The York Road, Old and New

ILLUSTRATED


By

Rev. S. F. HOTCHKIN, M.A., 

Author of the Mornings of the Bible; Early Clergy of Pennsylvania and 
Delaware ; Country Clergy of Pennsylvania ; History of German- 
town; and a Gazetteer of Pennsylvania. 



BINDER & KELLY, Publishers, 
Nos. 518-520 Minor Street, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
1892. 



Copyright, By BINDER & KELLY, 1892. 



This book is respectfully dedicated to 

ROBERT SHOEMAKER, 

who nobly perpetuates the honors of an ancient family, who 
for many generations have dwelt in the region of country 
described in this volume.


The writer of this volume was first drawn into the field of local Penn- 
sylvania History by an article of the veteran historian, William J. Buck, in 
Scott's Atlas of Montgomery County on Horsham, including a sketch of 
Lieutenant Governor Keith's country-seat of Gra3me Park. The investigation 
of that interesting spot led him to describe its history at length in the German- 
town Telegraph under the editorship of Mr. Henry W. Raymond. This was 
followed by a series of historic papers running through several years, largely 
condensing and continuing the late Townsend Ward's valuable work on the 
Germantown Road, w^hich resulted in the issue of the volume on Germantown, 
Mount Airy, and Chestnut Hill, which was kindly received by the public. 
As York Road is now virtually a branch of Germantown Road it is but natural 
to continue the story of human life, ancient and modern, as it is presented along 
that highway which runi through one of the interesting suburbs of Phila- 
delphia in its beginning, and then wanders among beautiful hills and quiet 
vales until having looked on Buckingham mountain it bids farewell to farm- 
house and village and field as it stops abruptly at the Delaware River as far 
as Pennsylvania is concerned and the portion treated of by this book. The 
New Hope and Centre Bridges, replacing the old ferries, continue its two forks 
into New Jersey ; but there we leave it to find its way among the beautiful 
hills about Lambertville to its destination. 

Modern history soon becomes ancient, as the individuals mentioned glide 
away ; and from the day of the issue of a book the names recorded begin to be 
obituary notices. The road is a journey to a city ; may the earthly life when 
its milestone birthdays are passed, end in the heavenly Jerusalem by Christ's 
guidance. 

" All journeys end in welcome to the weary, 

And heaven, the heart's true home, will come at last." 

The publishers have greatly increased the value of this work by inserting 
many plates which will vividly recall the road scenes to the reader who is 
familiar with them. 



TfiB Yofl^ [(oad, DM aqd fm. 



-BY- 



i^E-v". s. IF. HOTomciisr. 



America delights to repeat English names, as the early settlers longed to 
review their associations with their old homes. 

The English city of York, was, before the Roman invasion, originally 
called " ' Ebrauc, Eburac, or Eborac,' supposed to mean in Celtic, a town or for- 
tified place on the banks of a river, or near the confluence of waters." (Anthon's 
Ancient and Mediaeval Geography, p. 200). The Romans gave it the name 
Eboracum. The Angles afterward styled it Everwick, and the Danes Jorwick, 
which is pronounced York. 

The Roman Emperor Severus died at York, A. D. 205, and Constantino 
Chlorus died there in 306. His son, Constantine the Great, who succeeded 
him, was born at York, and proclaimed Emperor in that town. The Emperor 
Maximus was born there. Marshal General Plantagenet-Harrison, who claims 
to have royal blood in his veins, notes these interesting facts in his splendid 
quarto volume on the History of Yorkshire. 

So the thought of many nations is awakened by the word " York ". The 
English town at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss was practically the 
capital of the north of England, being near the centre of Great Britain. Its 
cathedral has been noted for centuries, Ebraucus, son of a British king 
named Mempricius, is said to have built the town. The Ouse was originally 
called Eure or Ure. (Thomas Allen's History of York, vol. 1, p. 225). 

Humphrey Lloyd, the learned Welsh antiquary, in mentioning the 
Brigantine towns that are in Ptolemy's Geography says, " Eboracum is well 
known to be the very same city that the Britons called Casr-Effroc ; it is now 

(9) 



10 THE YORK ROAD. 

contracted into York. " (Nathaniel WJiittock's History of the County of York, 
vol. 1, p. 226). Another idea was that the river Eure combined with the Saxon 
word ivic meaning a place of refuge or retreat. A castle on the river may 
have been the origin of the name, but there are other theories and the lapse of 
centuries makes it hard to trace the word. 

AVhile New York honors James II, who was Duke of York and Albany, 
when his brother Charles II granted him the territory from the banks of the 
Connecticut to those of the Delaware, the association of the name now in the 
mouths of all who dwell on the well known " Old York Road " widens out to 
other English memories. 

Yorktown in Virginia recalls the time when Washington overcame Corn- 
wallis in battle, and the sons of Old and New England proved their mettle; 
but those days have ended in peace and love between parent and children, 
and York River sings quietly as it rolls along, of unity and happiness. York 
County and " Little York ", as it used to be called, are Pennsylvania's tribute 
to the name. 

Fifteen post offices in the United States commemorate the name York, 
and some of them are found in Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Georgia, 
showing that the West and South combine to keep up the memor}'- of Eng- 
land. There are also numerous compounds of York among the post 
offices, including Yorkshire and York Road, Carrol county, Maryland. Even 
New York is repeated in a Texas town as Philadelphia is in various places. 
There are four New Philadelphias. 

While Westerners cannot make their new towns at once equal the name- 
sakes, they do feed their homesick lonely imaginations with recollections of 
the past. Thus, in Holy Scripture, the earthly Jerusalem is to be comple- 
mented by the new and heavenly Jerusalem above. 

The Old York Road took its name from its leading from Philadelphia to 
New York, and from its antiquity. The opening of roads is an important 
affair in early settlements. The Indian trail, the blazed trees, and the foot- 
path are followed by the bridle-road, and then the cart demands a wider track. 
Governor Beaver has lately well-said that the history of roads is the history of 
civilization, and the Germantoivn Telegraph and other newspapers have kept 
that idea before their readers and urged needed improvements in highways. 

The Old York Road was laid out in A. D. 1711 from what is now Centre 
Bridge on the Delaware river to Philadelphia. A branch in 1722, ran from 
Willow Grove to County Line in Warrington, being the commencement of 
the present road to Doylestown and Easton. The York Road began opposite 
John Reading's landing, in Solebury township, which was afterwards known 
as Howell's Ferry, and is now Centre Bridge. This is four miles above New 
Hope. The Road ran to Buckingham meeting-house, which was built about 
five years before this date. It passed through Thomas Watson's land, near 
Bushington. He had a farm in Buckingham, and was an ancestor of Judge 
Watson, and was one of those appointed to lay out the road. Mattliew 



THE YORK ROAD. 11 

Hughes was another, he was a Justice of the Peace, and an Assemblyman, 
and lived in Buckingham. Nathaniel Bye was another of those commis- 
sioned. He resided near the line of Buckingham and Solebury. 

Watson says, (Annals, vol. 2, p. 99), Bartholomew Longstreth first opened 
the York Rctad from the Billet (Hatborough) to Neshaminy. 

W. J. Buck, in his history of Mooreland, states that Mr. Longstreth and 
others opened the road from the Billet to Neshaminy in 1716. The road ran 
to Little Neshaminy, not far above Hartsville. About 1712 it extended up to 
Hatborough. 

New Fourth street, afterward called the Old York Road, was opened after 
the Revolution, and ran into the road of which we are writing. (Watson's 
Annals, vol. 3, p. 134). (W. P. Hazard's additional volume). 

The turnpikes which ran out of Philadelphia into the surrounding 
country in various directions, as the spokes of a wheel diverging from its centre, 
showed great determination and energy in the early part of this century. 
Money was scarcer then than now, and probably it was more of an undertak- 
ing to construct those roads than it is to build the railways of to-day. 

When the Old York Road extended to Hatborough in 1712, it was the 
first highway used for travel to Philadelphia by residents of the upper section 
of Mooreland. 

In the " Ancient Streets and Homesteads of England ", by Alfred 
Rimmer, with an introduction by Dean Howson, there is a description of stag- 
ing days which fits in here. It is from " The Grand Concern of England ", by 
A Lover of his Countrj'-, A. D. 1673. It laments the calling of passengers from 
bed to get into coaches an hour or two before day. The travellers were hurried 
along till one, two or three hours within the night, sitting stifled with heat in 
summer, and choked with dust; in the winter, starving or freezing with cold, 
choked with fogs, reaching inns by torchlight, too late to sit up and get 
supper, and next morning forced into coach too early to get breakfast. It was 
necessary to ride with strangers, often sick, ancient or diseased, or crying 
children. 

The fellow-passengers must be humored; a passenger was often poisoned 
with scents, and crippled with a crowd of boxes and bundles. Sometimes he 
was forced to wade up to the knees in mire in foul ways, and then sit in cold 
until horses were sent to pull the coach out. The coaches were rotten, and 
the tackle, or perch, or axle-tree broken, causing a wait of three or four hours, 
sometimes half a day, and then a necessity of travelling all night to make up 
time lost (pp. 81, 82). (This man was not an optimist). 

The Four Roman Roads in England were Watling Street, Hermin Street, 
the Fosse, and Ikning Street (p. 248). Ikning has been derived possibly from 
Ichnild or Icen Elde, that is, Old Street. It has also been thought to come 
from the nation of the Iceni. Ancient roads are usually unchanged, as Cony- 
beare and Howson note concerning the ancient city Thessalonica in their 
" Life and Epistles of St. Paul ", (p. 335, vol. 1.) The old Roman stone-paved 



12 THE YORK ROAD. 

roads are yet known, and the Appian way runs its old course. The Romans 
had abundance of labor at hand among their captive enemies for such work, 
but it was a sad labor, and we are better off without it. 

In " Conversations on South Sea Missions ", published by the Sunday 
School Union of the M. E. Church, the missionary, Mr. Wflliams, thus 
describes a principal road : " A good road called ' the parent path ' is made on 
the island of Raratonga and nearly encircles it. Both sides of this road are 
well shaded by wide-branching trees, such as the banana, chestnut, (fee, which 
protect the passengers from the rays of the tropical sun, and afford even at 
midday, the luxury of shady walks. The houses of the inhabitants are placed 
from 10 to 30 yards from this pathway, and some of them are described as being 
very pretty. The pathways to the houses are strewed with black and white 
pebbles ; and on either side are planted the tufted-top Ti tree and the gigantic 
Taro. A few stone seats, with backs also of stone, are usually erected in front 
of these premises by the side of the ' parent pathway ' ; and here in the cool of 
the evening little groups form to talk with each other or with any communi- 
cative person who may happen that way." 

The York Road may well be styled a " parent path " as many roads issue 
from it, and the pleasant houses which line it are such a feature as is described 
in this South Sea Island sketch. 

The turnpike recalls the Roman roads, which Rev. Dr. Wm. Speer has 
well portrayed in his book, " God's Rule for Christian Giving. " " The roads 
which Rome built were the greatest and most useful monuments of her vast 
power. They were constructed with far greater outlays of labor and expense 
than anything of the kind in modern ages. The prophesies of Isaiah 
were literally fulfilled as to the leveling of mountains and valleys, the straight- 
ening of crooked ways, and the making of the rough ways smooth. (Isai. 40, 
3-5, and St. Luke 3, 4-7). Some of those magnificent highways are among 
the wonders of the world until this day, and have gone for centuries together 
without repair. Their vast excavations and embankments, their paved 
bridges, and the care with which they were built in four successive courses of 
stones of various sizes solidified with lime, and the surface covered over with 
blocks of smooth granite or other hard rock, fitted and jointed like our 
masonry of walls, have been unparalleled in any subsequent age. They were 
felt to be the best exhibition and most needful agency of Roman superiority. 
And so they were as speedily as possible constructed over conquered countries. 
In the Forum at Rome stood a gilded column inscribed with the names of the 
principal roads and the distances to the chief cites upon the course of each of 
them. They were marked by milestones, frequent stone horse-blocks and 
other conveniences, and buildings for military and postal necessitiefe. There 
were taverns near them for travellers. They stretched from one extreme of 
the empire to the other. Their remains are seen to-day from Scotland, where 
the Gospel was early, planted in the West, to Palestine, whence its preachers 
started forth with the power of the Holy Ghost, in the East. " 



THE YORK ROAD. 15 

Dr. Speer goes on to speak of the railways, steamers and telegraphs 
which now may prepare the way for Christianity, as St. John the Baptist did 
for the Saviour of mankind. He says that while the Greeks had given lan- 
guage and civilization to the centres of the world's power, "the Romans were 
law makers and road builders." 

The steam engine in this land has hurt the turnpike and the mile-stones 
with their poetic thought of marks in life's journey are not seen by the rush- 
ing railway traveller. The horse-block seldom meets the eye unless in a 
country churchyard, which used to see many a male and female rider enter 
its borders on a Sunday. The York Road, though, is yet a civilizer and 
missionary, as its frequent churches and schools indicate. The carrying of 
the mail by train relieves the postal duty of the highway, but the residents of 
the Lancaster turnpike have taught the suburban population that it pays in 
mental comfort, and in saving of horse and carriage to have a good road. 

In Bishop Heber's " India " is an account of a walk on the banks of the 
Hooghly " of pounded brick, covered wdth sand, the usual materials of the 
roads and streets in and near Calcutta, with a row of trees on each side." The 
broken brick in this country does' not make a good road for our heavy 
wagons and carriages. 

Bishop Heber says elsewhere, " the roadside is, in India, always the part 
last cultivated, the natives being exposed to many injuries and oppressions 
from sepoys and travellers." 

The dwellers on the York Road have not this sad experience, but may 
run an orchard or wheat field along the thoroughfare. 

In Rev. Dr. Brewer's " Reader's Hand Book " is a note about English law 
as to driving to the left, while here we turn to the right, which I have 
noticed does not give so good a view of the wheel which the driver may 
strike. An English epigram is quoted. 

" The law of the land is a paradox quite, 

In riding or driving along ; 
If you go to the left, you are sure to go right; 

If you go to the right, you go wrong." 

In Canada they turn to the left in passing. 

John Loudon Macadam deserves mention as an improver of English 
roads. He gives name to macadamizing. He lived from 1756 to 1836. He 
was called King of Roads by punning on the island of Rhodes. 

In a new country the cattle path may first mark a road as the animals 
go to the water to drink, then men use it, and the bridle-path follows, and 
when settlements and villages arise, highways come. A road may hand 
down a history, as the Welsh Hoad through Bustleton to Holmesburgh marks 
a time when Welsh lived at North Wales and Gwynedd. 

A winding road is always beautiful as it gives the mind hope of a new 
scene at each turn. A wood-road on a summer's day specially invites the 
feet of the pedestrian to find new beauties in the grove, and to see more of the 



16 THE YORK ROAD. 

handiwork of God in his creation in following its inviting curves, while insect 
and bird life make the air vocal. 

General Davis has a chapter on Roads in his excellent History of Bucks 
County. Penn allowed, as this book records, six acres in every hundred for 
roads in the original survey (p. 739). 

In travelling over old roads it is observable that they ran over hills some- 
times apparently to avoid mud. There were Indian trails through Pennsyl- 
vania before rough roads were made. The National turnpike from Cumber- 
land to Columbus and other points was built by the Government before the 
time of railways. That road is partly on the line of an Indian path. It is a 
well kept thoroughfare to-day. Sir Thomas More's fancied description of Utopia 
represents many of the Utopians from religious and benevolent motives 
and hoping reward after death, as visiting the sick, mending highways, clean- 
ing ditches, and repairing bridges, &c. 

Carter Harrison described in the Chicago Mail a " great trunk road which 
ran parallel to the railway from Calcutta to Peshawer in India. He thought 
it the grandest road in the world — 1600 miles long, beautifull}^ macadamized, 
everywhere smooth enough for a bicycle and generally having a fine row of 
trees on either side. In the lower counties these trees are beautiful evergreen 
oaks, or some other of that character ; up here the bulbul or gumasalic tree, 
with its delicate mimosa leaf. We frequently see long lines of camels slowly 
winding their way, and large caravans of asses and cows. " 

The droves of horses that sometimes pass over the York Road are the 
nearest approach to the camels that can be shown in this country. 

In Henry Drummond's Tropical Africa it is said that there is an abund- 
ance of foot-paths in that land, and they are only a foot in breadth, between 
villages and tribes " marvellously direct" , except that they will pass around 
a stone, which the native will not remove ; or a fallen tree may cause a diver- 
gence ; if the white ant eats the tree, the detour remains ; smaller detours for 
stumps and trees of primeval forests occur. Forty-six miles of the Stevenson 
Road between lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika were constructed by native Afri- 
cans as well as could be done by English navvies. The difficult cuttings and 
gradients were made so that they would not have disgraced a railway con- 
tractor in England. The author claims that this shows that the African can 
do good work. 

Norway has excellent roads. Conn para tively speaking, no country has 
so many and such good highways. This refers to the main roads ; those to 
farmsteads on hillsides are inferior, and the mountain roads to a seder, (country 
cottage) are bad, often a narrow path crossing " marshy moors or endless stony 
mountain wastes ". The horses are not large in these districts, but they are 
nimble, sure-footed and strong. " Norway and Its People ". (Harper's Maga- 
zine, Feb. A. D. 1889, by Bjornstjerne Bjornson.) 

In ancient times in England the making of roads was difficult when 
money was scarce and engineering skill was lacking, as the following extract 
shows : 



THE YORK ROAD. 17 

" Although by an Act passed in Mary's reign each parish was bound to 
keep in order by forced labor its main roads, bridle-paths, and foot-paths, and 
to appoint two surveyors to superintend the work, little or nothing was done ; 
and the early records are full of indictments of parishes, especially the parishes 
of Lambeth and St. George's, Southwark, for neglect of highway duties. The 
roads w^ere, for the most part, nothing more than tracks worn into deep ruts, 
which in rainy weather became quagmires, and in parts flooded and impass- 
able ; stage-waggons toiled laboriously along a few of the highways at the rate 
of from ten to fifteen miles a day ; stage-coaches had just begun to ply on the 
road between London and Dover, but they were springless, and their pace did 
not exceed on the average four miles an hour; indeed, so late as the year 
1749, a stage-coach journey from London to Guildford occupied an entire day. 
Journeying, therefore, especially on cross-roads, was usually done on horse- 
back. Judges rode to assizes in jack-boots, followed by the bar, some mounted, 
some on foot. John Evelyn spent hours in the saddle ; and when Cowley 
moved from Barnes to his new home at Chertsey in 1665, he had to spend the 
night en route at Hampton". "Two Centuries of Magistrates' Work in 
Survey". (By Thomas Henry Thornton, Fortnightly Review, May, A. D. 1889, 
p, 695.) There is a reference to Smiles's Lives of the Engineers for a further 
account of bad roads. 

The word road is from the Anglo Saxon ''ridan" to ride, and came to mean 
that on which one rides on horseback. " Way " is from a verb meaning to 
move, and so becomes that on which one moves, as Christ styles Himself " the 
Way ". Shakespeare uses the expression, " To find the way to heaven ". 

Civilization makes and improves highways. The Indian trail gives place 
to the bridle-path, and the rude cart road, and finally the turnpike comes. 
The canal disputes its sway, and in the rejoicing at the opening of the Erie 
Canal in New York under Governor De Witt Clinton, before telegraphs were 
known, cannons were fired at regular distances along the line to announce the 
grand event. Now the railway in its rapid w^hirl laughs at turnpike and 
canal alike. 

The Roman Empire is said to have learned road-making from the Car- 
thagenians, and very straight roads the Romans made for their beasts of bur- 
den. As a Russian Czar commanded a new Rail Road to be built by a line 
as direct as a ruler laid on a map, so did Roman power walk hi unbending 
steps through a conquered province, for her roads were military ones, and 
resounded to the tread of armed men. They had raised side-paths with stone 
horse-blocks. 

In after days in England, compulsory labor built roads, though still later 
a tax was laid for that purpose. 

The English roads ran over hills, avoiding mud and bogs, as did some 
American roads. However, they w^ere sometimes almost impassable in winter. 
It is well to crown roads, or raise them in the middle- to keep them above the 
ground at the side. 
2 



18 THE YORK ROAD. 

The Appian Way in Italy was the queen of the roads. It was con- 
structed before the days of Christ. " The Three Taverns " and " Appii 
Forum ", where Christian brethren met St. Paul and " he thanked God and 
took courage ", mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (28, 15), were on it. The 
road had a good foundation, while the superstructure consisted of heavy hexago- 
nal stone blocks, mostly of basaltic lava, joined together as if one mass. The 
cost was vast. Rocks were cut, valleys filled, ravines bridged, and swamps 
banked up, so that the Western American sheriff's report, " In swampibus non 
comeatibus ", could not hold good. Another Western effusion shows what a 
wild new road may be : 

"I say it's not passable, 
Not even jackassable ; 
And those who travel it 
Should turn out and gravel it. " 

Watling Street was so called from the latin " strata " (paved, ) " via " (way) 
being understood. It ran from Dover through England, passing through 
London, and is yet a highway in some places. The Street Road in Mont- 
gomery County, Penna., and the one in Maryland may come from this name. 
Susquehanna Street which Penn's surveyor, Thomas Holme, ran from Torres- 
dale on the Delaware to the Susquehanna, and by which he lies buried, near 
Bustleton, was meant to be like an English street or road through a kingdom. 
A part of it is now open. 

Fuller saw an old lady drawn to church in her coach by six oxen, which 
indicates that in his times in England roads were imperfect. Smiles's Lives 
of Engineers gives the facts which I have here compiled with others which 
will be added. 

Grain and wool were sent to market on horses' backs ; manure was carried 
to the field in panniers, and fuel from moss and forest in the same way. Coal 
for blacksmith's forges was largely carried by horses. Food to supply London 
was principally brought in panniers, that is, wicker baskets swung over the 
backs of horses. Lines of pack horses went along roads little better than 
bridle-paths. The foremost horse had a bell or collar of bells, and was called 
the " bell-horse ". The bells guided the following horses, and gave notice to 
any advancing from the opposite direction, as in some places the paths were 
too narrow for two laden horses to pass. When stages came in use they were 
slow. A man with a wooden leg is said to have declined a ride in a slow stage- 
coach, saying he could not wait, but was in a hurry, and so walked on ahead. 

Old London Bridge originally had no toll arrangements for carriages, as 
only horses, &c. were expected to pass over it ; carriages are more modern. 

One of the most wonderful road-makers who improved England's high- 
ways by contract was John Metcalf, who, although he was blind, could tell by 
feeling on the ground with his staff where anything was wrongly done. 

Rupp's History of Cumberland County, Penna., quoted in James M. 
Swank's " Iron in All Ages ", notices the condition of travel sixty or seventy 



THE YORK ROAD. 19 

years ago in Pennsylvania. Five hundred pack-horses were at one time in 
Carlisle, going to Shippensburg and further west, laden with merchandise, 
salt, iron, &c. The iron was crooked around the bodies of the horses, and the 
animals also carried barrels or kegs. The horses were generally led in com- 
panies of twelve or fifteen, in single file, a man preceding and another follow- 
ing the train to watch the condition of the packs, which sometimes struck the 
ground on the hills, or where the paths were washed out, and were displaced. 
The horses generally had bells which did not ring during the day, but were 
loosened at night when the horses were freed to browse. When wagons 
were introduced the carriers thought their rights invaded. 

Rev. Dr. H. C. McCook, in his " Gospel in Nature ", (pp. 293, 294,) notes a 
view of civilization which he once enjoyed above Huntingdon, Pa. The 
Indian trail, and bridle-path of Western pioneers, and the stage road which 
bore the weight of Conestoga wagons from Pittsburg to Philadelphia and the 
newer canal which carried freight from Philadelphia to the Alleghanies, and 
the Pennsylvania Railroad with its fast trains were all in sight from one point. 
Such is the marvelous story of American progress. 

Still the book published by the Press of the University of Penna. in A. 
D. 1891, entitled " A Move for Better Roads ", under the supervision of Prof. 
Lewis M. Haupt, with an introduction by William H. Rhawn, shows in its 
scientific essays that better roads may yet be expected. The improvement in 
Old York Road from its earlier days indicates the good result of better 
highways. 

In " Penn's Treaty " by Chas. S. Keyser, Esq., the Council at Philadel- 
phia on Aug. 31st, 1732, under Thos. Penn, Proprietary, son of Wm. Penn, in 
renewing a treaty with the Six Nations, (Indians), under the 6th head, stipu- 
lates as follows : "And we now desire there may be an open Road between 
Philadelphia and the towns of the Six Nations which we will, on our parts, 
clear from every grub, stump and log, that it may be straight, smooth and 
free for us and you." 

Penn, as Keyser notes, proposed " to locate a second Philadelphia on the 
Susquehanna," (p. 58,) note. 

Susquehanna Avenue or Street, which Thomas Holme, the Surveyor 
General, ran by line, at least in part, from the Delaware River at Torres- 
dale to the Susquehanna, passed by where Holme's grave now lies in the old 
graveyard on the Bustleton railway, near Ash ton Station. Parts of the 
Avenue are yet open. It is said that it was intended to locate Philadelphia at 
Torresdale, but the rocks styled " hen and chickens " were thought too much 
of an impediment for shipping, and perhaps for other reasons also, the 
project was abandoned. 

" The first turnpike rofffl in the United States was made in Pennsyl- 
vania (Encyclopaedia Americana, under " Pennsylvania ")." 

The Old York Road from Cheltenham to Philadelphia was ordered in 
August, 1693. Old York Road, Susquehanna Street and County Line Road 
to Mooreland, were laid out in 1697. 



20 THE YORK ROAD. 

In the Hatboro Public Spirit, that faithful recounter of local history, 
my friend, Wm. J. Buck, gave a number of sketches, running from Dec. 11th, 
A. D., 1880 to June 24th, 1882. They may be found in a Scrap Book at the 
Ridgway Library, entitled the " Montgomery County Local Historian " No. 
10393, S. The author has kindly given me his permission to abridge any- 
thing needful in these sketches. I shall follow his leading. 

The York Road has historic associations worthy of notice. The laying 
out of the road showed the advancement of settlement northward to the limit 
of the province. A petition for the road was made to Governor Charles 
Gookin and his Council. The following were appointed to lay it out : '' Peter 
Chamberlain, George Shoemaker, Daniel Thomas, Isaac Knight, Henry 
Bennet, John Scarborough, Thomas Watson, Stephen Jenkins, Nathaniel 
Bye, Tobias Leech, Matthew Hughes and Griffith Miles." 

Of those who laid out the road Stephen Jenkins had a large farm near 
Jenkintown, at Kennedy's Tannery. His brother William lived on Samuel 
Noble's farm, opposite. This family gave name to Jenkintown. George 
Shoemaker lived at Shoemakertown, on a farm bought of Richard Wall, 
where he built a grist-mill. Daniel Thomas resided at Hatboro, owned a 
grist-mill, and was one of the founders of the public library. Thos. Watson 
had a large farm in Buckingham. Judge Watson is his descendant. He 
was Justice of the Peace, and an Assemblyman. Matthew Hughes lived in 
Buckingham, and was a Justice of the Peace and Assemblyman. Tobias 
Leech was a man of note in Cheltenham, holding several offices. John Scar- 
borough lived in Solebury township, near the Great Spring. Nathaniel Bye 
lived ** near the line of Buckingham and Solebury." 

It was a laborious task to build. 33 miles of road from the Delaware river 
to Philadelphia in a country thick with timber and thin of population. No 
dynamite extracted the stumps, and brave men toiled hard to destroy nature's 
luxuriant growths that their wagons might pass where Indians and deer had 
made their home. 

The road stimulated settlement, and brought churches, schools and 
bridges. There was a bridge at Willow Grove in 1722; and the strong Hat- 
boro bridge over the Pennypack in 1789. 

The Log College, and the Abington Friends' Meeting, and the Abington 
and Neshaminy Presbyterian churches were of old date. 

Eight years before the Revolution, John Paul's tavern, at Willow Grove, 
had stabling for nearly 100 horses. 

Washington and his army thrice passed this road. When he was in 
Northern New Jersey he understood, on July 25th, 1777, that the fleet of the 
British would sail from New York, and thought that they might go to Phila- 
delphia. He went to Coryell's Ferry, now Lambertville, with Greene, and 
waited for news. On July 31st, the Americans crossed the Delaware, and 
took the York Road for the vicinity of Germantown. The fleet did not come, 
and in August the army was taken back to Coryell's Ferry. When three 



THE YORK ROAD. 21 

miles east of the Crooked Billet tavern, now Hatboro, an express from the 
President of Congress as to the fleet having been seen off Sinepuxent led him 
to turn back. The troops camped near what is now Hartsville until Aug. 
23d, when they started back for Germantown, as "Washington had heard that 
the fleet was going up Chesapeake Bay. 

Hartsville was then called Cross Roads, Washington's Headquarters were 
in a stone house, "belonging to the Bothwell estate." He remained there 
thirteen days. Generals Greene, Sterling, Woodford, Muhlenberg, Lafayette 
and other officers were here, as well as Pulaski, De Fleury and Hamilton. 

In 1778, General Lacey spent about a month in the Spring at Hatboro to 
stop marauding parties of the British, and to check the suppl_y of country pro- 
visions to the enemy. The British defeated his party in an attack and went 
back to the city over the York Road. 

The Germantown turnpike, begun in 1801, was finished in 1804. The 
Cheltenham and Willow Grove turnpike was begun at Rising Sun in 1803, 
and reached Willow Grove, formerly called Red Lion, the next year. The 
cost averaged $8000 per mile. 

In 1850 an extension was made from Hatboro to the Street Road, 4| 
miles. A few years afterward there was a continuation to Buckingham, and 
at last to New Hope. 

The mile-stones, before the construction of the turnpike, were interesting 
marks of progress, as birthdays are in life's journey. The 15th mile-stone 
from the city seems to have been especially dear to Mr. Buck. It was near 
the base of Sampson's Hill. There was one near the foot of Kerr's Hill, 
which he well thinks may have been gazed on by Washington and his gen- 
erals. Philadelphia, held by British soldiers, was not as easy of access then 
as to-day. The enemy made it in reality far more distant than the assertion 
of the honest mile-stone. Let us thank God that those hard days are over. 

Still locomotion was not easy in spring mud and winter snow. Lewis 
Evan's map of the Middle Colonies, of the date of 1749, and Nicholas Scull's 
map of 1759, and William Scull's map of 1770, the article under review states 
gave the line of the York Road through Pennsylvania with " the principal 
settlements and villages along the route." 

Mr. Buck pleasantly notes the changes on the road since 1711 wheii it 
was opened; the removing "of rocks, trees and stumps; the building of 
bridges, and the covering of its surface with stone. The changes too in travel 
at first on horse-back, then the cart, the two and four horse teams, the gig, the 
stage-coach, the elliptic-spring market wagon and carriage ; beside it also the 
long extended telegraph line, erected only since 1850. The surprising 
changes, likewise, in the people — groups of Indians, negro slaves, and 
redemptioners, sold for their passages, and brought out from the city by their 
masters, all gone ! the like to pass over it no more." 

In closing his article on the Old York Road, Mr. Buck reminds us of the 
period when it was necessary to place rails on end in the mud as warnings, 



22 THE YORK ROAD. 

and when in snow-drifting times the travellers would be kept for days at a 
hospitable wayside inn before they could go on to Philadelphia, and of the 
pleasures that enlivened the time before " a blazing hickory fire." Whittier's 
poem " Snow Bound " tells of such experiences : 

"Shut in from all the world without, 
We sat the clean-winged hearth about, 
Content to let the north wind roar 
In baffled rage at pane and door, 
While the red logs before us beat 
The frost-line back with tropic heat ; 
And ever M'hen a louder blast 
Shook beam and rafter as it passed, 
The merrier up its roaring draught 
The great throat of the chimney laughed." 

W. J. Buck quotes the following from Asher Miner's newspaper, The Cor- 
respondent, published in Doylestown, June 4th, A. D. 1805: "It is presumed 
a beneficial improvement might be made on the Old York Road, particularly 
at Sampson's Hill, Kerr's Hill, at Neshaminy, and Watson's Hill, by reducing 
the ascent to the common standard of turnpike roads. The continued 
increase of travel from New Jersey, and the running of stages from Philadel- 
phia to Easton require such an improvement to be made." 

Mr. Buck adds : " Little did the writer, who evidently resided in Buck- 
ingham, then think that half a century would take place before this would be 
accomplished fully. In this connection I may mention that the first stage 
line to Easton was commenced in 1796, by John Nicholas, at first making but 
one trip a week. We see by this that several stage lines were passing over 
the road more than three-fourths of a century ago, all denoting con- 
siderable travel in the absence of railroads and steam-boats, then exclu- 
sively confined to the highways. We next come to extension of turnpikes 
from the city over the bed of the old road. The first was up through Ger- 
mantown, in 1801, but not fully completed until 1804. The Cheltenham and 
Willow Grove Turnpike was commenced at Rising Sun in 1803, and finished 
to the latter village the following year. We now find a long period elapse 
before its further extension, which did not take place till between 1850 and 
1860, through Hatboro, and ending at the Street 'Road, a distance of only 4| 
miles. However, in a few years thereafter it was continued on to Bucking- 
ham, and finally to New Hope." 

It is thirty-three miles from the Delaware river to Philadelphia by the 
Old York Road, which connects the meandering stream which left Philadel- 
phia, that it might wander according to its own sweet will until it looks upon 
its -source in New York State after having enjoyed a view of the shores of 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

In 1802 the Governor was petitioned to authorize a turnpike to be con- 
structed on the Old York Road. He appointed the following Commissioners, 
" who were " residents in 1803 : Robert Loller, Joshua Tyson, John Shoe- 



THE YORK ROAD. 23 

maker, Jr., John Barclay, John Inskeep, John Hart (druggist), George Rex, 
Dr. Daniel de Benneville and Richard T. Leech. The road was first turn- 
piked from Rising Sun to the Red Lion (Willow Grove), and continued 
afterward to the Delaware river. 

The country section of the York Road, of which we propose to treat, 
begins at the Rising Sun Hotel on Germantown Road. 

ROADS AND STAGING. 

In Edwin S. Stuart's edition of Watson's Annals with Willis P. Hazard's 
additions (vol. 1, p. 257), we have the following description of highways: 
" The badness of the roads near the city as they were in former days, before 
turnpikes, and more improvements were made upon them, is now very little 
considered or known," I give some facts : 

" Jonathan Tyson, a farmer 68 years of age, of Abington, saw, at 16 years 
of age, much of the difficulty of going to the city : a dreadful mire of blackish 
mud rested near the present Rising Sun village, where is now the long row of 
frame buildings. He saw there the team of Mr. Nickum, of Chestnut Hill, 
stalled ; and in endeavoring to draw out the forehorse with an iron chain to 
his head, it slipped and tore off the lower jaw, and the horse died on the spot. 
There was a very bad piece of road nearer to the city, along the front of the 
Norris estate. It was frequent to see there, horses struggling in mire to their 
knees. Mr. Tyson has seen thirteen lime wagons at a time stopped on the 
York Road, near Logan's Hill, to give one another assistance to draw through 
the mire; and the drivers could be seen with their trousers rolled up, and 
joining team to team to draw out; at other times they set up a stake in 
the middle of the road to warn off wagons from the quicksand pits. Some- 
times they took down fences and made new roads through the fields. Now 
good turnpikes efface all such difficulties upon the main roads. When they 
first came into use all farmers commended them, and used them ; but, in time, 
they forgot their benefactors, and have tried to shun them — leaving the stock- 
holders to get but half an income. Had no turnpikes been made, roads would 
have become as claypits, by the continual increase of population and use." 

When the annalist wrote the above he did not dream of the day when 
the pikes would be made free. The italics are his own. 

That laborious historian, Daniel K. Cassel, of Nicetown, in his History of 
the Mennonites (p. 432), quotes AVatson as to the habits of the early settlers of 
Germantown thus : " They used no wagons in going to market, but the woman 
went and rode on a horse with two panniers slung on each side of her. The 
women, too, carried baskets on their heads, and the men wheeled wheel- 
barrows — being six miles to market. Then the people, especially man and 
wife, rode to church, funerals and visits, both on one horse ; the woman sat on 
a pillion behind the man." Watson also says that in going to be married the 
bride rode to meeting behind her father, or next friend, seated on a pillion ; 



24 THE YORK ROAD. 

but after the marriage the pillion was placed, with her, behind the saddle of 
her husband. 

Another writer, quoted by Mr. Cassel, says, " Pastor John Minnich, one of 
the old Mennonite preachers, used to come each Sunday from Dolly Lolly Cor- 
ner, near Shoemakertown, on horseback, his wife, Nanny, riding on behind." 

In Hazard's addition to Watson (vol. 3, p. 134) is this description of 
Public Stages : " In March, 1738, a stage wagon started to run twice a week 
and back again from Trenton to New Brunswick ; it had benches and was 
covered over; fare 2s. 6d. This line was successful, and stimulated others. In 
1740 a line was run from Bordentown to Amboy once a week on Monday, 
and thence by boat to New York, except in the winter. In 1750 a line of 
stages started from the Crooked Billet in Philadelphia every Tuesday to Bor- 
dentown, thence on Wednesday and Thursday to Amboy, thence by boat to 
New York. These latter two were rival lines to the New Brunswick route. 
The oldest stage road to New York was the road through Frankford and 
along the bank of the river to Bristol, and usually to Coryell's Ferry below 
Morrisville where the Delaware was crossed ; (this is an error, mixing this 
route with that on the York Road) thence the route was through New Jersey 
by way of Trenton and Princeton, what was afterward called Uhe Old York 
Road ', or New Fourth Street, was not opened until after the Revolution. It 
ran into the old road in the upper part of the County. Of course there have 
been innumerable instances of persons driving from New York to Philadel- 
phia, and vice versa, ever since the foundation of Pennsylvania. At certain 
times of the year, when the Delaware was frozen, there were regular stage 
routes through ; but in summer time the route was by stage-boat up the river 
to Bordentown and Trenton, across New Jersey by coach to New Brunswick, 
and thence by boat to New York. AVhen steamboats came into use — about 
the year 1809 — the transportation was by steamboaD from Philadelphia to 
Bordentown. When the railroad was finished between Camden and Amboy, 
stage-coach travel between Philadelphia and New York ceased, except for a 
year or two when the stage lines fought against the railroads. The regular 
stage coach routes between Philadelphia and New York ceased entirely 
about 1836." 

It should be added that once a stage line ran to New York through 
Bustleton ; Washington Irving speaks of using it. These stage days were hard 
for lovers who wished to meet often, and slow in reaching the sick or dying. 

In Townsend Ward's " Germantown Road and Its Associations " (Pa. 
Mag. of Hist, and Biog., vol. 5, Nos. 1 and 2) we note the following : An old 
map calls Rising Sun village Sunville. The Americans have a propensity for 
villes. Ward mentions fine houses on Broad Street here, and names Charles 
Brugiere's country-seat which was at the S. W. corner of the Avenue and 
Broad Street. The Fox Chase Inn, described by this writer, on Germantown 
Road opposite Nicholas Wain's place has just been torn town. It was near 
the Connecting Railroad. Ward says the " Old Rising Sun is picturesque 



THE YORK ROAD. 25 

» 

among its trees." The village of Rising Sun stretched on to Nicetown. 
Between these places about 1833 the village of Jacksonville stood where is a 
Baptist Church, The " i " in Nice used to have the sound of " e ". " In old 
times Mr. Logan used to say ' the Widow Nece's house was burned by the 
British.'" It is a German name, and was spelled Neus. 

Ward states that in 1710 a proposition was made to the Council for a 
road from Bucks County to Philadelphia by way of what is now the Old York 
Road, but the " entering into the city " was afterward changed for Front 
Street.- In 1771, a petition prays for the opening of a public road leading 
" from the upper end of Fourth Street to the widow Master's land, near her 
mill-dam"" into Germantown Road. This made another outlet. 

THE RISING SUN INN. 

" The Rising Sun was a badge of Edward III, and forms part of the arms 
of Ireland ; but the Sun Shining was a cognizance of several kings. Various 
other causes may have led to the adoption of that luminary as a sign." (Jacob 
Larwood and John Camden Hotten's History of Sign Boards p. 118). 

The Golden Sun was the sign of Ulrich Gering, in the Rue St. Jacques, 
Paris, printer of the first Bible in France in 1475. This may have indicated 
the light to be diffused by printing. 

The Sun was used in many combinations with other words. 

The Rising Sun may have been considered a favorable omen for a man 
beginning business. Such signs were adopted for places of business, as well as 
inns. However, a noted English tavern at Islington bore the name. 

"The Rising Sun and Seven Stars was the very appropriate sign at 
which was printed a work on ' Astrological Optics ; ' but better still it was 
printed for R. Moon, whose shop was in St. Paul's churchyard " (pp. 498, 499). 

Object signs were needed when many could not read, and houses were not 
numbered, and street names were lacking at the corners. (See Preface p. v.) 

The building bearing the name Rising Sun which was recently demol- 
ished by Mr. Cooper, and which stood in a triangular plot of ground at the junc- 
tion of the Germantown and York Roads was styled the Middle Rising Sun, 
as the more ancient inn was just above it, and another hotel with the same 
name stood below, on Germantown Road, opposite Rising Sun Park. The 
site of the Middle Inn is now fenced in and brick, stone, and timber in 
piles on the ground, an old stable, and an outbuilding bearing the name 
of George W. Kirk with the name of the hotel are the sole remains. 

In Willis P. Hazard's continuation of Watson's Annals of Philadelphia 
we find that other hotels bore that name in the city, and when landlords 
moved in Philadelphia they used frequently to carry their signs with them to 
their new post. One Rising Sun was kept by Sarah Stimble in Market Street 
above Front. There was another kept by Samuel Titmus. (Vol. 3, pp. 346 
and 364.) Our Rising Sun is marked A. Nice (p. 348). 



26 THE YORK ROAD. 

• 

The veritable ancient building — the original Rising Sun, as far as the 

York Road is concerned, which only set a few years ago, is a stone house, 

having some bricks mingled with the stone in the walls. About 1846 the old 

wall was roughcast. There is a hipped roof, and dormer windows light the 

attic of the old hostelry. Modern Venetian blinds have been placed on the 

second story windows and the house is but two stories high. Even the first 

story may have lacked wooden shutters in its pristine simplicity. There are 

old piazzas both in the front and the rear. The building fronted on the 

York Road, though the rear yard extends to Germantown Avenue, and now 

the real front is on that ancient street. Cooper Hall, erected in the rear of 

the oldest part of the structure breaks the view to Germantown Road. 

The hotel stood a little back from York Road giving the old stage-driver 
a chance to wheel up his coach in style after the sounding horn had 
announced his approach. Now the Germantown horse cars pass the house and 
the Reading and Pennsylvania railways are near it. The stages from Phila- 
delphia to New York, and from Broad Axe above Germantown and other 
country points stopped at this famous hotel, and many a cold and hungry 
traveller in weary staging days left here refreshed by a hearty meal. It was 
not taken in the railway fashion in snatching and running. 

In after times an addition was placed at the Northern part of the inn — 
more than doubling its capacity. A chimney rises from the new portion in 
the midst of the roof, while there are two in the lower end of the house. 

An old wooden pump still does its work, though several generations of 
pumps have preceded it. Washington is supposed to have refreshed himself 
with the water of this well and the writer followed his good example on a 
summer day being the 5th of July while the colors which he helped to win 
adorned the porch of the building on account of the recent holiday. 

A tree in front of the piazza lovingly shades the house, while the red 
flower pots, with their varied plants and flowers on the wire frame work at 
the foot of the tree, and the flowers and bushes scattered in sweet profusion, 
ornament and cheer the yard. Other plants in hanging-baskets vivify the 
piazza, while a singing bird enlivens the summer afternoon and some Mexican 
dogs add their welcome to the stranger. 

A two-story little stone house on the opposite side of York Road was 
Washington's office while he tarried at this inn. A piazza has been added in 
front. This building is just above Campbell's Flour Store. Below that store 
at the lower corner of York Road and Germantown Road stands John 
Keyser's old wooden mansion. His son Elkanah occupies it. A Keyser once 
kept the Middle Rising Sun for several years, and was succeeded by John 
Osmund. 

The host at the Old Rising Sun over seventy years ago was Jacob Bilger. 
It was then the cattle market of Philadelphia. Cattle were driven here from 
the state of New York before live stock passed over railway tracks. This was 



THE YORK ROAD. 29 

quite a place of resort for drovers and farmers for procuring fat stock, as well 
as neat stock which the farmers could fatten. 

After Mr. Bilger we note as hosts Mr. Parrot, and his son-in-law, William 
Bronson and John Pursell, and James Hammell who made the addition and 
long owned the property. Jacob Markey was an excellent host for several 
years and Samuel Hough and others succeeded him. After Robert Van Sickel's 
death James E. Cooper, whose father gave name to Cooperville on the Con- 
necting Railroad, bought the property and held it over twenty years. It now 
belongs to his estate. He purchased five acres of land with the Inn, and 
built forty-eight houses of brick in rows on the land. He also bought the 
Rising Sun Park, as well as other property, and owned four farms in the 
neighborhood. He was an active and industrious man even in sickness and 
did much to build up this section. He died a few months since. 

The former Inn contains a brass candlestick which Mrs. Brauserman, who 
lived near the Chew House, in Germantown in Revolutionary days flung at 
an English soldier who tried to examine a chest which belonged to her in her 
own house. The chest contained bullets for the American Army which she 
had made out of her pewter plate. She had four sons in the army and would 
take her bullets to Naglee's Hill in the lower part of Germantown at night, 
where they would receive them. The candlestick is dented by the force of 
the blow as it struck the wall when she threw it at the intruder. An officer 
of his own army had him seized before he could accomplish his object. She 
sat upon the chest to keep him from seeing its contents. This brave lady was 
an ancestress of Mrs. Clemmens who narrated the incident. Mr. Edward B. 
Clemmens, the father-in-law of James E. Cooper, now dwells in the former 
Inn and he and his wife have given the information about its history here 
recorded. 

Watson gives an extract from the diary of John Miller, Esq., thus: " In 
the afternoon the British burnt the house of John Dickinson, Esq., (the same 
now known as J. P. Norris' house) also the tavern of the whig lady, Mrs. Nice 
at the Rising Sun, and several others in that neighborhood, on the German- 
town Road." " This to their great shame ! " (Annals, vol. 2, p. 70.) 

The Rising Sun Lane runs on the upper side of the hotel and strikes 
Second Street turnpike north of the Drove Yard ; its southwestern terminus is 
Broad Street. The old name of this road was Woodpecker's Lane. 

The road is here modernized by the erection of small brick dwellings. 

Forest Hill, on Rising Sun Lane, was formerly the residence of Charles J. 
Ingersoll. He was a lawyer, and a man of much prominence. He was the 
father of the late Harry Ingersoll, who was a prominent member of Trinity 
Episcopal Church, Oxford, Philadelphia. 

Forest Hill is still in the family. It is an old fashioned mansion with a 
more modern addition, while an ancient door draws the attention. There is 
a stone wall in front of the grounds, whjle old trees give a look of antiquity. 
There are dormer windows in the roof. 



30 THE YORK ROAD. 

Sydney George Fisher lived here for several years. He married a 
daughter of Mr. Ingersoll. 

The Reading Coal Railroad runs over Rising Sun Lane to Richmond, 
branching at the Falls. 

THE JEWISH BURYING GROUND. 

On the Old York Road a little below Hunting Park on the opposite side, 
is a small Jewish burying ground. A Jewish boy, the subject of some sad 
tragedy, is said to be buried here. The Jews have a burying ground in 
Market Street, in the suburbs of West Philadelphia, and others in Bridge 
Street, near the Cedar Hill Cemetery of Frankford. Longfellow has well 
described this class of cemeteries in his poem entitled, " The Jewish Cemetery 
at Newport." 

" How strange it seems ! These Hebrews in the gi'aves, 
Close by the street of this fair seaport town, 
Silent beside the never silent waves, 

At rest in all this moving up and down ! 

"The trees are white with dust, that o'er their sleep 

Wave their broad curtains in the south wind's breath 
While underneath such leafy tents they keep 
The long mvsterious Exodus of Death. 



«" The very names recorded here are strange, 
Of foreign accent, and of different climes ; 
Alvares and Rivera interchange 
With Abraham and Jacob of old time. 

" ' Blessed be God ! for He created Death ! ' 

The mourners said, ' and Death is rest and peace ; ' 
Then added, in the certainty of faith, 

' And giveth Life that never more shall cease.' " 

The old Toll Gate now confronts us. It is a story and a half in height, a 
wooden building, and the upper story overhangs the lower one. Here the 
rider has been bound to stop for years to pay for his privilege of traversing 
the road, and the toll-gate keeper is one of the best known men in the com- 
munity, the passer-by exchanges a pleasant word with him as he hands 
him his change on a fine summer day, or drags it from his purse in winter 
when his fingers are benumbed with cold. Only those who are going church- 
ward, or those who are attending the sad funeral train are exempt from 
this tax. 

Hunting Park is now a City Park. It is well kept, and a donkey enjoy- 
ing the grass is ready to declare it a comfortable place of recreation for man 
and beast. There is a nice mansion at the entrance. 

There are tables and seats for rustic enjoyment, and flowers greet the 
incomer. These retreats are blessed resorts in midsummer for those who are 



THE YORK ROAD. 31 

sweltering in the pent-up city streets, and the pleasant and social pic-nic is 
suggested and invited by such surroundings. The hard worked nervous 
Americans do not enjoy themselves sufficiently in these restful fresh-air resorts. 
An avenue here is styled Park Avenue. On the same side of the York Road 
with the Park, that is on the west, is Dr. Morton's house intended to be used 
as a Presbyterian Home. Some Association lots now bound the road, and 
David Young's property extends to Courtland Street. 

The Logan and North Broad Street Land Associations indicate that the 
York Road is expected to be a place for suburban residence, and is making a 
new history. 

Opposite the Park is a square mansion embowered in trees. There is 
another large house with its lawn above, on the same side. It is ornamented 
by a ha-ha wall in front. 

The Excelsior Brick and Stone Company's yard is on the road. It was 
moved from below the present location. The residence of Mr. Matthews is 
worthy of note in this section. 

We cross the winding Wingohocking creek, the romantic stream which 
commemorates the name of the Indian chief who was James Logan's friend, 
and, who, to show love in Indian fashion, asked Logan to change names with 
him. Logan told the chief that he might assume his name, (which he did, and 
is known as one of the two Logan Indian chiefs), but that he would give his 
name to the creek where it would be perpetuated, and so it still babbles on 
and tells by day and night for centuries the tale of the white man and the 
Indian to the trees along its banks. 

A stone bridge spans the creek. This stream joins Tacony Creek near 
Frankford, and becomes Frankford Creek. 

Broad Street is here parallel to Old York Road, and runs very near it. 

After crossing the creek the old Stenton (Logan) property is touched 
where improvements are going on in building new houses. For a description 
of Stenton, the beautiful country place of James Logan, the faithful secretary 
of Penn, see my History of Germantown. 

Mr. Lovering, the sugar manufacturer, had a fine mansion, well shaded 
by trees, on the east side. He is dead, and Mrs. Lippincott now occupies it. 
Her mother was a Miss Lovering, and she is a granddaughter of the former 
owner. There are Grecian pillars in the front of the house, and a bay window 
enlivens it. These windows make a very pleasant feature in modern archi- 
tecture. 

Joseph Wharton married Miss Lovering, and, after the death of Mr. 
Lovering, bought the property. 

A neat stone gate-house in the rear of this place introduces to the Keim 
property. 

A tower of the water works of the Lovering place is before us in returning 
from this detour. The Lovering estate is a very attractive country seat. 



32 THE YORK ROAD. 

The grounds of Hugh Graham, the florist, next call our attention. The 
floricultural gardens always furnish a scene of beauty, as one wonders at that 
power of God which can evolve from dark, hard, and apparently stony seeds 
so many beautiful and diverse forms, and such a wondrous variety of bright 
colors. 

Horace Smith writes : 

"Your voiceless lips, O flowers, are living preachers; 
Each cup a pulpit, and each leaf a book ; 
Supplying to my fancy numerous teachers, 
From loneliest nook. 

" Floral apostles that with dewy splendor 

Blush without sin, and weep without a crime ; 
! may I deeplj'^ learn, and ne'er surrender 
Your love divine." 

" The lilies of the field " which drew our Saviour's consideration, bloom 
around our pathway, and these trained exotics brighten the winter banquet, 
or grace the wedding, or lighten the sadness of the funeral. 

The connection of the North Penn Railroad with the Germantow^n rail- 
way running to Ninth and Green Streets, which receives its tributary at 
AVayne Junction, passes under the road here, and strikes the North Penn 
between Fern Rock and Tabor. 

FISHER'S LANE. 

We now come to Fisher's Lane. Wakefield is a famous old country seat 
on this Lane. It was the property of AVilliam Logan Fisher, but is now 
owned by Mrs. Samuel Fox, a daughter of Mr. Fisher. 

This is a simple mansion of an early day, built of stone, three stories in 
height, with a porch in front, and having a pointed roof. A fine extensive 
open lawn lies before the mansion, while trees border the drive, and guard 
the front of the house. 

Little Wakefield joins this place. George W. Carpenter and Ellicott 
Fisher reside here. George Carpenter married the daughter of Thomas 
Fisher, who was also the granddaughter of AVillam Logan Fisher. 

Belfield is near Little Wakefield. This was Wm. Wister's residence, 
and his widow now dwells there. 

At Logan Station, which is at the junction of York Road and Fisher's 
Lane, where the Connecting Railway runs over the road, there is a pretty 
depot of brick and woodwork. The railways have done much to improve the 
architecture of the suburbs by erecting handsome stations, while the floral 
surroundings are praiseworthy. 

The great art critic in England, John Ruskin, asserts that as people use 
railways for business the depots should be plain commercial looking structures, 
but travellers move for pleasure as well as business, and it is wise in railways 
to make their surroundings attractive to the passing traveller, and to him who 



THE YORK ROAD. 33 

stops, or is obliged to wait for a time at their depots. It is comforting to see 
the new railways running above or below grade, so tliat human life is less 
endangered. Will the pneumatic tube finally shoot us through space without 
regarding grades? 

There are two pleasant cottages on each side of the York Road on the 
lower side of Fisher's Lane. 

The following from the North Philadelphia (Frankford) Gazette, of August 
26th, 1892, will be of interest in future years : 

READING'S NEW BRANCH. 

The well-known railroad contractors, Shields & Nolan, of Reading, have 
been awarded the contract to construct a branch line from Logan Station to 
Olney, to Crescent vi He, to Frankford, making in all about six miles. They 
have commenced work with a force of 75 men, divided into six separate 
gangs. Three small locomotives, two steam shovels, one steam derrick and 
other present-day appurtenances used in the rapid grading and building of 
roadbeds are employed in the work. An unusual feature of the grading is 
that the contractors are obliged to secure 10,000 square yards of soil from the 
east and west sides of the North Penn Railroad. On the east side Windrim 
Avenue, which is the property of the city, is being graded and portions of the 
ground utilized for this purpose. On the west side of the track Somerville, 
Eleventh, Fourteenth and Clarkson Streets will be graded to the extent of 
16,000 square yards, opening each thoroughfare to 1500 feet. The company 
has found the grading of the streets a great convenience, saving, as it does, 
the expense of securing the soil at a more expensive location, and at the same 
time the city will save the cost of opening and grading these streets. In 
order to reach the soil on the west side of the track the company has tunneled 
the North Penn Railroad and the locomotives will run under it and carry the 
stuff over. Another feature is that it is an unusual occurrence in railroad 
construction for contractors not to have sufficient filling in along the route to 
meet every requirement, as is the case in the present instance. There is no 
blasting of rocks between Crescentville and Logan Station. Still another 
feature is that there will be only three small bridges between these two points. 
On the Frankford side there are several bridges to be built, which require 
25,000 square yards of masonry. The company has decided to make it a 
double track line for the running of both passenger and freight trains. Jas. 
Wallace and a gentleman named Swetland, who have supervision of the 
work, expect to have the roadbed fully completed and the track in running 
order from Tabor to Frankford by next March. — G'fn Independent. 

On August 30, 1892, the following historical article appeared in the 

Philadelphia Press. It will be remembered that the opening of the Elevated 

Rail Road to Broad Street was a matter of much interest. I saw a freight car 

standing over Arch Street on September 8th, 1892; and it had a strange look. 

3 



34 THE YORK ROAD. 

A large country region will be affected by this depot, and to watch the con- 
struction of the vast building is like reading a poem on man's power and 
energy by which his Creator has given him control of natural objects : 

CARS ENTER THE READING TERMINAL. 

The first train into the great, half-constructed train shed of the new station 
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at Twelfth and Market Streets rum- 
bled over the iron span at Arch Street yesterday afternoon. The sight of a 
locomotive with four freight cars attached, slowly steaming into the mass of 
iron work was witnessed by a large crowd of people, who lined Twelfth Street 
in that vicinity and commented upon what will hereafter be a common sight. 

The train brought a load of ties and rails for the new station. It was 
made up of three flat cars and one box car, and proceeded very cautiously and 
slowly over the spans at Arch Street, where the tracks had just been laid. 
The completion of the track up to the station proper enables the materials to 
be brought through to the places where they are needed, and saves a great 
deal of time over the method of hauling everything for a considerable 
distance. 

This will facilitate the work of construction considerably, and it will be 
rapidly pushed on to completion. The stone work on the station is still pro- 
gressing slowly though somewhat hindered by the granite cutters' strike 
which is just as vigorous now as when it began. 

The Germantown Telegraph of the next day added the following par- 
ticulars : 

THE FIRST TRAIN TO TWELFTH AND MARKET. 

On Monday afternoon the first train — a construction train — entered the 
new Reading depot at Twelfth and Market Streets. The engine drawing this 
train was No. 159, and the crew were Charles Wanner, engineer; George 
Elliott, fireman ; W. H. Millard, conductor ; Richard Lahey, back flagman • 
John Howard and Frank Gilbert, brakemen. 

The Germantown Telegraph, August 17th, 1892, gave this item : 

RAILROAD ACTIVITY AT TABOR. 

The Frankford branch of the Reading Railroad is in course of active 
construction at this end of the line. A large force of men are now at work at 
the junction of the new road with the Reading tracks near Logan Station. 
Tracks for the construction engine and cars have been laid, and the fussy 
little locomotive is at work daily at the cuttings and embankments. Much 
substantial work has already been done, and there is every indication that the 
whole line will be advanced to completion, if not entirely completed, .before 
winter sets in. This road also taps the Newtown Railroad, whose patrons are 
now landed at Berks Street depot, and who are thus obliged to spend half an 



THE YORK ROAD. 35 

hour in the horse cars before reaching the business quarter of the city. With 
the completion of this new link the people of a large and important section of 
country will reach Twelfth and Market. 

RAILWAY RIDE TO JENKINTOWN. 

Having struck the line of railway we will take the traveller with us as 
far as Jenkintown by rail, as the larger portion of visitors now go in that 
way, and then return to resume the York Road in detail. 

At present one leaves the depot at 9th and Green Streets, or that at 3rd 
and Berks to go up the country, though soon the Reading Grand Terminal 
at 12th and Market Streets will accommodate crowds of passengers of the North 
Penn Rail Road, which belongs to the Reading System. 

In leaving the 3rd and Berks Street Station after passing a short distance 
through the suburbs, Erie Avenite is reached. The North Penn Junction of the 
Pennsylvania Connecting Rail Road is near by, and arrangements are being 
made to have the grade crossing abolished, and such death-traps are happily 
disappearing from our good city, to the credit of the City Fathers and the rail- 
ways. This place rejoices in various names, as it is called Franklinville, and 
by neither of its depot names. On the southwest side of the Pennsylvania Rail 
Road lies the contiguous village of Cooperville, which is really a part of this 
town. It took its name from Mr. Cooper who had a hotel, and owned property 
there ; the hotel has disappeared. This was the father of James E. Cooper, 
mentioned on page 29 of this volume as owning the old Rising Sun Inn 
property at the time of his death. 

This town was called Franklinville from the Franklin Land Company, 
which honored the worthy philosopher in their new venture about forty 
years ago. 

Mr. William Will informed me that this tract was formerly the farm 
property of Coleman Fisher. There were 72 acres, which the Company cut 
into 1000 lots, none being less than 20 feet front. 

The mansion house of stone is quite old, and stands at the southeast 
corner of Venango and Marshall Streets. It was moved from the center of 
Venango Street. The work was done by Mr. Sutton. 

The Company consisted of several hundred people, and the lots were 
taken rapidly. The price to the stockholders was $37.50 per lot, or $40 if 
fenced with posts and rails. 

One of the best of these lots within the last few years brought $1000 for a 
special purpose, but that is a high estimate of value. They might average 
$400 to $500. 

This was one of the first Mutual Land Companies in the city. The land 
was bought at $500 per acre, and there were monthly payments of $2 so that 
the affair ran out in less than two vears. 



36 THE YORK ROAD. 

Mr. John Turner was President. John Ferrier was Treasurer. He is 
now dead. Jacob B. Shannon was Secretary. The Company was formed 
about forty years ago. It used to meet in Franklin Hall in the city. 

The writer of this volume took notes in a special interesting conversation 
with the aged Mr. Turner on this excellent enterprise to aid those of small 
means, but those notes were burned in the fire at the Annex Building of the 
Philadelphia Times, while waiting publication in that journal, much to the 
writer's regret. He, however, well recalls Mr. Turner's pleasure in showing 
his old papers, and plans and recounting the success of his scheme. The 
meeting to consider the matter of purchasing homes, held in a city hall, was 
densely packed, so that it was diificult for Mr. Turner to pass through the 
crowd to his place. There was great enthusiasm, and many lots taken at once 
though no railway then touched Franklin ville. The 5th and 6th Street horse- 
cars now run through it. 

The plan had been tried by Mr. Turner, and perhaps others with him 
previously on the Old York Road, with less success. The reading of a theor- 
etic book stimulated the idea. 

Mr. Turner's house was a pleasant old fashioned mansion with fine large 
grounds on 6th Street. It had a country look, though brick houses were near 
it, and a large factory not far distant. This gentleman died about a year ago. 
The following from the Philadelphia Times, August 3, 1892 shoMs that the old 
house is doomed to disappear in this rushing age : 

" The old private parks that have been a conspicuous feature in the 
northern part of the city are being rapidly wiped out to make room for build- 
ing operations. The beautiful estate of the late John Turner, at Franklinville, 
will soon lose its identity. The mansion on the grounds was built a quarter 
of a century before the Revolutionary war. When Mr. Turner purchased it, 
more than a half century ago, he enlarged it by adding an annex on the 
western side. Mr. Turner planned and worked for years to make Franklin- 
ville an industrial center, and he lived to realize his expectations. The old 
homestead was on many occasions the scene of notable gatherings. Decay 
has not put its stamp upon the old structure, but it must go to make room for 
houses for the industrial classes. Brocklehurst & Co., contractors, have pur- 
chased the estate, and after Allegheny Avenue and Orkney Street have been 
cut through the building of new houses will commence ". 

Franklinville which is a good sized suburb, is mainly the growth of tlie 
last few years. 

Potter's extensive Oil Cloth Works, comprising over twenty buildings, on 
the line of the Connecting Railway give employment to a i)art of tlie popu- 
lation, as they engage the work of several hundred men. 

The late Mr. Thomas Potter founded these works, and with his usual 
Christian generosity built a church for his workmen and their families. For 
an account of the life of this noble man and honored citizen, holding various 
offices of trust, see my History of Germantown, (pp. 472-478.) 



THE YORK ROAD. 37 

Phillips, Townsend & Co., have a Steel Wire Nail factory near the North 
Penii Junction Depot. Some of the Rowland family are members of this com- 
pany which conducts this new industry. 

Some of the residents of Franklinville are employed in other places, and 
leave home daily for their work. 

An Oil Refinery stood just back of the old North Penn Depot. 

The Episcopal Hospital could be seen in the distance from the front of 
that depot, and it was a pleasant sight. The present station, though a better 
building, loses the extended view. 

The Jacob Ridgway country-seat is just above the Oil Cloth Works on the 
left in leaving the city. This is a large and fine estate. It was evidently a 
grand place in its day, and the two story piazza and large stone barn give it 
a striking appearance. It was once the abode of Mayor Lawrence, of Philadel- 
phia. It was named Clermont. It fell into the possession of Mrs. Rotch, 
afterwards the wife of Dr. Rhea Barton, of Philadelphia. After her death it 
was acquired by the Pennsylvania Rail Road, and the Bustleton Rail Road is 
to leave the Connecting Railway at this point, as it is supposed to join again 
the New York main line several miles distant. The cattle grazing now form 
a rustic picture to please the eye of the traveller.. 

Not far from this mansion was the Clermont Seminary, famous in its 
day. It was established in A. D., 1806 by John Thomas Carre and Charles 
Carre. The pupils were charged $300 per annum. 

John Sanderson was for some time prominent as principal. (See Scharf 
and Westcott's Histor}'- of Philadelphia, Vol. 3. p. 1925,) and also (Thompson 
Westcott's History of Philadelphia, preserved in Scrap Books, vol. 5, chap. 
Dcxxvi), in the Philadelphia Library, and the Library of the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania at the southwest corner of 13th and Locust Streets, 
in General Patterson's former residence, now devoted to a fitting use. 

Clermont Seminary was a stone building on the upper side of Hart Lane.. 
When it was neglected squatters inhabited it, and at last it was burned down. 
William Welsh, whose country place, Strawberry Hill, is near by in the edge 
of Frankford, was a scholar here, as well as other men of note. 

Professor Samuel Griscom had charge of this school about 1835. After 
resigning this position he went to Virginia, and afterward to Texas, where he 
spent the later years of his life. He died not many years since. 

I am indebted to Mr. Lewis J. Carre, grandson of Prof. Charles Carre for 
information as to his ancestor. The grandfather was born in Normandy, and 
educated there. One of the ancestors of this family was Governor of Jersey, 
or of Guernsey Island, and one was with La Fayette as interpreter, and 
returned with him. He married an English lady, and went to San Domingo, 
and held a position under the French Government. He was imprisoned 
during the insurrection of the blacks there, and his wife used to carry food, and 
thrust it in to him through the prison bars, though threatened with a dagger 
by the negroes during that insurrection. The captive escaped from San 



38 THE YORK ROAD. 

Domingo, and came to Philadelphia, and opened Clermont Seminary. In the 
Philadelphia Directory of 1817, Carre & Sanderson are marked as having a 
Seminary at the south corner of 11th and High Streets. High Street is the 
old name of Market Street. 

The gentleman who fled from San Domingo was Charles Carre. He died 
in Natchez, Mississippi. His brother was associated with him in Clermont 
Seminary, and probably in both institutions. He left a family who do not 
now reside in Philadelphia. The French name Carre is a word meaning 
square, and is related in meaning to that of the Ker or Kerr family of the 
Scotch border. 

Clermont Seminary appears to have held a high position such as that of 
Mt. Airy Seminary or College, near Germantown. Possibly this sketch may 
recall school days to some former pupils, who are now " old boys ", 

In the Portfolio of November, 1810, at the Library of the Historical 
Society of Penns\dvania, may be found a sketch of the school, and a picture 
of the building. Matters were carried on with military precision, and garden- 
ing was encouraged, and great care given to bodily health. 

The Hon. Horatio Gates Jones, on July 13th, A. D., 1888, as reported in The 
Philadelphia Inquirer of the following morning, gave an account of the noble 
and Christlike work of one of Clermont's pupils, at the opening of the institu- 
tion which this large-hearted man endowed, the George Nugent Home in 
Germantown at Adams and Johnston Streets. It is intended for disabled 
Baptist ministers and their wives, and secondarily for ministers of other 
denominations. The portrait of the founder hangs in the parlor. 

SKETCH OF THE FOUNDER. 

Chairman Jones made the opening address. He said : *' We meet this 
afternoon to open this home, which has been incorporated as " The George 
Nugent Home for Baptists ". As President of the Board of Trustees, it 
devolves upon me to give a brief sketch of the founder, Mr. George Nugent, 
through whose munificence this home is founded. Mr. George Nugent was 
born in the city of Philadelphia, May 3, 1809. His father bearing the same 
name, was a highly respected, prosperous and influential merchant, and gave 
to his son a liberal education at Clermont Academy. Among his fellow- 
students was our respected townsman, the Hon. John Welsh, once Minister to 
England. Mr. Nugent retired to a farm near Balligomingo, in Upper Merion, 
Montgomery County, and as his son showed a taste for the business of manu- 
facturing, he erected for him a large mill, and he there continued for many 
years, but finally, after some reverses, went to the city of Philadelphia. While 
at Upper Merion, Mr. Nugent's attention was drawn to the subject of religion. 
In the year 1832, after a careful study of the Scriptures, he was baptized by 
my father, the late Rev. Horatio G. Jones, and became a member of the Lower 
Merion Baptist Church, and so remained until the Balligomingo Church was 



THE YORK ROAD. 39 

formed, of which he became a deacon, and when he removed to Philadelphia 
he joined the Eleventh Baptist Church, and subsequently the Broad Street, of 
both of which he was a deacon. When the Second Church of Germantown 
was formed Mr, Nugent was one of its constituent members, and he remained 
its senior deacon as long as he lived. 

WHY HE ESTABLISHED THE HOME. 

His interest in the support of the poor members of Baptist churches arose 
from the performance of his duties as a deacon, and in a history of the Phila- 
delphia Baptist Home, which he wrote in 1880, he says : ' The idea of a home 
for the aged, needy and infirm was first suggested to me while a deacon of the 
Eleventh Baptist Church. In common with my brethren in that office, I 
visited many of the poor and sick members, and we were blessed with many 
of them, and often found them occupying unhealthy apartments in localities 
where there was but little prospect of their ever regaining their health. The 
needy condition of many of these required more care than they could possibly 
have under the circumstances. It was almost impossible to find suitable 
places for them to board at such moderate charges as the churches could afford 
to pay, and few families were willing to receive and care for them. This gave 
rise to the idea of a home, where the poor and needy of the churches could 
have the comforts and care which they required.' In 1862 Mr. Nugent 
brought the matter before the Philadelphia Baptist Association, nor did he 
desist from his efforts until a committee was appointed, of which he was the 
chairman, to procure a charter. When this was done he w^as chosen president 
and so remained during his life. In fact, Mr. Nugent was the founder of the 
Baptist Home of Philadelphia. To its support he gave every year, and as he 
saw its prosperity the thought occurred to him to establish a home for Baptist 
ministers. 

A GIFT OF NEARLY $400,000. 

His last will w^as made December 21, 1874, but in former wills he had 
amply provided for such an institution. By its provisions, after the death of 
his wife, who was to him a noble, pious helpmate, and the death of several 
annuitants, he devised the whole of his large estate to found and support the 
home which we have met to open, and which in years to come we expect to 
enlarge as occasion may require. Mr. Nugent was deeply interested in various 
societies connected with his church, and also with others. He was a member 
of the Board of Managers of the Baptist Publication Society, the Baptist State 
Convention, the Baptist Historical Society and the American Sunday School 
Union. To each he gave his earnest attention, and scarcely ever failed to 
attend the meetings. He died while on a visit to Atlantic City, June 21, 1883. 

The sum left by Mr. Nugent for the establishment of the Home for 
Disabled Ministers amounts to nearly $400,000. The institution is delight- 



40 THE YORK ROAD. 

fully situated near Upsal Street Station, on the Germantown branch of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad." 

An old time mansion stands on Rising Sun Lane and Sixth Street in 
Franklin ville, the residence of the Hassinger family. Captain Abraham Piesch 
built it. He was a West India trader. A farm was then connected with the 
house. He bought the place of John Brinto. Colonel Lewis Rush, of the 
militia, afterward owned this estate. He was a relative of Dr. Rush. He rode 
from Frankford into the city with La Fayette. He purchased the property of 
Mr. Piesch in 1817. 

Jonathan K. Hassinger was a son-in-law of Colonel Rush. His children 
now occupy the mansion. 

The place is called " Cedar Lawn " from the cedar trees on it. 

Colonel David Stanley Hassinger, son of Jonathan K. Hassinger, died in 
1887. He was under Hartranft and Beaver. 

In being entertained in this ancient dwelling I could but admire its high 
ceilings, and noble old hall, worthy of its name, as if in an English baronial 
castle. The stairs specially draw attention, and are said to have been two 
years in building, having been constructed before machinery was used in such 
work. 

The cedar trees are dying out and giving place to the silver maple. 

Mrs. Col. Hassinger, and her two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Murph}'^ and Miss 
Hassinger reside here. Mr. Lewis Hassinger, who married Miss Megargee, 
lives in Germantown. He has one son. A son of Mrs. Murphy, connected 
with the Pennsylvania Rail Road, lives in Reading. 

The Gaul place, near this mansion, was purchased by the Peerless Brick 
Company. 

The Charles Ingersoll house close at hand was built about the same time 
as the Hassinger house. Mr. John Turner's house is of later date. 

There are several churches in Franklinville, Rev. Thomas J. Taylor, of 
the City Mission is rector of Christ Episcopal Church which is surrounded by 
a pretty churchyard. 

Rev. George C. Ewart is the pastor of the Bethesda Baptist Church. 

The Presbyterian Church has been named in connection with Thomas 
Potter's work of beneficence, and the Methodists also have a church here called 
Erie Avenue Church. Rev. I. M. Gable is the pastor. 

THE RAILWAY AND THE OLD YORK ROAD. 

As one starts for a railway trip along the country parallel to the Old 
York Road the Indian names remind him of early times as Lehigh Avenue 
and Erie Avenue are crossed on the North Penn Railway. 

In leaving the Third and Berks Street depot, in the northern part of 
Philadelphia, the country district is soon reached, and the rows of brick 
houses with white wooden shutters, which Oliver Wendell Holmes describes 



THE YORK ROAD. 41 

as characteristics of the City of Brotherly Love, soon merge into broken lots, 
and detached buildings whose brick walls however have still a city look, and 
whose angular sides seem to call for brick blocks of residences to hold them 
up, and keep company. 

The ragged lines of suburban lots half town and half country where 
))rick yards love to dwell are soon fading into the distance, and the true and 
loving country with its ever sweet and genial face smiles on us. 

At Erie Avenue a neat two-story station, colored yellow, has a small piazza 
to shelter the waiting traveller, and a friendly tree gives its shade in summer. 

Just above this depot the Newtown Railway branches off to run through 
some beautiful country, wild in scenery about McDowell's old Paper Mill, and 
through rock-cuttings until it reaches the neat and thriving ancient town of 
Revolutionary fame, which gives name to the railway. The George School is 
to be located at this place. 

The Drove Yard, with its large three-story brick hotel, surmounted by an 
observatory, and its double story piazza, and the adjoining cattle sheds where 
butchers congregate next draws the attention. 

The men " whose talk is of bullocks," as the Apocryphal book of Ecclesi- 
asticus describes agriculturists, do much business at this important point, and 
the North Penn Drove Yard is well known among them. 

Before reaching Lindley Station a beautiful creek runs under the railway 
bridge. This is one of the " complaining brooks " of which Bryant writes in 
'" Thanatopsis," that they " make the meadows green." The pleasant chant 
goes on by day and night as a hymn of praise to its Creator, as the glad 
Benedicite expresses it, in the Prayer Book service, " O ye Wells, bless ye the 
Lord; praise Him, and magnify Him for ever." 

Running water often tempts me to stop on a bridge, and look down on 
its flow, as it seems almost human in its ceaseless activity, and is charming in 
its poetry of motion. 

At Lindley Station pretty modern cottages begin to dot the country side, 
apparently indicating that city people frequent the stone depots that accom- 
modate the travellers. 

A large, square mansion is above the Lindley depot, on the left, and a 
grand Pennsjdvania stone barn is seen. These barns form a striking feature 
in the scenery of Eastern Pennsylvania, and in travelling west or south they 
are missed in the landscapes. 

Tabor Station takes us back in reflection to Mount Tabor of Scripture days, 
and should remind us of the transfiguration of the Saviour, delineated thus 
in James Montgomery's poem on the Three Mountains, Sinai, Calvary and 
Tabor : 

" When on Sinai's top I see 
God descend in majesty, 
To proclaim His holy law, 
All my spirit sinks with awe." 



42 THE YORK ROAD. 

" When in ecstasy sublime, 
Tabor's glorious steep I climb, 
At the too transporting light 
Darkness rushes o'er my sight." 

" When on Calvary I rest, 
God in flesh made manifest 
Shines in my Redeemer's face, 
Full of beauty, truth, and grace." 

" Here I would forever stay. 
Weep and gaze my soul away; 
Thou art heaven on earth to me, 
Lovely, mournful Calvary." 

The trees surrounding Tabor are picturesque. A creek prattles to the 
woods, and complains that the engines at Tabor Junction interfere with its 
music. 

The cattle crop their morning pasture in a meadow below the railway, 
while a forest of telegraph wires do their silent and important work as the 
train waits before the crossing at Tabor. What messages of business and of 
joy and sorrow, of life and death are those wires now carrying ? 

The Jewish Hospital close at hand shows a nobler victory than that 
secured by Barak when Deborah the prophetess called him, by God's direc- 
tion, to fight Sisera, " and draw toward Mount Tabor " with his army " of the 
children of Naphtali, and of the children of Zebulon," as narrated in the 
fourth chapter of the book of Judges ; for here is a victory which leads men to 
freely give up worldly wealth to comfort and aid their suffering fellow men. 
Tabor thus rejoices in God's name, in its good works, as should the ancient 
Tabor mentioned in the 89th Psalm. 

The train that detained us has passed, the whistle of our engine sounds, 
and as the yellow cars have gone on and kindly left the track for our use 
another load of living freight rushes over them as we move ahead. 

The dog-wood tree enlivens the forest as we reach Fern Rock, with its 
rustic name, and rural surroundings. A noble stone wall, joining a wall of 
natural rock, is on the right, and a quaint English-looking, long house, on 
the left, formerly belonging to William Nice, but now to A. M. Davis's estate. 
On the opposite side of the railway is the beautiful place of the late Lieu- 
tenant Charles Ingersoll, of the U. S. Navy. His widow occupied it. She 
died during the printing of this volume. It was the Medary estate before it 
came into the possession of Mr. Ingersoll. Lawnton, with its summer resort 
of larger size, is further on the right, and we go on through a rocky cut. 

Among these thickly-set stations Oak Lane next demands our attention, 
and a lake and pretty dwellings show the march of improvement. Here in a 
cluster of neat cottages is the dwelling of Rev. Dr. E. H. Supplee, an Episcopal 
Clergyman, and an educator of experience. 

Melrose is close at hand, but we miss its old Abbey, and it is broad day, 
so we may not obey Walter Scott, and view it " by the fair moonlight." 



THE YORK ROAD. 43 

Now comes Ashbourne, with Mr. Dobbins's fine country-place, and its 
Presbyterian church, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Montgomery. St. Paul's 
Episcopal church lifts its English-looking square stone tower near by on the 
Old York Road. It has long been under the rectorship of Rev. Dr. E. H. 
Appleton. 

The next station is where the railroad passes over Old York Road, which 
we have long been skirting, at Shoemakertown, as it was known for genera- 
tions in honor of an early family of settlers of that name, but the moderns 
have styled it Ogontz, and the Post Office bears the same new name, while 
the celebrated Ogontz Female Seminary is near at hand. 

Church Road Station marks the old road between Trinity church, 
Oxford, and St. Thomas's church, Whitemarsh, where English Missionaries 
of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel used to travel their godly 
round, as one clergyman would hold both parishes. 

Chelton Hills is the depot where John Wanamaker's country-seat is 
located. 

Julianna's Cave is on the railway, on the right, and now we are at 
Jenkintown, and Hotel Beechwood rises on the hill to shelter summer 
sojourners who flee the city's heat. 

We go back now and take up the description of the Old York Road as a 
highway. 

HUNTING PARK.^ 

This park contains about 45 acres of ground. It lies at the intersection 
of Nicetown Lane and Old York Road. It was formerly called Hunting 
Park race-course. 

Some famous trotting races occurred here. Top Gallant, the Dutchman, 
a noted three mile trotter. Whalebone, Lady Suffolk, Pelham, Lady Sutton, 
Jack Rossiter, Lady Moscow, War Eagle, Gray Eagle, Mack, Zachary Taylor, 
and Tacony, who ungallantly lowered the time record of Lady Suffolk, were 
noted horses here. The place fell into disrepute by reason of gambling, &c. 

It was purchased in 1854 by a number of gentlemen, some of whom were 
interested in real estate in the neighborhood, and presented to the city, on 
Nov. 9th of that year, and accepted by Councils Jan. 29th, A. D. 1855. 
By an ordinance, July 10th, '56, the ground was dedicated free of access for 
all inhabitants of the city, and for the health and enjoyment of the people 
forever. By an act, April 4th, '72, the Commissioners of Fairmount Park 
were given control of this pleasure ground, and authorized to open a street 
from Fairmount Park to it, and keep it in repair as a Park road. (See Public 
Ledger Almanac, A. D. '88, p. 7.) 

When I passed this Park some time ago a scaffolding seemed to indicate 
that political eloquence had resounded within it. 

' See also page 30. 



44 THE YORK ROAD. 

The connection of the B. & O. and Reading R. R's is expected to draw a 
railway near Hunting Park. 

It is pleasant to know that the city is trying to increase the number of its 
parks, or breathing places, which Addison called the " lungs of a city." This 
one presents a ^pleasant appearance. John B. Lukens is the Superintendent. 

Albanus C. Logan sold the part of the Stenton estate on the opposite side 
of York Road from the mansion to Mr. Lovering. 

Iliere was a Snuff Mill on the Logan estate. It stood in the hollow 
between York Road and Broad Street on Wingohocking Creek, on the left 
hand in ascending the road. The hill here was called Snuff Mill Hill. The 
mill was a large stone building roughcast. It stood idle for years, and was 
no longer in existence eighteen or twenty years ago. 

The keeper of the first toll gate on the Old York Road above Rising Sun 
was for many years David Mott of Branchtown. 

The following is from The Philadelphia Inquirer of May 9th, A. D. 1891 : 

IMPROVEMENTS ON OLD YORK ROAD. 

J. B. Lippincott, Jr., is having erected a handsome suburban stone resi- 
dence at Old York Road and Rockland Street, on the grounds of the Logan 
Real Estate Company, near Logan Station. The dwelling is to be a rough- 
faced Germantown graystone to the second fioor, with ornamental shingles 
above. It will have a frontage of 27 feet and extend back 45 feet. A rustic 
stone porch will adorn the corner. The house is to contain twelve rooms. 
Immediately east of the Lippincott building on Rockland Street, Harry 
Schultz will erect a large frame three-story dwelling, with a frame stable in 
the rear, for Mr. William Weir, Jr. Schmutz Brothers are erecting a notice- 
able frame structure for Leonard Stoll, on Albanus Street. Plans are also 
being made for other houses. 

The Lovering property described on page 31 was purchased by that 
gentleman of Mr. Hanson who erected the mansion, which was enlarged by 
Mr. Lovering. It is now the residence of J. Bertram Lippincott, the publisher. 

The Keim property named on page 31 was that of ex-Sheriff Keim. 

For an account of Wakefield, Little Wakefield, and Belfield, see the late 
Townsend Ward's most interesting articles on the Germantown Road, in the 
Penna. Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 5. 

Logan Station perpetuates the name of James Logan the famous Secre- 
tary of Pennsylvania, the owner of Stenton, and the founder of the Loganian 
Library, now a part of the Philadelphia Library. 

Logan's Mill was on the York Road, 5 miles north of Philadelphia, and 
was the place for taking grain from Mooreland (about Hatboro) to be ground 
as late as 1720. It was carried on horseback. Grain was also conveyed to 
Morris Gwin's, and Lewis's mills, both on Pennypack creek, in Lower Dublin. 
To these last two mills the Gwynedd people would sometimes go in pro- 



THE YORK ROAD. 45 

cessions of thirty or forty for 20 miles along the Welsh Road. (See Buck's 
Mooreland.) 

On the lower side also is Mr. Hoemiller's former place with two houses 
on it. There are also two modern cottages on this side of the Way, and 
two stone houses of older growth on the upper side. In the distance Mr. 
Stevenson's stone house is visible. 

The estate of Joseph Price lies on the upper side of the way. There is an 
old fashioned stone mansion surrounded by a good sized tract of ground, 
containing some other houses. 

Lindley Station, with its boarding house, is at this point. 

The Wakefield property touches the York Road. 

FAIRFIELD. 

The Old York Road is spoken of in Townsend Ward's " Germantown 
Road," (No. 3 of Vol. 6, p. 259.) 

John Hart is named in Ward's "Second Street," (Id. Vol. 4, p. 57.) The 
farm of Hart was called Fairfield. It belonged to Alfred Cope, and is now 
owned by his daughter Mrs. Philip C. Garrett. Faarfald means Sheephill, as 
De Quincey's Literary Reminiscences note. Still it probably here may refer 
to the pleasant country. 

Mr. Garrett was President of the Committee of One Hundred. The 
grounds are well wooded. . 

One of the Copes received a foreign title. He wrote a novel entitled, 
" The Greys of Grey bury," by the Marquis Bid die-Cope. 

The mansion is near the road. Pretty box-wood lines the wall and the 
well kept lawn. A piazza diversifies the front of the house, and there is a 
hedge in front of the grounds. The whole establishment has a cosy and com- 
fortable appearance. 

Judge Samuel W. Pennypacker writes such interesting historical essays as 
to make one wish that he were always writing them. In his " Historical and 
Biographical Sketches," published by Robert A. Tripple, of Philadelphia, he 
has an article on a former resident in Fairfield, according to the notes of Mrs. 
Anna de B. Mears, taken from Lippincott's Magazine for April, 1874, entitled 
" Samuel Richardson, A Councilor, Judge and Legislator of the Olden Time." 

In 1686, less than four years after Penn's arrival, a bricklayer from 
Jamaica, named Samuel Richardson, purchased 5880 acres of Pennsylvania 
land, and two large lots on High Street (now Market), paying therefor £340. 
He brought a certificate frqm the Friends' Meeting in Spanish Town " yt he 
and his wife hath walked amongst us as becomes Truth." Richardson 
became a merchant and bought another lot from Penn on High Street to 
build quays and wharves, and owned all the north side of High Street 
between the Delaware River and Second Street. 



46 THE YORK ROAD. 

In 1688, Wm. Bradford, the well-known early printer of the Province, 
undertook the momentous task of publishing by subscription a " house Bible " 
of large size. This was the first American attempt of this kind, and that the 
city burghers might feel sure that the money was rightly spent when 
advanced largely he announced that Samuel Richardson and Samuel Car- 
penter " are appointed to take care and be assistant in the laying out of the 
' Subscription Money' and to see that it be employed to the use intended." A 
copy of the circular was discovered in the binding of an ancient volume. 

Richardson was elected to a seat in the Provincial Council in 1688, and 
was a member of the Assembly in 1691, and most of the years thereafter until 
1709. He was a political leader in his day, and had the various experiences 
which are the lot of such a high position. Human nature is the same in a 
Province, a State, or a Kingdom. 

In closing his sketch Judge Pennypacker writes, " For many years after 
his arrival in Pennsylvania, Richardson lived upon a plantation of five hun- 
dred acres near Germantown, and probably superintended the cultivation of 
such portions of it as were cleared. There he had horses, cattle and sheep. 
The Friends' Records tell us that several grandchildren were born in his 
house and from the account book of Daniel Pastorius we learn that w^hen 
they grew older they were sent to school at the moderate rate of fourpence per 
week. On the 19th of April, 1703, however, Ellinor, his wife, died, and some 
time afterward, probably in the early part of the year 1705, he removed to 
the city. (The Abington monthly meeting records for 23d of 12th mo., 1701, 
say ' Samuel Richardson having desired that friends should keep a Meeting 
of Worship at his house, and this meeting having answered his request have 
ordered also that friends do meet at his house on ye sd sixth day in every 
month, considering ye weakness of his wife.') 

" He married again, and lived in a house somewhere near the intersection 
of Third and Chestnut Streets, which contained a front room and kitchen on 
the first floor, two chambers on the second floor, and a garret. 

" In the next year he was, unanimously elected one of the Aldermen of 
the city, and this position he held thereafter until his death." 

The poverty of the young city appears in the fact that when Griffith and 
John Jones were ordered by the Town Council to buy a set of brass weights 
costing £12, 12s, they gave individual notes, taking an obligation from the 
corporation, which was presented often but not paid until five years had 
passed away. 

In 1710 the Council resolved to build a new market-house for the 
butchers, and raised funds by individually subscribing money and goods. 
Richardson was one of the fourteen largest subscribers, who gave each five 
pounds. When the building was completed in 1713 he received appointment 
as one of the clerks of the market to collect rents, &c., with a commission of 
ten per cent, for his services. His last attendance at a meeting of the Town 
Council was on Oct. 1st, 1717. 



THE YORK ROAD. 47 

He died on the 10th of June, A. D. 1719, being of an " advanced age," 
and leaving a large estate. 

" His wardrobe consisted of a new coat with plate buttons, cloth coat and 
breeches, loose cloth coat and drugget waistcoat, old cloak, old large coat and 
' Round robin,' two fustian frocks and breeches, two flannel waistcoats, three 
pair of old stockings, two hats, linen shirts, leather waistcoat, and breeches, 
six neckcloths, three handkerchiefs, one pair of new and two pair of old 
shoes." 

" He had four children, Joseph, the only son, married in 1696, Elizabeth, 
daughter of John Bevan, (John Bevan's wife was Barbara Aubrey, aunt of the 
William Aubrey who married Letitia Penn, a descendant of Sir Reginald 
Aubrey, one of the Norman conquerors of Wales), and from about the year 
1713 lived at Olethgo, on the Perkiomen Creek in Providence township, 
Philadelphia (now Montgomery) County. This marriage was preceded by a 
carefully drawn settlement, iA which the father of the groom entailed upon 
him the plantation of five hundred acres near Germantown, and the father 
of the bride gave her a marriage portion of two hundred pounds. Of the 
three daughters, Mary, the eldest, married William Hudson, one of the 
wealthiest of the pioneer merchants of Philadelphia, mayor of the city in 
1725, and a relative of Henry Hudson the navigator. Ann married Edward 
Lane of Providence township, Philadelphia County, and after his death 
Edmund Cartledge of Conestoga, in Lancaster County ; and Elizabeth married 
Abraham Bickley, also a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia. Among their 
descendants are many of the most noted families of the eastern Counties of 
Pennsylvania." 

Judge Pennypacker has another sketch in this volume of Captain Joseph 
Richardson, the grandson of Samuel Richardson, which was taken from the 
Penn Monthly, of Feb., 1876. 

Fairfield was once the summer abode of Mrs. Elizabeth Drinker the 
writer of the ancient journal which has lately been published by, the J. B. 
Lippincott Company, edited by her descendant, Henry D. Biddle. It presents 
a striking view of Philadelphia in Revolutionary and yellow fever times, and 
is a pretty picture of the simplicity and hospitality and peace-loving spirit of 
the worthy Friends of that day. 

The Drinkers lived at the northwest corner of Front Street and Drinker's 
Alley. Old Philadelphia names abound in these simple records of daily life, 
interspersed with country journeys. • 

On January 29th, 1794, is this note (page 219). " H. D., (that is Henry 
Drinker the husband of Elizabeth Drinker) set off about ten this forenoon, for 
to take a view of a plantation which is for sale about 6 miles from the city, 
between ye old York road and Germantown. Soon after his departure it 
began to snow, he went but two miles, then returned — ye roads bad and his 
horse not properly shod ". 



48 THE YORK ROAD. 

" May 7, H. D. and M. S. went after dinner to ye Farm — took up with 
them several boxes with China, &c ". 

" May 17, H. S. 1). and W. D., went after dinner to the Farm in the 
Chaise ; the old mare draws them. Henry brought home three strawberries 
and 6 or 8 ripe Cherries from ye Farm. It proves this to be a very early 
spring, as I do not recollect seeing any before ye spring Fair, and I don't 
remember then but once falling at that time — half a Dozen tied to a stick for 
a penny ". 

" May 24, H. D., M. S., and Sally Brant went to Clearfield — the name 
which H. D. has given to ye Farm ; as James Fisher has a place that has been 
called Newington for many years past, 'twas thought best to change the 
name ". 

" June 14, John ye gardener came this afternoon with the cart and old 
sorrel — took up a load of necessaries, H. D, and E. D. in the Chaise with our 
good old mare, Billy, Mollie and Sally Brant ill the Coaches ; Jo drove them. 
We arrived at Clearfield before 6 o'clock — a very beautiful and pleasant place 
it is ; how delighted and pleased would many women be, with such a retreat. 
I hope a degree of thankfulness is not wanting in me for the many favors we 
are blessed with. Should our dear William be restored to a comfortable state 
of health by our removal into the Country, the end would be abundantly 
answered in my view ". 

The finding of two tortoises, and W. D's. riding and walking, and sitting 
" on a stump looking at ye workmen who are building a barn for Sammy 
Fisher," and the mother's uneasiness at his exposure on this hot day, in such 
observation are duly noted. Mother and son are now beyond the sun's heat, 
and the danger of disease, but these touches of life are sweet remembrance;^. 

As Guiderius sings in Shakespeare's Cymbeline: 

"Fear no more the heat o' the sun, 
Nor the furious winter's rages; 
Thou thy worldly task hast done, 

Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages ". 

Act IV, Scene II. 

" June 17. We went to the top of our house this afternoon ; the top is 
almost flat and railed in. The prospect from it is beautiful, ye Church Steeple 
plain to be seen ; if the wood that intercepts the sight were away, I believe we 
would see it in ye new parlor ". 

" I went this morning to Bickley's, our tenant, to settle some matters 
relative to butter, eggs, &c. His sister, Betsy Bickley keeps his house ". 

The Germantown Church bell was distinctly heard, though the Town 
Clocks were missed. 

So the charming mornings, quiet afternoons and social evenings 
passed in the old homestead generations ago. The country experiences are 
pleasant. The 4th of July guns sound out from the City. Cooking and hay- 
making and washing and looking into surrounding natural history, and the 



THE YORK ROAD. 49 

study of Lavater on Physiognomy are treated of, and this pious and sensible 
woman ever found something to learn and record for her own future benefit 
and that of others. Mr. Biddle has done a good deed in giving this manu- 
script to the public. 

He sent me the following letter concerning the old place, and an accom- 
panying diagram showing that about 1803 it was bounded by the lands of 
Francis Breuil, John Morton, Joseph Swift, John Hart, Thomas Fisher and 
Richard Neave. There was Woodland and a Spring on the tract of about 36| 
acres in the plan, situate exactly six miles from the old Court House in Phila- 
delphia, and about one mile from Germantown. 

No. 311| Walnut Street, 
Philadelphia, Aug. 12, 1892. 
Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, 

Bustleton. 

Dear Sir : — Yours of 11th inquiring as to the location of " Clearfield ", 
Elizabeth Drinker's country home is received. 

When I published her journal, I was unable definitely to locate the place, 
although I had taken some pains to do so. Since then, however, I have 
ascertained it is the place lately owned and occupied by Alfred Cope, and 
called bj'' him " Fairfield " ; and is now in the possession and occupancy of his 
daughter, Mrs. Philip C. Garrett. It is on the east side of the Old York Road, 
a short distance above Fisher's Lane, adjoining the property of the late 
Clayton French, Esq., and is at Logan Station, Philadelphia and Reading 
Railroad. 

On March 17, 1794, Henry Drinker agreed with Daniel King of Philadel- 
phia, brass founder, for the sale to him of about 74 acres (38 acres on the east 
side of the Old York Road, including all the buildings, and 36J acres on 
the west side). 

Henry D. sold the 38 acres and buildings to Jotin Gerar William de 
Brahm — to which he gave the name of " Bellair " ; as Mrs. Drinker says, 
" the air there was esteemed remarkably pure ". Jno. G. W. de Brahm died 
in June 1799, and his widow sold the same to John Hart, apothecary. I 
believe John Hart, or his heirs, conveyed the same to Alfred Cope. The old 
house still remains, but it has been altered and added to, and much changed. 

The S6^ acres on the west side of the road, Henry Drinker gave to his 
son William. (I enclose a copy of an old plan of the same — drawn about 
1803)— in October, 1803 (Deed Book EF, No. 14, page 168, &c). William 
Drinker sold the said 36| acres in May, 1810, to Joseph Ely for $3300 — a little 
over ninety dollars per acre, which seems to us to have been rather a low 
price. 

I am Yours Very Truly, 

Henky D. Biddle. 

I add that an interesting account of the de Brahms may be found in Mrs. 
Mears's " Old York Road ". 
4 



50 THE YORK ROAD. 

Charles W. Wharton, the son-in-law of Mr. Lovering, whose place is below 
has fine grounds on the west. The land is rolling, which gives a pleasing 
diversity to its surface. There is a modern house and a quaint porch. 
Russell Smith, the artist, formerly owned this place, and lived on it. 

The next house, on the same side, is the stone mansion of J. S. Lovering 
Wharton with its ample piazza. This gentleman is the son of Charles W. 
Wharton. 

On the other side the Fern Rock Boarding House enlivens the road and 
gives the pleasure of country life to city boarders in summer. The shady 
piazzas are attractive. 

There is a little house on the same side of the way where General Wash- 
ington is said to have spent a night. 

Joseph Wharton's place lies next above that of Lovering Wharton. It is 
a very fine house, with a massive stone entrance and a pretty water view 
within. 

Mr. Joseph Wharton married another daughter of Mr. Lovering. He is 
a brother of Charles Wharton. 

The mansion is so large and has so commanding a position that it is a 
pleasant landmark in the surrounding country. 

The miniature lake and ever refreshing view of water is a very acceptable 
and cheerful sight, especially in summer. Plato thought that a traveller 
should not lodge in a city which did not have a living stream running by it. 
Philadelphia would haVe met his requirement both in its city proper, and its 
rural districts. 

Dr. Shelmerdine formerly lived on Joseph Wharton's place. He was 
long a practising physician in this neighborhood. 

Opposite the Morris Davis' place resided the widow of Dr. Smith. The 
building was once a hotel kept by William Wilson. 

Fern Rock, a little way from the York Road on the right in driving 
from Germantown, was the home of Judge Kane, and it gave name to the 
Depot on Green Lane, as the Reading Rail Road could not have two depots 
of the same name, and had one named Green Lane. 

The Kane estate is on the upper side of Green Lane. The Judge was 
the father of the celebrated Elisha Kent Kane, the Arctic explorer. The 
mansion has been enlarged by an addition of wood, the old part being of 
stone. It is now a boarding-house. 

After Judge Kane's death Mr. Potter owned the property for a time, and 
afterward Stephen Price was the owner. 

A stone wall prettily capped runs in front of the place, and gives a look 
of solid stability to it. 

The boarding house is called Kenilworth, perpetuating the memory of 
Walter Scott. 

Passing Fern Rock the ivy-clad farm-house, and ancient barn of Mrs. 
Harry IngersoU's place are prominently in view. The pleasant mansion is 
seen in the distance. Medary is the name of the estate. 



THE YORK ROAD. 51 

There is a pretty stone entrance, with a stone wall and a gate-cottage. 

On the south side, opposite, is the extensive property of Miss Mary D. Fox, 
which has been long in the family. The name of this place is Champlost. 

Gray massive stones compose the barn, which is often a striking feature 
in country districts. The barn has loopholes for ventilation. There is a 
farm-house of stone. 

The lawn is remarkably beautiful, and it displays a fine taste in the 
arrangement of its flowers and trees, and rhododendrons add their beauty to 
the scene, while open ground is interspersed among the trees. 

A pleasant, old-fashioned mansion of stone is in the central part of the 
lawn, and nature looks pleasanter when the abodes of human life are beheld, 
which show that there are eyes to see, and minds to appreciate her beauty. 

The house is adorned by a piazza, and surmounted by dormer windows. 

The property extends from Fern Rock to Tabor, and along the railroad, 
and from the railway to the New Second Street, bordering on Green Street 
and Fisher's Lane. 

A stone wall runs along a part of the boundary on Fisher's Lane. 

The Land Association ground on Fisher's Lane is opposite the Fox place. 

The Dickson property is also opposite the Fox farm. It is called Maple 
Grove, and is a part of the estate of the late James Newton Dickson. The 
old mansion was reached through a long double avenue of fine old maples. 

Mr. Dickson used this as a country-seat in summer, coming out from 
Philadelphia. He was of the dry goods firm of Dickson & Brother for several 
years, in Market Street, below 5th Street. His brother Levi was his partner. 
The firm sold to Heiskell & Hoskins, and retired. Levi died several years 
ago, James having died previously. 

The mansion of this country-seat was burned a number of years since 
and has not been rebuilt. 

In Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, Vol. 2, pp. 73, 74, is the following 
concerning this place: "Some very old tombstones are still in existence near 
Crescentville, in Bristol township on the country-seat of James N. Dickson, 
which have been intended to designate the remains of a mother and her two 
sons, of the name of Price, of Welsh origin who died there in 1702." The 
inscriptions run thus: No. 1. "For the Memory For Elizabeth Price, who 
died Avgvst the 2 st 1697." No. 2. " For the Memory of John Price who 
died Jvne the 11th Day 1702 aged 20 years." No. 3. " For the Memory of 
Rees Price who died Jvly 17 day 1702 aged 23 years. 

Back of No. 2. 

"This YOVNG man was 
So much with sence indved 
That of his own and 
Brothers Death conclvde 
Saying Dear Brother 
This know well Do i 
'Twill not be long 
Before we both must die." 



52 THE YORK ROAD. 

Back of No. 3. 

" These are first 
Thats in this Dust i say 
God's Sabbath kept 
To wit ye seventh Day 
in faith they DY'D 
Here side by side remain 
Till Christ shall come 
To raise them up again." 

Dickson's Lane runs into Adams Street. 

Opposite this place is a yellow stone house. It was formerly the resi- 
dence of Mr. Darnell. Mr. Supplee was an owner, but is now dead. 

Joining Mrs. Harry Ingersoll's place is George Robert Smith's former 
property, which he sold to Dr. S. S. White. It belongs to the Doctor's heirs. 

It is a large wooden mansion. 

Green Lane was stoned by the property holders, but the city now keeps 
up the road. 

Brookwood, the residence of James Logan Fisher and his sisters, is one 
of the most beautiful places in this section of country. It was owned by 
Mr. Fisher's father. 

There are different entrances, the one from Green Lane is by a sunken 
driveway, bordered by a stone wall. The winding drives, and rolling ground 
and pretty trees, and ample mansion make a fine picture. 

The house has been altered and improved of late years. It is a stone 
building, and a piazza embellishes it. It looks pleasantly in the distance in 
its rural surroundings, and is cosy within. 

Trinity Episcopal Chapel, Crescentville, near by is on land given by this 
family. It is a part of Trinity Parish, Oxford, now in charge of Rev. H. A. 
F. Hoyt; Rev. Dr. Buchanan, Rev. R. Bowden Shepherd and Rev. Henry 
Macbeth were former rectors. 

Mr. Joseph Swift's property, afterward Clayton French's, is next above the 
Cope place, on the same side. It has a wide lawn. The fine mansion is built 
of brown stone. Mr. French was a wholesale dealer in drugs. There is a fine 
avenue of trees leading to the mansion. It is a very beautiful place. Mr. 
French died a few years ago, and the property was sold to a Land Association. 
The house was built by Mr. Swift. 

Opposite is the late Mr. Rogers's place. He was President of the Trades- 
mans' Bank. There is a fine hedge here. The ample and elegant mansion 
is constructed of brown stone. The widoAv resides in it. She is a sister of the 
late John W. Thomas, of Cheltenham. There is a fine lawn adorned with 
shrubbery. This is one of the most attractive places on the York Road. It 
is on what was formerly the James Boyer estate. 

Next above Mr. French's place is a property which belonged to the 
Megargee family. A stone wall runs along its front. The house is a beautiful 
mansion. This country-seat will draw the attention of the passer-by, as an 
elegant home, with a deep lawn, as the house stands back from the road, 
giving pleasant retirement. 




LU 






Q 



CO g 

CO S 
LU 



THE YORK ROAD. 
THE JEWISH HOSPITAL. 



55 



At Tabor Station the Jewish Hospital is on the former Megargee property. 
It is a very fine, large and costlj'^ building surrounded by extensive grounds. 
It looks like a cheerful spot for a sick man's recuperation, and the Jews deserve 
great credit for the benevolence which has lavished such large sums to benefit 
suff"ering humanity. 

Thorp's Lane is now passed, and we ride by the second toll-gate which is 
a quaint building. The keeper of these gates must generally make the most 
of a little ground squeezed out of the side of the road, and his garden, if he 
has one, is scant. 

The term turnpike which is now applied to the whole road, was borrowed 
from the gate itself, and widened in meaning. 

THE JEWISH HOSPITAL, DISPENSARY AND HOME FOR THE 
AGED AND INFIRM ISRAELITES. 

The Jewish Hospital was founded in February, 1865, and commenced 
work in a small building at o6th Street and Haverford Road, West Phila- 
delphia, where it remained until 1873. In 1872 the erection of the present 
Hospital building on the Olney Road, near Old York Road in the 22d Ward, 
was commenced,' finished and occupied the following year. Its object is best 
shown by the following inscription over its main entrance : 



fl 



&l 



fe 



THIS HOSPITAL 

WAS ERECTED BY THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE 

ISRAELITES OF PHILADELPHIA, 

AND IS DEDICATED TO THE RELIEF OF THE SICK AND 
WOUNDED, 

WITHOUT REGARD TO CREED, COLOR OR NATIONALITY, 

under the management of a board composed of 

members of the 

Jewish Hospital Association. 



In connection with its Hospital there is a separate building known as 
the Mathilde Adler Loeb Dispensary, which was erected, and is supported by 
the father and mother and husband of the lady commemorated, Mr. and Mrs. 
Abraham Adler, and Mr. August B. Loeb. It also has two incurable wards 
for male and female patients afflicted with consumption, and it supports on 



56 . THE YORK ROAD. 

the same property a Home for Aged and Infirm Israelites. This Home 
is the only portion of the Institution which is of a sectarian character. 

By virtue of the deed of trust conveying the Dispensary to the Associa- 
tion no charge can be made for advice, treatment or medicines. Last year 
2,636 patients were thus treated, and in the Hospital proper 522 patients were 
housed and cared for. The statistics of the Hospital and Home show that 
30,981 days' support were furnished to the patients and inmates of the two 
Institutions in 1891 at a cost of maintenance $36,604.49, all of which, with 
the exception of $652,70 received from board, were either voluntary donations, 
membership dues, or interests on its investments. 

The Hospital and Dispensary are open day and night for the reception 
of patients. Its beds are rarely empty. 

Its ambulance is always ready for emergency and accident cases, and 
may be called by telephone from any police station to any part of the city. 
Its two physicians in charge, Drs. Knipe and Jarecki, are in constant attend- 
ance. Its medical and surgical staff are composed of Drs. Thomas G. Morton, 
Benjamin B. Wilson, Lewis W. Steinbach, John B. Roberts, William H. 
Teller, Charles S. Turnbull, Owen J. Wister, Thomas Betts, Adolph Feldstein, 
S. Solis Cohen. 

In consequence of the constant demands on this Institution the expenses 
are far beyond its income ; so excellent and humane a work ever has a just 
demand on a generous public, and each one knows not how soon he or his 
friends may need its aid. 

The Hospital has received contributions from members and patrons and 
a number of legacies from citizens of Philadelphia of all denominations, and 
has some endowments, prompted by love to God and man, but it is compelled 
to solicit more to supply its needs. 

This is the 29th year in which Mr. Hackenburg has given arduous labor 
in leading this good work. He is aided by the following fellow-officers : 

President, William B. Hackenburg ; Vice-President, Simon Muhr ; Secre- 
tary, Simon A. Stern ; Treasurer, August B. Loeb ; Corresponding Secretary, 
Herman Jonas. 

Directors : Mayer Sulzberger, Abraham Wolf, Solomon Gans, Aaron 
Lichten, Lucien Moss, Max Liveright, Simon B. Fleisher, Simon I. Kohn, 
Herman B. Blumenthal, Edward Wolf, Jacob Wiener, Arnold Kohn. 

Ephraim Lederer, Clerk. 

THE BUTLER PLACE. 

There is an elegant avenue of trees opening on Thorp's Lane at the 
Butler Place. The mansion, which is stately and antique, stands back from 
the road, and a wall encircles the ample grounds in English fashion. There 
is a double piazza on the lower side of the house. 

The Episcopal Church, called the House of Prayer, is opposite to the side 
of this property a short distance from the York Road. 



THE YORK ROAD. 59 > 

On the east side of the Butler Place is the Morton farm. Samuel Morton's 
mansion is now the residence of his widow. 

Above the Morton place the Little York Farm runs from the York Road 
to the North Penn Railroad. It was a part of Pierce Butler's place. The 
Fern Rock Building Association is now in possession of it. 

The old stone house looks lonesome at the roadside. 

A daughter of Pierce Butler married the Honorable and Reverend James 
Wentworth Leigh, of England. In residing here for a time Mr. Leigh has 
kindly and acceptably performed clerical services at the House of Prayer. 

Mrs. Leigh sold the property to Thomas Smith, President of the Bank of 
North America. After his death it was sold to a Land Association to be cut 
up into lots. 

The following sketch is kindly communicated : 

The quaint, old fashioned country house, situated on the west side of the 
Old York Road, north of Thorp's Lane, and known as Butler Place, was built 
in the year 1791 by a Frenchman, named Boullange (almost identical with a 
name that figures conspicuously in the French politics of to-day), and passed 
into the possession of Major Pierce Butler, of Charleston, S. C, in 1810. The 
grounds include one hundred and seven acres, and have an extended frontage 
on Old York Road on the east, on Thorp's Lane on the south, and on 
Branchtown turnpike on the west. This western boundary is also skirted by 
Thorp's dam — a beautiful sheet of water, in days gone by ; now a melan- 
choly, marshy meadow — the breastwork fallen, the mill-wheel silenced, and 
all its romantic beauty dispelled. 

The property is now owned by Major Butler's great-grand-daughters — Mrs. 
Owen J. Wister and Mrs. James Wentworth Leigh. Major Butler was born in 
Ireland on July 11th, 1744, and was the third son of Sir Richard Butler of 
Garryhunden Co., fifth baronet, and member of Parliament for Carlow, 
1729-61. Sir Richard was sixth in descent from Sir Thomas Pierce Butler, a 
descendant of Lord Edmond Butler, second son of the ninth Earl of Ormonde. 
Owing to his father's wealth and influence, Major Butler held a commission, 
dated Feb. 15th, 1755, as Lieutenant in the Twenty-second Foot, before he 
was eleven years old, though he did not enter upon the duties of his rank 
until he was fifteen. In 1761, at the age of seventeen, he became Captain, 
and April 20th, 1766, he became Major of the Twenty-ninth Foot. He was 
for some years stationed in America, marrying in 1768, a daughter of Col. 
Middleton, of Charleston, S. C. In 1773 he retired from the army, and own- 
ing two plantations, in Georgia — Butler Island, a rice plantation of 2000 
acres, and St. Simons, a sea-island cotton plantation of 6000 acres — became an 
extensive planter. 

After the Revolution Major Butler took an active part in local politics. 
He was twitted by his adversaries with his noble birth ; for heredity, rank and 
position were not held in high esteem, by the democracy at least, of a country 
so recently emancipated from British rule and form of government. This 



60 THE YORK ROAD. 

antipathy did not seem materially to have interfered with his popularity, 
however, for on March 0th, 1787, he was appointed a delegate to the Conti- 
nental Congress, and was also chosen a representative to the Federal Conven- 
tion ; and, furthermore, he was, in 1789, elected one of the first United States 
Senators from South Carolina, in which capacity he served until 1796, when 
he resigned. He was again elected in 1802. He was a ver}^ active member 
of the Senate, and one of the signers of the Federal Constitution in 1787. 

Major Butler died in Philadelphia, Feb. 15th, 1822, set 78, and was 
buried in the family vault at Christ Church. 

The grounds of Butler Place are undulating and picturesque. One of its 
most unique and attractive features is the beautiful avenue of broad-spreading 
maple trees, whose interlacing branches form a complete archway, casting a 
deep shade over the drive of several hundred yards from Thorp's Lane to the 
mansion. The Autumnal coloring of these trees surpasses anything in the 
neighborhood of Philadelphia, and elicits the admiration of all whose eyes 
may rest upon it. A dell on the same lane through which courses a babbling 
stream, winding round the foot of a wooded hill, and finding its way, ulti- 
mately, into Thorp's dam is another attraction, which is much enhanced by 
being, in consequence of its cool, moist air, and perfect seclusion, the favorite 
haunt of the wood robin. Here its plaintive, melodious note, reminding one 

Of all that he has not, and never can have; which he forever seeks and never finds, 
is almost unceasing, even in the noon-day heats of mid-summer. 

An old fashioned, walled garden, rare in this country, though usually 
attached to venerable country-houses of England, may also be found on the 
place, where figs, and other semi-tropical trees flourish, and mature their 
fruit in perfection, defended by the impenetrable barrier of stone from the 
frowns and icy blasts of stern winter. 

The unmistakable evidences of age, though not of deca}-, are observable 
everywhere. There is not a shadow of tinsel or tawdriness to be found about 
Butler Place; dignified repose being its predominant characteristic. Well 
may its occupants exclaim with Horace, 

Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes 
Angulus ridet. 

BRANCHTOWN. 

We now approach Branchtown. A quaint old tailor's shop on the 
west side of the way introduces us to the village. 

There is a store on the east side known as Rorer's Store. Mr. Rorer died 
and his son relinquished the business. Mr. Mingin now has this place of 
traffic, which has been modernized, and looks well. 




CO 



cr. 

CO 



a: 



Q 
UJ 

O 
< 

q: 
O 
u. 

UJ 

o 

X 



THE YORK ROAD. 63 

THE DE BENNEVILLE GRAVE YARD. 

The de Benneville House here is a pleasant and striking r*^mnant of older 
days, while the de Benneville graveyard, a little to the right of the Old York 
Road, is interesting as the resting place of those who were leaders in their day. 

The following article by E. Leslie Gilliams appeared in The Philadelphia 
Times in May, A. D. 1892 : 

" Out in Branchtown, at the northeast corner of the historic Old York 
Road and Green Lane, is situated the de Benneville private burying ground, 
which is still used, and is one of the largest and most interesting of the 
various family graveyards in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. 

'^In 1758 George de Benneville, M. D., purchased from Joseph Spencer 
twenty acres of land, with a dwelling, on the Old York Road. Shortly after 
de Benneville had secured this valuable property he selected or put aside, as 
was the custom in those days, a plot of ground for a family burial place. His 
plot, which contained about a quarter of an acre, fronted on the Old York 
Road, and extended east a considerable distance. In 1795-6 Green Lane was 
opened through this property, which decreased the width of the burial plot 
about fifteen feet, making the frontage on the Old York Road exceedingly 
narrow. Among the earliest interments in the de Benneville ground were 
those of General Agnew and Lieutenant Colonel Bird, two British officers of 
note, who were killed at the battle of Germantown, according to tradition, by 
two men secreted behind the gravestones in the Mennonite meeting yard, on 
Main Street, above Walnut Lane, They were at first buried in Germantown, 
but, as popular feeling was very bitter against the British invaders after the 
battle, it was feared that indignities would be offered the bodies, and they 
were consequently removed to the de Benneville grounds as a place of safety. 
According to the statement of Mrs. A. de Benneville Mears, the graves of 
General Agnew and Lieutenant Colonel Bird are located in the northeast 
corner of the ground. They are unmarked, although, years ago, a great- 
uncle and aunt of General Agnew visited this country and desired to erect a 
monument to the General's memory, but owing to some trouble which they 
had with Aaron Burr they failed to accomplish their purpose." 



A little to the south, in the eastern section of the old graveyard, is to be 
found the tomb of the Rev. Dr. George de Benneville, the most distinguished 
member of his family and the founder and first apostle in this country of the 
gospel of universal restoration. Current readers of ecclesiastical history, 
particularly in New England, are disposed to ascribe the honor of planting 
Universalism in America to the Rev. John Murray, a Methodist class teacher, 
who achieved great prominence and success in missionary work in New 
England during the Revolutionary war. But Murray did not land on the 
New Jersey shore until 1770, and did not settle in Gloucester, Mass., until 



64 THE YORK ROAD. 

1779 ; whereas Dr. de Benneville came from Europe as early as 1741, and 
preached the new doctrine at Oley, eight miles northeast of Reading, until 
1755, and subsequently in Germantown and Milestone until his death in 
1793. Dr. de Benneville's life and experience were more thrilling and 
romantic than a novel. His mother was of the noble Granville family, of 
England, and bore nine children in five years after marriage, having twins 
four years successively. At de Benneville's birth, the 26th of July, 1703, she 
died. His father was a French refugee attached to the court of King William 
III. Tradition says that after the death of young de Benneville's mother 
Queen Anne herself provided him with a nurse and superintended his 
education. 

When eleven years of age he was sent to sea to learn navigation in a war 
vessel belonging to a little fleet bound for the coast of Barbary. Shortly after 
his return to France he became a convert to the doctrine of universal salva- 
tion and began to preach Universalism. For this he was arrested and 
imprisoned. Some of his followers and companions were hanged, but 
de Benneville escaped this fate through the intervention of Queen Anne. He 
removed to Germany, where he had as acquaintances, " a company of gentry, 
who dwelt together near Siegen, some of whom were married but only dwelt 
together as brethren and sisters." It was in Holland that he first openly 
espoused the creed of Universalism. In 1804 there was published in Phila- 
delphia a little volume under the title of "A true and remarkable account of 
the life and trance of Doctor George de Bennevile, late of Germantown, Pa., 
including what he heard and saw during a trance of forty-two hours, both in 
the regions of happiness and misery." Dr. de Benneville is said to have 
experienced this trance while in Holland, in which country he was attacked 
with a wasting consumptive disorder, which nearly resulted fatally. Indeed^ 
at one time, his friends thought him dead, and it was during this period of 
forty-two hours that he is said to have experienced his remarkable vision. 
His descendants of to-day rather repudiate this trance, or, at least, claim that 
it has been greatly exaggerated in importance. 



When Dr. de Benneville came to this country, and settled at Oley, in 
1741, where he practiced medicine, he was received most cordially by the 
Moravians, who had a monastic house at Bethlehem, and a mission school 
just two miles from the Oley line. In the mission school de Benneville 
preached regularly, until growing differences of creed between himself and the 
Moravians eventually led them to close their doors against him. That was 
about 1745. With the aid of Jean Bertolet, from Picadie, France, whose 
daughter he had recently married, de Benneville at once set to work to rear 
a substantial mansion, wherein he could preach at will. This building is 
still standing and is practically unchanged in appearance. In the cellar a 
spring of clear water gushes from a rock in one corner and it was here, so 



THE YORK ROAD. 65 

tradition says, that Dr. de Benneville baptized his converts. In the second 
story of • his house he constructed a hall with a seating capacity of fifty 
people. And here, Sunday after Sunday, he preached to his friends and 
neighbors the doctrine of universal salvation. 

In 1755, on account of the increasing outrages of wild bands of Indians 
in the vicinity, de Benneville left Oley and settled in Germantown. From 
that time on his time was evenly divided between the practice of medicine 
and in preaching. And it was his custom, until prevented by extreme old 
age, to perform a journey twice each year through Pennsylvania, Maryland 
and Virginia, preaching to the weaker churches, for he cared little for 
distinctions of creed and moved with equal ease among all the various 
denominations. Dr. de Benneville died on the 19th of March, 1793, in the 
90th year of his age. The remains of his wife repose beside those of her 
husband in the family plot. 

Dr. de Benneville had five daughters and two sons and numerous 
descendants who are numbered among the best known families of Philadel- 
phia. On the many gravestones in the little cemetery are such well-known 
names as de Keim, Showell, Brown, Mears, Burkhart and Livingston. A 
rather curious incident in connection with the de Benneville ground happened 
in January, 1891, when a burial took place there, at which time a walnut 
coffin was exposed to view by the crumbling of two inches of earth across the 
head of the new grave. As no recorded burial had taken place in the ground 
since the plot was laid out in 1758, it is presumed by Mrs. Mears that it was 
part of a former plot used for burial purposes, possibly by Joseph Spencer, 
from whom Dr. de Benneville purchased the land." 

I append to the article of Mr. Gilliam s taken from his series on Ancient 
Grave Yards in The Times, a notice from Watson's Annals, concerning the 
Battle of Germantown (Vol. II, pages 48, 49) : " A great deal of fighting must 
have occurred in Joseph Megargee's field near Branchtown (probably with 
Stephens' division,) ascertained from the great number of leaden bullets found 
in his ten acre field, for years afterwards. Stephens himself had been set 
aside some time before by his own officers, as too much inebriated to com- 
mand. This was told me by one of his captains." 

" The present Dr. George de Benneville, of Branchtown, now aged 83 
years, was a lad of sixteen, at the time of the battle of Germantown, and saw 
much of the fight, and of the preceding and succeeding operations of the two 
armies. They had the Highlanders and British cavalry quartered in his 
neighborhood. They were always cheerful and always seemed to go gaily 
and confidently into expected fights. On such occasions the kilted Scots 
went off in full trot, keeping up with the trot of the cavalry. The soldiers 
made free to take and kill the cows of his family, and their neighbors ; but 
the officers were gentlemanly in their deportment and seemed to try to put 
them in a way to get some recompense. Several of the British officers were 
quartered in Thomas Nedrow's house, the same, now Butler's house, opposite 
5 



66 THE YORK ROAD. 

to the residence of the present Pierce Butler. When the battle came on, the 
British made a barricade across the York Road at the place of these two 
houses. Our militia, in the time of the battle, made no stand of resistance in 
the neighborhood of Branchtown, but seemed quickly to make their retreat ; 
and for this non-defence, as many of them were known in the neighborhood, 
they did not fail afterwards, to receive the jibes and jeers of the people. They 
accused them of throwing away their cartridges, as a feint of having 
exhausted them in fight ! " 

" Dr. de Benneville saw the British armj' come down the York Road, on 
their return and defeat, after they had had their affair at Edge Hill, where 
Gen. Morgan, with his riflemen, had so ably discomfited them. The British 
still looked well, and as if able to make a bold stand, if pressed to it. The 
doctor has described to me, with lively vivacity, his vivid recollections of 
those days, and says they were daily of the most stirring interest to him, and 
others in his neighborhood. They kept them daily excited, and interested in 
everything doing around them-; and almost ever}^ day brought something 
new to pass, which in some way or other, might engage the feelings, or the 
wonder, of himself, and his youthful companions. Such recollections, to their 
possessors, at least, are even now felt to be worth a whole age of lesser years ! " 

Tennyson in " Locksley Hall " agrees with this sentiment of Watson in 
the line : 

" Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay." 

Cathay was the name of China and Eastern Tartary, and while we may 
gladly miss the stimulus of war we live in the energy of modern life, while 
the ancients seemed to have a slow existence. 

Medary's store is on the west side of the road, and Clayton's tavern is at 
the junction of Mill Street, or Lime Kiln Pike and the Old York Road. 

Dr. Mears' house is on the east side of the road. 

The Dr. de Benneville house at the corner of York Road and Oak Lane 
is the residence of Mrs. Anne de Benneville Mears who has written a valuable 
book on the early history of this region entitled " The Old York Road and 
Its Associations." 

THE HOUSE OF PRAYER, BRANCHTOWN. 

Rev. George Bringhurst, Rector. 

Communicated. 

The first church services held near Branchtown, so far as can be ascer- 
tained, were by the Rev. George Sheets, while Rector of Trinity Church, 
Oxford. These were in the old School House on Oak Lane. In 1858 the 
Rev. Benjamin Wistar Morris, assistant minister of St. Luke's Church, 
Germantown, established a Mission there — a Sunday School having been 
previously organized by Mrs. Anne de Benneville Mears. Occasional services 
were held by the neighboring clergy. On November 25th, 1860 the Rev. 



THE YORK ROAD. 67 

Thomas Gardiner Littell, assistant to the Rector of St. Michaels, German- 
town, officiated for the first time, as Missionary-in-Charge. December 28th 
the Parish was organized under the name of the House of Prayer, and Rev. 
T. G. Littell was elected Rector in 1861. The first infant baptism was on 
Feb. 17th, 1861 ; first adult baptism, March 31st, 1861 ; first celebration of 
the Holy Communion. On the 28th of August, 1862, ground was broken for 
the church building. A large lot was donated by Mrs. Anne de Benneville 
Mears. On Sept. 3rd, 1862 the corner-stone was laid by the Rev. B. W. 
Morris. Present, Rev. Messrs. Buchanan, Clemson, Coleman, Conrad, Davis, 
Harris, Barker, Parvin, Hotchkin, Rodney, L. W. Smith and the Rector. 
The plans for the building were contributed by Mr. Emlen Littell, a cousin 
of the Rector. The church was consecrated July 12, 1863, by Bishop Stevens, 
twenty-three other clergy present. 

Rectors of the " House of Prayer " : 

T. Gardiner Littell from 1861-1865. 

R.N.Thomas " 1868-1869. 

C.D.Allen '' 1866-1868. 

A. T. McMurphy " 1869-1873. 

W. R. Jenney " 1873-1874. 

W.Wells " " 1874-1875. 

G. Bringhurst, Oct. 1875 to the present time. 

I would add to these notes that Bishop Morris, of Oregon, though he had 
much work in St. Luke's Parish, Germantown, deserves honorable mention 
for his interest in this new mission. 

The Rev. Dr. T. G. Littell toiled hard in the constructing of the church, 
and his friends aided the eff()rt. After founding this parish in faith joined 
with works, he took charge of Christ Church, Dover, Delaware, and afterward 
became the Rector of St. John's Church, Wilmington, Delaware, where his 
25th anniversary was lately celebrated with much affection by his loving flock. 

The House of Prayer, Branchtown, at the corner of Limekiln Pike and 
Mill Street, has a stone parish building, which contains Sunday School Rooms 
as well as Infant and Bible Class Rooms. The church and parish building 
are good edifices, surrounded by ample grounds, and make a pretty feature in 
the landscape to attract the passer-by. 

The beautiful monument in the churchyard in memory of the wife and 
sons of Clement Biddle Barclay is a noteworthy object and adds to the beauty 
of the sacred enclosure. 

The rectorship of Mr. Bringhurst has been a long and faithful one. 

Watson relates the following Revolutionary incident, (Annals, Vol. 2, 
page 51,) " Sundry of the whig persons engaged with the army used to make 
occasionally hazardous excursions to visit their families stealthil}^ by night, 
&c. On one occasion, Mr. Denny, who was a militia lieutenant, came to his 
father's, near the market house, (in Germantown,) and when going away on 
horseback at midnight, he chanced, as he was intending to turn into the 



68 THE YORK ROAD. 

church lane, to encounter the advance of a secret silent detachment going 
against La Fayette at Barren hill. As he whipped up to turn the corner, 
they let fly a platoon, a ball from which, passed through his thigh, scarcely 
making him sensible of a wound, for he actually got over to the Branchtown 
tavern before he stopped. Such an alarm at midnight soon startled the 
whole town, and rapidly brought up the whole force of the expedition, at the 
same time breaking the intended secrecy." 

Let us thank God that Germantown is not thus rudely startled from its 
slumbers now, and that Branchtown sees no such wounded riders at night. 

" Opposite to the seat of Pierce Butler, Esq., on the Old York Road, a 
barricade was erected at the time of the battle, of Germantown." (German- 
town Battle Ground, By Chas. J. Peterson.) Graham's Magazine, (Vol. 25, p. 
22. See also (p. 17) Smallwood's (American) militia reached Branchtown, but 
*' made no stand," (p. 20.) The British " troops lay in force behind School- • 
House Lane, extending on the left to the Schuylkill, while parties were pushed 
to the right as far as the Old York Road," (p. 17.) 

" In Russell Smith's woods in Branchtown, were lately taken up the 
remains of three American soldiers, buried there, and reinterred by him with 
a head stone ; part of their clothes and caps still remained, also their buttons 
and flints. They were there as an advance picket guard, and were sur- 
prised." This was on Joseph Wharton's place. (Watson's Annals Vol. 1, p. 50.) 

OAK LANE. 

" Romantic scenes of pendant hills, 
And verdant vales and falling rills." ' 

Thus does the English poet Shenstone describe Leasowes, his own pictur- 
esque home, the country place which fired the heart of Walter Scott to work 
out his beautiful and artistic seat at Abbotsford, which cost him such 
laborious toil of brain in striving to meet its vast expense. In Hugh' Miller's 
First Impressions of England, may be found an account of the fine landscape 
gardening of Shenstone. (Pages 172, etc.) 

The suburbs of our American cities are fast rivaling the work of English 
gardeners, and, if many cannot have the wide stretch of park and woodland 
which the English nobility control, they can at least find room and light and 
air, a modest lawn, and shade trees; and the surrounding country affords 
delightful drives where it ought to be a pleasure to reflect that all the children 
of God can look on his handiwork, instead of the favored few. 

In the last few years architecture has done much to adorn the country 
districts, and many a pretty picture in wood or stone houses greets the eye of 
the walker or rider. While the London architects Inigo Jones, Sir Christo- 
pher Wren, and Sir Charles Barry may be wanting, many a designer in this 
country has planned, and many a builder executed the construction of houses 
which far exceed in comfort and use the stately castle, or the baronial hall. 




>- 
cr 

ZD 
OQ 
CO 

< 

>- 
1x1 



Li. 
O 

UJ 
O 

LLl 

9 

CO 
UJ 



THE YORK ROAD. 71 

The homes of Philadelphia and its suburbs may well be noted, for it is 
properly styled, " the city of homes." 

There may be some houses which answer the burlesque poetic description : 

" All up and down, and here and there, 
With none know what of round and square, 
Stuck on at random everywhere; 
Indeed a house to make one stare. 
All corners and all gables." 

But Hawthorne's " House with the Seven Gables " did not stand among 
the pretty and comfortable cottages of Oak Lane. The modern house has a 
pleasant light in parlor, chamber and hall, Boyd, the Scotch divine, in his 
" Recreations of a Country Parson," (pp. 162, 163,) quotes George Gilbert 
Scott's " Secular and Domestic Architecture " as follows, concerning " the 
ordinary villa " : " Its characteristics should be quiet cheerfulness and 
unpretending comfort; it should both within and without, be the very 
embodiment of innocent and simple enjoyment. No foolish affectation of 
rusticity, but the reality of everything which tends to the appreciation of 
country pleasures, in their more refined form. The external design should 
so unite with the natural objects around that they should appear necessary 
to one another, and that neither could be very different without the other 
sufTering. The interior should bear no resemblance to the formality of a 
town house. In most situations the house should spread wide rather than 
run up high ; but circumstances may vary this." 

Let me add that as to color and surroundings a house should not startle 
the beholder, but should fit into the scenery as if it grew there, and the trees 
and shrubbery should have a sort of natural variety rather than a studied 
uniformity, while the curve should be followed as the line of beauty, as in the 
works of God in sea and sky and landscape. A certain amount of fancy may 
have play in arbors and summer-houses, such as the antique one at the 
Womrath place in Frankford. As to the house itself it was a pretty idea of 
Henry Ward Beecher that as each child came into the family a room might 
be added, thus the house would become a household chronicle. 

T. Henry Asbury, the head of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, 
deserves great credit for having erected many beautiful homes at Oak Lane. 
If he who makes two blades of grass grow where one stood alone is a bene- 
factor, so is he who multiplies cosy and healthful residences as things of 
beauty and constant joys. The vicinity of Oak Lane has been made a place 
of beauty and attractiveness. Mr. Asbury found the section almost an unculti- 
vated waste, and has so exercised his taste and judgment that all are grati- 
fied with the present condition of things. He has constructed many archi- 
tectural cottages ; and has studied the art of building in order to make them, 
as convenient and comfortable as possible ; and has been ready to assist the 
new comer in such a manner as to make the purchase of his own home a 



72 THE YORK ROAD. 

comparatively easy matter ; and in a republic those who own their abodes 
make good citizens, as feeling an interest in their surroundings. 

Mr. Asbury's own residence stands on a pleasant eminence where the 
railw'ay trains, with their living freight, may constantly be seen passing 
below. The sloping lawn may recall the lines in Cowper's Task : 

" Whose well rolled walks 
"With curvature of slow and easy sweep" 

enliven the landscape. 

The dwelling of stone is elegant and commodious, with comfortable 
piazza to tempt the summer breeze and incite one to enjoy the open air as 
nature's own refreshment from the open hand of God. The name of this 
country place is Mestha, formed of the initials of its owner and his wife, Mary 
E. Swann and T. Henry Asbury. 

At the foot of the lawn a pretty lake diversifies the scene. The Hebrews 
called the fountain an eye, and so water vivifies a landscape, as the eye does 
the face. Willows skirt the w^ater as they grew " by the watercourses" in 
Isaiah's day. Isaiah 44, 4. Striking stone arches uphold the railway bridge 
where City Line Road passes under the railway. There are two arches one 
for the road and the other for a stream of water with its picturesque little 
dam. The arches form the frame work of pictures as one looks through them 
and sees the houses beyond on the hillside with their porches and dormer 
windows. 

Harry E. Asbur}'-, the son of T. Henry Asbury, has a stone house with a 
pleasant veranda and pretty slated gables. The building stands on a knoll, 
and is picturesq\le. It is a truly cosy and ideal home. A natural terrace, 
with a rustic wooden bridge ornamented with vines forms a w^alk over one 
portion of the grounds. It is illumined at night by electric lights. This is 
in Cheltenham township. There is a wall running along Mill Road. The 
hall is cheerful, and the stairway rises from it. The woodwork shows its 
natural veins. The dining room mantel, and the inlaid wooden floor are pretty. 
The house fronts the railway and makes a pleasing impression for the 
traveller. The chimney with its terra cotta ornamentation is on the upper 
corner, while a picturesque balcony reminds one of Romeo and Juliet. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel H. Rand reside in another stone cottage, which 
has its own knoll above the lake. Mrs. Rand is a daughter of T. Henry 
Asbury. The stone foundations of the pillars of the porch here have a pretty 
effect. The lattice M'oodwork in the upper part of the piazza, and the well 
lighted porch and bright rooms give a cheerful air. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gadbury, and Mrs. S. A. Harmer reside with T. Henry 
Asbury, who is the father of these ladies. As he loves to gather his children 
around the paternal nest, another house is being erected for another son, 
Charles "W. Asbury. A semi-circular towerlike projection on the upper side 
gives it a striking appearance. A little rustic bridge near by leads from 



THE YORK ROAD. 73 

Lakeside Avenue to Asbury Terrace, which is a natural elevation. A beauti- 
ful wall bounds Lakeside Avenue. The rocks strewn carelessly by workmen 
along the railway bank, above the lake, add to the beauty of these fine 
, situations. 

T. Henry Asbury rented a small cottage near Oak Lane Station for a 
summer home when he first came to this region, and in fourteen years has 
made the wonderful changes now visible. He owns over one hundred acres 
of land and many cottages. He is the grandnephew of Bishop Asbury, and 
has shown himself a benefactor to the community, though in a different mode 
from that of his relative. His pleasant garden, with its hedge and a deer in 
its enclosed yard near the stone stable, may give gratification to the owner, 
but he has also sought the gratification of the public. The stone wall that 
skirts the lake, and Melrose Hall, and the summer-house, the roof of which is 
supported by pillars of stone work give pleasure to all. The houses built by 
this energetic man, under the guidance of the architect, Amos J. Boyden, of 
Philadelphia, are generally single houses, though a few twin houses have 
been built. They are mostly of stone. They have space around them for 
light, air, yards and gardens. 

Melrose Station above Oak Lane is on Mr. Asbury's tract, so that it 
extends between two stations on the North Penn Rail Road. Mr. Henry 
Miller has erected a very pretty cottage of stone and wood opposite Melrose 
Station, and the neat cottage of J. W. Earle is just below it. Asbury Avenue 
is a nice new street, and contains the houses of E. P. Noll and George Chap- 
man. The Melrose Athletic Association has the use of over six acres of 
ground by Mr. iVsbury's kind arrangement. They have a club house here. 
The street improvements have cost much, and reflect credit on the founder 
of the place. The soil is not muddy. Young hedges await the perfection of 
future beauty. George H. Sheble occupies one of the pretty cottages at 
Melrose. There are bewildering clusters of neat cottages forbidding descrip- 
tion by their number. 

Coventry Avenue is macadamized. An old powder mill which did 
service in the Revolution is on this avenue. It is on the Rorer farm, and the 
ancient Rorer farmhouse still stands. It is occupied by some Italians. Mr. 
Asbury bought this property from the Rorer estate. The mill race can still 
be traced where the water power was conveyed which worked the powder mill. 

Lister's Spring with its flow of water is a pretty feature by the wayside 
near the railway. As God gives the water freely, good men try to dispense it 
cheerfully. Thomas Lister, a Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions, arranged 
the spring for the use of the public, and the letters " T. L." cut in stone yet 
mark his good work, though he is dead. The date 1876 gives the time when 
the gushing water was thus utilized, and now a more elaborate stone front is 
to be placed here by the one whose improvements have been so often men- 
tioned in this connection. This gentleman has had five artesian wells sunk 
at Oak Lane. One of them is over three hundred feet deep, and it supplies 



74 THE YORK ROAD. 

the houses with fine pure water. It is driven by a water wheel which has its 
house in which to do its constant work of beneficence. 

A Thomson & Houston incorporated company's electric light plant, near 
the railway, is driven by a Green engine of 175 horse power. 

THE OAKS. 

This is the name of the very large and elegant mansion of Mrs. Sharpless, 
the widow of Charles Sharpless. There is a large estate of well kept land. 
The house is of gray stone. The circular ends and piazzas and dormer 
windows give it a picturesque air, as it stands back from the road with its 
pleasant lawn in front. Joseph Rorer, son of Benjamin Rorer once owned 
this place. 

Thomas Mott, the son of Lucretia Mott, so well known throughout this 
country, built this house. The late Charles Sharpless, the father of Harry 
Sharpless, purchased it. The landed property is varied by woods and enclosed 
by a neat stone wall which gives a pleasing effect to the front view. 

Mr. Charles Sharpless was at the head of the firm of Sharpless & Brothers 
at 8th and Chestnut Streets. 

This place has the appearance of a park, with its fine grounds and lovely 
trees and ha-ha walls. Here the late Mr. Sharpless had his herd of choice 
Alderney cattle, and his excellent stock of horses. This is one of the finest 
properties in the neighborhood extending along City Line to the Old York 
Road, opposite the side of the City Line Tavern. 

THE MILESTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Reverend L. H. Copeland, the present pastor of this church, has 
kindly given me notes which will furnish a brief sketch of its history. The 
building is located on the corner of Oak Lane and City Line Roads. It is of 
stone, roughcast. The City Line Road runs by the church to York Road. 
A graveyard with its sacred memories adjoins the church. The property con- 
tains an acre and a half of land given to God for the use of Christian worship 
by the pious liberality of David Rorer, senior. The conditions of the gift 
were that the ground should be used for the church, and horse-sheds, and a 
graveyard. This parish was a branch of the Frankford Baptist Church, 
The church was organized in A, D., 1833, and this was the only church 
building in a district of tliree miles, though the Methodist Church, which was 
organized in 1831, erected a building in 1834. The church was named the 
Union Baptist Church of Milestown, The edifice was rebuilt in 1858 and 
thoroughly repaired in 1888, " so that it is one of the most lovely and beautiful 
this side of the city proper." *' The church is the mother of the First Baptist 
Church, Germantown, and of the First Baptist Church at Jenkintown." The 
improvement of the neighborhood has helped the parish financially and 
spiritually, and its future is bright. 



THE YORK ROAD. 75 

The first pastor was Rev. Robert Young. The following w-ere his suc- 
cessors : the Rev. Messrs. Levi Beck, William T. Hall, William Collum, 0. J. 

Gage, John M. Lyons, Wilson, William Swinden, J. M. Richards, 

A. Danforth, E. D. Stager, Josiah Phillips (whose pastorate was the longest), 
Charles Warwick (now at Bustleton), C. C. Earle, David Landis, and L. H. 
Copeland. 

NAME OF OAK LANE. 

^' Hall W. Mercer gave the name to Oak Lane in honor of an ancient oak 
which grew near the farm house, and for which he had a great veneration. 
For several years it showed signs of decay ; these he watched with care, and 
as each opening came to view, he had them carefully covered with plaster to 
protect from the weather, but at last, after he had passed away, the old tree 
bent its stately form to the winter blast, and lay prostrate on the ground." 

The above note from Mrs. Mears accounts for the rustic name of this 
pretty suburb. Tennyson's " Talking Oak " has some lines which we quote 
as applicable to the old tree in the lover's conversation with its English 
relative. 

" Beyond the lodge the city lies, 
Beneath its drift of smoke ; 
And ah ! with what delighted eyes 
I turn to vender oak." 



' Say thou, whereon I carved her name, 

If ever maid or spouse. 
As fair as my Olivia came 

To rest beneath thy boughs." 



" And I will work in prose and rhyme, 
And praise thee more in both 
Than bard has honour'd beech or lime, 
Of that Thessalian growth ; 

In which the swarthy ringdove sat. 

And mystic sentence spoke ; 
And more than England honours that, 

Thy famous brother oak, 

/ 

Wherein the younger Charles abode 

Till all the paths were dim. 
And far below the Roundhead rode. 

And hummed a surly hymn." 

Southey in his poem " The Oak of Our Fathers " wails the fall of such a 
tree killed by the clinging ivy : 



76 THE YORK ROAD. 

" Alas for the Oak of our Fathers that stood 

In its beauty, the glory and pride of the wood ! 

********* 

The branches grew sickly, deprived of their food, 
And the Oak was no longer the pride of the wood. 

The foresters saw and they gathered around ; 
The roots still were fast, and the heart still was sound, 
They lopp'd off the boughs that so beautifully spread, 
But the ivy they spared on its vitals that fed. 

No longer the bees o'er its honey dews play'd. 
Nor the beasts of the forest fed under its shade ; 
Lopp'd and mangled the trunk in its ruin is seen, 
A monument now what its beauty has been." 

But instead of death we will now speak of life in the history of 
ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, OAK LANE. 

This beautiful and architectural building is constructed of stone, and its 
high location on Oak Lane amidst attractive scenery make it a delightful 
spot. There is a recess chancel, containing a window representing the Ascen- 
sion of Our Lord. The building is lighted by electricity. The woodwork is 
beautifully displayed in the roof of the church and chancel. There is a cler- 
estory and the windows are Gothic. A brass lecturn and a worthy altar adorn 
the chancel. 

The following notice is from The Philadelphia Inquirer of November 7th, 
A. D., 1889 : 

NEW CHURCH AT OAK LANE. 

Oak Lane is to have a new church, and it is to be called St. Martin's. 
Many of the inhabitants of that pretty suburb belong to the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and in order to attend are obliged either to go to Branchtown 
or to St. Paul's, at Ogontz. In the early part of 1887 a number of the resi- 
dents came together to see what could be done to establish a church in the 
immediate neighborhood, and at the first meeting held in September of that 
year, the idea was formulated, and at the seventh meeting the congrega- 
tion was formed and Rev.. E. H. Supplee was chosen minister. 

Harrison Albright, the architect, was instructed to commence work on the 
plans for the new building at once. The church is in the Convocation of 
Germantown. The Vestry Committee consists of Dr. Thomas Betts, Clinton 
M. Latourette, Thomas M. Baines, Henry Marot and Samuel Millward ; Dr. 
Supplee and T. Henry Asbury, Advisory Committee. 

The new edifice is to be located at Oak Lane and Moss Streets. Native 
gray stone, surmounted by a red slate roof, having copper crestings, will be 
used. The plan of the church is of a cruciform shape and the style of archi- 




LJ 

Z 
< 

< 

o 

X 

o 

ZC 
O 

CO 



< 



I- 
co 



THE YORK ROAD. 79 

lecture, early English gothic. The design shows careful study, complete equi- 
poise and rugged strength. 

On Oak Lane the building will extend 50 feet and on Moss Street 110 
feet. The cloisters are 16x11 feet, vestibule and the guild room 11x11 feet. 
The nave is 67x32 feet. From the vestibule access may be had to the nave, 
Sunday school room and guild room. The organ, choir chamber, vestry and 
robing rooms are all well arranged. 

Two steps lead to the chancel and one step from the chancel to the 
sanctuary, where the altar will stand on its platform of three steps. A lofty 
rood screen is to be placed under the chancel arch. The wood used in the 
screen, furnishings and pews will be of polished oak. All of the modern sani- 
tary appliances will be introduced to secure comfort to the three hundred 
worshippers. The ventilation is to be secured from the tower, which is 70 feet 
high. Work is to be commenced as soon as contracts can be made." 

On November 6th, A. D. 1887, in the Old Mill House, on the Asbury 
estate, services began. On November 12th, A. D. 1888 Charles J. Mason was 
called as minister-in-charge, but he held the post only a short time. Rev. 
Mr. Boyer and Wm. P. Taylor (lay -reader), became the main supplies of the 
Mission, and the services were very acceptable to the neighborhood. 

The Third Sunday in Advent, December 16th, 1888, Mr. Mason began 
regular services in this Mission of the Germantown Convocation, under the 
Deanship of Dr. James De Wolfe Perry. The worship was conducted in 
Melrose Hall through the kindness of Mr. T. Henry Asbury. 

Perseverance and loving devotion have developed the work in a com- 
munity offering grand opportunities for the future. 

A Ladies' Guild gave aid to the parish, and made up a Lenten Mis- 
sionary box. 

Mr. T. M. Baines was appointed S. S. Superintendent by Rev. Dr. Edward 
Appleton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham. 

Mrs. Clara Gadbury carpeted and furnished the S. S. Room, showing 
kindly interest ; while Mrs. Asbury donated an organ. 

No. 3 Asbury Terrace was used for services. 

Mr. Earle was Secretary of the Sunday School, and Mr. Latourette and 
Mr. Moore were successive Librarians. 

Rev. Dr. E. H. Supplee had charge of the work from 1889 to 1891. Twenty- 
six were confirmed during his useful ministry. 

The Rev. Walter Jordan, the present rector, is a Philadelphian, and was 
a Moravian clergyman. After having been educated at Henry D. George's 
School in his native city, he pursued his studies in the Moravian College and 
Theological Seminary at Bethlehem, Penna.; and became a tutor in Nazareth 
Hall, at Nazareth, Pa. He was a Moravian pastor at Lebanon, Pa., and at 
Canal Dover, Ohio. He then entered the Episcopal Church, acting as lay- 
reader for Dr. Watson at the Atonement, in Philadelphia ; afterward became 
Rector's Assistant to Dr. McVickar at Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia 



80 THE YORK ROAD. 

and subsequently Rector of St. Stephen's, Bridesburg, in the same city, whence 
he came to Oak Lane, assuming the rectorship June 18th, A. D. 1891. Bishop 
Coleman, of Delaware, performed a service of Benediction of the new church, 
November 28th, 1891. 

The Ellwood Public School on Oak Lane is constructed of gray stone, 
with brown stone trimmings, two stories in height. It is the third school 
house which has stood on these grounds. It is shaded with friendly trees 
which give comfort to the pupils in a summer recess. The inscription on the 
wall is 1875. Mr. H. Lawrence Noble is the Principal of the school. 

There was a former school house here where Alexander Wilson, the orni- 
thologist taught, and Rev. John Bachman, a Lutheran clergyman, and a pro- 
fessor in Charleston College was also a teacher. He assisted John James 
Audubon in preparing for the press " The Quadrupeds of America." See W. 
J. Buck's History of Montgomery County, and Allibone's Dictionary of 
Authors, under " J. J. Audubon," and the Life of J. J. Audubon by his widow. 
The widow used to reside in " Audubon Park ", a pretty suburb near 152nd 
Street, New York, on the Hudson, which perpetuated her husband's name 
and fame. 

John James Audubon, a citizen of the United States, was the. son of a 
French Admiral, who gave honor to America by his " Birds of America," 
which was published at $1000 for the 87 parts. Cuvier, Herschel, Humboldt 
and Walter Scott showed an interest in this work. " Quadrupeds of North 
America " by the same author, contained drawings made by Audubon, and 
his sons Victor GifFord and John Woodhouse. The letter press was princi- 
pally prepared by Rev. Dr. Bachman, who also assisted in the work on Orni- 
thology. He wrote other works himself, and was pastor of the German 
Lutheran Church in Charleston, S. C. 

A part of the former school house was used for divine service under the 
kind arrangement of Dr. de Benneville, who gave much time and attention 
to the work, and entertained the clergy. Rev. George Sheets with others 
gave special care to this good work. 

THE REV. GEORGE SHEETS. 

In 1859 this good man writes Mrs. Mears from Missouri giving a pleasant 
account of his religious and social intercourse with her grandfather, Dr. 
George de Benneville, and of their co-working in the religious services at the 
Milestown School House. In 1863 he writes again to express his pleasure in 
seeing in the Inquirer that Bishop Potter is to visit the House of Prayer, as he 
did not know that the church had been erected near the scene of his monthly 
labors in the school house, but hopes it may be blessed in spiritual life and 
holy sacraments as the " House of God " and " Gate of Heaven ". He hopes 
that the several churches on the ground he used to traverse are prospering, 
and rejoices at their number. 



THE YORK ROAD. 81 

This clergyman was rector of All Saints, Upper Dublin and Trinity 
Church, Oxford. 

BENJAMIN LAY. 

One of the most striking characters that ever resided on the Old York 
Road was Benjamin Lay. In Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, (vol. 1, page 
552), we read as follows : 

" 1742 — Benjamin Lay^ (the singular Pythagorean, cynical. Christian phil- 
osopher), in the time of the Friends' general meeting (where he usually 
worshipped), stood in the market place, with a large box of his deceased 
wife's china, to bear his testimony against the use of tea ! There with a 
hammer he began to break his ware piece by piece ; but the populace, unwill- 
ing to lose what might profit them, overset him, scrambled for the china, and 
bore it off whole " ! 

In vol. 2, page 20, Watson says : " As early as 1700 there were four 
hermits living near Germantown — John Seelig, Kelpius, Bony, and Conrad 
Mathias. They lived near Wissahickon and the Ridge. Benjamin Lay lived 
in a cave near the York Road at Branchtown ", 

On page 23 he adds : " Benjamin Lay, the hermit, called the Pythagorean, 
cynical, christian philosopher, dwelt in a cave on the York Road, near Dr. de 
Bonneville's. He left it in the year 1741, and went to reside with John Phipps, 
near Friends' meeting house at Abington. He was suddenly taken ill when 
from home, and desired he might be taken to the dwelling of his friend Joshua 
Morris, about a mile from Phipps', where he died on the 3rd of February, 
1759, aged 82 years. He was the first public declaimer against the iniqui- 
ties of holding slaves. He was in communion with the Germantown Friends. 
It is to the honour of the German Friends of Germantown, that as early as 
1678 they addressed the Philadelphia Yearly meeting at Burlington, protesting 
against the buying, selling, and holding men in slavery, and declaring it, in 
their opinion, an act irreconcileable with the precepts of the Christian 
religion ". 

In A. D. 1815 " Solomon W. Conrad, No. 187, High Street (now Market 
Street), Philadelphia, published, and W. Brown printed an interesting little 
book entitled " Memoirs of the Lives of Benjamin Lay and Ralph Sandiford ; 
two of the earliest public advocates for the emancipation of the enslaved 
Africans. By Roberts Vaux. It was dedicated to Dr. Caspar Wister, Pro- 
fessor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania Society for Promoting 
the Abolition of Slavery, &c., — and of the American Philosophical Society, 
&c., &c ". The book is in the Library of the Historical Society of Penna. and 
the Library of Philadelphia, No. 2429, Uz 1 -]-. 

Benjamin Lay was a native of Colchester, England, born in 1677, in a 
family of Friends. He was apprenticed to a gjovemaker, and afterwards 
worked on a farm which was in charge of his brother. When he came of age 
6 



82 THE YORK ROAD. 

he became a sailor and wandered over the world, visiting the Holy Land and 
^' the memorable spot where the Saviour of the world conversed with the 
woman of Samaria, and refreshed himself by a draught of water from Jacob's 
well". See St. John, 4, 5, &c., and Chateaubriand's Travels in Greece, 
Palestine, &c., Phila. edition, page 289. 

In 1710 Lay left the sea, and married, and settled in his native town. 
He seems to have engaged in the public controversies of England, and it is 
presumed that he probably went beyond his religious brethren in such matters, 
as " they were induced to disunite him from membership. " No immoral 
charge was made against him. 

In 1718 he entered the mercantile business in Barbadoes. The cruelties 
of the slave trade were now before him, and his sympathy was moved toward 
the poor Africans ; and he strongly endeavored to make the traffic odious. He 
pleaded with the oppressor, and showed benevolence to the oppressed slave 
by pity and kind notice. Many hundreds of them would gratefully come to 
his house in town for instruction on the Lord's Day. He gave them advice 
and food. A clamor arose against this, and hostility was provoked, and after 
some years he came to Philadelphia, reaching here in 1731. 

A picture of the man with his wide brimmed hat, large eyes, long beard 
and short body, with diminutive legs, is given as a frontispiece of Mr. Vaux's 
volume. He holds a book in his right hand, which also grasps a staff. " He 
was only four feet seven inches in height ; his head w^as large in proportion to 
his body ; the features of his face were remarkable and boldly delineated, and 
his countenance was grave and benignant. He was hunch-backed, with a 
projecting chest, below which his body became much contracted. His legs 
were so slender, as to appear almost uneG[ual to the purpose of supporting him, 
diminutive as his frame was, in comparison with the ordinary size of the 
human stature. A habit he had contracted of standing in a twisted position, 
with one hand resting upon his left hip, added to the effect produced by a 
large white beard that for many years had not been shaved, contributed to 
render his figure perfectly unique. It is singular that his wife very much 
resembled him in size, having a crooked back like her husband, and the simi- 
larity of their appearance even excited the remarks of the slaves in Barbadoes, 
who used to say when they saw them together, " That little backararer (name 
for Europeans or white people), man go all over world, seek for that backararer 
woman for himself ". 

Pennsylvania slavery was milder than that of the West Indies, but the 
emigrant again zealously worked against it, and met opposition. He was 
disappointed at this reception in Philadelphia, named from brotherly love, 
promising rest and tranquillity to the afflicted man, so he determined to 
retire, and built a cottage which resembled a cave, at Branchtown, and planted 
an orchard, and cultivated walnut trees which became his living monuments. 
In 1732 he removed hither. " He now adopted habits of the most rigid tem- 
perance, self-denial, and frugality, which he ever after observed. He drank 



THE YORK ROAD. 83 

nothing but water and milk and subsisted altogether upon vegetable diet. 
His clothing was entirely composed of tow fabric, of his own spinning, and of 
the natural colour ". He would not eat food, or wear garments, or use 
articles " procured at the expense of animal life, or in the remotest degree 
the product of the labor of slaves ". 

He visited several provincial governors, and other characters of influence 
in church and state to propagate his views, and labored among all whom he 
met. He continued a Friend in principles, though he had been dropped from 
membership. At a yearly meeting in Burlington, N. J., Lay filled a bladder 
with pokeberry juice, and hid it in a book, the leaves of which had been taken 
out. He donned a military coat, and had a sword by his side, covered by a 
simple great coat, fastened by one button. He went into the meeting house 
to a prominent place, and rebuked the congregation in a short and strong 
speech for holding slaves, declaring it " in direct opposition to every principle 
of reason, humanity and religion ", adding, " you might as well throw off the 
plain coat as I do ", loosing the button, and letting the great coat fall, showing 
his warlike attire to amazed eyes, and continuing thus, " It would be as justi- 
fiable in the sight of the Almighty, who beholds and respects all nations and 
colours of men with an equal regard, if you should thrust a sword through 
their hearts as I do through this book ". Drawing his sword, and piercing 
the bladder, its contents were sprinkled over those who were sitting near him. 
Dr. John Watson, of Bucks County, received the above account from his 
neighbor, Jonathan Ingham, Esq., who witnessed the scene. 

During a deep snow Lay placed himself " at a gate way, opening to one 
of their meeting houses, having his right leg and foot entirely uncovered ; as 
the people went in, several of them reasoned with him for thus exposing him- 
self, and cautioned him against the danger of contracting disease by such con- 
duct. 'Ah, (said Lay), you pretend compassion for me, but you do not feel for the 
poor slaves in your fields, who go all winter half clad. ' " 

He remonstrated with a neighbor against keeping a slave. The man had 
an interesting son six years old, and Lay allured him to his cave, and amused 
him in its concealment. In the evening he saw the father and mother run- 
ning to his abode in distress, and asked the cause, and they answered in 
anguish, " Oh, Benjamin ! Benjamin ! our child is gone, he has been missing 
all day ". Lay replied, after a pause, " Your child is safe in my house, and you 
TYiay now conceive of the sorrow you inflict upon the parents of the negro girl you 
hold in slavery, for she was torn from them by avarice ". 

In 1737 Lay put out a book against slavery. He gave his book away, 
especially to the young. 

Dr. Franklin and Governor Richard Penn and other gentlemen visited 
Lay and dined on his fruit and vegetables. 

When Lay moved to the farm of John Phipps, his wife was relieved of 
care by their boarding in the family of Mr. Phipps. The wife died soon after 
the removal. Sarah Lay was pious and intelligent and a minister among 



84 THE YORK ROAD. 

Friends, and assisted her husband in the work for emancipation. They had 
no children to mourn the mother's death. 

Lay was very truthful. Some persons on horseback met him while walk- 
ing, and one said for diversion, "Sir, your humble servant, " Lay replied, " If 
thou art my humble servant, clean my shoes ". They asked him the direct road 
to heaven, and received the reply in Scripture language, ''Do justly, love 
mercy, and walk humbly with your God ". 

Anthony Benezet and Dr. de Benneville, and many others of note, includ- 
ing Ralph Sandiford, were his friends. 

Lay strove to ameliorate criminal laws, and promote temperance, and 
visited schools to teach children humanity, " and to follow the meek and 
humble example of our holy Redeemer ". One pupil remembered his instruc- 
tion over sixty years. He was charitable, and ready to do good without osten- 
tation. He loved retirement, and his second cave was near a spring, and its 
roof was beautiful with evergreen festoons. He had nearly two hundred 
books. Mr. Vaux gives some of his wise marginal notes from two of the 
volumes. 

This philanthropist was an early riser, and used to bodily exercise. He 
cultivated bees, but did not destroy them. 

When a friend told him that the Friends would disown those concerned in 
slavery, he arose, and in a posture of reverential devotion, ejaculated, " Thanks- 
giving and praise be rendered unto the Lord God ", and after pausing a little, 
added, " I can now die in peace ". 

Not long after he died, having " by a verbal will " given the Friends at 
Abington forty pounds to educate " the poor children of that meeting ". He 
was buried in the " Friends' burial ground at Abington ". He left a personal 
estate, which was his only property, of £ ^18 12 s. 9 d. 

The Phipps property is now "Alverthorpe ", the Fisher place, opposite 
Abington meeting house. 

Mrs. Anne de Benneville Mears notes that Lay's first cave was on the 
farm of Griffith Miles, on a hillside, on the west side of Joseph Wharton's 
pond, and there was a cave for his wife near by. The excavation was covered 
with timber, thatched with straw. This interesting spot was, according to 
Mrs. Mears, where Joseph Wharton's mansion, " Outalauna," stands. 

I find the following in William Cobbett's writings : 

" Ben Lay was the only real and sincere Pythagorean of modern times, 
that I ever heard of He protested not only against eating the flesh of animals, 
but also against robbing their backs ; and therefore his dress consisted wholly 
of flax." (Cobbett's Residence in the United States, Part II, Chap. 12, p. 257.) 

Watson says (Annals, Vol. 1, p. 135) concerning the Treaty Tree, "Judge 
Peters remarked too that Benjamin Lay, the hermit, who came to this country 
in 1731, used to visit it, and speak of it as the place of the treaty ; of course he 
had his opinion from those who preceded him." 



THE YORK ROAD. 85 

Mrs. Mears informed me that Dr. de Benneville gave Mr. Vaux informa- 
tion as to Lay's history. 

The Cowperthwait, Coates, Leech, Penrose, Mather, Lukens, Reese, 
Fletcher and Heath families are described in Mrs. Anne de Benneville Mears's 
book entitled " The Old York Road and its Associations." The Leech family 
receives special attention, as well as the de Bennevilles and the Shoemakers, 
and the Peekys. One who wishes to trace in detail the early history of this 
region will find much valuable information in her book. 

MILESTOWN. 

Samuel Showers and Mrs. Ellis were former residents of places on the 
west side of York Road, owned by Robert Nice. An old house near by was 
formerly the property of Mr. Burns. .Joseph Kulp's house was formerly a 
tavern kept by the Kulp family. 

The house of Mr. Frank Betts, above Oak Lane was built by the widow 
of Samuel Peeky. 

Next below is the residence of Dr. Betts, well known as a physician in 
this section and one of the physicians of the Jewish Hospital. 

Thomas Lister, a former Crier of the Court, lived in a pretty cottage next 
above the house of Frank Betts, which was erected by himself. He sold it to 
Miss Eliza Showers. Mr. Lister was the original beginner of improvements 
at Oak Lane by selling lots, and giving ground for the railway station. He 
died a few years since. The lots w^hich he sold were formerly the property of 
tlie David Rorer estate. 

Joseph l^rench lived in a house at the lower corner of Oak Lane and the 
York Road. He had the store opposite. Afterward the widow of Rev. 
Nathan Danforth, Mrs. Frances Danforth, kept a Ladies' Day School there for 
years. She went to Burmah as a missionary. This was a part of the 
de Benneville estate. 

Mr. Theodore Delaney's fine stone mansion is also on the former 
de Benneville property. The house was built by Hall W. Mercer, who sold 
it to Mr. Repplier, who in turn sold to Jacob Bender, and John K. Folwell 
purchased the property of him. He was a lawyer. He sold the property to 
Mr. Delaney. The lawn and trees add much to the beauty of this comfortable 
home, and St. Martin's Church opposite, with the rolling country about it 
make a picturesque view. 

Mr. Powell Stackhouse, who lives next below the Milestown Methodist 
Church has resided in this neighborhood for a number of years and is well 
informed concerning the history of this region. 

THE MILESTOWN M. E. CHURCH. 

The inscription on the stone over the door of the pretty stone building on 
the Old York Road reads, " Organized 1831. Edifice erected 1834. Enlarged 



86 THE YORK ROAD. 

1879." There is a tower on the front of the church, and the windows are 
Gothic, though the old part in the rear is of simpler construction. The edifice 
stands on a pretty hillside, and a sweet country graveyard, wdth its memories 
of earth, and hopes of heaven adjoins it. There is a rose window in the lower 
gable of the church. There is an entrance in the tower, and another one in 
front with a small porch. The roof is of slate. The stone parsonage adjoin- 
ing is roughcast. It is a neat building. 

The grave of William Megargee is in a large family lot. On the tomb- 
stone of John C. Burns, M. D., are the words, " Fell Asleep in Jesus." "A 
Life of Usefulness and Faith in the Son of God." He died in 1887. Ten 
soldiers of the southern war are buried here. Joseph Engle, a soldier in the 
war of 1812, rests in this yard. The Lister, Clapp and Wenzell families have 
their family lots where they gather together when life's journey is ended, and 
let us hope are united in a heavenly home. Valentine Staak and his wife 
Catharine, and Jonathan Engle's family are among the sleepers. Dr. Robert 
C. Shelmardine, who died in 1876, aged 77, and his wife Eliza, who died in 
1875, aged 72, have this inscription : 

" They have gone to their home, 
For the evening is come, 
And their toils are o'er." 

The living green vine which covers their cradle tomb, and contrasts 
prettily with the white marble may serve as an emblem of life beyond the 
grave. Samuel Morton, Mary Freed, Samuel Coffman, George Heller, William 
Nice, Mrs. Eliza Kulp, and Elizabeth Hergsheimer sleep in this well kept 
sacred enclosure. The singing of birds on this bright day in May brings 
cheerful sounds among these silent abodes. Mr. Richard R. Branin gives the 
stranger the needed information. The rear building which was the old 
church, is now used as a Sunday School room. The building is lighted by 
electricity. 

"God is Love" is inscribed on the chancel wall. Glass doors separate 
the church and Sunday School room, so that they may be combined. The 
interior is bright and cheerful. 

Other graves deserve our notice. On the memorial stone of John Jones 
is engraved a hand pointing upward, with the inscription, " No Sorrow 
There ". The buttercups around and dandelions in seed, looking like fleecy 
cobwebs, teach that there may be pleasure here on the footstool of God 
among his beautiful works. Hezekiah Flower of the U. S. Cavalry lies 
here having finished life's battle. Graves without stones tell of some 
who were not forgotten in death, though not now so easily traced as to 
their history. The Milligan family have their record in stone. The 
faded flags on soldier's graves speak well for a comely and decent custom on 
Decoration Day of signalizing the deeds of heroic men who gave life for 
country. The bushes growing on the graves show life amidst death. 



THE YORK ROAD. 87 

Abraham Hall, Sr., of Yorkshire, England, has a monument erected by his 
wife Elizabeth. He died in his 75th year. The grass is being mowed on this 
yard, bringing to mind the 90th Psalm, " They are like grass which groweth 
up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; in the evening it is cut 
down, and withereth." Rev. Henry Hess is the pastor of this parish. Rev. 
F. F. Bond was his predecessor. (For statistics see Scharf & Westcott's History 
of Philadelphia, Vol. '2, p. 1399.) 

Some ancient and picturesque dwellings of stone are near the church. In 
a pleasant farmhouse just above the parsonage, standing with its gable toward 
the road, lived for many years Thomas Lees, highly respected by his neigh- 
bors. He has lately moved to Byberry, near Bustleton. 

The City Line Hotel at the corner of City Line and York Road is now 
closed and marked " For Rent ". There is a striking old stone barn in its 
rear. A pleasant stone cottage with a vine-clad piazza, and a neat wall clad 
with vines, and a conservatory adjoining the house, and a bank of flowers on 
the lawn, meets the pedestrian as he turns down City Line towards the 
railway. 

The houses which are on the high ground above the hall and ha-ha wall 
below them, with its broken top of alternate rising stones make a pretty scene. 

The old stone mansion on North wood Cemetery was long since an 
Institute for Colored Youth, under the charge of the Friends. The lads were 
taught farming. Joseph Ely had charge of the establishment. This place 
was sold to Caleb Cope of Chester County, Penna., who sold it to Thomas Lea, 
a dry goods merchant in Philadelphia ; and his son-in-law Mr. Perot, having 
acquired the property, conveyed it to the Northwood Cemetery Company. 
Thirty-six acres had been previously sold to Robert T. Steel which has since 
been bought by a syndicate. 

The house of Thomas Lees, lately bought by Mr. Asbury, was formerly 
the abode of Samuel Peeky, of an ancient family hereabouts. He owned a 
mill for fulling buckskin which stood where Mr. Asbury's hydraulic ram is 
now placed. 

Congressman Morris Davis's property, Mr. Lees informs me, was a part of 
a Peeky estate. 

SHOEMAKERTOWN AND VICINITY, BY ROBERT SHOEMAKER. 

Shoemakertown, a small village on the Old York Turnpike, in Chelten- 
ham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 8 miles north of Phila- 
delphia, is one of the oldest towns in the State. The name was early given 
to the place from the fact of several families named ''Shoemaker" having 
settled there, or in the immediate vicinity, in the latter part of the seven- 
teenth century. The family came from Cresheim or Greisheim, in the Pala- 
tinate, on the Rhine, Germany, in 1682. William Ames, a preacher in the 
Society of Friends, with others of the same Society, visiting Germany, as 



88 THE YORK ROAD. 

preachers of the Gospel, came into the neighborhood of Creisheim. Among 
their hearers were George Shoemaker, and his brothers, Peter, Jacob and 
Isaac. It is not certain however, that these were all brothers. If not, Jacob 
and Isaac were cousins. 

Having embraced the religious belief of these Quakers from England, 
and, in consequence of the change in their religious views, conscientiously 
declining to pay military taxes, they met with great loss in the distrainment 
of their goods, and suffered persecution in other ways. William Penn, it is 
said visited these converts in Germany ; whether this was the case, or not, it 
is known that he invited a number of them to go to Pennsylvania. (For 
account of this visit, and Prof. Seilensticker's journey of inquiry, see Hotch- 
kin's History of Germantown, pp. 380-383. Author). Of the number who 
came, were the three Shoemakers named above. George, with his wife and 
seven children, sailed from England on the ship " Jefferies, " Captain Arnold. 
The ship arrived at Chester on the Delaware, on the 12th day of the 8th 
month 1685. 

But on the passage, that dreadful disease, small pox, broke out, and 
among the victims who died and were buried at sea, was George Shoe- 
maker. On the eldest son, whose name was also George, 23 years of age, fell 
the responsibility of caring for the whole of the remaining part of the family. 
The widow and her family settled in Cheltenham Township (then Philadel- 
phia) Montgomer}^ County, Penna. 

The certificate of marriage of George Shoemaker and Sarah Wain on 
parchment, is in the possession of Dr. William L. Shoemaker of Georgetown, D. 
C. The document is in a good state of preservation, and is signed by the con- 
tracting parties and many witnesses. The groom, as well as a number who 
certify as witnesses, wrote their names in German. 

In the Shoemaker graveyard lie the bodies of the Shoemakers and of 
Richard and Nicholas Wain, the Mathers, Thomsons, Hallowells, &c. The 
ground is now seldom used for interments. 

Toby Leech. From Bean's History of ^lontgomery County we read — 
" It is supposed the name ' Cheltenham ' was given to the township by Toby 
Leech, one of the earliest settlers, who came from Cheltenham, Gloucester- 
shire, England, in 1682, making his residence on the Tacony Creek, near 
what is now Myers & Ervien's Fork Factory, one-half mile east of Shoemaker- 
town. He made a purchase of 604 acres, upon which he erected a grist mill 
and tannery. He was a prominent man in his day. A road was laid out 
from his place to Germantown before the Spring of 1704. He was one of the 
County Commissioners in 1718, which office he held for several years. He 
died in 1726 aged 74 years, and his wife Hester, the August previous. Both 
lie buried beneath one stone in Trinity Churchyard, Oxford. His old man- 
sion still stands, near to the old grist mill, now a small part of the extensive 
establishment of Myers & Ervien's Fork Mill. Tradition says that Mr. Leech 
carried on here (from the flour of his mill), the manufacture of sea biscuits 



THE YORK ROAD. 89 

which were hauled to the city and sold to shippers. Traces of the old oven 
are still pointed out. " 

But to return to the Shoemakers. George Shoemaker aforementioned, 
was a tax payer in Cheltenham Township in 1693. His house stood on the 
spot now occupied by the old stone mansion, afterward the residence of Isaac 
Shoemaker and Dorothy, his wife, (Dorothy was a daughter of Toby Leech), 
John Shoemaker afterward, and then his son Charles. Upon the death of 
Charles, his son, Isaac became the owner of the property and the mill. In 
1847 the premises became the property of Charles Rosier. He died in 1873. 
The house is now owned by his son Joseph Rosier, who operates the farm, as 
well as the extensive business of the mill, known as the " Cheltenham 
Flour Mill. " The Old Stone Mansion still stands, a monument of the olden 
time, a part of it supposed to be that in which lived the above named Isaac 
and Dorothy Shoemaker. The old mill was built prior to 1747 by Dorothy 
(widow of Isaac Shoemaker) and Richard Mather. The articles of agreement 
between these two are dated 6th day of Nov., 1746. The mill, in this docu- 
ment is styled a " Corn-Grist Mill, " and further : " Ye s'd mill and for other 
conveniences abovt ye s'd mill (ye race and dam excepted) is to begin at 
Toxony Crick, opposite ye s'd Dorothy's garden at ye place of s'd crick com- 
monly called and known by the name of ye Slieeps- Washing-Place and from 
thence to extend down ye east side of ye s'd crick to the fording place of s'd 
crick in ye York Road. " 

The fording place long since disappeared. The present stone arch bridge 
over Tacony Creek, at this spot was built in 1793. The arch, some 60 feet 
span, stands to-day, apparently as good as when first built. The masons who 
constructed it did their work well ; the mortar, now, is apparently as hard and 
firm as the stone itself. Wood burned lime and pure sand are the compon- 
ents of that mortar. It is probable " Hydraulic Cements, " were not used, at 
least in this country, at that earlj^ day. 

On the opposite side of the Old York Road stood, and still stands, another 
grand old mansion of stone. This house was built by John Shoemaker, a 
brother of Charles, the elder, both he and his wife Jane, (nee Ashbridge) were 
ministers in the Society of Friends, They both died prior to the year 1824. 
After their death the property was occupied by Daniel Fletcher and his family 
for some years. Charles H. Shoemaker (son of Charles), then a young man, 
married and purchased the property, living there, until about 1862. It then 
became the property of the late Joshua Francis Fisher, who not only pur- 
chased this farm, but also that of William Rowland and other adjoining land 
to the extent of about 500 acres. This property of Charles H. Shoemaker, 
beautifully located, with its spacious mansion and out-buildings, and charm- 
ing lawn, reaching down to the Tacony Creek, filled with noble trees and 
shrubbery, was the admiration of all who travelled the Old York. It is now 
almost a ruin ; the house is there, the great barn (now empty) still stands, but 
all neglected and going to ruin. 



90 THE YORK ROAD. 

On the same side of the turnpike, as we ascend the hill, are erected the 
strikingly beautiful mansion of George S. Fox, the banker, and a little farther 
to the northeast, are the unique mansions of his sons Caleb and F. Morton 
Fox, the land of the latter extending to the Old Abington Meeting Road. 
The Old York Road here runs in a north easterly and south westerly course ; 
southwest of the Tacony, was the old toll gate. The gate-keeper, at the time 
of which the writer speaks, was Amos Mitchell ; he lived in the little frame toll 
house, still standing, many years, respected by his neighbors. His wife, Betsy, 
was noted for the prime quality of her ginger-bread, and she gave the good 
boys of the village frequent opportunities to test the quality of her products in 
this line. It affords pleasure to the writer, to add that, in those early days, 
the dear old lady classed him with those who came within her idea of " good. " 
Both Amos and Betsy have long since, " crossed the border. " 

Nearly opposite the toll house was the store of Richard M. Shoemaker. 
A large stone house, still standing, but now divided into two or three 
dwellings. 

This store was the wonder and admiration of the boys of the neighbor- 
hood. It was an old fashioned " country store. " Everything, " from a needle 
(almost) to an anchor " was to be found in the varied stock of that wonderful 
curiosity shop. Mr. Shoemaker opened this establishment, and commenced 
business there early in the century, continuing until 1845 or 1846. Drugs 
were sold. Homeopathy was unknown ; calomel, castor oil and rhubarb were 
well known and freely used. Senna and manna, worm tea and jalap are all 
well remembered by the writer, who being a delicate youth, swallowed manj^^ 
a bitter dose from that old shop. 

We now cross to the opposite side of the pike, and on the spot where now 
stands the dwelling house, and store of A. J. Engle, dwelt Thomas Shoemaker, 
known as " Squire Shoemaker, " from the fact of his having been elected to the 
office of magistrate, though contrary to his wishes. The offices of magistrate 
and constable were not " hankered " after in those days, and when elected the 
officers were loath to take out a commission. It is said that the elder Charles 
Shoemaker, having been elected to the office of magistrate, and refusing to 
serve, was fined for thus refusing. 

Within the recollection of the writer, there lived in the little village of 
Shoemakertown, Charles, Charles H., Isaac, John, Richard M. and Thomas 
Shoemaker. All the town was owned by these gentlemen. Hence the name, 
Shoemakertovm. For more than a century the village bore this historic 
name. But in the year 1888, the name was changed to that of " Ogontz. " 

The old historic name was abolished, and this new name, to all but a few, 
an unmeaning one, bestowed. Many descendants of the old family of Shoe- 
maker still reside in the vicinity, and, as may be supposed, were bitterly 
opposed to giving up the old family name, which, for nearly two centuries 
it had borne. Ogontz was the name, it is said, of an old Indian Chief, living 
in Ohio, near Sandusky. 



THE YORK ROAD. 91 

It is well known that these Indian names carry with them a meaning. 
" Ogontz " means Little Pickerel. Perhaps the Old Chief was an adept at fish- 
ing, and Ihat *' Little Pickerel " was his favorite game. 

To return to the old village of Shoemakertown. On the corner of York 
Road and Church Road (the road leading from Old Oxford Church to St. 
Thomas' Church, near White Marsh) stands an old house, in which once lived 
Richard Martin, tanner. This house is now occupied as a hotel. Martin's 
tan-yard, extended across what is now a meadow, nearly or quite down to the 
creek. Mr. Martin appears to have done quite an extensive business in his 
line. It is with interest we have looked over one or two of his old account 
books, from which we gather information, not only as to names of the resi- 
dents of the neighborhood in his day, but it is also interesting to note the 
prices at which his goods were sold. 

The book from which we quote, is a journal, or day book, in which 
appear the daily transactions of the establishment, both debits and credits. 
The accounts are kept in pounds, shillings and pence. The book commences 
with November, 1753. The first entry is a charge to Wm. Shoemaker, and 
is for " 1 dozen Bazels, £1.4.0. " What were Bazels ? Possibly a tanner can 
tell. The next charge, same date, is made, " Isaac Shoemaker, Dr. to a Skn. 
0.1.6. " In the volume we have the names of Shoemaker, Leech, Livezey, 
Fletcher, Mather, Baker, Bartle, Beard, Thomas, Bond, Waterman and others. 
The prices of the various kinds of leather sold at that day, will interest those 
who deal in such commodities. " Side of Upper lis. pr. lb. " " Hump Leather 
Is. Id. pr. ft)." "Bridle is. 3d. pr. pound." " Curryin two pair of Boot 
Legs, " " Tanning a Hog Skin, " &c. are other entries. Mr. Martin had a 
farm which he conducted, in addition to his tanning business; the land 
extended from the present tavern corner, along the turnpike, to a point where 
now stands St. Paul's Church, and down Church Road to Tacony Creek, the 
present Public School House occupying the then corner of the farm. 

In this same account book we find entries for farm produce sold. " Wheat 
for seed to John Shoemaker at 6s. Od. per bushel. " " Butter to Robert Wil- 
liamson Os. lid. " Another charge for butter, same date, to the same pur- 
chaser Os. 9d. — possibly R. W. kept a boarding house ! 

Veal sold at 2J pence per pound. " Fore quarter Beef, 91 R)s., 3 pence a 
ft). " " Richard Thomas, pair shoes for his Negro 6d. " Mr. Martin appears 
to have sold to people in the city, to some whose names were unknown to him. 
We find a charge to the " Harness maker in 3rd Street, near the pump, " 
another to the " Wheelwright around the corner, " another to " Shriver the 
Charemaker, " " Phillip Winecote left unpaid for a kip 0. 16. 0. " " Daniel 
Logan to cash paid yourself. " And thus we might go on enumerating many 
entries which seem odd at this day. 



Running westerly from Old York Road, at the foot of the hill at the new 
toll gate is Spring Avenue. On the left as you pass up are a number of pretty 



92 THE YORK ROAD. 

cottages. On the right, and at the corner of White-wood Avenue, stands the 
picturesque residence of John M. Butler, whose wife is the youngest daughter 
of Jay Cooke. Next comes the new and very pretty house of Wm? Nice just 
being completed. 

Mr. Nice has built on a portion of the ground which formerly belonged 
to his uncle Harper Nice. On another part of this farm, and also on Spring 
Avenue, stands an old mansion, modernized and made to look very pretty. 
Owned and occupied by Mr. Dell Noblit, he having purchased the property 
some 20 years since from Mr. John Baird, one of the original members of the 
Chelten Hills Association. 

The property with the adjoining land, was purchased by the .Association 
from the Nice family. When Harper Nice, and other owners before him lived 
here, the entrance to the property w^as from Grave Yard Lane (now Chelten- 
ham Avenue). The opening of Spring Avenue, gave the property its command- 
ing front. The old lane still exists, forming a communication between Chel- 
tenham and Spring Avenues, and is known as Cedar Lane. 

On the south side of Spring Avenue and opposite Mr. Noblit's property, 
stands the imposing cut stone house of William Dawson, erected some eight 
or ten years ago. The ground on which this house stands was formerly a part 
of the Harper Nice property. 

Mr. Dawson's house is on the summit of the highest ground in Chelten 
Hills ; not only the location, but the imposing architecture of the buildings 
make it one of the most striking mansions in the vicinity. The large number 
of chimneys attract the attention of the passer-by ; there being an open fire 
place in each of the many rooms, necessitates the existence of these numerous 
flues. They give the mansion the appearance of a public institution. It is 
often thought to be the Ogontz Seminary by strangers coming into the neigh- 
borhood to visit that celebrated establishment. 

Next to the Dawson property, on the west is the Widener property 
(already described). 

On the east, and at the corner of Spring Avenue and Cedar Lane, is the 
pretty cottage property of Mr. Clement R. Hoopes of the Philadelphia firm of 
Hoopes and Townsend, the well known iron bolt manufacturers. This house 
was built by Mr. Jay Cooke, and presented to Mrs. Robert Parvin, the widow of 
the first Rector of St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham. Rev. Mr. Parvin resided 
in it, and it was the " Rectory of St. Paul's " until the more commodius one, 
adjoining the church property was built by Wm. G. Moorehead and his 
brother-in-law, Jay Cooke, and with the ground, about three acres, was pre- 
sented to the church. 

Rev. Robert Parvin was the first Rector of St. Paul's Parish. Mr. Parvin 
was called to the rectorship April 9th, 1861, and most faithfully discharged 
the duties of his sacred office, until December, 1866, when he resigned to 
accept the office of General Secretary of the Evangelical Education Society of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. He entered upon his new work wdth all 



THE YORK ROAD. 93 

the zeal and energy of an enthusiast. Leaving his home about the 1st of 
December, 1868, he visited Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, leaving the latter city 
for Louisville, Ky., by steamer. The same night the boat on which he was a 
passenger was burned and many lives lost; among them was Mr. Parvin. 

On the east wall of the church, the vestry placed a tablet of white marble 
bearing the following inscription : 

" Sacred to the Memory of 

Rev. Robert J. Parvin, 

Suddenly Called to His Eternal Home, 

December 4th, 1868. 

Faithful to His God. Loyal to His Country." 

Near by and at the corner of Cedar Lane and Cheltenham Avenue is a 
stone house with a tower at one corner. This house was also built by Mr. 
Jay Cooke and by him presented to the late Rev. Dr. Richard Newton (his 
former pastor) for a summer residence. It is now owned and occupied by 
Benjamin H. Shoemaker, Jr. 

CHELTENHAM ACADEMY. 

J. Calvin Rice, Principal. This institution has a fine commanding loca- 
tion on Cheltenham Avenue at the corner of Washington Lane. The grounds 
compose about 17 acres, being part of a farm of 100 acres, purchased by the 
Chelten Hills Association from Penrose Mather. 

The late Morris L. Hallowell of Philadelphia, became the owner of these 
17 acres, erecting thereon the large, square stone mansion adjoining the old 
farm house, which he allowed to remain, after somewhat changing its appear- 
ance by the addition of a " French roof. " 

In 1860 Mr. Hallowell sold the property to Mrs. John D. Butler, the 
widow of Col. John Butler of Georgia, who was the brother of Pierce Butler, 
the husband of the talented Fanny Kemble. 

Mrs. Butler died and in 1872 Rev. Samuel Clements purchased the prop- 
erty and established the Cheltenham Academy, which became a very flourish- 
ing institution, the pupils coming from all parts of the State. There were 
generally to be found in the school, pupils also from Cuba and Mexico. Rev. 
Mr. Clements conducted the school until January, 1889, when he died and 
Mr. Rice became the purchaser of the property and continues the school. 

Edward Mellor is the owner of the property on the opposite corner, a 
large mansion and extensive stabling built by his father, the late Thomas 
Mellor, merchant, of Philadelphia. Mr. Mellor was one of the original mem- 
bers of the Chelten Hills Association. This property contains about 20 acres. 



94 THE YORK ROAD. 

The outlook from the back piazzas of the house is charming, the valley of the 
Tacony, Jenkintown, and beyond, the spire of the Presbyterian Church at 
Mooretown (Abington), whilst immediately adjoining are the grounds of the 
celebrated Ogontz School for Young Ladies. 

Passing down Cheltenham Avenue to the east and on the same side, 
stands the strikingly beautiful establishment of P. A. B. Widener. The orig- 
inal of this house was erected about 1860 by a Mr. Bates, who never occupied 
it. After standing without a tenant for some time, it was rented by Miss 
Rachel Carr who opened a school for young ladies (already described). After 
this Dr. Pepper became the owner ; he sold, in time, to Charles Richardson 
who resided there some years and then removed to Edge Hill to be near the 
Edge Hill Iron Furnace, of which he was the proprietor. Mr. Richardson 
sold the property (40 acres) to Mr. Widener who has added much to the size 
of the house, and so greatly changed it in appearance as to make it unrecog- 
nizable to those who were familiar with it before. Extensive stabling and 
other buildings make it one of the most valuable properties in all Chelten 
Hills. 

Opposite to Mr. Widener stands the cozy residence of James Day Row- 
land, also on Cheltenham Avenue. Mr. Rowland built this house some 16 
years ago and still resides there. 

Next to Mr. Rowland and on the same side of the road is the substantial 
house erected by the late Mr. John W. Thomas in 1866. A large, plain build- 
ing with extensive verandas and quite a lofty tower. 

His widow still resides here, having ample room in which to entertain 
her children, grandchildren and many friends. Mrs. Thomas is the mother 
of Geo. C. Thomas of Drexel & Co. the noted bankers, and also of the Rev. 
Richard Newton Thomas, former Rector of St. Matthias's Church, Philadel- 
phia, and of Trinity Church of West Philadelphia. 

Mr. Thomas purchased the land on which the house is erected from a 
Mr. Simmons, who bought the farm of 100 acres from Joshua Paxson who 
had long been the owner. The father of Mr. Paxson having purchased the 
property from the heirs of Benjamin Shoemaker, who died in 1811 at an 
advanced age. 

Next to Mrs. Thomas lives Robert Shoemaker, wholesale druggist in 
Philadelphia, he having purchased it from Mr. Jay Cooke, in 1868. Mr. 
Cooke lived here for the ten years previous to his moving into his splendid 
mansion, Ogontz. The dwelling house is a commodious one, built of stone 
and " rough cast. " The grounds are a part of the original farm of George 
Shoemaker, Robert Shoemaker being of the sixth generation from his ancestor. 
Thomas E. Shoemaker son of Robert lives in the next house to the east, while 
on the southerly side, back from Cheltenham Avenue and fronting on Juniper 
Avenue, a beautifully " Telfordized " road, stands the unique mansion of Mr. 
William L. Elkins, Director of the Pennsylvania Rail Road, as well as owner 
of Traction Rail Roads in Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities. Mr. Elkins 



THE YORK ROAD. 95 

purchased the property from Mr. John H. Michener, President of the Bank of 
North America and like his friend Mr. Widener has expended large sums of 
money in the enlargement and beautifying of the premises. In appearance, 
the house is quite as striking of that of Mr. Widener. The beautiful and 
extensive lawn, with its artistically trimmed Norway spruce trees of great 
height, cannot fail to attract the attention of the passer by. Other noble trees 
adorn the lawn, which, with the well kept roads and walks combine to make 
it one of the most beautiful places in Chelten Hills. To see this fine property, 
one must leave the main (Cheltenham) Avenue, as Mr. Robert Shoemaker's 
house is directly in front of it, and cuts off the view from the Avenue. 

On the southwesterly corner of York Road and Cheltenham Avenue, (in 
travelling through this charming neighborhood, we are reminded more 
of England, in the vicinity of the larger cities there, than any other part of 
Pennsylvania, if not any other rural place in the United States,) is the mansion 
and grounds of Mr. Henry H. Roelofs, a manufacturer in Philadelphia. 

On the two sides of the grounds fronting on the roads, is a low stone wall. 
Magnificent shade trees and shrubbery adorn the lawn, a feature of which, in 
season, is a fine display of Rhododendrons. A large " cold grapery, " looking 
like an immense ship, turned bottom up, is a conspicuous object. The whole 
country around, although greatly elevated above tide water, is rich in springs 
of purest water, which, being forced up into tanks, by either wind, caloric 
or steam power, furnishes an abundant supply to the inhabitants of this 
highly favored locality. 

Next to Mr. Roelofs' property southwesterly, comes the still grander 
establishment of John B. Stetson, the father-in-law of Mr. Roelofs. The man- 
sion, green-houses and other buildings stand prominently in view of the York 
Road, on a beautiful eminence. When Mr. Stetson purchased the grounds, a 
heavy growth of trees, (forest trees) covered them. Employing an exper- 
ienced landscape gardener, many of these were removed, whilst a great num- 
ber still stand to adorn and shade one of the finest lawns to be found any- 
where in the County. 

At the foot of the lawn, between that and the road, is a lake of pure 
water, a very pretty feature of the place. On the eminence, on which the house 
is located and a little to the east, stands a tall green-house for tropical plants. 
Mr. Stetson occupies the mansion in the summer months, in the winter he 
lives in Florida, where at Deland, he has extensive Orange Groves. 

The brown stone house of Mr. Richard J. Dobbins, with its massive tower 
stands on York Road, opposite Mr. Stetson's place. Mr. Dobbins owns here 
about 100 acres, the land extending back to the North Pennsylvania Rail 
Road and beyond to the village of Ashbourne. Mr. Dobbins purchased this 
fine property from John Brock, formerly a merchant in Philadelphia. 'Mr. 
Brock having some years before bought it of the heirs of Samuel T. Leech a 
descendant of Toby Leech, and one of the old time settlers of Cheltenham 
township. 



96 THE YORK ROAD. 

The extensive grounds and buildings, all conceived and carried out on a 
most generous plan, are fully equal and in some respects exceed in grandeur 
any other place in the township. 

The property of the late Edward M. Davis, Jr., comes next on the York 
Road, with heavy woodland front, has 40 acres, extending from the turnpike 
back to the North Pennsylvania Rail Road at Melrose Station. 

Mrs. Charles Sharpless owns about 60 acres, extending from the Davis' 
line to the road dividing Montgomery County from Philadelphia, or " City 
Line Road. " This property, for many years in the past, belonged to the 
Rorer family. Joseph Rorer owned it the latter part of the last century, then 
his son, the late Benjamin Rorer who died at a good old age, but not until 
after he had sold the property to the late Thomas Mellor, who in turn sold to 
Thomas Mott, the only son of the late celebrated Lucretia Mott. Some few 
years before his death, Charles Sharpless, merchant, of 8th and Chestnut 
Streets bought it. The widow with her son now resides here. 

The brown stone mansion built by Mr. Mott, cannot be seen from the 
road. A drive in from the public road would repay any one who is interested 
in gazing upon substantial and beautiful homes. 

The whole neighborhood of Chelten Hills is beautiful. It is conceded by 
visitors from England and by those of our own country who have visited 
England, that they have met with no district, which reminds them so much 
of the grand, old country seats of old England as do the improvements in 
Cheltenham. The hedges, walls, trees and shrubbery, as well as our maca- 
damized roads, are quite equal to any thing to be seen on the other side of 
the Atlantic. We may lack the acreage, the parks and the preserves, which 
have been handed down from generation to generation, under the inheritance 
laws of England, but in other respects nothing can be added to make the 
neighborhood more complete. 

THE SHOEMAKER BURYING GROUND, BY THOMAS H. SHOE- 
MAKER. 

This Burying Ground is beautifully located on Cheltenham Avenue or as 
the country folks call it Grave Yard Lane, which runs from Washington Lane 
to the York Road in that unsurpassed township of Cheltenham. 

The history of the Burying Ground dates with the settlement of this 
section of the country and it is probably one of the oldest in the vicinity of 
Philadelphia. 

While it is known as the Shoemaker Burying Ground, it is not strictly a 
family one, having been as we shall see later, left for the use of members of 
Cheltenham Meeting by Richard Wall, the grandfather-in-law of George 
Shoemaker, 

The amount of ground left was six acres, although only about one has 
been enclosed. 



THE YORK ROAD. . 97 

It is said that a meeting-house of logs stood upon a part of the " six acres " 
and that George Keith was for a brief period an active minister in Chelten- 
ham Meeting, that he left them and reunited with the " Church of England, " 
and that many members went with him uniting with the church. 

Be that as it may, a hundred and fifty or more years ago, Cheltenham 
Meeting was absorbed by Abington Monthly Meeting, and since that time the 
ground has been held by Trustees (special) appointed by that meeting. While 
its possession is thus in the Society of Friends, it is scarcely more than nomin- 
ally so, as for many years past it has been cared for and looked after by a 
member of the Shoemaker family. 

Furthermore while others have the privilege there are few interred but 
those bearing the name of Shoemaker, hence the ground may virtually be 
regarded as a private one as its name would indicate. 

Going back to the days when the country was a wilderness, we find on 
the good ship Jeffferies from London among the passengers a German family 
bearing the name of Shoemaker, consisting of George and Sarah and their 
seven children, George, Barbara, Abraham, Isaac, Susanna, Elizabeth and 
Benjamin. 

They belonged to that little settlement on the Rhine at Creisheim, and 
having been converted to the profession of the Society of Friends by the 
preaching of William Ames an English Friend, met as a consequence with 
much persecution, and as early as 1663 we find George being fined for attend- 
ing meeting and his cattle sold. 

William Penn, hearing of their sufferings, visited them in 1680 and 
invited them to immigrate to his possessions in Pennsylvania ; this led them 
to purchase of him lands and the employment of Pastorius as agent and the 
settlement of Germantown. 

With Pastorius and company in 1682 came Jacob Shoemaker, in 1685 
Peter and family, and as we have seen in 1686 George and family ; they were 
probably all brothers. Another passenger on the same voyage of the ship 
Jefferies was Richard Wall and his grand-daughter Sarah. He was an English 
Friend who had obtained a grant from Penn of 500 acres of land on the 
Quesinoming Creek, now called Tacony, in what was then Philadelphia 
County, but now Montgomery. 

The voyage was long and proved disastrous to both the father and his 
eldest son, George; the former died of small pox which broke out on the ship 
and the latter lost his heart to the pretty English maiden, and they were 
betrothed. 

Upon landing at Philadelphia 3rd month 26th, 1686, the widow with her 
family went at once to Germantown where their relatives had preceded them, 
and George as the oldest squ dutifully assisted his mother until the family 
grew up. 

Isaac was the first to marry and selected Sarah, daughter of Gerhard 
Hendricks, who had drawn lot No. 8, an account of whom has been published 
7 



98 THE YORK ROAD. 

in a previous article. (See Hotchkin's Germantown). His house and farm build- 
ings were in the meadow at Wingohicking station, the "Rock house" being 
the last of them left, and believed to be the oldest house now in Philadelphia, 
the dwelling being torn down in 1840. 

Benjamin the counselor was a son, and Samuel, the Mayor of Philadel- 
phia, the grandson of the above Susanna ; George's sister married Isaac Price, 
1st month 4th, 1696, and the wedding took place according to the order of 
Friends at the house of Richard Wall, where, owing to the lack of a meeting 
house, gatherings for religious worship were held. 

After eight years of patient waiting, George felt he was able to fulfil the 
vows made at sea, and accordingly at Richard Wall's house at Cheltenham 
he was married to Sarah, who was the only heir to her grandfather's estate. 

The venerable old marriage certificate is still owned by one of the descend- 
ants; it is dated 12th month, 14th, 1694 and commences "Whereas George 
Shoemaker and Sarah Wall, both of the township of Cheltenham, in the 
County of Phylladelfia, having declared theyre intentions of taking each other 
as husband and wife, before several publique men and womens meetings of the 
people of God called Quakers, according to the good order and use Amongst 
them whose proceedings, etc., etc. " 

George signs it in his native German script ; Sarah attaches her new name 
in English, in a bold, clear hand. 

Their home thereafter was probably with Richard Wall and most likely 
was the house, or rather a portion of it, now occupied by Joseph Bosler, as we 
find in 1711, in the laying out of York Road George Shoemaker was a juror 
and that it passed close by his door. 

In a few years after his grand-daughter's marriage, Richard found his 
health failing and made his will, which begins as follows : 

" In the name of God, Amen, the fifteenth day of the first month Anno 
Domini 1697-8, I Richard Wall being weak in body, but of perfect mind and 
memory, thanks be the Lord for it, do hereby make and ordain this my last 
Will and Testament, that is to say : 

" Principally and first of all, I recommend my soul and spirit unto the 
hands of our faithful Creator and Saviour, my body to be buried in a Christian- 
like and decent manner at the discretion of my dear wife and executrix, and 
as to touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me 
in this wilderness, I dispose of the same in the following way and form. " 

He leaves his wife a life interest, and at her death everything to his 
grand-daughter Sarah Shoemaker ; in the event of her death without issue 
then his property is left " to the disposal of the monthly meeting I now 
belong to. " 

He then goes on with what more particularly concerns us. 

" Item. I freely give and bequeath unto Friends of Cheltenham Meeting 
a, certain tract of land containing about six acres, lying and being at the south- 
west end of s'd my plantation, and this piece of land I give for a burying 




"Roadside, formerly the Residence of Lucretia Mott. 



THE YORK ROAD. 101 

place and for the only and sole use of Friends of the now mentioned Chelten- 
ham Meeting. " 

The exact date of Richard's death is not known but it was some time 
previous to 1702 ; his grave was no doubt the first made in the new ground, 
and it and his wife's are believed to be marked by some old and very large 
box-bushes ; certain it is that very few stones appear to mark the last resting 
place of the long line of the family which lie here so peacefully. 

The earliest stone is that of Isaac, with the date of 8th month, 23rd, 1741, 
but Friends in those early days did not approve of such distinctions, and in 
their public grounds buried in rows, with nothing but mounds, and numbers 
to designate in their record books the name of the individual. 

Dorothy Shoemaker, widow of Isaac, spoken of above, was a woman of 
more than ordinary thrift and enterprise, as five years after her husband's 
death ,we find her entering into the following agreement : 

" Articles of agreement mutually made, concluded, and agreed upon ye 
sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
and forty-six, between Dorothy Shoemaker of Cheltenham, in ye County of 
Philadelphia in ye Province of Pennsylvania. Widdow of ye one part, Richard 
Mather, of ye same place, yeoman of ye second part and John Tyson of 
Abington of ye s'd county, yeoman of ye third part. 

" Witnesseth that there is a proposal made between ye s'd parties for build- 
ing -or erecting on ye land now in ye tenure or possession of ye said Dorothy 
Shoemaker in ye said Township of Cheltenham, a corn-grist water mill, to be 
built jointly, and in partnership between ye said parties. " 

It goes on to say Dorothy has a half interest and the men a quarter each, 
in the mill which was located at a place in the " crick, opposite ye s'd 
Dorothy's present garden, commonly called and known by the name of ye 
Sheeps- Washing-Place, and from thence (the dam) to extend down ye east 
side of ye s'd crick to the fording-place of s'd in ye York Road. " 

Shortly after, her sons joined her, purchasing Mather's and Tyson's shares, 
and the mill remained in possession of the family until 1847, a little more 
than a century, when it was bought at public sale by the late Charles Rosier. 

The old Cheltenham Mill or as it was often called Shoemaker's Mill, was 
a well-known land-mark in that section of the country, and was in its day 
considered a very fine property. 

The settlement which grew up here was known as Shoemakertown and 
for nearly two centuries has this name answered well its purpose. 

During the past year however, some persons, new-comers to the place no 
doubt, without veneration for the past and with little regard for its appro- 
priateness, have succeeded in having the meaningless one of Ogontz sub- 
stituted. 

Thus the old names full of historic interests and associations are done 
away with to make room for others supposed to be more euphonious. The 
descendants of this branch have scattered somewhat, while a number still live 



102 THE YORK ROAD. 

in the neighborhood, and those bearing the name in Germantown belong to 
it, others have carried it as far as California, several live near Washington, 
descendants of David Shoemaker who at about the age of 75 was drowned in 
the Potomac while swimming in company with President Adams. 

THE EARLY SCHOOL DAYS OF A SHOEMAKERTOWN BOY, BY 

ROBERT SHOEMAKER. 

There stands on the Old York Road, at the corner of Church Road 
(sometimes called Frankford Road), opposite the tavern, in the ancient 
village of Shoemakertown, a two-story stone house of modest dimensions, 
without piazza or portico, still in an excellent state of preservation, having 
been built in the honest way of long ago by men who knew their business 
and used the best material. All "hand work." "Door and sash mills" 
did not exist at the time in which this house was built. 

Samuel Pool, a carpenter and builder, is the present occupant. Sixty- 
five years ago — or say in 1825 — a school for the children of the village 
was held in this house. The teacher was Mary S. Hallowell, who in 
later years married Isaac Lippincott, of Moorestown, New Jersey. At 
Moorestown Mrs. Lippincott established and conducted for many years a 
boarding school, which was quite celebrated for the thoroughness of the 
work done there. She was assisted by an able corps of teachers; many 
ladies now resident in Cheltenham and. elsewhere will, in reading these 
lines, call to mind the amiable and loving teacher of their younger days. 
Mary Shoemaker Lippincott (her full name) was for many years a minister 
in the Society of Friends, and was for a long time clerk of the " Women's 
Meeting " of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, being annually appointed, year 
after year, to that important station. She lived to the age of 88 years, 
and died in 1888 at Camden, New Jersey. She was a grand-daughter of 
Benjamin Shoemaker, one of the early residents of Shoemakertown. 

But to return to the old stone house on York Road, where, in 1824-5, 
this good woman taught the little children of the village. The writer 
was one of her pupils, and at this late day looks back with pleasure, as 
he remembers this dear teacher, her tender, kind way of dealing with 
the children under her care, the patient hearing she gave us, as we spelled 
out the words of our lessons or "made marks" on our slates — all comes 
up as we write of this little school. Our teacher would sometimes draw 
some simple figure, as of a dog, cat, or even a horse, as a copy. It is to 
be regretted that none of these specimens, save one, have been preserved. 
But the writer has in his possession a little blank-book made by this 
teacher, painted in water colors — figures of birds and flowers, dated 1825 — 
and which was given him as a prize for either good behavior or know- 
ing his lessons. The school was small in numbers and in stature of pupils. 
The writer cannot recall to mind any one of his fellow-pupils now living. 



THE YORK ROAD. 103 

Leaving Shoemakertown, Miss Hallowell went to a Friends' boarding 
school in Rensellaer County, New York, and married from there. Leaving 
the little school in Shoemakertown, the writer became a pupil of Abington 
Friends' School. The school house, still standing, is situated on the ample 
grounds of the well-known Abington Meeting. The distance from our 
home in Shoemakertown was about one and a half miles, and this was 
travelled each day in all kinds of weather. 

Holidays at that period were less frequent than now, school continuing 
every day, " seventh day " included, except monthly and quarterly meeting 
days. The summer holiday or vacation was, I think, only two weeks. The 
hours for school in summer 8 to 12, noon recess; assemble again at 2 P. 
M. ; dismiss at 4 in winter and 5 in summer. 

" Fifth day," the mid-week meeting day, the entire school, both boys 
and girls, were obliged to attend meeting in a body, the boys, of course, 
on the " men's side," the girls on the " women's side." Sitting out the 
hour or longer, often in silence, was a pretty severe test to the patience of 
us boys, and "keeping in," and sometimes punishment more severe, was 
the penalty incurred for misbehavior in meeting. The back-rail of those 
old benches, if still in existence, bear the marks of many a pen-knife cut 
during the hour for worship. As we write, the names of many of the old 
Friends who sat on the upper seats, ministers, elders and overseers — Benja- 
min Bryan, Samuel Schofield, John J. and John L. Williams, the Shoema- 
ker's, Hallowell's, Michener's, Satterthwait, Stackhouse, and others present 
themselves — the most of them, we might say all, have passed away, the 
neat head-stone marking the resting place in the adjoining burial ground 
of the entire meeting as then constituted. The scholars, who were they? 
The sons and daughters of the members of the meeting, so that the same 
names of those composing the meeting are applicable to the school. In 
the summer season Abington School occupied two rooms, one for girls in 
the second story, on the main floor, that for boys. In the winter boys and 
girls met in the same room, the teacher of the boys' school having charge. 

George S. Roberts was the teacher at the time of which we write. He 
had the reputation of being an expert in mathematics, and generally had 
a class of the older pupils. He was obliged to give attention, however, to 
each branch of study. He was a nervous man, easily irritated by any 
misbehavior on the part of the scholars, fancied or otherwise. This 
was before the day of steel pens; very few of the scholars were able 
to make or " mend " the quill pens used by all. In the writing hour 
Mr. Roberts paced up and down the aisles back of the boys, pen-knife 
in hand, and often, when he found a scholar not doing his duty — as 
he construed it — the handle of the knife would (he on such occasions 
holding it by the blade) come down, suddenly and hard, on the head 
of the delinquent. Some attempt' was made at drawing, always using a 
slate and pencil. On one occasion this irate teacher, coming unexpect- 



104 THE YORK ROAD. 

edly to the seat of the writer (then a boy of 10 or 11 years), asked what 
the picture on the .slate was meant to be; the reply was, "a house and 
a dog." '* Yes, yes; I see the house, but where is the dog?" "Behind 
the house," was the reply, which brought the usual reward of a whack. 

Should these lines meet the eye of the Charley Stackhouse whose 
seat was next to mine on the old backless bench, he may recall a pain- 
ful circumstance. It was in the early summer, at " noon ; " we gathered 
cherries, a part of which we smuggled into the school room, keeping an 
eye on the teacher, and on opportunity swallowing a cherry, but not the 
stone ; nothing was easier than to press the slimy stone between thumb and 
finger, allowing it to cross the room with considerable force, not caring who 
was struck. Unfortunately one of these missiles accidentally came in contact 
with the nose of dear teacher. Looking to where we sat, he knew it was 
one of us two who had committed the act of " shooting a cherry stone " 
at his face. Neither would tell on the other, so we were both ordered up 
to the " master's platform," where, in turn, we received the severest flogging 
I ever experienced. 

After school we, the punished pair, entered into a solemn conspiracy 
that when we grew to be large enough we would get satisfaction out of him. 

I know not where Stackhouse is now, or whether he is living, but 
years after, when I had become a man, meeting my old teacher, I remem- 
bered the flogging and the threat that we would some day have satisfac- 
tion, and told the old gentleman of our bargain. He expressed himself as 
being ready to meet us at our convenience. Poor old man ; removing to 
the cit}" he opened an " English and Mathematical Academy," and after a 
continuance of a few years died very suddenly. He was buried in the old 
Abington Friends' ground. I have frequently passed by his grave and read 
" George S. Roberts " on the small head-stone, but never without thinking 
of that cherry stone. 

The " separation " in the Society of Friends occurred in 1827. 
Orthodox Friends, generally, removed their children from the old Abing- 
ton School. 

In 1828 Solomon Jones, formerly a teacher at the old " eight square " 
school house, opened a school for these children at his residence, on the 
Cheltenham side of Oak Lane, at the intersection of New Second Street 
Road. 

The next three years of the writer's school life were spent at this school. 
Each morning, winter and summer, the long walk from Shoemakertown 
was taken. An arrangement was made, however, that should a storm come 
up on any day, making it difficult to return to our home, we were to 
remain all night at Mr. Jones' house. Such nights were hailed with 
delight. My old friend and fellow-pupil, Josiah Jones, the eldest son of 
the principal, still living near the old mansion of his father, was my 
particular chum, and he will endorse my statement when I say we had 



THE YORK ROAD. 105 

happy times. The splendid rye bread and honey for supper — the bees of 
the present day fail to produce that delightful flavor possessed by the 
honey of sixty years ago. Why is it? 

Solomon Jones, though paralyzed in his lower limbs and compelled 
to use a crutch in walking, had the free use of his arms, as pupils yet 
living can testify. But he was a grand old man and a thorough teacher. 

The " examples " still in my possession remind me forcibly of the 
lessons of that day. How the first class worked over those geometrical 
problems — with what interest and success my fellow-pupil in that class 
can affirm. There were six or eight of us; he and I are, I believe, 
the only two now living. The books in use in the school at that day, 
beside the " primer," as reading books, were the " Introduction," " English 
Reader," and Murray's Sequel." Then " Comly's Grammar," " Pike's Arith- 
metic," " Bonnycastle's Mensuration," and " Gummere's Surveying." Geog- 
raphy did not occupy the prominent place of to-day. Considerable attention 
was given to writing ; and we had an interesting botany class, which, in 
season, made trips of great interest in the neighboring fields and woods. 
Boys of that day were much like those of the present, always ready for fun 
and sport. Were I to relate the tricks and mischief indulged in, the initia- 
tion of new-comers to the school and many naughty things, which, even 
now, come to my mind, no good purpose would be served, and they might 
be thought more proper for such a book as the " Bad Boy " and the like. 
But few, very few, of the pupils in attendance at that school at the time 
of which we write, are now living. The school was a large one. Although 
still a resident of the township, we are able to count, with the writer, only 
six still living. But we do know many of the children and grand-children 
of our schoolmates of that day. 

In the fall of 1831 the writer left the school and entered upon the pro- 
fession of his choice, in which he is still engaged, and has been continuously 
all the sixty-two years which have since passed, and in all that time has 
been in but two stores, twenty-five years in the first, where he entered to 
learn the business of a chemist and apothecary, and the remaining thirty- 
six years in his present location. 

Josiah Jones died March, 1892. 

MISS RACHEL S. CARR, BY ROBERT SHOEMAKER. 

This lady kept a select school in Philadelphia, in connection with — I 
think — her sister. Miss Ann Jane Carr. 

They were both members of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, at the 
time Dr. Richard Newton was its pastor. 

In the year 1861, Messrs. John W. Thomas and Jay Cooke, former members 
of St. Paul's, arranged with Miss Carr to open a boarding and day school 
on Chelten Hills, and secured for her the new stone residence of Mr. Bates, 



106 THE YORK ROAD. 

" Linwood Hall." This fine mansion was on Cheltenham Avenue, almost 
opposite the residences of John W. Thomas and Jay Cooke. The building 
had been completed by Mr. Bates but never occupied by the family, who 
preferred a residence abroad. It stands upon an eminence just back from 
the road, and with its twenty acres of lawn, garden, and noble trees, together 
with the additions and adornments lately added by its present owner, Mr. 
P. A. Widener, presents one of the most strikingly beautiful among the 
many attractive places in the vicinity. 

In this fine building the daughters of Messrs. Thomas and Cooke, with 
about twenty others, were educated. The school at times was very flour- 
ishing, having as high as twenty-eight boarders and twelve or fifteen day 
scholars. 

"Linwood Hall" was purchased by the late Dr. Pepper, who resided 
there several years, adding by purchase twenty acres more of land on the 
opposite side of the road. 

Miss Carr then removed her school to " Eildon," a beautiful spot on 
the York Road near the railroad station of that name, a property owned 
by Mr. Jay Cooke, formerly the country seat of the now venerable Frederick 
Fraley. 

The large house then standing, after Miss Carr's occupancy, became the 
property of Mrs. C. D. Barney, daughter of Mr. Cooke, and was burned down 
a few years since and replaced by the present large and beautiful mansion 
of Mr. C. D. Barney. Miss Carr's school flourished here several years, until, 
in 1878, she celebrated her fiftieth anniversary as a teacher, and retired 
from her educational career. 

She enjoyed for a few years her well-earned rest and honoi*s, and died 
on the 28th day of September, 1884, in the 80th year of her age. Her 
remains rest in the peaceful, beautiful graveyard of St. Paul's Church, 
Cheltenham. 

Miss Carr was a bright, cheerful. Christian woman. She seemed, in her 
last years, to patiently wait for the Master's call, her life work finished. Upon 
giving up her school she remarked to one to whom she entrusted her 
savings: "The interest on this will not be sufficient for my support, of 
course. I will be obliged, therefore, to draw on the principal; it will last 
as long as I desire ; I want to live no longer." 

On the occasion of the completion of the burial ground attached to 
St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham, she said to the writer, "here I want to be 

buried ; " naming a friend, she added : " She owned a lot in the 

Cemetery, a lone woman, like myself, and is buried there. She desired 
that my remains might be interred by the side of hers. But," she added, 
"my friend died of smallpox, and of course, when I die, I do not want to 
lie in her lot." The risk of contagion would not have been great, her 
friend having died many years before. But Miss Carr was fond of saying 
odd things. I remember once, in a company of young people, her reprov- 



THE YORK ROAD. 107 

ing a young man who had made himself somewhat conspicuous by saying 
" how absurdly absurd you are." 

After closing her school duties Miss Carr paid a visit to Ireland and 
took great pleasure in visiting the " Green Isle." 



CHELTEN HILLS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA. 

In and up to 1850 or thereabouts, what is now called Chelten Hills 
was owned and settled by Quaker farmers, whose ancestry came over with 
William Penn. 

The township of Cheltenham is a long, narrow one and stretches just out- 
side the northern boundary of Philadelphia County, in Montgomery County. 

Its name is derived from Cheltenham in England, either from the fact 
that its settlers came from that part of old England, or because of a similarity 
in soil and topography. The Township never contained a tavern, or drinking 
place until a very few years since, and is yet distinguished for its Quaker-like 
sobriety, temperance, Sabbath keeping, &c. 

The original title deeds to the farms are all signed by William Penn, 
whose country residence still stands on old Church Road, near Myers' Mill in 
the township, and near by the ruins of the old bake ovens, where it is said, 
the hard bread was baked for William Penn's sea voyages. The Township 
is undulating, well wooded and watered, and everywhere are found the old 
Quaker spring houses, covering natural springs. Tacony Creek, Culp's Run 
and several other streams rise and flow through the Township. 

The Old York Road, which before the days of rail roads was the original 
stage route between Philadelphia and New York, passes northwardly through 
the Township near its center and the Second Street pike is nearly on its east- 
ern border. Shoemakertown and Cheltenham, two little villages, were up to a 
very recent period, the only attempts to centralize the population and these 
consisted only of a blacksmith shop, a store and a few humble and quite ancient 
houses. About one thousand acres of Quaker farms, comprising the most 
hilly and picturesque portions of the Township, and lying west of York Road, 
arid east of Washingtori Lane and between the City Line and Jenkintown, 
were purchased by a syndicate (this term was then unknown) consisting of 
Edw. M. Davis, Morris L. Hallowell, John W. Thomas, Frederick Fraley, etc., 
who divided up the farms, each appropriating one of the original sites, and 
remodeling the old buildings, and erecting in the course of time some new 
ones. But it was not until after the war of 1861-65, that any great progress 
was made. 

The village of Ashbourne was then without existence, but is now (1887) 
quite a town with Rail Way Station, Stone Church, Streets, Schools, and a 
large population. It was originally called Bounty Town, from the fact that 
the returning soldiers who had saved their bounties and wages built humble 



108 THE YORK ROAD. 

homes there, some of them purchasing a part of the old farm, and cutting it 
up into building lots. 

St. Paul's P. E. Church was organized by Jay Cooke, John W. Thomas, 
Robert Shoemaker, Frederick Fraley, and others, most of whom had been 
members of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, under Dr. Newton's ministry. 

The corner stone was laid 1860 by Bishop Alonzo Potter and the church 
was completed early in 1861, and its first Rector was the Rev. Robt. J. Parvin, 
who devoted his efforts even while Rector, to the patriotic work of visiting 
the army in the field as a delegate to the Christian Commission. The second 
Rector, Dr. E. W. Appleton is still in charge. The church has been more 
than doubled in size and has a couple of towers, a transept for organ and 
choir, clock, chimes of bells, (striking every quarter of an hour), church yard, 
carriage sheds, hall for fairs, entertainments, &c., sexton's house, gas and 
water works, vestry room, Bible class, Sunday School, Infant School, and 
library rooms, &c., and is said to more nearly resemble, an old English church 
than any other in the country. It is also the owner of about five acres of 
land. Upon this a rectory, stables, garden, &c. are placed. A stream runs at 
the lower end and the rector's cow has fine pasturage grounds. The whole is 
surrounded by a hedge. In the early part of the war, the first negro camp 
was established in Cheltenham, where at least ten thousand colored soldiers, 
were drilled and prepared for service in the army. . The pastor and members 
of St. Paul's Church established services and preaching and Bible Classes at this 
camp, and distributed books, papers and tracts amongst the soldiers. The 
famous Lucretia Mott and her husband James Mott, were residents of Chelten 
Hills and it was probably owing to the efforts of their son Edw. M. Davis, also 
a noted abolitionist that the negro camp was established at Chelten Hills and 
upon grounds near their residence. The old burying ground of the Quakers 
is still preserved and lies on Grave Yard Lane, now known as Chelten Avenue 
and in it lie buried many of those who came over with William Penn. 

The original one thousand acres were laid out in lots of from five to fifty 
acres according to the lay of the land, and the new roads were graded to cor- 
respond and give access to each plant, and named, Chelten Avenue, Cedar 
Avenue, Whitehood Avenue, Spring Avenue, Serpentine Avenue, Rock Lane, 
&c., &c. The ground lies nearly five hundred feet above the city of Philadel- 
phia, and slopes towards the Delaware River, which is nearly six miles 
distant. 

In addition to the old farm houses many of which are still retained, a 
large number of new and beautiful mansions have been built, and amongst 
these the residence of Jay Cooke, known as Ogontz. 

This magnificent palace-like place, with its two hundred acres of forest 
and stream, lawns and farms, when first occupied, cost including its furniture, 
pictures, green houses, fountains, &c., about one million of dollars. Mr. Cooke 
has recently refurnished it and has rented it to Misses Bonney, Dillaye, &c., 
who occupy it and a part of the grounds as a school for young ladies. It is 



THE YORK ROAD. * 109 

acknowledged to be the first of its kind in the country, and is full to over- 
flowing with young ladies from all parts of the land. 

The old Grist Mill on the Ogontz place, is the original mill where the 
early Quaker settlers used to grind their corn and wheat. A spring under 
this mill raised to the mansion by steam power, furnishes it with a never 
failing supply of the purest and sweetest water. 

Cheltenham Academy under the charge of Mr. Jno. Calvin Rice, is near 
by and is a celebrated school for boys, and is also prosperous. Eildon the 
residence of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. D. Barney, the original farm building having 
been added to by Mr. Frederick Fraley and long occupied by him after being 
purchased and occupied by Mr. Barney, was burned but rebuilt in 1881, and 
is one of the finest and most complete residences at Chelten Hills. 

Terrace Holm is the beautiful residence of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Butler, 
close by Eildon. Jacob Loeb's residence near by at York Road Station has 
a beautiful situation and is a fine home. Dell Noblitt, Jr's. residence and 
those of Mr. P. A. B. Widener (Linwood) Mrs. John W. Thomas, (Bloomfield). 
Mr. Dawson's, Mr. Jay Cooke Jr's., (Chestnut Wood) and many more modern 
and very beautiful residences, cannot be surpassed in any neighborhood 
surrounding Philadelphia. 

All of them are complete in green houses, gas and water works, ponds, &c. 

" The Cedars " which was long the residence of the author of this descrip- 
tion, is now the home of Mr. Robert Shoemaker, whose ancestors owned the 
four farms adjoining Shoemakertown, and had their four homes there. 

The roads of Chelten Hills are macadamized and bordered by shade trees 
and beautiful hedges. The air is pure and the water is celebrated for its 
sweetness and purity. 

The North Pennsylvania Rail Road, now a branch of the Philadelphia 
& Reading Road, passes through the center of the Hills, and fifty trains each 
way daily render access to the city at any hour easy and convenient. 

This road as far as Jenkintown forms a part of the Bound Brook route to 
New York, which latter city may therefore be reached from Chelten Hills 
without the necessity of going through Philadelphia. 

The North Pennsylvania Rail Road was not running until 1856, two 
years after the writer went to Chelten Hills. Although this charming country 
is so near a large city, yet it has scarcely ever been necessary to employ police 
aid and there is no demand for constables or magistrates, and aside from the 
few tramps that occasionally linger in the neighborhood, there are seldom any 
annoyances. 

A Resident of Chelten Hills. 



110 * THE YORK ROAD. 

OGONTZ SCHOOL. 

'' Ogontz School for Young Ladies " is a prominent educational institu- 
tion, situated half a mile north of the York Road at the point of the Gate 
House, and three-quarters of a mile from the station, near which the Phila- 
delphia & Reading Rail Road crosses the turnpike road. Ogontz was at first 
the name of the private estate of Jay Cooke, Esq., but after his residence was 
given over to the purposes of the school the name was appropriated to desig- 
nate the nearest station of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail Road, and an 
office of the Western Union Telegraph Company and the United States 
Express Company. 

The situation of the school is one of remarkable beauty. A steady rise of 
the country northeast of Philadelphia from the Delaware River, terminates in 
this vicinity in a succession of billowy hills, the slopes of which are broken by 
patches of native forest, fruitful field, and well-trimmed pleasure grounds, with 
here and there a gleam of native stream or artificial pond and fountain. 
Crowning one of these wooded heights, five hundred feet above the river bed 
rises a granite structure four or five stories in height, the dignity and spacious- 
ness of which are but feebly suggested by our illustrations. The estate con- 
tains over two hundred acres, forty of which, adjacent to the house and dotted 
with fine evergreens and chestnuts are devoted to the uses of a well kept lawn. 
In order to meet the special needs of a school, a picturesque stone building for 
a laboratory and studio was erected by the present principals a few rods west 
of the great house. Half way down the slope to the pond on the other side has 
sprung up a three story wooden building containing the gymnasium and 
music rooms. The entire group, comprehending also the two lodges, stables, 
green-houses and infirmary, constitute a marked feature in the country. 

These premises were first opened to a girls' school, September 27th, 1883. 
The venture was the outgrowth of the largest, and one of the oldest institu- 
tions of Philadelphia, the " Chestnut Street Seminary, " founded in 1850 ; 
whose history is coeval with that of woman's higher education in this country, 
since it is to Mrs. Emma Willard the pioneer in the education of American 
young women that its founders. Miss Mary L. Bonney and Miss Harriet A. 
Dillaye, of New York, were indebted for the aims and methods that entered 
so successfully into their undertaking. This school, in an excellent condition 
passed from their active supervision and labor in 1883, into the hands of Miss 
Frances E. Bennett, for twenty years connected with the parent school and 
Miss Sylvia Eastman formerly preceptress of the High School, Buffalo, New 
York. The transplanting of the school from '' 1615 Chestnut Street " to its 
more imposing home was appropriately accompanied by impressive exercises. 
Several hundred guests and more than a hundred pupils were gathered in the 
spacious corridors and conservatory when the hour for the opening ceremonies 
arrived. Prof. Michael Cross, organist, had the music in charge and a delega- 
tion from the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia rendered most acceptably 



THE YORK ROAD. 115 

Prentzer's " The Chapel " and " Holy Peace " by Franz Abt. The Rev. E. W. 
Appleton, D. D., Rector of St. Paul's, Cheltenham, read the twenty-eighth 
chapter of Job and part of the fifth chapter of Matthew. The principal 
address was made by the Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens, Bishop of Pennsyl- 
vania, who began liappily as follows : 

" Fifty years ago a young student, forced from home in Boston by ill health, 
travelled on horse-back from Cincinnati to Lake Erie. At that day there was 
not a railroad west of the Alleghanies, and for thirty days he plodded on his 
solitary way, until, amidst the wilds of Erie County, he saw the little village 
of Sandusky, and, entering the town, drew up at the house of a gentleman 
whom he had met before in the city of Washington, and who had invited him 
to be his guest. Everything at that time in Sandusky was primitive, or only 
just blossoming into more than frontier civilization. Indian tribes were 
encamped close by, and vestiges of savage life and traditions of savage deeds 
everywhere abounded. The neat brick house of his friend, in which he abode 
two weeks, was built on the site of an Indian lodge, long occupied by the 
chief of a tribe then living, named Ogontz. 

" The chief used occasionally to visit the house and stay there a week at a 
time delighting the children of the family by carrying them on his back, and 
by telling them stories of Indian adventures and wigwam life. So much did 
this old chief impress himself on that village that if you should now visit 
Sandusky, though it has become a beautiful city, you would walk in ' Ogontz 
Street ; ' you would eat bread made from the flour of ' Ogontz Mills ; ' you 
would see the procession of Masons belonging to ' Ogontz Lodge, ' and would 
hear the hurried tramp of the ' Ogontz Fire Company. ' ' Well ! ' you im- 
patiently ask, ' What has all this narrative, which belongs to a past age and 
a distant frontier to do with us here, and to-day? ' 

" Only this. The kind host who lived in that brick house was the Hon. 
Elutheros Cooke then the member of Congress from that district of Ohio. 
One of the boys who had often sat astride Ogontz's neck and listened to 
Ogontz's stories was his son, Jay Cooke and the young student traveller is he 
who now addresses you. And so, when many years, after this promising son 
had become the great financier of our country during the civil war, and when 
fortune had almost emptied her cornucopia into his lap, and in the bigness of 
his heart, in order to give full verge to his hospitality, he built the mansion 
in which we now are, he remembered the old Indian chief of his childhood. 
He recalled that chief's connections with the brick house of his boyhood 
home, and hence gave to his new home, built not of bark, like an Indian wig- 
wam, nor yet of logs, like the hut of a pioneer, but of massive granite — the 
name ' Ogontz ; ' and further, to commemorate this chief he had a bronze 
medallion, modeled from one of Catlin's pictures, made of him and placed in 
the grand staircase, with appropriate Indian surroundings in the crystal 
window above, and there you have seen him to-day. This is the reason why 
this mansion is named Ogontz. 



116 THE YORK ROAD. 

" One of the two youths, who, half a century ago, first met on Ogontz's 
camping-ground, meets you to-day in this hall of Ogontz, built by the other, 
to dedicate its spacious rooms and grounds to the cause of the higher educa- 
tion of the young women of our land. How little did we boys anticipate such 
an event as this half a century ago ! " 

Bishop Stevens was followed by the Rev. William C. Cattell, D. D., Pres- 
ident of Lafayette College, and the Rev. George Dana Boardman, D. D., of the 
Broad Street Baptist Church, Philadelphia. 

Thus fittingly dedicated to the cause of Christian education the Ogontz 
School has gone forward under wise and skilful management until the tenth 
year has been reached. The characteristic feature of the educational system 
is that the mental culture shall be individual and not general. With College 
equipment the instruction is patiently graded to the mental endowment of each 
pupil. The number of pupils received into the family is about one hundred 
and there are a few students from the neighborhood. These with the requi- 
site number of instructors and attendants make up a household whose activi- 
ties create a very visible impression on the life of the community. 

B. o. A. 

Communicated : 

CHELTENHAM ACADEMY. 

Twenty-one years ago a preparatory school for boys was opened in one of 
the old Shoemaker mansions in Shoemakertown (now Ogontz) by Rev. Samuel 
Clements, D. D. The first building occupied by the school is still standing 
and is known as " Ivy Green. " It has been purchased recently by Mr. Geo. Fox 
who intends to improve the property, still allowing it to retain the appearance 
and features of a colonial homestead. 

" Ivy Green " was not well adapted to the purposes of the school, which, 
in 1872, was removed to " Norwood " on the summit of the Chelten Hills, 
about three-fourths of a mile west of the Old York Road, at the corner of 
Washington Lane and Chelten Avenue. This site, the country seat of the 
late Maurice L. Hallowell, was all that could be desired and was settled upon 
as the permanent home of Cheltenham Academy. Here amid such surround- 
ings and enjoying such advantages as are possessed by very few institutions of 
its kind, the good doctor carried out for nearly seventeen years his well 
defined ideas in the training of young men and boys, and left at his death in 
1888 an institution which is a fitting memorial to his ability and high Chris- 
tian character and to his faithful conscientious work. 

" Dr. Clements," as writes one of his old pupils, " was a great-hearted, clear- 
headed, manly man. " He had a deep love of truth and righteousness and he 
lived without any air of sanctimoniousness, the religion he professed. He 
possessed in a remarkable degree, the faculty of impressing himself upon his 




a 

as 

in 

c 
O 

o 



0) 

3 
C 

> 
< 

E 
a 

.sz 
c 
o 

<D 

O 

E 
« 

o 

< 

E 
(d 

.£: 
c 
o 
•♦-' 

-C 

O 



u 
a 
o 

a. 

Q. 

< 



THE YORK ROAD. . 121 

pupils; so his life will for years to come, be lived again in the lives of those 
who were favored by personal contact with him. 

Shortly after the death of Dr. Clements the school property was purchased 
by Mr. John Calvin Rice, an educator of wide experience, under whose man- 
agement the Academy has been a continued success, and under whose direc- 
tion it will doubtless, in the future, fulfil the highest expectations of its many 
friends. 

The school is distinctively college preparatory in its plan and purpose, 
and at this time is represented by its graduates in Harvard, Yale, Princeton, 
the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Amherst, Lafayette and West Point. 
Of the class of 1892 all the members but one will enter leading colleges in 
September. 

Military drill was introduced several years ago, the first military 
instructor being Col. John H. Merrill who had received his college prepara- 
tory training in the Academy. Col. Merrill is the present Chairman of the 
Cheltenham Alumni Association and is also a member of the military com- 
mittee of the school, the other members being General Daniel H. Hastings, 
Col. 0. C. Bosbyshell, and Col. Thos. Potter, Jr. These gentlemen have done 
the school an excellent service in the past three years, the proficiency of the 
cadets in drill and tactics having been greatly increased by their inspection 
and encouragement. 

The following is the corps of instructors for the present year : 

John Calvin Rice, A. M., Principal. 

Samuel M. Otto, Ph. D, ; Greek and History. 
Chas. E. S. Rasay, A. M. ; Latin and English Literature. 
Lieut. R. H. McLean ; Military Tactics, Mathematics. 
Waldemar Loeher, A. M., Modern Languages. 
Willard Travell, A. B. ; Physics and Mathematics. 
Willis Earle, A. B. ; Elocution and English. 
Mrs. Jennie M. Otto, English and History. 
Miss Ida Bristle ; Geography and Arithmetic. 

Music. — Mrs. M. L. C. Rice, Piano. 

Prof. Myers, Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo. 
Prof. Cross, Violin. ' 

Prof. Loomis, Dancing. W. A. Cross M. D., Physician to the School. 

CHELTEN HILLS. 

Bean's History of Montgomery County notes the various ranges of hills 
in this County. In the southeast are the Gulf Hills, Barren Hills and Chelten 
Hills. In the center the Providence and Skippack Hills and in the north the 
Stone Hills. The hills run northeast and southwest like the Catskill, Blue 
Ridge and Alleghany Mountains. 



122 THE YORK ROAD. 

As to the character of the soil in this region, according to Bean, Chelten- 
ham Township is underlaid with " garnet and mica, schist, syenite and gran- 
itic rocks and sandstone. " 

Abington has " mica and garnet, schist, syenite and granitic rocks, sand- 
stone and limestone. " 

CHELTENHAM. 

This Township joins Philadelphia, and also Abington and Springfield 
Townships. W. J. Buck describes it in Bean's History of Montgomery 
County, as of a rolling surface, " w'itli a soil composed of loam and gravel, 
which is well cultivated and productive. The Edge Hill range is the most 
elevated. " 

The rolling character of eastern Pennsylvania is one of its pleasantest 
features, and in this section Philadelphians have taken advantage of it in 
finding splendid locations for dwellings on the hill sides where exquisite views 
of fine scenery are spread before their porches and windows in summer and 
winter in the varied beauty of the seasons. 

Cheltenham has many streams, Tacony Creek being the largest. Its 
water power moves mills and factories. 

Near Jenkinto^vn building-stone is much quarried. A quarry near the 
depot is a point where a stranger in walking the fields after dark would need 
to mind his steps if he did not wish to fall over a precipice. It reminds one 
of Bermuda quarries. 

This newspaper item shows some changes in property : 

J. T. Jackson & Co. have sold at Chelten Hills for A. Barker, executor, 
the property northeast corner Washington Lane and Chelten Avenue, sixteen 
acres and improvements, to George V. Cresson for $50,000. Also the "Cedars," 
Chelten Avenue and Juniper Avenue, five acres and improvements, Robert 
Shoemaker, to William L. Elkins for $30,000. Also for the Mellor estate, 
square of ground. Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Westmoreland, and Ontario Streets, to 
William R. Brown. 

SUNNYSIDE. 

This large old fashioned mansion on Church Road about a mile and a half 
from Ogontz, standing with the gable toward the road, belongs to the estate of 
J. Pemberton Hutchinson, and is now the summer residence of his son, 
Pemberton S. Hutchinson, Esq., President of the Philadelphia Saving Fund. 

The father of this gentleman purchased the farm of 120 acres of Joseph 
Howell, who owned this as a countrv-seat. 

The American Fire Insurance Company, sold to Joseph Howell and Job 
Bacon sold to that Company, and Joseph Dobson sold to Job Bacon. 

Wm. Penn conveyed 1000 acres in 1G87 to Wm. King of which this is a 
part. 




Hkv. SAMIKL ClvK.MKMS, D. i). 



THE YORK ROAD. 125 

The central portion of the house facing the lawn was built in 1688 by 
Mr. King. 

The house has been enlarged at various times. 

It has been twice in possession of the family before, and this is a curious 
record. 

There is a large piazza surrounding the mansion which looks refreshing 
in the summer heat facing an ample lawn and the place is noted for its large 
amount of woodland and especially black walnut and other fine forest trees. 

ASHBOURNE. 

Ashbourne is on the North Penn Rail Road not far from the Old York 
Road. The depot is a good two-story building of brick which draws the notice 
of the traveller. There was a grist mill here before 1750. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The Presbytery of Philadelphia north, according to Rev. Richard Mont- 
gomery's account in Bean's History, were the means, under God, of starting 
the Presbyterian Church at Ashbourne. Services were held by a member of 
this Presbytery at Shoemakertown, but afterward Ashbourne was selected as 
the center of the new undertaking. In 1878 a Sunday School was opened in 
a building offered kindly by R. J. Dobbins. The same year a church was 
formed. Charles S. Luther, who had been an elder of the Bethlehem Presby- 
terian Church, in Philadelphia, and Thomas C. Van Horn were elected elders. 
In 1880 Rev. J. W. Kirk, who had been engaged in the Somerville Mission in 
Germantown, was elected pastor. He was installed on the 13th of May, 
" During Mr. Kirk's pastorate the church increased in membership and the 
general work was systematized. " He resigned in 1882. 

On November 30th of this year the Rev. Richard Montgomery, a graduate 
of the University of Pennsylvania, and of Princeton Seminary, was called to 
be pastor, and on December 19 was ordained and installed. He is a native 
of Philadelphia, and was temporarily in charge of the Columbia Avenue 
Church in that city, but this was his first regular parish and his service has 
been a long one. Mr. Montgomery has been connected with the Presbyterian 
Journal since 1886. 

In 1883 a contract was made with Bird & Given, of Philadelphia, to build 
a church from the plans of Isaac Pursell. The building was finished in 1884, 
having cost $15,000. 

It should be added that the building is a pretty one of stone, having a 
basement, and a transept. There is a solid tower containing the porch, and 
surmounted by a spire. 

Near Ashbourne, on Tacony Creek, is the Fork Factory of Myers & 
Ervien. Jacob Myers established it about 1848. 



126 



THE YORK ROAD. 



Jacob Leech's old grist mill was erected before 1751, though now used for 
other purposes by the firm. 

The Edge-Tool Factory of C. Hammond & Son is near at hand. The 
stone buildings have been enlarged of late years. " The father of the present 
proprietor " began this work in 1840. As one drives along this busy region, 
with its magnificent scenery, his ear is struck with the noise that indicates the 




PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ASHBOURNE. 



struggle of human skill with dead matter, under the powerful influence of fire 
which faithfully serves the needs of man. 

Cheltenham or Milltown, on Tacony Creek, not far away is the site of the 
Shovel and Spade Factory of Thomas Rowland's Sons. The family are exten- 
sive iron and steel workers in Kensington and Frankford. 




Mr. jay COOKE. 




Mr. KOBERT shoemaker. 



THE YORK ROAD. 131 

Col. Samuel Miles, a Revolutionary soldier, lived near Cheltenham 
village. He had a slitting mill on his place. Milesboro' was laid out by him 
on his land, and given his name. He was a member of the State Assembly. 
He died at the age of sixty-five, in 1805. John Emery has his large farm on 
Tacony Creek. He left a daughter named Maty. Col. Miles was a member 
of the City Troop, and its captain. He owned much land near Bellefonte, 
where he built a furnace, and two of his sons conducted it. His son, Joseph, 
and his son-in-law Joseph B. McKean were his executors, and his daughter 
Mary received the Cheltenham estate. 

Rev. Robert Collyer came from England, being a blacksmith. He walked 
from Philadelphia to Shoemakertown, seeking work and obtained employ- 
ment at Chas. Hammond's Axe Factory. He was, while he resided here, a 
local preacher of the Methodist Church at Milestown. He often took part in 
literary debates in meetings at Shoemakertown, and was greatly admired for 
his fluency of utterance. 

He went from here to Chicago, and had in his Chicago church the anvil 
which he used in England. He has been called "the blacksmith preacher. " 

The Cheltenham Rolling Mill on Tacony Creek, one mile below Shoe- 
makertown, w^as built in 1790, probably by James Rowland and Maxwell 
Rowland. In 1856 it was owned and operated by Rowland & Hunt, making 
boiler plates from blooms. It was abandoned in 1858. At first this mill was 
used to slit nail rods. The firm of Rowland & Hunt was composed of Mrs. 
Harriet Rowland, a widow, and Mr. Alfred Hunt. (James M. Swank's " History 
of the Manufacture of Iron in All Ages, " p. 148). 

Dr. William Ashmead of Germantown, who died February 3d, 1888, aged 
87, was the fifth generation in descent from John Ashmead, who, in 1682, 
settling at Cheltenham, called it from his native place in England, where 
Baroness Burdett-Coutts was born, who married Ashmead Bartlett, M. P., a 
descendant of the early settler named. Dr. Ashmead, according to a writer in 
the Inquirer, was a relative of the Schaeff'er & Bush families, of Philadelphia, 
and Capt. John Ashmead " who made one hundred voyages, chiefly to the 
East Indies, between 1758 and 1782, and who died in this city in 1818 while 
holding the office of Chief Port Warden, " was his uncle. Dr. Ashmead was 
the oldest living graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he grad- 
uated in medicine. " This benevolent man first practised in the city. He 
belonged to various medical and benevolent societies, and donated a good sum 
to Wills Hospital. I had the pleasure of an interview with him in my 
Germantown historical researches. 

SHOEMAKERTOWN. 

Shoemakertown village, now Ogontz, according to Buck, has " a merchant 
mill, carriage factory, hotel, store. Episcopal Church, two halls for concerts, and 
lectures, several mechanic shops and a passenger station at the North Penn- 
sylvania Rail Road. " 



132 THE YORK ROAD. 

There are many fine country seats near here. 

In 1832 Gordon^s Gazetteer names " a grist mill, store and four or five 
good dwellings " here. 

The stone bridge was built in 1798. Near the bridge Edward Martin had 
a tannery in 1776, "no doubt established some time before. " 

Captain Robert Coltman, a Revolutionary officer, died on his farm on the 
Ogontz property, in 1816, He was under Col. Thos. Procter. Dr. Robert 
Coltman, formerly of Jenkintown is his great-grandson. He has his " portrait 
in oil and his badge and certificate of the Society of Cincinnati. " The Doctor 
showed me some of his relics when I was studying the history of that region. 
He has since moved to the extreme west, and is engaged in one of the Indian 
Missions, carrying on a warfare against spiritual and physical evil, in worthy 
emulation of his military ancestor. 

Mr. Buck names Catherine Gill as a remarkable case of longevity in 
Cheltenham. She died in 1808, being one hundred and one years old. 

" Benjamin Hallowell, the distinguished teacher of Alexandria, Va., was 
born in this township in 1799. Anthony W. and Jane Hallowell were his 
parents. His mother was a daughter of Benjamin Shoemaker, of Shoemaker- 
town, near which they resided. " The teacher died in 1877, at the age of 78. 
He complied with the wish of his descendants, and wrote an autobiography, 
published in 1883. 

Albert J. Engle, the prominent merchant, and long the faithful post master 
at Shoemakertown receives a lengthy notice in Bean's History of Montgomery 
County. He is a progressive man and has advanced the neighborhood, and 
his store and remodeled Tyson mansion are striking objects on the York Road. 

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHELTENHAM. 

My friend, Rev. E. W. Appleton, has placed in my hands a sketch of the 
history of this parish prepared by himself, and published in The Episcopal 
Register of Philadelphia, November 12th, A. D., 1881. I will condense it. 

The meeting to consider the establishment of this church in Cheltenham 
Township took place on June 23d, 1860. An encouraging interest had pre- 
viously been shown, and occasional services held in private houses for years, 
and a Sunday School was in existence. 

The meeting consisted of those living in Chelten Hills and its neighbor- 
hood. It was stated that $5,500 had been subscribed toward building a 
church. It was resolved that it should be erected at the junction of the Old 
York and Cheltenham Roads. The following vestry was elected : John AV^ 
Thomas, Jay Cooke, J. F, Peniston, William C. Houston, John Baird, Robert 
Shoemaker, Wm. G. Moorhead, Frederick Fraley, H. P. Birchall, Isaac Starr, 
Jr., George C. Thomas and Wm. Elliott. 

A second meeting was held on August 27th, 1860, and the Bishop of 
Pennsylvania, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alonzo Potter, was then asked to lay the corner- 



THE YORK ROAD. 



133 



stone of the new church. The ceremony was performed on September 3rd, A. 
D., 1860. The Rev. Dr. Wm. Bacon Stevens, afterwards Bishop of Pennsyl- 
vania, made an address, as did Rev. Dr. Richard Newton, who from the 
beginning took " the deepest interest " in the welfare of the young parish. He 
lived for a time near the church. 

Rev. Robert J. Parvin was elected the first rector, on April 19th, A. D. 
1861. 

" The church was solemnly consecrated to the service of Almighty God on 
Thursday afternoon. May 16, 1861, by the Bishop of the Diocese; the Rector, 
and the Rev. Chas. D. Cooper, Benjamin Watson, D. C. Millett, J, W. Cracroft, 
and 0. B. Keith, taking part in the services. The sermon was preached by 
the Rev. Dr. Newton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. " 

The church, on Whitsunday, the 19th of May, 1861, " was opened for 
regular services, the Rector officiating both morning and evening, and organ- 
izing the Sunday School in the afternoon. " 

On March 28, 1864, " plans for a new building for the Sunday School 
and library were submitted to the vestry and its erection decided upon. A 
new organ was placed in the church in 1866." 

Rev. Robert J. Parvin was elected General Secretary of the Evangelical 
Educational Society in December, 1866, and resigned his Rectorship. He had 
worked usefully and successfully for over five and a half years. His resigna- 
tion was to take effect on January 1st, 1867. 




ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHELTENHAM. 

On December 4th, 1868, he " with his beloved friend " and co-laborer, 
Rev. F. S. Rising, " while engaged in his important labors, was suddenly called 



134 THE YORK ROAD. 

to his eternal home. " These clergymen " perished in the terrible steamboat 
disaster on the Ohio River. " There is a beautiful marble tablet in St. Paul's 
Church, where he loved to minister, which declares to his former parishioners 
that, like Abel, " he being dead yet speaketh, " Hebrews xi, 4. 

The present Rector, Rev. Edward W. Appleton, D. D., was unanimously 
elected Rector on June, 19th, A. D., 1867 ; and took charge on the 30th day of 
that month. " The congregation worshipped in their enlarged and beautiful 
church for the first time on the 23rd of February, 1868, Bishop Lee, of Iowa, 
preaching the sermon on this interesting occasion. " 

The church improvement cost over $7,000. The same year the rectory 
was finished and occupied. It was " the gift of two munificent members of 
the vestry, " and is a beautiful, ample and convenient modern dwelling of stone 
adjacent to the church. A large hall for the " Men's Bible Class and for 
secular purposes, and a sexton's house adjoining, were also erected " this year. 

In 1869 the energetic young people in the parish caused the church tower 
to be commenced, and finished the next year. 

A part of the ground in the rear of the church is a burial place, and this 
" God's acre " is beautifully and well kept. It was opened not long before the 
history in the Episcopal Register was written. It met a want of the parish. It 
is pleasant to feel that the holy dead are lying near sacred church walls, where 
they seem almost to be mingling in the prayers and praises of the living, as 
the chimes sound sweetly over their resting places. 

In 1879, in the autumn season, " a new, large and admirable organ, built 
by Roosevelt, of New York and Philadelphia, was placed in the church. For 
this improvement, as was the case with the tower and clock, the parish is 
indebted to the younger members of the congregation. " 

Since Dr. Appleton assumed the rectorship of the church, in 1867, $136,715 
(independent of pew rents) have been contributed for religious and benevo- 
lent purposes. During the same period the following official acts have been 
performed : Baptisms — infants 243, adults 70, total 313 ; confirmed, 197 ; 
marriages, 63 ; burials, 121. " 

" The following named gentlemen constitute the present vestry : (that is in 
1881), Messrs. John W. Thomas, Jay Cooke, Wardens ; Robert Shoemaker, 
Clerk and Treasurer ; Dell Noblitt, Jay Cooke, Jr., Thomas E. Shoemaker, 
James Day Rowland, John M. Butler, Hubert R. Hammond, Edward M. 
Davis, Jr., and Henry C. Birchall. " Dr. Thomas B. Betts, Chas. D. Barney, 
and Benjamin H. Shoemaker have been in the vestry since this date. It is 
pleasant to see old names in the vestry and few parishes have been so long in 
charge of but two rectors. 

Dr. Appleton thus closes his sketch: "St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham, 
has proved a blessing to the community in which it has been established. As 
the years come and go, may the divine benediction continue to rest upon it, 
until the earthly courts of prayer give place to the Heavenly Temple of Praise 
and time itself shall be merged into eternity. " 



THE YORK ROAD. 135 

The 48th verse of the 106th Psalm may well be added to the faithful 
Rector's prayer : " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to ever- 
lasting : and let all the people say Amen. Praise ye the Lord. " 

We continue the narrative after the date of the printed sketch. 

In 1882 after the death of Mr. John W. Thomas, a chime of ten bells, 
made by McShane & Company of Baltimore was presented by his widow, in 
his memory, and that of his two deceased daughters. They all rest in the 
churchyard near by, Mr. Thomas had been Rector's Warden of the parish 
since its formation in 1861. The chimes were rung for the first time in 
December, A. D., 1882. In 1885 the Rector, Dr. E. W. Appleton, while in 
England, visited the manufactory of John Smith & Sons in Derby to obtain 
information in regard to the Cambridge quarter chimes. These chimes are 
played by clock work procured from this establishment in 1887. They chime 
on four bells every quarter, and have given good satisfaction, and are a great 
attraction in the neighborhood, as chimes are exceedingly rare in American 
country districts. The funds for this improvement were generously contrib- 
uted by a few persons in the congregation. 

In 1882 Charles B. Wright, Esq., added to the church a handsome stone 
transept on the south side, as a memorial to his deceased wife and daughter. 
This has proved a very handsome enlargement of the church, and it contains 
the organ. % 

In the next year the church was greatly improved by being repewed 
in hard wood, which, with other improvements, cost over $3,000. 

A very interesting feature in connection with this parish was that the 
gallery of the church was occupied by the pupils of the Cheltenham Academy 
for Boys, under the care of the late Rev. Dr. Samuel Clements, (how in charge 
of Prof. Rice), and a very large proportion of the young ladies at Ogontz 
attend service here. 

A late improvement is the introduction of electric light into the church 
and rectory by a generous member of the congregation. The four wooden 
dials of the clock, have given place to glass ones each 8 feet in diameter. The 
clock is illuminated at night by electric light. 

When the church was reopened, after renovation, in 1883, Bishop Stevens 
spoke beautifully of the church bells chiming sweetly to Christian ears on the 
Lord's day in still summer mornings and snowy winter days, reminding 
one of the Celestial City where Bunyan said the bells " were set a ringing " 
to welcome the pilgrims. The church festivals and bridal joys and funeral 
dirges were foreshadowed and national festivals honored. The Bishop also 
made loving mention of Mr. Thomas as a father, vestryman, friend and child 
of God, quoting a religious poem referring to future heavenly meeting with 
him who had entered Paradise. 

The history of this parish is also given in a work by the author of the 
present volume entitled " Country Clergy of Pennsylvania. " 



136 THE YORK ROAD. 

Mr. Wm. H. Rhawn, President of the Bank of the Repubhc, in Philadel- 
phia, has a country seat called Knowlton a few miles from St. Paul's Church 
and has written some lines on the chimes which appeared in the Germantown 
Telegraph. I quote a portion of them : 

lEMORiAL mmm op Cheltenham. 



Engraven upon a tablet of polished brass, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 

Cheltenham, Shoemakertown, Pa., is this memorial : 

" In loving memory of John W. Thomas, Rector's Warden of this parish, 

1860-1882, and of his daughters — Ida, wife of Charles B. Newcomb, 

and Laura C. Thomas — the Chime of Bells in the tower 

has been placed by the wife and mother, 

December 9, 1882." 

' Memorial words also appear upon the bells. 



Hark ! What sweet distant melodies 
Fill the soft air of Sunday morn ! 

And charm the ear with harmonies. 
Like dulcet notes of mellow horn ? 

They are the chimes of Cheltenham ! 

Hark ! 'tis a joyous wedding march ! 

That now the gladsome peals proclaim. 
As happy pair, 'neath chancel arch, 

On plighted troth a blessing claim, 
Of marriage bells of Cheltenham ! 

And still more glorious chimes they ring, 
And tidings glad sound o'er the glen, 

And Merry Christmas carols sing, 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men, 

In Christmas chimes of Cheltenham ! 

Yet 'tis not all of joy they bring, 
For sorrow too, with heavy heart, 

A mournful knell full oft must ring, 
As loved ones here forever part, — 

Sadly toll bells of Cheltenham ! 

Beneath the sod of churchyard lie, 
A maiden fair, with faithful wife, — 

Their honored father sleeping nigh : 
Graven the name each bore in life, 

On holy bells of Cheltenham ! 

In memory of those daughters dear. 

And venerated sire, — the friend and 
Warden of the church, many a-year, — 



THE YORK ROAD. 137 

The wife and mother's loving hand 
Gave sacred chimes of Cheltenham ! 

May heaven's music chime the lay, 

That whispers to the widowed heart, 
Of blessed Resurrection-day; 

And of a meeting ne'er to part, 
Chime Easter bells of Cheltenham I 

Knowlton, Eastkr, 1883. 

— Germantown Telegraph. 



TOBY LEECH. 



The History of Trinity Church, Oxford, by its Rector, Rev. Dr. E. Y. 
Buchanan, mentions Toby Leech as one of the members of that parish as 
early as A. D. 1718. 

This old parish has a chalice for the Holy Communion service from 
Queen Anne marked Annx Reginse. Harry Ingersoil, Esq., gave a second like 
it, and Miss Sally Morris Wain a silver flagon, and Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher a 
baptismal bowl. 

The church wardens, John Roberts and Thomas Carver were empowered 
to buy land for a glebe of Toby Leech, which land formerly belonged to 
Thomas Graves. No purchase resulted at the time. 

Afterward a " house, orchard and sixty-three acres of land " were bought 
in 1724 " on, or near the King's Road, now the Bristol Turnpike, about mid- 
way between the present towns of Holmesburg and Frankford. They were 
bought by Josiah Harper and Toby Leech, ' yeomen, ' and by them held, in 
trust, for the use and benefit of the minister of Trinity Church, Oxford, for 
the time being forever. " The cost was about £130, £95 being given by the 
' Widow Mallows. ' Toby Leech was a contributor and other names of con- 
tributors deserve remembrance and keep up family history, as follows: 
" James Morgan, Peter Taylor, Charles Finney, Edward Collins, Robert Grif- 
fith, Josiah Harper, Griffith Griffith, Thos. Griffith, Anthony Turner, Wm. 
West, Nicholas Hickst, and Roger Turner." Rev. Robert Weyman, the 
missionary from the English Church "with Wm. Keith, Wm. Whartnaby, 
Thos. Duffield, Mr. Tabbett, Joseph Hawley and Richard Taylor, contributed 
liberally toward the improvement of the glebe. " This glebe is now Mr. Cor- 
nelius's place. It was sold in later days, and one bought on the Asylum 
Pike, and that too was sold, and the rectory is now near the church with 
some land attached to it. 

Griffith Griffith left this parish £300. 

In 1741-42 Jacob Leech was a vestryman, as well as Samuel S. Leech. 
A legacy of a " Mrs. Leech '' is noted, page 28. The name Leech is among 
the early pew holders. Thos. Leech was an officer of the parish. 



138 THE YORK ROAD. 

Tobias Leech was one of those appointed to lay out the Old York Road. 
(See page 20 of this volume). 

Richard T. Leech was a commissioner in the building of the turnpike on 
the Old York Road, being a resident in 1803. (See page 23 of this book). 

Toby Leech's house near Ashbourne is described in Buck's History of 
Montgomery County. 

Dr. Buchanan gives the following Leech epitaphs in Trinity Church 
Yard: 

"In memory of Toby and Hester Leech, who came from Cheltenham, in 
Gloucestershire, England, in the year 1682, and were here interred. 



"Here lies interred Jacob Leech, son of Toby and Hester Leech, who died 
28th of January, 1750-1. Aged 57 years. 

He .was of eight born last save one, 
And one survives him now alone, 
Thus life and death succeed for aye, 
Until the final judgement day." 

The Missionary JEneas Ross's Latin epitaph for his children is followed 
by one which I must record, as the doorkeeper in God's House is so often for- 
gotteUj though David esteemed the place : 

" In memory of Csesar Penrose, sexton of this church, more than half a 
century. ' Good and faithful servant, well done. Enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord. ' " This was a colored man who died in 1831. 

Miss Elizabeth Montgomery, in her interesting Reminiscences of Wil- 
mington, Delaware, gives a pleasant notice of the faithful sexton of Old 
Swedes (Holy Trinity) Church, Peter Davis who delighted in adorning the 
church with Christmas greens. 

CHARLES B. WRIGHT'S COUNTRY SEAT. 

Mr. Charles B. Wright the banker, and the former President of the 
Northern Pacific R. R., and a man of wondrous business energy and success, 
and generous in good works, resides near Old York Road Station. Colonel 
Beans' History of Montgomery County thus closes an extended sketch of his 
successful life ; " He takes a warm interest in the growth of Tacoma, and has 
recently erected in that city a beautiful memorial church as a monument to 
his deceased wife and daughter, and he has also endowed a school for girls, 
bearing the name of the Annie Wright Seminary." 

For the past twenty years Mr. Wright has resided during about seven 
months of each year on one of the Chelten Hills, in Cheltenham township, 
his railroad station being that of the Old York Road, on the North Penn- 



THE YORK ROAD. 141 

* sylvania line. He has at that place fifteen acres of land, worked and culti- 
vated as a miniature model farm. There he has a fine country house and 
commodious stables, all built of stone and surrounded by spacious grounds 
beautifully embellished. His Philadelphia residence is the mansion formerl}'- 
occupied by William G. Moorhead, on the southeast corner of Chestnut and 
Thirty-ninth Streets. 

While Mr. Wright has thus aided Bishop J. A. Paddock of Washington 
Territory by erecting an Episcopal Church and School, he has also added the 
transept to St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham, which contains the organ. Would 
that the country contained more such men who knew the right use of wealth 
in giving the benefit of Christianity to the coming ages. 

CHELTENHAM HOMES. 

A pretty cottage which was once the residence of the Rev. Dr. Richard 
Newton, and was presented to that eminent Episcopal divine and celebrated 
author by Jay Cooke and his wife, is a notable feature at Shoemakertown. It 
is occupied by Benjamin H. Shoemaker, the son of Robert Shoemaker. 

In the Chelten Hills Joshua Lippincott's fine house, with its tasteful 
woodwork and piazzas, on the brow of an eminence is noticeable. The high 
hills add much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery. 

Henry H. Lippincott's stone mansion has a bay-window to diversify its 
exterior, and a tower rises above it, which is a pleasant feature as giving both 
dignity and individuality. The position is a fine one by reason of its eleva- 
tion, and an extended lawn presents a rural view. 

Edward Starr's place on Washington Lane has also a pretty lawn and a 
ha-ha wall encloses its front, while a porch pleasantly varies the exterior of 
the house. 

The broken angles of the roof of Horace G. Lippincott's abode, and its 
piazzas, and the fine view before it make it a desirable home. 

Mr. Miller's pretty gateway and hedge identify his country seat, and with 
observation each place has its own peculiar charms in this beautiful region 
where God has spread out natural glories so bountifully before the eyes of his 
children. 

The residence of Robert Shoemaker is a cozy mansion where a busy man 
finds retreat from city life in country comfort. Its owner has been long known 
in the wholesale drug business in Philadelphia. He is a useful member of 
St. Paul's Church, Cheltenham, and belongs to an ancient family of German 
origin well distinguished in the history of Germantown and Cheltenham. 
Shoemakertown derived its name from them. Mr. Shoemaker has kindly 
communicated valuable information to this history. His son resides on the 
same place. 

Mr. Widener's house was undergoing alteration and improvement when 
I viewed it in passing. 



142 THE YORK ROAD. 

The porto-cochere is " a pleasing combination of stone, spindle arches, 
shingle roof, winker windows and metal finials of modern Queen Anne archi- 
tecture. " The porch surrounds three sides of the mansion. The tower termi- 
nates in an observatory ; a pointed roof surmounts it. Within the mansion the 
walls are splendidly frescoed, while hard woods, especially oak, are used. The 
circular end of the dining-room has a stone carved mantel with wood above it. 
Carved seats are on each side of it. The roof is of open timber. The baths 
are finely constructed, and the " electric system " runs through the house. 
Angus S. Wade of Philadelphia is the architect. A new stable houses the 
" blooded stock " of the owner. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer of January 30th, 1888, gives an account of the 
improvement of the former Charles Richardson property by P. A. B. Widener, 
(of the Traction Company), near Thomas Dawson's fine mansion. The house 
of Mr. Widener is an architectural success of a high order. The porches and 
roof of the old mansion were removed while the interior was newly modeled. 
A circular addition, of ample size, joins the dining-room, being three stories 
high, having " a gable roof, dormer windows and handsomely wrought stone 
chimneys separated by flying buttresses. " An octagonal stone bay window 
of two stories adorns the mansion. A projection of the roof forms a balcony. 
An oriel window with an Ogee roof has a pretty effect. A bay window lights 
the library. W. H. Thomas was the Contractor. 

Mrs. John W. Thomas's place, called Bloomfield, displays an observatory 
where the natural beauties of God's creation find proper culture and apprecia- 
tion. The house is large and elegant. Her husband, a well known Phila- 
delphia merchant, and prominent resident here, was one of the foremost 
workers in founding St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cheltenham, now under 
the rectorship of Rev. Dr. E. W. Appleton, and her son, Rev. Richard Newton 
Thomas was the rector of St. Matthias's Church, Philadelphia, and St. Phillip's 
Church, West Philadelphia, and is now one of the editors of The American 
Church Sunday School Magazine with Helpful Words for the Household, pub- 
lished in Philadelphia by W. E. Hering. Rev. Dr. Jas S. Stone and Rev. Dr. 
Wm. W. Newton are co-editors in this useful publication, while George Clifford 
Thomas, another son, is a member of the Drexel firm, and a devoted worker 
in Sunday School affairs in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles, 
Philadelphia. He has a country seat at Chestnut Hill. 

Ella Mary Thomas is now Mrs. G. H. Leonard, of Boston. Ida Martha 
Thomas, another daughter, is deceased. Mrs. Virginia Rowland, of Chelten 
Hills, the wife of James Rowland, resides next to her mother, Mrs. Thomas. 
The son, John Woolman, and the daughter, Laura Cooke, died in childhood. 
Rev. Richard Newton Thomas, bears the honored name of the venerable and 
saintly Dr. Newton who was a great friend of this family, and thus they have 
perpetuated the memory of one of the most useful servants of Christ ever found 
in the ranks of the Christian ministry. It was the custom of John W. 




CD 



O 



THE YORK ROAD. 145 

Thomas, before the founding of St. Paul's, Cheltenham, to ride every Sunday 
morning in his carriage with his family to Old St. Paul's Church, in 3rd 
Street, to enjoy the faithful ministrations of Dr. Newton. 

Bloomfield was bought by Mr. Thomas of Mr. Simon, who purchased of 
Mr. Paxson who held a farm containing over 100 acres. The entire ground 
was bought by the Chelten Hills Land Association, which purchased nearly 
all the land -from City Line to Church Lane on the York Road, running 
through to Washington Lane and along that Lane, and the line of the North 
Penn Rail Road, as then laid out, though it was not then built. This was 
done in 1854. The Company divided the land into sites for beautiful country 
residences, opening Avenues, which still bear the names then given. Mr. 
Thomas was one of the original twelve members of the Association ; E. M. 
Davis, Sr., was President. He was Lucretia Mott's son-in-law, and lived 
where Mr. Page afterward resided. F. M. Buck's woods were where Ogontz 
School lies. Boys used to play Indians there, and Cope's Dam was a swim- 
ming place, and there was an ancient grist mill before Jay Cooke's purchase. 

The late E. M. Davis, Sr., lived in a pleasant cottage on an elevated bank, 
with a piazza in front, where Rev. Dr. Richard Newton had resided on the 
York Road, when a friend drove me by these rural retreats. Mr. Davis was a 
relative of Lucretia Mott, and here that distinguished member of the Friends' 
Society died. Mr. Davis has also passed away from earth. 

The Sharpless property is extensive along this part of the Old York Road. 
It is a summer residence. 

The mansion of the late E. M, Davis, Jr. has a fine wood as an inviting 
entrance with stone walls on both sides. The substantial house of fine pro- 
portions is so far from the road as not to be visible. It was built by Isaac 
R. Davis, father of E. M. Davis, Jr. 

Mr. William Fray's pretty stone gate-way introduces to his handsome 
mansion. It is pleasant to see the increase of the fashion of having stately 
gate-ways in this country as in England. It gives the idea of solidity, strength 
and durability to an estate, and the gates of ancient cities, according to the 
Holy Scriptures, were places of meeting and counsel, and were very impor- 
tant. The house stands a little distance back from the road. 

The natural terrace on Mr. R. J. Dobbins's place is attractive. A square 
tower and bay-windows ornament the mansion, and must give good oppor- 
tunity to enjoy the surrounding views. An observatory is a desirable adjunct 
in this fine scenery. A green-house adds its charms. History gives special 
interest, as Washington is said to have dined under a tree here, and the name 
of a patriot gives fresh beauty to the natural object which thus reflects the 
higher glory of mental excellence by the association. 

The pretty entrance and gatehouse of Mr. Dobbins are at Ashbourne rail- 
way station on the North Penn Rail Road. The name Ashbourne is said to 
be from Lord Ashbourne's seat in Ireland. Mr. Dobbins was the architect of 
the Centennial Building. He owns much land here. 
10 



146 



THE YORK ROAD. 



Mr. Henry H. Roelof s place is called " Rhylon. " It is one of the most 
comfortable and best arranged residences in this section. A splendid lawn 
marks it, and the house is an attractive one among the many desirable man- 
sions in this pleasing suburb. This gentleman introduced electric light with 
his own engine so that his country house and that of his father-in-law^, Mr. 
Stetson and his neighbor, Mr, Fray, shine at night with a city brilliance, while 
he has not forgotten St. Paul's Church in his improvements, and has had 
electric light placed in that sacred building, already famed in an American 
country district for its chime of bells. If all laymen were like minded, 
churches would not lack needed improvements, and the donors would find 
the best investments in laying up heavenly treasure in thus giving to the 
Lord what He has first given to them. Trinity Episcopal Church, West 
Chester has had a tower built by the legacy of a young man and has a chime 
of bells. 




IDRO. 

This property, the name of which is a Russian word meaning, cool and 
pleasant, and on wiiich the residence of John B. Stetson, Esq., is situated is 
one of the most prominent and pleasing along York Road and situated near 
the junction of that road with Cheltenham Road, and comprises 15 acres. 

The grounds are laid out in an attractive manner and in such a way as " 
to give the best effect to the buildings which are situated on the top of a knoll 
which is partly wooded and partly lawn, interspersed with winding roads, a 
large pool, flower beds, wiiich display good taste of landscape gardening. The 
buildings comprise a large conservatory, two rose houses and large stable, in 
which building is the machinery for supplying steam for heating and power 




-a 

o 
DC 



o 

>- 

c 
'o 



O 
CO 

I- 

LLl 

I- 

CO 

c6 



O 



o 

c 

0) 

7g 
a: 




> 



O 

(/) 

I- 

LU 

I- 
(7) 

DQ 

Z 

n: 
O 



CD 
U 

c 

0) 

;^ 

'co 
DC 



THE YORK ROAD. 



151 



for electric lighting of the property. At the rear of the stable is a pigeonnier 
in the French style, with attractive surroundings. 

The main residence with which we have most to do, however, has been 
from time to time extended from its original size of 40 feet square until with 
its latest extension it is 150 feet front and 120 feet deep, over extreme meas- 
urements, being L shaped. 

The exterior and indeed the whole building follows closely the archi- 
tecture of the time of Francis I, the type adapting itself in the mind of the 
Architect, Mr, Pearson, in this case to the expression sought and which would 
be most effective for the situation. 

The house is built mainly of local stone wdtli Indiana stone trimmings 
and has mullioned windows and two rather elaborate bays on the corner, 
terminating in balconies and copper domes. 




The southern end of the house has a roofed veranda 15 feet wide made 
with a wooden superstructure on a stone coped wall and on the York Road 
and rear fronts is an uncovered terrace 15 feet wade wdth a stone balustrade 
and laid in plain tiles. 

The roof is of corrugated Akron tiles with cut stone dormer windows and 
chimney. Entrance is made from the wagon road under a porte-cochere 
through a carved oak door way into a large hall 32 feet by 40 feet, finished in 
quartered oak of antique color ; this hall w^as the original house and in the 
recent alteration was changed into a large hall running up two stories in 
height, with five feet galleries running around its four sides. 

Opposite the entrance door in this hall is the main stairway 12 feet by 
20 feet, entrance to which is had through a triple archway, and which has a 



152 THE YORK ROAD. 

handsomely carved balustrade and newels and is lighted by a large stained 
glass window. 

At the left of the entrance is a massive red stone fireplace 12 feet front, 
carved and wuth tracery and other characteristics of the style. 

This hall is wainscoted between the first floor and gallery to the full 
height with panelling and above that a plain wall with a ceiling of carved 
beams one of which is supported at each end by caryatides resting on clus- 
tered columns which rise from the main floor. The light for this hall is fur- 
nished by a large window in the front, 12 feet by 20 feet, having stone mull- 
ions and handsome glass. 

Just to the right of the entrance is a large pipe organ built by Roosevelt 
of New York ; it is built in a chamber extending outside of the hall and is a 
very fine instrument as to its musical properties, having considerable sweet- 
ness and variety of tone. The walls of this hall are all painted in plain color. 

To the right of the main hall is the dining room, 16 feet by 24 feet, 
finished throughout in mahogany and being lighted by electric bull eyes in 
the mahogany panels of the ceiling and a china closet and dressoir are built 
into the thickness of the wall. There are three handsome windows in this 
room with stone mul lions and figurative stained glass windows by Tiffany, of 
New York and designed by Church. 

To the rear of the dining room are the pantry, servants' dining room, 
kitchen and laundry, the two latter being finished with tile wainscoting and 
extending up into the roof which is one story high. 

Adjoining the main stairway and facing the front door is the breakfast 
room from which access is had through the side hall adjoining, with the ser- 
vants' quarters. At the other side of the fireplace are large arched openings, 
heavily carved and giving access to the drawing room which is 17 feet by 29 
feet with three large windows facing York Road and finished throughout with 
white maple of a very delicate design. 

The other archway affords access to the side hall, 12 feet by 29 feet, which 
adjoins the office, 16 feet by 16 feet, and a lavatory and outer door to the rear 
terrace. 

Extending across the whole length of the south end of the house and 
across the end of the drawing room and side hall is the library, 29 feet by 33 
feet, finished throughout with fine carved mahogany wainscoting and having 
a bay window at each corner, 10 feet by 12 feet, wdth domed ceiling and book 
cases built into the thickness of the wall and a handsome fireplace of carved 
Csen stone. 

In the second story access is had from the gallery or great hall to the 
sleeping apartments to the left end, comprising three large bed rooms, boudoir 
and two private bath rooms all finished in hard wood. 

To the right of this great hall, in the second story are other bed rooms, 
bath rooms and a music room with large fireplace and timbered ceiling. 



THE YORK ROAD. 153 

In the third story are a large gymnasium and a number of sleeping and 
bath rooms. 

Owing to the favorable situation of the house, the views from all the 
rooms in any direction are very pleasing, extending over quite a large area 
of woodland fields and roads, and there is throughout, that sense of quiet 
repose which can only come in places situated like this, away from scenes of 
work and turmoil. 

A goodly number of forest trees have been left to adorn the place and 
mingle old beauties with new. The rolling character of the ground makes a 
constant picture. It is an ideal summer country place. Mr. Stevenson the land- 
scape gardener has arranged many pleasing curves which vary the lawn with 
lines of beauty. The wall on Juniper Avenue, with its picturesque broken top, 
makes an ornamental boundary. Mr. Stetson also owns the adjoining place 
on the other side of the Avenue. This gentleman, with Christian benevo- 
lence, sustains a Chapel at his manufactory at Fourth Street and Montgomery 
Avenue. The Company which bears his honored name has one of the largest 
establishments of its kind in this country. Mr. Stetson is also largely inter- 
ested in De Land, Florida, where he spends his winters. 

There are two entrances, with stone gatew^ays, to this country place ; one 
on York Road, and the other on Juniper Avenue. The ground slopes in both 
directions to the lake. A tropical bed of plants, and another of hardy shrub- 
bery are on the border of the lake. Two weeping willows overhang it, while 
white oaks, pin oaks, black oaks and chestnuts, and a beautiful hemlock 
spruce, standing by the conservatories at the north end of the mansion, give 
life to the scene. A bridge on the Old York Road, with its picturesque arch 
of stone, and the stream running beneath it gives a pretty view. 

Directly east of the St. Paul's Church is Chestnut Woodbine the residence 
of Jay Cooke, Jr., embosomed in the trees. Beyond lies the picturesque and 
growing village of Ashbourne. 

There are three splendid modern stone cottages with shingle work (one 
being partly of brick), w^hich are gems of architecture (designed by Furness 
Evans) on the York Road. These are the dwellings of George S. Fox, the 
broker, and his tw^o sons, Caleb F. and Frederick Morton Fox. There are 
pretty piazzas and the remarkably fine law^n has a natural terrace. Two 
flower beds on the upper side were specially noticeable. The high position 
gives some of the finest sites on the Old York Road to these buildings. 

Mr. Joseph Bosler's house stands in a pretty yard. It was the home of 
his father, Charles Rosier. The place receives notice in Beans' History of 
Montgomery County. It is occupied by Joseph P. Truitt, of the firm of 
Thomas Dolan & Co., Manufacturers. Bosler's antique mill modernized, has 
a mansard roof with fancy windows. 

The picturesque old bridge over Tacony Creek has a tablet marked 
" Cheltenham bridge, 1798, 7J miles to Philadelphia. " The toll-gate is an 
ancient looking cottage. 



154 THE YORK ROAD. 

The first place where Jay Cooke sojourned in this section was Valley 
Farm House, at the corner of Washington and Church Lanes. The house 
faces on Church Lane. The property belongs to Dr. Shoemaker. 

Engle's store is modernized. An old fashioned country tavern is noticea- 
ble. Dr. Bray's Coal and Lumber Yard is near the York Road Station (now 
Ogontz). This was the principal station on this end of the railway, but now 
Jenkintown is important, as the junction of the North Penn and New York 
line connecting with the Bound Brook route. 

There was a log building on Charles Wilson's place which was demol- 
ished by John Leibert. 

Mr. Loeb's fine stone house with its extensive lawn was part of Jay 
Cooke's land. 

The following is from The Miller's Review, of October 15th, 1883 : 

THE CHELTENHAM ROLLER MILLS. ' 

The older mill had its venerable complement of machinery for flour 
making as used in times gone by. The new establishment is fitted up with 
all the improvements and accessories that mone}^ and skill can furnish. It is 
unnecessary to say that the old mill has made money for its owner in its time, 
and it might have continued, in a measure, to do so, but with the advent of 
the new methods now in use for flour manufacture, it was soon apparent that 
the time had come to so alter the old mill that it would readily compete with 
those in the west, and with such as had been refitted in its own State, and 
thus produce such brands or grades of flour as would fully hold their own 
with the best produced anywhere. How well this has been accomplished is 
testified by the work the mill is now doing. 

The location of the mill is one of the wealthiest and best agricultural sec- 
tions of the State, the soil being unusually deep, and underlaid by limestone, 
which, as we all know, gives a good grain-producing soil. 

The farmers in the vicinity raise large crops, and it may possibly be said 
that ahnost all kinds and qualities of grain are delivered at the mill to be 
turned into flour, from which it will be understood that only tlie most careful 
milling, together with approved machinery for the purpose, can turn out a 
line of work that will be satisfactory to both its home patrons and to those at 
a distance. This is just what the new mill is now doing. To render assur- 
ance doubly sure, Mr. James Dawson has located himself at the mill for a 
few weeks to keep watch upon the workings of the minutest details of the new 
outfit, and to answer any calls that may be made upon his skill and exper- 
ience by those who will hereafter have charge of the working of the new 
machinery. This is done more as a matter of pride on the part of Mr. Dawson, 
as the mill was declared perfect by Mr. Joseph Rosier when it was finished. 

In addition to the grain received from the immediate neighborhood, the 
mill will consume large quantities of the best wheat grown in the west, which 




o 

< 

W 
H 

o 

o 

o 
w 

H 



THE YORK KOAD. 159 

will enable it to supply the Philadelphia and other markets with the choicest 
grades of flour, and with the assurance that these grades will be kept up to 
the standard looked for by careful and exacting buyers. The suryivitig 
member of the firm being one of the most active members of the Philadelphia 
Commercial Exchange, the products of the mill will doubtless be extenaiVely/, 
handled at that mart, and should make a reputation for themselves that/v/ill'- 
fully satisfy every expectation. 

(Jharles E. Barney, son-in-law of Jay Cooke resides in the large pleasant' 
stone mansion trimmed with brick with its shaded lawn, and here Mr.'.Cook^- 
makes his home. ,';'''' 

Mr. Barney's former house was burned a few years ago, and thts Jine 
Queen Anno cottage took its place. It is called Eildon. 

Mr. Samuel Harlan Price, grandson of Mr. Harlan, of Harlan, Hollings- 
worth & Co., Shipbuilders, in Wilmington, Delaware, ow^ns the house w^hich 
Mr. Robert Shoemaker built for his son. 

Next above the St. Paul's Rectory is the stone cottage of Mr. Schofield. 
These two houses together make a pretty picture. 

Between Mr. Fray's and Mr. Stetson's places is Mr. Sh inn's residence 
which is a neat cottage. 

Next below Mr. Fray's is the house of Edward M. Davis, Sr., son-in-law 
of the late Lucretia Mott. Here Mrs. Mott lived for many years and here she 
died. This is called " Roadside." 

Houghton, Mifflin & Company, in 1884, issued the Life and Letters of 
James and Lucretia Mott, edited by their granddaughter, Anna Davis Hallo- 
well. The pictures of the aged couple are given as a striking frontispiece, 
while the homes of Lucretia Mott, comprising " Roadside, " adorn the volume. 
Mrs. Mott was born in an ancient shingled house at Cowneck, on Long Island. 
She and her husband were teachers in a Friends' Boarding School. The 
father of Lucretia Coffin, who became Lucretia Mott by marriage, was a sea- 
captain, who owned his vessel. His return from his voyages gave much 
pleasure to his family. The father entered into business in Boston, but 
removed to Philadelphia. 

Mrs. Mott was by nature a woman of deep reflection, intellectual, 
active, and benevolent. Her anti-slavery sentiments are well known, and she 
suffered danger in her efforts to propagate her views. She was naturally 
strong, but exhausted herself in her heroism. 

James and Lucretia Mott lived " some twenty years " in " an old fashioned 
house, with a large garden, and a stable in the rear " in " Ninth Street 
between Race and Vine Streets. " In 1850, Edward M. Davis, who was the 
husband of their daughter Maria, w^ith his brother-in-law, Thomas Mott, 
bought the " Oak Farm " on the York Road. " The house at 'Roadside' was a 
sunny old place, surrounded at first by cherry and apple and pear trees; 
afterwards by maple and oak. " There was a small farm house, but additions 



160 THE YORK ROAD. 

were made rendering it " a substantial country residence. Internally it had 
the charm of oddly-shaped rooms and queer passages, with unexpected turn- 
ings/,and steps up in one place, and down in another. The home had an 
ai^;()(;hospitality and good cheer, " A Friend said " James Mott's greeting is 
Ik bfenediction. " Mrs. Mott loved to read aloud to the household. In 1861 
' '{h^'.c'Golden Wedding was celebrated. The husband died in 1868, and the 
^tvifpjh 1880. They were buried side by side " in the Friends' burying ground 
at ^Wp Hill, " Philadelphia. 

V Edward M. Wistar has lately bought the mansion called "Roadside," 
r^whioh' was so long the home of the Motts. 

^ * * * • * 

CHURCH ROAD. 

On the west side of York Road the first fine property is that of General 
Ario Pardee, which lies on a hill on the right. It is a handsome stone resi- 
dence, built by Chas. L. Sharpless, and occupied by him until he moved into 
his house on the York Road. 

On Church Lane, beyond Washington Lane, the residences of Abraham 
Barker and his son, the well-known Wharton Barker, are noteworthy. 

Church Road was so called because more than a century ago it led 
between Trinity Episcopal Church, Oxford and St. Thomas's Church, White- 
marsh. The Ministers of the English Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts used to travel this road in days when the population 
was more scarce, and when the parochial work was toilsome. 

HOMEWOOD. 

This place is a short distance from Ashbourne bounded by Mill Road, 
Oxford Church Road, and New Second Street. 

Joel B. Moorhead lived here for many years. 

Robert Alexander, Esq., of Philadelphia bought of the Camp family. 

He has modernized the old stone house, and has made a beautiful lawn 
of several acres with fine shrubbery. 

The first purchase was eighteen acres, and the same amount has been 
added by buying the adjoining land from Richard J. Dobbins. 

Mr. Alexander has built twenty-four dwellings on this property and 
opened a new avenue known as Homewood Avenue, giving convenient access 
to his own homestead. 

SPRING AVENUE 

Commences at the York Road below Shoemakertown, and runs circuit- 
ously to Chelten Avenue, making a turn at Ogontz Gate. 

Next to Mr. Barney's place on Spring Avenue is the fine stone house of 
J. M. Butler, who married the younger daughter of Jay Cooke. 



11 



THE YORK ROAD. 165 

Next comes the pleasant and handsome stone mansion of Dell Noblitt. 
This is a fine property of attractive appearance. Mr. Noblitt has long been 
known in business circles in Philadelphia, and has been an active member of 
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Cheltenham. 

Opposite to this place is the spacious residence of Wm. Dawson, a Phila- 
delphia merchant. 

Next beyond Ogontz lies the property of a son of the late Thomas Mellor, 
who occupied the residence for many years. 

Next to the Cheltenham Academy, on Cheltenham Avenue, is the attract- 
ive residence of James Day Rowland. 

Directly opposite Mr. Shoemaker's residence is a pleasant and attractive 
cottage which was once presented by Jay Cooke to his rector, the late excel- 
lent and revered Rev. Dr. Richard Newton. 

Mr. William Massey has a fine place on County Line, between York 
Road and Washington Lane. 

Near Chelten Avenue is the elegant residence of Wm. L. Elkins bought 
of John H. Michener. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 13th, 1888, publishes this notice : 

The property formerly owned by John Michener at Chelten Hills, which 
was purchased by William L. Elkins, has been entirely refitted. The house 
stands back from Chelten Avenue on the Ashbourne Road, on an elevation 
surrounded by an extensive lawn, in a thick growth of trees, commanding a 
fine view of the surrounding country. The building, before alteration, was in 
the style of architecture so much in vogue a half century ago, but with possi- 
bilities which have been amplified upon by the architect. The first radical 
change was a new roof, beautifully formed and broken with gables and dormer 
windows, the designer evidently having Hawthorne in mind, as the gables 
number seven. A new story was also added to the rear portion of the house 
for the accommodation of servants. The addition of a new porch gives the 
necessary shade to the lower rooms, and a stone porte-cochere has been built 
on the main front, of rough quarry faced stone, of modern English design. 
The architect was Mr. Angus S. Wade. Charles McCaul was the contractor. 

The late Dr. Shoemaker had a pleasant old stone house as his residence. 

Casper Haycock, the florist, has a neat cottage near Chelten Hills Station 
and Mrs. and Miss Haycock conduct a Boarding and Day School there for 
boys and girls. 

A stone quarry is on Wm. C. Kent's estate here. 

About thirty years ago Robert Shoemaker purchased a piece of land on 
the west side of York Road, just above Cheltenham Lane, and extending 
along that lane to Washington Lane. 

He erected the handsome and stately three story mansion of stone, quar- 
ried from the top of the hill on which the house stands. It is built on a rock 
foundation. 



166 THE YORK ROAD. 

He named the place Ingleside. Here he resided about eight years, and 
then removed to his present residence on Cheltenham Avenue, near Shoe- 
makertown. 

He sold the place to Mr. David B. Ervin, of Philadelphia. After residing 
here some eight years, Mr. Ervin sold the property to Mr. Wm. V. Pettit of 
Philadelphia, who has since resided on it. Mr. Shoemaker was one of the 
earliest improvers of this section of the country and he selected a remarkably 
fine location. The dwelling stands on an elevation, and a natural terrace 
falls in front toward the conservatory. An ample piazza surrounds this taste- 
ful mansion. Mr. Pettit has now moved to Germantown. 

On the hill opposite, Mr. John Wanamaker has erected a fine country res- 
idence. 

The house is built of stone quarried on the place. 

The residence is pleasantly located on a hill top, and may be seen at a 
distance in the surrounding country. 

The cupola and piazzas with their red roofs make a striking object in the 
scenery. 

The estate covers some sixty acres, and is enclosed in front by a stone 
wall. The entrances on York Road and at Chelten Hills Station have stone 
gate-posts of large proportions. 

A part of this property can be traced back to the ownership of John 
Russell, one of the first settlers of the country. 

Adjoining Mr. Pettit's place on the north, Edward T. Stotesbury, of 
Drexel & Co., has erected a Queen Anne frame cottage, which has a pretty 
lawn stretching around it, and the property now includes the former residence 
of Mr. George S. Fox, now occupied by Ellis D. Williams, of Philadelphia. 

Opposite to the place last mentioned is the house of Mrs. Goforth, widow 
of John Goforth, a well known lawyer of Philadelphia, and atone time Assist- 
ant Attorney General of the United States. 

The old well at the summer house on the Goforth place was of remarka- 
ble excellence. In old times the teamsters used to water their horses from it 
in passing. 

An old stone house on the upper part of the property, now used as a 
lodge, is an antique. It was once occupied by Mr. Livezey. Pleasant trees 
shade the lawn ; indeed the appropriate name of the estate is Woodlawn Man- 
sion. An old pine tree in front of the farm house is a land mark which has 
been of service as a mark in surveying. 

The house was erected by Mr. Webb ; it was purchased after Mr. Megar- 
gee's death by John Goforth, Esq., of Philadelphia, and used as a country 
seat until after the death of Mr. Goforth, in 1880, when it became the perma- 
nent home of the family. 

The house is constructed of brick and weather-boarded on the outside, 
with pleasant piazzas in front and rear, and large, square rooms with high 
ceilings. An abundance of fruit trees are on the place. 



THE YORK ROAD. 167 

At Chelten Hills Station the farm of Isaac Mather, with its good farm 
house forms a part of the old Russell property, already mentioned, Mr. Mather 
being a descendant of the Russell family. The land has been in the family 
over two hundred years. 

An ancient story and a half farm house of stone in the rear of Mr. 
Mather's house is very picturesque. 

Some grafted chestnut trees beautify the lane which leads to it. 

L. Rodman Wanamaker, son of John Wanamaker, lives in a fine old 
stone house on Cheltenham Avenue, with modern improvements, near Chelten 
Hills Station on the North Penn Rail Road. 

JULIANA'S CAVE 

Is on the North Penn Rail Road, between Chelten Hills and Church Road 
Stations. It is visible on the east side of the road. 

Juliana Kirkbride, who was of a literary turn, used to go there to read 
when she was living in Shoemakertown with the Shoemaker family fifty or 
sixty years ago. This gave the name to this rocky spot. Russell Smith has 
painted it, and has a copy of the scene at his home, while another is in the 
study of Rev. Dr. E. W.. Appleton at Shoemakertown. 

The cave was on the Shoemaker property, which now belongs to Joseph 
Bosler. 

MILLS. 

Rice's grist mill about a half mile above Jenkintown Station is one of the 
ancient mills of this section. 

About the same distance below Jenkintown Station was Mather's mill, 
which is now used in connection with the Water Works of John Wanamaker. 

A mile below that was Shoemaker's mill, now Bosler's mill. 

Next below this, about half a mile distant was a grist mill, the water 
power of which is used as a fork mill. 

A little below that, is the Hammond mill for the manufacture of edge 
tools. 

Tacony Creek is the water power of all these mills. 

WYNCOTE. 

Wyncote is a new village below the Jenkintown depot with pleasant 
cottages on the hillside. 

Numerous freight and passenger trains passing the Jenkintown depot 
seem to spring out of the earth, as they suddenly round their curves. 

The present stone station was erected about twenty years ago. Before- 
that time a small frame station stood on the other side of the railway. There 
is a news-stand where reading matter may be procured to support the mind,. 



168 THE YORK ROAD. 

and canes to support the body, while good water is at hand from Nature's 
reservoir to cheer the thirsty. A pubHc fountain would look pretty at the 
base of the hill. 

Rev. Dr. Steel once had a Girls' Boarding School in the house occupied 
by Dr. Newton. Mrs. John J. C. Harvey, a daughter of this clergyman, has 
resided at Mr. Harper's. 

Fleck's Hall is a place for public uses in Jenkintown. 

Thomas Nicholson resides on Greenwood Avenue. This avenue was 
named by Philadelphians living on Church Road. 

Dr. Randle is one of the physicians of the village, while Dr. J. Elwood 
Peters has a fine stone house on the York Road, near Washington Lane. Dr. 
Jno. Paxson lives in a pleasant old stone mansion above the Bank, while Dr. 
Heritage is in a pleasant cottage on a high bank on a street which runs 
toward the depot. The country is rolling, both in and out of the town, making 
a pleasant effect. 

Charles Harper's former grocery store on the York Road, corner of West 
Avenue, is a busy place where Jenki^itowners procure the necessaries of life. 
It is now owned and kept by C. H. Millar. 

The baker who feeds the town is L. Troelsch, and his business is an 
important one to hungry mortals. 

Charles Mather, Esq., Notary of the Bank, named Webster Street from 
Naylor Webster, who had property on it. 

West Avenue is so named because it runs west from the York Road. It 
was called the Lime Kiln Road, and was laid out in 1724 from Thomas Fitz- 
water's lime kilns at Fitzwatertown to Abington. 

Cedar and Maple Streets were named at Colonel Child's suggestion, 
Cherry and Pear Streets had a cherry and pear tree in them, Leedom Street 
commemorates an old family. Willow Street had a willow tree in it. Charles 
Mather, Esq., named the streets last mentioned. 

Hon. Joseph A. Shoemaker's house is in the upper part of Jenkintown, 
near the entrance to Mrs. Baeder's place. There is a fine yard ornamented 
with flowers. Mr. Shoemaker has been known as a member of the Legislature. 
Nearly opposite is the beautiful Tiiompson place standing back from the road. 
It is a summer residence. 

Warner Raisen, a Philadelphia merchant had an old brown house oppo- 
site the road to Abington meeting on York Road. He died lately. 

Dr. Fred. J. Van Dyke owned the dwelling and Rev. H. J. Van Dyke, 
D. D. and Fred. A. and James C, his brothers, used to live here. 

JENKINTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Rev. Mr. Stager, pastor of the Baptist Church of Milestown, started 
a Sunday School in the Jenkintown Lyceum about twelve years ago. Theo- 
dore Rorer was an assistant in this good work. 



THE YORK ROAD. 169 

Occasional services were also held in the same place, and in time, regular 
services were maintained by the students of Crozer Theological Seminary from 
Upland, near Chester. 

This was followed by the securing of the services of Rev. Josiah Philips, 
who had been pastor at Milestown and North "Wales, successively. 

The membership was formally constituted into a Baptist Church. 

It was thought desirable to have a location for a building and a lot was 
obtained, and plans were procured for a house of worship. 

A portion of the designed building was erected of stone and has been in 
use several years. 

At the dedication of the church Rev. Dr. Henry G. Weston, President of 
Crozer Theological Seminary preached the sermon. 

Mr. Philips resigned the pastorship by reason of declining health and 
Rev. Albert J. Shoemaker, a graduate of Crozer Seminary became pastor. 

He felt moved to do western work on the frontier, and an opportunity for 
educational work in the Indian Territory coming before him Providentially 
he entered the opening, and in a few months closed his earthly career, and his 
work for Christ. His parishioners mourned his departure from them, and 
sincerely grieved over his death, draping the pulpit in mourning as a token 
of sorrow\ 

In the autumn of A. D. 1886, Rev. Benjamin P. Hope, who had then 
recently graduated at Crozer Theological Seminary succeeded to ihh pastorate. 

He was successful in his work as was also his predecessor. 

The church has been favored with an excellent succession of clergy who 
have had the esteem of those in and out of the congregation. 

The ample lot on the corner of Beechwood Avenue and Walnut Street on 
which the church stands was the donation of a member of the church. Such 
donations are a lasting benefit to the conducting of Christian work. 

Mr. Hope was followed by Rev. A. R. Medbury, who is now in charge of 
the parish. 

THE POST OFFICE. 

The Post Office was at one time at Cottman's Hotel ; afterward it was kept 
in Wilson's store ; then it passed to Samuel Conrad's Feed Store, and was held 
by him when he removed his place of business from the east to the west side 
of York Avenue. 

Then Charles Harper became post-master in 1872, at his general store at 
the corner of West and York Avenues. 

In October of 1885 it was removed to the store of E. Weak & Brother at 
the lower corner of Greenwood and York Avenues. 

The post-office has fourteen daily mails. 

It should be stated that A. Jackson Smith held the office after Chas. F. 
Wilson's second term of office, he having been twice post-master. 



170 THE YORK ROAD. 

John Barnes, an English member of the Friends' Society, took up 250 
acres of land from Wm. Penn, August 1st., A. D. 1684, running from Town- 
ship Line between Cheltenham and Abington to Susquehanna Avenue. 

Sarah Fuller, in May 18th, 1664, took up 600 acres southeast of this tract, 
with the same boundaries. 

On October 7th, 1685, Sarah Fuller sold John Barnes one hundred acres 
which joined his land. 

On May 10th, 1692, Wm. Dillwyn, and Sarah his wife, late Fuller, con- 
veyed the balance of the 600 acres to John Barnes. 

John Barnes conveyed 120 acres from the southeast corner of his place, 
together with an annuity of 8 pounds on his farm of 437 acres, to the Abing- 
ton Friends' Meeting for school purposes ; Samuel Cart and others were the 
trustees to whom this property was conveyed. 

The annuity was afterward compounded by John Barnes with the trus- 
tees for a stipulated legacy of one hundred pounds to be received at the death 
of Mr. Barnes. Wm. Jenkins, on purchasing the farm of John Barnes, gave a 
mortgage for this hundred pounds to the trustees. This was satisfied in 1716. 

Mr. Jenkins bought, June 17th, 1698. 

On February 29th, 1712, Wm. Jenkins by will, devised his farm to his 
wife during life, the son Stephen, to succeed to the property after her death. 

This Jenkins property included what is now a part of the borough of 
Jenkintown. 

The chief Burgess is now George Tomlinson. 

JENKINTOWN LYCEUM. 

Dr. Charles Shoemaker, Spencer Shoemaker, teacher of the Friends' 
School at Abington Meeting House, and Edwin Schofield, who owned the 
Newbold property, were the originators of this Lyceum. 

The first meetings were at Dr. Shoemaker's house, now occupied by Dr. 
Paxson. They met for some time in the second story of the back building, 
and afterward in a house which stood where Dr. Randle's house is now 
located. This meeting place was a large, square room which covered the 
whole second story, except a small portion which was divided from the main 
part for the use of the Abington Library. 

It was proposed to build a hall as a permanent place for the Society and 
the Library, to be called the Jenkintown Lyceum Hall. 

The ground needed, next to where the Presbyterian Church now stands, 
was given by Mrs. Ross, widow of Judge John Ross, and her son William. 

The stone building was built principally by Mrs. Judge Ross. 

The statement concerning the land is quoted in the printed pamphlet 
" Quarter Centennial Sketch of the M. E. Church, " page 3, from a history of 
Jenkintown, in the Jenkintown Outlook of 1886, by H. F. Stewart. 



THE YORK ROAD. 171 

It was used by the Society for several years, and also by all the various 
churches of the village, which began their work there. 

Sunday Schools were also held in it. 

It has lately been used by the Colored Baptists. 

The charter of the Society still holds and the property is in their hands, 
but they do not keep up the meetings. 

The Cabinet of Natural Science was a Society which was formed, and 
occupied the room which was vacated by the Lyceum. They existed for two 
years. 

THE JENKINTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

The public school system was accepted by Abington Township by a vote, 
a little before 1840. 

Wm. Gillingham and Thomas Rowland were elected Directors in Chelten- 
ham, and by Cheltenham Township in the Spring of 1838. 

The children went for the most part to the Friends' School at Abington 
Meeting, until the public school opened. 

However some private schools were held in the village. 

Mrs. Mary Pusey, a widow lady, had a Girls' Boarding and Day School 
in the frame house next above Dr. Paxson's. Her husband had been the 
teacher of the Friends' School at Abington Meeting. 

Previous to this, Mrs. Evans, another widow lady, kept a private school 
for boys and girls in a house which stood on the site of the Episcopal rectory, 
belonging to the Church of Our Saviour. This was her residence. It was an 
old two story building. 

There were two old stone houses just above this one, on the same side, 
which were owned by Wm. Cottman. 

There was another old two-story stone house with a cellar-kitchen, and a 
porch which had an entrance to the basement underneath it. The well also 
was under the porch. 

The lower side of the house was a dead wall, and one who knew the place 
as a boy, says that it was used in playing hand-ball. 

Aaron Hite once lived here. He was a huckster, and the cellar yielded 
watermelons and canteloupes to those who needed such summer refreshments. 

The widow Rees dwelt here for a time. 

Jesse Butterworth afterward lived in the house. 

These houses all belonged to Wm. Newbold. When the Newbold family 
erected the church these dwellings were taken away. 

John Slater kept a day school in the old stone house belonging to James 
Plunket nearly opposite the rectory. 

The Church of Our Saviour had a parish school in Temperance Hall, 
opposite the Lyceum. The Hall was a two-story building, with a hall above 
and dwelling below, belonging to the Sons of Temperance. It has dis- 
appeared. 



172 THE YORK ROAD. 

The parish school was also taught for several years in the parish school 
building which was built near the church for Sunday and parish schools. 

Miss Bell who was a southern lady, and Miss Gibbons and Miss Ringwalt 
are remembered as teachers. 

Miss Henrietta Madeira had a private school in her house on West 
Avenue, opposite the Methodist Church now occupied by Charles Mather, Jr. 

A day school for small children has been conducted at the Baptist 
Church by Miss Davis. 

The first public school of the village was built in West Avenue, where 
the Methodist Church stands. The church is partly on the foundation of this 
building which was torn down to make way for the church. 

About 1856 a new lot was purchased, and a larger building erected on 
the opposite side of West Avenue. Both the buildings named were constructed 
of stone. 

The present building has seven rooms, including the cloak rooms. There 
are four departments. 

The principal is Mr. D. G. Hartney. 

Miss Wilkins, Miss Mcintosh, Miss Sullivan and Miss Ebert were teachers 
in 1887. 

Among the early directors were Dr. Beattie and John C. Harvey. 

Wm. Kennedy, Charles Palmer, Messrs. Roberts, Bruner, and Enoch 
Rosenberger were among the principals, as well as William Walton. Mr. 
Walton taught at Jarrettown in the year named. 

I am indebted to Thomas S. Nash for information in this matter. 

The present school house was built in 1866. 

The trustees in 1887 were J. Wesley Reeder, President; Miss Mary L. 
Thompson, Secretary ; Edward Everett, Treasurer ; Edward Reeder, John H. 
Peck and George W. McCool. 

The Lime Kiln Road and Washington Lane are ancient highways. 

The Huntingdon Valley Road which leaves the York Road at the ten 
mile stone, just above the village, used to be called the New' Road, and is 
sometimes called the Valley Road. Roads in country sections are so seldom 
made that it is little wonder that this should be called new, as Harper's Mag- 
azine still keeps the word " New " on its title. 

Greenwood Avenue leading from the village of Jenkintown to the station, 
and on to Lime Kiln Pike was one of the first new avenues opened. The 
late Wm. Kent, of James, Kent, Santee & Co., had a country place which he 
called Beechwood, and which has been enlarged by R. J. Dobbins into the 
Hotel Beechwood. 

Mr. Kent opened Cedar and Maple Streets on his property. 

John Clayton owned the property through which these streets ran before 
Mr. Kent obtained it. He sold to Dr. Van Dyke. Mr. Burling afterward 
owned it, except a portion which belonged to Spencer Shoemaker. 



THE YORK ROAD. 173 

John Clayton owned most of the land in the northern and western portion 
of the village. He was a cabinet maker. He died at the house of his son-in- 
law, Amos Jones, near Milltown about 50 or 60 years ago. 

Schofield Lane runs by the side of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour 
and to Mr. Newbold's entrance. 

This was opened in the days of the ownership of the Jenkins family. 

In 1824 there were no houses in Jenkintown, but those on the York Road, 
if we except the house on the corner of West Street and Walnut Lane, belong- 
ing to the Stewart estate. 

This old stone house was built by John Cavender, who was once a school 
teacher here. He became a scrivener in Philadelphia. He taught at his own 
house, and also at a house which stood above the bank, partly in Dr. Paxson's 
present lane, and partly on the bank property. 

This was a frame house, and was moved to where Dr. Peters' resides. Mr. 
Chas. Wilson demolished it when he erected his present fine dwelling. 

The house owned by John Nice, the undertaker and cabinet maker 63 
years ago, was owned by a blacksmith named Charles Holt. 

Mr. Nice formerly lived in the building where his shop now is. He has 
a twin brother in Germantown on Main Street. He has retired from business, 
and his sons Thomas and George have succeeded him. 

Mr. Gentry's store is next above Mr. Nice's house. The upper part was 
a hotel, called the Green Tree, and kept by Jacob Britton, over 65 years ago. 
Afterward Daniel Walton kept it. Jacob Buck also conducted the place, and 
was followed by his son Samuel. A Mr. Hughes had it for a time. Willett 
Walton was also the host here. 

About 45 years ago Wm. Cottman bought it, and it was turned into a 
dwelling, and Mr. Cottman lived here for a time, and died here. 

There used to be an alley on the lower side between the tenant house and 
the tavern being arched over, and having a large room over it. Here sleigh- 
ing parties used to have their dances. 

There was another alleyway between the tavern and Mr. Nice's house, 
with an arch of wood above it. 

When a store was opened here Wm. Aubon and Nathan Michener were 
the store-keepers. The store was in the lower part of the main building. 

After Mrs. Cottman's death the place again became a store, and a frame 
store building was added on the lower side. The former tenant house and 
wooden archway were removed. This improvement was made by Mr. Lusher, 
who then owned the property. 

Mr. Chalfont carried on business here, then came Mr. Gentry, who has 
had tlie place for several years. 

An express robbery took place years ago in a southern State. The robber 
was an agent. 

A relative of his lived in the house which stood where Mr. Gentry's store 
is located. 



174 THE YORK ROAD. 

The robber buried the money in the cellar, and Pinkerton's detectives 
spent weeks in searching for it, and at last succeeded in finding it. 

This occurred about thirty-five years ago. 

Above Mr. Gentry's are three houses belonging to Frank Cottman, that is 
the barber shop with the hall above it, where the Building Association meets, 
and the tavern, and the dwelling above which is a double house ; the lower 
part has long been occupied by Mrs. Sarah Thompson, and the upper one by 
Miss Heyburger. 

The next building is the drug store of Dr. Gray, owned by John Lambert. 
• This is a wooden building. 

Mr. Lambert also owns the residence of Dr. Cross which comes next. 

Mrs. Judge Ross owned this ground. Her son William afterward became 
possessor of it, and sold to Rees Griffith, who built the house. He sold to Mr. 
Harvey, and it afterwards passed into Mr. Lambert's hands. 

Mr. David Phillips, who has resided in the village longer than any other 
present inhabitant, has kindly given me information in the above matters. 
He came here from Abington village when a mere child, and lived in one of 
the houses on the Episcopal Church property. He now lives on Leedom 
Street, and was influential with Conrad Dern in opening this street, both 
having had property on it. 

Jervis Elliott occupies the property between the Episcopal rectory and 
the Presbyterian Church. 

This is a part of the Barnes tract, which afterwards belonged to the 
Jenkins family, and next to Samuel Schofield. There have been several 
other owners. It has been in the Elliott family over 33 years. 

Mrs. Judge Ross was born here, she being one of the Jenkins family. 

The house was built by one of the Jenkins family, before the turnpike 
was made. 

The wall which juts into the street and gives a pretty and striking appear- 
ance to the front has been allowed to remain because it was there before the 
widening of the street. 

This is one of the oldest houses in the village. 

John Barnes, who bought the tract of Wm. Penn, of which this is a small 
portion, was on the first petit jury in Philadelphia, as recorded in Penn's 
Journal. 

Penn was once at Abington Monthly Meeting, and dined at a house 
which stood on the property which was on the estate of the late J. Francis 
Fisher, then owned by a Friend named John Phipps. 

There are some neat cottages on the Meeting House Road. Thomas Nice, 
and Wm. J. Stringer and Thomas Heger reside here. 

West Avenue was originally a part of the Lime Kiln Road. It is the finest 
Avenue for residences in the village. The cutting -of the street has elevated 
the banks so as to form a sort of terrace all along it. 



THE YORK ROAD. 175 

On the south side lie the Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches. The 
last named building has a neat parsonage adjoining it. Across Pleasant 
Street, Squire Charles Mather, the Wilson family, A. Jackson Smith, and Mr. 
Kohl, have neat and pretty cottages. Below lies the Stewart estate. 

Charles Harper has erected a fine, large and tasteful modern house on 
the corner of Cedar Street. It is constructed of blue stone, and has a nice 
yard. 

HILL SIDE AVENUE 

Runs out of the lower part of West Avenue toward the station. 

There are a number of neat, new cottages on this avenue. 

On Walnut Street, south of Greenwood Avenue, are several well built 
cottages. 

Mr. Edward Clark, of Philadelphia, owns and occupies the one at the 
corner of Walnut and Willow Streets. 

A number of neat modern houses have been erected on Willow Street. 
This is one of the improving portions of this growing town. 

The great growth of this borough has been within the last fifteen years. 
The Rail Road accommodations are stimulating growth. There are many 
daily trains to and from the city. 



GREENWOOD AVENUE. 

Mr. W. H. Thomas has a large frame house, on the south side, of credita- 
ble appearance. 

Greenwood Avenue well deserves its name, for while it is not exactly the 
merry green wood of Robin Hood and his band, or that described in Walter 
Scott's poetry where the mavis and merle sing, and the hunter's horn rings, 
still a row of fine trees on both sides of the lower part of this highway gives it 
a cheerful and refreshing appearance in summer. 

A wide plank walk runs from Walnut Street to the station. Above 
Walnut Street there is a foot pavement, except where the old blacksmith shop 
stands, and conducts its useful and picturesque work. In passing I observed 
the circular fire on the ground for heating a tire, near the street, outside of the 
shop. The board walk is not as lively as those at the sea shore, but when 
workmen return from labor in the early evening, and when the carriages 
hurry to the station, and an occasional baby carriage, with its interesting occu- 
pant, and accompanying group of children, and a boy on his pony, or a pony 
phaeton are in sight, the place does not lack charms. 

One of the public buildings which deserves mention is Mr. Fleck's large 
brick hall, which bears his name. It stands opposite the side of the Methodist 
Church. 



176 THE YORK ROAD. 

The hills which surround Jenkintown make it an attractive place for 
building, and in coming years it may be expected that many fine residences 
will arise upon them. The vicinity of the city makes the land available. 

One of the most prominent sites which may be seen from the Hotel 
Beechwood, perched among the trees, like an eagle's eyrie, is the tower 
mansion of the distinguished artist, Russell Smith, near Weldon. 

Wyncote is a new village growing up at Jenkintown Station. 

This lies on the former property of the late Wm. C. Kent, of the firm of 
James, Kent, Santee & Co., of Philadelphia. 

Messrs. Willis P. Hazard, J. M. Stoddart and Mr. Loag purchased a tract 
together, about seven years ago. 

The Hon. I. Newton Evans and Samuel J. Garner built the first two 
houses. 

Mr. Gilbert Parker has erected a remarkably fine and well planned frame 
house here ; John Harlow, of Boston, was the architect and builder. He 
brought the mechanics from Boston. 

In the spring of 1887 a post office was established in Charles Harper's 
store in this village. 

A. E. Canfield, of Williamsport, has erected a mansion on the new 
improvement. 

Several other handsome cottages, owned by various persons have been 
built on this land, and drew my attention. 

This tract lies on the northwest side of the Lime Kiln Road. 

On the opposite side, M. L. Kohler purchased ten acres of Henry Lippin- 
cott. He has built a house on it, and several others were in course of con- 
struction when I was at Hotel Beechwood. His office is in the tasteful one 
story parti-colored, shingled building at the station. 

The Jenkintown station is a neat building of stone. 

A breeze along the valley enters the window, and refreshes the waiting 
traveller. 

Some rustic cedar posts showing the remains of the limbs, hold a wire 
fence which guards a little stream. 

Some trees in the circle of the drive have been enclosed with posts, and a 
large iron rod connects them to preserve the usefulness of these grateful 
shades. 

This is one of the most important and busy stations on the North Penn 
Rail Road. 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT JENKINTOWN. 

Mr. J. W. Ridpath, long the faithful Sunday School Superintendent has 
kindly placed in my hands a manuscript written by him, which was read on 
the 20th anniversary of this parish, on September 25th, A. D. 1887. 



THE YORK ROAD. ' 177 

I will give its main points. In 1866 Rev. S. A. Heilner had occasional 
evening services in the Lyceum Building. 

In that year the public school house and lot were bought " at the urgent 
solicitation of Brothers Howard Krewson and Samuel McBride, " in the name 
of J. W. Ridpath, for $1,260. 

In the summer of 1867 the building was altered. It was dedicated Sep- 
tember 29th, 1867, " to the worship of God. " Dr. Pattison preached the morn- 
ing sermon and dedicated the building. Rev. J. W. Jackson preached in the 
afternoon, and Rev. A. Manship conducted the services at night. 

In 1867 Brother John Unruh, of the Milestown Church, local preacher, 
supplemented generally Mr. Heilner's services, Mr. Heilner officiating at 
Jenkintown twice a month. Mr. Heilner was the acceptable first pastor, and 
much loved by the people. " Bro. Unruh was an earnest Christian, a Metho- 
dist of the olden time, with a powerful voice. " 

In 1868, Rev. F. Church, and Brother Unruh and other local preachers 
served the parish. In 1869 Rev. C. W. Bickley, with Geo. Bickley, Wm. 
Bunch, W. J. Ingraham, and other local preachers continued the work. 

In 1870 the connection with Milestown terminated. The Elder, Dr. 
Castle, sent a .local preacher, A. I. Collom. He was ill for a time and Mr. 
Shepherd Russell, and other Philadelphia local preachers gave assistance. In 
1871 Mr. Collom continued his work, and is considered the first pastor of 
the church " as a separate station. " " He was an efficient worker. " 

" 1872 Rev. J. A. Cooper, a good man of several years experience. " 

1873 Rev. Jas. Blackledge, under Rev. Richard Turner, of Harmersville. 
He " did the church much good. " 

" 1875 Rev. W. W. Wisegarver a good hearted hard worker. " " He suc- 
ceeded in nearly clearing the church of debt. " 

" 1876, Rev. M. Barnhill a genial, faithful worker who did much good. " 
He preached also at Jarrettown and Harmer's Hill. He was also in charge in 
1877. 

1878, Rev. E. C. Yerkes had three charges. " He was good and faithful. " 

In 1879, Elder Rev. Wm. Swindells introduced Rev. Thos. K. Peterson 
to this parish, and he took charge, and had the old building taken down, and 
the present neat and comfortable church erected. The corner-stone was laid 
on October 1st., A. D. 1879, by the Presiding Elder, Rev. Wm. Swindells. 
The church was dedicated on December 28th, A. D. 1879, by Rev. A. J. 
Kynett, Secretary of the Board of Church Extension. Such haste in erecting 
a stone building showed that it was as when Nehemiah and his helpers built 
the wall of Jerusalem : " the people had a mind to work, " Nehemiah 4. 6. The 
clergyman must have been a good leader, and an earnest one. 

" 1880, Bro. Peterson was very faithful and efficient. The writer fully 
believes this church owes its present healthy condition to his disinterested,, 
untiring efforts. At one time the official members agreed to call the building 
' Peterson Chapel, ' but have never done so. " 
12 



178 THE YORK ROAD. 

1881, Rev. Robert McKay, an eloquent preacher, who drew " good con- 
gregations " was in charge. He lived in Philadelphia. 

" 1882, Rev. Wm. H. Pickop, remaining 6 months. A clear thinker and 
forcible speaker, who always believed in calling things by their right names. " 

1882-3, G. Bickley Burns succeeded him. He " was full of eloquence, 
and enthusiasm, nor did his faith fail, and he pleased the people. " 

" 1884, Rev. G. Bickley Burns again returned. His ardor unabated and 
his efficiency constantly increasing. The church may always feel proud of 
his record at Jenkintown. " 

1885-87, Rev. G. H. Lorah became pastor. Though in appearance " very 
youthful " he spoke as " one of riper years. " His discourses commanded a 
hearing, and he was an eloquent preacher. 

Mrs. Ross was an early helper of this work. 

Rev. Messrs. A. D. Shields, Virgil E. Rorer and J. H. Hackenberg have 
been the succeeding pastors. Harry Williams is now Sunday School Super- 
intendent. The sextons worked gratuitously in the old church, and Brother 
Samuel McBride is mentioned with honor in this connection. In 1886 the 
following Trustees were chosen : Harry Williams, Dr. A. C. Heritage, J. W. 
Ridpath, Harry Lenhart, Richard Flower, Joseph G. Frank, and Joseph Buck- 
man. 

In A. D. 1892 the Ladies' Aid Society issued a pamphlet containing a 
" Quarterly Centennial Sketch of the Church " where interesting details may be 
found. I heartily wish every parish had a printed record. 

Dr. Ellwood Peters occupies a fine new stone house belonging to Chas. F. 
Wilson. This is one of the most costly and elegant residences in the village. 

An old one story stone house that stood here was torn down to make way 
for the modern dwelling. 

The building which is used as a store and post office by Weak & Brother 
was built about 1837. The lot was bought of Benjamin W. Fleck by Mr. John 
Weak, who erected this stone building. He was the father of Charles, Ellwood 
and Albert Weak, who now own the property. 

Crossing Greenwood Avenue we reach a stone, plastered building belong- 
ing to Benjamin W. Fleck, two stories in height. 

This was built by William Webster before 1800. The upper end was one 
story in height, and was used for various business purposes. Mr. Fleck raised 
this and the kitchen to two stories. 

Mr. Fleck bought of Joseph Haycock, who had purchased of Benjamin 
Webster, who was a descendant of William Webster. 

The Jenkintown Hotel is next in order. 

David Kline had a store on this point, which is the lower corner of West 
and York Avenues. The property belonged to a lady who did not reside in 
the village. 

Jacob Peters, who used to run a stage line from Philadelphia to Easton, 
bought the property, and converted it into a hotel, and made it a stopping 
place for his stages. 



THE YORK ROAD. 179 

Mark H. Evans afterward bought it, and conducted it. Joseph Thornton 
was a later owner, 

Wm. Van Dyke was the owner previous to the purchase by James B. and 
Wesley Reeder Smith. James B, Smith has bought his brother's interest, and 
is sole owner. 

On the upper side of West Avenue is Charles Harper's store. 

Some 50 or 60 years ago Wm. Berrill owned this property, and kept store 
here. He sold to David J. Bent, who continued the business a year or two, 
and then sold to Thomas Hallowell. 

It afterward came into the possession of Chas. Harper who has sold to C. 
H. Millar the present owner. 

Next above Dr. Paxson's house is an old stone house belonging to Mrs. 
Mary Pusey. Mrs. Danenhower, widow of John Danenhower occupies it. 

This is one of the oldest houses in the village, and its situation on a high 
bank gives it a pretty look. There is a frame addition at the upper end. 

Mr. L. Troelsch's bakery is next in order. 

This stone house formerly belonged to Ardemus Stewart, whose family 
now reside in Abington village. 

In after years Colonel Childs owned it. Mrs. Zane purchased it, and 
Andrew Jackson Smith, her son-in-law, became owner of the property, and 
sold to the present occupant. Mrs. Zane altered the building for bakery 
purposes. 

An old stone building, one story in height, which was probably one of the 
pioneers of the town, stood on the site of the Masonic Hall, and forms a part 
of its foundation. 

We now pass down York Avenue and take account of the dwellings on 
the east side. The cozy old fashioned house of Charles F. Wilson was owned 
by John Clayton about 60 years ago. 

John S. Leibert purchased it of Mr. Clayton, and enlarged and im- 
proved it. 

He sold it to Dr. George Harris, a practising physician, who, on removing 
to Maryland conveyed it to Joseph L. and Charles F. Wilson. 

Joseph L. Wilson died not long since. Charles F. Wilson now occupies 
the house, with his two sisters. 

The Wilsons built the store and conducted it, but they have now rented 
it to Joseph F. and Wm. Dil worth. 

Mrs. Anna Griscom is the present post-mistress. 

Dr. Cross resides next below the Episcopal Church, where Dr. Samuel D. 
Harvey lived. Dr. Harvey practised here many years. 

Dr. Coltman is now a Presbyterian Minister at Flagstaff, Arizona. 

George Bates will be remembered as a butcher who kept the finest meat. 
He lived on the Old York Road, south of Jenkintown, near the old Brock 
place. He was a striking character, and for fifty years, the butcher of the 
neighborhood. He held outdoor meetings and preached on Sundays. He 
was a useful man, and well-known in the community. 



180 THE YORK ROAD. 

The subjoined article is from the Philadelphia Ledger of October 28th, 
1890, 

JENKINTOWN AND NEAR-BY. 

" The suburban village of Wyncote is located immediately west of Jenkin- 
town Station, on the Bound Brook Rail Road, It contains about 60 of the 
neatest and most substantial dwelling houses, all of which have been built 
within the past five years. As yet there is but one store in the village, and in 
that is located the post-office, called " Wyncote, " Building operations in this 
new town are quite numerous at this time. 

Plans are out for extensive alterations and additions to Jenkintown 
Station, The present structure, which was built years ago by the North 
Pennsylvania Rail Road Company, is entirely too small to accommodate the 
traffic that has recently been drawn to the Reading Road. The roof of the 
old building will be raised and extended twenty five feet each way so as to 
afford shelter for passengers. The ticket office will be enlarged and complete 
toilet rooms will be built in the rear of the present building connecting with 
the two waiting rooms. They will be neatly finished in cherry and ash. A 
building, containing a baggage and express department under one roof, will 
be erected on the east side of the tracks, where the covered shelter now stands. 
The entire improvements contemplated will involve the expenditure of about 
$10,000. It will be one of the most complete stations on the road. 

Wesley Pullman, expert in ores, of Philadelphia, is preparing to make 
extensive alterations to his residence, near Wyncote. 

A. D. Burk and T. J. Delhenty, builders, are each building fine stone 
and frame residences on Greenwood Avenue, at a cost of about $4000 each, 

William Craft has commenced the preliminaries on a stone mansion on 
Curacoa Avenue, to cost about $4,500, 

Mrs. Magee, of Wayne, Pa., has just moved into her beautiful new dwell- 
ing on Woodland Avenue. It is built of stone and frame, but is not yet com- 
pleted. 

Gilbert Parker is building himself a $7000 house on Woodland Avenue. 

Lewis Leidy of the Philadelphia Mint, is at work on a $6,500 house on 
the corner of Helian and Curacoa Avenues. 

Mr. Berger of the firm of Berger Bros., merchants in tinners' supplies, 
Arch Street, Philadelphia, has purchased three acres of Henry Lippincott on 
Helian Avenue, and is planning a $15,000 house and outbuildings. 

Henry Anderson of the Quaker City Guide, is building a dwelling to cost 
about $5000. 

M. L. Kohler, real estate broker, who has built numerous dwellings in the 
vicinity, is putting up a $4000 house on Greenwood Avenue. 

Wharton Barker, whose handsome country seat is near-by, has completed 
a very attractive house the past summer at a cost of $12,000. It is located 
near the residence of Mr. Barker. 



THE YORK ROAD. 181 

Several other buildings are talked of on the Shoemaker property, recently 
sold to Bradley Redfield. New streets are being laid out through this tract. 
The Jenkintown Water Company will extend its service through this property 
and the streets will be stoned. All buildings on this tract are to cost $5000 
and upwards. 

The Haycock property, of about 25 acres is selling off rapidly in building 
lots. Several houses have been built recently, including one by Angus S. Wade, 
the architect, of Philadelphia; two by Mr. Kerr and brother, another by Mr. 
Alman, and an $8000 residence by Mr. Bryan, of Philadelphia. The build- 
ings on this tract are of a substantial character, ranging in price from $4000 to 
$8000. 

The Jenkintown Electric Light Company has contracted to furnish the 
Wharton Switch Works with incandescent electric lights. 

ALONG THE NORTH PENN. 

Dr. Stewart is erecting a costly residence for himself near Paul Brook 
Station, on the Bound Brook Rail Road. 

Mr. Levick's new house near Ogontz Station, on the North Penn Rail 
Road, will soon be completed, at a cost of about $12,000. 

Henry P. Coxey, of Upper Merion, has purchased a portion of the Bodine 
farm, owned by Wm. H. Hughes, containing 20 acres and 41 perches, for 
$3,500. It is located near Friends' Corner, a mile below North Wales. 

Philip Wunderle, the Philadelphia confectioner, who resides at Edge Hill, 
has purchased of Henry Knuzel the old Twining property on Camp Hill, con- 
taining 19 acres, for $4275. Mr. Wunderle thinks of improving it by the 
erection of new buildings, but his mind is not yet settled on that point." 

A newspaper gives the following note of improvement in travel : 

BY TROLLEY TO JENKINTOWN. 

A charter was yesterday granted at Harrisburg to the Philadelphia, 
Cheltenham and Jenkintown Passenger Railway Company, with a capital of 
$60,000. John H. Fow is president and the company will proceed immediately 
to build an electric road along the Old York Road from Jenkintown to its 
intersection with Erie Avenue, in this city. It will then cut across to Fifteenth 
Street and by an elevated structure run down Fifteenth Street to Indiana 
Avenue, where connection will be made with the lines of the Traction 
Company. 

The iGermantown Telegraph, August 17th, 1892, adds the following par- 
ticulars : 

THE NEW ELECTRIC RAILWAY. 

The plans of the Philadelphia, Cheltenham and Jenkintown Passenger 
Railway, the charter for which has just been granted at Harrisburg, call for 



182 THE YORK ROAD. 

an electric railway from the city along the Old York Road to Jenkintown. It 
would be impossible to get into the business section of the city with terminals 
of its own, so it was therefore determined to connect with the Traction Com- 
pany. At Erie Avenue the tracks will turn off the York Road, and going to 
Fifteenth Street, will be carried down to Indiana Avenue on an elevated 
structure. At that point connection will be made with the Thirteenth and 
Fifteenth Streets branch of the Traction, while also it will be within less than 
two squares of Sixteenth Street station on the Reading and Germ an town 
Junction on the Pennsylvania. 

The Philadelphia Press, August 11th, adds more information as follows : 

AN ELECTRIC RAIL ROAD CHARTER. 

John H. Fow has obtained from the Secretary of the Commonwealth a 
charter for the Philadelphia, Cheltenham & Jenkintown Electric Railroad. 
The incorporators are John H. Fow, President ; Frank L. Lyle, Secretary ; 
Jacob H. Kline, of Bustleton, Treasurer ; Henry Lightwort, John J. McKir- 
nan, of Philadelphia, and S. R. Aiman and J. F. Cottman, of Jenkintown, 
Directors. The proposed road will run from Jenkintown through Chelten- 
ham, Ogontz and Ashbourne, to Erie Avenue, and then to Indiana Avenue, 
where it will connect with the Pennsylvania and Reading Rail Roads. 

The following is from the Philadelphia Ledger, September 27th, 1890. 

LIGHTING COUNTRY HOMES. 

" The new plant erected by the Jenkintown Electric Light Company was 
set in operation this week. The works are located a short distance north of 
Jenkintown Station. The building is a large stone structure, fitted out in the 
most complete manner for the purpose intended. There are two boilers of 
100 horse power each, while the Wetherill Corliss engine has a capacity of 
250 horse power. The fly-wheel is 18 feet in diameter, and weighs 14 tons. 
The dynamo is adapted for 1000 incandescent lights. Another machine, with 
a capacity of 2000 lights, is on the way and will soon be placed in position. 
The plant is built to run 8000 lights. The present number on the circuit is 
600, but the number will be largely increased in a few weeks. The system 
used is known as the National Alternating System, manufactured by the 
National Electric Manufacturing Company, of Eau Claire, Wis., who make a 
specialty of the transformer system of incandescent electric lighting. The 
plant was furnished by Mr. C. M. Blanchard, of Philadelphia, the Company's 
eastern agent. 

The wires already extend to Ashbourne, Ogontz, Glenside, Edge Hill, 
Jenkintown, Rydall, Paul Brook, Bethayres and along Second Street pike. 
The Company is capitalized at $40,000. M. L. Kohler is President and J. W. 
Ridpath, Secretary. 



THE YORK ROAD. 183 

At present the Company expects to use the incandescent light only, but 
the system is adapted for the arc light as well as the incandescent. Most of 
the lights will be used in dwellings and business places. The borough of 
Jenkintown is now using them on the streets of the town." 

THE WHARTON BARKER RAIL ROAD SWITCH COMPANY 

In 1882 bought 40 acres of land from the North Penn Rail Road Com- 
pany, formerly a part of Edward Mather's farm where the North Penn and 
New York Railroads intersect above Jenkintown Station. In 1884 a foundry 
and other buildings were constructed. When Mr. Buck wrote his history of 
Abington Township in Beans' History, Abraham Barker was the President of 
this Company ; Wm. Wharton, Jr., was Superintendent; and Wharton Barker, 
Treasurer. 

The Company makes a patent switch. About 150 hands are employed 
when the works are in full operation. 

The works are on the Bound Brook Rail Road, just above the Jenkintown 
Station, and the junction of the North Penn and Bound Brook Rail Roads. 

They have some houses for their operatives. 

The works are mainly owned by Wharton and Abraham Barker. 

THE BAEDER PLACE. 

A magnificent drive, lined on both sides with fine Norway spruce trees 
introduces the stone house, elevated with a basement story under the piazza. 
Statuary adorns the lawn, which rises to the house. 

There is a large stone barn with the stump of a famous old tree near it. 

A stone gangway leads to the barn. 

The Bound Brook Rail Road passes under a bridge on the drive in the 
long entrance. 

A little stream of water runs through the property. It has been walled 
with stone, and a rustic fence beautifies a bridge at the farm house occupied 
by Mr. Wakefield. 

Mrs. Baeder occupies the place since Mr. Baeder's death. The farm 
embraces 265 acres. It runs along the Bound Brook Rail Road and the Old 
York Road. 

A rear avenue leads to Limestone Road also lined with trees of lesser 
size. There is a pond and dam on the farm. 

An old farm house belonging to the heirs of John Jones, stood on the 
site of the Baeder mansion. It was torn down about 1858 or 1859, and a part 
of it is in the foundation of the present building. 

Mr. Jones had a grist and saw mill, and constructed two large dams at 
much expense. The buildings and dams are now utilized to supply the place 
with water. 



184 THE YORK ROAD. 

Another farm house is on this large property. It belonged to Wm. Allen, 
who conducted cabinet-making at this place. His buildings are used for 
tenement houses for those employed on the place. One of his own sons con- 
ducts the furniture business in Philadelphia. 

On Beech wood Avenue on the corner of West Avenue is the pretty Queen 
Anne cottage of stone and shingle occupied by S. J. Baker, and owned by A. 
H. Baker, cashier of the Jenkintown National Bank. 

The cottage of brick and frame next it is owned and occupied by A. H. 
Baker. 

The double house of grey stone next below belongs to the Rev. Josiah 
Philips. He resides in the east side and Mr. Walker resides in the west part. 

The History of Montgomery County, edited by Col. Theodore W. Bean, 
and published by Everts and Peck in A. D., 1884 is a valuable guide to a 
knowledge of the County. On page 116 it speaks of Jenkintown as a " younger 
sister of Hatborough. " Its borough charter was received in 1874. Old 
families of the township of Abington, were main movers in this progressive 
action. The population is given as 810. 

The borough, containing 248 acres, was subtracted from the township of 
Abington. It touches Cheltenham Township. The main street is the York 
Road. The Rail Road Station is at some distance from this Road, and is 
eight and one-tenth miles from Philadelphia. The railway was opened to 
travel in 1856. Much business is done at this station, which lies in beautiful 
scenery among hills and woods, with Tacony Creek to diversify the landscape. 
This section of country is improving in population and in the value of real 
estate ; Gordon's Gazetteer of 1832 gives the village but 30 dwellings, and two 
hotels, and two stores. Lake's Map in 1860 increases the houses to 50, and 
names the Episcopal Church. There are many churches in this neighbor- 
hood. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR. 

This church was the first built in the village. Beautiful grounds adorned 
with trees surround the sacred edifice. Rev. Dr. E. Y. Buchanan, D. D., a 
brother of the President, when rector of Trinity Church, Oxford, conducted 
services in Lyceum Hall, in the year of our Lord 1857. The church was used 
for the worship of Almighty God in 1858, Rev. Ormes B. Keith being the first 
rector. The rectory was erected in 1861, and the parish building was built in 
1866. Both buildings, as well as the church, are of stone. 

The Rev. Mr. Keith resigned the rectorship in 1870, and that year Rev. 
R. Francis Colton assumed the rectorship. He died in 1880, and Rev. Fred- 
erick Palmer succeeded him. He held the rectorship for several years, and 
having accepted a call to Andover, Massachusetts, removed thither, being 
succeeded by Rev. Roberts Coles, who is now in charge of the parish. The 
pretty sandstone church is of Gothic architecture, and is " surmounted by a 



THE YORK ROAD. 185 

stone belfry. " The property is valued at $30,000, and is free from incum- 
brance. 

The church was erected as a thank-offering by the Newbold family after 
escaping a railway accident, and contains the following appropriate text over 
the outer wall of the door : " God is the Lord, by whom we escape death. " 
Ps. 68, 21, Psalter. Would that more such thank-offerings would arise to the 
glory of God and the good of men. 

William Warner was interested in obtaining the services of Rev. George 
Hopkins, of Germantown, for Episcopal services in the Lyceum. Mr. Warner 
was the father-in-law of Charles Mather, Esq., and I believe that he lived on 
the Rasin place, formerly owned by Dr. Van Dyke. 

The Lyceum was built in 1839. 

Mrs. George Fleck, of Jenkintown exhibited a photograph of the Episco- 
pal Church of Our Saviour at the Centennial of Montgomery County, at Nor- 
ristown, in 1884, as noted in Colonel Beans' History of Montgomery County, 
p. Ixiv. 

The officers of the Church of our Saviour are : W. W. Frazier, Rector's 
Warden ; C. B. Newbold, Church Warden ; John Cadwalader, George H. 
Fisher, John Lambert, John Pepper, Charles Hewett, A. Jackson Smith, C. L. 
Comfort, Albert Schively, Frank P. Webb, George Fleck. 

In A. D. 1891 a Mission was organized at Wyncote. A Sunday School is 
conducted there. On Easter Day, 1892 a frame Chapel was opened under the 
charge of Rev. James C. Craven, Assistant Minister of the Church of Our 
Saviour. 

The National Bank began operations in 1875, in Masonic Hall, and the 
present fine stone building was completed in 1880, at a cost, including safes 
and furniture, of $10,700. Samuel W. Noble was President, and Andrew H. 
Baker, Cashier, when Wm. J. Buck wrote the article for Beans' History from 
which these facts about the borough are culled. The present officers are as 
follows : Directors, Charles F. Wilson, President ; Thomas Williams, Joseph 
W. Hallowell, Jeremiah B. Larzelere, George D. Heist, Joseph Bosler, 
Hutchinson Smith, Joseph A. Shoemaker, Jonathan J. Morrison, George R. 
Hallowell, Thomas Thomson. 

In 1881 a lady requested five gentlemen to act as directors for a reading 
room, offering to pay the rent three years, and to furnish certain magazines. 
Others contributed, and the Reading Room was associated with the Abington 
Library. Lectures were given. Rev. Frederick Palmer was President; A. H. 
Baker, Treasurer, Joseph W. Hunter, Secretary ; and J. W. Ridpath and 
Charles Mather were the other Directors. In 1888 the Reading Room was 
closed, and in 1889 the Library was moved to a room over Dilworth's store. 

The following gentlemen compose the Jenkintown Water Company 
incorporated January 7, 1889 : 



186 THE YORK ROAD. 

Officers, M. L. Kohler, President; Beauveau Borie, Vice President; C. F. 
Wilson, Treasurer; J. W. Ridpath, Secretary and Manager. Board of 
Directors, Chas. Hewett, Edwin Satterthwaite, Beauveau Borie, Joseph W. 
Hunter, M. L. Kohler. 

The first Burgess of Jenkintown was Marion Chalfan. He has been suc- 
ceeded by Thomas P. Manypenny, John J. C. Harvey, M. L. Kohler and J. H. 
Wheeler who held office when Buck wrote. 

Nicholas Scull's map of Pennsylvania, in 1759, calls this place " Jenkens* 
Town," and Wm. Scull's map, in 1770, styles it " Jenkins." Wm. Jenkins 
came from Wales, and it is known that he lived in this neighborhood in 
1697, and took an interest in the building of the Friends' Meeting House. 
In 1698 he bought of John Barnes 437 acres of land on the " York Road about 
half a mile north of the borough boundary." His son Stephen lived here. 
Various members of this family are noticed in Buck's narrative. In 1779 
Sarah Jenkins had a public house in Jenkintown which gave name to the 
place. The inn may have been kept by the family some time before 1759. 
It was " a few yards below the present Cottman House." I have seen it 
named as the widow Jenkins's tavern in Revolutionary days. 

In 1684 Sarah Fuller and John Barnes took up the land comprising 
Abington township. Joseph Phipps was an early settler. 

The road from Fitzwatertown, through Weldon and Jenkintown to 
Abington Meeting House, " was laid out in 1725. " Thomas Fitzwater was a 
lime-burner at Fitzwatertown. The " road now forms East and West 
Avenues." 

" Washington Lane w^as confirmed from Germantown to the Meeting 
House in 1735, and now forms the eastern boundary of the borough." The 
region was somewhat settled to need roads, and the Friends' Meeting House 
was the point to which they tended. This building was finished in A. D. 
1700. It is nearly a half mile from Jenkintown. 

Perhaps Stephen Meshon once kept the Jenkins inn. The townships of 
Abington, Cheltenham and Moreland voted at Wm. McCalla's public house, 
where the Cottman House stands. Mr. Wm. McCalla, with John Brock, 
Joseph Hillman, James Burson, Charles Meredith, Chas. Stewart, Alexander 
McCalla and Elijah Tyson established a stage line to run from Philadelphia 
to Bethlehem, via Doylestown, in 1800. Horses were changed here. The 
through fare was $2.75. In 1807 Mr. McCalla advertised the property for 
sale, as the " Barley Sheaf" tavern being a large two-story building, and with 
stabling for 95 horses. There were 3 acres of land, and the post-office was 
kept there, and two lines of stages made it a stopping-place. He rented the 
stand from 1807 to 1813, and kept a store in the village. He then returned 
to take charge of the inn where he remained, "at least as late as 1818." 
Thos. Coughlin the inn-keeper here died in 1825. The hotel was then called 
"The American Eagle." A brick dwelling and a blacksmith-shop w^ere then 
on the property. The late Wm. Cottman kept this hotel for 50 years or more. 



THE YORK ROAD. 187 

Chas, T. Hallowell, a storekeeper, succeeded Mr. McCalla as post-master 
Mr. McCalla resumed the office, and Thos. Coughlin followed him, and the 
widow of Mr. Coughlin was post-mistress. Mr. McCalla belonged to Abington 
Presbyterian Church and is buried there. His wife died in 1836, and his own 
death occurred in 1850. 

In 1810 a Horse Company was organized at McCalla's Hotel, and its annual 
meeting has been continued there. In 1814 a public meeting was held there 
" to aid the people of Philadelphia in the defense of their city, Joshua Tyson 
was Chairman and Jesse Dillon, Secretary." 

In 1813 Joseph Thomas kept another inn in Jenkintown called the 
" Cross Keys." Jacob Buck afterward conducted it as the " Green Tree," but 
it " was discontinued about 1842." 

In 1810 Joseph Iredell had a house and saddle-shop for sale. There 
was more horseback -riding then. In 1824 some weavers came here from 
Philadelphia, where houses were scarce. A traveller noted that the pleasant 
village was crowded with " noisy looms." 

In addition to the excellent notes of my friend Wm. J. Buck, here synop- 
sized, Joseph W. Hunter, John J. Davis and Joseph A. Shoemaker have 
biographies in Beans' History of Montgomery County, pp. (738-742). 

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BY REV. R. A. GREENE, 

PASTOR. 

This church whicli is located on the eastern side of Old York Pike, near 
the northern end of Jenkintown, was erected during the spring and summer 
of 1871, for a Sunday School building, to be under the charge of the church 
at Abington. The gift of Mr. John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia, it was made 
by him an offering, sacred to the memory of a beloved little daughter. 

From the time of its dedication in September, 1872, religious work, 
including, beside the Sunday School, a regular Sunday evening service, was 
maintained there with great interest. 

On the evening of May 8th, 1881, a committee of the Presbytery of Phil- 
adelphia, North, met in this building, then known as Grace Chapel, to organize 
it as a Presbyterian Church. Forty-one members, mostly from the church at 
Abington, were received into its communion. It was resolved at that time 
that the name of the church should be Grace Presbyterian church of Jenkin- 
town. The first pastor, the Reverend Henry A. McRubbin, from Philadelphia, 
a graduate from Princeton Seminary, was ordained and installed on the even- 
ing of June 1st, 1882. During his pastorate, which extended over three years 
and a half, the membership of the church increased from less than fifty to 
over a hundred. 

The second pastor, the Reverend Richard A. Greene, of Rhode Island, 
was ordained and installed on the evening of July 15, 1886. 



188 THE YORK ROAD. 

ABINGTON MEETING. 

Will the reader kindly walk with me a short distance from Jenkintown, 
and opposite the new Friends' Boarding School enter a little opening between 
two posts without a turnstile into the large grounds of the Abington Meeting. 
A few loiterers stretched on the grass politely answer some questions and then 
we enter a " solemn stillness, " which may be felt. The majestic oak trees 
give grandeur to the place but not the cruel coloring which they cast over the 
Druid worship. 

The Friends' Day School is before us, and a number of horse-sheds dot 
the ground showing a merciful care of beasts. The one for the scholars' horses 
is of stone and enclosed on all sides. There are also posts in the open ground 
for summer use. 

The large old meeting house in its stern simplicity reminds one of Charles 
Lamb's beautiful description of a Quaker meeting in " Elia, " and there is that 
in a thoughtful heart which responds to the idea of spiritual worship. 

A long piazza protects the incoming worshipers from sun and rain. The 
old shutters with their strap hinges and iron hooks and ancient latch and the 
knob of the door speak of past days, while the iron foot-scraper has apparently 
long done its humble duty for feet that now rest in the burying ground 
near-by. 

Old flag-stones cover the whole floor of the piazza, and I now sit on a 
stone step, with the upper step, which is a large flag-stone, as a desk. 

The very songs of the birds seem to come in subdued notes. 

The stone walls of the meeting house have a solid look, as if they 
intend to stand for many a long year. 

The building is two stories in height. 

A solid stone wall encircles the property. 

A clear spring enclosed with large stones, on the lower part of the yard 
gives a refreshing draught, with the hand as a cup. 

The fine carriages passing seem to mar the scene and bring modern show 
too sharply into contrast with a spot where primitive simplicity reigns, and 
suited to " pensive meditation. " The place would have delighted Gray, and 
should move the soul of some modern poet. 

In the graveyard the graves have but low tombstones to mark the 
inmates. The simple, natural condition of the yard suits the primitive condi- 
tions of the inhabitants. 

The Mathers, the Buckmans and the Hallowells have a number of their 
families in these grounds, as the polite sexton informs me. 

Dr. Chas. Shoemaker was lately interred here. 

The Williams, and Thompsons, and Paxsons and Comleys are citizens of 
this " silent city of the dead. " 

In returning we pass along the lane of the farm house belonging to the 
Friends' property to Washington Lane. The horse in his stable and the hen 



THE YORK ROAD. 189 

within the barn door, and the growing corn with its pleasant odor give tokens 
of animal and vegetable life while we have just left the mystery of apparent 
death. May God give us that true spiritual life which shall end in the Chris- 
tian hope of a happy immortality. 

Let me beg those who ride by Abington graveyard, sometimes to leave 
their carriages, and walk over the extensive wooded grounds of this quiet 
beautiful spot. 

Benjamin Lay, the honest and enthusiastic hermit lies buried here. He 
lived in a cave on the late J. Francis Fisher's place near by, and the 
hollow of the dug-out is yet visible. He and his wife also lived in caves dug 
into the earth on Mr. Davis's place at Milestown. See Branchtown in this 
volume for a farther account of Lay, also, lives by Dr. Rush and Thomas I. 
"Wharton. 

Mr. Buck, in giving the history of this well-known Meeting of Friends', 
dates it back to Thomas Fairman's house, at Shackamaxon, before Penn 
arrived. It met in A. D. 1683, and three years after, in Oxford and Byberry, 
and the Oxford meeting house was built in 1683. In 1687 it was agreed that 
it should continue there, and at Richard Wall, Jr.'s house in Cheltenham. 

In 1697 John Barnee gave 120 acres of land for a meeting house and the 
support of a school. Wm. Jenkins stated that Philadelphia Friends' assisted 
in building a meeting house. Joseph Phipps was appointed to work with Mr. 
Jenkins in securing aid. 

George Boone, who married Deborah, daughter of Wm. Howell, being a 
skillful penman, in 1718 was engaged to transcribe various manuscripts of the 
Meeting. John Griffith, in his journal, in 1734, styles the Abington Meeting, 
to which he belonged, a " large and valuable weighty body of Friends. " The 
Meeting at first belonged to the Quarterly Meeting which met in Philadelphia, 
but in 1785 it was proposed to establish a Quarterly Meeting at Abington, 
which was to include Horsham, Gwynedd and Richland Monthly Meetings. 
The first Quarterly Meeting here took place in A. D. 1756. Galleries were 
added at the east end to accommodate this new assembly, which improvement 
cost about three hundred pounds. Eleven years after the same cause impelled 
the similar enlargement of the west end at a cost of 550 pounds. Between 
1780 and 1800 the eminent ministers " James Thornton, Peter Yarnall, James 
Simpson, John Forman, John Lloyd, Ezra Comfort and others " were often 
present at the meetings. 

Robert Sutcliff was an English Friend of prominence who wrote 
" Travels in America, " and in 1806 notes a visit with some Friends to 
Abington Quarterly Meeting, which was very large. The meeting house is a 
regular well-built, stone building, and capable of holding a great number of 
people. It is situated on a . piece of ground containing several acres, and 
which is covered with a great number of large forest trees. " 

In 1815 a Monthly Meeting was constituted comprising the Frankford 
and Germantown Meetings, and "Abington became a particular Monthly 



190 THE YORK ROAD. 

Meeting to which have since been attached Horsham and Upper Dublin 
Meetings. " 

The graveyard was much enlarged between 1842 and 1844, and now 
covers several acres. Some of the first settlers lie in this peaceful spot, sur- 
rounded by their descendants, who, in the passing generations have been 
gathered to their fathers ; and here the living expect to join the vast numbers 
who have preceded them. The later stones have inscriptions containing the 
names of members of the following families : " Walton, Williams, Palmer, 
Jenkins, Fletcher, Jones, Tyson, Shoemaker, Mather, Lukens and Satter- 
thwaite. " 

A two story school house of stone in the yard has done its work by means 
of the income of the farm given by John Barnes in 1697, now comprising two 
farms. 

I notice a large stone building for a boarding school called " Abington 
Friends' School, " on the other side of the road erected after Mr. Buck wrote 
his sketch. It has been enlarged since it was built, though its erection 
occurred not long ago. Louis B. Ambler is the principal. 

The Monthly Meeting held its 200th anniversary at this meeting house in 
1882, when about 500 persons assembled. " Charles Linton, clerk of the meet- 
ing, read a compilation from its early records ; David Newport an original 
poem entitled * William Penn's Holy Experiment, ' followed by an address 
jfrom Hon. John M. Broomall, of Media. 

"ABINGTON FRIENDS' BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL." 

New building erected in 1887 and in 1889-90. 

THE FACULTY.— 1892-1893. 



Louis B. Ambler, Principal, 
Mathematics. 

Augustine W. Blair, Jenny E. Penckert, 

Science and Languages. German, French and Grammar. 

Jennie F. Waddington, 
Botany, Physiology and Common Branches. 

Clara M. Price, Mary E. Broomell, 

Mathematics and Spelling. Literature, History and Reading. 

Hanna M. Coggins, Mary J. Murphy, 

Drawing. Primary and Gymnastics. 

Jessie M. K. Gourley, 
Matron. 

Mary H. Ambler, 
Assistant in Primary. 



THE YORK ROAD. 191 

DESIGN. 

This school has been established by Friends for the purpose of furnishing 
a thorough and guarded education at a moderate cost. It is under the care 
of a committee of Abington Monthly Meeting, who give it their personal 
attention. The principal, teachers, and matron will spare no efforts to 
advance the intellectual and moral welfare of the pupils. 

LOCATION. 

The school adjoins the grounds of Abington Friends' Meeting, ten miles 
from Ninth and Green Streets Station, Philadelphia, and one mile from 
Jenkintown Station. It is easily reached by the North Penn and Bound 
Brook division of the Reading Rail Road. (Over one hundred trains stop 
daily). Visitors or pupils can take hack at Jenkintown Station. 

The school is one-third of a mile from Jenkintown borough, in a thor- 
oughly healthful location. The play-grounds include ten acres, and are in 
part beautifully shaded. " 

ALVERTHORPE. 

The former residence of J. Francis Fisher is a fine, large stone mansion, 
pebble-dashed, opposite the Abington Friends' meeting house, near Jenkin- 
town. A high stone wall surrounds the estate. The portico and piazza which 
adorn the building were erected by J. Francis Fisher. 

The trees which beautify the grounds, and which have come from many 
distant quarters, were naturally arranged by him, so that the effect of the 
landscape view is remarkably pleasing. There is a pretty bridge, and the 
gentle hills and valleys add to the effect of the scene. 

Within the mansion a splendid and well arranged library of five thou- 
sand volumes delights a student's eyes. American history, ancient classics, 
and some rare books are here found on the first floor in the place of honor, as 
worthy guests. 

Joshua Francis Fisher, Esq., was a graduate of Harvard College. 

The estate is called Alverthorpe from a place in England, owned by an 
ancestor, Joshua Maude, of Yorkshire. 

It is one of the most beautiful suburban residences near Philadelphia. 

This country seat is owned and occupied by Dr. Henry M. Fisher, a son 
of Joshua Francis Fisher ; another son, George H. Fisher, Esq., resides in Phil- 
adelphia. Joshua Francis Fisher was a writer on political and historical 
subjects and wrote the private life of Wm. Penn, and an essay on the early 
poets of Pennsylvania, published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 
of which he was one of the earliest members and a member of the council. 

Bishop Davies of Michigan spent several summers in a cottage on this 
place. 



192 THE YORK ROAD. 

J. Francis Fisher's estate covered about 500 acres. A small portion near 
Shoemakertown has been sold to George S. Fox, the broker, of Philadelphia, 
who has erected houses for himself and his two sons on the property facing 
the Old York Road. 

Judge Hare used to occupy a house on the Fisher estate. A little cottage 
on meeting house lane is very picturesque. 

At the intersection of Forest Avenue I noticed the work of a strange freak 
of lightning. A telegraph pole was shattered, and its stump remained while 
the cross-piece containing the wires was suspended in the air, fastened to a 
tree above it. 

The late Mrs. Sarah Betts owned a mansion just beyond tlie Fisher place 
on the road to Milltown. 

Next to this is the residence of Antony Williams, the son of Mrs. Betts by 
a previous marriage. 

The Misses Towne of Philadelphia have built a pleasant mansion in 
modern style near this place. 

Mr. Mifflin of Philadelphia has his residence in summer near the last 
named mansion. 

THE SATTERTHWAITE NURSERY. 

About a mile east of Jenkintown is the large nursery of Edwin Satter- 
thwaite, near Alverthorpe. He is a successful fruit-grower as premiums at 
State Fairs indicate. The nursery business is beneficial to the community in 
propagating good seed to multiply under God's wonderful care, who repeats 
the story of the creation yearly in seed time and harvest, as the crop comes in 
wondrously increased, thirty, sixty and a hundred fold. 

Mr. Satterthwaite's nursery is a pleasant sight in driving and the flowers 
in the yard of the cozy mansion add to its beauty. The hill at the nursery 
has recently been graded, throwing a part of the road into a deep depression. 

Edwin Satterthwaite purchased 33 acres of land and the stone dwelling 
of Mrs. Polly Grant about 50 years ago. He has enlarged the house which 
stands in a pleasant position on a high bank. He added 57 acres by purchas- 
ing the Fletcher place. He conducts nursery, fruit and trucking business on 
a large scale here, and in hedge and growing trees and fruits may be seen the 
beautiful handiwork of God in rich abundance. 

James Satterthwaite, his only son, is a contractor, and constructs roads, 
keeping some 60 horses on the Fletcher place and employing from 75 to 150 
men. Edwin Satterthwaite is the President of the Cheltenham and Willow 
Grove Turnpike Company, and his son is a director. The Telford road in front 
of the place is due largely to the generosity of the father and son in adding 
greatly by stone and work to the township appropriation. Such individal aid 
elsewhere would be of much benefit to the country districts, and pay in com- 
fort of horse and man, and wear and tear. 



THE YORK ROAD. 193 

WASHINGTON LANE. 

Over 20 years ago John R, Worral, a merchant of Philadelphia, bought 
a farm on the road leading from Shoemakertown to Huntingdon Valley, 
and extending to Washington Lane. He made a comfortable home out of 
the dwelling on the place, which is now owned and occupied by Dr. Charles 
Willing of Philadelphia. 

On the Washington Lane front he set apart forty acres for his four 
children, on which his son, and the liusbands of his three daughters erected 
four mansions in a quadrangle. One of them is still occupied by Mr. Pepper, 
a son-in-law of Mr. Worral, and the others are occupied, one by W. W. 
Frazier, one by Mr. Beauveau Borie, and one by Mr. Hockley, all of Phila- 
delphia. These are all very elegant places. 

Farther on towards Huntingdon Valley, on Washington Lane very 
elegant houses have been erected by Mr. CurwenStoddart and Mr. S. H. Gilbert, 
the latter at Benezet Station on the Bound Brook branch of the North Penn 
Rail Road. The old family name of the station has been changed to Rydal. 

Next beyond Dr. Willing's, on the opposite side of the road. Captain 
Robinson's fine place of considerable extent may be seen. 

Beyond this the Reckless property, also a fine one, with a large mansion 
has place. 

Chelten, the residence of Beauveau Borie, was a part of the Worral prop- 
erty. Wm. T. Lober who married Miss Worral built the house. In 1886 Mr. 
Borie rebuilt this stone dwelling. The architect was George C. Mason, Jr., of 
Philadelphia. The entrance is on Washington Lane, between W. W. Frazier's 
place and that lane. 

BENEZET (NOW RYDAL). 

This station is on the Bound Brook Rail Road not far distant from the Old 
York Road. A pretty depot was erected here in 1883. The Stoddart family 
have built two elegant residences on the hills near by which invite settle- 
ment. The views here are remarkably beautiful, and this railway passes 
through much striking scenery. 

LORAIN 

Was a part of the Bockius farm. Samuel H. Gilbert, a Philadelphia 
manufacturer, purchased about 90 acres of land comprising a portion of Thos. 
Buckman's place. Mr. Gideon Stoddart had previously owned a portion of 
this property. 

The house was built about six years ago. Hazlehurst & Huckel were the 
architects, and Mr. Steel was the builder. An addition was made by Mr. 
Trumbaer as architect. The builders were Paul J. Essick's Sons. 
13 



194 THE YORK ROAD. 

Mr. Curwen Stoddart, the brother-in-law of Mr. Gilbert, has a very fine 
residence next to Mr. Gilbert's and connected with his grounds by a drive- 
way. Stephen Button was the architect, and E. D. Lever the builder of this 
pleasant country home which stands on Washington Lane. 

BARROWDALE. 

About seven years ago this stone and brick and stucco and frame build- 
ing being a combination of material in picturesque form on a fine situation 
was erected, making a pretty effect in its relation to its neighbor Lorain. 

The tunnel under the railway here presents a striking cutting with 
massive stone work. The excellent Telford road on Washington Lane is due 
to contributions of public spirited residents added to township funds. 

RYDAL WATERS. 

Mr. Gideon Stoddart's place in the old woods of Henry Stewart near 
Rydal Station was built in 1889. S. Gifford Slocum of New York was the 
architect, and Paul J. Essick the builder. The entrance is on Susquehanna 
Street with a stone gate-house. An old stone farm house built about a century 
ago was occupied by Jesse Dillon. It is now used as a sort of museum. 

Rydal Waters is the name of the place, so-called because thirty-two 
springs are on the place. 

The drive through the ancient grove of trees wisely left standing is very 
beautiful ; a rustic bridge spans a small stream and ravine, and rugged and 
wild rocks are surmounted by a summer house. 

Wordsworth's poem " In the Woods of Rydal " contains some beautiful 
lines to a Redbreast which might well befit the grove here : 

" For are we not all His, without whose care 
Vouchsafed no sparrow falleth to the ground? 
Who gives His Angels wings to speed through air, 
And rolls the planets through the blue profound." 

The poet has various poems on this loved spot of earth, " where he spent 
the latter half of his life, and where," according to Prof Knight, the editor of 
his " Poetical Works," " he found one of the most perfect retreats in England." 
America does not lack such retreats and Eastern Pennsylvania abounds 
in them. 

Joseph M. Stoddart, the father of Gideon and Curwen Stoddart, has a 
residence near the dwellings of his sons. The name of this place is Ashton. 

THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 

Bean's History of Montgomery County gives notes concerning the Roman 
Catholic Church in Jenkintown, called the Church of the Immaculate Con- 
ception, when Rev. J. J. Mellon was pastor. It is a stone building in " Halian 



THE YORK ROAD. 195 

style," on the " Corner of West Avenue and Pleasant Street." It was built 
in 1866, Christopher Lugar was the builder. The congregation worshiped for 
years in Lyceum Hall. There is a parochial house of two stories in height 
** attached to the church." 

I will add to this account that Rev. T. W. Power died in charge. May 
20th, A. D. 1892, and was succeeded by Rev. Hugh Garvey, and on September 
8th, 1892, he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph A. Strahan from St. Leo's, Tacony, 
the present pastor; the following addition was sent me by him. 

The corner-stone was laid by the late Archbishop Wood about July 15, 
1866. 

Rev. Thomas Toner was the first rector and was succeeded in beginning 
of 1871, by Rev. William Keane who died here in May, 1881. Rev. John J. 
Mellon succeeded him. He died here in March, 1886. Rev. Thomas W. 
Power was the next rector and he died, May 20, 1892. Rev. Hugh Garvey 
succeeded and was transferred to Coatesville, Pa., September 8, 1892, when I 
came into the rectorship. 

The church is built of stone. 

A DRIVE NEAR JENKINTOWN. 

Taking the old Lime Kiln Road which leads west from Jenkintown to 
Fitzwatertown, and passing on the left, the Baeder estate, we come upon the 
beautifully situated and model farm of the late Edward Unruh, still in the 
possession of the family, and conducted by his worthy son B. Franklin Unruh ^ 
extending to the south of which is the Jonathan Tyson property, recently 
purchased by Wharton Barker in connection with the Wharton Switch Com- 
pany. Its western boundary brings us to the village of Weldon, 

WELDON. 

This typical country village is comparatively modern. The credit of its 
origin and early growth is due to two enterprising and industrious men, John 
Michener and David Lukens. In 1854 John Michener built with his own 
hands a store and residence at the termination of a road running from this 
point on the Lime Kiln Road, to the Willow Grove, called Feather Bed Lane, 
which road, for nearly a mile north, formed the line of the Germantown and 
Willow Grove Plank Road and Turnpike, opened in 1855. This store property 
is now owned by Mr. Hutchinson Smith, who having greatly improved it, con- 
ducts an important business, and performs the duty of post-master which posi- 
tion he has held since its being granted in 1868. 

The opening of this important thoroughfare of course gave an impetus to 
the start made by Mr. Michener, who going on with more houses, was imme- 
diately followed by David Lukens, son of Jonathan Lukens of Abington. He 
built a hotel and a number of neat and ample cottages, and was soon joined 
by his brother, C. Tyson Lukens. Two of these houses, somewhat amplified, 



190 THE YORK ROAD. 

now form the properties of Mr. Jos. C. Hance and Mr. Wm. R. Diller. On the 
site of what is now Mr. John M. Harmer's carriage factory, being in the center 
of the village, stood the old blacksmith shop of Thomas Tyson, built in the 
beginning of this century. In 1854 it formed a most picturesque feature with 
the remains of a great old willow tree which grew beside it, and contained 
much that was curious and interesting to the lover of antiquated accompani- 
ments of shops of that kind. At that time, it, together with the old house 
across the way and some forty acres of adjoining land, belonged to the estate 
of John Pierson of Milestown. The original house on the Weldon site, and 
still standing, was used as a hospital for those wounded in the skirmish which 
took place in this immediate locality, between a detachment under General 
Morgan, and Lord Howe's out-posts at the time of Washington's encampment 
on Camp Hill. It belonged at the close of the last century to Abner Bradfield. 

Abner Bradfield was the father of Abner and William Bradfield two 
worthj^ citizens of Abington ; the latter, Abner, was especially noted for his 
warm hearted philanthropy, being ever ready to assist with both time and 
money when trials and misfortunes demanded. 

The deeds of this property, now in the possession of Xanthus Smith, the 
present owner, give a clear title back to William Penn. 

WILLIESIDE. 

In 1861, the late Thomas Smith, long President of the Bank of North 
America, purchased a portion of the great Hamel tract, lying to the west of 
Weldon, and built a handsome stone residence on a knoll commanding a fine 
view, between Weldon and the North Penn Railroad. Taking into con- 
sideration the beautifully sloping and perfectly kept lawn, the ground slopes 
from the house in every direction, the fine lawn trees, and fine old natural 
wood to the north, through which winds a picturesque rivulet, one of the 
sources of the Tacony, furnishing a pond for boating, the extended farm offices 
and perfect drives and hedges, we have in it probably the most complete 
country estate north of Philadelphia, especially when we consider the area of 
surroundings to the mansion. Mr. Smith having acquired from time to time 
the properties extending up and down the line of the rail road from Edge 
Hill village on the west to a point a short distance above Jenkintown Station 
on the east, the whole comprising upward of three hundred acres. Willieside 
is still the country residence of the widow of Thomas Smith. The last 
acquisition by Mr. Smith in the direction of Jenkintown was the property 
known as the Paxson farm, it having been long in the possession of that 
family, and which comprised until comparatively recent times the adjoining 
mill property on which stands a quaint old grist mill built in 1745. It formed 
a picturesque and interesting feature in the landscape, until a few years ago, 
when it was modernized by the addition of a high frame structure on the 
original substantially built stone lower portion. 



THE YORK ROAD. 197 

Communicated : 

RUSSELL SMITH'S HOME. 

On the summit of Edge Hill overlooking Weldon stands the residence of 
Russell Smith ; being of tower-like design, it has formed a conspicuous feature 
from the tiuie of its erection in 1854. 

With the instincts of an artist, Mr. Smith on determining to take up a 
country life in 1841, chose the then somewhat wild location of Rock Hill, 
between the villages of Branchtown and Milestown in Philadelphia County. 

On a rocky hill rising abruptly to the west of the Old York Road he 
built an ample mansion of simple design from the terrace in front of which 
there was a view which soon became noted for its completely picture-like 
arrangement. A mass of graceful oaks rising from a beautifully sloping lawn 
and balanced by picturesque shrubbery formed a sort of frame work to a 
charming meadow and wooded vista down which wound the brook called 
Rock Run. 

No more healthful or delightful home could be imagined than this 
beautiful Rock Hill place, which for upwards of ten years was a source of 
attraction and pleasure to very many good friends and others who visited the 
landscape painter. It was here that Mary Smith, the talented and lamented 
daughter of Russell Smith, was born, arid that his two children spent their 
earl}'" childhood. 

It was a matter of surprise to many that the artist, so comfortably situated 
should think of making a change in his location, but the changes that came 
with the consolidation of Philadelphia County with the city in 1854, and pos- 
sibly too, a predominance of that instinct which had brought the family early 
in the century from Glasgow, Scotland, to the frontier of civilization, led Mr. 
Smith to dispose of his property and seek a new and wilder region, further 
from city and friends, and offering to the fullest extent a seclusion which 
would be in entire harmony with his feelings, being always remarkable for a 
modest and retiring disposition. 

A number of extended walks with his wife, brought under observation 
the Edge Hill location. Its elevation and consequent extended view gave it 
an attractiveness above other considerations, and the site was at once pur- 
chased and a house erected. 

Being entirely absorbed in his profession and desirous to avoid the cares 
of a farm or much land, and at the same time that he might be entirely inde- 
pendent of surrounding woods, and avail himself to the fullest extent of the 
prospect, he designed a house differing entirely from that which he built at 
Rock Hill. Square, of stone, and upward of fifty feet in height, with stone 



198 THE YORK ROAD. 

cornice, flat roof and no projecting wood work, it resembles many towers in 
different parts of Europe, and for years after its construction, when there was 
little travelling abroad, as yet, and few country mansions other than those with 
gabled roofs and porticoes or porches, it formed a feature of interest the country 
over, being visible for from five to ten miles in every direction, and of criti- 
cism, and, indeed, not always approbative. Its purpose and uses not being 
understood by most of those who daily saw it, it was looked upon as a stranger 
in the land and as somewhat of a curiosity, and for years after it was built 
the family were subject to visits at all times from the curious who had come, 
sometimes ten and fifteen miles, to get a near inspection of the gray stone 
tower and an opportunity to see the view from its summit, which soon became 
famous, and which still is a source of interest and pleasure to those who care 
to climb Edge Hill and ascend the artist's observatory. 

In a large studio, upward of forty feet long and nearly fifty in height, 
Russell Smith has produced, during the time that he has resided at Edge 
Hill, a very large amount of scenic work of a most finished kind. It would 
require more space than we have at our disposal to describe this work and its 
various destinies. We can but mention, that in addition to the rest, it com- 
prised drop curtains, for the Academy of Music, and principal theatres in 
Philadelphia, and the Academies of Music and best dramatic houses in New 
York, Boston and Brooklyn. In the intervals between orders for scenic work, 
his brush has been ever busy upon the more lasting oil branch, many 
large and important works and numerous faithful studies from Nature, attest- 
ing to his talent and industry, and even at his present advanced age, being 
past eighty years, he is able to practice effectively his favorite life's pursuit. 
His only son Xanthus Smith, with his family, resides with him. Xanthus 
Smith is an artist, and best known for his large historical battle pictures of 
the naval actions which took place during the war of the rebellion. 

Facing Russell Smith's place, is the large and handsome property of 
Canby S. Tyson, cashier of the Germantown Bank, son of Ellwood Tyson, and 
grandson of John Tyson who resided upon the property during the early part 
of this century. Canby S. Tyson is also a grandson of Canby Steel, long 
and well-known in connection with the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of 
Philadelphia. 

The latest improvement to the village of Weldon is the handsome resi- 
dence of Mr. Chas. E. Kelly, grandson of Commodore John Kelly of the 
U. S. N. Situated on the brow of Edge Hill, it commands a magnificent pros- 
pect, and with its picturesque arched stone entrance, serpentine drive, minia- 
ture lake, and beautiful lawn grove, makes all that could be desired by the 
lover of a most desirable country home. 

Weldon became conspicuously known much sooner after inception than 
it otherwise would, on account of the active part taken by its ladies in aiding 




o 

Q 

_J 

LlJ 



o 



O 
CO 

a: 

LiJ 

\- 

UJ 

Q. 

CO 



THE YORK ROAD. 201 

the good work of the Sanitary Commission during the war of the rebellion. 
Soon after the outbreak of the war, a sewing society was organized which met 
for a year in a large room used as a ball room in the hotel. During this 
time so much success was met with, both in the full and earnest attendance 
of the ladies, and the amount of contributions received, that it was determined 
to build a hall. Land was purchased, the society regularly incorporated, a 
charter being granted by the Legislature, and an ample frame structure 
erected ; the site being at the north side of the village, on the turnpike. 
Interest in the societ}' now having been secured over a circuit of some five 
miles, the work of allaying the miseries of war was carried on in the most 
active manner until the close of the rebellion. One of the most interesting 
features in connection with this enterprise, was the willing way in which all, 
both rich and poor, aided as best they might, by work and by contributions : 
which was, no doubt, largely in consequenc of the general confidence felt in 
those in management of the business of the society. The officers during the 
active period were. President Mrs. John Comly, Secretary Mrs. Russell Smith, 
and Treasurer Mrs. EUwood Tyson. At the close of the war the work of the 
society was continued for years in a benevolent and literary way, and the 
ladies freely granted the use of their hall for suitable entertainments, and 
especially for religious uses, the management being so far unsectarian that 
the building was open for the use of any congregation that might desire to 
use it for divine services or for Sunday School purposes. Of those who did 
make such use of it, Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Davis, aided by Miss Mary Smith 
(daughter of Russell Smith), Miss Lizzie Baeder, Miss Elliott of Jenkintown 
and the Misses Unruh, were so successful in their management of a Sunday 
School, and the securing of attendance of divine service, that in 1878 Russell 
Smith made the offer of a portion of his ground in a suitable location, upon 
the turnpike, adjoining the property of the Ladies Society, upon which to 
erect a church ; whereupon Mr. Thomas Smith generously agreed to build a 
simple but appropriate church structure, and the work was proceeded with at 
once. A rector, the Rev. W. S. Heaton being secured and service being 
regularly held thereafter. 

After the death of Mr. Thomas Smith, which occurred in 1883, his widow 
determined to erect a substantial stone structure enclosing the wooden one 
first built, the design being by Russell Smith. With alterations and addi- 
tions that have been made from time to time since, St. Peter's Memorial 
Church now appears as represented in the accompanying engraving, which 
however does not show us the beautiful chancel with the fine memorial 
windows, executed in London, to the memory of Thomas Smith. 

In the most convenient proximity to the church, are the substantial and 
ample parish building and rectory, which, with the perfect lawns, driveways 
and necessary adjuncts, all the gift of the widow of Thomas Smith, make 
the whole a complete and beautiful place of assemblage for divine worship 
and, under the Rectorship of the Rev. Alfred A. Rickert, a man not only 



202 THE YORK ROAD. 

reverenced by his congregation, but beloved by all who have the good fortune 
to come in personal contact with him, and who has held the rectorship for 
the past seven years, now presents a condition of prosperity of which he may 
well be proud. 

Taking a short drive from Glenside, through Edge Hill village, at the 
intersection of Lime Kiln Pike and Church Road we come to Waverly Heights, 
containing a number of fine residences among the trees. General Robert E. 
Patterson owned one of these places which is now in the possession of Judge 
Elcock. Mrs. Bray, mother of Dr. Bray of Shoemakertown has another of 
these houses. They were all originally built by Philadelphians. They are 
yellow in color. 

MARY LAWN, 

Was so named in loving remembrance of a wife and daughter. This 
is a fine and ample stone house, with an extended piazza. It is sur- 
rounded by a beautiful lawn of considerable extent. The house has a high 
and commanding position, and there is a substantial stone barn, which is a 
pleasant feature in country life. Mr. W. H. Kemble, the late owner, was the 
President of the Philadelphia Traction Company. 

The country seat is on the road from Willow Grove to Chestnut Hill 
where it joins the Church Road. 

This was called Stout Hill. Mr. Stout's property was bought after his 
death by Mr. Kemble. 

Mr. Kemble's fine massive stone gate posts, and large and pretty lawn 
are noteworthy. 

A great boulder juts into the road and a windmill has been erected over 
a spring. 

Mr. Stout's residence was lower down the hill on the opposite side. 

SUNSET. 

This fine country seat with its wide and beautiful lawn is at the corner 
of Church Road and Mermaid Lane. 

A year ago this was an open field. On the 7th of March, 1891, ground 
was broken, and on the 7th of April, 1892, the house was occupied. Wm. H. 
Kemble began the house for his son. Clay Kemble and the son finished it. 
James H. Windrim was the architect, and Jacob Garber the builder. 

This large stone mansion is a striking object from the road and the eleva- 
tion makes it visible from Norristown, nine miles distant. 

FALCONHILL, 

Next to the home of Clay Kemble is being constructed, by John C. Sims, 
Secretary of the Pennsylvania Rail Road. The dwelling is of brick of 
Jacobean architecture, and pleasing design. Cope & Stewartson are architects, 
and the builder is Wm. R. Dougherty. 



THE YORK ROAD. 205 

VERNON. 

Vernon was bought by Wm. Henry Newbold about 1850 of Dr. Edwin 
Schofield, who purchased of Mr. Jenkins. The Jenkins homestead is a quite 
ancient stone building; the addition is in two parts which have different 
dates making a history of the family. It is an ample old mansion and looks 
very cosy and comfortable, and keeps up a thought of old times among its 
new neighboring dwellings. John S. Newbold heired the propert}'^, and his 
estate owns it, and the family reside there. 

Vernon was named b}^ Wm. H. Newbold from Vernon in Burlington 
County, New Jersey, which is a Newbold property, and that took its name 
from a Newbold estate in England. 

This country seat lies on Washington Lane, and is also entered by an 
avenue running by the side of the Church of Our Saviour. 

Jno. S. Newbold's estate, contains a mansion house, which was built by 
one of the Jenkins famih% perhaps Jesse Jenkins, who occupied it. Samuel 
Schofield became owner of the Newbold place, and on his death his son 
Edwin heired it, and sold it to Wm. II. Newbold, father of the late John S. 
Newbold. 

The following Revolutionary incident is connected with this place: 

Captain Craig, an American officer was pursued by a British officer. 
Both were mounted, and the American captain, knowing of a cellar which 
had been dug on John Newbold's place, and was covered with bushes, got 
ahead of his pursuer, and concealed himself and horse in this opening safely. 
The British officer rode round for a time, and gave up the chase. 

I add another story of the Revolution. 

In Sherman Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, which volume 
collects the General and Local Ilistor}' and Antiquities of the State in an 
interesting manner, is an extract from the Saturday Bulletin of 1829, con- 
cerning Colonel Allan McLane, who died in Wilmington, Delaware that year 
aged 83. This courageous officer belonged to Major Lee's legion of horse. 

In riding near Shoemakertown the Colonel told two of his troopers who 
followed him, if they saw the enemy, to ride up and inform him silently, but 
they forgetting orders cried out, "Colonel, the British!" and fled. The 
enemy had allowed the American officer to enter an ambuscade. The soldiers 
fired at the Colonel, but he hastened his horse into the woods, where he fell 
among other English soldiers, who allowed him to pass, thinking he was 
about to surrender himself. Several pursued, but the frightened horse having 
been wounded, hastened on. The Colonel shot and fatally wounded one 
pursuer who seized him, the second soldier wounded his left hand with his 
sword, but a second pistol settled his fate. The American officer then left his 
horse, and fearing " he might die from loss of blood " stopped its flow at a 
millpond. A painting was made " of this desperate encounter," (pages 501-2). 



206 THE YORK ROAD. 

Bosler's Mill is said to be the place of this exploit. Col. McLane's grand- 
son became Minister from this country to France. 

FAIR ACRES, 

The residence of John W. Pepper. 

This ample and remarkably beautiful and architectural abode makes a 
picture, in driving along Washington Lane, which draws the attention of 
every passer-by. The building is of stone, pebble-dashed. 

Wilson Eyre, Jr., was the architect, and W. H. Thomas, the builder. 
The building was erected in 1886. 

The varied angles and extended front are quite a feature here. 

Frederick S. Pepper, Esq., in 1856 erected a stone mansion on another 
part of the Jenkins farm, for this whole tract belonged to that estate. This 
has been the summer home of the family from that date and is now occupied 
by the widow. 

John R. Worral went to the neighborhood of Jenkintown in 1853 and 
bought 120 acres of the Jenkins estate. He altered and enlarged the farm 
house for a country place. He gave his three daughters and son each ten 
acres on which they erected stone dwellings. The son James Worral owned 
what is now W. W. Frazier's place. Mrs. W. T. Loher's place is the summer 
residence of Beauveau Borie. 

Mrs. Fisher's house is now the estate of John R. Hockley. 

Above the Newbold estate on the east of the York Road, the estate of 
Samuel Noble come^ in. This was also a portion of the Jenkins property. 
A part of the Baeder estate also belonged to the Jenkins tract. Both these 
properties are cut by the Bound Brook Railroad, and Noble Station, taken 
from a part of the farm is named after the family. 

On the west side of the York Road a small portion of Mr. Lambert's 
property also belonged to the Jenkins tract. An old stone building opposite 
the Noble farm-house was a residence of the Jenkins family. Wm. Jenkins, 
the ancestor of the family died in this house as well as his son Stephen. 

On the opposite side of the pike, about 100 yards above the station an 
old well was discovered which had been covered by a large flat stone. It has 
been filled up, and is under Mr. Baeder's wall. This may have indicated the 
location of a previous house. 

John Kennedy owned and occupied the Jenkins house for a number of 
years. He died there. He had a tannery, which has disappeared, but the 
old stone used for grinding the bark remains to mark the spot. 

It is supposed that Moses Shepherd lived at this place, and carried on 
tanning before Mr. Kennedy held it. 

All but a small portion of Mrs. Merritt's fine property was in the 
Jenkins tract. 



THE YORK ROAD. 207 

John McNair built the spacious mansion on this place, and conducted a 
Boys' Boarding School, and was successful in the undertaking, continuing it 
for several years. He had pupils from a distance, some being from the South. 
He sold the property and removed to Virginia where he died. 

Mr, McNair sold the place to Samuel Smith, who continued the school 
for a moderate length of time. 

Samuel Smith sold to another family of Smiths from Philadelphia, who 
occupied it as a summer residence. 

The cutting of the pike, and a ha-ha wall, and a natural terrace above it 
make this a very pretty place, and the trees of the lawn add to its beauty. 
The opening of the drive in the rear has a striking effect in the ascent of the 
hill. A new piazza is being constructed to surround the house. 

Above the Merritt place we reach the farm of the Stewart estate. Mrs. 
Eliza Stewart, the owner of this property, died a few years since in her 95th 
year. Her son Henry now occupies the farm. 

Mrs. Stewart inherited this property from her mother, Mrs. Mary Dillon, 
who was a Miss Schriver. The Schriver family owned where the Wharton 
Switch Works now stand. 

The large three-story stone house of the Stewart family is just on the 
roadside next above Mrs. Merritt's. The farm extends to Susquehanna 
Street Road. 

The part of the Jenkins tract not already described belongs to the 
Stoddart family and its various members, except lots which are owned by 
Michael Connor and Wm. Frazier. All of these sections have been built 
upon. This embraces the whole Jenkins tract. 

In the division of the Jenkins property, Phineas, son of Stephen, who 
was the son of the original William, obtained the Newbold farm, and from 
him it went to his son Jesse, who was the father-in-law of the elder Judge 
Ross, who was named John. The Tate Judge Henry P. Ross, of Norristown, 
was a grandson. 

Judge John Ross lived in Dr. John Paxson's house, next above the bank. 
He erected the south end of this long stone house. His father-in-law, Jesse 
Jenkins, of whom he bought the property, built the north part. 

Judge Ross sold the place to John Morrison in 1824, and moved to 
Doylestown, where he died. 

Mr. Morrison sold to J. Lukens Grant in 1832. 

He in turn sold to Job Roberts in 1835, and in 1837 Dr. Chas. Shoe- 
maker bought of him, and in 1840 the Doctor sold to Henry Sailor. The 
same year Mr. Sailor conveyed it to Spencer Shoemaker. In 1847 he con- 
veyed it back to Dr. Shoemaker, and in 1852 he conveyed it to Dr. Joshua R. 
Evans, and 1853 he reconveyed this much-sold property to Dr. Shoemaker, 
who in 1865 sold to Caroline E. J. Budd, wife of Dr. Chas. H. Budd. 

Dr. Budd conveyed it to the present owner Dr. Paxson. 



208 THE YORK ROAD. 

• 

It is believed that the Sarah Jenkins, whom W. J. Buck mentions in 
Bean's history as keeping the hotel, which in Revolutionary days was called 
Jenkins's Tavern, and gave name to the town, was a wddow of one of the 
descendants of the old Jenkins family. 

The hotel stood just below the present Cottman Houses which takes its 
name from its host. 

When Mr. Cottman tore down the old hotel a few years ago it was found 
by the ancient division walls to have been erected at different times. 

Mrs. John Hamel died in Jenkintown in her 96th ^ear, and her sister, 
Mrs. Hildebrandt in her 94th year. For these cases of longevity see the 
biographical sketch of George Hamel, in Bean's History of Montgomery 
County, p. 697. 

Thomas Buckman, Sr., finds place among the biographical notices in 
Abington. His wife is a daughter of Thomas Brooke, who was a soldier in 
the war of 1812, and her grandfather was Major William Brooke of Revolu- 
tionary days. The Brooke family are of Delaw^are County, and are well 
known as having been old residents of Radnor and Marple. 

Thomas T. Mather receives a proper notice in Bean's History. He was a 
skilful farmer, versed in horticulture and fruit culture and was a director 
of Jenkintown National Bank. 

The Orthodox Friends' Meeting-House has a quiet and pleasant position 
on the Cheltenham Road. It is a stone building, one-story high, surrounded 
by a yard. It is about a half a mile from the old Abington meeting house, 
next to the Fisher place on the road from Jenkintown to Milltown. 

THE NOBLE FARM. 

There was a house on the Noble farm above Jenkintown in front of the 
present one, which was built by one of the .Jenkins family. It was demolished. 

The present large house of stone, and the barn of the same material were 
built by Samuel W. Noble in 1844. The property had descended to Samuel 
W. Noble from his father Samuel Noble, who purchased of John Rowlett. 

Samuel Noble died in 1886. His widow resides on the place, together 
with her sons, Samuel, Charles and Howard. 

Samuel and Charles carry on the coal and lumber business here. 
Howard is the teller of the Jenkintown Bank. His father was President of the 
Bank from its organization in 1875 until his death. 

Howard Noble is erecting a neat modern cottage on the Valley Road, 
and on the lower side of the Railroad. 

There is a mineral spring on the Noble farm, a little below the spring- 
house. This chalybeate spring used to attract travellers who stopped to 
drink, and to carry away some of its waters. 

Across Susquehanna Street Road, above Henry Stewart's farm, lies the 
farm of A.M. Herkness, of Philadelphia. His son Morris occupies it as a 
summer residence. 



14 




pq 



O 

o 

w 

Q 
t— ( 
cc 

W 



THE YORK ROAD. 213 

About 1830 it was rumored that gold could be found on this farm in 
paying quantities. An Englishman leased the right of digging and began 
excavations, and gold in light quantity was discovered, but the Englishman 
returned too late, as although lie claimed his privilege, the allotted time had 
expired, and the experiment was never repeated. 

ABINGTON OR MOORETOWN. 

Mooretown was so called from a Mrs. Moore who kept the tavern. Jesse 
B. Dillion a storekeeper here gave the name, as some name was needed to 
define the place, as Abington was in Abington Township. The village has 
now resumed its original name, and the post-office has taken it. 

Miss Maria Stewart, a niece of Rev. Dr. Wm. Tennent, who was pastor of 
the Abington Presbyterian Church, was once riding in a sleigh, and would 
not ask for Moorctow^n when she was lost, as she disliked the new name, and 
so wandered for some time. Dr. Tennent was a grandson of the Dr. William 
Tennent who established the Log College. 

Abington was settled by Friends from England, and as some of them 
came from Abington they gave that name to their new home. 

The Misses Stewart's old stone liouse, on the York Road, nearly opposite 
Guernsey Avenue, was built in the early days of the village by George 
Stevens, perhaps about 1800. 

Mrs. Gwinner had a Girls' Boarding School here. 

Afterward Mr. Joseph Longhead kept a Boys' Boarding School in the 
house. 

Still later Mr. John Steel, brother of Rev. Dr. Steel conducted a school in 
this place. 

I am indebted to Miss Mary Stewart for the above information. 

AYSGARTH. 

Mr. John Lambert's proj^erty which bears this name, formerly was a part 
of the glebe of the Abington Presbyterian Church, which owned ninety-four 
acres of it ; this was sold, it is believed, to raise funds to build the present 
church. There were two other owners before Mr. Lambert. Twelve acres 
" were in the occupancy, for many years, of the Kennedy family, who had a 
tannery thereon. This was the southeastern part." Mr. Lambert has a 
pleasant stone residence. 

Rev. Dr. Treat had this building erected for a parsonage. He superin- 
tended a Girls' Boarding School at this place. 

Dr. Steel occupied the house and had a Boarding School here for boys for 
many years. It was sold during his pastorship. 

The famous Princeton divine Charles Hodge, and his brother Hugh 
Hodge, M. D., boarded for years on Susquehanna Avenue near Mooretown on 
what was then Jacob Fulmer's place. 



214 THE YORK ROAD. 

Miss Ann and Miss Maria Stewart formerly resided near Mr. Hallowell's 
on the other side of the street. They were the children of the sister of Dr. 
Wm. Tennent who had married the younger son of a Scotch family. 

A tragic history connected with this family gives it interest. 

The house now belongs to John B, Stevenson's estate. 

Mr. Peter Hallowell's ancient stone residence is one of the oldest houses 
in Abington village. 

It has been over a century since it was erected. 

Mr. Wm, Hallowell purchased the house about ninety years ago. 

Mr. Peter Hallowell has raised the house and modernized it by adding 
piazzas. 

There is a quaint old horse-block on the upper side of the yard, and steps 
on the inside of a triangular form. 

This old wall was not allowed to be removed in the widening of the pike. 
This is a pleasant reminder of old horse-back riding times, when ladies used 
to visit their friends in that way. I am indebted to Mr. Peter Hallowell for 
this information. 

The Abington hotel may be about as old as the house just described. It 
was about to be put to another use when I saw it. 

The Misses Wigfall reside in the brown house just below the Abington 
Hotel. 

A blacksmith shop, two stores and a wheelwright shop are in Abington 
village. W. J. Buck, in Bean's History, says that the blacksmith shop was 
there in 1807, and John Brugh was the blacksmith. 

Two new houses were arising in this ancient village, and land was 
coming into the market at the time of my visit, though for a long time it was 
difficult to get locations for building. 

The old stone store and dwelling is now owned by Samuel F. Bockius 
who came from Germantown. He resides in the house. The store is leased 
to Francis & Boutcher. 

Moore Stevens, grandson of Mary Moore who kept the inn, used to own 
and conduct this store, and did a large country business. He now resides in 
Philadelphia. He procured it about 1830 from David Thomas, who moved 
to the city. 

Next above the Presbyterian parsonage an ancient stone house occupied 
by Mr. Baggs is the property of the Presbyterian Church. 

It was used as a parsonage by Rev. Dr. Steel after he gave up his school. 
He and his wife died here and are buried in the neighboring churchyard. 

Dr. George Harris, who afterward moved to Jenkintown, and thence to 
Baltimore, where he died, lived for a time in this house. 

Prior to this Dr. Phillips dwelt in it. It was also occupied by the Lukens 
family. 

A small stone house between Abington Presbyterian Church and Mr. 
Lambert's entrance, occupied by the sexton, James Holmes, is an ancient 
structure. 



THE YORK ROAD. 215 

The house with a fine yard next above the Misses Stewart's abode belongs 
to Mr. Dando, who is engaged in printing in the city. 

Dr. Hicklin, it is thought had this house built. 

Rev. Dr. Wm. Newton owned it for a time and sold to Mr. Frismuth, who 
in turn sold to Mr. Dando. 

The mansion has a pleasant bay window on the upper side, and a pretty 
piazza, while there is a conservatory in the rear. 

Wm. J. Buck contributes the sketch of this township to Bean's History, 
and the parts pertaining to the Old York Road may be gleaned from his faith- 
ful notes. 

Abington lies above Cheltenham Township and Jenkintown borough 
which was taken from it in 1874. Abington is an English name. 

Sarah Fuller obtained 600 acres of land from Penn in 1684 which reached 
from Jenkintown beyond the Friends' Meeting House. John Barnes in the 
same year, bought 250 acres, and also Sarah Fuller's tract, not long after- 
ward. In 1697 he gave 120 acres for a Friends' Meeting House and school 
house. A new meeting house was thus built to take the place of the one at 
Oxford. The minutes of the Abington Meeting are important, as indeed all 
the Friends' minutes are, and that they deserve great credit for such work 
may be seen in the volumes copied at the rooms of the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania. The minutes here show that Sarah Fuller, in 1687, married 
William Dillwyn ; and in 1688 John Barnes married Mary Arnold. Wm. 
Jenkins bought a part of the Barnes tract, and styled his dwelling and planta- 
tion " Spring Head. " His wife was named Elizabeth. His son Stephen 
married Phineas Pemberton's daughter, of Falls Township, in Bucks County, 
in 1704. The wife's name was Abigail. They lived on Samuel W. Noble's 
place, " on the York Road, about half a mile north of Jenkintown." 

The Tysons were old settlers of German stock in Abington, and hold 
much land there. The lime for erecting the State House in 1729 to 1735 came 
from the kilns of Ryner Tyson in Abington Township. The family continues 
the business of lime-burning. The seedling of the " Tyson pear was dug up 
from Friends' school property by Jonathan Tyson, and replanted in the rear 
of Charles Harper's store in Jenkintown. Its origin dates between the years 
1790 and 1800. " 

Abington village is ancient. The Old York Road and Susquehanna 
Street intersected here in 1712. There are " two stores, a post-office, and 
several mechanic shops" here. Gordon's Gazetteer, in 1832, gives the place 
10 or 12 houses, and a tannery, and a Boys' Boarding School, 2 stores and the 
Presbyterian Church. Reading Howell's map of 1792 calls the place " Shep- 
herd's, " but Scott's Gazetteer, in 1795, names it " Abington. " Mary Moore 
had a tavern here called the " Square and Compass, " " at least from 1787 to 
1808. " This caused the village to be called Mooretown. The blacksmith 
shop at the corner of York Road and Susquehanna Street was used as a stand 
by John Brugh, in 1807. 



216 THE YORK ROAD. 

ABINGTON VILLAGE. 

The following was sent me by Rev. Dr. L. W. Eckard when he resided at 
Abington : 

" An old settlement. Dates back to 1712. Contains 1 hotel (now being 
destroyed) two stores, several mechanic shops, almost 50 dwellings and the 
Presbyterian Church. " 

" The post office was established in 1832. The burial ground connected 
with the church contains many interesting graves of local celebrities. Dr. 
Finley, fifth President of Princeton College rests here." 

Mary Moore kept the tavern, with the sign of " The Square and Com- 
pass " from 1787 to 1808. Thomas Dungan was proprietor in 1779. 

John McNair taught a Boys' Academy here about 1828 with much 
success. 

Four new houses are now being built. Ground has been already pur- 
chased for a handsome High School building which will be erected in the 
spring. Three new streets are being cut, and building lots rapidly thrown on 
the market. A street railway from Noble Station to the village is likely to be 
built. There seems no doubt of it if consent of Turnpike Company can be 
secured, which we are told is probable." 

The following extract is from the Philadelphia Times, of August 20th, 

A. D. 1892 : 

" THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH." 

A structure dear to the hearts of Abington Presbyterians. 

What its records tell. 

In one hundred and seventy-eight years but nine ministers have been 
connected with the church and during the first one hundred and forty-eight 
years death alone occasioned changes in the pastorate. Some projected 
improvements. 

On a clear summer day, when the sun's rays dispel the morning mist, 
enveloping with its shimmering veil gently sloping hills and green meadow- 
land, the slender spire of the little Presbyterian Church at Abington village 
can be seen for miles, a thin thread of dark against a background of blue 
morning sky. High up in the belfry a tuneful monitor breathes its silvery 
peal, which is carried far down in the valley on the breath of the wandering 
wind. 

Dear to the heart of the villagers is the music of this bell. To the old its 
tones vibrate through the peaceful past ; and for the young, they seem to 
prophecy summer days still to come. The first dawn of this new, happy future 
brightened the little church last Sunday when the congregation responded to 
an eloquent appeal for funds to carry out needful improvements by subscrib- 
ing $4,000. This sum will be used in the enlargement of the lecture room, 
thus increasing facilities for Sunday school work. Bible class rooms and a 



THE YORK ROAD. 217 

parlor and kitchen are to be added, and the small instrument used in the 
auditorium will be replaced by a handsome pipe organ. 

This, the fifth time that Presbyterians at Abington have obeyed a pre- 
emptory call for " church room, " suggests much that is interesting in the 
history of the old church, founded as far back as 1714. 

One hundred and seventy-eight years ago a little band of sixty-five 
formed a congregation at Abington, with Malachi Jones as pastor, and Abed- 
nego Thomas, Benjamin Jones, StofFel Van Saint and Joseph Breden as elders. 
Five years later a long structure, the first Presbyterian meeting house in Mont- 
gomery County, was erected within the limits of the present village burial 
ground. 

For seventy-four years, sheltered by this modest cabin, hymns were sung, 
prayers offered and sermons preached by staunch old followers of John Calvin. 
In 1793 what is known as the " second church " — this time a stone building, 
was erected on the site of the present edifice, and forty more years elapsed ere 
its growing numbers demanded necessary modifications. It w^as finally 
deemed expedient to replace this structure by an entirely new church home, 
and the present building was erected in 1866. 

The church records bring to notice two facts worthy of special mention. 
In 178 years but nine ministers have been connected with the church and 
during the first 148 years, death alone occasioned change in the pastorate. 

Rev. Malachi Jones was 63 years old when he settled at Abington. It 
was during the time of his successor. Dr. Richard Treat, that Whitefield was 
entertained in 1740, and the great Indian missionary, Brainerd, also visited 
the church. Rev. William Tennent, D. D., grandson of the founder of the 
Log College and the fourth pastor called, w^as followed by Rev. Mr. Dunlap. 
Dr. Robert Steel served forty years at Abington, his first and only charge. 

The bodies of tliese five pastors rest in the burial ground opposite the 
church. 

In 1863 Dr. J. L. Withrow, now in Chicago, was selected by the congre- 
gation, and Rev. Samuel Lowrie in 1869. From a five years' sojourn in the 
Chinese missionary field Rev. Leighton Eckert returned to serve as shepherd 
of the little country flock from May 25, 1875, until July, 1891. 

The present pastor. Rev. Llewellyn S. Fulmer, was ordained and installed 
May 10 of this year. During the three months of work in the church he has 
won the respect and hearty co-operation of his people." 

I add that Dr. Eckard is now pastor of the Brainerd Presbyterian Church, 
of Easton. 

Rev. Mr. Fulmer was born in Durham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and 
educated at Princeton College and Seminary. This is his first parish. He 
graduated at the Theological Seminary in May, A. D. 1892.- 

An account of the history of this parish will be found in Rev. Dr. Thos. 
Murphy's " Presbytery of the Log College, " pp. 208-219. A pleasant notice of 
Rev. James Read Eckard, D. D., who died at his son's house, is there given. 



218 THE YORK ROAD. 

He had been a missionary in Ceylon, pastor of the Second Presbyterian 
Church, Washington, and Professor in Lafayette College. In old age " sweetly 
falling asleep in Jesus, he was instantly carried above. " 

The Philadelphia Times, March 3d, 1892, notes the following facts : 
Some of the roads in Abington Township, Montgomery County, date back 
to the early colonial days. York Road extends through the township a 
distance of two or three miles. It was laid out in 1711 by a commission 
appointed by Governor Gookin and Council. The road was one of the earliest 
thoroughfares between Philadelphia and New York, says the Doylestown Intelli- 
gencer. It commences at the intersection of Fourth and Vine Streets, Phila- 
delphia, and was laid out by the commissioners to Centre Bridge, in Bucks 
County, on the Delaware. Lime Kiln Road was established in 1716. The road 
from Abington Meeting to Byberry Meeting was laid out in 1712 ; the road 
from Abington Meeting House to Germantown, known as Washington Lane, 
in 1735. Susquehanna Street road, leading from Edge Hill to Willow Grove, 
was confirmed in 1768. The Willow Grove and Germantown plank road was 
completed in 1857 at a cost of $8,000 a mile. The York Road was constructed 
at about the same cost per mile. 

GLENSIDE. 

The Philadelphia Ledger, September 1st, 1890, marked the following 
improvements at this point : 

Building enterprise at Glenside on the North Penn and vicinity. 

Quite a number of building enterprises are in progress at Glenside, 
formerly Abington Station, on the North Penn Railroad and vicinity. Fre- 
quent train service and good building sites are attracting city people who are 
in search of comfortable country homes. Here are located some of the most 
attractive residences on the North Penn, and manj^ other fine dwellings are in 
contemplation. Comly Smith, son of Hutchinson Smith, of Weldon, is at work 
on a $5000 house, in which he intends residing. Howard Fleck, of Jenkin- 
town, is about completing a fine stone residence near the station, and ticket 
agent Stout, has purchased a lot of M. L. Kohler on which he will erect a 
residence for himself. The three story hall being built by Mr. William 
Wilson is under roof, and the carpenters are finishing the inside. It is built 
of dressed Hatboro stone, and will cost about $8000. The first story will be 
used as a general store room, the second as a public hall, and the third for 
lodge purposes. The new school house at Edge Hill is well under way. It 
will .be one of the most complete and costly buildings of the kind in the 
County. The contract price is nearly $8000. The old Abington Academy, 
which was used many years for school purposes, was sold a few days ago 
for $1820 to Jeremiah Webster. 

The new electric light plant, located between Glenside and Jenkintown, 
will be ready to commence operations about the middle of September. The 



THE YORK ROAD. 219 

Company is known as the Jenkintown Electric Light Company. They propose 
furnishing incandescent light to all persons desiring it within a radius of five 
miles or more. Already their wires reach as far as Bethayres, Ogontz, Chelten 
Hills, Glenside and Jenkintown. The Company is capitalized at $40,000. 
The large Corliss engine and huge boilers are in place and the dynamos will 
be in position in a few days. 

MORELAND. 

Wm. J. Buck describes this township in Bean's History of Montgomery 
County. Hatboro bounds it on the north. The borough was taken from it 
in 1871. The hills around Willow Grove and Huntingdon Valley give beauty 
to this section, and the last named place on Second Street pike is growing. 

Marine remains and black lead and sandstone are some of the geological 
characteristics of this section. 

Willow Grove lies at the junction of the Doylestown and York Roads 
" thirteen miles north of Philadelphia. " It has two hotels and two stores, a 
" post-office, several manufacturing establishments and mechanic shops, and a 
railroad station." In 1787 David Gumming had a store at Willow Grove, as 
the assessment shows. 

" The highest eminence for some distance around rises to the east of the 
village. " 

The stream here was known as " Round Meadow Run " in 1722, when a 
bridge was built. James Dubree bought 200 acres here in 1719, and another 
Dubree purchased 100 acres, and they settled at this point. James in 1742 
willed his property to his son. 

In 1768 John Paul advertised his tavern, " Sign of the Wagon, " for 
sale, and 102 acres. The stable could hold nearly 100 horses. This hotel, 
called the Red Lion, which Paul's advertisement claimed to be by public 
opinion " the best between Rising Sun (Nicetown) and Coryell's Ferry (New 
Hope), with three roads passing by, " was in the hands of Joseph Butler in 
the Revolution, and, in 1786, William Heaton was the landlord ; and Israel 
Michener held that position from 1804 to 1822 ; while Jacob E. Buck was 
the proprietor from 1842 to 1868 when it ceased to be a public house. 

The large stables showed much travel before the Revolution. Reading 
Howell's Township Map of Pennsylvania gives the name of the place in 1792. 

James Mease's " Picture of Philadelphia, " a book issued in 1811, thus 
describes Willow Grove : 

" At Rex's tavern you can be well entertained ; here is also a fine spring 
highly impregnated with iron, and a spacious bath house, supplied with 
mineral water for the accommodation of visitors. " 

Philadelphians came here as a summer resort, and it is yet so used. 
George Rex, Sr., removed here from Germantown before 1792 ; and after 1803, 
" established the Mineral Spring Hotel, afterwards so long kept by George 
Rex, his nephew, to whom he had bequeathed the property. " 



220 THE YORK ROAD. 

Israel Michener was the Post-Master in 1816. 

In 1839, the fii'st school house was erected. George Rex, Sr., presented a 
lialf acre lot for this purpose. " A fine two story stone building now occupies 
the site of the public school. In 1851 five daily lines of stages passed through 
here to Philadelphia, from Easton, Doylestown, Lambertville and Hartsville. 
After the opening of the railroad in December, 1872, a creamery was built 
here by an association of farmers, and phosphate works erected, which are 
now conducted on an extensive scale by William C. Newport & Co. " 

William Penn gave Moreland Township its name to honor " Nicholas 
More, a physician of London, President of the Free Society of Traders, and the 
first chief justice of Pennsylvania, who arrived here in 1682. More is a word 
of Celtic origin, signifying great. " 

In 1682, nine thousand eight hundred and fifteen acres were granted to 
the London physician, and in 1684 the deed was given. Holme's map shows 
a strip between More's tract and the line of Bucks County, which belonged to 
Joel Jelson, Thos. Lloyd and Thos. Fairman, and contained " about fourteen 
hundred acres. " Excepting this the purchase CQvered Moreland in Philadel- 
phia County, until Montgomery County was organized in 1784, " when much 
the larger portion was taken into the latter County. " 

Nicholas More and his successors were to pay the proprietary and his suc- 
cessors every year " a silver English shilling for every hundred acres as quit- 
rent. " 

In 1685 More began his buildings on the eastern portion of his tract near 
Somerton, in Philadelphia. The mansion house was " the first settlement in 
Moreland ;'' its owner called it Green Spring. When in 1685 the boundary of 
Philadelphia and Bucks County was determined the County Line Road along 
this township was " a dense forest, and they were compelled to mark the 
course on the trees. " 

Thomas Longstroth, as Wm. J. Buck states, in writing on Moreland 
township, Montgomery County, erected a paper mill on the Pennypack Creek 
about 1794. In 1795 Samuel D. Ingham, being in his 16th year, served as an 
apprentice here. In a neighboring school-house Mr. Adrian had a winter 
night school, where the lad studied diligently to his great benefit. When he 
was twenty Mr. Longstroth released him, and he became foreman in a paper 
mill near Bloomfield, New Jersey. In 1812, Bucks County elected him to 
Congress, and he held the post most of the time until 1829. General Jackson 
then became President, and made Mr. Ingham his Secretary of the Treasury, 
and he held the office two years. 

The mill was burned when Thomas Longstroth and his brother John 
owned it; Joseph McDowell, of Philadelphia conducted this mill afterward 
for many years. He enlarged it, and " the most improved machinery " was 
in use, but in 1858 it was again burned. Its ruins stand by the side of the 
Newtown Railway amid picturesque and wild scenery among the rocks, and 
a station commemorates the paper mill history. 



THE YORK ROAD. 221 

Rev. Joshua Potts lived in what had been the residence of " Joseph B. 
Yerkes near the York Road, below Hatboro, which he built in 1759, and 
which is still standing, containing a stone with his name and the date. He 
owned here at the time several hundred acres. He was the first pastor of the 
Southampton Baptist Church, built in 1746, and in which he officiated till 
the time of his death, which happened June 18, 1761, at the age of forty-six 
years. He was one of the founders of the Hatboro Library in 1755." 

"John Gummere, son of Samuel, was born at Willow Grove in 1783. 
He commenced his career as school teacher at Horsham, and taught 
successively at Rancocas and Burlington, N. J., Westtown and Haverford, Pa. 
With his son, Samuel J. Gummere, he resumed the Boarding School at 
Burlington, N. J. His work on surveying was first published in 1814, and 
went through fourteen editions before being stereotyped. His ' Elementary 
Treatise on Astronomy ' was first published in 1822, and the sixth edition in 
1854. He died in 1845. Samuel R. Gummere, brother of the aforesaid, was 
also born at Willow Grove in 1789. He was the principal, for a number of 
years, of a popular Boarding School for Girls at Burlington, author of the 
' Progressive Spelling Book,' ' Compendium of Elocution,' and a ' Treatise on 
Geography.' " 

The Montgomery County Society for Recovering Stolen Horses meets 
annually at Willow Grove. It dates from 1799. In 1856 Joshua Y. Jones 
was President and T. Ellwood Comly, Secretary, and William Hallowell, 
Treasurer. 

In 1840 the Turnpike from Willow Grove to Doylestown was finished. 

In 1859 John Warner, a supervisor, stated that there were " 95 township 
bridges " in Moreland. This shows an abundance of streams. 

WILLOW GROVE. 

About 1732 a tavern was built at the junction of Old York Road and 
Governor's Road called Red Lion. The landlord, a prominent opposer to the 
British, whose name was Butler, was taken prisoner by the British light 
horsemen, and carried to Philadelphia, in February, 1777. In a " Summer 
Jaunt in 1773 " edited by Rev. Dr. George Morgan Hills, (Pa. Mag. of Hist. 
Vol. X, p. 205), the traveller spends a night at Paul's Hotel, and gets a pretty 
good breakfast. The sign is the Wagon in 1768. This was at the intersection 
of Old York Road and Easton Road, near what is now the village of Willow 
Grove. 

There is a note to the " Summer Jaunt," which states that John Paul 
owned the inn in 1768. " Later it was called the Red Lion, and was con- 
sidered the ' best hostelry between the Rising Sun and Coryell's Ferry.' " 

New Hope and Lambertville both bore the name Coryell's Ferry, as the 
Ferry united them. 

Willow Grove was in old times called Round Meadow. (Buck's Hist, of 
Moreland. Memoirs of Hist. Soc. of Pa., Vol. 6, p. 202.) 



222 THE YORK ROAD. 

The Funk farm, near Willow Grove, lately passed from the family. 
Jacob Funk was a Mennonite preacher in old time. (Cassel's Mennonites, pp. 
108, 109, 339, 340.) 

WILLOW GROVE M. E. CHURCH. 

Rev. W. C. Graff sent me the following note when he was doing faithful 
work for the Blessed Master at Willow Grove. Since the death of this devoted 
servant of Christ, a leading layman in the parish, Geo. W. Quigley has added 
the succeeding sketch. 

" Willow Grove Church is a new enterprise. We meet at present in 
Creamery Hall. For several months previous to my appointment local 
preachers of Philadelphia ministered to these people. I took hold of the 
charge March 24th, 1889. We have 41 members and 100 Sunday School 
scholars. We have purchased two lots well located on the main pike in the 
village. These lots worth $600.00 cost us $500.00. We expect to build a 
church costing about $4000.00. The prospect for Methodism here is bright. 
Willow Grove has no other denomination worshiping here. The village is 
a pretty one, about 15 miles from Philadelphia amidst a rich farming land." 

W. C. Graff, 
Pastor-in- Charge. 

Rev. Lewis Shellhorn, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. W. C. Graff. 
The first shovelful of cellar dirt was dug by Brother Graff on Sept. 9th, 1891. 

The corner stone was laid by Presiding Elder Samuel W. Thomas, 
assisted by Rev. W. C. Graff and other ministers, on October 3rd, 1891. 

The church was dedicated by Rev. Bishop C. D. Foss, on the Sabbath, 
March 6th, 1892. 

The gifts were made in the main by the people in the vicinity ; in their 
poverty they poured out the treasure into the Lord's treasury. A subscription 
by Mrs. W. H. Kemble of $500 (which we are yet to receive) is the largest 
amount subscribed. This will be paid after we have complied with certain 
conditions. 

The following gifts are noteworthy : A handsome pulpit Bible from 
Zeigler Bros., of Philadelphia, in memory of their deceased father; a 
beautiful silver communion service from Mrs. John J. Zeigler, of Ardmore, 
Pa., in memory of her mother ; also a fine embroidered communion cloth 
by the daughter of Mrs. Zeigler in memory of her little girl, recently deceased. 

WM. J. BUCK'S WRITINGS. 

William J. Buck furnished a number of most interesting articles to the 
Hatboro Public Spirit, under editorship of Dr. W. T. Robinson. 

The Reminiscences of William Homer, Sampson's Hill and its legend 
of the Indian who died in a snow-storm and was said to haunt the neighbor- 
hood, and direct future snow-storms, make interesting topics, while country 



THE YORK ROAD. 223 

incidents in various articles are dwelt on with the love of rustic life which 
belonged to Irving or Cooper. Round Meadow at Willow Grove, and its 
blackbirds, and the Hatboro Railway, and Horseheaven Hill, near Willow 
Grove, the country school, the rural funeral, the husking of corn and 
threshing with a flail, and a Friend's wedding, alike employed this facile pen. 
An account of the library of the veteran collector, Abraham H. Cassel, near 
Harleysville, Montgomery County, Pa., is interesting. The Hallowell family 
with its traditions and John F. Watson, and James Gordon Bennett and his 
son, who, when a boy, tarried a while at Willow Grove Inn, receive due notice. 

Prof. John Fries Frazer, of the University of Pennsylvania, Watson 
Comly, and Viscount Louis de Fleury, a Revolutionary captain under 
Armand Marquis de la Rouarie, have sketches assigned to them, while the 
country birds are treated of at various times by this writer who can see 
objects worthy of thought in the animal world, and the tree-frog and snake 
are not forgotten. 

Pennsylvania local travels were also noted by Mr. Buck in the Doylestown 
Democrat. One article treats of " The German Population in Bucks County." 

A scrap book containing these pleasant sketches is entitled " The Local 
Historians." The Hatboro Spirit articles appeared from 1880 to 1882. 

The Ridgway Library, of Philadelphia, owns this valuable volume. This 
quarto is marked 10,393, Q. Any love¥ of Pennsylvania history should 
examine it. I am informed that Mr. Buck has thought of putting his local 
sketches into a volume, and hope sincerely that he may do so, for few have 
done so much to illustrate the history of Eastern Pennsylvania. 

There is another copy of " The Local Historian " in a Scrap Book in the 
Hatboro Library. 

See Numbers xlvii and xlviii for a part of the information here given. 

In 1760 between eight and nine thousand wagons were required to trans- 
port the products of Pennsylvania to market, and hence there was great need 
of inns. (Wm. J. Buck, in Bean's History of Montgomery County, page 345.) 
Mr. Buck thinks that two-thirds or three-quarters of these wagons passed 
through Montgomery County. 

Farmers used to take beds along, and sleep on the inn floor. A hundred 
of them would lie down at the Red Lion Inn, at Willow Grove. 

Parties of people were sometimes storm-stayed in the snow, and found 
much merriment in their imprisonment. Whittier's poem " Snow Bound " 
shows how New England winters brought such enforced confinement in one's 
dwelling. 

SAMPSON'S HILL. 

This hill as Mr. Buck describes it, is not a high one, but for generations 
it has been " a familiar household word. " The Old York Road passes over 
its greatest altitude, about a half mile north of Willow Grove. The pike runs 



224 THE YORK ROAD. 

along it about half a mile. The primeval forest has mostly given place to 
well cultured farms. Its summit affords a fine view of Hatboro, and Lacy's 
battle-ground and the Neshaminy hills, and Pennypack Valley, and the pict- 
uresque scenery of Huckleberry Hill. The farm houses and growing crops 
give a pleasant picture of country life to the dweller in the city who comes 
hither for refreshment. 

Before 1720, Sampson Davis owned land here, running to the road and 
bridge. He was a native of Wales, and built a cabin where the Water Cure 
stands, not far from a " fine spring of water. " Sir Wm. Keith occasionally 
visited him. He belonged, with his wife, to the Abington Monthly Meeting 
of Friends. The hill took its name from him. 

In 1805, a writer in Miner's Correspondent had suggested the grading of 
this hill, passed by stages from Philadelphia to New York, and Easton, and the 
increasing travel from New Jersey. In 1850 the Hatboro and Warminster 
Turnpike Company made a stone road " from Willow Grove to the Street 
Road, a distance of four and a half miles, on the bed of the Old York Road, 
20 feet wide and 12 inches in depth. " 

The old hill was necessarily shorn of some of its height and beauty by 
this improvement, and what Indians were content to roam over, white men 
excavated. Poor mother earth suffers much from her children, who often 
scratch her face. A man disinclined perhaps to toil, once said that the earth 
was his mother and he would not scratch her face by digging, but poetry 
must give place to utility. The good-natured hill, however, yielded enough 
stone from its cutting to construct several miles of road, distributing its bless- 
ings for a long distance, as the perfumed tree which gives a pleasant odor to 
the axe which fells it. One blast sent a rock weighing nearly a ton into a 
field, and a stone weighing about four hundred pounds landed " in the 
branches of a large cherry tree where it hung suspended for five or six 
years some twenty feet above the road surface, much to the astonishment of 
travellers. " 

The bridge was formerly a wooden one, *' but in 1830 the County erected 
a substantial stone structure of one arch of fifteen feet span, which was com- 
pleted the following year. " 

There are a " number of fine springs of purest water " here which cross 
the pike, but the largest one in this section is " about one hundred yards 
southeast of the bridge. It is sufficiently strong to furnish an unfailing supply 
to a village. The stream after a mile's journey mingles its waters with the 
Pennypack." 

" A venerable looking milestone stood as late as 1850 on the eastern bank 
of the road-side, about forty yards up the hill from the present bridge, having 
cut on it, ' 15 M. to P. ' It came away in making the turnpike and it is a pity 
that it cannot be restored to near the same place. Most probably it may have 
done duty here for all of a century." 



THE YORK ROAD. 225 

In 1777, on August the 23d, Washington and his army, with baggage and 
artillery train crossed Sampson's Hill. They had broken camp near Cross 
Roads where Hartsville has arisen, 6 miles above this point, where for two 
weeks they had awaited tidings as to the expected landing of the British. They 
now marched toward Philadelphia, whence they proceeded and met the 
enemy on the Brandywine. 

ROUND MEADOW. 

This Mr. Buck gives as the name of a stream through Willow Grove with 
an adjoining swamp. The early settlers gave the name. The stream propels 
Benjamin Morgan's grist mill, which was " built by Thomas Parry, in 1731. " 
The large swamp has been reduced by improvement " to less than 20 acres. " 
It touches the old Plank Road, and its peat and indigenous cranberries are 
worthy. of notice. Many beautiful wild flowers attract young ladies to gather 
them and city houses are ornamented by them. The rare "star-nosed mole" 
frequents the spot, and muskrats have built their " neat and highly ingen- 
ious cabins " in this swamp, while snipe and woodcock, and blackbirds claim 
a right to their ancestral grounds, though man tries to dispossess them. 

Penn, in 1684, bought of the Indian chief Metamicont the lands on the 
Pennypack, including this section, Nicholas More's tract, obtained from 
Penn, ran across Round Meadow. In 1696 Captain Thomas Holme sold a 
part of the original extensive Round Meadow to John Hallowell, of Darby, 
and he " built a house or cave " on it, a mile to the southwest of Willow Grove. 
He held 600 acres, and has many descendants " in the neighborhood. " 

Old York Road ran through this swamp. A bridge was thrown over the 
stream. The road wound circuitously through Willow Grove because the 
ground was miry, and a solid way was sought, hence the name Round Meadow, 
from going round. 

A son of James Dubree, after the Revolution, built a dam above the 
bridge, and had a race to drive a scythe-factory, which race may still be seen. 

The Cheltenham and Willow Grove Turnpike Company was chartered in 
1803. It used much stone to make a solid road about Round Meadow bridge. 
Rails used to be stood on end to warn travellers of miry points before the pike 
was made. 

" The Germantown and Willow Grove Plank Road and Turnpike was 
laid out and made in 1856-57, and commenced on the Old York Road, a few 
yards above the Round Meadow bridge, crossing the Moreland and Abington 
line nearly at right angles. " 

Newport's Phosphate Factory is somewhat on the Round Meadow. 

. HORSEHEAVEN. 

This is a high point near Willow Grove, on the York Road. The forest 
yet lingers on its sides to the north and east, while red cedar clothes a part of 
15 



226 THE YORK ROAD. 

its summit with its constant green mantle. A strip of cultivated land divides 
it. He who climbs this hill is repaid by a view of historic Valley Forge, and 
ancient Gerraantown, while Trenton and Whitemarsh bring up Revolutionary 
times also. The Jersey hills stretch their blue lines for many a mile, while 
Buckingham Mountain divides his high honors with them. The hills on the 
Delaware, Schuylkill and Neshaminy, and Edge Hill, Camp Hill, Church 
Hill and Huckleberry Hill claim attention, while " Frankford, Chestnut Hill, 
Barren Hill, Flourtown, Jenkintown and Hatboro " must not be forgotten as 
under the eye of the beholder. 

The silver streak of the Delaware river with its steamers and sailing boats 
may be seen. 

When stage lines passed here. Willow Grove was a stopping place where 
horses were changed. Dead horses were buried on this hill, and hence it was 
styled Horseheaven. 

The hill has fine springs which feed " several fountains " in Willow Grove. 
The springs run into Round Meadow Run, which flows into the Pennypack, 
and also originate Tearwood Run, a branch of the Pennypack. Sandy Run, a 
tributary of the Wissahickon, is a trout stream which owes its existence to 
springs on the southern side of this hill, and so the waters of the hill " flow 
into both the Delaware and Schuylkill, as it is a kind of dividing ridge. " 

In 1840 and 1841 Ferdinand Hassler, the Superintendent of the United 
States Coast Survey camped here with his assistants. The signal station com- 
municated with like " ones at Mount Holly and Woodbury N. J., Langhorne, 
Girard College and one or two in Delaware County. " 

The late " Henry D. Rogers, afterwards Professor of Natural History in 
the University of Glasgow," in the geological survey of the State in the 
summer of 1851, made his investigations of this hill and the neighboring 
country. In the first volume of his work may be seen a sectional view of its 
structure and stratification. 

Near Round Meadow Run are mineral springs, which indicate iron ore, 
which is abundantly obtained about a mile to the westward. The squirrel, 
rabbit, opossum, robin, jay and other birds, as well as the crow, own this hill 
in spite of human intruders with their title deeds. They have an inalienable 
right from the Heavenly Father and Creator, who opens his hand and fills all 
living things " with good, " Psalm 104, 28. 

The botanist can find a large variety of trees and shrubs on this hill. 

" The laurel in June is seen whitened over with its magnificent flowers. " 
Here is the mountain mint or dittamy of which people made tea in ancient 
days, " spicy wintergreen or teaberry also grows here. " " The mountain 
spikenard luxuriates amidst the crevices of the rocks. " As my friend Mr. 
Buck, whom I follow in describing this region, enumerates many more of the 
natural productions of his favorite hill, one can see the poetic spirit shining 
out in his prose ; and if every neighborhood had such a chronicler it would 
become illustrious. 




HATBORO SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 



THE YORK ROAD. 229 

As he claims, domestic scenery should fire our minds, as well as European 
landscapes, he calls forth the Indian and the Swede, the Dutch and the Irish 
and Welsh of Gwynedd and Germans of Germantown, and the Scotchman, 
Sir Wm. Keith, and the English Quakers, and the Revolutionary heroes to 
show that Pennsylvania does not lack historic interest. 

Such a hill in summer heat, or the budding spring time, with its blossoms 
and leaves, and in the autumn glory, filled his mind with many pleasant 
thoughts, and every reflective mind should thus learn lessons from the book 
of Nature ever spread open before him. 

David Newport is an eminent minister among the Friends, and a pleas- 
ing poet, who is well noticed in the biographies. He resides near Willow 
Grove, on a fine and well kept farm. 

ASHLAND FARM. 

This pleasant estate lies just below Hatboro. 

A fine wide lane, bordered with an avenue of noble trees, leads to the 
mansion, as at Trevose, the old Growden place, near Hulmeville, owned by 
Charles Taylor. 

The building is an ample structure of stone, in the simple architecture of 
the earlier dwellings of Eastern Pennsylvania. 

The furniture within is of the dignified old fashioned style which gives 
an interesting character to rooms. 

This residence among the rolling hills was the property of the late Judge 
William Yerkes. It came into the possession of his father Joseph B. Yerkes. 

Nathaniel B. Boileau was the next previous owner. He also owned a farm 
above this place. For reference to him see (Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 450.) 

Joshua Potts, and his wife Anna, owned this farm in A. D. 1759, the date 
which is on the lower part of the house, while the upper part contains the 
date 1750. 

In old time the farm is said to have been owned by that great capitalist 
of provincial Pennsylvania, Chief Justice William Allen, whose country 
place was at Mount Airy. He is reported to have been the richest man in 
the province in his day. 

Judge Yerkes was a Major in the Northern Army in the Confederate war. 

There is an abundance of wainscoting in the old mansion, which always 
gives a solid appearance, and character to a building. There are also fire- 
places which are a pleasant reminder of times when coal and what the Phila- 
delphia Ledger has well called '' cooked air " were unknown. 

The sitting-room boasts a noble yellow pine board which has held its 
place for generations. The heavy window sash are also marks of antiquity. 

Mrs. Yerkes, the widow of the Judge and his son William H. Yerkes, 
with another son and a daughter, resided in the ancestral house at my visit. 



230 THE YORK ROAD. 

Directly opposite is a factory built of brick, which shows that business 
penetrates the country districts. 

A quaint neat toll-gate house is just below the Ashland farm house, on 
the same side. It was kept for some time by Mr. Lukens Wakefield, and his 
widow still conducts it, with her son and his family. 

In approaching Hatboro in riding from Jenkintown, before reaching the 
Loller Academy, at the lower border of the town, the comfortable and 
substantial residence of the Clotworthy family is seen on the left side of the 
road. It was the residence of Mrs. Bates who died lately. 

On the opposite side of the way is the cosy farm house of Mr. John 
Mayne. 

HATBORO. 

Byberry Avenue is the finest avenue of residences in Hatboro. 

Samuel J. Garner, Real Estate Agent and Conveyancei;, has a pleasant 
and ample gray-stone mansion on the south side of this street. 

Dr. P. H. Markley, a practising physician, has next below this a dwelling 
of modern architecture of stone and red shingles, giving a very pretty effect. 

Mr. Paul Jones, Teller in Hatboro National Bank, owns the pretty frame 
and shingle house next below colored yellow. It is a tasteful abode. 

Dr. C. 0. Dager, the dentist of the borough, is finishing a handsome 
residence of frame with a remarkably attractive piazza in front. 

Byberry Avenue runs to the end of the borough limits where it merges 
into Byberry Road. The well built up portion is from Depot Street to York 
Street. 

Albert French has a neat brick house, finished within in hard wood, 
making a cosy residence. 

Mr. James Van Horn, Cashier of the National Bank, owns and occupies 
the next residence, being a frame house of good dimensions, adorned with a 
piazza, and built in cottage style. The roof is lighted by dormer windows, 
making a third story. 

The house of Mr. John B. Jones is next to Mr. Van Horn's, as one walks 
toward York Street which is the name which the Old York Road bears at 
this point, as Broadway holds its name from New York to Albany, and is so 
known in passing through Tarrytown. 

The house of Mr. Jones is of brick, rough cast, of a drab color, with the 
outer woodwork tastefully painted. This place was purchased two years ago 
by Mr. Jones, of C. H. Millar, who had bought it of Harvey Terry, now in 
North Carolina. The present owner has enlarged the piazza and improved 
it otherwise. 

The yards of all these residences are large and nicely kept, and add 
much to the beauty of the avenue. Sometimes a niggardly spirit destroys a 
new and growing town by a false economy in the use of land. 



THE YORK ROAD. 231 

The influence of Samuel J. Garner appears to have cauged this desirable 
end to be accomplished. 

Opposite Mr. Jones resides Timothy Ely, brother of Ex-Sheriff Ely, of 
Newtown, Bucks County. 

Messrs. Chas. Trimmer and Hugh Carroll have neat cottages on the same 
side of the street as Mr. Ely nearer to Depot Street. 

The Hon. J. Newton Evans, M. D., has a very fine residence of stone, 
Avith piazzas and bay windcfWs and a dormer roof and a tower next below 
the Soldiers' Monument. A reception was held here by President Harrison 
at the time of the Log College Anniversary. The building stands high, and 
the terraces and trees give a pleasing effect. 

Dr. Evans came from Chester County. He was a member of Congress 
for two terms, representing the Republican party. He is the President of the 
National Bank, and has held the office from its foundation in 1872. He also 
deals in real estate and is a well known business man in the community and 
neighborhood. 

Mr. John B. Jones acted as stage driver on the Old York Road in the 
Swift Sure Mail Line in 1849, under the ownership of Jacob Peters, of Phila- 
delphia, who owned the White Swan Hotel at Race Street, above 3d, from 
which various stage lines departed, but the Swift Sure Line started from 
Barley Sheaf in 2d Street, below Vine, until the fire of 1850 destroyed that 
section, when the point of departure was moved to the White Swan Hotel. 
There were then three mails a week ; now there are three a day. Mr, Jones 
drove from Philadelphia to Flemington, N. J., forty-six miles. At that point 
connection was made with a stage which ran sixteen miles to Somer- 
ville, N. J., to connect with the Jersey Central R. R.; afterward the railway 
was prolonged to White House, nine miles from Flemington. Mr. Jones 
drove this route for several jears, from Willow Grove northward all being 
mud road. Sometimes the passengers would have to get out and assist in 
lifting the wheels out of the mud. The run was made in one day to 
Flemington returning the next day. Flemington was left at 5 o'clock A. M. 
summer and winter from Hart's Hotel, opposite the Court House, breakfasting 
and changing horses at Lambertville, at Amos Moore's Hotel. Horses were 
also changed at Hatboro. At first they were changed at Willow Grove and 
Bushington, but not at Hatboro. Andrew Yerkes owned the line before Mr. 
Jones was employed. Four horses were driven from Philadelphia to Lambert- 
ville, and from Lambertville to Flemington ; in easier roads two horses. 

At the first coming of Mr. Jones, Vandegrift's Hotel, called the Upper 
Hotel, but now the Rail Road House kept by Collamore & Munch, was the 
changing point, but he transferred it to the Lower Hotel, kept by Jacob 
Walton. He purchased the house in 1861, having rented the upper house 
for two years previous. Mr. Jones bought the Swift Sure line, but ceased 
to drive on it, though after the opening of the North East Pennsylvania 
Rail Road in 1872, it ran from Hatboro, where the Rail Road then ended, to 



232 THE YORK ROAD. 

Centre ville for a time. About two years ago the railway was extended from 
Breadyville to New Hope. In 1891 Mr. Jones sold the hotel to Harry Wilson 
who now keeps it, and still calls it the Jones House in honor of its former 
host. This may meet the eyes of some old stage travellers who will recall 
pleasant rides with a careful and attentive driver. I am indebted to Mr. 
Jones for good information. The echo of the old stage horn still rings in the 
memory around these hills. 

In travelling by railway above Glenside, at present, farms and light woods 
diversify the landscape until Hillside is reached, and the Willow Grove Pike, 
or Old Plank Road, as it was called when planks were on it, is again crossed, 
circumbendibus has brought the steam and carriage ways together again, 
like two friends loath to part, and making a last embrace. 

At Rubicam Station the Old York Road is again passed, and an ancient 
family name once well known in Philadelphia and Germantown is com- 
memorated. 

Willow Grove, the summer resort of elder and of present times, with its 
shady surroundings, is the next station. Here was an ancient inn. 

Heaton and Fulmor perpetuate local family names, as is proper. 

Bonair Station is passed. 

Johnsville Station is the point where Mr. Craven built a store for his son 
John, thus giving the name to the village. 

Hartsville, Southamptonville, Davisville and Churchville are not far 
distant, so the country has many " villes." 

Ivyland was long the terminus of the North East Pennsylvania Rail 
Road, and is the station for Hartsville, which lies at a little distance from the 
railway. 

Jacob Reading was long the postmaster of Hatboro who awaited in stage 
times the warning bugle. Elijah Van Horn now has the post-office in con- 
nection with the drug store which is a fine building owned by Dr. W. T. 
Robinson. 

Samuel S. Thompson on the York Road at the upper toll-gate has a 
beautiful cottage with a remarkably fine and well kept lawn of large extent. 

In addition to my own observations, I wish to note the beautiful illus- 
trated pamphlet of Major Jonathan T. Rorer on Hatboro, similar to one on 
Oak Lane and another issued by the Board of Trade on Coatesville. 

This booklet gives street views and residences, including besides those 
named, the house of Hon. Arthur D. Markley, in Northampton Street. Jona- 
than T. Rorer resides in a very ancient house which belonged to the 
heirs of Bartholomew Longstreth who married John Dawson's daughter. (See 
Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 99.) Ann Dawson assisted her father in handling 
the stone and mortar with which he built the house which succeeded his 
first cabin. 

Comly Walton's residence on Moreland Avenue, Dr. J. B. Carrell's on 
York Street, Dr. Thomas Reading's on the same avenue (now undergoing 



THE YORK ROAD. 233 

neat improvements), the National Bank, Union Library, Lolier Academy, 
John Van Pelt's store, the Jones Hotel, the M. E. Church, the Borough 
Council Hall and Fire Department, and the Soldiers' Monument are pictured 
in the illustrations. An electric light plant is noted and the macadamizing 
of streets. 

The following extract is from the Philadelphia Press, May 4th, A. D. 1889 : 

OBITUARY. 

Dr. Edward Reading, one of the most prominent homoepathic physicians 
of Montgomery County, died this morning of a complication of diseases, after 
an illness of about a week. Dr. Reading was born in Somerton, about sixty 
years ago and graduated at the Hahnemann Medical College in 1853. He 
settled in Hatboro about thirty years ago. He was a prominent member of 
the Hatboro Methodist Church and a charter member and the first worship- 
ful master of the William K. Bray Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of this 
town. A wdfe and three children survive him, Mrs. T. E. Paxson and Drs. L. 
W. and Thomas Reading. 

THE HATBORO BAPTIST CHURCH, jBY REV. OWEN JAMES. 

This church was organized on ]the 8th day of September, 1835, with 
twenty-two members. These did not come as a colony from any other church 
but were nearly all converted in a revival meeting held in the open air in a 
grove near Hatboro. The clergymen conducting this meeting were under the 
auspices of the Central Union Association of Baptist Churches and came to 
Hatboro at the urgent solicitation of Mr. Joseph B. and Mrs. Hannah Yerkes, 
the parents of the late Judge W. H. Yerkes of Philadelphia. 

For nearly five years the services of the church were held in Lolier Hall 
at the lower end of the village. On the 19tli of April, 1838, nearly two acres 
of ground were purchased from William Rhodes for $300. The deed was made 
in the names of Joseph B. Yerkes, John Whitehead, Andrew Yerkes and 
Harman Yerkes. On the 5th day of September, 1839, the corner stone of the 
first meeting house was laid by the venerable Daniel Dodge. The structure 
was humble and plain, measuring 40 feet square and was one story high. 
The builder was Joseph B. Yerkes a man who always put brain and con- 
science in all his work. The building was dedicated on the 16th of January, 
1840 ; the Rev. J. M. Challis conducting the services. 

This house was enlarged in 1856. It was made larger by twenty-four 
feet, a second story was put on and a tower, steeple and bell were added. The 
Rev. George Hand was pastor at the time. The work began in the spring of 
1856, and the enlarged house was opened on the 22d of May, 1857. 

In 1884, during the pastorate of Rev. J. Blanchard Hutchinson, the 
structure was still further enlarged by the erection of commodious robing- 
rooms in the rear. At the same time a greatly improved Baptistery was put 



234 THE YORK ROAD. 

in, the house thoroughly refurnished, and the walls beautifully frescoed. The 
entire cost was $2,200 all secured and paid at once. 

In 1844 the first parsonage was built. This is in the rear of the church 
edifice and is now used for a sexton's residence. In 1851 a lot consisting of a 
little more than two acres of land adjoining the church property was pur- 
chased for $800 from Mr. Israel Moore, an old colored man who had lived on 
it time out of mind. On this lot, in the year 1868, the present large, commo- 
dious and elegant parsonage was built at a total cost of $4,500. The Rev. I. C. 
Wynn, D. D., was its first occupant. 

The church has had thirteen pastors. Rev. Wm. P. Maul, from 1835 to 
1838; Rev. J. P. Walters from 1838 to 1840; Rev. Matthew Semple for one 
year ; Rev. A. H. Taylor from 1841 to 1843 ; Rev. J. J. Baker from 1843 
to 1845; Rev. Samuel J. Creswell for one year; Rev. Lewis Smith from 
1846 to 1852 ; Rev. George Hand from 1852 to 1861 ; Rev. Thomas R. 
Taylor who died after a prosperous pastorate of nine months ; Rev. W. S. 
Wood from 1863 to 1867 ; Rev. Isaac C. Wynn, D. D., from 1867 to 1870 ; 
Rev. George Bowman from -1870 to 1878 ; Rev. J. B. Hutchinson from 1878 
to 1886 ; and Rev. Owen James the present pastor who was settled here July 
1st, 1887. My predecessors were all able, faithful and devoted men. The one 
of them who attained the greatest prominence was Dr. I. C. Wynn, whose 
recent death is so deeply mourned by all who knew him. He was a man of 
strong, pointed and graspful intellect. His simple, clinging, trustful faith in 
God and in man ; his strong, burning, planning, working and wise enthusiasm 
for God and for humanity ; his entire self-obliviousness ; his constant consid- 
erateness, mindfulness and toil in behalf of others, brought him into constant 
requisition as speaker and manager in connection with all the institutions of 
his denomination and made him an immense power for harmony and energy 
wherever he was. He left Hatboro in 1870 and was, until his death, which 
occurred on Saturday, April 20, 1889, the beloved and successful pastor of the 
First Baptist Church of Camden, N. J. 

In A. D. 1889, the Rev. Mr. James wrote, in addition to this sketch, that 
the following persons were the church officers : Trustees, Levi Walton, Lewis 
Walton, J. H. Kelly, Wm. Valentine and John Roab ; Deacons, Charles Rorer, 
E. S. Ritchie, C. C. McNair, E. S. Walton and Albert French ; Treasurer, S. M. 
Hazlett ; Church Clerk, E. S. Walton. 

I will add that Rev. T. P. Price succeeded Rev. Owen James within the 
past year. The Rev. George Hand, once in charge of the Loller Academy, 
and a Young Ladies' Seminary in Hatboro, is a member of this parish. 

EPISCOPAL SERVICES. 

Sir Wm. Keith mentions a lay-reader at Horsham (township). Pa., where 
this provincial Lieutenant Governor purposed to build a church, as his home, 
Graeme Park, was in Horsham. He begs the Society to allow the Rev. Mr. 



THE YORK ROAD. 235 

Harrison, who had been at Hopewell and Maidenhead, N. J., to take up the 
work, but I suppose the church was never erected ; a service at Hatboro now 
conducted let us hope may bring the result which this nobleman desired in 
1723. 

Rev. Mr. James P. Fugette conducted services in the Odd Fellows Hall 
several years ago, and of late Rev. Mr. Duganne and others have carried on 
the work. At present Rev. Johnson Hubbell resides in the town and holds 
divine service in a building on York Avenue. 

Hatboro is said to have been named from John Dawson's hat factory 
before the Revolution, but the village had also the name of ''The Billet," or 
" The Crooked Billet " from the tavern, which was Dawson's house. Perhaps 
the Crooked Billet on King Street, Philadelphia, suggested the name, if it was 
not imported from England. King Street was Water Street. (See Willis P. 
Hazard's 3rd volume continuing Watson's Annals, page 348.) 

Wm. J. Buck has described this place in Bean's History of Montgomery 
County, pp. 721, 729, and we will here make an abstract of the work of this vet- 
eran local historian, who woke our interest in such things in his account of 
Graeme Park. He has a farm near this borough, and is well acquainted with 
the history and legends of this long-settled part of Eastern Pennsylvania. 

The borough dates from 1871, a little before the opening of the railroad, 
and about 600 acres were taken from Moreland Township to form it. It is a 
mile and a half long from north to south. It is three-quarters of a mile in its 
greatest breadth, and runs along the line of Bucks County nearly half of that 
distance. It lies mainly on York Road, in modern parlance York Avenue, 
which was opened from Philadelphia to Centre Bridge in 1711. 

" The Hatboro and Warminster Turnpike was completed in 1850, and 
extends from the Willow Grove to the Street Road, a distance of four and a 
half miles. " 

The North East Pennsylvania Rail Road runs through this town ; it 
branches from the North Pennsylvania Rail Road at Abington, and runs to 
Ivyland which is the depot of Hartsville, being near that village. The rail- 
way is nearly ten miles long. It was begun in 1872 and extended to Ivyland 
in 1875. Hatboro is 16 miles from Philadelphia by railwa}'. Fulmor Station 
is in the borough. Since the above was written the railway has been extended 
to New Hope. 

There are two hotels in this borough, and two drug stores and a shoe store 
as well as a jewelry and clothing, and a hardware store, and two confectionery 
establishments and a furniture store " and three general stores. " There are 
two carriage factories and two blacksmith shops, a wheelwright and two tin 
shops, two bakers, a machine shop, and " two merchant flour mills, one livery 
stable, one lumber and two coal yards. " In 1880 the population was 586. 

The library had its foundation in 1755, and has 10,000 volumes. 

The Academy was erected in 1811-12 by means of. a bequest of Judge 
Loller. The public schools are held here. 



236 THE YORK ROAD. 

There is a National Bank, Hon. I. N. Evans, President, and James Van 
Horn, Cashier. 

There are three public halls. The Loller Lodge of Odd Fellows owns a 
good stone building three stories high, which makes a good appearance on 
York Road. This Order has also an excellent stone hall at Huntingdon 
Valley, a few miles distant. The Hatboro Lodge Building was erected in 
1851. 

" The W. K. Bray Lodge of Masons met in Jones' Hall. The Patriotic 
Sons of America also possess an organization. " 

It is said that the place owes its name to " one of the first stone houses 
built here, which was about 1705, and in which, shortly after, John Dawson 
followed for many years his occupation of making hats. The English hatter 
left a mark in his name lasting longer than the name placed in hats denoting 
the maker. This building likewise became a tavern, and had for its sign a 
crooked billet, suggested by a popular inn then kept in Water Street, 
Philadelphia. It stood near the center of the present town, on the Old York 
Road, where is now the dwelling house of Oliver Watson, and into which, on 
being modernized, a portion was incorporated. " John Dawson lived here in 
1734, and a Daniel Dawson was also a resident of the place. " Lewis Evans's 
map of Pennsylvania and the adjoining provinces, published in 1749 " calls 
the place " Hatboro. " " Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette of October 12, 1752, " 
styles it '^ Crooked Billet. " The records of the library in 1755 use " Hatbor- 
ough, " though the meetings are named as held at the house of " David Reese, 
at ye Crooked Billet. " This was an English name for inns, probably imported 
to this country. Nicholas Scull's map of Pennsylvania, in 1759 calls the 
place " Billet, " as does William Scull's map 1770. Washington, writing to 
Congress in 1777 names the " Billet tavern. " General Lacy, 1778 gives 
the place the name "Crooked Billet," as do Majors Simcoe and Stedman, 
who were British officers in the skirmish here. Reading Howell, in his town- 
ship map of 1792 calls it ' Hatborough, ' and also Joseph Scott, in his Gazetteer 
of 1795. " Mr. Buck concludes that Hatboro was the name of the village, and 
Billet, or Crooked Billet of the tavern. 

In 1720 a road from Byberry to Horsham was laid out through the 
center of Hatboro. The part east of York Avenue is Byberry Avenue, and 
that west is Moreland Avenue. " The County Line Road, leading from the 
present toll-gate to Graeme Park, was laid out in 1722. " There must have 
been some settlement to require a road additional to the York Road. 

David Reese kept the tavern in 1759. His daughter Rebecca married 
"John Hart, of Warminster." In 1761 Jacob Tomkins kept a store; the next 
year the library was moved to his house, and he was librarian for some time. 
He had a farm. In 1786 William Todd bought " Tomkins' share in the 
library. " In 1784 Abraham Duffield had a public house " in the lower part 
of the village. " The library was here for some time, John J. Marple owned 
and kept this inn " at least from 1814 to 1825. He was post-master in 1816. 



THE YORK ROAD. 237 

This office is stated to have been established here about 1809, chiefly through 
the exertions of the Hon. N. B. Boileau. " Mr. Marple's property covered 
" sixty-one acres of land. In 1813 the polling places of Moreland and Horsham 
were removed here from Abington, and continued until after 1828. These 
were at the stand now known as Jones' Hotel. " 

Colonel John Lacy was a Bucks Countian, who became a Brigadier 
General in 1778, and who commanded " the militia between the rivers Schuyl- 
kill and Delaware. He was at Warwick, and Graeme Park, and the Cross 
Roads, now called Hartsville, and then at Hatboro, where his camp was '' on 
the Byberry Road, about half a mile east of the village. " His force of about 
450 men " were poorly supplied wath arms and ammunition, suffering at times 
severely for provisions, and often onl}' two daj's' allowance in camp. " On 
" May 1st, 1778 a detachment of the British army from Philadelphia, com- 
posed chiefly of American loyalists, under command of Lieutenant Colonel 
Abercrombie and Major Simcoe, made a sudden attack on the camp, in which 
about thirty Americans were killed and seventeen wounded. The British loss 
was trifling, — some six or seven men were wounded, five horses found dead 
and three captured. During the skirmish some of the wounded were either 
conveyed to, or sought shelter in a heap of buckwheat straw to which the 
enemy set fire, and the wounded men perished in the greatest agony. The 
British soon after hastily retreated to the city, when the dead were collected 
and placed in one grave on the north side of the County Line Road, near 
what has been long known as Wood's Corner. A handsome white marble 
monument, twenty feet high, was erected on the east side of York Avenue, on 
an elevated site, by the citizens of the neighborhood in 1861, in commemo- 
ration of those who lost their lives in this attack. " This site is a fine one and 
the monument draws the attention of the traveller. (See Bean's History of 
Montgomery County, page 116.) 

There were early mills on the Pennypack Creek here. Nicholas Scull's 
map gives Dungworth's " beside the York Road in 1759. " In 1787 Mordecai 
Thomas owned it. He had a farm. In 1808 he had a mill built for carding 
wool. 

Hatboro has been celebrated for carriage building. In 1807 John Paxson 
had a coach shop and a harness shop here. 

In 1814 a company volunteered here to aid the country in the English 
war. Alexander McClean was captain, and Thomas L. Boileau first lieutenant. 

In Revolutionary times Hatboro is said to have had "about eighteen 
houses, one-half of which were built of logs, a tavern, store, a mill and a black- 
smith shop. " Scott's Gazetteer in 1795 gives it " about 20 houses and a library 
of a thousand volumes. " 

On the Byberry Road near the town was a little stone school house, 
thought to have been built about 1730. N. B. Boileau went to school here. 
A new school house was built on Isaac Pickering's place on the County Line. 

In 1789 the Pennypack bridge over the Pennypack Creek at Hatborough 



238 THE YORK ROAD. 

was rebuilt of stone. George Kenderdine told Mr. Buck that it had a semi- 
circular arch " of twenty-four feet span, " and was thought " a marvel of work- 
manship. " Stephen Love was the master mason. (See Local Historian xliii.) 

In 1830 James M. Porter, Samuel Hart and John H. Hill were appointed 
to lay out the York Road to Willow Grove. The road was straightened, and 
a new bridge built a little further down the creek than the old one. 

The Literary Chronicle was published weekly in Hatboro by Oliver I. 
Search in 1840, in a building which joined the upper hotel. In 1842 it was 
removed to Newtown. In 1873 Dr. William T. Robinson began to issue the 
Public Spirit which is still published, and is well known in the vicinity. 

The Literary Chronicle shows that in 1841 Lukens Wakefield and David 
Titus were coach and house painters ; and Abraham Haslett was 'smith and 
Hiram Reading, store keeper ; Charles Wakefield, tailor ; G. W. Gilbert, wheel- 
wright ; H. N. Smith, shoemaker, and O. I. Search, job printer in Hatboro. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first church built here was the Methodist Episcopal. The corner- 
stone was laid in 1836, when the Rev. David Bartine preached the sermon. The 
church was dedicated in 1837. It was a stone building. Joseph and Deborah 
Lehman built the parsonage, and gave it to the congregation. The church 
cost $2,700, and the parsonage, $2,100. Mr. Lehman died in 1845, aged 81 
years, and his wife Deborah died in 1841 at the age of 74. A large stone 
beside the church, covers the bodies of this faithful pair who served God with 
the property He had given them. May they have many to imitate their good 
examples. 

In 1879 the church was rebuilt in Gothic style, and a steeple added. The 
property covers about an acre and a half, which " is neatly inclosed and well 
shaded. The building and grounds are kept in neat order and are an orna- 
ment to the town. It is called Lehman Chapel. " In 1883 Rev. M. A. Day 
succeeded Rev. Peter Cox in this charge. Rev. Pennell Coombe once held 
this parish in connection with Fair View church situated on a high hill com- 
manding a beautiful view, on the road from Huntingdon Valley to the York 
Road. 

" On the tombstones in the graveyard are found the names of Wood, 
Murray, Wilson, Bisbing, Eisenbrej^, Meyers, Moore, Kenderline, Sutch, Wake- 
field, Cline, Mottershead, Stewart, Benninghoff, Arnold, Fisher, Coar, Chilcott, 
Tudor, Emerson, Perry, King, Bower, Fesmire, Torpin, Bush, Sisty, Beans, 
Goentner, Maxwell, Christopher and McDowell. " 

While a vault contains the remains of Mr. Lehman and his family, his 
portrait is in the parsonage, and the face indicates a strong character. He 
was an Episcopalian, and seeing the struggle of a handful of brave men for 
Christ's work in their little meetings of prayer, he aided them. His wife was 
a Friend. The parish has a fund left by Mr. Lehman. 



THE YORK ROAD. 239 

Rev. J. M. Wheeler is the present pastor, to whom I aiii indebted for infor- 
mation as to the clergy since Mr. Buck's account. Rev. Ravil Smith preceded 
Mr. Wheeler, and Rev. E. E. Burris held the charge before Mr. Smith 
assumed it. 

In the Baptist graveyard, (according to Buck's notes) " are found the 
names of Fretz, Bitting, Martin, Scott, Lester, Sutch, Yerkes, Craven, Lukens, 
Search, Johnson, Meredith, Snyder, Haslet, Kimbell, Vanartsdalen, Booskirk, 
Rover, Margerum, Stockdale, Robbins, Lower, Dean, Taylor, Hill, Beans, 
Ashton, Swartz, McNair, Baine, Marple, James, Hay, Hobensack, Evans, 
Morgan, Humphreys, Davis, McDowell, Mathew and Eisenbrey. " 

A general cemetery lies in a pleasant position on the northern bank of 
the Pennypack, plainly visible from the York Road and the railway. It con- 
tains about 21 acres. In 1882 a house was built for the superintendent, and 
a stoiie chapel and gateway. The association was incorporated in 1877. The 
ground has a good elevation. The flowers and tombstones show that memory 
is busy with those that are gone, and loves to place memorials to keep fresh 
their recollection. The farms cultivated once by these quiet hands are now 
spread out around them. The surrounding scenery is delightful, but as 
Bryant expresses it, in his poem entitled " June " we can say of each sleeper 
here, 

" Whose part in all the pomp that fills 
The circuit of the summer hills 
Is — that his grave is green." 

Canon Hole, in his Sermons on the Lord's Prayer, as given in The Church- 
man, quotes the solemn words that befit a burial place : 

" Earth's highest station ends in ' Here he lies, ' 
And ' dust to dust ' concludes her noblest song. " 

The pleasant earthly home must be left for the narrow house of the dead, 
and happy indeed are those who look for the eternal and heavenly home with 
Christ in the everlasting mansions. 

Mr. Buck names Huckleberry Hill, Edge Hill, Sampson's Hill, and Horse- 
heaven and the place where Lacy was defeated and the Pennypack Creek as 
having " legendary and historical associations, " and being in view from this 
point. 

In passing along here I have also been struck with the picturesque appear- 
ance of the Loller Academy, the mill, the bridge and the creek. The ample 
grounds of the Academy are noteworthy and several objects worthy an 
artist's pencil are here grouped into one view. 

Mr. Buck adds that Robert Loller married " Mary, the daughter of Archi- 
bald McLean of Horsham. " In 1776 he was a County deputy to " adopt a 
new State Constitution. " He was in Washington's army, " in the battles of 
Trenton, Princeton and Germantown. " He was a Colonel, and " a member 



240 THE YORK ROAD. 

of the library in 1787. Through his bequests the Academy was built in 
1811-12 on his estate, and handsomely endowed. " He is worthily remem- 
bered in the name of the school. Polly Loller's corner with its striking allit- 
erative name keeps up the memory of the family. 

Nathaniel B. Boileau lived long in a place adjoining the Loller Academy. 
He was born in this neighborhood, and was the " son of Isaac Boileau. He 
was a graduate of Princeton College, a member of the Assembly, in 1808 
chosen Speaker of that body, and for nine years Secretary of State to Governor 
Simon Snyder. In 183G he was appointed register of wills for the County. He 
was personally acquainted with John Fitch, the steamboat inventor, who was 
a frequent visitor to his father's house. He was also the executor of Judge 
Loller's estate, and superintended the erection of the Academy. He died 
March 16, 1850, in his eighty-eighth year. " 

In 1884 a pavement was "laid along each side of York Avenue" in 
Hatboro. 

George Kenderdine was " the first Burgess of the town and a resident of 
a third of a century. " Mr. Buck expresses a regard for his memory, and says 
further, " he was a native of Horsham, a millwright by profession and an 
ingenious man, modest, unassuming and friendly in his intercourse and ever 
disposed for the advancement of the general good. He died February 8, 1883, 
at the close of a useful life. " 

UNION LIBRARY. 

This library was founded when " there could not have been above eight 
or nine public libraries in the thirteen colonies, of which two had been estab- 
lished in Philadelphia. " 

There could not have been more than a dozen houses in Hatboro when 
the library was started. 

In 1755 a meeting " was held on the premises by the Rev. Charles Beatty, 
Rev. Joshua Potts, John Lukens and Joseph Hart." Another meeting was 
held and the " Instrument of Partnership " adopted. Mr. Buck gives the valu- 
able list of the names of signers. There are some noted families represented 
in the list. George the Second then ruled this country. 

In 1755 "John Jarret, Samuel Erwin, and Joseph Hart were elected 
directors, Wm. Loufbourrow, secretar}', and Daniel Thomas, treasurer. " 

Rev. Chas. Beatty was directed to send an order for books to London. 
Hon. Lawrence Growdon, John Lukens and John Ross, Esq., gave donations 
to the funds of the library. Joseph Galloway gave four volumes through 
Joseph Hart. Dr. Thomas Graeme, and his daughter Elizabeth, of Graeme 
Park, gave "a handsome donation of books." Hon. Thomas Penn gave 
Du Hamel's "Husbandry," in 1770. In 1776 Isaac Cad wallader, Daniel 
Longstreth and Abraham Lukens were directors, while Daniel Thomas was 
secretary and Jacob Tomkins y^SLS treasurer. David Kennedy " generously 



16 




12; 
o 
I— I 




o 

o 
w 

H 

w 

ft 
o 

1-:) 

O 



THE YORK ROAD. 245 

offered the company the use of a room in his house for one year, " which " offer 
was thankfully accepted. " John Fitch was a member of the library in 1778. 
In 1780 the library was in Wm. Wilson's house, and under his care. Mrs. 
Fergusson, of Graeme Park, gave fifty volumes to the library. 

In 1787 an act of incorporation was passed. Nathan Holt, of Horsham, 
died in 1848, and gave " most of his property for the benefit of the library 
company. " He had received much benefit in using the books of the society. 
Thirty-eight hundred dollars of the $5,800 bequeathed by Mr. Holt was used 
in the erection of the neat stone building which was finished in 1849, and 
which in its quiet and classic beauty now adorns the Old York Road. Its 
appearance invites one to quiet study and reflection, and here is spread a 
mental banquet richer than a bodily feast. 

John Sloan, of Philadelphia, was the architect of the building, and Joseph 
B. Yerkes was appointed to superintend its construction. It stands on an acre 
lot bought of Robert Radcliff in 1848 for $400. The books were placed in the 
new building in 1850, and the former building " was directed to be sold. " In 
1855, Chas. H. Hill, Wm. J. Buck and David Newport were appointed a com- 
mittee concerning a commemoration of the centennial of the library though 
the plan was not carried out by reason of certain conditions imposed on the 
committee. 

There are over 10,000 volumes in the library. The directors at the time 
of Mr. Buck's account were A. L. Philips, Edward Reading, John B. Carrell, 
and Mrs. Jane E. Carr was librarian. She held the post for ten years. 

There are rare works on the shelves of this library printed between " 1593 
and 1730, and one hundred and thirteen volumes relating to the history of 
America printed before 1800. " There is also a cabinet of curiosities. This is 
the oldest library in the County. Mr. Buck thus closes : " An institution of 
this nature flourishing so long through voluntary efforts speaks well for the 
intelligence of the neighborhood. " 

I will add that the pamphlet printed in 1889 states that Wm. J. Buck, 
John Christopher and Samuel Horner have donated Indian relics. The fine 
yard, with its neat iron fence and the Grecian pillared front of the building 
and its nicely kept interior are a credit to the town. E. P. Baugh was librarian 
from 1874 to 1880. E. G. Erdmann is the present polite librarian, and his 
wife assists him in his good work. 

LOLLER ACADEMY. 

In driving into Hatboro from Philadelphia, the Loller Academy greets 
the stranger on entering the ancient borough. It may serve as a useful 
allegory being situated above the York Road and approached by steps like 
the Temple of Fame. The youth of the neighborhood for generations have 
ascended these steps bodil}'', and mentally have climbed the ascent of learning 
within the walls. The Soldiers' Monument at the farther end of the borough, 



246 THE YORK ROAD. 

as the traveller moves on toward Willow Grove and Hartsville is a lesson of 
the glorious end of life's struggle. The busy town lies between the Academy 
where young life begins its toil and the grave where age ends its task, and so 
the picture of human life is complete. 

It was a pleasure to watch the sports of the children in passing the old 
school which looks like the Academy buildings in New York or New England, 

Bean's History of Montgomery County has a good account of this ancient 
seat of learning which we will condense. 

Robert LoUer lived in the house which -has been the residence of the 
principal of the Academy. Robert and Grace Loller were his parents. He 
was a school teacher, surveyor and conveyancer. He was a colonel in the 
Revolutionary army, and was " a member of the library in 1787, a member of 
Assembly and an Associate Judge of Montgomery County for many years. 
In 1805 we find him assessed for fourteen acres of land, a horse and a cow. " 

He died in Philadelphia, where he had gone for treatment in a painful 
disease, in 1808, at the age of 68 years. His wife soon followed him to the 
grave. They left no children. Judge Loller made Hon. N. B. Boileau executor 
of his will which provided for building and endowing the Academy. The 
building was begun under the faithful executor in 1811, and finished in 1812. 
There were nine trustees " to be elected annually in December by the patrons 
of the schools held therein. " George Murray was the first principal. The 
building cost over eleven thousand dollars. It was built on " Judge Loller's 
estate, and within a hundred yards of his residence. " It is two stories high 
and of stone, surmounted by a cupola, which draws the attention of the passer- 
by. Isaiah Lukens made the clock ; he was " an ingenious mechanic of Hors- 
ham, but this clock has been out of repair now for some time. " 

In 1814 Jared Schofield became the second principal of the Academy, and 
in 1815 Giles McDowell succeeded him. In 1818 Rev. Robert Belville became 
principal, and in 1819 Nathaniel Furman took the post. In 1825 Caleb 
Frazier was at the head of the school. John McNair, Benjamin Shoemaker, 
"Walter Hibbs, Wm. M. Hough and Hugh Morrow followed in the order 
named. 

George Murray was known to Mr. Buck. He was born in Scotland, and 
after leaving Hatboro kept a boarding and day school in Doylestown, in 1833, 
and perhaps as late as 1860. He was a good teacher. His native land was 
shown by his accent. He bought a farm near Doylestown where he died, not 
many years ago, nearly a hundred years old. 

John McNair married Captain John W. Yerkes's sister, of Hatboro. He 
moved to Abington where he had a Boys' School for boarders and day pupils. 
He was at a later time " clerk of the courts of Montgomery County, and twice 
a member of Congress. About 1856 he removed to Virginia and settled upon 
a farm in the immediate vicinity of the Bull Run battle-ground, where he 
died somewhere about 1862, or in the midst of the war. " 



THE YORK ROAD. 247 

In 1836 the Assembly of Pennsylvania passed an act establishing public 
schools, and making each township a school district. Moreland did not accept 
the act, but kept up the old system in which the parents paid the instructors 
of their children, and a taxation covered the expense of those whose parents 
could not afford to do this. In 1848 the school system ceased to be optional, 
and was exteiided over the whole State. " 

" Mr. Morrow combined the public school with his own, which he taught 
for about six years, having on his list from 80 to 110 pupils, when the former 
was separated and taught in another part of the Academy, under the superin- 
tendence of Edward S. Ritchie. He continued to conduct the private and 
classical department successfully dowi^ to his resignation in 1865. " 

Hugh Morrow was an experienced teacher. At sixteen he assisted Rev. 
David Kirkpatrick in the Milton Academy. He had taught in Alton, Illinois, 
and elsewhere. For nearly a quarter of a century he presided over Loller 
Academy, and his many pupils had reason to respect so good a master, and 
affectionately remember him in their widely scattered homes. Army and 
Navy, Law and Theology and Medicine have claimed his scholars, who have 
risen high in these and other pursuits. In 1871, when Hatboro was incorpor- 
ated, his fellow citizens elected Mr. Morrow a Justice of the Peace, and he has 
since been made Burgess on two occasions. A teacher may well know how 
to guide men, as well as boys. When Mr. Buck paid this good man his loving 
and well earned tribute the teacher had reached his 77th year and the account 
of him closes thus : " We are gratified to say age appears to have touched him 
lightly. " 

Such a man had responded to Mary Howitt's plea of the children : 

" Eaise us by your Christian knowledge ; 

Consecrate to man our powers ; 
Let us take a proper station; 
We the rising generation, 

Let us stamp the age as ours ! " 

Many do not appreciate the great usefulness of the teacher. His patient 
toil deserves high honor, and his profession should be elevated, and teachers' 
houses should be placed at their schools as part of the school property, as pro- 
fessors' houses are thus often owned by colleges. 

The public schools are now held in the Academy. At the time of Mr. 
Buck's account A. R. Place was principal. He was assisted by Susan H. 
Fulmor in the secondary department, and Emma Mcintosh in the primary. 
Wm. H. Walker had "been the previous principal." I will add that Rev. 
George Hand from 1867 to 1870 conducted the Academy as a school for young 
men and boys, also maintaining the " Young Ladies Institute " which was 
established in 1854, This afterward became " Moreland Institute " for both 
sexes. 

The Loller Academ}^ and the Library have given Hatboro great literary 
advantage, and the population has increased in culture by these means. 



248 THE YORK ROAD. 

Debating societies and lectures have been held in the Academy to the benefit 
of the participants. As Mr. Buck sums up these benefits he aptly closes by 
saying : " Then let the source thereof, Judge Loller's bequest, be kept in grate- 
ful remembrance as a noble benefaction. " 

Would that there were more Judge Lollers in the world. 

Rev. Wm. Krider Goentner, who gave the site of the Soldiers' Monument 
and caused it to be erected, John B. Jones, and John Van Pelt, of Hatboro, have 
biographical notices in Bean's History of Montgomery County. 

The borough of Hatboro is a thrifty and pleasant looking country town. 
Its literary character is still kept ujj" by the Hatboro Public Spirit which is 
conducted in a two story building in the center of the place by Dr. W. T. 
Robinson and his son, E. 0. C. Robinson. The Doctor was for some time the 
physician in charge of the Lazaretto. Mrs. John Van Pelt, a cousin of George 
Alfred Townsend, (Gath), has been a valuable writer in this paper. 

HORSHAM MEETING HOUSE. 

This old place of worship not far from Hatboro, is so near the York Road, 
and looks so interesting in its dignified and quiet simplicity with its " city of 
the dead, " that we cannot refrain from noticing it. 

W. J. Buck, in Bean's History of Montgomery County, shortly describes 
Horsham or Horshamville on the Doylestown and Willow Grove Turnpike, 
among surrounding farms, with its two school houses and store and " mechanic 
shops." Charles Palmer was the post master in 1816. In 1826 Charles Jarrett 
held this position, and the name was " changed from Horsham Meeting 
House to Horsham. " Here a hall was erected in 1855. There was a library 
in this village for some time. 

Horsham Meeting House is described in the History of Montgomery 
County in Scott's Atlas, in 1877. Mr, Buck, who wrote that sketch, enlarged 
on the subject in his " Local Historian, " in 1882, in newspaper articles forming 
a Scrap Book. He further adds to the valuable information in Bean's History 
of Montgomery County. 

In 1717 Horsham is named in a minute of Abington Monthly Meeting, 
when John Michener and Thomas Iredell were chosen overseers, Samuel 
Smith, in his " History of the Province, " gives 1716 as the date of the estab- 
lishment of the Meeting, " at first only in the winter season. " 

Hannah Carpenter, who was the widow of Samuel Carpenter, gave John 
Cadwallader, Thomas Iredel, Evan Lloyd and Richard Kenderdine, in 1719 
in trust for the use of Friends " 50 acres of land from his great tract, on which 
the meeting house was built most probably in 1721. " The jurors' report on 
laying out the Governor's road here, April 23, 1722, locates it by the Meeting 
House. John Fothergill, of England, mentions in his journal attending this 
meeting, 17th of Eleventh Month, 1721-22, in company with Lawrence King. " 




ABINGTON PRP:SBYTERIAN CHUKCH, (See page 216 



THE YORK ROAD. 251 

In 1724 the members ask assistance for finishing the meeting house which 
their brethren treat favorably in a resolution. Mr. Buck thpuks the building 
was of stone, and that it stood until 1803 when the present ample and sub- 
stantial building arose. 

Hannah Carpenter was from Haverford, West South Wales, and her 
maiden name was Hardiman. She and her husband were highly esteemed 
for benevolence. She died in 1728, aged 82. Her husband in 1711 gave 
ground for a meeting house and burying ground for Friends in Bristol, Bucks 
County, Pennsylvania, where, in 1713' a meeting house was built a year before 
his death. 

" Evan Lloyd was one of the first ministers of this congregation, of which 
also John Cadwallader was an elder." In 1782, it was strong enough to 
become a Monthly Meeting attached to Byberry. It was in after years " again 
attached to Abington. " 

In 1753 the Pennsylvania Gazette shows, by an advertisement, that the 
Friend's school house had been erected, and "the committee, John Lukens, 
surveyor, Abraham Lukens, and Benjamin Cadwallader desired the services 
of a teacher, very probably the present stone school house, in which Isaac 
Comly, of Byberry, the author and editor also taught in 1799. " 

The graveyard is very interesting containing those buried since 1719. It 
has been enlarged at various times, and covers several acres, which are 
enclosed by a stone wall of substantial character. The following are names 
honorably known in the vicinity on tomb-stones : Spencer, Walton, ECallowell, 
Palmer, Jarrett, Lukens, Longstroth, Kirk, Paul, Cadwallader, Thomas, 
Iredell, Comly, Lloyd, Wood, Parry, Jones, Kenderdine, Michener, Shoemaker 
and others. " Mr. Buck adds a list of personal friends with their ages, inter- 
esting to the relatives and friends of the dead. 

" A noble sassafras tree " here was measured in 1852, and 16 inches above 
ground, had a girth of 13 feet. 

" The meeting house, as is usual with Friends, is surrounded by noble 
shade trees, particularly buttonwood and oak, some of the latter undoubtedly 
remnants of the ancient forest. Here too, on nearly all sides, are extensive 
sheds for the protection of horses from the inclemency of the weather in all 
seasons. It is calculated to do one good at the close of the quiet Friends' 
worship, as we have more than once experienced here, to enter into a general 
hand-shaking, as is the custom, thus renewing friendship and reviving recol- 
lection. " 

Thus does Mr. Buck end his pleasant description, which is followed by a 
learned and interesting account of Graeme Park and its former owners, as this 
park is in Horsham Township. 

The following sketch was written by the author of this volume for the 
Germantown Telegraph, Philadelphia, May 27, 1885. Founded by Philip R. 
Freas. Henry W. Raymond, Editor and Proprietor. H. C. Michener has 
since become associated with Mr. Raymond in the editorship : 



252 



THE YORK ROAD. 




SIR WILLIAM KEITH. 



AN ACCOUNT OF GRAEME PARK AND THE OLD KEITH MANSION. 

In the beautiful undulating country which abounds in Eastern Pennsyl- 
vania, in the township of Horsham, on the County Line Road, about three 
miles above Hatboro, lies Graeme Park the ancient residence of Lieutenant- 
Governor Keith. As I rode by the antique mansion house with a friend, on 
a dull cloudy day, it seemed to be mourning its former grandeur, and having 
been deprived of the outbuildings which formerly surrounded it, it naturally 
looked a little lonesome. Still the property has fallen into good hands, and 
Mr. Abel Penrose, to whom it has descended through his father, has placed a 
new roof on the building and kept it in fair repair, so that this historical 
spirit has preserved one of the most interesting relics in this section of country. 

We are pleasantly welcomed at the modern farm house near by, and 
Mrs. Penrose kindly and cheerfully displays the mementos of former days. 
Here is a fine oil painting of Mrs. Fergusson, a descendant of Lady Keith. 
The picture was taken at from three to five years of age, and when we reflect 
that the old lady died in A. D. 1800, it contains a striking lesson on the 
passage of time. The bunch of keys which guarded the stores of the old 
mansion is brought forward ; they are attached to a hook to suspend them to 
a girdle, and Lady Keith may have constantly worn them, as in her short 
residence in this place she dispensed her provisions to her household slaves. 
Such work was familiar to Southern housekeepers. An old high-backed chair, 



THE YORK ROAD. 253 

having formerly contained a cushion embroidered by Mrs. Fergusson, is the 
next object of attention, and the remnant of the embroidery is an interesting 
relic. But of much greater interest is the bill of transfer, filled with special 
items, which marks the passage of the property from the hands of Governor 
Keith into those of Thomas Graeme and Thomas Sober for the consideration 
of £500. Twice on it is found the large bold signature, " W. Keith." The 
faded, broken, yellow paper has an antiquarian interest, but Mrs. Penrose has 
wisely had it copied on parchment. Some human goods are noted, as this 
item shows: "A negro man named William and an Indian woman his wife, 
named Jane; a boy their child, named W'illiam." Mercury and his wife 
Diana, and Ca3sar were among the human chattels. Let us be thankful that 
no such bills can be drawn to-day. Silver plate abounded, even candlesticks 
and snuffers being made of that precious metal; and one ornament was a 
piece of coral set in silver. In household goods there were 64 sheets, 50 table- 
cloths, 12 dozen napkins, 6 dozen towels, and 2 dozen window curtains, a 
choice bed " compleat," a yellow damask bed, plaid beds, tent beds, a blue 
stuff bed and a red and yellow bed and 22 white Holland mattresses, 20 pairs 
of blankets, 2 fine chintz quilts. A couch and squab with 3 pillows of green 
camblet. A Rushy leather squab, 6 walnut chairs with silk bottoms, one of 
which we have perhaps just seen, and " 3 dozen of Rushy chairs." 

Inside the chimney of the present farm house is Governor Keith's coat of 
arms on a large iron plate, imbedded in the rear wall. It was brought from 
the mansion house and placed there many years ago. The motto is 
" Remember thy end." He was created a Baronet in 1663 and was Lieu- 
tenant-Governor from 1717 to 1726. He certainly lived in state here, as a few 
more items will show : " 6 large folding-tables of mahogany and black 
walnut, 8 smaller ditto, 1 mahogany tea-table, 12 fine tables of different size, 
3 fine India tea-tables, 2 Dutch ditto, 78 candle-molds, 20 pairs brass candle- 
sticks, 2 jacks with weights, 12 venison pots." On a post of the house-yard 
fence is an immense stone, which tradition says that the Governor required 
his men to lift as high as the knee as a test of their fitness for his service. 

We now proceed from the farm house to the old mansion, with its 
hipped roof, which is close at hand. The fish-pond is passed where Lady 
Fergusson used to feed the finny tribe. The fine chimneys of the house are 
worthy of notice, and they have been kept in repair. The long, narrow 
windows of the reddish stone building have an ancient look. Do they long 
after the beautiful faces who gazed out of them in the days long ago? The 
approach at present is to the rear of the building. As the remains of one 
side of the jail wall are visible from the house, let us hurry in lest we fall into 
danger. As the aged lady who now occupies the mansion kindly permits us 
to wander over it, guided by Mrs. Penrose, we meet with many wonders. 
The very high ceilings astonish one. The fine parlor is wainscoted with 
pine to the very ceiling, while an ornamental wooden cornice surmounts the 
wainscoting. The carpenters of to-day might admire this woodwork. The 



254 THE YORK ROAD. 

parlor floor is the same that was first laid. Some ornamental bits of wood- 
work have been torn away by curiosity hunters, who have also carried off the 
tiles from an old chimney place. There are inside paneled-shutters of wood. 
There is a noble old fire-place in the parlor, encased with marble, and there 
are fire-places in the second story. The hearths of the fire-places are com- 
posed of square bricks. The balustrades of the stairs are composed of fine, 
strong woodwork, and do not seem to feel the hand of time. Indeed, the 
whole building hardly indicates that the contract for its construction was 
given in A. D. 1721. Eighteen panes of glass adorn the lower windows, while 
the upper ones boast of twenty-one panes each. The fine chamber above the 
parlor is said to have had tapestry hung on its walls in olden time. A bit of 
broken wall in the attic roof discloses thick mortar and laths which were 
split with an axe. Having glanced through the trap-door on the roof, and 
descended to look at the dining-room, we step out of the front door over the 
fine old stones which form the steps, and observe the quaint bull's eye panes 
over the door. A little granddaughter of the Penrose family presents some 
daffodils she has kindly plucked, and the historic mansion is left. 

Sir William Keith became Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Penn- 
sylvania in the latter part of William Penn's life. He was a Scotchman, was 
an educated man, and his manners made him a favorite with the people. At 
the death of Penn, Keith appears to have inclined to the interests of the elder 
branch of the family, though Penn's will indicated that he thought the elder 
branches provided for by the Irish estate, and that his interest in Pennsyl- 
vania should go to his children by his second wife, Hannah Callowhill. 
Wm. Penn Jr., the eldest son by the first wife, thought himself entitled to the 
government, and commissioned Keith Deputy Governor; though Keith 
doubted as to his position, although the Assembly worked harmoniously with 
him ; and, with their assent, he established a Court of Chancery, and presided 
in it. While in the executive chair of the Province, from 1716 to 1726, he 
lived in the Shippen house on the west side of Second Street, north of Spruce 
Street, called the Great House, and the Governor's House. It had a garden 
on two sides where stood two tall pine trees of the primeval forest, a well- 
known landmark, visible for a great distance in every direction. Wm. Penn 
once resided there with his suite for a month, — (Scharf & Westcott's History of 
Philadelphia, Vol. 1, pp. 128-9, and note.) A picture of Keith and an account 
of him are found on pp. 177-8 of this volume. The same engraving is in 
Bean's valuable History of Montgomery County, and I hereby gladly 
acknowledge the courtesy of the publisher of the last named volume, Louis H. 
Everts, in allowing me to use it to embellish this article. The same 
work has a picture of the Graeme Park House, drawn by that indefatigable 
local historian, William J. Buck, in 1854, from an original painting. The 
writer has had much valuable aid from Mr. Buck in these notes, and his 
article on Graeme Park, of the aforesaid volume, deserves close attention. 
Keith's picture hangs in the rooms of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, on 



THE YORK ROAD. 255 

the right in entering the door. He wears a wig with long curls, and is clad 
in a coat of mail, with a ruffle about his neck and an ermine robe thrown 
over one shoulder. 

Keith had been Surveyor of Customs in the Carolinas, and was an adroit 
politician and accessible, and seems to have had much power over the 
Assembly. He encouraged the putting out of paper currency; he laid the 
foundation of the militia system. When superseded in July, 1726, he was 
elected to the Assembly. He published a History of Virginia in 1738, and 
died, neglected and poor, in London, in 1749. Lady Keith died in Phila- 
delphia. 

Keith landed in Philadelphia, May 31st, A. D. 1717, being received 
in state, according to his liking. He tried to please every one and induced 
false expectations, though he was an ingenious, sensible man and a good 
Governor for the people rather than the proprietaries, whom at times he 
did not obey. He made some good laws. While the goodness of his govern- 
ment in its relation to the people has been questioned, Franklin's opinion is 
favorable, and he was in a position to speak from personal knowledge. When 
Franklin came to Philadelphia as a lad, the Governor induced him to visit 
London to secure materials to start a printing house in Philadelphia. When 
the youth reached London he found the Governor's letters of commendation 
worthless, and was thrown on his resources and profited by the hard lesson. 
This seems to have been a part of Keith's scheming character, and perhaps 
having encouraged the lad he hesitated to draw back at the last. 

Keith favored improvements in the ferry arrangements, and the building 
of roads about Graeme Park. Wampum having ceased as currency and coin 
being scarce, he introduced irredeemable paper currency. The English 
merchants paid for American products with English goods and West India 
products and " negroes and indentured servants," though, according to 
Franklin, who wrote on the Paper Currency question, there was more coin in 
Philadelphia than in Boston. Franklin favored the new currency at first, 
but afterwards thought that too much had been issued. 

According to Watson and the Logan papers, Keith had a military display 
at Penn's death, to show honor to the memory of the man of peace. The 
Indians of Pennsylvania sent Mrs. Penn a letter of sympathy, with a garment 
for her to wear in journeying through the wilderness world. (See Janney's 
" Life of Penn," pp. 553-4.) 

There was a war of pamphlets about Keith, when he was a member-elect 
of the Assembly, after his loss of the Governorship, but he absented himself 
from the Assembly, and went to England and never returned. The Graeme 
Park estate was used by the Governor as a country residence. He purchased 
1200 acres for £500. It appears to have been a forest, the Old York Road 
being the nearest highway. When deprived of the Governorship, Keith 
made this his home. His action in putting out paper currency displeased 
the Penns, though the assembly upheld him. Graeme Park was given by 



256 THE YORK ROAD. 

the Governor to his wife, Lady Ann Keith. She sold it. It was bought by 
Joseph Turner, and afterward sold to Dr. Thomas Graeme, a highly distin- 
guished physician of Philadelphia, and son-in-law to Lady Keith, he having 
married her daughter by her first husband. Dr. Graeme had 300 acres of 
land in a park, with avenues and vistas. In literary and historical associa- 
tion the place stood very high in Revolutionary days, and its early history 
appears to be like that of the seat of a nobleman in England. The birds and 
sheep and natural beauties captivated Miss Eliza Stedman, who beautifully 
describes the place. It was probably natural for Keith to indulge the style 
which his bill of transfer implies, for he was not a freshly made nobleman, 
but his father was of the nobility also. His appointment as Surveyor-General 
of Customs in America was made by Queen Anne, and he resided in Virginia 
for a time. The Philadelphians, being pleased with him, used influence to 
have him appointed Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania. Hannah Penn, who 
in her husband's illness, managed his affairs with prudence, at first speaks 
highly of his abilities and writes commendingly of him. Afterward their 
views differed materially. 

Keith strove to maintain friendly relations with the Indians. He visited 
the Governor of Virginia to confer with him about them, and, attended by 
over seventy horsemen, he went to the Indian village of Conestogue, in his 
own Province, to meet the Indians. There were deputies from the Five 
Nations at this place. He made a wise speech, recorded by Proud, to the 
Indian Council. The Indians presented various bundles of skins, inter- 
spersing the successive presentations with addresses. (See Proud's History of 
Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Chap. 23.) 

The emigrations from Germany were so great in Keith's day that he was 
alarmed lest the peace with the Indians should thereby be disturbed. He 
scarcely foresaw the vast hordes of foreigners that should in after years press 
the red man from his native haunts. 

Proud says of Keith, notwithstanding his desire as Governor for popular 
favor, " yet it is most certain that the real interest of the province of Penn- 
sylvania was much indebted to his care and management while in that office." 
After he lost the office he thinks that his acts caused dissension and trouble. 
(Vol. II, pp. 201-2.) It is little wonder that loss of position affected him, as 
it has other men. In Sherman Day's History of Pennsylvania (p. 21) it is 
said that " the province certainly prospered under his administration," though 
it is added that he would side with the popular interest against the proprie- 
taries. In Gordon's History of Pennsylvania the statement occurs that Mrs. 
Penn cheerfully assented to Keith's appointment " from a conviction of his 
capacity, although she lost thereby the sum of £250, which was offered her to 
appoint another." There is a reference to the Logan manuscripts. Gordon 
thinks that Keith was misrepresented in England and this made his removal 
more easy, and he criticises his conduct after removal strongly. 



17 



THE YORK ROAD. 259 

After Keith's return to England he addressed to the King a represen- 
tation of the state of the Colonies in North America, which is in Burke's 
History of Virginia. It is of value, as it relates to the produce and commerce 
and consumption of this country. It states that the Colonies took one-sixth 
of the woolens of Great Britain, more than one-third of that value of linens 
and calicoes, a considerable quantity of East India goods, and great quantities 
of English silks, and speaks of the naval commerce of the Colonies as very 
great and increasing. 

During Keith's residence in this country he erected a pew in Christ 
Church, Philadelphia, as a Governor's pew. Graeme Park was bought by 
Keith of Andrew Hamilton, and was part of Samuel Carpenter's great tract. 
The mason who contracted to erect the house was John Kirk. Keith's new 
roads, for which he petitioned the Council ran to Willow Grove and thence 
to Hatboro. 

One of the most interesting points in Graeme Park is its relation to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Fergusson, an early American poetess, who receives notice in 
Griswold's Female Poets of America. Her portrait, as well as that of her 
father. Dr. Graeme,. may be found in Scharf & Westcott's History of Phila- 
delphia, and Bean's History of Montgomery County. She became famous in 
the Revolution as the bearer of a communication to Gen. Joseph Reed, which 
task she undertook at the wish of Governor Johnstone, one of the Peace Com- 
missioners of Great Britain, before the British evacuated Philadelphia. It 
conveyed an offer to Reed of position and emolument if he would use his 
influence in favor of an amicable adjustment of the differences between 
England and the Colonies. To this Reed replied that the King of Great 
Britain was not rich enough to bay him. Mrs. Fergusson professed to be 
" hurt and shocked " by the proposal, and in those troublous times may have 
been at a loss how to act. She seems to have been devoted to the interests 
of the American cause. Her husband, who was a Scotchman, had embraced 
the British side, and though claiming to be a British subject had been 
attainted for treason by the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Fergusson was the 
daughter of Dr. Thomas Graeme. Her husband went to the old country and 
never returned, but she led at Graeme Park a benevolent life, which made 
her beloved of all. A part of the estate had been sold in her day, and she 
finally sold the remainder in 1791 to Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia, 
who had married her niece, Anna Young. There were 555 acres, which 
brought £3500. " About the beginning of this century it came into the pos- 
session of Samuel Penrose and is now owned by his grandson, Abel Penrose, 
the son of William Penrose." The Penrose purchase was but a part of the 
tract held by Mrs. Fergusson, as Dr. Smith had sold parts of it previously. 
Thomas Sober had sold his share to Dr. Graeme. The old place contains 
several farms, and the time when "four coach horses and seven saddle 
horses" were kept in addition to "six working horses, two mares and one 
colt," has passed. The " large glass coach and two chaises " of the inventory 



260 THE YORK ROAD. 

no longer draw the gaze of the country children. It is thought that a deer 
park formed part of the grandeur of this estate. The raising of stock was a 
benefit to the country, and the inventory notes cattle, sheep and hogs, as well 
as horses. 

Keith had an iron works in New Castle County, Delaware. It was a 
grand day for him when in the ancient town, which is the County seat, the 
King's birthday was kept and the King's charter was read, establishing the 
city of New Castle with valuable privileges. The Governor made an address 
and he and Lady Keith were finely entertained by the magistrates at a 
dinner; but it was a grander day when at Conestogue Ghesaout responded 
eloquently " in behalf of the Five Nations " to the Governor's words of peace. 
Keith was Governor over nine years, which term exceeded that of any 
other Governor during the proprietary rule of forty-four years. Franklin 
says: "If he sought popularity, he promoted the public happiness, and his 
courage in resisting the demands of the proprietaries may be ascribed to a 
higher motive than private interest." After returning to Scotland he was 
elected a member of Parliament. Jefferson speaks well of him in his History 
of Virginia. 

In noting the history of Mrs. Fergusson we will trace her connection with 
the old stock. Governor Keith married the Widow of Robert Diggs; her 
daughter, Ann Diggs, married Dr. Thomas Graeme. Mrs. Graeme died in 
Philadelphia, at the age of sixty-five years, and was buried in Christ church- 
yard. Dr. Graeme was not only a physician of eminence, but was a Justice 
of the Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Gordon, and held the post 
nearly twenty years. He was Port Physician, Surgeon to the Pennsylvania 
Hospital, and first President of St. Andrew's Society to Aid Scotchmen. The 
Hatboro Library received books by his donation. His refined wife's death 
drew forth an elegy from Francis Hopkinson, and Dr. Rush spoke highly of 
her. Dr. Graeme died while walking at Graeme Park. Rev. Dr. William 
Smith, Provost of the College of Philadelphia, preached his funeral sermon. 
He was buried in Christ churchyard.. 

His daughter, Mrs. Fergusson, found the Park a proper place to foster her 
youthful muse. She speaks of the ivy which still adorns the wall of the 
mansion. She went to England for her health and visited Scotland. Rev. 
Dr. Peters, rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, introduced her to high 
circles, and she was sought by the most celebrated literary gentlemen of 
England, according to Dr. Rush's account. She was introduced to George 
III, who gave her particular notice. It is said that the King styled her a 
lady, and she bore the title of Lady Fergusson in her country home on that 
account and as granddaughter of Lady Keith. In Philadelphia she was a 
literary center and held pleasant receptions in winter. Mrs. Fergusson is 
said to have given the American army linen and other materials of her own 
raising for the needy, when it lay at Whitemarsh, and it is reported that 
Washington sent her a letter of thanks. There is a tradition that Wash- 



THE YORK ROAD. 261 

iiigton once spent a night at Graeme Park. After Mr. Fergusson joined the 
English army in Flanders, it is supposed that she ceased to hear from him. 
She learned to endure her great sorrow, and her feet often crossed the 
thresholds of the poor in visits of benevolence. She denied herself for 
charity's sake. Hearing that a man of affluence had been placed in jail, she 
obtained admission to his apartment and gave him $20, concealing her name, 
which was discovered by his description. She contributed books to the 
Hatboro and Gwynedd Libraries, and the one in Philadelphia. She died, 
aged sixty years, at the farm of Seneca Lukens, near Graeme Park, having 
left that estate, and was buried in Christ churchyard, Philadelphia. Mrs, 
Fergusson was a great pedestrian, walking eighteen miles to Philadelphia 
and back again. Her faithful friend. Miss Eliza Stedman, remained with her 
till her death. Her nephew, John Young, and his sister, Mrs. Anna Smith, 
kept up the literary reputation of Graeme Park during their residence there. 
Mr. Young, while in England, translated D'Anville's Ancient Geography, 
and Mrs. Smith's poems appeared in the Columbian Magazine and other 
periodicals. Mrs. Fergusson translated Fenelon's Telemachus into English 
heroic verse. The MS. was placed in the Philadelphia Library, and Griswold 
says of it : " It appears to me that Fenelon has not been presented in a more 
correct or pleasing English dress." I will add an extract from his quotations 
from the introduction : 

" O could a spark of that celestial fire 

Which did the favored Fenelon inspire, 

Light on the periods of my fettered theme, 
. And dart one radiant, one illumined beam, 

Then struggling Passion might its portrait view, 

And learn from thence its tumults to subdue." 

Mrs. Fergusson wrote out the whole Bible to impress it on her memory. 

The preceding narrative shows Graeme Park as a literary and social 
center, but in the Revolution General Lacy, commanding the Pennsylvania 
Militia, had his headquarters there. The drawing-room was a guard-room, 
and the lawn headquarters. The house has been honored by the presence of 
Thomas and John Penn, Bishop White, Andrew Hamilton, Francis 
Hopkinson, Rev. Nathaniel Evans and Richard Stockton. It is certainly 
one of the most interesting historic spots in Pennsylvania. 

In addition to the authorities referred to, I would add Benjamin 
Franklin's Autobiography, the pamphlet of Mr. T. Francis Fisher on Keith 
in the Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Vol. I, p. 425, etc., 
and Mr. William J. Buck's sketch of Horsham in Scott's Atlas of Montgomery 
County. Many of the facts in this article are from his two articles named. 
A leaflet by Mr. Henry, of New York, also contains a summary of facts. 

Mrs. Fergusson's two volumes of manuscript in red binding at the Phila- 
delphia Library contain her translation of Bishop Fenelon's Telemaque. 
The Invocation to Wisdom by the Translator begins thus : 



262 THE YORK ROAD. 

" No dawn of comfort could Calypso find 
No balm to soften her distracted mind, 
Eternal life her tortur'd bosom pain'd; 
And immortality her anguish chain'd ; 
A length of years appear'd a train of woe 
A dreadful channel for her griefs to flow. 
Ulysses gone, no place affords delight ; 
The absent hero haunts her anxious sight: 
Her voice mellifluous echo'd not around, 
No floating air returned the silver sound." 

This pious and worthy lady showed a patient literary interest in trans- 
lating the work of the good Bishop. 

Mrs. Fergusson assisted Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith, Provost of the College of 
Philadelphia, in editing the poems of Rev. Nathaniel Evans, of Haddon field, 
N. J., a missionary of the English Church Society for Propagating the Gospel, 
serving at Gloucester and St. Mary's, Colestown. She wrote a poem on his 
death and he addressed lines to her. The poems of Mr. Evans are in the 
Library of the Historical Society of Penna. 

THE LOG COLLEGE. 

The celebration of the founding of Log College took place on September 
5th, A. D. 1889. The Bucks County Intelligencer, a few days afterward con- 
tained a full account of the great event, but the reader may find an Appendix 
in Rev. Dr. Thomas Murphy's book, " The Presbytery of the Log College, or 
the Cradle of the Presbyterian Church in America," which will present a 
vivid sketch of the scene. Dr. Murphy the pastor of the Frankford Presby- 
terian Church, Philadelphia, my friend, and my father's friend, deserves a 
special notice for the fruit he bears in age in devoted parish and literary 
work. He has not only written the valuable and acceptable volume on 
Pastoral Theology, but also a work on The Duties of Church Members to the 
Church, which has had an immense circulation. The history of his parish, 
the First Presbyterian Church of Frankford came also from his fertile pen. 

A new book entitled " Beacons on the Oriental Shores, or Messages to the 
Seven Churches," has occupied ten years of the Doctor's life, and is to be 
issued by the Presbyterian Board of Publication. 

The book on the Log College is issued by the Presbyterian Board of 
Publication, and all who feel a deep interest in this wonderful institution of 
early days should obtain the volume which was the result of much toil by 
the faithful and learned author, who has for a generation served his parish. 

The volume induced the celebration. Rev. Dr. D. K. Turner, Secretary 
of the Presbyterian Historical Society, aided Dr. Murphy in preparing the 
volume, and has a communication in the present work which treats of the 
subject. Rev. Dr. Willard M. Rice, "the best living authority concerning 
the history of Presbyterianism in Philadelphia and vicinity," and Rev. Dr. 



THE YORK ROAD. ' 263 

Joseph Beggs, and Rev. Dr. Charles Collins also assisted Dr. Murphy's 
literary labors. The octavo volume contains 526 pages. 

The picture of the old Log College which adorns the work is in accord- 
ance with Whitefield's description. Dr. "W. S. Steen, of San Francisco, met a 
pious miner named Wilson at Yuba mines, and these two Pennsylvanians 
used to study their Bibles in the forest on Sundays. A grandfather gave the 
miner a Bible containing a picture of the College. Dr. Steen recalled the 
picture from memory, and the designer reproduced it. A man standing in 
front of the door in the original picture " bore an unmistakable likeness to 
the existing pictures of William Tennent." The book has illustrations of 
worthy divines and churches which add greatly to its value. 

The celebration was a great success, as the crowded road testified. The 
Appendix gives the accounts of Rev. Dr. L. W. Eckard, then pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Abington, of Rev. G. H. Nimmo, and Rev. Richard 
Montgomery, of Ashbourne, including preparations and exercises. Prof. I. R. 
Sweeny led a choir of over one hundred. Rev. Dr. Myrphy presided. Rev. 
Dr. J. Addison Henry, Dr. Beggs, Dr. Eckard, and Rev. Chas. E. Burns 
assisted in the services. Dr. Turner read a paper on the Log College, and 
Dr. R. M. Patterson gave an address on the " Log College Evangelists." Rev. 
Dr. J. O. Murray, Dean of the Faculty of Princeton College was a speaker, 
and Rev. Dr. Richard Mcllwaine, President of Hampden Sidney College, 
Virginia, read a paper on " The Influence of the Log College in the South.'' 
President Harrison addressed the Assembly. A hymn composed by Rev. Dr. 
Chas. Collins was sung. J. Witherspoon Scott, D. D., of Washington, said 
grace at the meal. Dr. Ebenezer Erskine, of Newville, Pa., made an address 
on " Presbyterians of the Cumberland Valley." Wm. H. Scott read the hymn 
'* Our God, our Help in ages past," which having been sung, Governor 
Beaver followed in an address. Postmaster General Wanamaker succeeded 
him, and Dr. Chas. A. Dickey, of Philadelphia " read a paper on ' The 
Presbytery of Philadelphia.' " S. A. Mutchmore, D. D., took up the subject 
of " The Early Scotch-Irish Immigration." Rev. W. A. Patton (then of 
Doylestown, now of Wayne), announced the hymn " Glory and Praise and 
Honor," and Rev. Dr. J. H. Mason Knox, President of Lafayette College made 
an address on that College. Thos. MacKellar, of Germantown, contributed 
an original hymn which was sung. I add a portion of the lines of this gifted 
singer of God's praises : 

" Strength of our fathers in the day 
Thou didst Thy saving grace display, 
We glorify and worship Thee, 
O Lord, in hymns of jubilee. 

A grain of mustard-seed was sown ; 
Nurtured of Thee, a tree hath grown 
Whose branches overspread the land, 
Till thousands in its shadow stand. 



264 THE YORK ROAD. 

Its fruits are knowledge, life and light — 
Knowledge of Thee so clear, so bright, 
That he whose soul with truth is rife 
Shall find in Christ eternal life. 

Jehovah-jireh ! we adore 
The Lord whose grace provided more 
Than they foreknew who sowed in tears, 
And reaped in joy in after years. 

Glory to God ! our voices sing ; 
Glory to God! our praise we bring; 
Glory to God ! let all men cry ; 
Glory to God! let heaven reply." 

Dr. McCosh, ex-president of Princeton College, sent a letter which was 
read by Dr. McCloskey of that college. The Hon. Henry Chapman, of 
Doylestown, sent another letter which was read by Rev. A. A. Murphy. 
Letters were also received from Rev. Dr. Brown, of Union Seminary, Rev. Dr. 
R. B. Welch, of Auburn Seminary, General Horatio G. Sickel, Ex-Senator 
Horatio Gates Jones, and George H. Stuart, Esq. "The venerable Dr. J. 
Witherspoon Scott " spoke in an interesting manner of " his family connection 
with the Log College neighborhood, and his interest in thus revisiting its 
historic scenes." 

" ' Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ' was sung, and the bene- 
diction was pronounced by Dr. Scott." Thus closed an enjoyable day of 
religious remembrance. Dr. Scott is the father of the lamented Mrs. President 
Harrison. The President was right loyally received and honored on York 
Road and at the celebration, by a loving people who know that religion and 
good government should combine in Christian patriotism. Dr. Scott has 
passed to the heavenly world during the publication of this volume. 

President Harrison was entertained by John Wanamaker, at his country- 
seat, called Lindenhurst, at Chelten Hills. The President rode in a carriage 
to the site of the old college. 

There was a triumphal arch at Abington. Vast crowds were along the 
road in carriages, on a very dusty day. 

The next day the President planted a chestnut tree on Mr. Wanamaker's 
place, digging the hole himself. 

The following description is added from the Buchs County Intelligencer : 

" The exercises were held in an open field on the old William Tennent 
farm, below the village of Hartsville, now the property of the Carrell family. 
The farm ia now occupied by George Carrell, his mother, and two sisters, and 
has been in the possession of their family for five generations. The former 
owner of the property was John Baldwin, who purchased it of the Tennent 
estate. The old Tennent house stood on the site of the house now occupied 
by John Gerhart above the Carrell homestead and owned by Isaiah Terry. 
The celebrated Log College stood in a field on the opposite side of the road, 
but the logs used in its building have been removed. 



THE YORK ROAD. 265 

" Early Thursday morning people began to assemble at the tents where 
the exercises were to take place. Workmen were still busy putting up seats 
and making provision for the accommodation of the vast multitude. One 
large tent and two side tents had been erected, and seats provided for about 
2000 people, but probably twice that number crowded into them during the 
exercises. Everything that was possible to be done was provided for the 
comfort of man and beast. Hundreds of hitching posts had been planted in 
the adjoining fields, and in the surrounding fields could be seen thousands 
of teams. 

" Inside of the middle tent was erected a large platform for the accomoda- 
tion of the singers and the distinguished gentlemen who were to deliver 
addresses during the day. The front of the platform was tastefully decorated 
with spruce and golden rod, while potted plants were placed in front of the 
reporters' tables facing the platform. Large flags were festooned in places in 
the three tents. A large number of the seats in front of the platform were 
reserved for ministers and their families." 

THE TRIP TO THE GROUNDS. 

" The President's trip from Mr. Wanamaker's house to Hartsville, over a 
road nine miles long, was a continuous ovation. At Jenkintown and 
Abington, thousands of people had gathered to greet the Chief Magistrate. 
At Abington the decorations were profuse, and the party halted a few minutes 
to view them. 

"At Hatboro the President was received by Lieutenant Fisher Post, 
G. A. R., who acted as an escort to the President. The Huntingdon Valley 
Cornet Band also fell into line here. The decorations in Hatboro were very 
pretty, there being a profusion of Chinese lanterns and also a display of 
explosive fireworks. All the bells in Hatboro were rung as the President 
passed by. A handsome arch, surmounted by flags and flowers, was also 
erected over the road on the bridge at Pennypack creek. 

" On arriving at Ex-Congressman Evans' house, the Presidential party 
alighted. Mr. Evans' grounds were tastefully decorated, and the carriages 
drove from the road up to the hou^e under an arch of bunting, and along a 
drive lined with trees, the trunks of which were covered with the National 
colors. President Harrison and Mr. Evans being old friends the meeting was 
quite a pleasant one, and the reception, although entirely informal, seemed 
to be fully appreciated. The party then continued their journey to the 
Tennent farm, and passed into the grounds by a private passageway over 
which was erected an arch, tastefully trimmed with evergreen and flags." 



266 THE YORK ROAD. 

NOTES IN REGARD TO THE YORK ROAD IN BUCKS COUNTY. 
BY REV. D. K. TURNER, D. D. 

The Warminster Hotel, located on the York Road just below the Street 
Road, has now a farm of forty acres attached to it, and has been kept as a 
place of public entertainment for nearly a hundred years. In 1791 Amos 
Dilworth sold it, with 154 acres, for 1300 pounds specie, of Pennsylvania 
currency, $3,466, to Isaac Beans. His son, Thomas Beans, kept it a long 
period. He used to have race horses, and on election days and holidays, a 
track of half a mile was prepared on the Street Road, which was very level, 
where the owners of fancy stock were wont to show their speed ; but a man 
having been killed on the course on one occasion, the practice of racing was 
abandoned. Mr. Beans was a noted sportsman and had a track on his own 
property. The owners of the hotel since his day have been in succession, 
Jacob L. Walton, Salem Walton, Christopher H. Leedom, William P. Fenton, 
and Edward Robinson. No other hotel was ever in Warminster but this, 
though the hotel at Hartsville, a mile and a half north of this, is on the 
southern edge of Warwick. 

The property now occupied by J. Johnson Beans, Esq., next north of the 
hotel on the east side of the turnpike, was granted by a patent of Wm. Penn 
through his agents, Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story and 
James Logan, to Joseph Todd, the tract then containing 224 acres and 94 
perches; and he was required to pay to Penn's heirs and successors forever 
at the rate of "one English silver shilling for each one hundred acres, and so 
proportionately for a less number." Esquire Beans has the original patent 
written on parchment in German Text, dated December 29, 1701, with the 
signatures of Penn's four agents. The persons, who have held the mansion, 
enlarged and improved in modern times, and parts of the land since, have 
been, Samuel Lloyd, Isaac Walton, Jonathan Walton, Rev. John MagoflBn, 
Thomas Dixey, Casper Pickel, George Council, Thomas Hanscome, Elizabeth 
Bicknell, Joseph Saunders, John C. Beans and J. J. Beans, Esq. Rev. John 
Magoffin, one of the owners of this place, improved it greatly, enlarging the 
house and setting out a long double row of shade trees from it to the road, 
which form an avenue of great beauty. He was a merchant in Philadelphia 
in his early manhood, and having accumulated a competency he felt called 
to enter the ministry of the gospel. He was examined and licensed to 
preach by the Presbytery of Philadelphia about 1819 or 1820, and removed 
to Warminster in 1829, where he often conducted religious services in school 
houses and neighboring churches. In 1836 he changed his residence to 
Buckingham, and soon after was ordained to the full exercise of the sacred 
office by the Addison Congregational Association of Vermont. In 1846 he 
removed to Bristol, Pa., where he preached frequently to boatmen on the 
canal and distributed among them Bibles and tracts. For many years he was 
President of the Bucks County Bible Society, and gave liberally of his means 



THE YORK ROAD. 267 

to sustain it. His reputation among all who knew him, was that of great 
simplicity and perfect honesty, as well as unfeigned piety. His scrupulous 
integrity was never doubted. At the public sale of his effects at the time of 
his leaving Warminster, he advertised " two horses, one blind and the other 
going blind," which was afterwards proved to be an exaggeration of their 
defects. But this was only one instance of many of a similar kind, in which 
he showed that he preferred to wrong himself rather than others. In 1815 
he was married to Miss Cornelia Patton, sister of Rev. Wm. Patton, D. D., 
formerly of New York, who was the father of Rev. W. W. Patton, D. D., 
President of Howard University, Washington, D. C. Mr. Magoffin died in 
Bristol, 1860, and his remains are deposited in the graveyard of the Episcopal 
Church of that place. 

Continuing our progress northward, the next farm on the west side of the 
turnpike is that of Mrs. Cornelius Carrell, which formerly extended to the 
east side and embraced the lot, on which stood Rev. Wm. Tennent's school 
for ministers, known as " Log College." March 24th, 1724 the '' Trustees of 
the Free Society of Traders " gave to James Steel of Philadelphia a warrant 
for 1000 acres of land, and the next day, March 25th, a warrant for the survey 
of 100 acres was made out to Jacob Taylor, Surveyor of the Province of Penn- 
sylvania, which was laid off for James Steel. In 1728 John Linter bought it 
for 60 pounds. Afterwards Joseph Howell and John White owned it, the 
latter of whom in 1735 sold it to Rev. Wm. Tennent of Northampton, Bucks 
County, Pa., for 140 pounds. Here Mr. Tennent, while still pastor of 
Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, established a seminary for the education of 
young men for the ministry of the gospel. Villages and settlements were 
springing up through the country with great rapidity, and few of them were 
supplied with the means of grace. He desired to do what lay in his power to 
prepare ministers for their high calling, that the word might be proclaimed 
everywhere. Under his instructions a considerable number of devout and 
zealous preachers were educated, among whom were his four sons, William, 
Gilbert, John and Charles. They and their coadjutors exerted a powerful 
influence in favor of earnest, spiritual religion, and did much toward the 
advancement of the church in the land. This institution which he estab- 
lished probably before he came to Warminster, as he is spoken of previous to 
1735, as living in Northampton, continued in existence perhaps fifteen or 
eighteen years, but was not maintained after his death, its place being filled 
by the College of New Jersey at Princeton, of which it was the germ. Mr. 
Tennent died in 1745, and measures were inaugurated at just about that time 
for the establishment of Princeton College. The year following his death, 
1746, Rev. Gilbert Tennent, Executor of his father's will in regard to the real 
estate, sold the farm to John Baldwin, and the latter sold it to B. Carrell, the 
ancestor of the present owners. 

Passing on northward we next reach the property of R. T. Engart, which 
is part of a tract of 500 acres, granted May 5, 1684, by Wm. Penn to John 



268 THE YORK ROAD. 

Jones, of London, England. His sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Hilton, after his 
death, sold it to Thomas Chalkley for thirty pounds, English money, Sep- 
tember 4, 1719. Chalkley sold half of it, March 6, 1723, to William 
Stockdell of Bucks County for 122 pounds and 10 shillings. The deed of 
Mrs. Hilton to T. Chalkley was " stamped with three sixpenny stamps, 
according to law," and attested by six witnesses, all residents of London, 
where the deed was written. Persons, who subsequently owned the land 
were William Miller, Robert Jamison, Robert Miller, John Horner, James 
Horner, Alexander McLean, Esther Kerr, Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., 
Matthew Wilson, John Engart and R. T. Engart. Rev. Dr. Wilson, one of 
the owners, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia 
from 1806 to 1830. In his early manhood he was a lawyer fourteen years 
in Delaware, but being impelled by Providence and the Divine Spirit 
he entered the Presbyterian ministry, in which profession he attained 
great eminence. He preached without notes in the pulpit, but with choice, 
perspicuous language, and without hesitation. Logical and concise, his 
hearers needed to give careful attention to his discourse, or the connection of 
the different parts would be unobserved and important observations lost. 
Having occupied that large and difficult field over twenty years, his health 
became impaired, and he retired from the city in 1828 to the farm in Bucks 
County, occasionally supplying the pulpit till 1830, when increasing infirmi- 
ties compelled him to resign the pastorate, much to the regret of his congre- 
gation, who loved and admired him. Afflicted with hemorrhage of the lungs, 
he was accustomed to bleed himself at intervals to alleviate the violence of 
the attacks. His death occurred December 9, 1830, and his remains were 
interred in the graveyard of Neshaminy Church, in a spot which he himself 
had chosen, not far from the last resting place of Rev. Wm. Tennent, the 
founder of " Log College." 

After his decease, his son, James P. Wilson Jr., established a classical 
school for boys on the property, which continued in successful operation eight 
years, when he was chosen pastor of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, a short 
distance from Hartsville. During more than thirty years past he has been 
the honored and successful minister of the South Park Presbyterian Church 
of Newark, N. J., and still discharges the laborious duties of his office at an 
advanced age. 

While he was minister at Neshaminy, Rev. James P. Wilson, Jr. built a 
house of modern style with two wings, in Hartsville on a beautiful site in a 
lot of thirteen acres, whereon he also had a school house erected, with the 
intention of continuing his classical Academy there. When he left the 
village to become President of Delaware College in 1847 the seminary was 
for a time discontinued. In 1850 Rev. Jacob Belville, now pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Pottsville, Pa., and Mrs. McElroy of Lambertville, 
N. J., opened a female seminary on the property, of which, not long after, Mr. 
Belville became sole proprietor. He enlarged the mansion to accommodate 



THE YORK ROAD. 269 

an increasing number of pupils, and by planting shade trees added much to 
the beauty of the avenues approaching it. In 1860 on account of impaired 
health he withdrew from the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian Church in 
Hartsville, and soon after, the seminary was given up and he retired to 
another field of labor. Since then no institution has been located at that 
point. The property has been occupied by Charles Finney and Esquire 
Joseph Barnsley, and is now in possession of Mrs. Lydia Barnsley, widow of the 
latter Esquire Barnsley who was a prominent citizen of Bucks County. He 
represented the district three terms in the State Legislature, was Justice of the 
Peace a long time, and was appointed, by the President of the United States, 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifth District, which comprised Bucks 
County and the northern part of Philadelphia, Frankford, Germantown, and 
vicinity. He was influential in politics, an officer in several financial institu- 
tions, and was highly esteemed for his probity and integrity. He died in 
1887 and was buried in the Episcopal graveyard in Newtown, not far from 
where he passed his boyhood and j'outh. 

Adjoining the mansion in which he died, stands the Presbyterian Church 
of Hartsville, or, as it is sometimes known, Neshaminy Church of Warminster. 
A division occurred in the old Neshaminy Church of Warwick in 1838, which 
resulted in the establishment of this branch and the erection of the house of 
worship here in 1842. The pastors in succession have been Rev. Robert B. 
Bradford, Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D. D., Rev. Jacob Belville, D. D., Rev. 
Alexander M. Woods, and Rev. G. H. Nimmo, the present incumbent, who 
has held the position eighteen years. A graveyard is connected with the 
church, opened for use at the time the edifice was erected, wherein many 
have been laid away in the long sleep. About 1860, Rev. John McCluskey, 
D. D., previously of Washington, Penna., who had bought a farm in 
the vicinity, supplied the pulpit eighteen months, and taught at the same 
time a classical school at his residence for boys of the vicinity and boarding 
pupils from a distance. At his death in Philadelphia in 1880 he was buried 
in the cemetery attached to this church. 

Hartsville was formerly known a long period as " Hart's Cross Roads," 
because the Bristol Road and the York Road here intersect. On the south- 
west corner a house was built about 1770 by Rev. Charles Beatty, pastor of 
Neshaminy Church, which was occupied for a time after the Revolutionary 
War by his son, Dr. Reading Beatty, engaged in the practice of medicine. 
Dr. R. Beatty subsequently moved to Erwinna, Bucks County, and in a few 
years to Falls township near Fallsington, where he remained for forty years 
employed in his profession and greatly honored. He was an elder in the 
Newtown Presbyterian Church, and a daughter of his married Rev. A. Boyd, 
pastor of that church. About 1780 Col. William Hart came from Plumstead 
to the Hartsville Hotel, which he kept until 1817, when he moved to the 
Beatty house, above referred to. He died in 1831. He was a man of fine 
appearance, and endowed with great physical strength, and while in Plum- 



270 THE YORK ROAD. 

stead he had been prominent in the capture of the Doans, who during 
the Revohition took occasion of the troublous times to rob and murder many 
of the citizens of the region, and even to plunder the County Treasury at 
Newtown of several thousand dollars. After Cpl. Hart's death the following 
persons owned or occupied the Beatty property : Josiah Hart, Enoch A. 
Wright, Benjamin F. Wright, Samuel Craven, William Long, and Miss 
Marietta Long. 

Those who followed Col. Hart at the hotel were his son, Capt. William 
Hart, B. F. Wright, William Harris, Samuel Addis, Elias Krewson, and 
others. During the last century the stages from Philadelphia to New York 
ran on the York Road and alw^ays stopped at Hartsville, carrying the United 
States Mail. Here they took a relay of horses, and it is a tradition, that on 
their way from the north, when the driver reached the top of Kerr's Hill, a 
mile distant, he gave a long, loud blast to his horn, a signal that the fresh 
horses at the hotel should be brought out of the stable ready to be attached to 
the coach. Many years previous to this, about 1755, when Benjamin Franklin 
was Postmaster General of the United Colonies, he used to go up and down 
the York Road between New York and Philadelphia in a one horse chaise 
looking after the interests of the postal service. How great a change in 
the mails from that time to the present day ! In 1802 there was no post- 
office at Hartsville. In that year Mr. Means at some distant town sent a 
letter to Col. William Hart at Hart's Cross Roads, directed to the Jenkintown 
post-office, eleven miles away, as there was none nearer than that, announcing 
the death of John Means. 

The house now occupied by Lieut. J. L. Widdifield, directly opposite the 
hotel, has been built over a century, but lately enlarged and improved. 
The farm of forty acres is a part of a tract of 500 acres, which was bought in 
1684 of William Penn by James Boy den of England. His family held it till 
1741 when it was sold to Thomas Howell, who in 1743 sold to the trustees of 
Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick two acres and two perches, on 
which the present house of worship stands. He also sold in 1742 fifty-four 
acres and a quarter, for £54J to John Griffith, most of which is now owned 
by Lieut. Widdifield. After Mr. Griffith, some of the subsequent owners 
have been Adam Carr, who came from the north of Ireland more than a 
century since ; Henry Jamison, and Joseph Hart. The latter was a man of 
strict integrity and uprightness, and was employed in the public offices at the 
County Court House at Doylestown a number of years, and was Treasurer of 
Neshaminy Church a long period. He passed away in 1872 aged 82 years. 
Henry Jamison above alluded to, drew a prize in a lottery of $40,000, a con- 
siderable part of which at his decease he bequeathed to his niece, Mrs. 
Joseph Hart. 

About half a mile southeast of Hartsville, on the Bristol Road, the farm 
now owned by Charles Ramsey, was once owned by Rear- Admiral John A. 
Dahlgren, who resided there from 1839 to 1843, when he was suffering from 



THE YORK ROAD. 271 

weakness of sight brought on by excessive use of his eyes in mathematical 
calculations in the United States Naval Coast Survey. Having by rest 
recovered his vision he returned to active service, and during the war with 
the Confederate States was in command of the Union squadron in the harbor 
of Charlestown, S. C. He invented improvements in heavy ordnance for 
ships, which have been widely adopted, and rendered him justly celebrated 
among modern civilized nations. For several years he commanded the Navy 
Yard at Washington. 

Having closed Dr. Turner's account we resume our narrative. 

NESHAMINY DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH. 

The Low Dutch Reformed congregation of North and Southampton, now 
has a church building at Churchville, on the Bristol Road. The first church 
site is unknown, but at an early date there were churches at Feasterville and 
Richborough. There is an old graveyard at Feasterville, and a Sunday school 
is conducted in the hall over the school room near this burial place. 

The Rev. Jacob Larzelere was the pastor of this parish from A. D. 1798 
to 1828, resigning on account of old age. (See General Davis's History of 
Bucks County, p. 209.) 

There lies before me a pamphlet sermon, yellow with age, by this clergy- 
man, on the death of General Washington, preached February 22d, 1800, and 
printed by Stephen Ustick at Mount Holly. 

The sermon closes with an exhortation to " look forward " with the " eye 
of faith to that better country which lies beyond the grave, " and declares a 
good man to be " the best citizen of his country " and a wicked man the worst 
citizen. The faithful preacher has doubtless ere this entered into that good 
land above, where no bad citizens may mar the perfect government of God. 

A TRIP ON THE OLD YORK ROAD. 

In going above Jenkintown by railway the traveller leaves the North 
Penn Rail Road at the former Abington Station, now Glenside, at the inter- 
section of the Willow Grove Turnpike with the railway. The little stone 
depot here is tasteful. The branch railroad is called the North East Pennsyl- 
vania. At Willow Grove the railway also crosses the Old York Road. Hill- 
side has a rustic name as a depot. Ivyland depot has been moved farther 
north, and Breadyville depot abolished in connection with the extension of 
the railway to New Hope from this point which has proved a great benefit in 
advancing this region. Grenoble Station on the extension recalls France; 
and Walton, a family ; and Buckingham is at the end of Buckingham 
Mountain, and on the old Durham Road, now the Centreville and Pineville 
Turnpike. Bycot takes the name of Judge Paxson's residence. Reeder is 
from Eastburn Reeder, and Huffnagle from George Huffhagle, brother of the 
former minister to Calcutta. 



272 THE YORK ROAD. 

. At Ivyland is a large summer boarding house owned by Joshua Bennett, 
but unoccupied, when I saw it' 

Breadyville village and post-ofRce close at hand bear a family name. 

At Ivyland the Rev. Dr. D. K. Turner, a well-known local historian, and 
a clergyman who did long service in Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, meets 
me for a historic drive which the peruser of this book may share, and my 
companion's information is here imparted to the *' gentle reader. " 

In driving from Ivyland to Hartsville the pretty new farm house of 
Pearson Hendricks is on the right hand. Robert Ramsey, a member of 
Congress, formerly lived in an old stone house here, which has been demol- 
ished. He represented both the Republicans and the Democrats at different 
times, and was a friend of John Quincy Adams. He was a farmer. He died 
since 1850. His son, George Ramsey is a resident of Hartsville, and is Treas- 
urer of the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, and a man of high standing in 
the community. 

Passing the Hartsville Hotel, and Mr. T. Willett Boileau's store property 
we ride toward the Kerr farm, having turned to the right in leaving Harts- 
ville, that we may view the upper part of the famous " Old York Road. " 

About 8000 American soldiers were encamped on the rolling hills around 
us in the dark days of the Revolutionary war. Their camp lay on the south 
side of this great highway between Philadelphia and New York, which were 
not then joined by Pullman Sleeper, Limited Express, passenger trains. 

Mrs. Ellen Polk saw General Washington raise his hat to the ladies as he 
passed along this road, and greatness throws such a glorious halo about a 
man's act that this gentlemanly courtesy was long remembered. The General 
once touched his hat to a colored man who had paid him that deference, not 
to be outdone in politeness by him. 

Mrs. Polk died in 1849. She lived near Hartsville. Mrs. Polk's Mill, or 
Darrah's Mill was a grist mill. Her son-in-law, Mr, Darrah, now runs the 
mill. 

A stone bridge now spans the Little Neshaminy Creek. It was under- 
mined by a freshet years ago, but the arches stood, and wagons passed for 
months, but a woman with a bundle crossed as the last straw to break the 
camel's back, and down came the bridge. Was the bundle a band-box ? These 
country bridges form a pretty feature in rural scenery, and their arches as one 
gazes through them make the frame of a picture. 

We now approach 

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS. 

This encampment is treated of in the Penna. Mag. of Hist., Vol. 1, p. 275, 
&c., by W. J. Buck, and General Davis read an essay before the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania on it. 

The American army was here from the 10th to the 3d of August, A. D. 
1777. 



18 




H 
I— I 

I— i 






H 
â–ºJ 

H 
P â–  

ft 
w 

O 

H 

a 



THE YORK ROAD. 275 

The name of the owner of the property when the army was there is not 
known. Afterward Elijah Stinson became the owner, then Reuben P. Ely 
possessed it, and afterward William Bothwell. It was owned at my visit by 
his widow, Mary Bothwell, who resided in the mansion. 

Here despatches w*ere written, and here Generals Greene, Lincoln, Stirling, 
Lafayette and Pulaski conferred with Washington. 

The main body of the army was encamped around this historic house, 
and north of it, on a hill owned by the Wallace brothers. It is supposed that 
there were about 8000 troops. 

On the opposite side of the road, army orders and the whipping-post indi- 
cate discipline. 

On July 25th Washington found that the British fleet was about to sail 
from New York to an unknown destination. Thinking that they were proba- 
bly going to Philadelphia, he started his army from New Jersey for Coryell's 
Ferry, now called Lambertville. On the 28th he reached there with Greene's 
division, and stopped for news. On the 31st the army had crossed the Dela- 
ware river. They went on to a point near Germantown. 

The uncertainty as to the movements of the British continued. Wash- 
ington took the army back toward Coryell's Ferry, as a point from which to 
work, either north or south, as might be necessary. 

The English fleet went southward far beyond Philadelphia. 

After Washington's return to Hartsville, on the 23d of August, he started 
back again to Germantown. 

Hartsville was then called Cross Roads. 

A mile-stone at the foot of Kerr's Hill, Mr. Buck suggested, may have 
been looked on by Washington and his generals. 

The ancient house in Warwick Township is of stone, plastered without. 
The gable stands toward the road on the right hand, a few feet from the high- 
way. A piazza runs along the front of the farm house. The yard is higher 
than the turnpike, and a ha-ha wall is on the roadside. 

A newer part of the house is lower in height than the antique portion, as 
the building consists of two sections. 

Within the dwelling the rafters are visible, as is common in old houses. 
There is a famous old fire-place, now closed in, in the new part of the mansion. 
The walls are thick, for our predecessors did not erect houses that would 
tumble down in a storm. 

Washington's office had an old fire-place in it, with wood-work above it. 
There is a Franklin stove in it now, so that we may associate the names of the 
great President and the illustrious inventive philosopher. 

There is a pleasant view of a country landscape from the open door of 
this room on this August day, and doubtless Washington used to refresh his 
anxious mind by looking upon it. While men come and go, Nature smiles on 
each generation, and let us believe that greater beauties await God's children 
in another world. 



276 THE YORK ROAD. 

Here the good Lafayette joined the army, though he had been before 
Congress, in Philadelphia previously. At this time there was no city of Wash- 
ington to shelter statesman and send its messages over the civilized world, as 
the abode of the ruler of a mighty nation. This was a day of small begin- 
nings, but the infant is now a strong man. 

The wood-work and panelling in the parlor are like those seen in Southern 
mansions, and Virginia homes may still show similar mechanism. 

The old kitchen has been removed, and a new one built. Probably 
the old one stood in Washington's day, and served him and his officers with 
needed food. 

The book of Ecclesiastes, (chap. 5, 9), says, " Moreover the profit of the 
earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field." This uncrowned 
king also shared the products of the surrounding earth with his brave 
followers. 

On this peaceful day, under the sunlight, as men quietly pursue their 
agricultural pursuits, or ride along the highway, it hardly seems possible to 
recall the fact that in Revolutionary days cattle and men felt the danger and 
alarms of bloody and cruel war. Let us thank God for the change. 

There was a mile-stone at the foot of Kerr's Hill which long marked the 
traveller's progress as he departed from his home, or returned to it, but it is 
now gone. 

The steps of Washington's Headquarters are ancient stone relics, and the 
piazza on the main house is old. Formerly there was a porch over the lower 
part of the two-story house. The surrounding soil is of red sand-stone 
and clay. 

Mrs. Mary Both well now owns this property, and lived on it when I 

visited it. 

The name Bothwell graces a Scotch village on the river Clyde, and at 
Bothwell Bridge, in 1679 the Scotch Covenanters were vanquished in battle 
by the Duke of Monmouth. 

James Hepburn Bothwell, earl of Orkney, was husband of Mary, Queen 
of Scots. So history and romance join Scotland with America in this name, 
and as in old times, places sometimes gave names to families it is not 
impossible that there is a connection here. 

When Dr. Turner and the writer had closed their investigations, under 
the kindly guidance of the owner of the mansion, they resumed their 
pleasant drive along a good turnpike, though quite a hilly one. 

Jamison's Corner in Warwick township is soon reached. Henry Jamison 
took up one thousand acres of land here about 1682. Mr. Boyden also took 
up some land. (See Rev. Dr. D. K. Turner's History of Neshaminy Presbyterian 
Church.) Formerly a Jamison kept a hotel here, and hence the name. (See 
Battle's History of Bucks County, page 506.) 

Dr. William Walter, a veterinary surgeon, lived on the left side of 
the road here. For years he did much good to the animal world ; such 



THE YORK ROAD. 277 

men are benefactors as well as those who give medical attendance to the 
human race, and they deserve honor for their useful work. The Society for 
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would kindly prevent pain among 
them, and veterinary surgeons labor for the same benevolent object. The 
government has recognized their worthy profession by appointing them to 
the oversight of animals, and the University of Pennsylvania has a Depart- 
ment to encourage this science where Dr. Huidekoper long led the instruc- 
tions in the professorial chair. The word veterinary is from the Latin 
veterinarius which comes from veterinus which is from veheterinus derived from 
veho, and the meaning refers to beasts of burden. The verb veho means 
to bear. 

Dr. Walter was a thoughtful man who studied his work, and obtained 
foreign books to guide him. He had a wide reputation. His son now lives 
here, and continues his father's practice. 

John Jamison, a grandson of Henry, lived at Jamison's Corner much 
respected for many years, and died at the age of 84, a few years since. 

Jamison's Public School is near by, on the Almshouse Road. A Presby- 
terian Sunday School and occasional services are held here under the 
direction of the old Neshaminy Church. 

At the Corner is a store conducted by Mr. Worstall, and the Jamison 
post-office. 

The Jamison Hotel is an old inn kept by Albert Ramsey. This is the 
election place, and has probably seen many a hot debate as partisans have 
urged the merits of their respective parties and candidates to the uncrowned 
American kings about them who rule the affairs of this mighty nation. The 
inn is in Warwick township. How the early English settlers loved to repeat 
the names of Old England in their new homes, that they might make a New 
England here, and imagine themselves among early scenes where childhood 
was passed. 

The English town of Warwick is in Warwick County, on the Avon 
River. It is very old, and noted for its grand castle, enlarged by William 
the Conqueror. It is still a fine castle, well furnished, and adorned with 
elegant furniture and paintings. Guy, earl of Warwick, of children's stories, 
is said to have been a Saxon noble under Athelstan. A tower of the castle 
perpetuates his name, as well as Guy's cliff. His armor is displayed in the 
castle. But we do not have the dragons and wild boars of those ancient 
stories, and the giant with whom he is said to have fought when that giant 
was the representative of the Danes, does not now frighten us, though our 
ancestors had wolves and bears to fight with, and Washington met giants of 
opposition in various ways, while giants of sin are still abundant. Castles 
are pretty features in scenery, and romantic in story as the knight in plume 
and buckler rides forth to defend his king, or win the smile of his lady love, 
but castles imply aristocracy and serfs, and Americans are freemen, and are 
better off without them. These beautiful Pennsylvania fields smiling under 



278 THE YORK ROAD. 

their golden harvests need no armed men to guard them, and the reaper may 
sing with joy as he gathers in his sheaves with no one to molest him. 

There is a Warwick township among the beautiful hills of Chester 
County. The Post-Office Guide shows that several States have post-offices 
bearing this old English name. 

But we must jog on our way. On the right hand, before reaching Bridge 
Valley, is Patrick Breen's neat cottage, where an old log house stood, owned 
by Mr. Hellings. 

An antique stone house is on the same side of the way farther on. 
Andrew Kunner, a German, lived in a log and stone house near by. 

A modern cottage of Albert Mattis is near the site. It is a frame house. 

Leonard Laverelle's old stone house stands back from the road, on the 
same side of the pike. Mr. Laverelle died years ago, and William Shwartz 
now owns it. 

Bridge Valley Public School, with its piazza, now appears. Neshaminy 
Presbyterian Church has a Sunday School, and a monthly service here. Rev. 
W. Preston is the pastor. 

Major Keller's house in Bridge Valley village has been remodeled, and 
presents a pretty appearance. 

The Bridge Valley Hotel is now private property, and is owned by Mr. 
Groom. 

Isaac Ryan's grist and saw-mill is on the Big or North branch of the 
Neshaminy Creek, which has a noble stone bridge of seven arches. 

Bridge Valley Post-Office has long been under the care of Nelson 
De Coursey. It was established in 18G9. (See Battle's History of Bucks 
County, p. 506.) 

The daily papers now bring news into the country districts faster than in 
the English days described in Goldsmith's ''Deserted Village." 

A little hill rises from the creek, and a stone quarry on it furnishes the 
turnpike with a hard covering which sets mud at defiance. 

The Doylestown and Bridge Valley Road separates Buckingham from 
Warwick at Wood's Corner. 

Mr. De Haven occupies the stone house of ancient date which belonged 
to David Wood, who died about 1850. May we not suppose that the French 
names which meet us in this section indicate a Huguenot ancestry ? 

A stone house belonging to the Doan family is on the left, back from the 
road. It is of ancient date. 

A mile-stone states that 4 miles separate us from Hartsville, and 24 from 
old Philadelphia. 

George Taylor's pleasant residence stands on a bank on the left, as we 
pass along, while Mr. Fell has a farm opposite. He resides there, and is a 
manager of tlie York Road Turnpike, properly called the Hartsville and 
Centreville Turnpike. 



THE YORK ROAD. 279 

The Bushington Public School is nicely shaded and the Forestville 
Presbyterian Church uses it for a Sunday School, and occasional summer 
services. 

Rev. Jacob B. Krewson is the pastor of that church. He has held the 
charge a number of years. 

John Foster keeps a store in the village of Bushington, and the Bush- 
ington Hotel is opposite the store. 

A pretty Baptist Church of wood, with a small spire, adorns the village. 
Rev. Dr. Larison, of Lambertville started this parish and is now the pastor. 
He kindly wrote me the following sketch of its history : 

THE BUCKINGHAM VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, BY THE LATE 
REV. GEO. H. LARISON, M. D. 

The Buckingham Valley Baptist Church located in Bushington, on the 
north side of the Turnpike, at the corner of the road running north to Doyles- 
town, was the outcome from missionary work done by Rev. Geo. H. Larison, 
M. D., who lived in Lambertville, N. J. and was pastor of the Solebury Baptist 
Church. He practiced medicine in that city and spent his Sabbaths regularly 
in the pulpit of this church and Sabbath afternoons would preach in private 
houses in and around Centreville (Buckingham P. 0.), when he, in connec- 
tion with other help, held a series of meetings in the school house in February 
and March, 1880, when a number of converts in these meetings organized this 
church in August, 1880. Dr. Larison with others supplied this church until 
1886, and since this time he has been their pastor in full charge. 

In 1886 a new meeting house was built, 30x60 feet, at a cost of about 
$3,200. It is handsomely furnished inside with chancel robing rooms each 
side of it, and Baptistery well arranged by reilioving the pulpit temporarily. 
Until these meetings in February, 1880 there were no Baptists living in this 
vicinity. Before the church was built Pastor Larison took his candidates for 
baptism to the Neshaminy and immersed them in its waters with one hand, 
as by accident in 1880 he lost the other. 

This church being located at the west end of the fine valley of Bucking- 
ham is named the Buckingham Valley Baptist Church, and belongs to the 
Reading Baptist Association of Baptist Churches. Dr. Larison having been 
in the Solebury Church at the formation of the Reading Association, and 
since in the new church, is consequently the only pastor that has remained in 
this Association since its formation in 1875, when he preached the first sermon 
before that body meeting in the First Baptist Church in Reading, and was 
then elected its first Moderator. 

I will add to the sketch furnished me by the pastor that the church was 
dedicated on November 3d, A. D. 1887. 

The morning sermon was by Rev. C. F. Frame of Hilltown, and the dedi- 
catory sermon in the afternoon by Rev. J. Sexton James, of Germantown, 



280 THE YORK ROAD. 

and the evening sermon by Rev. N. C. Fetter, of New Britain. T. EUwood 
Lewis was the church clerk, and Augustus V. Bodine Sunday School Superin- 
tendent. 

Dr. Larison w^as a very active and laborious man. He preached in Rin- 
goes, on the York Road, in New Jersey, Sunday mornings, where he did faith- 
ful and acceptable work for the Blessed Master, and he rode seventeen miles 
to Bushington for evening service, making 34 miles in the trip. He practised 
medicine on week days in Lambertville, his son, F. W. Larison being his 
partner, so that he could be free for Sunday religious duty. He was for years 
the pastor of Solebury Baptist Church on the Old York Road. The Doctor was 
born near Ringoes. Larison's Corner, near there, keeps up the family name. 
In 1889 he wrote me that his uncle John W. Larison, then nearly 88 years old 
lived with the father of the Doctor. This uncle kept the noted stopping place 
on Old York Road from 1829 to 1870. At the old Episcopal Church burying 
ground (St. Andrew's, Amwell), at Ringoes were buried the Doctor's great- 
grandfather and grandmother and some children. The copy of the church deed 
dated A. D. 1725, was in the possession of the Doctor and he loaned it to Rev. 
Elvin K. Smith of Lambertville to copy. A history of the Ringoes Baptist 
Church is given in the pamphlet " The Sixtieth Anniversary of the Central 
New Jersey Baptist Association " held at that church in 1888, pages 33-36. It 
says of Dr. Larison : " He is still found their faithful servant, leading them to 
a higher plane. " 

The Doctor was President of the Hunterdon County (N. J.) Historical 
Society, and deeply interested in its work. He stated that the Inter-State 
Meeting with the Bucks County (Pa.) Historical Society, in Solebury Deer Park, 
near New Hope, in July, 1887, gave the impetus which started the famous 
Log College celebration. 

This devoted man was taten ill in his carriage, and the disease termin- 
ated fatally. He was returning from a religious service, and died with his 
armor on. Such men deserve to be remembered here, and will not fail of a 
heavenly reward. 

A stone cottage stands on the hillside above the church and on the same 
side of the turnpike. It has an antique appearance. 

Buckingham Mountain lies to the northeast of the Old York Road as the 
traveller looks from the Bushington toll-gate. The dwellers in this section of 
country have " a fair ground " and " a goodly heritage, " and can say with 
David in the IGth Psalm, " The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places. " 

The original York Road branches to the left above Bushington, and goes 
to Centre Bridge on the Delaware River. This was the old stage road, though 
afterward the New Hope route was taken up, and the older road abandoned 
for stage purposes. The old road was never made a turnpike. It is about 
nine miles to Centre Bridge. 

Buckingham Valley is very beautiful. 



THE YORK ROAD. 281 

Iron ore has been dug out in some quantities on the east of the pike, on 
Mr. Williams's place, and taken to Bethlehem. The mine is not worked at 
present. 

Buckingham Mountain and Buckingham Valley accompany us hospita- 
bly all the way to New Hope, and cheer our way with gladsome smiles, as 
David describes the natural world in the 65th Psalm: "The pastures are 
clothed with flocks ; the valleys also are covered with corn ; they shout for 
joy, they also sing. " 

The country is full of pictures of vegetable and animal life. The plougher 
or reaper, or the men and cattle who are gathering and garnering the loads of 
hay and wheat are not working to make a fine picture, and may not even 
know that they are observed, but nevertheless they may unconsciously give 
pleasure to others. 

The name Buckingham so common here takes us back to England and 
the two Dukes of Buckingham, father and son, who flourished in the days of 
the kings James I, and Charles I, and Charles II. The second duke was one 
of the ministry under Charles II, the initials of whose names formed the word 
" cabal. " They were Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington and Lauder- 
dale. 

"We pass Comly Dudbridge's pleasant home on the west side of the turn- 
pike. The farm is owned by Joseph Bosler, of Cheltenham. 

Edward Williams has a stone farm house imbedded among trees, at the 
top of the next hill. The property has long been in the hands of the family. 
They were large land owners. A lime-kiln, with its picturesque arch, is on 
the place. Buckingham lime is good as a fertilizer, but White Marsh lime, 
from the Sandy Run region is said to be better for building. 

A fine farm house of modern style is at some distance from the road. 
This is Charles Williams's residence. A long lane leads to the house. 

The Hughesian Free School, farther along the turnpike, is a pleasing and 
noteworthy object. It was endowed by a Mr. Hughes. It was established for 
Indian, colored and white children. Its date is A. D. 1841. 

Children gaze at the strangers as we ride by during recess. There are no 
Indians there now, unless they are from the Carlisle school, which allows its 
pupils to go out into the country districts for service. 

A former Treasurer of the County lives in a pleasant stone house on our 
left. 

The village of Centreville is reached. Centreville Hotel, kept by Mr. 
Righter, lies on the right, while tliere is a store on the left. 

A road leads westward from this village to Doylestown. 

Trinity Episcopal Church is located in this village. 

Centreville is about the center of Bucks County, and it was once earnestly 
advocated as a county seat, but the village of Doylestown has secured that 
important position. Bean's History of Montgomery County (page 1098), states 
that Wm. Homer remembered Doylestown " when it contained but three or 



282 THE YORK ROAD. 

four houses." He died in 1860, aged nine-two years. He lived in Upper 
Dublin, " a little over a mile northwest of the Willow Grove. " Doylestown is 
now one of the finest towns in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and its grand 
court house is a worthy ornament of the rich and populous County of which 
it is the legal center. Its public school house is a magnificent building. 

The turnpike from Centreville to New Hope is under a different Com- 
pany from that which we have just left. 

There is a creamery at Centreville. 

An abandoned toll-gate, with its little house, mourns its departed grand- 
eur, when its busy occupant was an important personage, intercepting the 
journeys of the farmers whose fine farms now are spread out around us. 

Mr. William Stavely had a fine place near Centreville. 

He was long engaged in the printing and publishing business in Phila- 
delphia, and was highly esteemed. He was the President of the Bucks 
County Bible Society, having held the office of Treasurer before he was 
elected President. Mr. Stavely was a pillar of Trinity Episcopal Church, in 
Centreville, which was often served by rectors from Doylestown, though Rev. 
Mr. Carpenter once resided for a time in Centreville. 

As we ride along, fine farms and good houses abound on every side. The 
dweller in Eastern Pennsylvania lives in an earthly Paradise, and should be 
thankful for " good land " which God has given him, with its grand hills and 
refreshing and beautiful streams. 

Grintown was later Greenville, and is now Holicong. According to tradi- 
tion it was called Grintown by a drover whose cattle had been scattered at its 
cross-roads by a dog, at which the people laughed. So says an article in the 
Doylestown Intelligencer signed " W. " 

The Indian conquered by the white man, now conquers the white man's 
names, as Holicong replaces Greenville, and Aquetong, Paxson's Corner, and 
the Indian chief of Ohio, Ogontz, drives out Shoemakertown. All these places 
on the Old York Road indicate the return to aboriginal language which is 
indeed pleasant in its sound, and romantic in its history. Where a name has 
no local history it is well to perpetuate the memory of the red men, but 
but where it keeps up a family remembrance it is a pity to lose it, for such 
reminiscences fade away too rapidly ; let us not hasten their. departure. 

Near this village lives A. S. Paxson, the brother of Judge Paxson, who 
has kindly aided in the preparation of this volume. 

Greenville or Holicong is a village on the pike where the public school 
under its overshadowing trees shows that education is not neglected, and that 
the future citizen is being trained up for usefulness. 

There is a store here kept by E. J. Kirk. John Gilbert owns a long house 
standing on a bank, and is also the owner of a carriage and blacksmith 
shop here. Jacob Handy is the wheelwright, who has wrought, as the 
word signifies the wheels which now convey their human and material 
burdens along the Old York Road. Alfred Fisher is the blacksmith, whose 



THE YORK ROAD. 283 

strong arm has fashioned the ore from the bowels of the earth into forms of 
strength and beauty, as the wondrous power of fire has forced the hard metal 
to yield to human force and skill, though he may not realize the mythological 
legend of Vulcan forging thunderbolts. A blacksmith shop at night is a most 
beautiful picture, as its lighted interior displays the shadows of the moving 
workers in dim outline, and might well give rise to mythological stories, 
especially when mechanics were hidden arts known only to the few who were 
initiated into their mysteries. Longfellow handed down the Cambridge 
blacksmith to a glorious future when he wrote his famous poem beginning, 

" Under a spreading tree the village smithy stands." . 

The description of the daughter in the church choir reminding the 
toilsome father of her dead mother is an exquisite one; and when the old 
tree had outlived its race it was a pretty thought that led the Cambridge 
children to present the poet with a chair made of its wood. 

The painter who makes the country carriages gay and beautiful as they 
convey their occupants to church, or on inland voyages of business or 
pleasure, is A. T. Moore. 

Conkey Hole is on Amos Carson's farm. 

The house is pleasant and well shaded. 

There is an old tannery, now unused, on the roadside here. 

On the east side of the way, above the tannery, is the late Dr. Wilson's 
place. He was a practising physician. Afterward Rev. John Magoffin, a 
Congregationalist minister, resided here. He removed to Bristol, and 
preached to boatmen. 

This worthy clergyman came from Warminster, and lived here about 20 
years. He died in Bristol many years ago. His wafe was a sister of Rev. Dr. 
William Patton, of New York, the father of Rev. W. W. Patton, of Howard 
University, Washington. 

A fountain adorns the pretty yard with its trees. 

A bridge is passed in journeying on, and a hill rises, as hills regularly do 
along this turnpike : 

"Alps rise o'er Alps, and hills o'er hills arise." 
Dr. Staveley's house lies at some distance from the right of the turnpike. 

BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE. 

We draw near that historic spot, with its ancient air and antique sur- 
roundings. Here the Paxson family are buried among other early inhabit- 
ants. Judge Paxson, whose country place is not far distant, is a member of 
this family, whose legal learning does honor to his kindred. 

Buckingham Meeting House lies at the top of a hill on a high bank. It 
is a large, old fashioned, simple stone building; and is the original structure 



284 THE YORK ROAD. 

in which the earlier inhabitants of these valleys and hillsides conducted their 
quiet worship, such as Charles Lamb so strikingly describes in one of his 
delightful essays in " Elia." 

Reddish-brown shutters protect the windows. Small panes indicate a 
time when glass was not as abundant as it is to-day. Little projections 
overtop the doors. 

There is a two-story stone school house with a porch in a pleasant grove. 
The kindly care of the Friends for their animals is shown in the horse sheds, 
â– which are always the adjuncts of Friends^ Meeting Houses in these parts, and 
indeed are generally seen in country churchyards, where the worshipers 
remember, and act on the Scripture declaration that the merciful man shows 
mercy to his beast, or as the Boole of Proverbs expresses it : "A righteous 
man regardeth the life of his beast," xii chapter, verse 10. 

A graveyard around the Meeting House is a most interesting spectacle, 
as here sleep those who long ago rode along the road which now supports our 
vehicle, and who lived in the houses, and tilled the farms, which now meet 
our eye in passing. 

In Lahaska village there is an Orthodox Friends Meeting House, and a 
store and post-office. 

BYCOT HOUSE. 

The residence of Judge Edward M. Paxson bears the above name. It 
lies a little way from the Old York Road on the right in passing from Harts- 
ville to New Hope. 

It is named after the family estate in England. 

The Honorable Henry Paxson was a member of the Provincial 
Assembly. (See Keith's book of Councillors.) 

The Judge has a large and fine estate, which is kept in excellent order. 

The house is an old time mansion, and high iron gates give the place a 
dignified and stately appearance. 

A country hotel borders the turnpike. 

The valley breaks at Lahaska. 

The Solebury Baptist Church is above Lahaska. It is situated on a hill- 
side in a picturesque position, as the hill is sloping toward the turnpike. A 
graveyard adjoins the church, and those who worshiped within its sacred 
walls now slumber at its side in hope of a joyful resurrection through the 
power of that Blessed Saviour whose service was their earthly delight. 
• There is a wall along the turnpike. 

The church building is of stone, rough-cast. 

The hill on which the church stands used to be a hard one for the poor 
horses in stage times when it took all day to go from New Hope to 
Philadelphia. 



THE YORK ROAD. 285 

Aquetong, now called Paxson's Corner, is passed. A wheelwright, and a 
blacksmith shop, and a store and post-office, and an abandoned lime-kiln are 
waymarks. Lime was formerly much burned around this country. It used 
to be carted round, but this section is now far from markets, the railroads 
accommodate other quarries, with their quick mode of locomotion. 

There is a large opening of a limestone quarry above Aquetong, and 
there are some striking neat stone farm buildings on the opposite side of the 
way. Thousands of tons of limestone have probably been taken from this 
quarry. 

We now approach the famous picnic ground, Ingham Spring and Deer 
Park, now called Beaumont Park, on the east. The place is heavily 
wooded, which makes it a delightful resort for pleasure-seekers in summer. 
A pond or lake is fed by Ingham's Spring. There are fish ponds. The place 
has a very attractive appearance, and has doubtless given delight to many 
seeking the natural recreations of the country. Deer Park had deer and 
buffalo as attractions when leased to the Deer Park Association. 

T. T. Eastburn, Esq., George Cook and Hiram Scarborough bought the 
Deer Park property. Mr. Scarborough is dead. 

Mr. Beaumont sold the land to the Deer Park Company. A pavilion 
was erected there which has a striking appearance from the road in passing. 

This was styled the Solebury Deer Park, as it lay in Solebury township, 
which is one of the well-known townships of old Bucks County. 

Some picnics are still gathered there ; there were more formerly. 

The Aquetong school house skirts the way. 

A beautiful view meets the eye in riding on, but fine views are constant 
along this route, though some are more striking than others in the wondrous 
and varied permutation of glorious scenery displayed by the wonderworking 
hand of the Creator. 

Here is a building where fish are raised. 

The Samuel D. Ingham mansion is situated on the left hand, on one of 
the many hillsides around us. It is owned and occupied by Andrew Jackson 
Beaumont. 

Ingham's Spring Flour Mill is opposite. It is a wooden building. 
Thomas Poole conducts it. It has been burned and rebuilt. 

The Ingham mansion stands among trees on a bank apparently made by 
the grading of the road. The house is of stone, plastered and whitened. The 
roof is red and the blinds are green ; and the various colors make the building 
more observable. Box bushes give an old time look to the dignified place, 
and it is a pity that the box is not more cultivated to-day, as its brilliant 
green enlivens winter as well as summer. It seems to belong, however, to the 
era of Lombardy poplars and weeping willows. Time was when a row of 
Lombardy poplars was thought a fine introduction to a mansion, but fashion 
affects trees as well as dress. The Ingham house has a fine site. 



286 • THE YORK ROAD. 

This was a part of the property of James Logan, the faithful secretary of 
William Penn, who resided at Stenton, at Wayne Junction, in Germantown. 
The Philadelphia Library, which received the library of James Logan from 
him under the name of the Loganian Library, still has a ground-rent on this 
property, which rent is reapportioned everj'^ century. 

The Ingham farm was the birth place of the celebrated Samuel D. 
Ingham. He was once the most prominent citizen on the Old York Road. 
He is thought to have been as distinguished as any native of Bucks County, 
or at least of Solebury township. 

He was a business man, and yet one who improved his mind, and also 
took an interest in local matters as all persons should, who wish well to their 
fellow men. 

He became a Legislator of Pennsylvania, and Secretary of the Common- 
wealth ; and was in Congress for seven terms ; and at last Secretary of the 
Treasury under President Jackson. He was interested in agriculture and in 
the lumber business, and the development of the Lehigh coal fields. 

The hills rise in beauty as we draw near New Hope. In the 148th 
Psalm the psalmist calls on the "mountains and hills" to "praise the Lord;" 
and for centuries these hills have obeyed the injunction when the Indian 
admired their silent grandeur, and when the white man learned to love them. 
The ground along the turnpike is of a reddish color, like the soil at New 
Brunswick, in New Jersey. 

As we draw near to New Hope, the Jersey hills are in sight, dotted with 
dwellings, looking very differently from the level country about Camden; 
and one who has been accustomed to think of New Jersey as a country with- 
out hills should look on the magnificent scene before us. 

We descend to New Hope. The toll-gate marks the entrance to the 
borough. The hamlet here used to be called Manchester. A new house 
stands nearly opposite Cintra, the residence of Richard Elias Ely. 

Having passed over the country in body, we now return in mind to 
Hartsville to take up the history of 

THE NESHAMINY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Which stands in a beautiful situation on the shore of the Western Branch 
of the Neshaminy creek within an easy walk from Hartsville. The Jews used 
water for religious purifications, and the devout Lydia with her companions was 
at a place of prayer by a waterside when converted through God's Spirit by 
Paul's preaching of Christ. In Holy Baptism, water is mystically used to 
wash away sin, and so a stream is a fitting place for a Christian church. 

The eminent local historian. Rev. Dr. D. K. Turner, my friend and the 
friend of my father, has composed an interesting volume on the history of this 
ancient parish, from which we condense a sketch, as it is a narrative includ- 
ing the region, and embracing many distinguished persons. 



THE YORK ROAD. 289 

The section was formerly styled the " Forks of the Neshaminy. " James 
Boydon, in 1709, owned the ground on which the church stands. His land 
touched the large tract of John Henry Sprogell, of Philadelphia, which 
included Jamison's Corner. 

I made a pilgrimage to Tennent's grave, years ago, with Rev. T. C. Pearson 
and gladly commemorate his piety. 

REV. WILLIAM TENNENT 

Came from Ireland to this country in 1716 or 1717. He was " born in or 
about 1673. " His wife was Catherine Kennedy, daughter of an eloquent 
North of Ireland minister. Rev. Dr. A. Alexander, in his " History of Log 
College,'' gives an account of him. In 1721 he supplied the Presbyter- 
ian Church at Bensalem, in Bucks County. In 1726 he took charge of 
Neshaminy Church, which he held twenty years. He sympathized with 
Whitefield's work, and that great evangelist styled him " an old gray-headed 
disciple and soldier of Jesus Christ. " In 1739 Whitefield visited Neshaminy, 
where about three thousand persons were collected in the graveyard, and his 
preaching was very effective, while Gilbert Tennent added an exhortation. 

The Log College was built by Rev. William Tennent, especially to edu- 
cate clergymen, on the York Road about a mile south of Hartsville. Dr. 
Turner reminds his readers that Franklin, as Deputy Post Master General, in 
1751 used to travel over this road to superintend the mails. 

The Log College was on the opposite side of the road from Mr. Tennent's 
residence. It was really a small school house. Whitefield compared it to 
" the school of the old prophets, " who took " every man a beam " for 
building, II Kings 6, 2. At that time " seven or eight worthy ministers " 
had been sent out from the school. Mr. Tennent's four sons, Gilbert, William, 
John and Charles, were wholly or partly educated here. They all became 
excellent ministers. Gilbert aided his father in teaching, and then had a church 
in New Brunswick, N. J., and in 1743 took charge of the Second Church in 
Philadelphia. He was an earnest preacher. 

Rev. William Tennent, Jr. is noted for having had a trance after which 
his memory was impaired for a time. In the trance he saw " an ineffable 
glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate 
to mortal man. * * * j g^-^. a^ innumerable host of happy beings sur- 
rounding the inexpressable glory, in acts of adoration and joyous worship. * 
* * I heard things unutterable. I heard their songs and hallelujahs of 
thanksgiving and praise with unspeakable rapture. I felt joy unutterable 
and full of glory. " He had appeared to be dead for three days, and his 
funeral twice appointed but a young physician who was his friend insisted on 
striving to restore life. The three days Tennent said " seemed to me not more 
than ten or twenty minutes. " He wished not to return to this sorrowful world 
19 



290 THE YORK ROAD. 

and for some time lived above the world, and for three years the heavenly 
songs were constantly in his ears, and his thoughts were centered on heavenly 
things. Dr. Henderson gives this account. 

Wm. Tennent, Jr., was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Freehold, 
New Jersey, for 44 years, and died there. He was a preacher of solemnity and 
power, a,nd faithful in parish work, and in general religious efforts in the State. 
He died in faith and peace. 

His brother John had preceded him in the pastorship at Freehold, but 
this godly man toiled only about two years before consumption took the 
patient sufferer from earth ; as he bade farewell to brother and father and 
mother, and in expiring cried " Welcome, God and Father, welcome sweet 
Lord Jesus ; welcome, death ; welcome, eternity ; Amen ! Lord Jesus, come, 
Lord Jesus. " 

Rev. Charles Tennent, another brother was minister at Whiteclay Creek, 
in Delaware, and in Buckingham -Church, Maryland. His son, Rev. William 
Mackey Tennent, was long the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Abington, 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Yale College gave him the Doctorate in 
Divinity. His wife was Susannah, daughter of Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of 
New York. Rev. Wm. Tennent, Sr., taught his children Christian truth and 
they faithfully followed his teaching. 

Rev. Samuel Blair was a student of Log College. He was at Shrewsbury, 
N. J., and New Londonderry, or Fagg's Manor, in Pennsylvania, where he had 
a school to train the clergy and Rev. Dr. Samuel Davies, Alexander Cummings, 
John Rodgers, D. D., James Finley and Hugh Henry were educated. He was 
blessed with great success in his efforts to advance religious interest in his 
parish, and was a great preacher. Samuel Davies was President of Princeton 
College. He wrote an elegy on the death of his teacher, commencing : 

" Blair is no more ; — then this poor world has lost 
As rich a jewel as her stores could boast. " 

Rev. John Blair, a younger brother of Samuel, was a pupil at Log College, 
who succeeded his brother in the church and school at Fagg's Manor, and was 
Professor of Divinity in Princeton College. In contemplating death he said, 
" Directly I am going to glory ; my Master calls me, I must be gone. " 

Rev. Samuel Finley is supposed to have been another Log College scholar. 
He heard a sermon in Ireland when six years old which led him to determine 
to be a clergyman. He had a church and an Academy to train clergymen at 
Nottingham, Maryland, and became President of Princeton College. 

Rev. William Robinson is named by tradition as another pupil of Mr. 
Tennent. He was a useful and successful clergyman, though he labored but 
a few years before death overtook him. Rev. John Rowland, though he died 
young, was an instrument of much good. He was a student at Log College. 
Many other pupils were honored in church and in Society. The school began 
about 1726, and is supposed to have continued fifteen or twenty years. Prince- 



THE YORK ROAD. 291 

ton College, originally at Elizabethtown, N. J., in 1746, relieved the necessity 
for this school. Princeton College was commenced the year that Wm. Tennent, 
Sr., died. It was moved from Elizabeth to Newark in 1748, and to Princeton 
in 1756. Log College was its " germ, " as Dr. Turner states, and it was a short 
time after Log College closed that Princeton College opened. 

Rev. Wm. Tennent, Sr., died in 1745, and is buried in Neshaminy church- 
yard. He was 73 years old. 

Mr. Tennent held the church at Deep Run, about 12 miles from his resi- 
dence. Rev. Francis McHenry assisting him in his old age, but in 1743 a new 
church was built, while Mr. McHenry occupied the old one in the graveyard 
close by. Rev. Charles Beatty, a pupil of Log College, succeeded Mr. Tennent, 
in 1743. He was a relative of De Witt Clinton on his mother's side. In 1756, 
in the French and Indian war he was chaplain under Benjamin Franklin's 
command, and under General Forbes. Ensign James Darrah was a patriot of 
those days ; Mr. Beatty preached a Thanksgiving sermon at Fort Pitt after 
victory. 

He was greatly interested in the Indians, aiding John Brainard in his 
devoted work. Mr. Beatty went to the old country to solicit aid for a fund to 
relieve aged clergy and their families. He saw George III crowned. In 1766 
with Joseph Peepy, a Christian Indian interpreter, and Rev. Mr. Duffield, he 
went 130 miles beyond Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg, threading the forests on a 
mission of blessing to whites and Indians to further the establishment of settled 
religious work. The Allegheny was crossed by canoe, and the horses swam. 
The intercourse with the Indian king and his people was striking. A 
wampum belt of friendship given by Sir William Johnson had been pre- 
served. The Indians readily listened to Christian instruction, and were much 
affected by it, A Bible was given to one who could read a little English. 

Dr. Beatty went with James Witherspoon, son of the President of Prince- 
ton College, to Barbadoes in 1772 to solicit funds for the College, and died 
there, at Bridgetown, of yellow fever, and was buried there. Dr. Turner 
refers to " Record of the Beatty Family, by Dr* C. C. Beatty. " 

Dr. Beatty stood high among his clerical brethren. He lived long on 
John M. Darrah's present farm, but afterward built the stone house in Harts- 
ville which William Long occupies. His wife was Ann Reading, of Amwell, 
N.J. They had eleven children. Four sons were Revolutionary officers. The 
family history is indeed " a very honorable record " as given at length by Dr. 
Turner. The wife of Rev. Dr. Steele, pastor of the Abington Presbyterian 
Church, was a granddaughter of Dr. Beatty, being the daughter of Dr. Reading 
Beatty. Rev. Henry R. Wilson, missionary to the Choctaw Indians, married 
Sarah a sister of Mrs. Steele. She died peacefully in calm faith at her mission. 
Another sister, Ann, was the wife of Rev. Alexander Boyd, pastor of Newtown 
Presbyterian Church. 

Rev. Dr. Charles C. Beatty, of Steuben ville, Ohio, is a grandson of Dr. 
Beatty. His father was Col. Erkuries Beatty, so named from Greek words 



292 THE YORK ROAD. 

meaning, from the Lord, as the child was esteemed a special blessing by the 
father. 

REV. NATHANIEL IRWIN 

Became the pastor of Neshaminy Church in 1774. He was born at Fagg's 
Manor, Pa., in 1746, and graduated at Princeton College. President Madison 
was a fellow-collegian. Mr. Irwin was a tall man of noble and striking appear- 
Brnce, and an intelligent countenance. He was a fine scholar, and an excel- 
lent preacher. He lived on his farm on the road from Doylestown to Phila- 
delphia. His fine stone house still stands, but was enlarged by Perry McNeille, 
Esq., who moved from Philadelphia to that mansion. 

In 1775 the church was enlarged. There was no church where Doyles- 
town stands, and men and women used to walk six or seven miles or more to 
church. Mr. Irwin, when physicians were few, used to prescribe remedies for 
his people. He befriended the widow and the orphan, and was a man of 
influence in the whole region. He was zealous in aiding the Revolution, and 
Captain Henry Darrah, great-grandfather of R. H. Darrah, an elder at 
Neshaminy, was a member of this congregation. Mr. Irwin was the friend 
and pastor of John Fitch, and was interested in his invention of the steam- 
boat ; he gave the inventor advice and pecuniary aid, and Fitch dedicated his 
autobiography to him, as the clergymen had wished him to write the account. 
This good pastor had much influence with the young, and was a welcome 
guest among his people in joy or sorrow, and could well direct penitent sinners 
to the Lamb of God for comfort. 

His funeral sermons were " solemn and impressive. " His sermons 
were generally without a manuscript. His funeral sermon for Rev. James 
Grier, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Deep Run, preached in 1792, was 
published. He preached the ordination sermon of Rev. Thomas Dunn, pastor 
of the First Presbyterian Church, Germantown, in 1811. Mr. Irwin bequeathed 
a sum to Neshaminy Church to be received after the death of his sister, Mrs. 
McEachran. 

The first wife of this pastor was Martha Jamison, daughter of Henry 
Jamison, of Centreville. His second wife was Priscilla McKinstry. Mr. Irwin 
was only absent one Lord's Day from the pulpit before his death. A vast 
number attended his funeral. Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., of Philadelphia, 
preached the sermon. He was buried by his desire where the pulpit in the 
original church once rose. He died in 1812 at the age of sixty-five. This is 
his epitaph : 

. "To this sad tomb, who e'er thou art, draw near; 
Here lies a friend to truth ; of soul sincere, 
Of manners unaffected and of mind 
Enlarged ; he wished the good of all mankind ; 
Calmly he looked on either life, for here 
His peace was made, and nothing left to fear." 



THE YORK ROAD. 293 

His widow died in 1822, and was buried beside " her revered and beloved 
husband. " 

Various clergy supplied the church after Mr. Irwin's death, among whom 
were Rev. John McKnight and Rev. Robert B. Belville. Mr. Belville became 
the next pastor, in 1813. He was ^ born in or near the town of New Castle, 
Delaware, in 1790, and was of Huguenot descent. He was educated in part 
by the author of Ross's Latin Grammar, James Ross, and in part at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. He taught at Wilmington, Delaware, and Burling- 
ton, N. J. 

He studied theology under Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, President of 
Princeton College. He was eloquent, and his appearance and manners were 
attractive. In 1822 "a remarkable visitation of the Holy Spirit" increased 
the number of communicants in the church. In 1832 and 1833 the prayers 
of God's people were answered by another ingathering of souls. A " Twilight 
concert of prayer" was observed, each one. praying, wherever he was at the 
sun-setting, that God would pour the Holy Spirit's influence upon the congre- 
gation. About this time there were six Bible classes in school houses or 
private houses. In February, A. D. 1833, Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely, of Philadelphia, 
preached four times at Neshaminy in one day. 

Mr. Belville bought land of William Hart near the church where he 
built a house; in 1815 he married Miss Mary Gaw, of Princeton, N. J., whose 
piety and prudence and zealous Christian efforts aided his work. This pastor 
started a boarding and day school at Neshaminy, which he conducted nine 
years. He gave a piece of ground to enlarge the graveyard. The committee 
to build a stone wall about the addition were John Harvey, William Carr 
and Samuel McNair. 

Rev. James Patriot Wilson, D. D., Sr., spent his last years on a farm 
south of Hartsville, joining what was the property of Rev. Wm. Tennent, Sr. 
Dr. Turner gives a sketch of this clergyman mostly from one furnished for 
Rev. Dr. Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit. Rev. J. P. Wilson, 
D. D., Jr. prepared the manuscript for Dr. Sprague. Dr. Wilson was born at 
Lewes, Delaware, in 1769, and was the son of a clergyman. He graduated 
at the University of Pennsylvania "with high honor, and was offered an 
assistant professorship in mathematics, but became a lawyer. 

Afterward he entered the ministry, taking charge of the churches at 
Lewes, Cool Spring and Indian River which his father had served. In 1806 
by the influence of his friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, he was called to the First 
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. In 1828 he moved to the Hartsville 
farm on account of weak health, still serving his congregation somewhat, but 
in 1830 he resigned, and died that year and was buried in Neshaminy 
churchyard. His wife, Mary Hall, sister of Governor Hall, of Delaware, was 
buried at his side in 1839. His first wife was Elizabeth Woods, of Lewes. 
Dr. Wilson was a man of good manners, and instructive conversation, and a 
thoughtful preacher, being a close reason er. He never read his sermons. 



294 THE YORK ROAD. 

" He was very familiar with all the Greek and Latin Fathers of the Christian 
Church, and almost lived among them." 

Dr. Turner gives a biographical sketch of Elder Gideon Prior, who was 
at the siege of Yorktown. He was an excellent school-teacher, and taught 
singing classes. He was very familiar with the Latin language. His 
Christian character was his greatest honor. 

Hon. Robert Ramsey, a Pennsylvania Legislator, and a member of 
Congress, and a friend of John Quincy Adams receives due notice. 

Samuel Hart, a surveyor and conveyancer, and a fine penman was a 
trustee of the church from 1810 to 1823. He was an associate judge. He 
moved near Doylestown, and became a Friend. His son George was a 
lawyer in Doylestown, and his son Josiah became banker there. 

Asahel Prior, son of Elder Gideon Prior, died in 1830, after graduating 
at Jefferson College. 

Samuel Long, a graduate of Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa., had an 
excellent boarding school near Harts ville, and was much beloved and 
respected. His wife was Miss Jane Mearns, of Warwick. 

Rev. Dr. Turner's History of Neshaminy Church gives a sketch of Rev. 
John Magoffin. He was born near Carlisle, Pa., in 1780. In early life he 
was a merchant in Philadelphia. About 1819 or 1820 he was licensed by 
the Presbytery of Philadelphia. About 1827 he moved to Warminster, " near 
the site of Log College." He assisted Rev. Mr. Belville, and preached in 
schoolhouses, and in Hatboro Academy, and occasionally for Rev. Abraham 
Halsey, at Churchville. 

About 1836 he moved to Buckingham. He was then in the congregation 
of Solebury Presbyterian Church, and aided Rev. P. 0. Studdiford, its pastor, 
who lived in Lambertville, N. J. 

In 1846 Mr. Magoffin moved to Bristol, and preached to canal boatmen, 
and gave them Bibles, and tracts, and strove to raise them morally, spiritually 
and temporally. When his health forbade this work he engaged others to 
do it at his expense. He was President of the Bucks County Bible Society, 
and was " deeply interested " in supplying the families in the County with 
the Holy Scriptures. All were struck by his holy life. He died in Bristol in 
1860, in his 80th year, and was buried in the Episcopal churchyard. His 
wife was Cornelia Patton, of Philadelphia, a sister of Rev. Dr. William 
Patton, of New Haven, Conn., who once held a Congregational Church in 
New York City. 

Hugh Mearns was an esteemed Elder at Neshaminy who died in 1857 
"much lamented." 

Rev. Azariah Prior, son of Gideon Prior, was a Neshaminy boy. He 
learned printing in Philadelphia, but in 1826 graduated at Jefferson College, 
under the presidency of Rev. Dr. Matthew Brown. He had charge of the 
Academy at Easton, Pa., for a year, then studied law with Judge Joel Jones. 
He afterward became a Presbyterian minister, having charge of the Lower 



THE YORK ROAD. 295 

Mount Bethel Church, N. J., and the Second Presbyterian Church, South- 
wark, Philadelphia. He then entered the Episcopal Church, being ordained 
Deacon and Priest by Bishop Onderdonk. He was Rector of St. David's 
Church, Manayunk, where he was very successful. He afterward assumed 
the care of a Female Seminary in Pottsville, and of St. James's Church, 
Schuylkill Haven, four miles distant. He, in five years gave up the school in 
failing health but added two missions to his church work, though these 
positions were afterward resigned, and when over seventy lie was employed 
in laboring in St. John's Chapel in Pottsville. His wife was Isabella Adams, 
a lady of education and refinement. 

The Rev. Dr. Jacob Belville was born in 1820, and was the son of one of 
the pastors of Neshaminy Church. He was for ten years pastor of the Harts- 
ville Presbyterian Church. He was a graduate of Princeton College and 
Theological Seminary, and had held parishes in Phcenixville, Pa., and in 
Maryland. The Hartsville Church withdrew from Neshaminy Church in 
1838 and Mr. Belville assumed its care in 1849. In 1850, with Mrs. McElroy 
he started Roseland Female Seminary in the beautiful place near the church, 
which Rev. James P. Wilson, Jr. had once owned. After leaving Hartsville 
he was in Holmesburg, Maucli Chunk and Pottsville. The school building 
and lawn are attractive, and it was a pleasant home for the pupils. Harts- 
ville used to be famed for its schools from the days of the Log College. 

Rev. John L. Belville was born at or near New Castle, Delaware, 1801. 
He studied with his brother at Neshaminy, and married Elizabeth Long. 
He became a pastor at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and elsewhere, and in advanced 
years lived among his children in Dayton, two of whom were lawyers. 

Rev. Belville Roberts was a native of Warrington. His father, Jonathan 
Roberts, was an elder at Neshaminy, but died before the son was five years 
old, though the lad could remember his custom of family prayer, continued 
by his pious mother, after the father's death. The young man went to 
Michigan, and by severe toil and close economy was able to graduate at the 
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He then passed his course of study 
in the Union Theological Seminary, in New York City. He labored with 
success in the ministry in Stillwater and Rochester in New York, and 
Freeport, Illinois, and Wheeling West Virginia, and Norristown, Pa., in a 
parish which was moved to Bridgeport across the Schuylkill River. 

Robert C. Belville, a son of the Rev. R. B. Belville, was Clerk of the 
Court of Mercer County, N. J., and of the United States District Court. He 
was a man of high reputation. His son William Belville succeeded him in 
clerkship of the United States Court. 

The Rev. R. B. Belville was an eloquent man with an imagination and 
emotion which vivified his language. Heart, mind and conscience owned 
his sway. His sympathy comforted his people in affliction. His health 
being poor. Rev. George Ely performed his duties in the summer of 1838. 
He married Catharine Belville, the daughter of the pastor. In 1838 Mr. 



296 THE YORK ROAD. 

Belville resigned, to the regret of his congregation. In 1839 he "sold his 
farm to Capt. Charles Dixey, of Philadelphia." He moved to Lancaster 
County, Pa., and thence to St. George's, Delaware. In 1845 he was a Com- 
missioner to the General Assembly, at Cincinnati, but died while visiting 
relatives at Dayton, at the age of fifty-five. He was buried at Dayton. His 
epitaph notes that ''he was 25 years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of 
Neshaminy. * * Beloved and eminently useful among the people of his 
charge." It closes thus : " The pen of inspiration has written his epitaph : 
* Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.' " 

In 1839 Rev. Dr. James P. Wilson, Jr., became pastor of Neshaminy 
Church. When the parishes separated, the church property was sold, and the 
Hartsville congregation received half of the amount, and funds at interest 
were divided. In 1842 the Old School parish built a stone church of neat 
appearance in Hartsville. The site struck me as a beautiful one, and the 
hills in view from the graveyard make it a sweet spot to lay away the dead 
amid the glorious marks of the handiwork of God where they may await a 
resurrection through Christ's power, to the new heavens and new earth of 
righteousness promised in the unfailing word of God. Rev. Thomas B. 
Bradford, Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D. D., Sr., Rev. Jacob Belville, Rev. A. M. 
Woods, Rev. G. H. Nimmo, and Rev. John McCluskey, D. D., have served 
this parish. 

In 1842 Neshaminy Church was renovated. Gothic windows replaced 
the Square ones, and various improvements were made. The church 
membership was increased in Dr. Wilson's pastorship, as the Holy Spirit in 
1840 and 1845 called many to a new life in Christ. Rev. Drs. E. S. Ely and 
Joel Parker assisted the pastor in special services in 1845. The pastor stated 
that those newly interested in Christian life were at once set to work to 
influence others, and family prayer was enjoined as a constant means of 
grace. 

Dr. Wilson resigned this church to become president of Delaware College, 
at Newark, Delaware. He was afterward pastor of the Presbyterian Church, 
in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, and then became Professor of Theology 
in Union Theological Seminary, New York. Thence he went, after three 
years, to the pastorship of South Park Presbyterian Church, Newark, N. J. 

Joseph Hart, was the son of .Col. William Hart, and was born at Harts- 
ville in 1792. He was Deputy Clerk of the Orphans' Court of Bucks County. 
His wife was Mary Carr. He was a merchant in Philadelphia, but returned 
to his childhood's home, and oversaw his farm. He was a trustee in 
Neshaminy Church, and its treasurer. He bequeathed money to aid in 
making a sidewalk from Hartsville to the church, and to erect a marble slab 
to commemorate the history of the church and its pastors. " He died 
November 4, 1872, aged 82 years." 

Another trustee was William Carr, "born in Warwick, September 12, 
1789. He was appointed by Governor Wolff, clerk of the Orphans' Court, and 



THE YORK ROAD. 299 

lived in Doylestown some time, and in Philadelphia, and in Allentown, Pa., 
where he died March 10, 1872, in the 83d year of his age." He was faithful 
in his trusts, and well informed, especially in local history. He kept up his 
interest in the church " and among his latest acts " sent a donation from 
Allentown to aid in repairing the church where he had worshiped. 

Robert Darrah, son of James Darrah, and grandson of the Revolutionary 
Captain Henry Darrah, was a soldier in the war of 1812, " He married Miss 
Catharine Gait." He erected a school house on his own place, and " in 
connection with Joseph Hart and others procured teachers from New England 
or the vicinity. He was a trustee of Neshaminy Church, and aided it 
liberally. He died August 5, 1860, aged 70 years." 

Dr. James S. Rich was born in 1795. He was a physician near Doyles- 
town, and at the Lazaretto, and at Churchville. He was admitted as a member 
of the Central Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, under Rev. Anson Rood, 
but in 1846 became a member of Neshaminy Church. He died March 8, 
1875, aged eighty. Dr. Turner adds : " A noble man was removed when his 
spirit took its flight." 

James A. Darrah was the son of Robert Darrah. He was under the 
pastoral care of Dr. Wilson. He became a Presbyterian clergyman. His 
birthplace was Warminster, on the former property of Rev. Charles Beatty. 
The date of his birth was 1821. He graduated at Princeton, in 1840, studied 
law under Judge Fox, in Doylestown, '^and was admitted to the bar." He, 
however, felt it a duty to enter the ministry, and studied at the Theological 
Seminary of Yale College. He became a missionary near Winchester, Vir- 
ginia, and afterward went to Missouri, where he supplied the church at Rock- 
hill, near St. Louis, and was Principal of the Preparatory Department of 
Webster College, named in honor of Daniel Webster. He worked here nine 
years witli success, and then for a short time supplied a church in Troy, 
Illinois, and then took the pastorate of a church in West Ely, Missouri, where, 
after the death of Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., he bought the house which 
was one of those built for the Professor of a Theological Seminary the Doctor 
" attempted to establish." 

Benjamin Franklin Wright was a native of Warrington, having been 
born August 30, 1808. He was a member of the Common Council of Phila- 
delphia, and a Building Inspector. Having a family interest in the grave- 
yard at Neshaminy he took an interest in the building of the chapel in 1871. 
He died March 6, 1876, in his 68th year, and was buried in the Neshaminy 
churchyard. 

George W. Hart was the " son of John and Mary Hart, of Warminster." 
He graduated at Yale College in 1847, and was an excellent scholar. He 
travelled in " California, Australia, China and other regions," and then became 
a merchant in Philadelphia. 

The family of Robert McKinstry, Sr., were useful members of Neshaminy 
parish. Five sons, John, Robert, Nathan, James and Henry, and a daughter 



300 THE YORK ROAD. 

Jane, were communicants of this church, John was a trustee, and Nathan and 
Henry were elders. A brother named William lived in Ohio. " All the 
children of the elder Robert McKinstry were associated with the people of 
God, and honored the Christian profession." A noble record ; would there 
were many more like it. For many years in the houses of Nathan and John, 
partly by reason "of the feeble health of some of the members of the family," 
services were held on weekday evenings for " twenty-five or thirty years or 
more." Drs. Wilson and Turner officiated at these " sweet seasons of refresh- 
ing contemplation of divine truth and communion with God and his friends." 
A son of Nathan became an elder in Ohio. The family mainly sustained a 
Sunday School in the County Line School House for over a generation. Dr. 
Turner well adds: "The Lord remembers mercy toward them that fear 
Him, and to their children's children." 

In 1848 Rev. Douglas K. Turner, D. D., succeeded Rev. Dr. Wilson as 
pastor at Neshaminy. Rev. John Patton, of Philadelphia, presided at the 
election, and George Jamison was secretary. Dr. Turner " was born in Stock- 
bridge, Mass., December 17, 1823, but resided most of the years of his youth 
with his parents in Hartford, Conn. He graduated at Yale College, New 
Haven, Conn., in 1843, and after teaching a year in Hartford, studied 
Theology in the Theologicial Seminaries of Andover, Mass., and in New 
Haven, Conn. He was licensed to preach by the Hampden East Congre- 
gational Association of Massachusetts in 1846, and in the autumn of the same 
year came to Neshaminy to teach a classical and select school. He was 
engaged in this position about eighteen months, when he was elected to the 
pastorate of the church." 

The church was under the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia. Rev. 
Albert Barnes preached the sermon at Dr. Turner's ordination and installa- 
tion April 12, A. D. 1848. Rev. Dr. David Malin was moderator. The Rev. 
Messrs. C. S. Conkling, Samuel M. Gould and Joel Parker, D. D. took part in 
the services. October 15, 1848, Henry McKinstry and John McNair were 
ordained "ruling elders." Dr. Wilson had a school house on his grounds 
where he conducted a classical school which was used for a lecture room, but 
when his property was sold Mr. Thomas Bird gave a lot in Hartsville, and a 
lecture room was built there of stone. Mrs. Bird and other ladies assisted in 
raising funds for the good work. She afterwards became the wife of Rev. Dr. 
William Patton, of New Haven, Conn. 

A log school house formerly stood near Neshaminy Church. It was 
replaced by a stone one. " A. Prior, Mahlon Long, Samuel Hart and Miss 
Caroline Downer, afterwards Mrs. C. Whiting, wife of Timothy Whiting," 
taught here. " This lady being a sweet singer, instructed her pupils in vocal 
music as well as other branches. From this school house a wall extended in 
a westerly direction to the Bristol Road enclosing the burying ground on the 
south side." A piece of open land adjoining contained posts for hitching 
horses " at funerals." In 1852 this was enclosed by a new wall. John 



THP] YORK ROAD. 303 

C. Beans, Robert Darrah and Joseph Hart were tlie committee to rebuild the 
graveyard wall, and take in the new ground. 

The leaders in singing used to sit before the congregation " in front of 
the pulpit." Among those who led ''the service of song in the House of the 
Lord " and *' set the tunes " were, " John Weir, John Jamison, Frederick 
Hoover, William Kneedler and Joseph Carr." 

In 1861, when the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia met at Neshaminy 
" near the graves of Rev. William Tennent, Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, Rev. 
Francis McHenry, Rev. Alexander Gellatly and Rev. Dr. James P. Wilson, 
once eminent in the Presbyterian Church, addresses were made by Rev. 
Albert Barnes, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Brainerd." " Prayer was offered that 
the blessing of the God of our fathers might rest upon us, their descendants." 

In 1872 the Cemetery Chapel was dedicated. Rev. Dr. Turner, and Rev. 
Dr. Thomas Murphy, of Frankford, and Col. James Ross Snowden made 
addresses. Mrs. R. H. Turner and Miss Ann Eliza Long had left legacies to 
aid in erecting this building. 

Various Sunday Schools in school houses have been carried on by this 
parish. For several years one was kept up in Amity School House in the 
township of Moreland, in Montgomery County, superintended by John 
Bothwell, a member of this church, and some of the teachers belonged to this 
working congregation. 

Hartsville has had famous schools, and in 1850 an excellent boarding 
and day school was started near Neshaminy Church. The principal and 
most of the scholars sat in " the south side of the gallery " at service. 

One of the founders of the school was Rev. Mahlon Long. He " was born 
in Warminster, March 6, 1809, being the son of Hugh and Mary Long." His 
father was a farmer. Like Cincinnatus, he was called while ploughing, to 
take " the school house at the graveyard " under his care. He became a 
clerk in the Doylestown Bank, of Bucks County, but entered Princeton 
College, graduating in 1839. He studied theology in New Haven, Conn. 
He was principal of the Harrisburg Academy where his work prospered. 
With his brother. Professor Charles Long, of Delaware College, he established 
*' Tennent School." The house was large and the site a fine one, and success 
was attained. Judge H. P. Ross, Prof. Macy, Rev. S. M, Freeland, Dr. 
Ashurst, Rev. William Hutchinson, tutor at Yale College, George Ross, Esq., 
and William Stuckert, Esq., were among the pupils. In 1869, some years 
after his brother's death, Mr. Long gave up the school and sold the place to 
M. Denman Wilbur, Esq. He afterward lived in Philadelphia, and in 
Bergner, N. J. He married Mrs. Catharine Ely, who was the daughter of 
Rev. R. B. Belville, and widow of Rev. George Ely. The College of New 
Jersey gave him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 

" Professor Charles Long was born in Warminster township, March 11, 
1818." He graduated at Yale College, standing high in his class, where he in 
time became a tutor, and studied theology under Rev. Dr. N. W. Taylor and 



304 THE YORK ROAD. 

Professors Gibbs, E. T. Fitch and C. Goodrich, though he did not enter the 
ministry. He was Professor of Ancient Languages in Delaware College under 
the presidency of Rev. Dr. James P. Wilson, Jr. At Neshaminy he stimu- 
lated the pupils and encouraged them to labor. He died in 1856, " in the 
blessed hope of the gospel, aged 38 years ; and his remains lie entombed in 
the cemetery of Neshaminy Church." He was a man of talent and power. 

Dr. Turner notes the following heroes in the Southern war : Sergeant 
Harman Y. Beans of Neshaminy Church, was a farmer's son, who volunteered 
in the First New Jersey Cavalry under Capt. J. Shelmire. He was in many 
battles, " and was mortally wounded " in battle at Hanovertown, Va., May 
28, 1864. An attempt was made to carry him to a Philadelphia hospital, 
but, as strength failed he was taken to a Baltimore hospital, and died there, 
June 12, 1864, at the age of thirty-two. He was highly esteemed as a cour- 
ageous and dutiful soldier and a God-fearing man, and did not neglect 
prayer in his tent, while his Bible was marked by the names of places where 
passages had been read. Such a man conquers in death, and enters into 
everlasting life funder the leadership of Christ, the Captain of his salvation. 

Sergeant Major Cephas Ross joined Company A, First New Jersey 
Cavalry in August, 1861, and saw many battles. A kind Providence pre- 
served his life, and he received but slight wounds. He became an elder in 
Neshaminy Church. 

Lieutenant John Lewis Widdifield was Second Lieutenant in Company 
C, 128th Regiment P. V. Samuel Croasdale was Captain, Cephas Dyer, First 
Lieutenant, and R. Henderson Darrah, Orderly Sergeant. Lieutenant 
Widdifield was wounded at Antietam. He was promoted to the First Lieu- 
tenancy, and would have become a Captain if the wound had not " obliged 
him to resign his commission," which he did reluctantly. After the war he 
lived in Philadelphia and Hartsville. 

Lieutenant R. H. Darrah was the great-grandson of Captain Darrah of 
the Revolution, and his father was a soldier in the last war with England. 
Young Darrah joined the 128th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers Com- 
pany C, in 1862, as Orderly Sergeant. He was promoted as Second and then 
First Lieutenant, and had the responsibility of a Captain in the winter of 
1862-3. He was also in the force to defend the State in 1863, after his Regi- 
ment had been disbanded. He became an elder of Neshaminy Church, 

Dr. Byron Hart graduated at Yale College, having been prepared for 
college by Dr. Turner and Charles Stone. He studied medicine under Prof. 
John H. Mitchell and at Jefferson Medical College. He " married Miss Ella 
J. Levine, of Philadelphia, and engaged in the practice of medicine and 
surgery in that city." 

He became Assistant Surgeon in the Army Hospital at Broad and 
Cherry Streets. His kindness and faithfulness induced the grateful patients 
to present him a silver service. He went to Beaufort, S. C, taking charge of 
Hospital No. 12 under a physician of the regular army, who left it almost entirely 



THE YORK ROAD. 305 

in his care. He was also at Hilton Head, and a watch and chain presented 
by the officers and soldiers attested their appreciation of his faithful work. 
He overworked himself at his laborious post, and was obliged to return 
Northward, but died after reaching New York at his brother-in-law's house, 
(Mr. Sawyer), October 7, 1864. His funeral was at the house of Joseph Hart, 
his father, and he was buried at Neshaminy churchyard. 

Colonel Samuel Croasdale was a native of Warminster, having been born 
" near Hartsville, August 22, 1837." His mother was Mrs. Sarah Croasdale, a 
member of Neshaminy Church, where the son attended service in youth, 
though he lived in Doylestown two or three years before his death. He 
studied at Tennent school, under the Longs, and pursued the study of Greek 
under Dr. Turner, becoming a good Greek and Latin scholar, though he 
excelled in mathematics and surveying. His father, William Croasdale was 
a skilful " worker in iron." His uncle, Samuel Hart, Esq., was " a superior 
surveyor. Miss Elizabeth Croasdale, a sister of Colonel Croasdale, is the 
accomplished principal of the School of Design for Women in Philadelphia." 

Samuel Croasdale studied law with George Hart, Esq., at Doylestown, 
also practising conveyancing and surveying skilfully. He began to practice 
law in 1860. 

In the Southern War he joined a Company under Captain (afterwards 
General) W. W. H. Davis, Company C, 128th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, in 1862. In a few days the colonelcy was vacant and George Lear, Esq., 
of Doylestown and Governor Curtin corresponded about Captain Croasdale, 
and he was commissioned August 25, 1862 to the post when " only three days 
more than 25 years old. " He did not expect or solicit the place. At Antie- 
tam a sharp shooter's rifle killed him as he sat on his horse. His funeral 
took place at his father's house in Hartsville, where many assembled on Sep- 
tember 22d, 1862. He was buried in Doylestown Cemetery. 

Major James H. Hart was the son of John and Mary Hart, born in War- 
minster in 1821. His mother being a member of Neshaminy Church, he 
attended its services. In 1861 he volunteered in " Company A, 1st N. J. 
Cavalry, Colonel Halstead, and joined it as Lieutenant, under Captain Shel- 
mire. On the promotion of the latter to be Major, he was promoted to the 
command of the Company. " He proved a brave officer and " remarkably 
cool and collected " in danger. He was in various battles; and for courage 
and services was made Major " and was brevetted Major of the U. S. Army. " 
He was fatally wounded " at Stoney Creek, Va., in March 1865. " He " soon 
died. " His large funeral took place at Southampton Baptist Church, in 
Bucks County, where " a handsome monument " marks his tomb, and notes his 
battles. He died in his 45th year. The epitaph runs : 

" Soldier, Citizen, Husband, Father. No one more brave, upright, affec- 
tionate and kind. His country asked his service ; he gave his life. " 

Dr. Turner adds the following names of those who served in the Southern 
War from the church and congregation of Neshaminy. 
20 



306 THE YORK ROAD. 

" Of the 104th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers under Col. W. W. H. 
Davis. Charles Arnell, died and buried in Hampton, Va., in the autumn of 
1861. William Raisner served also in the 31st Regiment of the Pennsylvania 
Militia. Isaac Holcomb, John Eckart, and Lieutenant James M. Fox went 
from the Reformed Church of North and Southampton ; now belongs to 
Neshaminy. George Hare, William Hare and John Walton, of the 1st 
Regiment, New Jersey Cavalry, under Colonel Halstead. Washington Raisner, 
of the 128th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Samuel Morgan, Henry 
Long and John Lewis and George Lewis of the 31st Regiment, Pennsylvania 
Militia, in the Emergency, 1863. Charles Meredith, Leonard Laverell and 
Jesse Ewer. Drafted Men. Jesse Selzer, Wilson Brady, William McKinstry, 
George Arnell, served in an Illinois Regiment. James Wallace went in 
Captain Kimble's Company from Hatborough, June, 1861." 

" Dr. William E. Doughty, went out from Philadelphia twice. In Company 
C, 17th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and in Company D, 45th Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, First Union League Brigade. He was posted 
at Odd Fellows Cemetery at the Battle of Gettysburg." 

A list of Captain Henry Darrah's Militia Company, under Col. William 
Roberts, of Bucks County, September 21, 1778, is given on pages 323 and 324 
of Dr. Turner's book. The original Company Rolls of Revolutionary days 
were possessed by R. H. Darrah, in Hartsville, "a great-grandson of the 
Captain. " 

In 1873 Dr. Turner resigned the charge of Neshaminy Church " on 
account of impaired health. " The parish regretted the loss of their faithful 
pastor, who still lives among them. They wished him to retain his post and 
testified to his zealous Christian work for a quarter of a century, during which 
his pious character had commended him to his people and his clerical 
brethren. Stacy B. Beans and George Jamison signed the resolutions. Mr. 
George Ramsey, a Trustee, and also being Treasurer, was delegated to go with 
Elder Cephas Ross, to bear this action to the Presbyter}^ at Pottstown. Rev. 
Dr. J. H. M. Knox, afterward President of Lafayette College, was appointed to 
preach and declare the vacancy. The retiring pastor and various clergy sup- 
plied the parish. Rev. T. Darlington Jester remaining two months as a supply, 
being a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, New York, commended by 
Prof. H. B. Smith. 

A parsonage was secured. Rev. Wm. Evan Jones of Tuscarora, Living- 
ston County, N. Y. was chosen pastor in 1873. He graduated at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania in 1850, and at Princeton Theological Seminary in 
1853. He was a Chaplain in the Southern War, Rev. Dr. J. Grier Ralson 
presided at the installation. Rev. Dr. Roger Owen or Rev. H. T. Ford, as 
alternate were selected as preachers. Mr. Ford performed the duty. It was 
a pleasant day and the attendance was large. Dr. Turner gave the charge to 
the pastor, and Dr. Thomas Murphy that to the people. Many were brought 
into communion with the church in Mr. Jones's pastorate. Rev. Wm. K. 



THE YORK ROAD. 307 

Preston is the present pastor. Rev. Henry I. Nicholas is the pastor of the 
Hartsville Presbyterian Church. 

The Presbyterian Church at Deep Run under William Tennent, Sr. and 
Francis McHenry and Rev, U. Dubois, who preached at the hamlet which 
became Doylestown, was connected with Neshaminy Church in old time, 
Rev. Dr. S. M. Andrews afterward long and faithfully served Doylestown, and 
Rev. Mr. Patton afterward held the parish. 

Rev. R. B. Belville and Rev. R. Steel, of Abington once held services in 
Hatborough. 

Rev. Mr. Belville held meetings at the County Line school house. In 
1836 Rev. Charles Ewing and other clergy conducted " protracted religious 
services in a grove near Pleasantville, " not far from the school house, and a 
German Reformed Church arose, where " Rev. W. E. Cornwell and Rev. N. 
S. Aller and other faithful servants of Christ " have "accomplished great good." 
Some of the Neshaminy families have connected themselves with this parish. 
Frederick Hoover and William Kneedler were among the founders of this 
church. Mr. Kneedler returned to Neshaminy Church in 1848. 

Rev. Dr. Turner used to hold occasional services near Forestville, and the 
families of Joseph Carver, Sr., and those of his sons, James, Joseph, Samuel, 
and William were connected with Neshaminy Church. A church was erected 
in Forestville A. D., 1855. Rev. H. E. Spayd was its first pastor, holding also 
Solebury Church. Rev. J. B. Krusen is the present pastor. Concord and 
Bushington Sunday Schools have been transferred by Neshaminy Church to 
the Forestville Church. 

Dr. Turner in closing, refers to God's blessing which has been on Nesham- 
iny Church while its religious people have followed their pious ancestors, who 
loved the Holy Scriptures and were guided by their light. We can echo his 
final thought : " This church, by the favor of Him who dwells amid the 
golden candlesticks, has been a source of real benefit to the region in which 
it is established. May it still continue thus to be to the latest posterity. '"' 

My friend Dr. Turner has done a patient work with his New England 
perseverance in writing this remarkable book which is a liistor}' of the neigh- 
borhood as well as the church. His wife is a member of the Darrah family, 
and his long residence at Hartsville fitted him for his toilsome task. I know 
no other volume which tells so much of this section, and as it recounts so well 
the religious and military life of the district I have lingered long over it, and 
extracted much useful information from it. 

WARMINSTER. 

General Davis's History of Bucks County was published by the author 
in 1876, and was the result of many years of faithful toil, and even on a sick 
bed the patient man pursued his loved work. He was " to the manor born," 
and w^as writing of his ancestral people, as the Harts and Da vises, and of 



308 THE YORK ROAD. 

places where his boyish feet had trod, and it is little wonder that he brought 
enthusiasm to the task of painting scenes which had enlivened him in the 
fresh spring of youth. He was an author, and in other works, had exercised 
his pen, and his western experience, and war life and newspaper work in the 
Doylestown Democrat, had given him a know^ledge of men and things invalu- 
able to a writer. Then my friend has the true spirit of an antiquary. He 
has the critical faculty needed to throw away a foolish tradition when dates 
deny its chronology, and yet he does not show vandalism in destroying the 
moss that clings on an old wall. His mode of story-telling is attractive, and 
one seems to be sitting by the old fashioned fire-place of the old time and 
watching the flaming logs as the narrator tells his tales of the early days of 
Pennsylvania life, stranger than the fancies of the novelist's brain. The book 
ought to be republished to stir anew an interest in our predecessors. 

We cull some notes from Davis's account of Warminster township^ which 
lies on the York Road. 

The Noble family were early settlers here. Richard Noble was on the 
Delaware River in 1675, and had an office under the Duke of York. He 
lived in Bristol township, " above the mouth of the Neshaminy, and was a 
surveyor. His son Abel was an original purchaser in Warminster, where he 
owned six hundred and ninety-five acres at the re-survey in 1702. The 
original Noble tract lay on both sides of the York Road, that on the upper 
side running up the County Line, and not reaching the Street Road, and 
that on the lower side extending down it to within half a mile of Johnsville." 

In 1743 one hundred and sixty-five acres were conveyed by Abel Noble 
to his son Joseph, who sold the tract, with a few added acres, to Harman 
Yerkes who was the first one of his family in Warminster. Abel and John 
Noble were "sons of the first purchaser," who owned much land. Job used 
to kindly leave grain in the corners of the fields that the birds might get 
a share. " At the family mansion, in English style, w^ith hip-roof, on the 
site of the dwelling of the late Andrew Yerkes, on the York Road, he built a 
stone apiary with the back to the road, and intended to have cut upon it the 
ten commandments, but it was never done." 

An Irish servant in his employ found a tortoise, and ran in hot haste to 
the house, reporting that he had discovered " a snake in a box." Job Noble 
died in 1775. One of his two daughters ** married a Gilbert and the other a 
Moland." The burial ground of the Noble family " is below the York Road, 
and near the County Line, on the farm now owned by Justice Mitchell, on a 
knoll that overlooks a meadow in front. Half a dozen graves, with a few 
feet of the old wall, are all that mark the final resting place of these 
Warminster pioneers." 

Bartholomew Longstreth was " the son of Christopher, born in Longstreth 
Dale, Yorkshire, England, 1679, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1698." 
He bought 300 acres on Edge Hill, but sold the place, intending to return 
to England ; but afterward bought 500 acres from " Thomas Fairman, in 



THE YORK ROAD. 309 

Warminster, for £175, and came into the township to live in 1710. This 
tract lay in the square bounded by the Bristol, Street, southern line of town- 
ship, and the Johnsville Roads. He added to his acres until at his death he 
owned one thousand." 

He built a house of logs. " In 1727 he married Ann Dawson of Hatboro, 
then the Crooked Billet, and after leading a useful and active life he died sud- 
denly, August 8th, 1749, and was buried at Horsham," He had eleven 
children. The family keeps "the metal moulds in which Bartholomew run 
his pewter spoons, like other farmers of that day and have also the iron John 
Dawson anciently used to smooth beaver hats. Bartholomew Longstreth was 
a man of influence in his generation. He first opened the York Road from 
the Neshaminy down to Hatborough. The Longstreths owned land in other 
townships." 

Warminster was honored as the residence of John Fitch, the steamboat 
inventor, whose striking story General Davis tells at length in an interesting 
manner. Rev. Dr. D. K. Turner, of Hartsville, also read an instructive 
essay on Fitch at the annual meeting of the Bucks County Historical Society, 
under the Presidency of General Davis, which met in the summer of 1889 at 
Davisville Baptist Church, near where Fitch experimented on a pond with 
his model steamer, and that day an interesting and successful experiment 
with the Binder propellor on the same pond linked the old times with the 
new. 

A graveyard near Johnsville, on the former Vansant farm, belonged to 
that family. Early settlers from Holland are buried there, including the 
Cravens and Vandykes. The oldest stone is that of " Harman Vansant, who 
died in 1769, at the age of eighty-four, and Giles Craven, who died September 
8th, 1798, in his eightieth year. A handsome marble slab is erected to the 
memory of Doctor William Bachelor, a native of Massachusetts, and surgeon 
in the army of General Gates, who died September 14th, 1823, aged seventy- 
five years. His wife was a daughter of Silas Hart of Warminster. Doctor 
Bachelor lived in Hatborough and had an extensive practice." 

So love, courtship and marriage ran on in the old days and New England 
and Pennsylvania joined hands for a time, and then unclasped them in death 
as John Anderson and his wife climbed the hill together and slumbered at 
its foot, in the old song. 

" Johnsville, at the junction of the Newtown and Street Roads, had its 
foundation laid in 1814, when James Craven built a storehouse for his son 
John on the only corner not covered with native forest trees, and in which a 
store is still kept. It took its name from John Craven." 

This is a pleasant village, not far from the Newtown Railway, and I have 
noticed a Friends' Meeting House between it and the railway. 

Davis informs us that Robert Beans's agricultural factory was burned 
here " and not re-built." 



310 THE YORK ROAD. 

Warminster township is traversed by the York Road, which " was more 
of a^Pliiladelphia Road to the people of this section." (J. H. Battle's History 
of Bucks County, p. 501.) 

HARTSVILLE. 

Hartsville, on the York and Bristol Roads, is mainly in Warminster. It 
was formerly known as " Cross Roads," but took its present name from the 
Hart family who long lived there. A store, tavern, Presbyterian Church and 
hall are the public buildings. The store is the property of T. Willett 
Boileau, now merchandising in Bustleton. He kept the Hartsville store for 
several years. It is now conducted by H. M. Kaisinger. " 

WARWICK. 

General Davis states that Hartsville tavern, in Warwick, was long kept 
by William Hart, and the sign was " the human heart." " He died in 1831, 
aged eighty-four years. A post-office was established there in 1826. The old 
stone bridge over the Neshaminy on the York Road, above the village, built 
in 1793, had a heart cut on the date stone." 

" Thomas Linter petitioned the court to keep a public house in 1730." 

The township has no grist mills, as its surface is so level generally that 
the streams have tiot size and fall enough to drive mills. There was once a 
saw-mill on Robert Darrah's farm, "near Hartsville, but now long out 
of use." 

"Mary, the widow of Andrew Long, died January 17, 1821, aged ninety- 
five years, and John Harvey died the 31st of the same month, at the age of 
eighty-seven." 

AVarminster has fertile plains which reach to the Neshaminy hills, and 
its farmers have cultivated their grounds well, and reap the rewards of their 
well-directed toil. 

James Clayton, of England, is given by Davis as an original purchaser 
of real estate in this township, having taken up land " from the Northampton 
line, or thereabouts, to Jamison's Corner." John Gray's " tract covered the 
Almshouse' farm, Henry Bailey had land about Hartsville and Benjamin 
Twily, in the vicinity of Jamison's Corner." James Boyden owned " from the 
top of Carr's Hill down to Neshaminy Church." The early purchasers here 
did not generally settle on the land. 

John Snowden, ancestor of Prothonotary James Ross Snowden, lived at 
the Forks of the Neshaminy, and Rev. Daniel McCalla w^as an eminent and 
scholarly son of Warwick township, a " chaplain in the Continental Army," 
head of an academy in Mrginia, and successor of Rev. Samuel Davies in the 
parish. He had a high reputation as a j^reacher. 



THE YORK ROAD. 311 

Dr. John Rodman and Thomas Richardson were large land owners here. 
William and John Rodman were later owners, John holding property " on 
both sides of the Neshaminy extending from below Bridge Valley to half a 
mile above Bridge Point. The Rodman tract, on the northeast, at some 
points, was bounded by the road leading from Doylestown to Wood's Corner, 
on the York Road just above Bridge Valley." 

Henry Jamison, the ancestor of the Jamison family, lived in North- 
ampton township, but owned land in Warwick. " In 1734 Henry Jamison 
conveyed two hundred and fifty acres of land lying in Warwick, to Robert 
Jamison, and the remainder to his other children." Robert Jamison, a son 
of Henry, had a son John who was " a captain in the Continental Army, who 
married Martha, sister of the Reverend James Grier, of Deep Run." Robert, 
a Revolutionary soldier, was another son ; he was an elder of Neshaminy 
Church. His brother Henry kept Jamison's tavern at Centreville m 1767. 
Rev. Nathaniel Irwin's first wife was his daughter. 

Warwick township was first called Middlebury. In "1727 William 
Miller was appointed overseer of the York Road between the two branches of 
the Neshaminy, from the bridge above Hartsville to Bridge Valley." 

In " 1763 William Rodman and his wife conveyed to Andrew and 
Charles McMicken, Jr., of Warwick, one hundred and forty acres of land in 
the township, lying along Neshaminy, on both sides of the York Road, for 
the consideration of £817." Charles McMicken, of Cincinnati, who founded a 
male and a female college by a philanthropic bequest, " was a member of 
this family." 

Joseph Carr " settled in Warwick in 1743." The stone bridge on the 
York Road crossing Neshaminy Creek, above Hartsville, was erected in 1755, 
and succeeded " by another stone bridge in 1789 " which " was destroyed by a 
freshet " several years ago. The date-stone had cut upon it a human heart. 
The present bridge is an open wooden one. 

Admiral Dahlgreen once lived on Mr. Ramsey's farm on " the Bristol 
Road half a mile below Hartsville." He owned the farm, and was " then a 
lieutenant." 

Bridge Valley used to be called '" Pettit's." William Harvey was the first 
post-master at Bridge Valley in 1869. Jacob Taylor's widow, Mrs. Phoebe 
Taylor died in Warwick over ninety-nine years old. She was the daughter 
of Jeremiah and Mary Northrop. 

BUCKINGHAM. 

The " Vale of Lahaska," quoted in Davis's History, by Samuel Johnson, 
sweetly and simply describes this beautiful region which the English literary 
Doctor of the same name might have painted in poetic words had his eyes 
looked on these Pennsylvania scenes. The American poet thus sings : 



312 THE YORK ROAD. 

" From the brow of Lahaska wide to the west, 

The eye sweetly rests on the landscape below ; 
'Tis blooming as Eden, when Eden was blest, 

As the sun lights its charms with the evening glow." 

The Buckingham Mountain is said to have had the Indian name 
Lahaska. 

Durham and York Roads cut through Buckingham township intersecting 
at Centreville. 

General Davis derives Buckingham, which is the name of several places 
in England, " from hecen, the beech-tree, then Becen-ham, then Bushing-ham, 
the village among the beeches, and lastly Buckingham." 

In 1706 the township was styled " New Buckingham, probably to dis- 
tinguish it from Bristol, which was still called Buckingham." 

*' Until grain enough was raised to support the pioneers of Buckingham 
and Solebury the suppl}^ was fetched from Falls and Middletown. At the 
time Buckingham was first settled there was no store north of Bristol, and 
grain was taken to Morris Gwin's mill, on the Pennj^pack, to be ground, down 
to 1707." 

Amos Preston is said to have been the first white settler in Buckingham 
township, but it is not certain " whether he was actually the earliest settler." 

Paul Preston was a descendant of this family who " became a fine mathe- 
matician and linguist, studying in a small building he erected off from his 
dwelling." His height " was six feet six and three-quarter inches." He was 
an associate of Franklin, who held him in high estimation. Samuel Preston, 
" the first associate-judge in AVayne County," was his son. 

" James Streater, of Alsfre, England," bought a tract of land of George 
Jackson and sold it to Edmond Kinsey in 1714. " The meeting-house stands 
on this tract. It was a parallelogram in shape and lay on both sides of the 
York Road from the township line to about Greenville." Streater was a 
" practitioner in physic" and a grocer. 

In 1750 James Cooper, of Buckingham, married Hannah Hibbs, " the 
grandmother of James Fenimore Cooper, who thus descends of a Bucks 
County family in the maternal line," though the Cooper family here named 
" is not identical with that of Cooper, the novelist." 

" Charity Bye, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah Bye, born in 1780, was 
the mother of Governor William F.Johnston," so Buckingham had the honor 
of being* the birth-place of the mother of a Governor. 

In 1704, Thomas Watson, the first one of the name, who married Eleanor 
Pearson, in Yorkshire, moved " to Buckingham on four hundred and fifty acres 
bought of Rosill, bounded on the northwest by the York Road. He refused 
to survey the tract on Penn's warrant without consent of the Indians." He 
practiced medicine, and it is said that he kept a school to educate the Indians. 
His son John became a successful physician and a member of Assembly. 
Thomas was the eldest son of the senior Thomas. His son, John, studied at 



THE YORK ROAD. 313 

the Academy of Jacob Taylor, in Philadelphia, and became eminent as a 
" mathematician and surveyor, and assisted to run the line between Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware and Maryland. He was noted for his elegant penmanship." 

Jesse Fell, born in Buckingham, in 1751, first successfully burned 
" anthracite coal in a grate," when living in Wilkesbarre. 

William Carver, who had exchanged a By berry farm with Silas AValmsley 
for land near Bushington, had a son William, being his eldest son, who 
" married a daughter of Henry Walmsley, and removed to Buckingham." 
*' The father or son is supposed to have built the Green Tree Tavern, at Bush- 
ington." 

The Buckingham meeting-house tract, given for a house of worship by 
Streater in 1705, covered ten acres. " It is related that a wild deer one day, 
walked into the old meeting-house, looked around at the people, and walked 
out again." 

Dr. John Wilson, of Buckingham, was " a fine surgeon," and a noted 
physician. Louis S. Coryell, who understood human nature and knew many 
men of note, said "Dr. Wilson knew more, from a potato hill up, than any 
man I ever knew." His house at " Elm Grove " was a hospitable mansion. 
George G. Maris owns the place which Dr. Wilson bought of Samuel Johnson. 

Dr. Arthur D. Cernea, a partner of Dr. Wilson, had a romantic history. 
He was the son of French parents who were supposed to have been lost at sea, 
or by some calamity, as they purposed to visit France and return, leaving 
their son at the- Moravian School at Bethlehem. At an early age he endeav- 
ored to support himself, meeting with kindness from Eleazar Shaw, of Plum- 
stead, who made him an inmate of his family. The young man taught school 
when eighteen years old in the " eight-square " school house in Plumstead, 
and afterward graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and married 
Sarah Lester, of Richland. His second wife was Sarah Taylor. Pie was a 
botanist, and interested in the Buckingham lyceum. After Dr. Wilson died 
he removed to Centreville. His son Thomas became a skilful architect in 
Philadelphia." 

General Davis thus mentions another noteworthy character : " Samuel 
Hanin, a distinguished, self-taught mathematician, died in 1820, at the age of 
seventy-six." 

A black man called "Big Ben" was " a noted person in Buckingham. 
He had been a slave. He was very large, " and his foot measured sixteen 
inches from heel to toe." 

James Jamison, of Buckingham, deserves notice for his influence more 
than " any other one man in the introduction of the present method of burn- 
ing lime in fixed kilns," over fifty years ago by using alternate layers of coal 
and lime with wood to kindle the coal underneath. Wood had been formerly 
used but this improvement lowered " the cost of lime about one-half." The 
Delaware Division Canal brought coal which stimulated this business, but 
commercial manures have diminished it. 



314 THE YORK ROAD. 

Mr. Righter's Centreville tavern " has been a famous roadside inn, in its 
day and generation, and it numbers considerably more than a century of 
years. Under its roof, the ' Bucks County Committee of Safety ' held one of 
its earliest meetings in 1775, and in it General Greene, for a time, had his 
headquarters during one of the most trying periods of the Revolution. 
Buckingham post-office was established here in 1805, and Cornelius Vanhorne 
appointed post-master." 

Greenville was called " Grintown," and General Davis was informed that 
the name was given because a Jerseyman having trouble here by the 
unmanageableness of a flock' of geese he was driving to Philadelphia seeing 
the villagers at their doors beholding his discomfort with amusement cried 
out "this is Grintown." There was once a "female boarding school of some 
local celebrity," m Greenville. 

In 1722 the largest tax-payer in Buckingham was Richard Humphrey 
Morris. The tax was £1, 3s, 9d, for 1900 acres of land. 

On the line of the farms of Benjamin Smith and Amos Carson near 
Greenville is what the Indians called " Holy-cong," and the later name has 
been '' Conkey Hole." It is a water-sink, such as "are common in limestone 
valleys." The water rises and falls, and tradition says that chaft' put in here 
has come out at Ingham Spring. 

"Grintown Pond" near Greenville was the swimming place of the boys 
years ago. " Here the young Elys, Larges, Gilberts, Beanses, Williamses, 
Joneses, Parrys, Linburgs, Johnsons, Byes, Shaws, Fells, Il&llyers, Watsons 
and others resorted on Saturday evenings, making the air ring with their 
hilarity. Many horses were likewise taken there to be washed, and every one 
that went into the water had a boy on his back and another hanging on his 
caudal extremity." Many years ago a boy saved the life of a companion who 
was in danger of drowmng here by diving after him, and dragging him 
from the water when he had sunk for the " last time." 

The Mount Gilead African Methodist Episcopal Church had a log 
building on the summit of Buckingham Mountain built " m 1835 and 1836^ 
and re-built of stone in 1852. It is quite a snug edifice, and near by is a 
graveyard enclosed by a neat pale fence. The Orthodox Friends' meeting 
house of Buckingham was built in 1830. The date was cut by Joseph Fell 
on a stone and placed in the front wall." 

William Simpson was a Revolutionary soldier who lived in Buckingham, 
and who was in the battle at Trenton. In visiting his family he was once 
concealed under a hogshead in the cellar when neighborhood Tories searched 
the house for him. James Simpson, not known to be related to the soldier, 
was a preacher among Friends, who died in Frankford. " He left some 
sermons and other writings behind." " J. Simpson Africa is a grandson of 
John Simpson " of Bucks County. 

" Edmund Kinsey had a scythe and axe factory about two miles north- 
west of Lahaska." There was a saw-mill on Paul Preston's property, where a 



THE YORK ROAD. 315 

part of the dam remains, on the stream crossing "the York Road near 
Greenville." 

Eliza, a daughter of Samuel Johnson, according to Davis, married 
Jonathan Pickering. She was a poet. In 1835 she wrote some lines to 
Halley's comet after its disappearance, beginning : 

" Thou hfxst gone in thj'^ brightness thou beautiful star, 
With the train of refulgence that streamed from thy carj 
Where Philosophy's eagle flight never may soar. 
Nor e'en Fancy's bold pinion attempt to explore. 



"When the stars of the morning triumphantly sang, 
And the shouts of archangels in joyfulness rang, 
Was then thy glad orb launched on ether's vast deep, 
Unchanging for ages its pathway to keep?" 

Mr. Johnson's daughter Ann married Thomas Paxson of Buckingham, 
and also wrote poetry of which we give a specimen from Davis's selections of 
the Bucks County Poets. It is from " A Thanksgiving : " 

" For the morning's ruddy splendor. 

For the noontide's radiant glow; 
For the golden smile of sunset. 

Illuming all below; 
For flowers, those types of Eden, 

That gem the verdant sod, 
And seem to ope their petals 

To tell us of our God. 



" For the memories that encircle 

The happy days gone by; 
For the holy aspirations 

That lift the soul on high ; 
For the hope in brighter regions 

By seraph footsteps trod 
To meet the lost and loved ones 

I thank Thee, oh, my God." 

The poem styles flowers " alphabets of angels " to lead the soul to God, if 
wisely read. 

General Greene is said to have remained at the Centreville inn, and 
entertained fellow-officers there, as stated in Battle's History of Bucks County. 

At Forestville, in Buckingham, is a Presbyterian Church, under the 
care of Rev. J. B. Kruson, which has been noticed in the review of Rev. Dr. 
Turner's History of the Neshaminy Church. 



316 THE YORK ROAD. 

"THE VALE OF LAHASKA," BUCKINGHAM. 

Indians lingered long among the beautiful scenery of the Neshaminy 
here. The legend ran that Eve regretfully plucked a bunch of flowers in 
leaving Paradise, so did they recall past joys. 

xVquetong Spring was the reputed birth-place of Teedyuscung of renown, 
and here that Indian chief passed his early years, and it is narrated by 
chroniclers that the savage had a good feeling for the white man. It is stated 
that the Indians supplied the whites with meal and beans, refusing payment. 
The children of the Indians were sociable and playful. 

There was harmony in mutual dependence. Simplicit}' was found in 
natural life. The Indians and whites were not far separated in their wants 
in seeking a livelihood. A band of Lenni Lenapes left their wigwams on the 
Buckingham Mountain in 1773 for the Wabash River, where a part of their 
tribe had previously removed. 

Samuel Preston relates that when his grandfather, Amor Preston, " the 
first settler of Buckingham," went to Wicacoa, (Philadelphia), where his place 
" was surrounded by fire in the woods, and they with difficulty escaped with 
their lives — all their little property being consumed," some Indian friends 
invited them to Laskeek, (Buckingham Mountain), to their village Hollekonk, 
where was a "limestone sink-hole that used to contain good water." The hos- 
pitable red men treated the family well, and here Nathan Preston was born, 
the first white child born in Buckingham township. A young Indian woman 
named Sarah nursed the mother and child. The boy learned to talk the 
Indian language with the Indian boys before he caught his native tongue. 

John Watson, a noted surveyor of Buckingham, who was secretary to 
Governor Morris at an Indian treaty at Easton, when Franklin was in attend- 
ance and who assisted Surveyor, General Nicholas Scull in running the line 
between Maryland and Delaware, is buried in the graveyard at Buckingham 
meeting house. 

General John Lacy, of this section, was a Revolutionary officer, who went 
from a grist-mill to the Captaincy of a Company. 

Battle's History of Bucks County notes these interesting facts. 

BUCKINGHAM MEETING-HOUSE. 

It is natural for the Friends to love Whittier " the Quaker Poet," and in 
the following lines on " Pennsylvania," in " Poems of Places," edited by 
Longfellow, he has well painted their quiet and gentle ways: 

"Fair First-Day mornings steeped in Summer calm 
Warm, tender, restful, sweet with woodland balm, 
Come to him like some mother-hallowed psalm. 

To the tired grinder at the noisy wheel 
Of labor, winding off from memory's reel 
A golden thread of music. With no peal 



THE YORK ROAD. 317 

Of bells to call them to the house of praise, 
The scattered settlers through green forest- ways 
Walked meeting-ward. In reverent amaze 

The Indian trapper saw them from the dim 

Shade of the alders on the rivulet's rim, 

Seek the Great Spirit's house to talk with Him. 

There, through the gathering stillness multiplied 
And made intense by sympathy, outside 
The sparrows sang and the gold-robin cried, 

A-swing upon his elm. A faint perfume 
Breathed through the open windows of the room 
From locust trees, heavy with clustered bloom. 

Lowly before the Unseen Presence knelt 
Each waiting heart, till haply some one felt 
On his moved lips the seal of silence melt. 

Or, without spoken words, low breathings stole 
Of a diviner life from soul to soul. 
Baptizing in one tender thought the whole. 

When shaken hands annovmced the meeting o'er, 
The friendly group still lingered at the door, 
Greeting, inquiring, sharing all the store 

Of worldly tidings. Meanwhile youth and maid 
Down the green vistas of the woodland strayed, 
Whispered and smiled and oft their feet delayed. 

Unvexed the sweet air seemed. Without a wound, 
The ear of silence heard, and every sound 
It's place in nature's fine accordance found. 

And solemn meeting, summer, sky and wood, 
Old kindly faces, youth and maidenhood 
Seemed, like God's new creation, very good ! " 

While this poem had reference to early days in Philadelphia it well 
describes the Friends of Pennsylvania in general, in the time of Penn. 

When I was copying this poem the loving poet was quietly ending his 
useful and brave life. On the dawn of September 7th, A, D., 1892, the gentle 
spirit entered into everlasting rest and peace at Hampton Falls, New Hamp- 
shire ; and at his birthplace, Haverhill, Massachusetts, among a mourning 
people, the City Hall bell, according to a touching New England custom, 
struck eighty-four times to mark the number of years he had passed in life's 
journey to the grave. The farm lad of great individuality and strong char- 
acter has made his life a benediction to many, and is known over the world. 

The following from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin on the day he died 
is of interest : 



318 THE YORK ROAD. 

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIEK. 

John Greenleaf AVhittier was born in Haverhill, Mass., December 17, 1807. 
When Whittier was born Jefferson was in the second year of his second term, 
George III, was still on the throne of England and Napoleon had but recently- 
been crowned Emperor of France and had not yet reached the zenith of his 
power. In the world of letters Byron was in college writing his " Hours of 
Idleness;" Scott had just written his "Lady of the Lake;" Burns had been 
dead but eleven years ; Longfellow was still a short fellow in his cradle, and 
Bryant had just startled his friends by the production of his first poem, '• The 
Embargo." 

These notes are fitting in this volume as Whittier once lived in Phila- 
delphia, and sojourned for a time in the country part of Pennsylvania, near 
the York Road, not far from New Hope. 

HOLICONG. 

In 1711 the York Road was opened from Centre Bridge toward Phila- 
delphia by Greenville. [See the Local Sketches and Legends of Wm. J. 
Buck (at Pa. Hist. Soc.) p. 201.] 

Mr. Buck describes the Vale of Lahaska, as being close to Greenville 
village, with its limestone spring. 

Friends' Meetings were held at William Parlet's house. In time Buck- 
ingham meeting house arose in this region. The land was from James 
Streater. 

There were Indians near Holicong in 1690 on Streater's land, probably 
between the spring and the meeting house. This is a limestone section. 

Dr. John Watson and Samuel Preston were antiquaries deserving 
remembrance who lived in the Vale of Lahaska. 

A quaint legend puts an Indian into the subterranean stream which is 
said to have burst open as he was seeking a deer; or, according to another 
legend, having sprung on the back of a buck, the buck plunged into the 
stream with the Indian on his back. The deer came out at Aquetong. 
Chaff has passed through this course. 

There was a tradition that King Hickoquocum committed suicide by 
jumping into the spring. 

Buck gives the account of these Indian days in an interesting manner. 

Holicong is above Buckingham meeting house. The meeting house was 
used as a hospital in the Revolution. 

The following from the Philadelphia Daily Times of May 28, 1891, well 
introduces the author of our next contribution : 

"Albert S. Paxson, of the Buckingham Valley, Bucks County, was in the 
city yesterday, coming down over the Northeast Pennsylvania Railroad 
lately opened to New Hope, and of which company he is a director, Mr. 



THE YORK ROAD. 319 

Paxson took an active part in having the railroad extended from Hartsville 
to the Delaware River, and through his efforts the Valley of Buckingham 
was especially favored. He is a brother of Chief Justice Paxson, of the State 
Supreme Court, and father of Edward E. Paxson, of the Real Estate Title and 
Insurance Company, and also father of Colonel Henry D. Paxson, of Governor 
Pattison's staff. 'Squire Paxson is enjoying a respite from labors incident to 
certain building enterprises in which — with the Chief Justice — he has a deep 
interest at the Buckingham Station." 

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES CONTRIBUTED BY ALBERT S. 
PAXSON, ESQ., OF HOLICONG, BUCKS COUNTY, PA. 

No portion of the Old York Road, with its wayside inns and rural homes, 
contains more of historic interest than that embraced in the township of 
Buckingham. Settled at an early period of our country's history, and on the 
line of travel from Philadelphia to New York the rich agricultural lands 
offered superior inducements to the early pioneers to locate their homes and 
secure for themselves and families a bountiful share of the blessings the sur- 
roundings afforded them. And first in importance, as rich in historic value 
may be mentioned the old meeting house now standing upon the hill near 
the Solebury line and where the old thoroughfare parts company at what is 
called the Forks, one crossing the Delaware River at New Hope and thence 
to New York, the other at Centre Bridge a few miles farther up the river and 
finally reaching the same city by a more northerly route. The hardy 
yeoman and their following were principally Friends and friendly people who 
came over with Penn, or arrived shortly thereafter, pushed up through the 
woods of Newtown and Wrightstown, crossed Buckingham Mountain and 
located in the charming valley beyond. What a wondrous world of beauty 
met their enraptured gaze as from the mountain's height their eyes beheld 
the vale beneath with alternate farm and forest and winding stream, with 
gentle hills skirting the western border clothed with the primeval forest, and 
the far off Haycock towering above all with its rounded and blue summit. 

Is it any wonder that the pioneers here rested, that here they built their 
meeting house and homes. This was previous to 1700. About this time 
Friends held meeting for worship at the houses of John Gillingham, William 
Cooper, James Streaters and Nathaniel Bye. A log meeting house was built 
in 1705 in the south corner of the burying ground upon ten acres of James 
Streaters' land. The following year, as appears by the record " they desired to 
have glass windows in it and William Biles offered to pay the expense of the 
same." Glass was considered a luxury in those days. In 1708 the house 
was completed. What now embraces the lower half of the present burying 
ground was laid out about this time or just before the house was built. For 
more than one hundred years it was the only place for interment in the 
settlement. In 1721 an addition was made to the house, also of logs. A 



320 THE YORK ROAD. 

stone house more commodious was built in 1731 with two apartments to 
accommodate the two sexes in their transaction of business, as a monthly 
meeting had been established there in 1720, under the following circum- 
stances: " Whereas, Friends of Buckingham have hitherto belonging to the 
Falls Monthly Meeting, being now pretty much increased in numbers and 
having for a long time with some hardships travelled a great way, moves to 
have a monthly meeting of their own. Notwithstanding the Falls Friends 
were loath to be deprived of their good company and assistance yet this 
meeting, having taken their request and reasons into consideration, consent 
to their proposals, and allow^s them to have a monthly meeting of their own." 
It W'ill be seen that up to this time although having a meeting of worship 
here, they were attached to Falls Monthly and Business Meeting which was 
the parent meeting, and there are cases on record where Friends travelled on 
foot to the Falls. This was a religion of sacrifice in those days, not an 
easy going religion as now. 

The meeting was fortunate in having at this early day men of standing 
and great moral worth. Thomas Canby was chosen clerk and he, and his 
descendants served in that capacity continuously for more than one hundred 
years. He was a man eminently fitted for the duties, and the impress he 
and his family made upon the Society of Friends has not been confined to 
one generation. To him perhaps more than any one man is due the high 
standing this meeting acquired in this community, and the world at large. 
As his life has been an eventful one this sketch w^ould be incomplete without 
a brief review of his character. Thomas Canby came over from Thorn, York- 
shire, England, in 1683, in company with his uncle and guardian, Henry 
Baker. At this time he was a youth of 16 years without means as would be 
inferred from the following extract taken from the minutes of Bucks Quarterly 
Meeting of Friends held at the house of Richard Hough, the 5th of the 6th 
month, 1685, ''Henry Baker hath brought in an account of disbursements 
about bringing Thomas Canby into this country, and they both, vis : Henry 
Baker and Thomas Canby, have referred the length of time the said Thomas 
Canby shall serve the said Henry Baker, for said charge and his passage, and 
it is the agreement and judgment of this meeting, that the said Thomas 
Canby shall serve the said Henry Baker five years from this day, and that at 
the expiration of said term, the said Henry Baker shall allow the said Thomas 
Canby apparel and corn and whatever things are allowed by law to minors so 
brought over." In our day apprentices would think this hard servitude. At 
the expiration of his indenture young Canby settled near Jenkintown, Mont- 
gomery County, and in 1693 he married and begat children — sons and 
daughters as of old. He came to Buckingham about 1700. By his first wife 
he had nine children and two years after her decease in 1708, married again, 
and by this union there were eight children born. He survived her and later 
in life took unto liimself a third partner, by whom there were no children, 
though he had seventeen by the two former wives. Most of the children 



THE YORK ROAD. 321 

grew to man and womanhood and intermarried with the Paxsons, Elys, 
Gillinghams, Prestons, Staplers, Smiths, Hamptons, Lacys, Hibbs, Wilsons, 
Shipleys, Johnsons, et al. Many of them were blessed with large families and 
their descendants have spread their outstretched arms not only over Bucks 
and Montgomery Counties, but will be found in large numbers in New 
Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and the far West. The Canby name is not 
common, but this is accounted for ^rom the fact that a large share of the 
children were girls and they had a fashion then as now, in changing their 
name in early womanhood as good opportunity presented, and the family 
name was lost. Not so the blood. It is carried down the stream of time and 
the pulse will register its ebb and flow^ to the latest generation. Jane Canby, 
eldest child of Thomas Canby by the second wife, married Thomas Paxson, 
and Chief Justice Paxson of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is a great 
grandson of theirs, through Jacob and Thomas the second. 

But let us return to the old meeting house which we find was burned in 
1768, from sparks falling upon the roof while the meeting was in session. 
The present imposing structure was built the following year and stands 
to-day as then erected. It is 40x70 feet, two stories high, of grit stone, nar- 
row pointed, with concave plaster cornices at the eaves and also at the ends. 
The interior is divided in both stories by a partition of panel shutters made 
to slide, forming two separate apartments when desired. The upper story 
forms a gallery to the lower. The inside is finished with white cedar; has 
never been despoiled with a painter's brush, and it retains much of its original 
lustre after a period of 120 years. The total cost was £736, 14s, IJd. Mathias 
Hutchinson was the master mason and Edward Good the carpenter, and the 
long years it has withstood the elements proves the superior skill of the 
builders. It is getting to be an old landmark, and the ancient oaks that sur- 
round it, could they but speak, would tell us of scenes long before the house 
was placed in their midst, ere Penn landed upon these shores, when the 
" Lenni Lenape " with his bow and quiver drove the startled deer from their 
repose. Deer were not uncommon when the first house was erected, and tradi- 
tion says while the meeting was in session one Sabbath morn a full grown 
fawn came to the door, snuffed the air from within, but did not conclude to 
remain and worship with them. 

During the Revolutionary War, the present meeting house was used as a 
hospital, and during 1777, Friends met in Thomas Ellicot's blacksmith shop. 

Mathias Hutchinson, like Friend Canby, was a prominent man in his 
day, not only in the society of Friends but in the world at large. He filled 
the office of Associate Judge for many years when the court was held at New- 
town, and held other responsible trusts. He was a man of parts and if need 
be could turn his hand to diplomacy. The following little incident coming 
from the late Joseph Fell, through his son, my friend, E. Watson Fell, will 
illustrate his method of reaching an end. When the present meeting house 
was near completion, he suggested to Friends that as the work had been done 
21 



322 THE YORK ROAD. 

in a very satisfactory manner the initials of his name be cut upon a stone in 
the east gable. Friends thought not well of this as savoring a little of the 
monumental. Matters rested thus for a time and Friend Hutchinson 
bethought himself of another method of reaching the same result. So one 
meeting day when Friends were looking around the building and surveying 
the improvements he remarked carelessly that it might be well to have some- 
thing to designate the character of the building, if nothing more than to 
distinguish it from the school house, also an imposing structure near by. To 
this Friends readily assented and the letters M. H. were accordingly placed as 
desired. Friends did not just see the point that the initials stood for Mathias 
Hutchinson as well as Meeting House. 

The antiquarian will find much to interest him within these walls. 
When occupied as a hospital in 1777 an occasional stray bullet was let loose 
and plowed its way through the polished casements of the windows. Many 
disabled defenders of our then young Republic there bade adieu to worldly 
strife and were lain to rest beneath the shades of those old oaks. When the 
turnpike was made some forty years ago, and the road cut down and 
widened, the bones of several of those poor fellows were unearthed and 
removed to a safer resting place. Memory delights to wander back half a 
century or more and recall the scenes of boyhood in connection with this 
historic building. The house was then well filled at meetings for worship. 
Joseph Foulke, father of the present Doctor Foulke of Centreville, and Jesse 
Kersey, neighboring ministers, occasionally visited the meeting, and their 
eloquent discourses drew a large attendance. Samuel Blackfan did the 
principal ministerial work fifty years ago. He was not an eloquent man, but 
preached a good square sermon, although lacking concentration and con- 
tinuity of thought. He had good materials for his discourse but they would 
not always fit together so as to produce a harmonious whole. He lived some 
distance from the meeting and was delayed sometimes in getting there at the 
appointed time. On one occasion I remember the meeting was half over, yet 
he had a sermon for us, and his text was, "A half a loaf is better than no 
bread." His logic seemed clear to my youthful mind, and as it was then 
considerably past the dinner hour I would have gladly accepted the half loaf, 
in a literal sense, and given a receipt in full of all demands, for bread 
that day. 

What mighty changes have been witnessed in this meeting in little over 
half a century. It was my privilege to visit it one fine Sabbath morning last 
summer, and I was sadly impressed with the apparent decline in member- 
ship. The few in attendance were all seated in what was called the women's 
end, and the empty seats far outnumbered those filled. In looking around, 
the query arose, " Our fathers, where are they?" Where are the Watsons, 
Wilsons, Carys, Johnsons, Jones, Lancasters, Walkers, Scarboroughs, Waltons, 
Malones, Worthingtons, Paxsons, Blackfans, Beanses, Hestons, Elys, Byes, 



THE YORK ROAD. 323 

Broadhursts, Smiths, Dickersons, Ellises, Williamses, Fells, and many more 
who with their families I had seen there in my early boyhood. 

There was no preaching, to the outward at least, on the day of my late 
visit, and an unbroken silence reigned. A gentle breeze played through the 
lattice, stirring a thousand leaves upon those old oaks that had stood ward 
and watcher there for more than a century. Feathered songsters flitted from 
bough to bough chanting deliverance from winter's icy chain. The hum of 
bees that thronged the window casements added to the harmonies of Nature 
and all the surroundings were conducive to repose. I may have fallen in 
with the contagion, but from the well of memory's deep flowing spring there 
came in broken fragments the scenes of long ago, when Samuel Blackfan was 
about to enter upon the ministry, and the brotherly counsel given him by 
Samuel Johnson : 

" I as a brother kindly would portray,' ' 

My views and prospects of the heavenly way. 
Thou'st taken His bounty who bade wars to cease, 
And raised the standard of the Prince of Peace; 
To serve his cause, embraced His holy plan. 
Commenced ambassador from God to man. 
High duties- now, thy humbled mind engage, 
Christ's soldiers here no carnal warfare wage ; 
Serve him through time, who erst engaged thy youth, 
And mind the stepping stones from truth to truth. 
Let not thy mind by wild delusion driven, 
Explore the by-paths for the road to Heaven ; 
Nor blindly follow dark tradition's way, 
Ask for the pillar's light, the cloud by day ; 
This guide then follow for the prize, the mark. 
Nor with false fire e'er mix the sacred spark. 
To creeds and systems, man's work, doubting stand. 
But mind the pointings of the Holy Hand. 
Trust not the ' Lo heres,' or ' Lo theres,' we find, 
Mere innovation blindly leads the blind. 
Study the Scriptures, oft their truths distil. 
And oftener yet, the volume of His will ; 
Let not imagination vainly stray. 
O'er barren heaths nor e'en the flowery way ; 
But low and humble keep the truth still near, 
AVith thoughtful reverence, and Holy fear. 
Approach the throne of Majesty on high. 
For bread to live, for precepts how to die. 
So shalt thou find of joy a rich increase. 
Thy full reward be harmony and peace." 



324 THE YORK ROAD. 

Samuel Blackfan possessed great integrity of character, had a wide circle 
of acquaintances, and was much respected. In his youthful days he was 
given to poesy in a small way, but did not succeed so well in this as he did 
in later years in the ministry. In one of his little ditties there is evidently a 
love entanglement connected, and in describing the nature of his wants in the 
near future, he writes : 

" I want a farmer's daughter, sturdy, strong and stout, 
To milk the cows and whirl the cream about." 

That, or something else brought the desired helpmeet, but I fear had he lived 
in our day, and thrown out his line with such a bait thereon, he would have 
had no catch, but driven the fish entirely from the stream. After he settled 
in life, we hear nothing of his little muse. It may possibly have been, that 
amid the busy scenes of farm and dairy, little cares and little children grew 
up around him and dwarfed its growth. He died in the full vigor of man- 
hood, in his wagon on the way home from Philadelphia. Few were ever 
better prepared for such a sudden summons. 

Samuel Johnson possessed a highly cultivated mind, took an active 
interest in society matters, and was withal a poet of much merit. His father 
came from Ireland, and the portrait Curran draws of a genuine Irish gentle- 
man is alike applicable to father and son. "The hospitalities of other 
countries is a matter of necessity or convention ; in savage nations of the first, 
in polished, of the latter. But the hospitality of an Irishman is not the run- 
ning accounts of posted and ledgered courtesies, as in other countries; it 
springs, like all his qualities, his faults, his virtues, directly from the heart. 
The heart of an Irishman is by nature bold, and he confides ; it is tender, and 
he loves ; it is generous, and he gives ; it is social, and he is hospitable." 

One of Friend Johnson's daughters, Eliza Pickering, was for many years 
a valued contributor to the Germantown Telegraph, then edited by P. R. Freas. 

While many mourn the falling off in membership of this meeting, and 
its general decline, it has fulfilled a mission; it has accomplished a great 
work, and to have been preserved thus long must have been partakers of the 
comforting promises to the Church of Israel as recorded by the Prophet 
Isaiah : " Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name ; 
thou art mine. When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee ; 
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest 
through the fire thou shalt not be burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle upon 
thee." Of the future we know not, but of the past, it has not been as the 
barren fig tree — but has borne good fruit ; has been as it were : "Rivers of 
water in a dry place, the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." (Isai. 32, 2.) 

As an apt illustration of the fostering care here bestowed and careful 
parental training, we have only to cast our eyes around to behold in sight the 
homes wherein were spent the boyhood of such eminent men as Judges 



THE YORK ROAD. 325 

Edward M. Paxson, D. Newlin Fell and Richard Watson. Many more might 
be mentioned whose success in life has not been so marked, but whose lives 
have been attended with a reasonable share of merit, owing much however, 
to early impressions received within the shadows of those old walls, coupled 
with faith and action and a virtuous resolve. 

The place is much visited on account of the old associations, and the 
ancient graveyard wherein many generations have been gathered in, is the 
great center of attraction. It is, as it were, a Mecca for Quakerdom, and 
pilgrims at this shrine are daily seen wandering through these hallowed 
grounds, looking up the green mounds 'neath which lie the loved ones who 
have taken their final departure and entered into rest. Mention has been 
made of Samuel Blackfan and his ministry, and we must not omit that of 
two others who were prominent in giving counsel a little later on in the 
meeting's history. Martha Smith, a woman of strong will and indomitable 
perseverance, came upon the stage oi action when those twin evils, Slavery 
and Intemperance claimed a large share of public attention. She was very 
pronounced in her opposition to them and waged war upon them in every 
quarter. She was fearless and aggressive; led the advance column in the 
crusade against them and threw out her picket line far in advance of any 
that had heretofore ventured, and close upon the enemy's works. She threw 
shells into their camp, creating consternation and dismay. The Friends, as a 
body were slower in moving, and more conservative in their views, and 
while, as a society, they had maintained a strong and consistent testimony 
against those evils, were not as yet, ready to endorse her advanced doctrine, 
and her course was much criticised. Time however, evened up all things 
and she lived to see slavery abolished ; but at a greater cost than she antici- 
pated, while intoxicants yet linger with us. Amos Jones, a minister of a 
milder type was much interested in the cause of temperance, and he had an 
honesty of purpose that caused him to be much respected. 

In addition to the semi-weekly gatherings for worship, the house was not 
without its share of comedy. Most of the marriages in the neighborhood 
three quarters of a century ago were consummated within these walls, and 
scarcely a month passed that loving couples did not exchange their vows of 
constancy. 

The year 1824 will ever be memorable as having witnessed four wed- 
dings upon the same day and hour. The parties who wove the "silken tie 
that binds two willing hearts," were John Wilson and Mary Fell, Samuel 
Eastburn and Mary Carver, Joseph Lewis and Ann Saul, Daniel Smith and 
Hannah Betts. It must have been a brilliant affair, and with the rich and 
glossy silks of brides and attendant maids of honor, vieing in beauty with 
the mountain clothed in its autumnal robes, must have presented a scene of 
Oriental splendor. Did I say I looked thereon? Not at all, but my ancient 
friend, Joseph E. Reeder, did, and he gave it unto me. I Know not if more 
than one of the contracting parties are now living. I met Daniel Smith not 



326 THE YORK ROAD. 

long since walking up the long hill to the meeting house and as Cowper 
says, his was "the elastic of an unwearied foot." He is cleverly along in the 
nineties with faculties well preserved. 

After the division of the Friends, a commodious structure was erected by 
those who withdrew, on a handsome location at the forks of the road, a short 
distance beyond the old meeting house. A stone in the front Avail of the 
house bears the date of 1830. It is still used as a house of worship, with a very- 
small congregation, however. There is scarcely one left who took part in that 
unhappy conflict ; most of them have long since been laid side by side in their 
narrow dwellings in the churchyard near by, and there may they rest ; 

" Rest till the signal calls the ransom'd throng, 
With shouts their Saviour and their God to greet; 
Rest till the harp, the trumpet and the song, 
Summon the dead death's conqueror to meet. 
And love imperfect, man's best gift below, 
In Heaven eternal rapture shall bestow." 

With all their faults, in this, their day of sore affliction, may we not believe, 
in the last extremity, before the great Judge of all, their plea for mercy will 
be heeded and life everlasting be given them, even among the " ransom'd 
throng." 

To the North and East, little over a stone's throw from the meeting house 
stands the old school building which is likewise a distinguishing landmark 
on the line of travel between Philadelphia and New York. Particularly so, 
as within a few yards of its classic walls upon the northern side, the old. 
thoroughfare parted company, then making two main routes eastward. I am 
unable at present to give the exact time the building was erected, but it 
probably antedates and outranks in age the present meeting house. It is 
large and commodious, with hall and school room on the first floor and two 
upon the second, one long used as a library. For its day and time this 
collection of books was not surpassed in any country place and additions were 
made from time to time, embracing the writings of the best authors in those 
days. It added much to the culture and refinement of the neighborhood, but 
in course of time its interest seemed to abate, owing perhaps in some measure 
to the abundance of magazines and other light literature. The library, after 
many years, succumbed to force of circumstances and was finally disposed of 
at auction. Many valuable works were sold for a trifle, many people seeming 
ignorant of their worth. A gentleman of my acquaintance bought several 
volumes for a few cents each, which proved to be rare, entirely out of print, 
and worth nearly as many dollars as the pennies paid for them. 

The school had a reputation for a long time of being the best the Countj^ 
afforded. With such instructors as Joseph Fell, William H. Johnson and 
Thomas Paxson it could not be otherwise. They were far in advance of any 



THE YORK ROAD. . 327 

teachers in this vicinity in their day, and if there was anything in a boy they 
developed it. I had the pleasure of teaching there several terms, some forty- 
five years ago, but I pray you not to place me with those able educators above 
named. It was my good fortune to receive instruction from each of those 
scholarly men and I have often thought I did not make the most of the 
opportunities then afforded. What scholar, if now living, does not remember 
the long rows of boxed seats called bee hives, for the small lads, with no back 
support or foot rest. How uncomfortable a position for the little fellows to sit 
by the hour with their "A, B, C," primer before them. I remember well, 
and — 

"How we watched the slow ascending sun 
Climb the deep azure of the vaulted sky ; 
And when one-half his daily course was run, 
Together shouting to our sports did fly." 

Who does not love to call to mind the scenes of early school life, the varied 
trials, the changes from book to book, the advance in studies step by step, the 
increasingly difficult problems met and solved, until upon a higher plane 
learning is made more easy. There were not so many branches taught in 
our common schools then as now, except it be the one referred to. Writing 
composition was a new thing then, and hard to accomplish. It taught the 
scholar to think — gather ideas and put them in proper shape. There was the 
rub. I found upon trial I could not do it, but a lad about my size thought 
he could and dashed off an essay on his favorite animal, " The Horse." It 
was upon Saturday afternoon, (they had -school then six days in the week and 
followed the Scriptural injunction — "Six daysshalt thou labor and do all that 
thou hast to do,") and the essayist of the bee hive row came to the front 
and handed the teacher his production, as follows : " The horse is a useful 
animal, and can pull a big load up a hill, and is good on a farm, but our old 
Dolly mare ran away in the cornfield last week and broke the handles off the 
little harrow." It is said " large trees from little acorns grow," and this is no 
exception to the rule. He was an attentive scholar, improved his opportuni- 
ties, and in after years his life for usefulness has been attended with a measure 
of success. He is yet living and among the very few of my classmates seen 
at the Quarterly Meeting in May last. He carefully surveyed the old school 
bounds, and his contemplative mood suggested to my mind his wandering 
back ill memory to childhood's days and his first effort as an essayist. Among 
those who attended the school in those days I can call to mind Preston J. Rich, 
and his brothers, James and Josiah, George and John W. Gilbert, S. Johnson, 
Albert S. and Edward M. Paxson, Henry Watson, the Lancaster boys from 
Solebury, John, Thomas, and Edward; John and Wilson D. Large; the 
Wilkinson's, Ross, Smith and Algernon; J. Gillingham Fell, Joseph, Charles 
and Howard Dickerson, Samuel E. Broadhurst, John Buckman, George Smith, 



328 THE YORK ROAD. 

C. Bennington Ely, Peter Naylor, Phineas Pickering, Richard Watson, J. 
Watson Case, and the Baker boys from Philadelphia, Mifflin and Jefferson; 
with many others whose names do not now present themselves. Many of 
them are dead, others have moved away, some to rise to prominence and 
others to be lost sight of. The Baker boys were pupils of Joseph Fell and 
came from the city to share the superior advantages the school offered. I 
knew them well ; one of them sat on one of the " bee hives," next me, and one 
day to while away the weary hours of school, made a barter in knives. He 
had a " town knife," much coveted by us country lads who never rose above a 
" barlow," and consequently I had to give him several marbles to boot. While 
making the exchange the w^atchful eye of the " master" fell upon them, and 
they were confiscated. The "master's" law against trading knives in school 
was unalterable, as that of the Medes and Persians, which changeth not. 

Jefferson Baker accompanied Doctor Kane on his Arctic expedition, and 
died before his return. The Doctor thus refers to this sad event on page 200 
of the first volume of his work : " Early on the morning of the 7th of April 
I was awakened by a sound from Baker's throat, one of the most frightful 
and ominous that ever startled a physician's ear. The lockjaw had seized 
him — that dark visitant whose foreshadowings were on so many of us. His 
symptoms marched rapidly to their result. He died on the 8th. We placed 
him the next day in his coffin, and forming a rude but heart-full procession, 
bore him over the broken ice and up the steep side of the ice foot to Butler 
Island, then passing along the snow-level to Fern Rock, and climbing the 
slope of the Observatory, we deposited his corpse upon the pedestals which 
had served to support our transit instrument and theodolite. We read the 
service for the burial of the dead, sprinkling over him snow for dust, and 
repeated the Lord's prayer, and then, icing up again the opening in the walls 
we had made to admit the coffin, left him to his narrow house. Jefferson 
Baker was a man of kind heart and true principles. I knew him when we 
were both younger. I passed two happy seasons at a little cottage adjoining 
his father's farm. He thought it a privilege to join this expedition, as in 
those green summer days when I allowed him to take a gun with me on 
some shooting party, he relied on me with the affectionate confidence of 
boyhood, and I never gave him a harsh word or hard thought." 

But we are making a long narrative and must hasten on to other scenes, 
leaving much of interest here untold. The associations cover a long period 
of history and call to mind a most worthy class of men whose lives of sacrifice 
and devotion to Christianity are fast fading from view. They have all been 
gathered by the reaper's hand and harvested in the eternal ,field, and there 
green-leaved, may they forever live. 

Immediately in front of the meeting house will be found the original 
Streater tract, containing 500 acres of land as appears by a map of the town- 
ship in 1703. It passed into the hands of Edmund Kinsey about this time. 
A little beyond and adjoining the mountain, Thomas Bye located 600 acres; 



THE YORK ROAD. 329 

about the same time, and settled thereon. It has been divided and sub- 
divided to meet the wants of succeeding generations, but a portion is yet held 
by the family, who are the sixth in line from the first Thomas. It is upon 
this tract that the famous " Indian Field," is situated. It contains about ten 
acres, at the base of the mountain, and when the early pioneers penetrated 
the wilderness of woods, the}^ found this clearing which the Indians were 
cultivating in their rude way, and here it was, the newcomers with their 
wooden ploughs turned the first furrow. It was an object of interest fifty 
years ago, being surrounded on all sides by a vast expanse of forest, and was 
a favorite resort for lovers, I am told, Caesar, an old colored man lived in a 
cabin on the borders of the field and may have witnessed exchanges of love 
tokens, but as he never revealed anything, he was no doubt sworn to 
secrecy. The field has been suffered to grow up with timber of late years for 
want of cultivation and there is little now to mark the. spot, and thus another 
old landmark is gone. Day by day the links are falling from the chain, 
connecting the present with the past. 

The country home of Chief Justice Edward M. Paxson, of the Supreme 
Court of our State embraces part of the original Bye and Kinsey tracts, 
immediately at the foot of the mountain. The farm contains about 250 
acres, and he calls the place " Bycot House," after the ancestral home in 
Buckinghamshire, England. He has spared no expense in improving it, and 
all the comforts and conveniences which an advanced civilization and refine- 
ment afford, have been added thereto. The place is well stocked with the 
best teams and most improved machinery, and all the appointments are of 
the first order. The barns are commodious and will store over 100 tons of 
hay. The land has been brought to the highest state of cultivation and pro- 
duces heavily. Pure spring water is brought from the mountains, through 
pipes, and a windmill forces it through house and barns. An additional 
windmill grinds grain for the cattle and does other handy work. A leading 
feature is the fruit which is found in great variety and abundance. A green- 
house and grapery adorn the lawn and garden, and add additional beauty to 
the surroundings. The Judge farms on a large scale and like everything 
else he does this is done thoroughly. He is a business man and hard 
worker. In addition to the farm, there is the Doctor Jayne estate to look 
after weekly, besides numerous other heavy trusts, and withal his labors upon 
the Supreme bench. The concluding paragraph of a short sketch of the 
Judge in Battle's History of Bucks County says : " His opinions, always on 
time for publication, are distinguished by terseness, clearness and appropriate 
diction. They always give evidence of his accurate knowledge of the law, a 
knowledge rendered clear to the comprehension of others by excellence of 
style. An examination of the Supreme Court reports for some years past will 
show that no member of that bench has contributed more opinions than 
Judge Paxson. Many of the most important cases brought into that tribunal, 
especially that of Asa Packer vs. Noble, reported in 7th Outerbridge, were 



330 THE YORK ROAD. 

committed to his hands, the confidence reposed in him by his yoke-fellows in 
office being thus rendered apparent." Years of labor have made his work 
familiar and he can accomplish much in a given time. The writer was 
forcibly struck with this when on a visit to him last summer, wherein in less 
than two days he had written fifteen opinions — some of them lengthy and 
requiring considerable research. 

The Judge has a fine herd of cattle, and he may yet match Mr. Singerly 
of Gwynedd in the milky way. Justice Paxson spends much of his summer 
vacation at his farm, and upon a fine morning may be seen taking long 
walks, surveying the growing crops, or enjoying the cooling breeze at noon- 
day amid the depths of his extended woodland. He does not cut off and 
clear and farm, as does the average jeom.a,n, but reserves at least one-fifth 
of the land for timber. 

At the foot of the hill below the meeting house stands a modest little 
mansion placed there m^ny years ago by Edward Williams, and occupied by 
his family for a number of years. He lived there when that portion of the 
Old York Road from Centre ville to the meeting house was made a turnpike, 
so called, and Mr. Williams was Treasurer of the Company. I think this was 
about the year 1847, and I remember it loosened our purse strings consid- 
erably in paying up our instalments. Edward Williams was a man much 
esteemed. 

John S. Williams, a pioneer member of the Solebury Farmers Club, a 
son of his, was born at this place, but now lives in Solebury, is social and 
hospitable and has a large circle of acquaintances. He is a writer of some 
prominence, and his essays are read with much interest. Upon the opposite 
side of the way stands a yet older mansion and distinguishing landmark of 
our old roadway. Samuel Johnson, of whom mention has been made, settled 
there about the year 1789. He it was that planted the row of sycamore trees 
at the bridge, having brought them on horseback from near the Delaware 
River. They are giants now, but of the original half-dozen one or two have 
been uprooted by the fur}^ of the elements. The place has changed hands 
several times since then, in turn occupied by Doctor John Wilson, John 
Magoffin a Presbyterian clergyman, Harvey Shaw and the late George G. 
Maris. I knew the place when occupied by Doctor Wilson. J. Gillingham 
Fell, afterwards so widely known, lived there several years before going to the 
coal region to seek fame and fortune. He found them both. His mother, 
Mary Fell, married Doctor Wilson and it will be remembered they were one 
of the four couples that were joined in matrimony at the old meeting house in 
1 824. I visited my schoolmate Fell frequently, and was greatly impressed with 
the worth of his mother. She was queenly in appearance, gifted by nature, 
with a refined and cultivated taste. The old mansion retains much of its primi- 
tive simplicity, and many landmarks may yet be seen, carrying us back 
more than a century. It has long been the abode of a refined and generous 
hospitality. A little farther on and by the roadside, will be found the old Fell 



THE YORK ROAD. 331 

home, long the residence of Dr. David Fell. He attended the family who 
lived where I now reside, in time of sickness, and was esteemed as a conscien- 
tious and careful practitioner. One of my earliest recollections was in seeing 
him make his daily excursion among the sick. He lived to a good old age 
and left children, Joseph and his three sisters. All of them were teachers in 
our schools and did much to advance the standard of education. Judge D. 
Newlin Fell, so widely known in Philadelphia as an able and upright jurist, 
is a grandson of the Doctor. * 

A short distance brings us to a road-crossing and hamlet with a history 
larger than the place. More than one hundred years ago it was content 
without a name, but the force of circumstances created one ; and it happened 
in thiswise: A Jersey man driving a flock of geese to Philadelphia found 
them unmanageable by reason of a vicious dog, and the people all flocked to 
the doors to witness the spectacle. The laughing crowd offered no assistance, 
and the poor man, angered to the highest degree, cried aloud, " this is Grin- 
town." It was many years before the village got rid of the unfortunate name. 
In course of time the Jerseyman and his geese dropped out of sight and the 
place was known as Greenville until within a very few years, when a post- 
office was established there, called Holicong, the Indian name of the natural 
well close by. The village assumed the name of the post-office. The long 
white house, now known as the " Old Abbey," is both historic and classic, by 
reason of its occupancy as a store and school in turn fifty and seventy-five 
years ago. First as a store by one of the Shaws wdio drifted down from 
Plumstead to better his fortune in this populous and rich Quaker Valley. 
The house is long and he used the eastern end for the store while the other 
served as a dwelling. His stock of merchandise was small but it embraced a 
large variety. They did not advertise their wares in the newspapers then as 
now, but the window shutters gave notice of what might be found within. 
Conspicuous thereon were: " RU3I, MOLASSES, TEA." They must have 
been leading and staple articles, judging from the prominence given them, 
for while all other symbols inscribed thereon have long since faded from view 
those historic emblems were plainly to be seen not very many years ago. 
The monster RUM stood out in black character then as now, while woman's 
favorite beverage came last on the list. Water is said to be efficacious on a 
wash, and while it faded the color and strength of the tea, it made little 
impression upon the rum. Yet withal it might be well to keep a stream 
playing upon it. I am not aware of the reason friend Shaw had in giving 
such prominence to those three articles, but as a well informed man he doubt- 
less knew of the triumvirate formed by Julius Caesar, Pompeius and Crassus, 
that ruled Rome for a time, before the Christian era, and bethought himself 
to establish a triumvirate of merchandise that would rule the commerce of 
the world. 

Friend Shaw was a man highly esteemed in his day a kind neighbor and 
good citizen, but there has been an advancement in society since then. After 



332 THE YORK ROAD. 

a time the building ceased to be used for a store and some fifty-five years ago 
took a classical turn. Martha Hampton and Hannah Lloyd, two enterprising 
sisters, the latter a widow, established a female boarding school there. 
They were well calculated to make it a success, which they did. Hannah 
managed the household department with wonderful skill and Martha 
conducted the school [in such a way that gave it a reputation far and 
near. Pupils were in attendance not only from Bucks and Montgomery 
Counties but from Philadelphia and adjacent parts of New Jersey. The 
school was soon established upon a firm basis, and ranked foremost as an 
institution of learning at that day. There will yet be found some elderly, 
intelligent matrons, with many a gray streak in their carefully arranged 
hair, who were educated at this school. A limited number of day scholars 
of both sexes were admitted and among the number will be found the names 
of Richard Watson and Edward M. Paxson. They lived near by, the home 
of Richard being in the village. His father, John Watson, was a man of 
intelligence and great force of character, a prominent member of Friends 
meeting, and entertained largely at his hospitable home. We will now leave 
the " Old Abbey," with the reminder that it has long since lost its classical 
feature and is used now as a tenement. Although the scholars attending this 
school might be called "Children of the Abbey," they should in no wise be 
confounded with Regina Maria Roche's " Children of the Abbey " a highly 
pictured romance, published in 1805, and much read at that time. 

The Buckingham Post-Office was established at Centreville in 1805 and 
for a long time was the only one in the township. It was moved to Holicong, 
the village whereof we write about in 1825, and Nathaniel Ashby appointed 
post-master, Seneca W. Eh^, one of the talented editors of Murat Halstead's 
widely known paper, the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, in giving some old 
time reminiscences of his early haunts, to a cousin in Buckingham, says : 
" Ashby had a family of boys, one of them nearly grown, when they came to 
the village. His wife's name was Rachel, and to her husband's vocation as 
post-master and tailor, she added the making and selling of cakes and beer. 
One of the Ashby's boys was named Clinton, but was commonly called 
" Clint." He was of a garrulous disposition, and often provoked personal 
combats. Those, who attended the old Tyro Hall School in the winter of 
1827-8, may call to mind from personal knowledge, some of the many 
encounters occurring there. "Clint" figured conspicuousl}^ in them, and 
generally managed to be on the winning side. He was careful, however, to 
join issue with one smaller and younger than himself and did not adhere to 
the rule laid down by school fellows, to " take one of your size." I was a very 
small bo}^ in those days and remember "Clint," but my tender years kept me 
out of the encounters. I fear my cousin Ely was worsted in some of them. A 
Johnson Case came to Greenville as early as 1825 and succeeded Ashby as 
post-master. Pie was an industrious and worthy man and thrifty shoemaker, 
succeeding in business, shoeing the people for miles around. His shoes wore 



THE YORK ROAD. 333 

well, but those he made for me, I am sorry to say, are all worn out now. 
After many years of industry, Case saved enough money to buy a farm, where 
the remainder of his life was spent, in the enjoyment of a well earned 
competency. 

Adjoining this last property upon the south and on the York Road lies 
the old Ely property. It is a part of the thousand acre tract that Penn con- 
firmed to Richard Lundy in 1688. Hugh Ely in 1720-4 purchased 400 acres 
of the same from James Lennox who held title through Lundy. No finer 
tract of land for agricultural purposes was ever laid out by Penn's surveyors. 
It lies in the lap of a most charming valley, and at that time much of it was 
covered with primeval forest through which kindly streams meandered on 
their way to the Neshaminy. It has a frontage of nearly a mile upon the old 
thoroughfare of which we write, and has been divided and sub-divided to 
meet the needs of the many generations since then. Now it embraces the 
farms of Lavinia S. Paxson, A. Jennie Williams, Anna Atkinson, Charles J. 
Smith and part of Judge Paxson's tract. At the present time there are 
less than 100 acres held by the descendants of Hugh Ely. Col. Henry D. 
Paxson, an attorney at Philadelphia, as also Edward E. Paxson, are the sixth 
in direct line who have occupied the premises continuously since the pur- 
chase in 1720. Albert S. Paxson, Esq., who married Lavinia S. Ely, resides 
at the homestead. It has many old land marks and reminders of the genera- 
tions that have gone before. The sons of the present occupants delight to 
gather round the old fire-place wherein yet hangs the " Crane and Tramel," 
that has been swinging back and forth since 1720 and was useful in prepar- 
ing savory meals for three or four generations. It has been superseded by 
other appliances to do its work, but is held in veneration, and w^hen lighted 
up by a crackling wood fire, what hallowed memories gather around the old 
hearth stone. Directly opposite the old Ely, now Paxson mansion, across the 
meadow, is a large natural well, called by the Indians, " Conky Hole." The 
natives cleared the land around it, and built a village of wigwams for the con- 
venience of good water which is here in abundance. The Avell is nearly 
circular, with a funnel-shaped basin, some forty yards in diameter at the top, 
and half that distance to the water's edge. Heavy rain-falls and melting of 
snow in breaking up of winter, causes the water to rise until the well shows a 
sheet of water varying from thirty to forty feet. A long period of dry weather 
on the other hand, contracts its limits to about six feet. This is the minimum 
size as here a strata of limestone rocks supports the surrounding earth, and 
may properly be called the w^ell's curb. Below this the water again spreads 
out, and all attempts to fathom its depths have thus far proved unavailing. 
Many years ago a pretty thorough examination was made to learn of its 
depth and extent. A large force was gathered with plummet and other 
appliances, and after removing loads of rails that had been submerged from 
time to time by visitors, were confronted by a new obstacle in the shape of 
projecting rocks, which proved an insuperable barrier and no similar attempt 



334 THE YORK ROAD. 

has been made since. This well is undoubtedly connected with a large body 
of water underlying the valley, and the belief is generally shared in, that the 
outlet thereto is Ingham's Spring. Tradition has not failed to connect this 
well with memorable events, wherein the great peacemaker, Penn, joined the 
Indians in their councils assembled here. It was a place much frequented by 
the natives as the " Indian Field," and other known haunts of theirs are in 
the immediate vicinity. It is not surprising that the Indians lingered here, 
for at Aquetong the renowned Teedyuscung is said to have been born, and a 
band of the "Lenni Lenape" had their wigwams at the "Conky Hole" 
preparatory to their departure in 1775, to join a portion of their tribe who 
had previously gone to the Wabash River. During the summer of 1774 the 
women and children made frequent visits at the Ely mansion, and what was 
most remarkable, they always came upon baking day. Their wigwam was 
close by and the inmates scented the savory pies of Cynthia Ely in the early 
morning hours. Among the traditional events connected with the well, chaff 
or other light substances thrown in was said to come out at Ingham's Spring. 

Another tradition, not as current however, as the above, but which will 
in a measure, go to explain the singular derivation of the word '' Conky- 
Hole." In the long ago the great chief Tammany and a band of his dusky 
followers were seated in a council beneath the great beech trees at the well. 
While thus engaged, Tammany's faithful dog, "Conky," scared up a rabbit, 
and after a long and exciting chase the " cotton-tail," to escape capture, 
jumped into the spring, and " Conky," in eager pursuit followed him to his 
watery retreat ; but neither were successful in making the subterranean 
voyage to the outlet at Ingham Spring, and to this day have not been heard 
from. Tammany, it is said, for many moons, watched by the side of the 
sparkling waters of the well and cried aloud to the Great Spirit for the return 
of his favorite " Conky," But alas ! the poor dog never returned, and Tam- 
many mourned his loss until old age summoned him to join his tribe in the 
new hunting ground prepared for all good Indians in the world beyond. 
The place is not wanting in legendary lore. An Indian skinning a deer on 
the banks, accidentally fell in, and in due time came out at the great spring 
in Solebury, not much the worse of wear and able to relate his adventure. In 
addition to the historical and legendary character of the surroundings, the 
witcheries of romance and poetry have been brought into requisition. Many 
an attractive and fanciful tale from the pen of youthful writers had their 
origin here, and bards were not forgetful of them in their songs. The 
original Indian name has been modernized of late years to " Holicong," and 
the post-office and village near by both answer to that title. 

But we must hurry on ; the limits of this paper will not permit a mention 
of all the homes along the line of this old thoroughfare through Buckingham. 
It may be the readers are already weary and as we have thus far had no 
refreshments, we will tarry awhile at the wayside Inn. In all countries they 
have been rendered memorable, and the privilege of tale-tellers to open their 



THE YORK ROAD. 335 

story in an Inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, is conceded to all writers. 
Sir Walter Scott in " Kenilworth," has invested the Inn with peculiar interest. 
It must be admitted, however, that changes in society and modes of travel 
have shorn them of much of their olden time historic interest. At the inter- 
section of the Indian trail or path from Bristol to Durham, now known as 
the Durham Road, and the Old York Road at Centreville in Buckingham 
township, now stands a famous old hostelry. It dates far back beyond the 
Revolution, and at that trying period of our country's history was known as 
" Bogart's Tavern." The " Bucks County Committee of Safety " held one 
or more meetings here in 1775, and General Greene also had his headquarters 
there for some time during the war. It was in some sense a recruiting 
station, being central in the township, and many a poor fellow here bade 
adieu to family and friends to take the chances of war, and never returned to 
relate the story of his privations and sujfferings. My first recollection of the 
place was when Col. Elisha Wilkinson did the honors at the house. He was 
a landlord among ten thousand. He was widely known and respected, and 
at one time was Sheriff of the County. He was also a sporting man and kept 
fine horses and dogs. Game was plenty then, and men came from the city 
in the fall, stopped at Wilkinson's and returned home with well filled game 
bags. But it was the road travel that gave his Inn its great celebrity. Trav- 
elling was not accomplished then as now. The old Troy coach, with four-in- 
hand, known as the '^ Swift Sure," made this a prominent station on the line 
of travel from Philadelphia to New York. Who does not remember it rocking 
on its leather suspenders, how it bounces and springs, creaks and swings, now 
it sticks fast in the mud ; all out ! heave oh ! and onward we go, and war- 
ranted withal, with many relays of fresh horses to reach New York in two 
days. What mighty changes in travel since then. Now we run sitting still, 
and fly without wings. A traveller on the express last Summer from Camden 
to Atlantic city, saw but two objects in the whole distance, two haystacks, and 
they were both going the other way. 

Schooley's Mountain, New Jersey, was a famous watering place in those 
days, and upon a Summer evening in early June, coaches arrived at 
Wilkinson's and the occupants were handsomely entertained over night, and 
in the'morning left for the mountains. Nor was this the only line of travel 
that made the Inn and old roadway memorable. The latter was a common 
carrier, an artery as it were, that supplied much of the life blood to citizens 
of Philadelphia. Long lines of white-tented wagons found their way down 
the Durham Road from upper Buckingham and localities farther north, and 
were joined by a like number from New Jersey that crossed the Delaware 
River at Centre Bridge, laden with pork, grain, poultry, buckwheat flour and 
products of the dairy. It was a long and toilsome journey to those most distant, 
occupying three days, and in the fall the good housewife, for at least one trip, 
accompanied her husband to assist in disposing of the various products, and 
laying in a goodly stock of seasonable purchases wherewith to give their home 



336 THE YORK ROAD. 

and children a hearty Christmas cheer. It is needless to say there was no 
money carried home this time from market, but they had treasures that gave 
the home and the holiday season a long and happy remembrance. 

When a small boy, it was my privilege to accompany my father on such 
an expedition. We stopped to feed our horses at the Willow Grove, about 
half way to the city. Jacob E. Buck then kept the Inn at the forks of the 
road there. What first attracted my attention was the huge sign swinging to 
and fro, moved by the chill November blast, and the artist had pictured a 
fiery Red Lion thereon. Why he had chosen this animal as an invitation 
that travellers would be welcome I do not know. It may have been as a 
reminder that the beverages dealt out at the bar partook of the strength of 
the animal represented on the sign, as well as the color. On one side of the 
barroom, so called, was a long table around which were seated the hardy 
Germans of Bedminster, devouring the contents of their well filled lunch 
baskets. Many of the prudent housewives had taken the precaution to have 
with them the family coffee-pot ; neither was it empty. A few were less for- 
tunate, and fared even worse than the " Foolish Virgins," of old who carried 
lamps without oil, whereas in this case they had neither vessel nor contents, 
and their discomfiture was complete. The men were not without a substitute, 
for the good landlord had a frothy fluid which he dealt out in pewter mugs. 
It resembled in color the sign described and may have had the strength of the 
lion. My father did not call for any of it, and for a long time I was in ignor- 
ance as to its nature. The mugs and their contents had well nigh faded 
from memory, but when attending Court at Doylestown some two or three 
years ago, his Honor, Judge Yerkes, was looking up the mysterious contents 
of mugs and glasses, as connected with the practices of the good people of 
Newtown and Bristol. It appeared the " W. C. T. U." were " hauling over the 
coals" several persons who had been dealing in frothy fluids, and the inquiry 
was as to whether they had been dealt out in due form of law. The judge 
looked sober and I listened attentively, taking in all the evidence, but not the 
fluids, as having some bearing upon what the Germans seemed to relish at the 
AVillow Grove more than half a century ago. It appeared from the evidence 
that the creature was a wayward child, and now known only b}' the name of 
" BEER," and this was the child that the " W. C. T. U.," had^ disinherited and 
disowned. 

Adjoining the hotel property and extending to the mountain, lies the old 
Thomas Canby farm. It was here he lived many years, and his eventful life 
has already been referred to. General Davis in his " History of Bucks 
County," says : " Canby was in Buckingham before, or by 1690." I think 
this is an error, for he was not married until 1693, and then he settled near 
Abington Meeting, Montgomery County, and probably did not move to Buck- 
ingham for two or three years thereafter. Most, if not all of his seventeen 
children were born here. His first wife, Sarah Garis, died in April, 1708, and 
in June, 1709 he married Mary Oliver, who died in 1721, and the property 



THE YORK ROAD. 337 

was soon after disposed of. The Andersons have held it for three or four 
generations and now occupy it. It is part of the old Lundy tract. 

On the opposite side of the road lies the " Hughesian School " property. 
Amos Austin Hughes who died in 1811, left, by his will the farm and con- 
siderable personal estate for the erection and maintaining a free school for 
the poor of the township. A commodious school house was erected soon after 
in which a school has since been kept, but the adoption of the general school 
law came to the relief of the poor, and the fund now largely increased, helps 
to relieve the over-taxed land holders. It is a grave question, and will admit 
of much discussion, whether the fund as now applied is in conformity with 
the will and wishes of the benevolent donor. There may be a lively shake 
up in the near by and by. 

A short distance up the road, and opposite the Hughesian farm will be 
found the old Austin home, which was occupied by the family for several 
generations. Hannah, one of the daughters, married John Ely, son of the 
second Hugh, and moved to the homestead, now the farm-house of Anna Jennie 
Williams. This was in 1777, and on the following year, in June, General 
Washington with his army from Valley Forge passed along the Old York 
Road by their farm, to pursue the enemy in his retreat toward New York. 
The wheat field adjoining the line of march has been rendered historic in 
connection therewith. Seneca W. Ely, Esq., of Cincinnati, a cousin of the 
writer, on a late visit, says he well remembers when a small boy, in taking 
his good old grandmother, Hannah Austin Ely, out riding in the " Old 
Chaise," being shown the field whereon a fine crop of wheat was growing, the 
first of their raising, and that the soldiers, on account of the deep mud by 
reason of heavy rains, filed through the growing wheat making long lines of 
paths and tramping it closely to the earth. The field alluded to is where 
Mrs. Williams' new house now stands. 

The relic described in the following article was found two miles north of 
the village of Holicong, so near the Old York Road as to be a part of its history. 

The author of this volume is indebted to the courtes}^ of Colonel Henry 
Paxson, of the Philadelphia Bar, for the securing of this valuable paper : 

THE LENAPE STONE.^ CONTRIBUTED BY H. C. MERCER OF 

DOYLESTOWN, PA. 

Nearly five years ago the writer discussed in a small treatise the facts 
relating to the below pictured carved gorget, known as the Lenape Stone ; 
how Bernard Hansell, a farmer, while ploughing near Mechanicsville, Bucks 
County, Pa., discovered the larger fragment in 1872, and the smaller one in 
1881, how he sold one and gave the other to Henry D. Paxson of Holicong, 
Pa., how many persons saw both pieces in 1882, how it was exhibited at the 

' The Lenape Stone or the Indian and the Mammoth, by H. C Mercer, N. Y. G. P. 
Putnam's Sons. 1885. 
22 



338 



THE YORK ROAD. 



County Fair, and discussed by Captain John S. Bailey in an interesting paper 
read before the Bucks County Historical Society ; how finally having been 
pronounced a forgery by Dr. D. G. Brinton, the late Prof. H. Carvill Lewis, 
and Dr. M. E. "Wadsworth of Cambridge, Mass., it was referred to in non-com- 
mittal statements by Dr. F. W. Putnam of Cambridge, Mass., and the late 
Doctor Rau, of the Smithsonian Institute. 

In the above treatise the writer viewing the carving as a pre-historic 
Algonkin 2:>ictograph considered it as representing a combat between Indians 
and the Hairy Mammoth, a rude drawing of the great shaggy monster tramp- 
ling under foot a man drawn in the conventional manner of the Indians, and 




PLATE ]. 




PLATE 2. 

confronted by three other human forms one of whom has discharged an arrow 
into its side ; lightning strikes the beast's head, and we see, as the Indian 
would have drawn them, a forest, wigwam, sun, moon and stars. 

It was urged as a point of remarkable interest that this carving found in 
the heart of the Lenape territory should be regarded as a pictographic version 
of the well known Big Buffalo tradition of the same tribe, the details of which 
translated into English, as preserved in Jefferson's Virginia Notes, bear a 
marvellous resemblance to the carving. 



THP] YORK ROAD. 339 

" In ancient times," answers a Delaware chief to the questions of a Governor 
of Virginia, " a herd of these tremendous animals came to the Big Bone Licks 
and began a universal destruction of the bear, deer, elks, buffaloes, and other 
animals which had been created for the use of the Indians, that the Great 
Man above looking down and seeing this, was so enraged that he seized his light- 
ning, descended on the earth, seated himself on a neighboring mountain, on 
a rock on which his seat and the print of his feet are still to be seen, and 
hurled his bolts among them till the whole were slaughtered except the big bull, 
who, presenting his forehead to the sliafts shook them off as they fell; but missing 
one at length it wounded him in the side, whereon springing around he bounded 
over the Ohio, over the Wabache, the Illinois, and finally over the Great Lakes, 
where he is still living at this day." 

Here is a correspondence too unusual for mere coincidence — the great 
man above (the sun's face with rays) looking down, the lightning, and the big 
bull presenting his forehead to the shafts, and at length wounded in the side 
— enough indeed in the writer's opinion to warrant the belief that the 
maker of the carving was familiar with the tradition. 

But what of all this if the stone is a forgery, if it has been manufactured 
by the writer, by Mr. Paxson, by Hansel 1 or Captain Bailey, or some person 
unknown before or since to all of us who, after months of careful study deter- 
mined as a practical joke to "plant" the result of his labors in Bernard 
Hansen's farm? What if it is true as Dr. D. G. Brinton says, (Bucks County 
Intelligencer, September 6, 1 884,) that the shading or rounding on the mammoth 
and the general grouping of the whole picture are things entirely beyond the 
aesthetic conceptions of the pre-historic red man. What if he and Mr. M. E. 
Wadsworth of Cambridge, Mass., are correct in saying that the lines were cut 
with a steel instrument, "a dull steel tool like an awl?" 

Other objections have been made but they have not seemed adequate to 
Archaeologists. Mr. Wadsworth and Mr. Iddings, (of the U. S. Coast Survey,) 
believed that the carvings were made after the stone was broken, or arranged 
with reference to the break, but Doctor Putnam of the Peabody Museum 
answered, " that point, startling as it at first seems is not important, since the 
Indian often breaks his gorget through the holes and might well have con- 
tinued his work after the fracture, glueing ortieing together the pieces." Mr. 
Horatio Hale, of Toronto, kindly showed photographs of the stone to Dela- 
ware Indians in Canada who "thought that it showed Indian workmanship 
and would have been inclined to consider it authentic but for the mammoth 
which perplexed them; they had never heard of such a creature and feared a 
hoax." 

This the writer urged was not important, all depending on how civilized 
the Indians had become, how far they had lost the pre-historic ideas and tra- 
ditions of their tribe. Evidently they had forgotten their Great Buffalo 
tradition, just as often in one generation, the German American settler forgets 
the trans-Atlantic birth-place of his ancestors. 



340 THE YORK KOAD. 

Objections, to quote them each and all, have been made further to the 
spear as a weapon never used by Indians, the sun a circle with dots and 
divergent rays, the lightning, and a pipe upon the reverse of the stone, as all 
foreign to pre-historic Indian life and pictography, yet investigation has 
brought to light no example of lightning indeed, but the sun's face carved on 
a rock on the Susquehanna, a similar pipe in a New England grave, and 
spears in an old Spanish picture of Florida Indians. Finally Professor Schaler, 
of Harvard, and the late Professor H. Carvill Lewis found in the mammoth 
figure, a suspicious resemblance to the famous La Madelaine carving discov- 
ered in France, which, on the other hand. Doctor Rau of the Smithsonian, 
regarded as the accidental similarity to be expected in two profile drawings 
of the same animal. 

Here are the objections one and all from the point of view of the carving 
itself, four of them fairly disposed of, but two of them sufficient if valid to 
consign the stone to a museum of interesting counterfeits, (a) the grouping and 
shading of the figures unknown to the pre-Columbian Indian, and (b) the 
steel instrument. 

The first has been, I think, fairly answered, (Lenape Stone Appendix, p. 
78.) After careful study I am forced, with extreme deference, to diff'er from 
the opinions of Doctor Brinton and Mr. Wadsworth in the belief that there 
are not enough pre-historic picture writings in existence, to prove by compar- 
ison that the ancient Algonkin, whose pictographic skill upon bark and per- 
ishable materials the old writers often mention, did not make use of 
" grouping." 

No more upon these grounds can I admit " that any such triple arrange- 
ment as the brute, human, and divine group standing in immediate relation 
to each other and forming parts of a picture was far above aboriginal 
aesthetic conceptions" particularly as the Lenape hunter, together with his 
brethren of other tribes had formed this very conception in the Big Buffalo 
tradition as above quoted from Jeff'erson's Virginia Notes, and in a Wyandot 
version of the same legend given in Winterbotham's History of the United 
States, (vol. 3, p. 139.) 

As for rounding and shading we must see it all in the three lines seem- 
ingly a repetition of the outline of the mammoth's back, and dare we here, 
with our meagre data as to ancient Indian picture-writing, rest satisfied that 
these three lines meant " shading " and not suggestions of the conspicuous 
ridge of hair, which in certain reconstruction extends along the mammoth's 
back from neck to tail. Dare we assert that they rather denote indecision, or 
"striving for eff'ect," such shading and rounding indeed as a counterfeiter 
rather than an ancient Indian would have made use of. The second point is, 
in my opinion, the strongest and the only very strong point of all, the authority 
of Dr. Brinton and Mr. Wadsworth to say, that the lines were cut with a steel 
and not a flint instrument. 



THE YORK ROAD. 341 

To this I only answei', take a piece of shale, scratch upon it with an awl 
or pair of scissors and then with a fine flint arrow head or a beaver's tooth, 
wash the stone with soap and w^ater and scrub it with a nail brush, as the 
Lenape Stone had been several times w^ashed and scrubbed before Dr. Brinton 
saw it, and then compare the lines with a microscope; it is then w^e see that 
all such lines whether steel cut, bone cut, or flint cut, are indistinguishably 
alike and resemble those upon the Lenape Stone, provided the awd, the scis- 
sors, the tooth, or the arrow head have been similarly grasped and pressed. 

Just here it is that Mr. Jennings says he does not know if steel cut can be 
distinguished from flint cut lines, and just here really lies the question of the 
fraud or genuineness of the Lenape Stone ; whether it be a marvel of counter- 
feiting skill, or an important factor in the ethnological history of North 
America. If a larger microscope and more careful examination than mine 
can prove, spite of soap and scrubbing brush, that steel cut lines are always 
indistinguishable from any kind of lines that the ancient Indian could have 
made with his primitive tools of bone or flint, that in fact the lines of the 
Lenape carving are surely steel cut, then we must admit that the stone is 
either a fraud, or the work of an Indian living since the 16th century who 
knew the use of the white man's iron and steel. 

My experience has been that the difference between steel and flint cut 
lines is not in the " clean incisions deepest in the center and tapering to 
points," or in their " depth and regularity," a flint instrument being capable of 
fulfilling these conditions if properly held, pressed and directed, but rather in 
the fact that faint scratches are seen along the bottom of the flint-cut groove 
less observable in the other and it is these very scratches, due to the rough- 
ness of the flint point, and shown by the microscope when the lines are 
freshly cut, which washing and scrubbing obliterate upon soft shale. 

And I beg again with deference, to point out that in the almost entire 
absence of pre-historic pictographs on small stones neither Doctor Brinton nor 
Mr. Wadsworth nor any one can ever have made a sufficient comparison of 
ancient flint or bone cut and modern steel cut lines to warrant the inference 
that the Lenape carving, washed and cleaned as it had been, as Mr. Paxson 
unwittingly and to our lasting regret washed and cleaned it, has been made 
with a steel instrument. 

Beyond the above evidence archseologists have not gone, and there is a 
little further to be proved. Neither Hansell, Mr. Paxson, Captain Bailey, nor 
myself can prove that we did not make the carving. I can only testify to 
the knowledge of Mr. Paxson, so too can I testify to my knowledge of Captain 
Bailey, and so might I argue as to myself. As for our respective archaeo- 
logical knowledge six years ago, I at least know how sufficiently it was 
evidenced b}' my own utter astonishment at finding the Jefferson tradition, a 
foreknowledge of which would have been the counterfeiter's chief inspiration, 
and the astonishment no less marked of Captain Bailey and Mr. Paxson on 
first hearing of it. 



342 THE YORK ROAD. 

But who, after Dr. Brinton's condemnation, will listen when I speak of 
Hansell, of Mr. Paxson and his father, of Captain Bailey and of myself, or 
heed the avowal that we are not in collusion with each other or with an 
unknown person, no trace of whom has ever appeared, who possessed the 
archaeological knowledge and skill which we all most assuredly lacked. 

If it availed, I might tell of innumerable conversations with all the 
persons concerned, of my frequent journeys to the farm, and careful investi- 
gation of every colorable circumstance suggested by my friends. The inde- 
scribable impression made upon me by a first sight of the tradition in 
Jefferson's Notes and its marvellous similarity noted point by point with the 
carving ; but let me leave it rather, to turn to facts which at this late moment 
I consider most important of all ; I mean the subsequent discovery of several 
fire-sites, and three carved stones upon the Hansell farm. (Appendix to 
Lenape Stone, figs. 19, 20 and 23.) 

And now the archaeologist must listen : If since the discussion, numerous 
relics have been found, and among them three carved stones, two of which 
Professor Putnam pronounces genuine (the third never having been sent to 
Cambridge) these neglected relics should be carefully studied, for we have at 
once in them aboriginal carvings with which to compare the Lenape Stone, 
and facts to prove : 

(a) That the Hansell farm was a center of aboriginal life, and (6) that 
carved stones however rare elsewhere were not infrequent there. 

If there are three discolored spots upon the Hansell property noted since 
the discovery of Lenape Stone, marking as is probable, sites of aboriginal 
fires, they should be explored with spade and sieve, and if finally there is 
prejudice in the minds of any of us, it should be brushed away to make room 
for a liberal enthusiam in the light of discoveries which may here, after the 
lapse of several years, reward the efforts of the explorer. 

NOTES BY JOHN S. BAILEY OF BUCKINGHAM. 

Esquire Paxson speaks of Dr. Wilson's place, Elm Grove, at the foot of the 
hill. He was followed by John McGoffin, who moved to Bristol and died there. 
Then Harvey Shaw, who moved to Norristown and recently died there ; he 
sold to George G. Maris in 1856, son of Richard Maris and Rachel, who was a 
granddaughter of Thomas Ross, one of the early ministers at the Meeting 
close by. Mr. Maris resided here until his death in 1887. He was a gentle- 
man of refined tastes and abilities. He was president of the Lahaska Insur- 
ance Company for about twenty years, and always an active worker for the 
Centreville Church. In 1858 his gardener was arrested for the murder of 
Joseph Saunders who lived in a small house at Ash's Mill, just across the 
field from Mr. Maris's, who was so strongly impressed in the belief of his 
man's innocence that he employed Thomas Ross, a noted lawyer of Doyles- 




Mk. THOMAS MacKELLAR, (See Hymn, Page 263.) 



THE YORK ROAD. 345 

town, for his defence. It was an exciting trial. Public opinion was against 
Alexander Rico and Saunders' wife, yet they were acquitted. 

Mrs. Maris who was a daughter of John Buckraan of Solebury still resides 
at Elm Grove. 

At the bridge, just opposite to Mr. Maris, recently lived Daniel Smith 
who now lives just above Centreville on the Durham Road. This old man is 
one of the finest specimens of old age to be found, quick of foot and a well 
balanced mind. Born September 21, 1795. His mother who died in 1854 
reached 100 years, except 33 days. 

BUCKINGHAM HILL AT THE MEETING HOUSE. 

The road was originally laid out near the graveyard wall and the old 
roadbed is plainly seen with thrifty young trees growing within its lines. 

In 1849 Evan Thomas was killed on the hill while descending ; nearly 
halfway down he slipped on the lumber he was hauling and fell between the 
wheels. It was a sorrowful funeral of one of the best citizens. He was 
buried in the graveyard nearly opposite to where he met his death. In 1882 
Aunt Amy, his devoted wife, w^as laid by his side. 

In 1854 an Irishman slipped from a load of hay and was run over and 
killed near the same place. Many other serious accidents have occurred on 
this noted hill. 

Honest old Peter Keenan worked on the turnpike from the meeting house 
to Ingham Spring ; it was his great delight to be praised as to how well he 
kept the road-bed, ditches open, loose stone picked up, for thirty years. He 
was on' hand in almost all kinds of weather. He lived in part of a barn 
rudely fitted up with one room below and one above. He thought it a palace 
alongside of his mud shanty of Ireland. 

CENTREVILLE. 

Two hundred yards west of the Hughesian school house on the upper side 
of the road stood a Revolutionary relic, a log house. In the upper end of 
the town on the turnpike was an old frame shanty called Black Horse. A 
vigilance committee composed of many of the leading citizens decided it 
should be tenanted no longer. On the afternoon of the 31st of March, 1856, 
the tenants were quietly moved away and in the evening Black Horse was 
blown up with gunpowder, and at the signal of explosion, which shook the 
town, the log house w^as torn down by a number of active workers. This 
high-handed act is still secretly spoken about. The owner, Thomas Broadhurst, 
lived at the house now^ called the Upper Hotel. He built the house as well 
as the buildings on the back street which were used as a foundry and machine 
shop for the manufacture of the heavy go around four to six horse powers. 



346 THE YORK ROAD. 

The coach works now going to decay were the first and largest in the 
country at their day. Started by Henry Corson about 1840, who built the 
store house opposite, late the residence of James C. Iden. Corson was followed 
by Isaiah B. Matthews about 1850. The works were then in full blast ; car- 
riages were sent to England, India, and Western States. Wm. Corson was 
chief blacksmith and Scott Bray, trimmer, and Jimmy West, painter. Grad- 
ually the works have done less, owing to many other shops put up in the 
adjacent towns, and the mammoth w^orks at Plumsteadville. 

Isaac Duckworth lived many years in Centreville ; he was of bright, quick 
turn of mind, and became a noted architect in New York city where he died 
in 1883. 

CENTREVILLE HOTEL AFTER ELISHA WILKINSON'S TIME. 

Cornelius Vanhorn kept this house for several years and died there in 
1813. 

Isaac McCarty kept it in 1839 ; Sam'l Thatcher in 1847 : then Edward 

Vansant ; Casper Yeager from, say '50 to '58 ; followed by Davis as 

tenant, Corson next who sold to Peter L. Righter in 1863, who still holds the 
same. The quaint old gables and dormers were removed in 1872 when the 
present mansard roof was put on w4th many other improvements. 

STORE PROPERTY. 

The first store in Centreville was kept in the old house at the Hughesian 
Place. The old house was torn down in 1859, the walls were of narrow 
pointed stone — oaken floors and yellow pine joists. The house was built about 
one hundred years or before 1763. The staples for the sign were on the east 
end of the house. Persons were living in 1859 who had known it as a store. 

The new or west end of the store house was built in 1832 and was occupied 
by Benjamin and Moses Hall in 1852 — Kirk & W^alton in 1859 — Andrew 
Craven in 1861 ; in 1866 Elisha Worthington bought it and the property has 
been in the family since that time. 

NEAR CENTREVILLE (EAST.) 

The log house near the creamery was built at an early date and perhaps 
is the oldest house in the vicinity, being built by one of the Larges. John 
Large took up a large tract of land on both* sides of the road in 1705. A 
grandson of John lived in this house while the new house was being built 
down Large's Lane. The new house served for John, who was followed by 
his son William, who died there November 24, 1860. Then W^illiam Corson 
bought, followed by Joseph Brooks to the present owner Samuel Broadhurst. 
William Large was father of Charles P. Large who was a carpenter for many 



THE YORK ROAD. 347 

years, and bought the sawmill at Cuttalossa in 1853. He lived opposite to 
the church in Centreville, fitted up the house with mansard roof in 1875. 
This was part of the original John Large tract and has never been out of the 
lineal descendants of the family. Charles P. Large was an earnest hard 
working man. He died in 1878. His son, I. Simpson who was in partner- 
ship with his father now resides at the old place. 

Joseph Large built and lived where Howard Atkinson now lives. The 
house was built of good grit stone, narrow pointed ; small windows. Painted 
eaves. Large fire places and fine high ceilings. The house stood due north 
and south. The present house was erected on the site of the old one by Lewis 
Anderson 1877. 

North of this place are the old Quarry buildings. During the Revolu- 
tion, Israel and James Anderson lived here and carried on shoemaking. An 
incident is related that having an army contract on hand for shoes, they saw 
some soldiers coming toward the house. At once all the finished work was 
hidden. The soldiers found shoes in all stages of completion except done. 
They went away in ill humor, not thinking to look in the oven while making 
their search. 

CENTRE VILLE TOLL-GATE. 

Levi Hartley kept the gate for over twenty years. He was a broom- 
maker by trade which assisted his income from the gate. His large honest 
face and good brooms were a pleasure to see. 

Oliver Heath his well-known successor tended for about fifteen years. 

Mordecai Carver and old Mr. Carpenter kept the gate for about two years, 
when the present keeper, Aaron Carver took charge about 1882. He was a 
blacksmith by trade and built the shop opposite to the church. In good 
times the ring of his anvil was heard early and late. He was hurt on the 
head by a piece of timber at a barn moving and active work ceased, yet as a 
gate keeper he is vigilant and can furnish change with alacrity. 

Jacob Moyer built the house where Mr. Shearer lives, in 1863. Jacob was a 
practical slate roofer. He died about 1867. 

HOLICONG OR GREENVILLE. 

The store property was fitted up as a store by I. W. Case in 1858. Mr. 
Case was elected Recorder of Deeds in 1872. 

He remained at Doylestown and pursued his occupation as surveyor and 
clerk of sales, an excellent hand, ready and intelligent; he died at Doylestown 
about 1880. 

Silas H. Beans took the store in 1873 and he was elected to fill Mr. Case's 
place as Recorder in 1875. After three years at Doylestown he returned to 



348 THE YORK ROAD. 

his farm on the road one mile above Greenville, where he lived at the time 
of his death in June, 1889. 

Jacob Kooker and Sheradin Patterson kept the store prior to the present 
owner, Edwin J. Kirk, who has occupied the place since 1881. 

Nearly opposite the store property lives John W. Gilbert who carried on 
the tannery for about thirty years, following Hiel Gilbert, his predecessor who 
ran the works for sixteen years. The main works were built by Isaiah Jones 
as early as 1800. There were also vats and workshop just opposite to the store 
worked by John Ely. 

John W. Gilbert introduced steam in his tannery in 1857, the first engine 
and boiler in the country — a novelty and success. John did much work in 
war times when the Government used thousands of tons of leather; fine calf 
skins went up to a fabulous price. A great revulsion took place after the war 
and Gilbert closed the tannery. 

He is the treasurer of the Mutual Fire Company, a director of Doylestown 
Bank and an active supporter and subscriber toward the new railroad that 
is to parallel the York Road to New Hope. 

The public school house was built during the Summer of 1863. The 
noted Greenville woods along the York Road containing 15 acres, was cut 
off in 1868. Holicong sink-hole was dry in 1875 while Ingham Spring had 
its full volume of water. 

LAHASKA. 

The old store property nearly opposite to the hotel in Lahaska, was occu- 
pied by the Parry's after moving from their farm above Ash's Mill ; they were 
the children of John Parry and Rachel Fell. Mary died in 1850, aged 75 ; 
Tacy died in 1870, aged 87 ; David died in 1875, aged 97 ; Charity in 1879, 
aged 98, and a brother Thomas who lived at Langhorne, died over four score. 

NOTES. 

William Buck in his Old York Road article says " he remembers the old 
mile stones at Samson's and Kerr's Hill and desires to know if any are now 
standing." 

There is one near Ruckman's on the Upper York Road, one at the 
Lahaska Bridge, near the residence of the late George G. Maris, and in Centre- 
ville, under the steps leading to the hall is a plastered niche in the wall of the 
old store shed with " 27 miles to P." engraved thereon. 

In 1858 Emmon Walton was elected County Treasurer for one year ; he 
lived on the Hughesian farm opposite to the store. Joseph Watson now lives 
there. 

William Corson, blacksmith at the coach works, was elected County 
Treasurer in 1853, for one year. He bought the hotel shortly after and kept 



THE YORK ROAD. 349 

the same until 1863, then moved to the William Large farm east of Centre- 
ville, where he resided for about two years, and from thence he moved to the 
Fountain House at Doylestown, which he remodeled and made famous as one 
of the best hotels in Eastern Pennsylvania. He died there. 

After search among my papers for matter relative to Mr. William Stavely 
I found much the best account given in " Warner's History of Bucks, page 
1709 ;" it comprises about all that I know and is well prepared and was fur- 
nished by one of the family. . 

During Rev. Mr. Gries' connection with the 104th Regiment as Chaplain 
he baptized 56 men. History of 104 gives full account of his services. He 
was Rector of St. Paul's Church, Doylestown. 

There should be a favorable mention of Dr. Charles HufFnagle's services, 
who lived near New Hope, and was consul to India for thirty years. 

I enclose an article on the hermit of Buckingham Mountain. The Wolf 
Rock and cave are visible at all seasons from the York Road near Centreville. 

The cave was known to him when a boy, keeping his rabbit traps there 
during the summer months. 

The cave yet exists about six feet square and three feet in height with a 
short low vestibule leading thereto through which one must creep to reach 
the main entrance. 

The oldest stage route notice I have is Swift Sure, revived 1832. New 
York, Flemington to Philadelphia. 

Centreville took an active part during the rebellion. Her central loca- 
tion at the crossing of two famous roads brought recruiting officers into town 
almost daily. Mild evenings the shrill notes of the fife and tap of the drum 
could be heard for miles. The rustic youth would walk into town and the 
music, brass buttoned clothes, good pay and a chance to see the country 
would do the work. Next day he could be a full equipped soldier on his 
way to the seat of war. 

War meetings were held. Ladies Aid Societies formed, bounties off'ered, 
drafts ordered, conscientious oaths administered, draft followed draft, bounties 
increased, and substitutes received from $150 to $1,800 pay for nine months. 

The following enlisted ofiicers and men were from Centreville : 

Captain Andrew Craven, mustered into Company M., 89th Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, October 5, 1861, for three years. This was intended 
as a rifle regiment but subsequently was changed to the 8th Pennsylvania 
Cavalry. Owing to ill health he resigned July 21st, 1862 ; at enlistment he 
was store keeper. Shortly after his return from the army he moved to Doyles- 
town where he died. 

Lieutenant Emmor Walton, farmer on the Hughesian place, enlisted 
October 4th, 1861, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was promoted Second Lieutenant 
Company E, July 16, 1862, now lives in Philadelphia. 

Sergeant Sam'l Yeager, enlisted September 19th, 1861, transferred to 
Company C, November, 1864, Veteran. 



350 THE YORK ROAD. 

Corporal George W. Timhook, tinsmith, enlisted September 19th, 1861, 
transferred to Company C, November, 1864. 

David P. Nuld, painter, enlisted September 19th, 1861. 

I. R. Vanluscance, laborer, enlisted September 24, 1861. 

(The above members of 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry.) 

Jordan Cooper, enlisted Company C, Captain Warren Marple, 104th Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers for three years, September, 1861, at Camp Lacy, Doyles- 
town. Wounded at Fair Oaks. Mustered out with Regiment October 1, 1864. 

John M. Rich, carpenter, enlisted in Durell's Battery at Doylestown, 
Camp Lacy, September 24, 1861, he was discharged for disability March 7, 
1863. Died in Memphis, Tennessee, August 31st, 1888, from disease contracted 
while in the war. 

Thaddeus Paxson, carpenter, enlisted into Company F, 114th Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, Zouave d'Afrique, Captain Frank Elliot, August 
15th, 1862, for three years. He died of camp fever in Virginia, January, 
1863, was brought home and buried in the Friends graveyard at Solebury. 

J. Smith Duckworth, laborer, enlisted August 19th, 1862, Company H, 
Captain Lazarus C. Andres, 138th Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years, 
transferred to Company A, 6th Regiment Veterans R. C, September 26th, 
1863, he was discharged with general order July 6th, 1865. He died at 
Hospital, Bucks County, July 6th, 1885 — was buried at Friends graveyard, 
Buckingham, 

Martin Sheaf, laborer, drafted October 16th, 1862, mustered into Company 
E, 174th Pennsylvania Militia, October 31st, 1862, for nine months. 

John S. Bailey, builder, drafted October 16, 1862, elected Captain of 
Company E, 174th Pennsylvania Militia, October 31st, 1862. 

George Niblick, substitute for George Warner of AVrightstown, mustered 
into Company E, 174th Pennsylvania Militia, October 31st, 1862, mustered 
out with the Regiment, August 7, 1863. Enlisted January 23, 1864, Captain 
Wm. R. Hubbs for three years, or the war, in Goslin Zouaves, 95tli Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, transferred to Company C, November 2, 1864, 
mustered out July 17, 1865. Died soon after the war. 

Theodore Hough, enlisted in Goslin Zouaves January 29, 1864, for three 
years or the war. Company C, Captain Elisha Hall, 95th Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, mustered out July 17th, 1865. Died in Philadelphia about 
1882. 

William Harris, an old veteran, died at Hospital, Bucks County, about 
1883. He enlisted from Centreville and called it his home after the war, but 
there is nothing definite as to regiment in service. 

Joseph Chambers, carpenter enlisted in Captain Cadwallader's Company 
G, Second Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Pennsylvania, contracted disease 
during his term of service and died April 10th, 1869; was buried at Bucking- 
ham Friends burying ground. When a young man, not of age, he studied 



THE YORK KOAD. 351 

dentistry and went to the United States of Colombia, South America, to 
practice his profession. 

I add to Mr. Bailey's Notes that Centreville once rejoiced in the 
euphonious name of Snaptown. The post-office name is Buckingham. 

Mr. Buck gives me the following account of local names. Beartow^n, 
Green Tree, and the Bush, now Bushington are indications of rural life. 

Greenville is now Holicong post-office. Indian names are wisely used in 
this romantic and picturesque region, where the hills and streams would be 
envious if their old companions were forgotten. Greenville is the old Grin- 
town, said to have been so styled by a man who was driving some animals or 
geese through the place, and having trouble in guiding his flock was 
laughed at by the inhabitants. 

Aquetong, and the Great Spring; Indian Spring and Ingham's Spring, 
near the place of the Park meetings are interesting "fountains of water." 
There are fish ponds at both places. 

On the 10th of December, A. D. 1776, Washington was at Bogart's 
tavern, now Centreville, in Buckingham township, whence he wrote General 
Ewing, at Sherred's ferry at New Hope, to send 16 Durham boats, and four 
flats to McKonkey's ferry as soon as possible. This was before the attack by 
AVashington on Trenton. " Washington on the West Bank of the Delaware." 
(Pa. Mag. of Hist., Vol 4, p. 138. By General W. W. H. Davis.) 



TRINITY CHURCH. 

By the courtesy of Rev. J. Thompson Carpenter, missionary-in-charge of 
Trinity Church, Centreville, I bave been kindly allowed to examine the 
church record. Centreville lies in Buckingham township. 

In the summer of 1837, Rev. G. W. Ridgeley held a few services at this 
point, preaching in the woods. He afterward preached occasionally in Mr. 
Gibson's coach shop. 

In A. D. 1839, in the month of April a meeting was held at which Mr. 
Ridgeley presided, and Mr. Edwin Yerkes acted as secretary. William Stavely, 
Joseph Anderson and Edwin Yerkes were appointed a committee to erect a 
church. William Stavely, Doctor Gregory, Joseph Anderson, John Case, 
Aaron Ely, Joel Worthington and Edwin Yerkes were appointed to act as a 
vestry before organization. The committee to receive subscriptions was Doctor 
Malone, Isaac McCarty, Charles P. Large, Doctor Pettit and William Beans. 

The building was begun on October 3, A. D. 1839, and finished in July 
1840. Before the church was completed Mr. Ridgeley held monthly services 
in it, and did the same after it was finished, closing his rectorship September 
10, 1841. 



352 THE YORK ROAD. 

Rev. C. Wiltberger succeeded him in the same ye&T, officiating on Sunday 
afternoons, and after a short time taking alternate Sundays, on account of the 
distance in driving from Hulmeville, his other parish. 

William Stavely and Edwin Yerkes became wardens. 

After Mr. Wiltberger's resignation Rev. George P. Hopkins did tem- 
porary duty. When he resigned St. Paul's Church, Doylestown, in 1853 this 
arrangement ceased. 

In 1854 Rev. Rees 0. Evans became rector of Doylestown and Centreville. 

The vestry election in 1854 was held in James Gilkyson's law office. 
William Stavely and William Alexander were wardens and William Stavely, 
and Albert S. Paxson delegates to the Diocesan Convention. 

In 1856 Rev. William R. Gries was rector. 

In 1858 William J. Biles was rector's warden. 

Mr. Gries resigned in 1861, having accepted the chaplaincy of the Ring- 
gold Regiment. He had been rector six years, I suppose in connection with 
Doylestown. The vestry note the faithful and laborious energy of this 
good man. 

Rev. John Tetlow was from 186^ to 1864. 

Rev. Dr. Calhoun became a temporary supply until August 1, 1864. 

Rev. Byron McGann, of Polo, Illinois, became rector of Doylestown and 
Centreville in 1864. When he resigned the vestry recorded the harmonious 
relations of the four years service of this devoted and beloved minister of 
Christ. 

In 1868 Rev. H. Baldy entered on the rectorship of Doylestown and 
Centreville. 

In 1871 it was resolved to plant evergreen trees and clean and repair the 
graveyard. In 1873 Mr. Baldy resigned, and the resignation was accepted 
with regret and sorrow. 

In 1874 Rev. J. Thompson Carpenter became rector. 

William Stavely died in 1877, and the church was draped in mourning 
to express a sense of the great loss. 

The parish of Centreville has a rectory. 

At Centre Hill Trinity Chapel is under the care of the Convocation of 
Germantown. The Bible and Prayer Book of Trinity Church, Centreville 
were in 1877 presented to this chapel. 

In 1879 Mr. Carpenter resigned ; the vestry expressing their good wishes 
to their departing rector who was going to Kansas. 

The same year Rev. Anthonj' G. B^ker became rector. He resigned 
in 1881. 

In 1882 at a vestry meeting at George G. Maris's house Rev. J. T. 
Carpenter was elected rector for the second time. He resigned in 1884 to the 
regret of the parish. Rev. Howard T. Widemer was in 1884 elected rector, 
during his rectorship of Doylestown, and held both parishes. In 1886 Rev. 
J. F. Taunt, rector of Doylestown was called to Centreville as an additional 



THE YORK ROAD. 353 

work, as the secretary, Henry D, Paxson records. In 1887 Mr. Taunt 
resigned. His successor at Doylestown, Rev. George N. Eastman, served this 
parish to some extent, and Rev. J. T. Carpenter has now resumed the charge. 
William Stavely finds a well deserved notice in Battle's History which 
we will condense. He was born in Shrewsbury, Maryland. At fifteen he was 
apprenticed to Thomas J. Stiles who published " The True American." In 
1823 he purchased John H. Cunningham's business and became a printer at 
Third and Dock Streets, and was afterward on Pearl Street near St. Paul's 
Church. His wife was Margaret, daughter of George Sheed. Mr. Stavely 
published " The Episcopal Register," afterward known as " The Church," and 
now published by C. E. Hering at the Globe Printing House, 112 North 
Twelfth Street, and edited for some time by Rev. Dr. W. C. French and his son 
Rev. T. B. French. It was then called " The Standard of the Cross and the 
Church," and now " The Church Standard." Rev. Dr. John Fulton and Rev. 
W. C. French are the present editors. Mr. Stavely also published an edition 
of the Prayer Book. He returned to Third and Dock Streets and took James 
McCalla into partnership, under the firm name of Stavely & McCalla, long 
known in Philadelphia. In 1839 he bought Garret Bryan's 300 acre farm in 
Solebury and added the adjoining Brown estate, becoming a large farmer as 
well as publisher. He was generous to the church and was a Vestryman and 
the Sunday School Superintendent at Old Swedes' Church, Philadelphia, 
assisted the Church of the Ascension and St. Paul's Church, Doylestown, and 
Trinity Church, Centreville. He gave a rectory to the Centreville Church. 
The Episcopal Church lost much in his death. He was the President of the 
Bucks County Bible Society and the Bucks County Agricultural Society, and 
other societies. Mr. Stavely was the first man to use a mowing machine in the 
County. In 1872 he celebrated his golden wedding when many showed their 
esteem. He died in 1877, aged 77. This truly Christian man was buried at 
Centreville. One son continued the printing business but is now dead. 
Another son is Dr. W. R. Stavely, a well known practitioner of medicine in 
this neighborhood. A noble monument marks Mr. Stavely's grave. 

SOLEBURY. 

This well watered township is specially celebrated for its great spring at 
Aquetong, which lies on our route and we will again glean from Davis's 
History concerning it. John Cutler and George White were large land 
owners in this township in early days. Thomas Canby, " an original settler," 
had eleven daughters. James Pellar owned hundreds of acres " on the Upper 
York and Carversville Roads, on which he built a dwelling in 1689. It was 
torn down in 1793." He had a son named James who was of note in Bucks 
County and esteemed by Franklin as a scholar. John Ruckman, John 
Gilbert, Frederick Pearson and John Betts have farms on the Pellar tract. 
The English artist, James Pellar Malcolm, was a grandson of James Pellar. 
23 



354 THE YORK ROAD. 

The Solebury meeting house and graveyard are on Joseph Pike's tract. 

Robert Heath had a grist-mill " on the Great Spring Stream," which was 
built in 1707. In 1712 Philip Williams had a "fulling-mill on this tract." 
" The first sawmill was erected about ] 740." Benjamin Canby built a forge 
on the stream. After his widow died, about 1760, at the ferry, John Coryell 
bought the forge property. In 1828 William Maris purchased the grist-mill. 
In digging the foundation for his factory, now on the Huffnagle estate, " a log, 
cut off with an axe, was found fifteen feet below the surface." 

The Blackfans of this township were originally connected with Rebecca 
Cuspin, a second cousin of William Penn. The Eastburns were early settlers. 
Jonathan Ingham, owner of the Great Spring, was the son of Jonas who came 
from England. Jonathan's son, named also Jonathan, became a noted physi- 
cian. He was a poet. He served professionally in the Revolutionary Army, 
and in 1793, assisted in the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia and died of 
that disease. His son, Samuel D. Ingham, found assistance in study from a 
Scotchman named Craig. He walked to Philadelphia and back one night, 
thirty miles, to get a needed book. He became a Congressman, Secretary of 
Pennsylvania, and under General Jackson, Secretary of the United States 
Treasury. He died in Trenton in 1860. James Logan granted the Ingham 
place to Jonathan Ingham in 1747. A ground-rent goes to the Loganian 
Library in Philadelphia. The librarianship of the Philadelphia Library, 
which comprises the Loganian, has been in James Logan's family until lately. 

The Ellicott family in Solebury were relatives of those at Ellicott's Mills, 
Maryland. The Townsend house was an antiquity in this township. John 
Schofield, who married " Ann Lenoire, a French Huguenot lady, who had 
been banished from Acadia," was of the township, and an ancestor of the 
Fells. Robert Thompson, the father-in-law of William Neeley had a mill 
near the Delaware Canal and a poor man could find flour there even if he had 
no money to pay for it. General Zebulon M. Pike lived at Paxson's Mill. 
His father named Zebulon, was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Revolution. 

•Krigler's ancient mill at Lumberton, now destroyed, is illustrated by a 
striking picture in Davis's History, which here guides our notes. " In 1756 a 
road was laid out from John Rose's Ferry to York Road." 

Centre Bridge was formerly Howell's Ferry. Lumberville and Lumber- 
ton lie " contiguous on the Delaware and Centre Bridge below on the river." 

There "is a valuable quarry of light-colored granite" at Lumberton. 
John E. Kenderline, who formerly owned the quarry named the place 
Lumberton. 

Centre Bridge where the Old York Road proper touched the Delaware, 
was, according to General Davis's History, " called Reading's ferry soon after 
1700, from John Reading, who owned the ferry-house on the New Jersey 
side ; and afterward Howell's ferry, from the then owner. It was so called 
in 1770. It was known as Mitchell's ferry before the present century. In 
1810 it had but one dwelling, in which John Mitchell the ferryman lived, 



THE YORK ROAD. 355 

who kept the tavern there for many years, and died in 1824. At one time he 
represented the County in the Assembly. The bridge was built across the 
river in 1813, when it took the name of Centre Bridge, half way between 
Lumberville and New Hope. Since then several dwellings and two stores 
have been erected. The post-office was established at Centre Hill in 1831, 
John D. Balderson being post-master, but changed to Centre Bridge in 1845." 

Carversville was originally called Milton. Thomas Carver resided there. 
There is a pretty Gothic Presbyterian Church in the village. 

The Solebury Presbyterian Church has been repaired and beautified by 
William Neeley Thompson in memory of his father, Thomas M. Thompson. 
A loved pastor, Rev. Dr. Studdiford, is commemorated in a memorial window. 

A headland "at the lower end of Lumberville" is called Coppernose. 
William Satterthwait. a poet and schoolmaster, is said to have originated the 
name which tradition affirms to refer to copperhead snakes. Its summit 
gives a fine view of river and islands. 

The Cuttalossa empties into the Delaware below this point. John G. 
Whittier lived on its romantic banks " during parts of 1839 and 1840, on the 
premises now owned by Watson Scarborough." 

General Davis beautifully describes a fountain constructed at the old 
grist-mill, and quotes some lines of Thaddeus S. Kenderline, whom he styles 
" Solebury's sweetest poet." We will insert a part of the poem : 

" While Cuttalossa's waters 

Roll murmuring on their way, / 

'Twixt hazel clumps and alders 

'Neath old oaks gnarled and gray, 
While just across the valley 

From the old, old grist-mill come 
The water wheel's low patter 

The millstone's drowsy hum. 

" Here sparkling from its birthplace, 

Just up the rifted hill, 
In tiny cascades leaping 

Comes down a little rill, 
Till in a plashing fountain 

It pours its crystal tide 
Just where the road goes winding 

To the valley opening wide." 

The remains of a copper mine are on Bowman's Hill, " two and a half 
miles below New Hope." 

As physicians in this section Davis names John Wall, who " studied with 
Dr. John Wilson," David Forst, Charles Cowdric, who *' studied with Doctors 
D. W. C. and L. L. Hough," and "the Doctors Ingham, father and son." 

The Great Spring or Logan or Ingham Spring is three miles from New 
Hope on the Old York Road. " It pours a volume of cool, pure water from a 



356 THE YORK ROAD. 

ledge of redshale and limestone, which flows down to the Delaware in a 
stream that turns several mills. It was a favorite resort of the Indians, and 
is said to have been the birthplace of Teedyuscung." Davis adds : " The 
last Indian children in the township, and in Buckingham, went to school 
at the Red school house on the Street Road in 1794, with the father of the 
author, then a small boy." 

SOLEBURY BAPTIST CHURCH, BY REV. GEORGE H. LARISON, M. D. 

At the foot of a hillock on the York Road, less than a mile east of 
Lahaska, early in the present century, lived a man by the name of Kenedy ; 
consequently the beautiful gradual sloping rise of ground that the road passed 
over was called for a time Kenedy's Hill, and after his death Canada Hill. 
Near the top of this gradual slope stands the Solebury Baptist Church, with 
its cemetery skirting westerly from the meeting house down the slope along 
the turnpike, along which is a permanent stone enclosure. The church is 
built of stone with basement, and will seat near 300 people in the main 
audience room. It is in Solebury township, in consequence of which it took 
the name of the Solebury Baptist Church, and was erected there in the 
summer of 1842, about the time the church was constituted under the 
ministry of Rev. George Young. He was followed a half dozen years later by 
Rev. Mr. Walters, then by Rev. Messrs. Beardsley, Hallowell, Wright, King 
and Silas Livermore, whose death and removals left the church in an unself- 
supporting condition in 1865, and public worship was suspended till Novem- 
ber, 1869, when George H. Larison, M. D., a practising physician of Lam- 
bertville, N. J., served the church as pastor in connection with his practice for 
a dozen years. In the second year of his ministry 68 persons were baptized 
into the fellowship of the church and a dozen more came in by letter, since 
which time the congregations have been larger with a good Sabbath School 
and other meetings, all kept up with interest. 

Rev. George H. Larison's ministry was blessed with another revival 
about four years later and a large number again were added. 

The Reading Association of Baptist Churches held their fifth annual 
meeting with this church in September, 1879, and was a large gathering. 
Rev. Chas. H. Thomas served the church for a year and was followed for over 
two years by Rev. C. T. Frame, and again for about two years by Rev. George 
H. Larison, who was followed by Rev. W. P. Hill a year and for the past year 
by Rev. John Huffnagle, the present incumbent. Under the early ministry 
of Dr. George H, Larison the house was remodeled. A new roof was put on 
and windows, pulpit, pews, &c., all were made new and it was heated from 
heaters in the basement. 

The deacons of the church for the past twenty years were Henry Kooker, 
John Edwards, William Sands and William Naylor, with John Kooker 
church clerk and William Sands, Superintendent of the Sunday School. 



.Hk ^■/•• 












^•■'Ju"' i.tif 






%; -..-4! !% \Ei 



■'*^" ' •n'. 







c» 

M 

o 

I— I 

o 
o 

Q 

W 

W 

H 



THE YORK ROAD. 359 

Aquetong is the name of a post-office a half mile east of the church on 
the same road ; the place was formerly called Paxson's Corners. The village 
contains about a dozen houses. The toll-gate of the turnpike is here. A good 
store has been kept for the past twenty years. Lime burning by Jesse Nay lor, 
Esq., on an extensive scale, and the lime is of an excellent quality. On the 
north side of the road stands the old Paxson Mansion, a large stone structure 
erected about 1790, still in good state of preservation and occupied by Elias 
Paxson, Esq. On the road one-fourth mile, running north at right angles 
from the turnpike are the fine farm buildings and former home of ex-Sheriff 
James Wilkinson, now residing in Doylestown. This place was noted for its 
extensive lime burning for more than one hundred years. This tract of land 
on which the Solebury Baptist Church and the village of Aquetong now 
stands was an original property of eight hundred acres owned by Jacob 
Holcombe, a prominent preacher of the Friends meeting in Buckingham from 
about 1705 to 1740. He lived here, only a distance of a mile from the Buck- 
ingham Meeting House. He w^as one of the first members as he came to this 
place from Devonshire, Triverton, England, about 1700. He had other trades 
and was a brother of John Holcombe who lived four miles east on the New 
Jersey bank of the Delaware River with a landed property of over twelve 
hundred acres, all of which is yet in possession of his descendants. (See 
Holcombe Reunion papers, a gathering of 3,500 people at Mount Airy, N. J., 
August 11, 1887.) 

Some notes concerning that devoted servant of Christ, Dr. Larison, 
who wrote the above sketch, will be found in the history of Buckingham 
Baptist Church in this volume. 

I will add to Dr. Larison's narrative that Rev. John Huffnagle, M. D., 
was ordained in Solebury Baptist Church in May, A. D., 1888. He was born 
and grew to man's estate in this community, so that the neighborhood feels 
an interest in him. The Lambertville Beacon of May 18th, 1888, gives an 
account of the ordination. 

NEW HOPE. 

CINTRA. 

Mr. Richard Elias P^ly's beautiful dwelling in the borough of New Hope, 
on the hill west of the village, is on our right as we approach the town. 

It was built about the year 1816 by William Maris, who at one time 
visited Cintra near Lisbon, the residence of the Kings of Portugal and from 
one of the wings of the palace obtained the design for his house. 

In 1830 the property came into the possession of Richard Randolph, of 
Philadelphia, who in 1834 sold it to his brother-in-law, Elias Ely, father of 
the present owner. 



360 THE YORK ROAD. 

The house was very substantially built with very thick walls, the 
divisions being 18 inches thick. 

William Newbold Ely, son of Richard Elias Ely, is treasurer of the 
Girard Life Insurance, Annuity and Trust Company, of Philadelphia. 

A good country walk leads from the town to Cintra, following the side of 
York Road from the built-up portion of the borough. 

There is a porter's lodge at the entrance of Cintra. 

The mansion is of an octagon shape. The lawn is like a carpet in its 
verdant smoothness, and hedges guard it on two sides, though a fence in 
front permits the occupants of Cintra to view the country. 

The dining-room is a fine one, and all the rooms have high ceilings. 

The high position, as is usual here, commands a good view. 

Washington crossed the Delaware River at New Hope several times. 
Here were Well's Falls. 

In A. D. 1798 the village is marked with the name of New Hope on the 
private map of Benjamin Parry. Perhaps the name was then changing. 
There is a portrait of Mr. Parry in Battle's History of Bucks County, (p. 16.) 

One thousand acres of land here belonged anciently to Robert Heath, in 
A. D. 1700. There was a patent in 1710. This plantation included the 
Great Spring tract, on the stream where he agreed to erect a grist-mill. A 
mill was built«in 1707, which was the first in that part of the country. 

After the York and North Wales Roads were opened in 1730 there was a 
ferry from East Jersey to the Schuylkill route. 

John Wells was the first ferryman ; he probably settled here about 1715 ; 
the license from the Assembly was given in 1719. He had the ferry many 
years. He left his farm to William Kitchen, who was probably his son-in-law. 

Joseph Wilkinson bought a mill-tract ; he is supposed to have been the 
son of Sir George Wilkinson, the owner of the site of New Hope. There was 
a powder horn in the hands of Torbert Coryell with the tract and ferry-house 
delineated on it. 

The property passed from Joseph Wilkinson to Joshua Vansant, and 
then to the late Lewis S. Coryell. 

The Wilkinsons built a rolling-mill in New Hope, where the canal 
aqueduct crosses Great Spring Creek. The foundations were laid bare by a 
freshet in 1832. 

The iron and ore were brought from Durham in boats. 

Martin Coryell, of Lambertville, has brass button moulds bearing Joseph 
Wilkinson's name, dated 1778. 

The term Coryell's Ferry was used for both Lambertville and New Hope 
as the ferry connected these places. 

The bridge was built in 181.6. 

The water privileges from Great Spring made New Hope important for 
mills and forges. 



THE YORK ROAD. 361 

There was a fulling-mill on the Heath tract in 1713. 

The first saw-mill at New Hope dates back to about 1740. 

Before 1745 Benjamin Comly built a forge on the stream. 

Before 1770 Henry Dennis owned a forge above the village. 

John Wilkinson built a forge at New Hope. 

In 1771 Thomas Smith kept a store at, or near, New Hope. It is 
doubtful whether the name of the village came from Joseph Todd. The 
Hope Mills are said to have been burned, and rebuilt as the New Hope 
Mills. In 1800 the place was called New Hope, lately Coryell's Ferry. (See 
General Davis's History of Bucks County for facts here given.) 

Davis's History gives the following particulars of the early history of 
New Hope. 

In 1700 Robert Heath was granted 1000 acres covering where New Hope 
is now located. The patent is dated 1710. " The Great Spring tract " was a 
part of the purchase. 

In 1753 Joseph Wilkinson, "supposed to have been the son of Sir George 
Wilkinson, owned the site of New Hope." Joshua Vansant and Lewis S. 
Coryell were successive owners. 

Emanuel Coryell, was the first settler at Lambertville, opposite New 
Hope, in New Jersey. Coryell had a ferry. Joseph Lambert's family origi- 
nated the name of the town. The lot for the Presbyterian Church and grave- 
yard were given by Mr. Coryell. 

Benjamin Canby had a forge at New Hope before 1745. " About 1767 
Doctor Joseph Todd, a physician of some note," was at New Hope, then called 
Coryell's Ferry, from George Coryell who had the ferry on the Jersey side. 
He owned the Parry Mill. His son, Charles F., " came home from boarding 
school at Bustleton on Christmas day and saw the Continental troops march 
from New Hope to attack the Hessians at Trenton." He became a physician. 

Martin Coryell said that when the grain and lumber mills were burned, 
which were called Hope Mills, new ones were built and called New Hope. 

The ancient Parr}^ family here is of Welsh descent. Bishop Richard 
Parry of St. Asaph, in the seventeenth century and Sir Love P. J. Parry, " who 
lost a leg at Waterloo, were of this family." Benjamin Parry was the founder 
of the family at New Hope in 1784. He bought the Todd property and was 
a great business man. His wife was Jane, daughter of Oliver Paxson. Mr. 
Parry had a scholarly and inventive mind. 

Lewis S. Coryell deserves notice as a business leader at New Hope with 
Thomas Martin, his partner, in the lumber trade. He was a progressive and 
influential man and a friend of President Monroe. His wife was Mary 
Vansant of New Hope. 

William Maris, of Philadelphia, improved the village, erecting the man- 
sion of Richard Ely, the brick tavern and two factories for cotton and woolen 
manufactures. He also built " a cotton mill, a mile up the creek, now owned 
by Joshua Whitely." 



362 THE YORK ROAD. 

Samuel Stockton was a notable resident here. In 1820-21 " Philip T. 
Tuckett and wife kept a boarding school in New Hope." 

Joseph D. Murray came to New Hope from Edenton, N. C, in 1817, and 
aided the prosperity of the town. He had a store with George Bozman as 
partner, where his son William H. Murray afterward lived. He was also in 
the lumber business with Lewis S. Coryell. They were engaged in building 
the canal through New Hope. 

An old house " at the head of Ferry Street, built by John Poor, the 
grandfather of the late Daniel Poor," is interesting. A stone house " on 
Bridge Street, above Dr. Foulke's, was built by George Ely, grandfather of 
Hiram Ely." A " pointed stone house on Ferry Street, by the canal, was 
built by Garret Meldrum before 1808, who kept a tavern in it soon after it was 
finished." 

Davis says from the authority of one who saw it as a lad, that Washington 
tied his horse to a tree by the entrance to the Oliver Paxson house. Maple 
Grove, in 1778. 

The Muri-ay house was built in 1808 by Mr. Coolbaugh. Near the head 
of Ferry Street is an old frame hduse where R. Thornton, afterward Sheriff, 
kept store. 

The New Hope Academy was preceded by another institution " of that 
name before 1831, when William H. Hough was the principal." 

There were two flour mills, a cotton factory, a flax factory and an agricul- 
tural implement factory in New Hope and when General Davis wrote his 
history a chemical factory for calico colors was in preparation. 

The Presbyterian Chapel was built in 1873. The post-office was estab- 
lished in 1805, when Charles Ross was post-master. 

The site of the town is sloping to the river. Above the town is a fine 
view. 

In the Revolution " Washington's army twice crossed the Delaware at 
New Hope, then Coryell's Ferry, and here was stationed a strong guard when 
the American Army held the west bank in December, 1776." Thus General 
Davis closes his account of this interesting village. 

William Satterthwaite, in an early day, and Jerome Buck, Esq., now of 
New York, are rightly placed among Bucks County poets by General Davis. 

George W. Hufl'nagle finds deserved notice in Battle's History. He was 
born in Philadelphia and lived for a time in Western Pennsylvania. He 
moved to New Hope in 1847, where he resided until his death. His wife was 
the daughter of Colonel Isaac Franks, of Germantown, a Revolutionary officer 
of distinction. 

This gentleman had a brother named Charles who was surgeon of the 
ship " Star," from Philadelphia to Calcutta, in 1826, and was connected with 
a business house of importance in India, and was made Consul by President 
Polk in 1847 and continued by successive administrations till 1860. At the 
London Exhibition of 1851 he received two medals for the " best collection of 



THE YORK ROAD. 363 

objects of art and industry of British India at the exhibition." He died in 
London in 18G0. 

Another brother named William K. was a civil engineer of note. 

The first Burgess of this town was John C. Parry, a nephew of Benjamin 
Parry. He dwelt in the large double brick house on Bridge Street, between 
the bridge and the canal, on the north side, which in later years has had 
porches and a bay-window added to it. The brick has been tinted with a 
drab color. The lower portion of the mansion was the New Hope Delaware 
Bridge Company's Bank. They had another bank across the Delaware River, 
in Lambertville, New Jersey. William Maris was the president at one time, 
and Daniel Parry, a younger brother of Benjamin, was treasurer. 

The old Delaware Division Canal, operated by the Lehigh Coal and 
Navigation Company, runs from Easton to Bristol, and passes through 
New Hope. 

The Paxson estate, called Maple Grove, covers several hundred acres in 
this vicinity. 

Thomas Paxson was the original owner. He had eight sons, and left 
each one of them a good estate. One was at Paxson's Corner, another at 
Paxson's Island, and another at Limeport. 

New Hope lies in Solebury township. 

In Bridge Street, Dr. Richard C. Foulke occupies and owns the old stone 
rough-cast house, with its pleasant yard, west of the canal. This was Dr. 
Richard Corson's residence. It is an antique. This double house has a porch 
in front of it. Dr. Corson was a leading practitioner, and was of the family 
of Dr. Hiram Corson, of Norristown. The house has two fronts, one being on 
Ferry Street. Another physician of this name was Dr. Thomas Corson. A 
delegation of Free Masons from Trenton showed respect to his memory by 
making their annual visit to his grave in the cemetery at the Thompson 
Memorial Church, in May, '88, as noted in the Lambertville Beacon. 

A noble old tree in a field at the junction of Ferry and Bridge Streets, on 
the north side of Old York Road, stretches out its arms, as if to implore a 
longer lease of life in the glorious sunlight, and the refreshing air, for it is 
already partly dead. 

Washington passed this tree as he went to visit the Paxson family in the 
mansion-house in its rear. 

MAPLE GROVE. 

The avenue leading to Maple Grove Mansion is a noble one. The old 
trees cast a friendly shade, and the width of the avenue is comfortable, as we 
compare it with cramped modern lanes. 

The house is on high ground, and commands a beautiful prospect on 
every side, embracing a long stretch up the Delaware River, and in New 
Jersey on its opposite side. 



364 THE YORK ROAD. 

The old building has been modernized somewhat by the addition of a 
bay-window and piazza, and a balcony in the third story. 

A gun club has a shooting gallery on a hillside, near the public school 
of New Hope, on Benjamin Parry's former estate. 

The public school is built of stone, and is two stories in height ; it is 
plastered, and dashed with pebbles. A bell-tower surmounts it to call the 
youngsters to work. This is also on the Benjamin Parry estate. 

A public character deserves mention at New Hope. Henry Lee was a 
colored servant of the Parrys and Paxsons and Elys, said to have been about 
103 years old. He died not long since. He was the bell-man to announce 
sales, and was a local wit, and had originality in his cries, drawing attention, 
and so making himself needful as a noted crier. In quiet New Hope he 
could obtain more notice than if he had been forced to shout among the 
famous criers in the crowded streets of London. 

A Presbyterian Chapel is at the west end of Ferry Street. It is a wooden 
building. 

Next is an old stone house which belonged to Major Edward Randolph, 
who was a patriot of the army of 1776, and commanded the outlying guard 
at the massacre of Paoli. His portrait is now in the rooms of the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania, in General Patterson's former mansion at Thirteenth 
and Locust Streets, Philadelphia. 

Major Randolph lived in Philadelphia and had a country-seat at Eleventh 
and Master Streets, while his son George lived on Chestnut Street, below 
Thirteenth Street, and had a country-seat on Turner's Lane, east of Broad 
Street. 

Major Randolph bought the New Hope house for his son, Doctor Charles 
Randolph, who occupied it and practised medicine. 

It afterward became the property of Major Randolph's daughter, Mrs. 
Rachel Randolph Parry, as a part of her father's estate. 

Ingham's Spring forms a creek which runs to the Delaware River through 
New Hope. 

Two old stone factories stand on the bank where yarn has been spun, but 
of later years they have been used in making twine, and at present they are 
in the hands of parties from New York who make paper bags. 

The company is called " The Universal Bag Company." 

To the west is Whitely's Cotton Mill. Not far distant, on the opposite 
side of the road, is Evans's Flour Mill. 

The country is rugged and wild between the mills. The whole region 
about New Hope is remarkably beautiful and picturesque. 

Mr. Ely's property runs down to the pond. 

On the south side of the pond a single rustic rail guards the road for 
some distance. The tinkling of a cow-bell makes the scene more rural. 

Quarries are on the south side of the road. 

This is styled "The Back Road" to the toll-gate through the borough. 



THE YORK ROAD. 365 

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Martin of Tours stands on high 
ground in New Hope. It is a noble stone building with a spire. 
Father Quinn is the worthy priest of this parish. 
A cemetery, with its overstanding cross of wood, is near the church. 
A parsonage was under construction at the time of my visit. 
The canal was opened in 1831. 

THE CHURCH OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS. 

This Roman Catholic Parish is described in Battle's History, to which 
Father Quinn referred me for information. 

The parish was organized A. D., 1885, by the work of Rev. Henry 
Stommel, who ,bought six acres of ground for the Bishop. The corner-stone 
was laid by Fathers Stommel and Brady on the third of May, and service was 
held in July, while the dedication was celebrated in September. Archbishop 
Ryan officiated. Baptism and confirmation were administered and the Holy 
Eucharist was celebrated. There was a large congregation. 

The church is a fine building of stone with sacristy. The tower rises to 
the height of about one hundred feet. There is a cemetery. 

In 1886 Rev. Peter Quinn succeeded Father Stommel in the pastorship 
of this church and is still in charge. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL. 

This is a neat frame building, erected in A. D., 1874-75, by the efforts of 
R. Randall Hoes, a graduate of Princeton College who was looking forward to 
the study of Theology. 

The Lambertville Presbyterian Church had previously conducted the 
Sunday School and Rev. P. A. Studdiford occasionally preached, but the 
Rev. Dwight C. Hanna was in charge of the chapel when Battle's History 
was written, and this chapel was connected with the Thompson Memorial 
Church, of Solebury. 

NEW HOPE M. E. CHURCH, BY REV. J. T. GRAY. 

Early records are lost. Tradition says First Methodist Church in New 
Hope, built in 1846. The present church edifice of the same society in New 
Hope, built from '72 to '80. Corner stone laid October 1, 1872, Rev. D. W. 
Bartine officiating. Basement or lecture room dedicated on the 7th of June, 
1884. Auditorium dedicated October 17, 1880. 

The first Methodist society in New Hope consisted of the following mem- 
bers : Mrs. McCoy, Jane Vansant, Ann Hinkle, Elizabeth Hibbs, Elizabeth 
Sohens, Abraham Gerhart, Letitia Gerhart, Elizabeth Pyinger, Hannah 
Scarborough, Susan Scarborough. 



366 THE YORK ROAD. 

Preachers in New Hope since the introduction of Methodism into the 
place: Rev. Messrs. Booring, David Bartine, James Hand, Wesley Bartin, 
Goentner, John Arthur, Peter Hallowell, Dallas D. Lore, John Ruth, J. W. 
McKasky, D. L. Patterson, Smith, Alfred Cookman, George Quigley, 
Jonathan Turner, John Edwards, Michael A. Day, John Donnely, John 
A. Watson, W. B. Wood, Malan H. Sisty, Reuben Owen, Duberg, Henry 
Hickman, William J. Paxson; Christopher J. Crouch, Frank Egan, E. Berwis 
Samuel Irwin, Titlow, James Page, John L. Best, William Williams, Jacob 
Todd, James McCarter, John D. Curtis, Samuel R. Gillingham, Samuel 
Irwin, John W. Reed. 

Since becoming a station the following preachers have been stationed at 
New Hope: William Mullin, Clement Frame, 0. W. Landreth, Joseph 

Welsh, W. P. Howell, Leon Dobson, Stephenson, N. D. McCoraas, 

J. P. Miller, J. Saunderlin, Amos Johnson, Silas Best, Garbutt Read, F. B. 
Lynch, William T. Magee, and the present incumbent, J. T. Gray. 

The following is a list of the presiding elders who have been in charge of 
the district embracing New Hope: James Smith, Solomon Higgins, John 
Gary, James McFarland, J. P. Durbin, J. Castle, Joseph Mason, D. W. 
Bartine, William Cooper, Pennell Coomb, William B. Wood, John Chaplin, 
James Cunningham, Jacob Hinson, and S. W. Thomas. 

The present structure is a fine stone edifice, with a seating capacity for 
about 500. The present membership numbers about 150. 

The frame house on Front Street, next to William H. Murray's store, was 
built by John Beaumont in 1808, and Mr. Murray has lived there since 1817. 

The old Parry mansion was three years in building. 

The Paxsons of Maple Grove are described in Battle's History, (p. 1101). 
Thomas Paxson was the son of William and Abigail Pownall Paxson, and 
grandson of James and Jane Paxson, who came to America in 1682 from the 
County of Berks in England, and about 1763 this grandson bought Maple 
Grove from Richard Pike, of Cork, Ireland. The Paxson family are related 
to the Canbys, Watsons, Johnsons, Newbolds, Elys, Wilsons, Rhoads and the 
Taylor families. Oliver Paxson, who married Ruth Ann Ely, was the father 
of the present residents at Maple Grove. 

A long, low, stone plastered house on Mechanic Street, near the Trenton 
River Road has been claimed to be the oldest house in the borough, but 
Maple Grove Mansion is older. The old house just mentioned is the Squire 
Vansant house. 

The Squire was one of the earlier settlers of the town. 

The building is now a tenement house. In re-roofing it several years 
ago rifle balls were found in the attic roof, said to have been fired by the 
British from the opposite hills on the Jersey shore. 

The chimneys are of blue stone. The house is two stories high, and the 
children in the yard make a contrast in height which painters love in delin- 
eating dimensions, as we often see human figures introduced into paintings 



THE YORK ROAD. 367 

of buildings, and they serve as a useful standard of comparison. The chil- 
dren furnish a further suggestion as to the old generations which have dwelt 
here and the new ones who now take their places. 

The old gray stone house adjoining the canal, on Ferry Street, is one of 
the substantially built edifices of the olden time. It is owned by J. Patterson 
Smith. 

The Logan House Hotel is constructed of stone covered with plaster. It 
is kept by Michael Van Hart, and is the oldest tavern now in the town that 
is still used as a hotel. 

The hotels are headquarters for meetings of Horse Companies and Turn- 
pike Companies. 

The Delaware House at the western end of New Hope and Delaware 
Bridge is a brick building, erected more than half a century ago. A. J. 
Solomon is the inn keeper there. 

Eastburn & Betts's Flour and Sawmills and Turning Factories are on the 
Ingham Spring Creek. 

This wonderfully copious spring finds its outlet in the river at the 
Eastburn & Betts Factory, opposite the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's 
shops of the Belvidere Division. 

The water view, with the opposite hills as a background, is remarkably 
beautiful. 

An iron County bridge crosses the creek here. This is the only bridge 
that spans Ingham Creek. 

An antique stone barn is a picturesque object just above the stream. 
It is an adjunct of the old Parry Mansion, which is on the opposite side of the 
road. 

The front of the mansion is a well preserved picture of " ye olden time," 
being a representation of a good old fashioned architecture. 

The lime of honest strength and the old workmen did their duty well. 

The house was built in A. D., 1784, and has celebrated its centennial. It 
has always been in the Parry family. 

The stone building is two stories in height. The front door is of a hospi- 
table width to " welcome the coming guest." An old triangular wooden hood 
surmounts the door on its outer side. A window with small antique looking 
panes overtops the door to give light to the ancient hall, and small panes of 
glass are used throughout the house. The door and shutters are colored a 
dark green, giving a staid appearance befitting the old mansion. 

A brass knocker still does its duty as an ornament and a remembrance 
of " Auld Lang Syne," but a modern bell assists its ancient friend in its work. 

The ornamental stone window caps, with their massive key-stones, are 
worthy of notice. 

A lower section of the building joins the main house as a wing. 

One noble stone chimney remains at the lower gable. The upper one 
became insecure years ago and was replaced with brick. 



368 THE YORK ROAD. 

A circular piece of marble under the chimney has the inscription, 
" Benj. Parry, A. D., 1784." 

A circle of brown stone surrounds this inscribed marble and has the same 
massive keys which mark the front and side windows. 

A wide modern piazza is in the rear of the house, extending its whole 
breadth. 

Massive chimneys are characteristic of the mansion. The amount of 
stone used and the room occupied by them is simply wonderful. 

The hinges of the front door are strap-hinges covering its whole width. 
They are heavy and rows of nails in the door indicate that at one time its 
inner side was coated with iron. 

A large lock fitly guards the strong door. 

The rear door of the hall is a counterpart of the front one, and the low, 
broad stairs with their fine old wood work and landings of English style, 
and the pleasant upper chambers combine to give dignity to a house which 
wears its years well, and seems proud of its ancient history. 

The mansion is now occupied by Richard Randolph Parry and his 
family, and his brother Dr. George Randolph Parry. 

The grandfather's clock on the stairs has ticked through the lives of gen- 
erations. The furniture is ancient, suiting its surroundings. The stone par- 
tition of the added part covers perhaps ten feet in thickness, having been cut 
through for the purpose of connecting one portion of the dwelling with 
the other. 

The wood paneling of the door, and the shutters, and the inner wood 
work are artistic, and show that the carpenters did not hasten their work. 

The number of useful closets indicates an early planner who knew the 
needs of a household. 

A beautiful Osage orange hedge, trimmed with care, bounds the lower 
part of the place, along Ingham Creek. 

A high attic forms a third story, and this is surmounted by another attic. 

Mr. Jacob F. Hill was the Chief Burgess of New Hope when these notes 
were taken. 

New Hope was formerly ahead of Lambertville, which lies on the other 
side of the Delaware River, in New Jersey. It was thought that the site of 
Lambertville, under the hill, was not a good position for a town, but it has 
outstripped its neighbor. So Perth Amboy, N. J. has a charter a little older 
than New York, but New York outran it. The new railway may give 
renewed life to the place. 

The Beaumont (Murray) house, opposite the Methodist Church, is an 
interesting building. Joseph D. Murray built it. He was from North 
Carolina. 

The Eagle Fire Engine Company, on the north side of Bridge Street, 
occupy a building owned by the New Hope Delaware Bridge Company. It 



THE YORK ROAD. 369 

is a flourishing association wliich has maintained its organization for many 
years, and has a steam lire engine. 

Diagonally across the street, on a vacant lot of the Bridge Company, was 
a Friends' Meeting House, which was taken down some years since. 

The ofiicers of the New Hope and Delaware Bridge Company are Charles 
S. Atkinson, President ; John H. Williams, Secretary and Treasurer ; Directors : 
Charles Crook, James S. Studdiford, T. Eastburn, William H. Closson, 
Watson P. Magill, and Richard R. Parry. * 

In the issue of May 18th, 1888, the Lambertville Beacon said, " The New 
Hope Delaware Bridge Company is building a new toll-house on the Jersey 
end of the venerable old structure." 

In walking over this bridge the views from the windows in the sides of 
the structure give beautiful pictures of land and water. 

An interesting bit of local history concerning this section lies in the fact 
that an old family on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River had a 
quit-rent, like those in Penn's day, on the Jersey side, above Lambertville, by 
which thirty-two shad per year were to be delivered ; and this was faithfully 
kept up through the generations for one hundred years, when it expired by 
limitation, 

EARLY NOTES PERTAINING TO NEAV HOPE, PENNA., " CORYELL'S 
FERRY " OF THE REVOLUTION. 

By Richard Randolph Parry. 

New Hope, the terminus of the Old York Road, on the Delaware River, 
in Bucks County, is an ancient settlement known at the time of the Revolution 
as " Coryell's Ferry," a place of historic interest, and at that day of great 
strategic importance on account of its situation upon the main artery of travel 
between the- cities of New York and Philadelphia, and at the ferry between 
the Pennsylvania and the New Jersey shores. At divers times, the Conti- 
nental Army passed through what is now New Hope Borough, and detach- 
ments of troops were quartered in the village and surrounding neighborhood 
upon several occasions. Many of the letters of General Washington and other 
of his prominent officers, are dated at " Coryell's Ferry," (a name then applied 
to both sides of the Delaware River), and were sometimes written from camp 
in New Jersey, and at others from Pennsylvania. In 1776, upon the fall of 
" Fort Lee," Washington was obliged to leave New York to the enemy and 
retreating across New Jersey, established his headquarters at the " Falls of the 
Delaware," in Bucks County^ stationing his troops at various points up the 
river in Pennsylvania as far as " Coryell's; Ferry." That portion of the army at 
" Coryell's Ferry," (now New Hope), was under the command of General 
William Alexander, more commonly known as Lord Stirling, who threw up a 
24 



370 THE YORK ROAD. 

strong redoubt on top of the hill across the pond, in a south westerly direction 
from the old Parry Mansion, and once a part of that estate. The indentations 
can still be seen faintly outlined, but show more plainly from the New Jersey side 
of the river and extend back to the yellow school house since erected, well up 
the hill. Lord Stirling also had another redoubt thrown up on the Old York 
Road, at the corner of Bridge and Ferry Streets, opposite where the Presby- 
terian Chapel now stands, this with stockade intrenchments and batteries 
placed just above the ferry landing on the river bank north of the Old York 
Road, constituted the defences of New Hope in 1776, from what General 
Washington evidently anticipated an advance movement of a portion of the 
British Army at that time. The old hip roof house now being taken down to 
make way for the new residence of Mr. Phineas Slack, the present owner, is 
said to have been Lord Stirling's headquarters in New Hope, and the writer 
is informed by a gentleman whose recollection extends far back into the past, 
that when he was a boy it was always known as "The Old Fort," and stood 
directly opposite the long avenue leading into the Paxson estate. During the 
years of 1776, 1777 and 1778, the buff and blue uniforms of the Continental 
soldiers must have been familiar objects to the people of this section of Bucks 
County. General Benedict Arnold, the traitor, was at Coryell's Ferry on June 
16, 1777, and wrote to General Washington from there, and on July 29, 1777, 
we find the honored and lamented Alexander Hamilton, then a captain of 
Artillery, who was killed by Aaron Burr in their memorable duel, writing to 
the Hon. Robert Morris from the same place. Colonel James Monroe, 
afterwards President of the United States, and other officers were quartered in 
the Neeley farm house below New Hope in December, 1776, and on the same 
farm is the grave of Captain James Moore of the New York artillery, which, 
remaining almost neglected for ninety years, was then newly repaired and 
fenced in by a costly iron railing through the efforts of a woman's loyal and 
loving heart, albeit a stranger ; this lady was the sister of Major Robert N. 
Boyd of Solebury Township. 

Although New Hope does not boast of many fine or beautiful buildings, 
yet there are several at least should be noted, and the first likely to attract the 
attention of a visitor entering the borough from the west by the Old York 
Road, would be the stone residence of Mr. William Eastburn on the left hand 
side of the road east of and beyond the toll-gate, the house being a modern 
one and built upon the site of an older one taken down a few years since to 
make room for the present structure. The wife of Mr. Eastburn was Miss 
Blackfan of the Blackfan family, cousins of William Penn, who was present 
at the marriage of her ancestor, Edward Blackfan, to Rebecca Crispin, in 1688, 
and signed the marriage certificate yet carefully preserved in the family and 
in the possession of Mrs. Eastburn's father, Mr. William Blackfan, of Solebury 
township. The large yellow mansion on the top of the hill, just beyond Mr. 
Eastburn's on the opposite side of the road, is named " Cintra," and is owned 
and occupied by Richard E. Ely, Esq., a sketch of which and picture will be 




o 

1—1 
H 

O 

> 

w 
w 

H 

o 

« 

GO 

ij 

W 
O 



_ tf 
Ph 



<1 
Pi 

w 
o 

o 
P5 
o 

M 

Ph 
O 
W 

w 

1^" 
o 

I— t 

Ph 

a 

o 

w 

.H 



THE YORK ROAD. 373 

found in another part of this volume. The " Old Hip Roof House," before 
mentioned, near the corner of Bridge and Ferry Streets and opposite " Maple 
Grove," the ancient and present home of the Paxson family, was one of the 
very oldest buildings in New Hope and was for several generations owned by 
the Poor family, having been built for John Poor, grandfather of the late 
Daniel Poor, who was the last owner of the name. " Maple Grove" and an 
account of the Paxson's appearing in another place, they need not be further 
noted here, excepting to mention that on this property stands the " Old 
Washington Tree," over one hundred and fifty years old, which was a favorite 
place of meeting of Generals Washington, Green and Lord Stirling, for 
consultation in 1776, and it is said that under this very tree they met and 
first planned the battle of Trenton. Within the borough limits the Old York 
Road is now known as Ferry Street, and on it, just below the junction with Bridge 
Street, is the large double stone mansion of the Foulke family, built in 1828 
for Dr. Richard Corson, grandfather of Dr. Richard Corson Foulke, who, with 
his mother, (the widow of Dr. Charles Foulke,) and family now own and 
occupy it. The pointed double stone house on Ferry Street by the canal, was 
built before 1808 by Garret Meldrum, and was used by him for a tavern soon 
after it was finished. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. J. Patterson Smith 
whose father purchased it of the Neeley Family. 

The Murray dwelling, on Main Street just north of Ferry Street, was 
built in 1808 by Mr. Coolbaugh, and became the home later on of Mr. Joseph 
D. Murray, the father of Mr, William Murray who now lives there. The 
oldest house in New Hope, is on Mechanic Street, a short distance west of 
Main* Street, built by the Wilkinsons among the early settlers about the ferrj'-, 
and was afterwards owned by Squire Joshua Vansant, the father of Mrs. 
Lewis S. Coryell ; some years ago when renewing the roof, grape shot were 
found in the old one, supposed to have been fired during the Revolution 
from a British battery planted on the opposite hills ; Lewis S. Coryell was an 
enterprising citizen and active in politics. In Davis' History of Bucks 
County he is spoken of as exercising large political influence, though never 
holding office, and as being a favorite with President Monroe, and a frequent 
visitor at the White House, while he occupied it. The residence of Mr. 
Coryell with its handsome grounds is still standing, on the west side of the 
Old Trenton or River road, south of the Iron Bridge. New Hope continued 
to be called Coryell's Ferry until about 1798, when it had been changed, as 
evidenced by an old map dated 1798, made for the late Benjamin Parry, Esq., 
and still hanging in the lower hall of the old Parry mansion where he lived 
and died. The site of New Hope in 1700 was covered by a grant to Robert 
Heath, to whom patent was issued February 11, 1710; soon after, the Old 
York Road was opened, and in 1730 the North Wales Road, thus making New 
Hope with its ferry an important point. The first ferryman appears to have 
been John Wells about the year 1715 ; and down to 1770, the place was called 
" Wells Ferry " after him ; subsequently it was styled Coryell's Ferry, for Capt. 



374 THE YORK ROAD. 

George Coryell, who held the ferry privileges, and lived on the Jersey side of 
the river. The Old York Road terminating at the extreme eastern end of 
Ferry Street was the starting point of the ferry for New Jersey in early times ; 
and here close by the river's brink, still stands as a reminder of the past — but 
in a fast decaying state — the ivy crowned trunk of an ancient black walnut 
tree; which standing guard as it were, and sentry, has braved the storms 
of certainly a century and a half at least, and cannot exist many years longer ; 
when it passes away, will have been removed one of the very earliest land marks 
of the borough. On Christmas Day 1776, Dr. Charles Todd of New Hope (then 
a young lad) — watching at the intersection of the Old York Road, and the 
Trenton or River Road, where the old Parry mansion stands — witnessed the 
Continental troops march around the corner into the Trenton Road, and 
down it with hurrying steps to a point a few miles below on the Delaware 
River, now known as Washington's Crossing, where passing over that night in 
boats, there collected for the purpose, they advanced early on the morning of 
the 26th, upon the city of Trenton ; and surprising the Hessians, fought and 
won' that famous engagement, which has passed into history as the " Battle of 
Trenton." The old Parry mansion referred to above, was no doubt in its day, 
one of the best built, and finest houses in that part of Bucks County : In 
Battle's History of Bucks County Pa., (pp. 531-32) a description of it is given, 
taken from a sketch in the Bucks County Intelligencer some years before, the 
article closing with the hope that no effort will be made to modernize the old 
home, but " that it will long remain what it now is, a true type of 18th 
century architecture." As viewed from the outside, this mansion presents a 
quiet and most dignified appearance, in keeping with the family for whom it 
was built; the quaint and handsome carved stone ornamentations over the 
windows, small window panes, pointed corners, and hoods, betoken its age, 
and are charmingly attractive. Over the front door remains the ancient 
bonnet or hood of our forefathers' day, beneath which is the massive old 
fashioned oaken door with its transverse panels, brass knocker, and cumbrous 
lock, and huge iron hinges which stretch across the whole width. This door 
opens into a wide wainscoted and paneled hall, running through the middle 
of the house, and dividing the long parlor upon one side, from the dining- 
room, and the parlor or sitting-room on the other; in these rooms, are yet 
preserved (and in daily use), the corner cupboards of a hundred years ago. 
The upper floors are approached by low broad steps, and half way up the 
stairs on the broad landing, stands in one corner — relic of a past age — the 
old eight day clock, which has ticked in and out the lives of so many of the 
family; and still showing upon its familiar face, the moon in all its phases. 
Five bed chambers, most of them communicating, upon the second floor, open 
out upon an upper hall, the full width of that beneath ; the inside shutters 
over the house, both in the main building, and wing, are secured for the 
most part by long wooden bars, stretching across and fitting into the deep 
window frames. In most of these rooms may be seen great open mouthed 




A BIT 01' Till': I'liOST HALL, STAIKWAY AND LANDING, WITH ANCIENT HIGH 
CLOCK AT "THE OLD PARRY MANSION," NEW HOPE, PA. 



THE YORK ROAD. 377 

chimneys and fire places, the brick floors of which are painted in bright tile 
colors. Immense closets with brass door knobs, in one of these chambers fill 
up entirely one end of the room, taking several feet off* its length ; but com- 
pensating by the additional convenience afforded the family. The rooms and 
halls of this old mansion, contain much valued, handsome and ancient 
furniture, belonging to the family for several generations, much of it being 
elaborately carved in solid walnut and mahogany woods. Like the Potts house 
at Valley Forge, there is in one of the rooms on the first story a trap door in the 
floor leading into the cellar, which, in the writer's memory, was used as a wine 
cellar ; but may possibly have been intended in earlier times, as a means of 
escape from sudden danger. 

In the great attic overhead the children, grandchildren, and great grand- 
children of the original owner have often played and wondered at the contents 
of numerous chests, high cases of drawers and boxes, since learned to have con- 
tained much linen, stuffs, and other articles of family value. And far up 
amid the rafters, a secret room, only reached by a long ladder, (always removed 
after each visit), aff'orded a safe hiding place for papers and such valued 
matter as seemed to require extra security and care in the time of the original 
owner, which was to his grandchildren of course a place of especial wonder, 
tinctured perhaps somewhat with a species of fear. In the wing of the man- 
sion still swings in a capacious fire place, an ancient iron crane with its out- 
stretched arm, at rest, after a long term of service, much prized by the family 
and shown visitors as a curious relic. A huge bake oven of an early period, 
and no longer used, in the kitchen adjoining was torn out a few years ago for 
the lost space which was needed. 

The old Parry mansion was erected in the year 1784 for Benjamin Parry, 
one of the early settlers of New Hope, (then Coryell's Ferry), who, having 
obtained from his father considerable means, became largely engaged in com- 
mercial enterprises of magnitude for that early day, both here and elsewhere, 
and for many years was a most prominent and influential man in this section. 
Much mention is made of Mr, Parry in both Davis's and Battle's Histories of 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Davis's History says of him at page 683, that 
he '' was a man of considerable scientific attainment and varied and extensive 
reading, was public spirited and took deep interest in all that would improve 
his neighborhood or the County." An elaborately cut stone circle in the north 
gable end of the house, under the roof, bears a tablet inscribed : " Benjamin 
Parry, A. D., 1784." In 1787 he married Jane Paxson of Maple Grove, and 
brought her as a bride to his home where they both passed the remainder of 
their lives ; and here in 1794 was born their eldest child and only son, the late 
Oliver Parry, Esq., w^hose son. Major Edward Randolph Parry of the United 
States Army, died at the old mansion in 1874 of disease brought on b}" hard- 
ships and exposure endured during the late terrible war. Major Parry 
received a brevet from Congress " for gallant services during the war," and 
died in his prime, aged only 42 years. Benjamin Parry, born March 1, 1757, 



378 THE YORK ROAD. 

the father of Oliver Parry, was son of John Parry styled of Moorland Manor, 
born July 25, 1721, and who married, 1751, Margaret Tyson, daughter of 
Derick Tyson and grand-daughter of Renier Tyson, twice Burgess of German- 
town Borough, where he settled in very early times. This John Parry was 
a son of Thomas and Jane Parry, Thomas Parry having been born in 
Caernarvonshire, North Wales, A. D., 1680, and coming to America when 
quite a young man, died in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 1751 ; he 
was a large landholder, and is recorded as owning over one thousand acres 
of Land in Montgomery County ; a. part of this was the Moorland Manor tract 
owned later on by his son John. The old Parry mansion, built 1784, has 
never been out of the family and is now owned and occupied by Benjamin 
Parry's grandsons, Richard Randolph Parry and his brother Dr. George 
Randolph Parry. Of the male descendants of Benjamin Parry of the name in 
the next generation, Oliver Randolph Parry, born March 29, 1873, son of 
above Richard, is the only one living at the present (1892) time. 

The large red house with its several additions on the back road, near 
Whiteley's Cotton Mill, and the Turnpike gate, as you enter New Hope, 
although off the York Road, should be mentioned in this chapter; it was for 
many years the residence of, and occupied by the late Hon. Charles Hutfnagle, 
M. D., United States Minister to Calcutta, and contained a very valuable col- 
lection of curiosities, gathered by him, in the old world, and especially in 
India; many of these have been sold since his death, and have found their 
way into various private and public museums ; formerly the house was often 
thrown open to visitors, and many interested persons availed themselves of 
the opportunity of seeing its treasures. Doctor Huffnagle died in London, 
England years since, as he was returning from America to Calcutta. 

Many persons are unaware of the fact that numbers of the boats used by 
General Washington to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, 
were collected at New Hope and kept concealed behind Malta Island, but 
such was the case; the procuring of them having been mainly entrusted 
to General Daniel Bray, then a young captain, who was familiar with 
every boat along the river for many miles. Lord Cornwallis being in- 
formed of what had been done, sent troops to what is now Lambertville, 
New Jersey, on the river opposite New Hope, to seize them, but the soldiers 
were apparently afraid to cross over in the face of the frowning batteries 
which were planted on the river's bank at New Hope. Malta Island at the 
time of the Revolution was densely wooded and therefore the boats floated 
down by night could not be seen by the British from the Jersey heights. 
The channel behind the Island having shice filled uf> it is now practically 
main land. The present Union Mills are just north of the Island. Other 
boats were collected at Knowle's Cove above Washington's Crossing, but at 
what is now Taylorsville, Pennsylvania, (the place of crossing), there is said 
to have been but a single boat. The boats from New Hope, (Coryell's Ferry), 
were secretly dropped down the river on Christmas night and were utilized by 



1,- -z 




% 






m 


s>r**^^^ â–  





BENJAMIN PAREY, 
Born March 1st, 1757. (See page 377.) 



THE YORK ROAD. 381 

Washington in that memorable crossing, now known the world over in 
History, and made additionally famous, by the artist's brush. General 
Washington's headquarters at this period were in the old Keith mansion a 
few miles below New Hope, on the Brownsburg Road to the " The Eagle," a 
house built for William Keith in 1763, and still oM^ied by the family. Charles 
Penrose Keith, Esq., author of "Keith's Provincial Councillors," and his 
brother Sidney Keith, both of the city of Philadelphia, are members of this 
family. 

The New Hope Delaware Bridge Company has for more than eighty (80) 
years been a prominent feature in the history of this section of country, for a long 
time furnishing much of the currency in use, being a bank of issue as well as 
deposit, until wrecked by the bad management of William Maris, an early 
president of the Company. The first meeting held in connection with the 
bridge organization was at the tavern of Garrett Meldrum in New Hope, on 
September 25, 1811, at which a committee consisting of Benjamin Parry, 
Hon. Samuel D. Ingham and others were appointed to act, and Mr. Parry was 
made chairman of the committee. That they lost no time in so doing is 
shown by the fact of a charter being granted the Company by the State of 
New Jersey, January 23, 1812, which was formally concurred in by the State 
of Pennsylvania the same year, it being necessary to have the authority of 
both States. The bank bills are now very scarce ; there is one, however, 
framed as a curiosity in the office of the Bridge Company at Lambertville, 
New Jersey. On March 15th, 1819, a dividend of three per cent, was declared 
on $161,226.47, though it is not stated whether it was for the fiscal year or six 
months. The cost of the bridge was $67,936.37 as stated in "Davis's History 
of Bucks County." In 1825 the Hon. Samuel D. Ingham, Secretary of the 
United States Treasury under President Jackson, was president of the Bridge 
Company. Benjamin Parry is conceded to have been the original promoter 
of the bridge enterprise, was the first person to sign the subscription list and 
was one of the first board of managers in 1812. His grandson, Richard 
Randolph Parry, is now (1892) president of Company, with the following 
Board of Directors; Charles Crook, T. T. Eastburn, W. H. Closson, James S. 
Studdiford, W. P. Magill, John S. Williams. The bridge has always shown 
good income earning capacity and the Company enjoys the highest credit, its 
securities commanding a handsome premium. 

The Company's Bank was, in early days, in the large double brick 
building on Bridge Street, subsequently purchased by the late John C. Parry, 
the first Chief Burgess of New Hope, and now owned and occupied by 
J. Simpson Betts. Later on the business was conducted in Lambertville, N. J., 
with at one time, a branch in Jersey City, N. J. In 1841 a portion of the 
bridge on the Jersey side was swept away by flood, when Mr. William H. 
Murray of New Hope, made a narrow escape, having just crossed over a few 
moments before the span went down into the wild waters beneath. 



382 THE YORK ROAD. 

A writer in the Lambertville (N . J.) Beacon in 1885, thus remarks: "Our 
few old people who remember the building of the bridge remember and talk 
of the event with a zeal that plainly shows the bridge was a glory of past 
years in this section, and that the Brooklyn Bridge of to-day, is in our admir- 
ation, what the New Hope Delaware Bridge was to our fathers and grand- 
fathers at the time of its building." 

There are two Hotels in New Hope, both of which have been in existence for 
a long time, the oldest being the " Logan House," corner of Main and Ferry 
Sts., Michael Van Hart, Proprietor, who purchased it a number of years ago. 
Garret Meldrum is also said to have once kept it ; and it is generally believed, 
that one end of the old building was formerly used as the Ferry House. A 
tall tin figure of the Indian Chief Logan, on top of a very high pole, until 
recent years, served the double purpose of a weather vane, and sign for the 
" Logan House." 

The " Delaware House " on the corner of Main and Bridge Streets, A. J. 
Solomon, Proprietor, was built by William Maris, early in the present century, 
and like its competitor the " Logan House," is both roomy and comfortable, 
it is situated almost at the entrance of the New Hope Delaware Bridge. The 
old sign which swung in front of this Tavern for so many years, was painted 
by that somewhat famous Bucks County Artist, Edward Hicks, a near relative 
(and perhaps brother,) of Elias Hicks, the founder of the religious denomina- 
tion, known as Hicksite Friends; this sign was taken down long since, and 
has disappeared. It is not unlikely that in the near future, coaching parties 
will find New Hope a convenient stopping place, being located midway 
between Philadelphia and Fasten en route to the Delaware Water Gap, and 
for travellers bound for New York City, it is but an easy day's journey of 
thirty-four (34) miles only, by turnpike from Philadelphia, along the line of 
the historic Old York Road. 

As a matter of record it may be well here to state that in the way of 
journalism. New Hope has had three newspapers, as below: 

The New Hope Monitor, published in 1881, weekly, by A. T. Shampanore, 
discontinued. 

The New Hope Express, published in 1885 by Charles Haigh, weekly, 
discontinued. 

The New Hope News published weekly. Dr. R. B. Glasgow, editor, first 
issued in January, 1892, and still regularly continued. 

The following are among the families now longest resident in New Hope 
and which have been identified with the place for generations: the Paxsons, 
Elys, Parrys, Foulkes, Murrays, Crooks, Lamberts, Stocktons, Sollidays, 
Scarboroughs, and perhaps a few others. 

There are three places of public worship in New Hope, the frame Presby- 
terian Chapel on the Old York Road, heretofore mentioned ; the Methodist 
Church solidly built in brown stone, on Main Street just north of the York 
Road; and the Roman Catholic Church, also substantially constructed of 



THE YORK ROAD. 383 

stone, and standing well up the hill near the corner of Mechanic and 
New "Streets. 

Recently the steam cars of the Philadelphia & Reading Rail Road 
Company, have invaded this quiet old fashioned borough, and somewhat 
aroused it from its lethargy. 

Looking backward through the vista of more than a century it seems 
difficult to realize, that the village, and the now peaceful highways about us, 
once resounded with the bustle of war, and the frequent tramp of armed 
men, as our patriot sires hurried forward to do battle for their country, or 
fell back in the sadder marches of retreat. The years have come and the 
years have gone since the days of Revolution, bringing with them many 
changes; but the old settlement at Coryell's still remains, nestling close 
beside the noble river, at the ferry, which our forefathers defended in the 
grand old heroic days. 

MAPLE GROVE. 

An article entitled Maple Grove, by Richard Randolph Parry, signed 
" Ar," appeared in the Bucks County Intelligencer, of May 8, A. D. 1880. 

On the right of Old York Road in leaving New Hope for Doylestown 
the old mansion of " Maple Grove " is seen. An old plan of New Hope in 
A. D. 1798 marks this place No. 29, calling it " Oliver Paxson's house." He 
lived here before the Revolution. He was the son of Thomas and Jane 
Canby Paxson, and inherited the property from his father. One of his 
brothers was named Isaiah and he is remembered in the name of Paxson's 
Island in the Delaware River, between Centre Bridge and Lumberton. 

Another brother named Timothy was a noted merchant of Philadelphia, 
and an executor of Stephen Girard's will. 

Maple Grove embraces 260 acres of good farm land, and besides the 
mansion there is a good sized farm house of stone, a coachman's house, barns 
and stables. It has always been " a goodly estate." 

The mansion was originally built in old style, being a double stone 
house, two stories high, surmounted by attics. The front door introduced the 
visitor into a spacious hall. Rooms opened on each side. The windows were 
filled with small, old-fashioned panes of glass. 

Much of the old building remains, but several years ago a part of it was 
demolished, and the house was modernized by the great-grandchildren of 
Oliver Paxson, who were the heirs of Elias Ely, Esq., who had owned it. 

It has now a fine appearance. 

Many of the trees which adorn the avenue were planted by Elias Ely. 
He died here on the 15th of February, A. D. 1836, at the age of forty, and 
was interred in the Friends' burying ground of Solebury. 

Davis's History of Bucks County, (p. 687), states that the precise age of 
the mansion is unknown, although it was " built for Oliver Paxson, great- 



384 THE YORK ROAD. 

uncle of the late occupant, Oliver Paxson," The last named gentleman 
died on February 17, A. D. 1876. 

In the Revolution General Washington and Lady Washington occupied 
the mansion for a time. 

Davis's History says that General Washington tied his horse to the large 
old tree, which yet stands near the end of the lane, when his army was 
passing over the river at Coryell's Ferry in 1778. This place is now called 
New Hope. 

Oliver Paxson was prominent among the Friends. He was just in his 
business, as is the characteristic of that society. 

He was liberal in judging others. One of his granddaughters gave an 
anecdote illustrating this. 

Opposite the lane of Maple Grove still stands an old frame house, with 
*a hip roof, where lived a worthy pair bearing the names of John and Jane 
Poor. Mrs. Poor was distinguished in the vicinity for her humble, pious and 
virtuous Christian life. These people were Presbyterians, and were friends of 
the Paxsons, who had a great regard for them. Oliver Paxson often spent 
hours in friendly conversation with this family. Some one asked him why 
he did not strive to bring Jane Poor into the belief of the Friends; he 
answered : " Let her alone, I am not sure but that her chances for the 
Kingdom of Heaven, are far better than mine." 

Oliver Paxson's first wife was Ruth Watson. 

Of their three children, Henry is supposed to have died in childhood. 
Jane married Benjamin Parry, on the 4th of November A. D. 1787. Ruth 
married Hugh Ely. She died on the 18th of March, A. D. 1851, aged 83. 

Mrs Ruth Watson Paxson died on the 16th of September, 1774, aged 34, 
and was buried in the Friends' Buckingham burial ground. 

Oliver Paxson's second wife bore the same faithful name Ruth, her 
family name being Johnson. She lived several years after her husband's 
death, and died in Philadelphia in 1817. 

Benjamin Parry and Hugh Ely, the sons-in-law of Oliver Paxson, were 
his executors. 

HISTORICAL ARTICLES. 

In the Bucks County Intelligencer in 1873 a series of interesting articles on 
the history of regions in Bucks County appeared from the pen of the excellent 
local historian William J. Buck. To those entitled " The Cuttalossa" is pre- 
fixed the following from John G. Whittier, who had sojourned near the 
stream : " I remember well the little river, the woodlands, meadows and 
the junction of the Cuttalossa with the Delaware." 

The connection of the poet with the beautiful stream gives it a new 
interest, as a following extract from Washington Irving speaks of the charm 
of " every place immortalized by the poet." 



THE YORK ROAD. 385 

Whittier in 1839 and 1840 was for a time in a farm house, now the 
property of Watson Scarborough about a half mile from the Cuttalossa not far 
from Lumberton. He used at this time to go to Lumberville to get his mail. 
He was then thirty-two years old. He was fond of garden work and mingled 
labor and study. 

Joseph Healy owned the farm on which the poet resided. His wife, 
Rachael, was the daughter of Edward P. Little, a Massachusetts Congressman. 

The poem on Indian Corn quoted by Mr. Buck shows how a poet who 
had wielded the hoe loved it. We add a verse : 

" All through the long bright days of June, 
Its leaves grow green and fair, 
And waved in hot midsummer's noon 
Its soft and yellow hair." 

Mr. Healy, who was from Massachusetts, published the Pennsylvania 
Freeman, and he employed Mr. Whittier to edit it. 

Buck gives a most interesting extract in No. XX of his series from the 
native poet Kenderdine, entitled "Kept In," in which the musings are 
described of a boy kept in at noon-time while birds sing and boys play 
outside, and his beloved Martha Jane enjoys herself without, while he suffers 
within for having sent her a message in school. 

" Buckwampum " is the title of an article, being the Indian name of a 
hill in Springfield township northeast of Bursonville, near the line of 
Durham. 

William J. Buck's History of Bucks County is a pamphlet which was 
published in Doylestown, in 1855. To it is appended the history of the town- 
ship of Wrightstown, by Charles W. Smith, M. D. 

Mr. Buck's articles had been printed in the Bucks County Intelligencer, 
which was conducted by John S. Brown, and copies were struck off in 
pamphlet form, as their interest demanded it. 

On page 35 of this volume we learn that Benedict Arnold was stationed 
at Coryell's Ferry, now New Hope, with his command. He and General 
Potter examined the fords from Trenton to Coryell's, and Arnold reported to 
President Wharton, April 2, 1777. 

Daniel Longstreth, who wrote a memoir of John Fitch, was a descendant 
of Bartholomew Longstreth, a settler of 1699 in Warminster, near Johnsville, 
as is noted in the above named history. 

In 1845 Samuel Hart wrote a communication to the Historical Society, 
saying that from 50 to 55 years before on his father's farm, on the Old York 
Road, 21 miles from Philadelphia, briars, weeds, bushes and trees could be 
viewed on surrounding farms. Cultivation was carelessly performed. The 
people were hospitable and affectionate. This communication is noticed in 
Buck's History of Bucks County. Things are changed now, as smiling and 
well-tilled farms meet the eye of the traveller on every side. 
25 



386 THE YORK ROAD. 

In Dr. Charles W. Smith's History of the Township of Wrightstown 
appended to Buck's History, we find it stated that John Chapman, the first 
settler in Wrightstown, died in 1694, and was buried in the " Park," in the 
old graveyard, " west of Pennsville." His wife Jane was buried near him, 
in 1699. 

*' The following epitaph on John Chapman, the elder, is in the hand- 
writing of his son, Joseph Chapman : 

'Behold John Chapman, that Christian man who first began 

To settle in this town, 
From worldly care and doubtful fears, and Satan's snares, 

Is here laid down; 
His soul doth rise, above the skies, in Paradise, 

There to wear a lasting crown.' " 

The following is from the Bucks CovMty or Doylestown Intelligencer founded 
by Asher Miner in 1804, now edited by Alfred Paschall & Co. The date of 
this publication is September 13, 1889. 

FROM AN OLD CORRESPONDENT. 

HINTS AND SCRAPS — EASY OBSERVATIONS HERE AND THERE — FILLING BLANKS 

AS IT WERE. 

To the Editor of the Intelligencer: 

A great variety and intensity of employment, for a man of my age, has 
prevented me from keeping pari passu with the correspondence which has 
appeared in the Intelligencer, pending aijd following my two-column screed of 
some three months ago. I have wanted to pay my regards to my dear old 
friend, W. M. L., or rather to a few of his observations, and I have also wanted 
to conclude my observations in reference to my late hasty visit to my native 
County. If now indulged I will proceed to do so. 

In the latter part of that beautiful First-day, in early summer, William 
and I, in his comfortable conveyance, left my Cousin Paxson's for a drive back 
to Doylestown througli some of my youthful haunts in the upper part of Buck- 
ingham. We went up the Street Road from Greenville, past the former 
residence of Surveyor John Watson, so-called, who, in my memory, was a 
walking encyclopaedia of literature, history and anecdote in 1823-28, with 
whose " first family " I was acquainted individually, whose second marriage 
I well remember and whose daughter and son by that marriage I well knew 
of erst. One of his older daughters by his wife, Euphemia, nee Ingham, was a 
namesake and maid of my grandmother Ely, and lived with her at our house 
in Lahaska Valley, where her father paid almost weekly visits and enter- 
tained the family with his instructive remarks. I remember well when 
John Watson built a frame shop on the roadside opposite his own 



THE YORK ROAD. 387 

residence and established in it Alexander Johnson Case, as a most excellent 
and acceptable neighborhood shoemaker, who afterwards purchased land on 
the Old York Road, erected a residence and shop of his own, married one of 
the beautiful Carver girls at Milton, (now Carversville) and begat sons and 
daughters — as one of your own prominent citizens can testify. 

Leaving the Watson premises, we noticed a field on the right hand side 
of the road, which in my boyhood was a part of the William Williams place. 
In that field, over sixty years ago, I saw the ground thrown up, over a consid- 
erable space, wood placed in and covered with earth, when the fuel was fired 
like a charcoal pit, and the earth by which it was covered baked in order to 
kill the Canada thistle. I do not remember whether the experiment suc- 
ceeded. Next, as we progressed northward, we saw the Charles Parry place, 
since owned and occupied by Joseph Fell, beyond which we discerned the 
Williams and Paxson houses, memorable for the worth of those who occupied 
them in days " Lang Syne." 

I wrote the reminiscences, " Sixty Years Ago," for your papers, in 1873, 
Thomas Paxson, was then living. Benjamin White was once an eminent 
preacher among the Friends of whom I spoke. 

I wish some one would write for your paper a concise and full description 
of the geology and topography of Buckingham township. It would be very 
acceptable to old residents. Now the limestone formation of the valley proper 
to the flat clay lands in the vicinity of Mechanicsville — the old " Halifax " — 
is a sudden change. But the granite (I suppose) rocks abundant in the 
"Joshua Beans" field, near old Tyro Hall, have generally disappeared, I believe ; 
probably as the effect of good farming, while the school itself has been moved 
bodily half a mile up the road. In fact, the former " Town Den " above the 
school house, which in my boyhood was sheltered by a wood on the left — the 
highway being on the right — and which was kept smooth and bare by the 
daily games, is now actually occupied by dwelling houses — as though there 
was not room to live outside of the limits of the " twinkling footsteps " of late 
generations. Even on the roadside below the old school house are erected at 
least two separate " homes, " rendered necessary, I presume, by the natural 
increase of population. Is there not some consolation in Byron's wild lines : 

" Man marks the earth with ruin : his control 
Ends with the shore." 

Those who have cultivated a regard for forestry would see many occa- 
sions for regret in the sequestration of woods in Buckingham during the pass- 
ing century. An old shady walk by the brookside, to and from school, by 
" Little " Josh Gilbert's, Sammy Gilbert's, Rowland Ellis', and the Andersons' 
has been greatly stripped. 

I attended Tyro Hall School under the tutelage of John Gillingham and 
John P. Thornton, at times, in 1819-27, and there commenced the study of 



388 THE YORK ROAD. 

English grammar — Comly's — January '26, 1826, as appears from an inscription 
in the book itself. John Gillingham, a great uncle of the late J. Gillingham 
Fell, I believe, was the best teacher of the old (King Solomon) school who ever 
taught at Tyro. He was as thorough in his inculcations as in his discipline. 
John P. Thornton, educated at John Gummere's school in Bushington was a 
good classical and mathematical scholar for his day and enjoyed the respect 
and affection of his scholars, who strove by good conduct to merit his approv- 
ing smiles. Joseph S. Large and Joseph Fell afterward taught in the old 
house, but since my time. By the recent death of Charles P. Large, James 
C. Iden and Harvey Shaw, as far as I know, I am left the last survivor of the 
boys of my time at old Tyro, though there may be one or two others. 

On the left hand side of the road from Greenville to old Tyro Hall the 
landscape has but little changed in sixty years, save in regard to loss of woods. 
The farms occupied in my boyhood by Large, Anderson, Ellis and Gilbert 
families, seen near and in the distance, have a " natural " and familiar appear- 
ance, awakening precious memories. Later occupancy may have blotted from 
the recollection of many who now see them daily, even the names of the old 
time owners, but those who have read the history of Bryn Mawr will not soon 
forget the name of the venerable Rowland Ellis, the " Welsh Quaker 
Preacher," who founded that beautiful seat, and whose namesake and 
descendant once owned and dwelt upon one of the beautiful places I now 
allude to — that is, in the first quarter of the present century. 

Proceeding toward the " Mud Lane," by which we approached Mechanics- 
ville, we passed the William Gillingham place, whose fine apple orchard, 
cider press and watermelon patches were daily observed and occasionally 
enjoyed on my way to and from school, after my father bought a farm at 
Halifax and removed to that place in 1818. This village, so much improved, 
has been completely transformed of late years through the energy and enter- 
prise, or more probably genius, of my excellent cousin, Samuel Wilson, the 
well known seedman of Bucks County. My friend W. M. L., was kindly 
conveying me to the house of this dear relative and his pleasant family, 
where we enjoyed their hospitality and a cursory examination of the planta- 
tion, greenhouses and conservatories of this extensive establishment. No 
scene familiar in my earlier boyhood has been more improved than the 
Wilson ground about Mechanicsville. The sparse village of 1820-25 has 
become a considerable town. My maternal grandfather's place, occupied as a 
farm since 1700 at least, and on which buildings are yet standing, erected in 
the first quarter of the last century, which farm I knew in 1819 or earlier, 
from the fine old chestnut trees in the lane, the early cherries, " the orchard 
and meadow," is now a carefully cultivated garden, devoted by an accom- 
plished master of his profession to the growth of plants, seeds and other 
seminal principles of almost every thing "green" that can be named. This 
place is as well worthy of a visit and of examination by the curious travelers 
and sight-seers as any locality or object I know of in old Bucks County. Like 



THE YORK ROAD. 389 

Bartram, Henderson and other veteran seed and plant growers Samuel 
Wilson has added greatly to the character of his profession in my native State. 

My friend W. M. L., whose lucubrations occasionally appear in your 
esteemed journal, has paid a deserved compliment to my cousin and his inter- 
esting family for their hospitality. Old as I am, I hope to live long enough 
to test it again, for I fear my cousin Samuel, who has done so much, is even a 
wiser man than I am, and may not give me an opportunity to return in kind. 

Leaving Mechanics ville in the mellow light of evening we drove to 
Doylestown via the old George Burgess, William Watson, Sands' Corner and 
Robert Shaw places, whose owners were active men in 1825. We passed 
Church's school house and Seneca Fell's and reached "Chestnut Grove" in the 
early evening, (calling up all the way the ghosts of the past.) Nowhere on the 
road have greater changes been wrought or improvements made than in the 
last named place, where my good old friend W. M. L. now resides, which I 
knew in my boyhood as one of the poorest and least inviting spots in the 
county; now a beautiful, valuable and highly cultivated farm with spacious 
and elegant buildings. Thus at Doylestown ended the day's excursion. 

We are informed that the " Old Correspondent " was Seneca W. Ely, one 
of the editors of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. The author of this volume 
would add that " W. M. L." is William M. Large, who wrote him in 1892 that 
he had "reached the 81st milestone in the race of life." He replied to my 
request for notes from him : " When my eyes were good I loved to scribble, 
and particularly so if I thought it tended to the entertainment of the public." 
He commends General Davis as " an acknowledged historian." 

A series of interesting articles from the pen of that excellent local 
historian, J. S. Williams, of New Hope, appeared in The Doylestown 
Intelligencer, edited by the Paschall Brothers, in February and March, 1888. 
The author of this volume had expected to insert them here, but space forbids. 
The local historians of the upper part of Bucks County have matter enough 
to make another volume and would be doing a good work in thus collecting 
and preserving it. 



^ ^ O^ ^ J T 



FOX * CHASE 



AND 



VICINITY. 



BY 

Rev. S. F. HOTCHKIN, 

1892. 



g y C^O < ^ 



FOX CHASE. 393 

The Pennypack Creek is the connecting link between Old York Road, Fox 
Chase and Bustleton. A bridge at Hatboro spans the winding stream. A 
pleasant walk of a few miles over the hills brings the pedestrian to Hunting- 
don Valley, a little above Fox Chase on the Second Street Turnpike, near 
where our notes touch, as Moredun is just below the village. The Big Rock 
on the Walton farm near Fenton Station, named for the Fenton farm (now 
Walnut Hill Station), is a wonderful natural curiosity. It is a hill in itself, 
requiring much climbing, but commanding a beautiful view of the Creek and 
farm lands about it, A level plain among the trees above makes a nice table 
for picnics, and a little cave below is said to have sheltered cattle hidden by 
the Americans in the Revolution, for fear of seizure by British soldiers, though 
not many animals could have stood there. Boys now delight to make a fire 
in the open cave. Above Mr. Ely's residence, the late Newberry Allen Smith's 
fine place, now occupied by his son-in-law, Mr. Harvey, is close at hand, and 
the Lippincott place is near it, and the Barnsley farm is almost opposite. 

Huntingdon Valley, named after the pious and generous English Countess 
of Huntingdon, has a Presbyterian and Methodist Church and an Odd Fel- 
lows' Hall. Walton's old grist-mill is historic, and Alnwick Grove picnic 
grounds, connected with the property, are romantic and beautiful, running 
along the waterside. The Newtown Railroad passes through them, and a new 
depot takes the place of the old one at Huntingdon Valley, and the Bound 
Brook Route, or North Penn Railway, has also a good brick station, called 
Beth Ayres, in memory of Elizabeth Ayres, of the family of Franklin Comly, 
a former President of the North Penn Railway, whose relatives lived in this 
section. A country hotel is near the depot, and the Lady Washington Hotel, 
above, is ancient, and there is a tradition that General Washington's wife 
once stopped there. 

The electric light is now introduced in this village. Edward H. Burling's 
residence is on a hill which commands a fine view. 

Monroe Willard's fine stone house, and those of Harrison Woodward, Esq., 
and John Kinzey are noteworthy, and quite a number of new buildings have 
arisen of late. The Ayres farm is in the central part of the village. 

Hallowell's old mill is below the lower hotel. 

The farms of Henry Stout, Croasdale Knight and Thomas Jackson were 
above the village. 

Dr. Bellows and Dr. J. R. Robinson are practising physicians in this village. 

MOREDUN. 

This name, meaning a great hill, suggested by Sir Walter Scott's works, is 
fitly applied to the beautiful eminence at Walnut Hill Station, on the New- 
town Railroad, about a mile and a half north of Fox Chase. 

Samuel W. Haines, a Philadelphia merchant, bought this property of the 
Fire Association of Philadelphia, though it had at one time belonged to his 
father, John T, Haines. 



394 FOX CHASE. 

In 1890 the colonial house, showing the pointed local stone from the 
property and shingle work in an attractive manner, is noticeable as one 
drives along Moredun Avenue. 

Hazlehurst & Huckel were the architects, and the dwelling was erected 
under the supervision of the owner. 

The building is finished in hard wood throughout, cherry, oak and chestnut 
varying the work. Steam heat by indirect radiation is employed, and gas is 
made on the premises. 

An elevated drive-way, curbed with stone, leads to the mansion, and very 
massive and striking gate-posts are at the entrance on the avenue. 

A summer-house adorns the front lawn. 

The property borders on the picturesque Pennypack Creek for about fifteen 
hundred feet. 

The view of hill and woodland from the piazza is remarkably striking and 
beautiful, and the " Big Rock " is close at hand to add its charm to the scenery. 

Thomas H. Wilson, a large woolen manufacturer of Philadelphia, has 
bought a part of this property and intends to build in the near future, on the 
hill opposite, at the intersection of Pine Road and Moredun Avenue. 

SMITH HARPER'S MANUFACTORY. 

At Harper Station, on the Newtown Railroad, are the Fox Chase Works, 
which manufacture Garden Rakes, Hoes, Pumps and Water Engines. This 
mill lies on Spring Valley Creek, a branch of the Pennypack. William Har- 
per, father of Smith Harper, was the former owner. The property includes 
the site of the ancient Roberts' grist-mill, worked by Lewis Roberts previous 
to 1780. A spring-house is now on the site of the mill. In later time a larger 
mill was used by Nathan Bunker. \ 

The farm is called Spring Valley Farm. 

The present residence of stone was built about twelve years ago. Jacob 
Mattis was the architect and builder. 

The position is a remarkably fine one, as the elevation gives a pleasant view 
of the lakes below and the surrounding hills and trees. The country is rugged 
and broken, affording a beautiful landscape. 

Saw Mill School House surmounts the hill near by, on the Second Street 
Pike, and a flag waving there the other day from a high pole told of the 
loyalty of Young America. 

The Abraham Blake farm, long in the hands of that family, and joining 
Smith Harper's place, has been purchased by Mr. Harper. 

The farm where resided the late Charles Linton, divided by Newtown Rail- 
way near Harper's Station, was the property of Isaiah Waterman, and was 
heired by his daughter, Mrs. Linton. It has lately been bought by a syn- 
dicate. The same syndicate has bought " Stanley," one of the old Wistar 
places. 




CO 

W 
1—1 



w 



O 
W 

o 

w 
p 

t— t 
w 

w 




p 

O 

w 

;^ 

o 

H 
« 

m 

(^ 

w 
P-. 

o 

•-5 



c 

W 



FOX CHASE. 399 

Anthony Livezey's old farm, which joins Smith Harper's property, has 
been bought by Smith Harper. Thomas Yerkes formerly owned this place. 
Anthony Livezey was his son-in-law. 

The place on Shady Lane owned by Samuel M. Jarrett and occupied by his 
son Charles was Joel Cadwalader's property. 

The Craig Lippincott place was owned by William T. Morrison, After his 
death it was bought by Mr. Lippincott, who built the striking mansion in 
1889. William T. Decker was the architect. Rea & Riley were the builders. 

There was an old forge-mill on this property, where iron was forged gener- 
ations ago, and the pits and excavated ground show remains of the ancient 
work. 

The property belonged in earlier days to Lewis Roberts and his father, 
John Roberts. 

I am indebted to Abel S.Roberts for local information here. He has a 
pleasant farm on the Second Street Pike, near the Harper Mills, 

The farm of Samuel M. Jarrett contains one of the oldest farm-houses in 
the neighborhood. 

Joseph Waterman owned the place in former days. The lawm extends 
beautifully along Shady Lane and Second Street Pike, and a picturesque 
spring-house is in the front of the property. An old log-house preceded the 
stone dwelling. It stood just in front of the present house, and a log barn 
was destroyed twenty-three years ago. So the old relics vanish. 

Mrs. Jarrett was a daughter of Joseph Waterman. 

The farm-house is roomy and comfortable. Its location on the hillside is 
attractive. 

The farm contains one hundred and twenty acres. 

AIRY HILL. 

This farm is now the home of Joshua Longstreth, a descendant of Barthol- 
omew Longstreth, who married Ann Dawson, as narrated in the sketch of 
Hatboro, as given in this volume. 

Charles C. Dawson compiled a large volume on the family records of this 
family. 

Evan Morris, the maternal great-grandfather of Joshua Longstreth, first 
obtained this property. Richard Dung worth was owner before his day. 

The son of Evan Morris was Morris Morris, and his son was Joshua ; and 
Joseph Longstreth married his daughter Susanna, to whom the father left 
the property, and this lady willed the place to her son Josiah for his life, and 
then it was to pass to his children. 

Susanna Morris was the wife of Morris Morris, a minister among Friends. 
She thrice dreamed that she would be shipwrecked, and her dream came true. 
The incident is narrated in William Hodgson's Memoirs of Friends. 

The ample dwelling of stone has been doubled in size by the present owner. 



400 FOX CHASE. 

Susanna Longstreth, the grandmother of Joshua Longstreth, died in the 
Morey House in Fox Chase in 1815, and was buried in Abington Friends' 
graveyard. 

The Morey House was owned by the Waterman family, and has lately been 
bought by Dr. Filbert. 

BIEWOOD. 

John Pemberton Newbold, of the old Pemberton family of Philadelphia, 
now owns this ancient place, and dwells herewith his wife and three children. 
Mrs. Newbold is the daughter of the late H. Albert Denckla, of Philadelphia. 

The position of the antique dwelling, near a wood on a high bank, with a 
fine view of rolling land in front, is remarkabl}'' striking and picturesque. 

This was an old residence of the Wistar family. 

Thomas Wistar once owned the property, and his son Joseph occupied it in 
the summer. The house has been enlarged at various times. The original 
dwelling was of stone, and the additions are of wood. The latticed windows 
inserted by Mr. Newbold give an English look. A remarkably heavy stone 
work around the fireplace has a very pretty effect. 

The place is situated on romantic Shady Lane, which is a favorite drive. 

In walking from Fox Chase to Bustleton, the pedestrian, on reaching Shady 
Lane, may leave the public road and take a path along the beautiful Penny- 
pack Creek, the rival of the Wissahickon. The winding stream contains rocks 
which part its current and start the murmurs of the water checked in its flow. 
The green moss and fallen leaves under the feet, and the rock-strewn bank 
and a fallen tree make the foot-path romantic, and if one seeks an easier jour- 
ney, he may pass through the ancient trees to the top of the hill, and enter 
another path which follows the edge of the wood until, by a gentle descent, he 
passes a long, old, white cottage under the hill, like that where the old woman 
lived in the nursery poem. It is now deserted, and no smoke ascends from its 
chimneys. The Penny pack Bridge and Verree's Mills are at hand, and the 
Animal Farm and Pennypack Church and Lyngonierare passed, and another 
wildwood path leads on to Bustleton, over a succession of little hills, and amid 
trees beautiful in summer verdure or under winter snow. 

HILTON. 

Hazlehurst & Huckel designed the improvements of this ancient mansion, 
striving to carry out the old colonial style of architecture, there so well exhib- 
ited. 

The position is high, and the old stone dwelling looks with a quiet dignity 
on the surrounding landscape, where it has seen the trees grow and perish, 
and generations come and go. 

This is now the property of Dr. L. S. Filbert, and he has improved its drive- 
ways and put the farm in good condition. 



26 




W 

I— I 
Em 

1-5 



O 

W 
O 

1— ( 
OQ 



FOX CHASE. 405 

F. A. Godwin, a Philadelphia merchant, purchased this place from William 
Wilberforce Wistar, about twenty-six years ago. After the death of Mr. 
and Mrs. Godwin, it was sold to Dr. Filbert, about two years ago. The deeds 
date back to William Penn. The farm contains over one hundred acres. 

Dr. Ludwig Spang Filbert was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, March 
12th, 1825. He was the son of John Filbert, and his mother's maiden name 
was Spang. The Filbert and Spang families were prominent in Berks County 
for many generations. Peter Filbert, an uncle of Dr. Filbert, was the first 
Mayor of Reading, Pa. 

The Doctor is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and has be^n 
successful in the practice of medicine, having exercised his profession in 
Columbia, Pa. He was appointed Lazaretto Physician by Governor Packer, 
and remained in Philadelphia after closing his duties there, continuing in 
practice until 1870. He then organized the Vulcanite Paving Company, 
which he has conducted successfully ever since, having thus achieved a 
double success — both in the medical and the business world. He has been 
useful as an inventor, and as a contractor he has laid the best pavements that 
modern science and mechanical skill have devised. Such work is very useful 
in a great city, and such a man is a public benefactor. 

The Doctor purchased Hilton as a country-seat for summer residence in 
1888. His son, Richard Y. Filbert, General Manager of the Vulcanite Paving 
Company, also resides here. 

The excellent barns and fences show good husbandry, while the coming of 
this active man into a country district has stir-red highway improvement. 

[Communicated.] . 

HILTON, BIRWOOD AND STANLEY. 

Hilton and Birwood were both purchased by Thomas Wistar in 1790, and 
Stanley (Red Bridge) shortly afterwards. Thomas Wistar built Hilton Plouse 
and planted all the trees near the house and on the grounds. He lived there 
habitually during the summer for considerably more than half a century, 
except during the prevalence of the yellow fever in 1793, when he sent his 
wife and children to her father's, Richard Wain, of Walnford, near Cross- 
wicks, New Jersey, he himself remaining in the city, where he was Treasurer 
of the Public Committee of Safety, and pledged his own credit by bond to the 
Bank of North America for the funds needed by the Committee, the City 
Authorities having left town. A number of the Committee died of the fever. 
Thomas Wistar 1st had it severely, but recovered. 

The original Bond given by him to the Bank for an advance of funds to 
the Committee, and also the engrossed certificate of the thanks of the city 
and inhabitants, given him by order of a public meeting held in the State 
House yard in 1794, the Governor of the State presiding, is now in possession 
of General Isaac J. Wistar, his grandson. 



406 FOX CHASE. 

Thomas Wistar conveyed to his son, Caspar Wistar, Hilton and Birwood 
about 1846. He also conveyed or bequeathed Stanley to his eldest son, 
Thomas Wistar, Junior, who in turn built the lower house, in front of his 
own, for his son, Thomas Wistar 3d. Between 1800 and 1830 Birwood was " 
used as a summer residence by Roberts Vaux, whose wife was Margaret, sec- 
ond daughter of Thomas Wistar 1st. 

From June, 1830 to 1846 it was occupied by Joseph Wistar, and afterward 
rented to various persons. It was bequeathed by Caspar Wistar to his daugh- 
ter Lydia, who sold it twenty years ago to Mr. Newbold. 

Hilton was conveyed by Caspar to his son William Wilberforce, about the 
year 1860. The latter died in 1866, when the place was sold by the executors 
to Mr. Godwin. 

Thomas Wistar, Jr.'s two children, a son and daughter, both died before he 
did, and Stanley was also sold. 

Opposite the gate of Stanley stood a little story and a half stone house, said 
to have been once occupied by Alexander Wilson, the ornithologist. It has 
lately been demolished. 

DUDLEY FARM. 

A farm of over one hundred acres surrounds the comfortable mansion of 
Francis C. Benson. 

The rolling character of the ground gives remarkably fine views from the 
ample piazza, which is a modern addition to the house. 

The stone dwelling was the property of Captain Boyd, but it has been much 
enlarged and altered by Mr. Benson. 

A family of Friends by the name of Walton owned this place, and Cap- 
tain Stokes Boyd purchased the farm, and Mr. Frank Benson bought the 
place of him. 

There is a pleasant house and wide lawn. The property lies opposite Ury 
House. Mrs. Benson is the daughter of Mr. Godwin, who formerly owned 
Hilton and resided there. 

[Communicated.] 

URY HOUSE 

Is situated upon the Pine Road, on the hill crest of the divide between the 
Pennypack and the Tacony Creek waters. This venerable mansion, antedat- 
ing Penn's time, surrounded by an estate of one hundred acres, was pur- 
chased by Miers Fisher from the Taylor family at the close of the War of 
Independence. 

Originally a fort built by Swedish Refugees in 1645, it was enlarged both 
by the Taylors and Miers Fisher, who bought the place in 1790. The great 
antiquity of this mansion is shown by its construction and architecture. Two 




Mrs. JANE CRAWFORD. 



FOX CHASE. 409 

old chimney back plates of iron, one ornamented with the English coat-of- 
arms and the legend " Dieu et mon Droit" and the other with a plain scroll 
bearing the date of 1728 are objects of interest to the antiquarian. The lat- 
ter plate was not taken from the oldest part of the mansion. A plate similar 
to this is in Governor Keith's house. 

The approach to Ury House is by a broad avenue four hundred feet in 
length, of venerable pines upward of one hundred years of age. The visitor 
enters through a pillared porch and broad low hall with heavy rafters, which 
is heated by a large open fireplace surmounted by a mantelpiece of antique 
design. 

There remained a square stone tower, built, as has been testified by com- 
parison, of stone quarried close by. This tower consisted of a curious cellar, 
approached by solid stone steps leading to a door of wrought iron, supported 
on either side by tremendous stone drillings. Over the cellar was a square 
room, from which a steep stairway led to another, and over it, with sloping 
roofs and reached by a very rickety ladder, was a garret. 

It is supposed that this tower was built by those Swedes who sailed up the 
Pennypack, and was used as a sort of fort and government house, the people liv- 
ing in huts scattered about in the forest, and only coming into the fort in case 
of an attack from the neighboring Indians. 

George Washington is said to have dined in the old hall. 

Miers Fisher gave Ury its name, from the country-seat of Barclay, the 
famous Scotch Friend and tjie author of The Apology — " Urie " or " Uri," in 
Scotland. 

About ninety years ago Mr, Fisher was visited by the daughter of an emi- 
nent minister. She thus described her drive from Philadelphia : " We drove 
through forests from Spring Garden Street to Fox Chase, which consisted of a 
log tavern with an English sign, on which was painted a picture of mounted 
huntsmen in red coats, and Nathan Hicks, the proprietor, holding up the 
foxes that the hounds had killed." 

Mr. Miller, who bought " Ury " in 1800, is said to have planted the avenue 
of pine trees. 

Mr. West became owner of " Ury " eight years later, and finally in 1842 
Mr. Stephen R. Crawford bought " Ury " of Dr. D. R. Holmes. 

In the following year " they " were visited by a queer old woman, who 
arrived in a very old-fashioned chaise. She said she was ninety years old and 
a grand-daughter of the Mr. Taylor whose name first appears on " Ury's " 
title-deeds. She had come to drink a cup of tea in the old Swede Hall, where 
she was born. This old woman told Mrs. Crawford that when she was a little 
girl ten years old, Ury was the center of an immense peach-orchard, with 
cows feeding up to the very doors of the house. 

The mansion is surrounded by spacious lawns and a grove of noble trees of 
great girth- and towering height; while an old-fashioned garden, with its 
numerous beds bordered by boxwood hedges, is most attractive. 



410 FOX CHASE. 

Mrs. Jane Crawford, whose name is so intimately associated with Ury 
House, and whom many who read this article will recall with loving and 
grateful remembrance, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to this 
country in 1841. After her husband's financial reverses and death in 1863, 
Mrs. Crawford devoted her life to the instruction of youth, and Ury House 
became an institution of education, at w^hich many of our leading men 
received the careful training which fitted them for their future responsibili- 
ties. 

Mrs. Crawford's rare intellectual attainments, her great executive ability, 
her refinement and charming grace of manner eminently fitted her for her 
position as the head of a large and prosperous school. Only those who knew 
her well can appreciate the beauty of her character, the gentle firmness and 
loving care with which she guided those under her instruction. After a suc- 
cessful existence of twenty-one years, Mrs. Crawford gave up her school, and 
Ury House passed into the hands of her son, Mr. Joseph U. Crawford, an 
officer in the Pennsylvania Railroad, who now occupies as a private residence 
the old mansion in which he was born. 

It gives the author of this book pleasure to add a few words to this very 
interesting sketch to commemorate his friend, 

MRS. JANE CRAWFORD. 

This estimable lady was long held in high esteem in her neighborhood. 

Stephen R. Crawford was President of St. Andrew's Society and active in 
its work of beneficence. He was highly honored in society, being a man of 
great dignity and of fine appearance and bearing. 

After her husband's death in 1863, Mrs. Crawford devoted her rare talents 
to the founding of Ury School. The elegant country-seat became a pleasant 
home for youth by the charm of its leading spirit, who formed it into a model 
institution. Many leaders in business life look back affectionately to this 
happy abode and its kind head. She w^as lovely in character with gentle firm- 
ness, and her queenly grace in presiding at the closing exercises must have 
been noticed by all. Her life was a benediction, and is a blessed memory to 
her friends. 

HILLCREST. 

This is the appropriate name of the pleasant abode of R. T. Martin, near 
Ury House. The view is very fine and extensive, as this is one of the highest 
points in this region. R. G. Kennedy was the architect of the house. 

Mrs. Martin is the daughter of the eminent German physician of Philadel- 
phia, Dr. Charles Neidhard. An account of the life and writings of this still 
active worker is given in " The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Pennsylvania," 
(page 197.) The Doctor studied at the University of Pennsylvania and at 
Leipsig, and took his Doctor's degree at Jena. 



FOX CHASE. 411 

Eastern Pennsylvania abounds in hills which are refreshing and invigorat- 
ing in scenery. Elizabeth Oakes Smith thus exults in a hill country : 

" Come up unto the hills. The men of old, 

They of undaunted wills, 
Grew jubilant of heart, and strong and bold. 

On the enduring hills — 
********* 
And nearer grew the moon and midnight star, 

And God Himself more near." 

FOX CHASE. 

The Fox was often used as a sign in the old country, as Garwood & Hot- 
ten's History of Signboards (page 168) notes : " The Huntsman is common in 
the hunting districts." The Chase Inn in Leamington, England, is men- 
tioned on page 361. 

In Willis P. Hazard's third additional volume to Watson's Annals, pub- 
lished by Edwin S. Stuart, on page 351, is a note of a Philadelphia inn : 
" Fox-Chase (now occupied by Alderman Cahill), Third Street below Button- 
wood." 

THE UPPER HOTEL— NOW CALLED THE FOX CHASE HOTEL. 

Elijah Hoffman has owned this property for the last twenty-four years. He 
resides in Philadelphia, but kept the hotel for eighteen years. Thomas Mich- 
ener succeeded him for a short time, and then Ephraim Tomlinson conducted 
it for five years, when it was sold to R. P. Douglas, who now superintends it. 
It is a large building, with abundant stabling and carriage room, and appears 
like an old-fashioned Inn. 

The Old Fox Chase Hotel in the lower part of the town is not now kept as 
a public house, though there is a restaurant there. It is owned by Mrs. Ram- 
sey, of Philadelphia. 

The upper hotel was built by John Blake for a store ; but he p-fterward built 
a store where Mr. Charles Tyer now has his grocery store. George Blake, 
living on the Verree Road near School Road, is a son of this gentleman. 

Joseph H. Nester's feed-store is about twenty years old. He was the first 
one to start the business. 

Samuel R. Tompkins entered the blacksmith business here thirty-two years 
ago and now continues his work, though he was absent for seven years. W. 
H. Wright wrought in his place during this time. He is now dead. Joshua 
Kline had the shop before Mr. Tompkins. 

Near the Elberon Land Association Mrs. Charlotte Conard owns an old 
stone house next to the Handy place. It has been rebuilt. Watson Lukens, 
her brother, resides with her. 



412 FOX CHASE. 

John Lennig's large house, painted in tasteful colors, with several acres of 
ground surrounding it and making a pleasant lawn, was the property of Jacob 
Blake. Mr. Lennig conducts a store in Ashbourne. 

The old house next above the new bridge, with its railed side- way for pedes- 
trians over the railroad, was Thomas Miles's place, where he made plows. 
Mr, Barrows now owns and resides in it. 

Next above is William R. Wilson's house, with a comfortable piazza and an 
ample yard in front of it. Mr. Wilson is in the iron business in Philadelphia. 

I am indebted to Mr, Nester and Mr. Tompkins for information. 

The Stephen farm contained forty-five acres. Henry Albert Stephen has 
owned it for the past ten years, having purchased it of Captain Boyd. Mr. 
Stephen is a German by birth. The Elberon Land Association purchased 
most of the farm, while the former owner retained the building. 

Kennedy Crossan and Morris Rossiter, John Miller and Mr. McFarland, Mr. 
Wilson and A. D. •Harvey own cottages on this tract, 

Sylvania, in Montgomery County just above Fox Chase, was a Land and 
Building Associatian. The land was bought of the William Roberts' estate 
and comprised about fifty-six acres. The farm-house stands, but has been 
remodeled. William Dettimer owns and occupies it. 

Between Sylvania and the City Line lies the Robbins farm, Charles Rob- 
bins sold this to Benjamin Hilt, and he started the Fox Chase Association and 
sold lots. These two Associations were merged into one and are now called 
Rockledge, A hall was built, called Rockledge Hall, It is also a public 
school. William Kurl and Mr. Goble, Mrs. Benezet, George W. Richardson, 
Andrew F. Getz and Samuel Tompkins have cottages here. 

Three mounted policemen keep watch over the town. Ellwood Baker, 
William Jeff'erson and Jesse Roberts are the guardians of the peace. 

Richard Clay lived several years in a modern cottage on a pleasant emi- 
nence, and Mrs. Miller's cottage on Hoffnagle Street is near by, 

FOX CHASE (BENSON MEMORIAL) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

Rev. Dr. Thomas Murphy's valuable book, " The Presbytery of the Log 
College," gives a sketch of the history of this church on pages 424-426, which 
I will condense. 

The Abington clergy had preached at Fox Chase as a station for many 
years, hoping to form an independent congregation. Dr. Murphy, long the 
faithful pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Frankford, had members 
of his church living at Fox Chase, and held services there occasionally on 
the afternoon of the Lord's Day. In 1881 " a strong desire " for " organiza- 
tion arose among the people." 

" Gustavus Benson, an elder of the West Spruce Street Church of Phila- 
delphia," was the founder of this church. " He was one of the most liberal 
givers to objects of benevolence that the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church 



FOX CHASE. 413 

has ever known. He was generous, untiring in work for Christ, unassuming, 
whole-hearted. He had become interested in Fox Chase through the resi- 
dence there of a son. In the rooms of the Board of Publication, of which 
both were members, he said to the writer (Dr. Murphy), while leaving them 
for the last time, as it proved, ' You see to the gathering of a congregation in 
Fox Chase, and I'll see that a church edifice shall be erected.' Soon after- 
ward he was summoned to the heavenly sanctuary. But the son, and the 
whole family with him, inheriting the same generous spirit, took up the well- 
known intentions of the father as a sacred trust, and in due time erected the 
beautiful Presbyterian Church which is the ornament of the village of Fox 
Chase." 

A Sunday School had been established and " preaching-services on the 
Lord's Day afternoon." 

" The church was organized November 13, A. D. 1883." On " February 4, 
1884, the Rev. Samuel J. Milliken was installed pastor." 

" The church has had two ruling elders — Mr. Frank Benson, who gathered 
and superintended the Sabbath School, established the prayer-meeting, moved 
in the organization and took the lead in erecting the church edifice, and Mr. 
B. F. Stratton." 

I would add to this sketch of Dr. Murphy that the building is of stone, and 
is a fine piece of architecture, and the best building in the village, as a church 
always should be, as showing that the inhabitants care more for God's glory 
than their own display. If there were more such free givers as Mr. Benson, 
the clergy would not need to plead so incessantly for aid. If the mind in 
heaven looks back on earth, what a delightful thought that it has been the 
means of perpetuating worship and striving to make a heaven of this earthly 
world. 

Mr. Milliken, who served the parish nearly eight years, was much loved by 
the people and a faithful servant of Christ. His daughter Elizabeth has been 
a missionary in Japan for eight years. She is now visiting her home. 

Mr. Milliken left in October of 1891. Rev. W. H. Pumphrey, of Kansas 
City, Kansas, became pastor, being installed February 1st, A. D. 1892. 

BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH— BY JOSEPH RHOADS. 

The Church is situated on Rhawn Street, Thirty-fifth Ward, Philadelphia. 
Stone structure forty by sixty feet, with ten feet basement and audience-room 
eighteen feet in height. The corner-stone was laid in the summer of 1867. 
Union services were held in the house until October 26th, 1870, when the 
Bethany Church was organized, and recognized by Council, December 1st, 
1870, with Rev. George Hand as pastor, whose term continued for eight years 
and eight months, resigning August 1st, 1879 ; Rev. W. H. Paulin succeeding 
him September 7th, 1879, until June 1st, 1882. Supplied then until January 
1st, 1883, when A. J. Hughes w^as pastor until September, 1883. Afterward 



414 FOX CHASE. 

supplied mostly by students from Lewisburg until March, 1884. Rev. Thomas 
Morton was then a supply until October. After a period of two months, Rev. 
W. B. Tolan was chosen pastor and continued in charge until January, 1887. 
During his pastorate the dedication took place (the main audience-room not 
being finished until spring of 1885), in December, 1885. The Rev. R. R. 
Albin was next chosen Pastor in March, 1887, and continued until March 1st, 
1890. Supplies were continued until October, when Bro. William Hall Jones 
became Pastor until June 1st, 1890. Bro. J. H. Haslam became Pastor July 
1st, and continued until April 24th, 1892, when he closed his labors with us, 
and was immediately succeeded by Bro. L. Willard Minch, of Crozer Semi- 
nary, he being in charge at the present time. The present officers are : Dea- 
cons, Jacob Benner, Joseph Rhoads, H. K. Pierson, W. F. Sutton, W. G. Ben- 
ner ; Clerk, Joseph Rhoads ; Trustees, J. Benner, H. K. Pierson, C. W. Dingee, 
M. L. Rossiter. The church organized with thirty-two constituent members, 
all from old Pennypack except six. 

Robert Barnes dwelt in the stone house adorned with ivy next below where 
Rev. Mr. Pumphrey resides. His daughter now lives there. 

Mr. Morey, who lived in the old farm-house lately purchased by Dr. Fil- 
bert, was from Yorkshire, England, and was an excellent farmer. This farm 
was owned by Charles Waterman. 

The old tenant-house of stone next below Abraham Harvey's tin-store was 
a hotel before either of the two named, and was called the War House. 

Opposite what was first called the Fox Chase Hotel is the store of A. F. 
Burk. This is an old stand and one of the most ancient houses in the village. 
William H. Tompkins kept the store previous to Mr. Burk and still previ- 
ously George W. Rhawn, and his predecessor was Joseph Miles, and John 
Trump preceded him. This was the father of John Trump, who had a store 
in Bustleton. 

Dr. Sibbell owns the old store building occupied by Mr. Styer. 

Rankin Hogensack's wheelwright-shop is of old date. Edmund Walton 
preceded Mr. Hogensack. 

Mr. Sutton conducts the saddler's shop owned by Dr. Sibbell. John Stem 
preceded him, being the first one to establish the business. 

The Fox Chase Chronicle was for a time published by Frank C. Benson in 
a building on the Main Street. 

Benjamin Benner established a newspaper depot about two years ago, in a 
building which was formerly Jeremiah Thatcher's shoe-shop. His son Harry 
conducts the business in another place. 

James C. Davis succeeded his father in the blacksmithing business. 

Mr. Wilson is the baker of the village. 

Dr. John Sibbell and Dr. Chandler Weaver are the physicians of the place. 

Frederick Godschall and Albert Hellerman have coal-yards. 

The Newtown Railroad built a nice frame depot about two years ago. 



FOX CHASE. 415 

The old eight-square stone schoolhouse was torn down about the same time. 
In former days it was used for rehgious services alternately by the Baptists, Epis- 
copalians and Presbyterians. Rev. Dr. Buchanan, rector of Trinity Church, 
Oxford, and Rev. Dr. Steel, of Abington Church, Moretown, used to officiate. 

Dr. Weaver's two ancient stone houses were on James Comly's farm. The 
one occupied by the Doctor was built by Mr. Thesing, a German who owned 
the farm, having bought of William L. Paxson, who had purchased of Mr. 
Comly, a relative of Franklin Comly, the former President of the North Penn 
Railroad. The other house mentioned was the residence of James Comly. 

Below is a large farm, and the dwelling is opposite the point where the rail- 
way crosses the turnpike. The Jeanes family own this place, and George 
Thornton is the farmer occupying it. Mr. Eddowes previously owned this 
property and dwelt on it. 

William Livezey has built a fine brown-stone residence on Rhawn Street. 

Thomas Black has erected a pretty frame house nearly opposite. 

George Rhawn's farm was bought of Mr. Bute. It was previously owned 
by Harper Nice. Anthony Livezey built the old mansion and owned a large 
surrounding tract, including William H. Rhawn's property. 

I am indebted to Mr. George Rhawn for much useful information about 
this section and Fox Chase village here recorded. 

Miles Livezey formerly owned the next farm below that of Mr. Rhawn on 
the Verree Road. His son • Edward now owns it. Next below is George 
Snyder's farm. 

George Blake's farm, opposite William H. Rhawn's, was owned by his father, 
John Blake. 

Jacob Blake, who owned the land now in possession of the Blake Land 
Association, was a brother of George Blake. 

George Blake's son Edward owns and occupies the place on the south cor- 
ner of Rhawn Street and the Verree Road. 

John Livezey's former farm contains an old brick dwelling which dates 
back many a long year. It lies on School Road, now called Rhawn Street. 
In plastering, some ancient letters were found on one of the beams, which 
have made a note of remembrance in the neighborhood. 

Thomas Nice, son-in-law of Mr. Livezey, bought the property after the death 
of his father-in-law. James C. Pierson, father of Henry K. Pierson, next 
owned the place. 

Henry R. Pierson bought his farm, where he resides opposite, of Joseph 
Stulb. His mother lives with him. 

The Livezey farm is still owned by the family and occupied by Mr. Pier- 
son's son-in-law, William Leach. 

The Edwards estate is below this place. 

The Potts family, of Philadelphia, have a summer residence in a romantic 
spot at the picturesque Seddon's dam where woodland and water combine to 
please the eye. There was a saw-mill and manufactory here years ago. 



416 FOX CHASE. 

Mr. Rafe built the woolen factory and saw-mill, which have disappeared. 
James Guthrie ran the factory for Mr. Rodman for a time. 

KNOWLTON. 

This pleasant country-seat, on the east corner of Verree Road and Rhawn 
Street, was named after John Knowles, the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. 
Rhawn, who lies buried in Oxford Church-yard. 

The house, built in modernized Queen Anne style, was completed and occu- 
pied in 1881. The architects were Furness, Evans & Co. 

The ground was purchased of the estate of Isaac Livezey. 

The stone was quarried on the ground. 

The vestibule and hall are finished in oak, and the rest of the interior of 
the house is of white pine wood with shellac finish. The wide hall is a prom- 
inent feature. 

The dwelling is furnished with open fireplaces, which are pleasant and 
healthful companions in winter. 

The house is roofed with slate, and the stable is built in corresponding style. 
About twelve acres compose the lawn and grass-plot, and Mr. Rhawn has pur- 
chased an additional farm, with its buildings, adjoining this property, which 
belonged at one time to the Blake family. 

Mr. Rhawn is the President of the National Dank of the Republic in Phila- 
delphia, and of the American Bankers' Association. He has shown, great 
interest in the improvement of country roads in this region, and has issued 
a book on the subject, entitled ''A Move for Better Roads," acting as Chair- 
man of a Committee of Citizens of Philadelphia. He is the Treasurer of the 
National League for Good Roads. 

DIGBY. 

This cosy and pleasant old mansion, in its ample lawn amid the trees, has 
an inviting look. The open fireplaces and a carved wood mantel of the olden 
time give a comfortable feeling in winter, and the crackling wood and pleas- 
ant fire recall good days, when dry coal heat was unknown, and the chimney 
ventilator did its useful work. A hall runs through the mansion and an 
abundance of windows in the old style gives a free light. 

The wood carving of tiie dining-room mantel is a work of exquisite art, 
with its design of figures in high relief and its upright columns, and must 
have employed the carver for a long time. 

A part of the rear of the house has been constructed for much over a cen- 
tury. It has received various additions. 

The property dates from William Penn's day. The Swift family of Phila- 
delphia owned it for a long time, and Mr. Marquedant, a French gentleman, 
purchased it and left it by will to his nephew, Mr. Burns, the Church book- 



FOX CHASE. 417 

seller of Philadelphia, the father of Charles M. Burns, the architect, of Phil- 
adelphia. 

Mr. Edward S. Handy, a Philadelphia merchant, purchased it of Mr. Burns. 

The name Digby was given by the Swift family to commemorate their 
friend. Lord Digby of England. Since the death of Mr. Handy, the place 
has been the residence of Mrs. Handy and her family. 

EDWARD SMITH HANDY. 

" The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Cen- 
tury " has a sketch of Mr. Handy's life, with a portrait. I will briefly con- 
dense the article. 

Mr. Handy was born at Snow Hill, Maryland, January 5th, A. D. 1813. 
One of his sisters married Chancellor Bates of Delaware, and another Gover- 
nor Saulsbury of the same State, and another was the wife of Charles C. 
Carroll, Esq., of Maryland, and a fourth married George H. Martin, of Phila- 
delphia. Three brothers resided in Philadelphia. Edward was the father's 
executor. He attended Snow Hill Academy, but went into his father's store 
when a lad, and became a partner at the early age of eighteen. In 1834 he 
entered into the hardware business in Philadelphia, keeping up an interest at 
Snow Hill. Goods were then carried by wagons to Pittsburg, and " by 
' Hand's Line ' of sailing packets to New Orleans," and up the Mississippi by 
steamers. 

Mr. Handy remembered the row of Conestoga wagons before " General Rob- 
ert Patterson's grocery store, loading for Pittsburg." In summer, goods were 
carried by railroad to Columbia, and on by canal to Pittsburg. 

Mr. Handy was careful in business and successful. In 1838, with his uncle, 
George Handy, he " purchased the large and handsome store of Henry Bird & 
Co., on Market Street, between Third and Fourth." In 1842 he bought his 
uncle's interest, and the firm became Edward S. Handy & Co. This enter- 
prising merchant used to travel in winter on horseback in the West and the 
Southwest. In 1846 he visited England for business and recreation, sailing in 
the "Susquehanna," of Cope's Line. He made a tour on the Continent, and 
sailed the homeward voyage with Washington Irving, who had been Ameri- 
can minister at Madrid. In 1848 Mr. Handy sold his stock to Martin & 
Smith, though still being " a special partner." 

"In 1849 he married Virginia, daughter of Hon. Henry Hunter Bryan, of 
Montgomer}' County, Tennessee," long a member of Congress from that State, 
while his two brothers were representatives from North Carolina, the State of 
his own birth. It is not a common occurrence for three brothers to sit* in 
Congress at one time, and perhaps this is the only case on record. 

The children of this marriage were "Virginia Smith, Alice Smith, Edward 
Smith and Harry Hunter Smith." In 1855 Mr. Handy went into "business 
with John G. Brenner, as Handy & Brenner," and afterward Handy, Brenner 
27 - 



418 FOX CHASE. 

& Co. In 1873 he retired from business. He was a member of the City- 
Council, and was active and useful in the Finance Committee, and was Presi- 
dent of the Philadelphia Exchange Company, Director of the Frankford and 
Southwark City Passenger Railway Company, and of the Girard National 
Bank, and of the Philadelphia Trust, Safe Deposit and Insurance Company. 
He held other offices of trust, showing the high estimation in which he was 
held by his fellow-citizens, Mr. Handy died October 2d, 1889, and is buried 
at Laurel Hill. 

Nearly opposite Digby is a brown-stone cottage owned by the Handy fam- 
ily and occupied by Mr. Hellerman. 

Dr. James Mease's " Pictures of Philadelphia in 1811," quoted by "Pen- 
man in the Germantown Telegraph, July 13, 1892," contains the following note 
on our region : 

Another " tour " is up the river to Frankford. • " At the upper end of that 
village a road passes off from the turnpike to the left hand ; pursuing this, 
you ride a few miles, passing Oxford Church ; thence a short distance to a 
place called ' the Fox Chase ; ' here it will be proper to inquire the most direct 
way past Friends' Meeting-house (Abington)— near which is the cave for many 
years inhabited by the celebrated Benjamin Lay, a singular but pious charac- 
ter — to Jenkin Town." In a foot-note we are informed there is chalybeate 
water at Abington, " highly useful in cases of pure debility, jaundice, etc." 
" Being now ten miles from the city, you may either return there or proceed 
northwardly four miles to Willow Grove, where at Rex's tavern you can be 
well entertained. Here is also a fine spring highly impregnated with iron, 
and a spacious bath-house supplied with the mineral water." 

CHELTENHAM. 

Rush Rowland's residence — of blue stone, quarried in the neighborhood — 
is a pleasant and cosy home, with an ample yard adorned with shrubbery. 
The house was erected in 1874. Jacob Mattis, of Fox Chase, was the builder. 

THE THOMAS ROWLAND MANSION 

Was purchased by that gentleman about 1833, of John C. Cresson, who 
purchased it of Judge McKean. Originally there were one hundred and fifty 
acres in the property. Colonel Miles, from whom Judge McKean bought the 
place, built the stone house which stands back from the road, and the rhodo- 
dendrons on the lawn are well-known marks of beauty. Thomas's son Lyn- 
ford owns and occupies the house. 

Thomas Rowland's father, Benjamin, started the Shovel Works. He lived 
in the old house at the foot of the hill, with a pointed roof. 

Lynford Rowland, Sr., and Lynford Rowland, Jr., Howard Rowland, Rush 
Rowland and Edwin S. Rowland constitute the present firm. 



FOX CHASE. 419 

The farm-house opposite the Works belonged to the Myers family, but is now 
the property of the Myers Land Association, comprised of the family. 

The Beecher Land Association has sold several lots, and some houses have 
been erected. 

The pleasant houses of Dr. Rummell, Rush Rowland, Howard Rowland, 
Frank Hansell and Charles Dougherty are all on the Thomas Rowland tract, 
which Lynford Rowland bought from him. The son-in-law of Lynford Row- 
land, Charles Magarge Levis's house is opposite that of Howard Rowland. 

Albert J. Myers is the present post-master, at his dry goods and grocery 
store. Some old houses near the pretty schoolhouse speak plainly of antiquity. 

Cheltenham Hall is in this village. 

The Roman Catholic Church of the Presentation, lately built, is in charge 
of Rev. John H. Loughran. 

WALTHAMSTOW. 

Mrs. Wain's pleasant place is so named from a Wain estate in England. 
The old property opposite St. Paul's (William Welsh Memorial) Church, Har- 
rowgate, Frankford, bore the same name. See " Burholme " in this volume 
concerning other country-places of the Wains. 

Walthamstow is the residence of Mrs. Wain and Miss Wain. The stone 
dwelling is far back from the road, giving a wide stretch of lawn. 

HEIDELBERG. 

Robert Bowne Haines purchased this property about 1850. There are 
about one hundred acres. Cheltenham Nursery has been conducted by him 
for some thirty years. The place was bought of Amos Jones. The Jones 
family owned considerable land in this region, including Carlton Adams's 
place. 

Mrs. Haines is one of the Wistar family of Hilton. 

The land in front of the house here is pleasantly undulating, and trees 
arranged in a natural manner make a pretty lawn. 

LIFFORD HALL— FORMERLY FONT HILL. 

This magnificent residence was built by John Cook, and was purchased by 
Harvey Carlton Adams in 1883. He has named it " Lifford Hall." 

CHELTENHAM— BY W. H. MYERS. 

The village of Cheltenham, formerly called " Milltown," is situated in the 
extreme lower end of Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, border- 



420 FOX CHASE. 

ing on the Philadelphia County Line. It is about two miles southeast from 
the Old York Road, on a line nearly parallel with the village of Ashbourne. 
It contains at the present time about eight hundred inhabitants. Its popula- 
tion is fast increasing. Nearly one hundred substantial residences have been 
built during the past three years. 

The Myers farm, containing seventy acres, which lies on the northeast side 
of the town, has been divided into building lots, most of them being fifty by 
one hundred and fifty feet and larger in size. This ground is being rapidly 
built upon. The ground, being high, commands an excellent view of the 
surrounding country. 

The old Myers mansion and barn on this estate is one of the ancient land- 
marks of this section, it having been in the ownership of the Myers family 
over one hundred years. 

Reuben Myers, father of the present owners of the farm, died in the old 
mansion about four years ago, aged eighty-four years, having been born there, 
as was his father, Jacob Myers, before him. The latter was the owner of a 
large tract of land joining Cheltenham Village. 

The old house, barn and four acres of land is now owned by Thomas Nich- 
olson, Jr., who occupies it and is a coal operator at Ashbourne. 

The owners of the farm at present, and operating it in company, are the 
children of the late Reuben and Margaret Myers, namely : Albert J., John 
A., Sarah N. and William H. They all at present reside in or near the vil- 
lage. 

Adjoining the village on the northeast side is the Beecher farm, once owned 
by Joseph K. Beecher, a wealthy harness-maker of Philadelphia. This farm 
was also at one time a part of the Myers tract, and was left by will to Jacob 
Myers, brother of Reuben Myers, both now deceased. 

This farm has been divided into building lots and is operated by an 
Association known as the " Beecher Land Company." It was organized with 
the following officers : 

President — Frank Williams, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Vice-President — Frederick Godshall, Fox Chase, Pa. 

Secretary — Joseph W. Hunter, Jenkintown, Pa. 

Treasurer — Thomas B. Prosser, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Solicitor — Joseph Ball, Frankford, Pa. 

There are also ten directors, several of whom are residents of Cheltenham 
Village. 

Quite a number of houses have been built on this tract. The streets have 
all been dedicated and accepted by Cheltenham Township, and are now pub- 
lic highways. Nearly all the lots on this tract have been sold or taken by 
stockholders of the company. 

The business men of the village are: Albert J. Myers, General Merchandise 
and Post-Office ; Daniel Krewson, General Merchandise ; E. Ross Engle, Gro- 
ceries, Provisions and Dry Goods ; Samuel Morton, Groceries and Provisions ; 



l-^i-r :'^: 



^-â– :: 




3^ 



« 



O 
Q 

Q 
I— I 

W 

o 

W 

P 



FOX CHASE. 423 

Philip Seltzer, Meat and Provisions ; Harry Ott, Barber ; James Mclntyre, 
Coal Dealer; Isaac Krewson, Segars, Tobacco and Confectionery; W. H. 
Myers, Real Estate Broker, Fire Insurance and Conveyancing; William T. 
Harvey, Blacksmith ; William S. Gayde, Builder ; William Lackard & Son, 
Florists and Seedmen. 

On the street leading to the station, known as Myers Avenue (formerly Mill 
Road), several fine residences have been built within the past four years on a 
tract of land that about twenty years ago was purchased from the Hellerman 
family by The " Laflin & Rand " Powder Company for the purpose of locating 
a magazine for storing powder; but the citizens of the village, headed by 
Thomas Rowland, Sr., father of the present members of the Rowland shovel 
firm, entered an injunction upon them and the project was given up. The 
land laid unimproved until about four years ago, when James Mclntyre, an 
enterprising resident of the village, purchased it from the Powder Company 
and sold the larger part of it out in building lots. 

The following-named persons own and occupy houses on this tract: Rev. 
George Heacock, a retired Methodist Minister ; William H. Myers, Real Estate 
Broker; James Good, Shoemaker; Misses Hannah and Julia Hellerman; 
James Mclntyre, Coal Dealer; Reuben H. Krewson, Builder; Thomas Fisher, 
in the Shovel Works ; and Robert B. Tees, Book-keeper for the Rowland firm. 
These residences have in them the latest modern conveniences, and are model 
suburban homes. 

There are two Churches in the town : the Methodist Episcopal, built in 
1830, which has also a commodious parsonage and grounds attached, and 
the Roman Catholic, built in 1891. Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church is 
also near the village, on the southeast, and a number of the residents are 
members there. 

There is also a fine Public School Building, erected in 1883, at a cost of over 
eight thousand dollars, on the site of one of the oldest public school buildings 
in Montgomery County. The school is known as the "George K. Heller " 
Public School, named in honor of an old resident of that name, wdio served 
as a school director in Cheltenham District for thirty consecutive years. 

The building is of stone, one story high, with belfry, and has three rooms, 
being divided into three divisions — primary, secondary and grammar. It is 
conducted by excellent teachers, according to the most advanced methods of 
the times. The whole township is under the charge of a general superin- 
tendent or visiting teacher, who has charge and oversight of all the schools. 

Scholars from this school have a chance of promotion to a Township High- 
school, located at Ashbourne. Quite a number of scholars are availing them- 
selves of this opportunity, and have the advantage of a regular High-school 
course. 

Among those who have fine country-seats adjacent to the village are : 

William B. Gill, Esq., Superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph 
Company (on Laurel Avenue, formerly Richard P. Lardner's place.) 



424 FOX CHASE. 

Dr. John Rommel, Jr., President of the Farmers and Mechanics National 
Bank of Philadelphia. 

Charles A. Dough ert}', Esq., of the firm of Dougherty Brothers. 

Henry Carlton Adams, Esq. 

Thomas Rowland, Jr. 

Robert B. Haines, Esq., Nurseryman and Florist. 

Mrs. Wain, wife of the late Edward Wain, Esq., Attorney-at-Law. 

Charles M. Levis, Esq., of the Megargee paper-firm, Philadelphia. 

Lynford Rowland, Esq., Howard Rowland, Esq., Rush Rowland, Esq., 
Edwin S. Rowland, Esq. — of the Rowland Shovel Works. 

The new terminus of the Reading Railroad at Twelfth and Market, when 
completed, will greatly enhance the value of property in and around Chelten- 
ham. The distance from the New Terminal Depot being only eight miles, 
persons doing business in the city will have easy access to and from their 
offices or stores. 

At present there are thirteen trains each way running to Third and Berks 
Street Depot, a distance from Cheltenham of six miles. 

A project is being considered to have the town lighted by the electric cur- 
rent in the near future. 

BURHOLME. 

This farm was owned and occupied by Mr. McMullen, who sold to Mr. Jor- 
dan, who sold in turn to the late Wm. Dedaker, afterward of Bustleton. Mr. 
Dedaker sold to Joseph Jeanes, and it was purchased from him by Joseph W. 
Ryerss, who built the mansion. 

Burholme was the name of the English residence of a Richard Wain. The 
name is given to the beautiful Ryerss' mansion, near Oxford Church, on the 
Newtown Railroad. Robert Wain Ryerss, of this place, is descended from 
Robert Walu on his mother's side, and from Richard Wain, of New Jersey, on 
his father's. 

Burholme may well remind one of an English country-seat. A long, grav- 
eled avenue, lined with fine trees, leads up the hill to the mansion, which is 
built upon a foundation of solid rock. From the piazza the beholder is struck 
with the delightful view^ ; but the extensive prospect from the fine observa- 
tory on the top of the house exceeds anything which I have seen in this sec- 
tion of country. The panorama of hill and valley and woodland is simply 
magnificent. On a clear day the spires of Philadelphia, and Mount Holly 
in New Jersey, are alike visible ; while the villages of Fox Chase, Bustleton, 
Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown and Holmesburg lie under the eye of the 
delighted observer. The height of the house, added to the height of the hill, 
gives this extended sweep of view. This is the beginning of the Chelten 
Hills, and when Southern troops were feared, before the battle of Gettysburg, 
stakes were driven on the high ground of this estate for a proposed fortifica- 
tion, happily never to be erected. 



FOX CHASE. 427 

In the hall of this house stand two large arm-chairs which belonged to 
William Penn, and were given by his brother Richard to a member of the 
Walne family in England. 

Heyheade, in England, was the name of the place of Nicholas Wain. 

Chapelcroft w^as the English residence of Edward Walne. It was so called 
because it was a monastic establishment before the Wain family purchased it. 
The name is perpetuated in the residence of General Pennock Huey, at Bus- 
tleton, Mrs. Huey having been a Wistar. The Wains and the Wistars are 
related to each other. 

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OXFORD. 

Rev. Dr. Buchanan, a former rector, issued a book on the history of this 
venerable parish, and the author of the present work gave its history also in 
his volume entitled " Early Clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware." He will 
here briefly condense that sketch. 

Rev. Thomas Clayton, who died in 1698, and Rev. Dr. Evan Evans, and 
Rev. John Thomas, of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and the Sw^edish clergy- 
man, Andreas Rudman, meet us at the beginning of the life of Trinity 
Church, and the history of Christ Church in " Early Clergy " tells more con- 
cerning those early toilers in Christ's vineyard. Bishop Perry's Collections 
give notes from the records of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel 
in Foreign Parts touching the subject, and showing the kind care of the 
English Church. 

Mr. Humphreys writes of the faithful missionary, Rev. John Clubb, that 
he preached to various congregations. The Oxford Vestry wrote, saying, ** It 
hath pleased Almighty God to take unto Himself our loving and beloved 
pastor, Mr. John Clubb." The letter has no date. Edward Collins and others 
sign it. They " know the want of a good minister by sad experience, par- 
ticularly in our great loss in the decease of our late Godly minister, 'Rev. Mr. 
John Clubb, who was entirely beloved of this congregation ; who is now, we 
doubt not, entered into the joy of his Lord." Exposure in rides of twenty 
miles from St. David's, Radnor, to Oxford, over " dismal " roads in winter 
appear to have hastened his death. The letter announcing his decease was 
written in 1718. 

Rev. John Humphreys, of Chester, had had oversight of the parish before 
Mr. Clubb took charge, being one of the donors of the Church Paten. He 
was the son of a physician in Ireland, and died in Virginia. Dr. David 
Humphreys, Secretary of the Propagation Society, mentions him as a diligent 
and beloved missionary. 

Rev. Robert Weyman is marked by his " good and mild management." He 
sought not honor from man, but from Christ, the Divine Master. He held an 
afternoon lecture with " numerous auditory " at Frankford, in the house of 
the excellent schoolmaster, Mr. Walton. Mr. Weyman's work at Oxford, 



428 FOX CHASE. 

Radnor, and St. Thomas's Church, Whitemarsh, drew forth the constant " love 
and confidence of his increasing flock," as Rev. James S. M. Anderson notes in 
his History of the Colonial English Church. The first glebe of the parish, 
between Frankford and Holmesburg, now the Cornelius place, was purchased 
in this rector's day. He died at another post in Christ's service, with his 
armor on. The day before his death he wrote to the Society, praying for 
God's blessing on its members. Rev. Edward Vaughan watched his dying 
hour, and sent home the testimony that he had been "a true and faithful 
laborer in God's vineyard." This dying bed was "but just this side of 
heaven," as Young expresses it, and he who taught others how to die, exem- 
plifies his words in action. 

On St. John's Day, 1733, Rev. Alexander Howie succeeded Mr. Weyman. 
Dr. Buchanan describes him as " conscientious, careful and good." Roman 
Catholics, Anabaptists and Quakers came into the Church in his ministry at 
Perkiomen. The zealous missionary endangered his life in riding over creeks 
between Whitemarsh and Perkiomen. He went to the West Indies. 

From 1742 to 1758, Rev. iEneas Ross, son of Rev. George Ross, of New 
Castle, Delaware, was in charge. He is noted in Rev. Dr. Sprague's valu- 
able Annals. He was ordained in England in 1719. In 1741 he reports the 
Baptism of twelve negro men and women at Christ Church, Philadelphia, 
who were examined in the Catechism before the congregation, to the admira- 
tion of the hearers. Nine were baptized together. He filled Christ Church 
in a vacancy. His country Sunday services were generally crowded. 

In 1758 Rev. Hugh Neill had charge of Oxford mission. Sprague's Annals 
gives notes of him when in Dover, Delaware. His Sunday evening colored 
class there numbered one hundred. He baptized one hundred and nine negro 
adults and seventeen of their children. 

In 1760 Rev. Charles Inglis, afterward Bishop of Nova Scotia, was in charge 
of Dover. 

Mr. Neill officiated, generally on summer Sunday evenings, in Germantown 
for one season at least. He taught his people from house to house. 

In 1766 Dr. William Smith assumed charge. He was a Scotchman and 
Provost of the College of Philadelphia. His life has been written by his 
descendant, Horace Wemyss Smith. He was an active man of note in Church 
and State. The College was merged into the University of Pennsylvania. 
Dr. Smith was elected Bishop of Maryland, but did not accept the position. 
In 1785 another Rev. Dr. William Smith, by a strange coincidence, took 
charge of Oxford and All Saints, Lower Dublin. A notice of him is in 
Sprague's Annals. He too was a Scotchman. He composed the office of 
Institution in the Prayer-Book and wrote an important book on Church 
Music. He was at the head of the famous Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, 
Connecticut, where students were often educated for the ministry. This zeal- 
ous man was an animated extempore speaker. He died in New York in 1821, 
in his sixty-ninth year. 



FOX CHASE. 429 

In 1786 Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore succeeded him. I have sketched his life 
in the Standard of the Cross and in the History of St. Paul's, Philadelphia, in 
" Early Clergy." He was a man of wondrous zeal, and, when a Methodist, 
travelled largely through the States in a chaise, working as a powerful evan- 
gelist. John Neagle painted his portrait, which may bo seen at St. George's 
Hall, Philadelphia, and at the rooms of the Historical Society of Pennsylva- 
nia. An engraving of it is in " Early Clergy," and William H. Rhawn has 
one marked with a note that William Overington, an aged vestryman of Trin- 
ity Church, who has just died in his hundredth year, had heard him preach 
in his forcible manner. He was rector of St. Paul's, Philadelphia, and Christ 
Church, New York. 

Bishop John Henry Hobart, of New York, succeeds in this list of cele- 
brated rectors. This strong man was, as Governor John A. King says, trans- 
parent and of an " elevated impetuosity." He was here but a short time. 
Bishop Hare is his grandson. 

Rev. James Wiltbank was rector from 1810 to 1816. This worthy man was 
styled " Parson Wiltbank." Rev. Dr. James W. Robins, late Head-Master of 
the Episcopal Academy, is his grandson, and Dr. R. P. Robins his great-grand- 
son. 

Rev. George Scheetz, father of Rev. F. B. Scheetz, of Kirkwood, Missouri, 
was the next Rector. He was born m 1785, and ordained by his friend. 
Bishop White, in 1816, in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia. He lived a short 
time in Bustleton, and also at Collegeville; but afterward owned and occu- 
pied Charles Snyder's farm at Sandiford. His study yet stands as a separate 
building. Emmanuel Church, Holmesburg, and St. Mark's, Frankford, were 
founded during his rectorship. For some time he held All Saints, Lower 
Dublin, with Trinity Church, Oxford. This holy man, describing the death 
of a parishioner, Mrs. Catherine Justice, of Delaware, said that she had "gone 
to her everlasting rest in the sweetest "peace." We may now apply the words 
to him. He was a friend of the saintly Bishop Lee, of Delaware, and was in 
his diocese for a time. The yellow record books in Mr. Overington's keeping 
told a long story of this parish. 

We can but speak briefly of living rectors. Rev. Dr. Edward Young 
Buchanan had a long and useful rectorship, and-was much beloved and hon- 
ored. Rev. R. Bowden Shepherd's rectorship was a successful one. Rev. Henry 
Macbeth, his successor, was the means of having the church beautifully 
improved by the designs of Furness, Evans & Co. May Rev. H. A. F. Hoyt, 
who succeeded him, long serve the parish as faithfully as his honored pre- 
decessors, to the glory of God in Christ, is the prayer of his neighboring rector, 
the author of this book. 

In going down the Second Street Pike below the Old Soldier Road, the 
growing village of Lawndale, with its Presbyterian Church and Post-Office, 
is passed, and the Wentz Reservoir and the Young farm, with its fine old man- 
sion and large barn, finished in good old-fashioned style. This place was 



430 FOX CHASE. 

once the residence of William Overington's father, and, after his death, con- 
ducted by himself. Crescentville is soon reached, on a road branching on the 
right hand. Here are factories and Trinity Chapel, an offshoot of Trinity 
Church, Oxford. A drive on the left-hand road takes one down the Asylum 
Pike, past the beautiful house and lawn, of the Whitaker place and that of 
Mr. Nimlet, and other pretty places, and Mrs. Conover's farm, and the Friend's 
Asylum, with its well-kept grounds, to Frankford. 



^ ^ o^' < ^ 



BUSTLETON 



AND 



VICINITY. 



BY 

Rev. S. F. HOTCHKIN, 

1892. 



■^ — fe^* — ^-^ 



BUSTLETON. 

' A pleasant vale ; bright fields that lie 
On gentle slopes and knolls of green. 



"Cool, bowery lanes, 'mong happy hills; 
Old groves that shade ancestral eaves ; 
Farms which the prosperous season fills 
With flocks and fruits and golden sheaves. 

" A holy feeling soothes the air, 

The woodlands stand in musings sweet ; 
It seems as if the heart of prayer 
In all this charmed valley beat. 

"The hills are voiced with sacred speech, 
The meadows bloom with sweet desire. 



"In every path I see the trace 

Of feet that made the landscape dear; 
In every flower I feel the grace 

Of lives that purely blossomed here." 

The above lines were written by Rev. Dr. Powers, a former President of 
Griswold College, in Davenport, Iowa, who was once assistant minister to 
Dr. Bowman (afterward Bishop Bowman), in St. John's Church, Lancaster, Pa. 
An account of him may be found in my volume, " Country Clergy of Penn- 
sylvania," pages 159, 160. Amenia in New York was the native place of this 
author and poet, and the scene of the poem, but I borrow his lines to describe 
the scenery around Bustleton, a rustic village in a city, the rus in urbe of the 
Latins. 

The following articles, running on through the account of Sandiford,. 
excepting Sandiford's life, appeared in the Germantown Telegraph, A. D. 1889 
and 1890, under the editorship of that lover of local history, Henry W. Ray- 
mond, the son of the former well-known editor of the New York Times. Since 
that date H. C. Michener has been associated with Mr. Raymond in the editor- 
ship. He was previously familiar to the readers as a lively and instructive 
correspondent of the paper over the 7iom de plume " Iron Mask." The " Mask " 
is removed and discloses a literary countenance. The articles are mostly 
unchanged, though some additions and alterations have been made. Dates 
must be judged accordingly. 

The old tradition as to the origin of the name of Bustleton is that a man 
who used to pass through the place in the early morning observed a woman^ 
28 (433) 



434 BUSTLETON. 

at or near the present R. R. depot; who was always at work, and said the 
village ought to be called Bustleton, after " Bustling Bess," as she is said to 
have borne that appellation. 

Mr. John Heritage, who died years ago at an advanced age, is reported to 
have kept two other traditions, to which, I understand, he did not give great 
credit. One was that, in the Revolutionary AVar, many soldiers passed through 
here, going to Hatboro (Crooked Billet), and so the town was bustling ; and 
another that an attempt was made to sell lots of ground, which stirred the 
town. 

As Bristol and Byberry bear English names, and Byberry joins Bustleton, 
I have striven to trace the name to an English source, and have found that 
Brislington, a suburb of Bristol, resembles it. I have tried to trace the names 
of families in the Old World and the New, by means of the Torresdale (All 
Saints, Lower Dublin) Church record. The Archdeacon of Bristol, Rev. Dr. 
Norris, brought me into communication with Rev. John Lindsay, the rector 
of St. Luke's Church, Brislington. By a coincidence the churches in each 
town bear the same name. Mr. Lindsay writes that " Brislington was for- 
merly Busselton, and this name appears in the records of the parish." It is 
in the diocese of Bath and Wells. The English church register shows the 
following names agreeing with American ones: Waterman, Phillips, Peas- 
ley, Salter, Fox, Lever, Ward, Harding and Rich. There were many other 
Bristol names on the list which I sent which were not in the church register. 
The residents have changed greatly in the last two centuries. A photograph 
of St. Luke's Church, Brislington, sent me by the rector, shows a pretty 
church and tower, with a graveyard, surrounding the church. 

Bustleton, in Philadelphia, grew around a tavern which was established 
before the Revolution. On February 18, A. D. 1768, " there was advertised for 
sale a noted tavern, known by the name of Busseltown, late the property of 
Robert Greenway, Lower Dublin, Philadelphia County. — Ledger Almanac, 
A. D. 1881. From Thompson Westcott." 

The deeds of Judge Cox's former place at Blue Grass spell the name of the 
town in the same manner. This certainly looks toward the English origin. 

RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD BUSTLETON. 

The Hon. John P. Verree, former member of Congress and President of the 
Union League, kindly gave me the following reminiscences. They were writ- 
ten by him. He died after the manuscript was sent to the office of the paper. 
He had long been a man of mark in this neighborhood, where he spent much 
time, and was well known in the city. He died in the house at Verree's 
Mills where he was born. • It was the home of his father, James Verree. His 
sister, Mrs. Dr. Ingham, resides in it still. He says : 

" Amongst the many remembrances of my youth, there is one that was 
stereotyped upon my memory and was the first incident that I associated with 



BUSTLETON. 435 

Bustleton. I was quite a small boy, attending the school in the old school- 
house located upon the Welsh Road, about three-quarters of a mile from 
Bustleton. The foundation walls, or rather the earth foundation on which 
the stone walls were erected (for the acquisitiveness of man, without much 
regard to the right of property, has appropriated all the stones to his private 
use), marks the spot where the old building stood, a dilapidated house then 
more than sixty years ago. 

The history of the old schoolhouse is only an illustration of life and busi- 
ness. The land upon which it was located was given by my grandfather, 
James Paiul, a century and a half ago, and money contributed by the neigh- 
bors to erect the house, and up to the period of my youth it had been success- 
ful, under the teaching of Watts, Adams and Burk. About 1826 the trustees, 
all positive, determined men — of course not obstinate — quarrelled among 
themselves, and this teacher, Mr. Burk, and my father built a new school- 
house on a part of his farm, the house where Mr. Batesell now lives, and taking 
the teacher, Mr. Burk. Most of tlie scholars who attended the old school 
living nearer to the new schoolhouse than they did to the old one, of course 
the new one with the old teacher took all the scholars, and the old school 
was abandoned. 

I cheerfully acknowledge the courtesy of the Recorder of Deeds, Mr. Green, 
and Samuel A. Welsh, connected with his office, in aiding me in searching 
the ancient deeds as to original spelling of Bustleton, and the present mode 
does not seem to be the most ancient. 

Bustleton was supplied with good schools at that time and for many years 
previous. The Academy, located on the ground of the present public school, 
was noted and universally recognized as among the best of its grade. It had 
excellent teachers — Hibbs, Smith and others — soon after it was first built, 
almost, if not more than a century ago. I have heard my mother tell an 
amusing incident that occurred when a hurricane carried away the steeple, 
in which there was a bell ; it kept continually tolling until it reached the 
ground, some one-half a mile off. Every expedient was used at that period 
to raise money to build schoolhouses, and this Academy, as well as the one at 
Collegeville, above Holmesburg, was materially aided by lottery and other 
similar devices. In fact, it was not uncommon to raise money to build and 
furnish churches by such a system. 

There was also a boarding school for boys adjoining the Academy, con- 
ducted by Mr. John Neville, where they were qualified to enter college. Mr. 
Neville was a good classical scholar, and universally respected in the neigh- 
borhood. I was one of his day-scholars for two or three years. My daily walk 
was about one and a half miles from my residence through the woods in 
front of the old Pennypack Baptist Church, or, for a change, by a path 
through the farms of Dearman and Tomlinson. This path was as old as the 
hills, or as old as the oldest living man. It passed through their front yard, 



436 BUSTLETON. 

within a few feet of their front doors, and had been used from time immemo- 
rial by the resident's of Bustleton going and returning from church. 

On a vacant lot on the road leading from the Turnpike to the St. Luke's 
school were the remains of an old distillery. It was or had been a three-story 
stone building, and was then a ruin ; nothing but the walls were left, a fire 
havmg consumed everything combustible. The present building now used 
as the St. Luke's school has been enlarged ; but when I went to school to Mr. 
Neville, over fifty years ago, there was a tradition of the neighborhood that, 
at that building, for years there had been a very large and prosperous Acad- 
emy, and its suspension no doubt induced Mr. Neville to remove from Somer- 
ville, N. J., and locate in Bustleton. 

Bustleton, one hundred years ago, was distinguished for the number of 
famous men in science, art, religion, statesmanship and manufacture. 

Pennypack Church is distinguished as being the second oldest Baptist 
Church in America, built in the seventeenth century, and until about 1835 
was the onlj'- church building within four or five miles. Byberry Meeting, 
All Saints and Oxford Church were the nearest. 

A large circulating library was in existence for many years, with about 
two thousand volumes of the best standard works on all subjects. Mr. Enoch 
C. Edwards, the son of a distinguished physician of the village, was the 
librarian. The second story of his store, where the post-office is now located, 
was the library, and the neighbors valued its advantages and liberally patron- 
ized it. 

The village was also distinguished for having one of the oldest, if not the best 
calico-printing establishment in this State at least. It was located on the 
Pennypack Creek, adjoining the village, and was built and conducted by 
Wendell Perkins & Co. They employed one hundred or two hundred men, 
and had four or five four-horse teams to transport their goods to and from the 
city. They were successful for many years, but other locations nearer the 
market and improved machinery drove them out of the market. 

In addition to the Academies and schools located in Bustleton, Dr. Samuel 
Jones, pastor of Pennypack Church, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Univer- 
sity, had a school or college for preparing young men for the ministry. He 
lived about one mile from the village, adjoining the church. He was a man 
of high character and was much respected. Whilst he was the pastor of the 
Pennypack Church, he was active in starting the Union College of Rhode 
Island, and was offered the first Presidency of that institution (now Brown 
University). John Comly was partly educated under his instructions, in the 
classics at least. John Watts, a resident of that neighborhood, was also dis- 
tinguished as one of Pennsylvania's surveyors, and aided in running the 
Mason and Dixon Line, and for two or three generations persons of the same 
name had been surveyors and schoolmasters of that neighborhood. 

Mr. Samuel Swift, who lived on the Turnpike near Bell's Corners, was a 
great student and extensive farmer. 



. BUSTLETON. 437 

James Paul, an Englishman, a large landed proprietor and friend of Gal- 
loway and Cobbett, lived and died in this neighborhood. It was at his house 
that Mr. William Cobbett spent the most of his time when he w^as in this 
country, and he named one of his sons James Paul Cobbett after him, and 
another one John Morgan Cobbett after Mr. Paul's partner. 

Mr. Gallowa}' and Mr. Paul were intensely loyal to England during the 
Revolution. Mr. Galloway returned to England, and, fortunately for him, his 
large landed estate was in the name of his wife and could not be confiscated. 
And my grandfather's attachment to his family, or to three hundred or four 
hundred acres of land, I do not know which, made him politic at least, and, 
so far as I ever heard, he was loyal ; but it w^as a terrible trial to his English 
pride. My grandfather and father, Robert and James Verree, were men of 
strong, will and force of character, and compeers and associates with the 
prominent men of that locality. 

The location of the present grist-mill at Verree's Mills is where the Gwins' 
mill was, the oldest mill near Philadelphia — older than the mill at Holmes- 
burg, which was built about 1690. I have heard my father say that, when 
his father built the new stone mill, now all ruined, during the Revolution, 
the remains of the old Gwins' mill had to be removed, and then looked to 
be a hundred years old. 

Mr. Samuel Cox lived adjoining the village when I was a boy, on a large 
farm. He was a man of extensive reading and a great student. 

Captain George Breck lived adjoining Mr. Cox. He was the brother of Mr. 
Samuel Breck, of Philadelphia. The captain was the commanding officer of 
a volunteer militia company of cavalry, fifty to a hundred in number. I 
think they were called the Light-Horse Cavalry. The captain had a favorite 
grey horse of the Messenger stock, the finest stock of horses which had ever 
been imported at that time; and, as their caps were decorated with white 
horse-tails, the members tried to secure grey or white horses. This fact prob- 
ably w^as the reason of their name. Whenever they paraded, it was gala day 
with the men and women, and especially the boys in the village. 

Edward Duffield, of Bensalen, near Bustleton, was distinguished for his 
knowledge of Science, and his works on Motion were highly appreciated. I 
think he w^as an ancestor of Mrs. Henry, w^ho built your church. 

Mr. John Boileau, who died eight or ten years ago about ninety years old, 
was a prominent character in the village who w^as an associate of those I 
have named and recognized by them all. He was the auctioneer of the 
neighborhood and known to everybody, full of wit and humor, and availed 
himself of the opportunity, when selling goods at such sales, of amusing them 
and getting better prices. , He knew everybody and their business, and of 
course was valuable as a directory. 

Mr. Ralph Sandiford, after whom Sandiford was named, is not known. In 
fact many residents never heard of him. He was one of the earliest Aboli- 
tionists of this country. He was compeer and companion of Benjamin Lay 



438 BUSTLETON. 

and Pastorius of Gennantown. I honor men who have the courage of their 
convictions, and to be an Abolitionist, even in our time, made a man a crazy 
fanatic, ostracised socially and politically, by both Church and State. 

There were many old families besides those I have mentioned, who, from 
modesty, were more retired, who must not be overlooked — the Wrights, Duf- 
fields, Snyders, Shearers, Taylors, Dungans, etc., etc. 

The Rev. Theophilus Harris, who married the only child of Dr. Samuel 
Jones, the sreat-grandfather of Mrs. Dade and the Misses Henderson, was 
quite a prominent man. He had graduated in college before he came to this 
country, and was a Baptist minister. He built a Baptist Church in Bustleton 
and preached there for many years. 

I have omitted the name of one with whom I was personally more familiar 
than any. I mean Mr. John W. Trump, who died a few years ago, at the 
residence of his daughter, Mrs. E. G. Harrison, of Hulmeville. His father, 
John Trump, I remember as keeping store in the tin-shop adjoining the drug- 
gist. He owned the property, and was a prominent citizen, but simply a 
business man, and a very successful one. His son, John W. Trump, was the 
only son of a rich man, and married the sister of Dr. Swift, and socially and 
politically was quite a prominent man. Dr. Edward Swift was a well-known 
physician in the village. 

Having thus finished Mr. Verree's useful notes, we resume our narrative. 

The pleasant village of Bustleton, now within the city limits, grew around 
a country hotel. It consists mainly of a long street on the Turnpike, which, 
however, divides at the Post-Office, the pike leading to Frankford, and the 
Welsh Road to Holmesburg, 

In olden times, the traveller sought the Camel Tavern, in Second Street, 
between Race and Arch, west side, and found a four-horse coach waiting to 
bring him hitherward. On Saturdays extra coaches ran, and a lively ride, 
inside or on top, was pleasant on a summer's day. On alternate days, the 
Matamoras Stage Line passed through to Pennington, N. J., in 1832. 

In the early settlement of the country, the Welsh from North Wales and 
its vicinity came down on horseback, sometimes in a procession of thirty or 
forty in number, to bring their grists to Gwins' Mill at Verreeville and the 
old mill at Holmesburg. Hence came the name Welsh Road. 

Now the railway train wakes the town. The romantic and beautiful Penny- 
pack, which skirts the branch railway for a short distance, makes it the pret- 
tiest part of the ride from the city, except the point of crossing the Schuylkill. 

A half-century ago the flour wagons from Bridgetown, and from Mather's 
Mill at Neshaminy Falls and elsewhere, used to enliven the pike ; now the 
stream of hay-wagons and farm-wagons loaded with produce presents a busy 
scene. 

The scenery in this vicinity is exceedingly charming. The rolling hills 
and the height above the river make a healthy country. The woods which 
skirt the Pennypack afford pleasant walks in summer, and are beautiful 




o 
o 



BUSTLETON. 441 

under the winter snow or adorned with icy covering. Anciently, a toll-gate 
stood in the center of the village, but it departed some time before its keeper, 
the aged John Heritage, gave up his earthly toil. 

Bustleton has long iiad a renown as a carriage-making town, and many a 
carriage has the name of " Gregg," or " Heritage," or " Krewson," on its plate. 
It was a pretty sight at Heritage's spring sale to see thousands of dollars' 
worth of shining carriages lining the street. The Bustleton Print Works 
were old, but a plumbago factory preceded them. The single arch of the 
bridge on the pike at these works is noted for its wide span, while the water- 
fall is very picturesque. 

William Cobbett spent much time with his special friend, James Paul, a 
farmer who lived near the village, and it is said that in yellow fever times 
some of his sharp printing was done at a house called the Bee Hive, near the 
depot. A pear tree planted by Cobbett yet stands. 

Captain George Breck, a brother of Samuel Breck, who owned the Sweet 
Brier place in Fairmount Park, resided in an old mansion near the village, 
wherQ ancient ])ines still line the carriage-way. He had a volunteer troop of 
fifty or more mounted men, who rode white or gray horses, and it was a grand 
day for men and children when their exercises took place. His son, Rev. Dr. 
Lloyd Breck, was a noted Episcopal missionary and teacher in Wisconsin, 
Minnesota and California; while the good missionary's son, Rev. W. A. M. 
Breck, now continues the work in California. 

Rev. Ebenezer Kinnersley, the rival or peer of Dr. Franklin in electrical 
inventions, and a professor of the University of Pennsylvania, lies buried at 
the old cemetery of Pennypack or Lower Dublin Baptist Church, near this 
village. 

Judge John D. Coxe, brother of Tench t^^oxe, who was Commissioner of the 
Revenue under Jefferson, had a country-seat, at Blue Grass, near this place, 
and Judge Rush resided on the Bustleton Pike, on George Schlosser's former 
home, now John Biddle's farm. 

Of late years new life has come into the old village. The removal of Ury 
House School, under Charles H. Strout's care, from Fox Chase brings young, 
bright faces to our streets. " St. Luke's School," as it is now styled, worships 
in the beautiful and architectural St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where the 
boys render the music acceptably, under the leadership of Mr. Kimball, one 
of the teachers. (Mr. Tipton has now succeeded Mr. Kimball.) 

Cottagedale, near the station, has sold many lots, while General Huey offers 
his farm opposite to buyers, and Messrs. Fisher and Marshall have erected 
new buildings. 

Cottagedale is a section of William F. Dedaker's farm, still further up the 
Turnpike, above a fine new residence lately built by John F. Lodge, which 
has a handsome lawn in front of it. T. C. Pearson was the real estate agent 
who conducted the division of this property. A number of neat cottages have 
sprung up upon it. 



442 BUSTLETON. 

St. Luke's School occupies the site of an ancient boarding-school, while 
some Philadelphians may remember their school-days at John Neville's 
boarding-school, now the home of Robert J. Wright, LL.D. Near Pennypack 
Church, its former pastor, Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones, a man of learning and high 
position, had formerly a school, mainly for training those studying for the 
ministry. In this school John Comly, an eminent preacher among the Friends, 
received a part of his education, and those who date their beginning of learn- 
ing from his spelling-book should highly regard the spot. 

May the old order, now changing into the new, bring many more illustri- 
ous names to this old suburban village, where the present erection of build- 
ings betokens renewed life. 

For years Bustleton dwelt quietly, with but little to stir it except the passing 
hay and farm-wagons journeying to and from the city, and they were 
abundant. Sometimes a procession of them may now be seen almost touch- 
ing each other, so that drivers have company and the horses are not lonely. 
There is much exposure in winter storms and in night trips endured by these 
faithful men, who sometimes make a round trip of thirty or forty miles to 
supply Philadelphia with food. When the factories and mills along the 
Pennypack Creek near Bustleton were in operation, Saturday evenings would 
see gatherings ; but steam has driven the creeks aside, and water-power is less 
esteemed, and the print-works and the burned grist-mill, and Seddon's, and 
Slater's and Verree's factories no longer wake the country echoes. 

The coming of the branch railway from Holmesburg Junction to Bustleton, 
a distance of over four miles, a number of years ago made a temporary stir, 
and some new buildings were erected in the upper part of the village. 

The cutting up of the late Squire Joseph M. Banes's property into building 
lots began improvements of late. A part of the land lay on the turnpike, 
and Joseph D. Marshall built a beautiful Queen Anne cottage of wood on 
the corner of Banes Street and the Pike, while John Brown erected another 
tasteful residence just above Squire Banes's house. 

John M. Fisher has done much to improve the town. He purchased some 
land of Squire Banes, and sold a number of lots at a moderate rate to induce 
improvement. He built his own brown-stone mansion first. This is an orna- 
ment to the place, with its modern improvements and pretty, well-kept lawn. 
Mr. Fisher sold the lot on which the beautiful cottage of the late Nathan 
Boileau was erected, now occupied by Mr. Kirkbride (since purchased and 
occupied by Dr. George Byers). Mr. Fisher built large twin-houses with 
brown-stone fronts, having modern improvements, just below the Boileau 
House. Albert Evans and John Comly have purchased them. 

Messrs. Donaldson Marshall, Robert Craig and Joseph Ball, as a syndicate, 
purchased nine acres of land which Mr. Fisher had previously bought of the 
Morgan Dungan estate and of Edward Foster, the last portion being a part of 
the Clark farm. These gentlemen have sold some lots on this section. Sev- 
eral acres of the same tract, including the grove east of the village, were put 



BUSTLETON. 445 

by Mr. Fisher into a partnership embracing Charles P. Tomlinson and him- 
self. The grove was cut down and many lots sold, and several houses of neat 
appearance erected, and streets laid out and street lamps placed on them. 
Lying between that tract and the old portion of the village, Mr. Fisher sold 
some larger lots, on which several neat cottages have been erected. He also 
conveyed three and three-quarter acres of land to Frederick Schoff, for build- 
ing a manufactory of flexible shafting. One wooden building has been con- 
structed, five hundred feet long, with a tower at one end. 

The farm of the late Benjamin Morgan Dungan was purchased by General 
Pennock Huey and Mr. Fisher, being divided into two portions. General 
Huey added much to the residence of Mr. Dungan, modernizing it with taste. 
Its position back from the road, with a deep and shaded lawn in front, gives 
it a cosy appearance. The General has divided a part of the farm into large 
and attractive lots, which are on elevated ground and well suited for build- 
ing. This section is called " Chapelcroft," from one of the Wain estates in 
England. Mrs. Huey was related to the Wain family. 

The North Twenty-third Ward Improvement Association, which meets in 
Union Hall, is trying to improve this neighborhood, and deserves great credit 
for its exertions. It devotes itself to a better condition of highways and out- 
ward advancement. Rev. T. C. Pearson is the active President, and J. L. 
DeKalb was formerly the attentive Secretary. He has been succeeded by 
W. H. Neville. John Biddle is Treasurer. This is now called the Thirty-fifth 
Ward, and the name has changed accordingly. May the Association flourish 
and do much good. 

The pretty yards adorned with flowers, and the well-painted houses of this 
village deserve a word of commendation, for they add to its attractiveness and 
draw the notice of those who walk or ride through its streets. The surround- 
ing country is rolling and beautiful, affording fine walks and drives on every 
side. 

On Joseph D. Marshall's property, the EckleyLand Improvement Company 
has laid out lots, and boards have been put up indicating the names of streets, 
and some lots have been sold. The tract lies along the Welsh Road, which 
leads from Bustleton to Holmesburg, and the Bustleton Branch Railroad runs 
along it on the other side, the depot being upon it. Rev. T. C. Pearson has 
erected a beautiful and convenient modern architectural brick cottage near 
the depot, on land bought of Mr. Marshall, and its gables form a pretty view 
in the landscape from various directions. 

On the 21st of January, A. D. 1889, Bustleton was startled in the early even- 
ing by a cry of " Fire ! " The drug-store of H. L. DeKalb, near the depot, 
was soon in flames, and the long building, a part of which was the residence 
of Dr. Richard Hickman, the former druggist, and another portion being the 
residence and tin-shop of Samuel Morrison, was destroyed in a few hours of 
intense heat and rapid conflagration. This was on Monday ; but Mr. DeKalb 
showed a spirit of Western pluck, and by the next Thursday evening had 



446 BUSTLETON. 

caused a small wooden building to be erected, in which he then recommenced 
business. The apparent evil has, in some respects, proved a benefit. Mr. 
DeKalb has finished a two-story dwelling, with a brown-stone front and 
mansard roof of tile, which adorns the old site. The drug-store was 
placed in the front part of this building and a one-story annex was built on 
the lower side, for the use of the Bank of North America. After the 
fire the ruins were at once cleared away, and when the weather was settled 
— about the first of April — construction began. Charles L. Krewson bought 
a lot of Dr. Hickman, in the rear of this building on the Welsh Road, and 
has erected there a pretty modern house in a good location. 

WILLIAM COBBETT. 

This noted English writer on political subjects sojourned for a time with 
James Paul, and spent two or three summers there. He worked on his paper, 
entitled " The Porcupine,^' and was also interested in the cultivation of ruta- 
bagas, and published a book on their introduction into the United States from 
England. His production entitled "Rushlight" caused some excitement. 
Cobbett was working with the Federalists, while Rawle, who was in the dis- 
cussion, was a Democrat. Mr. James Paul was a son of Thomas Paul. He 
was a member of the Society of Friends. He lived in Spencer Tomlinson's 
former residence, now Pearson Tomlinson's, near Bustleton. Thomas Paul 
was Cobbett's friend and host. In a work by Cobbett, on his " Residence in 
the United States "(page 75, etc.), under date March 3d, A. D. 1818, it is 
noted, " Went to Bustleton." On March 9th he takes leave of his kind friend, 
James Paul. He was intending to try to transplant Indian corn in England. 
He visited Ezra Townsend with Mr. Verree at Byberry. Mr. Townsend and 
Mr. Verree were sons-in-law of Mr. Paul. Cobbett was pleased with the 
plenty and the cheerfulness of Quakers, among whom he was. They were 
" never giggling, and never in low spirits." He was also pleased with the 
young men who came to see " Billy Cobbett," as he calls himself. When 
William Cobbett, in 1799 A. D., was publishing Porcupine's Gazette in Bustle- 
ton, he changed it into pamphlet form and wrote that " those who take it for 
the purpose of wrapping up snuff" and tobacco have nothing to do but 
undouble it, and they will, I trust, find it full as handy as heretofore." The 
paper was published in Bustleton from August 29th until October. It is kept 
in bound volumes in the Ridgway Library. Cobbett had the use of what was 
called the Bee Hive House, next the depot, and he lived in it when he wrote 
" The Rushlight." Dr. Rush sued him and got judgment against him for 
several thousand dollars. Cobbett was displeased in Jackson's victory. Cob- 
bett once lived in a house afterward owned by Colonel McLane, in Wilming- 
ton, Delaware. He taught French in Wilmington and published a French 
grammar. He was a soldier in the British army, and in the East Indies 
received sixpence a day as wages, but procured books and studied at night. 



BUSTLETON. 447 

He came to this country in 1794. He aided Henry Pepper in teaching. He 
was " initiated in political debates " in Wilmington. In 1796 he moved to 
Philadelphia, opening a book-store there. He told Mr. Pepper that he called 
his paper The Porcupine " because he meant to shoot his quills wherever he 
could catch game." He afterward became " a member of the British House 
of Commons." — (See Miss Elizabeth Montgomery's " Reminiscences of Wil- 
mington," page 315.) 

JUDGE JOHN D. COXE. 

A fine old stone mansion at Blue Grass station on the Bustleton Railway, 
and not far from the village of Bustleton, was the country-seat of Judge Coxe. 
It is of ample size and pleasantly located. The Hanley family owned it for 
several years, and Joseph D. Marshall has of late owned and occupied it, but 
lately sold the property to two ladies of Philadelphia, who are improving the 
house by the addition of a piazza and bay-window. The old order of things 
is passing away and the new is coming in, so that ancient houses must put 
on a new dress to appear in modern company. 

It is a good specimen of an old-time residence, with its solid walls and old- 
fashioned woodwork within. A wooden addition of one story was the Judge's 
office. We may suppose the Judge to have been a sportsman, as an aged 
woman, now dead, remembered carrying his game-bag for him when she was 
a child. The Judge called the place " Eckley," as that family-name per- 
tained to some of his relatives. The Judge's name is among the inscriptions 
given in Mr. Clark's collection, in his volume of Christ's Church (Philadel- 
phia) Inscriptions on Tombstones. The Judge was the President of the Court 
of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. He was a graduate of the University of 
Pennsylvania, and .studied law in Philadelphia, and for a time in London. 
His first wife was Miss Riche, and his second wife was Miss Footman. There 
were no children by the first marriage. There were four by the second. The 
Judge's son Edward was a lawyer and a Member of Assembly. (See Christ's 
Church Inscriptions). There was another son ; but both died in early life. 
His daughter Ann married James Bordley Ross. The other daughter, Maria, 
became the wife of John G. Watmough, a well-known citizen and sheriff 
of Philadelphia, the father of Paymaster-General Watmough of the Navy. 
Judge Coxe's brother was Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue of the 
United States under President Jefferson. In this antique house Judge Coxe 
spent his summers. His special friend, Hartman Kuhn, had a country-seat 
on the Academy Road, not far distant. It is yet in the hands of the family. 
The old rriansion and its garden and the fine cattle in the fields attract the 
passer-by. 

Sunbury was a place on the Neshaminy Creek, opposite " Farleigh," the 
Dixon Estate, near Schenck's Station, on the Pennsylvania Railroad. This 
belonged to William Coxe, the father of Tench Coxe. He died in Burlington, 



448 BUSTLETON. 

N. J. The New Jersey family of this name are relatives of the Pennsylvania 
family. " Farleigh " may be seen from Schenck's Station on the Nesharainy, 
on the upper side, a little way up the creek. The brown mansion has a fine 
location. Brinton Coxe, President of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 
is a nephew of Judge John D. Coxe. Judge Coxe's old clock still does good 
service at Daniel Starkey's house at Bustleton. Judge Coxe bought the place 
styled " Eckley," of Thomas Green Pollard and his wife, Ann Pollard, in 1796. 
William Penn granted a tract, of which this was a part, to Joseph Fisher in 
A. D. 1684. Thomas Green Pollard was a descendant of Joseph Fisher on 
the maternal side. 

PEV. EBENEZER KINNERSLEY. 

An article in the American Magazine, October, A. D. 1758, supposed to be 
written by the Reverend Provost William Smith, D.D., states that the Rev. 
Ebenezer Kinnersley was " the chief inventor of the electrical apparatus, as 
well as author of a considerable part of those discoveries in electricity pub- 
lished by Mr. Franklin, to whom he communicated them." Franklin men- 
tioned him honorably, though he did not carefully distinguish between, their 
particular discoveries, which may have been thought needless, as they were 
known to act in concert. (Dr. George B. Wood's Histor}'^ of the University of 
Pennsylvania, page 191, Vol. Ill, Memoirs of Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania). Franklin acknowledged Kinnersley's aid in performing experiments, 
but did not speak of his participation in his discoveries in his Memoirs. (See 
account of Pennypack Graveyard in the present volume.) 

ALEXANDER EDWARDS. 

In Isaac Comly's Sketches of Byberry (Memoirs of Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, Vol. II, pages 196-7), we learn that Alexander Edwards was a 
Justice of the Peace in Byberry and an elder at Pennypack Baptist Church. 
He died in 1777. His son Enoch was designed for the ministry by his father, 
and was put under the tuition of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones, of Pennypack, 
but afterward studied medicine under Dr. Rush, and practiced in Byberry, 
being a well-known physician. He was a member of the Provincial Conference 
at Carpenter's Hall, whose resolutions prepared the way for the introduction 
of a Republican Form of Government in Pennsylvania. He was aid to Gen- 
eral Sterling, and was accidentally taken by a party of British near Bustleton, 
in 1777, and carried to Philadelphia, but soon released on parole. After the 
war he was in the Commission of the Peace, and an excellent and useful offi- 
cer. He was a Judge, and in 1792 moved from Byberry to Frankford. His 
son Enoch had a store where Mrs. Brooks's store and the post-office are now. 
He kept a circulating library. James Coxe was an intellectual man of stand- 
ing in the community in those days. 



29 




< 
I— I 
u 
I— < 

> 

Ph 

Q 

> 

O 

w 

H 

w" 
i4 

ID 

»-) 

H 
w 

o 

D 

ac 
u 

1— ( 

o 

M 




BUSTLETON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



BUSTLETON. 453 

ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Bishop Leighton Coleman of Delaware was the first rector of the Memorial 
Church of St. Luke, the Beloved Physician. He outlined its history in a ser- 
mon in A. D. 1861. Rev. George Scheetz, who was the faithful rector of 
Oxford, used to hold a service in the Old Academy when he lived in Bustle- 
ton. Years after, the beloved Dr. Beasley, rector of Torresdale (All Saints, 
Lower Dublin), maintained services, assisted by the neighboring clergy, Drs. 
Buchanan, Millett, Lundy and the late Samuel E. Smith assisted in this good 
work. Dr. Beasley used also the former Sons of Temperance Hall for services, by 
the good will of Joseph Wagner, the owner, who did much to advance the young 
parish with the aid of his devoted wife. Services were also held in private 
houses and in Union Hall, where Bishop Coleman first officiated. The church 
lot was bought of Rev. Theophilus G. Crouch, in July, A. D. 1860. The cor- 
ner-stone was laid on Thursday, September 20th, A. D. 1860, in the afternoon. 
Bishop Alonzo Potter was present. Rev. Dr. Buchanan and Rev. Dr. Wilmer 
(afterward Bishop of Louisiana) made addresses, and Rev. Dr. Stevens (after- 
ward Bishop of Pennsylvania) concluded the services. Upjohn & Son, of 
New York, were the architects. The church is built of blue stone, and brown 
stone and brick are used in trimming the building, while the roof is of slate. 
It is one of the prettiest churches in the country, and is surrounded by a large 
and beautiful churchyard. The chancel is apsidal, and a bell gable holds the 
bell. It is surmounted by a gilded cross, which proclaims our faith in the 
Crucified One. On August 29th, A. D. 1861, the church was consecrated by 
Bishop Alonzo Potter, assisted by Bishop Odenheimer of New Jersey and 
thirty surpliced clergy from various dioceses. Dr. Wilmer was the preacher, 
but being ill. Dr. Ducachet read a part of his sermon and the Bishops made 
addresses. The church was filled so that many could not enter. Many 
friends of Dr. and Mrs. Henry were present, and many who had associations 
with the neighborhood. Mrs. Pauline E. Henry built the church in memory 
of her husband, Bernard Henry, M. D., who died April 15th, 1860. Mrs. 
Henry had some association with the neighborhood. She continues her 
interest in the parish. A memorial church is a blessed monument, as it aids 
the living. It is much to be desired that many such churches may arise. 
The first vestry were Morton P. Henry, Esq. (Dr. Henry's brother). Secretary, 
Amos A. Gregg, Esq., Robert J. Henderson, Esq., Charles Tillyer, Newberry 
A. Smith and John Trump. On the 10th of June, A. D, 1861, the vestry 
elected the Rev. Mr. Coleman, a Deacon in the General Theological Seminary, 
New York City, the first rector. On June 19th, A. D. 1861, he accepted the 
call, and entered on dut}'^ on the first of July following. On May 30th, 1861, 
the parish was admitted to the Convention of the Diocese. On May 15th, 
1862, the rector was ordained priest, that saintly man. Professor Johnson, of 
the General Seminary, preaching the sermon. Dr. Coleman resigned Novem- 



454 BUSTLETON. 

ber 26, 1863 (Thanksgiving Day). In November, 1861, Mrs. Henry gave the 
Rectory to the Parish. It has been enlarged and improved. 

The pretty stone chapel and Sunday-school room was first used in January, 
1870, and the foundress of the church gave the larger part of its cost. She 
has also enriched the chancel windows by inserting some beautiful designs 
of ancient stained glass from Europe, and one of the other windows has an 
antique from La Sainte Chapelle, Paris. This church was built by the French 
King Saint Louis. The beautiful west window is in memory of Dr. Henry, 
and the brass lectern commemorates her daughter. Miss Conner, and the brass 
altar-cross her father, Mr. Van Der Kemp. 

The rectors after the first have been Rev. Edmund Roberts, Rev. James H. 
Barnard, Rev. Henry A. Parker, Rev. Lucius N. Voigt and Rev. S. F. Hotch- 
kin, now in charge. The present vestry are : Edward Evans, Accounting 
Warden; Charles H. Strout, Rector's Warden ; Amos A. Browne, William S. 
Robinson, Eugene Beck and Robert T. Marshall. The late Mr. John B. Wil- 
lian was long a faithful vestryman, a volunteer organist and Sunday-school 
teacher. His work was well done. The workers die, but new ones arise and 
the work advances, and the abundant labors of the toilers in the service of the 
Blessed Master will not be " in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15, 58. The St. Luke's 
School boys at morning service, and the voluntary choir of young ladies with 
Miss Harriet E. Evans as organist, at the Evening Service, do good and 
acceptable musical service in the Lord's House. Miss Clara E. Lodge, Miss 
C. Winogene Evans and Miss Nellie Arrison have been organists in the 
Sunday School. Harry Ashton, William Maguire and Edward Rylott have 
been the sextons during the present rectorship. William H. Ettinger now 
holds the position. 

BUSTLETON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH— BY REV. 
SAMUEL HORWELL. 

The first Methodist preaching in Bustleton was by Rev. Mifflin Harker in 
the house of Mr. Daniel Starkey, in the year 1827. Preaching services were 
afterward held in the Old Academy in the year 1831. It was during this 
year that the first class was formed, on the second of January, by Rev. Thomas 
Neal. Mr. Neal was at this time preacher in charge of Bristol Circuit, having 
for his colleagues Rev. Martin Hazel and Rev. Richard W. Thomas. The 
first class consisted of sixteen members, of whom the late Mr. Daniel Starkey 
was the leader. 

In the year 1832 a small building was secured and prepared for religious 
services. The seats were plain slabs. The pulpit was made of rough, unplaned 
boards, all fitted up and completed in a half-day by Mr. Starkey and Marcus 
Boon. In this humble way Methodism made herself a home and began her 
work. 



BUSTLETON. 455 

111 the latter part of the year 1832, under the ministry of Rev. John Fiiiley 
and John Nicholson, a board of trustees was appointed, consisting of Mr. 
Daniel Starkey, David Jones, Marcus Boon and Isaac Ashton, who now began 
to arrange for building a church. In the following year, under the ministry 
of Rev. William Granville and John Wooliston, the church was erected on 
the Bustleton Pike, where the present church now stands. 

In 1834 the Sabbath-school was organized. Before any steps had been 
taken to build, a Mrs. Robinson on her death-bed left ten dollars toward a 
new church, and this was the first subscription received. In 1835 Bustleton 
was separated from the Bristol Circuit and united with Holmesburg, Somerton 
and Hatboro, under the charge of the Rev. John L. Taft and M. Sisty. In 
1836 Hatboro was takeii off, and Rev. John Lednum and W. W. McMichael 
were the preachers. In 1846 Holmesburg was taken off and Rev. W. 
McCombs was appointed preacher-in-charge. In 1859 Somerton was made a 
station, leaving Bustleton to itself, with Rev. G. T. Hurlock as pastor. 

In 1866, during the pastorate of Rev. E. T. Kenney, a subscription was 
opened for the building of a new church, and in the year 1868 the corner- 
stone was laid, Rev. J. M. Wheeler being pastor. The lecture-room was dedi- 
cated in 1869, Rev. G. T. Hurlock being pastor, and during his term the 
church was Completed and dedicated to the service of Almighty God. In the 
year 1880 Miss Martha James left by will th^ sum of one thousand dollars, to 
be used toward paying the debt on the church property, which amounted to 
$3850. She also, in a codicil to her will, desired to give an additional thou- 
sand dollars for repairs. An effort was made, October 24, 1880, to raise the 
balance of the debt — Rev. Thomas Hanlon, D.D., being present and preaching 
on the occasion — and at the close of the service it was found that $4250 
(including the legacy of Miss James) had been raised. By the kindness of 
Mr. Samuel James, the trustees also received the thousand dollars mentioned 
in the codicil for repairs, though legally they could not claim it, as it was not 
made within the required time allowed by the law. 

In 1881 the money was used as directed, and the church building was 
handsomely frescoed, repaired and painted, and all paid for. The church has 
now two hundred members and is in a prosperous condition. 

The following have been appointed pastors : John L. R. Taft, M. H. Sisty, 
William Williams, John Lednum, AV. W. McMichael, R. W. Thomas, John 
Lee, Charles Karsner, John Walsh, James Cunningham, William McCombs, 
William Bishop, J. M. Macaskey, E. F. Crouch, R. M. Greenbank, John 
Shields, John A. Watson, G. T. Hurlock, J. Humphries, W. B. Wood, E. T. 
Kenney, J. M. Wheeler, H. F. Scott, Samuel R. Gillingham, Wilmer Coffman, 
Matthew Sorin, D.D., Fennel Coombe, Thomas C. Pearson, Nathan B. Durell, 
Samuel Horwell. I add to Mr. Horwell's sketch that the Rev. Andrew J. 
Amthor is the present faithful pastor. The parish has lately used a legacy 
of the late Robert J. Wright, LL.D., with much additional funds raised by 
themselves, to renovate and beautify the interior of the building, and new 
peWS and stained-glass windows have been a part of this renovation. 



456 BUSTLETON. 

Sunday-school Superintendent : Frederick Stock. 

Trustees : John Biddle, President ; Edward Foster, Secretarj' ; Benjamin S. 
Saul, Treasurer ; William F. Dedaker, Robert Nichols, Henry Lees, John T. 
Dungan, Isaac Wells, T. C. Pearson. 

Class Leaders : Arthur Abbott and Samuel C. Stark ey. 

Stewards: Edward Foster, Samuel C. Starkey, Arthur Abbott, Charles 
Dewees, Reuben Wilkins, Henry Lees, John L. DeKalb, Frederick J. Stock, 
Rush Taylor, John T. Dungan, John French, John Biddle. 

Sexton : John Oscar McMullen. He has held the office many years. 

Hazlehurst & Huckel, of Philadelphia, designed the tower of this church, 
erected several years ago. The gallery was remodeled and the church was 
newly carpeted throughout in the recent improvements. 

LOWER DUBLIN BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This church, the mother-church of all the Baptist Churches of Pennsylva- 
nia and adjacent States, was founded in January, 1688. Three years prior to 
this, several members of the Church at Dolan, Wales, with their families, 
sailed for Penn's colony, then but a clearing in the head of the forest. Arriv- 
ing here, they settled on the banks of the Pennypack Creek. Early in 1687 
the Rev. Elias Keach devoted himself to the work of the ministry at Penny- 
pack. His administrations met with success, and on November 21, 1687, the 
first baptisms in Philadelphia took place in the Creek, those immersed being 
Joseph and Jane Ashton, William Fisher and John Watts. In the following 
January the Lower Dublin Church, which to-day occupies an historical posi- 
tion as the first organization in the State of what is now the second largest 
Protestant denomination in America, was organized. The twelve members, 
according to the old archives, were Rev. Elias Keach, John Eaton, George 
Eaton and Jane, his wife, Sarah Eaton, Samuel Jones, John Baker, Samuel 
Vans, Joseph Ashton and Jane, his wife, William Fisher and John Watts. 

The first pastor travelled considerably through the surrounding country on 
horseback, preaching, baptizing converts and organizing new churches. At 
one time all of the Baptists in Philadelphia and surrounding Counties and 
the State of New Jersey considered themselves as part of the membership of 
this pastor's flock. After Mr. Keach came John Watts. By 1700 the mem- 
bership had increased to forty-nine. Mr. Watts continued in the pastorate 
until his death, August 27th, 1702. His successor. Rev. Evan Morgan, was 
originally a Quaker. He ministered to the church until his death, February 
16, 1709. During his pastorate, in 1707, when the membership had increased 
to eighty-eight, the first church edifice was erected, on a lot of ground on the 
Krewstown Road, near Bustleton, afterward deeded to the church by. Rev. 
Samuel Jones. Until then the services had been held at the houses of the 
different members. It was a rough stone building twenty-five feet square, 
and served the church for nearly seventy years. The succession of ministers 



' BUSTLETON. 457 

was as follows : Samuel Jones, October 23, 1706 to February 3, 1722 ; Joseph 
Wood, September 25, 1708, to September 5, 1747 ; Abel Morgan, February 14, 
1711, to December 16, 1722 ; Jenkin Jones, June 17, 1726, to May 3, 1746 ; 
Peter Vanhorne, October 31, 1747, to February 7, 1762; Samuel Jones, I). D., 
January 1,1763, to February 7,1814; Jacob Grigg, December 7, 1815, to 
September 1,1817; Joshua P. Slack, September 1, 1817, to October, 1821 ; 
David Jones, Jr., January 1, 1822, to April 9, 1833 ; James M. Challis, March 
31, 1838, to April 1, 1845 ; Thomas Roberts, August 3, 1845, to April 1, 1847 ; 
Richard Lewis, April 27, 1847, to April 25, 1852; William Hutchinson, 
December 15, 1852, to December, 1856; Alfred Harris, March 16, 1857, to 
March, 1860 ; George Kempton, D.D., October 7, 1860, to April 1, 1865 ; Wil- 
liam E. Cornwell, March 18, 1866, to October, 1880 ; Rev. Charles Warwick, 
the present incumbent, was installed on February 1, 1881. Under his admin- 
istrations the church has prospered, over one hundred persons having since 
united with it. 

In 1770 the old building was torn down and replaced by another more 
commodious stone edifice, thirty by thirty-three feet, which the church chron- 
icler quaintly describes as having "pews, galleries and a stove, which latter 
accommodation was not to be found in all the meeting-houses." In 1805 the 
present structure was erected. It is built of rough stone, quarried near 
by. In the yard Rev. John Watts and other pastors are buried, with many of 
the first settlers of Philadelphia. The older tombstones all face the rising 
sun, in accordance with the old belief that the dead should be laid so that at 
the resurrection they would rise with their countenances toward the East, the 
direction from which Christ is to come. 

The old church is closed now, except on special occasions. In the early 
part of 1885 it was decided to build a new church of Trenton brownstone in 
a central location at Bustleton. On June 15 the corner-stone was laid, and on 
June 27, 1886, the lower portion was opened for Sunday-school purposes. On 
November 28, 1886, the last sermon was preached in the old sanctuary, and 
on the following Sunday the congregation took possession of the beautiful 
new church. It is here that, on January 11 and 12, 1888, the bi-centennial 
services were held. . 

The above description of the Baptist Church is condensed from a Philadel- 
phia paper. 

The Hon. Horatio Gates Jones has written its history. Hazlehurst & Huc- 
kel were the architects of the new building. Its erection is largely due to the 
patient work of its present pastor. I add a list of the Officers of the Church. 
— Deacons Enoch, W. Taylor, Jahn Blake, Charles C. Wilson, Kennard H. 
Dungan ; Church Clerk, Charles Green ; Trustees, T. Miles Brous, President, 
Jesse W. Roberts, Secretary, Jamison Lott, Sr., William Cottman, George 
Blake, Daniel Unruh, Henry Humphreys, Charles C. Wilson, Charles Warwick. 



458 BUSTLETON. 

BYBERRY MEETING. 

A little above Bustleton is historic old Byberry Friends' Meeting House, 
and we cannot refrain from quoting some lines concerning it by one who has 
now ended her earthly work for God. 

Mrs. Rachel W. Shallcross, a poetess and prose writer of Byberry, read a 
poem at the First-Day School anniversary, in Byberry Meeting House, A. D. 
1881, from which we extract the following lines : 

''Scores of years this house has stood, 

And, like a sentinel bold, 
It has marked the fitful course of lives,. 

It has seen the young grow old. 
******** 

" 'Neath its whited roof a restful peace 

Hath come to you and me. 
And the lives begun and ended 

In reach of its weekly calls. 
Who peacefully rest in its shadow, 

Speak in those old stone walls. 

" And may the little children here 

Be drawn in simple love 
To hear the mission God hath sent 

To each one from above." 

The Byberry Friends' Library, in the same yard with the Meeting House, 
is a pleasant place to visit, with its books and natural curiosities. Nathaniel 
Richardson, a literary man and a preacher among the Friends, is the Secre- 
tary. There are many useful volumes here. 

" The Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at Bustleton. 
The corner-stone was laid October 2, 1870, by Bishop Wood. The ground 
was presented by John B. Willian. On December 11, 1870, it was opened for 
divine service by Rev. John McGovern, pastor of St. Joachim's Church at 
Frankford. It is forty by seventy feet, and cost $5500. Its pastors have been 
Revs. J. F. Kelly (died May 14, 1871), John Loughran, J. Ward, H. Garvey, 
J. O'Byrne, M. J. Armstrong, James A. Brehony, M. P. O'Brien, D. S. Bowes, 
B. J. Conway and Rev. A. P. Haviland, the present rector." 

The above is taken from Scharf & Westcott's History of Philadelphia. 
Father O'Brien went from here to New Philadelphia, Pa. ; Father Bowes is 
dead ; Father Haviland, a self-denying and faithful priest, is also dead. 
Father Maginn succeeded him, but has taken a parish in the built-up portion 
of the city. The parish was afterwards served at stated intervals from St. 
Joachim's Church, Frankford. Rev. John H. Loughran, residing at Chelten- 
ham, is now in charge. The church is of stone, rough cast, and stands on an 
eminence above the Pennypack Creek and the old Print Works, and lifts its 



BUSTLETON. 461 

cross high in the air to tell of a Crucified Saviour. In Father Maginn's 
pastorate the windows were colored, improving the appearance of the building. 

ST. LUKE'S SCHOOL. 

Mrs. Jane Crawford, of Ury House, Fox Chase, conducted an excellent 
school for boys on her beautiful place for about twenty years. In A. D. 1884 
Mr. Charles H. Strout, one of her teachers, assumed charge of the institution 
and removed it to the Willian property at Bustleton. The name was taken in 
respect to the Episcopal parish with which the school is connected, by the 
suggestion of the present rector. The location is beautiful and healthful, and 
a number of fine old forest- trees grace the extensive lawn. The building has 
been enlarged at different times, so that its lights at night have the appear- 
ance of a village under one roof. A gymnasium has been added. The advent 
of the bright faces of the boys to our streets marked a new era in its history, 
and their music in St. Luke's Church is a pleasing feature of the service. 

Mr. John G. Ford, who resided in Bustleton in childhood, writes me that 
his mother informed him that the ancient Academy was on the old Philadel- 
phia Road before the Turnpike was built, so I suppose that Dr. Andrews's 
school was on the site of St. Luke's. Dr. Joseph Todd, of Coryell's Ferry, 
New Hope, had a son, Charles F., who reached home from boarding-school at 
Bustleton on Christmas-Day, and saw the Continental troops march from New 
Hope to attack the Hessians at Trenton. (Davis's History of Bucks County, 
page 880). Could this have been Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones's school? 

The following letter from Rev. R. Andrews Poole gives some particulars 
concerning his grandfather. Dr. Andrews : 

" I am, as you suppose, the grandson of Dr. Andrews, who for a time taught 
school at Bustleton, Pa. We are unfortunate in not having kept a record of 
my grandfather's life, so that what I can tell you will simply be the result, in 
most instances, of hearsay testimony, which at the best must be imperfect. I 
gladly, however, give you what I have. 

" Dr. Andrews was born in or near Omah, Tyrone County, Ireland, about 
the middle of the past century. His education, which was a very liberal one, 
was received first at the Royal Academy at Straton (certificates of merit which 
are before me bear the dates 1786-87). He also studied at Trinity College, 
Dublin, and at Glasgow and Edinburgh. I have matriculating tickets in 
logic and rhetoric from Glasgow, bearing date of 1788. Exactly when he 
came to America I am unable to tell. He had several brothers who preceded 
him ; one settled in Virginia and one or two in Pennsylvania. His object in 
coming to this country was to occupy a Professor's chair in the University of 
Pennsylvania. He took the chair one day and resigned it the next, because 
of the rudeness of the young American gentlemen, his pupils — said students 
having been accustomed to great liberty of action with the aged professor 
whose place he assumed. After this he must have turned his attention to 



462 BUSTLETON. 

private teaching, and in all possibility become master of the Academy in 
your place. The enclosed commendation, bearing date of April 6, 1776, 
explains itself, showing fully the high character of Dr. Andrews for scholar- 
ship and uprightness. On the 24th day of April, in St. Peter's Church, Phil- 
adelphia, Dr. Andrews was made Deacon by Bishop White, and was appointed 
to serve him as Private Chaplain. I am uncertain as to his advancement to 
the Priesthood. He afterward resigned the ministry. 

" Returning again to his avocation as a teacher, in a long and honorable 
career he had under his instruction youths who in after life attained to great 
social and political eminence. George M. Dallas, John M. Scott, Mayor Swift 
and others of equal note received the foundation of their collegiate education 
from him. 

" Dr. Andrews became a citizen of the United States in 1813, and was, 
during his whole life a staunch and uncompromising Democrat, but never a 
politician in any sense. Governor Wolf, in thankful remembrance for the 
many advantages received from his old teacher, appointed him Clerk of the 
Orphans' Court in Philadelphia in 1830, and reappointed him in 1833. His 
record as an officer, and especially as a reformer of abuses in the office, stands 
very high. 

" Dr. Andrews was married to Miss Mary de Basqueville, an English lady 
residing in Philadelphia, by whom he had but one child, Marianne, who sur- 
vived him, his wife having died some years before his departure. My grand- 
father reached the ripe age of ninety-one years, and even at the time of his 
death was possessed of all his physical and mental faculties. In personal 
appearance he was commanding, in manner exact and courteous, and, even 
with many eccentricities, still a man greatly to be admired for purity of char- 
acter and uprightness of purpose. At his death he was buried in a small 
graveyard then owned by the Baptist Society, of which his wife had been a 
member. It was situated on the spot now covered by the Academy of Natu- 
ral Sciences on Cherry Street. When the burial-ground was sold, his remains 
were removed to East Laurel Hill, where they now repose. 

" Rev. R. Andrewes Poole. 

"St. Peter's Rectory, Ellicott aty, Md., July 15, 1889." 

An aged yellow certificate, dated April 6, 1776, with various signatures, 
some faded by time, accompanied the above letter. It was a testimonial that 
Mr. Robert Andrews had for twenty months taught acceptably as principal in 
the New Academy in Allen Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. 
This township was named after Chief Justice William Allen, whose country- 
seat was at Mount Airy. He owned much land in that section. Governor 
George Wolf was born in Northampton County.- He became an advocate of 
popular education. The Governor was a pupil of Mr. Andrews, and he suc- 
ceeded him in charge of this Academy, having been prepared for the eleva- 
tion by his faithful teacher ; and it is pleasant to know that in after years the 
scholar did not forget his instructor. That was a kind of Civil Service 



BUSTLETON. 465 

arrangement which proved useful to both parties and might more frequently 
be practised to advantage. 

Mrs. Duflon, another grandchild of Dr. Andrews, informs me, through 
John G. Ford, that Dr. A.' was a private tutor in the family of the Duke of 
Ormond, and his Professorship at the University was that of Greek and 
Hebrew. Governor Wolf was working as a gardener near Bustleton, and, 
showing talent, the Doctor assisted in educating him. Dr. Andrews is said 
to have taught in Bustleton about 1808 or 1810. The building has been much 
altered, as Mr. Willian built the main part of the mansion. 

The building now occupied by St. Luke's School was in old time termed 
the Acaderny, and the building on the site of the public school bore that des- 
ignation also. An aged man once came to visit the scene of his school-days 
at St. Luke's, and said that he remembered being under an old tree on the 
lawn when told of his father's death. 

Mr. Strout is a graduate of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, from 
which State he came to Ury. He had several years of experience in teaching 
there before opening St. Luke's School. He has brought New England pluck 
and perseverance to the difficult task of conducting a boarding-school, and he 
has the gift of controlling the pupils and yet maintaining discipline mingled 
with love. 

Mr. Strout is the Rector's Warden of St. Luke's Church. Two years ago 
Mr. Strout associated Mr. F. E. Moulton with him in the management of the 
school. He was for several years Head-Master of Bishop Talbot's School in 
Macon, Missouri, and has. also been connected as a teacher with St. John's 
School, Sing Sing, New York, Racine Grammar School, Wisconsin, and for 
two years was Head-Master at Kenyon Military Academy at Gambler, Ohio. 

Mr. Moulton is a graduate of Hobart College at Geneva, New York. 

The Principals are assisted by a full corps of resident and visiting teachers. 

The pupils attend the beautiful memorial church of St. Luke's, in close 
proximity, which appropriately suggested the name for the school. Morning 
and Evening Prayers, with music, are held in the school-room. A choir of 
boys, selected from the school, furnishes the music at church and in the 
school-room. Sacred studies are conducted during the course, under the direc- 
tion of the Principal. The aim is to throw around the boys a positive, but 
at the same time quiet, unobtrusive and healthful religious and moral influ- 
ence, which shall result in laying the foundation of an honest, considerate, 
Godly manhood. 

The location and surroundings of St. Luke's are singularly healthful. It 
occupies a position in a rolling country several hundred feet above sea-level. 
The air is remarkably pure and entirely free from malaria. Every possible 
encouragement is given to out-door exercise as a matter of great importance 
in laying the foundations of health and developing a sturdy manliness. 
Boys who are fond of sports will find a gymnasium, base-ball field, tennis 
courts and every opportunity for out-door games. Each boy's gymnasium- 
30 



466 BUSTLETON. 

drill will be directed accordingTto his especial need by a competent master. 
Attention is called to order and discipline. 

The class of patronage of this school is of a high order, and the author of 
this volume has noticed with pleasure the gentlemanly deportment of the 
pupils, on the street and at the school. 

THE FAYETTE PUBLIC SCHOOL 

is a large two-story, rough-cast building, surmounted by a cupola contain- 
ing a bell, occupying the finest site in the village, as it surmounts a hill which 
commands a remarkably pleasing view over the surrounding hills. The play- 
ground is extensive. Formerly an Academy built of stone, two stories in 
height, stood here, in which the teachers used to live. Joshua B.Smith, from 
New England, was long noted as the head of the Academy. His sister, Mary 
Jane Smith, married Captain James Perkins, of the Print Works. The Cap- 
tain now lives in Williamsport; Mr. Hibbs was another teacher. Mr. Dana 
was an assistant in the school. Robert Grimshaw contracted to build the 
new building. He moved to Minnesota with Mr. Hoag and others. Charles 
Hoag was Principal in the newbuilding, succeeding Joshua B. Smith. George 
W. Fetter, now Principal of the Girl's Normal School, was another Principal 
here. Charles Raynier, Dr. Martindale (author of the " History of Byberry 
and Moreland "), and Messrs. Singer, Sickel and Byrom have held this post. 
James Bunting, w^ho formerly taught in Somerton, was for years the Princi- 
pal here. Henry C. Payne, now teaching in Chestnut Hill, succeeded him. 
Messrs. Jacobs and Ballantine followed, and the school is now^ in charge of 
S. E. B. Kinsloe, assisted by Ida E. Gregg, First Assistant ; Virginia Byers, 
Second Assistant ; Elizabeth T. Comly, Third Assistant, and Emma F. Stanger, 
Fourth Assistant. Miss Pettit was for a time a teacher. It is well conducted. 
Above the Methodist Church was a small building known as " Little Jeru- 
salem." It was used for week-day services and Sunday-school, and Miss Eliza 
Slack had a day-school there for young pupils, which is yet remembered. 
The public school lot was donated to the city when the consolidation occurred 
in 1854. In 1812 the roof of the first school building mentioned was blown 
off in a hurricane. (Dr. Martindale's " Byberry and Moreland," page 164). 
The windy site is a fine one for the children's playground. 

THE PRINT WORKS AT LAGRANGE 

are on the edge of Bustleton. Three Gordon brothers were prominent here 
years ago. One had a woolen factory where the Print Works are. He lived 
where Mrs. Brooks's store now stands. Another had an edge-tool works oppo- 
site St. Luke's School, and a third had the farm of George Mills on the Welsh 
Road, near Ashton Railroad Station. The bridge at the Pike at the Print 
Works is said to have the largest arch of any in the State. It forms a pretty 



BUSTLETON. 467 

picture from a hill near by. The first bridge fell. This was built in 1805, 
William Lewis being master-mason, John Lewis architect and superintendent. 
Wendell & Perkins ran the Print- Works at one time. After them Christopher 
and Sheldon H. Smith, from Paterson, N. J., had charge. James Smith fol- 
lowed, and Mr. Burke. Mr. Barlow used it as a shoddy factory, and then it 
was burned and lay idle seven years. Mr. John B. Willian rebuilt it as a 
Print Works. Messrs. Pretty and Grime were his partners. The mills are 
now idle. They belong to the estate of Mrs. Fales, of Philadelphia. George 
G. Brooks has given valuable information in this and other matters. 

The old Newtown Road, before the days of the Turnpike, ran through the 
factory-yard and Mr. Wonnenberg's place. There was a wooden bridge over 
the Pennypack. Its foundations are visible. The old road ran in front of 
the row of houses diagonally opposite the Print Works, where there is an open 
space on the right in going toward Frankford. The view at the dam on the 
bridge here is remarkably fine, and the broken dam is very picturesque as 
the water babbles over it. 

Captain William S. Robinson, a member of the Cincinnati Society, and an 
officer in the war of the Rebellion, son of Colonel Robinson, who was the son of 
a Revolutionary officer, owns the old Wendell place, joining the creek where 
the ancient boxwood still asserts its dignified antiquity. A two-story stone 
house with a piazza stands back from the road, making room for a pretty 
lawn in front and on the lower side of the house, where the ground gently 
rises. Mr. Rodman had the Print- Works property when it was a black lead 
factory, before it was used for calico printing. The following is from the Phila- 
delphia Inquirer, July 25, 1888 : 

" A specimen of the Harrison handkerchief manufactured by Isaac P. 
Wendell & Co. at Bustleton during the Presidential campaign of 1840 was 
yesterday shown at the office of the Inquirer by Mr. Wendell, who still sur- 
vives, being now in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Large quantities of 
these handkerchiefs were sold by David S. Brown & Co. at that time, and 
many distributed in a parade which took place just before the election of 
General William Henry Harrison, The printed handkerchief represents 
General Harrison on horseback on the field of battle, where he justly earned 
the title of * Hero of Tippecanoe.' The print-works of Messrs. Wendell & Co. 
were started in 1830, at Bustleton (now Twenty-third Ward.) The firm con- 
tinued the business of printing calicoes for about twenty years, when they 
disposed of it to Brown, Lewis, Chase & Co., in that day a well-known dry- 
goods firm on Market Street in this city." This is now the 35th Ward. 

CARRIAGE-BUILDING. 

Bustleton has long been famed for its carriages. Richard Hall was an early 
carriage builder at Squire Amos Addis Gregg's shops. Thomas Paul once 
owned this carriage shop. Mr. Campion followed Mr. Hall as a worker in the 



468 BUSTLETON. 

business. George Northrop came next in order. Daniel Starkey bought the 
works in the spring of 1827, removing from Langhorne, where he had been a 
carriage-maker. He bought of Enoch Edwards. Mr. Starkey lives in this 
village in good old age, honored by his descendants and neighbors for his 
exemplary Christian character. He has aided my researches in this and' 
other matters. Eor a short time Richard McDowell was a partner. The firm 
was Starkey & McDowell. In 1840 Mr. Starkey sold to Amos A. Gregg. 
Joseph D. Heritage set up another factory — first where the Methodist parson- 
age stands, and afterward putting up new buildings on the Pike. 

EDWARD FOSTER'S FARM. 

The farm of Edward Foster, opposite the churchyard of St. Luke's Episco- 
pal Church, was purchased by him in 1885, of George S. Clark, of Holmes- 
burg, whose father, John Clark, had owned it. Albert Foster farmed it for a 
time. It apparently once belonged to George Stephenson. In A. D. 1688 
"William Penn conveyed the place to James Atkinson, who in 1693 sold to 
George Northrop. In 1752 Peter Duffield sold it to Samuel Swift, and in 1753 
he conveyed it to Jacob Duffield, while in 1772 Jacob Duffield transferred it 
to Alexander Edwards, and in 1795 Rebecca Roberts and John Watts sold to 
John Malferson, an Englishman who was fond of the flute, who in 1814 
handed it on to Manuel Eyre and Charles Massey, and in 1841 Charles Massey 
sold to Benjamin H. Barton. In 1857 John Farnum was the owner, and in 
1864 he sold to J. Tunis Way, who in 1867 conveyed it to John Clark. John 
Farnum owned also Robert J. Wright's place opposite. 

Mr. Farnum was a Philadelphia merchant. He spent thousands of dollars 
in improving these properties. The fine rustic stone wall, with its coping, 
which adorns both sides of the Newtown Road as it runs toward St. Luke's 
School, and helps to give it the look of an English lane, was built by Mr. 
Farnum. He also built a large barn on Mr. Foster's place, with a cellar made 
so that carts can be driven into it, and had an extensive vault constructed for 
dairy purposes in the yard near the house, and prepared a vineyard on the 
place. A fine, large, old pine tree marks the front of the yard. The old 
stone house has been modernized by Mr. Foster and a mansard roof added. 
The view down the road from the front piazza is a picturesque one, as the 
Newtown Road here breaks from the Welsh Road and runs down the hill. 

Joseph H. Murray built the house of Alfred Dungan, with its tower-like 
front on its elevated site above the street. A wall protects the front, and steps 
lead up to the building. The residence of Amos Browne, next above, was 
built by Grant Murray. Alexander Brown, afterward Recorder of Deeds, 
once lived here. The neat cottage stands back from the street, and a gable 
prettily breaks the front of the roof, while two old trees guard the front of the 
yard. 



BUSTLETON. 469 

Rachel and Jane De Nyce, who were sisters, were the builders of the old 
stone house next to Mr. Edward Evans's place on the Newtown Road. It ^tas 
built in 1792, as a stone in the building notes. The ladies formerly lived in 
Germantown. 

The old stone house next below the depot, now two dwellings, was formerly 
one with a wide hall. It was built by two maiden sisters, named Harker. 
Mrs. Emily Snyder lived for twenty-five years in the lower portion and has 
recently died. It was formerly styled " The Bee-Hive," because several fami- 
lies occupied it. Judge Boileau told Daniel Starkey, Sr., that William Cob- 
bett was fond of hunting. He had a hunting-dog killed by lightning in the 
hall of this house. The dog was between his feet. 

Dr. Moses Smith built the stone house of the Misses Shearer, next below 
the Bustleton Hotel, where Dr. George Byers had his office. Dr. Smith prac- 
tised here. His son Albert was a prominent doctor in Philadelphia. Dr. 
Swift built the stone house opposite the Shearer house, occupied by the Cata- 
nach family, containing a meat-shop in the lower end, where John Donohue 
conducted business until his death, which occurred not long since, when the 
business passed into the present hands. Another Dr. Swift lived in the 
Shearer house. It is thought that perhaps he died in Easton. He suggested 
the use of adhesive strips for producing counter-extension in the treatment 
of fractures. Dr. Stewart also lived in the Shearer house. He was some- 
thing of an artist. Dr. John H. Ingham practised in this village at one time, 
living in the house now the residence of Mrs. Thomas Grime and her family, 
which is noticeable for its well-kept yard, adorned with the beauties of the 
natural world. Dr. Rodman perhaps succeeded Dr. Smith. Dr. Chamberlain 
lived where Dr. J. Monroe Beyer now resides. Dr. Beyer is a graduate of 
Hahnemann College in Philadelphia and has practised here for several years. 
This property, just above the depot, on the opposite side, belongs to Dr. 
Powell, of Frankford, who formerly practised there. (It is now owned by his 
son, Dr. Powell, of Bryn Mawr — the father died lately). Dr. Curran once had 
a drug-store there, in partnership with Mr. Rex. Dr. Wilson lived here about 
1861. He moved into the heart of the city. This stone building, with its 
long piazza, was erected forty-five years ago by Miss Eleanor Jones, who 
lived here with her sister. 

JUDGE JOHN B. BOILEAU. 

This gentleman is buried at the Baptist graveyard at Pennypack (Lower 
Dublin), with his wife and three sons. He lived at " Poplar Hall," now owned 
by Mr. Trudell, at the corner of Banes Street and the Turnpike. His moth- 
er's sister was coming in a wagon to Bustleton, and brought some Lombardy 
poplars with her. In fording the Susquehanna River she was washed out of 
the wagon and clung to the trees, losing everything else. The seven trees 
stood in front of the house. The name was given to the place by Mrs. Jenks, 



470 BUSTLETON. 

of Newtown, who resided there, being a relation of the Judge. The title of 
Judge was given to Mr. Boileau on account of a mock trial. He lived to be 
over ninet}'^ years old. " The poplars are felled," like those of Cowper, and 
one may bid " Farewell to the shade." 

The gentlemanly railway conductor, Elias Toy, lives in the next house 
below. It is remarkable from the fact that Mr. Dobbins, its first owner, 
brought the material of a Filbert Street dwelling, demolished by the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, here to construct it. / 

Joseph Wagner and Ann Ashton, his wife — " Auntie Ashton," as she was 
kindly called — lived on Charles P. Tomlinson's place and owned the property. 
They are buried in All Saints' Cemetery, Torresdale. They deserve mention 
as early and useful helpers in the work of the Episcopal Church in Bustleton, 
as early services were held in a hall on their property, which had been origi- 
nally built for a Temperance Hall. 

George Cliffs long, low, yellow- washed stone house stood between Judge 
Boileau's and the depot, but next below the Judge's house was Christopher 
Search's dwelling. Then in the small double, frame house lived Samuel 
Helverson and Betsy, his wife. The present depot was once a tailor's shop. 

THE BUSTLETON HOTEL, 

with its ample front of ground and roomy horse-sheds, has of late years been 
known as Murray's Hotel, from the polite landlord, Robert N. Murray, who 
was long its pleasant and respected host. The deeds show that in 1772 " Bus- 
selton" Hotel was sold by Evan Edwards, for his attorney. Dr. Enoch 
Edwards, to William Roberts, Jr. Major Evan Edwards, here named, was 
Aid-de-Camp to General Lee in the Army of the United States of America in 
the Revolution. He was the son of Alexander Edwards, Esq. In 1795 the 
widow, Rebecca Roberts, and John Watts (schoolmaster) and wife sold to 
Thomas Paul (merchant). The property then contained over twenty-two 
acres. It has now but a moderate portion of land. In 1829 Justice Dickin- 
son and wife deeded the place to Thomas S. Hart. Joseph Paul and Jonathan 
Wainwright were then executors of Thomas Paul. In 1844 Robert L. Long- 
head and wife conveyed the hotel to Joseph Fell. In 1849 Mr. Fell sold it to 
William A. Murray. In 1851 William A. Murray and Emily his wife deeded 
it to John D. Murray, who, with his wife Lucretia, transferred it to Robert N- 
Murray in 1860, In 1883 the Murray family sold the hotel to Abraham D. 
Stever, who sold to Samuel Houpt in 1884. Mr. Houpt has aided my investi- 
gations. John F. Kiggins is now the landlord. 

THE BUSTLETON AND SOMERTON TURNPIKE COMPANY 

was organized in 1840. A previous company had failed, and the pike was 
rebuilt at great expense, as Martindale's History of Byberry and Moreland 



BUSTLETON. 471 

shows. The present President is William S. llogeland, of Feasterville. The 
Secretary is Charles Wright, and John T. Dungan, of Bustleton, is Treasurer. 
Benjamin Snyder, of Bustleton, was the first Treasurer, from 1840 to 1864. 
Jesse Dungan succeeded him. John Rees, Esq., of Somerton, followed in this 
office from 1864 to 1868, and John T. Dungan was his successor in 1869, and 
now holds the post. 

There is an advertisement of the Swift-Sure line of stages, running through 
Bustleton to New York, in the United States Gazette of November, A. D. 1797. 

The Association Library Company of Bustleton issued a pamphlet con- 
taining its Constitution and By-Laws. It is dated 1793, Samuel Swift, father 
of Joseph and Edwin Swift, Enoch C. Edwards, a Bustleton merchant, and 
Dr. Smith were once trustees of the Academy which preceded Fayette Public 
School. 

The stone house now occupied by Robert Nichols, adjoining his blacksmith 
shop, was once the residence of the Marshall family. A Marshall of Bustle- 
ton was one of the pedestrians in the famous Indian Walk, though I know 
not whether of this family. The abode of David W^ebster was owned by 
Amos and Rebecca Duffield. The Duffield family used to own much land 
in this region. The stone dwelling which is now the depot was formerly occu- 
pied by John Robbins, a cattle-dealer. His son was the Hon. John Robbins, 
a member of Congress. The shop now used by Frank Heyer is on a site 
where Nathaniel Boileau once had a shop, though William Taylor built the 
present one. Squire Banes's brother once lived here. Mr. John Boileau, 
who has always lived in this neighborhood, affords me this information. 

THE EAGLE HOTEL 

has long served the public. It is a lengthy building, with ample sheds and 
an open space of ground on the lower side. The late Benjamin Snyder kept 
it about fifty years and enlarged it, building the upper end. His widow, Mrs. 
Emily Snyder, died a few days ago, and was buried by the side of her hus- 
band in All Saints' churchyard, at Torresdale. The Leedom family owned the 
hotel before Mr. Snyder obtained it. Thomas Fetter was the landlord for 
years, but John Kiggins now conducts the house, which belongs to Charles 
Tillyer, of Philadelphia. 

Since the above was written, the building has been repaired and improved, 
and William Fitzgerald is the present landlord. 

Thomas Coryatt, a gentleman from Somerset, who travelled over a great 
part of Europe in the reign of King James I, and wrote an amusing account 
of his travels, gives a curious instance of the prevalence of signs in Paris 
representing birds. Speaking of the bridges over the Seine, he says one of 
them is "the Bridge of Birdes, formerly called the Millar's Bridge. The rea- 
son why it is called the Bridge of Birdes is because all the signes belonging 
unto shops on each side of the streets are signes of birdes." They were not 



472 BUSTLETON. 

so common in England, though the Eagle was heraldic in origin. The 
Golden Eagle " was the emblem of the Eastern Empire." In 1711 James 
Levi, a bookseller in the Strand, used it. — (Larwood & Hotten's History of 
Sign-Boards, page 199.) 

Mr. John Kuhn's house, on the Welsh Road, was formerly the property of 
Jesse Clewell. He was a gunsmith, and the shop he used still stands on 
the street. James Guthrie's place, next door but one below, belonged to Jesse 
Rex, father of the druggist, John Rex. Mrs. Ann Cliffs house, on the Bus- 
tleton Pike, next above the public school grounds, and next below the residence 
of Mrs. Geissler and William A. Bonner's, was formerly Robert Plummer's. It 
was once a hotel for a short time. Jesse Rex and Dr. James were once occu- 
pants. 

William H. Boileau erected the house opposite, where Captain Dungan 
died. It is now owned by Mr. Charles Burk. 

William Spencer made agricultural machinery where the Methodist par- 
sonage stands on the Welsh Road. He did a large business, and was suc- 
ceeded by the late Joseph Heritage, who used the place before he built his 
carriage shops on the Pike. 

THE UNION HALL 

is a two-story building of stone, rough cast, built in 1847 by a stock company 
composed mostly of Odd Fellows, and containing some Sons of Temperance. 
These bodies used it. The Grangers and Knights of the Mystic Chain, the 
Building and Loan Association, and the North Thirty-fifth Ward Improvement 
Association meet here. 

The house of Marquedant Jones on the Welsh Road was long occupied by 
Dr. James and his family, who were worthy villagers. Dr. James lived in 
Mrs. Ann Cliffs house before removing to this dwelling. His son Samuel and 
his daughters Martha and Anna lived here for years. All are now dead. 

The Post Office (Station P, Philadelphia) has for several years been in the 
store of Mrs. John P. Brooks, and is conducted by herself and her son Elmer 
G. The late Mr. Brooks enlarged the building. Mr. Enoch Edwards and 
Charles Tillyer each formerly conducted the store. Mrs. Brooks has made a 
public hall in the third story, used hv societies. The post-office was here for 
a long time during Enoch Edwards's time, and then moved to Jesse Dungan's 
store, now kept by his son, John Dungan. The office next moved to Howard 
Banes's store, now kept by Willett Boileau, and thence came back to its pres- 
ent location. 

Thomas Paul kept a store and lived in Dr. Hickman's house, which was 
lately burned. He did a large business. John Trump long owned the prop- 
erty. Jesse Dungan had the store for years, and then bought the place which 
his son, John Dungan, now occupies, and where Jesse Dungan's widow 
resides. This is a large stone building erected by General William Duncan, 



BUSTLETON. 473 

who lived a number of years here before 1812, and it was used by him as a 
store. John W. Trump conducted a store for some time in the Hickman prop- 
erty. Amos Snyder, related to the P>ankford family of that name, kept the 
store before John Trump, Sr., had it. He was a polite and agreeable man. He 
married a sister of Dr. Swift. 

The Woodrington Brothers once kept Willett Boileau's store, now owned 
by the estate of Nathan Boileau. (It has since been bought by Willett Boil- 
eau. Nathan Boileau kept it for years.) It was also once in the hands of 
George Richardson. 

THE RAILWAY 

came here in May, 1870. It was first chartered as the Frankford and Holmes- 
burg Horse-Car Company. The Depot-Masters have been : John Trump, 
1870 ; Charles B. Spain, John F. Haines ; and since August, 1877, Charles B. 
Tomlinson, the present efficient agent. M. S. Mason is Baggage-Master, and 
J. A. Mason is Watchman and Assistant. The faithful Conductor, Elias Toy, 
and the trusty brothers Haggerty, who are Engineers, live in Bustleton, which 
is the terminus of the railroad. Mr. Jones is another pleasant employe. 

The Bustleton police are : Mounted, Harry T. Ashton, Harry Knowles, 
Reuben Wolstonholme ; and Charles R. Burk, on duty at Tacony Police Sta- 
tion ; and William Ward, resident here. James Brown and Christopher 
Weisharr were formerly Bustleton policemen. 

David T. Knorr founded the newspaper business here, and his son, Jacob 
S. Knorr continues the agency with his father's aid. Many papers are circu- 
lated. 

The fine old mansion owned and occupied by Robert J. Wright, LL.D., 
with its pretty hedge and stone walls, was once the school of Mr. Neville, and 
afterward the residence of Tunis J. Way, of whom Mr. Wright purchased it. 
John Farnum,. of Philadelphia, once owned it and improved it greatly. Mr. 
Wright has a valuable library, and is the author of several books. 

A natural terrace on the Pike, before the entrance of Chestnut avenue, 
contains the neat cottages of Mrs. Willian and Philip Arrison. The situation • 
is a fine one for dwellings and may be built on in future. 

The ground where St. Luke's Episcopal Church stands was once the property 
of John Fetter Heritage, as well as the small house next below the church, 
on Mr. Wright's place. He also ow^ned the double house nearly opposite the 
rectory, as well as John Ward's property on Boileau's Lane, and Mr. Wonen- 
berg's house. 

Benjamin Snyder was Captain of the Washington Cavalry. He went to 
Trenton with his troop to escort Lafayette to Philadelphia. A son was born 
to him at that time and hence called Lafayette. The father owned the prop- 
erty opposite William Boileau's, now owned by Mr. Charles James and Mr. 
Isaac C. Wells. Mr. Charles Hicks was once owner of Mr. James's place, and 



474 BUSTLETON. 

the street was called Hicks's Lane. The lane by the side of Mr. Boileau's 
is styled Boileau's Lane. John McDaniel built Mr. James's house, and the 
street was called McDaniel's Lane at first. 

In the diary of Robert Morton (Pennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. I, 
page 31) I find this note about this section of country : " The numbers of 
people who have, by permission of Washington, been going to Pennapack 
for these some weeks past for flour at 40 sh. per cwt., c. m., are now stopped by 
his order."— November 23d, 1777. 

The burnt mill (Walnut Mill) on the Pennj'pack above Bustleton is a pic- 
turesque spot, near a large bridge. It was an old flour mill. Jacob Swartz- 
lander built it anew. It passed through Mr. Nessinger's hands to James 
Gordon, and is now a part of his estate. (Mrs. Clara Murray now ow^ns it.) 
There was once a fulling-mill on John Farrell's farm, on the Welsh Road, 
near the old school lot. Elizabeth, Paul and Sarah Townsend once owned 
this place. The race is yet visible. The mill was near the road. 

The Big Rock on or near the Walton farm, at the Newtown Railroad, is 
one of the finest bits of scenery in this country and worth a tramp to view it. 

EVERGREEN TERRACE. 

One of the finest country-seats in this section is Evergreen Terrace, the resi- 
dence of Edward Evans. It is well named, as an abundance of evergreen trees 
brighten the place both in summer and winter. The house is a large one, three 
stories high and built of stone. The site on a hill commands a beautiful view. 
The rooms have high ceilings, and the house has modern improvements, while 
a wide piazza on three sides gives opportunity to enjoy the summer breezes. 
Tunis J. Way built this mansion, and Mr. Evans purchased of him when he 
removed from the heart of the city to this suburb several years ago. There 
are two entrances — one from the Welsh Road and another from the Newtown 
Road — in the rear of St. Luke's School. Both are lined with trees, making 
beautiful avenues. Mr. Evans has long been the faithful Accounting AVarden 
of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He is a descendant of Edward Lane, who 
came over with William Penn. 

In a pretty cottage on his place Mr. Silas W. Gosler resides, while Joseph 
Farrell (now Mr. Fitzgerald) occupies the farmhouse near the large barn, 
w^hich is a prominent object in the scenery. The Pennypack Creek winds 
beautifully in the rear of this place, and a rustic seat on its wooded bank gives 
the pedestrian a means of viewing its meanderings. 

Beyond Mr. Shay's farm lies George Rogers's yarn-mill, formerly conducted 
by the .late Fleetwood Lodge. An axe-factory once occupied its site and gave 
name to the road, which here passes over one of the many bridges w4iich span 
the winding creek. The hills rise abruptly beyond the mill, and the dam and 
the stone wall which guards the road combine to form a scene of peculiar 
beauty. We follow the picturesque stream past Mr. Otto's farm and a rustic 



BUSTLETON. 477 

cottage on the hillside occupied by C. H. Urban, formerly Mr. Cliffs, until we 
reach Mr. Harry Barton's pleasant English-looking abode perched on a hill 
above the stream. This was erected by Mr. Outerbridge. A little beyond 
a similar mansion is owned by Mr. William Shollenberger. This was once 
Mr. Harvey's residence. The sons of Mr. Barton (Charles) and Mr. Shollen- 
berger (George) have lately erected two pretty architectural cottages, which 
lie between their fathers' residences, and, with the tasteful stables, enliven the 
prospect. 

Returning to Evergreen Terrace, if we travel on the Welsh Road toward 
Holmesburg, Daniel Starkey's well-kept farm meets us, and beyond it John 
Neville's, where the farmhouse has lately been enlarged and improved with 
good taste. It is embowered in trees and a pleasant piazza fronts the road. 
The Glacken house, opposite, on the Eckley Company's tract, was once the 
residence of one of the Hall families, while another lived in the ancient house 
which has lately been demolished opposite Mr. Evans's entrance. Opposite 
St. Luke's School is the large Wendell house, where William Guthrie Wen- 
dell resides. It is built of stone and is beautifully located, having the grounds 
of St. Luke's School as a park before it. Just below this house is the neat 
country-place of Miss Emma Smith, of Philadelphia. A bay-window diver- 
sifies the front of the house, while trees and flowers contend in honors with 
the grass-plot to make the rustic abode cheerful. 

The following is from the Holmesburg Journal of May 30th, 1888 : 

" Captain Yonker lived on a farm on the Krewstown Road, below Brous's 
plow-factory, before removing to Collegeville. Uncle Billy Yonker, as he is 
familiarly called, is a resident of the General Wayne Inn, and a relative of 
the proprietor, Chris. Snyder. He is in his eighty-ninth year, and is a well- 
preserved old man. For many years he was a resident of Busileton, and any 
information that is required of bygone days in that section of the country 
can be furnished by Uncle Billy. He has always been a staunch Jacksonian 
Democrat, never missed an election from the time he had a vote, and when 
asked the question whether he belonged to the Harrity or the Randall wing 
of the Democracy, he replied : ' Neither ; I am a Democrat.' The old gentle- 
man is a favorite with every one, and, having a rugged constitution, is des- 
tined to weather the storm for some time yet." 

Edward Marshall, of Bustleton, was one of the three men who walked the 
Great Walk, or Indian Walk of 1737, concerning which William J. Buck has 
lately written a book. A day and a half's walk of land was to be obtained 
from the Indians, but the walk, by the endurance and over-exertion of the 
white walkers, extended far beyond the Indians' expectation, as they looked 
for moderate pedestrianism, instead of racing. 

Marshall was born in Bustleton, A. D. 1710, and was twenty-seven years old 
at the time of the walk. He was a " hunter by occupation and choice," and 
was twice married and the father of twenty-one children. When living where 
Stroudsburg now stands, his first wife was killed by the Indians. He killed 



478 BUSTLETON. 

many Indians afterward. He died November 7th, A. D. 1789, aged seventy- 
nine years; he was buried in the Marshall graveyard. His rifle is in posses- 
sion of his grandson, William Ridge, of Tinicum, on the Delaware below the 
mouth of Tinicum Creek in Bucks County. There is another Tinicum in 
Delaware County, where the Lazaretto stands. (See General Davis's History 
of Bucks County, page 499, and pages 496, 497.) Marshall's burying-ground 
is a mile northeast of Headquarters, which is a hamlet of Tinicum (pages 
508 and 511). Marshall had the barrel and lock of his rifle purchased in 
Germany, but it was mounted in America (page 507.) As to the date and 
place of birth, see page 496. 

For a notice of Bustleton and Moreland, the reader may consult Hazard's 
Register, Vol. V, pages 137-139. 

The Hon. Horatio Gates Jones, who has written a valuable history of Lower 
Dublin Baptist Church, wrote me of Rev. Morgan Edwards (author of " Mate- 
rials for a History of the Baptists "), Joshua Thomas and Rev. William Rich- 
ards, LL.D., as contemporaries of Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones, pastor of that 
church. They were \Velshmen. For a notice of Rev. John Watts, see Jones's 
History. Dr. Kinnearsly is also noticed. 

William Cobbett has been treated of. An article on him may be found in 
the Nineteenth Century Review of February, 1886, by C. Milnes Gaskell. Town- 
send Ward, in his description of " North Second Street," in the Pennsylvania 
Magazine of History, Vol. II, page 171, states that on the east side of Second 
Street, north of Pewter Plate Alley (so named from a tavern thus called), was 
the publishing office of William Cobbett, or " Peter Porcupine," as he styled 
himself. 

The Indian name of the creek, Pemmapecka in the old spelling, now Pen- 
nypack, is said to mean " water without a current." (Idem, page 431.) 

While there is difference of opinion as to the meaning of old English 
names, Bristol has been supposed to come from Briestow, and Brislingtown or 
Busseltown from Bristol. The Saxon of Briestow is '' breach place ; " that is, 
place or town of the break or chasm through which the River Avon finds a 
passage to the sea. The ancient British name was " Caer Oder," " the city of 
the breach." See Lippincott's Gazetteer, where Brislington is described as a 
parish of England, in the county of Somerset. Bristol is partly in Somerset- 
shire. 

George Breck married Catherine D. Israel. He had eight sons and six 
daughters. Twelve of these children grew up to manhood and womanhood. 

Mr. Cox, the father of Rev. Dr. Samuel Cox, Dean of the Cathedral at Garden 
City, L. I., lived next above Mr. Breck's place. The fine old house is approached 
by a long lane and surrounded by an extensive farm. Mrs. Eliza Rea Negus, of 
Holmesburg, used to live here, and her son, Alexander Negus, now owns and 
occupies the old-time, ample mansion. Mr. Burke was a teacher in the school- 
house on Joseph Batzel's place. A part of the farmhouse was formerly a school- 
house. Mr. John Neville, the father of Charles Neville, had a noted classical 




< 
o 

C/3 

W 
Q 

a 

H 
O 

u 
u 

12; 

Q 

CO 

U 

OJ 

w 
a 



BUSTLETON. 481 

boarding-school for boys at R. T. Wright's place, and when he moved to Wal- 
nut Hill, the school was continued there ; while his sister, Miss Betsey Neville, 
had a class of girls at the last-named place. 

The mansion-house on the Welsh Road near Bustleton- called Walnut Hill 
on the estate of Charles Neville, is one of the finest in this section. Its posi- 
tion, on a little hill which affords a slope for the wooded lawn and a view of 
the surrounding country, is a pretty feature, while the lane skirted with trees 
makes an attractive entrance. An old house once stood near the barn, but it 
has vanished in the lapse of time. The present mansion house of stone, with 
a porch in front and another in the rear, and its high ceilings and large par- 
lor, was built by Mr. Watson, and was afterward in the hands of his son-in- 
law, Mr. Gurling. It was then bought by Mr. Bisland, of Mississippi, who 
soon sold it to Mr. Neville's father, as the late Charles Neville informed me. 
The elder Mr. Neville had a school here. The school-room was in the rear of 
the mansion, and is now occupied by Mr. Abbott as a dwelling. The Mar- 
shall family, of Philadelphia, have a neat cottage on the road just above the 
entrance to the Neville place, which they use as a summer residence. There 
is a pretty lawn above the cottage and ample grounds surround it, making a 
cosy summer retreat. This was called White's Corners, from a family of that 
name who were old residents. Some of them live in Frankford. An old log 
house formerly stood on the corner. 

GWIN'S MILLS. 

Gwin's Mills were bought by Robert Verree, the grandfather of the late 
Hon. John P. Verree and Mrs. Dr. Ingham. A part of the house which 
adjoins the mills was built in A. D. 1776. Gwin's mill was a grist-milL 
James Verree started a rolling-mill. The bridge was built in 1814. The 
place became a shovel mill, and afterward an edge-tool factory. Flaxseed oil 
was also made at the grist-mill. At the Revolution, the grist-mill of Mr. Ver- 
ree was raided by the British and the bolting-cloth was torn. The Verrees 
are of French descent, the original name being Verrier. The mills nestle in 
a pretty valley, amid wooded hills, while the babbling Pennypack Creek runs 
along beside them, talking of the time when the sound of the hammer and 
the noise of the workmen enlivened it. Mrs. Ingham's stone residence, with 
its terraced lawn, is very picturesque. 

LYNGANOIR. 

A dignified old stone mansion, rough-cast and colored yellow, stands in a 
lawn behind ancient trees, on the Krewstown Road just above the Lower Dub- 
lin Baptist Church. It is the residence of the Misses Henderson and their 
sister, Mrs. Dade. A ha-ha wall and hedge ornament the front of the prop- 

31 



482 BUSTLETON. 

erty ; a farm surrounds the dwelling. Samuel J. Henderson, Esq., the father 
of the present occupants, was a lawyer in Philadelphia. 

Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones spent his latter days in this old family mansion and 
died here. His wife^died in 1802, and he then moved to this place, where he 
died in 1814. He had resided in the old stone mansion on the farm, now 
appropriated, by the generosity of Mrs. Ryerss' will, to the use of the Society 
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having been purchased with her 
legacy. Rev. Theophilus Harris and his wife bought that farm of Rev. Dr. 
Jones. Mr. Harris built a woolen factory for his son where the saw-mill now 
stands. 

The date of the old homestead will be found on the gable end of the house with 
initials S. and S. J., intended for Samuel and Silvia Jones. There the Rev. Sam. 
uel Jones lived for many years ; his children were born there, and there they 
died, with the exception of his daughter Sarah. During the Revolutionary 
War, Dr. Jones was much from home, being a chaplain in the army. Upon 
man}'^ occasions the British, in their -raids over the country, visited his home, 
and would have deprived the little ones of their sustenance by driving off the 
cows, had not the dignified and gentle Mrs. Jones appealed to their manly 
instincts, winning their respect and sympathy. Mrs. Jones was a daughter of 
Jacob Spicer, of New Jersey, and a sister of the wife of Thomas Chalkley, of 
Chalkley Hall, the eminent preacher among the Friends. 

About the year 1800, Dr. Jones built on a part of his land the house at the 
place called Lynganoir, for his daughter, who was soon to marry young Rob- 
ert Henderson, of Scotland. Mr. Henderson lived only a few months after 
his marriage. The only child of this marriage was Samuel J. Henderson. 
He died in the room in wdiich he was born forty-eight years before, and in the 
same room in which his grandfather. Dr. Jones, breathed his last. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Henderson, Dr. Jones, having been deprived by 
death of his estimable wife, left the old homestead to reside at Lynganoir with 
his widowed daughter, Mrs. Henderson, who subsequently married the Rev. 
Theophilus Harris, by whom she had four daughters — the late Mrs. Griffith, 
Mrs. Bussier, Mrs. Chilton and Mrs. Wilstach. Mr. and Mrs. Harris resided 
for the early part of their married life, during the summer months, at the old 
homestead. Dr. Jones continued to live at Lynganoir until his death, which 
occurred in 1814. Mr. Harris purchased the old homestead of Dr. Jones for 
his son, Theophilus Harris, Mrs. Harris giving Lynganoir to her son, Samuel 
Jones Henderson. At present it is in the possession of the three daughters of 
the late Samuel Jones Henderson, and of his grandson, Ralph Henderson, 
the latter having inherited the share of his father, the late Robert Jones Hen- 
derson. 

An old " moon clock " keeps guard on the stairs and has long done duty. 
It reminds one of Longfellow's poem, " The Old Clock on the Stairs " : 



BUSTLETON. 483 

" Through days of sorrow and of mirth, 
Through days of death and days of birth, 
Through every swift vicissitude 
Of changeful time, unchanged it has stood." 

Old " Franklin " stoves in the mansion yet perpetuate the philosopher's 
memory. A small spinning-wheel for flax adorns the parlor and has been in 
the family for several generations. In the library are the books and manu- 
scripts of Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones. I have had the privilege of examining his 
letters. He was a sort of Bishop among the Baptists, and was much regarded 
all over the country. He was elected President of what is now Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence, R. I., but declined the honor. In conjunction with Bur- 
gess Allison, A. M., he compiled a Psalm and Hymn Book, under the 
appointment of the Philadelphia Association. The fourth edition, before me, 
was printed in Philadelphia for Theophilus Harris, by Joseph Rakestraw, in 
A. D. 1819. Gypsy Corner is back of Lynganoir. 

BELL'S CORNER. 

This point, a mile below Bustleton on the Frankford Pike, took its name 
from a man named Bell, who kept a hotel there, but did not own it. He 
moved to the West. There was once a sign-board with a bell on it at this 
tavern. It is a long stone building having a piazza. Of late years Mr. Mor- 
rison and others have kept it. The owner lives in the city. Bell's Corner 
was sometimes styled Liverpool and Seddon's Mill, Manchester, perhaps 
humorously. The toll-gate below was long under the faithful care of Comly 
Gilbert. His son-in-law, Mr. Charles Cookenback, now has charge of it. The 
*' Axe-Factory Road " leaves the Pike here on the East, running through a 
pretty wood as it descends a hill. 

ECHO FARM. 

The late David W. Prescott, of Philadelphia, owned " Echo Farm." He 
was a shipping merchant in the West India trade in Philadelphia, commenc- 
ing business in 1819. He was on North Delaware Avenue, above Race Street, 
during most of his business life. Mr. Prescott came from New Haven, Con- 
necticut, his father being James M. Prescott, a merchant of that city. The 
lad grew up among those beautiful trees which line the streets, and cause the 
town to be called the City of the Elms. The family were doubly related by 
marriage to the eminent Roger Sherman, Mr. Prescott was also of the family 
of the historian of the same name. Senator William Evarts and Judge and 
Senator Hoar were his relatives. He was Treasurer of the Philadelphia 
Tract and Mission Society for over forty years. In 1851 he purchased of the 
heirs of the younger Dr. Bartolette and Levi Dewees the property where he 
made his country-seat. He kindly took an interest in the Union Sunday- 



484 BUSTLETON. 

school at Sandiford, which is now a Baptist institution. His beautiful woods 
were hospitably opened to various Sunday-schools for their summer festivals, 
and in later years the Sunday-school of St. Luke's Episcopal Church often 
sought this shady retreat by the invitation of his widow. Mr. Prescott died 
in 1874, and was buried at Ronaldson's Graveyard. He worked in Sunday- 
school from the age of nineteen to that of seventy-four, and was engaged in 
Clinton Street (Immanuel) Sunday-school when he died with his Christian 
armor on. The church is at the corner of Tenth and Clinton Streets. Mr- 
Prescott built the fine large brown house, with its ample piazza, where Mrs. 
Prescott and her daughter, Mrs. Faxon, with her family, reside in summer. 
He also erected the farmhouse and out-buildings. 

THE BARTOLETTE FARM. 

The next property below is the old stone dwelling of Edward Bartolette 
and his sister Sarah. The part of the house toward the city is lower 
than the upper section. It was built in 1797. The parents of the brother 
and sister mentioned were named William and Mary, while the grandparents 
were Dr. John and Katy Bartolette. The grandfather is said to have taken a 
very large apple, such as country people love to preserve, to Lafayette, and 
presented it to him at Holmesburg in A. D. 1824, where the General received 
the man warmly, who had French blood in his veins. A brother of Edward 
and Sarah Bartolette lives at Spencerville, Montgomery County, Maryland, 
and thither they are about to remove. Mr. Spencer, a wheelwright who lived 
in Mr. Dedaker's house, moved to Maryland, as well as the Search family of 
Bustleton, who were relatives of the Spencers. Mr. Ackland, who lives on the 
Oxford Pike near Frankford, has bought the old place with its old-fashioned 
house and expects to live here. I believe that it is proposed to cultivate flow- 
ers on the farm. Dr. John Bartolette practised medicine here for many years. 
He died at this place and was buried in the Friends' graveyard at Frankford. 
The original family were French people, perhaps Huguenots. As Protestants 
they fled from France to Germany under a danger of persecution. Thence 
they went to England, where the " De " was dropped from their name. They 
came over with the De Bennevilles, who were leading residents of Milestown, 
They were related to them by marriage. The wife of Dr. John Bartolette was 
of the Cornell family, and owned the Saul properties near Sandiford. Eunice 
Ellis, widow, daughter of Benjamin Ashton, Sr., conveyed the Bell's Corner 
property to John Bartolette in 1795. The Doctor, I notice, by some writings 
in the family, was once assessor. In 1748 Joseph Ashton deeded the place to 
Isaac Ashton. In 1727 John Ashton, grandson of Joseph, deeded it to Joseph 
Ashton. Next beyond this property is Mr. Washington Ferrell's well-kept 
farm. He carries on trucking in a scientific manner, and is well versed in the 
value of fertilizers in improving crops. 



BUSTLETON. 485 

The pleasant looking, long farmhouse just below the toll-gate at Bell's Cor- 
ner, where Gustavus Engle resided several years, and where his brothers spend 
their summers, was formerly a hotel. It was, in old times, when called " The 
Grove," owned by Samuel Swift, a Philadelphian, the fifth son of Joseph and 
Margaret Swift, born in Philadelphia, January 12th, 1771. After graduating 
at college, he studied law with Judge Yeates, of Lancaster, Penna. He mar- 
ried Margaret Shippen, daughter of Joseph and Jennie Shippen, on the 11th 
of February, A. D. 1795. She was born May 17th, 1773, and died June 2d, 
1809, aged thirty-six years and sixteen days. She was buried in the yard of 
Trinity Church, Oxford. The children were : Margaret McCall, who mar- 
ried John Shippen ; William ; Mary, who married M. Brooke Buckley ; Joseph 
who married Eliza M. Willing ; George, who died in infancy; Samuel, who 
married Mary Royer; Elizabeth Shippen; John, dying in infancy; Sarah 
Bardley, and Edwin, who reside in Philadelphia. Jane G. Swift, another 
daughter, married John Swift, though they were not related. 

Samuel Swift bought the property named and built or enlarged the house. 
He died in Germantown. Mr. Edwin Swift sold the property to Mr. Engle, 
about 1844 or 1845. Samuel Swift spent his life, from the time he was a young 
man to three years before his death, on the Bustleton farm, and most of the 
family were born there, and those that have passed away have generally been 
buried from this old home. 

Gustavus Engle lives in a neat cottage a little above the residence of his 
brothers, on the opposite side of the Turnpike. 

GEORGE ERNEST SCHLOSSER. 

This eminent man died in 1809, at the age of eighty-seven. He was a 
Moravian, and the Treasurer of the First Moravian Church in Philadelphia, 
and a vestryman. He is often mentioned in Abraham Ritter's History of the 
Moravian Church in Philadelphia. He was known as a prominent and 
wealthy merchant in the cit3\ His father was a Lutheran clergyman in Nas- 
sau (Sarrbreck). George Schlosser and his son, Jacob H., who died in 1828, 
were buried at Franklin and Vine Streets, in the Moravian graveyard. George 
Schlosser emigrated from Germany to New York in 1751, but remained in 
that city only a short time, coming to Philadelphia the same year. During 
the yellow fever epidemic, he and Stephen Girard and Adam Helm did a 
Christlike work. Mr. Helm was a Moravian. These three, in A. D. 1793, 
volunteered to care for the sick in the Bush Hill Hospital. Mr. Helm had the 
inner work, and the others the outer work. (See History of the Yellow Fever, 
by Matthew Carey.) 

In Christopher Marshall's Diary (page 181, Historical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania Library), is the following : " By account from George Schlosser, in a 
letter from his daughter at Bustleton, it was seven of our wounded prisoners 



486 BUSTLETON. 

that the English burnt some days past near the Crooked Billet." May 16th, 
A. D. 1778, is the date of the entry. 

For an account of the burning of buckwheat straw, see William J. Buck's 
History of Mooreland, near the close of his description of that section. The 
Bustleton place referred to is a farm owned by Mr. John Biddle on the Turn- 
pike, a mile below Bustleton. Miss Eliza Schlosser, of this family, now 
resides in the village. 

John Biddle's truck farm, with its cosy farm-house, is on the Bustleton 
Turnpike just above Bell's Corner. Mr. Biddle came to this country from 
England, and sometimes runs back to his old home to visit early scenes. 

His brother-in-law, Robert Nichols, lives nearly opposite, in a large and 
roomy dwelling, and carries on trucking on an extensive scale. Both farms 
are noted in this section, and a large amount of glass sash shines on the 
roadside, and helps to make summer in winter among the vegetables be- 
neath it. 

My friend, John W. Jordan, of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 
wrote a memoir of George Schlosser for the Moravian, February 6th, 1789 
Mr. Schlosser was born at St. Arnual, October 27, A. D. 1714. The maiden 
name of his mother was Sophia Johanetta'Margaretta Ellwerth. When he 
was an infant, his parents moved to Strassburg, where his little sister let him 
fall from a bridge into the River Rhine. Some w^omen washing near by res- 
cued him. At fifteen the lad was confirmed and became a communicant. He 
was apprenticed to a trade in Pforzhem. . He was interested in the Moravians 
through Zinzendorf's discourses, and by acquaintanceship with Henry Nitsch- 
mann, and became a Moravian and emigrated to Bethlehem, Pa. He after- 
ward was a successful merchant in Philadelphia, and was a friend of the new 
Government in the Revolution, and a meml^er of the Provincial Conventions 
of 1774 and 1775, and the Convention of 1776, and the Committee of Obser- 
vation for Philadelphia in 1775. When the British held the city he went to 
Lancaster, and after the evacuation " returned to his country-seat near Bus- 
tleton.' He was a trustworthy man. In 1778 he advanced £2000 when the 
State Treasury was " very low and the necessities of the army very great." 
This was repaid. 

In 1785, in the reorganization of the Moravian congregation in Philadel- 
phia, Mr. Schlosser was a member of the Standing Committee and collector 
for the Sustentation Fund. He was a manager of the House of Employment, 
He lived for years on Second Street near Vine. He was an early riser, an 
active business man and a philanthropist. He died in 1802, on the 25th of 
February, and was buried in the Moravian Cemetery on Race Street, having 
been one of those who originally subscribed for its purchase. He was aged 
eighty-seven years, nine months and twenty-nine days, according to the epi- 
taph. Another sketch of Mr. Schlosser is in tne Pennsylvania Magazine of 
History, Vol. IV, page 232. 



BUSTLETON. 487 

SANDIFORD. 

This hamlet on the Bustleton Pike commemorates Ralph Sandiford, His 
grave is near a pear-tree on the place formerly owned by Jesse Griffith. He 
was a Friend, and an early protestor in writing against enslaving negroes. 
(See Janney's History of the Friends, Vol. Ill, page 241.) See Watson's An- 
nals of Philadelphia, Vol. II, page 74 for his epitaph. Also, on page 265, 
reference is made to Rev. Peter Kalm, the Swedish traveller, who speaks of 
the only free negroes in Philadelphia in 1748 as having been freed by a 
Quaker, probably meaning Sandiford, who freed all his slaves in 1733, which 
Watson thinks was probably " the first instance of the kind known in our 
annals." Slave " drivers " used to pass through Philadelphia to other colo- 
nies. On the last days of fairs the slaves were allowed to have jubilees in 
Washington Square. (See the last reference in Watson.) Sandiford was a 
merchant, and had visited the West Indies and seen cruelty in slavery there. 
When I visited this spot, the stone had been removed and was in the barn. 
The neglect of the dead in this rushing country is very sad. 

In passing down the private road publicly used opposite the Sandiford store 
and post-office, Mr. Byers's house is on the right, near the blacksmith and 
wheelwright shops. Then comes Mr. Samuel Conn's large farm and ample 
farm-house and large, new barn, and, on the other side, another farm owned 
by him. 

Then we reach David Saul's large- farm-house on the right, while on the 
opposite side, at the end of the road, is the farm-house of Benjamin and 
George Saul, his nephews. 

Joseph Saul bought a large tract of land here. A part of David Saul's farm 
was purchased of Joseph Lewis. The farm was left by Joseph Saul to his 
sons David, Joseph and James. Joseph died in Holmesburg, and is buried 
in Emmanuel Episcopal Churchyard. James and his wife died on this farm. 
The Saul family are of English descent. David Saul is over eighty years of 
age. 

The Carwithen farm, above the Sandiford post-oflBce, which became the 
property of Corson Griffith, was owned by the Dungan family, and previously 
was a Walton property. Mr. Green's house, on a pretty sloping lawn above 
Sandy Run, has long been held by the family. John Sale's large stone house 
on the upper side of the Run belonged to the McDermont family, of whom he 
bought it. It is said to have been built by a friend of Sandiford. Mr. Sale 
has lately enlarged and greatly improved it. 

Mr. Samuel Wilson, whose two-story white house, with its piazza in fronts 
is approached through an avenue of trees at Sandiford, was one of the first 
seven subscribers to the Germantown Telegraph when Major Freas started the 
paper. He then lived on Fisher's Lane. Charles Snyder's long, stone farm- 
house, with its large trees as a way-mark, once belonged to that good man, 
Rev. George Scheetz, rector of Trinity Church, Oxford, and All Saints' Churchy 



488 BUSTLETON. 

Torresdale. His study was a little stone building standing in the rear of the 
mansion. The Young family live nearly opposite this house, while the Rob- 
erts and Rupert families own farms which open on the Castor Road to the 
west. The Castor Road is named from a family who lived in the valley on 
the right hand, before reaching the Levick farm in going to Frankford. 

On the Bustleton Pike the Wheat Sheaf Tavern is below Sandiford. It is 
no longer a tavern. The large public school with its ample playground is at 
this point, while the Poor House and Holmesburg Water Works open upon 
the Township Line Road. 

The Water Works are in a quiet and pretty spot. Sandy Run gives the 
water, David Saul's place affording its resources, as the stream passes through 
it. The water has lately been introduced to Holmesburg, and is highly appre- 
ciated for its excellence. 

RALPH SANDIFORD. 

In A. D., 1815, the " Lives of Benjamin Lay and Ralph Sandiford," by Rob- 
erts Vaux, in one small volume, appeared in Philadelphia, published by Solo- 
mon W. Conrad, and printed by W. Brown. We highly appreciate the good 
deed of the author in striving to perpetuate the memory of these early philan- 
thropists, and are continuing his work in this effort to bring the history 
before new readers. For an account of Benjamin Lay, see " Branchtown," on 
the York Road, in this present volume, which endeavors to bring out the 
worthy characters of this region. 

Ralph Sandiford was born in England, at Liverpool, A. D., 1693. He came 
to Philadelphia when young, and engaged in commerce, visiting many islands 
in the West Indies, and a number of provinces on the Continent of America. 
His compassion was aroused toward slaves suffering from cruelty. This kind- 
hearted man reflected on men's duties and obligations as guided by reason 
and religion, and determined in his own mind that slavery was contrary to 
man's rights, and ''.the precepts of the Author of Christianity." To further this 
idea he toiled through life. 

In his voyages for trading he met with great suffering and peril. He once 
" was robbed by pirates, and escaped but with his life." The vessel that bore 
him once " foundered in a storm. Himself and the ship's company embarked 
in the long boat, and were eight days' tossed on the ocean without food ; they 
succeeded, however, in making the land to the southward of the Gulf of 
Florida, and their lives were thus saved." In voyaging to New York " he 
was again wrecked, and, at great hazard, reached one of the Bahama Islands," 
where he remained some months, and then proceeded to Charleston, S. C. 
The poor "stranger in a strange land," like Moses (Exodus II, 22), " was un- 
expectedly introduced to a person of great wealth and influence in that city, 
who proposed to engage his services in a commercial enterprise which he 
had projected, and which would have realized to Sandiford a large sum of 
money." 



BUSTLETON. 489 

The gentleman was the richest person in the province, and his riches arose 
from slavery, but Sandiford, though grateful to the open-hearted man, could 
not accept his offer, lest he should lessen his " future happiness," as he had 
seen enough of the miseries of slavery, and so he hastened to Pennsylvania, 
where he says that the Lord gave him substance, though a fire consumed his 
property, and he escaped wonderfully, when some were burned, " in all which," 
he says, " I saw the hand of the Lord, who has again raised me to fullness and 
plenty, which I noM' mention to commemorate His providence." 

From his reaching Pennsylvania to 1729, he zealously wrought through 
his varying fortunes to proclaim his views on slavery among those whom he 
met, and he sought discussion concerning these things. 

In his thirty-sixth year he issued a book entitled " The Mystery of Iniquity 
in a Brief Examination of the Practice of the Times." 

The Chief Justice of the province threatened penalties of severity if the 
author allowed its circulation. He, however, gave the work away where 
he thought it would be useful. Those whose interests were touched, or 
whose unjust practices were displayed "in the correct though affecting picture 
which he gave of slavery," opposed him. However, the book was an efficient 
aid " in advancing the author's opinion." He gave selections, additional to 
his own sound sentiments, from authors to support his philanthropic ideas, 
showing research and reflection on his part. The book " exhibited a mind at 
once fortified by manly firmness, and influenced by Christian solicitude and 
benevolence." 

]\Ir. Vaux quotes the affecting concluding words of Sandiford's volume. He 
refers to the wailing of Jeremiah the Prophet (Lamentations, I, 12) — " Behold 
and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow," declaring, as God was his 
witness, that he would rather have wailed " in the wilderness," were it God's 
will, than to have protested against that "which promotes idleness and 
haughtiness in the rich, and hinders the poor from bread, which brings evils 
in the commonwealth." His burning heart prompted him to act " for the 
welfare of all, to give forth this testimony " to clear himself and those 
addressed, " before my great Creator." He warns men of duty in the thought 
of God's tribunal, and asks not the " striking at any creature, but at the evil 
in all, that the cause may be removed, and that the creation may be governed 
by love, and this practice disavowed in all mankind, and especially by all 
that name the name of Jesus, that every creature under the whole heavens may 
be delivered from oppression, as well as Ralph Sandiford." 

For the greater part of two years he was constantly engaged in combating 
objections against the arguments in his address. His health weakened in the 
hostility, and he left Philadelphia, and, in 1731, bought a little farm "about 
nine miles in a northeasterly direction from Philadelphia, upon the side of 
the road leading from that place to the village of Bustleton. Here he had a 
log house erected, and otherwise improved his little property, and upon this 



490 BUSTLETON. 

spot he lived in patriarchal simplicity during the remainder of his innocent 
and useful life." 

The place to which Mr. Vaux refers is on the Bustleton Turnpike, about 
two miles below Bustleton, between that place and Frankford. It is now 
within the city limits, though a rural district. 

The book under consideration describes Ralph Sandiford as small, with an 
intelligent and benignant countenance. He opposed conscientiously luxury 
which had appeared in Pennsylvania. His clothing was simply made, " and 
was of the natural color of the material of which it was composed. He was 
hospitable, and entertained those who visited him with all the liberality that 
was consistent with his primitive mode of living. He was kind and chari- 
table to the poor, and assisted them when opportunities presented, with his 
advice as well as from his purse. Though he had many enemies in conse- 
quence of his opposition to slave-keeping, yet it was universally acknowledged 
that he was an upright and honest man." 

In 1732, disease " confined him to his bed. Perceiving that there was no 
prospect of his recovery, he calmly waited the awful moment which would 
forever terminate his sorrows and his sufferings." 

He had "considerable property," but no wife or children to heir it. His 
will was made " on the 7th day of the 3d month (March), 1733," in Lower 
Dublin, Philadelphia County. He styles himself "merchant," and, piously, 
adds, "being sick in body, but of sound mind and memory (praised be the 
Lord), do make this my last will and testament, in manner following: First I 
commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through 
the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour and 
Redeemer, to be everlastingly saved. Also, I commit my body to the earth, 
to be therein decently buried at the discretion of my executors, hereinafter 
nominated." 

He then specifies his wishes " as to what worldly effects it hath pleased the 
Lord to bestow upon me," after debts and funeral expenses are met. He gives 
" to the meeting of the men and women of the people called Quakers, at Phil- 
adelphia, each ten pounds for the use of the poor. I also give to the Church 
of England, for the use of the poor, ten pounds." (This was Christ Church, 
in Second Street.) Legacies of small amount are added, " to Joseph Chettam 
and his sister Hannah," and " to Samuel Harrison, of New York." He gave 
to his brother James his watch, and to Phoebe Boyles, Sewell's History." He 
left his housekeeper, Mary Peace, a life estate in the farm on which he 
resided, and to his servant, Susanna Morris, " a life estate in another planta- 
tion which he owned in Cheltenham, and, at their death directs all his 
landed estate to be sold, and the proceeds remitted to his sisters, or their legal 
representatives, in England, to be equally divided among them." 

Sandiford died March 28th, A. D. 1738, at the age of forty years. 

" His boidy was buried in a field, on his own farm, near the house where his 
terrestrial existence was peacefully terminated." 



BUSTLETON. 491 

His executors " bad the grave enclosed with a balustrade fence, and caused a 
stone to be placed at the head of it, thus inscribed : 

" ' In Memory of 

RALPH SANDIFORD, 

Son of John Sandiford, 

of Liverpool. 

He Bore a Testimony against the 

Negro Trade, and Dyed ye 

28th of ye 3d Month, 

1733, Aged 40 

years.' " 

When Mr. Vaux wrote, the farm was " occupied by S. Griffiths. It is yet in 
possession of the family. Some owners of land in the hamlet proposed to call 
it ' Sandiford.' " " To do so," he says, " would certainly be highly creditable to 
the feelings of those who should thus manifest their respect for the memory 
of an individual so worthy as Ralph Sandiford." 

This has been done, and his memory is thus perpetuated. 

Mr. Vaux " copied the epitaph from the stone, which was found broken in 
two pieces, laying near a fence, not far from the place where it was originally 
erected." I, myself, saw the stone in the barn. The grave is not far from the 
turnpike. 

Mr. Vaux adds that Sandiford's housekeeper and his servant were buried 
near him, and that, " for many years after their death, care was taken to pre- 
serve all the graves from violation." Afterward, " the fence was removed." 
A pear tree is a mark for the grave, perhaps, according to the suggestion of 
Mr. Vaux, who notes his advice " that a tree should be planted." Some of 
the neighbors strove to have a wall built around the grave. 

Our interesting little volume closes thus : '' But whether neglect or venera- 
tion be the lot of the mouldering frame of the pious and enlightened Sandi- 
ford, it is a precious consolation to believe that the great principles which he 
avowed and advocated are rising into dominion among mankind in propor- 
tion to the rapidly diffusing light of Christianity, and promise, like the holy 
precepts of that religion, to be indestructible and eternal." 

It seems fitting for me to add that Longfellow's poem, " The Good Part That 
Shall Not be Taken Away," paints a similar character to Sandiford in a 
Southern lady who freed her slaves, and then taught a school to support her- 
self who is thus described with " her angelic looks " among her female pupils : 

" She reads to them at eventide, 
Of One who came to save ; 
' . To cast the captive's chains aside, 

And liberate the slave. 



492 " BUSTLETON. 

"And oft the blessed time fortells 
When all men shall be free ; 
And musical as silver bells, 
Their falling chains shall be. 

"And following her beloved Lord, 
In decent poverty, 
She makes her life one sweet record 
And deed of charity. 

" For she was rich and gave up all, 
To break the iron bands, 
Of those who waited in her hall, 
And labored in her lands. 

" Long since beyond the Southern Sea, 
Their outbound sails have sped, 
While she, in meek humility. 
Now earns her daily bread. 

** It is their prayers, which never cease. 
That clothe her with such grace ; 
Their blessing is the light of peace 
That shines upon her face." 

REV. JAMES LLOYD BRECK, D. D. 

The following, from The Young Churchman (Milwaukee, October 2d, A. D,, 
1892), signed " F. C. M.," gives an account of a noble Christian missionary 
who lived on the Kuhn farm, now owned by Mr. Saul. Mr. Breck had assisted 
in founding the Theological Seminary at Nashotah, Wisconsin : 

" In 1850, Mr. Breck returned for the first time to the east, to solicit funds. 
He was enthusiastically received everywhere, Nashotah's fame having been 
well spread. He accomplished his purpose to some extent, but concluded 
finally that the system under which he desired to work could no longer be 
tried at Nashotah. Still believing in the system, and anxious to do more 
work for the Church, he resolved, however, with the permission of Bishop 
Kemper, to resign his work there, and to penetrate still further West, into 
the territory of Minnesota, which was under the same Bishop. Only one 
clergyman of the Church was then in the territory — the Rev. Mr. Gear, chap- 
lain at Fort Snelling. 

" So a new associate mission was formed, the Rev. Timothy Wilcoxsen, of 
Connecticut, and the Rev. John Austin Merrick, of Philadelphia, uniting with 
Mr. Breck. They made a short stay at Nashotah, where a touching farewell ser- 
vice was held, and then pushed on. Sunday, June 23d, 1850, was spent at 
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, on the Mississippi River, where was held the first church 
service ever celebrated there. Next morning they crossed over into Minne- 
sota Territory, where they reared a rustic cross, and celebrated the Holy 
Eucharist. 




a 

o 

PS 

>â–  
w 

ej 

w 

H 

H 
O 

Q 
t— 1 

w 

Pi 



BUSTLETON. 495 

" The missioners located at Saint Paul, and at once purchased two acres of 
land overlooking the city, for which Mr. Breck notes that they paid ' the ex- 
travagant cost of $50 per acre,' The tract is now in the heart of the city, and 
worth a fabulous amount. From their lieadquarters at St. Paul, they made mis- 
sionary journeys to all the country around, and established the Church every- 
where, extending their care even as far as La Crosse, two hundred miles 
distant by river. On Good Friday, 1851, Mr. Breck notes with thankfulness 
that 'there are now eight communicants in Saint Paul.' They had also 
built a little church, which Bishop Kemper consecrated in August. 

" In 1852, work was commenced among the Indians — principally Chippewas. 
So promising did this become, that Mr. Breck removed from Saint Paul, and 
w^ent among the Indians, locating his home at Kahgeeashkoonsikag — which 
seems a euphonious and easy name, when we learn that another mission was 
planted at Kahsahgawsquahjeomokag, and that Mr. Breck frequently dated 
his letters from Nigigwaunowahsahgahigaw \ A number of churches were 
founded in the Indian field, and many converts made. Mr. Breck finally 
retired altogether from the white field, leaving that to others. He gave his 
whole attention to the work among the Indians. In 1855, Mr. Breck married 
Miss Jane Maria Mills, a worker, like himself, among the Indians. 

" No theological work had heretofore been attempted in Minnesota, owing 
to a wish of Dr. Breck not to appear to antagonize Nashotah in any way. 
But now the time seemed ripe when young men might be gathered in Minne- 
sota and be instructed for the Church's ministry. Accordingly, the educa- 
tional institutions of Faribault were founded. With these in view Mr. Breck 
again visited the East. He organized in Faribault a university and theo- 
logical seminary, and also kept the oversight of the work among the Indians. 
Bishop Whipple was consecrated as Bishop of Minnesota in 1859, and was 
heartily interested in Faribault, establishing his Cathedral there. Mr. Breck 
became a D. D. in 1860." 

This good man was afterward engaged in educational work in California, 
and his son. Rev. W. A. M. Breck, now lives at San Buena Ventura in that 
State. The brother of J. Lloyd Breck, Rev. Dr. Chas. Breck, was long rector 
of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Wilmington, Del. The missionary attended 
school on the Welsh Road, in the school-house described in this volume by 
John P. Verree, and should be an example to Bustleton boys. 

REV. DR. R. J. WRIGHT. 

This genial and scholarl}^ man was, for years, my friend and near neighbor, 
and it is pleasant to recall his kindly generosity to the poor, and his warm 
heart. His studious habits were remarkable, and his bright mind was ever 
active. He lived, for a time, with his father in the suburb of Frankford 
near Strawberry Hill, the residence of William Welsh, and afterward he 
resided on the Delaware at Tacony, before purchasing Tunis J. Way's fine 



496 BUSTLETON. 

old mansion next to St. Luke's Church, where he died. His remarkable 
library was largely composed of books pertaining to theology and the Holy 
Scriptures. This benevolent man left legacies to the Episcopal and Metho- 
dist churches. Mrs. Koons, Mr. Wright's sister, resides in Philadelphia with 
her children, I quote the following sketch : 

OBITUARY. 

" Rev. Robert Joseph Wright, LL.D., died at his residence at Bustleton, on 
Saturday. He was born in this city, January 17th, 1824. At the age of 
fifteen he entered the sub-freshman's class at Lafayette College, but two years 
later left and entered his father's umbrella factory on Market Street. 

" When eighteen years old, he joined the German Reformed Church, 
although most of his relatives were members of the Hicksite Friends, and re- 
entered Lafayette College, from which he graduated in 1845. During his 
college life Mr. Wright was very popular among the students and was elected 
to the highest honors in its societies. 

" During his residence at the college, Mr. Wright became acquainted with 
Austin Craig, I. C. Goff, and others, of the Christian denomination, in which 
field he afterwards chiefly labored. While at college his health broke down 
to such an extent that he did not feel justified in entering actively in the 
ministry, so that, after his graduation, he accepted a partnership in his 
father's and uncle's manufactory. A few years later, Mr. Wright's health 
improved to such an extent that he entered Princeton College for the purpose 
of studying for the ministry, but, his health again breaking down, he was 
compelled to withdraw permanently. 

" Mr. Wright was a life-long student of the Greek New Testament ; was a 
lay preacher in the Christian Church ; was the author of ' Principia, or the 
Basis of Social Science,' and many other smaller publications on theology — 
' Principia ' receiving favorable notices from Herbert Spencer and many other 
eminent scholars. 

" Mr. Wright was a trustee and non-resident professor of ethics, metaphysics 
and church history in the Christian Biblical Institute, Stanford, New York. 
He received the degree of LL. D. from Hanover College, Indiana." 

The place is now occupied by Andrew J. Gideon. 

THE RYERSS INFIRMARY FOR DUMB ANIMALS. 

This is the former home of Rev. Dr. Jones, near Lyngonier. The news- 
paper extract below shows the usefulness of this institution : 

DUMB ANIMAL INFIRMARY. 

" The annual inspection of the Ryerss Infirmary for Dumb Animals, at 
Bustleton, was made on Wednesday by the managers, and a number of 
invited guests, who, after a dinner at Burholme, the country seat of President 



BUSTLETON. 497 

Ryerss, near Fox Chase, were driven to the Infirmary Farm. Twenty-seven 
horses were found in the fields, all more or less affected with various ailments, 
hut seeming to enjoy life in spite of their affiictions. At a given signal from 
Superintendent Whitely, the animals were called from the field, and the lame 
lialt and blind were placed in the stalls for the night, after having passed the 
argus eye of Colonel Muckle, the Vice-President of the Association. The 
report of the Secretary showed that the organization is rapidly growing in 
usefulness. Since its opening, in June, 1889, over one hundred horses have 
been cared for, and the rest given them lias restored a large number to health 
and activity. In no other place in the world is such an institution known. 
The officers are: Robert W. Ryerss, President; M. Richards Muckle, Vice- 
President ; M. V. B. Davis, Secretary, and James R. Booth, Treasurer." 

This useful institution is under the care of the Pennsylvania Society for the 
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The following is from the report of 1890 : 

The Ryerss Infirmary has become a most important factor in humane work, 
and during the year a number of disabled animals have been restored to 
health and vigor by rest and kind treatment. The main object of this purely 
charitable Institution is to provide, without cost to the owners, a temporary 
home for horses and mules, belonging to cabmen, carters, tradesmen and 
others, where a few weeks' care and good treatment will enable man}' en- 
feebled animals to do further work for years. 

So great has been the demand for places, since the opening of the infirmary 
in June, 1889, that six additional room}- box stalls have been erected, thus 
increasing the capacity to accommodations for twenty-five horses. 

We append also the report of A. D., 1891 : 

This noble institution, practically the only one of its kind in the world, has 
become an important agent in our labors, and the pity is that its capacity is 
not ten times greater in order to meet the demand made by poor men for 
gratuitous care and needed rest for their jaded beasts. To the student of 
humanity, no grander scope is afforded for thought or pen than to note the 
condition of the horses when they enter the infirmary — lame, decrepit, with 
head bowed, abject creatures of woe — and when, a few weeks or months later, 
they pass out, with eyes brightened,^ nostrils quivering, with suppleness in 
their limbs, and ready for many days of patient toil for their master — man. 

TRADITIONS. 

» 

The wife of William Bevan, in this village, informs me that she recollects 
that Sallie Harmer, who once lived in the house styled the " Beehive," told 
her that she remembered riding on horseback to German town, to carry food 
to friends in the Revolutionary army, and that British soldiers once visited the 
barn on the Breck place, and thrust their bayonets into the hay to see if 
American soldiers were concealed there. 
32 



498 BUSTLETON. 

Mrs. Bevan's fatlier, David Maguire, who lived just below the school, kept 
up a tradition that tlie hill where the Fayette Public School stands, was once 
known as Pigeon Hill, from the abundance of those birds there. The children 
are now more numerous than the birds, and they make music in their games 
and sports that vies with that of the birds. The wife of David Maguire is still 
living. She resides with a daughter in Frankford. 

Several old houses remain to tell of former days. The little cottage on the 
Welsh Road, occupied by Mr. Ammen, was once the home of kind "Aunty 
Fales," the mother of Mrs. Hiram Vandegrift, who long lived the next door 
below. 

BUSTLETON SOCIETIES. 

(Furnished by Benjamin J. Maguire.) 

Rising Star Lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F. Instituted, March 23d, 1832 ; reor- 
ganized, February 10th, 1875. Noble Grand, Thomas Bryan ; Vice-Grand, 
Frederick C. Ashton ; Asst. Secy., E. Sims Brous ; Treasurer, George G. Brooks ; 
Secretary, Jamison Lott, Jr. Meets in Brooks' Hall. 

Bustleton Division, No. 131, Sons of Temperance. Instituted, December 
14th, 1869; reorganized, September 22d, 1876. Worthy Patriarch, WiUiam 
Nichols; Worthy Associate, William Collins; Recording Scribe, Mary E. 
Bevan ; Treasurer, Henry Abbot. Meets in Brooks' Hall. 

Hand-in-Hand Castle, No. Ill, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain. 
Instituted, January 29th, 1885. Commander, Elmer G. Brooks; Vice-Com- 
mander, Paul Engelman; First Lieutenant, George Young; Rec. and Cor. 
Scribe, John L. DeKalb; Treasurer, Benj. J. Maguire. Meets in Brooks' Hall. 

Perseverance Castle, No. 390, Knights of the Golden Eagle. Instituted, 
October 22d, 1890. Noble Chief, John T. Whitely ; Vice-Chief, Jacob S. 
Knorr; Sir Herald, Chas. C. Cookenback ; Clerk of Exchequer, Benj. J. 
Maguire ; Keeper of Exchequer, Elmer G. Brooks ; Master of Records, John L. 
DeKalb. Meets in Brooks' Hall. 

Philadelphia Grange, No. 645, Patrons of Husbandry. Instituted, April 
6th, 1876. Worthy Master, Edmund Margerum; Secretary, Mrs. Fannie 
Ervin ; Treasurer, John B. Kirkbride; Past Worthy Master, William Bowler; 
Lecturer, Robert Jackson. Meets in Union Hall. 

Pennepack Tribe, No. 305, Improved Order of Red Men. Instituted, Aug- 
ust 4th, 1891. Sachem, Edward B. Lingerijian ; Senior Sagamore, Clinton 
Tomlinson ; Junior Sagamore, Elmer M. Boileau ; Prophet, Joseph L. Var- 
nam; Chief of Records, Benj. J. Maguire; Keeper of Wampum, Elmer G. 
Brooks. Meets in Union Hall. 

Pennepack Association, No. 305J, Order of Haymakers. Instituted Novem- 
ber 10th, 1891. Chief Haymaker, Clinton Tomlinson ; Asst. Chief Haymaker, 
August Hentzler; Overseer, J. Horace Snyder; Collector of Straws, Benj. J. 
Maguire ; Keeper of Bundles, Elmer G. Brooks. Meets in Union Hall 



BUSTLETON. 501 

THE BUSTLETON CORNET BAND, 

has sixteen members. President, Frederick C. Ashton ; ^''ice President, 
Frank Maguire; Secretary, Horace Snyder; Treasurer and Leader, Frank 
Heller. 

In driving from the Old York Road, through Huntingdon Valley toward 
Bustleton on the Red Lion Road, the Lukens property is passed and the farm 
of Squire William Ridge, a former member of the State Legislature, and that 
of the late Norris Stanley Saurman, and the Tillyer Schoolhouse, while the 
country seat of Alexander Knight Pedrick, lately nicely and tastefully im- 
proved, meets one at the crossing of the Somerton Pike; and, just below on 
that road, the farm of the Buckman family, and that of Mrs. Harding, with 
its pleasant modern house of wood with mansard roof and pretty yard ; this 
is the residence of herself and her son Edward Clifford Harding. Opposite on 
the Byberry Pike, is Charles Heller's farm and comfortable dwelling with good 
farm buildings. 

The road to T. Miles Brous's plow factory, near Mr. Burk's finely kept 
farm, bears to the right next to Mrs. Harding's place in approaching the vil- 
lage. The farm of Jamison Lott is soon reached on the turnpike, where he 
and his son Jamison Lott, Jr., reside. This once belonged to the Shearer 
family, and Dr. Marti ndale's valuable History of Byberry and Moreland 
states that the sword of Jacob Shearer, who lived here, had engraved on it in 
German, the motto, " Trust in God." Some of the ladies of this family now 
live in Bustleton. 

Mr. Jamison Lott has had long experience in the office of Highway Inspec- 
tor. The Wm. F. Dedaker farm below has not only been much diminished 
by the sale of lots, but Edwin Price has purchased a neat house, erected by 
Mr. Dedaker, with a part of the farm, which he uses as a truck-farm. Wm. 
Dedaker, father of Wm. F. Dedaker, formerly owned the farm. He was an 
estimable man. 

The fine farm which stretches in a natural terrace along the rear of the 
village where the now railway is to cut, belonged to Thomas Tomlinson, the 
father of Isaac and Spencer and Watson Tomlinson. John was the father 
of Thomas, and he also owned it, so that it had been in the family 98 years. 
Amos Simpson, was a previous ow^ner, and Mr. Northrop is believed to have 
possessed it still earlier. Since its sale by Isaac Tomlinson, private enterprise 
has opened a street through it, and in future years its high grounds may con- 
tain residences or places of business. Spencer Tomlinson has an adjoining 
farm on the Welsh Road. Watson Tomlinson is a preacher among the 
Friends. 

The aged Daniel Starkey mentioned in these notes has passed to his 
heavenly reward, and his wife soon followed him. His son William resides in 
a pleasant cottage in the village, and another son Daniel S., next to Edward 



502 BUSTLETON. 

Evans's place on part of the farm bought by the elder Daniel Starkey of John 
Trump. The father built the dwelling, and the son now also owns the small 
farm opposite. Daniel Starkey, Sr. lived formerly on Samuel Starkey's farm. 
Of later years, he resided in the village at the corner of IIofF Street and the 
turnpike where Mrs. Booth and her daughter Miss Booth noAv reside. Mr. 
Curry was an owner of the Samuel Starkey farm before John Trump. John 
Trump built the present house, but Daniel Starkey, Sr. enlarged it and occu- 
pied it. A previous old house has disappeared. 

The Fulmer farm, just above General Huey's place, has lately been pur- 
chased by Samuel W. Evans, Jr., a metal manufacturer of Frankford, who 
has greatly improved it, and erected an excellent farm house, and added to 
the farm buildings. He resides here in summer. Mrs. Fulmer and Mr. 
Bozarth occupy the double cottage just below. 

G. R. Neff, of Philadelphia, has been a summer resident in J. D. Marshall's 
Queen Anne cottage in the village. 

The house next below the Baptist Church once belonged to Mrs. John H. 
Megee, daughter-in-law of Ex-Sheriff Megee ; now it is Mrs. Anderson's prop- 
erty. 

Isaac Tomlinson owns and has lately improved the neat cottage next to it, 
built by that worthy Christian man, the late Jesse Harding, and Charles 
Kohl owns the house next in order, which was built by Samuel Morrison, who 
now has a new house and tin and stove store on Hotf street. 

Charles P. Tomlinson is a general business and real estate agent, having 
connection with the Brick Works, and doing business both in Bustleton 
and Philadelphia, He is a Director in the new railway. His pretty cottage 
is nearly opposite the railway depot. 

The Bustleton Brick Works were started about four years ago on Josepli D. 
Marshall's farm, at Blue Grass. Last May they fell under the management 
of John F. McDuffee, of Philadelphia, who is now running them to the full 
capacity. They employ about forty men and boys. The place presents a 
busy appearance, and the modern arrangements of tiny railways to carry the 
bricks into their compartments for drying are useful, and expedite work. 

N.ew streets have been opened and graded by the city. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad is constructing a branch called the Philadel- 
phia and Bustleton railway, from North Penn Junction to Bustleton, and a 
preliminary survey has been made beyond Bustleton to the vicinity of Tully- 
town, connecting there with the main line, thus shortening the distance 
between Trenton and Philadelphia, and making practically an air line. 

There is a very promising outlook for this place by reason of the fact that 
the new railway will shorten the distance by rail to the heart of the city by 
some four miles. 

The section of country through which the railroad runs is a very 
attractive rolling region both beautiful and healthful which must allure set- 




> 
w 
z> 

X 

Ui 

O 
O 

w 

<: 
w 

o 

b 
O 

W 

Q 
(— ( 

C/3 

w 



BUSTLETON. 507 

tlement. Over forty houses have been built here within the last few years, 
and some of them are of a very neat style of architecture. 

Those of John Kirkbrido, Joseph Root and George Lodge have enlivened 
the turnpike, and increased the length of the town. A cottage built by M. 
Rush Taylor, and occupied by McCree Cruser, next below George Lodge's 
deserves mention for its architectural design. 

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. 

The 35th Ward has been influential in having this new ward cut out of the 
old 23d Ward to the advantage of this section, and in pushing the construc- 
tion of the fine Telford Road which connects Bustleton with Holmesburg, so 
that the three miles may be passed over in a few minutes. 

Thos. Willett Boileau, who had conducted a store in Hartsville for twelve 
years, came to Bustleton in 1884, renting the former store of Natlian Boileau, 
which he purchased about two years ago of the estate, after the death of the 
former owner. He enlarged and altered the building in 1891. This year he 
admitted his son, Elmer M. Boileau, into partnership. Albert B. Boileau, 
another son, assists in conducting the business. 

Nathan Boileau was for some years a merchant here. 

Walter Watson has long been an expressman, running a wagon from Bus- 
tleton to the heart of the city. 

John D. Gallagher's Bakery does much to feed the town and surrounding 
country, 

J. R. Dungan has a feed and flour store and coal yard next to the depot. 

Edwin M. Thomas, of Torresdale, owns the coal and lumber yard, formerly 
the property of George Hoff's Sons ; Watson T. Ward oversees the business. 

A. L. Boorse has a tin and stove establishment in Squire Gregg's former 
carriage factory, and Mr. Henry Nichols carries on a blacksmith shop, which 
is about to be left as the new railway is to cut here near Mr. Beck's place. A 
large new shop has been built for his use, and that of Frederick C. Ashton, 
who is a wagon builder. William McMillan, one of the boss carpenters of the 
village was the builder. 

Mr. Wm. H, Mankin has a saddle and harness shop on the Main Street. 

William McMillan, Grant Murray, M. Rush Taylor and Israel Knight are 
boss carpenters. 

John Oscar McMullin, William Bevan and W. Quante are house-painters. 

S. Megargle is the shoemaker. Joseph L. Varnam long conducted the 
business, but no longer continues it. 

Robert Neaman is a mason. John Boileau and Isaac Wells long followed 
that useful business in the village. 



508 . BUSTLETON. 

THE WIRE ROPE WALK OF THE STOW FLEXIBLE 
SHAFT COMPANY. 

I am indebted to the courtesy of Charles H. Ferris, of Bustleton, and 
Frederick SchofF, of Philadelphia, (Treasurer of the Company), for an account 
of these works whicli have for some time been a striking feature in our village. 
The very long building of wood, with its wooden tower stands on brick piers, 
and was erected by Israel Knight as carpenter, and Michael Kilcoync as 
mason. It is 500 feet long, and has a floor space of over 6000 square feet. 
It stands on a tract of land containing nearly 4 acres. The building is used 
for winding and cutting the shaft into the desired lengths. 

At 26th and Caliowhill Streets, in Philadelphia, the Company has a fine 
manufactory for constructing tools and machines. The Company was formed 
in 1877, and used a small part of an upper floor in one of the buildings of the 
Baldwin Locomotive Company. After struggle and loss for a few years, as is 
common in new efforts, the present Treasurer successfully undertook to con- 
duct the business. Quarters were changed, and more space used, and finall}'' 
a plant established at 26th, Caliowhill and Biddle Streets, where there is a 
floor space of over 13,000 square feet. The shafts are sold as fast as made in 
all parts of this country and in Europe. There are agents in the principal 
cities in this country, and one in London. 

The flexible shaft is very useful, as it can transmit rotary motion to a dis- 
tance from the power through curves, saving the trouble of carrying the work 
to the power. It has been used some twenty years, and thousands of the 
shafts are in operation. The shaft is a series of coils of steel wire wound hard 
upon each other, alternate layers running in opposite directions, the number 
of wires varying according to the required use. One end is attached to the 
power, and the other to the tool in use for grinding, tipping, drilling, boring, 
polishing, brushing, etc. It is of great service in S. S. White's dental engine. 

Near the Wire Rope Walk, the new improvements in the former pic-nic 
woods mentioned in an earlier part of this account have arisen, while Mr. 
Baker's " green house " performs its work of use and beauty. 

The following persons are connected with the railroad : 

Station Master — D. Edwin Wine ; Wm. H. Parkinson, Assistant. 

Conductors — Messrs. Toy, Shepherd, Tyrol, Van Dyke. Brakemen — Cohee, 
Forbes, Lee, Pese. 

Baggage Masters — Edward Allen, Robert Clothier, Wm. Yeates and J. 
Clements. 

Frederick Megargee, Night Watchman. 

Engineers — McRee Cruser, George Hunt, Wm. Carr, E. Cavanaugh. Fire- 
men — John Ulrich, Leonard Haggerty, Wm. Vandergrift, Frank Cruse. 

The cottage which forms a part of the old stone depot is occupied by John 
Edward Jusiaf Litzke. 



BUSTLETON. 513 

Charles L. Krewson's carriage and wagon manufactory in Main Street, was 
built by him. He bought the goodwill of the late J. D. Heritage, who had 
conducted the business for twenty eight years. At first John Wenzell was a 
partner, but on his death Mr. Krewson became sole proprietor. After a few 
years he left the Heritage shops, and removed to his present location, where 
the building and repairing of carriages keeps up the ancient reputation of this 
branch of mechanical work for which Bustleton has long been famous, and the 
name plates bearing the town mark have been a recommendation. 

A former resident of Chestnut Hill, John M. Fisher, removed from the farm 
which he had occupied for many years on theKrewstown Road, near Penny- 
pack Baptist Church, to Bustleton, in 1879. 

Jacob Mattis, of Fox Chase, designed and erected the brown stone man- 
sion which is the present home of Mr. Fisher and his sisters. 

He has shown much taste in the trees and shrubbery which adorns his 
yard. 

Mr. Fisher has been one of the most improving men in the village, in pur- 
chasing land and dividing it into lots, and selling at such rates as to induce 
building ; and also assisted others in building, so that a large number of 
houses are the result of his foresight and care. 

The land on which his own residence stands was bought of Squire Joseph 
Banes, who was also an improver in the building line in his day. 

Mr. Fisher also purchased a large portion of the farm of J. Morgan Dungan. 
He also bought two other tracts of Squire Banes, and still another of larger 
extent of Hon. George S. Clark, of Holmesburg, which includes what was 
long known as the *' pic-nic woods. " The woods have disappeared, and the 
Wire Works now stand on a part of the Clark farm. 

Mr. Fisher has dedicated several acres of land for streets, which the City 
. has lately graded, and this is a great benefit to this section. 

The residence of Dr. George Byers is a very pleasant and cosy cottage of 
wood, sidrrounded by ample grounds. 

The Doctor has been for many years a well known practicing physician in 
this region. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. 

The house was built by Nathan Boileau who lived in it a short time, and 
Dr. Byers purchased it after his death. 

John F. Lodge's house opposite, was mentioned in the previous notes. Mr. 
Lodge is an enterprising manufacturer of Philadelphia, residing here, and 
interested in the factory at Lodge's Mill, on the Pennypack, on Axe Factory 
Road. He is an old resident, having bought the first ticket when the present 
branch railroad was opened. 

33 



514 BUSTLETON. 

CHAPELCROFT. 

General Peimock Huey, originally of Chester County, in 1885, purchased 
a large part of the farm of the late J. Morgan Dungan, and remodeled and 
enlarged the house, making a cosy and comfortable country mansion. The 
building stands back from the road giving room for a pleasant lawn in front 
and on the upper side, diversified with trees. 

The name of Chapelcroft was given in remembrance of a Wain place in 
England. Mrs. Huey was related to the Wains, her maiden name being 
Elizabeth Wain Wistar ; her father was at one time the owner of Hilton, near 
Fox Chase, now the property of Dr. Filbert. 

General Huey was for four years in the service of the U. S. Army during 
the Rebellion, and led the famous charge at Chancellorsville, on May 2d, 1863. 

The present Mrs. Huey is a daughter of Dr. William Wood Gerhard, a very 
eminent physician of Philadelphia. 

Joseph Wistar Huey, the elder son of the General, is engaged as an elec- 
trical engineer in Philadelphia, and his brother Mifflin Wistar, is employed 
in railway engineering, in connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

The infant William Wood Gerhard Huey now brightens the mansion. 
(Since these words â– were penned the flower that bloomed a short time on earth, 
was plucked by the Master to bloom anew in Paradise, the Garden of the 
Lord.) 

Dr. Wm. W. Gerhard, father of Mrs. Huey, died in 1872. He was born in 
Philadelphia in 1809, and studied medicine in this country and Europe. He 
assisted Prof. Jackson as clinical lecturer in the Philadelphia Hospital, and 
was afterward visiting physician there for twenty-five years. He conducted 
the Medical Clinic at the Medical Institute, and was offered the chair of the 
Practice of Medicine in Jefferson College, which he declined. He was "a 
most able diagnostician, " and had a large private practice. He wrote " Lec- 
tures on the Diagnosis, Pathology and Treatment of Diseases of the Chest, " 
which had several editions. He published a " Clinical Guide, " and edited 
" Grove's System of Clinical Medicine." He was at one time editor of the 
American Journal of Medical Science. He " stood in the front rank of his 
profession. " 

WOODLEIGH 

is the beautiful and attractive abode of Rev. Thomas Crossley Pearson and 
wife and their little daughter Anne Norris. 

Eighteen acres were purchased by Mr. Pearson of Joseph D. Marshall from 
" Eckley, " Judge John D. Coxe's old estate in 1887. The Holmesburg archi- 
tect, Vasquez, designed, and M. Rush Taylor, built the remarkably pretty 
brick and shingle cottage of Queen Anne Style, with its striking gables and 
windows. The wide front door of the Dutch pattern with its picturesque 



BUSTLETON. 515 

panels dividing into two parts so that the upper half may be opened alone, is 
a hospitable entrance to the mansion. Open fireplaces give cheer and com- 
fort, while steam heat adds its aid to drive the Winter's cold away. Ornamen- 
tal wood mantels surmount the fireplaces. The liard wood finish within is 
natural and pleasing. 

A bay window gives a cosy air to the sitting room. 

The ample lawn runs to Blue Grass Station, on the Bustleton Railway, and 
an Osage orange hedge lines the railway. The carriage entrance is on the 
Blue Grass Road. 

Mr. Pearson is the son of Rev. F. C. Pearson D. D., who has been Chaplain 
for " the Female Domestic Missionary Society " for the support of the Gospel 
in the Blockley Almshouse for nearly forty years. Mrs. Pearson is a Phila- 
delphian. 

May the new house have such a pleasant future history, that in coming 
days some scribe may note it as the happy home of many who have passed 
their lives within its walls. 

THE MARSHALL PLACE. 

Mr. Joseph Marshall was a Philadelphian by birth, and a silversmith and 
jeweler by profession. He entered on business in the Slate Roof House, 
which stood at Second Street and Norris Alley, where the Corn Exchange 
now stands. His partner was Robert Tempest, the firm name being 
Marshall and Tempest. 

Wm. Penn occupied the Slate Roof House for a time. It was one of the 
most famous mansions in Philadelphia, and is described in Thompson Westcott's 
" Historic Mansions of Philadelphia. " The firm was engaged here for over 
fifty years, establishing a high reputation.- Over thirty years ago Mr. 
Marshall purchased a country seat of Simon White whose family had held 
the place for generations. 

The Welsh Road and Willits Road form a junction here, and the point used 
to be called White's Corner. 

A portion of the old house remains, but it has been enlarged, after demol- 
ishing a part of it. An aged Catalpa tree, very close to the house, has stood 
for many a year. A neat rustic lawn, where natural beauty has been pre- 
served, lies below the house. 

Mr. Marshall married Jane Ford Donaldson, of Wilmington, Delaware. 
Her father, John Donaldson, was a citizen of high standing in that city. 
Mrs. Marshall's aunt, Mrs. Dr. Wm. Gibbons, founded the House of Industry, 
in Wilmington, which became a Home for Aged People ; as noted by Judge 
Futhey in the History of Chester County. Mrs. Marshall was a lady of the 
old school, of great dignity, and with a kind heart. 

Mr. Marshall died in 1869, and his wife in 1892, in her city home. The 
children, Joseph D., Donaldson, Robert Tempest, Margaret W., Mary, Vir- 



516 BUSTLETON. 

ginia and Emma Marshall, and their sister, Mrs. Jane F. Owens, and their 
niece, ^liss Josephine W. Marshall, occupy the residence in summer. 

Washington J., Rebecca D. and Anna Marshall, of this family, are deceased. 

Donaldson and Robert T. Marshall are in the drug business in Philadel- 
phia. Robert T. Marshall is a Vestryman of St. Luke's Memorial Church, 
Bustleton. 

CONCLUSION. 

And now the work which has occupied the mind of the writer at intervals, 
during years, is over. The pleasant walks and rides by carriage and railway 
over many a mile are finished. Having travelled considerably in this coun- 
try, Eastern Pennsylvania still seems an earthly Paradise to the author. 
Would that all men could open their spiritual eyes to see God's glory in his 
varied handiwork. 

Cordial interviews with new and old friends, and kindly letters and com- 
munications for print have cheered the task of authorship. 

Others take vacations in Europe, but interesting ones may be had at 
home, and beautiful spots near one's own dwelling are often unknown to us. 

The church histories given may aid Church Unity, or at least Christian 
fellowship, and stimulate generosity, as in the case of Gustavus Benson 
recorded in the notes on the Fox Chase Presbyterian Church. 

It is hoped that this literary child will grow more useful with age, and as 
reader and author part company after their journeyings, let it be remem- 
bered that the interest in such works, is the interest in human life, in joy and 
pain. Another generation will soon occupy our houses and walk our streets, 
God grant, for Christ's sake, that we may pass on to the abiding country, 
" Jerusalem, which is above, * * * the mother of us all. " The Collect in the 
Prayer Book for the 4th Sunday after Trinity, prays that under God's guid- 
ance " we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the 
things eternal. "