EXCHANGE
PROCEEDINGS
AND PAPERS READ BEFORE THE
LEHIGH COUNTY
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
VOL. I
ALLBNTOWN, PBNNA.
1908
PROCEEDINGS
AND PAPERS READ BEFORE THE
LEHIGH COUNTY
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
VOL. I
ALLENTOWN, PENNA.
1908
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE LEHIGH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
In the early part of January, 1904, letters were sent to a
number of residents of Lehigh county by Charles R. Roberts,
asking their cooperation in forming an historical society. On
the afternoon of January 9, 1904, a meeting was held in Com-
mon Council Chamber, Allentown, Pa., at which the Lehigh
County Historical Society was organized. The officers elected
were: Prof. George T. Ettinger, President; Mr. Philip W. Flores,
Vice-President; Mr. Charles R. Roberts, Secretary; Mr. Leo Wise,
Treasurer.
A committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Roberts, Ochsen-
ford and Wise, was appointed by the president to draw up a
constitution and report at the next meeting, to be held at the
call of the president.
The next meeting was held on June 15, 1904, at the office
of Leo Wise, Esq. The Committee on Constitution reported
having drawn up a constitution, which was read and adopted,
with a few changes. The by-laws were then read and adopted.
On motion the officers were empowered to act as an Executive
Committee until further action be taken. A resolution was
adopted that the dues for the first year be one dollar. The meet-
ing then adjourned.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
NAME.
This association shall be called the Lehigh County Histori-
cal Society of Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II.
OBJECT.
The object of this society is the promotion and encourage-
ment of historical study and research and particularly the dis-
covery, collection, preservation and publication of the history,
historical records and data of and relative to Lehigh county,
the marking of such places of historical interest as may be located
375484
in the county, the collection and preservation of books, news-
papers, pamphlets, maps, genealogies, portraits, paintings, relics,
engravings, manuscripts, letters, journals, and any and all mater-
ials which may establish or illustrate such history; the collection
of data relative to the growth and progress of population, wealth,
education, agriculture, arts, manufactures and commerce in this
county and in addition thereto, the compilation of the tradi-
tions and folklore of the county, and the acquisition by donation,
bequest, purchase or loan, of tools, appliances and objects of
antiquarian interest, and all such other purposes as may further
the objects above enumerated.
ARTICLE III.
MEMBERSHIP.
Section i. — The society shall consist of active, correspond-
ing and life members.
Sec. 2. Of active members. — Any reputable person to whom
there attaches fitness by reason of birth, descent, historical or
antiquarian predeliction, or extended residence in Lehigh county,
may become an active member of this society, upon nomination
at any annual or regular meeting of the society by a majority
vote of those present. Each active member, hereafter elected,
shall pay to the secretary of the society a membership fee of
Two ($2) Dollars and an annual due of one ($1) dollar, and
shall be entitled to receive free of charge one copy of the pub-
lication of the society, hereafter issued. They shall pay said
membership fee and the annual due for the first year, within
three months of their election, sign this constitution, and upon
introduction into the society shall be presented to the presid-
ing officer. The annual due shall become due and payable on
the first of January of each year. Arrearages for three years
will cause the delinquent members to be dropped from the rolls.
Sec. 3. Of correspondent members. — Any reputable per-
son with qualifications similar to those required of active mem-
bers, living in any part of the State of Pennsylvania, or any
other state, may be elected a corresponding or honorary mem-
ber of this society, provided such person be nominated and
elected in the same manner as an active member. Correspond-
ing members shall be invited to aid this society in its work, and
to attend its meetings, but they shall not pay any fees or dues
nor vote at any of its meetings.
Sec. 4. Of life members. — Any reputable person, with qual-
ifications similar to those required of active members, may be
elected a life member by paying the sum of twenty-five (S25)
dollars, provided such person be nominated and elected in the
same manner as an active member. Life members shall pay no
annual dues, and are entitled to receive free of charge during
life one copy of the publications of the society.
SeJC. 5. — The three classes of members may consist of men
and women.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS.
Section i. — The officers of the society shall consist of a
president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer and an Exec-
utive Committee of nine members, five of which members shall
be elected members, and the president, vice-president, secre-
tary and treasurer, ex-officio members.
Sec. 2, — The officers shall be elected annually by ballot by
the members at the time fixed by the by-laws, and shall hold
their office until others are chosen and qualified in their stead.
They shall perform such duties as are imposed by law and are
usually incident to such officers.
Sec. 3. — The secretary shall keep full and correct minutes
of the proceedings of the society in a book of record, give due
notice of all regular mee^-ings and any special meeting of the
society, notify all members of their election, collect fees and
dues of members, pay the same to the treasurer, who shall receipt
for such payments, and issue vouchers countersigned by the
president to the treasurer for claims against the society which
have been examined and ordered by the Executive Committee
or the society to be paid. He shall also have charge, under
the supervision of the Executive Committee, of the books, manu-
scripts and objects of antiquarian interest acquired by the society
by donation, bequest, purchase or loan.
Sec. 4. — The treasurer shall give bond in such sum and
with such sureties as shall be required by the Executive Com-
mittee for the faithful discharge of his duties and he shall keep
the moneys of the society, when not invested by order of the
Executive Committee, in an approved depository, in a separate
book account, to his credit as treasurer. He shall keep accu-
rate accounts of the income and expenditures of the society,
receive all such sums as may be given him by the secretary and
give a proper receipt therefore, collect all moneys due the society
or payable thereto, and pay out the same, only upon orders or
vouchers properly countersigned. At the annual meeting he shall
present a statement of his receipts and expenditures during the
year, with a full report of the financial condition of the soc.ety.
Such statement shall be duly audited before its adoption.
ARTICLE V.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The Executive Committee shall take charge of all property
belonging to the society; direct the current affairs thereof; recom-
mend plans for promoting the objects of the society; superintend
the interests of the society, and perform such other duties as
may devolve upon it by law or be committed to it from time
to time by the society. It shall make a general report at the
annual meeting. It may elect its own chairman and secretary
and shall meet statedly for the transaction of its business once
at least every quarter, and at the call of the president when nec-
essary, and the presence of five of its members shall constitute
a quorum. It shall also have power to approve and order paid
all bills under the amount of twenty-five ($25) dollars, but all
bills of S25 or over must be passed upon by the society.
A^ the first election of the Executive Committee, two mem-
bers shall be elected for the term of one year and three members
for the term of two years, and such rotation shall be observed
at each annual meeting thereafter.
ARTICLE VI.
VACANCIES.
Any vacancies occuring in the board of officers or Execu-
tive Committee during the year shall be filled by the Executive
Committee until the next election.
ARTICLE VII.
DEPOSITS.
Section i. — Any person who shall deposit specimens of nat-
ural history, objects of virtue or other articles of interest for
inspection and study may withdraw them at any time, provided
the same shall have been received and accepted by the society
as deposits only, and provided five days' notice of the intended
removal, shall first be gven to the proper officers, to wit: the
president and the secretary. All articles received as deposits
shall be so marked, numbered and registered in a book kept for
that purpose, with the name of the depositor.
ARTICLE VIII.
AMENDMENTS.
Section i. — Any part of this constitution or the by-laws
may be amended or repealed by a vote of two-thirds of the mem-
bers present at any annual meeting; provided that a wntten
copy of the intended amendment or of a resolution to repeal
shall have been read before the society at the preceding regular
or annual meeting.
By unanimous consent an amendment or repeal may be
agreed to without previous notice being given.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
MEETINGS.
Section i. — The annual meeting of the society shall be
held in the City of Allentown on the second Saturday of January
at 2 P. M. in each and every year. At the meeting an election
of officers for the society shall be held. Such officers shall be
nominated in open meeting and shall be elected by ballot, unless
the requirement be dispensed with by consent of two-thirds of
the members present.
Sec. 2. — The regular meetings of the society shall be held
at 2 P. M. on the second Saturdays of May and October of each
and every year at such places as may be designated by the Exec-
utive Committee.
Sec. 3. — Adjourned or special meetings may be held at any
time or place that may be designated by the president or Exec-
utive Committee at the request of nine members.
Sec. 4. — All meetings shall be open to the public.
Sec. 5. — Nine members shall constitute a quorum of the
society.
ARTICLE II.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Section i. — At the annual meeting or within a reasonable
time thereafter the president may appoint the following stand-
ing committees to serve for one year : A Committee on Literary
Exercises, a Committee on Biography, a Committee on History,
a Committee on Genealogy, a Committee on Manuscripts, Relics,
Curios and Antiquities, a Committee on Necrology, a Committee
on Pictures, Photographs and Paintings, a Committee on Piint-
ing and Publishing.
Each committee is to consist of three members. It shall
be the duty of each committee to keep a full record of every-
thing relating to the particular subject designated by its name,
such documents to be kept in a book or books, furnished by the
society, and to remain in the library as the property of the society.
ARTICLE III.
ORDER OE BUSINESS.
Section i. — The order of business shall be as follows: i.
Reading of minutes. 2. Minuting names of members present.
3. Election of members. 4. Presenting new members and intro-
ducing visitors from other societies. 5. Announcing decease of
members and referring same to Committee on Necrology, etc.
6. Correspondence. 7. Deferred business. 8. Reports of
8
committees and officers. 9. Announcing donations to library
and museum. 10. New business. 11. Reading of papers and
delivering addresses before the society. 12. Adjournment.
»SivC. 2. — At the annual meeting the election of officers shall
occur immediately after the election of memberg.
ARTICLE IV.
PUBUCATIONS.
All publications of this society, that is, to say pamphlet
publications, must be of uniform size of page.
Adopted as a whole June 15, 1904.
LECTURE AT MUHLENBERG COLLEGE,
NOVEMBER 3d, 1905.
The following account of the lecture by John W. Jordan,
L.L. D., appeared in the Allentown Item, November 4, 1906:
"A lecture under the auspices of the Lehigh County Histori-
cal Society was given yesterday afternoon in the Chapel of Muh-
lenberg College, the" speaker being John W. Jordan, LL. D., of
Philadelphia, Librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsyl-
vania. A brief talk was also given by Luther R. Kelker of
Harrisburg, State Archivist. Prof. George T. Ettinger, Dean of
the faculty of the college and President of the County Histori-
cal Society, presided and happily introduced the speakers. A
fair-sized audience was assembled, including many students of
the college, not a few interested ladies and, among others. Rev.
Dr. S. E. Ochsenford, Rev. Dr. J. A. Bauman, Rev. J. W. Mat-
tern, Prof. H. A. Kline, David McKenna, of Slatington, H. A.
Schuler, Rev. Dr. T. S. Land, President of the Allentown College
for Women, Rev. C. M. Jacobs, C. F. Berkemeyer, Rev. J. F.
Lambert, of Catasauqua, Dr. F. C. Seiberling and C. R. Roberts.
J Dr. Jordan's Address.
Dr. Jordan gave an interesting talk on the early settlement
of Pennsylvania by the Quakers under George Fox in 1672 and
of William Penn's acquirement of the domain and his liberal
dealings with whites and Indians. Then plunging into the local
part of his address, Dr. Jordan said :
'Every inhabitant of Pennsylvania should cherish the sen-
timent of State pride and do whatever he can to advance her
interest and promote her glory. We have never properly appre-
ciated ourselves!
Ivvcry citizen of Lehigh county should support a society,
which in an especial way preserves the historic honor of the
county. Some can give money, some can give books, manu-
i
scripts and pictures; all can give good feeling and good words.
Let each give what he can, and he will give precisely what he
ought. And let him give it soon; and let him living give it,
that he may, with you, himself long see and long enjoy his bounty.
Collectors of manuscripts and books, possessors of historic
paintings; you who spend fortunes upon records of the past,
and show with pride your rich and curious stores, think you
that they who come after you, will share your zeal, your affec-
tion and your care? All these you can bequeath to whom you
will, but bequeath you can not the zeal with which you have
collected them, the care with which you have preserved them,
the affection with which you guard them. Here, then, collector,
in this society, when you have done with them, you had best
deposit these treasures of the past you value. Here is a society
organized to do the very thing which living you were always
doing, but which when dead, you can no longer do. Here are
men of taste, who will take pains in preserving and showing
your collections, men who will learnedly, eloquently and with
truth that your epitaph shall envy, do what living or dying
you could, yourself, have never done, extol the virtues of the
man who owned them. Your Historical Society is in short
yourself, only more so.
The duties of a Historical Society are not only the collec-
tion, but the scrutiny of all original materials. It by no means
follows, because a document is old, that it is curious or valuable;
without discrimination your rooms will become the receptacle
of antique trash. In the collection and preservation of mate-
rials, a society can do much, for which individual action is inad-
equate.
There is a class of material which it is your especial duty
to preserve; local imprints, public documents and newspapers.
Let any one attempt a minute historical investigation, and he
will appreciate this duty. Books of general history and biog-
raphy may be procured by individuals, and are within the com-
pass of private libraries.
A Historical Society should be a sort of ' Intelligence Office '
for manuscripts and other original materials. There are hun
dreds of valuable manuscript memorials of the past neglected
or carelessly regarded by their owners, that with proper effort
on your part, will here find refuge, and can be easily consulted
when the student comes hither on an errand of investigation.
You have historic places, and you have men whom you justly
desire to keep in lively remembrance for their eminent services
in civil and military life — it is not vanity, that the sentiment
which they excite, and which you cherish, should be preserved
through your efforts. And forget not to make photographs of
the ancient buildings which have withstood the cycles of time
and the march of modern improvements.
The history of no county is complete that does not include
a history of its people, and the waves of emigration, that from
time to time entered its borders. What study is there which
sets this so clearly before the historian as genealogy. He may
collect elsewhere the material for some of his statements, but
when he comes to the history of the people it is the genealogist
who points out to him the classes or races who settled here, and
does so with an exactness that conveys an almost personal knowl-
edge of the people who took part in the emigrations. Such a
section, he can say, was settled by such a class. Here they pur-
chased land. Here their descendants remain. Love of coun-
try, I believe, is the spirit that pervades the study of family his-
tory in America, and if in doing so, it creates a class, who feel
that in the history of their country there is something that belongs
to them by inheritance, something of which they are a part,
does it not assure us that the spirit that inspired the men who
settled here, and those who followed them, to build on the founda-
tions they laid, that in their hands the future is secure? No
doubt you have members whose prediliction is for genealogical
research. Permit me to suggest to them, that they turn their
attention to the copying of church registers, family records, and
making abstracts of the wills on file in the office of your Regis-
ter of Wills. I can assure you that it will be a very important
and popular department of your society.
Your society may be made a place of communion in the
special branch of literature for which it was instituted, where
those interested in such studies may be sure to find companions
and fellow students, where the young man who is tracing out
some line of historical research, may find counsel and assistance
from those who have more maturely studied the same thing,
whither the older student may also come and gain from the
active and suggestive mind of younger men, ideas and details
of knowledge which have escaped him. Where all interested in
this pursuit may meet on the same broad platform, and freely
with a precise object in view, think and talk together. In the
inaugural address of the first president of my own society, back
in 1825, he declared that its membership was not confined to
one sex. 'Those to whom society is in every respect so much
indebted; who confer on life its finest felicities, and who soften
and allay the bitterness of adversity, the wife, the daughter and
the sister, may be admitted and encouraged to assist you.' Cor-
dially invite the cooperation of the women of Lehigh County
to aid you. Surely you will find them zealous and untiring in
their efforts to further the aims and objects for which you were
organized. Another important factor to the success of your
society will be to have the sympathy and support of the local
newspaper press. It will freely print your transactions and excite
and increase a general attention to your work.
II
Let all strive to collect every memorial of their forefathers,
which time may have spared. Having rescued these memorials
from oblivion, place them beyond the reach of accident. In
this work labor unceasingly till it is accomplished. Give the
future historians of the State no cause to reproach you for hav-
ing left him nothing but arid chronicles of events, but let him
find among the fruits of your humble toil, materials, not only
for faithful narrative, but for a philosophical exposition of the
conduct and principles and institutions of your ancestors.
The study of local history is wholesome and invigorating,
and strengthens genuine patriotism — it creates and keeps active
the virtue of loyalty and makes us rationally sanguine of the
future — because proud of the past.'
Mr. Kklker's Talk.
Mr. Kelker was introduced and gave a brief talk about the
work of the State Bureau with which he is connected and which
is preserving the State's valuable records and putting them in
handy form for reference and study. He spoke of recently find-
ing the muster roll of Stephen Balliet's Battalion formed in this
section in the Revolutionary War and containing 400 names.
The roll was in forty-three pieces, which have been put together
and will be published shortly in the Pennsylvania Archives."
MINUTES OF FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.
AlIvEntown, Pa., January 13, 1906.
The first annual meeting of the Lehigh County Historical
Society was held this afternoon, in the rooms of the AUentown
Oratorio Society, No. 37 South Seventh Street.
The meeting was called to order by President Ettinger.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The secretary reported his attendance as a delegate to the
first annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Federation of Histori-
cal Societies, held January 4, 1906, at Harrisburg, and explained
the purposes of the federation.
A resolution was adopted declaring all persons elected to-day
charter members.
On motion of Messrs. D. A. Miller and J. J. Hauser, the
following persons were elected to membership: J. O. Knauss,
Harrisburg, Prof. R. C. Horn, D. W. McFetridge, Hokendauqua,
Dr. W. J. Hertz, D. G. Dery, Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D., Dr. P. J.
Kress, David McKenna, Slatington, Rev. John W. Mattern, Major
Thomas Daugherty, Alfred F. Berlin, Frank Jacobs, Mrs. Jennie
C. W. Dorney, Mrs. Annie E. Leisenring, Rev. Samuel A. Bridges
Stopp, Mrs. Matilda G. Iredell, William M. Gehman, Macungie,
12
Benj. F. Cressman, Macungie, Rev. H. M. J. Klein, A. A. Kern,
Slatington, Harold W. Pretz, Edwin G. Trexler, Thomas P.
Wenner, Thomas K. Home, Henry S. Moyer, Rev. Thomas H.
Krick, Coplav, James L. Schaadt, E. H. Reninger and Rev.
J. D. Schindel.
The election of officers followed: Messrs. J. J. Hauser and
David McKenna nominated Prof. Geo. T. Ettinger for President;
Messrs. Charles R. Roberts and D. A. Miller nominated Mr.
Philip W. Flores for Vice-President; Messrs. McKenna and Hon.
Frank M. Trexler nominated Mr. Charles R. Roberts for Secre-
tary; and Messrs. Cooper and McKenna nominated Leo Wise,
Esq., for Treasurer. All were duly elected.
Nominations for five members of the Executive Committee
were then called for. Mr. Roberts nominated Rev. S. E. Och-
senford, D. D., Mr. Miller nominated Hon. Frank M. Trexler,
Rev. Cooper nominated David A. Miller, Hon. F. M. Trexler
nominated David McKenna, Mr. Miller nominated O. P. Knauss.
The nominees were then elected.
The following donations to the society were then acknowl-
edged and a note of thanks passed to the donors:
By Frank Ried Diffenderfer, Litt. D., Secretary Lancaster
County Historical Society: Vol. II, No. i; Vol. Ill, Nos. 8 and
9; Vol. V, Nos. 3, 4, 6 and 7; Vol. VI, Nos. i and 5; Vol. VII,
Nos. 2, 3 and 6; Papers read before and proceedings of the Lan-
caster County Historical Society.
By Charles R. Roberts : Militia Proclamation by Gen. Peter
Ruch, dated Sept. 23, 1824, ordering the militia to parade in
Allentown in honor of General LaFayette.
By George T. Ettinger : Genealogical and Personal Memoirs
oi the Lehigh Valley, edited by John W. Jordan, LL. D., Edgar
M. Green, A. M., M. D., and George T. Ettinger, Ph. D., 1905.
Two volumes.
By John W. Jordan, LL.D., Librarian of the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania: Lafayette at Brandywine, published
by Chester County Historical Society, 1896. Pennsylvania Maga-
zine of History and Biography, January 1905, Vol. 29, No. i.
Portraits of Bishop Spangenberg, Robert Morris, William Henry
and John Hazel wood. Facsimile Franklin's German newspaper,
Philadelphia Zeitung, May 6, 1732. Several pamphlets and fac-
similes.
By Hon. M. C. L. Kline: The Congressional Record. Con-
gressional Directory, 59th Congress, 1906. Annual Report of
the Smithsonian Institution for the year ending June 30, 1904.
By Hon. James L. Marsteller: Pennsylvania at Gettys-
burg, 2 Vols., 1904.
By James J. Hauser: History of Lehigh County, by James
J. Hauser, First Edition, 1901, 94 pages. History of Lehigh
County, by James J. Hauser, Second Edition, 1902, 120 pages.
13
Gentleman's Magazine, London, England, one Vol., 1733. Doy-
lestown Democrat of Jan. 10, i860, containing part of the "His-
tory of the John Fries Rebellion," by W. H. H. Davis and Gov-
ernor Packer's message. Lehigh Valley Daily News of Nov. 13,
1873. Copies of the Emaus Weekly Star, Emaus Times, Emaus
Herald, National Educator, Allentown Morning Call and Spring-
town Times, containing articles on "Inscriptions of Emaus Mor-
avian Burying Ground," "Battle of Trenton," "Trip from Mertz-
town to Allentown," "Reminiscences of School Life," "The
Pennsylvania German," and "The Walking Purchase."
By Rev. J. D. Schindel, Executor of Estate of Jos. M. Eisen-
hart: Docket of George S. Eisenhart, Justice of the Peace in
Weisenburg Township, from 1827 to 1842. A- treatise on sur-
veying, by Robert Gibson, Philadelphia, 1803. Draft of a road
from Allentown to the Berks county line, surveyed by George
S. Eisenhart. A number of old surveys of land.
By Dr. W. H. ^Reed, Treasurer Montgomery County His-
torical Society: Lieut. Col. Jacob Reed, by W. H. Reed, Ph.
D., M. D., Norristown, 1905, 198 pages.
On motion of Rev. Cooper and Mr. Hauser, the Executive
Committee was instructed to procure a suitable place to store
the documents and archives of the society.
On motion of Messrs. Hauser and Miller a resolution was
adopted that a committee of three be appointed to collect mate-
rial for a complete history of the county by March, 191 2.
Mr. Alfred F. Berlin then read a paper on "A Bit of Lehigh
County Indian History," and Mr. Charles R. Roberts read a
paper entitled, "William Allen, the Founder of Allentown, and
his Descendants." Discussion followed and Rev. Cooper made
the suggestion that a movement be started looking toward the
purchase of the old Muhlenberg College building, "Trout Hall,"
by the society, restoring it to its original condition and mak-
ing it the permanent home of the society.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
MINUTES OF MAY MEETING, 1906.
A1.1.KNTOWN, Pa., May 12, 1906.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon in the rooms of the Allentown Oratorio
Society. The meeting was called to order by President Ettinger.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
On motion of Messrs. Miller and Hauser, the following nine-
teen persons were elected members of the society: Alex S.
Shimer, Ethan Allen Weaver, Germantown, Pa., Mrs. Abraham
Samuels, M. P. Schantz, Frank W. Koch, Ira T. Erdman, A.
J. Ziegler, Horatio B. Koch, Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D., E. A.
14
Soleliac, Dr. Howard S. Seip, Frank D. Bittner, Thos. J. Koch,
Dr. H. A. Fehr, E. M. Young, Peter W. Leisenring, Miss Eliza
beth W. Bowen, Miss Evelyn C. Weinsheimer and Jesse R.
Brown.
The Executive Committee reported having secured space
for the storage of documents in the vault at Muhlenberg College.
Shelf room for books will also be granted if desired.
The following donations were acknowledged and a vote of
thanks passed to the donors :
By John W. Jordan, L.L. D., Librarian Historical Society
of Pennsylvania: Baron Stiegel and Old Manheim, by A. F.
Hostetter. The Survival of the Mediaeval Art of Illuminative
Writing among. Pennsylvania Germans, by Henry C. Mercer.
Norriton Presbyterian church, by Rev. Charles Collins. Lec-
ture on the Life and Times of Conrad Weiser, by Morton L.
Montgomery. Letters of Dr. Benjamin Franklin and his son
William Franklin to William Strahan.
By Thos. K. Home: Lehigh County 'German Imprints of
1835, 1849 and 1857. Allentown and Lehigh County Direc-
tory, 1898.
By James J. Hauser: Pamphlet of German Hymns, with
German and Hebrew title. Leyden, 1780. North American
Review, Vols. 11 and 12, 1821 and 1822. Liberty and Free
Inquiry, by J. H. Harvey, London, 1845. Benjamin Franklin
and the University of Pennsylvania. Fifteen pamphlet pub-
lications of the United States Bureau of Education on the His-
tory of Education.
The President announced the appointment of Messrs. Jas.
J. Hauser, Chas. R. Roberts and Rev. S. E. Ochsenford, as the
committee of three to collect material for a complete history
of the county, by March, 191 2.
Mr. Alfred F. Berlin then read a paper on "Notes on the
Lenni Lenape or Delaware Tribe of Indians."
Mr. Charles R. Roberts read a paper entitled, "Sketches
of Some Settlers in Lehigh County prior to 1750."
Interesting discussion followed, after which the meeting
adjourned.
MINUTES OF AUGUST MEETING, 1906.
Egypt, Pa., August 17, 1906.
A special meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon at Egypt Church. On motion the read-
ing of the minutes was dispensed with.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
George R. Seifert, Philadelphia; George G. Blumer, Miss Emma
Deshler, and Rev. Jere. J. Schindel, Allentown; Thos. A. J.
Schadt, Cementon; Rev. Geo. P. Stem, Siegfried; Rev. F. J.
F. Schantz, Myerstown.
15
Announcement of the death at SaUsbury, England, of Frank
W. Koch, a member, was made.
A vote of thanks to the donors was passed for the following
donations :
By Ethan Allen Weaver, Secretary of the Pennsylvania
Society of Sons of the Revolution : Local Historical and Biograph-
ical Notes, collected by Ethan Allen Weaver, from files of news-
papers published in Easton, Pa., Germantown, Pa., 1906. (Only
30 copies issued, of which this is Number 8.)
By Wilson J. Hartzel, of Welt Bote Publishing Company:
Skizzenaus dem Lecha Thale, Allentown, 1886.
By Alfred F. Berlin: Haida Texts and Myths, 1905.
By A. P. Zellner and A. P. Bachman, Trustees: Plan of
the Old Allentown Cemetery, with each grave marked and dates
and names given.
By Thomas h. Montgomery, State Librarian: Report of
the State Librarian for 1904.
By Hon. M. C. L. Kline: Papers of Benjamin FrankUn.
The Secretary reported the following acquisitions:
BY EXCHANGE.
Chester County Historical Society: Bulletins of the Society,
1 899- 1 900, and 1 902- 1 903. Lafayette at Brandywine, 1895.
Lancaster County Historical Society: Papers read before
the Society, six numbers, January to June, 1906.
Library of Congress: A List of Works relating to the Ger-
mans in the United States, Washington, D. C, 1904. Papers
of James Monroe, 1904.
Pennsylvania Society of New York: Year Book, 1906.
Wyoming Historical and Geological Society: The Early
Grist Mills of Wyoming Valley, by Chas. Abbot Miner, Wilkes-
Barre, 1900. A Day at Asylum, by Rev. David Croft, D. D.,
1902.
Berks County Historical Society: Transactions of the His-
torical Society of Berks County, Vol. 2, No. i, Reading, 1906.
BY PURCHASE.
History of Northampton, Lehigh, Monroe, Carbon and Schuyl-
kill Counties, by I. Daniel Rupp, Harrisburg, 1845. Manners
of the German Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, written by Benj.
Rush, M. D., in 1789. Notes by I. D. Rupp, Philadelphia, 1875.
Forty bound volumes of Harpers Magazine, 1855 to 1880. Two
German Imprints of Lehigh County, Geistliche Harfe. North-
ampton, 1834, and Ein Fundament und Klare Anweisung, Allen-
town, 1849.
An order was directed to be drawn in favor of the Call Pub-
lishing Company for printing the first number of the publica-
tions of the society, to the amount of $32.00. Bills amount-
ing to $11.14 were ordered paid.
i6
The following papers were then read: History of the Luth-
eran Congregation of Egypt Church, by Rev. J. D. Schindel,
D. D. History of the Reformed Congregation of Egypt Church,
by Charles R. Roberts. The Hampton Furnace, by Henry A.
Schuler.
The meeting then adjourned.
After the meeting a number of members visited Kohler's
Mill and Fort Deshler.
Among those present at the meeting were the following:
Rev. Dr. F. J. F. Schantz, Dr. L. B. Balliet, Rev. Dr. C. J. Cooper,
Rev. Dr. J. D. Schindel, Rev. J. J. Schindel, Rev. and Mrs. J.
W. Mattern, Rev. Geo. P. Stem, Rev. Thos. H. Krick, Prof. Geo.
T. Ettinger, Chas. R. Roberts, Henry A. Schuler, Henry S.
Moyer, Miss Emma Deshler, Mrs. Sarah C. Springer, Miss Mary
Springer, P. Frank Brown, Mrs. J. F. Pollock, Thos. A. J. Schadt,
Henry A. Kline, W. L. Blackman and James J. Hauser.
CharIvEs R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF OCTOBER MEETING, 1906.
AivLENTowN, Pa., October 12, 1906.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held on Friday, October 12, 1906, at No. 37 South Seventh
Street.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Mr. Lewis L. Anewalt was elected to membership, and John
W. Jordan, LL. D., Librarian of the Historical Society of Penn-
sylvania, Luther R. Kelker, Custodian of the Public Records,
Harrisburg, Pa., and Benjamin F. Trexler, of Allentown, Pa.,
were elected honorary members.
Announcement was made of the death of two members,
Mr. Alexander S. Shimer and Mr. Henry A. Kline.
A vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the following
articles: A picture of the old Deshler Mill on the Little Lehigh,
by E. F. Kunkle. Memories of Rev. Joshua Yeager, by Rev.
A. R. Home, D. D., presented by his son, Thos. K. Home. A
number of volumes of educational reports, presented by James
J. Hauser.
On motion,, it was resolved that the Secretary procure a
full set of the Pennsylvania German Magazine, from July, 1900,
to October, 1905, 22 numbers.
Rev. Dr. F. J. F. Schantz then read a very interesting paper
entitled, "Allentown and its Vicinity about Sixty Years Ago,"
which was listened to by the largest attended meeting the society
has yet had. The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
17
MINUTES OF SECOND ANNUAL MEETING,
Ali^Entown, Pa., January 12, 1907.
The second annual meeting of the Lehigh County Histor-
ical Society was held this afternoon at No. 37 South Seventh
Street. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society: R.
S. Brown, Geo. H. Berkemeyer, Eugene T. Quinn, L. J. H. Gros-
sart, Reuben J. Butz, Dr. F. J. Slough, Miss Katie Faust, Macun-
gie, Harvey Walbert, Trexlertown, F. M. Berkemeyer and Rev.
J. A. Scheffer. Hon. H. S. Funk, of Springtown, Pa., was elected
an honorary member.
On motion the Executive Committee was empowered to
receive names and to enroll them as members before the next
meeting. The election of officers followed. George T. Ettinger
was nominated for President, David McKenna for Vice-Pres-
ident, Chas. R. Roberts for Secretary and Leo Wise for Treas-
urer. All were then elected. The election of five members of
the Executive Committee resulted as follows: Hon. F. M. Trex-
ler. Rev. S. E. Ochsenford, D. D. and Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D.,
for two years; and O. P. Knauss and David A. Miller for one year.
A communication was read from the Historical Society of
Schuylkill County, relative to the marking of the sites of old
forts. A motion was agreed to that this society endorse the
action of the Schuylkill County Society. Dr. John W. Jordan
was then called upon to explain the aims and objects of the
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies.
The Committee on History made tjie following recommen-
dation: "That efforts be made to secure competent persons for
each township to work up the historical material of such town-
ship, to be presented in the shape of papers, which are to be the
property of the society. The general plan of a history of the
county to be followed is: A history of the county in its relation
to the state, topically arranged, as the Editorial Committee shall
in its judgment decide, to be followed by the history of Allen-
town and the several townships."
Charles R. Roberts,
Rev. S. E. Ochsenford,
James J. Hauser,
Geo. T. Ettinger,
December i, 1906. Committee on History.
Messrs. Berlin and Ochsenford moved to discharge the com-
mittee and refer the appointment of the Editorial Committee to
the Executive Committee. Adopted.
On motion of Rev. Scheffer the motion to discharge was
reconsidered.
A motion was then adopted to refer the appointment of the
Editorial Committee to the Executive Committee.
i8
The Secretary's report was then read and directed to be
spread on the minutes.
Secretary's Report,
receipts.
Dues from 67 members, $2.00 each $ 134 00
Two Vols, of publications sold i 00
Total $ 135 00
EXPENDITURES.
Paid as previously reported $ 25 53
H. H. Knerr, printing 8 35
Call Publishing Company, printing 32 00
Books purchased 5 75
Stamped wrappers 2 14
Janitor's services i 00
Fee, Federation of Historical Societies, 1906 i 00
H. H. Knerr, printing i 25
Total $ 77 02
Balance on hand $ 57 98
A vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the following
books and articles:
Benj. F. Trexler: A View of Bethlehem in 1757.
Dr. John W. Jordan: A large number of pamphlets.
Pennsylvania State Library: Fifth Series of Pennsylvania
Archives.
Thos. K. Home: An Imprint of 1829.
James J. Hauser: U. S. Geological Survey Reports, 1902,
1903 and 1905. Allentown Directory, 1902.
The following papers were then read: "Some Indian His-
tory of the Lehigh Valley," by John W. Jordan, LL.D. "Revo-
lutionary Patriots of Allentown and Vicinity," by Chas. R.
Roberts.
A vote of thanks was passed to the readers of the above
papers. The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF MAY MEETING, 1907.
Allentown, Pa., May ii, 1907.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon at No. 37 South Seventh Street.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
Claude T. Reno, George F. Knerr, Chas. O. Hunsicker, Henry
E. Peters, Martin Klingler, Hon. Harry G. Stiles, Oliver A. lobst,
19
and R. W. lobst, of Emaus. On motion of Messrs. Hauser and
Ochsenford, Mr. Howard W. Kriebel, of East Greenville, was
elected an honorary member.
Announcement was made of the death of two members,
Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., and Mrs. Matilda G. Iredell.
The following donations were acknowledged and a vote of
thanks passed to the donors: A View of AUentown in 1853,
and a Map of AUentown in 1850, by Rogerson, by Mr. V. E.
Erdley. Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Society of New York,
of the Tioga County Historical Society, and six volumes of the
Schuylkill County Historical Society publications;
The report of the Committee on Outline for Township His-
tories was adopted.
On motion of Messrs. Hauser and Schuler, the question of
holding a summer meeting was left to the Executive Committee.
The President announced the appointment of a Committee
on Collecting Historical Material. Messrs. Wm. L. Hartman,
P. W. Flores, J. J. Hauser, A. F. Berlin, Rev. J. D. Schindel,
E. H. Reninger, and Rev. Thomas H. Krick.
Mr. Wm. L. Hartman then read a paper on "The Mayors
of AUentown," and Mr. Chas. R. Roberts spoke on the organi-
zation and early settlement of Whitehall township. The meet-
ing then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF AUGUST MEETING, 1907.
Emaus, Pa., August 10, 1907.
A special meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon in the Moravian chapel at Emaus.
The society was welcomed by Mr. Robert Stansfield and
President Ettmger responded.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
Miss Minnie F. Mickley, Ralph R. Metzger, Mrs. H. M. Chance,
Miss C. Rosa Troxell, James A. Miller, A. R. Weaver, Rev. Simon
Sipple, Alfred G. Saeger, Mrs. Alfred G. Saeger, Henry L. School,
and Mrs. Joseph P. Mickley.
The following donations were acknowledged and the donors
given a vote of thanks:
From Pennsylvania State Library : History of the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, History of the Seventh Penn-
sylvania Veteran Volunteer Cavalry and Report of the State
Librarian for 1905.
From Miss Minnie F. Mickley: Genealogy of the Mickley
Family, 1893. Washington's Farewell Address, in German, Har-
risburg, 1836.
20
From John W. Jordan, LL. D. : Report of the Valley Forge
Park Commission, 1906.
From R. W. lobst: Municipal Book of Emaus, 1906.
From James J. Hauser: Report of the Adjutant General of
Pennsylvania, 1863. Pennsylvania Agricultural Department
Reports, 1870 and 1871.
A vote of thanks was passed to Leo Wise, Esq., Treasurer,
for his services in securing a charter for the society and to the
Daily City Item, Morning Call; Democrat and Law Journal for
printing the application for a charter without charge.
A paper was read by Chas. R. Roberts containing sketches
of early settlers in Emaus and vicinity, and Rev. Allen F. Abel
read an interesting history of the Moravian congregation at Emaus.
The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary
MINUTES OF OCTOBER MEETING, 1907.
AllEntown, Pa., October 19, 1907.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon at No. 37 South Seventh Street.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
Dr. Edgar Dubbs Shimer, of Jamaica, N. Y. , Hon. C. D. Schaeffer,
Mrs. Alexander S. Shimer, Rev. H. H. Romig, Hon. W. N. Decker,
of Macungie, Mrs. Harvey G. Harlacher and Prof. John I. Romig.
The Secretary reported the receipt of the charter of the
society and also the award by the Executive Committee of the
contract for printing the proceedings of the society to Berkemeyer,
Keck & Company.
Donations were acknowledged as follows:
By Frank R. Wolle: Rural Free Delivery Directory of
Lehigh County.
By the Lancaster County Historical Society: Vol. 11, No.
7, of Proceedings of the society.
On motion the Executive Committee were given authority
to make all arrangements for a larger meeting of the society in
January.
On motion of Messrs. Hauser and Hartman, the society
decided to subscribe for the Pennsylvania German Magazine from
the last number purchased to the present time.
Mr. A. F. Berlin being unable to be present, a comprehen-
sive paper written by him on "The Indians of Lehigh County
and their Implements," was read by Mr. P. W. Leisenring. A
vote of thanks to Mr. Berlin and Mr. Leisenring was then passed.
The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
Reproduction of Portrait of Wm. Allen from original in Independence Hall, Philadelphia.
Pa. and facsimile of signature.
22
William Allen, the Founder of Allentown,
and His Descendants.
By Charles Rhoads Roberts.
Secretary Lehigh County Historical Society; Member of Pennsylvama
German Society; Pennsylvania Society oj Sons of the Revolution;
Bucks County Historical Society.
William Allen, the founder of Allentown, was born in
Philadelphia, August 5, 1704. He was the son of WiUiam Allen,
a merchant of Philadelphia, who died in Philadelphia, August
30, 1725, aged 55 years, and who was a native of Ireland, as
he mentions in his will his sister, Catharine Cally, living at Dun-
gannon, Ireland, and his uncle, William Craige, of the same
place. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was John
Allen, of Dungannon, Ireland, who was married to a sister of
William Craige, and who fled from Stirlingshire, Scotland, to
escape the persecution of the Presbyterians by James I, of Scot-
land. William Allen, the elder, married about 1700, Mary, daugh-
ter of Thomas and Susanna Budd, a sister of Rose Budd, whose
daughter, Sarah Plumley, married Edward Shippen, of Lan-
caster. Mrs. Allen was born in Burlington, April 7, 1679, and
died in Philadelphia, April 20, 1760.
Wilham Allen, the elder's will, dated July 3, 1725, and pro-
bated September 13, 1725, mentions only two children, although
he had three other sons, John, Thomas and James. The eldest
surviving son, John, died, it seems, soon after his father and
without issue, his mother not mentioning him in her will, but
leaving everything to her son William except a few legacies to
collateral relations.
William Allen was baptized August 17, 1704, in the First
Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He was married in Christ
Church, February 16, 1733 (old style), to Margaret Hamilton,
daughter of Andrew Hamilton, Provincial Councillor and Lieu
tenant Governor under William Penn, and sister of James Ham
ilton, also Lieutenant Governor. Mrs. Allen was born in 1709
and died in Philadelphia, May 13, 1760.
The positions which William Allen obtained at a time when
lawyers had become numerous in the colony should only have
been given to men of legal education. That he received this,
23
has been conjectured from the direction in his father's will that
five hundred pounds sterling be remitted to him in London for
his expenses there. He was then twenty-one, perhaps study-
ing law at the Temple. Judge Huston in his work on Land
Titles, speaking of Penn's mortgage of the Province to Gould-
ney for ^6600, of which a deed of April 30, 1724, recites that
one-fourth then remained unpaid, tells on page 231, "I have
heard more than once, many years ago, that William Allen, a
distinguished barrister in London and afterwards Chief Justice
of Pennsylvania, had furnished money which finally paid off
this mortgage, and the books of the Land office show many grants
of large tracts of land to him between the years 1733 and 1740."
Allen never practised law for any length of time, but returning
to America before September 21, 1726, the date of the merchants'"
and chief citizens' agreement to take the monev of the Lower
counties at their face value, to which his signature appears; he
engaged in trade.
On October 3, 1727, he was elected a Common Councilman
of Philadelphia, but whether then in the city or not, did
not attend until May 16, 1728, the third meeting afterward.
In 1 73 1, he became a member of the Assembly, serving until
1739. In 1732 he was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. In October, 1735^
he was chosen Mayor of Philadelphia, and at the end of his, term,
the Hall of Assembly, just finished, was opened with the col-
lation customary from an outgoing Mayor.
The Pennsylvania Gazette of September 30, 1736, says:
"Thursday last, WiUiam Allen, Esq., Mayor of this city for the
year past, made a Feast for his citizens at the State house, to
which all the Strangers in town of note were also invited. Those
who are Judges of such things say that considering the Delicacy
of the Viands, and the Excellency of the Wines, the great Num-
ber of Guests, and yet the Easiness and Order with which the
whole was conducted, it was the most grand and the most ele-
gant entertainment that has been made in these Parts of America."
With Andrew Hamilton, he purchased the ground where
the old state house is located, and held it until the province was
able to reimburse him. The state house having been erected
at the charge of the province, but the estate and inheritance
in the land yet remaining in Hamilton and Allen, by Act of the
General Assembly, passed February 20, 1735, they were required
to convey to John Kinsey, of Philadelphia, Joseph Kirkbridge,
Jr., of Bucks county, Caleb Cow^pland, of Chester county, and
Thomas Edwards, of Lancaster county, as Trustees of the Free-
men of the Province, their estate in the land.
In business, Allen was the partner of Joseph Turner, the
Councillor, and the profits from commercial enterprise, with the
money which Allen and his wife inherited and the advance in
24
value of land in which he had invested, made him at the death
of his father-in-law, one of the rich men, and in after years, not-
withstanding his charities, perhaps the richest man in Pennsyl-
vania. He left the Assembly in 1739, thinking with Hamilton,
that no important questions were likely soon to present them-
selves.
Allen often acted as Judge of the Orphans' Court and Com-
mon Pleas, and continued in the important judicial office of
Recorder of the city until October 2, 1750, when having been
appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the province,
he resigned the Recordership as incompatible with his new
duties. He was the only Chief Justice before the Revolution
who was a native of Pennsylvania. For nearly a quarter of a
century he presided over the Court says Edward F. DeLancey,
in his sketch (Penna. Mag. Vol. i, p. 202), "with a dignity,
learning and impartiality and intellectual force, equalled by few
and exceeded by none of those great jurists, who have ever
adorned the ermine of Pennsylvania and made immortal the
renown of her supreme judiciary. In the Supreme Court
Chamber is now preserved with care, the very bench upon which
he sat, when before him pleaded the gifted fathers of that illus-
trious bar."
At the same time he continued in business and from 1756
until the Revolution was a representative from Cumberland
county in the Assembly. His city residence was on King (now
Water) street, adjoining his wharf and stores, the property being
about seventy-six feet in breadth and his stables and coach
house being across the street and on the east side of Front. About
1750, he established his country seat at "Mt. Airy," a mansion
with forty- seven acres beyond Germantown, since owned by the
late James Gowen.
Keith's "Provincial Councillors of Pennsylvania," from which
we quote largely, says, "In 1765, being owner of 3370 acres in
Northampton county, he laid out the town of Northampton,
afterward called Allentown."
The date here is an error, as the town was laid out in 1762.
In proof of this, herewith is exhibited a photographic copy of
the original plan of Allentown, from the original in the posses-
sion of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, to which it was
presented by Brinton Coxe, Esq., September 13, 1886. . The plan
bears the following inscription, "Northampton Town. Surveyed
by Order of William Allen, Esq., 1762."
The lands in Lehigh county of which William Allen became
the owner were part of a tract of five thousand acres granted
to Thomas Penn by warrant dated May 18, 1732, assigned the
same day to Joseph Turner, and sold by Turner, September
io» i735> to Allen. Portions of this tract were surveyed from
time to time, ranging in date from October 9, 1735, to October
25
28, I740- The tract which included Allentown was originally
surveyed for Joseph Turner, November 23, 1736.
That William Allen had already in 1753 built a log house
on his land is proven by the draft of a road surveyed in that
year, by David Schultze, from Kaston to Reading, on which
"Allen's House," is mentioned. Here Judge Allen frequently
came for recreation and sport, bringing with him relatives and
friends from Philadelphia, among them John Penn and James
Hamilton. This log building stood nearer the Jordan than the
later building, about where Jordan street now is, facing Union
street. Its foundations were still in existence when Jordan street
was opened, about 1845, and were then removed. From the
diary of James Allen it appears that the second building was
not built until 1770. This was a two-story stone house, about
forty-five feet square, its rooms wainscoted with walnut, with
a park on the north side, and a beautiful lawn on the south
side. A stone wall extended along Walnut street from Fifth
to Jordan street. In later years, when the residence of Walter
C. Livingston, it was called the "Livingston Mansion."
Although a politician often leading a faction greedy for
office, Allen was throughout life a man of large public spirit,
thinking of the needs of the colony, giving his influence, his
time and his pecuniary aid for its advancement. He was a large
contributor to the Pennsylvania Hospital, to the College of which
he was one of the original trustees, and to the expedition in search
of the North West Passage.
Governor Thomas, writing to the Bishop of Exeter, on the
23rd of April, 1748, relative to some funds the Bishop had raised
to aid the German Palatines, says, "If I might be permitted
to advise, the money raised for this purpose should be lodged
in a safe hand in London, subject to the draft of Mr. Wm. Allen,
a considerable merchant, and a very worthy honest gentleman
of Philadelphia, that he might see it regularly apply'd to the
uses intended."
Allen also assisted Benjamin West, the painter, in his early
struggles. There is still preserved, among the Chief Justice's
descendants in England, a splendid picture by West, of a fam-
ily fete in the grounds of Governor John Penn's magnificent
seat of "Lansdowne," upon the Schuylkill, which contains por-
traits of the Governor and his wife, Ann, the eldest daughter
of Allen, of all the Allen family, and of West himself. The latter
was present on the occasion, and the beautiful, joyous scene so
impressed him, that he painted the picture to preserve its remem-
brance, and presented it to the Governor, saying as he did so,
"that he had never executed a better painting." These facts
were told Mr. E. F. DeLancey by Mr. John Penn Allen, the
Governor's nephew, one of the twin sons of Andrew Allen, when
showing him the picture at his home in London in 1867.
26
Besides the money for the Gouldney mortgage and the pur-
chase of the State House grounds, Allen advanced on one occa-
sion a good part of the tax payable by the Proprietaries under
a bill proposed for raising revenue, there being a deadlock between
the Lieut. Governor and the Assembly, the former pressing for
money for military uses and not feeling free to consent to a law
which taxed the Proprietary estates, and the Assembly refusing
to vote the means of defence unless the taxation were agreed to.
The gentlemen of Philadelphia made up the sum which it was
estimated would have been due from the Proprietaries and the
Assembly passed the necessary money bills.
Samuel Foulke, in his Diary, tells us that when Sir Wiiiiam
Johnson's conduct in connection with the Indian treaty of 1762
was criticised in the Assembly, "Ye Judge bellowed forth such
a torrent of obstreperous jargon as might have been heard in a
still morning to ye Jersey shore in vindication of Sir William's
conduct, in which combat he was extremely chafed, and his
lungs so exhausted that he left the house and appeared no more
this year."
Coat-of-Arms and Crest of Allen Family.
Nevertheless in the Assembly and in the City corporation,
Allen was active not merely in carrying out the views of a party,
but in promoting objects of general utility; and as Chief Jus-
tice, Mr. DeLancey tells us, he gave his services gratuituously,
receiving his salary (£120 yearly) only to appropriate it to char-
ities.
During his visit to England in 1763, he achieved a victory
for all the American colonies in regard to the bill in Parliament
for taxing them. A letter from London to the Pennsylvania
Gazette, dated March 24, 1764, says, "The 15th Resolution relat-
ing to the Stamp Duty, will certainly pass next session, unless
the Americans offer a more certain duty. Had not William Allen,
Esq., been here and indefatigable in opposing it, and happily
having made acquaintance with the first Personages in the King-
dom and the greatest part of the House of Commons, it would
inevitably have passed this Session."
27
With other prominent citizens and followed by his three
eldest sons, Allen joined the American Philosophical Associa-
tion soon after its resuscitation.
He was a great friend of Benjamin West, but a strong hater
of Benjamin Franklin, and after the latter attained celebrity,
spoke of him as "that Goliath." He charged him with playing
double on the stamp act while in England. It was natural anti-
pathy; Allen belonged to the wealthy, office holding cotorie,
whom Franklin had supplanted in public favor; Allen in time
became the father-in-law of Penn; Franklin the leader of the
populace; Allen was a merchant prince inclined to nepotism
and exclusive; Franklin was a satirist and a leveller. In the
contention preceding the Revolutionary War, Allen, his family,
and his friends sided with the Colonies; and, in October, 1775,
he went so far as to donate a quantity of cannon shot to the
Council of Safety, which body "returned thanks for his generous
donation;" but he was anxious to maintain union with Great
Britain, and labored as a member of the Assembly for that end.
In 1774 he published a pamphlet of seventy- two pages in
London, England. A copy of this very rare pamphlet is in the
Congressional Library, and the title-page reads as follows: "The
American Crisis: A Letter, addressed by permission to the Earl
Gower, Lord President of the Council, etc., etc., on the present
alarming Disturbances in the Colonies Wherein various impor-
tant Points, relative to Plantation Affairs are brought into Dis-
cussion; as well as several Persons adverted to of the most dis-
tinguished characters, and an Idea is offered towards a complete
Plan for restoring the Dependence of America upon Great Brit-
ain to a state of Perfection. By Wilham Allen, Esq., London:
Printed for T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1774."
In 1897 Mr. L. Burd Walker published copies of and extracts
from letters of Allen taken from his letter book which contains
copies of 187 letters from 1753 to 1770. This book fell into the
hands of Edward Shippen, later became the property of Edward
Burd, from whom it descended to Mr. Walker. We quote fur-
ther on from this book, and only mention now two entries, one,
on December 3, 1761, when he writes that he had "returned
from the Back Country where I had been trying some criminals,"
and the other on June 29, 1762, when he says, "At Easton at
an Indian treaty, and have a smart fit of gout."
He resigned the Chief Justiceship in 1774. He was in his
seat in the Assembly in the month of June, 1776, when, Ban-
croft says, "John Dickinson promised him before the house that
notwithstanding the recall of the instructions to that effect, he
and his colleagues in Congress would continue to vote against
Independence." After the fourth of July, Allen seems to have
kept quiet, and he may have been out of town when "disaffec-
tion" was taken note of by the new government.
28
E. F. DeLancey says that not long before his death he went
to England. He may have gone abroad in 1776, and returned
during the British occupation of Philadelphia. He was in the
city on October 10, 1778, when a pass was granted to his daugh-
ter Mrs. DeLancey to visit him there with her small children.
His will was dated April 26, 1769, and witnessed by Edward
Shippen, Jr., the Councillor, and Townsend White and Nathan-
iel Allen. In view of the death of his sons, John and James,
and in order to protect his property from the operation of the
attainder of his other sons, he executed in the presence of Town-
send White, John White and Blair McClenachen a codicil bear-
ing date December i, 1779, in which he devised John's, James'
and Andrew's shares to their respective children, and William's
share to James Hamilton absolutely. He moreover freed all his
slaves.
In the early part of 1780, the American army needing horses,
those of the "disaffected" were seized first and Allen lost four.
On June 8 following, "for divers good causes and considerations,"
he deeded to Edward Shippen, Jr., and Tench Coxe, all his mes-
suages and lots within the city square bounded by Arch, Sassa-
fras, Second and Third streets, reserving to himself an estate
for life.
It is frequently stated that Chief Justice Allen died in Eng-
land, but recently facts have come to light which prove that
he died at his country seat at Mt. Airy. This is proven by a note
occurring in the "History of Bethlehem," by Bishop J. M. Lev-
ering (1903), which quotes the following extract from a letter
written by Rev. Daniel Sydrich, the Moravian pastor in Phila-
delphia, to Bishop Nathaniel Seidel, of Bethlehem, September
12, 1780: "Wednesday, the 6th inst., good old William Allen
departed this life quite unexpectedly at his country seat Airy
Hill (Mt. Airy) and his body was buried here the next day."
From the accounts of David Evans, cabinetmaker, of Phil-
adelphia, from 1774 to 181 1, we find under date of September
7, 1780, "Est. Wm. Allen, Late Chief Justice, making his coffin
of mahogany with plate, horse hire and attendance on the corpse
from Mount Airy, ^^13."
He died on September 6, 1780 (Tilghman's Estate, 5 Wh.
44). On the loth Jasper Yeates, writing from Lancaster to
Col. Burd, says, "By a letter received from Mr. Parr in Phila-
delphia we have advice that old Mr. Allen is gone to his long
home. Poor gentleman. He is at length happily removed from
all his troubles."
On the 1 6th of the month his will and codicil were proved
in Philadelphia by the oaths of all the witnesses except Nathan-
iel Allen, who was deceased.
William Allen had four sons and two daughters who grew
to maturity:
29
John Allen, born about March, 1739.
Andrew Allen, born about June, 1740.
James Allen, born about 1742.
Anne Allen, who married John Penn.
William Allen, born about 1751.
Margaret Allen, who married James DeLancey.
John Allen, the eldest son, was a student at the College
of Philadelphia, which he entered May 25, 1755; began the study
of law under Tench Francis at Philadelphia, but finished at the
Temple, in London. He was elected a Common Councilman of
Philadelphia at the beginning of the Revolution; was a mem-
ber of the Committee of Inspection and Observation for the
city and Liberties; and was a delegate to the Provincial Con-
vention of New Jersey in 1776, but was opposed to Independ-
ence. In December, 1776, he put himself under the protection
of the British army under Gen. Howe. The act of confiscation
of 1778 required him to surrender himself for trial for high treason
before the 20th of April following. His death February 23,
1778, before the act was passed, saved his estates. He was
married in New York, April 6, 1775, to Mary, daughter of David
Johnston, of New York. His children were William and John,
twins, born in 1776. John Allen lived near Red Hook, N. Y.,
and died in 1809. The elder, William, died in 1850. He married
a Miss Verplanck, and lived at Fishkill Point, Hyde Park, N. Y.
Hon. Francis A. Channing, M. P., of 40 Eaton Place, London,
England, is his grandson.
Andrew Allen, the second son, was born in June, 1740. He
was educated at the College of Philadelphia, since become the
University of Pennsylvania, which he entered May 25, 1755,
and from which he graduated in 1759 with his brother James,
William Paca, of Maryland, afterwards a Signer of the Declar-
ation of Independence, Samuel Powel, afterward Mayor of Phil-
adelphia, and some six others, the second class which proceeded
from the institution. He then studied law under the direction
of Benjamin Chew, at the time Attorney General, and about
July, 1 76 1, went abroad to finish his education at the Temple.
Returning home almost exceptionally well educated, Andrew
at once took the position in the community placed at his hand
by the social and political influence of his father. He was ad-
mitted to practice in the Supreme Court, April 20, 1765. The
corporation of Philadelphia chose him as a Common Council-
man in October, 1768. On the resignation of Mr. Chew, he was
appointed Attorney General of the Province and held that office
until the Revolution, about seven years. He was invited to a
seat in the Provincial Council by his brother-in-law, John Penn,
qualifying December 24, 1770.
In May, 1774, he was sent by the Council with James Tilgh-
30
man to Virginia to induce the Governor of that colony to unite
in a petition to the King for a settlement of the boundaries.
He was appointed Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia, June 25,
1774, serving until 1776.
About this time, the dispute with Great Britain on the sub-
ject of taxing the colonies became the all absorbing topic, and
Allen was in unison with the popular feeling to prepare for resist-
ance.
He was one of the founders of First Troop, Philadelphia
City Cavalry. On November 2, 1774, some twenty-eight citi-
zens, who, it is said, had often met for fox hunting, formed them-
selves into this company of Light Horse. They were all men
of substantial means, who had something at stake in the fate
of their country, and who needed not pay to keep them in the
field. Some of them were representatives of the elite, and others
afterwards attained such prominence in public affairs as shed
lustre on the organization; but at that time Andrew Allen was
the most distinguished man among them.
The officers first chosen were: Captain, Abraham Markoe,
(formerly of the Danish Island of St. Croix); ist Lieutenant,
Andrew Allen; 2nd Lieutenant, Samuel Morris (previously Sheriff
of Philadelphia county) ; Cornet, James Mease, etc. The com-
pany after serving at its own expense throughout the war which
ensued has since maintained perpetual succession and is now
commonly known as the ist City Troop.
Allen may be presumed to have favored the compromise
suggested early in 1775 by the British House of Commons; viz.,
any colony to vote a proper supply and in consideration to be
excepted from each act of Parliament taxing America; for he
was present at the meeting of the Provincial Council which com-
mended it to the favor of the Assembly. This compromise was
not accepted; being addressed to the colonies separately, instead
of through Congress, it asked them to desert each other. It
was, probably, however, Allen's influence as much as John Penn's
incapacity and love of quiet which kept the Penn government
from taking a forcible stand against the Whigs.
Allen was one of the Committee of Safety appointed by
the Assembly, June 30, 1775, for the defence of the Province;
and he was appointed one of the delegates to the Continental
Congress. When, however, after active service on the Committee
and in Congress, he saw that the latter body was only making
ready to declare Independence, he withdrew from the cause.
He resigned from the Troop in April, 1776, and after June 14,
1776, no longer attended the meetings of Congress, although
had he been present on the ist and 2nd of July, he could have
prevented the vote of Pennsylvania being given for Independ-
ence. His last public office was burgess from Philadelphia to
the Assembly, which he was chosen in May, 1776, running as
31
a Moderate, or one in favor of reconciliation with England.
There were four to be chosen, and the vote stood: Samuel
Howell, 941, Andrew Allen, 923, George Clymer, 923, Alexander
Wilcocks, 921, Thomas Willing, 911, Frederick Kuhl, 904, Owen
Biddle, 903, Daniel Roberdeau, 890, Clymer was the only one
elected of those wished for by the advanced Whigs,
These figures show how evenly divided was the populace
on the question of Independence. Its advocates, some of the
voters having gone to the war, could not get a majority over
a good conservative ticket, although Galloway's statement that
not one-fifth of the people desired Independence is evidently
wrong as to Philadelphia at least.
Christopher Marshall says in his diary: "I think it may
be said with propriety that the Quakers, Papists, Church, Allen
family, with all the Proprietary party, were never so happily
united as at this election, notwithstanding the Friends' former
protestation and declaration of never joining with that party
since the club or knock down election of 1742. Oh! tell it not
in Gath, or publish it in the streets of Askalon, how the testi-
mony is trampled upon!"
After the Declaration of Independence, Allen attached him-
self to the British army and was with it at its entry into Phil-
adelphia. In March, 1778, the Pennsylvania Assembly passed
an Act of Attainder against him, in consequence of which much
of his property was sold. The treaty of Peace prohibited any
future confiscations, and provided that any persons could come
to the United States and remain twelve months unmolested in
their endeavors to obtain restitution. Allen went to England
about the close of the War, but visited Pennsylvania in 1792
and remained a few years. The treaty of 1794 with Great Brit-
ain provided that British subjects holding land in America, or
American citizens holding land in England should with their
heirs and assigns hold and dispose of the same as if natives,
and that the United States make restitution for losses occa-
sioned by the non-payment of debts to British subjects con-
tracted before the Peace, to be ascertained by commissioners
to be appointed. He endeavored without success to collect the
money paid to the state on his land contracts. He seems to
have resided afterwards with his daughter, Mrs. Hammond.
He died (Gent. Mag.), March 7, 1825, in Montagu street,
Portman Square, London, aged 85. He married, April 24, 1768,
Sarah, eldest daughter of William Coxe, alderman of Philadel-
phia, by his wife, Mary, daughter of Tench Francis, Esq., Attor-
ney General of Pennsylvania. William Coxe was a son of Col.
Daniel Coxe, Chief Justice of New Jersey.
Mrs. Allen was called "the beautiful Sally Coxe," in Phil-
adelphia. Their children were:
Andrew, founder of the Anchor Club, in Philadelphia. Brit-
32
ish Consul in Boston. Died without issue at Clifton, near Bris-
tol, England, December 3, 1850. He married Maria, daughter
of Charles Coxe, of Sydney.
Ann, who died unmarried.
Elizabeth, who died unmarried.
Margaret, who married May 20, 1793, i^ Philadelphia, George
Hammond, the first British Minister to the United States. He
was for some time Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
He died in Portland Place, London, April 23, 1853, aged 90.
Mrs. Hammond died December 8, 1838.
Maria, who died unmarried.
John Penn, born October 25, 1785. M. A. (Univ. Oxon.),.
died unmarried.
Thomas Dawson, born October 25, 1785. M. A. (Univ.
Oxon.). Rector of North Cerney, Gloucester. Died without
issue. Married August 26, 1840, Jane, widow of Rev. E. C.
Henry, and daughter of E. H. Mortimer.
Anne Allen, daughter of William Allen, married May 31,
1766, John Penn, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, son of
Richard and grandson of William Penn. He was born in Phil-
adelphia in 1728, from which circumstance he was called the
"American Penn." He was Governor of the Province from 1763.
to 1 771, and also from 1773 to the end of the Proprietary govern-
ment in 1776. He continued in the country during the Revo-
lution, and, in 1777, having refused to sign a parole, he was
confined by the Whigs at Fredericksburg, Va. Governor Penn
died at the country seat of Andrew Allen, in Berks county^
February 9, 1795.
William Allen, fourth son of William Allen, was born about
1 75 1. He became a Lieutenant Colonel of a Pennsylvania regi-
ment, January 4, 1776, and at the breaking out of the Revolu-
tionary War served under St. Clair, but after the Declaration
of Independence resigned his commission and joined the British.
In 1778 he raised a company called the Pennsylvania Loyalists,
and with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel was the commanding
officer. Sabine's "American Loyalists" says: "From the
influence of his family and from his personal standing, he expected
to make rapid enlistments, but was disappointed. At the Siege
of Pensacola, where one of the men who attempted to desert
received the crudest punishment, a shell was thrown into the
door of the magazine as the men were receiving powder, and
forty-five of this regiment were killed and a number wounded.
In 1782, and near the close of the contest, though still in ser-
vice, the Pennsylvania Loyalists were of but little consequence
in point of numbers." He was very witty, affable, and of remark-
ably fine manners, and as much a favorite with his officers and
33
men as he was in society. It was of him, and not of his father,
the Chief Justice, after whom he was named, of whom it was
said, when he resigned his command under Congress to that
body, that he did so, "not because he was totally unfit for it,
but because the Continental Congress presumed to declare the
American states free and independent, without first asking the
consent and obtaining the approbation of himself and wise fam-
ily." He was included in the Act of Confiscation of March,
1778, and after the war lived in England. He died unmarried,
in London, July 2, 1838, aged 87 years.
Margaret Allen, daughter of William Allen, died at Tun-
bridge Wells, England, October 18, 1827. She married at Shrews-
bury, N. J., August 19, 1 77 1, James DeLancey. He was born
in 1732; graduated at Cambridge, England; was aide de camp
to General Abercrombie at Ticonderoga; and represented New
York city in the Colonial Assembly. He died at Bath, England,
April 8, 1800. He was the leader of the Conservative or " DeLan-
cey Party" in the Province down to the end of British rule.
He was the eldest son of James DeLancey, Chief Justice and
Governor of New York, and his wife Anne, daughter of Colonel
Heathcote, of New York.
James Allen, the third son of William Allen, and the one
in whom we as residents of Allentown are most interested, was
born about 1742. He entered the College of Philadelphia with
his brother Andrew, May 25, 1755; graduated in 1759; studied
law with Shippen, the Provincial Councillor; and in July, 1761,
went to London, England, to complete his law studies at the
Temple, where he remained until 1765. In his letter book, his
father writes under date of July 20, 1761, to his agent in London
that Andrew and James have gone to London to the Temple
to study law ; and that their expenses are not to exceed ^200 a
year, and adds that "they are honest lads and of more vivacity
and higher spirits then John, and particularly Andrew, whose
temper is rather too quick, of which I have frequently cautioned
him." On September 26, 1764, he writes, "My sons' expenses
much exceed anything I could have imagined."
It was a son of William Allen, and probably James, who
accompanied Benjamin West, a protege of his father's, to Italy
in 1760, in one of Judge Allen's vessels. They landed at Leg-
horn, and thence went to Rome..
James was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court, Sep-
tember 26, 1765; was elected a Common Councilman of Phila-
delphia on October 6, 1767, and in May, 1776, was sent to the
Assembly from Northampton county, where he served with abil-
ity and courage. After the house adjourned he returned to his
country seat in that county, where he lived in retirement a non-
35
combatant. In 1768 he became a member of the American
Philosophical Society.
In November, 1776, shortly before the fall of Fort Wash-
ington, he visited the American camp on Harlaem Heights, and
was received and lodged at his headquarters by General Wash-
ington with great politeness.
On January 5, 1767, William Allen deeded to his son James
Allen, land amounting to 3,338 acres (embracing the present
City of Allentown and its environs) . The witnesses to the deed
were Alexander Stuart and Wm. Allen, Jr., and it was acknowl-
edged June 13, 1767, before George Taylor, one of, the Justices
of the Peace for Northampton county, and afterwards a signer
of the Declaration of Independence. This deed included the
town of Northampton, ''save and except certain Lotts of Ground
situate in the Town of Northampton within the said tract which
have heretofore been granted by the said William Allen to divers
persons on ground rent forever." These lots were granted by
William Allen on June i, 1765, for a yearly-quit rent of nine
shillings sterling.
On February 7, 1776, a tract of 61 acres and 66 perches,
in Salisbury township, adjoining the above, was also deeded
to James by his father.
Although many writers credit James Allen with the found-
ing of Allentown, or Northampton, as it was formerly called,
his father. Judge William Allen was the founder, to prove which
was one of the purposes of this paper. At the time it was laid out,
in 1762, James Allen was a youth of twenty, studying law at the
Temple in London.
In James Allen's Diary, published in the Pennsylvania Mag-
azine of History and Biography, in the first entry, under date
of November 6, 1770, he says: "Two days ago I returned from
Trout Hall (a name I have just given my house), where I had
been with Mr. Lawrence, my brother Billy, and Jemmy Tilgh-
man."
September 13, 1771, he says: "Lord Dunmore passed thro'
this town on his way to Virginia; I dined and supped with him.
This day I set off for Trout Hall with my wife and child and
Mrs. Lawrence. They have not been there since I finished my
house."
October 30, 1773: "I compute my business this year will
be between three and four hundred pounds, which, added to my
estate, will fall but little short of one thousand pounds per annum."
July 26, 1775: "My profession is visibly on the decline,
and when it is no longer useful, I shall suffer considerably. My
last year's profits were ^600 and this year would have increased,
and the Governor has given up my house; these two articles
would fall heavy on me; and reduce me to the necessity of retir-
ing to my house at Northampton."
3G
October 14, 1775: "Last Thursday and the preceding Tues-
day I appeared in BattaUon in my uniform, as a" private man in
Capt. Shees company."
March 6, 1776: "The plot thickens ; peace is scarcely thought
of. Independence predominates. Thinking people uneasy, irres-
olute, and inactive. The Mobility triumphant. Every article
of life doubled. 26,000 troops coming over. The Congress in
equilibrio on the question of Independence or no. Wrapt in
the contemplation of these things I cry out, 'O! Rus quando ego
te aspiciam, etc' I love the cause of Liberty, but can not heartily
join in the prosecution of measures totally foreign to the original
plan of resistance."
May 15, 1776: "I am now a political character; having
been chosen a Representative in Assembly the first of this month
for Northampton county, without any opposition; having 853
votes and only 14 against me."
June 16, 1776: "This day I set off with my family for
Northampton, with the chariot, phseton and sulky."
January 25, 1777: "Having let my house to Carter Brax-
ton and some of the Virginia Delegates, with a great part of my
Furniture, at ^150 per annum, and left Philadelphia, which
from the current of Politics, began to grow disagreeable ; I thought
myself happy in having so good a Retreat in Northampton
county." * * *
* * ♦ "fhe Country was to me delightful, and my Neigh-
bor Mr. Benezet, Captain Symes, a prisoner, together with occa-
sional Visits made the time agreeable enough." * * *
* ♦ >i= "During October and November I remained at Trout
Hall a calm spectator of the Civil War, but occasionally gave
great offence to the violent Whigs in Northampton by enter-
taining the regular officers, our prisoners, and was often threat-
ened on that account."
* ♦ ♦ "Thursday, December 19, 1776, at seven A. M., my
house was surrounded by a guard of Soldiers with fixed Bayonets ;
I got up and when I came down stairs the officer who was at the
front door, produced a warrant from the Council of Safety to
seize me and bring me before them. I accordingly went to Phil-
adelphia and appeared before them. ^ h< * jn the after-
noon, they produced a certificate, which they hoped I would
not object to; wherein they set forth, my brothers departure,
and the backwardness of the Militia as reasons for sending for
me; that I had given them satisfaction respecting my prudent
conduct; that my conduct did not appear unfriendly to the cause
of Liberty, nor inconsistent of a gentleman; and I in return
pledged my honor verbally not to say or do anything injurious
to the present cause of America. So we parted amicably and as
we began with great politeness on both sides."
October i, 1777: "Many of the Congress passed by this
37
place (Northampton) and are since assembled, together with the
officers of this government at Lancaster; Mr. Hamilton is now at
my house * * 'K
* * * Since the battle of Brandywine many thousand Wag-
gons passed by my door and are continually passing in great
numbers. All the baggage of our army is at Bethlehem and
here; and what with Hospitals and Artificers these little towns
are filled. Every day some of the inhabitants of Philadelphia
are coming up to settle here. The road from Easton to Read-
ing, by my house, is now the most travelled in America. * ^' *
* * * My tenants whose rents are due in sterling, often pay
off arrears of six or seven years in continental money at the old
Exchange and yet I dare not object, tho' I am as mv.ch robbed
of five-sixths of my property, as if it was taken out of my drawer."
November 21, 1777, referring to General Howe's evacuating
Philadelphia, he says, "Mr. John Adams, who passed thro' here
a week ago, spoke of it as a certain event, and said the struggle
was past and that Independence was now unalterably settled;
the Crisis was over. * * *
* * * My situation is as before; I hear nothing from my
friends in Philadelphia, and every species of oppression and waste
of property continue as before. My tenants set me at defiance,
and I who am not the most patient man, am forced to bear all —
sed manet alta mente repostum.
The Genl. Hospital 'is still here and the Director Genl. Dr.
Shippen and his assistant Dr. Bond, my old acquaintance, with
my wife's cousin T. Lawrence, make out a good Society, and
we endeavor to banish Politics."
(The sick and wounded of the army had been sent to Bethle-
hem from time to time, some months prior to this date, until
four hundred were quartered in the Brethren's house alone, and
over fifty tents in the garden in the rear. In October, those
who could not be cared for were sent to AUentown and else-
where.)
The last entry in the diary is on July 15, 1778, when he
writes that he is not well and intends to go to France in the
autumn.
He died in Philadelphia, September 19, 1778, in his 37th
year, two months and four days after the last entry in his diary.
His will dated May 23, 1778, and probated April 13, 1782,
bequeaths to his wife all the furniture, plate, horses, carriages,
books and stocks absolutely. "Also all moneys or interest due,
the house and lot on Chestnut street, and office lot adjoining,
the same which her father John Lawrence, Esq., gave to me on
my marriage. To my son James a tract of 812 acres in Salis-
bury Township on the River Lehi, of which 50 acres were sold
to Mr. David Deshler, including the Lehi Island, dnd the town
lots with the ground rents arriving from the lots heretofore
38
granted away; also a tract of 50 acres on the hill contiguous
to the above, and a tract of 200 acres on the Lehi River and Jor-
dan Creek, now in the tenure of Simon Peter Gehris, he paying
to each of his sisters the sum of ^^150 each at their several ages
of 15 years, free of interest. To my eldest daughter, Anne Penn
Allen, a tract of 501 acres situated on Trout Creek with the saw
mill thereon contiguous to land of George Stout and Rudolph
Smith and to land sold to George Blank and George Keck. To my
second daughter, Margaret, a tract of 500 acres situated on the
Little Lehi Creek, etc. To my youngest daughter, Mary, a tract
of 541 acres contiguous to the above, etc. The rest of my estate
I bequeath to my son James and my three daughters to be equally
divided among them, as Tenants in Common, not as Joint Ten-
ants. My three negro slaves, Francis, Sampson, and Harry,
shall be henceforth free and manumitted, I having ever been
persuaded of the Injustice of Slavery." His sword he bequeathed
to his brother Andrew, and his watch to his brother William.
His wife and brothers Andrew and William were appointed Exec-
utors.
James Allen married March 10, 1768, in Christ Church,
Philadelphia, Elizabeth, only child of John Lawrence, Esq., and
his wife, Elizabeth Francis, a cousin of the mother of his brother
Andrew's wife. She was born in Philadelphia, November 30,
1750, and after the death of her husband, James Allen in 1778,
married Hon. John Lawrence, a United States Senator from
New York. Her father, John Lawrence, was born May 30, 1724,
and died January 20, 1799.
James and EHzabeth Allen had four children; viz.,
Anne Penn Allen, born February 19, 1769.
Margaret Elizabeth Allen, born April 21, 1772.
Mary Masters Allen, born January 4, 1776.
James Hamilton Allen, born January 24, 1778.
Anne Penn Allen, eldest daughter of James Allen, was born
in Philadelphia, February 19, 1769. She has been described
as one of the most splendid beauties this country has produced —
a brunette with a warm, high color and auburn hair. Gilbert
Stuart painted three portraits of her, of which it is said Thackery
was enraptured with, when he visited Philadelphia. (Accom-
paning this is a portrait of Miss Allen, reproduced from one of
Stuart's portraits.) She married, April 26, 1800, at Christ Church,
Philadelphia, James Greenleaf, then of Washington, D. C.
Greenleaf was not an Englishman, as is sometimes stated, but
was born in Boston, Mass., June 9, 1765, the son of William
Greenleaf, a merchant of Boston, and Sheriff of Suffolk county
in 1776. He was the twelfth of a family of fifteen, and descended
from a family that settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635. One
of his sisters married Dr. Noah Webster, the compiler of Web-
James GreEnleaf.
Mrs. James GreenlEaf (Anne Penn Allen),
40
ster's Dictionary, and the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, was
descended from the same family.
In 1793 Greenleaf was appointed United States Consul at
Amsterdam. He had been a resident of Holland for some years,
being partner in a mercantile house. In 1788 he married the
Baroness Antonia Cornelia Elbertine Scholten van Aschat, from
whom he was afterwards divorced.
Greenleaf was a speculator in lots in the early days of Wash-
ington, D. C, having at one time owned over 1300 lots, and a
third interest in over 7000 more. He became a partner of Robert
Morris and John Nicholson in the immense land purchases which
ruined them and him. They organized in 1795, the North Amer-
ican Land Company, with Greenleaf as Secretary, for the sale
of 6,000,000 acres, which they had jointly selected, guaranteeing
to the stockholders an annual dividend of six per cent. Morris
and Nicholson contracted for the purchase of his share, giving
him $1,150,000 in drafts on each other, which they never paid,
and on which he was sued as indorser.
In 1795 he bought General Philemon Dickinson's house on
Chestnut street, Philadelphia, for $28,000, and also Governor
John Penn's country seat, Lansdowne, of his widow for $37,000.
In 1797, Lansdowne was sold by the sheriff for $55,100, and the
Chestnut street property was re-purchased by General Dickinson.
Because of the insolvency of Greenleaf, Miss Allen, prior
to her marriage, executed a deed conveying all her real estate
to William Tilghman and John Lawrence, in trust. After their
death, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania passed an act in
1828, appointing Walter C. Livingston trustee.
During the last years, Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf lived apart,
Mr. Greenleaf residing in Washington, D. C, and Mrs. Greenleaf
in her home at Fifth and Hamilton streets, in this city.
Mr. Greenleaf died in Washington, September 17, 1843, and
is buried in the Congressional Cemetery.
Mrs. Greenleaf, according to some accounts, died in Phil-
adelphia. But the Allentown Friedensboie of September 25, 1851,
has the following notice: "Died, on last Sunday (September
21, 1 851), in this town, of old age, Anne P. Greenleaf, in her 83rd
year."
She is buried in North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
James and Anne Penn Greenleaf had two daughters; the eldest,
Mary Livingston Greenleaf, was born January 31, 1802. She
was married at Allentown, July 12, 1824, by Rev. Rodney, to
her cousin, Walter C. Livingston, of New York. The second
daughter, Margaret Tilghman Greenleaf, was born in 1803, and
married Charles Augustus Dale, of London, England, in July,
1832. Shortly after this Dale committed suicide by shooting
himself, on account of the disgrace of his imprisonment in the
old jail here in Allentown, in which he had been confined by reason
41
of a family disagreement. They had one son, Allen Dale, a
civil engineer in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who
was drowned in the Raritan canal near Princeton, in Septem-
ber, 1895. Mrs. Dale died shortly after, in her ninety-third year.
Margaret Elizabeth Allen, second daughter of James 'Allen,
was born April 21, 1.772. She was married in Philadelphia,
July I, 1794, to William Tilghman, for twenty years Chief Jus-
tice of Pennsylvania, a son of James Tilghman. She died in
Philadelphia, September 9, 1798, but her remains were brought
here for interment under St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Upon
the erection of the present church, the remains were placed in
the tower where a tablet marks the spot with this inscription:
"A memorial of Margaret Elizabeth Tilghman, wife of William
Tilghman, of the City of Philadelphia. Endowed with warm
affection and an excellent understanding, she enjoyed the flatter-
ing prospect of an useful and Happy Life, but it pleased Almighty
God, whose Providence, tho' unsearchable, is all-wise, that she
should be cut off, in the flower of youth, from this transitory
world. She died, surrounded by mourning friends, the 9th day
of September in the year of our Lord, 1798, and of her age the
27th."
She had one child, Elizabeth Margaret Tilghman, born in
Philadelphia, April 19, 1796. She married Benjamin Chew, son
of Benjamin Chew and his wife, Katherine Manning. She died
in Philadelphia, June 16, 181 7, and left one son, William Tilgh-
man Chew, who died without issue.
Mary Masters Allen, the third daughter of James Allen,
was born January 4, 1776. She was married in Christ Church,
Philadelphia, November 27, 1796, to Henry Walter Livingston
of Livingston Manor, N. Y. She was so famous for her graceful
and profuse hospitality that she was long known in New^ York
society as "Lady Mary." She died at Livingston Manor, Decem-
ber II, 1855. Her husband, Henry W. Livingston, son of Walter
Livingston and his wife Cornelia, daughter of Peter Schuyler, was
born in 1768; graduated from Yale University; studied law and
was secretary to Gouveneur Morris when Minister to France.
He was a member of Congress from 1803 to 1807, and died at
Livingston Manor, Columbia county, N. Y., December 22, 18 10.
They had seven children; viz.,
L Henry W., of Livingston Manor. Died in Paris, France,
February 19, 1848. Married Caroline Marie de Grasse Depau,
daughter of Francis Depau. She died at Stuttgart, February
13, 1 87 1. Their children were:
Henry W., married Angeline Urquhart, and had children,
Mary, Henry W., and Bayard.
42
Silvia, died in 1873; married Johnston Livingston, of New
York, and had two children, Carola and Estella.
Walter, of the Brooklyn bar. Surrogate of Kings county,
N. Y. Married Silvia Coster, and had one child, Stephanie.
Marie, deceased, married Samuel. M. Fox, of Philadelphia,
and hg.d a daughter, Stephanie, who died in 1878. She married
H. B. Livingston, and had one daughter, Mary Angelica.
De Grasse, who married Anna Hyslop.
Robert, died in February, 1877; married Mary S. McRae,
and had children, Duncan, Mary, Allen, Jacqueline, and Robert
McRae.
Stephanie, died without issue at Santander, Spain, Febru-
ary 10, 1856. She was married to Baron Adolph Finot.
Louis Phillipe de M. Died unmarried in 188 1.
IL Allen, who died unmarried at Rouen, France.
IIL Walter Copake Livingston, the third son of Henry W.
Livingston and his wife Mary Masters Allen, was a merchant, and
his house at Eleventh and Girard streets, Philadelphia, was in
the centre of the fashionable residence neighborhood in the '50s.
He was at one time a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania,
and was also United States Consul to Marseilles, France. He
took his family abroad with him and repeated in France the
brilliant entertainments with which he had dazzled Philadel-
phia society. After the family returned to this country came
the crash. Mr. Livingston had become heavily interested in
some iron furnaces near Media. The venture proved unsuccess-
ful and the attempt to make it pay swallowed up his fortune.
The family property in Allentown was also swept away. Mr.
Livingston resided in Allentown part of the time in the old "Trout
Hall," then called "The Livingston Mansion." He died Jan-
uary 31, 1872, aged 72 years.
Mr. Livingston married his cousin, Mary Livingston Green-
leaf, and had children, as follows:
Anne Greenleaf, who died without issue, March 28, 1846.
She married Thomas C. Rockhill, formerly Minister to China.
Tilghman, who died unmarried.
James, who died unmarried.
Walter, who died unmarried.
Henry Walter.
Meta, who died February 28, 1907, aged 75 years, and was
unmarried.
Marion, who died unmarried, February i, 1907, aged 68
years.
Florence, who died unmarried.
After Mr. Livingston's death, soon followed by that of his
wife, two daughters and a son, but three members of the family
43
remained, Marion, Meta, and a brother, who went to sea, and
was never heard from again. The sisters moved to 2227 SouMi
Clarion street, where they resided until their death. They were
buried in the family vault, originally in Christ Church grave-
yard, but moved years ago to North Laurel Hill Cemetery.
This vault has now been closed for the last time. The stone
covering the vault is that of the father of Judge William Allen,
and it bears this inscription: "Here Lyeth the Body of William
Allen, Late Merchant of this City, who Dyed the 30th of August,
1725, aged 55 years."
IV. Mary, died in Paris, April 14, 1880. She married James
Thompson, and had two children, James, who married Amelia
Parnell, sister of Charles Stuart Parnell, M. P. for Ireland. They
had one son, James Henry Livingston Thompson, who died in
Paris, April, 1882.
Henry L., the second son, died unmarried.
V. Elizabeth, who was married to Wm. D. Henderson, of
Boston, and died without issue.
VI. Cornelia, of Staten Island, N. Y., who married Carroll
Livingston and had children, Charles Carroll, and Brockhorst
Livingston, a Lieutenant of U. S. N., who died unmarried.
VII. Anne, of Staten Island, who married Anson Livingston,
and had three children:
Mary, who married Capt. Harrison, of U. S. A., and died
without issue.
Anne Ludlow, unmarried.
Ludlow, died unmarried.
James Allen, son of James Allen, born January 24, 1778,
died August 31, 1788, in his tenth year. His property then
descended to his sisters,. who, on May 17, 1798, made partition
of the property in the town of Northampton, according to the
opinion of Peter Rhoads, Thomas Mowharter, and George Palmer.
Eventually Walter C. Livingston received title to all the property,
and from him it passed into alien hands.
In the words of E. F. DeLancey, it may be said both of
Philadelphia and of Allentown, that "the name of Allen, for
more than a century the synonym for high ability, political
power, great wealth and the first social position, is there no longer
known."
44
A Bit of Lehigh County Indian History.
By Alfred F. Berlin.
Member of Archaeological Association oj University of Penna.; American
Anthropological Society, Washington, D. C; Wyomiag Historical and
Geological Society, Wilkes-Barre; Linnean Society, Lancaster, Penna.;
Royal Italian * Didactic Society, Rorne^ Italy; Lehigh County Histori-
cal Society.
One-half mile southwest of the village of Ironton, and about
six miles west of this city, is to be found a copious spring. At
this place once lived the Shawano Indian, Kolapechka. Of him,
more as we proceed with this paper.
Around this spring have been picked up many stone and
flint relics of Indian manufacture, such as spear and arrow points,
knives, scrapers and other implements, evidences of an Indian
village or encampment.
A few steps from this fountain is still to be seen in place
a part of the rock or boulder, about one-half of it, in which was
once the mortar used by the aboriginal people to grind their
corn, for, mind you, they grew this grain in their cultivated
fields not far from here, and other cereals and roots. That por-
tion of the rock which contained the mortar was ruthlessly
destroyed a number of years ago by the farmer then living on
the property.
Coplay Creek, now a small stream, meanders near by. Along
its banks are also found the evidences of aboriginal occupation.
This stream was named Coplay in honor of the Shawano Chief-
tain, Kolapechka. A local historian of note appears, however,
to think differently. On page 300 of his work, "History of
the Lehigh Valley, etc.," M. S. Henry, Easton, Pa., i860, in a
foot note, says: "Coplay is the name of a creek emptying into
the Lehigh River, near Catasauqua, west. The proper and orig-
inal name for the stream is Copeichan, which is an Indian word
signifying that which runs evenly or a smooth running stream."
Not a word does he mention of the Shawano Chieftain; but fur-
ther on in his very interesting book, in another foot note, on
page 303, acknowledges great indebtedness to the late Joseph
J. Mickley, Esq., of Philadelphia, for much valuable informa-
tion of this Lehigh county, as likewise by the use of his valuable
library, he has been the means of adding many items of an inter-
esting character to the whole publication.
45
Now, in Mr. Mickley's brief account of the murders by the
Indians in Northampton county, Pa., page 24, occurs the fol-
lowing note: "Coplay is a corruption from Kolapechka, which
was the name of an Indian, the son of a Shawano Chief, named
Paxanosa. He hved at the head of the creek named after him,
and was on friendly terms with the white inhabitants. He was
an honest and trustworthy man. Timothy Horsfield, Jr., em-
ployed him on several occasions to carry messages to Governor
Hamilton at Philadelphia." Northampton county, in which
occurred the terrible murders spoken of by Mr. Mickley, embraced
at this time about all the land now contained in Northampton,
Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Wayne and Susquehanna coun^
ties, and also small parts of Bradford, Wyoming, Luzerne, Schuyl-
kill and Columbia. These murders were caused because of the
outrageous acts of the whites upon the Indians. I believe it
will be no digression to tell of them here.
The original character of the better tribes of American
Aborigines, as found by the first white people who met them
and substantiated by most historical accounts, was kind, hos-
pitable and generous, so long as they were treated with justice
and humanity.
Christopher Columbus, we all know who he was, wrote of
them in letters to his king. "There are not a better people in
the world than these, more affectionate, affable or mild. They
love their neighbors as themselves." The navigator spoke for
the Southern Indians, who were already an agricultural and sta-
tionary people. Of the New England Red people, who were
a part of the great Algonkin nation, to which belonged the Lenni
Lenape or Delawares, who once lived in this Lehigh county,
the Rev. Mr. Cushman, in a sermon delivered in Plymouth,
Mass., in 1620, says: "The Indians are said to be the most
cruel and treacherous people in all those parts, even like lions;
but to us they have been like lambs, so kind, so submissive and
trusty, as a man may truly say, many Christians are not so
kind and sincere." The Moravian missionary, Heckewelder, and
no man knew the Indians better than he, passed on them sim-
ilar encomiums. Las Casas, one of the most remarkable men
of the sixteenth century, and the Abbe Clavigero give of the
Mexican Indian similar testimony. So did William Penn. Like-
wise are the praises from other historical authorities. Now, we
may ask, what was it that changed these kindly and hospitable
people into brutes and savages, who committed the most awful
murders regardless of age or sex? The story is easily told. The
writer will mention here a few local occurrences which he has
taken from the Rev. Mr. Heckewelder's "Indian Nations," an
authoritative work:
"In the summer of 1763 some friendly Indians from a dis-
tant place, came to Bethlehem to exchange their furs for such
46
articles as were most needed by them. Well satisfied with their
exchange they started for their home. The first night they put
up at John Stenton's tavern, distant from Bethlehem about
eight miles and a short mile north of the present Howertown,
Northampton county. Stenton not being at home, his wife
encouraged those who came there to drink, to abuse the Indians,
adding, 'That she would freely give a gallon of rum to any one
of them that would kill one of these black devils.' They were,
however, not disturbed by the whites, but upon preparing to
depart discovered that they were robbed of some of the most
valuable articles purchased by them. Upon complaining of their
loss to a man who appeared to be the barkeeper, they were ordered
to leave the house. A few of them returned to Bethlehem,
where they made complaint before a magistrate. This officer
gave them a letter to the tavernkeeper, pressing him to at once
restore the stolen articles. The letter was delivered and they
were answered that if they valued their lives, they must leave
at once, which they did without the property belonging to them."
Scarcely had these Indians left when in another place,
about fourteen miles distant from Stenton's, was committed
another outrage. Loskiel also mentions it in his "History of
the Missions of the Indians in America," as follows: "In August,
1763, Zachary and his wife who had left the congregation in
Wechquetank, on Head's Creek, north of the Blue Mountains,
returned on a visit. A woman, called Zippora, was persuaded
to follow them. On their return they stayed at the Buchka-
buchka over night and went unconcerned to sleep in a hay loft.
Buchkabuchka is the Indian word which the Munseys, Hecke-
welder informs us, had for the Lehigh Water Gap. The word
means: Mountains butting opposite each other. During the
night the Indian lodgers were attacked by some of the soldiers
under the command of Captain Wetterholt, stationed there.
Zippora was thrown down upon the threshing floor and killed.
Zachary escaped out of the house but was pursued, and with
his wife and little child, put to the sword, although the mother
begged for their lives upon her knees."
One Jonathan Dodge, a worthless villain, a lieutenant in
Captain Nicholaus Wetterholt's company, committed many atro-
cious acts against the Indians, who were in every instance friendly
to the whites. In a letter to Timothy Horsfield, bearing date
August 4th, 1763, he writes: "Yesterday there were four Indians
came to Ensign Kern's. I took four rifles and fourteen deer-
skins from them. After the Indians had left," he continues,
"I took twenty men and pursued them, then I ordered my men
to fire, upon which I fired a volley on them, could find none
dead or alive."
One more instance: This same cowardly Dodge and one
Jacob Warner, a soldier in Wetterholt's company, while search-
47
ing for a gun, when about two miles above Fort Allen, now
Weissport, met three Indians painted black. Dodge killed one
of them. Warner also fired and states that he thought he had
wounded another. The Indians had not fired upon them, as
they were friendly. These are only a few of the many dastardly
outrages committed upon the natives by the whites.
We will now note the result. On the 8th of October,
1763, burning with revenge, a number of Indians consisting of
Delawares and Shawanos, attacked during the night, the Stenton
tavern, killing its proprietor, John Stenton, and Captain Wetter-
holt, besides several soldiers. After this most deplorable affair
they attacked the house of Andrew Hazlet, shot him, and toma-
hawked his wife and two children. One of the little ones recov-
ered. Twelve Indians then proceeded toward the Lehigh River,
crossing a short distance above Siegfried's bridge, known to this
day as the "Indian Fall" or "Rapids." They first reached the
^ farm of Jacob Mickley and there killed two children, a boy and a
girl. From there they went to the house of John Schneider
and killed him, his wife and three children. In this awful fora}^
were murdered, we are told, twenty-three people, many of them
innocent, besides many dangerously wounded, and much other
property destroyed by fire. Laden with plunder the Indians
then struck for the wilderness, north of the Blue Mountains,
from whence they had come.
Timothy Horsfield, Jr., noted several times by the writer,
was born in Liverpool, England, in April, 1708. He came to
America and settled first on Long Island in 1725. He then moved
to Bethlehem in 1749. At Bethlehem at this time he was chief
assistant in the apothecary shop of Dr. John Matthew Otto,
at that time known as an eminent physician and surgeon. In
May, 1752, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Northamp-
ton county; was commissioned Lieutenant and Colonel, and as
such superintended and directed the two military companies
commanded by the two Captains Wetterholt, which were rang-
ing along the frontier. To him were forwarded their reports
and he corresponded with the then Governor Hamilton at Phila-
delphia. He resigned his offices in December, 1763, and died
at Bethlehem, March 9th, 1773. His remains lie buried in the
old and interesting Moravian burying ground, and the house
somewhat modernized in which he lived, can still be seen at No.
49 Market street, only a short distance from his grave. In this
house, a two-story building, built in 1749, was opened in 1753
at the west end, the first general store and trading place in the
Lehigh Valley. This part of the house was demolished in 1879.
A metal tablet fastened into the Market street wall during the
sesqui-centennial celebration held at Bethlehem in 1892, gives
us this interesting information. Mr. Horsfield was at that time
a great service to the government, as well as to the frontier
inhabitants.
48
The frontier at this time extended along and a short dis-
tance beyond the line of the Blue Ridge, from Fort Hunter on
the east bank of the Susquehanna River, a few miles above
Harrisburg to Dupui's Fort on the west bank of the Delaware
River, near Delaware Water Gap. This mountain range prac-
tically marked the limit of actual settlement by the white people.
Kolapechka and his father, Paxnas or Paxsinosa, belonged
to that migratory and restless tribe of Indians, often called
Shawnees, but the right name of which is Shawanoes. They
were known as the most depraved and ferocious tribe of all the
Indian nations, and were continually at war with their neigh-
bors. They were one of the most important of the Algonguian
tribes. Their most noted chief was the great Tecumtha. Their
earliest historical home appears to have been on the middle
Savannah River. About the year 1692 most of those remain-
ing in South Carolina moved northward and settled upon the
upper Delaware River with their relatives and friends, the Lenni
Lenapes and Mohicans.
Paxnas, the father, was, so says the missionary Hecke-
welder, a chief of prominence.
The Moravian missionaries knew that the Shawano Indians
were a fierce people, and because of this, sought to gain their
friendship, so as not to be molested, when passing from one
Indian mission to another. After the death of Shehellemus, the
friend of the whites, who died in Shamokin in 1749, the mission-
aries were fortunate in gaining the friendship of Paxnas, who
proved this by sending his sons to escort a missionary to Beth-
lehem from Shamokin, where he was in the most perilous sit-
uation, the French and Indian War having just broke out.
Shehellmus or Shekellamy was so prominent a figure at
this time that it appears necessary to tell my hearers who he
was. He and Conrad Weiser were constant companions, and
were connected with nearly every important transaction between
the government and the Indians. This Indian Chief was ap-
pointed by the Five Nations, or the Iroquois in 1728 to preside
over the Shawanoes, for whom Manangy, the king of the Schuyl-
kill Indians, obtained permission from the governor to live on
the Tulpehocken, a large creek which empties a short distance
north of Reading, from the west into the Schuylkill River. In
1732 a party of Indians visited the Governor and suggested the
propriety of appointing Shekellamy with Weiser, who "shall
travel between you and us, who will speak our minds and your
minds to each other truly and freely." This admirable sugges-
tion was agreed to by the Governor, and they were at once ap-
pointed. It is written that they performed more diplomatic
work than any two other men of their time. They met the
council for deliberation, and were sent as ambassadors to the
different tribes. When dissentions arose they were the peace-
49
makers. They were everywhere respected for their wisdom in
council, for dignity of manners and honesty in the administra-
tion of pubhc affairs.
To again resume as to the name Coplay. The Rev. Dr.
J. H. Dubbs says in a letter to the writer, that " Mr. Mickley was
a historical authority of eminence and was thoroughly familiar
with the locality. I may add, however, that in the days of
my boyhood, the fact that 'Coplay' had resided at the place
indicated was never called in question in the vicintiy of Iron-
ton." Both Mr. Mickley and Prof. Dubbs were born and raised
in the neighborhood. In the "Genealogical History of the Race
of Balyard," by a descendant, Dr. L. B. Balliet, now a resident
of the city, in his preface to the book is found the following:
"I am indebted to old Aunty Coplay for reliable information
relating to our family prior to her time. She was called by that
name from the circumstances that the place on which she lived
was the home of an old Indian Chief, named 'Coplay,' at the
time our forefathers located this tract about the middle of the
eighteenth century."
An original warrant now in possession of The Lehigh Port-
land Cement Company, gave by patent from James Hamilton,
then Governor of Pennsylvania, per John and Richard Penn,
the proprietaries, to Adam Deshler, dated May 5th, 1751 (Patent
Book, Phila., Pa., A. Vol. 15, page 593), three tracts of land
situate near the west branch of the Delaware River — the Lehigh
River — on or near Indian Copelin's Creek, containing 301^4- acres.
One of the boundaries contained in the description of one of
the tracts containing 200 acres is the middle of Indian Cope-
lin's Creek.
For this very interesting and valuable information the writer
is indebted to Judge Frank M. Trexler, a member of our society,
who saw the original warrant. Nowhere do we find any author-
ity that the creek was ever called "Copiechan," but abundant
evidence, as you have heard this afternoon, that it was named
after Kolapechka, or as Dr. Balliet appears to think, Kolapecha.
The supposition is that the name "Copiechan" was invented
about fifty years ago by gentlemen living near the present vil-
lage of Coplay, assisted by antiquarians from Philadelphia, who
knew nothing of the real origin of the name, and who, having
discovered in the Indian vocabulary that "Copiechan" meant
"a smooth or fine running stream," took it for granted without
any investigation, that the latter must be the original form.
This would not be the first occurrence when Indian names were
manufactured to order. This then settles the matter as to the.
origin of the word "Coplay."
Sketches of Some Settlers in Lehigh
County Prior to 1750.
By Chas. R. Roberts.
UPPER AND LOWER MILFORD TOWNSHIPS.
This was probably the first settled section of what is now
Lehigh county, and in these short sketches of pioneer settlers
of our county shall receive first notice.
In the first ship recorded by the Provincial Government,
which brought about four hundred Germans to Philadelphia,
on September i8, 1727, appears the name of Alexander Diefen-
derfer, a native of Nehrisheim. He took up 150 acres of land,
then in Bucks county, now partly in Bucks and partly in Lehigh
counties. His name appears in a list of the members of the
Great Swamp Church, written in 1736. He was naturalized in
September, 1740. He died November 29, 1768, leaving a widow
and five children: Anna Margaret, wife of John Nicholas Oehl,
Godfrey (b. 1730, d. 1806), Gertrude, wife of Henry Miller, Alex-
ander and John.
Joseph Kberhard came in 1727 from Switzerland and became
one of the most prominent residents of this section. He was a
member of the Great Swamp Reformed congregation, and died
in 1760, leaving to his six sons all his real estate, amounting
to 1065 acres.
Henrich Wilhelm Dillinger arrived at Philadelphia on Aug-
ust 24, 1728. He was one of the founders of the original Luth-
eran congregation of Upper Milford township near the present
Dillingersville, which has been extinct for over a hundred years.
He died between 1765 and 1770. His wife, Anna Rosina, died
in February, 1761, and was buried February 22, 1761. He had
seven children: Valentine, John George, John Jacob, Johannes,
Anna Catharina, wife of Mathias Bastian, Anna Elizabeth, wife
of George Welter and Anna Mary, wife of John Martin Schwenk.
Theobald Mechlin landed on September 11, 1728. He was
a member of the Lutheran church, and owned a large tract of
51
land. He died in April, 1765, and left five sons, Theobald,
Peter, Jacob, Philip and Thomas, and one daughter, EHzabeth,
wife of Leonard Steininger, of Whitehall township. The finely-
located homestead and farm is still owned by his descendants.
Frantz Russ and Ulrich Rieser arrived at Philadelphia on
September 19, 1732. In 1754 Russ lived in Upper Saucon town-
ship, and in 1749 bought a grist mill in Upper Milford which
was erected by Peter Wentz in 1740, the first grist mill in the
county. He sold the mill and 48 acres of land in 1761 to his
son Kilian Russ, and in 1763 sold the other part of his land,
28I acres, to his son Frantz, Jr. Frantz Russ and Ulrich Rieser
were both members of the Great Swamp Reformed congrega-
tion.
Ulrich Rieser owned a tract of 269 acres in the present Krauss-
dale, or Hosensack valley. He was born April 8, 1709, and died
September 9, 1784. His wife, Barbara Rieser, was born April
I, 1 7 14, and died April 7, 1782. They are buried in the Great
Swamp churchyard.
Jacob Dubs, a son of Jacob Dubs and wife Anna Glaettli,
was born in the village of Aesch, parish of Birmensdorf, Switzer-
land, on August 31, 1 7 10, and arrived at Philadelphia Septem-
ber 30, 1 732. He became a member of the Great Swamp Reformed
congregation, and married Veronica Welker. They had five chil-
dren: Felix, Barbara, married Daniel Boyer, who moved west,
Margaretha, who became the second wife of Jacob Dillinger,
Daniel, and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Haak, of Berks county.
Michael Flores emigrated from Germany about the year 1 740,
and settled near the present village of Dillingersville. He was
a member of the original Lutheran congregation at that place.
He died in 1785, leaving one son, Michael, and four daughters.
Peter Lynn arrived at Philadelphia September 26, 1737.
He married Anna Margaret, daughter of Felix Brunner, and as
early as 1740 lived in Upper Milford. He was a member of the
Great Swamp Reformed congregation, and died prior to 1768.
His eldest son was Dr. Felix Lynn, one of the earliest doctors
in the county. Among his other children were, Peter Lynn,
Elizabeth, John, Anna Maria, wife of John Adam Willauer, and
Theobald or Dewalt Lynn.
UPPER AND LOWER SAUCON TOWNSHIPS.
When Lehigh county was still a part of old Northampton,
these townships constituted a single township called Upper Sau-
con, which was settled early by English, Welsh and Germans.
52
0avid Owen was an early settler here. He was a son of Owen
Owen, who was sheriff of Philadelphia county in 1728 and cor-
oner in 1730. In 1748 David Owen opened a tavern in a small
stone building which still stands. He also owned a hat factory
and a saw mill. In 1752 his name appears as one of the viewers
of a new road. He had six children: David, Joseph, Nathan,
Mary, Lydia and Elizabeth.
Balthazer Beil landed at Philadelphia September 26, 1737.
He settled in Upper Saucon township, but later removed to Allen
township, now Northampton county, where he died in 1791.
Among his children were: Eva Elizabeth Beil, born November
4, 1740; John Beil, born February 26, 1746, died February 18,
1826; William Beil, born November 18, 1747; Anna Maria Beil,
born February 12, 1750; and Henry Beil, born February 9, 1752,
and died December 10, 1834.
Philip Geisinger, a Mennonite, removed to Upper Saucon
from Berks county. He was born June 22, 1701, and died July
31, 1 791. His wife, Mary, was born in 171 1, and died March
29, 1772. They are buried in the Mennonite cemetery near
Centre Valley.
George Bachman, a Mennonite, was born in 1686, and died
November 9, 1753. About 1750 he kept a tavern called the
"Seven Star," where Coopersburg now stands. His wife, Mary
Bachman, was born April 12, 1698, and died November 4, 1776.
They had seven sons and four daughters.
UPPER AND LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIPS.
Peter Trexler is said to have come to Macungie from Oley
township, Berks county, about 1723, and is supposed to have
been the first white settler of Macungie township. Caspar Wistar
and wife deeded to him a tract of 238! acres in the township,
on November 18, 1729. On November 29, 1748, Peter Trexler
and Katherine, his wife, deeded part of this tract to their son
Peter for ^^145. In 1762 Peter Trexler, Sen., was taxed ^60.
Jeremiah Trexler kept a tavern here in 1732, as is mentioned
in the Colonial Records, when the Kings' high road from Phila-
delphia was laid out. His wife's name was Mary Catharine.
Their son, John Peter Trexler, was married to Mary Catharine
Albrecht, daughter of Joseph Albrecht.
Joseph Albrecht purchased 212 acres from William Reily
and wife, of Newtown, clockmaker, on June 30, 1743. There
is a Joseph Albrecht mentioned as arriving at Philadelphia on
September 18, 1727. He died about 1760, leaving a widow,
53
Katharine, and these children: Joseph, John, and Katharine,
wife of Peter Trexler. Also three children by a former marriage,
Barbara, wife of Jacob Schnerr, of Whitehall township, Mary,
wife of Samuel Best, shoemaker, of Philadelphia, and Mary,
wife of Richard McColey, wigmaker, of Philadelphia. The land
was sold by the heirs on February i6, 1761, to Peter Butz, of
Berks county, for ^^476.
Another early settler and one of the founders of the Lehigh
church was John Michael Knappenberger. In 1744 he was liv-
ing in the upper part of Montgomery county, but soon removed
to Macungie, where he died. He was born August 20, 1709,
and died June 13, 1751. He married Catharine Leyde, and
left five children, among them, Henry, born September 19, 1744,
George, born October 20, 1746, and Catharine Margaret, born
October 23, 1750.
John Jarret, an early settler in Macungie township, died in
1755, leaving a tract of land of 514 acres, valued at twelve hun-
dred pounds. He had thirteen children: John, Edward, Isaac,
Samuel, Philip, William, Sebastian, Daniel, Mary, wife of Adam
Everly, Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Dorney, Joan, wife of John
Wetzel, Margaret, wife of Frederick Shackler, and Sarah, wife
of Martin Spiegel.
John Mathias Eigener, or Eichener, arrived at Philadelphia
on September 30, 1727. He and his wife Anna Elizabeth, were
sponsors in 1750 to a child baptized at the Lehigh church. He
was born in 1693. and died June 21, 1771, aged 78 years, and
was buried at the Lehigh church. Rev. John Caspar Stoever
baptized two of his children John, born June 15, baptized August
5, 1733, and Mathias, born June 29, baptized in October, 1735.
Peter Matern arrived at Philadelphia on September 26, 1732.
A son, John Peter, was baptized in 1743 ^t what was called the
"Six Cornered" church, in Upper Hanover Township, Montgom-
ery county. His wife, Mary Catharine, died September 10, 1758,
aged 56 years and 7 months.
Lewis Klotz was one of the most prominent colonial resi-
dents in Macungie township. As early as 1745 he was attached
to the Moravians, and for many years was one of his Majesty's
Justices of the Peace. His children were placed at Moravian
schools. Jasper Payne, accountant for the "Bethlehem Econ-
omy," recorded the following items: "August 11, 1746; Lewis
Klotz's child died at Herzer's last Tuesday was seven night,
being the 5th of August;" and "May 24, 1747: Received of
Lewis Klotz towards paying of his childrens' ward and schooling:
54
£ s. d.
3 cows 9
2 calves lo
I mare and a little colt with a
bell on the mare 7 o o
I cow bell 5
16 15 o
WEISENBERG TOWNSHIP.
John Egidius Grimm arrived at Philadelphia on September
II, 1728. He and his wife, Anna Catharine, were sponsors in
1742 at the Weisenberg church. He died about 1761. His chil-
dren were: Jacob, Henry, Anna Margaret, born July 22, 1727,
died November 22, 1746, married Frantz Wilhelm Roth, Cath-
arine, wife of Peter Merkel, and Elizabeth, wife of Caspar Merkel,
of Richmond township, Berks county.
LOWHILI^ TOWNSHIP.
On September 23, 1732, there landed at Philadelphia, Michael
Mosser, aged 38, Tobias Mosser, aged 30, George Mosser, aged
48, Leonard and Paul Mosser, Eva Mosser, aged 40, Eva Bar-
bara Mosser, aged 56, Christina Mosser, aged 24, Magdalena
Mosser, aged 28, Susanna Barbara Mosser, aged 40, and Mag-
dalena Mosser, aged 52, with children as follows: Appolonia,
aged II, Hanna Margaret, 12, Anna Mary, 10, Anna Margaret, 8,
Simon, 11, Bastian, 6, and John George, 8.
Michael Mosser and wife Anna Elizabeth were sponsors in
i739» i74i> s-iid 1742, in Upper Saucon to children of Michael
and Anna Barbara Schmidt. Tobias Mosser and Margaret, his
wife, had a son John, born May 24, baptized June 14, 1741.
Another son, Tobias, was born May 24, 1743. He married
Christina Maurer, and died in 1800, leaving two sons and seven
daughters.
In 1762 Michael Mosser was assessed for 150 acres in Low-
hill township, and the widow of Tobias Mosser was taxed twelve
pounds. In April, 1757, David Schultz, the noted surveyor of
Montgomery county, wrote in his almanac, "Der Tobias Moser
am Jordan is auch gestorben."
HEIDELBERG TOWNSHIP.
Caspar Peter, a native of Switzerland, was an early settler
in Heidelberg Township. He was married to Anna Elizabeth
Ribsam, who was born March 15, 1724, and died July 26, 1795.
They had three children. One son was Caspar, born in 1753,
and died June 28, 181 1.
55
Rudolph Peter, a brother of Caspar, Senior, and wife Anna
Magdalena, were sponsors in 1753 to Mary Magdalena, daughter
of Jacob and EHzabeth Peter, another brother of Caspar, Senior,
Rudolph Peter died about 1777. He had four children, William,
Ulrich, Henry and Adam, each of whom received £'js, i6s., 5d.
as their share of his estate. William, the eldest son, purchased
the land.
Michael Ohl was born June 26, 1729, and died July 4, 1804.
His wife was named Elizabeth Barbara, and they had ten chil-
dren, three sons and seven daughters. He was assessed for 300
acres in Heidelberg township in 1762.
George Rex was an early .settler in Heidelberg, where he
was a large land owner. He died about 1773, leaving a widow
and eight children. He owned a tract of 519 acres, valued at
^1107, los., which the eldest son, William Rex, accepted on
June 24, 1773. Bernhard Jacob Rex, one of the sons of George
Rex, was born April 5, 1724, married May 16, 1746, Anna Eliza-
beth Orner, and died April 24, 1802. He had eleven children.
Among the other children of George Rex were Daniel, Catharine
and Salome.
SALISBURY TOWNSHIP.
Solomon Jennings was a very early settler in Salisbury town-
ship. By virtue of a warrant dated March 5, 1736, and the pay-
ment of ^11, 13s., 4d., there was surveyed for him a tract of
200 acres on the Lehigh river. In 1737 he was chosen one of
the walkers in the famous walking purchase, and a note in the
Pennsylvania Journals, Manuscript Book in the Penn papers,
says: "He is to pay no purchase money, the Proprietors hav-
ing given him this land in recompense of his services." He died
February 15, 1757, and was buried on his farm. He was called
"Der Starke," or "The Strong Man," among the Germans. He
had two sons, John and Isaac, and one daughter, who married
Nicholas Scull.
John Jennings was sheriff of Northampton county from 1762
to 1768. In 1762 he was the largest taxpayer in Salisbury town-
ship, being taxed £^6. By deed of June i, 1764, the Jennings
farm was sold to Jacob Geisinger, of Saucon township for ;^i500,
Pennsylvania currency.
Henry Roth, born June 16, 1688, arrived at Philadelphia
August 17, 1733, at the age of 45 years, with his wife Catherine,
aged 40, and children, Anna Eve, aged 13, William, aged 12,
and Catharine, aged 9. By a warrant dated September 28,
1738, he secured 300 acres of land in Salisbury township. On
December 15, 1743, with John Martin Bamberger, he gave a
deed for the land on which the Salzburg church is built. By
warrants dated May 19, 1747, and June 17, 1754, he took up
56
more land, making a total of 368 acres. His son, Frantz Wil-
helm Roth, was born December 19, 1721, and died December
28, 1757, after an illness of a few hours. He was married to
Anna Margaret Grim, daughter of Egidius Grim, born July 22,
1727, died November 22, 1746. They had one son, Frantz Roth.
His second wife, Elizabeth, died in 1776, and had one son, Henry
Roth, who removed to Virginia, and four daughters, Mary Mag-
dalena, wife of George Frederick Knauss, Elizabeth, wife of
Abraham Seider, Margaret and Catherine.
Adam Blank settled in Salisbury at an early date. He
died about 1764. His widow, Margaret, died in February, 1770,
aged 65 years. Their children were: Christopher, George,
George Adam, John, Anna Margaret, Catharine and Anna Eliza-
beth. George Adam Blank, the son, was taxed for 300 acres
of land in 1764.
Sebastian Henry Knauss settled in Salisbury in 1741. He
was born October 6, 1714, in the village of Titelsheim, Germany,
the son of Ludwig Knaus, a farmer of the Reformed religion,
and his wife Anna Margaret Goerlach. He came to America in
1723 with his parents, who settled in Whitemarsh township,
now Montgomery county, where Ludwig Knaus was a deacon
of the Whitemarsh Reformed church as early as 1728. He married
January i, 1741, Anna Catharina Transeau, and died February
26, 1777. He had thirteen children.
John Henry Knauss, brother of the above, was born June
15, 1712, and died June 6, 1761. He married December 31,
1737, Anna Catharina Roeder. He had four children, of whom
only one survived, Michael, born July 26, 1743. These two
brothers were reared in the Reformed faith, but in later years
became members of the Moravian church and founders of the
town of Emaus.
HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
Charles Ludwig Keiper, born December 15, 1737, died Sep-
tember 9, 1 815, settled in what is now Hanover township. He
was the son of Charles Ludwig Keiper, who owned a tract of
250 acres in Milford township, valued at the time of his death,
in 1753, ^t iJsoo, which Michael Keiper, the eldest son, purchased.
Other children of the senior Keiper were Catharine, wife of Michael
Aller, Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Aller, and Mary, wife of Christ-
opher Aller. Charles Ludwig Keiper, Jr., married Catharine Orr,
who was born March 12, 1737, and died September 17, 181 8.
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP.
Jacob Kohler, a native of Switzerland, is supposed to have
settled in Whitehall township prior to the year 1730, and took
up a warrant for 150 acres of land on July i, 1734. About 1755
57
he built the first grist mill in this section. He was naturalized
April lo, 1 761. The date of his death is not known, but he was
still living in 1767. He had ten children, two sons and eight
daughters. The eldest son, Peter Kohler, became the owner of
the mill property. He was appointed by the Pennsylvania Assem-
bly, on December 16, 1777, one of the persons to take subscrip-
tions of the Continental loan in Northampton county; was com-
missioned one of the Justices for Northampton county on May
28, 1779, and was elected to the Assembly in 1780, 1781 and
1782. He died September 27, 1793.
Nicholas Kern was one of the earliest settlers of Whitehall
township, where he had taken up land under date of December
3, 1735, February 24, 1737, and October 28, 1737, for 300 acres,
which he sold, February 27, 1739, to Lawrence Guth. A Nich-
olas Kern landed at Philadelphia October 2, 1727, and Septem-
ber 21, 1732, there is also one of the same name recorded. One
of these was the Kern of Whitehall township. Nicholas Kern
and wife Mary Margaret were sponsors at Egypt church in the
years 1734, 1736, 1739, 1740 and 1741. He took up large tracts
of land in 1737 and 1738, amounting to five hundred acres where
Slatington is now located, where he later removed and died in
1748, leaving seven children, William, John, Cornelia, who mar-
ried Martin Singling, Frederick, Nicholas, Henry and George.
William Kern was born in 1725 and died August 18, 1800. He
is buried in the old graveyard at Unionville church. He was
of a jovial disposition, and was called "der trockener Kern."
This became corrupted into "Trucker," and Benjamin Franklin,
in his report to Governor Morris in January, 1756, states that
he procured boards and timber for the building of Fort Allen,
at Weissport, from "Trucker's Saw Mill."
Peter Troxell, or Drachsell, and wife JuHana Catharine,
natives of Switzerland, arrived at Philadelphia, with two sons,
Peter and Daniel, on August 17, 1733. He settled at Egypt,
but a few years later removed a few miles westward, near where
the Iron Bridge of the C. & F. R. R. is located. Here he took
up large tracts of land, some of which is still owned by his descend-
ants. He was one of the most prominent men in Whitehall
township in colonial times and was an active member of the
Egypt Reformed and later of the Jordan Reformed church.
Ulrich Flickinger landed at Philadelphia August 17, 1733.
with Peter Troxell and others, at the age of forty. He took up
a warrant for 160 acres of land along Mill Creek on January 19,
1743, and October 24, 1752, another for 142 acres. His wife
Lucia, died April 23, 1772, aged 70 years. He died in 1792,
leaving three sons, Jacob, George and Peter, and two daughters,
Mrs. Henry Heffelfinger and Mrs. John Reese.
On August 28, 1733, in the ship Hope, of London, Daniel
Ried, master, there arrived at Philadelphia, among others, Daniel
58
and Anna Margaret Roth, John Jacob and Anna Schreiber,
John Jacob Mickley, and one who signed himself, Hannes Jerg
Kohler, with his wife, Mary. Jerg is the German equivalent
for George, hence this apparently could not have been the pioneer
of Egypt, whose name was John Jacob Kohler.
Daniel Roth was a native of Switzerland, and applied for a
warrant for 1 50 acres of land situated on both sides of the Jordan
creek, including the site of the present village of Sherersville,
or Ringers Post Office. Before the warrant was issued, he died,
in April, 1737, in the same hour in which his son Peter was born,
according to a record left by this son. The warrant was dated
May 25, 1737, and the land was surveyed November 10, 1737,
in the language of the warrant, "unto Grace Rhode, widow of
said Daniel, the land situated near Maxatawny, in the countv
of Bucks."
The widow, Anna Margaret Roth, died February 25, 1757.
Two sons survived, Daniel and Peter. Daniel was born in
Switzerland in 1724 and died February 22, 181 7. He owned a
large tract of land in what is now South Whitehall township,
and had a large family. One of his sons, Daniel, only a boy of
about 17 years, was impressed into service by some of the Con-
tinental soldiers during his father's absence from home. The
father was very angry upon his return, and learning the name
of the leader of the party, a well-known resident of Whitehall,
is reported to have said that he believed it would not be a sin
if he were to shoot him for having taken such a young lad to the
war. Whether the boy was willing or not I do not know.
He never returned, for he was killed at the battle of German-
town. The brothers of the young soldier climbed the trees in
the vicinity and heard the discharge of the cannon at the battle
where their brother met his death. This was related to me by
an old gentleman, Mr. Tilghman Freyman, who had a remark-
able memory, and whose mother was a sister of the young soldier.
The other son of Daniel Roth, Senior, named Peter, lived
among the Quakers, and changed the spelling of his name to
Rhoads. He was one of the first settlers in Allentown, where
he became prominent during and after the Revolution.
John Jacob Schreiber was born at Niederbronn, Alsace, about
1699. He was married April 28, 1733, to Anna Magdalena Roth,
a sister of Daniel Roth, above mentioned. They left Nieder-
bronn May 4, 1733, and their trip to America was their wedding
journey. The family lived some time in Skippack township,
Montgomery county, but soon located 400 acres of land along
the Lehigh river, where the Coplay Cement works are now sit-
uated. He died about 1750, leaving his widow, two sons and
one daughter to survive him.
John Jacob Mickley settled in Whitehall township, where
he took up a tract of land under a warrant dated November
59
5, i745> adjoining that of Ulrich Flickinger. He married Eliza-
beth Barbara Burghalter, and died in August, 1769. He had
seven children: John Jacob Mickley, born December 17, 1737,
died December 12, 1808, married Susanna Margaret Miller, born
November 6, 1743, died December 16, 1807; John Martin Mick-
ley, born March 3, 1745, died March 11, 1828, married Catharine
Steckel, born April 8, 1749, died April 8, 1830; Magdalena Mick-
ley, born August 31, 1746, died February 31, 1833, married
(i) Peter Deshler, born March 18, 1743, died September 28, 1800,
and (2) Michael Bieber, born February 11, 1740, died October
26, 1832; John Peter Mickley, born 1752, settled in Bucks county,
and died in 1828; Henry, born 1754, and Barbara, born 1756,
were both killed by Indians on the memorable eighth of October,
1763; Susanna Mickley married Andrew Miller, of Lynn township.
George Ruch, a native of Zinzendorf, Alsace, where he was
born in 1664, came to America in 1733, in his seventieth year.
For many years he lived on a large tract of land owned by a non-
resident, but finally purchased a tract which descended to his
son Lorenz Ruch. George Ruch died in 1769, aged 104 years
and eleven months. He is buried in the old graveyard at the
Jordan Lutheran church.
September 28, 1733, there landed at Philadelphia, Ulrich
Burghalter, John Nicholas Saeger and Abraham Wotring, all of
whom settled in Whitehall township.
Ulrich Burghalter was a native of Switzerland, and was
forty years old at the time of his arrival in America. With him
were his wife, Anna Barbara, aged 34 years, and these children;
Elizabeth Barbara, aged 14, Anna Catharina, aged 12, Anna
Magdalena, aged 8, Anna Barbara, aged 4, Anna Margaretha,
aged 2^, and Peter, aged i^. In 1743 he purchased a tract of
finely located land containing 300 acres, which by deed of gift
dated November 9, 1754, h^ conveyed to his only son Peter.
One daughter, Dorothea, was born in this country. Ulrich Burg-
halter died in 1762. His son Peter, was born December 2, 1731,
and died October 22, 1805. He was a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1776, and in November of the same year
was elected a member of the Assembly, the only member from
that portion of Northampton county which now constitutes
Lehigh county. He was re-elected in 1777, and again elected
in 1784, 1785 and 1786.
John Nicholas Saeger is recorded as 39 years old, and his
wife, Anna Barbara, as 28 years old at the time of their arrival
in America. Their children were: Anna Mary, 12^, Anna Bar-
bara, 10, John Henry, 8, Samuel, 6, Anna Louisa, 3^, John Chris-
tian, 2, and Christina Barbara, six months.
He settled upon a tract of 250 acres adjoining that of Ulrich
Burghalter upon the north, where now the works of the Lehigh
Portland Cement Company are located. He had twelve children,
6o
and died about 1762. Of the children mentioned above, John
Henry and Anna Louisa died in childhood; Anna Mary married
John Frederick Snyder; Anna Barbara married a Traxel; Samuel
married Anna Eva Eberhard; John Christian, born January 26,
1 73 1, and died November 30, 1800, was the ancestor of many
of the Allentown families of the name. His wife, Mary Susanna
Horn, or Hann, was born February 7, 1736, and died March
6, 1800.
Other children of John Nicholas Saeger born in this coun-
try were Mary Margaret, John Nicholas, John Jacob, Anna
Elizabeth and John.
Abraham Wotring, or Voiturin, was born July 11, 1700,
and died November 28, 1752. He had sixteen children, of whom
eight were living at the time of his death. He settled north of
Egypt and was an active member of the congregation there,
serving as a delegate to the first Coetus of the Reformed church
in Philadelphia in 1747.
Frederick Newhard and his brothers Michael and George
arrived at Philadelphia September 26, 1737. They were natives
of Zweibruecken, where the Newhard or Neihart family had owned
estates since the year 1140. Frederick Newhard purchased a
tract of 203^ acres adjoining the Kohler and Burghalter tracts,
but on account of the scarcity of spring water and the abundance
of heavy timber, sold it on February i, 1742, to Adam Deshler,
and purchased a tract of 250 acres immediately north of William
Allen's land, adjoining the city of Allentown on the north. A part
of this is still owned by one of his descendants, Francis J. New-
hard. Frederick Newhard was born in 1 700, and died November
29, 1765. He was one of the first persons buried in the old cem-
etery at Allentown.
Michael Newhard settled in the vicinity of what is now
Laury's Station. He was born in 17 13 and died in 1793. He
had fifteen children, and at the time of his death there survived
him 124 grandchildren and 71 great-grandchildren.
Paul Balliet was born in Alsace in 171 7, and landed at
Philadelphia September 11, 1738. He settled at what is now
Ballietsville, where he kept a tavern and store for many years.
He married Mary Magdalena Wotring, daughter of Abraham Wot-
ring, and died March 19, 1777. His son, Stephen Balliet was a
Lieutenant Colonel in the Revolution; a member of the Supreme
Executive Council, in 1783; of the Assembly in 1789, and in 1797
was appointed Revenue Collector for the Second District of
Pennsylvania.
Lorentz Guth was a native of Zweibruecken, and landed at
Philadelphia on September 19, 1738. On February 27, 1739, he
purchased 300 acres of land from Nicholas Kern, and June 12,
1 741, acquired a tract of 47 acres. In 1762 he was taxed ;699>
6i
of which ^i8 was abated. In 1764 he was taxed for 489 acres
of deeded land and 270 acres of undeeded land, a total of 759
acres.
He died prior to March 20, 1770, leaving a widow, Salome,
and six children: Juliana Margaret, wife of Peter Kohler, Lor-
entz, Jr., Peter, Eva Barbara, married first to Daniel Dorney,
and second to George Henry Mertz, Mary Margaret, wife of
Adam Dorney, and Adam Guth.
Peter Steckel settled in Whitehall township at an early date,
and May 20, 1768, purchased from Peter Troxel a stone messuage
and plantation of 410 acres for ^^1420. The house, built in 1756,
was until recently still in the possession of the family.
Adam Deshler purchased in 1742, 203^ acres from Frederick
Newhard, on which he built in 1760, the stone dwelling called
Fort Deshler, which is still standing. He furnished the pro-
vincial troops with supplies in the French and Indian war, and
died in 1781, leaving a widow, Appollonia, three sons and four
daughters.
A Few Notes on the Lenni Lenape or
Delaware Tribe of Indians,
By Alfred F. Berlin.
Between the years 1500- 1600 the Algonkin Stock, then at
the height of its prosperity, occupied the Atlantic Coast from the
Savannah River on the South to the Strait of Belle Isle on the
North. The whole of Newfoundland was in their possession and
in Labrador they were neighbors to the Eskimos. Some of the
subtribes of this great Indian nation wandered as far West as
the Rocky Mountains. They surrounded on all sides that crafty
and diplomatic people, the Iroquois, or Five Nations, augmented
later on by the linguistically related Tuscaroras from the South,
when they bombastically styled themselves the Six Nations. It
is said that they presented the finest type of the North American
Indian. In statecraft and diplomacy the more peaceful Dela-
wares, who will be the subject of this paper, were to the Iroquois
no equal and often did they have cause to regret having listened
to their blandishments. The name Lenni Lenape, we are told
by the Missionary Heckewelder, is the national and proper one
of this tribe and signifies "original people," a race of human
beings who are the same that they were in the beginning.
The late eminent anthropological authority, Dr. D. G. Brin-
ton, combats this, and believes that the word means a "male of
our kind," or "one more." He came to this conclusion after a
careful examination in all its parts of the word.
Living in greatest numbers on the banks of the Delaware
River, they were thus called by the Europeans. Thinking that
this name was given to them in derision they objected to it until
told that it was one of compliment. Then only were they satisfied
when made aware of the fact that it was the name of a great white
chief, Lord de la War, and that the river upon whose banks were
their homes was given the same name. After this explanation
they were greatly pleased.
According to traditions handed down to them by their fore-
fathers the Lenni Lenape people lived many hundreds of years
ago in a distant country in the western part of the American
continent. For some unaccountable reason they determined to
migrate eastward and in a body set out together in that direction.
63
After a very long journey and many nights' encampments by the
way, which means a halt of one year at a place, they at length
reached the Namaesi Sipu, or now the Mississippi River. The
Lenape spies were told that the country toward which their people
were emigrating was occupied by a very 'powerful nation who
had many large towns built on the great rivers flowing in every
direction through their land.
When the Lenape reached the banks of the Mississippi River
they sent a message to the Alligewi the people occupying the
country, asking permission to settle there. This request was
refused, but they were given permission to pass through the
country and seek a settlement farther on. The Alligewi seeing
the great numbers crossing the river made a furious attack on
those who had reached their side and threatened with destruction
all, if the others still remaining on the other side persisted in com-
ing. The Lenape, aided by the Iroquois, who were also at the
same time going toward the East, declared war against the Alli-
gewi. After many hard fought battles in which many warriors
fell on both sides, the Alligewi, finding their destruction inevitable
if they persisted in their obstinacy, abandoned the country to
their conquerors and fled down the Mississippi River, from whence
they never returned. This war lasted many years and the brunt
of it fell always upon the Lenape, the crafty Iroquois hanging
back in the rear, while the battles were fought. Through intrigue
and craft they, however, gained the land they desired, which was
that bordering on the Great Lakes and on their tributary streams.
The Lenape took possession of the country to the South, and at
last reached the large river upon which they lived, as before said,
in greatest numbers.
They say that the whole of their nation did not reach this
country, but that part of it remained on the other side of the
Mississippi, on being informed of the reception met with by those
who had crossed.
The Lenape were divided into these subtribes :
1. The Minsi, Monseys, Montheys, Munsees or Minisinks.
2. The Unami or Wonameyo.
3. The Unalachtigo.
Minsi means "people of the stony country," or, briefly,
"mountaineers."
Unami means "people down -the river."
Unalachtigo means "people who live near the ocean," and
historically such were the positions of these subtribes when they
first came to the knowledge of the Europeans.
The Minsi lived in the mountainous region at the head waters
of the Delaware, above the Forks, or junction of the Lehigh River.
One of their principal fires was on the Minisink plains, above the
Water Gap, and another on the East Branch of the Delaware,
which they called Namaeo Sipu, Fish River.
64
The Unami's territory on the right bank of the Delaware
River extended from the Lehigh Valley southward. It was with
them that Penn dealt for the land ceded him in the Indian deed
of 1682.
The Unalachtigo' had their principal seat on the affluents of
the Delaware, near where Wilmington now stands.
Each of these subtribes had its totemic animal from which
it claimed a mystical descent. The Minsi had the wolf, the
Unami the turtle and the Unalachtigo the turkey. The Unami,
the subtribe which occupied the territory in which is embraced
our Lehigh county, claimed and were conceded the precedence of
the others, because their ancestor, the turtle, was not the common
animal, so called, but the great original tortoise which bears the
world on its back. This animal had a power and a nature to
produce all things on the earth, even the earth itself. But it
was not the ultimate energy of the universe. There was a greater
cause and the tortoise only brought forth that which this primeval
divinity wished through it to produce. Everywhere in Algonkin
pictography is the turtle or the tortoise the symbol of the earth.
Each tribe of the Lenape recognized a chieftain, called
sachem, and by common .and ancient consent, the chief selected
from the turtle totem was head chief of the whole Lenape nation.
They could, however, not go to war themselves, nor attempt
anything indicating that the tempest of strife was to be let loose.
War was declared by the people at the instigation of the
"war captains," valorous braves of any birth or family who had
distinguished themselves by personal courage, and especially by
good success in forays against the enemy.
The Lenape depended not alone on the chase for subsistence.
They were largely agricultural, and raised a variety of fruits and
edible plants. Indian corn or maize, was, as usual, the staple.
This very valuable cereal originated in all probability in a
circumscribed locality, above 4,500 feet elevation, north of the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, and south of the twenty-second
degree of north latitude, near the ancient seat of the mysterious
and cultured Maya tribes of Indians. There is hardly a doubt
but that they first cultivated it and distributed it in every direc-
tion. It is probable that maize reached the Rio Grande about
700 A. D., for Humbold tells us that the Aztecs learned of this
staple in 666 A. D. By the year 1000 A. D. it had reached the
coast of Maine. So extensively was it cultivated by the American
aboriginal people that during wars with them millions of bushels
were destroyed. The Puritans in King Philip's War, in 1675,
took possession of 1,000 acres of corn, which was harvested by
the English and disposed of according to their directions. Every-
where the Puritans found maize. Marquis de Nouville, in his
celebrated expedition against the Seneca Indians, a subtribe of
the Iroquois, captured and destroyed 1,200,000 bushels. It took
65
Frontenac three days in 1696 to destroy the corn of the Onon-
dagas, another subtribe of the Six Nations.
De Soto often speaks of Indian villages surrounded by exten-
sive fields of maize, and in one instance" he passed through con-
tinuous fields of this cereal for six miles. Becoming short of
provisions they robbed the Indians of enough corn to last his army
of freebooters for five days.
In addition to this wonderful resource of corn they had
extensive fields of squashes, beans and sweet potatoes. They
also cultivated freely a hardy variety of tobacco. Of this plant
more in a future paper. They also consumed wild fruits and
plants and nutritious tubers. Of nuts they used acorns, walnuts,
hickory nuts, chestnuts. They had plenty of melons, persimmons,
peaches, plums, grapes and mulberries. Had these people been
left to themselves, the writer is certain, they would in course of
time have reached a high state of civilization. When once a
people become stationary and begin cultivating the ground, this
state is assured. While they have superstitious notions, and
who has not, be he educated or (unversed?) the supreme Mannitto,
the creator and preserver of heaven and earth, is the great object
of their adoration. On him they rest their hopes, to him they
address their prayers and make their solemn sacrifices. Their
Almighty Creator is always before their eyes on all important
occasions.
The first step in the education of their children is to prepare
them for future happiness, by impressing upon their tender minds
that they are indebted for their existence to a great and benevolent
Spirit, who not only has given them life, but has ordained them
for certain great purposes, and as they grow older more serious
matters pretaining to life and mode of living are taught them.
They are finally told that if they respect the aged and infirm,
and are kind and obliging to them, they will be treated in the
same manner when their turn comes to be old. What a blessing
would it be were many whites taught this same lesson.
In teaching to their young their form of precepts it is done in
the gentlest and most persuasive manner. The child's pride is
the feeling to which an appeal is made, which proves successful
in almost every instance. How well could the Indian, father and
mother say of a good child, as they often did, "May the great
Spirit, who looks upon him, grant this good child a long life."
The Missionary Heckewelder, to whom I am indebted for
much of the information contained in this paper, says: "It may
justly be a subject of wonder, how a native without a written
code of laws or system of jurisprudence, without any form or
constitution of government and without even a single elective
or hereditary magistrate, can submit together in peace and har-
mony, and in the exercise of the moral virtues; how a people can
be well and effectually governed without any external authority;
66
by the mere force of the ascendency which men of superior minds
have over those of a more ordinary stamp ; by a tacit, yet universal
submission to the aristocracy of experience, talents and virtue!
Such, nevertheless, is the spectacle which an Indian nation exhibits
to the eye of a stranger. I have been a witness to it for a long
series of years and after much observation and reflection to dis-
cover the cause of this phenomenon, I think I have reason to be
satisfied that it is in a great degree to be ascribed to the pains
which the Indians take to instill at an early age honest and vir-
tuous principles upon the minds of their children, and to the
method which they pursue in educating them. This method I
will not call a system; for systems are unknown to the sons of
Nature, who by following alone her simple dictates, have at once
discovered and followed without effort that plain obvious path
which the philosophers of Europe have been so long in search of.
"It is a striking fact that in their uncivilized state they behave
towards each other as though they were a cultivated people.
Their general principle, that good and bad can not mingle or
dwell together in one heart, and therefore must not come in contact
seems to be their guide on all occasions. I do not believe that
there exists a people more attentive to paying common civilities
to each other than are the Indians. A person is never left standing
and a stranger, if a white person, is furnished with the best seat."
Marriages with them were never contracted for life. One
could put away the other if not satisfied. The Indian took his
wife as if it were on trial, determined, however, in his own mind
not to forsake her if she behaved well, and particularly if there
were children. The woman, sensible of this, does on her part
everything in her power to please her husband, particularly if
he is a good hunter or trapper, capable of maintaining her by his
skill and industry and protecting her by his strength and courage.
It is generally believed that the Indian woman was treated as a
slave. Compared with the tasks imposed upon white women,
their labors appeared hard and heavy, but they were no more
than their fair share, under every consideration and due allow-
ance of the hardships attendant on savage life. They are both
willing and able to do it and always perform it with cheerfulness.
Mothers taught their daughters those duties which common sense
would otherwise point out to them when grown up. An Indian
lives to see his wife well clothed, and the more he does for her
the more is he esteemed particularly by his female neighbors.
Whatever longing a wife or mother of his children has, if possible,
it will be procured.-
In their observations upon the implements then used by the
whites and their shrewdness in making axes, guns, knives, hoes,
shovels, pots and kettles, blankets and other very convenient
articles to which they became accustomed they say: "Our fore-
fathers did without all these things, and we have never heard,
67
nor has any tradition informed us that they were at a loss for the
want of them; therefore, we must conclude that they were also
ingenious; and, indeed, we know that they were; for they made
axes of stone to cut with, and bows and arrows to kill the game ;
they made knives and arrow points with sharp flint stones and
bones; hoes and shovels from the shoulder blade of the elk and
buffalo; they made pots of clay, garments of skins, and orna-
ments with the feathers of the turkey, goose and other birds.
They were not in want of anything, the game was plenty and
tame, the dart shot from our arrows did not frighten them as
the report of the gun now does; we had, therefore, everything
that we could reasonably require; we lived happy!"
They knew not the use of spirituous liquors and their attend-
ant results until the advent of the Europeans. This vice produced
terrible results, and reflecting Indians remarked "that it was
strange that a people who professed themselves believers in a
religion revealed to them by the great Spirit himself, who say
that they have in their houses the Word of God, and his laws
and commandments textually written, could think of making a
liquor calculated to bewitch people and make them destroy one
another."
Mr. Heckewelder once asked an Indian at Pittsburg who was
a stranger to him, who he was. The red man answered in broken
English: "My name is Blackfish, when at home with my nation I
am a clever fellow, and when here a hog." Whiskey had sunk
him when in this settlement, down to the level of that beast.
Indian tradition tells us that the Dutch, under Henry Hudson,
when anchored in September, 1609, in New York bay, were the
first whites to give to the Indians, the Mohicans, a subtribe of
the Lenapes, this drink.
I shall here simply describe for the sake of brevity the pre-
sentation of the liquor in the council meeting and the results of
its use during the reception given the whites. Meanwhile, a
large bottle is brought by one of the servants of the white officer,
from which an unknown substance is poured out into a small
cup or glass and handed to the white officer. He drinks — has
the glass filled again and hands it to the chief standing next to
him. The chief receives it, but only smells the contents and passes
it on to the next chief, who does the same. The glass or cup
thus passes through the circle without the liquor being tasted by
anyone, and is upon the point of being returned to the red clothed
white officer, when one of the Indians, a brave man and a great
warrior, suddenly jumps up and harangues the assembly on the
impropriety of returning the cup with its contents. It was
handed to them, says he, by the white officer, that they should
drink out of it as he himself had done. To follow his example
would be pleasing to him, but to return what he had given them
might provoke his wrath and bring destruction on them. And
68
since the orator believed it for the good of the nation that the
contents offered them should be drunk, and as no one else would
do it, he would drink it himself let the consequence be what it
might; it was better for one man to die, than that a whole nation
should be destroyed. He then took the glass and bidding the
assembly a solemn farewell, at once drank up its whole contents.
Every eye was fixed on the resolute chief, to see what effect the
unknown liquor would produce. He soon began to stagger and
at last fell prostrate to the ground. His companions now bemoan
his fate; he falls into a sound sleep and they think he has expired.
He wakes again, jumps up and declares that he has enjoyed the
most delicious sensations and that he never before felt himself
so happy as after he drunk the cup. He asks for more, his wish
is granted. The whole assembly then imitate him, and all become
intoxicated.
In the way of introducing the Christian religion to the Lenapes
little was done. The Rev. Thomas Campanius, of Stockholm, a
Lutheran clergyman, attached to the Sweedish settlement from
1642 to 1649, made a creditable effort to acquire the native tongue
and preach Christianity to the savages around him. So very
religious a body as the early Friends did nothing. William Penn
offered in 1699 to provide with interpreters the Friends' Meeting
at Philadelphia to convey religious instruction to them, but with-
out avail. For nearly half a century nothing was done, and when
young David Brainerd began his mission in 1742 he distinctly
states that there was not another missionary in the province of
New Jersey. The little society of Christian Indians which he
gathered in Burlington county, New Jersey, was even reported
as a congregation of rioters and enemies of the State. Penn's
province was inclined to no greater favors toward Christianized
natives. Brainerd, however, knew nothing of the needs of a
Christian harvest which the ardent Moravian leader, Count
Nicholas Lewis Zinzendorf, had in 1742 sown in the wilderness
of Pennsylvania. The pious Rauch had gathered a small but
earnest congregation of Mohegans at Shekomeko, who soon
removed to the valley of the Lehigh to Gnadenhutten, now Lehigh-
ton. Zeisberger had registered himself an appointed missionary
to the heathen in 1744, but when in 1808, after sixty- two years
of missionary labors, he closed his eyes in death, the huts of barely
a score of converted Indians clustered around his little chapel.
After the murder of the Conestoga Indians the Delawares
first withdrew into the wilds of the Susquehanna and settled at
Wyalusing, about 100 miles from the frontier settlers beyond
the Blue Mountains. But after living here for about five years
they moved off in a body directly for the Muskingum River in
Ohio. From there, part of them moved to Upper Louisiana in
1789. Others went to Canada, while a few who remained in
Ohio, attempted to live a peaceful and agricultural life. They
69
lived a few years in Indiana. From there they moved to near
the mouth of the Kansas River. In 1850 they were reported as
owning their 375,000 acres and numbering 1,500 souls. Four
years later they "ceded" their land and the majority were moved
to various reservations in the Indian Territory. In Kansas
there lived in 1885 about 60 of these unfortunate people and in
Ontario, Canada, 300.
Egypt Church.
History of the Reformed Congregation
of Egypt Church.
By Chari^ks Rhoads Roberts.
The Egypt Reformed congregation possesses a documen-
tary history which runs back one hundred and seventy-four
years, making it the oldest Reformed congregation in Lehigh
county, the Great Swamp congregation, of Lower Milford town-
ship, coming second. The year 1733 has generally been accepted
as the date of its organization, but we have no proof of the cor-
rectness of this date. The accurate historian must depend upon
documentary evidence to substantiate any statement he may
make, and we have no such evidence as to when the congrega-
tion was organized. The majority of the first settlers in this
immediate vicinity were natives of Switzerland and members
of the Reformed church. It was natural, therefore, that upon
their settlement here, they should organize a congregation of
their own faith. It was in the year 1733 that the majority of
the early settlers at Egypt arrived in America, and it may be
that in this year an organization was effected. It was not, how-
ever, until July i, 1734, that any land warrant was secured,
when Jacob Kohler, who is supposed to have settled here about
1730, obtained a warrant for one hundred acres of land.
The principal source of information regarding this congre-
gation is the old baptismal record, the oldest record book of a
Reformed congregation in this county. It is a small volume
bound in leather, with strips of buckskin serving instead of
clasps. The earliest entry in this book is dated September 23,
1734, and was made by Rev. John Philip Boehm, recording the
baptism of David, born July 27, 1734, ^ son of Peter Traxel.
The sponsors were Nicholas Kern and his wife Mary Margaret
Kern. The fact that Rev. Boehm made this entry in 1734
points to the existence of a congregation at that time, as it is
doubtful whether he would have opened a baptismal record had
there not been an organized congregation.
Boehm 's report to the Holland Synod, written October 18,
1734, in the Dutch language, does not mention this congregation.
He mentions, however, the needs of "Macungie, Maxatawny
72
and Great Swamp, where, notwithstanding their being scattered
very far apart, yet a considerable number of people can come
together." The name "Macungie," then included a large ter-
ritory, and the inhabitants of this region, in a petition to the
Court in 1752, for the erection of a new township, which was
later called Whitehall, styled themselves, "residents of the
back parts of Heidelberg and Macungie."
In the same report, in speaking of the district of the minister
needed at Goshenhoppen, Boehm says: "He might conduct
services there every three weeks, and use the rest of the time to
feed the poor sheep at the end of the wilderness, in the above
mentioned Saucon, Macungie, Maxatawny and Great Swamp,
who thirst for the hearing of God's word as the dry earth for
water. Many people from these regions have already been to
see me in great sadness, and complained of the pitiable state of
their souls. There were also some, who being able to make the
journey, have come at various times to communion in the con-
gregation entrusted to me at Falkner Swamp, a distance of cer-
tainly twenty-five to thirty English miles, and brought children
for baptism, which journey, however, is impossible for old persons
and weak women, so that it is not to be wondered at (especially
when one remembers that there are children who for lack of a
minister can not be brought to baptism until they are several
years of age) that my heart breaks and my eyes are full of tears
about this condition. But I can not accomplish this work alone,
for my years are beginning to accumulate, and my poor body
is also getting feeble, since I must not only make long journeys
and preach, but also, because these poor people are not able to
support me, I must support my large family with manual labor."
The second entry in the church book was made October
26, 1736, by John Henry Goetschius, recording the baptism of
John, son of "the respectable Peter Traxel, church censor of the
Reformed congregation here," and his wife Juliana Catharine
Traxel. The sponsors were Nicholas Kern, John Egender and
Margaret Egender. This is the first mention of a congregation
here and also the first mention of Goetschius in the book. Di-
rectly above this entry he wrote: "Getauft durch H. Pfarrer
Goetschi." As Goetschius did not arrive in America until 1735,
this record could not have been made in 1733, as has been often
stated.
It is in this year, 1736, that we find the first mention of the
name, "Egypt," appHed to this vicinity. On the title page of
the record book of New Goshenhoppen, Goetschius states that
he served the congregations at Skippack, Old Goshenhoppen,
New Goshenhoppen, Swamp, Saucon, Egypt, Macedonia, Mosil-
lem, Oley, Bern and Tulpehocken. Rev. Prof. William J. Hinke
gives 1 736 as the date when this inscription was written by Goet-
schius.
73
The third entry is in the handwriting of Goetschius, and is
the baptism on July 27, 1737, of Peter Roth (the writer's great
great grandfather), son of Daniel and Anna Margaret Roth. The
sponsors were Peter Traxel, deacon of the Reformed congre-
gation and his wife Juliana Catharine.
The fourth and fifth entries are dated March 22, 1739, when
Goetschius baptized Anna Barbara, daughter of Abraham and
Anna Margaret Wotring and Catharine Elizabeth, daughter of
Michael and Eva Catharine Hoffman. The sponsors of the
Wotring child were Ulrich Burghalter and his wife Anna Bar-
bara, and of the Hoffman child, Peter Traxel and Catharine
Elizabeth Kern, the wife of George Kern.
On this same day he wrote the inscription on the fly leaf of
the baptismal record; viz, in Greek, "Nothing without writing;"
in Latin, "All for the glory of God and the salvation of our souls;"
and in German, "Baptismal Record of the Congregation on the
Lehigh, in which are recorded the names of the children bap-
tized, the names of their parents, and also the names of their
sponsors. Commenced March 22, 1739. J. Henricus Goet-
schius, M. (Minister). Helvetico Tigurinus." (A Swiss of Zu-
rich).''' This date is corroborated by two eminent authorities.
Prof. Wm. J. Hinke says: "The church record at Egypt has
always been supposed to have been opened by Goetschius in
1733, but on closer examination the date turns out to be 1739."
Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Dubbs says in "The Reformed Church in
Pennsylvania"; "The inscriptions on the title pages of church
records, which have led to so much misunderstanding, are easily
explained. Goetschius found the books already in existence,
containing a number of entries of baptism; but the first page
was in each case unoccupied, and he took a boyish pleasure in
putting his name there, sometimes adding a few sentences in
Greek or Latin. The inscription at New Goshenhoppen was
not written before 1736, though on the next following page
there is the record of a baptism solemnized in 1731 by some
earlier minister. The inscription at Egypt turns out to have
been written in 1739, and the one at Great Swamp alone is legibly
dated April 24, 1736."
This is precisely what happened at Egypt, for Rev. Boehm
made the earliest entry in 1734, leaving several pages blank.
Goetschius did not appear until 1736, when he baptized the
second Traxel child. In 1737, he baptized the Roth child and
in 1739 wrote the inscription on the fly-leaf.
These pioneer organizers of this congregation deserve more
than passing mention. Peter Traxel, or Drachsel, and his wife
Juliana Catharine, were natives of Switzerland and came to
America in 1733, with two sons, Peter and Daniel. He settled
♦These records, from 1734 to 1834, translated by tne writer, will appear in the Sixth
Series of Pennsylvania Archives.
74
at Egypt, where he appears to have been the most prominent
of the church members, being mentioned as censor in 1736 and
1 741, and as deacon in 1737 and 1741. A few years later he
removed a few miles westward and secured large tracts of land
along the Jordan creek, some of which is still owned by his
descendants, one of whom is James Troxell, residing near the
Iron Bridge.
Nicholas Kern, one of the earliest settlers of Whitehall
township, owned large tracts of land near what is now Guths-
ville, which he sold in 1739 to Lawrence Guth, and removed to
the site of Slatington.
Daniel Roth, a native of Switzerland, where he was born
about 1703, came to America in 1733, and in 1737, settled at
the Jordan at what is now Sherersville. He died in April, 1737,
in the same hour in which his son Peter, baptized at Egypt on
July 27th following, was born. This son became prominent as
a Revolutionary patriot, and was the first President Judge of
Northampton county. An elder son, Daniel, born in Switzer-
land in 1724, was the ancestor of many of the Roth families in
Whitehall to-day.
Abraham Wotring was born July 11, 1700, and came to
America in 1733, with his wife and four children. He died in
1752, leaving eight children to survive him.
Ulrich Burghalter, also from Switzerland, arrived in 1733,
on the same ship with Abraham Wotring, accompanied by his
wife and six children. He died in 1762. His only son, Peter
Burghalter, was prominent in the Revolution, and is buried
here at Egypt.
Michael Hoffman came to America in 1732, and settled
along the Coplay creek. He died in 1786. John and Michael
were his sons.
George Kern, in whose- house the congregation often wor-
shipped, arrived in this country in 1737, and bought land
adjoining the Kohler and Burghalter families. He was the
father of George Jacob Kern and Mrs. Philip Jacob Schreiber.
On April 16, 1739, Goetschius baptized Christian and Juliana
Margaret Traxel, twin children of Peter and Juliana Catharine
Traxel. The sponsors were Christian Brengel, Peter Traxel,
Salome Gut, John Bertsch, Catharine EHzabeth Kern and Mary
Margaret Newhard. On May 13, 1739, he baptized Jacob, son
of Jacob Bricker and Catharine Eva, daughter of Clementz
Arndt. These are the last of his entries in the book.
John Henry Goetschius, or Goetschi, was the son of Rev.
Moritz Goetschius, of Saletz, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland.
His father left Zurich on October 4, 1734, at the head of four
hundred persons, including his wife and eight children, intending
to go to the Carolinas. After many trials they arrived at Rot-
terdam, where the father was persuaded to change his destina-
75
tion to Pennsylvania and was promised a salary of 2,000 gulden,
for the first year, to organize and superintend the churches of
Pennsylvania. He accepted the offer and after a terrible voyage
of three months, in which the passengers suffered greatly, they
arrived at Philadelphia on May 29, 1735. On the arrival of the
vessel, the elders of the Reformed congregation of Philadelphia
came on board to greet him as their pastor. He was very ill,,
but responded heartily. The next day he was taken ashore to
a house, but his wife and family remained on the ship. While
carrying him up the stairs to a chamber on the second floor, he
expired. On the third day after, he was buried in the church-
yard of the principal Presbyterian church in Philadelphia with
elaborate ceremonies.
His eldest son, John Henry, was then seventeen years old,
and a student for the ministry. When the people saw the cer-
tificate of his studies, they were delighted, and insisted on his
preaching. He was, therefore, as Rev. Dr. Good says, the boy
preacher of the early Reformed. He preached to them every
Sunday twice and had catechization twice. The first Sunday
he preached at Philadelphia morning and evening, and after
service he had catechization. On the second Sunday he preached
at Skippack in the morning, then had catechization, and in the
afternoon he had service and catechization at Old Goshenhoppen.
On the third Sunday he preached at New Goshenhoppen and
had catechization in the morning. In the afternoon he preached
at Great Swamp, in Lehigh county, where was a large congre-
gation. Here, at Great Swamp, he opened the church book on
April 24, 1736.
Goetschius continued preaching until 1739, when he went
to Bucks county and studied under Dorsius. On September
24, 1740, he paid a farewell visit to New Goshenhoppen and bap
tized eight children. Rev. Boehm says in his report in 1744,
that Goetschius went to Long Island in October, 1740, where
he was irregularly ordained by Revs. Dorsius, Tennant and
Frelinghuysen in April, 1741. The classis of Amsterdam was
very angry at this act of Dorsius in ordaining Goetschius, as he
had no authority from them to do it, and he was censured. Goet-
schius was finally examined and ordained in 1748, when he be-
came pastor at Hackensack, N. J. He died in 1774.
The next three entries in the book were probably written
by Rev. Boehm, who preached here occasionally until his death
in 1749. The first of these is dated June 12, 1739, and is the
baptism of Anna Barbara, daughter of Martin and Sara Kocher.
The sponsors were Barbara, wife of Ulrich Burghalter and Nicho-
las Saeger. On June 27, 1739, George, the son of Ulrich and
Lucia Flickinger, was baptized. His sponsors were George
Kern and Juliana, wife of Peter Traxel. The last of these three
entries is the baptism on September 30, 1739, of John Peter
76
Sensinger, son of Ulrich and Catharine Sensinger. The spon-
sors were Peter Traxel and wife JuHana, Anna Mary, wife of
John Traxel, and Nicholas Kern.
^^1^ Ulrich Flickinger came to America in 1733. The family
lived here many years, but later removed from the vicinity.
f%>\ Johii Traxel, whose wife was a sponsor, came to America
•in 1737. His son, John Peter Traxel, built in 1756, the house
in which the congregation frequently worshipped.
Then follow three entries of the baptism of children in the
Saucon church, on September 23, 1740, by "Inspector Peter
Henry Torschius."
House built by John Peter Traxel in 1756, in which church services were held.
The first of these is that of John Michael Lorentz, son of
Frederick and Margaret Newhard. The sponsors were Lorentz
Guth, Michael Newhard, Juliana Catharine Traxel and Engel
Trumer. The second is that of John Michael, son of John and
Anna Mary Weber. The sponsors were Michael Weber and wife.
The third is that of Mary Barbara, daughter of John Nicholas
and Eva Schneider. The sponsors were Peter Traxel, Paulus
Paillet, Mary Margaret, wife of Nicholas Kern, and Anna Bar-
bara, daughter of Nicholas Saeger.
Frederick Newhard owned 203^ acres of land along the
Coplay creek, which he sold to Adam Deshler, and removed to
near/ Allen town. He came from Zweibruecken in 1737.
77
Michael Newhard, brother of Frederick, was born in 17 13,
and died in 1793, He and his wife are buried in the Egypt
graveyard. He was the ancestor of the Newhard famiHes of
North Whitehall.
Lorenz Guth came from Zweibruecken in 1738. He after-
wards founded the Jordan Reformed church.
Paul Balliet was born in Alsace in 171 7, and came to this
country in 1738. He married a daughter of Abraham Wotring,
and died in 1777. He was the father of Col. Stephen Balliet, a
Revolutionary officer.
Rev. Dr. J. I. Good says, in his "History of the Reformed
Church," that Rev. Dorsius was a native of Meurs, Germany.
He studied at Groningen and Leyden, and was ordained in Hol-
land in 1737. He came to America October 5, 1737, and was
pastor of the Dutch church at Neshaminy, Bucks county. He
had been asked by the deputies in Holland to correspond with
them and to answer certain questions concerning the German
Reformed churches in Pennsylvania.
The next entry in the record book states that the following
five children were baptized on July 28, 1741, by Rev.. Mr. Boehm.
These children were George Frederick, son of Peter and Juliana
Catharine Traxel, w^hose sponsors were George Kern, Frederick
Newhard, Salome Gut, wife of Lorentz Gut, and Susanna, wife
of George Ruch; Catharine Elizabeth, daughter of George and
Catharine Elizabeth Kern, whose sponsors were Peter Traxel,
church censor, Roland Schmidt, Mary Barbara, wife of Michael
Newhard and Luce, wife of Ulrich Flickinger; Catharine Bar-
bara, daughter of Ulrich and Luce Flickinger, whose sponsors
were Christian Brengel, single, Juliana Catharine, wife of Peter
Traxel, and Catharine Elizabeth, wife of George Kern; a child
of Ludwig and Eva Knaus, whose sponsors were Nicholas and
Mary Margaret Kern; and George Jacob, son of Frederick and
Anna Mary Schneider, whose sponsors were George Jacob Kern,
son of George Kern and Anna Barbara, daughter of Nicholas
Saeger.
Rev. John Philip Boehm was born at Hochstadt, Germany,
Nov. 25, 1683. His father, Philip Lewis Boehm, was the pas-
tor there. John Philip Boehm taught school at Worms from
1708 to 1 715, and at Lambsheim from 1715 to 1720, after which
he came to America. He settled in the Schuylkill valley above
Philadelphia and there held religious services without salary in
the capacity of a "reader." As no Reformed minister was to be
had, the people finally prevailed on him to become their mini-
ster, and in 1725, he first administered the communion at Falk-
ner Swamp, Skippack and White Marsh. He formulated a
church constitution which was adopted by seven congregations —
the three above mentioned, Conestoga, Tulpehocken, Philadelphia
and Oley. Later he also founded a congregation in Whitpain
78
township, Montgomery county, still called Boehm's church.
He was ordained Nov. 23, 1729, in the Reformed church of New
York city. He died suddenly at the house of his eldest son,
April 29, 1749, after he had on the previous day administered
the communion to the congregation at Egypt. This house is
still standing at Hellertown. As Rev. Dr. Good says, he worked
on virgin soil, and should ever be honored as the founder of
our church.
Again referring to the church book, we find this notice:
"1742. Children were baptized by Peter Traxel and George
Kern. Commencing 1742, were baptized by myself. John
Conrad Wuertz. V. D. M. Helvetio Tigurinus." .
John Conrad Wuertz, or Wirtz, was born Nov. 30, 1706,
and was a brother-in-law of Goetschius. He became school-
master at old Goshenhoppen, and later began preaching, though
not ordained.
He baptized twelve children here at Egypt, dating from
Sept. 17, 1742 to Dec. 21, 1744.
Michael Schlatter, the Missionary Superintendent, also
visited Egypt in June, 1747. He says in his Journal: "From
Wednesday to Saturday, the 24th, 25th and 26th, I visited the
congregations in Manatawny, Magunchy, Egypt and on the
Lehigh, a circuit of 45 miles and came near to Bethlehem, a loca-
tion of the Moravians."
In September, 1747, the first Coetus of the Reformed church
was held in Philadelphia, and the delegate from Egypt was Abra-
ham Wotring.
From 1744 to 1752 there are no entries in the record book.
Schlatter says in his journal, on Nov. 8, 1748: "I received a call
for a minister from the congregations called Egypt and Heidel-
berg. They desire to have a permanent pastor, and obligate
themselves for forty-two pounds, or two hundred and eighty
Dutch guilders, as salary:" In the same year he states that
the charge, composed of the Heidelberg, Egypt, and Jordan
congregations, is without a regular minister.
In the minutes of the second Coetus, held in 1748, is the
following: "The delegates from Egypt and Heidelberg, in Bucks
county, and from Little Lehigh, have asked for a regular min-
ister, and have received as a unanimous answer from the Coetus
that if at least fifty pounds of Pennsylvania money can be raised,
then Coetus will send a request to the Venerable Christian Synods
to obtain a minister for them."
It was at this same session of Coetus that the marriage fee
was fixed at 7 shillings and 6 pence, and the fee for a funeral
sermon at 5 shillings, but no renumeration was to be asked for
baptism.
In .the minutes of a special Coetus held at Philadelphia on
August 10 to 13, 1752, Rev. Michael Schlatter in his report to
"9
the Holland Synods says that with the approval of the brethern,
he placed the newly arrived six ministers, among them Domine
Wissler at Egypt. At the Coetus held October i8 to 24, 1752,
at Lancaster, John Jacob Wissler, of Egypt, was present.
In the minutes of a special Coetus held at Philadelphia on
December 12, 1752, occurs the following: "As regards Domine
Wissler, located at Egypt, at no great distance from Dos. Weiss
and Leydich, he is more of a friend to Dos. Steiner and Rubel
than to us, and we are also afraid that he will not come up to
our expectations. Neither did he come to this meeting, but sent
in writing the following excuses; viz., 'That he had an engage-
ment to preach, and to marry a couple, that he had to visit the
sick and had house visitations on hand, nor could he leave his
wife alone, and that he had no money for the journey.' "
In the church book in 1752, after the text, Matthew, 19: 14,
occurs the name, "John Jacob Wissler, Dillenberga Nassauicus,
pastor of Egypt, Jordan and Heidelberg."
Rev. Wissler was born at Dillenberg, Feb. 23, 1727, and was
the only one of the six young men who came with Schlatter who
was married. He seems to have been the first regularly appointed
pastor of Egypt congregation. His salary in 1753 is recorded
as 35 pounds. The first entry written by Rev. Wissler was on
Sept. 24, 1752. Of the sixteen entries of baptism made by him,
seven related to Egypt, seven to Heidelberg, and two to Jordan
congregation. He also recorded the confirmation here in 1753
of fourteen boys and seventeen girls, and in 1754 of two boys
and two girls. Of the earlier ministers, he was the only one
who recorded any deaths, of which there are two, Abraham
Wotring, on Nov. 28, 1752, and EHzabeth, daughter of the late
Henry Roeder, of Heidelberg, on May 10, 1753. He recorded
also two marriages, one on December 12, 1752, in Heidelberg,
the very day on which Coetus met, showing that, one, at least,
of his excuses was true.
In the Coetus minutes of October 30, 1754, mention is made
of his death, "a month ago, after a sickness of two months,"
and his widow was given ten pounds. In 1756, Coetus gave his
widow six pounds; in 1757, six pounds; and in i759. two pounds,
eight shillings. In a letter written by Rev. Stoy, dated Sept.
30, 1757, referring to the Indian troubles, he says: "The place
where Domine Wisslej labored, when living (Egypt), has been
pillaged and robbed of its inhabitants."
From 1754 to December, 1764, Egypt was without a pastor.
Who preached here is unknown. Although there are many
records for these years in the church book, there are no names
of ministers recorded. Two baptisms are recorded on Oct. 5,
1755, very poorly written, evidently by a layman, and one on
May 2, 1756. Then the handwriting improves, and there are
two recorded on June 6, 1756; two on July 15, 1756; two on August
8o
15. 1756; and one on November 7, 1756. In 1757 there are five
records, and in 1758, six; in 1759, one; in 1760, three; in 1761,
six; in 1762, one; and in 1763, three. The last, on April 12,
1763, and the last in the old church book, was a daughter of
John and Margaret Snyder, all three of whom were killed by
Indians on October 8, 1763, about a mile northwest of here.
In the minutes of Coetus of 1763, is the following: "A call was
presented to us by the three congregations in Weythall (White-
hall) township and Northampton county, in which they ear-
nestly desire to have a regular pastor, for whom they are willing
according to their ability to contribute fifty pounds, Pennsyl-
vania currency, per annum. If it were possible to raise this
sum to fifty pounds sterling, we would humbly beg your Rever-
ences to secure a pastor for them. But as this sum (fifty pounds
Pennsylvania currency) is too small properly to support an
honest man, we dare not venture to do so. However, should
the Reverend Fathers know of a way to increase that sum, the
increase would be accepted with cordial gratitude."
In the minutes of 1764 it is stated that "Lancaster, Reading,
York, Tulpehocken, Whitehall, Kaston, Goshenhoppen, impor-
tant places for preachers, request, beg and pray through us for
help." In 1765, Rev. Weyberg, President of Coetus, reported
having visited several congregations, among them Whitehall,
and found them in good order.
In the minutes of the Coetus held at Lancaster on May 9,
1765, is stated that one, John Daniel Gros, a well-educated man,
who came over with Rev. Hendel, was received into the Coetus.
The minutes then continue as follows: "The time in Holland
being too short, on account of the departure of the ship, he could
not further address himself to the Rev. Synods and await their
decision. Therefore he at once desired our assistance here. We
were obliged to take him from the ship, because several sheperd-
less congregations wanted to take him, engage him, and receive
him as their pastor. To stop and prevent all disorder, we
examined him in theology and languages, and found him exceed-
ingly well versed. His delivery was defective, but his creden-
tials from Marburg and Heidelberg were genuine and fine. Mr.
Hendel's testimony to his conduct and diligence at the Uni-
versity of Heidelberg as long as he knew him there, was of very
great weight with us. In this manner we ordained him and
located him at Whitehall, where he is serving four congregations
with zeal and praise. We trust that this worthy man will be
accepted by your Reverences, and that our action, demanded
by the state of aff'airs, will meet with approval."
Further on we find the following: "At Whitehall Domine
Gros found 94 members in the one congregation, Egypt; from
the middle of December to May, baptized 7 children, received
13 members."
8i
According to the inscription on the fly leaf of the record
book of the Reformed church at Unionville, December 20, 1764,
is the date Rev. Gros took charge of the four congregations of
Allentown, Egypt, Schlosser's and at the Jordan. In 1766,
Rev. Gros reported 31 families at Egypt, 12 members received
and 7 baptized.
The first baptismal record written by Rev. Gros at Egypt
was dated April 28, 1765, and is the first entry in the second
church book. This book contains the following inscription:
"Church Book of the Congregation in Egypt, begun in the year
1764, under the care of Rev. Daniel Gros, Reformed Minister."
On the fly leaf is the following memorandum: "The Egypt church.
The Reformed congregation was founded Anno 1733. The
first was a log church, built in 1764. The second was of stone,
40 by 50 feet, and was built in the year 1785. The third is of
brick, 50 by 65 feet, and was built in 1851. It cost in money
expended $7,383.00, and including the work, cost about $11,000."
From other memoranda we learn that Nov. 8, 1765, George
Jacob Kern, who had the custody of the alms money, paid £1.
4s. 8d. to Jacob Mickley, the elder, his successor. On December
17, 1766, Jacob Mickley paid ^i. 6s. to his successor as alms-
surveyor, John Schadt. On the same date, the church account
was examined, and no claims were found against the congre-
gation, but all debts were paid. This was signed by Adam
Deshler, Michael Newhard and Rev. Gros.
In 1767 the four congregations purchased a house and six
acres of land, situated in what was called "Moyer's Valley,"
for use as a parsonage. The cost of this was one hundred and
fifty- two pounds, Pennsylvania Currency ($345.67). Egypt's
share was one-fourth, or thirty-eight pounds. In addition to
this there was spent upon the parsonage ^^31. 13s. 4d., of which
Egypt's share was £']. i8s. 4d. Adding to this 2s. 6d. for writing
the agreement, made the total for this congregation amount
to ^46. lod. From an old account book of the congregation
we find that this amount was made up as follows:
£ s. d.
Peter Burkhalter 4 o o
George Jacob Kern 4 o o
Johannes Schad 2 12 6
Christoph Schneider 15 6
Adam Deshler 3 4 o
Peter Deshler 17 6
Jacob Mickly, Jun 2 10 o
Peter Kohler 3 4 o
Jacob Kohler, Sen 5 o
Jacob Kohler, Jun i 15 o
Ulrich Flickinger i 3 o
Jacob Mickly, Sen 2 5 o
82
£ s. d.
Nicolaus Mark . . 17 6
Peter Steckel 3 o o
Jacob Schreiber 2 10 o
Nicolaus Allemann 12 6
Jacob Flickinger i o o
Peter Flickinger 9 o
Jacob Moritz 3 o
Michael Neuhart, Sen i 2 o
Michael Neuhart, Jun 10 o
Johannes Moritz 4 6
Nicolaus Draxel 2 o o
George Leibenguth 5 o
Johannes Hoffmann 2 10 o
Jacob Miller i o o
George Koehler 13 o
Engelbert Hoffmann 16 6
George Flickinger 4 o
Bastian Miller 5 o
Martin Mickly 2 6
Christoph Kern 3 o
Peter Siegfried 3 o
Frederick Neuhart i 6
Peter Neuhart. i * 6
45 5 o
Peter Burkhalter added 15 10
Total Receipts £ 46 o 10
The above was signed, May 29, 1771, by J. D. Gros, Abr.
Blumer, Michael Neuhart, Jacob Mickly, Jacob Miller and Nicolaus
Marck.
In this year, 1767, Paul Balliet represented this charge as
a delegate at the meeting of Coetus, and it is recorded that ten
shillings was paid him to ride to Coetus, presumably for his
expenses.
In 1768, Rev. Gros was Secretary of Coetus and reported a
membership of twenty families at Egypt, having baptized nine,
and confirmed 41 in the four congregations. He adds; "In each
congregation is one winter school. Two congregations are served
every Lord's Day."
In 1769, Rev. Gros was President of Coetus. In that year,
quoting from the minutes, is the following : * * Domine Gros, who
is much beloved by the Reverend Coetus as well as by his charge
at Whitehall, this year received a regular call from two large
congregations at Saucon and Springfield, which last year already
were commended to the Reverend Fathers. Domine Gros showed
83
considerable inclination to accept this call, and complained espe-
cially on account of the unfitness of his present dwelling at White-
hall. He lives in a very poor building, also at a place where no
wholesome water can be had : which to a minister in this country,
who has nothing to drink but water, may be a chief cause for
complaint, especially in the hot summer days, when through
bad water one's health can easily be impaired. The delegate
from Whitehall (who was Peter Roth, of Allentown) was ques-
tioned concerning this and replied, that the congregations at
Whitehall, were well satisfied with Domine Gros, and that they
would be sorely grieved, if they were forced to lose him. We
resolved to leave this matter to the decision of Domine Gros, that
he may determine for himself whether he could leave the charge
which he has hitherto had, and accept the call to Saucon and
Springfield. Do. Gros thereupon declared, that the separation
from Whitehall would be very hard for him, because he well knew
that his ministry among them had been blessed by the Lord to
the good of many souls, and for the future even more was to be
expected; that therefore he could not leave these congregations
unless Coetus would recommend to them in his place the first
capable minister whom the Reverend Fathers might send over.
This request was granted in the hope that the congregations at
Whitehall would see to it that their future pastor need not make
such complaints."
Rev. Gros is reported in 1769, as living with his family at
Whitehall, and having a membership of 34 families and baptized
16 at Egypt, and confirmed 30 in the whole charge.
In the Coetus records of 1770, it is stated that the resolution
of the previous year in regard to the four congregations served
by Domine Gros was confirmed. The resolution is as follows:
"That, because Domine Gros goes to Saucon and Springfield, the
congregations which he leaves shall be supplied by the first capable
minister who may be sent to us by the Christian Fathers, in order
that this vineyard, so prone to turn into a wilderness, may not
again, from want of cultivation, be entirely destroyed and become
unfruitful."
In 1769, it is recorded that the share of Egypt congregation
towards the pastor's salary was 18 pounds, 15 shillings ($50.00).
In 1770, Rev. Gros reported at Egypt, 36 families, 10 baptized,,
and 45 confirmed in the whole charge. His salary was 70 pounds.
Rkv. John Daniel Gros, D. D.
John Daniel Gros was born at Webenheim, in the county of
Zweibrucken. He attended the Universities of Marburg and
Heidelberg, went to Holland to arrange to be sent to America
by the deputies, but found the ship ready to sail, and came over
without waiting for them. He took the oath of allegiance at
Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1764. The Coetus located him in Whiter
84
hall, where he labored must successfully, and the people became
greatly attached to him. In 1769, he was called to Saucon, but
so great was his attachment to his charge that he would not give
them up until they had a pastor, as already mentioned. For a
time he served both charges, although quite a distance apart.
He would preach in his old charge three Sundays and the fourth
Sunday in Saucon and Springfield. But in 1770, he left his old
charge, giving his entire time to Saucon. In 1772, he complained
to Coetus that his congregations did not pay his salary. Because
of their want of love, stubbornness, neglect of church worship and
failure to pay his salary, he therefore accepted the next year, a
call to Kingston, N. Y., where he was pastor from 1773 to 1783.
He was pastor of the German Reformed Congregation in New
York City, from 1783 to 1795. He became Professor of German
Languages at Columbia College, 1784- 1795; of Moral Philosophy
there, 178 7- 1795; regent of the University of New York, 1 784-1 787.
Columbia College gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in
1789. He died May 27, 181 2. He published the first great book
published in America on moral philosophy, entitled "Natural
Principles of Rectitude, a systematic treatise on Moral Phil-
osophy," Philadelphia, 1795.
Rev. Abraham Blumer succeeded Rev. Gros as pastor of
the Egypt congregation.
Rev. Abraham Blumer.
Abraham Blumer was born at Grabs, then in the canton of
Glarus, Switzerland, December 14, 1736. (Old Style.) At his
baptism on December 19th, his sponsors were Magistrate David
Hildy, Captain General John Hildy, Catharine, wife of High
Bailiff Schmidt, and Anna Blumer, wife of a relative. His father
was John Jacob Blumer, minister at Betschwanden and Grabs,
Switzerland, who died in 1746, and his mother was Salome Shindler,
of Mollis. His grandfather, John Henry Blumer, was Deacon at
Shwandi and Pastor at Grabs, and his ancestors held offices of
distinction in Switzerland for generations, the genealogical tablets
of the family running back to Othmar Blumer, who was Church
Steward at Shwanden, in the sixteenth century. Of his four
brothers, three died in military service, one as Major, one as
Ensign, and one as cadet, and one died on his voyage to America.
Abraham Blumer matriculated at Basle, August i, 1754.
He was ordained June 8, 1756. He became chaplain of a Swiss
regiment, in the service of the King of Sardinia, July 11, 1757,
remaining in it until 1766, when, according to Rev. Dr. Good, he
entered the teaching profession in his canton. He became vicar
to a sickly minister and also private tutor. Rev. Mr. Planta,
the pastor of the German Reformed church at London, wrote a
letter, June 26, 1770, to the deputies, strongly urging his appoint-
ment. He appeared before the deputies August 22, with Rev.
Charles Lewis Boehme, and also before the classical committee,
August 27, 1770. He left Amsterdam, September 6, 1770. He
arrived at New York the latter part of January, 1771. He
appeared before the Coetus in February, and in that month took
charge of the four congregations in Whitehall charge, one of
which was Egypt. In the records of Unionville church, he wrote
the date of his taking charge of the congregation February 17,
1 77 1. His first baptism at Egypt was on June 2, 1771. In
October, 1771, Rev. Blumer attended the session of Coetus and
reported a membership at Egypt of forty families. In 1782 he
Silhouette of Rev. Abraham Blumer.
reported 38 families at Egypt, 14 baptized, 12 confirmed and one
school, with 53 pupils. In 1785 the report was very full, and gave
at Egypt 44 families, 23 baptized, 14 confirmed, and one school,
with 46 pupils. The yearly salary is given as one hundred pounds,
with twenty pounds perquisites, and ninety-five pounds expenses.
Rev. Blumer was a well-educated man and was possessed of
considerable ability and scholarship. In 1774, he received a
call from the French Reformed church, of New York City, which
he declined in a letter written in the French language. (See
Dubb's Reformed church in Pennsylvania.) He was clerk of
Coetus in 1773 and 1784, and president in 1774 and 1785. In
1785, he purchased a tract of 195 acres along the Jordan at the
present "Iron Bridge," on which a house built by him still stands.
86
He was pastor here for thirty years, until May, 1801, when old
age compelled him to resign. He retired to his home where he
died April 23, i'82 2, at the age of 85 years, and was buried at the
Jordan Reformed church. During his pastorate he baptized
2517 children and confirmed 1137. The last entry in his hand-
writing in the Egypt records is dated May 17, 1801.
During Rev. Blumer's pastorate, the second church was built.
The cornerstone was laid June 13, 1785, and the church was
dedicated June 4, 1786. The cost was ^893.0 s. 3^ d. ($2,381.73).
At the same time an organ was installed into the church at a cost
oi £ 154. 2 s. 9 d. ($411.04).
Facsimile of Rev, Blumer's signature.
The two congregations, prior to erecting the new building,
entered into an agreement, of which the following is a translation:
"This 1 8th of April, Anno Domini, 1785, we, the members
of the Evangelical Reformed and the Evangelical Lutheran
congregations, belonging to the parish of Egypt, in Whitehall
township, Northampton county, in the State of Pennsylvania,
have bound ourselves and agreed to erect a new stone church,
50 feet long and 40 feet broad, for joint use, and we herewith
give to our joint architects, chosen for that purpose, namely,
Peter Kohler, Esq., Samuel Saeger, Philip Jacob Schreiber, Adam
Zerfass, Jacob Mickly and Nicholas Saeger, Sen., full power to
place the above-mentioned church upon one of the most suitable
spots on our joint church lands. We also bind ourselves and
each other to contribute to the requisite and necessary expenses
according to our ability, until the said church is built and com-
pleted, which we hereby certify to with our own signatures, on the
above-mentioned day and date."
Peter Kohler, Philipp Jacob Schreiber,
Samuel Seeger, Adam Zerfass,
Jacob Mickly, Heinrich Steckel,
NicoLAUs Seeger, Sen., Jacob Meyer,
Peter Burkhalter, Engelbert Hoffmann,
Peter Deshler, Wilhelm Laury,
Georg KoehlEr, Abraham Hartmann,
Johannes Moritz, Jacob Kohler,
Friedrich Neuhart, Caspar Ritter,
Johannes Hoffmann, Georg Flickinger,
Christian Seeger, Jacob Fischer,
Nicholas Saeger (Tanner), Adam Traxel,
Daniel Kern, Johannes Steckel,
Johannes Grob, Jacob Geiger,
87
Jacob Laub,
Michael Neuhart,
TheobaIvD Herzog,
Adam Deshler,
David Neuhart,
Johannes Schantz,
Jacob Kern,
Peter Burkhalter, Jun.,
Johannes Meyer,
John Kern,
Georg Schad,
Christoph Kern,
Jacob Shantz,
Adam Scheurer,
Jacob Seeger,
Johannes Schad,
Michael Neuhart, Jun.,
Peter Neuhart,
Peter Hoffmann,
Philip KnappenbErger,
Jacob Mueller, Sen.
Heinrich Ruch,
Christian Traxel,
Jacob Flickinger,
Peter Meyer,
Jacob Steckel,
Peter Kern,
Georg Remely,
Philipp Roth,
NicoLAUS Traxel,
Johannes Kocher,
Sebastian Mueller,
Michael Ringer, Sen.,
Heinrich Jehl,
Andreas Siegfried,
NicoLAus Herzog,
Jacob Hartmann, Jun.,
Christian Bertsch,
Heinrich Biery,
Andreas Fuchs,
Andreas Jehl,
LoRENZ Ruch,
Martin Mickly,
Georg Jacob Schneck.
Abr. BlumER, Minister.
JoH : Caspar Dill, Minister.
The laying of the cornerstone of the new church took place
June 13, 1785, at which time sermons were preached by Revs.
Blumer and Shellhard, before a large assemblage of people, and
a copy of the following resolutions was placed in the cornerstone :
"As we, the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed congregations
in Whitehall township (otherwise called Egypt), have agreed
to build a house of God for our common use, therefore have we
drawn up the following articles :
I.
No minister shall be admitted into the church, who is erro-
neous in doctrine, or is scandalous in conduct, or who was not
lawfully called to the ministry.
n.
Both congregations shall have an equal right and share in
this church.
in.
In order to guard against misunderstanding and dispute, it
is established, with the approbation of both congregations, that
none shall obstruct the other in the service of God, but each shall
hold justly to its alternate time.
88
IV.
All repairs, which shall become necessary to this house of
divine worship, shall be paid jointly.
V.
The consistories of the congregations, and the pastors chosen,
shall conduct the congregations to the best of their abilities, and
keep in order the accounts pertaining to the church.
Done this 13th of June, 1785, and signed with our own sig-
natures, by us, the Architects, Elders and Deacons of both congre-
gations, on the day on which the cornerstone was laid."
Peter Kohler, Samuel Saeger,
Ph. Jacob Schreiber, Adam Zerfass,
Jacob Mickly, Nicholas Saeger,
Michael Neuhart, Nicholas Hertzog,
Michael Neuhart, Jun., Jacob Laub.
John Hoffman.
Abr. Blumer, Pastor.
Joh: Caspar Dill, Pastor.
The treasurers of the two congregations, Peter Burkhalter,
Esq., and Samuel Saeger kept accurate and detailed accounts
of all receipts and expenditures. An assessment was laid upon
each member, according to his means, which amount he was
required to pay. The members of the Reformed congregation
were assessed as follows:
Peter Kohler, Esq., £ 29; Peter Burkhalter, Esq., £ 29; John
Hoffman, £ 25; Jacob Mickly, £ 22; Jacob Kern, £ 22; Adam
Deshler, £ 22; Elizabeth Steckel, widow of Peter Steckel, Henry
Steckel and John Steckel, £ 22; Philip Jacob Schreiber, £ 20;
Jacob Kohler, £ i^\ Peter Kern, George Remely and Jacob Miller,
Sen., each £ 16; Martin Mickly and John Schad, each £ 15;
Nicholas Traxel, £ i^\ Peter Deshler, Peter Newhard and Philip
Roth, each i^ 13; Frederick Newhard, George Schad and Henry
Biery, each i^ 12; Michael Newhard, Jun., John Moritz and Jacob
Flickinger, each ^ 11 ; George Flickinger, ^10; Christopher Kern,
£ 8, 10 s. ; Peter Meyer, £ 8; Andrew Siegfried, £ 7, 10 s. ; Adam
Traxel, Daniel Kern, Engelbert Hoffman and David Newhard,
each £ 7 ; John Grob and Jacob Hartman, each ^5, 10 s. ; Michael
Newhard, Jacob Steckel and John Kocher, each £ 5 ; Peter Hoff-
man and Sebastian Miller, each £ 4; Martin Meyer, £ 3, 10 s. ;
Jacob Meyer and Martin Graff, each ^3; Christian Traxel, £ i.
ID s. ; George Hartman, ^ i. 2 s. 6 d.; Jacob Geiger, £ i ; John
Kern, Abraham Hartman and Andrew Keck, each 15s.; Philip
Faust, 7 s. 6 d. ; and Adam Kern, 3 s. The total contribution of
the Reformed members amounted to £ 545. 2 s. 6^ d.
The members of the Lutheran congregation were assessed
as follows :
George Koehler, ^ 25 ; Samuel Saeger, ^ 22 ; Christian Saeger,
£ 22; Lorenz Ruch, £ 14; Conrad Leisenring, ^12; John Meyer,
89
^ II ; Nicholas Saeger, Sen., i^ lo; Adam Zerfass and Andrew Fox,
each £ 9; Adam Scheurer, £ 8. 10 s. ; Caspar Ritter, Christian
Bertsch and Theobald Herzog, each £ 8; Jacob Laub's Executors
and Adam Miller, each £ 7. 10 s. ; Michael Ringer, Sen. and Jacob
Kretschman, each £ 7 ; Nicholas Saeger (son of Christian Saeger)
and Andrew Jehl, each £ 6; Nicholas Herzog, Jacob Saeger, George
Helferich and Jacob Wolf, each £ 5 ; Henry Ruch, £ 4; Henry Jehl,
^3, 10 s.; George Jacob Schneck and Michael Deiber, each £ 3;
William Laury, Peter Reng and Jacob Shantz, each £ 2 ; Sybilla
Leisenring, widow of Conrad Leisenring, Sen., contributed £ 2;
Philip Knappenberger, £ i. 17s.; Michael Ringer, Jun. and George
Miller, each £ 10. 10 s. ; Michael Zellner, £ i. 2 s. 6 d. ; Margaret
Meyer, widow of Nicholas Meyer, contributed £ i ; Michael Miller,
John Schantz and Philip Kurtz, each 15 s.; Jacob Fischer, 10 s.;
and George Hausser, 3 s. 9 d. The total contribution of the
Lutheran members amounted to £ 262. 17 s. 4 d.
These assessments were paid in installments, and interest
was collected upon overdue installments. Upon the occasion
of the cornerstone laying, on June 13, 1785, there was collected
;^ II. 12 s. 4 d. On June 16, 1785, ten pounds alms money was
received from the Reformed congregation. Contributions from
non-members were received as follows :
£ s. d.
Christian Gilbert, of Lowhill Township 7 6
Caspar Thomas, of Lowhill Township 3 9
Abraham Duffield & Longstreet 7 6
Gottfried Knauss, of Northampton Parish i 2 6
Nicholas Marcks, formely a member of this Parish, now
in 10 o
John Miller, carpenter, of Allentown 7 6
Jacob Buchman, of Lehigh Township i 16 o
John Henry Geiger, of Heidelberg Township 7 6
Peter Ealer, Esq., Sheriff of Northampton County 15 o
Conrad Ihrie, of Easton 10 o
Adam Heberly, of Jordan Parish i 5 o
Conrad Marcks, of Northampton Parish 10 o
Theobald Schaffer, of Lehigh Township i o o
Peter Kuntz, of Lehigh Township 10 o
John Roth, of Northampton Parish 7 6
John Lichtenwalder, of Jordan Parish 15 o
Carl Beyer, Doctor, of Kutztown 17 7
Joseph Bossner, shopkeeper 7 6
Carl Hornberger, of Lynn Township 7 6
Jacob Kolb, of Northampton Parish i o o
David Deshler, of Northampton Parish 2 5 o
John Loeser, now of Egypt Parish 9 o
Adam Deshler, of Northampton Parish i 4 o
Michael Kolb, of Northampton Parish i 10 Q
Total .^18 15 4
90
On June 4, 1786, at the dedication of the church, there was
collected £ 26. 2 s. 6 d.
In addition to this, the Reformed congregation collections
(Allmosen) amounted to ^ 8. 17 s. 8 d.; that of the Lutherans to
^ 4. 1 1 s. 5 d. ; and nails were sold amounting to iJ 5. i s. 2 d., thus
bringing the total receipts to £ 893. 3^ d.
The expenditures in building the church were as follows:
The board and lodging of the carpenters, masons, quarrymen
and mortar-carriers at 1 5 pence per day, the account of which was
kept by Conrad Schneider, the schoolmaster, and which was
furnished by Jacob Mickly, Henry and John Steckel, Peter Kohler
and John Hoffman, amounted to ^ 117. 3 s. 2 d.
The master joiners, John Miller and George Jacob Newhard,
agreed to do the carpenter work for £ 200, Pennsylvania Currency.
The total cost of the carpenter work, including interest on the
payments, amounted to £ 224. 11 s. 3^ d.
Nicolaus Ott, of AUentown, agreed to do the mason's work
for £ 89. 5 s., Pennsylvania currency. The total paid him,
including interest, was £ 90. 9 s.
The smith's work was done by Peter Kern, of Whitehall
township, at the rate of 14 pence per pound. The total paid him
for iron supplied, tools sharpened and interest, was iJ 88. 1 1 s. lod.
The shingles were purchased from Eyre and Wever, of
Philadelphia, and cost i^ 38. 5 s. 6 d.
The boards were of white fir, pitch fir, white pine and oak,
and were purchased from Christian Wirth, Jacob Mickly, John
Hoffman, Michael Strohl, Michael Ohl, of Penn. township, Abra-
ham Duffield, George Gilbert, Abraham Sterner, John Moritz and
Peter Schneck, and the total cost was £ 76. 19 s. 9 d.
To the following quarrymen, mortar carriers and laborers,
namely, John Merkel, John Schanz, John Hoffman, Solomon
Ringer, Dietrich Hartman, Christian Kaesebauer, John Meyer,
Abraham Hartman, John Loeser, Jacob Hauck, Daniel Roth,
Jacob Kraft, Michael Zoellner, Conrad Naas, John Kern and John
Kohler, at three shillings per day, was paid ^^57. 19 s. i d.
The nails were bought of Wister & Co., in Philadelphia;
Gottfried Roemelt, in Bethlehem; Wm. Gibbs & Co., in Phila-
delphia; John Richards, in Philadelphia; Christian Heckewelder
and Abraham Levering, in Bethlehem; and Peter Rhoads, in
AUentown, and cost ;^ 31. 18 s. 3 d.
The paint was purchased from Henry Epple and others in
Philadelphia, and cost £ 14. 18 s. 11 d.
The glass, bought in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, cost £ 24.
The lime, bought of Samuel Saeger and Theobald Herzog,
cost £ 2. 13 s. 4 d.
For hair, bought of Philip Roth, Adam Zerfass, Simon
Dreisbach, Samuel Saeger and Thomas Mowharter, was paid
^ I. 2 s. 6 d.
91
For the sawing of wood by Peter Kohler and Jacob Shantz,
and of laths, by Frederick Beck, of Lehigh township, was paid
£ 22. 4 s. 2 d.
For brandy, was paid ^ 14. 12 s. 6 d.
Among the miscellaneous expenses, were; 3 s. 9 d. for a AA^hite
pint bottle, put in the cornerstone; £ 2. 16 s., for 1600 bricks of
.Charles Colver, of Bethlehem; ;^ i. 15 s. 9 d., for travelling
expenses of Henry Bpple, of Philadelphia, son-in-law of Peter
Burkhalter, Esq., who painted the pulpit, altar, &c., without charge ;
^ I. 2 s. 6 d., to Andrew Leisenring & Co. for the customary
" Trinkgeld," for the carpenter apprentices; for Linseed, £ 11.
14 s. ; to Jacob Strein, for keeping all the accounts, ^ 5. 3 s. 10 d.
Total ^87. II s.
The total expenditures amounted to £ 893. 3^ d.
On August 9, 1 801, the accounts were closed and signed by
Rev. Abraham Blumer; Peter Burkhalter, Trustee, Elder and
Treasurer; Philip Jacob Schreiber, Trustee, Elder and Architect ;
Jacob Mickly, Architect ; Peter Kohler, for his father Peter
Kohler, deceased; and Michael Neuhard, Nicholas Kern and Jacob
Meyer, Deacons, for the Reformed congregation; and by Rev.
John Casper Dill ; Nicholas Saeger, for his father Christian Saeger,
deceased, a former Trustee; Nicholas Seeger, Trustee; Nicholas
Seeger, for his father Samuel Seeger, deceased, Architect and
Treasurer; Adam Zerfassand Nicholas Seeger, Architects; Nicholas
Saeger and Caspar Ritter, Elders; and George Ringer, John
Saeger, George Keim and George Smull, for the Lutheran congre-
gation.
The Reformed congregation contributed to the cost of the
organ, ^ 71. 8 s. 2 d., which was contributed by the same persons
who contributed to the cost of the church, with the addition of
Peter Burkhalter, Jun., John Kohler and Peter, son of Jacob
Kohler.
The Lutherans gave ^ 28. 15 s. 4 d., contributed by the same
members previously mentioned, with the addition of George
Smuir, Adam Knappenberger and Jacob Musgenung.
Others who contributed were: Gottfried Knauss, Daniel
Roth, John Roth, Jun., Conrad Marcks, Peter Schoener, John
Roth, Sen., George Frederick, Nicholas Fox, Michael Kolb,
George Schreiber, Stephen, Frederick and Henry Snyder, David
and Adam Deshler, George Miller and George Yund, of the
Northampton parish (Allentown) ; George Seem, Frederick Hauer,
Sen., Daniel Schwarz, Simon Dreisbach, George Riess, Andrew
and George Lilly, Adam Heckman, Conrad Kreider, John Sieg-
fried, Michael Bieber, Adam Schoener, Frederick Kleppinger,
George Edelman, Christian Hartman, Anton Kleppinger, Michael
Keiper, George Haas, Frederick Kratzer, Henry Beil, Philip
Faust and Adam Laubach, of Allen township; Nicholas Balliet,
Jacob Wirth, Jacob Fenstermacher, Henry Beyer, John Baer,
92
Martin Andreas, Michael Remaly, Peter Siegfried and Jacob Baer,
Jun., of Union parish; Jacob Buchman, Conrad Herman, John
Seeger, John Bachman, John Alspach, Conrad Reiswig, Abraham
Leyenberger, John Heuckly, Peter Mufly, Valentine Ahnewald,
Theobald Schaeffer, Peter Kuntz, Adam Sold, John Schneider
and John Gann, of Lehigh township; John Miller, Anton Schaeffer,
Caspar Hunsicker, John Wassum and John Keck, of Heidelberg
township; William Meyer, George Meyer, Peter Traxel, Jun.,
Daniel Traxel, Adam Heberly, John Meyer, George Frederick
Knauss, John Lehr, Peter Lehr, Michael Schneider, Lorenz Guth,
Nicholas and David Meyer, Peter Guth and John Helferich, of
Jordan parish ; Nicholas Bachman, of Lynn township ; Peter Mertz
of Longswamp ; Peter Ealer, Sheriff, and Conrad Ihrie, of Easton ;
John Balliet, Jacob Dinky and Leonhard Fischer.
The total cost of the organ was £ 154. 2 s. 9 d., of which
£ 145 was paid to the builder, Dannenberg, of Lititz, ^ 3 to his
son Samuel, for the usual "Trinkgeld," and the balance for the
hauling of the organ from Lititz, board of two organbuilders,
postage, etc.
In 1787, a schoolhouse was built, costing iJ 100. 6 s. 2 d., to
which the Reformed side contributed ^ 71. 10 s. 8 d., and the
Lutherans, ^28. 15 s. 6 d.
John Hartman, of Upper Milford, received £ 2. 10 s., for
building the cellar walls; John Heyberger, of Upper Milford,
received £ 8. 10 s. for the mason work; George Jacob Newhard,
of Allentown, received ^24. 18 s. 3 d. for building the two-story
log schoolhouse; John Leyenberger, of Lehigh township, received
£ 8 for the shingles; the boards cost £ 22. 8 s. 9 d.; paint, glass,
nails, etc., ^ 10. 11 s. i d.; lime, £ i. 16 s. 2 d.; linseed-oil,^ i. 9 d.,
and miscellaneous expenses were ^8. 12 s. 10 d.
Out of 124 feet of lumber, 100 feet of which was bought of
John Moritz and 24 feet given by Jacob Mickly, a writing table
and two benches, for the schoolroom were made, without charge,
by Philip Jacob Schreiber and Peter Deshler.
When the first schoolhouse at Egypt church was built, or
who the first schoolmaster was is unknown. From the records
we find, however, that John Carl Shribeler, was schoolmaster
from 1774 to 1776. Conrad Schneider was schoolmaster and led
the singing in 1785, but as he was no organist, he was requested
to resign in 1786, and Jacob Strein became organist and school-
teacher. He resigned in 1804 and removed to Lancaster. His
successor was Henry Hemsing, of Hamburg, who served until
1 8 10, when Adam Gilbert succeeded him. He was succeeded in
1822 by Theodore Storb, who served several years and then
removed to Montgomery county. He was followed by John
Daniel Eisenbraun, who served till 1829. Christian Schick then
served until 1836, when John Bernd became organist and school-
teacher. He resigned in 1846 and was succeeded by Francis G.
93
Berndt, who served for 41 years, until 1887. He was succeeded
by Robert A. Benner, who died in 1901. His successor, WilHam
H. Snyder, was elected February 9, 1902, and still holds the
position.
In 1 801 the four congregations sold the parsonage and land
purchased in 1767 and bought a house and 25 acres of land from
Michael Kern.
Rev. John Gobrecht.
Rev. John Gobrecht, son of Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht,
who became the successor of Rev. Blumer, was born in Lancaster
county, December 10, 1773. He studied under Melsheimer,
Stoeck and Hendel. He is said to have been of a peculiarly
mild and affectionate disposition, and was greatly beloved by
all who knew him. He lived on a farm but a short distance from
here, on the road to Ballietsville. He was pastor at Egypt for
thirty years. The last entry in the record book in his handwriting
is dated February 15, 1831. He died March 5, 1831, and is
buried here in the churchyard.
His first wife was Hannah Troxel, who died March 12, 181 9,
aged 32 years, 5 months and 7 days, leaving eight children. He
married a second time a Mrs. Hall, with whom he had two children.
His successor in the pastorate was Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs.
Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D.
Joseph S. Dubbs was born October 16, 1796, at the family
homestead, in Upper Milford (now Lower Milford) township,
Lehigh county. Pa. He was the youngest son of Daniel Dubbs
and his wife Elizabeth, a daughter of Martin Schwenk, of Mont-
gomery county. His grandfather, Jacob Dubs, a native of the
parish of Birmansdorf, near Zurich, came to America in 1732
and secured from the Penn family a tract of land on one of the
branches of the Perkiomen Creek, where he erected a small forge
and engaged extensively in the manufacture of guns and agri-
cultural implements. His wife, Veronica, was the eldest daughter
of John George Welker, who appears to have speculated exten-
sively in land. The business which Jacob Dubs founded, was
enlarged by his only son, Daniel, who in course of time erected
a group of rustic industries. Besides the forge he owned a mill,
saw mill, oil mill, cutlery (schleifmuehle), tannery and a large
farm. He was the first to build a brick house within the limits
of Lehigh county, the brick for the building being pianufactured
on his own land. He was for many years an elder of the Great
Swamp Reformed church, and of his six sons five became elders
and one was a minister of the Gospel.
Joseph, the subject of this sketch, early acquired consider-
able mechanical skill, but also manifested talent in other directions.
He took naturally to music and learned to play on several instru-
94
ments; so that he was able to earn a part of the expenses of his
education by conducting singing schools. For some time, he
attended a Quaker school in Chester county, for the purpose of
becoming more familiar with the English language.
Having determined to prepare himself for the ministry, he
placed himself under the care of the Rev. F. L. Herman, D. D.,
who prepared many candidates for his profession. The school
which he conducted was popularly know as the "Swamp College."
For four years, he was under Dr. Herman's instruction, and in
1822, was licensed to preach the Gospel, with special authority
to administer the sacraments. In September, 1823, he was
regularly ordained.
During this period occurred the division, which led to the
organization of the Free Synod of Pennsylvania. Though
ordained by this body he always regretted the division and took
the lead in the measures which led to reunion. In 1836, he was
the chairman of the commission by which this work was accom-
plished.
His first charge consisted of the Windsor and Weiss churches,
in Berks county, of which he assumed the pastorate in 1822.
In 1824 the Eppler's church, and in 1826 the Hain's church were
added to the field.
Dr. Dubbs was warmly attached to his first charge, but it
proved exceedingly laborious. His churches were situated almost
in a straight line for a distance of almost thirty miles. In reaching
his most distant appointments he was compelled to cross three
streams, the Schuylkill, the Antelauny and the Tulpehocken.
There were no bridges over these streams in those days, and in
winter he was often compelled to cross them at the peril of his life.
In 1 83 1, he accepted a call from this charge in Lehigh county,
consisting of the Allentown, Egypt, Union and Jordan churches.
There had been four candidates for the pastorate of this charge,
and at first there was some disagreement, particularly in Allen-
town, where a second congregation was organized, which after
three years returned to the parent body. The first baptism
recorded by him at Egypt is dated August 28, 1831. Dr. Dubbs,
remained pastor of the entire charge until 1861, assisted in Allen-
town, in later years, by his son, Alfred, and the Rev. C. R. Kessler.
At various times, he also preached at Rittersville, Cedarville
and Morgenland. After retiring from the Allentown church in
1 86 1, he continued to preach to the other congregations of his
charge until 1868, when he resigned and removed to Allentown,
where he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred April
14, 1877.
The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred
upon him in 1866, by FrankHn and Marshall College.
Dr. Dubbs was twice married; the first time to Susan Getz,
a daughter of Nicholas Getz, of Berks county; the second time
95
in 1837, to Mrs. Eleanor Murphy, a daughter of David Lerch
and his wife Eleanor Jones. By the first marriage he had three
children; Alfred, who became a minister and is well remembered,
and two daughters who were respectively married to Owen L.
Schreiber and James O. Shimer. By the second marriage he had
two sons, Joseph Henry, who has been for many years a professor
in the college at Lancaster, and a prominent historian of the
Reformed church, and Silas, who died in childhood.
A leading trait in the character of Dr. Dubbs was supreme
regard for the demands of duty. Nothing could induce him to
miss an engageijient and he kept the records of his ministry with
the utmost care. He preached over eight thousand sermons;
baptized 7,065 infants and adults; attended 2778 funerals; and
solemnized 2,176 marriages. In the general affairs of his denom-
inations, he took a profound interest; and at a meeting of the
Classis of East Penna. prepared and offered the resolution which
finally led to the preparation of the "Order of Worship." In an
extant letter the late Dr. Schaff calls him "the father of the
German hymn book" because he first suggested its publication.
Socially he was unusually genial and for many years was the
friend and adviser of his people in secular no less than in religious
affairs. Few ministers have been regarded and remembered by
their people with such profound affection.
Rev. Samuel A. IvEinbach, A.M.
On the 22nd of September, 1867, Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach,
A. M., preached his first sermon in Egypt church, and in 1868 was
elected pastor of the congregation. Rev. Leinbach, is the
youngest son of the late Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach, of the Tulpe-
hocken charge, in Lebanon county, who had been a fellow student
and a life-long friend of the Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D. Rev.
Leinbach was educated in the public schools, the Myerstown
Academy, Swatara Institute, Franklin and Marshall College,
where he graduated in the class of 1864, and the Mercersburg'
Theological Seminary, where he completed his course in the
spring of 1867.
"Father Dubbs," as he was fondly called by his parishioners,
had served the Egypt Reformed congregation for a period of 37
years, when, on account of the infirmities of age, he resigned,
recommending Rev. Leinbach as his successor, and giving him
his kindly help and hearty support. On the 2nd of February,
1868, Rev. Leinbach preached his introductory sermon, selecting
for his text Hebrews, 13th chapter and 17th verse. A committee
appointed by the East Pennsylvania Classis, consisting of Revs.
Drs. J. S. Dubbs, Strassburger and Loose, installed him into the
pastorate, in the month of May, the latter preaching the sermon.
Rev. Leinbach was then in his twenty-fourth year.
Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach, A. M.
97
Services were now held regularly, every two weeks, instead
of every four as had been the custom, but Rev. Leinbach having
two vacant Sundays in a month, and eager for more work, was
requested by the Classis to preach in the Public School Building,
in the growing town of Slatington, with a view of gathering
material for a congregation in that place. After one year's
service he retired to make room for another brother, by whom
an organization was effected, which soon became self-supporting
and is now in a very flourishing condition.
For a number of years he also assisted the Rev. Dr. Wm. R.
Hofford, in preaching to an unorganized congregation in the
Public School Building at Coplay, the place of his residence.
Largely through his labors, with the aid of B. S. Levan, Superin-
tendant of the Lehigh Valley Iron Company and Owen L.
Schreiber, a son-in-law of Rev. Dubbs, a congregation was
organized and Rev. Leinbach chosen as its pastor. A neat church
was erected and dedicated on June 15, 1873, ^.nd being a daughter
of the Egypt church, it was added to the charge. In the year
1869 he also held services in Laury's schoolhouse, and succeeded
in organizing a congregatiofi, of material mostly belonging to the
Egypt church. This congregation was organized on the 12th of
May, 1872, and on Sept. 14, 1874, the so-called Miller's church
was dedicated. This congregation was also added to the Egypt
charge, so that it consisted of three congregations, which Rev.
Leinbach served to the end of his pastorate, preaching his last
sermon in the charge on December 23, 1883.
After having served the charge for a period of sixteen years,
he resigned January i, 1884, to accept a call from the Leesport
charge, near Reading. During his pastorate in Egypt, he baptized
about six hundred, officiated at 356 funerals, married 146 and
confirmed 384. Twelve of those confirmed by him became
ministers of the Gospel, and five others were influenced by him
to study for the ministry. There are comparatively few congre-
gations, if any, from which such a large number of ministers of
the Gospel have come. During his pastorate in 1874, the church
building was remodelled and re-dedicated on November 11, 1874.
Rev. Leinbach now resides in Reading.
Rev. Wm. R. Hofford, D.D.
The late Rev. William R. Hofford, D. D., was elected pastor
on December 15, 1883, and entered upon his duties January i,
1884. Rev. Hofford, the son of Joseph and Sarah Hofford, was
born May 8, 1833, in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh county,
and confirmed October 12, 1850, in Zion's Reformed church,
Allentown. His preliminary education was obtained in the public
schools, qualifying him to become a teacher in a district school.
In 1 85 1, he was admitted as a scholar in the Allentown
Seminary; in 1855, he was graduated in Franklin and Marshall
m^'m^.
Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D.
Rev. Wm. R. Hofford, D. D.
Rev. Geo. P. Stem.
^9
College, Lancaster; and in 1857, in the Theological Seminary,
at Mercersburg, Pa. After his graduation, he accepted the
appointment of teacher of Latin and Greek in Cumberland Valley
Institute, Mechanicsburg, Pa., which position he held for several
years. He was Hcensed May 12, 1858, to the Gospel ministry.
For one year he filled the position as teacher of Ancient Languages
in the Allentown Seminary. He subsequently became principal
and continued in this service to 1864. He was ordained and
installed February i, 1863, as pastor of Lower Saucon congre-
gation. In the following year, Williams township congregation
was added to his charge, and he continued to serve these two
congregations until 1869. He supplied the congregation at
Freemansburg, from May i, 1869 to September 29, 1872, and
also South Whitehall, from May 3, 1863. In 1867, he was elected
professor of Latin Language and Literature in Muhlenberg College.
In 1868, he was elected President of Female College in Allentown,
which he filled with credit to himself for five successive years.
In 1883, he was called to the Egypt charge, which he served
until the close of his life, a period of seventeen years. He preached
his last sermon on the 5th of November, 1900. After suffering
several years, with rheumatism, his ailment finally culminated
in apoplexy. He died January 31, 1901, at the age of 67 years,
5 months and 23 days. The funeral service was held February
4th, and his mortal remains were buried in Union cemetery,
Allentown, Pa.
Rev. George P. Stem, A. M.
Rev. George P. Stem, a son of the late William and Eliza
Kemmerer Stem, was born at Cherry ville, Northampton Co.,
Penna., and spent his boyhood at Stemton, Pa., now a part of
the Borough of Alliance, where his father was interested in the
Stemton Car Works.
He received his early education in the public schools of
Stemton, the Weaversville Academy, under Prof. Edward Kummer,
and the Preparatory Department of Muhlenberg College. Entering
the College as a freshman, September, 1882, he continued his
studies here until the end of the Junior year, entered the Senior Class
of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., September,
1885 and graduated in June, 1886.
He engaged in the profession of teaching, and for two terms
taught the Grammar School, at Slatington, Pa.
He entered the Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster,
Pa., the opening of the fall term, in 1888, graduating in May, 1 891,
and was examined and licensed by Lehigh Classis. Having
received and accepted a call from the Littlestown charge, Gettys-
burg Classis, he was ordained and installed as pastor on the evening
of July 5, 1 89 1, by a committee consisting of Rev. J. C. Bowman,
D. D., Rev. W. E. Krebs, D. D. and Rev. F. C. Lindaman. His
lOO
pastorate of nearly eight years marked an increase in church
membership, benevolent contributions and improvement of the
parsonage and church building.
Rev. Stem became the assistant to the late Dr. W. R. Hof-
ford, by whom he had been confirmed at the Mickley's church, and
upon his death became his successor of the Egypt charge, consisting
of the Egypt, Miller and Cementon congregations. He was installed
as pastor, Trinity Sunday, June 2, 1901, by the Rev. S. G. Wagner,
D. D., Rev. A. R. Bartholemew, D. D., and Rev. T. J. Hacker, D. D.
During the pastorate of Rev. Stem, the evening communion
and English services were introduced, as also the envelope system,
and 100 hymn books procured for the use of the congregation.
The offerings of the charge for benevolence were doubled. The
extensive church improvements are described in detail under
another head.
In June, 1891, he married Elizabeth Laubach, daughter of
the late Adam and Caroline Laury Laubach. Three children
were born to them, Laury George, Karl Kemmerer and Caroline
Laubach Stem.
Reformed Pastors at Egypt Church, i 734-1908.
John Philip Boehm 1734
John Henry Goetschius 1 736-1 739
John Philip Boehm 1741
John Conrad Wuertz 1742-1744
Michael Schlatter 1747
John Philip Boehm 1749
John Jacob Wissler 1752-1754
Unknown 1754-1764
John Daniel Gros 1 764-1 770
Abraham Blumer 1771-1801
John Gobrecht 1801-1831
Joseph S. Dubbs 1831-1868
Samuel A. Leinbach 1868-1883
William A. Hofford 1884-1901
George P. Stem 1901-
Rev. J. D. ScHiNDEL, D. D.
History of the Lutheran Congregation
of Egypt Church.
By Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D.
A sketch of the Lutheran congregation, of Egypt Church,
can not well be presented without at least a reference to the
locality of the church, Egypt itself, with its extremely interesting
history. Nor would it be just to make no mention of the sister
Reformed congregation which occupies at this time, 1908, and
has occupied, in peace and harmony, with the Lutheran congre-
gation, the three Union Church buildings for over one hundred
and forty-four years. So also we can simply allude to the erection
of the three church buildings and their repairing and remodeling
from time to time, up to this date. The same is true with the
organists, organs, school-houses, schools, improvements to the
burial grounds, the acquisition of the land belonging to the church,
and a great many other matters of interest and importance. A
separate sketch is necessary for these and we must confine our-
selves to the history of the Lutheran wing of the Egypt Church.
As is only too frequently the case, the records of the Lutheran
congregation here, were also found to be very meager and incom-
plete. The earliest communion list found, bears the date 1803,
1 8th Sunday after Trinity. It is stated that the communion was
held in "the Organ Church, in Whitehall." Because the Egypt
Church had in its use a pipe organ, it was often called the "organ"
church. At this communion, administered no doubt by Rev.
John Caspar Dill, who was then the regular pastor, there were (32)
thirty-two communicants. In this list of thirty-two communi-
cants, we find the names of three Nicholas Saegers; they were,
Nicholas Saeger, Esq., Nicholas Saeger, Jr. and Nicholas Saeger,
the son of Samuel Saeger. There is also on hand a record of
baptisms from 1778 to 1843. The Reformed congregation of
Egypt has such a record which goes back to 1 734. This book for
baptisms was presented to the Lutheran congregation by Mr.
Christian Bertsch, on November 27, 1784. Mr. Bertsch came into
the congregation from Northampton County, where he was born
I03 ■■■;.. ^.^'-s^^j^-',
and raised. He was an active, faithful member of the congrega-
tion and was the ancestor of the different Bertsch famihes, who
are now, and have been, connected with the Egypt Lutheran
congregation for over one hundred and twenty-five years. Mr.
Bertsch was born in 1756, died in 181 9 and is buried at Cherryville.
The first baptism recorded in this book is that of Samuel Saeger,
a son of Nicholas Saeger, Esq. and his wife Barbara. He was born
in Egypt, April 17, 1778 and was baptized on May 17, of the same
year, no doubt by Rev. Daniel Lehman. His sponsors were
Daniel Staery and wife Elizabeth.
From the most reliable records and documents, we learn that
the Lutheran congregation did not exist before 1757. There were
of course Lutherans in and around Egypt long before this date.
The Saeger family was one of the first and most prominent.
Nicholas Saeger came to Egypt from the Upper Palatinate, Ger-
many, in 1733. His name was really John Nicholas. He was
the ancestor of the Saegers still connected with the Egypt
Lutheran congregation as well as of the Saegers well known in
Lehigh County and Allen town. He and his immediate descen-
dants, as the records showed, took a very active and prominent
part in the welfare of the Lutheran congregation at Egypt. In
1737, already he was established and was the owner then of two
hundred and fifty acres of land in the vicinity of Egypt. He died
in 1762. His son Samuel was married in 1752 to Anna Eva, the
daughter of Frederick Eberhard. Some of the land on which
the church building of 1785 stood, was secured from Christian
Saeger by exchange, and Samuel and Christian Saeger were
trustees when that second church building was erected in 1785.
Another pioneer, some of whose descendants are still connected
with the congregation, was George Ringer. He lived within the
bounds of the congregation as early as 1748. The woodland which
belongs to Egypt Church, was purchased of him in 1802, half an
acre of which woodland he gave the church as a present. He was
a stone mason by trade. The Ruch family is another prominent
pioneer family. In the old graveyard of Jordan Lutheran Church
is still found at this date, 1908, a brown sandstone, in a good state
of preservation, on which we find this inscription: "Here rests
George Ruch, born in Alsace, Zinzendorf, in 1664. He died in
the year 1769; his age is 104 years, 11 months." In connection with
the organization of the Lutheran congregation of Lehigh Church,
near Alburtis, Lehigh Co., Pa., we find in the year 1750 the name
of George Ruch. No doubt this was the same man who was the
ancestor of the Ruch family so long and so well known in the
Lutheran congregation at Egypt. The family of Adam Scheurer
and wife Catharine Elizabeth is also one of the early families.
Their son Daniel was born October 27, 1778, and baptized Novem-
ber 15, of same year, no doubt by Rev. Daniel Lehman. Nicholas
Hertzog and his wife Maria Catharine were the sponsors. Their
^ 104
descendants are still identified with the congregation. From an
old certificate of baptism the writer of this sketch saw that Rev.
Theophilus Emanuel Franz baptized the later well-known John
Jacob Scheurer, the son of Adam Scheurer and wife Catharine
Elizabeth, on November 24, 1782, in Egypt. The Ritter family
is still well represented in the congregation. As early as 1791, we
find that Philip Ritter and his wife had their son John Philip,
baptized on February 13th. Caspar Ritter and his wife Ottilia
were the sponsors and no doubt Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk baptized
the child. When the writer of this sketch took charge of this
congregation, in the spring of 1888, and had completed his list of
membership, he found that he had sixty-two Ritter names, most
of whom are still in the congregation. The Leisenring family is
perhaps the best known early family of the Lutheran congregation
of Egypt Church. Johann Conrad Leisenring was the progenitor
of all the Leisenrings in the United States. He came into the
vicinity of Egypt evidently as early as 1771, when he purchased
the Joseph Showalter farm and gave it the Leisenring name. The
farm continued in that name for one hundred and thirty-five years,
when it was sold. The distinguished ancestor is buried in the old
cemetery at Egypt and his tombstone tells us he was born in
Europe, June 29, 1727, and died near Egypt on August 14, 1781.
A few of the family are still in the congregation at Egypt. The
Leisenring family was intermarried with the well-known Laury
family, one of whose most distinquished members was the late
Hon. David Laury, of Laury's Station. From the earliest records
of baptism that we have of the Egypt Lutheran congregation,
found in the diary of Rev. Daniel Schumacher, the first pastor of
the congregation, we take the following referring to the Laury
family: "In Egypt, June 19, 1763, Jacob, son of Michael Laueri
and wife Barbara. Sponsors were — Jacob Flickinger and Salome
Newhard, Jacob Miller and wife Rebecca Elizabeth."
Time and space forbid any reference to the later families of
the congregation, although such reference would be just as
interesting and important. No doubt the early families of the
congregation prior to 1765, attended service when the Reformed
congregation had such, and Hkely, at communion seasons, they
went as far as Upper Saucon, Blue Church, Macungie, Jordan
or other regularly organized Lutheran congregations though at
some distance from Egypt. In the records of the Blue Church,
Upper Saucon, it is stated that in 1740, children were brought to
this church from Egypt to be baptized. In 1757, on May 3rd, the
records of the same church show that Johann Ahrenbold Eberhard,
of Egypt, was married to Anna Margaretta Weber, of Lower
Saucon, a daughter of Frederick Weber.
The Egypt Lutheran congregation has steadily, though at
times slowly, increased from its small beginning in membership
until it has become one of the largest country congregations in
I05
the county, if not in this section of the state. Though the organ-
ization of a Lutheran congregation at Cementon in 1900, took
away at least one hundred of its members, yet in these eight
years the congregation has again gained more than that number.
The sketch of the church itself will also show the continued
improvements made to the property itself, belonging to the
two congregations. It is but just to say that the congregation
has advanced decidedly in liberality, churchliness and we hope
also in piety. The offerings for benevolence are more than four
times as much as they were twenty years ago, and the congrega-
tion has always taken part in this good work of the church. As
early as 18 14, Rev. F. W. Mendsen, then pastor, makes record
of the fact that on August 21, of that year, the congregation
contributed the sum of $29.64 for the benefit of the Orphan's
Home, at Halle, Germany, after it had been greatly damaged by
the ravages of war. The congregation has always stood in con-
nection with the Ministerium of Penna. If not by any special
formal action or constitutional provision, then certainly by the
constant representation at the annual meetings by delegates
from the congregation. As early as 1769, at the meeting of the
Ministerium in Philadelphia, June 25 to 27, representatives came
from Egypt to confer with Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, so also in
1785, at the meeting held in Philadelphia, May 22 to 24, certain
delegates appeared from Egypt, Heidelberg and Union Churches
and asked that Rev. Schellhardt be ordained as their pastor.
The request was not granted. In 1786 the request was repeated
and the Ministerium declined again. Rev. Mendsen at times
became indifferent and independent as to Synodical connection
but when Rev. Thomas Steck became pastor at Egypt the old
relation was fully re-established and has continued so ever since.
In 1 82 1 the Lutheran Conference held its meeting in Egypt
Church, as also in 1840, 1868, 1875 and in 1885. In the Fall of
1885 a large Missionary meeting was held here. Revs. Drs. Mann,
C. W. Schaeffer, S. A. Repass and A. R. Home were the principal
speakers. At this same meeting the woman's Home and For-
eign Missionary Society, of the Ministerium of Penna, had its
beginning and initial meeting. Mrs. Artman, the widow of the
late Rev. H. G. Artman, Missionary to India, had returned to
America, was present and took an active part in the meeting
and in the organization of the society which has since been so
active and accomplished so much good. The missionary spirit
created by this meeting also resulted in the formation of the
Egypt Lutheran Missionary Society which is still active and
prosperous. This was during the incumbency of Rev. J. S.
Renninger.
The congregation has also the great satisfaction of having
in the ministry of the gospel a goodly number of her sons. They
are, as nearlv as can be ascertained, the following: Rev. Prof.
io6
F. K. Bernd, now of Kutztown, Pa.; Rev. A. J. Long, of Stouchs-
burg, Pa. ; Rev. J. H. Kuder, of Lehighton, Pa. ; Rev. H. J. Kuder,
of Siegfried, Pa.; Rev. A. J. L. Breinig, departed; Rev. C. F.
Kuder, for a second time a Missionary in India; and Rev. O. S.
Scheirer, of Stony Run, Pa. As will be noticed, the congregation
can point to something more than ordinary in this line. Out of
one of its families, the Kuder family, its three sons, John, Hiram
and Calvin are in the ministry.
The history of the Egypt Lutheran congregation will become
still more interesting as we follow, in regular order, the history
of its successive pastors.
Rev. John Joseph Roth.
It is claimed that Rev. John Joseph Roth, who was serving
the newly organized Lutheran congregation, of Allentovrn, then
known as Northampton, in 1763, was the first regular pastor of
the Lutheran congregation of Egypt Church and had served the
same until 1769. This is of course an error, for Rev. Roth died
in 1764 and was buried May, 13, 1764, in the graveyard of the
Blue Church, near Coopersburg, in Upper Saucon, Lehigh County.
He was never a regular pastor at Egypt, but the connection of
his name with the Lutheran congregation there can be accounted
for in two ways. In 1763 the Indian troubles took place near
Egypt. With these troubles he was largely identified, had
raised a company for defence and became the captain of the same.
In October of 1763, when the Lutheran Ministerium, or Synod
of Penna, met in Philadelphia, he could not attend on account
of these Indian troubles and was excused. His intimate con-
nection with these troubles no doubt brought him to Egypt and
vicinity. Being in the neighborhood of the Egypt Church, he
may have been called upon to discharge ministerial acts fre-
quently and was thus handed down by tradition as a regular
pastor. But there is another reason that may have connected
him with the Egypt Lutheran congregation. At this time, 1760
to 1763, we are reliably informed, there was an effort made to
build a church in the vicinity of what we now know as Helfrich's
Springs. Burials had taken place there and the old site of this
graveyard remained until. 1895 when it was demolished, the
tombstones removed and the land taken into cultivation. The
land is now owned and cultivated by Mr. Tilghman G. Helfrich,
a descendant of the old Helfrich family. In the possession of
Mr. Helfrich is a tombstone which bears this inscription — "Anna
Catharine Miller, — born in the year 1733, ^^^^ Aug. 18, 1775."
This lady was a near relative of the late Joshua Miller, of Lower
Catasauqua, and of the late Peter Miller, of near Mickley's, who
were both of the founders of Mickley's Church, almost sixty
years ago, and who were both baptized and confirmed in Egypt
I07
Church. The preaching for this prospective church at Helf rich's
Springs and the regular reUgious services were held in an old
grist mill which still has a successor at that same place and is
now owned and worked by Mr. Thomas Helf rich. But now,
1763, a Lutheran congregation was organized in the town of
Northampton, Allentown, only two miles away from Helfrich's
Springs. It is easily seen that the project therefore at the latter
place had to be abandoned. Rev. Roth became the first pastor
of this newly organized Lutheran congregation at Allentown
and no doubt had preached for the people at Helfrich's Springs.
Many of the families also interested in this project came from
the vicinity of Egypt and went to church services there, such
as the Ringers, some of the Roths, the Eberhards, Millers, Sherers
Schadts and others. Coming in constant contact with Rev.
Roth he appeared as their regular pastor. Besides, we know
that Rev. Schumacher was at Egypt as early as 1757 and thus
Rev. Roth could not have been a regular pastor there.
Rev. Daniel Schumacher. •
From the private record or diary of Rev. Schumacher which
is now with the Archives of the Lutheran Theological Seminary,
Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, we gathered many interesting and
important facts. This diary was given to the writer's father,
Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, by one of Schumacher's descendants,
in Weisenburg, Lehigh Co., Pa. In 1754 he came from Nova
Scotia, by way of New York, to Eastern Pennsylvania, where
he labored until 1774. It is claimed that he was in Reading as
early as 1751 and was the first pastor to begin the record of
Trinity Lutheran Church of Reading. He certainly labored
there in 1755-58. It is also claimed that he was licensed by the
Ministerium of Penna., in 1754 which claim after proper investi-
gation, can not be substantiated. He was not a member of the
Ministerium. He came to Salzburg Church in January, i759»
as the records show. From these private records we see that he
labored at Egypt as early as 1757, as already shown. In August
30, 1757 he baptized in Whitehall, Egypt, Catharine, a daughter
of Hans Nicholas Koch (Kooch) and wife Anna Catharine. The
sponsors were Abraham Ely and wife Catharine. On May 18,
1758, he baptized Catharine Elizabeth, the daughter of Nicho-
las Hertzog. According to his dairy he confirmed a class of
Catechumens in Egypt in 1760, one in 1762, one in 1765 and one
again on Good Friday, 1767. He calls the Egypt Church the
"Lehigh Church," a name given to it from the very beginning.
We find no positive traces of him as serving Egypt regularly
after 1767. In his diary he mentions having confirmed classes
in "Lehigh Township" in 1769, 1771 and 1773. We are inclined
to think that this was "Lehigh Township," of Northampton
io8
County, or our present Cherry ville or Indianland. He records
a baptism from that place — "Feb. lo, 1760, Maria Magdalena,
daughter of Andreas Schitterly and wife Catharine Margretta.
The sponsors were, WilHam Best and Regina Wannamacher."
He also records the following baptisms: "In Northampton,
May 21, 1758, Maria Barbara, a daughter of Henrich Busch and
wife Anna Maria. Sponsors were Anna Barbara Schaus. This
baptism was administered at Easton, Pa., and it is noted that
Schumacher preached for the first time in Easton during this
visit. "In Lehigh Church," that is Egypt, November 25, 1759,
Johann Peter, son of Johann Peter Koch and wife Catharine,
sponsors: Carl Kress and wife Juliana (Drachsel). "In Egypt,"
February 11, 1760, Anna Maria, daughter of Hans Nicholas
Hertzog and wife Maria Catharina, sponsors: Christopher Baehr
and Anna Maria Wirth; John Schad and Catharina Wedder.
"In Egypt," Feb. 11, 1760, Johann Juerg (George), son of Juerg
Ringer and wife Christiana, sponsors: Michel and wife Margretta.
"In Egypt" September 7, 1760, Johann Nicholas Saeger, 3 weeks
old, son of Samuel Saeger and wife Anna Eva, sponsors: Johannes
Nicholas Fuchs, Nicholas Saeger, Juliana Drachsel and Margretta
Hertzog. In connection with this baptism, Schumacher states
that Egypt is one of his regular congregations. He served 16
congregations at this time. It is claimed that Rev. Schumacher
served Weisenburg in 1757. He must have continued to serve
this congregation to his end for his remains are buried in the
Weisenburg Church graveyard. The many Schumacher families
of Weisenburg and Lowhill are his descendants. The name is
generally written now Shoemaker.
Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk.
Rev. Jacob Van Buskirk was no doubt the second regular
pastor of Egypt Lutheran congregation. He was the son of
Captain Jacob (some say Lawrence) Van Buskirk and was of
Hollandish descent. This fact, later on, enabled Rev. Van Bus-
kirk to render very valuable services to Patriarch Muhlenberg.
He formed a kind of union between the Dutch of New York and
the Germans of Pennsylvania. He was born at or near Hack-
ensack, N. J., on February 11, 1739. In the years 1751 and
1752 when Muhlenberg was often in New York and Hackens^ck,
N. J., Captain Van Buskirk was a member and also an officer of
the Dutch Lutherar^ Church, of New York City. Muhlenberg
was a very intimate friend of the Van Buskirk family. We are
told that he visited them frequently and even held preaching
services in their home, when they and neighboring families had
gathered for that purpose. His influence no doubt induced
young Van Buskirk to study for the ministry. The preparatory
education of Van Buskirk was conducted by his pastor the Rev.
tj[j3nr
^Nlv^
o^^r^r^
109 Vo^ OF
J. A. Weygandt. He also studied for a time at Princeton College,
and finally December 31, 1760, he went to Philadelphia ; and from
this time on until his ordination, on October 12, 1763, he was
under the care and direction of Muhlenberg himself. It is
claimed that VanBuskirk was the first native born American to
enter the Lutheran ministry. He was married March 15, 1764,
to Anna Marie Hollenbach. His first charge was "New Hanover
and Pikestown beyond the Schuylkill." In 1765 he was called
to St. Michael's, Germantown. In 1769 he came to Lehigh, then
Northampton County. In Allentown, then called Northampton,
he served from 1769 to 1778. He also served Macungie, now
"Lehigh" Church near Alburtis, Saltzburg, Milford, Upper Saucon
and Egypt. In 1783 we find him in Kunkletown, Pleasant Valley,
Monroe County. He came to Egypt the latter part of 1769, did
not remain long, however, this time, and came back again and
served the congregation a second time from 1789 to 1799. He
likely left Egypt the first time in 1770 when he was followed by
Rev. John George Yung who had come to Jordan in 1769.
In a letter written April 16, 1782, by Rev. Emanuel Schultze,
then president of the Ministerium of Penna., to Rev. Henry Mel-
chior Muhlenberg then living at the Trappe, Rev. Schultze says
he had "received a letter from the congregation in Allen Township,
Northampton County, in which they request the continued services
of Rev. Mr. Van Buskirk." We can not determine whether
Van Buskirk supplied this congregation from Saltzburg and
Macungie, for he was no longer at Egypt nor at Allentown. What
congregation this could have been in Allen Township is not easy
to determine either. It may have been our Cherryville, as we
find Van Buskirk in Kunkletown in 1783 and that is not far away
from Cherryville. The same letter of Rev. Schultze states that
Rev. Theophilus Emanuel Franz was serving congregations at
this time not far away from Van Buskirk. Now, at this time,
1782, we know that Rev. Franz was at Jordan and Egypt. We
know of a certainty that Van Buskirk was at Egypt from 1789
to 1799. In the old records of the Egypt Church is seen that it
was customary for the pastor and his church council to audit
the current expense account and sign their names to the same.
The audit of January i, 1801, is signed by Rev. Johann Caspar
Dill and his church council. The one of October 19, 1 799, for
they seem to have been made only every few years, was signed
by Van Buskirk and his church council, so also the audit of
October 22, 1796, August 20, 1794, and September 12, 1789 were
signed the same way. Before this last date we do not find these
signatures, so that we can see that Van Buskirk's second term
of service at Egypt extended from 1789 to 1799. Besides, in
1875 we buried Peter Eberhard, a deaf and dumb man, at Mick-
ley's Church to which place the Eberhard family had moved
after leaving Egypt. From his baptismal certificate we learned.
no
as also from the old record for baptisms in Egypt Church, that
Peter Eberhard was baptized on September i, 1799, at Egypt,
by Rev. Van Buskirk.
So successful and acceptable was Van Buskirk's ministry
in Lehigh County that when he' received a call, in 1793, to become
pastor of three Lutheran congregations in Bucks County, at
Upper Dublin, Whitpain and Gwynedd, these congregations
here refused to call a successor so that he would return again.
He really did so and seems to have cared for both charges, for
in 1799 he was back again altogether in Bucks County. For a
long time he lived on his farm in Lower Macungie, Lehigh County.
In 1792 he sold the farm to Christopher Andres, the great-grand-
father of Rev. W. J. Andres, of Bath, Pa., and moved to Macungie,
then called Millerstown. In this place he owned a tarinery which
after his death passed into the hands of his son-in-law, Mr. John
Singmaster, the grandfather of Rev. J. A. Singmaster, D. D.,
president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Gettysburg,
Pa. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, a prominent
member of the Ministerium of Pa., a member of the first Board
of Trustees, of Franklin College, now Franklin and Marshall
College, of Lancatser, Pa. He excelled especially as a catechist
and possessed wonderful power of personal magnatism. Whilst
serving his last charge, the three congregations in Bucks County,
already mentioned, he died suddenly on August 5, 1800, while
on his way on horseback to an appointment. He had preached
the Sunday before, in the yellow church. He is buried in the
cemetery near the Lutheran Church, of North Wales, formerly
known as Gwynedd, where his grave can still be seen. His
age, when he died, was 61 years, 5 months and 26 days.
Rev. John George Yung.
Rev. Van Buskirk was succeeded by Rev. John George
Yung. He evidently came to Egypt in 1771 and remained until
1773. He preached at Union and Jordan churches from 1769
to 1773. At Jordan, he built, in 1770, the log part of the old
parsonage, in which the writer of this sketch was born. Under
Yung also was built the second (stone) church at Jordan which
stood until 1842, when the present edifice was erected. The
corner stone of this second church is embodied in the wall of the
present building and may be seen over the door leading into
the basement. The first church had been a log building and it
seems that during Yung's administration this log building was
torn down and the material used in erecting the log parsonage.
During these building operations at Jordan, Patriarch Muhlenberg
paid a visit to Rev. Yung, who was on very intimate terms of
friendship with Muhlenberg. The people of Jordan were very
poor, and asked Muhlenberg to try and help them in their work.
Ill
At the meeting of the Ministerium of Penna. in New Han-
over, November 4-6, 1768, Yung first appeared as a candidate
for the ministry. He had been sent from London in the same
year, by a Rev. Dr. Wachsel. At the meeting of the Ministerium
in Philadelphia, June 25-26, 1769, he was still candidate although
already stationed at Jordan. His son John Peter Yung was
also examined at Philadelphia in 1769, although no record of
his ordination later is found. At the meeting of the Ministerium
in Reading, October 25, 1770, Yung (J. G.) was finally ordained.
With him were ordained, at the same time. Christian Streit, F.
A. and H. E. Muhlenberg, the two youngest sons of Patriarch
Muhlenberg. These two sons had just returned from Halle,
Germany, where they had been educated. In 1773, Yung was
called to Hagerstown, Maryland, and was yet there in 1786. In
1782, Muhlenberg writes of him as follows: "The Rev. Mr. Yung
in Maryland is a man who labors diligently and faithfully, and
as pastor of a number of churches, is reported as one who is prompt
in attention to his duties." It is claimed that Yung died in
Virginia in 1793.
Rev. Daniei^ Lehman.
Rev. Lehman evidently came to Egypt in 1774, the year in
which he was licensed by the Ministerium of Penna. Jordan and
Egypt were still served by the same pastors. Lehman was a
man of superior ability. He was educated in Germany, and
when he came to America in 1773, he was too poor to pay for
his passage over the ocean and had to be sold as a redemptioner.
Rev. J. C. Kunze, D. D., of Philadelphia, a finely educated Luth-
eran pastor, paid his passage and set him free. He afterwards
had Lehman to assist him in teaching and instructed him in
theology. Lehman served later as tutor in the family of Van
Buskirk and was ordained by the Ministerium of Pa., at New
Hanover, May 25, 1777, after having been licensed for three
consecutive years. He was still at Jordan and Egypt in 1778,
but in that year he left and removed to Reading where he remained
until 1780. He left here in 1781 and went to Moselem, Berks
County, where he remained until 1794. In 1797 to 1801, he is
back again in Reading. In 1801 he returned again to Moselem
and remained there until his death, October 2, 18 10. He is
buried at Moselem.
Rev. Theophieus Emanuel Franz.
Mr. Franz appeared at the meeting of the Ministerium of
Penna, at New Hanover, October 4, 1778, and was granted a
license to preach. The same was renewed 1779 whilst he was at
Tulpehocken. On October 4, 1780, he began serving Jordan.
At the meeting of the Ministerium in 1781, he was still in White-
112
hall, and on recommendation, his license was continued. He
left Jordan likely in 1783 and, from all appearances, in rather a
disorderly manner. At least the people of Jordan complained
about him in that year, at the meeting of the Ministerium. That
he served Egypt, at this time, we think is reasonable to believe,
because Jordan and Egypt were still connected in the same charge
and no doubt served by the same pastor.
Besides, from certain records already referred to, we learn
that on November 24, 1782, he baptized in Egypt, John Jacob
Scheurer, the son of Adam Scheurer, who was a regular member
of Egypt Church.
Rev. Herman Jacob Scheli^hardt.
Rev. Schellhardt seems to have had a rather checkered course
of life. He was serving Egypt as pastor in 1784, 1785 and 1786.
He made the address on behalf of the Lutherans at the corner
stone laying of the second church building which took place
June 13, 1785, the pastor of the Reformed congregation present
being Rev. Abraham Blumer. At Union Church he served as
pastor until 1791, and records show that he labored in Jordan in
1785. He may have been in Egypt until Van Buskirk's second
term began in 1789. He had preached in Weisenberg from 1770
to 1778 and was the first pastor of the so-called "Dreisbach"
Church in Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Pa., where many German
Lutherans had settled as early as 1770. He evidently labored
independently of any sy nodical connection. From the records
of the Ministerium ' of Pa., we learn that at the meeting of the
same, in Philadelphia, May 22-24, 1785, delegates came from
Egypt, Heidelberg and Union Churches and asked that Mr. Schell-
hardt might be ordained as their pastor. The request was not
granted because most of the members of the Ministerium did
not know him well enough. In 1786, at Philadelphia, the request
was repeated and declined again. In 1787, at the meeting of the
Ministerium in Lancaster, a complaint was handed in that Rev.
Lehman had given Schellhardt a license to preach. The Minis-
terium made Lehman take back that certificate and disapproved
of his course in the matter. Schellhardt organized Zion's Luth-
eran congregation in West Penn, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and was
its pastor until 1807. For upwards of thirteen years he had
been holding services in school houses, barns and private houses,
before building the church there. The first church was erected
in 1790. In 1 81 2 to 1 814 he was pastor of Mt. Zion congregation,
in Nescopeck Township, Columbia County. He finally served
as pastor for a number of years in the upper part of Lehigh County,
where he died, and his remains are buried in the graveyard of
New Tripoli Church.
Rev. Carl Christopher Goetz.
Who the immediate successor of Rev. Schellhardt was at
Egypt is not easily determined. But, as Rev. C. C. Goetz was
at Jordan from 1785 to 1789, and as Jordan and Egypt were
served by the same pastors, it might be the case that he served
Egypt until Van Buskirk returned in 1789. Of course there is
no positive proof of this. In 1790 he was pastor of the Mahanoy
parish in Northumberland County. From 1785 to 1788 he was
pastor at AUentown. In the audit of 1794, in the records of
Egypt Lutheran congregation, we find that six shillings were
paid to Rev. Goetz for communion wafers, which he no doubt
had brought there for the communion which he may have admin-
istered in Egypt at that time.
Rev. Conrad Frederick Plitt.
After the second pastorate of Rev. Van Buskirk, 1789 to
1799, Rev. Conrad Frederick Plitt served the congregation a
very short time, likely from 1800 to 1801. In 1808 he was pastor
at Catawissa, Columbia County, and seems to have been in Chester
County after leaving Egypt. He was a brother of Rev. John
Plitt and an uncle of the late John Keller Plitt who was the first
pastor of Trinity Lutheran congregation, of Catasauqua, from
1875 to 1885, and was also treasurer of the Ministerium of Penna.
for a number of years.
Rev. Johann Casper Dili..
Rev. Dill was the next regular Lutheran pastor at Egypt.
He took charge after Rev. Plitt in 1801, and continued until 1806,
when he was followed by Rev. H. A. Geissenhainer. The yearly
audits of current expenses were signed during those years by him
and his church council, as was customary for the pastors to do.
Mr. Dill appeared at the meeting of the Ministerium of Penna.,
at New Hanover, June 1791, and requested to be licensed. He
was at Jordan at the time and had just come from Germany.
After some delay, a license was granted for one year. It was
conditioned, however, that he must stay away from the Trexler-
town congregation, because that congregation was within two
miles of a congregation served by Rev. Van Buskirk, namely,
"Macungie" now known as "Lehigh" Church. In 1792 he was
recommended to the Whitpain congregation, by the Ministerium,
but in 1793, the year in which he was ordained, he still reported
from Whitehall or Jordan where he lived in the parsonage, and
continued until 1802. In 1803, 1804 and 1806 he reported at
the meeting of Synod from Northampton County, serving congre-
gations at Hamilton, Monroe County, Plainfield and Moore Town-
ship. He was the first pastor of Salem Lutheran congregation.
114
of Pleasant Valley, Monroe County, from 1806 to 1810. He
laid the corner stone of the first church, November 14, 1806, and
dedicated the same on September 6, 1808. In 1807 he reports
again from Whitehall and then from 1808 to 181 3 he reports
from Plainfield. In 181 5 he reported having received a call
from Germantown, Ohio, and synod recommended him to the
place as a traveling preacher. In 1 8 1 6 he organized a congregation
in and around Germantown, Ohio, called Emanuel Lutheran
Church and became the first pastor thereof. In 1825 he died
there and is buried near the church in its graveyard. He was
one of the organizers of the Ohio Synod in 181 8.
An amusing incident was related to the writer of this sketch
about Rev. Dill, by the late George Yeager, of Catasauqua, who
was quite old, yet possessed a very good memory. The incident
came to him from his father, the late Rev. Johann Conrad Yeager,
who lived on his farm near Schoenersville, Lehigh County. Old
Rev. Yeager was pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Allen-
town and a number of congregations in Northampton County.
He was a kind of father among the Lutheran ministers of those
days, and from far and near they visited his hospitable home.
On one occasion Rev. Dill visited the old gentleman when he
asked Mr. Dill how he liked his new field of labor in Northampton
County, as he had recently left Jordan and Egypt. Rev. Dill
replied that he was not pleased at all, because the people were
not very polite. The men refused to lift their hats when they
met their minister. Father Yeager assured him that in America
it was not like in Germany. Here the minister has to lift the
hat to the parishioners. "Rev. Dill solemly declared that he
would never do that and would go back again to Jordan and
Egypt. And so he did, but whether they were more polite at
Jordan and Egypt he does not say.
Rev. Henry Anastasius Geissenhainer.
On April 15, 1806, Rev. Geissenhainer took charge of Egypt
Lutheran congregation. He served with it Jordan, Ziegel,
Trexlertown and other congregations forming a charge. He
remained at Jordan until 18 14 but at Egypt he discontinued in
1 810, and was followed by Rev. F. W. Mendsen. Whilst at Jordan
the stone part of the old parsonage was built. In 181 1, one
hundred and five persons of Jordan Church subscribed enough
to erect the parsonage; repair the church building and purchase an
organ. This was their first organ, and was secured from Andreas
Kr9,us. Rev. Geissenhainer went from Jordan to the Trappe,
and in 1821 he went to Pittsburg where he died in 1823. He was
examined and licensed by the Ministerium of Penna., at Balti-
more, Md., on June 11, 1797, and ordained by the same body at
Easton, Pa., in May, 1804. His first charge was Whitpain, North
115
Wales and Upper Dublin. -His second charge was Pikeland,
Chester County, where he remained until 1 806 when he came to
Egypt. Rev. C. F. Plitt left Egypt and Jordan in 1801 and
went to Chester County, and Rev. Geissenhainer left Chester
County in 1806, and came to Egypt and Jordan. He was the
father of the late Rev. Augustus Theodosius Geissenhainer, who
was pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of Allentown, St.
Thomas, Altonah, later on, and for many years treasurer of the
Ministerium of Penna.
Rev. Frederick William Mendsen.
Rev. Mendsen came to Egypt July 22, 1810, and remained
until March i, 1859, a period of forty-nine years. It was his
first and only charge. He not only had the longest term of
service here, but no other pastor has left so many traces of service
in Egypt and community as he. He was born December 11,
1780, at Oldenberg, Denmark. Was baptized and confirmed
in his native country and also received his preparatory education
there. In 1805, August 5, he came to America, landing in Phila-
delphia. On July 13, 1808, he began the study of theology under
the then well-known Lutheran pastors Drs. Hellmuth and Schmidt.
On May 9, 1809, he preached his first sermon in Camden, N. J.,
II6
and on June 17 to 19, 1810, he was examined by Drs. Kurtz and
Lochman, at the meeting of the Ministerium of Penna., at Harris-
burg, and was Hcensed to preach. At that meeting he preached
in EngHsh in the Presbyterian Church, of Harrisburg, on Saturday
evening, on Hebrews 4: 9 to 11. On June 12, 181 6, he was re-ex-
amined and ordained in St. Michael's Lutheran Church, of Phila-
delphia. With him were ordained Revs. J. P. Schindel, the
grandfather of the writer of this sketch, J. F. Bngel, J.N. Hemp-
ing, G. Mennig, J. Herbst, Baetis, Becker, Sackman, Heim
and Tiedeman.
Egypt was the only congregation in Lehigh County which
he served regularly, although in 181 9 we find him a short time in
Upper Milford. Northampton County was well covered by him
and he extended his labors into Carbon and Monroe Counties.
In 1810 to 1815 and again in 1839 to 1844 he was pastor in Pleasant
Valley, Monroe County.. From 1810 to 1852 he preached regu-
larly twice every Sunday and occasionally three and four times,
besides travelling forty to fifty miles on horseback to meet his
appointments. Horseback riding was almost altogether the
custom among ministers in those days, and old parishioners
say of father Mendsen that he was an expert in that custom.
From 1852 to 1859 he served no other congregation but Egypt.
Rev. Wm. Rath had been elected as his successor in the remainder
of the charge. In coming from Cherryville, his home, to Egypt,
he had to cross the Lehigh River at what is now Cementon. In
the early days of his ministry, when there were no bridges, he
frequently had to swim with his horse in crossing the swollen
stream. At Egypt, for many years, his annual salary was eighty
dollars and the oats for his horse. He preached his farewell
sermon at Egypt on May 4, 1859, on Acts 1 1 : 23. His last sermon
he preached for Rev. R. B. Kistler, Lutheran pastor, at Towa-
mensing on November 20, 1870, on Rev. 2: 17. After a lingering
sickness he died in Klecknersville, Northampton County, in the
home of his daughter, on Saturday, August 5, 1871, aged 90 yrs.,
7 months and 21 days. He was buried at Stone Church, near
Kreidersville, on August 9, 1871. Rev. A. Fuchs, of Bath,
preached his funeral sermon on Acts 20: 25-38. On September
2, 1871, Memorial services were held in Egypt Church, in honor
of Father Mendsen. Rev. J. S. Renninger, then pastor, was
assisted by Rev. Prof. F. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., President of
Muhlenberg College, Revs. E. A. Bauer, S. A. Leinbach, A. Fuchs
and Rev. Father J. S. Dubbs, D. D., who was his colleague at
Egypt for many years. Rev. Fuchs made an address in German
on Prov. 10: 7; Father Dubbs spoke on Deut. 32: 7 and Rev. E.
A. Bauer on Malachi 2 : 6-7. Father F. G. Berndt, the old organ-
ist, had charge of the music. Rev. Prof. Muhlenberg spoke in
English.
117
Rev. Thomas Steck.
Rev. Steck was father Mendsen's successor at Egypt, and
served from 1859 to 1867, when he resigned and went to Bern-
ville, Berks County, and was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Renninger.
Egypt had heretofore stood in connection with Cherry ville,
Stone Church, Moore Township, Towamensing and others. Since
1852, Rev. WiUiam Rath was serving these congregations except
Egypt. When Rev. Steck was elected at Egypt in 1859, the
congregation became connected with Heidelberg, Union and
Lowhill, of Rev. Jeremiah Schindel's charge, and Friedens, of
Rev. Wm. Rath's charge, near Slatington. It was known as
the "Schnecks ville charge," and the newly united congregations
purchased a parsonage at Schnecksville, which was occupied by
Rev. Steck and afterwards also, part of his time as pastor, it was
occupied by Rev. Renninger. Rev. Steck was born at Manchester,
Pa.; January i, 1822. He entered the ministry in 1850 and
connected with the Ministerium of Penna., in 1857. After he
left Egypt, where he preached his farewell sermon on November
18, 1866, he was agent for the Orphan's Home, at Germantown,
until 1870. He also served congregations at Bernville, Berks
County; Wilmington, Delaware; Lykens Valley and Berwick,
Pa., and at Phillipsburg and Bridgeport, New Jersey. He was
a man of good spirit and of undoubted Chirstian life and character.
His ministrations in the Schnecksville charge are to this day
highly spoken of and gratefully remembered. He died at Cata-
wissa, Pa., November 21, 1892.
Rev. Josiah S. Renninger.
Rev. Renninger was elected at Egypt on April 29, accepted
the call on May 20, and preached his first sermon there on June
7, 1867. He came from Ringtown, Schuylkill County. He at
first occupied the parsonage at Schnecksville but later on moved
to his farm not far from Union Church, known as the "Scheidy
Farm." During the last years of his service in this charge he
lived in Slatington. He was born in Montgomery County, March
7, 1838. After his preparatory education he was graduated
from the Theological Seminary, at Gettysburg, licensed to preach
by the Allegheny synod and ordained by the Ministerium of
Penna., in 1864. After serving congregations in the western
part of the State he came to Schuylkill County and then to Egypt.
In 1869 he organized the Lutheran congregation in Slatington
and erected a Union Church which was dedicated on Christmas
of 1869. This congregation soon became self-supporting and
called Rev. D. K. Kepner as its pastor. During his ministry
he also established preaching places at Schnecksville and Slate-
dale, and in both places neat chapels were erected. He also
organized the congregation at Laury's, in 1872, where a very fine
Rev. J. S.
Renninger.
M
Rev. Thomal Steck
Rev. J. J. ScHiNDEU
119
building was erected for the use of the Lutheran and Reformed
congregations. In Whitehall Station he established a preaching
place and erected a neat chapel in 1884. The place is now called
Cementon and, since April of 1900, there is a regular Lutheran
congregation there, organized by Rev. J. D. Schindel.
On January 31, 1888, Rev. Renninger resigned the Egypt
and Laury's congregations so as to form a new charge with Coplay
and Mickley's, two of Rev. J. D. Schindel's congregations. The
change was effected on February 5, 1888, when the resignation
of Rev. Renninger was handed in and Rev. J. D. Schindel, the
present pastor, was elected. The newly formed charge is called
"Whitehall Charge." Rev. Renninger remained with the remain-
der of the Schnecksville charge for a time and then resigned and
moved to Allentown to engage in mission work. Rev. J. B. Fox
became his successor in this part of his late charge. When he
came to Allentown he organized and became the first pastor of
St. Luke's Lutheran Church, now served by Rev. J. C. Rausch.
He also organized and served as first pastor of Grace Lutheran
Church, of South Allentown, now served by Rev. J. H. Raker.
He also served St. Joseph's Lutheran Church, of East Allentown,
now served by Rev. J. W. Mattern. Later on he received a
call to St. John's Lutheran Church, of Lyken's Valley, near Berrys-
burg, Dauphin County, where he is still laboring. Rev. Renninger
did good service in Egypt congregation. He induced more
young men to study for the ministry during his stay in Lehigh
County, than is usually found to be the case with ministers.
During his ministry in Egypt, in 1870, the fine new organ was
secured at an expense of $2,500, and in 1874 ^ ^^^^ steeple was
erected at a cost of $1,100, and many other improvements made.
The fruits of his labors are met with constantly, and his former
parishioners always speak kindly of him and his ministry amongst
them.
Rev. J. D. Schindel.
Rev. Schindel, the present pastor, took charge of Egypt
Lutheran congregation on April i, 1888, having been elected
on February 5, previous. He resigned St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, of Catasauqua, where he had labored for twenty-one
years and had just completed the erection of their present church
.building, and took charge of the parish thus newly formed. It
was a severe task for him to sever his connection with old St.
Paul's, but he felt in duty bound to do so. Whitehall charge
consisted now of Egypt, Mickley's, Coplay, Laury's and a preaching
place at Cementon. At the election of February 5, 1888, the
Egypt congregation decided two things with the same vote.
They decided to change pastors and to enter into the formation
of a new parish. On coming to Egypt, Laury's and Cementon,
I20
it was a great pleasure and comfort to the present pastor to have
here as his colleague the Rev. Dr. Wm. R. Hofford, then pastor
of the same parish on the Reformed side. He was a pious, noble,
God-fearing man and had been the present pastor's preceptor
and a colleague at Mickley's Church for twenty-one years. For
seventeen years here and for thirty-four at Mickley's, their labors
had been in peace, harmony and mutual co-operation. Dr.
Hofford peacefully ended a useful, blessed life, on January 31,
1 901. With the coming of the present pastor to Egypt, regular
morning services were begun every two weeks and regular evening
services in English. At this writing the languages are very
nearly on equal footing. The Missionary Society organized by
Rev. Renninger has regular quarterly meetings. In 1900,
March 26, the preaching place at Cementon was organized into
a regular congregation, called the Lutheran congregation, of
St. Paul's Church, of Cementon. Both the congregations there
have regular services every two weeks, alternating German and
English. The organization of a congregation at this place took
away from the old mother church at Egypt, no fewer than one
hundred members.
The present pastor was born January 11, 1841, in the old
Lutheran parsonage at Jordan, where his father, the Rev. Jeremiah
Schindel, was pastor for twenty-four years and where so many
of the old pastors lived who served Jordan and Egypt until 1810.
Rev. F. K. Berndt, now of Kutztown, a son of the late F. G.
Berndt, organist of Egypt Church for forty-one years, became
pastor of Jordan Church in 1883 and lived for a number of years
in the new parsonage there and thus continued the long and
intimate relation between Jordan and Egypt. The present
pastor was educated in Allentown Seminary, Missionary Institute,
Selinsgrove, Pa., and graduated from Pennsylvania College,
Gettysburg, in 1864, and from the Lutheran Theological Seminary,
Philadelphia, in 1867, when also he was ordained by the Minis-
terium of Penna., at Lebanon, Pa. He is virtually now in his
first and only charge for over forty years, having begun his
ministry at Mickley's, in May 1867. Since 1899 he has associated
with himself his only son. Rev. Jeremiah J. Schindel. He was
born in Allentown, October 25, 1876, educated in Muhlenberg
College, graduating in 1896, and also a graduate of the Lutheran
Theological Seminary, at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, in 1899. He
was ordained by the Ministerium of Penna., at Reading, in 1899.
During the incumbency of these last pastors, the most expen-
sive and costly repairs were made in the history of the present
church. These repairs were made in the years 1905 and 1906.
Steam heat was introduced and electric light, the whole building
was remodeled, with new pews, carpets, extra fine windows and
all modern improvements. The Sunday School room _was also
121
handsomely prepared for Sunday School and Catechetical pur-
poses. The amount expended was nearly seven thousand dollars
(7,000.), all nicely paid for soon after the repairs were completed
and a handsome balance of nearly $800 over.
If the past is an indication and guarantee of the future,
then Egypt Lutheran Congregation will continue to receive and
enjoy the blessing of the Good Lord, the great Head of the Church.
Such, indeed, is the sincere prayer of the writer of this sketch.
[Note. It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death
of Rev. Dr. Schindel on June 27, 1908, at the age of 67 years, 5
months and 16 days. Dr. Schindel had resigned as pastor of the
Egypt charge on May 31, 1908, and only a week before his death had
read the proofs of this and the following article.]
The Organist's home formerly a schoolhopse.
The Egypt Church.
By Rkv. J. D. ScttiNDEL, D. D.
Egypt, Lehigh County, Pa., is an interesting locaUty. A
place that can claim a history of one hundred and eighty years,
certainly is entitled to our consideration and even our veneration.
The early colonial as well as the later revolutionary history of
our country, is shared by this place. The Indian history of the
state, with its gruesome massacres, its pitiless devastations and
pillage, is intimately connected with our Egypt. In its very
midst is located, to this day, in a good state of preservation, one
of the prominent frontier forts, built by Adam Deshler in 1760,
which fort served as a military post during the Indian troubles.
But a short distance from Egypt, were committed some of the
most blood-thirsty massacres during the Indian outrages of 1763.
Adam Deshler, one of its earliest and most prominent citizens,
furnished the provisions for Fort Allen, now Weisport, and other
frontier forts erected against the Indians in 1756 to 1758. So
also during the revolutionary war, the patriot army was supplied
with fattened cattle by the farmers of and around Egypt. They
made a great deal of meadow hay, as timothy and clover were
not yet cultivated to any extent. For this purpose they, had
elevated water courses or gutters made, and raised the water
into them by means of an Archimedes screw so that they were
able to water large areas of meadow land.
The history of Egypt has its beginning about the year 1728.
It was a German settlement, and it is claimed to be the oldest
German settlement north of the "Lehigh" or South Mountain.
It was usually called "The German settlement on the Lehigh,"
being on the west side of the Lehigh River. It may likely have
received this distinctive name, because at this same time the
well-known "Irish Settlement" was made, on the east side of
this same Lehigh River, in Northampton County, by emigrants
fram the north of Ireland. It extends from the Lehigh River,
now Cementon, Lehigh County, over to, and beyond, Bath, in
Northampton County.
The church at Egypt was also known at first as "The Church
at the Lehigh" or the "Lehigh Church." The name Egypt or
Egypta" appears as early as 1736. Rev. Joh. Henry Goetschius,
who began the record of the Reformed congregation, of Egypt
124
Church, mentions, amongst his eleven congregations, "Aegipten"
as one. Just as Rev. Daniel Schumacher, the first Lutheran
pastor, had sixteen congregations in 1757 of which number
"Egypta" was one. How the name Egypt originated is not
known of a certainty. Efforts have been made to account for its
origin but they do not seem to rest on any positive historical
foundation. It was an important place long before some other
places which have, in one hundred and eighty years, far sur-
passed it. There was an Egypt before there was an Allentown,
Easton or even a Bethlehem. Jacob Kohler, the first white
settler, though at first a squatter, had a land warrant as early
as July I, 1734, for 150 acres of land, and built his first mill in
1750. When Whitehall Township was formed, March 20, 1753,
situated between Heidelberg and Macungie, it was found that
"Egypta" had already become an important place. Already
in 1752, Michael Hoffman had been appointed a constable for
this particular place. In 1776, July 15 to September 28, the
convention which drew up the first constitution for Pennsylvania,
met in Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin was president of the
convention and Peter Burkhalter was the representative from
^Syp^- ^^^ location for the future church buildings was easily
selected. It was the spot where the burials had been made from
the very beginning. It was a crescent or half-moon shaped
tract, sloping towards a hill at whose foot the waters of the well
known Coplay Creek have passed these many years and continue
to do so to this day.
Church BuiIvDings.
As was the laudable custom of our German fore-fathers, they
soon cared for the church and the school house. The school
house was usually cared for first and was then used for religious
services and when they could not procure the services of a regu-
larly ordained minister the school teacher would, on Sundays,
read a sermon from one of the sermon books which were brought
with them from the old fatherland. Such was no doubt the case
at Egypt. Though we have no positive information of this fact
yet by inference we believe such to have been the case. The
baptismal record of the Reformed congregation was begun on
March 22, 1733, by Rev. John Henry Goetschius, who was the
first regular pastor and remained until 1736. The first records
of baptisms on the Lutheran side were made in the early part of
i757> by Rev. Daniel Schumacher who was the first Lutheran
pastor. The religious services of these early settlers of Egypt
were held, we are informed, in the different houses of the settlers.
But after 1756, these services were held regularly in the newly
erected mansion of Mr. John Peter Troxell, who was a prominent
and liberal member of the Reformed congregation. He was
born in Switzerland in 171 8. This mansion erected by Mr.
125
Troxel in 1756 is still standing, well preserved, and was occupied
for a long time by the late Josiah Steckel and family.
The First Church.
Up to 1 764 there had been no such a thing as a church build-
ing to bring the people together in religious worship. In that
year, however, a building was erected. It was made of logs.
The seats were made of split logs laid on upright blocks, certainly
a very primitive arrangement. The location was where the
first graves had been made, in the well-known half-moon shaped
piece of ground. Right back of the third or present church
building, running northeast, can be seen in very dry weather
the foundations of the second church building, erected in 1785.
By going 200 feet in a southeasterly direction from the front
part of this foundation you will come to the place where the
first church stood. Certain graves of Johannes and Maria Metzger,
will be found on the spot. We know very little about this church,
but Rev. J. Daniel Gross was no doubt the Reformed and Rev.
Daniel Schumacher the Lutheran pastor.
Thk Second Church.
So primitive and inadequate was the first church building,
that in twenty-one (21) years afterwards, in 1785, a second church
building was erected. This building stood on the crescent or
half -moon shaped ground right back of the present church, fronting
the street. This half -moon so often spoken of was formed by
the road coming up from the home of the late Edmund Kohler,
running in the direction of the rear of the present church building
and then turning in semi-circular form and passing in front of
the present organist house to the present road up the hill. If
that road were continued now it would run through the present
church building about where the heater is located. When the
present church was to be erected, the congregation purchased
of Daniel Kohler, fifty eight (58) perches of land, cut off the road
near the Kohler barn, and made it straight up the hill as it is at
present and on which the present church now fronts. After this
transaction there was no longer a half-moon shaped piece of
ground.
On April 18, 1785, a meeting of both congregations was held
for the purpose of taking steps towards the erection of a new
church. Peter Burkhalter, Esq., and Samuel Saeger were selected
as treasurers of the respective Reformed and Lutheran congre-
gations. By a written agreement signed by seventy-two (72)
male members, the members of the two congregations promised
to contribute according to their ability, towards the erection of
a stone church, to be fifty (50) feet long and forty (40) feet wide.
The building committee then and there selected consisted of
Peter Kohler, Esq., Philip Jacob Schreiber, Jacob Mickley, on
the Reformed side, and Samuel Saeger, Adam Zerfass and Nicholas
126
Saeger, Sen., on the Lutheran side. The plan of making assess-
ments was adopted and thus each member knew what he had to
pay. The amounts subscribed and paid were denominated by
the English standard of pounds, shillings and pence, which accounts
for the uneven dollars and cents. Peter Kohler and Peter Burk-
halter were each assessed $77.33 or 29 pounds; Johannes Hoffman
and George Koehler each $66.67 or 25 pounds; Jacob Kern, Adam
Deshler, the widow of Peter Steckel, Samuel Saeger and Christian
Saeger each $58.67 or 22 pounds; Philip Jacob Schreiber $53.33
or 20 pounds; Jacob Kohler $48 or 18 pounds; Peter Kern, George
Remaley and Jacob Miller, Sen., each $42.67 or 16 pounds; Martin
Mickley and Johannes Schadt each $40 or 15 pounds; Nicholas
Troxel and Lorenz Ruch each $37.33 or 14 pounds; Peter Deshler,
Peter Neuhard and Philip Roth each $34.67 or 13 pounds; Fried-
rich Neuhard, George Schadt, Henry Biery and Conrad Leisenring
each $32 or 12 pounds. These subscriptions or assessments
thus went lower by degrees until the amount was 40 cents.
Building operations were begun at once on the land of Peter
Steckel, deceased, and at a place about 200 feet northeast from
the first church. It is not known who all did the work, but
Johannes Miller and George Jacob Neuhart, of Allentown, did
the carpenter work. On June 13, 1785, the corner stone of the
new church was laid. The collection on the occasion amounted
to $30.97. Articles of constitution had been drawn up and adopted
by the building committee, elders and deacons and placed
into the corner stone. Before they were placed into the corner
stone they were* undersigned by the following members of the
building committee, elders and deacons; viz., Peter Kohler, Ph.
Jacob Schreiber, Jacob Mickley, Michael Neuhard, Samuel Saeger,
Michael Neuhard, Jr., Johannes Hoffman, Adam Zerfass, Nicholas
Saeger, Jacob Laub and Nicholas Herzog. The correctness of
the document was attested by Rev. Abraham Blumer, pastor
of the Reformed, and Rev. Herman Jacob Schellhardt, pastor of
the Lutheran congregation. Teacher Jacob Strein served as
Secretary. These articles, as placed into the corner stone, were
afterwards revised, enlarged by additions and readopted on June
9, 1804, and are now embodied in the present constitution of
the two congregations. The comfnittee of revision consisted of
Jacob Saeger, Johannes Balliet, George Ringer, Jacob Schreiber,
Nicholas Saeger and Nicholas Kern. Revs. Abraham Blumer,
Reformed, and Rev. Johann Casper Dill, Lutheran pastor, testi-
fied to the correctness of the document. The newly erected
church was. dedicated on Whitsunday, June 4, 1786. The collec-
tions amounted to $69.67. The entire cost of the building was
$2,381.73. Besides the amounts contributed by the members
of the two congregations, contributions were received from many
outside parties, from Lowhill, Heidelberg, Lynn, Northampton
County, Allentown, Easton, Jordan Church, Kutztown and other
places.
127
In 1806, both the church and the organ were repaired at
an expense of $275. In 1839, the gallery was enlarged so as
to accommodate the choir. At the dedication of the church, in 1 786,
a beautifully-worked altar cloth was presented by Mr. George
Koehler and wife, which is yet in the possession of the church
although no longer used. They also presented the church with
a pewter communion set marked with their initials, G. K. and
his wife M. K. K. The collectors for this new church of 1786
were (53) fifty-three male members on the Reformed side who
collected 545 pounds, 2 shillings and 6^ pence. On the Lutheran
side there were (45) forty- five male members who collected 262
pounds, 17 shillings ^nd 4 pence. As the congregations were
both numerically weak, it looks as though the whole male rnember-
ship had constituted itself a committee of collectors which was
certainly very praiseworthy.
Following the erection of the church of 1786, we notice the
custom of auditing the current expense account every few years.
The custom seems to have been begun with the second coming
of Rev. Van Buskirk, in 1789. The first audit we meet with is
that of September 12, 1789, and is signed by Rev. Jacob Van
Buskirk, Jacob Strein, Secretary, Nicholas Saeger, Conrad Leisen-
ring, Gottfried Lauri and George Beshler.. The collections had
accumulated from April 29, 1787 to August 16, 1789. Of this
amount in the handling of the pennies, 6 shillings and 8^ pence
were lost. The whole amount had been 14 pounds, 6 shillings
and 7^ pence. In the expenses we find 7 s., and 6h p. were paid
for a "Klingelbeutel" and 16 shillings for rum used by those who
were clearing half an acre of land by grubbing, for which
work they received 5 shillings. Young Kohler was paid 7s., and
6^ p. for treading the bellows.
The audit of August 20, 1794 shows that 6 shillings were
paid to Rev. Goetz for communion wafers. The name of Rev.
Christian Espich also appears here. This time the account was
short 14 shillings and George Koehler advanced the amount.
One shilling was paid to a poor beggar man. The same auditing
committee as in 1789 signed this audit. The audit of 1796,
October 22; that of October 19, 1799 including 1797-98 and 99,
was signed by Van Buskirk, Christian Saeger, Casper Ritter,
Jacob Scheurer, George Ringer, Johann Saeger, Secretary Jacob
Strein. In 1796, Jacob Scheurer received for treading the bellows,
7 shillings and 6 pence and Nicholas Scheurer received the same
amount for the same work in 1797 and 1798. Jacob Strein, the
organist, had furnished board for those who had worked on the
church property and received 15 cents per meal. Jonas Grob
received 9 shillings and 4^ pence for treading the bellows, for 1799.
The audit of January 7, 1801 including 1800 was signed by Rev.
J. Casper Dill, Casper Ritter, George Ringer, Jacob Schantz,
Henrich Mertz and Johannes Saeger. Back pay was given to
John Laury, for treading the bellows, i pound and loj shillings.
128
The audit of 1802, March 13, shows that Elder Casper Ritter
advanced without interest, to November 27, the sum of 8 pounds,
8 shilHngsland 10 pence. On February 7, 1802, 11 shilUngs, 3
pence was paid to Solomon Scheurer for i^ years treading the
bellows from July 27, 1800 to January 27, 1802. In 1803, Abra-
ham Kohler received 9 shillings and 44 pence for treading the
bellows and Lprenz Schadt received the same amount for 1807.
The most interesting audit, however, is that of August 9,
1 80 1. It was an audit of the accounts of the building committee
of 1785, 16 years after the building of the church. At the same
time the organ account of 1786 and the school house account of
1787, were audited. _It is certainly to the credit of these congre-
gations that they kept these accounts so accurately and so care-
fully for sixteen years until they were finally and properly audited
and recorded. Secretary Strein, who wrote a very plain, beautiful
hand, was paid the sum of 5 pounds, 3 shillings and 10 pence, for
recording these audits in the books provided for both congrega-
tions. The whole cost of the church of 1786 was $2,381.73, the
cost of the organ of 1786 and expenses connected therewith,
amounted to $411.09, and the cost of the school house of 1787
to 1790 was $267, or a total of $3,059.82. It speaks remarkably
well for these congregations in those days that they not only
built a church, purchased an organ and built a school house, but
also promptly paid for the same. This audit of August 9, 1801,
was signed as follows :
Reformed Congregation.
Rev. Abraham Blumer,
Pastor.
Peter Burkhalter, Trustee,
Elder and Treasurer.
Philip Jacob Schreiber, Elder,
Trustee and Building Com-
mittee.
Jacob Mickley, Building Com-
mittee.
Peter Kohler, for his father,
Peter Kohler, of Building Com-
mittee, who had died since
1785.
Michael Newhart,
Nicholas Kern,
Jacob Meyer,
Deacons.
Lutheran Congregation.
Rev. Johann Casper Dill,
Pastor.
Nicholas Saeger, for his father,
Christian Saeger, Trustee, who
had died since 1785.
Nicholas Saeger, of Samuel
Saeger, Trustee.
Nicholas Saeger, for his father,
Samuel Saeger, Treasurer and
Building Committee, who had
died since 1785.
Adam Zerfass,
Nicholas Saeger,
Building Committee.
Casper Ritter,
Nicholas Saeger,
of Christian,
Elders.
George Ringer,
JoHANNAS Saeger,
George Heim,
George Smull,
Deacons.
Jacob Strein, Clerk.
129
The Third Church.
The third church was erected in 1851 to 1852. The trustees
of the two congregations purchased 58 rods additional ground
of Daniel Kohler in order to have a suitable place for the new
church building. In this way the road coming up the hill could
be made straight and would pass directly in front of the new
building. Thus also the old half-moon shaped piece of ground,
on which the church of 1785 fronted, was removed. They paid
fifty dollars for this additional ground. On April 27, 1850, a
meeting was held by the members of both congregations to decide
whether they should repair the old church or build a new one.
The day set apart for the election was May 9, 1850. At this
meeting sixty-seven (67) votes were cast and all were in favor
of a new church. At a subsequent meeting the following were
chosen as collectors for the new church: Simon Kemmerer,
John Krdman, Owen Newhard, Jeremiah Ritter and Rev. Joseph
S. Dubbs. At a meeting held June 16, 1850, the following were
selected as a building committee : On the Reformed side, Aaron
Kohler and Simon Kemmerer, and on the Lutheran side, John
Erdman and John Trumbower. Edward Kohler, Esq., was
elected treasurer. On December i, 1850, a meeting was held to
decide whether a steeple should be built on the new church or
not. It was carried by one majority. This steeple, however,
which was subsequently erected, measuring 100 feet, was a very
inferior one and was replaced in 1874, by one measuring 140 feet
and costing about $1,100. The building was decided to be of
brick, 65 feet long and 50 feet wide. It has a basement which
has been repaired several times since. The bell which was placed
into the steeple in 1851 weighs 750 pounds, cost $400, and is still
in use. Daniel Hoffman, of Guthsville, and Jonathan Ortt, had
charge of erecting the building so far as the carpenter work was
concerned. In those days they, of course, had to make the win-
dows, doors, pews, raihngs, etc., all by hand. They had a skilled
German mechanic in their employ, whose name was Fritz Muenter.
This man Muenter made all the mouldings and railings and so
well were they made and so artistically designed, that when the
church was remodeled in 1905 and 1906, it was found entirely
unnecessary to change these articles. The corner stone of this
church was laid on Whitsunday, May 18, 1851. The sermon
was preached by Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, pastor then of Jordan
Lutheran Church. He was the father of the present Lutheran
pastor of Egypt Church, Rev. J. D. Schindel, and grandfather
of his assistant, Rev. Jeremiah J. Schindel. The collection at
the corner stone laying amounted to $164.10. The dedication
of the church took place on April 11 and 12, 1852. The collec-
tions then amounted to $223.50. The entire cpst of the church,
including the bell, was $9,252.91, not reckoning in the wood,
stones, and iron left over from the old church building.
I30
The Organs.
As already stated, the first organ was purchased in 1786. It
was this organ that gave the name "Organ Church" to the Egypt
Church, as we find it on the records. This organ was erected by
Mr. Dannenberg, of Lititz, Pa., June 6, 1786. Philip Jacob
Schreiber and Nicholas Saeger, Sen., were the respective treas-
urers. The members of the Reformed congregation contributed
71 pounds, 8 shillings and 2 pence, and the Lutherans contributed
28 pounds, 15 shillings and 4 pence. Outsiders contributed 22
pounds, 16 shillings and i pence. The organ itself cost 145 pounds
or ^386.67. Mr Dannenberg 's son Samuel received 3 pounds —
"das gewoehnliche trinkgeld." Martin Mickley and Adam Troxell
each, received 13 shillings and 6 pence "zehrgeld," for bringing
the organ from Lititz. Peter Kohler received 2 pounds and 2
shillings for boarding and lodging the two Dannenbergs during
their work in placing the organ. With other incidental expenses
the whole cost of this organ was 154 pounds, 2 shillings and 9
pence, or $411.04. This organ, with several repairings, served
the congregations for eighty-four years.
In 1870 the present organ was erected by Charles Hanzelman,
of Allentown, at a cost of $2,500. . This organ has rendered good
service to the congregations and is still in good condition. Better
instruments are seldom met with outside of towns and cities. On
March 22, 1869, a meeting was held to decide whether the old
organ should be repaired or a new one purchased. The vote
stood 42 for remodeling and 38 for a new organ. As the vote
was not satisfactory a second election was held on August 22,
1869, and resulted in 66 votes for and 20 against a new organ. A
committee was at once appointed to procure the new organ. The
committee consisted of the four elders, Owen Schreiber and Jacob
Ivindaman of the Reformed, and George W. Daniel and Daniel
App of the Lutheran congregation, with Aaron Kohler appointed
as the fifth man on the committee. On December 24, 1869, a
contract was made with Mr. Hanzelman for the price .already
specified, and the instrument to be completed inside of six months.
On August 9, 1870, the organ was brought from Allentown and
placed into the church. The same was used for the first time on
September 20, 1870, at the funeral of H. B. Schadt, and on
September 25th, the instrument was formally dedicated. On
September 26th, the same was carefully and thoroughly tested
by a competent committee consisting of Prof. E. F. Blech, organist
of the Moravian Church, of Bethlehem; Prof. L. H. Weiss, organist
of the Episcopal Church, of Mauch Chunk; and Mr. Samuel Bohler,
organ builder, of Reading. The committee found the organ very
satisfactory, spoke of it in the highest terms and congratulate
the two congregations on the acquisition of such a superior
instrument.
131
The Organists and Teachers.
The first teacher, or "Vorsinger," of whoih we find any record
was Conrad Schneider. When he began his service at Egypt,
is not known. But as Mr. Schneider was no organist and the con-
gregations had to have such now, since they had purchased an
organ, he was compelled to resign his position. He did so and
was succeeded by Mr. Jacob Strein in 1786, who served eighteen
years, seems to have been a competent man and was very good
in keeping records and accounts. In 1804 he resigned as organist
and teacher and moved to Lancaster, Pa. His successor was
Henry Hempsing, who came from Hamburg, Berks Co., Pa. He
remained until 1810 and was succeeded by Adam Gilbert. Peter
Ruch, Daniel Schreiber and John Neuhart went to Rehrerstown,
to bring the family of Mr. Gilbert to Egypt. It took three days
and each was paid i pound and 10 shillings for the service rendered.
Gilbert remained organist and school teacher until 1822, when
he resigned and was followed by Theodore Starb. Starb served
but for several years and was followed by Johann Daniel
Eisenbrown, who served until 1829. Eisenbrown was suc-
ceeded by Christian Schick, who remained until 1836. In
this year, 1836, John Berndt was elected teacher and organist
and served until 1846 when he was succeeded by Francis G.
Berndt, who rendered a long and successful service. As organist,
he served forty-one years, and as teacher, thirty-seven years. He
was elected April i i, 1846, and ended his service April i, 1887,
having resigned on December 6, 1886. He however, continued
to serve as Secretary of the church councils until June 4, 1888.
His daughter, Mrs. Maria Ruch, assisted him in his work the last
few years. His resignation was accepted on December 14, 1886,
but the church councils requested him to give a sacred concert
with his choir before retiring. He kindly consented to do this,
and this sacred concert was given on March 27, 1887. Prof.
Berndt was followed by Robert A. Benner, who was elected
February 5, 1887, and died December 19, 1901. Benner's succes-
sor, the present organist, William H. Snyder, was elected February
9, 1902. As long as the organist was also the teacher of the
school of the church he received 33^ cents a month for every
child. After the free school system was introduced he was paid
by the school directors. As organist he had to collect his own
salary, and for every funeral he served he could ask 75 cents. After
the year 1900, the organist received a fixed salary and was no
longer compelled to collect the same. •
As already seen. Father Berndt, as he was familiarly and
affectionately called, was the last organist who also taught the
school. He was yet a "schulmeister" and a good one he was.
He was well known and highly respected not only in Egypt Church,
but in the whole community. He was a very successful teacher,
and took a prominent part in the educational matters of the
132
county and even of the state. He assisted in the preparation
of many young men who afterwards entered college and became
useful and honored in their several callings. Egypt and vicinity
can perhaps point to as many young men and women educated
for the professions as any community of its size and circumstances
in the state, and a great deal of the influence exerted must be
attributed to Father Berndt. He was also a good organist and
teacher of music. His instruction in music and the rules and
principles instilled by him are to be seen and felt in the Egypt
Church to this day. He was also of great help to the pastors in
their work, was a friend of everybody; and his advice was con-
stantly sought and followed. His scholars and choir members
were strongly attached to him. Implicit confidence could be
placed in him. After he retired from the position so long and so
faithfully occupied by him, he lived near the church with his
son-in-law Hiram Ruch and wife Maria. He still took an active
part in the work of the church and Missionary Society, was never
away from his accustomed place in church and was liberal even
beyond his ability. Like the name Mendsen, the name Berndt
will continue t<5 live and be honored for generations to come.
Qn M^-rch 12, 1891, he quietly fell asleep, aged 72 years, 6 months
and 13 days, and was buried March 17th. A large concourse of
people gathered at the old church, many clergymen from the
county, from Allentown and from a distance, came to attest
their esteem for the departed. His pastor preached from Matt.
25: 21, and Rev. Dr. W. R. Hofford, the Reformed pastor at
Egypt, preached on John 11 : 11. "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth."
Strange to say, his pastor, the writer of this sketch, who had
learned to honor and love him as a child does a father, was the
first to find him in his bed after he had suddenly and unexpectedly
departed this life.
The School Houses.
When the first school house was erected and who the first
teachers were is not known. Likely there was a school house
before the first church of 1764, as was customary in those early
days. The teachers would read printed sermons in the school
house when the pastor could not be present or the congregation
was without a regular pastor. In 1787, however, it is certain
that a school house was erected. Philip Jacob Schreiber and
Adam Zerfass were the respective treasurers. Members of the
Reformed congregation contributed 71 pounds, 10 shillings and
8 pence, and those of the Lutheran congregation contributed 28
pounds, 6 shillings and 2 pence towards its erection. As already
seen, this account was audited on August 9, 1801, and everything
found correct. The school house was made of logs, two stories
high, and was used it is claimed until 1829. Its cost was $267.
In the winter of 1829 to 1830 the school house took fire and was
133
totally destroyed. Steps were at once taken and a new school
house was erected in its place. It was made of stones, cost
$i>537-54» is still in good condition and occupied by organist
Snyder and his family at present. The committee which had
charge of the erection of this building, consisted of Jacob Mickley,
Sen., and Peter Ruch. Solomon Steckel served as treasurer.
On February i6, 1833, the account was audited and is signed by
Jacob Mickley and Peter Ruch, building committee; Nicholas
Saeger, Michael Frack, John Newhard, trustees; Joseph Saeger,
Peter Steckel, Peter Kohler and Benjamin Breinig, elders; and
Jacob Rensheimer, Joseph Freyman, David Scheurer, Johannes
Ritter, Jonas Meyer, Solomon Dubbs, Peter Neuhard and David
Ruch, as deacons. In this school house the public school was
held until 1871, when the directors of Whitehall Township built
a new school house in Egypt. Father Berndt continued to teach
in this new school house until 1883, The pastors of the congre-
gations were accustomed to have their catechetical instructions
in the old school house of the church, and here also the children
who were brought for that purpose, were baptized. It was also
the meeting place for business transacted by the congregations or
the church councils. In unpleasant weather the members gathered
there before the services began in the church and, as is still the
custom, communicants came there to be recorded for the com-
munion.
Egypt was always a prominent place for school and education.
The first English school in the county was here. "The English
School Society," of Egypt, was organized in 1808, and had for
its object the instruction in English. It continued its work until
1857. Tripoli had its first English school in 181 2, Allentown and
Ballietsville in 1816, Upper Saucon in 1833, but Egypt in 1807.
The free school system began in 1834.
The Sunday School.
The Sunday School, of Egypt Church, does not have a very
long history. It was first begun in 1844, and held its sessions
in the school house until 1847, when it was again discontinued.
The late William Leisenring, of Cementon, who lived in Egypt
for some years, was the first superintendent. Also a certain
Mr. Weaver was one of the early superintendents. In 1894, in
the Fall of the year, the Sundy School celebrated its 50th anni-
versary, and the church was very appropriately decorated, neigh-
boring Sunday Schools were invited and were also present.
Addresses were made by the two pastors. Rev. W. R. Hoflford,
D. D., of the Reformed, and Rev. J. D. Schindel, of the Lutheran
congregation. The venerable William Leisenring also made a
very interesting address, and another was made by Mr. Edwin
Mickley, of Mickley's, Pa., who was a scholar of this Sunday School
fifty years ago. Augustus Kelchner, Esq., was also a scholar
134
fifty years ago and was present on the occasion. Mr. A. N.
Lindenmuth, the photographer, of Allentown, took a picture of
the decorations with Mr. Leisenring and Esq. Kelchner on the
same, as also the then acting superintendents, Mr. Lewis Kohler,
Reformed, and Augustus M. Laub, the Lutheran superintendent.
The reason Hkely why the Sunday School did not have a
continuous life after 1847, was because Sunday Schools were
not yet generally introduced in that neighborhood. And also
because the Lutheran pastor, Rev. F. W. Mendsen, showed a
great deal of opposition to the movement. As Rev. Mendsen
was sincere and conscientious in his opposition he won a goodly
number to his views. He still held to the old churchly custom
of holding "Kinderlehre." Every month on Sunday morning
before the regular service began, Rev. Mendsen held an hour of
religious introduction with the children of the church. The
writer of this sketch has met with a number of persons who, as
children, used to attend these instructions. Rev. Mendsen
thought the Sunday School was a dangerous innovation and
claimed that the persons who undertook to teach the word of
God to these children were not properly qualified to do so and
would lay the foundation of schism and alienations if nothing
worse. In our days this position would not be appreciated, yet
it was rightly and conscientiously assumed by father Mendsen
in those days.
Since 1847, not much positive information can be obtained
about the Sunday School. It is certain that no school was held
in the church of 1785 for reasons already given. When the pre-
sent church was erected a basement was provided for such a pur-
pose and was also utilized. How soon, however, such was
done we do not know. Old Sunday School scholars tell us that
the school was held only during the summer months and discon-
tinued during the winter. The late Edward Kohler, Esq., we
are told, was one of those who revived the school and prepared
a constitution for the same. With him was associated the late
Charles Troxel. In 1867, Mr. Reuben Steckel was the superin-
tendent but how long we do not know. In the seventies and
early eighties, father Berndt took an interest in the school and
he and his daughter Maria worked very energetically in and for
the same. In 1884, Revs. A. J. L. Breinig and Alfred Lobach
became superintendents. When the writer of this sketch came
to Egypt, in 1888, Rev. O. S. Scheirer was the Lutheran and Mr.
Lewis Kohler the Reformed superintendent. Since then the writer,
to the best of his ability, recalls as superintendents, David Schneck,
A. M. Laub, Eugene Laub, Wilson H. Schneck, Robert A. Benner,
William Kern, Francis Lindaman, Phaon Fatzinger, Lewis Breinig,
Lewis Kohler, and the present officials, Prof. Preston Breinig and
Milton Steckel. On account of the unsanitary condition of
the basement the sessions were held for some time in the audi-
135
torium of the church. But after the introduction of steam heat
and the repairs of 1906, the sessions were again regularly held
in the basement as heretofore.
Sundry Repairs.
In 1 80 1 a little barn, "scheurchen," was built costing 30
pounds, 10 shillings and 3 pence. The persons taking part wer^
Adam Troxel, Christian Saeger, John Saeger, Jacob Yehl, Johannes
Ritter, Heinrich Ritter, George Ringer, Peter Mickley, Jacob
Schreiber, Peter Kohler, Jacob Kohler, John Neuhart, Michael
Neuhart, Nicholas Saeger, Esq., Jacob Dinkey, George SmuU,
Peter Neuhart, Jr., Adam Scheurer and Jacob Meyer. They
must have become very dry, as 15 shillings were paid to Jacob
Schreiber for 3 gallons of whiskey and to Jacob Strein 7 shillings
and 6 pence for one and a half gallons of the same material. As
already seen, in 1806, repairs were made to the church, organ
and stoves. The committee was Michael Neuhart and Conrad
Leisenring, and the cost was $274.62. The account of the com-
mittee was audited April 21, 181 1, and the audit is signed as
follows :
Lutheran Congregation.
Rev. F. W. Mendsen, Pastor.
Nicholas Saeger,
Jacob Saeger,
Trustees.
Conrad Leisenring,
Building Committee.
Jacob Schneck,
Frederick Paul,
Elders.
Jacob Laudenslager,
Johannes Ritter,
Jacob Bieche,
Jacob Scheurer,
Deacons.
* Reformed Congregation.
Rev. Johann Gobrecht,
Pastor.
Jacob Schreiber, Trustee and
Elder..
Nicholas Kern, Trustee.
Johannes Newhard, for his
father, Michael Newhard, of
Building Committee, who had
died.
Jacob Meyer, Elder,
Peter Schreiber,
Johannes Newhard,
Jonas Hecker,
Peter Mickley,
Deacons.
In 1 8 10 on November 27, by resolution of the Reformed
congregation, the penny collections were all put into a common
treasury. Before this date they had been kept separate. The
Reformed treasury had on hand 84 pounds, 6 shillings and 3^
pence. Of this amount 24 pounds, 6 shillings, 3^ pence were
regarded as the penny collections and paid into the common
treasury as such with the Lutherans. But the remaining 60
pounds were to remain the property of the Reformed congregation
only. In 1811 and 181 2 the wall was made around the grave-
yard, and the church and school house were repaired at an expense
136
of $805.80. The committee in charge of this work was Nicholas
Saeger, Peter Meyer, Adam Troxel and Johannas Saeger. In
1820 the fence was made around the garden costing in money
$20.39. Much labor was dpne without charge, seventy-eight
persons worked from ^ to 13 days without charge and others
gave rails and posts. In 1829 the graveyard was enlarged at
a cost of $197.10. The committee in charge of this work was
Nicholas Saeger and Johannes Neuhard, and the committee that
had charge of making the fence around the garden consisted of
Abraham Butz, Gottfried Peter, Samuel Saeger and George A.
Kemmerer. In 186 oa centennial celebration was held on October
14. Rev. Dr. P. Schaff and Rev. J. Vogelbach were the speakers.
Rev. Jos. S. Dubbs was the Reformed and Rev. Thomas Steck
the Lutheran pastor at that time.
In 1873 the question arose as to the necessity of repairing
the tower on the church. A committee consisting of Daniel
App, Edwin L. Breinig, Owen Newhard and Tilghman Zellner,
was appointed to investgate the matter. In their report they
recommended a general repair of the church and tower with an
extension of the tower of 50 feet. On August 22, 1873, a meeting
was held to decide the matter but it was a failure. On May 18,
1874, another vote was taken and the question was affirmatively
decided. During the year 1874, therefore, the church was remod-
eled, and a new tower or steeple erected, measuring 140 feet.
The total cost was $2,523.93. The dedication took place Nov.
8, 1874, and the collection amounted to $52.90. Cain Semmel,
of Catasauqua, made the steeple. In 1878 the Lutheran congre-
gation received the sum of $233.02 as its share of the parsonage
sale at Schnecksville. In 1880 to 1881 a new central chandelier
was purchased for the church and the old pewter communion
set, presented in 1786 by Mr. and Mrs. George Koehler, was
replaced by a silver plated set. During this time there was also
some general repairing done to the church building. A large
chair for the chancel was presented by Joseph Newhard, John
Brdman, John Schwartz, Sen., and Reuben Saeger; another one
by Joseph Keefer; and a large arm chair for the pulpit was
presented by the brothers Samuel and Frank Brown. The widow
of Paul Brown presented a marble top solid walnut altar. The
basement was repaired, a cistern "was made at the church, the
church was painted and the little doors at the pews were removed
as well as the panel of the front pews. New heaters were placed
into the basement and the chimney arrangement so changed as
to heat the auditorium by these heaters in the cellar and basement.
In 1887 a new iron fence was placed in front of the church
by the trustees of the two congregations, Edwin ly. Breinig and
Stephan A. Brown being of the Lutheran congregation. No
extensive repairs were now made until 1904 and 1905, when,
after a vote on October 3, 1904, the steam heat was introduced,
137
the second set of heaters removed, the terra cotta chimney flues
torn down and a fine chimney of brick erected. The expense
was about $1,300, and was soon and easily paid off. This was
followed by very extensive repairs in 1905 and 1906. The base-
ment was thoroughly remodeled, painted, metal ceiling and
cement floor put in, lighted with electricity and heated by steam.
The church proper was painted outside and inside, it was frescoed
and painted, new metal ceiling put in place, the organ touched
up, extra fine windows put in place of the old ones, fine electric
chandeliers hung, and very fine circular pews, of latest style,
placed on an elevated floor which is covered with splendid brussels
carpet. A handsome solid dark walnut altar was presented by
Oliver Leh and family, a corresponding baptismal font by Eugene
E. Long and wife and a reading desk by Thomas Sch'adt, Sen.
New bibles and hymn books were presented by members, and a
beautiful gilt cross came to the church through the instrumentality
of the assistant Lutheran pastor. Rev. J. J. Schindel, from Mr.
Howard W. Lewis, president Farmers and Mechanics Nat. Bank,
Philadelphia, Pa. The committee which had charge of these
repairs consisted of Thomas Schadt, Sen., and Lewis Kohler on
the Reformed side and Charles Weaver and Eugene E. Long on
the Lutheran. The total cost of these extensive repairs, including
the steam heat, was about seven thousand ($7,000) dollars. To
the very agreeable surprise of all concerned this whole amount
was soon paid off after the dedication services were over, and
a balance of nearly $800 left. The members of the church councils,
then in office, worked nobly in collecting thefunds and the Ladies'
Aid Society was equally active and successful in accomplishing
this gratifying and remarkable work. The church was reopened
and dedicated on January 28, 1906. Rev. Dr. Stahr, President
of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., preached for
the Reformed and Rev. J. F. Lambert, pastor of the St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, Catasauqua, for the Lutheran congregation.
Services were held morning, afternoon and evening. Besidee
the pastors. Rev. Geo. P. Stem, J. D. and J. J. Schindel, thers
were present during the day Revs. A. Lobach, H. J. Kuder, O. F.
Frantz and Morris Schadt.
The Land Belonging to the Church.
Egypt Church has very valuable land in its possession,
although it is of very little practical benefit to the two congre-
gations. The acquisition of this land is a matter of much interest.
When the second church building was to be erected Christian
Saeger offered to give half an acre of land for that purpose. But
as he had no land near enough, being too far away from the place
where the church was to be located, he presented this half acre
to Peter Steckel and he, in turn, promised to present the church
for this purpose one whole acre. But while these arrangements
138
were being made Peter Steckel died without having given a deed
for the land. Later on, however, in 1786, Henry and John
Steckel, to whom the land had been given by the will of Peter
Steckel, gave such a deed to the church as their departed father
had promised and on which the church building had already
been erected.
The first conveyance of land to the Reformed and Lutheran
congregations, of Egypt Church, was made September 28, 1786.
This was for the land on which the second church had been erected
in 1785. It was conveyed to Peter Burkhalter, Esq., Peter
Kohler, Esq., Samuel Saeger and Nicholas Saeger, trustees, respec-
tively, of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, of Egypt
Church. The consideration was five pounds, being $13.67, per
acre. The land measured 2 acres and 48 perches, one arce as
already stated having been the gift of Peter Steckel and Christian
Saeger, each half an acre. This land was a part of a tract of land
of 250 acres granted by patent to Peter Troxel, by the late pro-
prietors of Pennsylvania, on November 28, 1748. These 250
acres were afterwards deeded by Peter Troxel and his wife Mag-
dalena, on May 28, 1768, to Peter Steckel who willed the same
to his sons Henry and John, on June 30, 1781. Then Henry and
John Steckel, as already seen, after the death of their father, Peter
Steckel, conveyed the above-mentioned 2 acres and 48 perches
to the trustees of the two congregations as above stated, in trust,
however, for specific purposes. The deed was acknowledged
before Peter Rhoads on September 29, 1786. Mr. Rhoads was
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton
County. The question now arises on whose or what land did the
first church of 1764 stand. It is claimed that those acres on
which the dead were buried were never included in any purchase
and were considered free by all for church and burial purposes.
But the church of 1 764 stood only 200 feet away from the church
of 1785, in a southeasterly direction. Both were surrounded by
the graves of those buried there, and as the land on which the
church of 1785 stood was regularly conveyed to the church trus-
tees, it is reasonable to suppose that the land on which the second
church stood belonged to the same party on whose land the first
church stood. Now, as this land belonged orignally to Peter
Troxel, who acquired title in 1748, and did not sell it until 1768,
it seems clear that the first church of 1 764 stood on the land of
Peter (also called John Peter) Troxel, without previous purchase
by the two congregations. This seems the more plausible since
we have learned that since 1756 the church services were regularly
held in the mansion erected by this same Peter Troxel at another
place near Egypt. He no doubt, out of the kindness of his heart,
allowed this first church to be erected on his land without any
pecuniary consideration. His land extended from the location
of the church up to where the old Troxel mansion yet stands,
including the Nary Peter farm.
139
The second purchase of land was in 1793. The tract con-
sisted of 2 acres and 55 perches with 6 p. c. allowance for roads.
It was conveyed to Peter Burkhalter, Peter Kohler, Christian
Saeger and Nicholas Saeger in trust for specific purposes. They
paid into the Receiver General's office, of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, the sum of three (3) pence lawful money and
received a grant of land called "Reliance." The tract joined
the land of Jacob Kohler and the other church land coming from
Henry and John Steckel. It was surveyed in pursuance of a
warrant dated December 17, 1792 and given over to the afore-
mentioned persons for the use of the said church, clear of all
restrictions and reservations except the one (1-5) fifth of all gold
and silver ore for the use of the Commonwealth, to be delivered
at the pit's mouth, clear of all charges. The conveyance is signed
by Governor Thomas Mifflin, Governor of the said Commonwealth,
on January 29, 1793, and attested by James Trimble, Deputy
Secretary.
The third purchase of land was made on January 4, 1797.
The consideration was 50 pounds and the tract consisted of 4
acres and 3 perches. The contracting parties were Jacob Kohler
and wife Mary Elizabeth to Peter Burkhalter, Jacob Schreiber,
Christian Saeger and Nicholas Saeger, Jr. , trustees, respectively,
of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, of Egypt Church.
The land according to the survey of Peter Rhoads, Jr., son of
Judge Peter Rhoads, consisted really of two tracts and was sur-
veyed May 3, 1797. The land joined the church's land, that of
Jacob Steckel and Jacob Kohler 's other lands. It was acknowl-
edged before Nicholas Saeger, Sen., Justice of the Peace, May
9, 1797, and the witnesses were John Jacob Strein, the teacher
and organist, and Michael Neuhart. The condition included was
that the said Kohler, for himself and his heirs, according to the
deed on record in Easton, must always maintain the laid out
streets on his land. To his wife for her signature i pound, 17
shillings and 6 pence "trinkgeld" was paid. This tract was a
part of a certain large tract of land of 60 acres allowance, which
the Hon. Thomas and Richard Penn, Esqs., by their patent of
December 2, 1762, granted to Jacob Kohler the elder, who deeded
the same to his son Jacob Kohler, Jr., on August 21, 1769.
The fourth purchase of land was on March 6, 1802. The
parties were George Ringer (mason) and his wife Elizabeth, to
Peter Burkhalter, Esq., Philip Jacob Schreiber, Nicholas Saeger,
of Samuel, and Jacob Saeger, Jr., 'trustees, respectively, of the
Reformed and Lutheran congregations, of Egypt Church, in
trust. It was surveyed on May 22, 1800, by Nicholas Neligh.
The consideration was 28 pounds or $74.67. The deed was
acknowledged April 3, 1802, before Nicholas Saeger, Sen., Justice
of the Peace for Northampton, County and the witnesses were
George Smull and Michael Neuhart. The tract was 2 acres, strict
140
measure. Mr. Ringer presented the Lutheran congregation, of
which he was a member, with 7 pounds or $18.67, the price of
half an acre and George Kohler, who in his day took great interest
in the welfare of Egypt Church, gave 6 pounds towards the pur-
chase of this land. The expenses with the surveying of this
tract were ^ pound, 2 shillings and 9! pence, although Nicholas
Neligh did the surveying for nothing and organist teacher Jacob
Strein charged nothing for writing the deed. Mrs. Elizabeth
Ringer, the wife of George Ringer, received 7 shilling and 6 pence
"trinkgeld" for signing the deed. This tract was chestnut tim.
ber land and is situated in North Whitehall not far from Scheidy 's-
A part of this chestnut timber land was sold in 1878 for $175.
The fifth purchase of land was made in 1849. It was sur-
veyed by Daniel Saeger, Esq., and consisted of 152 perches, strict
measure, and cost $142.50. It was purchased of Jonas Stofflet
and was a part of a tract once owned by Abraham Steckel who
had sold it to Jonas Stofflet. It was surveyed August 27, 1849,
and was purchased for the purpose of obtaining suitable ground
on which could be erected sheds for the teams of members of
the congregations as also for erecting thereon a suitable barn
for the use of the teacher and organist. The tract was covered
with heavy oak timber and had been used by persons to tie their
horses and teams. When Mr. Stofflet purchased the property
he cut down the timber and enclosed the land with a fence. The
congregations badly needed the ground and thus were led to
purchase the same.
The sixth purchase, made May 17, 1851, was surveyed by
Daniel Saeger, Esq., September 14, 1850, and consisted of 58
perches. The consideration was $50. This property was con-
veyed by Daniel Kohler and his wife Magdalena to Peter Kohler,
Peter Steckel, Daniel Saeger and David Ruch, trustees, respectively,
of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations, of Egypt Church.
It was a small part of a large tract which Jacob Kohler and his
wife Mary Elizabeth deeded, on September 2, 181 3, to Daniel
Kohler. It was acknowledged. May 17, 1851, before Edward
Kohler, Esq., Justice of the Peace for Lehigh County and wit-
nessed by Edward Kohler atid Abraham Kohler.
Total acres of land: No. i. 2 acres 48 perches; No. 2. 2 acres
55 perches ;]No. 3. 4 acres 3 perches; No. 4. 2 acres (Woodland,
less what was sold in 1878) ; No. 5. 152 perches; No. 6. 58 perches;
Total II acres, 156 perches.
The Hampton Furnace.
Reminiscences of an Important Industry^ and its Old-Time Owners.
By Henry A. ScHuiyER.
Furnace-Glow and Furnace-Teams. '
Years ago, when still a boy, I would sometimes, sitting out-
doors in the evening or looking through the window, watch a
fitful glow in the northern heavens, now blazing out bright, then
gradually fading until it was but faintly visible.
"That is the furnace," my mother would say. Then she
proceeded to tell me, in terms suited to a child's comprehension,
what that furnace was, where it was and what men were doing
there. '
It was Sigmund's Furnace, less than two miles away across
the Lehigh county line, that made its nearness known by that
nightly glow in the sky. The name Hampton Furnace was
hardly mentioned to me then. And notwithstanding its nearness
years passed before I came to see it with my own eyes. Long
previously I made the acquaintance of those big wagons with
long, deep, quaintly-shaped bodies, passing along the road, drawn
by four or six mules, loaded with charcoal or limestone, and was
told that those teams were in the employ of Sigmund, the iron-
master, hauling their loads to his furnace. There were similar
teams on the road, hauling in the iron-ore, but these came from
another direction, and I seldom got a view of them.
The Charcoai^-Burners and Their Work.
I learned to know the charcoal-burners also, before I saw the
furnace for which they too were working. I knew the round spots
in the woods, where they had done their work, leaving the bare,
charred ground. I knew some huts in which they had dwelt, and
sometimes would pass the big smoking woodpiles where the burn-
ing was still going on. Some of those charcoal-burners passed
our house week after week, and I remember a few occasions when
my mother sold them big loaves of home-made bread, baked to
their order, in the old-fashioned brick oven.
The process of charcoal-burning had to be well understood
and carefully watched. In a paper read before the Berks County
142
Historical Society, my friend, H. W. Fegley, lately of Hereford,
has described it so well that I take the liberty of quoting some
paragraphs from him, for the benefit of the rising generation, to
which charcoal-furnaces are a thing of the past.
"The charcoal-burners took large saplings and planted them
in the ground on a level place previously cleared, and around these
the wood was piled. This was cut in lengths of three or four feet,
and the pieces were placed on edge around a center-pole. Three
lengths were placed on top of one another. When the pile was
completed it was conical in shape, twelve to fourteen feet high,
and thirty to forty feet in circumference. It was then covered
with leaves and earth to a depth of three or four inches, to make
it air-tight. The center-pole was drawn out and the vacant space
was filled clear to the top with chips and shavings, which were
ignited and covered. The fire had to burn downwards, and to
do this to perfection, eight or more openings or vents were made
at the bottom of the pile, to provide a downward draft.
No flame was allowed. Two men were always on hand to
keep the burning-process what the charcoal-burners used to call
a dead fire. Now came the critical moment for the attendants.
The heap had to be closely watched, so that one side would not
char faster than the other ; sometimes it became necessary to close
some of the vents, to lessen the draft. The time required to burn
such a heap, varied from one to two days, and sometimes required
a week. When the burning was completed, the charred heap was
only about half as high as at first and proportionally smaller in
circumference. ...
The burners usually traveled in pairs, and as the charring
needed constant watching, they were obliged to remain with the
burning heap. While one was on active duty for twelve hours,
his partner was in the hut sleeping. Their huts were made of
saplings, and the interstices were filled with leaves and earth.
Their bill of fare was not elaborate. It was generally made
up as follows: for breakfast, flitch and potatoes; for dinner, pota-
toes and flitch; for supper, meat and potatoes."
Seeing a Casting — Hampton Furnace Stoves.
Just when I saw the Hampton Furnace for the first time, I
can not tell; but I remember quite distinctly one Sunday after-
noon when, with one or two of my cousins, I was there, watching
the process of making a cast, and marvelling to see the iron flowing
like water along the molds of sand on the floor. That was some
summer-day in 1865 or '66. They made only pig-iron there
in those later days, but ten-plate wood-stoves were made there
at some 'previous period, for we had one of those stoves with the
inscription "Hampton Furnace," in our old shop. I would remem-
ber that stove, even if it had not one day, when I was quite small
and had been feeding it with shavings, suddenly thrust out its
143
fiery tongue and come near licking my face. That was a lesson,
such as every child should have that ventures to play with fire.
My father, who was a skilled carpenter, did considerable work
for Mr. Sigmund, during or immediately after the Civil War. He
was well acquainted with the furnace and its proprietor, and told
me a good deal about it that was interesting. It was my mother,
however, who told me that Frederic Sigmund, the father of the
man who owned the furnace then, had come from Germany in his
youth and served his time as a redemptioner, being too poor to
pay his passage across the ocean.
Builders and Owners of Hampton Furnace.
Mr. Sigmund 's furnace at a previous time had been called
Mary Ann Furnace; Hampton Furnace had been the original
name. It stood on the Perkiomen creek in Upper Milford, Lehigh
county, a short distance east of the line of Berks. It was built
by David Heimbach, Wisserman and Coverly, in 1809. Heimbach
soon bought out his partners and conducted the furnace alone for
twenty-three years. August 13, 1832, he sold the furnace-prop-
erty, then comprising ninety acres of land, to John V. R. Hunter,
of Northampton borough (Allentown), who conducted it for two
years. May 20, 1834, the property was transferred to Daniel V.
R. Hunter, for $9,000, along with two tracts in Upper Milford, one
of 42 acres 120 perches, the other of 22 acres 154 perches, for which
the sellers were to receive $1,000. March 31, 1838, followed a
reconveyance for the same consideration to John V. R. Hunter and
Paul Miller.
The New Hampton Works, as, according to the day-book
and journal of the firm Hunter & Miller, the enterprise was then
called, must have been a losing venture in those days. A crisis
came in November, 1844, when "they got stopped by the sheriff."
The property was sold to John Gross, of Allentown. Under date
of February 7, 1850, we find a deed given by Charles Ihrie, sheriff,
to Frederic Sigmund, for the Hampton Furnace and three tracts
of land, comprising 67 acres and 42 perches, more or less, sold for
$3,525, to recover a debt of $1,230.82, which Frederic Sigmund
and Horatio Trexler, assignees of Hunter & Miller, recovered
against John Gross.
Mr. Sigmund seems to have acquired only a quarter of the
furnace property by this sale. By the next deed, given April 15,
1858, Frederic S. Hunter, of Leesport, Cyrus J. Nicholas and David
Hunter and their wives. Dr. H. H. ' Muhlenberg and Henry S.
Eckert, children and heirs-at-law of the late Nicholas V. R. Hunter,
of Reading, conveyed to Frederic Sigmund, for $9,000, a quarter
part of the Hampton Furnace property, including the three con-
tiguous tracts of land in Upper Milford. And on October 29,
1859, John McManus and Jacob V. R. Hunter, both of Reading,
sold to Frederic Sigmund one-half of the same property for $3,500.
144
The Palmy Days of the Hampton Furnace.
Under the management of Frederic Sigmund the Hampton
Furnace enjoyed its greatest prosperity, as the following recollec-
tions kindly furnished us by Dr. P. S. Leisenring, now of San Diego,
Cal., will show:
"I first knew the Hampton Furnace in the spring of 1852, soon
after I had located in Millerstown, now Macungie (Lehigh county,
Pa.). Its owners then were, the Hunter Brothers, of Reading,
and Frederic Sigmund. Later Mr. Sigmund became sole owner of
the property. For some time previous he had the entire manage-
ment of the furnace. I was told that before his taking charge,
it was a losing investment, in fact a failure; but his careful, judi-
cious management soon made it a paying business. Things in
and about the property soon put on a more attractive appearance.
New tenement houses were built, the old ones were repaired. A
larger barn was built and arrangements were made to build a
larger and more comfortable dwelling for the owner's family, then
consisting of one daughter and two sons. The building of the
dwelling house was materially hastened by a very severe electric
storm, that came one night, with a heavy downpour of rain,
blowing off the roof of the old house, drenching the inmates pretty
thoroughly, and compelling them to occupy one of the tenement
houses until the new dwelling was finished. Improvements on
and about the property were made from time to time, until it
became one of the most prosperous and desirable charcoal-iron
plants in the State. The metal made there was first class, always
commanding the highest prices and a ready sale. During our
Civil War it was largely used for the manufacture of government-
cannon. Mr. Sigmund became one of the most successful char-
coal-iron makers of his day. He was active, industrious, honest,
progressive, of correct habits and good morals, dealing justly with
his employees and with all who had business-relations with him.
In short, he was an old-style business man and gentleman.
The immediate surroundings of Hampton Furnace were hilly
and rough. The location was somewhat isolated, but decidedly
picturesque and attractive, especially during the spring and
autumn months. The summers were warm, the winters mostly
dreary.
The large, well kept six-mule furnace teams were one of the
features of the neighborhood, as during most of the year they
made daily trips to and from .the furnace with heavy loads of char-
coal, limestone, iron-ore or pig-iron. Pottstown was the nearest
railroad station, from which most of the metal was shipped. Scar-
city of wood in the immediate neighborhood of the furnace, often
made it necessary to get a supply of charcoal from a great distance.
As a rule that had to be hauled over rough roads and during the
wet and freezing months of the year, the heavy furnace teams
145
kept them in a miserable condition, making travel on horseback
or in Hght vehicles slow work. This often sorely tried our patience,
as well as our patients, when haste was required. However, as
the furnace was the biggest business enterprise of the neighborhood,
but little outward complaint was heard. When the turnpike
from Shimersville to Treichlersville and beyond was made, travel
became less trying.
Professional calls on the families of the furnace men were
frequent, and after a time the writer always particularly enjoyed
them, not only for the fees they brought, but on account of a more
substantial attraction he often met there. It was the same 'old,
old story'; Cupid with his dart left a wounded heart, and in due
time the furnace master's pretty little daughter became my wife.
This naturally caused me to have a still higher appreciation of the
old Hampton Furnace and its surroundings.
In the spring of 1857, we moved from Millerstown to Selins-
grove, Pa. As a consequence we heard less of the doings at the
furnace, though we still kept in touch with it. After the departure
of Father Sigmund, the furnace came into possession of his son
Henry, who later disposed of the property. I love to recall to
mind and linger in thought among the scenes of the old Hampton
Furnace. May they ever be a green spot in my pilgrimage through
life."
Frederick Sigmund's Successors — Old Deeds
AND Account-Books.
Frederick Sigmund died at Hollidaysburg, Pa., June 25, i860,
aged 53 years, 2 months, 25 days. He died intestate, leaving
three children: Henry M., Albert M. and Emma E., wife of Peter
S. Leisenring. The records of the Lehigh county orphans' court
show, under date of May 14, 1861, that these children agreed to
divide their father's estate, the brothers accepting the three
tracts of land at the following valuation: No.' i, including the
Hampton Furnace and measuring 67 acres and 42 perches, at
$7,000; No. 2, II acres and 42 perches, at $275, and No. 3, 2 acres
and 4 perches, at $62. The proceeds were equally shared by the
three heirS.
For these facts concerning the successive transfers of the
Hampton Furnace I am chiefly indebted to Mr. Peter J. Faust,
the present owner of the property, who kindly allowed me to look
over the old deeds and account books in his possession. From
the latter we learn also that the owner of the furnace in 1836
(Daniel V. R. Hunter) owned a canal-boat named Albany, the
cost of which is entered under date of May 10, of that year at $280.
May 19, 1836, we find an entry noting the tolls for that boat from
Weissport to Allentown and back at $4.23. Another item in the
old "leger" on the attic of Mr. Faust's home, informs us that on
the morning of December 8, 1866, at seven o'clock, the thermom-
eter at the Hampton Furnace registered 13 degrees below zero.
146
Father Sigmund's wife, nee Elizabeth Miller, was killed in a
runaway in 1842, when they were returning home to Dale Forge
from a visit to her people, below what is now Old Zionsville. She
and her husband are buried at Huff's Church. The joint owner-
ship of the furnace by Mr. Sigmund's sons, Henry and Albert,
lasted until November i, 1865, when the latter and his wife sold
out their share to Henry M. Sigmund for $3,500. During the
interval, Henry had managed the business while Albert served as
a surgeon in the Federal army and paid him a large salary. Dr.
Sigmund enlisted in July, 1862, and served until the close of the
Albert M. Sigmund, M. D.
Courtesy of Mrs. L, L. Belmer, Osborne, O.
war. After the division of property just mentioned he bought
the home of Dr. Jacob S. Shimer near Shimersville, Lehigh county,
where he continued to practice his profession. He died there
April 10, 1872.
Hampton Furnace in War-Times.
Of the life at Hampton Furnace during the Civil War, Mrs.
L. L. Belmer, of Osburne, 0.,who then was the wife of Dr. Albert M.
Sigmund, has given us a vivid picture by the hand of her cousin,
Mrs. M. L. Earnest, of Mifflinburg, Pa., who writes as follows:
"Among the pleasant memories of long ago is that of a visit
to Hampton Furnace. It was early in the sixties, when the war-
clouds were hanging heavily over our beloved country, that Dr.
A. M. Sigmund brought to the old homestead there, his fair young
147
bride of eighteen summers. Henry M. Sigmund was then a
widower, having buried his young wife Adelaide Schelly, a short
time before, and now it fell to the lot of his brother to furnish a
mistress for the place. Dr. Sigmund was married to Lydia Leis-
enring on the first of January, 1862, at Selinsgrove, Pa., and
brought her in company with the writer, to Hampton Furnace,
on the twenty-second of the same month. It was a wonderful
change for her, coming from a locality where only English was
spoken, into a neighborhood so German as this. Two servant
girls were there, 'Betsey' and 'Kitty'; neither of them could speak
Henry M. Sigmund.
Last owner of the Hampton Furnace. (Courtesy of Mrs.'L. L. Belmer. Osborne, O.)
a sentence in English. But 'never say fail' was the motto adopted
by their young mistress, and it was marvelous how quickly she
picked up the language. Did she never make any mistakes? O
yes, plenty of them, and none could laugh at them more heartily
than she, when told of them. Her husband, fearing she might
become discouraged in trying to learn, forbade that any of us
should laugh at her mistakes. But his own powers of self-control
were often put to the test at the manner in which she rushed pell-
mell into the 'Dutch.' For instance, on one occasion, having a
number of workmen at table, after the plates were all helped
she smilingly said: ''Nau fresst eich salt!" It brought a broad
smile to every face, the doctor's not excepted. At another time
when she saw a storm coming, wanting something done quickly,
she called to Betsey: ''Spring dapper, es kummt en Dunnerwetter."
Again one day she asked a neighbor how to make ''verdaemta
148
Knep," meaning steamed dumplings or Dampknep, as she should
have said. Many similar mistakes she made, but these instances
will suffice. She rarely made the same mistake a second time,
and many a laugh we have had about them since then.
Of the furnace itself I have only a very indistinct recol-
lection. It was midwinter and there was not much doing. I
left the latter part of March and have never been there since. So
my memory goes back mostly to the people I met in that section.
Such a whole-hearted, hospitable, sociable set of people it is very
pleasant to recall. What delightful evenings we spent at home
and abroad! Sleighing was good part of the time, and we made
good use of it. The Sigmund brothers were always ready for a
trip somewhere, when the roads were good. What pleasant
memories are awakened by the names Schelly, Schall, Young,
Dickenschied, etc., with whom we spent delightful evenings!
Young people often came over from Allentown, so that life there,
though it was winter in the country, could not become monot-
onous. How many of those friends of 'ye olden days' have passed
into the life beyond !
Dr. Ambrose Schelly, a bright, promising young man, died
early that same year. Oliver Young soon followed; both these
were sons of prominent physicians. Were we to have roll-call
of those who lived at that time, how few there would be to respond !
The Sigmund brothers are both gone, but they live in the memory
of thousands.
I recall some of the old churches with their high galleries and
egg-shell pulpits, and the German preaching of Dr. C. Z. Weiser
and Dr. A. J. Dubbs. We went to hear them, though we could
understand but little. I recall an evening which Rev. Kramlich
spent at the Furnace, entertaining us with an account of his
experience on the Great Eastern and their narrow escape from
shipwreck. That same night in commemoration of Washington's
birthday, Dr., Mrs. Sigmund and I repeatedly fired off a revolver,
a new experience for us. Henry M. Sigmund also gave me some
lessons in shooting at mark. In those war-times it seemed neces-
sary that women should learn to handle fire arms. Speaking of
shooting reminds me of poor old Bob, owned by Henry, a terrible
ugly mastiff, but an affectionate creature to those he knew. It
became necessary to put him out of the way. Much against his
own inclination, his master undertook to shoot him. He did shoot
him, but did not kill him instantly. The dog crept up to him and
licked the hand that shot him. It was more than Mr. Sigmund
could bear; he rushed into the house, tears coming fast. I do not
remember his words; I only remember the incident as showing
what tenderness of heart is ofttimes found where we do not look
for it."
To this Mrs. Belmer adds these words of her own :
"Very distinctly do I recall the heavy cannonading we heard
149
during the battle of Gettysburg, ^:= and how Henry M. Sigmund
and I planned to go or send teams with valuables to the mountains,
to escape the rebel army, should General Lee be victorious. How
we used to enjoy the light of the furnace while sitting on the upper
porch, a light more brilliant than an electric light of to-day! How
much I enjoyed the casting, nearly always done at night, which
added much to the weirdness of the scene! I have never for-
gotten the kindness and hospitality of the dear friends of that
neighborhood, nor my happy life at Hampton Furnace."
Stories of the Sigmund Brothers,
A writer who knew Dr. Sigmund well has. told us there was a
strong prejudice among the rural folk at that time against mous-
taches, and when Dr. Sigmund returned from the army wearing
that facial ornament, he offended the sensibilities of many of his
old friends to such a degree that it required some time to regain
their confidence and recover all his former practice.
Henry M. Sigmund continued to operate the old furnace
until some time in 1867 or '68, when it was blown out forever.
He was married successively to two daughters of the late Dr. Joel
Y. Schelly, of Hereford, both of whom preceded him in death. His
last wife was Clara Schuler, a daughter of Aaron Schuler ; she died
in January, 1903, in Philadelphia, and is now buried beside him
on the cemetery of the Lutheran church at Old Zionsville. March
14, 1870, Mr. Sigmund sold his furnace property to Captain Peter
Faust, father of the present owner. He died at Shimersville,
August II, 1876, leaving two daughters, the younger by his last
wife.
As owner of the Hampton Furnace, Henry M. Sigmund was
one of the most prominent men of his community. He possessed
qualities and performed deeds of which the oldest inhabitants
still have much to relate. Like his brother, the doctor, he was of
strikingly handsome physique; he had an iron will, and having
taken boxing-lessons in his youth, was abundantly able to "take
his own part" in a fight. I have heard my father say tha;t on one
occasion he saved his father from a severe beating at the hands of
one of his employees, by standing up in his defense. The team-
sters who hauled his iron-ore, charcoal and limestone were for the
most part rough, hard-drinking fellows, and when they met at
the taverns, as they often did, there were usually bloodly noses
and swollen eyes. The only man who could prevent or check
those rough-and-tumble fights, was their employer, Mr. Sigmund.
If they would not listen promptly to his sharp words of command,
he himself, though weighing hardly more than 140 pounds, would
jump between the combatants, dealing out blows right and left,
and in a very short time they would cry "Enough." The story
* This cannonading no doubt was done at Reading by way of practice. Gettysburg
was too far away to hear the noise of the battle.
I50
is still told of a noted ruffian named Miller, who, it seems, did not
belong to Mr. Sigmund's men, but had long sought the opportunity
of getting a whack at him with his fists. The two finally met in
C. K. Henninger's tavern at Zionsville, and then the fun began.
It was a terrible fight, but Sigmund came out victorious after
having pummeled his antagonist's face until it looked more like a
piece of raw beef than a human countenance. This is the story
as told by a witness who had taken refuge under a table in the
bar-room.
^.^L^^t*^ ^Sfe^-^
Homestead ol Peter J. Faust near Sigmund, Pa. The site of the old Hampton
Furnace property.
It is further related of Mr. Sigmund that sometimes, when
out walking in the woods with his friends, he would catch a black-
snake sunning itself on the rocks by the tail, and swinging it
around his head like a driver's whip, would pursile his friends, who
ran away at the top of their speed, shrieking with terror. How
many of these stories are founded on fact, we are unable to say.
A PowDER-MiLL That Was Blown Up.
When Mr. Faust had bought the property, he started a
powder-mill in the old furnace-building. This was operated a few
years and was in charge of an English-speaking man, James Wat-
151
son. Tradition says that while that powder-mill was still going,
a tramp passed the place one day. When he came near, he
started to run and kept on running until he was at a considerable
distance on the other side. He evidently knew the powder-mill
might be blown up at any moment, so the quicker he would get
away from it the sooner he would get out of danger. This was
practical philosophy on the part of the hobo.
One afternoon in March, 1874, ^^ I was sitting in my room
studying, there was a boom, and quickly the people guessed what
Hampton Schoolhouse," erected in 1877, and Sigmund Post Office.
it meant. From near and far they came, some on horseback, to
see what was left of Mr. Faust's powder-mill. It was just as they
expected. The powder-mill was gone, and poor old Jimmy Wat-
son lay dead in his little house by the roadside a quarter mile
away. His head was burned black, a gruesome sight, but the
doctor was probably right who said he had never known what
killed him. No tramp had probably been near, but one of Mr.
Faust's sons was so scared by the schock that he overturned the
express-wagon in which he was giving his younger brother a ride.
On our way home we met a woman who lived in a tenement house
near the powder-mill. We told her what happened and she began
to wring her hands, crying out: "O, met G'scherr! mei G'scherrf"
She expected to find her chinaware shattered, and this worried
her more than her old neighbor's sudden and violent death.
152
The Hampton School.
That explosion put an end to the manufacture of powder in
that locality. Three years later, in 1877, a schoolhouse was built
at the juncture of the roads, a little distance below the ruins of
the furnace. The school established there was named Hampton
school, and it was the writer's privilege to teach it for three suc-
cessive terms of five months each. The school was never large
numerically, but the pupils all were docile, well behaved and will-
ing to learn, and their teacher's reminiscences of his work among
them are the most pleasant of the whole ten years of his profes-
sional career. Three neighboring families contributed the larger
part of the school. Teaching there was really a delight, and the
master's earnest efforts for the advancement of his pupils were
not bestowed in vain.
In later years the Hampton school became so weak in numbers
that it was discontinued and the schoolhouse threatened to fall
into ruins for want of use. Last year, however, it was reopened
for the benefit of the community's children.
A Creamery on the Old Furnace Site.
In 1886, Mr. Faust built a creamery on the spot where once
stood the Hampton Furnace. This creamery with the homestead
now belongs to his son of like name. Mr. Faust the elder, who
was a veteran of the Civil War and a man of rnore than ordinary
intelligence, proved a good friend to the writer while the latter
had charge of the Hampton school, frequently visiting him and
occasionally inviting him to his house. He died in November,
1900, of a lingering illness, probably caused by a severe fall sus-
tained a few years before.
The Survival of Old Names.
The Hampton Furnace is gone forever; so are the men who
operated it forty, fifty and more years ago. But its memory
remains and one-half of its name will be perpetuated for generations
to come i'n the hill which rises steep and hard behind it to the
northwest, known since the days of our grandfathers as der Fur-,
nace-Berg. The prior half of its name is given to the school near
by, and the name of Sigmund is kept alive in that of the post-
office, a little further on, now conducted, along with a general
country-store, by Ambrose R. Kemmerer. There are still living
a very few persons who were connected with the Hampton Furnace
in the days of its activity, and we cherish the hope of being able
some day to add their reminiscences as a sequel to the present
story.
Allentown and Its Vicinity About
Sixty Years Ago.
By Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D.
My purpose is to speak this afternoon of Allentown and its
vicinity as I saw the same in my youth. If you will allow me
to include in its vicinity all within ten miles of Allentown, then I
may say I knew considerably, of at least a part, its vicinity for
sometime before my acquaintance with Allentown was very
extensive. If my subject would be the "Head of Cedar Creek
and its vicinity about sixty years ago," I would have much to
say of the old homestead and its surroundings, of family, neighbors
and visitors, of schoolhouses and scholars, of the teachers, Mr.
Robert Johnson, Mr. Benjamin Hough, Mrs. Haas, Mr. Stephen
Acker, Mr. Ephraim Troxell, Mr. Butterweck, Miss Hannah Knipe
and Mr. Charles Umbescheiden, who taught at the old home-
stead, at the meeting house near the Alms House, at Wescoesville,
Foglesville, Schaeffers, Kuntzville, Crackersport and Sand Hole.
I would also have to speak of the ministers: Rev. Jeremiah
Schindel, Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, Rev. Isaac Roeller, Rev Charles
Herman, Rev. Daniel Zellers and Rev. Benjamin German, who
ministered respectively at Jordan, Foglesville, Trexlertown,
Salsburg and Lehigh Church. The Sunday Schools were at the
meeting house near the Alms House, at the Sand Hole school-
house and at Kuntzville. I saw Rev. Samuel K. Brobst for the
first time, in the Summer of 1847, at Millerstown, now Macungie,
at a Sunday School celebration, as it was termed. In the same
year, I saw the first number of the Jugend Freund. Militia
drills at hotels, the exercises of the uniformed Infantry and
Cavalry Companies, at some private residence, and the popular
Battalion in some village, interested the old and young. Men
read with interest, the accounts of the progress of the War with
Mexico. Even boys would imitate soldiers and fare as well
and again worse than the soldiers at home. Political meetings
often numbered many attendants. Even the young took a great
interest in the election ; some shouted for Clay, Frelinghausen and
Markle, and others for Polk, Dallas and Shunk. The first verse
of a political song of that time read thus:
155
"The first that comes is the New York State,
Always right and never late,
Throws in her tremendous vote
For George M. Dallas and James K. Polk.
chorus:
Ha! ha! ha! what a nominee
Is Jimmy Polk of Tennesee!"
Numerous teams could be seen on the country roads and
when a driver v^ould be asked to w^hat place he v^as taking iron
ore, the answer would be, to Allentown Furnace or to Craneville,
as Catasauqua was then called. In the winter of 1843-44, there
was a public sale at my deceased father's house. The crier at the
vendue, who had his home in Allentown, spent a night with us.
He told me that if I would like to engage in raising peanuts, he
would send some, fit for planting. Who knows what fortune I
failed to make by declining to engage in the proposed business!
I had a limited acquaintance with Allentown before the
Spring of 1848. Memory now recalls, prior to that time, the
Allen House, the residence of Dr. Charles H. Martin, at Hamilton
Street and Hall Alley, the Presbyterian Church, the old North-
ampton Bank Building, the old Watch House, in front of the
Bank Building, the Lehigh County Jail, the Foundry in East
Allentown, the residence of Rev. Joshua Yeager, at the N. E.
corner of Hamilton and Fifth Streets, our new home of a later
day, on South Seventh Street, the Odd Fellows' Hall, under
construction, the Sunday School room of the Reformed Church,
a sick brother at the Allen House, 1842-43, the Craig family. Dr.
C. H. Martin's family, a few other families, the cry of the old
watchman, a visit to the Presbyterian Sunday School, a large
military encampment south of the Little Lehigh, a Menagerie
in the western part of the town and an entertainment by Indians
in Odd Fellows' Hall.
In "about 60 years ago," I desire to include the years dating,
April, 1 848, to October, 1853. In April, 1848, at the age of 12 years,
3 months and some days, I was brought to Allentown. I shall
never forget our moving day and the singular impressions on the
mind, when parting from the old homestead at the head of Cedar
Creek. I rode with Mr. William Dieterline, whose name is remem-
bered by others to-day. Pie had been charged with the safe
conveyance of a Conrad Myer piano, from the old homestead to
the new residence.
It seemed very strange to me to reside in a town. I shall
never forget my first reception by some of its inhabitants. A
colored boy considered it his duty to address my hat in German
"Joe Hut"! Boys on the street saluted me by saying "Bush
Knippel." A jolly landlord stopped me near Seventh and Walnut
and informed me that whilst I had grown in length, my garments
156
had not done so. On Hamilton Street, a physician called me
into his office, took a knife from his pocket, opened a blade and
told me, that he would render me a kind service by cutting off
the buttons on the back of my coat, since it was not fashionable
for boys to have buttons on the back of the coat ! It would have
been a matter of no trouble whatever, to induce me, about that
time to return to the country, where no one would have called
me Bush Knippel, my hat Joe Hut, or said anything about my
garments.
AUentown had in April, 1848, a population, numbering
possibly not more than 3,500, for in 1850, it numbered only 3,703
inhabitants and 619 houses. It has now enough people to make
nearly twelve towns of the population of that time. Centre
Square was then, as it is now, the centre place of the town, if
not by actual measurement, still by the crossing of its principal
streets. On the northern part of the square the old Market
House was to be seen. The Allen House, now Hotel Allen, occupied
its present site; in the rear of it,- sheds extended to the pavement.
The old Northampton Bank building, without a bank, however,
was on the site of the present AUentown National Bank. The
building on the opposite corner was the same as it is at present,
and had been previously used by the then defunct Lehigh County
Bank. The N. W. Corner of Hamilton and Seventh Streets, was
occupied by a large store building. On the opposite corner
was the old stone building, owned by the Hain's family. In the
rear of this place was a frame or log building built long ago.
Further south were the three Seagreaves buildings, of brick. Dr.
Tilghman H. Martin occupied the corner where the Y. M. C. A.
building now stands. On the opposite corner was the Boas
home, of rough cast walls. Opposite the Allen House was Wil-
son's corner, a large stone building and south of this frame struc-
tures, one of which was used as a stove store.
On West Hamilton Street, from Seventh to Eighth, houses
stood, built closely to each other. From Eighth to Tenth Street,
buildings were much scattered. West of Tenth, there were but
two or three houses. The large open yards of the old Cross Keys
Hotel and the numerous lumber yards, took up much space.
On East Hamilton Street, the space between the Allen House
and the large brick building on Hamilton Street and Church Alley,
was occupied by low frame structures. On the opposite side,
from Wilson's corner, Wilson's row, buildings one and three-
fourths of a story high extended to the corner of Hamilton Street
and Church Alley. The north and south sides of Hamilton Street
as far east as Fifth Street, were occupied by buildings varying
greatly in appearance ; some were of stone, some of brick and some
of wood. From Hamilton and Fifth Streets to the Jordan Bridge,
there were six or seven buildings on the north side and only two —
Mrs. Greenleaf 's Mansion and the Dissecting Room of the Home-
opathic College on the south side.
^57
Seventh Street was originally the principal street of Allentown
and in 1848 it had a number of very old houses. There were
but few buildings beyond Chew Street, on North Seventh. On
South Seventh there were a number of new buildings and some
old, of very quaint architecture.
Tenth Street had no houses, save those on the corner of
Hamilton and Tenth Streets. Ninth Street had only a few ; Eighth
had a few more; Sixth had a considerable number; Fifth had
very few buildings.
Gordon, Chew and Linden Streets had each some scattered
buildings ; Walnut had but a few west of Eighth and none east of
Fifth, excepting Livingston Mansion and its large barn.
Union Street, in fact the southern hillside, had a considerable
number of buildings. Lehigh Street (called also Water Street)
leading from Union Street to the Little Lehigh, had a large number
of small buildings and a few larger residences.
The part of the town included between Hamilton Street on
the north, Union on the south. Fifth on the west and the Jordan
on the east, had only the Greenleaf Mansion, the two Homeopathic
College buildings, on Penn Street, Dissecting Hall on Hamilton
Street and the old Livingston Mansion.
On Fourth Street north of Hamilton, there were but few
buildings, the Freeborn Foundry, Hon. Robert E. Wright's
residence — the present site of the College for Women — the home
of Mr. Daniel Freytag, later the Elliger property, and beyond
that the pleasant home of John S. Gibbons, Esq.
All east of Jordan Bridge on Hamilton Street and the small
bridge south of this, which were the only bridges crossing the
Jordan at Allentown, was called Mingo, or San Domingo. There
were a few buildings on Hamilton Street and a few on the remain-
ing streets, including the foundry on Walnut Street and the
large stone houses at the Lehigh River. A large wooden bridge
connected Mingo or East Allentown, with Hanover Township.
In those days the streets had not yet been subjected to the
severe treatment of borough and city councils, civil engineers
and contractors. The streets were very good in summer and in
winter, not as good as country roads. The side-walks or pave-
ments were according to the ideas of that day, subject to many
rises and falls of the ground and of the people.
There were at that time, but few buildings of three stories;
the Allen House, the store building, northwest corner Hamilton
and Seventh Streets, the Miller building, the present site of the
Friedensbote Book Store, the American Hotel, the four (now three)
large residences opposite the Court House, the two Homeopathic
College buildings, on Penn Street. There may possibly have
been a few more that memory does not now recall.
The churches were St. Paul's Lutheran, an old building on
Eighth Street, the German Reformed on Hamilton Street, erected
158
about 1838, the Presbyterian on Fifth Street, the Methodist
Episcopal on Linden above Fifth and the EvangeHcal at the
corner of Ninth and Linden Streets.
The Free Hall on Linden Street near Ninth, had been erected
in the interest of those who were so very liberal in their religious
views, that as there was no more religion left to be liberal with,
the building after serving for a time for public meetings, was
turned to very good use by being made a flour and feed store.
The Court House at its present site^ was small, compared
with its present dimensions. The old County Jail at the south-
east corner of Fifth and Linden Streets, was a gloomy structure,
well calculated to alarm boys and girls, when their parents prom-
ised them a residence in the same, unless their conduct would be
more satisfactory to them.
The only large rooms for public entertainments were the
hall in the Odd Fellows' Building, the Grand Jury Room in the
Court House, the Court Room itself and for a time the Free Hall.
The Public Schoolhouses were not numerous. One was
located on north Fifth Street, and was formerly the old Presby-
'terian Church. The Jail was north and the new Presbyterian
Church south of the School building. Another building, occupied
by the public schools, was the large Temperance House on Union
Street, west of seventh. These buildings afforded room for the
schools of that time.
The private school of Mr. James Lee, on Union Street near
Walnut, was still in existence.
The Allentown Academy at the corner of Eighth and Walnut,
incorporated in 18 14, with a grant of two thousand dollars from
the state, was in charge of Robert C. Chandler, A. M.
In one of the Homeopathic College buildings (the south
building), Mrs. Young, the widow of Rev. Andrew Young, and
later the wife of Prof. Cofhn, of Lafayette College, at Easton, had
charge of a Female Seminary, established by Rev. Mr. Young a
few years before his death in the winter of 1847 and 48.
In May, 1848, the Allentown Seminary was opened by Rev.
C. R. Kessler, in Livingston Mansion, the property of Messrs
Christian Pretz and Henry Weinsheimer.
The town had a number of public houses: the Allen House,
the American, a hotel kept by Mr. Haberacker, one door west
from the Coiirt House, the Eagle Hotel, two doors west from
Seventh and Hamilton, the old Cross Keys,at Eighth and Hamilton,
and the Rising Sun, at Tenth and Hamilton Streets. On North
Seventh were the Lafayette and one at the southwest corner of
Seventh and Linden Streets. On South Seventh, Kramers' was
on the northeast corner of Seventh and Walnut Streets, Reeses' on
the west side of Seventh between Walnut and Union Streets, the
Mansion House at the foot of Seventh, on Union Street. There
were several hotels in Mingo and one beyond the Little Lehigh.
' 159
The principal stores were those of Pretz & Weinsheimer,
southeast corner of Sixth and Hamilton, Henry Schnurman at
Wilson's corner, Grim & Renninger, Thomas B. Wilson, Peter
Huber and others on West Hamilton, whose names I can not
recall; Dillinger & Craig on North Seventh Street, E. R. Newhard
& Co., had charge of a hardware store on West Hamilton, the
Saeger Bros, and Stephen Barber of similar stores on East Hamil-
ton Street.
The drug stores were those of Ludwig Schmidt, John B.
Moser, and soon after the fire of 1848, that of Dr. W. F. Danowsky.
The jewellers were Joseph Weiss, Charles B. Massey and
George Stein.
The town had many places occupied by mechanics of various
branches, needed to supply the wants of the town and the sur-
rounding country.
Tailors: Charles Keck, Aaron Troxel, Charles Scholl, Edward
Stettler and Joseph Hartman.
Shoemakers: Jeremiah Schmidt, George Lucas, Jonathan Reich-
ard, James Roney and Rieser.
Hatters: Capt. Jacob D. Boas and James Gangewere.
Masons: Daniel Glace, Phillip Klee and the Felkers.
Bricklayers : Joseph Nunnemaker, Daniel Siegfried and the Seips.
Carpenters: Messrs. Balliet, Butz, David Schwartz, John Diefen-
derfer and W. H. Seip.
Tinsmiths : Amos Ettinger, James Bush and Hoffman.
Painter: James Sieger.
Cabinet Maker: Moses Coolbaugh.
Chairmakers: Reuben Reiss and Newhard.
Cedar Cooper: J. O. Cole.
Blacksmiths: Peter Heller, Charles Wagner, Samuel Beidelman
and Peter Newhard.
Coach Makers : Keck & Stattler, Peter Lehr, William Fry, Joseph
Kramer.
Wagoner: Wolf.
Agricultural Implement Makers: Brader & Young, Welcome B.
Powell and Yeakel.
Daguerreotype Taker: Benjamin Lochman.
Gunsmiths: Several on North Seventh Street.
The town had a number of law offices, principally on East
Hamilton Street. I remember the following practitioners : Messrs.
Henry King,- John S. Gibbons, Samuel A. Bridges, Robert E.
Wright, Peter Wykoff, Henry C. Longnecker, John D. Stiles,
Charles H. Runk, James S. Reese, Charles W. Cooper (residing
at Coopersburg), Edward J. Mohr, Elisha Forrest and J. De Pay
Davis.
The Doctors of Medicine were Doctors Charles H. Martin,
Tilghman H. Martin, Charles L. Martin, John Romig and William
J. Romig. Physicians residing at Allentown but not practicing
i6o '
regularly, were Doctors Walter C. Martin and Tilghman P. Schantz,
the latter an invalid.
The town had a number of printing offices, two of which were
in connection with book stores. The papers printed were weeklies,
semi-monthly or monthlies: The Unabhaengiger Republicaner,
the Lecha Patriot, the Friedensbote, the Allentown Democrat, the
Lehigh Register and the Jugend Freund and other papers of Rev.
S. K. Brobst. The daily papers principally read were the Public
Ledger and North American, of Philadelphia, and the New York
Herald.
The Little Lehigh, Trout Creek, Cedar Cre'ek, the Jordan
and the Lehigh River afforded water power for grist and flouring
mills in the town and its vicinity. Along the Little Lehigh were
also Foundries, Bottling works and Gabriels Coverlet Factory.
The town had few public works, the Freeburn Foundry and
the Foundry in Mingo have already been named. Allentown Fur-
nace, northeast from town, was in operation.
The large store houses, fronting on the basin, on the Lehigh
River, north of Hamilton Street and west of Lehigh Dam, were
of great importance for shipping and receiving by canal boats,
goods of every variety. The Lehigh Canal was of great benefit
to the town. In winter, however, goods had to be hauled on
wagons from Philadelphia. Numerous freight wagons made
regular trips.
The town had three fire companies and each had an engine —
the Friendship, the Lehigh and the Humane.
The town was well supplied with water from Wormans'
spring. The reservoir in the southwestern part of the town, and
the water works at the foot of the southern hillside were places
of interest. The town had then no burning gas, and was depend-
ant on fluid and camphene. Many persons were afraid to use
these and used the lard lamp, and the tallow or spermaceti
candle.
There was no telegraph line extended to Allentown in 1848.
There were no railroads near then. Daily stages were necessary
for communication with Philadelphia, New York, Reading, Easton
and Mauch Chunk. There was no bank at that time in town, none
nearer than the one at Easton. The town limits included the
old burial ground at the corner of Tenth and Linden Streets.
Allentown Cemetery was to the east of this. Occasionally there
were burials in the rear of the Presbyterian Church. If there
were other burial grounds I do not now remember them.
Such is an imperfect outline of the appearance of Allen-
town, as I remember to have seen it from 1848 to 1853. Many
changes have taken place in the years that followed. Many forces
were in operation from 1848 to 1853, that aided in the remarkable
growth of the town, that has become a prosperous city.
To a lad of twelve years not only the buildings of the town
i6i
were of interest, but also the many new faces he learned to know.
He had also to become acquainted with many new phases of life.
Memory recalls the new home on South Seventh Street, with
a widowed mother, two brothers and one sister still at home. New
neighbors whose faces had not been seen before, were now to be
met daily.
The churches were soon visited and the pastors were soon
known: Rev. Joshua Yeager, Rev. Joseph S. Dubb§, Rev-
Richard Walker and Rev. Mr. Hare. In the Lutheran and
Reformed Churches, as also in the Evangelical, the services were
conducted in German and in the Presbyterian and Methodist
Episcopal, in English.
An early entrance as a pupil of the Allentown Academy led
to an acquaintance with the boys and girls who attended the
school.
The Sunday School of the Lutheran and Reformed congre-
gations held in the Sunday School Room of the Reformed Church,
was at once visited and regularly attended. On Easter Monday
evening in April, 1848, the Sunday School had an entertainment
in the church. Rev. S. K. Brobst had requested me before
moving to Allentown to commit to memory two selections, one in
German and the other in English and to be ready to recite them
at this entertainment. I recited the German selection, but when
I was announced to recite the selection in English, I failed to
respond — I was asleep.
Home, attendance at the Academy, Sunday School and churchy
were enough to keep the mind and the body active.
After a residence of about seven weeks at Allentown, I had
an experience that has not been forgotten and will not be forgotten
as long as memory retains its power. On Ascension Day, Thurs-
day, June I, 1848, the great fire occured, which occasioned a loss
of about $250,000 to citizens of Allentown and others. The first
alarm of fire was heard in the afternoon during recess at school.
The ringing of bells, the cryof the people, the large volume of smoke
that rose to the heavens, the hurried departure from the academy,
the great excitement found at home, the hurried movements of
the people on the streets, the cry of the firemen and others who
labored hard to arrest the advance of the fire, the distressing cries
of people as the fire made further progress, the wilder ringing of
the bells, the hurried removal of furniture from our homes, the
mental agony and physical exhaustion of many, the sympathy
of citizens of neighboring homes and residents in the country, who
had hurried to town to aid as best they could, the approach of
night and the continuation of the fire, will not be forgotten. On
the following morning the loss sustained was evident to every
visitor. From Seventh to Eighth Street, every building fronting
on the north side of Hamilton Street, as also every building on
the respective lots in the rear, was in ashes. On the opposite,
1 62
the south side of the street, every building was destroyed except-
ing the residence of Miss Catharine Graff and two frame buildings
near the corner of Eighth and Hamilton. There was destruction
of barns and stables on the rear of lots similar to that on the north
side. Several buildings were destroyed on South Seventh Street.
Many houses and other buildings had been set on fire by the
dropping of burning shingles, but the fire in such cases had been
speedily extinguished. Well do we remember the sadness of
the homeless, but we recall with pleasure the spirit of true broth-
erly love as evident in the kindness shown to the homeless by
those who invited them to their homes. The services in the
churches on the following Sunday were very solemn. I remember
seeing persons at service, who had lost their homes.
Whilst the great fire occasioned a great loss to Allentown, it
is also true that the progress of Allentown, which has not yet
ended, dates from the time of the great fire. The summer of
1848 was one of great activity. The erection of new buildings
gave employment to many men and the improvements made in
the burnt district filled the minds of citizens in other parts of the
town with the spirit to improve their respective properties and
to invest in new buildings.
Burning gas was introduced by Dr. W. F. Danowsky fh 1849.
The first telegraph was constructed and put in working order in
Allentown in 1850. The first Agricultural Fair was held in the
field east of Fourth Street, between Union and Walnut Streets,
in 1852.
In the year 1853, the Lehigh Valley Railroad was under con-
struction and filled the minds of many persons with the hope of
a brighter day for the entire Lehigh Valley.
In these years, 1848 to 1853, there was a remarkable growth
in business of various kinds and the promise given of the growth
of Allentown to the present prosperous state.
Life in Allentown in those days was not without interest,
and memory recalls to-day many of its striking features, to which
it will give me pleasure to refer after having attempted a descrip-
tion of the town as I remember to have seen it.
Home Life was marked by the presence of parents and children
in some houses, whilst death have taken a parent, a child, or
children from others. The homes of those days were as com-
fortable as they could be made with the means at hand. There
was not much costly furniture. A two or three ply ingrain carpet
was considered good enough for the best room or parlor. Good
cane seat chairs, together with a rocking chair and settee of like
make and occasionally a sofa, were considered as in good style.
Parlor ornaments were few and simple. Sitting-rooms, dining-
rooms and kitchen were plainly but substantially furnished.
People lived plainly. Food was not near as costly as at present.
Good beef was bought at 8 and 10 cents per pound. There was
i63
no market house after 1848. The large lots adjoining residences,
lots on the border of the town, the truck farm on the Island as
also some farms in the country, supplied the town with vegetables.
Garments worn by people were of plain make. It is true tailor's
fashion plates changed with each season, but the cut of the gar-
ments made by some did not change as rapidly. Ladies dresses
were not near as costly as far as the making of the same was con-
cerned. We have the best authority for stating that many dresses
fit for a wedding as well as for going to church were made at $2.00
each, and dresses for wear during the week at 75 cents. Of
some materials only 9 or 10 yards were required for a dress, of
others 12 yards were a very full pattern.
People had not as many books and papers as people now
have, but what they had, they read thoroughly. Musical instru-
ments were of plainest construction and proportionably fewer in
number. There was considerable whole-souled hospitality. "Stay
to dinner" was no empty compliment, which you were expected
to decline. It meant what the words signified. To call was to
spend an evening pleasantly at the house of another. To visit
meant to stay all night and next day too, and to be comfortably
entertained.
School Life. I am not able to speak of the public schools
after 1848 from personal attendance. When residing in the
country I attended public school at Foglesville, Schaeffers and
Kuntzville in winter, and pay schools in summer in various school-
houses. Of these, the Schulhaus am Sandloch was very dear to
me. The teachers of the public schools at Allentown were active
men and women, -Many citizens heartily supported the schools
in other ways than simply by paying their taxes. Mr. Jonathan
Reichard, Dr. Tilghman H. Martin, Mr. Reuben Guth and Kli J.
Saeger, Esq., were among the warm friends of the public schools
in Allentown.
Mr. James Lee's School was noted for thorough instruction
and strict discipline, characteristics that might with profit be
added to the features of many schools of the present day.
Nearly two years' attendance at the Allentown Academy,
from April, 1848, to February or March, 1850, was at the time
when Robert C. Chandler, A. M., was principal of the school. He
was assisted by Prof. Edward C. Foote, Richard H. Chandler, F.
C. H. Lampe and Mrs. Blydenburg (later Mrs. Robert C. Chandler)
and others. The school was attended by boys and girls and
young men and young ladies old enough to be married. Those
were happy days for the boys and girls. In the schoolroom and
classroom close attention had to. be given to study and recitation.
On the playground there was an abundance of fun and harmless
sports. In the evening there were often pleasant gatherings at
the Academy. The Little Lehigh in summer and the fine slopes on
the southern hillside of town in winter, were favorite resorts of
164
the pupils. There were often special entertainments for pupils
and friends in the Academy Building. The semi-annual public
entertainments of the school in Odd Fellows' Hall were occasions
of great interest to teachers, pupils, patrons and citizens in general.
The Academy had in those years pupils from town and country
and was in a flourishing condition. I shall ever remember those
days with great interest. I liked the Academy boys, although
some had called me Bush Knippel. I also liked, and I must say
a little more than liked at least one of the Academy girls.
The catalogue of the Academy, for the year during 1849 and
also that of 1850 showed a large attendance of pupils. I have
a programme of an Annual Entertainment of the Allentown
Academy, on July 31st, 1849, to which it gives me pleasure to
direct your attention.
ALLENTOWN ACADEMY
ANNUAL FESTIVAL
At the New Odd Fellow's Hall,
Tuesday, July 31, 1849.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
AFTERNOON,
To Commence at 3 O'clock.
Singing — "Never look Sad." — Mason.
Declamation — "Extract from Webster's Bunker Hill Monument
Speech," F. J. F. Shantz.
Dialogue — "The Choice of Countries,"
A. C. Pretz, L. R. a. Shantz, J. A. Blumer, W. J. P. Weiss.
Recitation— "The Clean Face," W. J. Grim.
Singing — "The Mower's Song." — German Melody.
Declamation — "America — Her Example," L. F. Schmidt.
Dialogue — "My Mother's Gold Ring" — A Temperance Dialogue.
Robert, a sailor boy, A. F. Barber.
William, his brother, A. C. Pretz.
Declamation — "Make way for Liberty," T. B. LeisEnring.
Declamation — "The Snow," D. F. Mertz.
Singing — "Try, try again." — Bradbury.
Declamation — "Return of La Fayette to America," A. C. Pretz-
Dialogue — "The Traveler in a Fix, or The road to Squire Wilson's."
3 Scenes — all on the road.
Mr. Nixon, the traveler, W. J. Erdman.
Squire Wilson, T. Ginkinger.^
i65
Irishman, Robert Gibons.
Dutchman, L. F. Schmidt.
Yankee, E. G. Martin.
Frenchman, F. J. F. Shantz.
Pete, A. Burger.
Recitation— "The Essence Boy," F. S. Weiss.
Singing — "The Bugle Horn." — Bradbury.
Reading — Original Compositions of Advanced Pupils.
Declamation — Class No. i.
Declamation — Class No. 2.
Dialogue — "The School in an Uproar." School of 25 scholars.
Schoolmaster, John Dilunger.
Jack Scrubbs, a wandering fellow, good for
nothing but to make trouble, P. P. Haas.
Singing — Music without words — "Come to the Old Gum Tree."
DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUMS.
Recitation — From "Lalla Rookh," A. J. Martin.
Dialogue — From "The Bashful Man,"
Scene I St — The Library. Scene 2nd — The Dining-room.
Mr. Blushington, an extremely bashful young man,
W. A. RoNEY.
Gyp, his body servant, A. J. Martin.
Sir Thomas Friendly, a gouty old gentleman, J. Bai^liet.
Lady Friendly, his wife, F. J. F. Shantz.
Miss Amanda, his daughter, E. G. Martin.
Frank, his son, A. R. Newhard.
Nick, F. S. Weiss.
Evans, T. B. LEisEnring.
EVENING,
To Commence at 7^ O'clock.
Singing — ' * Echo Song, ' ' — Rossini.
Declamation — "Extract from a Speech on the Irish Union, "E. G. Martin.
Recitation — "The Castle Buildei," A. C. PrETZ.
Singing — "Summer. ' ' — Ger rrian Melody.
Declamation — "S. Carolina during the Revolution," W. A. Roney.
Dialogue — "School in an Uproar." — Same as in the Afternoon.
Recitation— "The Revellers," A. J. Martin
Singing — "Vine Dresser's Song." — Von Webt-r.
Recitation— "The Noble Sailor," A. F. Barber.
Dialogue — "The Traveler in a Fix, or The Road to Squire Wilson's."
Same as in the Afternoon. .
Singing — "May comes laughing o'er the plain."
Declamation — Class No. i, 21 Scholars.
Declamation — Class No. 2, 21 Scholars.
Recitation — "The American Indians," ' A. B. Keck.
i66
Dialogue — "The Spirit Whistle of the Allentown Furnace."
characters:
Mr. Starbins — the submissive Shoemaker, P. P. Haas.
Mrs. Starbins — his high spirited and much abused
wife, L. F. Schmidt.
Mr. Shortcommons — a tailor who cabbages but
little, S. P. Newhard.
Mrs. Shortcommons — something of a Politician.
T. B. Leisenring.
Mr. Thinkdeep — quite an active Politician, A. J. Martin.
Neighbor, T. Ginkinger.
ist and 3d Scenes — Starbin's shop. 2nd Scene — Shortcommon's.
Singing — Music without words — "Old Ned."
Declamation — "Byron's Battle of Waterloo," F. J. F. Shantz.
Recitation — "Innovation," L. F. Schmidt.
Dialogue — From "Fish out of Water."
characters:
Sir Geo. Courtley, recently appointed Ambassador
to Denmark, D. J. Martin.
His Steward, L. F. Schmidt.
Alderman Gayfare — Sir Geo. C's banker, a notorious
epicure, W. J. Erdman.
Charles, his son, violently in love with F. J. F. Shantz.
Ellen, daughter of Sir George, Miss C. S. Saeger.
Lucy, her friend and confidant, Miss M. A. Rosenstiel.
Sam. Savory — a cook recently discharged by Alderman
Gayfare, now in want of a place, E. G. Martin.
Footman, H. Lightcap.
ist and 2nd Scene in the Ante-Room — 3d Scene in the Dining-room.
Singing — "Vacation or August Pastimes."
Valedictory Address — written by the speaker, D. J. Martin.
The singing will be accompanied by the Piano Forte.
The Female Seminary, in the south Homeopathic College
Building on Penn Street, was in charge of Mrs. Young, the widow
of Rev. Andrew Young. Miss Baldwin, later the wife of Wm. S.
Marx, Esq., was an assistant teacher. A goodly number of young
ladies attended the school. It was an excellent school for young
ladies and whilst I could not be a pupil of the same, I still received
some profitable instruction in said school, for which I was never
charged a cent. I well remember that on one Sunday evening,
a young Master Von Tagen and I called at the Female Seminary.
We were kindly received and pleasantly entertained by Mrs.
Young and the ladies. When we left, which was in good time, Mrs.
Young accompained us to the door, thanked us for calling, invited
us to come again, but requested us not to call again on Sunday
evening. Mrs. Young has never been forgotten as a lady of great
ability, of christian bearing, of perfect self-control, of genuine
politeness, even in teaching young masters profitable lessons
not to be forgotten.
i67
Allentown Seminary was opened in 1848 by Rev. Christian
R. Kessler, in Livingston Mansion, as already stated. The parlor
was used as a schoolroom. The east wing of the old building of
Muhlenberg College was the Mansion. It had, however, only two
stories with an attic. East of it was a long stone building used
as a laundry. This place was of historic interest, the place where
the Aliens and their friends often tarried when they had come from
Philadelphia to fish and hunt, more than a century ago. The
school had at first only a few pupils. The first object in view had
been to meet the want of a Normal school. The project was in
advance of the demands of the time. The character of the school
had to be changed. During the years 1848 and 1849, the remark
was repeatedly made, " Kessler's school will not set the Lehigh on
fire." It is true it performed no miracles, but it nevertheless
did have a wonderful effect on the people of Lehigh and adjoining
counties. The school gradually grew in the number of its pupils,
so that at the. close of the summer term of 1853, the school num-
bered one hundred and forty-eight pupils. After the close of
Mrs. Young's Female Seminary, a female department was added
to Allentown Seminary. I have seldom noticed such wonderful
growth of a school. Its success was owing to the internal arrange-
ments of the school, to its Christian character, to its thoroughly
strict discipline, to the hearty support given to it by pastors of
churches in town and country and citizens in general. Rev. S.
K. Brobst did all that he possibly could, by means of his Jugend
Freund, by sermons in churches, by addresses in schoolrooms, as
also by personal interviews to increase the attendance of the school.
The schoolroom was at first the parlor in the Mansion, then in
the stone building, east of the Mansion, refitted to be a commodious
schoolroom. Later the west wing of Muhlenberg College was
erected. On the first floor were the Female Schoolrooms, a
recitation room and a room for the primary department. On the
second floor the boys' school and recitation rooms. The third
story was a'dormitory for the boarders, who could not be accommo-
dated in the old Mansion. Near the close of 1853, the erection
of the central building filling the space between east and west
wings, had already became a necessity and preparations were
made for the execution of the plan. Messrs. Pretz and Weins-
heimer manifested a proper interest in the prosperity of the school,
by readily adding the buildings that were necessary for the
increased attendance. The teachers of the school were from
1848 to 1853, Rev. C. R. Kessler, A. M., Messrs. John Weik, J. B.
Evans, C. L. Lochman, W. S. Marx (for a short time as a supply),
Rev. Franklin J. Mohr, Prof. C. F. Wulff, Prof. F. R. Gerlach, Prof.
C. F. Herman, Mr. Thomas J. Gross, Miss Eveline Black and Miss
Malvina Stanton. I would not dare to attempt to name the pupils
of the school. I attended the school from March 1850 to Sept.
1853-
i68
The Shakespeare Literary Society was organized in the fall
of 1849. Not only pupils of the seminary but also young men
from town could become members. In the fall of 1850, Hon.
Robert E. Wright delivered the first honorary address, at the
anniversary of the society held in Odd Fellows' Hall. Henry
C. Bonsall, Esq., a law student, delivered the honorary address
in 1 85 1, and Rev. B. M. Schmucker, in 1852. I rejoice in having
the old constitution of the society. The very reading of the
names of thoge who signed the same, is of great interest at this
time: J. B. Evans, William J. Erdman, David H. Hunter, Wm.
M. Hand, F. J. F. Schantz, Thomas Keck, Henry A. Wilson, Henry
C. Hardtner, Theodore E. Freytag, Eugene Myer, Alfred G. Saeger,
Alfred C. Pretz, Jacob B. Geib, Edward B. Young, J. R. Meyer,
Owen Seip, Dewees J. Martin, John H. Zuilch, Philip S. Pretz,
George J, Snyder, Charles F. Knerr, Israel F. Guth, Jacob S. Dury,
William Koch, Franklin Beck, Theodore C. Stryker, C. R. Kessler,
Francis Pfeiffer, Edwin G. Martin, J. N. Heilman, Theodore C.
Yeager, Amos Steckel, Lewis F. Schmidt, Lucian J. Moyer, Otto
Giesse, Lewis Steckel, J. Kumerle, Joseph H. E. Dubbs, Gabriel
Knecht, John Zarik, J. F. Brown, H. Giesse, Theodore B. Groot,
Lewis Miller. Other names were added later, but not entered on
the first copy of the constitution. The very hearing of these
names is sufficient to recall the most pleasant memories. This
society had a course of lectures delivered by prominent gentlemen
in the winter of 1852 and 1853. The proceeds were for the
society's library. Some of the books of this library ought to be,
to-day, in the college library. The instruction of the seminary,
as said before, was thorough, the discipline was strict, with proper
regard for the students' welfare. If the walls of northeast room
of east wing of the old college could speak, they might tell us what
happened, when the principal, a pupil and a Cat-o-nine-tail or
new rattan met alone within the same ! The enjoyments of the
pupils within the limits of due propriety were the truest and most
cheering. The principal was strict in the schoolroom, he was
deeply interested in the intellectual and spiritual progress of
students, but he was also interested in their physical welfare.
The stern man of the schoolroom, could join the students on the
campus, take off his coat, and show the boys how to become good
Turners by a proper use of the gymnastic rails. He encouraged
also the pupils, under the supervision of assistant teachers or
older students to make good use of the Jordan and Lehigh in
summer and in winter. The extended walks to the country are
not forgotten. And who of the old pupils does not remember the
pleasant summer and winter excursions to Easton, Nazareth,
Bath, Kutztown and other places? Who can forget how Satur-
days were spent in fishing in the various streams and hunting in
fields, meadows and on the mountains? Who does not remember
the Fourth of July celebrations on the campus? The town people
169
took an interest in the same. I have at home the manuscript of
an address deUvered on the campus on July 4th, 1853, near the
close of day. Fire works followed the music and addresses.
The semi-annual entertainments of the seminary at the close of
each session were occasions of great interest to the large audience
that filled Odd Fellows' Hall and on some occasions the Reformed
Church. To those who left for college or for the active duties of life,
the parting from school was always with sorrow. Recently a lady of
Allentown sent me a program of an entertainment of Allentown
Seminary, held in the Fall of 1852, at the close of the school term.
Introductory Address,
Recitation — "Thanksgiving Day,"
Recitation — "The Dilatory Scholar,"
Recitation — "One Good Turn Deserves Another,"
Recitation — "The Old Man's Comforts,"
Recitation — "The Little Lord and Farmer,"
Recitation — "The Freed Bird,"
Recitation — "Ambition False and True,"
Recitation— ,,®ie Seibett ^obtett ^opfe/'
Recitation — ,,®er Sdr unb bie 33tenen/'
Singing— „2l5enblieb fro^er 2anbleute."
Singing — "Song of Praise to the Creator."
Singing — "We're Learning Something New."
Recitation — "The Boy and Snake,"
Recitation — "Our Country,"
Recitation — "Trust in the Goodness of God,"
Recitation — ' ' Gold, ' '
Recitation — "Cruelty,"
Recitation — "Work and Play,"
Recitation — "Intemperance,"
Recitation — "The Red Sky,"
Recitation— „®er 5luffc^ub/'
Dialogue— "The Schoolmaster," T. E.
Singing— "The Life Clock."
Singing — "Morning Pleasures."
Singing — "Beauties of Spring."
Recitation — "The Indian Chief,"
Recitation— ,,2) ag ^inbmit ber ©c^eere/'
Recitation — "The Removal,"
Declamation — "Nature,"
Declamation — "Keeping up Appearances,"
Recitation— ,,^ell (?iJionIog)/'
Declamation— ,,®er Xob fur'g SSatcrlaub/' L
Dialogue — "Captain Hardy and Nathan,"
H, A. VoGELBACH and
Singing— ,, 2(6 enb ©lodtd^en."
Singing — "Night Song."
By H. S. Knowles.
A. S. Weinsheimer.
G. D. Hart.
M. Teller.
W. H. Gabriel.
J. P. Reichard.
J. F. Weinsheimer.
W. H. Snyder.
. A. WOLLENWEBER.
A. VOGELBACH.
J. La WALL.
J. T. Allburger.
S. H. Knauss.
A. S. GUTH.
T. SCHRAIR.
C. H. RONEY.
A. G. Weikel.
H. G. Reichard.
C. J. Smith.
Freytag and others.
O. A. Miller
H. H. Martin.
P. LEisenring.
S. P. Kern.
D. F. Mertz.
T. C. Yeager.
. Hollenbach.
R. F. Seager.
H. A. VOGELBACH.
J. A. Blumer.
O. HOLBEN.
J. Y. Krauss.
L. Derr.
A. C. Pretz.
C. E. Meyer.
C. E. V. V. Clark.
H. S. Knowles.
170
Singing — "Stars."
Recitation— ,,®er ^anxx tm 9J^onb/'
Declamation — "Application,"
Recitation — , ,^olx)taxp / '
Declamation — "Slumber,"
Recitation— ,,@ott ber ©efe^gebcr/'
Dialogue — "Goody Grim vs. Lapstone."
Judge,
Coun. Puzzle,
Mordecai, a Jew,
Coun. Botherexn,
Singing — "Harvest Time."
Singing — "O Youth is not the Time for Care."
Singing — "Our Excursion."
intermission.
Singing — "Sailor Boy's Carol."
Singing — "America, I Love Thee Still."
Singing — "Courtlandvill."
Recitation — "Village Greatness,"
Declamation — "Character of Christ,"
Declamation — "Peace and National Honor,"
Declamation — "Improvement,"
Recitation — "Scene of Horror,"
Declamation — "Courtship of Jerush,"
Declamation — "Value of National Union,"
Singing— "The Banner of the Free."
Singing — "Our Native Land."
Singing— „3)er ^flad^tigall Slntroort."
ORIGINAL ADDRESSES.
' ' Perseverance, ' '
„^er ©ommer 3Jiorgen/'
"Night,"
"Ignorance and Knowledge,"
"The Spirit of the Age,"
"Character of the Pilgrim Fathers,"
"Knowledge,"
"Valedictory,"
Singing — "Kathleen O' Moore."
Singing — "The Chamois."
Singing — "The Spot Where I Was Born."
N. B. At the beginning of the exercises and at intermission several
of the pupils will perform on the Piano.
C. J. Smith.
D. J. KUNTZ.
E. F. Powell.
L. J. Mayer..
E. v: V. Clark.
J. P. SCHINDEL.
A. C. Pretz.
E. H. M. Sell.
S. Gross.
C. E. MEYE&.
. B. Kaemmerer.
H. M. NaglE.
J. H. E. Dubs
F. J. F. SCHANTZ.
W. R. HOFFORD.
I still have the copy of the Valedictory — at the close of the
second school term in the Fall of 1853 — when several of us
students left for college.
171
If I would be allowed to go beyond 1853, i^ niy address to-
day, it would be interesting to present the history of the school
in bright days and dark days, down to 1867, when Muhlenberg
College was organized and female education was provided for
by the establishment of the College for Women.
Churches, Sunday Schools and Synodical Meeting. Old St.
PauFs Bv. Lutheran Church on Eighth Street was of ancient
architecture. Its wine glass pulpit, with sounding board, its high
altar, its high backed pews, its high galleries, its large pipe organ,
its arched windows and large double doors, its aisles without
carpet, its pews without cushions, its large stoves, its massive
chandeliers, are all well remembered. Rev. Joshua Yeager was
the pastor and continued as such until the spring of 1852. He
preached only in German. The congregation numbered many
members, many of whom resided in the country. In the Fall of
1 85 1, Father Yeager instructed and confirmed his last class of
catechumens at AUentown, which numbered about 60 members.
The class usually met on Tuesday morning. I can well remember
the tall pastor of commanding appearance, entering the church.
Most of the catechumens had the German Catechism, a few, the
English. The instruction was principally in German. The pastor
was very faithful in imparting instruction. Mr. Jacob Slemmer,
the organist, attended occasionally to teach us to sing the con-
firmation hymns. Father Yeager insisted on the observance of
good order. When the class was first organized the boys and
young men were seated to the left, and the girls and young ladies
to the right of the altar. After some weeks had passed. Father
Yeager must have noticed that when his face was turned towards
the young ladies, the young men to the rear of him must have
become objects of interest to the young ladies, who were disposed
to look beyond the place where Father Yeager stood. Father
Yeager was equal to the emergency for he turned towards the
young men and said, "Buwe, maschirt danueber, hinter die
Maedchen . ' ' The boys had to march and the girls were able to give
undisturbed attention to Father Yeager and the boys could no
longer attract the attention of the girls. Beyond this little
occurrence there was usually good attention, and I think deep
interest in the instruction imparted. The day of confirmation
was a solemn occasion. Some of the class of 1857 continue
active members of the Christian church.
In the Spring of 1852, Rev. Jacob Vogelbach, a most able
German preacher, succeeded Father Yeager as pastor. In the
fall of the same year, 1852, Rev. B. M. Schmucker was called to
officiate in the English language. Fifty-four years have passed
since my first introduction to Dr. Schmucker. Little did I dream
then, that during many years, we would be associated in church
work. The attendance at the German service conducted by
pastor Vogelbach, was very large. The audiences at the services
172
in English were like the day of small things, not to be despised, but
carefully nurtured as the promise of a prosperous future. At
that time the number of members appreciating a service in Eng-
lish was limited. The contrast in the attendance was great,
yet the few who attended the first service in English were glad
to have the same and were hopeful as to the future.
In the German Reformed Church on Hamilton Street, Rev.
Joseph S. Dubbs officiated in the German language. The attend-
ance at this church was also good. As the Reformed and Luth-
eran congregations did not have their service in German at the
same hour, the attendance in each church was large. Rev. C. R.
Kessler, Principal of the Allentown Seminary, and Rev. A. J. G.
Dubbs officiated for some time in English, with considerable reg-
ularity.
I have a distinct recollection of hearing Rev. William Rath
preach in the German Reformed Church, whilst he was a student
of Rev. Jeremiah Schindel.
In the Presbyterian Church a singular arrangement as to
the pulpit remains unforgotten. The pulpit stood between the
two doors opening from Fifth Street. Attendants at the service
had on entering the church, to face the audience already in their
pews. There was an end gallery for the organ, choir and other
attendants. Rev. Richard Walker was the faithful pastor. A
number of the members of the Reformed and lyUtheran congre-
gations attended the service in this church before provision was
made in their own churches for service in English.
The Methodist Episcopal Church on Linden above Fifth
Street was a plain brick structure. There were no galleries in
it. The attendance at the evening service was usually increased
by the presence of many young people. Rev. Mr. Hare officiated
for some time. Rev. Mr. Brisbain was the stat^ioned mihister in
1 85 1 and 52, and a popular speaker
Of the attendance at the Evangelical (Albright) meeting
house on the corner of Ninth and Linden, I have no distinct recol-
lection now of the services of its ministers. The services were
usually conducted in German. Besides the pastors who had
charge of congregations in Allentown, Rev. Benjamin German
and later his brother, Rev. William German, as also Rev. Daniel
Zellers resided at Allentown.
The general attendance at the churches was good. Many
more persons might have attended regularly. On the part of a
fair number there was a true interest in the religion of our blessed
Master. Some had to suffer for being faithful in the Master's
cause. Some were cold and indifferent. Some claimed to be
members of church, who never entered a church for years. It is
said that when an election of importance had been announced in
one of the churches, although later than 1853, several persons
came to town on election day, stopped at a hotel, told the land-
173
lord or at least some one af the hotel, that they had come to town
to vote at a church election, but that they did not know the way
to the church and asked to be directed to the same ! Think of it !
Church members did not know the road to the church on earth ;
what could have been their knowledge of the way to the church
in Heaven?
The pupils of Allentown Seminary attended Bible Class on
Sunday morning at the Seminary and then the morning service
in one of the churches in a body. It was a fine sight on a fine
Sunday morning, to notice teachers and pupils marching to the
church. In the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, the students
were seated in one of the galleries and it was considered no dis-
grace to be seated in the galleries.
Sunday Schools were well attended. The Lutheran and
Reformed congregations had a union Sunday School in the base-
ment room of the Reformed Church. I remember as attendants,
as officers and teachers. Rev. Fritzinger, Messrs. Michael Eber-
hard, Joseph Young, Joseph Weiss of the Reformed Church,
Rev. Mr. Brobst, Rev. Mr. Schmucker, Messrs. Henry Weins-
heimer, Christian Pretz, John J. Jarrett of the Lutheran Church.
I remember also many lady teachers. The supply of text-books,/
aids in instruction, hymn books, Sunday School papers and
library books was meager, compared with all the appliances that
are now furnished to Sunday Schools. But that the teachers
made the very best use of the means at hand, I feel fully satisfied.
Mr. Henry Weinsheimer was my teacher from 1848 to 185 1. I
became a teacher after my confirmation in the. Fall of 1851
and continued in the school until the Fall of 1853. Some of
the teachers served as sexton, free of charge. I had the honor of
the office for one term. I wonder how some of the modern Sun-
day School teachers would like to kindle and attend to the fire,
open the shutters and ring the bell. Such work would be death
to kid gloves.
The Sunday Schools of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Epis-
copal and Evangelical congregations were held in their respective
church buildings. As I attended none of their schools as a scholar,
and only occasionally visited the Presbyterian, I can not speak of
them as I could if I had attended regularly. I know, however,
that there were men and women in these schools, whose desire
was to be of benefit to souls by the work in which they engaged.
The great Sunday School friend in those days was Rev. S. K.
Brobst, of sainted memory. His first paper still bears the name
Jugend Freund. But the dear brother himself was the true
friend of the young. He often offended by his denunciation of
sin, by his warning against the very appearance of evil. He was
in many things in advance of others in the line of Sunday School
work, but it was interesting to see how he was gradually willingly
followed by many.
174
Sunday schools in those days had their annual picnics, which
were, but they often would better not have been in the name of
the church of Christ. At that time there was no general obser-
vance of Christmas and the other festivals of the church year,
by a special service by the Sunday School. Then we heard only
of Sunday School exhibitions, that often lacked the christian
character they should have had.
In the Spring of 1851, The German Ev. Lutheran Minis-
terium of Pennsylvania and adjacent states, held its annual meeting
in St. Paul's Church. Rev. J. W. Richards, D. D., the father of
the late Prof. Dr. Richards was the President of the Synod. I
remember seeing Rev. Dr. Demmer, Rev. Gottlieb Yeager, Rev.
Mr. Peixotto, Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, Rev. A. Fuchs, Rev. Mr.
Wenzel and many whose names I can not now recall. I was often,
during that annual session, in the north high gallery of the church,
watching the proceedings of Synod. One of the most interesting
events of these meetings, was the sermon on the 2 Cor. 5: 17;
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old
things are passed away: behold all things are become new," by
Rev. H. W. Hutter, D. D., who had formerly resided at Allentown,
at which time none of his jovial companions thought that Edwin
Hutter, the printer, would ever become a minister of the Lord
Jesus Christ. There was an intense interest to hear the sermon
of the man, who had not been afraid to consecrate himself to the
service of the Master. Old St. Paul's Church was packed with
people at that evening service, and I well remember a well-known
publisher of a count}^ paper, rising from his seat in the gallery
near the west wall and leaning forward to hear every word that
was said by the fellow printer. I had no thought at that time
that seven years later I would be ordained at a meeting of the same
Synod and continue a member of the same nearly fifty years.
I remember seeing Rev. Dr. Demmer and Dr. Mann walking with
Rev. Mr. Kessler in the campus of Allentown Seminary, but there
was no thought in the mind at that time that in later years, the
Ministerium of Penna. would enter the same western gate in
visiting Muhlenberg College, as the institution in which many
young men prepared ultimately to enter the ministry.
At that meeting of the Ministerium of Penna., forty-five
ordained ministers, and six candidates — licentiates — were present.
Twenty-one ministers were absent with excuse. The Synod then
numbered 80 ministers. Of these 80 ministers, 77 are either dead
or no longer members of the Synod of Pennsylvania. Only 3
ministers are members of the Synod who were members then.
And yet to-day the Synod does not only number 80, but 378
ordained ministers. Young men, think of the changes that are
awaiting these 378 ordained ministers. How many of them will
no longer be members of the Synod of Pennsylvania a half of a
century hence. Besides the new to supply the places of these,
175
if the wants of the church continue to increase, how many more
young men will be wanted in the ranks of the ministry ?-Who will
answer the Lord's call? "Here am I, send me."
Business. As schoolboys were expected to be regularly at
school, it can not be expected of them, now, as men to remember
much of the business pursuits in their youth. Most of business
in stores was transacted during the day. Stores and shops it is
true were kept open in the evening. But the inferior light could
not be trusted to give the customer sufficient aid in examining the
ware he was purchasing. Stores kept a general assortment of
articles needed by customers. Dry goods, queensware, groceries,
hardware and other goods were purchased in the same store.
Gradually, however, there was no separation of the different
branches of trade, so that arithmetics and allspice, broad cloth
and brooms, candies and codfish, clocks and coal, hats and hams,
mirrors and molasses, muslin and mackerel, silk and sugar, tubs
and turpentine, valentines and vinegar, wash machines and
whiskey could no longer be ordered at the same place.
There were merchants in those days, whose word could be
trusted and many people bought with implicit confidence in the
judgment and honesty of the salesman with reference to an
article offered for sale. That some tried to attract the customers
of others, was evident from the announcement made by a young
merchant, "that his firm would sell goods one hundred per cent,
cheaper than any of the neighbors." The question submitted
to us as schoolboys, was, "how much did the firm get for its
goods?"
Merchants were dependant principally on the canal for the
reception of goods from the cities. Thus it was wise to lay in a
large stock of goods in the fall of the year. Goods that had to
be ordered during the winter, if not in very large parcels, could
be shipped and received by stage. If large boxes or barrels had
to be used, they had- to be entrusted to men who had charge of
freight wagons. How important these freight lines were, was
evident from what occured one winter day, in one of the places
of business. A customer called and asked for lemons and was
told that there were none on hand. The answer was heard by the
proprietor of the establishment, who also had a number of freight
wagons, carrying goods from Philadelphia. When he had heard
that there were no lemons on hand, he is reported to have said,
"Was, drei und zwanzig geul und sechs waegge uf der stross und
doch kenn lemons? Nelson! nemm die fedder un babier und
schreib grad!"
People were very dependant in those days on merchants
and shopkeepers. They could not go to Philadelphia in the morning
and return in the evening, after having done enough shopping for
an entire season. In those days, city merchants did not sell to
private individuals by samples as now, and send the goods C. O. D.
176
That some merchants of Lehigh County made money is true. A
Lehigh County merchant visited Philadelphia at one time and
when asked what per cent, profit he charged on goods purchased
in the city, he answered, "Oh, I charge aboutone ber cent, profit."
The answer rather chilled the ardor of the city wholesale mer-
chant to sell goods to his "one per cent, profit" customer. He,
however, sold goods to him and they were promptly paid. On a
later occasion the country merchant again visited Philadelphia
and then the city wholesale merchant considered it wise to learn
a little more about the wisdom of selling goods at one per cent,
profit, so he said to his country customer; "You told me, when
you were here before, that you sold your goods at one per cent,
profit. How can you live on such a profit?" "Oh! I can live,"
was the reply. "Will you let me ask you, what do you charge
for goods when you sell them at. one percent, profit?" "Why de
de way I do is dis. When I bay dwendy five cends for someding,
I charge one ber cend. dad is I sell id ad fifty cents and when I
bay one dollar I charge one ber cend. profit, dad is I charge two
dollars." Who that merchant was I can not say. Neither did
the deponent say that the merchant resided in Allentown.
I have the clearest recollection of two one hundred per cent,
transactions at Allentown. The one was preceding the funeral ser-
vice in honor of the memory of one of the Presidents of the United
States, when Mr. Reuben Bright, a printer, furnished badges of
silk ribbon with "In Memory of, &c.," printed on the same, at 5cts.
apiece. A good 100 per cent, speculation for the boys. The other
was when on a very cold January morning, a boy went to Thomas
B. Wilson's store and while waiting for a clerk, who had gone to
the cellar, stood in front of a large stove. He watched the fire
and was throwing in particles of paper, when by mistake he threw
a $5 bill of the Kaston Bank. That was a bad 100 per cent,
visitation at the store for the boy, who was told that his act was
all gain for the Bank, who would no doubt pass a vote of thanks
if it heard of the boy's act !
In connection with the business of those early days,
stages were of great importance to both merchants to and from
the cities. The occupants of stages were, however, not only mer-
chants. As the freighting . of merchandise was an important
work, so the running of stages was for the accommodation of all
who had occasion to travel. Those who had occasion to travel,
remember well the early rising, the hurried breakfast, the loud
call of the impatient driver, the entrance of the coach long before
the sun had risen, the singular associations found in stages, the
tedious ride over rough and muddy roads in winter and dusty
roads in summer, the halt at some hotel for dinner, the bill of
fare, the provision for four, when it should have been for fourteen
persons and the afternoon nap under adverse circumstances.
The arrival at the end of the journey was never regretted by the
177
wearied traveler. Sometimes passengers experienced the upset-
ting of a coach. I remember hearing of one in which the passen-
gers got out of the coach as best they could. An excited female
passenger left in the coach, cried very vigorously, "Let me out,
I am dead." The early start long before sunrise prevented a good
view of the new passenger entering a coach. Two college students
will never forget when on a certain occasion a third yielded a seat
in the rear part of a stage coach to allow a lady a good seat. The
two, who flanked the lady, were excessively attentive and called
all their college polish into service, to entertain the lady passenger,
who, however, did not venture to say more than yes, sir or no, sir.
When the day dawned and there was light sufficient to behold
the face of the lady passenger, the attentive students discovered
that her face was not white ! Sometimes the experience at places
where the stages tarried to allow the mail to be exchanged were
quite ludicrous. Two students, who wore each a Maltese Cross,
the badge of a College Literary Society, received the closest atten-
tion and a discussion arose whether the students were Policemen
or Knownothings.
Society. According to the views of some people, the lad from
12 to 17 years old is not expected to know, much of society.
According to a lecture of Rev. Dr. Vincent, a lad of those years,
is that boy, "not wanted in the parlor, on account of his unpolished
boots, his torn garments, his soiled hands and his uncombed hair,
his careless manners. And yet boys are fond of company at that
age, they have their eyes and their ears open. No wonder that the
best excuse is sometimes framed by parents as well as other
members of the family circle and even visitors, to send the boys
on some errand to keep them away from the company of older
people who do not wish to be reported.
In the days of which I speak to-day, there was in summer con-
siderable front door, porch, step and pavement society. Who
does not remember the gatherings of the female portion of society
at the doors, on the porches and steps of homes. They were often
joined by their gentlemen friends. Men also gathered evening
after evening, during the week, at their respective places of asso-
ciation with others. Who does not remember the aged, the
middle aged and even the young at Wilson's Corner, at Joseph
Weiss', at Dr. C. H. Martin's, at Mr. Amos Ettinger's, at Mr. Peter
Biery's on West Hamilton Street, or the Allen House and the
American House porches, at Pretz's Corner, in front of law offices,
under the lindens in front of the Court House, on East Hamilton,
at Dillinger & Craigs on North Seventh Street, at Kramer's, Reese's
and other points on South Seventh Street, at Major Fry's on
Walnut Street and at many other places in the town.
In winter, families visited each other considerably. Men
had their respective places of meeting for a daily chat, but there
was also considerable home life.
178
The young people had their pleasant time in summer as also
in winter. In summer there was much walking to places of inter-
est near the town, often, however, the walk was of greater
interest than the place visited ! In winter, circles met week after
week at different residences, whilst some people would now and
then have a ball, and some were given to card playing and dancing.
Dancing and card playing in private houses and damaging sur-
prize parties were not in vogue.
Young people walked much in those days for very good
reasons, very few parents kept carriages and horses, and money
was not furnished so readily to hire at the livery. Who has for-
gotten the walk to Worman's Spring, to Helfrich's Spring, the
strolls along the Jordan, to Hanover, to the Island, to Turnhole
Mountain, to Salsburg and even to Bauer's Rock.
The boys, without the girls, had many pleasant Saturdays,
in summer and fall, in fishing and hunting and in winter in
coasting and skating as far as Bethlehem. A few sleigh rides
in winter and a few carriage rides in summer were considered
sufficient to remember the respective seasons. A few picnics in
summer and a few parties in winter made occasional changes
in the life of schoolboys and girls.
A May Party held at "Prospect Rock", on Tuesday, May
3rd, 1853, and attended by the following: Ladies, Margaret
Dillinger, Louisa Moser, Hannah Schmidt, Anna Keck, Belinda
Horn, Anna Weiss, Eliza Sweitzer, Mary Kuhns, Klmira Lewis,
Emma Wilson, Caroline Wright. Gentlemen, Philip S. Pretz,
Thomas Keck, Alfred Saeger, Edward Leh, Gilbert Gibbons,
Edward Young, Jacob Shimer and Franklin J. F. Schantz.
Now and then society had its sensations, but we seldom
heard of pistols and powder, of ropes and deep water! But as
said before, boys were not expected to be in society and thus I
am not expected to remember much of society of about sixty
years ago.
Civil Government. The town had its Burgess and Councilmen,
its School Directors, its Justices of the Peace, and its Constables.
Whilst I have forgotten who were burgess and councilmen, and
recollect the names of only a few school directors, I remember
as justice of the peace, Hon. John F. Ruhe and Eli J. Saeger, Esq.
But of all I remember the High Constable Jacob Ehrig. He wore
no blue coat and cap, he never told us whether he carried a pistol;
but the boys of that day well remember the immense cane, with
heavy crook, which the constable carried. He was respected by
the citizens, and boys, who behaved, had no occasion to run when
he was on the march through town; they could stop and inspect
the officer's make up. As Allentown was the county seat of
Lehigh County, the Court of Justice was naturally of interest to
the young as well as the old. Memory now recalls the face of the
President Judge, Hon. J. Pringle Jones and that of his successor
179
Hon. Washington McCartney. At one time the Associate
Judges were Hon. Peter Haas and Hon. Jacob Dillinger and
later Hon. Jacob Dillinger and Hon. John F. Ruhe. I have
already mentioned the names of the lawyers residing at Allentowri
and besides these, I recall the names of Hon. James M. Porter,
Alexander Brown and Andrew H. Reeder, of Easton, and Charles
Davis, Esq., of Reading, who attended and practiced in the Court
of Lehigh County.
The boys of those days often attended court and they were
greatly interested in the grand judges, the learned lawyers, the
singularly constituted juries, the competent translator, the
dignified tipstaves, the obliging crier, the poor defendant, the
hopeful plaintiff, the trying examinations of witnesses, the able
and eloquent speeches of the attornies, occasionally, however,
a wonderful conglomeration of points of law, statements of
facts, quotations from poets, recitations of scripture passages,
shedding of tears, pounding of tables, perpendicular and hori-
zontal elongation of facial lines, the stamping of the floor and
what not to win the case. The charge of the Judge would
be respectfully listened to and the verdict of the jury awaited
with anxiety. That the Lehigh County Bar was one of ability,
was most evident, when on a certain occasion, a lawyer from New
York had come to AUentown in the interest of a civil suit of great
importance, with reference to the zinc mines at Friedensville.
He was in town nearly a week before the beginning of the session
of the Court. I can well remember his stately form, his faultless,
fashionable dress, his haughty mien, his apparent contempt for
the citizens of town and the Court that could possibly be held in
such a place. But after the session of Court had been opened, and
his entrance had failed to drive thence the legal gentleman present
and he heard how able the legal gentlemen were in the arguments
in which they were engaged and what superior legal knowledge
the honorable judge displayed, the great New York lawyer
reminded men of the schoolboy's inflated toy balloon, after it
has been subjected to a slight operation, which can be performed
by a pin.
Politics, state and national, interested the boys of those days
and why should they not have done so? Why should American
youth be denied the pleasure of attending political meetings?
The boys read the papers with much interest and they would
attend the district and county meetings if possible. If any can-
didate for Governor would come to town, the boys would surely
be on hand. Well do I remember the visit of Hon. William F.
Johnson, in the summer of 1848. The public meeting was held
on the lawn of the Greenleaf residence, very near the place where
St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church now stands. Under the maples
if not under the linden trees, the vast assembly had gathered
to hear the distinguished candidate for the highest office of the
i8o
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was introduced to the
audience by James P. Reese, Esq., a young lawyer at Allentown.
Mr. Johnson was elected Governor, but his election by a small
majority, was in doubt for a long time and hence the people of
Allentown were variously affected by the receipt of the news on
successive days. Then the town was without railroad and tele-
graph. It had to depend on the Philadelphia daily stage for
latest news. Some of the people would gather on the southern
slope of the hill and watch for the approach of the stage, which
could be seen on the Philadelphia road in Salsburg. If the horses
were without flags, then the news was favorable to Mr. Johnson
and was quickly carried to the central part of the town, with
hurrahs for Johnson; but if the horses had flags, then the friends
of Mr. Johnson would not run nor hurrah, for the sign indicated
that Mr. Longstreth was in advance of Mr. Johnson. The stage
proprietor was of the party who had nominated Mr. Longstreth,
the rival of Mr. Johnson.
In 1 85 1, when Hon. William Bigler was candidate for Gover-
nor, there was an immense outpouring of the people. Many of
his friends had gone from Allentown as far as Ruch's Hotel in
North Whitehall Township, to meet him on his journey from
Mauch Chunk to Allentown. There was a large escort and the
procession moved by the way of Catasauqua, where it halted at
Solomon Biery's Hotel near the lower bridge. When it reached
Allentown the streets were lined with people. I rode that day
with an aged friend who departed this life long ago, Mr. John
G. Goundie and my dear brother. Dr. Tilghman P. Schantz, who
departed this life in 1852. The public meeting was held on Centre
Square. Mr. Bigler delivered an address in English and Mr.
Grund of Philadelphia, spoke in German. If I remember cor-
rectly, Mr. Bigler's remarks on the tariff question were not accept-
able to all. Even a Vice-President left the platform. Mr. Grund
tried hard in the evening, at the Court House, to bigel out the
wrinkles which the speech in the afternoon had occasioned.
I shall never forget what a profitable lesson I learned in the
Court House during a Presidential campaign, to show what little
confidence can be placed in political prophets and prophecies. A
distinguished gentleman, the editor of a leading city paper of
that day, was advancing the claims of his favorite candidate and
closed, "I am as confident of the election of (naming the can-
didate) to the office of President of the United States, as I am of
the rising of the sun, on the coming day." The sun rose next
morning but the speaker's candidate never rose to the office of
President of the United States.
How wonderful the disappointment of men! In 1848, Hon.
Lewis Cass, one of the distinguished statesmen of our country,
was defeated by a military chieftain. Gen. Zachary Taylor, and in
1852, Gen. Winfield S. Scott, the greatest General the country
i8i
then had, was defeated by Hon. Frank Pierce, a previously,
comparatively unknown gentleman, who became President of the
United States. I wish the republican clubs and democratic
clubs of this day, with all their fine hats, caps, capes, torches,
banners, fireworks and fine bands, could have seen the successful
party in those early days on the march to congratulate a success-
ful candidate for the office of Member of the Legislature. The
procession was headed by a drum or a fife ; there were no special
caps and capes for the occasion ; the torches were balls of yarn on
the end of rake handles, dipped into or saturated with camphine;
for fireworks, there was no money on hand, and yet those patriots
rejoiced as heartily in the election of their favorite candidate as
men do to-day.
The only candidate for the Presidency of the United States
whom I ever saw at Allentown was the Hon. James Buchanan,
who was introduced to citizens of Allentown, in the southeast
room of the Allen House by Hon. Samuel A. Bridges. He was
stopping for a night at Allentown and was at that time not yet
nominated for the high office.
The greatest political quandary I ever got into, was when Mr.
Mifflin Hannum, asked me, a mere boy, what I thought of the
"Wilmot Proviso." I answered that no doubt some would be
pleased with it, or something like it, and then hurried away, for
fear of being asked more about something that I knew little of
then and not too much at present.
Heroes of the Mexican War. An event of great interest to
youthful minds in the summer of 1848, was the return of soldiers
who had taken part in the Mexican War. The local Military
Companies, one of which was commanded by Capt. David Stem,
had proceeded north of the town, to receive the veterans. The
march through the streets of Allentown was an occasion for
the gathering of many people. At the southwest corner of the
Allen House, addresses to the veterans were delivered by Hon.
John D. Stiles and others. Subsequently these returned soldiers
were the noted men in town ; Major Herman G. Yeager (who came
later to town), Lieut. Henry C. Longnecker, James Mickley,
Andrew Yingling, Peter Doane, Henry Moose, the Semmel brothers,
Edward and Jacob, and James Smith, and if there were others
I do not now recall their names. Edward Ruhe died in service,
Jonathan Knaus died away from home. Who does not remem-
ber Mexican John, an eccentric character? Allentown had then
four classes of soldiers: (i) A few veterans of the Revolutionary
War (one of whom was Andrew Gauge were) . (2) Soldiers of the
War of 1 81 2. (3) Heroes of the Mexican War. (4) Members
of Military Companies of whom many took part in the War of the
Rebellion, 1861-65, some of whom were the first to enter service
in 1861.
l82
Events of Cosmopolitan Interest. The famine in Ireland was
not only an occasion for expressions of sympathy, but also for
the exercise of genuine charity in aiding those truly in want.
The unsuccessful struggle for liberty on the part of Lewis
Kossuth and the people of Hungary, was the occasion for great
expressions of deep sympathy for an oppressed people. The
visit of Louis Kossuth in this country, drew many people from
inland towns to the great cities. Kossuth hats were soon in
fashion. I think I could name the gentlemen who first wore one
with a feather, on the streets of AUentown. Lectures on Kossuth
and Hungary were numerous and popular. Contributions to give
substantial aid were also solicited. I was too young to be able
to comprehend fully the conversation of older persons on the
Revolution in Germany. I, however, remember very well with
what interest the papers were read.
The great political changes in France from a Kingdom to a
Republic, to the Presidency of which Louis Napoleon was elevated,
December, 1848, naturally interested Americans much. The
adoption of a new constitution, in 1851, reestablished personal
rule, and the experiment of Constitutional Government was at
an end. Louis Napoleon could not rest satisfied with the exten-
sion of his term of office as Chief Magistrate to ten years. On
November 21st, 1852, the vote of the French people declared
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, hereditary Emperor of the French,
and on December 2nd, 1852, he took the title of "Napoleon III.,
Emporer of the French." Schoolboys naturally admired the
man who rose from a prisoner of France in exile to the position
of Emperor of the French. Our expression of admiration of the
new Emperor did, however, not meet the approval of our favorite
teacher, the principal of the AUentown Seminary, who was a
Swiss by birth, full of love for civil liberty, full of hatred to polit-
ical oppressors, and I can well remember when he spoke to us boys
at school, and said, "You are too young, and know too little to be
able to see what this elevation of Louis Napoleon may lead to."
Thus spoke our good teacher, who did not live to see with us
Louis Napoleon in his glory and in his terrible defeat. But the
words of our good teacher remain unforgotten to this day.
An event of interest to the Nations' of the World in 1853,
was the World's Fair at New York. Many Allentonians visited
the same. I could have visited the same in company with others,
but in view of leaving for college in the fall of the same year, no
time could be spared for such a visitation of New York.
Such, my hearers, are reminiscences of life at AUentown
sixty years ago. It was a pleasant work to me personally to
record what has been read to-day. But alas, how sad the thought,
that in the old homestead on Seventh Street, none of those remain
who once with me called that place home. The halls of the old
Academy no longer respond to the voices of teacher and scholars
i83
as in former days. Most of the teachers are dead and many of the
pupils. Of those that remain, many have grown gray and full
of the responsibilities and cares of human life. The old Allentown
Seminary Buildings are no longer recognized. The old Mansion
has been changed, the old stone building removed, and many of
the old teachers are dead. Pupils also have been called hence.
Many fill responsible positions in life. None of the old churches
are what they were in those days, they all have been changed,
some have been removed and others erected in their places. None
of the old pastors are living. The Court Room has new judges,
new lawyers, new jury men. None of the old physicians remain.
The sons of the old physicians, together with many others are
now meeting the health wants of the community. Here and
there you may find some of the old business men. But let a man
stand on Centre Square and name the citizens of 1848 to 1853,
and alas, of how many will it be said, "they have gone hence."
In 1848, the old Union graveyard and Allentown Cemetery had
ample room for new graves. Behold how many have been added
since those days. The new cemeteries, the Union and the Fair-
view and others, number so many graves that the announcement
of their number would astonish many persons. Many of us have
a special interest in Allentown and Union Cemeteries, in view of
our beloved who are buried there.
Allentown has grown wonderfully in about sixty years. He,
who sixty years hence, will address an audience and have the
same subject I had to-day, will have far more to speak of than
I had this day. Many of us will not be present to hear the address.
God grant that the speaker may be able to engage in the work of
preparation with as much pleasure as I did and if he will be favored
with as attentive an audience as I have been to-day, he will be
fully repaid for his service in affording pleasure and instruction
to those younger in years. I would close my address with best
wishes for the future temporal and spiritual welfare of my hearers,
and the ardent desire that all may be or become true citizens of
the Commonwealth of Israel and entitled to residence in Jerusalem
the Golden.
Some Indian History of the Lehigh Valley.
By John W. Jordan, LL. D.
In preparing this paper, it has been my endeavor to keep it
within reasonable Hmits, for the subject is one that marks an
important epoch in our history. The stirring events which fell
between 1744 and 1764, prepared the inhabitants of the Province
to meet those of a later epoch — in the first, the encroachments
of a foreign power were beaten back, and they were finally forced
to leave the continent ; in the next a nation secured its independ-
ence. There is no scarcity of original material relating to the
first epoch. The Archives of the Commonwealth are rich in
official documents which relate to the Indian wars, but they are
lacking in those details, which have made the Archives of the
Moravian Church at Bethlehem, so incomparably valuable to all
historians. In many respects, the Manuscript Collections of
the Historical Society of Pennsylvania are the equal of those of
the Commonwealth; the Penn MSS. with their dealings and
treaties between the Proprietaries and the Indians; the Norris
Papers, consisting of certificates of pay to soldiers, members of
the Assembly, Provincial accounts and Letter Books ; the Shippen
Papers, with muster rolls of Provincial troops, journals of officers
and orderly books, and correspondence; the Northampton County
MSS. among which will be found the muster rolls and correspond-
ence of Captains Wetterholt, Dodge, Kern, Hunsicker, Craig,
Arndt, Jennings, Inslee and others, the Conrad Weisser, Logan,
Pemberton and Bethlehem Papers, aggregating over 500 volumes.
Then, too, every local historical society in the State, has some
original documents bearing on the subject, and the great libraries
of England and France are liberally disposed and aid investi-
gation.
The materials for a history of the Indian wars* of Pennsyl-
vania are accessible and easily arranged ; very little digging will be
necessary; the wealth of the mine has been opened for the
historian.
The Delawares, the original owners of the soil of Pennsylvania
were, according to their own traditions, direct descendants of the
Algonkins, one of the most powerful nations of antiquity. They
were divided into three tribes, and were alike celebrated for their
i85
courage, peaceful disposition and powerful alliances, and at one
time were the undisputed masters of all middle America. On
the arrival of Penn, their number in Pennsylvania was computed
at 30,000. They were a brave race, sound and warlike, who
gloried in the preservation of a character for valor, which had come
down to them from the remotest times. However, they were
finally vanquished by the Five Nations, and at a treaty at Albany,
in 1 71 7, were compelled to submit.
The valley of the Lehigh, except for the usual spring bushnet
fishing, had no great attractions for the scattered Delawares;
they preferred to locate their little villages between the northern
slope of the Blue Mountains and the north branch of the Susque-
hanna, where game was plentiful and white settlement less liable.
It was, however, the favorite and main route to the settlements
on the Delaware and in New Jersey, both by water and trail.
It was due to William Allen's speculative enterprise, which
did so much to open up the valley for white settlement.
When the Moravians entered the valley to build Bethlehem,
there were but three plantations lying at intervals within a
stretch of 4 miles, on the south bank of the Lehigh. Two miles
above them, in a bend of the river, was the "Jennings Farm,"
confirmed to Solomon Jennings, one of the "Three Walkers,"
in the spring of 1736, by William Allen. On the demise of Jen-
nings, it was bought by Jacob Geisinger, of Saucon township.
Near the mouth of Saucon Creek was located the "Irish Farm"
which Squire Nathaniel Irish in 1738, purchased of Caspar Wistar,
of Philadelphia. Opposite to Bethlehem, now included in the
property of the Iron Company, lay the "Ysselstein Farm," pur-
chased by Isaac Ysselstein in 1738; and in less than a year later,
his habitation was swept away by a great freshet in the river.
Thirty years ago I visited the Geisinger place, where was pointed
out to me part of the foundation of the old house.
There were two public houses in the valley, that figure in the
period we are reviewing, one kept by John Hays, where Weavers-
ville now stands, and Nicholas Opplinger's, just above Lehigh
Gap.
Before taking up some of the incidents connected with
the French and Indian war, a few biographical notes of the
chiefs of the various tribes, who are prominent on the records
of that epoch, will be helpful. Teedyuscung, undoubtedly
the real hero of the war of 1755, was born near where Trenton,
N. J., stands, about the year 1700. In that neighborhood his
ancestors had been settled from time immemorial. His father
was old Captain Harris of Poccopoco, and his brothers and half-
brothers, were Captain John, who was living on the Nazareth
tract, when the Moravians came on it; Tom, Joe and Sam Evans.
He was baptized by the Moravians at Gnadenhuetten, in March
of 1750, and given the name of Gideon and by the settlers was
i86
familiarly called "Honest John," but he failed as so many do, to
become a Christian, and also turned a renegade.
In the spring of 1754, his brethren told him that the time had
come to rise against their white oppressors, and asked him to
lead them as their king. That was the evil hour, in which he was
dazzled by the prospect of a crown, and trafficked his peace of
mind for the unrest of ambition. He assembled his Delawares
and allied Mohicans and Shawnese at Nescopeck, and marked out a
plan of the campaign for the coming autumn and winter. Its
operations were restricted to the "Walking Purchase," within
which, it was resolved to chastise the English, by waging against
them a war of extermination. It threatened to be a repetition
of the war of Philip and his Pequods. The attempt failed, and
in the spring of 1758, he removed to Wyoming, where agreeably
to his request and the conditions of treaty, a town was built for
him and his followers. Here he lived, and here he was burned to
death in his cabin, in the night of April 19, 1763. The concurrent
testimony of his time agrees in representing him as a man of
marked ability; a brave warrior; a sagacious councillor and a
patriot among his people. Although he was governed by strong
passions, and a slave of that degrading vice which was the bane
of his race, he was not devoid of feeling. Numerous are the
anecdotes extant, illustrating his love of humor; his ready wit;
his quickness of apprehension and of reply; his keen penetration,
and his sarcastic delight in exposing low cunning or artifice.
His attachment to the Moravians he openly avowed, expres-
sing his determination to keep by them in preference to other
whites. Elsewhere, he exulted in being called "a Moravian,"
although he had broken his vows and been unfaithful to his
profession. Teedyuscung had three sons, Amos, Kesmitas, and
John Jacob, but they never developed the ability of their father.
Tapeuscung, a Delaware chief, was Teedyuscung's favorite
councillor and attended all the treaties at Easton and elsewhere.
Joe Peepy, came from New Jersey, and was one of Brainerd's
converts. Prior to the Indian war, with his wife and five children,
he lived at the Craig settlement, near Lehigh Gap. He also was
to be found at Easton and Bethlehem during treaty days.
Moses Tatemy, another one of Brainerd's converts, was
living on the Bushkill Creek. Stockertown is built on part of his
plantation, which was deeded to him for services to the Proprie-
taries. His son "Bill" Tatemy was shot by a Scotch-Irish lad
near Bethlehem, in July of 1757, died a month later, and was
buried in the. cemetery near the Crown Inn.
Nutimus, was a Delaware chief, well known to the settlers of
the Lehigh and Wyoming valleys, and a frequent visitor at Beth-
lehem.
Captain Newcastle, the name given to a well-known chief of
the six nations, by Governor Morris, of Pennsylvania, was friendly
i87
to the Proprietary Government, and was instrumental in per-
suading Teedyuscung to meet the Governor in treaty at Easton.
Shikellemy, an Oneida chief, and vicegerent of the six nations,
lived at Shamokin. He made the acquaintance of Zinzendorf , when
he visited his town in 1742, and the Moravians carefully follovvred
this up ; which ripened into a friendship which only ceased with
the old chief's death in 1748. He frequently visited Bethlehem
with his sons, and through his approval, a mission was organized
at Shamokin, which was abandoned on the breaking out of
hostilities.
Paxanosa, the Shawnese King of Wyoming-, was a frequent
visitor to the Lehigh Valley, and in 1755, his wife was baptized
at Bethlehem. In 1758, he removed to Ohio, and later returned
to Pennsylvania.
Madam Montour, was one of the characters in the early history
of the Province, and members of her family were to be frequently
met passing up and down the valley, and occasionally visiting
Bethlehem. In early life she named Roland Montour, a Seneca
chief, and after his death, Robert Hunter, an Oneida chief. One
son, Andrew, was for years in the employ of the Proprietaries as
assistant interpreter, as he was conversant with the Mohawk and
Delaware dialects. He accompanied Bishop Spangenberg to
Onondaga in 1745. In 1755, he was living near Carlisle, and was
the captain of a company of Indians in the service of the Province.
He was subsequently promoted to Major. Lewis Montour was
a younger brother.
French Margaret, a Canadian, and niece of Madam Montour,
was living prior to 1745, with her Mohawk husband, on the Alle-
gheny. In that year she met the Moravian Missionary Mack,
at the lodge of her cousin, near Shamokin, and in 1753, was residing
in a village of her own, at the mouth of Lycoming Creek. Scull's
map of 1759, notes it as "French Margaret's Town." Here the
Moravian missionaries often visited. She frequently attended
treaties, at Baston, Philadelphia and Albany, and sometimes she
interpreted.
One of her visits to Bethlehem took place in July of 1755,
and with her was her Mohawk husband, Peter, two grandchildren,
and an Irish groom, to care for the eleven horses of her train.
They traveled in semi-barbaric state. During their stay, she
attended divine worship, expressed much gratification at the
music and singing, and was also pleased to find sisters who were
conversant with French. From Bethlehem the party proceeded
to New York City, and on their return again were the guests of
the Moravians. In August of 1757, she attended the treaty at
Easton, and with Paxinosa, made a short visit to her friends in
Bethlehem. Over three hundred Indians were present. The
Province presented her with 20 gallons of rum and other articles
amounting to over £15.
i88
The Moravians made their first purchase of land in the valley
of the Lehigh in 1741, and with the growth of their settlement
the number of Indian visitors increased. A few extracts from
the early chronicles of the town, will be pertinent to my paper.
1742, July 10. — Thirteen Indians visited us to-day.
July 15. — Several companies of Indians here to-day.
Sept. 14, — Zinzendorf baptized the first Mohican convert.
1744, Aug. 13. — The Delaware King of Nescopeck, with his
family, here on a visit.
1745, April 26. — The first convert from the Delawares baptized
to-day.
Great sickness and famine prevailed among
the Delawares, and many left their towns for
the white settlements to obtain food. The
Moravians supplied their necessities as far as
they were able. Many are sick in Wyoming,
and 600 Shawnese have gone west despite the
commands of the Iroquois.
In July of 1746, the first Indian to live in the tov/n died. He
was a Wampanaog, and a convert.
The importance of communicating directly with the Indians,
claimed the attention of the Moravians at an early day, and led
them to establish schools for the acquiring the prevalent languages
and dialects of that people. A minute of a Church Council, held
July 15, 1742, recommended the study of the Delaware, in order
to facilitate intercourse with individuals of that nation, whose
visits to their settlements were then of almost daily occurrence.
Twelve of their missionaries were more or less conversant with the
Mohawk, and in February of 1753, Zeisberger undertook the
translation of Moravian hymns into that tongue. The Mohican
was diligently studied at Bethlehem, during the sojourn there
in i745-'46, of their Indian converts from New York and Con-
necticut. The Rev. John C. Pyreaeus, at that time commenced
the preparation of a Mohican hymn-book, to which others con-
tributed translations. The missionaries Mack, Bruce and Post,
had a practical knowledge of Mohican. In 1754, three young
men of liberal education, resided at the Gnadenhuetten Mission,
to study the Delaware. Thus is seen how, even in the early
years of their mission, the Moravians could dispense with the
services of an interpreter, at all times and especially in matters
of religion, an unsatisfactory medium of communication.
The religious condition of the Indians, claimed the attention
of the Moravians immediately after their coming to America.
Their first effort was made among the Creeks and Cherokees of
Georgia, but had to be abandoned on the breaking out of war
between England and Spain. By 1745, through the activity of
the people at Bethlehem, three flourishing congregations among
the Mohicans in New York and Connecticut were established, but
i89
they too, had to be abandoned, and the converts transferred to
Bethlehem, where temporary quarters had been erected for them.
The Mission Board, from past experiences, deemed it desirable
that the Indian converts under their care, should be domiciled
in a town of their own, and not contiguous to white settlements.
A tract of land was then purchased in a sequestered valley,
watered by the Mahoning Creek, a Mission House and cabins for
the Indians erected and in 1746, Gnadenhuetten was founded.
Here for nine years the mission flourished and increased in num--
bers.
Before taking up the stirring events of the Indian war, let
me give you an account of the visit of Gov. Hamilton, and a
delegation of Nanticokes and Shawnese to Bethlehem, in the
summer of 1752.
1752, July 13. — Early this morning arrived Gov. James
Hamilton and his company of six gentlemen from Philadelphia,
and continued on to Easton. One of his party intimated, that if
we invited him on his return, he might stop here. Squire Hors-
field and James Burnside rode after him with an invitation, and
Bishop Spangenberg, who wasin Nazareth was notified. At 3 P. M.
the Governor and company returned and dismounted at Squire
Horsfield's house, on Market Street. Here they were waited on
by representatives of the town, and visited the important build-
ings, and finally taken to the large chapel and entertained with
music of the organ and wind instruments. Next they were taken
to the small chapel, where refreshments were served, while music
was furnished by harps and violins. Just at this time. Bishop
Spangenberg arrived, and extended a cordial welcome to the
Governor, who expressed his delight at the courtesies shown him;
the beautiful prospect from the belvidere of the Single Brethren's
House (now Colonial Hall of the Young Ladies' Seminary), the
houses, farm-buildings, the orchards and fruitful fields. The
visitors left later in the day. Two days after the visit of the
Governor, a messenger arrived from Gnadenhuetten, that a large
delegation of Nanticokes and Shawnese was expected there and
then proceed to Bethlehem. About noon on July 20, the fifty
Nanticokes and fifteen Shawnese were met about a mile from the
town by Squire Horsfield, James Burnside and Rev. Owen Rice.
Bishop Spangenberg received them at the line fence, where one of
the chiefs chanted a song of joy. The Indians, who marched in
good order through the town, were then taken to the barracks
which had been erected for them (where the gas works now
stand), and as they passed the houses on Church Street, their
inmates stood in groups before them, and music was played from
the belvidere of the Single Brethren's House. They were given
refreshments and rested.
In the evening many 01 the visitors attended a meeting, kept
in Enghsh, by Rev. Mr. Rice.
I90
July 21. — After breakfast five chiefs of the Nanticokes and
two of the Shawnese, requested they wished to wait on an equal
number of Moravians, as they had "words to tell us." Accord-
ingly we met in the little chapel, where also assembled a few whites
and Indians, as witnesses and spectators. Red Hawk, White Elk,
Sun Fish and the Crow, were the head chiefs of the Shawnese.
Their speaker delivered to us, according to their customary cere-
monial, and with a solemn oration in Oriental style, a string of
•wampum, which he said, that by it they wiped the eyes of the
Moravians in Bethlehem, that they might see clearly; cleaned
their ears, that they might hear distinctly; dried their sweat, that
they might be smart; smoothed the neck, that they might take
all in well ; cleaned their insides, that the good stick fast and the
bad find no hold ; and that the words they had to produce, would
be taken in good part, even if they could not express themselves
correctly — as their design was good.
Their interpreter translated the speech with like ceremonial,
while holding the string of wampum in his hand and fixing his
eyes steadfastly on it, as if he read the words off. The string was
then handed to Bishop Spangenberg.
The second string of wampum, which they delivered in like
manner, had this signification — "that now, as from Gnadenhuetten
to Wyoming, so also from Bethlehem to Gnadenhuetten, the road
was open; they had cleared away all stones from the road, by
which a person might stump himself; had dug out all stumps;
cut down all bushes; leveled all hills; had straightened all crooks;
that now a person could without obstacles, go from Bethlehem
to Gnadenhuetten and thence to Wyoming unhindered; could
see in a "straight line."
After making this proposition we remained some time together
with pipes and tobacco, and general matters were discussed. The
seven chiefs were treated by our representatives to a dinner.
White, their interpreter, was not wholly ignorant of Christianity.
There were present fifty-seven Nanticokes, twenty-four Shawnese,
and fifty-five Mohicans and Delawares of our mission at Gnaden-
huetten, as guests. The following day the Indians passed in
fishing and hunting, and presented us with half of a deer.
Sunday, Jtdy 23. — Bishop Spangenberg preached in English,
all the Indians being present. The Nanticokes understand some
English. In the afternoon they attended the baptism of an
Indian, belonging to our mission north of the Blue Mountains.
The following day the chiefs of both tribes assembled in the
little chapel. In the middle stood a round table covered with
red cloth, around which sat the Indian chiefs, some of our converts
from Gnadenhuetten, and some of our clergy. Behind this
circle sat on one side Indians; and on the other side Moravian
brethren and sisters, on benches, as many as the chapel could
hold.
191 •
Bishop Spangenberg arose and spoke in English, in answer
to the communication made on Friday; referring to it, repeating
it, and producing their string of wampum, which Father Nit-
schmann held on his knee. Next he held up their string of wam-
pum and said: "We saw it was not necessary to wipe out their
eyes, for they looked clear and bright; their ears had been atten-
tive; they had wiped off their sweat, had been right smart; their
inwards were clean, for he saw they had taken all our words and
actions from a good point of view. Therefore, with this string
of wampum, we had nothing further to say, except that we
rejoiced that they had come to visit us."
Bishop Spangenberg then handed the string to the interpreter,
who held it aloft, and repeated the Bishop's words in Indian.
Every proposition was received with words and sounds of accla-
mation from the visitors. Bishop Spangenberg now rose for the
second time, held our second string of wampum in his hand, and
pointed to their second string, lying in Father Nitschmann's lap,
repeated the words which their string had signified and said :
"We will keep this road right clean, 'so that no grass grows on it;
as soon as the grubs begin to grow, we will cut them off; as soon
as ever a wicked man throws a stone in the way, we will remove it
from the way."
He gave the string of wampum to the interpreter, who
repeated the Bishop's words in Indian, each proposition being
received with approbation, and both their and our strings of wam-
pum were handed first to the chiefs and next to their people for
examination. Bishop Spangenberg again spoke and told them of
our covenant with the six nations ; shewed them the strings of wam-
pum which the chiefs of the six nations had given to Zinzendorf
ten years ago at Conrad Wieser's, and then the belt of wampum,
which Bishop Cammerhoflf, two years ago had received at Onon-
daga, to the effect that two Moravian brethren might go among
the six nations and live there to learn the language. White
interpreted into Indian.
Following this, Bro. Schlegel brought in a large basket of
tobacco, and Sr. Schlegel two little baskets filled with ribbons,
scissors, pins, needles, thread, etc., and placed them before Bishop
Spangenberg, who said: "As our young men and women and the
children are delighted that the Nanticokes and Shawnese have
come to visit us, they have brought together a few presents —
our men this basket of tobacco for your men — our sisters, two
little baskets of things for your women and our children five
bushels of wheat flour — all this they should accept and divide."
White interpreted, whereupon there went up a shout of joy.
An old chief then arose, took both of our strings of wampum
in his two hands, walked quietly within the circle around the
table, and sang an Indian hymn of thanks, and as he came to the
middle, before the Bishop, he stopped, but kept on singing, and
192
returned to his seat. Now the shouts and songs of joy were
renewed, the chiefs began one after another, and their people
responded, and it was evident they were pleased and thankful.
The Indians then returned to their quarters to show their presents.
July 25. — Early this morning the Indians began to leave in
straggling parties, and by 10 o'clock all had left the town, as they
passed the houses, singing hymns of joy.
1765, July 23. — We had the pleasure to receive our Governor,
John Penn. He came at noon in company with his brother and
Mr. Allen, Jr. They were welcomed with instrumental
music from the roof of the Single Brethren's House, as they
passed up the street to the Sun Inn, where they lodged. As it
rained, they did not visit the objects of interest. The next day
they returned to Philadelphia.
From April 27th to May ist, 1768, the Governor, with his
wife and company, again visited the town. They were shown
through the principal buildings, the mills and trades, and attended
a children's meeting, and were charmed with what they saw. One
afternoon they were taken to the banks of the Lehigh where they
were entertained with music. Part of another day was spent in
Allentown.
The chronicles of the town also tell us of a great freshet in
1766. "April 15th. Hard rain the whole day until 11 o'clock at
night. High water expected and began to make preparations
to meet it in the mills and other low localities to prevent damage.
The Lehigh and Manocacy flowed together before midnight. The
following day at 7 A. M. the Lehigh rose 125 inches above common
water mark, and therefore, two inches higher than the freshet of
1762. The houses on the Manocacy we could only reach by boats.
In a few hours there rose a strong N. W. wind, when the water
began to fall. According to the calculations of our old people,
it was to-day 27 years ago (1739), that the Ysselstein house was
carried away by a freshet. The greatest damage done this time,
was to fences, bridges and gardens. Eighteen cords of bark
were destroyed at the tannery."
On July 29 as Alexander Tomb, of Allen township, was
riding through the woods, he spied two Indians concealed behind
trees. Turning his horse about, they ran after him, and seeing
he might escape, one fired his gun at him; the ball struck the limh
of a tree and fell in the mane of his horse. He finally escaped.
French ambition, French aggression, provoked the first war,
in which the followers of William Penn engaged with the aborig-
ines. Whatever other considerations may have moved the
Indians to entertain unfriendly feelings toward the descendants
of a man whose memory they revered; whether loss of confidence
in their integrity or a sense 01 injury, or a wild hope of regaining
their ancestral seats — it is a question whether they would have
followed up these feelings by acts of open hostility, had they not
193
been incited by the insidious representations of the French of
Canada. An alliance with the Indian tribes of the Province, the
latter well knew, would enable them to carry on their military
operations in the Ohio country successfully, and to realize their
scheme of territorial aggrandizement. In this way, then, were
the Delaware Nation and lesser tribes, residing on the Susque-
hanna and to the Eastward, seduced from their allegiance to the
British Crown, and led to inflict much suffering upon the white
settlements, which stretched along the line of the Blue Mountains,
from the Delaware Water Gap to the valley of the Conococheaque,
on the confines of Maryland. The Delawares, too, may have
been influenced by the hope, that after they had won redress from
the English, gained their confidence and their alliance, they
might regain their national independence, and wipe out the
insulting words of Canassatego, spoken to the Fork Delawares,
in July of 1742 : "Let this belt serve to chastise you! You ought to
be taken by the hair of the head and shaken severely, 'till you
recover your senses and become sober. You don't know what
ground you stand on, nor what you are doing. This land that
you claim, is gone through your guts long ago. You know you
are women, and can no more sell land than women. We charge
you to move instantly. We don't give you the liberty to think
about it, for you are women!" In their hostile preparations,
the summer and early autumn passed away, October came, and
no sooner had the first frosts reddened the maples and hardened
the yellow corn in the husk, than the Delawares and their allies
assembled at Nescopeck, painted black for war, and in small
bands moved eastward with murderous intent. The district
which largely composed the "Walking Purchase," became the
scene of the carnival which the savages held with torch and
tomohawk, and its defenceless settlers taken by surprise, harassed
by an unseen foe, shot down at their plows, butchered at their
firesides or hurried away into captivity, for torture or for coveted
ransom, were seized with indescribable fear.
The massacre at the Gnadenhuetten mission, on the evening
of the 24th of November, 1755, was the first intimation to the
inhabitants of the Lehigh Valley, that the savages were at their
doors. The Government moved slowly in devising means for
their protection, and it was the middle of December, before Frank-
lin, who had been persuaded to doff his philosopher's gown for a
military cloak, took charge of the frontiers, and for their protec-
tion, began to build a line of block-houses from the Delaware to
the Susquehanna, and raised a battalion of troops.
On January 7, 1756, Franklin arrived at Bethlehem from
Reading, and was received by Bishop Spangenberg, who informed
him that over four hundred fugitives and seventy Indian converts,
had fled to their town for protection. Eighty of the inhabitants
were divided into a day and night watch, and the changes of the
194
watch and the hours, were indicated by striking the bell. During
Franklin's sojourn of eight days, he inspected the town and
the principal buildings; a dinner was given to him, the musicians
playing some selected pieces ; and he attended the church services
on Sunday. On the nth, Capt. Foulk's company of soldiers
arrived from Allemaengel, and on the 15th, under escort of the
troops, he broke up his headquarters and marched for Fort Allen,
then in the course of erection. Two days later another company
of soldiers arrived to join Frankiln. Later he passed through the
town en route to the capitol, to attend the Assembly.
Within six weeks of the first inroad of the savages, the valley
was almost deserted by the whites, and the Moravian villages
sought out by the fugitives. This condition of affairs reached
its climax in the early winter of 1757; nevertheless, even pending
negotiations for peace with the Indians, there occurred repetitions
of the horrors which had marked the inception of hostilities.
There were three conferences held with them at Easton
alone, in the interval between July of 1756 and August of 1757,
when finally at the latter, a treaty made between Gov. Denny
and the Deleware King Teedyuscung, a peace was confirmed.
Up and down the valley might have been seen" bodies of Indians
going to or returning from the conferences at Easton, with whom
were either Teedyuscung, Tapeuscung, Capt. Newcastle, Tatemy,
Joe Peepy and other chiefs. Provincial troops were to be met
marching to protect the exposed positions, on conveying provisions
and ammunition, under the commands of Captains Trump,
Arndt, Craig, Hay, Wetterhold, Van Etten, Wayne (the father
of Gen. Anthony Wayne of the Revolution) and some few settlers
venturing to their old homes.
In the evening of the 7th of August, 1757, Gov. Denny arrived
at Bethlehem. Declining an invitation to lodge in the town, he
crossed the ferry and passed the night at the Crown Inn. Here he
was serenaded by the musical elements of the town. His next
visit was on the 17th of November, returning from Easton, when
he remained over night in the town, and was entertained with
supper and music. When he departed for his capitol, the trom-
bone band played.
On Sunday, August 9th, 1760, Gov. James Hamilton, with
eight gentlemen came to Bethlehem from Easton, and put up at
the Sun Inn. After attending church and dining, they left for
the capitol. On June 15th, 1762, he again passed through the
town to Easton, where he was to hold a treaty with the Indians,
and several days later was followed by Sir William Johnson, of
New York. In company with Teedyuscung, on the 29th, he
again passed on to Philadelphia. In the meantime General
Napier, a brother of Gen. Amherst and other gentlemen, with
letters of introduction from William Allen, were entertained by
Bishop Spangenberg, visited the houses and mills, and were
present at a funeral.
195
Full four years of tranquility passed to the summer of 1763,
when the Indians of the western country conspired under Pontiac,
the Ottawa, in a mighty effort to reclaim their ancestral seats
from the English. This movement on the part of the western
tribes, awakened memories of old wrongs in the bosoms of the
Indians, east of the AUeghenies, and they unburied the hatchet.
It was feared that the horrors of the autumn of 1755 would be
re-enacted. Once more in its history, the settlers of the valley
prepared for defence. Before daybreak on the morning of
October 8th, some Delaware warriors struck fatal blows at Sten-
ton's in Allen township, killing eight persons; plundered Andrew
Hazlett's farm house and tomahawked his wife and two children;
fired Philip Kratzer's barn; waded the Lehigh, at the so-called
Indian Falls, above Siegfried's Bridge, and in Egypt of Whitehall,
murdered and burned at Mickley's, Schneider's and Marx's.
At Stenton's, Capt. Jacob Wetterhold, with a squad of men,
were lodging for the night. Meeting the wife of James Horner,
who was on her way to a neighbor for coals to light her morning's
fire, the Indians, fearing she might raise an alarm, despatched her
with their tomahawks. Thereupon they surrounded Stenton's.
No sooner had Capt. Wetterhold 's servant stepped out of the
house, to saddle the Captain's horse, than he was shot down. The
report brought his master to the door, when he received a fatal
wound. Sergeant McGuire, in his attempt to draw him in, was
also dangerously wounded. Thereupon the Lieutenant advanced.*
He was confronted by an Indian, who, leaping upon the bodies
of the fallen men, presented a pistol, which the lieutenant thrust
aside as it was being discharged — thus escaping with his life, and
succeeding also in expelling the savage. The Indians now took a
position at a window, and there shotStenton as he was rising from
his bed. Rushing from the house, the wounded man ran for a
mile and dropped down a corpse. His wife and two children,
meanwhile, had secreted themselves in the cellar, where they
were fired upon three times, but without being struck. Capt.
Wetterhold, despite his sufferings, dragged himself to a window,
through which he shot one of the savages in the act of applying
a torch to the house. Taking up the body of their comrade, the
Indians withdrew.
When the news reached Bethlehem, a relief party was sent
to carry in the wounded, and Capt. Wetterhold was taken to
the Crown Inn, where he breathed his last on the 9th, and the fol-
lowing day was buried in the graveyard nearby. The other dead,
and those who died of their wounds, were buried at the Burnside
Plantation near Bethlehem. Dr. John M. Otto professionally
attended to them. This bold foray struck terror, as well it might,
into the neighborhood, and the Moravians made arrangements
immediately for the care of the refugees from Allen and Lehigh
townships. On October i8th, news reached the town of the
196
massacre at Wyoming, and word was sent to the Irish settlement
to be on their guard.
One month later, about one o'clock at night, the Bethlehem
Oil Mill, on the Manocacy, began to burn furiously, before it was
noticed, notwithstanding, the night watch a short time before had
passed by. This fact, added to the fear of Indians being about,
who sought by this means to profit in their evil designs, increased
the excitement. "A part of our men," continue the chronicles
of the town, "hurried there to put out the flames, another party
patrolled in and about the town. The mill, however, was so
totally wrapped in flames, that all quenching was in vain, and
attention was turned to saving the adjacent new water-works,
which at one time was on fire. A strong northeast wind, kept
the fire from the town, which otherwise might have suffered very
much."*
Two days later a fire engine was received from England. It
was late in December, before the last of the fugitives left for their
homes.
* Two months prior to the fire, Judge Lewis Weiss of Philadelphia, wrote to the
pastor at Bethlehem: " In case Bethlehem should be attacked, I hope great care will
be taken of the mills and water works; if the Indians should destroy them, you must
all starve for want of water."
Revolutionary Patriots of Allentown
and Vicinity.
By Charles R. Roberts, -
Allentown and that part of old Northampton county which
now constitutes Lehigh county furnished a large number of
soldiers in the Revolutionary War, as well as its quota of officers
and officials. Taking first those who occupied high official posi-
tions, we find that Allentown had two such, Peter Rhoads
and David Deshler.
Peter Rhoads.
Peter Rhoads occupied important positions from the begin-
ning of the Revolution until his death. Born in Whitehall town-
ship in April, 1737, two miles north of the present city of Allen-
town, the son of Daniel Roth, a native of Switzerland, he was
educated among the Quakers, by whom he was persuaded to
change the spelling of his name to Rhoads. He received a good
English education, and was equally as well read in German, besides
acquiring a knowledge of French, Latin, surveying, book-keeping
and those duties pertaining to the scrivener of that day. He also
learned the trade of a tailor, as it was customary among the
Quakers to teach the young men useful occupations.
In 1 761 he returned to his native township, Whitehall, and
the following year, on November 23, 1762, was married to Sabina
Kohler, daughter of Jacob Kohler, of Egypt. In 1 763, he occupied
his new stone dwelling house in Allentown, which had just been
completed, and which still stands on North Seventh Street. Upon
the organization of Zion's Reformed congregation in that year,
he was chosen one of the deacons. Already in 1 768 he conducted
a general store, which he maintained until his death. In 1772,
he was tax collector of Salisbury township, and in 1773 was
treasurer of Zion's Reformed congregation.
The Provincial Conference of Committees having resolved
that it was necessary that a provincial convention be called for
the express purpose of forming a new government in the province,
on the authority of the people only, at an election held at Allen-
town on July 8th, 1776, at which John Gerhart, David Deshler
198
and George Breinig were the judges of election, Peter Rhoads and
Peter Burkhalter were elected members of the convention.
This convention, which formulated the first constitution of
Pennsylvania, met at the State House in Philadelphia on the
i5th of July, 1776, and was in session until September 28th fol-
lowing. On July 23, 1776, the convention elected the members
of the Council of Safety, consisting of fifteen members from
Philadelphia county, and one from each of the other counties.
Peter Rhoads was elected the member from Northampton county.
The Council of Safety, in session from July 24, 1776 to March 17,
Home of Judge Rhoads on North Seventh Street, AUentown.
1777, was the most important body in the state at that time, and
carried on the executive duties of the government until the
Supreme Executive Council, chosen under the constitution at
the election in February, organized in March, 1777.
On September 3, 1776, the convention constituted all the
members of the Council of Safety Justices of the Peace for the
State. This constitutional convention consisted of the repre-
sentative men of the State — men selected for their ability, patriot-
ism and personal popularity. Benjamin Franklin was elected
its president, and its labors were completed on the 28th of Sep-
tember, 1776, by the adoption of the first State Constitution, which
went into immediate effect, without a vote of the people.
199
On May 2, 1777, Peter Rhoads was appointed by the Board
of War one 0/ the commissioners from Northampton county, to
collect blankets for the continental troops. November 24, 1776,
he was appointed treasurer for the advance money, for North-
ampton county.
In October, 1777, he was elected a member of the Assembly,
which met at Lancaster on October 27th, but did not obtain a
quorum until November 20, 1777, and was re-elected in 1778, 1779
and 1780. On April 2, 1781, he voted in favor of the bill which
was passed abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania. He was appointed
Justice of the Peace, December 4, 1783.
On October 8, 1784, he was appointed and commissioned by
the Supreme Executive Council, President Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas and of General Quarter Sessions for Northampton
county. On October 22nd, 1787, he was chairman of the meeting
at Bethlehem approving the Federal Constitution, and condemn-
ing the acts of the members of the Pennsylvania Assembly
who had withdrawn from that body. He was a member
of the Constitutional Convention of i789-'90, and under
that constitution commissioned an Associate Judge, August
17, 1 791. This position he held continuously in North-
ampton county, until the erection of Lehigh county in 181 2, when
he was appointed Senior Associate Judge in that county, which
position he filled until his death, making a total service on the
bench of thirty years.
In 1 792 an attempt was made by the Allen family to establish
a separate county with Allentown as the county seat, and Judge
Rhoads, who was the agent of the Allen family at Allentown, took
a leading part in the movement, but the effort was unsuccessful.
About 1798, the Lehigh Navigation Company was formed
for the purpose of improving the Lehigh river, and Judge Rhoads
became its President. After expending a large sum of money,
the company abandoned the project. In 181 1, Allentown was
incorporated into a borough, and Judge Rhoads was elected the
first Burgess and re-elected in 1 81 2. He was a man of fine physical
proportions and possessed great energy and activity. Pr. Kgle
in a sketch of him says: "Judge Rhoads was a gentleman of firm
convictions, upright and conscientious and wielded a great influ-
ence in the town and county."
In a letter written September 22, 1814, to Judge Rhoads by
the eminent lawyer, Samuel Sitgreaves, of Easton, the writer
in discussing the depression of the Federalist party says: "I have
become indolent and inert, and must leave the Turmoil of Elections
to younger men who love Bustle, and whose Zeal is not rendered
torpid by Infirmity of Body. I rejoice, my dear Sir, that you,
to whose more advanced age these Observations might still more
reasonably apply, appear to preserve the Zeal of a youthful Spirit
beneath the Frost of Years ; and I wish it were more generally the
200
Case with our veteran Patriots — Altho' I feel the weight of Apathy
heavy on my own Mind, 1 much honor the perennial Vigor of
others — and hope you may long live to infuse your Ardour into
the refractory Spirits about you."
Judge Rhoads died at his residence in this city on Sunday
evening, December i8, 1814, at nine o'clock, at the age of 77 years
and 8 months. He was buried the following Wednesday, in the
cemetery at Tenth and Linden Streets, but I regret to say, no
trace of his grave can now be found. The Friedensbote of Decem-
ber 29, 1 81 4, contains a notice of his death, and after stating that
he had served the public in an uninterrupted succession of offices
from the beginning of the Revolution, with untired zeal, and that
he had preserved his intellectual faculties up to the last instant,
adds: "In the fullness of his heart, one of his fellow citizens pays
this tribute to him," which I can not refrain from quoting in the
German in which it is written, on account of the beauty of the
poem.
"Ein Kleinod ist von eurem Haupt genommen,
Ein ehrenwerther Vater, Bruder, Freund,
Der es so herzlich gut und treu gemeint;
Doch that's der Herr — von dem ihr ihn bekommen,
Und was er thut, es ist alles wohl bedacht —
Ja unvergleichlich gut und shoen gemacht.
Ehrwuerdiger Greis! nim ruhe an den Herzen,
Das dort am Kreuz der Speer fuer dich durch stach —
Das ueber dich so goettlich liebreich brach;
An dem du hier vergaszet Noth und Schmerzen;
Empfange nun die schoene Ehren-Kron,
Als den fuer deinen Fleisz versprochenen Gnaden-Lohn.
Indesz bleibst du wahrhaftig bei uns alien,
Die dich gekannt, verehret und geliebt,
Und die dein abruf jetzt gar sehr betruebt
So lange wlr im Thraenen-Thale wallen,
. Tief eingedrueckt; wir denken dankvoll dran,
Wie viele Treue du an uns gethan."
David Deshler.
David Deshler, the son of Adam Deshler, was born in Switz-
erland, in 1734. His father was one of the early settlers of White-
hall township, where he became quite prominent. David, his
eldest son, who was naturalized April 10, 1761, purchased the
mill property on the Little Lehigh from Michael Rothrock in 1762
and was one of the first settlers of Allentown. In 1762 he was
taxed ^9, and in 1768 for a grist mill and a saw mill and fifty acres
of land in Salisbury township. He was a member of the Com-
mittee of Observation, which was chosen December 21, 1774, and
20I
was a delegate from Northampton county to the Provincial
Conference of Committees, which met in Carpenters' Hall, Phila-
delphia, on June i8, 1776. He was chosen by this conference as
one of the judges of election for members of the convention, on
July 8, 1776, at Allentown, where the second election district,
consisting of Northampton, Salsburg, Upper Saucon, Upper
Milford, Macungie, Weisenberg, Lynn, Whitehall and Heidelburg
held its election.
On March 12, 1777, he was elected by the Assembly one of
the four Sub-Lieutenants of Northampton county.
In his account, filed September 4, 1779, he reports having
received ^4,818 17 s. 9 p., from sundry persons for non-perform-
ance of militia duty. He was appointed one of the Commissioners
of Purchases for Northampton county on February 19, 1778, and
on July 7, 1780, Assistant Commissary of Purchases. He was a
delegate to the convention called to ratify the Federal Consti-
tution in 1787.
Mr. Deshler was a man of great ability and much force of
character. In 1782, he purchased from John Benezet of Philadel-
phia, the house built by George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence, with the land belonging to the plantation, which
Mr. Taylor had sold to Mr. Benezet in 1776. Here he spent the
latter part of his life. When slavery was abolished in the state,
Mr. Deshler owned two negroes. He was one of the wealthiest
men of his time in the county and in his will bequeathed each of
his six daughters ^^500, his son David ;/Ji,ooo, and his tanyard
and bark-mill to his son George, having already given his portion
to his son John Adam.
He died in December, 1796, at the age of 62 years, at Biery's
Bridge, now Catasauqua, a large part of the borough of Catasauqua
occupying what was then his farm. The location of his grave is
unknown to the writer, although it is probable that he was buried
at Shoenersville.
Peter Burkh alter.
Peter Burkhalter, the son of Ulrich Burkhalter, was born
December 2, 1731, and accompanied his parents to America from
Switzerland, arriving at Philadelphia on September 28, i733-
The family settled in Whitehall township, where the father pur-
chased a tract of 300 acres in 1743, which he conveyed by deed of
gift, to his only son, Peter, on March 9, i754-' Peter Burkhalter
was naturalized on April 10, 176 1. He married Eve Catherine
Deshler, a daughter of Adam Deshler.
On July 8, 1776, Mr. Burkhalter was elected a member of
the Constitutional Convention, which met on July 15, 1776, and
in November of that year was elected a member of the first
Assembly under that constitution, whch organized on November
202
28, 1776, he being the only member from that portion of North-
ampton county which now constitutes Lehigh county. He was
re-elected in 1777, and again elected in 1784, 1785 and 1786. On
March 30, 1 780, he was appointed one of the Sub-Lieutenants of
Northampton county. His name also appears as captain of a
company of associators on May 22, 1775.
He died October 22, 1805, and is buried at Egypt church.
Peter Kohler.
Peter Kohler, the son of Jacob Kohler, a pioneer settler of
Whitehall township, was born April 2, 1735, at Egypt. The first
mention of him in active life is in 1 764, when he opened a store
at Egypt. He operated the grist mill built by his father and also
kept a house of entertainment for travelers.
Mr. Kohler was appointed by the Pennsylvania Assembly on
December 16, 1777, one of the persons to take subscriptions for
the Continental loan in Northampton county, and was also one
of a committee to collect clothing. He was commissioned one of
the Justices for Northampton county on May 28, 1779, and was
elected to the Assembly in 1780, 1781 and 1782. He died Sep-
tember 27, 1793, a-iid is buried at Egypt.
Stephen Balliet.
Stephen Balliet, the son of Paul Balliet, was born in 1753.
He married Magdalena Burkhalter, a daughter of Peter Burk-
halter. He became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Revolution, his
name appearing as such in a return of the officers of the Second
Battalion of Northampton county militia, dated May 21, 1777.
Under dates of June i, 1780 and November i, 1781, his name
appears as Lieutenant Colonel of the First Battalion.
In the Journals of the Assembly, under date of December 14,
1780, appears the following: "A petition from Stephen Balliet,
Lieutenant Colonel of the First Battalion of Militia in the county
of Northampton, was read stating that in the month of August,
1778, he inlisted twenty men to serve in the militia on the frontiers
of the said county, at his private expense, and representing certain
difficulties he meets with in obtaining re-payment of the monies
so expended; and praying relief from the house, etc., was ordered
to lie on the table for consideration." On February 13, 1781, the
petition was referred to the Supreme Executive Council.
In October, 1783, Col. Balliet was elected a member of the
Supreme Executive Council; in 1789, a member of the Assembly;
and in 1797 was appointed Revenue Collector for the Second
District of Pennsylvania. He died August 4, 1821, and is buried
in the old graveyard at Unionville.
203
George Breinig.
A Revolutionary officer who has not received mention of his
services in any of our histories was George Breinig. A native of
Germany, where he was born January 31, 1733, he settled in
Macungie township, having emigrated to America in 1 749.
He was one of the judges of election at Allentown, on July 8,
1776, and became Colonel of the Second Battalion of Northampton
County Militia, consisting of eight companies, his name appearing
in muster rolls dated May 21, 1777, and May 14, 1778. In 1786,
he was commissioned a justice of the district of Macungie and
Weisenberg townships.
He died May 12, 181 2, and is buried at Lehigh church.
Peter Trexler.
Peter Trexler, Jr., son of Peter Trexler, one of the first Com-
missioners of Northampton county and a Colonial Justice, and
grandson of Peter Trexler, the pioneer settler of Macungie town-
ship, was born August 15, 1748. On May 21, 1777, he was captain
of the fifth company of Col. Breinig's Second Battalion of Militia;
on November i, 1781, Major of the First Battalion, under Lieut.
Col. Balliet; and on May 6, 1783, was chosen Lieutenant Colonel
in the militia battalion district of Whitehall, Macungie and Upper
Milford township. The several persons chosen Lieutenant
Colonels met at the house of Joseph Hartzell, Esq., on May 14,
1783 and cast lots for rank of the battalions, and the third bat-
talion fell to the lot of Lieut. Col. Trexler. He died March 13,
1828, and is buried at Mertztown.
George Graff.
George Graff, born at Killendorf, Alsace, October 11, 1747,
emigrated to America with his father, Jacob Graff, in 1 754. The
family settled in Whitehall township, where the subject of this
sketch had a narrow escape from death by Indians on October 8,
1763. George Graff married Barbara, daughter of Jacob Kohler,
and in 1772 entered into partnership with his brother-in-law
Peter Kohler, at Egypt. In 1773, Mr. Graff removed to Allentown
and opened a store at Eighth and Hamilton Streets.
In June, 1776, he became Captain of the third company of
the First Battalion of the Flying Camp, which was commanded
on June 18, 1 777, by Col. George Huebner. He was a commissioner
for purchasing clothing in Northampton county in 1778; was
elected Collector of the Excise on November 27, 1778, serving as
such until January 9, 1786; was sheriff of the county from 1787
to 1790; and a member of the Assembly from 1793 to 1796. In
1 814 he was Burgess of Allentown.
Mr. Graff died February 2, 1835, aged 87 years, and is buried
in the old Allentown Cemetery.
204
Henry Hagenbuch.
Henry Hagenbuch, who was Captain of a company of the
Second Battalion of the Flying Camp, on August 6, 1776, was
born in 1738. He kept a hotel at Allentown for many years, and
died here April 20, 1805. His tombstone is still to be seen in
the old Allentown cemetery.
CharIvES Deshler.
Charles Deshler, born September 10, 1754, was Quarter-
master of the Fourth Battalion of Northampton County Militia,
under the command of Lieut. Col. Boehm. He was a storekeeper
here for many years and a prominent citizen. He died February
4, 1 84 1, and is buried in Union Cemetery.
Other officers who served in the Revolution, were: Col. Henry
Geiger, Maj. Michael Schneider, Maj. Frederick Limbach and
Lieut. Abraham Woodring, who may be made the subject of
future sketches, as well as the many private soldiers, whom time
does not permit us to mention.
The Mayors of Allentown.
By Wm. L. Hartman.
Allentown has been served by fifteen Mayors in the forty
years of its corporate history. Created a city by act of the State
Legislature, approved by Governor John W. Geary, March 12,
1867, its first Mayor was Samuel McHose. He was elected on the
third Friday of March, 1867, over Robert E. Wright, Sr., by a
vote of 974 to 881. Mr. McHose at the time of his election was
president of the Borough Council. He was born in Northampton
County, February 15, 1816, a son of Isaac and EHzabeth (Lau-
bach) McHose, and when he was four years old his parents moved to
Rittersville, in this county. He became a mason and a contractor
in stone and brick. As such he assisted in the construction of
the first successful anthracite blast furnace, built by David Thomas
at Catasauqua in 1839. In 1846, he built the Allentown Iran
Works. Mr. McHose built nearly every blast furnace and rolling
mill in the Lehigh Valley, in the earlier days of the iron industry
and in 1854, with Oliver Ritter he engaged in the fire brick business
in this city. He also started the Lehigh Valley Fire Brick Works
at Catasauqua, with David Thomas and Oliver Ritter. Mr.
McHose moved to Allentown in 1856. He built the beautiful
home at 448 Hamilton Street. The Jay Cooke panic of 1873,
which nearly completely prostrated the iron industry in the Lehigh
Valley, dealing blows from which some of the companies never
recovered, played havoc with Mr. McHose 's fortunes and there-
after to the day of his death he lived a retired life. In his early
life, Mr. McHose was a democrat and h,e cast his first Presidential
vote for Martin Van Buren in 1841. Later he became a. Whig
and on the disintegration of that party ,[he joined the republicans.
As a republican he was twice a delegate to National conventions
in which he voted for Lincoln and Grant. Mr. McHose served in
Borough Council, 1858 and 1859 and again in 1865 and 1866.
From 1884 to 1886 he was a Select Councilman and was elecetd
President of the body. He was one of the chief members of the
unique Rotunda Association. Mr. McHose was the father of
eleven children. He died April 21, 1893, at the age of 77 years.
Samuel McHose
Col. Tilghman H. Good.
Theodore C. Yeager, M. D. Herman Schuon.
Mayors of Allkntown.
207
Coiv. TiivGHMAN H. Good.
At the election in 1869, Col. Tilghman H. Good defeated for
Mayor, George Beisel, who had been chief of the borough's Fire
Department. The vote was 1155 to 935. At the same election
the people voted by 920 to 670 to buy the water works from the
company that had owned and operated them. Col. Good was
born in South Whitehall township, October 6, 1830, a son of
James and Mary Good, his mother having been a daughter of
Rev. Abraham Blumer, who while pastor of Zion's Reformed
church, concealed the Liberty Bell and the Christ church bells
under the chancel floor to save them from falling into British
hands when Lord Howe's forces occupied Philadelphia. Col.
Good was a shoemaker by trade. He lived in Philadelphia two
years and came to AUentown in 1849, as landlord of the Allen House
which he conducted four years. From 1855 to 1859 he was
Paying Teller of the AUentown National Bank, then a State
institution. In 1849, Col. Good became Captain of the Allen
Rifles and when the Civil War broke out, he and his company
volunteered in April, 1861, and were assigned as Co. I, First Pa.
Regt., under Col. S. S. Yohe, and with Good as Lieutenant Colonel.
When this term expired. Col. Good organized the 47th Regt.,
P. v., which he commanded until the expiration of his enlistment,
September 24, 1864. They had their baptism of fire at Pocotaligo,
S.C, October 22, 1862, where Col. Good commanded a brigade.
Col. Good and his men were located long at Key West, Florida,
served under General N. T. Banks in the Red River campaign in
Louisiana and were then transported to the Shenandoah Valley
for service under Sheridan. In 1865, Col. Good took charge of the
American Hotel and in 1869, engaged in the real estate, banking
and insurance business. From 1 879 to 1 885 he ran the Allen House
again, and then opened the Fountain House, which proved unsuc-
cessful. Thereafter he moved to Reading where he conducted
the Grand Central until his death, July 18, 1887. In 1870 he
became Captain of the Allen Rifles again under the State's militia
organization, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourth
Regiment in 1874, to Colonel in 1875 and was re-elected in 1880.
He commanded the regiment during the bloody railroad riots
at Reading in July, 1877. Col. Good was an active Mason and
Knight Templar. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature.
He tried five times for Mayor of AUentown and was elected three
times. In 1871 he won over Herman Schuon by a majority of 59.
Dr. Theodore Conrad Yeager won over Col. Good in 1873 by 1470
to 1432. In 1874, Col. Good won again over Herman Schuon.
The vote was 1489 to 1365. At his fifth and last appearance
as a candidate for Mayor in 1876, Col. Good lost to Col. E. B.
Young by 1594 to 15 16, one vote being cast for John Bowen.
208
Dr. T. C. Yeager.
Dr. Theodore Conrad Yeager, who was chosen Mayor in 1873,
was born April i, 1828, and died in office, January 14, 1874. He
was a son of Rev. Joshua Yeager and a grandson of Rev. Johann
Conrad Yeager, whose pastorates of Lutheran charges in and
near AUentown, continued 92 years. Dr. Yeager became a
jeweler under Joseph Weiss. He was educated at the AUentown
Academy and AUentown Seminary, studied medicine with Dr.
Charles h. Martin, began practicing in i860, engaged in the drug
business with Dr. W. E. Barnes, was assistant Medical Inspector
of Lehigh county in 1862, assistant Surgeon of the 51st Regt.
in 1863, Professor of Chemistry and Botany at Muhlenberg
College and Deputy Revenue Collector under President Grant.
Herman Schuon.
Dr. Yeager having died in office, Herman Schuon, President
of Select Council, became Mayor ex-officio and served to the end
of the fiscal year. Mr. Schuon is AUentown 's oldest living ex-
mayor. He was born in Wurtemberg, February 22, 1835, and came
to America in 1854. After a short stay in Philadelphia he came to
AUentown as bartender for John G. Schimpf, whose daughter he
married later, succeeding to the business. Mr. Schuon conducted
the Lehigh and Jordan Hotels and then engaged in the grocery
business. He was timekeeper when Capt. James B. Hamersly
was Street Commissioner. He was one of the founders of the
Lehigh Saengerbund, 49 years ago, was an early Barger Lodge
Mason and was on the committee of the Allen Fire Co., No. 7,
that bought the first Amoskeag fire engine for AUentown. Mr.
Schuon served one term in Common Council and two terms in
Select Council.
Col. E. B. Young.
Col. Edward B. Young was Mayor from 1876 to 1878. He
was a son of Joseph and Hannah (Blumer) Young and a grandson
of Christian and Catharine Young and was born in AUentown,
September 6, 1 836. He spent three years at Belief onte, learning the
watchmaking trade. He entered the hardware firm of Barber,
Young & Co., in i860, continuing to his death December 30, 1879.
Col. Young was a lineal descendant of John Jacob Mickley, who
hauled the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to AUentown, and of
Rev. Abraham Blumer, who concealed it from the British in his
church in this city. He was Second Lieutenant of Co. H, 27th
Regt., in 1863. He served on the staffs of Governors Hartranft
and Hoyt. He represented Lehigh county in Republican State
Conventions and in the Hayes National Convention at Cincinnati
in 1876. Col. Young was an active member of the Columbia
Fire Co., No. 4, and served as its Treasurer. Before his elevation
209
to the mayoralty he was a Select Councilman. He was a 32°
Mason. Col. Young was one of the organizers and the first com-
mander of G. A. R. Post, No. 87, now bearing his name, and he
was at one time a member of the Council of Administration of
the State. He served Lehigh county as a Prison Inspector.
During Col. Young's administration occurred the wave of labor
riots in Pennsylvania, which was felt in Allentown, however,
only in one brief demonstration, which Mayor Young promptly
quelled. It was during his term that AUentown's street market,
now a thing of the past, was established.
Dr. Alfred J. Martin.
At the election of 1878, Dr. Alfred J. Martin was elected
Mayor by 1471 votes to 11 99 for Daniel G. Gerhart and 200 for
J. J. Buchmiller. He was of a long and distinguished line of
physicians in Lehigh county, representatives of which are still
engaged in active practice in the city. He was descended from
Dr. Christian Frederick Martin, who came to America from Ger-
many with the pioneer Lutheran clergyman, Henry Melchior
Muhlenberg, and located at the Trappe. Dr. Martin was a son
of Dr. Tilghman H. and Mary A. Martin and was born March 23,
1837. He took his degree at the University of Pennsylvania in
1857. Dr. Martin was a member of the County, Valley and State
Medical Societies. He was Prison Physician, Coroner's Physician,
a director of the Allentown National Bank, a Trustee of St. Luke's
Hospital at South Bethlehem, a founder of the Livingston Club
and a Democratic candidate for Presidential elector in 1880.
Dr. Martin died December 8, 1896. Because of the hard times,' a
wave of economy swept over Allentown during his mayoralty
and the number of policemen was reduced from twelve to eight.
In 1879 the city discontinued the use of coal gas for street
lights and adopted naphtha.
Dr. K. G. Martin.
Dr Edwin G. Martin, cousin of the above, was elected Mayor
twice. He was chosen in 1880 by a vote of 1684 to 1578 for
Frederick A. Ruhe and 1 1 for W. Berkemeyer. He was re-elected
in 1882, when he received 1899 votes to 1783 for Lewis F. Schmidt.
Dr. Martin was born October 3, 1836, and died August 30, 1893.
He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856 and
besides the active practice of medicine he was prominent in many
local enterprises. He was coroner from i860 to 1862. In 1863
he was surgeon of the 27th Regt. and later was surgeon of the 4th
Regt., N. G. Pa. He was the first President of the Lehigh Valley
Trust and Safe Deposit Co. and served from the time of its organ-
ization in 1886 to his death. He was President of the Board of
Trade, a Trustee of Muhlenberg College, a trustee of the Allentown
Col. Edaaku B. Young.
Alfred J. Martin. M. D.
Edwin G. Martin, M. D. Edward 3. Shimer.
Mayors of Allentown.
211
College for Women, one of the first trustees and the first secretary
of the Board of the State Insane Asylum at Norristown, was a
Prison Inspector and a founder of the Livingston Club. He con-
ducted a drug store, was in the Jordan Manufacturing Co., Allen-
town and Coopersburg Turnpike Co., Allentown and Bethlehem
Turnpike Co., Lehigh Telegraph Co., was a director of the Allen-
town National Bank, was a founder of the Free Library Association
and was at one time, President of the former Washington Fire Co.
He was a member of the County, Valley and State Medical Societies
and was the first President of the Lehigh Valley Society. During
Dr. Martin's incumbency the Adelaide Silk Mill was secured for
this city, which marked a new era in the city's industrial develop-
ment. Dr. Martin was the only Allentonian ever elected Grand
Commander of the Knights Templar of Pennsylvaniaa.
E. S. Shimkr.
Edward S. Shimer was elected Mayor in 1884, receiving 2004
votes to 1820 for W. K. Ruhe. Mr. Shimer was descended in the
sixth generation from Daniel Shimer who emigrated from Germany
and settled in Northampton county. Two villages in the adjoin-
ing counties of Lehigh and Northampton bear the family name.
Mr. Shimer was one of the t^n children of Charles and Anna
(Schantz) Shimer and was born July 13, 1832. He clerked at
stores in Emau^ and Shimersville and came to Allentown when
seventeen years old to become a clerk in the store of Grim & Ren-
inger, becoming a partner five years later when the firm name
was changed to Reninger & Shimer. In 1879 the name was
changed to E. S. Shimer & Co. In 1895 he founded the carpet
house of Shimer & Co. Later he opened a real estate and insurance
office. Mr. Shimer was a director of the Millerstown Bank and
Millerstown Iron Co., a director of the Allen Fire Insurance Co.,
and a Trustee of Muhlenberg College, from its founding in 1867
to his death, March 13, 1902. In 1894 he contested with Harry
G. Stiles for the State Senatorship but lost, the vote being 8491
to 8124. In 1897 he tried for the Aldermanship of the fifth ward.
It was a contest among three candidates and Allen W. Haines
won by 228 votes to 156 for Mr. Shimer and 145 for John W. Sepp.
While Mr. Shimer was Mayor, the electric fire alarm system was
introduced in this city.
W. K. RuHE.
At the election of 1886, Werner K. Ruhe was chosen Mayor
over Alexander J. Zellner. The vote was 1967 to 1888. Mr.
Ruhe was a son of Augustus L. and Addie L. Ruhe and was born in
1843. He died February 6, 1904. He learned the printing trade
under his father in the office of the Allentown Democrat, entering
in July, 1859. In June, 1865, he purchased his father's interest
Werner K. Ruhe.
Ml
Henry W. Allison.
Col. Samuel D. Lehr. Fred E. Lewis.
Mayors of Allentown,
213
in the paper and continued a partner with C. Frank Haines. He
was a director of the Allentown National Bank and the Allen
Fire Insurance Co. and was President of the Allentown Hardware
Works. Mr. Ruhe was an active member of the Columbia Fire Co. ,
was long its Treasurer, served on the committee which on Novem-
ber 24, 1864, bought the Columbia Fire engine, and on March
16, 1872, was elected Chief of the Fire Department over Charles
Mertz by a vote of 210 to 185. Mr. Ruhe served twice in emer-
gencies during the Civil War in the 5th and 41st Regiments.
While Mayor the garbage removal system was established in
Allentown and he made the first recommendation for the purchase
of the Fountain House property for water works purposes, and
while Chief he made the first recommendation for the procurement
of a Hook and Ladder Truck. January 4, 1887, the electric light
service was established on Hamilton St., and in September fol-
lowing 75 electric lights were put to use on the city streets.
H. W. A1.1.ISON.
Henry W. Allison was elected Mayor twice and was defeated
once. At the election of 1888, Mr. Allison won over Dr. W. H.
Hartzell by a vote of 2402 to 2163. In 1893 he was successful
again. The vote was 2802 to 2574 for Dr. H. H. Herbst and 58
for T. P. Peters. In 1899, Mr. Allison lost to Capt. James L.
Schaadt, the vote being 3851 to 3102. Mr. Allison was a native
of Kentucky and was born at Catlettsburg, in that State, July 8,
1846. His ancestors were early settlers of Pennsylvania. His
father was born at Catawissa and his mother at Muncy. They
moved west after their marriage and settled at Catlettsburg, which
was then an important trading post. His father was in the char-
coal iron business. Mr. Allison started in the iron business in
his native state in 1861, and in 1866 went to Hazleton where he
was connected for nine years with A. A. Pardee & Co., coal opera-
tors. In 1875 he came to Allentown as general manager of the
Allentown Rolling Mills which position he has filled continuously
to this day. He was active in the Board of Trade and was a
founder and the first President of the Livingston Club. As
Mayor, Mr. Allison made the first appointment of the Chief of
the Fire Department. In 1893 all street lighting was changed
to electricity. It was during Mr. Allison's term in 1889, that
the railroads built their lines through the city and established
their stations on Hamilton Street at opposite ends, of the Jordan
bridge.
Col. S. D. Lehr.
Col. Samuel D. Lehr was elected Mayor over Wm. F. Yeager
in 1890 by a vote of 2473 to 2234. He was born in Allentown,
May 30, 1838. In his boyhood days he worked in the brickyard
of Dr. Jesse Samuels and later took employment under the same
214
as a civil engineer. He helped to lay out the lines of the Lehigh
Valley Railroad between Allentown and Easton and the Allentown
and Auburn Railroad between this city and Port Clinton. One
of his associates on the latter was George B. Roberts, later President
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He also assisted in laying out the
Ironton Railroad and the East Penn Railroad. From November 7,
1862, to August 18, 1863, he was captain of Co. B., 176th Regt. P. V.,
during which time he served at Charleston and Hilton Head, S. C.
In 1864 he was a recruiting agent in West Virginia, Washington
and Norfolk. Col. Lehr entered the service of G. A. Aschbach
as an engineer in 1865 and in 1868 formed a partnership with
R. R. Emery, which continued three years. From 1869 to 1889
he was City Engineer of Allentown. Col. Lehr then opened a
civil engineering office and in 1894 had J. Howard Martz as a
partner, and later A. W. Leh was admitted to the firm. Since
July 22, 1 901, the firm has been Lehr & Bascom. One of Col.
Lehr's most praiseworthy works has been the preparation of a
title map of the city tracing the ownership of all property through
successive stages to the Wm. Allen grants. Col. Lehr served in
City Councils from 1897 to 1901. He is President of the Penn-
sylvania Loan and Building Association, and a member of E. B.
Young Post, No. 87., G. A. R. In 1869 he organized the Allen Con-
tinentals, later Co. B., 4th Regt. N. G. Pa., and served as captain
until elected major, December 2, 1875. Resigning January 11, 1876,
he took up the captaincy again and commanded his company at
the Reading riots. He was elected colonel of the 4th Regt., Oct.
29, 1885, and served five years, being in command at the camps in
this city in 1886 and at Slatington in 1888. When Col. Lehr
tried for the nomination as a Democratic candidate for Mayor,
it took thirty ballets to make the choice, the other candidates
being James F. Gallagher, Wm. R. Henninger, W. K. Ruhe, A.
D. Dresher and J. S. Dillinger. While he was Mayor, in 1890, the
trolley made its debut in Allentown.
Frkd E. Lewis.
The Mayoralty elections of 1896 and 1902 proved successful
for Fred E. Lewis. In 1896 he had 3301 votes to 3036 for ex-con-
gressman Wm. H. Sowden and 133 for F. D. Graffin. The vote
in 1902 was: F. E. Lewis 4594, H. E. Crilly, 3986 and J. D.
Kistler, 40. Mr. Lewis was a grandson of Samuel Lewis, Sr.,
one of the pioneers of the iron industry in eastern Pennsylvania
and a founder of the Allentown Iron Works with which his father
Samuel B. Lewis was also identified. Mr. Lewis was born in this
city, February 8, 1864. He studied in the public schools here, at
New Haven, Conn., and in Muhlenberg College, where he nearly
completed his Junior year. Then he entered the law office of R. E.
Wright & Son and was admitted to the bar, February 8, 1888. He
was one of the organizers of the Lehigh Telephone Co., Keystone
215 '
Cement Block Co., Allentown Sand & Coal Co., Allentown and
So. Allentown Bridge Co. and has been President of the Merchants
National Bank since it was opened March 30, 1904. He was at
one time President of the Board of Trade and is an active member
of the Good Will Fire Co., No. 3. He is at present President of
the Clover Club. He has served on the Executive Committee
of the State Firemen's Association. In 1902 Mr. Lewis
aspired to the Republican nomination of Lieutenant Gov-
ernor of the State, but when the nomination for Governor came
to the adjoining county of Montgomery a Western Pennsylvanian
was named. In 1906 his name was again brought forward but
Mr. Lewis withdrew it before the convention met. The Central
Fire and Police Station was built in 1896 during Mr. Lewis' term,
the Pioneer Fire Co. was admitted in 1898 and the Schantz's
Spring property was purchased in 1897.
Captain James L. Schaadt.
Allentown's thirteenth Mayor, Capt. James L. Schaadt, was
born in North Whitehall township, December 21, 1856, a son of
Capt. David Schaadt. He was graduated from Muhlenberg College
with second honor in 1874 ^^^ studied law with Thomas B.
Metzgar, being admitted to the bar April 10, 1878. He was
County Solicitor from 1888 to 1891, District Attorney from 1892
to 1895 and chairman of the Democratic County Committee for
three years. Mr. Schaadt is an active member of the Liberty
Fire Co. He became a National Guardsman, June 21, 1878, as a
private in Co. D., 4th Regt. and was promoted to Sergeant. He
re-enlisted. May 20, 1884, in Co. B as a private, became company
clerk, regimental clerk and corporal. June 17, 1889, he was com-
missioned quartermaster of the regiment. Dec. 29, 1890, he was
elected Captain of Co. B. and served five years, declining a re-elec-
tion. He commanded his company at the Homestead riots in
1892. While Mr. Schaadt was Mayor, the soldiers' monument
was erected on Centre Square in 1899. The city purchased the
Holly pump. Asphalting of the streets was started in 1900.
Many storm water sewers were built, the Allentown Hospital
was opened, the ambulance service was established, a steam road
roller was purchased, the Lehigh Telephone Co. was organized,
the garbage crematory begun, new houses built for the Pioneer,
Franklin, Hibernia and Allen Fire companies, and the Liberty's
house rebuilt and enlarged.
Dr. a. J. Yost.
The election of 1905 resulted favorably to Dr. Alfred J. Yost,
who received 4975 votes to 3571 for Dr. V. H. Wieand, 97 for
J. D. Kistler and one for J. Taylor Roth. Dr. Yost was born
August 13, 1870, at So. Bethlehem, the son of^Dr. Martin L. Yost,
Capt. James L. Schaadt.
Alfred J. Yost, M. D.
C. D. ScHAEFFER. M. D. Harry G. Stiles.
Mayors of Allentown.
217
who was a son of John Yost and who met a tragic death, December
3, 1904, when a trolley car struck his carriage as he was making a
professional call. He was graduated from Muhlenberg College
in 1890 and from the University of Pa. in 1893. In the latter
year he was nominated for coroner by a vote of 4123 to 2731 for
James Goheen and 1428 for W. H. Knauss. He was elected by
a plurality of 693 over Dr. W. Niles Powell. He was renominated
in 1906, the vote being, Dr. Yost, 3154, Dr. I. F. Huebner, 2559,
James Goheen 231 1, and Albert Pfeiffer 332. Dr. Yost was
re-elected, having a plurality of 716 over Major James R. Roney.
In 1902 Dr. Yost tried for the Democratic nomination for Mayor
and received forty votes in the convention. Mr. Crilly won with
89 votes. Dr. Yost was nominated for Mayor by acclamation
in 1905, at which time he had just recovered from a severe attack
of pneumonia. This so undermined his health that in September
following his inauguration he was advised to go to Denver, Col.,
where he remained until March 11, 1907, when he returned home
to die, and the end came April i6th, following.
Dr. C. D. Schaeffer.
When the state of Dr. Yost's health demanded that he go
to Colorado, City Councils elected Dr. C. D. Schaeffer as Acting
Mayor. He is a son of David and Elizabeth Schaeffer and was
born in Maxatawny Township, Berks County, November 4, 1864.
He is one of five sons, all of whom are graduates of the Keystone
State Normal School at Kutztown, four are graduates of Franklin
and Marshall College at Lancaster, two of the Reformed Church
Theological Seminary and one. Dr. Schaeffer, of the Medical Depart-
ment of the University of Pa. One of these is Superintendent
of Public Instruction of the State, another is a Professor in the
Reformed Church Theological Seminary, a third is a lawyer at
Reading, a fourth tills the ancestral farm and the fifth is Dr.
Schaeffer. He is an alumnus of F. and M. College, Class of 1886,
and won his M. D. degree in 1889. Locating in Allentown, he
soon achieved more than local reputation as a physician and sur-
geon. He has been President of the Board of Health, is a Director
of the Allentown National Bank and has been a dominant factor
in the Allentown Hospital since its inception in 1898, as a Trustee
and Surgeon-in-Chief. While a medical student, he was one of
the founders of the Agnew Society, and is now a member of the
Lehigh Co. Medical Society, Lehigh Valley Medical Association,
Medical Society of Pa., Mississippi Valley Medical Society, Amer-
ican Medical Association, and the Roentgen Ray Society. Fol-
lowing the death of Dr. Yost, City Councils unanimously elected
Dr. Schaeffer mayor to fill out the unexpired term.
2l8
Harry G. StilES.
Harry Gibons Stiles, Allentown's latest Mayor, assumed his
office on the first Monday of April in this year. He won out at
the Democratic primaries, January 25th, over four competitors
by a Plurality of 120, and was successful at the election, February
1 8th, by a plurality of 778 over former Mayor Fred E. Lewis. Mr.
Stiles is a son of the late John D. Stiles who was a leading lawyer of
the Lehigh County Bar, and who served thrice in Congress. Born
in Allentown, December 16, 1856, Mr. Stiles was graduated from
the local High School, June 30, 1874, studied at Muhlenberg
College and at Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the
bar April 14, 1870. In 1884 he was nominated a Presidential
Elector. He served as District Attorney of Lehigh County during
the three years following 1889. In 1894 he was elected to the
State Senate, and was re-elected four years later. He is an active
member of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, No. 8.
It will thus be seen that Allentown has been signally fortunate
in its mayors. All have been conspicuous and prominent men,
and have contributed to the success, growth and prosperity of
one of the most progressive cities of Pennsylvania.
[Acknowledgment is due H. H. Knerr for the use of the cuts illus-
trating this article.]
Tn mcmoriam.
Frank W. Koch.
We all sadly recall the thrill of horror that swept over Allen-
town on that beautiful Sunday morning of July ist, 1906, when
the cable ticked the sad news of the fatal accident to the steam-
boat train at Salisbury, England, the night before, in which
twenty-three passengers and four trainmen were killed, one of
the former having been our esteemed townsman and fellow
member, Frank W. Koch. Mr. Koch had left AUentown with
his wife and only daughter on June 22nd, sailing the following
day on a tour that was to have continued several months. It
was within a few hours after having landed at Plymouth that
the frightful accident happened, bringing their expected pleasant
trip to an abrupt close and shrouding their home with sorrow.
His body was brought back to this country and laid away amongst
the people who had known, respected and honored him.
Mr. Koch was 55 years of age. He was born at Kuhnsville,
Lehigh County, January 10, 1 85 1 , and came to AUentown at the age
of twenty. He learned the tailoring trade with the firm of H. M.
Leh & Co. March 30, 1876, with the late Wilson Shankweiler,
Mr. Koch engaged in the clothing business on a small scale at
No. 618 Hamilton St. The business prospered, due to their enter-
prise, thrift and careful attention. In 1885 they bought the
Allen House property on Centre Square, razed the old building,
and erected on the site the present beautiful and commodious
Hotel Allen building, a large part of which is occupied by the cloth-
ing establishment which Mr. Koch founded. The building was'
enlarged and beautified several times and the business was
expanded to mammoth proportions. Upon the death of his
business associate, Mr. Koch secured as a partner his brother
Thomas J. Koch, the firm name being changed to Koch Brothers,
as it remains to-day.
Mr. Koch was one of Allentown's wealthiest and most suc-
cessful merchants. He was an active member of the Lutheran
Church and was one of the most liberal contributors to the found-
220
ing of Christ congregation in the western part of the city, which
he also served as an officer. He was also a director of the Allen-
town National Bank, a trustee of Muhlenberg College and of the
Allentown Hospital, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce
and of the Livingston Club. His membership in the Lehigh
County Historical Society dated from May 12, 1906. Mr. Koch
was its first member against whose name was "set the fatal
asterisk of death."
A1.EXANDER S. Shimer.
Alexander Schantz Shimer, who became a member of the
Lehigh County Historical Society May 12, 1906, was a scion of
one of the oldest families in the Lehigh Valley. His father was
Charles B. Shimer and his mother was Hannah Schantz. He
was born August 15, 1840, at Shimersville, Lehigh county, a
village to which an ancestor had given the family name. He
was one of nine children, all of whom attained to maturity, one
of his brothers having served as mayor of Allentown. Mr.
Shimer early entered upon mercantile life, serving as a salesman
at Macungie and then establishing his store at Shimersville. He
moved to Allentown in 1866, when he and a brother founded the
firm of Shimer Brothers. He retired from the business in 1876
to become superintendent of Fisher's pipe foundry, in which he
later became a partner. In 1890 he became a stockholder in the
Donaldson Iron Co. at Kmaus, and when the Lehigh Portland
Cement Co. was incorporated he was one of its founders, serving
also as a director of both. Mr. Shimer's business life was attended
with much success and in his later years he was enabled to enjoy
that gentlemanly leisure that was the fruit of his labor. He was
active in St. John's Lutheran Church. He died October 5, 1906,
leaving a widow.
Henry A. Kline.
Henry A. Kline, the son of Joseph and Anna (Wetherhold)
Kline, was born in Lowhill township, Lehigh county, June 6,
1844. He was the grandson of Jacob and Susanna (Gross) Kline,
the great grandson of Peter and Margaret Klein, and the great-
great-grandson of Philip Wendel Klein, who came to America in
"^744. He attended the public schools at his home and completed
his education at Franklin and Marshall College. He taught in
the public schools of Lehigh, Carbon and Luzerne counties from
i860 to 1 86 1. He was the first instructor to establish a High
School in Lehigh county, at Slatington. From 1881 to 1897 he
was a resident of Wilkes- Barre, where he was instructor in music
and leader of a band and orchestra. A teacher of music for
thirty years, his experience and generosity to less fortunate
persons, enabled him to assist and help them in their musical
221
work, often giving hours of patience and study that have made
young men and young women well known in musical circles.
Mr. Kline married on December 2, 1869, Amanda Isabella,
daughter of Henry and Violetta (Kern) Kuntz, of Slatington,
who survives him, with the following children: Harry J. Kline,
of Philadelphia; Mrs. W/^alter Groves, of Slatington; and Miss A.
Violet Kline. Mr. Kline succumbed to a stroke of apoplexy at
10.30 o'clock on Sunday morning, October 7, 1906. The inter-
ment was made on the following Wednesday, at Slatington.
Mr. Kline was affiliated with the following orders: Free and
Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights
of Pythias, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Patriotic
Order Sons of America, Knights of Malta, serving in 1891 as
Deputy Commander of the latter in Wilkes-Barre and the Royal
Arcanum. He was one of the founders of the Lehigh County
Historical Society, becoming a member at its second meeting on
June 15, 1904, and took a great interest in the work of the society.
In him this society lost a valuable member.
Rev. Frankun J. F. Schantz, D. D.
Rev. Franklin J. F. Schantz, D. D., was born January 8,
1836, at Schantz's Mill, at the head of Cedar Creek, Upper Macun-
gie township, Lehigh county, and was baptized in his infancy
by Rev. Daniel Zeller. He was the son of Jacob Schantz, (born
Nov. 28, 1 791; died June, 1843) a miller, who, like his father,
owned and operated the mill at the head of Cedar Creek, and his
wife Sarah Fogel (born July 25, 1799; died April 25, 1871), the
daughter of Hon. John and Catharine (Stettler) Fogel, of Fogels-
ville; the grandson of Jacob Schantz, born in 1761, who came to
Pennsylvania as a Redemptioner, making his home with Peter
Kohler, at Egypt, where he learned the milling business, and
whose name appears as a private in Captain Zerfass' company
of Colonel Stephen Balliet's battalion in the Revolutionary War,
and his wife Maria Bortz ; and the great-grandson of John Schantz,
who arrived in Pennsylvania on October i, 1770, accompanied by
his four sons.
Dr. Schantz was instructed in his youth in St. Paul's Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, at Allentown, where he was confirmed
October 26, 1851, by Rev. Jeshua Yeager. His early education
was in the public and private schools of the neighborhood, fol-
lowed by an attendance at the Allentown Academy from April,
1848 to 1850, and then at the Allentown Seminary until the fall
of 1853, when he entered, the Junior class of Franklin and Marshall
College at Lancaster, graduating from the same in 1855, and from
the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg on September
15, 1857. He was licensed as a Lutheran minister by the West
Pennsylvania Synod on September 28, 1857, and ordained at the
meeting of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania at Easton on June
3, 1858.
222
On April 29, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Cor-
delia S. Saeger, daughter of Charles and Eliza (Eckert) Saeger,
of Allentown, who preceded him in death by seventeen years.
Three of their children survive; Henry F., a practising physician
in Reading, Mrs. John P. Spangler, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. W.
Stanton Haak, of Lebanon.
From October, 1857, to January, 1861, Dr. Schantz had
charge of Trinity Church, Reading; of the Catasauqua parish
from 1 86 1 to 1866; assistant agent of the Theological Seminary,
Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1865, to September 30, 1866, then general
agent until June 30, 1867. In July, 1867, he became pastor of
the Myerstown Church, and retained this charge until his decease.
He also served the Mount Aetna congregation, Zion's Church at
Jonestown from July, 1867, to December, 1881, and Emanuel
Church at Brickerville, Lancaster county from 1876 to 1879.
In 1867, he was elected a trustee at the meeting of the stock-
holders of the association formed to purchase the property of
the Allentown Seminary and which became Muhlenberg College.
He continued on the Board of Trustees uninterruptedly for almost
forty years. He was secretary of the Third Conference in 1861;
president of the same i869-'7i ; and president of the Fourth Con-
ference, i872-'76. He became a member of the executive com-
mittee of the Ministerium in 1869, and was secretary since 1879.
He was a trustee of the Orphans' Home at Germantown, i872-'75 ;
a delegate to the General Council since 1874; ^^^ a member of
the English Home Mission Board since 1882. The degree of
Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Augustana College
and Theological Seminary, at Rock Island, 111., in 1894. At a
meeting of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in Allen-
town, in May, 1901, he was made president of that great body,
and re-elected to the same office. May, 1902, and June, 1903.
He was president of the Lebanon County Historical Society,
and in 1899 was elected president of the Pennsylvania German
Society. Dr. Schantz took great interest in historical research.
He made scores of addresses on his favorite subject and wrote
a number of most interesting and valuable articles, among which
are the following: "Historical Address at Quarto-Centennial
of Allentown Seminary," 1873; "The Sesqui-Centennial Discourse,
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church near Stouchsburg,' Pa.,"
1893; "The Sesqui-Centennial Sermon, Jordan Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Lehigh County, Pa.," 1894; "Historical Dis-
course, 155th Anniversary of Jerusalem Church, Salisbury town-
ship, Lehigh Co., Pa.," 1896; "Historical Address Centennial of
Third Church Building of Christ German Lutheran Congrega-
tion, Rockland Township, Berks County, Pa.," 1898 ; "Semi-
Centennial of Muhlenberg College," 1898 ; "Domestic Life and
Characteristics of the Pennsylvania German Pioneer," in Vol.
10 of the Proceedings of the Pennsylvania German Society.
223
Dr. Schantz took a great interest in the Lehigh County
Historical Society and became a member on August 17, 1906.
His last appearance before an Allentown audience and one which
he stated afforded him the greatest pleasure was before this
society on October 12, 1906, when he read an exceedingly inter-
esting paper entitled, "Allentown and its Vicinity about Sixty
Years Ago."
His death occured suddenly, at 10.45 P- M., on Saturday,
January 19, 1907, from failure of the heart, in his home at Myers-
town. The funeral services were held on January 23, in Frieden's
Lutheran Church, Myerstown and St. John's Lutheran Church,
Allentown, and interment was made in Union Cemetery, Allen-
town. He loved his birthplace, he loved this county, and the
least we can do is to keep his memory green.
Mrs. Robert Iredell, jr.
Mrs. Matilda G. Iredell, widow of Robert Iredell, Jr., who became
a charter member of the Lehigh County Historical Society, January
13, 1906, was born at Beaver Meadow, Pa., a daughter of Charles
Von Tagen, formerly of this city and later of Norristown. She
was married to Mr. Iredell in the latter borough and they moved
to Allentown in the late sixties. Mr. Iredell founded the Daily
Chronicle in 1870, to which he added the Lehigh Valley Daily
News and the Lehigh Register, the last named being a weekly.
In addition to his publication interests, Mr. Iredell was post-
master of Allentown for three terms. Upon his death in the fall
of 1893, Mrs. Iredell continued the publication of these papers
with much success until her death Feburary 22, 1907. She left
three sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. Mrs. Iredell
was one of the founders of Liberty Bell Chapter, Daughters of
the American Revolution, in whose behalf she expended much
of her time and energy. She served as its regent and as a repre-
sentative to the State and National Congresses of the organiza-
tion. The placing of bronze tablets on the fronts of Zion's
Reformed Church and the Court House commemorative of the
hiding of the Liberty and Christ Church Bells beneath the church
floor in 1777 and of the services of the Allentown soldiers in the
Spanish American War in 1898 was due largely to her efforts.
Henry A. SchulER.
Born July 12, 1857, near Treichlersville, Berks county, the
only child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Schuler, Henry A. Schuler
died in this city January 14, 1908, after a brief illness with pneu-
monia. Educated in the public schools, Mr. Schuler studied
later at the State Normal Schools at Kutztown and Millersville.
He taught school in Hampton township and near Treichlersville.
He assisted in the formation of the Hereford Debating Club and
224
the Hereford Literary Society, continuing an active member
until he moved to Allentown in 1881 to become associate editor
of the Welt Bote, Friedens Bote and Lecha Bote, being promoted
later to the editorship. He resigned in 1905, and in 1906, with
H. W. Kriebel, of East Greenville, he bought the Pennsylvania
German Magazine from Rev. Dr. Philip C. Croll, of Lebanon.
They changed it from a quarterly to a monthly, improved and
enlarged it and with Mr. Schuler as its editor the magazine was
put upon a new plane. Mr. Schuler was a member of the Lehigh
County Historical Society and of the Pennsylvania German
Society. In 1904 he published "The History of the Hereford
Literary Society." He was a studious scholar, a proficient lin-
guist, an omnivorous reader and an able translator. He was
versed in English, German, Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, Italian
and Spanish. He also did editorial work for dictionaries and
encyclopedias. Mr. Schuler was a widower, his wife whose
maiden name was Miss Sallie Griesemer, having preceded him in
death in 1891. Mr. Schuler was one of the founders of the Lehigh
County Historical Society, the minutes sho^ving that he attended
the second meeting, June 15, 1904.
Philip W. Flores.
Philip Wetzel Flores, the first vice-president of the Lehigh
County Historical Society, was found dead in the library connected
with his home at Dillingersville, February 24th, 1908. He was
stricken with apoplexy during the night. ^Jr. Flores was descended
from Michael Flores, who emigrated from \\'ittemberg, Germany,
about 1 740, settling in the neighborhood of Dillingersville, where
he was a farmer and blacksmith, and obtained a large tract of
land. His son, John Michael Flores, was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War. The latter 's son, Peter, who died October i, 1865,
was the father of the subject of this sketch.
Philip W. Flores was born at the old homestead August 9,
1832. He was a farmer, kept the village store and was appointed
postmaster on October 17, 1865, serving for a number of years.
In October, 1862, he enlisted in the 176th Pennsylvania A'olunteer
Militia, was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company K.,
December 6, 1862, and was in service in Mrginia, North Carolina
and South Carolina for over ten months. He was honorably
discharged August 18, 1863. Follo\^'ing this service he was
Assistant Assessor of the United States Internal Revenue for
Upper Saucon, Upper Milford and Lower Milford townships for
two and a half years.
Mr. Flores was a very well read man and was especially pro-
ficient in local history. He devoted much time to studying and
writing the history of the lower end of Lehigh county, especially
of the Milfords, in which he was a recognized authority. He
225 •
contributed historical articles to newspapers and magazines and
was for forty years a correspondent for the Allentown Friedens-
bote. He was the author of the history of Upper and Lower
Milford Townships in the History of Lehigh and Carbon Counties,
and of several chapters in the "Skizzen aus dem Lecha Thale."
He was one of the organizers of the Lehigh County Historical
Society, having been present at the time the organization was
effected.
Mr. Flores was a widower, and left one son and three daugh-
ters. He was a member of the Reformed congregation at Zions-
ville, of E. B. Young Post, No. 87, G. A. R., of Allentown, of
Coopersburg Lodge, No. 390, I. O. O. F. and of the Pennsylvania
German Society.
Mr. Flores was buried with military and Grand Army honors,
February 29th, in the burial ground connected with the Zionsville
Reformed Church.
Charter of the Lehigh County
Historical Society.
In the Court of Common PIvEas of Lehigh County.
To the Honorable Frank M. Trexler, President Judge of said Court :
Whereas, we the undersigned, citizens of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, whose names are subscribed to this charter or
certificate of incorporation, have associated ourselves together
for the purposes and upon the terms and by the name herein
stated, under the provisions of an Act of the General Assembly
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled "An Act to pro-
vide for the Incorporation and regulation of certain corporations,"
approved the 29th day of April, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, and the several supple-
ments thereto, we do therefore and hereby certify that:
1. The name of the corporation is the "Lehigh County
Historical Society."
2. The purpose for which this corporation is formed is the
support of an educational undertaking by promoting the discovery,
collection, preservation and publication of the history, historical
records and data of and relating to Lehigh County, the marking
of such places of historical interest as may be located in the county,
the collection and preservation of books, newspapers, pamphlets,
maps, genealogies, portraits, paintings, relics, engravings, manu-
scripts, letters, journals and any and all material which may
establish or illustrate such history, the growth and progress of
population, wealth, education, agriculture, arts, manufactures
and commerce in this county.
3. The business of the corporation is to be transacted in the
City of Allentown.
4. The corporation shall have perpetual succession and
existence by its corporate name.
5. There is no capital stock, nor are there any shares of
stock. The names and residences of the subscribers appear below.'
6. The corporation is to be managed by an Executive
Committee of nine, including a president, a vice-president, secre-
tary and treasurer, and the names and residences of those who
are chosen for the first year are as follows :
President, George T. Ettinger . .Allentown, Pa.
Vice-President, David McKenna Slatington, Pa.
Secretary, Charles R. Roberts Allentown, Pa.
Treasurer, Leo Wise Allentown, Pa.
227
Executive Committee.
The four officers as above and
S. E. OcHSKNFORD Allentown, Pa.
Frank M. TrexlER Allentown, Pa.
David A. Mii.i,er .Allentown, Pa.
Philip W. FlorKS Dillingersville, Pa.
O. P. Knauss Macungie, Pa.
7. The corporation has no capital stock. Fees for member-
ship and annual dues from members will be assessed as the cor-
poration by its by-laws may determine which fees and dues will
be applied to promoting the purposes for which the corporation
is formed.
In witness thereof, we have hereunto set our hand and seals
this nth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine
hundred and seven.
George T. Ettinger, Allentown, Pa.
CharIvKS R. Roberts, Allentown, Pa.
S. E. OcHSBNFORD, Allentown, Pa.
Leo Wise, Allentown, Pa.
O. P. Knauss, Macungie, Pa.
James J. Hauser, Allentown Pa.
J. D. SCHiNDEL, Allentown, Pa.
Wm. L. Hartman, Allentown, Pa.
In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County.
In the matter of the incorporation of the Lehigh County Historical
Society.
And Now, to wit: July 5, 1907, the foregoing certificate of
incorporation having been filed in the Prothonotary's office of
the said Court since the 13th day of May, A. D. 1907, as appears
thereon and due proof of publication having been presented to
the Court and having perused and examined the instrument and
finding the same to be in proper form and within the specified
purpose of corporations of the First Class according to Section 2
of the Act of Assembly of April 29, 1874, ^.nd that said purposes are
lawful and not injurious to the community, it is ordered and
decreed that the same be approved and upon recording of the"
said charter and its endorsement and this order, in the office for
the Recording of Deeds, etc., at Allentown.
The subscribers thereto and their associate shall henceforth
be a corporation for the purposes and upon the terms and under
the name therein stated.
By the court,
Horace Heydt,
President Judge ^6th Judicial District,
specially presiding.
228
Roll of Members.
Founders.
Charles R. Roberts Allentown, Pa.
George T. Ettinger, Ph. D Allentown, Pa.
PhiHp N. Flores (Died Feb. 24, 1908) Dillingersville, Pa.
Leo Wise Allentown, Pa.
Rev. S. E. Ochsenford, D. D Allentown, Pa.
David A. Miller Allentown, Pa.
Hon. Frank M. Trexler Allentown, Pa.
Col. Samuel D. Lehr .Allentown, Pa.
Henry A. Schuler (Died Jan. 14, 1908) Allentown, Pa.
William L. Hartman Allentown, Pa.
Clement A. Marks Allentown, Pa.
William F. Roth Allentown, Pa.
James J. Hauser Macungie, Pa.
O. P. Knauss Macungie, Pa.
Col. H. C. Trexler Allentown, Pa.
Miss Lena G. Roth Allentown, Pa.
Henry A. Kline (Died Oct. 7, 1906) Allentown, Pa.
Charter Members, Elected January 13, 1906.
James O. Knauss Harrisburg, Pa.
Robert C. Horn Allentown, Pa.
D. W. McFetridge Allentown, Pa.
Dr. Wm. J. Hertz Allentown, Pa.
Dr. P. J. Kress Allentown, Pa.
D. G. Dery Catasauqua, Pa.
David McKenna Slatington, Pa.
Rev. J. W. Mattern Allentown, Pa.
Maj. Thomas Daugherty Allentown, Pa.
Alfred F. Berlin Allentown, Pa.
Frank Jacobs Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. J. C. W. Dorney Allentown, Pa.
Rev. S. A. B. Stopp Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Annie E. Leisenring . Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Matilda G. Iredell (Died Feb. 22, 1907) .. Allentown, Pa.
Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D Allentown, Pa.
Rev. H. M. J. Klein r Allentown, Pa.
William M. Gehman Macungie, Pa.
Benjamin F. Cressman Morgantown, Pa.
A. A. Kern Slatington, Pa.
Harold W. Pretz Allentown, Pa.
Edwin G. Trexler Allentown, Pa.
Thomas P. Wenner Allentown, Pa.
Thomas K. Home Allentown, Pa.
Henry S. Moyer Allentown, Pa.
Rev. Thomas H. Krick Coplay, Pa.
229
James L. Schaadt Allentown, Pa.
Edward H. Reninger Allentown, Pa.
Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D Allentown, Pa.
Elected Members.
Alex, S. Shimer (Died Oct. 5, 1906) Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Abraham Samuels Allentown, Pa.
Milton P. Schantz Allentown, Pa.
Frank W. Koch (Died July i, 1906) Allentown, Pa.
Ira T. Erdman Allentown, Pa.
A. J. Ziegler Allentown, Pa.
H. B. Koch Allentown, Pa.
Rev. J. A. W. Haas, D. D Allentown, Pa.
Edw. A. Soleliac Allentown, Pa.
Dr. H. S. Seip : . . .Allentown, Pa.
Frank D. Bittner Allentown, Pa.
Thos. J. Koch Allentown, Pa.
Dr. H. A. Fehr Allentown, Pa.
Edward M. Young Allentown, Pa.
Peter W. Leisenring Allentown, Pa.
Miss Elizabeth W. Bowen Allentown, Pa.
Jesse R. Brown Pittsburg, Pa.
George R. Seiffert Philadelphia, Pa.
George G. Blumer Allentown, Pa.
Miss Emma Deshler Allentown, Pa.
Rev. Jere. J. Schindel Allentown, Pa.
Thomas A. J. Schadt Cementon, Pa.
Rev. George P. Stem Siegfried, Pa.
Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D. (Died Jan. 19, 1907) Myerstown, Pa.
Lewis L. Anewalt . Allentown, Pa.
Ray S. Brown Allentown, Pa.
George H. Berkemeyer Allentown, Pa.
Eugene T. Quinn Allentown, Pa.
L. J. H. Grossart •. . . Allentown, Pa.
Reuben J. Butz Allentown, Pa.
Dr. Frank J. Slough Allentown, Pa.
Miss Katie Faust Macungie, Pa.
Harvey Walbert Trexlertown, Pa.
Francis M. Berkemeyer Allentown, Pa.
Rev. J. A. Scheffer Allentown, Pa.
Alvin P. Zellner Allentown, Pa.
Rev. J. C. Rausch Allentown, Pa.
Rev. W. D. C. Keiter Bethlehem, Pa.
Claude T. Reno ....... Allentown, Pa.
George F. Knerr Allentown, Pa.
Chas. O. Hunsicker Allentown, Pa.
Henry E. Peters Allentown, Pa.
Martin Klingler Allentown, Pa.
230
Hon. Harry G. Stiles . Allentown, Pa.
Oliver A. lobst Allentown, Pa.
R. W. lobst Emaus, Pa.
Ralph R. Metzger Allentown, Pa.
Miss Minnie F. Mickley Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Joseph P. Mickley Washington, D. C.
Mrs. H. Martyn Chance Philadelphia, Pa.
James A. Miller New Tripoli, Pa.
A. R. Weaver Emaus, Pa.
Rev. Simon Sipple Macungie, Pa.
Alfred G. Saeger Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Ella T. Saeger Allentown, Pa.
Henry L. School Allentown, Pa.
Hon. C. D. Schaeffer Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Alex. S. Shimer Allentown, Pa.
Hon. W. N. Decker Macungie, Pa.
Dr. Edgar D. Shimer Jamaica, N. Y.
Rev. H. H. Romig Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Harvey G. Harlacher Allentown, Pa.
Prof. John I. Romig Allentown, Pa.
Albert S. Weiler Allentown, Pa.
Dr. Chas. O. Henry Allentown. Pa.
Mrs. Anna A. Mauser Allentown, Pa.
G. Thos. Leisenring Allentown, Pa.
Frank S. Hartman Allentown, Pa.
Dr. Henry D. Jordan Allentown, Pa.
James B. Laux . New York, N. Y.
Joseph B. Lewis Allentown, Pa.
Mrs. Elenora S. Lewis Allentown, Pa.
Adam E. Bittner . Allentown, Pa.
Harvey J. Wieand Allentown, Pa.
Henry W. Blose Slatedale, Pa.
James S. Peter Slatington, Pa.
Landes F. Miller.^ Allentown, Pa.
Miss Louise A. Leisenring Allentown, Pa.
George W. Shoemaker Allentown, Pa.
Charles Deshler New Brunswick, N. J.
William F. Schlechter. . Allentown, Pa.
Franklin J. Newhard Allentown, Pa.
G. E. Oswald Hqkendauqua, Pa.
Mrs. Mary L. Romig Allentown, Pa.
Life Member.
Miss. C. Rosa Troxell Wilkesbarre, Pa.
Honorary Members.
John W. Jordan, L. L. D Philadelphia, Pa.
Luther R. Kelker Harrisburg, Pa.
231
Benjamin F. Trexler Allentown, Pa.
Hon. H. S. Funk. . . .• Springtown, Pa.
Howard S. Kriebel East Greenville, Pa.
Officers.
President, George T. Ettinger, Ph. D.
Vice-President, David McKenna.
Secretary, Charles R. Roberts.
Treasurer, Leo Wise, Esq.
Executive Committee.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Hon.
F. M. Trexler, Rev. S. E. Ochsenford, D. D., Rev. C. J. Cooper,
D. D., O. P. Knauss and Wm. L. Hartman.
I, ,of ..,
give, devise and bequeath to The Lehigh County Historical
Society the sum of dollars,
to be used
WITNESSES : Signed
I, , of
give and donate to the Lehigh County Historical Society the
following articles, to be deposited in said society's library and
museum
I hereby apply for life membership in the Lehigh County
Historical Society and enclose the sum of twenty-five dollars,
the requisite amount according to the constitution of said society,
this membership exempting me from all future dues and entitling
me to one copy of all publications of the society.
CONTENTS.
PAGES.
Organization, Constitution and Minutes 3 — 20
William Allen, the Founder of Allentown, and his Descendants,
by Chas. R. Roberts 21 — 43
A Bit of Lehigh County Indian History, by Alfred F. Berlin . . 44 — 49
Sketches of Some Settlers in Lehigh County Prior to 1750, by
Chas. R. Roberts 50 — 61
A Few Notes on the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Tribe of In-
dians, by A. F. Berlin 62 — 69
History of the Reformed Congregation of Egypt Church, by
Chas. R. Roberts 70 — 100
History of the Lutheran Congregation of Egypt Church, by
Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D loi— 121
The Egypt Church, by Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D 122 — 140
The Hampton Furnace, by Henry A. vSchuler 141 — 152
Allentown and its Vicinity about Sixty Years ago, by Rev. F.
J. F. Schantz, D. D 153—183
Some Indian History of the Lehigh Valley, by John W. Jor-
dan, LL. D.. 184 — 196
Revolutionary Patriots of Allentown and Vicinity, by Chas. R.
Roberts 197 — 204.
The Mayors of Allentown, by Wm. L. Hartman 205 — 218
In Memoriam 219 — 225
Charter, Roll of Members and Officers 226 — 231
%:SJ^'
PROCEEDINGS
AND PAPERS READ BEFORE THE
LEHIGH COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
VOL. 11
ALLENTOWN, PENNA.
1910
PROCEEDINGS
AND PAPERS READ BEFORE THE
LEHIGH COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
VOL. 11
ALLENTOWN, PENNA.
1910
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE LEHIGH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 1908-1909.
MINUTES OF THIRD ANNUAL MEETING.
Ai.i,ENT0WN, Pa., February 7, 1908.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this evening at No. 37 South Seventh Street.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
Mr. Albert S. Weiler, Dr. Charles O. Henry, Mrs. Anna A. Mauser,
Mr. G. Thomas Leisenring, Mr. Frank S. Hartman, Dr. Henry
D.Jordan, Mr. Joseph B. Lewis, Mrs. Klenora S. Lewis, Mr. Adam
K. Bittner, Mr. Henry W. Bloss, Mr. James S. Peter, Mr. Harvey
J. Wieand, Mr. Landes F. Miller and Miss Louise A. Leisenring.
The election of officers for the ensuing year followed and the
following persons were elected: President, Mr. George T. Ett-
inger; Vice-President, Mr. David McKenna; Secretary, Mr.
Charles R. Roberts; Treasurer, Mr. Leo Wise; Members of Exec-
utive Committee for two years, Mr. O. P. Knauss and Mr.
William L. Hartman.
Announcement was made of the death of Henry A. Schuler
since the last meeting of the society and William L. Hartman read
biographical sketches of the deceased members, Mr. Frank W.
Koch, Mr. Alex. S. Shimer, Mrs. Robert Iredell, Jr., Prof. Henry
A. Kline, Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., and Mr. Henry A. Schuler.
The Secretary's report for the year was read and received
and directed to be spread upon the minutes.
Secretary's Report.
Receipts.
1906 Fees and Dues $10.00
1907 Fees 30.00
1907 Dues 81 .00
1908 Dues 1 . 00
Life Membership Fee 25 . 00
$147.00
Balance January i, 1907 57-98
Total $204 . 98
Expenditures.
Voucher No. 7, H. H. Knerr, printing $ 9.25
" " 8, Book "Indian Local Names" pur-
chased, $1.00, and postage, .50 i . 50
" " 9, H. H. Knerr, printing 16. 25
" " 10, Sanders Engraving Co 3- 19
" " II, Welt Bote Publishing Co., blank books, 3-55
•' " 12, Federation of Historical Societies, dues,
1 907 2 . 00
" " 13, Allen Stamp and Stencil Co .45
" " 14, John A. Heimbach, two frames 2.15
" " 15, Expressage and hauling books i • 50
" " i6, Pa. German Magazine, 22 numbers.... 7.00
" "17, Prothonotary, fee for charter 3-75
" " 18, Recording Charter 4.00
" " 19, Notary Public Fees .75
" " 20, H. H. Knerr, printing 6.50
61.84
Balance on hand $^A2> ■ ^4
Active members elected in 1907 39
Honorary members elected in 1907 2
Total 41
Total active members elected 112
Total honorary members elected 5
Total 117
Deceased 6
Resigned i
— 7
Total present membership no
Donations received in year 1907: 28 bound volumes, 14 pamphlets.
2 pictures and 2 maps.
Total owned by the society: Bound volumes, 98; pamphlets, 140;
portraits, 6; facsimiles, 4; pictures, 3; maps, 2; draft, i; blue print, i;
proclamation, i; newspapers, 5.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
The report of the Treasurer for the years 1906 and 1907 was
read and received and directed to be spread upon the minutes.
Treasurer's Report.
Leo Wise, Treasurer, in account with the Lehigh County Historical
Society.
Dr.
The Accountant charges himself with the following accounts received
from the Secretary, Charles R. Roberts:
August 6, 1906 $52 .47
August 31, 1906 40.00
January 29, 1907 40.00
July 12, 1907 31.00
December 6, 1907 40. 75
January 30, 1908 52 . 25
$256.47
Cr.
The Treasurer claims credit for the following amounts paid by
voucher, duly issued by the proper officers of the society:
May 29, 1906, H. H. Knerr, printing $ 8 . 35
August 24, 1906, Call Publishing Co., City 32 .00
August 24, 1906, Charles R. Roberts, sundries 8.89
August 24, 1906, S. P. Heilman, dues, 1906 i .00
August 24, 1906, H. H. Knerr, printing i . 25
January 22, 1907, C. R. Roberts, sundries i . 50
January 22, 1907, H. H. Knerr, printing 9. 25
May 13, 1907, H. H. Knerr, printing 16.25
May 13, 1907, Sanders Engraving Co., cuts 3- 19
May 13, 1907, Welt Bote Publishing Co., blank books 3.55
May 13, 1907, S. P. Heilman, Secretary Pennsylvania Federa-
tion of Historical Societies, dues, 1907 2 .00
May 13, 1907, Allen Stamp and Stencil Co., stamps .45
May 13, 1907, John A. Heimbach, frames 2.15
May 13, 1907, Charles R. Roberts, expressage i .50
May 13, 1907, H. A. Schuler, Pennsylvania German Magazine, 7.00
August 13, 1907, George G. Blumer, Prothonotary's cost of
obtaining charter 3-75
August 13, 1907, David Davis, Recorder's cost recording
charter 4 . 00
August 13, 1907, Mary E. Crowley, taking acknowledgment
for charter .75
October 23, 1907, H. H. Knerr, printing 6.50
Balance in the hands of the Treasurer, February 6, 1908 . . 143. 14
$256.47
Leo Wise,
Treasurer.
Note. — As this is the first report made by the Treasurer, it comprises
all receipts and all payments made since the founding of the society.
The Secretary reported the following donations :
By Hon. Frank M. Trexler: Vol. i6, Proceedings of the
Pennsylvania German Society.
By Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D. : Map of Lehigh County, by
G. C. Aschbach, 1862.
By James B. Laux, New York, N. Y. : The Huguenot
Element in Pennsylvania, by James B. Laux.
By John W. Jordan, LL. D. : Washington's Farewell Address
in German.
Received by exchange:
From Smithsonian Institution: Report of the Smithsonian
Institution for 1906.
By Schuylkill County Historical Society: Vol. II, No. i,
1907 Proceedings.
By State Library: Laws of Pennsylvania, 1907; Smull's
Legislative Hand Book, 1907.
History of the 124th Pa. Vol. Regt.
Proceedings of the 41st Annual Encampment of the Dept.
of Pa., G. A. R., at Easton, 1907.
Acquired by purchase :
30,000 Names of Immigrants, by I. D. Rupp; Reprint by
Leary, Stuart & Co.
Reminiscences of George LaBar, Philadelphia, 1870.
Pennsylvania German Magazine, Vols, i to 8.
The Secretary announced the presentation to the society by
Mrs. Annie E. Leisenring of a gavel made of oak and hickory
taken from a settee formerly owned by the Allen and Livingston
families, of Trout Hall. It became the property of the Seagreaves
family, from whom it descended to the Leisenring family.
The thanks of the society were voted to Mrs. Leisenring and
the donors of the various articles.^
The President appointed the following standing committees
for the year :
Necrology — ^Mr. William L. Hartman, Chairman; Mr. David
A. Miller, Mr. William F. Roth.
Manuscripts, Relics, Curios and Antiquities — ^Mrs. Annie E.
Leisenring, Chairman; Mr. William M. Gehman, Mr. Thomas
A. J. Schaadt.
Pictures, Photographs and Paintings — ^Rev. J. D. Schindel,
D. D., Chairman; Mr. Frank D. Bittner, Mr. Henry S. Moyer.
Rev. Dr. J. A. W. Haas, President of Muhlenberg College,
then delivered a most admirable and instructive address to the
society on "What Local History Contributes to General History."
A vote of thanks to Dr. Haas was then passed.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
Chari^Es R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF MAY MEETING, 1908.
AlIvEntown, Pa., May 9, 1908.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon at No. 37 South Seventh Street, in the
rooms of the Allentown Oratorio Society.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership: Mr.
George W. Shoemaker, Mr. WilHam F. Schlechter, Mr. Frank J.
Newhard and Mrs. Mary L. Romig, of Allentown; Mr. Charles
Deshler, New Brunswick, N. J., and Mr. G. E. Oswald, Hoken-
dauqua, Pa.
The following donations were reported :
By Miss C. Rosa Troxell, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: A bronze
medal issued by the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society
in commemoration of its 50th Anniversary and of the Centennial
of the first use of Wyoming coal.
By Hon. Frank M. Trexler: History of Fries' Rebellion, by
Gen. W. H. H. Davis.
By Henry S. Moyer, Executor of Henry A. Schuler Estate:
Seven Volumes Pennsylvania German Society Publications.
By Mr. O. C. Dorney: Allentown Illustrated; Issued by
Chamber of Commerce.
By Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D.: History of Northampton
County, by Capt. F. Ellis, 1877.
By Fred. W. Reichard: History of the United States, by
Joseph C. Martindale, 1866.
Wells Lawyer and Form Book.
By Benjamin F. Trexler: History of the Lehigh Valley,
by M. S. Henry, i860.
By H. W. Kriebel: The Pennsylvania German Magazine.
By Mrs. G. A. Aschbach: Map of Allentown, 1873, by G. A.
Aschbach.
By James J. Hauser: Eulogy on William R. King, 1854.
Received by exchange :
Year Book of the Pennsylvania Society of New York for 1908.
By purchase :
The German Element of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,
by J. W. Wayland, Ph. D., 1907.
The Cumberland Blue Book, by J. Zeamer.
A History of Bethlehem, Pa., 1742-1892, by Bishop Joseph
M. Levering, 1903.
A vote of thanks was passed to the donors of the gifts.
On motion of Messrs. Schaeffer and School, it was resolved
that the society hold a summer meeting at Macungie.
On motion the Executive Committee was authorized to
8
request the Park Commission to permit the society to occupy
the building known as "Trout Hall," at Fourth and Walnut
Streets.
The motion was adopted that the society extend its thanks
to the city authorities for purchasing the historic site of old
Muhlenberg College for use as a park.
Mr. Charles R. Roberts read a paper entitled "Notable
Events in the Social Life of Allentown in the Eighteenth Century,"
and Rev. J. D. Schindel's paper on "The Egypt Church," was
read by President Ettinger.
A vote of thanks was passed to the writers and readers of
the papers.
On motion the society adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF AUGUST MEETING. 1908.
Macungie, Pa., August i, 1908.
A special meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternopn in Solomon's Reformed Church. The
society was welcomed by Dr. W. B. Erdman and President George
T. Ettinger responded.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected members of the society:
Hon. John O. Sheatz, State Treasurer, Harrisburg; Mrs. Margaret
S. Hunsicker, Norristown; Mr. William J. Heller, Easton, Pa.;
Rev. Frank P. Laros, Alburtis; Mrs. Lyman H. Howe, Wilkes-
Barre ; Mr. Alfred L. Reichenbach and Mr. C. L. Freeman, of Al-
lentown.
Announcement was made of the death of two members,
Mr. A. A. Kern, of Slatington, and Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D.,
of Allentown.
The President announced that the Park Commission appeared
to be favorable to the occupancy of the " Old Trout Hall " building
on the former Muhlenberg College site.
The following donations were announced :
Minutes and Proceedings of the First Reunion of the Trexler
Family, by Claude T. Reno, Secretary.
Easton's flag of the Revolution, by William J. Heller.
An iron plate from a fireplace of a house at Catasauqua,
built by George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Independence
from Northampton County, with date 1768 and initials G. T.,
by Dr. Charles Milson.
By John W. Jordan, LL. D., Librarian of the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania: Three photographs of original papers
with signatures of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah;
The Moravian of January 7, 1791, containing an account of
William Edmonds; D'lvernois on the Downfall of Switzerland,
1798; Kin Erustlicher Ruf an die Deutchen in Pennsylvanian,
Lancaster; Heckewelder's Journal, 1791, by Dr. Jordan; Spangen-
berg's Notes of Travel to Onondaga in 1745, by Dr. Jordan;
James Burnsides, of Northampton County, by Dr. Jordan; The
Bethlehem Ferry, 1743- 1794, by Dr. Jordan; Extracts from the
Journal of Rev. James Sproat, Hospital Chaplain, 1778, by
Dr. Jordan; Oration on Battle of Brandywine, by Frederick
D. Stone.
By Miss Minnie F. Mickley: The Borough Town of West
Chester, an address by Fordham Morris, 1896; Incidents of
the Revolution in West Chester, preceding the Battle of White
Plains, by Frederick W. Jackson; Poverty and Patriotism of
the Neutral Grounds, by J. C. L. Hamilton.
Issues of the Press of Pennsylvania, 1685- 1784, by Charles R.
Hildeburn; 2 volumes, 516 pages, Philadelphia, 1885 (only 300
copies printed of which this is No. 162), by Benjamin F. Trexler.
The following were received by exchange :
The Story of the 48th Pa. Vol. Infantry; Report of the State
Librarian, 1906; Inaugural Address of the Governor, 1907;
Myron Watson Memorial. From the Pennsylvania State Library.
Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical
Societies, January 2, 1908.
A Decade of the Kittochtinny Historical Society, of Cham-
bersburg, Pa.
Bulletin of the Chester County Historical Society.
Schuylkill County Historical Society Publications, Vol. II,
No. 2.
A vote of thanks to the donors was passed.
An invitation was extended to the society by Mrs. Joseph
P. Mickley to meet in September at her home in Mickley's.
The invitation was received with thanks and referred to the
Executive Committee with power to act.
The completion of Vol. I was announced and a voucher of
$175.00 was directed to be drawn in favor of Berkemeyer, Keck
& Co., in part payment of their bill of $232.00.
Rev. Dr. S. E. Ochsenford was appointed Chairman of the
Committee on Pictures, Photographs and Paintings.
A paper on "The History of Solomon's Reformed Church,"
was read by Mr. O. P. Knauss, and a paper on "Millerstown in
the Fries Rebellion," was read by Mr. James J. Hauser.
Discussion followed and a vote of thanks to the church
authorities and to the readers of the papers was passed.
The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
lO
MINUTES OF OCTOBER MEETING, 1908.
MickIvEy's, Pa., October 3, 1908.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon in the chapel of the church at Mickley's,
Whitehall township.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership: Rev.
George M. Smith, New Tripoli, Pa. ; Rev. John Baer Stoudt,
Kmaus, Pa.; Howard Weiss, Siegfried, Pa.; F. A. R. Baldwin,
Esq., R. F. Stine and Joseph S. Knauss, of Allentown.
The thanks of the society were voted to the following donors
of books:
Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and
Lackawanna Valleys, Penna., under the Editorial Supervision of
Rev. Horace E. Hayden, Hon. Alfred Hand and John W. Jordan,
LL. D., 1906. By Miss C. Rosa Troxell, of Wilkes-Barre.
History of the Peter Family. Compiled by W. K. Peter,
1908. By David A. Miller.
The Crown Inn, 1745, by William C. Reichel, Bethlehem,
1872. By Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D.
Bibliography of Washington County, Washington County
Historical Society, 1908. By Boyd Crumrine, Esq.
Report of the Council to the Historical Society of Pennsyl-
vania, May 3, 1880.
Memorial of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to the
Board of Taxes of Philadelphia County, 1881.
Remember Paoli, by John O. K. Robarts, 1908. By Dr.
John W. Jordan.
Account of Murders by the Indians on October 8, 1763, by
Joseph J. Mickley. By Miss Minnie F. Mickley.
Certificate of Membership in the Francis Scott Key Memorial.
By Mrs. Joseph P. Mickley.
Photographs of the church chapel and old schoolhouse at
Mickley's. By Rev. Thomas H. Krick.
The following were received in exchange :
The Quarto-Centennial Celebration of the Presidency of
James B. Angell. Memorial Services and Addresses on the
Lives of Professors. From the University of Michigan.
Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, Vols. 3 and 4, 1829, 5
and 6, 1830, 9 and 10, 1832, 11 and 12, 1833; Philadelphia and
Its Environs; Pictorial History of the United States, by John
Frost, Vol. I, Philadelphia, 1844. From the Library of Congress.
Meyerstown, Its Men and Events of the Past. Read before
the Lebanon County Historical Society by Rev. F. J. F. Schantz.
D. D., on December 28, 1906. History of St. Paul Klopp Re-
II
formed Church, Hamlin, Pa., by Rev. C. A. Butz, A. M., of
Meyerstown. From the Lebanon County Historical Society.
Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, 7 volumes; History of
the 63rd Regt. Pa. Vols., 1861-1865, Pittsburgh, 1908; Smull's
Legislative Hand Book, 1908. From Pennsylvania State Library.
The City of York, Past and Present; Frederick J. Mel-
sheimer, a Pioneer Entomologist; Career of Phineas Davis, the
Noted Inventor; York in its Relation to the Revolution; Minutes
and Proceedings of the Historical Society of York County. From
George R. Pro well, of the York County Historical Society.
Rev. Thomas H. Krick read an excellent history of the
church at Mickley's from its organization until the present time.
Miss Minnie F. Mickley read an interesting paper on the
founders of the church.
After the meeting the members were the guests of Mrs.
Joseph P. Mickley at her residence. The members then returned
to Allentown by automobile.
Chari.es R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING.
AivivENTOWN, Pa., January 23, 1909.
The fourth annual meeting of the Lehigh County Historical
Society was held this afternoon in the rooms of the Allentown
Oratorio Society, No. 37 South Seventh Street.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership: Mr.
Henry J. Detwiller, Hon. H. H. Herbst, M. D., Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas W. Saeger, Charles D. Weirbach and Mrs. Charles M.
Saeger, of this city; Mrs. Horace Luckenbach, of Bethlehem, Pa.,
and Prof. Edwin M. Fogel, Ph. D., of Philadelphia.
The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the
election of George T. Ettinger, Ph. D., as President; William M.
Gehman, Vice-President; Charles R. Roberts, Secretary; Leo
Wise, Esq., Treasurer, and Hon. Frank M. Trexler, Rev. S. E.
Ochsenford, D. D., and Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D., as members of
the Executive Committee for two years.
Announcements were made of the death of two members
since the last meeting, Vice-President David McKenna and Hon.
H. G. Stiles.
The request of the New York Public Library for a copy of
the publication of the society was granted.
The reading of obituaries of deceased members was postponed
until next meeting.
The annual report of the Secretary was received and ordered
spread on the minutes.
12
Secretary's Report.
Receipts.
1907 Fees and Dues $22.00
1908 Fees 30.00
1908 Dues 97 . 00
1909 Dues 3 00
Books Sold 4 . 00
Total Receipts $156.00
Paid to the Treasurer.
July 16, 1908 $50.00
August 3, 1908 40.00
September 30, 1908 40.00
November 24, 1908 16.00
January 19, 1909 10.00
Total $156.00
Members elected and qualified in 1908 32
Active membership January i, 1908 105
Total. . . . .■ 137
Deceased in 1908 5
Resigned in 1908 i
— 6
Total active members 131
Honorary members 5
Total Membership 136
Accessions during the year 1908: Bound volumes, 42; pamphlets,
40; map, i; photographs, 5; medal, i; manuscript, i; plate, i-
Total bound volumes owned by the society, 140; total pamphlets,
180; portraits and photographs, 14, maps, drafts and blue prints, 4.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary
The annual report of the Treasurer, Leo Wise, for the year
ending January 23, 1909, was received and ordered spread upon
the minutes.
13
Treasurer's Report.
Dr.
The said Treasurer charges himself as follows:
1908, Balance as per last report $143 . 14
July 17, Received of the Secretary 50.00
Aug. 4, " " " 40.00
Sept. 30, " " " 40.00
Nov. 25, " " " 16.00
1909, Jan. 23, " " " '10.00
$299.14
Cr.
The said Treasurer takes credit for the following disbursements:
1908, Feb. 10, Paid Sanders Engraving Co., Voucher No. 21,
three (3) zinc cuts $325
Paid Charles R. Roberts, Voucher No. 22, books
purchased 3-75
Paid H. H. Knerr, Voucher No. 23, 200 printed
notices 3 . 00
" Paid S. P. Heilman, Voucher No. 24, dues,
Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Soci-
eties, for 1 908 2 . 00
Paid Charles R. Roberts, Voucher No. 25, for
postage, janitor service and books purchased, 8 . 00
May 9, Paid Charles R. Roberts, Voucher No. 26,
History of Bethlehem, $4.00, Oratorio Society
for gas, $1.00. .
" Paid Sanders Engraving Co., Voucher No. 27.
two (2) zinc cuts 7 • 30
" Paid H. H. Knerr, Voucher No. 28, printing
blanks and notices 8.25
Aug. 3, Paid Berkemeyer, Keck & Co., Voucher No. 29,
on account of printing proceedings 175
Sept. 19, Paid Berkemeyer, Keck & Co., Voucher No. 30,
on account of printing proceedings 25
Paid Charles R. Roberts, Voucher No. 31,
postage and expenses of messengers for
delivering volume of proceedings 6.00
Nov. 24, Paid Berkemeyer, Keck & Co., Voucher No. 32,
in full of printing proceedings
Balance in hands of Treasurer
The thanks of the society were passed to the following donors
of articles :
Mr. A. L. Reichenbach : History of the Gabel Family.
Miss Minnie F. Mickley: Manuscript agreement at the
building of a church at Mickley's, 1848.
Mr. J. M. M. Gernerd, Muncy, Pa. : Heinrich Gernerd and His
Descendants, by J. M. M. Gernerd. Now and Then, 2 volumes.
Edited by J. M. M. Gernerd.
Mrs." Charles M. Saeger: Dougal's Index Register to Next
of Kin, Heirs at Law, Etc., in Great Britain.
John W. Jordan, Lly. D. : Thanksgiving Proclamation,
1908, by the Governors of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Proc-
lamation on the Death of Grover Cleveland, by the Governor of
New Jersey.
Mrs. P. Frank Brown: Commission from Governor Joseph
Hiester to Brigadier General Peter Ruch, of the Second Brigade
of the Seventh Division of Militia in the Counties of Northampton,
Pike and Lehigh, August 3, 1821.
Mr. John W. Sepp: Map of Allentown, by Jarrett, 1842.
Mr. D. R. Klein: Volumes of the London Pictorial News.
History of Rome.
Mr. Philip S. Pretz, of Brooklyn, N. Y. : Map of Northamp-
ton and Lehigh Counties, 1830. Letter of Ann Greenleaf to
G. and C. Pretz, dated Philadelphia, November 14, 1825.
Subscriptions to the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal
Company, May 16, 1831. Order from Henry King to Christian
Pretz, dated June 5, 1848, for $100.00 to the fund for the relief
of the sufferers by fire in Allentown. Annual Announcement of
the Allentown Seminary for the year ending September 29, 1849.
Names and Signatures of 32 scholars of the Allentown Seminary
from May to September, 1850. Copy of the Trout Hall Argus,
A. C. Pretz, Editor, February 9, 1856.
Northampton Bank Notes of $5, $10, $20 and $100 denomi-
nations. Three-cent Note, November 2, 1863, Moses Schneck.
Announcement was made of the granting by the Park
Commission of the request of the society to occupy "Trout Hall"
under certain conditions, which have not yet been divulged.
Rev. John B. Stoudt then read a highly interesting paper on
"Riddles of the Pennsylvania Germans," and Charles R. Roberts
read a paper on "Pennsylvania Germans in Public Life During
the Colonial Period." Treasurer Leo Wise read a newspaper
account of the first steam whistle in the Lehigh Valley, which
was followed by the reading by President Ettinger of a paper by
James B. Laux, of New York, entitled "The Palatines of the
Hudson and Schoharie; Their Exodus to Pennsylvania."
After an invitation by the President to attend the Lincoln
Memorial Exercises the meeting adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
15
MINUTES OF MAY MEETING. 1909.
Aivi^HNTowN, Pa., May 29, 1909.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon in the chapel of the AUentown Preparatory
School.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership: Miss
Irene B. Martin, Rev. Augustus Steimle, Mr. David J. Nagle and
Rev. Myron O. Rath, of AUentown, and Mr. Tilghman Neimeyer,
of Emaus.
The thanks of the society were voted to the donors of the
following books :
Catalogue of the Unpublished Revolutionary Papers of
Maj. Gen. Edward Hand, 1777-1784.
The Gift offered by the United States to Gen. Lafayette, 1779.
Moravian Immigration to Pennsylvania, 1734- 1765.
Diary of Samuel Richards, Captain of Connecticut Line,
1775-1781. By John W. Jordan, LL. D.
Das Reich Gottes auf Erden, Sermons by Rev. W. A. Hel-
frich, D. D. By Miss C. Rosa Troxell, Wilkes-Barre.
Remember Paoli. By John O. K. Robarts.
Pennsylvania at the Jamestown Exposition, 1907. Message
of the Governor, 1909. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Encamp-
ment of G. A. R., at Erie, 1908. Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth
Series, Vols. 8 to 15. By Pennsylvania State Library.
Copy of Friedensbote of May 3, 1822, containing obituary
of Rev. Abraham Blumer. By William J. Heller, Easton, Pa.
The Muncy Valley. By J. M. M. Gernerd.
Copies of South Bethlehem Globe containing History of
Lower Saucon, 1780 Assessment List of Lower Saucon, List of
Justices, Etc. By James J. Hauser.
The following were received in exchange :
Kittochtinny Historical Society Publication, Chambersburg,
Pa., 1908.
Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1907.
Publication of the Pennsylvania History Club, Vol. I.
Schuylkill County Historical Society Publications, Vol. II,
No. 3.
History of Susquehanna County, by Emily C. Blackman,
1873. From the Susquehanna County Historical Society.
Transactions of the Historical Society of Berks County,
Vol. II, No. 4.
On motion of Messrs. Hartman and Scheffer, the President
was instructed to write to James O. Knauss, member of this
society, conveying our sentiments in view of his illness, and
i6
expressing our regret for his absence and hope for his speedy
recovery.
On motion the President was authorized to appoint a com-
mittee of five, including the President and Secretary, to arrange
for a summer meeting. Mr. William L. Hartman read biograph-
ical sketches of members deceased during the past year, namely,
David McKenna, A. A. Kern, Rev. J. D. Schindel, D. D., Hon.
H. G. Stiles and Charles D. Deshler, of New Brunswick, N. J.
President Ettinger read an interesting diary of the late
Christian Pretz containing an account of a trip to Detroit, Mich.,
and return, in 1826.
After the meeting the members were shown over Trout Hall,
built by James Allen in 1770.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF AUGUST MEETING. 1909.
August 12, 1909.
The fourth annual outing and summer meeting of the Lehigh
County Historical Society was held this afternoon. The members,
in tallyhos and teams, proceeded from the Hotel Allen along the
Wennersville State road to the farm of Robert R. Ritter, where
what remains of "Grouse Hall," a hunting lodge built by Lynford
Lardner about 1746, was viewed. From this interesting spot
the members were driven to Col. H. C. Trexler's country home,
along the Little Cedar Creek, which was once Mr. Lardner's
plantation, "The Grange," later called "Springwood," where, on
the spacious veranda of the charmingly situated home of our
host, the summer meeting was held.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership: Mrs.
Ralph R. Metzger, Mrs. J. Frank Stine and Mr. Joseph P. Shimer.
The thanks of the society were voted the donors of the
following books:
History of the York Rifle Company, 1775- 1908. By Augustus
Loucks, York, Pa.
History of the Shimer Family. By Joseph P. Shimer.
Maladies, Remedies and Physicians of Colonial Days in
Burlington County and Other Kindred Topics, by Dr. A. M.
Stackhouse, of Moorestown, N. J. Received through the kind-
ness of Mr. A. P. Zellner.
In exchange were received :
Pennsylvania Society of New York : Year Book for 1 909.
Report of the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies,
Fourth Annual Meeting, January 7, 1909.
17
Calendar of Applications for Office during the Presidency of
George Washington. From Library of Congress.
Indians of Berks County, by D. B. Brunner, 1897.
Mickley's Murders by the Indians, 1875. From George B.
Roberts, Sharon Hill, Pa.
Received by purchase :
Conrad Weiser and the Indian Policy of Colonial Pennsyl-
vania, by Joseph S. Walton, 1900.
Life of John Heckewelder, by Rev. Edward Rondthaler, 1847.
A paper on "Lynford Lardner and Grouse Hall," was read
by Secretary Charles R. Roberts, after which the members were
delightfully entertained by Col. and Mrs. Trexler. Refreshments
were served and the several trout ponds visited, the ladies being
conveyed by automobiles. The society unanimously passed a
vote of thanks to the host and hostess for their cordial hospitality,
and to Mr. Roberts for his paper. The attendance at this meeting,
the most enjoyable and successful the society has yet had, was
about fifty.
Ch ARISES R. Roberts,
Secretary.
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETING, 1909. -
AllEntown, Pa., November 6, 1909.
A regular meeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society
was held this afternoon in the chapel of the Muhlenberg Pre-
paratory School.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The following persons were elected to membership : Messrs.
Elmer J. Faust, Frank D. Biery, Ambrose A. Kunkle, Charles W.
Eisenhard, Miss A. Violet Kline, Mrs. George T. Ettinger, Rev. J.
S. Renninger and Rev. George M. Scheidy.
The Executive Committee reported that the publication of a
second volume had been decided upon.
The thanks of the society were voted to the donors of the
following gifts :
Report of the Valley Forge Park Commission, 1908. By
John W. Jordan.
A Century of Population Growth in the United States,
1 790- 1 900. By U. S. Census Bureau.
Letters of Commodore Stockton to the New York Evening
Post, 1864. By John W. Jordan.
Comparative Calculations and Remarks on Internal Improve-
ments by Roads, Canals, and River Navigation; Illustrative of
the Advantages to be Derived from the Improvement of the River
Lehigh, Philadelphia, 1821. By John W. Jordan.
i8
Publications of the Historical Society of Schuylkill County,
Vol. II, No. 4. By Schuylkill County Historical Society.
Facsimile of signatures of William Johnson and eight Indian
chiefs.
Copy of Germantown Friends' Protest against Slavery, 1688.
Copy of letter from John Bayly to President Adams, 1777.
Extracts from Manuscript Memoirs of Col. Alex Lowrey.
Printed Forms of Parole, from Philadelphia to New York,
1780. By John W. Jordan.
Large framed photograph of the Castle of Sant' Angelo, on
the Tiber, Rome, Italy. By Miss C. Rosa Troxell, of Wilkes-
Barre.
Ralph R. Metzger, Esq., read a pamphlet dealing with the
beginning of the Lehigh Canal, and Rev. Dr. C. J. Cooper's history
of the Jerusalem Church, of Eastern Salisbury, was read. The
thanks of the society were voted the writers of the papers.
The meeting then adjourned.
Charles R. Roberts,
Secretary.
Lynford Lardner and Grouse Hall.
By Charles R. Roberts.
Lynford Lardner — named after a friend and near relative
of the family, Rev. Thomas Lynford, S. T. P., Rector of St.
Nicholas's, Aeon, and a Chaplain in Ordinary to King William
and Queen Mary — was born July 1 8, 1715, the son of Dr. John
Lardner, a physician of Grace Church St., London and Woodford,
Bpping Forest, Sussex, and his wife, a Miss Winstanley.
He spent some time at the University of Cambridge, but
afterwards went into a counting-room in London. The family
wished to obtain a Government ofhce for him, but in this they
were unsuccessful, and the influence of his brother-in-law, Richard
Penn, who married his sister, Hannah Lardner, made an opening
for him in Pennsylvania. When about 25 years of age, there-
fore, he came to America, sailing from Gravesend on the 5th of
May, 1740, and arrived at Philadelphia in the beginning of
September. He resided for some time on the Penn property,
and as a member of the Land Office participated in the manage-
ment of the wild regions of which that family were lords par-
amount. To some extent he was also their commercial agent.
He succeeded James Steele in the position of Receiver-General
or collector of Quit-rents, Purchase Moneys, &c., and in 1746
was made Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province, holding
both offices several years. The Receiver-General had a salary of
from ^300 to ^400 and the Keeper was paid in fees for attesting
the laws.
In 1746, Lardner became the owner of .Colliday's paper mill
in Springfield Township, and afterwards was interested in the
manufacture of iron, but was at no time in the mercantile business.
In the winter of 1748-9 was instituted the Dancing Assembly,
which with intermissions has been kept up for 150 years. Lardner
was manager of the First Assembly, the other managers being
John Swift, ancestor of John Swift, so often Mayor of Philadelphia;
John Wallace, son of a Scotch clergyman, and John Inglis.
Social entertainments had always been a feature of Provincial
life, and the arrival of a Governor, the close of a Mayoralty, and
often an official conference^ was the occasion of gathering around
a well-covered board. The stately minuet, moreover, had been
20
learned by the gayer ladies and gentlemen, and parties had been
given by John Sober and others at the Bachelor's Hall; but in
1748 it was thought that a subscription ball, in which married
men might join, would be a delightful institution. The tax was
40 shillings, but this paid for an entertainment every Thursday,
from the first of January to the first day of May, beginning
"precisely at six in the evening and not by any means to exceed
twelve the same night," and for complimentary tickets to the
ladies. The entertainment was moderate, consisting chiefly of
something to drink. There were 59 subscribers, including the
managers.
Lardner was made a Justice for Lancaster County in 1752,
and about that time relinquished the Seal. He was called to the
Provincial Council, June 13, 1755. In March, 1756, he was
chosen Lieutenant of the troop of horse, organized in connection
with two companies of foot and one company of artillery for the
defense of the city. Lardner was also one of the Commissioners
to spend the money which the Assembly about this time voted
for the King's use. He declined reappointment the following
year, but served in the same capacity subsequently. He was
some time a trustee of the College of Philadelphia and a member
of the American Philosophical Society.
After his marriage he resided on the west side of Second
Street, above Arch, and owned several houses in that locality,
besides farms outside the city. His country seat was "Somer-
set," part of which is known as " Lardner 's Point," on the Dela-
ware, near Tacony. He also had a shooting box on one of his
tracts in Northampton County, to which he gave the name
"Grouse Hall." He was also a member of a club which hunted
foxes in the neighborhood of Gloucester, N. J. His obituary
notice said, "It was the business, the purpose of his being next to
obeying Him to whom he is gone, to please and instruct. Kind-
ness and a desire of making all around him happy, were the motives
of his actions, and with all the capacity requisite for making a
figure in a contentious world, moderation, cheerfulness, affability
and temperance were the acts of his excellent life." He died
October 6, 1774, and* was buried at Christ Church. He married,
October 27, 1749, Elizabeth, daughter of William Branson, a
merchant of Philadelphia. Mr. Branson was a man of wealth, a
letter of 1 743 saying that he was worth ^4000 a year in course of
trade, besides ^400 a year in rent of houses in town. Mrs.
Lardner was born in 1732 and died August 26, 1761. Mr. Lardner
married the second time. May 29, 1766, Catharine Lawrence,
who survived him. His children were:
Elizabeth, born 1750, died young.
John, born September 6, 1752. He married Margaret
Saltar and resided at Somerset, haviiTg a city home on Walnut
Street. He was a member of the First Troop of Philadelphia
21
City Cavalry, in which organization he participated in the battles
of Trenton, Princeton, Brandy wine and Germantown and was
Cornet from 1779 to 1783 and 1794 to 1796. He was a member
of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1791. He became Captain of
the Third Troop, Philadelphia Light Dragoons, in 1798. He died
February 12th, 1825, and is buried at Trinity Church, Oxford.
Hannah, born 1753, died young.
Francis, born November 8, 1754, died unmarried.
Hannah, born November 28, 1756, died unmarried.
William, born December 8, 1758, married Ann Shepard.
James, born 1761, and was lost at sea in 1780.
As residents of Lehigh County, that part of Mr. Lardner's
life history connected with Grouse Hall is of more interest to us
than is that of his life elsewhere. The first owner of the tract was
George Rowe", who secured it by a warrant from Thomas and
Richard Penn, dated October 13, 1737. By non-compliance with
the terms of the warrant it became void and Lynford Lardner
secured it by a warrant, dated August 9, 1745, and also an adjoin-
ing tract by a warrant of September 10, 1747. These tracts were
united into one tract and a patent dated September 10, 1747, was
issued for the same. The tract began at a post by vacant land,
south 75 degrees, west 136 perches to a post, north 42, west
156 perches, north 60 perches to a post, east 236 perches and
south 140 perches to the place of beginning, containing 195 acres.
Quoting the words of the patent, we find the following:
"And whereas, said Lynford Lardner hath caused sundry buildings
and improvements to be made and erected upon said 195 acres,
now called or known by the name of Grouse Hall, now at the
request of said Lynford Lardner, we would be pleased to grant him
a confirmation of the same." Lardner was also required to pay
30 pounds, 4 shillings and 6 pence. The wording of this patent
proves to us that Grouse Hall was already known as such as
early as 1747, and that a building had already been erected at
that time.
Lardner's plantation of the Grange was formed of three
tracts, the first of which was warranted August 25, 1738, to
Reese Phillips, described as a tract near Macungie. The second
was warranted to Henry Deering on May 20, 1743. Neither
complied with the conditions of the warrants and they became
void. September 16, 1749, a warrant was issued to Lynford
Lardner for these tracts and a third tract, and on September ?6,
1750, a patent was issued to him for three tracts lying contiguous,
forming one tract of 305^ acres, called the Grange, of the manor
of Pennsburg, subject to the payment on the first of March of
every year of one-half penny sterling for every acre.
Lardner's will, executed September 30, 1774, was probated
October 25, 1774. In it he named his wife and son, John, as
executors, and directed them to sell the Andover Iron Works in
22
New Jersey and all his houses and the Warren Tavern in the
County of Chester. He bequeathed to his wife his house on
Second Street, Philadelphia; his country house, Somerset, in
Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, and the time of servitude
of his mulatto man, Pompey. To his son, John, he bequeathed
all his books, clothes, watch, his share in the Philadelphia library,
and his negro man, Toby. To his son, William, one-third of all
his houses in Second Street and 500 pounds, to be put on interest
during his minority. To his son, James, he gave all his rights in
warrants of land received. Then follows this clause: "Item,
Whereas, I have lately formed a plan to divide my two contiguous
plantations in the County of Northampton,, one of them called
Grouse Hall and the other called the Grange," etc. He then
directs that 150 acres be surveyed off to make another plan-
tation, called Springwood, and devised the same to his son,
James, to whom he also bequeathed his paper mill in Springfield
Township. To his daughter, Frances, he bequeathed his planta-
tion of Grouse Hall, "now in the tenure of George Rough," and
to his daughter, Hannah, the Grange, "now in the tenure of John
Rough."
It is probable that the names Rowe and Rough refer to the
same man, namely, George Ruch, as we find in the tax list of
1764, that George Ruch was taxed on 400 acres of land on which
he lived, but did not own, and in 1772 was taxed twelve pounds
for land he lived on, while John Ruch was taxed ten pounds,
sixteen shillings for the land on which he lived.
James Lardner having died in his minority, the four remaining
heirs of Lardner, conveyed to Henry Reitz, of Whitehall Town-
ship, on March 11, 1794, ^or 957 pounds, 18 shillings, the plantation
of Springwood, containing 154^ acres, "together with liberty
if found necessary for watering the meadow on the hereby granted
premises to dam the water of Little Cedar Creek as high as a
large stone, now standing in the said creek, near the small spring
between the line and Wm. Lohr's fence." Henry Reitz and
his wife, Magdalena, on April i, 1797, conveyed to Samuel Probst,
their son-in-law, a messuage and 122 acres and 123 perches, and
to Daniel Probst a messuage and 104 acres and 137 perches of
this tract. From the Probsts it descended into the Xander
family, then into the possession of the late Joseph E. Balliet and
is now owned by Col. H. C. Trexler, who has converted it into the
beautiful and attractive spot that we find it to-day.
The plantation of Grouse Hall, then described as containing
278 acres and 14 perches, was sold November 20, 1805, by John
and William Lardner, executors of their sister, Frances, to Caspar
Schoenebruch. This deed was not recorded. Schoenebruch
sold parts of the tract to various persons, among them Joseph
Bock and John Krack, and to Joseph Henry he sold a messuage
and tract of 122 acres and 98 perches on May 16, 181 2. Joseph
23
Henry and his wife, Elizabeth, sold this tract to Henry Strauss
on April 5, 1814. From the Strauss family it passed into the
possession of Tilghman H. and John Dorney and is now owned
by Robert R. Ritter.
The location of the building, called Grouse Hall, has been
fixed by different writers in different localities.
One writer gives the house, built by Peter Troxell, in 1744,
near the Jordan, as the place. Troxell purchased this land from
Caspar Wistar as early as 1743. Another writer fixed the loca-
tion at Guthsville, while a third stated that the land was owned
by the Wenner family. This latter comes nearest to the facts,
as the Wenner family purchased part of the Grouse Hall tract.
The following letters in the manuscript collections of the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, were written by Lynford
Lardner to William Parsons, of Kaston :
PhiladeIvPHIA, May 10, 1753.
"Dear Sir: The bearer is my tenant at Grouse Hall. He
agreed with a person who lives upon a part of the same tract to
clear annually a quantity of meadow ground in lieu of rent. This
he has not only neglected to do, but has likewise sowed two
following crops of wheat upon the same spot, spends most of his
time abroad and has destroyed a considerable quantity of young
timber to make fences for the security of his wheat, when at a
small distance an abundance of that more proper for the purpose
might be collected. In short, I am a great sufferer through his
idleness and rascality. I would, therefore, beg you to apply to
Mr. Gordon in this affair and give him any fee you think proper in
the case. Your affectionate friend, Lynford Lardner."
Windsor, Dec. 29, 1753.
*' This will be delivered to you by Peter Troxel, who bound
himself in a bond and warrant with Jacob Wert for 287 pounds.
He informs me only one-half of the stock at Grouse Hall lies as
yet under an execution. If so, I consent that he takes any legal
method to secure the other one-hklf to himself, exclusive of
household goods, as the only satisfaction he is likely to obtain
from his brother bondsman. This much I have promised to
write you." Lynford Lardner.
It seems probable that Troxell lost the amount of the bond,
as on Jan. 12, 1754, he mortgaged his house and 200 acres of land
to Lynford Lardner for 294 pounds.
On Scull's map of Pennsylvania in 1770, Grouse Hall is
located between the Cedar and Jordan Creeks. By the survey
of a road, laid out in 1753, from Lower Milford to Kern's Mill,
now Slatington, over 25 miles in length, we find that the road
passed through the Jordan Creek and land of Peter Troxell,
south 35 degrees, east 32 perches and south 15 degrees, east 60
perches, through vacant land, south 20 degrees, east 60 perches
24
and south lo degrees, west 92 perches to "the height of a long
hill, thence by land of Mr. Lynford Lardner, south 10 degrees,
east 40 perches to the east side near his plantation and by the
same south 15 degrees, east 220 perches and by vacant land
south 10 degrees, east 420 perches, to the Cedar Creek, the distance
from the Jordan Creek to Mr. Lardner's plantation being 284
perches and from there to the Cedar Creek two miles.
Pacing this distance of 284 perches from the Jordan we come
to the lane running west through land belonging for many years
to the Wenner family. This lane apparently ran some distance
farther years ago than it does to-day, for, if extended, it reaches
Grouse Hall, and was evidently the only outlet.
In conversation with Mr. David Schoudt, of Allentown, w^ho
is now 90 years old, he stated that he had heard old people say
that Lardner's house was a long, low building.
It was a great pleasure and satisfaction to the writer to be
able to say that on May 30, 1909, in company with Thos. P.
Wenner, a member of this society, he visited this vicinity, and
hearing from Charles Wenner that the house built by an English-
man was still standing, was conducted to it and found that the
greater part of the building was still standing. It is a structure
of stone with graveled sides, and was originally 43 feet long and
25 feet wide, a part having crumbled away. The interior was one
long room with a small cellar under the southern end, where a
splendid spring still gushes forth its priceless beverage. At the
northern end is a large fireplace, capable of roasting an entire
deer. A staircase leads to a small attic.
Here in this beautiful spot, Lardner and his friends enjoyed
the tender grouse and the juicy venison after a day's chase in
the surrounding forests and thickets. Before the house stretched
a natural meadow, through which a small run coursed, while in
the distance could be seen the Lehigh hills, in their pristine beauty,
undisfigured by smoke of coal then undiscovered, or by the
unknown railroad or modern stone quarry. Small wonder was it
that the men of power of those days sought recreation in the
beautiful vales and along the matchless streams of the valley of
the Lehigh.
St. John's Church, Mickley's, Pa.
History of Mickley's Church,
By Rev. Thomas H. Krick.
While St. John's Church of the Reformed and Lutheran
congregations of Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pa.,
commonly known as Mickley's Church, does not have the proud
distinction of being one of the first or earliest churches in Lehigh
County, it nevertheless has a beautiful and interesting history to
record, of which the members and the community can point to
with pride.
All history is interesting, especially the early history of
movements or efforts which are made looking to the betterment
of the social, moral and religious conditions of a community or
county. The founding and establishing of all churches must be
considered or regarded from this viewpoint. When the first
movement was started to conduct religious services near where
the present church is now located we do not know. For some
time services were held in the barn on the farm now owned and
occupied by T. G. Helfrich. . It seems that no house of worship
was erected. A burial ground, however, was in existence a
short distance back of the present barn. A single tombstone
remains with the following inscription: "Hier Ruhet Anna
Cathrina Mulrin ist Geboren im Jahr, A D 1733 und gestorwen
A D 1775 den 18 August. Mein Leib ruhet in der Erd doch
komt entlich auch die zeit dast ich Mich dort sehen wert in der
Froen ewigkeit."
Judging from the date of death we infer that this movement
was started before there were any churches in Allentown. When
the services were discontinued we do not know. The inhabitants
of this section, however, felt the need of a house of worship more
conveniently located. The nearest church to the north was the
Egypt Church; to the west, the Jordan; to the south, Allentown,
and to the east, Howertown or Shoenersville.
How long the erection of a new church or the organization
of congregations was agitated we do not know. The first meeting
looking forward to the erection of a church was held November
II, 1848, at the house of Andrew Sheldon, at which time sixty-one
persons expressed a willingness to contribute towards the erection
of a church. A subscription list was at once started. When
'^'.
Rkv. J. S. DuBBS, D. D.
(1850-1852.)
RKV. W. R. HoIM^ORD/D. D.
(1863-1901.)
Rev. G. p. Stem.
(i 900-1 901.)
28
an amount of money sufficient to warrant success had been
secured, the fathers of the two congregations began their work
in earnest, and in the fear of the Lord. The second meeting was
held April i, 1849, in Mickley's schoolhouse, afterwards called
Butz's schoolhouse, at which time an organization was effected.
This schoolhouse is still standing on Thomas J. Butz's farm,
between Hokendauqua and Mickley's.
After Peter Miller, Solomon Kemmerer, George Kemmerer,
Peter Mickley, Jacob Mickley, Thomas Butz, David Eberhard,
John Schadt and David Biery had each given two hundred dollars
and Joseph Biery, Daniel Roth and Peter Roth had each given
one hundred and fifty dollars, the undertaking was considered
safe.
The following is a free translation of the introductory article
of the first and only constitution of the church :
"On the ist day of April 1849 a number of inhabitants
of South Wheithal Township Lehigh Co. gathered at Mickleys
schoolhouse to confer regarding the erection of a new church.
The assembly was unanimouslly in favor that as soon as possible
the erection of a church should be begun. For this purpose the
above named assembly appointed a committee of 8 persons to
draw up a constitution for the new congregations. The selection
fell upon the following persons: John Schadt, Jacob Mickley,
Jr., Peter Mickley, Jr., Peter Miller, David Eberhard, Thomas
Butz, George Kemmerer, Charles Troxel."
The committee, according to instructions, prepared a con-
stitution with a few changes. It was afterwards adopted with
a few amendments added, since which it has served the congrega-
tions until this time.
On the afternoon of the same day and at the same place
the two congregations were regularly organized and the first
consistory of the Reformed congregation and the first council
of the Lutheran congregation were elected. From the Reformed
congregation the following were elected : Elders, David Biery
and Peter Roth; deacons, Reuben Schreiber, Jacob Seiple,
Henry Schadt and Peter Butz; trustee, John Schadt; presi-
dent of the consistory, Charles Troxel. For the Lutheran
congregation the following were elected: Elders, Solomon
Kemmerer and Reuben Paul; deacons, Nathan Eberhard, Jesse
Reichard, David Gross and Thomas Paul ; trustee, George Kem-
merer, and president of the church council, John Scheirer. Thomas
Butz was elected treasurer of the joint consistory and served in
that capacity until after the building and dedication of the
church, after which David Eberhard was elected treasurer and
served until the time of his death, August 21, 1869, after which
his son, Nathan Eberhard, was elected, who served until Whit-
monday, 1899, when Tilghman Helfrich was elected and has
served up to the present time.
Rev. a. J. G. DuBBS, D. D.
(1852-1860.)
30
Nathan Eberhard also served as secretary of the joint con-
sistory until 1899, when James Kemmerer was elected and served
until his death. His son, George, served for a few years, after
which Henry Long was elected, who is serving in that capacity
at present.
At the meeting on April i, 1849, the following Building
Committee was appointed: Jacob Mickley, Peter Miller, Peter
Mickley and David Eberhard. Most of the work of the founda-
tion and building was done by the members themselves, the
Building Committee taking the lead. The land belonging to the
congregations and on which the church stands was given by
David Beary and Daniel Roth. Joseph Biery gave the ground
on which the sheds are erected. That the Building Committee
were men of action is seen from the fact that the cornerstone of
the new church was laid on Whitsunday, May 27, 1849, less than
two months after the meeting in the schoolhouse. Rev. J. C.
Becker, D. D., preached in the morning and Rev. Jeremiah
Schindel, who became the first Lutheran pastor, preached in the
afternoon. Rev. J. S. Dubbs, D. D., was also present and assisted.
Rev. F. W. Mendsen laid the cornerstone.
The new church was dedicated on Saturday and Sunday,
November 17 and 18, 1849. On Saturday afternoon, Rev. J.
5. Dubbs, D. D., preached and Rev. Jeremiah Schindel preached
on Sunday forenoon. The collections amounted to $235.86.
The original building cost $5,494.42, of which $4,378.42 was
contributed in money and $1,116 in labor and hauling. All was
paid for at the final settlement shortly after the dedication and a
balance of $12.03 remained in the treasury. The account of the
money and labor contributed by the members have been care-
fully kept by the secretary, Nathan Eberhard.
How many persons entered into the organization of the two
congregations we do not know, but we have a complete list of
the names of the persons who communed from the first communion
to the present time.
The first communion of which we have any record, and
probably the first communion held in the new church, was held
by the Reformed congregation. May 12, 1850, at which time
64 persons partook of the Holy Communion. The second
communion was held October 27th of the same year, when 39
persons communed.
The first communion of the Lutheran congregation was
celebrated October 6, 1850, at which time 65 persons partook
of the Holy Sacraments. The second communion was held
March 23, 1851, when 26 persons communed.
The first class was confirmed in the new church October
6, 1850, by the Lutheran pastor and numbered 5.
The first confirmation of the Reformed congregation was
held April 13, 1851, when 22 persons were confirmed.
Rev. J. H. DuBBS, D. D.
(i 860-1 863.)
32
The first church register extends from the founding of the
church to 1863.
The largest number of communicants up to 1863 in the
Reformed congregation was April 6, 1861, when 112 communed.
The smallest number communing was on April i, 1854, when
38 communed.
The largest communion of the Lutheran congregation was
held in October, 1858, when 85 communed. The smallest number
communing was on March 23, 1851, when 26 communed.
The first record of death is Margaret Grueber, born March
30, 1770; died December 8, 1849.
The first record of baptism is a child of George Rece and
wife, baptized Septernber 8, 1850.
The first improvements to the property were made in 1868.
The Building Committee consisted of the following persons :
Peter Miller, Thomas Butz, Jacob Mickley, George Kemmerer,
Reuben Schreiber, George H. Stem, Charles Henninger and
Edward Houseman. There was also a Ladies' Furnishing
Committee.
John Minnich and Edwin Houseman had charge of the
carpenter work and outside painting. The frescoing and graining
was done by Anthony "Goth, of Bethlehem. The cost of the
improvements and repairs amounted to $4,789.57. Of this
amount $4,231.42 was expended by the Building Committee
and $567.15 by the Ladies' Furnishing Committee, who had
collected $659.73. After some delay the final settlement was
made and a balance of $26.20 was turned over to the church
treasurer.
The remodeled church was dedicated November 28, 1869.
Rev. D. Kuntz, of Nazareth, preached in the morning; Rev. A.
J. G. Dubbs, D. D., of Allentown, in the afternoon, and in the
evening the pastors of the church had charge of the services.
In 1876, the basement was repaired. The old stone partition
wall was taken out and the two separate rooms made into one.
This room was used for the Sunday School, until the spring of
1908, when the Sunday School took possession of the new chapel.
In 1 88 1, the congregations decided to erect a tower and
steeple, together with a house for the organist. The Building
Committee consisted of T. Franklin Butz, George H. Stem,
Reuben Hausman, Dennis Fry and Alfred T. Mickley. The
tower and steeple are 139 feet high and cost $2,567.63. The
cost of the organist's house was $790.16.
After the tower was completed a magnificent bell of 1,800
pounds was placed therein by T. Franklin Butz, Mrs. Eleanor
Weaver and Mrs. Eliza Troxel, children of Thomas Butz, one of
the founders of the church. The bell bears the inscription,
"The Thomas Butz Family Memorial." The dedication of the
tower, steeple and bell took place January 8, 1882.
Rev. J. D. ScHiNDEL.
(1867-1908,)
34
During the latter part of the summer of 1882, a fine pipe
organ of eighteen stops was presented to the church by George
H. Stem and family. The same bears the inscription, "To the
praise and glory of God. Presented by George H. Stem and
family to the Reformed and Lutheran congregations of South
Whitehall Church, 1882."
The organ was dedicated September 24, 1882. Rev. T. O.
Stem, of Kaston, preached in the morning and Revs. William
Rath and E. A. Gernant, of Allentown, in the afternoon, the
pastors having charge of the evening services.
The instruments in use before this organ was presented were
the one purchased August 17 and dedicated September 26, 1851,
and the cabinet organ, secured through the efforts of Joseph
Gackenbach, and dedicated May 21, 1,871.
Beyond the ordinary yearly repairs and improvements,
nothing special was done to the church until the semi-centennial
year, 1899. The Building Committee consisted of Henry Lazarus,
Tilghman G. Helfrich, James F. Schreiber and Alfred T. Mickley.
The church was rededicated June 4, 1899. Rev. W. Wackernagel,
D. D., preached in the morning. Rev. W. F. More and Rev.
J. F. Lambert preached in the afternoon. Rev. G. P. Stem
preached in the evening. Rev. M. O. Roth, Franklin H. Moyer,
Morris Schadt and Rev. J. J. Schindel were also present and
assisted. The cost of the improvements amounted to $3,000 and
were all paid for when the semi-centennial was celebrated, Novem-
ber 12, 1899.
A Missionary Society was organized by the Reformed con-
gregation. May 17, 1874, and by the Lutheran congregation in
1888.
The erection of a suitable Sunday School room was agitated
for some time, definite action being taken in the fall of 1906,
when the congregations voted in favor of the erection of an annex.
Work on the same was started in the spring of 1907. The corner-
stone of the new annex was laid with appropriate services, June
23rd. Revs. Thomas H. Krick and J. J. Schindel conducted the
devotional services. Rev. A. T. W. Steinhaeuser, of Allentown,
delivered an address in German and Rev. R. M. Kern, of Allen-
town, delivered an address in English. Rev. J. D. Schindel laid*
the cornerstone.
The dedication of the annex took place June 7, 1908. Rev.
J. F. Lambert, of Catasauqua, preached in the morning. Rev.
C. M. Jacobs, of Allentown, and Rev. G. P. Stem, of Siegfried,
delivered addresses in the afternoon. Rev. David Scheirer, of
Howertown, preached in the evening. Rev. T. H. Krick and
Rev. J. J. Schindel conducted the devotional services. Rev.
J. D. Schindel, D. D., was present at the three services, but owing
to throat trouble, by the advice of his physician, took no part in
the services. Rev. O. H. Strunk, of Schuylkill Haven, was
present at the three services and made an earnest plea for the
liquidation of the debt. The subscriptions and cash collections
Rev. J. J. ScHiNDEL,
(1899- )
Rev. Jeremiah Schindel,
(1850-1859.)
Rev. T. H. Krick.
(1901- )
36
amounted to $550. The building is made of cement blocks,
manufactured by Long & Mickley. The Building Committee
were Tilghman Helfrich, president; Henry E. Long, architect;
Henry E. Fenstermaker, secretary; James W. Eberhard, treasurer;
James Marcks and Richard Lazarus.
Name.
Inasmuch as the original name of the church was South
Whitehall Church and was no longer proper, the congregations
by a unanimous vote. May 22, 1899, changed the name to St.
John's Church of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations of
Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pa. The church was also
for some time known as the Sheldon's Church, but is best known
as Mickley 's Church.
Ministers.
For the Reformed congregation the following have been
the pastors :
Rev. J. S. Dubbs, D. D., 1850-1852.
Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, D. D., 1852-1860.
Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D. D., 1860-1863.
Rev. W. R. Hofford, D. D., May 3, 1863, to January 31, 1901.
Rev. G. P. Stem, assistant to Rev. Hofford, 1 900-1 901.
Rev. Thomas H. Krick, August i, 1901 —
For the Lutheran congregation :
Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, 1 850-1 859.
Rev. B. E. Kramlich, 1859-1860.
Rev. W. G. Memmy as supply, 1 860-1 861.
Rev. F. J. F. Schantz, D. D., 1861-1866.
Rev. Carl Schlenker, supply, 1 866-1 867.
Rev. J. D. Schindel, June i, 1867, to June 27, 1908.
Rev. J. J. Schindel, 1899—
The following have been the organists:
F. G. Bernd, 1850-1851.
Jacob Slemmer, 1 851-1852.
John S. Faust, 1852-1861.
John Leonard, 1 861-1869.
Benjamin Seam, 1870.
Joseph Gackenbach, 1 871-1872.
James A. Fatzinger, 1 872-1 874.
James B. Snyder, 1 874-1 893.
Alfred J. Benner, 1 894-1 903.
Alfred J. Held, 1903 —
The following have been the superintendents of the Sunday
School :
Samuel Miller, Nathaniel Krause, Alfred W. Troxel, William
K. Derr, Benjamin Seam, William Stem, James P. Geiner, Edward
Haaf, Tilghman G. Helfrich, James J. Kemmerer, William E.
Erdell, Franklin Krechel, William E. Newhard, Gustavius Reich-
ard, Charles Hefifelfinger, Henry Long, Henry Fenstermaker.
BuTz's School House.
Founders and Organizers of Mickley's
Church, Whitehall Township.
By Miss Minnie) F. Mickley.
William Penn, in his "Reflections and Maxims," says, "It
is one of the fatalist errors of our lives, when we spoil a good
cause by ill management, and it is not impossible but we may
mean well and in an ill business; but that does not defend it."
It was the example of their forefathers, who fled from the
religious persecution in Alsace Lorraine and the Rhine Pfaltz,
that the people of Whitehall followed in the building of Egypt
Church, and two generations later in the building of this church.
I have copied the names of the sixty-one men and women
who contributed. They met at the hotel, November ii, 1848,
six months before they met in the schoolhouse for organization,
April I, 1849. Then they prepared to act, and at this meeting
the following persons were appointed to prepare a constitution for
the government of the church: John Schaadt, Jacob Mickley,
Peter Mickley, Peter Miller, David Eberhard, Thomas Butz,
George Kemmerer and Charles Troxell. The constitution pre-
sented by this committee was adopted, and with few changes is
still used by the congregations. The officers were also named at
this time. The following Building Committee was appointed:
Jacob Mickley, Peter Miller, Peter Mickley and David Eberhard.
Most of the work of the foundations and much of the building
was done by the members themselves, the Building Committee
taking the lead.
The cornerstone was laid on Whitsunday, May 27, 1849,
less than two months after they organized in the schoolhouse.
The following list I found in an old desk that belonged to
my grandfather, Jacob Mickley:
As we the undersigned have held a meeting on Nov. nth,
1848 in South Whitehall township, county of Lehigh at the house
of Andrew Sheldon for to build a Church in the said township
just below the house of Mr. Sheldon on the lands of David Biery,
Daniel Rhoads and Joseph Biery,
Peter Rhoads Pres.
Jacob Sherrer Sec.
39
I.
Peter Roth.
32.
Thilman Scheirer.
2.
Jacob Scherer.
33-
Joseph Reichard.
3-
Jacob Mickley Jr.
34-
George Kress.
4-
David Biery.
35-
Moses Diefenderfer.
5-,
Jacob Heckenswelder.
36.
Owen Kuntz.
6.
David Everhard.
37-
Thomas Geitner.
7-
John Schadt.
38-
Jonas Scheirer.
8.
Joseph Biery.
39-
J. P. Butz.
9-
Reuben Paul.
40.
Peter Hoffman.
lO.
Charles Troxell.
41.
Stephen Lentz.
II.
Andrew Sheldon.
42.
Abraham Worm an.
12.
H. Patterson.
43-
Tilghman Freiman.
13-
Peter Mickley.
44-
Jacob Seipel Jr.
14-
George Kemerer.
45-
St off el Freyman.
15-
Jacob Schriber.
46.
Jonathon Semel.
i6.
Thomas Butz.
47.
Reuben Schad.
17-
John Scheirer.
48.
John Sheatz.
i8.
David Gross.
49.
Peter Kolb.
19-
Conrad Meyer.
50.
Josiah Scherer.
20.
Solomon Kemerer.
51-
Benjamin H. Schaad,
21.
Jacob Mickley Sr.
52.
Solomon Wenner.
22.
M. Rickard.
53-
Owin Bortz.
23-
John Shaadt.
54-
Paul Newhard.
24-
Heinrich Schaadt.
55-
James Ringer.
25-
Jacob Gruber.
56.
Maria Ringer.
26.
Daniel Roth.
57-
Henry Schneider.
27.
Peter Miller.
58.
Daniel Scnyder.
28.
Joseph Miller.
59-
Daniel J. Rhoads.
29.
George Seipel.
60.
Solomon D. Heiser.
30-
S. Miller, widow.
61.
Jacob Roth.
31-
Robert Mclntire.
Peter Rhoads was president of the meeting held at the hotel
of Andrew Scheldon, one of the first elders, and one of the
descendants of one of the organizers of Egypt Church. Daniel
J. Rhoads was also a descendant of one of the early Whitehall
families prominent in the building of the Egypt Church. David
Biery and Daniel Roth gave the land for the church and old
burying ground.
Jacob Sherer lived in Whitehall. Whether he was a descend-
ant of the Sherers, of Berks County, I do not know.
Jacob Mickley, Sr. and Jr., are descendants of John Jacob
Mickley, who is mentioned in the Egypt records in August, 1801,
as architect. His grandsons, Jacob and Peter Mickley, were
members of the Building Committee of this church.
David and Joseph Biery were the descendants of Joseph
Biery, of Berks County, whose son, Henry Biery, was one of the
builders of the Egypt Church in 1785.
40
Nathan Eberhard, one of the deacons, and David Eberhard
are descendants of Joseph Eberhard, who was one of the early
members of the Great Swamp congregation in Lower Milford,
some of the family being members of the Egypt Church.
John Schaadt, an elder and member of the committee who
drew up the Church Constitution, was a grandson of one of the
early members of the Reformed Church of Egypt, one of the
builders of the second church in 1781.
Reuben Paul, elder of the church, is a descendant of John
Paul, mentioned as a member of the Egypt Church in 1785.
Thomas Paul was one of the deacons.
Charles Troxell was one of the Troxell family, whose ances-
tors gave part of the land on which the Egypt Church was built
in 1764, and whose ancestor was a child of Peter Troxell, one of
whose sons was the first baptism, mentioned in 1734, of the
Egypt congregation. He was president of the consistory of the
Reformed congregation.
George Kemmerer, trustee and member of the committee
that prepared the constitution, and Solomon Kemmerer were the
descendants of the Kemmerers, of Salisbury Township, where
they were active members of the Salisbury Church. Solomon
was one of the first elders of Mickley's Church.
Thomas Butz, great-grandson of Peter Butz, who settled in
Butz Dale (Gass), Berks County, where the family were members
of the Long Swamp Church, was the first treasurer of this church
and a member of the committee that prepared the constitution.
The Ringers were descendants of George Ringer, one of the
early settlers of Whitehall, whose ancestor was one of the elders
of the Egypt Church.
Maria Ringer was one of the two women, whose names are
mentioned as contributors.
Jacob and Reuben Schrieber were descendants of Philip
Jacob Schreiber, who was elder and trustee and architect of the
Egypt Church in 1801.
Paul Newhard was a descendant of Michael Newhard, who
was one of the deacons of the Egypt Church in 1801.
The late Dr. Schindel, in a sketch of the Lutheran congre-
gation of Egypt, says that an effort was made to build a church
at Helf rich's Spring, where there was a cemetery in which the
Millers and Helfrichs were buried.
Peter Miller, a member of the Building Committee, was a
descendant of Catherine Miller, who was buried in the old ceme-
tery. His parents were baptized and confirmed at Egypt. I
do not know who S. Miller, widow, was.
The Roths, Ringers, Eberhards, Sherers and Schaadts
attended the services which were held in the old grist mill, but
later became founders of this church. These people, no doubt,
preferred that location, as it was nearer their homes.
Henry and Daniel Schneider were descendants of Stephen
Schneider, who settled in Whitehall before 1765, and were, no
doubt, related to the John Schneider, whose children were scalped
by the Indians in 1763. They were prominent members of the
Egypt Church.
Peter Kolb belonged to the Kolb family, who lived near the
Jordan, whose ancestors, no doubt, belonged to the Jordan
Church.
Tilghman and Christopher Fryman belonged to a Whitehall
famil.y Tilghman Freyman died a few years ago.
The Scheirers are descended from Adam Scheirer, who was a
member of the Union Church; John Scheirer being president of
the first Church Council of Mickley's Lutheran Church.
David Gross, Jacob Seipel and Jesse Reichard were elected
deacons at the first church meeting held in the stone schoolhouse,
April I, 1849.
Peter Hoffman was a descendant of Michael Hoffman, one
of the early settlers and an officer of the Egypt Church.
Andrew Scheldon (his son, the late John Sheldon, of Phila-
delphia, told me) came to Whitehall from Western New York,
and he, no doubt, became interested in the building of the
church through his wife, Anna Mickley.
Conrad Meyer was of Lower Milford, where his ancestors
were mentioned as belonging to the Great Swamp Church.
Jonathan Semmel was a descendant of Martin Semmel, who
was a member of the Jordan Church, and was among the early
Whitehall families.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of
this church, Rev. Dr. J. D. Schindel, in his address, said, "Fifty
years ago our fathers and grandfathers met and organized this
church. They have all passed away, the work and the church
remain. Fifty years from to-day the little children here will be
in our places. We who remember the beginnings, not one of us
will be here." To-day we meet without the kindly presence of
Dr. Schindel, and to those who attend this church, I know it is
with a feeling of sadness to all of us that he can not join in the
greeting of the Lehigh County Historical Society. As a member
of the Historical Society his absence and loss is keenly felt. We
know what great interest he would have taken to-day, and while
trying to compile this little sketch of the organizers of this church,
I miss the knowledge that he could have given me of the people of
whom I write, for he was the link between the past and present,
a pastor who knew his people, who could mention the names of
every member of each family. We all remember his kindly
greeting in which he invariably remembered the member of the
family who was absent from home or ill. He could have told
me so much that I want to know concerning the people of whom I
have given so imperfect a sketch. If we could have had a paper
42
from Dr. Schindel we should have a continuation of that most
interesting sketch of the Egypt Church, which is given in the
proceedings of the Lehigh County Historical Society. I feel that
my paper is a very feeble effort to give you what otherwise should
be a more interesting historical article.
These men and women have all passed away. They have
left to us a legacy in our places of worship, a worthy desire for
something uplifting. When you see a country place and a village
church, you feel a confidence in the people of the neighborhood,
for church-going people are generally good people. I know that
the spire of this church has been an inspiration to many persons,
and one who lived about a mile from here could see the spire from
her bedroom window. She was a foreigner, who often felt lonely
and sometimes forsaken. She said, "When I look across the
country and see the church in the distance with its spire pointing
heavenward, I feel a consoling influence of good." We all know,
when we are away from home, the sight of a church in a rural
district seems like a benediction. Let us try to follow in the
footsteps of our forefathers.
Notable Events in the Social Life of
Allentown in the 1 8th Century.
By Chari^es R. Roberts.
Perhaps the first noteworthy event in the history of Allen-
town took place on Sunday, October 9, 1763, the day after the
Indian massacres in Whitehall township, when the inhabitants
came flocking to the new town in such numbers that the Lutheran
minister, Rev. Jacob Joseph Roth, was obliged to stop preaching.
Colonel James Burd, commander of the troops stationed at Fort
Augusta (now Sunbury), had arrived in town on Friday evening,
and in a letter written by him he states that on Saturday the
town was crowded with men, women and children flying from the
Indians, whom they said were within a few miles of the place,
killing all before them and burning the houses. Thereupon he
gathered the men of the town together and formed a company of
twenty-five men for the defence of the town, but found only four
guns in the town, one of which was his own, two out of order,
and no ammunition. Colonel Burd was obliged by the Governor's
instructions to him to leave Northampton on Sunday, and after
his departure George Wolf was chosen Captain and Abraham
Rinker, Lieutenant of the company. Captain Wolf was the
bearer of a letter sent the next day by Rev. Roth to Governor
Hamilton, asking for arms and ammunition.
Accounts of the early social life of Allentown are very meagre,
as doubtless, the inhabitants in the first few decades had little
time in the struggle for existence for social amenities. The first
mention of guests entertained here is in the diary of James Allen,
who spent some time at Trout Hall in the first part of November,
1770, with Mr. Lawrence, his brother, William Allen, and James
Tilghman, Secretary of the Land office. They were hunting
grouse "at Heller's, near the gap of ye mountain," now known
as the Wind Gap, but "to their surprise did not get one grouse."
The writer of "A Summer Jaunt in 1773," does not speak
very highly of Allentown. The account says that the party
arrived at Allentown about nine o'clock and stopped at the sign
of the King of Prussia, but that the odors that assailed their
nostrils were so unpleasant that they could not remain in it, and,
to quote the exact language, "had it not been for the kindness of
44
Mr. Backhouse [Richard Backhouse, later of Durham Iron
Works], who invited the company to take breakfast with him,
must have gone without, but we were strangers and he took us
in, for which he has our blessing. AUentown is a pretty situation,
but it seems to be a poor place."
June 25, 1773, was, no doubt, the occasion of a large gathering
here, when the cornerstone of Zion Reformed Church was laid.
This was a stone building, the successor of the log church, used
jointly by the Reformed and Lutherans. It cost about 500
pounds sterling.
The summer of 1776, Mr. James Allen spent at Trout Hall,
and he says, "The country was to me delightful. I, my neighbor,
Mr. Benezet, Captain Symes (of the 52nd Foot), a prisoner, to-
gether with occasional visits, made the time agreeable enough."
Mr. John Benezet, a merchant of Philadelphia, lived in a stone
house, still standing in Catasauqua, which he had purchased in
1776 from George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. He owned a fine plantation of over 300 acres along the
west bank of the Lehigh, and spent his summers here. He sold
the property in 1782 to David Deshler, of AUentown, who died
there.
During October and November, Mr. Allen remained at Trout
Hall, in his own words, "a calm spectator of the Civil War,"
but occasionally gave great offense to the violent whigs of North-
ampton by entertaining the regular officers, our prisoners, and
was often threatened on that account.
In February, 1777, the town was filled with soldiers, the
battalion of militia of this district assembling here, numbering
600 men. They remained two weeks and marched off on the
15th of February.
On September 17, 1777, James Hamilton, former Colonial
Governor of the Province and uncle to Mr. Allen, arrived at
Trout Hall, where he was sent by resolve of Congress. He was
very happy that he was so well situated, and remained here the
entire winter.
On November 2, 1777, John Hancock passed through here
on his way from York to Boston. He was escorted by a troop of
fifteen horsemen.
On November 21, 1777, Mr. Allen wrote in his diary that
"Mr. John Adams, who passed through here a week ago, said
that independence was now unalterably settled." He adds,
"The General Hospital is still here and the Director General,
Dr. Shippen, and his assistant. Dr. Bond, my old acquaintance,
with my wife's cousin, T. Lawrence, make out a good society,
and we endeavor to banish Politics."
On the 26th of December, 1777, Mr. Allen rode to Valley
Forge and dined with General Washington at his headquarters,
• HE
UNl'veBSlTY
45
who was very civil to him. He received permission for Mrs.
Lawrence, his wife and children to go to Philadelphia, but not
to return. Mrs. Lawrence, with his daughters, Nancy and Peggy,
shortly after, went to Philadelphia, and on the 7th of January,
1778, Mr. Allen accompanied his wife and child, with Mrs. Duberry
and her daughter, to the British lines about the city. After they
had gone into the city, Mr. Allen waited at the lines until his
three brothers and Mr. Lawrence came out, and all rode to Cler-
mont arid dined together, with Capt. Craig, of the American
horse, who was so polite as to meet them on their way down
and escort them near the city. Mr. Allen was inexpressibly
happy at meeting his brothers, whom he had not seen since Decem-
ber I, 1776, and wrote that he never passed a happier day, nor
was more unhappy, than when they left him to return in the
evening. He spent the night at Mrs. Lawrence's, and arrived
here at Trout Hall "the day but one after."
On the 13th of February, 1778, Mr. Allen left Trout Hall
for the last time, and went to Philadelphia with his sister, Mrs.
John Penn. He wrote, February 27, 1778, "Here I feel an ease,
security and freedom of speech, that has long been denied me;
while on the other hand, I find my finances inadequate to the
expenses of living in my usual style; and should prefer my old
situation at Trout Hall, with security for my person and property."
He died in September, of this year, 1778.
On January 2, 1779, a troop of Pulaski's cavalry passed
through here on the way to Lebanon for winter quarters.
Mrs. Washington or Lady Washington, as she is called in
the Moravian Diary, passed through here, with her escort, on
June 16, 1779, when she left Bethlehem on her way to Virginia.
On October 6, 1780, Joseph Reed, President of the Supreme
Executive Council; John Bayard, Speaker of the Assembly, and
David Rittenhouse, State Treasurer, escorted by twenty Bucks
County militia, on horseback, passed through here on the way to
Reading.
After considerable research in the Congressional Library and
elsewhere, I am now able to state that General George Washing-
ton passed through Allentown on July 25, 1782. An entry in
Freeman's Journal, dated July 31, 1782, reads, "On Wednesday
last his excellency General Washington left this city (Philadelphia)
in order to join the main army on the banks of the Hudson."
From an entry in his expense account (the book is to be
seen in the Congressional Library), it appears that his stopping
place for the night of the 24th was at Pottsgrove (now Potts-
town), thirty-six miles northwest of Philadelphia.
His next stop was Bethlehem, to reach which place he must
have passed through Allentown. The Moravian Diary says on
July 25, 1782, that General Washington arrived quite unexpect-
46
edly, accompanied by two aides and no escort. These aides
were Col. Trumbull and Major Walker. On the 27th he arrived
at Newburg.
It was about this time that a little incident took place that
is worthy of mention. The wives of two citizens of Allentown,
who were sisters, frequently went horseback riding together.
Tradition has not handed down what habit they wore, only that
they wore velvet shoes, and that a bystander noticing this, ex-
claimed, "Velveta shoe! Ma maint sie hetten fransela genung."
It might interest the ladies to hear what the names and
prices of dress goods were in those days. In May, 1774, Aquila
Tool (who, by the way, was a man, and not a woman), bought
at Allentown, ^ yd. of lawn, 5s. ; I yd. lawn, 3s. ; tape, 4d. ; sundries
for his maid, 5s. 8d.; total, ^o. 14s. od.
John Lehr bought a black cravat for ^o. 4s. 8d.
Elizabeth Reitz bought an apron pattern for ^o. 9s. 6d. ;
I yd. lawn, 3s. od.; 2^ yds. tape, 4d.; thread, 2d.; i paper pins,
lod.; bobbins, 6d.; i leghorn hat, £0. 4s. 6d.; needles, 2d.; total,
£0. 19s. od.
Non so preties lace sold at 2d. per yard; turkey stripe at
6s.; shalloon at 2s. 9d.; cambric at 6s.; silk ribbon, is.; fustian,
2s. 8d. ; buckram, 2s. ; a black silk handkerchief at 6s. ; calico at
4s.; swanskin at 4s.; blue ferreting at 4d.; plush at iis.; brown
holland at 2s. ; a silk Romall at 5s. 6d. ; a thimble, 2d. ; blue damask,
4s. 4d.; ratinet, 3s. 9d. a yard; a Barcelona handkerchief, 6s.;
Irish linen, 4s., and nankeen, 3s. per yard.
The Emaus Moravian Congregation.
(Translated and compiled from original sources.)
By Rkv. Ai^len E. Abel.
An early historia^i of the Kmmaus Moravian congregation
says: "It is a characteristic of true love to cordially share that
which one possesses. If one has found a great treasure and
carries in his heart at the same time a true love to his own loved
ones and fellowmen, he will not only reveal this treasure, but
also share it with them." This represents the Moravian Church,
in the eighteenth century in the American Colonies, as longing
to impart the treasure of the Gospel of Christ, in the forgiveness
of sins to all men who were without the knowledge of salvation,
or who did not have the means of grace.
The early settlers of this part of Lehigh County were as yet
poorly or not at all supplied with spiritual guides when the
Moravian brethren settled on the banks of the Lehigh, at Bethle-
hem, and began active missionary operations among neglected
whites and heathen Indians.
Among the settlers of this section who had a more distinct
part in the organizing of this congregation, sometimes called
"the Fathers of Emmaus," were Sebastian Knauss and Jacob
Ehrnhardt. As their experiences can almost be considered
one with the congregation, we will briefly note that the former
was a native of Wetteravia, and brought up in the Reformed
Confession. Coming to America in 1723, and while learning his
trade at the home of pious Henry Antes, he also began to profit
spiritually, in so far as to question whether all was well with him.
With his wife, visiting Bethlehem in 1742, he was stirred
anew and the work of the Holy Spirit became fruitful in his
finding his Saviour. He became a member of the Moravian
Church long before the organization of the Emmaus Moravian
congregation.
So, also, Jacob Ehrnhardt, the co-worker of Knauss in the
work, a native of Worms and brought up in the Lutheran faith,
came to this country in the fall of 1739. His spiritual experi-
ence was that of a blind man groping in the dark. He searched
within himself and without, heard now this preacher and now
that one; he prayed, sought to leave the evil and do the good,
but all was not sufficient to quiet the unrest of his heart.
48
This man confesses that he often prayed God that He would
lead him to His people or to those who could show him the way
to salvation.
In 1742 he got to hear of the Moravian brethren, and was
soon convinced that they were the people of God. He invited
them to visit him, and upon this, after a fortnight, several, among
them David Nitschman, held a song service in his house (we
presume in the neighborhood of Emmaus) and related many
things that the Saviour, through his life, work, and sacrifice, had
done. This visit was a lasting blessing to him and his family
and he felt blessed whenever these visits were repeated. These
souls, thus called and prepared, were to be the instruments in
God's hands for the founding of this congregation.
Through the fishers sent to seek and to catch souls, as the
historian of that day puts it, these souls were rescued out of
their need and perplexity and were shown the treasure in Jesus
Christ. Among the first fishers or apostles in the township of
Salisbury are counted the brethren, Gottlieb Betzold and Leonard
Schnell.
Especially was the latter an instrument in God's hand- to
lead many souls into the freedom of the grace of God. In the fall
of 1 74 1 did God especially bless the mission in Pennsylvania in the
person of Count Zinzendorf , who made known his willingness to
preach the good word of life to all hungry souls wherever it was
desired. Immediately the brethren, Jacob Ehrnhardt and Sebas-
tian Knauss, united in a request to Zinzendorf, to preach in the
house of the former. This request was complied with and the
Count soon thereafter preached in Ehrnhardt's house to a large
company, but very briefly, on the words, "Straight is the gate
and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be
that find it," Matt. 7: 14.
Not long after the three brethren, Sebastian Knauss, Jacob
Ehrnhardt and Andrew Schaus, petitioned Zinzendorf that the
church at Bethlehem might take them under their spiritual
oversight and that through the brethren the word of the Gospel
might be preached unto them. The request was granted on the
condition that everything should be instituted according to
Lutheran usage. This was agreeable to them and they accepted
the stipulation with gratitude. Some time in the fall of 1742,
a log church was begun. The land, about 100 acres, for a church
and cemetery was donated by Jacob Ehrnhardt and others, and
as soon as the same was completed the brethren from Bethlehem
supplied them with preachers. Of these Leonard Schnell preached
the most frequently, with blessing to many of all sects and reli-
gious creeds, administering the sacraments according to the
Lutheran usage, although Reformed and others participated.
This church building was removed to another site in the rear of
the present Moravian chapel in 1749. Thus were the people
49
of this settlement of Salisbury or Maguntschi (in Indian "the
feeding place of the bears"), cared for in spiritual things until
the year 1746, when they became solicitous for the spiritual
welfare of their children, in order that these might also be trained
in the knowledge and love of God. For this reason a schoolhouse
was begun in 1746, and an aged brother from Moravia, Christopher
Demuth by name, occupied the house till the next fall.
In September of that year a beginning was made with a
so-called boarding school, the care of the children being given
into the hands of Christopher Heynes, John Muenster, Anton
Wagner, and their wives, who fulfilled their office with such
faithfulness and energy that no change was made for three or
four years. The historian relates that many in the school were
judged ripe for reception into the church through baptism, while
others the dear Lord took to himself. The institution was
enlarged in 1750, when the school at Oley (near Reading) was
transferred and united with the one at Salisbury. The two
single brethren, Schwartz and Adam von Erd, accompanied the
children from Oley. Some other single brethren, namely, Peter
Braun, Marc Ralfs and Heppner Schon, were sent as their assis-
tants. During this year the families of the Oerters, Horns and
Christopher Franckens, were added to the working force of the
institution.
These children, some of them of well-to-do Philadelphia
families, "with an allowance of meat twice a week" (!) were
abundantly cared for, spiritually and temporarily. The routine
of the institution included morning and evening devotions,
regular hours of study and recreation, also their lovefeasts in
their season. On Sundays a brother held service in the church,
which the children attended. This school was successfully
carried on under the care and guidance of these brethren and
sisters from 1750 to 1753, when in August the institution was
removed on account of the fears of an outbreak of the Indians,
for greater safety, to Bethlehem. The first interments on the
Old Moravian Cemetery near the school and church building
were two children of the school, George and Elizabeth Moz.
In like manner as the year 1747 was characterized as a year
of blessing for the children through the founding of the insti-
tution of the boarding school, so also it was propitious as a
year of grace and blessing for the parents and adults. For many
of those, who had shown themselves receptive to the work of the
spirit and the guiding hand of the church at Bethlehem, not only
held faithfully to the church services and the teachings of the
cross of Christ, but also gave frequent intimations that they
were willing to stand in closer relationship.
So it appeared to the bishops and elders of Bethlehem, time
to gather this ripe grain into a sheaf, and they accordingly resolved
to gather these souls into a congregation and to provide them with
50
the needful spiritual workers and oversight. For this purpose
the adherents in Salzburg were called together in a lovefeast
on July 23, 1747, at wiiich the subject of organization was dis-
cussed with them, and it was definitely determined upon, that
the following Sabbath should be the day for the completion of
the organization.
Accordingly, on the next Sunday, July 30, 1747, there gath-
ered in Bethlehem all the chosen ones, some living in Salzburg
and some in Saucon, all being present but those prevented by
sickness. They all attended morning service. Brother John
Frederick Kammerhof presiding, basing his sermon on the daily
text: "They shake the head at Him," citing these lines which
the historian quotes :—
"Gottes Leiden und blutige Much,
Reimt sich nicht mit Philosophic."
After the sermon an enjoyable lovefeast took place in the
chapel, during which different matters pertaining to the outward
and inner arrangements of the organization were discussed. They
were then introduced to the brethren and sisters who should be
their leaders. Thus Brother Anton and Sister Elizabeth Wagner
were to be their elder and elderess; John Munster and his wife,
Rosina, deacon and deaconess, and Brother Christopher Heyne
and his wife, Maria, were to be superintendents over the boarding
school children. At 6 o'clock the whole congregation assembled,
and the little band from Salzburg were set in the midst, the con-
gregation encircling them while among others, this hymn was sung:
"Die unumschraenkete Hand des Herrn
Besorgt sie all in der Naeh und Fern;
Und zuweilen sammelt Er sich auch Haufen,
Die Er mit seinem Geist pflegt zu taufen.
Zu einem Leibe.
"Das werden Gemeinen des Herrn genennt
Worin das Feuer des Herren brennt :
Unser Gotteslaemmlein wohnt in der Mitten;
Gnade und Wahrheit fuellt solche Huetten
Und Fried und Freud."
After they had thus sung, Spangenberg spoke on the daily
word: "For a pattern to them which should hereafter believe
on Him," i Tim. 1:16. Following the address the newly chosen
brethren and sisters were ordained for the work in Salzburg by
the laying on of hands by Bishops Spangenberg and Cammerhoff.
Finally, Brother Sebastian and Sister Anna Knauss and Brother
Jacob Ehrnhardt and Sister Barbara Ehrnhardt were set apart
by the laying on of hands to the office of church wardens.
This act of organization was concluded with the celebration
of the Holy Communion, administered to the following ten
51
members of the newly received Salzburg congregation by Rev.
Cammerhoff : Sebastian Knauss, Anna Knauss, Jacob Ehrnhardt,
Barbara Ehrnhardt, Samuel Eberhardt Kopp, Anna Kopp,
Conrad Wezel, Philip Kratzer, Jacob Herrmann, Heinrich Guth.
The remaining charter members who were enrolled at the
organization were : Joseph Graff, Susanna Graff, Peter Graff,
Margareta Graff, Johannes Knauss, Maria C. Knauss, Jacob
Loscher and wife, Johannes Koehler, Eva M. Koehler, Martin
Bamberger, Elizabeth Bamberger, Johannes Landes and wife,
Jacob Barstler, Catherine Albrecht, George Hartmann, Christina
Hartmann, Tobias Weber, Margareta Weber, Peter Hoffmann
and wife, Rudy Oberly and wife, Frederick Rauschenberger,
Maria Rauschenberger, Catherine Guthin, Rosina Pfingstag,
Rosina Mosz, Mrs. Philip Kratzer, Gertrude Cogin, Catherine Wezel.
Of the forty-four charter members of the congregation the
following thirteen are recorded in the church register as having
been buried on the old cemetery: Conrad Wezel, Anna C. Kopp,
Samuel Kopp, Jacob Ehrnhardt, Rosa Mosz, Johannes Knauss,
Catherine Wezel, Sebastian Knauss, Barbara Ehrnhardt, Maria
Rauschenberger, Frederick Rauschenberger, Johann Philipp
Kratzer, Anna Catherine Knauss. Anton Wagner, the first
pastor in 1747 to 1750, and again in 1763 to 1766, as also
Andreas Langgaard, pastor in 1773 to 1777, lie buried on the old
"God's acre."
The total number of communicants, that at the beginning
constituted the congregation at Salzburg, was forty-four persons.
Another section visited by the brethren from Bethlehem was
"Allemangel," so called on account of the poor returns from the
soil, now Lynn township, where a work of grace, however, was
carried on, and from time to time, believers from there were
added to the church. These, as far as the serving of the Sacra-
ments was concerned, were held as a filial of the newly organized
work in Salzburg. A united communion was celebrated for the
first time, July 23, 1749, and this relation continued with the Alle-
mangel work until October 2, 1751, when the last communion was
held.
The desire to have a strictly Christian communion, apart
from the sinful influences of the world, is not entirely unknown
among Christians, even to-day. That persons belonging to the
Brethren's Church, or any particular branch thereof, may have
for themselves and families living either in towns or on their plan-
tations a Cure Animarum, and preservation from dangerous and
hurtful worldly connections and their consequences, which care
and preservation and other spiritual assistance they too well recog-
nize, cannot be had in their present places of abode, living either
mixed with other people of different sentiments and practises, or
on plantations too remote from our churches and congregation
houses, was the object of the church authorities, when on May 5,
52
1758, a congregation village (Gemein-Ort) closed to all but the
members of the Salzburg Church was formed. Most laudatory
and exemplary were the town regulations, some of which I take
the liberty of citing here, namely :
"16. It necessarily follows that no one can have leave to
reside in this village, but those who belong to the Brethren's
Church, and such who earnestly desire to live a peaceful and quiet
life in all godliness and honesty, whereby they for themselves
and their own hearts may have benefit; mutually build up each
other ; have the word of God richly dwelling among them ; train up
their children for our Saviour; preserve their sons and daughters
for Him; become a blessing and advantage to the province ; a pleas-
ure to the magistrates and an honor to our Saviour.
"A second reason for the building of this village is that its
inhabitants in the emergencies and troubles of war (as has been
the case since the year 1755) may be in a condition mutually to
assist each other, as well as generally to render the difficulties inci-
dent to human life more supportable.
"17. Nothing shall be taught or preached in Emmaus but
what is conformable to the Gospel of Christ. Has any one an
opinion, peculiar to himself, such a person may be indulged therein,
provided he seek not to propogate it.
"23. No dancing matches, tippling in taverns (except for
the necessary entertainment of strangers and travelers), beer tap-
pings, feastings at weddings, christenings, or burials, common
sports and pastimes, gaming with cards, dice, etc. (nor the play-
ing of the children in the streets), shall be so much as heard of
among the inhabitants. They whose inclination is that way bent,
cannot live in Emmaus.
"34. All fraud and overreaching of one's neighbor; likewise
any premeditated mischief done to the wood, fences, fields, fruit
trees, etc., belonging to the owner of the soil or any other, shall be
deemed infamous; as generally all other gross heathenish sins, to
wit : gluttony and drunkenness, cursing and swearing, lieing and
cheating, pilfering and stealing, quarreling and fighting, shall not
be heard of in Emmaus ; he that is guilty of such cannot be suffered
to continue here."
The town regulations were subscribed by Sebastian Knauss,
Andrew Giering, Bernhard Winsch and Matthias Wesner.
The village was laid out by a survey in December of the year
1758. Two houses were built in 1759. Not until 1761 did the vil-
lage, however, receive its new Moravian name, when at a lovefeast
on April 3rd, conducted by Bishop Spangenberg, it was announced
that the place hitherto called Maguntschi and Salzburg was now
to be called by the Scriptural name of Emmaus. He read on this
occasion an original hymn beginning:
**Als Jesus auferstanden war,
Reist von Jerusalem ein Paar."
53
The years 1775-1778 were hard years for the people of
Btnmaus, on account of their conscientious scruples against oaths.
Thus, for example, on April 4, 1778, twelve members of the
Emmaus congregation were imprisoned at Easton and kept on
bread and water until the 29th, because they refused to take the
oath of allegiance; in September thirteen others repeated the
experience. Among them was Francis Boehler, their minister.
In 1766 the third church was built, a few rods east of the
present structure, which was erected in the year 1834, while the
Sunday School chapel was built in 1876, to which an addition was
made in 1906. With the increasing of the population of the
country it became increasingly difficult during the years 1833-35
to debar non-Moravians from the village, but it was some years
before the town was formally thrown open to settlers.
While the old church edifices have crumbled before the
mouldering hand of time and none of the original homes of the
founders of Emmaus are standing, we are thankful that that spirit-
ual building, the church of the living God, for which they prayed
and labored, has been handed down to us as a precious inheritance,
the candle of the Lord, in the hearts and hands of their children's
children, who, as a large posterity to this day, cherish the works of
the worthy founders of the Emmaus congregation.
Pennsylvania Germans in Public Life
During the Colonial Period.
By Charlks R. Roberts.
A sentence in a recent magazine article that may be said to
have inspired this paper, ran as follows: "The English were
leaders and the Germans were followers in the early days."
While we must admit that, in the main, this statement is true,
yet there are many examples of men of German blood who were
leaders and men of prominence in Colonial times. The English
certainly were in control of affairs, through the Proprietary
party. But the advent of thousands of Germans, who, influenced
by Sauer's paper, published in Germantown, affiliated politically
with the Quakers, in opposition to the Proprietary party, brought
into prominence a number of German citizens.
This alliance enabled the Friends to hold a controlling voice
in the affairs, not only of this county, as a part of old Northamp-
ton, but in the province, being for years the ruling power in the
Assembly.
Samuel Wharton, a prominent writer of that time, whose
prejudices were evidently on the side of the Proprietary party,
proposed that the children of the Germans should be obliged to
learn in the English tongue, and that, while this was being accom-
plished, the Government should suspend their right of voting
for members of the Assembly; and that, the sooner to incline them
to become English, they should be compelled to make all bonds
and other legal writings, in the English, and that no newspaper
or almanac, in German, be allowed circulated among them, unless
accompanied by its English translation.
However, the conditions under which a German, or any other
person, for that matter, was permitted to vote, appear to me to
have been so stringent, as to exclude a large number from the
right of voting. An act regulating the election of members of
the Assembly passed in 1705, provided "that no Inhabitant of
this Province shall have the Right of electing, or being elected,
unless he or they be natural born Subjects of England, or be
naturalized in England, or in this Government, and unless such
Person or Persons be of the age of twenty-one years, or upwards.
55
and be a Freeholder or Freeholders in this Province, and have
Fifty Acres of Land or more well seated, and Twelve Acres
thereof or more cleared and improved, or be otherwise worth
Fifty Pounds, lawful Money of this Province, clear Estate, and
have been resident therein for the Space of Two Years before
such Election."
The formation of Northampton County out of Bucks in 1752
was a political plan, originated by the Proprietary party, who
hoped, by setting off the Germans in the new county, and thus
depriving the Quakers of their support, to restore the control of
old Bucks to the Government party. This, which may be said
to have been the first political scheme in which our ancestors in
this locality were interested, apparently did not at once succeed,
as at the first election in Northampton County, held at Easton
on October i, 1752, William Craig was chosen Sheriff; Robert
Gregg, Benjamin Shoemaker and Peter Trexler, County Com-
missioners, and James Burnside for Member of Assembly. Burn-
side was a Moravian, who resided near Bethlehem, and a native
of Ireland. He was the Quaker candidate, and defeated his
opponent, William Parsons, the founder of Easton, by upwards
of 300 majority. The election was carried on with great heat
and acrimony, each party accusing the other of fraud and foul
play, and the candidates themselves — particularly Parsons —
showing great excitement and anger. Parsons defeated Burn-
side in 1753, but in 1754, Burnside was again elected. He died
in 1755, and was buried at Bethlehem.
In 1755, William Edmonds, also a Moravian, was elected by
621 votes to represent Northampton in the Assembly. He was
again a candidate in 1756, but the Proprietary party elected
William Allen, the founder of Allentown, who resided in Phila-
delphia, and had then a hunting lodge near the banks of the
Jordan Creek, the site of which is now within the limits of this
city. Residence in a county was not then a requisite for election
to office, and Allen was chosen member for Cumberland County
on the same day.
The following extract from a letter written by Rev. William
Smith, later Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, addressed
to Mr. Vernon, at Easton, dated October 15, 1756, shows the
situation at that time. He says: "Mr. Vernon. It gave us
all great Pleasure to find you return Mr. Allen as your Repre-
sentative, but as he was engaged before for Cumberland he was
obliged in Honour to stand for that county. I suppose Edfnonds
will endeavor with all his might to 'get in, but I hope the County
will never disgrace itself by putting in any Moravian whose
principle for ought we know may be Popish. They are against
Defence and you know even refused to sell Powder to Protestants
tho' it is said they furnished the Indians with it. How true these
Things are you know best, but it would be a Shame to send down
56
a Moravian at such a dangerous Time. You should chuse some
Man of Weight who can serve you with the Government when
you want any Thing in Philadelphia. We have therefore thot
that no Person would be so fit as Mr. Plumsted. He is known in
your County, has Lands in it, and is a very honest Man and can
be of great use to the County. I hope you will support him with
all your Interest, and get all your ffrds to join you. It happens
luckily that Mr. Plumsted sets out to-morrow on Business for
Cedar-Creek and will be at Kaston. For Gods-Sake stir your-
selves for without we get Men in the Assembly who will defend
the Country we shall soon be ruined."
Plumsted was elected over Edmonds in a hot contest, but
his election was contested by Daniel Brown, John Jones and
Samuel Mechlin, on the ground "that one of the inspectors, not-
withstanding his oath, destroyed several of the tickets which were
in favor of William Edmonds, and were delivered to said inspector,
and that one person was seen to deliver tickets repeatedly to the
inspector, and thirdly, that a great number of tickets were folded
up together, some, one in another, and some two in one, which
were received by the inspectors as one ticket, &c.," and Plumsted
never was seated, for, nearly a year after, the Assembly decided
against him.
William Allen, in writing to a friend in England, in a letter
dated at Philadelphia, November 5, 1756, which, I believe, has
never appeared in print, throws light on the subject. He says
in part: "Reverend Sir: I have been soUicited for some years
past to serve in the Back Country for an Assemblyman, but have
declined it, imagining that I could not, among such a perverse
people, be able to render my country service. However, this
year, as I conceived our all was at stake, and that, as the Quakers
had promised to give up their seats, there might be a probability
of doing good, I gave the people of Cumberland county (the
inhabitants of which are composed chiefly of Presbyterians)
a conditional promise, to serve them, that is, that in case good
men were returned or even a small number of them in the other
counties, I would no longer decline acting, if I was chosen. Upon
this, I was, by the unanimous vote of the county, not one free-
holder dissenting, chosen one of their Representatives. All our
elections being on the same day, I was without my knowledge,
privily or procurement, chosen also for the County of Northamp-
ton. I was, when I perceived how the election had gone in other
count^^s, at first of the mind not to serve for either, being assured
that, with men of such bad disposition I could not be able to
bring about anything that would be truly useful to the colony.
However, at the earnest sollocitation of many good men, I was,
at length, prevailed on to go into the house and made my election
for the county of Cumberland: upon which the people of North-
ampton chose Mr. Plumstead, late Mayor of this city, a gentleman
57
zealous for the defense of his country, (who thereby had rendered
himself obnoxious to the Quakers ;) the vote for Plumstead being
463, and his antagonist, one Edmonds, a Moravian, having only
255, and two thirds of these unnaturalized Moravians and other
Germans, who have no right to vote by our laws : yet, I say, our
honest Assembly refused to admit Mr. Plumstead, though duly
returned by the Sherrif , under pretense that there was a petition
to them on account of an undue election, though this petition
was signed only by three Moravians, and have hitherto kept him
out of his seat, and, I presume, will continue to do so."
The next member of the Assembly from Northampton County
was Ivudwig Bitting, who was elected in 1758 and re-elected in
1759 and 1760. He was a resident of Upper Milford Township,
and probably owed a great deal of his prominence to the fact that
he was a son-in-law of Rev. John Philip Boehm, the pioneer
Reformed preacher. In 1744, he settled on Hosensack Hill, in
the present Lower Milford Township, Lehigh County.
Following him came John Moore, in 1761 and 1762. Then
came John Tool, of Upper Saucon, in 1763. As early as 1737 he
settled on a tract of 370 acres at the foot of the Lehigh Mountains,
at the place now called Wittman's. His successor was George
Taylor, who served from 1764 to 1769. He was followed by
William Edmonds for the second time, serving from 1770 to 1774.
Then a German came to the front in the person of Peter Kachlein
in 1775, which year closes the Colonial period.
In looking over the names of the Justices of Northampton
County under the Proprietary and Colonial Government from
1752 to 1775, we find that one-third were of German blood. That
these men were of such character and ability as to be appointed
to the office of Justice, marks them as leaders in their several
communities. There appears to have been no law regulating
the number of Justices in a county, but every section had its
Justice, who, at the time when court was held, journeyed to
Easton, where no less a number than three were empowered to
hold the several courts. The courts of Northampton County were
held in the different taverns at Easton, until the completion of
the courthouse in 1766. In speaking of them a certain writer
says : ' ' Their sessions were extremely ceremonious and imposing.
At the present day, no official, however exalted, would think of
assuming such awful dignity as was then habitual with the
Justices of the courts of Northampton County. On their passage
to the place of holding court — preceded and followed by con-
stables with badges and staves of office — these provincial Justices,
in their severe gravity and cocked hats, were fearful and wonder-
ful personages to behold. But when they mounted the bench,
and the court officers commanded silence, then was the hour of
their triumph; for the loyal courtiers of King George, as he sat
upon his own throne at Windsor Castle, scarcely regarded their
58
sovereign with more awe and adoration, than the townspeople,
and the litigants gave to those worshipful wearers of the county
ermine, as they sat in solemn session, in the tavern court-room
at Baston."
Be that as it may, let us turn our attention to those Justices
who were of German blood, more particularly those who resided
in the townships which now constitute our present Lehigh County.
In 1752, appear the names of Lewis Klotz and Conrad Hess.
Klotz was a resident of Macungie Township, whom we have men-
tioned in a previous paper. He was also a County Commissioner
in 1754. In 1753, appears the name of Peter Trexler. He was
one of the first County Commissioners in 1752, as we have men-
tioned. In 1753, he was appointed by the Council one of the
Commissioners to lay out a road from Baston to Reading. He
was also one of the six trustees of the school erected at Baston
in 1755 by subscriptions from the locality and from a society
formed in Bngland, whose purpose was to promote the instruction
of poor Germans in Pennsylvania, to which even the King, George
the Second, had given iJiooo. Trexler was a man of great
influence among the Germans of the county, and later, in the
French and Indian War, commanded a company that was called
into service by Benjamin Franklin.
George Rex, of Heidelberg Township, was appointed one of
the Justices of Northampton County in 1757. He was the largest
individual landowner in Heidelberg Township, owning 415 acres in
1764. He died in 1773. He was one of the most prominent men
of the northern end of the county in Colonial times, and that he
had considerable influence is proven by the fact that with Peter
Trexler, he recommended that a fort be built on the other side of
Drucker's mill, on the Blue Mountains, stating that there was a
good spring there, and an eminence which commanded on all its
sides a large extent of land.
In 1 761, appear the names of Jacob Arndt and Henry Geiger.
Arndt lived near Baston, but Geiger was a resident of Heidelberg
Township. He was commissioned an Bnsign in the Second Penna.
Regiment, First Battalion, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Conrad
Weiser, on December 20, 1755, and is recorded as a good officer.
On the 2oth of November, 1756, he was stationed at Teets, with
eight men, as the records show. Teed's blockhouse was near Wind
Gap and was an important point. Some superior ofiicer wrote
the query concerning this post, "If the detachment at Teet's
can defend itself." No doubt it could, under this gallant officer.
Geiger was commissioned Lieutenant on December 21, 1757, in
Capt. Bdward Ward's company, stationed west of the Susque-
hanna River. On February 5, 1758, he was in command of
twelve men at a blockhouse situated between Forts Allen and
Bverett, twenty miles from Fort Allen and ten miles from Fort
Everett, and was furnished by his commissary, Jacob Levan, Bsq.,
59
with four months' provisions. Geiger was probably for many
years one of the most important figures in the upper end of the
county, and subsequently became a Colonel in the Revolutionary
War.
In 1764, Christopher Waggoner, of Lower Saucon, became a
Justice. In 1 766, appears the name of Henry Kooken, or Kochen.
He was a resident of Upper Saucon, where he was taxed in 1768
for fifty acres of land. He built a grist and saw mill on the site
of Dillinger's mill. The name would indicate that he was of
Holland Dutch origin.
Other German names which appear in 1774 ^^ the list of
Justices are Peter Kachlein, Jacob and Isaac Lerch, John Wetzel
and Felix Lynn. Still other names of Germans who attained to
office might increase the number of those whom we are trying
to save from oblivion, among them Christian Rinker, County
Commissioner in 1753, John Rinker, Sheriff in 1756 and 1758,
and Jacob Rex, County Commissioner in 1758.
Comparative Calculations and Remarks
on Internal Improvements by Roads, Canals and River Naviga-
tion ; Illustrative of the Advantages to be Derived from
the Improvement of the River Lehigh.
[You are, no doubt, aware that our Secretary, Mr. Roberts,
is untiring in his search for something new; probably, I should
say old, or better still new old, which he thinks will be of interest
to the society. Sometime ago, in Philadelphia, he found a pam-
phlet of this character, and on the plea that he reads most of the
papers at Historical Society meetings, and that he wants to give
others a chance, he asked me to read the pamphlet. The pam-
phlet is entitled "Comparative Calculations and Remarks on
Internal Improvements by Roads, Canals, and River Navigation;
Illustrative of the Advantages to be Derived from the Improve-
ment of the River Lehigh," and it was printed by William Brown
in Philadelphia in 1821. The facts which led to the issuing of
this pamphlet, I think, were about like this: Coal had been
discovered in the mountains near Mauch Chunk. Certain far-
seeing men perceived its value, provided a market could be
supplied to buy it. The coal was in the mountains in the wilder-
ness, and the market was Philadelphia, distant 80 miles by land
and 120 by water. The means of communication — the Delaware
and Lehigh Rivers or overland. The Lehigh River was not
naturally navigable to boats of sufficient size to transport coal
profitably. To get the coal to market was the problem, and the
answer was, to improve the Lehigh. To this end an act of the
legislature was procured in 181 8 "to improve the navigation of
the River Lehigh," and coal properties were leased. The next
step was to get money. This was done by a "campaign of
education" carried on by means of pamphlets. The result was
the formation of two companies — The Lehigh Navigation Com-
pany, in August of 1 818, and The Lehigh Coal Company, in
October of the same year.
By reason of more extensive improvement being necessary
and various haps and mishaps, the capital of these companies
was exhausted and "to raise the wind" the companies agreed to
amalgamate under certain conditions; consolidate is the favorite
word now, I think.
6i
A portion of the necessary capital having been raised, 365
tons of coal was sent to Philadelphia, overstocking the market.
A further increase of capital was required, and to meet the
necessity the proposed consolidation of the two companies was
effected under the name of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Com-
pany in May, 1821, and stock subscriptions were solicited. To
sell the stock, I have no doubt that the managers again resorted
to the pamphlet as a means of publicity, and by the coincidence
of the date of the pamphlet and that of the company's necessity,
I suppose the one before us was published to aid in the work.
It is interesting in many respects, particularly so in the side
lights it throws on the natural and business conditions in this
part of the State in 182 1. It also shows us that there is nothing
new under the sun, for the methods of the promoter of 1821 are
the same as those of the promoter of to-day, save in the matter
of headlines, gorgeous typography, illustrations and red ink.
Permit me to read the pamphlet, from all of which I suppose you
feel that investment in the "improvement of the River Lehigh"
would be desirable.
Time has shown most convincingly that the unknown writer
of this pamphlet was sound in his argument and his proposition
has been proved. — Ralph R. Metzger.]
Comparative Calculations, &c.
At a time of general difficulty, when the mind is bent on the
subject of political economy, the following calculations and
remarks, tending to shew one source from which prosperity may
be expected to arise, may not be unacceptable to the public.
As the correctness of the subjoined table, and the subsequent
remarks and conclusions drawn from it, depend on the correctness
of the data upon which the calculations are made, they are here
given, that every one may have the opportunity of examining and
judging for himself.
Land Carriage.
Feed for a team of four horses daily, (and hauling one and
a half ton out and home ten miles) - - - - $0 80
Daily wear and tear of the waggon and harness, - o 20
Loss of horses 10 per cent, and interest of capital, - 018
Shoeing horses, - - - - - - - - o 16
Wages of carter, per day, __-_-- o 91
Total cost to haul one and a half ton ten miles, out
and back, -------- $2 25
Which is $1 50 a ton per day's work, or fifteen cents a ton per mile.
The expense on a canal and tow-path, according to Robert
Fulton's account, in his letter to Gouverneur Morris, of 22d
February, 18 14, as representing the experience of Europe, is one
cent a ton per mile.
62
The common lock is usually eighty feet long, and about
seventeen feet wide, the width being restricted by the difficulty
of constructing and hanging larger gates, so as to be safe and
permanent; and by the length of time it would require to fill
locks of larger dimensions, through the puddle gates, which must
necessarily be small from being made either in the large gates,
or in sluices through the sides of the lock. The maximum ton-
nage in such a lock would be about thirty tons, and the time of
passing it ten minutes; whereas the Lehigh lock can be made of
any length or width, without weakening the work, or sensibly
increasing the time of passing, which will occupy from one and a
half to three minutes, if th*e lock were 130 feet long and 25 feet
wide, which would be large enough to admit a steam boat and a
tow boat, of one hundred tons burthen, at once.
Rivers with slack water navigation and common locks,
five hands to a boat of thirty tons burthen, make a trip
100 miles, and return (including three days in passing
and repassing 108 locks) in ten days, is fifty days, at one
dollar a day, is - - - . - - - - - $50 00
Boat hire, or wear and tear per day, one dollar; and for
ten days ---------- 10 00
Costing two dollars a ton, or seven cents a bushel for the
thirty tons, or two cents per ton a mile, -
Rivers with slack water navigation, and Lehigh locks and
steam boats, five hands to steam and tow boat, at one
dollar a day each, is--
Fuel, twenty-five bushels coal daily, at six cents,
Interest, and wear and tear of boats daily, -
$60
00
$5
I
5
00
50
50
$12
00
Daily cost, --------
The boats will make a trip from Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia
and back (120 miles) in five days, including eight hours in passing
and repassing the locks. Five days, at a cost of twelve dollars a
day, is sixty dollars, for a boat of one hundred tons of produce, is
fifty cents a ton for 120 miles, being a half cent a mile per ton.
Lehigh river improved with a descending navigation only,
from Mauch Chunk to Philadelphia. This navigation takes
eleven locks and dams, and the remainder of the work, will be
small wing dams and open sluices, of which about three-fourths
are done.
Four hands to a set of arks, in length 80 or 90 feet, and
width 18 feet, and sinking 18 inches, will carry 50 tons
of coal, and make a trip in (average) 10 days. Hence 4
hands, 10 days, at one dollar per day, is 40 dollars, equal
per ton, ------ $0 80 and per bu. $0 3
A TABLE,
Representing the cost of transporting A TON of produce, &c. from
different parts of the State of Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, and
returning, by Land, by Locking Rivers with common Locks, by
Canal and Tow Path, by Rivers improved with Lehigh Locks for
Steam Boats, and a downward navigation of the River Lehigh,
exclusive of Tolls.
DISTANCE 1
Mrs
•0^
d
•a-
=a .
^ . §«
1
it
«5
J3
|1«
pi
cts.
SfH'B e
From Philadelphia to the follow-
By Schuyl-
^Sai
ing places, and back to Phila-
delphia.
kill and
Middletown
By Lehigh
6^
CQOfN
1^
a!
oaHu
Cts.
ver L
d des<
Navi
I -4th
Land Water
Land Water
■^^a-
MILES
ES.
$ Cts.
Easton, -----
-
60
75
9
I . 20
75
37i
Reading, - - - - -
56
60
—
8.40
I . 20
60
Putz Furnace, the head]
of the Schuylkill Navi- |^
gation and Coal Land- |
90
100
1350
2 .00
ing, ----- J
Mauch-Chunk, or Coal 1
Landing on Lehigh, )
—
—
80
120
12.00
2 .40
1 . 20
60
1-33
Landing on Lehigh i2'|
miles from Wilkesbarre I
—
—
105
145
15-75
2 .90
1-45
72
on Susquehanna River]
Landing on Lehigh 2 1 ]
miles from Berwick on Y
—
—
! 100
140
15.00
2.80
1.40
70
Susquehanna River, ]
1
Middletown, by Leba- )
non Canal, - - - j
90
120
13-50
2.40
1 . 20
Sunbury on Susquehanna \
River, - - - - j
140
180
—
196
21 .
3.60
1.80
98
Berwick, do.
217
|II2
161
16.80
4-342. 17
80
Wilkesbarre, do.
244
1 117
157
4.882.44
79
Muncy Creek, do. ^
1
1
here is Plaster of Paris [
165
205
221
24-25
4. 102.05
I . loV
in abundance, - - j
Mouth of Sinnamahon-S
I
1
ing and the Susque- Y
280 1 —
296
5 . 60 2 . 80
1.48
hanna River, - - j
;i
Pittsburg and Lake Erie,
500 !j
516
1000 5 .00
2.58
D. C.
From New York to Albany, sloops charge a freight of 2 50 a ton.
From Albany, by the Canal to Lake Erie (exclusive of Toll) 3 60
Nett cost of freight of produce, from Lake Erie to New
York, ----------6 10 per ton.
Freight from New York to Philadelphia - - - i 50
Cost to Philadelphia, free from Toll
$7 60
64
It takes 6000 feet of lumber for one set
of arks, at six dollars a thousand ; and
one carpenter 15 days in making the
arks, at $1 25 per day. Wear and
tear of spikes and iron, and oars,
$1 75- fo6 50, - - - - $1 13 $04
Cost, including total loss of lumber, is — —
per ton i 93 per bu. 07
6000 feet of lumber, from one set of arks,
will sell at $5 a thousand, is - - 60 02
Nett cost per ton, $1 33 or per bu. cts. 5
From the table it is evident, that the advantage of water
carriage over land carriage is as fifteen to one, and in navigation
adapted to steam boats by Lehigh locks, as thirty to one. It
also appears, that it costs to transport one ton 516 miles by water,
but $2 58; whereas 17 miles land carriage on one ton, amounts
to $2 55.
The value of lands in the interior of the state, will be found
to depend on a communication by water with a market. For
example.
The expenses on a ton from Lake Brie to New
York, will be (including a toll of one cent a
mile on the canal, $3 60) ------ $9 70
Add freight from New York to Philadelphia, - - i 50
Total cost of one ton from Lake Erie to
Philadelphia, - - - - - - - - $11 20
Land carriage for 70 miles - - - - 10 50
Toll, one cent per mile ----- 70
is $11 20
Hence it follows, that goods can be brought from Lake
Erie to Philadelphia, via New York, on the canal, at the same
expense that they can be hauled 70 miles on a turnpike; and
consequently the market at Philadelphia would be supplied with
breadstuffs from New York; or rather, the trading interest,
together with its attendant population, would be transported to
New York, where the produce of the country could be afforded
cheap, and enable the farmers and country merchants to pay for
the imported goods they stand in need of.
The expense of land carriage would, at the present prices of
grain, consume the whole value of wheat, and bring the owner
in debt, to take it a greater distance than 180 miles; for 36 bushels
make a ton, and at 75 cents per bushel, would be worth but 27
dollars, which is the bare expense of the team for that distance,
65
exclusive of toll. Rye, in the same manner, would be eaten up
by expenses, in a transportation of 120 miles, the price of it
being fifty cents.
Lands then, at a greater distance than 120 miles, can have
no benefit from the Philadelphia market, unless by water commu-
nication. But with this advantage, articles, which are now
limited in their consumption to the immediate vicinity of their
growth, could be transported to great distances with profit.
Potatoes would cost, including one cent per mile toll, but $7 74
per ton, which, allowing 36 bushels to the ton, is only twenty-one
and a half cents per bushel, if brought from Pittsburg, a distance
estimated by water at 516 miles.
Coal also, is an article of too much weight in proportion to
its value, to bear a transportation by land, the nearest mines
being 80 miles from market. The immense mines of it in this
state, are therefore of no value at present; but make the water
communication, and they at once become a source of employment
and wealth, not only to the proprietors, but to the city and state,
as besides supplying the Atlantic cities with a fuel, cheap, and
abundant; the coal is peculiarly fitted for exportation, from its
requiring only one-tenth of the bulk and one-fifth of the weight,
to produce the same heat with wood. The Lehigh coal mines
alone, uppn the completion of the navigation of that river, will be
equal in value to a large portion of the state, as may be seen by
the following.
It will require 620 hands, and 170 yoke of oxen, to quarry,
haul, build the boats, and do all the necessary work to take to
Philadelphia 2,000,000 bushels of coal annually, which at the
present price of 30 cents per bushel, would produce 600,000 dollars.
800,000 bushels of wheat, at 75 cents, will produce the same sum,
600,000 dollars. But at 15 bushels to the acre, the average crop,
this would require 53,333 acres of land; and supposing the farms
to be divided into 120 acres each, and one-third annually in crop,
it would be 160,000 acres, and at three hands to a farm, would
require 4000 hands, and at least as many cattle and horses —
whereas to produce an equal amount from coal will require the
labour of only 620 men, and 170 yoke of cattle. Would not the
coal mines, with a navigation to market, be worth intrinsically
at least as much money as the 160,000 acres of land in cultivation?
But what would they each cost? Twenty dollars per acre for
cultivated land, 80 to 100 miles from Philadelphia, that will raise
wheal, must be considered a fair average price ; this would amount
to 3,200,000 dollars. Whereas the cost of the lands, river improve-
ments, and all else necessary to the Lehigh establishment, will not
exceed 500,000 dollars.
The owners of property in the city and country, will naturally
enquire wRich is the best route and plan of improvement to effect
a general water communication. This will appear from the table.
66
But the individuals disposed to invest money in such an
undertaking, would enquire into the prospects of profit to be
derived from each.
The following will shew the sources of profit on the Lehigh.
The company own all the coal mines that are known and
convenient to the river, which undoubtedly contain a supply for
the market for ages: and experience has shewn that a profit of
ID cents a bushel may be calculated upon from it, at the lowest
price that it can be expected to be sold at. With respect to the
demand, it has been estimated that Philadelphia and New York
consume together, annually, cords of wood, 600,000
And the Eastern towns, to Boston inclusive, 300,000
Making together, ------ cords, 900,000
which would, at 10 bushels to the cord, amount to 9,000,000 of
bushels, and supposing only one-fourth of this to be substituted
by coal for a number of years, would be 2,500,000 bushels, which
at 10 cents profit, would be ----- - $250,000
50 millions of feet of lumber were ascertained to have
passed the Trenton Bridge, in 1816. When Tehigh is
improved, the lumber, from the large forests abound-
ing on that river, could be sent to market in every
month, except winter, and would probably supply half
the market, say 25 millions, at $1 per 1000, toll is - 25,000
The water power of the river, which is estimated to drive
200 rolling mills, or be equal to the work of 6000 horses, or 30,000
men, will certainly be brought into use in the manufacture of
iron (of which there is an inexhaustible supply of ore on the
Lehigh) and other articles, would either sell for a large sum, or
produce a handsome annual income.
A large proportion of the Susquehanna trade may likewise
be calculated upon to add to the profits of the river; but the coal,
independent of every other source, is a sufficient guarantee for
an income commensurate with the most extravagant views of
capitalists.
Jerusalem Church, Eastern Salisbury, Lehigh County, Pa.
Erected 1847.
Rkv. C. J. Cooper, D. D.
(1907- )
History of Jerusalem Church,
Eastern Salisbury.
By Rev. C. J. Cooper, D. D.
The IvUtheran and Reformed congregations of Jerusalem
Church, also known as "Die Morgenland Kirche," of Eastern
Salisbury, no doubt, to distinguish it from the Jerusalem Church,
of Western Salisbury, were privileged, by the grace of God, to
celebrate their Sesqui-Centennial, July 24-25, 1909.
It is right and proper that some account should be given of
the history of these congregations. While we are happy to find
that a good beginning was made in 1 759 to make a proper record of
the origin of these congregations, it is a matter of great regret
that so little was recorded during the first century of their exis-
tence. Only since 1848 have the records been kept with some
degree of regularity and completeness. It will, therefore, not
be possible to give a full and satisfactory history, because the
necessary records are wanting. This fact should, however, teach
the present generation the very important lesson to see that,
from this time forth, the records of all departments of the congre-
gations should be carefully made and faithfully preserved.
The EARI.Y Settlement.
On March 18, 1732, Thomas and Richard Penn, the Pro-
prietaries of Pennsylvania, issued a warrant to the Surveyor
General to lay out a tract of 5,000 acres in this part of the State
to Thomas Penn and heirs. Thomas Penn assigned this warrant
to Joseph Turner, and Joseph Turner assigned the same to William
Allen, of Philadelphia, September 10, 1735. Other warrants
were issued to Thomas Greame for 2,000 acres, James Bingham
for 2,000 acres, Casper Wister for 1,500 acres, James Hamilton
for 1,000 acres, Patrick Greame for 1,000 acres; and in the same
year 3,000 acres in 500-acre parcels were granted on the Lehigh
River.
Soon after 1735, these tracts were opened for settlement, and
many of the earlier settlers in the lower counties of Bucks and
Philadelphia, as well as the newer immigrants, began to occupy
these hills and valleys. C. A. Groman, Esq., a native of these
70
parts, and an eminent attorney of our county, has with much
labor and expense searched the original records of the State and
Counties of Bucks, Northampton and Lehigh, for the purpose
of tracing the titles to the different properties, and it is his ex-
pressed opinion that most of the early settlers in these parts were
squatters. In the spring of 1736, William Allen confirmed 200
acres to Solomon Jennings, which in 1757, passed into the hands
of the Geissinger family, in whose hands they remained for gener-
ations, until within recent years they passed into other hands, and
are now owned by the New Jersey Zinc Company. Twenty years
after these parts were thrown open to settlers, Northampton
County was formed out of Bucks County, by Act of Assembly,
March 11, 1752, when James Hamilton was Lieutenant Governor,
Thomas and Richard Penn, Proprietaries, and George II, King
of England.
In the fall of the same year, October 3, 1752, "The petition
of divers persons, inhabitants of a tract of land, eight miles long
by three miles broad, bounded on one side by the West branch
of the Delaware River (Lehigh River) and on the other side by
the respective townships of Upper Saucon, Upper Milford, Ma-
cungie and Whitehall, praying that the same may be laid out in
a township to be called Salisburg, was allowed" by the Court at
Easton. Adam Plank was appointed the first constable for the
township, and on September 16, 1755, Peter Bogert was chosen
to this office. March 25, 1758, Bernhard Straup and Jacob
Ehrenhart were appointed Overseers of the Poor by the Court.
In 1756, Bethlehem was a town of 510 inhabitants. In those
days the roads were few. In 1745, a road was granted from
Macungie to the Lehigh at Bethlehem and laid out, but for 15
years it was no more than a bridle path, and it was after 1760
before it became in any sense a wagon road.
The name of Salisbury has had different spellings, and
among our German people it has been and is yet called Salzburg.
Some claim it is of English origin, while General W. W.
Davis, in his history of Bucks County, claims that its proper
spelling is Salzburg, so called after a place in South Austria.
The more generally accepted spelling is Salisbury, and because
the original warrants for land were given to Englishmen princi-
pally, it is supposed that the township derived its name from the
Salisbury in England. In the petition of 1752 for a township
the name is given "Salisburg."
This petition for a township was handed to the Court at
Easton. We looked there to find the original document, as it
would be a matter of great interest to know who the signers were
in 1752, but we failed to find it. The record of the Court granting
the petition is preserved, but not the petition itself.
71
Religious Conditions.
According to Rev. William Smith, D. D., the first Provost of
the University of Pennsylvania, the Church Membership in
Pennsylvania in 1759, was estimated* as, follows: —
Presbyterians, 55,000; Quakers, 50,000; Lutherans, 40,000;
Reformed, 30,000; Mennonites, 30,000; Episcopalians, 25,000;
Catholics, 10,000; Moravians and Dunkards, 5,000.
Both the Lutheran and the Reformed congregations in
Eastern Pennsylvania were then already organized into a Synod
and a Coetus, and were actively engaged in caring for the tens of
thousands of their adherents, scattered far and wide throughout
this and other provinces, most of whom driven by religious and
political necessities from their homes beyond the sea, had but
recently come to America, and here in Pennsylvania sought and
found a place of refuge and of peace. The great majority of
them were poor people. Those who had possessions in the old
country, in many cases, had to give them up or sacrifice them,
or if they were fortunate enough to bring them with them were
swindled out of them in securing passage, or, robbed after they
reached this land. They sought for themselves the hills and
valleys where water and timber were found in abundance. Though
preceded by the English, Scotch and Welsh in coming to America
in large numbers, Mr. Eckley B. Coxe, late of Jeddo, told, the
writer while traveling on a railroad train, the story how the
Pennsylvania Germans came into possession of the rich and fertile
valley lying between the South, or Lehigh Mountain and the
Blue Ridge. He said, when the English and Scotch Irish came
and saw the immense forests and contemplated the enormous task
of clearing this valley, they despaired of the task and moved on to
other and lighter soil. Then later on the Germans came along
and prospected in this same valley, and with good common sense
judged that where these mighty trees of the forest grew there
must also be good virgin soil, and being brought up to labor
diligently with their hands, " as well as with their brains, they
were not too lazy, nor too stupid to go to work and clear the land,
and now they held it and their children would continue to hold
it for all time to come. These Germans brought with them their
Bibles, large substantial folios, with lids of wood and bound in
hogskins, their catechisms, hymn books, Stark's Gebetbuch and
Arndt's Wahres Christenthum, and these they treasured, used
and applied. After securing for themselves a shelter, a home,
they invariably longed for and also secured for themselves and
their children a church and a school. In some instances the
Lutherans would provide their own church, and the Reformed
did the same; in other localities the Lutherans and Reformed
would unite in building their church and provide a school for
their children. The harvest in those days was great, but the
72
laborers were few — and the people had to do the best they could.
There were no colleges and seminaries to provide a ministry —
the mother churches in Europe did what they could to send men
and means to carry on the planting of the church in this land ; but
these were far from being adequate. Unprincipled men, time
and men servers, took advantage of the situation and passed
themselves off as preachers, and the people in their desire to hear
the Gospel, and to make use of the sacraments, were willing to
put up with such who claimed to be ministers of the Gospel,
though they had no credentials testifying as to their character
and profession. In this way the people were often imposed upon,
and paid, in many instances, dearly for their experience.
At this time, 1759, the only other churches in this vicinity
were the Blue Church ; Lower Saucon Reformed ; Jordan Church ;
Easton; Jerusalem, Western Salisbury; Macungie or Lehigh
Church; Egypt; Zionsville and Old Williams Township. The
Moravians at Bethlehem and Emaus, also had organizations.
Why, since there were Lutheran and Reformed congregations
in Jerusalem Church, Western Salisbury, not more than a few
miles distant, organized in 1741, these congregations in the
Eastern part of the same township should be organized 18 years
later, remains unanswered. We know that in other cases,
difficulties arose, parties were formed, and separations took
place, but whether this was the case here, we have no evidence.
We have in the archives of these congregations the original
record begun in 1759. This is well preserved and is kept for
safe keeping in the fireproof safe of Mr. James W. Larash. The
record is in the handwriting of Rev. Daniel Schumacher, and
begins "In the Name of God, Amen." "The Christian Evan-
gelical Lutherans and Reformed, both adhering to the Protestant
religion, have together erected a church in Salzburg township in
Northampton County, in the year of the Lord 1759. This church
was built after the Indians had again ceased to burn and to kill
in this neighborhood, and by poor people only, who were, how-
ever, assisted by their brethren with small contributions."
"The first preacher on the part of the Reformed Congregation,
at the dedication of this new church, was the Rev. Rudolph
Kidwiler, popularly known as the Swiss preacher. A Lutheran
minister had also been selected for the dedication, but it was
not possible for him to be present. The second preacher on the
part of the Lutheran congregation was the Rev. Daniel Schu-
macher. His text at the dedication of this new church was from
the Prophet Haggai, Chap. 2 : vs. 7, 8 [9]. 'The glory of this
latter house shall be greater than of the former, and in this place
will I give peace.' Held 1759, Sixth Sunday after Trinity, in
the afternoon at 2 o'clock."
"The first elders and deacons were Christian Kaub and
Matthis Gurth; Conrad Jacobi and John George Weber."
73
"The deacons who were elected at the beginning of this new
church, have the right for themselves and also for those elders and
deacons who shall succeed them, to sit side by side in their pew,
and the offerings that shall be gathered at the service held by
either preacher, shall be carefully preserved by both congregations
and elders and applied to the church. [Signed]
Christian Kaub, Lutheran deacon
*George Weber
Christian Liesz
Conrad Jacobi, Reformed deacon."
The Rev. Daniel Schumacher, after preaching three years
m Nova Scotia, was obliged to leave there because the people
were too poor to support him. He came to New York, and
from there the Rev. John A. Weygand recommended the theo-
logical student, Schumacher, to the Ministerium for ordination.
For some reason Schumacher was never received into the Minis-
terium. It is known that he served a number of congregations
in Berks and Lehigh Counties from 1 754-1 774. From 1755-58,
he was pastor of Trinity Church, Reading, and also served other
congregations in that vicinity. He labored in Egypt, and at
one time had as many as sixteen congregations. His remains
are buried in the graveyard of the Weisenburg Church, Lehigh
County. The Schumachers and Shoemakers, of Lehigh County,
are his descendants. In the Theological Seminary, at Mt. Airy,
Philadelphia, his private baptismal records, containing several
thousand baptisms, are found. He wrote a very legible hand.
His records in this congregation dated from July 22, 1759, the
day of dedication, with one or two interruptions to 1768.
Baptisms were generally administered by him in church on
the occasion of his visits on Sunday. When performed elsewhere
he indicates the place. The first baptism recorded is that of
George David, a son of David and Martha Hamman, born July
II, 1759; baptized July 22, 1759. The sponsors were George
Spohn and his wife, Maria. The names of families that appear
in this old record, besides those mentioned, are Kaub (may this
not be the original spelling of the name, now so numerous in this
vicinity. Cope?), Hertzog, Eberhard, Weber, Miller, Eniich,
Schoener, Giesz,' Claus, Boehm, Wagner, Hartman, Duerr,
Smetzer, Brasser, Lazarus, Kotz, Stahl, Gorges, Nagel, Theyle,
Mertz, Rentzheimer, Rassmus, Gernet, Lehr, Stuber, Appel,
Rubb, Schneider, Kaiper, Grumbach, Ziesloff, Schwencker.
In 1769, Rev. Lizce baptized two children. The last bap-
tism in this book was on May 21, 1786, when Rev. Carl Christoph
Goetz, preacher at Jordan, baptized John George, son of John
♦"Because George Weber3 separated from our church Christian Liesz, whose name
comes next, was elected in his place a Lutheran deacon."
74
William Kaup (or Cope) and wife, Maria (nee Rentzheimer), born
January 12th. The sponsors were George Kaup and Christina
Rentzheimer.
There is only one list of communicants found in this record,
dated April 23, 1791. The names of those who presented them-
selves are:
Male.
Female.
I.
Elder Henry Rentzheimer.
I.
Catharine Rentsheimer.
2.
Michael Stahl.
2.
Elizabeth Gernet.
3-
Christian Gernet,
3-
Elizabeth Stoehr.
4-
Peter Stoehr.
4-
Elizabeth Gernet.
5-
John Gernet.
5-
Margaret Rau.
6.
Conrad Rau.
6.
Margaret Gernet.
7-
George Gernet.
7-
Barbara Dur.
8.
George Ueberroth.
8.
Maria Teyler.
9-
George Duer.
9-
Agnes Ueberroth.
10.
George Kaup.
10.
Susanna Kaup.
II.
Frederick Kaup.
II.
Catharine Moren.
12.
Peter Nagel.
12.
Maria Frone Arassmuss
13-
Maria Margaret Teyle.
14.
Hannah Nagel.
Of this list of communicants, it will be of interest to learn
that "Elder Henry Rentzheimer," whose name appears first on
the list, was a clock maker, and quite recently we saw one of his
clocks, containing chimes, in the home of Mrs. Elmer Reiss, near
Friedensville, made by Henry Rentzheimer in 1789, for John
Ehschelman, the great-great grandfather of Mrs. Reiss.
, In connection with the name Gernet it will also be of interest
to state that Mrs. Elmer Reiss has in her possession a nest of
handsome pewter dishes, that have come into her hands from the
Gernet family, with whom she is related. Mrs. Reiss also has
several chests made in the i8th century.
In the rear of the book is the following record :
"Alpha Omega."
"A list of articles that have been bequeathed and contributed
in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as follows: —
"Anno 1759, Elizabeth Ottern gave a white table cloth for
the Lutheran congregation. Anno 1760, Martin Schneider gave a
pewter cup for use in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, for the
Lutheran congregation, and also a white cloth."
From 1 791 to 1848, a period of 57 years, there is no record of
any kind to be found. Nor have we thus far come across any
account why there is this break of over half a century. We
know that this was the period of rationalism and indifferentism,
during which many pastors and, therefore, also many congre-
gations, became lax in matters of religion.
Rev. Joshua Ybager.
(1843-1883.)
76
Another fact may have had its influence. In 1793, a con-
gregation was organized and a church building erected in Upper
Saucon, where Friedensville is now located, called Frieden's
Church. Tradition has it that the old church, erected in 1759,
became dilapidated, and the people were too poor to erect a new
one and thus were led to throw in their resources and member-
ship with this new enterprise, and that the regular services ceased
in Jerusalem, but that burials were continued in the burial ground.
Rev. John Conrad Yeager and his son, Rev. Joshua Yeager, served
Frieden's congregation, m connection with a number of others,
for 93 years. It is very probable that this section, contiguous to
Frieden's congregation, was under the pastoral care of the Yeagers
during this interim of 57 years. In the Memoirs of Rev. Joshua
Yeager, by A. R. Home, D. D., we find the statement that "he
also served Jerusalem Church in Salisbury from 1843 to 1883."
Under Rev Joshua Yeager's ministry, new life and activity
manifested themselves, so that in the spring of the year 1847, on
Ascension Day, May 13, the cornerstone of the present church
was laid, and the same was dedicated on Saturday and Sunday,
October 9th and loth. Services were held on both days in the
forenoon and afternoon. The Building Committee consisted of
two Davids and two Solomons, mz., David Giesz and David Moritz,
Solomon Diehl and Solomon Boehm. These facts we gathered
from the Friedensbote and Republikaner of 1847, in which papers
were inserted the advertisements of the cornerstone laying and
of the dedication, over the signatures of the above Building
Committee. It may be of interest to read these advertisements
as they appeared in the papers in German and here translated
into English.
ECKSTKlNIvEGUNG.
Dounerstag, den i3ten Mai (Himmelfahrtstag) soil der Eck-
stein zur Erbauung der neuen gemeinschaftlichen Kirche im
oestlichen Theil von Salzburg Township, Lecha County, gelegt
werden, wobei mehre fremde Prediger gegenwaertig sein werden.
Die Bethlehemer Musikbande wird ebenfalls zugegen sein. Die
Nachbarn und das Publikum sind hoeflichst eingeladen beizu-
wohnen.
a^rEs wird nicht erlaubt starkes Getraenk daselbst zu ver-
kaufen.
David Moritz
David Giesz
Solomon Boet
Solomon Diehl
David Giesz ^ T3o,,r^^;o+^^
Solomon Boehm ' Baumeister.
77
Translated :
Cornerstone Laying.
On Thursday, May 13th (Ascension Day), the cornerstone
for the erection of the new Union Church, in the Eastern part of
Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, will be laid, when a number
of ministers from other parts will be present. The Bethlehem
Band will also be present. The neighbors and the public in
general are cordially invited to be present.
B^^-The selling of strong drink on this occasion is forbidden.
David Moritz, ^
David Giess, I Building
S01.OMON BoEHM, ( Committee.
S01.OMON DlEHL, J
KiRCHWElHE.
Am Samstag und Sonntag den 9ten und loten October, soil,
so der Herr will, die neuerbaute gemeinschaftliche Kirche in
Salzburg Township, Lecha Co., dem Dienste des Drieinigen
Gottes feierlichst geweiht werden, bei welcher Gelegenheit, an
beiden Tagen, Morgens und Nachmittags Gottesdienst sein wird.
Alle Christliche gesinnite Leute in unserer ganzen Umgegend,
sind freundschaflichts eingeladen, diesem unserm Kirchweih-
Fest, welches durch Musick u Gesang noch erhoeht werden soil,
beizuwohnen, und die Gemeine mit ihrer Gegenwart zu erfreuen.
Alle sogenannte " Market endern " wird, jedoch zu gleicher
Zeit angezeigt, dasz es ihnen durchaus nicht gestattet werden
wird, geistige Getraenke irgend einer Art an der Kirche oder in
der Naehe derselben, zu verkaufen. Gegen solche, die etwa
keine Ruecksicht auf dieses Verbot nehmen wollen, und sich doch
unterstehn . starke Getraenke zu verkaufen, wird mit Ernst und
Strenge nach den Gesetzen verfahren werden.
David Giesz ")
David Moritz I Bau-
Solomon Diehl [ meister.
Solomon Boehm J
Translated :
Church Dedication.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and loth. Providence
permitting, the newly erected Union Church, in Salzburg Town-
ship, Lehigh County, will be most solemnly dedicated to the
service of the Triune God, when there will be divine services on
both days, forenoon and afternoon. All the good Christian
people in our whole neighborhood are most cordially invited to
attend and to rejoice our congregations with their presence on
this our feast of dedication, that will be further enhanced through
singing and music.
Rev. Prof. W. Wackernagel, D. D.
(1882-1886. 1901-1902.)
79
The so-called " subtlers" are, however, notified at this
time, that they are positively forbidden to sell any spirituous
liquors of any kind at or near the church. Those who will
pay no attention to this order and will yet undertake to sell
strong drink, will be prosecuted with rigor and severity according
to the law.
David Gmss, ^
David Moritz, [Building
S01.OMON DiEHi., I Committee.
SoivOMON BOEHM, J
Through the kindness of Mrs. Mary A. Brobst, the widow of
Rev. S. K. Brobst, the founder of Der Jugend-Fruend, who
kindly consulted the first numbers of the paper, founded in 1847,
we are able to give the names of those who officiated on the occasion
of the dedication of the present church. On Saturday, October
9th, Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, a Reformed minister, preached, and a
Rev. Oberholzer. Of what denomination he was a minister is
not stated. The Oberholzer name is prominent among the
Mennonites, and it is possible that he belonged to that denom-
ination. On Sunday, Revs. Leonard and Joshua Yeager officiated.
Rev. Leonard was a Moravian minister. The act of dedication
was performed on Sunday forenoon by Rev. Joshua Yeager, the
Lutheran pastor. The Jugend-Fruend states that "in general
good order was observed and many people were present."
In the secular papers of that day, that we consulted, we
failed to find any account of this occasion. Those were the days
of the Mexican War and all available space was taken up with
the exciting accounts of the battles fought and the victories won.
Church Records.
Nor have we been able to find any account as to the cost of
the building. The records that have come into pur hands, con-
tain the baptisms and communicants. The title page of the
record, begun in 1848, is as follows:
"Kircherbuch der Deutsch Reformirten Gemeinde in Salz-
burg Township, Lehigh Co., Pa."
The first entry says: "The following persons went to the
table of the Lord on the occasion of the first communion on the
part of the Reformed, October 22, 1848: George Doney, David
Eschbach, Samuel Rinker, Louis Siegfried, Solomon Diehl,
William Kram, John Diehl, Marie Trumbauer, Sarah Eschbach,
Catharine Erich, Barbara Diehl, Catharine Glecknern, Letische
Diehl, Jane Moritz, Susana 01b, Levina Jacoby, Marie Billiard (17).
Confirmed were Jacob Doney, George Kram, Franz Rinker,
Robert Moyer, John Billiard, Anna Marie Doney, Anna Julina
Kram, Julie Ann Weber, Katharine Olb, Elizabeth Giess.
8o
Then follow the communicants of April 6, 1849 (14), and
one confirmation, viz., Ruben F Hofifart.
The list of November 25, 1849, follows, containing 13 names.
On the next page is found the list of November 23, 1850, contain-
ing II names. Then the record of communicants ceases.
Sixteen blank pages follow, when there is a "Record of all children
who, through Holy Baptism, entered the covenant with the holy
Triune God by a Reformed minister." Fifty-seven baptisms
are entered between May 14, 1848, and March 12, 1865. Then
follow "the burials performed by Max Stern, Reformed preacher,"
three in all; the first one, November 30, 1848; the last one, Sep-
tember 14, 1849. Then begins a record of baptisms from March
13, 1864, to 1874, containing 85 baptisms. This ends the record
in this book, when it is opened from the front part. When the
book is turned around another record begins from the back part
of the book. After several blank pages, we find written at the
top, evidently in the handwriting of Rev. Joshua Yeager: "Auf
den 24ten April 1848 sind folgende Personen hier zum h Abend-
mahl gegangen:" On April 24, 1848, the following persons
went to the communion at this place : No names follow, but in
the next page this heading is found, also in Rev. Yeager 's
handwriting: "Folgende Personen haben sich zum erstenmahl
in der neuen Jerusalem's Kirche in Salzburg Township Lech a
County beim heiligen Abendmal eingefunden, den 24 April 1848
(Ostermontag) naemlich."
Translated : The following persons were present at the first
communion in the new Jerusalem Church, in Salzburg Township,
Lehigh County, April 24, 1848 (Easter Monday):
William Zoellner and wife Susannah, David Moritz and wife
Anna, Michael Stuber, Christian Deily and wife Susannah, Chris-
tian Kaufer and wife Catharine, George Bauer and wife Maria,
Michael Mosser, William Stuber, Helena Moritz, Elizabeth Lein,
Louisa Ueberroth, Juliana Boehm, Elizabeth Deily, Frederick
Stuber, Jacob Trumbauer, George Berger and wife Caroline,
Emalinda Deily, Maria Stuber, Maria Yost, Maria Reichenbach.
26 in all. Then follow the spring and fall communions of the
Lutheran and Reformed congregations regularly to October 22,
1 87 1, when the last Lutheran list contained 60 names. From
1872 on, each congregation kept separate record books. The
Lutheran record contains the communion lists to June, 1900, and
one more list which, however, has no date; likely this list was that
of the fall of 1900. Between this last list and May, 1902, there
is no record of communicants. The baptisms in the Lutheran
record began with March, 1872, and end with August 24, 1884.
We failed to find any Lutheran baptism record from August 24,
1884, to March 16, 1902, when the present record was begun.
The Reformed record has been kept with greater regularity and
completeness since 1872, as there was no change of pastorates for
35 years.
Rev. W. F. Schokner.
(1886-1901.)
82
Taking the records as far as we have them since 1848, we
have made a calculation to show the average communicants
during these six decades and found the following: The average
Lutheran communicants from 1848 to 1858 was 37; from 1858
to '68, 50; from i868-'78, 44; from i878-'88, 46; from i888-'98,
55 ; from 1898- 1908, 62. The first communicants on the Lutheran
side numbered 26, and the last one held this spring numbered
83, an increase of 219 per cent, since 1848. The Reformed
communicants averaged from i848-'58, 15; from i858-'68, 24;
from i868-'78, 24; from i878-'88, 37; from i888-'98, 49; from
1 898- 1 908, 46. The first communion on the Reformed side
numbered 16; the last one this spring, 58, an increase of 262 per
cent., showing that the Reformed communicants increased since
1848, .043 per cent, more than the Lutherans.
We have the record of 25 confirmation classes since 1848,
on the Lutheran side, aggregating 424 persons. The largest
class was in 1871, when there were 27 confirmed; the smallest
was in 1897, when there were only 6. The average size of the
class was not quite 17.
On the Reformed side we have the record of 27 confirmations,
aggregating 250. The largest class was in 1892, when there were
17 ; the smallest was in 1849, numbering one person. ' The average
size of the class was a little more than 9.
Situated as Jerusalem Church is, halfway between two
prosperous and growing centers of population, Allentown and the
Bethlehems, these towns have constantly drawn on its member-
ship, so that the congregations here have not been able to increase
very materially. During the last 40 years new congregations,
Lutheran and Reformed, have been organized at South Bethle-
hem, Fountain Hill, South Allentown and Allentown, all of which
have drawn on this congregation for their membership. Gener-
ally, the active and energetic members are the ones who are
attracted to the centres of industry, and thus not only quantities,
but also qualities are removed from the country church, deplet-
ing it in both measures.
A better day, however, seems to be dawning on Eastern
Salisbury. Much of the land has been cut up into building lots,
new homes are being erected from year to year, and in time this
will also bring more people into our church.
The congregations should be wise in laying their plans for
the future, so as to draw the new material that is coming to this
neighborhood, and not permit other denominations to come in
and occupy the most advantageous sites, and thus draw not only
the new, but also some of the older element to their side. Churches,
like fishermen, must go where the fish are and not expect the
fish to come where they are if they would catch them.
Rev. E. H. Eberts.
(1902-1903.)
Rev. h. a. Kunklk.
(1903-1907.)
85
Pastors — Lutheran.
Rev. Joshua Yeager served the IvUtheran congregation from
1843 to 1883, a period of 40 years. On Good Friday, 1882, Rev.
Prof. William Wackernagel, D. D., became the assistant to Rev.
Yeager in this congregation and continued in that capacity until
the death of Rev. Yeager, January i, 1885. Dr. Wackernagel
was elected pastor, and in connection with this congregation and
his professorship in Muhlenberg College, also served St. Thomas,
at Altona, until 1886.
Rev. W. F. Schoener, the pastor of St. Peter's, South Beth-
lehem, served it for fifteen years until the time of his death, July
2, 1 901. It was during the pastorate of Rev. Schoener that the
congregation, in the summer of 1894, adopted a new constitution,
the constitution of St. Peter's Lutheran congregation. South
Bethlehem, being the model. It was also during this year that
"Rules and Regulations for the government of Jerusalem Church,
Salisbury, Lehigh County, Pa.," were jointly -adopted by the
Lutheran and Reformed congregations. Whether the congre-
gations ever had another constitution or rules and regulations
for their joint affairs is not known. It was also during his pas-
torate that he and Rev. N. Z. Snyder, the Reformed pastor,
worked hand in hand to bring the Sunday School into closer
relations with the congregations, and adopted May 11, 1890, the
"Rules and Regulations of the Sunday School Association of
Jerusalem Church," under which it has been working up to the
present time.
After the death of Rev. Schoener, Dr. Wackernagel again
served the congregation temporarily until the spring of 1902,
when Rev. E. H. Eberts was elected to the charge formed by
the Allentown Conference, consisting of Jerusalem, St. Stephen's,
N. Bethlehem, and St. John's in Williams Township. This
pastorate was of short duration ; for, in the following year, Rev.
Eberts was called to the Schoenersville and Rittersville parish
and resigned July i, 1903. The Allentown Conference, in rear-
ranging the parishes, united Jerusalem with St. Stephen's, N.
Bethlehem, and Frieden's, Friedensville. This newly formed
parish called Rev. H. A. Kunkle, who was installed November
8, 1903. Rev. Kunkle remained until March i, 1907, when he
followed a call to Elizabethville, Dauphin County. It was during
this pastorate that the services were increased, instead of every
four weeks to every two weeks, the German and English languages
alternating; the salary was increased from $100 to $150; the
church book was introduced, and the vesper service sung respon-
sively; the Church Council began to hold quarterly meetings and
to keep regular minutes of their proceedings. A new organ was
also procured and dedicated ; contributions of goods and money
were gathered for the Orphans' Home, at Germantown; College
86
Day was instituted, to be observed in June. From March i,
1907, to September i, 1907, the congregation was in the care of
the President of Conference, Rev. A. Stump, and was supplied by
different pastors. In August, an election was held for Rev. C. J.
Cooper, D. D., in the three congregations, and the result was that he
took charge of the parish, September i , 1907. During the present
pastorate the Luther League was strengthened by adding several
new features, viz., an Executive Committee was constituted, and
a Social Committee introduced. In January, 1909, a Ladies'
Aid Society was organized. Through the Luther League addi-
tional church books and also Reformed hymn books were placed
in the pews, and the congregation has arranged to have four
communions during the year, two in German and two in English.
It has also decided that the preparatory services shall be held in
connection with the communion. Last Easter and two weeks
later the German and English communions were held, and it
was found that.. there were as many communicants at, the one
as at the other, and that, on the whole, there were more com-
municants in the aggregate than formerly. The congregation
also decided to concentrate their efforts, in behalf of the benevo-
lence fund, by using the Easter and Harvest Festival seasons for
the purpose of gathering in the benevolent contributions, not
only from those who attend the services, but from all the members
by means of a special envelope and a printed circular on which
are indicated the different objects of the church for which our
members are asked to contribute their means. The Easter
time reminds us of what our Lord has done for our souls and the
Harvest season of what He has done for our bodies. These great
mercies of our God should make us grateful and willing to give
unto Him according to our means.
Reformed Pastors.
When Rev. N. Z. Snyder, D. D., the Reformed pastor of
Jerusalem Church, was permitted by the grace of God, to celebrate
the 30th anniversary of his pastorate, August 31, 1902, and was
showered with congratulations and good wishes, he prepared and
published September i, 1902, in The Globe, of South Bethlehem, a
sketch of the Reformed congregation, and we are happy to draw
on this sketch for an account of this congregation. The Rev.
Rudolph Kidweiler, referred to in the old record, was pastor at
Long Swamp, Berks County, from 1754- 1762. I^^ 1848, Rev.
Maximilian Stern became the regular pastor and served to 1852.
Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs preached his introductory sermon May 23,
1852, and served until 1855, according to Dr. Snyder's sketch;
Rev. Simon K. Gross, from 1855 to 1857; then May 31, 1857, Rev.
A. J. G. Dubbs again preached his introductory sermon and served
the congregation until 1864. Dr. Snyder, in his sketch, remarks:
Rev. Maxamiuan Stern, D. D.
(1848-1852.)
(Cut by courtesy of Rev. Jos. H. Dubbs, D. D., from his
" Historic Manual of the Reformed Church.")
Rev. S. K. Gross.
(1855-1857.)
Rev. a. J. G. DuBBS.
(1852-1855. 1857-1864.)
89
"Of all this, however, there is no record book to be found, unless
it should some day be discovered with the musty rubbish in somcr
body's garret." In 1866, Rev. D. F. Brendle was pastor, who
procured a record book for the Reformed congregation. He
served until 1872, when Rev. Dr. Snyder was elected pastor,
who served the congregation faithfully for 35 years. In 1897,
Dr. Snyder doubled the services, and at great sacrifice maintained
also the English services for the benefit of the younger people.
In his sketch of 1902, Dr. Snyder says: "A Missionary and
Aid Society was also organized some years ago, in which a number
of members and friends are very much interested. The church
has been twice renovated and beautified. There are two Sunday
Schools maintained in the neighborhood, which are almost wholly
composed of members of these two congregations. The one
meets in the morning in a chapel nearby, owned by the school,
and the other meets in the church in the afternoon before the
regular services. This school is more directly under the super-
vision of the congregations, and has been presided over during
the greater part of the present pastorate by Elder J. W. Larash,
who spared no efforts to teach the children the way of the Lord.
Others have been doing the same and their work is appreciated
by the pastors."
"Rev. James R. Brown, a most efficient minister of the
Reformed Church, was brought up in this congregation and
confirmed by myself." As this is the only record we have that,
during these 150 years, a minister has come out of these congre-
gations, we desire to express our gratification that at least one
minister has come out of the Reformed congregation, when both
congregations were served so long and so well by a long list of
ministers. At the same time we take a special pleasure in record-
ing the fact that Rev. James R. Brown is a graduate of Muhlen-
berg College of the class of 1887, and while we rejoice with Dr.
Snyder, our old schoolmate in the celebrated Bucks County
Normal and Classical Institute, that he can point to Bro. Brov/n
and say, as St. Paul said of Timothy, "Who is my beloved son,
and faithful in the Lord," we also take pride in saying that we
helped to make him what he is. In this connection, it is, however,
just to state that Rev. William Cope, a minister of the Moravian
Church, and Rev. Jeremiah H. Ritter, of Centre Square, were
partly raised in the Lutheran congregation.
Rev. T. C. Brown, the present pastor, took charge of the
Reformed congregation in 1908, and is serving it in connection
with Apple's Church and Grace Mission in South Bethlehem.
Renovations of Present Church.
In 1884, a thorough renovation of the church was undertaken.
David Moritz, Sr., James W. Larash, Henry Deifer and Francis
Buchecker were appointed the Building Committee, and Francis
90
Buchecker, Jr., was chosen Reformed treasurer, and Alfred Moritz,
the Lutheran treasurer. John J. Mohn, Wilson R. Deily, Alfred
Moritz and George P. Scholl were appointed a committee to collect
funds. The following ladies were also appointed a committee to
collect funds: Mrs. John J. Mohn, Mrs. Francis Buchecker, Jr.,
Mrs. Wal. F. Ueberroth, Miss W. A. Rau. The outside of the
church was covered with a colored cement wash and a cornice
was added. On the inside the ceiling was arched and covered
with paper and the walls frescoed. The pulpit, altar, reading
desk, baptismal font and pews, the property of St. Michael's
Lutheran Church, Allentown, were purchased and renovated and
installed, and in other respects the inside was improved and
beautified. The whole cost at this time was $1,446.81. The
church was rededicated Sunday, September 7, 1884. Dr. Wack-
ernagel preached in German in the morning; Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs
in the afternoon in German, and Rev. C. E- Sandt in English,
when St. Michael's choir, of Allentown, was also present and
rendered several anthems. In the evening Rev. C. J. Cooper,
then pastor of St. Peter's, South Bethlehem, preached in German.
Rev. W. Wackernagel, pastor protem, and Rev. N. Z. Snyder
were the Lutheran and Reformed pastors, and assisted in con-
ducting the services. Rev. C. E- Sandt was also present in the
evening. The collections for the day amounted to $43.69.
The second renovation was undertaken in the spring of 1898.
A committee was appointed to canvass the congregation for
funds to repair or to build a new church. The committee con-
sisted of Revs. W. F. Schoener, N. Z. Snyder, Percival Hausman,
Thomas Scholl, George Scholl and John Mohn. Four weeks later
this committee reported that the sentiment of the people was
against a new church, and that $252 had been subscribed for
repairs that were estimated to cost from $250 to $300. The
committee was empowered to proceed with the repairs. The
congregations decided to place a steeple on the church, and to
move the choir to the side of the chancel. As more funds were
needed to make these improvements, a committee of four ladies
was appointed for this purpose, viz., Mrs. Matilda Scholl, Mrs.
Edwin Buchecker, Mrs. Eusyllas Larash and Mrs. Walter Ueberroth.
The cost of repairs and improvements were $854.33. The
church was reopened with appropriate services, August 28th.
The Lutheran pastor was prevented from being present on account
of sickness. Dr. Wackernagel and Rev. James F. Lambert
officiated, on the Lutheran side; but who assisted Dr. Snyder we
have been unable to ascertain from any of the records.
Organists.
In looking over the records, as far as they were accessible
to us, we find the following persons have served the congregations
since 1848 in the capacity either of chorister or organist:
Rnv. D. F. Brendle, D. D.
(1866-1872.)
Rev. N. Z. Snyder, D. D.
(1872-1907.)
93
In 1853, August F. Halbach served in this capacity; in 1854,
John F. Halbach; in 1855, Edwin A. Mininger; 1866, Benjamin
Wagner, who served until 1868, when we find the name of Ada-
man G. Schmidt, who now resides in Philadelphia; in 1873,
William Wieand ; in 1874, Thomas O. Cope; from 1880 until 1906,
J. Fred Pflueger. Mr. Pflueger being also organist at the Lower
Saucon Church when the writer was pastor there from 1871 to.
1 88 1, we take pleasure in bearing testimony to his skill and
efficiency as organist and choir master.
Since January, 1906, Mr. Milton J. Weiser has served very
acceptably. For many years the melodeon and small organ served
the congregation in leading the music, but since Mr. Weiser has
been organist a new and superior instrument has been installed
at a cost of $264. This instrument was dedicated January 27,
1907, when the pastors. Revs. H. A. Kunkle and N. Z. Snyder,
D. D., were assisted by Revs. J. Stump, W. D. C. Keiter and C.
A. Kerschner.
God's Acre and Cemetery.
Over 700 bodies of men, women and children, who at one
time or other were identified with Jerusalem Church, lie buried
in the church burying ground and the Morgenland Cemetery
adjoining. Of these, 24 are soldiers, whose graves are annually
decorated by the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of
Veterans with flowers and the flag of their country.
Many of the old graves have no tombstones and the names of
their occupants are unknown. The oldest graves on whose
tombstones the names can be deciphered are : Christian Giess,
born in Nassau, Europe, 1720; died May, 1803. William Moritz,
born May 12, 1720; died May 25, 1797. Eva Moritz, born Sep-
tember 29, 1727; died April 26, 1791. John Moritz, born April
15, 1760, died June 29, 1847. Helena Catharine (nee Ebert),
wife of John Moritz, born March 16, 1766; died January 29, 1862.
John William Stuber, born August 19, 1768; died October 6,
1853, 85 years, i month and 17 days. Jacob Jacoby, born August
28, 1789; died March 7, 1867, 77 years, 6 months and 8 days.
Elizabeth Jacoby, born September 15, 1788; died December 15,
1857, 68 years and 3 months. There is one stone marked "Oct.
7, 1769, ist Jacob Sam, i year, 3 mos."
In the year 1885, the "Morgenland Cemetery Association"
was formed, composed of members of the Reformed and Lutheran
congregations of Jerusalem Church, for the purpose of purchasing
ground contiguous to the church burying ground, cutting it up
into lots and selling the same. The congregations consented to
the removal of the wall separating the two burying grounds, so
as to throw the two practically into one. Each part is, however,
under a separate management. By thus enlarging and beauti-
fying the grounds, Jerusalem Church has an attractive spot where
their dead can rest in peace until the Resurrection Day.
94
The Sunday School.
There is no doubt that soon after the new church was built
in 1847, steps were also taken to organize a Sunday School.
Unfortunately, no records of those early days have been preserved.
The German language was used exclusively in the beginning, and
the school was open only during the summer rrionths. The
hames of the Superintendents that are still remembered by per-
sons living to-day, who attended the school in the early days,
are Joseph Herbst, George Doney, Frederick Springer and
Adaman Smith, in '68 and '69, now of Philadelphia. The
earliest record that has been preserved dates from the year 1874.
It contains a "Constitution of Jerusalem Sunday School" with
23 articles. It states that "the object of Sunday School shall
be to study the Scriptures, qualify the young of the church for
membership, and to endeavor to instill and strengthen in them
love for the Church."
In addition to the usual officers of the school, it also provides
for deacons. The list of officers contains the following names
for the year 1874-5: Superintendent, James Larash; Assistant
Supt., J. A. Abbott; Secretary, C. H. Mohr; Treasurer, George
Moyer; Librarian, George Moyer; Organist, Thomas Cope; Dea-
cons, George Springer, Jacob Vogel, David Sterner, W. Ueberroth.
The male teachers were J. A. Abbott, Thomas Cope, George
Springer, Eugene Stahlnecker, Jacob Vogel, Sylvester Mohn,
William Rummell, Adaman Kinder, William Bauer; the female
teachers, Eliza Moyer, Amanda Keck, Mary Larash, Amanda
Moyer, Mariah Groff, Sarah Licht, Mary Moyer, Ida Clifton, Sarah
Stahlnecker, Mary Stuber, Sarah Earner, Mary Sterner, Emma
Markle, Emma Kressler, Eliza Bauer, Catherine Koons, Lizzie
Stout.
The proceedings of the business meetings are given from
November 25, 1874, to August 20, 1877, also the accounts of the
receipts and expenditures to January 2, 1878.
For some reason or other, at a regular meeting held March
14, 1875, "It was regular moved and second to have the Old
Constitution thrown overboard and to have a new constitution."
A new constitution was adopted, which is also given in this book,
but this is not as full and complete as the former. The next
record that has been preserved dates from January, 1886. What
has become of the records from January, 1878, to January, 1886,
we know not, unless, as the present secretary, Mr. Edgar Butz,
thinks, they were burned on the rubbish pile some years ago.
April 8, 1890, a meeting was held by the Church Council of
the Lutheran congregation, the Consistory of the Reformed
congregation and the members of both congregations, over which
Rev. W. F. Schoener presided and Rev. N. Z. Snyder acted as
secretary, to take into consideration the Sunday School work in
Rkv. T. C. Brown.
(1908- )
96
the bosom of the congregations. At this meeting the sentiment
-was strongly in favor of the Sunday School being under the super-
vision of the Council and Consistory. It was believed that the
Sunday School would be more efficient if its sessions were held in
the afternoon before the regular services. An association was
formed consisting of the pastors, Church Council, Consistory,
officers and teachers of the school. The officers and teachers
of Markel's Sunday School, of which C. A. Groman, Esq., was
then superintendent, were also invited to unite. A committee
of said Sunday School was present April 20, 1890, and reported
that their Sunday School had resolved to continue as heretofore.
The pastors were instructed to draw up a constitution, which was
adopted later on. This constitution united the Sunday School
closely with the congregations. The pastors and members of the
Church Council and Consistory are members of the Sunday School.
The object of the association is "to provide for the religious
education of the young by means of the Word of God, the cate-
chisms of the churches, Bible History, and such other books and
papers as the association shall direct; to sustain by labor and
gifts of love the various benevolet operatiuons of the churches,
such as Home and Foreign Missions, Orphans' Homes and Edu-
cation." Since then the Sunday School has been operating under
this constitution, and has done good and efficient work. Too
much credit can not well be given to the faithful few who have
always cheerfully given their time and labor to this work. It has
often been found difficult to secure superintendents and teachers.
We take pleasure on this occasion to mention that on April 21,
1 901, the association passed a vote of thanks to Mr. James W.
Larash, the retired superintendent, for his faithful and continuous
services for the past twenty.-five years. Mr. Larash was succeeded
by Mr. Charles Herman, whose fidelity also won for him a vote
of thanks in October, 1905. He was succeeded by Mr. A. Paulus,
who in turn was succeeded in 1906 by Mr. Trittenbech. In 1907,
Mr. E. T. C. Ueberroth, who had faithfully served as secretary
for many years, became the superintendent. In 1908, he was
succeeded by Mr. T. H. Knappenberger, and in 1909, Mr. Edmund
Springer was elected to this position. The Sunday School has
lately been graded according to the age and capacity of the
scholars, and by a rearrangement of the services by the pastors,
it is now possible for them to be more regularly in attendance
at the opening of the school and to assist in the teaching.
The Sunday School has, on different occasions, appropriated
moneys out of its treasury for the congregations. In 1893, they
purchased an English Pulpit Bible. In 1898, they assisted in
making improvements in the church and paid $10 towards the
bell. In 1903, they contributed $50 towards the debt of the
church, and in 1906, a similar amount to pay for the new organ.
They have also, for a number of years, contributed from $5 to
$10 towards the janitor's salary.
In benevolence they have contributed from year to year
towards the cause of Home and Foreign Missions, and in 1906,
gave $10.34 to the San Francisco sufferers.
The Sunday School has regularly celebrated the festivals of
the church, such as Christmas and Kaster, with appropriate
services, and by giving suitable presents to the children. The
anniversary of the school has also been observed and the annual
picnic is never forgotten.
Missionary and Aid Societies
AND Luther League.
As we are in the days of organizations of all kinds, the con-
gregations have likewise felt the need of organizing the activities
of their members in such a way as to enlist and secure their co-
operation in the ever increasing work of the pastors and of the
church at large. On September 29, 1895, 14 years ago, Rev.
N. Z. Snyder invited the members and friends to remain after
service to consider the advisability of organizing a Missionary
Society. It was unanimously resolved to proceed with the
organization. Eighteen persons gave their names and among
them are found several Lutheran names. These, we suppose,
were the "friends" who were invited to meet with the members
of the Reformed congregation. In the rules and regulations
adopted, the purpose of the organization is stated to be ' 'to enlighten
the members in regard to the important work of Christian Mis-
sions, and to promote the cause, as far as possible, through the
regularly constituted channels of the church." The society met
from time to time as determined, from month to month, or upon
the call of the president. An Executive Committee was consti-
tuted, that arranged a program for the meeting. Voluntary dues
and offerings were collected at the meetings from the members.
Rev. Snyder was requested to give lectures on his tour to Europe
and other exercises were arranged, calculated to interest the
members in the objects they had espoused. On October 25, 1896,
the secretary, in his first annual report, stated that the society
was organized with 18 members, which number increased during
the year to 60. After deducting the removals and deaths, there
were left at the close of the first year 42 good standing members.
The amount received during the year was $17.50, which was
increased by general collections to $24.65. Nothing having been
paid out, this amount remained in the hands of the treasurer.
At a meeting on December 20, 1896, it was moved and carried to
change the name to "Missionary and Aid Society." In 1897,
March 7, the society appropriated $25 for Home and Foreign
Missions. In 1898, the society bought one dozen small hymnals,
appropriated $3 to the Ladies' Aid Society, of Denver, Col., and
$10 to Foreign Missions. At the annual meeting, November 12,
1899, the roll of membership was revised and the members were
requested to pledge themselves to a definite amount per month.
98
This was changed again to voluntary contributions, March 31,
1 901. The contribution to Home and Foreign Missions was $20,
January 6, 1901. Lady delegates were sent to the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the Classis from time
to time, and also paid annually a pledge of $5 to the society. In
1902, the society paid a balance of $12.05, due on the English
hymn books for the use of the congregation, and $2 to the Pala-
tinate Mission, in Philadelphia, and made up the balance of the
congregation's apportionment to Classis for Foreign Missions.
The last meeting recorded was that of January 14, 1906. Then
the minutes cease until February 7, 1909, when a meeting of the
Consistory and some of the Reformed members was called for the
purpose of starting up and reorganizing the Missionary and Aid
Society. In May 2, 1909, a new feature was introduced, viz., to
elect an organist and an assistant, and the dues were fixed at
5 cents a month. The enrollment in July numbered 34 members.
Luther League.
March 18, 1906, Rev. H. A. Kunkle, the pastor of the Luth-
eran congregation, called a meeting for the purpose of organizing
a Luther League. In the following month a constitution was
adopted and by-laws were added subsequently. The object of
this society is the improvement of its members, morally, socially,
intellectually, and spiritually, and to render the church such aid
as may be in its power. The membership is composed of active,
associate and honorary members. Active members shall consist
of all young people who are members of Jerusalem Church, whether
Lutheran or Reformed. Associate members are persons of good
moral character who are entitled to the privileges of the League,
except the right to vote and hold office; while honorary members
are such persons who have rendered the League any valuable
services and are elected by the League.
To carry out the objects of the League, standing committees
are constituted, Membership, Sanctuary, Program and Social.
The officers and the chairman of each standing committee con-
stitute the Executive Committee, which meets monthly in advance
of the meeting of the League, and then reports to the League
its recommendations. The whole League meets monthly in the
church, except during July and August, when a suitable program
is rendered and the business is transacted. During the past
year the subjects of the program have been the "Festivals of the
Church Year." During the coming year the League has con-
cluded to take up the study of the Common Service as treated in
questions and answers in a book called "The Explanation of the
Common Service." The League has contributed out of its funds
towards the organ purchased; Lutheran and Reformed hymn
books for the pews; to the cause of Missions, both Lutheran and
Reformed, and to the joint treasury for the janitor's salary, and
to the Sunday School for books needed.
99
It is a member of the Allentown Central and sends delegates
to its meetings. For the cultivation of sociability among its
members it also holds a monthly social meeting, except during
Lent, at the homes of its members, when a program, consisting
of recitations and music, vocal and instrumental, is rendered.
It closed the past year by giving a public entertainment in the
Fairview School House, which was so well received that the
request was made that it be repeated, which was granted.
Lutheran Ladies' Aid.
Last year the Lutheran pastor felt the need of calling
in the assistance of the women of the congregation for the purpose
of assisting him and the Church Council in various directions.
A meeting of the women was called for Wednesday, January 20,
1909, at the home of Mrs. Harry Scholl, after the Church Council
had approved of the object. A number responded to the invi-
tation, extended by mail to all the female members of the con-
gregation. They approved of the cause and a constitution was
adopted, officers and committees elected and appointed. The
congregation is divided into three districts. In each district
three committees are appointed — one on membership, whose
duty is not only to propose new members, but to inform the
pastor of any new people moving within the district, of any sick
and poor.
A committee on literature is also appointed in each district,
whose duty it is to assist the pastor in distributing circulars,
securing subscriptions to periodicals and canvassing for good
books.
A third committee in each district is a collecting committee
to assist in collecting funds for the benevolent work of the church
— at Easter and Harvest season — the Orphans' Homes, etc.
There are monthly meetings held by the officers and members
of the different committees and quarterly meetings by the whole
society. The dues are 25 cents per quarter.
In closing this sketch, which at best is but a mere chronicle
of such facts as we could gather here and there, permit me to say
that we have taken great pleasure in making this contribution
to the very enjoyable occasion that has brought us together. We
wish also to take this opportunity to thank one and all who have
in any way helped to make this event one long to be remembered
by all who have been permitted to share in the same. We thank
the brethren in the ministry who have come from far and near
to add to our joy. We thank the choir and those who assisted
them for the labor they have taken to enhance the pleasure of
this day. We thank the committees of arrangements, deco-
rations and the lunch for the good things they set before us. We
thank the members of both congregations for the distribution of
the souvenir postal card invitations, and the press for its gener-
ous space accorded this event.
To God alone be all the praise and glory.
History of Solomon's Reformed
Church, Macungie.
By James J. Hauser.
Prior to 1841, the members of the Reformed and Lutheran
faiths, residing at Macungie (Millerstown) , worshipped at the
Lehigh, Salisbury and Old Zionsville Churches. In that year,
Solomon Wescoe, John Shiffert and others conceived the idea that
a house of worship should be nearer at home for the members
at this place. Solomon Wescoe donated one-half acre of land, on
Church Street, which derived its name from this fact.
The work of building began immediately. The church was
a plain, substantial stone building for the use of the Reformed and
Lutheran congregations. This church was altered in 1870, en-
tirely remodeled in 1881, and rebuilt in 1893. The church yard
was used for burial purposes, and in 1869 an acre of land was pur-
chased of Klias Lichtenwalner for five hundred dollars, which was
cut up into family burial plots and in which the deceased members
of the congregations now sleep their last sleep. It was a union
church from the time it was built until 1893, when the Reformed
congregation bought the Lutherans' share. The latter erected
Grace Lutheran Church, on Main Street, the same year. The
fiftieth anniversary was very fittingly celebrated.
The pastors who served the Lutheran congregation from 1841
to 1893, were Rev. Benjamin German, 1841 to 1848; Rev. William
German, 1848 to 1851 ; Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, 1851 to 1856; Rev.
Joshua Yeager, 1856 to 1867; Rev. A. D. Croll, 1867 to 1868; Rev.
William Rath, 1868 to 1889; Rev. Myron Rath, 1889 to 1893, the
time of separation.
The Reformed pastors were the following: Rev. Samuel
Hess, 1843 to 1845. Prior to 1843 the congregation was served
by different pastors. Rev. Henry Bassler, 1 845 to 1 848 ; Rev. John
S. Kessler, D. D., 1848 to 1850; Rev. J. B. Poerner, 1850 to 1852;
Rev. Daniel Zellers, 1853 to 1857; Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, 1857 to
1876; Rev. Thomas Reber, 1876 to 1892 ; Rev. C. W. Schaffer, 1892
to 1897; Rev. Thomas W. Dickert, 1897 to 1902; Rev. Simon
Sipple, 1902 to 1908. The congregation had no regular pastor
for some time, as Rev. Sipple resigned April 30, 1908, to accept a
call at Doylestown, Pa., but was regularly served by Rev. J. F.
lOI
DeLong, of Bethlehem. Rev. John Schaffer was elected in the fall
of 1908. The church was called Solomon's Church in honor of
Solomon Wescoe, its principal donor and supporter until his death.
He lies buried in the graveyard of the church. The church has the
largest Sunday School in the town, numbering 350 pupils.
During the pastorate of Rev. Henry Bassler prayer meetings
and Bible study were introduced and revivals took place, and a
number of the members withdrew from the congregation and
joined other congregations. Ministers of different denomina-
tions preached at different times in the church, and at one time it
seemed if the church would be disrupted. Rev. Henry Bassler
resigned and went elsewhere, and the breach .was healed and every-
thing went along well until Rev. A. D. Croll became pastor of the
Lutheran congregation, when another and more serious disruption
took place. Revs. Bassler and Croll were both able and forcible
speakers and men of stainless character, and had many followers.
In 1867, during the pastorate of Rev. A. D. Croll (Lutheran)
an eruption took place. The reverend gentleman having changed
his ecclesiastical relations from one to the other synod of the
Lutheran Church, or what is called going over from the old to
what is called the New Lutheran Church, drawing on members of
both congregations. Reformed and Lutheran.
This eruption brought on a lawsuit in which the reverend
gentleman was allowed to preach to the end of the year, notwith-
standing the doors had been barred against his entrance. This
action created a great deal of dissatisfaction on the part of many
members of the congregation. The church doors had been locked
against him, but his adherents broke them open and took posses-
sion of the church. Rev. Croll claimed and maintained that he
could not be turned out until the year to which he had been elected,
was up. This point was decided in his favor by the Court, and
he was allowed to preach to the end of his term. Then Rev. Croll
and his followers withdrew and built St. Matthew's Lutheran
Church.
On Whitsuntide, 1902, the sixtieth anniversary was very
appropriately celebrated. The regular pastor. Rev. Thomas W.
Dickert, was assisted by Revs. J. H. Dubbs, D. D., T. J. Hacker,
A. R. Bartholomew, D. D., and Rev. J. F. Neibuhr, of the Baptist
Church, of Macungie. The congregation began to build a parson-
age in 1902, which was completed in 1903 and occupied by Rev.
Simon Sipple. The membership numbers at present 356. The
church sustains a Missionary Society, Christian Endeavor Society,
Sewing Society, Mission Band, besides the Sunday School. The
congregation was served in connection with the Emaus and Salis-
bury charges until Rev. C. W. Schaffer's pastorate, when it
became a separate charge and has been for some time self-sustain-
ing. ^ It contributed for congregational purposes in 1907 and 1908,
$2,300; for benevolent purposes, $862; and during Rev. Simon
I02
Sipple's five years' pastorate, a grand total of $12,452 had been
contributed by the congregation, which speaks well for the mem-
bers of the church. The officers of the church at present are as
follows: Elders, Dr. H. M. Schell, G. F. Kerchner, F. J. Wieder,
J. ly. Christman, Charles M. Mohr, Elder Emeritus. Deacons, W.
N. Decker, Addison Christman, S. R. Moyer, J. F. Weider, J. M.
Roedler, W. J. Kern. Organist, A. G. Romig. Janitress, Mrs.
Augustus Weaver. Trustees, William H. Miller, Alexander
Ritter, Benjamin Moyer, Levi R. Griesemer, Daniel Griesemer,
William Kerchner. Superintendent of Sunday School, W. N.
Decker. Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School, H. L.
Hertzog. Superinten*dent of Primary Department, Mrs. h. R.
Griesemer. Assistant Superintendent Primary Department, Mrs.
Nelson Knauss. Regular services are held every Sunday morning
at 10 o'clock in the German language, and in the evening at 7
o'clock in the English language. Sunday School at 9 A. M.
A short sketch of the different ministers that served the con-
gregation since 1841 will undoubtedly be appreciated by the
people of Macungie.
Reformed Pastors.
The first one on the Reformed side is the late Father Samuel
Hess, of Hellertown, Pa. He was born on Christmas Day, 1804,
in Northampton County, Pa. His parents were both members of
the Reformed Church, who reared their children in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord. Early in life the subject of this sketch
was thoroughly instructed in the doctrines of the holy religion as
set forth in the Heidelberg Catechism by the Rev. Thomas Pomp.
He began a course of study under the Rev. J. C. Becker, D. D., in
1823, continued the same for four years, and soon after was
licensed and ordained to preach the word of God, 1827. He
began his ministerial duties at the Blue Church, and where he also
laid down his shepherd's crook after forty-one years of faithful
service. During the first years of his ministry he also served in
the capacity of school teacher. During his ministry he gathered
and organized five congregations, viz. : Apple's, Applebachsville,
Keller's, Macungie (Millerstown) and Blue Church; and also may
be regarded as the founder of Christ Union Church. On account
of failing health he resigned in 1 868 from active work in the min-
istry. He was fearless, bold, manly and outspoken, and struck
many a heavy blow against error. A warm friend, a good coun-
sellor, a sympathetic pastor, an earnest advocate of truth, an
unrelenting enemy to all hypocrisy, falsehood and deceit. He
married Elizabeth D. [Owen, who died in 1838 without issue.
He married, in 1840, Miss Lucetta Klein, with whom he had
two sons, namely, Hon. J. S. Hess and Milton Hess, both
living at Hellertown, Pa. He died of acute gastro-enteritis at
I03
Hellertown, Pa., November 23, 1875, aged 70 years, 10 months
and 28 days. Revs. A. J. G. Dubbs, W. R. Hofford and N. S.
Strassburger officiated at the house, and at the church Revs. T. O.
Stem and Dr. B. Bausman preached the sermons.
Rev. Henry S. Bassler was born August 11, 1804, in Upper
Milford Township, Lehigh County, the son of Henry Bassler and
his wife, Veronica (nee Schantz), studied theology under Rev.
Jacob W. Dechant, licensed to preach in 1829, served in the min-
istry over 50 years, and died February 17, 1883, in Dauphin
County, Pa., aged 78 years, 6 months and 6 days.
Rev. John S. Kessler, D. D., was born August 19, 1797, in
Schiers, Canton de Grisson, Switzerland. He studied at the Can-
ton School of Chur, completed his theological studies at the Uni-
versity of Basle, 1821, and was ordained as a minister, at the age
of 22 years, at Devos, Canton Claris, where he labored for 19 years,
when he moved with his family to Virginia, and served congrega-
tions in the Shenandoah Valley, at Woodstock, where he served
four years, when he went to Reading, Pa., where he was associated
with Rev. J. C. Bucher, as assistant pastor of the First Reformed
Church, 1845, where he stayed for two years, when he received
a call to Baltimore, Maryland, 1847, where he worked faithfully
for seven years. In 1854 he came to Allentown, Pa., and aided
his son. Rev. Christian Rudolf Kessler, who had established a
seminary at that place. His son dying in 1855, he was retained
by the trustees as one of the regular teachers ; and in this connec-
tion he continued until his death, in 1864, aged 67 years. He
was one of the committee to prepare a German hymn book. He
received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Franklin and Mar-
shall College. He was a profound theologian and was one of the
most eminent divines of the Reformed Church of his time.
Daniel Zeller was born in Tulpehocken Township, Berks
County, Pa., May 13, 1792, the son of Francis and Elizabeth
Zeller and was baptized by Rev. Daniel Wagner. In his youth
he worked on his father's farm, but had no inclination for farm life;
was instructed, confirmed and admitted to full membership in
the Reformed Church, at Lebanon, Pa., by the sainted Hiester.
Early evincing a desire for entering the ministry, he commenced
his preparatory and theological studies under the Rev. Samuel
Heffenstein, D. D., in Philadelphia, in 181 1. Examined and
licensed to preach at the annual meeting of the Synod of the Ger-
man Reformed Church, held at Easton, Pa., April 25, 1815. He
took charge as supply of the congregations at Upper Saucon,
Upper Milford, Trexlertown and Salisbury, Lehigh County, which
constituted the charge of Rev. J. William Dechant, who had
obtained a leave of absence to make a missionary tour to Ohio.
Mr. Zeller remained a candidate for three years, when he was
examined again and ordained September 8, 181 8, at Carlisle, Pa.
As Rev. J. William Dechant never took charge of his congre-
I04
gations again, Rev. Zeller became the regular pastor and remained
so until May, 1857, when he was compelled to resign on account of
infirmities. These were the only congregations he served, except
Solomon's Reformed Church, Macungie (Millerstown). Married
August 21, 1 816, to Mrs. Maria Schweitzer, who died October 27,
1855. They had two children — daughters who survived their
parents and ministered to their wants. He died in Allentown on
Easter Sunday, April 12, 1868, aged 75 years, 10 months and 15
days. He was buried in the Union Cemetery. Rev. Zeller bap-
tized 3,881, confirmed 2,139, married 1,110 couples and buried
1,073-
Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, D. D., was a son of Rev. Dr. Dubbs, and
was bom June 8, 1826, in Berks County, Pa. He moved with his
family to the Allentown charge, where his boyhood days were spent.
In 1 840 he entered Lafayette College, Easton, to prepare for a life
of business. After engaging in business for some time, his health
failed, and he decided to return to school, entering Marshall Col-
lege, Mercersburg, Pa., where he remained until 1849, when he
took charge of a select school for young men. He decided to
enter the ministry, and in 1851 was examined and licensed by the
East Pennsylvania Classis and received a call to preach in English
in the Reformed Church, at Allentown, serving for one year, when
he became pastor of the vSouth Whitehall charge. In 1857 he was
called to the charge composed of the Trexlertown, Millerstown
(now Macungie), Upper Milford and Friedensville congregations,
which he served faithfully and successfully for fourteen years,
when the charge was divided and he became the pastor of the first
three-named congregations, which he served until 1876, when he
became pastor of Salem's Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa.,
where he labored diligently for sixteen years, with a membership
of twelve hundred members. His health failing, he retired from
active service. Died at Allentown, Pa., November 7, 1897, aged
71 years and 6 months. He was married October 18. 1853, ^^
Maria Schreiber, who died January 23, 1894. Dr. Dubbs had also
served as trustee of the Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown,
for a number of years.
Rev. Simon Sipple was born in 1875 in Somerset County,
Pennsylvania, of German parentage. He was brought up upon a
farm, attended the ungraded schools and local Normal School and
worked in a hardwood furniture factory. At the age of 18 years
he entered Mercersburg Academy, at Mercersburg, where he grad-
uated in 1896. Spent four years at Franklin and Marshall College,
at Lancaster, Pa., graduating in 1900. He entered the Theo-
logical Seminary cf the Reformed Church, at Lancaster, and
graduated in 1903. Became pastor of the Macungie congrega-
tion as its regular pastor, May 30, 1903, having served it before as
a supply during his senior year. Married the same year to Miss
Lillian A. Schultz, of Reading. He served the charge for five
I05
years, when he accepted a call to Doylestown, Pa, 1908, where he is
now stationed. During the last two years of his stay at Macungie,
he was teacher of Bible History at Phoebe Deaconess Home,
a charitable institution of the Reformed Church, at Allentown.
Rev. J. J. Schafifer has been pastor since the fall of 1908.
Lutheran Pastors.
Rev. Joshua Yeager, son of Rev. John Conrad Yeager, studied
for the ministry under his father, was licensed to preach in 1827,
and became assistant to his father on his whole charge until 1 83 1 ,
when the father resigned his country charges, his son, Joshua,
becoming his successor. After his father's death, he became his
successor of his charge at Allentown, St. Paul's, which he served
for 21 years. He became pastor of the Lutheran congregation of
Solomon's Church, Macungie, in 1856 and served until 1867, when
he resigned.
Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, a son of Rev. John Peter Schindel,
was born May 15, 1807, at Lebanon, Pa. Learned the printer's
trade. Had as his associates, Hon. Simon Cameron, John and
William Bigler, afterwards governors of California and Pennsyl-
vania, respectively. Studied theology under his father and Rev.
Dr. Lochman. Married, 1828, Miss Elizabeth A. Masser, of Sun-
bury, Pa. Licensed to preach in 1830; served congregations at
Danville, Bloomsburg, Catawissa, Roaring Creek, Mifflinsburg,
Berwick, Briar Creek and Conyngham. In 1837 was called to
Lehigh County, where he served congregations at Jordan, Heidel-
berg, Union, Weisenberg, Ziegel's, Lowhill and Trexlertown, and
for a time at Fogelsville, Tripoli, Frieden's, Macungie, Longswamp,
and organized congregations at Morganland, Cedarville, Mickley's
and St. Paul's, Catasauqua. From 1859 to 1861 he served as
State Senator. Resigned as pastor and served as chaplain of the
iioth Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers, serving under Gen-
erals Banks and Shields in the Shenandoah Valley. Returned
home in 1864 and accepted a call from Lyken's Valley, Dauphin
County, which he served until 1870, and returned to Allentown.
where he died July 2, 1870, aged 63 years, i month and 17 days.
First Steam Whistle in the Lehigh Valley.
(ELxtract from a newspaper of Feb. 27, 1872.)
"The first steam whistle that ever sent its unearthly echoes
through the hills that skirt the Lehigh Valley, was made and
operated at the Allentown Iron Works, nearly thirty years ago
by William E. Reeves, a machinist, who was running one of the
stationary engines at that place. The secret of its preparation
was confided only to Mr. Lewis, Superintendent of the Works^
and one or two others.
One evening about 8 o'clock, the whistle was attached to the
boiler, a full head of steam turned on, and the people for miles
around were startled by shrieks, the like of which few had ever
heard before, and some, looking upwards with superstitious fear,
thought the first notes of Gabriel's trumpet were sounding in their
ears. The general effect is described in the following protest,
written shortly after the panic had subsided :
The Steam Whistle.
Some nights ago I heard a sound
Which raised me from my heel-tap,
I said as I regained the ground,
"Old Nick is in the steeltrap."
Upon a sober second thought
I feared that Schnurman's animals*
Were loose again, or still uncaught —
Perhaps a horde of cannibals,
Had forwarded from Oregon
A war-whoop telegraphical,
It echoed 'round in horrid tone
And sounded epitaphical.
The Mingo folks who heard the sound,
With proper circumspection,
Turn'd out in order to put down
A negro insurrection;!
But when they found no mob to quell —
For that was not the matter —
The darkies all felt deathly pale
And home the heroes scatter.
♦In those days Mr. Henry Schnurman was in the dry goods and grocery business,
and advertised largely. His heading was, "The animals are loose," followed by pic-
tures of wild animals. An unsophisticated countryman on one occasion called in to
make a small purchase, and claimed the right to see the show gratis which non-plussed
him entirely.
tA few negro families were at that time living in Mingo, now First Ward, and as they
were in the habit of fighting and making a good deal of noise amongst themselves, it was
supposed the howl came from that quarter.
lO*
It seems the folks of Hanover
Had read of General Putman
Who waged against the wolves a war
For slaughtering his mutton;
So when they heard the fearful sound —
There truly was alarm int —
They took their trusty rifles down
To hoot the howling varm int.
The neighboring Furnace-men, 'twould seem,
Are rather heavy sleepers,
And so they made a steam machine
To waken up the "keepers."
It's right enough that they should know
When to begin their labors
Bit then it's wrong in doing so
To frighten all the neighbors.
And then the noisy nondescript
Disturbs the rites of Morpheus —
Its patent surely don't conflict
With any right of Orpheus.
'Tis hoped when Iron Works shall need
Another such improvement (!)
The public may be notified
Of the intended movement,
For, to be awaken'd up at night
By such a yelling demon.
Might make a man a Millerite
And fright to death the women."
Tn mcmoriatti.
I
During the past year, what the poet has so aptly called the
"fatal asterisk of death" has been set against the names of five
members of the Lehigh County Historical Society. The first
of these was Amandes A. Kern, who passed away at his home in
Slatington at five o'clock in the evening of March 27, 1908. Mr.
Kern was aged 57 years and 4 months. His business was that
of a butcher. He left a widow and four children, namely, Mrs.
Samuel Steckel, Miss Cora Kern, George Kern and Harrison Kern.
Mr. Kern was a member of the Odd Fellows and of St. John's
Reformed congregation at Frieden's Church. The funeral was
held on the following Tuesday, April ist, and the services were
conducted by Rev. A. Piscator and Rev. N. F. Peters. Mr.
Kern was elected a member of this society on January 13, 1906.
Rev. Dr. J. D. Schindkl.
Rev. Jacob Daniel Schindel, D. D., for forty-one years a
clergyman of the Lutheran Church, filling pastorates nigh to
Allentown, died on the morning of June 27, 1908, at quarter of
seven o'clock at his home. No. 818 Hamilton Street, AJlentown.
He had been failing for six years, and three months ago a growth
formed on his vocal chords, affecting the glands and interfering
seriously with his speech. His whole throat became affected
and began closing. On Monday evening preceding his death, to
prevent suffocation, an operation was performed. The relief,
however, was only temporary. Dr. Schindel sank into uncon-
sciousness and lingered thus, painlessly, until the final summons.
Dr. Schindel was of German descent on both the paternal
and maternal side. His great-great-grandfather, John Peter
Schindel, came to Pennsylvania in the year 1751, from Erlenbach,
Graftschaft Erbach, Odenwald, which now forms part of Hessia,
and settled at Lebanon. Dr. Schindel's grandfather, who was
also a clergyman, and who also bore the name of John Peter
Schindel, moved from Lebanon to Sunbury, in 181 2, where he
labored until 1853. He was the pioneer missionary in North-
umberland, Union and now Snyder Counties, and his work
reached even as far south as Harrisburg and as far north as
I09
Williamsport. He was the first President of the East Pennsylvania
Synod. The parents of the mother of the deceased also resided
at Sunbury. They were Henry Masser and wife, Mary Barbara,
nee Baldy.
The deceased was the son of Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, who
served many pastorates in Lehigh County, and of his wife, Eliza-
beth Masser. One of the charges served by the latter was the
Jordan Lutheran congregation, where the subject of this sketch
was born on January ii, 1841. In his father's farpily there were
besides the deceased five sisters, Mrs. Mary Eisenhard, Mrs.
Martha Snyder and Mrs. Emma Beary, all of Allentown, and
Mrs. Susan Snyder and Mrs. Sarah Weiler, both of whom are
deceased. There were also three other sons in the family, viz.,
Captain Jeremiah P. Schindel, deceased; Edward M. Schindel,
of Sunbury, and Martin Luther Schindel, who died in infancy.
The deceased received his elementary education in schools
at Jordan Lutheran Church and at Guthsville. From 1859 to
1 860, he attended the Allentown Seminary, where he was a pupil
of Rev. Dr. W. R. Hofford, his later colleague. In the fall of
i860, he entered the Missionary Institute, at Selinsgrove, now
Susquehanna University. Here he spent two years, after which
he entered the Junior Class of Pennsylvania College, at Gettys-
burg, where he was graduated in 1864. Dr. Schindel was the
second honor man of his class, but his Latin salutatory could not
be delivered, as there was no commencement that year on account
of the Civil War.
In the year 1863, the deceased enlisted in a company com-
posed of students of the Seminary and College at Gettysburg,
which company was assigned as Company A, Twenty-sixth
Regiment, P. V. M. He was mustered out in the same year and
was assigned to Major John S. Schultze, Assistant Adjutant-
General, and kept the book "Special and General Orders."
In the fall of 1864, he entered the Theological Seminary, at
Philadelphia, and from which he graduated in 1867. In the
spring of 1865, he entered the service of the Sanitary Commission
of the United States and was stationed at Baltimore, Annapolis
and Washington. Returning to the seminary in fall he continued
his course.
In 1867, he was ordained to the gospel ministry in the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, meeting in Leba-
non. Before his ordination he received a call to the parish
consisting of St. Paul's, Catasauqua, and Mickley's. He had
also received calls as assistant to Dr. F. W. Geissenhainer, of
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, New York, and to Selinsgrove, but
accepted the first.
In St. Paul's Church, of Catasauqua, he served twenty-one
years and it was during his pastorate that the present church
building was erected at Catasauqua. At Mickley's he has con-
no
tinued his pastorate until his death, having associated with him
in the last nine years his son, Rev. Jeremiah J. Schindel.
On July 2, 1868, he was married to Miss Ella C. Schmoyer,
of Allentown, a daughter of the deceased parents, Aaron Schmoyer
and wife, Sarah K., nee Breinig. He is survived by the widow
and Mrs. R. J. Butz and Rev. J. J. Schindel, their only children.
There are also two grandchildren, Mabel and Mary Schindel.
In the spring of 1889, having resigned the congregation at
Catasauqua, he took charge at Egypt and Laury's in connection
with Mickley's and Coplay, and served this field until the Sunday
after Ascension Day, 1908, when he resigned Egypt, Laury's and
Cementon, which latter was organized by him in 1900.
Dr. Schindel was a member of the Board of Trustees of
Muhlenberg College from 1874 to 1907, and was secretary of the
same from 1874 to 1885. Muhlenberg gave him his degree in
1899. He also served as Director of the Theological Seminary
at Mount Airy for a number of years. From 1878 to 1 881, he
was English Secretary of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Schindel was an active member of the Lehigh County
Historical Society and just before his death he finished reading
the proof of the history of the Egypt Church, which appeared
in print in the society's proceedings. He became a charter mem-
ber, January 13, 1906.
During his ministry of 41 years, Dr. Schindel received by the
rite of confirmation 2,752, officiated at 2,258 funerals, performed
1,452 marriages, baptized 4,847 children and 25 adults.
His only son. Rev. J. J. Schindel, who was for the last nine
years his associate pastor, is now serving St. John's, Mickley's,
and St. John's, Coplay. Rev. E. O. Leopold accepted a call to
the Egypt Church, St. John's, Laury's, and St. Paul's, Cementon.
Dr. Schindel 's last sermon was preached at Laury's, May 10,
1908, on St. John 16: 16: "Yet a little while, and ye shall not
see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I
go to the father." How appropriate!
His last funeral sermon was preached at the funeral of
Bernhard Keiser, at Fullerton, May 4, 1908, when he preached on
I Cor. 13: 13, "And now abideth faith, hope and charity, these
three, but the greatest of these is charity."
The funeral was held in St. John's Lutheran Church, Allen-
town, Thursday, July 2, at 2 o'clock, in charge of Revs. Drs. Fry,
Steimle, Stump, Horn, and Spieker.
Rev. Dr. Edward T. Horn preached in English, on II Cor. 4:5 :
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
Rev. Dr. G. F. Spieker preached in German, on Ephesians
2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves ; it is the gift of God ; not of works lest any man should
boast."
David McKenna.
On Christmas evening, December 25, 1908; David McKenna,
of Slatington, Vice-President of the Lehigh County Historical
Society, passed away peacefully at his home, following a brief
illness.
Mr. McKenna was a typical representative of his Scotch
nationality. He was born near Newton Stewart, Wigtonshire,
Scotland, June 10, 1838, and was a son of David and Agnes
McKenna. His father died in Scotland in 1841, when he was
three and one-half years old. The widow and her son came to
America in 1843, and settled in Wyandotte County, Ohio, amongst
friends who had emigrated from Scotland and located there some
few years before and there they made their home for thirteen
years. Mr. McKenna was sent to the schools of his native parish
at the time that the Bible was the only textbook. After settling
in this country, he entered the public schools of Ohio and also
studied at different times under private teachers. He was reared
in the famous "Northwestern Territory," as that part of Ohio
was then called, and early in life developed traits of industry and
enterprise.
Mr. McKenna and his mother came to Pennsylvania in 1856,
and located at Slatington, when there were only a few houses in
the village. His mother resided with him until her death in 1879,
aged ninety-four years. He secured employment with the Lehigh
Slate Company, the first chartered organization of its kind in
Pennsylvania, and of which Robert McDowell was Superintendent
and Treasurer. For a year he was employed in various capacities
and early in 1857 he was appointed station agent for the Lehigh
Valley Railroad Company. He was also telegraph operator,
mail carrier and express agent. He devoted eight years to the
service of the railroad. He quit the employment to become
Assistant Superintendent of the Lehigh Slate Company and
filled that position until the death of his father-in-law, Robert
McDowell, in 1878, when he was elected Superintendent and
served until 1880. At this time he engaged in business for him-
self and was instrumental in the development of a number of
slate quarries, the more prominent ones among them being the
McDowell, later the Girard, the Brooklyn and the Meadow
Brook. In company with other enterprising business men he
purchased the farm known as the Kern farm slate property, on
which six large quarries have been opened and are now among
the most profitable quarries in the Lehigh slate region.
Mr. McKenna warmly espoused the cause of anti-slavery, and
as a young man he took an active interest in the campaign of
Solomon P. Chase for the Governorship of Ohio in 1855. After
moving to Pennsylvania, he became a w^arm enthusiast of Repub-
lican principles, which made its first Presidential nomination in
112
that year. Up to his death he was an energetic and loyal adherent
of that party. For many years he was a member of the County
Executive Committee and served a number of times as chairman
of county conventions, was a delegate to the State convention at
Lancaster, which nominated General John F. Hartranft for
Governor, and was a delegate to the Harrisburg convention,
which nominated Henry M. Hoyt. He was appointed notary
public by Governor Hartranft and was nominated for State
Assembly and afterwards for State Senator, but failed of election
both times. Mr. McKenna served on the School Board for 25
years and as its President for fifteen years. He was nominated
for chief burgess one year, but declined to accept. He was also a
member of the Slatington Board of Trade. He was an active
and prominent Mason and took a lively interest in the fraternity,
belonging to Slatington Lodge, No. 440, F. and A. M., having
served as Worshipful Master for two terms; a member of Allen
Council, No. 23, R. and S. M., Allen Commandery, No. 20, Knights
Templar, of Allentown, and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of
Reading. He was also a member of the Scotch-Irish Society of
America and was deeply interested in its history. In the Pres-
byterian Church, of Slatington, he served as elder and as Super-
intendent of the Sunday School for over twenty-five years, repre-
sented the Presbytery of Lehigh in the general assembly of the
Presbyterian Church at Omaha in 1887, and was a delegate to the
Synod of Pennsylvania, held at Wheeling in 1890. He joined
the Lehigh County Historical Society, January 13, 1906.
In 1865, Mr. McKenna was united in marriage to Rebecca
Augusta McDowell, a daughter of Robert and Sarah E. McDowell.
The children born to them were Sarah A., Helen A., Phoebe B.,
and Stella A. The eldest daughter became the wife of Franklin
Prince, of Philadelphia, in 1890. Mr. Prince died in 1893 and
his widow married Rev. J. W. Brockway, of Erie, in 1901. Helen
A., died in 1870, and Phoebe B., died in 1890. The youngest
daughter is the wife of James Craig and resides at Slatington.
Two grandchildren also survive, Marguerite McKenna Prince and
David McKenna Brockway.
Hon. Harry G. StiIvES.
Mayor Harry G. Stiles died in office on Sunday morning,
November 8, 1908, having sustained a stroke of apoplexy on the
previous afternoon. He was the third mayor of the city of Allen-
town to die during his term of office, the others having been
Dr. T. C. Yeager, on January 14, 1874, and Dr. Alfred J. Yost,
on April 16, 1907. Mr. Stiles was the second son of Hon. John
David and Mary A. (Gibbons) Stiles and was born in this city,
December 16, 1856. He was graduated from the Allentown
High School on June 30, 1874, studied at Muhlenberg College for
"3
two years, and was graduated from the law school of Harvard
University in 1873. Studying law with his father, he was ad-
mitted to the Bar of Lehigh County on April 14, 1887, and was
later associated with his father in the firm of John D. Stiles &
Son. Mr. Stiles was nominated as a Presidential Elector in 1884.
In 1889, he was elected District Attorney, and in 1894, was
elected to the State Senate, being re-elected in 1898. He was
chosen Mayor of Allentown in February, 1908. Mr. Stiles was a
member of St John's Reformed Church; Greenleaf Lodge, No.
561, F. and A. M.; Lecha Wonk Tribe, No. 201, I. O. R. M.;
Allentown Castle, No. 55, K. G. E., Greenleaf Lodge, No. 257,
K. of P.; Clinton Chamber, No. 44, K. of F., of Minesite; Rescue
Hook and Ladder Co., No. 8, and of the Lehigh County Bar
Association. He was survived by his wife, three brothers and
one sister. Mr. Stiles was elected a member of the Historical
Society, May 11, 1907.
CharIvKS D. Deshi^ER.
Charles Dunham Deshler died at his late home, 106 College
Avenue, New Brunswick, N. J., Monday morning. May 10, 1909,
at 9 o'clock. He had been failing very rapidly since the beginning
of March. As he was born at Easton, Pa., on March i, 1819,
he was a little over ninety years old, and his death was due simply
to a wearing out of the machine, a result of old age.
When Mr. Deshler first came to New Brunswick he went
into the drug business as an apprentice with Mr. MacDonald,
at Peace and Church Streets, that city. He applied himself to
the business and eventually became the sole proprietor. But
the drug business did not suit him, and he retired from it in 1859.
He then began to take more seriously to those literary labors
which eventually occupied a great part of his time. Going to
Jersey City, he did some editorial work for the Jersey City Stan-
dard. He then went to Newark and worked on the Newark
Advertiser. He also spent a short time in the oil regions of Penn-
sylvania.
Mr. Deshler returned to New Brunswick in 1868, and had
lived there ever since that time. He engaged in literary work,
of a critical nature principally, for the Harpers, having charge
of the Editor's Round Table and reading manuscript for the
home. He wrote and compiled "Chaucer, With Selections," and
"Afternoons With the Poets." He was at one time a lay judge
of the Middlesex County Court and was the first county super-
intendent of the Middlesex schools. He was instrumental in
founding the Middlesex Gas Company, the Middlesex Savings
Bank and other institutions, and did a large share of the work of
organizing the Middlesex County school system.
Shortly before his last term of office expired Grover Cleveland
114
appointed Mr. Deshler postmaster of New Brunswick, and he
held that office till the conclusion of his four-year term.
Mr. Deshler was always literary in his tastes, and his library
is one of the finest collections of books to be found anywhere
in that neighborhood.
They are largely historical in character, and are of great
interest, particularly to persons living in that section.
Mr. Deshler had not lived a very active life for many years,
but he had always taken a great interest in everything that
concerned the community. His death was deeply regretted by
all, as he was always public spirited and patriotic, and had the
highest of ideals in both public and private life.
Mr. Deshler leaves seven children, three daughters and four
sons — Miss Kate, Miss Mary, Miss Edith, Edward B., James,
Charles and Frederick. He also left many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren. His wife, who was Miss Mary Holcombe,
of New Brunswick, died in 1893.
Mr. Deshler was elected a member of the Lehigh County
Historical Society, May 9, 1908.
115
MEMBERS ELECTED SINCE AUGUST 1, 1908.
William J. Heller Kaston
C. L. Freeman Allentown
Hon. John O. Sheatz Harrisburg
Mrs. Margaret S. Hunsicker Norristown
Alfred ly. Reichenbach Allentown
Rev. Frank P. Laros . Alburtis
Mrs. Lyman H. Howe Wilkes-Barre
Rev. George M. Smith New Tripoli
Rev. John Baer Stoudt Emaus
R. F. Stine Allentown
F. A. R. Baldwin Allentown
Howard Weiss Siegfried
Henry J. Detwiller Allentown
Dr. H. H. Herbst Allentown
Charles D. Weirbach Allentown
Thomas W. Saeger Allentown
Mrs. Thomas W. Saeger. Allentown
Mrs. Charles M. Saeger Allentown
Mrs. Horace Luckenbach Bethlehem
Prof. Edwin M. Fogel, Ph. D Philadelphia
Miss Irene B. Martin Allentown
Rev. Augustus Steimle Allentown
David J. Nagle Allentown
Rev. Myron O. Rath Allentown
Tilghman Neumeyer Emaus,
Mrs. Ralph R. Metzger Allentown
Mrs. Ella C. Stine Allentown,
Joseph P. Shimer Allentown
Elmer J. Faust Allentown
Frank D. Biery Allentown
Ambrose A. Kunkle Allentown
Charles W. Eisenhard Allentown
Mrs. Emma A. Ettinger Allentown
Miss A. Violet Kline Allentown
Rev. J. S. Renninger Allentown
Rev. George M. Scheidy Allentown
Nils A. Oleson Allentown,
Pa.
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CONTENTS.
PAGES.
Minutes of Meetings, 1908-1909 3—18
Lynford Lardner and Grouse Hall, by Charles R. Roberts... . 19 — 24
History of Mickley's Church, by Rev. Thomas H. Krick 26 — 36
Founders and Organizers of Mickley's Church, by Miss Minnie
F. Mickley 38—42
Notable Events in the Social Life of Allentown in the 18th
Century, by Charles R. Roberts 43—46
The Emaus Moravian Congregation, by Rev. Allen E. Abel... 47 — 53
Pennsylvania Germans in Public Life During the Colonial
Period, by Charles R. Roberts 54—59
Comparative Calculations and Remarks on the Improvement
of the River Lehigh, by Ralph R. Metzger 60 — 66
History of Jerusalem Church, Salisbury, by Rev. C. J. Cooper,
D. D 69—99
History of Solomon's Reformed Church, Macungie, by James
J. Hauser 100—105
The First Steaj^ Whistle in the Lehigh Valley 106—107
In Memoriam. ..'.'. 108 — 114
Members elected since August 1, 1908 115
