UNIVERSITY
OF PITTSBURGH
LIBRARY
THIS BOOK PRESENTED BY
ilumni Giving Plan
A COLLECTION OF PAPERS
READ BEFORE
THE BUCKS COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY
BY
FACKENTHAL PUBLICATION FUND
193 2
VOLUME VI
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE ;
Warren S. Ely Horace M. Mann
Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr. V
F\5T
Press of
Berkemeyer, Keck & Co.
Allentown, Pa.
^
CONTENTS
Page
List of Illustrations '^"
Officers of the Society ^^
Changes in By-Laws and Personnel of Officers
XII
PAPERS
Edward Hicks and His Paintings Henry D. Paxson, Jr 1
Turpentine Gathering in North Caro-
jina Dr. William S. Erdman 5
The Indian Walking Purchase of Sep-
tember 19 and 20, 1737 Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 7
The Three Tuns Inn at Gallows Hill and
the Old Durham Road Warren S. Ely 25
Quarrying Henry K. Deisher 33
Pioneer Life in Maine in 1808 Mrs. Sophie Lyman Pratt 42
A Lutheran Mission in Northampton
Township in 1748 Warren S. Ely 4-1
Preserving "Summerseat" Hon. Thomas B. Stockham. ... 53
Biographical Notice of M. J. Allan Emory Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 58
House Mottoes in Eastern Pennsylvania. Rev. John Baer Stoudt, D. D.. o5
The Last Days of Harness Making in
Bucks County Rev. David Gehman 73;
Notes at Random from My Life's Expe
rience
River Boulders or Cobblestones Used for
Paving James H. Fitzgerald ^8
The Early History of Point Pleasant W^arren S. Ely 56
Improving Navigation on the Delaware
River with Some Account of Its
Ferries, Bridges, Canals and Floods. . . Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 10>
Hand Organ Notes Joseph E. Sanford 231
Letters from Native Bucks Countians
Living in Canada, 1815 Mrs. C. D. Fretz 24o.
Hilltown Baptist Churches and Schools. . Mrs. Warren S. Ely 249
Dolington, Past and Present Barclay Eyre 256
rience Matthias H. Hall ^^
IV
CONTENTS
Reminiscing Around an Ancestral Fire-
place and Bake Oven Mrs. Warren S. Ely 260
Making Solar Salt Horace M. Mann 263
Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the
Battle of Crooked Billet
. Warren S. Ely 271
Address at the Unveiling of Monument
Erected on Crooked Billet Battlefield. . Hon. Webster Grim 274
Visit in Durham Township of a Politi-
cal Refugee from Brazil Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 278
Peddlers and Other Itinerants James H. Fitzgerald 282
Child Life During the American Revo-
lution Mrs. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 290
f Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 297
Col. Henry D. Paxson 301
Henry G. Brengle 302
Dr. Owen Wister 304
Mrs. Finley Braden (Poem)... . 305
Dr. Edward Hart 306
Rudolf P. Hommel 307
Samuel C. Eastburn 308
i Miss Belle Van Sant 308
Johns. Wurts 309
Mrs. Annie Meredith Fretz. . . . 309
Mrs. Henry J. Shoemaker 309
Mrs. I. M. James (Resolutions) 310
Matthias H. Hall 311
Joseph E. Sanford 311
Frank K. Swain 312
,Alvin F. Harlow 314
'Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer, Memo-
rial Services, Addresses, Resolu-
tions, Etc
.Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science
^^ Conferred on Dr. Mercer June 8, 1916. .Franklin & Marshall College.. . 314
'honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
*.! Conferred on Dr. Mercer June 11, 1929. Lehigh University 315
Tfvbute to Dr. Mercer by his Classmates. . Harvard Univ. Class of 1879. . . 317
^The Building of "Fonthill" Described. . . Dr. Henry C. Mercer 321
^"^^dress of Welcome to "Glacialdrift,"
..^Riegelsville Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 331
CONTENTS V
South Mountain Indian Quarries Henry K. Deisher 334
Cattle Ear Marks of the Seventeenth
Century Henry A. James 342
Manufacture of Hydrauhc Cement in
Bucks County Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 346
New Light on the History of Tin Plating. . Rudolf P. Hommel 356
Portrait of Dr. Henry C. Mercer, Un-
veiled at "Fonthill," Presentation
Address Albert Rosenthal 360
Acceptance of Portrait, by Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 361
Early History of Keller's Lutheran
Church Rev. William J. Hinke, D. D.. . 363
The Ancestry of John Stover Fretz Mrs. John Stover Fretz 379
North Doylestown Borough and Adja-
cent Townships Mrs. C. D. Fretz 386
Tamenend vs. Allummapees Warren S. Ely 396
The Thompson-Neely House in Sole-
bury Township Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr 399
Family Bibles in the Library of the
Bucks County Historical Society Mrs. Warren S. Ely 425
A Rafting Story of the Delaware River. . . Joshua Pine (Third) 467
A Story of My Branch of the Long-
shore Family Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg 525
Restoring Old Pictures Dr. Arthur Edwin Bye 536
The Moland House, Washington's
Headquarters on the Neshaminy,
Address by Colonel Henry D. Paxson 540
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Portrait of Colonel Henry D. Paxson Frontispiece
Portrait of Edward Hicks 1
The Peaceable Kingdom 4
Turpentine Sap Bucket 5
Turpentine Tools 6
The Indian Walking Purchase of 1737:
1 — Lunching Place Monument in Springfield Township 7
2 — Bronze Tablet on Monument 8
3— Portrait of William Penn 10
4 — Tablet on Monument at "Grey Stones" 12
5 — Portrait of Indian Chief Tischohan 14
6 — Portrait of Indian Chief Lapowinsa 16
7 — Lenni Lenape Indian Monument, Wrightstown, Pa 18
8 — Inscription on same, Erected 1890 18
9 — Map showing Part of Bucks County Released by Indians 20
10 — Map showing Properties over which Walkers Traveled 22
11 — Tomb in Memory of Edward Marshall 22
12 — Map showing Route of Indian Walk 24
13— Edward Marshall's Rifle 24
Tablet on Indian Walk Marker at Gallows Hill 26
Unfinished Obelisk in Quarry at Assuan, Egypt 34
Rear View of "Summerseat," Looking East 56
Portrait of Allan Emory 59
Busts of "Myrtis," 1870, and "Lucile," 1873 62
Harness Maker's Stitching Horse 80
Rammer for Setting Paving Blocks 94
Forks for Grappling Boulders from Bed of River 95
Paving Tools Used for Setting Paving Blocks in Streets 95
Improving Navigation on the Delaware River:
1 — Palisades at the Narrows of Nockamixon 103
2 — View of Delaware Water Gap 106
VIII ILLUSTRATIONS
3 — John Fitch's Passenger Steamboat on the Delaware 108
4 — Drawing of Durham Boat by John A. Anderson 109
5— Portrait of William (Alias "Lofty") Piatt 113
6 — Inscription Cut in Limestone Rocks at Foul Rift 119
7 — View of Durham Cave, with Seats 151
8 — View of Durham Cave with Mining Engineers 152
9 — Embarking on Canal Boats in Front of Durham Cave 154
10 — Monument at Tri-State Rock on the Delaware River 167
11 — Strap Rails Used on Delaware & Hudson Railroad 195
12 — The "Stourbridge Lion" Locomotive Engine 196
13 — High-Pressure Articulated Oil Burning Freight Locomotive 197
14 — ^View of Delaware River above Port Jervis 198
15 — Canal Boat of Delaware Division Canal 202
16 — Canal Boat Leaving Lock on Delaware Division Canal 202
17— Water Wheel at Wells Falls in the Delaware River 204
18 — View of Delaware Division Canal and Towing Path 206
19 — Canoeing on the Canal — Tail piece 219
Section of Common Barrel Organ 232
A Parisian Organ Grinder, Circa, 1737 235
Strolling Italian Street Singers 245
Making Solar Salt:
1 — Aprons or Deep Rooms or Lime Rooms 263
2 — Evaporating Vats 263
3 — Evaporating Vats — Another View 266
4 — Horse Drawn Rake and Anchor or Scraper 266
5— Salt Tubs with Perforated Bottoms 270
6— The Salt Cart 270
View of Tablet on Monument Commemorating the Battle of Crooked
Billet, May 1, 1778 273
The Pack Peddler 289
Insignia, Daughters of the American Revolution — 'Tail piece 295
Memorial Services for Dr. Henry C. Mercer:
1— Portrait of Dr. Henry C. Mercer 296
2 — Mercer Museum, Dedicated 1916 299
ILLUSTRATIONS IX
3 — Master Craftsman Medal — Obverse side 303
4 — Master Craftsman Medal — Reverse side 303
5 — Moravian Pottery and Tile Works 305
6 — Plan of "Fonthill" Real Estate and Buildings 318
7 — Rear View of Fonthill, Doylestown, Pa., Looking Southeast 327
8 — Interior View of Fonthill — Tail piece 330
"Glacialdrift," Riegelsville Home of Dr. and Mrs. Fackenthal 331
Durham Iron Works Home of Mr. and Mrs. Fackenthal 332
Turtle Backs — Tail piece 341
Cattle Ear Marks of the Seventeenth Century — Tail piece 345
Gristmill at Narrowsville Lock:
1 — Ancient Gristmill where Cement was Ground 346
2 — Pleasure Boat "Zlotub" Entering Narrowsville Lock 346
Mennonite Meeting House, Deep Run 385
The Thompson-Neely House:
1 — Portrait of George Washington 399
2 — The Thompson-Neely House — Front View 400
3 — Headstone in Memory of Capt. James Moore 400
4 — Front View of "Summerseat," Morrisville, Pa., Washington's
Headquarters, December 8 to 14, 1776 402
5 — Washington and His Army Crossing the Delaware River, Christ-
mas Night of 1776 402
6 — Tablet Placed on Thompson-Neely House, October 19, 1931 403
7 — First American Flag with Stars and Stripes 405
8 — Portrait of Marquis de Lafayette 405
9 — Monument Marking Place of Embarkment of Washington's
Army, Christmas Night of 1776, Enroute for Battle of Trenton 406
10— Tablet on the Keith House 406
11 — The Keith House, Washington's Headquarters, December 15 to
25, 1776 406
12 — Date Stone, Thompson-Neely House, 1757 408
13 — The Merrick House, General Greene's Headquarters 408
14 — The Dr. Chapman House, General Knox's Headquarters 408
15 — The Moland House, Washington's Headquarters, August 10 to
2\ 1777 410
X ILLUSTRATIONS
16 — Tablet on Same, Placed There by Bucks County Historical
Society, 1897 410
17 — Tablet on Bowman's Hill Tower 412
18— The "Spirit of 1776"— Tail piece 412
19 — Portrait of Gen. Lord Stirling 413
20 — Portrait of James Monroe 414
21 — Portrait of Robert Morris 415
22 — Portrait of George Clymer 417
23 — Portrait of Gen. John Sullivan 419
24 — Portrait of Gen. Nathaniel Greene 420
25— Portrait of Thomas Paine 421
26 — Portrait of Gen. Henry Knox 422
27 — Portrait of Alexander Hamilton 423
Salome — with the Head of John the Baptist:
1 — Before Restoration, Showing Head Painted over with Fruit 536
2 — After Re.storation, Showing its Original Condition 536
Madonna and Child:
1 — Before Restoration, Showing the Repaint 538
2 — Showing Same One-fourth Restored 538
3 — Restored, Becoming a Madonna and Child by Murillo 539
The Moland House, Washington's Headquarters at Neshaminy Camp in
Bucks County 540
Airplane View of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania 542
Map Showing Washington Crossing and Other Historic Places in Bucks
County 544
THE BUCKS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Organized November 20. 1880
Incorporated February 23, 1885
OFFICERS
For year ending May, 1933
President
B. F. Fackenthal, Jr., Sc. D., LL. D.
Vice-Presidents
Col. Henry D. Paxson
^J. Herman Barnsley
Directors
Col. Henry D. Paxson Holicong, Pa.
ij. Herman Barnsley Newtown, Pa.
Mrs. Henry J. Shoemaker Doylestown, Pa.
(Term expires May, 1933)
Matthias H. Hall Princeton, N. J.
John H. Ruckman Doylestown, Pa.
^Mrs. Richard Watson Doylestown, Pa.
(Term expires May, 1934)
Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr Riegelsville, Pa.
Warren S. Ely Doylestown, Pa.
Mrs. E. Y. Barnes Yardley, Pa.
(Term expires May, 1935)
Curator Librarian
Horace M. Mann Warren S. Ely
Treasurer and Secretary
Horace M. Mann
1 Mr. Barnsley passed away at his home in Newtown, Pa., May 25, 1932.
2 Mrs. Richard Watson passed away June 3, 1932.
CHANGES IN BY-LAWS AND PERSONNEL OF OFFICERS
Presidents
Gen. W. W. H. Davis 1880 to 1910
Dr. Henry C. Mercer 1911 to 1930
Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr Since May 3, 1930
Vice-Presidents
John S. Williams Jan. 15, 1901, to Aug. 21, 1920
Dr. Henry C. Mercer Jan. 21, 1908, to Jan. 17, 1911
Joseph B. Walter, M. D Jan. 17, 1911, to Aug. 18, 1917
Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr Jan. 18, 1910, to May 3, 1930
Col. Henry D. Paxson Since Jan. 15, 1921
*J. Herman Barnsley Since May 2, 1931
Directors
The following changes have been made in the personnel of the Board of
Directors since the publication of Volume V:
Matthias H. Hall, Jan. 15, 1927, to succeed
Grier Scheetz, who died Oct. 6, 1926
Hon. Harman Yerkes, Jan. 15, 1927, to succeed
Mrs. Harman Yerkes, resigned '
John H. Ruckman, Jan. 19, 1929, to succeed
Hon. Harman Yerkes, who died March 1, 1928
Mrs. Henry J. Shoemaker, May 3, 1930, to succeed
Dr. Henry C. Mercer, who died March 9, 1930
For Charter, Constitution and By-Laws see Volume I
AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Annual Meetings — At the Doylestown meeting, January 19, 1918, the
time for holding the annual meetings was changed, first from the third Tues-
day in January to the third Saturday in January, and second, at the Doyles-
town meeting, January 19, 1929, it was again changed to the first Saturday
in May.
Life Memberships — At the Doylestown meeting. May 7, 1932, the by-
laws were amended fixing the Life Membership dues at $25.
The initiation fee remains at $2, and the annual dues at $1.
Mr. Barnsley passed away at his home in Newtown, Pa., May 25. 1932.
EDWARD HICKS
From photograph of original portrait, painted about 1838, by Thomas Hicks (1823-1890), a
cousin and student of Edward Hicks, the work done by Tliomas Hicks wlien a boy about fifteen
years old; the paint used being coach-painter's materials. Portrait, now 1932, in the possession
of Sarah Hicks, of Newtown, Bucks County, Pa.
Edward Hicks and His Paintings
By henry D. PAXSON, Jr., PHILADELPHIA
(Newtown, Pa., Meeting. June 3. 1922)
IN addition to a book of Memoirs published in 1851* several
interesting papers' which can be found in the vohmies of this
Society have been written on Edward Hicks. They form an
excellent biographical sketch of his life at the same time dwelling
largely upon his religious work. But his life as an artist, or
rather his artistic side, has been overlooked. It is from this
standpoint that Doctor Mercer has asked me to write upon him.
As our meeting is held today in the same town where Edward
Hicks made his home, held here in the very room in which he so
often gave forth his interpretations of the Gospel, here but a
few feet from the spot where his remains lie buried, I think
that it is with a certain appropriateness that I now present to
you what I have gleaned with regard to "Edward Hicks and His
Paintings."
Before we can describe the art of Edward Hicks, it is first
necessary to obtain some idea of his technical knowledge, methods,
and of the materials which he used. Technic, which is the
background, the very foundation (you might call it) on which
an artist builds up his work, is at once lacking in both his hand
and eye. Bad proportions, false perspective and crude shading
effects readily present themselves to the overkeen perception
of the art connoisseur or critic. It is evident that his technic
was self-taught. Further, we know that whatever talent he
possessed, he had developed himself, without the guidance
of an instructor, without the aid of a school, without even the
opportunity of studying the works of the old masters. Indeed,
such circumstances immediately mark his work both unifiue
and interesting from a standpoint of art.
1 Memoirs of the Life and Religious Labors of Edward Hicks, late of
Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, written bv himself, Philadelphia:
185L
- (a) Paper by Dr. Lettie A. Smith, of Newtown, Pa., read at a meeting
of the Bucks County Historical Society, held at Solehury Meeting House,
November 18, 1884, Bucks County Historical Papers, X'olume I, page 217.
(b) Paper by Hannah E. Holcomb, of Xewtown, Pa., read at a meeting
of the Bucks County Historical Society held at Ambler Park, June 10, 1886,
Bucks County Historical Papers, Volume I, page 385.
2 EDWARD HICKS AND HIS PAINTINGS
As to his materials, and purely mechanical necessities of
painting, much can be said. The canvas on which he painted
was of an ordinary and heavy character as he was not always
able to obtain the finer and more expensive materials used by
artists. This was stretched on strong frames that are generally
two feet in height and two and one-half feet in length. It has
preserved itself well and has not lost much of its elasticity.
His colors are most striking and worthy of much praise. These
he mixed with linseed oil and ground himself with a mortar and
pestle which is still in the possession of his farrily. The remark-
able feature about his paintings is that after three-quarters of a
century they have not lost much of their tone and have but in
very few cases cracked.
To describe his art now is an easy task. Truly it is only
genius that can combine poor technical ability, lack of study,
and inferior materials and produce paintings such as he has pro-
duced. He who regards them cannot help being deeply impressed
by their sincerity, the consciousness of an artistic sense although
not fully developed, and the extreme originality that so charac-
terizes all his works.
As the dominant note of Edward Hicks' life was religion,
it is not odd that his paintings have been greatly influenced in
this line. Five of all those that have been unearthed and
photographed are of a profound religious character. Each one
bears the inscription, "The Peaceable Kingdom." In them he
has presented animals such as the leopard, the tiger and the
wolf lying peacefully beside the lamb and bullock. He shows a
lion and ox eating straw from a common pile and even puts in a
little child playing unharmed at the hole of the asp. But he
has, in the midst of this Biblical picture which is the theme of
the passage in the Book of Isaiah, "The wolf also shall dwell
with the lamb and the lion" chosen to introduce in the back-
ground Indians, Quakers, old English boats as well as American
scenery. Such an anachronism at once incites curiosity and
criticism. It is difficult to form a good conjectural opinion as
to just what the artist had in mind when he did this, but I think
that he meant to express with the landing of our forefathers a
harmony in all life and nature. His other paintings which have
not been influenced by his religious character bear a marked
resemblance to those of which I have just spoken. The idea
EDWARD HICKS AND HIS PAINTINGS 3
of the white man treating with the Indian has been carried out
in his painting, "Penn's Treaty with the Indians," which is
without exception his best known work, and his "Signing of the
Declaration of Independence" is but a further thought on this
same motive. His choice of subjects may be said to be good
as they mostly represent well-known historical incidents and
have done their part in making his works interesting.
The role that painting played throughout the latter part of
his life was a most important one. He had, in his youth, when
he was thrown upon his own resources, served as an apprentice
in coachmakers' shops but when in later life he devoted himself
to the spreading of the Gospel he was forced to give up this
employment. He attempted farming and broommaking but
was unsuccessful at both of these occupations. It was then
that he resorted to his painting in order that he might meet the
pecuniary necessities of life. He painted signboards, fireboards.
and hotel signs. Some of his canvases he took to Philadelphia
where he sold them to families for fifty dollars apiece. Three
of these I have found in the houses of old Philadelphians.
Much of the latter part of his life he spent at his easel. But a
few paces from his home in Newtown was a little shop which
he had converted into a small studio. To this he made daily
journeys and it was there that his cousin, Thomas Hicks, painted
his portrait sitting by that easel at which he had for so many
years endeavored to support his family. There he toiled until
the day before his death in August, 1849.
The little shop stood for many years with its things just as
its owner had left them, and would have been standing so today
had it not been recently destroyed by fire.
In conclusion, I would like to say that part of ni>- work has
consisted in locating and cataloguing all of the known paintings
of Edward Hicks. Thus far, the list includes about twenty.
In this work I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to many
residents of Newtown through whose kindness I have been able
to obtain photographs of these pictures and especially to Sarah
Hicks who has given much valuable information and has arranged
to have this portrait of Edward Hicks here toda>-.
The portrait was painted about 1P40 by Thomas Hicks who
V as a cousin of Edward Hicks. It shows the artist at his easel
4 EDWARD HICKS AND HIS PAINTINGS
on which rests a "Peaceable Kingdom," one of his favorite
themes.
As an example of the "Peaceable Kingdoms," the picture
which I now exhibit, belongs to my father, and to those of you
who have nev^er seen one of Edward Hicks' paintings, will serve
to visualize that which I have endeavored to describe.
Ell
11°
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„ 1- tS
111
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Turpent:<ne Gathering in North Carolina
By dr. WILLIAM S. ERDMAN. BrCKINGHAM, l\\.
(Doylestowii MectiiiK, January 1<». 1<)>4)
RECENTLY while traveling in the southern states. I made
inquiry in North Carolina in reference to the primitive
and present methods used for tapping long leaf yelhnv
pine trees {Pimus sustralis, P. palustris), also of the tools for
gathering the sap or gum turpentine for distillation into turpen-
tine. I also obtained tools used in making barrels and other
cylindrical containers. North Carolina produces more tur-
pentine than any other of the southern states.
After preparing a paper, somewhat in detail, on this industry
to read before this society, I learned that the late Charles R.
Nightingale had read a very able and somewhat exhaustive
paper before our society on the same subject, and that his paper
had been printed in Volume IV, at page 388, of our proceedings.
But inasmuch as my name appears on your program for today, I
decided not to read my paper in full, but merely to refer to it,
and exhibit the tools which I obtained, and endeavor to explain
their uses.
The first tool (exhibiting tool) used is called a "hack"; this
is for removing the outside bark to a width of about one foot.
Following that tool a specially
designed axe is used to cut a
"box" at the base for the sap
to run into. This short-handled
"puller" is used to remove as
much of the remaining bark as
the operator can reach, and if a
removal of the bark for a greater
distance is desired a long-handled
"puller" is used.
The first tapping of a young
tree is known as virgin sap. This
is collected six to eight times
during the first year, and four or
five times the second year. The
gum is collected by means of a turpkntine sap bucket
TURPEXTIXE GATHERIXG IX XORTH CAROLINA
so-called "dipper." By means of this tool (exhibiting tool)
the gum is chipped out of the boxes and deposited in buckets.
They begin tapping trees when they reach the age of 20 to 30
years, and will produce from six to twelve gallons the first year,
after that the production both in quantity and quality decreases
as the tree ages. After the first year the gum is known as
"yellow dip."
One man can chip eight to ten thousand boxes (not trees)
in one season, which lasts from April to September inclusive.
The chief by-product is rosin. Some years ago this was of
so little value that it was often discarded as waste, but during
the World War there was a great demand for it and large quan-
tities were reclaimed and sold. Of late years turpentine is also
distilled out of sawdust and ofifal wood from the sawmills.
I now take pleasure in presenting these tools to our society.
TURPENTINE TOOLS
A. Hack for removing the bark or scoring the trees.
B. Box axe for cutting deep notches or boxes in the trunk of the tree to catch the dripping
.p.
C. Dipper, a flat spade-like tool, for scraping the gum out of the box into bucket.
D. Puller used also for removing the bark or scoring the tree higher up than can be reached
ith the hack. Handle, 9 to \4^ 2 feet long.
E. Scraper for scraping off the drying gum. Handle. 6 feet long.
INDIAN WALK LTTNCIIKON PLACK MARKER
SpriiiRfield Townslii]), Bucks County, al)()iit a mile soiitliwost of SiiriiiKtown on tlio road
leading via Loitlisvillo and Ilellertown to Betldelicm. Witli Indian Cliief Strong Wolf, an
impressive orator who made an address at tlie unveiling, October 23, 1925, and who passed
around the "Pipe of Peace," which was smoked b>' all oti the platform.
The Indian Walking Purchase of September 1 9 and 20, 1737, and
the Lunching Place of the Walkers at Noon on the
First Day of the Walk
ADDRESS BY DR. B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr., RIEGELS\-ILLE, FFNXSVLVAXIA
OCTOBER 23, 1^*25
(At tlie unvi-iliiiK of a nioiuiment erected in Springfield Tdwiislii]). Bucks ("i)unt\-,
Pennsylvania.*)
Mr. Chairman, Local Committee, Ladies and Gentlemen:
(Then addressing Chief Joseph Strong Wolf, an Ojibvvay Indian, who
occupied a seat on the platform.)
AND special greetings to you. Chief Strong Wolf, who have
honored us by your presence here today, as a representa-
tive of the original people of America. From the view-
point of Christians, the second greatest event in the history of
the world, was the discovery of America by Columbus. When
the white man came here all these broad acres, with mountains
and streams, belonged to your people. The country was then a
primitive forest, but it was the character of land you loved, for
it was indeed a free and untrammeled hunting ground. It was
right that this condition should give way to civilization, but if
you were a savage nation, that is an added reason why you
should have been fairly and honorably dealt with.
Archaeologists have found no reliable evidence of man ante-
dating the glacial period. The terminal of the great northern
ice glacier, which spread over this continent, was but a few miles
north of here, and the location of this monument is therefore
not within the limits of that area.
The mountains which Marshall and his associates crossed
between the location of this monument and the end of the walk,
a short distance east of what is now Mauch Chunk, are part of
the great Appalachian range, running northeast and southwest
near the Atlantic Coast; call them by what name you will,
whether the White Mountains or the Green Mountains of New-
Hampshire and Vermont, or the Berkshires of Massachusetts,
* This meeting was presided over by Hon. Henry W. Shoemaker, Chair-
man of the Pennsylvania State Historical Commission, later U. S. Minister to
Bulgaria. Addresses were also made bv V. S. Senator David A. Reed, Hon.
William R. Coyle, Indian Chief Strong Wolf and Dr. Albert Cook Myers,
Secretarv-Director of the Historical Commission.
8 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
or the Adirondacks, Catskills or Shawangunks of New York, or
the Alleghenies, Kittatinnies, Poconos or Blue Mountains of
Pennsylvania, they all belong to the same series. The beautiful
mountain which can be seen to the north of here, in all its autum-
nal grandeur, is a spur of the South Mountain, one of the foot-
hills of the Kittatinny range, over which the walkers traveled.
Early Settlements on the Delaware River
The Delaware River was discovered, August 28, 1609, by
Captain Henry Hudson, an Englishman, under the patronage
of the Dutch East India Company. He called it the Zuydt
or South River. The Indian name was Makerisk-kiskon. Later
the English named it Delaware, in honor of Lord De La Warr,
Governor of Virginia, who supposed himself to have been its
first European discoverer. In 1616, Captain Cornelius Jacob-
son Mey, for whom Cape May was named, under the patron-
age of the Dutch, ascended the river and built Fort Nassau at
the mouth of Big Timber Creek, below the present city of Glou-
cester, New Jersey. This was the first European settlement
on the Delaware. During the same year, 1616, Captain Cor-
nelius Hendrickson discovered the Schuylkill River, but it was
not until 1623 that the Dutch West India Company of the
United Netherlands (chartered 1622) took possession by right of
discovery. Charles P. Keith, Esq., in his "Chronicles of Penn-
sylvania" (page 8), says the Dutch bought "land in 1629 on the
west side of Delaware Bay, and for a short time keeping a fort
there, and even in 1633 erected a fort on the Schuylkill." General
Davis, in his "History of Bucks County," (first edition, page
19), says: "There is no doubt hanging over the fact that the
Dutch were the first to settle in Bucks County." In 1657, the
Dutch made a permanent settlement at New Amsel (New Castle,
Delaware). The colony consisted of 108 Dutchmen, among
them a schoolmaster, who soon had a school of twenty pupils.
They had horses, cows, pigs, and goats. They made bricks and
tiles, had gardens, raised rye and wheat and sent timber to
Holland.' While it is an established and undisputed fact that
the Dutch were the first to settle on the Delaware, twenty-two
1 History of the People of the Netherlands, bv Professor Blok of Levden,
Holland.
THE FAMOUS
NDIAN WALK
)F A DAY AND A HALF
fvlfWRIGHTSTOWN, BUCKS COUNTY
neAr the present mauch chunk
■t ms PERFORMED FOR
!pENN PROPRIETORS OF PENNSYLVANf/
t. SEPTEMBER 19-2a 1737
^;.^;- ^ BY
J^ EDWARD MARSHALL
^^AND his ASSOaAFES.
VfcTHE OLD DURHAM ROAD AND
IIlL-BEATEN INDIAN PATH
lislOON OF THE FIRST DAY
THEY AFE THEIR MEAL
KMEADOW OF MARY WILSON
-../DOW OF CEDRGE* WILSON
'INDIAN TRADER AND INNKEEPER ,
SETTLED HERE ABOUT 1730
mA 472. ACRE TRACT ' '
toNtTHIS BRANCH OF COOKS CREEK
T SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
tiCKSjCOUNTY
RS OF BUCKS AND NOH
BRONZE TABLET ON SPRINGFIELD WALKING PURCHASE MONUMENT
INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OK SIvPTKMHEr ]t).20, ]7M 9
years prior to the arrival of the Swedes, nevertheless, Swedish
historians maintain that they came merely as traders, and that
the first permanent settlement in what is now Pennsylvania,
was by the Swedes, who made their first appearance under Peter
Minuet in 1638, succeeded by Peter Hollandre in 1640, and then
by Governor Johan Printz, who established the first permanent
seat of government on Tinicum Island in 1643." Seventeen
years later, in 1655, the Dutch drove out the Swedes, and nine
years later, in 1664, the English under the Duke of York, during
the reign of King Charles II, overawed the Dutch on Manhattan
(now New York), obtaining a surrender of that region without
shedding blood. As part of their conquest they then entered
the Delaware River, but the Dutch garrison resisted their attack,
therefore, on Sunday morning, October 1. 1664, their fort was
attacked, killing three and wounding ten. The P^nglish then
took full possession of all Delaware River territory. The history
of the world repeating itself, the white man subduing the savages,
the strong conquering the weak, the survival of the fittest, the
progress of the world advancing with each succeeding conc|uest.
The Dutch have left their imprint upon the territory of their
occupancy by the retention of the names they gave to streams,
as indicated by the ending of "kill."
Pennsylvania Granted to William Penn
Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, on March 12, 1664, granted to his brother James, Duke
of York and Albany, Earl of Ulster, etc., afterwards King James
II, "All of New England from the St. Croix to the Delaware."
King Charles II, granted the Province of Pennsylvania to Wil-
liam Penn, Esquire, by Royal Charter dated March 4, 1681.
This grant was made to satisfy a claim of his father, Vice-Admiral.
Sir William Penn, to whom the government had become indebted
in the amount of £16,000. James, Duke of York, etc. (under
- Dr. John Frederick Lewis, President of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society, in his introduction to Amandus Johnson's book, "Instructions for
John Printz," (page XV), in referring to the early occupation of lands on the
Delaware by the Dutch says: "The Swedes had a far better title, because of
the undoubted fact that theirs was the first permanent settlement upon the
Delaware, not merely as a trading post, but a permanent occupation of the
land." It is a fact, however, that all these early people were traders when
opportunity arose. See also "Where Pennsylvania History Began," by Col.
Henry D. Paxson.
10 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
whom the Dutch had been dispossessed of all territory in America,
on which they had settled), conveyed and confirmed the terri-
tory embraced in the royal charter to William Penn, by two
quitclaim deeds, bearing date August 21 and 24, 1682, giving
him what they supposed was a clear title to his possessions. The
so-called "three lower counties," Sussex, Kent and New Castle,
comprising the entire State of Delaware, were included in the
grant to William Penn, and by an act of Union passed December
7, 1682, by the representatives of those counties they were
annexed to the Province of Pennsylvania, and continued under
the same government until July 4, 1776, when Delaware was
declared a free and independent state.
William Penn sailed from England by ship "Welcome"
.September 1, 1682, and entered the Capes of the Delaware
October 27th of that year, arriving at the town of New Castle
on the following day, where he presented his deeds from the
Duke of York and took formal possession of what is now the
State of Delaware. The date of his arrival at Upland (later
Chester) has been a matter of dispute, but most authorities
say that it was on the following day, October 29, 1682.
His newly acquired territory was so sparsely settled that he
divided Pennsylvania into but three counties, Philadelphia,
Chester and Bucks. All lands north and northwest of Phila-
delphia County (Montgomery was then part of Philadelphia
County) was included in Bucks, which was then an unbroken
wilderness; in fact, so little was known of its limits that it was
described as extending only to the Kittatinny Mountains. It
included parts of what are now Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Col-
umbia and Schuylkill and all of Northampton, Monroe, Pike,
Wayne, Lehigh, Carbon, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming,
Sullivan, Bradford and Susquehanna Counties. These were
part of Bucks down to 1752, when Northampton County was
erected. All the land included within the zone of the Walking
Purchase was, therefore, at the time of the walk, within the
limits of Bucks County.
Connecticut Claims
It appears that King Charles II had made prior grants of
land in America, which probably through ignorance, mistakes
or greed, overlapped each other. Thus the grant to Massa-
INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 17,^7 11
chusetts, dated March 19, 1682, included a large area on the
Susquehanna River in the State of New York. That contro-
versy was settled without bloodshed by two land speculators,
Phelps and Gorman, who, after purchasing the rights from the
Indians, and therefore extinguishing their title to the soil, paid
the State of Massachusetts 8750,000 to relinquish its claim to
the disputed territory, whereupon it automatically became part
of the State of New York. This was part of the "Lands of the
Six Nations," where General John Sullivan so completely
crushed the Indian uprising in 1779, starting his expedition
from Easton, over a route now known as Sullivan's Trail. In
like manner a grant to John Winthrop and his associates for the
State of Connecticut, dated April 20, 1662, included not only
what is now within that state, but all the lands west thereof;
in other words, from sea to sea. This was twenty-one years
prior to the royal charter to William Penn, and took in all of
Pennsylvania, north of a line that would pass through the state
about where the present towns of Stroudsburg and Clearfield
are located, cutting off about 42,000,000 acres or nearly one-
third of the state. In Ohio these Connecticut claims were known
as the "Western Reserve." In 1670, John Winthrop, on behalf
of Connecticut, took possession of the country north of the
Delaware Water Gap, known as the Minisink country, and
built a fort on the Delaware River. The Indians objected to
any white settlements within their favorite hunting grounds,
and soon drove them out. Later attempts to settle there ended
with the sam'e result. It was not until 1768 that settlements
were made by Pennsylvania in that disputed territory, which
the Indians were not willing to concede because from their view-
point, it was not honestly acquired.
Pennamite Wars
The contentions between Pennsylvania and Connecticut did
not become acute until Connecticut attempted to make settle-
ments in what is now Luzerne County, in the Wyoming Valley.
This resulted in two separate wars, Avhich were carried on for
six years, with the sacrifice of many lives. These are known
in history as the "Pennamite \\'ars," in which the Indians took
an active part, allying themselves with Connecticut. In 1782,
12 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
after the close of the Revokitionary war, the controversy was
left to arbitrators, who met at Trenton, New Jersey. While
the arbitrators recognized the fact that Connecticut had the
prior claim, a compromise was agreed upon by which some con-
cessions were granted to Connecticut, and the decision rendered
in favor of Pennsylvania. This settlement Avas thereafter known
as the "Decree of Trenton." I mention these complications
to show how an injustice to the Indians in 1737, was far-reaching,
and led them many years later to ally themselves with Con-
necticut in the Pennamite wars, as well as to show the unsettled
condition of our frontier at that time. In like manner the
Indians sided with the French in the French and Indian war
of 1755-60, which can also be traced directly to the outrage
done them by the dishonest Walking Purchase of 1737, and
which in many other ways was far-reaching and retarded the
development of our beloved Commonwealth.
Indian Rights Purchased by William Penn
In the grant to William Penn the rights of the aborigines to
the soil were not mentioned, but it was part of Penn's plan to
extinguish them by purchase. Prior to his arrival in America he
enjoined upon his agent, William Markham, to deal justly and
amicably by them, and during his lifetime his wishes were always
respected. He, himself, always dealt fairly and honorably with
them, and ever retained their friendship and good will. The
consideration paid the Indians for their land was but trifling,
even when the low values of those primitive times are considered,
but there was always a bargain and sale between them, which was
satisfactory to both, and no attempt was made to take any undue
advantage of the Indians.
The first purchase of land from the Indians was by deed dated
July 15, 1682, prior to the arrival of William Penn, negotiated by
his agent and kinsman, William Markham.- This embraced all
the territory on the Delaware between the Falls of the Delaware
and the mouth of Knowles Creek in Upper Makefield Township,
thence westwardly along the base of Jericho Mountain to the
Neshaminy Creek, thence down the Neshaminy to the Delaware
-' For copy of this deed see Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, \'oI. I,
page 47. See also 2 Smith's Laws, pp. 109, 110.
TABLET ON MONUMENT AT "GREY STONES"
Morrisville, Pa., to mark the starting place of William Penn's first purchase of land from the
Indians, July 15, 1682.
(Designed by Dr. Henry C. Mercer)
INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737 13
River. The northern boundary intersecting the Durham road
near where Wrightstown meeting-house now stands. This inter-
section was in 1884, marked by a monument erected by the
Bucks County Historical Society.* This first grant included all
of the townships of Bristol, Falls, Middletown, Newtown and
Lower Makefield, and parts of Upper Makefield and Wrightstown.
The second purchase in Bucks County was made by William
Penn in person by deed dated June 23, 1683, and was for land
lying between the Neshaminy and Peapack Creeks, partly in
Montgomery County. The part lying in Bucks County embraces
the townships of Bensalem, Southampton, Northampton, War-
minster and Warrington.^ In like manner all lands in Pennsyl-
vania were purchased from the Indians. Surveys were generally
made by the distance a man could travel within a given time. No
one ever heard of serious complaints from the Indians for any
injustice or unfair advantage having been taken in the measure-
ments of land, other than that of the celebrated Walking Pur-
chase of 1737, the only one that has any special historic sig-
nificance. A treaty made in 1686 would have been during the
lifetime of William Penn, who died in 1718.
Many historians, including William J. Buck, incline to the
belief that there was no deed executed in 1686. There are,
however, evidences to show that there was a treaty, but the
Indian? claimed that the original document had been altered; in
fact, they called it a forgery; their grievance may have referred to
its conditions and not to the fact of there not having been a
treaty. It is certainly most unfortunate that that particular
document should be the only one to become lost. My good
friend, Albert Cook Myers, tells me that he has seen a copy
of this Walking Purchase deed of 1686, but if the original docu-
ment was altered, as claimed by the Indians, a copy would not
reveal that condition, particularly in this instance in view of
the serious charges of the aborigines against Thomas Penn.
The Indians also objected to the Penns granting patents for
4^ The deed for this grant refers to a path leading to the Indian town of
Playwicky. The site of Playwicky, definitely located by Dr. Albert Cook
Myers, is on the Van Artsdalen family farm in Southampton Township. On
October 17, 1Q25, a monument was erected alongside the public road nearby
indicating its location. (See Bucks County Historical Society, \'ol. \', pp.
497 and 500.)
■'' For copy of this second deed, see Pennsylvania Archives, F"irst Series,
Vol. I, page 62.
14 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
lands not included in any treaty, and in like manner the Penns
objected to the Indians selling lands to the settlers. These
conditions resulted in a parley to settle their disputes. The
first conference was held in 1734 at Durham Iron Works, about
three miles east of this monument, where the Penn representa-
tives exhibited what they said was the original agreement of
1686. An adjourned meeting was then held at Pennsbury, May
5, 1735, and a final meeting at Philadelphia, August 25th, of
that year, at which a new Walking Purchase agreement was
entered into.*^ Among the Indians present at these treaties were
two Indian Chiefs, Tishcohan and Lappawinsoe, whose portraits
are shown herewith. If the original treaty was in existence at
that time, why was it necessary to enter into a new contract?
The walk was accordingly made, but it tended to increase the
dissatisfaction of the Indians, who were imposed upon and out-
witted, as they had no thought of parting with their lands beyond
the Lehigh River, or that trial-walks had been made.
All evidence indicates that there was a well-thought out and
deliberate plan or scheme on the part of Thomas Penn and his
associates, to take an unfair advantage of the savages. Pre-
liminary trial-walks were secretly made to determine the best
route, and to test out the qualities of the walkers. One trial-
walk was around the western base of Haycock Mountain. That
mountain, 965 feet high, is exceedingly rough and almost impossi-
ble to cross over, forcing them to go around it. The route
finally selected was around the eastern base, along which trees
had been blazed. The trial-walkers, of whom Joseph Doane
was one, started out on the first trial-walk, x\pril 22, 1735, during
the very time that conferences were being held with the Indians.
Nine days were taken for that trial-walk.'
6 See 2 Smith's Laws, page 116, for copy of this new treaty; also
Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, Vol. I, page 541.
" James Steel, receiver general under Thomas Penn, wrote under date
of April 25, 1735, to Timothy Smith, sheriff, as follows:
"The Proprietaries are impatient to know what progress is made in travel-
ing over the land that is to be settled by the ensuing treaty that is to be held
with the Indians at Pennsbury on the fifth of next month, and therefore I
now desire thee, without delay, to send down an account of what has been
done in that affair."
On the twenty-ninth of the same month (April) he again wrote to Sheriff
Smith and Sur\eyor General John Chapman:
"The Proprietaries are very much concerned that so much time hath been
lost before you begin the work recommended so earnestly on your leaving
Philadelphia, and it being so very short before the meeting at Pennsbury, the
INDIAN CIllIiF TlSilCOlIAN
(TEESHAKOMEN, TISHECUNK OR CAPTAIN
lOHN)
Livfd on Hokcndauqua Creek in Allen Township, Northampton CoinU\-. Pa. A Delaware
Indian Chief present at the meetings held at Durham and Pennsbury in 17.U an<l 17.iS, and
one of the twelve Indians who signed the treaty concluded at Philadelphia. August 25. 17.?7,
preliminary to the Indian walk of September 19 and 20, 17.57.
This and the portrait of Lapowinsa, both painted in 1735, are the onl\- known portraits o(
the early Delaware Indians painted from life. Both are in the hall of the Pennsylvania His-
torical Society at Pliiladelphia.
indian walking purchase of september 19-20, 1737 15
History of the Indian Walk
The history of the walk has been told so often that I will not
enter into its details, but will briefly say: That three walkers
were finally selected, Edward Marshall, Solomon Jennings and
James Veates. They started out at sunrise on the morning of
September 19, 1737, in the presence of John Chapman, the sur-
veyor general; Timothy Smith, the sheriff; two of his deputies
and a number of other white men. Some of the party were on
horseback. Three young Indians accompanied them to watch
the proceedings. Placing their hands on the chestnut tree where
the monument now stands near the Wrightstown meeting-house,
they awaited for sunrise, and then started off at a given signal
on their race to outwit the Indians. Jennings could not keep
up the pace, fell by the v ayside during the forenoon at Red
Hill, now Cttsville, 19^2 miles out from Wrightstown. Yeates
took too much "toddy" and, acording to Marshall's account,
fell into the Lehigh River (probably at Lehigh Gap, erroneously
referred to as Tobyhanna Creek), on the second day of the walk,
and retired from the race. Marshall alone was the only one
with sufficient endurance to continue to the end, at an estirnated
distance of 66 miles, to the north side of the Pocono Mountain,
about three miles east of Mauch Chunk.^ The Indian watchers,
appointed to accompany the walkers, left in disgust when they
became aware of the intention to make the walk an endurance
test, and grab their lands beyond the Lehigh River. What,
therefore, must have been their chagrin when they discovered
that the northern boundary, or head-line, was not to be direct
to the Delaware River, at a point about where Stroudsburg non^
stands, but was to be run at a right angle, ending at Parker's
5th, of next month, that they now desire that upon the return of Joseph
Doane, he, together with two other persons who can travel well, should \e
immediately sent on foot the day and a half journey, and two others on horse-
back, to carry necessary pro\ isions for them on their return home. The
time is now spent that not one moment is to be lost; and as soon as they have
traveled the day and a half journey, the Proprietaries desire that a messenger
may be sent to give them account without delay, how far that day and a half
travel will reach up country."
8 This total distance of 66 miles has not been verified. They traveled
29.9 miles during the first half day, and if the distance of 66 miles is appro.xi-
mately correct, it took them a full day to travel the remaining .S6.1 miles,
which, owing to the mountainous and unbroken country, was the most difficult
part of their undertaking, and moreover one becomes veary at the tail-end
of such a strenuous journe\'.
16 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
Glen, about five miles below the mouth of the Lackawaxen
River, near Shoholo Creek, and thus taking in an additional
750,000 acres of land, and with it their fertile lands in the Mini-
sinks and their favorite hunting ground in the Poconos. That
territory is today a favorite hunting ground for American sports-
men, and moreover is one of the most popular playgrounds for
summer^ vacationists. It took the Surveyor General four days
to run out the line from the end of the walk to the Delaware
River, a distance of about sixty miles.**
I have said that some tracts of land, within the zone of the
walking purchase, were settled upon and some patented prior
to the walk. The Penns had granted many tracts throughout
Pennsylvania to Chief Justice William Allen, including some
in the neighborhood of Bethlehem and in the Minisinks. Keith,
in his "Provincial Councillors" (page 141), quoting Judge Hus-
ton, says: "I have heard more than once many years ago, that a
distinguished barrister in London (referring to William Allen)
furnished the money which finally paid off the mortgage (of
£6,600) on the Province held by Henry Gouldney and his eight
associates." Among other tracts granted were the "Manor of
Chawton," at what is now Catasauqua, to John Page, September
11, 1735; 2,000 acres, February 24, 1736, to Thomas Graeme:
1.000 acres to James Hamilton; 1,000 acres to Patrick Greeme;
2,000 acres to James Bingham, and the Simpson tract at South
Bethlehem. In fact, William Penn, personally, executed deeds
for lands in Bucks County before the Indian titles were extin-
guished; one of these was to Shadrach W^alley for 250 acres
located near Newtown, bearing date March 22, 1681, sixteen
days after the execution of the grant from King Charles II.
The warranty recited in this deed protects the purchaser "from
all manner of Titles, Claymes of any Indian or Native of the
said Tract or province."
In a letter dated March 26, 1741, from the Delaware Indians
to James Logan and Jeremiah Langhorne, both large owners
in the Durham Iron Company, they complain that "about one
hundred families of whites settled on their lands which they
say Thomas Penn had sold to them," stating that "All this is
our land except some tracts we have disposed of. The tract
^ See Surveyor John Watson's "Narrative of the Indian Walk," Hazard's
Register, V^ol. \\, page 209.
INDIAN CHIEF LAPOWINSA
A Dclawart' Indian Chief and Orator. Present at meetings held at Durliani and Peniisbury
in 1734 and 17.VS, and one of the twelve Indians who signed the treaty concluded at Philadel-
phia, August 25, 1737, preliminary to the Indian walk of September 19 and 20, 1737.
This and the portrait of Chief Tishcohan, both painted in 173.S, are the only known portraits
of the early Delaware Indians painted from life. The originals are in the hall of the Pennsyl-
vania Historical Society at Philadelphia.
INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737 l7
at Durham, the tract of Nicholas Depui, the tract of old (Casper)
Weiser we have sold. But for the rest we have never sold, and
we desire Thomas Penn w'ould take these people ofif from our
land in peace, that we may not be at the trouble to drive them
off.'""
It also appears that of the six tracts belonging to the Durham
Iron Company, three of them lying in Durham Township,
aggregating 6,410 acres, 123 perches, and covering the entire
township, were released by the Indians before they were entered
upon.'^ One of these was granted to John Striepers, March 9-10,
1682, taken over by James Logan, January 17-18, 1725, and
patented to him. May 3, 1727; another was patented to Jeremiah
Langhorne and John Chapman, September 8, 1717, and the
other was jaart of a grant to the Free Society of Traders, and
patented to Jeremiah Langhorne.''
The early settlement in Durham, the earliest in northern
Bucks County, was due to the discovery of iron ore in the Dur-
ham hills, where James Logan, William Allen, Jeremiah Lang-
horne, Anthony Morris, William Bradford and their seven asso-
ciates established the Durham Iron Works, starting the blast
furnace in 1727. Their early shipments of iron, stoves and
other castings were made by w^ater dowm the Delaware River by
Durham boats, which was the only mode of transportation until
the Durham road was extended to the iron works. The Durham
road, which ran out of Philadelphia to Bristol, was begun in
1693; in 1697 it was extended from Bristol, via Langhorne and
Newtown to Wrightstown; in 1732, via Pineville and Bucking-
ham to the ford at Tohickon Creek, and from there to Durham
Iron W^orks in 1745. ^'^ Although the extension to Durham was
not authorized by the Court of Quarter Sessions, and not officially
opened until 1745, it is clearly shown that there was a passable
road there in 1737, because Edw^ard Marshall, the walker, stated
10 From Logan manuscript in possession of Pennsylvania Historical
Society. See also Buck's History of the Indian Walk, page 490, and History
of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 29.
11 History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 29.
1- The real estate owned by the Durham Iron Company consisted of six
tracts, aggregating 8,511 acres, 100 perches, three as above stated in Durham
Township; one in Springfield Township; one partly in Springfield, Lower
Saucon and Williams Townships and the other in Williams Township.
1-' The Durham road was extended from Durham to South Easton in 1755.
Now referred to as the "Old Philadelphia Road."
18 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
that they traveled over the Durham road from Wrightstown to
Gallows Hill. The walkers left the Durham road at Gallows
Hill, where it bears to the right/^ From Gallows Hill, where
the Three Tuns tavern stands, they turned slightly to the left
or north, and then followed a well-beaten path, marked by
blazed trees, winding its way through the valleys, between
high hills, crossing the main branch of Durham Creek, to the
site of this monument. A public road now occupies the loca-
tion of the Indian path or trail. The distance from Wrights-
town, as measured by an automobile speedometer, to Gallows
Hill is 24.3 miles and from there to this branch of Cook's Creek,
where they ate their midday meal, is 5.6 miles, making 29.9
miles traveled during the forenoon of September 19, 1737.^^
From the site of this (Springfield) monument they followed over a
trail, now a state road, leading through Leithsville and Heller-
town, to the Saucon Creek, which they forded, thence to the
Lehigh River, where at Jones' Island (marked on old maps as
Ysselstein's Island), about one mile below the present Market
Street bridge, Bethlehem, they crossed over, thence through
the present city of Bethlehem, crossing the Monocacy Creek,
thence to what is now the borough of Northampton, where at
the eastern approach to the bridge over the Hokendauqua Creek,
on the concrete road from Bath, a Walking Purchase monument
was dedicated September 20, 1925, on the anniversary of the
very day the walkers passed through, thence along the Hoken-
14 At Gallows Hill, sometimes called Stony Point, where in the forks of
the road the Three Tuns Inn stands, a walking purchase monument was
unveiled November 21, 1925, to mark the point where the walkers left the
Durham road. The address on that occasion was made by Warren S. Ely,
who took for his subject, "The Three Tuns Inn, Gallows Hill and the Indian
Walk," making a total of five monuments, including the one at Wrightstown,
erected on the line of the famous Indian Walk.
15 A detail of the distances between Wrightstown and W'idow Wilson, as
measured by an automobile speedometer, is as follows: To Pineville, 2.4
miles; Pineville to General Green Inn at Buckingham, 4.0 miles; Buckingham
to Mechanicsville, 1.8 miles; Mechanicsville to Gardenville, 2.7 miles; Garden-
ville to Hinkletown, 2.5 miles; Hinkletown to Pipersville, 1.9 miles; Pipers-
ville to Tohickon Creek, 1.5 miles; Tohickon Creek to Red Hill Church, 1.8
miles; Red Hill Church to the old abandoned Ottsville tavern, 0.9 miles;
Ottsville tavern to Harrow, 1.2 miles; Harrow to Gallows Hill, 3.6 miles;
Gallows to Bursonville, 1.0 miles; Bursonville to the Galbraith-Fackenthal
farm, 1.0 mile; from there to the crossing of the main stream of Durham
Creek, 1.5 miles; from Durham Creek to Weamer's house, 1.2 miles; Weamer's
to Schoolhouse at forks of state road, 0.5 miles, and from there to the monu-
ment on branch of Cook's Creek, near where Widow Wilson's road house stood,
0.4 miles. Total distance, 29.9 miles.
LENNI LENAPE INDIAN MONUMENT. WRIGHTSTOWN, PA.
Occupies the site of tlie chestnut tree from wliieli the walkers started at sur
Septemlier 19, I7.n.
^"^^AHUtHT OWNERS 01^ Vh^^ ^^J^^A;^.
TH^STARrma POINT OF THE
^^iNDlAH WALK''
INSCRIPTION ON LENNI LENAPE INDIAN MONUMENT
INDIAN' WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737 19
dauqua Creek to Edelman's gristmill, near Kreidersvnlle, in
Allen Township, on the old road from Bethlehem to Mauch
Chunk, where a Walking Purchase monument was unveiled
September 19, 1925, thence through the Lehigh Gap, to the end
of the walk on the mountain, about three miles east of Mauch
Chunk. The locations of both of these monuments are indi-
cated on the map accompanying this paper.
Location of Wilson Settlement
To my brother, William Fackenthal, Esq., of the Northamp-
ton County bar, must be given the credit of correctly locating
the Wilson Settlement, who, in his efforts to locate the home-
stead of our ancestor, Philip Fackenthal, who arrived in America
from the Palatinate in 1742, discovered that it w^as the tract
in Springfield Township, patented to James Galbraith.^'' It is
the farm lying one mile west of Bursonville, now known as the
"Fairview Farm." The original survey of that property describes
it as "Situate on both sides of a path which leads from Peter
Lester's house to the Durham road." Reversing the route,
in the direction the walkers traveled, this path started at Gallows
Hill on the Durham road, passing through lands later patented
to William Ware (on which tract at the intersection of the
Durham road the Gallows Hill monument is erected), thence
over the tracts patented to Robert Ware, Thomas Blair, Gal-
braith-Fackenthal tract, Peter Ruth, Nicholas Hess, John Lester,
where the Durham Creek was crossed, thence over the Peter
Lester tract, part of which is now owned by Hon. William H.
Weamer. They entered the Wilson settlement at its south-
eastern corner, passing through to its western boundary, where on
this branch of Cook's Creek, or as now called Durham Creek,
where we are assembled today, this monument is erected; and
here the walkers stopped for their noonday meal, September 19,
1737. It is in Springfield Township, within half-a-mile of the
Bucks-Northampton County line. A map of the route through
the windings of the hills from Gallows Hill is shown herewith.
The evidence is conclusive without cavil or contradiction that
this is the Wilson Settlement, and that this is the branch of
16 To James Galbraith by warrant October 2, 1739, survey November 1,
1740, patent April 11, 1749, recorded at Harrisburg in Patent Book "A," \'ol.
XIII, page 242, etc. Purchased by Philip Fackenthal, May 19, 175o.
20 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
Cook's Creek, where the walkers rested and ate their noonday
meal. The records at Doylestown show that both George Wilson
and his wife, Mary, were reported for keeping a disorderly house,
and were accordingly fined.
In describing properties by metes and bounds at that early
day, in this territory, the surveyors generally tied their surveys
to the Durham road or to the Durham furnace tract. The
tract on which this monument stands is part of a 472-acre tract
settled upon by George Wilson, an Indian trader and a tavern
keeper, who took squatter possession in 1730. In 1738, when
the tract was surveyed to his widow, Mary Wilson, it was
described as being "situate on a branch of Cook's Creek, near
Durham."
My brother, William Fackenthal, Esq., in a paper read
before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical
Society, after speaking of original titles, and describing in detail
the requirements necessary to acquire and patent lands in Penn-
sylvania, has this to say about the George Wilson settlement:
"Occupancy of public land, however, was not always by
application, warrant and survey, but any one wishing to settle
upon unoccupied land took possession of it, made it his home,
and improved it by building and cultivation, or either. The
tracts so settled upon were called 'settlements' or 'improvements,'
and the person so settling upon public land had a good title to
it against every one except the Penns. So good was the settler's
title that his right to a warrant, survey, and patent was para-
mount. These settlement-rights were frequently sold and on
the death of the settler, passed by will or under the intestate
laws, the same as other property, and such a settlement was the
George Wilson settlement in the days of the Indian walk."
On the death of George Wilson his settlement passed to his
wddow, Mary Wilson, who, on November 10, 1737, within two
months after the walk, was granted a warrant for the tract. It
w-as surveyed to her, May 31, 1738, after \\ hich she transferred
her right to John Briggs, to whom a patent was issued December
26, 1741. ''
There has never been any controversy or dif erence of opinion
as to the fact that the walkers stopped at noon the first day and
17 Recorded at Harrisburg in Patent Book, "A," Vol. IX, page 525, etc.,
under date of December 26, 1741,
FIVE CHESTNUT OAKSAT THE €N0/
OF TMC BAYANW A H A\.f WALK /
ON VKMICM ARtCUT TME.
PROPRIETARIES HAMCS AKW THE
tEA«. I7»7'
AMAP OF TH
or
BUCKS
RELEASEia aV THE INtSI*
PEN5ILVANA IN SEPTEMB
A4REEMCMT MABE WITt
EXTENT or A MAN'S VVAI
FROM THENCE BY ^ R1&
20 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
Cook's Creek, where the walkers rested and ate their noonday
meal. The records at Doylestown show that both George Wilson
and his wife, Mary, were reported for keeping a disorderly house,
and were accordingly fined.
In describing properties by metes and bounds at that early
day, in this territory, the surveyors generally tied their surveys
to the Durham road or to the Durham furnace tract. The
tract on which this monument stands is part of a 472-acre tract
settled upon by George Wilson, an Indian trader and a tavern
keeper, who took squatter possession in 1730. In 1738, when
the tract was surveyed to his widow, Mary Wilson, it was
described as being "situate on a branch of Cook's Creek, near
Durham."
My brother, William Fackenthal, Esq., in a paper read
before the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical
Society, after speaking of original titles, and describing in detail
the requirements necessary to acquire and patent lands in Penn-
sylvania, has this to say about the George Wilson settlement:
"Occupancy of public land, however, was not always by
application, Avarrant and survey, but any one wishing to settle
upon unoccupied land took possession of it, made it his home,
and improved it by building and cultivation, or either. The
tracts so settled upon were called 'settlements' or 'improvements,'
and the person so settling upon public land had a good title to
it against every one except the Penns. So good was the settler's
title that his right to a warrant, survey, and patent was para-
mount. These settlement-rights were frequently sold and on
the death of the settler, passed by Avill or under the intestate
laws, the same as other property, and such a settlement was the
George Wilson settlement in the days of the Indian walk."
On the death of George Wilson his settlement passed to his
widow, Mary Wilson, who, on November 10, 1737, within two
months after the walk, was granted a warrant for the tract. It
was surveyed to her, May 31, 1738, after \\hich she transferred
her right to John Briggs, to whom a patent was issued December
26, 1741.''
There has never been an\' controversy or dif erence of opinion
as to the fact that the walkers stopped at noon the first day and
1'' Recorded at Harrishurg in Patent Book, "A," \'ol. IX, page 525, etc.,
under date of December 26, 1741.
"IVE CHESTNUT
rtSUT OAKSATTHE. ZHO/T/^
X f,^ ■ ^'^'^ ^^ WEST
^-/ ^^F"*"" JL.-"^ NEW JERSEY.
AMAP or THATPAKT
or '^.
BUCKS county:
3i£^
4
INDIAN WALK1N(; PURCHASE OF SKl'Ti;.M I'.ICK 19-20, 17.^7 21
ate their meal at the inn of Mary Wilson at the Wilson Settle-
ment, but various theories have been advanced or guessed at as
to the location of that settlement. Cjcneral Davis placed it in
the meadow near Durham furnace; the Funk family tradition is
that it was in the meadow now belonging to my friend, Hon.
Henry S. Funk, at East Springtown, about two miles east of
here; William J. Buck, Charles Laubach, Dr. J.I. Cawley and
most other local historians have always followed the Funk
tradition. Examinations of titles to many properties in that
neighborhood, however, show that the Funk property is part of a
6vSl-acre tract patented to Casper Wister, November 7, 1736,
being part of the lands embraced in the Penn lottery scheme.
The chain of title is complete and has been traced down through
the Twinings to the Funks and all present owners, and at no
time was any part of it occupied by the Wilsons. This Casper
Wister tract is one of those to which I have referred as having
been patented by the Penns prior to the extinguishment of the
Indian title by the walking purchase. In the Wister survey the
Wilson Settlement is described as its adjoinder on the west for a
distance of 157 perches.
The property at Wrightstown, where the walkers started,
was acquired in 1884 by the Bucks County Historical Society,
whereon it erected a monument dedicated to the Lenni Lenape
Indians. The Durham road is comparatively straight to Gal-
lows Hill, where the walkers turned slightly to the left or north,
following an Indian path or trail, leaving the present BursonviUe
to the right, thence through the windings of the valleys, 5.6
miles from Gallows Hill to yonder branch of Cook's Creek, where
they were entertained at Widow Wilson's road house. Most
authorities say that it took them but fifteen minutes to eat,
indicating that Widow Wilson had the meal prepared and ready
for them, and no doubt their "grog" too. The fifteen minutes
lost in resting and eating were made up by their continuing to
walk on that day fifteen minutes after sunset.
This monument is not erected to glorify the Indian Walk, as
all true Americans should blush with shame for the injustice done
the untutored Indians by the civilized white men. It is placed
here simply as an historical marker to indicate the route of the
walk.
The red men never forgave the English people for the -wrong
22 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
^HHs
done them. They resented it at every opportunity, and many
of the Indian massacres of after years can be traced to their
grievance. In 1755, three years after Northampton County was
erected, and within the bounds of the walking purchase, upwards
of fifty persons had been killed by the Indians, and many homes
throughout the county were burned. In their revenge they
drove every family out of the county for fifty miles above Easton,
sparing only five friendly families at Depuys', now Shawnee,
which had been settled mostly by people emigrating via Esopus,
now Kingston on the Hudson River. Edward Marshall, the
hero of the walk, was a native of Bustleton, Philadelphia County.
At the time of the walk he lived on his farm in Tinicum Town-
ship, moving to Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County,
in 1752, where he made his home on Jacobus Creek, which
empties into the Delaware at the borough of Portland.
He was the special object of
the Indians' hatred. During the
latter part of 1755 he fled with
his family to New Jersey, where
they remained until the spring
of 1757, when they moved back
to their Northampton County
home. During the latter part
of May of that year, when he
was on the mountain chopping
wood, a band of sixteen Indians
attacked his home, killing his
wife (nee Elizabeth Oberfelt or
Overfield) who was about to
become a mother, and his eldest
daughter, Catharine, aged about
fourteen years. His eldest son,
Peter, was killed later by a sec-
ond attack of the Indians. Dur-
ing the same year, 1757, his
brother William bequeathed to
him an unpatented island, containing 116 acres, 19 perches, in
the Delaware River opposite the mouth of Tinicum Cre^k, in
^EOWARD mAH?HAlL
V.
22 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
done them. They resented it at every opportunity, and many
of the Indian massacres of after years can be traced to their
grievance. In 1755, three years after Northampton County was
erected, and within the bounds of the walking purchase, upwards
of fifty persons had been killed by the Indians, and many homes
throughout the county were burned. In their revenge they
drove every family out of the county for fifty miles above Easton,
sparing only five friendly families at Depuys', now Shawnee,
which had been settled mostly by people emigrating via Esopus,
now Kingston on the Hudson River. Edward Marshall, the
hero of the walk, was a native of Bustleton, Philadelphia County.
At the time of the walk he lived on his farm in Tinicum Town-
ship, moving to Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County,
in 1752, where he made his home on Jacobus Creek, which
empties into the Delaware at the borough of Portland.
He was the special object of
r ^- the Indians' hatred. During the
latter part of 1755 he fled with
his family to New Jersey, where
they remained until the spring
of 1757, when they moved back
to their Northampton County
home. During the latter part
of May of that year, when he
was on the mountain chopping
wood, a band of sixteen Indians
attacked his home, killing his
wife (nee Elizabeth Oberfelt or
Overfield) who was about to
become a mother, and his eldest
daughter, Catharine, aged about
fourteen years. His eldest son,
Peter, was killed later by a sec-
ond attack of the Indians. Dur-
ing the same year, 1757, his
brother William bequeathed to
him an unpatented island, containing 116 acres, 19 perches, in
the Delaware River opposite the mouth of Tinicum Cre^k, in
EOWA
KEY TO PATENTS ON
INDIAN WALKING
MAP OF THE
PURCHASE
18, 1808 P -61-454
25, 182.1 H -21- 82
2S, 1808 P -61-4S6
!:. niiii AA-15-811
id's i;;!
86- m U
SO-120 jni
35-120 Ml
.10, 180') P -61-279
.10, 1809 P -60-193
mr. 10,182.1 II -20-562
20-Pliilip Trap 8.S-102
,. „._,._^ Iron Co 178- 20
I S7-l,"i7
^"u,''^°'l, S^'pi
li-SbBwr ■••■;:;:
•■ ,55
Otl. 18,' 1745
A :i7-J55
58- 40
H- 24^23
00— l«.l„.rl ll,-n,lir.,Mii
Nov. .10, 1751
Aljr. 11, 1749
kiuf^o
68-Ja..,l, DiL-lil
69 An.ln'v, ]'..„l,;
r /m'?^?.
AA-10-186
196- 80
73— Juliii lluulii.J..*,n
158-40
Mar. 13, 1744
76-Alexa„dcr McCammon.
Aug, 11, 1763
INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737 23
Bucks County, then known as Tinicum Island"^ where he hved
over the remainder of his Hfe with his second wife, having in
1758 married EHzabeth, daughter of Nicholas Weiser, of North-
ampton County, then thirty years of age, whose father had been
scalped by the Indians in 1755.
Edward Marshall died intestate November 7, 1789, at the
age of 79 years. He was the father of twenty-one children,
fifteen of whom, six sons and nine daughters, with his wife sur-
vived him. His body lies buried in the Marshall-Ridge-Cooper
graveyard in Tinicum Township, near Erwinna, about three
miles from his island home.
This cemetery is located on a tract of 164 acres, 130 perches
of land (part of the Strieper tract), w^hich Marshall purchased
March 1, 1738, six months after the Indian Walk, and where he
lived before moving to Northampton County. ^^ His grave is
marked by a simple marble tombstone, which is fast going into
decay. His widow, born in 1727, died October 12, 1807, aged 80
years, is buried alongside of him in the same graveyard. His rifle,
shown herewith, is in the museum of the Bucks County Historical
Society at Doylestown, Pa.
In conclusion, I will quote Keith, who, in his "Chronicles
of Pennsylvania," pages 770 and 778, says:
"The year (1737) witnessed the consummation of the great
Walking Purchase, in accomplishing which Thomas Penn, the
son of the man most celebrated for humane and honest treatment
of the Indians, has been portrayed as hurrying white men to
their death to deprive the red men of a vast territory. which had
never been sold. * * *"
"If, indeed, as the defenders of Thomas Penn have main-
tained, he was merely enforcing a contract, he is still to be con-
is Although Tinicum Island had been for many years in possession of the
Marshall family, it was not until February 2, 1811, that a patent was issued
to William and Martin Marshall, sons of Edward Marshall, the walker.
(Recorded at Doylestown, Deed Book, No. 40, page 208.) After various
ownerships it was, on Fel^ruary 25, 1901, purchased at Sheriff's sale by John J.
Stover, who on December 5, 1919, conveyed it to the Young Men's Christian
Association of Trenton, X. J., for the consideration of S5,000 (Deed Book,
No. 421, page 527). This association changed its name to that of "Treasure
Island."
'•^ Edward Marshall says that the walker who endured to the end of a
day and a half, was promised a warrant for 500 acres of land as a reward; but
that Thomas Penn would not carry out his promise. This suggests, however,
that this tract in Tinicum Township, conveyed to Marshall within six months
after the walk, may have been a gift as part of his reward.
24 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
denined as a man and a statesman. He was grasping a million
more acres than the children of the forest were disposed to allow
for some worn-out and forgotten coats and utensils; and it was
a case of a blunder which was criminal, to arouse the passions
of the savages against his people ; and has been recognized as the
disgrace of the American colonies, and of the United States,
that, when the Delawares finally demanded what they thought
was justice, this land monopolist, instead of satisfying them,
induced the Iroquois to overawe them."
Cooper, the novelist, says: "An Indian never forgets a favor
or forgives an injury."
"Lo! the poor Indian! whose untutored mind,
Sees God in clouds, or hears Him in the wind."
MARSH.-XLL'S RIFLE
?iim of Bucks County Historical Society
24 INDIAN WALKING PURCHASE OF SEPTEMBER 19-20, 1737
demned as a man and a statesman. He was grasping a million
more acres than the children of the forest were disposed to allow
for some worn-out and forgotten coats and utensils; and it was
a case of a blunder which was criminal, to arouse the passions
of the savages against his people ; and has been recognized as the
disgrace of the American colonies, and of the United States,
that, when the Delawares finally demanded what they thought
was justice, this land monopolist, instead of satisfying them,
induced the Iroquois to overawe them."
Cooper, the novelist, says: "An Indian never forgets a favor
or forgives an injury."
"Lo! the poor Indian! whose untutored mind.
Sees God in clouds, or hears Him in the -wind."
MARSH.ALL'S RIFLE
L'um of Bucks CouiU\- Historical Societ\
The Three Tuns Inn at Gallows Hill and the
Old Durham Road
ADDRESS BY WARREN S. ELY AT THE UN\'EIL1NG OF MONUMENT
(Gallows Hill, SprinRfield Townsluji, Xovembt-r 21, 1V25)
THE subject assigned to me for today's address is the Three
Tuns Inn at Gallows Hill and the old Durham Road. I
vividly recall that nearly thirty years ago, when I delivered
an address before the Bucks County Historical Society at Wrights-
town Meeting House, entitled "An Old Hostelry," a dear old
Quaker lady, who was also on the program, seriously objected
to an address being delivered in the Meeting House on a "grog
shop," and having, during the address, stated that in the olden
time much more attention was given to the selection of suitable
men as landlords of our taverns, than at the present time, I got a
severe call-down from the then presiding judge of the court, and
inasmuch as the President Judge of Bucks County Courts is to
follow me with an address, I am constrained to be a little more
mild in my arraignment of the judiciary. I must say, however,
that the lay-justices of the earlier courts exercised a wise discre-
tion in selecting the proprietors of colonial inns, and that these
early inns were located on the routes of travel through a thinly
settled country. The inn was the first public gathering place
on the routes of travel, where all classes could be refreshed on
their journeys through a primitive wilderness, where news were
disseminated, questions of the day discussed and measures taken
for the advancement of the public interest.
The other branches of my subject are likewise difficult to
handle for the reason that I am asked to give a history of the
public road known as the Durham Road at the time of the
Indian walk in 1737, whereas the road had no official existence
as a public road until seven years after the walk was performed,
it having been laid out by a jury appointed by the Court of
Quarter Sessions and returned to that court on the 13th day of
March 1 744^/5 . However, it is clearly proven that there was a
road here known as the Durham Road, because Edward Marshall,
the walker, states that they traveled over the Durham Road to
Gallows Hill, where thev turned to the left and then followed
26 THREE TUNS INN AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD
an Indian path. They therefore left the Durham Road at the
point where this monument has been erected, and where this
meeting is being held. It is also well authenticated that part
of the products of the Durham furnace was hauled over this
route to Philadelphia for a period ten years before the walk,
showing that there was a well-established highway from the
Tohickon Creek, to which point the road had been regularly
laid out by authority of the Court of Quarter Sessions, but from
here to the iron w^orks at Durham, the tradition says that it fol-
lowed very closely the present route of the Durham Road.
The Indl\n Walk— The story of the Indian Walk of 1737,
was so ably told by Dr. Fackenthal at the dedication of the
marker placed at the lunching place of the walkers in the Wilson
meadow, near Springtown, on October 23, last, supplemented
by his explanation of his chart this afternoon, showing the line
of the walk and the county-line of Bucks in 1737, that it seems
needless for me to add anything to that subject.
Dr. Albert Cook Myers has again voiced his plea for our
charity towards Thomas Penn and his associates in the matter
of the mean advantage taken of the Indians, both in the matter
of the walk and the drawing of the line from its termination near
Mauch Chunk to the Delaware River, near the mouth of the
Lackawaxen River. We heartily concur with him in the high
tribute he pays to William Penn, the great founder of our Com-
monw'ealth, and freely acknowledge that no censure can be
ascribed to him in the matter of the unjust walk or the supposed
treaty of 1686, but we cannot refrain from here emphasizing
Dr. Fackenthal's condemnation of Thomas Penn and his asso-
ciates for the manner in which the fair and honest treaty was
perverted and distorted so as to secure title to a million acres of
land never intended to be conveyed under that treaty.
Gallows Hill — I have also been requested to discuss the
origin of the names Gallows Hill and Gallows Hill Run and
their history. The name seems to have been applied to the
hill and stream at the time of the walk, and is perpetuated in
the warrant of survey to William Ware, which embraced this
site, in 1738. Jordan F. Stover in a paper read before the Buck-
wampun Historical Society, on this subject, June 14, 1888, under
the title of "Gallows," says that the name "was applied in con-
GALLOWS HILL
HERE
EDWARD MARSHALL
AND HIS ASSOCIATES
OF THE FAMOUS INDIAN WALK.
OF A DAY AND A HALF .
SEPTEMBER 19-20. 1737
:FT the OLD DURHAM ROA^^
.HE FIRST DAY AND FOLLOWED
IE WELL-BEATEN INDIAN PAFH
WHICH LED NORTHWESTERLY
•HROUGH PRESENT HELLERTOWN. BETHLEHEM
NORTHAMPTON AND THE LEHiGH GAP
MARKED, BY .
THE PEKiNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
, AND CITIZENS OF BUCKS AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES
1925
TABLET ON
NDIAN WALK MARKER AT GALLOWS HILL UNVEILED
NOVEMBER 2), 1925
THREE TUNS INN AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD 27
sequence of an unknown traveler having been found suspended
by a rope attached to the limb of a chestnut tree by the roadside.
who had committed suicide." This seems hardly to account
for the name "Gallows."
A more amusing story of the origin of the name seems quite
current in this locality, to the effect that Edward Marshall,
while performing the walk, broke his suspenders in jumping
across Gallows Hill Run, just north of this point, and having
substituted some other support for his nether garments, hung
his "gallowses" on a tree at the brookside and proceeded without
them. Since the deposition of Marshall in 1757, refers to this
point where he left the Durham Road, by the name of "Gallows
Hill," it might be argued that the name antedated the walk,
but we must remember that the deposition was made twenty
years later when the name became firmly attached to the place.
The Three Tuns Inn — It is extremely doubtful whether
the original "Three Tuns Inn" on the Durham Road, was located
at this point. On both Nicholas Scull's map of 1759 and William
Scull's map of Pennsylvania of 1770, "laid down from actual
surveys" the Three Tuns is located on the Durham Road between
four and five miles south of this point, and it is probably the
older and better known tavern at the "Sign of the Harrow,"
at the present junction of the Durham and Easton roads. This
was the first tavern' on the Durham Road north of Tohickon
and was always a noted landmark in the stage coach days.
Nicholas Scull's map of 1759 also places the Three Tuns far
south of this point. Whether the location is an error of the
draftsmen who prepared these maps or whether the name was
first applied to some other tavern, it is hard to determine. I
have personally examined the petitions for every tavern located
on the Durham Road, from the "Sign of the Plough" at Garden-
ville, to this point, from 1727 down to 1795, and those pertaining
to this location down to 1875. It was extremely unusual for
the name of the hotel to be given in the petition for license,
prior to 1800. Even the two famous hotels of the Harrow and
the Plough were seldom referred to as such in the early petitions.
The Three Tuns Inn first came into conspicuous notice when
Major Samuel Brackenridge was its proprietor. On March 24,
1790, when John Barclay, Esquire, conveyed to Samuel Bracken-
28 THREE TUNS IXX AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD
ridge thf site of this hotel, 53 acres and 100 perches of land, no
mention was then made of a tavern. On July 4, 1791, Samuel
Brackenridge entered into an agreement with John McCammon
of Nockamixon to purchase of McCammon a tract of land
partly in Springfield and partly in Nockamixon Township, "lying
partly on the Great Durham Road, that is to say, the field
adjoining the land of said Samuel Brackenridge and the said
Great Road, computed to contain eight acres," and a further
tract of forty-two acres on the west side of the Durham Road
adjoining the lands of said Brackenridge, Jacob Fulmer, John
Strawsnyder, John Moore and the said McCammon, extending
equal distance along said land from the said Durham Road to
make, with the said eight acres, the full quantity of fifty acres.
This tract may have included the site of the old colonial inn kept
by Charles Fleming and his predecessors.
At the June sessions of court, 1790, the petition of Samuel
Brackenridge set forth that he "has moved to that Public House
on Durham Road, formerly occupied by Charles Fleming, like-
wise informing your Honors that your Petitioner has purchased
the same and determined with your approbation to keep an
orderly house at that place." The license was granted him
and seems to have been renewed regularly thereafter until the
death of Major Brackenridge in 1797.
The tract conveyed by Barclay to Brackenridge was part of a
tract of 196>^ acres surveyed June 9, 1739, to William Ware
under warrant dated April 11, 1738, described as being on Gal-
lows Hill Run, the Indian name of which was "Perlefakon." It
was patented February 14, 1744. It was an irregular rectangle
lying in the extreme southeastern corner of Springfield Town-
ship, quite near the line of Nockamixon Township; its location
is marked No. 72 on Dr. Fackenthal's map shown on page 22
ante. The deed from John Barclay to Major Brackenridge
shows that the Durham Road intersected this tract and the
Brackenridge purchase lay entirely on the east side of the road
and extended down to Nockamixon line.
William W^are, the original owner of the tract, on March 8,
1765, granted to Rev. Richard Treat^ and George Taylor" a lot
1 Sometime pastor of Abington Presbyterian Church and a prominent
divine.
2 Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the proprietors
of the Durham Iron Works.
THREE TUNS INN AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD 29
of one acre, ten by sixteen perches "to be holden in trust by the
said Richard Treat and George Taylor for a burying ground
forever. This is the old Gallows Hill burying groiuid on the
east side of the Durham Road still in existence. This tract was
later conveyed to Daniel Jamison, and Samuel McCammon in
trust on behalf of the Red Hill Presbyterian Church. (See
Deed Book No. 20, page 235.)
On July 26, 1766, William Ware and Jane, his wife, conveyed
the whole tract to Jacob Landis, reserving the graveyard pre-
viously sold. On June 4, 1769, the same tract was sold by
Sheriff Ellicott as the property of Jacob Landis to Alexander
McCammon. Alexander McCammon by will dated May 18,
1776, devised it to his son, Samuel McCammon. On April 12,
1783, Samuel McCammon and Christin, his wife, conveyed the
196>^ acres and allowance on Gallows Hill Run to Philip Jacobi,
of Nockamixon. Philip Jacobi and Catharine, his wife, on
June 7, 1787, granted 174 acres and 67 perches of the same
tract to John Barclay. I failed to find any deed on record by
John Barclay conveying the remainder of the tract after he
conveyed the 53 acres to, Brackenridge. Barclay removed at
about that date to his native township of Warrington and acquir-
ing the Barclay homestead and considerable other land in
Warrington and Warwick Townships, became very prominently
associated with this section, filling the office of Associate Justice
of our courts for a number of years. He built the fine stone
mansion at the village of Warrington, later known as the Rad-
cliffe House in 1799, and in 1800 personally superintended the
erection of the stone arch bridge over the Neshaminy at Edison.
He later removed to Philadelphia, and died there in 1824.
I have been unable to trace the proprietorship of the tavern
"formerly kept by Charles Fleming" as recited in Brackenridge's
petition of 1790. Charles Fleming was proprietor of the Harrow
Ta\'ern in 1783 and later. I strongly suspect that the "Three
Tuns" marked on the maps of 1759 and 1770, was the present
Harrow Tavern, long kept by John Wilson. At the June session,
1746, George Overbeck, "living upon Durham rode four miles
and a half from Durham and six and a half miles from Tohickon,"
presented his petition for a license. It sets forth that he
"is troubled at all hours and Commonly at unseasonable hours of the night
is obliged to break his rest to entertain strangers and travellers, and all the
30 THREE TUNS IXX AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD
neighbours that Hves neare the Rode suffers very much for want of a Taveron
upon that Rode to lodge travellers. Especially in the winter time, by reason
of the place being but newly Inhabited, fodder being very scarce that the
people suffer for to supply the want of travellers so that they Desire that the
Honourable Bench would be pleased to take it to consideration and, be pleased
to give a grant for Lycence to the above named George Overbeck, which we
the undernamed know to be an honest well meaning man and is well stocked
with hay and oats and all other necessaries fiting for a Public house, and we
the undernamed will be forever thankful."
This petition is signed by William Weear, Robart Wear, Thomas
Weiar, Lawrence Pearson, Edward, Thomas, Nicholas, and
Patrick Carty, Alexander McCamont, Hugh Orlton, Uriah
Humble, George Fox, James Galbraith, John Hayes, John
Anderson, Timothy Sullivan, Joseph Blair, John Duram, Wil-
liam Dickson, William Philips, Johannes Heinrich, Herman
Younghand, Martin Penniger. This petition was rejected, but
was renewed each year and the license granted about 1748 and
1749, and was again rejected in 1750, and yearly and semi-
yearly thereafter until about 1757, when it was again granted
and regularly renewed for several years. In Overbeck's peti-
tion of 1755 or 1756, he sets forth "there is no tavern on the
road between Tohickon Creek and Easton, upward of twenty
miles." The petition of George Overbeck in 1752 states that
he "lives close to the Great Road from Newtown to Durham
and Stephen Twuning's Mill (now Funk's) and likewise what
road we have from the river up to Saucon and the Swamp, and
to many of the other Back parts of this province which occations
a great many travellers."
Michael Titter (Dieter) was licensed in Springfield in 1752
and regularly thereafter until about 1765, when he was
succeeded by "Sebella Titter."
"Samuel Brackenridge of the township of Springfield" pre-
sented his petition to the June sessions of the court, 1779, which
"humbly sheweth, that your Petitioner hath married the widow
of Jacob Booker (Kooker), who in his lifetime kept a noted Inn
in said township. Your Petitioner therefore Prays your Wor-
ship would grant him the license, as a public House of Enter-
tainment in that part of the country is very necessary." His
petition was "allowed." This tavern w^as at the site of Spring-
town.
At the June sessions of court, 1761, the petition of Jacob
THREE TUNS INN AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD 31
Kucker sets forth that he hath lately purchased the place of
John Chapham in Springfield, and requests a license which was
regularly renewed until his death in or about 1779.
The will of Jacob Kucker, dated May 2, 1776, devises to
his wife, Susanna, his plantation of 246 acres on which he dwelt,
partly in Lower Saucon, Northampton County, and partly in
Springfield Township, Bucks County, bought of John Chapman.
Letters of administration were granted to Susanna, the widow,
and her husband, Samuel Brackenridge, on February 7, 1780.
The license seems to have been granted to Brackenridge for
the year 1780. At the June sessions, 1781, John Barclay, Esquire,
presented his petition setting forth that he "lives on the Planta-
tion belonging to Samuel Brackenridge in Springfield Township,
known by the name of Cooker's Tavern and Lying on the Forks
of the Great Road leading from Easton and Bethlehem to
Philadelphia." The petition was allow^ed.
Samuel Brackenridge had abandoned his tavern to enter the
service in the War of the Revolution ; accompanying his friend
and neighbor, John McCammon, to Newtown, he enlisted in
Captain Bennett's Company of the Light Horse of Bucks County.
His name does not appear on the published rolls of the company,
but Captain Bennett makes a certificate published in the fifth
series of the Pennsylvania Archives, Volume V, page 387, which
is as follows:
"I dow hereby Certify that Samuel Brackenridge belonged to the Troop
of Horse in the year Eighty and part of Eighty-one, and did the duty required
of him.
Capt. Jacob Bennett."
Whether he immediately returned to the Tavern is not very
clear. A number of letters written by him to Richard Back-
house appear among the Durham Furnace papers in the posses-
sion of the Bucks County Historical Society. In the account
book of Greenwich Furnace (also in said collection), where a
store seems to have' been maintained as well as a forge, he is
charged with four gallons of rum at 15 shillings on October 22,
1782, and on April 8, 1783, with fifteen gallons at 9 shillings,
"if rum raises to be replaced." His name appears on the "lists
of persons licensed" down to about the time he applied for the
license at Gallows Run.
On February 25, 1786, there was surveyed to Samuel Bracken-
32 THREE TUNS INX AT GALLOWS HILL AND OLD DURHAM ROAD
ridge a tract of land containing 129 acres 29 perches, called
"Coalhill," which was patented to him August 10. 1787. This
tract was quite remote from his Gallows Hill property, lying on
South Mountain, northeast of Springtown, mostly in Northamp-
ton County, with but a few acres in Bucks. On January 21,
1788, Major Brackenridge conveyed this property to Rich&rd
Backhouse, who, after cutting off the timber for charcoal, for
use at Durham furnace, subdivided it and sold the fee.
Samuel Brackenridge is taxed for the 210 acres in Springfield
Township in 1779. His name does not appear again on the
tax list until 1783 for which year no valuations are given. In
the tax list of 1784, which was in the nature of a census, he is
listed for 200 acres, two dwellings, one outhouse, six "white
inhabitants," — that is, there were six members of his family.
His name appears also on the tax lists of 1786 and 1787.
We have no record of the commission of Samuel Brackenridge
as a Major, but it doubtless could be obtained by a search of the
State Militia Record.
He lies buried in the old churchyard of Trinity Reformed
Church in Springfield. The inscription on his tombstone is as
follows :
"In memory of Major Samuel Brackenridge
who departed this Hfe September 8, 1797,
in the 47th year of his age."
His wife died three days later, September 11, 1797, aged 45
years and 10 months, and lies buried alongside of him.
The Gallows Hill Inn and 105 acres were sold by the sheriff"
as the property of Samuel Brackenridge, November 3, 1797, to
Henry Dotterer, who conducted the tavern until 1802, when
he sold it to Charles and David Keichline. It was again sold
by the sheriff, September 27, 1816, and purchased by Jacob
Keichline and continued in his possession until March 29, 1831,
when it was conve5^ed to Jacob E. Buck, storekeeper. By this
time the property had become reduced to* 29 acres. Jacob E.
Buck conveyed it to Thomas Miller in 1836; Miller to John
Welder in 1839; Welder to Isaac Sigafoos in 1842; Sigafoos to
Abraham Dilgard in 1846; Dilgard to Lewis S. Biehn in 1872.
The name was changed from Three Tuns to Stony Point nearly a
century ago, but the first post-office was given the name of
GalloAvs.
Quarrying
By henry K. DEISHER. KUTZTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 16, 1926)
QUARRYING is a world wide subject and the earliest opera-
tions are lost in antiquity. The word mining is another
word for quarrying, to distinguish under-ground from
surface operations. Considerable iron ore is found in rock forma-
tion and nearly all precious metals are extracted from rock
quarried under ground.
It is difficult not to digress from our subject, because the
ruins of the finished products of the quarry are so vast and inter-
esting. Suffice it to mention the Pyramids and Obelisks, the
Temples of Thebes, Philae, Memphis, Karnak, Luxor and
Heliopolis, Tombs of the Kings in Egypt, the rock temples of
Nubia, the mile of 1,500 pillars of Palmyra, the ruins of Baalbek
in Syria, the numerous temple ruins in Java, India, Persia and
Assyria, the Chinese Wall, the temples of the Aztecs in Mexico,
the Maya in Yucatan and the Inca in Peru. We must not forget
Greece and Rome, where the finest art was developed.
Quarrying dates from the first existence of man, the beginning
of the Stone Age and lasting thousands of years. The Stone
Age gave way under the march of civilization and ended on the
Pacific Coast in America less than a century ago. The operations
studied in our country, no doubt, may be applied to all Stone
Age peoples of the world thousands of years earlier. During
the early Stone Age, quarrying was carried on on a restricted
scale with primitive tools. Pummeling stones for fracturing
boulders, hammer stones for rough flaking and pecking and
heavy wooden staves charred at one end to produce hardness
for excavating earth or prying stones, constituted the principal
tools.
We have examples at Macungie and Vera Cruz in Lehigh
County, Pennsylvania, where a vast amount of energy was dis-
played by the Indians in pre-historic times. Dr. Henry C.
Mercer explored excavations to a depth of forty feet at Macungie;
and states, "Charcoal was found everywhere, proving that rocks
were heated bv fire and water thrown on to fracture them.
34 QUARRYING
Evidence of charred staves for prying out rocks was also found."
There are 138 pits at Macungie and 60 pits at Vera Cruz, all
of considerable dimensions. At Flint Hill, Bowers, Berks
County, Pennsylvania, the pits or quarries are shallow, the rock
being found on or near the surface and not of large dimensions.
Dr. William H. Holmes, Washington, D. C, and I found a stone
weighing fourteen pounds, seven feet below the surface, worn
round and bruised from throwing on rocks to reduce it to port-
able size. Hammer-stones worn round from use have been
found in great numbers at all the quarries. At the quarries
referred to the highly prized jasper was found. Near Mont
Alto, Pennsylvania, are many places where Rhyolite was quarried,
which was the chief supply for Susquehanna River Indians.
Flint Ridge in Ohio about five miles long, is another great quarry-
ing site.
At the dawn of civilization, whether it first occurred in China,
Babylon, or Egypt, or simultaneously, the first notable opera-
tions took place in Egypt, followed several centuries later on
the same gigantic scale east and north. Dates are given by
historians and archaeologists, but they disagree hundreds of
years, hence — who shall say? However, it may be assumed
that extensive quarrying was begun in Egypt earlier than 2500
B. C. Here again is the question of tools. Copper and tin,
and copper and tin as an alloy, making bronze, were discovered
in remote ages, called the Bronze Age. Comparatively speaking,
iron followed closely, but evidently the hardening process was
not discovered early, because of tools found in the quarries, those
of copper and bronze predominate. It may be thought iron tools
oxidized and disappeared, but such is not the case in the climate
of Egypt. Fire-setting was resorted to, only to remove waste
rock. This was done by building brick walls parallel and close
to the rock to be removed. A hot fire deteriorated and reduced
the rock.
Until recently it was a matter of argument how the Egyptians
severed the large blocks of stone in the quarries for the pyra-
mids and obelisks. No evidence of drill-marks are found. My
contention always was that they were hewn out with hammer-
stones like the Indian pecked the groove around his axe for a
handle hold. However, the vastness of labor was almost beyond
comprehension. Only the Assuan quarry, where R. Engelbach
UNFINISHED OBELISK IN QUARRY AT ASSUAN, EGYPT
This unfinished granite obelisk lying on its bed in the so-called North Quarry near Assuan
' erves to show Egyptologists the manner in which these obelisks were quarried. They were
blocked out from the ledges, the tops and sides dressed, and then detached from the cliffs by
boring numerous holes underneath them, in which wooden wedges were driven; these were
then wetted and their expansion released the granite blocks from their beds. The bottom
sides were then dressed and the shafts conveyed on rollers over a massive causeway (which
is still in use) to Assuan, where they were transferred to floats and taken down the Nile, where
they were again moved by means of rollers to the places of destination. The unfinished obe-
lisk shown above measures 92 feet long by 10 'a feet across at the base, and is estimated to
weigh about 500 tons.
The statues, sarcophagi, columns and other large objects, used in the temples, tombs
and other buildings along the Nile, were also dressed in the quarries to lessen the weight for
shipment.
QUARRYING 35
made recent explorations will be considered and references
made thereto are taken from his writings.
"Wedge marks are seen everywhere; some show where a block has been
removed, others where the wedge failed to act, or has split the rock in the
wrong direction. Wedge marks show that small slots were cut in rows to
make cleavage on a specified line. The site clamors for excavation, which
might well reveal chippings from chisels used in cutting the granite, and thus
settle once and for all time, whether they were made of highly tempered
copper or not. The action of fire is shown in many places. The topping
or inferior stone was removed by fire and where projections of rock were in
the way to move large blocks from the quarry, fire setting was resorted to.
Evidence shows that fires were banked with brick to force the heat against
the rock to be destroyed. It is believed that metal wedges were principally
used, but some enormous wedge slots have been found where wooden wedges
may have been used and soaked with water to expand them and force the
fracture. The most essential discovery pertaining to our subject is an obelisk
137 feet in length, base 8 feet square, calculated to weigh 1,168 tons. My
personal opinion is, that it was impossible then, as now, to wedge out a stone
so long and slender, because it would break at any weak point, due to irregular
expansion of the wedges.
"This gigantic stone has a trench all around 6 to 10 feet deep and two
and a half feet wide, all bashed or bruised out, but the block is not loose at
the base. Few chisel marks are found; everything rounded. Indisputable
evidence proves the method employed here which was done entirely by bruising
with balls of Dolorite. These balls measure from 5 to 12 inches in diameter,
averaging 12 pounds in weight and are found in profusion in the quarry. It
is uncertain whether these balls were used by hand or mounted on handles
and used as rammers. Either way must have been a laborious job, but evi-
dently quicker than chiseling, due to want of metal tools sufficiently hard for
so big an undertaking. From a trial made in bruising it is estimated seven
months double shift were required to ram out the trench. Markings indicate
that two feet of space were allowed per man, and if the Dolorite balls were
mounted, one man in the trench regulating the blows and two men ramming
from above; thus 390 men could work on this trench at the same time. The
dust which collected would have to be brushed aside frequently and at intervals
removed as the cushion formed would reduce the stroke to nil."
Engeibach calculates from inscriptions on finished obelisks,
that the work was done during the reign of Thutmosis III and
Queen Hatshepsut, 1.501 to 1447, B. C. No matter what the
date of the Assuan Obelisk, the process of hardening iron was
discovered later, when the steel chisel became the principal tool.
Here may be cited the little known, "Cave of the Horse Ear,"
on the Island of Sicily. The cave is about 150 feet wide and
long, and 300 feet high, shaped like a horse's ear. It was chiseled
out of solid rock, during the reign of Dionysius, the elder, tyrant
36 QUARRYING
of Syracuse, B. C. 400, for the incarceration of political prisoners,
numbering 300 at times. There was an aperture at the apex
where a watchman could hear a whisper from the prisoners,
who might plan a conspiracy. Native tradition says the number
of men engaged from time to time exceeded 10,000. John H.
Werner, who had a brief shore leave from a convoy ship during
the World War, visited the cave and gave me this information.
Pliny, about 50 A. D., refers to the tunnel driven under a moun-
tain three and a half miles to drain Lake Fucino. Intermediate
shafts no less than 400 feet deep were required for air, and to
admit men to work in opposite directions, 30,000 men were
occupied eleven years, all done by fire-setting, hammer and
chisel.
Take a glimpse at the operations of the immense marble
quarries in Italy during, the early centuries A. D. We may
assume that by this time channel drilling was in vogue and stones
wedged out, either with wooden wedges saturated with water,
calcined lime wetted and plugged in holes, or with iron wedges.
Probably the same methods are employed to date. During
the years, 1882 to 1890, I saw blocks of Italian marble weighing
fourteen tons, hauled to the stone sawmill of Schweyer & Liess
at Bowers, Berks County, Pennsylvania, which had wooden
plugs or wedges sticking in wedge-holes.
Stepping forward to the Medieval Period, we find recorded
that England had over 1,500 castles, Germany probably had as
many, if not more, built on high cliffs. During a siege an
abundant supply of water A\as as necessary as food. Wells
Avere dug hundreds of feet through hard rock to the water level.
Dr. Henry C. Mercer says: "These outrageous wells were all
chiseled out and are more wonderful than the castles themselves."
Agricola, 1494 to 1555, probably the greatest mining engineer
of his time, says mining was all done by fire and chisel. History
states that powder was discovered by the Chinese in early times,
but no mention is made that it was applied to quarrying. Blast-
ing powder was invented by the Germans in 1627, and this
revolutionized the industries of quarrying and mining.
What appeared to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest mine
in America, is the copper mine at the base of Bowman's Hill,
about four miles below New Hope, in Bucks County, Pennsyl-
vania, along Pidcock Creek, about three-fourths of a mile from
QUARRYING 37
its mouth. Was it begun before the time of blasting? The late
Captain J. S. Bailey thought the mine was opened by the "Knights
of Albion," an English Exploration Company, who came up the
Delaware River in 1624, or if not, then by the Swedes in 1638.
About two years ago a deed for this land was found dated 1701 to
John Pidcock, including the words, "to Dig Ore on." Later the
Neely family came in possession of the property. Neely had
heard from the Indians that the place had been opened by white
men, "long ago," who came up the river in boats and carried off
pieces of rock. He tried to work it, but was not successful.
During 1854, one of the descendants cleared the drift and pumped
out the vertical shaft. An engineer from New York went down
and found another shaft. He said the mine showed signs of
tools not in use for a couple of hundred years. Recently an
engineer claims to have found marks of drill holes, which would
indicate operations after the discovery of blasting with poAvder.
Yet it is possible and probable that the mine passage was partly
opened by hammer and chisel. Do not the drill holes indicate
that the passage was enlarged by wedging out blocks, a process
quicker than chiseling?
Anthracite coal was discovered in 1791 near Mauch Chunk,
Pennsylvania. W. W. Morris, a Welsh miner, told me the first
powder used for blasting in coal mines was redish brown and
very fine as the name indicates. Later the black granular powder
was developed, followed by glazing the granules as a protection
against dampness and deterioration. Most of the drill-holes
in coal mines were horizontal, some inclined up or down, accord-
ing to dip of the vein. Due to the easy fracture of coal, the
holes are not heavily charged and only lightly tamped. It
being difficult to place powder in horizontal holes, the miner's
squib, a tubular paper bag holding the powder, was shoved back
in the drill-hole. The paper was pierced with the pin or needle,
followed by light tamping, great care being taken to keep the
pin loose by turning during the process of tamping. Withdraw-
ing the pin, a rocket with saltpeter tape for lighting is inserted
in the hole, which shoots a flame to the powder charge. Safety
fuse has not been used in coal mines, due to smoke from burning
cotton, which produces foul air.
During 1828 slate was discovered in Lehigh County, Pa.,
and a quarry was opened by Crump and Brereton, from Balti-
38 QUARRYING
more, Maryland. In 1844 Kern, Jones and Roberts opened a
quarry at Slatington, Pa., by means of a tunnel, which was
operated from 1845 to 1886. In 1844 William Roberts and
Nelson Labor discovered slate in Northampton County, Pa.
John H. Moyer, a blacksmith and tool-sharpener, at Slatedale
quarries for forty-one years, gave me the following information:
"Fortunes have been made in slate quarrying, but many more
fortunes have been sunk, due to the enormous expense in remov-
ing the top of inferior rock to reach quality-slate and installation
of machinery." Open quarries are made where the topping is of
limited thickness, as a considerable area has to be stripped.
Open quarries have been worked to a depth of more than two
hundred feet. At medium depth slate is generally veined in
rectangular blocks, which can easily be wedged out. Where
topping or poor slate extends to considerable depth, shafts are
sunk and quarrying is extended to depths of four hundred feet
or more. The best quality' slate is found in solid bodies below
water level and water pumps are in operation continuall3^ In
these deep quarries large chambers and tunnels are worked out.
Blasting is resorted to only when workings are started for a
lower level. Drill holes are only lightly charged with blasting
powder to prevent shattering the slate. Large blocks are then
wedged out with triple iron wedges, two iron wedges called
feathers are rounded on one side to fit the side of hole and are
set on opposite sides and a steel wedge is driven between the
feathers. A row of these drill holes and wedges several inches
apart are prepared, then tapped lightly back and forth with a
hammer till the stone fractures. Granite and marble blocks are
detached in the same manner. Wooden pegs driven in the
drill holes expand from the dampness, causing fracture, and are
well adapted to slate.
For blasting in wet places a tubular tin can, holding the
powder charge, also having short tube for inserting the safety
fuse, the end being sealed with tallow is used. Before the time
of safety fuse, the tube extended to top of the drill hole to be
filled with fine powder for setting off the charge.
John H. Moyer also told me from hearsay,
"The blasting pin was a thin tapered iron rod with a ring or handle at
the top to facilitate turning to keep it loose for withdrawal after tamping
the drill hole with clay from the powder charge to the top. The pin hole was
QUARRYING 39
filled with fine powder, to which was laid a strip of paper saturated with salt-
peter, which when lighted burned slowly, allowing the operator to get to a
place of safety. As an improvement, wheat or rye straw was cut and telescoped
and inserted in the pin hole and filled with powder. The straw being thinner
than the pin left an air space, thus lessening the force to blow out the tamping,
also saving powder."
I have collected a few of these loading pins in iron, copper and
wood, copper and wood being used as a precaution in striking a
spark and igniting the powder. John D. DeTurk, Kutztown,
Pa., said his father twisted a rag saturated with saltpeter and
inserted it in the pin-hole instead of powder, but this failed, as it
smothered the fire.
Safety-fuse or cotton-fuse, as it was called, was invented about
1860, but was partly a failure. Water-proofing with tallow was
tried but without success. This was followed by so-called
waterproof fuse, but this had many breaks in the powder line.
After many trials a double-taped asphaltum fuse proved to be a
success. Safety fuse was not always safe. i\bout 1877, a sand
blast at the Bowers quarry along the East Penn Railroad, failed
to explode on time. Contrary to warnings from the quarry
men, James Williams went to investigate. The cotton in the
fuse slowly burned across a barren spot and reached powder
again while Williams was straddling the crevice. Among the
smoke and flying stones parts of his body were seen hurtling
through the air. It was customary in those days to inform
neighbors of a disaster, and I was the messenger on this occasion.
In Eastern Pennsylvania the quarrying of limestone was
carried on in open pits; as an industry it dates from about 1720,
supplying the early charcoal blast furnaces, the first of which in
Pennsylvania was the Colebrookdale furnace. Anthracite coal
was first used successfully in blast furnaces in 1840, and from
that time forward quarrying became an industry of immense
proportions. There were many furnaces between Easton and
Harrisburg due to the proximity of limestone and iron ore. Large
quantities of limestone were calcined and the lime used on farm
land, and for masonry work. Throughout the limestone region
nearly every farmer had a quarry and a limekiln. During the
winter months farmers from great distances hauled lime with
two and often four horse sleds, paying six to seven cents a bushel.
Some farmers had their own kilns and hauled stone, purchased
40 QUARRYING
at $3.00 per cord. On a long stone ridge, south of Kutztown,
Pa., farmers from a distance owned quarry-sites like building
lots, a few had kilns at the quarry and when the owner did not
have the kiln in use, it was rented at $2.00 to $3.00 per filling.
This was economical as coal was to be had at the railroad station
nearby, requiring only a short haul, and lime was not as heavy
as stone for the long haul to the home farm.
Forty or more years ago, men living in farm tenant-houses
as well as laborers from villages, would contract to quarry lime-
stone during the winter months at $1.00 per cord, the owner
furnishing tools and blasting powder. Rectangular stones were
sorted out for foundation walls for which the quarry man was
paid $1.25 per cord. From ten to forty cords of stone in a
quarry was a common sight. The drilling for blasting was all
done by hand, either single handed with a rammer drill, or one
man turning the drill, his partner striking with a six-pound
hammer. In dry drilling the dust was removed with a spoon-
like rod called a scraper. The wet process is considered an
advantage, as the slush has less resistance and fewer removals.
The slush was removed with a hickory stick, one end pounded
into shreds, called swab-stick. The general rule for loading a
drill-hole is to fill one-third of the depth with blasting powder,
then insert the fuse well into the powder. A small quantity of
damp clay was dropped in the hole at a time and the clay well
tamped with a tamping rod. Before the time of matches, the
steel with flint and tinder or punk had to be used for lighting the
saltpeter strip then in use. Besides the tools named, the crow-
bar played an important part, acting as an assistant to wedges
in separating fractured rocks after blasting, also for raising
heavy blocks of stone.
My father operated two quarries and seven limekilns from
1856 to 1890. Quarrying was fascinating to me from early
boyhood, and if father had caught us boys burning up yards of
fuse and pounds of powder, there would have been stirring times.
In those times pea coal sold at S2.90 to $3.40 per ton. Since the
high price of coal and labor, the limekilns have collapsed from
frost and the quarries are overgrown with trees and weeds.
In quarries where thirty to forty men worked to supply fur-
naces with limestone, operations were somewhat difl^erent from
those I have described. On top of the bank a row of holes two
QUARRVIN(. 41
inches in diameter were drilled, ten feet apart and twelve feet
back of the breast or precipice of the quarry to a depth of about
twenty feet. Short drills and two men were occupied in starting.
Later a platform was raised having two men on top and two
below, generally using a rammer drill, but I also saw two men
below lifting and turning the drill and the men above striking
with nine-pound hammers. These holes, five or more, were
lightly charged with blasting powder in order to run a crack or
crevice from one hole to another and not tear up the rock.
According to judgment from 250 to 1,200 pounds of blasting
powder was poured into this crack and a fuse set about one-third
distant from each end thereof, and the crack was then filled with
dry sand. If the judgment of the quarry boss was correct, this
blast would tear up and throw many tons of rock into the bed
of the quarry. This was called a sand-blast. Pieces of lime-
stone too large to be broken with sledge hammers, were drilled
to a depth of from twelve to twenty-four inches, according to
their sizes, and charged with powder to shatter them.
This paper was not intended to cover the time when high
explosives came into use, but it may not be out of place to refer
to the gigantic tunnel operations for which, since 1861, steam
and compressed air drills and recently electric drills are being used.
Among these large operations might be mentioned the Croton
aqueduct, the destruction of Hell Gate, the Panama Canal
and the Hudson river tubes. Several months ago I witnessed,
at close range, the discharge of a quarry blast using two tons of
dynamite. A blast was made at Ayer in the state of Washing-
ton, where 354,000 pounds of explosives were used, which dis-
placed 300,000 cubic yards of earth and rock. The removal
was done by modern steam shovels, taking fourteen tons at a
bite and repeating the operation every forty-five seconds. I
have briefly referred to some of the modern methods, which
may be antiquated in a single generation, and who knows, that
with the march of civilization, fifty years hence, mountains may
be removed bv faith.
Pioneer Life in Maine in 1 808
By MRS. SOPHIE LYMAN PRATT, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 16, 1926)
THIS can hardly be dignified by the name of a paper, but a
few facts gathered concerning an early pioneer family
breaking their way through the wilderness of Maine in the
year 1808, are worth recording. On October 1, 1922, my sister
and I journeyed to the White Mountains, about twenty-five
miles north of Portland, Maine, and equally distant from Poland
Springs, at Dyke Mountain Farm, Sebago, Maine, in a house
which was built in the year 1853. Under these conditions we
were in a mood to listen to the tales of its early history as it was
related to us by a very real character, the oldest surviving
member of the family, then ninety-six years old; she was bright
and enjoying good health, but her sight was a little dim. Mrs.
Asenath W'inthrop, the youngest of her nine children, could
vividly remember the earliest of her parents' experiences as they
w^ere told to her when a child. They told her of their pioneering,
settling and making a home for themselves, and the gradual
growth of a settlement in that then rugged country, but now
one of the "Playgrounds of America."
Go back with me to the year 1808, for a few moments, in
w^hich year this family, consisting of father, mother, brother
and child five years old, who migrated from Massachusetts by
packet boat from Boston to Portland, and from there traveling
twenty-five miles through an uninhabited territory; the mother
carrying the child on horseback wath an open saddle (not a
pack saddle), of which distance the last three miles were through
an unbroken wilderness, where they were obliged to fell trees
four feet in diameter as they pushed on toward their quest.
Probably no such trees are to be found today in that part of the
country.
I asked Mrs. Winthrop, my informant, how her family knew
just where to settle and make a home; she explained that they
were looking for a site that would be sheltered from the wintry
blasts, with plenty of sunshine and on high ground, and, of course,
where they could get water. At one time, however, they had
PIONEER LIFE IN MAINE IN 1808 43
to dig down sixty feet for water. They did not blast the frozen
ground, but after drilHng holes in the rock they put coarse gun-
powder in them, then lighted on top.
They raised their own cattle, beef, sheep and chickens.
They also grew flax and spun and wove and made their own
clothing. Shoemakers would come to their house periodically
to make their shoes out of leather which they themselves had
tanned. For light they would put melted mutton tallow in a
saucer and would light the end of a twisted rag that hung over
the side, which they ignited by means of a flint and steel; later
they used tallow candles, at first made by dipping wicks into the
melted fat, and later by using candle moulds. For their first
fences they used stumps of trees for posts, on which they laid
split pine rails. They also made fences by planting posts and
inserting pine rails about eight feet long. Later they also built
stone walls for fences. They hauled roots of big trees L shaped,
to the ship yard to make keels for ships. They ploughed, hauled
and traveled with oxen, using wagons somewhat like oxcarts
now in use.
Mrs. Winthrop, the present owner, was born in a frame
house, (not log), the wood-shed, barn and other outbuildings
were not connected with the house, as is usual in New England.
The doors and w-indows of the house were the same as all houses
of that period. The door-latches were made of iron with strings
attached, and the chimney was built at the end of the house.
The roofs were of shingles which they split out by hand. They
cut the wood the proper length, and rived the shingles on the
spot, using a frow. At first they cooked in the open fire, but
when cook stoves were introduced, about 1840, they used one,
which of course burned wood. For baking bread, the present
owner used a brick bake-oven attached to the present house, built
in 1853, until about thirty-three years ago. They used a so-called
tin kitchen for roasting meat up to about forty years ago. Their
corn, wheat, rye and barley were taken to the gristmill to be
ground. In winter they used snow shoes.
If Mrs. Winthrop is still living, she would be one hundred
years old. Her grandfather was mate on a ship bound for
Algiers, carrying tribute money. The chest which contained
the money, made of mahogany, was afterwards sold.
A Lutheran Mission in Northampton Township in 1 748
By warren S. ELY, DOVLESTOWN, PA.
(Do\-lesto\vn Meeting. Januar\- 16, 1926)
TWO miles south of Richboro in Bucks County on a country
road leading to Middletown a short distance below what
is known as the Holland Road, but known in early records
as the "Road to Robert Heaton's Mill" at Rocksville (Holland
P. O.), is an old stone-walled graveyard, now locally known as
the Feaster Burying Ground. It consists of one acre of ground,
which John Van Horn of Northampton township, by deeds of
Lease and Release bearing date the 17th and 18th days of June,
1748, granted and confirmed unto Christian, Barnet, and Abra-
ham Van Horn, all of Northampton township, and to their heirs
and assigns.
These three grantees executed a deed or declaration of trust,
dated June 18, 1748, setting forth that they "declare, testify
and express that they stand seized and intented of and in the
said lot or tract of land, in trust for the use, benefit and behoof
of the Religious Society of People Distinguished by the name
of Lutherans and no other."
After the death of Christian Van Horn, the first named of
the three trustees, which occurred on November 23, 1753, as
shown by his tombstone in the old graveyard, Bernard and
Abraham Van Horn, the other two trustees, on November 16,
1762, nominated Godfrey Van Duren, son-in-law of the said
Christian Van Horn, as a succeeding trustee.
On June 14, 1791, this Godfrey Van Duren, then of Southamp-
ton township, blacksmith, as "Surviving trustee of the Religious
Society of People belonging to Northampton Township in said
County of Bucks, distinguished by the name of Lutherans,
executed a deed of trust naming Isaac Van Horn of Northampton
township and John Van Horn of Solebury township as succeeding
trustees and conveyed to them the same one acre of land, reciting
the title as above given. See Deed Book, No. 26, page 347, etc.
This one-acre tract is a part of a tract of 1,000 acres lying in a
bend of the Neshaminy Creek and extending back in an L-
shaped form to the Bristol Road, marked on Holme's map in the
LUTHERAN MISSION IN NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748 45
name of Christopher Taylor. It was purchased in 1703, by
Barendt Christian and Peter Lawrence, a son and step-son of
Christan Barendtse, the founder of the Van Horn family in
America. It was partitioned between the two purchasers and
the part set apart to Barendt Christian was conveyed by him
to his two sons, Peter and Christian Barnson, the latter being
the Christan Van Horn, first above referred to. This Christian
Van Horn conveyed that part of the tract in which the grave-
yard is included, to his son John, and on February 24, 1748, con-
veyed to his son-in-law, Godfrey Van Duren, forty-one acres
adjoining the graveyard. In his will, dated June 18, 1748, the
same day as the execution of the deed for the graveyard and the
Declaration of Trust above mentioned, he devised this same
tract to his daughter. Charity Van Duren. It is described as
located on the road to Robert Heaton's Mill, and adjoining the
graveyard and the land of his son, John Van Horn. The will
mentions sons, Bernard, Henry, John and Christian, and daugh-
ters. Charity Van Duren, wife of Godfrey; Ann, wife of Cornelius
Corson; Catharine, wife of Henry Hagaman, and Jane, wife of
John Hagaman. The will of Abraham Van Horn, dated Feb-
ruary 7, 1770, names sons, Barnet, Jeremiah, Abraham, Jacob,
David and Isaac, and daughters, Mary Krewson and Charity
and Martha Vansciver.
The Van Horn tombstones, now visible in the the old grave-
yard, are those of Christian and his wife Williamkee, both born
in 1681, he dying in 1753 and she in 1760; Christian, their son,
born x^ugust 21, 1728, died December 17, 1755; a grandson,
Isaac, son of John, born 1764, died March 6, 1813; another
John, born 1734, died February 15, 1817; his wife, Catharine,
born 1739, died October 31, 1804; Cornelius, born 1767, died
February 10, 1804, and George Van Horn, a private in Co. G,
128th Regiment Pa. Vols., who died recently at the age of 71
years.
There are fifteen Hagaman tombstones ranging in date of
death from 1822 to 1884: Henry Shepard, April 14, 1860, aged
82 years; Mary, his wife, October 2, 1850, aged 33 years; William
Croasdale, 1783-1847; Henry C. Hibbs, 1823-1872; Richard V.
Dyer, 1820-1898; Martha, his wife, 1819-1878; Theodore Morris,
1808-1836; Maria, his widow, 1791-1838; Susannah Johnson,
1813-1847; William F. Johnson, 1819-1887; his wife, Matilda,
46 LUTHERAN MISSION' IX NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748
1821-1901, and their daughters, Anna and Susanna. There are
thirty-one Feaster tombstones ranging in date of death from
1771 to comparative recent dates, the oldest being John Feaster,
1706-1773, and Rachel, his wife, 1703-1771.
It seems rather strange to the historian familiar with the
religious history of Bucks County that there should have been
an attempt to establish a Lutheran congregation in lower Bucks,
in the very center of the section settled almost wholly by Hol-
landers who were practically all members of the Dutch Reformed
Church of North and Southampton, established on the Neshaminy
in 1710. The Van Horn family, however, early divided their
religious affiliations, becoming Quakers, Baptists and Presby-
terians, two or three of them becoming noted ministers of the
Baptist faith.
Christian Van Horn, the patriarch among the founders of
this colony of "People distinguished by the name of Lutherans
in Northampton township," was as before stated a son of Barendt
Christian, and grandson of Christian Barendtse, the emigrant.
Christian Barendtse came from the town of Hoorn, on the
Zuyder Zee about twenty-five miles from Amsterdam, Holland,
to New Amsterdam prior to 1653 in which year he was appointed
a burgomaster and schepen of the town. He was active in the
public affairs of the Dutch Colony, filling many responsible
and honorable positions. He was one of the force sent to subdue
the Swedish settlements on the Delaware in 1654, and in 1656
acquired a tract of land on the present site of Wilmington, Dela-
ware, and died there of Marsh fever while erecting a tidewater
mill, July 26, 1658.
Jannetje Jans, the widow of Christian Barendtse, returned
immediately to New Amsterdam, and on September 12, 1658,
less than two months after the death of her first husband, married
Laurense Andriessen Van Buskirk, by whom she had several
children. As above stated her sons, Barentse Christian and
Peter Lawrensen, purchased the 1,000 acres in what is now
Northampton township in 1703. Barendtse Christian pur-
chased several additional tracts in the Holland district of Bucks
County, owning at one time practically 1,500 acres there. He,
however, never came to live in Bucks County but died in Bergen
County, New Jersey, in 1726. In 1707 as already stated he
conveyed the Northampton township tract to his sons, Peter
LUTHERAN MISSION IN NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748 47
and Christian Barnson. In 1714 he conveyed another tract
to his son, Barnet Barnson. All three of these sons came to
Bucks County, and like the other Hollanders of the third genera-
tion in America, abandoned the custom of taking their father's
christian name as a surname and like many others took the
name of Van Horn from the birthplace of their grandfather in
Holland.
Christian (Barendtse) Van Horn was born at Bergen, New
Jersey, October 24, 1681. He married there Williamkee Van
Dyck, daughter of Jan Tomasse Van Dyck, later a landholder
in Bucks County. After living for some years on Staten Island,
Christian Van Horn removed to Bucks County. He deposited
a certificate from the church on Staten Island at the organiza-
tion of the Dutch Reformed Church on the Neshaminy in 1710,
under the pastorate of Rev. Paulus Van Vlecq, who later
married his granddaughter. Christian Van Horn was a member
of Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania, 1723-1732 and 1734-
1737, thirteen years in all, and was otherwise prominent in public
affairs, being a large landholder in Middletown, Bensalem, New-
town and Southampton in addition to his home township of
Northampton.
Charity, daughter of Christian and Williamkee Van Horn,
was baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Neshaminy in
Bensalem, May 21, 1710. The date of her marriage to Godfrey
Van Duren is not known to me but it was soon after or about
1745, at least before February, 1748, when her father conveyed
to her husband the forty-one acres of land in Northampton
township.
It is possible that the establishment of a Lutheran congre-
gation in Northampton had its inception with the Rev. Henry
Melchior Muhlenberg, who became very active in building up
and stimulating all the Lutheran churches in our section on
becoming pastor of Augustus Evangelical Church at the Trappe
in Montgomery County in 1742, but was doubtless largely due
to the fact that Godfrey Van Duren was a son of Reverend Johan
Bernhard Van Duren, or Van Thieran, as it is sometimes spelled,
whom it is known had appealed to Muhlenberg for assistance in
securing the pastorate of a church. Doctor Muhlenberg was
likewise the sponsor of Johan Albert Weygandt and had him
with him at the Trappe for a time before securing for him charge
48 LUTHERAN MISSION IN NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748
of the Lutheran church at Raritan, New Jersey, in August, 1749^
where Van Duren had been preaching for some years. Wey-
gandt married Rev. Van Duren's daughter Dorothy about 1750.
Rev. Johan Bernhard Van Dieran was a native of Konigs-
berg, Germany, dnd came to New York about 1717 with cre-
dentials from Rev. Mr. Boehme, court preacher at the chapel
of St. James in London, whom he had impressed as a youth of
good parts and an ardent religious zeal. His avowed object
M as to teach and prepare for the ministry. He was a tailor by
occupation and secured work at that trade on his arrival in
New York in the same shop with Johan Michel Schutz, a deacon
of the Lutheran congregation in New York, then under the
pastorate of Rev. Justus Falkner, who also was interested at
first in aiding Van Dieran in entering the ministry. He prob-
ably taught school for a time and sold books entrusted to him
by Doctor Boehme.
Rev. Joshua Kocherthal, who had arrived with his flock of
Swiss and Palatinates in 1710 and removed with the greater part
of them to Schoharie, New York, died in 1718 or 1719, and Van
Dieran, making it appear to the congregation that he had been
ordained by Dr. Boehme succeeded to the pastorate and preached
there until 1723, when the Schoharie colony, being deprived of
the land assigned to them, removed to Tulpehocken, Berks
County, Pa.
Parson Van Dieran had promised to come to Tulpehocken
with the colony and act as their pastor there. He, however,
did not do so though he visited them at intervals and officiated
as a pastor. It appears that he had previously visited the
Lutheran church of Falckner Swamp in New Hanover township,
Montgomery County, some years before the settlement at Tul-
pehocken and is charged with claiming that he had been ordained
by Rev. Anthony Jacob Henkel, the pastor of that church. On
the recommendation of Doctor Falckner he had also appealed
to the Swedish ministers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for
ordination in 1721. He had married Mary, a daughter of Johan
Michel Schutz, in 1721, a maid of fifteen years, and her father
became an ardent partisan of Van Dieran. Rev. Justus Falckner
was growing old and feeble and the Van Dieran supporters were
planning for Van Dieran to succeed him. Falckner realizing
this fact and not considering him a safe person had secured the
LUTHERAN MISSION IX NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748 49
promise of his elders that they would apply to the Consistory
at Amsterdam to send tham a successor in case of his death.
Falckner died in 1723 and Van Dieran immediately left Schoharie
and came to New York, and the faction favorable to him began
their efforts to have him selected as pastor, but the elders,
despite the opposition of Schutz and his friends, asked the con-
sistory to send them a pastor. The consistory replied that they
could not at once secure a suitable man. Van Dieran seems to
have been preaching irregularly at New York and elsewhere,
and on receipt of this communication Schutz, securing the
endorsement of a few influential members of the congregation
and about forty others not closely identified therewith, wrote
to the consistory that the council of the church had decided to
call Reverend Van Dieran and they need not seek further for a
minister. However, before this letter reached them the con-
sistory had secured a candidate and examined and ordained
Wilhelm Christopher Berkemyer, who was already on the way
to New York when the Schutz letter was received. When he
arrived and learned what the Schutz-Van Dieran party had done
he became at once an inveterate and remorseless enemy of Van
Dieran, w^hich lasted throughout the balance of their lives. He
prepared a pamphlet printed by Zenger, the famous printer who
was the defendant in a libel suit for publishing criticisms of acts
of public officers and defended by Andrew Hamilton of Philadel-
phia. In this pamphlet he charged Van Dieran of many ofl'ences
against the laws of the Lutheran church, among them that he cut
the bread used in communion service with a knife instead of
breaking it.
Van Dieran became pastor of a congregation at Hackensack,
but was finally driven out as result of Berkemyer's persecutions.
He next went to Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, where
he preached for some time, being succeeded by Rev. J. A. Wey-
gandt in 1749, the latter marrying his daughter Dorothy in 1750.
The appearance of Godfrey and John Van Deren in Bucks
County about 1745, both sons of the wandering preacher, may
have stimulated the effort to start a Lutheran congregation in
Northampton where Godfrey was living and in which he enlisted
the assistance of his wife's wealthy and influential relatives.
On the records of the Lutheran Church at the Trappe between
the vears 1750 and 1760 appear the baptismal record of several
50 LUTHERAN MISSION IN NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748
persons, as "baptised at Neshaminy." These include several
members of the Van Horn family, a daughter of Godfrey and
Charity Van Duren and a number of others including that of
Bernard Hellyer, the ancestor of the Hellyer family of Doyles-
town and elsewhere in Bucks County. This would indicate that
there was a chapel or meeting place of some kind on the one-
acre lot, but there is no further evidence of this fact. The
reference to the lot in deeds of adjoining lands always mentioned
it as a "graveyard."
Godfrey Van Duren and his wife Charity removed to Sole-
bury about 1750, and he was for several years proprietor of the
tavern at Ruckman's and conducted a blacksmith shop adjoining.
The deed by which they conveyed the forty-one acre farm to
Adrien Cornell in 1751 was made while they were residents of
Solebury. He returned to Northampton township prior to
1760 and acquired other lands, but finally settled in Southampton
where he died in 1792.
His occupation while in Southampton was that of a "Nailer"
and the inventory of his estate lists machinery or tools for the
manufacture of nails. His wife Charity died and he was married
second at Southampton Baptist Church by his wife's relative,
Rev. William Van Horn, in 1780 to Alice Evans, who survived
him. His only son Bernard married Margaret Murray in Bucks
County, but soon after his marriage removed first to Loudon
County, Virginia, and later to Kentucky. A daughter of God-
frey and Charity married John Hough of Warminster, who
settled his father-in-law's estate in 1792, but soon after removed
to Kentucky. Another daughter married Isaac Longstreth,
having become a member of the Society of Friends at Horsham.
John Van Dieran, a brother of Godfrey, came to this section
while a minor about 1740. and was probably an apprentice to
Thomas Holcomb, who built the Pine Run mill in 1742. He
sought and obtained membership in Buckingham Monthly
Meeting of Friends in 1746, and soon after married Susannah,
daughter of Thomas Holcomb. Soon after his marriage he
removed, first to Horsham and later to Roxborough, Philadel-
phia, where he owned and operated a mill until his death about
1786. His son Charles was a soldier in the Revolution and
father and son took up several large tracts of land in different
LUTHERAN MISSION IN NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748 51
parts of Western Pennsylvania, where his other sons, John
and Charles, were living at the time of their father's decease.
Godfrey Van Duren was a soldier in the Colonial service in
1756 and also in the Revolution.
Rev. John Bernard Van Dieran, the father, died about the
year 1760, and his wife Mary married George Roreback of the
Raritan section, who had previously married her sister. The
will of John Van Duren mentioned "My honored mother M
Roreback."
The death of Rev. Van Dieran and the defection of others
of the promoters of the Lutheran congregation probably defeated
the hopes to establish a church in Northampton. This zealous
preacher was probably much more sinned against than sinning.
He seems to have always been popular as a preacher. The
difficulties thrown in the way of his receiving ordination prob-
ably led him to pretend to have received the same when he had
not. His chief accuser, Berkemyer, was actuated by jealousy
and his charges are largely trivial as viewed by the layman, being
mostly that he did not conform to rules of discipline and prac-
tice of the Lutheran church.
On June 19, 1819, Isaac Van Horn, the survivor of the trustees
of the one-acre lot named by Godfrey Van Duren in his deed
of 1791, made another appointment of trustees as shown by an
instrument recorded in Deed Book 48, page 13, by which he
recites the title back to the deed of John Van Horn in 1748
as given in these pages, the death of his co-trustee, John Van
Horn, and as "Surviving Trustee for the Religious Society of
People belonging to Northampton township distinguished by
the name of Lutherans," names Aaron Feaster, Abram Van
Horn and Lewis Hagerman as succeeding trustees, "in place of
said deceased Friends and Trustees to do any act and deed which
the said John Van Horn and myself by virtue of said power and
trust might or could have done," etc.
I made no further search for later appointed trustees, my
sole object in preparing this paper being to record the attempt to
start a church nearly two hundred years ago. However, I
wish to add that David Feaster by will dated August 30, 1871,
and probated June 18, 1873, bequeathed SI, 500 to the trustees
of the Reformed Church at Addisville, (formerly the Dutch
Reformed Church) on condition that they "obligate themselves
52 LUTHERAN MISSION IX NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, 1748
in such manner as my executors think proper to keep the grave-
yard wall and gates around the graveyard known as the Feaster
and Hagaman Burying Ground, together with the covering of
the said walls in good order and repair forever."
Thus some one was far seeing enough to arrange for the
permanent preservation of the last resting place of these loyal
old patriarchs in a sensible manner.
Preserving "Summerseat"
By THOMAS B. STOCKHAM, MORRISVILLE, PA.
(Morrisville Meeting, September 25, 1926)
HERE at "Summerseat," in Morrisville, Bucks County,
the Bucks County Historical Society held an interesting
meeting on May 26, 1903. At that meeting Dr. Robert S.
Dana read a paper entitled "Morrisville and Its Vicinity," and
Dr. Richard H. S. Osborne read a paper entitled "Historic
Summerseat." These two papers are full of interesting facts
relating to the historic lore of this community.^ You will bear
with me in quoting Dr. Osborne's list of owners of this historic
country-seat, which show^s the care that was taken by its private
owners throughout many generations.
Dr. Osborne says: "The early records indicate that the lands
of Summerseat formed a part of a certain property of John Wood,
an Englishman, who settled in Bucks County in 1678, and took
up 478 acres of land opposite the falls. The succession of
owners from 1678 to 1859 is as follows: 1678, John Wood; from
1684, John Ackerman; 1687, Joseph Wood; 1723, Josiah Wood;
to 1770, William Wood; 1773, Thomas Barclay; 1791, Robert
Morris; 1798, George Clymer; 1805, Henry Clymer;^ 1813,
Elizabeth Waddell; 1859, John Humphrey Osborne."
This property remained in the Osborne family until Decem-
ber 15, 1919, when the late Mrs. Ada I. Osborne, wife of Dr.
Osborne, sold it to Isaiah Burks, and on September 4, 1920,
Mr. Burks conveyed it to the Washington Heights Realty
Company, and that Realty Company has since sold it to the
Morrisville School District, deed recorded August 7, 1922.
Referring to one other historical fact not related in either
one of these papers, and before taking up the subject of pre-
serving this mansion, I would direct your attention to a letter
written by General John Sullivan to His Excellency George
Washington, January 10, 1781. This letter was brought to my
attention by Dr. Carlo E. Godfrey, Director of the Public Record
1 Bucks County Historical papers, Vol. Ill, pages 237 and 242.
2 Henry Clymer was the son of George Clymer, and there in the home
of his son, George Clymer, passed away January 23, 1813.
54 PRESERVING "su:\imerseat"
Office, of the State of New Jersey, who is as deeply interested
in the historic facts of Pennsylvania as he is of his own State,
and who told me that this letter was in the Library of Congress.
I wrote to the Librarian of Congress and received a photostatic
copy of the same, and I hope that when this building is restored
to its former integrity to have a framed copy of this letter hung
somewhere on these hallowed walls. The letter reads as follows:
Barclay's House (near Trenton) Jan. 10, 1781,
8 o'clock E\eng.
Dr. Sr.
We are Happy to inform your Excellency that the terms offered to the
Pennsylvania troops are at length finally and as we believe cordially and satis-
factorih' agreed on, and tomorrow we expect the Pennsylvania lines will be
arranged in its former order, Constitutionally, no Concession has been granted
them that the critical situation of our affairs did not Warrant and Justice
dictate.
As an earnest of their sincerity they have this night sent to us under a
strong guard the two spies sent out by Sr. Harry Clinton with ofTers of terms
to them, who are now in the House under a guard of the Philadelphia Light
Horse, and a Court Consisting of Genels Wayne & Irvine Cols. Butler Steward &
Majr. Washburn at this Moment determining their fate. Several other Emis-
saries have been sent out by Sr. Harry, who have more prudently deliverd
their Credentials to us, whether more Honestly time will determine. In
short the whole progress of this affair exient the first Tumult has been con-
ducted on their part with a consistency, firmness and a degree of Policy mixed
with candor that must astonish every theorist on the nature of the American
Soldiery; and cover Sr. Harry with Shame and Confusion, if not stigmatize
him with the appellation of Prince, of Blunderers, for having so illy succeed
in essays of this kind.
Commissioners appointed by the Committee of Congress Consisting of
Col. Atles, Gen. Potter, Mr. Blair, McClaneghan and Capt. Morris of the
Philadelphia Lt. Horse will proceed tomorrow to adjust their Claims.
Jan. 11 8 of Clock A. M.
The British Emissaries are Condemned & will be Executed this morning
at nine. The Commissioners are now Sitting to Determine which of the
Troops, ought to be Discharged and which to remain & we Trust this Day
will Complete the Business. I have the Honor to be most respectfully Dr.
Genl. your Excellency's most obedt. Servt. by order of the Committee.
JnO. SULLIV.A.N,
Chairman.
To His Excellency,
General Washington.
PRESERVING SUMMERSEAT ^>
Since the last meeting of this Historical Society in Morris-
ville, the greatest war of all history has been fought. Since the
eventful sojourn of Washington within these walls in the early
days of December of 1776, since the visit of Lafa\'ette to this
venerable country seat in 1824, events have led this great nation
to a position in the eyes of the world that precludes the possi-
bility of a continued isolation as laid down by the Father of
his Country. Science and invention ha\'e made all the world a
kin and the spirit of the trying days of the conflict which made
this soil hallowed, the plans that were undoubtedly laid within
these walls and the events that followed to the turning of the
tide of battle, the raising of the hopes of a people sorely pressed
and depressed by defeat has reached across a century-and-a-half
and the sons of these gallant men enacted similar scenes upon the
soil of their forefathers in old Europe, and have raised the
standards of Democracy in the old world.
Trenton and Morrisville have a heritage as great; and the
spirit that turned the tide of war in the Revolution has carried
on, and under the stars and stripes, shoulder to shoulder with
the bars of France and the cross of Saint George of Great Britain,
made Chatteau-Thierry the second Battle of Trenton.
We should preserve Summerseat. The boys returning from
France in the early formative period of the American Legion,
turned to find a home and ventured to buy this property; young
and impetuous, back from the great strife, full of vigor, with
none of the spirit of serenity that surrounded these sacred walls,
ventured to turn this building into a club and quarters for their
organization. The task was too great for them and finally they
had to abandon the project. Such damage as was wrought in
turning the second floor into an auditorium is not beyond repair.
These walls can be restored and the early integrity of the building
thus preserved.
A fast-growing community turned its attention to the needs
for better school facilities and prompted the Board of Educa-
tion to take over this entire block with a view of retaining this
house, and building a school on the adjoining grounds. The
tremendous demands placed upon the School District for improved
school facilities made it impossible for the School Board to
expend any funds on the restoration of this historic house. The
fire hazard and the rapid depreciation of the property in an
56 PRESERVING "sUMMERSEAT"
unused condition after having been used as a school house, to
relieve the congestion during the period that the Robert Morris
school was being built, caused the board to consider very seriously
the demolition of this structure. The Morrisville Chamber of
Commerce stepped into the breach at this point to stay the
hand of destruction until something could be done. The board
very graciously consented to this request and gave the Chamber
of Commerce a certain time to carry out its plans. In the mean-
time this committee of the Chamber of Commerce has raised
funds to seal up the hole in. the north Avail of the building as their
contribution to this work and this bit of restoration will be com-
pleted before the winter sets in.
This building on this site is not Morrisville's, is not Bucks
County's, is not the Commonwealth's, but the Nation's own.
Mount Vernon, the historical shrines of Boston, Tennet Church,
Yorktown, Valley Forge and Washington Crossing are national
shrines and "Summerseat" belongs side by side with them.
Washington's headquarters were in this building from December
8 to 14, 1776, and I am of the opinion that within these walls he
planned the battle of Trenton.
Scripture tells us that at a certain great battle the Israelitic
leader had the veil removed from his eyes that bound his sight
to those things that were earthly and saw standing on the hills,
legions of angels, ready to strike in his behalf. The knowledge
that they were there was sufficient to spur him on to victory
with the human forces at his command; perchance the spirits
of the legions that wended their way up to the Pennsylvania
shore of the Delaware river and across the icy stream at Washing-
ton Crossing appearing before the Hessians on the 26th of
December in that historic battle were perhaps in France at
Chatteau-Thierry, and there to encourage the spirit of the boys
of the great American Division that whipped the Hessians again,
swept them off their feet and turned the tide for democracy.
May there be pulled aside the veil that blinds us and confines
our vision to things material, and upon this occasion view those
same legions before us, and say, "these walls shall not fall";
that we will make this a shrine the equal to any within the coun-
try and restore this house to its rightful heritage and preserve
it for posterity. Here was developed a great stragetic plan
under the direction of a genius and by the guidance of a good
"SUMMERSEAT"
Rear view looking east — From photograph taken 1931, after restoration
PRESERVING "sUMMERSEAT" 57
God who has made this the greatest nation on earth; and our
act in thus preserving "Summerseat" will bring to the attention
of a great people their great debt to him who was "first in war,
first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen": to
the one great stroke that made Washington feared and respected
by the enemy, to the one great event that fixed the destinies of
the whole world. Here was the birthplace of the thought,
here was reared the child of action, who struck, yonder across
the river, that blow which stunned an Empire.
This should be made an hallowed place, another great shrine
to remind us that a good God guided the hands of a great man
and is the one who rules our destinies.
POSTSCRIPT
On January 7, 1930, the Morrisville School Board com-
missioned Mayor Stockham, the author of the above paper, to
prepare plans for the restoration of "Summerseat" to its original
lines, to be used as a home economic department of the Morris-
ville High School, which stands near by on the same grounds.
After much research and study, plans were prepared, and the
building now stands restored, as near as has been possible, to its
historic lines. The restored building was formally dedicated on
March 24, 1931, at which time the Board of Education gave a
dinner to an illustrious gathering of about forty-five people.
Biographical Notice of M. J. Allan Emory, Esq., A. M., LL. B.
By B. F. FACKEXTHAL, Jr., Sc. D., RIEGELSVILLE, PA.
(Morrisville Meeting, September IS, 1926)
IX the passing of Allan Emory this society has lost a valued
member, one who took an intelligent interest in its welfare;
every feature of which was of interest to him, Avith its history,
folklore and archaeology.
He was the son of Rev. William S. Emory (originally spelled
Emery), who was born at Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsyl-
vania, March 9, 1818, and Martha Row, daughter of Colonel
Jonathan and Mrs. Maria (Minium) Row, who was born January
6, 1824, at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
where she was graduated at the Greensburg Female Seminary.
She passed away at Frenchtown, Xew Jersey, December 30,
1907, in the eighty-fourth year of her age.
The Reverend William S. Emory (father of Allan) began
his college career by entering Jefferson College, Class of 1836,
which in 1865 was united with Washington College to form
Washington and Jefferson; leaving that institution he entered
Madison College, situated in his home town, at Uniontown,
Fayette County, where he was graduated with the degree of
A. B. In 1849, Jefferson College conferred upon him his Master
of Arts degree. He then entered the Seminary at Columbus,
Ohio, where he took a post-graduate course, making the study
of German a specialty. This served him in good stead in after
years when he was called upon to preach in both English and
German, which he could do with equal fluency. He then entered
the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania, from
which he was graduated in June, 1844. He was first licensed to
preach by the English Evangelical Lutheran Synod at Wooster,
Ohio, September 5, 1844, which license was renewed October 4,
1845, by the English Lutheran Synod at Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
He was ordained to the Christian ministry, December 12, 1845,
at Sinking Valley, Huntington County, Pennsylvania. He
served charges in Huntington, Westmoreland, Indiana and
Lebanon Counties in Pennsylvania. In December, 1865, he
accepted a call to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and in March,
1866, moved with his family to Kintnersville, in that county,
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. ]. ALLAN EMORY
SQ.
59
ALLAN EMOR\-
where he served a large charge
consisting of four Lutheran
congregations, worshipping in
Union churches, viz. : Spring-
field, Durham, Nockamixon
and Tinicum; and at the same
time preached occasionally in
other nearby churches, which
had no regular pastors. He
continued to serve this charge
until 1880, when it was divided
and he was assigned to the
Nockamixon and Tinicum
churches. Shortly thereafter
he moved to Erwinna in
Bucks County. His health
failing, he retired from the
active ministry in 1884 and
moved to Frenchtown, New
Jersey, where he passed away, May 1, 1890, in the seventy-third
year of his age. During 1875,' he and the Reformed pastor, the
Reverend David Rothrock, were instrumental in building the new
and enlarged brick church at Nockamixon, which stands on beauti-
ful grounds near Ferndale in Bucks County.' The Reverend Mr.
Emory's loyalty to his church is shown by the fact that for a
period of forty-three years he did not miss a single meeting of its
synod, and over the same period of time missed attending the
conference but a few times, and then only on account of sickness.
Allan Emory, the subject of this notice, was born in West
Newton, Westmoreland County, June 8. 1848. As a lad he
attended the public schools of West Newton and Indiana,
Indiana County, where his father served charges. In April,
1862, the family moved to Palmyra, Lebanon County, where
Rev. Emory ministered to a Lutheran charge, consisting of four
congregations, until 1865. While living in Palmyra, Allan was
employed as a telegraph operator, and happened in the telegraph
office on the night of Good Friday, April 14, 1865, when the sad
1 The Lutheran congregation at Nockamixon was established probably
as early as 1755. The new brick church erected in 1875 is 42 feet by 78 feet
4 inches.
60 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. J. ALLAN EMORY, ESQ.
intelligence was flashed over the wire telling of the assassination
of Abraham Lincoln. He was not on duty that night, and
although the ofiice was equipped, as all small telegraph offices
were at that early day, with an old-fashioned tape-registering
instrument, Allan, who had learned to read by sound, easily
read the message, which passed through the Palmyra office saying
"Lincoln is shot," but could not get any further information for
several hours.
In 1865, Allan entered the Academy at Gettysburg to pre-
pare for college, and in 1867 entered Pennsylvania College at
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with
honor in 1871, wdth the degree of A. B. (Bachelor of Arts), taking
his A. M. (Master of Arts) degree in course in 1874. While at
college he joined the Philomatheon Literary Society, which was
certainly of value to him in after years, and fitted him for debat-
ing and public speaking. In those days it was more or less
compulsory for college students to associate themselves with
one of the literary societies. It is to be regretted that this is
now optional, with the result that most students avoid this
important feature of their education, and thereby lose one of
the great opportunities of a college education ; this is particularly
true of students taking the full college classical course. I know
whereof I speak, for I am myself president of the board of trustees
of a Pennsylvania college. Allan was also a member of the Phi
Kappa Psi fraternity.
When Allan Emory first went to Gettysburg to prepare for
college in 1865, the Civil War had just closed, and the battle-
field was strewn with relics of that decisive struggle. He was
for some years much interested in these, and sent back home
to his friends many bullets, buttons, bayonets, sabres and other
relics which he picked up on the battlefield. He always claimed,
and was proud of the fact that one of the professors (Professor
Jacobs) pointed out to General Buford and other officers, from
the tower of the Lutheran Seminary, the natural advantages of
Gettysburg as a place to join issues with General Lee for this
battle and for the disposition of the troops.
In 1872, Allan entered the Albany Law School of the Union
LTniversity, Albany, New York, where he attended lectures for
one year, and was graduated in June, 1873, with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.). He then registered as a
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. J. ALLAN EMORY, ESQ. 61
law clerk in the office of B. F. Fackenthal, Sr., Esq., at
Easton, Pennsylvania, where he remained but a short time,
and then entered the law office of Lewis Stover, Esq., at Phila-
delphia. He was admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law
in the Common Pleas Courts of the City and County of Phila-
delphia, on October 7, 1876. The practice of the law, however,
did not appeal to him, nor was it fitted to his natural attainments,
and he soon decided not to hang out his shingle as a practicing
attorney on his own account.
Mr. Emory then associated himself with Mr. Joseph L.
Cunningham, of New York, who had been a fellow student with
him in the Albany Law School, and became interested in some
western gold and silver mining operations, spending considerable
time in Arizona, Colorado and California, not only as an associate
of Mr. Cunningham, but also in prospecting on his own account,
and also as a newspaper correspondent. After the death of Mr.
Cunningham he succeeded him in representing United States
Senator John P. Jones in some of his mining operations. F'or
many years he lived in retirement, doing the things he loved
to do, sketching and writing for which he had a special aptitude.
He also spent part of his time in caring for some valuable farm
lands in Iowa, belonging to his father's estate.
Mr. Emory was primarily a literary man and an artist, with
natural ability for sketching, painting and modeling in clay,
and I have often thought, and still think that he missed his
calling in life and should have followed the bent of his natural
abilities, and pursued his studies along literary and artistic lines,
in which I fully believe he could have made himself eminently
successful, rather than to have aspired to the wearing of a gown
or a wig, or to sit on a woolsack, or to engage in prospecting for
minerals.
One of his classmates at Gettysburg College writes me as
follows: "Al. Emory had great literary and artistic mental
qualities, and it was to the regret of his friends that he did not
guide his life-work along these lines, instead of law for which
we all felt he was not naturally adapted."
While a student at Gettysburg, he wrote many short stories
and legends, some of which were published in the local news-
papers. Among those which I have preserved is one entitled
"Kaskeewawa, An Indian Legend of the Delaware," printed
62
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. J. ALLAN EMORY, ESQ.
June 30, 187 1 , in the Bucks County Intelligencer, which he located
at his home town of Kintnersville and at the "Top Rock" of the
Nockamixon PaUsades. This legend, as well as his other stories
and poems, show him to have had a versatile and imaginative
mind, so essential in writing stories. During his college vaca-
tions he also wrote several plays, three of which he staged and
presented in his home tow^n and in some of the nearby villages.
These performances always drew crowded houses. He used
local talent, which he coached with the utmost patience. For
all of these he made the stage settings and painted the curtains.
One of these plays he called "Huahonka" and another "Swatara."
He also modeled in clay. This feature of his natural talent
is worthy of special merit. Two busts modeled by him have
been preserved, one called "Myrtis," made in 1870, the clay
for which he got from Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg. The other
'MYRTIS" 1870
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. J. ALLAN EMORY, ESQ. 63
called "Lucile," made in 1873 from clay obtained from Herstine's
pottery located but a short distance from his Kintnersville home.
His tools for this work were indeed crude, consisting of an old
table knife and such other improvised tools. His family tells
me that in due time they will take pleasure in presenting these
two busts to our society. Etchings of both are shown herewith.
It was always a pleasure to go tramping with Al. Emory.
The beauties of nature appealed to him, and he always saw the
bright and sunny side of life. He often entertained us by
sketching the views that presented themselves, for in his home
neighborhood the Ringing Rocks, Top Rock, Cauf man's Hill,
Palisades of Nockamixon and the Delaware River scenery pre-
sented unsurpassed beauty. Some of his sketches as well as
some of his finished paintings have been preserved. In later
years (September, 1889) he painted a jar of roses which he pre-
sented to Mrs. Fackenthal, which I will take pleasure in showing
you. About the same time he wrote, especially for her, a story
which he entitled "Dimpy."
After hearing an opera he could readily play many of the
airs on his piano, and moreover he often composed music, for
some of which he would also write the hymns or songs.
He not only wrote short stories, but he published several
books, and had material ready for several other volumes. One
of his published books entitled "Within White Walls," I will
pass around for your inspection, with his latest photograph
mounted in the front part thereof.
He was also a poet of no mean order and at the time of his
death had material enough for a volume of poems, which he was
planning to have published.
In politics Mr. Emory was a Republican, and in 1874, the
year following his graduation at the Albany Law School, he was
nominated in Bucks County for the Assembly, but at that time
the county was controlled by the Democrats and he failed of
election.
I do not think he belonged to any clubs other than his college
fraternity, but he was deeply interested in Freemasonry. He
was made a Mason immediately on coming of age. He was a
Past Master of Orion Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., of Frenchtown,
N. J.; a member of Howell Chapter, No. 199, R. A. M., of York,
Pa.; a Knight Templar of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 14, of
64 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF M. J. ALLAX EMORY, ESQ.
Lambertville, N. J., and a Shriner, being a member of Crescent
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Trenton, N. J. He was also a
member of the consistory bodies of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, and was honored by having the
thirty-third degree conferred upon him.
Mr. Emory did not marry. He passed away at his French-
town home, November 12, 1925, in the seventy-eighth year of
his age. His funeral was in charge of the Masons. His body
was laid away in the family plot at Frenchtown, where his
parents lie buried. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Emma V.
Jones and Miss Clara Bell Emory, both of Brooklyn, New York,
and one brother, William Edwin Emory, of Washington, D. C.
Mr. Emory was widely read, familiar with several languages,
possessed of a retentive memory, and was a genial companion, a
lovable, honorable and high-minded gentleman. I knew him
perhaps more intimately than any one outside of his own family.
I never heard him speak an unkind word of any one, and I always
admired the lovely traits of his character.
The following poem, from his pen, was found by a member
of his family, after his death, in the leaves of a book he was
reading:
If I can leave a line
That will outlast the years,
Bring cheer to hearts that pine
And wipe away hot tears,
I'll be content
For I will know-
One life below
Was not ill spent.
House Mottoes in Eastern Pennsylvania
By RE\'. JOHN BAER STOUDT, D. D., ALLENTOWN, PA.
iDoylestown Meeting, January 15, 1927)
SWITZERLAND— On the evening of July 19, 1924, in com-
pany with a group of Huguenot pilgrims, I found myself in
the delightful Swiss city of Interlaken, just in time to see
one of those gorgeous sunsets for which the place is noted. The
snow capped Jungfrau, rising to a height of 13,670 feet, which
marvelously reflected the golden rays of the setting sun. Our
landlord declared, "This is a rare Alpine glow indeed." After a
savory supper I set out to see the town. A few minutes brought
me to a pension, where, above the first story, extending along the
whole front of the building, was this legend:
Wenn du im Hertzex Frieden With peace in thy soil, this hut
hast wird dir die htette zim becomes a palace.
Pal A ST.
And above the second story in similar fashion :
DeM DER SEIN HaU5 HAT WOHL He WHO PUTS HIS HOUSE IN ORDER
BESTELLT MACHT DOPPELT SCHOEN ilAKES DOUBLY BEAUTIFUL THE
DIE GANZEN WeLT. WHOLE WORLD.
A residence not far distant from the above presented this
sentiment:
FrEUND SIE ZUFRIEDEN MIT DEINEM FrIEND BE CONTENT WITH YOUR
SCHICKSAL Den TROTZ hasten UND fate, for IN SPITE OF YOUR HASTE
JAGEN BRINGST DU ES DOCH NICHT AND HURRY, YOU ARE ONLY AT TO-
WEITER BIS AUF HEUTE. DAY.
On the following day I took an early stroll, in order to discover
if possible more of these interesting inscriptions. After leaving
the hotel I soon came upon a house, where the motto was painted
instead of being cut into the wood. The house was rebuilt in
1907, and the board with the legend of the old house was placed
on the new house. The latter date was added:
1599 Lasset uns am alten so es 1599 Let us cling to the old if
GUT IS halten 1907. IT is good 1907.
66 HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The gable end of a house near by presented a similar senti-
ment :
Das Alte Schaetzen, Treasure the old,
Das neue loben. Praise the new.
On the side of this same house was the legend :
EswuENscH mireinicrwaserwill Whatever one may wish for me,
So GAB IHM GOTT ZWEI MAL SO VIEL. MaV GoD GI\ E HIM A DOUBLE POR-
TION.
And on the other side of this house I found:
ZeRST OB SIE BLICKE, WAS BOEST IS BEFORE YOU LIFT YOUR EYES TO
FLUECKE. HEAVEN, AMEND YOUR WRONGS.
BiM SCHAFFE RT ECKE, Dk MUESS's WoRK FAITHFULLY, AND YOU WILL
DIR GLUECKE. succeed.
In the wall of what was apparently an old barn I found a log
on which was incised :
KUNST UN TrEU HIER ANN NITO ART AND SKILL HAVE HERE NOT
GESPART DEN 10 TAG BrACHET 1647. BEEN STINTED 10 DAY JUNE 1647.
Not far from this old stable is the "Chalet Rugenau," at
number 2 Rugenstrasse. This is perhaps the most mottoed of
all the Swiss Chalets. The inscriptions continue clear along
three sides of the house.
Chalet Rugenau, Emil Gauhl, Baufuhrer (Builder)
IcH HABE GEBAUT diss HaUS all- I HAVE BUILT THIS HOUSE HERE AT
HIER ANN DIESE STRASSE. THE STREET.
Drum muss ich Tadler tadlen, Therefore I must let fault-
UND HOESSLER HOSSEN LASSEN. FINDERS FIND FAULT AND LET
DoCH TRAUE ich AUF GoTT. haters HATE.
Nevertheless I trust in God.
From the old house that had occupied the site there was
retained a board for the new. It contains the legend:
Hute Das Haus, und die da gehen Guard Thou this House, and
bin und aus. they that go in and out.
Es wohnt segen drin, ungluech Thy Blessing dwelling therein,
Mus weigen. misfortune must depart.
HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
67
Other inscriptions are:
Wer auf Gott vertraut, hat
wohl gebaut.
Bringst Frieden, kommst herein.
Unfrieden lass dich assen sein.
WiLLST DU EIN SCHOENES LeBEN
zimmeren
So MUST DICH NICHT UM ANDRES
BEKUEMMERN.
17 Das wenigste soll dich ver-
driessen,
Muss stets die Gegenwart ge-
NIESEN 07.
Du soLLs keinen Menschen has-
SEN
Die zukunft Gott uberlassen.
EiN jeder baut nach seinen Sinn
Keiner kommt und zahlt fur ihn.
Alex. Lenz Baumeister
He who trusts in God hath
builded well.
If you bring peace, come in,
If unrest, then stay out.
If you wish to live a beautiful
life
Then you must not be concerned
WITH other things.
17 If small matters annoy you,
Then constantly enjoy the pres-
ence OF God 07.
H.4TE NO ONE and LEAVE THE FU-
TURE TO God.
Each one builds according to
HIS IDEA,
And no one comes and pays for it.
Alex. Lenz Masterbilder
As I was about to turn away from this interesting domicile,
the owner, Emil Gauhl, came out to greet me. He graciously
invited me into the house. He was pleased to learn that I was
from the United States, and was flattered by the interest I dis-
played in the inscriptions. He informed me that he had built
the house and that several of the mottoes had been on the pre-
vious structure which had been erected in 1707. The other
inscriptions were taken from houses in and about the city. I
hurried back to the hotel proud of my find.
At Jenatz in the Grisons, there is a house distinguished by
this sentiment:
In N.\men Gottes wil ich bauen
MEIN ALL HIER AUF DIESEN Pl.\TZ.
Auf Jesum steht mein Ver-
trauen; im Himmel such ich
mein ScH.AlTZ;
In the name of God I will build
here on this spot.
In Jesus I put my trust; in heav-
en I SEEK MV treasure.
Throughout the German part of the Swiss confederacy and
everywhere in Germany are found these delightful house mottoes,
68 HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
which do so much credit to the moral and religious feelings of the
people.
The Swiss and Palatinate settlers of Eastern Pennsylvania
were familiar with date stones and house blessings in the home-
land. They came to the woods of William Penn, not to trade
with the Indians or to search for precious stones, but to make
homes for themselves and their children and their children's
children. When an immigrant prospered he soon erected a sub-
stantial stone dwelling alongside the original log-house. It is
quite natural that he should desire to mark the attainment of
this cherished hope with a date stone. Hence, it is that many of
the old stone farm houses have a date stone somewhere in the
walls. Frequently the initials of the builder w^ere added, and
occasionally the names of both man and wife appear. Occasion-
ally a sentiment or a prayer was engraved upon the date stones.
House Mottoes in Eastern Pennsylvania — I will now
invite your attention to the inscriptions and date stones to be
seen on buildings in Montgomery, Lehigh, Berks, Lebanon and
Lancaster Counties as far west as the Susquehanna River.
Our journey which I trust will prove interesting and enter-
taining, begins with a visit to a stately farm house in the valley
of the Skippack in the County of Montgomery. It was built
by Peter Wentz and his good wdfe, Rosina, more than a century
and a half ago. A stone in the southeastern end of the house
bears the date 1758. A stone tablet set in the wall where it may
be seen by all who enter in. It reads:
P. W. R. W. Jesus Kom in P. W. R. \Y. Jesus come into
Meine Haus Wei che Ximmer mv house and from it never more
Mer Her aus. Kom mit Deiner depart. Come and with thy
GUADEN GUD UN STELLE MeINE GRACE AND PEACE SET THOU MV
Seel zu Freed. soul at ease.
General Washington occupied this house October 16 to 21,
1777. It was here that he received a despatch from Governor
Clinton informing him of the surrender of General Burgoyne,
and from it he issued orders for a thanksgiving service.
Saturday, October 18, 1777
At Headquarters, Wentz's: Orderly Book. — "The General has his
happiness completed relative to the successes of the Northern Army. On
the 14th instant, General Burgoyne and his whole army surrendered them-
HOUSE MOTTOES IX EASTERN' PENNSYLVANIA 69
selves prisoners of war. Let every face brighten, and every heart expand
with grateful joy and praise to the Supreme Disposer of all events, who has
granded us this success. The chaplains of the army are to prepare short
discourses, suited to the occasion, to deliver to their several corps and brigades
at five o'clock this afternoon."
I am told that the house on the farm of the late Hiram C.
Anders, about one mile east of the village of Fairview, has a date
stone, the inscription of which is barely legible. It is the
earliest of these quaint inscriptions, which portray, so eloquently,
the feelings of the colonial period :
Ihr hoellen Geister packt euch Be gone, ye hellish spirits,
Ih habt heir nights zu sch.\ffen Ye have naught here to do.
Dies Haus gehoert in Jesu reich. This house belongs to Jesus'
Lasst es nur sicher schlafen realm
1731. Let it rest in pe.\ce. 1731.
At "dead man's curve," near Fagleysville in Falconer Swamp,
Dr, E. E. S. Johnson informs me, stands a house, the motto of
which reminds us that all our possessions are but a loan.
Das HaI'S ist mein This house is mein and yet not
Und doch nicht mein mein,
Es kommt ein Andern Another comes (to possess it)
Es auch night sein and will not be his.
Er bauet von Johannes Built by Johannes Brunst and
Brunst und Wilihelmein. Wilihelmein
This inscription recalls the well-known motto on a house in
Baumkirchen in Tyrol:
Dies Hause gehort night mein. This house does not belong to
Der nach mir kommt augh night me,
sein; Neither to him who gomes after
Man trag augh dem Dritten me;
hinaus; The third one was also bourne
AcH Gott! wein gehort dieses out,
Haus? O God, to whom belongs this
house?
Lehigh County — One of the oldest buildings in Lehigh
County is the Steckel or Troxel house. It is situated on the
Coplay Creek not far from the village of Egypt. The house
was built by Peter Troxel in 1756. He was born in Switzerland
in 1718, and came to Pennsylvania with his father, John Troxel,
in 1737. Upon the completion of the house until the erection of a
70 HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
church in 1764 the Egypt Reformed congregation met in it for
divine service. The date stone placed between two of the
second story windows bears this inscription :
1756 1756
GOTT, BEHCET DIS HAUS FUER ALLER GOD, PROTECT THIS HOUSE FROM
GEFAEHR, FUHR UNSER SEEL INS ALL DANGER, AND LEAD OUR SOULS
HiMEL's SAAL. INTO HEAVEN's HALL.
JoHAN Peter Trachsel John Peter Trachsel
UND Maria Magdalena. and Maria Magd.vlena.
In 1768 the farm passed into the possession of Peter Steckel,
in which family it remained until recently.
One of the landmarks in Heidelberg township is the Hand-
werk homestead. The date stone of this house is eighteen inches
long and twelve inches high. The inscription reads:
Home Built by
Johannes Handwerk
1801
Danket Dem Hern
Den er ist Freundlich
The couplet is a part of the first verse of Psalm 107, "Oh
give thanks unto the Lord for He is good."
Berks County — My cousin, the late George W. Geist, of
Frankfort, Philadelphia, related to me, shortly before his death,
how, in going from Sally Ann Furnace to Lyons Station, he
found this legend on a house:
Der einer machts The first one builds,
Der andere verachts The second disapproves,
Der nachts sagt was machts. The next says, what's the use.
I have repeatedly tried to find this building, but have failed.
Possibly the house has been stuccoed since, and that this philo-
sophical musing of the builder is covered. The same is perhaps
true of other mottoes.
I have frequently visited the Oley Valley, Berks County, in
search for historical and genealogical data. According to a nota-
tion, I visited the farm in Oley that was originally the homestead
of Martin Shenkel, on August 31, 1917. I was in the company
of the late Rev. Isaac Stahr. Here I came across a date stone
sixteen inches high, thirty-six inches long, with the inscription:
HOUSE MOTTOES IX EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA 71
Martin und Martin and
Maria Maria
SCHENKEL ShENKEL
1766 ' 1766
Alle die to all
in diesem haus That go in or out
gehen aus und ein of this house
lass dir O Gott Be Thou gracious,
Befohlen sein O God
Few country homes are as ideally located as the Rothermel
home at Merkel's Mill, Moslem Springs. It was erected by
George Merkel in 1767. Up near the cornice in the front wall
is embedded a red sandstone with the inscription :
Georg Mercklen Alle de in diesem
und haus gehen aus
Christina 1767 und ein las dir
O Gott, befohlen sein.
In the Willow Dale, near Blandon, on the Kauffman farm,
lately owned by Franklin Seidel, may be seen a similar date
stone. It is fifteen inches high and twenty-eight inches long.
The inscription likewise gives the names of the owners, and
invokes a similar blessing on all who go in and out.
Alle die in diesem Johannes
haus gehen aus Kauffman
UND ein, lass dir, UND SuSANNA
O Gott, befohlen Kauffman
Seign 1771
Not only are these date stones similar in size in inscription
and position in the walls, but the houses themselves are similar
in size and general design. So that one cannot escape the con-
clusion but that these houses were erected by the same master
mechanic. The years of their erection are accordingly 1766,
1767 and 1771.
On the walls of the living room in the Shoemaker mansion in
the borough of Shoemakersville is painted the legend :
Gott segne dieser Hause God bless this house,
Und Alles was da geht ein und And all who go in and out,
AUS, God alone the glory.
Gott Allein die Eh.
72 HOUSE MOTTOES IX EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
A marble tablet in the gable end of the house is incised H. &
C. S. 1768. These letters are the initials of Henry and Charles
Shoemaker, who erected the dwelling. They were the sons of
Jacob Shoemaker, Jr., of Germantown.
Cornelius Freed was one of the first settlers in Albany town-
ship. In his house the neighbors frequently gathered for safety
and mutual protection during the several Indian uprisings. It is
located in the cove known as "the Corner." He placed a stove-
plate in the side of the building, which was removed lately and
sold to a scrapman. Happily Dr. Thomas L. Montgomery, in
his History of Berks County, published in 1886, gives us the
inscription, by means of which the stove-plate may be identified.
This plate has been designated by Doctor Mercer, as "The
Traders." A similar plate is in the collection of the Bucks
County Historical Society. It is the right side plate of a Penn-
sylvania jam stove, with the picture of a shipping port, probably
that of Philadelphia, in the center. Above and below this
representation are four lines of a rhymed inscription, attacking
false religion and the blindness of a world of greed.
Was Night zu Gottes Ehr That is sin which is not to the
Aus Glauben Geht 1st Suende glory of God, in faith.
Merk auf Dv Falsches Hertz Beware then false heart, waste
Verliehrt Ihr Keine Stunde not a single hour.
Die Ueberkluge Welt Ver The overwise world fails to
Stehet, Doch Keine Warren recognize true wares;
SiE Sucht und Findet Koth It seeks and finds trash and
Und Laest Die Perlen Fahren. loses the pearls.
In the walls of Hain's church near W'ernersville has been
retained the date stone of the former building. The inscription
reads :
Das Is Eine Hoch Deutsch Re- This is a High German Reformed
FORMiRTE Kirch. Welche 1st Church. It was erected in the
Aufgebaut worden 1m Johranno year of Christ, 1766.
CH 1766. All those that go in and out
Alle Die Da Gehen Aus Und Ein shall be obedient to God and
Sollten Gott Und Dem (Konig the (King).
Ge) horsam Sein.
There is a tradition that has been handed from generation to
generation concerning the obliteration of the word Koenig and
HOUSE MOTTOES IX EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA /3
the letters g-e of the word "gehorsam." It is said that one Sun-
day morning the men of the congregation were gathering under-
neath the trees in front of the church, as \\as their custom, that
Elder Ruth chanced to look up at the inscription of the date
stone over the doorway and remarked, "Der verdommet Koenig
mus raus." So before the service \a as begun, he secured a ladder,
a hammer and a chisel at the schoolteacher's house nearby and
removed the Koenig from the lettering of the stone. In so
doing, however, the letters "ge" of the word "gehorsam" were
also cut out. In this fashion was King George III excommuni-
cated by the elders of Main's church.
Lebanon County — Leaving Berks County and entering
Lebanon County at the eastern border, w e find quite a few houses
with date stones. The first that is of special note is the old
Zeller fort, situated midway betw een Sheridan and Newmans-
town. Above the lintel of the door is carved in a red sandstone
what appears to be a coat of arms, and the name:
Heinrich Zkller
1745
At Mill Creek Center, still stands the old Jeremiah Miller
house, with its massive limestone walls, three stories high, with a
broken or Dutch roof. It has a fine stairway and elegant mantel-
piece. High up in the wall is this date stone:
Jere Mueler
17 52
MiiRiA, Cath. M.
His son erected a grist mill, a Kume-Muhl, hard by the house,
32 years later. The date stone reads:
17 84 17 84
GoTT, Allein Deen Serve God Alone
Michael Miller Michael Miller
M. Elisabet Miller M. Elisabet Miller
Two miles south of Myerstown on a plantation, still in
possession of descendants, is to be seen the old Spangler house,
with its quaintly carved date stone, with the inscription :
74 HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
GOTT GESEGNE DeISE HaUS,
Un wer da Gott ein und aus
ICH GE aus ODER EIN
so stet der dott und wortet
mein: 17-82
Jacob-Spengler, C. E. S. B. S.
P. R. N.
As one approaches Myerstown from the east, where the
highway crosses the Owl Creek, stands the Len residence, another
splendid example of Revolutionary architecture. The date
stone is inscribed:
Gott, Gesegne, Die
SEs Haus. Wer da Get
EIN UND aus 1777
Peter Len Efa Lenin
Several miles beyond Myerstown, near the source of the
beautiful Tulpehocken, is the Captain Michael Leh house.
It is one of the best examples of colonial homes, and has two date
stones, with ornamental carvings. The one contains the familiar
prayer :
Gott Gesegne (3 Mensch
Dieses Haus und Gede nck
Allen uas da God Der letsten stun
EIN od 1769 er aus Eva Magdale
Michael Leh 17 Na Lei-in 69
It was in this house that Captain Leh, in 1793, entertained
his old commander, General George Washington, accompanied
by David Rittenhouse, Robert Morris and Trench Francis.
The other legend may be rendered :
Oh man, consider thy last hour.
Near the Center Square in Lebanon, in 1771, Caspar Schnebely
erected a house, now the American Hotel. It has two date
stones. However, instead of devoting one to himself and the
other to his wife, we come here upon the name of the master
mason to whom we perhaps owe most of the date stones invoking
blessings in Lebanon County, and who probably planned these
colonial homes, now so much admired.
Gott segne disks
Maurer in Lebanon „ .
Haus und Alles uas
Heinrich Rewalt r-
,^_, DA GeBT EIN und AUS
17/1 „ c
Caspar - Sawina
Schnebelv a. D. 1771
HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA 75
Some distance west of Bismarck on the old Horseshoe Pike,
one comes upon the Orth homestead. The date stone reads: -
GOTT SEGENE DiESES HaLS & GOD BLESS THIS HOUSE AND ALL
Alles was da Get ein & aus. Got that go in and out. To God
AlEIN DIE EHR & SUNST KEMEM ALONE TO GlORY, AND TO NONE
Antern mer. besides.
Adam & Catherine Orts Adam and Catherine Orts
1*7 (1 MY) 6*2 1*7 (1 M Y) 6*2
Leaving Lebanon, traveling westward, one soon comes to the
home of the pioneer Luther pastor, John Casper Stover. Here
his son, a Revolutionary soldier, built a house, and marked it
with two date stones.
The one again contains the familiar lines of:
Got Bessegne
Dieses Haus und
wer gehet da ein
und aus.
Johannes Stoever
Agnes Stoeverin
1795
The second stone has this inscription :
Friede Sei in Peace be within this house, and
Diesen Haus with them that are without.
UND MIT DeHNEN ThIS HOUSE WAS BUILT AnNO 1795.
Welche Draus
Dieses Haus
ErBAUT 1ST
Anno 1795
Still proceeding westward one soon reaches Annville and
turning north the new Steinmetz house presents itself. In the
base of a porch pillar has been preserved the door-sill of the old
Ulrich house, which was used by the neighbors as a place of
refuge during the Indian uprisings. It contains this admonition:
So OFT DIE ThUER DEN ANKEL As OFTEN AS THE DOOR SWINGS ON
wendt, O mensch dein end Be- the hinge, O man, consider thine
DENK. 1751. end. 1751.
This legend recalls another one of those deeply religious senti-
ments found on the old house in the Rhineland from whence
many of the early German settlers came:
76
HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN' PENNSYLVANIA
Wer ein und ausgeht zu der
Thur
Der Soll bedenken fuer und
fuer
Das unser Heiland, Jesus Christ,
Die emsige Thur zum Leben ist.
He who goes in and out this door
Let him constantly ha\'e in mind
That our Saviour Jesus Christ
Is the only door to eternal life.
The date stones of the old Heilnian house located about mid-
way between the villages of Greble and Hamlin; which was
destroyed by lire on Christmas some forty years ago, were placed
in the wall of the new building. The one may be seen in the
customary place in the front wall, and the other in one of the
gables. Again on the front stones Ave read :
GoTT Gesegne Dieses Haus
Und was da get ein und aus
Got alein die ehr
Und sousten keinen mer
1770 Ano
The second stone also contains a familiar legend with, how-
ever, a second couplet added ;
Wer Got vertraut hat
woHL Gebaut
iM Himmel und auf Erden
WER SICH VERLEIT
Auf Jusus Christ
Dem must der Himmel Warden
Jacob (1770 Anno D.) Margreda
Heilman
Who trusts in God has builded
well
In Heaven and on Earth,
To him who relies on Jesus
Christ,
Heaven becomes a sure posses-
sion.
Jacob (1770 Anno D.) Margreda
Heilman
Lancaster County — In Lancaster County, due probably to
Mennonite influence, one finds fewer of these prayerful legends
on the date stones. There are, however, several that attract
our attention. The first of these is the stately old house of the
Bricker manorial estate. It contains on the south side in the
customary place, a date stone with the inscription:
Gott gesegne dieses Haus
Und ales uas da geget ein und
AUS
Gott gesegne ales sampt
Und da zu des gauze Lant
Gott Allein die Ehr
Sonst keinen Menschen mehr.
Anno 1759 Johrs
Peter Bricker Elizabeth
Brick erin
God bless this house
And all that go in and out
God bless all the people
And also all the land
To God alone the Glory
AND TO NO one ELSE BESIDES
The year 1759
Peter Bricker and Elizabeth
Bricker
HOUSE MOTTOES IX EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA 77
The next stone is that of the Oberholtzer Mill on the Little
Conestago. one mile east of Petersburg:
Wer Gott vertraut Who Trists in God
hat wohl gebaut has builded well
im himmel lnd auf erden in heaven and on earth
1792 1792
and immediately below, another stone:
Jacob Oberholtzer
Catherine Oberholtzer
1792
Hard by stands the old dwelling with the date stone:
Christian Oberholzer
Magdalena Oberholzer
1769
In East Lampeter Township at Bridgeport, on the Phila-
delphia Turnpike, there stood until a little more than a quarter
of a century ago, a house with the legend:
We will haven an die strassen He who builds along side the
Mus lose mailer plauderu las- highway,
sen. Must let loose tongues wag.
Let us cross over the Susquehanna River to look at what is
one of the older houses in York County, at Stony Run. It was
lately owned by Emanuel Landis. In the gable end is the date
stone with the inscription :
17 Ano 37 — Hab Ich Anno 1737 have I
Johann Schultz . Johann Schltltz
UN Christina Seine e- and Christina, my wife
FRAU, Dieses Haus — built this house
Baut
Recrossing the Susquehanna, on our return, let us pause for a
moment and observe a beautiful inscription on the lock of the door
on the west side of the First Reformed Church in Lancaster,
"which speaks much of the simple piety of the times, when every-
thing set apart for a sacred use was made to be a monitor of
piety":
78
HOUSE MOTTOES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Nun gehen wir zur Kirchen ein,
Und unser Heiland Jesus Christ
wolle bei uns sein.
Ja, nicht nur heit Allein, Und
so LANGE WIR AUF ERDEN SEIN,
SoNDERN so LANG DAS UNSERE
SEELE LEBET.
Jesus Gottes Sohn hat die ehren
Krou.
Er wolle dock uns auch helfen,
IN den Himmel's Throu.
IcH BIN GEKOMMEN DIE SuNDER
ZU BUSSE ZU RUFEN, UND NICHT
DIE Frommen. Math. IX 13.
Peter Kieffer 1756
Let us now go into the church
and may our Saviour, Jesus
Christ be with us.
Yes, not only today, and as long
as we are on earth, but as long
as our souls shall live.
Jesus, the Son of God, has the
CROWN OF glory.
May it be his will to guide us
into heaven.
I AM COME to call SINNERS TO
REPENTANCE AND NOT THE RIGHT-
EOUS. — Matt. IX, 13.
Peter Kieffer, 1756
In vain does one look for date stones with inscriptions among
the homes of the early Quaker or English settlers, with perhaps
the single exception of the modest home of the celebrated botanist,
John Bartram. He placed in the gable end of his house a date
stone with his name and that of his wife:
John and Anna Bartram
1731
and on a tablet, placed above his study window on the east side
of the house, 39 years later, he expressed his creed :
'Tis God alone. Almighty Lord,
The Holy One by me adored.
John Bartr.\m, 1770
Francis Daniel Pastorius had, over the door of his cave dwell-
ing, the legend:
Parvo Domus, sed Amica
Bonis procul este Profanii.
A MODEST HOME, BUT PLEASING TO
the good, let evil MEN KEEP
AWAY.
William Penn is said to have smiled as he paused to read it,
on one of his visits to him.
And now our journey ends. I trust that you will agree with
me, that in this excursion into Pennsylvania Germandom, we
have come just a little closer to the thoughts and feelings of the
early German and Swiss settlers.
The Last Days of Harness Making in Bucks County
By rev. DAVID GERMAN, FOUNTAINVILLE, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 15, 1927)
HARNESS MAKING in early years, as far back as 1850,
was a good paying business. I began making harness in
the year 1864, working for James Frederick, in Douglas
Township, Montgomery County, Pa., but I never served as an
apprentice. I followed the trade on my own account at intervals,
while farming in Doylestown Township until 1900, I then opened
shops in Doylestown and Fountainville, which were maintained
until 1924, when they were closed; this was due to the innovation
of automobiles, which almost completely crowded out driving
horses, making light harness no longer necessary. This also
ended the sale of plumes, whips, hearts, fancy spreads, fancy
rings, and everything else used merely for show in decorating
the horses. For the same reason whip factories were forced to
close. Whips were made from all kinds of leather, such as raw
hide, seal skin, and whale bone, whale bone being the best sellers.
The harness business required good care, judgment and honesty,
to build up a good trade, as quality and safety were of the greatest
importance. It required great care in selecting material of all
kinds. The leather used was of many kinds, from the hides of
steers, calves, pigs and sheep. Sheep skin leather was used for
pads, such as required for collars, breeching, linings and where
leather was apt to chafe the horses. Sheep leather, being soft
and pliable, was also used for making little pads to be stuffed
with cotton, pump pads, nose pads, saddle pads and other such
like purposes. Pig's leather was used for collars, on account of
its durability. Raw hide was used for plaited traces also for
hame-straps, belt-lacers and for other parts where strength was
required. The main kind of leather used for harness was cow
or steer hide; this could be bought from wholesale houses all
over the United States, and was sold mostly by traveling agents.
Rawhide is made out of untanned cow or steer hides.
Hardware — Some of the rougher hardware was made in
blacksmith shops, but the finer and fancy polished goods were
80
LAST DAYS OF HARNESS MAKING IN BUCKS COUNTY
bought of dealers, lines of which were carried in country stores
and hardware shops. The hardware or trimmings consisted of
rings, buckles, rivets, small bolts, turrets, etc. These trimmings
were made of brass, rubber, metal, nickel, often silver or nickel
plated.
Tools — Some tools were made by
the blacksmith, but most of them were
bought from factories, they consisted of:
Shavers for splitting leather to make it
of uniform thickness; round knife to cut
.^ _ along the scribe marks, and wherever
I "fffil a straight knife could not be used ; draw
1 H I 1 knife used to cut long straps in different
I f-jfi-i 1 widths, used also as a gauge; splitting
I ~i \i3 knife used to split off uneven parts of
WMimtffSSm straps; cutting knife used to cut out
1 ^ slanted and tapered parts where no other
cutting knife could be used; stitching
horses; square mandrils to shape up
leather slide loops and keepers; collar
stuffer to stuff horse collars with curled hair; creasers to put
beads along the edges; other tools were: awls, hammers, chisels,
hies, punches of various kinds, punch-blocks, straight and
crooked needles, scribing compasses, stitching wheels, pad-
stuffers, saddle-horse, vises, pincers and various other small
tools, necessarv to make light and heavv harness.
STITCHING HORSE
Harness — A full line of harness consists of heavy harness,
light harness, halters, bridles, saddles, flynets, and for other
uses and parts wherever leather is required. For sewing harness
waxed-thread is used, the \\ ax is made of bees-wax, tar and rosin.
Heavy harness consists of collar, hames, hame-straps, traces,
hip-straps, choke-straps, belly-bands, back-band, turnback,
crupper and a bridle. There are different kinds of traces such as:
folded-leather, stitched, -platted, rope, rawhide and chain.
Opinion varies as to which is the best; platted rawhide was often
preferred, but the best for service is a folded leather trace fastened
to a pair of old-fashioned root hames. Bridles are made up of
bits, head-piece, front-piece, throat-latch, side-cheeks, blinds,
bit-straps, choke-strap, reins and lines. Bits are of different
LAST DAYS OF HARNESS MAKING IN BUCKS COUNTY 81
kinds, often made to fit the horse's mouth. Some are or were
made by the blacksmith. Bits are known as curb, straight,
jointed, twdsted, double-twisted, and a jaw breaker, which is a
very severe bit, and used only for unruly horses. Check-reins
are also part of the bridle. Light harness takes practically the
same parts as heavy harness, with the addition of martin-
gales, quilers, and a saddle in place of a back-band. A saddle
is mounted with hook, rings, breakers, and shaft tugs. Some
prefer a breast strap instead of a collar and hames, and some
prefer to omit the blinds. Halters are used to tie the animals
fast to their stalls and to lead them out to pasture or to water.
Flynets, used only during tiy season, are made up with long
strips of leather, punched about one inch apart, with what we
called "lashes," laced through them. Cheaper fiynets are also
made out of cord; cord net making was profitable in the year
1900. They are still being made.
It is interesting to know how the business of a country har-
ness-maker was carried on. Customers would place orders
during the winter, which kept the harness-maker busy until
spring. When spring time came he would go to the farms of his
customers, taking his tools with him and repair and grease their
harness ready for their spring work. Neatsfoot, an animal oil,
is the best for oiling harness. The harness-maker would go
from farm to farm, until all were in shape for their spring work.
This done the harness-makers would return to their shops, until
harvest time, when they would close their shops, go out in the
fields and help to gather the harvest; when this was done they
would again return to their shops and apply themselves to their
trade again.
Notes at Random from My Life's Experience
By MATTHIAS H. HALL, PRINCETON, N. J.*
(Do\lesto\vn Meeting, January 15, 1927)
IN 1850, there were many log houses and log barns. A few-
had thatched or straw roofs. Some fields were uncultivated,
weeds and briers growing on them. There were many draw-
wells, water being drawn up by means of a windlass, and on
some farms well-sweeps were used.
Many farmers had long rows of cherry trees along the lanes
or public roads. There were cherries to sell, cherries to keep,
cherries for the birds, and cherries for the boys.
White-covered wagons were used to go to church, funerals,
and other places. Some of them were without springs.
Buckwheat cakes were baked on the top of tenplate stoves
or on a bake-iron in the fireplace.
Farmers shelled much of their corn on a spade by placing the
sharp end of a spade over a half-bushel measure or a sawed off
barrel, then sitting astride the handle and pulling the ear of corn
over the sharp spade.
If much was to be shelled at a time, they would spread it on
the barn floor and tramp if off with horses or thresh it off with a
flail. Some of the corn grown in Bucks County was kiln-dried
and shipped to Europe.^ There was a kiln for drying corn at
Spring Valley or what is now Mechanics Valley. There were
two near New Hope and probably there were others.
About 1854 or '55, a wave of prosperity came over the coun-
try. Fields that had been lying idle were cultivated, more
improved tools and machinery were used, there were nicer wagons
and sleighs to ride in, and finer clothes were worn. There were
fewer barefoot boys and girls. Rooms were papered instead of
whitewashed and people commenced to have musical instruments
in their homes. The Rev. Samuel Nightingale, about 1856,
had the first or second piano in Doylestown.
* Mr. Hall was in the eighty-fourth year of his age when he wrote this
paper. He was born April 27, 1844, and is now (1932) in his eighty-eighth
year. He is serving on the board of managers of the Bucks County Historical
Society.
1 Grain drying kilns were invented and patented by Henry Quinn, March
10, 1849. See Vol. Ill of these papers, page 525.
NOTES AT RANDOM FROM MY LIFE's EXPERIENCE 83
About that time, people had better stoves for cooking and
baking. About 1855, people commenced canning fruit and
vegetables, but it did not become common until about 1860.
Drying of fruit and making preserves and applebutter have
declined and are not carried on to their former great extent.
Harpoon hay-forks with rope and pulleys were used for
unloading hay with horses. Horse rakes on wheels and grain
drills were not common until 1860. Sewing machines and
screens for doors and windows became common about 1870.
Between 1855 and 1858, large droves of sheep passed through
Bucks County each from one to five thousand in number.
Up to 1870, farmers grew their own clover and timothy grass
seed. The seeds of many noxious weeds were brought in between
1870 and 1890; among these were the yellow-top daisy, wild
radish, wild mustard, wild lettuce, dodder, chickory, a species
of thistle and others.
A very noxious weed, known as horse-nettle in Bucks County
and Sodom-apple in Chester County, spread from Humphrey
Marshall's botanical garden in Marshalton, Chester County,
before 1855; from there it has spread across to Bucks and in
more distant places; probably ere long, it will be on every farm
in Bucks County.
A plant by the name of gallinsoga, the seed of which was
brought from South America about 1905, is bushy and has a
small flower, is now found in many gardens.
Alsike clover was first grown on farms in Bucks County,
between 1895 and 1900 and alfalfa about ten years later.
Different ways that were practiced in planting corn are as
follows: One of the early ways was to plow the whole field in
ridges, four furrows to a ridge, planting corn in rows on the
ridges.
Still another way was to plow the ground, harrow it, then
plow two furrows to a ridge four feet apart; then mark the other
way with furrows four feet apart and plant at the intersection
of the ridges. Ridging was abandoned about 1860. To plant
a field of eight or ten acres with corn in a day, they would have
the ground all ready and marked one way, then two men with
plows, one horse to a plow, would mark the rows the other way.
One marking rows eight feet apart running to poles. One pole
at each end and one in the middle of the row with white or red
84 NOTES AT RANDOM FROM MY LIFE's EXPERIENCE
rags on each pole to make them conspicuous. The other man
marking rows without poles.
Three boys or girls were needed to drop the corn, and three
larger boys or men to drop the compost, consisting of short, dry
manure prepared for the job, dropping a small handful on each
hill. Then three men would cover with hoes. About 1875,
sleds were drawn by horses (a man riding), marking two rows at a
time. They also used coverers drawn by horses about that
time. About 1890, corn planters were used. By 1910, about
all the corn was planted with planters.
Next, our wild birds and animals. The groundhog made
their first appearance about 1890 in central and lower Bucks
County, and made many dens suitable for foxes. This may
be why foxes have become more numerous than formerly.
Hollow trees have become so very scarce that racoons and
gray squirrels, flying squirrels, also owls, flickers and other birds
that build in hollow trees have become very scarce. The barn
swallow is the only one of our native birds that is as numerous
today as it was seventy years ago. Seventy-five years ago it
was a common sight in the twilight of the evening of the summer
time to see a flock of one hundred or more night hawks dipping
and diving over a field after insects that flew only at night.
There were enough cuckoos to keep the caterpillar from being
very destructive. Clifi^ or jug swallows were quite common
until about 1860. They built nests of mud under the eaves of
barns, leaving in each a small round hole to go in and out.
Our mowing machines and other heavy machinery have been
very destructive to land-turtles that formerly were very numer-
ous. On a farm near Pineville, Bucks County, upon which I
lived, a land-turtle with the initials (H. S.) of Jonathan Heston,
date 1795, was frequently seen up to 1870. This date was
known to be correct by the family that had lived on the farm
during that time. About 1900, while plowing for oats in April, I
plowed a turtle under, not knowing it at the time. In plowing
for wheat in August, I uncovered it. It was on its back fast. I
knew it had been there all that time from the efi'orts it had made
to turn itself. I loosened it and it walked off, it having missed
one crop of strawberries.
I have seen the seventeen year locusts come five times and
they have been fewer in numbers each time. On two of these
NOTES AT RANDOM FROM MY LIFE's EXPERIENCE 85
occasions some patriotic fellows stayed a few days longer than
the rest and uttered their last notes on the Fourth of July.
Texas flies made their first appearance about 1890. The Colorado
potato beetle came in 1874 in small numbers.
The chestnut tree blight reached Bucks County about 1907,
and has killed about all the large growth of chestnut timber. If
it has run its course, it will take hundreds of years for the few
little sprouts and bushes that are left to reforest our land with
chestnut timber as good as it was when the blight came. It
may be well to state that chestnut timber grew better on light
soil than on heavy soil. One of the best chestnut timber dis-
tricts in Bucks County was the sandy ridge from Doylestown to
the Delaware River. The outlines are as follows: commencing
one mile west of Doylestown, from there to Furlong, thence
along the north side of the limestone valley to the river, thence
to Lumberville, thence west along the valley to a mile north of
Doylestown, thence to the place of beginning.
There was a good bit of chestnut timber on the Buckingham
Mountain and on the Jericho Hill, also west from Neshaminy
Falls and Bridgeton into Montgomery County. There were
some chestnut timber districts in the upper part of Bucks County.
But I am not able to outline them. The oftener chestnut timber
was cut off, the thicker it grew the next time, many sprouts
coming up from every stump. It being a rapid grower from the
stump, sometimes it crowded out other timber. In about thirty-
five or forty years it grew large enough for telegraph or telephone
poles and fencing timber. In clearing of timber land some chest-
nut trees were left that grew very large — ranging in size from
two to eight feet in diameter and bore many chestnuts. I
learned from experience that in whipping the burrs off just before
they were ripe the tree would die the next year. From 1850 to
1860 chestnuts sold in Doylestown from six to ten cents a quart,
in 1875 at fifteen cents a quart.
On a farm that I owned in Upper Makefield there were two
chestnut trees near the \\Vightstown Township line and near the
public road. One was six feet and the other seven feet in diam-
eter. These trees had many hollow limbs that made a good
home for hoot-owls and opossums. One night as I was passing
one of these trees, I saw a small kitten at the butt of the tree.
Evidently a mother cat had kittens in one of those hollow limbs.
86 NOTES AT RANDOM FROM MY LIFE's EXPERIENCE
the kitten having ventured out the rotten bark broke loose and
let it fall down. I have since thought it might have been a
wild cat. That was about 1890.
Wire superseded timber for fencing about 1880; up to 1880
when a new barn was built, twenty to forty men, from the sur-
rounding neighborhood, were invited to help the carpenters raise
the timbers.
Among the changes that have taken place in the last 25 or
30 years, the blacksmith and wheelwright shops have taken an
important part. Up to 1900, almost every village had a black-
smith shop. There were also some in the rural districts. By
1920, nearly all the wheelwright shops had been closed and about
four-fifths of the blacksmith shops. Some of these blacksmith
shops had been in operation one hundred years or more. There
were five in Wrightstown Township and now but one remains.
There were seven in Upper Makefield Township, now only two
remain. There were fourteen in Solebury Township and four-
teen in Buckingham, seven in Plumstead, four in Doylestown
Township. Now there are none left in Doylestown Township.
About 1870, our gristmills and water-powers commenced to
go into a decline and by 1920 four-fifths of them had closed.
Some of them had been in operation 150 years.
Oil works for making oil from flaxseed were taken out of the
Mechanics Valley mills in 1860. Oil was made from hickory
nuts in 1860 at Bridge Point mills from nuts gathered from the
woods. These mills were originally intended to make oil from
flaxseed.
In 1860, on a portion of the north end of Bowman's Hill,
there was a dense growth of spruce and also at Dark Hollow
and Spruce Hill on the Neshaminy.
The darkest days in the history of agriculture since 1850 is
the present. Up to 1875, farmers could get the very best of
help. In wages, they could compete with any other industry.
Since about 1875, it has been gradually getting harder to get
good help. Today there are but few farmers that have good
help and a great many have no help at all. Consequently, there
are thousands of idle and uncultivated acres in Bucks County
that had been cultivated for two hundred years. Homesteads
now lie idle where six or seven generations of the same families
had formerly lived and prospered. The farm depression that
NOTES AT RANDOM FROM MY LIFE's EXPERIENCE 87
has taken place in Bucks County and other places is just as
much a part of our history as is the success or defeat of our
armies.
In four townships, Upper Makeheld, Buckingham, Solebury
and Plumstead, it has been estimated that there are six thousand
acres now uncultivated that formerly were under the plow.
When Philadelphia had three hundred thousand or more in
population and it took nearly a day to take a load of marketing
there, the farmers of Bucks County were prosperous. Today
Philadelphia has two million of people and the farmers can
reach it in two hours by automobile with a load of marketing
and yet these thousands of acres remain uncultivated. What
has caused this depression in farm industry? Shall I give my
opinion as to some of the causes?
For more than a hundred years we have grown a surplus of
farm products. This surplus is sold in the world's markets, in
competition with those products grown by cheaper labor. This
surplus fixed the price of the whole crop, while ours is grown by
higher priced labor. One reason why the depression has been
increasing is the higher price of labor. In different parts of the
world, there are very fertile agricultural countries that are being
developed and their products are grow^n by cheaper labor and
on cheaper land than ours and are competing in the world's
markets with ours.
Consequently, the value of farmer's labor has been reduced
to the level of the wages in those countries. Our farm values
are being reduced to conform with the cheap lands of Argentina,
Australia, Canada and other countries because we have to sell
in the same markets at the same price.
What is the remedy? A bounty on exports to be adjusted to
suit conditions which the farmers are not likely to get because
it would increase the price of farm products and the cost of living
and the consumer would vote it dowm.
W^hile we have a surplus without an export bounty more idle
acres, more empty barns may be expected and the worst is yet to
come.
Our merchant marine is laboring under the same disadvan-
tages as the farmer and if the government does not give some
relief, our merchant marine will go into a decline just as some of
the farms of Bucks Countv have done.
River Boulders or Cobblestones Used for Paving
By JAMES H. FITZGERALD, MECHANICS VALLEY, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 15, 1927)
THIS paper relates to a former industry of Bucks County,
now almost forgotten, namely: the gathering and shipping
of cobblestones to be used in paving streets. My personal
recollection covers a period of ten years, from 1875 to 1885. A
large number of men and boys found profitable employment in
taking these rounded stones from the bed of the Delaware River,
and from certain fields in the valley of the Delaware, all of which
were washed down the valley from the great northern ice glacier.
As Philadelphia was the principal market, our inquiry in refer-
ence to paving streets is confined to that city. Cobblestones
used in Trenton were taken directh' from the river to the capital
of New Jersey. \^ery little use was made of them in Bucks
County towns except to pave stable-yards and gutters. I
noticed that a gutter, to carry off water on the Foulke property
in New Hope, was paved with them.
In 1750, a Grand Jury of the County of Philadelphia reported
to the Court "the great need of watchmen and paved streets.
Of the former they would repress nightly insults; and of the
latter, frequent complaints were made by strangers and others
of the extreme dirtiness of the streets for w-ant of paving."
Benjamin Franklin in his Memoirs says that he was "active in
advocacy of paving, lighting and cleaning of the streets."
From Watson's Annals we learn that very little effort was
made to pave the streets before the year 1761. The first endeavors
were limited to means obtained from lotteries. Second Street
from High (now Market) to Race Street was paved in that year.
In 1762 an act was passed "regulating the pitching, paving and
cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys within the
settled part of Philadelphia." The first curbstones w^ere set
in Water Street from Market to Arch about 1786-8. A change
was also made in the manner of paving. Several streets where
the passage of water was great had the channels or gutters in
the middle.
Before proceeding to pave a street with cobblestones it was
RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING 89
graded and given a coat of gravel or ashes to a depth of several
inches. The paver placed tne cobblestones on end, using a tool
with a short handle resembling a pick with a poll. When neces-
sary some of the gravel was picked from the bed in placing the
larger stone so that the surface would be even. The paver gave
the stone a sharp rap with the poll end of the tool. A generous
quantity of gravel or sand was spread and raked over this sur-
face in order to fill the interstices. The cobblestones were then
rammed tight into place. The tool used was of oak or hickory
about four and a half feet in height and from four to six inches
in diameter with an iron band near the bottom. There were
two handles. One was inserted at a point near the center at
right angle; the other was on the top and vertical. The stand-
ard weight of this tool was fifty-five pounds.
I have no evidence to show that cobblestones were shipped
from points in Bucks County prior to the construction of the
Delaware Division Canal from Bristol to Easton. From Davis'
"History of Bucks County" we learn that ground was broken
for the canal at Bristol, October 28, 1827. The basin at Bristol
was finished in 1830 and the canal formally opened from Bristol
to New Hope, December 7, 1830. In 1854, the outlet lock at
New Hope was built. Through this lock canal boats were
lowered into the Delaware River and fastened to a cable and
taken across to the New Jersey side where the>' were raised by
another lock into the feeder of the Raritan Canal. Mention
has been made of this canal because its operation gave a great
impetus to trade in New Hope and to the shipment of cobble-
stones from points in Bucks County. During the summer
months when the river was low, and the water warm, flat boats
from twelve to eighteen feet in length were anchored in shoal
water. The pickers stood on the river bottom and used a long-
handled fork, made for the purpose, tossed the cobbles into the
boat. A grapple was sometimes used, especially when the
stones were heavy. When the boat was laden it was propelled
with the use of poles to the shore and unloaded. "Boothers,"
meaning boulders, was a local name given to these cobblestones.
On bills-of-lading, however, they were called "pavers." Stacy B.
Brown, of Newtown, and my associate Jury Commissioner,
informs me that his grandfather, Stacy Brown, of Brownsburg,
born 1796 and died 1879, was engaged in the industry; and that a
90 RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING
drag or "boother rake" with twelve teeth or prongs was used to
drag the cobblestones from deep to shallow water. This drag
was purchased in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. From the banks of the
river the cobblestones were hauled to the canal bank on carts
and wagons where they were loaded on canal boats. At Upper
Black Eddy, Pa., John Haney and others used mules while
John Scheetz, Sr., and Michael Sigafoos of the same place, drove
yokes of oxen. Stacy Brown, of Brownsburg, also used oxen in
hauling.
Pickers, when not paid by the day for their labor, sold the
stone in boat-loads to a shipper, who, in turn, sold them to a
dealer or contractor in Philadelphia. The toll paid by the
shipper of a cargo to the canal company was one mill for one
thousand pounds per mile with an additional toll of two cents
per mile for the boat. Thomas N. Ryan, who for a number of
years was Collector of Tolls at New Hope, informs me that for
the convenience of pickers and to avoid the expense of hauling,
canal boats were lowered into the river at New Hope and fastened
to a "ring rock." After being loaded with cobblestones the canal
boat was raised into the canal. These ring rocks were located
at points in the Delaware River where, owing to shallow water
and swift currents, the Durham boats could not be propelled
upstream by the use of oars or poles. A rope was fastened to
the ring and the boat was pulled by using the capstan. Buoys
marked their location.
Cobblestones for paving were also picked from the land
throughout the Delaware River valley. The owners of such
land and their location were: John E. Holahan and William H.
Gwinner, Bridgeton Township; Matthew Sheridan, Tinicum
Township; John A. Beaumont, W. H. H. Thornton, Henry
Wynkoop and Stacy Brown, of Brownsburg.
Shipments of cobblestones were made from nearly all points
on the Delaware Division Canal from Easton to Yardley. For
the names of shippers and other data the writer is indebted to
Peter B. Agnew, of Bristol; Bernard McDonnell and Thomas N.
Ryan, of T<Jew Hope.
Raubsville was the home of Anderson Colvin, Philip Reese
and the Stecke Brothers who made weekly trips with eight
boats to Philadelphia. In addition to loading their boats in the
five mile level below Easton, their boats were sometimes lowered
RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING 91
into the Delaware River through an outlet lock in the dam of
the Lehigh River at Easton and were loaded with cobblestones
brought from points above that city. William Warner of
Riegelsville shipped three boats weekly. John Hoffman of the
same place was also a shipper. Aaron F. Harwick of Upper
Black Eddy owned five boats, making weekly trips. The names
of the Harwick boats were: Past Grand, Dundee, Pawnee,
Weehawken and Two Brothers. George Sigafoos of Lodi (near
Upper Black Eddy) kept two boats going for some time. Joseph
Samsel of Erwinna was the owner of the boat "Colonel W. W. H.
Davis," and Elias Samsel of the same place the boat "Clipper."
Moses Bird of Point Pleasant was also a shipper with his boat
called "Colonel Ellsworth." The captains of the boats were,
as follow's: Abraham Deihl, Nelis Baylor, Samuel Fretz and
Calvin Strong for Aaron Harwick; Wilson Tettemer and Hiram
Laubenstone for Joseph Samsel; John Louder and Josiah Carty
for Elias Samsel. The Lawless Brothers of New Hope: Jere-
miah, Thomas and John, each owned a boat and were shippers
and captains. Another brother, Peter Lawless, was engaged in
the work occasionally. The Lawless Brothers also loaded at
Borden's Lock near Yardley. Bernard McDonnell, ex-Recorder
of Deeds of Bucks County, informs me that he was a captain of a
canal boat and piloted a great number of cargoes to Philadelphia.
He brought two loads from Parryville on the Lehigh River.
These cobblestones, however, were inferior in quality as they
were easily broken, and we do not find any further shipments
were made from that point. The wharves to which consign-
ments were made were: Mead Alley, Shackamaxon, Christian
and Reed Streets. Among the contractors to whom consign-
ments were made was John M. Mack, the founder of the present
firm of The Mack Paving Company, Philadelphia.
Favored with a letter of introduction from our society, I had
the pleasure of meeting C. E. Myers, Deputy Chief of Highways,
Department of Public Works, Philadelphia. The information
which Mr. Myers obtained for me is of such great value that I
will conclude this paper with his researches. I will now introduce
Mr. Myers, who says:
"I find from our records that we have available the titles
only of ordinances from 1701 to 1850. From 1850 to date we
have complete copies of ordinances. Beginning somewhere
92 RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING
around 1750 I find ordinances from then on up to about 1850
appropriating money to the Committee of Public Highways for
street improvements and repairs but not specifying the streets
by name. From this I would assume that whatever work was
done was by labor hired directly by this Committee and not by
contract and that the work such as it was — probably of very
crude nature — consisted of very little actual paving, but rather
a scheme of keeping in condition existing dirt roads. During
this same period, however, a number of sewers were placed and
grades were established on various streets throughout what is
now the central part of the city and on each of these the street
was specifiied.
"Some time prior to 1850, pebbles, or what we now call
cobblestones, had been used to some extent in the city. The
first record I find of a change from these pebbles to dressed
stone (granite blocks) is one of March 14, 1850, and again April
8, 1852, when ordinances were passed authorizing the repair of
the existing pebble pavement on Delaware Avenue. (See
Act of Legislature of May 25, 1829, relating to paving the streets
of Philadelphia. A later ordinance for the same purpose was
passed March 16, 1854, but was repealed by an ordinance of
April 27, 1854. The repealing ordinance states that 'the funds
appropriated are for the purpose of paving part of Delaware
Avenue with cubical blocks and repealing the ordinances
authorizing the repair to the pebble pavement.' This leads me
to believe that this is the beginning of the use of a hand-cut
block.
"I find an earlier record authorizing the improvement of
High Street (now Market), dated April 21, 1808, with a supple-
ment of October 6th of the same year, but it does not state any-
thing about the character of the improvement. It undoubtedly
was done with pebbles with the gutter in the middle of the street.
"The first thing in the way of new facts is the ordinance
approved June 12. 1868, which states briefly that 'from that
date on all the section of the city lying between the Delaware
and the Schuylkill Rivers, and from Tasker Street to Girard
Avenue that may at any time in the future require paving or
repaving cubical blocks must be laid. These blocks must be of
approved materials and have a depth of five inches, to be four
to six inches long and from two and one-half to three inches
RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING 93
wide, placed upon a bed of anthracite coal ashes, gravel and
sand with a depth from top of finished stone surface to natural
ground of twenty inches.' It further states that, 'streets in
Germantown, Frankford, Manayunk and West Philadelphia
must be laid of rubble pavement which shall be stone irregular
in shape, having a depth of from six to nine inches, a length of
from five to twelve inches, with a flat top surface and a width
at its Avidest part not to exceed four inches, placed on a layer of
gravel and ashes.' The same ordinance further directs that as
any old cobble streets are repaved or replaced the Chief Com-
missioner of Highways shall sell the cobblestones to the highest
bidder. It further provides that in the extending of paving
above or beyond limits as defined above cobblestones may be
used unless a future ordinance provides otherwise. These cobble-
stones must be placed upon the same sub-layers of gravel and
ashes as specified for rubble paving, no stone, however, to exceed
nine inches nor be less than six inches in depth and they are to
be set close, breaking joints and to have their greatest length
upright and vertical as to position and to be rammed until no
further impression can be made upon them with a fifty-five
pound rammer. Relative to prices — the ordinance states that
the cubical block paving shall not exceed in cost three dollars
per square yard, the rubble one dollar and a half per square
yard and the cobble paving one dollar and twenty-five cents per
square yard. I think that any cobble paving laid after this
date was done by City forces and not by contract. While I
have not found any ordinances authorizing cobble paving after
this date, yet there must have been some done. Peter J. Leone,
President of the Municipal Paving Company, Philadelphia, who
is an old paver, tells me that he worked on extensive repair work
on cobble pavement as late as 1910.
"I cannot give you the total mileage of streets paved with
cobble. On January 1, 1924, there were less than four and one-
half miles and about three and three-fourths miles of rubble.
As to total mileage of paved streets we have very accurate reports
from the year 1891 to date, and in 1891 there were in the City
of Philadelphia a total paved mileage of seven hundred and
fifty-six miles plus an additional of thirty-seven miles of macadam.
At the same time there were four hundred and fifty-two miles
of unpaved streets.
94 RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAVING
^
The cost of paving varied so greatly
that it is interesting to note the prices
specified as the maximum in the 1868
ordinance. At the present time our paving
figures per square yard for the smooth
dressed granite blocks, including a concrete
base with a cement sand cushion and
grouted surface, is approximately $7.50.
"As far as I can ascertain there is no
record of the price the City paid for
cobblestones, nor do I have any method
of ascertaining the unit of value whether
by the ton, perch or boat load.
"In reply to your question as to
organized labor — the Pavers and Rammers
Union of America has three locals at the
present time in Philadelphia, namely, Nos.
46, 54, and 77. This Union is afifiliated
with the American Federation of Labor.
It was organized in this city about 1910.
About the year 1900 paving was paid for
at the rate of $1.75 per ten-hour day.
PAVER'S RAMMER j^^^^^ ^^jq ^^^ ^^-^^ ^^^ ^2.75 per nine-
hour day. During 1926 the Union workers received between
Sll and $12 per eight-hour day, and their contemplated
demands for 1927 are $13 per eight-hour day.
"Relative to the question as to the liability of street passenger
railway companies for the paving of streets occupied by them, I
can state that even prior to 1890 these companies endeavored
to avoid their obligations of paving the streets which they
occupied with rails. They carried the matter through the
Court, losing each time and finally on October 5, 1891, the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania decided that the passenger
railway company within the city limits of Philadelphia must
repave with improved pavements all streets occupied by them
from curb to curb. At this time the City had 756 miles of
improved streets of which quantity approximately 282 miles
were occupied by street railway companies We are today
working under what is known as a 1907 Agreement, which was
approved by the Mayor July 1, 1907. At that time the Phila-
RIVER BOULDERS OR COBBLESTONES USED FOR PAYING 95
delphia Rapid Transit Company controlled the underlying com-
panies and the agreement was made with it. At that time they
were relieved of 479 miles of street maintenance, in considera-
tion of which they were to pay to the City Treasury each year a
sum of vS500,000 for a period of ten years, after which time the
amount increased on a sliding scale."
I now wish to show to you and present to our society these
grappling tools, also the tools procured for this society
by Mr. Myers (exhibiting and explaining tools). These tools
were used by the pavers and rammers in laying cobblestones as
well as rubble and granite block pa\'ing.
UPPER — Forks for grappling boulders from bed of river.
LOWER — Paving tools used for setting paving blocks in streets.
The Early History of Point Pleasant
By warren S. ELY. DOVLESTOWN, PA.
(Point Pleasant Meetirg. September 10, 1927)
THE history of the English settlement of the section of Bucks
County lying along the Delaware River between Centre
Bridge and Durham pertains more particularly to the
period between 1735 and 1760, a half century and more after
the Quaker settlement of lower Bucks. The Quakers were good
judges of land for agricultural purposes and like the Germans
who arrived later shunned the rocky hillsides along the Upper
Delaware and its tributaries. Even the speculative ventures
of the second generation of the Quakers in taking up land in
Upper Bucks, in Plumstead, Bedminster, Richland and Spring-
field show their shrewd discrimination in this respect.
There was also another reason for the slow^ settlement of
Tinicum. The Indians remained longer in that section than
in the other lands of Upper Bucks lying further westward. Just
prior to the Indian Walk of 1737 (made in consummation of the
purchases of 1686, for as much land lying between the Delaware
and the Neshaminy, above Wrightstown, comprising land as
far back in the woods as a man could walk in a day and a half),
the Indians made the claim that the bounds of this purchase
would not reach farther than a little above the mouth of the
Tohickon. Again, the township of Tinicum, except a small
triangular tract lying between the Delaware and the Tohickon
at its mouth was laid out in two large tracts each nearly 5,000
acres; the first to Jan Strieper, a German who never came here,
and whose land was settled on by squatters; and the second to
the Pennsylvania Land Company of London, who leased but did
not sell land.
Considering the immediate site of the village of Point Pleasant,
\ve find that the practically whole built-up portion of the village
is located on two tracts surveyed to Matthew Hughes of Bucking-
ham, a prominent Colonial justice and legislator, in 1737 and
1 740, which comprised the whole river front of the present village
from the "Eddy" to the upper limits of the village. The upper
tract in Tinicum township crossing the Tohickon near its mouth,
THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT 97
at approximately the site of the bridge now spanning that creek
recrossed Tohickon on its eastern boundary near the mouth of
Gaddis Run and extended of that width up the Delaware River.
The other tract extended from the lower bounds of the upper
tract down the river to the "Eddy," extending farther inland
than the other.
■ The Ferry Established — Immediately south of the latter
tract there was surveyed by Warrant dated February 12, 1735,
to Enoch Pearson a tract of 100 acres. The line between this
tract and the lower Hughes tract was the site of the ferry at the
"Eddy." From the minutes of the Board of Property, we copy
the following:
"On 11 mo. (February) 16, 1739, Enoch Pearson who, together with
Matthew Hughes, having long appHed for the grant of a ferry over Delaware
River at the mouth of Tohickon Creek, came down without Matthew Hughes,
who was sick. It was directed that Richard Mitchell of Durham & Nicholas
Scull view the Banks of the River at this point to ascertain its suitableness as
the site of a ferry" to go on the Lands of the said Enoch & Matthew and
carefully view the banks of the River for discovering the best & fittest place
for landing of Boats & Flatts and also the most convenient Road or passage
leading to or from such landing place and to make report in the plainest man-
ner of their proceeding to the Proprietary the better to enable him to deter-
mine the affair;"
"6 mo. 23, 1739, Matthew Hughes & Enoch Pearson both present after a
long Contest about the Grant of the ferry over Delaware River, at last agreed
that forsomuch of Mathew Hughes Land as shall be touched or injured by
means of the ferry the said Enoch Pearson shal pay M. Hughes at the rate
or price of forty shillings for every acre that shall be so touched or made use
of by the said Enoch. "l
These minutes show that the ferry was established imme-
diately on the line of the two tracts and the Ferry Road opened
in the same year, still open as it comes down the steep hill into
the present River Road, is shown on the old drafts as continuing
much in the same direction across the site of the present canal
across the Hughes tract, and then making an abrupt turn,
approaching the bank of the river at nearly right angles thereto.
1 The Ferry is sometimes referred to in our county records as "Mathew
Hughes Ferry," and he may have been a partner of Enoch Pearson. This
Enoch Pearson was a son of Laurence Pearson, an early Quaker who with his
brother Enoch and other children of Edward and Sarah (Burges) Pearson
came from Pownal Fee about 1687, and a few years alter settled in Bucks
County. Enoch Pearson, the ferryman, died in 1748 and his father, also a
resident of Plumstead, died in 1758 at an advanced age.
98 THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT
The old Ferry road from the River road westward is still
open, extending southwesterly through Plumstead, part of it
now occupied by the old Danborough and Point Pleasant Turn-
pike, now a State Highway, passing through the lands then
belonging to the Friends Meeting House and at Danborough
passing back of the old tavern and continuing through Fountain-
ville to Butler's Mill, now Chalfont. This road was the principal
route of the early settlers here to points westward and to Phila-
delphia for many years. It was intersected by the road running
northward or northwestward from Barcroft's Mill (Carversville) .
laid out at about the same date, which connected with the road
to London's Ferry below Frenchtown.
Cave Bank Fishery — On October 2, 1740, Enoch Pearson
conveyed fifty acres of land, including the site of the ferry to
Daniel Dawson of Philadelphia, who by will in 1744, devised it
to his son of the same name and daughter Mary, the wife of John
Thompson. The latter became the proprietor of the ferry, his
brother-in-law, Daniel Dawson Junr, conveying to him his
interest in 1747.
On May 21, 1748, Thompson conveyed it to John White
of this place, "Miller": and he on the same date conveyed seven-
eighths interest therein to seven other residents hereabouts,
retaining one-eighth himself, and these eight men composed the
Cave Bank Fishery Company, who continued to own it and
operate a fishery, hotel and ferry on the site for near half a cen-
tury.
Little is known to the writer of the history of the ferry or
Fishing Company from that date. The eight proprietors of the
Fishing Company seem to have been John White, John Hart,
Jane Hart, Hezekiah Rogers, Ezekiel Rogers, John Myer, Elias
Carey and Rolof Sebring, all landholders nearby. Michael
Swartz seems to have acquired the share of Hezekiah Rogers in
1769, and after the death of John White purchased the other
seven shares, and became sole proprietor of the ferry. It
descended to his children and grandchildren who were known
by the name of Black, and gave the name of "Lower Black's
Eddy" to the village, the name it had when the first Post Office
was established at the Eddy in 1821. When the Post Office
was removed to the store north of the Tohickon, with Joseph
THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT 99
Hough as postmaster, in 1826 the name was changed to Point
Pleasant. The ferry was known as Black's Ferry for many
years. The writer was first of the opinion that General Sullivan
crossed here with General Lee's army in December, 1776, (after
the recreant and disobedient General Lee had been captured
at Baskenridge, New Jersey, by the British,) and joined Washing-
ton's command in Makefield in time to take part in the battle
of Trenton. Washington had been urging Lee to join him on the
west bank of the Delaware for weeks before his capture. He
even sent Lord Sterling with a detachment up the River Road
to meet him and assist him in crossing, but Lee, not appearing,
Sterling, after going as far north as Easton, returned without
him. It is stated that Sullivan crossed at "Tinicum," but since
there was never a direct road from the Eddy Ferry on the Jersey
shore extending towards Morristown and New York it is probable
that he crossed at Sherrard's or London's ferry, before referred
to as there was a well traveled and direct road from there to
Morristown. That ferry being also in Tinicum township was
probably the one referred to where Sullivan crossed.
The conveyance of the share of the Cave Bank Fishery
belonging to John White at the time of his death shows that no
member of the company could transfer his share therein without
the consent of the Company, and gives some idea of the plans
and proceedings of the Company.
At this point, the author inquired of Penrose Hicks, an elderly
and life-long resident of Point Pleasant, as to his knowledge of
the continuation of the ferry. Mr. Hicks thought the ferry was
in continual operation until the bridge was opened for travel in
1855.
The Mill at Point Pleasant — The first mill was erected
at its present site by John White, the founder of the Cave Bank
Fishery. He is memtioned as "Miller" in the deed of 1748
for the Ferry Tract, but there is not sufficient evidence that the
mill was erected that early to establish it as a fact. Its owner-
ship was in the name of John White and his brother Joseph, and
in a mortgage executed thereon in 1773 it is recited that the
two tracts on which the mill was erected were patented to them
in 1765, but from the fact that John White is mentioned as an
adjoining landowner at earlier dates it is possible that he had
100 THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT
held the site of the mill on Warrant of Survey some twenty
years earlier than the date of the Patent, as has occurred in other
instances. The two tracts described and bound by the mortgage
contained together over 160 acres. In the same year that the
mortgage was executed they purchased the upper Hughes tract,
and in the partition of the several tracts owned by them in 1784
between Joseph White, Sr., and the heirs of his brother John,
the latter tract and a part of the mill tract lying below Gaddes
Run was set apart to Joseph, who sold it to John Van Fossen,
w^ho established a fishery thereon, in connection with John N.
Solliday, who like many others of his family was a clock and
watch maker. He owned considerable land in and near the
village as well as islands in the Delaware and was prominent in
the public affairs of the community.
Joseph White, son of John, conveyed the mill property and
134 acres to Henry Dotterer in 1795, and he, a year later, con-
veyed it to Edward Humphreys. It was sold by the sheriff in
1803 as the property of Humphreys to Melchor Heavener, who
immediately conveyed it to Jacob Stover, then the proprietor
of the mill at Erwinna. Jacob Stover conveyed it to his son,
Henry S. Stover, in 1816, and he in turn conveyed it to his son-
in-law, Ralph Stover, as 152 acres having added to it part of a
tract of 32^2 acres patented to Jacob Stover in 1805, and included
in the conveyance to Henry S. in 1816. The conveyance to
Ralph Stover was made in 1841, and he and his son continued
to operate it until quite recently. The mill was a noted one in
its day, particularly the saw mill which turned out large quantities
of hardwood lumber for shipment to distant points.
The Delaware Bridge at Point Pleasant — Point Pleasant
Delaware Bridge was erected in 1853-5. Three hundred and
twenty-seven shares were subscribed at a par value of $50 per
share, and at the first stockholders' meeting, June 18, 1853, the
following officers were elected: President, Ralph Stover; Treas-
urer, Samuel A. Smith; Secretary, John W. Cowell; Directors,
William R. Brown, Joseph Hough, Benjamin Harwick, Christian
Myers, Elias Morris and Samuel Lowder.
The Secretary was directed to advertise for proposals for
building the bridge in the Flemington and Doylestown papers.
The contract was awarded to Hood & Steel, July 9, 1853. The
THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT 101
toll house was let to John White, April 1, 1855. Joseph Cowell's
"Farm Bridge" across the canal was directed to be rebuilt and
kept in repair. Joseph Cowell to pay over to the company S250
received from the Canal Commissioners.
The bridge was not finished according to contract, and the
contractors were notified that they were discharged in May, 1855,
and all sorts of difficulties were encountered. The sheriff levied
on the unfinished material for debts of the contractors and a
cross suit was instituted against the sheriff for trespass, but the
.bridge was finally finished. John White was the first toll col-
lector, and a rate of tolls was fixed. Persons residing on either
side of the bridge with business on the opposite side were charged
but one full toll both ways, and business and professional men,
including Dr. A. M. Cooper, were allowed yearly and special
rates. The bridge was completed and opened for travel May 26,
1855.
Ralph Stover was annually re-elected as president of the
company until 1877, when Elias Morris was elected and Stover
became treasurer. Samuel Nash became secretary in 1856.
Samuel A. Smith resigned as treasurer in 1858, and Fox Van
Fossen was chosen, Smith becoming secretary, in which position
he served until his death in 1861 and John N. Solliday succeeded
him. Jacob Hughes succeeded John White as collector, and
Charles VanLuvanee was appointed collector in 1859, but served
only one year and was succeeded by W^illiam P. Hicks, who
served until his death in 1877 and was succeeded by his widow
Martha and son Penrose. John Climer was elected secretary
and treasurer in 1866, but declining to serve as treasurer, John N.
Solliday was elected to that position.
The company had a suit with Hood & Steel, the defaulting
contractors, in 1861, in the Common Pleas Court.
The bridge was damaged by the flood of June 5, 1862, making
it altogether unsafe for travel. There being no funds in the
treasury to repair it, the stockholders agreed to contribute S5
per share to raise a fund for that purpose. The stockholders'
meeting on March 9, 1858, was at "Point Pleasant Seminary."
Can anyone in our audience give us a history of this institution?
The response to this query was that the place of meeting was
doubtless the new school house then recently erected on the hill.
Any sketch of this section that does not give some attention
102 THE EARLY HISTORY OF POINT PLEASANT
to the careers of its men of prominence is necessarily incomplete,
but I feel that in most instances these matters get more attention
than the incidents of local history relating to the development
of our country, and I have given so much of my time to these
matters that, in addition to my want of data in reference to
your more conspicuous characters, must be my excuse in failing
to refer to them.
The pioneer ancestor of the Gaddis family, which family gave
the name to Gaddis Run, was John Gaddes, to whom and Wil-
liam Gaddis there was surveyed on October 19, 1739, a tract
called "Gambia," 128 acres lying on both sides of the Run,
which with an adjoining tract of 125 acres laid out to John
Hyder, was patented to John Gaddes in 1774.
Samuel A. Smith, before referred to, was quite a noted char-
acter in the political affairs of the county, filling a number of
official positions, including a term in United States Congress.
General Joseph Hough, Ralph Stover and a number of others
deserve more than the incidental notice given in this brief
narrative.
PALISADES AT THE NARROWS OF NOCKAMIXON
Showing bluffs of New Red Sandstone (Triassic) with an elevation of about 400 feet. Pleasure
boat "Zlotub" leaving Narrowsville lock on the Delaware Division ca^al September 8, 1908
(Photograph by Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr.)
Improving Navigation on the Delaware River with Some
Account of Its Ferries, Bridges, Canals and Floods
By B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr., Sc. D., LL. D., RIEGELSMLLE. PA.
(Point Pleasant, Bucks County, Pa., Meeting, September 10, 1927)
(Revised April, 1932)
HE Delaware River is about 310 miles long, from
^1 the Catsbergs to the Delaware Bay, having for
its source little rivulets dripping down the
western slope of the Catskill Mountains in
Schoharie and Delaware Counties, New York,
forming at its base two wild streams, bearing the
Indian names of Mohocks on the west and Popaxtunk on the east,
which are fed by numerous accessories and unite to form the
beautiful Delaware, one of the most limpid streams in all America.
The Mohocks or West Branch or as sometimes called the
Little Delaware forms the boundary line between Pennsylvania
and New York for seven miles, to a point just south of Hancock,
N. Y., where it is joined by the East Branch (Popaxtunk), and
from there to Port Jervis the main stream forms the boundary
between the same two states. At Port Jervis, N. Y. (opposite
Matamoras, Pa.), where the river encounters the Shawangunk
Mountains, its course is diverted, turning south at a right angle,
and from there to the state of Delaware it forms the boundary
between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In New Jersey this
range of mountains is called Blue Mountains and in Pennsyl-
vania the Blue or Kittatinny range. At Tri-State (Carpenter's
Point) near Port Jervis, a monument has been set up to mark
the point where the three states meet.
By reason of the river forming the boundaries between the
three states, with branches entering the stream from all of them,
each state is claiming jurisdiction over a certain part of the
water. In order to determine the amount to which each state
might be entitled to withdraw, their respective legislatures in
1922, enacted laws, asking their governors to appoint commis-
sioners to determine the areas of the water-sheds, on which was
to be predicated the quantity of water to which each was entitled.^
1 Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania for 1923, page 448; Laws of New Jersey
for 1923, Chapter 94; Laws of New York for 1923, Chapter No. 56.
104 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
These commissioners entered into a "compact," and made their
first report May 24, 1925, and their second one on January 13,
1927, defining the water sheds, and apportioning the daily flow
of water that each state might be entitled to withdraw, as
follows :
To Pennsylvania — 900,000,000 gallons; to New Jersey —
600,000,000 gallons; to New Yofk— 600,000,000 gallons, a total
of 2,100,000,000 gallons per day. Neither of these reports was
approved by the legislatures of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, but
both were approved by the State of New York. Whereupon
the State of New York declared its intention of taking the water
allotted to it to supplement the supply for New York City;
taking it from the following streams, all wholly within the limits
of the State of New York:
Watersheds
Location square miles Di\-ersion per
Streams" of dams Counties above dams day in gallons
Little Delaware
or West Branch Delhi Delaware 50 40,000,000
East Branch Downsville Delaware 370 370,000,000
Beaver Kill Beaver Kill Sullivan 60 60,000,000
Willowemoc Parkston Sullivan 60 60,000,000
Neversink Curry Delaware 70 70,000,000
Total 600,000,000
On May 22, 1929, the State of New Jersey filed a complaint
in the United States Supreme Court to restrain the State of
New York and the City of New York from diverting any water
from the Delaware or its tributaries, and on December 9, 1929,
Pennsylvania filed a petition to intervene, which was granted.
On January 27, 1930, the United States Supreme Court appointed
Hon. Charles N. Burchard special master to take testimony.*
The master began the duties of his appointment on February 25,
1930, and after devoting 63 days to the hearing, rendered his
decision permitting the State of New York and the City of New
York, under restrictions, to take 440,000,000 gallons of water
per day from but two of the branch streams above referred to.
His opinion was confirmed b>^ the Supreme Court on May 4, 1931.
I am informed by the assistant attorney general of New Jersey,
- A dam at Delhi would be the only water to be taken from the West
Branch. Beaver Kill and Willowemoc are tributary to the East Branch, and
the dams at Beaver Kill, Parkston and Downsville would take water from
the East Branch. The dam at Currv would draw water from the Neversink.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 105
that the decision being for a less amount than asked for, together
with the restrictions placed upon them, and the development
of the fact that other sources of supply were pointed out, make
it doubtful whether New York will draw any water from the
Delaware or its branches for some years to come.
It developed at the hearing before the special master that if
the City of New York was permitted to divert 600,000,000 gal-
lons of water per day, that the flow in the Delaware at Tri-
State, near Port Jervis, would be diminished by from 14 W to 16
per cent.; at Riegelsville, 11^-^ per cent., and at Trenton, 8.2 per
cent. This indicates that if the compact of the commissioners
had been adopted, and the three states allowed to take
2,100,000,000 gallons per day the loss at Tri-State would prob-
ably amount to 52 per cent, of all the water at that point. The
engineers reported the area of the water-shed drainage as 2,390
square miles in New York, 760 square miles in New Jersey and
3,345 square miles in Pennsylvania, of which 980 square miles
were above Port Jervis. Prior to the State of Pennsylvania tak-
ing over the Delaware Division canal on October 17, 1931, the
greater part of the water from the Lehigh river, under normal
conditions, was diverted at Easton into the Delaware Division
canal, and not returned back into the Delaware before reaching
tide water at Bristol.
Diverting water from the Delaware, and not returning it
back into the stream would greath' interfere with the plans of
the Deep Water Way Commission, appointed by Congress, of
including the Delaware for improvement, with dams for slack
water navigation, and to some extent weaken it for installing
water powers along its course, which would be regretted, as it
appears to be almost suicidal to continue exhausting our coal
mines, and allow streams like the Delaware to flow by our doors
without harnessing them for power plants. On the other hand,
our great cities have need to add to their \\ ater supply.
The course of the Delaware is through a mountainous coun-
try, passing through many gorges, of which the Delaware Water
Gap is the most pronounced. At that place the river passes
through the Kittatinny or Blue Mountains, which rise on both
sides thereof to heights of 1,300 and 1,400 feet. There are evi-
dences to show that many of these gaps or gorges, in prehistoric
times, formed dams or barriers, which impeded the flow of the
106
IMPROVING XAVIGATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
Stream. Whether these obstructions were of rock which wore
away by erosion, stratum after stratum, or whether the gorges
were choked with ice or debris, can never be satisfactorily deter-
mined. The great height of the obstruction at the Delaware
Water Gap caused the formation of a great lake, backing the
water on both sides of the river for many miles through the
Neversink valley and even as far as the Rondout valley in New
York state, and through the Delaware valley as far as Lacka-
waxen, where the battle of Minisink was fought. Since the
giving way of the dam or obstruction at the Delaware Water
Gap by erosion or otherwise, the bed of the drained lake has
been known as the "Minisinks," meaning "The Water is Gone,"
or as some interpret it, "The Home of the Minsies." The great
height of this lake, as geologists tell us, caused the water to over-
flow and find an outlet through the mountain pass at the W'ind
Gap, some eleven miles to the west. At the Delaware Water
DELAWARE WATER GAP
View looking south. Mount Minsi and the D. L. & W. Railroad on the right or Pennsylvania
side and Mount Tammany on the left or New Jerse>' side.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 107
Gap, it is said, there is still to be noticed a deep depression in the
bed of the river, where the water fell over the barrage.^
In like manner the Weygadt Mountain above Easton, and
Rocky Falls., one mile above Riegelsville, where the Delaware
cuts through the granite of South Mountain, also the Narrows
at the Palisades of Nockamixon, where it cuts through the New
Red Sandstone (Triassic) , there are evidences of the river having
been similarly obstructed. This is indicated by the deposits
of river sands in what are probably beds of drained lakes.
Along the eastern part of the borough of Riegelsville the glacial-
drift extends to the river, and doutbless underneath thereof,
while the river sands lie on top. The same river sands can be
seen in the fields northwest of Riegelsville at the base of South
Mountain, some 50 or 60 feet above the river. In the bed of the
Rocky Falls Lake, about ten feet underneath the sands, and
about forty feet above the river, on removing the sand for use
in pig beds of blast furnaces, there was discovered, in 1895, the
remains of an Indian fireplace. This w^as carefully examined
by Dr. Henry C. Mercer and other noted archaeologists, to deter-
mine whether there was any evidence of its antedating the glacial
period, but they found the remains covered only by river sand.
A photograph of this terrace, on Fry's Run in Williams Town-
ship, Northampton County, showing depth of sand and position
of fireplace, can be seen in the album of the Bucks County His-
torical Society at Doylestown. There has in fact been no well
authenticated evidence of prehistoric man found underneath
the glacialdrift at Rocky Falls or elsewhere.
There is a long spread, and many years intervening, between
the birch bark canoe of the aboriginies and the modern steamers
which now enter the river at the Delaware Breakwater. This,
however, is but one of the developments that has followed the
evolution and civilization of the history of the world. There
has been no regular steam navigation on the Delaware above
Trenton. All attempts to ply steamboats higher up the river
resulted in failure. John Fitch of Bucks County, Pennsylvania,
was the inventor of the steamboat. In 1785, he built an experi-
mental boat with side wheels, which he propelled by steam on a
milldam near Davisville in Warminster Township, Bucks County.
^ See "The Delaware Water Gap," by L. W. Broadhead, Sherman & Co.,
Philadelphia, 1870; also Hazard's Register, Vol. I, page 428, and Vol. Ill,
page 407.
108 IMPROVING NAVIGATION' ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
JOHN FITCH'S PASSP;NGER STEAMBOAT ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
In 1788, he built a passenger boat, and after experimenting and
making trial trips, put it in regular service in 1790 on the Dela-
ware River between Arch Street, Philadelphia, and Trenton,
making stops at Burlington and Bristol. He sailed it north
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and returned every
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during the months of June to
September, inclusive. His experimental boat was 22 years and
his regular passenger service was 17 years before Robert Fulton
sailed his "Cleremont" in 1807 on the Hudson river.* While
there were many kinds of small craft used for transportation on
the lower waters of the Delaware, it remained for the Durham
Boat to operate on waters higher up on a commercial scale.
That model of boat was first used by the Durham Iron Company
in 1727, to transport the products of the Durham furnace and
forges to Philadelphia and carry "back-loads" of merchandise on
return trips. That model of boat always called ''Durham Boat,"
was used on the Mohawk and other streams throughout our
country, also on the St. Lawrence River.'' Durham Boats
played an important part on Christmas night of 1776, when
Washington and his army crossed the river and surprised the
British at Trenton. With the completion of the Delaware
Division of the Pennsylvania Canals from Easton to Bristol,
4 See Bucks County Historical papers. Vol. II, page 22, and Vol. Ill,
page 565.
•'^ See Miss Susan Copper's introduction, in 1805, to her father's book,
the "Pathfinder," Household Edition, 1876, published by Houghton, Mifflin
& Co. This introduction does not appear in all the editions of Fennimore
Cooper's works. See also The Early History of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and
the Fox River Valley by J. \V. Arndt, 1904.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
109
opened permanently for navigation in 1834, the use of Durham
Boats began to decline, and with the opening of the Belvidere
Delaware Railroad in 1854, they were found to be no longer
necessary. The last trip by Durham Boat, through to Philadel-
phia, is said to have been made by Isaac Vanorman starting from
Easton March 6, 1860. The last one knowm to have been in
practical use, was fitted up by John Nicholas, in the late sixties,
to operate on the canal for carrying garden produce from his
farm, near Kintnersville, in Durham Township, to Easton, but
alas, that was not operated on the river, and the poetry of its
primitive motion was gone, for it was propelled by a team of
horses, but all the same it was the dying ember of a primitive and
bygone industry.
For a most interesting history of the Durham Boat, in fact,
the most reliable and best paper that has ever been written on
that subject, I beg to refer to the paper of Mr. John A. Anderson,
published in Volume IV (pp. 282, et seq.) of the Bucks County
Historical Society, from which the following drawing is taken:
THE DURHAM BOAT
ON THE RIVER DELAWARE.
«
DRAWING OF DURHAM BOAT BY JOHN A. ANDERSON
1911 from his personal recollection of shape and size and from information obtained
from others.
110 improving navigation on the delaware river
Rafting on the Delaware River
To Daniel Skinner must be given the honor of navigating
the first raft down the Delaware River which he started in 1764,
from Cochecton Falls, about forty miles above Port Jervis.*^
This was the beginning of any industry that grew with the devel-
opment of the country. Hazard's Register (Vol. Ill, page 384)
records that in the spring floods of 1828, as many as one thousand
rafts passed down the Delaware, made up mostly of boards,
planks and other sawed stuff, estimated at fifty million feet,
which originated in Delaware and Sullivan Counties in New
York, and Wayne County in Pennsylvania. Alfred Mathews'
History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, published in
1886, at page 960, says: "It is estimated that fifty million feet
of lumber and logs were run down the Delaware River annually
some years ago, and the Lackawaxen furnished a considerable
share of this lumber. The average raft of round timber was
65,000 feet, although they often ran larger rafts, and of sawed
lumber they sometimes had 200,000 feet in one raft." Mr. Ethan
Allen Weaver records that in the thirties it was not uncommon,
during a favorable flood of water, for two thousand rafts to pass
down the river in one season; his information was derived from
files of old newspapers.' This industry reached its height from
1840 to 1845, and begun to decline about 1855, after the rail-
roads were put in operation. The passing of this industry seems
to have been in 1907, when several rafts passed down the Dela-
ware. It therefore covered a period of about 150 years.
During the fall of 1883 the Walton Chronicle of Walton,
N. Y., published a series of articles from the pen of an old rafts-
man,''' which enter into the detailed history of lumbering, building
and assembling rafts, rafting and navigating the West Branch
of the Delaware, and of the main stream beginning at Hancock,
where the West Branch and the East Branch unite, and from
there to Philadelphia. These papers give a detailed account of
his personal recollections of the entire industry, including the
personnel of the lumbermen, raftsmen and steersmen, the loca-
6 History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 445.
' Historical Sketches, by Ethan Allen Weaver, page 47 — A collection of
papers contributed to the Easton Free Press, and reprinted.
7K Written bv Joshua Pine (the third), born at Walton November 5,
1798, died there April 13, 1888.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 111
tion of the sawmills and other details, making them quite unique
and from which we have obtained the following data:
In building a raft an incline is selected, or an artificial one
made, on which a frame composed of "grub plank" is built for a
"crib." This crib or float is from 16 to 18 feet long and from
16 to 22 feet wide. These cribs are launched as fast as made,
and as many used as are required for the size of raft to be built.
If four or five it is called a "colt," if from eight to ten it is called
a "raft," i.e., a "single raft." When two single rafts are placed
side by side it makes a "double raft" or "fleet."
The cribs and colts are merely skeletons or frames used as
foundations on which to build the rafts. After they are launched
and coupled together, lumber is loaded on them to a depth of
from 21 to 27 inches. This indicates about 150,000 feet of
lumber on double rafts. Single rafts had but two oars, one at
each end, while double ones had four, two at each end. The
steersman handled the right hand oar at the tail end as the raft
floated down stream. The oarblades were made of hard wood,
usually maple, they were from 12 to 14 inches wide, and from
14 to 16 feet long, sawed two inches thick at the butt and three-
fourths of an inch at the tip end. The tillers were seven inches
in diameter at the butt by 40 feet long, made of hemlock, pine,
poplar or bass, the latter being preferred. The oars were care-
fully hung, so as to be perfectly counterbalanced.
In addition to the sawed lumber there were large numbers
of rafts composed of logs, these were mostly to supply the saw-
mills located along the main stream south of the timber belts;
some of these main river sawmills disposed of their surplus
sawed lumber by rafting it and floating it to the Philadelphia
market. These log rafts were mostly hemlock, in fact, the forests
produced much more hemlock than of any other kind. A great
number of railroad ties, ship-knees and hoop poles were often
shipped on rafts to Philadelphia.
Lumbering was carried on not only on the main channel of
the West Branch, but back into the forests, with many sawmills
on the tributaries to their sources. In like manner lumbering
was carried on with equal activity along the East Branch. There
was also great activity in lumbering on the main stream and its
tributaries below the confluence of the West Branch and the
East Branch. Hancock was said to have been the very center
112 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
of the lumbering industry, and where many lumbermen made a
gathering place and where many of them lived.
White pine and other lumber was also drawn in large quan-
tities from the banks of the Susquehanna and its tributaries.
The Walton Chronicle correspondent mentions particularly that
large quantities from sawmills at Davenport on the Charlotte
Creek were carried over the divide between the Susquehanna
and Delaware rivers, thence by Elk Creek, a total of 14 miles,
to Frisbee on the West Branch 3}4 miles above Delhi, where it
was assembled into colts, which in turn were made into rafts
farther down stream where they was more water. This sawed
pine limber fetched but from $9 to $10 per thousand feet delivered
at Philadelphia. He also makes special mention of white pine
having been drawn over the divide, from Otego, Unadilla and
Sidney on the Susquahanna in large quantities.
In 1840-41, two West Branch lumbermen bought 100,000
feet of white pine boards and 25,000 feet of cherry from sawmills
on the Ouleout (a branch of the Susquehanna) for which they
paid S6 per thousand and S2 for carting to Walton on the West
Branch, where it was rafted and sent to Philadelphia and sold
for $10 per thousand; this apparently left the speculators but $2
per thousand or say $250 on the transaction, out of which they
evidently paid for floating it to market, besides taking the risk
of having it "stove" enroute. This would hardly satisfy twen-
tieth century lumber dealers. The correspondent says there was
a spelndid growth of white pine at Walton, where he lived, and
where the West Brook enters the West Branch.
Some of the raftsmen, on their journeys down stream, well
knew where liquor could be had, and as they ai)proached their
favorite hostelries, they would call loudly to the inn-keeper, who
would gladly row out with an assortment of bottles. The writer
of these notes, living in Durham Township, often witnessed the
innkeeper, whose establishment was in New Jersey, opposite
the Durham furnace, row out to meet the rafts. To his mind
they never seemed to be in a hurry, and by the time each had
been served with his favorite tipple, the rafts with the inn-keeper
and his bateau had drifted down stream fully three-quarters of a
mile. By the time he rowed back another set of thirsty rafts-
men would signal and yell at him, whereupon the operation was
repeated, and thus kept up all day long during the rafting season.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
113
During rafting season it was almost a daily occurrence to see
broken rafts floating down stream past Durham that had been
"stoved," that is wrecked and broken apart, many of them by
striking the piers of the bridges between Easton and Phillips-
burg. The scattered timber and logs from such broken rafts
were often salvaged by watermen living along the river, which
was quite a profitable undertaking, but often the owners would
put in an appearance and lay claim to them, particularly if they
had taken the precaution of stamping their initials on the ends
thereof.
While many of the steers-
men from up river were ac-
quainted with the channel
through to tide water at
Trenton (from which place
the rafts destined for Phila-
delphia points were taken by
tow boats), some came down
only as far as Easton or
Riegelsville or Upper Blacks
Eddy, where they employed
local steersmen for the re-
mainder of their trips. Two
of these, both living on the
New Jersey side of the river
at Riegelsville, were expert
steersmen, and their services
w-ere in constant demand dur-
ing rafting seasons. One of
these was William Piatt,
known as "Lofty" Piatt, a
hardy, rugged man who stood
six feet, three inches in na-
ture's socks, and whose por-
trait is shown on the margin
hereof; the other was William
Grouse (born 1802, died 1884),
who knew the channel so well
that he often, for a few dollars
extra, insured the safe arrival of the rafts to their destination.
ALIAS WILLIAM PIATT
1818-1908
114 IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
His son, Rutledge T. Crouse, advises me that while one trip from
Upper Blacks Eddy to Trenton (34 miles) was a full day's work,
that: "on one occasion, when it was moonlight, his father made
two trips in one day, coming back from the first by railroad train,
to Milford, N. J., where he crossed the river and stepped on
another raft which was waiting for him." Another local steers-
man was Orrin Eddy, who made his home at Easton. From
information obtained from his great-grandson, he piloted rafts on
the Delaware from 1820 to 1840. These local steersmen were
also employed to run rafts of "sawed-stuff" from local sawmills at
Easton, Riegelsville and many other places along the river.
Anthracite Coal Carried to Market on Arks
Anthracite coal was first discovered by Philip Ginther,
accidentally, at Summit Hill, in the Lehigh field in 1791, and
fifteen years later, in 1806, an experimental ark was built by
William Trumbull at Lausanne (five miles above Mauch Chunk,
where the Nesquehoning Creek falls into the Lehigh), which
carried 300 bushels (about ten tons) of coal to Philadelphia,
but there was no demand for it, as it could' not be sold for heating
purposes, therefore part of it was thrown on the streets.^ It
was not until August 9, 1814, that this mode of transporting
coal was begun in a practical way, when what was called "the
first ark," was loaded with twenty-four tons of coal and set out
for Philadelphia. The Lehigh was wild, full of rocks and the
channel crooked, and within a quarter of a mile from the place
of starting, the ark struck a ledge of rocks which knocked a hole
in her bow. With much difficulty they succeeded in stopping
the leak and then proceeded on their journey, reaching their
destination August 14, six days out from Mauch Chunk.^ From
that time forward, until the Lehigh and Delaware Division
Canals were opened, shipments by ark continued. The arks
were built of sawed timber in a square, boxlike form 16 by 18 feet
wide and from 20 to 25 feet long. After discharging their cargo
at point of consignment, usually Philadelphia, they were taken
apart and the lumber sold, thus requiring a new boat or ark for
8 Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, page 378, and History of North-
ampton County, page 58.
9 Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, page 380, also Hazard's Register,
Vol. V, page 271, and Vol. VI, page 275.
IMPROVIXG NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 115
each cargo of coal.^*^ Canal transportation followed the arks, to
be superseded by the railroads, branches or sidings of which enter
every operating mine and coalbreaker. This fuel, called "stone
coal," which it was not at first known how to use, grew into popu-
larity very fast. In 1820, 365 tons were sent down to Philadel-
phia, which completely stocked the market. In the year 1927,
the production of all anthracite mines in Pennsylvania, amounted
to 70,454,000 gross tons. It appears that the canals of the
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. (the Lehigh and the Delaware
Division) are (1932) the only canals remaining in the entire coun-
try, using boats propelled by mule power. As stated elsewhere
in this paper, navigation was permanently closed on the Dela-
ware Division Canal on October 17, 1932.
The Lehigh River rises by various mountain branches in
Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Carbon and Lackawanna Counties,
uniting at the town of Stoddartsville, Luzerne County. Its fall
from Stoddartsville to Mauch Chunk is 1,006 feet and from
Mauch Chunk to Easton, a distance of forty-six miles, the fall
is 364 feet, making a total fall of 1,370 feet. Mr. Charles Miner
records that three out of every four arks that left Mauch Chunk
were stove and sunk on the way, but that this did not always
entail a total loss, as the coal was often salvaged and sold to
smiths at AUentown, Bethlehem and Easton. ^^ Their experience,
however, soon taught them that lighter arks with less cargo went
through much better.
This great fall and the tortuous course of the Lehigh hin-
dered navigation, and when the river was low there was not
water enough in the upper part of the stream to operate to advan-
tage. To overcome these difficulties, Josiah White, acting as
his own engineer, devised a system of "artificial freshets," by
building dams across the stream to form pools for storing water.
Sluices in the dams were provided for passing rafts of lumber and
arks loaded with coal through them. The sluices were readily
opened and closed by one man by means of hygroscopic power
acting in a contrivance known as "bear-trap locks."
10 Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, page 414.
11 Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, page 381.
116 improving navigation on the delaware river
Clearing Out the Delaware River
By act of the Pennsylvania Assembly, March 9, 1771, private
subscriptions were authorized for improving navigation on the
Delaware River, and on September 28, 1789, an act was passed,
and an appropriation made by the State, for clearing out the
channel, in order that navigation might be improved. A com-
mission was accordingly appointed, consisting of Timothy Mat-
lack (then president of the Supreme Executive Council), Reading
Howell and William Dean, to view the river and determine upon
this work, and on October 6, 1789, they were authorized by the
council (George Ross, vice-president presiding) to carry the act
into effect and proceed with the improvements. Whereupon
the commissioners made an inspection of the river and submitted
their report January 30, 1790, and in or about June, 1791,
entered into a contract with Col. Richard Backhouse, of Durham
Iron Works, and Col. George Wall, Jr., of Lumberville, to clear
the river of its main obstructions from Trenton Falls to the New
York State line.'" These contractors put the work in hand at
once, subletting the clearing of some of the rapids and falls. This
is clearly set forth by their official report, made in 1793, copy of
which is on file in the archives of the Bucks County Historical
Society, in the handwriting of Colonel Backhouse, as is also the
account book of Colonel Wall, which contains, somewhat in
detail, an account of their expenditures. A copy of their report
is attached hereto.
The greatest obstruction in the entire river was at Foul Rift,
about three miles below Belvidere, which alone has a fall of 22
feet, as against 9 feet 8 inches at Trenton Falls; 12 feet 1 inch
at Wells Falls; 11 feet 1 inch at Tumbling Dam Falls and 11
feet 5 inches at Marshall's Island Rapids. On page 123 hereof
is a table, copied from Hazard's Register (Vol. I, page 57), show-
ing the fall in the Delaware from Easton to Trenton, a distance
of 49 miles, to be 160 feet, 5 inches. The fall from Port Jervis
to Easton, distance 66 miles, is 259 feet. (Hazard's Register,
Vol. Ill, page 104.)
Messrs. Backhouse and Wall placed the work of clearing
Foul Rift in the hands of Major Robert Hoops, of Belvidere,
12 Colonial Records— Vol. XVI, pages 178-181-274-278-346-348-366. See
also Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII, page 32, and Vol. XIII,.
page 354.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 117
N. J., who under date of July 16, 1791, addressed the following
letter to Colonel Backhouse, applying for the job:
Belvidere, July 16, 1791
Sir:—
I have been informed that you and Col. Wall had contracted to clear
the several Falls in the Delaware so as to render the navigation safe and
easy. I am willing to engage to clear Foul Rift, and one or two other Falls
in the neighborhood, pro\ided we can agree on the price which will depend
on the manner you wish it executed, I would therefore wish to ha\e the
pleasure of seeing you here and agreeing on the spot, it is now time that
work of that nature was begun, if it is to be completed this fall. I would
just observe that Foul Rift is the most shallow, rapid and dangerous Falls
in the River. Should you and Col. Wall wish to view the ri\-er higher up,
I will endeavor to accompany you.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient Humble Servant
ROBT. HooPSi3
Two letters from Major Hoops to Colonel Backhouse, telling
of his progress in opening the channel through Foul Rift, have
been preserved. One which belonged to me was presented to
Miss Mary S. Clark, of Belvidere, the other is in the manuscript
department of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at Phila-
delphia. These letters state that his work was interfered with by
the Indians raising the hatchet against him, and are otherwise so
interesting that I append the following copies:
13 Maj. Robert Hoopes came to Belvidere about 1770, and purchased the
mill and water power. He built and operated an extensive slaughter-house
on the south side of the Request, and sent the product, together with large
quantities of flour manufactured at his gristmill, into the interior of the state
of New Jersey, for the Continental army. He was progressi\"e and the pioneer
merchant of lielvidere. He first named the town "Mercer," but later changed
it to "Belvidere." He was on the staff of Gen. Philemon Dickinson during
the Revolutionary War. He was appointed County Judge of Sussex County
(which then included Warren) at a joint meeting, November 17, 1779, and
again reappointed in 1784 and again in November 20, 1789. In 1792 the
village consisted of a gristmill, on the site now occupied by the "old mill," a
sawmill on the opposite side of the Request and six dwelling houses. At that
time the principal part of the land north of the Request was owned by Major
Robert Hoops, who ga\e the place its name of Behidere, probably from the
beauty of the situation; while that on the south side, including the water-
powers, belonged to the celebrated Robert Morris, who on November 15, 1793,
entailed it upon his daughter, the wife of Charles Croxall and her children.
(Historical Collections of New Jersey by Barber & Howe, page 503.)
lis IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
Copy of Letter Presented to Miss Mary S. Clark, of Belvidere, N. J.,
BY Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr.
Belvidere, Sunday 8th August 1791
Dear Sir
The day you left me in the afternoon with seven Hands I made a beginning
and completed a passage through the little foul Rift for a Boat to pass with
100 or 150 Bushels without touching; & was it not for the three Points where
the Hatchet was raised against me, I should be perfectly easy — but industry
and perseverence will I hope overcome all difficulties.
I have desired the Bearer my Negro Boy Jack to return to me as speedily
as you can dismiss Him, as no time must be lost. I shall set some hands at
work tomorrow before I set out for your House & wish as little detention
as possible as I am determined to return again on the same evening having
engaged some more hands for Tuesday Morning —
I am with best Wishes Dear Sir
Your most Obdt. Servt.
To Richard Backhouse Esqr Robt. Hoops
Durham
Copy of Letter in Possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society
Balls Rock 26 August 1791
Dear Sir
With all industry & indefatigable labor of twenty & sometimes thirty
men I am yet at this place and tho I have blowed up the bed of Rock between
the projecting part and the shore and sunk it at least eight Inches I have
not yet water enough for a Loaded Boat. I have extended the wing from
Balls Rock up to the ledge that crosses the River without having any good
effect. I fear it never will answer the desired purpose, it has been a most
difficult & expensive piece of work, and was obliged to get some stone oS
the mountain and roll them down the water upon an average about eight
feet deep and so swift that it carried off the largest Rocks I could put in,
the quantity it took is incredible. I have not lost one day rain or shine
since I began except part of a day I went to Court — I am now in want of
Money & request you will send me or Bearer Thomas Harmon about one
Hundred and Fifty Pounds, & will not trouble you for some time again. I
am determined if possible to compleat the Work this fall. I have cleared
almost every obstruction up to the point where the Hatchet was first raised
against me, have now five Men Blowing it and all the Rocks that lay in
the Channel — I really wish you could take time to come and see me — My
House and Family of old wicked Boys move up with me to this point to-
morrow. My hand is stiff 1 can hardly write.-
I am Dear Sir in Haste
Richard Backhouse, Esqr Your most Obdt Servt
Durham Robt. Hoops
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 119
As these letters from Major Hoops indicate, boats could
not pass through Foul Rift prior to the improvement of 1791;
in fact, it is quite a feat to shoot the rapids at the present day,
even with a small boat or canoe. Merchandise from Belvidere
and vicinity, for river shipment, was hauled to a point below
the rift, including the product of the Oxford, N. J., blast furnace,
built in 1743.
In 1921, my friend. Dr. Porter W. Shimer, of Easton, dis-
covered, cut in the limestone rocks, on the Pennsylvania side at
Foul Rift, the following inscription :
R^ Hoops \iq]
c /eared these Fa fU
T IVI/\TLACK J MiFFUN
ConiiTiissioners
At that time he made, expressly for me, a rubbing of the
cartouch, which is about 9 inches high by 18 inches wide. Owing
to high water, he could not get a photograph of it, but in the
summer of 1926 succeeded in getting a splendid negative, from
which the etching shown herewith was made. On April 5, 1790,
the Pennsylvania Assembly passed an act appropriating £40-12-8
to Robert Thorn for clearing Wells Falls and Howells
Falls.
120 improving xavigatiox on the delaware river
Report of Work Done on the Delaware
by richard backhouse and george wall, esquires
(From Copy in Archives of the Bucks County Historical Society)
To his Excellency Thomas Mifflin Esquire
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Sir
Agreeable to the Request of a Circular from the Secretaries office Dated
June the 27th 1793 We beg leave to Submit to your Excellency the following
Report of the Progress we have made in the Executing our Contract for the
Improving the Navigation of the River Delaware from Trenton falls to the
northern boundaries of the State \"\z —
From the New York Line to the Head of Cushicton Falls, we contracted with
Samuel Preston to finish it and as this is but a Small piece of the Work we
expect it is done.
From the head of Cushicton (Cochecton) Falls down to the foot of Tyhock
(?) Falls much Labour hath been done and every dangerous obstruction
removed Wing Wall's Erected agreeable to the direction of the Agents of
information, and the whole we Expect is compleated Agreeable to their
direction a Particular account of which is in the Possession of your Excel-
lency, which we delivered last fall when applied for a \\ew & reported to
us by Captain Chambers with whom we contracted to Compleat that part
of the work.
Sambos (?) Rift one Rock is remoxed & the channel improved by throwing
out loose Stones &c.
Gap of the Blue Mountain (Delaware Water Gap) the channel between
Gaps Island and the Jersey is Impro\ed. Adams slip wholly removed &
three other rocks below (mentioned in the Commissioners report of Jany.
30th 1790) part of the Rift below^ taken away and so improved as to make a
ample and safe channel through the gap of the Blue Mountain
From the Gap Island down to the Foul Rift — At Bowmans rift a large
Rock removed; at the Darning (?) rift the channel improved & a number
of Rocks roled away; at Cobus's (Jacobus) rift one removed and the channel
improved; at lower Bowmans four removed and other small rocks moved
away; at Lowrys three, and at long Rift two, with many small rocks and
stones roled away wing Walls made in Sundry Places and the channel deepened
& Improved over the Shoals &c.
Foul Rift from the head to the foot was Oct. ye 8th 1791 viewed by the
Agents of Information, and by them reported to be finished to their Satis-
faction Except three small rocks below Balls Rock which we have since
removed & ring Bolts fixed in the remaining part of the oblique Rocks (which
was not Necessary to remo\e) and a good takel Rope fastened to the Rings
in order to enable the boatmen to Tole their boat up that part of the Falls
From the foot of Foul Rift to the Whycot (Weygadt) we have made
Wing Walls at Big Capwsh (?) Deepened and Improved the Channel for
Boats at low Water
At Whycot (Weygadt) Falls We ha\e scaled the uper rift remo\'ed two
rocks mentioned in the aforesaid commissioners report, with Several other
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 121
small rocks the Lower Rift Sealed. Two Dangerous Rocks Exactly in the
Channel (mentioned in said report) removed two -Rocks opposite the moun-
tain Removed a great Number of small rocks and stones Rolled out of the
Channel so as to render it safe for boats at low water.
From the Whvcot (Wevgadt) to H.wcock F.\lls (Rocky F.vlls)
At the Falls above Easton removed an old P"ish Basket Wing & deepened
and improved the Channel at the Head of said Falls, and in the Falls removed
two Rocks mentioned in the Commissioners Report with se\eral other Small
Rocks which appeared might be in the way at low Water
At Philipsburgh Falls removed Two Rocks mentioned in said Commis-
sioners Report, and Improved the channel !)>• Roling out Several Small
. Rocks and Stones These falls are finished to the intire Satisfaction of the
Easton Boatmen as Certified to us in writing by Justice Auble (Able) who lives
there.
Haycock Falls (Rock>^ Falls) we ha^'e opened the channel on the Jersey
side, and have made a Wing Wall so as to incline the Riple above to the Jersey-
shore and Deepen the \\'ater there, the very large Rock mentioned in the
Commissioners Report is intirely remo\ed so that at a Common Boat-Fresh
Rafts & Boats may Pass oxer it, and we have scaled & remo\'ed above Thirty
other Rocks & Rifts in these falls and Widened & Deepened the Channel
so as to render it very safe for Rafts at high Water if they are Careful and
Steer near the Jersey Shore at the entrance and Boats may Pass this channel
at high or low Water without Danger, and we are informed by Mr. Geo.
Clayhunts (Kleinhants) who lives on the Pennsylvania side against the falls
that Se%eral Rafts have lately taken that channel and passed with ease &
Safety the Channel being straight while the Channel on the Pennsylvania
Shore is winding and Difficult. We opened this channel by the Express
directions of the Agents against the general opinion of the Boatmen and
Raftmen who declared it would be useless as neither boats nor Rafts would
take that Course. However we have foimd to the Contrary and many
now use it, and believe in a short time will be generally approved and give
full satisfaction. The removing the Rocks in these falls was attended with
Difficulty and much Labour and Expense by Reason of the Rocks being
intensley Hard, abounding with Fissures, so that many blasts of Powder
where Expended to Little Purpose
From the H.wcock (Rocky Falls) to the Tumbling Dam
At Linns Falls we remo\-ed a Fish Basket Wing and removed Se\eral
Rocks out of the channel so that it is much Improved
At Stuhl's Falls removed two Small Rocks and Improved the Channel
for low water by Roling out Large Stones and Gra\-el At the foot of Ridges
Island we made a Wing Wall and Improved and Deepened the Barr so as
Boats may Pass at Low \\'ater.
At Tumbling Dam we have Scaled the Rift abo\e the Island lietween
this Rift and the Tumbling Dam have Scaled the Rifts and removed many
Rocks in the Line of the Channels, The Tumbling Dam Rift we ha^•e Scaled
122 IMPROVING NAVIGATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
& Widened \\'est\vard and Several Rocks Just below the Dam have been
Scaled and removed, at the Bottom of this channel where the Cut Bitch
Channel meets it. Three Rocks mentioned in the Commissioners Report
is removed, and have Scaled and removed part of the Rock in the Tumbling
near the Island to ease the Passage for boats going upwards
From the Tumbling Dam to Wells Falls
At Bulls falls have Deepened Widened and Improved the Channel by
Roling out many Loose Rocks Stones &c.
At Howells Falls have made a wing Wall, Deepened and improved the
channel by removing some Rocks and many large Stones (S:c.
At \\eirs Falls Two Rocks in the Still Water directly above the Entrance
rock is removed the Ledge of Rocks westward of the channel is Scaled
and the Entrance made upwards of four Perches wide Part of the Beacon
Rock taken off. the Rock Xo. 19 and the Small Rock above Scaled and all
the Rocks mentioned in the Commissioners report down from Xo. 19 to Xo. 1
ha^e been scaled or removed; Twenty feet off the Fish Damm wing removed &
placed agreeable to the Commissioners' report. A large wing wall is erected
on western entrance Rock and Extended in the direction mentioned in our
contract, two thirds of the way from thence to the Pennsylvania Shore. Mr.
Coleback with whom we Contracted to finish this work thought we had
Compleated it last Season when we called for a view, but the agents of Infor-
mation did not come till late in the fall when we attended them and after a
Deliberate investigation of the work done the Said Agents of Information
to the best of our recollection said there was a great deal of work done and
well Done but they Suggested some ammendments to be made to render
the Contract intirely compleat, and pointed them out to Mr. Coleback which
may soon be done but the Water since that time has not been low enough
to Permit working in the River to any advantage
From the Foot of Wells to Trenton Falls
At Johnstons Falls have made Wing Walls Deepened and improved the
channel for Low W'ater
At Slacks Island have removed two Rocks and Improved the channel
by Roling other Small Rocks & Stones away
Trenton Falls was finished in the fall of the year 1791, viewed by the Agents
the 5th of November and approved to be done agreeable to their Design
THUS SIR we flatter ourselves that we have executed our contract with
Dilligence and Dispatch considering the Difficulty of the undertaking and
the lateness of the Season of the year 1791, when we entered into the Engage-
ment, the most of our work being Rocks to blow under water, and in many
Places the Stream so Rappid that the Stoutest of men could not Stand it
without Poles or braces to support them, and notwithstanding the Business
has not been done with the approbation of many Persons who think they
understand how it ought to be done better than the Commissioners who
reported Jany. 30th 1790 or the Present Agents, and have made much Clamour
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
123
against us for following their directions which we were Indispinsibly bound
to do. yet we find the Watermen begin to take our channels in many Places
and appro\ e thereof. We are therefore Persuaded in a Short time the Improve-
ments made by us will be generally acknowledged to be ^'ery Beneficial and
Usefull and Answer the Intention of the Legislature.
We only Wish a View may be had of the whole work as soon as convenient,
that if the Agents of Information may point out to us any further matters
to be done Necessary to compleat the Contract we may have an opportunity
to do it this fall
With the greatest Esteem & Respect
we ha^^e the Honor to be your hum-
ble Servants
R. B. (Richard Backhouse)
G. W. (George Wall)
From Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, For January, 1828,
Vol. I, Page 57
A TABLE
OF THE SEVERAL RAPIDS OR FALLS IX THE DELAWARE RI\ER
BETWEEN EASTON AND THE TIDE
Distance
below the
mouth of the
Lehigh in
Names of the Falls or Rapids miles
Trenton Falls 49
Gould's Rapids 46>^
Scudder's Rift 44
Knowle's Point Rift 39^
Buck Tail Rift 36>?
Well's Falls 35^
Greenbank Rift 32
Galloper's Rift 31 to 32
Howell's Rift 31 to 32
Bull's Falls 21 y2
Cutsow Rift 2S}4
Tumbling-dam Falls 24 to 25
Marshall's Island 21 to 23>^
Man of War Rift 20
Stuhl's Falls 18
Firman's Falls 17
Nockamixon Falls 14
Linn's Falls 12
Durham Falls 9}4
Gravelly Falls 8
Rocky Falls 7
Ground-hog's Rift 6
Old Sow Rift 5
Clifford's Rift 3K
Bixler's Rift l4
Head of Rapid
Length
Fall of each
abo\
•e tide
of each
Rapid in
water at
Rapid in
feet and
lowest tide in
feet
inches
feet an
d inches
3,500
9'
8"
9'
8"
3,000
4'
5"
16'
8"
2,500
4'
2"
24'
8"
500
3'
1"
33'
6"
500
1'
5"
36'
5"
4,780
12'
1"
49'
9"
500
1'
9"
58'
9"
1,500
7'
6"
68'
3"
1,500
7'
6"
68'
3"
800
4'
5"
72'
2"
1,000
3'
10"
85'
4"
5,000
11'
1"
89'
1"
1,000
11'
5"
100'
7"
500
1'
5"
102'
3"
350
1'
8"
107'
2"
700
3'
7"
110'
11"
1,700
4'
11"
117'
6"
2,300
7'
4"
127'
5"
350
2'
9"
130'
3"
1,500
1'
3"
133'
3"
2,000
2'
9"
136'
1"
1,700
1'
11"
138'
1"
750
2'
4"
145'
7"
2,000
5'
1"
150'
10"
2,000
7'
5"
160'
5"
124 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
REMARKS
Trenton Falls is a rapid of nearly uniform descent, with a crooked channel
and very rocky.
Gould's Rapids are composed of two rifts half-a-mile apart, with slower
and deeper water, or a semi-pool between.
Scudder's Rift is a uniform rapicf, quick at the head, ha\ing a bottom
of stone and gravel.
Knowle's Point Rift is a uniform deep rapid, with a bottom of stone,
gravel and rock.
Buck Tail Rift is composed of two rocky reefs, having deep water near
the Jersey shore.
Well's Falls has a bottom entirely of rock; loose rocks are scattered across
the river, with a crooked channel.
Greenbank Rift has a smooth gravelly bottom and presents \ery little
obstruction.
Galliper's and Howell's Rifts, although nearly a mile apart, are connected
together by a current not sufificiently quick to be called a rapid; it forms a
semi-pool and is deep and slow enough for steamboats.
Bull's Falls is a straight uniform rapid with a bottom of stone and gravel.
Cutsow Rift is composed of a flat reef of rocks extending across the river.
Tumbling Dam Falls are composed of separate reefs or steps of rocks
extending across the river.
Marshall's Island Rapids are principally of three separate rifts with a
semi-pool between them as exhibited on the chart, the water between the
rifts being sufficient for a steamboat.
Man of War Rift is a short shoal with a bottom of stone and gravel, pre-
senting little obstruction.
Stuhl's Falls is a uniform rapid with a bottom of stones and gravel.
Firman's Falls is a uniform rapid, having a bottom of smooth stones and
gravel.
Nockamixon Falls has a rocky bottom and crooked channel among large
rocks.
Linn's Falls has two rifts with a semi-pool between sufficient for steam-
boats, bottom of stone and gravel.
The head of Durham Falls is a short rocky rift on the Jersey side. Tlie
whole fall is smooth on the Pennsylvania side.
Gravelly Falls has a current forming a long curve over a bed of small
stone and gravel.
Rocky Falls has a short rift at the head; the remainder is a semi-pool
among large rocks.
Ground-hog Rift forms a long curved channel over a bottom of stones
and gravel.
Old Sow Rift is a uniform rapid with a bottom composed of smooth stones
and gravel.
Clifford's Rift is a uniform straight rapid with a bottom composed of
stones and gravel.
Bixler's Rift is a uniform straight rapid with a bottom composed of stones
and gravel.
IMPROVING NAVIGATIOX ON" THE DELAWARp: RIVER 125
In addition to the above named rapids are the following named "shallows"
where the water has little depth without sensible fall:
Limestone shallows 32>4 miles below the mouth of the Lehigh. These
shallows occur a short distance above New Hope and are not discernible
except at low water; they have 15" at low water.
Lowreytown shallows (Milford, N. J.) 16}4 miles below the mouth of the
Lehigh. This shallow is formed by a sand bar in the pool, through which a
channel is cut near the Pennsyhania shore.
Whippoorwill shallows 2y2 miles below the mouth of the Lehigh. This
is a small gravel bar at the head of an island of the same name near the Jersey
shore.
In addition to the above there are many shallow spots in the different
pools formed by sand bars or rocks lying near the surface.
Ferries on the Delaware River North of
Philadelphia County
The early mode of transportation over streams (not con-
sidering fords) was by canoe, by which the traveler, with his
saddle-bag, was carried across, while his beast swam behind,
and in like manner cattle of all kinds were obliged to ford or
swim over. The so-called river ferry followed the canoe and
bateau. The ferry boats were scow-shaped, i. e., built with
straight or "square" bows, alike at both ends. The bottoms
were flat with an upper or false bottom on which the cargo
rested. The angle of the ends was about the same as that of the
river bank on which the boat landed while loading and unloading.
Some boats were large enough to accommodate the largest stage
coaches with four or six horses.
We have no data at hand to show the sizes of ferry boats on
the Delaware, but they varied in size. "The Crown Inn," page
60, (Reichel 1872), contains the following memorandum for
building a ferry-flat, doubtless for the boat used at Bethlehem
on the Lehigh: "Length, 31^ feet. Breadth at the head, 7^
feet. Extreme breadth, 9 feet. Abaft the head, 7 feet 8 inches.
At the stern by a regular sweep from the extreme breadth, 7
feet 2 inches. Depth at highest part of sides, 24 inches. The
shear 2 inches, to flare 3 inches. The sides to be sawed 5 inches
thick at the bottom edge, and 3}4 inches at the top edge. The
head and stern posts, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches thick on the
front edge. The bottom planks to rabbet on 5 inches. The
bottom planks the whole length, and the cross plank the breadth
of the flat, the whole two inches thick."
126 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
The ferries on the Delaware below tide (that is, below Morris-
ville, Pa., and Trenton, N. J., where high tide ends) were doubt-
less propelled with oars and setpoles, and by sails when the wind
was favorable, while those above high tide, where there was a
current in the river, were equipped with two ropes or hawsers
attached to the scow, one at each end, which were attached to a
pulley or pulleys operating on hemp rope cables suspended over
the river above high water mark. In later years wire rope
cables were used. The boats were pointed up stream according
to the direction they were desired to travel, and were propelled
by the current of the stream impinging against their sides. ^^
All ferries where tolls were paid, were required to operate
under charters, but it appears that one, Elijah Bond, attempted
to defy the law, and began operating his ferry without such
license or patent, whereupon, on advice of the Attorney General,
the New Jersey Council in 1773, decreed that: "The ferries are a
franchise in the Crown, and that no person hath authority to
erect a ferry without first obtaining the royal grant. That
one Elijah Bond has usurped this prerogative of the Crown by
erecting a ferry in this Province at Nottingham, in the county
of Burlington, N. J., without any license or grant."
Although there had been earlier mail services in the American
colonies, the first regular system in Pennsylvania was inaugurated
by William Penn in 1683, when he granted: "to Henry Waldy
of Teconay authority to hold one (i. e., a post office and post
route) and supply passengers with horses from Philadelphia to
New Castle or to the Falls," and for which rates were fixed.
By royal patent of February 17, 1691, a new and more advanced
system was inaugurated in the American colonies, by the appoint-
ment of Thomas Neale, Esq., of England, as its head, com-
missioned with authority to establish post offices and post-
routes, "within the King's Colony and plantations in America."
Neale appointed Hon. Andrew Hamilton, Esq., Governor of
the Jerseys, as deputy postmaster general. By act of May 20,
1767, "All judges and clerks, with their servants, shall pass and
repass and shall be conveyed by all ferrymen of all the several
ferries within the Province, without paying ferriage, fee or
14 The charters required ferry ropes to be above high water, so as not to
interfere with rafts or navigation. One cable, howe\er, was placed under
water by Henry Quinn at or below Riegelsville. (See Bucks County Historical
Society papers, Vol. Ill, page 527.)
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 127
reward for the same." By act of November 27, 1700, the rates
of postage were readjusted with the further stipulation that no
tolls were to be collected by any ferry from mail carriers or their
horses or coaches. These were the beginnings of mail routes
and our wonderful post office system, with two cent postage
rates, and the rural delivery of mail to the homes of all through-
out the United States, and an air mail service established during
week of September 23-30, 1914, all with a gross revenue <^rom
all sources for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1927, amounted to
$683,121,988.64.
Delaware River Ferries
It has been found impossible, at this late day, to gather
complete data of these ancient ferries. Some of them spreading
over two centuries, covering the lives of several generations,
with many different owners for the same plant, and moreover
some of the records consulted are conflicting and sometimes
misleading. As a rule the ferries took the names of the parties
owning the land, but often of their operators or lessees, and
moreover with a different set of owners and operators on opposite
sides of the river. We therefore appreciate the fact that the
data herein presented are not complete, and that there must be
errors and omissions, but it is the best that could be produced
after a somewhat careful and painstaking effort. This primi-
tive mode of crossing the Delaware is almost a thing of the past,
as four ferries only remain. Two of them are operated privately;
all are between Delaware Water Gap and Milford, Pa. They
are referred to elsewhere in these notes.
The following data are intended to cover only the known
ferries on the Delaware within the County of Bucks and north
thereof to the head-waters of the river ending at Hancock, N. Y.,
and not those plying in the neighborhood of Philadelphia and
lower down the river.
(Watson's Annals, Vol. II, page 591, et seq. ; Colonial Records, Vol. I,
page 498; Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. II, page 57; Vol. VII, page
109, and N. J. Archives, Vol. XVIII, page 360.)
128 improving navigation on the delaware river
Ferries on the Delaware River Below Head of
High Tide
Dunk's Ferry — Three miles south of Bristol in Bucks
County, at the terminus of the Street road, near the mouth of
the Neshaminy Creek, opposite Burlington, N. J. This notable
ferry was established by Duncan Williamson, and named for
him, "Dunk," being a contraction of his given name. Although
there was an earlier ferry there, the first mention we find of it is
dated September 30, 1762, and again in 1764. In 1768 it was
leased to John Kidd. On December 25, 1776, the day previous
to the morning of Washington's attack on the Hessians at Tren-
ton, Gen. John Cadwallader made an attempt to cross the
Delaware, probably at Minnick's (later Bloomsdale) Ferry,
higher up the river, but owing to floating ice, he was obliged to
abandon his design, which was part of Washington's plan to
surprise the enemy at Mount Holly, N. J., and to cut off a
retreat of the Hessians from Trenton. On the evening at 8
o'clock all troops in and around Bristol marched to Dunk's
Ferry, three miles below Bristol, where they succeeded in cross-
ing the next day, and took part in the second battle of Trenton
and the battle of Princeton. This ferry is shown on a pen-drawn
map of the Delaware made by Reading Howell in 1783.^^ An
effort was made in 1851 to revive this ferry, w^hereupon the legis-
latures of both states passed an act incorporating the "Beverly &
Dunk's Ferrv Steamboat Company," which, after promising suc-
cess, was abandoned.
(New Jersey Archives, Vol. XXIV, pp. 85, 378; Vol. XXVI, page 20:
Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. I, pp. 11, 12, 105, 118; Vol. II, pp.
89, 249; History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, page 513; Colonial
Records, Vol. I, pp. 498, 513, 514; Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania,
page 158.)
Bristol-Burlington Ferry — Bristol is the oldest town (and
now, 1932, the largest borough) in Bucks County. It was first
called Buckingham, then New Buckingham, then New Bristol
and since 1714, Bristol. At a meeting of the Provincial Council,
June 10, 1697, it was designated as a market town to be laid out
1-^ A section of this map copied by Howell in 1792 is in the library of the
Bucks County Historical Society. Reading Howell was born in 1743 at
Amwell, Hunterdon County, N. J. He was city surveyor of Philadelphia,
and died November 26, 1827.
I.MPROMN(; NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RI\I-:R 129
in streets, "at the ferry against Burlington," indicating a ferry
there at an earlier day. The ferry crossed the Delaware south
of Burlington Island. According to Battle's History of Bucks
County (page 389), this ferry was established by Samuel Clift,
on his lands; and on his death, April, 1684, his executor, William
Biles, leased the ferry house for two years to Richard Hurst.
On November 27, 1700, Pennsylvania authorized a ferry "over
the Delaware River at or near the Falls to Burlington." This
act fixes the rate of tolls, and indicates an earlier ferry there. On
December 11, 1704, New Jersey granted a license to Christian
Snowden for a ferry from Burlington to Bristol. According to
General Davis' History of Bucks County: "A ferry across the
Delaware from Bristol to Burlington was first established by
the Provincial Council in 1709. A petition was presented by
John Sotcher, who owned the land on the Pennsylvania side, on
which the landing was to be. In 1724 an act of similar import
was passed by the New^ Jersey assembly, which fixed the rates
and prohibited all but licensed ferrymen acting, under a fine of
twenty shillings," * * * * "About 1729, Samuel Carey
petitioned to be granted the ferry from Burlington to Bristol."
General Davis doubtless intended to say that John Sotcher pre-
sented his petition in 1709; at any rate, a charter w^as not granted
to him until June 7, 1712, when there was granted: "At the town
of New Bristol, with John Sotcher of Pennsbury, Bucks County,
appointed to keep the ferry, for a term of seven years. "^"^ This
was confirmed by the Queen's Council, February 20, 1713-14.
It also appears that on April 22, 1721, a patent for a ferry from
Burlington to Bristol was granted to Thomas Hunloke, by the
New Jersey assembly. This ferry continued in operation with
various owners, until superseded by a steamboat ferry. The
time of starting the first steamboat cannot be definitely fixed,
but it appears to have been about 1862. The boats in service
successively were the "Sun," "Dayton," "Mercer" and the
"Elwood Doran." There was also, for many years, a line of
steamboats operating on the river between Philadelphia and
Bristol, but it was abandoned some years ago. The legislatures
of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have passed bills, approved
by the United States War Department, authorizing the building
16 See "Early History of Bristol," by General Davis, Bucks County His-
torical Papers, Vol. I, page 548.
130 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
of a bridge across the Delaware between Bristol and Burlington.
(See Bristol-Burlington Delaware River Bridge, page 181.)
(History of Bucks County, by General Davis, Vol. I, page 95, and Vol.
II, page 89; Colonial Records, Vol. I, pp. 513, 514; Statutes at Large of
Pennsylvania, Vol. II, pp. 76 and 429.
Minnick's Ferry, Later Bloomsdale Ferry — We have
no information as to when this ferry was first established, nor
when it was legally authorized. It was, however, one of the
earliest ferries on the Delaware. It was located on what is now
Landreth's seed farm (bought by David Landreth in 1847),
one mile above Bristol, Bucks County, crossing the river to
Burlington County, N. J. Originally called Minnick's Ferry,
named for Christian Minnick, its owner. Mr. Minnick was a
member of the Bucks County Committee of Safety, 1774-75-76.
He died in 1787. In 1795 the name was changed to Bloomsdale
Ferry.
General Davis, in his History of Bucks County (Vol. I, page
105), says that Aaron Burr, after killing Alexander Hamilton,
crossed over the Delaware to Bristol by this ferry. According
to the Trenton Federalist for Monday, July 30, 1804, he crossed
by the Lamberton Ferry, at Trenton to Bristol, enroute to Phila-
delphia. (See Lamberton Ferry, page 135, post). Ex-King
Joseph Bonaparte made two attempts to buy Bloomdale, before
purchasing "Point Breeze," at Bordentown, N. J., where he lived
from 1815 to 1839.
Hopkinson's Ferry — General Davis in his History of Bucks
County (Vol. I, page 71) says: "There was a Hopkinson's Ferry
on the Delaware, probably in Falls Township, but we cannot
vouch for it. Our attention was directed to it by an extract
from a letter, 4th month, 6th, 1820, giving an account of an
accident that happened to a party of four while crossing the
river on the ice, in a carriage, and breaking through. Two
were drowned, Esther Collins and Ann Edwards; the other two,
Henry Stocker and wife, were saved. The letter was written
by the widow of Stocker. This is the only time we have heard
of a ferry of that name on the Delaware."
(This ferry may have been named for the Hopkinson family, of Borden-
town, of whom conspicuous members were: Judge Francis Hopkinson, signer
of the Declaration of Independence and author of the "Battle of the Kegs,"
and his son. Judge Joseph Hopkinson, author of "Hail Columbia.")
IMPROVIN'G NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 131
BoRDENTOWN Ferry — From Falls Township, Bucks County,
to Bordentown, N. J., Scull's map of 1770, indicates this ferry
crossing to Bordentown, as Kirkbride's. Later maps show it
as Bordentown Ferry; they, of course, refer to different sides
of the river. The several acts, by which it was legalized, refer
to it as being "at the falls over the Delaware River at the landing
of Joseph Kirkbride," indicating, as stated elsewhere in these
notes, that "at the falls," "below the falls," etc., are general
terms, to which different ferries below the falls may be applied,
and not confined to the ferry at Morrisville, which is imme-
diately below the falls. On May 31, 1718, an act authorized a
ferry at the falls over Delaware River, at the landing of Joseph
Kirkbride, for a term of eleven years. This act fixes the rate
of tolls to be charged. On May 10, 1729, this grant was con-
tinued for an additional period of eleven years. On the same
day the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania confirmed this act as :
"An act continuing and establishing a ferry from the landing
place of Joseph Kirkbride, over the Delaware River, at the
falls." Underdatesof February Hand 18, 1771, Joseph Mitchell
advertised: "To be lett, the ferry at Bordentown, with boats
thereunto belonging and a good convenient home and garden
and two other lots." This doubtless refers to this ferry and
rights on the New Jersey side. On May 7, 1778, the home of
Col. Joseph Kirkbride ("a most ardent whig, and was actively
employed in collecting and forwarding recruits and provisions
to the army"), with several outbuildings and his Delaware River
ferry at "Belleview," opposite Bordentown, were burned by the
"navy" of General Howe. Bordentown is about six miles south
of Trenton. Joseph Kirkbride was a brother-in-law of Lang-
horn Biles.
(Bucks County Historical Society papers, page 383; Davis' History of
Bucks County, Vol. II, page 166; Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, \'ol.
HI, page 194, Vol. IV, page 128; Colonial Records, Vol. Ill, page 360; Xew
Jersey Archives, Vol. II, pp. 208, 217, Vol. XXIV, page 46, Vol. XX\"tI,
page 380; History of Burlington and Mercer Clunties, pp. 466, 472.)
Biles' Island Ferry— Crossing the Delaware from Falls
Township, Bucks County, to Hamilton Township, Mercer
County, N. J. Scott's Atlas of Bucks County indicates a ferry-
landing at the head of this island, about equidistant between
the Morrisville and Bordentown ferries, about three miles from
each. Biles' Island containing 300 acres, was purchased by
132 IMPROVIXG NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
William Biles for £10 from the Indians in 1680, which was con-
firmed, by a deed to his son bearing date March 19, 1729. Like
all other ferries below the head of tide, this one was doubtless
propelled with oars and set-poles, and when the wind was favor-
able by sails, and not by a cable system suspended over the river.
Morrisville-Trenton Ferries
There were three ferries on the Delaware between what is
now Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Trenton,
New Jersey. The first to be established was the one crossing
at the foot of Ferry Street, immediately south of the present
Lincoln Highway bridge, and known at various times as the
"Trenton Ferry," the "Old Ferry," the "Middle Ferry" and the
"l^pper Ferry." The second one to be opened was the Bond
Ferry at Lamberton, about one mile south of the Trenton Ferry,
and the third the "Beatty" or "Calhoun Street Ferry," above
the falls, and about one mile above the Trenton Ferry.
On June 10, 1697, the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania
granted to Joseph Chorley of Falls Township, the right to operate
a ferry from the Pennsylvania shore, which Warren S. Ely says
was for the ferry between Morrisville and Trenton, but which
General Davis, in his History of Bucks County, believes to have
been at Bordentown.
Trenton Ferry at Ferry Street — It has been found
difficult, from information at hand, to differentiate between the
Trenton ferries and those immediately south thereof, as the
terms Falls, Falls Township, Delaware Falls, Falls of Delaware
and Trenton Falls are early names often applied to the general
locality. General Davis says the Trenton Ferry at Ferry Street
was established by act of the Pennsylvania Assembly, May 31,
1718, "after there had been a ferry there three-quarters of a
century." This may possibly be the ferry referred to by Captain
Richard C. Holcomb as "A ferry across the Delaware at the Falls
which was licensed by the Court at Upland as early as 1675."
On February 7, 1726, the New Jersey Assembly granted the
exclusive use of the eastern or New Jersey shore, for a limited
time, for ferry purposes to James Trent, extending for two miles
above and two miles below the falls. This grant, therefore,
included the limits of the three ferries. In 1745 Thomas Hooten
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARK RIVER 133
is referred to as the keeper of this lower ferry. On January 31,
1753, Robert Lettis Hooper (Sr.) purchased a tract, known as
Trent Mills, with a ferry, from Hon. George Thomas of the
Island of Antigua, who had bought it from William and Anthony
Morris, of Philadelphia. On January 17, 1765, Hooper adver-
tised his gristmill and certain other property for sale, together
with his "Ferry known by the name of Trenton Ferry, with a
patent for same and all boats, etc., for carrying on the business."
On May 28, June 4 and July 3, 1770, he again advertised for sale
at public vendue, "The noted patent ferry, called Trenton Ferry,
in the County of Burlington, with boats and 442 acres of land
with improvements, extending down the river including the
fishery called Lamberton, now in the tenure of William Richards
at the head of tide-way, from whence shallops constantly ply to
and fro from Philadelphia." Shortly thereafter it was bought
by Daniel W. Coxe.
From the following advertisement, appearing in the Pennsyl-
vania Gazette, It appears that the Coxes owned two ferries on
the Delaware, one described as being twelve miles from Trenton
and thirty miles by road from Philadelphia. This must have
been in the neighborhood of what is now Moore's station, per-
haps reaching as far down as Titusville, Hopewell Township,
Mercer County, N. J., where Dr. Daniel Coxe, on March 30,
1688, bought a large tract from the Indians. The other one,
probably the Ferry Street Ferry at Trenton, also about thirty
miles from Philadelphia.
On April 1, 1761, the executors of Daniel Coxe (the fourth)
advertised to sell his plantation called "Bellemont," with 1,320
acres of land, having 1>^ miles of frontage on the Delaware,
"with a patent for a ferry over to the Pennsylvania shore."
And again on December 10, 1761, they offered, what is doubtless
subdivisions of the same tract, in two parcels, one called "Belle-
mont," whereon he had resided, with 640 acres of land and a
frontage on the Delaware of at least a mile. The other adjoining
on the south, separated from it by a creek, containing 507 acres
of land, with a river frontage of near a mile, "and is a patent
for a ferry, to which there is a road opening to Pennington,
and the land on the Pennsylvania shore is purchased for a ferry."
They are described as being 12 miles from Trenton and 30 miles,
by a good wagon road, from Philadelphia.
134 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
On September 26, 1770, Daniel Coxe (the fifth) advertised
to be let, the Trenton Ferry and Tavern, "on the Delaware,
near Trenton, 30 miles from Philadelphia, doubtless the Ferry-
Street Ferry. On January 3, 1776, he advertises for a tenant
to succeed Rensallear Williams at the lower ferry, and on May
6, 1776, Thomas Janney advertises the fact that he was in pos-
session of the ferry, "where Rensallear Williams formerly lived."
On July 10, 1776, Thomas Harvey, operating the new ferry on
the Pennsylvania side, entered into a controversy with Thomas
Janney, in re rates of tolls and other competitive conditions.
From this we learn that the Delaware, at that time, was 330
feet wider at the upper ferry than at the lower one, and that the
distance between them was about one mile.
On December 27, 1776, the day following the Battle of Tren-
ton, the British soldiers, out of revenge, burned the "elegant
home" of Daniel Coxe (the fifth) at the Trenton Ferry. This
was an unexplainable act, as he was known to have been an
objectionable Tory, whose property was later seized by the
Commissioner of Forfeited Estates, and sold at public outcry
on November 10, 1779.^'
On William S. Yard's map of Trenton, dated 1776, this ferry
on the Pennsylvania side is noted as "Blazing Star Ferry."
(Facing page 92 in Stryker's Battles of Trenton and Princeton.)
In 1772 Patrick Colvin bought a large tract of land, lying
on the Delaware, with a ferry, on the Pennsylvania side of the
river. The settlement was then called Colvin's Ferry. It was
here that Washington and his army crossed into Pennsylvania
December 8, 1776, and effected their escape from the pursuing
British. Colvin disposed of his property with the ferry in 1792,
but for twenty years from 1772 to 1792, the settlement was
known as Colvin's Ferry, and as such will go down in history
as having been in his possession during the entire period of the
Revolution. The name was not changed to Morrisville until after
Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution, bought property
and settled there. Morrisville was organized and chartered as a
borough in 1804.
The first through stage coaches between Philadelphia and
New York, were set up by John Butler in 1756. The stages
ran up and down on the Pennsylvania side, crossing at the Tren-
17 For Coxe Family, see New Jersey Archives, Vol. X, page 226.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 135
ton Ferry. This service continued until the river bridge was
opened for travel January 30, 1806.
(Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. I, page 71, Vol. II, pp. 163 to
169, 247, 253; Hall's History of Trenton Presbyterian Church, page 113;
History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, pp. 666, 816; New Jersey Archives,
Second Series, Vol. I, pp. 8, 96, 138, 154, 246, Vol. Ill, pp. Ill, 112; Vol.
XII, pp. 245, 697, Vol. XX, pp. 365, 492, 646, Vol. XXIV, page 471, and
Vol. XXVII, pp. 159, 274, 534; Louise Hewitt's Historic Trenton; Colonial
Records of Pennsylvania, Vol. I, page 514.)
Lamberton Ferry— Located below Trenton Falls, at Lam-
berton, now part of the city of Trenton, about two miles south
of the present Lincoln highway bridge. The New Jersey landing
was near the site of the present Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany's river bridge. The Pennsylvania end was owned by John
Thornton. In 1776 this ferry was in possession of Thomas
Harvey. This ferry is evidently a revival or a continuance of
the Bond Ferry, referred to on page 126 ante, which in June,
1773, Elijah Bond was operating without a license. It was
doubtless by this ferry that the American troops under Gen.
John Cadwallader attempted to cross the Delaware on Christ-
mas night of 1776, to form a junction with Washington in his
attack upon the Hessians, as the crossing at Ferry Street was
in possession of Daniel Coxe, a well-known British sympathizer.
In 1776 this ferry was taken over by Major William Trent, a
son of Colonel William Trent, who later advertised the ferry
together with 600 or 700 acres of land for sale.^^ At that time
it was designated by the Quartermaster's department of New
Jersey as a Continental Ferry, where men in active army service
might pass at reduced rates of ferriage. On September 25, 1780,
the Continental Ferry was transferred to the crossing at Ferry
Street, but on October 8, 1780, it was restored to the Lamberton
Ferry, but on May 30, 1781, Continental Ferry was again moved
back to Ferry Street.
It was at the Lamberton Ferry that Aaron Burr crossed
over into Pennsylvania after killing Alexander Hamilton in a
duel at Weehawken. N. J., on Wednesday, July 11, 1804, dying
the following day, July 12, in the city of New^ York. The
Trenton Federalist, under date of July 30, 1804, has this to say
concerning the movements of Aaron Burr:
18 New Jersey Gazette, September 16, 1778; New Jersey Archives, second
series, Vol. II, page 429, and History of Trenton, Chapter V, by William J.
Backes, page 266.
136 IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
"In the early part of last week, the man who has covered our country
with mourning, Col. Aaron Burr, passed through the state of New Jersey,
on his way to Philadelphia, where, we are informed, he had the hardihood to
make a public appearance by walking in the open streets in the face of day.
From Amboy he was carried by some friend to Cranberry, and thence con-
veyed in a light-waggon, crossing the Delaware at Lamberton ferry to Bristol
in Pennsylvania."
As the Trenton Delaware River Bridge was opened for
travel January 30, 1806, it is to be presumed that all ferries at
Trenton stopped operating about that time.
Trextox Ferrv at Calhoux Street — The upper Trenton
Ferry, crossing the Delaware between Morrisville, Bucks County,
to a point just above the Calhoun Street bridge, often referred
to as the Beatty Ferry. Its location was above Trenton Falls,
and therefore the first ferry on the river above high tide. This
ferry was doubtless established by George Beatty during the
early days of the Revolution. General Stryker refers to the
ferry boat from Beatty's Ferry having been taken up the river
and used by Washington in crossing the Delaware, Christmas
night of 1776. General Stryker also says that a few^ of the officers
and men returned from the battle of Trenton by the Beatty
ferry and some by the lower Trenton and Yardley ferries. A
notice in the Trenton Gazette, August 14, 1782, signed John Bur-
rows and George Beatty, refers to it as the "New Trenton Ferry."
On Howell's map of 1792, the property on the New Jersey side is
marked as belonging to Hooper. This is evidently the property,
then one mile above Trenton, now about where West State Street
and Prospect Street meet, called "Belville," formerly the home
of Sir John Sinclair, then of General Alexander (Lord Stirling),
then of Col. Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., where he died July 30,
1797; his wife, the widow of Sir Robert Erskine, having also
passed away there in 1796.'^ Later the property came into pos-
session of John Rutherford, who in 1802 advertised his tavern
and ferry-house to be let. In June, 1802, Mahlon Reed an-
nounced that he was attending the Rutherford Ferry, where the
public mail carriages and other stages crossed daily. Robert
I*' For Col. Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., see Pennsylvania Magazine of His-
tory, Vol. XXXVI, pp. 60, et seq.; Hall's History of Trenton Presbyterian
Church, pp. 113, 114; The Homes of George Taylor, Bucks County Historical
Society papers, Vol. \', pp. 113, et seq. Robert Lettis Hooper, Sr., died
April 30, 1785.
IMPROVIXG NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 137
Perkins was then in charge of the Pennsylvania side. In August,
1806, John Rutherford tried to sell his ferry together with two
ferry-houses. In 1822 he again tried to sell the ferry on both
sides of the river, but it remained in his possession certainly until
1845. The bridge which succeeded this ferry was opened for
travel in 1860. (For Calhoun Street bridge see page 169.)
(New Jersey Archives, Vol. XX, pp. 273, 366, 568; Davis' History of
Bucks County, Vol. II, page 166, and Bucks County Historical Society
papers, Vol. II, page 320. Historyof Trenton, Chapter V, page 269, by William
J. Backes.)
Yardley's Ferry — From Yardleyville. now Yardley, Bucks
County, Pa., to Greensburg, now Wilburtha, Mercer County,
N. J. Upon the death of Thomas Yardley in 1683, his son
Thomas established a ferry at this place, which was confirmed
to him by act of the Pennsylvania assembly. May 22, 1722,
to be kept by him for a term of fourteen years, "In Makefield
Township, Bucks County, upon lands of Thomas Yardley."
Makefield Township was divided in 1853 into Lower and Upper
Makefield. This ferry is in Lower Makefield. The Pennsyl-
vania Gazette of July 24-31, 1732, mentions one Warren Barr as
the person who "formerly kept the ferry above Delaware Falls
on the Jersey side." On March 1, 1729, there was advertised,
on the New Jersey side: "A house and ferry to be let on Dela-
ware above the Falls, commonly called Heath's Ferry. Enquire
of Thomas Gould or Francis Rowes." This refers to the Yardley
Ferry. There are two surveys of this ferry on file in the Sur-
veyor General's office at Burlington, one made November, 1730,
recorded to James Gould; the other of March, 1736, noting the
New Jersey side as Gould's Ferry and the Pennsylvania side
as "Yeardley's." The New Jersey Archives, under date January
3, 1765, refer to this ferry as Howell's Ferry, late Yardley's.
On Scull's map of 1770 it is marked Yardley's. General Davis
says (Vol. I, page 88) that this ferry was first built half-a-mile
below the river bridge, the boats landing opposite on the farm
of Jolly Longshore, that one Howell kept the ferry on the New
Jersey side, by reason of which it was often called Howell's
Ferry. ^^ General Stryker, in his "Battles of Trenton and Prince-
ton," frequently refers to this ferry on the New Jersey side as
Johnson's Ferry (pp. 109-110-117-145-207). On some maps it is
^0 See Vol. I, page 16, of the Bucks County Historical Society papers.
138 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
marked John's Ferry. Later the ferry was moved up the river
to the site of the bridge, where the "White Swan" tavern was
built. The settlement on the New Jersey side was called Greens-
burg, but was changed to Wilburtha in 1882, w^hen the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company changed the name of its station. In
like manner Yardleyville was changed to Yardley, when the
Bound Brook Division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
was opened and the town incorporated into a borough in 1893.
The ferry was discontinued in 1835, w^hen the river bridge was
opened for travel. (For Yardley bridge, see 170.)
(Battles' History of Bucks County, page 441; Colonial Records of Penn-
sylvania, Vol. Ill, page 166; Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, Vol. V,
pp. 375, 441; Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. Ill, page 318; New Jersey
Archives, Vol. XI, page 169, and Vol. XXIV, page 467; Bucks County His-
torical Society, Vol. II, page 16.)
McKoNKEv's Ferry — Although the McKonkey family
owned the ferry at Washington Crossing but three years, it will
always go down in history bearing their family name. The
Pennsylvania end was located immediately above the present
river bridge, in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County,
on a tract of land taken up in 1684 by Henry Baker, who estab-
lished the first ferry there, giving the place the name of Baker's
Ferry, by which it w^as known for nearly a century. Henry
Baker bequeathed that part of his real estate containing the
ferry to his son Samuel, w'hose executors advertised the planta-
tion of 600 acres, w-ith the ferry, to be sold at public vendue
on March 10, 1763. It was evidently bought by his son, Samuel
Baker, Jr., whose executors-, in turn, conveyed the property by
deed bearing date, December 5, 1774, to Samuel McKonkey.
The name was then changed to McKonkey's Ferry, which has
been made memorable in history as the place where General
Washington and his brave men crossed the Delaware on Christ-
mas night of 1776. Boats for the crossing were gathered from
all along the river, assembled and hid back of Malta Island
(later called Smith's Island), about one mile below New Hope.
While these boats included those of other ferries, history records
that the crossing was made mostly on Durham boats. Boats
of the Durham type could not well have been made part of the
ferry system, for, in fact, one or more ferry boats could not
have accommodated so large an army with its artillery and
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 139
Other equipment, even if more than one trip had been made.^^
This shows that while the crossing was made at the ferry, it was
not wholly by the ferry. All paintings and engravings of the
crossing show General Washington himself in a Durham boat
struggling with the ice.
The Wayne County Historical Society, in a publication by
its secretary, Edwin B. Callaway, records: "Ebenezer Taylor,
one of the early settlers of Damascus Township, had the dis-
tinction of plying his way up the Delaware River in the Durham
boat used by George Washington to make his famous and historic
trip across the Delaware during the Revolutionary War."
On March 21, 1777, Samuel McKonkey conveyed the ferry
with 146 acres of land to Benjamin Taylor. The name of the
place was then changed to Taylor's Ferry. It remained in the
Taylor family for man}^ years, and when the post olifice was
established there, February 11, 1829, it was called Taylorsville.
Hon. Samuel F. Gwinner in a paper read before the Bucks
County Historical Society (Vol. H, page 325) states that this
ferry was at one time known as Tomlinson's Ferry, probably
its New Jersey name.
On July 25, 1917, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed an
act creating the Washington Crossing Park Commission, author-
ized to improve the highways, preserve its old landmarks and
lay out a memorial park. On January 28, 1919, the name of
the village and post office were changed to that of W^ashington
Crossing. In 1895 the Bucks County Historical Society erected
on the Pennsylvania side, a granite monument to mark the
place of crossing. In 1927 the Commission moved this monu-
ment farther up the river, having by survey, found more nearly
the exact place of Washington's embarkment. On the same
day (October 15, 1895) the New Jersey Society Sons of the
Cincinnati unveiled a monument with a bronze tablet on the
New Jersey side, to mark the place of his landing.
^1 The army crossing at McKonkey 's Ferry, in addition to the officers,
with their horses, consisted of 2,400 selected soldiers with their rifles, 20 can-
non and howitzers. The embarkment began on Christmas Day at 8 P. M.,
and by 3 A. M. of the 26th the last trip with the artillery was landed on the
New jersey side. It took until 8 A. AI. to make the march of nine miles to
the British garrison at Trenton, twelve hours from the time of the first embark-
ment. On their return trip, by the same ferry on the same day, they brought
back with them as prisoners 1,000 of the 1,200 Hessians, together with their
rifles, si.x brass field pieces, ammunition, stores and eight flags.
140 IMPROVIXG NAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
There is very little data at hand, to show the different owners
of land on the New Jersey side. In early years it was known
as Eight Mile Ferry and then later as Bernardsville Ferry.'" The
location was in the present township of Hopewell, Mercer County.
On May 12, 1768, Henry Margerum advertised a plantation of
100 acres of land "anciently known as Parmer's Ferry, in Hope-
well Township, eight miles from Trenton." This distance corre-
sponds with that between Trenton and Washington Crossing.
General Davis, in his History of Bucks County, says this ferry
was for years known as Vessel's Ferry; he must refer to the
New Jersey side. On a map accompanying the Pennsylvania
Archives (Vol. I, Third Series), published about 1791, this
ferry is laid down, on the New Jersey side, as Harvey's Ferry.
In 1914 the State of New Jersey created the Washington
Crossing Park Commission, which has laid out a park and
roads, marked the old buildings and otherwise improved condi-
tions on that side of the river. There is a movement on foot
to get an appropriation from the Congress of the United States
for replacing the present bridge with an elaborate memorial
bridge. The ferry was shut down when the bridge was opened
for travel in 1834. (For Washington Crossing bridge, see page
171.)
(Bucks County Historical Society papers, \'ol. I, page 465, and Vol. II,
page 316; Historical Collections of New Jersey, page 262; New Jersev Archives,
Vol. XXIV, page 113, and Vol. XXVI, page 333.)
Beaumoxt's Ferry — (Marked Blue-mounts on some maps).
Located at what is now Brownsburg, formerly Pebbletown, a
little less than one mile north of Knowles Creek in Upper Make-
field Township, Bucks County, midway between New Hope
and Washington Crossing, about 3^4 miles from each place.
This ferry and the roads leading to it from Wrightstown and
Washington's headquarters at the Keith House, played an
important part in Washington's Trenton and other New Jersey
campaigns.^' The Beaumont family owned about 600 acres
22 Historical Collections of New Jersey, by Barber & Howe, page 261.
2-5 Washington's headquarters at the Keith House was about two miles
west from the Delaware, and those of his trusty generals were nearby, all
near the southern base of Jericho Hill. Knowles Creek (sometimes erro-
neously called Baker's Creek), south of Jericho Mountain, is the northern
boundary of Penn's first purchase of land from the Indians in Bucks County,
made July 15, 1682, by William Markham, before the arrival of William
Penn. A marker has been set up on the south side of this creek, setting forth
this fact. Knowles Eddy, or Knowles Cove, is at the mouth of this creek.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAV^ARE RIVER 141
of land at that place, extending from the Solebury Township
line at Bowman's Hill to below Brownsburg. In 1797 John
Beaumont sold 102 acres, including the ferry, to Samuel Opdyke,
who also kept the hotel at the ferry. It then became known
as Opdyke's Ferry, and is so indicated on a map of New Hope,
dated 1798, reproduced by General Davis in his History of
Bucks County. The settlement bore the name of Pebbletown
down to 1827, when the property with its hotel and ferry came
in possession of Stacy Brown, who was instrumental in having
a post office established there, called Brownsburg, in his honor,
and by which name it has since been known. The New Jersey
ferry landing was in Hopewell Township, Mercer County, at
or near where Moore station of the Pennsylvania Railroad now
stands. In his report to President Wharton, on the fords of
the Delaware, Benedict Arnold refers to this ferry as Petit's.
As shown on page 133, ante, the Daniel Coxe estate advertised
for sale, a tract of land in Hopewell Township, of 1,320 acres
in 1761, and again in 1770, with a river frontage of one and
one-half miles, to which there was attached a ferry patent,
stating that they had an option on land in Pennsylvania for a
ferry landing; this was doubtless prior to the erection of a ferry
there. The New Jersey Archives refer to Horn's Ferry as
being near Coryell's, which may refer to this ferry on the New
Jersey side.
(Buck's History of Bucks County, pp. 35, 36, and Appendix of same,
page 18; Battle's History of Bucks County, page 443; Davis' History of
Bucks County, Vol. 1, pp. 294, 466; New Jersey Archives, Vol. XXV, page 202.)
Coryell's Ferry — This ferry operated on the Delaware
between New Hope, Bucks County, and Lambertville, N. J.
Frequent mention is made of this ferry as a place of crossing the
river during Washington's campaign on the Delaware. As its
history and the settlements, on both sides of the river, together
with the property owners, have been the subject of numerous
papers by historians, it seems unnecessary to repeat them in
this brief notice. I beg leave, however, to call special attention
to the papers by Capt. Richard C. Holcomb, published in Volume
V of the Bucks County Historical Society; and the brochures
by Miss Hannah Coryell Anderson, entitled "General Washing-
ton at Coryell's Ferry," and by Miss Margaret W. Ely, entitled
"Early History of New Hope."
142 IMPROVING NAVIGATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
This, like all ferries on the Delaware, took the names of its
respective owners from time to time, but it is best known in
history as Coryell's Ferry, by reason of bearing that name during
our war for independence. John Wells bought land on the
Pennsylvania side, June 26, 1717, and is said to have established
a ferry service there about that time. The ferry was located a
little below the site of the river bridge, where the Ferry Tavern
(since 1827 the Logan House) stands, and about half-a-mile
above the head of Wells Falls, which are 4,780 feet long, and
were named for him. The legal right to operate this ferry
was first vested in John Wells by act of the Pennsylvania assem-
bly, May 22, 1722, for "a ferry to be erected and settled in Sole-
bury in the County of Bucks, over the Delaware River to New
Jersey." This act fixes the rate of tolls to be charged. His
license was for a term of seven years, during which time no
other ferry could operate within a limit of two miles above and
two miles below. "Except Thomas Canby, his heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, for the use of themselves and their
mill." It appears that John Wells was favored with a con-
tinuance of his license, during the pleasure of the Governor,
and that on February 12, 1733, a renewal was granted him, with
certain restrictions, for an additional period of seven years. On
October 29, 1745, Benjamin Canby succeeded John Wells as
proprietor of the ferry, and on the death of Canby in 1748, it
came into possession of George Ely, of Amwell, N. J., who had
married the widow of Emanuel Coryell. Ely had the distinction
of having operated the ferry and taverns on both sides of the
river. On January 2, 1751, David Kinsey, who had married
the widow of Benjamin Canby, supplanted George Ely. After
the death of Mrs. Kinsey (widow^ of Benjamin Canby) in 1760,
the ferry property was sold and came into possession of John
Coryell. John Coryell became financially embarrassed, and in
1782 the ferry was sold by Samuel Dean, Sheriff of Bucks County,
to John Beaumont, who owned it but a few years. A fire in
1790 caused the name on the Pennsylvania side to be called
New Hope. In 1805 a post office was established there, and in
1837 it was incorporated into a borough.
On the New Jersey side, Emanuel Coryell, on April 30, 1726,
applied for a license for John Coates to keep a ferry on that
side, opposite W^ells' Ferry. In 1728 he sold out to John Purcell,
IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX OX THE DELAWARE RIVER 143
who, in turn, in 1732, sold it to Emanuel Coryell, whose legal
right was confirmed to him, January 7, 1733. Emanuel died
in 1748. In 1764 John Coryell, son of Emanuel, obtained a
license for the New Jersey side. On November 1, 1766, the
ferry, with certain lands in NeW' Jersey, then in possession of
Robert Grant, late the property of Abraham Coryell, was seized,
as the property of George Ely, and sold by the sheriff of Hunter-
don County. On the death of John Coryell, the property was
adjudged to his son, Abraham Coryell, who advertised for sale:
"The noted ferry on the Delaware on the Jersey shore, called
Coryell's Ferry, with 75 acres of land," at public vendue on
March 15, 1779. The first stages over the Old York Road
crossed at this ferry, September 26, 1769. As shown by an
advertisement in the Pennsylvania Chronicle, the New Jersey
shore, in 1770, was in possession of Donald McDonald.
The town name of Coryell's Ferry on the New Jersey side
was changed to that of Lambertville in 1814, when the Hon.
John Lambert, United States Senator, for whom it was named,
secured a post office there. The town was incorporated in 1849.
The ferry stopped operating in 1814, when the river bridge was
opened for travel. (For New Hope-Lambertville bridge, see
page 171.)
(History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, pp. 266, 270; New Jersey
Archives, Second Series, Vol. HI, page 90, Vol. XXV, page 225; Statutes at
Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. Ill, page 316, and Pennsylvania Archives, Third
Series, Vol. I, page 27.)
Cextre Bridge Ferry— So named because it was midway
between New Hope and Lumberville, about three miles and a
half from each place. Crossing from Centre Bridge, Bucks
County, Pa., to what was later Stockton, Hunterdon County,
N. J. The town was first called Stockton in 1852 when the post
office was first established there. It was first called Reading's
Ferry, soon after 1700, for Col. John Reading, a Jerseyman, who
owned the ferry and lands on the New Jersey side. In 1711
he was instrumental in having the Old York Road laid out,
beginning at his ferry, at what is now Centre Bridge, on lands
of Barzillian Foster, where the terminus of the road was located
for several years, and then changed to Coryell's Ferry. After
his death in 1717, it appears that his ferry operations were
suspended, and the public road allowed to become overgrown
144 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
with weeds. In or about 1731, Capt. Daniel Howell, son-in-law
of Col. John Reading, reopened the ferry, but the terminus of
the Old York Road remained at Coryell's Ferry. On Scull's
map of 1770, it is indicated as Howell's Ferry, while on the
map of 1776-77, accompanying Marshall's Life of Washington,
it is marked Robinson's Ferry. It is also marked Robinson's
Ferry on the Pennsylvania side and Hart's Ferry on the New
Jersey side on "The American Atlas," published in 1796 by
John Reed of New York. Later the land on the Pennsylvania
side became the property of William Mitchell, from whom the
place took the name of Mitchell's Ferry, and it is so marked on a
map of 1798, reproduced by General Davis in his History of
Bucks County, Vol. I, page 294. The lands and ferry interests,
on both sides of the river, were conveyed to the newly chartered
bridge company, viz.: that on the Pennsylvania side by William
Mitchell on March 29, 1813, and that on the New Jersey side
by Joseph Howell and Susanna, his wife, on July 16, 1813.
The ferry was abandoned after the bridge was opened for
travel in 1814. (For Center Bridge, see page 172.)
(See papers by Captain Holcomb, Bucks County Historical Society, Vol.
V, pp. 584 and 650; History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, pp. 266,
270.)
LuMBERTON Ferry — -From Lumberton, Solebury township,
Bucks County, Pa., later called "Hard Times," and so marked
on the survey of the Delaware Division Canal in 1828, to Dela-
ware township, Hunterdon County, N. J., at a landing about
three-fourths of a mile south of Bull's Island, now Raven Rock,
railroad station. In early days the surrounding lands on the
Pennsylvania side of the river were owned by Stophel Rose,
which subsequently came in possession of his son, John Rose.
The ferry was then known as Rose's Ferry. William Skelton
purchased from John Rose, that part of the tract containing
the ferry, which he sold to John Kugler, August 13, 1771, reserv-
ing a right for a landing. John Kugler continued to reside there
until 1782. He and his wife Susanna were attainted of treason
for having "harbored spies for the British army, concealing
prisoners and aiding in their escape to the enemy." They were
both on April 6, 1780, committed to the Bucks County jail at
Newtown, but on June 10, 1780, were released on bail of £15,000
each, and not permitted to operate the ferry, by means of which
IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 145
they had carried on a traitorous ccjrrespondence. This led
John Kugler to sell the property in 1782 to George Warne.
After Warne's death in 1792 his executors sold the property to
Joseph Hart for £1,300. It then became known as Hart's
Ferry, and is so indicated on the map of 1776-77 accompanying
Marshall's Life of Washington. On the map accompanying
Reading Howell's survey of the Delaware River in 1783, the
Pennsylvania side is noted as Warne's Ferry and the New Jersey
side as Thome's Ferry. On a map published in 1811 the settle-
ment on the New Jersey side is called Saxtonville, and the ferry
Saxton's Ferry. Reuben Thomas and Jacob Painter became
the owners in April, 1796. It then became known as Painter's
Ferry. Painter died in July, 1805, after which his property
was sold to Joseph Kugler. In 1816 it was bought by John
Gillingham. This ferry was discontinued after the toll bridge
was opened in 1835. Lumberville, one mile farther up the
river, was known as Wall's Landing as late as 1814, when the
name was changed to Lumberville. We have no record of a
ferry at that landing.
(Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. I, page 287, and William J. Buck's
History of Bucks County, pp. 60, 61, 70.)
Point Pleasant Ferry— From Point Pleasant, Bucks
County, Pa., to what is now Byram station (until 1882 called
Point Pleasant) on the Pennsylvania Railroad in Kingwood
Township, N.J. This ferry was granted to Matthew Hughes on
August 23, 1739. It was located immediately on line of his
property and that of Enoch Pearson, which resulted in a com-
plaint laid before the Board of Property for Pennsylvania, which
decided that Hughes should 'pay Pearson at the rate of forty
shillings per acre for land encroached upon.
In 1740 Pearson conveyed his land with ferry to Daniel
Dawson, who, by will, in 1744, devised it to his son, Daniel
Dawson, Jr., and his daughter, Mary, wife of John Thompson.
Thompson became the sole proprietor in 1747, and in 1748 he
conveyed it to John White. White conveyed seven-eighths
interest, on the same day, to seven of his neighbors, and these
eight men formed the Cave Bank Fishery Company. This
has always been one of the best shad fisheries on the river above
tide. This ferry is shown on Reading Howell's map as Blacks.
It is also indicated on his pen-drawn map of the survey of the
146 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
Delaware River in 1783, but does not appear on either of the
Scull maps. Black gave the name of Lower Blacks Eddy to that
village, which was a popular place for rafts to tie up for the night.
A post office was granted in 1821. called Lower Blacks Eddy, on
the south side of the Tohickon Creek, but when removed to the
north side in 1828, Joseph Hough was appointed postmaster
and the name was changed to Point Pleasant. In 1832 John F.
Youngken was postmaster. The ferry continued in operation
until the bridge was opened for travel in 1835. (For Point
Pleasant bridge, see page 174.)
("The Early History of Point Pleasant," by Warren S. Ely, to be pub-
lished in Vol. VI, of the Bucks County Historical Society papers. Pennsyl-
vania Archives, Third Series, Vol. I, page 107.)
Frenchtown Ferry — This is an ancient ferry and may
have been established as early as 1699, when the London Land
Company made its first purchase of land in Tinicum Township,
covering five miles of river front. The first recorded account
of it, now at hand, dates back to 1741, when it is noted as London
Ferry, located on the Pennsylvania shore, below the present river
bridge, in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pa., between
the present towns of Uhlerstown and Erwinna, and crossing
thence over to Frenchtown, N. J. It is also noted on Scull's
maps of 1759 and 1770 as London Ferry. On the latter map
the New Jersey settlement is noted as Sunbeam. On December
10, 1761, the New Jersey side was in possession of David New-
berry. On October 18, 1764, it is referred to as Mechlenburgh
Ferry, kept on the Pennsylvania side by John Tinbrook, and
on the New Jersey side by Daniel Pigmore. On Reading Howell's
map of 1792, the present borough of Frenchtown is marked
Alexandria. On April 1, 1768. William Pidgeon (a lawyer of
Nottingham, Burlington County. N. J.) bought two tracts of
land in Tinicum Township, aggregating 529 acres, at sheriff's
sale as the property of Richard Stevens, which he advertised
for sale, saying that the ferry was on one of the tracts, and in
possession of John Tinbrook. Col. Arthur Erwin became the
purchaser of both tracts, deed dated March 16, 1769, and no
doubt the ferry was known as Erwin Ferry from that time
until the property passed out of the Erwin family. (See Deed
Book, Vol. 13, page 37.) The earliest mention of a ferry on the
New Jersey side is in the proceedings of the Provincial Council,
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 147
of that State, under date of June 7, 1753, when there was granted :
"A patent to Mrs. Ann Pidgeon for a ferry over the Delaware
River, at a certain place or creek's mouth, falling into the said
river, and know^n by the Indian name of Nickisakawick, being
on the lands of said Ann Pidgeon, situate in Kingwood, County
of Hunterdon, and so along the shore for half-a-mile above and
half-a-mile below the said creek's mouth." The History of
Hunterdon County, page 428, in referring to a document, dated
August 24, 1759, refers to the New Jersey side as Calvin's Ferry.
The New Jersey Archives (Second series. Vol. I, page 475) says
that General Howe crossed Sherod's Ferry (at Frenchtown)
on Thursday morning, October 2, 1777, after the Battle of
Brandywine. On Erskine's map, on file in the New York His-
torical Society, used by the Continental army, 1778-80, this
crossing is noted as Sherrerd's Ferry. In 1808 it was called
Prevost's Ferry. Abandoned in 1844, when the river bridge
was opened for travel. (For Frenchtown bridge, see page 175.)
(New Jersey Archives, Vol. XVI, page 429; Vol. XX, page 646; Vol.
XXIV, page 438, and Vol. XXVI, page 135. For William Pidgeon see Hall's
History of Trenton Presbyterian Church, page 246.)
MiLFORD, N. J., Ferry — From Upper Blacks Eddy, Bucks
County, Pa., to Milford, Hunterdon County, N. J. Upper
Blacks Eddy is now in Bridgeton Township, erected in 1890
out of part of Nockamixon Township, Bucks County. There
is no reliable data at hand to show w^hen this ferry w^as established.
A ford was used for crossing before the ferry was built. The
settlement on the Pennsylvania side, called Upper Blacks Eddy,
was a most desirable place for raftmen to tie up for the night.
This is the longest eddy on the river, and was usually crowded
with rafts during the spring flood rafting season. A post office
was established there in 1830.
The earliest record at hand of the New^ Jersey side is a copy
of a survey, about 1757, by Elisha Emley, which indicates a
sawmill on the Wissahawken Creek, about 200 feet from its
mouth at the Delaware. Later a gristmill was built farther up
the creek, which, in 1769, when the property of Col. John Reid,
was destroyed by fire. This gave the settlement the name of
Burnt Mills.
In 1798 Col. Thomas Lowrey bought 333 acres of land in
and around what is now the town of Milford, including the
148 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
site of the burnt mill, and during the following years 1799-1800,
erected a gristmill by the riverside, to which shortly thereafter
he added a sawmill. The place was then called Lowreytown,
arid the ferry Lowreytown Ferry. In 1803 the name was per-
manently changed to Milford, and the ferry to Milford Ferry.
There is a tradition that, although the ferry was established
prior to 1803, the town was named for the ferry, a combination
of the words Mill and Ford. When the river bridge was opened
for travel in 1842, the ferry was shut down. (For Milford
bridge, see page 175.)
(History of Hunterdon County, pp. 427, 429, and History of the Lowrey
Family in The Jerseyman, pp. 21 to 26.)
Monroe Ferry — From Monroe (later Lehnenburg), Durham
Township, Bucks County, Pa., to Holland Township, Hun-
terdon County, N. J. Some historians claim that this ferry was
established when the charcoal blast furnace was started at the
village of Durham in 1727. This is certainly wrong; there is
no documentary or other evidence to warrant that assumption,
and moreover the road from the furnace to Monroe was not
indicated on the Durham Furnace map of 1773. What is now
the village of Monroe, on the Pennsylvania side, was first devel-
oped by Thomas Pursell, when he bought Tracts Nos. 12 and
13 of the Durham Furnace lands. Tract No. 13, on which the
ferry was located, was bought by him, January 1, 1786, and the
river ferry was doubtless built shortly thereafter. The settle-
ment was then called Pursell's Ferry until 1807; from 1807 to
1820 as Romig's Ferry; from 1820 to 1839 as Fackenthal's
Ferry, and after that during the remainder of its life as Johnson's
Ferry. The name of the village was, however, changed to that
of Monroe, December 3, 1823, when a post office of that name
was established there. It was so named in honor of President
James Monroe, through the influence of Michael Fackenthal,
Sr., who was one of his admirers, and for whom, in 1816, he had
been one of his presidential electors.
When the Belvidere Delaware Railroad was completed to a
point opposite this ferry in 1853, a flag station was located there,
called Holland, which was maintained for several years, and
then discontinued. The present Holland railway station about
two miles farther south is doubtless the direct successor of the
one at the ferry. The compiler of these notes recollects, when a
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DKLAWARP: RIVER 149
small boy in the early sixties, of seeing this ferry in operation.
On March 19, 1810, a charter was granted for a bridge at Monroe,
then called Romig's Ferry, for which subscription books were
opened in February, 1813, but for some unexplained reason it did
not materialize.
(5 Smith's Laws, page 111, and Advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette,
February 6, 1813.)
Durham Cave Ferr\— Located on the river bank imme-
diately in front of the Durham cave in Durham Township,
Bucks County, Pa., to Holland Township, Hunterdon County,
N. J. There is no record at hand to show when this ferry was
first established. Some local historians date it back to 1727,
W'hen the old charcoal blast furnace at Durham was first started,
but there is no documentary or other proof of any kind to sustain
that assumption. There was, in fact, no need of a ferry by the
furnace company at that early day, as the output of their plant
was shipped down the Delaware by Durham boats. And
moreover the exclusive ferry grants to David Martin in 1739,
for a period of seven years, included both sides of the Delaware
from one mile above Easton to Tinicum Island, below French-
town, N. J. The beginning of this ferry doubtless dates from
about 1742, or when the first forges were built on the Mus-
conetcong Creek in New Jersey. It is sometimes referred to
as Stillwell's and sometimes as Brink's Ferry.
The original charcoal furnace was located about two miles
west from the Delaware, on the Durham Creek at the village
of Durham. The Pennsylvania State Historical Commission
has expressed a desire to place markers at the side of this old
1727 blast furnace, and at the Mansion House nearby the
furnace site to mark the home of George Taylor, where he lived
on August 2, 1776, when he signed the Declaration of Independ-
ence.
Durham Furnace Ferry — This might properly be called a
successor of the Durham Cave Ferry, as it crossed the Delaware
at about the same place, but there was an interval of a century
between them.
When the new and enlarged blast furnace at Durham was
put in operation, a more pretentious ferry system was built,
with wire rope cables and a large top-deck boat for carrying
iron ore and other supplies over the river to the works, and to
150 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
take back pig iron and castings. The first boat was launched
February 16, 1877. It was 50 feet long, with a capacity of
five small narrow gauge cars, to which the stock was transferred.
The cars had a capacity of 2>^ tons each, making a load of
\2y2 tons of raw material on each trip. On May 10, 1879, a
much larger boat was put in commission, with two standard
gauge tracks thereon, carrying four large standard railroad
cars on each trip. Standard gauge tracks were put down
from the river on the New Jersey side, to connect with the
Pennsylvania Railroad (Belvidere Delaware Division), where
the Railroad Company had put in sidings to accommodate
about 100 cars, and simliar standard gauge tracks were put
down on the Pennsylvania side, from the river to connect with
the ramification of tracks through the stock houses and around
the plant. This was a primitive way of supplying the furnace
with stock and shipping its output, but it served the purpose,
although its operation was often interrupted by high water,
and sometimes by ice. In 1896 the Quakertown & Eastern
Railroad was completed as far as the Durham furnace, when
the ferry was no longer required, and it was then abandoned.
When the Bucks County Historical Society met at Durham
Furnace in 1885, the party arriving, by special train, from
Lambertville and other points south, was transferred at the
New Jersey siding, to low-sided freight cars, fitted with seats,
which were ferried over the river into the works, landing near
the manager's house, where lunch was served on the lawn,
they inspected the works, some going to the mines, after which
they were conducted to the Durham cave, where the meeting
for reading and discussing papers was held. A half tone engrav-
ing, showing the arrangement of seats in the mouth of the cave,
is presented herewith.
In like manner members of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers, who were holding their meeting. May, 1886, at
Bethlehem, Pa., were brought down to the New Jersey siding
by special train, ferried over the river, given lunch on the lawn
of the manager's house, after which a business meeting was held
in the mouth of the Durham cave. At the close of the meeting
they were transferred to canal scows, drawn by mules, and
taken down the canal, past the Nockamixon palisades, taking
their special train at Milford, N. J., back to Bethlehem. This
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON Till-: DKLAWARE KIVRR
151
train was run under direction of the superintendents of the
Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania Railroads, both of whom were
present at the meeting. Etchings of the engineers and their
friends, photographed in the mouth of the cave, and of their
embarking on the boats for their trip down the canal, are shown
herewith.
Henry Quinn Ferry — From Durham Township, Bucks
County, Pa., to Holland Township, Hunterdon County, N. J.
This Avas a private ferry and therefore not required to have a
DURHAM CAVE
Showing seats and platform, as arranged for meeting of the Bucks County Historical Society
.Tuly 28, 188.5. The stairs lead up to "Queen Esther's Drawing Room." The
.American Institute of Mining Engineers held a session in this cave.
May 20. 1886, using the same seats and platform.
license. The Pennsylvania end was located close within the
southern boundary of what is now the incorporated borough of
Riegelsville. On the Pennsylvania side Quinn had installed an
incline plane, with car and windlass to haul the cargo from
his ferry boat up the river bank to the towing path of the Dela-
ware Division Canal. The New Jersey end was at his mills,
just below Durham Rapids (2 ft. 9 in. fall in 350 feet), where
he had built a wing-wall dam in the river to supply power for
operating his mills. This ferry operated only during naviga-
152 IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
tion season on the canal, and unlike any other ferry on the river,
at that time, was equipped with a low-down rope cable attached
to eye bolts leaded in rocks on both sides, with pulleys attached
to both ends of his scow, which w-as propelled by pulling it
back and forth across the river. The eye bolt on the Pennsyl-
vania shore can still be seen. This ferry was built by Mr. Quinn
to ship the product of his mills by canal, and continued in
operation until his mills were destroyed by fire in 1849. The
sawmill w'as rebuilt by other parties, and continued in operation
until about 1900, when it was permanently abandoned.
(Bucks County Historical Society Papers, Vol. Ill, page 526.)
RiEGELSViLLE Ferry — From Riegelsville, Bucks County, Pa.,
to what is now Riegelsville, Warren County, X. J. In 1773,
w^hen the then owners of the Durham Iron Works, divided
their real estate by deed of partition, they had a survey and
map of the property made. On this map there is laid down a
road from the furnace at the village of Durham, following the
Durham Creek, to the Delaware River, terminating on the
north side of the creek, near the mouth of the Durham cave,
and there the early ferry was located. It was over that road
that the Durham Iron Works hauled its product for shipment
by Durham boats, and is the only road shown on that plan
leading through to the Delaw-are River, clearly indicating that
there was no ferry at Riegelsville at that time. By this deed
of partition, Tract No. 32, containing 258^ acres, w^as allotted
to Hon. James Hamilton, erstwhile Lieutenant Governor of
Pennsylvania, and in 1771, president of the Provincial Council.
This tract extends from the apex of the hill back of Riegelsville
for nearly a mile to the Delaw-are, its northern boundary passing
through the center of the present Main Street. On April 21,
1774, Hamilton conveyed this tract to Wendel Shenk, a black-
smith, of Williams Township. About that time a road was
laid out along the northern boundary of the Shenk tract, con-
necting at the western base of the hill w^ith the before men-
tioned creek road, and extending to the Delaw'are. Shenk
located his farm buildings and blacksmith shop, on the river
bank, about where the Boyer buildings now stand, and there
he established his ferry, which continued in his possession and
that of his brother, Anthony Shenk, for some years, giving to
IMPROVING NAVIGATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER 153
the settlement the name of Shenk's Ferry, and by that name it
was known until April 9, 1806, when Benjamin Riegel, a stone
mason (but later known as Benjamin Riegel, farmer), bought
the greater part of the tract, and with it the ferry, and thereafter
the place was called Riegelsville, and the ferry, on the Pennsyl-
vania side, Riegel's Ferry. In the division of the Durham lands,
that part on which the blast furnace, forges and mines were
located, was partitioned to Joseph Galloway and his wife, nee
Grace Growdon. From the Galloways, George Taylor (a signer
of the Declaration of Independence) leased the plant from 1773
to 1778. Taylor was also interested in the operation of the
Chelsea and Greenwich forges on the Musconetcong Creek in
New Jersey, and used Shenk's Ferry for interchange of product,
as did also the Backhouse administration from 1779 to 1794.
Prior to the building of Shenk's Ferry the interchange was
doubtless made by the ferry at mouth of Durham Creek. The
New Jersey landing was immediately north of the Musconetcong.
On that side of the river the ferry took the name of the property
owners, thus it was known as Hunt's Ferry till 1786, Watring's
Ferry from 1786 to 1808, Leidy's Ferry from 1808 to 1828, and
as Riegel's Ferry from 1823 until the river bridge was opened
for travel in 1837. On the. completion of the Belvidere Dela-
ware Railroad (now part of the Pennsylvania system) to Riegels-
ville in 1854, the station was named Riegelsville. The post
office was called Musconetcong, N. J., but was changed to
Riegelsville, N. J., July 6, 1876. (For Riegelsville bridge, see
page 176.)
Raubsville Ferrv — From Raubsville, Northampton County,
Pa., to Carpentersville, Warren County, N. J. There were
two ferries here at different times and at different landings.
The first crossing just below "Old Sow" Island to a point
immediately below the present Carpentersville station of the
Pennsylvania Railroad. There is no reliable data to show
when this ferry was first put in service. It appears that there
was a public highway across New Jersey at an early day, with
an outlet to this ferry, and a highway on the Pennsylvania side
leading westwardly two and one-half miles to connect with
the Durham Road (sometimes called the Philadelphia Road).
It is said the ferry was set up as early as 1805, or about the
154 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
time the first hotel was built by Peter Raub, which gave the
settlement the name of Raubsville. There was no other outlet
from the ferry at that time, as the river road was not officially
laid out until 1817. When the canal was dug through Raubs-
ville in 1829 the alignment of the river road was somewhat
changed.
The survey of the Delaware Division Canal on file at Harris-
burg, bearing date 1827, shows a ferry on the river at the southern
end of "Ground Hog" island, opposite a hotel then owned by
Godfrey Raub. As that hotel was built in 1812, it can be pre-
sumed that the ferry was erected shortly thereafter, probably in
1817 when the river road was laid out. This old stone building,
later converted into a dwelling house, is now (1932) occupied by
the family of Milton H. Rice. It is likely that when this ferry
was abandoned it was succeeded by the ferry half-a-mile farther
up the river opposite "Ground Hog" locks, where a distillery had
been built by Peter Uhler, the date of which is not at hand,
but it was in operation during the Civil War; owing, however,
to objectionable excise laws it was closed down immediately
thereafter. Mr. Uhler then converted the distillery into a paper
mill for the manufacture of paper boards out of straw. This
operation continued, probably until 1872, when it was shut
down. In 1890 the property was purchased by Adolph Segal,
who changed the machinery and manufactured waxed tissue
paper, but his operations were not a financial success, and was
the beginning of a checkered career for that plant, which changed
hands quite often, shut down many times, sold out by the
sheriff at least twice, making different kinds of paper under
each reorganization, and again became financially embarrassed
in 1928, when it was again shut down. In 1930 this paper mill
was destroyed by fire.
This second ferry was operated mainly for the accommoda-
tion of the distillery and paper mill, and continued in service
until about 1916, when the paper mill company erected a steel
wire cable tramway over the river. This tramway was operated
but a few years, when it was abandoned, as it was found to be
cheaper to handle all material by automobile trucks.
On March 31, 1903, the ferry boat while crossing to bring
back coal from New Jersey, capsized in midstream, plunging
two double teams with drivers and the ferryman into the river.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THIi) DELAWARE RIVER 155
Nathaniel Bougher, one of the teamsters, was drowned, as
were also the four horses, but James Kreitz, the other team-
ster, and WilUam Loux, the ferryman, saved their Hves by
clinging fast to the capsized ferry boat, which broke loose from
the cable and floated down stream.
On February 27, 1854, a charter was granted to the Car-
pentersville Delaware Bridge Company for a bridge over the
river at this place, but for lack of financial support it was not
built. Again on April 3, 1903, a second charter w^as granted
by Pennsylvania to the Warren Bridge Company, with con-
current legislation by New Jersey, April 17, 1903, but the New
Jersey act was repealed March 13, 1925, and thus the second
attempt to build a bridge failed to materialize.
(Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania, for 1854, page 128, and for 1903, page
147.)
Easton, Pa., to Phillipsburg, N. J.
The recorded history of the ferry between Easton and
Phillipsburg is conflicting, partly due to the fact that all the
grants and other data may not be at hand. We refer particularly
to the grants to David Martin, for rights on the New Jersey
shore, of which but one is at hand, whereas it is quite evident
that there were two, as can be deduced from the following:
From a deed on record at Newton, Sussex County, N. J.
(Recorded Book A, pp. 271 to 274), bearing date September
26, 1788, from Tench Francis to John Penn, Jr., it appears
that letters patent for a ferry or ferries over the Delaware,
together with 105 acres of land and a certain ferry right, were
granted by King George II, on February 12, 1739, to David
Martin, of Trenton, N. J., with the "sole liberty and privilege
of keeping and employing a ferry or ferries at the mouth of a
creek called Lopetekong, then in the County of Morris (but
now since the division of the counties found to be in Sussex)
* * * at a certain distance on each side of the said creek
along the shore, that is to say, from the place called Lopetekong
to the south of a creek called Muskonetkong, where the said
creek empties itself into the River Delaware, down the said
river and up the said river from the said place called Lopetekong
to the place where the North Branch and West Branches of the
said River Delaware meet, commonly called and known by the
name of Forks of Delaware."
156 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
The deed further recites that David Martin became indebted
to a certain Abraham Bennett, whose administrator, Abraham
Bennett, Jr., recovered against the administrator of David
Martin, deceased,"'^ whereupon the property was sold by John
Ford, High Sheriff of Morris County, and conveyed February
16, 1773, to Richard Peters, and by indenture bearing date,
June 7, 1777, Richard Peters conveyed it to Thomas WilUng
and Tench Francis, both of Philadelphia, and Philip Livingston,
the younger, of New York. That Tench Francis, sole, conveyed
the property, September 28, 1788, to John Penn, Jr., for the
consideration of £1,000, gold and silver money. It is recorded
in several histories that the Penns bought this land, which
included part of the site of the present city of Phillipsburg,
fearing that the town of Easton, Penn's "Manor of Fermor,"
would be retarded if Phillipsburg was allowed to grow. A map
of the survey of this 105 acres of land can be seen in "Historic
Easton from the Window of a Trolley Car," page 82.
According to the above recited deed, David Martin's ferry-
grant extended from a point above the Lopatcong Creek, opposite
the junction of the two rivers, to the Musconetcong Creek at
Riegelsville, N. J., a distance of about nine miles. At that
time the lands south of the Lehigh, also referred to as the Forks
of the Delaware, having been settled earlier, contained more
houses than did the north side. From these facts, and the
laying out of a road from this ferry to Bethlehem in 1745, although
not built until 1755, we are inclined to the opinion that the ferry
landing was on the south side of the Lehigh, at a place later called
Snufftown. Later plans of Easton show a ferry landing at "the
point," on the north side, at the foot of Ferry Street.
It further appears that a patent for a ferry or ferries on the
Pennsylvania side was granted by the Penns to David Martin,
of Trenton, under date December 23, 1741, which recites in
part as follows (Patent Book A, Volume 9, page 511, etc.);
"Whereas David Martin of Trenton in West Jersey. Gentle-
man, hath lately obtained from his present Majesty King
George, a grant of the sole liberty and privilege of erecting &
keeping one or more ferry's upon the east side of the River
24 From this it can be inferred that David Martin died about 1772, or
early in 1773. He was a sheriff of Hunterdon County probably from 1739 to
1749, when he was appointed a justice. (History of Hunterdon County, pp.
258-260, and New Jersey Archives, First Series, Vol. VII, page 86.)
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 157
Delaware between a place in Hunterdon County opposite the
head of an island in the middle of sd river called Tinycym
Island and an high rock in Morris County called ye Marble
Mountain about a mile be it more or less above the Forks of
Delaware. And that the said David Martin having now like-
wise requested of us a grant of the like liberty and priviledge
of having and keeping one or more ferry's on our west side of
the river opposite to that of those which he shall so erect and
keep on the east side thereof" * * *
* * * "Do give, grant and confirm unto the said David
Martin, his executors, administrators and assigns, the sole
liberty and privilege of keeping & imploying a ferry or ferry's
in the most convenient place or places on the Pennsylvania
shore of the Delaware River from the place in Bucks County
opposite to the upper end of the afs'd island called Tynicomb,
to the place in the sd county opposite a high rock in Morris
County (now Warren) called Marble Mountain, about a mile,
be it more or less, above the Forks of Delaware." * * *
"from the first day of March next until the full end and term
of seven years."
The above last recital of the New Jersey grant to David
Martin describes a river frontage so much greater than that of
1739, which leads to the opinion that a second or revised grant
had been made to him by New Jersey. The 1739 grant covers
a river frontage of about nine miles, extending from Lopat-
cong Creek, south to Musconetcong Creek at Riegelsville,
N. J. Whereas the New Jersey grant, as recited in the Pennsyl-
vania patent, refers to a river frontage of about twenty miles,
beginning at Marble Mountain, one mile above the mouth of
the Lehigh River to the head of Tinicum Islands, the most his-
toric of which is Marshall's Island. This group of islands is
called "Tinicum Islands" on Reading Howell's map of 1783.
(For bridge over the Delaware, see page 176.)
David Martin's ferry over the Delaware, first chartered by
New Jersey in 1739, but probably not set up until 1741, when
the Pennsylvania patent was granted, crossed the river from
the mouth of Lopatcong Creek, about half-a-mile below what is
now Centre Square, Phillipsburg, landing in Pennsylvania, south
of the Lehigh, at Williamsburg, Williams Township, later Snuff-
town, and after the canal was built called Williamsport, but now
158 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
part of South Easton. David Martin was a resident of Tren-
ton, N. J., and it is not likely that he operated this ferry in
person for any length of time and probably not at all. In 1755
he leased it to Nathaniel Vernon, who kept a tavern at his ferry
house at the foot of Ferry Street, Easton.
It is likely that there was a ferry equally early over the
Lehigh, of which, however, there is no record. There was,
however, a ferry there in 1755, when the Philadelphia Road
was extended from Durham, over "Mammy Morgan's Hill"
to South Easton, the Easton landing of which was at the foot
of Fourth Street. Later the ferries over both rivers were con-
solidated under control of Lewis Gordon, Esq., who sublet
them to Daniel Broadhead, under whose management they
remained but a short time. Gordon then resumed possession,
employing ferrymen, as he was himself engaged in the practice
of the law. He was in possession of the ferries during the out-
break of the Revolutionary War. For a time he was loyal to
the American cause, but later became a Tory, and on August
6, 1777, both he and his son, John Gordon, were arrested and
ordered to be imprisoned; they were, however, put under parole
from which they were discharged April 23, 1778."^ On March
7, 1778, the ferries were taken over by Jacob Able, who was
also later suspected of disloyalty, and a military guard was
therefore placed at both ferries, and all strangers required to
show their credentials before crossing. In 1780 Jacob Able
was assessed for a ferry and a tavern. The ferry-landing was
then at the foot of Ferry Street, called "the point." After
the close of the war the Lehigh ferry came into possession of
Abraham Horn, a carpenter. In 1800 the New Jersey rights
of the Delaware River ferry were bought by Thomas Bullman,
who remained in control on that side until the toll bridge was
opened in 1806.
By act of the Assembly passed April 4, 1796, a bridge over
the Lehigh River at Easton was authorized, which was built
in 1798 by Abraham Horn, then in control of the ferry, which
landed at the foot of South Third Street. It was built of wood,
25 Lewis Gordon came from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1750. He is said to
have been the first attorney admitted to the bar of Northampton after the
county was erected out of Bucks in 1752. He served as recorder and pro-
thonotary of Northampton County from 1760 to 1777. The date of his
death seems to have been about 1780.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 159
having but one span, 280 feet long, which fell of its own weight a
few days after opening.
There is a well-authenticated family tradition that Dewalt
Drumheller and his son, George, both blacksmiths, forged the
iron work for this first bridge. Dewalt Drumheller from Feb-
ruary 3, 1767, to August 1, 1787, owned 74 acres of land on the
south fork of the Delaware and Lehigh in what was then called
Williamsburg.
Mr. Horn replaced the broken down bridge with another
wooden bridge, having three spans, for which the County of
Northampton later reimbursed him. This second bridge stood
until 1811, when it was destroyed by a freshet. A suspension
chain bridge was then built and opened the same year (1811),
which served until 1837, when it was replaced by a wooden
bridge, which was carried away by the flood of 1841. In 1843
another bridge, covered and of wood construction, was opened,
which, in turn, was carried away by the tiood of 1862. Another
wooden bridge, with double driveways, followed, which served
until 1888, when it was found to be no longer suited for the
heavy traffic and was accordingly condemned. It was replaced
by one of iron construction, with driveways 60 feet wide, costing
$35,000. Owing to the increasing heavier traffic this bridge was
also found to be unsafe, and in 1912 was replaced by the present
concrete arch bridge, which to all appearance should stand for
many years. Both ferries at Easton, particularly during their
latter years, were profitable operations. Both Easton and
Phillipsburg are noted on Evans' map of 1749. (For Easton
bridge, see page 176.)
(Colonial Records, Vol. XI, pp. 73, 263; Pennsylvania Archives, first
series, Vol. V, page 490, and Vol. VI, pp. 431, 435; History of Northampton
County, page 156; Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, pp. 57, 120; History
of Warren and Sussex Counties, page 551; Condit's History of Easton, page
31; Statutes at Large, Vol. XV, page 466.)
Ferries on the Delaware River Between Eastox, Pa.,
AND Port Jervis, N. Y.
Harmoxv Ferry — From Forks Township, Northampton
County, Pa., to Harmony Township, Warren County, N. J.
This is an ancient ferry, referred to as Hunter's Ferry in 1753
when Oxford Township was erected. It is also referred to in
the New Jersey Archives in 1762, by that name. (Vol. XXIV,
160 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
page 63.) During its earlier years it was an active and pros-
perous crossing. Located at what is now Harmony station of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, about five miles above Phillipsburg,
N.J.
Martin's Creek Ferry — From Martin's Creek, Lower
Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pa., to Brain-
ards, Harmony Township, Warren County, N. J., about 2%
miles above Harmony Ferry, of which it seems to have been the
successor. Located immediately above the mouth of Martin's
Creek. It was an active and profitable ferry prior to the building
of the railroad bridge. We are told that in the year 1877, its
gross receipts amounted to $5,500, derived mostly by the trans-
portation of roofing slate. On a map published in 1828 the New
Jersey side is called Ramseysburg, and the ferry Snyder's Ferry.
This ferry continued in operation several years after the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company built a bridge over the river at that
place. The bridge has a passage-way for foot passengers. A
charter was granted by Pennsylvania, April 3, 1903, with con-
current legislation by New Jersey, April 17, 1903, to the North-
ampton Bridge Company for a toll bridge at that place, for which
land was bought of G. M. Vannatta on the New Jersey side for a
landing. The bridge, however, was not built, and the New
Jersey act was repealed, March 13, 1925.
Depuy's Ferry — This ferry is noted as Depuy's Ferry on a
map published in 1828, but it appears that a charter was granted
by Pennsylvania, July 24, 1868, to Aaron W. Hazen, to cross
from Richmond Road, in Lower Mount Bethel Township,
Northampton County, to Roxburg station of the Pennsylvania
Railroad in Warren County, N. J. The best information obtain-
able shows that it stopped operating in the late 1890's.
Foul Rift Ferry — From Lower Mount Bethel, Northamp-
ton County, Pa., to White, formerly Oxford Township, N. J.
This is an ancient ferry, said to have begun operating in 1751
apd which, according to the New Jersey Archives (Vol. XVI,
page 509), was granted a patent, March 3, 1755. It was located
at the foot of Foul Rift, lyi miles above Depuy's Ferry. On
the New Jersey side it used the landing just north of Shippen's
Spring, built by Jonathan Robeson in 1743, for shipping the
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 161
product of the Oxford Iron Works, on Durham boats, down the
Delaware Abandoned about 1860.
Belvidere Ferry — From Riverton, Lower Mount Bethel
Township, Northampton County, Pa., to Belvidere, Warren
County, N. J. There are no data at hand to show when this
ferry was started; Belvidere was founded by Robert Hoops in
1770, and was first called Hoops. Later it was called Mercer.
It is recorded that the product of Hoops' flouring mill on the
Request was carted to the wharf below Foul Rift, above referred
to, and shipped down the Delaware on Durham boats. After
Foul Rift was improved Durham boats landed at the foot of
what is now Water Street, Belvidere. This ferry suspended
operations when the river bridge was opened for travel in 1836.
(For Belvidere bridge, see page 177.)
Hartzell's Ferry — From Upper Mount Bethel Township,
Northampton County, Pa., to Oxford Township, Warren County,
N. J. About midway between Belvidere and Manunka Chunk.
In 1783 this was known as Mack's Ferry; later as the Jackson
Hartzell Ferry, and then as Boardman's Ferry. For a time it
was known as the William Emery Ferry. Indicated on Beers'
Atlas of 1874, and on Geological Survey Quadrangle.
Myers' Ferry — From Upper Mount Bethel Township,
Northampton County, Pa., to Delaware, Knowlton Township,
Warren County, N. J. In 1783 it was known as Attine's Ferry,
and in 1803 as Alburtain's Ferry. On Melish's Map of Pennsyl-
vania, published in 1826, it is noted as Auter's Ferry; later it
was called Myers' Ferry, then the Charles Hartzell Ferry, and
still later it was owned by Edward McCracken, who operated
it until 1914, when he sold it to the Knowlton Turnpike & Bridge
Company, who had become the owners of the abandoned Dela-
w^are, Lackawanna & Western Railroad bridge, whereupon the
ferry stopped operating. (See toll bridges, page 167.)
Dill's Ferry — From Portland Northampton County, Pa.,
to Columbia, Knowlton Township, Warren County, N. J. What
is now Portland was formerly the village of Dill's Ferry. Port-
land was incorporated into a borough, October 21, 1876. The
ferry was located a few rods north of the present river bridge.
It is recorded that a Mr. Smith owned the first ferry rights, and
162 IMPROVIN'G NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
that Mr. Dill was the ferryman, probably about 1780. Columbia,
formerly called Kirkbrides, was laid out in 1813. On the New
Jersey side the ferry was, in 1774, known as Goodwin's Ferry.
The ferry shut down in 1869, when the toll bridge was opened
for travel. The Lehigh and New England Railroad bridge,
built in 1890, spans the rh^er immediately north of the toll
bridge. (For Portland-Columbia bridge, see page 178.)
Decker's Ferry — At Slateford, Upper Mount Bethel Town-
ship, Northampton County, Pa., to Knowlton Township, Warren
County, N. J. This ferry was established by George Decker,
who was granted a charter by the legislature of Pennsylvania,
February 12, 1856, and was used principally by him to ferry over
slate from his quarries for shipment by the newly constructed
D. L. & W. Railroad. The town of Slateford was founded by
Hon. James M. Porter, who owned and operated a valuable slate
quarry about half-a-mile to the northwest. The ferry is indi-
cated on Beers' Atlas of Warren County, published in 1874.
(Laws of Pennsylvania, for 1856, page 43.)
DuNNFiELD Ferry — From information furnished by Edward
L. Lanterman, of Blairstown, N. J., we learn that there was an
ancient ferry originally known as Decker's Ferry, operated by
Jacob Decker and his son, Jacob Decker, Jr., crossing the Dela-
ware from Dunnfield, Pahaquarry Township, Warren County,
N. J., to Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pa. For a time
it was operated by John Zimmerman. Located immediately
south of the Delaware Water Gap, affording a crossing between
the States before there was a road through the Delaware Water
Gap on the Pennsylvania side of the river. It was not until
1798 that Anthony Dutot (founder of Delaware Water Gap,
originally called Dutotsberg) built a trail through the gap, which
he enlarged into a toll road for wagons in 1800. This highway
through the gap on the Pennsylvania side was changed to its
present location in 1853, when the D. L. & W. Railroad was
built. The ferry appears to have been abandoned about 1888.
Transue's Ferry — Crossing the river about 200 feet above
the N. Y. S. & W. Railroad Company's bridge at Water Gap
station, between the Delaware Water Gap and Shawnee, in
Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pa., to Pahaquarry
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 163
Township, Warren County, N. J. This is a private ferry erected
about 1882 by Adam Transue. Now operated by the Karamac
Hotel Company, at "Far View," located on the shore of the Dela-
ware in New Jersey.
Shawnee Ferry — Located a short distance below the old
Depue mansion, now the summer home of Charles C. Worthing-
ton, in Smithfield Township, Monroe County, Pa., crosses the
Delaware between Shawnee and Depue Islands to Brotzman-
ville, Pahaquarry Township, Warren County, N. J. In 1760
it was known as the Old Shoemaker Ferry; at one time it was
called Brotzman's Ferry. For many years it was owned and
operated by Charles Walker, and known as Walker's Ferry,
and as such it is indicated on Beers' Atlas of Warren County.
Since 1903 it has been owned and operated privately by Mr.
Worthington, who owns the Buckwood Inn and practically the
entire village of Shawnee, as well as both islands above referred
to, and also a large acreage of land on the opposite side of the
river in New Jersey, where he has established a game preserve,
and from whence at Sun Fish Lake, he supplies his town with
spring water.
Shoemaker's Ferry — From Smithfield Township, Monroe
County, Pa., to Pahaquarry Township, Warren County, N. J.
Operated by Daniel Shoemaker in 1812. Beers' Atlas, published
in 1874 (page 90), refers to M. C. Shoemaker as the ferryman
at that time. At one time it was known as Lutz's Ferry. This
ferry was later owned by Hiram Zimmerman, now of East
Stroudsburg, who operated it for 25 or 30 years and then in 1927
sold it to the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company.
(History of Warren and Sussex Counties, pp. 697, 698 and 1072.)
Fisher or Dimmick's Ferry — From Middle Smithfield
Township, Monroe County, Pa., to Pahaquarry Township, War-
ren County, N. J., about five miles above Shawnee. The New
Jersey landing is a short distance south of the old Pahaquarry
copper mines. For a time it was operated by Shoemaker,
brother of Daniel Shoemaker, who operated the last above named
ferry. It is told of these brothers, that one was a Republican
and the other a Democrat, and that whenever they met they
would quarrel about Dolitics. Beers' Atlas, published in 1874,
164 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
refers to W. L. Fisher as the ferryman there at that time. Since
1881 this ferry has been in possession of Peter M. Dimmick
and his father. It is still (1932) owned and operated by them.
It is one of the four ferries still in operation on the Delaware
below Port Jervis. It is equipped with an overhead steel wire
rope cable, which is used during high water. There is an eddy
at the location of this ferry, which enables Mr. Dimmick to
operate with water twelve feet above low water mark, but when
the river is low he uses a low-down cable (a three-eighths wire
rope), which rides on two open hooks, one at each end of the
boat, and by means of which his boat is pulled back and forth
across the stream, as the boat passes along the rope sinks to the
bottom of the river. His ferry boat is 45 feet long by 10 feet
wide with a double bottom, on the top one of which his cargo
is placed. He can carry two large automobiles at one trip. This
ferry was visited September 12, 1928.
Decker's Ferry — Sometimes called Walpeck's Ferry. At
Walpeck Bend, on the river road, above Shawnee, near what
is called the "Hog Back" road, which leads over the mountain
following the bend of the river to the village of Bushkill. For
a time it was known as Smith's Ferry. It crossed the Delaware
from Walpeck's Point, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe
County, Pa., to Flatbrookville, Walpeck Township, Sussex
County, N. J. This is an ancient ferry, said to have been
established before 1744, and was the crossing (above the Dela-
ware Water Gap) used by early settlers and travelers who came
into that region from Esopus, N. Y. (now Kingston) and followed
the "Mine Road" along the New Jersey shore at the base of the
Blue Mountains, near the old Pahaquarry copper mines. Early
maps show this highway leading to the ferry and thence into
Pennsylvania, crossing, the Kittatinny or Blue Mountains at
the Wind Gap. During the Revolutionary War, Colonel Philip
Van Cortland's regiment,"^ which had wintered in Ulster County,
N. Y., was, in 1779, ordered by General Washington to join
General John Sullivan on his march to Wyommg and Tioga
Point. They sent their baggage and supplies by w^agon to Car-
penter's Point, where it was transferred to boats and taken down
26 For General Philip Van Courtlandt, see Magazine of American History,
Vol. II, page 278. Also referred to in Caleb E. Wright's novel, Rachel Craig.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 165
the Delaware to this ferry, a distance of about twenty-six miles.
The regiment marched on the "Mine Road," which led direct to
this ferry, where they crossed into Pennsylvania, and thence,
with their equipment, resumed their march to Fort Penn at
Stroudsburg, where the}' received orders to join Sullivan's army
at what is now Tannersville in Monroe County. According to
the History of Sussex and Warren Counties (page 323), this
ferry was established by Daniel Decker, and remained in the
Decker family, continuously, for more than a century, suspend-
ing operations about 1898. It was succeeded by the Rosen-
krans' Ferry (q. v.). In 1859 a charter was granted by both
states to the Flatbrookville Delaware Bridge Company, for a
bridge to cross the river at this place, but the undertaking was
not carried out.
(History of Northampton County, page 55, and History of Sussex and
Warren Counties, pp. 322 and 330.)
RosENKRANs' Ferry — One mile above the village of Bush-
kill in Lehman Township, Pike County, Pa., to Walpeck Tow^n-
ship, Sussex County, N. J. This ferry is a direct successor to
Decker's Ferry, last above described, which was closed down
about thirty years ago, or in 1898. Owing to the bend in the
river this ferry is but three-quarters of a mile by land above the
old Decker's Ferry, but by water, following the bend of the river,
the distance is about two miles. This is one of the four ferries,
all below Port Jervis, still operating on the Delaware. It has
been owned and operated by Philip S. Rosenkrans ever since
Decker's Ferry closed; Mr. Rosenkrans says he is operating
without a license, but, in fact, it being the successor of Decker's
Ferry, is operating under the same grant. It is equipped with a
steel w^ire rope cable suspended over the river. The ferry boat
has a double bottom, on the top one of which his cargo rests. It
is 43 feet long and 10 feet wide, with a capacity for carrying two
large automobiles. Mr. Rosenkrans says he can operate in
water ten feet above low water mark, This ferry was visited
August 17, 1928.
Dingman's Ferry — Founded by Andrew Dingman (born
1711), who first settled on the New Jersey side of the Delaware,
and in 1735 moved to the Pennsylvania side, and became the
pioneer settler of that place, which w-as at first called Dingman's
166 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE a:)ELAWARE RIVER
Choice. He established the first ferry on the river at that place,
making the ferry boat with his hand axe out of forest trees. The
ferry crossed between his home, which he built on the river bank,
now in Delaware Township, Pike County, Pa., to Sandystonc
Township, Sussex County, N. J. For a long time Joseph Ennis
was the ferryman. It continued in service for nearly a century,
until 1834, when it was replaced by a toll bridge, the construction
of which proved so defective that it was thrice destroyed. Dur-
ing the intervals of its rebuilding, ferry operations were resumed.
(See Dingman's Ferry Bridge, page 179, post.)
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, pp. 908, 938.)
Wells' Ferry — This ferry on the Delaware between Milford,
Milford Township, Pike County, Pa., and Montague Township,
Sussex County, N. J., was established before or during the
Revolution by three brothers named Wells. The settlement
was then known as Wells' Ferry. John Kittle was the ferryman
in 1808. The ferry was discontinued in 1836, when the toll
bridge was opened. The ferry was restored to temporary service
in 1841, when the bridge was destroyed by the flood, again from
1846 to 1869, and again from 1888 to 1889, when the bridge was
destroyed by floods or failed to stand owing to defective con-
struction. (See Milford Bridge, page 179, post.)
Port Jervis Ferries — There was an early ferry over the
Delaware at Port Jervis, from the foot of Ferry Street to Mata-
moras, operated by the Westfall family. Also two ferries from
Carpenter's Point, now Tri-state, at the J unction of the Never-
sink and Delaware Rivers. One crossing to the New Jersey
shore, the other to Matamoras, Pike County, Pa. For two
generations John D. Carpenter and his son Benjamin were the
ferrymen. These ferries continued in service until 1852, when
the first bridge between Port Jervis and Matamoras was opened
for travel.
Carpenter's Point is a long narrow neck of land separating
the Delaware and Neversink Rivers, with only a few rods between
the rivers for nearly a mile, and then ending in a wedge-like
point, on the extremity of which the Tri-state corner is the
separating point of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey
state lines. A granite monument now marks the spot where the
three states meet.
IMPROVIXG NAVKiATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
167
MONUMENT AT TRI-STATE ROCK ON THE DELAWARE RIX^ER
The water on right is the mouth of the Neversinlc River where it enters the Delaware. Port
Jervis is one mile up the Delaware at the point shown on extreme right at top of picture.
Toll Bridges ox the Delaware River Between
Pennsylvania and New Jersey
There are seventeen interstate bridges, formerly toll bridges,
spanning the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, from and including the Lincoln Highway Bridge at
Decatur Street, crossing from Morrisville, Pa., to Trenton, N. J.,
to the one below Milford, Pa., all of which by concurrent acts
of the legislatures of both states are to be or have been taken
over by the two states, and eliminated as toll bridges, as may
be determined by the Joixt Commission for Eliminating
Toll Bridges Betw^een Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
of which Mr. Louis Focht is superintendent and engineer.
Sixteen of these were originally covered bridges of wood con-
struction, but that character of bridge is fast disappearing, for at
the present time (1932) but two of the sixteen remain, viz., the
one between LTpper Blacks Eddy, Bucks County, Pa., and Milford,
N. J., and the other between Portland, Pa., and Columbia, N. J.
168 niPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
The bridge between Lumberville and Raven Rock has four spans
of old wooden covered construction and one span, the second on
the Pennsylvania side, of steel to replace a span carried aw^ay by
the flood of October 10, 1903. The only one not covered and of
wood construction, is the old railroad bridge south of Portland,
Pa.
The first bridge to be granted a charter was that between
Easton, Pa., and Phillipsburg, N. J., but the first to be com-
pleted and opened for travel was that between Morrisville and
Trenton, chartered March 3, 1798, opened January 30, 1806.
The Easton-Phillipsburg bridge was not officially opened until
October 1, 1806.
All of these bridges were originally erected to replace river
ferries. The following memoranda of them begins with the
bridge at Trenton and thence follow in order up the river, to the
last one at Milford, Pa.
Trenton Delaware Bridge Company — Called Lower Tren-
ton or Decatur Street Bridge, crossing from Morrisville, Bucks
County, Pa., to Trenton, N. J. Charters granted by New Jersey,
March 3, 1798, and by Pennsylvania, April 4, 1798. Letters
patent, August 16, 1803. Supplemental act by Pennsylvania,
April 2, 1804, with concurrent legislation by New Jersey, extend-
ing the time for completion of bridge to March 3, 1812, but it was
completed and opened for travel, January 30, 1806. A second
supplement to the charter was granted March 3, 1868. The
original bridge consisted of five spans of wood construction,
having a total length of 1,025 feet. Each span was covered by a
roof arched laterally, and in that respect differed from all other
bridges on the river, which were covered longitudinally. It was
designed and built by Theodore Burr, with arch and truss com-
bined, at a cost of $180,000. The first president of the company
was Gen. John Beatty, who laid the foundation stone of the first
pier. Cuts of this old bridge can be seen in Day's Historical
Collections of Pennsylvania, page 169, and in Barber and Howe's
Historical Collections of New Jersey, page 286. The bridge
was remodeled in 1848. In 1851 the Philadelphia & Trenton
Railroad Company built a bridge close to the south side of the
toll bridge, as a passage-way for steam trains. That railroad
was opened for travel between Kensington and Morrisville, a
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THP: DELAWARP: RIVER 169
distance of 26 miles, on November 1, 1834. (Many of the
original papers, including the subscription lists of this road,
which was built under contract by Richard Morris and Thomas
G. Kennedy, are in the archives of the Bucks County Historical
Society.) In 1875 the north or toll bridge was rebuilt of iron
construction, after a design by Joseph Wilson, a noted engineer,
later of Wilson Brothers & Company During the same year
(1875) the south truss belonging then to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, was also rebuilt of iron construction and equipped
with double tracks; this bridge was in turn abandoned and
replaced by two double track bridges of steel construction in
1892 and 1898, respectively. In 1908, on completion of its
stone arch bridge, immediately south thereof, the railroad com-
pany took down the superstructure of the two steel bridges and
used the material in construction work at Washington, D. C.
This toll bridge, the first on the river to be opened for travel,
was also the first one to be taken over by the Joint Commission,
viz., on July 12, 1918, at a price of $240,000. During 1928, the
Joint Commission built a new double roadway bridge of steel on
the piers of the abandoned railroad bridge, with a sidewalk on
the north side. The roadways have an aggregate width of 42
feet. The estimated cost of this new bridge is S650,000, which is
now called the Lincoln Highway Bridge. On its completion the
old north bridge, built in 1876, was sold and the superstructure
removed.
(Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. II, pp. 165, 169.)
Trenton City Bridge Company — Known as the Upper
Trenton or Calhoun Street Bridge, which replaced the Calhoun
Street or Beatty Ferry, crossing from Morrisville, Pa., to Tren-
ton, N. J. Incorporated, February 24, 1840, with supplementary
acts of March 15, 1847; April 13, 1859; March 28, 1860, and
February 19, 1861. Original capital S48,000; cost of bridge,
$60,000. Opened for travel in 18(:0. Originally a covered
bridge of wood construction having seven spans with a total
length of 1,274 feet, including the bridge over the Trenton Dela-
ware Falls Company's canal. Bridge totally destroyed by fire
in 1882. Rebuilt in 1884 of iron construction, two trusses,
double driveway and a sidewalk outside of the north truss. The
trolley tracks of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Traction
Company pass over this bridge. Located about one mile above
170 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
the Decatur Street Bridge, and being just above high tide, was not
damaged by any of the floods. Taken over by the Joint Com-
mission November 14, 1928, at price of S250,000. (For Calhoun
Street Ferry, see page 136, ante.)
Yardleyville Delaware Bridge Company — From Yardley
(formerly Yardleyville) to Wilburtha (formerly Greensburg).
Charter granted by New Jersey, March 2, 1835, and by Pennsyl-
vania, April 15, 1835. Opened for travel in 1835. Supplemental
acts, April 11, 1859, exempting persons going to and returning
from church from paying tolls. Originally a covered bridge of
wood construction, with six spans and a total length of 903 feet,
including a span over the Trenton Delaware Falls Company's
canal. ^' Three spans carried away by the flood of January 8,
27 Trenton Del.\ware Falls Company — This is a water-power canal,
on the New Jersey side of the Delaware, authorized by act of the New Jersey
legislature, February 16, 1831 (capital SIOO.OOO), with authority to build a
dam in the river at Scudder's Falls, about one mile north of the Yardley bridge,
at the head of Slack's Island, to furnish hydraulic power to certain industries
in Trenton. The canal had a total length of about seven miles, with an
operating fall of 18 }4 feet, to where it debouched into the Delaware at Lam-
berton, now the southern part of Trenton, with an estimated capacity of 529
horsepower. From the intake to where it crosses Assunpink Creek, about six
miles, the fall is 14 feet, and from there to the outlet, a distance of one mile,
the fall is 4)4 feet. This river dam was not authorized by Pennsylvania, and
was built in violation of an agreement between the states made April 26, 1783.
Its building, therefore, resulted in a controversy, and Pennsylvania ordered
its removal. Howe\er, it still remains, but they are prevented from keeping
it in repair, not being allowed to replace stones that wash awa^- from the
parapet. The controversy was precipitated when the Delaware Division
Canal Company placed a wing dam in the river at Wells' Falls, to lift water
into the canal to supplement its feed water supply below New Hope, and
because of the dam which the Delaware & Raritan Canal Company had
placed in the river at the head of Bull's Island to supply water by means of
its feeder, all the water of which was not turned back into the river, but was
discharged mostly in the Raritan River at New Brunswick. The Trenton
Delaware Falls water power was, in its early years, a valuable franchise. For
many years its stock was owned by Cooper, Hewitt & Company, and the
hydraulic power used at their Trenton plants (New Jersey Steel & Iron Co.
and Trenton Iron Company). After they disposed of their plants, about
1908, the power company was sold to other parties, and became gradually
abandoned, the lower part of the ditch was filled up, and now (1932) the
power is not used by any industry, the water being discharged back into the
river in the neighborhood of Warren Street. The writer of these notes remem-
bers that on one occasion when the Hon. Abram S. Hewitt came out from
New York to visit the Durham Iron Works, he would not cross the river
bridge at Riegelsville into Pennsylvania, without first getting an assurance
that a summons would not be served on him, in re the removal of this dam;
also that he (the writer) was requested to interview the senators and assembly-
men of Bucks and Northampton Counties to solicit their support in allowing
this dam to be kept in repair. (Hazard's Register, Vol. VIII, pp. 232, 366;
Vol. IX, page 119; Vol. X, pp. 119, 121, 161; Vol. XV, pp. 5, 23, 97, 119;
History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, page 680.)
IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DI-XAWARE RIVER 171
1841, rebuilt of same construction and again lost by flood of
October 10, 1903. Rebuilt of steel construction and reopened
in 1904. Steel bridge, has two trusses with double driveway
and a sidewalk on the north side. In 1893 the name of the
Yardleyville post office was changed to Yardley, and during the
latter part of 1882 the Greensburg, N. J., station of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad w^as changed to Wilburtha. Bridge taken
over by the Joint Commission, December 21, 1922, at price of
$67,500. Floor rebuilt in 1924, and a sidewalk added on the
upstream side in 1928. (For Yardley Ferry, see page 137 ante.)
Taylorsville Delaware Bridge Company — From Taylors-
ville, Bucks County, Pa. (in 1919 changed to Washington Cross-
ing), to Washington Crossing, Mercer County, N. J. Charter
granted by New Jersey, February 14, 1831, wdth concurrent
legislation in Pennsylvania, April 1, 1831. Originally a covered
bridge of wood construction, with six spans having a total length
of 875 feet. Completed and opened for travel January 1, 1834.
(Hazard's Register, Vol. XV, page 80.) Carried away by flood
of January 8, 1841. Rebuilt and again destroyed by flood of
October 10, 1903. Rebuilt of steel construction, two trusses
with double driveway, and reopened in 1904. Taken over by
the Joint Commission, April 25, 1922, at price of S40,000, which
in 1926, built a sidewalk on the south side.
This bridge occupies the site of McKonkey's Ferry, where
General W^ashington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night
of 1776. The two states have authorized the laying out of parks
on their respective sides of the river. There is a plan on foot to
get an appropriation from congress for building an elaborate
memorial bridge at this place. (See page 138, ante.)
New Hope Delaware Bridge Company — From New
Hope, Bucks County, Pa., to Lambertville, N. J. Charter
granted by Pennsylvania, December 22, 1812, and by New
Jersey, December 23, 1812. Originally a covered bridge of
wood construction, having six spans, with a total length of
1,051 feet. Cost, $67,936.37. Opened for travel, September
13, 1814. Three spans carried away by flood of January 8,
1841, rebuilt after same design. The New Hope end again
carried away by flood of October 10, 1903. Rebuilt of steel
construction, with double driveway and sidewalk on south side;
172 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
reopened, July 23, 1904. The banking privileges granted
to this bridge company involved it financially, and for that
reason the stockholders were obliged to sell out. John C.
Mitchener and James Gordon became the purchasers, who, on
November 29, 1853, conveyed it to Samuel Grant, of Philadel-
phia, who became the sole owner. Its sale was confirmed by
the Pennsylvania legislature, February 20, 1857, and by decree
of Chancery in New Jersey. After a lapse of 34 years, the
bridge with its franchises, were conveyed to a number of persons,
part of whom represented the original stockholders. Taken
over by the Joint Commission December 31, 1919, at price of
$225,000. (For Coryell's Ferry, see page 141, ante.)
(Battles' History of Bucks County, page 529; Day's Historical Collections
of Pennsylvania, pp. 168, 169; and Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania for 1857,
page 59.)
Centre Bridge Company — From Centre Bridge, Bucks
County, Pa., to what, since 1851, has been Stockton, Hunterdon
County, N. J. Charter granted by New Jersey, February 18,
1811, and by Pennsylvania, March 23, 1811. Letters patent
to receive subscriptions, August 17, 1812. Originally a covered
bridge of wood construction, with six spans and a total length
of 821 feet. Built under contract, dated February 22, 1818, by
Capt. Pelig Kingsley and Benjamin Lord. Opened for travel in
the spring of 1814. The construction was faulty and the con-
tractors were penalized $1,200. One of the piers soon gave way
and had to be rebuilt, and sixteen years later, in 1830, the entire
bridge was rebuilt by Amos Campbell under contract. At that
time the Raritan feeder on the New Jersey side, and the Dela-
ware Division canal on the Pennsylvania side had not been dug.
At first the canal companies built and maintained the bridges
over their respective ditches, but, in 1851, the bridge company
took over the one crossing the Delaware Division canal. The
flood of January 8, 1841, carried away three spans, two piers
and the stone toll-house all on the New Jersey side. Repairs
were made by Cortland Yardley for $4,200. The flood of June 6,
1862, did but very little damage to the bridge, and it was the
only bridge on the river between Easton and Trenton, that was
not damaged by the flood of October 10, 1903. Notwithstanding
these facts, this bridge had one of the most checkered careers of
all Delaware River bridges. On May 26, 1923, it was slightly
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 173
damaged by fire; and again damaged by fire, July 19, 1923, and
on July 22, 1923, was struck by lightning and totally destroyed.
An act by the Pennsylvania legislature, approved April 10,
1852, authorized the Plymouth Railroad Company to build a
railroad from the limestone quarries of Solebury across this
bridge to connect with the Raritan Feeder and the Belvidere
Delaware Railroad, but the road was not built. ^^ On November
6, 1925, the stone toll-house, piers and approaches were sold to
the Joint Commission for the sum of $10,000. The piers and
abutments were then repaired and a bridge of steel construction
erected thereon, having a double driveway and a footwalk on
the south side, and a 63-foot plate girder span over the Raritan
Feeder, all at a cost of S258,135, exclusive of the old piers, toll-
house, etc. This new bridge was opened for travel, July 16,
1927. (For ferry, see page 143, ante.)
(History of Old Centre Bridge, by Elmer Roberson; History of Hunter-
don and Somerset Counties, page 385; History of Bucks County, by Davis,
Vol. I, page 288; Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, page 169;
Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania for 1836 and 1852.)
LuMBERViLLE Delav^^are Bridge COMPANY — From Lumber-
ville, Bucks County, Pa., to what is now Raven Rock, Hunter-
don County, N. J., but formerly called Bull's Island. About
1785 the site of Lumberville was owned by Col. George Wall,
Jr., and William Hamilton, and was known as Wall's Sawmill
and Wall's Landing as late as 1814, when the name was changed
to Lumberville. The river bridge was chartered by the New
Jersey legislature in 1835, and by Pennsylvania, April 7, 1835.
A supplemental charter of March 31, 1857, exempted persons
going to or returning from church from paying toll. Originally
a covered bridge of wood construction, having four spans over
the river and a shorter span over the canal, with a total length
of 705 feet. The bridge consists of two trusses, a combination
of truss and low arch construction, with double driveway and
footwalks, built under contract by Solon Chapin and Anthony
Fry at cost of SI 8,000. Opened for travel in 1835. The second
span on the Pennsylvania side was carried away by the flood of
-8 The Plymouth Railroad Company was incorporated June 11, 1836,
authorized to build a road in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County,
near the road dividing the townships of Plymouth and Whitemarsh, termin-
ating at a point on the Philadelphia & Germantown Railroad. Since December
9, 1867, it has been operated by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com-
pany.
174 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
October 10, 1903, and rebuilt of steel construction, the other
spans of wooden construction remaining. Immediately above
this bridge, at the head of Bull's Island, there is a dam in the
Delaware to impound the water flowing into the Delaware &
Raritan Canal Feeder. ^^ Agreement pending by the Joint Com-
mission for taking over this bridge at price of S25,000. (For
ferry, see page 145, ante.)
In 1883 the Lumberton Granite Company (owned by the
Kembles, of Philadelphia) erected a tramway over the canal
and river from their stone quarry, located about one mile below
the Lumberton bridge, for shipment of their product by the
Pennsylvania Railroad. Immediately opposite the quarry in
New Jersey the railroad company had put in a siding to accommo-
date a number of cars, which were loaded direct from the quarry.
The tramway was equipped with a heavy steel wire cable on
which the carriers traveled, propelled by a small endless steel
rope, controlled by a stationary engine on the Pennsylvania
side. The platform carriers had a capacity of about two tons.
It continued in use until 1904, when the quarry was shut down.
The writer of these notes and Mrs. Fackenthal, had the delightful
experience of making a round trip over the river and back on
one of the platform carriers of this tramway.
(History of Bucks County, by Davis, Vol. I, pp. 11, 286, 311.)
Point Pleasant Delaware Bridge Company — From Point
Pleasant, Bucks County, Pa., to what is now Byram, Hunterdon
County, N. J., but then also called Point Pleasant. Charter
granted by Pennsylvania, February 9, 1853, and by New Jersey
during the same year. Opened for travel, May 26, 1855. Origi-
nally a covered bridge of wood construction, of five spans, having
a total length of 895 feet. Capital authorized, S20,000, of
which but $16,350 was subscribed. Built under contract by
Hood & Steel. Damaged by flood of June 6, 1862, and an
assessment of $5 per share made to repair it. Totally destroyed
by fire, March 29, 1892. Rebuilt of steel construction about
1893. The four spans nearest New Jersey were carried away
by the flood of October 10, 1903, and were rebuilt of steel con-
struction about 1904. This bridge is located immediately above
the mouth of Tohickon Creek. Taken over by the Joint Com-
29 See the Delaware and Raritan Canal, page 208 hereof.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 175
mission, January 6, 1919, at price of $30,000. (For ferry, see
page 145, ante.)
("Early History of Point Pleasant," by Warren S. Ely, a paper read at
the Point Pleasant Meeting, September 10, 1927, to be published in Vol. VI
of the Bucks County Historical Society.)
Alexandria Delaware Bridge Company — From Uhler-
town, Bucks County, Pa., to Frenchtown, N. J. Chartered
by New Jersey, March 5, 1841, and by Pennsylvania, May 8,
1841, with a supplement by both states on March 5, 1845.
Opened for travel early part of 1844. Originally a covered bridge
of wood construction, with six spans, and two trusses, there was
no middle truss. Its length was 962 feet, and its cost about
$20,000. The original bridge continued in use until the fiood
of October 10, 1903, which carried away the two spans on the
New Jersey end ; these were replaced by two spans of steel truss
construction. Taken over June 28, 1929, by the Joint Com-
mission at price of $45,000. During the summer of 1931 this
old bridge was replaced by a new steel truss bridge on the old
foundations. The new bridge was completed and opened for
travel October 10, 1931 ; it has a double driveway and a footwalk
on the north side. The total cost of removing the old bridge,
extensive repairs to piers and abutments and the new super-
structure was $91,510.87. (For Frenchtown Ferry, see page 146,
ante.)
A'Iilford Delaware Bridge Company — From Upper Blacks
Eddy, Bucks County, Pa., to Milford, Hunterdon County,
N.J. Chartered by New Jersey, March 8, 1839, and by Pennsyl-
vania, June 24, 1839. Opened for travel, January 29, 1842.
A covered bridge of wood construction, of three spans, having a
total length of 681 feet. Built after the Theodore Burr design
with arch and truss combined. Three trusses, with single drive-
ways and sidewalk on each side. Capitalized at $20,000, original
cost about $18,500, of which but $13,400 had been subscribed;
the balance was paid out of the earnings. Span next to New
Jersey carried away by flood of October 10, 1903. Rebuilt after
same design, using some of the timbers salvaged from the Riegels-
ville bridge. This is one of the two bridges on the Delaware
remaining w'ith all spans covered. Taken over by the Joint
Commission June 28, 1929, at price of $45,000. This bridge and
176 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
the Frenchtown bridge, taken over and declared free of tolls on
the same day, was made the occasion of a gala day celebration,
attended by dignitaries of the states, officers of the Joint Bridge
Commission, and invited guests, with an automobile parade,
brass bands and speeches.
By act of the Pennsylvania legislature, April 10, 1869, the
Passaic Valley & Peapack Railroad Company was authorized
to construct a railroad bridge or viaduct across the Delaware
River at or near Milford, N. J., but the project did not mate-
rialize. (For Milford, N. J., Ferry, see page 147, ante.)
(Laws of Pennsylvania for 1869, page 825.)
RiEGELSViLLE DELAWARE BRIDGE COMPANY — From Riegels-
ville, Bucks County, Pa., to Riegelsville, Warren County, N. J."'^
Charter granted by New Jersey, December 19, 1835, and by
Pennsylvania, March 22, 1836. Opened for travel, December
15, 1837. Originally a covered bridge of wood construction,
of three spans, having a total length between abutments of 577
feet. Three trusses with two driveways and sidewalks, built
after the Burr design with truss and arch combined. Con-
structed under contract by Solon Chapin and Hon. James M.
Porter for $18,900. Capital stock authorized, $20,000, of which
but $18,900 was issued. Span nearest New Jersey carried away
by flood of January 8, 1841, rebuilt of same design by same con-
tractors at cost of $9,000, paid for by a stock assessment. Two
spans nearest New Jersey carried away by flood of October 10,
1903, and span nearest Pennsylvania damaged and fell down
later. Replaced by a steel wire rope suspension bridge (built
by Roebling) 585 feet between center pins of trusses. A double
driveway with two sidewalks. Total cost, including repairs
to piers and abutments, $29,072.25. Paid for by increasing
capital stock to $40,000 and using surplus. Reopened for travel,
April 18, 1904. Taken over by Joint Commission, January 4,
1923. at price of $50,000. Declared free on and after January 1,
1923. (For ferry, see page 152, ante.)
Easton Delaware Bridge Company — From Easton, Pa.,
to Phillipsburg, N. J. Charter granted by Pennsylvania, March
•^0 Riegelsville, N. J., is partly in Warren and partly in Hunterdon Coun-
ties, separated by the Musconetcong Creek, which empties into the Delaware
River, forming the boundary line between the two counties. The river
bridge is on the Warren County side of the creek.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 177
13, 1795, and by New Jersey, March 18, 1795. Enabling act,
March 1, 1800. Supplemental charters, March 12, 1802, extend-
ing time for completion for an additional seven years. Opened
for travel, October 14, 1806. A three-span covered bridge
originally of wood construction, 550 feet in length. It was
designed and constructed under the supervision of Cyrus Palmer
of Newberryport, Massachusetts. The design was of arch and
truss combined, but unlike most of the other bridges on the river,
it had but two trusses, with double driveways and two sidewalks.
Its total cost was 862,854.57. The long delay (eleven years) in
completing this bridge was due to lack of funds, but it turned out
to be one of the best paying bridges on the river. To get sufficient
funds for its completion the Pennsylvania legislature authorized,
by act of April 4, 1798, the raising of vS 12,500 by a lottery scheme,
and by act of March 10, 1806, the state loaned them $10,000 in
order to put it under roof. A supplemental act by Pennsylvania,
approved April 1, 1845, reduced the rate of tolls. By act of
April 8, 1859, the Auditor General and Treasurer of Pennsylvania
were directed to audit the accounts. In 1895 this bridge was
replaced by a steel construction cantilever bridge, designed by
Prof. James jNIadison Porter (the third). These bridges were not
damaged by any of the floods, due partly to their location above
the mouth of the Lehigh River, which, owing to the breaking of
the dams in the Lehigh, was the principal aggressor in 1841 and
1862. However, the History of Sussex and Warren Counties,
page 551, says that while under construction the first bridge was
washed from its foundation, that may refer to the false work only.
Taken over by the Joint Commission, August 3, 1921, at price of
$300,000, in addition to which they divided a large surplus. In
the fall of 1925 and summer of 1926, the cantilever anchorages
were replaced at a cost of 826,400, and the floor rebuilt at cost
of S100,400. fFor ferry, see page 155, ante.)
(Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. XV, page 236; Vol. XVI, pp.
109, 426; Vol. XVII, page 88, and Vol. XVIII, page 141; 3 Smith's Laws,
page 200; Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania for 1845, page 289, for 1859,
page 424; History of Northampton County, page 156; History of the Lehigh
Valley, by Henry, page 120; Sherman Day's Historical Collections, page 168.)
Belvidere Delaware Bridge Company — From Riverton,
Northampton County, Pa., to Belvidere, Warren County, N. J.
Located immediately above the mouth of the Request Creek.
Charter granted by New Jersey, March 5, 1832, and by Pennsyl-
178 IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
vania, February 11, 1835, with supplementary charters granted
by New Jersey, February 6, 1835, and by Pennsylvania, April 1,
1836. Originally a covered bridge of wood construction, having
four spans with a total length of 654 feet. First opened for
travel in the spring of 1836, and immediately thereafter, viz., on
April 9, 1836, the two spans nearest New Jersey were carried
away by a flood. Rebuilt after the same design and reopened
in 1839. The bridge was carried away by the flood of October
10, 1903. Rebuilt of steel construction and reopened in 1904.
Taken over by the Joint Commission, June 14, 1929, at price of
S60,000. (For Belvidere Ferry, see page 161, ante.)
(Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania for 1833, page 25, and for 1836, page 348.)
Knowlton Turnpike & Bridge Company — Crossing the
Delaware from Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County,
Pa. (about two miles south of Portland) to Delaware, Warren
County, N. J. Originally a railroad bridge of wood construction,
built in 1853 by the Warren Railroad Company, which later
became part of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. After
some years it was replaced with a bridge of iron construction,
having three trusses with provision for double tracks. There
are five spans having a total length of 734 feet. In 1914 the
railroad company built a new and heavier bridge a few rods
higher up the river, crossing obliquely, in order to overcome a
short curve on the Pennsylvania end. On completion of the new
bridge, they sold the old one to Dr. Henry Darlington, who
converted it into a toll bridge, and, in turn, transferred it to the
Knowlton Turnpike & Bridge Company, chartered in New
Jersey, January 18, 1915, since which time it has been a passenger
toll bridge. Taken over by the Joint Commission, February 18,
1932, at price of S275,000.
Columbia Delaware Bridge Company — ^From Portland,
Northampton County, Pa., to Columbia, Warren County, N. J.
Portland was formerly called Dill's Ferry, where a ferry had
been established in 1780. It was incorporated into a borough,
October 21, 1876. A river bridge company was first incorporated
by "The President, Managers & Company at the Columbia Glass
Manufactory," by the New Jersey legislature, February 5, 1816,
with concurrent legislation by Pennsylvania, March 16, 1816,
but a financial panic nipped the enterprise in the bud. Supple-
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 179
mental charters, extending the time for building a bridge, were
granted, March 29, 1824, and February 7, 1832, but the bridge
was not built. A charter was then granted to the Columbia
Delaware Bridge Company, by New Jersey, March 7, 1839, and
by Pennsylvania, June 24, 1839. Work on its erection was then
begun. The piers and abutments were completed during 1839,
when work was suspended and not resumed until 1868, when the
bridge was completed and opened for travel in 1869. Its cost
was about $40,000, of which $37,500 was paid out of its capital
stock subscriptions. The original bridge, still standing, is a
covered bridge of wood construction, with four spans having a
total length of 775 feet. There are two trusses, arch and truss
combined, with a double driveway, no sidewalks. It is one of
the two bridges remaining on the Delaware, with all spans of
covered wood construction. Taken over by the Joint Com-
mission, May 2, 1927, at price of $50,250. (For Portland Ferry,
see page 161, ante.)
(History of Sussex and Warren Counties, page 630, and History of North-
ampton County, page 253.)
Dingman's Choice & Delaware Bridge Company — Suc-
cessor to a ferry established about 1735. From Dingman's
Ferry, Pike County, Pa., to Layton, Sussex County, N. J.
Charter for a bridge granted by Pennsylvania, February 11,
1834, and during the same year by New Jersey. Supplemental
charter, February 27, 1849. Originally a three-span covered
bridge of wood construction, 541 feet in length. Opened for
travel in 1834. Lost by a flood. Rebuilt and again lost by a
wind storm. Bridge sold in 1864, sale confirmed by act of
Pennsylvania legislature. A third bridge was then built, which
broke down in 1869. Ferry service resumed from 1869 to 1900,
when the present and fourth bridge was built of steel construction,
w4th two outside trusses, double driveway, no sidewalks. Nego-
tiations pending with the Joint Commission for taking it over.
(For Dingman's Ferry, see page 165, ante.)
President, Managers & Company for Erecting a Bridge
over the Delaware River, near Milford, Pa. — Crossing
about one mile below Milford, Pike County, Pa., to Montague
Township, Sussex County, N. J. First incorporated by Penn-
sylvania, March 12, 1804, but bridge not built at that time. A
180 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
second charter was granted by New Jersey, January 27, 1814,
concurrent legislation by Pennsylvania, March 28, 1814, with
supplemental acts of March 29, 1823; March 22, 1825, and
January 29, 1850. Originally a three-span covered bridge of
wood construction, 531 feet long. Opened for travel in 1836.
Damaged by the flood of January 8, 1841. Failed entirely in
1846. Rebuilt in 1869. Lost by flood of 1888. Rebuilt in
1889 of iron construction, having three spans, two outside
trusses, double driveway, no sidewalks. Ferry operations were
resumed while bridge was out of commission. Taken over by
the Joint Commission, April 25, 1922, at price of 831,500. (For
Milford, Pa., Ferry, see page 166, ante.)
(Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania, Vol. XVII, page 688.)
Twentieth Century Toll Bridges over the
Delaware River
It is a coincidence worthy of note, that while the Joint Com-
mission for Eliminating Toll Bridges over the Delaware River
is engaged in taking over all the old interstate toll bridges, and
freeing them of toll, that millions of dollars are being expended
in building other toll bridges; however, all of the new ones are
below tide. Three of these new bridges have been completed
and opened for travel, as shown on the following list. Tw^o other
crossings are being discussed, one for a bridge below Philadelphia
and touching the New Jersey shore below Pennsburg; if the War
Department will not permit this to be built, vehicular tunnels
may be constructed. The other is for vehicular tunnels between
New Castle County, Delaware, and Salem County, N. J., a
bill for which is now (1932) before Congress.
Philadelphia-Camden Delaware River Bridge — A toll
bridge built and owned by the states of New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania and the city of Philadelphia. Work began January 6,
1922, and on July 1, 1926, the bridge was opened for travel. A
steel wire rope cable suspension bridge resting on concrete foun-
dations. Its total cost was $37,196,971, of which $10,000,000
was for land, and $2,000,000 for engineering and administration
expenses. Its total length from Franklin Square, Philadelphia,
to Sixth and Penn Streets, Camden, is 1.81 miles. The cables
IMPROVING XAVIGATION OX THE DELAWARE RIVER 181
are 36 inches in diameter, with a clearance of 135 feet above
mean high tide. Owing to expansion and contraction between
the hottest day in summer and the coldest day in winter, the
difference in clearance above the river varies three feet and six
inches. The towers are 385 feet high. The river span is 1,750
feet long, and when built was the second longest span of any
bridge in the world, exceeded only by the bridge over the St.
Lawrence near Quebec, which is 100 feet longer.
Since the Philadelphia-Camden bridge was opened, two other
bridges, with longer spans, have been completed, viz., the
Ambassador bridge between Detroit, Mich., and Sandwich,
Ontario, 1,850 feet, and the George Washington suspension bridge
over the Hudson River between Fort Washington, N. Y., and
Fort Lee, N. J., with a clear span of 3,500 feet. Opened October
24, 1931.
Tacony- Palmyra Delaware River Bridge — An interstate
toll bridge of steel construction, resting on conrete foundations,
crossing the Delaware between Tacony, Philadelphia, and Pal-
myra in New Jersey. The approach on the Pennsylvania side
is 1,298 feet long and that on the New Jersey side 1,692 feet;
the river spans are 2,313 feet, making the total length of the
superstructure 5,255 feet. The main span is 540 feet long. A
double-leaf bascule adjoining the main span on the east is set
on piers giving a clear opening of 240 feet. The roadway is 38
feet wide to accommodate four lanes of traffic. There are foot-
paths on both sides. Construction was begun March 27, 1928,
and the bridge was opened for travel August 14, 1929. Its cost
w^as about S5, 000, 000. This bridge is a private enterprise, with
its stock listed on the Philadelphia stock exchange.
Bristol-Burlixgton Delaware River Bridge — The plans
for this bridge were made in 1928, and approved by the War
Department, but owing to some delay work was not begun until
a year later. This is an interstate bridge of steel construction,
resting on concrete foundations. It is located at Maple Beach
about one mile below Bristol, Pa., and enters Burlington, N. J.,
at Reed Street. The total length of superstructure, including
the approaches, is 3,144 feet. The roadway accommodates two
lanes of traffic with a foot-path for pedestrians. The bridge is
equipped with a vertical bascule draw over a channel span of 540
182 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAV^ARE RIVER
feet, having a clearance above the river when closed of 64 feet
and when open of 135 feet. This is the largest vertical draw in
the world. This bridge is a private enterprise and is said to have
cost 82,000,000, of which 8100,000 was the cost of the highway
feeder at West Burlington, N. J. This bridge was officially
opened for travel May 2, 1931, with special ceremonies, speeches
and a parade.
River Bridges and Ferries on the Delaware River
Between Pennsylvania and New York
The Delaware River and its tributaries, above Port Jervis,
N. Y., wind their way through the valleys of the Kittatinny
and Pocono Mountains of Wayne and Pike Counties, Pa., and
of the Catskill Mountains of Delaware, Sullivan and Orange
Counties of New York. Geologically the rocks on both sides
of the river all belong to the Catskill series. Many beds of
flagstones were made available when the Erie Railroad was built
through the Delaware Valley. Their quarrying and shipping
became an important industry, but alas, the use of cement has
closed every one of the quarries. Throughout this entire region,
almost to the tops of the highest mountain peaks, there are evi-
dences of the great northern ice glacier.
The country through which the river passes is sparsely settled,
consisting mostly of rough mountainous forests. It is recorded
that during the active days of rafting, fifty million feet of logs
per year were cut from these forests and floated down the Dela-
ware. There are many lakes and mountain streams, well
stocked with trout, and the entire section furnishes a delightful
playground. During the summer season, the many resorts,
mostly small, offer restful retreats for vacation outings. There
are but few settlements along the river, except where the bridges
are located, all of which are doubtless successors to ferries, and
it is not likely that there were many ferries located between
them. At any rate, no special effort has been made to locate the
old ferries. There was, however, a ferry called Dunning's
Ferry, about two miles above Port Jervis, and about nine miles
below Pond Eddy bridge; also Minard's Ferry, in Manchester
Township, Wayne County, crossing the river about one mile west
of Lordville, to connect with the public road on the New York
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVKK 183
side in Sullivan County, for which a charter was granted to Zillar
Minard by the Pennsylvania legislature, April 14, 1869. Also a
wire rope ferry crossing the river at Stockport, about four miles
below Hancock. There were also many ferries and bridges on
both branches of the Delaware above Hancock.
The distance from Port Jervis to the northern boundary of
Pennsylvania, following the windings of the river, is about 85
miles. ^^ There are eleven highway bridges over the Delaware
between these two points, which have been taken over by the
New York and Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Commission. The
bridges are located in the order which follows, beginning at Port
Jervis, thence up the river ending with the bridge at Hancock.
Charters were granted for two other bridges, which do not appear
to have been built. One of them to the "President, Managers &
Company of the Bridge at Stockport" — Incorporated by Penn-
sylvania, March 18, 1816, with a supplementary act of March 29,
1849. Stockport (Hancock post ofifice) is in Wayne County, and
a crossing would be at Stockport station on the Erie Railroad in
Sullivan County, N. Y. The other one incorporated as the
"Delaware Bridge Company," by act of the Pennsylvania legis-
lature, approved April 11, 1866, "to cross the Delaware from a
point in Wayne County to be fixed by the corporation, to Fre-
mont Township, Sullivan County, N. Y." The Erie Railroad
also crosses the Delaware from New York to Pennsylvania and
back again on double track deck truss bridges of steel construc-
tion, but these are referred to elsewhere in these notes; see page
193 hereof.
(Hazard's Register, Vol. Ill, pp. 89, 102; 6 Smith's Laws, 1816, page
354, and Pamphlet Laws of Pennsylvania, 1849, page 196, and for 1866, page
1198.)
Port Jervis Bridges — F"rom Matamoras, Pike County, Pa.,
to Port Jervis, Orange County, N. Y. The building of these
bridges had rather a unique history, due partly to bad faith,
''1 The northern boundary line between Pennsylvania and New York was
determined in December, 1774, by David Rittenhouse and Samuel Holland,
engineers representing both states, who placed a stone marker on a small
island in the Mohocks or West Branch of the Delaware, with the letters
"New York, 1774," cut on the north side and "Lat. 42° 20'" cut on top thereof.
In 1854, the Commissioners of Wayne County erected a granite marker 600
feet west of the middle of the river, at a point about one mile from Hale
Eddy, N. Y., to indicate the boundary between the two states. (Hazard's
Register, Vol. Ill, page 135, and Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania,
page 679.)
184 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
deceptions, disappointments and delays. In 1848, a charter
was granted by the Pennsylvania legislature to the Milford &
Port Jervis Railroad Company, for a bridge over the river to
cross between Matamoras and Port Jervis, to be built by the
New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, which had
planned to cross the Delaware at that place with its trunk line,
but the alignment was changed, and they found it more to their
advantage to cross at Sawmill Rift, about four miles above Port
Jervis."'^ However, in view of their obligation to build and
maintain a railroad and wagon bridge between Matamoras and
Port Jervis, they carried out their obligation and built a wooden
truss bridge which was opened in 1852. In 1870, when plans
were about completed to build a railroad to Milford, a wind
storm, during March, 1870, completely destroyed the bridge.
The Erie Railroad then sold the franchise to the Lamonte Mining
& Railroad Company, which had been incorporated by act of the
Pennsylvania legislature for the purpose of mining and proved to
be an unreliable concern. During the same year the legislature
of Pennsylvania passed an act by which the Erie Railroad was
to pay the bridge company S10,000 a year for 990 years, but, alas,
owing to dissensions among the bridge directors, the act was
repealed, thus relieving the Erie Railroad from all obligations.
The franchise was then sold to the Barrett Bridge Company, a
New York corporation, which built a new bridge, lower down the
river where the present highway bridge stands, but not a com-
bination bridge suitable for both wagons and a railroad, but a
tw^o-span wire suspension wagon bridge, on which tolls were
exacted. This bridge was carried away by an ice freshet in 1875
and then rebuilt. It was again destroyed by the great flood of
October, 1903, after which the present two-span steel arch truss
bridge was built. This bridge was taken over by the Pennsyl-
vania-New York Joint Commission for eliminating toll bridges
on March 23, 1922, at a price of S153,250. The commission then
expended $45,026.32 for strengthening and repairing.
When building of the Milford & Port Jervis Railroad was
renewed, a bridge was erected over the Delaware a short distance
above the Port Jervis bridge, then a toll bridge, and extended to
32 Port Jervis (originally called Mohackamack Fork) was named for
John B. Jervis, one of the engineers who built the Delaware and Hudson
Canal. It was incorporated into a village, July 20, 1853.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 185
the bluffs of marcellus shale below Matamoras, considerable of
which was shipped over the Erie Railroad to New York harbor
points. This bridge withstood the flood of 1903, but the follow-
ing year in 1904 it was carried away by an ice freshet, whereupon
it was abandoned. A plate girder span over the Erie tracks and a
naked pier standing in the middle of the river can still be seen,
sentinels of an unsuccessful undertaking.
Pond Eddy Bridge— From Pond Eddy, Pike County, Pa.,
to Pond Eddy (in canal times called Carpenter's basin), Lumber-
land Township, Sullivan County, N. Y. Originally a wire rope
suspension toll bridge, built and maintained by the township of
Lumberland. Carried away by the flood of October, 1903, and
replaced in 1904 by a two-span bridge of steel construction, and
then made a free bridge. Being a free bridge the Joint Com-
mission declined to take it over at its market value. It appears,
however, that the township was glad to get rid of its upkeep, and
therefore transferred it to the commission, June 24, 1927, for the
nominal consideration of S3. 00.
Shohola Bridge — From Shohola, Pike County, Pa., to
Barry ville, Sullivan County, N. Y. A two-span wire rope sus-
pension bridge, first bridge built in 1855, which blew down July 2,
1859. Rebuilt and again blew dow-n, January, 1865. The
present bridge of same construction (wire rope suspension) w'as
built during the fall of 1866. Taken over by the Joint Commis-
sion, January 27, 1923, at price of 822,789.11.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 968.)
Lackawaxen Bridge — This crossing between Lackawaxen,
Pike County, Pa., to Minisink Fork, Sullivan County, N. Y.
(about a mile and a half from where the battle of Minisink was
fought, July 22, 1779), consists of a viaduct having four spans,
suspended by a wire rope cable S}4 inches in diameter, formerly
used as an aqueduct by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company.
After the canal was abandoned, it was sold in 1899, and the
aqueduct converted by Spruks Brothers, lumbermen, of Scran-
ton, Pa., into a viaduct toll bridge, using the bed of the canal
as the driveway. Taken over by the Joint Commission, Decem-
ber, 1928, at price of $20,000. It was about five miles below
the junction of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers near
186 IMPROVING NAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
Shohola Creek that the Hne of survey of the unjust Indian walk
of September, 1737, ended. (See Canals, page 194 hereof.)
Narrowsburg Bridge — From Damascus Township, Wayne
County, Pa., to Narrowsburg, Sullivan County, N. Y. The
first bridge was of wood construction. Replaced by a one-span
bridge of steel construction, having a length of about 160 feet.
The river at this place passes between two rock embankments,
which serve for the abutments of the bridge. This is the shortest
bridge on the entire river. Narrowsburg is sometimes referred
to as Big Pond. Bridge taken over by the Joint Commission,
January 6, 1926, at price of S55,000.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 330, and Second
Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, Vol. C5, page 164.)
MiLANViLLE Bridge Company — Bridge spans the river from
Milanville, Damascus Towsnhip, Wayne County, Pa., to
Skinner's Falls, Sullivan County, N. Y. A two-span bridge of
steel construction. Incorporated, May 8, 1901, with supple-
mental act of May 26, 1903. It M-as from this place that the first
raft was started down the Delaware in 1764;" by Daniel Skinner,
after which he was called "Lord High Admiral," a title he retained
until his death in 1813. The bridge was taken over by the
Joint Commission, April 13, 1923, at price of $19,542.21.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, pp. 337 and 445; Laws
of Pennsylvania for 1901, page 144, and for 1903, page 68.)
Cochecton Bridge CoMPANV^From Damascus, Wayne
County, Pa., to Cochecton, Sullivan County, N. Y. The first
bridge, probably the successor of an early ferry, was chartered
in 1817 and completed in 1819. It was a two-span wooden
bridge with a pier in the middle. Its construction was so
defective that it soon fell of its own weight. In 1821 a second
bridge, with three spans, and two piers, was opened and then
became regularly incorporated as a toll bridge. In 1846 the
western pier became undermined during high water, and fell,
carrying with it the two spans on the Pennsylvania side. A
legalized ferry was then put in service and operated until the
winter of 1847-48, when a new bridge was opened for travel,
but this also proved defective and collapsed in the spring of 1848,
•5-^ Some historians give this date as 1746, particularly Davis in his History
of Bucks Count}', both editions, which is wrong, as 1764 is doubtless the
correct date.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 187
when the New York span fell. A new pier and a new span were
then built and the bridge reopened in 1849-50. In 1850 the
Pennsylvania span gave way. Ferry operations were again
resumed until 1854, when a new bridge was opened, which stood
until the great ice flood of 1857, when the entire bridge was swept
away. The ferry was then equipped with a wire rope cable and
again put in service, until February 1, 1859, when another new
bridge was opened. In 1872 the middle span settled, requiring
repairs. This bridge still standing is of iron construction, with
three spans and has a length of about 550 feet. Taken over by
the Joint Commission, January 13, 1923, at price of vS24,951.58.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, pages 377, 468, 469, 470.)
Callicoon Bridge — From Damascus Township, Wayne
County, Pa., to Callicoon, Sullivan County, N. Y. A four-
span bridge of iron construction, which may have been the suc-
cessor of an earlier bridge. At any rate, there was a ferry on
the river at this place authorized by act of the Pennsylvania
legislature, April 13, 1854. Bridge taken over by the Joint
Commission, February 9, 1923, at price of S35,000.
(Laws of Pennsylvania for 1854, page 350.)
Kellam's Bridge — From Stalker, Manchester Township,
Wayne County, Pa., to a road leading to Hankins, Sullivan
County, N. Y. A one-span wire rope cable bridge. It appears
that there was a ferry on the river at or near this place, granted
to William T. Kellam by act of the Pennsylvania legislature,
March 28, 1860, "to a point nearly opposite to the Basket switch
or depot of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad."
Taken over by the Joint Commission, December, 1928, at price
of $15,000.
(Laws of Pennsylvania for 1860, page 319.)
LoRDViLLE & Equinunk Bridge COMPANY — Crossing the
river from a point below Equinunk, Manchester Township,
Wayne County, Pa., to Lordville, Sullivan County, N. Y. Incor-
porated by act of Pennsylvania legislature, April 8, 1857, with
supplementary act of February 18, 1869. A one-span wire rope
cable bridge, about 360 feet long. Taken over by the Joint Com-
mission, April 10, 1930, at price of vS26,002.00.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, page 536; Laws of Penn-
sylvania for 1857, page 185, and for 1869, page 189.)
188 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
Hancock Bridge — From Buckingham Township, Wayne
County, Pa., to Hancock, Delaware County, N. Y.. A one-span
wire suspension bridge over the Mohocks or West Branch of
the Delaware. Taken over by the Joint Commission, July 1,
1922, at price of SIO, 186.76. There is also a highway bridge
immediately south of Hancock, crossing the East Branch of the
Delaware, and another over the West Branch above the New
York state line, but they are wholly within the state of New York,
and therefore not interstate bridges.
Railroad Bridges over the Delaware River
There are thirteen railroad bridges spanning the Delaware
River between Philadelphia, Pa., and Hancock, N. Y.
Pennsylvania Railroad Company — That company's all-
rail route to New Jersey seashore points. Crossing the Dela-
ware at Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa. Chartered, March 17,
1890, as the Delaware River Railroad & Bridge Company.
Opened for traffic in 1896. Total length of bridge and approaches,
4,375 feet, made up of an approach viaduct at the Pennsylvania
end of 41 spans of deck plate girders having an aggregate length
of 2,129 feet; three spans, through trusses, each 533 feet, with
a draw span of 328 feet, and an approach on the New Jersey
side of eight spans of deck plate girders having a total length of
324 feet. Constructed of steel.
Pennsylvania Railroad Company — Crossing the Dela-
ware between Morrisville, Bucks County, Pa., and Trenton,
N. J. The through line of that company's entire system of
railroads into and through New Jersey to New York. A stone
arch bridge, having 18 spans, of which four are for the approaches
and fourteen spanning the channel. Opened for traffic in 1908.
This bridge was built to replace a steel bridge three-tenths of a
mile higher up the river at Decatur Street. For data of the
first bridge, see page 169, ante.
Delaware & Bound Brook Railroad Company — The
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, lessees. Crossing
the Delaware between Yardley, Bucks County, Pa., and North
Trenton, N. J. A concrete arch bridge, having 14 spans, of
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 189
which twelve are over the stream and one on each side of the
river for approaches. Built in 1893 to replace a bridge of steel
construction, which had six spans, one of which was over the
public road, which had been opened for traffic, May 1, 1876.
Lehigh Valley Railroad Company — Chartered, September
20, 1847. Its railroad from Mauch Chunk to South Easton
was completed by September 24, 1855. In 1856 a wooden bridge
of unique design was erected over the Delaware to Phillips-
burg, N. J. This was a double bridge, with one set of tracks
supported by the bottom chords, crossing the river on an incline
to connect at grade with the Belvidere Delaware Railroad. The
other set of tracks were on top of the trusses and crossed on a
level to meet the tracks of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
at grade. In 1866 an enlarged bridge, to the south thereof, of
wood construction, was completed. It was equipped with
stiffening arches on new masonry and had double tracks. In
1868 a new connection was effected with the Belvidere Dela-
ware. In 1875 the Easton & Amboy Railroad, affiliated with
the Lehigh Valley, was completed between Phillipsburg and
Jersey City, when a new bridge of iron construction was built
with double tracks, having four spans built on a curve, involving
a three-span single track spur to connect with the Central Rail-
road of New Jersey and the Morris & Essex Division of the
D. L. & W. Railroad. The old wooden bridge was then removed.
A cut of it in process of removal can be seen in Condit's History
of Easton, page 459. In 1901-02 a new double-track steel
bridge was added, using the masonry up-stream. It has seven
spans of a total length of 1,077 feet, with a spur bridge of three
spans having a total length of 270 feet connecting with the Central
of New Jersey and Morris & Essex Railroads. At the same
time the iron bridge, built in 1875, was changed to a single track
and shortened one span at the New Jersey end. Thus giving
them two bridges with three tracks, which are now (1932) in use.
Central Railroad Company of New Jersey — Incorpor-
ated February 26, 1847, as the Somerville & Easton Railroad
Company; changed on April 23, 1849, to that of Central Rail-
road Company of New Jersey. The road was completed and
opened to Phillipsburg, N. J., in 1852, which is the terminus
of that branch of its system. In 1855 the Lehigh Valley Rail-
190 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
road was opened from Mauch Chunk to Easton, and in 1856
that road built a bridge of wooden construction over the Dela-
ware, having two sets of tracks one above the other. The top
or upper tracks connected with the Central Railroad of New
Jersey, the lower ones with the Belvidere Delaware Railroad,
which had been completed to Phillipsburg in 1854. The Lehigh
& Susquehanna Railroad, organized in 1837, a subsidiary of the
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, began grading its road
between Mauch Chunk and Easton in 1866, completing it by
May 2, 1868. The tracks were laid throughout with Bessemer
steel rails weighing sixty pounds to the yard, imported from
England, and was one of the first railroads in this country to use
steel rails. Some of these rails still remain on abandoned side
tracks bearing the stamp of "John Brown, Sheffield Atlas Steel,
1867" ; "Bolton Iron & Steel Co., Naylor & Co., 1867," and "Cam-
mell Sheffield — Toughened Steel, 1867." Their cost appears to
have been about $185 per ton. It was not until 1893, that the
Lehigh & Susquehanna built a bridge of its own across the Dela-
ware. In 1903 it was replaced by a bridge of iron construction,
which was followed in 1920 by the present bridge of steel con-
struction, having seven spans, with a total length of 1,036 feet
4 inches, which includes the approaches at both ends. There
are but four spans over the stream.
Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad Company — Incorpor-
rated under the laws of both New Jersey and New York. The
road was completed to Belvidere, N. J., by 1890, which for several
years was its western terminal. Crosses the Hudson River over
the Poughkeepsie bridge. A survey was made to extend the
road from Belvidere to Phillipsburg, but this plan was abandoned
by reason of an agreement with the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany to use the tracks of the Belvidere Division Railroad. At
Phillipsburg connection was made with the tracks of the Central
Railroad, which operated the road from Belvidere until 1896,
when the Lehigh & Hudson built its own bridge over the Dela-
ware, using the Central passenger station at the foot of Fourth
Street, Easton, for its terminal. This bridge crosses the Dela-
ware on a curve, and also on a grade, dropping from the level of
the Central tracks at Easton to those of the Pennsylvania near
its Phillipsburg passenger station. The bridge is of steel con-
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 191
struction, mostly of plate girders with thirteen spans, of which
six are over the stream and the others over the approaches.
Pennsylvania Railroad Company — Crossing the Delaware
from Brainards, Warren County, N. J., to Martins Creek,
Northampton County, Pa. The first bridge of wood construc-
tion was opened for traffic in 1885. The superstructure was
carried away by the flood of October 10, 1903. Rebuilt of steel
construction in 1904. Wood trestle approach on the New
Jersey side 63 feet long, then two spans of deck plate girders
each 53 feet, four spans of same each 92yi feet and one span
88^ feet long, making the total length of the bridge and ap-
proaches, 627 feet 6 inches.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company.
The construction of this road has a most interesting history.
It was the outgrowth of the Lackawanna Coal & Iron Company,
with a plant at Scranton and its valuable coal mines, and of
the Oxford Iron Company, which desired to find an outlet for
its products. The railroad is a consolidation of a number of
roads, chartered under different names: First, the Owego &
Ithaca, opened December, 1849; second, the Susquehanna Canal
& Railroad Company, chartered 1826, succeeded by the Lacka-
wanna & Western running from Scranton to Great Bend, com-
pleted in October, 1851, and called the Legget's Gap Railroad.
The Warren Railroad Company of New Jersey, incorporated
April 23, 1852, Mhich provides, "That it shall be lawful for the
said Warren Railroad Company to erect a bridge across the
Delaware at some point near or within five miles of the Dela-
ware Water Gap." On the same day (April 23, 1852) a charter
was granted to the Delaware & Cobbs Creek Railroad, with the
proviso: "That it shall be lawful for the Delaware & Cobbs
Creek Railroad to connect their road with the road of the Warren
Railroad Company of New Jersey, by a bridge across the river
Delaware, which bridge may be constructed jointly, or in part,
or whole by either company aforementioned * * *" All of
which were consolidated March 11, 1853, as the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company. The Morris &
Essex Railroad was later taken over by the same company.
A river bridge, of wood construction, was accordingly built by
the Warren Railroad Company in 1853. It crosses the Dela-
192 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
ware about two miles south of Portland, Northampton County,
Pa., to Delaware, Warren County, N. J. Later this wooden
bridge was replaced by a bridge of iron construction, having three
trusses and a double passageway, five spans having a total length
of 734 feet. This bridge proved to be unsatisfactory, owing to
the short curve at the Pennsylvania end, and in 1914 a new and
much stronger bridge of steel construction was built a few rods
higher up the river. When the new bridge was opened in 1915,
the railroad company sold the old one to Dr. Henry Darlington
on behalf of the Knowlton Turnpike & Bridge Company, and
until February 18, 1932, it was maintained as a toll bridge. See
page 161, ante.
(History of Sussex and Warren Counties, page 656, et seq.; History of
Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, pp. 1031, 1032, and Laws of Pennsylvania
for 1852, page 422.)
Lehigh & New England Railroad "Company — Originally
the Pennsylvania, Slatington & New England Railroad Com-
pany, which was reorganized in 1887 as the Pennsylvania,
Poughkeepsie & Boston Railroad Company, which, in turn, was
foreclosed in 1904, and then taken over by the Lehigh & New
England Railroad Company, which had been chartered, April 2,
1895. The road was opened for traffic from Slatington, Pa., to
Campbells Hall, N. Y., January 1, 1890. A bridge crosses the
Delaware River from Portland, Pa., to Columbia, Warren
County, N. J. The bridge has one plate deck girder span over
the D. L. & W. Railroad tracks, then five spans of similar con-
struction over the river, then a number of spans of same con-
struction for a long approach on the New Jersey side.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company.
A beautifully designed concrete bridge over the Delaware River,
located at a point between Portland, Pa., and the Delaware
Water Gap. It has a long concrete approach on the New Jersey
side, then six arch spans over the river, then with concrete
bridges over the low-down tracks of the same railroad company
and over the public roads. This bridge was opened for traffic,
December 24, 1911 , when the Jersey City cutoff was put in service.
The railroad company calls the Pennsylvania end, Slateford
Junction. The New Jersey end is in Knowlton Township, War-
ren County.
improving navigatiox ox the telaware river 193
New York, Susquehanxa & Westerx Railroad Com-
pany — Incorporated in Pennsylvania, April 25, 1893. Leased
by the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Co., now the
Erie Railroad Co.
Bridge constructed about 1881-82, under a charter granted
to the North New Jersey Railroad Company in New Jersey and
the Water Gap Railroad Co., in Pennsylvania.
This bridge crosses the Delaware at their Water Gap station,
between Delaware Water Gap and Shawnee, in Smithfield Town-
ship, Monroe County, to Pahaquarry Township, W'arren County,
N. J. It is built of iron with four spans, single track, 884 feet
3 inches between abutments.
Erie Railroad Comfaxy — Formerly the New York, Lake
Erie & Western Railroad. Two double-track deck truss bridges
of iron or steel construction, about 27 miles apart, cross the Dela-
ware above Port Jervis. The railroad follows the eastern or
New York shore to Mill Rift at Old Bolton Basin, about four
miles above Port Jervis, where it crosses the river and canal
into Pike County, Pa. This bridge was carried away by an ice
freshet in 1875, as was also the toll bridge at Port Jervis. From
Mill Creek the railroad follows the western or Pennsylvania
shore for about 27 miles, and then crosses back into New York
over a three span bridge at Tusin Station, about a mile above the
village of Tusin in Sullivan County, and about eight miles above
Lackawaxen. Just below Hancock the railroad crosses over the
East Branch of the Delaware, but that is wholly within the state
of New York and not an interstate bridge.
194 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
CANALS CONNECTED WITH THE WATERS OF
THE DELAWARE AND LEHIGH RIVERS
Delaware & Hudson Canal — There were five canals built
and operated in connection with the waters of the Delaware and
Lehigh Rivers, of which the Delaware & Hudson was the pioneer
and the first to open for navigation.
On March 13, 1823, the Pennsylvania legislature authorized
the improvement of navigation on the Lackawaxen River, in
order that the anthracite coal mines of Wurts Brothers, located
at Carbondale in Lackawanna County, operating under the name
of Lackawaxen Coal Mine and Navigation Company, might be
developed, and the coal carried to market. This franchise with
its coal mines and transportation rights was then sold to the
Lackawaxen Canal Company, organized March 9, 1825, with
Philip Hone as its first president. On May 1, 1826, it was
incorporated by act of the Pennsylvania legislature. On April
23, 1823, the Delaware & Hudson Railroad had been chartered
by the Pennsylvania legislature. The charter rights were then
transferred to The President, Managers & Company of the Dela-
ware & Hudson Canal Company, which had, on April 23, 1823,
been incorporated under the laws of New York, empowered to
open water communication between the Delaware and Hudson
Rivers. A gravity road with eight inclined planes was then
built from the coal mines at Carbondale, over the Moosic Moun-
tain to the junction of the Lackawaxen and Dyberry Rivers at
Honesdale. The mines were on the west side of the mountain,
which the road ascended by means of five planes, each having an
ascent of from 120 feet to 205 feet, operated by five stationary
engines, crossing the mountain through Rix's Gap, then descend-
ing on the eastern slope by three gravity planes, controlled by
self-acting windlasses. Its total length was nearly 17 miles,
with Rix's Gap 970 feet above the canal basin at Honesdale.
The gauge of the tracks was 4 feet 3 inches, supported on hemlock
stringers, 8 inches by 16 inches, set on edge, on which the iron
strap rails were fastened with countersunk screws. The rails,
made in England, were about 15^ feet long, size 2>^ inches by
^2 inch, with rounded tops, and the ends dovetailed together as
shown by the following cut :
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 19:
/ 1/2"
^ /
/ Fig.l
11/16"
^
Fig.
' i (
= 3/4"
CO
lO
J \
1
Strap rails
\
15i iH>. long \
1 \
DELAWARE & HUDSON CANAL COMPANY
Fig. I. Full size section of rounded top strap rails used on inclined plane railroad.
Fig. 2. Top view. Full size, showing how rails were joined together at ends.
The planes were, at first, equipped with chains (made in
England), which proved troublesome, owing to frequent break-
age, and in a few years were discarded and replaced by tarred
manilla ropes, and still later, after wire ropes were made in this
country, probably in 1846, iron wire ropes were installed.
On August 8, 1829, a locomotive built by Foster, Rastrick
& Co., of Stourbridge, England, and called the "Stourbridge
Lion," was imported and put in service on this gravity road. Its
cost delivered at Rondout was $2,914.90. It was the very first
locomotive engine to be used on any American railroad. The
greater part of it has since been reassembled and can now be
seen in the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. It was the
plan of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company to use loco-
motives on the three descending stretches of tracks which were,
respectively, two, six and four miles in length, and with that end
in view ordered and had delivered three locomotives. However,
the experimental trials with the "Stourbridge Lion" were not
satisfactory, due to the hemlock stringers not having sufficient
cross ties, and were not considered safe for this "heavy loco-
motive," weighing eight tons, and the plan was given up. This
196 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
was, however, the beginning of locomotives in America, the
evolution and growth of which can be seen by the thousands
now in use, as well as by the size and economic construction of
the twentieth century locomotives. The two illustrations shown
herewith demonstrate the changes that have taken place in a
century from the "Stourbridge Lion" to the "High-Pressure
THE "STOURBRIDGE LION" LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE
The first locomotive engine ever used in America. Made in England and imported by the
Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. Put in service, August 8, 1829, on their inclined
plane railway at Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Height to top of stack, 15 feet.
^Vheel base, 4 feet 6 inches. Two upright cylinders, S^ in. diameter, 36
in. stroke. Four driving wheels, 48 in. diameter, with wooden
spokes and felloes. Weight fully equipped, eight net tons.
Articular Locomotive," using oil as fuel, built at the Baldwin
shops for the Great Northern Railway Company, weighing with
tender over 458 net tons, and having a total length of 105 feet.
In like manner the same progress has been made in rails from
those of strap iron to those of the steel T rails, weighing 136
pounds per yard, now being rolled at the Steelton plant of the
IMPROVIXG NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 197
Bethlehem Steel Corporation for the Lehigh Valley Railroad.^"*
The T rail was the invention of Robert L. Stevens, who, in 1831,
induced a firm in Wales to roll iron rails from his pattern, with
which to equip the Camden & Amboy Railroad, of which he was
president. The first shipment arrived in America May 16,
1831, they were 16 feet long, 3>^ inches high by 3y^ inches at
the base, and weighed slightly less than 40 pounds per yard.
Rails having the standard length of 30 feet were first rolled at
the Cambria Iron Works, Johnstow^n, Pa., in 1855. The first
experimental Bessemer steel rail was rolled in England in 1857,
HIGH-PRESSURE ARTICULATED OIL BURNING FREIGHT LOCOMOTI\'E
Built in 1925 at The Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Great Northern Railway.
Total length of locomotive and tender, 105 ft. Engine has 12 driving wheels,
63 in. diameter, with wheel base of 58 ft. 2 in. Tender has 12 wheels,
33 in. diameter. Two sets (4) engine truck wheels, 33 in. diameter.
Weight fully equipped, 458",' net tons.
and the first one in the United States on May 24, 1865, at the
North Chicago rolling mills. With all this evolution, develop-
ment and expansion of our railroads and their motive power, the
flanges on the wheels of both locomotives and cars have under-
gone but little change.
From the basin at Honesdale, where the coal chutes were
located, the canal followed along the northern side of the Lacka-
waxen River, descending 371 feet, with 37 locks, in a distance
of about 26 miles, where it crossed the Lackawaxen, and then,
34 Since this paper was first written, we learn that the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Co., during May, 1931, began laying steel rails weighing 152 pounds per
yard. They were rolled at the Steelton plant of the Bethlehem Steel Co.,
and the Edgar Thompson plant of the United States Steel Corporation.
198 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
when first built, on a dam in the Delaware River, with outlet
locks on both sides thereof. Owing to the uncertain conditions
of water in the Delaware, the crossing on a dam was found to be
unsatisfactory. After the establishment of a wire rope plant in
this country, by John A. Roebling at Saxenberg, Butler County,
Pa., the construction of an aqueduct, suspended by wire rope
cables, was begun, which was completed and put in service in
1849. These cables were the third cables made in this country.
Their diameter was 8>^ inches. The aqueduct had four spans,
having a total length of 550 feet. The waterway between the
trusses was of wood construction. The canal was formally
abandoned February 23, 1899, and on June 13th following, the
canal was sold to the Cornell Steamboat Company, which, in
turn, sold the bridge to Spruks Brothers, of Scranton, Pa., who
converted it into a highway toll bridge, the bed on the aqueduct
serving as the roadway for the viaduct.
After crossing the Delaware at Lackawaxen, the canal fol-
lowed along the eastern shore of the Delaware to Port Jervis, a
distance of 22 miles, with 22 locks, thence along the Neversink
River, S}4 miles to Cuddebackville, where it crossed over the
Neversink by an aqueduct 324 feet long, thence through the
DELAWARE RIVER- ABOVE PORT JERVIS
Showing Delaware & Hudson Canal beneath Hawk's Nest, about four miles above Port Jervis
on the New York side of the river and the Erie Railroad on the Pennsylvania side of
the Delaware.
IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 199
Rondout Valley, crossing the Rondout River by a stone arch
aqueduct supported by two arches, to the basin at Eddyville on
the Hudson River, two miles from Rondout, now part of Kings-
ton, formerly called Esopus, a distance of 59 miles with 60 locks,
from Port Jervis, making the total length of the canal about
108 miles.
The gravity road was the first undertaking of that kind in
America. Prior to its construction coal was hauled from the
mines by wagons and sleds to the Lackawaxen and its tributaries
and floated on arks down to the Philadelphia and other markets.
The first boat, carrying 10 tons of coal, passed through the
canal during October, 1828, whereas the gravity road did not
begin delivering coal until October 9, 1829, during this inter-
vening year carting by team to Honesdale continued.
The prism of the canal, as well as the locks, were enlarged
from time to time, first to accommodate boats carrying 30 to
40 tons, then in 1841 to carry 40 to 50 tons, and again in 1849,
when the aqueduct was completed, to carry 135 tons. Until
the incline plane road was ready, the canal shipments were made
up mostly of wood and lumber. During one week in May, 1829,
110 boats and 106 rafts of lumber arrived at Eddyville. The
last boat was cleared through the canal, November 5, 1898, thus
making the life of the canal seventy years
In May, 1850, a gravity railroad was completed by the Penn-
sylvania Coal Company from its mines at Dunmore and Pittston
in Lackawanna County, to the D. & H. canal basin at Hawley,
and for several years its anthracite coal was transported by that
canal. This gravity road extended over the Moosic Mountains,
and was, in fact, a double road, with one set of tracks for carrying
down loaded cars, the other for empty cars returning to the
mines. This pioneer venture of the Delaware & Hudson Com-
pany, turned out per se to be a paying venture, but on the aban-
donment of the system, the capital investment was naturally
lost. It was, however, the beginning of the Delaware & Hudson
Company, with its railroads, coal mines, ore mines, blast furnace,
hotels and other propert3^ In October, 1930, the Delaware &
Hudson Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce
Commission for permission to abandon that part of the road
still in use, saying that it was being operated less and less in
recent years. Their petition was granted, and on August 3,
200 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
1931, authorized its abandonment. The building of the incline
gravity road and the canal were indeed bold undertakings, which
deserve the applause of all progressive Americans, and now, alas,
in this twentieth century, the railroads owning coal mines, are
compelled to segregate them from their carrying systems.
(History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, by Alfred Mathews,
1886, pp. 227 and 237 to 244; "Old Towpaths," by Alvin F. Harlow, page
185, D. Appleton & Co., 1926; Hazard's Register, Vol. HI, page 139, Vol.
VI, page 111, Vol. VII, page 45; Swank's Iron in All Ages, second edition,
pp. 437, 438, 439; "A Century of Progress," being a History of the Delaware
and Hudson Company.)
Lehigh Canal — Owned and operated by the Lehigh Coal &
Navigation Company, successor of the Lehigh Coal Mine Com-
pany, organized February 13, 1792, which not being successful in
its operations, was dissolved. It was followed by the Lehigh
Navigation Company, organized August 10, 1818, and the Lehigh
Coal Company, organized October 21, 1818, which were united
to form the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, which origi-
nated under "an act to improve navigation in the river Lehigh,"
granted to Josiah White, Erskine Hazard and George F. A.
Hauto on March 18, 1818. Owing to some friction among the
partners, Hauto on March 7, 1820, agreed to sell out his interest
to his associates. On February 13, 1822, a liberal and broad
charter was granted to them, with exclusive rights to the use of
the waters of the Lehigh, and with authority to build canals from
its coal mines to Easton, where the Lehigh empties into the
Delaware."''' The work of digging the canal did not begin until
they had assurance that the Delaware Division Canal would be
built. About the same time they began building a gravity
railroad from their coal mines to connect with the canal. This
was completed by May, 1827. This was later called the Switch
Back Railroad, and used exclusively by tourists and for
pleasure excursions. The first section of the canal from Mauch
Chunk to Easton, 46^ miles, was partly by slack water, requir-
ing nine dams together with 37 locks to overcome a fall of 364
feet. This section was opened in June, 1829, but could not
be used to advantage, as the Delaware Division Canal, with
which it was to connect at Easton, was not completed. The
Morris canal in New Jersey with which it was to connect at
Easton, was not opened until the spring of 1832. Therefore,
35 See Hazard's Register, Vol, XIII, page 229.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 201
shipments of coal by arks down the Delaware River continued.
It was not until 1832 that the Delaware Division Canal was
opened, and then it was found to be so defective that it took
until 1834 before navigation could be regularly carried on. The
second section of the Lehigh Canal, from Mauch Chunk to White
Haven, 24^ miles, almost entirely by slack water, had a fall of
642 feet, overcome by 29 locks with falls of from 15 to 30 feet."'*^
This section was opened in 1838, and three years later, in January,
1841, was completely destroyed by a flood. It was rebuilt along
more substantial lines, and again put in commission in 1844.
The third section from Wright's creek at White Haven to Stod-
dartsville, 12,296 miles, with a fall of 336 feet, 3 locks and 3
dams, was opened for navigation March 19, 1838. On comple-
tion of this third section the entire canal had a total length of
83.80 miles with a fall of 1,342 feet. I have often heard my old
friend, John Brown (born 1808, died 1889), when as superin-
tendent in charge of building this canal above Mauch Chunk,
relate his experience and the great difficulties to be overcome in
building through a pioneer country, with no sign of human
habitation between Lausanne and Stoddartsville, a distance of
35 miles, and how he spent many nights sleeping under the hem-
locks, with hemlock boughs for his bed.
The great flood of June, 1862, completely destroyed the canal
above Mauch Chunk, washing away all the dams and locks, as
well as destroying many of those between Easton and Mauch
Chunk. The canal above Mauch Chunk was then abandoned,
and the terminus of the canal re-established at Mauch Chunk,
where it had been prior to 1838, and where coal was transferred
to boats down in 1923, when, owing to freshets having washed
coal culm into the river and canal, the terminus was established
at Slate Dam, two miles above Siegfried, about twenty miles
below Mauch Chunk. The culm salvaged from the dams above
Siegfried in 1927 amounted to 160,148 gross tons, all of which
was shipped to the Palmerton, Pa., plant of the New Jersey
Zinc Company. We are told that when canal navigation Avas
at its peak there were from 2,500 to 3,000 boats on these canals,
whereas there are now (1928) but 78, of which 72 are "company"
boats, six belonging to individuals. Of the 72 company boats,
40 are employed in boating culm recovered by the dredges above
36 See Hazard's Register, Vol. XVI, page 366.
202 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
referred to, and 32 on the canal proper from the present head of
navigation at Slate Dam. On the opening of navigation in the
spring of 1931, the number of boats plying on these canals had
been reduced to twenty. The Lehigh canal and its leased line,
the Delaware Division, were for several years the remaining
canals in the entire country, which continued to operate with
wooden boats propelled by mule power. A few boats are still
(1932) operating on the Lehigh between Easton and Slate Dam
at Siegfried.
There are about fifteen plants operating on the Lehigh with
overflow water, such as: Gristmills, paint-grinding mills, ice
plants, foundry facing and pumping plants, with heads and falls
ranging between 10 and 18 feet. Also one hydro-electric plant
located at South Easton, operating under a head and fall of 21
feet, now part of the Metropolitan Edison Company's system.
See also Delaware Division Canal, which is, in fact, part of the
Lehigh Canal System.
(Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley, pp. 375, 386, and History of
Northampton County, page 160; Hazard's Register, Vol. V, page 348.)
Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania State Canals.
This is one of a number of canals built by the State of Pennsyl-
vania. It was authorized by act of April 9, 1827. Built pri-
marily to connect at Easton with the Lehigh Canal, which has
operated it under lease since 1866. The digging began at Bristol,
October 28, 1827, and by 1832 some boats were passed through,
but the construction was so faulty that it was not until March 1,
1834, that the defects were partly remedied and the canal declared
open for navigation. But even then boats could not be loaded
to their full capacity. This delay was a great disappointment
and entailed a loss to the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company,
which had completed its canal to Easton by 1829.^' The Dela-
ware Division Canal is supplied with feed water from the Lehigh
37 On December 21, 1830, before the defects of construction were remedied,
the expenditures amounted to $1,238,027.69, nearly twice the estimated cost,
exclusive of land damages which prior to November 1, 1831, amounted to
$34,262.64. In 1834 the cost of canal alone was reported to have been $1,430,-
211.85 On completion of the canal there were 23 lift locks with a fall of
165.05 feet, 3 guard locks, and 2 outlet locks, one at Bristol and one at Easton,
9 aqueducts, 20 culverts, 19 waste wieres, 2 safety gates, 18 lock houses, 2
lock tenders and collectors' houses and 106 bridges. The bridges consisted
of 3 turnpike bridges, 47 road bridges, 49 farm bridges and 7 foot bridges.
(Official report on file at Harrisburg, Hazard's Register, Vol. V, page 183,
Vol. VII, page 24, and Vol. XIII, page 197.)
CANAL BOAT ON DELAWARE DIVISION CANAL
Empty boat moving up stream, showing one of the 106 bridges crossing over the canal.
(Photograph by John A. Anderson.)
DELAWARE DIVISION CANAL, LOCK No. 17
Empty boat leaving "Ridges Lock" opposite Marshall's Island, in Tinicum Township, Bucks
County, Pa. (Courtesy of "The Majestic Delaware, the Nation's Foremost
Historic River," by Francis Burke Brandt.)
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 203
River, where, at Easton, a dam was built under an agreement
entered into between the two canal companies on June 18, 1829.
This dam was badly constructed, requiring extensive repairs in
1830, and immediately thereafter, during the same year, was
destroyed by a flood. Owing partly to bad construction and
to the porosity of the soil through which the canal ran, the loss
of water was so great that the Lehigh River could not supply
enough for passing boats through loaded to their capacity. The
engineers, at that time, estimated the requirements to be:
Cubic Feet
For lockage of 192 boats every 24 hours 1,130,496
Evaporation do 106,560
Leakage and Locks do 792,000
Filtration (Seepage) do 43,142,400
Total 45,171,456
Equivalent to, cubic feet per minute 31,369
Different schemes were therefore resorted to for providing
more water, among which was a dam put in Durham creek and
by means of a race or feeder as it was called, 1,890 feet long,
some water was supplied from that source, this continued until
1840. Water from twenty-two of the small creeks along the
route flow directly into the canal. The largest of these is the
Pidcock creek. In 1833 a short wing-wall dam was put in the
river at the foot of Wells Falls, about one mile below New Hope,
to operate a most ingenious, but simple water wheel, for lifting
water from the Delaware into the canal ; the engraving shown on
opposite page will better show this device.
The wheel with larger circumference is an undershot water
wheel propelled by water from the Delaware, which in turn
operates the smaller wheel with pockets or buckets to deliver
water into the canal. The buildings shown in foreground are
part of the Union Paper Mill plant, which also operates partly
by water power.
But all these devices did not provide water enough, and
with the view of overcoming the difficulty, the Legislature of
Pennsylvania by acts of April 10, 1832, and February 8, 1833,
authorized the appointment of commissioners, with power to
employ engineers to devise some plan for getting more water.
They reported on a plan for damming the Delaware at or near
Bull's Island, but this was so strenuously opposed by citizens
204
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
at public meetings held at Point Pleasant, July 1, 1835, and at
New Hope, July 3, 1835, that it was not adopted. (Hazard's
Register, Vol. XV, pp. 5-23-47-61.)
As the bed and banks of the canal became more settled and
the leakages stopped, the loss of water was greatly reduced, until
finally boats could readily pass through carrying 100 tons. In
later years additional water was supplied from the sources of
the Lehigh River in the Pocono Mountains.
WATER WHEEL INSTALLED IN 1833 AT WELLS FALLS BKLOW XKW HOPE,
PA., FOR LIFTING WATER INTO THE CANAL
By act of April 21, 1858, the Delaware Division Canal was
sold to the Sunbury & Erie Railroad Co. On July 10, 1858, that
railroad conveyed it to the Delaware Division Canal Company,
which company, in 1866, leased it to the Lehigh Coal & Naviga-
tion Company, which continued to operate it down to October
17, 1931, when the greater part of it was taken over by the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania.''* At Easton there is a weigh-lock,
also an outlet lock into the Delaware for ferrying boats over to
38 This lease was for 99 years (therefore expiring in 1965), they were to
pay the interest on the Delaware Division Canal Company's indebtedness of
$800,000 at 6%, and dividends semi-annually at rate of 4% on the capital
stock, of $1,633,350, together with such expenses, not exceeding $5,000 per
annum, necessary to keep up the organization of the company.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 205
and from the Morris canal at Phillipsburg, N. J. In 1854, an
outlet lock was put in about half-a-mile below the New Hope-
Lambertville river bridge. The elimination of the Delaware &
Raritan Feeder and the Morris Canal dealt heavy blows to the
traffic on the Lehigh and Delaware Division Canals, which
became still further reduced until the spring of 1931 when but
twenty boats remained in operation. On October 17, that part
of the canal between Raubsville and Lock No. 5, below Yardley, a
distance of about 40 miles, was formally transferred to the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, and with this transfer this canal,
which had served to develop our country over the past 100
years passed into history. The last boat. No. 181, passed north
on the canal on the morning of October 17, 1931.
As above noted there are a number of plants operating with
overflow water on the Lehigh Canal. There are also two plants
similarly operated on the Delaware Division Canal. One at the
Ground Hog locks at Raubsville, Northampton County, six
miles below Easton, where a hydro-electric plant was installed
in 1900. Originally with two units of water, one with a fall of 34
feet, the tail water delivered back into the Delaware River, the
other with a fall of 17 feet, the tail water returning to the canal
below the locks, for navigation purposes. In 1895 this plant
was bought by the Clymer Power Company, of which the writer
of these notes was president, and on March 1, 1925, it was sold
to the Pennsylvania Power ■& Light Company, which has since
put in new equipment and otherwise enlarged its capacity. Since
the abandonment of the canal for navigation purposes the
capacity of this plant has been still further increased, as both
units can now deliver most of the tail water into the Delaware
River. The other plant is at Yardley in Bucks County, estab-
lished about 1898, where the overflow water operates a gristmill
under a 12-foot head.
In 1828 the State of Pennsylvania took into consideration the
extension of the Delaware Division Canal from Easton to Port
Jervis, N. Y. The engineers completed their survey and esti-
mates of this extension, and reported November 29, 1828. They
found the distance from Peter's Rift, about three-quarters of a
mile above Carpenter's Point (where a dam was to be erected)
to Easton, to be 66^ miles, and the fall to be 262 feet, with an
206 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
estimated cost of $1,430,669.17, but the design was not carried
out.
(Hazard's Register, Vol. I, pages 23, 91, 121; Vol. Ill, page 101; Vol. V,
pp. 88, 303; Vol. XIV, page 381.)
VIEW OF THE DELAWARE DIVISION CANAL AND TOWING PATH
Near Riegelsville, Pennsylvania
Morris Canal in New Jersey — Incorporated in 1824 as
the Morris Canal & Banking Company, to build a canal from
the mouth of the Lehigh River at Easton to New York tide
points. Opened for navigation between Easton and Newark
Bay, May 20, 1832, extended to Jersey City in 1836. The
length of the water-way with all its windings was 102 miles,
whereas by an air line the distance was but 55 miles. The canal
was supplied with water by the overflow of Lake Hopatcong,
which has an elevation of 914 feet above tide. This lake is on
the summit between the terminals of the canal, the water descend-
ing from both ends of the lake. Westwardly to the Delaware
River at Easton, there is a fall of 760 feet, overcome by eleven
planes and seven locks. Boats were ferried over the Delaware
between Easton and Phillipsburg by use of an overhead cable
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 207
system. There was an outlet lock at Phillipsburg into the river
and a similar lock on the Pennsylvania side by means of which
boats could cross the river and enter both the Lehigh and Dela-
ware Division Canals. From Lake Hopatcong eastwardly to
New York tide there is a fall of 748 feet, with tw^elve planes and
eighteen locks. The water descending in both directions, not
only supplied w^ater to carry on navigation, but also for the
water wheels which furnished motive power to operate the
planes, to carry the boats up and down from one level to another.
The average lift of the planes was about 63 feet, with the highest
one at Boonton of 80 feet. When first built these planes were
equipped with manilla ropes, but later, probably about 1847,
iron wire ropes were substituted. These wire ropes were made
by John A. Roebling at his plant at Saxonburg, Butler County,
Pa. This was the third application of wire rope cables for
inclined planes in this country, the first for a plane at Johnstow^n,
Pa. ; the second for the old Portage Railroad across the Allegheny
Mountains. Mr. Roebling began making wire rope at Saxon-
burg in 1840, and in 1849 moved his plant to Trenton, N. J.
This canal as a transportation company might have been success-
ful financially, but it was handicapped with banking rights,
which, with financial speculation, caused it to be an unsuccessful
venture. In 1871 the canal was leased to the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company, which wanted to get possession of the prop-
erty and riparian rights at Jersey City. Owing to railroad com-
petition the revenues gradually declined, and after some litiga-
tion, which affected the industries along the course of the Mus-
sonetcong Creek, with overflow water from Lake Hopatcong as
its source, the canal was abandoned. On November 29, 1922,
the State of New Jersey purchased the property with its franchise
for the sum of $875,000. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company,
retaining title to the big basin at Jersey City and the bed of the
canal between Green's Bridge (near Phillipsburg) and the Dela-
ware River. From 1876 to 1898, thousands of tons of iron ore
from Cooper & Hewitt's mines at Ringwood, N. J., were trans-
ported through this canal to their plant at Durham. The ore
was transferred to canal boats at Mountain View, N. J. During
later years a few boats continued to operate, but the canal soon
208 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
became a stagnant ditch, and in 1924 the State of New Jersey-
decreed it abandoned.
("Old Towpaths," by Alvin F. Harlow; Communication to the Bulletin
of the American Iron & Steel Association, December 4, 1893; History of Sussex
and Warren Counties, page 486.)
The Delaware & Raritan Canal and Feeder — After
several abortive attempts, this canal was finally built, as author-
ized by act of the New Jersey legislature, passed February 4,
1830, it being the fifth act authorizing its building. The work
of digging the canal and feeder and of building the dam to supply
feed-water were begun in 1832. The Delaware River dam
(located at the head of Bull's Island), the feeder and that part
of the canal between Trenton and New Brunswick were com-
pleted in 1834, but that part between Trenton and Bordentown
was not ready until 1838. The dam above Bull's Island extended
entirely across the river, with a sluice-way in the middle, but not
having been authorized by Pennsylvania, its construction resulted
in much controversy between the two states, brought about when
the Delaware Division Canal placed a wing-wall dam in the
Delaware at Wells' Falls, on the Pennsylvania side, one mile
below the New Hope River bridge, to supply additional water
for navigation below New Hope. Pennsylvania objected to the
Raritan dam placed across the river at the head of Bull's Island,
as it took water out of the river that was not returned back into
the stream, but was mostly discharged into the Raritan River
at New Brunswick, and also because it was objected to by the
shad fisheries. And, moreover, it was in violation of an agree-
ment between the two states entered into April 26, 1783. How-
ever, it was of the greatest importance that the canals should be
supplied with water and the commissioners came to an agreement
on November 22, 1834, by which both dams were allowed to
remain.
The Raritan feeder not only supplied water to the Delaware
& Raritan system, but was itself a navigable canal 22.6 miles
in length from the intake at the head of Bull's Island to Trenton,
where it unites with the main canal. Navigation on the feeder
stopped some years ago, and the ditch is now used only to supply
feed water to the main canal; the draw bridges have all been
replaced with stationary low down bridges. That part of the
main canal between Trenton and New Brunswick, 37.39 miles
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 209
in length, is over a route comparatively flat, requiring but 6
locks. That part from Trenton to Bordentown was not com-
pleted until 1838. It is 6.27 miles in length, with 7 locks, each
having a fall of about eight feet. This extension to Bordentown
was by far the most profitable part of the enterprise. It opened
up exchange of traffic with the Delaware Division Canal (which
had an outlet lock at Bristol) with the Schuylkill and Susciue-
hanna Canals, the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal from the south,
as well as with all coastwise vessels to carry coal and other cargo
across the state of New Jersey to New York and other tide water
points. In 1854 an outlet lock from the feeder at Lambert ville
was installed to exchange traffic with the Delaware Division
Canal, which had built a similar outlet lock \}i miles below the
New Hope River bridge. This provided a much shorter means
of exchange than via the outlet locks at Bristol and Bordentown.
Boats both loaded and empty were ferried over the Delaware by
the same kind of overhead cable system, already described, as
were used by the oldtime passenger ferry boats. Thousands of
tons of pig iron were shipped by this canal route from the Dur-
ham Iron Works to the New Jersey Steel & Iron Company and
the Trenton Iron Company, the same people, Cooper, Hewitt &
Co., owning the three plants.
At the present time (1932) a few boats, propelled by steam,
are still operating on the Bordentown branch, some for pleasure,
but mostly for carrying coal from Trenton for delivery to Dela-
ware River tide w-ater points.
(Hazard's Register, Vol. VIII, p. 366, and Vol. XV, pp. 1 to 8, 23, 24, 25,
47, 61, 97; Vol. XVI, page 93; and "Old Towpaths," by Alvin F. Harlow, pub-
lished bv D. Appleton & Co., 1927.)
210 IMPROVING NAVIGATIOX OX THE DELAWARE RIVER
FLOODS OR FRESHETS IN THE DELAWARE AND
LEHIGH RIVERS
The following data is gathered from many sources, such as
county and other histories, Hazard's Registers, Watson's Annals,
Historical Collections by Ethan Allen Weaver, files of old news-
papers and the family Bible of George Wyker. No mention is
made of the usual spring floods or of the other ordinary floods,
which occurred every year, and were always welcomed by the
raftsmen, but only those of extraordinary heights which did more
or less damage to property.
The flood of April 9, 1836, carried away two spans of the
Belvidere bridge five months after it was first opened for travel.^'*
The flood of 1841 damaged many toll bridges, carrying away
all or some spans of many, as did also the flood of 1862, while
that of October, 1903, carried away all or part of every bridge
between Easton and Trenton, except the one between Centre
Bridge, Pa., and Stockton, N. J. The flood or freshet of 1903
was the highest on record. The measurements in Durham
Township show it to have been 53 inches higher than that of
1841 and 41 inches higher than that of 1862.
The George Wyker Family Bible
(Copied from an old newspaper clipping, without date.)
At the sale of the personal effects of the late Samuel Wyker,
in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pa., William Closson,
of Point Pleasant, purchased an old Bible which had belonged
to George W^ker, father of Samuel. George Wyker died April
1, 1850, in the 84th year of his age. (Therefore born 1767.)
Among the records contained in this Bible were the following:
recorded floods of the DELAWARE RIVER SINCE THE
COUNTRY WAS SETTLED BY WHITE INHABITANTS
Earliest Flood — On the 4th of June, 1734, was the greatest
flood in the Delaware since the country was settled (even to
this day, 1846), for it covered all the banks from one to five feet
deep, and the people had to flee to the hills for safety.
On the 23d of May, 1736, occurred another flood within about
■^9 History of Sussex and Warren Counties, bv James P. Snell, 1881, page
545.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 211
foot as high as the one mentioned above, which caused the
settlers to sell out and buy lands away from the river. My
grandfather. Henry DeKillian, saw both of these floods.
On the 8th of May, 1781, there was a very high flood in the
river. It ran nearly all over Marshall's Island, and they caught
shad on Marshall's grain field. This fresh I seen myself. G. W.
On March 16th and 17th, 1784, was the greatest ice fresh
ever known in the Delaware, and there has been none since now
at this day, 1846, which did so much damage to the shores.
On the 7th day of October, 1786, happened what was called
the "Pumpkin fresh," it being the highest flood since 1734 and
1736. G. Wyker.
I have also accounts of many other freshets in the Delaware,
which I have recorded, but the flood of the 8th and 9th of Jan-
uary, 1841, exceeded them all, except those of 1734 and 1736.
in height of water by 3 or 4 feet. G. Wyker.
On the 15th day of March, 1846, quite a high flood in the
river, but not by 2 or 3 feet as high as that of 1841. The above
I have written on the 8th day of April, 1846, being now in my
80th year. George Wyker.
(Copied from another page of the same Bible) :
On Friday and Saturday, the 8th and 9th of January, 1841,
the river Delaware was higher than it had been for 107 years
before, for in 1734 it covered what is now called the Erwinna
flats or lowlands from one to five feet deep and the inhabitants
had to flee to the hills; but this fresh was not by three feet as
high, so that the families could stay in their houses, but the
fresh carried away four bridges on the Delaware and five on the
Lehigh, besides doing a great deal of damage to property of
every description; and on the Lehigh it carried away several
houses, with all their furniture, and several lives were lost.
George Wyker.
Freshets Chronologically Arranged
1687, May 29 — History of Bucks County by Gen. Davis, Second
Edition, \'ol. I, page 62, records: (See also Watson's
Annals, Vol. II, page 364, and Historical Collections of
New Jersey by Barber & Howe, page 282.) "Among the
notable events along the Delaware, was the 'great land
212 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
flood and rupture,' May 29, 1687, at the Falls of the Dela-
ware in Falls Township, which was followed by great sick-
ness." This does not seem to have been a flood in the
river, but a land flood, accompanied by an upheaval, and
is supposed to refer to the separation of Vurhultsen's Island
from the main land, on Vv'hich the Walloon families had
settled nearly three-quarters of a century before.
1692, Feb. 27— Smith's History of New Jersey, page 208, pub-
lished in 1765, records a flood in the Delaware River, and
says: "There have been a great many floods since, but
none quite so high." Watson's Annals, Vol. II, page 364,
says that Phineas Pemberton "speaks of this great flood
at the Falls of the Delaware, which rose twelve feet above
usual high water mark, owing to the sudden melting of
snow. The water reached the upper stories of houses built
on low lands." (See also Hazard's Register, Vol. II, page
23.)
1731, Feb. 16 — Watson's Annals, Vol. II, page 364, says: "Last
week we had the greatest fresh in the Delaware, ever
known since the great flood at Delaware Falls, thirty-nine
years ago, in 1692." (See also Hazard's Register, Vol. II,
page 23.)
1734, June 4 — Referred to in family Bible of George W^ker.
See page 210, ante. The river rose 20 feet at Trenton.
(New Jersey Archives, Vol. XI, page 237.)
1736, May 22 — Referred to in family Bible of George Wyker.
See page 210, ante.
1739 — The Crown Inn, page 128, records that: "In 1739, the
treacherous river (Lehigh) suddenly rose, overflowing its
banks, sweeping away the cabin of the settler (Ysselstein).
So impetuous was the angry flood that the inmates of the
doomed home barely escaped with their lives to higher
ground. This is the first freshet in the Lehigh on record, it
being the one which served as a standard of comparison
for Moravian chroniclers of high water in the last cen-
tury." This flood is also referred to in "History of Bethle-
hem," page 672.
1744, 1758 and 1772 — Three floods are referred to in Hazard's
Register, Vol. IX, page 159. It is not definitely stated
that these floods reached the Delaware River.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 213
1747, Feb. 16-17— "The Crown Inn," pages 21 and 59 to 65,
records a freshet on the Lehigh which carried away the
ferry-boat at Bethlehem, which had been in use since the
ferry was first put in service March 11, 1743. The length
of the old boat appears to have been 31>^ feet; the new
one was made 42 feet. This ferry was granted a patent
March 10, 1756.
1777, Oct. 27 — Delaware, 23 ft. 8 in. at Easton. Weaver's Col-
lections, page 186. The heights reported by Mr. Weaver
all appear to have been taken above the mouth of
the Lehigh River. All heights reported herein, unless
otherwise stated, are those above low water mark.
1781, May 9 — Delaware, 26 feet at Easton. Weaver, page 186.
1783, Feb. 19 — Delaware. 24 ft. 11 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
186.
1784, Mar. 17 — Delaware, 26 ft. 6 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
71. Wyker's Bible calls this an ice freshet.
1785, Mar. 17 — Delaware, 27 ft. 5 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
186.
1786, Oct. 6 — Delaware, 25 ft. 8 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
186. 16 ft. at Lambertville. Called the "Pumpkin
Freshet." Referred to in History of Bethlehem, page 672,
as being a ruinous freshet.
1788, "A great freshet," mentioned in the Benjamin Parry papers,
also in Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. H, page 188.
1798, From Wyker's Bible, recorded to be "not as high as 1786,"
but exact height not given.
1800, Referred to in Hazard's Register, Vol. IX, page 159. Also
referred to in the Benjamin Parry papers.
1801, Called "Jefferson Freshet," 14 feet at Lambertville, N. J.
1804, Apr. 22 and 23— W^atson's Annals, Vol. II, page 365,
reports: "A very great fresh in the Delaware and Schuyl-
kill, attended with very high tides, occasioned I y very
heavy rains."
1807, "A great freshet," mentioned in the Benjamin Parry papers.
1811, Freshet destroyed the bridge over the Lehigh River at
Easton. (Condit's History of Easton, page 465.)
214 IMPROVING NAVIGATION' ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
1814, Apr. 1 — Delaware, 25 ft. at Easton. Weaver, pages 71
and 186. 14 feet at Lambertville, N. J. Also referred to
in the Benjamin Parry papers.
1814, Aug. 9 — Freshet in the Lehigh River referred to in Henry's
History of the Lehigh Valley, page 380.
1817, August — See Hazard's Register, Vol. IX, page 159, where
a flood is referred to.
1821, High water in the Lehigh, during the early spring, referred
to in Hazard's Register, Vol. VII, page 250.
1828, Delaware, 18 feet at Easton. Weaver, page 71.
1829, April — Delaware, 18 feet near Eastort. Hazard's Register,
Vol. Ill, page 256.
1830, Spring flood washed away the Lehigh dam at Easton.
(Hazard's Register, Vol. V, page 303.)
1831, Jan. 10 — Under this date Hazard's Register, Vol. VIII,
page 250, reports a freshet of unusual height with water
in the Lehigh higher than it has been since 1821.
1831, July — Hazard's Register, Vol. VIII, page 62, reports high
water in both rivers, saying that it had rained almost
continuously for 23 days during March, with a fall of 5.93
inches, and continued to rain over the first ten days of July.
1831, Oct. 13 — Hazard's Register, Vol. VIII, page 272, reports a
flood in the Lehigh and Delaware, but gives no data, except
to say that great damage was done.
1832, Mar. 13 — ^Delaware, 21 feet at Easton. Weaver, page 71.
Lambertville, 12 feet. Also referred to in Hazard's Reg-
ister, Vol. IX, page 208.
1833, June 20 — The Do^^estown Intelligencer, of June 24,
describes a heavy rain with destructive results in Bucks
County, and a flood in the Delaware. (Hazard's Register,
Vol XII, page 15.)
1836, Apr. 9 — Delaware, 25 feet at Easton. (Weaver, pages 71
and 100.) Two spans of Delaware River bridge at Belvi-
dere carried away. Height at Lambertville 14 ft. 6 in.
1839, April— Delaware, 14 ft. 6 in. at Lambertville.
1840, Nov. 4 — Referred to as the great flood of November, 1840.
Considerable damage done, particularly in the neighbor-
hood of Easton. (History of Northampton County, page
157.)
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 215
1841, Jan. 8 — This was a most disastrous flood, caused by heavy
rains and the ice in the upper waters of the rivers breaking
up. The flood at Easton reached a height of 35 feet, at
Bull's Island 23 feet, at Lambertville 20 feet. The fall in
the Lehigh River between White Haven and Mauch Chunk,
a distance of 25 miles, is 642 feet. Navigation in the canal
was overcome by 29 locks from 15 feet to 30 feet in depth.
Many of these were destroyed by this flood, as were also
the sawmills of the canal company. Every bridge on the
Lehigh between Lehigh Gap and Easton was carried away,
as was also the bridge at Mauch Chunk. (See Henry's
History of the Lehigh Valley, page 371 ; History of North-
ampton County, page 157, and numerous other records.)
Many bridges on the Delaware River were destroyed or
damaged. (See newspaper clipping.)
1843, Oct. 18 — Delaware, 14 feet at Lambertville.
1845, Oct. 13 — Delaware, 23 ft. 2 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
186. This flood is also referred to by Jonathan Brock in a
private letter to Samuel Hart, Esq., dated at Bethlehem,
October 17, 1845, in which he says: "The Lehigh was
nearly as high on the 13th at White Haven as it was in
1841, but no damage was done (to the canal) above Mauch
Chunk. Considerable, however, below. W^ill be repaired
in about ten days.
1846, Mar. 15 — Delaware, 27 ft. 6 in. at Easton. Weaver, page
186. 17 ft. 6 in. at Lambertville.
1849, Aug. — Recollection of Joseph R. Whitaker, who says the
Delaware rose so high that the water flooded the hearth
of the newly completed Durham blast furnace.
1851 — William H. Glace, Esq., of Catasauqua, Pa., in a brochure
published in 1912, says: "In 1851 there was another large
freshet in the Lehigh. The damage was not as great as
the flood of 1841."
1857, Great flood with ice in upper Delaware. The river bridge
at Cochecton carried away. (History of Wayne, Pike and
Monroe Counties, page 469.)
1862, June 6 — This was a most disastrous flood, due largely to
many of the dams on the Lehigh giving way. The sur-
face of the water in the Delaware at Riegelsville was
covered with lumber, logs, houses, barns, pig sties, hay
216' IMPROVING XAVIGATIOX ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
Stacks, bridges, canal and other boats. At Easton the
water was 42 feet high. At Durham one foot higher than
1841. All bridges on the Lehigh between Mauch Chunk
and Easton were either wholly or partly destroyed. All
the locks above Mauch Chunk were washed out, and that
part of the canal, between Mauch Chunk and White Haven,
was abandoned, and thereafter for some years Mauch
Chunk was made the terminus of the canal, where canal
boats loaded. Damages to the bridges on the Delaware
were very slight.
1869, Oct.— Delaware, 23 feet at Easton; 20 feet at Milford, N. J.
1875, An ice freshet in the upper Delaware carried away the
Erie Railroad bridge at Mill Rift, also the toll bridge at
Port Jervis.
1877, "Terrible freshet" in Durham Creek and Gallows Run.
Both Durham and Narrows aqueducts carried away.
1878, Dec. 11 — Flood in Delaware river, rising to ^vithin one
inch of the threshold of the Fackenthal homestead in Dur-
ham township, then occupied by S. B. Redmond. Height
of water but 3 or 4 feet lower than freshet of 1841.
1881, Feb. 19 — Flood in Delaware river. The Bucks County
Intelligencer records it to have been most serious in the
Penn's Manor section, where the lives of many residents
were threatened when the water overfloA\ed the banks.
Houses and barns vere fiooded and many of the smaller
buildings swept away from their foundations. Some of
the people were forced to fee from their homes by means
of boats.
1888, Flood in the Delaware carried away the Milford, Pa., river
bridge. (See page 166, ante.)
1895, Spring — Delaware, 18 feet at Frenchtown, X. J.
1901, Dec. 16 — The minute-book of the Thomas Iron Co. records
a flood in the Lehigh ri\'er which greatly interfered with
the operations of its blast furnaces at Hokendauqua and
Island Park. In the Delaware this flood came within 9
inches of the floor of the New Hope-Lambert\alle river
bridge.
1902, Feb. 28 — The same minute-book records this flood to have
been two feet higher than that of December 16, 1901, com-
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER 217
pelling its blast-furnaces along the Lehigh to be "banked,"
i.e., the operations temporarily suspended."^"
1902, Dec. — Called "Ice Freshet," 19 ft. 2 in. at Lambertville.
1903, Oct. lO^Probably the highest flood on record. At Easton,
40 ft. 6 in. ; at Lambertville, 24 ft. 9 in. This datum is mis-
leading, and cannot be correct, as this flood was higher
than that of 1862. In Durham Township, by actual
measurement, it was 41 in. higher than 1862 and 53 in. higher
than 1841. This flood, although higher than those of 1841
and 1862, was not so disastrous. The dams and locks
on the Lehigh were better protected and the people had
learned to build on higher ground, and moreover rafting
had ceased and there were no logs or sawed stuff to be
carried away, as was the case in 1841 and 1862. How-
ever, many bridges on both the Lehigh and Delaware were
either wholly or partly destroyed, as recorded elsewhere in
this paper.
Variations in heights at different points along the river herein
recorded, are due to the river spreading out more over low lands
at some places than at others, and for which due allowance
should be made.
No attempt has been made to present data of freshets after
the great flood of October 10, 1903.
The following data showing the velocity of flow in the Dela-
ware River during the ice freshet of March 20, 1905, furnished
by Mr. Alexander P. Gest, at that time superintendent of the
Belvidere, Delaware Railroad, is of special interest:
Station
Delaware Water Gap
Manunka Chunk
Belvidere
Martin's Creek
Time
9.30 A.
10.40 '
11.10
LOOP.
1 . 30
Distance
in Miles
M.
10.3
13.5
M. 20.6
27.5
Riegelsville
Milford
3.00
4. 15
36.2
43.0
Frenchtown
Raven Rock
Stockton
5 . 20
6.45 '
7.55
46.5
55.4
58.6
Lambertville
8 20
62
9.25
68.8
Wilburtha
Trenton
11.15
12.15
72.5
78.1
40 The author of this paper was president of the Thomas Iron Company
from December 19, 1893, to May 1, 1913.
218 IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
Total time 14 hours 55 minutes. Average velocity about
5)4 miles per hour. This table shows great variations in the
speed traveled between stations, which was doubtless due to
greater fall between some and wider areas at others, where the
stream is not contracted, but spreads out over low lands on the
banks of the river.
Jurisdiction of Islands in the Delaware River
I have not, in this paper, referred to the islands in the Dela-
ware River, and their division and ownership between the states,
as I am hoping to prepare a separate paper on that interesting
feature, to present to this society at an early day.
I wnll, however, briefly state that the legislatures of New-
Jersey and Pennsylvania on April 26, 1783, entered into an
agreement by which commissioners were appointed for the pur-
pose of settling the jurisdiction of the Delaware River and the
islands, islets and dry lands within the same, "from the station-
point or northwestern corner of New Jersey southerly to the
place upon said river where the boundary of the State of Dela-
ware toucheth upon the same."
Two sets of commissioners were appointed at different times,
but both under the same act. The first to settle the jurisdiction
•of islands from the Falls of Trenton southerly to the State of
Delaware. On this commission New Jersey appointed Abraham
Clark, *^ Joseph Cooper and Thomas Henderson and Pennsyl-
vania appointed George Bryan, George Gray and William Bingen.
These commissioners made their report in duplicate, one copy
for each state. The New Jersey legislature ratified and con-
firmed the report by act passed May 27, 1783, and Pennsylvania
by a similar act on September 20. 1783.
The second commission was appointed for settling the juris-
diction of the islands from the Falls of Trenton, northerly, to
the aforesaid station-point (now called Tri-States at Carpenter's
Point). On this board there was but one commissioner from
New Jersey, viz., Moore Furman, and three from Pennsylvania,
viz., George Wall, John Okely and Jonas Hartzell. The reports
of these commissioners were ratified and approved by acts of
41 Abraham Clark was a New Jersey signer of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence.
IMPROVING NAVIGATION ON THE DELAWARE RIVER
219
the legislatures of their respective States, that by New Jersey,
March 16, 1786, and by Pennsylvania, September 25, 1786.
These reports, enacted into laws, set forth in full detail lists of
the islands apportioned to each state, giving them the names by
which they were known at that time. Many of the original
names have since been changed. Maps of the surveys were
made by Reading Howell.
(Laws of New Jersey, pp. 47, 76 and 77, and 2 Smith's Laws of Pennsyl-
vania, pp. 77 and 388.)
Data concerning the islands in the Delaware between Port
Jervis and Hancock are somewhat conflicting, doubtless due
partly to the names of some of them having been changed. The
following is the best list that can be made from the information
at hand; it has been gathered from maps of the United States
Geological Survey, from Mr. Frank Patterson of Sparrowbush,
and from "A Rafting Story of the Delaware," heretofore referred
to. They are noted in the order as we proceed up stream :
Cherry Island at Mill Run; Butler Island opposite Hawk's
Nest; Montgaup Island near the mouth of Montgaup river;
Hogg Island below Cochecton; Horse Island below Cochecton;
Bear Island and its mate, near Callicoon; Ross' Island at Abra-
hamsville; Frisbees Island at Equinunk; Murray and Apron-
string Islands near Hancock. There are many bridges, ferries
and fords on both branches of the Delaware above Hancock.
INDEX
Able, Jacob 158
Able, Justice 121
Abrahamville, N. Y 219
Adams' Slip 1 20
Air Mail Service 127
Alexander, William 1 36
Alexandria Del. Bridge Co I 75
Alburtain's Ferry 161
Allegheny Mountains 207
American Atlas, The 144
American Institute of Mining Engi-
neers 150-151-152-154
American Iron & Steel Association 208
Ambassador Bridge 181
Anderson, Miss Hannah C 141
Anderson, John A 109-202
Anthracite Coal 1 14-199
Anthracite Coal Mines. .11 5-200-201
Antigua Island 1 33
Aqueducts at Durham and Nar-
rows 216
Arks of Delaware and Lehigh. . . .
109-114-199-201
Arndt, J. W 114
Arnold, Benedict 141
Artificial Freshets 115
Assunpink Creek 1 70
Attine's Ferry 161
Auter's Ferry 161
Backes, William J 135-137
Backhouse, Richard. 116-117-118-120-
123-153
Baker's Creek 140
Baker's Ferry 1 38
Baker, Henry 138
Baker, Samuel 1 38
Baker, Samuel, Jr 138
Baldwin Locomotive 196
Baldwin Locomotive Works 197
Ball's Rock... 118-120
Barber & Howe's History
117-140-168-211
Barr, Warren 137
Barrett Bridge Co 184
Barryville. N. Y.. 185
Bascule Draw Bridge 181
Battle of the Kegs 1 30
Battle of Minisink 106
Battle of Trenton 1 34
Battle's History 1 29- 1 38- 1 4 1 - 1 72
Beacon Rock 122
Bear Island 219
Bear Trap Rocks 115
Beatty's Ferry 132-136-169
Beatty. George 136
Beatty. Gen. John 168
Beaumont Family 140
Beaumont Ferry 140
Beaumont, John 141-142
Beaver Kill 104
Beers' Atlas of Warren Co. 161-162-163
Bellemont 133
Belvidere. N. J 116-117-118-161-
177-190-217
Belvidere Delaware Railroad
148-150-173-189-190-217
Belvidere Delaware Bridge Co. 177-210
Belvidere Ferry 162
Belleview, Trenton 131
Belville. Trenton 136
Bennett, Abraham 157
Bernardsville Ferry 140
Bessemer Steel Rails 190-197
Bethlehem, Pa 125-150
Bethlehem History 212-213
Bethlehem Steel Co . 197
Beverly & Dunk Steamboat Co.. . 128
Bible of George Wyker 210
Biles Island Ferry 131
Biles, Langhorne 131
Biles, William 129-132
Bingen. William 218
Bixler's Rift 123-124
Black's Ferry 145
Blazing Star Ferry 134
Bloomsdale Ferry 1 30
Blue Mountains 103-105-120-164
Boardman's Ferry 161
Boats Ferried at Easton 206
Boats on Lehigh 201
Bolton Iron & Steel Co 190
Bonaparte, ex-King Joseph 130
Bond, Elijah 126-135
Bond Ferry 132-135
Boonton Plane 207
Bordentown, N. J. 130-1 31-132-208-209
Bordentown Ferry 131
Bougher, Nathaniel 155
Bound Brook Railroad 138-188
Bowman's Hill 141
Bowman's Rift 120
Boyer Homestead 1 52
Brainards, N. J 160-191
Brandt, Francis Burke 202
Bridges on Del. Div. Canal 202
Bridges between Pa. & N. J 167
Bridges between Pa. & N. Y 182
221
Bridges over Lehigh River 158-159
Bridgeton, Bucks Co., Pa 147
Brink's Ferry 149
Bristol. Pa. . 1 05- 1 08- 1 28- 1 29- 1 30-202-
209
Bristol-Burlington Bridge 130-181
British Soldiers 134-139-144
Broadhead, Daniel 130
Broadhead. Luke W 107
Brotzman Ferry 163
Brotzmanville, N. J 163
Brown, John 201
Brown, John, Incorporated 190
Brown, Stacy 141
Brownsburg, Pa 140-141
Bryan, George 218
Bucks Co. Atlas of 1876 131
Bucks County Historical Society . .
109-1 16-128-131-136-137-138-139-
140-141-145-150-151-169-202
Bucks County Jail 144
Buck's History of Bucks Co... 141-145
Buckingham (Bristol) 1 28
Buck Tail Rift 123-124
Buckwood Inn 163
Bullman, Thomas 1 58
Bull's Falls 123-124
Bull's Island. 144-170-173-174-203-208
Burchard, Hon. Charles N 104
Burlington, N. J.. 126-128-130-133-181
Burlington Ferry 129
Burlington Island 129
Burlington & Mercer Co. History
128-131-135-171
Burnt Mills (Milford, N. J.) 147
Burr, Aaron 130-135-136
Burr, Theodore 168-175-176
Burrows, John 1 36
Bushkill, Pa 165
Butler, John 134
Byram Station, N. J 145-174
Cable Ferries 149-1 5 1 -209
Cable Wire Ropes 195-198
Cadwallader, Gen. John 128-135
Calhoun Street Bridge 169
Calhoun Street Ferry 132-136-170
Callaway, Edwin B 1 39
Callicopn, N. Y 187-219
Callicoon Bridge 187
Cambria Iron Works 197
Camden & Amboy Railroad 197
Campbell, Amos 1 72
Campbell's Hall, N. Y.. 192
Canal along Delaware River 194
Canal Boats 199-206
Canal Boats of Del. Div. Canal . . 202
Canal Survey Easton to Port Jervis 205
Canby, -Benjamin 142
Canby, Thomas 142
Canoes Referred to 125
Cantilever Bridge 1 77
Carbon County, Pa 115
Carbondale, Pa 194
Carey, Samuel 129
Carpenter, Benjamin 166
Carpenter, John D 1 66
Carpenter Point. . 1 03- 1 64- 1 66- 205-2 1 8
Carpenter's Basin 185
Carpenterville Del. Bridge 155
Catasauqua, Pa 215
Catsbergs 1 03
Catskill Mountains 103
Catskill Series of Rocks 182
Calvin's Ferry 147
Cave at Durham, Pa 149-150
Cave Bank Fishery Co 145
Central Railroad of N . J 1 89- 1 90
Centre Bridge Ferry 143
Centre Bridge Co 172-210
Chambers, Capt 1 20
Chapin, Solon 1 73-1 76
Charlotte Creek, N. Y 112
Chelsea Forge, N. J 153
Cherry Island 219
Chesapeake & Del. Canal 209
Chorley, Joseph 1 32
Christmas Night of 1776. 108-135-138-
139-171
Clark, Abraham 218
Clark, Miss Mary S 117-118
"Cleremont," Steamboat 108
Clifford Rift 123-124
Clift, Samuel 129
Clymer Power Co 205
Coal Mines 200
Coates. John 142-143
Cochecton, N. Y 1 86-2 15-219
Cochecton Bridge Co 186
Cochecton Falls 110-120
Coleback. Mr 122
Collins, Esther 130
Colonial Records 1 1 6- 1 27- 1 28- 1 30- 1 3 1 -
135-138-159
Columbia, N. J.. . 161-162-167-178-192
Columbia Del. Bridge Co 178-1 79
Columbia Glass Works 1 78
Colvin's Ferry 1 34
Colvin, Patrick 134
Commissioner of Forfeited Estates 1 34
Committee of Safety 1 30
Congress of the U. S 105-140
Condit's History of Easton 1 59-189-21 3
Continental Ferry 135
Cooper, George 218
Cooper, Hewitt & Co 1 70-209
Cooper, Miss Susan 108
Copper Mines, Paharaquarry. 163-164
Cornell Steamboat Co 1 98
Coryell, Abraham 143
222
Coryell, Emanuel 142-143
Coryell. John 142-143
Coryell's Ferry 141-142-143-172
Coxe. Daniel 133-134-135-141
Coxe, Daniel W 133
Coxe Family 1 34
Crouse, Rutledge T 114
Crouse, William 113
Crown Inn. Bethlehem 1 22- 125-2 12-2 14
Croxall, Charles 117
Cuddebacksville, N. Y.. 198
Culm recovered from Lehigh 201
Curry. N. Y 104
Cushicton Falls 120
Cutbitch Channel 122
CutsowRift 123-124
Damascus Township 186-187
Dam in Lehigh at Easton 203
Dams on Lehigh River 201-215
Darlington, Dr. Henry 178-192
Davenport Creek 112
Davis' History of Bucks County . .
128-129-130-131-132-135-137-140-141-
144-145-169-174-186-211
Davisville, Pa 107
Dawson, Daniel 145
Day's Historical Coll. . .. 128-168-172-
173-177-183
"Dayton" Ferry Boat 129
Dean, Samuel, Sheriff 142
Dean, William 116
Decatur St. Bridge, Trenton.. 168-170
Decker, Daniel 165
Decker's Ferry 162-164-165
Decker, George 162
Decker, Jacob 1 62
Decker, Jacob, Jr 162
Declaration of Independence.. 149-153
Deep Waterway Commission 105
DeKillian, Henry 211
Delaware, N. J 161-178-192-193
Delaware Breakwater 107
Del. Bridge Co., Carpenterville. . . 155
Del. Bridge Co., Wayne Co 183
Del. & Bound Brook Railroad. ... 188
Del. & Cobb's Creek Railroad. ... 191
Del. County, N. Y. . . 103-104-182-188
Del. Div. Canal. 1 02- 1 08- 1 1 4- 1 1 5- 1 1 6-
1 44- 1 5 1 - 1 54- 170-172-1 84-200-20 1 -
202-203-204-205-206-207-208-209
Del. & Hudson Canal Co. . . . 185-194-
195-196-198-199-200
Del. & Hudson Railroad.. 194-199-200
Del. Lack. & W. Railroad . . 1 06- 1 6 1 -
162-I78-189-I9I-I92
Del. & Rar. Canal & Feeder
170-174-205-208
Delaware River . 1 03- 1 05- II 6- 1 20- 1 66-
182-185-189-198-205-210
Del. River Bridges. . . 167-180-182-188
Del. River Cleared 116
Del. River Falls 123
Del. River Ferries — see Ferries
Del. River Floods and Freshets. . . 210
Del. River Islands 218
Del. River Rd. & Bridge Co 188
Delaware River Views ... 1 03- 1 06- 1 08-
167-198-204-219
Delaware Water Gap.. . . 105-106-120-
127-162-164-191-192-217
Delhi, N. Y 104-112
Depuy's Ferry 160
Depuy's Island 163
Detroit & Sandwich Bridge 181
Dickinson, Gen. Philemon 117
Dill's Ferry, Portland 1 6 1 - 1 78
Dimmick's Ferry 163
Dimmick, Peter M 164
Dingman, Andrew 1 65
Dingman's Ferry 165-179
Dingman's Choice & Del. Bridge
Co 165-179
Distillery at Uhlersville 1 54
Downsville. N. Y... 104
Doylestown Intelligencer 214
Drumheller, Dewalt 1 59
Drumheller, George 159
Dunk's Ferry 128
Dunk's Ferry Steamboat Co 1 28
Dunmore, Pa 199
Dunnfield Ferry 162
Dunning's Ferry 182
Durham Aqueduct 216
Durham Boats . . 1 08- 1 09- 1 38- 1 49- 1 52-
160-161
Durham Cave 150-151-152
Durham Cave Ferry 149
Durham Creek, . . 1 49- 1 52- 1 53-203-2 1 6
Durham Falls 122-123
Durham Ferries 149
Durham Furnace Ferry 149
Durham Iron Works 1 12-1 1 6-1 48-
149-150-152-170-209
Durham Rapids 151
Durham Road i 53
Durham Township 1 09- II 2- 1 1 3-
149-151-210-217
Dutot, Anthony 162
Dutotsberg 162
Dyberry River 194
East Branch of Del. . 1 03- 1 04- 1 1 0- 1 1 1 -
188-193
Easton, Pa. 155-158-159-176-189-190-
200-202
Easton & Amboy Railroad 189
Easton Delaware Bridge Co. . 1 68- 1 76
Easton Ferries 155-158-159
Easton Free Press 110
223
Easton River Bridges 1 13-168-190
East Stroudsburg 163
Edgar Thompson Steel Works. ... 197
Eddy. Orrin 114
Eddyville. N. Y 199
Edwards, Ann 1 30
Eight-Mile Ferry 140
Elk Creek 112
"Elwood Doran" Steam Ferry. ... 129
Ely, George 142
Ely, Miss Margaret W 141
Ely. Warren S 132-146-175
Emery, William, Ferry 161
Ennis, Joseph 166
Ensley, Elisha 147
Equinunk. Pa 187-218
Equinunk & Lordville Bridge 187
Erie Railroad 1 82- 1 84- 1 87- 1 93- 1 98-2 1 6
Erskine, Sir Robert (Map). . . 136-147
Erwin, Col Arthur 146
Erwin Ferry 1 46
Erwinna, Pa 1 46
Esopus, N Y 164-199
Fackenthal, B. F.. Jr 1 02- 1 03- 1 1 8-
174-216
Fackenthal Ferry 148
Fackenthal Homestead 216
Fackenthal, Michael. Sr 148
Falls of Delaware II 7-1 26-2 1 2
Falls of Trenton I 16-218
Falls Township 1 30- 1 3 1 - 1 32-2 1 2
Ferries Below Tide 126-127
Ferries on Delaware River. . . 125-126-
127-128
Ferries Must be Chartered . . 1 26- 1 29
Ferry Boats. Sizes of 125-126-150-
164-165
Ferry Boat Capsizes I 54
Ferry Cables 1 26
Ferry at Easton 206
Ferry Street Ferry 1 32- 1 33- 1 34
Firman's Falls 123-124
Fish Dam Wing 122
Fisher or Dimmick Ferry 163
Fisher, W. L 164
Fitch, John 107-108
Flatbrookville, N. J 164
Flatbrookville River Bridge 165
Flood of January. 1841... 180-210-215
Flood of June, 1 862 1 72-2 10-215
Flood of October, 1 903 210-217
Floods and Freshets 210
Focht, Louis 167
Ford, John, Sheriff 156
Fords of Delaware 141-147
Forfeited Estates 134
Forks of Delaware 155-156-157
Fort Lee, N. J 181
Fort Penn, Pa 1 65
Fort Washington, N. Y 181
Foster, Barzillian 143
Foster. Rastrick & Co 195
Foul Rift in Delaware. . I 16-1 17-1 18-
120-160-161
Fox R.iver Valley 1 08
Francis. Tench 155-156
Frankford. Pa 188
Frenchtown. N. J 149-175-176
Frenchtown Ferry 146
Freshets. Artificial 115
Freshets and Floods 210
Frisbees 112-219
Fry, Anthony 1 73
Fry's Run Indian Remains 107
Fulton. Robert 108
Gallopers Rift 123-124
Galloway. Joseph 153.
Gallows Run Aqueduct 216
Gap Island 120
George Washington Bridge 18i
Gest, Alexander P 217
Gillingham, John 145
Ginther. Philip 114
Glace. William H 215
Goodwin's Ferry 162
Gordon. James 1 72
Gordon. John 1 58
Gordon. Lewis 1 58
Gould's Ferry 137
Gould's Rapids 123-124
Gould. James 1 37
Gould. Thomas 137
Grant. Robert 143
Grant. Samuel I 72
Gravelly Falls 123-124
Gravity Railroads 194-195-199
Gray, George 218
Great Bend, Pa 191
Great Northern Railway Co. 1 96- 1 97
Greenbank Rift 123-124
Green Bay. Wis 108
Green's Bridge. N. J 207
Greensburg. N. J 137-138-171
Greenwich Forge. N. J 1 53
Gristmills 1 17-202
Ground Hog Island 1 54
Ground Hog Locks 154-205
Ground Hog Rift 123-124
Gwinner, Hon. Samuel F 139
Hail Columbia 1 30
Hall's History of Trenton Church
135-136-147
Hamilton, Alexander 1 30-1 35
Hamilton, Hon. Andrew 1 26
Hamilton, Hon. James 152
Hamilton, William 173
224
Hancock. N. Y... 103-110-111-127-183-
188-193-219
Hancock River Bridge 1 88
Hankins. N. Y. 187
"Hard Times, " Lumberton 144
Harlow, Alvin F 200-208-209
Harmon, Thomas 118
Harmony Ferry 159-160
Harmony Station 160
Hart, Joseph 145
Hart's Ferry 144-145
Hart, Samuel 215
Hartzell, Charles, Ferry 161
Hartzell's Ferry 161
Hartzell, Joseph 218
Harvey's Ferry 140
Harvey, Thomas 134-135
Hauto, George F. A 200
Hawk's Nest. N. Y 198-219
Haycock Falls (Rocky Falls) 121
Hazard, Erskine 200
Hazard's Register — Many references
Hazen, Aaron W 160
Heath Ferry 137
Henderson, Thomas 218
Henry's History of the Lehigh Val-
ley. ... 1 1 4- 1 1 5- 1 59- 1 77-202-2 14-215
Hessians at Trenton 128-135-139
Hewitt, Hon. Abram S 170
Hewitt. Louise. History 135
Hog Back Road 164
Hogg Island 219
Holcomb, Capt. Richard C. 122-141-
144
Holland. Samuel 183
Holland Township, N. J.. . 148-149-151
Hone. Philip 194
Honesdale, Pa 194-196-197-199
Hood & Steel. ... 174
Hoops, later Belvidere 161
Hoops. Major Robert . 116-117-118-
119-161
Hooper. Robert Lettice 133-136
Hooper, Robert Lettice, Jr 136
Hooten, Thomas 132
Hopatcong Lake 207
Hopewell Township 133-140-141
Hopkinson Ferry 1 30
Hopkinson, Francis 1 30
Hopkinson, Judge Joseph 130
Horn, Abraham 158-159
Horn's Ferry 141
Horse Island 219
Hough, Joseph 146
Howe, General 131-147
Howell, Capt. Daniel 144
Howell's Falls and Rift. . 1 18-122-123-
124
Howell's Ferry 137-140-144
Howell. Joseph 144
Howell. Reading's Map.. 128-136-145-
146-157
Hudson River. 108-194-199
Hudson River Bridge 181
Hughes, Matthew 145
Hunloke, Thomas 129
Hunterdon and Somerset County
History 1 43- 1 44- 1 47- 1 48- 1 73
Hunter Ferry 1 59
Hunt's Ferry 1 53
Hurst. Richard 129
Hydro-Electric Plant at Raubs-
viUe. Pa... 205
Hydro-Electric Plant at South
Easton 202
Ice Freshet 217
Improving Navigation on Dela-
ware River 1 03
Inclined Planes 194-195
Indians 103-138
Indian Fireplace 107
Indians, Minsies 106
Indian Lands 140
Indians Raised Hatchet 106
Indian Walking Purchase 186
Iron Ore from Ringwood, N. J. . . 207
Iron Strap Rails 194
Islands in Delaware 218-219
Ithaca, Owego Railroad 191
Jacobus Rift 120
Janney, Thomas 1 34
Jefferson Freshet 213
Jericho Hill 140
Jersey City. N. J 189-206-207
Jerseyman. The 148
Jervis. John B 184
John's Ferry 138
Johnson's Falls 122
Johnson's Ferry. Monroe 148
Johnson's Ferry. Yardley 137
Johnstown. Pa 197
Joint Com.. Pa. & N. J. 167-169-170-
171-172-173-174-175-176-177-178-179
Joint Com.. Pa. &N. Y
183-184-185-186-187-188
Karnac Hotel Co 163
Keith House 140
Kellams Bridge 187
Kellam. William T 187
Kemble's Stone Quarry 1 74
Kenneday. Thomas G 1 69
Kensington 168
Kidd, John 128
Kingsley, Capt. Pelig 1 72
Kinsey. David 142
Kintnersville. Pa 109
Kirkbrides. N. J 162
225
Kirkbrides Ferry 131
JCirkbride, Joseph 131
Kittatinny Mountain. . . . 103-105-164
Kittle. John 166
Kleinhants, George 121
Knowles Cove or Eddy 140
Knowles Creek 140
Knowles Point Rift 123-124
Knowlton Township 192
Knowlton Turnpike & Bridge Co.
161-178-192
Kreitz, James 155
Kugler. John 144-145
Lackawanna Coal & Iron Co 191
Lackawanna County, Pa.. I15-i94-r99
Lackawanna & Western Railroad 191
Lackawaxen. Pa.. 106-1 10-193-194-197-
198
Lackawaxen Bridge 185
Lackawaxen Coal Co 1 94
Lackawaxen Coal Mine & Nav. Co. 1 94
Lackawaxen River 1 10-185-194-197
Lake Hopatcong, N. J 206-207
Lambert, Hon. John 143
Lamberton Ferry 132-133-135
Lambertville, N. J. . . 1 4 1 - 1 43- 1 50- 1 7 1 -
213-214-215-217
Lambertville Ferry. . I 30- 1 3 1 - 1 35- 1 36
Lamonte Mining & Railroad Co. 164
Land Flood 212
Landreth, David 130
Landreth Seed Farm 1 30
Lanterman, Edward L 162
Lausanne, Pa 114-201
Layton, N. J 179
Legget's Gap Railroad 191
Lehigh Canal . . . 1 14-200-201-202-207
Lehigh Coal Field 114
Lehigh Coal Mining Co 200
Lehigh Coal & Nav. Co
115-190-200-202-204
Lehigh Dams 215
Lehigh Gap, Pa 2 ! 5
Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad 190
Lehigh Navigation Co 200
Lehigh & New England Railroad 1 62- 1 92
Lehigh River... 114-115-157-177-194-
200-203-204-206
Lehigh River Bridge at Easton. . . 213
Lehigh River Ferry 1 58
Lehigh River Floods 210
Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad. . 190
Lehigh Valley Railroad. . 189-197-207
Lehnenburg, Pa 148
Leidy Ferry 1 53
Limestone Quarries I 73
Limestone Shallows 125
Lincoln Highway Bridge. . 1 32- 1 67- 1 69
Linn's Falls 121-123-124
Liquor to Raftsmen 112
Little Delaware 104
Livingston, Philip 156
Locks on Del. Div. Canal 202
Locks on Lehigh Canal 200-201
Locomotive Engines 196
Logan House 142
Logs Salvaged 113
London Land Co 146
Longshore, Jolly 137
Lopatcong Creek, N.J... 155-156-157
Lord, Benjamin 1 72
Lordville, N. Y 182-187
Lordville & Equinunk Bridge Co.. 187
Loux, William 155
Lower Black's Eddy 146
Lower Mount Bethel 160-161
Lower Trenton Bridge 1 68
Lowrey, Thomas 147
Lowreytown Ferry 148
Lowreytown Shallows 1 25
Lowrey s Reefs 120
Lumber Salvaged 113
Lumberton Ferry 144
Lumberville, Pa 145-173
Lumberville Del. Bridge Co. 1 68- 1 73- 1 74
Lumberville Granite Co 1 74
Lutz's Ferry 163
Luzerne County 115
McCracken, Edward 161
McDonald, Donald 143
McKonkey's Ferry 1 38- 1 39- 1 7 1
McKonkey, Samuel 138
Mack's Ferry 161
Magazine of American History. . . 164
Mail Service 127
Malta Island 138
Mammy Morgan's Hill 158
Manof War Rift 123-124
Manor House, Durham 149
Manor of Fermor 1 56
Manunka Chunk, N. J 161-217
Marble Mountain 157
Marcellus Shale 185
Margerum, Henry 140
Marshall's Life of Washington 144-145
Markham, William 140
Martin's Creek 160-191
Martin's Creek Ferry 160
Martin. David . 149-155-156-157-158
Martin's Ferries at Easton. . 155-156
Marshall's Island. ... 1 1 6- 1 2 1 - 1 23- 1 24-
157-202-211
Matamoras, Pa... 103-166-183-184-185
Matlack, 1 119
Matlack, Timothy 1 16-1 19
Mauch Chunk 1 1 4- 1 1 5- 1 89- 1 90-200-20 1
Mechlenburgh Ferry K6
Melish's Map 161
226
"Mercer," Belvidere. N. J.. . . 1 17-161
Mercer County, N. J 133
"Mercer," Ferry Boat 129
Mercer. Dr. Henry C 107
Metropolitan Edison Co 202
Middle Ferry, Trenton 1 32
Middle Smithfield Township 164
Mifflin, J 118
Mifflin. Gov. Thomas 120
Milanville Bridge Co 186
Milford, N.J... 114-124-150-167-175-
176-217
Milford. N. J.. Del. River Bridge, i 75
Milford. N. J.. Ferry 147-148
Milford, Pa 127-166-167-168-179-
180-216
Milford, Pa., Ferry 127-180
Milford & Port Jervis Railroad Co. 184
Mill Creek 193
Mill Rift 193-216
Mill Run 219
Minard's Ferry 182
Minard, Zillar 183
Mine Road in N. J 164-165
Minisink, Battle of 106-185
Minisink Fork 185
Minnick, Christian 130
Minnick's Ferry 128-130
Minsie Indians 106
Minsie Mountain 106
Mitchell's Ferry 144
Mitchel, William 144
Mitchener, John C 1 72
Mohawk River 1 08
Mohocks River 103-183-188
Monroe County. Pa. . 1 10-1 18-162-163-
164-165-193
Monroe Ferry, Bucks Co 1 48
Monroe, Pres. James 148
Montgaup Island 219
Montgomery County I 73
Moores Station. N. J 133-141
Moosic Mountain, Pa 193-199
Moravian Chroniclers 212
Morris, Anthony 1 33
Morris Canal 205-206
Morris Canal & Banking Co 206
Morris & Essex Railroad 189-191
Morris, Richard 169
Morris, Robert 1 1 7-1 34
Morris. William 133
Morrisville, Pa. .. 1 26- 1 3 1 - 1 32- 1 34- 1 36-
167-168
Morrisville Bridge 168
Morrisville-Trenton Ferries 1 32
Mountain View. N. J 207
Mount Bethel Township 160-1 78
Mount Holly. N. J 128
Murray Island 219
Musconetcong Creek
149-153-155-156-157-176-207
Musconetcong. N. J 153
Myers' Ferry 161
Narrows Aqueduct 216
Narrowsburg Bridge 186
Narrowsburg, N. Y 186
Neale, Thomas 128
Neshaminy Creek 1 28
Neversink River 104-166-167-198
Newark Bay 206
Newberry, David 1 46
New Bristol, Pa 128-129
New Brunswick. N. J 170-208
Newcastle 126
New Hope. Pa. . . 1 24- 1 4 1 - 1 7 1 -203-204
New Hope Del. Bridge Co
143-171-205-208-216
New Jersey Archives. ... 1 27- 1 28- 1 34-
135-137-138-140-141-147-156-159-160-
212
New Jersey Gazette 1 35-208-2 1 8
New Jersey Legislature
129-172-177-178-208-218
New Jersey Steel & Iron Co... 1 70-209
New Jersey Zinc Co 201
New Red Sandstone 102-107
Newton. Sussex Co., N. J 155
Newtown Jail 1 44
New Trenton Ferry 1 36
New York City 104-105
New York Historical Society 147
New York. Lake Erie & Western
Railroad — ^See Erie Railroad
New York & Pa. River Bridges. . 182
New York, Sus. & Western Rail-
road 162-193
New York Tide 207
Nicholas. John 209
Nickisakawick 147
Nockamixon Falls 123-124
Nockamixon Rocks 107
Nockamixon Palisades 102-107-150-154
North Chicago Rolling Mills 197
Northampton Bridge Co 1 60
Northampton County 1 58-192
Northampton County History. . .
114-165-177-214
North New Jersey Railroad 193
Nottingham Township, N. J.. 126-146
Okely. John 218
Old Bolton Basin 193
Old Ferry, Trenton 132
Old Shoemaker Ferry 1 59
Old Sow Island 153
Old Sow Rift 123-124
Old Towpaths 200-208-209
Old York Road 143-144
21\
Ontario-Detroit Bridge 181
Opdyke's Ferry 141
Opdyke, Samuel 141
Orange County, N. Y 182-183
Otego, N. Y 112
Ouleout Creek 112
Outlet Locks 202-204-205-207-209
Owego &c Ithaca Railroad 191
Oxford Iron Co 119-161-191
Oxford Township, N. J 160
Pahaquarry Copper Mines.. .
Pahaquarry Township, N. J.
163-164
162-163-
193
Painter, Jacob 145
Painter's Ferry 1 45
Palisades of Nockamixon. . . . 102-107-
150-154
Palmer. Cyrus 177
Palmerton, Pa 201
Palniyra-Tacony Bridge 181
Paper Mill. Uhlersville 1 54
Parmer's Ferry 140
Parry. Benjamin, Papers 213-214
Passaic Valley & Peapack Railroad 1 76
Pathfinder by Cooper 1 08
Patterson, Frank 219
Pearson. Enoch 145
Pebbletown 140
Pemberton, Phineas 212
Penn. John, Jr 155-156
Penn, William 126-140
Pennsbury, Pa 129
Pa. Archives 138-140-141-159
Pa. Assembly & Legislature —
Many references
Pennsylvania Chronicle 143
Pennsylvania Coal Co 1 99
Pennsylvania Gazette. ... 133-137-1 49
Pa. Historical Society 117-118
Pa. Magazine of History 136
Pa. & N. J. Traction Co 169
Pa., Poughkeepsie & B. Railroad 192
Pa. Power & Light Co 163
Pennsylvania Railroad . . 135-141-150-
160-169-171-174-197
Pennsylvania Railroad Co. Bridges:
Camden-Philadelphia 180
Del. River Railroad & Bridge
Co.. .^ 188
Martin's Creek-Brainards 191
Morrisville-Trenton 1 35-188
Pa., Slatington & N. E. Railroad 192
Pennsylvania State Canals 202
Pa. State Historical Com 149
Penn's Manor, Pa 216
Request Creek or River 1 1 7-1 77
Peters, Richard 1 56
Peters' Rift 205
Petit's Ferry 141
Perkins, Robert 1 36
Philadelphia 127-199
Phila.-Camden Del. Bridge 180
Phila. & Germantown Railroad. . . 173
Phila. & Reading R. R.. 138-173-188
Phila. & Trenton Railroad 168
Philadelphia Road 153-158
Phillipsburg Bridges 168
Phillipsburg. N. J... 113-121-155-160-
168-176-189-190-205-207-217
Piatt, William (Portrait) 113
Pidcock Creek 202
Pidgeon, Mrs. Ann 147
Pidgeon. William 146-147
Pigmore, Daniel 146
Pike County, Pa
110-115-166-182-183-185-193
Pine, Joshua 110
Pittston, Pa 199
Plymouth Railroad Co 173
Pocono Mountains 1 82-204
Point Breeze (Bordentown) 1 30
Point Pleasant, Pa. 1 03- 1 45- 1 46- 1 74-204
Point Pleasant Ferry 145
Point Pleasant Del. Bridge Co., . 174
Pond Eddy Bridge 182-185
Popaxtunk River 103
Portage of P. R. R 207
Port Jervis, N. Y.. . . 103-105-1 16-159-
1 64- 1 65- 1 67- 1 82- 1 83- 1 84- 1 93- 1 99-
205-219
Port Jervis Ferries 166
Port Jervis River Bridges 183
Porter, Hon. James M 162-176
Porter, Prof. James M., 3d 177
Portland, Pa 161-167-178-192
Post Offices and Post Routes 136
Postmaster General 126
Poughkeepsie Bridge 190
Preston, Samuel 120
Prevost's Ferry 147
Princeton. Battle of 128-134-137
Provincial Council ... 1 28- 1 29- 1 3 1 - 1 32-
146-152
Pumpkin Freshet 211
Purcell. John 142
Pursell's Ferry 148
Pursell, Thomas 148
Quakertown & Eastern Railroad. . 150
Quebec -St. Lawrence Bridge 181
Queen's Council 1 29
Queen Esther's Drawing Room. . . 151
Quinn, Henry 126
Quinn, Henry, Ferry 151
Rafting on the Delaware . 1 1 0- 1 2 1 - 1 82
Rafting Story of the Delaware.. . . 219
Rafts, Building of Ill
Railroad Bridges on Delaware. ... 188
228
Ramseysburg, N. J 160
Rapids in Delaware 123
Raritan River 1 70-1 72-208
Raub, Godfrey 1 54
Raub. Peter 154
Raubsville, Pa 154-205
Raubsville Ferry 153
Raven Rock, N. J... 144-168-173-217
Reading's Ferry 143
Reading, Col. John 143-144
Reading Railroad 1 38- 1 73- 1 88
Redmond, Samuel B 216
Reed, Mahlon 136
Reid, Col. John 147
Revolutionary War 1 58
Rice, Milton H 154
Richards. William 133
Ridges' Island (Marshall's) 121
Ridges Lock 202
Riegel, Benjamin 1 52
Riegel's Ferry 1 53
Riegelsville, Pa 1 05- 1 07- 1 1 3- 1 26-
152-170-176-206-215
Riegelsville, N. J 152-156-157-176
Riegelsville Del. Bridge Co 1 75
Riegelsville Ferry 152-153
Ringwood, N. J 207
Rittenhouse, David 183
Rix Gap, Pa 194
Roberson, Elmer 1 73
Robeson, Jonathan 160
Robinson's Ferry 144
Rocky Falls I07-I21-I23-124
Roebling, John A 198-207
Roebling Suspension Bridge at
Riegelsville 1 76
Romig's Ferry 148-149
Rondout, N. Y 106-195
Rondout River 199
Rondout Valley 199
Rose's Ferry 144
Rose, John 144
Rose, Stophel 144
Rosenkrantz's Ferry 165
Rosenkrantz, Fhilip S 165
Ross, George 116
Ross' Island 219
Rowes, Francis 137
Roxburg Station 160
Rutherford Ferry 136
Rutherford, John 136-137
St. Lawrence & Quebec Bridge. . . 181
St. Lawrence River 108-145
Sawmill Rift 184
Sawmills 111-112-114
Saxenherg, Pa 198-207
Saxton's Ferry 145
Schuylkill Canal 209
Scoharie County, N. Y 103
Scott's Atlas of 1876 131
Scranton, Pa 191-198
Scudder's Falls and Rif t. . 1 23- 1 24- 1 70
Scull's Maps 131-137-144-146
Segal, Adolph 154
Shawnee, Pa 162-163-164-193
Shawnee Ferry 163
Shawangunk Mountains 103
Shenk, Anthony 152
Shenk's Ferry 153
Shenk, Wendel 152
Sherrerd's Ferry 147
Shimer, Dr. Porter W 118
Shippen's Spring 160
Shoemaker, Daniel 163
Shoemaker's Ferry 163
Shoemaker. M. C 163
Shohola Bridge 185
Shohola Creek 186
Sidney, N. Y 112
Siegfried on Lehigh 201-202
Sinclair, Sir John 136
Skelton, William 144
Skinner, Daniel 1 10-186
Skinner's Falls 186
Slack's Island 122-170
Slack Water Navigation 201
Slate Dam on Lehigh 201-202
Slateford, Pa 162-192
Smithfield Township 162-163-193
Smith's Ferry 164
Smith's History of N. J 212
Smith's Island (Malta) 138
Smith's Laws of Pa... 149-177-183-219
Smithsonian Institute 195
Snowdon, Christian 129
SnL.fftown, Easton 157
Snycer's Ferry 160
Solebury Township, Pa 1 73
Sotcher, John 129
Somerville & Easton Railroad .... 189
South Easton, Pa 158-189-202
South Mountain 107
Sparrowbush, N. Y 219
Spruks Brothers 185-198
Stage Coaches 134
Statutes at Large of Pa
116-127-130-131-138-143-159-180
Steamboat Ferry at Bristol 129
Steel Rails, L. & S. Railroad 190
Steelton Plant of B. S. Co 196
Steersmen of Rafts 1 13-1 14
Stevens, Richard 146
Stevens. Robert L 197
Stirling. Lord Alexander 136
Stocker. Henry 1 30
Stockport. Pa., Bridge 183
Stockton, N. J 143-147-210-217
Stoddartsville, Pa 1 15-201
Stourbridge, England 195
229
Stourbridge Lion 195-196
Strap Iron Rails 195
Stroudsburg, Pa 165
Stryker's Histories 134-136-137
Stuhl's Falls 121-123-124
Sullivan County, N. Y
104-1 10-182-183-185-186-187-193
Sullivan's Army 165
Summit Hill Coal Mines 114
Sunbeam, N. J 146
Sunbury & Erie Railroad 204
"Sun" Ferry Boat 129
Sun Fish Lake, N.J 163
Supreme Executive Council 116
Suspension Bridge at Phila 160
Susquehanna Canal 209
Susquehanna River 112
Sussex County, N. J 1 17- 164- 165-
166-179
Sussex & Warren Counties History
159-163-165-177-179-192-208-210
Tacony, Phila 126-181
Tacony-Palmyra Del. Bridge Co. 181
Tammany Mountain i06
Tannersville, Pa 165
Taylor, Benjamin 1 39
Taylor, Ebenezer 1 39
Taylor. George 136-149-153
Taylor's Ferry 1 39
Taylorsville, Pa 171
Taylorsville Del. Bridge Co 171
Teconay, see Tacony I 26
Thomas, Hon. George 133
Thomas Iron Co 216-217
Thomas, Reuben 145
Thompson, John 143
Thomas, Robert 118
Thorn's Ferry 145
Thornton, John 135
Tide at Trenton 113
Tinbrook, John 146
Tinicum Island 149-157
Tioga Point, N. Y 164
Titusville, N. J 133
Tohickon Creek 146-1 74
Toll Bridges on Delaware. . 167-182
Toll Rates on Ferries 1 29- 1 3 1 - 1 42
Tomlinson Ferry 1 39
Tramway over Delaware 1 73
Transue, Adam 163
Transue's Ferry 162
Trent, James 1 32
Trent Mills 133
Trent. Col. William 135
Trenton. N. J 105-108-114-126-
207-208-209-217
Trenton, Battle of 134-137
Trenton City Bridge Co 1 69
Trenton Delaware Bridge Co . 1 36- 1 70
Trenton Delaware Falls Co. 169-170
Trenton Falls 1 1 6- 1 20- 1 22- 1 23- 1 24- 1 35
Trenton Federalist 1 30-1 35
Trenton Ferries 130-131-132-133-
134-135
Trenton Gazette 1 36
Trenton Iron Co 1 70-209
Triassic 1 07
Tri-State 1 03- 1 05- 1 66- 1 67-2 1 8
Trumbull, William 114
Tumble Falls and Dam . 116-121-122-
123-124
Tusin Station, N. Y 193
Twentieth Century Toll Bridges. . 180
Tyhock Falls 114
Uhler, Peter 154
Uhlerstown, Bucks Co 175
UhlersviUe Paper Mills 154
UnadiUa Creek 112
Union Paper Mills 203
U. S. Geological Survey 219
U. S. Steel Corporation 197
U. S. Supreme Court 104
U. S. War Department 129-180
Upland, Court at 1 32
Upper Black's Eddy. . 1 1 3- 1 1 4- 1 47- 1 67
Upper Ferry at Trenton 132
Upper Mount Bethel 161-162
Upper Trenton Bridge 169
Van Courtland. Gen. Philip 164
Vannatta, G. M 160
Vanorman, Isaac 109
Vehicular Tunnels 180
Vernon, Nathaniel 1 58
Vessel's Ferry 140
Viaduct with Bridge over Del. 185-198
Vurhultsen's Island 212
Waldy, Henry 126
Walker, Charles 163
Walker Ferry 163
Wall, Col. George, Jr
116-117-120-123-173-218
Wall's Landing 145-173
Walloon Families 212
Walpeck Bend 164
Walpeck Ferry 164
Walton Chronicle, N. Y 11 0-1 12
War Department of the U. S.. 129-180
Warne, George 145
Warne's Ferry 145
Warren Bridge Co 1 55
Warren County, N. J
159-160-176-178-192-193
Warren Railroad Co 1 78-191
Washington Crossing
136-138-139-140-171-217
230
Washington Crossing Park Com 1 39- 1 40
Washington, Gen. George
108-136-1 38-1 39-141-144-164-171
Washington, Life by Marshall 144-145
Water for Del. Div. Canal 203
Water Gap Railroad Co 193
Water Sheds of Delaware 104
Water Wheel at New Hope 204
Watring's Ferry 1 53
Watson's Annals 1 27-2 12-213
Wayne County, Pa 1 1 0- 1 82- 1 83-
186-188
Wayne Co. Hist. Society 1 15-139
Wayne, Pike and Monroe History
1 lO-l 19-166-185-186-187-192-215
Weaver, Ethan Allen. 110-21 0-2 13-214
Weehawken, N.J 135
Wells' Falls 116-118-122-123-124-
142-170-203-204
Wells' Ferry 166
Wells, John 142
West Branch of Delaware
103-104-110-111-112-188
West Brook 112
Westfall Family 166
Weygadt Mountain 107-120-121
Wharton, Pres 141
Whippoorville Shallows 125
Whitaker, Joseph R 215
White Haven. Pa 201-215-216
White, Josiah 115-200
White, John 145
Whitemarsh 1 73
White Swan Tavern 1 38
White Township. N. J 160
Wilburtha, N. J . . 137-138-170-171-217
Williams, Rensallear 1 34
Williamsburg, Easton 157
Williamson. Duncan 128
Willing. Thomas 156
Willowemoc Creek 104
Wilson Brothers & Co 169
Wilson. Joseph 169
Wind Gap. Pa 164
Wing Wall Dams 151 -203-208
Wire Rope Cables 195-198
Wissahawken Creek, N. J 147
Worthington, Charles C 163
Wright, Caleb E 140
Wright's Creek 201
Wrightstown, Pa 140
Wurts Brothers 194
Wyker, George, Bible 210-211-212-213
Wyker. Samuel 210
Wyoming Valley 164
Yard, William S 134
Yardley, Pa. . 137-138-170-171-1 88-205
Yardleyville, later Yardley q.v.
Yardley, Cortland 1 72
Yardley Del. Bridge Co 1 70
Yardley Ferry 136-137
Yardley, Thomas 137
Youngken, John F 146
Ysselstein's Cabin 212
Zimmerman, Hiram 163
Zimmerman, John 1 62
Zlotub. Pleasure Boat 102
Hand Organ Notes
By JOSEPH E. SAXDFORD, BROOKLYN, N. Y.
(Point Pleasant Meeting, September 10, 1927)
ONE evening, in tlie fall of 1925, two Italians, a man and a
woman, were pulling a street piano through the twilight
of Fulton street in Brooklyn, N. Y. The man could
speak no English and was plainly frightened when asked where
such an instrument could be purchased; the woman understood,
and reaching into a box on the front of the cart, brought out a
soiled bill-head — from which I copied "Molinari 112 32nd St."
Thus began an effort to find a peg-supported barrel-organ to
fill one of the gaps in the collection of the Bucks County His-
torical Society. This was done at Dr. Mercer's request. The
following notes were gleaned in connection with this venture:
The Molixari Busixess — The business of G. Molinari &
Sons was started in 1865, in Broome street. New York, by Joseph
Molinari, the grandfather of the present proprietor, Edward
Molinari. It is now (1927) housed in a badly weathered brick
four-story building, in the Bayridge section of Brooklyn, which
at an earlier day was probably a residence. A time-dulled sign
says there is an office in Elizabeth street. New York, but that
was six or seven years ago, before the moving pictures and
phonographs had stolen the children from the hand-organ man.
The factory is much too large for the activity which goes on
within it, just as a collar seems to a man, once fat and prosperous,
now old and shrunken away. The repair of eight or nine hand-
organs and about fifteen street pianos, which play in New York,
Boston and nearby cities, and the making of the punched-paper
music "books" for merry-go-round orchestrions is all there is
left to do. There is one competitor, the firm of E. Bona & A.
Antoniazzi, manufacturers of Cylinder Pianos and Organs, at
336-338 Water Street, New York.
The organ here discussed is a box-shaped portable wind
instrument generally carried on the back or shoulder of a way-
faring man, usually an Italian, and well known, forty years ago,
as the "Organ Grinder," earning his living by playing the instru-
ment to entertain people, chiefly children, for a petty fee.
232 HAND ORGAN NOTES
Because of its mode of operation, support, size, added
attractions, musical quality and, above all, its unseen mecha-
nism, it was variously named, as:
(a) Hand organ — because it was always played by turning a
hand-crank.
(b) Monkey organ — because a poor little rope-fast monkey
was carried about with it to amuse children.
(c) Puppet organ — because its mechanism sometimes made
puppets dance.
(d) Flute organ — because of its flute-like tones.
(e) Trumpet organ^because of the sound of some of
its pipes and accounting for one of its commonest names.
(f) Barrel organ — because its notes were always produced
by an unseen revolving cylinder or barrel set with pins.
(g) Hurdy-girdy — originally applied to the Vielle, a rustic
stringed instrument resembling the violin, played by a crank-
turned rosined wheel. In recent times used for hand-organ.
Mechanism — The hand or barrel-organ is a portable wind
instrument, the keys of which are operated by a pin and staple-
studded barrel. It is made to play by turning a crank which
rotates the barrel, the pins of which trip the pipe-valves and it
at the same time pumps the bellows which maintains pressure
in the wind chest. The hand-organ barrel runs horizontally
nearly the length of the instrument. It is made of wood, about
six inches in diameter and is covered with paper on the roller
surface. Into this surface, pins and staples of brass are set,
encircling the barrel in rings set close together. They are about
one-thirty-second of an inch wide and project about a sixteenth
of an inch above the surface of the roller. Above and parallel
to the barrel and running the length of it is the key-board, holding
the keys. These are short squared sticks of wood set horizon-
tally and centrally pivoted (so they may be given a see-sawing
motion) with the free ends toward the grinder. These keys are
spaced about a-quarter-of-an-inch apart. Fastened under the
free end of each key there is a triangular plate of metal, not
unlike a glazer's point. This is set so that the point of the tri-
angle is downward in order that it may bear upon the barrel.
This bearing-surface is about the same width as the pins and
staples. At the end opposite the bearing, or free end of the key,
i_.
A
IfcO
SECTION OF COMMON BARREL-ORGAN
A is the handle; B the worm and crank, which move the barrel and
bellows; C is the barrel on which the tunes are set. The setting is effected
by brass pins and staples driven into the barrel at proper distances, accord-
ingly as the notes are longer or shorter. D is the key, the rising of which over
the pins causes it to press down the sticker (E) into the wind-chest (F), and
thus to open the pallet for the wind to enter the pipe above; G is the bellows;
H, a stop-diapason.
Diagram from "Arts and Sciences," Charles Knight, London, 1867.
HAND ORGAN NOTIiS 233
a rod is hinged. This is called the "striker." It runs vertically
and on its lower end is fastened to the pipe valves or pallets.
The lifting of the bearing or free end of the key by a staple or
pin on the barrel causes the key to press down on the "striker"
rod which opens the pipe valve leading into the wind-chest.
The longer the staple the longer the valve stays open as the
barrel revolves.
The wind-chest is a box in which the air is kept at constant
pressure by the action of the bellows. The barrel is rotated
and the bellows pumped by the hand crank-shaft. This runs
horizontally from back to front of the case at the right hand
top as you stand at the back or grinder's side. On this shaft
there is an "U" shaped crank and a worm gear; hinged on the
crank there is a rod which runs to the bellows. The worm gear
meshes into a plain gear at the right hand end of the barrel. By
turning this hand crank the bellows are pumped, the barrel
rotated and each key (having its series of pins and staples
aligned with it and girdling the roller) is pushed upward in the
proper time and place, releasing the air from the wind chest into
the organ pipes.
A tune is played in one revolution of the cylinder. If the
tune is too long it must be cut to fit. From seven to ten tunes
may be put on one barrel.
The bearing surface of each key being only as wide as the
pins and spaced about a-cjuarter-of-an-inch apart, the pins and
staples of the tunes not being played, pass idly between the keys.
The wider the space between the keys the greater the number of
tunes, and the fewer the number of notes that may be played
for the same length of barrel. This may be why the seventh
edition of the "Book of English Trades," published in London,
1818, says that some of the English organs played as many as
fifteen tunes. The smaller hand organs have twenty-three
keys, the larger thirty-two.
To change to a new tune it is necessary to shift the barrel.
This brings a new series of pins in contact with the keys. The
iron axle of the barrel projects through the side of the organ-case.
Across the top surface of this projection is cut a row of slots.
The number of slots corresponding to the number of tunes and
their distances from one another on the barrel. By grasping
the end of the axle and shifting it in or out, and holding it in
234 HAND ORGAN NOTES
place with a knife-like wedge dropped into one of the slots, the
barrel is held in alignment to be played by one series of pins
only. Before shifting the barrel it is necessary to lift all the keys
from the barrel, this is done by a lever at the end of the case.
Knight says in his article on the Hand-Organ in the American
Mechanical Dictionary, 1874:
"The most important part of the manufacture consists in arranging the
position of the points or staples of the barrel. An ordinary piece of sheet
music is before the workman and the barrel of a hand organ is mounted below
it so as to revolve with a large wheel at his left hand. This wheel is divided
up into parts which correspond to the bars in music. Above the barrel are a
set of keys, with little teeth that indent the paper wound around the barrel.
He sits down before the instrument, revolves the wheel one bar, and strikes
with a hammer the proper keys, then revolves again, and so on. The indenta-
tions mark the places for the brass points and staples, which another man
inserts."
The owner decides what tunes are to be placed upon the
barrel.
Molinari says that it costs $15.00 to pin a tune on a barrel
and, for a 23-key organ, eight hours are required for the task,
ten hours for a 32-key organ. In London in 1865 ten shillings
was all that was asked for one tune according to Henry Mayhew
and eight tunes could be put on an organ barrel for £14. This
took from three days to a week if the workman wasn't busy.
The principle of the pinned-barrel was used for playing carillons
as early as the fifteenth century and the stationary organ as
early as 1615 (Feldhaus, "DieTechnik" Leipzig, 1914). The pipes
are made from hardwood, as boxwood, or from reeds. These are
tuned by pushing or pulling little pegs of wood which stop one
end of the pipes. In this way the air chamber in the pipe is
changed and so the pitch. It costs S6.00 to tune a hand-organ
and this should be done every 6 months. It is the trumpet part
that gets out of tune the soonest. When the organ gets out of
tune the pipes rattle. Dust in summer and smoke in winter
and rain anytime are the greatest foes of the hand-organ. This
means that the organ must be taken to pieces to be cleaned. In
London in 1864 it cost 10 shillings to clean and tune it. To
keep out the dust and soot the organs require a covering.
The owners of hand-organs took great pride in elaborately
inlaid wood and mother of pearl instruments. And then would
hide them under coverings of water-proof oil cloth, bagging, etc.
HAND ORGAN NOTES
235
The Molinaris tried to persuade the grinders from using decor-
ated cases but the owners took pride in this beauty though hidden.
The portable barrel organ,
in France called the "Orgue de
Barbari," was invented in the
eighteenth century by a Mod-
enese by the name of Barberi,
according to the "Dictionnaire
des Arts, Metiers et Pro-
ffessions," by Alfred Franklin
(Paris, 1906).
-^MV-e
A PARISIAN ORGAN GRINDER
OF CIRCA, 1737
As shown in a contemporary copper engraving
designed by Edme Bouchardon (1698-1762)
"The mendicant's organ seems to have ap-
peared in the streets before 1702 ... It was called
in French 'Orgue de Barberie,' either from a
maker named Barberi or because of its dis-
agreeable sound." — "The Storv of the Organ,"
C. F. A. Williams, N. Y., 1903.
Kinds of Hand-Organs —
The barrel-organ is made both
stationary and portable. As
a stationary instrument it
was used in English country
churches in the early 19th
century. The portable barrel-
organ, alias hand-organ, which
is our subject, may be classified
according to size. The small
organ, about fifteen inches
wide, fifteen inches tall and
nine and a half inches deep,
carried by a single shoulder
strap and called in the
trade the "Monkey-organ." The medium size organ carried
on the back by two shoulder straps and supported when playing
by a post or stick is about twenty-six inches wide, twenty-three
inches tall and fourteen inches deep and weighs about fifty
pounds. The large organ was too heavy to be carried on the
back, for it weighed 400 pounds. It was 41 inches long, 53
inches tall and 23 inches deep and was generally mounted on a
three-wheeled hand cart.
Barrel-organs are also known according to their voices as
"wooden trumpet" organs, "flute-organs," etc. The flute
organs, so called because they sound like the German flute, were
known as early as 1828 according to the New English Diction-
ary. The small "monkey-organs" were generally flute- voiced.
236 HAND ORGAN NOTES
According to the organ grinder interviewed by Henry Mayhew
(L. L.) the flute organ was first made by an ItaHan in Paris who
obtained a patent for it. When these organs were first heard
they attracted favorable attention and made quite a little money
for their owners. Here is what Mayhew's grinder of organs
said in 1860. When he came to England as a boy of ten:
"There was no organ about l)ut the old-fashioned one made in Bristol, with
golden organ pipes in front. Then came the one with figure-dolls in front,
and next came the piano one, made at Bristol, too, and now the flute one,
which came from Paris where they make them."
These flute organs cost £20 in 1860.
Puppet Hand-Organs — The great child called man has
liked dolfs for thousands of years and one of the first things he
did when he invented the smaller mechanism was to use part
of their energy to animate his puppets. Clock dolls came shortly
after wheel-work clocks and early in the history of the barrel-
played organ the animation of birds, etc., is noted by Francis W.
Galpin, w^ho tells us in his "Old English Instruments of Music,"
London, 1910, that in the year 1598, when Queen Elizabeth had
Thomas Dallam make a manual and mechanical organ with "self
acting trumpeters, blackbirds and thrushes," which she sent to
the Sultan of Turkey as a present.
The hand-organ with mechanically animated puppets was
found in America as early as 1838, for Nathaniel Hawthorne in
his "Passages from The American Note Books" (quoted by
Richard Wright "Hawkers and Walkers in Early America,"
Philadelphia, 1927) says:
"After supper, as the sun was setting a man passed by the door (of the
tavern) with a hand-organ, connected with which was a row of figures, such
as dancers, pirouetting and twining, a lady playing on a piano, soldiers, a
negro wench dancing and opening and shutting a huge red mouth, all these
keeping time to the lively or slow tunes of the organ. The man had a pleasant,
but sly, dark face; he carried his whole establishment on his shoulder, it being
fastened to a staff which he rested on the ground when he performed He
had come over the high, soiltary mountains where for miles there could hardly
be a soul to hear his music."
This was at North Adams, Massachusetts.
A hand-organ with puppets was seen by the writer in the
summer of 1926 at Mr. A. H. Rice's shop in Bethlehem, Pa. It
measured about three feet high, three feet wide and was about
two feet deep. The puppets were at the top of the organ set
HAND ORGAN NOTES 237
in a boxlike stage, the back of which was set with mirrors. The
figures were made to waltz as the handle was cranked and the
tune played. The men were dressed in long trousers of white,
and their dark coats had the high, full-rolled collar, the fashion
in 1825 or '30. This organ was too large to be carried and was
probably mounted on a man-pushed cart when in use.
The Peg Supported Organ — The large barrel organ, carried
on the back, was supported by a post, peg or stick while it was
being played. The grinders when walking carried the stick in
the hand.
The shoulder strap on both the monkey and post-organ
passes under flat metal eyes at the sides of the organ near the
top and so under the case where it is buckled. A second pair
of straps, sewed to the shoulder-strap at the side of the organ,
pass over the top of the organ and are fastened together by a
buckle.
The stick part way up from the bottom, has a step or bracket
cut in it; the distance from this bracket to the top of the stick is
equal to the height of the organ from the lower back edge to the
top; on the top of this stick at the back a short perforated strap
of leather is fastened. The back middle lower edge of the organ
is now set on the bracket and the strap at the stick's top is
buckled into a buckle in the middle of the cross-top strap. The
organ, slightly tilted toward the player, stays on the bracket,
the grinder steadying it with his left hand and arm as he cranks
with his right. This stick was never attached in any other way
according to Molinari. He regards this as an American device.
In Leech's drawing, "Portrait of the Old Part>- who Rather
Likes Organ-grinding," the medium-sized organ is shown without
a stick. The same is true of the organ in George Cruickshank's
"The Seasons — November St. Cecelia's Day" and "The Seasons
— July Dog Days." This might tend to indicate that the stick
was not in use in England in 1860. However, the stick-supported
organ was used at St. Helen's near Liverpool, England, about
18F0, according to Mrs. William G. Parcell of Aquetong and
Nathaniel Hawthorne (quoted in Wright's "Hawkers and
Walkers") describes it at North Adams, Mass., in 1838.
The Cushion — This was described by Molinari as a pad
fastened at its top to a belt which passes around the waist of the
238 HAND ORGAN NOTES
organ-grinder, the lower end of this pad is fastened by a strap
encirchng the leg above the knee. A little way above the knee
on this pad is a bracket or step (on the same order as the stick
bracket) . This cushion is worn on the left leg which thus serves
the same purpose as the bracketed stick. Molinari considers
this a foreign practice.
Hand Organ Makers — The name, Cocchi, Bacigalupo &
Graffigna, Schonhauser Allee 78 Berlin, I saw painted on a hand
organ for a cart. Frati & Co. had their house in this same street.
A smaller organ had "Imhof & Co., 9 Bedford Street, London,"
upon it. Molinari said it w^as the first time he had ever noticed
the name. (L. L.) John Hicks, living in Clerkenwell, London,
made and repaired organs in c. 1864. Bristol seems to have
been something of an organ-making town. John Hicks was
born there (L.).
Some Tunes Played — Let us hear what Henry Mayhew's
London Italian of the sixties played. He says, "My organ played
eight tunes. Two are from opera, one is a song, one is a waltz,
one is a horn-pipe, one is a polka and the other two are dancing
tunes." One is from "II Lombardi"; the other opera piece is
"II Trovatore." Here is an English piece called "Liverpool
Hornpipe," also one called "The Ratcatcher's Daughter," and
another, also English, called "Minnie."
The thirty-two key, peg-supported, wooden trumpet organ
made by Frati & Company, some time after 1884, now in our
museum, had two programs, an older one and a new one, each
having nine tunes as follows:
THE OLD LIST OF TUNES
L Somebody Has My Heart 5. King Carnival March
2. Moody and Sankey March 6. Marching Through Georgia
3. Fisher's Hornpipe 7. Sweet Mollie
4. Latest Polka 8. Saint Patrick's Day
9. La Marseligese
THE NEWER LIST SUGGESTS THE 1890'S
L After the Ball Waltz 5. Home Sweet Home
2. Little Annie Rooney 6. La Marseligese
3. Tarara Boomdeay 7. Travatore
4. Club 8. Irish Jig
9. Saint Patrick's Day
HAND ORGAN NOTES 239
An organ for small carts made by Cocchi, Bacigalupo &
Graffigna, Berlin, Schonhauser Alle 78, played this program:
1 atineurs Waltz 5. Holzanktion Schottish
2 Waltz 6. Wiener Schevalben March
3. Die guten laten Tage Polka 7. Cavalleria Rusticana Intermezzo
4. Barnay Ballargham Jig 8. Tune not at hand
The "Monkey-Organ" in our museum collection has one tune
that we have identified, viz.: "A Hot Time in the Old Town
Tonight," that swept the country in Spanish-American war
days.
The Serinette or Bird Organ — Because the finch (serin)
may be taught to pipe man-made tunes, if these are repeated often
enough, a miniature barrel-organ was devised called the Serinette.
This was early in Eighteenth Century France when there was a
rage for serins, and royalty had singing teachers for their birds.
Chardin (1699-1779), the painter of the familiar scenes of his
time, painted the picture of a lady who had stopped embroidering
to play the serinette which rests upon her lap. As she turns
the crank she looks toward a bird in a cage nearby. This seri-
nette is about a foot long, eight inches high and ten inches deep.
It has a hinged cover which is open.
There is a serinette in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York, which is about the same size but is in the form of a
book and only three inches deep. It was made in France in the
eighteenth century by Tomasin. It has a compass of nine notes.
It would seem that the Bird-organ was thought more impor-
tant to the French Academy than the beggar's organ, for we find
"Serinette" defined in the "Dictionnaire de L'Academie Fran-
coise" (4th Ed. 1762), while the mendicant's "Orgue de Barbari"
is passed by in silence. It existed in 1737, but not for the
Academy.
The Monkey — Pasquale Longo of Philadelphia, the former
owner of the museum's monkey-organ, told Mr. Horace M. Mann,
curator of the museum, at the time it was purchased in the fall
of 1921, that he had been playing a barrel-organ for years and
because of the industry of his monkeys had been able to make a
small fortune. The monkey's life-span is about eight years.
That is, if he is kept warm, for he is very likely to catch cold and
240 HAND ORGAN NOTES
die, so must never be taken about in cold weather. In winters
of enforced idleness Mr. Longo toasted his toes before the fire
and collected rents from his tenants. It is quite a task to train
the monkey to tip his hat and get pennies. Longo said that he
was always kind to his monkey and the monkey seemed to
vouch for that by nestling close to his owner. Around the
monkey's small waist was a belt, and fastened to this belt a
cord or light chain to keep him from straying too far. He would
return to his owner on call. The monkey wore a small red fez
with underchin strap and a coat. When Longo was ready to
go to the next stand he swung the organ over his hip, the monkey
sitting on top. Longo played at the Frenchtown, N. J., fair in
1921, and cleared S19.00 in one day above his carfare.
The monkey was the great attraction for children, when they
heard an organ they would flock to it, but would soon leave if no
simian were there to amuse them with his antics. But if they
saw their monkey friend, would follow him and his master for
blocks.
So much for the crank-turned hand-organ which in its
varieties, ahvays a wind instrument, has been the theme of our
description, but we cannot properly end the subject without
mentioning another kind of street musical machine, also portable,
also turned by a hand-crack, but not a wind instrument at all.
I refer to the Street Piano.
The Street Piano — This instrument, sometimes called the
piano-organ or barrel-piano, is not a wind instrument, but a
barrel-played string instrument. It is found in two general
types, distinguished by the tones. The older and probably
more familiar instrument, with piano tone, and a later develop-
ment called in the trade the "Mandolin Piano." This instrument
imitates plucked strings and the efl'ect is much more brilliant
than the older type of street piano.
The street piano looks like a small upright piano, placed on a
low platform, swung between two large cart wheels, at one end a
pair of shafts. Between these one of the attendants plays
draught animal when on the move, the other (for there are
always two) helps by tugging on a looped strap at the side of the
piano. The average street piano has 48 notes and plays ten
tunes (M.).
HAND ORGAN NOTES 241
The earliest use of the word "piano organ" is 1844 from
Albert Smith's "Adventures of Mr. Ledbury — Jack had hired, . .
a piano organ" (N. E. D.). The street piano is also mentioned
in "London Labour and the London Poor." However, in 1882
we find B. M. Crocker writing in her book, "Proper Pride,"
"The new piano organs are grinding away mercilessly at the
corner of every street" (N. E. D.). From this we are led to
believe that some change occurred in piano organs in the early
1880's. Doctor Mercer heard the street piano in Vienna in
1883 and remarked the beauty of its playing. Mr. Molinari
says it came to America in 1890 and was heard in Philadelphia
in 1891 or '92.
Some of these older pianos had pictures which appeared in a
frame at the front in the panel which serves for music rack on
the upright pianos. These Molinari called "panoramas" and
they were a series of pictures fixed in a continuous belt. I too
remember seeing them as a child in Brooklyn. The pictures at that
time being highly colored lithographs of Spanish-American War
scenes. If the children wished to gaze on these pictorial wonders,
the flap of carpet which hung before the frame was lifted, a penny
was the price. The pictures coming into the frame on the left
would disappear behind the right hand margin as the grinder
cranked the piano. The nearest approach to this form at
Molinari's was a rather thick dumpy specimen of street piano
with a lithograph in the front panel showing some people dining
with "bottled goods," very much to the foreground. The pic-
ture, probably a wine merchant's advertisement of the "good
old days."
These street pianos were often accompanied by a woman
in Italian peasant costume who juggled and banged tambourines.
I remember one quite expert who would send the tambourine
spinning into the air to be caught on its sheep-skin head to con-
tinue its spinning on the performer's fingers.
The Orchestrion — Beside the barrel organ and the street
piano there is another and more modern type of instrument which
is both stationary and portable, depending upon a pneumatic
action which is controlled by a ribbon of paper or accordion-
pleated card-board upon which the tune has been punched.
We have reason to believe that the idea of thus operating a
242 HAND ORGAN NOTES
mechanical organ or piano was taken from Jacquard who by the
use of perforated cards revolutionized the weaving of patterned
textiles. On i\ugust 5, 1848, Duncan Mackenzie was granted
a patent to make "Jacquard machinery, parts of which are
applicable to playing musical instruments." In the words of
the record of English "Patents of Invention," London, 1854,
the "application to musical instruments of an endless band of
paper, gutta percha, or other suitable material, having a tune
punched out therein, for the production of sound." This was
patent Number 12,229.
This punched-paper-operated pneumatic action has been
used to play both portable and stationary instruments, both
wind and strings, some with drums, cymbals, bells, etc., generally
called "Orchestrions." The most common mechanism thus
played is the well-known player piano. The ribbon of perfor-
ated paper passes over a row of slots, each slot controlling a key
value. A gentle suction is set up in this row of slot key controls
and the air is sucked in whenever a hole on the paper registers
wath a slot and that note is played.
The stationary organs of this type are found at most of the
"merry-go-rounds" at our amusement parks. These are power-
driven and, attempting orchestral effects, are hence termed
"orchestrions."
"Orchestrions" of the smaller sort were made portable by
putting them on a wagon gear and drawing them about the
country by a small horse or pony. The instrument which Mr.
Victor O. Krauskop, of Narberth, Pa., had seen frequently in
the years 1898 to 1905 in Lancaster, Pa., was described as
similar in appearance to a street piano. This instrument was
hand-cranked. The tune was played by a record of punched
cards which were fed to the machine on one side, and fell into a
box at the other end. These cards were in a continuous strip
and were folded back and forth upon themselves at all times
except when passing through the instrument. This "orches-
trion" was not as loud as the power-operated machines so
familiar in our amusement parks, but was louder than the
street piano. It contained both a bass-drum and snare-drum.
Accompanying it were an Italian man and woman, the woman
in peasant costume. There were also trained birds and both
organ and birds attracted a great deal of attention. The organ
never stayed long in Lancaster but would return yearly.
HAND ORGAN NOTES 243
The "books" or punched paper records for the pneumatic
action "orchestrion" are made of heavy brown paper the weight
of Hght cardboard. The width of the paper varying with the
number of notes of the organ. This paper is folded back and
forth upon itself, as accordion-pleating is folded. The book
seen at Molinari's was one made for Feltman's merry-go-round
at Coney Island. It would play the organ for half-an-hour
without repeating any of the tunes, but being arranged as a
continuous belt it would repeat on and on throughout the day.
It formed a block or pile about six inches deep, sixteen inches
wide and about three feet high. The cost of the book was about
$100.00.
In making the books, a pattern of manilla paper, the same
width as the brown paper, is fastened so as to cover a section of
the blank book. This pattern is marked with a series of pen-
cilled dashes of various lengths and varied spacing. These
dashes run the long way of the paper. Both pattern and paper
are passed under a foot-operated punch, the bed of which is
centrally placed on a long work bench. This punch makes
round holes of about an eighth-of-an-inch in diameter. The
operator punch-cuts along the dashes; a series of round holes
taking the place of each dash. Once a book has been made it
may be used as a stencil and perforations marked on other
blank books. The penciled dashes of the pattern are made by a
musician who uses a special gauging machine for the work.
These perforations in the book select and operate the notes to be
played by the automatic organs in their proper time and place.
Parisian Street Music, 1927 — The stick supported hand-
organ is not seen in Paris or elsewhere in France. The larger
organs are trundled about on small hand carts. The street
piano is seen in Paris mounted upon a two-wheeled cart, but it is
much smaller than those seen in America; they are about foyr
feet tall. The Mandolin Piano is not heard in Paris.
The cripples of Paris are permitted to grind organs, they are
an adjunct of begging, denied to those who are in good health.
The street singers who may play upon the mandolin, guitar, etc.,
and who vend songs are considered in a higher class and may
pursue their occupation regardless of the state of their health.
(Information of M. Brochot of Paris, June, 1927.)
244 HAND ORGAN NOTES
Other Street Music — In closing these notes it might be
well to pay tribute to some of the other minor workers in the
field of music who, according to our moods and their ability,
have either outraged or pleased us. There was first and fore-
most the little German band of three or four, each musician in
bandman's visored cap. Music carried in lyre-shaped clasps
on the instrument. A repertoire including "Ach du Leiber
Augustine" and "Heilige Nacht." These men journeyed from
beer saloon to beer saloon. The New York boys of the seventies
would cause the cornetist in these bands to pucker his mouth
and spoil his playing by sucking on lemons when they caught
his eye, according to Mr. W. E. Palmer, of West Long Branch.
The writer himself tried this with satisfactory results at Lilla-
gore's pavillion. Ocean Grove, N. J., a lemon stick candy serving
as a straw in a whole lemon. This was about 1900.
Then there was the one man band, he of the bass drum,
strapped to his back, a rope passing from his left heel through
the sides of the drum to the spring-separated cymbals on top.
The drum stick was strapped to his left forearm and jutted out
behind the half bent elbow. Bells were fastened to his cap and
he carried an oboe or a clarinet. By flapping his arm he could
beat the drum; kicking down with his heel brought the cymbals
together, a nod of the head set the bells to jingling. With him
was another player and between them they made enough noise
for five men. This was seen by the writer near Asbury Park,
N. J., about 1910.
Another efi'ort in getting one man to make more music, was a
guitar player who had a set of brass pan-pipes carried on a
bracket which hooked over his shoulders, the pan-pipes in a
slightly curved row, so as the player turned his head, his lips
were always equidistant from the tops. He played the melody
on these, the accompaniment on the guitar. Having played the
tune thus he substituted a bracket-supported harmonica for the
pipes. The third melody was played upon what might be called
a nose-whistle, a tin afl"air which the player held in his mouth,
the upper open portion pressing against his nostrils. It is
played by blowing through the nose. This was seen by the
writer on the Sixty-ninth Street (Brooklyn) Ferry about 1925.
The hand-organ man is not yet extinct. This summer of
1927 one was heard in Doylestown. That the organ grinder is
HAND ORCiAX NOTE^
245
still to be heard on the East Side of New York is evidenced by a
cartoon from the Jewish newspaper "Forwards" for May 15,
1927, which shows an organ grinder talking to a friend — ^says
the organ-man, "Buying this record was a great mistake. I've
collected only seven cents till now, while yesterday at this hour
I had more than fifty cents. I tell you, Fanny, my public wants
jazz."
STROLLING ITALLA.N STREET SINGERS
Photograph by John A. Anderson in front of his home at Lambertville, N. J.
Letters from Native Bucks Countians Living in
Canada, 1815
By MRS. C. D. (ANNIE MEREDITH) FRETZ. OAK LANE, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 21, 1928)
THERE is a tradition in the Bradshaw family that James,
son of John Bradshaw, came to America in the same ship
with Ruth, a daughter of William and Martha Lowther,
in the year 1729. They were married in 1740 and had twelve
children: John, William, James, David, Amos, Joel, George,
Rachel, Sarah, Ruth, Mary and Robert. William Lowther
died in 1750; his will made the same year named Benjamin Fell
his executor. James and Ruth Lowther had bought the home-
stead located in Buckingham township, four miles northeast of
Doylestown and one mile southwest of Mechanicsville. James
lived until the eve of the Revolution ; his will bears date October
22, 1774, with his eldest son John as executor. He had married
Hester Dyer of Dyerstown, Bucks County. David, son of
James and Ruth Lowther Bradshaw, bought the property, and
it remained in the hands of their descendants until the death of
Ruth Anna Lippincott and her sister, Anna Maria Meredith, a
period of more than one hundred and fifty years.
It is interesting to trace the genealogy of the family. William
and James lived in Plumstead and John lived at Pool's Corner,
formerly called Bradshaw's. . This accounts for the homes of
four of the brothers, but it was not known to the present genera-
tion where the other three resided until certain old letters were
discovered, written from Canada during the years 1803 to 1816.
A nephew, George, wrote to his uncle John, and Joel wrote
to his brother David, that Amos had died 21st day of 10th month,
1801, and that his brother George came up to visit him. The
letters which are made the subject of this paper are quite lengthy,
and I shall therefore give only extracts from them.
The oldest letter was written by Joel to his brother David,
as follows:
13th of the 2nd month 1803
Brother David:
I take this opportunity to let thee know that we are all well at present
and hope thee and thine are the same. It is a long time since I had a chance
LETTERS FROM NATIVE BUCKS COUNTIANS. CANADA, 1815 247
to write to thee by Jacoli Xeece of Tinicuni, who has resided here this some
time. Fine large crops are in the ground, but lies bare having but little snow
this Winter, the depth only ankle deep, and quickly gone. New Years was
very warm, indeed bare ground nearly all Winter. Jacob and Israel go to
school to Zenas Fell. We have very fine land, and a very good bearing peach
orchard, given by the Go\ernment at six pence an acre. Halifax being the
seat of Government about 36 miles from our town, Ralph Clench, one of the
heads in matters, gives me great encouragement telling me I shall draw my
two hundred acres of land. It is a long time since 1 had a fine letter from
thee, David, I badly want to hear from you all. I shall look for thee next
fall. I think thee has promised to come. We live in peace and plenty. We
learn that the war is ended. People are coming in here with their families.
Two of Gabriel Wilson's sons from the Jersies. A committee that pays
a visit yearly, Benjamin Clark was one last fall who preached the gospel
devotedly.
George Bradshaw writes from Upper Canada:
Dear Uncle:
I again resume my pen to visit thee with some account of thy relations
in this country, as these epistolary visits are the only sort we must expect
in this world. Uncle Joel's daughter Betsey was married last May, and she
and Mary ha\e both gone to the western side of Lake Erie, about 120 miles
ofT. I am going to keep school at Thorold.
5th month 27th 181;
Dear Uncle:
Thine of the 20th of last month I this day received, Elizabeth Fell is
very ill, Zenas and all the rest well. My Uncle George's children, except
George, all married and well settled. My brother Amos was in the army
from the first of the war. First Conductor of Commissary Stores at the time
General Brown came on last summer.
Pelham, M month 19th, 1815
Dear Uncle:
Our land has been visited with sickness since I last wrote. First with
the Typhoid Fever. In a little more than 12 months near 40 new graves were
opened in our burying ground at Pelham. On the 18th of 12th month, 1812, I
was seized with Pluritic Fever and my dear wife departed this life in 1813, my
youngest child six days after its mother and Aunt Mary Bradshaw the next
day. My sister Rachel Thomas died this winter. Tell my cousins I should
be very glad to receive a few lines from them, as I ecpect they can w-rite at
any time now the war is ox^er.
Thy loving and affectionate Nephew
George Bradshaw
248 LETTERS FROM NATIVE BUCKS COUNTIANS, CANADA, 1815
Pelham, June 16, 1815
Dear Uncle:
Notwithstanding I wrote thee the week before last, I again resume my
pen to give thee and our dear relations in Pennsylvania some account of our
present situation. My dear sister, Sarah Beckett died after a short but
severe illness, she was buried at Pelham beside our father and mother. Thee
may put thy letter in the Doylestown post office and they will come safely
to Buffalo. The mail comes every week to Beckett's with newspapers.
Thy affectionate Nephew
George Bradshaw
Hilltown Baptist Churches and Schools
By MRS. WARREN S. ELY, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Doy lest own Meeting, January 21, 1928)
THIS history of the Hilltown Baptist Churches and Schools is
being preserved through the medium of a man in one of the
most humble walks of life — a junk dealer — who two years
ago came into the library and gave to Mr. Ely a roll of ragged
papers with the comment that they were probably unimportant for
he had found them in the old Rowland House in Hilltown. These
papers proved to be the original records of the first organized
Hilltown Baptist Church. This coincidence led me to search
for other records, which I found in the hands of the present
trustees, dating from 1798, down to the present time. They
are now in possession of this society, making a complete record
of this church from its foundation.
This recital begins with a history of the founder, Rev. William
Thomas, who was born in Lauwenarth, Menmouthshire, Wales,
in the year 1678. His family was possessed of some means and
consequently William Thomas received superior education.
When past the age of 30 years he married Ann, presumably
Griffiths, born in 1680, and four years later, in the year 1712,
he came to America, accompanied by his wife and infant son,
Thomas, having lost all his earthly possessions in transit.
In 1713, he settled in Radnor township, Delaware county,
where he pursued his trade as a cooper. Here his son, John,
was born in December, 1713. That he was a shrewd, industrious
person is evidenced by the fact that in five years' time (1718)
he had acquired sufficient capital to purchase from Jeremiah
Langhorne 440 acres of land in Hilltown township, Bucks
county, a tract lying along the County Line from Line Lexing-
ton to Telford, for which he paid $234.67, less than 50 cents per
acre.
During the next ten years he acquired an additional 800
acres in three different tracts for which he paid approximately 70
cents per acre, the last of these being 106 acres, acquired in 1725,
four acres of which comprise the grant to Hilltown Baptist
Church.
250 HILLTOWX BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
Elder Thomas was a member of Montgomery Baptist Church
and labored there as a leader and instructor and between the
years 1725 and 1737 conducted religious meetings in neighboring
homes and the open air. In 1737 he decided that the growth
of the community necessitated a meeting-house in closer proxim-
ity and he gave them four acres of forest land and proceeded to
erect a meeting-house upon it. Some say it was of stone, but I
believe it to have been of logs, and the laity doubtless assisted
him in clearing the land and hewing the logs for its construction.
Those of us who know the beauty of this location — the broad
expanse of beautiful valley and the charm of the landscape —
can find in the benefactor an inherent love for nature. This
we find displayed in his selection of a hollow tree for his first
pulpit. This edifice remained until 1781, during which time it
was not an independent organization, but a branch of Mont-
gomery Church.
The useful life of Rev. William Thomas came to a close
October 6, 1767, and he was succeeded in his labors at Hilltown
by his son, the Rev. John Thomas, and we find this appropriate
testimony to his piety on the stone slab over his grave in Hill-
town Baptist Cemetery:
"In yonder meeting-house I spent my breath,
Now silent mouldering here I lie in death.
These silent lips shall yet awaive and then declare
A dread Amen to truths 1 uttered here."
His will, dated December 11, 1753, and recorded in Will
Book 2, page 315, contains the following:
"I, William Thomas, of the Township of Hilltown, Count>' of Bucks,
Yeoman, stricken in years, do make and ordain this my last will and
testament.
I give and bequeath unto the inhabitants of Hilltown Township forever
the meeting-house erected by myself, together with the grave-yard in which
to bury their dead, and all others, far and near, black or white.
Such as guilty of self murder only I reject and deny to be buried in the
grave-yard or any other part of my land.
I give liberty to the said inhabitants to enlarge the said grave-yard as
much as occasion may demand, the same to be laid out and bounded as follows:
To begin at Henry Lewis' corner post, thence South-east some what
farther than the spring or well which belongeth already to the said meeting
house 35 perches, thence north-east 20 perches; thence north-west 35 perches
to a white oak sapling by the Great Road (now Bethlehem Pike), thence
HILLTOWN BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 251
along said road south west to place of beginning, containing by estimation 4
acres of land & some perches.
I forbid any timber to be cut on said lot for any use save to repair the
meeting house, grave-yard, etc.
The said meeting and lot of land I give unto the inhabitants of said
township forever to bury their dead in and school their children (I also allow
others to send their children there) and to perform christian worship — but
under the foregoing and following directions and restrictions, viz: —
I allow all tolerated ministers to preach funeral sermons either in the
grave yard or Meeting house. Papists and heretics I reject and altogether
deny them any grant.
My will is that the Baptist hold religious services in said meeting house
as often as possible, but not any one that deny the Nicene Creed.
I allow the Presbyterians to preach in said house, provided they hold the
Westminster profession of faith, likewise Independents. If it so happen
that any of them will not swear allegiance to a Protestant King, such I deny
and disallow altogether.
Papists and Moravians I allow not to preach in said house, nor any
other strangers let them appear ever so Godly until they are well known to be
bound in the faith.
I will that catechizing children be kept up in said meeting house forever,
by orthodox catechism, and in order that my will be observed I constitute
and depute my 5 sons, Thomas, John, Ephraim, Manaset and William to
assist and take proper care therein, and I direct them in their wills to depute
some honest religious man in place of each of them to answer the care and
trust I have reposed in them."
At a regular business meeting at Montgomery Church,
November 10, 1781, the following resolution was adopted:
"The Church of Jesus Christ baptized on profession of faith and meeting
in Montgomery aforesaid, taking into consideration ye distant situation of
many of its members residing in Hilltown township and other good causes
and them there unto moving — do agree and conclude, that the following per-
sons being of regular standing, and in full unison and communion in this
Church shall be dismissed from us for the purpose of being constituted a
regular Gospel Church in Hilltown aforesaid, to hold and occupy the Meeting
house now pertaining to them with us in the Township aforesaid — viz., and
that when they shall be constituted, they will be fully dismissed from us.
And we pray they may be abundantly blessed of the Lord, made a fruitful
nursery and a Mother in Israel.
Thom.\s Davis Christopher Wells
Isaac James Henry Harris
Peter Evans Joseph Griffiths
Elders of Montgomery Church."
There were 48 members constituting the first organized Bap-
tist Church of Hilltown, viz.: Enoch Thomas, John Brittain,
252 HILLTOWN BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
Thomas Mathias, Rebecca Pugh, Evan Pugh, Manasseth
Thomas, James Morgan. Rachel Hardy, Alice Mathias, Moses
Aaron, Job Thomas, Rebecca Thomas, John Mathias, Mary
Thomas, Sarah Thomas, Alice Lunn, Rev. John Thomas, Sarah
Thomas, Sr., Elizabeth Mathias, Sarah Thomas, Nathan Evans,
Nathaniel Brittain, Margaret Jones, John Brittain, Ann Young,
Hannah Cosner, Joseph Brittain, Abagail Brittain, Rebecca
Rowland, Rachel Morris, Mary Eaton, Mary Nelson, Thomas
Jones, Mary Riley, Sarah Thomas, Mary Griffith, Margaret
Jones, Eleanor Thomas, Elizabeth Vastine, Gwently Morris,
Anna Brittain, Amos Thomas, Ruth Thomas, Isaac Freeman,
Sarah Parker, Hannah Mathias, Elijah Davis, Elizabeth Davis.
The church edifice erected in 1737 was replaced in 1781 under
the new organization by a structure of stone and the Rev. John
Thomas (son of Rev. William Thomas) became its first minister,
remaining until the infirmities of age required his resignation
in 1786. His pastorate was a successful one for in the first four
years he had added 54 new members to the congregation. He
died October 30, 1790.
March 26, 1789, a call was extended to the Rev. James
McLaughlin, of Dorchester county, Maryland, he serving until
1804. A charter of incorporation was drawn for Hilltown
church and congregation during his administration in the year
1796 and a seal adopted with the inscription of a dove bearing
an olive branch the device Hilltown Church.
November 24, 1804, at the request of the trustees, Joseph
Mathias was asked to take charge of the churches at Hilltown.
Although he was not licensed to preach until January 21, 1805,
he continued to serve until his death in 1851.
Now we come to the organization of the Hilltown Baptist
Church, at Nace's Corner. As these churches were under the
direction of the same officers and presided over by the same
ministers they bore the distinction of the "Upper Church"
(Nace's Corner) and the "Lower Church" (Hilltown) and are
referred to as such in the records.
In 1750 John Kelly donated an acre of ground for the estab-
lishment of a church three miles northeast of the Lower Church,
called the "Upper End," and in his will recorded February 22,
1760, Will Book 3, page 15, he refers to this "One acre where
the meeting-house now is" which would indicate that a meeting-
HILLTOWN BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 253
house was erected upon the lot, and no doubt both Rev. William
and Rev. John Thomas preached there, for there is no record
that these two churches were ever independent of each other.
By resolution adopted March 29, 1802, plans were made to
build a new meeting-house on the lot at Nace's Corner, dimen-
sions to be 35 by 28 feet, wall to be raised so high that it will
afford a gallery in one end, and having the pulpit placed in the
other end, to have two doors, one in the end under the gallery
and the other in the front of the house. To be ceiled with
boards on a flat ceiling, the house to be wainscoted, 5 feet high.
The old meeting-house was then demolished and the new one
begun April 12, 1802. Phillip Miller & John Mathias were the
carpenters. The building was completed and paid for November
9, 1802, and was over-subscribed. Cost of construction being
$858.19. The ledger account of this transaction is very inter-
esting when compared with the cost of labor and material today.
This church was erected under the pastorate of the Rev. James
McLaughlin, and during the first administration of these organ-
ized churches and schools. May 1st was the day for their annual
settlements. Between the years 1796 and 1802, a new church
was erected, a school established, a parsonage erected, and the
lower meeting-house remodeled.
HiLLTOWX Baptist School — You have observed in the will
of the Rev. William Thomas this clause, "The said meeting-
house I give to the inhabitants of Hilltown to school their chil-
dren." Since I have been unable to find any records of a school
building erected during the life of the Rev. William Thomas, I
believe the above clause would indicate that the meeting-house
was used for school purposes as was customary in those times.
In 1796 application was made to purchase the school lot. In
Deed Book 29, page 461, dated August 5, 1797, we find that the
following trustees of Hilltown Baptists, viz., Rev. James Mc-
Laughlin, Manasseth Thomas, Griffith Owen, Isaac Morris,
Benjamin Morris, Benjamin Griffith and Thomas Mathias, pur-
chased from Thomas Jones 30 acres of land adjoining the church
property for the sum of S400, and on February 6, 1797, the
board of "trustees drew a code of regulations" governing said
school as follows:
254 HILLTOWN BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
Sec. 1 — Two or more persons shall be appointed as managers from among
the trustees annually to superintend the school.
Sec. 2 — The said managers shall be satisfied with the moral character of
any master as well as his abilities in literature before he is received as a teacher.
Sec. 3 — In consequence of a general complaint among the employers
respecting bad conduct in the master, the managers have power to prevent
his continuing his term, and he to receive payment only for what time he has
been in service of his employers.
Sec. 4 — He is instructed to use no partiality among the scholars, other-
wise he will expose himself to the aversion and contempt of the employers
and scholars, but to govern them with gentle insinuation and sovereign
delight. Passed into a law Feb. 6, 1797. Signed by James McLaughlin,
Manasseth Thomas, Isaac Morris, Grififith Owen, Benjamin Morris; Thomas
Mathias, secretary.
This paper bears the newly adopted seal of the Hilltown
Baptist Church.
As there was not sufficient funds in the hands of the trustees
to pay for the lot when purchased, title remained in the hands of
Thomas Jones (who had purchased same from William Mus-
grave) until January 29, 1798, when title was vested in the
directors and this school existed for 80 years under the direction
of the Hilltown Baptist Church.
There seems to have been a small house on this lot when
purchased for on July 29, 1798, it was agreed to build a new
house adjoining the old one and attached to the west end of the
old building, the dimensions to be 17 by 22 feet and two stories
high, with an entry six feet wide through the first story and one
room, second floor to have two rooms and to be constructed of
frame. The cost was £126 18s 6d. This became known as the
parsonage lot and doubtless was the home of the Rev. James
McLaughlin for a portion of his term, for the church records
indicate it was rented after his pastorate. The Rev. Joseph
Mathias having occupied his home near Chalfont.
That the executive ability and the careful administration of
the first trustees of Hilltown Baptist Church played an important
part in the life of the church and community is plainly seen
in the records now in our possession, and to such men as Thomas
Mathias, merchant, who was secretary of the board of trustees
during the "business administration," whose pioneer system of
bookkeeping compares favorably with that of today, and to the
Rev. Joseph Mathias, who was president of the trustees for
HILLTOWX BAPTIST CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS 255
many years and at the close of whose pastorate a charter was
granted by the State of Pennsylvania to Hilltown Church, thus
making secure for posterity the bequest of the founder, Rev.
William Thomas.
Among other important members of this church was Daniel
Pugh, who came to Hilltown in 1756 and married in 1760 Rebecca,
daughter of Rev. John Thomas. John Pugh, son of Daniel,
was active in affairs of Lower Hilltown Church, and is frequently
mentioned in the records. He filled many offices of trust, such
as Recorder of Deeds, member of the Legislature, 1800-1804,
member of Congress, 1804-1808, and was many years Justice of
the Peace.
Among prominent persons interred in the adjoining cemetery
are the patriarch and founder, Rev. William Thomas, and his
five sons, and his daughter, Gwently, who married Morris Morris,
prominent in public and religious affairs, and Ann, who married
Stephen Rowland; also Benjamin, son of Morris and Gwently
Morris, the well known clock maker and Sheriff of this county,
1830-1832; and the Honorable Mathias Morris, a member of
Congress in 1839, who was a great-grandson of the founder.
There are many others of importance whose names appear on
these records, but some are buried in the adjoining graveyard,
and the inscriptions of these crumbling field stones can be seen
on record in the Bucks County Historical Society. As I wan-
dered over this historic spot, I found the spring mentioned in
the will of the founder 190 years ago trickling along through what
remains of the once thickly forested tract and as it flowed it
seemed to me to echo the words of the Poet Tennyson, "Men
may come and men may go, but I go on forever."
Dolington, Past and Present*
By BARCLAY EYRE, DOLINGTON, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 21, 1928)
PREVIOUS to 1800, "Dolinton," as it was then called,
boasted of but three houses. The first, a log house, built
by Peter Dolin, stood upon the site now occupied by the
store owned by P. A. Leland, and kept by Robert L. Balderston.
A portion of the old log house still remains, as a part of the
present building. The second, a frame house, on the site of
H. C. Hellings' residence, was thought to have been built by
Dolin also, but occupied by Benjamin Canby. The third house,
the one now used as a hotel, was built by William Jackson, in
1800, and used as a store for about 28 years. Oliver Hough
kept store there for a number of years. The fourth house, or
shanty, was built soon after this, on the opposite side of the road
from Dennis Hogan's residence. It was known as the "Black
Horse," and was occupied several years by James and Patty
CuUens, who sold cakes and beer, for a living. About this time
a tannery was established near Joseph Lambert's residence. It
was run by Joseph Lownes. Another house was built just north
of this, in which lived Paul Judge, an eccentric school-master.
He married Peter Dolin's daughter.
During the next thirty years "Dolinton" made rapid progress
in many respects. It stretched itself out upon the three high-
ways leading from Dolin's corner, until it reached almost its
present limits. The Post Office, formerly called "Lower Make-
field," was changed to "Dolington" in 1827. Whether the "g"
was inserted by accident, or for the purpose of adding dignity
to the title, is not known.
About this time, William Taylor, better designated to the
present generation as Robert Eastburn's grandfather, built the
store now occupied by Robert Balderston (Dolin's), and for
several years, with his sons, conducted a flourishing business
there. He died in 1831, (and his four sons died near the same
* This paper was first read at the Dohngton school-house, in the interest
of the Hbrary, December 30, 1881, by Barclay Eyre, from information gathered
from Samuel Buck-man, Benjamin P. Burroughs, Robert M. Croasdale and
from other sources.
DOLIXGTON, PAST AND PKESEXT 257
time), leaving a widow and two daughters, who sold out to William
Evan?, and removed to Newtown.
The tailoring business of John Headley was very flourishing
about 1830 to 1835. He occupied the house now owned by
Charles Janney, and employed eight or ten hands. The coach
and wagon factory of Oliver P. Ely and James Briggs, established
in 1833, also did an extensive business. They were succeeded
by the present occupant, Isaac Randall. The smithing estab-
lishment of Seth Davis, on the corner now oAvned by Frederic
Griscom, gave the town more ring than all the rest, he having
three or four apprentices all the time.
In my boyhood days, the old wheelwright shop across the
way, on the H. C. Hellings property-, was run by John R. Bitting,
who later removed to Doylestown. He was at one time our
village Postmaster and kept the Post Office in the lean-to adjoin-
ing the dwelling. The mails, at that time, A\ere brought from
Philadelphia by stage coach.
The period embraced in the first forty years of the present
century, appears to have been one of great mental activity and
business enterprise for this small community. Dolington, in
those days, was a business and literary center of no mean impor-
tance. People came from the surrounding country, many miles
to patronize its various industries. The enterprising spirit of
its inhabitants was shown by a meeting held at Trump & Saterth-
waite's store, in 1836, to "take steps toward improving the side-
walks." A committee for the purpose was appointed, and the
farmers of the neighborhood hauled the gravel.
In the Fall of 1833 the far-famed Dolington lyceum was first
organized in the old school-house near Friends' Meeting. Could
those old walls now re-echo the words that once thrilled many a
heart, how eagerly would we turn a listening ear. It was there
the young ideas of our grandfathers, our fathers, and many of
the present generation, were "taught how to shoot," both under
the teacher's rod, and beneath the burning eloquence of many a
hotly contested debate.
The old school-house, belonging to Makefield Meeting of
Friends, was built about 1830, under the supervision of Samuel
Buckman and Jesse Lloyd. The one which it replaced was a
log building, and had been in use as a school-house, probably
seventy years. Previous to 1850, the school was conducted
258 DOLINGTON, PAST AND PRESENT
under the care of the Preparative Meeting, the last committee
in charge being Samuel Buckman, Jonathan Paxson, Preston
Eyre and Samuel C. Cadwallader. During their term of service
the school was turned over to the school board of the township,
and became a public school, with Isaac Randall as director.
In 1859 the new school-house at Dolington was built, and
first used for school purposes that Fall, with Annie E. Phillips
as teacher of the primary grades, on the first floor, and Sarah M.
Fell as teacher of the older pupils, on the second floor, the writer
being one of these.
In the "old school-house" the intelligent citizens of the com-
munity were wont to meet for the promotion of all public enter-
prises. There, on the 16th of March, 1816, a "respectable
number of persons assembled for the purpose of consulting on
the practicability of establishing a library." At an adjourned
meeting held 9th of 5th month, 1816. the committee previously
appointed, reported having obtained subscriptions to 31 shares
at $5 each. They thereupon adopted a constitution and elected
the following ofificers: Directors — Charles Buckman, Thomas
Betts, Benjamin Taylor, Jr., Abram Slack, Jr., and Jonathan
Paxson; Treasurer — Charles Cadwallader; Secretary- — Mahlon K.
Taylor.
Of the original members, one is still living, Samuel Buckman,
now of Newtown township. Several others have died within
a few vears, whose names are familiar to us: Jonathan Paxson,
Mahlon K. Taylor, Thom.as Betts, Robert Longshore, Benjamin
Taylor, Benjamin Beans, William Cadwallader, and Richard
Janney.
Among those who bought shares early in the history of the
library, we notice the name of Joseph H. Yardley, Esq., in 1820;
Seneca Beans and Mahlon K. Knowles, in 1824; Benjamin Bur-
roughs, in 1828, and Robert S. Trego, and Charles B. Hill, about
the same time. Josiah B. Slack's name appears some years later.
Of those who are still members of the Library Company,
the name of William Lloyd appears as Secretary and Director
in 1837; and Samuel C. Cadwallader in 1840.
When first established, the library was kept in a room over
the store of Oliver or Phebe Hough, now the hotel property.
In 1829, it was moved to a room in the second story of William
Taylor's store (now Robert Balderston's), where it remained,
DOLINGTON, PAST AND PRESENT 259
with the exception of two years, 1839 and 1840 (when it was
kept over the old school-house), till 1858, when the present
library building was erected, and the books removed thereto in
Benjamin Lloyd's market-wagon, the writer of this paper assist-
ing in the moving. In 1838 the tailor shop of Charles Howell
was built by the Directors of the library, at a cost of $65, but,
for some unexplained reason, was never used by the library.
Addendum, 1904 — During the Summer and Fall of 1904, the
books of Makefield Library were disposed of, Philadelphia parties
purchasing those of value for $60. The balance were sold at
public sale, together with the building, furniture and sundries,
amounting in all to about $115. One hundred dollars of this
was placed in trust with the Bucks County Trust Company,
the income thereof to be paid annually to the teacher in charge
of Dolington public school, on certificate attested by the local
Director, said income to be used in the purchase of books for the
Dolington public school library.
Reminiscing Around an Ancestral Fireplace and
Bake Oven
By MRS. WARREN S. ELY, DOVLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 19, 1929)
WILL you go with me to \A'estern Pennsylvania and in an
ancestral home join me in a noon-day dinner cooked and
baked in an ancestral fireplace? A description of the
farm house seems necessary to better illustrate my story. The
house, a stone one, is built against a bank or terrace. The first
floor consisted of a very large kitchen, living room, parlor and a
large hall which opened into the garden yard; the second floor
contained the sleeping rooms and a large hall which opened into
the yard and flower garden.
The fireplace around which this story centers occupied all
the kitchen end except the space occupied by the door which led
into the living room, the. chimney furnished a fireplace for both
rooms, it was constructed of stone throughout, including the
hearth. No andirons were used in these fireplaces; they were
very large and at all times contained a huge log or stump which
was rolled against the partition-wall and buried in the hot
embers of a previous log, always af ording hot embers for every
purpose. These chimneys were natural ventilators, never once
do I recall odors of cooking emitting from them, but rather do I
recall watching the coils of tobacco smoke as they wended their
way in beautiful rings into the chimney.
All of the cooking utensils were of iron and all had legs, includ-
ing the pots used on the crane, some had iron covers including
the bake pans. We \^ill watch the old Swedish cook while she
prepares dinner. She has in the pot hanging on the crane part
of a large ham and with it she cooks cabbage and potatoes. In
front of the fireplace stands a table scrubbed until it is as clean as
the dripping snow. On this table is a bread-board and on this
she rolls out a biscuit and scores it with a knife. She has pre-
viously raked to one corner of the fireplace some hot coals and
over this has placed an iron pan on legs having an iron cover.
She removes the cover and lifting the dough-board containing
the biscuit she slides it carefully into the pan and covers it. She
REMINISCING AROUND AN ANCESTRAL FIREPLACE 261
then removed from the other side of the fireplace a similar pan
containing baked apples. All of this time the flames seemed to
envelop the three-legged pot hanging upon the crane as it
intermingled its steam with its odor and all vanished in vapor
up the chimney. As she pulled the crane with the hook, Great-
grandma removed the biscuit from the pan and broke them
where they Avere scored and then journeyed to the cave cellar
to bring a pan of milk and the delicious farm-made butter, and
dinner was served.
Great-grandma's bake-oven was across the yard from the house
and was constructed of brick. It had an arched roof, a chimney
at one end and an iron door at the other. On bake-days a fire
was built in the oven and when the bread was ready the wood
and embers were removed and the baking proceeded.
I recall seeing the old Swedish maid putting the bread to
raise in a wooden bowl and after covering it with part of a home
spun blanket, she placed it in front of the fireplace. When the
bread was ready for the loaves, two-inch planks about six feet
long by twelve inches wide were placed on the dough-table and
as each loaf was moulded it was placed on these planks, each a
reasonable distance apart. These planks were then placed on
the hearth. When the bread was ready for the oven the planks
containing the loaves were carried across the yard, placed in the
oven and carefully watched for a time to determine that the
temperature was not too great; if it proved so to be, the door
was left ajar a few minutes. When the bread was ready to be
removed from the oven a large basket, lined with a white cloth,
was carried to the bake oven and each loaf removed with a long
handled scoop (peel) and placed in the basket, after which the
boards were scrubbed with lye water and placed in the sun to
dry.
During festive occasions and before Christmas, a hot oven
always contained mince pies sufficient to last most of the winter,
and could always be found on grandma's swing shelves in the
cave cellar. Mince meat made at butchering time and packed
in stone crocks covered with several thicknesses of paper tied
down with a string could be found with the crocks of lard on the
spring house floor.
We will wander away from the fireplace of cookery to the
one across the threshold in the living room, for a long evening
262 REMINISCING AROUND AN ANCESTRAL FIREPLACE
before a big blazing fire, all that remains of an apple tree stump.
Every member of the family gathers there, and the stranger
within the gates. The fireplace is of such monstrous proportions
it can accommodate only in circle formation all who are there
assembled for evening worship, which always included scripture
reading and a prayer. We children always broke the circle
when the over-indulgent farm hand Mike, brought a pan of
butternuts and walnuts from the wood-house, and Greening,
Winesap and Northern Spy apples from the cave, and some one
raked over hot coals to one corner of the fireplace where we
popped corn in an iron pan with a cover, then to bed in Great
Aunt's bed, after having assisted digestion by practicing the art
of climbing the steps leading up to it. I shall ever be grateful
to dear auntie for removing the folds of the feather bed from
my face as I sank into what seemed to be utter oblivion.
I have lived to see, first, a brick industry and now a railroad
center with huge car shops completely smothering every evidence
of this old home, do you wonder that I say:
"Backward! turn backward! oh time in your flight,"
And bring me this sanctuary with its fireplace to light.
APRONS OR DEEP ROOMS AND LIME ROOMS
Shown in the background where the soluble impurities are first precipitated. In the fore-
ground are the long shallow vats or lime rooms, where advanced evaporation
the sulphate of lime, the ftiost common impurity. Underneath is a line of
perforated brine pipes.
EVAPORATING VATS
"Salt Rooms" or vats where final evaporation takes place.
Making Solar Salt
By HORACE M. MANN, DOVLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 19, 1929)
WHEN Doctor Mercer published a small leaflet or Museum
Guide in 1927, under the subject of Food, subdivision
Mineral Food, he regretted that we had nothing in the
way of tools, implements, machines, etc., to illustrate the acquir-
ing or preparing one of the only two Mineral Foods used by
man — Salt. We had tried repeatedly to secure something to
fill this gap in our collections, but always failed and it was very
gratifying to us in 1926, when Mr. Thomas K. Gale, of Syracuse,
New York, offered to give us a complete set of everything used
by him in the rendering of salt from brine.
Salt has played a great part in the domestic economy, political
history, commerce and wealth of man. The first trade routes
were established for the traffic in salt; nations have fought for
the possession of salt mines, wells and springs; Venice owed much
of her wealth to the revenues from salt lagoons; Marco Polo
mentions blocks of salt stamped with the king's seal used as cur-
rency in an Oriental country; New York state built the Erie
Canal, to which the state owed so much of its early progress,
largely from revenues from the salt springs. It has played a
part in religion and because of its preservative qualities has been
the symbol of eternity and incorruption. Christ called His
disciples the ''salt of the earth," meaning, no doubt, that in them
lay the preserving of the Christian religion. But after all the
principal and fundamental sphere has been in the domestic life
of man in the seasoning and preserving of his food.
Salt is a constitutent of all blood and is present in every part
of the human frame as is shown by the tears and perspiration.
It is unquestionably essential to many forms of plant life and
we may assume that it is vital to animal life through the instinct
of wild animals to travel long distances to reach salt springs or
"licks." On the other hand, as certain primitive tribes do not
use salt with their food it is not absolutely necessary to human
existence although these people may secure a certain amount
of salt by eating their food raw or cooked in such a way that the
264 MAKING SOLAR SALT
natural salts are not destroyed and they may be still, in a sense,
salt consumers. All other people of whatever race, clime or
degree of civilization they may be, use salt in a pure form as a
seasoner of food, and as such has been used far behind the dawn
of history for the most ancient records contain no mention of
its first use as a condiment, but, on the contrary, speak of its
use as accepted and commonplace.
It is such a common thing in our life that we fail to consider
it even as Shakespeare's King Lear did. Not only as a seasoner
of food is it important, but as a preserving agent. Until the
fairly recent introduction of refrigeration and refrigerator railroad
cars, the only method of preserving and shipping food, especially
meat and fish, was by packing in salt. Every one remembers
the late fall butchering in nearly every farm and a good many
village and town homes and the pickling in salt of the shoulders,
hams, spareribs, etc., of beef and hog to last the family all
through the winter. But the domestic preserving was small
compared with the commercial side where western meat was
shipped to the big centers of the east packed in salt; eastern
fish shipped west in the same way; armies fed on salt meat;
ships provisioned for long voyages. It was not until the War
of 1914 or a little earlier that "cold storage" finally crowded
out the use of salt for these purposes.
Enough for the importance of salt! Every reference book
refers to the value of salt, from the Bible down.
Fortunately for man the distribution of salt is wide, for
there are few nooks or corners of the earth where salt is not
found, either in mines of rock-salt, salt incrustations on the sur-
face, salt in solution in salt lakes and brine springs and lastly
in the sea itself.
Books could be and have been written about the various
methods of acquiring and refining salt from these various forms
of deposit, but I will confine my paper to the salt or brine springs
or wells and particularly to those wells and the methods of
refining of Mr. Thomas K. Gale on the east bank of Lake Onon-
daga near Syracuse in New York State.
These brine springs, in the heart of the Iroquois country,
were first noted by the Jesuit, Father Lalemont, in 1645, and
other Jesuit missionaries showed the Indians how to make salt
by boiling a kettleful of the brine over a fire as related in the
MAKING SOLAR SALT 265
"Relation" of Father Lemoyne, who went on a mission to the
Indians in 1654. From this time the Indians refined salt in
small quantities and sent it, with fish and skins, to the trading
posts. As the tide of immigration flowed into this section the
early settlers bargained for the right to make salt on the ground
on one side of Onondaga Lake by the treaty of Fort Stanwix
in 1788. In 1797 the State of New York purchased the salt
reservations along the lake from the Indians and rented certain
tracts to producers. The systematic manufacture of salt was
thus started and the works have been in operation up to July,
1926, when Mr. Gale, the last operator, shut down his plant for
good. Millions of bushels of salt, netting the state an immense
revenue, were produced, for a long time almost monopolizing the
salt trade of the country. \'arious methods were used here,
but the two most important were boiling and solar evaporation.
In 1797, the industry was fairly well started by the boiling
method, but the large commercial plants did not start until
about 1841 and the father of Mr. Gale started in 1851 with both
the boiling and solar evaporation methods used. In time the
evaporation in the sun superseded the boiling method and
toward the end had entirely crowded the former method out.
The state owned, by purchase from the Indians, all the brine
wells from which they pumped the brine by means, first of large
windlass chain and bucket hand pumps and later by steam piston
pumps, to the various operators who had engaged to manu-
facture salt. The operators paid for this by a tax on every
bushel of salt sold, which was carefully checked both by the
operator's clerk and by a salt inspector.
This brine was received in large reservoirs or cisterns which
form a necessary part of each plant. In the plants for making
solar salt a large amount of open space is required. Here are
erected acres of shallow wooden "covers" or vats open to the
sun and set upon rows of posts from three to eight feet above
the ground. Mr. Gale's plant covered about 20 acres. From
the receiving cistern the brine flows by gravity down to or is
pumped up to the first series of vats called "aprons," "deep
rooms" or "decks," where the brine spreads over a large surface
dropping the most soluble impurity of the brine, oxide of iron,
in the form of brownish-red powder, crusts and lumps called
there "bitterns," probably from the very bitter taste. From
266 MAKING SOLAR SALT
these "decks" the brine iiows very slowly over a series of long
shallow vats where further evaporation drops other impurities
such as lime, etc. From the lowest corner of these vats toward
which the brine drains are cut several circular holes by means
of an auger with a screw bit fitted with an adjustable extension
arm \\ith a cutting bit which circumscribes and cuts a circular
hole. These holes are cut to fit the outside diameter of a wooden
pentstock to drain off the brine to the wooden pipes leading to
the final evaporation vats or to drain off the brine to under-
neath cistern when it rains so that the process of evaporation
will not be retarded by the addition of the rain water. From
these underneath cisterns the brine must be pumped back again
to the shallow vats after the weather clears. The pentstocks
fitted in these holes are stopped with a big wooden plug or cork
shaped very much like the round glass stoppers in the old-
fashioned perfume or toilet water bottles. Some of these pent-
stocks lead to the wooden brine pipes that convey the brine to
the vats for final evaporation. These pipes are cut into sections
of from five to twelve feet long with a hole 5-7-9-12 inches in
diameter bored by means of a pod auger in the same manner
wooden pump trees are bored in Bucks County. The boring is
done from both ends. One end is trimmed to a blunt point by a
reaming tool composed of a plug that fits in the bored hole of the
log and two extended arms that fit over the outside of the log
with two diagonally set blades which trim off the outside of the
log as the tool is turned in about the same manner that the older
type of pencil sharpener worked. The other end of the log is
belled by means of a similar tool, also with a plug that, however,
is pushed farther in the log, with a single tapering diagonal
arm set with a blade that enters the already bored hole and
trims out the wood something like the scraper does in the modern
ice cream dipper. The blades on both of these tools are adjust-
able so as to cut correspondingly that the pointed end of one
log might fit tight in the belled end of the log ahead. The logs
in our collection are yellow pine but the favorite used was
"Pepperidge" or the Sour Gu.m (Nyssa Sylvatica). It takes
thousands of wooden sections to carry the brine of a plant. Mr.
Gale thought he had about 19 miles laid. As they get encrusted
with salt inside and pretty well covered with it outside from
leaks and drippings from the vats above they do not rot away
EVAPORATING VATS
Another view of "Salt Rooms" where final evaporation takes place.
HORSE-DRAWN RAKE AND ANCHOR OR SCRAPER
To draw salt to the edge of the vat for loading, with the anchor or pulley set on edge for horse
to draw at right angles to the line of scraping. The covers of vats are shown
in background.
MAKING SOLAR SALT 267
and look as if they would last forever. Many of the logs get
so crusted with salt inside that they stop up entirely when they
are cleaned out with a long handle with an oval blade set at right
angles to the handle like a long handled oven scraper and a
chisel pointed iron rod.
The vats to which these wooden pipes carry the brine are
shallow frames about 6-8 inches deep and 16 x 18 feet in size
set up, as I said before, on posts 3-7 feet high. In a single plant
are many hundreds of these vats, covering acres of ground, set
side by side along narrow "streets," only wide enough to permit
a two-wheeled cart to pass along. Mr. Gale and I went around
the plant in a four-wheel buggy of the cut under type as no
other four-wheeled vehicle could make the turn at street inter-
sections. It was interesting to notice Mr. Gale's old horse,
which he had used for this purpose alone for over 15 years, make
the turn at these intersections. He had gone around so much
that he knew exactly what to do without any guidance from
his driver other than a simple pull of the rein to direct him when
we wanted to turn. Instead of turning at once in a semi-circle,
he would keep on almost across the intersecting street, then turn
at right angles, cutting the inside front wheel under the body and
pivoting the rear wheels without touching the vats on either side.
Each vat is covered by a sloping roof with the ridge pole
parallel to the front made of unplaned boards about 8 inches
wide with a similar board nailed over each joint to still further
prevent rain water seeping through any cracks that might occur
or develop. This roof is movable. On each side of the vat,
running at right angles to the front, is a wooden track made by
two flat parallel strips about two inches wide divided by a third
strip which rises about two inches higher between the flat strips.
These tracks extend back of the vat a distance as great as the
side of the vat. On each of these tracks are placed two wooden
spools or rollers with flat sides eight inches in diameter and
about one inch thick connected by a spindle an inch thick and
about two inches long. The rollers are placed about the width
of the vat apart and on them is placed the vat roof by means of a
track along each side which is like the track on the vat except
that it is inverted. By means of these rollers the roof may be
run quickly and easily oft' the vat and back on the extension of
the track in the rear. During the day and even at night when
268 MAKING SOLAR SALT
the weather is clear these covers are run off the vat so that
evaporation may go on unchecked, but at the first sign of rain, a
bell, hanging at the top of a high scaffolding or on a pole in the
center of each plant, is rung and every man, woman and child
on the place hastily drops whatever else they are doing and ri sh
to push the "covers" over the vats. The presence of fresh water
in the evaporating "pickle" is very disastrous to a crop and every
precaution is taken to guard against a fall of rain into the vats.
As these rollers sometimes break, a heavy wooden handle
about six feet long with a slightly upturned blunt iron point is
used to raise the roof high enough to take out or replace a roller.
This handle has a heavy board two inches thick and fifteen
inches long swiveled to it a short distance back of the point at
right angles to the handle, something like the modern can
opener, which acts as a fulcrum in raising the roof.
Various tools are used in w^orking over the salt now forming
in the vats. The Spud, a chisel-shaped iron blade three inches
square on a long wooden handle, is used to break up crusts,
bitterns, etc., in the spring before starting operations. The
Breaker Spud, a narrow iron blade. 12 inches long and an inch
wide, set at right angles on a long wooden handle, is used to
break up the crusts on the salt as it forms. The Leveling Rake,
much like a garden rake except that each iron tooth has a round
iron button on the point, to level oft" surface of salt after using
the Breaker Spud or after some of the salt has been taken out
to the storehouse. The Muddle Rake, a wooden blade, set at
right angles to the handle, edged with a narrow iron blade so
that it will not gouge the floor of the vat or scratch up splinters,
is used to clean off the last layer of salt in the vats in the fall
before closing down for the season. Finally the Hand Rake, a
blunt iron blade 14 inches long and 4 inches wide, set at right
angles on a wooden handle and the Horse Rake, a larger iron
blade, 3 feet long and 10 inches wude with two wooden handles
like cultivator handles attached to the top, both used to pull
the salt to the side of the vat in taking up a "crop." The Horse
Rake has two chains running from each end of the rake and
meeting in an iron ring. A rope is fastened to this ring passing
through an iron pulley or "trolley" set on the street side of the
vat so that the horse can pull up the "street" at right angles to
MAKING SOLAR SALT 269
the direction the rake is being operated in pulHng all the salt to
this "street" or loading side of the vat.
A crop now being formed in the vats it is worked over with
the Breaker Spud and the Leveling Rake and then drawn to
the street side of the vat by the Hand or Horse Rake. Here it is
shoveled into wooden tubs about the size of a bushel basket.
These tubs have a six-inch peg at each side for a handle. On
the bottom and about half way up the sides, holes one-half inch
in diameter are bored so that the water, shoveled up with the
salt, will drain off. The tubs are set on the curb of the vats
until thoroughly drained and the salt is emptied into a large,
heavy, two-wheeled cart with high flaring sides to be hauled
to the storehouse. At Mr. Gale's plant this storehouse was
built against the side of a high bank with the second floor of the
house on the level with the top of the bank so that the carts
could be driven into this second story and the salt dumped down
a wide chute unto the main floor below.
The salt was screened for sizes through a circular iron frame
work covered with different size wire mesh. Some table salt
was made by grinding the coarser product between a heavy
stone roller running over a stone base, both set in a wooden
frame and run by means of a steam engine. Most of this com-
mercial salt was shipped loose in bulk by canal or railroad. For
loading, a particular type w^heelbarrow was used something like
the modern metal cement wheelbarrow with the front side
extending farther over the wheel so that when loaded a good
portion of the load was over or ahead of the wheel thereby taking
most of the strain off the workmen. The wheelbarrow loads
of salt were counted as they passed out of the store house and
the tally was kept by means of a wooden frame work, four feet
high and two feet wide, holding wires on which were strung a
number of wooden washer like discs, alternated every third,
fifth or seventh disc by an iron one which was used as a check,
for every third, fifth or seventh man should check on an iron
disc, and if he did not they stopped loading until the checking
was corrected. This counting and checking was done not only
to tell how much salt was being loaded and sold but also to deter-
mine the tax the plant should pay the state figured on the number
of bushels sold of one cent a bushel of 56 pounds on all the salt
made from brine furnished by the state to the manufacturers.
270 MAKING SOLAR SALT
The slower process of solar evaporation, resulting in the
larger crystals, gives solar salt its distinct value and use; but an
entirely different method is employed in manufacture of finer
grades for table use. For this purpose, a "block" is used, con-
sisting of a long double row of large, iron kettles, set side by
side in substantial brick arches which practically forms the
great flue of the furnace placed at one end or by long rows of these
heavy iron kettles hung under brick arches with open fires under-
neath. The brine is drawn into the kettles from the receiving
cistern where certain of its impurities have already been pre-
cipitated by the addition of a certain amount of quicklime or
alum. Other impurities that form while boiling, such as chloride
of lime and the so-called "bitterns" are extracted after the fire
has been started for a time by a large, fiat, iron pan, furnished
with a long handle, placed in each kettle, completely covering
the bottom of the kettle. As the brine is boiled down, the
impurities fall into these pans, which are carefully drawn out,
leaving the salt as clean as possible.
Boiled salt, from rapid evaporation, is of fine grain; but the
grain is further "cut" by the addition of a small lump of butter
or tallow, which, melting and spreading over the boiling brine,
serves to break the crystals as they rise. When the salt begins
to form, it is dipped up and put to drain in a large splint basket,
or in our case, in the w^ooden sieve like tubs, which are placed
on a broad plank over one side of each kettle.
This is the much shorter process of manufacturing boiled
salt; for, after draining the prescribed time it is ready for market.
The finer grades of table salt are obtained by putting the boiled
salt through the grinder mentioned before.
All these tools here described are in our museum with the
exception of the flat pan used to take out the impurities from
boiled salt and the large splint draining baskets, the latter of
which Mr. Gale did not use and the former had been thrown away
a long time ago as Mr. Gale had not made boiled salt for many
years. He did have several of the large kettles used in this
boiling of brine still around his yard and we have one now in the
museum.
SALT TUBS WITH PERFORATED BOTTOMS
Set on edge of the vats to drain off preparatory to loading.
THE SALT CART
The wide, heavy dump cart collecting the salt from the vats and hauling it to the storage house,
Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Battle of
Crooked Billet
Report of the Celebration of May 5. 1928
By warren S. ELY, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, January 19, 1929)
AT our Annual Meeting here at Doylestown one year ago,
Dr. John B. Carrell, of Hatboro, on behalf of the Mont-
gomery County Historical Society, requested our Society
to join with that Society in the celebration of the 150th Anni-
versary of the Battle of the Crooked Billet, fought partly on
Bucks County soil May 1, 1778.
The proposition was accepted and later a committee of three
members, Hon. Harman Yerkes, Wilson Woodman and Warren
S. Ely, was appointed by President Mercer in reference to the
matter.
Judge Yerkes was taken sick prior to the date of the first
meeting of the joint committee at Hatboro, and was unable to
attend the meeting and died a few weeks later without being
able to attend any meetings of the committee.
This was especially unfortunate inasmuch as Judge Yerkes,
born on the site of the battle, had always been deeply interested .
in preserving its history and recalled conversations and discus-
sions of the event held by members of his family and others who
had witnessed the battle, in his home, and had gathered and
preserved an account of several incidents connected therewith,
and looked forward to rendering active assistance in the cele-
bration.
Wilson Woodman attended but one of the meetings of the
committee, alleging his age and infirmities, and want of knowledge
of the history of the battle, made it impossible for him to assist
in the work of the committee.
These circumstances threw all the preliminary work on the
remaining member of the committee, and he was unable to
influence any other members of the society to take an active
part in preparing for the preparation for the celebration, except
our Secretary, Mr. Mann, who attended several of the later
meetings and gave valuable advice.
272 SESQUICEXTENXIAL OF BATTLE OF CROOKED BILLET
I attended every one of the weekly meetings of the committee
until the program was completed.
The history of the battle from various sources was thoroughly
reviewed and the actual site of the conflict definitely ascertained
and a map of the surrounding country, showing route of approach
of the enemy, location of .General John Lacey's headquarters
and troops, route of retreat and battle, homes robbed by the
British, scenes of the conflict, burial places of patriots, Washing-
ton's Camp at Neshaminy, and roads connecting the various
points, was prepared by A. C. Young, a competent engineer and
surveyor, and is reproduced in the program, which contains Gen.
W. W. H. Davis' History of the Battle and a summary of other
data from various other sources collected by the Committee.^
In the selection of the site of the marker and securing the
granite monument and its erection, I had the active co-operation
and assistance of Howard T. Hallowell, of Jenkintow-n, who was
indefatigable in this part of the work as a member of the com-
mittee.
The Montgomery County Historical Society did not render
us any assistance, as a society, financially or otherwise, but
members of the society residing in and about Hatboro, con-
tributed liberally both in work and funds.
I wrote several times to the Cumberland County Historical
Society in reference to participating with us in the Anniversary
and also in reference to the participants in the struggle from that
county, but though the secretary seemed to be much interested
on receipt of my first letter, never gave us any assistance either
in data or funds.
I had considerable correspondence with F. D. Beary, Adju-
tant General of Pennsylvania, in reference to the State assisting
in the marking of the sites of the burial of the soldiers, but the
conditions of state aid were such as we could not accept.
We finally purchased a granite slab and had it erected on a lot
24 by 40 feet, purchased of Rudolph Tanner, on the southeast
side of the Jacksonville Road, 1910 feet from the County
Line.
The purchase price of the lot was S50, which was contributed
by the Bucks County Historical Society, and the deed
1 For General Davis' "The Battle of Crooked Billet," see Vol. II, page
173, of our publications.
hESQUICE.xTENNIAL OF BATTLK OF CROOKED BILLET 273
made to the Societ}- b\-
Mr. Tanner and his wife
has been duly recorded.
The cost of the shaft and
its marking and erection,
approximately S360, was
paid out of voluntary
contributions by indi-
viduals.
The dedication of the
monument and the cele-
bration of the anni-
versary took place on
May 5, 1928. There was
a large concourse of
people at the dedication.
Music was furnished by
Hatboro Cornet Band.
Prayer was offered by
Rev. B. M. Gemmill,
D. D. The tablet was
unveiled by Dr. Charles
D. Levingood, of Berwyn, Pa., a lineal descendant of General John
Lacey, who later in the program delivered an address. The
dedicatory address was delivered by Hon. Webster Grim, of
Doylestown. This was followed by the reading of an original
poem by its author, Mrs. Findley Braden, of Doylestown,
entitled "Brave Lacey and His Rebs." Two memorial trees
were planted on either side of the monument under the super-
vision of the Junior Nature Club, by young girls, members of
the Club, with suitable ceremonies. A prayer was offered by
Isaac Michener, a minister of the Society of Friends. The
exercises closed with the singing of the Doxology by the audience
and the firing of a salute "To Fallen Comrades of All Wars," by
representatives of the American Legion Post at Hatboro.
Dinner was served at Pennypack Lodge and Tea Room, Dr.
John B. Carrel acting as toastmaster, and addresses delivered
by Lieutenant Frank Schoble, the blind World War veteran, and
Irving P. Knipe, President of the Montgomery County Historical
Society, and Judge Harold G. Knight, both of Norristown.
274 SESQUICEXTENNIAL OF BATTLE OF CROOKED BILLET
A pageant was enacted on the grounds of Hatboro Union
Library by members of the Junior Neighbors of Hatboro in
Colonial costumes depicting a Quaker wedding and Lafayette
receiving his commission as General from General Washington.
A parade participated in by a number of local organizations
and several hundred school children from Bucks and Mont-
gomery Counties, including a number of unique floats represent-
ing Colonial and Revolutionar\' times and events. A meeting
was held at the Hatboro Crooked Billet Monument erected in
1860, and addresses were delivered by Lieutenant Schoble, Hon.
Henry W. Watson and William Fletcher Stites.
The Hatboro people gave the whole affair very hearty and
substantial support.
The Official Program, containing, as before stated. General
Davis' History of the Battle and other data in reference to its
history, the map before referred to and many views of the houses
and sites that figured in the history of the battle, has been pre-
served, and a fairly full account of the anniversary appears in
current numbers of the Hatboro Sprit and Doylestown Daily
Intelligencer .
Address of Hon. Webster Grim of Doylestown, Pa.
At the unveiling of the monument to mark the site
of the Battle of Crooked Billet, May 5, 1928
We are assembled on this field of glory to dedicate a monu-
ment to the valor of the patriots who here died that liberty
might endure. Upon this very spot, one hundred and fifty
years ago, they fell, in defence of the principles proclaimed in
yonder city. And surely no patriots in any age or clime died
more gloriously. Surprised and surrounded, they refused to
surrender. They retreated, they rallied, and they fell wdth their
faces toward a stronger foe. The story of Concord and Lexington
was here retold on Bucks County soil. It is well therefore that
we raise this monument to their memory.
Within the confines of this peninsula washed by the Dela-
ware and the Schuylkill were enacted more stirring events than
in any other like territory on this continent. In yon city, sa
soon to feel the oppressors' heel, the Continental Congress had
proclaimed that these colonies are, and of right ought to be,
SESQUICENTENXIAL OF BATTLE OF CROOKED BILLET 275
free and independent states, and they mutually pledged to each
other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. From
the patriots' camps in this County went forth the victorious
columns that won at Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth. Here
Germantown was fought and won, and then lost. Yonder lies
Valley Forge, the Gethsemane of the Revolution. To our rear
is the spot where the stars and stripes, that beautiful emblem
of Liberty and Union, were first unfurled in the American army.
Here too that constitution that cemented a nation into being
was adopted and sent forth for ratification. Not that any great
battles were here fought and won by us, because there were no
great battles won by us in that war, but because by these vic-
tories the spirits of the patriots were cheered when all also seemed
lost.
We are apt to think that the progress of our race depends
upon the issue of great battles fought and won, and it is true
that decisive battles have changed the face and fortune of king-
doms. But not so in the war of the Revolution. No one, no
two great battles could determine our freedom. Long Island
and Brandywine could scatter our forces, but they could not
conquer America. Discouraged and disheartened as were the
patriots, the star of hope still shone resplendent, and it only
needed the victory at Trenton to justify that hope. The very
fact that Howe and his generals decided upon a like policy in
this engagement at the Billet is proof positive that they recog-
nized that these colonies could not be subdued by pitched battles
or by captured cities, and Howe soon thereafter retired to New
York. The words of that great friend of America, William
Pitt, to his fellow Englishmen, that England could not conquer
America, encouraged the hopes of the patriots and was worth
more to them than regiments of soldiers. For the strength of
these colonies did not depend upon the size or equipment of her
armies. It depended upon the indomitable spirit of the patriots
backed up by a fast developing interior, for while the patriot
carried the rifle in his right hand he was guiding the plow with
his left with the result that we were stronger at the end of the
war than when we began. This development could not
have been accomplished if our armies had remained mobilized,
even if Congress could have found means to support them, but
when some great emergency arose, as it did at Boston, at Sara-
toga and at Yorktown, the sturdy yeomanry left the plow in
276 SESQUICENTENNIAL OF BATTLE OF CROOKED BILLET
the furrow in the valley and the axe upon the hillside and joined
in one supreme effort, and when that work was accomplished
they returned again to the valleys and the hills as quickly as
they had come. It might have contributed to the glory of our
arms had we been able to win a pitched battle against the British
regulars, but it must have been at a frightful cost of blood and
treasure, for England had more and stronger armies which she
would have placed with us and our last situation would have
been worse than the first. As time goes on the great generalship
of Washington in these campaigns becomes more marked and
we no longer wonder at the great tribute paid him by Frederick
the Great. To conquer America, it would have been necessary,
to quote the words of Patrick Henry, to "place a British Guard in
every house."
We are accustomed to hear that it was the intervention of
France which secured for us our independence. Grateful as
we are to France for her great aid in our time of need, we yet
would have won our independence without her. The people of
England were tired of the war: we were growing stronger
monthly and yearly, and the Government of France was more
concerned in breaking the power of her old rival, England, than
she was concerned about our welfare, as subsequent events soon
showed.
It is not my purpose to rehearse any of the events of that
May Day battle. Others will do po. The story has been told
and retold by our eminent Bucks County historian. General
Davis, whose ancestors lived in this immediate community, and
he got some of his information from the lips of persons who were
present at this battle, and they have been supplemented by the
research of our present-day historian, Warren S. Ely, whose
knowledge of the history of our county is not equalled by any
man in his generation. Suffice it to say that both Washington
and Howe regarded this as strategic territory. We of Bucks
County blush with shame to repeat that here almost within
sight of the Cradle of Liberty, almost within hearing of the
Liberty Bell, there were more loyal followers of King George
than in any other part of our Colonies. There were here many
men who were trading with the enemy, giving them aid and
comfort. So much so that General Lacey was moved to recom-
mend that this whole region be depopulated to prevent them
from feeding the British Army. And Washington was obliged
SESQUICEXTENXIAL OF BATTLE OF CROOKED BILLET 277
to place the territory under martial law to break up the practice.
And Howe could encourage this disaffection by placing here
armed forces and more particularly could he contribute to it if
he could bag the forces of General Lacey and lead them prisoners
to Philadelphia, thus offsetting Trenton. Had Abercombie
and Simcoe succeeded there would have been many more con-
fiscations here at the close of the war than there were.
War at best is horrible. But it is still more terrible when
the participants are actuated by revenge over some real or
fancied wrong, and many of the atrocities, murders, saberings
and burnings of that day must be attributed to this cause, but
whatever the cause, they form with the massacre at Paoli, a
very dark blot upon the otherwise bright escutcheon of boasted
England's glory.
It is the purpose of these societies in erecting this monument
to dedicate it to the valor of the men who here died that free
government might be established, and secondly to mark the
spot where the only battle was fought on Bucks County soil;
to remind the present and rising generation, and generations
yet unborn of the sacrifices here endured to the end that they
might the better appreciate the heritage vouchsafed to them
through these sacrifices. And upon this monument encased
in enduring brass, the Bucks County Historical Society has
placed the compass of the surveyor, pointing like the finger of a
guardian angel to the spot of supreme sacrifice, the very spot
where these men, some living, some dying, some dead, w^ere
ruthlessly burned in a vast funeral pyre, that all who run may
read the story of that sacrifice.
The wayfarer, uninterested in the sacrifices here endured
that he might enjoy the blessings of free government, will pass
this spot unheedful of its presence: the more worthy descendants
of patriotic ancestry will pause and perchance gaze in wonder
upon the surrounding terrain : but the true American will
approach this shrine with reverence and reflect upon the sacrifices
not only here endured, but also of those of the other men and
women of that day whose sacrifices have laid the foundations
of this mighty nation.
Heroes of old, though dead, we salute you! And as we raise
this memorial to your valor we pledge ourselves anew, that the
principles for which you suffered, bled and died, shall not perish
from this earth.
Visit in Durham Township of a PoHtical Refugee
from Brazil
By dr. B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr., RIEGELSVILLE, PA.
(Huffnagle House, New Hope Meeting, June 22, 1929)
WHILE this is not an historical paper, it relates to the
county of Bucks, which is my apology for presenting it.
In the year 1895, 34 years ago, a political refugee from
Brazil, a woman, found asylum at Durham in the upper end of
this county. She traveled incognito under the name of Madam
Ferreo; she was accompanied by a maid who always addressed
her (in Portuguese) as ' "Your Majesty." This maid could
speak no language but Portuguese; she became homesick and at
the end of a week or ten days was sent back to Brazil.
The "Madam," by which name I will hereafter in this paper
refer to the refugee, guarded her name and title w'ith such care
that we failed to discover them, but all indications pointed to
the fact that she was a close relative of Emperor Dom Pedro II.
She remained in Durham about a month, and during the entire
time was in constant dread for fear that the Brazilian legation
at Washington would learn of her whereabouts, and have her
placed under arrest.
Dom Pedro II was crowned Emperor of Brazil July 18, 1841,
and after a reign of more than 47 years, he was in 1889 forced
to abdicate, due to a Revolution instigated by the officers of
the army, and on November 15 of that year, a republic was pro-
claimed, and on the following day the royal family was placed
on a steamer and ordered out of the country. There had been
several uprisings among the following of the different factions
of the new republic as w^ell as insurrectionary efforts to have
the monarchy restored, the last one in 1894, in which it appears
that the Madam was one of the leaders. Dom Pedro had died
in Paris in 1891, and her efforts were directed toward having
his grandson placed on the throne of Brazil. The scheme failed,
the revolutionists were attainted of treason, and the life of the
Madam placed in jeopardy. She finally succeeded in escaping,
hiding in out-of-the-way places, and with the protection of sym-
pathizers finally reached the seaport of Bahia, about 800 miles
VISIT IN DURHAM TOWNSHIP OF A POLITICAL RliFUClEL 279
from Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil, where she took passage
for New York.
On that steamer Miss Matilda D. Spilsbury, who had been
doing missionary work in Argentina, was traveling from Buenos
Ayres to Durham, via New York, and was an eye witness of the
embarking of the Madam who was escorted to the steamer by
a large throng of noisy people, accompanied by a brass band.
Miss Spilsbury reported the excitement on the dock as being
most intense. On the boat the Madam became very seasick,
and Miss Spilsbury, who could converse with her in both French
and Italian, acted the part of the Good Samaritan, and they
soon became good friends.
Miss Spilsbury was a woman of about sixty years, and the
Madam w^as doubtless of about the same age. She seemed
younger, having jet black hair. Mr. E. Gybbon Spilsbury,
brother of Matilda, thought she was older, and w^as uncharitable
enough to say that she dyed her hair. Her face and neck were
always white with layers of powder. I fancy that many of you
ladies have seen the manner in which women of the Latin Ameri-
can countries pow^der their faces. Mr. Spilsbury often referred
to her pleasantly as "The Begum."
The Madam was much distressed on her arrival at New^
York, dreading to go to any of the hotels for fear of being dis-
covered, whereupon Miss Spilsbury invited her to accompany
her to Durham. The Spilsburys were English people, who had
lived in France for some years, and spoke French like natives.
Their home was in Trenton, but they were spending the Summer
and Fall in what we called "The Raymond House," at the Dur-
ham Iron Works, while we (Mrs. Fackenthal and I) were living
in the manager's house at the same works, located about 600
feet distant, but across the valley on the opposite side of Durham
Creek.
Being close neighbors and old-time friends we naturally
saw a great deal of them and their newly arrived guest. This
w^as before the days of automobiles, and Mrs. Fackenthal showed
them much attention, driving the Madam over the beautiful
hills of Durham and through the picturesque valley of the Dela-
ware. On one occasion she gave her and the Spilsbury ladies a
luncheon at Paxinosa Inn on the summit of Weygant Mountain
above Easton; on another occasion she gave her a dinner in our
280 VISIT IN DURHAM TOWNSHIP OF A POLITICAL REFUGEE
home, with ten plates, to which she was careful to invite only
those who could carry on the conversation in French, for the
Madam could speak no English. Mrs. Erissmann, daughter of
Martin Coryell, and her daughter, Cammile, who were in America
on a visit from Geneva, were among her guests.
After dinner Mrs. Erissmann had a long talk with the Madam,
and later said to us, "She is a Bourbon sure enough." The
Madam, who usually dressed in black, wore a white costume at
this dinner. My sister, Katharine, who had just graduated at
Wellesley College, was also a dinner guest. The Madam told
her that she had visited Wellesley College in 1876 with Dom
Pedro and his party. Knowing that all visitors were expected
to register their names, I wrote to the college with the view of
finding out the personnel of Dom Pedro's party, but alas their
historical building was destroyed by fire in 1914, and with it the
registry.
The Madam made no secret of the fact that she was one of
Dom Pedro's party when he visited the Centennial Exhibition
at Philadelphia in 1876, and which was the real objective of
Dom Pedro's visit to America at that time. The Empress came
to America with him; she was Theresa Christina Maria, daughter
of Francis I, King of the two Sicilies.
The Madam had very little money with her, and to get
funds was obliged to part with some of her wonderful jewels,
of which she had many, having exhibited them to Mrs. Facken-
thal. She carried them in secret pockets in her skirts. A
twentieth century maiden could not do that today. She gave
several jewels to the Spilsburys, which Miss Beulah Spilsbury,
now of Minneapolis, then a child of about eight, advises me she
still has in her possession. She presented Mrs. Fackenthal
with several articles, one, a hand-painted photograph holder,
folding in three parts, like a fire screen, which she said was one
of her most cherished possessions, as it had belonged to Marie
Antoinette. I will exhibit this after the conclusion of this
paper, for it will certainly interest the ladies. It will be noticed
that one of the paintings is signed by the artist.
The Madam invited Mrs. Fackenthal to visit her in Italy,
where she said she owned a large palace. I wondered at the
time why I was not also invited.
After spending about a month in Durham she announced
VISIT IN DURHAM TOWNSHIP OF A POLITICAL REFUOIiP: 281
her intention of going to New York on a certain Monday morn-
ing with Mr. Spilsbury, on the pretext of doing shopping, but
on reaching New York she soon vanished from his care, and
that was the last heard of her until some years later when Miss
Spilsbury came across her accidentally in Brussels, where she
was living quietly without fear of apprehension.
It is to be regretted that these recollections were not written
up thirty years ago, when the chief actors of my story were still
with us. I have, however, sent out inquiries which should bring
me some reliable information to show who this royal personage
was, and such additional data as I can gather will be added to
this paper when it appears printed in the next volume of our
publications.
NoTA Bene — Inquiries addressed to Rio de Janeiro, and to
the Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, both received
courteous replies, but they failed to throw any light on the
identity of this refugee.
The New York Tribune of April 17, 1876, gives the personnel
of Dom Pedro's party coming to the United States, thus:
"The members of the imperial party are Dom Pedro II,
Emperor of Brazil, and the Empress, Theresa Christiana; Vis-
conde de Bon, Ratiro Chamberlain; Buchard Arthur de Mecedo,
secretary; Dr. Lonja Pontes, physician; Josefina da Fouseca
Costa, lady of honor; Dr. Charles Henning, interpreter; Petro
Antonio du Paind, steward; Lionidid Espozel and Joanna
d'Alcantara, ladies in waiting, and four servants."
It is likely that the Lady of Honor may have been the Madam
referred to in this paper.
Peddlers and Other Itinerants
By JAMES H. FITZGERALD, MECHANICS VALLEY, PA.
(Huffnagle House, New Hope, Pa., Meeting. June 22, 1929)
THE subject matter of history is everything that undergoes
change, and a record of the activities and experiences of
past ages often serve as a guide in the solution of current
problems. Modern methods in the production of raw material
and the invention and use of machinery wrought many changes.
There has also been a change in the distribution of the finished
article. The modern mail-order house is the development of
the idea in the mind of the peddler laboriously wending his way
with his pack.
The peddler was successful because he went into the homes
to display his goods. The mail-order house sends pictures of
nearly everything it has for sale. Psychologically the peddler
had one advantage, as a purchaser prefers seeing an article to
seeing a picture of it. Department stores recognize the value
of displaying their wares. Large windows of plate glass are
dressed with seasonable goods. Entering the store, we see
samples of nearly everything on sale displayed on tables. The
old-fashioned counter behind which the goods were stored in
bins, drawers, boxes and barrels have been discarded. The
village store has fallen into line.
The first peddler I can recall was Bernard McCoy, whom we
called "Barney." This was in the early seventies. He was a
bachelor and made his home with relatives in Bristol, Pa. He
did not travel during the winter months. He carried a carpet
bag satchel slung over his shoulder on a stoat cane. His stock
of notions were of the very best quality, such as village mer-
chants did not carry. One of his specialties was cotton half-
hose for men and stockings for women and children. He called
on his regular customers only and covered a large territory in
eastern and southern Bucks County. One spring we missed
the genial "Barney" and his almost immaculate white linen
suit and another peddler, Daniel McGill of New York City,
informed us that "Barney had died on the way." We subse-
quently learned that he was taken ill suddenly near Doylestown
and died a few days afterward. -During that decade (1870-1880)
PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS 283
two peddlers from New York City, Patrick and John Cusack,
visited the upper end of the county. Their specialties were
Irish linens, dress goods and cloth suitings for men. They also
carried samples and solicited orders which were filled from
New York and sent by express. They were good salesmen and
reliable, and were given the hospitality of our home. Before
taking leave they paid for entertainment in goods. On one
occasion a peddler named Martin Flaherty became ill and my
mother quickly gave a correct diagnosis and placed him in
quarantine; within a few days she had several patients to care
for as the peddler's malady was the mumps. About the year
1880 the peddlers of tinware came. They were foreigners and
could speak and understand very little of our language. One
of them carried a bulky pile of tin ware which my father said
weighed more than 100 pounds.
Thomas Trower (1790-1865) who lived near Cross Keys,
Buckingham Township, was a successful Bucks County peddler.
From his will, filed November 18, 1865, we learn that he left an
estate valued at $28,403.88. After making a few minor bequests
including $200 to "The Mennonite Society of Doylestown for
sheds for the accommodation of its preachers," he directed that
the balance of the estate be held in trust for his wife, Magdalena,
the interest to be paid to her, and upon her death the principal
remaining be paid to the "Managers of the Pennsylvania Institu-
tion for the Instruction of the Blind."
Mrs. Thomas Trower died November 8, 1886, and the final
settlement of the estate was filed on February 14, 1887, showing
a balance of $25,143.85.. Thomas Trower and his wife. Magda-
lena, were buried in the Mennonite Meeting graveyard, Doyles-
town, where their graves are marked.
John Riegle and Benedict Saddler of Upper Black Eddy were
fishmongers. They caught their fish in the Delaware River and
its tributaries in the vicinity in which they lived. Mr. Riegle
was an expert in all the ways of catching fish and was noted for
his hardihood and adventure. His tall and angular form with
his strings of cat fish, eels or suckers can be recalled to this day
by many in Milford, New Jersey. Benedict Saddler, "Benny"
as he was called, had a horse and wagon and supplied his patrons
on the Pennsylvania side of the river. Like Joyce Kilmer's
fisherman they "loved to fish"; but they were abstemious.
284 PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS
The County fairs brought a large number of hawkers, and
pubHc vendues were attended by men supplying oyster soup.
During recent years candy, sandwiches, tobacco and cigars
have also been supplied. A familiar figure at these sales was
Jacob Fretz, known as "Peanut Jake." Other peddlers were
Henry Souder of Rockhill; John Derstine of Hilltown; Niles
Martin of Yardley, and Joseph Meltzer, with horse and wagon,
who sold crockery. Hugh Moore, a book agent of Bridgeton
Township, was successful in his line. Other itinerant workers
were: medicine vendors, tinkers, umbrella-menders, tailors,
saw-sharpeners, scissors-grinders, watchmakers and broom-
makers.
Residents of Doylestown recall the medicine vendors. The
Kickapoo Indians: "Doctor" Long and "Doctor" Fortner and
others. As a preliminary to making sales of their remedies the
management of the Kickapoo Indians gave a free entertainment
in Lenape Hall at State and Main Streets, Doylestown. Some
of them had stands erected on the plaza of the Fountain House
and used oil or gasoline lamps for illumination. "Doctor"
Fortner was well known in Bucks County towns and in Phila-
delphia. He was a member of the House of Representatives
from Philadelphia for several terms. To Irvin M. James, Justice
of the Peace, Doylestown, I am indebted for the following extract
from one of Fortner's advertisements:
"The cholera came in '62
When remedies were scarce and few.
Men, women and children dying every day,
While some to escape went far away.
When Fortner came relief in hand
To drive the cholera from the land."
Musical itinerants providing open air entertainments came
to Bucks County. They attracted crowds and after giving
creditable performances took up a collection. There was the
one man band. He played a clarinet or other wind instrument
and at the same time, with the use of pedals, beat a drum and
clashed cymbals. The organ grinder with a monkey never
failed to amuse. While popular airs were ground out, the mon-
key held on a long leash would caper and climb walls or porch
columns. The little animal wore a red cap which it was trained
to use in collecting coins. "Dot leetle German band" should not
PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS 285
be forgotten. Before leaving a town or village, the tavern was
given a serenade and the landlord invited the performers to the
bar where a round of drinks was served.
Strolling minstrels and musicians are found in all lands.
When the fiddler enters a "townland" in Ireland he plays the
lively air "Cannie Soogah" (Jolly Peddler) and always receives a
"Cald Millia Failtah" (hundred thousand welcomes). Oliver
Goldsmith, M. D., (1728-74), the Irish poet and dramatist,
related that he made a tour of the continent of Europe playing a
flute. "All went well," said he, "until I reached Italy, where
nearly every one was a better musician than I." Here the
religious houses were opened to him and his talent in disputation,
characteristic of his race, won him awards in universities in main-
taining a thesis.
A law was passed to restrict the activities of peddlers. This
was "an Act relating to hawkers, peddlers and retailers in the
County of Bucks. Approved the 22nd day of March, 1862, by
A. G. Curtin, Governor." This Act prohibited "the hawking
and retailing by any person or persons of any goods, wares, or
merchandise, unless he, she or they shall keep a store, shop,
yard or other fixed place for the purpose where the same shall
be sold or exposed for sale." A fine of $50 was imposed as a
penalty for the violation of this act. The Act further provides
"that the provisions of this Act shall not be construed to apply
to persons carrying goods for wholesale purposes or to persons
vending or disposing of articles of their own growth, produce or
manufacture." One-half of the fine goes to the informer and
the other half to the County of Bucks. During the early nineties
a number of prosecutions were brought before Justice of the
Peace, Willis Wall, of Doylestown, on information given by
Peter H. Morris of Newtown, Pa., a dealer in clothing and men's
furnishings. Before any warrant was applied for Mr. Morris
warned the oftenders and when there was a conviction he waived
his claim to one-half of the fine. The peddler was then obliged
to pay only $25 to the county and the costs of prosecution.
During the past year (1928) two arrests have been made in
Doylestown on information given by the borough police. One
case was dropped and in the other the peddler paid the county
$25 and costs and by agreement gave his stock to the police as
their reward.
286 PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS
The idea of securing this protection to local dealers was not,
however, a new one. In the Middle Ages we find that the mer-
chants' guilds in the towns of England had a monoply of trading
and had the power of fining all traders who were not members
of the guild. Every trade, art or craft had its guild in nearly
all the countries in Europe. Plutarch writes of them in Italy
and they were numerous in Germany early in the twelfth century.
Here was the origin of our apprentice system. Apprentices
served from 3 to 10 years and were obliged to pass an examina-
tion before they could become masters in their crafts. A Ger-
man writer tells us that the 13th century was the golden age for
labor.
I wish to relate here some reminiscences of my father, James
Fitzgerald (died May 27, 1892, aged 74 years). He was born
in Wexford, Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1839, landing
in Philadelphia. Until his marriage and permanent settlement
in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County in 1851, he was a journey-
man shoemaker. In those days a farmer would have the hides
of the cattle he slaughtered tanned and engage a journeyman
shoemaker to come to his home and make footwear for his family.
The shoemaker was provided with board and lodging. There
were a number of tanneries in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
One of them was conducted by the Kachlines in Frenchtown,
N. J., the Kachlines also operated a tannery in Durham Town-
ship, which was -begun by Solomon Bachman about 1830. Many
of the tools used in this tannery are in the museum of the Bucks
County Historical Society. Other tanners were John Gilbert
of Holicong and three generations of Atherholts, David, Joseph
and Aaron, who conducted a tannery in Haycock' Township.
There was an early tannery in Nockamixon Township, on the
Durham Township line; the earliest information we have is that
it was carried on by Richard Backhouse of Durham Furnace
from 1792 to 1794; subsequent owners were Philip Leidy, Rev.
William T. Gerhard, Edward McCarty and David Algard. It
did not operate after 1872.
Nathan Michener, of Buckingham, was a journeyman tailor
and traveled throughout Bucks County plying his needle and
wielding his goose. Another class of itinerants was that of the
"tramp" printers. xA.llen McGinty, printer, of Doylestown,
says that their number has increased during the past two years.
PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS 287
One printer worked his way from San Francisco. Another, Fred
Colburn, of Jackson, Michigan, comes east in the same way
about every three years. They were keen observers of men and
events, and acquired in the course of their travels much vakiable
information and experience.
Every trade or craft has its patron-saint. Saints Crispin
and Crispinian are the patron-saints of shoemakers, saddlers
and tanners; they were Christian missionaries from Rome to
Gaul in the third century, and like St. Paul they worked with
their hands and made enough to support themselves and also
aid the poor.
In the upper end of Bucks County there were many expert
woodcutters. Farmers and boatmen were also engaged in this
work, during the winter months. Some were engaged by lum-
bermen to go a long distance from their homes. They built a
"shack" or small house in or near the woodland in w^hich they
prepared meals and had their bunks. In our days they would
use their automobiles, returning to their homes each night.
The trunks of large and sound oak trees suitable for sawing were
the first to be felled. Railroad ties were made from trees of
medium size. These ties were hewn with broadaxes. White
hickory, free from knots, was selected for making spokes and
other parts of carriages, wagons and carts. There was a spoke
factory at Frenchtown, N. J., which provided a ready and near-
by market. In order to obtain supplies of lumber, the makers
of spokes and other parts of carriages and wagons often became
lumbermen; one of these was John Finney, of Lambertville, N. J.,
who cut off the timber, nearly all hickory from a tract of about
200 acres on Haycock Mountain. Amos B. Headly and John H.
Burton (the latter subsequently became a member of the House
of Representatives at Harrisburg), cut off a tract of seven acres
near our house; it was nearly all chestnut of which the fence-
posts and rails were hauled to the canal by James Sheridan of
Tinicum, and shipment was made in boats. Michael McEntee,
of Bridgeton Tow^nship, was a prominent lumberman, after his
death his son, John O. McEntee, continued the business. Tops
of trees and other offal timber that was not suitable for other
commercial purposes was cut into cordwood in four foot lengths
and piled for measurement. (A cord of wood is four feet high,
eight feet long and four feet wide, containing 128 cubic feet.) In
288 PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS
recent years lumbermen set up portable sawmills in the woods,
and much of the work formerly done by hand with axes has been
eliminated.
At the beginning of the 20th Century only a few itinerant
workers were employed by farmers. Nearly every farmer had
the equipment necessary for the planting, sowijig and gathering
of his crops. After the invention and perfection of the thresher
and cleaner a few enterprising men went from farm to farm to
thresh and clean wheat, rye and oats. In this section of Bucks
County the men who began this business were James Slack and
Raymond Haines of Buckingham. They used steam engines
for power. Subsequently Mood Brothers, Titus W. Carver and
William Rogers went on the road with their threshers, with balers
attached to all outfits.
The dearth of men skilled in handicraft today is due to the
decline of the apprentice system, whereby a youth was legally
bound by indenture to serve a master craftsman for a stated
number of years. As it was a compact between them the law
governing contracts afforded equal protection to the rights and
privileges of the employer and the employee. This system has
been supplanted, in part, by manual training schools giving
practical as well as technical instruction. There are two schools
of this kind in Bucks County, namely, St. Francis' Industrial
School, Eddington, and the National Farm School, Doylestown
Township. The first named was opened for the reception of
boys July 19, 1888. This institution is under the direction of
and instruction is given by the Brothers of the Christian Schools
and maintains, educates and imparts manual training to 255
Catholic orphan boys. It receives no State aid. The National
Farm School, as its name implies, gives instruction in agriculture
in all its branches and otherwise provides for the education of its
students equal to a high school course. It was founded in 1896
by Rabbi Joseph Kroskopf and the number of students at the
present time is 185. The institution is given financial aid
through appropriations made by the Legislature of the State,
and is exempt from taxation.
During the Middle Ages it required centuries to build a
cathedral that commands admiration today; but a modern "sky-
scraper" (tall building) can now be erected within a few months.
While it took my father a day to make a pair of shoes, a machine
PEDDLERS AND OTHER ITINERANTS
289
today turns out many hundreds of them in a day. In this age
of speed in transportation on land, sea and in the air; when by
simply turning a dial we may hear voices in either Rome, Paris
or San Francisco, we may think that our forefathers were slow;
but who shall say that they did not reach the goal.
THE PACK PEDDLER
Child Life During the American Revolution
By SARAH R. FACKEXTHAL (MRS. B. F. Jr.) RIEGELSVILLE, P.A.
(This paper was read, some years ago. by Mrs. Fackenthal, before the George Taylor
Chapter, Daughters of the .American Reyolution. Easton, Pa. It was also read before this
society by her husband. Dr. Fackenthal. at the Doylestown meeting. May 3, 1930, in order
that it might be preserved by having it printed in our published proceedings. Mrs. Facken-
thal passed away May 16, 1Q2.>.)
THE lives of children during the i\merican Revolution varied
as much as at the present day. There were those whose
fathers were men of influence, education and wealth, and
the children benefited by all that that implied. Others, whose
parents were unsuccessful pioneers, suftered with them in their
many privations.
We see in museums many articles of dress of the finest texture
worn by babies of that period, but it is from the portrait of chil-
dren that we see the folly and extravagance of dress. It was not
until after the Revolution that a distinctive dress for boys and
girls was adopted. Until then, as soon as boys put on trousers
(about the age of five) they dressed exactly like their fathers,
except in miniature. In returning a picture of children, which
for a long time hung in the Boston Museum of Art, General
Loring wTOte: "I shall miss the little grown-ups. Were there
no children in those days?"
A little girl of eleven writes the following description of her
attire to a little friend :
"I wore my yellow coat, black bib and apron, black feathers
on my head, my paste comb, all my paste garnets, jet pins,
together with my silver plume, my locket and rings, black collar
and mitts, 2 or 3 yards of blue ribbon, striped tucker and rufifles,
and my silk shoes. My hair was dressed over a high roll, so
heavy and hot, that it made my head itch and ache and burn
like anything."
Children wore stays made of heavy strips of boards and
steel, made over buckram and canvas. In a museum one pair
was labeled as having been worn by a boy of five. There is
certainly a suggestion in some of these little fellows' portraits of
whalebone and buckram. The boys wore silks and satins,
trimmed with lace; also wigs. In an expense account, w^e find
the entry: "Shaving my three sons' heads at sundry times £5
CHILD LIFE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 291
14 shillings, James' wig £9, Samuel's wig £9." These sons were
aged 7, 9 and 11 years.
On the other extreme, it is told of a certain grandmother who
rode on horseback eighty miles to a New Hampshire clearing, to
see her son's first child, who was but a few months old, that she
shed bitter tears on finding him clad in a gray woolen homespun
slip, with an apron of blue and white checked linen.
In educational advantages no greater contrast of conditions
could exist, than between the schools of early Revolutionary
days and our present school system. In the country districts,
the children were often obliged to walk several miles to the
nearest schoolhouse, where, in some localities, school was held
two months in winter by a man, and two months in summer by a
woman, with mostly boys attending in winter, and mostly girls
in summer. Here were taught reading, writing, spelling, and
enough arithmetic to enable them to keep the family accounts,
and to make change in a shop. Xor was this making of change a
simple matter. In every state there were at least two units of
value, — the state pound and the Spanish milled dollar, which
had been adopted by Congress in the early years of the Revolu-
tion. The Spanish milled dollar then in general circulation, was
divided into half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth parts, each
represented by a silver coin, and each containing more or less
of shillings and pence, according to the section of country in
which it was current. Thus, in New England and Virginia six
shillings were accounted a dollar; in New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, and Maryland seven shillings and six pence made a
dollar; while in South Carolina and Georgia only four shillings
and eight pence constituted a dollar. The school boy, therefore,
was expected to convert the local pounds and shillings of his
state into dollars and joes, and to know the rules for turning
York money into Pennsylvania money; and to know the value
contained in a coin in various sections of the country.
With the district school, the education of a majority of the
lads in the country ended. A few more fortunate passed thence
to a seminary, kept by a minister, or to one of the famous acade-
mies, which were regarded as feeders to Yale or Harvard.
Little Paul at Blimbers, or Smike at Doothboys Hall, did
not have a much harder fate. The principal mode of school-
masters imparting knowledge was by the rod. Indeed, the
292 CHILD LIFE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
teacher who in our day should subject pupils to the rigid discip-
line, the hard fare, the long sermons and prayers, and the floggings,
which then fell to the lot of the schoolboy, might count himself
fortunate to escape without being prosecuted by the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
To sit eight hours of the day on the hardest of benches, poring
over Cheevers Accidens (the Latin grammar) and other text
books, to commit to memory pages of w^ords in Webster's Ameri-
can Institute, to read long chapters in the Bible, to learn by
heart Dr. Watts' hymns, to be drilled in the Assembly Cate-
chisms, to go to bed at sunset, to get up at sunrise, with morning
and evening prayers, to live on brown bread and pork, porridge
and beans, made up the life of the lads of most of the academies.
The food then partaken of, with thankfulness, would now be
looked upon as prison fare.
W'hen Sunday came around, they found it anything but a
dav of rest. There were long prayers in the morning by the
master; there ^^ere commentaries on some scriptural text to be
got by note before meeting, to which they all marched off with
pencil and paper to take down the heads of the sermion, and
then to give what account of it they could at evening prayers.
From the academy the lad passed to Harvard or Yale. Were
it not for the old buildings which still exist, it would be impossible
to recognize in the Universities of our time any trace of the
humble colleges which then existed. The Class of 1768 of Har-
vard voted to take their degrees dressed in homespun. The four
years' residence at college was spent in an acquisition of Latin
and Greek, the study of mathem.atics, logic, theoretics and meta-
physics. Not until about 1783, when Noah W^esbter published
his famous spelling book and dictionary, was there any decided
uniformity of spelling.
Rude as was the school system of New England, it was incom-
parably better than could be found in any other section of the
country.
In the Southern states education was almost wholly neglected.
It was only the children of wealthy planters, who had private
tutors at home, or were sent to England to school, or to one of
the few American schools, who were given the advantage of an
education.
Much less attention was paid to the education of the daughters.
CHILD LIFE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 293
and it was not until Revolutionary times that boarding-schools
for girls sprang into existence.
President John Adams wrote to his daughter on March 17,
1777: "I have seen a remarkable institution for the education
of young ladies at Bethlehem. About one hundred and twenty
of them live together under the same roof; they all sleep together,
in the same garret; I saw one hundred and twenty beds, in two
long rows, in the same room. The bed and bedclothes were of
excellent quality and extremely neat. How should you like to
live in such a nunnery?"^
Thomas Jefferson shows a loving interest in the education
of his two little motherless daughters. He writes to his dear
Patsy, who was at school in Philadelphia, from his home in
Monticello, in 1783, as follows:
"With respect to the distribution of your time, the following
is what I should approve: From eight to ten, practice music;
from ten to one, draw one day and dance another; from one to
two, draw on the day you dance, and write a letter next day.
From three to four, read French; from four to five, exercise
yourself in music; from five until bedtime, read English, write,
etc. Inform me what books you read, what tunes you play,
and send me a copy of your drawing. Write me by every post.
Write also one letter every week to either your Aunt Eppes,
Aunt Skipwick, or your Aunt Carr. Put the letter you so write
under cover to me."
By the sweat of their brows they certainly earned their bread
in those days. There was plenty of work even for little children.
They sowed various seeds in the early spring, and weeded the
flax in the field. Girls of six could spin. All the work on the
flax was done by women and children. It was said that there
were twenty different occupations in the manufacture of flax,
of which half could be done by children. They could spin on
the great wheel when they were so small they had to stand on a
stool to reach up. It was ordered by the magistrates that chil-
dren while tending sheep and cattle in the fields, should be given
some other employment, in addition to that work, such as knit-
ting, weaving tape, etc. Small looms were given the girls, on
which, while watching the cattle, they w^ove yards of braids
1 John Adams to his daughter, March 17, 1777. Griswold's Republican"
Court, page 8.
294 CHILD LIFE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
and tapes for use as gloves, ties, shoe-strings, hair laces, stay-
laces, hat bands, belts, etc., and the boys wove garters and sus-
penders.
Knitting was taught little girls as soon as they could hold
the needles, and in some records we find girls of four who could
knit stockings and mittens.
Every little maiden had her sampler, which served the double
purpose of teaching the letters and the numerals, while learning
the stitch, followed by crude representations of impossible birds,
beasts, flowers, trees, buildings, and human beings.
Many farmers' sons and daughters earned their first spending
money by making birch brooms for the country store, from
whence they were shipped to Boston and other towns. They
did not grow rich on broom-making, as the uniform price paid
was but six cents, and it took three evenings to make one broom.
Major Robert Randolph told in fashionable circles in Lon-
don, that he carried many a load of birch brooms on his back
ten miles to market, that he might thus earn a few shillings.
The crop of wild cherries was one of the most lucrative of
boys' resources. They were used for making cherry rum or
cherry bounce, and would bring a dollar a bushel.
During the Revolution, the mail which went out from New
York to Philadelphia five times a week, was carried by boys on
horseback. John Quincy Adams, when but nine years old,
became post-rider for his mother, between Braintree and Boston,
a distance of eleven miles, to bring intelligence from his father
during those anxious days after the battle of Bunker Hill. Nor
was this a light or easy task, with the unsettled roads and the
unsettled times.
The spirit of patriotism filled the minds of the children as
well as the parents, in those days. Josiah Quincy states that at
Andover there was a schoolboy law that every hoop, sled, etc.,
must in some way bear 13 marks. If the marks were wanting,
the article was confiscated.
Dr. Abbot writes that he never heard any swearing in Andover
until after the Revolution.
The practice of seating the congregation in those days, when
boys occupied pews by themselves, was not conducive to their
best behavior. In Dorchester, by 1776, the boys had become so
turbulent, the spirit of independence so rife and riotous, that
CHILD LIFE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 295
six men were appointed to keep them in order, while usually
two tithing-men could perform this duty.
The term religion during those Revolutionary days, would
hardly be recognized in our modern religious training of children.
The spirit of the Lord — perhaps, I should say the fear of the
Lord — filled their days. They certainly had a profound familiar-
ity with the Bible. J. L. Buckingham stated in his memoirs,
that he read the Bible through at least a dozen times before he
was sixteen years old. Prior to the Revolution there were few
American children who had ever read any book, other than the
Bible.
Born into a religious atmosphere, reared in religious ways,
surrounded by religious influences, they could not escape the
impress of deep religious feeling. I am sure that this inheritance
has come down in a measure to every one of us, and a spirit of
thankfulness should be ours for such an heritage.
Memorial Services for Henry Chapman Mercer, Sc. D., LL.D.
BORN JUNE 24, 1856
DIED MARCH 9, 1930
(Doylestown Meeting, May 3, 1930)
nm nmnrnm UE fiftieth anniversary meeting of the Bucks
I County Historical Society was held in the audi-
I torium of the museum at Doylestown, Pennsyl-
vania, on Saturday, May 3, 1930. The morning
session was devoted to the presentation and
reading of annual reports of the Assistant
Curator, Librarian, Treasurer and Secretary, the election of
directors, the election of new members and other routine busi-
ness. The latter part of the afternoon was given over to the
reading of historical papers.
During the noon recess the directors met for organization,
at which meeting Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr., was elected presi-
dent to succeed the late Dr. Henry C. Mercer, and Col. Henry D.
Paxson was elected first vice-president. At a later meeting
J. Herman Barnsley was elected second vice-president.
Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer Memorial Meeting
As set forth in the notice of meeting, sent to all members, as
well as to other friends of the late Dr. Mercer, the first part of
the afternoon session was a memorial meeting to bear testimony
to the worth and achievements of our friend, the late Dr. Mercer.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Fackenthal, who said:
It becomes my sad duty to announce the passing of Dr.
Mercer, which occurred at "Fonthill," on the afternoon of Sun-
day, March 9, 1930, who for twenty years was the honored presi-
dent of this society. His body was laid at rest on Friday, March
14th, in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery alongside those of
his parents and other members. of his family.
As set forth in the call for this meeting, it is now in order to
resolve ourselves into a memorial session, to pay honor and trib-
ute to the memory of Dr. Mercer. Not only members of this
society, but his other friends as well, are cordially invited to take
part in these exercises and add their tributes to his memory.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 297
I will therefore open the proceedings by presenting my own
contribution to the worth and character of this great scientist.
Remarks of Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr.
A meeting without Dr. Mercer! A museum without the
guiding hand of its master! His inspiring personality is sorely
missed from among us today.
I cannot recall when I first met him. It was probably after
his graduation at Harvard University in 1879, or while he was a
law student at Philadelphia, where he was admitted to the bar
of that city in 1882, but whenever it was, I was greatly attracted
by his personality, and am glad to say that I retained his friend-
ship and confidence down to the day of his death.
He often came to the upper end of the county, where I live,
and together we explored the Durham Cave; the Jasper Quarries
and Indian remains on Rattle Snake Hill; the Durham Furnace
and its iron ore mines; the Palisades of Nockamixon; the Ringing
Rocks of Bridgeton and the potteries nearby. These excursions
were always a liberal education, and I soon learned to appreciate
him and the thorough and painstaking manner in which he
carried on his researches. He was a great lover of nature and
withal a splendid botanist. He was specially interested in the
Durham Cave, and in 1893 made a more systematic exploration
of it, camping in a tent on Reservoir Hill, near Durham Furnace,
and spending about a month, with a force of workmen in digging
down through the waste material, deposited on the bed of the
cavern, as well as through the debris on the floor, of the so-called
Queen Esther's Drawing Room; he was richly rewarded, finding
many bones and other evidences of native and extinct animals.
The following year, in 1894, he was made Curator of the Museum
of American and Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of
Pennsylvania, and published one of a series of books for the
University, entitled "Researches upon the Antiquity of Man,"
wherein he recorded the result of his Durham Cave explorations,
including a full and complete list of all remains discovered. The
volume contains seven other of his anthropological papers.
During 1895, the University placed him at the head of the
Corwith Expedition to study the Hill Caves of Yucatan, which
resulted in the publication of a splendid volume, profusely
298 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
illustrated, giving the result of the expedition and his search
for evidences of prehistoric man. He retired from the University
of Pennsylvania in 1897 in order, as he told me, to have more
time at his disposal for field work.
I have in my library a unique volume, substantially bound,
containing fifty-five of the papers which he contributed to science,
mostly on archaeology and anthropology, the first one bears date
1892. I shall, at a later date, present this book to the Bucks
County Historical Society.
Dr. Mercer was indeed a great student along many lines,
and I have often wondered if his friends and the public generally,
really appreciated his ability or fully understood him and the
great purpose of his life. A man of strong and distinct person-
ality, I wonder if there really was any one quite like him. I
recently took a friend, a great author, to call upon him, who on
leaving expressed great admiration of him, and complained
because Dr. Mercer had done so much, while he had done so little.
Dr. Mercer stood foremost among the archaeologists of this
country, with many battles royal to his credit. As early as 1885,
when but 29 years of age, he wrestled with the giants of his pro-
fession, as to whether a gorget or so-called Lenape Stone, found
in a field in Buckingham Township, was genuine. He won his
battle, and clearly showed it to be a genuine Indian production.^
He published the history of that controversy, which, as far as I
know, was his first published book. Again, for a time, he stood
alone in his conclusions as to the genuineness of the Turtle Backs,
or imperfect arrow and spear heads, found in the glacialdrift
gravels at Trenton, N. J. These he fully proved were of argillite
and came from the refuse of an Indian quarry on Gaddes Run,
near Point Pleasant, washed down the valley of the Delaware
during some early flood, and did not belong to man antedating
the Columbus Indian; in fact, he always maintained that there
were no evidences of man prior to the great northern ice glacier.
Dr. Mercer was present at the organization of this society
fifty years ago (January 20, 1880), and was the last of the old
guard to leave us. It was not, however, until 1908 that he was
elected a director and made first vice-president, but owing to the
illness of General Davis he was, at that time, the acting president,
1 The Lenape Stone is now in possession of Col. Henry D. Paxson.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 299
succeeding to the presidency in 1911, after the passing of Presi-
dent Davis. This was the beginning of his greater interest in
the society, to which thereafter he devoted much of his time and
thought, building the "Mercer Museum," dedicated in 1916, to
which he transferred from his "Indian House" at Aldie, his
antiquarian collection, and for the endowment of which he has so
generously provided.
He contributed forty-seven most interesting and instructive
papers to our proceedings; the first on July 22, 1884, and the
last on January 17, 1925. Of the last only a synopsis was read
at the Doylestown meeting, but the completed paper was pub-
lished in 1929 as a separate volume of 328 pages and 248 illus-
trations, entitled "Ancient Carpenter Tools." He presented the
entire edition to this society.
One of the crowning features of Dr. Mercer's researches, was
doubtless the publication in 1914, of his "Bible in Iron, or The
Pictured Stoves and Stoveplates of the Pennsylvania Germans,"
profusely illustrated, recording the results of his many years
collecting and studying the Colonial firebacks and stoveplates
of the Pennsylvania Germans. I was much pleased and highly
honored to have him dedicate that book to me. I think his
interest in stoveplate inscriptions, his study of the Medieval Art
of Illuminative Writing among the Pennsylvania Germans and
his study of the potteries of Nockamixon, Haycock and Rockhill
townships, were among the incentives that led him to the manu-
facture of tiles, in which he became a world authority. He took
out three patents to cover and protect some of his new processes,
viz.: "New Methods for Making Tiles or Other Decorative
Devices"; "A New Process for Making Mosaic Tiles"; and "A
Process for Printing Pictures or Other Designs on F"abrics and
Paper. "-
1 remember his great pleasure when I sent him from Nuren-
burg, a number of photographs of German tiled stoves, and
again when I brought him a tile from the Alhambra in Spain.
In like manner he was pleased when I brought him from Egypt,
two distaff-like spinning reels, purchased from shepherds who
were spinning uncarded wool with them, while tending their
fiocks along the banks of the Nile.
2 These patents bear dates July 14, 1903; June 21, 1904, and March 7,
1905.
300 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
On one of my trips to Egypt he asked me to visit the pottery
at Keneh on the Nile, to inquire if they had ever used or heard
of using perfumed clay in making their wares, but my inquiries
there and elsewhere, as well as of several noted Egyptologists^
failed to confirm his information that such clays had been used.
In 1926 he entered the field of romance by publishing a novel
entitled "November Night Tales." He had also written and
prepared for publication a romance entitled, "The Well of Monte
Corbo," which will, in due time, be published by this society.
These, so far as I know, were his only novels.
Tourists travel miles in Europe to visit old castles and
chateaux, but thanks to the genius of Dr. Mercer in the crea-
tion of "Fonthill,"^ there is placed at our very doors a building
of equal interest, which with its collection of rare books, engrav-
ings, tiles and other works of art, together with ample endow-
ment for its care and upkeep, has generously been placed in
the hands of trustees, as an educational institution for the benefit
of the public, particularly for students. This and the Mercer
Museum, in which we are assembled today, are monuments to
his everlasting fame. The great care shown by him during his
lifetime and by his last will and testament for the preservation
of the grounds and buildings which he created, show the great
heart of a big man, who loved to do noble things, and who derived
pleasure in passing something along to others to make their lives
more happy and useful.
In 1921 he organized and financed an expedition to China
to study its folklore and processes and to photograph and describe
the tools and implements of that country. At the time of his
last illness he was editing for publication, in book form, the
findings of that expedition. Volume I of which is to be published
at an early day. These volumes are to be dedicated to the
memory of his uncle, Timothy Bigelow Lawrence. By his will
he bequeaths the sum of S100,000 to pay for publishing the results
of this expedition and to continue the work in the Far East.
Dr. Mercer held membership in many learned societies, from
some of which he received honors, medals and prizes in recogni-
tion of his work.
3 Theodore M. Davis, discoverer of the Tomb of Queen Teie, and Sir
William Everard of London.
4 Dr. Mercer's own description of the building of "Fonthill" is added as
an appendix to this publication.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 301
On June 8, 1916, Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster,
Pa., conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Science, and on
June 11, 1929, Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pa., honored
him with the degree of Doctor of Laws.'"'
A few- days ago when I inquired about the insurance of the
"Fonthill" buildings, I was told there was none, as he would have
considered it inconsistent to carry insurance on any of the fire-
proof buildings erected by him.
During his life at "Fonthill" he was oblivious of time, and the
small hours of morning often found him absorbed with his studies,
surrounded by his books in an almost priest-like devotion.
He was indeed a great student, widely read, a man of culture
and delightful personality, whose life should be an inspiration
to us who are left to carry on his w^ork, with an earnest endeavor
to live up to his ideals, for he has left us the' memory and example
of a sincere and industrious life.
His accomplishments were so great that he could afford to
die. His passing is a great personal loss, for he was always my
good friend.
"I'd give the lands of Deloraine
Dark Musgrave were alive again."
Remarks of Colonel Henry D. Paxson
I came here today desiring to add my tribute to the memory
of my life-long friend. Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer.
It is with a sense of deep loss that I recall incidents of fifty
years of close association. Dr. Mercer and I were boys together.
We roamed the hills and fair valleys of Bucks County. In the
aboriginal Jasper Pits at Durham, in the Indian Argillite Quarries
on Gaddes Run, and in the prehistoric workshops nearby we
searched for the artifacts of the red man. We swam the waters
of the Delaware. We climbed Bowman's Hill and Jericho
Mountain. W'e visited the traditional haunts of the Tory Doanes,
and in returning home as the shades of evening were lengthening
we hastened our pace, as in our boyish imagination we saw about
us the spectres of the Tory outlaws of the Revolution.
It is not my purpose this afternoon, in view of that which
has already been presented, to review, even in a cursory way,
"^ The presentation addresses and conferring of honorary degrees by both
of these colleges are included in this publication.
302 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAX MERCER
Dr. Mercer's life work, his literary accomplishments, his con-
tributions to history, and his labors in the fields of archaeology
and ethnology. We all know of the two great museums — the
Mercer Museum with its collection of objects illustrating the
history of human industries, and the "Fonthill" home with its
decorative tiles and art — unique among the museums of the
world.
We all recall with pleasure the innumerable meetings of our
Society when the outstanding feature seemed to be the presence
of Dr. Mercer. We will long remember his radiant and kindly
face and his tall form quivering with enthusiasm and emotion as
he told us of some new discovery.
I recall one memorable meeting. It was on a June day in
1916 — the dedication of the Mercer Museum. You, Dr. Facken-
thal, presided. The building was thronged with distinguished
people who had come to felicitate and congratulate Dr. Mercer
on his accomplishment. Of the addresses delivered that day
I recall the masterly effort of Dr. Learned, of the University
of Pennsylvania. I would like to repeat, if my memory will serve
me, the concluding words of Dr. Learned's beautiful tribute:
"The town of Doylestown is itself like 'a city set on a hill,
that cannot be hid,' so this Museum is to raise its beacon light
even above the spires of Doylestown to cast its beams beyond
the bounds of the ancient colonies, over the seas to the home-
lands whence the early colonists went forth 200 years ago. All
honor to the master builder, Dr. Mercer!"
The Scriptures tell us, "We brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out." Dr. Mercer brought
nothing into this world, but he has left to his native town, his
native county and to the world the fruit of his life work. Pos-
terity will forever honor his name.
Dr. Mercer has left us — the loss to our Society and his friends
is immeasurable. Those who knew him and loved him, will
always cherish the memory of his genius, of his learning, of his
culture and of his delightful personality.
Remarks of Mr. Henry G. Brengle
I have a \^ery few words to say, being here as a representative
of Dr. Mercer to give thanks, as one of his executors, for a
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 303
medal that was awarded
to him during the last
days of his life.
I first met Dr. Mercer
in the year 1887. I had
never seen him before.
He graduated from Har-
vard a good while before
I did, and I came to
Doylestown, one evening
to attend a dinner party.
There were only a few
men present, and the
conversation after awhile
became very pessimistic
until finally he looked up
and said, ' ' I want to repeat
a little poem I heard today."
are all familiar with it; he said
-ery old and I suppose you
"If with each rose we see a thorn there grows.
Strive that no thorn shall be without its rose."
That had quite an
effect on the diners, and
the party thereafter
livened up. Now he is
gone; the rose has per-
ished, but we still ha\'e
the result of his work, and
with that in mind, I ha\-e
brought this medal, which
was sent to me as a rep-
resentative of his estate,
by the Arts and Crafts
Guild, Incorporated, of
Philadelphia. I would
like to put it here for
exhibition so that every-
body present can inspect
it. With the medal the
304 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
Arts and Craft Guild has also sent the following testimonial,
adopted at a meeting of the Guild members April 11, 1930,
which they desire to have read, as follows:
"All through the past year the Jury has given careful thought
to this award. It was decided by unanimous vote that there was
no one better fitted to receive this first award than Dr. Henry C.
Mercer, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, who at that time was still
living. After his death a special meeting was called and it was
finally agreed upon by the Jury and later ratified by the Board,
that the award should hold. Dr. Mercer, during his lifetime, ren-
dered untold service both to his community and art, and was always
a true and loyal friend of the Guild. He was best known, per-
haps, especially in the art world, as the creator of lovely colored
tiles, but he was besides an anthropologist, archaeologist, and
one of the main factors of the Bucks County Historical Society,
one of the most unique and fascinating museums in the country.
Apart from this he was recognized as a collector, patron, advisor,
inspirer, a vital factor in the art life of Philadelphia and its
surroundings."
Dr. Owen Wister (Communication) : Were I not to be absent
at the time of your Mercer Memorial meeting, I should be more
than glad to attend it and say something. This that follows will
interest you and the society very much :
About Christmas time (1929) I saw a very distinguished
archaeologist, David McKeever, a Scotchman, but well known
everywhere. One night the question of whether a certain
museum piece ^^•as genuine or not came up for discussion. Mc-
Keever said to Francis New bold, who had decided that the piece
Avas genuine, but desired confirmation, "Why don't you ask
Henry C. Mercer, of Doylestown? He is not only a competent
scholar but quite the greatest potter living at the present time,
and I think probably the greatest potter in the last thousand
years; I might say in the last two thousand years." Two or
three days later I saw McKeever again and told him that 1 had
been very much struck with what he had said and should like to
tell it to Mercer. He said, "By all means; that is what I think
of Mercer. He is an extraordinary figure, a figure straight from
the renaissance."
« o
o «J
§ ^ 8
MEMORIAL SP:RVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 305
About February 13th or 14th (1930) I paid Mercer a visit
and took a friend to see him. He had been upstairs. He was
allo\\ ed to be downstairs, but I saw that he was very ill. I am
happy to think that I got this chance to tell him what McKeever
had said. Of course he disclaimed it, but I saw that it had
given him very deep pleasure.
Mrs. Finley Braden: Mr. Chairman and fellow members
and friends: After the passing of kind Dr. Mercer, I wrote and
published an article in verse which I thought you might like to
hear this afternoon, because it expresses the value and glory of
life work well done.
HE LABORED LONG AND WELL
Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer
1856-1930
BY MRS. FINLEY BRADEN
A many-sided scientist for aye,
Has passed beyond the narrow bounds of earth,
With much accompHshed through life's lengthened day,
To long remain, and tell the world his worth.
Historian, writer, thinker to the end.
In earlier years, explorer, traveler, too;
An archaeologist with plans to blend
And group what would from time to time accrue.
A complex mind was his to grasp and hold
The things that make for strong material life;
An anthropologist, who would unfold
The past, but dimly limned with lore so rife.
He had the hermit heart which delves apart,
And finds the treasures that must e'er await;
Discouragement and failures at the start.
But ending in achievements truly great.
An educator long the lines that tell.
And leave their impress on both heart and mind;
Withal a dreamer! Heard the magic bell,
Which to the unattained will ever bind.
The arts and crafts he followed too with pride.
Producing many things that will endure;
To finally excel, he bravely tried.
His life a pattern for both rich and poor.
306 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
There at "Fonthill," the home he built with skill,
And loved to occupy' through coming age,
He labored on with slow — decreasing will,
And ably filled his life book's daily page.
A man of peace, content to live remote,
And sageh' let the present world go by,
Filmed in books, papers, magazines of note,
A strange new world, which he could but decry.
And many kindly deeds have come to light,
Things wisely done in unobtrusive ways.
To aid, inspire, uplift, before Death's night,
So rounded out the measure of his days.
The wondrous realm of Nature his delight.
Its common stores, to him, were something more;
The trees and flowers and the sunshine bright.
The birds in sanctuary, at his door.
A benefactor to his native town.
His county, state and country, gaining aught
That issued from his brain to bring renown.
And was with weariness, so often fraught.
He had far vision of the Golden Time,
A brighter, better world in which to live;
The drive for wealth exchanged for work sublime,
Which happiness and solace too, can give.
And surely God's rich blessing rested on
His unpaid labors to enrich mankind.
From those who valued him, he now is gone,
Yet leaves a widely honored name behind.
The massive structure he upreared with care.
And grandly filled with everwise intent,
Containing much considered odd and rare
Is for all time, his lasting monument.
Dr. Edward Hart: I didn't expect to do more than add
my presence here today, and hear the tributes to Dr. Mercer,
with whom I had but a shght acquaintance. I had met him but
once, but I knew, of course, of his family, and when I was a very
small boy, I went with my grandfather, John Watson, to visit
Mrs. Henry Chapman, who I suppose was the second wife of
Judge Chapman, and therefore not one of Dr. Mercer's ancestors,
as he was a grandson of Judge Chapman's first wife, but I knew,
although not from personal observation or contact, something
about Judge Henry Chapman, for whom Dr. Mercer was named.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 307
I remember him as a man appearing of great sternness to my
youthful ideas. The occasion of my meeting Dr. Mercer was in
the museum here at Doylestown, but his fame came to me from
many sides, and it is a great pleasure to be here and testify by
my presence and contribute what little I have to say in his honor.
He certainly was a great man, and he was all the greater because
he was wholly an original man. I haven't been as great a
traveler as my friend Fackenthal, but I have visited a great many
places and know of no museum anywheres, except perhaps at
Nurenburg, that can compare with this one. In my limited
experience it is absolutely unique, and reflects great thought and
care on the part of Dr. Mercer.
Mr. Rudolf P. Hommel:*^ I thank you for allowing me
to ofifer my contribution in memory of Dr. Mercer.
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Mercer for the first time
in the year 1915. After previous correspondence about stove
plates and their inscriptions I, one day, went to "Fonthill" to
call on him and his greeting was: "Are you Mr. Hommel? I
thought you would be a much older man !" In spite of the differ-
ence in age, we soon became fast friends and my natural bent for
historical things was fostered by the wonderful enthusiasm of
Dr. Mercer, and this is a point I wish to emphasize:
He was an inspiration to anyone who had the privilege of
meeting him. His kindly criticism w^as always constructive and
inspired to closer and deeper study. His enthusiasm for research
was infectious, he could rouse the dormant abilities for investiga-
tion in anyone who had the least spark of it, and kindle it to a
blaze. In short: Association with Dr. Mercer was a liberal edu-
cation.
Dr. Mercer's most important contribution to Science, however,
in my mind, is the founding of a new branch of it, namely: The
Systematic Study of Primitive Trades, Domestic Utensils and
Activities. He has broken Mith the old prejudice that only the
life endeavors and belongings of the so-called "upper" classes
'are worthy of investigation. In a democratic spirit he has
called to the fore the so-far-slighted class of simple people and
6 Mr. Hommel is the gentleman selected by Dr. Mercer to head his
Chinese expedition. He has been in the Far East since 1921, and is now in
America on a vacation, planning to return to China in the near future to con-
tinue his researches.
308 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
toilers, who compose about 95 per cent, of humanity, and have
been the backbone not only of ours, but of any civilization. To
stress this important point Dr. Mercer has built this museum,
to show how toil, trades and crafts, domestic manners and
activities have been conducted in past ages, and — this is impor-
tant — has shown it for the first time. Other museums may
spring up to do the same thing, and we hope they will, but let
us not forget that Dr. Mercer was the originator of this new
branch of Science and, if for no other of his many accomplish-
ments, will go down in history as one of America's great men.
Mr. Samuel C. Eastburn: Mr. Chairman, recounting a
very recent letter I had from Dr. Mercer, showing even in his
weakened physical condition his active interest in everything
along the lines we have heard, it so happens that I am by the
grace of the Governor of Pennsylvania, a member of the Washing-
ton Crossing Park Commission, and in laying out the general
lines of work for the park, we were contemplating putting w^alks
and driveways through the park to accommodate the present
automobile traffic for the next twenty-five years, and the ques-
tion was up for discussion, and is still undecided, as to whether
we should have accommodation for the automobiles to drive up
on a concrete platform to enable them to view the historic places
without getting out of their cars. I had intimated to Dr. Mercer
on a previous visit that we were troubled about that, and didn't
know just exactly what to do, but a short while ago (I didn't
think of it or I would have brought his letter, I think it would
have been much better than I can tell it) — I got a four-page
letter from the Doctor. I shall not attempt to recite it, but I
remember one sentence particularly which said : "Good Heavens,
Eastburn, don't let them put concrete walks and driveways
through Bowman's Hills; you will scare away the fairies."
Miss Belle Van Sant: A short time before Dr. Mercer's
death, I went with some friends to visit "Fonthill," we were soon
ushered into the presence of Dr. Mercer. He was very attentive
and showed us some tiles that came from Damascus, whereon
were inscriptions taken from the Koran. He said he "doubted
if there was any real art that had not a religious background."
He then went on to say, "What sort of a gothic cathedral could
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 309
Voltaire have designed?" In speaking of the tiles he remarked
that while his man was obtaining them the city of Damascus was
being shelled by the French, thus destroying much more valuable
art than had the destruction of the library at Louvaine, which
had caused such French lamentation.
John S. Wurts, Esq.: I am glad to have this opportunits"
of adding my personal tribute to the memory of Dr. Mercer.
He was a great man and a great friend. I know not how to find
words to express what his friendship meant to me, but we who
are assembled here today knew him, and to know him was to love
him.
Mrs. Annie Meridith F"retz: A few months ago Dr. Henry
C. Mercer received some visitors in his usual gentlemanly and
cordial manner. They were the descendants of three brothers.
Simon, Thomas and Dr. Hugh Meredith, who were the sons of
James Meredith, born in Wales, and settled in Bucks County on
land south of Doylestown along the Neshaminy. Dr. Meredith
was the son of Simon, who emigrated to America in 1708, and
died before the Revolution. His will is on file in the Bucks
County Courthouse, and by a codicil thereto, he bequeaths
"land on which a schoolhouse should be built in which the chil-
dren of the neighborhood could be educated." This showed
him to be a liberal minded and progressive citizen.
Dr. Mercer's great-grandmother, the wife of Abraham Chap-
man, was a daughter of Dr. Hugh Meredith, and it does not take
much reflection to see that the lives of five generations, each one
getting "wiser and better," have produced a wonderful life as
exemplified in that great man. Dr. Henry C. Mercer.
Mrs. Henry J. Shoemaker: Dr. Henry C. Mercer was a
wonderful man. To me he was a great teacher and a very great
inspiration. I never talked with him that I did not learn some-
thing of value, and on leaving him always felt a deeper interest in
the worthwhile things of life.
It was his profound love of nature that first led the Nature
Club of Doylestown into the establishment of a bird sanctuary
and wild flower preserve, and then with his desire to establish
310 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
something more permanent, he became our guiding spirit in the
development and growth of an arboretum at "Fonthill."
Dr. Mercer was interested in the history of the past and its
preservation, but he was also always building for the future.
The work which he began will go on, and he needs no encomiums
from us, or monuments erected to his memory, they cannot add
to the glory of his career, for the work of his lifetime is his per-
petual memorial. We shall always hold fresh in our memories
his indefatigable efforts and his never-tiring labor in behalf of the
interests of the Bucks County Historical Society.
Resolutions Read by Mrs. I. M. James
As a representative of the Doylestown Nature Club, I desire
to present a copy of the following resolutions adopted by a com-
mittee appointed March 10, 1930:
RESOLUTIONS OF THE DOYLESTOWN NATURE CLUB, ON THE
DEATH OF HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER, Sc. D., LL. D.
At a meeting of the Doylestown Nature Club, held at Doylestown, on
March 24, 1930, the following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, in the death of Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer, the Doylestown
Nature Club sustained the loss of a wise and generous friend.
Be it Resolved, that the members record in grateful appreciation the fol-
lowing courtesies extended by him in fostering the growth of the Club:
A Bird Sanctuary, established in 1912. Under the supervision of Dr.
Mercer, the Club planted one thousand White Pine seedlings, and many
trees of larger growth on the northwestern part of the estate. The "Little
Stone House" was renovated for use of the Club; and a room situated over
the garage, named "Pavilion Terrace," was equipped as a meeting place
for the Club. The monument at the south entrance to Fonthill, marking a
row of Elms, planted in memory of the Club's deceased members, was designed
by Dr. Mercer. The Arboretum, started at Fonthill in 1928, was a cherished
dream of Dr. Mercer's, promising fulfillment when the Nature Club planted,
under his invaluable guidance, ninety-one trees native to Pennsylvania, which
have been marked with Mercer Tile Labels.
Resolved, that the Doylestown Nature Club carry out the wishes of
the late Dr. Mercer, by continuing the Arboretum and by caring for the
grounds at Fonthill according to his last will and testament.
Resolved, that these resolutions be recorded in the minute-book of the
Doylestown Nature Club, and that a copy be sent to Dr. Mercer's family.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 311
Resolved, that copies be engrossed and framed, one to be placed in the
Bucks County Historical Society Building, the other to tje hung at Fonthill.
Helen B. Porter, President,
Elizabeth Douglass Atkinson,
Lal'ra V. Anderson,
Sophia P. Eastburn,
Ann G. Shoemaker,
Committee
Mr. Matthias Hall: We all hear what a great man Dr.
Mercer was, but no one has referred to his ancestry. He was
the son of William Robert and Mary (Chapman) Mercer. His
maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, was Judge Henry
Chapman, whose ancestry can be traced back into Durham,
England, for many generations.
His emigrant ancestors, John and Jane (Sadler) Chapman,
arrived in America in 1684, with several small children, and
settled in W^rightstown in the County of Bucks.
Judge Chapman was an influential Democrat, elected to the
State Senate of Pennsylvania in 1843; appointed judge of the
Chester-Delaware Judicial district in 1847 to fill out an unex-
pired term, and elected Judge of Bucks and Montgomery Coun-
ties to serve for ten years from 1861 to 1871.
Abraham Chapman, Esq., the great-grandfather of Dr.
Mercer, was also a leading lawyer of his time, as well as a promi-
nent and leading man of Bucks County.
I am firmly of the opinion that Dr. Mercer's distinguished
ancestry aided in making him the great man that he was.
Mr. Joseph E. Saxford: In the year 1856 a child was born
whose coming was of small importance to the world of that day.
In 1930 this child, now grown old, died and his death was a
matter of world occasion. In 1856 he belonged to a family,
today he belongs to all who have felt the stimulus of his imagina-
tion. No word that we can utter will either add or detract from
his stature — he is. He has moulded his personality in imperish-
able tile; he has visioned it in concrete and steel, and these with
his great collections will be a quickening spirit, so that those
coming after us may understand and love him as we w'ho were
proud to call him friend.
312 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
Mr. Frank K. Swain (Communication) : I was associated
with Dr. Mercer for more than thirty-four years, having entered
his employ in 1896. He was then forty years of age, w^hile I was
a mere stripling. He was born at Doylestown in 1856, in the
same house, belonging to Judge Henry Chapman, w^here his
mother was born.
When a young man he spent some time in Europe with his
maternal aunt, Mrs. Timothy Biglow Lawrence, returning in
1870 after the close of the Franco-German war. On their return
Mrs. Lawrence began the building of "Aldie," locating it on the
site of an old farm house. "Aldie" (demolished in 1928) was
the home of Dr. Mercer for many years until he moved to "Font-
hill," in 1912.
In 1895 he built a work-shop at "Aldie," which he named
"Indian House," where later he housed his archaeological col-
lection. After I entered his employ in 1896 he added some finish-
ing touches to the building. At that time he had no thought of
making tiles.
On May 22, 1893, prior to my employment, he discovered
the Ancient Argillite Indian Quarries on Caddis Run, near Point
Pleasant. He described these quarries in a communication pub-
lished in the Bucks County Intelligencer , July 6, 1893. During
the time he was curator of the museum of the University of
Pennsylvania from 1894 to 1897, he continued to live at "Aldie."
In 1895 the University of Pennsylvania placed him at the head
of the Corwith expedition to Yucatan. He began building
Indian House before he resigned from the University. During
the autumn of 1896 he made his notable explorations of Big Bone
Cave in Tennessee. In the autumn of 1897 he spent some days
at the Herstine potteries in Nockamixon Township, Bucks
County, where he personally made a number of dishes and
bowls, but was much disappointed when they w^ere spoiled in
burning; this was, however, his apprenticeship as a potter. He
lamented the fact that these old potteries were fast going into
ruin, as the grandsons and other descendants of the old potters
had lost both the art and interest in the process. Not one of
these potteries now remains in operation. We found the plants
cluttered with unburned ware, some of which had stood on the
drying racks for many years. The potters-tools lay on abandoned
Avork benches buried in dust; the tubs and buckets containing
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 313
pigments were dried out, the hoops faUing off and their contents
spilled on the floors.
In the spring of 1896 we went to Nockamixon Township,
nearly opposite Holland, N. J., railroad station, to dig for Indian
pottery in a field near the Delaware River, part of the farm of
Owen Stover. We made our headquarters at Hollihan's hotel
in Upper Blacks Eddy, where we were most comfortably enter-
tained by the manager, old Mrs. Cochran.
The years 1897 and 1898 were spent mosth' in gathering the
nucleus of his great collection of tools and other antiquarian
objects. In August, 1898, we went to Maine, and while there
he made sketches of Aztec and other Mexican carvings, which I
afterwards learned were designs for tiles, but those patterns
were never used. His first tiles were copied from designs on old
stoveplates. He got his idea of making tiles while visiting the
old potteries of upper Bucks County, where he went primarily
to gather tools, etc., for his collection. His first plan was to
make pots, dishes, etc., but his artist friends discouraged that
feature, saying they wanted tiles and not crocks. We started
making tiles at Indian House in an experimental way in 1898.
He described his experience in making tiles in an article pub-
lished in the Doylestown Republican September 4, 1899, and
more fully described in a paper read by him before the Bucks
County Historical Society, February 10, 1914 (Vol. IV, page 482).
In 1911 he purchased additional property, adjoining his
"Fonthill" estate, on which to build his new and much enlarged
plant; this was begun in 1911 and moved into in 1912. You
are all familiar with the history of "Fonthill" and of his tile-
making, which need not be entered into by me. I am pleased
to say that I was associated with him as his manager down to the
day of his death.
Dr. Mercer was specialh' skilled in making freehand sketches.
He was a most wonderful man, a great student of art whose
master-mind is lost not only to us who knew him and loved him,
but to the world at large as well.
I trust I may be pardoned for saying something about our
personal relations, which were naturally of the closest. His
confidence and appreciation of my services is shown by the fact
that he presented his tile plant with its entire contents to me,
together with a large tract of land, and in other respects by his
314 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
last will and testament, has shown his appreciation of my life-
long connection with him. I have, indeed, lost a kind benefactor
and a great friend.
Mr. Alvix F. Harlow: A short biographical notice of Dr.
Mercer prepared by Mr. Harlow was read, but having been copy-
righted cannot be printed.
Mr. Henry Chapman Mercer Receives the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Science at Franklin and
Marshall College
Remarks of Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr., President of the Board
of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, in presenting Mr.
Henry Chapman Mercer for the degree of Doctor of Science on
June 8, 1916:
Henry Chapman Mercer, graduate of Harvard University,
archaeologist, anthropologist, former Curator of American and
Prehistoric Archaeology in the University of Pennsylvania,
exploring and writing a History of the Cave Hills of Yucatan,
and for his many other cave explorations and archaeological
researches, for developing the process of making and decorating
tiles and pottery of the Pennsylvania Germans, and for collecting,
classifying and publishing a history of the early Pennsylvania
German fire-backs and stove-plates, called "The Bible in Iron,"
for collecting and preserving in a museum at Doylestowm the
"Tools of the Nation Maker," which illustrates the work and
progress of pioneers in the settlement and development of our
country, and for his many other scientific and educational attain-
ments, I ask, President Apple, that the honorary degree of Doctor
of Science be conferred upon him.
* * *
Remarks of President Henry H. Apple, in conferring the
honorary degree of Doctor of Science upon Henry Chapman
Mercer, June 8, 1916:
By virtue of the authority conferred upon me by the Board
of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College, I grant to Henry
Chapman Mercer the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, with
all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto, and in evidence
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 315
thereof I present you with this diploma duly signed and sealed
with the seal of the college.
Dr. Mercer Receives the Honorary Degree of
Doctor of Laws at Lehigh University
Remarks of Professor P. M. Palmer, Director of the College
of Arts and Sciences of Lehigh University, in presenting Dr.
Henry C. Mercer for the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws on
June 11, 1929:
A native Pennsylvanian, Mr. Mercer Avas graduated from
Harvard in 1879 to enter upon a career which has been dis-
tinguished by its versatility, by its devotion to scholarly ideals,
its richness in adventure and its interest in humanity.
His interests in archaeology and anthropology directed
toward a comparison of ancient man on the various continents
have led him far afield in the Americas and in Europe and have
been extended in recent years to China, where even now his
agents are gathering material for a work on Chinese implements.
He built and endowed the museum at Doylestown, Pa., which
contains his collection of colonial tools and utensils, and has pub-
lished several books on anthropological subjects.
Mr. Mercer has invented, among other things, new methods
of tile making, a new process of making mosaics and a process
of printing large designs on fabrics and paper. He has received
various medals and prizes in recognition of his work. To the
world at large he is perhaps best known by his Moravian Tile
Works, the result of his efforts to reproduce and develop artis-
tically the old German processes of tile making.
He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, a member of many other learned bodies, presi-
dent of the Bucks County Historical Society, formerly Curator
of Prehistoric Archaeology at the LTniversity of Pennsylvania, etc.
Mr. President, I do not propose to enlarge upon Mr. Mercer's
accomplishments, for Mr. Mercer is a modest man, but I cannot
refrain from adding a personal note. I have known his work
for nearly twenty years and in my eyes his greatest accomplish-
ment is his success in recovering for the twentieth century the
mediaeval conception of art in which the artist and the crafts-
316 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HEXRY CHAPMAN MERCER
man were one. It is the artist in Henry C. Mercer to whom I
pay my personal tribute.
* * *
Remarks of President Charles R. Richards in conferring the
honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon Henry Chapman Mercer,
June 11, 1929:
Henry Chapman Mercer, distinguished archaeologist and
promotor of historical research, inventor of processes for the
manufacture of art tiling, member of various learned societies,
contributor to human knowledge.
By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board of
Trustees of Lehigh University and upon the recommendation
ef the faculty and by formal vote of the Board of Trustees, I
confer upon you the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws with
all of the rights and privileges pertaining thereto. In witness
whereof, I present you with this diploma and direct that you
be invested with the insignia appropriate to the degree.
Papers and Addresses Presented to the Bucks County
Historical Society by Dr. Henry C. Mercer
The Doanes Before the Revolution.
The Doanes and Their Times.
The Grave of Tamanend.
Notes Taken at Random.
The Red-man's Bucks County.
Folk Lore — Notes Taken at Random.
Tools of the Nation Maker — First Paper.
Tools of the Nation Maker — Second Paper.
Brief History Talks.
Cave Explorations.
The Lenape Stone.
Aims and Purposes of the Bucks County Historical Society.
Memorial Tribute to Gen. W. W. H. Davis.
Pottery of the Pennsylvania Germans.
Acceptance of the Log House Presented to the Bucks County
Historical Society.
The Grave of Tammany.
Open Fire Cooking in Bucks County.
The Common Tinder-box of Colonial Days.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 317
John Chapman — First Settler of VVrightstown.
Notes on the Moravian Pottery of Doylestown.
Historical Remarks at the Bedminster Township Meeting.
Two Stoveplates Described.
Colonial Seals of Bucks County.
Remarks on the Christmas Tree.
Presidential Address — Old Bakeovens Described.
The Bowie and Other Knives.
Presentation of the Mercer Museum, June 17, 1916.
President's Report at Annual Meeting, January, 1917.
Flax Seed Mills.
Survival of Ancient Hand Corn Mills in the United States.
An Investigation of the "Giant's Grave" at Bowman's Hill.
Turnpike Roads in Bucks County.
Notes on the Norse Mill.
Notes on Basket Making.
Notes on Forgotten Trades.
.\n Ancient Indian Pipe from Bucks County.
Wafer Irons.
Ancient Methods of Threshing in Bucks County.
A Lost Stoveplate Inscription.
Remarks on Adobe Bricks.
The Zithers of the Pennsylvania Germans.
An Attempt to Find the Site of the Indian Town of Play-
wicky.
The Dating of Old Houses.
The Origin of Log Houses in the United States.
Recollections of Tennent School.
Random Notes on Forgotten Trades.
The Colonial Carpenter— Ancient Carpenter Tools.
Henry Chapman Mercer — Harvard 1879
Born June 24, 1856— Died March 9, 1930
By his Classmate, Mr. J. T. CooHdge
Printed by permission of the Harvard Graduate Magazine
Graduating from Harvard in '79, Mercer was admitted to
the Philadelphia Bar in 1881; but his inclinations tended rather
to other fields. His activities in these included service for three
vears as Curator of the American and Prehistoric Sections of the
318 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HEXRY CHAPMAN MERCER
University of Pennsylvania, while acting as editor of the depart-
ment of Anthropology of the "American Naturalist." In the
course of this work he explored many caves in the Delaware,
Ohio and Tennessee Valleys as well as caverns in Yucatan, and
his finds included the remains of extinct animals before unknown
to this Continent: Tapir, Mylodon, Peccary and Fossil Sloth.
The author of some twenty volumes, Mercer's publications
included: "The Lenape Stone or the Indian and the Mammoth,"
which attracted wide attention; "Researches on the Antiquity
of Man"; a number of articles on Archaeology and Anthropolgy
in various scientific publications; the Proceedings of several
Scientific Societies; "The Bible in Iron," dealing with old stoves
and stove plates of the Pennsylvania Germans, and his recent
publication, "Ancient Carpenters' Tools," which may well be
considered his most important.
He was a member of fourteen Scientific and Academic Bodies,
and his other honors included a bronze medal from the Spanish
Government, a grand prize at the St. Louis World's Fair, the
gold craftsmanship medal of the American Institute of Archi-
tects, and the medal of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts.
Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the degree
of Sc. D. in 1917, and Lehigh University the one of LL. D. in
1929.
Not long after graduating from college, Mercer noted some
red clay upon his father's place in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Baked in the embers of the fire it revealed promising qualities,
and a small homemade kiln was built. From this humble begin-
ning sprang the widely known Moravian Pottery which developed
into a cluster of eight kilns where tiles of peculiar character and
beauty were produced — a business which soon grew to large
proportions as its products spread far and wide.
Mercer drew an endless variety of designs — from natural
history, religious subjects, history and other sources. He
modeled the forms for the moulds, developed by experiments
the color glazing. To use his own words: "My research aiming
to restore and develop forgotten ceramic processes has resulted
in a patented process for making glazed and colored tiles for
mural decoration." This process was .also applied to mosaic
tiles where large and elaborate designs were transferred to slabs
of clay, and each portion of the composition cut out, colored
_l
.7
• \?ol. 2-/3 - PSC. I I
rH 1
-1^ i
■' 1^-13
Is
fe
A€T- — 6Qfa>RT STt-
318 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HEXRY CHAPMAN MERCER
University of Pennsylvania, while acting as editor of the depart-
ment of Anthropology of the "American Naturalist." In the
course of this work he explored many caves in the Delaware,
Ohio and Tennessee Valleys as well as caverns in Yucatan, and
his finds included the remains of extinct animals before unknown
to this Continent: Tapir, Mylodon, Peccary and Fossil Sloth.
The author of some twenty volumes, Mercer's publications
included: "The Lenape Stone or the Indian and the Mammoth,"
which attracted wide attention; "Researches on the Antiquity
of Man"; a number of articles on Archaeology and Anthropolgy
in various scientific publications; the Proceedings of several
Scientific Societies; "The Bible in Iron," dealing with old stoves
and stove plates of the Pennsylvania Germans, and his recent
publication, "Ancient Carpenters' Tools," which may well be
considered his most important.
He was a member of fourteen Scientific and Academic Bodies,
and his other honors included a bronze medal from the Spanish
Government, a grand prize at the St. Louis World's Fair, the
gold craftsmanship medal of the American Institute of Archi-
tects, and the medal of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts.
Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon him the degree
of Sc. D. in 1917, and Lehigh L^niversity the one of LL. D. in
1929.
Not long after graduating from college, Mercer noted some
red clay upon his father's place in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Baked in the embers of the fire it revealed promising qualities,
and a small homemade kiln was built. From this humble begin-
ning sprang the widely known Moravian Pottery which developed
into a cluster of eight kilns where tiles of peculiar character and
beauty were produced — a business which soon grew to large
proportions as its products spread far and wide.
Mercer drew an endless variety of designs — from natural
history, religious subjects, history and other sources. He
modeled the forms for the moulds, developed by experiments
the color glazing. To use his own words: "My research aiming
to restore and develop forgotten ceramic processes has resulted
in a patented process for making glazed and colored tiles for
mural decoration." This process was .also applied to mosaic
tiles where large and elaborate designs were transferred to slabs
of clay, and each portion of the composition cut out, colored
\
MEMORIAT, SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 319
separately and fired, somewhat in the manner of a stained glass
window. He followed closely the workman who stamped out
each tile by hand, and lastly the degree of firing required. Spe-
cial designs for special places and purposes had to be studied,
and these Mercer hit off happily. Notable examples of the
Moravian Pottery tiles are installed in the Capitol at Harrisburg,
in Mercer's own house, the Gardner Museum and Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston. In the latter are two galleries where Spanish
and Italian fioor tiles were called for, with a proportion of color
design. The difficulty of saving a color glaze from wearing off
under foot Mercer overcame by adopting the method he had
found in two ancient tiles, of sinking the colored design.
As tools and implements of ancient man were important
witnesses in fixing anthropological periods and race charac-
teristics, it was natural that Mercer should be led to make a
close study of them, and so, not confining himself to those of
the Old World and the Far East, he began to gather specimens
from his own neighborhood in Bucks County, Pennsylvania,
brought over by the Moravian Germans in the 18th century —
specimens at first dug out of ash heaps or in ransacking old
cellars and garrets (one finely decorated stoveplate was found
on top of a chimney) and later by gift and purchase. Some of
these implements differed slightly if at all from similar types used
in Egypt, in ancient Rome or in the middle ages, and included
besides objects of domestic use, the general run of tools and
agricultural implements. Kindred products of other states were
drawn upon as well, until the collection exceeded the storage
capacity of Mercer's "Indian House," and in 1916 he built a
lofty and spacious structure of concrete throughout which he
gave to the Bucks County Historical Society of Doylestown, and
later endowed.
In this museum tiers of galleries rise above a vast central
court and establish a series of cubicles some sixty in number,
each one filled with the tools of a craft and specimens of its
wares — from the basket maker to the blacksmith, from the
cobbler to the weaver, while the central space below embraces
the larger agricultural implements as well as a whaleboat, a
Conestoga wagon, a plough and a large grist mill. The whole
comprises some 20,000 objects. This collection Mercer aptly
christened the "Tools of the Nation Maker," and defined it as
320 .MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
"an Ethnological collection representing the tools and utensils of
the American pioneer." The contents of an important portion
of this museum are recorded in a recent publication of Mercer's
"Ancient Carpenters' Tools," illustrated and described with a
vividness equally absorbing to the technical and lay reader.
This collection stands as a monument to its maker, to become of
increasing value to succeeding generations.
No stilted terms would fit a description of the large concrete
home called "Fonthill," which Mercer constructed for himself in
the environs of Doylestown. Standing high upon a hillside it
suggests an old castle of varied mass — vastly picturesque and
reflecting withal the entire freedom from convention of its talented
and imaginative Architect and Master of the Works. The thick
walled interior contains deep window reveals which throw rays
of light upon tiles set in f^oor and pier and wall. Tiles of varied
shape and color extend to the ornament of frieze and capital and
barrel vaulting, and include a variety of designs in a wealth of
color — from the simple conventional to the historical scenes
quaintly depicted in assembled tiles, the whole relieved by a
somber setting of rough concrete. A clear picture of this interior
would be difficult to portray because floor levels and heights of
studding vary, and staircases lead to further changes of floor
levels through winding passages to the rooms above; but if sym-
metry is occasionally sacrificed to constructional needs, the
dominant impression remains one of beauty and quaintness — of
something belonging to a realm far away from our day.
His classmates will recall Mercer as a man of unusual char-
acter and imagination. Handsome, Avinning, interesting — and
odd. Philosophy he found could not serve him because it did
not solv^e the larger problems of life which he sought; nor could
he fully accept the reality of a beneficent order of things in a
Nature which allowed a systematic slaughter in animal life— -
and animals he loved : his dogs were friends to him and he treated
them with tenderness: "Sailor" could wipe his feet upon the mat
and unlatch the door, and was proud of it, and so was his master.
His estate included a bird sanctuary and it is easy to understand
that he wrote against cruelty to animals and vivisection. Eager
to solve problems which appealed to him, Mercer was fascinated
by discussion — and even disputation, a tendency which, he
related, received a check from an old native of York, Maine, who
observed: "Harry, it is better to live pleasant than to be right."
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 321
Mercer loved Nature and everything which possessed ciuality
in Art, especially in its simple and quaint forms which he dwelt
upon lovingly and developed in his designs; but he held unbend-
ing hostility to ugliness and false taste and especially to the noisy
vulgarity of a certain side of American life. Quantity production
by machinery was not for him, and in his own work he followed
the spirit of the craftsman of the past. So he lived a life quite
apart in the quiet of the country, deeply engrossed in the pursuits
which were to bring him success and distinction.
For many years Mercer was handicapped by illness and
broken down nerves; but his absorbing interests conquered all
physical ills so far as to carry him to the end of a life of useful and
notable achievement.
J. T. C, 79
The Building of "Fonthill," at Doylestown,
Pennsylvania, in 1908, 1909 and 1910
Copy of a typewritten description found among the papers of the late
Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer
Several sketches and memoranda in my note books show
that the building of "Fonthill" was first considered definitely
during my visit to New England in the summer of 1907, and
that the cheerful fronting of certain houses, overlooking Com-
mercial Street, Boston, running N. N. E. by 1 point East, were
studied for this purpose.
The house was planned at "Aldie," Doylestown, Pa., by me
in the winter of 1907, room by room, entirely from the interior,
the exterior not being considered until all the rooms had been
imagined and sketched after which blocks of clay representing
the rooms were piled on a table, set together and modeled into a
general outline. After a good many changes in the profile of
tower, roofs, etc., a plaster-of-Paris model was made to scale,
and used till the building was completed.
From eight to ten unskilled day laborers at the then wages
of $1.75 a day, supervised by Patrick Trainor and under my
constant direction, built the house in three summers, those of
1908, 1909 and 1910. I employed no architect to carry out my
plans and there were no skilled laborers employed in the con-
struction proper, though afterwards a carpenter put in the doors
322 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
and window sash, a mason set the tiles on the vertical walls and a
painter put in the window glass. As a single exception to this
Jacob Frank, employed at the Moravian Pottery, set the ceiling
tiles which were cast into the building during its construction.
Cement mixers were not then in general use and all the cement
was mixed by hand in the proportions of Portland Cement 1
part, yellow sand (called Jersey gravel), ly^. parts, and bluish
crushed trap from the crushed stone works at Rockhill Station,
south of Quakertown, Bucks County, Pa., 5 parts. The mixed
material was lifted either in iron wheelbarrows, or boxes, with
four handles, to be carried by two men by a pulley fastened at
the vertex of a very simple apparatus, namely, a triangle about
ten feet high, made of three heavy wooden strips balanced with
guy ropes so as to swing outward from the brink of any of the
walls or at a hand pull backward inside the edge. This inward
swing brought the uplifted load within the triangle to the work-
men's hands. A single horse belonging to Patrick Trainor,
named Lucy, trained to pull forward the pulley rope, on a counter
block and back on the path, did all the work of lifting during the
three years. No accidents happened to the men whose names
are set in tile letters on one of the inner roofs of the east gable.
Thunderstorms frequently occurred, but only one so damaged
the ceiling of the Library gallery that the crust had to be replaced.
The men were trusted to count the ingredients and mix the cement
properly. They only failed once on leaving a mixed batch to
stand over night and then unwillingly removing the rotted mix-
ture after pouring it into the forms.
During construction the building was roughly roofed with
felt paper. The re-enforcing irons used everywhere according
to approved formulae were hollow ^/j^-inch and less iron pipes
bought in junk yards in Philadelphia and Doylestown, except
for the beams, where solid iron rods, not twisted, were used in
the usual way after bending around posts, to the proper angles,
six per beam. Besides this, heavy galvanized farm fencing, in
large rectangular mesh, was laid over all the re-enforcements.
The plan of the whole house was an interweaving of my own
fancies blending with memories of my travels and suggestions
from several engravings, in particular the "Dutch Housekeeper"
by Gerard Dow, the "Great Barn" by Wouvermans, in the
Dresden Gallery and a Lithograph now in my Morning Room
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 323
called "Le Main Chaud" by De Boucourt, also a woodcut illus-
trating a story called "Haunted" in a book published about
1865 by Tinsley's Magazine, named "A Stable for Nightmares."
This picture gave me the night lighting of the Morning Room.
The first interior imagined and clearly seen was that of the west
side of the Saloon seen when standing near the large window
about eight feet from the door to the Library. The arrange-
ment of rooms at different levels seen over the gallery in the
Saloon is a memory of a Turkish house seen by me from a rear
garden in Salonica in 1886. The Saloon still clearly retains the
appearance of these preliminary dreams, but the original fancies
for nearly all of the other rooms were changed as we proceeded
sometimes perhaps for the better and sometimes for the worse.
The name Fonthill well remembered as that of a house in
Essex County, Virginia, belonging to my distant relative, Mr.
R. M. T. Hunter, seemed very appropriate on account of the
fine spring rising here on a hilltop close to the northwest corner
of the tower. I long hesitated with it on account of its earlier
celebrity in the historic "Fonthill" of Beckford in Wiltshire,
England, long since destroyed, but finally decided to use it on
the advice of an English friend of high authority.
The Walls — The foundations, not over 5 feet deep, rested
on a solid ledge of sandstone, but as this sub-stratum was gen-
erally covered with a dense crust of broken stones and grit I
doubted its existence until when later, fearing collapse, we tried
to under-pin the tower. Then the trenches dug for this purpose
proved the fact.
Several demolished buildings, followed by car loads of
unplaned boards, furnished the wooden material for the forms.
These consisted of partitions made by laying the boards horizon-
tally, edge to edge one upon another, with battens nailed wherever
convenient against their outer sides. Double lengths of wire
were looped around and twisted upon the projecting ends of
these battens as we proceeded to keep the forms from bulging.
These forms were set vertically with a spirit level, and not by
eye, as has been asserted. Where high winds deflected them or
where they sagged or where mistakes were made the results were
corrected after construction by chiseling away projecting corners
or building up crusts as against the north corner of the east
324 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
gable. Nevertheless, the north library wall still shows a bad
overhang. Pieces of tin were tacked over knot holes, large
cracks and open joints. Owing to warping the board joints
never fitted close and there was continual leakage of liquid
cement. This produced many porous spots on the outer wall
which were plastered over afterwards. The concrete was pur-
posely not spaded inside the walls in the hope of making them
more porous. Continued suggestions as to dampness, resulting
in rheumatism, etc., caused us to cast large vertical holes by
means of collapsible wooden boxes invented by me, stove pipes
filled with dry sand, pulled upward as we proceeded, and even
corn stalks wrapped in paper at intervals of a few feet throughout
all the walls. The cornstalk plan was, however, a failure as the
leaves fiew in all directions into the forms and the wet stalks
would not burn out of the holes. Angles in the very irregular
chimneys, and the chimneys themselves, were cast upon wooden
boxes or boards pounded, pried, or burnt out afterwards. The
walls were cast two feet thick and the box holes either two feet
long and one foot wide or one foot square. Piers, three feet by
three and a half, bordered the windows in the tower, the inner
wall of which for extra strength, enclosing the staircase, etc., was
cast very thick. The vertical re-enforcing pipes were planted
two feet apart in the forms and straightened as we went up. The
fence wire was slid down against them and the horizontal pipes
laid in on the wet cement at every two feet. The arches over
many of the windows were made by bending yi inch by 3 inch
wide wooden strips into semi-circles to coincide with a penciled
line on the outer forms and the welts left by these still show in the
Morning Room. The result of our precautions as to wall ven-
tilation, namely, loose tamping, collapsible boxes, and cement
batches mixed by hand and greatly varying in density, were
very successful. Blackened shoes in dark closets never mildew.
There has never been condensation of moisture except on the
tile pavement in the hall. Cigars dry up in their boxes, Windsor
chairs rattle loose.
Owing to the color of the Jersey gravel, gray cement and
bluish trap, the outer walls show soft gray-yellow with faint
greenish reflections and, owing to the roughness of the forms,
board welts, and porous spots not retouched, the texture is very
rich as seen at a distance. In experimenting upon smoothing
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 325
down these outer surfaces for weather protection with cement
plaster, when a mason working upon a hanging platform did
the work, we found that the plastering had been carried too far
on the east upper wall of the tower and thereafter proceeded by
retouching only the very porous spots.
Columns — The columns intended to support roof-slopes and
upper story partitions rise from the cellar to the housetop through
several rooms without symmetrical arrangement. Their forms
were made by boards set vertically and held together in circles
with rope and wire or in squares with battens. Each was re-
enforced with three vertical pipes and wire circles twisted by
hand and dropped down the forms about two feet apart as the
work went on. Tiled capitals and bases and cement capitals
were put on after construction. Some of the latter in the wind-
room were taken from very old Byzantine churches in Greece
and one, the owlish face in the cellar, from Mont St. Michel in
France. An octagonal M-ooden column used by one of my
friends, an architect, in a house near Philadelphia and adapted
by him from a column in the Castle of Tratzberg, in the Austrian
Tyrol, suggested the polygonal columns, two or three of which
are octagons, while the others have nine faces or are made cir-
cular by the use of narrow wooden strips in the form. The
columns referred to by visitors, one made with stovepipes and
the other with nail kegs are in the cellar of the east wing. One
column was cut off during construction in the yellow room to
make way for the bed. Some of the columns were plastered
after construction with lime and sand mortar, others with cement.
Some were left untouched and some slightly retouched.
Partitions — The interior partitions connected with or sup-
ported by the columns were cast about five inches thick and
re-enforced as usual. The wooden window frames and sash were
made at Doylestown and Lansdale and the frames cast into the
w^all during construction. The cement windows were cast in
channels cut with wire loops in slabs of clay and were re-enforced
with thin iron rods and set in their wall-holes after construction.
Those on the hall stairs are the first of their kind ever made to
the writer's knowledge, but in these the stone ingredients were
too large. One of them with another on the west terrace have
326 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
cracked around the irons. But those made later with chosen
ingredients in the garage or with larger mulHons in the Historical
Building have been very successful.
Chimneys and Staircases — Some of the chimneys and stair-
cases were formed with the building, others cast upon it. The
chimneys above the roof were varied in height and their caps
sometimes altered for draught. Many of the flues are very
tortuous. Most draw very well but a few are smoky in certain
winds and defy correction, namely, those in Mr. Swain's room
and the East Room. That in the yellow room radiates its heat
badly, and that in the Library which smoked in west winds has
been corrected. The Morning Room and Study fireplaces draw
and heat well and that in the Saloon is probably one of the most
efficient open fireplaces ever built. The hot air flues were made
of round terra-cotta pipes cast in the walls.
Ceilings and Roofs — For the flat ceilings in the cellar,
platforms of boards sawed to fit were placed between the beam
troughs and these levels covered with earth. Later, for upper
rooms, the platforms were made very roughly of rails covered
with grass under the earth layer, and then about two inches of
yellow Bucks County sand was spread over the earth. The
roof terraces and flatter roofs were also so treated, but on the
very steep roofs of the tower and east gable carpets only were
spread over the boards except on the east room ceiling, where,
in spite of the steep slope, the earth and sand layer was used as
described .
The vault forms were made of heaps of earth spread over
piles of boxes and overlaid as before with sand, producing a series
of carefully graded mounds resting on the platforms as before.
This process began in the crypt of the tower where no sand layer
was used. In the Library the earth mounds were raked into
semi-circles or ellipses and the sand overlay carefully smoothed.
All worked well notwithstanding the difficulty of scalloping the
wall forms to meet the slopes of these mounds, and cleaning or
washing out the column forms from down-fallen earth and sand.
Having heard of serious condensation of moisture in a recently
built house in Canada we decided to cast a very porous under-
crust on all further ceilings. This consisted of Portland cement
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 327
1 part and fine sifted cinder 6 parts. Three inches of this was
spread wet over all the ceilings under the re-enforcing irons and
then about five inches of regular concrete was super posed. No
waterproofing compound was used for the roofs or walls except
Dyckerhof's imported waterproof cement for the large west ter-
race. Otherwise, on the advice of Mr. Robert W. Lesley, based
on experiments then made with lime, we used ten per cent, (to
the volume of dry cement) of powdered slacked lime used by
plasterers and called "Limoid" to waterproof the five-inch con-
crete layer on all roofs and terraces. This was very successful.
Only one roof, namely, that in the Smoking Room, ever leaked,
and that cured itself probably by crystalization in about two
years. The large water tank, resting directly on the ceiling of
the Wind Room was thus waterproofed, notwithstanding warn-
ings from one of the builders of the swimming pool at the Racquet
Club in Philadelphia, then recently built and lined with tar paper.
This Fonthill tank, however, sprang a slight leak several years
later, but again cured itself in a year or two. The same thing
happened with the tank at the pottery. No cracks have thus
far appeared in any of the roofs or ceilings. The roof tiles on
the tower and steeple were not necessary as the surfaces under
them were already waterproofed.
Decorations — In the hall and Saloon clay troughs for groins
and borders and clay impressions of stoveplates were used in
casting the ceilings. Otherwise tiles were pushed face down-
wards into the sand crust so as to project about a quarter of an
inch on the backs. The tile and cement pavements were set
after construction. A method of casting designs or pictures
upon ceilings in colored cements was twice tried successfully in
the cellar of the Saloon, but not attempted later. The ceiling
tile work pictures, inscriptions, designs, etc., cast as described
directly during construction tried first in the crypt and next in
the Library, was very successful. The elaborate and probably
overworked pictures in the Columbus and Bow Rooms, which
may be called adaptations of our mosaics with patterns modeled
in relief and no background were designed in August and burnt
and set before frost. The tiles were laid first with much difB-
culty, owing to the wind, on large drawings and then turned
upside down and pushed into the sand. We feared sagging of
328 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER
vault forms and the falling of heavy tiles set in this manner,
but no such bad results followed. When we pulled out the plat-
form props, the platforms collapsed and tons of earth and sand
fell, exposing the tiles, after which the loose sand was washed off
with a hose and when dry brushed and shellaced between the
tiles.
Interior Finishing — The interior walls were not furred.
Sometimes they were plastered with lime and sand mortar or
with cement and then shellaced with yellow shellac or tinted
with a clay wash colored with dry paints. The panels in the
Pine Room, Dormer Room, etc., were adapted from those at
Haddon Hall, the Library panels were original and colored with
water color paint sprayed with shellac. The Morning Room
was panelled with old Doylestown doors of varying dates and
styles between 1760 and 1850.
The painted door in the Library was made by outlining the
pattern with a cautery and was copied from Froissart's Chronicle
and taken from my old room at Aldie. The iron balcony railings
were patterned after those seen in an old second-class hotel in
Genoa, those of cement in the Saloon and outer terraces were
taken from the porch of San Marco at Venice. The rhymed
English mottoes on the staircases are original. Several in Latin
are from old house doorways in Genoa. "Non Omnia sed bona
et bene" from No. 15 (black numbers). Via del Campo, "Non
domo dominus sed domino domus," Via Pontaldi, No. 6 (black
numbers).
All the tiles on the wall-faces were set in the usual way and
not cast in during construction. The heavy outer doors are
made of oak planks from the old covered bridge at Chalfont and
adapted from doors at Hornby Castle, Yorkshire. The interior
doors of the same construction are backed with cross battens
from doors seen by me in 1886, at Durenstein in upper Austria
and elsewhere on the Danube in Austria. The door nails were
made in Doylestown by a blacksmith and the hinges and hinge
hooks from old Bucks County barns were found in neighboring
scrap iron heaps. The hook prongs were extra forked for casting
into the walls. A few late paneled doors of about 1850 were
bought at a Philadelphia wreckage yard.
The staircases were all plastered with round treads over wire
netting placed upon the original casting.
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HENRY CHAPMAN MERCER 329
The Columbus Room was dedicated to my aunt, Mrs. T. B.
Lawrence, nee Mary Chapman, to whom I owe my education
and travels, and all the rhymed tile inscriptions on the columns
and corbels are original and refer to her, in gratitude for her
incessant encouragement and help in things good and worthy
that I have tried to do since my early youth.
The tapestry woven curtains, etc., in the house are of modern
French make and have greatly faded. Most of the prints
(engravings) were obtained from George H. Rigby, the book-
seller in Philadelphia. The picture frames were generally
adapted from old mirror frames of about 1840, and they and the
furniture painted to give color to the room. The floors were
polished with damp white pine sawdust slightly oiled with boiled
linseed oil.
Outside Appearance — In general the house, like old barns,
anthracite coal breakers, old houses in the country before 1800,
and, as I believe, like many European castles, was built from
the inside, that is to be used first and looked at afterwards,
therefore with only a secondary regard for outside construction.
The establishment of the height of walls, shape of windows,
roof-lines, steeples, chimneys, etc., were finishing touches. The
construction was nowhere concealed. From first to last I tried
to follow the precept of the architect Pugin. "Decorate con-
struction but never construct decoration."
So little was outside appearance considered that we remained
in doubt and some fear as to the final result till the forms were
removed. The flat towered roof and "Jersey Terrace" were
afterthoughts. When the covering of woodwork finally dis-
appeared the general outlines from the east seemed disappointing
and out of proportion, but seen from the west the building
realized the literary and artistic dreams and memories of travel
which had inspired its construction.
Large numbers of sightseers visited the house in 1909 and
1910, since then as a few visitors continue to come, leaflets were
written to describe the tile work and interior decoration for their
benefit. Referring to these more minute descriptions I conclude
with a motto, from the door of an old house, (Vico deitro il core
della vigne, Genoa, No. 43, red.) ''Intro spice et pidica."
330
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HEXRV CHAPMAN MERCER
(During the year 1931 there were 2,573 persons who visited
"Fonthill" and registered their names and about 500 others who
failed to register.)
INTERIOR \'IEW OF FOXTHILL
Address of Welcome to "Glacialdrift" at Riegelsville
By dr. B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr., RIEGELSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
(Riegelsville Meeting, September 13, 1930)
I AM indeed glad to welcome the Bucks County Historical
Society for the third time in Durham Township. The first
on July 28, 1885, at our Durham Iron Works home, where the
luncheon was served on the lawn, and the meeting held in Dur-
ham Cave; the second at Riegelsville on October 5, 1909, with
the meeting in the Reformed Church and the luncheon served
at our home, which we call "Glacialdrift." Mrs. Fackenthal,
whom many of you knew, was with me then, and because of her
absence, I hesitated to entertain without' her, but having been
honored by you with my election as president of our society, to
succeed the late Dr. Henry C. Mercer, I take pleasure on
assuming the duties of my office by extending to you a most
cordial welcome to "Gladialdrift," so called because our home
stands on a ridge of drift, the moraine which washed down the
valley of the Delaware River from the great northern ice glacier,
the terminus of which was but twelve miles north of here, and
which spread over the entire continent from coast to coast.
The flood in the Delaware, October 10, 1903, was the highest
in the recorded histor)^ of the river, which rose to a height of
about forty feet above low water mark. It reached the public
road in front of our house, and swept through the low lands of
the entire borough. The Delaware Division canal, which passes
through this borough, is the only canal remaining in the entire
country that continues to be operated by boats propelled by
mule power. And moreover the latest information is that that
part of it between Morrisville and Bristol, a distance oi9l4. miles,
is about to be abandoned.*
* Since this meeting was held and the above address spoken, the Dela-
ware Division canal has stopped operating. It was with a feeling of sadness
that I witnessed the last boat (Boat No. 181) pass through the canal on the
morning of Saturday, October 17, 1931, going north empty. During the
afternoon of that very day there was a meeting at the Thompson-Neely house
in Solebury township, Bucks County, for the formal transfer of that part of
the canal between Locks Nos. 22 and 23 at Raubsville (there were formerly
two locks there but changed into one double lock) and Lock No. 5 a short
distance below Yardley, a distance of about forty miles. At that meeting,
which was largely attended, William Jay Turner, Esq., attorney representing
332 ADDRESS OF WELCOME TO 'GLACIALDRIFT"
Riegelsville, although in Durham Township, is not an old
settlement; the first dwelling house having been built in 1806.
There was, however, a ferry with ferryhouse on the river at an
earlier day. The village of Durham, two miles west of here,
where the original Durham blast furnace and forges were located,
was the earliest settlement in Upper Bucks County, having been
started in 1727, twenty-five years before Easton was laid out
and Northampton County erected. At that time the entire
township belonged to the Durham Iron Company, and in addi-
tion over 2,000 acres outside of the township. In addition
to their own lands aggregating over 8,500 acres, the hills for
miles around in Williams and Lower Saucon townships in
Northampton County and Springfield and Haycock townships
in Bucks County also supplied wood for burning into charcoal
used at the Durham furnace.-
When the Durham Iron Company's lands were partitioned
on December 24, 1773, Tract No. 33, on which this meeting is
being held, was allotted inter alia to Joseph Gallow^ay, but for-
tunately for him he sold it on June 1, 1774, to Joseph Morris,
and it therefore escaped confiscation when Galloway was attainted
of treason, and his other Durham lands were seized and sold.
The southern part of this borough is on Tract No. 32, allotted to
Hon. James Hamilton, then Lieutenant Governor of Pennsyl-
vania. Tract No. 36, lying north of here, was allotted to James
Morgan, who had been the iron master at Durham furnace. The
front parts of these three tracts or subdivisions (Nos. 32, 33 and
36) all bordering on the Delaware constitute the entire borough
of Riegelsville, incorporated May 24, 1916, with a population,
according to the 1930 census, of 725.
Durham Township has a most interesting history. It affords
a rich field for the botanist and the geologist, with its iron ore
mines and early iron works, where the very first shot and shells
were made in Pennsylvania for the Continental army, the first
shipment having been made August 25, 1775, and they con-
the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, presented a deed for that part of the
canal to Governor GifTord Pinchot on behalf of the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania. The Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company and the Common-
wealth have entered into an agreement by which the water is to be kept in the
canal during the usual summer months. This agreement provides for free use
of the water for five years from July 1, 1931, and thereafter at a rental of
about $5,000 per year. The canal, abandoned for navigation purposes, and its
environments are to be maintained as a public park.
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HOME OF MR. AND MRS. B. F. FACKENTHAL. Jr.
At Durham Iron Works, where the Bucks County Historical Society was entertained,
July 28, 1885
ADDRESS OF WELCOME TO GLACIALDRIFT" 333
tinued to be made in large quantities throughout the entire time
of the war. In fact, shot were also made at Durham for the
French and Indian war. The Indian village of Pechoqueolin
was in Durham in the southeast corner of the township, and
here in Durham were the Indian Jasper quarries on Rattlesnake
Hill, the Durham cave and Durham boats. Durham is the
birthplace of Gen. Daniel Morgan, the hero of the battle of
Cowpens, S. C, and here George Taylor lived when he signed
the Declaration of Independence. The late Dr. John W. Jordan,
then of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, is my authority for
the statement that General and Mrs. Washington spent a night
in the Mansion house at Durham, as recorded in the Moravian
diaries; and there is a tradition that General Washington and his
staff stopped for a midday meal at the Seven Stars Inn, in
Durham Township, two miles south of here, then owned by
William Abbott, later by the Overpecks.
All of these interesting features have been so frequently told,
and referred to in our proceedings, that I do not propose to
enlarge upon them at this time; I beg only to remind you that you
are on historic ground, and to greet you and bid you welcome to
"Glacialdrift," and thrice welcome to Durham Township.
South Mountain Indian Quarries
By henry K. DEISHER, KUTZTOWN, PA.
(Riegelsville Meeting, September 13, 1930)
THE object of this paper is not intended as a scientific
treatise on Indian quarries, but chiefly a condensed report
of quarry locations and a resume of a few thoughts which
are suggested in answer to inquiries that have been made of me.
In deaUng with the subject of quarries we must hark far back
to prehistoric times, to a period concerning which we have no
written record. Whatever there is of history coming down to
us through the ages, we find it to vary greatly in different parts
of the world.
Europe had her Stone Age. So had Egypt and China, dating
back thousands of years. The American Stone Age ended on
the Pacific Coast in America, less than a century ago.
Along the Atlantic Coast, only a few hundred years ago, our
forefathers built their rude cabins along the seemingly endless
stretches of forest. Until then the sole human occupants of
this vast expanse were the scattered tribes of Red Men to whom
the cry of the catamount, the howl of the wolf, the boom of the
bull frog, and the arresting notes of the katydid and cricket were
but solo parts in the great Symphony of Life.
But whence came the Indian? This riddle may never be
solved.
During the summer of 1929 Chief Cook, wife and daughter
Pocahontas, of the Pamunkey tribe, a branch of the Powhatan
Confederacy of Virginia, visited the Pennsylvania State museum.
Chief Cook is a full blood and direct descendant of Powhatan.
They number 120 and own 800 acres of land of which not a
square inch of soil has been turned by the plow of the white man.
He said it took his wife six years to capture him. His wife
was asked if he was worth so much eff'ort.
She replied, "Oh, yes."
I showed him the poem by Bryant. He looked at it, and
then with uplifted hands and eyes recited :
SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES 335
"They waste us; ay, like the April snow-
In the warm noon we shrink away;
And fast the>- follow as we go toward
the setting day;
Till they fill the land, as we are driven
in the sea."
The section of our country under consideration in this
article was inhabited by the Lenni Lenape tribe. When did the
Red Man arrive upon our Atlantic Coast? When did the Lenni
Lenape first traverse this region?
From his own legends we learn that the Lenni Lenape came
from the West. If so, were these Indians equipped with stone
implements upon arrival? Possibly so, if they arrived in small
numbers, decimated by constant warfare enroute, which theory
is in strict accordance with their tradition. Another fact which
substantiates this theory is that implements made of western
flint are found scattered throughout this section. Yet the
answer may be No, for these few implements may have been
traded for with western tribes, and considerably later, as some
archaeologists believe.
Drake, in his "Indians of North America," estimates the
original number of the Lenni Lenape at 500 at the time of the
discovery of America in 1492. This estimate is probably too low.
According to Lenni Lenape legend and the computation of
authorities, the Red Man arrived here in 1397. Dr. H. C.
Mercer, in his "The Red Man in Bucks County," quotes from
the journal of Rev. Charles Beatty, 1767; "Counting the beads
or a wampum belt as years, according to their custom...."
Again Dr. Mercer quotes from Brinton's "The Lenape and Their
Legends" (p. 207): "According to the painted stick chronicle
. . . ." Heckwelder, another authority, agrees with this version
or Indian tradition.
This would show an occupancy of this section for a period
of approximately two centuries before the arrival of John Smith
in Virginia in 1607, the Dutch at Manhattan in 1609, and the
Swedes on the Delaware about 1638. By that time the Indians
were fairly numerous. Nearly another century had passed
before the white man began to make interior settlements. Dur-
ing these centuries these Indians occupied at one time or other
all the rivers and small streams in the valleys a few hundred
miles inland.
336 SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES
I am citing this at length to account for the many thousands
of stone implements found by collectors on village and camp
sites along streams and near springs. To give this matter due
consideration requires search and study of hill and dale, stream
and spring, field and forest. I have been actively engaged in
this work since 1873, having become interested at an early age.
I gradually enlarged my field of activity until it embraced the
southeastern counties of Pennsylvania. My research resulted
in the accumulation of over 18,000 specimens acquired by the
State Museum in 1917.
When the Indians came they needed to search for suitable
material to make implements for the chase and for warfare.
While engaged in fishing they discovered the waterworn pebbles
in the river drift and found them suitable for hammerstones and
for chipping into implements.
Naturally, the source of the stone deposit was sought, for
the river drift alone could not supply the demand. I refer again
to Dr. Mercer's "The Red Man in Bucks County": "Going up
the Delaware stream, argillite pebbles cease about Frenchtown,
N. J., and if following them as a dog follows a trail you can walk
straight to the argillite Indian mine on Gaddis Run, near Point
Pleasant, Bucks County, Pennsylvania."
Argillite is a metamorphosed rock formed from a clay sub-
stance and is very hard. It disintegrates considerably on the
surface in most soils and varies in color from black to a bluish
black and brown.
Dr. Mercer discovered these quarries May 22, 1893. He
did considerable excavating and describes these quarries at
length in chapter 2 in his "Antiquity of Man." He located
another argillite Indian quarry on Neshaminy Creek, also in
Bucks County. Many implements made of this rock are found
as far west as the Susquehanna River. I have no knowledge of
any deposits of argillite having ever been located along this river.
Nine flake-strewn jasper pits on Rattlesnake Hill, a mile
from the Delaware River, in Bucks County, had been known for
a number of years by Charles H. Laubach and J. A. Ruth, of
Riegelsville. These gentlemen brought the matter to Dr.
Mercer's attention in 1891. During the summers of 1891 and
1892 Dr. Mercer headed an expedition to explore the ancient
jasper quarries in Bucks, Lehigh and Berks Counties, from the
SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES 337
Delaware to the Schuylkill River. On this expedition Dr.
Mercer and Mr. Laubach discovered twenty jasper pits on the
Saucon Creek, two miles west of Limeport. The information
given by a farmer, who described the dump heaps as Indian
mounds, led to the discovery of ten jasper pits one and one-half
miles south of Limeport.
At the suggestion of A. F. Berlin, of Allentow^n, investigation
was made by Dr. Mercer in 1892 at Vera Cruz, Lehigh County.
Here were found sixty jasper pits, some of enormous size. These
pits are located in virgin forest and have not been disturbed. I
have brushed aside the forest leaves and found little piles of
small jasper flakes, showing where the Indian sat and by primi-
tive method put the finishing touches to the beautiful jasper
blades so highly prized by the Indians and present-day collectors.
Dr. Mercer has tried in vain to raise funds to preserve this spot
in its primitive state for all time. I have suggested to the
Pennsylvania State Historical Commission that this tract be
purchased for this purpose, since it is the only remaining un-
touched spot of its kind, displaying centuries of aboriginal labor
of immense proportions.
Probably the most extensive operations carried on in these
parts are the 138 jasper pits on the hills southeast of Macungie,
Lehigh County. During the summer of 1892, Dr. Mercer made
excavations in several of these pits to a depth of forty feet and
found evidence of heavy sticks charred at one end to harden
the wood. These sticks were used for digging and prying. No
solid ledge of rock of workable quality could be found near the
surface, hence the tremendous excavations to find rocks or
nodules. Dr. Mercer describes these operations at length in
the January, 1894, issue of "American Anthropologist."
During the summer of 1904, and several times since, D. N.
Kern, of Allentown, and I hunted over this tract, gathered ham-
merstones by armfuls and cached them in fence corners, taking
with us only the best specimens. In recent years these pits have
been almost obliterated by farm operations.
There is an outcrop of jasper on the Topton Orphans' Home
farm, located on the watershed of the Lehigh and Schuylkill
rivers. The land has been cultivated for generations and leaves
no visible evidence of aboriginal operations.
Basanite, or black chert, used mostly for arrow points and
338 SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES
knives, is found in small nodules in beds of streams over a con-
siderable area in Berks County. My search for a deposit of this
rock of workable quality extended over a period of years, until
in 1918 Lawson G. Dietrich of Richmond Township, called my
attention to certain fossils which he had found in rocks on his
farm. Here I was amply rewarded for my long search. This
deposit is about two miles west of Kutztown, a few hundred
yards north of the William Penn Highway and not far from
Moselem Creek.
In Berks and Lehigh Counties material used for flaked imple-
ments predominate in the order named: quartzite, chert, jasper,
white quartz, argillite and rhyolite.
Quartzite is found in many places on the South Mountains,
also along the Blue Ridge or Kittatinny Mountains. The
famous Blue Rocks in Berks County come under this head, and
are commonly termed hard sandstone. In 1898 I discovered
one of the chief sources of supply of quartzite of superior quality
in Rockland Township, Berks County, a few hundred yards
northeast of Sally xAnn Furnace.
Dr. William H. Holmes, of Washington, D. C, contended
that an abundance of quartzite could be found anywhere on the
South Mountains. In order to settle this contention we visited
the place on September 19, 1905, and my assertion was proved
by excavations. In a very short time we had uncovered a mass
of flakes and a number of hammerstones and rejects. My
search has revealed no other quartzite quarries.
Implements of chalcedony are desirable but rare, probably
owing to the difficulty of finding raw material in sufficient quan-
tity in the forest. Chalcedony is found in eggshaped nodules
along Sacony Creek as far north as Kutztown. Dr. Holmes
urged me to search for the source of the supply. During the fall
of 1918 I crossed a cornfield a short distance southwest of Lyons
and here found a considerable quantity of the rock.
On the hillside near Bowers, Berks County, is Flint Hill, com-
monly known as "Feirshtay Barrick" among the Pennsylvania-
German residents. The name has recently been changed to
"Sacony Barrick." But why change an appropriate name which
has been in use since the time of pioneer settlement almost two
centuries ago?
The outcrop covers several acres, and the ground is thickly
SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES 339
Strewn and mixed with flakes and rejected jasper. A small cir-
cular patch of woodland shows depressions made by Indian
diggers. Many years ago I dug test holes and found a number
of hammerstones. On the north side of the woodland the town-
ship supervisor dug out hundreds of loads of jasper material in
sizes suitable for road improvement. Dr. Holmes and I watched
the workmen unearth a pummeling stone from seven feet below
the surface. It weighed fourteen pounds and was worn round
from having been thrown on rocks to reduce it to portable size.
Hammerstones were abundant there years ago, but have
since been carried away by collectors. Jeremiah Stern, who was
reared in that locality nearly a century ago, told me that flakes
could be seen lying about in scattered piles before the land was
cultivated.
From this site the aborigines probably carried away more
jasper than from all the other quarries combined. This may be
due to the quality and quantity of the rock found close to the
surface.
Can you see in your mind's eye a band of warriors, followed
by a retinue of squaws heavily laden with camp baggage, slowly
winding their course to the foot of the hill to one of the several
springs which gush forth pure, sweet water? Can you see those
squaws going about their menial tasks, while their lords are
engaged in procuring the raw rock from the nearby quarry?
This land was owned by the Weiser family for many genera-
tions. William Weiser, who cleared portions of this land,
pointed out to me about forty years ago the location of circular
spots which he was told were the original sites of wigwams.
Between Fleetwood and Princetown is an outcrop of jasper
of but minor importance. Near Fritz Island, south of Reading,
is an outcrop of considerable size, but so far as I know there is
little evidence of Indian labor left. Ore mining operations
obliterated all traces years ago.
During the past two years it has been my privilege and pleas-
ure to study Susquehanna River sites and collections. Rhyolite.
a rock of eruptive origin, was almost exclusively used north and
south of Harrisburg, as well as east and west along tributaries
of the Susquehanna River. The early inhabitants of this sec-
tion were the Susquehannock Indians, called Andaste by the
French.
340 SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES
Credit is due Prof. A. Wanner, Mt. Gretna, Pa., for referring
me to the location of the extensive RhyoHte Quarries.
In the fifteenth report of the Bureau of Ethnology, page 73,
Dr. William H. Holmes states that Rhyolite occurs in narrow
belts in the South Mountains from Harpers Ferry to a point
south of Harrisburg. In his search he found no trace of aborigi-
nal operations until reaching Maria Furnace on Toms Creek, a
branch of the Monocacy, ten miles southwest of Gettysburg, on
the mountain slope. The quarries spread over several acres of
ground.
The flaking quality of Rhyolite found here was evidently
superior to all other outcrops.
According to the number of implements of this material
found all over the country drained by the Susquehanna River
down to tide water, an enormous quantity of Rhyolite must have
been transported from this quarry site.
Incidentally, Rhyolite Indian artifacts are found in the Jasper
quarry sections of Berks and Lehigh Counties, and Jasper arti-
facts are found near the Rhyolite quarries of Adams County and
the Susquehanna River drainage.
During the summer of 1904 I guided Professor Wanner to
the Flint Hill Jasper Quarry and the first specimen he found was
an arrow head made of Rhyolite.
Many persons have asked "How old are these stone imple-
ments?" It may be reasonable to answer from 300 to 500 years
and much older in some sections.
Trading pelts for guns, axes, knives, etc., came with the
advent of the white man, but not all Indians were supplied at
once. Consequently some of the primitive tools continued in
use for a period of time, gradually being abandoned on their
village sites. It is probably a fair guess to state that the quarries
were gradually abandoned about 1575 to 1650.
Dr. F. G. Speck of the University of Pennsylvania informed
me on December 6, 1929, that last summer, in Delaware, he saw a
squaw still using a stone knife to scale fish, who said that she
preferred it to a steel knife.
February 5, 1930. I had the pleasure and honor of entertain-
ing Chief Strong Heart of the Yakima tribe of Indians in Wash-
ington State. From photographs of the carved rocks on the
Susquehanna River he explained many of the symbols. We
SOUTH MOUNTAIN INDIAN QUARRIES 341
had a long discussion on the Red Man's religious faith and their
devotion to the Great Spirit.
The aboriginal Red Man may well say:
Where is my home — my forest home?
The proud land of my sires?
Where stands the wigwam of my pride?
Where gleam the Council fires?
Where are my fathers' hallowed graves?
My friends so light and gay?
Gone, gone forever from my \'iew,
Great Spirit, can it be?
#^#%^l^
Cattle Ear Marks of the Seventeenth Century
By henry a. JAMES, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Riegelsville Meeting, September 13, 1930)
A CURIOUS incident prompted your distinguished Presi-
dent to ask me to write something on "Cattle Ear Marks
of the Seventeenth Century." While I knew that animals
had been branded from time immemorial and always supposed
that the cattle in Bucks County had been branded, yet I had no
definite knowledge on this subject until about eight or nine years
ago when a curious incident occurred.
By oversight and in the process of cleaning, the record of the
ear marks of animals in Bucks County got into the rubbish and
waste paper. A Jewish man was buying the waste paper and
with curious, what might be called, instinct, he evidently looked
at the small paper and concluded that it was of more than usual
value. He held communication with some person in regard to it
and was advised to see the late Dr. Mercer. Of course, in an
instant. Dr. Mercer realized the value of this paper and made
an effort to get it.
The Jewish man claimed that it belonged to him and fixed a
price on it which Dr. Mercer would not pay. Later, the Jewish
man got into some trouble and employed me as his counsel.
While I was looking after his case, he produced this paper and
told me that it was not to be delivered unless he was paid $25.00.
I had several talks with Dr. Mercer in regard to the matter and I
told him I was keeping the paper, but I was not at liberty to give
it up at that time. I have since concluded that my obligation no
longer requires me to keep this paper and I believe it should
repose in the Archives of the Bucks County Historical Society
and I am turning it over to the Society.
Naturally, I became somewhat interested in the contents of
the paper and talked to our friends, Warren S. Ely and Horace
Mann, in regard to the same. Mr. Mann kindly referred me to
the only writings upon this subject.
I found, upon reading a paper delivered by the late General
W. W. H. Davis before the Doylestown meeting of the Historical
Society on January 19, 1892, that he refers, in a short way, to
CATTLE EAR MARKS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 343
the marking of cattle in our county. He refers to Phineas Pem-
berton as the first to have ear marks of his cattle registered. He
says that Phineas Pemberton was the first clerk of the Courts of
Bucks County, and served until his death in 1702. He further
says, "One of the earliest subjects to engage the attention of the
first settlers of our county was the marking of their cattle. As
they were turned loose in the forest, some distinctive mark to
recognize them was provided by law. In Bucks the registry of
ear marks was begun in 1684, but no doubt cattle were marked
earlier. The first name entered in the book kept for that purpose
is that of Phineas Pemberton and the entry reads: 'The marks
of my cattle, P. P., the 10, 6th-mo.. 1684,' and the book is part
of the records of our Court. Nearly all the entries were made
in that year, and the book contains the names of 105 owners of
cattle in Bucks County. The usual method of marking was by
cropping one or both ears; each owner's cattle must be marked
differently, and any alteration of the marks was a punishable
offense. Among the owners of cattle in 1684 we find the names
of many prominent families of today."
I also find that the late Honorable Harman Yerkes, at a
meeting of this Association held at Wolf Rocks, Buckingham,
July 16, 1895, on the "Tree and Vine, the Original Seal of Bucks
County," refers to the fact that the early settlers in Bucks
County recorded the cuts and scarifications of the ears and the
brand-marks burned in the flesh of their cattle for the purpose
of identification and ownership. He says in this paper that the
"Proprietary and Governor" marked his cattle by cropping oft'
about half of both ears and for his brand mark he burned "on
the near shoulder" of the animal in large capitals W. P. P. G.,
Governor, the same inscription as appears on his seal. He
further says that, unless these marks were recorded, it did not
protect the ownership or right of property. He also refers to a
case of an unrecorded stray where "at the request of the ranger"
she was slaughtered by James Harrison. In the division, the
Governor took two-thirds and the ranger one-third, after Harri-
son had had 60 pounds for wintering her. He concludes by
saying that this was a good bargain for the Governor and his
ranger.
The "Record of Ear Marks" is a very old and quaint docu-
ment. From its age and use, some of it is almost illegible. There
344 CATTLE EAR MARKS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
are other parts of it which are as clear and distinct as if written
only yesterday. It is a most interesting piece of antiquity and
it is fortunate that it can be preserved. On the inside of the
first page, there is the following legend: "The Record of the ear
marks entered between the years 1682 and 1693, Phineas Pem-
berton, Ct. Com." General Davis must have seen this record
when he wrote his article.
The paper contains the names of many of the original settlers
in Bucks County, among them are those of Phineas Pemberton,
Thomas Watson, John Palmer, John Hutchinson, Samuel Hough,
Thomas Janney, Thomas Dungan, Henry Cooper, Stephen Van-
Sant and many others. The marks were very curious and some
of them might not be tolerated at this time, owing to the fact
that it might be charged as cruelty to the animal, yet I suppose
that all of these animals thrived and, at that time, it was impor-
tant to keep such a record so that the stock would be identified
and, if lost or stolen, could be redeemed.
The following appears in the Colonial Records, Volume I,
page 26: "Certain conditions or concessions agreed upon by
William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of
Pennsylvania, and those who are the adventurers and purchasers
in the same province the Eleventh of July, one thousand six
hundred and eighty-one.
"Seventeenthly — That all shall mark their hogs, sheep and
other cattle, and what are not marked within three months after
it is in their possession, be it young or old, it shall be forfeited to
the Governor, that so people may be compelled to avoid the
occasions of much strife between Planters."
These conditions evidently were strictly carried out. There
is the folloAving record as to ear marks: "At Upland Court helde
at Kingsesse County on Delaware River by Majestees authority
June 14, 1681, Charles Jamsen brings in ye Eare Marke for his
cattle and hoggs and desires that ye same may be recorded.
Granted and is as follow yeth viz : — the foremost syde of ye Eare
halfe cutt away."
Upland Court Records, page 190.
We thus see that as far back as 1681 there was a record of
ear marks. Warren S. Ely informs me that he has seen the
record of several suits pertaining to brands in our early Courts
CATTLE EAR MARKS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 345
where the ownership of horses, cattle and hogs was in dispute.
It seems that these brands could be assigned and the record shows
that many times the owners assigned and transferred their
brands to other persons.
In General Davis' History of Bucks County published in 1905
at page 44 &c., there is a reference to the branding of animals.
There is also engravings of ear marks of some of the prominent
families of Bucks County.
I have been told one interesting thing and that is, that Warren
S. Ely was able at one time to trace the lineage of some family
through the registry of the brand.
The subject of brands is a most interesting one and one
could spend a large amount of time upon this subject, but as my
remarks were to be confined principally to the County of Bucks,
I do not know that I can say anything further on this subject.
Of course, all the older persons who had any knowledge of
brands have long since been called to the Great Beyond. The
present generation has very little interest in the subject and it is
impossible to get any stories or matters concerning this ancient
practice.
THOMAS YARDLEY
THOMAS STACKHOUSE
HENRY PAXSON
Manufacture of Hydraulic Cement in Bucks County
By dr. B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr., RIEGELSVILLE, PA.
(Riegelsville Meeting, September 13, 1930)
HE hydraulic cement industry, which has revolu-
'1 tionized the building trades, the construction of
bridges, dams and road making, and the economic
conditions of the entire country as well, has made
most wonderful and rapid progress in its manu-
facture and in the evolution of its processes, par-
ticularly since 1900, when the American-made Portland cement
became better known, down to the present time when over
178,000,000 barrels are being made in one year. The total
cement of all kinds made in the United States from its discovery
in 1818, down to 1929 inclusive amounts to 2,881,647,337 barrels.
Lime Mortars — There is no history to show when lime and
sand mortars were first used, but its use dates back to the very
dawn of history, as evidenced by its presence found in the oldest
ruins of the world. The statement having been made to me
that hydraulic cement had been used in building the wall around
Jerusalem, I obtained a sample of the bond used in building the
wall around the Temple Area, where King Solomon's temple
stood (1000 B. C), now occupied by the Mosque of Omar, but
the examination showed it to be lime mortar.
Hydraulic Lime — Was first made in 1756, by Joseph
Smeaton, an English engineer, who experimented with variations
of the known processes of burning common lime made from pure
limestone, in an endeavor to obtain a mortar having hydraulic
properties. By hydraulic cement is meant a material that will
harden under water, and in that respect differs materially from
lime mortars. Smeaton had been employed by Parliament to
build a lighthouse in the English channel, known as the Eddy-
stone Lighthouse, where several wooden lighthouses had been
wrecked by storms. He found that by burning soft clayey,
(argillaceous) limestone he could obtain a product which,
although slaking with water, would also harden under water.
. 1
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GRISTMILL AT NARROWSVILLE LOCK
Where cement was ground on buhrstones in 1829-33. The bridge over the lock was built to
make tlie mill accessible after the lock was built. The top view shows the lock empty to
receive boats going north; the other with lock ready to receive the pleasure boat "Zlotub"
going south.
MANUFACTURE OF H\T)RAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO. 347
making possible the construction of his lighthouse, and establish-
ing the process of making hydraulic lime, the first step toward
the cements of later days.
Hydraulic "Roman Cement" — In 1796, James Parker,
another Englishman, patented a process of burning argillaceous
limestone. He pulverized his product, and obtained a material
that would not slake with water, but had hydraulic properties,
which he called "Roman Cement." This was the beginning of
the natural cement industry, and the term "cement" has ever
since been applied to such products which do not slake under
water, as against the limes, common and hydraulic, which do
slake.
Natural Hydraulic Cement Manufactured in America
— The first natural hydraulic cement manufactured in this
country was made by Canvass White, then a young man of 27,
one of the engineers who built the Erie canal, the first canal to
be built in this country, who in 1818 discovered a deposit of
argillaceous limestone on the line of the Erie canal. After some
experimentation he worked out a process for making cement
which was used for building the locks, aqueducts, culverts and
other masonry of that canal. The original plan was to use lime
mortar, and point the work out with imported hydraulic cement.
The Erie canal was built by the state of New York, and proved to
be a great commercial and financial success. This was followed
by the building of many canals throughout the eastern section
of our country. Some of these per se, were not financial successes,
but they contributed largely to the development of our country,
and that fact must not be lost sight of as they were built before
the days of railroads.
The building of canals naturally led to the manufacture of
cement along their lines wherever possible to do so. The cement
operations were crude, and as a rule the materials calcined in
ordinary limekilns, but presumably at higher temperatures than
when burning ordinary lime. Some of the kilns may have been
specially built vertically, like those on the Lehigh canal to be
referred to later. In all early operations the grinding was accom-
plished on ordinary buhrstones, such as were in general use at all
gristmills.
348 MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO.
The Lehigh Canal — That part of the Lehigh canal from
Mauch Chunk to Easton {46^4 miles), begun in 1825 and com-
pleted in 1829, was built by Josiah White, Erskine Hazard and
George F. A. Hauto. The management was under the super-
vision of Josiah White, an uneducated but a shrewd, resourceful
man of Quaker stock. In 1827, two years after they began
work, they employed Canvass White, who had aided in building
the Erie canal, as their chief engineer. They manufactured their
own cement, the first reference to which is contained in a report
to the board of managers of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Com-
pany, by Josiah White under date of January 12, 1828, in which
he says:
"The discovery of hydraulic lime on line of the canal has afforded the
advantage of giving greater permanency to the works without a heavy addi-
tion to the cost; and I have much pleasure in stating that I have recently
discovered a method of producing artificially this invaluable article by com-
pounding the materials of which it is composed and which are found to exist
in the greatest abundance on the shores of the Lehigh. * * *" (Hazard's
Register, Vol. I, page 91.)
In a brochure published in 1912 by William Glace, Esq., he
gives his father, Samuel Glace (born 180.5, died 1892), credit for
building these cement kilns for the Lehigh canal, presumably
under direction of Josiah White. He says there were two plants
where cement w^as manufactured, the first on the west side of the
river at Lehigh Gap, where, as discovered later, there was but a
limited supply of cement-making material. That plant was
abandoned in 1830, and a second one erected at Siegfried on the
eastern side of the river. He describes the specially designed
kilns, of which there were four at each plant, as ranging from 10
to 15 feet in height, those at Siegfried being the higher. He says
they were conical in shape, sloping in at the top. The Siegfried
plant was destroyed by the flood of January, 1841, and the loca-
tion is now occupied by the Lawrence Cement Company. It is
well-known that the Lehigh canal passes through the very heart
of the great cement rock deposits of Lehigh and Northampton
counties, in which two counties more Portland cement is being
manufactured than in any other part of the world of like size,
amounting in 1929 to about 23 per cent. of»all made in the United
States. I was told by James Smith, a noted contractor, that
MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO. 349
even the lime mortar made from stone of that locaHty was of
superior quality.
The Delaware Division Canal — The State of Pennsyl-
vania built the Delaware Division canal between Easton and
Bristol (60 miles). It was begun in 1827, some boats passing
through by 1832, but owing to faulty construction was not
regularly opened until 1834. This is the canal, now under lease
to the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, that flows through
Riegelsville, past the place of this meeting, and is the only canal
remaining in this country which continues to be operated by
mule power.
Hydraulic Cement Manufactured in Bucks County
We have records of two plants in Bucks County where natural
hydraulic cement was ground for the Delaware Division canal,
one at the Narrowsville locks, about four miles south of Riegels-
ville, the other in Solebury Township, near New Hope. These
were both crude affairs.
Narrowsville Plant — The limestone for the Narrowsville
operation was in fact quarried in Holland Township, Hunterdon
County, New Jersey, opposite Monroe (now Lehnenburg) in
Bucks County, Pa., where it was burned in ordinary limekilns.
On a draft of the survey of the Delaw^are Division canal, made in
1827, on file at Harrisburg, the location of the Holland quarry is
indicated as "cement kilns." The clinker was loaded on Durham
boats and floated down the Delaware, about three miles, to the
Narrowsville gristmill, on the Pennsylvania side, in Nockamixon
township, Bucks County, then owned by Samuel Rufe, where it
was ground on ordinary buhrstones. This old gristmill stopped
grinding some years ago; the water-power was obtained from the
Delaware River by means of a wing-wall dam.
From an official report of H. G. Sargeant, general engineer
of the Delaware Division canal, to Thomas G. Kennedy, the
superintendent, under date of November 20, 1829, it appears
that most of the hydraulic cement used on that canal was manu-
factured at the Narrowsville plant, and that they continued
grinding during the season of 1830. This report is found in
Hazard's Register, Vol. V, page 184, as follows:
350 MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO.
"Lock No. 20 (the Narrowsville lock) would have been erected this season
only that it is located directly in front of and occupies a part of the ground
on which a gristmill now stands, where most of the hydraulic cement used on
the line is manufactured, * * *"
This operation is also referred to in the New Jersey Geological
Survey of 1868, page 525, to which my attention was first
called by my good friend, the late Dr. David T. Day of the
United States Geological Survey. At that time I made for him a
careful sampling of the exposed ledges in the Holland quarry near
the river, and found it to be a dolomite with 20 per cent, of silica,
and in that respect suitable for natural cement ; the other constit-
uents were 6.66 per cent, sesquioxide of iron and alumina, 40.56
per cent, carbonate of lime and 32.34 per cent, carbonate of mag-
nesia. The magnesia was entirely too high for the Portland cement
of a later day, the highest limit of which, formerly fixed by stand-
ard specifications at four per cent., was in 1916 advanced to five
per cent, in the finished cement.*
William Piatt, known locally as "Lofty" Piatt, born February
28, 1818 (died April 24, 1908), who lived all his life near the
Holland quarry, then a lad of 11 or 12 years, remembered this
operation of quarrying the stone and burning it in the limekilns
and sending it off on Durham boats for grinding at the Narrows-
ville gristmill, and on different occasions explained the operation
to me. In like manner my grandfather, Michael Fackenthal, Jr.,
(1795-1872) often spoke to me about the manufacture of cement,
as herein stated.
The Solebury Township Operation — -The other Bucks
County cement operation was at the limestone quarries of Asher
Ely in Solebury Township, located about two miles north of
New Hope and one mile west from the Delaware River. This
* Since presenting this paper two other dolomite quarries in Holland
Township, near the Presbyterian Church, have been sampled; both are about
1,500 feet east of the Delaware River, where old limekilns are still in evidence.
It is likely that cement clinker was also burned there, although the analyses
with lower silica are not as suitable for cement as the higher silica in the
quarry above referred to, which is located a few hundred feet farther north
and much nearer the river. The analyses are:
Nearest the Farthest
Conglomerate North
Silica 3.16 12.38
Iron and Alumina 2.24 4.92
Carb. ofLime 58.85 50.75
Carb. of Magnesia 35.81 31.30
MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO. 351
limestone was also calcined in ordinary limekilns and ground in a
gristmill nearby on the same property, located on Primrose Run,
from which power was derived. This run discharges its water
into the Delaware River at Philips gristmill, since converted into
a community house. During July, 1930, I visited these quarries,
accompanied by Dr. Benjamin L. Miller, professor of geology at
Lehigh University, who is studying the limestone and cement
deposits of Pennsylvania for the State Geological Survey, and
John F. Magee, general engineer of the Alpha Portland Cement
Company; we were piloted by Warren S. Ely, who was born on
the adjoining farm and knew in detail by tradition the history of
cement having been manufactured there. We examined two
openings from which limestone is said to have been quarried for
cement; these were sampled for analyses, the result shows them
to be dolomites, one of them with enough silica and alumina for
making natural cement, and from that one the supply was doubt-
less drawn. The analysis shows 16.80 Silica; 1.71 Sesquioxide
of Iron; 5.01 Sesquioxide of Alumina; 57.60 Carbonate of Lime
and 18.16 Carbonate of Magnesia. This quarry is now part of
the property of Prof. Richard G. Wedderspoon, professor of
landscape painting at Syracuse University, who makes his sum-
mer home there. At the time of our visit the quarry was being
cleaned out preparatory to making a sunken garden of that part
below the surface of the ground. The old abandoned gristmill
where the clinker was ground is still standing. It belongs to
William L. Ely, who is operating a stone-crushing plant nearby.
The cement was manufactured by Asher Ely, grandfather of
William, who was born on that farm July 11, 1768, (died August
12, 1855). His account books are in possession of William, and
contain entries showing shipments from 1829 to 1833, mostly to
contractors who built the Delaware Division canal, with its locks,
culverts, aqueducts and other masonry. Thus we find shipments
to Dorrance & Company, May 2, 1829, of 401 bushels of cement
at 22 cents per bushel, about 60 cents per barrel; to John Van
Gregory & Company, June 15, 879 bushels at the same price; to
James Wallis of Bristol, August 15, 824 bushels, and on Septem-
ber 8, 900 bushels, both lots at 20 cents per bushel; to Lewis S.
Coryell, October 22, 940 bushels; November 5, 1,015 bushels,
and on December 5, 192>^ bushels, all at 21 cents per bushel.
These shipments all in the year 1829, cover the very time when
352 MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO.
the canal was building. There are records of later shipments
down to 1833, doubtless when the canal at New Hope was having
the water-wheel erected to supply additional water from the
Delaware River to feed the lower levels of the canal.
On the same pages of Asher Ely's account book, are also
recorded shipments of lime, showing that cement was not con-
fused with lime. Lime was sold at 15 cents per bushel; wood
cost $2.75 per cord; labor 50 cents per day, and no doubt long
days at that. It appears from an old letter addressed to me by
the late John Ruddle, then General Supervisor of canals, that
the cement used on the Delaware Division canal was not of the
same good quality as that used on the Lehigh canal.
RosENDALE NATURAL Cement — Natural cement was made
in large quantities in different localities and shipped under many
different names, but that made in the Rosendale district in Ulster
County, New York, deserves special mention. In 1898 nearly 42
per cent, of all natural cement made in this country was ground
there. Shipments from that territory were mostly by Hudson
River boats from Rondout, now part of Kingston. The Lehigh
district during that year was third on the list, with shipments of
but nine per cent.
Cement Containers — In earlier years all cement was packed
in barrels, weighing about 376 pounds net, and the barrel has ever
since been the standard of measurement. Barrels were gradually
replaced with cotton sacks holding one-fourth of a barrel or 94
pounds of Portland cement. Cotton sacks can be used but four
or five times until they are worn out. This burden falls mostly
on the cement companies and is, indeed, a costly item. About
10 per cent, of them are not returned and about 16 per cent, of
those returned are worn out and go to the scrap pile. The inven-
tory of one large company, with offices in the Lehigh Valley, in
1922, contained an item of over 18 million cotton sacks, old and
new, valued at $1,462,896. The shipments of that same com-
pany in one year amounted to 64,216,648 cotton sacks, enough,
when empty, to make 1,500 full car loads. Another company,
whose headquarters are also in the Lehigh Valley, in 1925, had
in like manner an inventory of $1,000,000 for cotton sacks, all of
which in a few years became a total loss. One might dwell on
MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO. 353
the evolution of the cotton cement sack, and write an interesting
paper, with illustrations, to show how many of them were con-
verted, mostly by foreign laborers, into under-drawers.
Over the past few years large shipments of cement are being
made in paper bags. These are patented and made with five
separate layers of paper. ^ One company advises me that 39 per
cent, of its shipments during 1929 were in paper, and another
company advises me that 50 per cent, of its present shipments
are in paper bags. This container may in time replace cotton
sacks altogether, just as cotton sacks replaced barrels.
Portland Cement Discovered — Was first made in 1824 by
Joseph Aspdin, a bricklayer of Leeds, England, by mixing lime-
stone and clay, calling his product "Portland Cement," because
blocks made with his mixture resembled in color and texture the
oolitic limestone quarried on the Isle of Portland in the English
channel. Although he did not burn his material to incipient
fusion, which has since been made an essential point in this pro-
cess, he was the first to use an artificial combination of argilla-
ceous and calcareous substances and to him properly belongs the
credit for making the first Portland cement, and the name he gave
it has ever since adhered to it.
Portland Cement in America — To David O. Saylor, of the
Coplay Cement Company, of Coplay, Lehigh County, Pa., must
be given the honor of having made the first Portland cement in
this country. He protected his process by letters patent dated
September 26, 1871, but regular shipments from his new plant
did not begin until several years later. This company had been
manufacturing natural cement since 1866, and Mr. Saylor carried
on successful experiments, obtaining an intimate mixture of
argillaceous and calcareous substances in proper proportions,
burning them to incipient fusion and pulverizing his product
until he obtained a Portland cement, a product so superior to the
natural cement then in use, that it became only a question of
time when it largely replaced natural cement. The replaccr
ment was however quite gradual, because there was not full con-
fidence given to it, and large quantities of imported Portland
1 Since this paper was written paper bags with four layers of paper are
gradually replacing those with five layers.
354 MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO.
cement continued to be used. It was not until 1900 that ship-
ments of Portland cement passed those of natural cement. In
1921, the proportion of natural cement shipments fell below one-
half of one per cent., but over the past four years it has advanced
to one and one-quarter per cent.
In the early manufacture of Portland cement the mixture was
calcined in circular upright kilns, known as shaft kilns, at first
using wood and later coal for fuel. It was not until 1886, long
after Portland cement was in general use, that horizontal rotary
kilns came into use; these at first were but 24 feet long. In 1909,
Thomas A. Edison patented rotary kilns having a length of 150
feet and over. That length has been greatly exceeded until now
such kilns are made 400 feet long. In the manufacture of
Portland cement about three per cent, of gypsum is added
subsequent to calcination.
Amount of Cement Manufactured and Imported — The
following table, prepared for me by John F. Magee, General
Engineer of the Alpha Portland Cement Company, shows the out-
put of all cement made in the United States since its discovery in
1818 down to the close of 1929; also a memorandum to show the
amount of cement imported from 1878 to 1929 inclusive. Another
memorandum shows some of the changes which have taken
place in its processes and manufacture.
Raw Materials
First Made By— Ancient Ron
Process of Hand-
Manufacture andfu
only E
Final Preparation Calcii
of Product of wa
The r
slakes
Hydraulic Properties Mort;
hydra
Tensile Strength No pr
adhes
Chemical Composition Si
of Finished Product F
A
C
N
S
c
354 MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO.
cement continued to be used. It was not until 1900 that ship-
ments of Portland cement passed those of natural cement. In
1921, the proportion of natural cement shipments fell below one-
half of one per cent., but over the past four years it has advanced
to one and one-quarter per cent.
In the early manufacture of Portland cement the mixture was
calcined in circular upright kilns, known as shaft kilns, at first
using wood and later coal for fuel. It was not until 1886, long
after Portland cement was in general use, that horizontal rotary
kilns came into use; these at first were but 24 feet long. In 1909,
Thomas A. Edison patented rotary kilns having a length of 150
feet and over. That length has been greatly exceeded until now
such kilns are made 400 feet long. In the manufacture of
Portland cement about three per cent, of gypsum is added
subsequent to calcination.
Amount of Cement Manufactured and Imported — The
following table, prepared for me by John F. Magee, General
Engineer of the Alpha Portland Cement Company, shows the out-
put of all cement made in the United States since its discovery in
1818 down to the close of 1929; also a memorandum to show the
amount of cement imported from 1878 to 1929 inclusive. Another
memorandum shows some of the changes which have taken
place in its processes and manufacture.
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MANUFACTURE OF HYDRAULIC CEMENT IN BUCKS CO. 355
OUTPUT OF ALL CEMENT MADE IN THE UNITED STATES FROM
1818 TO 1929, inclusive
Years
Barrels
Natural i
Cement*
Per-
cent-
age
Barrels
Portland
Cement
Per-
cent-
age
Barrels made
in United
States
Barrels
Imported
Cement
1818 to 1829
1830 to 1839
300,000
1.000,000
100
100
300,000
1,000,000
1840 to 1849
4,250,000
100
4,250,000
1850 to 1859
11,000,000
100
11,000,000
1860 to 1869
16,420,000
100
16,420,000
92,000 in 1878
1870 to 1879
22,000,000
99.63
82,000
.47
22,082,000
106,000 in 1879
1880 to 1889
43,463,858
96.80
1.477,000
3.20
44,940,858
8,380,198
18.65
1890 to 1899
1900
81,334.491
8,749.130
82.48
50.77
17,282,834
8,482,020
17.52
49.23
98,617,325
17,231,150
24,020,574
2,386,683
24.36
13.85
1901
7,357,512
36.88
12,711,225
63.12
20,068,737
939,330
4.69
1902
8,522,860
33.10
17,230,644
66.90
25,753,504
1,963,023
7.62
1903
7.556,167
25.27
22,342,973
74.73
29,899,140
2,251,969
7.53
1904
1905
1906
5.169.376
4,855,496
4,537,021
16.29
12.13
8.90
26,505,881
35,246,812
46,463,424
83.71
87.87
91.10
31,675,257
40,102,308
51,000,445
968,409
896,845
2,273,493
3.06
2.21
4.46
1907
1908
1909
1910
3,444,952
1, 838,3 13
1.698,284
1.235,190
6.60
3.48
2.55
1.59
48,785,390
51,072,612
64,991,431
76,549,951
93.40
96.52
97.45
98.41
52,230,342
52,910,925
66,689,715
77,785,141
2,033,438
842,121
443,888
306,863
3.85
1.59
.67
.40
1911
1912
1,019,321
913,095
1.28
1.10
78,528,637
82,438,096
98.72
98.90
79,547,958
83,351,191
164,670
68,503
.20
.08
1913
851,971
.92
92,097.131
99.08
92,949,102
84,630
.09
1914
819,596
.92
88,230,170
99.08
89,049,766
120,906
.14
1915
793,541
.92
85,914,907
99.08
86,708.448
42,218
.05
1916
842,137
.91
91,521,198
99.09
92,363,335
1,836
.01-
1917
639,456
.68
92,814,202
99.32
93,453,658
2,323
.01-
1918
432,966
.61
71.081,663
99.39
71,514,629'
305
.01-
1919
528,589
.65
80,777,935
99.35
81,306,524
8,931
01
1920
1921
767,481
539.402
.76
.46
100,023,245
95,507,147
99.24
99.54
100,790,726
96,046,549
524,604
122,322
,52
.13
1922
1923
889,428
1,271,674
.75
.93
117,701,216
135,912,118
99.25
99.07
118,590,644
137,183,792
323,823
1,678,636
.28
1.22
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1,418,461
1,751.725
2,031,851
2,158.323
2,213,645
2,159,130
256,774,442
1,787,016
.96
1.10
1.24
1.23
1.25
1.25
8.91
1.11
146.047,549
157,295,212
162,187,090
171,864,728
175,838,332
169,868,322
99.04
98.90
98.76
98.77
98.75
98.75
147,466,010
159,046,937
164,218.941
174,023,051
178,051,977
172,027,452
2,010,936
3,655,317
3.232,386
2,050,180
2,284,085
1.727,900
1.36
2.30
1.97
1.18
1.28
1.01
*1930
2,624,873,095
159,059,334
91.09 ;
98.89
2,881,647,537
160,846,350
66,009,345
975,546
.61
' Includes Puzzolan Cement.
» In 1918, during the World War, the manufacture of cement fell to ;
i minimum.
and the
imports to 305 barrels.
* Statistics for 1930 obtained after this paper was written.
New Light on the History of Tin Plating
By RUDOLF P. HOMMEL, RICHLANDTOWN, PA.
(Riegelsville Meeting, September 13, 1930)
THE writing of this paper was suggested by a paper which
Dr. Mercer, our late president, read before this society at
the Chalfont meeting, October 22, 1912, on the "Common
Tinder-Box of Colonial Days" (See Vol. IV, page 360).
In that paper he referred to the history of tin plating and
gave all the data then available to him.
Tin plating was of great importance in Colonial days, as can
readily be seen if we recall the tinder-box made of tinned sheet
iron found in almost every home, as well as other articles such as
perforated stable lanterns, coffee-pots, knife boxes, candlesticks,
tin kitchens and such other like utensils. With these facts in
mind you will better understand why I am submitting this paper
to our society, rather than to one of the scientific bodies where
papers of a technical nature ordinarily belong.
The early history of tin plating in England has heretofore
been linked with the name of Andrew Yarranton. He relates in
his book, "England's Improvement by Sea and Land" (Gent.
1698), how he was sent to Saxony to learn the process of tin
plating. He succeeded and was able to induce some German
platers to come with him to England. Regarding the history of
tinning plate-iron he relates that the art was first practiced in
Bohemia and that thence it w-as brought to Saxony about the
year 1620 and that thereafter the w'hole of Europe was supplied
with tin-plate from Germany.
The German notion about the origin of tin-plating as expressed
by Beckmann (History of Inventions, 1799), and held since that
time, is that it was invented either in Bohemia or Germany.
Feldhaus (Die Technik der Vorzeit, Leipzig and Berlin, 1914)
gives as earliest date 1546, when George Agricola mentions the
plating of the heads of iron pins with tin, and 1551, the date when
Hans Freiherr von Ungnad received the permission to carry on
the plating of sheet iron at Waltenstein in Styria.
Much earlier reference to tin-plating I found in the "Schedula
Diversarum Artium" by Theophilus Rugerus, probably of Hel-
mershausen, who wrote in the 12th centurv. He gives directions
NEW LIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF TIN PLATING 357
for tinning of iron in Liber III, caput XCI. Pickling with acid
does not seem to have been known then, for he advises to file
the parts which should be plated, and not to touch them again
with the hand, but put the article into the pot of molten tin
with tallow on the surface, and stir it around until the articles
become white. After removal from the pot the plated article
should be shaken and cleaned with chaff and linen.
Further interesting data about the origin of tin-plating
yielded a publication,^ issued in the year 1928 by the city of
Wunsiedel (Bavaria), to commemorate its having been raised to
the dignity of a free city six hundred years ago. Learned
archivists have in this memorial brought to light curious facts
about the early history of Wunsiedel and it appears that the art
of tin-plating was practiced there long before it became known
in Bohemia and Saxony.
Legends' current in the Fichtelgebirge relate that in olden
times foreigners came to prospect for precious ores. In this
connection it is interesting to recall that Mathew Paris (ca. 1200-
1259) in his Historia Anglorum relates how a Cornish man fled
his country after having committed a murder and discovered
afterwards in Germany tin in the year 1241. Another, equally
interesting point, worthy of mention is that in Cornwall and
Devon, the English tin-producing districts, there were so-called
Stannary Courts to the regulations of which all the tin mines
were subject. The court is mentioned already in two charters
of King John (1199-1216). The Stannary Prison was in Lydford
and its evil reputation is still current in West Devon in the
saying, "Lydford law, or hang first and try afterwards."' Of
the tin industry in the Fichtelgebirge we know that in the 15th
century its increasing importance led to the establishment of a
Zinnergericht, Stannary Court, in Wunsiedel and in Weissenstadt.
Caspar Bruschius in his description of the "Vichtelberg" of
1542 says that Wunsiedel is indebted for its first development
into a community to the exploitation of tin mines which were
worked in the neighborhood already in the 14th century.* It is
1 Jubilaeums-Schrift der Stadt Wunsiedel 1326 and 1328 to 1928. Pub-
lished by the City of Wunsiedel, 1928.
2 Loc. cit., page 153.
3 Dartmoor and Its Antiquities by J. L. W. Page, London, 1889.
* Jubilaeums-Schrift, page 107.
358 NEW LIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF TIN PLATING
also expressly stated^ that the fame of the tin industry of the
Fichtelgebirge was due to the tinning of nails and sheet iron
which was carried on in Wunsiedel, as documents show, already
in the 14th and 15th century.
A new era dawned for the tin-plating industry in Wunsiedel
through the efforts of Sigmund Wann (died in 1469). He lived
at a time when Margrave Johann, called Alchymista, reigned in
Bayreuth from 1440-57. Young Wann, the son of a Wunsiedel
baker, followed the trade of his father, and as a journeyman on
his prescribed tour went to Venice. By chance he met, and was
received into, a secret society of alchemists, and later eloped
with a woman from their midst. Arriving at his home he married
her and both then carried on the trade of tinning (Zinnerei).
The tradition also has it that they knew how to separate gold
and silver from the tin ore, but certain it is that Wann practiced
the tinning of sheet iron on a large scale and in the course of time
made a large fortune from which he freely gave (ca. 1452) to
build a church and to found and richly endow a hospital. The
Wunsiedel product of tinned goods was sold in Nuremberg,
Frankfurt on Main, Naumburg, Leipzig and Breslau, and found
its way into distant countries. At the Leipzig Fair alone Wun-
siedel tin plate realized usually more than 4,000 florins (a florin
was about 50c). To easily recognize the Wunsiedel product
the tinned sheets were stamped with an eagle and a lily. The
tin was produced in the Fichtelgebirge and the iron came from
the adjoining Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz).
The enormous dimensions of the business roused English
enterprise and it was long before Andrew Yarranton's time that
English merchants made efforts to procure the secrets of manu-
facturing tin-plate. About 1596 a Nuremberg export merchant
was approached by one of his English customers to try and per-
suade some of the Wunsiedel tinners and sheet iron beaters
(Blechschlager), no doubt for enticing considerations, to leave
their home and proceed to England, and there introduce their
flourishing trade of tinning. The Nuremberg merchant com-
plied and the next time he met some of the Wunsiedel tinners he
took them into his confidence and had willing listeners. They
showed themselves willing to further the plans and received
earnest-money. Apparently to make the final arrangements
s Loc. cit., page 108.
NEW LIGHT ON THK HISTORY OF TIN PLATING 359
they left Nuremberg for Wunsiedel, but actually with resentment
in their hearts they denounced the merchant in every inn on
their way back and bragged how they had fooled him out of the
earnest-money, which they considered a well applied fine. A
hundred years later this flourishing trade had almost died out
in Wunsiedel. The reason was that the trade had spread to
Bohemia and Saxony where the manufacture could be carried
on cheaper and whence the ware could be shipped via the rivers
Moldau and Elbe directly to Hamburg and intermediate points.
Further search in the archives of Wunsiedel may bring to
light some more data about the early history of tin plating. Tin
plating was known before the time of Sigmund Wann,
and the reason for the business to assume such large proportions
seems to have been that he improved the manufacture. Per-
haps it was that he introduced the process of pickling the sheet
metal with acids. Theophilus in the 12th century did not yet
practice it. In fact the knowledge of acids came from the Ara-
bians, and from the Anterior Orient it naturally would have
spread northward via Spain and Italy. I take it as not without
significance that the meager accounts of Sigmund Wann stress
the point of his connection with alchemists in Venice, the very
source from which he could have secured valuable information
to further the tin plating industry.
Oil Portrait of Henry Chapman Mercer, Sc. D., LL. D.
presented by mr. albert rosenthal of huffnagle house,
bucks county, pa.
unveiled at fonthill, may 13, 1931
Presentation Address of Mr. Rosenthal
SOME thirty years ago, when engaged in developing the
series of Portraits of the Signers of the Constitution of the
United States for Independence Hall. I had among my
photographs one of James Francis Mercer, Signer from Mary-
land, from a miniature by Robert Field, with this inscription,
"Owned by William R. Mercer, Doylestown, Pennsylvania."
I had etched this portrait some years before. I wrote to Mr.
William R. Mercer (the elder), asking permission to copy the
miniature. In reply I received a delightful letter "that he was
pleased to accede to my request and he would be glad to have
me come to Doylestown to do the work and that I should bring
my grip along and stay awhile, and that I would enjoy driving
with him around the beautiful country. "It will give me an
opportunity to repay the courtesies, you showed my son, some
years ago." Here for the first time, I met Dr. Henry C. Mercer.
And during the years following, I had the pleasure of seeing him
in Philadelphia and calling on him in Doylestown.
When I purchased the Huffnagle place (near New Hope), he
phoned me and expressed his pleasure and gratification that it
had come into my hands, assuring, he said, a real restoration.
Subsequently, he called a number of times at Huffnagle to see
its development and presided at the meeting of the Bucks County
Historical Society, held there in 1928. I can recall no one in my
generation, in Pennsylvania, who held such a position locally,
nationally, and internationally as Dr. Mercer. His activities
have resulted in things of permanent value, unusual and logical
and constructive in character. It was a real pleasure to me to
paint this portrait, and to present it to "Fonthill." I feel it an
honor and distinction, to thus have associated myself with him
and to have this portrait in this wonderful building. This
monument to his free, untrammelled and audacious personality.
oil portrait of henry chapman mercer 361
Remarks of Dr. B. F. Fackenthal, Jr.
President of the Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum
On Accepting the Portrait of Dr. Mercer
Mr. Rosenthal: I am delighted to accept this portrait of Dr.
Henry C. Mercer, not only in my official capacity as president
of the Fonthill Trustees, but also for the peculiar pleasure that
it gives me personally.
I congratulate you, sir, on the wonderful and faithful likeness
which your brush has given us. I am pleased too that it is to be
hung in Fonthill, the creation of his genius, which Dr. Mercer
loved so well, and where he made his home over the last eighteen
years of his life.
Two oil paintings hang on the walls of the Bucks County
Historical Society's museum. One, "The Rescue of the Colors
at the Battle of Fair Oaks," by William T. Trego, a son of Bucks
County, presented by John Wanamaker in 1899, which tells a
most interesting story.
It was Dr. Mercer, himself, who told me of a letter he had
received from a distinguished foreigner who had visited our
museum during the lifetime of General Davis, who, standing
before that canvas explained to him the details of that battle,
and pointed out his own portrait. On his return to Europe, after
touring the United States, this visitor wrote to Dr. Mercer,
saying that one of the things that impressed him most in America,
and that would linger in his memory, was the living portrait of
that aged man, the hero of two wars, standing before that historic
picture and living over again the years of his younger life.
The other painting is from the brush of Daniel Garber,
another adopted son of Bucks County, presented to our Historical
Society June 15, 1918, of the so-called Whittier House, located
on the Healy Farm in Solebury Township, where the Amesbury
poet lived from 1837 to 1840, and where he wrote some of his
poems, which gives this old house its historical value.
And now another adopted son of Bucks County, Albert Rosen-
thal, has presented to Fonthill, an institution closely allied to
our museum, this splendid portrait of that great student, potter
and scientist, Dr. Henry C. Mercer. I know that the painting
of this portrait had been for him a labor of love and because of
his admiration for Dr. Mercer, and that Mr. Rosenthal has taken
362 OIL PORTRAIT OF HEXRY CHAPMAN MERCER
peculiar pleasure in the study and painting of his friend in honor
not only of us, his living friends, and the County of Bucks, but to
the history of the world as well.
Again I thank you, Mr. Rosenthal, on behalf of the Trustees
of Fonthill for this wonderful life-like portrait, but still more for
the happy thought that inspired its creation.
Addresses of appreciation were also made by Col. Henry D.
Paxson, E. Wesley Keelor, Esq., and Rev. G. M. Whitenack, Jr.
Early History of Keller's Lutheran Church, Bedminster
Township, Bucks County
By rev. WILLIAM J. HINKE, Ph. D., D. D., .\UBURN, N. Y.
(Doylestown Meeting, May 2, 1931)
SOME years ago, while collecting data for the history of the
Tohickon Lutheran Church, the writer ran across what
seemed to him a surprising fact, one altogether neglected by
earlier historians, namely, that there were two Lutheran con-
gregations near the Tohickon creek, both of them called Tohickon
or Tohecka in the early records. The natural result has been,
that these two churches have been badly confused and that
references which properly belong to one church were attributed
to the other. The first of these is Tohickon Union Church, near
the village of Keelersville, in the extreme western corner of Bed-
minster township, and the other is Keller's Church, in the upper
end of Bedminster township, "standing upon a prominence along
the Ridge road with the Tohickon creek winding along its base."
These two churches, about 3>^ miles apart, were never served
by the same pastors, but the references to them in historical
documents have been constantly confused.
The very first reference to Tohickon in the Halle Reports,
the well-known letters sent by Muhlenberg and his associates to
their friends in Halle, Germany, has suffered this fate of being
misinterpreted. On June 15, 1754, Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg
wrote to Dr. Francke at Halle as follows:
"At a river called Tohicon, about twenty-two miles from
Providence [now Trappe, Muhlenberg's home] there is a fairly
large congregation of High German Lutherans, who for ten
years [1744-1754] have been visited as' much as possible by our
Ministerium, and was last served by Messrs. Rauss and Schultz.
But. inasmuch as the congregation is somewhat remote, also too
poor to support a minister alone, indeed is not able to raise even
the half or the third part of a sufftcient salary, in union with
other congregations, and as it ought to have services every
second or at least every third Sunday .... we are much perplexed
about it. The congregation has built, with great effort and
cost, a schoolhouse and parsonage. But we do not know how
364 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
to help them, because the financial support is lacking. They
are very sad that we cannot help them, as we would like to do,
and they believe that they are abandoned for other reasons."
(Hallesche Nachrichten, new ed.. Vol. II, p. 186.)
I. Pastorate of the Rev. Lucas Rauss, July, 1751, to
August, 1753
We must now add the first reference to Tohecka (Keller's)
in the minutes of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania.
On June 17, 1750, two delegates from Tohecka were present at
the third meeting of the Ministerium at Mr. Muhlenberg's home
at Providence. (Minutes, p. 28.) These two references to
Tohickon find no support in the Tohickon record, but they are
confirmed throughout by the Keller record. Hence they must
apply to Keller's church. Both Muhlenberg and Keller's church
record agree that Lucas Rauss was the first pastor at Keller's
church near the Tohickon. Rauss opened the Keller record with
an elaborate title page, part of which may be translated as follows :
"Church Record or Protocol of the Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation at the Toheka, [begun] by me Lucas Rauss, regu-
larly called pastor." On page 3 of the record, Rauss has entered
an interesting statement about himself:
"In the year of the gracious birth of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ 1751, I, Lucas Rauss, born at Cronstadt, in Sieben-
burgen [Transylvania] received a call to the forsaken Evangelical
Lutheran congregation at the Toheka, in Bedminster township,
Boox [Bucks] county, Pennsylvania. The call was handed to
me in New York by his Reverence, Mr. Henry Melchior Muhlen-
berg. It was signed by the three oldest ministers of the United
Evangelical Ministerium in Pennsylvania. As a result, imme-
diately, namely on June 8th (old style), of the same year, I began
my journey to Pennsylvania, and, under the divine protection, I
reached New Providence on June 15th. Thereupon, on July 7th
of this year 1751, in the name of the great Jehovah, I delivered my
introductory sermon. May the Lord of the harvest, according
to His infinite mercy and His burning love for mankind, gather
much precious wheat upon this field into His heavenly barns and
may He grant to all spiritual planting and watering His increase."
The arrival of a settled pastor stirred up considerable activity
EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 365
in the congregation. On August 14, 1751, the church record was
bought for nine shillings. On August 17th, a warrant was taken
out for the church land, for which warrant two shillings and six
pence were paid. The church land was surveyed on February 6,
1752, and was found to contain 20 acres and 12 perches. It was
granted to Henry Acker, Henry Keller and Christian Stoneback,
as trustees of the congregation. But the trustees failed to
secure a patent for the land and it was not until May 7, 1857,
that the transaction was concluded and the patent was issued
upon the payment of 60 dollars and 47 cents.
The congregation also set to work, almost immediately, to
build a schoolhouse, in which divine services were held. On
March 30, 1752, Rauss records a baptism of Abraham Nicla, son
of Valentine Nicla and of his wife, Anna Elizabeth, which took
place in the schoolhouse, at which Abraham Deck, schoolmaster,
and his wife, Anna Maria, acted as sponsors. The parsonage
was probably erected at the same time, for in 1754 Muhlenberg
refers to it as in existence. Rauss entered into the record
twenty-five baptisms, beginning July 28, 1751, and ending
August 26, 1753, and during the same time also seven burials.
From his entries we might infer that he was a fully ordained
minister, when he came in 1751, but such was not the case. In
his report of 1751, Muhlenberg states:
"I announced to the congregations [Old Goshenhoppen,
Indianfield and Thickon] that we did not know" of a minister
for them. That they could have neither Mr. Kurtz nor Mr.
Schrenck, but that there was a student who could serve as cate-
chist, namely Rauss, whom they had heard a few times. He
was at their service on trial for a year. They answered that if
they could not have Mr. Kurtz, they would take Mr. Rauss on
trial. I replied, that I could not do this by myself, that they
would have to present a written request at our next meeting,
which was done, they asking for our supervision and care as well
as for Mr. Rauss, until we could help them in some better way."
(H. N., II, 10.)
Turning to the minutes of the Ministerium for 1751, we find
these statements fully corroborated. They state:
"Old Goshenhoppen and Indianfield have called the catechist,
Mr. Rauss, as their regular teacher, and this shall be granted
366 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
them as soon as possible, if he will accept their call." (Minutes,
p. 35.)
The church record confirms another statement of Muhlenberg,
namely, that Rauss and Schultz (who was pastor at New Goshen-
hoppen) labored together at Keller's church, for we find that the
first confirmation entered into the record, was held May 31, 1752,
by Mr. Schultz (Record, p. 295). Frederick Schultz arrived in
Pennsylvania in 1751, was made Muhlenberg's assistant in New
Hanover, where he also resided. From there he supplied every
two weeks New Goshenhoppen and from 1753-1755 also Indian-
field. While stationed at New Hanover, he made occasional
visits to Keller's church, to administer the communion and con-
firm catechumens, until Rauss himself was ordained in 1752.
On November 5, 1752, Rauss together with Mr. Schrenck were
ordained to the ministry, in the church at Providence, "to lighten
the toil and labor of the older ministers, and also by reason of the
necessity of the circumstances," as the Minutes put it. (Min-
utes, p. 39.)
After his ordination Rauss remained at Keller's and affiliated
churches until the fall of 1753, when Muhlenberg offered to send
him to York. Rauss indignantly rejected this offer, saying, the
members of the Ministerium w^anted to get rid of him, by sending
him so far away as to endanger his life. (H. N. I, 663.) Rauss
quarreled not only with Muhlenberg, but also with his churches.
Hence he was compelled to retire from Indianfield and Tohickon
(Keller's), in the fall of 1753, but he maintained himself at Old
Goshenhoppen until 1758, when he removed to York county.
There he continued as an independent Lutheran minister, preach-
ing to some rural churches, but he also practiced as a physician.
He died there July 11, 1788.
Rauss rendered one important service to Keller's church. He
entered the names of the earliest church members into the church
record, recording not only the names of the male members but
adding the names of all the other members of the earliest families,
together with the places of their nativity and the dates of their
coming to Pennsylvania. As this information will no doubt be
of interest to their descendants, we give the main facts from the
record. In September, 1751, the following persons were members
of the congregation :
EARLY HISTORY OP' KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 367
I. NAMES OF ELDERS:
1. Henry Keller, b. Jan. 9, 1708, at Wyerbach, Naum-
burg-Baden; married Oct. 20, 1728, Juliana, da. of
Peter Kleindienst of Wyerbach. They had ten chil-
dren. They came to Pennsylvania, Sept. 19, 1738.
2. Henry Acker, b. 1700, son of Henry Acker, of Spa-
bach, in Alsace; married 1728, Anna Catharine
Schaefer of Frischdorf. They had thirteen children.
They came to Pennsylvania in 1732.
n. NAMES OF DEACONS:
1. Christl\n Steinbach, b. Dec. 25, 1710, at Rublin-
gen in Langenburg-Hohenloh ; married 1732 Anna
Dorothea Schafer. They had nine children. They
came to Pennsylvania in 1732.
2. Andrew Ziegenfuss, b. 1726, at Beydenkirchen in
Darmstadt; married Feb. 1748, Anna Madgalene
Laurenz. They had two children in 1752; came to
Pennsylvania in 1738.
III. NAMES OF CHURCH MEMBERS:
1. Jacob Loch, b. about 1684, at Weyerbach, in Naum-
burg-Baden; married twice, his second wife Anna
Sybilla in Sept. 1719. They had seven children;
came to Pennsylvania in 1739.
2. Valentine Nicla, b. 1719, at Weibelskirchen, in
Nassau. In 1738 he married Elisabeth Schenck.
They had eight children. They came to Pennsyl-
vania in 1738.
3. Stephan Ackermann, b. May 7, 1700, near Heil-
bronn, Wurtenberg. Married in Aug. 1731, Eva
Braun. They had twelve children. Came to Penn-
sylvania 1738.
4. John George Schwarz, b. at Hinterbach, in the
principality of Erbach. Married in 1738 Anna Bar-
bara Repscher. They had six children. Came to
Pennsylvania in 1749.
368 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
5. John Philip Zimmer, b. April 2, 1723, at Traben, in
Burkenfeld. Married in 1745, Maria Margaret Heinz.
They had three children in 1752. They came to
Pennsylvania in 1748.
6. John Michael Fischer, b. Aug. 21, 1725, at Idar in
Oberstein-Leiningen. Came to America in 1746.
Married in 1750, Anna Dorothea Acker, da. of Henry-
Acker.
Rauss also records that "Jacob Loch, Valentine Nicla and
Stephan Ackermann were installed by the Rev. Handschuh on
November 14, 1751, as church elders at Tohecka, in the house
of Henry Keller." These elders probably took the places of
those mentioned in the above membership list, which bears an
earlier date.
H. Pastorate of the Rev. John Henry Schaum,
October, 1754, to August, 1758
When Rauss retired from Keller's church, he was succeeded
by John Henry Schaum. Schaum had been ordered to leave
York as soon as possible and assume charge "of the smallest and
poorest congregation at the Tohickon, to preach there and to
keep school." (H. N., I, 663.) In December, 1756, Muhlen-
berg reported: "Mr. Schaum in Tohecka has been recovering his
strength for some time. Nevertheless, he can hardly be in any
other than miserable circumstances, as his congregation is very-
poor." (H. N., H, p. 214.)
According to Keller's church record Schaum came to Keller's
in October, 1754. From that time to August, 1758, he entered
39 baptisms into the record. On November 30, 1755, John
Henry Schaum and his wife Dorothy had a son, Philip Henry,
baptized. The father himself entered the baptism. In the
financial accounts for the year 1758, it is stated that Christoph
Siegman, the treasurer, paid the Rev. Mr. Schaum five shillings
as salary. If that was the quarterly payment, the total salary
was pitiably small.
John Henry Schaum was the son of a pious schoolmaster,
born in the neighborhood of Giessen. Germany. He received
EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 369
his education in the institutions of Dr. Francke at Halle and at
the university of Halle. In 1745, he came to Pennsylvania. He
was at first sent as schoolmaster to Germantown. In 1747, he
was transferred to Raritan, New Jersey. In the following year
he accepted a call to York. In 1749, he was ordained at Lan-
caster. He labored in York and neighboring churches until a
division occurred in his churches, when it seemed wise to transfer
him to another congregation. Through the instrumentality of
Muhlenberg he came to Keller's. In February, 1758, Muhlenberg
wrote about his ministry:
"Mr. Schaum has served one or more little flock at the
Tohikon creek and during the winter he has taught school. In
worldly things he has been content to live in poverty, because
the people among whom he lives are mostly poor. If God per-
mits and conditions allow, I would gladly take him next spring
as my assistant in my congregations at Providence and New
Hanover." (H. N., II, p. 247.)
In the year 1759, Schaum actually moved to Falckner Swamp,
where he assisted Muhlenberg and also preached at Oley, Pike-
land and Lower Dublin. In the spring of 1762, he took up his
residence in the territory of his congregations, residing at White-
hall, Lehigh County. When in the following year Moselem, in
Berks County, became vacant, he accepted a call from that con-
gregation. He preached there until his death, January 26, 1778.
Schaum was highly esteemed b>' Muhlenberg, being one of his
most faithful co-laborers.
III. Pastorate of the Rev. William Kurtz,
September, 1758, to October, 1760
Schaum's successor at Keller's church was William Kurtz.
He also had been trained in the orphanage of Dr. Francke at
Halle, had studied theology in Germany and had come to Penn-
sylvania i whither his brother, John Nicholas, had preceded him)
in 1754. Shortly after his arrival he became the assistant of
Muhlenberg at Providence. In September, 1758, he was sent as
catechist to Tohickon (Keller's), under the supervision of Muh-
lenberg. In October, 1758, Rev. John F. Handschuh' reported
to Halle: "Mr. Kurtz is still holding forth bravely with the
370 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
people at Tulpehocken and his younger brother is at present on
trial at Tohecka." (H. N., II, p. 254.)
In the Keller's church record there are thirteen baptisms
entered by Mr. Kurtz, extending from September, 1758, to
October, 1760. The last baptism which he entered is that of
his own daughter, Susanna, born August 8th, baptized October 2,
1760. i\mong the miscellaneous entries, there is an interesting
item relating to Mr. Kurtz. "On Dec. 13, [1758] I, Wm. Kurtz,
have given from the alms money six pence good currency to a
poor Irishman, provided with good testimonials." (Record,
p. 369.) Kurtz was ordained in Lancaster in 1761. He then
became his brother's assistant at Stouchsburg and Bernville,
1763-1764. From 1764-1779, William Kurtz served New Hol-
land and Conestoga, in Lancaster County, after that he moved
to Lebanon, where he ministered until his death. (H. N., II,
p. 232.)
The departure of Kurtz from Keller's at the end of the year
1760, marks a turning point in the history of the congregation.
It passes now under the control of independent Lutheran minis-
ters, men about whom little is known.
IV. Pastorate of Conrad Daniel Walther,
February, 1761. to November, 1761
The first of these independent ministers, not in connection
with the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, was Conrad
Daniel Walther. His name appears on page 170 of the
record, in a list of communicants, who communed on May 10,
1761. He enters his name in the list as "Conrad Daniel Walther,
p. t. pastor" and Mary Magdalene, his wife. On page 295 of
the record Mr. Walther enters a list of catechumens, to which he
prefixed this heading: "Anno 1761, May 10th, being Pentecost,
the following children were confirmed by me. Rev. Walther."
Among the baptismal entries Walther entered on pages 151-152,
nine baptisms, from February 22, 1761, to September 6, 1761.
Another communicant list was entered by him, dated November
2, 1761, so that his ministry seems to have extended from Febru-
ary to November, 1761. Where he came from or what became
of him afterwards is unknown to the writer. His name is not
found in any Lutheran source book or history accessible at present.
EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 371
V. Pastorate of Otto Haase, April, 1762. to April, 1764
Walther was succeeded by Otto Haase, another independent
minister, about whom Uttle is known. He arrived at Phila-
delphia on the ship Elizabeth, September 5, 1751. In 1762, he
began his ministry at Keller's church. He heads his baptisms
with the following statement: "1762, at this time, I, Otto Haase,
through the divine call of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
was called to be the public teacher, preacher and schoolmaster
of the congregation." He entered thirty baptisms from April,
1762, to April, 1764.
It was during the ministry of Haase that an important event
occurred, mentioned by Muhlenberg in his diary for the year
1763. It was the building of a church, about which Muhlenberg
writes as follows:
"On Wednesday, February 2nd [1763| towards evening some
men from the Tohicon congregation came to see me and asked
for a collection towards their new church building. I gave them
my mite, but told them to look for more from other friends."
(H. N., II, p. 523.) This cannot refer to the church now known
as Tohickon, because that had been an independent church
from the beginning, with which Muhlenberg had had no dealings.
It must have been Keller's church on the Tohickon, to which
Muhlenberg refers constantly as Tohicon or Toheka. Besides,
the church at Tohickon was not dedicated until 1766. It cer-
tainly did not take them three years to build a church. Every
consideration, we believe, favors the conclusion that the church
to which Muhlenberg made a contribution in 1763 was Keller's
church at the Tohickon.
VI. Pastorate of John Michael Enderlein, August, 1766,
TO July, 1770
In the year 1766, we find a new preacher at Keller's church.
It was John Michael Enderlein. He entered his first bap-
tism on August 10, 1766. From that date to July 1, 1770, Ender-
lein entered forty-three baptisms. Two of the baptized were
his own children. On March 1, 1767, was baptized John Paul,
son of John Michael Enderlein and his wdfe, Anna Barbara. A
son Peter was baptized October 29, 1769. When Enderlein
372 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
came to Keller's church, he was still a catechist. This is stated
by Muhlenberg himself. He writes, under date October 31,
1778: "The catechist, Mr. Enderlein, who years ago was awak-
ened in the revival services of the sainted Rev. Mr. Stark at
Frankfurt, kept school in Philadelphia for some time, was then
sent to some distant congregations as catechist, and of late lived
with his family at Shamokin, has now become an exile, having
been compelled to flee, because of the uproar made by the hostile
Indians, together with other inhabitants of that place." (H. N.,
II, p. 733.) This statement of Muhlenberg is corroborated by
the church record. On page 296 of the record we find an entry
of catechumens, who were confirmed on April 24, 1766, by Mr.
Boskirk, pastor of Germantown, because as catechist Enderlein
could not confirm them.* But the entry in the record was
made by Enderlein. It is in his handwriting. On April 3, 1768,
Enderlein himself entered a number of catechumens, with the
following statement: "Names of the children who were con-
firmed on Good Friday, April 1, 1768, and admitted to the Lord's
Supper on Easter, April 3, 1768, by me, John Mich. Enderlein."
Enderlein also entered ten marriages, from September, 1766,
to April 24, 1770. Among them is one which deserves notice.
It reads: "On February 6, 1770, there were married by Chris-
topher Gobrecht, the Reformed minister (who sent me the
certificate signed by his own hand), John Philip Lambach,
schoolmaster, a widower, and Barbara Benner, daughter of
Peter Benner, single, both Reformed." I am inclined to think
that the reason why Gobrecht sent this marriage record to the
Lutheran minister was because Lambach was the schoolmaster
of the Lutheran church school, in the schoolhouse at Keller's
church.
During part of the time that Enderlein was at Keller's church,
namely, during the years 1769 and 1770, he also officiated at the
Indianfield Lutheran church, where he entered ten baptisms.
When Enderlein left Keller's church in 1770, it was appar-
ently without a regular preacher for some time. In June, 1772,
eight baptisms were entered in the record, but we cannot tell by
whom. Most likely by a visiting preacher. In September of
the same year, the minutes of the Lutheran Ministerium report
verbal information sent to the "rerraining vacant congregations
* This confirmation may have taken place before the arrival of Enderlein.
EARLY HISTORY OF KKLLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 373
on the Tohecka," that they could not at present be cared for.
(Minutes, p. 131.)
In 1773, the minutes of the Ministerium report a petition
from the congregations in Indianfield and Tohicon "for a preacher
who would suit their conditions, because they do not yet have a
parsonage and can raise only a small salary, and would like to
have a gifted preacher." (Minutes, p. 141.) The Ministerium
replied, that the nearest minister in Goshenhoppen, "would,
God willing, visit them as soon as possible and serve them with
the means of grace, until we could see how matters will go in
future." (Minutes, p. 142.) We are unable to say whether
God was unwilling that the Goshenhoppen pastor should visit
Keller's. At least there are no communicant lists in the record
between 1770 and 1774. The congregation was most likely
vacant during this period.
VII. Pastorate of Peter Frederick Niemeyer, May, 1774,
TO December, 1783
The next minister to officiate at Keller's church was Peter
Frederick Niemeyer, another independent preacher, for whom
one looks in vain in the official Lutheran records. He landed in
Philadelphia on the ship Queen of Denmark, September 11, 1752.
What became of him during the next twenty-two years we have
not been able to discover. In May, 1774, he appears as the
pastor of Keller's church. On Pentecost, 1774, the record
states: "The following persons were admitted to confession and
the Holy Communion by me. Rev. Fred. Niemeyer." His
baptisms begin May 26, 1774. From that date to December 7,
1783, he entered 144 baptisms. From 1774 to 1782, Niemeyer
was also ministering to the Indianfield Lutheran church, where
he entered 101 baptisms. On May 26, 1782, Hannah Niemeyer
and Elizabeth Niemeyer, two daughters of the pastor, appear
among the catechumens of that year, who were confirmed.
VHI. Pastorate of Anthony Hecht, as Catechist,
1784-1788
With the departure of Niemeyer another vacancy occurred.
In May, 1785, the Lutheran Ministerium reported: "The con-
gregations at Tohicon, Upper Dublin and North Wales desire to
374 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
have Mr. Hecht, who formerly kept school, as their preacher,
and petition the Ministerium to ordain him. Mr. Hecht himself
was not present, and only a few members of the Ministerium
know him ; therefore answer was made to the congregations that
their request could not be granted." (Minutes, p. 200.) In
1786, the Ministerium appointed a committee to examine Hecht
and, if found satisfactory, to license him. In 1787, several
letters were laid before the Ministerium, asking for the ordina-
tion of Hecht, but the Ministerium replied that they could not
ordain him now. (Minutes, p. 215.) To Hecht are probably
due a number of irregular baptisms that are found in the record
between 1784 and 1788. He probably retired in the latter year,
as there is another break in the baptismal entries.
IX. Pastorate of G. J. Wichterman, June to October, 1791
On June 20, 1791, "two delegates from the Township Bed-
minster, in Bucks County, asked in the name of the congregation
for Mr. Wichterman as the pastor, whereupon it was
"Resolved, That Mr. Wichterman write a brief exposition on
John 3 : 16, and that afterwards he be more fully examined on this
passage and his exposition." (Minutes, p. 238.) After the
exposition handed in by Wichterman had been read and he had
been further examined, the Ministerium "found that it might
well venture to give said Wichterman a license for one year."
In Keller's record the entries of Wichterman begin on June 26,
1791. He entered four baptisms between that date and October
9, 1791. On October 9, 1791, the following entry was made by
Wichterman on page 12 of the record:
"A meeting of the consistory was held, at which Michael
Dieterle was elected elder in place of Mr. Muth, and Frederick
Konig in place of Christian Stein, as deacon, by majority of
votes.
G. J. Wichtermann, Licentiate."
In 1792, the Ministerium received letters "from his former
and his present congregations, both speaking well of him. In
the latter his ordination w^as requested. Resolved, that his
EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH 375
license be renewed." (Minutes, p. 245.) In 1793, Wichterman
is reported as serving the Allentown congregation. At Keller's
his presence can be traced from June to October, 1791.
X. Pastorate of Anthony Hecht, February, 1792, to
October, 1794
In 1792, their former schoolmaster and preacher, Anthony
Hecht, reappears in the church record. During the intervening
years he had been ordained by an independent Lutheran minister
and as a result he had to function independently of the Minis-
terium. His successor has left us a rather sarcastic but pic-
turesque description of Mr. Hecht. He writes: "My pre-
decessor was not what one would call a learned theologian. He
wanted to become a tobacco-raiser. Dr. Helmuth related to me
that he could not get him to learn the five [Latin] declensions
nor the Greek alphabet. He answered him that he could not
get any edification out of them. The Ministerium did not
receive him, but he was ordained by one of the ministers in the
backwoods. Yesterday I was requested to show^ a little more
energy in the pulpit. My predecessor, they said, had hammered
the pulpit most frightfully and had shouted murderously, all of
which the people liked very much." (H. N!, I, p. 269.) Hecht
ofificiated as pastor at Keller's church from February, 1792, to
October, 1794, during which time he entered thirty-three bap-
tisms. As his name appears several times in the communicant
lists of the year 1793, we are able to identify his chirography,
which in turn helps us to fix the length of his pastorate. Hecht
died while pastor of the congregation and was buried in the
graveyard adjoining the church. The German inscription on
his tombstone may be rendered as follows in English :
"Here rest the bones of
Anthony Hecht
fallen asleep in faith
late Evangelical Lutheran pastor here,
who died December 29, 1794.
His age was 31 years, 3 months and 23 days.
His parents were Anthony Hecht and Sophia Hecht."
XL Pastorate of Rev. August Henry Sc
August, 1795, to August, 1798
A new minister appears upon the scene at Keller's church in
1795. It was the Rev. August Henry Schmidt. He heads his
■baptisms with the statement: "List of children baptized by me,
August Henry Schmidt, pro tempore pastor." From August,
1795, to August, 1798, he entered 74 baptisms.
On May 24, 1796, the minutes of the Ministerium state (p.
286) that "a certificate of ordination and several testimonials of
August Henry Schmidt, a Lutheran preacher from Germany,
were read." He requested to be received into the Ministerium.
In- reply it was resolved to recognize him as an ordained preacher,
but it was declared that they could not receive him as a member
of the Ministerium, "before it becomes evident that his conduct
agrees with his testimonials from abroad."
August H. Schmidt arrived at Philadelphia with his wife and
two children on July 7, 1795, on board of the ship Concord. On
his arrival he was kindly received by the Rev. Dr. Helmuth, who
gave him a letter of recommendation to the congregation of
Tohickon (Keller's) and Springfield. Schmidt gives a vivid
description of conditions then prevailing in his congregations,
in a historical magazine, published in Germany. He states,
that he was promised in his call a salary of sixty pounds, together
with the use of the parsonage, located about forty-five minutes'
walk from the Tohickon (Keller's) church. He was also prom-
ised the necessary fire wood, a meadow for three cows, a horse,
and one Spanish dollar for every catechumen confirmed, as well
as for every wedding and funeral the same amount. There were
about 130 families in his two congregations. "My two churches,"
he writes, "are really very pretty, the one at Tohickon has even
an organ. I like the order of worship." (H. N., I, p. 269.)
This statement of Schmidt regarding the organ is confirmed
by the church record, in which we find on page 360 a long list of
161 subscribers to an organ fund, headed as follows: "We the
subscribers promise to pay on or before October 12, 1792, for
the organ, which is to be erected in Bedminster church, the fol-
lowing sums in gold or silver, Pennsylvania currency." A note
at the end of the list states that "all the above sums have been
paid in full by the several persons who subscribed in behalf of
EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER 's LUTHERAN CHURCH 377
the organ in Solomon's church, in Bedminster township." This
is the first time that the name "Solomon's church" appears in
the record.
During the ministry of Schmidt, Henry Lohr appears as
schoolmaster of the congregation (Record, p. 285). In 1798,
Schmidt removed to Easton, where he ministered for a number
of years, but the Ministerium refused to admit him as a member,
even after repeated requests. (Minutes, p. 329.)
XII. Pastorate of Frederick Sanno, May, 1801, to
April, 1803
After the removal of Schmidt, the congregation was vacant
for several years. In 1801, a new pastor appeared, namely,
Frederick Sanno. On June 15, 1802, an application was made
by "Friedrich Sanno," from Keller's, Tinicum and Springfield,
to the Ministerium for examination, whereupon, with two other
candidates, he was examined and licensed as a catechist, and
w^as placed under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Schafer. In June,
1803, Frederick Sanno, from Bedminster, was present at the
Synod at Baltimore. He reported for that year 63 baptized, 38
communed, 39 deceased and one school. At the same meeting a
call came from the congregation at Carlisle for Sanno. He was
allowed to accept the call.
Judging from his handwriting at Keller's, Sanno ministered
there at least from May, 1801. There are two earlier baptisms,
entered by his hand, but it is likely that he entered them upon
his arrival in 1801. He officiated at Keller's from May, 1801,
to April, 1803, during which time he entered fourteen baptisms,
which shows that he was rather careless in entering his pastoral
activities, as there ought to be 63 baptismal entries for 1802
alone, according to his report to Synod.
With Sanno's ministry Keller's church passed again under
the control of the Lutheran Synod and the period of independent
ministers was definitely at an end. The record of the later
pastors, beginning with John Nicholas Mensch, 1804-1823, is
well known. Hence we can bring our sketch of the early history
of Keller's church to a close. Having followed the guidance of
the early church record of the congregation, supplemented by the
Hallesche Nachrichten and the minutes of the Ministerium, we
378 EARLY HISTORY OF KELLER's LUTHERAN CHURCH
have, I believe, successfully reconstructed the early pastorates
of the congregation and with that accomplished our task is done.
The summary of our findings is as follows:
About 1744, origin of the congregation.
1744-1750, visits of Muhlenberg and others.
1750, two delegates from Tohecka at the meeting of the
Ministerium.
Pastorates
1. 1751, July to 1753, August, Lucas Rauss.
2. 1754, October to 1758, August, John Henry Schaum.
3. 1758, September to 1760, October, William Kurtz.
4. 1761, February to November, Conrad Daniel Walther.
5. 1762, April to 1764, April, Otto Haase.
6. 1766, August to 1770, July, John Michael Enderlein.
7. 1774, May to 1783, December, Peter Frederick Niemeyer.
8. 1784 to 1788, Anthony Hecht, catechist.
9. 1791, June to October, G. F. Wichtermann.
10. 1792, February to 1794, October, Anthony Hecht, pastor.
11. 1795, August, to 1798, August, August Henry Schmidt.
12. 1801, May to 1803, April, Frederick Sanno.
13. 1804, August to 1823, May, John Nicholas Mensch.
The Ancestry of John Stover Fretz
By MRS. JOHN STOVER FRETZ, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, May 2, 1931)
I HAVE been asked to prepare a paper on the History of the
Fretz Family. A complete account of all of the branches of
which is far beyond the limits of my allotted time. I have,
therefore, limited my paper to my husband's direct line.
Naturally enough, in the history of a family, three pertinent
questions arise: Where did the family primarily come from?
Why did they come? Where did they settle^
To understand the situation, it is necessary to realize that
they were, primarily, religious enthusiasts, who were willing to
give up everything earthly for the sake of their religious freedom
and beliefs. They were German Mennonites.
The family originated in the Rhine Palatinate in Germany,
where they, evidently, had lived for many years. They were a
thrifty, successful, peace-loving group and, above all else, desired
that they should do right in the sight of God and man. The
Palatinate, at that time, consisted of a number of small princely
holdings, which were governed by over-lords, much the same as
the feudal system in England.
It was about the time that the religion of Martin Luther had
stirred the world, and a Friesian priest, who renounced his church,
whose name was Menno Simon, who founded the sect of the
Mennonites. The leading features of their belief was their
refusal to take oaths, and their doctrine of infant baptism. For
these doctrines, persecutions followed, and matters went from bad
to worse, until the devout believers were no longer allowed to bury
their dead in consecrated ground. In many respects, this sect
resembles the Society of the Friends, which was a corresponding
religious movement in England originated by John Fox. It was
because of their similar faith, and the fact that W^illiam Penn
had offered an asylum for all such persecuted, that the great
migrations to America began. There were two or three such
departures from the homeland for the new country. When one
realizes that everything was given up, their friends, their homes
and possessions, all that was dear to them and for which they had
380 THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ
lived, that they might go to a strange land infested with savage
Indians and wild beasts, over seas in none too safe sailing vessels,
all for the sake of their religious and conscientious beliefs, makes
one surprised at their faithfulness to their creeds. Very few
today would give up their homes for any religious faith.
We are. particularly, interested in three brothers, Christian,
John, and Mark. These were the original pioneers. (Mark
died on the voyage over.) They landed in Philadelphia in 1725.
In the tax-lists, muster-rolls, etc., the name is spelled variously,
as Fretts, Frets, Fritz, Fresh, due to the fact that the family being
German, could not spell in English, and the rolls were kept by
English people, who could not spell in German; hence, the
phonetic manner of spelling. The correct spelling, as it appears
in the German records, is von Fritsch and is, probably, a patro-
nymic meaning, "son of clearness." The family coat-of-arms
has been definitely traced by Julius F. Sache, Litt. D., formerly
curator and librarian of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia and
for many years treasurer and one of the chief historical authorities
of the Pennsylvania German Society.
The original pioneer of my husband's family was John Fretz..
He was a weaver by trade and settled for a time in Upper Salford
Township, now Montgomery County, where he married Barbara
Meyer. In 1737, he bought 300 acres of land in Bedminster
Township, Bucks County, where he was one of a committee to
form the new Township of Bedminster in 1742. He was an
important man in his day.
He and his wife were Mennonites and were members of the
Deep Run Mennonite Church and are buried in that graveyard.
He died in February, 1772. His will was written January 29,
1772, and probated March 3, 1772, recorded in Bucks County
Will Book.
John and Barbara (Meyer) Fretz had five children, the third
being Christian Fretz.
Christian Fretz was born in Upper Salford Township, then in
Bucks County, May, 1734.
During the Revolutionary War, he was a private in the Bed-
minster Township Company, Third Battalion, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania Militia, under Captain William McHenry. 1777-
1779. The Bedminster Company were "Associators."
In 1757, he married Barbara Oberholtzer. He died May 1,
THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ 381
1803, and is buried in the Bedminster Mennonite Burying
Ground.
Christian and Barbara (Oberholtzer) Fretz had twelve chil-
dren, the first being John Fretz.
John Fretz was born in Bedminster Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, May 24, 1758. He purchased land adjoining the
homestead in Bedminster Township and lived there until 1792,
when he purchased 300 acres of the Rodman tract in Warwick
(now Doylestown) Township and settled there, building the
stone house, which was torn down in 1898. He purchased con-
siderable land, owning, at one time, 800 acres along both sides
of the Neshaminy, marked on old maps of that region as "Fretz
Valley," by which name it is still known.
He was a private in the Bedminster Company, Bucks County
Militia, in Captain William McHenry's Company, 1782.
He married Ann Kratz. He died on December 20, 1804, and
is buried in the Doylestown Cemetery.
John and Ann (Kratz) Fretz had nine children, the first being
Christian Fretz.
Christian Fretz was born in Bedminster Township, November
17, 1782, and lived there until he was ten years old, when his
father moved to Warwick Township, where Christian lived all of
his life. He w'as a successful business man and owned a great
deal of real estate in that township. He established the Fretz
Valley Inn, near the old homestead on the Philadelphia Road,
which he conducted for a number of years, dying there on January
28, 1840.
He married on April 14, 1808, Mary Stover, and they had
five children, the third being Philip Kratz Fretz.
Philip Kratz Fretz was born at the "Fretz Valley Inn," in
Warwick Township, September 14, 1813.
He succeeded his father as owner of the "Inn," which he con-
ducted for a short time, until January 9, 1846. He was exten-
sively engaged in contract work in partnership with his brother-
in-law, John Farren, and was one of the contractors who built the
Horse Shoe Curve for the Pennsylvania Railroad over the Alle-
gheny Mountain, and, also, built the stone bridge at Bridge
Point. He was president of the Democrat Club of Pennsylvania
before the Civil War. He w^as married at Point Pleasant, Penn-
sylvania, on February 18, 1841, to Anna Stover, by Rev. Silas
382 THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ
Milton Andrews. In February, 1861, he and his wife joined the
Doylestown Presbyterian Church. He died on March 13, 1867,
on board the steamship, "Henry Chauncy," off the coast of the
CaroHnas, while on his way to California to visit his brother. He
was buried at sea.
Philip Kratz Fretz and Anna (Stover) Fretz had four chil-
dren, the fourth being John Stover Fretz. the special subject of
this paper.
Ralph Stover Fretz, brother of Philip Kratz Fretz. was born
in Warwick, November 1, 1809, died in California. June 6, 1867.
He had an eventful career. Early in life, he engaged in business
in Philadelphia and, later, came to New York City. At the
latter place, he met Commodore Garrison and became interested
with him in several important enterprises. For some years, he
ran a line of steamboats on the Mississippi River and, later,
engaged in trading and shipping enterprise with Commodore
Garrison at the Isthmus of Panama, in which he was joined by
his brothers, John and Christian Augustus. In 1849, he sailed
from the Isthmus to San Francisco, where, in connection with the
Commodore, he established a bank. The eighth clause of his
will reads as follows:
"Eighth: Considering that I have been greatly blessed and that I have
an undying attachment to the Government of the United States, the country
of my birth, and remembering that by reason of my age and infirmities during
the recent unnatural rebellion to destroy it, I was unable to render service in
the field to put down and punish that great crime, and being not unmindful
that a huge public burden of indebtedness has been necessarily incurred in
accomplishing that object, I desire not only to leave behind me when I am
gone an humble testimonial of the gratitude I feel towards those whose vir-
tues, valor and sacrifice and services preserved what I regard as the best
government that men was ever permitted to have, but beyond that and in
addition to paying the ordinary taxes on my estate, I think it my duty out of
the means Providence in His bounty has enabled me to acquire, and the Laws
of the Country has aided me to preserve, to do something towards extinguish-
ing the National Debt: Therefore moved thereto by the foregoing causes
only, I hereby give and bequeath unto the Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States of America, in trust and to be applied only towards cancelling
the National Debt, the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars."
John Stover Fretz was born in the old Fretz \"alley home-
stead in Doylestown Township, September 22, 1850. He was
but seventeen years of age at the death of his father, and resided
for some years with his brother, Philip Henry Fretz. In 1879,
THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ 383
he purchased of his brother, his residence. He soon after erected
and equipped a large steam saw mill near his residence, which was
operated for many years. He was a member of the Doylestown
Presbyterian Church and took an active interest in all charitable
work. He was the owner of the old Fretz homestead that had
been the home of his ancestors for over a century. He married,
in October, 1880, Mary W. Long, daughter of Henry Long, of
Doylestown. They had one son, Augustus Henry Fretz.
Augustus Henry Fretz was born in 1882. He graduated
from Lafayette College in 1903. His first position was rodman
for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Later, he was draftsman in the
office of the Bridge Engineer of the Delaware, Lackawanna &.
Western Railroad. In 1911, he became instructor in the Geo-
logical Department of Lafayette College, and in 1918 took his
present position as x^ssistant Professor in the Geological Depart-
ment at Lehigh University.
He married Miss Adele Steele, daughter of the Honorable
Henry J. Steele, a leading lawyer, of Easton, and a former member
of Congress from Northampton County.
In a somewhat lighter vein, there are, as with all families, a
number of anecdotes, which cannot be proven, but which are
handed down from generation to generation. Some of these
may be interesting: It was recorded that Christian Fretz, the
first, owned a very fine horse. The Indians wanted that horse,
but Christian would not sell the animal, so they came at night
and stole it. Christian visited the Indian camp the following
evening and, when all was quiet in the wigwams, he secured his
horse and rode home. A horse in those days meant a great deal,
and this was reputed to have been a very valuable animal.
One of Christian's sons, also, owned a fine horse. A foraging
group of Washington's army, while they were encamped near
Newtown, Pennsylvania, came to the Fretz farm for hay, and
the commanding officer saw the horse and determined to take
him. This was against the will of the owner, who rode the
horse up to Haycock Mountain, fording streams to cover his
tracks, although being followed by the officer. The horse was
hidden, and the officer returned. Then the boy went to the
encampment and laid the matter before the general in command,
who gave him a written order that he should retain his horse.
Thus did he win his point.
384 THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ
Another story is told of one of the early members of this
family, who owned some fine cows. One day a man rode up and
wanted to buy one of them. The owner did not wish to sell,
but the buyer did not give up and insisted that a price be set.
This price was made double what the cow was worth to discour-
age the man, but, nothing daunted, the buyer laid down the
money and drove the cow away. Later on, the former owner
talked the matter over with his wife, and they decided it was
"usury" to keep the money, which, to their simple Mennonite
faith, was a sin; so he saddled a horse and rode after the man
and gave half the purchase money back to him saying, "I don't
want to have my soul damned for a cow."
Another John Fretz, a grandson of "Weaver John," bought
three hundred acres of land in Warwick Township, thus estab-
lishing another Fretz homestead in Bucks County. He paid for
this tract of land, as he said, "with gold and silver." After
that remark, he was always known by the name of "gold and
silver."
These anecdotes might be multiplied, as like stories could be
in all family histories, but they are simply hearsay and more or
less entertaining, without any real facts to make them of value.
The outstanding work, which the family did, was the estab-
lishment of a vigorous, honorable, strong race of God-fearing,
devoted religious people, who gave their all for the tenets of their
beliefs.
The one act, which stands out, particularly, is the building
of the old Mennonite log church at Deep Run, Bucks County,
which was erected in 1746. This was a great solace to the
family, and they were largely instrumental in having that place
of worship later rebuilt with a stone edifice erected in 1766, which
stood for over a century.
W^hen one realizes that almost the whole section of country
pioneered by this family and many others is gradually falling
into the hands of a race of Italians, Hungarians, Lithuanians,
and Slavs, who are owning the farms and taking the places of
those who cut down forests and tilled the fields, it is timely to
think back of the sacrifices made and the beginning of the
country established on a religious basis. Even the boys in our
colleges and universities are largely of foreign extractions, as is
shown by their names. The older generation, who built the
THE ANCESTRY OF JOHN STOVER FRETZ
385
nation, fought for its independence, and established its ever-
lasting career, is fast disappearing.
The real function and reason for historical societies is to keep
alive the names and works of those who sacrificed and erected
our Commonwealth, and it should be our pleasant duty to ever
keep fresh and green the memory of our ancestors. Like Robert
Paterson, in Sir Walter Scott's well-known "Old Mortality," we
ought to keep the memory of those gone by.
jMennoxite meetixghouse. deep run
Bedminster Township, Bucks County, Pa. Erected in 1872. Successor of stone meeting-
house of 1756, enlarged in 1795. Meetings for worship were first held in log school-
house of 1746.
North Doylestown Borough and Adjacent Townships
By MRS. C. D. FRETZ (NEE ANNIE MEREDITH), OAK LANE. PHILADELPHIA
(Doylestown, Pa., Meeting, May 2, 1931)
EMERSON wrote, "There is no history except biography,"
and in order to know what happened we must see how and
where people have hved.
A mile north of Doylestown, the county-seat of Bucks County,
on the Easton road, was an old tavern, still standing, called the
"Cross Keys." After the death of the owner, Tobias Weisel, it
was for some years conducted by members of his family. A Miss
Hopper, of Philadelphia, was placed there by her brother to
board, considering it healthy and a quiet place for her to live.
He reckoned without his host for she would not be a shut-in, and
being fond of reading she walked to the Doylestown Library for
books. She was exceedingly stout and alternately took a few
steps and then rested. She frequently stopped at houses for
something to eat and drink. She had her favorites among the
neighbors. Mrs. William Steckel, a kindly woman, was one of
them. Mrs. Steckel had four daughters. Emma, the oldest,
was a pupil at the Ingham Seminary (Mrs. Taylor's School) and
played beautifully on the piano. During the Civil War the
children of the neighborhood met at Steckel's to pick lint for
the soldiers.
Miss Hopper was a great responsibility to her friends who
feared for her safety, especially after dark. The hostler at the
hotel, thinking to cure her, donned a sheet, and came before her
with outstretched arms. She bravely pulled it off and was only
mildly amused.
Tommy Trowers and his wife, Madeline, lived at Leather-
man's, across the way. He was a peddler, and amassed quite a
fortune for those days. People were horrified when they learned
that he went into the garret and hung himself. He is buried in
the Mennonite Graveyard on Dutch Lane.
The crossroads at the Tavern are of interest, as the one to the
left was used by the boys as a way to the old swimming pool;
nearby was the farm of Mr. Haney, who had seven sons. Two
of them w^ere. successively, teachers of the Sandy Ridge school.
NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS 387
Ezra taught the names of the states and their capitals, by chant-
ing them, e. g., "Maine, Augusta," and he taught spelling by
organizing spelling bees and "choosing sides." He later became
a Presbyterian minister and had a charge near Pittsburgh.
Abraham, the other brother, was also a very enthusiastic teacher;
he wrote in my grammar " Perseverentia Omnia vincit." The
road to the east was the dividing line between Buckingham and
Doylestown townships. The toll-house was on the side of the
latter. Old residents remember how the toll-gatherer closed
and opened the gates at certain hours at night, if he heard a
call. He had a tin box on the end of a long handle to reach out
to collect the tolls. The Intelligencer was left there to be called
for by the subscribers.
In the house later occupied by Mrs. Jacob Knight lived a
family whose little girl was run over and killed by a wagon. A
few years later, Willie Rapp, a young boy living wdth his grand-
mother, burned a large stack in Fretz Weisel's field. He was
punished by being sent away to an institution.
One of the accustomed sights was seeing Neddie Brannen
breaking stones on the pike, as the road was called. He used a
long-handled hammer to break the stones to the required size.
When asked on a hot summer day why he wore a red flannel
shirt, he replied, "to keep the heat out," and when a child was
going for Dr. McCoy because her baby sister had a box of
matches and was tasting them, he said, "They are made of sul-
phur and will be good for her."
The tree at Mercer's Corner and Dublin Road, had wide
spreading branches that sheltered many a tramp on his way to
Easton or Philadelphia. Frightened children coming home
from Sandy Ridge School in order to avoid the tramps, would
run back, climb fences and cut across the fields. In due time a
good thing was accomplished when a board walk was built from
the pavement of the town, extending nearly to the Cross Keys.
Simon Meredith bought ten acres of land across the road from
his brother Aaron and erected beautiful buildings. From this
home his daughter, Margaret, was married to Dr. Andrew J.
Yerkes. They were the parents of Edwin M. Yerkes and Carrie
Yerkes Voorhis. After living there a few years he sold the place
to John D. Smith; whose wife said, seventy years ago, "disease
was caused by germs." She read this in the newspaper Die
388 NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS
Morgenstein, published by Moritz Loeb at the brick house where
the Happs and Dr. J.N. Rich now have their offices. He and
his son Isaac were buried from there and two daughters, Flora
and Carrie, married there.
In an old-fashioned house at the bend of the road opposite
lived the Clarks. When Sheriff Albert Philips' term of office
expired he had the old house demolished and the new house built.
In a few years history repeated itself and a new one stood on the
same place, called "Aldie," the home of the Mercers. That
house was demolished in 1927 and a new one built in a more
desirable location. The grounds retain many of the old trees
and shrubs; with landscape gardening has become a place of
beauty.
In great contrast from point of age is the adjoining property.
It was the original tract including land of several hundred acres.
George Fitzwater bought two tracts containing six hundred and
ninety acres in 1737. In 1751 he died and his Executor sold the
tract to Joseph Richardson. Thomas Good bought one tract
in 1748 of 154 acres, and made improvements. Just where and
what they were the writer is not informed. He was a Quaker
from England and married Mary Jardell, of Abington, also a
Quaker. He had joined Buckingham Friends Meeting when a
young man. Becoming old by 1762 he conveyed to his son,
Thomas Good, Jr., 128 acres. Fe was the owner during the
Revolutionary period, and down to 1794. In 1776 the assessor
credited him with 198 acres and called him a Quaker; his name
was among the Non-Associators who did not join the Military
Company. He sold 77 acres to Asher Foulke. In 1796 he sold
his 74 acres to Michael Delp. In 1804 the property was again
divided. Thirty-eight acres and house were sold to Edward
and Jonathan Rice. In 1834 it was bought by Thomas Wom-
bold and he sold it to my father, Aaron Meredith, in 1852. When
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith came to see the place they were surprised
to hear Mrs. Wombold complain about her husband "never fixing
anything." The Wombold's took boarders and the family had
to sleep in the room above the carriage house. Great credit is
due Mrs. W'ombold for her beautiful f ov ers; roses, lilies, peonies,
Faster f ov ers, v hite and lavender lilacs, \\ istana, sweet-scented
shrubs, coral honeysuckle, rose of Sharon, and all the Powers we
now call old-fashioned. There was a border of currant bushes,
NORTH DOYLESTOWX BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS 389
red and yellow raspberries and blackberries along the fence, and a
grape arbor in the center, also a large box bush. In the front
yard were two large cedar trees, an arbor vitae, pine, linden,
plum, cherry, peach and pear trees; in the back yard, a very
large walnut tree and the property also had a fine apple orchard.
Two prominent men were distinguished guests in that house
during the Civil War when Major George K. Scholl, of Perry
County, Penna., visited his sister and her family. He had been
a soldier during the Mexican and Civil Wars. He was a tall,
thin, erect man. He escaped without a wound and lived to a
good old age. The other man was Dr. Simon Meredith, of
Mount Joy, Pa. His birthplace, also his father's, was at the
home where his grandfather, James Meredith, settled, now called
Pine Tree Farm.
It is thought that the Aaron Meredith house was built before
the Revolution. It had an old kitchen with a wide fireplace,
andirons, pot hooks, and an old time bake oven; a pretty floor
with a mosaic effect of stones and shining plaster was there until
the late sixties, when Aaron Meredith built a two-story addition,
remodeled the front of the house with large windows, removing
the fireplace to make room for another window, ceiling the garret
and dividing it into rooms. Two old boxbushes growing close
by the house were cut down and removed to the woodshed, to
make room to build the porch. A low, whitewashed fence was
built on a stone wall and a brick walk from the gate to the front
door, which had a lattice-work arbor, over which drooped wis-
taria flowers reminding one of bunches of grapes.
After Mr. Meredith's death it was bought by Henry W.
Gross in 1880 and is still in his family. Mr. Gross built an addi-
tion on the north side to provide a home for his mother.
On the opposite side of the Easton and Dublin Roads was
land belonging to Judge Henry Chapman. It reached to or
near the borough; along the road is a beautiful row of maple
trees, and on the Dublin side is a fine old w^oods, bordering on the
Sandy Ridge and Dutch Lane Roads. On retiring from the
judgeship, he sold his home to Oliver P. James, M. D., and built
another house on a desirable location. The place was called
"Willowmere." He died there April 11, 1891, in his eighty-
eighth year and his funeral was one of the largest that ever took
place at the Presbyterian Graveyard. His wife, Nancy, a daugh-
390 NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS
ter of Governor Shunk, of Pennsylvania, and their daughter,
Miss Fanny Chapman, have both passed away. Now the prop-
erty is in the hands of strangers. In the late eighties it was a
familiar sight seeing him riding in his carriage, as the poet wrote,
"viewing the landscape o'er." It would have been interesting
to have known his thoughts; he would visualize his parents on the
streets, entering their home, corner of Main Street and Dutch
Lane, then his mother's father. Dr. Hugh Meredith, who was
building a house for his son. Dr. Charles; later he would see Dr.
G. R. McCoy, who spent the greater part of his professional life
and died there. He would have heard the trouble they had to
get money to build the Academy, the planning of the different
houses, a vacant chair in every house. His sister, Wilhelmina,
married Mathias Morris, a man of the same profession. She did
not resemble her brother, as she had a full, round face and was
short and stout. The writer remembers seeing her sitting in the
bay window. She had several namesakes. Her daughter
married John Lyman. He made improvements to the old house
and thereafter it was known as the Lyman home. They have
descendants.
The house on the opposite corner was built for a tavern and
called the Green Tree. A man hung himself in the barn con-
nected with the hotel. Later Theodore Kinsey lived there. He
achieved success in the lightning rod business. His daughter,
Carrie, and Fanny Chapman were playmates and attended a
school at the last house on Mechanic Street.
Broad Street was opened in 181 L The first house to be
built there was occupied by Captain James Carver of the Civil
War; then Judge Richard Watson and James Lambert, and since
then has been in the Fackenthall family for three generations.
Opposite was the jail with its high stone wall; on the front yard
of the Presbyterian Manse was the Ingham Seminary. The field
Avas farmed by a lawyer and author, Caleb E. Wright, who lived
in the old Fox house. The Judge John Fox law office, being in a
desirable location, was occupied as an office by Alfred Fackenthall,
Esq., until it was removed to build the Doylestown Trust Com-
pany. Mr. Fackenthall was one of the prominent men of the
Republican party. In 1884, he served as a Presidential elector,
and for some years was chairman of the County Republican
Committee. He was also greatly interested in the Order of
NORTH DOYLESTOWX BORO. AND ADJACP:NT TOWNSHIPS 391
Odd Fellows, having passed the chairs of the Grand Encamp-
ment of the State.
Miss Agnes Brunner was six years old when her parents
moved to their lovely colonial house on Mechanic Street. She
remembers a minister, the Rev. Alexander Vaughn, sitting in the
yard at the corner. "I thought him a very smart man as he was
always reading." In Davis' "Doylestown Old and New" he
wrote, "The seed from which the Reformed Church grew was
planted by a minister, Rev. A. Vaughn, of this denomination
who had a classical school here in 1858. He preached occasion-
ally in the Methodist Church."
Passing by the old houses on Mechanic Street, we go down the
hill, Church Street, and see the Clear Spring hotel. It has a
never failing spring of water. A one-time owner gave it to the
town. A man was killed there one windy day when a trap door
blew down on him while walking between the hotel and the barn.
Across the street was the "oldest house," a log house in which
lived Casper Rhodes (Rhot) and his family; it was removed to
the Historical Society grounds. He is remembered as pasturing
his cow along the sides of the road, while his wife worked by the
day for the Chapmans, Dr. James, Baker Hahls, and the Mere-
diths. Her wages were fifty cents a day; she went to Florida to
visit a son, where she died, and is buried there.
The Presbyterian Church is the second one to be built. It is
on the corner of Mechanic, Church and East Court Streets.
Rev. Silas M. Andrews was a much loved minister who had
preached there fifty years. He was the Superintendent of the
Sunday school, which was held in a frame building at Court and
Church Streets, near the corner of the graveyard. He talked
in an impressive way. One day to show how soon life could
end, he gave an example of a girl dying, simply by cutting her
finger in breaking a thread. Another time he wished to have the
number of Bible verses recited to teachers. His method was
first for those who had recited five to stand up, then those of ten
to stand up. One time the only one who had ten was a little
girl; he called her name and said "why can you not do as well as
she did?"
The Sunday School held in the afternoon was called the
Infant School, taught by Mrs. Chapman and Mrs. Taylor.
These kind ladies gave up their afternoon rest to teach little
392 NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS
children things never to be forgotten. A chart was on the wall,
containing the letters of the alphabet, each one with a Scriptural
line. "A is for Adam who was the first man," etc.
One time Mrs. Chapman took a little girl on her lap fondling
her saying, "The little country children coming so far this hot
day." We learned a great many hymns: "Little drops of
water, little grains of sand," "The morning bright with rosy
light," "There is a happy land, far, far away," "Like mists on
the mountains, like ships on the sea," and others.
We recited verses on the blue tickets; when having a certain
number we received red ones. We learned the commandments.
One time Mrs. Chapman saw a boy picking cherries and explained
how wrong it was breaking the Sabbath day.
The rich and poor, the educated and illiterate, have left their
imprint on the town, and the transmission of mental charac-
teristics is very apparent.
No history of Doylestown would be complete without an
account of the first settler, James Meredith, born in Wales,
descended from Owen Glyndwr, the prince of Powys. He came
to America in 1708, and served as a Lieutenant during the
Colonial and Indian Wars. In his will, made in 1774, he be-
queathed land for a schoolhouse where children of the neighbor-
hood could be educated. He divided his land between his sons,
Simon and Thomas, and gave his son, Hugh, who was lame, a
medical education. Hugh was the first physician of the town
and surrounding country and prominent in its afTairs. He gave
land for a Potters' Field, where the bodies of persons of every
color and condition of life might be interred.* His name is
among the signers for the removal of the County Seat from New-
town to Doylestown in 1784. He established a library. Several
houses built by him still show good material and workmanship.
The most attractive one of these was for his son, Charles, later
belonging to Dr. Gilbert Rodman McCoy, and after his death,
it became the property of his granddaughter, Miriam Watson,
* The Union Academy erected in 1804, was partly built by subscription
and partly by lottery, $6,000 being raised by the latter means. Hugh Mere-
dith was one of the commissioners. The lot on which it was built at the
southeast corner of Court and Broad Streets was the gift of John Hough, of
Warwick Township, and the deed was executed, September, 1804, to Charles
Meredith, of New Britain. (From Davis' Doylestown Old and New, page 49.)
NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS 393
daughter of Judge Richard Watson, who had married Henry A.
James, Esq.
The family beUeved in a Higher Power, controlling the
destinies of man, as their old Welsh coat-of-arms testifies.
Translated it means, "Without God Nothing. With God Every-
thing."
When in Wales, they heard the command, like men of Bible
times, leave the place of thy birth, cross the ocean, conquer
opposing forces, and I will give thee, the land for thy inheritance.
It has been fulfilled — by the survival of the fittest.
An uncle of James Meredith, living in New Jersey, had an
invalid son, and he made a proposition that the land he owned
along the Neshaminy, should belong to James if he would go
there and care for his son. When the son died, James bought
the land at sheriff's sale which had been intended as a gift for
the care of his cousin. Many generations of these three sons
are living. Four descendants met at Fonthill a short time
before the passing of Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer. Two of
the sons of Simon, one of Thomas, and Dr. Hugh. His last
words to them, "What have they done worthwhile?" The
answer to that question is to study the lives of those gone before.
The old homestead of this ancestral land was the birthplace of
three generations who were valuable members of society.
Great changes have taken place since those early days — the
Revolution, the Civil W'ar, the Spanish-American War and the
World War.
Mary, the wife of James Meredith, rode on horseback to the
Episcopal Church in Philadelphia of which she was a member.
Now, her granddaughter of the fifth generation, in her motor
car can pass over the same road in less than an hour, or hear the
church services in her own home over the radio.
Sixty years ago people laughed over Mother Shipton's proph-
ecy, "Carriages without horses shall go." How^ true it is that
the principle of continuity runs through the life history of this
family, a summation of what they have thought and done has
reached a climax like plants of long growth coming into flower
and fruit.
Dr. Hugh Meredith's daughter, Elizabeth, married Abraham
Chapman. They were the parents of Judge Henry Chapman,
who in 1844 built the house, now the summer home of Miss
394 NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS
Sarah James. Almost opposite in the north corner of the Court
House Park is the beautiful and artistic Memorial Fountain,
designed by his grandson, Mr. William R. Mercer. It was
chosen from five other designs, submitted by some of the leading
sculptors and artists of the country. It occupies an appropriate
location near the old home. The artist will remember his grand-
parents, parents, his brother, his aunts, Mrs. Bigelow Lawrence
and Miss Fanny Chapman, his uncle, Arthur Chapman, and
sister, Leila, who married Lieutenant Von Fiedler. She is not
laid at rest in the nearby Presbyterian graveyard, but in far
away Germany, with her husband and his people.
In early times the only burial places were the Presbyterian
and Methodist church yards. A demand was made in 1840 for a
public cemetery. Ten acres of land were bought. The first
interment took place January 4, 1851, being the body of a Mr.
Trueman. In 1870 a plot of ground adjoining and about the
same size was added. East Court Street was known as Academy
Lane. At the cross-roads was a beautiful white house, where the
Silas Atkinson's lived, and when it was burned down every
one was sorry, for the house and grounds were most attractive.
A short way to the east a street was opened called Maple
Avenue. Several modern houses were built there, and a Semi-
nary known as Linden Female Seminary was established, now
the residence of Dr. Robert L. Walter. It was a boarding and
day school. The principals were Rev. L. C. Sheip and Prof.
Henry H. Hough, with a staff of competent teachers. The
school was started in Masonic Hall in 1869 and proving a success,
a lot was purchased, whereon a suitable building was erected
and the pupils transferred in the spring of 1872. The school
prospered for a few years. Mr. Sheip died February 17, 1897.
He had been superintendent of the Doylestown Public Schools
from 1879 to 1890. Mr. Hough was appointed to a position in
the Pension Bureau, Washington, where he died in 1902. The
artist, Thomas P. Otter, Harry Lloyd and Alfred Fackenthall
had special classes in drawing, Latin and botany. One of the
pupils finding an early spring flower, Draba Verna, analyzed it
correctly, which was the beginning of her interest in that study.
Later in life she was assistant and wife of the botanist who revised
the catalogue of Wild Flowers of Bucks County for Davis' His-
tory.
NORTH DOYLESTOWN BORO. AND ADJACENT TOWNSHIPS 395
Descending the hill we see Fonthill, the arboretum, the bird
sanctuary and the little stone house which Dr. Mercer generously
gave to Bucks County. The latter was once the home of Wilson
Harding. He is remembered doing carpenter work for the
neighbors. His by-word was "sure." He had at least two chil-
dren, Miss Sue and Mrs. Hill.
In the early seventies, Mr. Aaron Meredith bought a beautiful
level field below the hill; adjoining it was a picturesque spot, a
pool from Cooks Run and swampy ground, where grew dog tooth
violets, and spring beauties, and tall beech trees where visitors
cut their initials. In the days of the Doylestown Democrat,
Mr. John P. Rogers, a talented reporter, wrote an article about
it. He married late in life and had a son, Roscoe, whom he was
proud to take around in the baby carriage.
The Merediths had five daughters who were pupils of Linden
Seminary, and a son, Hugh, who attended the English and
Classical Seminary. .He studied medicine and received his
diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. For many years
he was the head physician and superintendent of the Danville,
Montour County, Pennsylvania, Hospital. He was a worthy
successor of the old time doctor of the same name.
We have descended Harding's Hill and have come to the
end of our historic walk — the Crossroads of the Easton and
Dublin pikes. I am indebted to "Local History Sketches" by
Edward Mathews for many of the dates and landowners con-
tained in this paper.
Tamenend vs. Allummapees
By warren S. ELY, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
(Doylestown Meeting, May 2, 1931)
MOST of our older members will recall that forty years
ago our society, and notably our late president, Dr.
Henry C. Mercer, were much interested in the legend,
founded on tradition, that St. Tammany, the great Indian
sachem, was buried at Spruce Hill, four miles west of here, and
that Dr. Mercer, having after careful investigation concluded
that the tradition was true, decided to mark the burial place of
the great friend of the white man.
His conclusions and the known facts upon which it was
founded were the subject of a paper written by him and pub-
lished in Volume H of "Papers Read before Bucks County His-
torical Society" at page 38, et seq.
Having practically convinced himself of the truth of the
story, he decided to properly mark the site, and in pursuance of
that intention purchased in the name of our society one acre of
land surrounding the site. Your orator superintended the survey
of the lot and prepared the deed of conveyance, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds at Doylestown.
However, before the erection of the proposed marker was con-
summated doubts began to arise as to the identity of the Indian
chief there interred. The facts related seem to incontrover-
tently prove that an eminent chieftain was buried there at about
the date named.
This date was at that time thought to have been somewhere
near 1749, by reason of the statement that Robert Shewell (son
of William Shewell, of Painswick Hall, who was one of the chief
men who participated at the burial), born 1740, was then a small
boy, and was refused by his father permission to be present at
the burial.
I will not repeat in this paper the details of the statements
made by the surviving members of the Shewell family, and the
statements of "E. M." (Edward Mathews), Sherman Day, and
others who have published more or less garbled stories, at
different periods, based thereon, as these are already part of our
published archives.
TAMENEND VS. ALLUMMAPEES 397
Suffice it to say that a distinct doubt has always, or least
frequently, been in the minds of our historians as to the identity
of the Great Chief, so buried.
These doubts have always been shared by the author of this
paper and he has always been on the alert for facts in the history
of our Indian Chieftains, that might clear away these doubts.
Tamenend was succeeded as King of the Delaware tribe by
Scallichty, who died in 1713, and was succeeded by Allummapees,
also known as Sassoonon, who died in 1747.
Allummapees was long a popular and successful ruler of his
tribe. He evidently did not have as strong an attachment for
the Whites as the great Tamenend, who had known personally
William Penn and was always a great friend of the white man,
but he was for years a wise and successful leader of his tribe.
The great curse of the Indian was his love of ardent spirits, and
the leaders among them had long endeavored to restrain the
Indian Traders from selling rum to their followers, and it was
finally decided by the prominent Delawares that this practice
could be better controlled by permitting its sale only to their
chief.
Under this plan Allummapees, who was Keeper of the Wam-
pum, was always abundantly supplied with firewater, and having
the same love for it as his followers, in his later days became a
confirmed drunkard.
Conrad Weiser, the great Indian interpreter, who was
intrusted by the Provincial authorities with nearly all important
conferences with the Indians, in a letter to Richard Peters,
Secretary, under date of July 20, 1747, referring to the effort on
the part of the Proprietors to have Allummapees to resign as
King of the Delawares, says:
"Allummapees would have resigned his crown before now
but that he had the keeping of the Wampum with which he buys
liquor and has been drunk for this two or three years almost
constantly and it is thought he would do so long as there is one
penny of Wampum left in the bag."
In an earlier letter in June, 1747, to Anthony Palmer, who
had succeeded James Logan as Provincial Secretary, and was
succeeded in the same year by Richard Peters, Weiser writes as
follows:
398 TAMENEND VS. ALLUMMAPEES
"The Delaware Indians last year intended a visit to Philadelphia, but
were prevented by AUummapees' sickness, who is still alive but not able to
stir. They will come down this year, some time after harv^est.
"AUummapees had no successor of his relations and he will not hear of
none so long as he is alive and none of the Indians care to meddle in the affair.
Shikellimy advises that the Governor should name AUummapees' successor
and set him up by their authority; that at this critical time might be a man
to apply to, since AUummapees has lost his senses and is incapable of doing
anything."
In another letter in September, 1747, he writes Peters that
the Indians had at last prevailed upon AUummapees to go down
to Philadelphia with them.
In October, 1747, Weiser writes to the Governor that "AUum-
mapees is dead."
The only weakness in the theory that it was AUummapees
was carried in a letter as far as Prospect Hill, and left there
because of his condition being unfit to travel farther or appear
before the Provincial authorities, is that there is no record of a
delegation appearing before the authorities at that date. But
being unaccompanied by any one in authority, they naturally
would not have been received, and possibly knowing that they
could not accomplish anything they may have turned back,
hoping to find their chief sufficiently improved or sobered to
continue the journey.
The circumstances and dates coincide so fully with the tradi-
tional story, that I am fully convinced that the chief so buried
was AUummapees.
The recent investigation of Prof. Max Srabish, of Paterson,
New Jersey, in what has been long known as "St. Tammany's
Flats," in Wayne and Pike Counties, indicates that the last
days of Saint Tammany were spent in that locality, and Srabish
feels sure he has discovered the actual place of his burial.
The fact that the delegation of Indians who carried their
chief over the usual route from the headquarters of the tribe to
Philadelphia on a diplomatic mission in 1747, or anywhere near
the date mentioned in the tradition, precludes all possibility of the
chief having been Tamenend, who had no diplomatic authority
at that date, and all the circumstances point to and fit in with
the proposed trip in 1747, so perfectly that I am convinced it was
AUummapees who was buried at Prospect Hill at that date.
^^A^ty^~^yi^
The Thompson-Neely House, Solebury Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania
Headquarters of Brigadier General William Alexander, (Known as Lord Stirling,)
December, 1776, Prior to the Battle of Trenton
Address by DR. B. F. FACKENTHAL, Jr.. Riegelsville, Pennsylvania,
On occasion of the unveiling of a tablet placed on the Thompson-Neely House,
Monday, October 19, 1931, by
Bucks County Chapter, Daughters of the .American Revolution
(The Bucks County Historical Society was the guest of the Daughters of the .American
Revolution, and this joint meeting was in lieu of the fall meeting of the Historical Society.)
CONSIDER it a great honor and a distinct
pleasure to represent the Bucks County His-
torical Society at this unveiling, and I cannot
too highly commend the patriotism of the Bucks
County Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution, in erecting this bronze tablet com-
memorating the deeds of valor and the sacrifices of our gallant
and resolute forefathers.
This is indeed historic and hallowed ground. Prior to the
battle of Trenton this building, now called the Thompson-
Neely House, was the headquarters of Brigadier General William
Alexander, known as Lord Stirling, one of Washington's most
dependable generals.^ On the staff of the Earl of Stirling was
Captain William Augustus Washington, a kinsman of General
Washington and later a member of his staff. Lieutenant James
Monroe, later to become the fifth president of the United States,
then in his nineteenth year and serving in a Virginia regiment,
was conspicuous for his bravery at the battle of Trenton. In 1777
he was placed on the staft' of Lord Stirling with the rank of
major." Captain Washington and Lieutenant Monroe were the
only commissioned officers wounded in the battle of Trenton;
they were brought from the field of battle to this house, where
they were nursed back to convalescence. Two privates were
also wounded in that engagement, one of them, Robert James
Livingston, was cared for at the home of Miss Rebecca Coxe in
Trenton, the other whose name is not at hand, was probably
cared for at this Thompson-Neely house.
(For footnotes, see appendix.)
400
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
T^ MemoTj of C«p
-YrlAnlllerjf^'^^oa
flfBtnyVCoTn«Iid^
MooTt of ntwIoAU
l.'^.S'
Captain James Moore, of the
New York artillery, died here on
Christmas day of 1776; his body
lies buried, together with twenty
others, heroes all of them, in
the burying-ground along the
banks of the beautiful Dela-
ware, almost within sight of this
house. A quaint headstone,
_^,^^ with an inscription as shown on
^■'j ^^.j/^^'A^'Z^ViiJt'i*' .^ the margin hereof, has been
"Wii^l^'i^^^ MpriJ 7; erected to his memory, but the
other graves are indicated only
by field stones. In 1929, the
Washington Crossing Park Commission, on behalf of the Com-
monwealth of Pennsylvania, erected a substantial marker, con-
sisting of a large boulder, set at an angle and facing the private
road, with a bronze tablet, to the memory of the Unknown
Soldiers, wath the following inscription:
In Memory of
Many UNKNO^VN Soldiers
OF THE
Continental Army
Who Died From Sickness and
Exposure While Encamped in
These Fields Before the
Battle of Trenton and Were
Buried at This Spot
Christmas Day 1776
It is gratifying to notice that these graves are not forgotten
on Memorial Day, as is indicated by the stars and stripes placed
over them, the very emblem for which they gave their lives.
It is doubtless not known to many of you that in 1922, the
State Highway Commission, in straightening out the River
road, 1.8 miles below Washington Crossing, at a point where
the road from Dolington enters the River road, unearthed a
number of bodies, supposed to have been those of soldiers who
lost their lives by exposure and otherwise at the battle of Tren-
ton. Five of these bodies were carefully removed and placed in
boxes, with the thought of having them interred elsewhere; in
"W^
Sum *^ mmt /* >j.
W o ■*-
U o -
2^ o ^
O n ^
THE THOMPSON -XEELY HOUSE 401
fact, one member of the commission, now deceased, offered at
his own cost to give the matter attention, and also to erect a
suitable marker over them, but through some neglect this was not
done. I therefore take the liberty of inviting the attention of the
present Washington Crossing Park Commission, the personnel of
■which has changed since then, to this condition, and trust that
the original thought may be carried out. Why not bury them
in that sacred place along the banks of the Delaware, by side of
their comrades, who like them fell unwept and unknown, in the
great cause of American liberty?
Here in this Thompson-Neely house, the only headquarters
of any officer on the immediate banks of the Delaware at that
time, came General Washington to confer with his generals.
Some of his letters dated "Camp above the Falls," are thought
to have been written from here, although the same dating would
apply equally well to his own headquarters at the Keith house.
General Lord Stirling, who was quartered here, had special
charge of gathering boats for crossing the Delaware. He dele-
gated the detail of that work to Generals Mercer, Stephen and
DeFermoy. Boats from up the river were assembled and secreted
along the Pennsylvania shore back of Malta Island (later called
Smith's Island), situated about midway between the Thompson-
Neely house and Coryell's Ferry (now New Hope), one and one-
quarter miles from each place, and about six miles above the place
of crossing at McKonkey's Ferry. On Christmas day the boats
were dropped down and moored back of Lowndes, now^ Taylor
Island, just above the ferry. There is no record to show where
the boats from Beatty's Ferry and other places south of the
crossing were assembled, but presumably they were anchored
at the same place.
Brigadier General Hugh Mercer took an active and con-
spicuous part in the battle of Trenton. He was also in the
second engagement at Trenton, often referred to as the battle
of Assunpink, where he commanded a column. He was in the
van of that strategic night march from Trenton to Princeton,
and in the engagement while enroute, at Stony Brook, near
Princeton, on January 3, 1777, was w^ounded, dying nine days
later on January twelfth. He was, I believe, the ranking officer
to fall during the entire New Jersey campaign.^
(For footnotes, see appendix.)
402
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
From December 8 to 14, 1776, Washington made his head-
quarters in the Thomas Barclay house, now known as "Summer-
seat," formerly the Osborne house in Morrisville, Bucks County.
It was successively owned by two signers of the Declaration of
Independence: Robert Morris* and George Clymer,^ the latter
making his home there. From December 14 until the battle of
Trenton, Washington was quartered at the Keith house on the
southern slope of Jericho Mountain, in the adjoining township of
Upper Makefield, about 2.4 miles westwardly from the Delaware,
near the public road leading from Brownsburg to Wrightstown.
Brownsburg is on the Delaware about 3.7 miles north of Washing-
ton Crossing. The Keith house, substantially built of stone,
was appropriately marked January 1, 1897, by the Bucks County
Historical Society; but the headquarters of three major generals
near the Keith house, lying on the southern and western slopes
of Jericho Mountain, are not marked, although they are still
standing in good states of preservation. As these are all Avithin
the jurisdiction of the Washington Crossing Park Commission, it
is to be presumed that in due time they will receive attention.
"SUMMERSEAT," MORRISVILLE, PA.
Washington's Headquarters, December 8 to 14, 1776. (Front view as restored in 1930)
(For footnotes, see appendix.)
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
403
TABLET PLACED ON THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
OCTOBER 19. 1931
(Historic Inscription by Colonel Henry D. Paxson)
By the unveiling of the tablet placed on this shrine today
by our sister society, an inspiring and patriotic example has
been set, particularly to those of us who are members of the
Sons of the American Revolution. I am advised that the
Pennsylvania Historical Commission stands ready to place
markers on any of these historic buildings.
The headquarters to which I have referred are the Hayhurst
house, that of General John Sullivan;^ the Merrick house, that
of General Nathaniel Greene,' on whose staff, as an aide-de-camp
was Thomas Paine, ^ author of the "American Crisis," which he
signed "Common Sense," beginning with these words: "These
are the times that try men's souls," which was ordered to be read
at the, head of each regiment. A copy of this remarkable pam-
phlet is in the library of the Bucks County Historical Society
autographed by Robert Thompson. The Doctor Chapman
house, that of General Henrv Knox,
^ho£e staff was Captain
Alexander Hamilton, a courageous soldier, and withal a polished
(For footnotes, see appendix.)
404 THE THOMPSOX-XEELY HOUSE
and scholarly gentleman, who on March 1, 1777, became an aide-
de-camp on Washington's staff with the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel, where in connection with his other duties, he gave special
attention to Washington's correspondence. Hamilton distin-
guished himself in every engagement in which he took part, par-
ticularly at the siege of Yorktown, where he had a command,
after which he retired from the army and resumed the practice of
law. He continued, however, to be intensely interested in all
matters for the advancement of his adopted country. He served
one year in Congress, and then entered the Legislature of New
York, where by his personal efforts, in face of much opposition,
he succeeded in having that state approve the Constitution of
the United States. He was Washington's first Secretary of the
Treasury, and his most trusted friend and adviser. He was the
father of our decimal monetary system of dollars and cents. He
retired from Washington's cabinet January 31, 1795, to resume
the practice of law, but he continued as the leader of the Federalist
party until after the election of Jefferson to the presidency. Ham-
ilton \\as a great lawyer and a great orator, the ablest political
and constitutional a^ riter of his day, and in every respect, as a
statesman, he w as the master of them all.'^
General Davis, who founded the Bucks County Historical
Society, invites attention to the fact that no battle was fought
within the borders of Bucks County; it is thought, however,
that part of the skirmishing at the battle of Crooked Billet, now
Hatboro, was forced over the Montgomery County line into
Bucks. ^*
There are many headquarters of Washington and his generals,
and places of their entertainment in Bucks County, very few
of which are marked. However, one of the most historic of
these, the Moland house, Washington's headquarters on the
Little Neshaminy on the Old York road in Warwick Township,
about half-a-mile north of Hartsville, then called Warwick Cross
Roads, was marked in 1897 by the Bucks County Historical
if> (This footnote in the appendix.)
11 For "The Battle of Crooked Billet" and "General John Lacy, our
Quaker General," the hero of that battle, see papers by Gen. W. W. H. Davis,
Bucks County Historical Society, Vol. II, page 173, and Vol. Ill, page 32.
For \\'ashington's Encampment on the Xeshaminv, see brochure published
by William J. Buck in 1896, and the Address delivered by Charles Henry
Jones before the Pennsylvania Sons of the American Revolution, June 20, 1903.
BROWNSCOMBE
FIRST AMERICAN FLAG WITH STARS AND STRIPES
Authorized by Congress June 14, 1777. Said to have been unfurled for the first time at Wash-
ington's Encampment on the Little Neshaminy in August, 1777, and first carried in
battle at the head of troops at Brandy wine, September 11, 1777.
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
405
Society/' Washington rested there on the night of July 31,
1777, and returned to make it his headquarters from August 10
to 23, 1777, a longer time than he remained at any other encamp-
ment in Pennsylvania, with the exception of White Marsh and
Valley Forge. He remained there with his army to await the
movements of the enemy, supposing that i\dmiral Howe, with
his fleet of 228 sail, was planning an attack on Philadelphia.
Washington's army, variously estimated at from 11,000 to
13,000 men, was encamped on the banks of the Neshaminy near
by, and there they saW' unfurled for the first time, the newly
designed flag, with its stars and stripes, which had been adopted
by Congress, June 14, 1777. There with Washington, on the
banks of the Neshaminy, was the tent of John Marshall, Captain
of Infantry in General Maxwell's brigade, who later became
Chief Justice of the United States, and the great expounder of
our Constitution. He died sixty years later on July 6, 1835,
and at his burial July 8, the Liberty Bell was tolled, receiving at
that time its primary fracture.
The Marquis de Lafayette,
who arrived in Philadelphia from
France, July 27, 1777, was on
July 31, commissioned by Con-
gress as a major general. On the
following day, August 1, he
accompanied Washington on a
tour of inspection around the
harbor of Philadelphia and vicin-
ity. On August 20, he pre-
sented his credentials to General
Washington at the Moland
house, on the banks of the Little
Neshaminy, and there formally
joined the army. Nineteen
days after breaking camp on the
Neshaminy, viz.; on September
11, 1777, General Lafayette was
wounded at the battle of Brandy-
wine. He was taken to Bethle-
hem, where he was nursed back to convalescence by the Moravian
12 (This footnote in the appendix.)
AIARQUIS D" LAFAYETTE
1757-1834
406
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
sisters. He left Bethlehem October 18, 1777, and at once rejoined
Washington's army, where he did splendid and heroic services
down to the close of the war, being present at the surrender of
Yorktown.
Count Casimer Pulaski, a Polish soldier, also joined Washing-
ton's army, as a private, while encamped on the Little Neshaminy.
He distinguished himself so signally at the battle of Brandywine
that Congress appointed him Commander of Cavalry, with the
rank of brigadier general. He was mortally wounded at the
siege of Savanna, October 9, 1779, dying two days later on
October 11, at the age of thirty-two years.
Another memorial erected in 1895, by the Bucks County
Historical Society is the granite monument on the Pennsylvania
side of the Delaware at Washington Crossing, to mark the place
MONUMENT ERECTED IN 1895
the Bucks County Historical Society, to mark the place of embarkment of Washington's
Army, C nas night of 1776, enroute for the Battle of Trenton
WASHINGTON S
Headquarters
previous to
he Battle of Trenton
Dec. 14-25, 1776
&^
TABLET ON THIL KlUTH HOUSE
Unveiled January 1, 1897, by the Bucks County Historical Society
THE KEITH HOUSE
Washington's Headquarters, December 15 to 25, 1776, on southern slope of Jericho Mountain
in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 2.4 miles westwardly
from the Delaware River on the road leading from Brownsburg to Wrightstown
THE THOMPSON -XEELY HOUSE 407
of embarkment of Washington and his army, enroute to Trenton
for that briUiant feat of arms on Christmas night of 1776. The
New Jersey Society of Cincinnati has also erected a monument on
the New Jersey side, where the troops landed, and set out on
their long march to Trenton.
I have prepared a chain of title to the tract on which these
buildings stand, in which I have been assisted by Mr. Warren S.
Ely; this can be seen on file in the library of the Bucks County
Historical Society. It is too voluminous to be made part of
this paper, and I will therefore briefly state that the tract was
known by the Indian name of Win-na-haw-caw-chunk. It lies
on the southern boundary of Solebury township, with Upper
Makefield township as its adjoinder, and is part of a tract of
7,500 acres known as the Manor of Highlands. The Pidcock
tract was variously estimated to contain from 400 to 505 acres
and allowances.
It appears that part of the tract was claimed by Thomas
Rowland, who had been granted a warrant of survey in 1681 for
2,500 acres by William Penn. On September 9. 1690, the heir
at law of Thomas Rowland, deceased, conveyed the Pidcock
tract to Gilbert Wheeler. It further appears that John Pidcock
came to America as an indentured servant of Gilbert Wheeler,
and that in 1684, Pidcock took squatter possession of the tract,
which he seated and improved and thereon established a trading
s,tation. This settlement gave him a good title as against any
one excepting the Penns. There was some litigation between
Wheeler and Pidcock in regard to the title, or to establish lines
between their properties, or possibly it may have been an attempt ■
to dispossess Pidcock, but the courts of Bucks County decided
in Pidcock's favor, and to clear his title Wheeler by deed dated
March 1, 1701, conveyed the entire tract to John Pidcock.
Immediately after having his title confirmed, John Pidcock built
the first or middle section of this house, little dreaming that it
was destined to become an important shrine, revered by all
lovers of liberty. The Thompson-Neely house as it now stands,
was built in three sections, the central part, with the
kitchen, by John Pidcock, in 1702. The western section
was added by Robert Thompson in 1757, as indicated by
408
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
the date stone shown on the
margin hereof; the initials
stand for Robert and Hannah
Thompson. The eastern end
was added in 1786, by Robert
Thompson after he got title
in his own name.
The gristmill, now being
restored, is the third to be
built on this property. The
original Colonial mill which
ground grain for Washing-
ton's army was located down
near the river, and was
demolished in 1829, when the canal was dug. The second mill
was then erected farther west where the present mill stands.
This second mill was totally destroyed by fire early on the morn-
ing of August 29, 1873. The third, or present mill, was erected
during the season of 1874.
Robert Thompson was a journeyman miller employed by
John Simpson, and on the death of Simpson, he married his
widow, and was in possession of the premises at the time it
became the headquarters of Lord Stirling. Robert Thompson
had the reputation of never turning a poor man from his mill
with his bag empty, whether he had money or not.
You have doubtless noticed that Pidcock creek, which fur-
nished power for the mills, now empties into the canal and not
into the Delaware. The canal having on Saturday last, October
17, 1931, become the property of the State of Pennsylvania to
be used as a park system, this creek will be one small source of
supplementing a water supply for the canal.
William Neely emigrated from Ireland, where he was born
August 31, 1742.'^ On June 24, 1766, he married Elizabeth,
13 William Neely emigrated from Ireland, where he was born August 31,
1742. On June 24, 1766, he married Elizabeth, only daughter of Robert
Thompson, and his wife, nee Elizabeth (De la Plaine) Simpson. William
Neely died July 10, 1818, and his wife, Elizabeth Thompson, died February
13, 1834, in her 86th year. They were the parents of two children: (1)
Robert T., who married Sarah Beaumont, and (2) Jane, born in March, 1767,
who became the second wife of John Poor, whose first wife, nee Martha Fol-
som, died August 3, 1784, while he was principal of a young ladies' seminary
in Philadelphia. Jane was one of his pupils when he married her. She died
May 15, 1827, after which John Poor removed to York Haven in York
County, Pa. (See Davis' History of Bucks County, Vol. HI, page 696.)
THE AIKKRICK H(JL SE
Headquarters of General Nathaniel Greene prior to the Battle of Trenton
THE DR. CHAPMAN HOUSE
Headquarters of General Henry Knox prior to the Battle of Trenton
THE thompsox-xep:lv house 409
daughter of Robert Thompson, and shortly thereafter took charge
of the gristmill. He was in charge of its operation at the time
of Washington's encampment, and there he ground grain for the
Continental army. He did not, however, own the property
until after the death of Robert Thompson, which occurred July
18, 1803. By his will, Robert Thompson devised the gristmill
and plantation to his daughter Elizabeth. The property
remained in the Neely family for many years. It was finally
subdivided and the greater part purchased by Reuben F. High,
whose heirs on July 12, 1918, sold 179 acres 40 perches to Irvin M.
High, from whom the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on October
15, 1926, purchased 125.09 acres, covering that part on which
these buildings stand, for the sum of S35,000.''^
This tract, aside from its Revolutionary lore, has a most
interesting history. The mountain so prominently in evidence,
on which the Washington Crossing Park Commission has erected
the observation tower, 300 feet above tide, is known as Bowman's
Hill, so named after Dr. Thomas Bowman who built his cabin
at its base and by request was buried on its summit. He died
in 1798. On the north slope there is located a so-called copper
mine, operated in colonial times, discovered and reopened in
1854, and again put in operation in 1864.^''
There is a tradition that the copper mine had been worked
in prehistoric times by the Indians.
As already stated Pidcock was in possession of his property
by right of his having seated and improved it, and his possession
could be disturbed only by the Penns. Taking advantage of
this condition certain Philadelphia and Bucks County capitalists,
viz.: Hon. James Hamilton, then Lieutenant Governor of Penn-
sylvania; Chief Justice William Allen; Lawrence Growden,
recorder of Bucks County; Langhorne Biles; W^illiam Plumstead
and Joseph Turner, on July 17, 1752, with the connivance of
Robert Thompson, secured a transfer of the old warrant, and
on January 18, 1753, a patent was granted to William Coleman,
in trust for their use and benefit. Six months later, on June 18,
1753, William Coleman deeded the property, by six separate
conveyances, to the aforesaid six gentlemen, as Tenants in Com-
'4 Deed recorded at Doylestown, Deed Book, No. 451, page 268, etc.
1-'' For an excellent paper on "The Solebury Copper Mine," see paper by
Capt. John S. Bailey, Vol. I, page 6, of the Bucks County Historical Society.
410 THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
mon, and they on the following day, June 19, transferred the
fee to Robert Thompson, reserving, however, to their own use
all mines and minerals, including copper, lead, and iron. The
object of these gentlemen appears to have been to get possession
of the old copper mine, and that of Robert Thompson, who had
possession only by courtesy, to get absolute possession in his
own name, in order that it might not go to the heirs of John
Simpson.
The six deeds from William Coleman are not recorded, but
three of them fell into my hands, viz.: those to Lawrence Grow-
den, Langhorne Biles and Joseph Turner, which on July 15,
1920, I deposited in the library of the Bucks County Historical
Society. As these three deeds belong to me, I will take the
liberty, as president of the Bucks County Historical Society, of
withdrawing them from its archives, and presenting them to the
Washington Crossing Park Commission, for deposit in the
Thompson-Neeley museum. These deeds have special value.
They are witnessed by William Peters and George Clymer, the
latter one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence,
whose autograph signature is plainly written and well preserved.
The deeds are signed by the grantor, William Coleman, who was
a close friend of Benjamin Franklin. In 1727, Benjamin Frank-
lin founded a literary club in Philadelphia, called "The Junto,"
and in estimating the character and worth of its members, as
contained in his autobigraphy, has this to say of William Cole-
man:
"Lastly, William Coleman, then a merchant's clerk, about my age, who
had the coolest, clearest head, the best heart, and the exactest morals of almost
any man I ever met with. He became afterwards a merchant of great note
and one of our provincial judges. Our friendship continued without inter-
ruption to his death, upwards of forty years, and the club continued almost
as long."
Today is the fifth anniversary of the Bucks County Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolution. Therefore, allow me,
women of that patriotic society, to congratulate you, and to
thank you for the honor and dignity that you have added to the
history of our beloved county.
This day has also been wisely chosen for this unveiling, as
it is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the surrender
©f Cornwallis at Yorktown, practically ending hostilities, which
THE MOLAND HOUSE
Washington's Headquarters, August 10 to 23, 1777, with tablet outUned on the eastern gable
inscribed as shown above
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE 411
had raged for exactly six years and eight months from April 19,
1775, when that resolute band of 130 "Minute Men" were
aroused from sleep early in the morning on the arrival of Paul
Revere from Boston, hurriedly gathered together on the green
at Lexington, Mass., under command of Captain Jonas Parker,
and confronted the British troops from Boston. There were more
casualties in that skirmish than in both battles of Trenton.
Brave Captain Parker and eight of his men fell dead, and a
number were wounded. On the commons at Lexington where
these brave heroes fell, a monument has been erected to their
glory, and on a granite marker near by, there is inscribed these
cautious and patriotic words of command by Captain Parker
to his men on the approach of the British regulars: "Stand your
ground, don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a
war let it begin here."
And even now as we are assembled here in this quiet valley
on the banks of the beautiful Delaware, the scenes at Yorktown
on the York river are being reenacted in pagentry with more
than 4,000 taking part, and with the president of the United
States, members of his cabinet, senators and representatives,
the governors of the thirteen original states, the head of our
army with his staff; Marshall Petain, Major General Count
de Chambrun, a direct descendant of Lafayette, and others
come over from France; the present Lord Cornwallis come over
from England to represent his illustrious ancestor; Baron DeKalb,
a descendant of Baron John DeKalb, and Major Fritz von Steu-
ben, a great-great-grandnephew of Baron von Steuben, come
over from Germany, and a host of other distinguished guests
and citizens to the number of many thousands, in attendance.
Provision has been made for parking 20,000 automobiles.
I have always been thrilled on reading of the manner in which
the surrender of Cornwallis was conveyed to the officials and
citizens of Philadelphia.
Yorktown capitulated October 19, 1781, but it took Colonel
Tilghman, one of Washington's aides-de-camp, the express rider,
four days to reach his destination. He arrived in Philadelphia
about midnight of the twenty-third. Thomas McKean was
then president of the Continental Congress. Colonel Tilghman
knocked at his door so vehemently, that a watchman was dis-
posed to arrest him as a disturber of the peace. It was the duty
412
THE THOMPSON-XEELY HOUSE
of this watchman, who patrolled the streets at night, to call out
the time of day and the character of the weather, but on the
morning of the twenty-fourth, after hearing the good news, he
changed his cry, and sang out:
"Three o'clock in the morning and Cornwallis is taken."
The streets were soon thronged with people eager to learn
details of the good ncv^s, and the state-house bell rang out for
gladness.
This was the same General Cornwallis who trailed Washing-
ton, the "American Fabius," through New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania, and who on dining with Washington a few days after the
surrender, said to him :
"When the illustrious part that your excellency has borne
in this long and arduous conflict becomes matter of history, fame
will gather your brightest laurels rather from the banks of the
Delaware than from those of the Chesapeake."
BOWMAN'S [JILl TOWn
(THE SITE OF A LOOK-OUT OF THE REVO! r
IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE CROSSING OF THE DEi^
ON CHRISTMAS NIGHX 1776 AND THI I
BATTLE OF TRENTON, December ?, H
^ WHERE THE GENIUS. COURAGE AND STRAfFC
Washington
AND THE Valor. Sacrifice and Suffering n;
OFFrCERS AND MEK
... -^ ACHIEVED THIS BRILLIANT VICTORY «.
- THE TURNING POINT or the AMERICAN RFV ;
;LLUSTfil0US PART THAT YOUR EXCELLENCY
' AND ARDUOUS CONTEST BECOMES MATTF
■L.«THER..YO_UR BRIGHTEST LAURELS rI/h
MAY LIBERTY'S BEACON
RE Patriotism. Peace and Flllo\
AMOnCST ALL PEOPLES
TABLET ON BOWMAN'S HILL TOWER
Erected December 17, 1931
(Size 5 feet high by 4 feet wide)
Inscription by Col. Henry D. Paxson
Historian of the Washington Crossing Park Commissi (
Bronze Casting by Bureau Brothers. Philadelphia
THE THOMPSOX-XEELY HOUSE
413
FOOTNOTES
1 WILLIAM ALEXANDER
EARL OF STIRLING, was born
in the city of New York in 1726.
His father, James Alexander, was a
native of Scotland and took refuge
in America in 1716, after espousing
the cause of the pretender in the
rebellion of the previous year. He
settled in New Jersey, and became
Surveyor-General of that state. His
mother was the widow of David
Provost. Young Alexander went
to England in 1755, and while there
instituted legal proceedings to ob-
tain the title of Earl of StirHng, to
which his father was heir presump-
tive when he left Scotland. He did
not succeed in gaining a legal recog-
nition, but his right was generally
conceded, and thereafter he was
addressed as the Earl of Stirling.
He returned to America in 17M.
He married the daughter of Philip
Livingston, a sister of (jovernor
Livingston of New Jersey. He was
a member of the New Jersey Pro-
vincial Council. Commissioned a
colonel of militia in 1775, and on
March 1, 1776, Continental Con-
gress commissioned him a Brigadier
General. He played an outstanding
part in the battle of Long Island on
August 27, 1776, our first great battle as a free nation, where he was
taken prisoner. Washington took immediate steps to regain his services,
and exchanged him for ( Jovernor Montgomery Brown of Florida. He at once
rejoined the army and took an active part in the campaigns at Trenton and
through the Jersies. On February 19, 1777, Congress advanced him to the
rank of Major General. He was conspicuous in the battles of Brandywine,
Monmouth, Staten Island, Ticonderoga and the Canadian campaign. He
passed away at Albany, N. Y., January 15, 1783, at the age of fifty-seven years.
Lord Stirling became largely interested in mining ore and refining it
into iron. In 1776 he was the sole proprietor of the Hibernia blast furnace
and forges, in Morris County, and there he manufactured cannon, shot and
shells for the Continental army. Immediately prior to the war his fortune
was estimated at £100,000, but he entrusted his estate to agents, who on
selling his property, took Continental money in payment. On his death his
estate was practically insolvent.
g:-:ner.\l wili.iam .\lkx.axder
The E.A.RL of Stirling
1726-1783
414
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
JAM IIS moxrop:
1758-1831
2 JAMES MONROE was bora
April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland
County, Virginia. He was from a fam-
ily of Scotch cavaliers. His parents
on both sides were Virginians. He
entered William and Mary College, but
his studies were interrupted by the
breaking out of the revolution, when
he left college and entered the Con-
tinental army. He had a most brilliant
career both as a soldier and a states-
man. He joined a Virginia regiment
near New York and took part in the
battles of Harlem Heights, White
Plains and Trenton, in the last of which
he was wounded in the shoulder. In
1777, he served on the staff of the Earl
of Stirling and took part in the battles
of Brand^wine, Germantown and Mon-
mouth. In 1778, owing to some com-
plication as to his rank he retired from
the army. About the time he left the
army he formed the acquaintance of
Thomas Jefferson, then governor of
Virginia, with whom he studied law.
Their intimacy continued over the
remainder of their lives. As a states-
man Monroe filled every post frbm
assemblyman to president. In 1782,
at the age of twenty-four he entered the Virginia legislature. In 1783, he
entered congress, serving three successive terms from 1783 to 1786. On
retiring from congress he again entered the legislature. From 1790 to 1794,
he served as a United States senator. In 1794, he was appointed minister
to France. From 1799 to 1802, he was Governor of X'irginia. In 1802, he
was sent back to France, where he aided in the treaty by which France in
1803, sold Louisiana to the United States. In 1803 he was Minister to Eng-
land and subsequently to Spain. In 1807, he entered the \'irginia legislature
for the third time, and in 1808 was chosen a second time Governor of Virginia,
holding ofhce but a short time, when he was called to the cabinet of President
Madison, as Secretary of State, holding that office until he was elected to the
presidency in 1817. From 1814 to 1815, he also served as secretary of war,
and took part in the defense of Washington during our second war with Eng-
land. He was twice elected President of the United States, first in 1816,
receiving 183 electoral votes as against 34 for his opponent, Rufus King, the
Federalist candidate. Four 3,'ears later, when re-elected, he received every
vote in the electoral college, excepting one, which was purposely cast against
him, in order to preserve the tradition that Washington should be the only
president elected by an unanimous vote. It was during Monroe's second
term that General Lafayette returned to visit America for the second time.
The period of his administration was known as the "era of good feeling," on
account of the general prosperity of the country, and the absence of party
strife. During his administration five new states were admitted, Mississippi,
Illinois, Alabama, Missouri and Maine. His administration was also marked
by the acquisition of Florida, the Seminole war, the Missouri Compromise
and the relations with Europe in regard to South American affairs, which
resulted in the annunciation of the permanent policy of the Government,
known as the "Monroe Doctrine."
At the close of his presidential term in 1825, he retired to his plantation
in Virginia, but later made his home with his son-in-law in New York, where
he died July 4, 1831. He was buried in New York, but many years after-
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
415
wards his body was moved and reinterred in the Hollywood Cemetery at
Richmond, Virginia, where the body of his wife rests beside him.
During the year preceding his death he served as a member of the Virginia
Constitutional Convention, that being his last public service.
3 BRIGADIER HUGH MERCER was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in
1720. He was educated at the University there, graduating as a medical
doctor. He came to America in 1747 and settled as a physician near the
present sight of Mercersburg in Franklin County, Pa., originally called Black
Town, in honor of James Black, who built a mill there in 1729, but later
changed to Mercersburg in honor of General Mercer. General Mercer served
as a captain under General Braddock in 1755, and was severely wounded in
the battle near Fort Duquesne. In 1758, he was promoted to be a Lieutenant
Colonel and accompanied General Forbes to Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh,
and commanded that post for some time. Later he settled in Fredericksburg,
Va., and on breaking out of the American Revolution joined the patriot army.
On June 5, 1776, he was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General by Con-
gress. x\s already stated he was mortally wounded at Stony Brook, January
3, 1777. He was cared for at a neighboring farm house, and received medical
attention from the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush, but his wounds proved fatal
and he passed away Januar}- 12, 1777. The sword which General Mercer
carried can be seen in the rooms of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at
Philadelphia.
In 1840 the St. Andrews Society erected a monument to his memor\- in
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
ROBERT MORRIS AND GEORGE CLYMER were two of the fifty-six
signers of the Declaration of Independence. Of the signers, Pennsylvania
contributed nine; \ irginia seven; New Jersey five; Connecticut, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York and South Carolina, each four; Delaware, Georgia,
North Carolina, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, each three. Both Robert
Morris and George Clymer were among the founders and original charter
members and trustees of Franklin College, now Franklin and Marshall College
at Lancaster.
4 ROBERT MORRIS, an
American financier, and a signer of
the Declaration of Independence,
was born in Lancastershire, Eng-
land, January 20, 1734. His father
was a Liverpool merchant exten-
sively engaged in American trade.
Robert came to America at the age
of fourteen and entered tlie count-
ing house of Charles Willing, a rich
merchant of Philadelphia. In 1754
he entered into partnership with
Thomas Willing, son of his em-
ployer, which firm soon became the
largest importing house in America;
they continued in business until
1793. The firm was very successful
and at the outbreak of the American
Revolution Robert had acquired a
large fortune.
In June, 1775, he began his
public career as a member of the
Committee of Safety; in October of
that year he was returned to the
Assembly of Pennsylvania, to which
he was re-elected in 1776. In No-
vember, 1776, he was appointed a
ROBERT MORRIS
1734-1806
416 THE THOMPSOX-NEELY HOUSE
delegate to Congress, holding all three offices at the same time. On
July 1, 1776, he voted against the adoption of the Declaration of Independence,^
and on July 4, declined to vote either for or against its passage, believing
the time premature and inappropriate. He was returned to Congress July
20, 1776, and on August 2, cheerfully signed his name to that immortal docu-
ment. On retiring from congress in 1780, he again entered the legislature,
retiring from that body for the fourth time in October of that year. It was
at that time that the fortunes and conditions of the Continental army had
reached their lowest ebb. Charleston had fallen, Gates had been defeated by
Cornwallis and the treachery of Arnold cast a gloom over the entire country.
The army was destitute and the credit of the country was exhausted with a
debt of $2,500,000. Congress then provided for the appointment of a superin-
tendent of finance, to which office Robert Morris was chosen February 20,
1781. His chief program for raising money was by import duties, to which
some of the states were opposed; also by loans and subsidies from France, and
to inaugurate a policy of retrenchment. On different occasions he borrowed
money on his own personal credit to carry on with. Without his aid Washing-
ton could not have carried out his campaign of 1781. It was mainly through
the efforts of Morris that the Bank of North America was established, by
means of which financial conditions of the country were improved.
In 1791, Robert Morris purchased a large tract of land, 2,500 acres in all,
in what is now the Borough of Morrisville in Bucks County, which included
"Summerseat," where Washington had his headquarters from December 8 to
14, 1776. The borough of Morrisville was named for him, and that place
was seriously considered as the site for our national capital, but it finally lost
out and the banks of the Potomac decided upon. Robert Morris did not
live at "Summerseat," but made his home elsewhere in Morrisville. George
Clymer held a mortgage for £27,405 against his property, which he purchased
at sheriff's sale in 1798.
Robert Morris had the honor of nominating Washington for the presi-
dency, and was offered the post of secretary of the treasury, which he declined
recommending Alexander Hamilton, who was appointed. Morris was then
elected to the United States Senate, where he served until 1795, when he
retired from public life.
His land speculations, amounting to millions of acres, principally in the
Genessee country in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and South Carolina,
and of which "Summerseat" was a part, proved disastrous, and on February
16, 1798, he entered a debtor's prison at Philadelphia, where he was confined
until August 26, 1801. He died at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806, in the seventy-
third year of his age, lea\ing a widow to survive.
Robert Morris was indeed an eminent financier and a great patriot; he
pledged his private fortune to uphold our cause, but later when he became
involved in debt, under the vicious laws in force at that time, an ungrateful
country allowed him to be imprisoned for debt. Nevertheless, his name stands
written to his glory on history's page, for the heroic part he plaj'ed in upholding
the credit of our country in time of its greatest need, and our appreciation
and admiration of his heroism increase as the years go by.
On June 18, 1926, his memory was honored by the unveiling of an heroic
bronze statue on the steps at the Chestnut Street entrance of the Custom
House at Philadelphia. This was erected jointly by The Philadelphia Bankers
Association, The Fairmount Park Art Association and The Pennsylvania
State Commission, toward the cost of which the State appropriated $20,000.
This state appropriation w-as secured through the efforts of Hon. H. M.
Edwards of Scranton and other gentlemen of Welsh descent.
THE THOMPSOX-XEELY HOUSE
417
GEORGE CLYMER
1739-1815
■^ GEORGE CLYMER, signer
of the Declaration of Independence,
was born in Philadelphia, June 1,
1739. His grandfather, Richard
Clymer, was a native of England,
who arrived in Philadelphia in the
fall of 1699. Richard had two sons,
William and Christopher, and one
daughter, Ann. Christopher mar-
ried Debora, daughter of George
Fitzwater and his wife, Mary Hardi-
man. They were the parents of two
children, Elizabeth who died in
infancy, and George the subject of
this notice. George's mother died
March 6, 1740, and his father on
June 1, 1740, leaving George an
orphan at the age of one year. Upon
the death of his parents, he was
taken to the home of William Cole-
man, who had married Hannah
Fitzwater, and was therefore his
uncle by marriage. William Cole-
man finally adopted him and left
him the bulk of his large fortune.
(See page 409 ante. )
George Clymer recei\ed a lib-
eral education at the College of
Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania), but left college before
graduating to enter the counting-house of Mr. Coleman. In 1764, he left
the counting-house of Mr. Coleman to enter that of Reese Meredith, whose
wife was a distant relative of his mother, and on March 22, 1765, he married
Elizabeth Meredith, his master's daughter, a sister of Gen. Samuel Meredith.
•In April, 1765, Reese Meredith admitted his son Samuel and his son-in-law,
George Clymer, to partnership in the firm.
From 1770 to 1775 he was a member of Common Council of Philadelphia.
In 1775 he became an alderman. On April 27, 1772, Governor Penn ap-
pointed him a justice of the Court of Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas
of Philadelphia. He attended meetings at Philadelphia in October, 1773,
and again in Boston in June, 1774, to protest against the Boston port bill
and the importation of tea. He was made a member of a committee of corre-
spondence, and joined the call for the first Constitutional Congress, which
met in Carpenter's hall, September 5, 1774. At that meeting he was made
treasurer of the Continental Congress, and on July 20, 1775, he and Michael
Hillegas were appointed treasurers. From January 23 to 28, 1775, he was a
member of the Provincial Convention. On April 24, 1776, he attended
the famous meeting in the State House yard, and urged the organization of
the "Associators," and to prove his sincerity accepted a captaincy in Col.
John Cadwallader's "Silk Stockings." On July 22, he marched with his regi-
ment to Amboy. On December 10, 1776, he marched with his regiment to
Dunk's Ferry on the Delaware, but the ice prevented them from crossing to
join Washington in his Trenton campaign, to attack the Hessians at Mount
Holly; however, the battalion took part in the attack on Princton, January 3,
1777. This was the only action that Captain Clymer ever took part in. He
subsequently was advanced to the rank of Colonel. On August 2, 1776, he
affixed his name to the Declaration of Independence.
George Clymer was active in many departments of state and government,
which cannot be enumerated in this short notice, including the chairmanships
on Cannon, Further Defense, Floating Batteries, Ships, Fort Island, Powder
House and other committees. He was chairman of the Committee of Safety,
418 THE THOMPSOX-XEELY HOUSE
City V'igilants, Special Commissioner to X'alley Forge and many other positions
of trust. In the winter of 1777, he was in the Pennsylvania Assembly, for
under the law at that time offices could be held at the same time both in the
nation and the state.
On May 17, 1780, he, with Robert Morris and John Nixon, organized the
Bank of Pennsylvania with a capital of £315,000 for the express purpose of
furnishing the army with supplies. To this enterprise George Clymer and
his brother-in-law, George Meredith, each subscribed £5,000 in silver. Mr.
Clymer was re-elected to congress in 1780 and again in 1781. On December
31, 1781, congress incorporated the Bank of North America, of w^hich George
Clymer and Robert Morris were both directors.
In 1782, George Clymer moved to Princeton for the purpose of placing
his two sons, Henr>' and Meredith, in the College of New Jerse\". He remained
there until October, 1785, when he was again elected to the Pennsylvania
assembly, where he served until October, 1789.
In October, 1788, he was again sent back to Congress. In 1798, he pur-
chased "Summerseat," Washington's headquarters at Morrisville, which in
1805 he deeded to his son, Henry, with whom he and his family made their
home, and there he died January 23, 1813. His widow, who survived him,
passed away at Northumberland, Pa., in February, 1815, at the age of 72
years. George Clymer's body lies buried at the corner of Hanover and Mont-
gomery Streets in the city of Trenton, N. J.
Mr. and Mrs. Clymer were the parents of nine children: William Cole-
man, Julian, Henry who married the daughter of Thomas Willing, Elizabeth,
Reese, Margaret who married George McCall, Nancy who married Charles
Lewis, and George who married a Miss O'Brien. William Coleman, Julian,
Elizabeth and Reese died young.
George Clymer is described as being a thoroughbred gentleman, one of
the most useful and patriotic citizens of his day and generation, an earnest
promoter of e\ery scheme for improvement of his country in science, agricul-
ture, polite learning, the fine arts or objects of mere utility. He was a student
and a thinker, and no one was more ready to sacrifice himself and all he had
for the sake of his countr>^
(See American Magazine of History, Vol. \\ page 196, and Griswold's
.Republican Court, page 58.)
THE THOMPSON-XEELY HOUSE
419
JOHN SULLI\"AX
1740-1795
6 MAJOR GENERAL JOHN SULLI-
VAN was born February 17, 1740, at Somers-
worth, directly across the Salmon Falls River
from Berwick, Maine, where his father, Owen
Sullivan, with his family, settled on their
arrival from Ireland in 1732. John was
brought up on a farm, but at intervals of
work, received a good education under direc-
tion of his father, who was a school-teacher.
On arriving at maturity, John began the study
of law, and in due time established himself
in practice at Durham, New Hampshire,
where he made his home over the remainder
of his life.
In 1774 he was chosen a delegate to the
first provincial congress, from which he
resigned June 1, 1775, to accept his appoint-
ment as one of the eight brigadier generals
appointed by congress on the organization of
the army, of which George Washington was
made commander-in-chief. On August 10,
1776, he was commissioned a major general.
He took part in early engagements, including
the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776,
where he was taken prisoner, but was soon
exchanged for General Prescott of the British
army. After General Charles Lee was cap-
tured in New Jersey, December 13, 1776, Sulli-
van was placed in command of his division
and led Washington's right at the battle of Trenton, where he distinguished
himself for his gallantry and bravery. He was in the thick of the fight at
Brandy wine, where he commanded the right wing of the army. At the
battle of Germantown he defeated the left wing of the British army. He
spent that dismal winter of 1777-78 with Washington at Valley Forge.
The Indian massacres and depredations on the frontier along the Upper
Delaware, the Minisinks, Cherry Valley, the Wyoming Valley and along the
Susquehanna River, had assumed such proportions, that congress decided
on a campaign of invasion, and directed Washington to send a strong detach-
ment of the army into that territory and completely crush out not only the
uprising, but also to destroy all sources of food supply on which they depended.
At the head of this uprising was that Mohawk W'arrior Joseph Brandt,
who was at the head of the confederated six nations of Indians, commonly
called the Iriquois, and the disaffected settlers known as tories under the
leadership of Sir John Johnson, Col. John Butler and Guy Carleton.
Washington selected General Sullivan to head that expedition. He
assembled his troops at Easton, Pa., from which place he began his march
on June 18, 1779. He marched out of Easton, crossing the Bushkill Creek,
thence over College Hill, following an Indian path, since known as Sullivan's
Road. He crossed the Blue Mountains at the Wind Gap, thence over
the Poconos and Moosic Mountains into the W'yoming X'alley at Wilkes-
Barre. From Wilkes-Barre they marched along the eastern shore of the
Susquehanna to Tioga Point, now the City of Athens. At that point the
Tioga or Chemung river empties into the Susquehanna. Jsst above their
junction where they flow close together, Sullivan built four strong block-
houses, stretching from river to river, which was called "Fort Sullivan."
A monument has since been erected at that place to mark its location.
Thirty-five days after leaving Easton, on July 22, they encountered the
enemy at Newtown, near Elmira, N. Y., where they were joined by General
Clinton and his army, and what was called the "Battle of Chemung" was
fought. The enemy was completely annihilated, after which they destroyed
420
THE THOMPSON-XEELY HOUSE
all their growing crops consisting mostly of corn. Continuing their march they
destroyed all Indian settlements, village after village, after which they began
their return march back to Easton, where they arrived October 15, 1779.
One hundred years later, on July 22, 1879, an imposing monument was
erected on the battlefield at Newtown, and on June 18, 1900, the George
Taylor Chapter D. A. R. of Easton erected a natural boulder memorial, with
an inscribed bronze tablet on College Hill, Easton, to mark the route of
Sullivan's trail.
Owing to some adverse criticism, General Sullivan retired from the
army. He was afterwards a member of Congress for three years. In 1786,
he was president of New Hampshire. In 1789, he was appointed district
judge, which office he held until his death, which occurred at Durham, N. H.,
January 23, 1795.
(See "General Sullivan's Indian Expedition, 1779" — New York State
Publication, 1887, and Paper by Ethan Allen Weaver, read October 16, 1929,
before the Northampton County Historical Society. See also his letter to
General Washington, written January 10, 1781, from the Barclay house, Morris-
ville. Pa.)
' MAJOR GENERAL NA-
THANIEL GREENE— Born Aug-
ust 7, 1742, at Patowomot, Rhode
Island. His father was a preacher
among Friends, and educated his
son \'ery simply, training him from
childhood to work on the farm and
at his anchor forge and gristmill,
but Nathaniel by his own persever-
ance and ambition acquired a splen-
did education. In 1770 he was
chosen as a member of the Rhode
Island assembly, and to the great
scandal of the Quakers was one of
the first to engage in military drill,
whereupon he was read out of meet-
ing. On July 20, 1774, he married
Catharine Littlefield, and during
the same year he enlisted as a pri-
vate in the Kentish Guards. In
1775 he was appointed to the com-
mand of the Rhode Island contin-
gent and sent to the army at Boston with the rank of Brigadier General,
conferred upon him by the state and confirmed at Philadelphia meeting,
June 15, 1775. On August 9, 1776, he was commissioned by Congress as a
Major (ieneral. He was in command of troops on Long Island in the afifair
at Harlem Heights, where he was under fire for the first time.
Hp was the commanding general at the battle of Fort Washington, where
he was forced to surrender November 16, 1776. In the New Jersey campaign
he distinguished himself for his ability as a leader, particularly at Trenton
and Princeton. He was the youngest of that galaxy of four commanding
generals who under the leadership of Washington, crossed the Delaware river
on that stormy night of Christmas, 1776.
At the battle of Brandywine he commanded a division. At Germantown
he commanded the left wing of \\'ashington's army. He distinguished himself
at the battle of King's Mountain in North Carolina, October 7, 1780, and on
October 30, succeeded General Gates in command of the Army of the South.
A detachment of his army under command of General Daniel Morgan gained
a decisive victory over General Tarleton, January 17, 1781, at the battle of
Cowpens, South Carolina. General Greene carried on his campaign in the
south with such success, that he finally secured military possession of Georgia
GENERAL N\TH\NIEL GREENE
1742-1786
THE THOMPSON-XKELV HOUSE
421
and the Carolinas, with the exception of three coast towns. For his services
and military prowess, Congress struck off and presented him with a gold medal,
and made him grants of valuable lands.
Although the siege of Vorktown, October 19, 1781, practically ended the
war, the British troops were not withdrawn. Savannah fell July 11, 1782.
The last blood of the war was shed by the killing of Captain Wilmot, Septem-
ber, 1782.
On December 4, 1782, the American detachment at 11 o'clock, took
formal possession of Charlestown, S. C. At three in the afternoon. General
Greene escorted (iovernor Mathews to the town hall, and then witnessed the
British gunboats sail away for England and the war was ended. A preliminary
treaty of peace was signed at Paris, November 30, 1782; and on September 3,
1783, a definitive treaty was signed at Versailles in France, by which the
United States was formally acknowledged by Great Britain to be free, sov-
ereign and independent.
When peace was restored in 1783, General Greene retired to "Mulberry
Grove," his estate near Augusta, Georgia, where he died of sunstroke, June 19,
1785, in his 44th year.
On May 18, 1791, General Washington, while traveling in the south,
stopped to dine with the widow of his old friend and companion in arms,
General Greene.
General Nathaniel Greene was one of Washington's outstanding generals,
often referred to as the most competent of them all. He was described by
Lord Cornwallis: "As dangerous as Washington, vigilant, enterprising and
full of resources."
^ THOMAS PAINE was born
at Thetford, County of Suffolk,
England, January 29, 1737. He was
the son of a Quaker. He left school
at the age of thirteen and was put
at his father's trade of staymaking.
In 1759 he established himself as a
staymaker at Sandwich, County of
Kent. In 1762 he became an excise-
man, from which for some supposed
irregularity, he was temporarily sus-
pended, supporting himself between
times by preaching as a Methodist.
Benjamin Franklin advised him to
go to America, and gave him letters
to Richard Bache. He found em-
ployment as editor for eighteen
months on Aitkin's "Pennsylvania
Magazine" or "American Monthly
Museum." He was primarily a
political and philosophical writer.
He entered heartily in the spirit of
the times, and allied himself with
the Patriot or Whig party. He
joined the Flying Camp as a Penn-
sylvania militiaman. General Greene
made him one of his aides-de-camp,
and as such he took part in that
disastrous battle of Fort Washing-
ton. Thomas Paine was with Wash-
ington's retreating army through New Jersey, crossing the Delaware into
Pennsylvania where he was later quartered with General Greene at the Mer-
rick house prior to the battle of Trenton, in which, as a member of General
Greene's staff he took a conspicuous part. His military experience was,
THOMAS PAINE
1737-1809
422 THE THOMPSOX-NEELY HOUSE
however, brief, but it prompted him to write a series of sixteen pamphlets,
entitled "The Crisis," which he signed "Common Sense," the first one dated
December 19, 1776, beginning with the words: "These are the times that
tr>' men's souls," and the last one dated December 9, 1783, all of which were
widely read and had a great influence over the people. He is said to have
begun writing the first of these patriotic pamphlets while on his retreat with
the army from Fort Lee, the first one of which was published six days
before he marched with. General Greene to take part in the Battle of Trenton.
In January, 1777, he was appointed secretary of the commission sent by
Congress to treat with the Indians at Easton, Pa., and in April he was elected
secretary of the Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs. In 1781, he
went to France as secretary to John Lawrens on a Government mission to
raise money. They were cordially received by the King of France and
returned with two and one-half million livers in silver, and in addition much
clothing and military stores. In 1782, at the suggestion of Washington,
congress granted Paine S800 to use his pen in support of the country. In
1784, the State of New York presented him with 277 acres of land at New
Rochelle, N. Y., and Pennsylvania gave him $3,000 in money. In 1787, he
went to France to exhibit his new bridge to the Academy of Science in Paris.
He also visited England and was lionized in London by the party of Burke
and Fox. He brought odium upon himself by writing in 1791-92, his pam-
phlet, "The Rights of Man," for which a suit was brought against him, but
he had already departed for France, where he was enthusiastically received
and highly honored b}- being made a Citizen along with Washington, Hamil-
ton and Madison. He was elected as a delegate to the French Convention.
He opposed the deposing of King Louis XVI, whereupon on December 28,
1793, he was committed to the Luxemburg prison, where he was kept for ten
months. Just before his arrest he had finished the first part of his "Age of
Reason," the famous exhibition of Deism. While in prison he worked on the
second part. On the change of government he was released, and re-entered
the Convention where he sat until its adjournment, October 26, 1795. He
returned to America in 1802, landing at Baltimore, October 30. He was
pleased to find that his services in the Colonies were greatly remembered, but
alas his "Age of Reason," had cost him the esteem of the religious part of the
community. On his retirement he lived successively at Bordentown, N. J.,
New Rochelle, N. Y., and New York City, dying at the latter place June 8,
1809. He was buried at New Rochelle, where a monument was erected to
his memory in 1839, although his body had been exhumed and carried to
England by direction of William Cobbett in 1819.
9 MAJOR GENERAL HENRY
KNOX, who came from Scotch-Irish
Presbyterian ancestry, was born in
Boston, July 25, 1730. He received
but a common school education. At
the age of twenty-five 3'ears he became
a bookseller at Boston, continuing in
that profession until the battle of Lex-
ington in 1775, when he entered the
Continental army, serving as an aide
to General Aaron Ward at the battle
of Bunker Hill, and during the siege of
Boston.
In December, 1775, Washington
sent him to Lake George and the
Canadian frontier in quest of ord-
nance-stores and cannon to fortify
GENERAL HENRY KNOX Dorchester Heights. He executed his
730-1806 * commission with the greatest fidelity
THE THOMPSON-NEELY HOUSE
423
under most trying conditions. On December 17, he wrote to Washington:
"Three days ago it was very uncertain whether we could get them over until
next spring, but now, thank God, they shall go. I have made forty-two
exceedingly strong sleds, and have provided eighty yol<e of oxen to drag them
as far as Springfield, where 1 shall get fresh cattle to take them to camp."
His cargo included more than fifty cannon, mortars and howitzers. For this
and other faithful services he was made a Brigadier General of Artillery. He
served with great distinction at Trenton and Princeton. He was also engaged
in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, and in the siege
of Yorktown. He passed the winter of 1777-78, with Washington at Valley
Forge, laboring to improve the discipline and efficiency of the army. In
1781, Congress commissioned him as a major general. In 1783, he was dele-
gated by Washington to arrange with Sir Guy Carleton for the capitulation
of New York. (Jeneral Knox was in fact, one of Washington's most trusted
advisers. As an officer he was most faithful and conspicuous for his bravery
and skill in handling artillery, and for his tireless energy.
From 1789 to 1795, he was secretary of war in \\'ashington's cabinet,
having also charge of the navy, which at that time was not a separate bureau.
General and Mrs. Knox were close personal friends of the (General Washing-
tons during the days of the Republican court in Philadelphia. The Knox
family and the family of Judge Chew were visited by the Washingtons more
than any other families in Philadelphia. Young Knox, when a liookseller,
had married Miss Flucker, much against the wishes of her family, but Knox,
the brave general, gave her a prouder name than was ever dreamed of by her
father, Mr. Secretary Flucker.
Both General and Mrs. Knox are described as having been "enormously
large," in fact the largest couple in Philadelphia at that time. They were
delightful entertainers and splendid conversationalists.
On his retirement from public life, Knox removed first to St. (.eorges in
Maine and later to Thomaston, Mass., where he passed away October 25, 1806.
10 ALEXANDER HAMILTON
was born January 11, 1757, at
Charles Town, on the Island of
Nevis, a small island of the British
West Indies. His father, James
Hamilton, was of Scotch ancestry,
and his mother a French Huguenot.
At the age of fifteen he was sent to
America to pursue his studies,
arriving in Boston in Octol^er, 1772.
From Boston he went direct to
Elizabethtown, N. J., where he
attended a grammar school to pre-
pare for admission to King's Col-
lege (now Columbia Uni\ersity) at
New York. He entered college dur-
ing the latter part of 177,^, and
endeavored to fit himself for the
medical profession, but the conten-
tions of the Colonies with England
gave a different direction to his
impulsive and inspiring mind, and
on March 6, 1774, we find him
attending a meeting at Boston,
called to protest against the Boston
Port Bill. He was then but seven-
teen years of age, but was called
.ALEXANDER H.\MILTON
17.S7-1804
424 THE THOMPSON" -XEELY HOUSE
upon to address the meeting. He was slightly built, short of stature
and not robust, but the vigor and maturity of his intellect and his eloquence
were the admiration of his auditors. This was the beginning of his public
career which in later years became the pride and admiration of the entire
country. On July 6, 1774, he attended and addressed a meeting in New
York, assembled to take action on the calling of a general congress, where his
impassionate and well-reasoned speech brought him to the notice of men of
prominence. But no attempt is made in this short biographical notice to
record the career of this brilliant man, whose history is so well known, and
whose services can scarcely be overestimated. (See page 404, ante.)
In 1780, he married Elizabeth, the second daughter of General Philip
Schuyler, of Albany, N. Y. Hamilton's life came to a tragic end. He died
in the city of New York, July 12, 1804, having been fatally wounded July 11,
1804, in a duel at Weehawken, N. J., on the Hudson opposite New York by
Aaron Burr, who was jealous of Hamilton's political schemes. The death
of Hamilton was regarded as a national calamity. After killing Hamilton,
Burr fled from justice, crossing the Delaware by the Lamberton or Lower
Trenton ferry into Pennsylvania, July 19, 1804. Burr spent the latter part
of 1806 at Morrisville with General Jean X'ictor Maria Moreau.
12 THE MOLAND HOUSE, a front view of which is shown herewith,
is on the Old York Road in Warwick Township, Bucks County. It stands
on the north slope of the Little Neshaminy Creek, which it faces. The house
is substantially built of stone, in a splendid state of preservation, size 24 by 29
feet, with a two-story addition, 18 by 23 feet. The tract of land on which it
is erected, is part of 541 acres, called "Coldchester," surveyed to James Boyden,
10th of the 7th month, 1682. James Boyden transferred it to his grand-
children. In 1741, 325 >^ acres were sold to John Moland, who by will dated
November 8, 1760, devised it to his children, Elizabeth, Hannah, Grace and
Joseph. A deed from Joseph Moland to John Richards recites that the widow
of John Moland and his daughters, Elizabeth and Grace, are deceased, and
the property, then 134 acres, became vested in Joseph Moland and his sister
Hannah, intermarried with Hay, as tenants in common. They were
therefore the owners at the time of Washington's encampment, and the house
bears their family name of Moland.
The subsequent owners were as follows: On April 28, 1789, Hannah Hay,
widow, conveyed her one-half to Daniel Longstreath; on April 30, 1789, Daniel
Longstreath conveyed the same half to John Richards; on June 9, 1789,
Joseph Moland conveyed his one-half to John Richards, these transfers vested
the entire 134 acres in John Richards; on April 1, 1791, John Richards con-
veyed the same tract to Elijah Stinson; on April 1, 1842, the executors of
Elijah Stinson conveyed the same to Reuben P. Ely; on March 8, 1856, Reuben
P. Ely and his wife conveyed 106 acres and 92 perches to William Rothwell;
on April 3, 1889, the surviving executor of William Rothwell conveyed the
same to Sarah R. Campbell; on November 6, 1896, Sarah R. Campbell con-
veyed the same to Gerardus Wynkoop Rubinkam, and on March 29, 1911,
Rubinkam conveyed the same 106 acres 92 perches to R. Sherman Robbins,
the present (1931) owner.
Family Bibles in the Library of the Bucks County
Historical Society
INSCRIPTIONS COPIED BY MRS. WARREN S. ELY, DOYLESTOWN, PA.
THERE are eighty-nine old Bibles in the Library, of the
Bucks County Historical Society, and in addition there
are a number of New Testaments. The following is a
memorandum of inscriptions and family data contained in forty-
tw^o of the Bibles. Many of the Bibles do not contain inscrip-
tions.
(Alphabetically Arranged)
1 — Angene, Jacob
2 — Balderston-Simpson
3— Child
4 — Clift-Jenkins
5 — Cooper
6 — Cornell
7 — Cressman
8— Doyle
9 — Eastburn
10— Ely, Isaiah
11 — Emig, John George
12— Foulke
13 — Green, Benjamin
14 — Green, Evan
15— Grier
16 — Hardman
17— Hough
18— Howell
19— Jenks
20 — Kelly, George
21— Kelly, Phineas
22 — Kirk, Isaac
23 — Kroesen
24 — Krusen
25 — Large
26 — Larue
27 — Martindell-Bridgman
28— Moore
29— Morris
30— Oberholtzer
31— Porch
32— Roe
33 — Shaw, Susanna B.
34 — Smith, Canby
35 — Smith, Scoggens
36 — Smith, Summers A.
37— Smith, William
38 — Souder
39— Stover
40 — Strickland-Bennett
41 — Todd-Chapman-Mercer
42 — Weaver
426 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
JACOB ANGENE BIBLE
Jacob Angene was born Anno Domini September, 1740.
Frau Elizabeth born in the year Anno Domini 1725, April
29th.
Gertraut in the year Anno 1762 — November 11th.
EHzabeth was geboren November 9th, 1763.
Maria was born Anno 1765 — March 12th.
Barbara was born Anno 1770 — April 8th.
Jacob was born 2nd day of December, 1773.
The children of Martain Kulb:
Cadrin Kulb born in the year 1749, August the 6th day.
Barra Kulb born in the year 1753, March the 13th.
Elizabeth Kulb born in the year 1755, February the 12th.
Merry Kulb born in the year 1760, May the 2nd.
Madlen Kulb born in the year 1757, March the 12th.
Susanna Kulb born in the year 1762.
Nanne Kulb in the year 1765, October 12th.
BALDERSTON-SIMPSON FAMILY BIBLE
Ann Balderston's Book, desposited by Fannie Palmer, New-
town, daughter of Franklin Palmer and Martha Horn Palmer,
his wife, March, 1921.
Balderston — John and Deborah Watson were married the
21st day of the 10th mo., 1767, at Falls Meeting.
John W. and Elizabeth Buckman were married 17th of 11th
mo., 1801, at Falls Meeting.
Ann Balderston was killed by lightning the 25th of 8th mo.,.
1802.
Mark Balderston and Elizabeth Lloyd were married the 19th
of 11th mo., 1805, at Horsham Meeting.
Mitchell — John and Hannah Balderston were married the
10th of 12th mo., 1817, at Falls Meeting.
John Mitchell died the 14th of 12th mo., 1821.
Simpson — ^James and Ann Balderston were married the 14th
of the 5th mo., 1823, at Falls Meeting.
John Simpson and Ruth Whitson were married at Bucking-
ham Meeting.
James Simpson and Susanna Satterthwaite were married the
11th of 5th mo., 1803, at Falls Meeting.
FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY 427
Susanna Simpson departed this life the 3rd of 4th mo. 1821.
Balderstox — Elizabeth, widow of Mark, departed this life
17th of 10th mo. 1826.
Palmer — David, Jr., and Susanna Simpson were married
12th of 10th mo., 1831, at Falls Meeting.
Brooks — Charles and Elizabeth Simpson were married 14th
of 10th mo., 1835, at Falls Meeting.
Mahax — John and Ruth Simpson married the 14th of 10th
mo., 1835, at Falls Meeting.
SiMPSOX- — John and Ann Comfort married the 11th of 10th
mo., 1837, at Falls Meeting.
HiLLBORX — Ruth (formerly Simpson) died the 6th of 3rd mo.,
1858, aged 85 years, 2 mos., 15 days.
Balderstox — John Balderston, son of John and Hannah,
was born 26th of 3rd mo., 1740.
Deborah Balderston, dau. of Mark and Ann Watson, was
born 23rd of 3rd mo., 1744.
Ann, daughter of John and Deborah Balderston, born 28th
of 8th mo., 1768.
Mark, son of John and Deborah, born 25th of 7th mo., 1770.
Merab, daughter of John and Deborah, born 25th of 7th mo.,
1770.
Mark Balderston died 10th of 8th mo., 1770.
Hannah, daughter of John and Deborah, born 30th of 5th
mo., 1772.
Ann Balderston died 1st of 11th mo., 1774.
John, son of John and Deborah Balderston, born 24th of 2nd
mo., 1775.
Mark, son of John and Deborah Balderston, born 1st of 5th
mo., 1778.
Ann, daughter of John and Deborah Balderston, born 15th,
12th mo., 1780.
Ezra, son of John and Deborah Balderston, born 13th, 1st
mo., 1783.
Deborah Balderston died 17th of 4th mo., 1794, aged 50 yrs.,
13 days.
John Balderston died 26th of 4th mo., 1821, aged 81 yrs., 1 mo.
Mark Balderston died 3rd of 9th mo., 1823, aged 45 yrs., 4
mos., 2 days.
John W. Balderston died 26th, 2nd mo., 1842, aged 67 yrs.,
428 FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY
2 days. (He attached the letter W. for distinction as there were
a number of that name.)
Merab Balderston died 6th of 4th mo., 1842, aged 71 yrs., 8
mos.
Simpson — James, son of John and Kesia, was born the 9th of
12th mo., 1851, died 13th of 6th mo., 1852.
Susanna, daughter of John and Ann, died 6th of 3rd mo., 1852,
aged 11 yrs., 6 weeks.
WilHam, son of John and Kesia, born 10th of 5th mo., 1853.
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Kesia, born 19th of 1st mo.,
1857.
Rowland — Hannah S., wife of Nathan Rowland, died 12th
mo., 6th, 1858, in 41st year of her age.
Simpson — John, son of John and Hannah, born 23rd of 10th
mo., 1739.
Ruth Simpson, daughter of David and Clement Witson, was
born 23rd of 1st mo., 1733.
David Simpson, son of John and Ruth, was born 4th of 4th
mo., 1765.
Hannah Simpson, daughter of John and Ruth, was born 20th
of 4th mo., 1767.
John Simpson was born 5th of 8th mo., 1769.
Ruth Simpson was born 21st of 12th mo., 1772.
James Simpson was born 17th of 6th mo., 1775.
David Simpson died the 5th of 6th mo., 1831.
Hannah Shinn, formerly Simpson, died 7th of 2nd mo., 1833.
John died 4th of 11th mo., 1835.
James died 23rd of 4th mo., 1842, aged 66 yrs., 10 mos., 6 das.
Mitchell — Hannah Mitchell died 21st of 6th mo., 1850, aged
78 yrs., 22 das.; buried at Germantown.
Simpson — John, son of James and Susanna, died 28th of 6th
mo., 1857, aged 63 yrs., 7 mos., 7 das.
Mary, daughter of James and Susanna, was born 10th of 8th
mo., 1805.
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Susanna, was born 3rd of
6th mo., 1807.
Susanna, daughter of James and Susanna, born 16th of 6th
mo., 1809.
Ruth, daughter of James and Susanna, born 11th of 7th mo,,
1811.
FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY 429
John, son of James and Susanna, born 21st of 11th mo., 1813.
Hannah, daughter of James and Susanna, born 8th of 4th mo.,
1818.
Palmer — James, son of David and Susanna, born 16th of
9th mo., 1832.
Charles, son of David and Susanna, born 28th of 5th mo.,
1834.
Ann, daughter of David and Susanna, born 6th of 8th mo.,
1836.
F"rankHn, son of David and Susanna, born 20th of 12th mo.,
1848.
Rowland — Charles, son of Nathan and Hannah, born 5th of
6th mo., 1852.
Charles, son of Nathan and Hannah, died 25th of 3d mo.,
1855.
Mahan — Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ruth, born 6th
of 5th mo., 1852.
Simpson — Ann, widow of John, died 6th of 5th mo., 1860, in
her 80th year.
Brooks — John, son of Charles and Elizabeth, born 14th of
9th mo., 1836.
Mahan — Susanna, daughter of John and Ruth, born 15th
of 9th mo., 1836.
Palmer — David, Jr., born 17th of 6th mo., 1837.
Simpson — Rebecca, born 27th of 7th mo., 1838.
Brooks — James, born 24th of 10th mo., 1838.
Mahan— Abel, born 13th of 7th mo., 1840.
Palmer — Joseph, born 23rd of 10th mo., 1840.
Brooks — Samuel, born 31st of 10th mo., 1840.
Simpson — Susanna, daughter of John and Ann, born 23rd of
1st mo., 1841.
Hannah and Nathan Rowland married the 7th of 10th mo.,
1841, in Philadelphia.
Rowland — James M., son of Nathan and Hannah, born 6th
of 2d mo., 1843.
Brooks — Ann, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth, born 23rd
of 2nd mo., 1843.
Palmer — Susanna, born 26th of 11th mo., 1843.
Rowland — Lydia, born 16th of 6th mo., 1844.
430 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
Simpson — Rebecca, died 20th of 5th mo., 1841, aged 2 yrs., 9
mos., 23 das.
Palmer — ^Ann, daughter of David and Susanna L., died 2nd
of 10th mo., 1842, aged 6 yrs., 2 mos.
Rowland — James M., son of Nathan and Hannah, died 26th
of 7th mo., 1843, aged 5 mos., 20 das.
Lydia died the 8th of 7th mo., 1844, aged 3 weeks and 1 day.
Henry, son of Nathan and Hannah, born 21st of 4th mo., 1846.
Brooks — Mary, daughter of Charles and EHzabeth, born
26th of 5th mo., 1846.
Rowland — Henry, died 23rd of 6th mo., 1846, aged 9 weeks.
Palmer — Mary Ann, daughter of David and Susanna, born
1st of 7th mo., 1846.
Simpson — Ann Comfort, wife of John, died the 20th of 2nd
mo., 1849.
John and Kesia (Smith) married 16th of 10th mo., 1850.
John, son of James and Susanna, died 28th of 6th mo., 1857,
in 45th yr.
WilUam. son of John and Kesia, died 7th mo., 20th, 1860, in
8th year.
Brooks — Samuel, son of Charles and Elizabeth, died 24th
of 2nd mo., 1848, aged 7 yrs., 4 mos.
Rowland — Franklin, son of Nathan and Hannah, born 10th
mo., 20th, 1847, in Philadelphia.
Brooks — Isaac, son of Charles and Elizabeth, born 14th of
9th mo., 1849.
Rowland — Florence, daughter of Nathan and Hannah, born
26th of 10th mo., 1849.
Franklin, son of Nathan and Hannah, died 3rd of 8th mo.,
1849.
CHILD BIBLE
Child — Cephas died the 7th mo. 12th, 1815.
Jonathan, Jr., departed this life 9th day of the 10th mo., 1821.
Deborah departed this life the 20th day of the eleventh
month, 1830, between the eleventh and twelfth hour of the day.
Jonathan departed this life the eleventh day of the fifth
month, eighteen hundred thirty-three (1833).
Michener — Isaac died the 8th mo., 2nd, 1814.
Thomas died 1st mo., 21st, 1815.
FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY 431
Amous died 4th mo., 9th, 1815.
Mary died the 8th mo., 25th, 1816.
Hannah departed this Hfe 8th mo., 2nd, at 8 o'clock in the
evening, 1834.
John Michener died 12th of 3rd mo., 1837.
FouLK — Hugh departed this Hfe the 22nd of the third month
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
one.
Child — Jonathan was married to Deborah Michener, 2nd
mo., 7th, 1799.
George was married to Sarah Wood, 11th mo., 26th, 1829.
Jonathan, son of Isaac and Rachel, his wife, born 6th mo.,
13th, 1761.
Deborah Child, daughter of George Michener and Hannah,
his wife, was born 7th mo., 22nd, 1770.
Isaac, son of Jonathan Child and Deborah, his wife, was born
12th mo., 15th, 1799.
George, son of Jonathan and Deborah, his wife, was born
3rd mo., 27th, 180L
Rachel, daughter of Jonathan and Deborah, his wife, was
born 1st day of first month. Anno Domini, 1803.
Randolph, son of George Child and Sarah, his wife, was born
3rd mo., 4th, 1836.
Mary T., daughter of George and Sarah, his wife, was born
12th day of 4th mo., 1838.
Walter — Joseph B., son of Joan and Mary Beek Walter,
of Plumstead, was born the 30th day of August, 1840.
Wood — Sarah W., daughter of James and Tacy, his wife,
was born 7th mo., 30th, eighteen hundred and eleven.
Walter — Joseph B. (M. D.) of Solebury, was married to
Mary T. Child, of Plumstead, Pa., on the 13th of October, 1870,
died on the 18th day of August, 1917, aged 76 years, 11 months,
17 days.
Child — Jonathan, Jr., died 10th mo., 9th, 1821, aged 14
years, 4 months, 14 days.
Deborah, wife of Jonathan Child, deceased 11th month, 20th,
1830, aged 60 years, 3 months and 29 days.
Jonathan Child, Sr., departed this life 5th month, 12th, 1833,
aged 71 years, 10 months, 29 days.
Joshua departed this life 8th mo., 3rd, 1837, aged 27 years.
432 FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY
Israel died 7th mo., 20th, 1884, aged 79 years, 6 months, 4
days.
Randolph departed this life 8th mo., 24th, 1836, aged 5 mos.,
20 das.
Sarah W., wife of George Childs, deceased 10th mo., 19th,
1846, aged 35 years, 2 months and 18 days.
George M. died on the 21st day of 4th mo., 1879, aged 78
years, 3 months, 3 days.
CLIFT-JENKINS BIBLE
Presented to the Bucks County Historical Society, by Helen
Y. Ellis, May 5, 1927.
Clift — Ann, departed this life January 1st, 1863, aged 64
years.
Benjamin K. and Elmira Jenkins were married February
17th, 1853.
Benjamin K. Clift was born March 25th, 1823.
Elmira Clift was born November 9th, 1824.
Emma Clift was born June 29th, 1858.
Departed this life, Benjamin K. Clift, July 9th, 1858, aged 35
yrs., 3 mos., 15 das.
Emma, daughter of Benjamin and Elmira Clift, departed this
life April 1, 1903, aged 44 years.
Departed this life August 28, 1911, Emma Clift, aged 87
years, 9 months, 11 days.
Jenkins — Joseph departed this life August 1st, 1852, aged
42 years, 1 month.
HoGELANE — George departed this life February 9th, 1861,
in the 46th year of his life.
Jones — Departed this life February 15th, 1861, in the 32nd
year of her age.
Jenkins — Jesse departed this life October 23, 1865, aged 77
years, 5 months.
Elizabeth Jenkins departed this life October 28, 1865, aged
45 years and 2 months.
CCOPER FAMILY BIBLE
This book is a gift of Amos Cooper to his daughter, Mary
Paxson, soon after her marriage.
FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY 433
Cooper — William and Margaret Cooper came from England
in the year 1678, and settled near Cooper's Creek, which was
named after them, and with them came their four children as
here noted :
William Cooper
William — Joseph — Daniel- — Hannah Wolston
No. 1 — Mary Thackery, John, Hannah.
No. 2— Mary Sloan, Ann Whitall,
John (died young), James,
Sarah Brown, David, Han-
nah, John
No. 3 — Martha Allison
No. 4 — Amos, Elizabeth Tatum, Paul, Ann
Wood, William.
No. 5
Sibyl Rulon, Mary Paxson, Sarah Webster, Hannah (died young),
Joseph (drowned), David (died young), Ann Pancoast, David,
Hannah (died young), Isaac, John, Beulah Snowden.
No. 5 — Mary Paxson.
Amos Paxson, Josiah Paxson.
Letitia, Hannah, Moses, Beu-
lah, Sarah Ann, Mangelline,
Lewis, Martha, Caroline.
CORNELL BIBLE
Presented to the Bucks County Historical Society in 1916.
Cornell — In the year 1754, the first day of August is father,
Gilliam Cornell, deceased.
In 1724, the 12th day of October, is Gilliam Cornell born
and married with Margrita Schenck the 8th day of May in the
year 1756 — she is born the 10th day of September in the year
1735.
The 17th day of March, 1757, is born Cornelia, bapt. April 11,
1758, the 13th of January is Cornelia deceased.
1758, the 3rd of December, is one Joannes born and baptised
December 30th.
1760, the 10th day of May, is Joannes deceased.
1761, the 26th day of May, is Abraham born and baptised
June 28th.
434 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
1762, the 13th day of September, is Gwillem born and bap-
tised 31st day of October, and the 5th day of February, 1763, is
deceased.
1764, 9th day of August, is twins, Gwillem and Lyn Broeder,
born; Lyn Broeder is deceased the 11th day and Gwillem is bap-
tised the 27th August.
1766, the 16th of July, is Remmitje born and baptised the
10th of August.
1769, the 17th of April, is one t^^in, Cornelia, born and is
baptised the 12th day of May.
1771, the 13th day of October, Margarita born and baptised
28th day.
1774, the 27th day of May, at 11 o'clock in the night is Jan
born and baptised, June 12, by Domini Van Harlangen.
1778, the 16th of June, is Maria born and is baptised June 21
by Domini Schenck.
1785, the 17th day is father Gilliam Cornell deceased and is
buried the 19th day of July.
1761, the 26th day May, is Abraham Cornell born and bap-
tised the 28th June and married with Aginitye Bennett the 19th
day of September, 1784.
One son, Kindchen, was in the world born July the fifth in the
year 1785 but was soon dead.
Son Gilyam is born the 8th of August, 1786.
1788, the 6th of March, is my daughter Margrita born.
1789, November the 6th day is Cornelia born.
1791, July the 1st, is daughter Maria born.
1797, December 23rd, is Abraham born.
Abraham Cornell died the last day of August in the year 1804.
This Bible came in possession of Jane E. Vanartsdalen, wife
of Cyrus T. Vanartsdalen, October, 1872, and to their son, I. T.
Vanartsdalen, Newtown,. Pa., June, 1908.
1793, 15th day of September, is Margrita Cornell deceased,
age 21 years and 11 months.
1803, 2nd day of September, at seven o'clock in the morning
is Margrita Schenck Cornell deceased in 68th year of her age.
FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY 435
CRESSMAN BIBLE
Cressmax — Addison, born June 4th, 1843.
Cathrina H. Rudy, born March 28, 1847. They were mar-
ried February 18, 1868, by Rev. H. L. Deilgart.
Jonas Clinton, born July 6, 1868.
Percival, born October 1, 1869.
Samuel Often, born March, 1871.
Elizabeth Ann, born August 1st, 1872.
Sally Martha, born July 27th, 1874.
DOYLE BIBLE
Bible belonging to the late Capt. William L. Doyle, grandson
of the late Edward Doyle, founder of Doylestown, by the remain-
ing heirs of the family; by Miss Mary C. Doyle, of Philadelphia,
Pa.
Doyle — J. W. Doyle was born January 4th, 1778.
William T. Doyle was born in Doylestown, February 16, 1816.
Catherine Miller Doyle was born in Philadelphia, December
16, 1819.
Children of W. T. and C. M. Doyle
Mary C. Doyle, born in Philadelphia, October 23, 1838.
Margaretta M. Doyle, September 7, 1840, in Philadelphia.
William W. Doyle, born in Philadelphia, October 21, 1842.
Joseph C, born in Philadelphia, February 23, 1845.
Sarah Lapp, born in Philadelphia, March 26, 1847.
Wilmina T., born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1849.
Adelaide Clawges Doyle, born in Philadelphia, September 21,
1851.
Martha Elizabeth Doyle, born in Philadelphia, April 21, 1856.
Sarah Pamelia Doyle, born in Philadelphia, July 4, 1858.
Morgan Thomas Doyle, born in Philadelphia, December 1^
1859.
William T. Doyle and C. M. Clawges were united in the
Bonds of Marriage on Sunday evening, the sev^enteenth day of
December, 1837. by Joseph W. Kennard.
W. Watson Doyle died the 27th March, 1901. age 58 years.
Mrs. Catherine M. Doyle, wife of the late Capt. William T.
Doyle, died March 12, 1881, in 69th year.
436 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
Mrs. Mary Doyle, wife of William, died in Philadelphia,
November 26, 1841.
Mrs. Morgan James died in Philadelphia, August 5, 1846.
Sarah Lapp Doyle died in Philadelphia June 15, 1847, buried
in lot 620, Monument Cemetery.
Wilhelmina T. Doyle died in Philadelphia, April 26, 1855, age
14 months and 6 days.
Morgan Thomas Doyle died July 4, 1861, interred in lot 620,
Monument Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa.
Martha E. Sturgeon (Doyle) died September 7, 1908, age 54
years.
John W. died May the 3rd, 1857, age 78 years.
Mary M. Clawges died October 14th, 1864, in her 67th year.
William T. Doyle died November 2nd, 1869, in 54th year of
his age.
EASTBURN BIBLE
"Rebekah Eastburn's Book taken at the appraisement of her
mother, Mary Eastburn, 1806. 12th month 27th, 1830, gave
Peter Phipps, my beloved nephew, this Bible when I have done
with it. Rebecca Peirce, formerly Eastburn."
Eastburn — Mary, daughter of Samuel Wilson, departed this
life the 19th of the eleventh month, 1805, age seventy-three years,
one month and seventeen days.
Joseph was born the 18th of the 1st mo., 1730.
Mary Eastburn, his wife, was born the 2nd day of the 10th
mo., 1732.
Joseph and A4ary were married, the 23rd of 5th mo., 1753.
Joseph, son of Joseph and Mary, his wife, was born 15th day,
7th mo., 1754.
Benjamin was born the 4th of 7th mo., 1755.
Samuel was born the 20th of 5th mo., 1758.
John was born the 27th of 4th mo., 1760.
Rebecca was born the 4th of 4th mo., 1762.
Thomas was born the 4th of 5th mo., 1764.
Mary was born the 22nd of 5th mo., 1766.
James was born the 27th of 8th mo., 1768.
Amos was born the 25th of 7th mo., 1770.
David was born the 7th of 4th mo., 1773.
Elizabeth was born the 22nd of 4th mo., 1775.
FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY 437
Joseph Eastburn, father of the above children, deceased the
20th of 10th mo., 1780, aged 50 years, 9 months, 10 days.
Mary Eastburn, mother of the above children, deceased the
19th of the 11th mo., 1805, aged 73 years, 1 month and 17 days.
Thomas departed this life the 14th of the 4th mo., 1816, aged
51 years, 10 months, 29 days.
Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Mary, his wife, departed
this life the second day of the 9th month, 1777, aged 1 year, 4
months, 10 days.
James departed this life the 4th day of 7th mo., 1792, aged
near 24 years.
Benjamin departed this life the 30th of the 9th mo., 1806,
aged fifty years and almost 3 months.
Joseph Eastburn departed this life the 16th day of 5th mo.,
1813, aged 58 years, 10 months.
Phipps — Mary departed this life 10th mo., 17th, 1821, aged
55 years, 25 days.
Eastburn — Samuel departed this life 4th of 5th mo., 1822,
aged 63 years, 9 months, 13 days.
Amos, departed this life 10th mo., 16th, 1823, aged 52 years,
9 months, 21 days.
David departed this life 29th day, 6th mo., 1824, aged 53
years, 11 months.
John departed this life 4th mo., 5th, 1843, aged 72 years, 11
months, 1 day.
Peirce — Rebecca, departed this life the 9th of 10th mo., 1839,
aged 77 years, 6 months and 5 days.
Eastburn — Elizabeth was born the 7th mo., 21st, 1788.
Bazaleel was born the 8th mo., 14th, 1791.
Jane was born the 5th mo., 22nd, 1794.
John was born the 4th mo., 9th, 1801.
Jane Worstal, late Eastburn, departed this life 11 mo., 6th,
1825.
Elizabeth Eastburn, mother of the above children, departed
this life the 6th mo., 3rd, 1801.
John Eastburn, father of the above children, departed this
life the 4th mo., 5th, 1833.
John S., son of Bazaleel Eastburn, was born the 1st mo., 29th,
1825
Wilson — Samuel Senr, born the 6th of 1st mo., 1706.
438 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
Rebecca, his wife, born the 16th of 7th mo., 1711.
Thomas, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 19th of 1st mo.,
1721.
Mary, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 2nd of 10th
mo., 1732.
Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 16th of 8th mo.,
1734.
Samuel, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 20th of 10th mo.,
1736.
Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 10th of
6th mo., 1739.
Rachel, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 5th of 4th
mo., 1741.
Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 7th of 6th
mo., 1743.
John, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 5th of 5th mo., 1745.
Hannah, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca, born 2nd of 5th
mo., 1747.
Stephen, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 2nd of 7th mo.,
1749.
Oliver, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 17th of 8th mo., 1751.
David, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 23rd of 8th mo., 1754.
Isaac, son of Samuel and Rebecca, born 14th of 3rd mo., 1757.
Thomas, son of Samuel and Rebecca, departed this life the
23rd of 7th mo., 1803, aged seventy-two.
Mary Eastburn, daughter of Samuel Wilson, departed this
life the 19th of the Uth mo., 1805, aged 73 years, 1 month, 17
days.
Sarah Morris, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wilson,
departed this life the 23rd of 10th mo., 1809, in 76th year of her
age.
Rachel Fell departed this life the 22nd day of the 6th mo.,
1814, in the seventy^^second year of her age.
Stephen departed this life 4th of 9th mo., 1818.
Elizabeth Ely departed this life the 1st mo., 28th, 1821, aged
81 years, 7 months, 18 days.
John departed this life the 10th mo., 15th, 1821, aged 76
years, 5 months, 10 days.
David departed this life 4th mo., 1825.
Hannah Kirkbride departed this life the 7th mo., 1826.
Isaac departed this life the 5th mo., 1827.
FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY 439
ISAIAH ELY BIBLE
Presented to the Bucks County Historical Society by Helen
M. Flitcraft.
Bye — John, son of Thomas and Mary Bye, was born in
Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Penna., September 1,
1785.
Hannah Corson, first daughtei of Richard and Hannah Cor-
son, was born in the Township of Solebury, County of Bucks,
State of Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of May, the third day of
the week in the evening in the year of our Lord, 1788.
John Bye died on the 28th of December, 1854; the fifth genera-
tion of Byes.
Hannah, wife of John Bye and daughter of Richard and
Hannah Corson, died September 5, 1833.
Ely — Isaiah Ely, son of Jonathan and Cynthia, was born in
the Township of Solebury, County of Bucks and State of Penn-
sylvania, the 21st day of April, 1811.
' Bye — Mercy W., daughter of John and Hannah Bye, was
born in the Township of Buckingham, County of Bucks, State of
Pennsylvania, the 26th day of April, 1812.
Ely — Helen Corson, daughter of Isaiah and Mercy W. Ely,
was born in Solebury Township, County of Bucks and State of
Pennsylvania, the 28th of February, 1857.
Flitcraft — Helen Corson Ely, widow of William H. Flit-
craft, and daughter of Isaiah and Mercy W. Ely, died in Doyles-
town, Bucks County, Penna., October 7, 1889.
Ely — Isaiah, died the 12th of June, 1861.
Bye — Mercy W. Ely, daughter of John and Hannah Bye,
died in Philadelphia, Penna., 1904.
Flitcraft — Helen M., daughter of Helen C. and William H.
Flitcraft, born March 14, 1866, at Philadelphia, Penna.
Helen M. Flitcraft, daughter of Helen C. Ely and William H.
Flitcraft, died in Philadelphia, Penna., April 4, 1912.
EMIG BIBLE
This Bible and Testament of John George Emig, Haycock
Township, Bucks County, was used in the Pulpit of the Reformed
Church in Springfield Township for many years. It was pre-
sented to the Bucks County Historical Society by Dr. W. H.
Meredith.
440 FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY
FOULKE FAMILY BIBLE
FouLKE — Israel was born the 4th of 2nd month, 1760, and
died the 27th of the 9th mo., 1824.
Elizabeth Foulke died the 17th of 12th mo., 1831.
William Foulke deceased the 2nd of 9th mo., 1784.
Cadwallader Foulke deceased the 22nd of 8th mo., 1794.
Jane Foulke deceased the 24th of 8th mo., 1794.
Deborah Foulke deceased the 29th of 12th mo., 1806.
Thomas Foulke deceased the 11th of 6th mo., 1832.
Phebe Foulke deceased the 31st of 12th mo., 1838.
David Foulke deceased the 21st of 9th mo., 1878.
Amos Foulke deceased the 27th of 4th mo., 1840.
Hugh Foulke deceased the 3rd of 4th mo., 1853.
Amos R. Foulke deceased the 22nd of 4th mo., 1853.
Barton L. Foulke deceased the 18th of 8th mo., 1856.
Elizabeth R. Foulke deceased the 12th of 5th mo., 1858.
Jane R. Foulke deceased the 25th of 1st mo., 1860.
Franklin Foulke deceased the 18th of 3rd mo., 1860.
The children of Israel and Elizabeth Foulke were born as
follows :
Foulke— William, 18th of 8th mo., 1783.
Thomas, 31st of 12th mo., 1784.
David, 21st of 12th mo., 1786.
Cadwallader, 22nd of 5th mo., 1789.
Jane, the 26th of 3rd mo., 1791.
Hugh, 8th of 9th mo., 1793.
Phebe, 27th of 12th mo., 1795.
Amos, 10th of 8th mo., 1798.
Deborah, 13th of 8th mo., 1800.
GREEN FAMILY BIBLE
Green — Benjamin, son of Joseph and Catherine Green, was
born the 27th day of the 2nd mo., 1750, O. S.; died the 22nd of
5th mo., 1828.
Roberts — Jane, daughter of John and Martha Roberts, was
born the 16th of the 4th mo., 1841-1753.
Green — William was born the 10th of the 11th mo., 1776;
departed this life on the 25th day of the 9th mo., 1851, aged 75
years.
FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY 441
Hannah was born the 29th of the 9th mo., 1778; departed this
life the 12th of 4th mo., 1826, aged 48 years; wife of Thomas
Lester.
Evan was born the 10th of 11th nio., 17^0; departed this Hfe
9th mo., 12th, 1854, aged 74 years.
Benjamin was born 10th of 11th mo., 17^2; departed this Hfe
5th of 4th mo., 1837.
Jane was born the 8th of the 2nd mo., 1785; departed this life
the 3rd of the 3rd mo., 1835; wife of Caleb Foulke.
James R., was born the 4th of the 3rd mo., 1787; departed
this life the 27th of the 7th mo., 1832.
Lydia was born the 20th of the 2nd mo., 1789, and departed
this life fully prepared the 26th of 10th mo., 1850.
Joseph was born the 14th of 2nd mo., 1791.
Martha w'as born 14th of the 2nd mo., 1793; departed this
life 17th of 2nd mo., 1836; wife of Jesse, aged 43 years.
John was born the 24th of 3rd mo., 1795; departed this life
the 17th of 6th mo., 1797.
Abigal was born the 18th of the 3rd mo., 1797; departed this
life 9th mo., 21st, 1854.
Green — Benjamin and Jane Roberts were married at Rich-
land Meeting in the year 1775.
William Green, son of Benjamin and Jane Green, was married
to Mary Roberts, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Roberts.
Hannah Green, daughter of Benjamin and Jane, was married
to Thomas, son of John and Jane Lester, the 27th of 11th mo.,
1805.
Green — ^Evan was married to Isabella, daughter of Amos
and Isabella Slaymaker, of Lancaster County, Pa., in the year
1816.
Benjamin. Jr., was married to the daughter of Richard and
Elizabeth Roberts — 11th mo., 1807.
Jane, Jr., was married to Caleb, son of Everard and Ann
Foulke, 26th day of 11th mo., 1807.
James, married to Grace, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth
Roberts— 5th mo., 1818.
Joseph was married to Meriba, daughter of William and
Elizabeth Edwards, 15th day, 10th mo., 1822.
Martha was married to Jesse, son of Richard and Elizabeth
Roberts, 9th dav of 2nd mo., 1815.
442 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
Abigal was married to Samuel Cary, son of Elias and Hannah,
9th day of 9th mo., Plumstead Twp., 1824.
Grace R. departed this Hfe 20th, 5th mo., 1819.
James entered {"nto marriage the 2nd time with Ann Foulke,
daughter of John and Letitia Foulke, 1822.
Evan Green and Cynthia Lester were married 2nd, 3rd mo.,
1843. He was a widower and she a young widow at that time
(now this 1st day of January, 1857, she has been a widow again
for some time).
Lester — Thomas departed this life 22nd of 8th mo., 1826.
Benjamin Green departed this life 20th, 6th mo., 1855.
Evan Green, son of Thomas and Hannah. 20th, 1st mo., 1840.
Isabella, wife of Evan Green, of Columbia, Lancaster Co.,
died 26th of 11th mo., 1833.
Sarah Ann Cernea, daughter of Thomas and Hannah,
departed this life 23rd of 8th mo., 1845.
On the margin near the name of Benjamin Green is written,
"My grandfather as well as my great-great-great-grandfather
and an uncle were all named Joseph.
GRIER BIBLE
Grier — Mary Long died 1845.
Tryox — Mrs. Jane Grier at the home of George Vanarsdale
in the 79th year of her age.
Grier — Anna L. Abington, November 27, 1850 (on leaf of
Atlas B No. 27).
HARDMAN BIBLE
Hardmax — Heinrick was born June 26, 1778, and in the
year 1806, the 12th of October, he married Catherine Clemer,
who was born in the year 1781, June 7th.
Catherina Hardman died June 9, 1834, aged 53 years, 2
days.
Heinrick died 29th day of May in the year 1864, aged 85
years, 9 months, 3 days.
Catharina Hardman was deceased 11th day of August in the
year 1867, aged 44 years, 3 months and 25 days.
Abraham Hardman, son of Heinrick, was born April 27th in
the year 1807.
FAMILY BIBLES IX LIBRARY 443
Maria Hardman, daughter of Heinrick, was born the 25th
day of November in the year 1808.
Johannes, son of Heinrick, was born the 12th day of July in
the year 1810.
Jacob Hardman, son of Heinrick, was born July 3rd in the
year 1812.
Susanna, daughter of Henrick, was born the 31st of October
in the year 1813.
Elizabeth, daughter of Heinrick, was born the 2nd day of
July in the year 1816.
Heinrick, son of Heinrick, was born the 17th day of October
in the year 1817.
Enos, son of Heinrick, was born the 4th day of August in the
year 1820.
Catharina, daughter of Heinrick, was born the 16th day of
November in the year 1822.
HOUGH BIBLE
Hough— Mary departed this life August 5, 1811, aged 73
years.
Joseph departed this life January 6, 1818, aged 86 years.
Lucinda was born July 24, 1790.
Esther was born October 18, 1792.
Richard was born March 1, 1795.
Elizabeth was born May 28, 1797.
Mary was born March 31, 1799.
Thomas was born February 1, 1801.
Hannah was born January 7, 1803.
Pamelia W. died November 16, 1831, aged about 65 years.
Richard T. died February 26, 1835, aged about 75 years.
Robert departed this life July 15, 1845, aged 55 years.
Hannah departed this life December 13, 1858; born February
1, 1801.
Richard departed this life September 13, 1807; born March 1,
1795.
Esther departed this life August 16, 1874, aged 81 years, 9
months, 28 days.
Hannah departed this life March 13, 1875, aged 72 years, 2
months, 6 days.
444 FAMILY BIBLES IN LIBRARY
Mary departed this life August 19, 1881, aged 82 years, 4
months, 19 days.
EHzabeth Pamelia, daughter of Robert and Mary Hough,
departed this Hfe January 4. 1859; born January 19, 1829.
HOWELL BIBLE
Howell — Joseph, son of David and Mary Howell, was born
the 3rd day of O. S. 1729.
Jemime, wife of Joseph Howell, and daughter of John and
Elizabeth Burroughs, was born the 15th day of the 2nd mo.
called February, 1725 O. S.
Samuel, son of Joseph and Jemime Howell, was born the 6th
day of the 12th mo. called December, Anno. 1754.
Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, was born the 7th
day of 1st mo. called January, 1756 N. S.
Mary Howell, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, was born the
7th day of the 1st mo. called January, N. S. 1756.
David, son of Joseph and Jemime, born the 4th day of the
11th mo., November, 1757 N. S.
Phoebe, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, his wife, was born
the 22nd of the 8th mo., called August, N. S. 1759.
Timothy, son of Joseph and Jemime, was born the 7th of the
8th mo., called August, 1761 N. S.
Martha, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, born the 5th day of
the 7th mo. called July, Anno Dom. 1763.
Jemime, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, was born the 9th
day of 2nd mo., called February, 1765 N. S.
Susanna, daughter of Joseph and Jemime, born the 25th day
of the 12th mo., called December, 1766 N. S.
Hulda Ann was born June 12, 1822.
Susanna was born April 1, 1824.
Phebe was born October 15, 1826.
Lettica was born January 21, 1829.
Charles Heuston was born June 21, 1831.
Theodore was born March 5, 1834.
Samuel was born