NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08178777 6
Historic
Lower Merion
Dora Harvey Develin, A. M.
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Historic Lower Merion
and Blockley
Also the Erection or Establishment of
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
By
dora/harvey/develin, a. M.
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Author of "Some Historical Spots in Lower Merion"
Member of the Montgomery County and Valley Forge Historical Societies, and
League of American I'en Women
Regent of Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
(for 21 years)
President of the Martha Williams Society, Children of the American Revolution
I'-i''
■■»-' ■>' 11 .)
BALA, LOWER MERION
I 922
^^-
1092484
Copyright, 1922, by
Dora Harvey Develin
Printed by
GeorGH H Bt'CHANAN COMPANY
At the Sign of the Ivy Leaf
Philadelphia
^0 tfjc
illcinorp of iWj> Jfatfjcr
JAMES B. HARVEY, Sr.
A Member of the Historical Society of Montgomery
County, and the Centennial Association of Montgomery
Coimtv.
!cllgo to Mp lister
MARGARET B. HARVEY, A. M.
A Member of the Historical Society of Montgomery
County and Pennsylvania Historical Society; ot the
Valley P'orgc Memorial Association ; and Historian of
Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
From each of whom much of the matter contained in the
following pages was obtained, this work is affectionately
inscribed by the Author.
UoRA Harvey Develin
CONTENTS
PART I
Lower AIeriox Township
PAGE
Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House 8
The General Wayne Tavern 17
The Ford Road 20
The Old Lancaster Road 22
Old Gulph Road 27
Hanging Rock Is Spared 32
The Old Black Horse Tavern and Barn 35
"Lilac Grove" 42
The Latch Homesteads 44
Seventh Battalion of Philadelphia Militia 46
Lower Merion Academy 47
The Columbia Railroad 52
Memorial Stone — Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R 54
Camp Ground of the Georgia Continentals 56
"Harriton" 61
Old Dutch Church, Ardmore 63
Lower Merion Baptist Church 64
PART n
Early History of Blockley
West Park 71
Reed"s Map 83
"Hestonville" — And Colonel Edward W. Heston 88
An Old Assessor's List 95
"Wynnstay" 99
The Five Points 101
Blockley Baptist Church 102
Old Roads 103
Valley Forge 1 04
PART HI
The Erectiox of Moxtgo.mery County
PART IV
Centennial Celebration of Montgomery County
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
First Welsh Settlements— Map of 1681 7
Lower Morion Friends' Meeting House 9
The Price Mansion 10
Map of Merion and IMocklcy, 1730 11
The Thomas Homestead 12
The Old General Wayne Tavern 18
Conestoga Wagon 22
Tablet Marking Original Milestone 23
Unveiling Tablet Marking Original Milestone 24
Water Mark of the Old Dove Mill Paper 29
Gulph Mill 31
Hanging Rock 2>2
The Bicking Family Graveyard 34
"Black Horse Tavern" 36
The "Black Horse" Barn 38
The Blue Bell Tavern 41
"Lilac Grove" 42
The Latch Homestead 45
Lower Merion Academy 47
Levering's Map of 1851 49-50
The Old Mill— Rock Hollcw 51
Memorial Stone — Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R 55
Bronze Tablet — Marking Camp Ground 59
Parish House and Rectory — St. John's Church, Lower Merion, Pa. 60
"Harriton" 62
Home of Jesse and Rebecca George 71
Memorial Hall 72
"Brunnenwald" 74
Greenland 75
Belmont Mansion 76
Horticultural Hall 77
"Ridgeland" 79
"Sweet Briar" 81
Reed's Map, 1774 84
Map of Lower Merion and Blockley Townships, 1777 86
Heston Homestead 89
The Original " Wynnstay" 99
Washington's Headquarters, Valley I'^orge 105
Home of David Rittenhouse 124
Lower Merion Township
UWER MERION TUWXSHil', .Montg-omcry
Count}-. Pennsylvania, was settled by a conii)any
of ^\'elsh emio;rants, from Bala, Merionethshire,
North \\ ales, who landed at Pencoyd (Pen-y-
coed) on August 14, 1682, two months before
William Penn landed. They came over on the ship Lyo)i,
John Compton, Master. Lower Merion is the oldest town-
ship in the "Original Welsh Tract." The name Merion
is derived from Merionethshire. Wales. (We are tnld that
^Merionethshire, itself, was named after an ancient Welsh
hero, Merion, sometimes spelled Meriawn, who lived early
in the Christian Era.)
The orig-inal 10,000 acres included in what is now
Lower ]\Ierion was granted to John ap Thomas, a noble
Friend, or Quaker, whose royal pedigree is said to be
recorded all the way back to Adam (which means, as I
understand it. where history and mythology meet). The
document, a copy of which may be seen in the Library of
the Pennsylvania Historical Society, goes a long way to
carry out the belief of ^^'elsh historians that the Welsh are
the oldest civilized people in the world, and are descended
from the Phoenicians, Phrygians and Trojans, through
Brutus, the great-grandson of ^neas, who landed in
Britain, 1136, B. C.
John ap Thomas died in the spring of 1682. before he
had the opportunity of seeing his vast possessions in
Merion. but his kinsman. Dr. Edward Jones, who settled
at AX'ynnewood. brought the colonists over. Wynnewood
was named after Dr. Thomas \\'ynne, who was father-in-
law to Edward Jones (he having married Mary Wynne.)
Dr. Wynne was friend and physician to William I'enn.
Dr. Wynne was the first Speaker of the first Pennsylvania
Assembly.
AX'illiam Penn and Dr. AN'ynne came over on the ship
U'cIcoiiL' two months after the Lyo>i landed. Dr. W'xiine
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
settled ill what was afterwards Blockley Township, and
built "Wynnstay," which still stands, and has lately been
restored. In Scharf and Westcott's "History of Philadel-
phia" may be seen a copy of Holme's map, dated 1681.
Lower Merion appears as "Edward Jones and Co., seventeen
families." (Holme's map may be seen in the Library at
Haverford College, Pa.)
Of the passengers on the ship Lyon no complete list
exists so far as I have been able to find, ^^'illiam ap
Edward, in his narrative mentions himself, his wife, and
daughters, his friends David Jones, Robert David, "and
others." The Jones record gives "Edward Jones, wife
Mary, son Johnathan, daughter Martha."
According to the late Dr. James J. Levick, the follow-
ing seventeen persons were represented in their families,
although not all of these seventeen actually arrived with
the colonists on the Lyon — Edward Jones, John Thomas,
Hugh Roberts, Robert David, Evan Rees, John Edward,
Edward Owen, AVilliam Edward, Edward Rees, William
Jones, Thomas Richard, Rees John William, Thomas Lloyd,
Cadwalader Morgan, John Watkin, Hugh John, Gainor
Robert.
John Thomas, or John ap Thomas, although he organ-
ized the Company, died on the eve of departure. Evan
Rees made preparations to emigrate, but for some reason
did not do so, but he was represented in the Lower ]\Ierion
colony by his son, Rees Evans, who, according to A\>lsh
custom, reversed his father's name.
From similarity of dates, as given in Smith's "History
of Delaware County," and Howard M. Jenkin's "Historical
Recollections of Gwynnedd" it would seem that David
James of Radnor, and Robert Tvirner, also, came in the
Lyon. Robert Turner was an Irish gentleman and a par-
ticular friend of William Penn.
The name Schuylkill is Dutch, and means "hidden
river." It was named so in 1616 by the Dutch under
Hendrickson, who, on their first voyage up the Delaware,
overlooked the mouth of the Schuylkill, which was con-
6
Prawn ly Marg-^ret B.Harvey.
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
cealed by League Island. On their downward passage the
Dutch navigators noticed the broad stream, and gave it
the name it bears today. The Indian name was the pic-
turesque one of "Manayunk," which, in spite of its asso-
ciation with dingy mills and smoke, is worthy a place in
literature. From the discovery of the Schuylkill, in 1616,
to the time of the landing of the Lyon in 1682, few white
travelers had ventured up this stream, except the Swedes in
their canoes.
Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House
Built 1695 — The oldest house of worship) in the State
of Pennsylvania.
Lower I^Ierion Friends' [Meeting House stands on the
Old Lancaster Road (sometimes called Montgomery Pike),
just beyond Alerionville, formerly "Bowman's Bridge,"
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This is the oldest
church edifice, or more properly speaking, house of wor-
ship in the State, and was erected in 1695, on the site of a
still older log meeting house, built in 1683. (The organi-
zation of Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, antedates that
of the AA'elsh Friends of Merion, but the present church
was not built until 1700, five years after Alerion Meeting
House.) This quaint picturesque structure is in the form
of a cross. Its walls are made of jointed stone, two feet
thick, and its window panes are of the small leaded type.
The coating of plaster (which really disfigures it) was
added in 1829, when, as a little tablet in the side wall tells
us, it was "repaired."
Inside, above the elders' seats, two pegs are pointed
out as those upon which William Penn hung his hat when
he preached to a Welsh congregation (many of whom could
not understand him). One of these pegs was stolen by
a relic hunter during the Centennial celebration in Phila-
delphia, 1876. but another was made from a piece of the
original floor, to replace it. Since that time the relic hunter
became conscience stricken and returned the original peg
and it now may be seen in its former place. (The peg made
8
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
from the piece, of the original floor was given by the clerk
of the meeting to Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of
Merion Chapter, D. A. R., and Miss Harvey, in tnrn,
gave it to the Writer, and.it is still in my possession.)
The first recorded burial at Merion is that of a little
child, Catharine, daughter of Edward and Mabby Rees,
October 23, 1682, only two months after the landing of the
L\on at Pencovd. It is known that for some time after the
Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House
The oldest house of worship in Pennsylvania, built 1695 (on the site
of a still older log meeting house, built in 1683).
laitding, "meeting" was held at the house of Hugh Roberts,
at Pencoyd. The ground where the log meeting house first
stood belonged to Edward Rees, the same who buried the
little child. The land was sold to the congregation of
Friends for $2.50. Descendants of Edward Rees assert
that. ]irevious to this year, ground was leased, or loaned,
and that, if the meeting house should ever be disturbed,
they could lay claim to it.
Just across the field, on the same side of the old road,
stood, until recently, the old Price (or Rees) homestead,
9
Historic Loiter Merion and Blockley
used by Lord Cornwallis as his headquarters during the
Revolution, while he was in this part of the country. For
some years this old mansion was used as a summer board-
ing house and was called "Brookhurst Inn." It was owned
by the McDowell family. What is now called "Brook-
hurst Avenue," was the original lane which led from the
road to the house. Edward Rees had children, some of
The Price Mansion
Showing horse block. Xow the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Mowrer.
whom were known as Ap-Rees — then Frees. (The 'W^elsh
prefix Ap means son of, or child of.) In a few generations
the spelling has changed to Frice. In the early records
of Alerion Electing we see "Jane Frees, daughter of Edward
and Mabby Rees."
Alerion ^Meeting is shown on Scull and Heap's map.
1750.
On the opposite side of the road stands another Frice
mansion, a beautiful example of the old-time Fennsylvama
10
Pro in
Scull 4 Heap's^
MAP.
1750
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Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
architecture. Here the "horse-block," or stone steps, used
by the riders in the early days, to mount and dismount
from their horses, still stands under the wide-spreading
sycamore trees. These steps were built in the Colonial
period, and are as ancient as the beautiful old mansion.*
This place is now owned by Airs. John A. Alowrer, a grand-
daughter of A\'illiam Thomas, who came from AA'ales in
1818, and who bought 100 acres of the original Price prop-
The Thom.^s Homestead
erty. A\'illiam Thomas, when the Pennsylvania Railroad
was built through his plantation, gave the grovmd for a
station which was for a great many years called Elm
Station. He called it "Elm" for his old home in A\'ales.
When he gave the land it was with the understanding that
it should always bear this name. But this was not done,
for the railroad officials changed the name to Narberth, and
the suburban settlement or borough of Narberth now stands
*Note. — It is verj- amusing to all old inhabitants of Merion to
read in a recent writer's book the assertion that these steps once
stood at Merion Meeting and were lately moved to this old house.
12
And jM ontgomery County, Pennsylvania
on what was the Thomas ])lace. Thomas's Lane (now
called Haverford Avenue, which is most confusing", as it
is frequently mistaken by strangers for the original Haver-
ford Road (now Avenue) laid out by the Friends in 1690)
ran from the Old Lancaster Road, almost opposite the
"General \\ ayne Tavern," to Elm Station. Later William
Thomas moved to a fine stone house on Merion Road, still
standing, and occupied by his granddaughters Miss Kate
Thomas and Mrs. A. Ely Tiley.
Merlon Meeting is mentioned in the Pennsylvania
Archives, Second Series, Volume XIV, page 221, in the
Journal of Lieutenant James McMichael:
"Sept. 14, 9 a. m., Wg marched from Camp near
Germantown, N. N. \\'. for a few miles up the Great road
from Philadelphia to Reading, then turning \V. S. \\\ w^e
crossed the Schuylkill in the centre between Philadelphia
and Swedes Ford, 8 miles from each. \W^ reached the
Great road to Lancaster at Merion Meeting-House, and
proceeded up that road, then we camped in an open field,
being denied every desirable refreshment." (This was in
1777, a few^ days before the massacre of Paoli. On this
spot a granite memorial stone was erected by Merion Chap-
ter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896, with interesting and
appropriate ceremonies.)
On October 5 and 6, 1895, Alerion Meeting held its
Bi-Centennial Anniversary. Between two and three
thousand people came from all parts of the country to be
present at this most interesting celebration. A great tent
was erected on the greensward, under the tall Ijuttonwood
trees, with seating capacity for al)()ut 1000 people, but this
accommodated less than half who were ])resent. They
came early, they came by train and wagon, they rode on
horses (this was before the day of the automobile), on
wheels, and they walked, until, as someone said, the fields
adjoining the old "General A\'ayne Tavern" looked like a
big day at a County Fair. (The old horse-block of flat
stones at the top of the stone wall, under the wide-spreading
13
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
sycamore tree, where the maidens of yore used to dismount,
still may be seen as it looked more than two centuries ago.)
The visitors were welcomed to the quaint old house
of worship, and many valuable relics, such as the original
deed of ground, dated 1695, and an old marriage certificate
bearing the date of 1783, were displayed. Behind the
Meeting House, running across the back of the "General
Wayne" is the graveyard where many of the early settlers
of Merion peacefully sleep. (Among them being the Rob-
erts, George, Williams, Thomas, Jones, Harvey, Evans,
Zell families.)
At this celebration many well-known speakers took
part, among them being Robert M. Janney, Dr. James B.
Walker, of Philadelphia ; Mary J. Walker, Chester Valley ;
Rufus M. Jones, Allan G. Thomas and Dr. Frances Gum-
mere, of Haverford College, and others. The paper by Mr.
Isaac H. Clothier, on "The influence of the Society of
Friends Today" was especially interesting.
Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap-
ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, wrote an "Ode
to Merion Meeting House" upon its Bi-Centennial. (It
was published in the Bryn Mazar Home Netvs, September
27, 1895.)
Meeting is still held here on First day morning each
week at 11 o'clock. Many of the most distinguished, in-
fluential and wealthy families of Pennsylvania are proud
to claim descent from the grand old forefathers who
founded Merion Meeting.
A short distance below stands an old stone house,
built the same year (1695.) It adjoins the "General
Wayne," and has always been the property of the Meeting.
On one occasion Washington slept in the second story
front room.
Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the
United States, was descended from the early settlers of
Merion. The Welsh stock of Pennsylvania sent numerous
branches Southward and Westward. This is one reason
why the annals of the South and West are so full of Welsh
14
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
names. Howard M. Jenkins, in his "Historical Recollec-
tions of Gwynnedd," gives the following pedigree of Abra-
ham Lincoln, from John Hanke :
Abraham Lincoln was the son of Thomas Lincoln, of
Kentucky, and Nancy Hanks, his wife.
The grandson of John Hank of Rockingham County,
\'irginia, who lived in that locality in 1797.
The great-grandson of John Hank, of Fayette County,
\'irginia, who was born in 1712.
The great-great-grandson of John Hanke, of White-
marsh, Pennsylvania, who was married to Sarah Evans,
6 mo., 11th, 1711.
Many Welsh families who first came to Merion fol-
lowed the Wissahickon to its heights and settled Gwyn-
nedd and vicinity. For many years Gwynnedd Meeting
was under the care of Merion and Haverford Meetings.
Beyond Merion Meeting on the Old Lancaster Road
stands an old stone house called the "Owen House," built
in 1695. It was the home of Robert Owen, a noted patriot.
It is built on a portion of the Wynnewood property. It
is also called "Penn Cottage." It was once occupied by
General John Cadwalader, who married Martha Jones,
daughter of Edw^ard Jones, the founder of Wynnewood. ^
A straggling settlement nearby was, for many years, called
"Libertyville," or "Crow Hill."
"The Welsh Tract" saw the beginning of Pennsyl-
vania's literature. \\'e have a Welsh poem written by
Thomas Ellis in 1683. Almost as early, Haverford Meet-
ing ordered the printing of a Welsh book.
During the Colonial period a number of offices were
held by Welsh Quakers, many of them connected with
Merion and Haverford Meetings. Among them may be
mentioned Thomas Lloyd, Deputy-Governor; Thomas
Ellis, Register-General ; Thomas W^ynne, Speaker of the
House of Representatives ; Griffith Jones, Mayor of Phila-
delphia.
During the Revolutionary period the following
patriots w^ere descended from the Welsh : John Dickinson,
IS
Historic Lower J^Ierion and Blockley
author of the "Farmer's Letters" ; Generals John and Lam-
bert Cadwalacler ; Nicholas Biddle, Clement Biddle, Owen
Biddle and Edward Biddle, General Anthony \\'ayne,
Colonel Samuel Miles and countless others.
Joshua Humphrey, "Father of the American Xavy,"
a descendant of Dr. Thomas Wynne and Daniel Hum-
phrey, of Bryn Alawr, constructed the vessels which made
possible our success in the AA'ar of 1812. The Mexican
\\?iv was signalized by the bravery of General Taylor and
General Ringgold, who inherited the Welsh strain from
the founders of Merion Meeting.
Coming down to the Civil \\'ar, we find among the
officers known to be descended from the same stock, Gen-
eral Hancock, General Humphrey and General Thomas.
Among the poets in whose veins flows the blood of
Wales may be mentioned George H. Boker, Bayard Tay--
lor and Thomas Buchanan Reed.
Among other well-known characters whose pedigree
can be traced to the \\'elsh Barony are Daniel Boone, the
pioneer of Kentucky ; Dr. Isaac Hayes, the Arctic Explorer ;
John Jarmon, the first of American Astronomers ; Enoch
Lewis, the earliest of American Mathematicians ; Grace
Anna Lewis, the eminent woman naturalist ; Mary Ander-
son, the actress; Newbold H. Trotter, A\'. T. Richards and
George Wright, the artists ; Robert J. Burdette and John
H. ^\'illiams, the humorists; Senator M. S. Quay and
Wayne MacVeigh.
The Township of Radnor was also settled by the Welsh
Quakers who came over on the ship Lyon in 1682. The
Friends at Radnor met in private houses until 1718. The
Bi-Centennial Celebration of Radnor Friends' Meeting
House was held on September 28, 1918. The old horse-
block is still standing near the door of this quaint structure.
In 1778, this house of worship was occupied by Continental
officers, one of A\'ashington's outposts being near the ]\Ieet-
ing House.
Old St. David's Church. Radnor, was built in 1715.
The outside stairway leading to the gallery was added in
16
And Montgomery County, Pennsy Ivania
1771, and the vestry room, to the north, at a little later date.
On Sunday, September 1, 1918, this historic church cele-
brated its 203d anniversary.
In the little "God's Acre" adjuining, is the grave of
General ("Mad") Anthony Wayne, surmounted by a monu-
ment erected l)v the Society of the Cincinnati. Another
noteworthy stone is that over the grave of Dr. Henry Yates
Carter. He was a surgeon on Lord Nelson's Flagship, the
Victory, at the battle of Trafalgar, when Lord Nelson was
killed. Dr. Carter later came to America and died here.
The General Wayne Tavern
The General Wayne Tavern stands on the Old Lan-
caster Road (now called ^Montgomery Pike), adjoining
Merion Meeting House. This old inn was opened in 1704.
From that time on, until about twenty-five years ago, the
"General ^^'ayne" was used as a post office.
The building is well preserved ; it is a two-story-and-a-
half house with a porch on the ground floor and a veranda
running across the front of the second story.
On the smooth roadway in front stands a tall pole,
which once had been a giant of the forest, from which
swings the time-worn sign board. This sign has been
repainted a number of times, but it is the identical one
which first announced the opening of '"Ye olde General
Wayne." Across the top are the words "Established in
1704." In the center, astride what is supposed to be a
fiery charger, we see a representation of the gallant
Anthony Wayne (whose ancestral home was only about
ten miles distant.) Beneath, we are told that there can
be found "Accommodations for man and beast." At the
base of the pole a rim of white-washed stones surround
the little green mound in which it stands.*
The room that answers as "Ye setting Roome" looks
about as it did a century ago. Across the ceiling run heavy
rafters, dark with the stains of time, while the wide-o])en
*Since prohil)ition has been established this sign has been taken
down (1922).
17
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
fireplace with its "ingle-nooks," the high mantel, the quaint
cupboards, the broad settees, all speak of the past. In the
wall which divides "Ye setting Roome" from the barroom
is a broad, dark, heavy door. This is divided into two
parts (like a "Dutch door"), the upper part being a little
m
• > .; ■
The Old General Wayne Tavern
(Opened 1704), where Merion Chapter held its inauguration,
April 17, 1895. Washington and Lafayette both slept
in this old inn on several occasions.
door of itself. A knock on this is quickly answered from
the other side; the little door swings open and a beaming-
face appears. Methinks I can see some quiet, dignified
Quaker in his garb of grey; some sturdy farmer, with his
homespun "jumper," or a swaggering red coat tapping on
this little door, and in reply to the ruddy face which ap-
pears, ordering something to sustain him after a long and
dusty ride,
18
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
From a little entryway a steep pair of stairs leads to
the second story. The steps, though hard wood, are hol-
lowed, as though scooped out, from the tread of many feet.
A\'ashington and Lafayette both slept in this quaint old
inn on more than one occasion. When, on the way to
Paoli. A\'ashington's Army encamped within a few hun-
dred feet of "The General Wayne," Washington slept there
that night, September 14, 1777.
The inn was kept for many, many years by tlie same
family, the descendants of Captain Llewellyn Young, 7th
Battalion, Philadelphia Militia, and the Misses Young used
to conduct the visitor to the room where Washington and
Lafayette slept, with its high "four-poster," little chintz
curtains and massive chest of drawers. The Young family
have a rare collection of old Colonial and Revolutionary
relics, including two quaint old chairs brought from Wales
in 1692, a money chest, also brought from Wales, apothe-
cary's scales, and old china decorated with animals.
Almost opposite the "General Wayne" stands a time-
worn blacksmith shop. It was here that Lord Cornwallis
had his horses shod during the Revolution. The shingle
roof and the woodwork have been renewed, for the shop
was burned out, but the stone walls, with the old stone
milepost outside the door, stand as they did more than
two centuries ago.
This tavern has always been kept up to the standard
of the old wayside inn, and is in no way to be confounded
with the modern saloon. It is considered quite as proper,
for ladies, while driving, or riding in their automobiles, to
stop on the broad porch and rest while drinking a cup of
coffee, chocolate, or cooling lemonade, as it was in "ye
olden time" when the stagecoach ran down to Philadelphia
in the morning and back in the evening. The coach
always stopped at "The General W'ayne," and invariably
took up or set down passengers. This Tavern was first
owned by Anthony Tunis and is so marked on Scull &
Heap's map, 1750. It was sometimes called "The Wm.
19
Historic Lou:er Merion and Blockley
Penn" and "Streeper's Tavern," but was always called
"The General Wayne" after Wayne slept there.
Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, held its inauguration here in April 17, 1895. The
members of the Chapter appeared in Martha Washington
costumes. A fine display of historical implements and
Colonial relics was a feature of the program. "Revolu-
tionary Tea" was served in "Ye setting Roome." The old
hostelry was profusely decorated with flags and bunting,
while a massive oil painting of Washington draped in red,
white and blue bunting, with a wreath of laurel suspended
above it, was hung over the main entrance.
The Ford Road
The west bank of the Schuylkill, at the foot of the
hill above Greenland, in Fairmount Park, in the early days
was known as "Garrett's Ford." Opposite, on the east
bank, as "Robin Hood's Ford." In 1824, when the Fair-
mount Dam w^as built the water was backed up as far as
Pencoyd, covering these fords and the Falls of Schuylkill.
The Ford Road which crossed the river here extended east-
ward to the Delaware, and w^estward to the Susquehanna,
on the line of a prehistoric Indian trail. It is the oldest
road in the State of Pennsylvania. A part of this ancient
road may be traced in Hunting Park Avenue, and in Nice-
town Lane, between North and South Laurel Hill Ceme-
teries, where it reaches the east River Drive. (Here was
Robin Hood's Ford.)
The Ford Road can also be traced through the West
Park from the river to Bala. It came up from the Ford
in a ravine just above Greenland, and can plainly be seen
from the Park trolley. It passed "The Lilacs," the old
Garrett mansion, still standing. AVhen the Park trolley
was built and a new and winding drive, to avoid the
steep hill, was laid out to the trolley bridge at Greenland,
this end of the road was closed. The Ford Road appears
again in front of "Brunnenwald," the old stone house used
as the Drivers' Club House, for the Speedway, passes
20
And AI ontgotfiery County, P ennsylvania
through "^^'oodside," out by the ''Five Points" School, to
City Line at Bala. From IJala, through Cynwyd, the
original roadbed extends along what is now Montgomery
Avenue, to ''Bowman's Bridge.'' nr Merionville. This
settlement is now almost lost in the constantly-growing
settlement of Cynwyd. Here it forms one side of the "flat-
irt)n," and unites with the Old Lancaster Road — it then
ran on out past Alerion Meeting, through the "Welsh
Tract" to the Susquehanna.
By the Ford Road ^^'illiam Penn traveled from the
Treaty Tree, at Shackamaxon, out through his newly-
acquired domain with his Indian guides. By this road the
Pennsylvania Militia, under General James Potter, and the
Georgia Continentals, under Colonel John White, marched
up into Merion to join the main body of the Continental
Army in the summer and early autumn of 1777. When
General Howe threatened an attack, in September, 1777. a
l:>ody of Pennsylvania Militia, under Colonel Jonathan
Bayard Smith, was set to guard the Ford.
"Robin Hood Ford" and "Robin Hood Tavern," which
stood on the Ridge Road, are mentioned in Scharf a'.ul
Westcott's History of Philadelphia, in connection with the
American Revolutitjn. In X'olume L page 346, it is stated
that when General Howe, on August 25, 1777, began dis-
embarking at the head of Elk, with the intention of attack-
ing Philadelphia, the State Alilitia was called out immedi-
ately to defend the city. Colonel Bayard Smith's regiment
was posted at Robin Hood Tavern on the Ridge Road.
On page 348, we are told that, during the progress of the
Battle of the Bran(l}wine. the guard was strengthened at
Robin Hood and other fords to protect the cannon at these
points.
A few days previously Washington encamped near
the Falls. (See Memorial History of Philadelphia, \'ol.
I, page 345.)
In writing of old roads Miss Margaret B. Harvey said
"But we must not think of these old roads as traveled only
bv contending armies. If we fail to think of tlu-m as
21
LJ^
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
highways of peace and pleasure and profit we shall utterly
fail to appreciate our Colonial and Revolutionary history."
A\'hen Pittsburgh was the "far West" there were no
railroads. All goods sent westward were "teamed" over
the Alleghenies in big Conestoga wagons, some drawn by
four or six horses. The Old Lancaster Road, and later the
Lancaster Turnpike, were the great arteries of commerce.
Over these traveled immense wagon-trains. The "wag-
CONESTOGA WaGOX
oner" was a picturesque figure of early days. Thomas
Buchanan Read, born in Chester County, Pennsylvania
(and his home marked by the Chester County Historical
Society), gives us a vivid picture of those same early days
in his beautiful poem "The AVagoner of the Alleghenies."
The poem deals entirely with Revolutionary events, and
the scenes are laid in and adjacent to Philadelphia.
The Old Lancaster Road
The Old Lancaster Road is one of the oldest in the
L'nited States. The land on the west bank of the Schuyl-
kill, at the Middle Ferry, where the Market Street bridge
now stands, belonged to the \\'elsh Friends. Almost as
soon as the City of Philadelphia was founded a Quaker
Meeting House, known as "Schuylkill Meeting" stood near
the present site of the Abattoir. In 1690, the A\>lsh
Friends of Merion laid out a road from Merion Meeting
House to the Middle Ferry. The ferry was under the care
22
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
of the Friends, and they had their own boat. This road
is now Lancaster Avenue, below Fifty-second Street. It
curved to the right at "Heston-V'illa," coming- up over the
hill at Jesse's George's place. "Heston-\'illa" was where
Colonel Edward W. Heston, founder of Hestonville lived.
When the Schuylkill Valley branch of the Pennsylvania
Railroad was built the roadbed below George's Hill was
changed, and a portion of it was obliterated.
Wynnefield, a pretty suburban settlement has grown
up along this portion of the Old Lancaster Road, just below
City Avenue, and the name of the road, in Wynnefield, is
now called Fifty-fourth Street. One of the original mile-
stones still remains, between City and \Vynnefield Ave-
nues. Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revo-
lution, placed a bronze tablet on it, April 14, 1917. The
Regent of the Chapter, Airs. Dora Harvey Develin (the
writer) said in her address, on that occasion :
"On the Blockley and Merion Turnpike, as upon all
early roads, the miles were indicated by milestones. The
stone we mark today is the sixth on this old roadway.
Merion Chapter places a tablet here because the City has
grown up all about it, and we feared that, within a few
years, the Old Lancaster Road or Blockley and Merion
Turnpike, would be entirely lost and forgotten in the
unromantic and prosaic name of Fifty-fourth Street."
The tablet reads as follows :
m.
An interesting program was given. The opening
address and invocation was by Major Henry A. F. Hoyt,
23
Historic Lower Merion and Blockle y
D. D., Chaplain, N. G. P., Retired. The Salute to the Flas ;
"America;" historic paper, Mrs. Dora Harvey Develin,
Regent, Merion Chapter; Unveiling of Tablet, by Beulah
Harvey and Louis H. Buck, Jr.. members of the Martha
Williams Society, Children of the American Revolution ;
"Red, White and Blue," followed by the Benediction, closed
the exercises.
Unveiling Tablet Marking Original AIilestone
Reading from left to right — Charles Harvey Buek, Louis H.
Buck, Jr., and Rheba Harvey, of the IMartha Williams
Society, C. A. R., and Miss Adelaide V.
Harvey, of Merion Chapter, D. A. R.
The Old Lancaster Road, or Blockley and Merion
Turnpike, also called Blockley and Merion Plank Road, Old
Conestoga Road, and Montgomery Pike, imited with the
Ford Road just above "Bowman's Bridge," and beyond
Merion Meeting followed an ancient Indian trail.
24
And M out g ornery County, Pennsylvania
In 1770 the Lancaster Turni)ike was opened to accom-
modate increasing traffic westward and to avoid several
hills and the curves in the Old Lancaster Road. The
"Pike," as it is familiarly called, began at "Hestonville"
(Fifty-second Street), where the Old Lancaster Road
curved to the right and climbed George's Hill. Through
Lower Merion Township the two roads are close together,
and run nearly parallel. They join beyond Wayne for a
space, then dix'erge, but hnally come together beyond
Berwyn. From City Line the Lancaster Pike is now called
"The Lincoln Highway." Although the Old Lancaster Road
was laid out in lf')90, and was in use for almost a century
(and the newer road was opened in 1770) it was not turn-
piked, as a whole, from Philadelphia to Lancaster until years
later. In 1791, the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized a
company to construct a turnpike from Philadelphia to Lan-
caster. This was the first of the kind in this country. In
June, 1792, subscriptions were taken up in the State House,
Philadelphia, at $30 each for establishing a turnpike road
from Philadelphia to Lancaster. The stock was largely over-
subscribed. As the number of shares for this project was
limited by law to six hundred, a lotter}- was instituted, the
names of all subscribers being i)Ut into a wheel and drawn.
The turnpike was completed in 1796, and a line of stage-
coaches began running between Philadelphia and Lan-
caster.
For several years Lancaster Avenue or the "Pike,"
between Fifty-eighth and Sixty-third Streets, has been
closed to traffic. The original roadbed beyond Fifty-eighth
Street curved to the right, passed under the Pennsylvania
Railroad and wound around through Overbrook to Sixty-
third Street. The roadbed was straightened and its course
altered in order to make a direct route from Fifty-eighth
Street to Sixty-third Street. This newly-made portion of
the road was completed December 5. 1922. and o])ened to
the ])ublic with impressive cerenionies. A Floral Gate,
which crossed the roadway, was thrown oi)en by Mayor
25
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Moore, signifying that the highway was again open to
traffic.
The Old Lancaster Road is one of the most famous
in the country. On this road Cornwallis marched Decem-
ber 11, 1777, to attack General Potter; and when defeated
returned by the same route to Philadelphia. In 1781, Gen-
eral Wayne marched by this road to York on his way to
Georgia; and again in 1793, on his way to the Northwest
territory. He encamped near Merion Meeting House, and
slept in the old inn, which has ever since borne his name.
From Merion Meeting westward along this "great
road to Lancaster," on the morning of September 15, 1777,
the Continental Army marched to Paoli. Congress imme-
diately "adjourned to Lancaster" September 18th. This
means that they fled in stagecoaches and on horseback
along this highway westward. All official documents were
safely conveyed in large wagons by the same road under
the direction of Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence.
Lieutenant James McMichael says in his Journal (See
Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume 15, page
221) "September 14, 1777, we reached the great road to
Lancaster at Merion Meeting House, etc." The Army
then encamped in an "open field." This was five days
before the massacre of Paoli. This camp ground was
marked by Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution, in 1896.
The Old Lancaster Road and the Lancaster Pike were
toll roads until 1917, when the State purchased them.
On Scull and Heap's Map, 1750, under the "Table of
Distances" we find the following:
Garrig's Ferry (Garrett's — at the Ford) -I — 6.
Levering's (Where Manayunk Bridge stands) — 7-6 x
Merion Meeting — 7-5. (Meaning 7 miles and 5 fur-
longs.
The seventh milestone is still standing at the inter-
section of Levering Mill Road and Old Lancaster Road.
The eighth milestone is beyond Merion Meeting, above the
26
And Montgomery County^ Pennsylvania
memorial stone marking A\'asliington's Encampment, near
the Old Ciulph Road. These distances arc from the "Conrt
House."
The events of W'hitcmarsh, Barren Hill, Valley Forge
and the Crooked Billet, transpired in Montgomery County,
and all that precedes and follows the Battle of German-
town. Within our limits, during the memorable struggle,
^^'ashington and his army remained nine months, lacking
nine days, very probably a longer time than was spent in
any other county during this period, said William J. Buck,
of Jenkintown, a well-known historian. The several houses
used as his headquarters are still standing, and the remains
of entrenchments, thrown up on our hillsides can be traced
to this day in many sections.
Old Gulph Road
One of the oldest in the State starts from the Old
Lancaster Road (sometimes called Montgomery Pike, and
Old Conestoga Road), a short distance above Merion Meet-
ing and extends to Mill Creek, thence along the creek, and
on to the Gulph Mills, whence it continues through Upper
Merion Township to Valley Forge. This road was laid
out by William Penn, himself, who rode the whole length
of it on horseback and superintended the erection of the
milestones. A number of them are still standing. Upon
each is carved three balls, copied from the Penn Coat-of-
Arms (these balls have been facetiously called "three apple
dumplings").
Near the ninth milestone, on the left, is an old farm,
long the property of the Penn-Gaskill family. The Penn-
Gaskills are said to be the last descendants of William Penn
to hold any part of his landed possessions in the neighbor-
hood of Philadelphia. (Several members of this family
are buried at the Lower Merion Baptist Burying Ground.)
As we approach Mill Creek, we see the antiquated saw-
mill belonging to the Robeson family. Up the creek a
little further we reach the road liranching off to the left in
the direction of Ardmore. Here we see an ancient log
27
Historic Lower Merion and Bio ckle y
cabin, built 1690. The original logs are boarded over to
preserve them, greatly disguising its age. This cabin was
at one time occupied by a civilized Indian. Nearby is the
"Kettle-Mill," believed to be the oldest rolling mill in the
United States. Here were made the old-time copper kettles
and brass buttons.
On the right, high upon the crest of the hill, stands
the fine old residence of Dr. R. J. Dodd. It was his wife,
Mrs. Hannah M. Dodd, who founded the gold and silver
medals to be given to the two most meritorious graduates
at each commencement of the Girls' High School. Mrs.
Dodd also founded several scholarships in the \\^oman's
Medical College, Philadelphia.
The old stone mansion adjoining the Dodd place is very
historic. Before the American Revolution this was occupied
by John Roberts, who afterwards became notorious as a
Tory, and the only person in Lower Merion attainted as a
traitor — and hanged. John Roberts' property was confis-
cated. It was afterwards purchased by the patriot Blair
McClenahan, a member of the famous City Troop. He
lived in this old house and his children after him. (^lem-
bers of this family are buried at the Baptist Burying
Ground.) A stone tablet gives the date 1746, on the old
grist mill. The initials "I. R. R." stand for John and Jane
Roberts.
The Sheetz paper mill was one of the first paper mills
in the colonies. During the Revolution the Sheetz mill —
the "Dove Mill," was run by Frederick Bicking, who made
the Continental notes, or "Shinplasters." In return for his
services Congress offered Frederick Bicking a tract of
land in the "Northern Liberties," Philadelphia County.
Bicking refused to accept "barren commons" — many of the
finest properties on North Broad Street are built upon these
same "barren commons."
The Sheetz paper mill is believed by many to have
been the first paper mill in the colonies. If not the first, it
certainly was second. The Rittenhouse paper mill on the
Wissahickon was in existence in 1690. In the same year
28
And AI out (JO ui ery County, P e nn sylvan in
several brothers named Schutz, ur Scheetz. arrixed in Ger-
niantown. According to William J. iJuck, historian of
Montgomery Coimty, one of these brothers, Henry, imme-
diately settled in W'hitemarsh. (The late Miss Kate
Sheetz, who li\ed all her life in the old house on Mill Creek,
dying there in 1890, aged 80 years, said that there were
five brothers. Two of them settled in Merion before the
Rittenhouses settled on the A\'issahickon. Horatio Gates
Jones wrote a history describing the Rittenhonse paper mill
as the first. He afterwards became convinced that the
Scheetzes could claim a few months' priority.)
In the "Minute Book of Property," Pennsylvania Ar-
chives, Second Series, Vol. XIX, it is recorded that a
Scheetz purchased a tract of 500 acres west of the Schuyl-
kill in 1717. On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appears
"Schultz's Paper Mill." At this old mill was made the
paper for Franklin's printing presses. Later the Govern-
ment paper, the paper for the Continental notes, and the
United States bank note paper. At the Dove Mill was also
made the paper used for Government documents, when the
United States capital was in Philadelphia. The water-
mark was a dove with an olive branch.
>A/"atei' MavK of tlie OU
Dove Mi'Jl Taper.
Drawn ty Mar^-ar«t B.Harvey.
By leaving the Gulph Road at the tenth milestone, and
passing up the creek by the ruins of the Dove Mill, and the
29
Historic Lower jMerion and Blockley
beautiful dam in the woods, we reach what was once called
the Black Rocks. "^ From prehistoric times the Black
Rocks were known as the site of an Indian Graveyard.
The tract was the last Indian reservation in Montgomery
County. Old residents of Merion, as the late A\'illiam
Miles and James B. Harvey, remember seeing Indians
encamped here and displaying their skill in shooting arrows.
A\'hen white people were present the targets were often
copper pennies.
Miss Margaret B. Harvey, a well-known botanist,
author of "The Flora of Lower Merion," said "The Black
Rocks" were a curious outcropping of a vein of serpentine.
(This same vein appears in the Black Barrens near Oxford,
Pennsylvania, and in the high cliffs on the Potomac, at
Sheppardstown, \\'est \ irginia.) The formations at this
spot were so fantastic, so strange, so weird, as to remind
one of all the old legends he had ever read about "Devil's
A\'alls," and "Ogre's Castles." The wild luxuriant vegeta-
tion, overrunning the rocky tract, heightened the eft'ect.
This was a rich botanical locality. Here were found
thirty-two species of ferns, as many as are known to occur
in the whole Schuylkill Valley. As many, with the excep-
tion of about two principal species, as are found on the
whole Atlantic Seaboard. Among the rare ones may
be mentioned the "walking fern," or Camptosorus rhizo-
phyllus, with a rooting tip at the end of its leaf. Some
years ago Miss Harvey said she found a small specimen
of the much-discussed Asplenium ebenoides, said to be a
hybrid between the "walking fern" and the common, little
black stalked "ebony fern."
The late Mr. Hamilton Egbert, who lived at the Black
Rocks, said there were thirty-two kinds of Talc — "just as
many kinds as species of ferns."
Now we strike the Old Gulph Road again. It crossed
the creek by a ford at the Scheetz mansion, and continued
*Note. — In 1895-1896 the owner of the land where this wonderful
formation appeared, destroyed, to quarry the stone, one of the most
remarkable natural curiosities in the whole country — mutilated the
famous Valley of Mill Creek!
30
And Alontgomery County, Pennsylvania
up to this point, past the woods skirting the Dove Mill
Dam. (William Penn's eleventh milestone.)
At Bryn Mawr the later Gulph Road comes up from
the Old Lancaster Road and joins the Old Gulph Road at
this point. Here is the Gulph Mill, where the American
ammunition was stored during the autumn of 1777. Here
General Potter was stationed in November and early
December of that year. Here Washington's Army cn-
GuLPH Mill. Erected 1747
camped a week before proceeding to winter quarters at
Valley Forge — from December 12-19, 1777. This spot has
been marked by the Sons of Revolution. Tablets on the
Memorial Rock read as follows :
"The main Continental Army, commanded
by General George Washington encamped
in this immediate vicinity from
December 13, to December 19, 1777.
Before going into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
Erected by the Pennsylvania Society of
Sons of the Revolution
1892."
31
Historic Lower JSI erion and Blockle y
On the back towards the mill another Tablet reads :
"This Memorial to the Soldiers of the Revolution
stands on ground presented by
Henderson Supplee
Owner of the Gulph Mill, erected in 1747."
"Hanging Rock" is near the Memorial stone at Gulph
Mills. In 1917, the State Highway Department contem-
plated removing this historic rock. The following item
from the daily papers tells us that the project fell through :
Hanging Rock is Spared
Norristown, July 12. — District Attorney
Anderson has been advised by the State Highway
Department that the opposition which he headed
Hanging Rock
against the department's move to demolish the
historic hanging rock at Gulph ]\Iills has proved
effectual. The rock will not be removed because
of its historic connections.
Gulph Church is over the line in Upper Merion. A
number of Revolutionary soldiers are buried in the grave-
yard.
Z2
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia and Western Railway passes through
the gulph between the hills, and runs close to the Old Gulph
Road here at this point. A station called "Gulph" is quite
near the Hanging Rock. Close to the foot of the station
steps, going west, stands a fine old mansion. It was not
there in Colonial times, but is very old, having been built in
1803. The "plantation" of which it was the "Great House"
was owned b}- a famly named Macfarland. This locality
was also called Balligo, derived from the longer name Ual-
ligomingo. Balligomingo was in Upper Merion, but is now
incorporated in the borough of A\'est Conshohockcn.
Continentals frequently traveled the Gulph Road. Mr.
Roberts galloped along it on June 18, 1778, to carry the
news to Washington that the British had evacuated Phila-
delphia. Down the Old Guljjh Road immediately came
Captain Allan McLane and a detachment of Light Horse
from \'alley Forge, to occupy Philadelphia. He entered
the city close upon tlie heels of the departing British. He
came so c|uickly, and unexpectedly, that several who lin-
gered to say adieu to acquaintances were captured by the
Americans.
Retracing our course and proceeding down Mill Creek,
past F'enn milestones to the Saw Mill — thence leaving the
Old Gulph Road and following its newer continuation down
the creek, past old-time mills and dams, amid romantic
landscape beauty, we ct^me to an antiquated village called
Toddertown. Here was a Revolutionary powder mill.
operated by Henry Derringer, who is frequently mentioned
in Pennsylvania Archives and Colonial Records, both as a
soldier and powder-maker. Henry Derringer was an an-
cestor of the inventor of the Derringer pistol, and here at
Toddertown the first "Derringers" were made. (The name
Toddertown is derived from Todd, the name of relatives
of the Derringer family, who afterwards lived on the prem-
ises.)
If we take the road over Fairview Hill we can pass
the old family grave}ard where are interred the remains
of Frederick Bicking, the Revolutionary patriot and paper-
Z2
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
maker, who was buried with military honors, also John M.
Kuhn, another Revolutionary soldier. The land surround-
ing this has within recent years been acquired by Percival
Roberts. Mr. Bicking said in his will that this graveyard
should not be disturbed, and that there should be a "right-
of-way" from the road. When Mr. Roberts bought the
The Bicking Family Graveyard
Mill Creek, Lower IMerion
old Bicking property, Mr. Frank Bicking. a great-grandson
of Frederick Bicking wrote asking that he might still have
the right to visit the old family "God's Acre."
Mr. Roberts answered, giving the desired permission.
The Old Lancaster and the Gulph Roads constituted
the most direct route from Philadelphia to Valley Forge.
It was by this route that the "Ladies' Association," under
the direction of Mrs. Joseph Reed sent to Valley Forge,
early in 1778, eight big Conestoga wagons filled with cloth-
ing for the patriot soldiers. Each wagon required six
mules to draw it. The drivers were all women.
The Conestoga wagons were first niade in Lancaster
County, and took their name from the fact that the horses
34
And JSIontgomery County, Pennsyivani
(I
used to pull them were bred in the Conestoga Valley. The
industry was built up by immigration and during the War
of 1812 the \\agons came into very general use.
Esther Reed, wife of Joseph Reed, though born in
England, espoused with heart and soul the cause of her
husband and her adopted country in the struggle for liberty.
In 1780 when the destitution of the Continental Army was
so great that even \\'ashington had fears that it would be
forced to disband, the women of Philadelphia organized
for relief, and asked the women of other states to co-
operate with them. Esther de Bert Reed was chosen presi-
dent of the society and devoted herself unsparingly to the
work. Material was purchased through the purses of the
women; jewels and trinkets were sacrificed to raise ftmds,
and 2,200 shirts were made for the soldiers, \\dien Ave
remember that they were all sewed by hand we can imagine
how hard these women worked.
Un the 4th of July, 1780, Esther Reed wrote to Wash-
ington that the subscription fund they had raised amounted
to $200,580. or £625 6s. 8d. in specie, making the whole
amount in i)aper money $300,634. Earh- in September of
that year she died from the efitects of her unremitting
labor. When her death became known the Council and
Assembly of Pennsylvania adjourned "to i)ay their last
respects to her exalted virtues."
The Old Black Horse Tavern and Barn
The old Black Horse Tavern stood until recently on
the Old Lancaster Road, at the corner of "County Line,"
or more properly speaking, City Avenue, just within the
borders of Lower Meritjn Township, JMontgomery County,
and upon the historic acres settled by the early Welsh
colonists who came from A\ ales in 1682.
The Black Horse, with its picturesque roof and chim-
neys, its broad piazzas, its iron-lxmnd shutters and huge
brass knocker, was almost as ancient as the "(General
Wayne." This estate had been in the family of Jacob
Stadelman since long before the Revolution.
35
Historic Lou-er Merion and Blockley
The "Black Horse" was the scene of a skirmish during
the exciting times of 1777. With the startling events of
the Brandywine, Germantown and Paoli following each
other in quick sticcession, many minor happenings have
been lost sight of. Among these were the operations of
"Black Horse Tavern"
Old Lancaster Road and "County Line," Lower Merion,
Montgomery County, Pa. Built before the Revolution.
(Stood opposite to famous "Black Horse Barn")
General Potter on the west side of the Schuylkill. Blockley
and Alerion Townships suffered greatly from the ravages
of British foraging parties, and General Potter was kept
busy in protecting the inhabitants and anno3-ing the enemy.
A letter written by General Potter is recorded in Vol.
\T of the Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, page 97.
It reads as follows :
Sir: — Last Thursday, the enemy march out of the City
with a desire to Ftirridge; but it was necessary to drive
36
And AI ontr/o ni ery County, P ennsylvania
me out of the way; my ruKanced i>icciuet fired on them at
the Bridge; another parly of erne Hundred attacked them
at the Black Hors. I was encamped at Charles Thomson's
place, where I stacconed two Rcgments who attacted the
enemy with Viger. On the next hill 1 staccnned three
Regments, letting the first line know that when they were
over powered the must retreat and form behind the second
line, and in that manner we formed and Retreated for four
miles; and on every Hill we disputed the matter with them.
My people Behaved well, espeasly three Regments Com-
manded by the Cols. Chambers, Murrey and Leacey. His
Excellency Returned us thanks in public orders ; — But the
cumplement would have been mutch more substantale had
the \'alant General Solovan Covered my Retreat with two
Devisions of the Army, he had in my Reare ; the front of
them was about one-half mile in my Rear, but he gave
orders for them to Retreat and join the army who were
on the other side of the Schuylkill about one mile and a
Half ofif from me: thus the enemy Got leave to Plunder the
Countrey, which the have dun without parsiality or favour
to any, leave none of Nesscereys of life Behind them that
the conveniantly could carrey or destroy. My loss in this
Action I am not able to Assartain as yet ; it is not so mutch
as might be expected. The killed don't exceed 5 or 6;
taken prisoners about 20; wounded about 20; with the
enemy acknowledged the got the worst of tliis Action ;
there light hors suffered mutch for they Charged us. I
am your Excellency's
most obedant
Humble Servant,
Ja. Potter.
P. S. — His Excellency was not with the /vrmy \\hen
tliis unlucky neglect hapned ; the army was on there march
and he had not come from his Quarters at Whitmarsh.
Chester County Camp at Head Quarters, Dec. 15, 1777.
Directed — C)n Public service.
His Excellency Thomas \Miarton. Esq.
at Lancaster.
Z7
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Thomas Wharton, Jr., was then President of the
Supreme Executive Council, that is, President cf the Com-
monweahh of Pennsylvania, under the Constitution of 1776.
General Potter, himself, became Vice-President in 1781.
During the skirmish the dead and wounded soldiers
were carried into the Black Horse Barn and laid upon beds
made from hay.
.^Sp
The "Black Horse" Barx
On the old Lancaster Road, corner "County Line," where the
Pennsylvania Militia under General Potter defeated a
detachment of Cornwallis' army (during the
Revolution). The dead and wounded
were carried into this barn
From General Potter's letter we learn that the action,
begun at the Black Horse, was continued throughout the
greater part of Lower Alerion as far as Conshohocken.
"Charles Thomson's place" was "Harriton" near Bryn
Mawr. In fact, this mansion was the original "Bryn
38
And M out (J (J ui c yy C o ii n ty, P e n n sy Iv d n in
Mawr" built by the \\'elsh scholar and preacher, Rowland
Ellis, in 1704.
In 1776 A\'ashington caused a bridge of boiits to be
erected over the Schuylkill in order to facilitate ihe i)assage
of his army. It was built by General Israel Putnam.
There were no bridges over the river at that time, and the
people crossed by means of ferries, the ])rincipal being
the "jMiddle Ferry," at the site of the present Market Street
bridge; the "Upper Ferry," where the Spring Garden Street
bridge now stands, and the "Lower Ferry" was "Gray's
Ferry." The first bridge was built at the "Middle Ferry."
It was begun in 1801. Completed on January 1, 1805. An
obelisk now- so time-worn that the inscriptions are almost
illegible, marked the spot where the old bridge stood. This
bridge was destroyed by fire in 1875. A fine bridge now
spans the river at this point.
Some members of Mcrion Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, have in their possession a number of
bullets and grape shot which were plowed up in the fields
surrounding the "Black Horse" barn. This building is of
stone, in the old Colonial style, and the end facing the road
is covered with iv}'. On the north side of the barn are
two massive double doors, with huge iron hinges and a
heavy iron latch. These open into the barn \\here the
threshing goes on in season, just as it did in the days of
long ago, except that a fine improved thrashing machine
takes the place of the fiails that were formerly swung by
the sturdy country lads. Behind the Ixirn rises a beautiful
field of pasture, and from the top of the hill a fine view of
Philadelphia may be had. During the season of the year
when the trees and bushes are bare of foliage, a silvery
thread, winding in and nut in the distance, shows where
the Schuylkill lies — the river over which the enemy crossed
on the way to Alerion.
On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the names
of "Stradelman" (at the "PJlack Horse") and "W'enn" (at
"Wynnstay").
39
Historic Lower JMerioji and Blockley
On February 13, 1781, a company of Continentals,
under Captain Joseph McClellan, encamped in the field
near the Black Horse on the way to York, and went thence
to take part in (icneral Anthony ^^'ayne's Campaign in
the Southern States.
Michael Stadelman and A\'illiam Stadelmnn are both
mentioned in the "Colonial Records" as "dieting" American
soldiers.
In the early days the word "tavern" meant simply a
respectable family hotel, with entertainment for "man and
beast." The taverns along the old roadways were like the
railroad stations of today, with lunch counters. The tav-
ern keeper in old times was a respected citizen. He often
was the postmaster, or the County Squire, or the Captain
of a Company of Militia.
Along all old roadways we find old taverns usually
about a mile apart. The "Buck," at Haverford, the "Sorrel
Horse," at Ithan, and the "Spread Eagle," were beyond
Merion Meeting, and the "General Wayne." (The "Sorrel
Horse" is now the home of George H. McFadden, but the
old Tavern is "lost" with the new additions surrounding it.
A tablet on a bridge crossing a small creek near the house
bears the following inscription :
"During the encampment at A'alley Forge in the
darkest days of the Revolution, the nearby stone dwelling,
then the Sorrel Horse Inn, with warm and patriotic wel-
come, sheltered often as its guests ^^'ashing•ton and
Lafayette."
From the Journal of Lieutenant James Mc^Michael we
learn that the patriotic army on "September 15, 1777,
marched out the Old Lancaster Road, past the Sorrel
Horse and the Spread Eagle, to Paoli." They had en-
camped, September 14, near Merion ]^Ieeting, and that
night A\'asliington slept in the old "General AA'ayne."
(Another noted old tavern was the "Red Lion," at
Ardmore.)
Coming east, down the Old Lancaster Road, the
"Black Horse" was at County Line, a little further down,
40
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
"Black Lodge" at the Trasell place, later the property of
the Gerhard family (now included in W'ynnefield.) At
Hestonville the "White Horse"; at Forty-eighth and Lan-
caster Avenue, where Girard Avenue crosses the "Pike,"
was the "Rising Sun" — now the Union Home for Old
Ladies. Then Gheen's Tavern at Fortieth Street. Here
Lancaster Avenue and Haverft)rd Road cross each other.
Two of the best-known taverns on the Haverford Road,
perhaps, were \\'hiteside's at Haddington, and one at the
"Upper Ferry," where it terminated, for many years called
"Glass' Tavern." The "Wire" Bridge, a suspension bridge,
crossed the river here. It w^as replaced by the present one,
often called the "double-deck" bridge, or the Spring Garden
Street bridge. The "\\'ire" bridge crossed where the lower
span of the present bridge crosses.
On Market Street (West Chester Pike) the William
Penn and the Lehman House (between Thirty-ninth and
,J
The Bllt. Bkll Tavf.rx. Built 1762
Fortieth Street). The AX'illiam Penn deserves special
mention, for the reason that frtun this anliciue hostelry
41
Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley
ran, until about twenty years ago, the last stage leaving
Philadelphia. It traveled out Market Street to New^town
Square and back again, daily. (The last driver was a
woman.) But the railroads, trolley and the "L" had to
come, and the last Colonial stagecoach had to go. (The
Blue Bell, near Kingsessing, not far from St. James'
Church, at what is now W^oodland Avenue, is another
famous old tavern.)
"Lilac Grove"
A stone mansion, one of the best examples of Colonial
architecture in Pennsylvania, for generations the home of
the Harvey family, formerly stood on the C^ld Lancaster
"Lilac Grove"
The Harvey Homestead. Built 1700
Road, Low^er Merion, immediately adjoining the Latch
homesteads, just above the "Black Horse" and about a
quarter of a mile above City Avenue.
42
And MontgofJi cry County, Pennsylvania
The old house was in the midst of a beautiful profusion
of lilacs which gave the place its name of "Lilac Grove."
Majestic trees, many of them still standing, cast a bewilder-
ing shade on every hand. They no longer screen the dear
old stone house, but protect a modern Queen Anne mansion
from the sun's rays. The western end of the house was
built in 1700, on the site of a still older log house; the
eastern end was added in 1762.
During the Revolutionary period it was occupied by a
Revolutionary patriot, Richard Jones, a prominent Friend,
or Quaker, and a member of Merion Meeting. (He is
buried there.) He was a wealthy lumber merchant, and
one of the ways in which he served his country was by
presenting the Naval Board with lumber to build a boat
for the armed fieet on the Delaware. As he left but one
son, James, who died unmarried, the property came into
the possession of his cousin, Margaret Boyle Harvey,
descended from the same Jones family as James and Rich-
ard. Alargaret Boyle, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier.
Captain James Boyle, of the Chester County Militia, was
married to Edward Harvey at Merion Meeting, Sixth
Month, 16th, 1808. (They are Ijoth buried there.) Edward
Harvey was Squire of Lower ]\Ierion for 28 years, holding
that office at the time of his death, in 1858.
Margaret Boyle Harvey's mother w^as Martha Wil-
liams, of Charlestown, Chester County. During the Revo-
lution, she with other young girls of that day, put in the
crops while the men of their families were away fighting
for their country. She also carried food and clothing to
the ])atriot soldiers at \"alley Forge. Her grandfather,
John Williams, and her father, David Williams, were
soldiers in Washington's Army. (Martha Williams mar-
ried her teacher, known as "Schoolmaster Boyle." He
taught in Charlestown before the Revolutionary period,
and at the Old Eagle School, Treddyffrin Township,
1812-14. Henry Pleasants, Esq., in his History of the Old
Eagle School, says on page 67 — "Another of these 'old
masters' was James Boyle, an Irishman of famed learning,
43
Historic Loicer JMerion and B/ockley
known as 'School Master Ehrens.' He is said to have
had 'high descent' from the Earl of Cork and the Earl of
Orrery, and to have had decidedly artistic talent. He also
taught at Old Glassley School on Glassley Commons —
now part of Devon — and at the Union School near Great
A'^alley Baptist Church."}
The Harvey barn stood on the opposite side of the
road, next to "Rose Hill," one of the Latch homesteads.
It is said that at one time, during the Revolution, two
soldiers, being pursued by a British foraging party, took
refuge in this barn and hid beneath the hay. The British
suspected their place of retreat, and slashed through the
hay with their swords until they found the Americans, and
then mercilessly hacked them to death. These were among
the unnamed and unnumbered patriots of whom we can
find no record, but who just as truly gave their lives that
our nation might live, as any hero whose deeds are re-
corded on tablets of marble or brass.
Highland Avenue, which runs parallel with Latch's
Lane, to Merion Station, was formerly Harvey's Lane.
The Latch Homesteads
A short distance above the County Line, or City Ave-
nue, and adjoining what was the Harvey property, stood
for many years, two ancient houses. One was built before
the days of the Revolution, the other early m the last
century. They were the Latch homesteads.
Jacob Latch was a soldier in A\'ashington's Army and
encamped, when the patriots were in !\Ierion, at \'alley
Forge. He obtained a furlough, came home and spent his
holiday in making shoes for his destitute comrades. But
tradition tells us he did more than that — he really carried
dispatches for Washington. He was known as "^^'ashing-
ton's Runner."
The old Latch house on the left hand side of the road,
going west, was torn down about six years ago and a fine
group of houses has been built there. The other, "Rose
Hill," on the right hand side of the Old Lancaster Road,
44
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
built in Colonial days, is still standing. (The first of the
Latch ancestors came to America in 1699.)
The road leading from Merion Station to the Old Lan-
caster Road is called "Latch's Lane" because it was orig-
inally the lane leading to these two old-time houses. It is
The Latch Homestead
on Latch's Lane that Dr. Albert C. Barnes will erect his
Art Gallery to contain his wonderful collection of paintings
and other works of art.
Edward Biddle Latch, Chief Engineer, U. S. N. (rela-
tive rank. Commander), and his two sisters were the last
of the family to live in the Old Latch home. Mr. Latch
died April 2, 1911. (Mr. Latch served on the U. S. S.
Hartford, Rear Admiral Earragut's Flagship, during the
Civil War.)
45
Historic Lower Merioti and Blockley
Seventh Battalion of Philadelphia Militia
From Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XIII,
page 590, it is found that in the year 1777, the Seventh Bat-
talion of Philadelphia Militia was raised in Upper Merion,
Lower Merion, Blockley and Kingsessing. Following is
the list of officers.
Colonel, Johnathan Paschall, Esc|.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac ^^"arner, Esq.
Major, Matthew Jones, Esq. (page 590).
Colonel, Isaac Warner; Lieutenant-Colonel, Algernon
Roberts; Major, Morton Garrett (page 592).
First Company — Captain Llewellyn Young; First Lieuten-
ant, David Young; Second Lieutenant, Isaac AVillianis ;
Ensign, AA'illiam Addihl.
Second Company — Captain, Israel Jones ; First Lieutenant,
Joseph Grover; Second Lieutenant, Jacob AA'ynkoop ;
Ensign, Richard Thomas.
Third Company — Captain, John Young; First Lieutenant,
Abraham Strieper ; Second Lieutenant, Aaron John-
son ; Ensign, Tunis Lee.
Fourth Company — Captain, Charles Rol)inson ; First Lieu-
tenant, Nathan Gibson ; Second Lieutenant, Charles
lustice ; Ensign, Clement Smith.
Fifth Company — Captain, Samuel Houlston ; First Lieu-
tenant, Jesse Roberts; Second Lieutenant, ;
Ensign, Amos Sturgis.
Sixth Company — Captain, Edward Heston ; First Lieuten-
ant, Peter Ott ; Second Lieutenant, Henry Alexander ;
Ensign, Christian Miller.
Seventh Company — Captain, Benjamin Eastburn ; First
Lieutenant John Davis; Second Lieutenant, AA'illiam
George ; Ensign, Moses Davis.
Eighth Company — Captain, Joseph Jones ; First Lieutenant,
Peter Rose ; Second Lieutenant, AVilliam Rose ; Ensign,
Isaac Kite.
46
And Mont^/oniery County, Pennsylvani
a
Lower Merion Academy
Lower Alcriou Academy was built in 1812. While this
is not of the Revolutionary period it is one of the noted old
landmarks of Lower Merion. It has a broad piazza with a
LuwER Merion Academy
brick floor and flag-stone steps leading to it. The posts
are supported at the base by iron pivots. The desks are
clumsy and heavy while the windows have tiny square
panes. All these show the age of the building, but the
hollows in the steps, worn by the tramp of many feet, speak
most eloquently of its antiquity.
The Academy was one of the first public schools in
the United States. It was founded in 1810 by Jacob Jones,
who left a farm of ten acres for the sup])ort of a school at
which a certain number of pupils should be educated free
of charge. The Acadeni}- was a genuine Academ}' with a
47
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
classical course. It was a boarding school with day
scholars. The teacher was allowed the use of the dwelling
and grounds in return for his tuition of the free scholars.
From the beginning there was no distinction as to sex.
But the question of caste soon made trouble. The
"free scholars" were looked down upon, so much so that it
was at one time seriously proposed to erect a separate
building for the "poor scholars." But the friends of the
institution decided that this would defeat the intention of
the founder's will, the first purpose of wdiich was to provide
free education. (The difficulty was adjusted by doing
away with the paid scholars.)
The first teacher was Joshua Hoopes, a Friend, who
resigned rather than contend with the strife between "paid"
and "free" scholars. He afterwards went to West Chester
where he successfully conducted a Friends' school for many
years. He was a noted botanist, and a friend of Darling-
ton's.
John Levering came next. He it was who made in
1851, a most admirable map of Lower Alerion. As a local
antiquarian he was quite remarkable.
Another early teacher was Aliss Lydia Coggins. 2^Iiss
Coggins lived to be 97 years old, dying in 1912. She is
buried in West Laurel Hill within a few miles of where
she spent her entire life.
But no one can speak or think of the Lower Merion
Academy without calling to mind Mr. Israel Irwin, who
was head master, or principal for twenty-five years.
Many scholoars from the Academy afterwards became
known to the world, among them being Charles Naylor,
Representative in Congress from Philadelphia, 1840;
Joseph Fornance, Representative in Congress from Mont-
gomery County, in the early 40's (this is the Congressman
who sent Winfield Scott Hancock to West Point) ; Prof.
James Rhoads, of the Boys' Central High School, Phila-
delphia ; Rev. James Rush Anderson, D. D. ; Dr. Richard
Jones Harvey, who graduated from the University of Penn-
sylvania in 1832, one of the California pioneers of 1849.
48
THE NEW YOR^
PUBUC J
h
k
h
A
4
X '■ V - (-*•
*-i> '.,1 ■<'.
'••■-.■rf\ "^
'"•til'
i^^^ll^^r^^s^sc^gk^^r^^'r^k^^
'\.
1^^.
-^-
**w /At*»
TTi
.OBUCU^'^'
And ]\I ontgouiery County, Pennsylvania
Algernon Roberts, of the Pcnooyd Iron Works, and George
B. Rolierts, who \vas President of the Pennsyhania Rail-
road for many years before his death.
The ground upon Avhich the Academy stands rises
above the picturesque ravine known as Rock Hollow. It
was up this road that the Americans passed out Meeting
House Lane to reach the Old Lancaster Road to the place
where they camped, near Merion fleeting House, Sep-
tember 14, 1777.
The Old Mill
Rock Hollow, Lower Alerion, where the Continental money
was destroyed
r3own Rock Hollow, on the banks of the winding
stream known as Rock Creek, stands an did ruined mill.
This, during the Revoluticmary period, was Lloyd Jones'
paper mill. After the Continental paper money had so
depreciated in value as to become utterly worthless, it was
called in l)v our voung Government and destroxed at this
51
Historic Loner 2^1 er ion and Blockley
mill. From this spot in Lower Merion, then, started the
still popular phrase, "Not worth a Continental."
In 1914. a fine up-to-date school hotise was built on the
Academy grounds, facing Levering ]\Iill Road. But the
old building still stands as it has for more than a Century.
The new school was made necessary because the settlement
of Cynwyd has grown to such proportions within the last
few years, that the old school house was too small to accom-
modate all the pupils. Howard ]\I. Jenkins tells us in his
"Historical Recollections of Gwynedd" that Joseph Foulke,
of Gwynedd (b. 1786) a minister of the Quaker faith who
taught at Friends' School at Plymouth, and later (1818)
established a boarding school for young men and boys at
Gwynedd, said, in referring to the small salaries paid, "The
free school of ^Montgomery, however, was more popular.
The salary paid there S160 a year, secured more competent
teachers than any other school. I can remember when a
teacher's pay was from a dollar to ten shillings per quarter
for each scholar and he obtained his board by going about
from house to house among his employers, and it was a
remark that people would trust a teacher to instruct their
children to whom they would not lend a horse." The "free
school of Montgomery" was the Old Academy.
The Columbia Railroad
The Columbia Railroad, the precurser of the Pennsyl-
vania system, was one of the first in the United States.
(In 1823 John Stevens secured a charter from the Penn-
sylvania Legislature to construct a railroad to Columbia,
but he did not succeed in raising sufficient funds to build
it. A new Charter for the road was granted in 1826,
repealing the former one, but nothing came of this, and it
was not until 1828 that the road was begun. In 1832
portions of it were completed, and cars ran. In 1834 the
road was finished, and opened through to Columbia, and
the "Black Hawk" was placed upon it. )
The Schuylkill A'alley branch of the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Bala runs on part of the old Columbia Rail-
52
And ^I out g ornery County, P e nns y Ivn n ia
road. The roadbed continued east, from what is now Baki,
down Conshohocken Road, between the catalpa trees, past
the Methodist Orphanage and Home, and through Fair-
mount Park — the trolley running on part of it — to the
Schuylkill, below Belmont Hill, at the site of the (Jld
Columbia Bridge (opened in 183-1 — the new concrete jjridge
was built in 1919). The railroad started at Broad and
A'ine Streets and crossed the river at this point. Going in
the other direction, from Bala, the Columbia Railroad
continued from the deep cut along the Ford Road to
"Bowman's Bridge" — named for a bridge over this rail-
road — then out along the Old Lancaster Road past Merion
Meeting House to Ardmore, where the roadbed became
continuous with the present main line of the Pennsylvania
Railroad.
The course of the old roadbed can frequently be traced
by blocks of stone abandoned along the way. Some of
these blocks may be seen at the Junction, Park Trolley,
near the Methodist Home. Also between the Bala and
Cynwyd railroad stations, wdiere the bed of the old railroad
may plainly be seen ; also at Parson's corner, where the
Ford Road joins the Old Lancaster Road. And on the prop-
erty of A. C. Shand, Jr., in Narberth, there are six stone
blocks undisturbed, in their original position. In early
days there were no ties used, but the rails were bolted into
stone cubes, planted in the ground. The first cars ti > run
on iron rails were not drawn by steam engines, but by
mules. Just below Bala was an inclined plane by which
cars were raised and lowered between the Columl)ia bridge
and the hig"h "Tound. The first train over this railroad
drawn by a locomotive was in 183-1 — the engine, as I said
before, was called the "Black Hawk" — and the train ran
to Lancaster in about eight and a half hours, luigines
were not used entirely until several years later.
"Bowman's Bridge" was a well-known settlement. It
was at the Ford Road, near wdiere it ran into the Old Lan-
caster Road that the bridge was built. This was on a part
of the land granted to Roger Bowman in 1798. An old
53
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
deed transferring the property from Joshua Bowman to
William Potts and John Wainwright begins the descrip-
tions as follows : "Beginning at the bridge leading across
the railroad, thence on the line of said railroad, etc." The
portion of the property sold to A\'illiam Potts was called
"Juniper Bank." John Wainwright's place was named
"Elm Hall." About thirty years ago General Wendell P.
Bowman, a lineal descendant of Roger Bowman (who
came to America from England in 1754), bought this place
from the AA'ainwright heirs, so it once more belongs to
the Bowman family. A toll gate stood for more than two
centuries at "Bowman's Bridge," later called "Merionville ;"
also "Academyville" because Levering Alill Road, which
leads to the Old Academy begins there. The old toll gate
was removed in 1917 when the Old Lancaster Road was
taken over by the State.
Memorial Stone
Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R.
On September 14, 1777, AVashington's Army encamped
on a field just above Merion Meeting House, on the Old
Lancaster Road. (This was five days before the bloody
massacre of Paoli.)
Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, unveiled and dedicated a memorial stone to mark this
spot, on September 14, 1896, the one hundred and nine-
teenth anniversary of the day, in the presence of five or
six hundred people.
The ceremonies began at 2.30, ^^ ith patriotic airs by
the AA'yoming Band of Philadelphia, stationed on a plat-
form draped with American flags. The Regent of Merion
Chapter presided and made some introductory remarks,
which were followed by a prayer by the Rev. Charles S.
Olmstead, then rector of St. Asaph's P. E. Church, Bala,
and afterwards Bishop of Colorado.
Hon. Jacob W^eidel, who was Alayor of Reading at
that time, delivered a short address. Miss Margaret B.
54
And Montgomery County, P e nnsylvdnia
Harvey, Historian nf the Chapter, read an historical paper
in which she specially referred to the day spent b}' Wash-
ington's Army in Lower }kIerion.
Then the Regent unveiled the stone, while Battery A
of Philadelphia, under ct>nimand of Cai)tain M. C. Stafford.
with thirty men, fired a national salute of forty-five guns,
and the band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Fol-
lowing the unveiling Major Aloses Veale delivered the
oration.
55
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
The stone is a rough granite pillar, four feet high, two
feet wide and two feet thick. The face towards Montgom-
ery Pike (as that part of the Old Lancaster Road is now
called), is polished and on it is cut the following inscrip-
tion :
On this and adjacent
ground Washington's army
encamped September 14, 1777
Erected by Merion Chapter,
Daughters of the American
Revolution, September 14, 1896.
Ground presented by
Samuel R. McDowell
Camp Ground of the Georgia Continentals
During the summer of 1777, the North Carolina troops
under General Francis Nash, encamped in "Governor
Penn's Woods," which means "Lansdowne" in West Fair-
mount Park. Governor Penn's house stood where Horti-
cultural Hall now stands. General Nash was killed at the
Battle of Germantown. In the diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer,
of Philadelphia (1765-1798), published by his great-grand-
son, Jacol) Cox Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., one entry says,
"June 30, 1777— Found the Schuylkill stables filled with
light horse; visited also Gov. Penn's Woods to see the
Camp of the North Carolina Troops."
The Continental Army occupied l^oth banks of the
Schuylkill from the Middle Ferry (where the ^Market Street
bridge now stands) to the Falls. The main body under
General Washington was encamped near Queen Lane.
This spot has been marked In- the Sons of the Revolution.
The Georgia troops under General Lachlin ^Mcintosh
took part in the campaign about Philadelphia. During the
summer of 1777, the Fourth Battalion, under Colonel John
White encamped in the open fields where Cynwyd and Bala
now lie. The inspiration to mark this spot is due to Merion
Chapter's Historian, the late Margaret B. Harvey, A. ]\I.
56
And M ontfjo 1)1 ery County, Pennsylvania
In the Third Smithsonian Institution Report, of the
National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution,
\\'ashinoton, D. C, 1901, page 235, a[tpears the following:
"Miss Alargaret !'>. Harvey, Historian of Merit)n Chai)tcr,
copied an orderly book and several letters, the work of
Revolutionary soldiers, and sent them to the State Librar-
ian at Harrisburg, Pa., to be embodied in the Pennsylvania
Archives, \\'hile working on these Archives she found
that a Battalion of Georgia Continentals, under Col. John
\\'hite, were encamped near Bala, August, 1777. Step by
step she has followed those ragged, footsore men through
many musty manuscripts and pages of history, wherever
she could hnd a trace of them, picking up a name here and
there, until she has gathered up 2,609 names. Such inde-
fatigable work undertaken for the glory of another state
than her own is rare. She believes that those early pioneers
whose bones are moldering on many fields far distant from
their homes will rise up against her on the day of Judgment,
if she omits one name which any possible research might
have revealed and saved to posterity."
Becoming interested in these same Georgia Conti-
nentals. Miss Harvey continued her work for Georgia and
compiled the first Archives that state ever possessed.
In the Pennsylvania Archives, second series, Vol. HI,
page 103, we find that on August 15, 1777, "A Petition of
divers Inhabitants of the Townships of Meritjn and Block-
ley" was sent to His Excellency, Thomas Wharton, Jr.,
Esq., President of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
complaining that the soldiers from Colonel White's Bat-
talion of Georgia troops encamped in the Townships w^ere
overrunning their fields, and taking their fruits, etc. The
closing paragraph says: "We have, moreover, the addi-
tional apprehension that as the Indian corn, which is a
principal support of the Farmer and his cattle, is drawing
to a state of maturity, in a few days, we may be dejjrived
thereof." The letter was signed by every property holder
in the locality. They were as follows:
57
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
Algernon Roljerts, Anthony Tunis, Thomas George,
Richard Tunis, Lewis Thomas, Xehemiah Evans, David
George, Edward Ro1:)erts, A\'m. Stadehnan, John Zell, David
Zell Abram Streeper, Jno. Roberts, Jacob Jones, Isaac
Lewis, John Robinson, James Jones, Jr., Rees Price, Robt.
Holland, Silas Jones, Paul Jones, Amos George, Jesse
Thomas, Abel Thomas, Anthony Levering, John Leacock,
John Smith, James Jones, Bostine Eals, Rudolph Latch,
Lawrence Trexler, Jesse Jones, Michael Smith, Anthony
\\'arner, Alartin Garrett, Jno. Price.
Many of these names are found on the rolls of the
Pennsyhania ^lilitia. These were the men who went out
to fight in an emergency, then came home to gather their
crops and were ready to be called again should necessity
require. It seems natural that they should resent the idea
of their fruits and grains being taken during their absence,
and also quite as natural for the soldiers to help themselves
to the fruits in the vicinity. The majority of these men
were Friends, and are buried at ]\Ierion ^Meeting.
John Leacock, one of the signers of the petition, we
are told in Scharf and A\'estcott's "History of Philadel-
phia," \^ol. I, page 265, "set up a lottery in ye Township
for ye cultivation of ye ^•ine."' ( His place was always
called "The Mneyard." The old house is still standing
close to the Schu}dkill \'alley branch of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, between Bala and Cynwyd stations.) As the
soldiers were encamped in these fields in August, and the
grapes would be ripe in September, we can well under-
stant John Leacock's anxiety for the safety of his vines.
From the minutes of Radnor ^Meeting, 10th, 5th, 1776, page
456, Isaac A\'arner, Col. 7th Battalion* Algernon Roberts,
Lieutenant Colonel of same; Isaac Kite, Jr., and Richard
Thomas were dismissed from the Society of Friends for
bearing arms. (They were afterwards reinstated.)
On February 22, 1919 (Washington's Birthday), at
4 P. AL, ]\Ierion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revo-
lution, unveiled a bronze tablet on the lawn of St. John's
58
And Montgomery County, Pennsy Irani
(I
P. E. Church. Cxinvyd Lower ^Nleriun, marking this camp
grouiul. The program was as follows:
Opening Address and Invocation — Major Henry A. F.
Hoyt, D. D., Chaplain, N. G. P. (Retired), Rector
of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion, Pa.
Salute to the Flag :
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the
Republic for which it stands — One Nation, indivis-
ible, with Libertv and Justice for all."
m^
Q
:,'jM
...1* j.Qj:
DURING
|1UT10NAR\
^lA' CONTIM
^ LANDED B^
%CHLIN M'-IN'
^HN THE C^^^
IPHILADELP!
RLH BATTai
|)NEL JOHV V
PP'ED UPON T}f
Mace NT CRni
IgUST. 177.
T'»RL-F:T FRFCTED hY
■PION CHAPTEP > .,
::DAi;GHTERb OF /^y':
•F AMFRICAN '^hf"'i
REVOLUTION ''^
Inscription
During the Revolutionary War
The Georgia Conti.ventals Commanded by
General Lachli.v McLntosh took Part in the
Campaign ai-.out Philadeli'hia. The Fourth Battalion
Under Colonel John White Encamped i-pon this and
Adjacent Ground, in August, 1777.
Taplet Erected i!v Merion Chapter, Daughters of the
A M ERiCAN Revolution.
1919
59
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
60
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvani
(I
"America."
Historic paper — Dora Harvey Develin (Mrs. John F.)
Regent of Merion Chapter, D. A. R.
Unveiling of Tablet— Mrs. S. Harold Croft, Mrs.
Spencer AX'right, Jr., and Miss Jane I. Magee,
(lineal descendants of Nehemiah Evans, one of the
signers of the petition).
"Red, White and Blue."
Rev. Leighton W. Eckard, a great-grandson of General
Lachlin Mcintosh, made a short address, which
was very interesting.
Benediction — Chaplain Harry Leo, of the Loyal Legion.
The flag used at the ceremonies is one of the Chapter
"Flags of 1776" and was made by the thirteen charter
members in 1895.
"Harriton"
"The \\'elsh Tract" not only included the 10,000 acres
granted John ap Thomas and Edward Jones. On Holme's
Map of 1681, the part of Lower Merion near the Schuylkill
is marked "Edward Jones and Co., 17 families." Further
westward are two tracts marked "Rowland Ellis and
Thomas Ellis," both being in the neighborhood of the pres-
ent Bryn Mawr.
Rowdand Ellis was a great scholar and a preacher in
the Society of Friends. He is said to have been a descend-
ant of King Henry HI of England. He settled on his
plantation about 1686. In 1704 he built a substantial stone
mansion still standing. (This afterwards became the prop-
erty of Charles Thomson.) This, with its surrounding
acres, he called "Bryn ]\Iawr," or "Great Hill," after his
early home in Wales.
The property passed into the hands of Richard Har-
rison, a wealthy slave holder, who named the i)lace "Harri-
ton." Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental
Congress, married for his second wife, Hannah Harrison,
and became the master of "Harriton." After Secretary
Thomson retired from public life he spent many years at
61
Historic Loicer JSIerion and Blockley
"Harriton" in making a translation of the Bible. He died
in 1824, aged 95 years. At his death the property returned
to his wife's kindred, the Morris family, who still hold it.
In the woods near the Baptist Cemetery, is the Harri-
ton family burying ground, enclosed by a stone wall. A
tablet in the wall records the fact that here were once
interred the remains of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the
Continental Congress.
When Laurel Hill Cemetery was opened, Charles
Thomson's nephew and other professed admirers, removed
the patriot's remains surreptiously, and re-interred them
"Harritox,'" (the original, Bryn Mawr)
Built 1704
in the new burial ground. To remove Secretary Thomson's
body was trespass, as to reach the family burying ground
it was necessary to cross private property ; but as the Morris
family were Friends, they felt bound to follow the doctrine
of non-resistance. Hence they never demanded the return
62
And j\I out g ornery County, Pennsylvania
of the body. But Mr. George Vaux, of Philadelphia, whose
summer home is at "Harritou." is doubtful whether the
trespassers succeeded in finding the right body.
More than forty years ago Mr. A'aux and his wife
erected the historical tablet now in the wall, as well as the
one with name and date on the outside, which tablets are
inscribed on two sides of a single block of stone. ]\Ir.
\'aux also prepared the inscription from reliable family
papers. The interior tablet took the place of an earlier
one, which contained a shorter and more imperfect inscrip-
tion.
Thomas and Rowland Ellis were nephews of the emi-
grant John Humphrey. A great part of Bryn Mawr is
l)uilt upt n what was the Hiunphrey Land-grant, including
Br}n Mawr College and Bryn Mawr Hotel; while the
settlement now known as Bryn Alawr has grown around
the old-time village of Humphrcyville. Bryn Mawr Col-
lege was founded by Dr. Joseph W. Taylor, of Burlington,
N. ]., and is under the care of the Society of Friends.
Old Dutch Church, Ardmore
This little stone building was erected in 1787. This
date appears on two quaint tablets set in the wall. The
gable end turned away from the road is the more pictur-
esque, as it shows the grey pointed stone. This old church
succeeded a log l)uilding erected in 1769. A larger sttjue
edifice was built in front of this little one in 1800. This
was torn down in 1873 and a new church erected on Lan-
caster turnpike, on grcnnid given by Charles Kugler.
The proper name of the *'( )ld Dutch Church" is St.
Paul's Evangelical Lutheran. It was organized before
1765. From Col. Bean's "History cjf Montgomery County"
we learn that the first communion was held in 1767, in
which forty-three persons participated. The founders of
the chvn-ch were William Stadelman, Frederick Grow,
Stephen Goodman, Christopher Getzman, George Bassler
and Simon Litzenberg.
63
Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley
From the Pennsylvania Archives, second series, VoL
II, we find that A\'illiam Stadelman, of Germany, was
naturalized April 11, 1762; Stephen Goodman, April 1,
1763. The patriot paper-maker, Frederick Bicking, of Mill
Creek, was naturalized April 1, 1763.
The Lutheran communities of Montgomery County,
were settled north and westward from Lower Merion,
through the central townships to the Berks Count}' lines.
The Germans in those early days were intensely loyal, the
]\Iuhlenberg family conspicuously so.
During the Revolutionary War the Dutch Church, near
Ardmore, met with many reverses. There was a divided
sentiment in the community, some of the congregation be-
lieving in the Quaker and ]\Iennonite doctrine of non-
resistance, just as we see in many sections today (1918).
The church had been founded a great many years
before there were regular preaching services. Among those
who preached in the old church was the famous Rev. Dr.
Henry ]\Ielchior Muhlenberg, of the Trappe. The old
graveyard in which both soldiers of the Revolution and the
War of 1812 are buried, has been in use for more than 150
years. (The German language was used in the church
service until 1858.) At various times school has been
"kept" in this old church. A curious tulip design is carved
over the door of this c[uaint little building.
Lower Merion Baptist Church
Lower Merion Baptist Church was founded in 1808-9,
by Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D. It is an offshoot of the
Great Valley Baptist Church, of Treddyfifrin, founded by
Welsh Baptists in 1710. Rev. Horatio Gates Jones was a
son of Rev. David Jones, pastor of the Great \'alley Baptist
Church during the Revolutionary period, and Chaplain of
Washington's Army. Rev. David Jones named his son
after the victorious General Gates.
Rev. Horatio Gates Jones was the pastor of the Lower
Merion Baptist Church for forty-four years. He died in
1853, aged 77. His two sons, well-known in public life,
64
And jMontgoniery County, Pennsylvania
were Charles Thomas Jones and Horatio Gates Jones, of
Roxborough. His (laughter, ]\Iiss Hetty Jf»nes. made a
noble record as an Arm}- nurse during the Civil \\ ar. The
Hetty Jones Post, C.A. R., of Roxborough, was named in
her honor, and a notable monument to her memory may
be seen in Le\eringtein Cemetery.
65
PART II
Early History of Blockley
LOCKLEY and Merion Townships were both in
Philadelphia County prior to, and during, the
Revolution. In fact, Montgomery County was not
separated from Philadelphia County until 1784.
Norristow'U, the County seat of Montgomery
County, noted this event in its Centennial celebration in
1884. (Hon. Joseph Fornance was President of the Mont-
gomery County Centennial Association, and F. G. Hobson,
Esq., was Secretary. James B. Harvey was Chairman of
the Auxiliary Committee of Philadelphia, with the follow-
ing members : Saunders Lewis, of Ambler ; Miss Elizabeth
Croasdale, Hon. John W'anamaker, Ex-Governor J. F. Hart-
ranft, AMlliam M. Singerly, General AA'. B. Thomas and
Horatio Gates Jones.)
Blockley extended from the neighborhood of the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania and the Almshouse, up along the
Schuylkill to Pencoyd. City Avenue was its western
boundary. Blockley took in all of Haddington, being
separated from Delaware County by Cobb's Creek. South-
ward it touched the old Swedish township of Kingsessing.
On Holme's map of 1681, Blockley is included in the
"Liberty Lands," or lands unsettled and outside the City
plan. On the eastern bank of the Schuylkill, the territory
from Mne Street to the Wissahickon and Germantown were
afterwards known as "Northern Liberties."
When we say "Blockley" most people think of the
Almshouse, but "Blockley" as applied to the Almshouse is
simply a survival of a name. "Blockley Baptist Church"
is another. The Old Lancaster Road w^as called for many
years the "Blockley and Merion Turnpike, or Plank Road."
A portion of what is now Sixty-third Street, West
Philadelphia, was called "Blockley Avenue." "The Block-
ley Library" was in the old Hestonville Hall, Fifty-second
66
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
and Lancaster Avenue. "Blockley Post Office" in the
antiquated store which stood at Lancaster Avenue and
Paschall Street (now Master Street). "The Blockley Brass
Band" afterwards called the Washington Cornet Band,
was quite a noted band in its day.
The first settler who "penetrated the wilds of Blockley"
was William Warner, of Blockley, England. He was a
resident as early as 1677, having arrived before the great
influx of either Welsh or English colonists. William
Warner built his house on what afterwards was Forty-fifth
and Westminster Avenue. He named his plantation
"Blockley" after his home in England. (The writer remem-
bers, when a school-girl, often passing the quaint brick
structure, with shingled pediments, and overhanging por-
tico, similar to what is popularly called "Queen Anne."
This was the Warner Homestead.) He landed at Upland,
now Chester. His title was confirmed by William Penn.
John Warner, a brother of William, soon followed
him, coming over with Penn, and settled nearby. Both
were members of the first Pennsylvania Legislature, along
with Thomas Duckett (keeper of the Middle Ferry.)
The Speaker of the First Pennsylvania Legislature
was Dr. Thomas Wynne. (See "W^YNNSTAY.") So we see
that Blockley was settled by the English coming up from
Chester, by way of the Swedish settlement of Kingsessing,
and by more Welsh coming down from Merion.
On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the following
names of principal landowners in Blockley : Warner, Mere-
dith, Wenns (Wynne), Jones, Roberts, Garrig (Garrett).
A large part of the property held by these families is now
included in West Fairmount Park.
From the letters of W illiam Penn, Gabriel Thomas and
others, we learn that the woods of Blockley were majestic,
but not savage. They were picturesque, but not densely
tangled. The Indians kept them particularly cleared so
that it was possible to travel long distances through the
country without paths, yet without meeting with serious
obstacles.
67
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
The name Garrig later was called Garrett. Charles
\". Hagner's "History of the Falls of Schuylkill" says this
family was of Swedish origin and claimed a considerable
strip of territory along the western bank of the Schuylkill,
from the old Columbia Bridge to the Falls. Opposite
Laurel Hill was Garrett's Ford. (See Fords and Ford
Road.)
The first general tax-list for Philadelphia County was
made in 1693. The original assessment list is in the pos-
session of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It is
copied entire in the "Memorial History of Philadelphia,"
l)y John Russell Young (see page 123). Below is the
assessment for townships "Beyond the Schoolkill." The
assessor was Thomas Pascall, Junr.
William Smith, £250, 10s., 'lOd.
Paul Sanders, £100, 8s., 4d.
John Gardner, £20, 2s., 6d.
Johnathan Duckett, £100, 8s., 4d.
Thomas Duckett, £100, 8s., 4d.
John Roads, £120, 10s.
William Powell, £100, 8s., 4d
John Albore, £ — , 6s.
AMlliam Wilkins, £50, 4s., 2d.
James Keight, £10, 3s., 4d.
William Warner, £120, 10s.
John Warner, £40, 3s., 4d.
John Boles, £150, 12s., 6d.
Georg Scottson, £60, 5s.
John Scootson, £120, 10s.
William Bedward, £30, 2s., 6d.
Thomas Pascall, £150, 12s., 6d.
George Wilcox, £170, 14s., 2d.
The tax was assessed under the Act of the Assembly
in 1693, during the administration of Governor Fletcher.
It was entitled "An Act for Granting to King William and
Mary the rate of one penny per pound upon the clear value
of all real and personal estates, and six shillings per head
upon such as are not otherwise rated by this Act, to be
68
And ]M outgo in ery County, P ennsyivduid
employed by the Go\cni()r of this Province of Penns}l\ania
and territories thereof for the time being towards the sup-
port of this Government."
Thomas Duckett and \\'ilHam and John \\'arner we
have already mentioned as first settlers and prominent office
holders. James Keight. whose name is also spelled in other
old records Keite, and Kite, was a son-in-law of William
Warner. Also an early member of Schuylkill Friends'
Meeting. John Roads was an ancestor of the late Professor
James Rhoads of the Boys' Central High School, Phila-
delphia. The Rhoads jjroperty was near Haddington, not
very far from the Delaware County line.
William Powell was an ancestor of the Powell family,
who built the old "Powell Mansion" and gave the name
to Powelton Avenue. "Powell's Ferry" was near the old
mansion, a short distance below the Spring Garden Street
bridge. The name Powell is an abbreviation of the Welsh
name "ap Ho^^"ell." The prefix ap meaning a son of, or a
child of. I'he name William Bedward appears in the list
above. This name is a contraction, or abbreviation, of
\\'illiam ap Edward. He was a Quaker preacher and lived
in what is now "Overbrook Farms." He was one of the
Welsh of Merion who crossed over into Blockley, and an
ancestor of Jesse and Rebecca George. According to
AX'elsh custom the eldest son reversed his father's name — -
so William Edward had a son named Edward William.
(The s was gradually added as a possessive, to take the
place of aj). This explains such \\'elsh names in Pennsyl-
vania as Roberts, Edwards, Richards, Walters, etc.)
The name of Duckelt, Warner, Kite and others, all
early meml^ers of the Schuylkill Friends' Meeting, appear
on the records at the Friends' Meeting House, Fifteenth
and Race Streets, Philadeli)hia. Mary Warner, daughter
of William A\'arner, married Thomas Wynn, grandson of
Dr. Thomas Wynne.
Thomas Duckett, clerk of Schu}lkill 2\leeting, and a
member of the First Pennsylvania Assembly, died of fever
in 1699.
69
Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley
Pennsylvania from the beginning was an agricultural
State. The great land holders built solid stone mansions
and lived in the midst of their broad acres, cultivating their
own "plantations." This section of Pennsylvania never
had the ignorant, stupid, loutish farmers, of which we read
so much in stories and novels. The old families of Penn-
sylvania are all able to point to some old stone farmhouse,
in some old county, as the cradle of their American clans,
for the very good and historic reason that the first pur-
chasers took up large tracts of land and laid out plantations.
The Welsh were stone masons and wherever they settled
they built their houses of stone. In New England, where
stone is plentiful, we see frame houses because those who
settled New England were carpenters by trade.
Among the old mansions of Blockley, still standing,
and outside Fairmount Park, may be mentioned the Wynne
mansion, or "W^ynnstay" (recently restored), near Bala;
the Joseph George mansion, Overbrook (now a fashionable
school for girls) ; the Jesse George mansion, near George's
Hill, close to the Schuylkill Valley R. R. (now fast falling
to decay) ; the David George and Edmund George mansions
in the same neighborhood, and the Amos George mansion
on the Christ Church Hospital property. Another old man-
sion on the same property is now used by the Rabbit Club.
In 1708 Richard George, with his wife, Margaret, and
many children, arrived from Wales. Richard purchased a
portion of the Wynn tract in Blockley. Some of his chil-
dren settled near him, others proceeded to Chester County.
His descendants intermarried with the descendants of
Willian ap Edward. In this way the Georges became pos-
sessed of a large tract near Overbrook, as well as George's
Hill.
The best-known members of the George family were
the philanthropists, Jesse, Relsecca and Joseph. This last
founded the George Industrial School. Jesse and his sister
Rebecca, perpetuated their name in their noble gift of
eighty-one acres to Fairmount Park. They also founded
the George Institute and Library, Hestonville.
70
And Montgonicry County, Pennsy Iv/mia
The Georges were quite lumierous and all lixed to he
very old. Christ Church Hospital, a Imnie lor old ladies, is
l)uilt on a portion of the George estate. The lofty steeple
Home of Jesse and Rebecca George
Still standing
of this fine old building can be seen from many points in
Blockley and Merion. This is one of the oldest institutions
of the kind in the country. It was founded by Dr. John
Kearsley long before the Revolution, in a house on "Church
Alley," opposite Christ Church. The hospital was removed
to the new buildings in Belmont in 1854. The term "hos-
pital" is still used in a cohtnial sense, meaning not merely a
refuge for the sick, but a "house of entertainment." Or.
Kearsley, the founder, was the architect of Christ Church.
West Park
No history of Blockley Township would be complete
without particular mention being made of West Fairmount
Park, which is included in old Blockley. This vast pleasure
ground extends along the Schuylkill from City Avenue at
71
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
Pencoyd, to Fairmount Dam, and beyond. The portion of
Fairmount Park, and the grandly romantic and picturesque
Wissahickon on the east bank of the Schuylkill (with its
stories of mystics, hermits, poets, Indians ; its old monas-
tery, its luxurious foliage, a harbor for many rare birds ;
its cascades and gorges), is in what was, before the city's
consolidation, the "Northern Liberties" and Roxborough
Township,
Many noted historic spots are included within the West
Park, among them a number of old-time mansions. We are
deeply indebted to the late Charles S. Keyser, Esq., for the
preservation of much of the historical lore connected with
the Park.
The Centennial Grounds. — Here the one hundredth
anniversary of the nation's birth was celebrated in the sum-
^5jft
"TSt^N.'-'- *.'*H!^:- .-i^^. '*■,/!* ■* *»"''■- ■
►>-'i^
Memorial Hall
One of the buildings erected for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. In it
may be seen a fine collection of objects of art, and antiquities, includ-
ing the famous Wilstach Art Collection. The building is of white
marble, 365 feet long and 210 feet wide.
72
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvani
a
nier of 1876. The grouiuls are in the West Park, extending
from "Lansdowne" to George's Hill, and bounded on the
north l)y Belmont, and on the south by Girard and Elm
(now Parkside) Avenues. These were part of the 5,000
acres granted in 1681 to Dr. Thomas \\'ynne, of Caerwys,
Wales, friend and ])hysician of William Penn. A ])ortion
of the same land was presented to the city of Philadelphia
l)y Jesse George and his sister Rebecca in 1868.
The Garrett Mansion. — In the West Park near the Falls
of Schuylkill, now called "The Lilacs." The Garrett family
are of Swedish descent, their ancestor being one Garretson,
who came to Delaware at an early date. The Swedes set-
tled at Wilmington in 1683, and claimed both banks of the
Delaware River as far north as Trenton, and both banks
of the Schuylkill as far as Reading. The domain consti-
tuted "New Sweden." W^illiam Penn recognized the claims
of the Swedes to ownership in the land. The W^elsh who
settled Lower Merion and Blockley, in the summer of 1682,
made friends with their Swedish neighbors. The Garrett
family retained their plantation up to the time that the city
of Philadelphia acquired it for park purposes. In extending
the park the city became possessed of a number of old
Swedish and Welsh land claims. At the time of the Revo-
lution the Garrett mansion was occupied Ijy Captain, after-
wards Major, Morton Garrett, of the Philadelphia County
Militia. The Ford Road passed up from Garrett's Ford,
which was just at the foot of the hill below "The Lilacs."
Brunnenwald. — This old mansion stands on the crest of
Cedar Hill, in the West Park, long the property of the Ott
family. The Otts were of German origin. The Germans,
under Francis Daniel Pastorious, settled Germantown in
1683, thence spread into the neighboring townships of Rox-
borough, Blockley, Lower ]\Ierion and u]) the Schuylkill
A'alley. They were among the best citizens Pennsylvania
ever had, their record being quite as creditable as the Welsh
and Swedes. At the time of the Revolution. Brunnenwald
Farm was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott, of the Phila-
delphia County Militia.
73
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
"Bruxxexwald"
Faces the Speedway and is used as a club house by the Road Drivers' Asso-
ciation. During the Revokition it was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott,
of the Philadelphia County Militia.
Mount Prospect. — In the West Park, overlooking the
Falls of Scluivlkill, now called Chamounix, part of the old
Swede domain of Swan Lunis, long the property of the
Johnson family. In this old mansion resided for a time
Robert ]\Iorris, son of the Revohitionary financier, Rol^ert
Morris. The yottnger ]\Iorris well nigh impoverished him-
self in the attempt to make glass.
Greenland. — In the West Park, on the slope of Cedar
Hill, thence extending to the river liank ; once part of the
Garrett and George properties. ( Here the trolley l^ridge
now crosses the Schuylkill.) The honse is bnilt in the same
solid style as the George honses in Blockley. From the
Revolutionary period down to the time of its acquisition by
the citv, "Greenland Farm" was held 1)v the Craig family.
James Craig, a member of this family, was a soldier in the
famous Philadelphia City Troop, in 1778-79. The troop
still exists, and is said to l^e the oldest military organiza-
tion in the United States.
74
And JSI ontg ornery County, Pennsylvania
Belmont or Peter's Farm. — In the West Park, near the
Cuhinilna liridge. In 1745 William Peters of ^'orksliire,
England, purchased the property from the widow of l)aniel
Jones, a descendant of the early Welsh. Here were l^orn
Richard and Thomas, the sons of William Peters. At the
outbreak of hostilities with Great Britain William Peters
returned to England, but his sons espoused the cause of the
Colonies. Richard Avas the illustrious Judge Peters —
'r.irr
>■ t_j
I iJ
KB Bi
GuhhM-AXD
As it looked before the back buildings were removed
and alterations made.
patriot, wit, poet, scholar and Statesman — a captain in the
Philadelphia County Militia and Secretary of the Board of
War and a friend of Washington. Judge Peters performed
many acts of service to his country. After the war he went
to England to induce the high dignitaries of the established
Church to confer Episcopal Ordination upon the Rev. \\'il-
liam \\'hite, of Philadelphia, in which mission he was suc-
cessful, thus becoming one of the founders of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in America.
Richard Peters was the first President of the Pennsyl-
vania Agricultural Society, and introduced many improve-
ments in farminir. In 1782-83 he was a niemlier of Congress,
75
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
and from 1789 until his death on August 22, 1828, U. S.
District Judge of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Peters was a soldier in the Philadelphia City-
Troop. Belmont Mansion still stands on a high eminence
in West Park, commanding a beautiful view of the Schuyl-
kill. The Peters coat-of-arms, in stucco, still adorns the
dining-room ceiling. A stone slag set in the wall, on the
north end of the old library bears the letters, J. W. P. 1745.
In 1794, September 11-20, a troop of Pennsylvania Militia
encamped at Belmont, on the way westward to suppress
the whisky insurrection.
Belmont ^Mansion
Built 1745
Near the mansion is a white walnut tree which Lafa-
yette planted during his visit in 1824. It is enclosed with
an iron railing. On the broad field lying back of the house,
near Belmont Avenue, stands a magnificent walnut tree
planted by Washington.
The Belmont plateau is a favorite site for military
demonstrations today. Here was held the Historical
Pageant, October 7 to 12. 1912. Here, during the World
War, a great demonstration urging the sale of Liberty Bonds
and War Savings Stamps was held at which several noted
opera stars sang, while aeroplanes flew overhead (1918).
76
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Tom Moore's Cottage. — A sinall, low, stone structure
on the river bank at the foot of Belmont Hill, once part of
the Peters property. A winding pathway leads down
through the "glen" to the River Road near this spot. The
Irish poet, while a guest of Judge Peters, played hermit for
a short time, l)y secluding himself in this cottage. Here he
wrote a number of poems, among them those beginning
with lines, "Alone by the Schuylkill a wanderer roved," and
"I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled."
MH nil II tl -i^Z
Horticultural Hall
One of the bviildings erected for the Centennial Celebration of 1<S76.
This great conservatory is 380 by 190 feet. It is 55 feet high.
The collections show plants from all parts of the world, many
of very rare character.
Lansdowne. — Upon the spot now occupied by Horticul-
tural Hall, in the West Park, stood the residence of John
Penn, grandson of William Penn, and the last royal gover-
nor of Pennsylvania. Although a Tory, he was not at all
aggressive, and spent the last years of his life in Pennsyl-
vania, dying in 1795. The name "Lansdowne" is derived
from John Penn's English title of Lord Lansdowne. Wash-
ington visited Ex-Governor Penn at Lansdowne, in 1787,
during the sitting of the Constitutional Convention. After
the death of John Penn this estate became the property of
William Bingham, the well-known patriot. During the
77
Historic Lowe?- JSIerion and Blockley
Revolution he was agent of the Continental Congress in the
West Indies; afterwards captain in a troop of dragoons;
also Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,
and United States Senator. His wife was Ann, daughter
of Thomas Willing, member of the Continental Congress,
and the Supreme Executive Council. Joseph Bonaparte,
Ex-King of Spain, lived at Lansdowne in 1816.
The last owner of the place, 1)efore it passed into the
hands of the Fairmount Park Commissioners, was Lord
Ashburton. whose family name was Baring, the noted
bankers. (Baring Street, which winds through a portion of
West Philadelphia, once known as Hamilton Village, was
named for this family.) Lord Ashburton, with Daniel
Webster, arranged the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which
fixed the 49th parallel as the northwestern lioundary of the
United States.
Camp Ground of the North Carolina Battalion. — Early
in July, 1777, the North Carolina troops, under General
Francis Nash, encamped at Lansdowne. The Continental
Army then occupied both banks of the Schuylkill, from the
Middle Ferry (I\Iarket Street) to the Falls. General Nash
was killed at the Battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777.
Camp Ground of the British. — A\'hile the British held
Philadelphia, 1777-1778, one of their camp grounds extended
between Lansdowne and George's Hill, in the West Park,
that is, where the Centennial Exposition was held — where
the overthrow of the British was destined to be celebrated
nearly a hundred years later. (The English, evidently bear-
ing no malice, Iniilt a "Queen Anne" house in the Park for
that celebration, and after it closed presented the house to
the city. It still stands and is used as a guard head-
quarters.)
George's Hill. — A commanding eminence in the West
Park, a part of the large tract of land presented to the city
by the Quaker philanthropist, Jesse George, and his sister,
Rebecca George. The George property was a portion of the
Wynne tract, but it passed into the hands of Richard
George, of \A'ales, in 1708. (Near the foot of the Hill, just
78
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
outside the Park, close to the Schuylkill Valley branch of
the Pennsylvania R. R., the old George mansion still stands
(1918), but it is fast falling to ruin.) There were several
other old mansions in the vicinity, of the same substantial
style, once held by various branches of the George family.
During the Revolution the Georges were patriotic. Jesse,
an ancestor of the later Jesse George, was a member of the
Committee of Correspondence, William George was a
Lieutenant in the Philadelphia County Militia, John
George was another patriot of the name.
"Ridgelaxd"
Another old-time mansion in the West Park, above Behnont Glen,
near Belmont Mansion.
Jesse George died in 1872, aged 90 years. His sister
Rebecca, a few years younger, died in 1869.
The State in Schuylkill. — In May, 1732, a fishing club
located itself at Eagiehcld, which is just above the Penn-
sylvania Railroad and Girard Avenue Bridges, \\'est Park.
The club was called the "Colony in Schuylkill," and rented
an acre of ground from William \\'arner, whom the mem-
bers dubbed "Baron Warner," in order that '"he might
properly receive their homage." The organization was
79
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
kept up until the outbreak of the American Revohition,
when, as the members of the club were all eminent patriots,
the name was changed to the "State in Schuylkill." Among
those eminent patriots were Samuel Morris, Thomas
^Mlarton, Thomas Mifflin, John Dickinson and Richard
Peters. The Philadelphia City Troop was largely an out-
growth from the "State in Schuylkill." The club still
exists, although located on the Delaware, in Bucks Count}'.
It is believed to be the oldest social organization in the
world. The club has always been famous for its good
dinners. The gentlemen, themselves, act as cooks. They
are said to possess a great number of secret recipes, which
have been handed down from Colonial and Revolutionary
times, and which have been tested by the most illustrious
warriors and statesmen of those periods, and later enter-
tained as guests. It is accepted as a fact that the organiza-
tion wielded a great influence in behalf of the American
Independence. John Dickinson, author of the "Farmer's
Letters," did more for the Colonies than did any other one
individual.
Fort St. Davids, founded l)y the Welsh, was an-
other fishing club, with a clubhouse, or "Castle," on the east
side of the river above the Falls. This was afterwards
merged in the "State in Schuylkill." Near the original home
of the latter-named club stands a mansion known as "Sweet
Briar." This was l)uilt after the Revolution by Samuel
Breck who resided there for more than fifty years. He was
a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and one of the
framers of the bill providing for the establishment of
public schools.
Solitude. — Now the Zoological Garden, which is, itself,
part of the West Park. The mansion, still standing, was
erected by John Penn, a nephew of Governor John Penn.
The younger John Penn was a poet and philosopher. This
house and grounds were among the last pieces of property
80
And JMontgomery County, Pennsylvania
held in Pennsylvania by the Pcnn family, who retained it
until purchased by the City for park purposes.
Shad Fisheries. — Before the Fairmount A\'atcr A\'orks
and dam were built, the Schuylkill was as famous for its
shad as the Delaware now is. The breast of the dam pre-
\ented the fish from asccndin'>- the river, hence the fish-
n
f-
\
f
^
"Sweet Briar"
The villa built by Samuel Brecht in 1797, and occupied by him until 1838.
It is just below the Fortieth Street entrance to the West Park on Lans-
downe Drive. Nearby, facing Girard Avenue, is the Letitia House,
the original home of William Penn. It formerly stood on Letitia
Street near Second and Market Streets. In 1899 the house
was carefully taken down and removed to the Park.
eries were aliandi med in 1824. (Jne of the best-kn(jwn
shad fisheries was at Willow Point, at the foot of (ireen-
land Hill, l)elow the Ford. For many years it was oper-
ated by Jacob Sorber, who was, during the American
Revolution, an Ensign in the Philadelphia County Militia.
Several other fisheries were at the Falls of Schuylkill. The
most noted was the one conducted by Godfrey Shronk. also
a Revolutionary soldier. The descendants of Godfrey
81
Historic Lower JMerion and Blockley
Shronk still claim a "fishery right," which in early days
was considered property quite as much as real estate. The
claim, however, is of no value today, as there are no longer
any shad, and the river banks are within the Park limits.
Roberts' Hollow. — A romantic piece of woods, partly
within the West Park, and extending along the river bank
to the City line at Pencoyd, for more than two hundred
years in possession of the Roberts family, descendants of
Hugh and John Roberts, who were among the Welsh emi-
grants. The old mansion stood until recently. Here resided
in 1704, Edward Roberts, one of the first mayors of Phila-
delphia, and a son of Hugh Roberts, the eminent Quaker
preacher. At the time of the American Revolution the
place was occupied by the patriot Phineas Roberts, who
was one of a committee to purchase clothing for the relief
of soldiers' wives and children. To the same family be-
longed Lieutenant-Colonel Algernon Roberts, Lieutenant
Jesse Roberts and Lieutenant Robert Roberts, all of the
Philadelphia County Militia. A Mr. Roberts, of this
family, carried to Washington, at Valley Forge, on the
morning of June 18, 1778, the news of the British evacua-
tion of Philadelphia, thus enabling the Americans to follow
promptly and defeat the enemy at Monmouth.
The Monument Road. — Tlie Old Monument Road ex-
tended from what is now Forty-ninth Street and Lancaster
Avenue, crossed the Pennsylvania Railroad, thence up
through West Fairmount Park, then out into Montgomery
County, terminating near Manayunk Bridge. For years
the main entrance to "Belmont" or Peter's Farm, was a
lane leading ofif the Monument Road, near the present
North Wynnefield. This road, which ran diagonally from
Forty-ninth and Elm (now Parkside) Avenue, passing
where the English Building now stands in the W^est Park,
was partly obliterated when the Centennial Grounds were
laid out. At the present time (1918) a portion of it appears
82
And ^I out (J out cry County, Pennsy Irani
(I
at N(irth Wynnefield, ending- at the Christ Church Hospital
Grounds. Again, starting at Behnont Avenue, it runs be-
tween the Methodist Home and the School for the Deaf and
Dumb, past the "Five Points," crossing City Avenue and
continuing to Righter's Ferry Road, at one of the entrances
to West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
From the Revolutionary period until about 1860-65
there stood at the point Avhere Peter's Lane left the old
road, a rough stone monument or obelisk. This rugged
obelisk was scarred and seamed; it bore no inscription, and
what it really commemorated was somewhat of a mystery.
Some say Judge Peters erected it in memory of the horses
killed during the Revolution ; others, that it was to mark
the spot where he first met his future wife, and still others,
that it merely indicated the entrance to "Belmont," his
country place. However, the monument was there for
generations, and this old roadway was, and still is, called
the "Monument Road" for that reason.
Reed's Map
John Reed made a map dated 1733. not published until
years later. This came between Holmes' map of 1681, and
Scull and Heap's of 1750. The list of landholders in
Blockley and Kingsessing as recorded on Reed's map is as
follows :
Swan Lums, 400 acres ; John Bowie and T. Scotsink.
400 acres ; W^ood and Sharlow, 100 acres : A\'m. Wood, 400
acres: jon A\'inn. 214 acres; Wm. Peters, John Simson, Ed.
Martin, Wm. Smith, 4\ Parsons, Wm. Moore, Jno. W^arner,
David George, John Warner, Wm. Orien, Wm. W^arner,
Geo. Scotson, Jona Winn, Ivdward Jones, Burz Foster, Wil-
liam Bedward, alias Edward, David Jones. \\'illiam Warner,
Israel Morris, J(;hn Simcock, Richard ]\Iarsh, Wm. .Smith,
William Powell, Barnabus AX'ilcox, I'homas I )uckett, E.
Pritchard, Maris, iM-ancis Ficher, 1 la\erf(jrd Friends,
83
Dr3.wn by Marg-civet B.Harvey
And Montgomery County, Peti?isy Ivania
P. England, John Bristol, Renj. East. John A\'aioht, Thomas
Lloyd. Dan'l Humphrey. W'm. Herns, John (lee and Co.,
Wni. Brown. Peter Coke, Peters Mord, Thos. Paschall,
Saml. Richards, James Peter. John Chaml^ers, B. Chambers,
Richard Peirce & Co., Edward Penington & Co., John Ball,
Pearson Watson, \\m. Cuerton, John Marshall, James
Richard, James, Richard Havnes, George Shore, G.
Ashmead, D. Deweling, S. Bulkley, I. B. Fen, A. Roads,
Francis Smith, Saml. Allen, John Ward, Allen Foster, Penl
Lehman, R. Webb, Hugh Ro1)erts, George Ashbridge,
Joseph Pike, Thomas Wickersham, Thomas Woolrick, Wm.
Roberts, Hana Musgrove. Phil Howell. Thos. Reese, Dan.
Thos, Abiah Taylor, Benj Furlow, R. Hart.
Swan Lums' 400 acres included all the land frcjm City
Avenue along the Schuylkill to near Chamounix. or "Mount
Prospect," now in the West Park. John Bowie and J.
Scotsink's 400 acres, the West Park opposite the Falls of
Schuylkill and Laurel Hill. Wood and Sharlow's 100 acres
and William Wood's 400 acres, that part of the Park adja-
cent to the Peters and Wynne property. Jonathan Wynn,
William Peters, John Simson, Ed. Martin, Wm. Smith, T.
Parsons, Wm. Moore, John Warner and David George
owned tracts of various sizes in what is now that part of the
Park near to and including the Centennial Grounds.
John Warner, William Warner and W'illiam Orien
owned the greater part of West Philadelphia, between the
Park and Kingsessing.
Out near Overbrook, Haddington, and City Line the
landholders were Johnathan Winn, George Scotson, Edward
Jones, Buz Forster, William Bedward, alias Edward (ap
Edward) and David Jones. Several thousand acres were
(li\ided among these six men.
Other landholders lived near the boundaries of Dela-
ware County, all of these following names being located in
the neighborhood of what is called on this old map "Mill
85
Dravvn by Marg-aa-et B. H a»-vey.
And 2^1 out g ornery County, P enn sylvan ia
Creek, or some of its 1:)ranches." Peter Coke, Thomas
Paschall, Samuel Richards, James Peter, John Chambers,
B. Chambers, Edward Penington and Co., A. Rhoads,
x'Xbiah Taylor, Benj. Furlow, R. Hart.
Peter Coke, also called Cock, and Cox, was a Swede.
The above-mentioned William Orien or Urian, was also a
Swede. The Swedish Church of St. James, King'sessing-, is
still standing on the Old Darby Road, near Sixty-ninth
Street, in the midst of a graveyard filled \\ith Swedish
names. (The Revolutionary General, Isiah Harmer, is
l)uried there.)
Idle "^lill Creek" on this map is Cobb's Creek. This
name was given it from an early English settler. The
Indians called it Karakung. The Swedes named it ]\Iill
Creek. An old mill once stood near the Blue Bell Tavern,
wdiere the Darby Road crosses the Creek.
The name "Mount Joy" appears on Holme's map of
1681. It is in Letitia Penn's Manor of "Mount Joy," the
first draft of what afterwards became Valley Forge Camp
Ground. "Welch Tract" as shown on Holme's map includes
Tredyfl'rin township in the Great Valley, now called the
Chester A'alley. Southeastward are the \\'elsh townships
of Radnor and Haverford. Lower Merion township com-
prises the area between Radnor and Haverford on the west-
ward, and the Schuylkill on the eastward. Holme's map
is dated 1681, but was not finished until 1683.
The "Lil)erty Lands" included old Blockley township,
Philadelphia County, now a part of the built-u]) portion of
West Philadelphia. Below the "Liberty Lands" was the
marshy township of Kingsessing settled l)y the Swedes.
Scull and Heap's map of 1750 shows a goodly portion
of Lfiwer ]\Ierion and Blockley, with the old roads and the
houses of the princi])al landholders of that period. In
the northeastern corner of the ma]), about tlie Wissahickon
Creek, is a section of old Roxborough townshi]), afterwards
a part of the battleground of Germantown.
Reed's map was puldished in 1774, but it really belongs
to a much earlier period, as it accompanied his list of "First
87
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Purchasers." The greater part of the map here shown
represents Blockley, bounded on the northwest by Lower
Merion, on the northeast and east by the Schuylkill, which
separates it from Roxborough township, the Northern
Liberties and the City of Philadelphia ; south by old King-
sessing township (in which is Gray's Ferry); on the west
and southwest by Mill Creek (also called Cobb's Creek),
which separates it from Darby township, Chester County
(now Delaware County). This map shows the first roads
and names of residents living about 1700 and a little later.
Among these appears the names of some of the original
Swedish landholders as well as the Welsh and English.
Faden's map of 1777 is founded on the survey of Scull
and Heap. In addition to Scull and Heap's names it
gives "Gov. Penn," then living at Lansdowne, in what
is now \\'est Fairmount Park. Also, the "Schuylkill Com-
pany," afterwards the "State in Schuylkill" fishing club,
which became a patriotic organization wielding a power-
ful influence in behalf of American Lidependence. This
map was published the same year that General AA'ashing-
ton's army marched through Lower and Upper Merion to
Valley Forge.
These four maps give a fairly complete representation
of the whole region west of the Schuylkill, from its mouth
to \'alley Forge, and for a period beginning with the survey
ordered by William Penn in 1681, and' ending with the year
1777, when the patriot army encamped at Mount Joy.
"Hestonville"
And Colonel Edward W. Heston
Hestonville. — A village founded prior to the American
Revolution, by Edward AV. Heston. His homestead, the
original "Heston Villa," stood near what is now Fifty-
second Street Station on the Pennsylvania Railroad. A
portion of the property is still in the possession of the
family. Colonel Heston's daughter, Mrs. Louisa Heston
Paxson, was born there in 1801. She died in ^larch, 1898,
aged 97 years and 4 months.
88
And j\I outgo titer y County, P ennsylvania
Edward Heston volunteered his services at the begin-
ning of the Revohitionary War and went out as Captain of
the Sixth Company, Seventh BattaHon of Philadelphia
jMilitia. He later became Lieutenant-Colonel. He was a
son of Jacob Heston, of Wrightstown, Bucks County, Penn-
sylvania, and the grandson of Zebulon Heston, who landed
at Barnstable Bay, Massachusetts, in 1699.
Hestox Homestead
Built 1766. Torn down 1877
Colonel Heston died on February 14, 1824, aged 79
years. His obituary, which appeared in the Saturday Eve-
ning Post, February 21, 1824, says:
"It was to Colonel Heston that General Potter, with,
perhaps, his whole brigade (then lying near the Gulph),
owed their liberty, if not their lives. When Cornwallis left
his quarters in Philadelphia, intending to take General
Potter by surprise, he marched at the head of five thousand
men, crossing the Schuylkill during the latter part of the
night. Colonel Heston l)eing on the alert, had lodged that
night a short distance from home. Al)out daybreak the
enemy was discovered approaching near his farm, through
89
Historic Lo-Lier Merion and Blockley
which they had to pass, by a man whom he had stationed
there as a watch. They advanced and took the Colonel's
horse with them. The watch immediately conveyed him
the intelligence. The Colonel then fled on foot to one of
his neighbours, borrowed a horse, and rode hv a circuitous
route with all possible speed, until he got ahead of them.
He soon arrived in Potter's camp, and found them
just going to breakfast. At the request of General Potter,
who was then in his ^Marquee, he ran through and aroused
the whole camp to arms, and then went to meet General
Washington, who, with his Army, he met crossing the
Schuylkill at a bridge which had just been completed for
the purpose.
'Tn consequence of the intelligence he brought, the
Americans moved their quarters and the British had the
mortification to miss their anticipated conquest.
"The day previous to the Battle of Germantown, he was
one among others who, in consummation of a plan laid
down by Washington, to cut off the enemy's retreat from
Philadelphia, went to the IMiddle Ferry and assisted in
cutting away the rope which then extended across the river,
notwithstanding there was a continual fire from the enemv
on the opposite bank, etc."
Colonel Heston was later captured by a troop of British
horse and taken to Long Island, where he was held for
seven months as a prisoner of war. After the close of the
war he was elected to the State Legislature, some years
later was appointed as Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia. Later,
elected to the ofiice of Senator.
In June, 1896, when old Congress Hall, Sixth and
Chestnut Streets, was being restored and repaired, one of
the carpenters found some papers behind the wainscoting in
the Senate chamber which had been there over ninety years.
One of the documents was a "Return of election of Senator
of the State in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the
district of the City of Philadelphia, the County of Philadel-
phia, and the County of Delaware, held in the State House,
90
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, 11th October, 1803." At this election Edward
Heston was elected, having received 1,682 votes. The
return is signed bv James Sharswood, Matthew Carey,
James Gamlde, Lewis Rush. William Stephenson, Joseph
Morrell, and Stephen Girard.
Edward Heston was Iniried in the family l)urying
ground on his "plantation," near what is now Fifty-fifth
and ^Master Streets. The dead in this enclosure were later
removed to Woodlands.
The Heston School, at Fifty-fourth Street and Lans-
downe Avenue, is built upon a part of what was Colonel
Heston's farm. The ground was willed and deeded to the
city l)y members of the Heston family. The first school-
house, built about 1828, was a log house; this was followed
by a "rough-cast" building. In 1868 a brick schoolhouse,
with a cupalo, was erected. Several years ago a fine up-
to-date grammar school was built on the same plot with the
brick building. In 1918 this last-named was set on fire, and
the entire building gutted and destroyed. (It was thought
by some of the investigators, that ro1)bery was the cause,
as it was known that a number of "Liberty Bonds" were
there, having been bought by the teachers and scholars.
Others felt it was the work of German sympathisers. A
couple of weeks later, when the George Brooks School.
Fifty-seventh Street and Haverford Avenue, was also
l)urned, five firemen losing their lives, and many others
seriously injured, it became certain that the fire was a part
of a plan to spread terror.)
From the "Colonial Records," \'ol. XII, page 67-70,
may be found the following:
"In the Supreme Executive Council, August 10. 1779.
"Joseph Reed, President.
"An order issued to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Hes-
ton for two hundred dollars for services done to General
Potter, from the 14th of November, 1777, to the 3rd of
January, 1778, as certified l)y the said General at four dol-
lars p. da\'."
91
.^
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
An odd little six-page pamphlet entitled "An Address
to the People of Blockley and Its Vicinity," published about
1822, was called to my attention several years ago. It
described a controversy over the name of the settlement
know^n as Hestonville. Newcomers in the neighborhood
of the three-mile stone tried to call the growing village
"Monroe." The pamphlet describes the dissention as fol-
lows :
"About twenty-five years ago, a person by the name of
Hill undertook to make a map of Philadelphia city and
its vicinity, an undertaking as arduous as it was laudable ;
he, however, completed it. The map was in circular form,
extending each way ten miles from the centre, in which the
names of places long established were generally entered,
and the proprietors of many such villages, country seats,
farms etc., as had not been previously named were con-
sulted, and in many instances names were agreed on, and
entered on the map accordingly.
"Such was the situation of the farm on which the
three-mile stone before mentioned stands, which farm at
that time belonged to Edward Heston, who, on being con-
sulted respecting the name he wished his place to have,
gave it the name of Hestonville or villa, which name was
entered also.
"Previous to that period, Edward Heston had sold
some small lots off of the eastern end of his farm ; one to
his brother Isaac, and one or two more to strangers. Isaac,
however, built a house on his lot and made it his place of
residence during his life, and his was the only family among
the original settlers that continued to live there at the time
that the name of Monroe for that village was first men-
tioned or thought of, which name he never either assented
to or adopted.
"The name of Monroe, it therefore appears, was alto-
gether introduced and adopted by strangers, one of whom
had by this time got in possession of a house and lot situated
across the turnpike, directly opposite to Isaac Heston's
premises; this stranger had the name of Monroe painted
92
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
on a board and fastened to a post in his lot, which board
remained a considerable time before much oi)position was
made.
"At length, however, Isaac Heston seeing the name of
Alonroe adopted generally by his neighboring villagers, and
knowing, as well he might, that the adoption of that name
there, under existing circumstances, was an unwarrantable
usurpation of rights long established, he could not con-
sistently reconcile to l)e thus wantonly supplanted of a
name that it was no man's privilege to take away. He there-
fore suggested to his brother Edward the expediency, and
indeed the necessity of keeping up the name, by each of
them having the name of Hestonville painted and put up
on their respective premises, which was accordingly done ;
one at the store near the Columbus tavern, and the other in
the very centre of what those strangers had been pleased
to call ]\Ionroe village.
"And what next? A farce was introduced wdiich was
completely characteristic of those who commenced it ; the
name of Hestonville was torn down by violent hands, and
the board that contained it carried off the ground ; and as it
is one of the principles of nature for like to beget like,
similar acts were committed by way of retaliation on the
other side, and so it went until sober unbiased observers
had cause to mourn over the follies of their contending
neighbors ; and those only were gratified whose eyes glad-
den at the sight of licentiousness, and whose hearts warm
in the midst of contention. After a time, however, the
name Hestonville disappeared in that quarter, and the name
of Monroe w-as permitted to remain; then, and not till
then (notwithstanding the palpable injustice of the meas-
ure), a seeming tranquility appeared to prevail for a season.
"Eft'orts were now made to endeavor to unite the two
great contending parties, the inhabitants of Hestonville and
those of Monroe."
The Heston faction and tlie Monroe faction kept up
hostilities for some time afterward, and it was only after
tlu've had been all sorts of agitation in the vicinity of the
93
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
three-mile stone, religious, educational, social and political,
that finally the community settled down to an acceptance
of the leadership of the Hestons and the adoption of their
family name.
The "three-mile stone" on the Lancaster Pike stood
below what is now Master Street, formerly Paschall Street.
The "Monroe Fire Eng-ine House" and "Monroe Hall"
above it, where local entertainments were held, was near
what is now Fiftieth and Lancaster Avenue.
When a new fire house was l^uilt on Belmont Avenue
(Forty-fourth Street) near Girard Avenue, and the "Monroe
Engine Company" (now 16) was moved, the local post
office was opened there and was officially station "W. but
was called "Monroe" by the people, so this old name
cropped up again seventy-five years later. As the city
grew westward a new post office building was erected
at the intersection of Lansdowne and Lancaster Avenues
(about twenty-five years ago). It was called "West Park."
Among the other one-time villages to be absorbed by
the city were Hamilton Village, on a portion of the Hamil-
ton estate. Mantua, extending from the Schuylkill along
Haverford Road and Spring Garden Street to Forty-first
Street. About all that remains to remind us of this old
settlement is the ISIantua Baptist Church, Fortieth Street
and Fairmount Avenue. Kingsessing, settled by the
Swedes, Darby Road. Maylandville, on the Darby Road on
Mill Creek, a settlement which grew around Jacob May-
land's snuff and tobacco mills. Paschallville was also on
the Darby Road near Sixty-fifth Street. Paschall Street,
now Master Street, ran from the Lancaster "Pike" alcove
the "three-mile stone" to this village. Haddington was the
section lying from Sixty-third to Sixty-fifth Street on and
adjacent to the Haverford Road. (During the Civil War a
hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers was established
at Haddington. Another hospital, called the "Satterlee"
(for General Satterlee), was also in Blockley Township.
The apartment house bearing this name, at Forty-fifth and
94
And M ont{/o niery County, F e nnsy Ivania
Chestnut Streets, is l)uilt on a porliDn of the ground where
this hospital stood.
An Old Assessor's List
The First One Taken after the Revolution
In 1783 Edward W. Heston and Thomas George w^ere
appointed assessors for the Township of Blockley. This
was the first list taken after the Revolution. The original
list, which is in an excellent state of preservation, is in pos-
session of the family of the late Edward W. Heston, of
Cynwyd. Edward W. Heston was a grandson of Colonel
Edward W. Heston, of Revolutionary fame, and one of the
assessors.
The list shows 112 residents and non-taxpayers, occu-
pying 7,231 acres of land. The white population is 644, and
there were 8 negroes, or slaves. There were 85 houses, 40
l)arns. 119 horses, 253 horned cattle and sheep. AVilliam
Hamilton was the largest land owner, having 554 acres
where Woodlands Cemetery is now^ located. John Penn
owned 240 acres, now^ the site of Horticultural Hall, Fair-
mount Park. Edward W. Heston, the assessor, owmed 110
acres, near Fifty-second Street. (He was the founder of
Hestonville.) George Gray was the second largest land
owner, with 300 acres at Gray's Ferry. Carriages w^ere con-
sidered a luxury, only a dozen l)eing in the district; l)ut
everyl)ody had more than one saddle. Jonas Supplee had
the only distillery, not far from Hestonville. There were
two ferries, tw'o grist mills, and one tannery.
The list of "Land and Housekeepers" contains the fol-
lowing names :
John Thomas, David Jones, Sebastian A\'ilfong, Joseph
Jones, I'eter Wilfong, Jonas Supplee, Nathan Supplee,
Nathan Rhoads, Henry Read, Samuel Pearson, Lydia
Morris, Aron Hilbert, Isaac Gray, Lydia Alusgrove, Henry
Campffer, ]\Iary Coulton, Edward Williams. David Seld-
rack. Frederick Smith, William Seldrack, James Under-
wood. William .Sanders, John Supplee, Alary Blankley, Jo-
seph Lees, Jr., George (iray, Joseph Lees, Barbery Roop,
95
Historic Loner JMerion and Blockley
Ezel)ella Turner, Joseph Saltl)ack, Peter Jones, James Wor-
rell, Joseph Coughran, Rich'd Grain, Robert and Richard
Grain, Thos. George, Jacob Balort, Amos George, Gonrad
Hoover, A\'illm Rol^erts, Thos. Roberts, Able Moore, Wil-
liam Bispham. Willm Rose, Andrew Yocum, Martin Wal-
ter, Gillion Roop, Joseph Hibbert, John Saltback, Michael
Loots, John Bare, Mary Smith, Rebecca Sandoun, John
Neven, Peter Rose, John Hough, Robt. McGugan, Adam
Rhoads, Abrah Harding, ]\Iargery W^arner, Henry Smith,
Thomas Rhoads, John Davis, Peter Ott, Joseph Watson.
Ann Green, John Pywell, James Wallis, Willm Toms, John
George, Robert Graig, Jacob Slone, Ghristian Aliller, Malon
Hall, John Heckler, Jonathan Supplee, Thos. Tomson,
Isaac Kite, Edward Heston, Jacob Reeves, Thos. Walters,
Jacob Waggoner, Ghris Keller, Jesse George, Jos. Boulton,
Abrah Streeper, John Peck, Isaac Warner, Wilson Warner,
Peter Evans, Ghristian Leech. Jacob Hoffman, James Jones,
Silas Gilbert, Daniel Bowman, Henry Felton, Willm.
Davay, Joseph Hall, Jacob Fawood, Morris Fowler, Jacob
Johnson, Jacob Amos, Isaac Hayes, W^illm Elliot, Rol^ert
Piatt, Edmund Phisick. Phenias Roberts, Willm Peters,
Rich. Peters, John Lukins, John Penn, Willm Hamilton.
The list of "inmates" of the above-named housekeepers'
families and "single freemen" includes the following names :
John Thomas. Jr., David Jones, Francis Leatherman,
Andrew Supplee, Matthew AIcGrate, Edward Haley, David
Seldrack, Jr., George Hansil, John Leacock, John Stradling,
Peter Worrell, David George, Francis Higgins, Phenias
Roberts, Jos. Sellers, ]\Iartin Waller, Jr., Abra Smith, Ben
Smith, Arch. Watson, Thos. Gampble, Jos. Campble, Mour-
ton Garrett. John Hall, Jos. King. Jont. Kite, Willm Kite,
Arth. Kite, Mich. Gate, Adam Keller, Isaac Roberts, Willm
Warner, Joshua Levis, Will Miller, Will Leech, John Leech,
Moses Wells, Thos. Glarridge, Gharles Arnold, Rich. Whit-
field.
Many of these names are also found in the "Pennsyl-
vania Archives." Second Series, in the list of Revolutionary
soldiers.
96
And JMontgomery County, Pennsylvania
In the assessors" list tlie uccupation uf William AN'arner
is given as "soldier." (From this I infer that he may have
been a volunteer in the Continental Army for a lengthy
period of time.) The other residents of Blockley, who
fought for independence, were mostly "associators," or
members of the "Philadelphia County ]\Iilitia." The same
battalion in various years, included both Blockley and
jMerion, which latter territory was not cut off from Phila-
delphia County until 1784.
Thomas Wynne was a Revolutionary soldier, and
lived at 'A\'ynnstay," Blockley. His name does not appear
on this list, but the 100 acres of land, marked as "Estate of
Thomas W'^ynn, deceased," were held, or rented by Thomas
\\'aters. This Thomas W'\vnn. deceased, was the father of
the Revolutionary soldier, Thomas Wynn. This patriot
had been detained a number of years by the British, in
their horrible prison-ship. "Jersey." (The old farm was
probably leased during his absence.)
Some of the entries on this assessors' list are curious
and interesting. Under the head of "Negroes and Alulattes"
we see that George Gray owned two, as his personal prop-
erty ; Rebecca Sandown, widow, one ; John Penn, gent,
three, and ^^'illiam Hamilton, one.
Another curious circumstance is that on large planta-
tions only a small number of "horned cattle" were kept.
Thus, David Jones, with 200 acres, had but 8 ; John Thomas,
with 135 acres, only 4; Jonas Supplee, with 110 acres, 2;
Edward Williams, with 110 acres, 3, and so on. The largest
number held by any one person was 11. These belonged to
George Gray, of Gray's Ferry, who possessed 300 acres in
Philadelphia Count}-, and 246 acres in Chester County. (In
talking with Mr. Edward Heston, of Cynwyd, a short time
before his death, while explaining the old list. !Mr. Heston
said that he thought the reason was that in early days no
attempt was made to cultivate grass for pasture and hay,
but that cattle were ol^liged to depend upon scant i)atches
of meadow for grazing ground.)
97
Historic LoiLer Merion and Blockley
Improved methods of farming, introduced into Penn-
sylvania after the Revohition were largely due to Judge
Peters, of Belmont. To this eminent jurist belongs the
credit of importing gypsum as a fertilizer, in 1797. Judge
Peters was, during the Revolution, a member of the Phil-
adelphia Agricultural Society.
In the assessors' list appears the name of Richard
Peters, gent. He holds 180 acres of land, with one dwell-
ing house (now Belmont Mansion, in AVest Fairmount
Park), owns 70 ounces of plate, 2 horses, 5 horned cattle, 6
sheep, and has 7 white inhabitants in his family.
Among other residents having a quantity of plate may
be mentioned John Penn, gent, 224 ounces ; William Ham-
ilton, 60 ounces ; Edmund Physick, gent, 37 ounces ; George
Gray, gent, 70 ounces, and Isaac Gray, gent, 30 ounces.
John Penn was a grandson of William Penn, and the
last roval Governor of Pennsylvania. His residence was
the "Lansdowne Mansion," which he Ijuilt upon his exten-
sive property in what is now the West Park. "Lansdowne"
was destroyed l3y fire, July 4. 1854, caused from sparks
while a small boy was setting otT his firecrackers. (The
Park Commissioners, evidently not appreciating the historic
value of this old building, had the walls torn down, and
Horticultural Hall, erected for the Centennial celebration,
stands upon the site of John Penn's home.) On the assess-
ors' list the numl:)er of acres given for the Lansdowne prop-
erty is 240.
Still another curious fact about this old list is that car-
riages were few. People travelled mostly on horseback.
Almost every householder kept "horses and mares." Under
the head of "Riding Chairs and Couches," it is recorded that
Isaac Gray, gent, had 1 chair; John Supplee, farmer, 1 chair;
George Gray, gent, 1 chair ; Jacob Waggoner, innkeeper, 1
chair ; William Peters, Est.. 1 phaeton ; John Penn, gent,
1 coach. 1 phaeton; William Hamilton, 1 chair.
Following is the list of "non-residentors" owning prop-
erty in Blockley :
98
And IMontyouiery County, P e nnsylvania
Ann Enilen, A\'ill Smith. Joseph Dean, George Clynier,
Edward George, Thomas Willing, Samuel Powell, David
Beveridge, Sanders and Reaves, Joseph Ogden, Thomas
Marshall, Jr., Nathan Thomas, John Sellers, Pick's Lands,
Wilfong's do., Widow Shaw's do., Marsh's Land, John
Ross's do.. Huff's do., Sarah Pawding, Willing and Francis,
Jacob Plankingham, Francis Lees. (In the above list is
found the name of George Clymer, a signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence.)
"Wynnstay"
"AA^ynnstay" was the original name given to the Wynne
place, and is so marked on the early maps. This tract of
3v
The Original "Wyxxstay"
Built in 1690 by Dr. Thomas Wynne, friend and physician
to William Penn. Still standing and has
recently been restored
land on the Old Lancaster Road, east of City Avenue, was
part of the 1000 acres purchased by Dr. Thomas \\'ynnc and
John ap John, in 1681. It was named after "Wynnstay"
99
^€Y1.X'M
\ :9
Historic Louer JMerion a fid Blockley
in Wales, and was comprised in old Blockley Township. A
lane leading from the Old Lancaster Road, or Blockley and
Merion Turnpike (laid out in 1690), left the road near the
sixth milestone.
Within the last few years Wynnefield, a pretty sub-
urban settlement has grown up on this portion of the
Wynne place. (Wynnefield is a translation of the Welsh
"Wynnstay.") The sixth milestone is still standing,
though the old Lancaster Road has lost its name in
Wynnefield, and is called Fifty-fourth Street.
Just above the milestone stands an old house sur-
rounded by majestic trees. This is the home of Miss
Sarah S. Wynne,* a lineal descendant of Dr. Wynne. On
the gatepost is cut "Wynnstay," for the hovise and the
surrounding lawn and garden are part of the Wynne tract.
But this is not the original house — that stands further east
and nearer Bala. It has recently been restored. The date
stones tell us that one end was built in 1690; the other in
1700.
Formerly a long, low, frame addition extended from
the older portion towards the north, where a large barn,
of the same stone, stood. When the house was restored
the barn was torn down, and so was the frame extension.
From the stone of the barn was built a new wing where
the frame one stood, and also a modern garage. But the
main portion of the house was not altered in any way,
except that the porches w^hich had fallen to decay were
rebuilt.
Dr. Thomas Wynne was a notable character in Colonial
days. He was the first Speaker of the first House of Repre-
sentatives in Pennsylvania ; a Judge in the Provincial
Courts; Magistrate of Sussex County. Delaware (where
he moved). A\as friend and physician to William Penn,
a scholar and a Quaker preacher. A great number of
famous characters. Revolutionary and otherwise, were
descended from Dr. Wynne, among them being John Dick-
f-
*Note. — Miss Wynne died August 29, 1921, aged 89 years.
100
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
inson, author of the "I^'armer's Letters." and Cienerals John
and Lambert Cadwalader.
During the Revolutionary period the old Wynne house
was occupied by the family of Lieutenant Thomas Wynn,
of the "Pennsylvania Flying Camp," a great-grandson of
the first Thomas Wynne. Lieutenant Wynn was taken
prisoner by the British and detained on Long Island for
more than four years.
\\'hile Blockley and Merion Townships were being
ravaged by the British, and while Lieutenant Wynn was
away from home in the service of his country, a number of
British soldiers attacked the Wynn house. Mrs. Wynn,
so the story goes, assisted only by her children and servants,
bravely defended her home. But the English finally broke
into the house and searched high and low for valuables.
But the only things they found which they wanted were
some freshly-baked loaves of bread and a barrel of liquor.
The last vanquished them ! They fell helpless under the
influence of the liquor and were captured by a party of
American soldiers who passed that way. (Mrs. Elizabeth
Rees, wife of Lieutenant W^ynn, is buried at Merion
Meeting.)
The Five Points
At the Five Points, outside the Park, near Bala, two
old roads, the Monument and the Ford Roads, cross each
other, and a third, the Falls Road, starts out from the inter-
section, thus forming five roads pointing in five dilterent
directions — to Hestonville. to West Manayunk, to Lower
Merion, to the Ford, and to the Falls of Schuylkill. All
these old roads resounded to the tram[) of contending
armies. Continental and British.
Near the Five Points stands an old schoolhouse, nearly
seventy years old, built on ground presented by Cieorge
Aston, of "Woodside." The building was named "Aston-
ville School" in the expectation that a village would grow
around it. This has never grown, l)Ut the fields stn-round-
ing it are gradually being built u])on.
101
Historic Lower Merion and Bio ckley
This little schoolhouse has a white marble tablet over
the door giving its name, but recently the Board of Educa-
tion (for the school is within the Philadelphia City limits)
has placed a large sign, covering the little tablet, bearing
the words "Joseph M. Bennett Public School."
It was in this locality, while reconnoitering in the
spring of 1778, that Colonel Edward Heston, of the Penn-
sylvania Militia, was captured by a party of British
troopers. He was sent as a prisoner to Long Island, where
he was detained for seven months.
Blockley Baptist Church
The Blockley Baptist Church was founded in 1804. It
stands on ground given by John Suplee, a Revolutionary
soldier, whose remains rest in a vault under the church.
The Suplee (or Supplee) family is descended from Arnaud
Souplis, one of the numerous Huguenots who settled in and
about Philadelphia in 1683.
In the churchyard are buried a number of Revolu-
tionary soldiers, among them being William Sheldrake,
John Graham, John Little, William Donaldson, John
Camber, Peter Worrell, John Tyson, Benjamin Town,
Benjamin Miller, Thomas Wyatt and William McClure.
For many years this was the only church of any
denomination (except the Friends) in all Blockley Town-
ship.
The church is situate on what is now Fifty-third
Street, being a part of the old-time "Meeting House Lane,"
which extended from the Lancaster Pike to the West
Chester Road (now Market Street). Meeting House Lane
is "lost" in Fifty-second Street, where the trolley line runs ;
only a portion of it from the church to Girard Avenue,
between Fifty-second and Fifty-third Streets remains.
The "General Association" to spread the gospel in
Pennsylvania was founded in Blockley Baptist Church on
July 4, 1827. (See Scharf and Westcott's "History of
Philadelphia, Vol II, pages 1310-1311.)
102
And ]\I ontg ornery County, Pennsy Ivania
Old Roads
We have previously given the history of the Ford
Road, the Old Lancaster Road, the Lancaster Turnpike and
the Monument Road. Other old roads are :
The Darby Road, leaving" Lancaster Road near the
Middle h>rry and extending" southward to Dar1)y — 1690.
West Chester Road (now Market Street) extending
westward from the intersection of Darby and Lancaster
Roads— 1770.
Marshall Road, now West A\'alnut Street — 1750. (On
Scull and Heap's Map of 1750, we see a road "to Mar-
shall's.")
Haverford Road, from Haverford Meeting House to
Upper Ferry (near where the Spring Garden Street bridge
stands), laid out in 1690.
Upper Darby Road, from Merion Meeting House,
passing through Haddington (near Sixty-second — Sixty-
fifth Streets) to Upper Darby Meeting House — 1695.
These historic roads are shown upon the military
charts of that day, both American and British ; also on
early maps.
Near the intersection of the Haverford Road and the
Upper Darby Road, close to Ardmore Junction, stands one
of the most beautiful of old Colonial houses, with stately
columns supporting the piazza. It is on part of the
Humphrey estate, and the oldest portion of the house was
built long before Revolutionary days.
Other old roads in Lower Merion are Levering Mill
Road, which led from Levering's Ferry near where the
Manayunk bridge now stands (and is marked on Scull and
Heap's map of 1750), up through Lower Merion to the
Old Lancaster Road, near where the Ford Road joins the
latter, at "Bowman's Bridge." The lower end of this road,
near the river, was called since the early sixties, "Clegg's
Lane," because a man named Clegg bought one of the old
mills there and operated it for years. It was up this rc^ad
from Levering's Ferry that Washington's army marched
103
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockle y
on September 14, 1777, after crossing from Old Roxborough
Township to Lower Merion, on the way to Merion Meet-
ing House, thus leaving the camp near the Falls of Schuyl-
kill, three days after the Battle of the Brandywine. They
turned from Levering Mill Road out Meeting House Lane,
according to Lieutenant McMichael's Journal, where they
reached the "great road to Lancaster."
Righter's Ferry was between Manayunk and Pencoyd
on the Schuylkill, and Righter's Ferry Road ran from the
Old Ford Road to this Ferry. One detachment of Con-
tinentals marched up into Merion from Righter's Ferry,
then out the Ford Road to Merion Meeting.
Levering Mill Road no longer runs to the river, but
ends at Behnont Avenue. Righter's Ferry Road runs down
the hill past West Laurel Hill Cemetery, but neither does
it lead to the river. It turns to the right at Pencoyd and
joins City Line at the bridge. (The Pennsylvania Railroad
and the Pencoyd Iron Works have "acquired" the entire
bank of the river between City Line, almost to Manayunk
bridge, thus cutting off the west River Road, and closing
the lower portions of Righter's Ferry Road and Levering
Mill Road, two old historic highways.
Valley Forge
The principal part of the Camp Ground at Valley
Forge, including Washington's headquarters, is in Upper
Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
(Only a small portion of it extends into Chester County.)
Just across the Valley Creek were the Artificers, in what
was then Charlestown Township, now Schuylkill, the lower
part of Charlestown having been cut off since the Revolu-
tion. As Washington's army, in 1777, marched through
Lower Merion and camped there, on its way to Valley
Forge, I feel that this volume would be incomplete without
a few words concerning this noted spot.
The fine old stone house used by Washington as his
headcjuarters is still in an excellent state of preservation.
At the time of the Revolution it was the home of Isaac
104
And j\I ont(jo mery County, P enn sylvan i a
Potts, a patriot Friend, or Quaker. He it was who eame
upon Washington while at i)rayer in the woods, as shown
in the painting so familiar to us all.
The army went into camp at X'alley Forge in Decem-
ber, 1777, and sjient a terrible winter of suffering from
both Cdld and hunger. But the women and girls in that
part of the country did what they could to help feed and
clothe the soldiers. They knitted stockings, gloves and
mufflers; they baked bread, carried flour and grain to
them, and ministered to their necessities as well as lay in
their power — just as our women and girls have done today,
both at home and abroad. The army evacuated Valley
Forge in June, 1778.
?\
Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge
Every Pennsylvanian, and no doubt every American,
is rejoiced that Valley Forge is saved to the nation. The
fact that it has been preserved is largely due to the efforts
of a woman, the late Anna M. Holstein, of Bridgeport, Pa.
Mrs. Holstein had l)een since 1885 the "Lady Regent" for
Pennsylvania, in the association of patriotic women formed
for the purpose of preserving the home of Washingtcui at
Mt. Vernon. During the Civil War she went as an army
105
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
nurse and rendered valuable aid to our country in that
capacity, as also did Mrs. Rel:)ecca Mclnncs, who was closely
associated with her.
As the year 1878 drew near, the one hundredth anni-
versary of the evacuation of Valley Forge, when the troops
marched on to victory, Mrs. Holstein felt that its centennial
ought to l)e fittingly observed. She and other kindred
spirits, living in the neighborhood, with several patriotic
societies, formed the "Valley Forge Centennial and Memo-
rial Association." Among the first members Avere Major
William Holstein, Dr. and Mrs. George Holstein, all of
Bridgeport; General B. F. Fisher and Colonel I. Heston
Todd, of Valley Forge ; John O. K. Robarts, editor of the
Phocnixville Messenger ; Colonel X. Ellis, of Phoenixville ;
Colonel and Mrs. Theadore W. Bean, and Charles Ramey,
of Norristown, and others. Mrs. Holstein was elected
Regent of this association, an office which she held until
her death, December 31, 1900.
The V^alley Forge Centennial and Memorial Associa-
tion purchased the headquarters with adjoining orchard
and garden, and celebrated June 19, 1878, with impressive
ceremonies. It was then that the late Henry Armitt Brown,
that eloquent young orator, delivered his famous address.
This celebration called the attention of the whole nation to
Valley Forge.
The Association had purchased the headquarters
buoyed up by an abiding faith, but borne down by a heavy
debt. The Patriotic Order Sons of America came to their
aid, and by June 19, 1887, the property was free from all
incumbrance. Another celebration was held, the date being
the 109th anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge.
Among those instrumental in bringing about this happy
consummation were Henry J. Stager, editor of the Phila-
delphia Camp Ncivs (the organ of the Patriotic Sons of
America), and J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., of Norristown, Pa.
In 1894 the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, was organized, and Mrs. Holstein
became its first Regent. This chapter assisted in the care
106
And JM out g ornery County, P enn sylvan i a
of Washington's Headquarters and furnished, in Coh)nial
style, the room in which Washington slept.
Chester County Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution, followed, and furnished another room in similar
style.
Merion Chapter has also furnished a room in Washing-
ton's Headquarters, the upper room with the "round win-
dow" (facing the Valley Hills), shown in so many pictures.
Every piece of furniture is authentic, with a Revolutionary
or Colonial history.
On the death of Mrs. Holstein, Mrs. Rebecca Mclnnes,
of Norristown, who had been Vice-Regent of the Valley
Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, succeeded her
as Regent. (Mrs. Mclnnes had also been Vice-Regent of
the Valley Forge Chapter, D. A. R., with Mrs. Charles
Hunsicker as Regent.) Other Regents were Mrs. P. Y.
Eisenberg and Mrs. N. Howland Brown. The present
Regent of the Valley Forge Chapter is Miss Martha
Mclnnes (1918). The retiring Regent, Mrs. Irwin Fisher.
Some years ago the State of Pennsylvania acquired
several hundred acres of the Valley Forge Camp Ground,
with the intention of gradually securing the whole and pre-
serving it forever as a public park. Washington's Head-
quarters, so long in the possession of the Valley Forge Cen-
tennial and Memorial Association, became, in March, 1906,
the property of the State. The Association then went out
of existence, l)ut it will long be remembered for the noble
record it left behind it. One of its last acts was to join with
other patriotic societies in celebrating the 125th anniversary
of Washington's evacuation of Valley Forge, June 19, 1903.
In the morning there was held a Memorial Service,
after which the corner-stone of the Washington Memorial
Chapel was laid. (Colonel I. Heston Todd gave the ground
for this church. The erection of the Memorial Chapel was
the result of a sermon preached by Rev. W. Herbert Burk,
then rector of All Saints' P. E. Church, Norristown, now of
the Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge.) The usual rite for
the laying of a corner-stone was carried out in full. A
107
Historic Lower Alerion and Bloc kley
large metal box was placed within the ponderous block,
and the contents included :
The holy Bible, prayer-book and hymnal ; Journal of
the Diocese of Pennsylvania, 1902 ; address of Bishop Whit-
aker and other papers relating to the Diocesan Convention,
1903 ; Norristown Daily Herald, February 23, 1903, con-
taining the sermon in which Rev. W. Herbert Burk, rector
of All Saints' P. E. Church, Norristown, Pa., suggested the
erection of the Memorial Chapel ; various secular and
church papers containing articles on the subject, and a
poem, "The National Flower, or Valley Forge Arbutus," by
Miss Margaret B. Harvey (Merion Chapter, D. A. R.) ;
History of All Saints' Church, by the late Henry R. Brown;
pictures and papers relating to Norristown and Philadelphia
churches, historic stones and woods ; the daily papers for
June 19, 1903, and an American flag.
In the afternoon a grand patriotic celebration was
given. Addresses were made by Hon. Walter S. Logan, of
the Empire State Society, S. A. R. ; Mrs. Donald McLean,
then Regent of the New York City Chapter, D. A. R., and
later President General of the National Society, D. A. R.
(both of whom have since been summoned "Over
Beyond") ; Miss Adaline W. Sterling, of New Jersey,
President D. R., and Hon. Charles Emory Smith, of Phila-
delphia.
Two poems written for this occasion were read by
Francis L. Lybarger ; one was by Miss Margaret B. Har-
vey and the other by Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone. Miss
Harvey's poem was entitled "Ode for \'alley Forge Day,"
and contains these lines :
O Valley Forge ! O ringing name !
The "Forge" suggests the deathless flame,
The glowing mass, the hammer strong.
The sound of music, metal's song.
By which our Nation rose to shine —
The Vulcan-Maker all divine !
O ^tna in the Valley Hill !
The wondrous fire is bursting still ;
108
And M out g ornery County, P enn sylvan ia
How trembled earth at Crater's glow
In first eruption, years ago!
O X'alley Forge! What chains were wrought
And over ocean boastful brought !
But we had fires and hammers, too —
Our \'ulcans struck and shackles flew!
A i)rayer was made by the Rev. Henry A. F. Hoyt,
D. D., Rector of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion.
The nuisical part of the program was under the direction
of Mr. John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville.
109
PART III
The Erection of Montgomery County
N THE tenth day of September, 1784, the Legisla-
ture of Pennsylvania passed an Act for the estab-
lishment of the County of Montgomery, which
reads as follows :
Section I. Whereas a great number of the
inhabitants of the County of Philadelphia, by their petition,
have humbly represented to the Assembly of this State the
great inconvenience they labor under, by reason of their
distance from the seat of judicature in said County; for
remedy whereof,
Section II. Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by
the representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the
authority of the same. That all and singular the lands lying
within that part of Philadelphia County, bounded as here-
inafter described, beginning on the line of Byberry Town-
ship, and the Township of the manor of Moreland, where it
intersects the line of Bucks County, thence westward along
the northern lines of Byberry, Lower Dublin and Oxford
Townships, to the line dividing the Townships of Chelten-
ham and Bristol ; and thence along the said line, dividing
Germantown Township from the Township of Springfield ;
and thence along said line, to the line dividing the Town-
ship of Springfield aforesaid from the Township of Rox-
borough, to the River Schuylkill ; thence down the said
river, to the line dividing the Townships of Blockley and
Lower Merion ; and thence along said line to the line of
the County of Chester ; thence by the line of Chester
County, to the line of Berks County ; thence by the line of
Berks County to the line of Northampton County ; thence
by part of the line of Northampton County, and the line
of Bucks County ; thence along the said line of Bucks
County, to the place of beginning; be, and hereby are,
110
And ]\I out {J ornery County, Pennsylvania
erected into a County, named, and hereafter to be called,
"Montgomery" County.
What is now Montgomery County. tKen part of Phila-
delphia County, was settled by the Welsh, English and
German — the Scotch-Irish and the Irish coming over at a
later date. The \\'elsh (as told previously under the head
of Lower Alerion) have the honor of being first. The
English, however, were a close second.
Edward Jones, wdio brought the Colonists over on the
ship Lyon (John Compton, Master), landing at Pencoyd,
August 14, 1682, wrote home to \\'ales on August 26th,
saying : "The Indians brought venison to our door for six
pence ye quarter. There are stones to be had enough at
the Falls of Skoolkill — that is where we are to settle — and
water power enough for mills; but thou must bring mill
stones and the irons that belong to it, for smiths are dear."
Thomas Evans and William Jones purchased seven-
thousand-eight-hundred-and-twenty acres in Gwynedd
in 1698, and were soon joined by Cadwallader, Owen and
Robert Evans, Hugh Griffith, Ellis David, Robert Jones,
Edward Foulke, John Hugh and John Humphrey. The
Welsh at Merion built their meeting-house in 1695, on the
site of a still older log meeting-house.
In 1700 the Welsh of Gwynedd built a small log house
for worship, and a larger one of stone was erected in 1712.
The subscription paper was written in Welsh, to which
sixty-six names were affixed. A petition of the residents
of Gwynedd for a road to Philadelphia in 1704, states that
they then numbered thirty families.
In 1729, ]\larmaduke Pardo, of Gw}nedd, "School-
master" was married at Merion. This Marmaduke Pardo
came from Pembrokeshire. Wales, with the following-
quaint certificate, dated April 18, 1727: "\A'e whose names
are hereunto subscribed, being the Curate and others of
the inhabitants of the Parish of St. David's, do hereby cer-
tify whom it may concern, that ye bearer hereof, Marma-
duke Pardo, of the citty of St. David's and County of Pem-
brock. has to ye utmost of our knowledge & all appearances
111
Historic Lower JMerion and B lockley
liv'd a very sober and pious life demeaning himself accord-
ing to ye strictest Rules of his profession, viz., wt what we
call Quakerism, & yt he hath for these several years past
took upon himself ye keeping of a private school in this
Citty, in which Station he acquitted himself with ye com-
mon applause, and to ye general satisfaction of all of us who
have committed our children to his care and tuition, etc."
(Signed by Richard Roberts, Curate, and about 25 others.)
Before 1703, David Meredith, Thomas Owen, Isaac
Price, Ellis Pugh and Hugh Jones, all from Wales, settled
in Plymouth. The Rev. Malachi Jones from Wales, organ-
ized the first Presbyterian Congregation at Abington in
1714.
Before 1720, John Evans, William James, Thomas
James, Josiah James, James Lewis, Edward Williams and
James Davis had settled in Montgomery Township, where
they built a Baptist Church (1720) in which preaching in
the Welsh language was maintained down to the Revolu-
tion. The Welsh, as statistical records prove, during the
first half of the Century were the principal settlers. In
1734 they formed nearly one-fourth the entire population.
In that year fifty-two taxables are mentioned in Lower
Merion, of which forty-four are Welsh, and four English.
In Upper Merion, for the same date, of thirty-two, twenty-
two are Welsh and one English ; in Gw^ynedd of forty-eight,
thirty-nine are Welsh and six English ; in Towamencin,
eight are Welsh and three English ; in Horsham, five are
Welsh and four English ; in Plymouth, eight are Welsh and
six English ; in Montgomery, of twenty-nine, twenty-two
are Welsh ; in Norriton, seven Welsh and six English.
As the Welsh, English and German did not understand
each other's language, they, at first, formed settlements by
themselves.
After the Welsh came the English and their first settle-
ment, according to Mr. William J. Buck, w^as probably
made in Cheltenham. He said, "There is no doubt but
what this township received its name through Toby Leech,
one of the earliest landholders there." On his tombstone
112
And Montyouiery County, Pennsylvania
at Oxford Church is found this extract, that he '"came
from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, in 1682."
From the records we learn that on the first of Seventh
month, 1683, Thomas Fairman surveyed for I'atrick Rob-
inson, two-hundred acres adjoining Richard Wall, by
Tacony Creek, which states that "this tract of land is in
the parish of Cheltenham." From this we learn that Rich-
ard Wall's purchase must have been made still earlier.
Richard Wall was also from Cdoucestershire.
Other early settlers from England were John Day,
\\'illiam Brown, Everard Bolton, John Ashmead, John
Russell and Joseph Mather. John Hallowwell, John
Barnes and Joseph Phipps settled Abington before 1697.
Nicholas More, a London physician, arrived soon after
William Penn. and had conveyed to him, by patent, 7th of
Sixth-month, 1684, the Manor of Moreland, containing nine-
thousand-eight-hundred-and-fifteen acres. He called his
place Green Spring, and built his home, wdiere he lived for
the balance of his life.
Joseph Farmer, by patent, January 31, 1683, took up
five-thousand acres of land. His widow, Mary Farmer,
settled there with her family in 1685. This was the first
settlement in Whitemarsh. On the death of Mrs. Farmer,
in the latter part of 1686, her son Edward Farmer, became
the owner of three-fourths of the original purchase. He
was noted as an interpreter to the Indians. He built a
grist mill on the Wissahickon prior to 1713.
To the English belongs the honor of having burnt the
first lime, from limestone in Pennsylvania. It was on the
Farmer land. We know this from a letter written by
Nicholas More, to William Penn, September 13, 1683, say-
ing, "Madame Farmer has found as good limestone as any
in the world, and is building with it. She offers to sell
ten thousand bushels at six pence the bushel, upon her
plantation." Thomas Fitzwater carried on the burning of
lime before 1705, at what was called Fitzwatertown. ( Lime
was burned in Upper Merion prior to 1708.)
113
Historic Lower JMerlon and Blockley
John Barnes purchased two-hundred-and-fifty acres in
Abington in 1684. In 1697, by will, he vested in the
trustees of Abington Meeting one-hundred-and-twenty
acres, for the use of same and for a schoolhouse.
Plymouth was originally purchased and settled about
1685, by James Fox, Richard Gove, Francis Rawle and John
Chelson. As these men came from Plymouth, in Devon-
shire, England, they called the place Plymouth.
Thomas Iredell and Thomas Palmer were among the
earliest settlers of Horsham. In 1701, Joseph Richardson
and Edward Lane settled in Providence. In 1708 Edward
Lane built a mill near Collegeville. Henry Pawling came
from Buckinghamshire and was also an early settler of
Providence.
Previously the settlements in w^hich the Welsh pre-
dominated were given, so we will now take up those settled
by the English. Statistics tell us that in 1734, Abington
had twenty-four English and thirteen Welsh; Cheltenham,
eleven English and six A\"elsh ; Aloreland, forty-seven Eng-
lish and seven Welsh ; Whitemarsh, twenty-three English
and nine Welsh; Upper Dublin, fifteen English and five
Welsh; Springfield, nine English and no Welsh.
The English built Abington Friends' Meeting House in
1697; one at Horsham, 1721 ; at Providence, 1730; at Potts-
town. 1753; Saint Thomas' Episcopal Churcli in White-
marsh in 1710, and Saint James' in Providence in 1721.
In 1755 there was one public library. It was founded
at Hatboro by the English, and the books, numbering five-
hundred-and-fifty volumes, were brought from England.
In less than a year after Penn landed, a colony of Ger-
mans, chiefly from Creyfeld, arrived in October, 1683, and
founded the village of Germantown. Penn had preached
in Germany urging emigrants to come to Pennsylvania
where liberty of conscience had been proclaimed. A major-
ity of the first German settlers were members of the Society
of Friends. They had been here only a short time when
they were shocked to learn that many human beings were
held in bondage. They drew up a protest against slavery.
114
And M outgo mery County, Pennsylvania
This was probably the first protest against this inhuman
practice in Pennsylvania. It seems almost incredible to
us that, in the early days, even Alinisters of the Gospel held
slaves — one Ijeing "Pastor Weiss, preacher and slave-
holder," who lived at the Reformed Church glebe. Red Hill,
in Montgomery County. An old slave burying ground lies
a short distance from the Schall mansion, near Greenlane.
The Society of Friends, as an organization, aUvays
j^rotested against slavery, as reference to their records will
prove. Lucretia Mott, the noted Abolitionist, was a
Friend. She devoted her whole life to the cause of the
slave. She was a native of Montgomery County.
Mathias Van Bebber bought a tract of land, six-thou-
sand-one-hundred-and-sixty-six acres, which, by patent,
dated February 22, 1702, was located on Skippack Creek,
constituting about one-half of the southern portion of what
is now Perkiomen Township. He invited settlers by sell-
ing off his lands in parcels. Among these settlers prior
to the end of 1703 were Henry Pennepacker, John Kuster,
Claus Jansen, John Umstat and John Frey. John Jacobs
came in 1704. Edward Beer, Herman and Gerhard Iden-
hoferfin, Dirck and William Renberg before the close of
1707. In 1708, William and Cornelius Dewees, Herman
Custer, Christopher Zimmerman, Jacob Schall and David
Desmond. In 1709, Jacob, John and Martin Kolb and John
Stayer. Mathias Van Bebber gave a hundred acres to-
wards a Mennonite Meeting House which was built about
1725-26.
German settlers also located in Cheltenham, Spring-
field, \\'hitemarsh, Moreland, Upper Dublin and Horsham.
We find among them the Shoemakers, Tysons, Snyders,
Clines, Ottingers, Cleavers, Redwitzers, Rinkers, Bartle-
stalls, Melchers, Leverings, Reiffs, Conrads and the Lukens
and Yerkes families.
The influx of Irish into this country was small prior
to 1724. but after that greatly increased, especially along
the Schuylkill \'alley. The Scotch-Irish and the Irish con-
tributed largely to the strength of our army during the
115
Historic Lower AIerio?i and Blockley
War of the Revolution. Among the Scotch-Irish we have
such names as Porter, Knox, Todd and Burnside. Col.
Stephen Moylan's Cavalry was largely made up of the
Irish. The Irish also fought in the War of 1812, the Civil
War and the World War. A glance at the names of the
various regiments will prove this. No braver soldiers ever
fought than those from the Emerald Isle.
Among other early settlers were John Henry Sprogell,
who bought a large tract of land before 1709 near what is
now Pottstown. Isaac Schaeffer was a large landholder
in Plymouth, in 1702. John Schrank settled in Providence
in 1717. John F. Hillegas, in Upper Hanover in 1727.
Before 1728 John George Gankler, Elias Long, John Henry
Beer, George John \\^eiker and John Martin Derr and the
patriotic Heister family (whose old brick mansion, built in
1757, is still standing) settled in the vicinity of Salford.
The early colonists were a religious people, most of
them having left their native lands because of religious
persecution. Almost as soon as they found a place to settle
they built their churches and meeting houses. There was a
Lutheran congregation organized by Justis Falkner in 1703.
There was a church in Upper Providence in 1743 ; in Upper
Dublin in 1754; Barren Hill in 1761; Saint John's. Whit-
pain, 1769, and Saint Paul's, Lower Merion, in 1765.
The German Reformed had congregations in Skippack,
Whitemarsh, Salford and New Hanover at which Philip
Boehm preached before 1727. A church was built at Whit-
pain in 1740, and in Worcester in 1770. The Mennonites
had houses of worship in Perkiomen in 1726, in Lower
Salford in 1741 and in Towamencin in 1750. The Dunkards
also had organized congregations at a very early date.
The Schwenkfelders, a persecuted people from Silesia,
followers of Casper Schwenkfeld, arrived in 1734, on the
St. Andrezv, John Stodman, Master. Others arrived in
1740. These people for 187 years have annually held serv-
ices commemorating the landing of their forefathers. They
still have their houses of worship, one being the Towamen-
cin Schwenkfelder Church near West Point, and another
116
And Montgome7-y County, Pennsylvania
at Lansdale. The last census g"a\c these people six houses
of worship.
At I'erkiomen there is a Schwenkteld Historical
Museum and Library. The Museum and Library conlaiii
Bibles, deeds, surveyors' drafts, maps, Indian relics, old
stove plates, hats, dresses, tools of the fiax industry, manu-
scripts, samplers, pewter ware, pen work and various other
interesting- exhibits covering in time 440 years. 44ie terri-
tory from which these have been procured includes Ger-
many, Montg-omery County and other parts of Pennsyl-
vania.
From these statistics we learn that Montgomery
County, with its wonderfully fertile lands, its many water-
ways and luxurious forest growths, proved a haven of peace
and rest to those from other climes. Each sect was per-
mitted to worship according to its separate beliefs.
117
PART IV
Centennial Celebration of Montgomery
County
S THE one-hundredth anniversary of the erection,
or establishment of Montgomery County drew
near, many of the most influential citizens felt that
the event should be properly and fittingly cele-
brated. The first movement towards this end was
made by the Historical Society of Montgomery County.
At a regular meeting of that organization held May
25, 1882, Col. Theo. W. Bean, President, in the chair, the
project was discussed at some length, and the chair on
motion, appointed a committee, to confer with a similar
committee of the County officials, and to consider the proper
observances of that occasion. The committee consisted of
F. G. Hobson, Esq., Hon. Jones Detwiler and A. K.
Thomas. The County officials met the same day at the
office of Irving P. Wanger, Esq., District Attorney and the
following committee was appointed: Henry W. Kratz,
Recorder of Deeds; J. Roberts Rambo, Register of Wills,
and Jacob R. Yost, County Treasurer.
These two committees met and discussed plans for the
celebration. It was determined that a general committee
be appointed, consisting of one person from each election
district in the county, into whose hands the work of the
celebration be placed.*
The General Committee was gradually selected. Also
an "Auxiliary Committee in Philadelphia," composed of
persons identified with the County, but residing in Philadel-
phia at that time. Many meetings for the discussion of
plans, ways and means, were held, extending over two
years. At the meeting held May 29, 1884, it was deter-
*Note. — The committees, programme, exhibits, etc., were taken
from the stenographic report of the Montgomery County Centennial
Celebration, published by "The Centennial Association of Mont-
gomery County, Pennsylvania."
118
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
mined, formally, that the committee be known as "The
Centennial Association of Montgomery County, Pennsyl-
vania."
The officers of the Association were as follows :
President
Joseph Fornance, Esq., Norristown.
Vice-Presidents
Hon. Isaac F. Yost, New Hanover.
^^'harton Barker, Jenkintown.
Philip Super, Pennsburg.
Warner Roberts, Lower Merion.
Robert Iredell, Norristown.
Dr. Hiram Corson, Conshohocken.
Abraham H. Cassel, Harleysville.
Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., Collegeville.
George Lower, Springfield.
Daniel Foulke, Gwynedd.
Recording Secretary
F. G. Hobson, Esq., Norristown.
Corresponding Secretary
Muscoe M. Gibson, Esq., Norristown.
Financial Secretary
J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown.
Treasurer
Lewis Styer, Norristown.
Executives
F. G. Hobson, Esq., Norristown, Chairman.
Col. Theo. ^^^ Bean, Norristown.
J. Roberts Rambo, Norristown.
John A\'. Bickel, Esq., Norristown.
Joseph Lees, Esq., Bridgeport.
AN'illiam J. Buck, Jenkintown.
G. Dallas Bolton, Norristown.
119
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
Col. John W. Schall, Norristown.
Henry W. Kratz, Upper Providence.
J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown.
Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton.
Antiquarian
\\"illiam J. Buck, Jenkintown, Chairman.
Hon. Jones Detwiler, Whitpain.
Henry S. Dotterer, Philadelphia.
Philip Super, Upper Hanover.
Thomas G. Rutter, Pottsgrove.
George F. Price Wanger, Norristown.
Abraham H. Cassel, Lower Salford."
Mrs. Dr. George W. Holstein, Bridgeport.
Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, Upper ]\Ierion.
Mrs. G. R. Fox, Norristown.
Mrs. William W. Owen, Norristown.
Mrs. Joseph Fornance, Norristown.
Finance
David H. Ross, Esq., Conshohocken, Chairman.
J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Norristown, Secretary and
Treasurer.
Albert Bromer, West Perkiomen.
Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown.
George W. Rogers, Esq., Norristown.
Literary Exercises
Hon. George N. Corson, Norristown, Chairman.
Jacob V. Gotwalts, Esq., Norristown.
William L. Williamson, Pottstown.
Hon. William H. Sutton, Lower Merion.
Dr. William T. Robinson, Hatboro.
Program
Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown, Chairman.
Joseph C. Jones, Conshohocken.
J. Wright Apple, Esq., Norristown.
F. L. Murphy, Norristown.
120
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Dr. H. H. Drake, Norristown.
David H. Roberts, Norristown.
B. Percy Chain, Esq., Norristown.
Invitation
J. Roberts Rambo, Norristown, Chairman.
David Scholl, Norristown.
J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., Norristown.
Samuel B. Helffenstein, Norristown.
Perry L. Anderson, Lower Merion.
Levis H. Davis, Pottstown.
Andrew J. Baker, Jenkintown.
William M. Clift, Esq., Norristown.
John H. White, Norristown.
J. Wright Apple, Esq., Norristown.
John Burnett, Norristown.
C. H. Brooke, Conshohocken.
Dr. J. E. Bauman, Franconia.
William Young, New Hanover.
Dr. Charles C. Webber, Norristown.
Col. Theo. W. Bean, Norristown.
Decoration
Mrs. Alary L. Koplin, Norristown, Chairman.
Miss Bella Shaw, Norristown.
Mrs. Henry R. Brown, Norristown.
Miss Mary Harry, Norristown.
Irvin H. Brendlinger, Norristown.
Morgan W^right, Norristown.
Jolm Overholtzer, Norristown.
Reception
J. Wright Apple, Esq., Norristown, Chairman.
Aaron S. Swartz, Esq., Norristown.
John W. Bickel, Esq., Norristown.
Irving P. Wanger, Esq., Norristown.
Memorial
Hon. Jones Detwiler, Whitpain, Chairman.
Dr. PI i ram Corson, Plymouth,
121
Historic Lower JMerion and Bloc kley
John Hoflman, Norriton.
Hon. Hiram C. Hoover, Norriton.
Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton.
Samuel Rittenhouse, Norriton.
Building
Samuel F. Jarrett, Norriton, Chairman.
Justus P. Leaver, Norristown.
G. Dallas Bolton, Norristown.
Joseph Fitzwater, Upper Providence.
Music
Lafayette Ross, Norristown, Chairman.
Henry \\ . Kratz, Upper Providence.
Dr. P. Y. Eisenberg, Norristown.
Parade
Col. James \\\ Schall, Norristown, Chairman.
Col. Thomas W. Stewart, Norristown.
George A\\ Rogers, Esq., Norristown.
John Pugh, Conshohocken.
Capt. H. N. GralTen, Pottstown.
Hon. Montgomery S. Longaker, Pottstown.
William D. Heebner, Lansdale.
Dr. John S. Lees, Bridgeport.
Rocoe M. Moir, West Conshohocken.
Auxiliary Committee of Philadelphia
James B. Harvey, No. 4833 Lancaster Avenue, Chair-
man.
Saunders Lewis, Ambler.
Miss Elizabeth Croasdale, School of Design for
\\'omen.
John A\'anamaker, Grand Depot.
Ex-Governor John F. Hartranft, Collector of the Port.
\\'illiam M. Singerly, Editor of the Record.
General William B. Thomas. ex-Collector of the Port.
Flon. Horatio Gates Jones, Roxborough.
122
And Alontgomery County, Pennsylvania
The foregoing were aided by a General Committee
composed of one person from each election district in the
County, together with a committee of assistants to Town-
ship Committeemen.
The Centennial Celebration was held Tuesday, Wed-
nesday and Thursday, September 9, 10, 11, 1884, in Norris-
town, the county seat of Montgomery County.
On the opening day a granite monolith to the memory
of David Rittenhouse, the noted astronomer, who lived
in Montgomery County, was dedicated. The exercises took
place at eleven o'clock a. m. on Tuesday, September 9th,
in the presence of a large concourse of people. The memo-
rial stands in front of the Court House. The meridian
stone bears the following inscription :
On the east face :
David Rittenhouse
Eminent Astronomer
and Mathematician
Born April 8, 1732
Died June 26, 1796
On the north face :
He calculated and
observed the Transit
of Venus at His Home
in Norriton, 1769
On the west face :
Erected by The
Montgomery County
Centennial Association
On the south face :
1784 : 1884
123
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
David Rittenhouse, the records tell us, was born in the
County of Philadelphia, of which Montgomery was then
a part. He lived in youth and manhood, during the greater
part of his lifetime, within the limits of Montgomery
County. In Norriton township, within a few miles of where
this monolith was erected, stood his father's house. There,
in Norriton, lay the farm where he grew up as a farmer
boy. There, in a tiny shop by the wayside, without other
Home of David Rittenhouse
Noted astronomer, born April 8, 1732
instruction than the intuitive promptings of an extraordi-
nary genius, he taught himself to make clocks and mathe-
matical instruments. The clocks, remarkable for their
accuracy and the beauty of their workmanship, are still
treasured as heirlooms in many households. It was there
in Norriton that he erected his observatory ; there, with
instruments constructed by himself, he explored the
heavens. There learned scientists came from all parts to
consult David Rittenhouse and to participate with him in
124
And M ontgomery County, Pennsylvania
liis (ibservations. Montgomery County is proud to number
him among- the many noted men l^orn within it boundaries.
It was there, in Norriton, that he constructed his wonderful
orrery (now^ at Princeton), illustrating mechanically the
movements of the solar system, upon a scale more elaborate
and exact than had ever before been attempted.
In alluding to it, Thomas Jefiferson who was a philoso-
pher as well as a statesman, wrote: "We have supposed Mr.
Rittenhtiuse second to no astronomer living; that in genius
he must l)e the first, l)ecause he was self-taught. As an
artist, he has exhibited as great a proof of mechanical
genius as the world has ever produced. He has not, indeed,
made a w'orld, but he has by imiitation, approached nearer
its Maker than any man who has ever lived from creation
to this day."
On the first day, in addition to the dedication of the
memorial, at which Judge B. Markley Boyer made the
address, prayer was made by Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger,
D. D. ; address of welcome ; J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq. ; ad-
dress, Joseph Fornance, Esq., President of the Centennial
Association. At the conclusion of the exercises Rev. Isaac
Gibson pronounced the benediction. Music by the Norris-
town Band followed, which closed the program for the day.
( )n the second day the exercises were held in Music
Hall. They opened with a prayer by Rev. H. S. Roden-
bough, pastor of the Providence Presbyterian Church of
Lower Providence. Opening address by Joseph Fornance,
Esq. The never-to-be-forgotten Historical Oration by
William J. Buck followed. Poem, Hon. George M. Corson.
"Hallelujah Chorus," by the vocalists, accompanied by the
orchestra. Rev. Dr. C. Z. Weiser, of East Greenville, a
lineal descendant of the early pioneer Conrad W^eiser, then
followed with another oration. Benediction was i)ro-
n(^unced by the Rev. Mr. Rodenbough.
Thursday, September 11th w'as Parade Day. (It was
such a parade as only Norristown know^s how to arrange.)
The parade was in four divisions. First Di\ision, Col. D.
C. Swank, Marshal. Seccmd !)i\ision. J. P. Hale Jenkins,
125
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
Esq., Marshal. Third Division, Major D. B. Hartranft,
Marshal. Fourth Division, T. J. Baker, Alarshal. One
feature of the parade was the Indian children from the
Indian Department of the Lincoln Institute of Philadelphia,
who were in charge of Mrs. J. Belangee Coxe and Chaplain
J. L. Miller. They were received and cared for during their
stay in Norristown by David Schall. The address of the
day was made by Col. Theo. \\'. Bean.
The Fourth day was devoted to the Antiquarian Expo-
sition. This included historical records, antiques, Indian
relics, antiquities of the first settlers and early purchasers,
relics and records of the Colonial period and relics of the
Revolutionary War. Also of the Mexican War ; War of
1812, and the ^^'ar for the Union. Old Furniture, china,
pewter, silver, etc., early surgical and dental instruments,
coins and paper money.
Herbarium of ferns and flora of the county. These
last named were by Mrs. J. F. Cottman, Jenkintown, ex-
hibiting a book of natural flowers, prepared in 1859;
remarkable for preserving colors.
And by Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Lower Alerion, col-
lection of twenty-eight varieties of ferns found growing in
Montgomery County, dried and mounted on paper in
groups. Also sixty-nine drawings of wild flowers of Mont-
gomery County.
Ferns
1. Polypodium. Poly podium vulgar e.
2. Maiden Hair. Adiantum pedatum.
3. Brake, or bracken. Pteris aquilina.
4. Cliff brake. Pcllcca atropurpurca.
5. Ebony fern. Asplcnium ebcnoidcs.
6. \\'all Rue fern. Asplenium Ruta muraria.
7. Spleen-wort. Asplcnium augustifolium.
8. Larger Spleen-wort. Asplcnium tliclyptcroides.
9. Lady fern. Asploiium Fili.v-fonnina.
10. Walking fern. Camptosonis rhizophyllus.
11. Beech fern. Phcgoptcris licxagonoptera.
126
And M outgo t?i ery County, Pennsylvania
12. Swamp Shield fern. Aspidium Tliclypfcris.
13. New York fern. Aspidium Novchoraccnsc.
14. Spring Shield fern. Aspidium Spinulosum.
15. Crested fern. Aspidium Cristatum.
16. Shield fern. Aspidium Goldianum.
17. Wood fern. Aspidium Morginalc.
18. Christmas fern. Aspidium Acrostichoidcs.
19. Bladder fern. Cystoptcris fragilis.
20. Sensitive fern. Onoclca scnsibilis.
21. Woodsia. U'oodsia Ilvcnsis.
22. Dicksonia, Dicksonia punctilobula.
23. Royal fern. Osmunda regalis.
24. Clayton's fern. Osmunda Claytoniana.
25. Cinnamon fern. Osmunda cinnamonca.
26. Grape fern. Botrychium Virginicum.
27. iMoonwort. Botrychium lunarioides {variety obli-
quum).
28. Moonwort. Botrychium lunarioides (variety dissec-
tum).
The sixty-nine drawings, by Miss Harvey, of wild
flowers of Alontgomery County were arranged in groups,
viz. :
Spring Flowers
Group I
1. Trailing Arbutus. Epigcca re pens.
2. Liverleaf. Hepatica triloba.
3. Wild hyacinth, or blue bottle. Muscari roccmosum.
4. Blood root. Sanguinaria Canadensis.
5. Spring beauty. Claytonia Jlrgiiiica.
6. Rue anemone. Thalictrum anemonoides.
7. Wood anemone. Anemone nemorosa.
8. Golden corydalis. Corydalis flavula.
9. Dutchman's breeches. Dicentra cucuUaria.
Group II
1. Quaker ladies. Houstonia cccrulea.
2. Dog tooth. Erythronium Amcricanuin.
Ml
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
3. Violet sorrel. Oxalis violacca.
4. Columbine. Aqitilcgia Canadoisis.
5. Tooth root. Dcntaria laciniata.
6. Wild geranium. Geranium ntaciilatitm.
7. Cinquefoil. Potentilla Canadensis.
8. Solomon's seal. Polygonatum giganteiim.
9. Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Ariscema triphyllum.
Group III
Violets
1. Common purple violet. Viola citcullata.
2. Sweet-scented white violet. Viola blanda.
3. Heart-leaved violet. Viola cordata.
4. Arrow-headed violet, l^iola sagittata.
5. Hand-leaved violet. Viola palmata..
6. Yellow violet. Viola pnhesccns.
7. Striped violet. Viola striata.
8. Bird-foot violet, l^iola pcdata.
9. Dog violet. J^iola canina.
Summer Flowers
Group I
1. Buttercups. Ranunculus acris.
2. Daisies. Leucanthcmum vulgarc.
3. Azalea. Azalea nudiflora.
4. Laurel. Kalniia latifolia.
5. Blue flag. Iris versicolor.
6. Cockle. Lychnis githago.
7. Indian physic. Gillenia trifoliata.
8. Partridge berry. Mitchella repens.
9. Wild rose. Rosa blanda.
Group II
1. Spider wort. Tradescantia Virginica.
2. Venus' looking-glass. Specularia perfoliata.
3. Wild lily. Liliuui supurbum.
4. Wild pink. Dianthus armeria.
5. Starry campion. Silcne sfcUata.
128
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
6. Bouncing Bet. Saponaria officinalis.
7. Indian pipe. Monotropa iiniflora.
8. Shin leaf. Pyrola clliptica.
9. Pipsissewa. Chiuiapiiila niaculata.
Group III
Orchids
1. Showy orchis. Orchis spcctabilis.
2. Twayblade. Liparis lilifolia.
3. Adam and Eve. Aplccfnmi hyettialc.
4. Fringed orchis. Hahcnaria laccra.
5. Rattlesnake plantain. Goodycra piibcsccns.
6. Ladies' tresses. Spiranthcs gracilis.
Autumn Flowers
Group I
1. Butterfly plant. Asclcpias tuber osa.
2. Cone flower. Rudbcckia Jiirta.
3. Wild sunflower. Hclianthus strumosus.
4. Cardinal Flower. Lobelia cardinalis.
5. Golden rod. Solidago.
6. Blue and White Asters. Aster.
7. Closed gentian. Gentiana Andrewsii.
8. Touch-me-not. luipatiens fiilva.
9. Evening primrose. Ginothera biennis.
Group II
1. Snap-dragon. Linaria vulgaris.
2. Arrow-head. Sagittaria variabilis.
3. Blue lobelia. Lobelia sypliilitica.
4. Virgin's bower. Clematis Virginica.
5. Gerardia. Gerardia tennifolia.
6. Man-of-the-earth. I ponuva pandurata.
7. Monkey flower. Minulus alatus.
8. Lick trefoil. Desmodium nudiflontui.
9. Shell flower. Chclonc glabra.
The total number of exhibitors at this Antiquarian
Exposition was 1.240 — sh(n\ing liuw many pccjplc were
129
Historic Lower Alerion and Blockley
interested in making this exhibit a success. Many of the
articles displayed were of rare interest and value.
The National Geographic Magazine, Washington,
has been publishing a series of articles on the "Common
American Wild Flowers." These are beautifully illus-
trated, so the flowers may be readily recognized. In the
introduction to these articles we read, "Many of these,
such as the daisy, mullen, aster, blue-flag, etc., are so plenti-
ful that they may be picked at will ; but there are others —
for instance, the Mayapple, Spring beauty, lupines, lady-
slipper, etc., which may become as rare as the trailing
arbutus unless everyone unites to preserve them. So it is
to be hoped that the city dwellers who, on their automo-
bile excursions, thoughtlessly cut and bring back great
branches of dogwood and baskets laden with our rarer wood
flowers will soon realize that, unless their plucking be tem-
pered with judgment, the suburbs of all our cities will, in
the not-distant future, be bereft of many of these flower
treasures."
Mr. John C. Wister, Philadelphia, rose and iris expert
recently addressing a meeting of the Garden Club at the
Academy of Natural Sciences, voiced the same sentiments.
Mr. Wister made an urgent plea for the preservation of our
wild flowers, which, he said, are in grave "danger of ex-
termination."
As Miss Harvey gave the names of all the native wild
flowers of Montgomery County the writer has included
them in this volume, with the hope that they may help in
the preservation of those in danger of extermination.
Joseph Fornance, Esq., President of the "Centennial
Association of Montgomery County," in his address, Sep-
tember 9, 1884, said: "The Act of Assembly establishing
the county states that the reason for cutting ofif three-
fourths of Philadelphia County and making Montgomery
County of it, was its great distance from the courts of
Philadelphia. That seems a strange reason now, for rail-
roads and telephones have annihilated distances."
130
And AI ontgomery County, Pennsylvania
Thirty-eight years have passed since Mr. Fornance
uttered those words. The telephone was then in its in-
fancy, Mr. Bell having for the first time publicly demon-
strated it at the Centennial Exhibition in I'liiladelphia. in
1876. In 1884 very few were in use. Now they are
installed in almost every dwelling, so we may talk
to each other at any time. With the electric trains added
to the steam roads our children go back and forth to schools
and colleges in Philadelphia daily; the automobile carries
the business man to and fro. The aeroplane and the radio
are among the latest inventions annihilating time and space.
All settlements in Montgomery County have really become
suburban to the Quaker City, and sometimes it seems to
the writer that, perhaps, before many years have gone by,
the two counties may again be one.
131
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