F159 19 D4 ^^^ V «•••♦.'* i'.. "^b k> ..ill.'. *6V r^«- ^0- # .*' >!. V^\!i5^*.% &*^ \.'*'-^^*\'v'*' %*^5«?f^V*^ ''V*'-^-*\<^" r>. 5'"^ * .-^^ \/ .'»^\ ^««* .-ate-. \„./ ■•• **'\ Pii *»• .40^ '""";• ^iP-'t^ '-^^R rf^ 4> ^ • • • » ^5k /nV • -.0 "^ Dora Harvky Drvewn. {Mt<. John F.) Some Historical Spots LoA\^er Merion i OAvnsnip Montgomery County, Pennsylvania DORA HARVEY DEVELIN, A. M. (Mrs. John F.) Regent Merion Ckapter, Daughters of the American Revolution President Martha W^illiams Society, Children of the American Revolution State Delegate, Eastern Pennsylvania, League of American Pen Women Charter Memher Pocahontas Memorial Association Author of "Dolinda and the Twins," "Sandy Jem," "It All Depended," "■ The Story of a Book," Etc., Etc. lUuitrated from original photographs (-which are copyrighted) taken hy Mrs. Dora Harvey Develin. EASTLAND PUBLISHING CO., FERNWOOD, PA. TO MY MOTHER JULIA P. HARVEY (Mrs. James B. ) This little booklet is affectionately dedicated by THE AUTHOR Aulhor (Person) IvOWER Merion Friends' Meeting House. The oldest church edifice in Pennsylvania, built in 1695 (on the site of a still older log meeting-house built in 1683). Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House. Built i6gs—The Oldest Church Edifice in the State of Pennsylvania. Lower Merion Friends' Meeting House stands on the Old Lancaster Road (now called Montgomery Pike), just beyond Merionville, Montgomery County, Penn- sylvania. This is the oldest church edifice in the State, and was erected in 1695, on the site of a still older log meeting-house, built in 1683. This quaint, picturesque structure is in the form of a cross. Its walls are made of jointed stone, two feet thick, and its window-panes are of the small leaded type. The coating of plaster (which really disfigures it) was added in 1829, when, as a little tablet in the side of the wall tells us, it was "repaired." Inside, above the elders' seats, two pegs are pointed out as those upon which William Penn hung his hat when he preached to a Welsh congregation (many of whom could not understand him). One of these pegs was stolen by a relic-hunter during the Centennial, but another was made from a piece of the original floor to replace it. Since that time the relic-hunter became conscience-stricken and returned the original peg and it now may be seen in its former place. The name Merion, given to this township by the early Welsh colonists, is derived from that of Merionethshire, Wales. (We are told that Merionethshire, itself, was named after an ancient Welsh hero, Merion, sometimes spelled Aleriawn, who lived early in the Christian era.) The first settlers were a company of Welsh colonists, from Bala, Merionethshire, Wales, who landed on the banks of the Schuylkill River, near Pencoyd, August 14, 1682, two months before William Penn landed. The first recorded burial at Merion is that of a little child, Catharine, daughter of Edward and Mabby Rees, Oc- tober 23, 1682, only two months after the landing of the ship "Lyon" at Pencoyd. It is known that, for some time after the landing, ''meeting" was held at the house of Hugh Roberts, at Pencoyd. The ground where the log meeting-house first stood belonged to Edward Rees, the same who buried the little child. The land was sold to the congregation of Friends, in 1695, for $2.50. Descendants of Edward Rees assert that, previous to this year, ground was leased, or loaned, and that, if the meeting-house should ever be disturbed, they could lay claim to it. Just across a field stands the old Price (or Rees) homestead, used by Lord Cornwallis as his headquarters during the Revolution while he was in this part of the country. Edward Rees had children, some of whom were known as Ap Rees — then Prees. (The Welsh prefix Ap means son of, or child of.) In a few genera- tions the spelling had changed to Price. In the early records of Merion Meeting we see "Jane Prees, daughter of Edward and Mabby Rees." On the opposite side of the* road stands another Price mansion, a beautiful example of the old-time Pennsyl- vania architecture. The original 10,000 acres included in what is now Lower Merion was granted to John Ap Thomas, a noble Friend or Quaker, whose royal pedigree is recorded all the way back to Adam. The document (a copy of which may be seen in the Library of the Philadelphia Histori- cal Society) goes a long way to carry out the belief of Welsh historians that the Welsh are the oldest civilized people in the world, and are descended from the PhcE- nicians, Phrygians, and Trojans, through Brutus, the great-grandson of Aeneas, who landed in Britain 1136 B. C John Ap Thomas died in the spring of 1682, before he had the opportunity of seeing his vast possessions in Merion, but his kinsman, Dr. Edward Jones, who settled at Wynnewood, brought the colonists over. Wynnewood was named after Dr. Thomas Wynne, who was father- in-law to Edward Jones, and who was physician, to Wil- liam Penn. (Dr. Thomas Wynne was the first Speaker of the first Pennsylvania Assembly.) William Penn and Dr. Wynne came over in the ship ''Welcome," two months after the ship ''Lyon" landed. He, Dr. Wynne, settled in Blockley Township and built "Wynnstay," which still stands. In Scharf and West- cott's "History of Philadelphia" may be seen a copy of Holme's map, dated 168 1. Lower Merion appears as "Edward Jones and 17 families." "Merion Meeting" is shown on Scull and Heap's map, 1750. (The writer has in her possession the old "Brief of Title" showing the terms of the land grant to Dr. Ed- ward Jones, 1681 — from whom she is descended.) Merion Meeting is mentioned in the Pennsylvania Ar- chives, Second Series, Vol. XV, page 221, in the journal of Lieutenant James McMichael: "Sept. 14, 9 A. M., we marched from camp near Ger- mantown, N. N. W. for a few miles up the great road from Philadelphia to Reading, then turning W. S. W. we crossed the Schuvlkill in the centre, between Philadel- phia and Swedes' Ford, 8 miles from each. We reached the great road to Lancaster at Merion Meeting House, and proceeded up that road, then we camped in an open field, being denied every desirable refreshment." (This was in 1777, a few days before the massacre of Paoli. On this spot a granite memorial stone was erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896.) On October 5 and 6, 1895, Merion Meeting held its Bi-Centennial Anniversary. Between two and three thousand people came from all parts of the country to be present at this most interesting celebration. A great tent was erected on the green sward, under the tall buttonwood trees, with seating capacity for about 1000 persons, but this accommodated less than half who were present. They came early, they came by train, and bv wagon — they rode on horses, on wheels, and they walked, until as someone remarked, the fields adjoining the old "General Wayne Tavern" looked like a big day at a county fair. (The old horse-block, where the maidens of yore used to dismount, stands as it did more than two centuries ago.) The visitors were welcomed to the quaint old house of worship and many interesting relics, such as the orig- inal deed of ground, dated 1695, and an old marriage certificate bearing the date of 1783 were displayed. Be- hind the meeting-house, running across the back of the "General Wayne," is the grave-yard where many of the early settlers of Merion peacefully sleep. (Jesse George, who died in 1873, aged 88 years, is buried here. He left to the city of Philadelphia and Fairmount Park, 80 acres of ground. The Centennial Exposition was held upon a portion of this land, and George's Hill, the mag- nificent hill which crowns the western end of Fairmount Park, bears his name.) At this celebration many well-known speakers took part, among them being Robert M. Janney ; Dr. James B. Walker, of Philadelphia ; Mary J. Walker, Chester Val- ley; Allan G. Thomas, and Dr. Frances Gummere, of Haverford College; Rufus M. Jones, and others. The paper by Mr. Isaac H. Clothier, on "The Influence of the Society of Friends To-day," was especially inter- esting. Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap- ter, Daughters of the American Revolution, wrote an "Ode to Merion Meeting-House," upon its Bi-Centen- nial. It was published in the Bryn Mawr Nezus, Septem- ber 27, 1895. Meeting is still held here on First day morning each week. Many of the most distinguished, influential and wealthy families of Pennsylvania are proud to claim descent from the grand old forefathers who founded Merion Meeting. A short distance below stands an old stone house, built the same year (1695). It adjoins the "General Wayne," and has always been the property of the meet- ing. On one occasion Washington slept in the second story front room. The OIvD Generai. Wayne Tavern Opened 1704), where Merioii Chapter held its inauguration, April 17, 1895. Washington and I^afayette both slept in this old inn on several occasions. The General Wayne Tavern. The General Wayne Tavern stands on the old Lan- caster Road (now called Montgomery Pike) adjoining Merion Meeting-House. This old inn was opened in 1704. From that time on until fifteen or twenty years ago the "General Wayne" was used as the post-office. The building is well preserved; it is a two-story and a half house with a porch on the ground floor and a veranda running across the front of the second story. On the smooth red gravel roadway in front stands a tall pole (which had once been a giant of the forest) from which swings the time-worn sign board. This sign has been repainted a number of times, but it is the identical one that first announced the opening of "Ye Old General Wayne." Across the top are the words "Established in 1704." In the centre, astride what is supposed to be a fiery charger, we see a representation of the gallant Anthony Wayne (whose ancestral home was some ten miles distant). Beneath we are told that there can be found "Accommodations for man and beast." At the base of the sign pole is a smooth, green mound, ornamented ( ?) with whitewashed stones. The room that answers as "Ye Setting Roome" looks about as it did over a hundred years ago. Across the ceiling run heavy rafters, dark with the stains of time, while the wide-open fire place with its "ingle-nooks," the high mantel, the quaint cupboards, the broad settees, all speak of the past. In the wall which divides "Ye Setting Roome" from the bar-room is a broad, dark, heavy door. This is divided into two parts (like a 13 "Dutch door"), the upper portion being a Httle door of itself. A knock on this is quickly answered from the other side ; the little door swings open and a beaming face appears. Methinks I can see some quiet, dignified Quaker in his garb of gray; some sturdy farmer, with his homespun "jumper," or a swaggering red-coat, tap- ping on this little door, and in reply to the ruddy face which appears, ordering something to sustain him after a long and dusty ride. From a little entryway a steep pair of stairs leads to the second story. The steps, though of hardwood, are hollowed, as though scooped out, from the tread of many feet. Washington and Lafayette both slept in this quaint - old inn on more than one occasion. When, on the way to Paoli, Washington's army encamped within a few hun- dred feet of "The General Wayne," Washington slept there that night, September 14, 1777. The inn was kept by the same family until within the last dozen years or so, and the Misses Young used to conduct the visitor to the room where Washington and Lafayette slept, with its high "four-poster," little chintz curtains and massive chest of drawers. Almost opposite "The General Wayne" stands an old time-worn blacksmith's shop. It was here that Lord Cornwallis had his horses shod during the Revolution. The shingle roof and the woodwork have been renewed, for the shop was once burned out, but the stone walls, with the old stone mile post outside the door, stand as they did more than two centuries ago. This tavern has always been kept up to the standard of the old wayside inn, and is in no way to be confounded with the modern saloon. It is considered quite as proper for ladies^ while driving, or riding in their auto- 14 mobiles, to stop on the broad porch and rest while drink- ing a cup of coffee, chocolate or cooling lemonade, as it was in "ye olden time" when the stage coach ran down to Philadelphia in the morning and back in the evening. The coach always stopped at "The General Wayne," and invariably took up or set down passengers. Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, held its inauguration here on April 17, 1895. The members of the chapter appeared in Martha Washington costumes. A fine display of historical implements and Colonial relics was a feature of the programme. "Revolu- tionary Tea" was served in "Ye Setting Roome." The old hostelry was profusely decorated with flags and bunting, while a massive oil painting of Washington draped in red, white and blue bunting, with a wreath of laurel suspended above it, was hung over the main en- trance. 15 IN THIS AND ADJACENT ftOUND WASHINCTON'S ARMY EHCAMPED SEPTEMBER 14.1777. . WCTW BY MEmoH CHAPTER --"TioH SEPTEMBER ,;;;2;. ^^m Me;moriai, Stone. Erected by Merion Chapter, D. A. R., September 14, 1896, to mark the spot where Washington's Army encamped September 14, 1777, five days before the massacre of Paoli. Memorial Stone, Erected by Merion Chapter^ D. A, R, On September 14, 1777, Washington's army encamped on a field just above Merion Meeting-House, on the old Lancaster Road. (This was five days before the bloody massacre of Paoli.) Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, unveiled and dedicated a memorial stone to mark this spot, on September 14, 1896 (the one hundred and nineteenth anniversary of the day), in the presence of five or six hundred people. The ceremonies began at 2.30, with patriotic airs by the Wyoming Band of Philadelphia, stationed on a plat- form draped in American flags. The Regent of Merion Chapter presided and made some introductory remarks, which were followed by a prayer by the Rev. Charles S. Olmstead, then rector of St. Asaph's P. E. Church, Bala, and now Bishop of Colorado. Hon. Jacob Weidel, who was Mayor of Reading at that time, delivered a short address. Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of the Chapter, read a historical paper in which she specially referred to the day spent by Wash- ington's army in Lower Merion. Then the Regent unveiled the stone, while Battery A of Philadelphia, under command of Capt. M. C. Staf- ford, with 30 men, fired a national salute of 45 guns, and the band played ''The Star Spangled Banner." Fol- lowing the unveiling Major Moses Veale delivered the oration. 19 The stone is a rough granite pillar, 4 feet high, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet thick. The face towards Montgomery Pike is polished and on it is cut the following inscription : On this and adjacent ground Washington's army encamped September 14, I777- Erected by Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, September 14, 1896. Ground presented by Samuel R. McDowell. iJO " IvIIvAC GROVe.." The Harvey Homestead. Built 1700. ''Lilac Grove." A stone mansion, one of the best examples of Colonial architecture in Pennsylvania, for three generations the residence of the Harvey family, formerly stood on the Old Lancaster Road, Lower Merion, immediately ad- joining the two Latch homesteads, just above the "Black Horse" and about a quarter of a mile above City Avenue. The old house was in the midst of a beautiful profu- sion of lilacs, which gave the place its name of "Lilac Grove." Majestic trees, some of them still standing, cast a bewildering shade on every hand. (They no longer screen the dear old stone house, but protect a modern Queen Anne mansion from the sun's rays.) The western end of the house was built in 1700, on the site of a still older log house ; the eastern end was added in 1762. During the Revolutionary period it was occupied by a Revolutionary patriot, Richard Jones, a prominent Friend, or Quaker, and a member of Merion Meeting. (He is buried there.) He was a wealthy lumber merchant, and one of the ways in which he served his country was by presenting the Naval Board with lumber to build a boat for the armed fleet on the Delaware. As he left but one son, James, who died unmarried, the property came into the possession of his cousin, Margaret Boyle Harvey, descended from the same Jones family as James and Richard. Margaret Boyle, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Captain James Boyle, of the Chester County Militia, was married to Edward Harvey at Merion Meet- ing, Sixth month, i6th, 1808. (They are both buried 23 there.) Edward Harvey was Squire of Lower Merion for 28 years, holding that office at the time of his death. Margaret Boyle Harvey's mother was Martha Wil- liams, of Charlestown, Chester County, a heroine of the Revolution. She, with other young girls of that day, put in the crops while the men of their families were away fighting for their country. She also carried food and clothing to the patriot soldiers at Valley Forge. Her grandfather, John Williams, was a soldier in Washing- ton's army. (Martha Williams married her teacher, known as "Schoolmaster Boyle." He taught in Charles- town before the Revolutionary period, and at the Old Eagle School, Tredyffrin Township, 1812-14. He also taught at Glassley, near where the Devon Inn now stands.) The Harvey barn stood until recent years on the op- posite side of the road, next to "Rose Hill," one of the Latch homesteads. It is said that at one time, during the Revolution, two soldiers, being pursued by a British foraging party, took refuge in this barn and hid beneath the hay. The British suspected their place of retreat, and slashed through the hay with their swords until they had found the Americans, and then mercilessly hacked them to death. These were among the unnamed and unnumbered patriots of whom we can find no record, but who just as truly gave their lives that our nation might live, as any hero whose deeds are recorded on tablets of marble or brass. 24 HBS ^^S l^^>- ^ l^ffi 'j^H ^ ^ffi ^^^^S^'^^^^S ■1 1^ ^^ ^ ^^ r^-:^ I^^Bj ^^H i ''-^^M ■ m ' .:^M 1 L. -"; " ■■i'iv''- ''■ u^toi^nmiBMHiii^i^^^ The IvATch Homestkad. The Latch Homesteads. A short distance above City Avenue, and adjoining what was formerly the Harvey property, stand two houses which were built before the days of the Revolu- tion. They are the Latch homesteads. Jacob Latch was a soldier in Washington's army and encamped, when the patriots were in Merion, at Valley Forge. He obtained a furlough, came home and spent his holiday in making shoes for his destitute comrades. But tradition tells us he did more than that — he really carried secret dispatches for Washington. He was known as "Washington's Runner." The old Latch house on the left-hand side of the road (going towards Merionville) looks just as it did two centuries ago. It is the home of Mr. Edward Latch, U. S. N., a direct descendant of the patriot soldier, Jacob Latch. 27 i "BivACK Horse Tavern," Old Lancaster Road and "County Line," Lower Merion, Montgomery County, Pa. Built before the Revolution. (Stands opposite to famous " Black Horse Barn.") The Old Black Horse Tavern and Barn. The old Black Horse Tavern and Barn stand on the Old Lancaster Road, at the corner of "Count}^ Line," or, more properly speaking, City Avenue. They are just v^ithin the borders of Lower Merion Township, Mont- gomery County, and on a portion of the historic acres settled by the early Welsh colonists who came from Wales in 1682. This antiquated hostelry, with its picturesque roof and chimneys, its broad piazzas, its iron-bound shutters and huge brass knocker, is well-nigh as ancient as the "Gen- eral Wayne." This estate has been in the family of Jacob Stadelman since long before the Revolution. The old building, however, is no longer used as a hotel. The "Black Horse" was the scene of a battle, or skir- mish, during the exciting times of 1777. With the start- ling events of the Brandywine, Germantown and Paoli following each other in quick succession, many minor happenings have been lost sight of. Among these were the operations of General Potter on the west side of the Schuylkill. Blockley and Merion townships suffered greatly from the ravages of British forage parties, and General Potter was kept busy in protecting the inhabi- tants and annoying the enemy. A letter written by General Potter is recorded in Vol. VI of the Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, page 97. It reads as follows (I give it verbatim, odd spelling, and all) : 31 Sir: — Last Thursday, the enemy march out of the city with a desire to Furridge; but it was necessary to drive me out of the way; my advanced picquet fired on them at the Bridge; another party of one Hundred at- tacked them at the Black Hors. I was encamped at Charles Thomson's place, where I stacconed two Reg- ments who attacted the enemy with Viger. On the next hill I stacconed three Regments, letting the first line know that when they were over powered the must re- treat and form behind the second line, and in that manner we formed and Retreated for four miles ; and on every Hill we disputed the matter with them. My people Be- haved well, espeasly three Regments Commanded by the Cols Chambers, Murrey and Leacey. His Excellency Returned us thanks in public orders: — But the cumple- ment would have Been mutch more substantale had the Valant General Solovan Covered my Retreat with two Devisions of the Army, he had in my Reare: the front of them was about one half mile in my Rear, but he gave orders for them to Retreat and join the army who were on the other side of the Schuylkill about one mile and a Half off from me ; thus the enemy Got leave to Plunder the Countrey, which the have dun without parsiality or favour to any, leave none of Nesscereys of life Behind them that the conveniantly could carrey or destroy. My loss in this Action I am not able to Assartain as yet; it is not so mutch as might be expected. The killed don't exceed 5 or 6; taken prisoners about 20; wounded about 20; with the enemy acknowledged the got the worst of this Action; there light hors suffered mutch for they Charged us. I am your Excellancy's most obedant Humble Servant, . _ , Ja Potter. 32 p. S. His Excellancy was not with the Army when this unkicky neglect hapned ; the army was on there march and he had not come from his Quarters at Whit marsh. Chester County Camp at Head Quarters, Dec. 15, 1777. Directed — On PubHc service, His Excellency Thomas Wharton Esq. at Lancaster. Thomas Wharton, Jr., was then President of the Su- preme Executive Council, that is, President of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania, under the Constitution of 1776. General Potter, himself, became Vice-President in 1781. ~^ During the skirmish the dead and wounded soldiers were carried into the Black Horse Barn, and laid upon beds made from hay. From General Potter's letter we learn that the action, begun at the Black Horse, was continued throughout the greater part of Lower Merion as far as Conshohocken. "Charles Thomson's place" was at Harriton, near Bryn Mawr. In fact, Charles Thomson's mansion was the original "Bryn Mawr" built by the Welsh scholar and preacher, Rowland Ellis, in 1704. At the time of this skirmish, or just before it, Wash- ington had caused a temporary bridge to be built over the Schuylkill in order to facilitate the passage of his army (as there were no bridges then over the river, but people crossed by means of ferries, the principal ones being the "Middle Ferry," at the site of the present Market Street bridge; the "Upper Ferry," where the Spring Garden Street bridge now stands, and the "Lower Ferry" was "Gray's Ferry"). The exact date of the erection of this temporary bridge is not known, but the 33 fact of its being there is proven by the obituary of Col. Edward Heston, which appeared in the Saturday Even- ing Post, February 21, 1824. General Potter's allusion to the ''Bridge" also proves that there must have been one at that time. Some members of Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, have in their possession a number of bullets and grape-shot which were plowed up in the fields surrounding the "Black Horse" Barn. The build- ing is of stone, in the old Colonial style, and the end facing the road is almost covered with ivy. On the other side, which is not shown in the picture, are two massive double doors, with huge iron hinges and a heavy iron latch. These open into the barn where the thresh- ing goes on in season, just as it did in the days of long ago, except that a fine improved threshing machine takes the place of the flails that were formerly swung by the sturdy country lads. Behind the barn rises a beautiful field of pasture, and from the top of the hill a fine view of Philadelphia may be had. During the season of the year when the trees and bushes are bare of foliage, a silvery thread, winding in and out in the distance, shows where the Schuylkill River lies — the river over which the enemy crossed on the way to Merion. On Scull and Heap's map of 1750 appear the names of ''Stradelman" (at the Black Horse) and ''Wenn" (at ''Wynnstay"). 34 The "BIvACK Horse" Barn, On the old lyancaster Road, corner " County Line," where the Pennsylvania Militia under General Potter defeated a detachment of Cornwallis' army (during the Revolution ) . The dead and wound ed were carried into this barn. ''Harriton/' ''The Welsh Tract" not only included the io,ooo acres granted to John Ap Thomas and Edward Jones. On Holme's map of 1681 the part of Lower Merion near the Schuylkill and City Avenue is marked "Edward Jones and 17 families." Further westward are two tracts marked "Rowland Ellis and Thomas Ellis," both being in the neighborhood of the present Bryn Mawr. Rowland Ellis was a great scholar and a preacher in the Society of Friends. He is said to have been a de- scendant of King Henry ni of England. He settled on his plantation about 1686. In 1704 he built a substantial stone mansion, still standing. (This afterwards became the property of Charles Thomson.) This, with his sur- rounding acres, he called "Bryn Mawr," or "Great Hill," after his early home in Wales. The property passed into the hands of Richard Har- rison, a wealthy slave holder, who named the place "Har- riton." Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, married for his second wife Hannah Harri- son, and became master of "Harriton." At his death the property returned to his wife's kindred, the Morris family, who still hold it. In the woods near the Baptist Cemetery is the Harri- ton family burying ground, enclosed by a stone wall. A tablet in the wall records the fact that here were once interred the remains of Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. When Laurel Hill Cemetery was opened, Charles Thomson's nephew, and other professed admirers, re- moved the patriot's remains surreptitiously and re-in- terred them in the new burial ground. To remove Sec- retary Thomson's body was trespass, as to reach the family burying ground it was necessary to cross private property ; but as the Morris family were Friends, they felt bound to follow the doctrine of non-resistance. Hence they never demanded the return of the body. But Mr. George \^aux, of Philadelphia, whose summer home is at "Harriion," is doubtful whether the trespassers suc- ceeded in finding the right body. About thirty years ago Mr. Vaux and his wife erected the historical tablet now in the wall, as well as the one with name and date on the outside, which tablets are inscribed on two sides of a single block of stone. Mr. Vaux also prepared the inscription from reliable family papers. The interior tablet took the place of an earlier one \yhich contained a shorter and more imperfect in- scription. 1 ■ K N A i^i^ "^ ^jal -^ „..;<^B i^^^fei >'•«' ' ">s i^»iK'^ ■m ^^^^^^^M ^^^^^I^H The Original " Wynnstay." Built in 1690 by Dr. Thomas Wynne, friend and physician to William Penn. "Wynnstay. "Wynnstay" was the original name given to the Wynne place and it is so marked on the early maps. This tract of land on the Old Lancaster Road, east of City Avenue, was part of the looo acres purchased by Dr. Thomas Wynne and John Ap John, in 1681. It was named after "Wynnstay" in Wales, and was comprised in Old Blockley Township. Dr. Thomas Wynne was a notable character in those days. He was the first Speaker of the first House of Representatives in Pennsylvania; a Judge in the Pro- vincial Courts ; Magistrate of Sussex County, Delaware (where he moved). Was friend and physician to Wil- liam Penn; a scholar and a Quaker preacher. A great number of famous characters, Revolutionary and other- wise, were descended from Dr. Wynne, among them being John Dickinson, author of the "Farmers' Letters," and Generals John and Lambert Cadwallader. The old mansion still stands. During the Revolution- ary period it was occupied by the family of Lieutenant Thomas Wynn, of the "Pennsylvania Flying Camp," a great-grandson of the first Thomas Wynne. While Blockley and Merion Townships were being ravaged by the British and while Lieutenant Wynn was away from home in the service of his country, a number of British soldiers attacked the old Wynn mansion. Mrs. Wynn, so the story goes, assisted only by her chil- dren and servants, bravely defended her home. But the English finally broke into the house and searched high and low for valuables. But the only things they 41 found which they wanted were some freshly baked loaves of bread and a barrel of liquor. This last van- quished them. They fell helpless imdcr the influence of the liquor and were captured by a party of American soldiers who passed that way. (Mrs. Elizabeth Wynn, wife of Lieutenant Wynn, is buried at Merion Meeting.) 42 IvOW£;r Mkrion Academy. Lower Merion Academy. Lower Merion Academy was built in 1812. While this is not of the Revolutionary period it is one of the noted old landmarks of Lower Merion. It has a broad piazza with a brick floor and flag-stone steps leading to it. The posts are supported at the base by iron pivots. The desks are clumsy and heavy, while the windows have tiny square panes. All these show the age of the building, but the hollows in the steps, worn by the tramp of many feet, speak most eloquently of its antiquity. The Academy was one of the first public schools in the United States. It was founded in 1810 by Jacob Jones, who left a farm of 10 acres for the support of a school at which a certain number of pupils should be educated free of charge. The Academy was a genuine Academy with a classical course. It was a boarding school with day scholars. The teacher was allowed the use of the dwelling and grounds in return for his tuition of the free scholars. From the beginning there was no distinction as to sex. But the question of caste soon made trouble. The "free scholars" were looked down upon, so much so that it was at one time seriously proposed to erect a separate building for the "poor scholars." But the friends of the institution decided that this would defeat the intention of the founder's will, the first purpose of which was to provide free education. (The difliculty was adjusted by doing away with the paid scholars.) The first teacher was Joshua Hoopes, a Friend, who resigned rather than contend with the strife between 45 "paid" and "free" scholars. He afterwards went to West Chester, where he successfully conducted a Friends' school for many years. He was a noted botanist, and a friend of Darlington's. John Levering came next. He it was who made a most admirable map of Lower Merion. As a local anti- quarian he was quite remarkable. Another early teacher was Miss Lydia Coggins. But no one can speak, or think, of the Lower Merion Academy without calling to mind Mr. Israel Irwin, who was Head Master (or principal) for twenty-five years, and who still lives near the old schoolhouse (1906). Many scholars from the Academy afterwards became known to the world, among them being Charles Naylor, Representative in Congress from Philadelphia, 1840; Joseph Fornance, Representative in Congress from Montgomery County, in the early 40's (this is the Congressman who sent Winfield Scott Hancock to West Point) ; Prof. James Rhoads, of the Boys' Central High School, Philadelphia ; Rev. James Rush Anderson, D. D. ; Dr. Richard Jones Harvey, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1832, one of the Califor- nia pioneers of 1849; Algernon Roberts, of the Pencoyd Iron Works, and George B. Roberts, who was President of the Pennsylvania Railroad for many years before his death. The ground upon which the Academy stands rises above the picturesque ravine known as Rock Hollow. It was up this road that the Americans passed to reach the Old Lancaster Road to the place where they camped near Merion Meeting-House, September 14, 1777. Down Rock Hollow, on the banks of the winding stream known as Rock Creek, stands an old, ruined mill. This, during the Revolutionary period, was Lloyd Jones' 46 The Or.D Mir,i„ Rock Hollow, Ivower Merion, where the Continental money was destroyed. paper mill. After the Continental paper money had so depreciated in value as to become utterly worthless, it was called in by our young Government and destroyed at this mill. From this spot in Lower Merion, then, started the still popular phrase, "Not worth a conti- nental." 49 /\' ^^^ iii.. IS ^. ^1 ,ri3 Washington's HEADouARTiiRs, Vali^ey Forge. Valley Forge. The principal part of the camp ground at Valley Forge, including Washington's headquarters, is in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. (Only a small portion of it extends into Chester County.) As Washington's army, in 1777, marched through Lower Merion and camped there, on its way to Valley Forge. I feel that this little volume would be incomplete with- out a few words concerning this noted spot. The fine old stone house used by Washington as his headquarters is still in an excellent state of preservation. At the time of the Revolution it was the home of Isaac Potts, a patriotic Friend, or Quaker. He it was who came upon Washington while at prayer in the woods, as shown in the painting so familiar to us ah. The army went into camp at Valley Forge in De- cember, 1777, and spent a terrible winter of suffering from both cold and hunger. But the women and girls in that part of the country did what they could to help feed and clothe the soldiers. They knitted stockings, gloves and mufflers; they baked bread, carried flour and grain to them, and ministered to their necessities as well as lay in their power. The army evacuated Valley Forge in June, 1778. Every Pennsylvanian, and no doubt every American, is rejoiced that Valley Forge is saved to the nation. The fact that it has been preserved is largely due to the efforts of a woman — the late Anna M. Holstein, of Bridgeport, Pa. Mrs. Holstein had been since 1855 the '/Lady Regent" for Pennsylvania, in the association of 53 patriotic women formed for the purpose of preserving the home of Washington at Mt. Vernon. During the Civil War she went as an army nurse and rendered valu- able aid to our country in that capacity. As the year 1878 drew near, the one hundredth anniversary of the evacuation of Valley Forge, when the troops marched on to victory, Mrs. Holstein felt that its centennial ought to be fittingly observed. She and other kindred spirits, living mostly in the neighborhood, with several patriotic societies, formed the "Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association." Among the first members were Major William Holstein, Dr. and Mrs. George Holstein, all of Bridgeport; General B. F. Fisher and Col. I. Heston Todd, of Valley Forge ; John O. K. Robarts, editor of the Phocnixvillc Messenger; Col. N. Ellis, of Phoenixville ; Col. and Mrs. Theodore W. Bean, and Charles Ramey, of Norristown, and others. Mrs. Holstein was elected Regent of this association, an office which she held up to the time of her death, December 31, 1900. The Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Associa- tion purchased the headquarters with adjoining orchard and garden, and celebrated June 19, 1878, with impres- sive ceremonies. It was then that the late Henry Armitt Brown, that eloquent young orator, delivered his famous address. This grand celebration called the attention of the whole nation to Valley Forge. The Association had purchased the headquarters buoyed up by an abiding faith, but borne down by a heavy debt. The Patriotic Order Sons of America came to their aid and by June 19, 1887, the property was free from all incumbrance. Another celebration was held, the date being the 109th anniversary of the evacua- tion of Valley Forge. Among those instrumental in 54 bririging about this happy consummation were Henry J. Stager, editor of the Philadelphia Camp News (the organ of the Patriotic Order Sons of America), and' J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., of Norristown, Pa. In 1894 the Valley Forge Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized, and Mrs. Hol- stein became its first Regent. This Chapter assisted in the care of Washington's headquarters and furnished in Colonial style the room in which Washington slept. Chester County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, followed, and furnished another room in sim- ilar style. On the death of Mrs. Holstein Mrs. Rebecca Mclnnes, of Norristown, who had been Vice-Regent of the Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, succeeded her as Regent. (Mrs. Mclnnes had also been Vice- Regent of the Valley Forge Chapter, D. A. R., with Mrs. Charles Hunsicker as Regent.) The present Regent of Valley Forge Chapter is Mrs. P. Y. Eisenberg. Within the last few years the State of Pennsylvania has acquired several hundred acres of the Valley Forge Camp Ground, with the intention of gradually acquiring the whole and preserving it forever as a public park. Washington's headquarters, so long in the possession of the Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, became, in March^ 1906, the property of the State. The Association thus goes out of existence, but it will long be remembered for the noble record left behind it. One of its last acts was to join with other patriotic societies in celebrating the 125th anniversary of Washington's evacuation of Valley Forge, June 19, 1903. In the morrling there was held a Memorial Service, after which the corner-stone of the Washington Memo- rial Chapel was laid. (Col. I. Heston Todd gave the 55 ground for this church. The erection of this Memorial Chapel was the result of a sermon preached by Rev. W. Herbert Burk, Rector of All Saints' P. E. Church, Norristown). In the afternoon a grand patriotic cele- bration was given. Addresses were made by Hon. Wal- ter S. Logan, of the Empire State Society, S. A. R. (who has since been summoned ''Over Beyond") ; Mrs. Don- ald McLean, then Regent of the New York City Chapter, D. A. R., and now President-General of the National Society, D. A. R. ; Miss Adaline W. Sterling, of New Jersey, President D. R., and Hon. Charles Emory Smith, of Philadelphia. Two poems, written for this occasion, were read by Francis L. Lybarger — one was by Miss Margaret B. Harvey, Historian of Merion Chap- ter, D. A. R., and the other by Mrs. Mary E. Thropp Cone. A prayer was made by Rev. Henry A. F. Hoyt, D. D., Rector of St. John's P. E. Church, Lower Merion. The musical part of the programme was under the direc- tion of Mr. John O. K. Robarts, of Phoenixville. Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, has also furnished a room in Washington's head- quarters — the upper room with the "round window" (facing the Valley Hills), shown in so many pictures. Every piece of furniture is authentic, with a Revolution- ary or Colonial history. Merion Chapter feels very grateful to the officers of the Memorial Association, and to the Valley Forge Com- missioners for the grand privilege accorded it in furnish- ing this room. The members of the Valley Forge Park Commission (from Smull's Hand Book, 1904) are as follows: President — John W. Woodside, Philadelphia. Vice-President, W. H. Sayen, Philadelphia. Secretary, A. H. Bowen, 112 S. Second Street, Phila. 56 Treasurer — Edward A. Price, Media. Henry S. Muhlenberg, Reading; Samuel S. Hartranft, Lebanon; J. P. Hale Jenkins, Norristown; Martin C. Brumbaugh, Philadelphia; John P. Nicholson, Philadel- phia; George H. Colket, Philadelphia. 57 GUARANTEE PRINTINQ COMPANY 4041 LANCASTER AVENUE PHILADELPHIA 98 > '•^j^'.X /^-^X A*:^^> /• '*•. ♦•(1* ,*r -/ -*^W^"- ^^-^ '. V .** .!^%^/.;. «,. .«^ ♦^^Sl^'. -^.J.. .** ,!aV/).V .«»^r •A < ♦ 4-">^ 'bV .<^- 1.^ WERT BOOKBfNDING Crantville. Pa JULY AUG' 1989 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 365 218 A '' ^i- ',j tell.. iKSlillw' i 111 iii ■ l':'M