Ancient and Historic Landmarks in the Lebanon Valley

L...-^'^-^' \ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/ancienthistoriclOOcrol / ^ \ ^ \vi -A* ^ .-^^' V^v^ , "" '*' iB^ ""^^^ 1 f ^.î^âAo ^fz^-iû^ ANCIENT HISTORIC LANDMARKS IN THE Lebanon Valley, BY Rev. F^. C. CROIvL. > * *. • PHILADELPHIA: LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY. ^yi02736 Copyright. 1S95, BY THE LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY 'c^! — CONTENTS. pa(;e Preface 7 Introduction, by Rev. W. H. Dunbar, D. D 9 CHAPTER I. A bird's-eye view OF THE LEBANON VAI^LEY. An imaginary excursion— Motive—First settlement — Weekl}^ trips—A bird's-eye view of territory— Beauty and richness of Valley—A goodly remnant of historic relics in the form of churches. grave3-ards, Indian forts, mills and homesteads . 13-17 CHAPTER II. CONRAD WEISER'S HOMESTEAD AND GRAVE. Exploration begun — A sacred shrine—TheWeiser home and present ownership—A noted marriage —The Weiser burial plot Its illustrious visitors— Brief sketch of Weiser . , . 18-25 CHAPTER HI. MIDDLETOWN, AEIAS WOMELSDORF. Location and founding — Old streets and buildings—Its churches and schools— Old business center— Its graveyards— Worths- old families -6-37 CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST CHURCH IN THE VALLEY. Location of this historic shrine— Old landmarks en route —A cen- tury and three-quarters of local church history—Old graves.38-49 CHAPTER V. THE SECOND lULPEHOCKEN CHURCH. Church controversy—A new congregation — Histor}- of this flock An ancient graveyard 50-57 CHAPTER VI. AN INTERESTINCx OLD MANSE. One hundred and fifty years of pastoral family histor}-— Revs. Wagner, Kurtz, Schultze, Tlrich, Eggers, Mayser and Long. 58-65 CHAPTER VII. A WBLL-PRESERVED INDIAN FORT. Location and erection—A glimpse of Colonial times—The fort's history—Present ownership 66-72 (iii) IV CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER VIII. AN ANTIQUATED VII,I.AGE. A hiu'g of the ancient times— Old trades and houses—Brief history of village—Some good fruit 73"^° CHAPTER IX. AN OI^D INDIAN TRAII«. A tramp with Indians—A mountain ''KhifV—Wealth at base and on top—An eagle's eyrie—Famous Lutheran pioneers here gathered 81-88 CHAPTER X. CRADI<E OF REIvIGIOUS SECTS. The Mill Creek Valley—The birth of various denominations—An historic hamlet—Indian relics 89-9? CHAPTER XL A DOUBLE FOUNTAIN HEAD. Rise of two streams—The "Albright's" Denomination—Memor- ial church—Grave of a bishop—Other graves 98-107 CHAPTER XIL THE county's OIvDEST TOWN. Founding of SchaefFerstown— Early history—A graveyard as ob- servatory—Landscape— Old roads—First public wâter works in United States 108-115 CHAPTER XIII. AMONG OLD GRAVES AND BUILDINGS. Old graves and quaint tomb-stones—Homes of the early peas- antry—Old times in vogue— Interesting local church history 116-127 CHAPTER XIV. THE TULPEHOCKEN REFORMED CHURCH. Back to the Tulpehocken—The early Reformed settlers—Church history—Record of pastors—Colonial heroes—Old graves. 128-136 CHAPTER XV. AN HOUR WITH REFORMED PASTORS. A personal review— Sketches of the Tulpehocken pastors—The Leinbachs 137-148 CHAPTER XVL A STROLL ALONG THE TULPEHOCKEN. Angling—Old homesteads—The Breittenbach Indian Fort . 149-155 —— CONTENTS. V PAGE CHAPTER XVII. TUIvPEHOCKENTOWN, AIÎAS MYERSTOWN. Naming towns—Sketch of Myers, the founder— Old relics—For- mer famous citizens—A future Governor—Local history 156-165 CHAPTER XVIII. A \VAI.K OVER HISTORIC GROUND. Planting of new churches—Old families—Where Gov. Shultze found a wife—Fine old homestead, once a retreat of Wash- ington's—Other old homes 166-177 CHAPTER XIX. ENCAMPED NEAR IÊBANGN. A halt of excursionists—Historic ground—Family histor}^— His- tory of a canal—Historic highways 178-186 CHAPTER XX. THE HEBRON :M0RAVIAN CHURCH. Scripture nomenclature—Mission work and planting of churches History of a church—Valuable records—A Revolutionary Prison 187-199 CHAPTER XXI. A WAI,K ABOUT STEITZTOWN. Earh' homes about Lebanon— Moravian headquarters— Old burial plot—Light's Fort—Other old homesteads—Poem of local history 200-213 CHAPTER XXII. MT. TABOR REFORMED CHURCH. Local history ecclesiastically enshrined—Familiar local names Zealous church workers—Record of pastors ...... 214-225 CHAPTER XXIII. FACE TO FACE WITH PAST WORTHIES. Graveyard reflections in June— Sketches of pastors and influen- tial lay -members sleeping side by side 226-237 CHAPTER XXIV. A HAIvT ON MARKET SQUARE. Lebanon's busy mart—Local Revolutionary history—Old homesteads lining Square—Family history 238-250 VI CONTEXTS. PAGE CHAPTER XXV. A HALT OX MARKET SQUARE, CONTINUED. More historic homes—Famous men and visits—Local historv^ and genealogy 251-261 CHAPTER XXVI. SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH AND GRAVEVARD. Early Lutheran history—Local church leaders— Old church relics—Record of pastors—Old graves 262-276 CHAPTER XXVII. OUR EXIT VIA OLD CUMBERLAND ST. TO GLONIGER'S FORT. Interesting local histor}^ on every hand—Where was Steitz's house?— Gloninger's Fort—A famous family 277-289 CHAPTER XXVIH. A VALUABLE LIBRARY HISTORICALLY HOUSED. Charms of a library— A collection of rare old books- Historic quarters .... 290-299 CHAPTER XXIX. THE REV. JOHN CASPER STOEVER HOMESTEAD. Location and erection — Biographical sketch— Interesting events here transpired—Present ownership 300-307 CHAPTER XXX. A VISIT TO THE HILL CHURCH. History of congregation—Her pastors—An old rural ''God's acre" — Grave of Pastor Stoever— Other graves 308-315 CHAPTER XXXI. THE STOEVER MONUMENT. A memorial shaft erected—Unveiling—Memorial poem . 316-322 CHAPTER XXXIL A GLIMPSE OF ANNVILLE. The Gem of the Valley—Local history— Dark pages — Old homesteads — Leading names — Church work — A final leave- taking 323-334 PREFACE The author desires to say to his gentle reader that when he began to pen the contents of this volume he had no desire to write a book. Seeing a volume of interesting local history lie at his feet, he began to open it and read. Then he became inclined to impart the information gained unto others, and hence chose as his vehicle one of the daily papers of his own city. In The Daily Report appeared, for seven months, from January to August, 1894, in consecutive order, under the nom de phtme of " Kristofer Kolumba," these weekly contributions. They soon attracted attention, and wher- ever among readers the author's name became known, he was besought to gather the material into permanent and convenient form. He has therefore no apology to make for its appearance in this way. He has but yielded to a general local demand to preserve what historic matter these fugitive sketches may contain. To aid the general reader now undertaking this imaginary historical pilgrimage, a number of illustrations have been secured for these pages. The letters the author prefers to stand substantially as they were first written, asking simply that the reader bear in mind that they are (vii) VI 11 PREFACE. "Letters," If they should induce au)^ one to make an actual pilgrimage to this ancient settlement, to see for himself these landmarks and study them "face to face," the writer entertains no fear of ever hearing any regrets from such an one for the undertaking. The article on Womelsdorf is here inserted in its proper place, though it was last written, and this ac- counts for its midsummer flavor, the season when these contributions were brought to their termination. We hope new readers may find something to please and instruct. P. C. C. Lebanon, Pa., March, iSg^,. INTRODUCTION This book commends itself. Its publication is in response to a demand. Its contents were first published in a series of articles in a Lebanon daily paper. The reading of these articles created much interest, and resulted in a general desire to have the material in more permanent form. It was the expression of this desire, mainly, that led the modest author to the idea of the book. The book will be read with more than ordinary interest. It is the story of the early settlement of central Pennsylvania. The story is told in a sprightly way that makes it attractive. The material was gathered with much labor, and substantiated by personal investigation. It contains many incidents in the early history of this section, both in its secular affairs and in its church work, not elsewhere to be found. The book will be valuable as a reference. The section of territory which it covers was the scene of some of the most important events in the early settlement of the State. Associated with them is the name of Conrad Weiser. If the life and deeds of this man were properly known, his name would scarcely stand second to any in 2 (ix) X IXTRODLXTION. the roll of worthies of the Commonwealth. He was the valued associate and adviser of men high in authority in affairs civil and ecclesiastical. Many of these events have no record. They exist simply in traditions handed down from generation to generation. With the lapse of time these are becoming dim and indistinct. It is important that they should have a record in permanent form. The book can not fail to be of interest, not only to those now living in this section, but also to those wdio have gone forth from it to settle other sections. The descendants of the people who took part in these scenes are to be found in every part of the country. They fill all ranks of life. ^Nlany of them have inherited and carried with them the spirit of their earnest and daring ancestors, and have become leaders in thought and life and enterprise in their chosen communities. This book ought to be in the hands of every man and wôman who traces back ancestry to the early settlers of central Pennsylvania.

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