 11-15-1701/2. Book C 2, vol. 3, p. 177. 55. DEED. 4 mo. (June) - 29 -1699. Edward Farmer, county P. son and heir of Mary Farmer, late of Farmer ...., in said county Philadelphia, but former.... Ardevolain, county Tipperary in to Lewis Thomas, county Phila delphia, yeoman. &51 10 s.. Pa. Parcel of land on northeast side of Skoolkill, adj. Charles Hugh; cont. 224 acres, part of lands ofFarmer's Town. William Penn, Proprietary and Governor, by patent dated 11-31-1683, granted to Maj. Jasper Farmer and his two sons, •Richard and Jasper, 5000 acres of land, by the name of Farm er's Town,^® on east side of Skoolkill, one moiety being granted ' to the father, and one fourth part to each son. After decease of said Major Farmer, his moiety came, by virtue of his will, to said Mary Farmer and Edward Farmer. Said Richard Farmer, on 23 April 1685, granted his fourth part to Thomas Webb [Book E l, Vol. 5, p. 156], who, on 24 December 1685, granted said fourth part to said Mary Farmer [ibid.; p. 174],

Another example of Dutch nomenclature.

" Farmer's Town occupied the greater part of the present White- marsh township. (See Thomas Holme: Map of the Province of Pennsylvania.). EAKLY LAND TRANSACTIONS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY 127 who by her will dated 31 October 1685, gave all her lands in Fanner's Town to said Edward Farmer. Wits.: Robert Diluny, Moses Edwards. Ack. in County Court, 5 October 1699. Rec Book F 3, p. 136. 56. DEED. 10-7-1699. Walter Pumphrey, county Phila delphia, carpenter, to Peter Lester, same place, wheelwright. £ 180, silver, Pa. Tract in said county, part of Manor of Moor land, adj. Thomas Eimber, Silas Crispin, Abraham Richard, Samuel Moore; cont. 232 acres. Also, 2 acres 5 perches meadow- land by Pemepeck creek, adj. Abraham Richard. Both pur chased from John Eule, 27 October 1694. Also, an adjoining- tract, adj. John Baker, John Butcher; cont. 50 acres, pur chased from William Beadell and George Hutcheson, admrs.' of Rebeckah Booden, 3-18-1697. Also, 11/^ acres meadow ad joining, on east side of Pemepeck creek, purchased of Abra ham Richards, 9-4-1696. Grantor appoints William Preston, of Franckford, county Philadelphia, his attorney (etc.). Wits.: Benjamin DufReld, Abraham Richards. Ack. in Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, 4 September 1701. Recs. 11 September 1789. Book G 2, p. 165.

(To be continued.) Neighborhood News and Notices

From the Southern Tier of Townships*

(Continuedfrom Volume VJ page S5S)

"NOTICE The partnership heretofore existing between Joseph E. Bloomfield and Thomas R. Tunis, trading in Cadiz, Spain, under the firm of Bloomfield and Tunis is this day dissolved, by mutual consent. All persons having demands against said fiim, are requested to present their accounts to JOHM M. HALL & PETER LASSALETTA, in Cadiz, or to either of the Subscribers, Philadelphia. (January 1,1819) Jos. E. Bloomfield No. 70 South Fourth street J. R. Tunis Attorney for Thos. R. Tunis." [Thomas Harper, Agent for the Philadelphia and Pitts- burg Transporting Co., advertises for proposals for hauling their wagons.} "Two Waggons, each to contain about 3500 weight, to start from Philadelphia and Pittsburg every day, (Sundays ex cepted) at 12 o*cloek at noon, and to be delivered to the ad joining Contractor, or at the next point herein designated, on the next day at 12 o^clock at noon." (January 23, 1819)

[The Schuylkill Navigation Company, "having erected a dam at the Flat Rock and completed the Canal and Locks," offer water power for sale.) "The whole fall from the surface of the Canal to the sur face of the water near the outlet of the Locks, is from 22 to 26 feet, and the price is fixed for the present at three dollars

Compiled from "Poulson's American Daily Advertiser."

128 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND NOTICES ^29

per annum, in the nature of a Ground and Water Rent for each square inch of aperture under a three feet head. An aperture of one hundred square inches is computed to yield •water sufficient to grind about ten bushels of wheat per hour." [About Ys column.] (February 8,1819) "Four Oxen, fattened by George Sheaff, of White Marsh, Montgomery County," are among those advertised to be ex hibited at the Drove Yard, Vine st. near 8th. (March 20,1819) [Thirty Dollars Reward is offered by the church-wardens and vestrymen of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh, for information about persons who robbed the church of "the large folio Bible and Prayer-book," and injured the pulpit trimmings.] (May 7, 1819) "NOTICE The partnership of WHITE & TROLLINGER, Marble Quarrymen of Montgomery County, was dissolved on the twenty-sixth ultimo by mutual consent. All persons having de mands against said firm are requested to present their ac counts, and those indebted to make payment to Andrew Trol- linger, who is authorised to settle the same." ^0.1819) Andrew Trollinger." [Twenty Dollars reward is offered for return of a watch lost "on the Gulf road, between the Bulls Head Tavern, in Charlestown, Chester County, and Titus Yerkes's Tavern in Lower Merrion." Leave watch with Philip Garrett, watch maker, 144 Market st.] (July 27, 1819) ["A Stockholder" corrects erroneous impressions given by a previous publication, as to recent flood damage to Norris- town works of Schuylkill Navigation Co. A freshet of several days, bringing down ice from eastern side of Barbadoes Island, destroyed part of dam, the eastern abutment, and about 20 feet of wing wall, between abutment and Pauling's Mill. "The Canal and all the Locks are uninjured." (Ys column) ] (February 26, 1820) 130 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

"Boarding School. A Few Children will be received at the School of the Sub scriber, in Abington, and instructed in the necessary branches of an English Education, at the moderate rate of $25 per quarter, including boarding. Jesse Childs '[ 1820.] Abington, Montgomery County." "We are happy to state, that the venerable Charles Thom son, Esq., Secretary to the first Congress, has recovered from his late severe illness, so far as to be able to attend to the labour of his farm, in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery county. (Phila. Gazette.)" (May 3, 1820)

"EDUCATION The Subscriber having a School taught in his house, at Snow Hill, near Comly's Mill, Mooreland township, Montgom ery County, will take a few small children to board and school at a reasonable rate." (May 4, 1820) , EBER HOOPES." "Several thousands barrels of flour passed through the lock on the river Schuylkill, at the Borough of Norristown, within the last week, on its way to Philadelphia, from above." (May 19,1820)

"A CARD. James Robinson, respectfully informs those Ladies and Gentlemen, who wish to retire from the City, during the heat of Summer, with their families, that he now occupies and has fitted up for their accommodation the well known Inn, sign of the Gen. Wayne, on the old Lancaster road, 51/^ miles from the Permanent Bridge, lately occupied by Mr. Titus Yerkes. ... It has been long noted for a genteel summer retreat.^- Lower Merion, June 14." (June 15, 1820)

Under date of July 30, 1820, Joseph Price makes this entry in his Diary:. "Walk to Robeson. He a great No. of Boarders men women & Children." NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND NOTICES

"Pottstown (Penn.), June 28. JOHN MULLOWNEY, late a Captain in the United States' Navy, and now appointed by the President and Senate of the United States, a Consul to the kingdom of Morocco, in Africa, took his departure from his residence in this place, on the 25th inst., for Philadelphia, where it is expected he will take ship and sail, by the first opportunity, for Tangiers." (June 30,1820) "R. B. Jones, Esq., late American consul at Tripoli, ar rived at Boston last Tuesday, in the ship Mary, from Mar seilles, and has brought home with him three fine Arabian horses." (August 14, 1820)

[Three letters, in all columns, to the editor, deal with the imprisonment in Norristown jail of four young Quakers for the non-payment of militia fines. Amos Phipps and John Jacobs are the only persons mentioned by name. It appears that the matter is being used politically against Governor Findlay.] (September 12, 1820) "The elegant Arabian Horse GRAND BASHAW Imported in August last, from Tripoli, by Joseph C. Morgan, .will stand at the stable of John Elliott, in Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, 10 miles west of Philadelphia, near the Buck tavern, on the Lancaster turnpike, until the first of August next. Grand Bashaw is a Beautiful Iron Gray, rising five years old, fifteen hands high; it is believed, that in point of beauty, speed and action, he is not excelled by any horse ever imported into the United States. Certificate of his pedigree to be seen at his stand." (September 20,1820) [Daniel Wentz and Jona. Paul advertise that their store in Whitpain was broken open on the 19th inst., and robbed of a large quantity of goods. Twenty items are listed, chiefly dry goods. Reward, $200, or $100 for the goods alone.] (September 22,1820) 132 bulletin op historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

[The Schuylkill Navigation Co. offers premium of $200 to owners of first Steam or Team boat^® established on the Schuyl kill, to run from the cify to Norristown not less than twice a week.] (November 28, 1820) [The French Creek Boarding School Stage advertises to run on 4th and 7th day mornings from Daniel Lebo's, the "White Swan," during the winter, via Gulf Mills, Valley Forge and Phoenix Ville. Fare, $1.50. Way passengers, 6J^ cents a mile.] (December 16,1820) [Jonathan Cleaver, executor, advertises for Jeremiah Cross, "who some time past resided in the Township of Upper Merrion ... but who has not been heard of for a number of years." A legacy has been left him by Philip Rees.] (January 15,1821) "Norristown (Penn.) March 14. Early yesterday morning three Reading boats passed this place for Philadelphia, loaded with flour.—At such an hour it was pleasing to listen to the shrill and varied notes of the boatman's horn." (March 16, 1821) "FIRE. — On Saturday morning last, a dwelling-house and Stable, the property of Samuel Funk, of Cheltenham township, Montgomery county, was entirely consumed by fire, supposed to have caught by hot ashes being thrown too near the stable." (March.16, 1821) [Cadwalader Evans died "on the 21st ultimo, in the 72d year of his age." Descendant of an immigrant who settled at North Wales, Montgomery county, where deceased was born and educated, and spent about 30 years under the paternal roof. Engaged in mercantile business in this city. Promoted the usefuless of the Life Annuity Company of Pennsylvania, first institution of the kind in the U. S.; also, lock navigation on the Schuylkill. (7-inch article.) ] (March 27,1821)

*' In August, 1817, Joseph Price mentions going over to Jersey in a "Horse or team boat," propelled by nine horses. His attempt to describe its operation, however, is unsuccessful. NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND NOTICES ' 133

[Daniel Deal, Jr., offers $20 reward for a horse stolen out of his stable in Plymouth, night of 1st inst. "Holds out his head straight, occasioned by the Pole-Evil."^-*] (April 4,1821) [Extract from a letter dated Norristown, May 2, 1821, tells of "the arrival of the Steam Boat Norristown, from Phil adelphia, commanded and owned by Capt. Thomas Hewitt, and intended to ply for the accommodation of Passengers, and conveyance of Freight, on the river Schuylkill ... the first attempt to Navigate our River by steam."] (May 3,1821)

"Steam Boat Norristown Norristown (Penn.) May 9. — On Wednesday morning last, the inhabitants of this borough being apprized of the arrival of the Steam Boat Norristown (commanded and owned by Capt. Thomas Hewitt), at Swedesford, numbers of both sexes collected along the banks of the river, for the purpose of witnessing so novel, so pleasing and interesting a sight. About half past ten she majestically entered the mouth of Stoney Creek. ... In the afternoon a party of upwards of a hundred ... proceeded a few miles up the river, who returned in the evening, highly pleased. ... Until the obstructions are re moved, the Norristown, we understand, will not commence running regularly. She is a handsome boat, 65 feet long, 15 wide, and has two neat and suitable apartments for the ac commodation of passengers." (May II, 1821) [John and Nicholas Coleman, sons of William Coleman, advertise that they have become proprietors of the stage line lately owned by their deceased father, "and that they have made such arrangements with the proprietors of the Harrisburg and Reading mail stages, as to enable them to convey passengers from Philadelphia to the seat of govern ment, in as short a space of time, and at a lower rate of fare." Will pass through Germantown, Norristown, Pottsgrove, Reading, Womelsdorf, Lebanon and Hummelstown.

"Pole-Evil," or "Poll-Evil." "A swelling or aposteme on a horse's head or on the nape of the neck between the ears." (Century Dictionary.) ^ 134 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Leave Swan tavern in Race st., and Washington hotel, 4th near Market, Tues., Thurs., and Sat. Fare through, $7.00. Way passengers, seven cents per mile.] (May 14, 1821) [Steamboat "Norristown" advertises trip to Norristown, 75 cents. "It is intended that the Steam Boat shall leave Phila delphia every other day, but in consequence of the Dam at Fair Mount not being completed the time of starting must be regulated by the tide, of which due notice will be given."] (May 14,1821) "CAUTION The public are warned against Purchasing the Mill and Cotton Machinery on Mill Creek, advertised to be sold on Friday next, the first of June, by "JAMES WOOD," pro fessing to be the "Assignee of JOHN THOBURN," and "JAMES C. THOMPSON, Assignee of JAMES WOOD." Neither of these persons have any claim upon the Property, which is in the possession of the Subscriber. JAMES WOOD, was removed by the Court of Montgom ery County, as Trustee of the above-mentioned Property, a week or two ago, as the Records of that Court will show. (May 28, 1821) John Thoburn."^® [Nathaniel Furman announces that the "Loller Academy, at Hatborough, Montgomery County," continues open for the reception of scholars. "The terms for Boarding are one hun dred dollars per annum — all branches appertaining to a good English or Classical Education — are carefully taught."] (June 19,1821) [Lewis Schrack advertises that he runs the Norristown stage as usual, leaving John Dunlop's "Green Tree," 50 N. 4th St., Phila., at 2:30 daily. He will begin on the 26th running a stage from Norristown to Yellow Springs, 3 times weekly. Fare, $1.25, way passengers, 8c per mile.] (June 30, 1821)

Thoburn failed, in consequence of his mill having been drowned out by the building of Flat Rock dam, and he brought suit against the Schuylkill Navigation Company. (See Hagner's "Falls of Schuylkill," pp.'51-60; and Montg. Co. Deed Book 40, p. 162.) NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND NOTICES - 135

[Montgomery County Poor House Burnt. Loss, $5000. Hospital, washhouse and barn saved. Steward, who was at meeting, lost most of his furniture. "The paupers ... have dispersed through the county to seek employment."] (July 6,1821) "CASUALTY. — On Saturday last, while Mr. John Pluck, of Norriton township, was engaged in hauling timber for the re-building of Stony Creek Bridge, near Daniel St. Clair's esq., on the Germantown and Reading turnpike, he was un fortunately precipitated from one of his horses with such force that the vital spark became extinct in a few hours." (July 20,1821)

[A dispatch from Norristown describes the shooting of a young man in Limerick by his brother, after a dispute. No names given. Also :] "On the same day, a young man, son of John Taylor, of Lower-Merion township, was drowned in the river Schuylkill, in attempting to swim to a rock which was some distance from the shore." (July 27, 1821)

"Steam Boat Norristown. The Steam Boat Norristown will leave Chesnut street wharf, on Schuylkill, for Norristown, on Monday morning, the 30th inst. at 9 o'clock, and return the following day." (Saturday, July 28, 1821) [Samuel Shoemaker, of Moreland, offers $30 reward for conviction of thief and recovery of goods stolen from his currying shop on Old York road, near Hatborough, on the 14th inst. List of stolen goods given.] (August 16,1821) "Thirty Dollars Reward. Was stolen out of the pasture of the Subscriber, in Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, on the night of the 13th instant." A bright bay Horse, 7 years old, 151/^ hands high, with 3 136 BULLETIN OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY white feet and a blaze down his face, his mane rubbed off so that it stands up. A white stripe down one of his fore hoofs. Any person who wll give information of said Horse, so that the owner shall recover him again, shall receive Ten Dollars Reward, and all reasonable charges will be paid, if brought home, by Rees Price, owner. A further reward of twenty dollars will be paid by the Lower-Merion Society, for the detection and prosecution of Horse Thieves, to any person who will detect the Thief, so that he shall be brought to conviction. Abraham Levering, Treasurer. A further Reward of Twenty Dollars will be paid by the Treasurer of the County, upon the prosecution of the Thief." (October 15,1821) [Schuylkill Navigation invites proposals to dig a canal 22 miles long, to commence 4 miles below Reading. Proposals will be received by Thomas Cakes, engineer, at house of Abraham Brower, Unionville, west side of Schuylkill, 3 miles above Pottsgrove.] (October 26,1821) [Levi Pawling, John Quinn, John Francis, George Hauck, Elijah Funk, Joseph Crawford and Thomas Walker, advertise that they are authorized, by an act of General Assembly, to sell all property of Pawling's Ford Bridge, and that sale will take place December 17th, at public house of Jacob Fertig, near the said bridge, when will also be sold "the Timber and Irons of the old Bridge."] (November 15, 1821)

[J. W. Lippincott & Co., auctioneers, advertise public sale of "50 Shares of Flat Rock Bridge Stock, which divides 5 per cent, and is increasing in value."] (November 16, 1821) [Llew'n Young, President, Spring Mill Vine Yard, White Marsh Township, Montgomery Co., calls a meeting of stock holders of the Vine Co. of Pennsylvania, "to devise the mode NEI6EB0BH00D NEWS AND NOTICES 187 of disposing of their property." Charter expires. January, 1822.] (December.31,1821) [A Norristown dispatch condemns the practice of "shoot ing away the old, and announcing the new year," citing the death of John Glover, of Lower Providence township, on New Year's morning last by the explosion of a small swivel.] (January 11,1822)

"SLEIGHS Are to run every day on the Schuylkill, on the Ice, from! the Dam to the Falls Tavern, from 12 o'clock, noon, till 10 in the evening, or longer if desired, as long as the weather will permit." (January 14, 1822) [A Norristown despatch describes the escape of five crim inals from the jail. One was apprehended within five miles; another, John Hubler, returned, and gave himself up. For Thompson, Wilson and Drake, still at large, the sheriff offers a reward of $25.00 each. (See, also, the sheriff's advt., in next column.)] (February 15, 1822) [Lewis Wernwag exhibited, at house of Jesse Roberts, a model of a bridge in the form of an arch without piers, similar to one already erected by him over the Schuylkill near Fhila."^® "We understand the Managers of Pawling's Ford Bridge Company have contracted with Mr. Wernwag for rebuilding a bridge."] (March 1, 1822) [Samson Babb, sheriff of Chester co., gives notice of an in-, quisition for disposition of the estate of Lawrence Hippie, late of Lower Merion, intestate, to be held at house of George Hippie, East Goshen, Chester county.] (March 26, 1822)

Lewis Wernwag's unique wooden arch bridge (which was destroyed by fire), was at Pairmount—site of the present Callowhill (or Spring Garden) Street bridge. 138 bulletin op historical society or Montgomery county

"Postponed Steam Boat Norristown At Auction On Tuesday, the 7th of May At 1 o'clock, at the Merchants' Coffee House Will be Sold The Steam Boat Norristown, as she now lies at Snowden & Wagner's wharf> near the Swedes' Church, built by Samuel Bowers, at Kensington, last year, of the best materials. She is finished in a superior manner, and well calculated to carry not only a large number of passengers, but a considerable cargo. Her engine is new, and in fine order. Dimensions of the Boat, 61 feet 4 inches long and 15 feet broad. J. & W. Lippincott & Co., Auctioneers." (May 7,1822)

"Norristown (Penn.) May 8. Last week seven or eight rafts of boards (amounting, we understand, to one hundred and thirty thousand feet) to gether with rails and plank, arrived at the Stony-creek land ing, in this borough." (May 10, 1822)

"DISTRESSING ACCIDENT A few days since, while Mr. Leonard Lear, of Whitpain tovraship, was proceeding with his waggon loaded with lime, to a neighboring county, he was unfortunately precipitated, as we are informed, from the saddle-horse, when the waggon went over his body, which instantly put a period to his existence." (May 10, 1822)

"Norristown (Penn.) June 19. We understand that on Saturday last, Mr. Jacob Shain- line, of the township of Upper-Merion, cut a few dozen shocks of wheat." (June 21, 1822) NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND NOTICES 139

"Boarding in the Country. A Number of Persons can be Genteelly accommodated with Boarding, &c., in the remarkable healthy and pleasant Village of Montgomery Square, twenty miles north of Philadelphia, on reasonable terms. For further particulars, enquire at No. 8 South Fifth-street." (July 5, 1822) [Account of a visit to Charles Thomson, late secretary of the American Continental Congress, at his home, "Harriton," Describes personal appearance. Gives parentage and birth place, and details of his coming to America, with names of his brothers and sisters, and their ages. % column.] (August 30, 1822) "A few days ago, a subordinate manager engaged at the Schuylkill Canal, a short distance below Pottsgrove, was in stantaneously killed by the explosion of a charge of powder, which had been inserted in a rock for the purpose of frac turing it." (September 2, 1822) [Under date of September 4, a dispatch from Pottstown describes a visit made to the "Klingleberg,"^^ or singing valley, about 3 miles from there; also, to a nearby cave.] (September 9,1822) "A new road is opened along the margin of the Schuylkill, on the west side, from Flat Rock Bridge to Norristown, and it is believed the nearest route from the City to Norristown now is, by the Ridge Road to the Falls, thence up Schuylkill, east side to Flat Rock Bridge — cross and go the new road along the margin of the river to Swedes' Ford, and then cross at the Ford. This route to Norristown may be readily travelled in a gig with two persons in less than three hours." [Here follows description of a road from Falls to Flat Rock Bridge, and directions for reaching it from Lancaster Turnpike. But is "unfit for a loaded Coachee, or an unskillful driver."] (September 19,1822)

" The "Klingleberg" is evidently the "Ringing Rocks." 140 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

"Harness Stolen. Last night some thieves broke into the stable of the Widow of the late Jonathan Jones, In Lower Merlon, arid stole a set of Plated Harness for a pair of horses. Whoever finds and re turns the harness shall receive a reward of Ten Dollars. Lower Merion, October 4." (October 8, 1822)

(To be continued) First Sunday School in Norristown*

By RtJDOLP P. hommel

Bishop William White was an early advocate of Sunday Schools in the United States. When he was in England for consecration (1786-1787) he became acquainted with the work of Robert Raikes who started the Sunday School movement in England in 1780. Upon his return to the States, Bishop White urged the establishment of a Sunday School and a preliminary outcome of his efforts is recorded in a minute of Christ Church Vestry (Philadelphia), dated November 3,1788, the first authoritative reference to a Sunday School; "The rector laid before the vestry a plan of a free school for boys, to be under the care of the trustees of the Episcopal Academy, intended to include, when sufficient funds should be raised, a Sunday School, as also a school for girls. Whereupon, resolved, that the rector and assistant ministers of these United Churches may annually, in the month of May, preach sermons for the benefit of the said charity schools." Dr. Benjamin Rush became deeply interested in the move ment and through his efforts, in 1790, the first Sunday School Society was organized in America, called then the First Day Society; it became incorporated in 1796.' In the Philadelphia Directory for 1809 (printed in 1808), notice is taken of the establishment as First Day, or Sunday School, Society, William White, President; J. B. Ackley, Vice President; Chas. Marshall Sr., Treasurer; John Ormrod, Secretary. The movement spread slowly and it was not until 1817 that successful efforts were made by the ladies of Norristown to establish a Sunday School. An anonymous correspondent gave

•This article, by our late Librarian, has been, through a combination of circumstances, postponed until this time, and we regret that he could not see it in print.—Publication Committee.

141 142 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY praise to this accomplishment in the Norristown Herald for February 25, 1818, in the following words: "The ladies of Norristo\vn are certainly entitled to the highest praise for their exertions in establishing a Sunday school for the instruction of youth. This institution is founded on a broad and liberal basis, confined to no sex nor condition. Its object appears to be a general diffusion of useful knowledge among the rising generation. This undoubtedly merits the applause and patronage of every parent, guardian and master, and indeed of every friend of morality and good order within the borough and vicinity. "There is no exercise of the human faculty so truly meritorious as when it is exerted in the cause of religion and virtue. The writer of this has the honour of an acquaintance with several of the ladies who con duct the school, and he deems it no more than justice to say that their abilities and acquirements are such as to warrant the assertion that youth will derive from them the best moral and religious instructions, as well the principles of polite education. "The ladies, in this instance, have done themselves the greatest honour, and I do fondly hope that they will not be obliged to struggle through the difficulties of their undertaking without experiencing that support which is due to such laudable efforts to improve the present condition and to promote the future happiness of mankind." This enthusiastic correspondent, writing in 1818, failed to give the names of the "ladies of Norristown," to the regret of later investigators, but it is now (in 1948) our pleasure to sup ply the information through a recent find in the archives of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Female Sabbath Association of Norris town, with the roster of the officers and members at the time of its formation. For its historic importance we give the contents of the document in full:

CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS OF THE FEMALE SABBATH ASSOCIATION Article 1st With a single eye to the glory of God and a desire to promote the welfare of our fellow beings, we whose names are hereunto affixed, do form ourselves into a Society to be called THE FEMALE SABBATH ASSOCIATION OF NORRISTOWN. FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL IN NORRISTOWN - 143

Article 2nd The object of this society shall be, to teach children to read, com mit portions of Scripture Catechisms Hymns &c &c to memory, Article 3rd The officers of this society, shall consist of a first and second direct ress a secretary and treasurer. Article 4th ' It shall be the duty of the first Directress to preside at all meetings of the society, to keep order, take the votes on all questions of debate, appoint committees sign all orders for the payment of monies &c &c &c. Article 5th It shall be the duty of the second Directress to fulfill the duties of the first Directress in her absence. Article 6th It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep all papers delivered to her, to collect fines, and keep the minutes of the society, a list of the classes and the names of the schollars also an account of the books distributed and to whom. Article 7th It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep all monies to pay all orders when properly signed and when required by the society, to give a statement of her accounts. Article 8th An election for officers shall take place annually the second Satur day in November. Article 9th The stated meetings shall be quarterly, and opened by reading of Prayer. Article 10th Every member on signing the constitution shall pay twenty-five cents. Article 11th Six members shall form a quorum to transact business. Article 12th The society shall consist of fifteen members. BY LAWS 1st It shall be the duty of each member of the society to visit the poor and collect as many children as possible to attend school. 2nd A Committee shall be appointed to collect money to defray the ex penses of the school. 3rd The members to be divided into committees of three which shall at tend alternately according to appointment. 144 bulletin or histokical society of Montgomery county

4th The school shall continue from two until five Oclock and be closed by prayer. 5th Any member absenting herself from the committee shall pay a fine of twenty-five cents unless a reasonable excuse can be given. 6th Any member absenting herself from the stated meetings shall pay a fine of twelve and a half cents unless a reasonable excuse can be given, and upon refusing to attend four successive stated meetings shall no longer be considered a member. 7th A majority of members present at any meeting can levy or remit fines. 8th All unnecessary talking as well as light trifling behaviour shall be avoided by the teachers during school hours, and it shall be the duty of each teacher as far as ability has been given, to be careful to instruct the children in the knowledge of divine things. 9th The funds of the society shall be appropriated as the majority shall determine. XOth No children to be admitted under six years of age. Martha G. Huddleson First Directress Eleanor Cornman Second Directress Mary Thomas Secretary and Treasurer Clara Forrester Mary Hahn Rachel Roberts Anna M. Plumsted Mary Plumsted Mary Ann Thomas Clementina R. Plumsted Margaretta McNeely Eliza B. Holstein Letitia Hamill Elizabeth M. Farmer The search for this additional information has been in spired by a recent, informative publication by Edward W. Hocker and Ronald E. Heaton, entitled A. Historical Narrative of the Sunday Schools of Montgomery County, Pa. (Norris- town, 1945), and we are glad to augment the account in it of the Norristown Sunday School with our information. One basic fact, though, in that publication needs correction. On page three, it is implied that Robert Raikes opened his Sunday School in Gloucester, England, in 1736, which of course, is incorrect; it was not until 1780 that he began his school. Acquisitions

William A. Cooper Estate: by Stanley Cooper, a collection of account books, correspondence and miscellaneous papers pertaining to the Whitemarsh and Plymouth Turnpike Road Company. An assort ment of publications, mostly duplicates of previous acquisitions. Mrs. Frank Hullinger: Collection of printed paper napkins, circa 1880. Fred Peters: Agreement of August, 1904, between Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company and Supervisor of Upper Merion Town ship for a proposed change of public roads at Abrams. Blue print attached. Mrs. Ida M. Kriebel: Copy of the Philadelphia Public Ledger for March 15, 1842. Ledger Book, January 28, 1850, and assorted papers of Jackson Hoffman of Gwynedd. Print of George Washington's Masonic apron. John M. Nugent: Newspaper articles from the Main Line Times, writ ten by the donor. County Commissioners of Montgomery County: Four copies of The Montgomery County Story, our County's history, published by the Commissioners for use in the schools of the County. Miss Virginia Walker: Minute Book, 1856-1870, of the TredyfPrin Literary Society. Essays and Essay Book, 1869-1891; List of Mem bers, 1872; Minute Book, 1886-1889, of the Chester Valley Temper ance Union. Pledge Card and Essays; Minute Book, 1893-1899; Constitution and By-Laws of the Upper Merion Township Social Aid and Literary Society. A collection of old postal cards. Herbert J. Wetherill: A fine collection of several Philadelphia news papers, 1864-65, covering the assassination of President Lincoln. Mrs. W. Nolan Leonard: Historic material on Bridgeport, Pa., collected by her students in Bridgeport High School.

Mrs. Grover E. Dievers: Seven volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives, Series 2. Miss Helen Moyer: The Directory (1860-61) of the Boroughs of Norris- town and Bridgeport.

Mrs. William Moyer: Album of tintypes on local families. Mrs. Emma 0. Ickes: Typescript of tombstone records from Lewis- town's oldest graveyard, Lewistown, Mifflin County. Pennsylvania

145 146 bulletin op historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Genus for 1840 of Montgomery County Pensioners. Kirke Bryan, Esq.: Short anniversary history of the Union National Bank and Trust Company, Souderton, Pa., 1876-1961. Mrs. Wallace Ferreira: Typescript of Hippie Family, descendants of Lawrence Hippie. C. Stewart Peterson: Swift County's First Pioneers, Minnesota Terri torial Centennial, 1849-1949. Miss Florence Jenkins: Volume II of the novel, "Theodore Gyphon: or, The Benevolent Jew," 1808. Simson's Conic Sections, 1809. Mrs. Catherine Garner: One Currier-and-Ives print of battle scene in which John Knause fought. Piece of wood and remnant of Company Flag, 138th Regiment, Company C. Oath of identity of John Knause. Donald A. Shelley: Leaflet of "Second Audubon Centennial Exhibition." Souvenir Program of the Audubon Centennial Exhibition, April 29 through June 10, 1951, Reading, Pa. W. W. Martin Babb: A rare book, "An Account of the History, Man ners, and Customs of the Indian Nations Who Once Inhabited Penn sylvania and the Neighboring States," by Rev. John Heckewelder, Bethlehem, Pa., 1819. Miss Martha W. Pugh: Buffalo robe. Glass cake dish. Pewter plate. Wooden boot-jack. A musket ball found at Valley Forge before it became a park. Two tools used for blunting and smoothing wooden pegs used in soling boots. Catalogue of the Union Library of Upper Merion. Three invitations to public functions, 1906-1915. Hand made tasseled net for a horse's head. Two books: "Winfield, The Lawyer's Son and How He Became a Major-General," by Rev. C. W. Denison, 1865; "The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade" by W. 0. Blake, 1860.

Stanley Cooper, Esq.: An extensive collection of scattered issues of late nineteenth century newspapers and magazines.

Edward Pinkowski: Four issues of Harper's Weekly, scattered, 1871-83. Eugene A. Cox: Materials pertaining to the Blue Bell Horse Company. Garrette A. Brownback, Esq.: A book, "House of Bierbauer, Two Hun dred Years of Family History, 1742-1942."

Kenneth H. Hallman: A valuable collection of typescripts as follows: Church Records of /the Indian Creek Reformed Church, 1753-1861, Franconia Township (Originally copied March, 1921, recopied, 1951; the donors being Howard W. Fluck and Charles Price of ACQUISITIONS 147

Telford). Typescript of article, "John James Audubon," which ap peared in the Bauem Freund, 1851. Typescript of notes on the David Kintighj Family, 1822-1951, also containing data on the Welker Family. Typescripts of the following records from the Bauern Freund, published in Sumneytown, Pa. (translated by the donor): marriages from Aug. 15, 1832 to July 7,1858; deaths from Aug. 6, 1828 to July 7, 1858. Typescript translation of a notebook among the Society's accessions containing clippings from various German newspapers published in the County. Typescript of the records of the Rev. Daniel Weiser, Pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Congregation, and of the Great Swamp Reformed Con gregation, Lower Milfprd Township, Lehigh County, containing: confirmations, 1884-1863; marriages, 1838-1863; burials, 1833-1862. The Society is deeply indebted to Mr. Hallman for the time and energy he spent in making these records available to others. Miss Nancy Cresson: An assortment of articles, including: photo graphs of Dr. Hiram Corson and Ann J. Foulke, a sale bill of 1860, a dynamo machine, a scrapbook of clippings, and a bundle of cen tennial (1912) newspapers. George W. Clemmans: Clemmans Family Bible, 1818, containing family records and papers. Howard Pressler: German Bible, 1798, with some records and name of Martin Wetzler therein. Mrs. Elizabeth Gutekunst; Civil War Papers of Thomas Reed. Mrs. Philip M. Allen: Facsimile of Lincoln letter to Mrs. Bixby. Five war posters of World War I. Claude J. Rahn: Genealogy, "Hornberger and Yingling, and related Families of Eckert, Lenhart, Steffy, Gerwig and Rahn." Ervin Seckel Estate: Materials pertaining to the General S. K. Zook Post Camp, No. 244, Sons of Veterans, Norristown, Pa. Nancy P. Highley: One book, "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Mon^omery County." New York State Library: One book, "The Papers of Sir William John son," ed. Milton Hamilton. Sarah Roberts: One book, "Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a His tory," by Clifton S. Hunsicker, 3 volumes, 1923. Garrett A. Brownback: One book, "Book of the Archives of Royersford, Pa.," 1898. A printed notice of a meeting of the Limerick Union Horse Company, undated. 148 bulletin op HISTOBICAL society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Samuel Moyerman: Typed script of petition for a division of Norriton Township, containing 109 signatures, undated. Joseph B. Ganser: Letter, written to the donor by Dr. Raymond Spear, surgeon, on board the U.S.S. New York off Santiago, Cuba, July 18, 1898. Part of a program for a Citizen's Dress Ball of the Mont gomery Hose Company, Nov. 8, 1855. A fine collection of 38 photo graphs of Norristown scenes in the 1890's, carefully identified by the donor.

Dr. John D. Hemdon: Photostat of notes on the Earner Family of Philadelphia. Miss Alice M. Crater: Voluminous papers pertaining to Estate of Peter Shearer, once a resident of Upper Dublin and Whitemarsh Town ships, including legal papers of George Shearer and Jesse Rex, as well as the legal papers and military documents of Peter Shearer.

Henry W. Mathieu: Atlas of Montgomery County, pub. by J. L. Smith, 1893. Daniel F. Yost: Two volumes "Picturesque America, or The Land We Live In," 1872. Seven assorted volumes: yearbooks and general histories. Mrs. Percy Teal: Two pamphlets: "The Wieland Family in America"; "Remembrance Book of the Old Farm Home of the Wielands." •

J. Bennett Nolan: A pamphlet checklist "Newspapers of Berks County, Pennsylvania."

Willis Wolf Eisenhart: A book, "Ancestry of the John Franklin Eisen- hart Family," 1951. John G. Carfagno: A Civil War period bayonet. Joseph Knox Fornance: An agreement, dated 1852, pertaining to a tract of land known as Penn Square in Norriton Township.

Mrs. K. Widman: An old boot found in Norriton Township and believed to be Revolutionary. Howard Swiggett: Two books: "The Pinkerton Story" and "War Out of Niagara," written by the donor.

Mrs. P. Edward Souder: Receipt Book, 1864-65, from Estate of William Penrose. Thomas Lynch Estate: Eleven books, eight general histories, two bibles, and a ciphering book of 1836. ACQXJISITIONS 149

Urs. Garstairs Pierce: Eight Eodacolor prints of old milestones and other historic landmarks, plus negatives and an album for preserv ing the prints. A rare volume, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1801, by Thomas Jefferson. One decorated tool box for a Conestoga wagon. Mrs. H. H. Francine: A large and interesting collection of Civil War period photogn^aphs. Abraham Hunsicker: Photostats of the Skippack and Perkiomen Town ships Census Schedules for 1810. Mrs. F. Spencer Roach: Photostats of Towamencin and Franconia Townships Census Schedules for 1800. Richard Reppert: One new bayonet for a Civil War musket, an assort ment of ammunition to fit antique fire arms, and three fiints for flintlock guns. One booklet, "Descriptions and Rules for the Manage ment of the Springfield Rifle, Carbine and Army Revolvers," 1874. Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution: Master Index of Genealogy in the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volumes 1-84, 1892-1960. Mrs. Arthur L. Thomas: Six framed items, consisting of: a large litho graph of Andersonville Prison during the Civil War, pictures of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, the Lincoln Family, Pickett's Charge, and Betsy Ross presenting the first flag to Washington. Chester County Historical Society; Four letters, written by Louise Beidler (1877-78), once a teacher at the Camp School, Port Ken nedy, Fa. Other donors to whom the Society wishes to express its appreciation are: R. T. Hoober, Miss Annie B. Molony, Raymond J. Middleton, Sr., Lloyd Espenschied, Miss Florence Jenkins, Col, A. Annan Cook, R. W. Brown, Mrs. H. B. McWhorter, The Commissioners of Mont gomery County, Rev. Robert J. Gottschall, Anthony Rinkers, Mrs. Mary H. Vanderslice, Mrs. W. C. L. Kincaid, Ronald E. Heaton, and B. Paul Moser. JANE KEPLINGER BURRIS, Librarian ALFRED GEMMELL, Curator The Curator's Page

A Curator is defined as one who "takes charge of an art gallery, a library, or a museum." Actually my activities since last October would bear out the accuracy of this definition, for works of art, books, and museum pieces were all represented in the materials handled. My first step was to become acquainted with the nature, condition, and extent of our accessions, and then to plan individual projects designed to meet the most pressing problems. In the initial survey, as in all the preliminary work to date, I have had the generous and ex perienced help of our Librarian," Mrs. Burris. The challenges of this interesting work can scarcely be met in the two days a week that I am at the Society; however, at least two projects have been accomplished. The first pertains to the many items, such as photographs, drawings, prints, maps, and manuscript material, which have been removed from frames and made more accessible for study as part of our library. Another completed project concerns our fine collec tion of antique firearms, which, through the generous help of Mr. Richard Reppert of West Consbohocken, has been cleaned, properly identified, and arranged on racks on the rear wall of the upstairs meeting room. We have many museum pieces that deserve display, but we must provide show cases, shelving, and wall space before this can be done. Our Building Committee is making provision for these facilities as part of our renovation and expansion program. New projects are under way or are being planned, including reorgan ization of present museum exhibits, the setting up of a complete file of all pictorial materials, and the processing of a vast quantity of miscel laneous books, many of which are duplicates. One of our members has suggested that we organize a ladies committee to organize and care for our textiles, such as clothing items, quilts, etc. If there are any mem bers interested in serving on such a committee, please notify this office. While we are soliciting help there is another proposal that I would like to bring to the attention of the membership. We often find it difficult to bring donated materials to the Society when the donor has no means of transportation. It would be a great help to us and the Society if some members, geographically dispersed, would act as couriers for their respective areas. Upon notice from this office such individuals could pick up the materials in their areas, and bring them to Norristown when they make their next trip this way. I would like to hear from members who would be willing to help in this manner. Delay in picking up such gifts sometimes results in loss of the donation, and the Society at present has no funds to pay transportation costs.

150 THE CURATOR'S PAGE 151

Occasionally there are potential donors who would like to be made aware of the Society's needs. Inasmuch as we anticipate more and more microfilmed materials as time goes by, we could certainly use a micro film reader. This instrument would be a most worthwhile accession and will become increasingly necessary in the near future. In addition to the need for showcases and book shelves, we need storage chests and cabinets in which to preserve items not on display. To paraphrase "we have a need to fit every donor's means." It would be remiss of me if I concluded this first report without expressing the appreciation I feel for the help and encouragement given me by the Trustees, President Gallager, and our Librarian, Mrs. LeRoy Bnrris. This support, plus the pleasure of meeting so many of the members here at the Society, has made the work as enjoyable as it is challenging. ALFRED GBMMELL, Curator Report on Membership

NEW MEMBERS (Elected November 17, 1951) George H. Anderson H. E. Faulk John C. Anderson Vincent Godshall Dr. Eugene A. Barrett Mrs. H. N. Harrison Samuel H. Barrington Dr. William S. Kistler Mrs. Samuel H. Barrington Dr. Edward W. McCloskey -Edwin B. Benner Paul R. Nestler Samuel L. Borton, Jr. Mrs. Paul R. Nestler Harry Burger, 3d Oliver Hazard Perry Pepper Miss Darthela Clark Mrs. Mayme B. Rothenberger JohnJ. M.Clark Mrs. John W. Shaffer Dr. Thomas C. Cochran Dr. Dorothy Swaine Thomas ' John H. Wood NEW MEMBERS (Elected February 22, 1952) Mrs. Howard J. Dager Joseph C. Harvey, Jr. John Dean Elliott Mrs. M. F. Johnson Floyd G. Frederick Joseph J. Lawler Floyd Schneider HONORAEY Membership Life Membership Dr. Elmer E. S. Johnson John J. Pennypacker • DEATHS David K. Allebach Charles P. Jenkins Mrs. Mary H. Beerer Miss Laura M. Tyson Harry Hallman Fox Thomas CorsonYocom The status of the membership at the conclusion of the annual meet ing, February 22, 1952, was as follows: Honorary Members 5 Life Members 29 Annual Members 633

Total Membership 667 HELEN E. RICHARDS, Corresponding Secretary

152 November Meeting

The regular meeting of the Historical Society of Montgomery County was convened at 2:20 p.m. on November 17, 1951, at the building of the Society, with President Gallager presiding. The minutes of the April meeting were read and approved. President Gallager introduced Alfred Gemmell, and welcomed him, commenting on the good fortune of the Society in securing Mr. Gemmell as curator. Mr. Gemmell acknowledged the welcome, and expressed the hope he may serve all the members of the Society. In order that the amendment to the By-Laws of the Society, Article IX, Section 1, might be voted upon at the meeting of February 22, 1952, President Gallager read the following amendment: '•Resolved that Article IX, Section 1, of the By-Laws be amended by deleting the word two, and substituting therefor the word foiw, so that the section as amended will read: 1. Active members shall pay ^.00 annual dues to the Financial Secretary." President Gallager reported that the Committee on the Upper Perkio- men Valley Reservoir, having as members J. E. Fauser, Chairman, Helen E. Richards and R. E. Kratz, had submitted a report on the re sults of their investigation, to the Trustees. The Committee recommended that the Society record its official position. • The report had been con sidered in great detail by the Executive Committee and by the Trustees, who recommended the following resolution: "Whereas: it has come to the attention of this Society that the proposed reservoir in the upper Perkiomen Valley threatens to inundate the last covered bridge in Montgomery County, located in Upper Hanover Township, and Whereas, the primary purpose of this Society is the preservation of the history of Montgome^ County, Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that this Society urge upon the Commissioners of Montgomery County the preservation or relocation of the covered bridge on Knight Road in Upper Hanover Township, and the preservation of any other sites and structures of genuine historical interest to the County, which may be inundated in the Perkiomen Valley." The resolution being open for discussion, Mrs. Rogers requested that the full Fauser-Richards-Kratz Report be read to the members before a vote on the resolution be taken. Because of the length of the program, it was suggested that this be deferred to the end of the meeting. Then, upon a motion by Mrs. Roach, duly seconded and passed, the President was directed to reconvene the'meeting, following the program of the day, for the purpose of business, when the full report of the Fauser- Richards-Kratz Committee would be read. President Gallager introduced Samuel L. Borton, Jr., who spoke at

153 154 bulletin of historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

length on "Joseph Foulke, Gwynedd Friend and Educator." The second speaker, Samuel H. Barrington, an authority on antique clocks, read a most interesting and informative paper on "Montgomery County Clocks and Clockmakers." Following the close of the program, the meeting was reconvened for the reading of the Fauser-Richards-Kratz Report by the Chairman, J. E. Fauser. At the end of the reading, discussion was called for, and Mrs. Rogers took exception to the recommendation of the Trustees, call ing for the relocation of the Covered Bridge at Markley's Mills in Upper Hanover Township. She pointed out that the moving of the bridge will not save the rest of the historic things in the valley. Mrs. Rogers then moved that the word "moved" be eliminated from the resolution of the Board of Trustees, as read earlier in the meeting, and that the following wording be substituted: I "We ask the County Commissioners to refuse to vacate the County- owned Covered Bridge and Knight Road. To properly present our views in detail, we ask that a copy of this resolution, supplemented hy the report of the Fauser-Richards-Kratz Committee, be sent to the County Commissioners, together with adequate press releases to all of the Phila delphia and Montgomery County papers." The motion being seconded Judge Knight called for a point of order •on the ground that there was no resolution in the minutes of the Secre tary. Upon a motion by Mr. Brecht, the resolution proposed by the Board of Trustees was put before the meeting by President Gallager: "WHEREAS: it has come to the attention of this Society that the proposed reservoir in the upper Perkiomen Valley threatens to inundate the last covered bridge in Montgomery County, located on Knight Road in upper Hanover Township, and Whereas, the primary purpose of this Society is the preserva tion of the history of Montgomery County, Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that this Society urge upon the Commissioners of Montgomery County the preservation or relocation of the cov ered bridge on Knight Road in Upper Hanover Township, and the preservation of any other sites and structures of genuine historic significance to the County, which may he inundated in the Perkiomen Valley." It was moved and seconded that the resolution he adopted. The question was called and carried. Mrs. Rogers raised the matter of the amendments, and Judge Knight moved that the motion be reconsidered, so that Mrs. Rogers could present the amendments. The motion to re- • consider was seconded and carried. Mrs. Rogers moved that the words "or relocate" be removed from the resolution of the Trustees, and the following wording be substituted: "We ask the County Commissioners to refuse to vacate the county- • owned Covered Bridge and Knight Road. To properly present our NOVEUBER MEETING 155 views in detail, we ask that a copy of this resolution, supplemented by the report of the Fauser-Richards-Kiatz Committee, be sent to the Commissioners, together with adequate press releases to all of the Philadelphia and Montgomery County papers." I The motion to amend was- seconded by Mrs. Boach. President Gal- lager asked for the question. Judge Knight outlined his reasons for not taking a definite public stand on this matter. In the discussion of the amended resolution, Mr. Gemmell stated that he believed the Covered Bridge could be moved to a new position. President Gallager asked Vice-President Brecht to take the chair. Mr. Gallager then discussed the proper function of a county historical society as being the preservation of county history. Mrs. Roach spoke on the responsibility of the Historical Society in the preservation of monuments of antiquity, and asked for the presentation of the Report of the Fauser-Richards-Kratz Committee to the County Commissioners as a recommendation of the Society to preseiwe the Covered Bridge where it is. The question was called, and the motion to amend the resolution was carried by a showing of hands. It was moved and seconded that the Society adopt the resolution as amended: "Whereas, it has come to the attention of this Society that the proposed reservoir in the upper Perkiomen Valley threatens to inundate the last covered bridge in Montgomery County, on Knight Road in upper Hanover Township, and Whereas, the primary purpose of this Society is the preserva tion of the history of Montgomery County. Now Therefore Be It Resolved: First: that this Society urge upon the Commissioners of Montgomery County the preservation of the covered bridge on Knight Road in Upper Hanover Township, and the preservation of any other sites and structures of genuine historic significance to the County, which may be inundated in the Perkiomen Valley. Second: we ask the County Commissioners to refuse to vacate the county-owned covered bridge and. Knight Road. Third: to properly present our views in detail we ask that a copy of this resolution, supplemented by the re port of the Fauser-Rlchards-Kratz Committee, be sent to the Commissioners, together with adequate press re leases to all the Philadelphia and Montgomery County papers. Upon a motion, the meeting adjourned. EVA G. DAVIS, Recording Secretary February Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Historical Society of Montgomery County was convened at 2 p.m. on February 22, 1952, at the building of the Society, with President Gallager presiding. The minutes of the Novem ber meeting were read and approved. President Gallager directed that the commendation from the Chair, for the taking and reporting of such difficult and detailed minutes as those of the November meeting, be noted in the current minutes. Lyman A. Kratz, Treasurer, read his report for the year. This showed an annual income of $5,295.38, and annual expenditures of $5,716.12, and a balance of $2,638.61 on hand, December 31, 1951. This report had been audited by Messrs. R. Ronald Dettre and Kenneth H. Hallman, and on a motion duly seconded and passed, it was ordered received and filed. Miss Nancy P. Highley, Chairman of the Membership Committee, read the recommendation for the conferring of honorary membership upon Dr. Elmer E. S. Johnson, as follows: "In accordance with Article III, Section 4, of the By-Laws, the Membership Committee proposes for honorary membership in the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Dr. Elmer E. S. Johnson, of Palm, Pennsylvania. "Widely known as a clergryman and historian. Dr. Johnson was born in New Berlinville, Berks County, in 1872. A graduate of Perkiomen School, Princeton University and Hartford Theo logical Seminary, and the holder of an honorary degree from Franklin and Marshall College, he has won wide recognition for his service to the Schwenkfelder Church as pastor and his torian, especially as a member of the editorial staff for the Corpus Sdhwenkfeldianoruni from 1904 to 1919, and its Editor- in-Chief since 1915; and as Custodian of the Schwenkfelder Historical Library from 1908 to 1951." The motion was duly seconded and carried. Dr. Johnson acknowl edged the honorary membership, and thanked the members of the Society for this action and signal honor. He stated that he could not accept such an honor for himself alone, but that he accepted it in the names of those who have gone before him, and those who have enabled him to collect the materials for the Schwenkfelder Historical Library at Pennsburg. Upon a motion duly seconded and passed, John J. Pennypacker was transferred from annual to life membership in the Society. The Secretary read this proposed amendment to the By-Laws of tiie Society:

156 FEBRUABY MEETING 157

"Resolved, that Article IX, Section 1, of the By-Laws be amended by deleting the word two, and substituting therefor the word four, so that the section as amended will read, 1. Active members shall pay $4.00 annual dues to the Financial Secretary. Kirke Bryan, Esq., moved that the amendment be adopted. Edward Pinkowski raised the question of there being any need for the increase in the dues. Mrs. Roach spoke of the higher dues in comparable organi zations, and the need for funds in the several departments of the Society. Miss Helen E. Richards recommended that the dues be raised to $8.00, rather than to $4.00. President Gallager commented on the "round robin" inquiries from other societies facing the need for funds, and their higher scale of dues. The motion was seconded and carried. The bills sent out for dues for 1952 will he for $4.00. George W. Shearer, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, pre sented his report with the following nominations: PRESIDENT TRUSTEES Donald A. Gallager, Esquire Kirke Bryan, Esquire VICE-PRESIDENTS Mrs. H. H. Prancine George K. Brecht, Esquire Donald A. Gallager, Esquire Foster C. Hillegass Herbert H. Ganser David E. Groshens, Esquire Nancy P. Highley RECORDING SECRETARY Poster C. Hillegass Eva G. Davis Mrs. A. Conrad Jones CORRESPONDING SECY. Hon. Harold G. Knight Helen E. Richards Lyman A. Kratz FINANCIAL SECRETARY Douglas Macfarlan, M.D. Mrs. LeRoy Burris Katharine Preston TREASURER Franklin A. Stickler Lyman A. Kratz Mrs. James I. Wendell Mrs. Franklin B. Wildman, Jr. Norris D. Wright There being no further nominations from the floor, the nominations were declared closed, and on a motion duly seconded, the Secretary was directed to cast a collective ballot for the nominees. This being done, the nominees were declared duly elected for the ensuing year. President Gallager stated that he does not look lightly upon the posi tion he occupies as president; that he feels very deeply the importance and significance of the Society; and that he takes pride in a society hav ing the enviable reputation which this one has. Attention was called to the exhibit of Washington items, from the collection of the Society, in honor of the anniversary of the birth of George Washington, and President Gallager read a short quotation from the John Marshall biography of Washington, stressing that his achieve, ments were through "ends always upright and means always pure." 158 bulletin op historical society of MONTGOMERY COUNTY

At the annual meeting of the American Association for State and Local History in June, 1951, in recognition of the purchase of Audubon's home and the publishing of the Montgomery County Story, the Award of Merit was voted to the Commissioners of Montgomery County, with the following citation: "For acquiring the home of John James Audubon for conversion into a park and historic shrine, and for sponsoring, publishing, and making available to the schools the well-written, intel ligently organized and finely illustrated Montgomery County Story. Voted at the annual meeting of the Association in Newark, Delaware, on June 15, 1951. Albert B. Corey, President Clifford L. Lord, Chairman, Committee on Awards." President Gallager read the citation, and presented the Certificate of Award to Commissioners Peters, Hillegass and Mensch. Mr. Peters accepted the Certificate, and spoke of the interest which the Commis sioners feel in the Historical Society, and the pleasure and concern they have in the preservation of the history of Montgomery County. President Gallager introduced Dr. S. K. Stevens, Pennsylvania State Historian and the speaker of the day, who discussed "The Significance and Importance of Local- History and Its Preservation Today." He stressed the opportunities which county societies have, and their respon sibilities in the collection of local historical material, in preserving and organizing it for use, and in developing a consciousness, on the local scene, of the value and importance of these activities, as well as of the materials. Dr. Thomas C. Cochran spoke of the grant to the University of Pennsylvania from the Ford Foundation, which is making possible a large survey of the history of the Norristown area in the twentieth century. He is interested in securing from local families collections of letters covering any period of the twentieth century. These can be loaned or given to the Historical Society of Montgomery County for use in the survey. At the close of the meeting the Hospitality Committee served tea.

EVA G. DAVIS, Recording Secretary The Historical Society of Montgomery County has for its object the preservation of the civil, political and religious history of the county, as well as the promotion of the study of history. The building up of a library for historical research has been materially aided in the past by donations of family, church and graveyard records; letters, diaries and other manuscript 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 i)erson8, 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 mem ber is entitled to a copy of each issue of The Bulletin, free. Additional Copies, One Dollar Each.

Historical Hall, 18 East Penn Street, Norristown, with its library and museum, is open for visitors each week day from 10 A.M. to 12 M. and 1 to 4 P.M., except Saturday afternoon. 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 ite 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 OP

DOLLARS (I )