Classy Book_i. ..M^ Gopyriglrt]^^, CfiESRIGIcr DEPOSm /y^^/y c ROBERTS' (TOWNSBND'S) MILL. HISTORY of OLD GERMANTOWN WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ITS SETTLEMENT AND SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS IMPORTANT PER- SONS, BUILDINGS AND PLACES CONNECTED WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT Dr. Naaman H. Keyser C. Henry Kain John Palmer Garber Horace F. McCann HORACE F. McCANN, PUBLISHER GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA 1907 Copy u. p^iBSARYofCGf4GaESS| Two Coaies Received s DtC 13 l^^ 1 CLASS /4 '_ AAC, «o. ' 'COPY A. ! Copyright, 1907, hy Horace F. McCann. PREFACE HE importance of Pennsylvania, the keystone in the arch of the original thirteen colonies, is well estab- lished and unquestioned. But the influences ema- nating from the little settlement at Germantown, which did so much towards giving to the colony of Pennsylvania its prosperity and importance, is not so well known. It was with this thought in mind that the authors of the following pages about Old Germantown several years ago took up the task of writing its history. The purpose at that time was to write but a brief account of the place, giving the location of its interesting and important buildings in such a way as to make them easily found and readily identified. The task became a labor of love, and so much was found that is inter- esting and important that the work soon outgrew the original plan. So much remains in Germantown to point out strong colonial traits, and so many have been the noted events, per- sons, and ideas closely associated with the place, that no brief account could possibly do justice to its history. Moreover, the assistance of many of Germantowm's oldest and best citizens, who were deeply interested in its history, was soon cheerfully granted, and valuable contributions to the work have come from such sources. With the passing of each generation the difficulty of secur- ing reliable information on the local afi^airs of earlier days in- creases. Old landmarks also are rapidly disappearing within the swirl of our tornado-like new world progress. To work out and embody as complete a record as possible of this most inter- esting and important old settlement has been the purpose of the authors and the many friends who have assisted them. How well they have succeeded must be judged from their work. The work has been arranged under three general headings : I. The general history of Germantown. II. A detailed account of its buildings and of the noted per- sons connected with its history. III. Contributions, reminiscences, and articles dealing with special subjects. The special articles of this third part of the history are writ- ten in the main by recognized authorities on the various subjects of which they treat. It also contains many detailed accounts which could not well be embodied in either of the other two por- tions of the work. The authors gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to the many kind friends who have in various ways furnished material aid. Our thanks are especially due to the following persons : For the loan of maps — Rev. \\"illiam Ashmead Schaeffer, D. D., Abraham W. Thomas, William N. Johnson, j\I. D., George Armstrong. For sketches furnished — Charles J. Wister, Edwin C. Jellett, Rev. Francis Heyl, Rev. William J. Hinke, D. D., Rev„ Joseph H. Dubbs, D. D., William H. Trueman, D. D. S.. Abraham H. Cassel. Romaine Keyser, Naaman K. Ployd, John R. Butcher, AA^illiam H. Emhardt, Sr., B. Frank Kirk, Beatrice Clayton, F. L. Englehart, Wilbur Biddle Conrow. For information furnished — Charles B. Adamson, Albanus C. Logan, Joseph Channon, Charles Bringhurst, Dr. George B. Cox, J. H. Bockius, Canby S. Tyson, Jacob Keyser, Joseph E. King, Charles S. Ke5'ser, ]\Iiss Sally W. Johnson, Annie S. Pro- vest, Ethan Allen Weaver, David C. King. For the loan of photographs — Francis D. P. Brunner, Jane R. Haines, Hannah Ann Zell, Samuel Castner, Chas. F. Jenkins. For sketches, and most valuable aid in looking up briefs of title, acknowledgment is especially due to B. Frank Harper, Esq. For the loan of valuable cuts we are indebted to Governor Edwin S. Stuart, John W. Jordan and the American Book Co. For valuable assistance and access to important sources of information we are much indebted to George Scattergood. a prominent member of the Friends' Meeting, at Fourth and Arch Streets. The illustrations form an important and most valuable part of the work. The publisher, Horace F. McCann, has had repro- duced for it a complete set of his priceless collection of drawings of scenes and buildings of Old German town, made by John Rich- ards, and re-drawn by Miss L. A. Jamison. To this has been added a large number of rare illustrations from the rich private collections for which so many Germantown homes are justly famous. Most of these illustrations have never before been pub- lished. Our investigations have convinced us of the marked influ- ence of our Teutonic ancestors upon the industrial, political, and religious life of the ^Middle Colonies — and in these colonies developed the best type of the true American. We owe so much to their ideas and efforts that a day each year might well be set aside to commemorate the founding of Germantown, which was the beginning, as it also remained the center, of their influence. There could be no more suitable day for this purpose than the anniversary of the day on which Pastorius states that he laid out Germantown. Table of Contents Part I Influences Preceding the Settlement of Germantown The Settlement of Germantown : 1. The Importance of Germantown 2. The Origin of the Settlement . 3. The Founding of the Settlement The Borough of Germantown Occupations of the Early Inhabitants Religion ....... Schools and Schoolmasters . The Sprogell Trouble .... Interesting Events .... Growth and Development Manners and Customs 9-20 21 -24 24 -28 28 -43 44-51 52 -70 71 -76 77-92 • 93- 100 lOI- 109 . IIO- 117 118- 129 Part II Detailed History of Properties and Streets, beginning at "Stenton" and continuing from \^^ayne Junction alone the Main Street to Chelten Avenue . . 130-371 Part III The Old Roberts Mill . . . • • • • 375-377 The Town of I\Ianheim 378-380 The Early History of the German Reformed Church at Germantown .....•• 381-402 The Death and Burial of General Agnew and Lieuten- ant-Colonel Bird 403-407 The "Cross Streets" of Germantown .... 408-413 The First Protest Against Slavery 414-420 School House Lane 4^1 Carlton 422-426 Sower's Newspaper 427-437 The Germantown Library Company .... 438-439 Hat Making 440-442 Francis Daniel Pastorius 443-44^ Friends' Preparative Meeting 447-449 Biographical Sketch of Major Philip R. Freas . . 450-453 List of Illustrations Roberts' (Townsend's) Mill Frontispiece William of Orange 14 Birthplace of David Rittenhouse 22 Roberts' (Townsend's) Mill 23 Seventeentli Century Ship 29 Rotterdam Port 30 Cave Dwelling 31 Fac-simile of deed 35 Town Hall 51 Germantown Seal 54 Bullet-riddled fence 56 Fac-simile of letter of Pastorius to his son Henry 59 Stenton 61 Title page of Saur's Almanac 62 Portrait of David Rittenhouse 65 Thomas Godfrey's sun dial 67 Gilbert Stuart 68 Charles Willson Peale 69 Mennonite Church ''^l Mennonite Communion Table '''2 Dunker Church and Sexton's house '''3 Germantown Academy • 81 Call to Arms 83 Old Poor House 86 Elwood ( Armitage ) School 88 Fire Engine— "Shag Rag" 102 Burying Ground of the Logans at Stenton 105 Battlefield of Germantown 107 Old Conestoga team Ill Mail Stage advertisement 114 Old Ironsides 115 Dutch doorway of Johnson House 119 Spinning 121 Stenton, General appearance of 137 Details of 141 Roberts Mansion at Wayne Junction 147 Naglee House 149 Loudoun 151 Toland House 158 Inscription on window pane of 159 Mehl and Lorain Houses 160 Mechlin-Wagner House 163 Inscription on window pane of Ottinger house 163 Dedier House 165 Wachsmuth-Henry House 167 Entrance to Hood Cemetery 171 View of Lower Burying Ground (Hood's Cemetery) 173 John Richards 177 Page Jacob Ployd 180 Philomathean Hall 1§2 Edward Royal House 183 Duy's House and George Royal's House 184 Fleckenstein's 185 Frederick Fleckenstein y 186 "Freddie" Fleckenstein's shop 1 187 General Wayne Hotel and Sommers' carriage shop 190 Captain John Waterhouse 191 View at Manheim and Main Streets ., 193 White Cottage 196 Residence of Commodore Barron 201 Lesher's Tavern 203 " building in rear of ; 204 Roebuck Inn 205 Henry Squires' Drug Store and Bockius House 208 Barracks on Collom Street 210 "Corvy" — Wm. Wynne Wister's residence 211 Ruins of Stuart's Studio 212 First building of St. Stephen's M. E. Church 216 Rev. Newton • Heston 218 Conyngham and Howell (Hacker) Houses 220 Inscription on window pane of Howell House 221 Christopher John Jungkurth's House 222 Christopher John Jungkurth 223 Joseph Handsberry 227 Plan showing division of lot No. 5 228 Handsberry (Endt) House, Bechtel House, Van Lauchet House, Indian Qneen Inn 231 Title pages of Bechtel's Catechism 234, 235 Call for Meeting to organize Moravian School 237 Bringhurst's "Big" House 241 Provest Houses 243 Naaman Keyser's Store 246 Naaman Keyser 247 Residence of Christopher Sower 249 Trinity Lutheran Church 256 Wister Homestead and Fry House 259 Charles J. Wister, Senior 260 Charles J. Wister, Junior 261 Home of John Panning Watson 269 Shoemaker House 274 Shoemaker's First Farm, (Rock House) 277 Site of East Coulter Street 282 Circular saw used by Bockius 284 Charles Spencer 285 House of Christopher Bockius 286 James S. Jones 287 St. Luke's Church 288, 289 Friends' Meeting House on Coulter Street 295 Friends' Library 297 William Kite 299 Osier House and Mullen (Harmer) House 300 Deshler-Morris House 305 John Ashmead House , , , 309 Page Count Zinzendorff ^^^ Choir Angels Old Bell ^J^g Weathercock . Old Market House, Market Square ^^-^ Corners of Germantown Avenue and School House Lane as they ap- ^ peared in 1852 ^ Soldiers' Monument, Market Square -^f^' De La Plaine's House • ^^ Northwest corner of School House Lane and Germantown Avenue oo6 So-called Indian Head in wall at 5506 Germantown Avenue 341 Old Sign of King of Prussia Hotel f^i Fireplace in basement of King of Prussia Hotel f'^' Christian Lehman House ,/ Harriet Livermore ^'.^ **TllG PiiiGs" Ancient view of Main Street looking south from Armat Street 3o9 House of Wyndham H. Stokes ^^^ Site of Walker Hall ^^ Rev. Charles Karsner, M. D f" Southeast Corner of Germantown and Chelten Avenues ^bb Captain Francis Acuff f^^ Barr or Kurtz House ^°^ Spencer Roberts ^ Rev. Michael Schlatter ^nt Rev. Albert Helffenstein, Jr., ^UZ Rev. Jacob Helffenstein ^nl Eastern end of DeBenneville Graveyard as it was in 1904 404 Northeast corner of DeBenneville Graveyard 406 Fac-simile of Grant to hold Market on Cross Street 410 Fac-simile of First Protest against Slavery 416, 417 Advertisement from old Philadelphia Newspaper 419 422 Carlton „ Inscription on window pane ^-^^ Tablet in wall ^^* Tenement Houses 4-5 Friends' Meeting House (Hicksite), School House Lane 448 Major Philip R. Freas "^^^ PART I General History of Germantown by JOHN PALMER GARBER CHAPTER I INFLUENCES PRECEDING THE SETTLEMENT OF GERMANTOWN It is easy to attach undue importance to an historical event when it is removed from its setting and considered apart from its causes and effects. On the other hand, we often stand amazed at the train of consequences of some seemingly in- significant event : the balancing of a magnetized needle upon a steel point makes the boundaries of the known world grow suddenly larger; a new combination of sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal requires the political history of the world to be writ- ten anew ; letter forms are carved upon movable wooden blocks and mankind advances a thousand years in wisdom. But the causes leading to such events are usually important and the preparation of favorable conditions for their reception may have begun centuries before. At least this is true of the settlement of Germantown. This little colony of some thirty persons in itself seems scarcely worthy of notice. But the influences at work in the preparation of its colonists for their settlement had their beginnings far back in the first pages of European history, and embrace in their train many of the ideas and ideals that had such an important bearing upon most of the significant events in the foundation and establishment of our nation. Born under the shadows of a struggle for human freedom such as the world had never before witnessed, and with a sense of individual worth and responsibility which had been the development of the cen- turies, they came to Pennsvlvania as the divinely opened land where they might establish homes and build up a communit}' more in accordance with their free and enlightened spirits. They were skilled artisans of the highest type, and in energy, fru- gality, intelligence, and strong religious feeling, were well fitted to establish the train of influences which contributed so much to the material and spiritual welfare of their adopted common- 10 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN wealth and country. Nor is this magnifying the importance of this Httle settlement or making unwarranted assumptions m its behalf, for its origin and influence are marked and characteristic. To understand this it is necessary to trace the development of the Germanic tribes of the north Rhine Valley from the time of the Roman invasion to the rise of a United Netherlands, and then to follow the little band of Dutch settlers as they led the way to the New World and there established, by their industry and ideals, new methods of prosperity and enlightened influence. As the Romans extended their invasions towards the north, they met with unexpected and unusual resistance from the Teu- tonic tribes. Fearless, war-like, energetic, and possessing great moral vigor, these tribes for some time successfully opposed the Roman legions. The bravest of these tribes, the Batavians, turned from their successful contest with the German Ocean to battle with these new foes. It was the custom of their young men either not to cut their hair or to wear shackles around their necks until they had slain an enemy. Cowardice was the only crime that they punished by death. In common with other Teutons, they were purer in morals and less superstitious than the Gallic tribes living near them. The importance and influ- ence of the family were also stronger and the power of priestcraft less arbitrary than among the Gauls. Although they recognized hereditary sovereignty to the extent of choosing their princes from among the nobility, their rulers were little more than war chiefs who were obliged to submit all important questions to their subjects who, drawn up in line of battle, signified their assent by striking upon their shields with their spears. This was a noisy assertion of the principle of individual liberty, which from the earliest times was the heritage of the German warrior and which led him to exercise the right of choosing the ruler to whom he gave allegiance in return for support and protection. Many of these fearless war-men jQund?^€ir way Into the Roman ranks, where they rec^ved a training which in later days enabled them to overthrow the Roman power and to seize upon the fruits of the civilization of the fallen empire. But these they did not understand and used as mere toys. Moreover, while they recognized the justice of the details of Roman law and adopted some of its ceremonial, the Latin idea that the king was the source of all law was repugnant to tribes among whom all HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN ii authority was vested in the assemblage of the people. Hence, with the fall of Rome, its civilizing influences rapidly died out and darkness began to set in. This grew more complete as wicked leaders gathered about them forces to rob the husbandmen of the fruits of their labors and to oppress their weaker neighbors in defiance of all law and justice. Even the Church sufifered during this dark period and came, if possible, to greater degra- dation than the civil authority. Many of the clergy were unable to read and write, and they probably rendered their best service in establishing monasteries which served as places of refuge for the oppressed. To many of these they gave clerkships and thus formed bonds of union between the church and the common people. These monasteries were often founded on waste land which the monks brought into a high state of cultivation by their own labors, thus giving a dignity and importance to agriculture in the German countries which it has never lost. Charlemagne efifected a temporary stay in the general demoralization of the times by his endeavor to found a great Frankish empire. He restored order, did what he could to put the Church on a higher plane, opened schools, and secured a grammar of the German tongue. But the influence of these reforms was largely lost after the death of this strong-handed ruler, and night again began to settle down upon Europe. It would have become complete but for the embers of liberty left as a result of the wise orders of Charlemagne to his gov- ernors not to interfere with local laws and customs in the different parts of his empire. Local pride was thus preserved and the entire crushing out of the German spirit of independence was prevented. The Franks Avere too few in number to absorb their subject races as the Normans did in England, and local patriotism, which survives many disasters, again began to develop. The spirit of individual liberty also soon began to assert itself anew. And now arose Feudalism, as a complete triumph of the German practice whereby a man could exchange his allegiance for protection and other benefits, without sacri- ficing his dignity or imperiling his liberty. Those who were tmable to protect themselves from the robber-barons could now place their possessions in the hands of leaders amply able to protect them, and from whom they could receive them again as fiefs. The free life of the castle broke down many of the barriers 12 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN of rank ; the common dangers and common interests of the camp drew lord and vassal into a closer union and greatly fostered the vassal's sense of personal worth. About this time the influence of commerce began to be felt in the German states and especially in the Dutch provinces along the North Sea. Located as they were almost in the center of Europe, and yet on a great arm of the ocean, they enjoyed peculiar facilities for commerce. Nor were material products the only articles they exchanged in their trade with other lands. With their increase in knowledge and the coming in of new ideas, manufactures and other industries sprang up and resulted in a great increase in the wealth and importance of the indus- trial classes. Now occurred the Crusades, and, during the absence of the nobility, the kings, who had come to be little more than nominal rulers because of the feudal barons, were able to strengthen their position. But to do so they were obliged to borrow money from the artisans and tradesmen, who in return received chartered privileges for their guilds and for their cities. Under these charters arose the free burgher classes and the free cities, while the guilds served to further the cause of freedom by their free discussion and their promulgation of church and state policy.With increased prosperity the condition of the serfs was also greatly improved. There were now three classes of people in the European countries — the clergy, the nobility, and the common people ; and there were three forces at work in society — religion, war. and gold. The clergy and the nobility still remained the dominant powers, but in Germany and the Netherlands they could not unite their forces, and the common people, through the products of their industry, made rapid strides in power and influence. In England, on the contrary, clergy and nobility joined hands and secured from King John the great charter of liberty. But Eng- lish respect for hereditary rights of dominion were unafi^ected by the Magna Charta, and it only remained to be settled what great house should rule. This was decided on Bosworth Field, in 1485, in favor of the Tudors. The latter half of the fifteenth century saw the rise of strong kingdoms also in Spain, France, and Austria. Only Germany remained under the feudal condi- tions of the Middle Ages. A most potent influence in the cause of freedom had by this HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 13 time appeared. This was the art of printing. Both the Dutch and the Germans claim the credit of its invention, but in either case no more favorable soil for its development could be imagined than these countries along the Rhine. More prosper- ous and intelligent than their neighbors, of a strong religious tendency, and with the traditions of personal freedom as a com- mon heritage, the Rhine countries were peculiarly ready for this great medium of interchange of thought. The movements of their soldiery were free, and the people stood near to the sources of law, owing to the large number of small municipalities. More- over, superstition and sorcery were very prevalent in these days and, where governments were strong, men of advanced ideas were in danger of the prison — the}^ were even in danger of the stake, at which so many who dared to think diflerently from the accepted views of the church and the state perished ; Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, with their small and independ- ent governments, became places of refuge for scholars and men with thoughts in advance of their times. Erasmus in the Nether- lands and Zuinglius in Switzerland soon advanced ideas that prepared the way for the Reformation and a curtailment of the power of the thoroughly organized despotism into which the church of Rome had developed. The art of printing had paved the way for independent investigation of the Scriptures : for a Bible, which in manuscript form cost five hundred crowns, could be printed for five crowns. The night of superstition was soon pierced by the rays of the coming morning; the newly awakened sense of individual responsibility to God aroused its twin brother, the sense of the worth of the individual soul inde- pendently of the accidents of birth. There were thus two new champions in the arena for the cause of rights divine as opposed to Divine rights. Luther now made his famous pilgrimage to Rome, and came back determined upon measures of reform which would make the leaders of the Church, and their teachings and practices, more like those- of Christ and His Apostles. The Church, alarmed, rallied its forces at the Council of Trent and started a new order, that of the Jesuits, whose followers had avowedly but one object in life, that of furthering the interests of the Church. To this they devoted their fortunes, their entire thought, and when necessary their lives ; but the order was a deadly foe to independent thought and action, and hence to the 14 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN cause of freedom both civil and religious, for it aimed at temporal as well as spiritual power. Philip II. of Spain, who had come into hereditary possession of the low countries on the North Sea, was an ardent Catholic, and he at once determined to stamp out the various "new reprobate and damnable sects" that had arisen ■*v,^ WILLIAM OF ORANGE in these possessions as a result of the Reformation. The Nether- landers had gotten their new religious ideas by the way of Protestant France which was dominated by Calvinistic rather than by Lutheran thought. Calvin had gone to Geneva, and, carrying out to their logical conclusion Luther's ideas of the right to free investigation of the Scriptures and of salvation by faith, had announced the doctrines of predestination and the right to independence in religious thought and practice. These ideas HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 15 were fatal to a general church organization and government, and fostered the greatest freedom in what has always been the most potent factor in ruling men's thought and practice, religious belief. Philip remained on friendly terms with the German princes, upon whom he had to depend for many of his troops, and thus gave apparent tolerance to Lutheranism ; but he was very bitter against the new religion in the Netherlands and issued the most stringent orders to the Duke of Alva and his "Council of Blood" to root it out. This was the beginning of a bitter religious war ; and the world looked on aghast, for nine long years, as William of Orange and a few free cities waged unequal contest with the "Master of two worlds." But they were animated by the spirit of their early Batavian and Frisian ancestors ; they were determined to free themselves from their shackles and to assert their right to the free spirit which had made them masters of the ocean, as well as of the land which they had through long years of toil rescued from it. Convinced at last that Philip was determined to rule them from his Spanish capital with a rod of iron, they, in 1579, in the Union of Utrecht, gave up the thought of hereditary allegiance to him and laid the foundations of the Netherland Republic. This was the "Republic which lasted two centuries, which threw a girdle of rich dependencies entirely around the globe, and which attained so remarkable a height of commercial prosperitv and political influence." The most important provisions of the twenty-six articles of the Union of Utrecht were : it provided for the per- petual union of the provinces into a state which, while single towards the rest of the world, yet maintained the local sovereignty and local institutions of each ; absolute freedom in religious affairs; a common currency; voting by states in the general assembly ; and provision for additions and amendments to the articles of union. AA'hile this union was a mere compact and not a constitutional republic, and afforded less power to the general assembly than the old Achaian League, it was a closer and more effective union than the Swiss Confederacy, which joined independent cantons for external purposes only. Besides, it presented in its provisions for additions and amendments the new idea of a government adaptable to the changing needs of a people. The evolutionary stage in political control had noAv been reached and proclaimed to the world. Two years later, on i6 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN the 26th day of July, 1581, the United Provinces, assembled at the Hague, in an Act of Abjuration solemnly declared themselves free from Philip's rule. This was their famous Declaration of Independence, the prototype of our own announcement of sepa- ration from Great Britain. In it they enumerated, for the infor- mation of the world, the wrongs they had for many years suffered under Spanish rule, and clearly set forth the idea that all gov- ernment worthy the name must be for the benefit of the governed. " 'Tis well known to all," it said, "that if a prince is appointed by God over the land, 'tis to protect them from harm, even as a shepherd to the guardianship of his flock. The subjects are not appointed by God for the behoof of the prince, but the prince for his subjects, without whom he is no prince. Should he violate the laws, he is to be forsaken by his meanest subject, and to be recognizexl no longer as prince." They had already worked out the ideas : that the citizen should be protected against arbitrary imprisonment and was entitled to trial in his own province; that the property of the citizen was subject to taxation only by the body in which he had a representation ; that foreign- ers had no right to high office in the state ; that the state had no dominion over a man's conscience ; and, though still speaking of the Divine right of kings, it was quite evident that they believed the people had divine rights which were paramount. These were the people and these were the influences which so profoundly affected civil and religious thought in these early days of European history. Better and more generally educated than other nations, energetic and prosperous, and actuated by an earnest religious feeling and a strong sense of personal responsibility and worth, "To no people in the world more than to the stout burghers of Flanders and Holland belongs the honor of having battled audaciously and perennially in behalf of human rights." Their influence upon the more southern Rhine pro- vinces and upon the free Swiss was direct and powerful because of the free intercourse with them and because persecution drove some of the best families of each up and down the Rhine for many years. This persecution strengthened the natural ties of brotherhood existing between the Dutch and the German inhab- itants of the Rhine Valley and served more and more to harmon- ize their characteristic traits. The debt of England to these people is both industrial and spiritual ; for, while church and HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN ly state were so closely united in England during the reign of Henry VIII. that religious tolerance there was delayed for centuries, her dissenting and persecuted Puritans not only found a welcome in Holland, but also imbibed many of its advanced ideas of government. Besides, the exodus of artisans and com- mercial houses from the Netherlands to England, during the Dutch Inquisition and the war with Spain, introduced that country to the industrial and commercial life which has been the source of so much of its greatness. Our own political debt to them is so evident in our Declaration of Independence and in our Constitu- tion, that we cannot help feeling that our Revolutionary ancestors regarded the little Dutch nation as worthy of all pos- sible imitation; our industrial' debt is seen in the marvelous prosperity which we enjoy through our inheritance from them of mechanical skill and esteem for agriculture, sources of wealth which have moved the money center of the world from London to New York ; our spiritual debt comes not only from the general intelligence and absolute freedom in thought and con- science for which they so ably led the way but, even more, from the reverence for Divine things which they have transmitted to us, and which has been with us as a strong undercurrent of faith in our darkest hours as a nation. Speaking of the debt which America owes to Holland, a recent writer^ says that, if it were duly recognized. "American history would occupy a different position from that usually accorded to it. Instead of standing alone as a phenomenon, to be studied by itself, or as a continuation of the record of English- men, and to be studied on narrow insular lines, it would fill a much broader field, reaching back to Continental Europe, linking itself to the old civilzation of the Romans, and forming more distinctly a part of that modern history which has been said to begin with the call of Abraham." This same writer continues, "The armed contest (between liberty and kingly power) began in Holland, and lasted there for eighty years before it was transferred to England. In its earlv days, nearly a hundred thousand Netherlanders, driven from their homes b_v persecution, found an asylum on British soil." Also, "the Englishmen, very many thousands in number, who found a temporary home in Holland (during the persecutions of iDoug-lass Campbell. i8 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN the Non-Conformists and Puritans), were the most active and enterprising of their race. They went from a monarchy, where the power of the crown over many questions of Church and State was unhmited, to a repubhc, where the people for centuries had been accustomed to self-rule. They went from a land where, from natural causes, material and intellectual progress had been much retarded to one which, in almost every depart- ment of human endeavor, was then the instructor of the world. That they must have learned much, apart from the art of war, and that they must have communicated much to England, seems apparent at a glance to any one conversant with the situation." The influence of Holland upon England received a check upon the restoration of the Stuarts. But in America there was nothing to cause even a temporary disappearance of Dutch lead- ership and example. "The Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth had lived twelve years in Holland. The Puritans who settled Massachusetts had all their lives been exposed to a Netherland influence, and some of their leaders had also lived in Holland. Thomas Hooker, coming from Holland, gave life to Connecticut, which has been called the typical American commonwealth. Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island, was so much of a Dutch scholar that he read Dutch books to the poet IMilton. Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, was half a Dutchman. New York and New Jersey were settled by the Dutch West India Company. "- The Dutch Republic was the culmination of the great con- tinental movement of the sixteenth century which intellectually and spiritually has revolutionized the world ; and it became a great center of power and influence — the power and influence of "a republic the leader of the world by at least a century in agri- culture, commerce, and manufactures, and by more than two centuries in all ideas relating to civil and religious liberty." It would be difficult to conceive a people better prepared to become good settlers or more likely to work out great prob- 2Dou2:lass CampbeU in the Preface to "The Puritan in HoUand, F;ns'land and America." Taine in his "Art in the Netherlands" emphasizes this \-iew in speaking of the Dutch at the beginning' of the seventeenth century. He says: "InternaUy their government is as good as their external position is exalted. For the first time in the world, conscience is free and the rights of the citizens are respected. In culture and instruction, as ^vell as in the arts of organization and government, the Dutch are two centuries ahead of the rest of Europe." It should be remembered that when the colonies were first settled the Netherlands had a population about equal to that of England and that its people were incomparably wealthier. HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 19 lems for the prosperity and enlightenment of the world, than were our Dutch and German ancestors. And, though German- town had but a small beginning, it was the opened door through which poured the great stream of immigration resulting from the Thirty Years' War and the cruel incursions of Louis XIV. Besides, these first comers into Germantown were mighty men of deeds, born commonwealth builders, each of them a center of influence for the spread of ideas which, while centuries in form- ing, had now been transplanted to a virgin soil, — soil free from the pollutions and dangers of an effete civilization, where these ideas were destined rapidly to bear fruit in the cause of humanity. These settlers were, however, not the first of their own people to turn their faces towards the New World ; for, according to Henninghausen, fifty-four German families had accompanied Governor Printz, himself a Holsteiner, to the Swedish settlement on the Delaware, in 1643. Rupp says Heinrich Frev came over two years before Penn, and that Jtirian Hartsfelder took up three hundred and fifty acres of land in what is now Philadelphia as early as 1676. Watson claims that one named Warner was at W^illow Grove in 1658, and Doctor Julius F. Sachse has un- earthed a letter which indicates that there was a German congre- gation worshiping near Germantown before the arrival of Pastorius. In his report to the Frankfort Company, dated Philadelphia, March 7, 1684. Pastorius refers to previous settlements as fol- lows : "About these newly-engrafted foreigners, I will make no further mention now. than that among them sundry High Ger- mans are found, who have already been settled in this country for twenty years, and thus have, as it were, naturalized them- selves, namely: Silesians. P)randenburgers, Holsteiners, Sweit- zers, etc. Also a Nurenberger, by the name of Jan Jaquet."^ Plockhoy had also years before turned to the New World as the choice spot on which to work out in a practical way his ideas of the social equality and brotherhood of man. But the little settlement at Germantown was the first per- manent German, or indeed American, colony organized and established independently of governmental or commercial patron- 3As the Jaquets settled in the vicinity of New Castle, Del., Pastorius evidently was speaking' of the entire German population on the Delaware, including' the settlements at Tinicum and New Castle. 20 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN age ;* and the freedom of thought and practice fostered by this untrammeled condition, combined with the exceptional freedom of its settlers from the dominion of established customs and ideals, has given it a history which in many respects is unique. Nor did the proprietor of the province interfere with the fulfill- ment of their plans. Penn valued these industrious, God-fearing settlers so highly, and was so confident of the integrity of their purposes, that he at once granted them a separate court and almost absolute self-government. These privileges were never abused by them. Indeed, so potent were the influences of familv and church life, and of the Bible in every home, that little govern- ment was needed ; and Germantown soon presented the vui- usual spectacle of a community so prosperous and law-abiding that it could not get men to willingly step aside from their busy lives long enough to fill the offices necessary to carry on this government. 4Massachusetts M^as settled iinder an agreement with the London Companj' and under the direct influence of the Massachusetts Bay Com- pany, both of which had royal charters. The settlements in Rhode Island and Connecticut were migrrations from Massachusetts. All of these colonists "were subject to the influence of royal charters and of persons who stood near to royalty; and all were for many years more or less loyal to the accepted Eng-lish ideas. See "The Emancipation of Massachusetts," by Brooks Adams. The German settlements in New York and New Jersey were made under the direct patronage of the Dutch West India Company, the rich patroons of the former holding- a dominating' influence long- after they came under English rule. CHAPTER II THE SETTLEMENT OF GERMANTOWN I. The Importance of Germantown The history of Germantown is probably without a parallel in the annals of our country. It was settled less than a year after Penn's arrival in Philadelphia ; and yet, after more than a century of growth and development, it remained a straggling vil- lage of a few hundred inhabitants, most of them still German in language and characteristics, and it had but few paved side- walks and no better communication with the main city, which was but a few miles away, than an old rattling four-horse stage- coach. But it was Francis Daniel Pastorius and three other Germantown settlers who sent to the Monthly Meeting of Friends, at Richard AA'orrell's in 1688, the first public protest ever made against slavery ; this same Pastorius wrote the first school-book originating in America ; another of its noted citizens, Christopher Saur, became, through his press at Germantown, the great German leader of the province of Pennsylvania, a fear- less exponent and critic of wrongs and abuses for all of the colonies, and the founder of the oldest existing publishing house in America, publishing not only a large number of early text- books and religious works, but also a German edition of the Bible thirty-nine years before the first English edition printed in America appeared; Christopher Dock, of Germantown, wrote the first work on general pedagogy published in America, as well as our first treatise on etiquette, both of them being issues of Saur's press ; it was in Germantown that William Rittenhouse, in 1690, erected on a small branch of the Wissahickon the first paper-mill in America: his grandson. David Rittenhouse, was born here in 1732, and became one of the greatest astronomers and mathematicians of his time — besides being a statesman of 22 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN no low rank ; an important battle of the Revolution was fought in Germantown ; while the yellow-fever was epidemic in Phila- delphia, in 1793, Germantown was practically the seat of national government, the various departments with their officials and the Chief Executive, George Washington, having temporarily removed there ; it was also during the same period the capital of the State, Governor Mifflin and the Secretary of the Common- wealth transacting the state business at that place ; the first mill for grist in the county of Philadelphia was erected near German- BIRTHPLACE OF DAVID RITTENHOUSE town by Richard Townsend, in 1683, — it was known later as Roberts' Mill and was back on Church Lane ; Thomas Rutter, a smith living near Germantown, built the first forge in the Pro- vince ; the people of Germantown introduced the manufacture of "very fine German Linen such as no Person of Quality need be ashamed to wear" ; they also early became noted for the tanning of leather, for the manufacture and improvement of wagons, and for fine woolen yarns and excellent hosiery. None of our early settlements have better preserved their ancient buildings and landmarks, few have so lovingly clung to their historic relics or so faithfully cherished their family traditions. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 23 This is partly due to the prosperity which so soon settled down among the thrifty villagers and made few changes compulsory, and partly to the origin of the settlement and to the home- loving propensities of the settlers. Germantown was the beginning of a German immigration which, from 1683 to 1776, had Pennsylvania as its central point. It reached such vast proportions as to seriously alarm the German governments, which tried in vain to stop it. It also led Governor Keith, in 1717, to call the attention of his Council to the "great number of foreigners from Germany Strangers •~-^-r^( 1^ 1. -^A^T^'" ROBERTS' (TOWNSEND'S) MILL to our Language and Constitution, having lately been Imported into this Province daily dispersed themselves Immediately after their Landing without producing Certificates from whence they came or what they were," and that "this Practice might be of very dangerous Consecjuence." The subject was duly consid- ered by the Council and it was ordered "that the Naval officer of this Port be required not to admit any Inward bound Vessell to an Entry, untill the master shall first give an exact List of all their Passengers Imported by them." This was supple- mented, September 14, 1727, by the following: "Tis Ordered, that the Masters of the Vessells importing them shall be examined whether they have any Leave granted them by the 24 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN Court of Britain for the Importation of these Foreigners, and that a List shall be taken of the names of all these People, their several Occupations and the Places from whence they came, and shall be further examined touching their Intentions in coming hither; and further, that a Writing be drawn up for them to sign declaring their Allegiance and Subjection to the King of Great Britain and Fidelity to the Proprietary of the Province, and that they will demean themselves peaceably towards all His Majesties Subjects, and strictly observe and conform to the Laws of England and of this government." While these measures failed to check the tide of immigration, the records made necessary because of them have saved to us the names of upwards of thirty thousand of these immigrants.^ 2. The Origin of the Settlement The well-watered, fertile soil of Pennsylvania, together with the civil and religious liberty guaranteed to all by its proprietor, called from the palatinates of the Rhine Valley so many of its inhabitants that all German settlers came to be called "Pala- tines." Continental conditions favored this emigration. Ger- many had been devastated by the Thirty Years' War, which ended with the treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, and the rulers who followed in its wake soon destroyed the hopes of the people for the fruits of peace. The peasants had been reduced almost to serfdom, the rulers were either too evil or too helpless to remedy their condition, and the Church was so demoralized as to ofifer no consolation. To add to their distress, Louis XIV. of France, angry at the great number of Huguenots who fled to "the Palatinate" after the revocation, in 1685, of ^^'^^^ greafcharter of Protestant rights," the edict of Nantes, took advantage of the helpless condition of Germany and began a war of conquest in which he laid Avaste the Rhine Valley. "Even to the present day, after the lapse of two centuries, the line of march may be traced from the Drachen- fels to Heidelberg. Crumbling walls, ruined battlements and blown-up towers, still remain as mementos of French vandal- ism."- "The scum of Europe's mercenary hirelings spread over iSee Rupp's "Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants." 2"Pennsylvania: the German Influence on its Settlement and Develop- ment" — Sachse; Vol. I, p. 140. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 25 Germany's fertile plains, and there perpetrated the most terrible martial tragedy that has ever been recorded upon the pages of the history of nations."'" Although the French were eventually driven out of the Duchy of W'urtemberg, through a revival of courage and deter- mination started by the brave wife of the Burgomaster of Schoen- dorf, the political condition of Germany was too distressed for it to take advantage of the temporary success, and vandal- ism, outrage, and intolerance followed in quick succession. It was at this time that the news of the success of Penn's colony was most industriously spread by pamphlet and broadside, and thousands flocked to the seaports, awaiting transportation to "the Province of Pennsylvania in America," with its promise of opportunity and toleration. The valley of the Rhine had from the earliest days been filled with sects of mystics. The laxity of the Church and the profligacy of its spiritual leaders had led to the private study of the Scriptures by bands of devoted people, who came to place their own interpretations upon its teachings. This cherished independence of thought and a spirit of union that made the Reformation possible. In some it also led to greater spirituality and devotion ; but in others, to fanaticism and a dangerous socialism. The Church and the State were both intolerant; persecution naturally followed opposition to their mandates and teachings, and became so bitter that the various bands of dis- senters came to be called "the persecuted sects." Their troubles were greatly aggravated, in the early part of the sixteenth century, when the question of baptism came into great promi- nence in Germany and the Netherlands. Those who held that the rite of baptism should be administered only to believers, openly opposed infant baptism and the right of the Church to insist upon it. Because of this opposition thev were called Anabaptists and denounced as heretics. Great dissatisfaction wath the Church and with the State already existed, and un- scrupulous and fanatic leaders took the opportunity afiforded by the excitement over this question and the freedom of practice demanded by the Anabaptists, to inflame the oppressed peasants to commit great excesses in their demands for rights and privileges in other respects. The final outcome was an open sScherr's "Kultiu' und Sittengeschichte.' 26 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN rebellion of the peasants which placed John of Leyden on a throne in Muenster. But his party was quickly overcome, and then all the fury of a renewed persecution burst upon the Aanabaptists. Not all of the Aanbaptists had shared, however, in the excesses of the "mad prophets of Muenster." I\Iany of them were non-resistant and opposed to war and politics and to the taking of any form of oath. They also taught and practiced plainness in dress and speech. These gathered around J\Tenno Simons, who had severed his connection with the Church of Rome in 1536. He became their recognized leader and the formulator of their doctrines, and from him they took the name of Mennonites. "Menno, far in advance of his time, taught the complete severance of Church and State, and the principles of religious liberty which have been embodied in our own Federal Constitution were first worked out in Holland."* As the doc- trines of the Mennonites spread, they established churches at various points in the Lower Rhine Country. They also carried their missionary work into England, where it is claimed that George Fox, who afterwards founded the Societ}' of Friends, came under the influence of their teachings. AVhether this be true or not, it is true that the similarity in the beliefs of these two sects made the Mennonite communities of Penn's day favor- able places for the spread of Quaker doctrines. There was another religious sect in Germany which shared in many of the Quaker views, particularly in the doctrine of the Inner Light. These were the Pietists or followers of the pious Philip Jacob Spener, who maintained "that Christianity was first of all life, and that the strongest proof of its doctrine was to be found in the experience of the believing." The value of a life full of quiet contemplation of God and his revelations was shared by all three of these sects. The Quakers claimed that, since the coming of Christ, every man possessed a spiritual revelation which was superior to conscience and even to the Scriptures. This was known as the Inner Light. And when all such distracting influences as gaudy dress, dancing, and music were removed from the life and the thought, in the serenity which followed, the believer could hear the Spirit of God speaking in unmistakable terms. Thus each individual was 4"The Settlement of Germantown." — Pennypacker. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 27 brought into direct communication with the Divine Life, and an educated ministry, and even tlie Sacraments, were unneces- sary. This was an extreme view of the doctrine of Quietism from which many Friends later on dissented.' Tlie Alennonites, while accepting the general doctrine of Quietism, held to the Sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism and added a third, the Washing of Feet, as being just as mandatory as the others. The adherents of Pietism "were opposed to all rigid systems of theolog}', and devoted themselves to moral perfec- tion."'^ With some of its followers. Pietism conformed to what we call evangelical Christianity, but with many it took the form of an unpractical mysticism. William Penn, during his three preaching tours in Germany and Holland, made many personal friends and aroused deep interest in his ideas among both Mennonites and Pietists. After he returned to England and secured his grant of land in America, his thought turned at once to the oppressed people whom he had so recently visited. So he wrote to Benjamin Furley, an English Quaker who had married a Dutch maiden and settled at Rotter- dam and whom he had made his agent, recommending Penn- sylvania as an asylum for the persecuted sectaries. His invita- tion, together with his "Frame of Government" and a series of pamphlets setting forth the advantages of the new colon)', were spread among the people. These so appealed to a band of Pietists in Frankfort, where Spener had established a Collegia Piefatis for the instruction of laymen in religion and the arousing of a deeper interest in its benefits, that they decided to accept Penn's ofifer. Francis Daniel Pastorius, a well educated Pietist Avho had traveled extensively in Europe, visited Frankfort in November, 1682. He was at first surprised to hear the little band of Pietists there talk seriously of purchasing land in Penn- sylvania to which they might transport themselves and their children bodily, as it was composed of people of influence and distinction. But, like him, they knew enough of the dire changes and disturbances of the fatherland, to be impelled to go where their own good and that of their neighbor might be furthered, "since in Europe worldliness and sin increase from day to day and the just punishment of God cannot much longer be delayed." f'See the -^vritings of George Keith. C'The Making- of Pennsylvania." — Fisher, p. 87. 28 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN And Pastorius states further, that their interest in the matter "begat such a desire in my soul to continue in their society and with them to lead a quiet, godly and honest life in a howling wilderness, that by several letters I requested my father's con- sent, besides two hundred and fifty reichsthaler ; whereupon I went to Krisheim and immediately prepared for the journey." Pastorius, acting as agent for these people, who now called themselves the Frankfort Company, purchased for them 25,000 acres of land from Penn, at the average price of less than one shilling per acre." However, with a possible single exception, none of them but Pastorius is known to have come to America.^ 3. The Founding of the Settlement The honor of the first settlement belongs to a band of Men- nonite weavers of Crefeld, a town of the lower Rhine near Hol- land. They belonged to the persecuted sects which had been driven up and down the Rhine for a century and a half. Accept- ing Penn's promises of religious freedom in his colony, Jacob Telner, an Amsterdam merchant, living in Crefeld, Jan Strey- pers of Kaldkirchen, and Dirck Sipman, of Crefeld, each bought 5000 acres of land from him on the loth of March, 1683. June nth, 1683. Penn also conveyed to Govert Remke, Lenert Arets and Jacob Isaac van Bebber, all of Crefeld, each 1000 acres. The arrangement with these purchasers was that some settlers were to be sent out within a specified time. Under this agreement TPenn in his letter to Benjamin Furley, Philadelpliia. the- 6th month, 16S3. speaks as if for 5000 acres of this land he received 100 pounds Sterling, retaining- a yearly fee of one shilling for each hundred acres, and sold the 20.000 acres outriglit for 800 pounds Sterling. In his pamplilet "Information and Directions to Such Persons as are inclined to America," he says "£20 which is tlie price of 500 acres;" and again, "ten pence buys the fee of an acre uncleared." In connection witli the latter statement, lie refers to the gain which the purcliaser might have in liolding Penn- sylvania land, which he could buy in fee at about ten pence per acre, as fee farms. According to Watson, even as late as 1720, John W^ister bought 500 acres of land in Germantown at the rate of 2 shillings per acre. sin his report to the Frankfort Company, in 16S4, Pastorius, in speak- ing of the growth of Philadelphia and of the necessity of building a jail there, mentions the name of Van Walle; "For there are some found here about wliom it may be truly said what our dear friend Van Walle (Van der Walle) mentions in his open letter, namely: that we have here more distress from spoiled Christians than from tlie Indians." This indicates tliat one of the Van der Walles came to America, undoubtedly the one who was the brother-in-law of the writer of the Germantown letter of February 12, 1684. For in tliis letter the writer (probably Hermann Op den Graeff), says, "My brother-in-law Van der Walle wrote me that -when he arrived in Holland there was a ship coming to America by way of Eng- land, etc." Several statements in this letter seem to indicate that tlie Carolinas and not Philadelphia was Van der Walle's destination, and that George Wertmueller had by this time left Pliiladelphia and also gone there, both of them being much pleased with conditions in the Carolinas. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 29 thirteen Crefeld families were soon ready to sail. They were those of Lenert Arets Abraham Op den Graefif Dirck Op den Graeff Hermann Op den Graefif Willem Streypers Thones Kunders ^-^ Reynier Tison Jan Seimens Jan Lens en Peter Keurlis Johannes Bleikers Jan Lucken and x\braham Tunes, thirty-three persons in all. Before leaving Rotterdam, Telner conveyed 2000 acres of his land to the Op den Graeffs and Jan Streypers conveyed 100 acres to his brother Willem, and 200 acres each to Jan Seimens and Peter Keurlis. Most, if not all of these settlers, were relatives and probably all of them were from Crefeld ; so that though a small body, they formed a remarkai^ly compact one in all of their interests. Telner had been in America between the years 167S and 1681, and no doubt greatly influenced the purchase. He arranged with James Claypoole, a London merchant with whom he had dealings, to provide a passage for the emigrants. The vessel provided, the "Concord," set sail from London July 24th, 1683, and arrived in Philadelphia on the 6th of October. Claypoole says of the passage, "The blessing of the Lord did attend us so that we had a very comfortable pas- sage and had our health all the way." In a letter written in Ger- mantown, February 12th, 1684, the writer (probably Hermann Op den Graefif) states concerning the voyage, "We had no storms, but at times more wind than at other times. L'pon our whole voyage we did not experience as much inconvenience as between Holland and England." In another portion of the letter the statement is made, "Our number did not decrease upon the ocean, but it was increased by two, a son and a daughter." Pastorius says, " These honest people expended nearly all their means upon the journey, and if William Penn had not advanced them some stores, they would of necessity have had to serve others." A SEVENTEENTH CENTURY SHIP 30 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Pastorius, who had arranged to represent both the Frank- fort Company and the Crefeld purchasers in America, preceded this colony some six weeks. He came on the vessel "America" and was accompanied by two children, six servanis, and a young boy. The servants consisted of an English maid, a Dutch maid, and four male servants — Jacob Schumacher, George Wert- mueller, Isaac Dilbeck and Thomas Caspar or Koenradt Rutters — -one of the last named probably being the young boy referred to in his statement, "concerning my journey hither, I sailed from ^■^ 'M. ROTTERDAM PORT (From an Old Flint.) Deal, on the tenth of June, with four men-servants, two servant maids, two children, and one young boy * '■' '■' we did not arrive here until after a lapse of ten weeks." Concerning their treatment on the voyage he says, "The treatment upon our ship v/as rather bad. we lived mcdice ac modicc. Every ten persons received weekly three pounds of butter, daily four pots of beer, and two jugs of water; every day at noon two platters of peas; meat four days in the week, and upon the other three days at noon, fish, which we had to prepare with our own butter. We also had to save enough from our noonday meal to do us for HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 31 our supper. The worst of all was that both our meat and our fish were salted to such an extent, and were so rancid, that we could hardly partake of half of them. And if 1 had not supplied myself at the advice of good friends in England with various eatables and drinkables, it would probably have been a bad experience."' Pastorius built a temporary residence in Philadelphia. This was one of the half cave, half house dwellings in which so many of the early settlers of Philadelphia at first lived. In referring ^^'K'^ A CAVE DW^ELLIXG to Penn's requirement that houses must within two years be built upon the three Philadelphia lots granted to the Frankfort Company in connection with their purchase, he speaks of his temporary c|uarters as follows: 'T have already (]\Iarch 7, 1684) upon the first (lot), together with our servingman (Jacob Schu- macher), erected a small one, half under and half above ground, which indeed is only thirty shoes long and fifteen wide. Yet when the Crefelders lodged with me, it could harbor twenty persons. Upon the window of oil-soaked paper, over the door, I wrote : Parva domus, scd amicus bonus. Procttl cste 32 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN profani! which W. Penn lately read, and it pleased him. Besides this I have a cellar, seven shoes deep, twelve wide and twenty long, on the Delaware stream, and am now engaged in building a stable.'"* The purchasers had bargained for land on a navigable river. But, as they were displeased with the hilliness of the land which was assigned to them along the Schuylkill, in what is now Mana- yunk and Roxborough, a warrant was issued on the 12th of October to Pastorius, on behalf of the settlers, for 6000 acres of more level land farther east. On the 24th of October Thomas Fairman, Penn's Surveyor-General, measured off fourteen divi- sions of land within this tract, as a preliminary arrangement for the new settlers, and on the next day they met in Pastorius' cave and drew lots for their choice of land. Watson in his Annals of Philadelphia, Vol. II, p. 18, refers to this drawing of lots in the cave of Pastorius in the following words : "The original of the fol- lowing curious paper is in the hands of John Johnson, Esq. : " 'We whose names are to these presents subscribed, do hereby cer- tify to all whom it may concern, that soon after our arrival in this province of Pennsylvania, in October, 1G83, to our certain knowledge, Herman op den Graff, Dirk op den Graff, and Abraham op den Graff, as well as we ourselves, in the cave of Francis Daniel Pastorius, at Philadelphia, did cast lots for the respective lots which they and we then began to settle in Germantown and the said Graffs (three brothers) have sold their several lots, each by himself, no less than if a division in writing had been made by them. Witness our hands this 29th Nov., A. D. 1709. LENART ARETS JAN LENSEN THOMAS HUNDER WILLIAM STREYGBRT REINER TYSEN ABRAHAM TUNES JAN LUCKEN.' " The settlers immediately occupied the lots assigned them and began to erect the huts in which the}^ passed the winter. This and the following winter were particularly trying ones to them, as it took time to clear away the timber and to establish themselves. "It could not be described," wrote Pastorius, "nor would it be believed by coming generations in what want and need and with what Christian contentment and persistent indus- try this Germantownship started." Some, he said, because of the 9See the "Pastorius Letters and Report." — Sachse. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 33 poverty of the settlers, jokingly suggested that the settlement be called Annciitozvn. But, after the second winter, prosperity be- gan to appear and "there passed away now no year without new- comers strengthening the little settlement. They came out of Crefeld, out of Mulheim and Krisheim (Kriegsheim near Worms), out of wider circles of west Germany, and out of Hol- land." Dr. Rush, in his "Essays," published in 1798, adds to this, "The aged Germans, and the ancestors of those who are young, emigrated chiefly from the Palatinate ; from Alsace, Swabia, Saxony and Switzerland." These new settlers secured their land from the original purchasers. But it was not always bought outright. The Frankfort Company especially held much of its land as fee farms, the annual fee or rental of which seems to have been "Two Reichsthaler." Penn sold Leonard Arets 1000 A. of land the nth day of June, 1683, which was subject to a yearly quit-rent of ten shillings. On the nth day of March, 1707, he released all but one shilling of this fee— "The Grant and Release from William Penn to Leonard Arets, Purchaser of 1000 Acres, of Nine Shillings part of the Quitrent of the sd 1000 Acres of Land, reserving only one Shilling Sterling for the whole, is Recorded in the Roll's office at Philadelphia in Book A, Vol. I, Page 200. The sd Grant Dated ye nth Day of June Ao Dm 1683. Witnessed at Phila ye nth of ye ist mo 1707-8 By THOMAS STORY." The practice of retaining annual fees in land and lots trans- ferred to others continued in Germantown for some time after its settlement. In 1701 Jan Strepers released all claim to fifty acres of land in Germantown to Jan Lensen for "Fifteen Pounds Currt Silver money of Pensilvania," except, "on the first day of the first month called Alarch, one Rixdollar and half a Stuyver Hollands money from the year One thousand Seven hundred and One for the time to come for ever." should be paid to the said Jan Strepers or his heirs or assigns as a yearly fee. Numer- ous other instances are to be found in the early records. ^° It is the idea which later no doubt suggested or came to be called "ground-rent." These fees varied, but were usually about two shillings for fifty acres of land, as the following seem to show : "Whereas, Thomas van Wylick and John le Brun, both Part- ners of the Franckfurt Company by the 3d article In Indentur 10 See Grund- und Lager-Buch of Germantown. 34 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAKTOWN made with Heyvert Papen on the 23rd of the ist month (March), 1685, ordered amongst other things that there should be assigned here unto the said Heyvert Papen 50 acres of land, to work thereupon one day in every week during the four years of his service, and after they are faithfully Finished, to pay for the same the usual rent of the Country. But in the aforesaid Inden- tur the Sum of the yearly rent not being distinctly expressed, and the word usual ambiguous, and of a divers Construction, the above named Thomas van Wylick in a particular Letter under his own hand dated the ist of the 2nd month (April), 1688, did refer this Difference to impartial arbitrators. In pursuance whereof afterwards Anno 1689 the 3d of the 6th month (August), Francis Daniel Pastorius, the Attorney of the said Franckfurt Company in their name, and Heyvert Papen in his own behalf, have putt and committed this questionable point to hindry Waddy, Jhon Hart, William Hudson, Hinry Bartlett, and Rich- ard Helliard five unsuspected men, laying the above sd Indentur before them and binding both Party es in the penalty of ten pounds to stand unto their determination, which said five arbitra- tors by their own accord in writting judged, that Heyvert Papen Shall pay yearly for the said 50 acres to the Franckfurt Company or order the sum of two Shillings and one penny Lawfull money of old England, or this Country money equivalent." Also the deed on the opposite page, a free translation of which is as follows : "Know and let it be known herewith every one, that because Ben- jamin Furley, as Attorney of the Franlifort Company at Rotterdam, to Johannes Bleickers, Two Hundred acres of land in the Province of Pennsylvania as a perpetual lease, namely, for eight rixs dollars Yearly on the 1st of March, To be paid, has let and leased, I, Frantz Daniel Pastorius, as Attorney for the aforesaid Company, hereby declare that Two hundred acres in the following manner have been laid out and measured: 1. Fifty acres of land in Germantown, on the West Side, Between the cross-street and the aforesaid Company's Double reservation. 2. Twenty-five acres of land in Germantown on the West Side, Be- tween Hans Millan and Arnold Cassel. 3. Twentj^-five acres of land likewise in Germantown on the West Side Between Aret Klinken and John Silans. 4. One Hundred acres of land in Krisheim, 39 rods 3^^ feet wide. Between Gerhard Ruettinghaus and Levin Herberdinck. ^;micZ^^ g^^sC^ ^*lfe •^v v^:^:^^ .-vk-c _^'^it»^'^^iik„^fif^ /vw \ 36 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN That now these four different tracts laid out and in possession, the aforesaid land even the Two Hundred acres which the above mentiond Benjamin Furley to Johannes Bleickers, His Heirs and Assigns, in the Name of the aforesaid Franlifort Company have been let in perpetual lease, according to the Open Letter made the eighth day of the Month commonly called June, Anno 1GS3, in the 35th Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second, under such conditions as in the aforesaid Open Let- ter with other things is expressed and set forth. In witness I write underneath the Letters of this my own hand, and with it set my offlcial seal. So done in Germantown the fifteenth of Septembr, Anno Dom. 1G97. FRANTZ DANIEL PASTORIUS, Sealed and delivered '^^^ Frankfort Company's Attorney. in the presence of us as Witnesses ARENT KLINCKEN Passed in open Court of Record JAN DOEDEN held in Germantown the 2Gth of November, 1700. PETER SCHUMACHER, Clerk." Under the warrant issued to Pastorius, 5350 acres, consti- tuting the Germantownship, were finally laid out and allotted May 2, 1684, as follows : Frankfort Purchasers. Jacobus Van de Walle 535 A. Johann Jacob Schutz 428 A. Johan Wilhelm Uberfeld 107 A. Daniel Behagel 356 2-3 A. George Strauss 178 1-3 A. Jan Laurens 535 A. Abraham Hasevoet 535 A. Total 2675 A. Crefeld Purchasers. Jacob Telner 989 A. Jan Streypers 275 A. Dirck Sipman 588 A. Govert Remke 161 A. Lenert Arets 501 A. Jacob Isaacs (Van Bebber) 161 A. Total 2675 A. In addition to these, 200 A. were allotted to Pastorius and 150 A. to Jurian Hartsf elder, who had been Deputy Sherift' under Andros, and now wished to join the settlers. But no patent for these possessions had yet been issued. With a view of granting this, a more accurate survey of the Germantownship was made December 29, 1687, and a patent Avas then granted HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 37 for the 5700 acres it was found to contain. The township was then divided into four villages : Germantown, with 2750 A. Cresheimii " 884 A. Sommerhausen " 900 A. Crefeld " 1166 A. The remainder of the land purchased by the Frankfort Com- pany and the Cref elders, was surveyed in what are now [Mont- gomery, Bucks, and Lancaster Counties. "The division of the 2750 acres belonging to Germantown was taken in hand on the 29th day of December, 1687, and on the following days. The land of the rest of the districts on the 4th of April, 1689, to the purchasers and fee-farmers by lot." "The township of Germantown was cut into 55 equal parts of 50 A. each. On account, however, of the favorable location of some parts and the unfavorable location of others, thus causing great difference in worth, each was allowed only part of his land in the middle of the town, taking the remainder from the so-called side-lots which lay to the north and the south." The holders of these lots in 1689, 1714, and 1766 were as follows :^- Germantown Town-Lots Towards Bristol (East side of Main Street) Lot No. Orig-inal Owner Owner in 1714. Owners in 1766 in 1689 Ic Peter Keurlis Peter Kerling Adam Haas, Geo. Reis, George Hopple, and others. 2 Tunis Kunders Tunis Conrad John Weiss, Jr.; George Dannenhour, and oth- ers. 3 John Lensen John Lensen Wm. Biddis's Heirs, and Godfrey Boclvius. 4 Leonard Arets Leonard Arets Christian, Elizabeth and Barbara Eckstein, and others. 5s Reynier Tysen Isaac von Sintern Michael Branson, John Bringhurst, and oth- ers. iiSpelled Krisheim by Pastorius, and Creesam by Christian Lehman. 12 The original 13 settlers were no doubt allowed to retain the land first assigned them, for after the final division, they are found to be lo- cated together at the southern end of the village on both sides of the main road. 38 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Lot No. Original Owner Owner in 1714 Owners in 17G6 m 16S9 6 John Lucken Herman Castorp Anthon Steimer, Chris- topher Sower, and others. 7 Abraham Tunis Jacob Gottschalli John Wister, George Merger, John Fre}% Michael Eges, and others. 8 Gerhard Heinrich. . .Isaac Shoemaker Benj. Shoemaker, Esq., David Sherkges Jolm .Jones, Jr., Thos. Rose. 9 Walter Simon Walter Simon Caspar Wister, Paul Kirpner, Daniel Lu- cken, John Gardner. 10 Dirck Kolk James Delaplain Caspar Wister, The Wiggart Levering. . . Church, Mackenet, Jacob Coleman, Danl. Lucken. 11 Herman van Bonn Herman van Bonn George Heamer, John Jones, Mackenet, Ja- cob Coleman and others. 12 Gerhard Levering. . .John Doeden John Smith, Danl. Lu- Henry Sellen cken, Jacob Bowman, John Lehman. 13 Henry Bucholtz .John Henry Sprogel. ...Hartman Adam, Trouts, Frankford Co Christian Lehman, Isaac Shaffer George Pickes. 14 Cornelius Bonn Paul Kestner Wendel Heft, Henry Beill, Barbara Sny- der, and others. 1.5 Isaac Dil'beck Daniel Geissler Conrad Reiff, Elizabeth Collings, and others. 16 Enneke Klosterman. . .Francis Daniel Abram, Samuel, Daniel, Pastorius.. and Hannah Pasto- rius, and mother. 17 John Doeden John Doeden Christian Warmer, Jr. 18 Andreas Souplis Christian Warmer, Sr. .Christian Warmer, Jr. 19 Wm. Rittenhouse Arnold van Fossen John Bowman, Baptist Burying Ground, and others. 20 Claus Rittenhouse. . . .Paul Engle Paul Engle. 21 Claus Rittenhouse. . . .Hans Henry Lane Paul Engle. 22 Dirck Keyser, Sr Dirck Keyser Dirck Keyser's Heirs, and John, Jacob, and Andrew Keyser's Sons. 23 Wm. Strepers Paul Engle Dirck Keyser's Heirs, and John, Jacob, and Andrew Keyser's Sons. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 39 Germantown Town-Lots Towards Schuylkill (West side of Main Street) Lot No. Orig-inal Owner Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766 in 16S9 1 John Strepers Joseph Shippen, Sr Edward, Joseph, and William Shippen. 2 Dirck op de Graeff. . . .Widow op de Graeff. . . .'Hittner, Hall, Weidman, Shippen, and others. 3 Herman op de Graeff. Joseph Shippen, Sr Joseph, Shippen, Jr., Abram op de Graeff. . Edward, and William Shippen. 4B Jno. Simons after Wm. Strepers. .. .John Neiss Wynard Neiss, John Theobold Endt. 5 Paul Wulff Conrad Jansen Theobold Endt, Jacob Ritter, Lashett, Losh, and others. 6 John Elickersi3 Herman Tunen Christian Sower, Justus Fox, John Frey, and others. 7 Frankford Co John Henry Sprogell . . . John Frey, John Key- ser, Simon Siron. 8 Jacob Shoemaker Quaker Meeting Quaker Meeting, John Jacob Shoemaker Bockius, and others. Jacob Isaac van 9 Bebber John Jarrett Abram. Griffith, John Jacob Tellner Wynn, Christ. Meng, Wm. Ashmead, Desh- ler, C. Bensell. 10 Heivert Papen Heivert Papen Dr. Bensell, Alsentz, Jacob Coleman, and others. 11 Jacob Jansen Klinges . Tunis Conrad John .Tones, Tanner, and others. 12 Cornelius Sioertsi*. .. .Cornelius Shuhard alias Syverts, now Ja- cob Snyder's. 13 Hans Peter Umstad. . .George Adam John Koch, Christian Hogermoed.. Meng. 14 Peter Shoemaker Peter Shoemaker, Sr.. .Melchior Meng.Kreyter, Bockius, Kurtz, Peter Smith. 13 According- to the old deed which is reproduced on p. 35, and which is still in the possession of the family, John Slickers (Johannes Bleickers) in 1697 owned on the west side of Main street, not only Lot No. 6, but also the lot between Hans Milan's and Arnold Cassel's — probably Lot. No. 18, as well as a lot between that of Aret Klinken and the one owned by John Silans, which was probably a part of Lot No. 20. At that time he also owned Lot No. 4, in Creslieim. 14 This name is spelled Sioerts or Sjoerts on all of the original records. Pastorius in the "Grund und Lag-er-Buch," spells it Sioerdts. It is proba- bly the effort to spell tlie name Swarz CSchwarz — black) witli English letters, the German w being pronounced vey. Efforts to render the name as written seem to have produced the names Sliuliard and Syverts. 40 HISTORY OP OLD GBRMANTOWN Lot No. Orig-inal Owner Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766 in 1689 15 Jacob Tellner John Williams John, Adam, and Barba- Jurian Hartsfielder. . ra Hogermoed; Ann Peters, B. Engle, Ja- cob and Mary Keyser. IG Claus Thompson Claus Thompson John Johnson. 17 Hans Milan Dirck Johnson Richard Johnson. 18 Henry Frey Philip Christian Matthias Knor and John Zimmerman.. Knor. 19 Johannes Kassell John Henry Sprogell. . .Rebecca von Aken, Wid- derholtz, Robert Cly- mer, and others. 20 Aret Klinken Anthony Klinken John Johnson, John Abram op de Graeff. . Keyser, Tanner. 21 John Silans Paul Engle John Frederick Ox, Pe- ter Ox, and John Ox's Widow. Germantown Side-Lots Towards Bristol Each Town-Lot with its corresponding Side-Lot contained 50 acres. Eacli owner of a Town-Lot in 1689 owned a corresponding Site-Lot; e. g. Tunis Kunders (Conrad) owned Town-Lot No. 2, Towards Bristol, also Side- Lot No. 2, Towards Bristol, at that time. Lot No. Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766 IC Peter Kerling Jacob Naglee, James Logan, and Wm. Logan. Ic Peter Kerlingis Hoffman's Heirs, Hoppall, John Wister, and others. 2 Tunis Conrad Jacob Naglee, James Logan, and Wm. Logan. 3 John Lensen Wm. Biddis's Heirs, Theobold End, Mechlin, Mehl, Reis, Peter Miller, and John Dedier. 4 Leonard Arets Baltes Reiser, Hoffman, Keamer, Losh, Hay, Reisinger and others. 5s Isaac von Sintern Shippen towards Schuylkill and Sam'l Pow- ell towards Bristol. 6 Herman Castorp Samuel Powell. 7 Jacob Gottschalk Samuel Powell, Lawrentz Belitz. 8 Isaac Shoemaker Benj. Shoemaker, Esq., John Channel's Heirs, Joseph Marks. 9 Walter Simon Joseph Marks, Abraham Pauls. 10 James Delaplain George Kast and Abraham Pauls. 11 Herman von Bonn Jacob Adam Hogermoed, John Hogermoed, and others. 12 John Doeden Matthias Adam Hogermoed's Heirs. 13 John Henry Sprogell.. John Tulison and Heirs, Reynier Vogdes's Heirs. 14 Paul Kestner Reynier Vogdes's Heirs, John Star and Vogdess Heirs. 15 Now Garfield Street. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 41 Lot No. Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766 15 Daniel Geissler Coorad Reiff, Elizabeth Collings, and others. IG Francis Daniel Pastorius. .Daniel Pastorius's Heirs. 17 John Doeden Christian Warmer's Heirs. IS Christian Warmer, Sr.Christian Warmer's Heirs. 19 Arnold van Fossen Jaul Engle, John Bowman. 20 Paul Engle Paul Engle. 21 Hans Henry Lane Paul Engle. 22 Dirck Keyser Jacob Keyser, Mason, Wm. Keyser's Son. 23 Paul Engle John Johnson, Jacob Keyser. Germantown Side-Lots Towards Schuylkill Lot No. Owner in 1714 Owners in 1766 1 John Strepers Samuel Ashmead, Esq. 2 Widow op de Graeff .. .Joseph, Edward, and William Shippen. 3 Joseph Shippen, Sr. .Joseph, Edward, and Wm. Shippen, Baltes Re- ser, Daniel Endt. 4B John Neiss Baltes Reser, Jacob Knorr, and Johnson's part. 5 Conrad Jansen Upper Burying Ground, Peter Keyser. 6 Herman Tunen Sam'l Shoemaker, Esq., Ludwick Engelhard, and others. 7 John Henry Sprogell. . Meyer, Snyder, Stoneburner, Jacob Engle, Jacob Hall. 8 Jacob Shoemaker Quaker Meeting. Benjamin Chew, Esq., Michael Heitz, and others. 9 John Jarrett John Johnson, Benj. Chew, Richard Johnson. 10 Heivert Papen John Johnson, Richard Johnson, Hesser, Kast, and others. 11 Tunis Conrads Elizabeth Deshler, Jno. Jones, Gensel, Fawns, and others. 12 Cornelius Shuards. ., .Henry Sharpneck, Peter Leipert. 13 George Adam Hogermoed. .Conrad Good, Christopher Jacoby, Philip Weber. 14 Peter Shoemaker, Sr. .Jacob Enders, Jno. Johnson, Killian Weiss, Isaac Roush, Gensel, and others. 15 John Williams Fisher, Gensel, John Johnson, Kast, The Church, Martin Beck. 16 Claus Thompson Richard Johnson, late Dirck Johnson. 17 Dirck Johnson Richard Johnson and S. W. part of No. 15. 18 Philip Christian Zimmerman. .Jacob, David, Matthias, and John Knorr, Joseph Gorgas. 19 John Henry Sprogell. John Gorgas, Heysler, Jacob, Joseph, and Benj. Gorgas. 20 Anthony Klinken John Johnson all but 1 acre, which is John Gorgas's. 21 Paul Engle John Johnson, Frederick Ox. 42 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Owners o£ Cresheim Lots Lot . ,„„„ No. — Acres Owner in 1697 Owners m 1/66 1-297 Gerhard Rittenhouse. Gerhard Rittenhouse, Christian Bastian, John Conrad. 2-100 Gerhard Rittenhouse. Mathias Jacobs, Mathias Barenstine, Anthony Hinkel's Heirs. 3- 50 Gerhard Rittenhouse.Herman Casdorp, Mathias Milan, Peter Heys- - ler, Peter Hay. 4-100 Johannes Bleikers.. .Johannes Bleikers, Mathias Milan, Peter Heys- ler, Wm. Allen, Esq., Seb'n Miller. 5- 50 Levin Herberdinck.. Peter Rittenhouse's Heirs, Wm. Allen, Esq. (3-50 Jacob Sell, Jno. Hammer, Jr., Ab'm Henry, Jno. Dulisang, Cornelia Smith, George Hoffman, Ulrich Zollinger. 7-119 Ulrich Zollinger, Christian Wideman. 8-118 Isaac Deav's, Ab'm and Thomas Deav's, Jacob Gensel's Heirs, Jno. Gorgas, Martin Shoe- maker. Owners of Summerhausen Lots Lot No. — Acres Owner in 1714 Owners m liCS 1-200 Francis Daniel Pastorius. .Christ'r Yagell, Bachman, Chas. Hubb's Heirs, Mich'l Hillegas, John Bons, and others. 2-200 Jno. Robenstock, Tib- bens (Henry Tub- ben?) Henry Kibler, Conrad Switzer, and others. 3-75 Abraham Tunis Peter Shilbert, Michael Millberger, Charles Hubbs, Mich'l Slatter, Martin Houser. 4-75 Henry Kress, Julius Karper, John Rex, Mich'l Millberger. 5-100 Peter Kook, Sam'l Mummy, Ab'm Rex, Martin Thomas, Peter Kook. 6- 75 George Miller Wiggard Miller. 7- 75 Cornelius Neus? Cornelius Nice's and Jacob and Jno. Kupp's Heirs, Jno. Conrad. 8- 75 John Neus? Cornelius Nice's and Jacob and Jno. Kupp's Heirs, Jno. Conrad's Heirs. The approximate location of the lots as originally assigned in 1689, is shown on the accompanying map. By referring to the map it will be seen that some secured more than 50 acres and that there were in 1689 but 44 lots in the German town district. The settlement was now firmly planted, and the settlers ready to establish more permanent homes. Accordingly, the foun- dations of a number of houses were at once laid. German energy, resolution, and fondness for emigration had found a new field for development, a land free from the social and political degra- rOVVNSHlP°'CrRM/KTOWN 3 PWHEft Un. ,t„.u ,k„„ ..l.hm^ MA' MAii,u,„J HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 43 elation of the Fatherland but, above all, a place in which "the persecuted sects"' were free to worship as they deemed best. Pastorius in the "Germantown Grund und Lager-Buch," in which he kept a record of conveyances of land, wrote an in- vocation to the new settlement which the poet \\ hittier has beau- tifully rendered into English as follows : Hail to posterity! Hail future men of Germanopolis! Let the young generations yet to be Look kindly upon this. Think how your fathers left their native land, Dear German land, O! sacred hearts and homes! And where the wild beast roams In patience planned New forest homes beyond the mighty sea, There undisturbed and free To live as brothers of a family. What pains and cares befell, What trials and fears, Remember, and wherein we have done well Follow our footsteps, men of coming years; Where we have failed to do Aright or wisely live, Be warned by us, the better way pursue. And knowing we were human, even as you. Pity us and forgive. Farewell, Posterity; Farewell, dear Germany; Forevermore farewell! That Pastorius hoped to have the new settlement called Ger- manopolis is evident from this invocation, also from a volume of "Useful Tracts." dedicated by him to Tobias Schaumberg, of Windsheim, the title page of which closes with these words, which are literally translated : "Out of the in Pennsylvania newly by me founded and now with good success growing town of Germanopolis A. C. 1690."^" But it came to be called German- town, a name less classical but made none the less honorable by many a descendant of its hardy and God fearing founders. 16 The original copy Is in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. CHAPTER III THE BOROUGH OF GERMANTOWN Germantown was a small settlement, but its settlers were accustomed in the Fatherland to borough organization. Hence, soon after they became well established, and while the place yet contained probably not more than sixty families, they petitioned the proprietor and secured a borough charter from him. In this Charter of Incorporation, granted by Wm. Penn the 30th day of the 3rd month, 1691, he says, "And I doe by these presents Assigne, nominate, declare and make the said Francis Daniel Pastorius of German Towne, Civilian, to be the first and present Bailiffe and the aforesaid Jacob Telner, Dirck Isaacs Opte Graaf, Herman Isaacs Opte Graaf and Tennis Coender to be the first and present Burgesses, and the aforesaid Abraham Isaacs Opte Graaf, Jacob Isaacs (Van Bebber), Johannes Casselle, Hey wart Hapon (Heivert Papen), Herman Bon and Dirck Vankolk the first and present Committee men of the said Corporation." The charter granted them power to make ordinances, to impose fines, to admit citizens, and to hold a court and a market. In 1 701, a tax was levied for the erection of a prison and a market. They had found it necessary to erect stocks as early as 1694, although early Germantown remained singularly free from the kind of crimes requiring serious legal penalties. ]\Iar- ket was held once a week "in the road or highway where the cross street of Germantown goes down to the Schuylkill." In another place Pastorius says : "Through the middle of the town is a 60 ft. wide street which is bordered with peach trees. Every dwelling has a vegetable and a flower garden of 3 A. size. A cross street 40 ft. wide cuts through the main street and at the crossing point stands the market place." An acre of ground "before the vSixth Lot on the West Side of the said Town" had been set aside from the first "for a Market, Town-house, Bury- ing place and other public buildings, uses, behoofs whatsoever, the said Sixth Lot then being the midst or center of the above- said Town." But as the town grew, this location was found to be too far from the center, so one-fourth acre of it was exchanged with Paul Wulff for two lots of one-half acre each, one at each HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 45 end of the town, and the remainder was sold to him in order that a more central location might be purchased. Accordingly, in 1704, the present ^larket Square was purchased from James Delaplaine for four pounds. The reference to this is as follows : "The 6th of the nth month 1703-4 a full general Court from which nobody but Heinrich Tuben was absent, through general consent, ncminc coiitradiccntc, the three-fourths acre by Paul W'ulff's House and the same sold to him for four pounds, does hereby for these 4 pounds from James Delaplaine buy a half acre of land, namely to the southeast street 14 rods and to the little street 5 and ^ rods wide. This half acre shall be used for a Market place and the prison House, Stocks, Pound, etc., thereon to be built. "Further a contract was made with Herman von Bon and James Delaplaine to build the prison House and Stocks, each to receive 3s. 6d. per day and board himself and have 2 quarts of rum bought." William DeWees agreed to build the Pound out of "good wood," and Peter Schumacher and Haac Schu- macher were ordered to see that the Prison and Stocks were erected as soon as possible. Under the charter, the Bailiff and two oldest Burgesses served as Justices of the Peace, and the Bailiff and three oldest Burgesses constituted the Court for the town. This court was "to be held every Six Weeks in the year." The first Court of Record was held on the 6th day of the 8th month, 1691. Its organization was as follows: Francis Daniel Pastorius,- Bailiff, and Jacob Telner, Isaacs op de Graeff, Herman op de Graeff, the three Eldest Burgesses, were the Judges ; Isaac Jacob Van Bebber was Recorder; Paul Wulff, Clerk; Andrew Souplis, Sheriff, and Jan Luken, Constable. Extracts from the various records^ of this Court reveal to us quite a great deal of the life and thought of the people of Germantown in those early days : "1692-3. The 2ist day of the 12th month, by reason of the absence of some for a religious meeting over Schuylkill, this Court was adjourned till the 4th of 2d month, 1693."" 1 The original Court Record may be seen in tlie rooms of the Histori- cal Society of Pennsylvania. 2 March was the 1st month. The double year, like 1C92-3, was used by tliem because others began their year witli January, tlius rendering tlie double date necessary to clearly indicate the year; hence tlie 21st day of the 12th month 1692-3 was, in tlie usual reckoning of dates, tlie 21st day of February, 1693, and the 21st day of the 8th month, 1692-3, was the 21st -day of October, 1692. 46 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN "1694. The 19th of the ist month, by reason of a religious meeting the Court adjourned until the 26th of this same month." "1703. 28th day of December, Alatthew Peters, the plain- tiff, by reason of conscience, viz : that this was the day wherein Herod slew the Innocents, as also his witnesses were, and would for the above reason not be here, desired a continuance to the next Court of Record to be held for the Corporation, which is allowed of." In 1703, Paul Engle declined to serve as an officer of the Court "for conscientious reasons." The colonists evidently placed religious duties before all others and believed fully in the sovereignty of conscience. "1695. 7th day of 3rd month, P K was attested whv he did not come when the Justice sent for him ; he answered he had much work to do, whereupon he was further attested why he refused to lodge travellers; Answer: he only intended to sell drink, but not to keep an ordinary. "Then he was attested why he did sell barley-malt beer at 4d a quart, against the law of this Province? Answer: he did not know such a law ; lastly he was asked why he would not obey the law of the Germantown Corporation which forbids to sell more than a gill of rum or a quart of beer every half day to each individual? Answer: they being able to bear more, he could or would not obey that law." "1703. G M for his drunkenness was condemned to five days imprisonment. Item, to pay the Constable 2s. for serving the warrant in the case of his laying a wager to smoke above one hundred pipes in a day." "1704. The petition of Joseph Colson, wherein he desires of this Court a license for keeping an Inn in this town, was read and granted. The said Colson was informed by this Court that all those who settle in Germantown are to pay 6s. for being incorporated and capable of the privileges contained in our charter." The use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco was common, but their flagrant abuse was liable to punishment. P K 's opinion as to the capacity of his fellow townsmen was no doubt a prejudiced one. The cost of citizenship was, in 1704, six shillings ; earlier it seems to have been one pound. But this fee misfht be remitted as it was in the following cases : HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN 47 "1694. 25th day of loth month, Maria Margaretta Zimmer- man, widow, was received gratis into our Corporation." "The 25th of the nth month 1694-5 to the bhnd man Cor- neHs Plockoy was citizenship granted as a gift." Records of the indentures of servants and apprentices are frequent: "1692. The 14th day of the 4th month, before the Baihff the Eldest Burgesses, Recorder and officers aforementioned, proclamation being made, Thomas Jonas delivered unto Francis Daniel Pastorius an indenture concerning a servant girl named Anna Thomas. Gerrit Hendricks and Sytje, his wife, delivered unto Aret Klincken an indenture of apprenticeship concerning their son William Gerrits." "1702. 15th day of Sept. Glaus Jansen and ^Matthias Frank with consent of his mother, Alitje Hoover, delivered to each other indentures of apprenticeship." The following indicates that the Court was expected to main- tain somewhat paternal relations towards the people under its jurisdiction : "1692. The 29th of 9th month, John Silans (upon Jacob Schumacker's complaint) promised before this Court to finish the said Jacob Schumacker's barn within four weeks next coming." "1692. The 13th of the 9th month, after proclamation, be- fore the persons aforenamed, in open Court, Arnold Cassel, over- seer of the fences, declared that Jacob Isaacs, Jacob Pelness, and Andrew Griskum's fences were not sufficient." "1694. Herman van Bon complained against Johann Pet- tinger, that the said Johann Pettinger did beat and abuse one of his the said Herman Van Bon's hoggs." "1701. The 20th day of the nth month, John Lenzen gave over with the assent of the Court keeping an ordinary." The difficulty of clearing away the timber^ to secure land for farming was so great, and the value of cleared land increased so rapidly, that the settlers opposed the opening of cross-streets 3 In clearing- new land, they do not g-irdle the trees, and leave them to perish in the ground, as is the custom of their English and Irish neighbors; but they generally cut them down and burn them. In destroy- ing underwood and bushes, they generally gijub them out of the ground. — "The German Inhabitants of Pennsylvania'" in tlie "Essays," by Benj. Rush, M. D., 1798. 48 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN that cut through their land, and they often encroached upon such streets after they were opened : "1694-5. The 5th day of the 12th month. The overseers of the ways were ordered to cause the road towards Sarah Schu- mackers, to be declared and made, and else well and faithfully to discharge their duties. The overseers of the fences likewise were commanded to look strictly to all fences, and cause the fences in the Mill street to be removed on their right place, that the said street may have its just breadths between this and the last of the 5th month next." This court was not always able to enforce due respect for its dignity nor for its dignitaries : "170L. The nth day of the 9th month, T W and A C appeared in Court for direct answer con- cerning the fees and charges he was at in the case of H L ; the Court producing his accounts he said that the paper was cut off and blotted, and this was done since he deliv- ered it to the Court, and that who could trust such a court." His plainness of speech must have produced an impression, for we at once find the statement, "The Court adjourned for four weeks." "The 28tli day of November, 1704, D F coming into this Court behaved himself very ill, like one that was last night drunk, and not yet having recovered his witts. He railed most grievously on the Recorder, Simon Andrews, and the Bailiff, Aret Klincken, as persons not fit to sit in a court; he challenged Peter Schoemaker, one of the Judges on the bench, to come forth, and more like enormities. The Sheriff, William de Wees, telling him that he would not do so in Philadelphia, the said F himself, answered, no, not for a hundred pounds, and after abundance of foul language, when the Court bid the Sheriff and the Constable bring him out, he went himself, crying yr)U are all fools !" The record of the first court trial and the verdict of the first Coroner's jury impanelled follow: "1694. The fifth day of the 12th month, before Arnold Cassel, Bailiff, Reinert Tisen, Peter Schumacher, Jr., and John Doeden, the Eldest Burgesses, as also Heifert Papen, Recorder, proclamation being made, the jury was called and attested; jury- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 49 men : Peter Keurlis, James Kunders, Lenert Arets, Paul Wulff, Abraham Tunes, Walter Simens, Isaac Schumacher, Peter Cle- ver, Reiner Hermans, Antony Loof, William Strepers, Martin Seel. Johannes Roster's declaration against Johannes Pettinger was read, viz. : That the said Johannes Pettinger on the 19th of the nth month, 1694, at Germantown, did make an assault upon the said Johannes Koster, and him did pull, push, and evily handle against the King and Queen's peace, and to his the said Plaintiff's damage of three pounds, and thereof he brings suit, etc. The defendant's answer was that there was more in the plea than he had done. The witnesses, viz. : Philip Christian Zimmerman, Lorenz Marcus, Christian and Christiana Warner were attested and heard, and thereupon the jury did find for the plaintiff 2s." "James Delaplaine, Coroner, brought into the Court the names of the jury which he summoned the 24th day of the 4th month, 1701, viz.: Thomas W^illiams, foreman; Peter Keurlis, Herman op de Graeff, Reiner Peters, Peter Schumacher, Reiner Tisen, Peter Van Bon, John Umstett, Thomas Potts, Reiner Hermans, Dirck Johnson and Herman Turner." Their verdict was as follows: "We, the jury, find that through carelessness, the cart and the lime killed the man. the wheel wounded his back and head, and it killed him." It is qvnte evident that the people were without political aspirations, and that they felt themselves too busy to attend to the duties of public office. Conscientious scruples, native mod- esty, and hesitation to take a hand in the punishment of their fellow-townsman may have emphasized this disinclination. But whatever the cause, so frequent became the refusals to serve in office that fines for such refusals became necessary : "1700. The 7th day of the 9th month, Daniel Geissler re- fused to be Crier of the Court." "1701. The 7th day of the 9th month, John Lensen ap- peared in this Court, excusing himself from serving as Commit- teeman, because his conscience would not allow it.'' "1703. The nth of 3rd month, ^Matthews Milan being chosen Constable and he refusing to serve, is either to find another in his place, or to be fined according to law." It finally became so difficult to find persons willing to as- 50 HISTORY OP OLD GBRMANTOWN stime these public functions, that, in 1707, the attempt at bor- ough government was given up,* and Germantown became again a part of the Germantownship.^ It so remained until in 1847, w^hen borough government was re-established. In the interim, all of the officials of Germantown were township officers and imder the immediate direction of the county authorities in Phila- delphia. An Act of Assembly of the 27th of February, 1840, divided Germantown Township into two wards. The Upper Ward was the part northwest of Washington Lane, the resi- dents of which voted at the Golden Swan, Germantown ave- nue and East McPherson avenue, then occupied by Joseph Price. The Lower Ward voters cast their ballots at the Union School House, located in School House Lane. The votes of both wards were counted the following day at the Washington Tavern. Feb- ruary 8, 1842, the two wards were made separate election districts, and then, in accordance with the "Supplement to an Act for the Incorporation of Borovighs as far as relates to the Borough of Germantown," the Lower Ward was re-established as the Bor- ough of Germantown and the first election for borough officers was held at the Union School House, March 19, 1847. The returns showed as elected : Burgess — Charles M. Stokes. Town Council for two years — AMlliam Wagner, John Ritten- house, Philip R. Freas, Samuel Y. Harmer. Town Council for one year — Philip Physick, Joseph Hands- berry, F. Wm. Bockius, Frederick Flemins. Daniel Gulp was elected Town Constable. The new Town Council held its first meeting Alarch 24, 1847. Wm. Green wes selected by them as Town Clerk ; Abra- ham Gulp and William Toland, as Street Commissioners ; Joseph King, Jr., as Borough Surveyor; Thomas Magarge, as Borough Treasurer; Gideon Keyser, as Collector of Taxes for 1847; St. G. T. Camobell, as Borough Solicitor. The offices of the Insur- 4 Their action was hastened, no doubt, by the refusal of the Queen's attorney of the Province to recognize their acts as legal. Whether his attitude was due to their not yet being naturalized citizens; to the diffi- culties into -which the Proprietor, who had granted them their charter, had gotten in England; or entirely to the attorney's own designs, is not clear. 5 Nor did the difficulty end with the abandonment of borough govern- ment; for, as late as 1830 and 1831, we find such entries as the following in the records concerning the Germantown Poor House: "June 24, 1830, the Board (of Managers) received $20 from Peter Lei- bert for refusing to serve as Manager." "April 4, 1831, Christopher J. Jungkurth and Matthias Miller each paid $20 fine for not serving as Managers." HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 51 ance Company of Germantown were rented for the Council meetings. Some of the most important items of business trans- acted by the new Borough before its consolidation with the City, in 1854, were: i. The improvement of the streets and the opening of new ones, and also the more accurate surveying of the streets. In 1850, John Trautwine, who was then Borough TOWN HALL, Surveyor, was authorized to make and have published an accu- rate map of the Borough. 2. The provision for the erection of a Town Hall and Lock Up on the IMarket Square adjoining the German Reformed Church." 3. The establishment, in June, 1850, of the first police force for Germantown, by appointing two persons to assist the Town Constable at an annual salary of Sioo each. 6 Because of opposition to the project, the building was not erected at this place; but it was built, at the expense of the city, at the time of Con- solidation, in its present location, at the corner of Main and West Haines streets. CHAPTER IV OCCUPATIONS OF THE EARLY INHABITANTS The most important industr}^ among the persecuted Mennon- ites was the art of weaving. The first settlers of Germantown brought this art with them and at once began to raise flax, from which they wove all sorts of linen goods. Richard Frame, in his poem entitled "A Short Description of Pennsylvania," published by Wm. Bradford in 1692, says : "The German Town of which I spoke before, Which is, at least, in length one mile and more. Where lives High German People, and Low Dutch, Whose Trade in weaving Linnin Cloth is much. There grows the Flax, as also you may know. That from the same they do divide the Tow." In 1688, Willem Rittinghuysen, one of a family of paper makers of JMuhlheim, near Cologne, landed in New York. As at that time there was no printer in New York, he came to Philadelphia where William Bradford had set up his press. Here, in 1690, on a branch of the Wissahickon in Germantown, Rittinghuysen built the first paper mill in the Colonies.^ Richard Frame said of him that he "From linnen Rags good paper doth derive." Bradford had the privilege of taking all "ye printing paper that they (Wm. Rittinghuysen and his son Klaas) made, and he shall take ye same at ten shillings per ream." Judging from John Holmes' poem, "A True Relation of the Flourishing State of Pensilvania," probably written in 1693, Bradford must at first have had an interest in this mill. He writes : iThe first paper mill in New England was built at Milton. Mass.. 1730, by Daniel Henchman, with legislative aid. But it was discontinued within a few years, probably from lack of a workman to carry it on. It may be interesting- to note that by 1770, In the colonies of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, there were forty paper-mills, supposed to be making one hundred thousand pounds wortli of paper annually. At the breaking out of the Revolution, five years later, there -were three small paper-mills in Massachusetts, none in New Hampshire, and in Rhode Island one which was out of repair. See Munsell's "Chronology of Paper and Papermak- ing," p. 24. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 53 "Here dwelt a printer, and I find That he can both print books and bind; He wants not paper, ink nor skill He's owner of a paper mill. The paper mill is here hard by And makes good paper frequently. But the printer, as I here tell, Is gone unto New York to dwell." Penn regarded this paper mill as of so much importance that, when it was swept away by a flood during his last visit to his colony, he addressed a letter to the inhabitants urging them to use every effort to have it rebuilt. After Rittinghuy- sen's death, the mill was carried on with even greater success by his son Klaas (Nicolas). As early as 1683, Richard Townsend had a grist mill in Germantown. This was the first mill for grinding grain in the county of Philadelphia. To it the inhabitants "Brought their grist on men's backs, save one man who had a tame bull that performed the labor." Garrett Rittenhouse had a grist mill on Cresheim Creek in 1697. But other occupations were repre- sented among the early settlers, especially agriculture and stock- raising, the two things at once necessary for sustenance. Pasto- rius says : "The inhabitants of this town are for most part hand- workers (craftsmen) Cloth, Fustian and linen weavers, tailors, shoemakers, locksmiths, carpenters, who however, all are ac- quainted with agriculture and cattle breeding." He did not have a very high opinion of their ability as farmers, however ; for he reports to the Frankfort Company in March, 1684, that "two hours from here (Philadelphia) lies our German town, where already forty-two persons live in twelve households, who are mostly linen weavers, and not too well skilled in the culture of the ground." But the soil was fertile and well-watered, Philadelphia was near, and the German community was firmly established ; hence, as Loeher says of Germantown, "It became now for a long time the resort of the Germans that they might establish themselves as dealers and artisans in Philadelphia, or as farmers (in the woods), though perhaps as much because some desired nothing Quakerish."- Many of them also began to cultivate the vine as they had done in the Rhine cotmtry. When Pastorius was asked to design a town seal, he chose a 2 "Deutschen In Amerika," von Franz Loeher, Gottingen, 1855, p. 39. 54 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN GERMANTOWN SEAL. clover, placing on one leaf a vine, on another a bunch of flax, and on the third a weaver's spool ; accompanying it with the inscription "Viniim, Linum, et Textrinum." This, in the course of time, became to the Germans a clover with the device "Der Wein, der Lein, und der Webeschrein," and indicated to them the most promising industries of the Germans in the new land. Although Penn was greatly interested in grape-culture and very hopeful as to its prospects in his territory because, as he wrote to the Marquis of Halifax, the 9th of the 12th month, 1683, "Here grow wilde an incredible number of vines, that tho' sav- age and so not so excellent, be- sides that much wood and shade sower them, they yield a pleas- ant grape, and I have drunk a good clarett, though small and greenish, of Capt. Rappe's vin- tage of the savage grape ;" and, although Pastorius was so confident of the outcome of the in- dustry as to recommend his European friends to send along a supply of wine-barrels and vats of various sizes, the cultivation of the vine at first met with poor success. This was due, no doubt, to the fact that they endeavored to transplant the vari- ous European varieties of grapes to soil and climate conditions which were unfavorable to their growth. Hence this part of their town-seal soon came to have little meaning to them. A petition of the inhabitants of Germantown to the Pro- prietary, in 1 701, indicates several additional mdustries. In it they asked for a "surveyed road to enter the City stating they have none over Daniel Pegg's land and through Thomas Tison's Tobacco field at the North End of the City." They complained that they had been pushed out of several roads into woody and swampy grounds by the improvements, in a way highly danger- ous to their carts. They also state that they transport much malt, lime, and meal from three mills. A petition "To Council Held att phil 19th May 1698" shows that the burning of lime had already become an important industry — "petition of Nicholas Skull & others requesting that there may be an allowed rode HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 55 from the Lime-kilns, for carting of Lime to phila, extending from the sd Lime-kihis Into pHmouth rode, near Cressom, where there is neither Improved Land, Hill nor water to impede." In 1716, Thomas Rutter, a smith who lived near German- town, "set upon making iron." The exact name of his forge or bloomery is not known, but it was the first in the Province, as seems clear from the following obituary in the Pennsylvania Gazette for March, 5 to 13, 1729-30: "March 13th — On Sunday night last died here, Thomas Rutter, Sr., after a short illness. He was the first that erected an iron-work in Pa." Mrs. James in her "IMemorial of Thomas Potts, Junior," says that Rutter was an English Quaker who removed from Ger- mantown "forty miles up the Schuylkill, in order to work the iron mines of the Manatawny region." The founding of the forge she gives as it was described in a letter of Jonathan Dick- inson's, written in 1717: "This last summer one Thomas Rut- ter, a smith, who lives not far from Germantown, hath re- moved further up in the country, and of his own strength hath set upon making iron. Such it proves to be, as is highly set by by all the smiths here, who say that the best of Sweed's iron doth not exceed it." James M. Swank, in his "History of the Manufacture of Iron in All Ages," gives as the location of this forge a point three miles above Pottstown on the Manatawny Creek. ^Irs. James says it was called the Pool Forge ; but Swank doubts this and thinks it more likely was called Manatawny Forge, for in the Philadelphia Weekly Mercury of November I, 1720, appeared an advertisement for the recovery of one Thomas Fare, a Welshman, who was said to have run away from "the forge at Manatawny." Bishop has the same idea; for he says, "A forge is also mentioned, in March 1719-20, at Manatawny, then in Philadelphia, but now in Berks or ]\Iont- gomery Co. It was attacked by the Indians in 1728, but they were repulsed with great loss by the workmen."-'' Before the Revolution the tanning industry had become of some importance to Germantown, and the tan-yard of Peter Keyser, father of the Dunker preacher, was the scene of a fierce conflict during the Battle of Germantown as is evident from the bullet-riddled fence still standing on the property.* 3"History of American Manufactures." — Bishop, Vol. I, p. 552. 4Now tlie home of Elwood Johnson. 56 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN The manufacture of pottery was also a Germantown industry before the Revohition. After the Revolution Germantown became noted for a superior make of wool known as German- town Wool, and the woolen stockings knit by the inhabitants came into great demand.^ But these were not the only woolen manufactures engaged in by the early settlers of Germantown. "The old home of the woolen industry was Holland, and Eng- land had received her best workers in wool from that country; BULLET-RIDDLED FENCE so that the colonies had men entirely familiar with weaving. The Virginia colony was the first to introduce sheep, while the Dutch AVest India Companv brought them to New Nether- lands as early as 1625." But. "The colonists of New Netherlands could not make woolen, linen, or cotton cloth, or weave any other textiles, and this prohibition was under heavy penalty, 5"The most direct way to Germantown, is to pass up Third street, at the extremity of which you meet the turnpike road, and at tlie distance of six miles from the city, reach that healthful village. There are to be had the Avell-known ■woolen hosiery, which bear the name of the to^vn, manufactured in the families of the German settlers."- — Mease's "Pictures of Philadelphia," 1824. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 57 any one making such goods being banished and arbitrarily punished as perjurers. This was the restriction of the home government."" There were no such restrictions in Penn's colony and, as the Germantown settlers were skilled artisans, their industrial progress was rapid from the first. Penn seems to have offered a premium to stimulate interest in the production of cloth ; for, on the 17th of the yth month, 1686, a petition from Abraham Op den Graeff, of Germantown, was read in the Colonial Council "for the governor's promise to him who should make the first and finest piece of linen cloth." He also encouraged the holding of fairs at stated intervals for the purpose of furnishing a ready market for domestic products;^ so that, as early as 1698, we find that the colonists were producing not only linen and hempen goods, but also druggets, serges, crepes, camblets, kerseys, linsey-woolseys, etc. The earliest settlers found their market for such goods in Philadelphia. "The linen sellers and weavers used to stand with the goods for sale on the edgQ of the pave- ment in Market street, on the north side, near to Second street corner.'' — Watson. Wigart Levering, who was one of German- town's earliest settlers, set up, in what is now Roxborough, a loom for the weaving of all of these goods, thus laying the foundation of one of the largest manufacturing plants of our later days. ^Matthew Houlgate had a fulling-mill in operation on the AVissahickon, near Germantown, before the year 1720. But the factory system and improved machinery had not yet made their appearance. All of these occupations were largely home industries and quite commonly carried on by members of the family in connection with other employments. Con- sequently, the materials produced were more or less crude and unfinished, most of the woolen cloth being worn without shear- ing, pressing, or other finish. As such luxuries as soft and soothing underwear were unknown, any of our worthy ancestors who were so unfortunate as to be tender-skinned needed, while dressed in the woolen cloth of that dav, no hair-cloth shirts to remind them of their need of doing penance. But the finest products of their flax-fields were a matter of great pride to them, and we read that the other woven goods "daily improved in oWright's "Industrial Evolution of the United States," pp. 43-45. 'Watson says "On the 20th of October, 1746, a great public fair was held at Germantown." 58 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN quality." Their manufacture, at least, afforded employment to a rapidly increasing number of dyers, fullers, combmakers, cardmakers, weavers, spinners, etc., who having attained excep- tional skill in some one of these lines, .came at last to adopt it as their sole occupation. "The price, in 1688, for spinning worsted or linen, we are told, was usually two shillings the pound, and for knitting coarse yarn stockings, half a crown a pair. The price for weaving linen of half a yard in width was ten or twelve pence per yard. Wool combers or carders received twelve shill- ings per week and 'their diet.' "^ The great improvements in the clumsy wagons and car- riages of colonial days made by Wm. Ashmead and the Bring- hursts, caused the building of vehicles to become one of Ger- mantown's most profitable industries in the early part of the Nineteenth Century. These improvements represented a com- parative increase of comfort in traveling which is difficult for us to appreciate in these days of luxurious dining cars and sleeping coaches. We are apt to measure the colonists by the phenomenal industrial progress of our own day and thus to forget that they were both energetic and progressive. The Dutch had, previous to 1670, developed the old foot and hand-power loom, which contains the essential features of our modern power-looms and which was as great an advance over the ancient weaving in fixed frames as the power-loom is over the loom of their inven- tion. They had also by that time made so many other improve- ments in the manufacture of cloth as to make their country the great center of that industry. But their inventive genius also followed other lines. Guicciardini, an Italian, who lived among them for forty years, said of them, in 1563, "They have a special and happy talent for the ready invention of all sorts of machines, ingenious and suitable for facilitating, shortening, and dispatching everything they do, even in the matter of cook- ing." The English imbibed from the Dutch much of this spirit of improvement and from the latter part of the Eighteenth Cen- tury on have added their full share to labor-saving and labor- perfecting inventions. But there were scholars and noted public men as well as artisans among the earlier inhabitants of Germantown. "The settlers were in no way coarse people ; the ]\Iennonites appre- 8"History of American Manufactures." — Bishop, Vol. I, p. 317. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 59 ciated enlightenment and were themselves also closely related to the higher rank."" In 1668, in a private letter to King Charles II, Colonel Francis Lovelace bears the same testimony in regard to the Dutch settlers of New York; for in it he says, "I find some of these people have the breeding of courts, and I cannot con- ceive how such is acquired. "^° Pastorius had travelled extensively and was one of the best linguists of his day. Loeher says that he remained Penn's intimate friend and that Penn wrote to Pastorius's father that ,;?> Mere f.. fcH<.t -»,.j.r./j "- flic .'):.^c'.,.r,.t:!?i.^rfvnTa»>, £ 1 ^ ' ^ Sebcuicrcfr lv^•l■^cn; ::i' oir'i'^i t i-iu ©rab; 3>f? \'??en^* T> i' i . ^t'Pu nf i ^ (lirn« auMaiirt, @uO IM in nnD r m Set fitciiu^ '■ (^lS ^^ eto « I 1 5^'Stl riifchicDfn.ti iti^nti :!> i <5:d!ficm, ansfVU Ta ;^ 1 i , c i f / 's i' 'f $iu^mc{)tct i>i.ni 4oiSinb9'ifUti "otcitc, KMifcrlict) lu^'t (p Scticcf) in c iKii ciiai rm Jliti!a>ii cbiK imictli lUi UltUKl) li itlUdHtl film <£m iirtb 3n.vtirici)?t i m,il bcr.tiio gi-jc!. it? ^ut itir u 1 t-.i ^ i III, .if HiKtt foimtn bit aiiSn>.:rtiHf Sjriu'i U'li' 6« iJjoiti T^likr in PuL^Ji & TITLE PAGE OP A SAUR ALMANAC issued in America ; his press from the beginning being largely employed upon religious and educational publications. Saur also published the first German Almanac in Pennsyl- vania and, in 1743, after three years of labor, he issued his famous- 15 Its title pag-e reads, "Ein Schall und Gegenschall der Wahrheit und des g-esundten Verstandes Christllebender Seelen in Diesen Americanische land tlieil." HISTORY OP OLD GERMANTOWN 63 edition of the Bible in German. This was thirty-nine years before Robert Aitkin pubHshed the first EngHsh edition printed in America. Besides, Saur's Bible was a quarto of 1,272 pages, "by far the heaviest publication which had yet been issued from the press in Pennsylvania, and was not equalled for many years after." Christopher Saur, the second, issued a second edition of 2000 volumes of this quarto Bible in 1763, and a third edition of 3000 volumes in 1776. Saur's purpose in publishing the Bible, he states in a letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, was to furnish his countrymen with copies of the Scriptures ; for he says that they "were ill supplied with Bibles" at that time. He accordingly placed a moderate price on them and offered to furnish them to the poor gratuitously. "The price of our newly- finished Bible in plain binding, with a clasp, will be eighteen shillings ; but to the poor and the needy we have no price." As all printing type was at this time imported from Europe, and hence very expensive, Saur began to manufacture type in Ger- mantown. He thus established there the first type-foundry in America.^'' He also made his own printing-ink. His son and only child, Christopher, known as Christopher Saur (or Sower) the second, continued and enlarged the publishing business. "The book manufactory of Christopher Sower the second, was for many years by far the most extensive in the British American colonies. It employed several binderies, a paper-mill, an ink- manufactory, and a foundry for German and English type."^'^ The printing business thus established in Germantown by Saur, and which is still carried on in Philadelphia by his descendants, is the oldest existing publishing house in the United States. It is interesting to note, in connection with the printing of the first English edition of the Bible in America, that William Bradford contemplated printing such an edition, in Philadelphia, by subscription, as early as 1688. This fact was accidentally discovered by Nathan Kite, a Friend, about one hundred and fifty years after it occurred, while he was examining an old quarto edition of the Bible in the Library of the Friends Meeting at 304 Arch street. Noticing that the white paper on the inside cover had printing on the reverse side, he carefully loosened it and found that it contained the following proposal : 10 Dr. Julius P. Sachse disputes liis point. See liis "German Sectarians," Vol. II, p. 45. 1" Bishop's "History of American Manufactures," Vol. I, p. 182. 64 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN "Proposals for the Printing of a Large Bible by William Bradford These are to give notice, that it is proposed for a large house-Bible to be Printed by way of Subscription (a method usual in England for the Printing of large Volumes, because Printing is very changeable) that to all who are willing to forward so good (and great) a Work as the printing of the holy Bible, are offered these proposals, viz.: 1. That it shall be printed in a fair Character, on good Paper, and well bound. 2. That it shall contain the Old and New Testament, with the Apocraphy, and all to have useful marginal notes. 3. That it shall be allowed (to them that subscribe) for Twenty Shillings per Bible (A Price which one of the same volume in England would cost). 4. That the pay shall be half Silver Money, and half Country Pro- duce at money price. One half down now, and the other half on the delivery of the Bibles. 5. That those who do subscribe for six, shall have the seventh gratis, and have them delivered one month before any above that num- ber shall be sold to others. 6. To those which do not subscribe, the said Bibles will not be allowed under 2C s. a piece. 7. Those who are minded to have the Common Prayer, shall have the whole bound up for 22 s. and those that do not subscribe, 28 s. and 6 d. per Book. 8. That as encouragement is given by Peoples Subscribing and pay- ing down one half, the said work will be put forward with what Expedi- tion may be. 9. That the Subscribers may enter their Subscriptions and time of Payment, at Pheneas Pemberton's and Robert Hall's in the County of Bucks, at Malen Stacy's Mill at the Falls, at Thomas Budd's House in Burlington, at John Hasting's in the County of Chester, at Edward Blake's in New Castle, at Thomas Woodroofs in Salem, and at William Bradford's in Philadelphia, Printer and Undertaker of the said work. At which places the Subscribers shall have a Receipt for so much of their sub- scriptions paid, and an obligation for the delivery of the number of Bibles (so Printed and Bound as aforesaid) as the respective Subscriber shall deposit one half for. Also this may further give notice that Samuel Richardson and Samuel Carpenter of Philadelphia, are appointed to take care and be assistant in the laying out of the Subscription Money, and to see that it be employ'd to the use intended, and consequently that the whole Work be expedited. Which is promised in Philadelphia, the 14th of the 1st month, 1688. William Bradford." Althotigh these Bibles were not printed, owing- to difficul- ties into which Bradford soon got with the authorities, and later on in church controversies, and which led him to remove to New York, it is worth noting that Bradford's proposition ante- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 65 dates Cotton Mather's proposition to print the Bible, some forty years. Peter Leibert and Michael Billmaier published a collection of "edifying songs," in German town, in 1787. Each of them afterwards published various editions of the Psalter and of other religious works. David Rittenhouse, grandson of the first American paper- maker, was born in Germantown on the 8th of April, 1732. He became a noted mathematician and one of the most successful astronomical observers of his time. While but a mere boy, DAVID RITTENHOUSE "His plough, the fences, and even the stones of the field in which he worked, were frecjuently marked with figures which denoted a talent for mathematical studies. "^^ He had a great genius for mechanics and constructed an orrery to illustrate the relative size and position, as well as the periodic movements, of the planetary system. It was more extensive and complete than any made by former astronomers and was used for many years by the college at Princeton. A second one was made by him, after the same model, for use in the College of Philadelphia ; it now forms a part of the philosophical apparatus of the University 18 See "Essays" by Benj. Rush, M. D., PhUadelphia, 1798. 66 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN of Pennsylvania. Rittenhouse also played a prominent part in the affairs of his day — as Vice-President of the Commtitee of Safety during the Revolution, as State Treasurer from 1777 to 1779, and as Franklin's successor to the Presidency of the Philo- sophical Society. During this time, he was employed to deter- mine the latitude and longitude that fixed the northern and the western boundaries of Pennsylvania, and was also a member of the commission appointed to adjust the boundary between Pennsylvania and Virginia (now West Virginia). In 1769, he helped to determine the boundary between New York and New Jersey and, in 1787, he performed the same service for New York and Massachusetts. He was also the first director of the Phila- delphia Mint , and it was due to his arduous eft'orts that its work was so successfully organized. The Mint at this time was located on the east side of Seventh street near Filbert, and Rittenhouse lived at the northwest corner of Seventh and Arch streets. He died here in 1796, and was buried under- neath the astronomical observatory which he had erected in the yard of the property. Some years afterwards the body was re- moved to the graveyard connected with the Third Presbyterian Church at Fourth and Pine Streets. Renwick says of him, "We should place him in point of scientific merit second to Franklin alone. * * * He had shown himself the equal in point of learning and skill as an observer to any practical astronomer then living." Thomas Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, was born in 1704, near Germantown, on what became later the Spen- cer farm. He was one of the first members of the famous Junto Club, and Benjamin Franklin, who was the originator of it, calls him "a skillful though self-taught mathematician, and the inventor afterwards of what is named 'Hadley's Dial.' '' James Logan, writing of Godfrey, says "the first time I ever saw or heard of him to my knowledge, he came to borrow Sir Isaac Newton's Principia, and after a little discourse he soon became welcome to that or any other book I had." Then he adds, "this young man about eighteen months since told me that he had for some time been thinking of an instru- ment for taking distances of stars." Logan asserts in a letter to a friend that Godfrey's invention of the quadrant was two years prior to the making of the form of the quadrant known as "Hadley's Dial." That the idea of the quadrant was sug- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 67 THOMAS GODFREY'S SUN DIAL gested to Godfrey by a piece of broken glass upon which the sun was shining, while he was repairing a broken window in Logan's house, seems to be an apochyrphal yarn lacking con- firmation. Gilbert Stuart, a pupil of Benjamin West's, came to Phila- delphia, in 1794, because of his desire to paint a portrait of W'ashington. He took up his residence in Germantown, where he remained until Congress moved to Washington ; when he also moved to that place. Watson says, "his dwelling was the same as that now^^ occu])ied by David Styer." His studio was in the barn in the rear and had but one window in it.-'' It was here that he executed his famous head of Washington, as well as the full-length portrait afterwards engraved by Heath — al- though Watson's account seems to indicate that Washington sat for the latter at the house of Mrs. Bingham. Charles Wilson Peale, who had also been a pupil of West's, removed his family from the City to "Belfield," which is just beyond Fisher's Lane 19 About the year 1830. It is the property at 5140 Germantown avenue. 20 This barn was destroyed by fire in 1854; but the walls which after- wards were partly covered in were allowed to remain until quite recently. 68 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN Station, during the troubled days of the Revolution. Wash- ington, at the request of the Supreme Executive Council, sat for a portrait to Peak in 1779. This is the portrait from which the artist the next year made a mezzotint engraving. The por- trait itself was destroyed by the British. Peale's studio was at Third and Lombard streets, Philadelphia. Owing to his passion for collecting curios and objects of natural history, this grew PORTRAIT OP GILBERT STUART too small for him and he removed to Philosophical Hall, Fifth below Chestnut street, in 1796. In 1802, he displayed his splendid collection of curiosities and works of art in the State House, the second floor and east room of which he had secured for that purpose. In one room he showed over one hundred portraits of eminent persons painted by himself and his son Rembrandt. When his gallery was sold, in 1853, the City purchased the HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 69 rarest of his portraits for Independence Hall. In April, 1816, Peale advertised that his museum would be lighted with gas, "gas-lights burning without wick or oil." This was a great novelty, but regarded as so dangerous that Councils soon disap- proved of his manufacturing gas in the State House, and warned him that he would be held responsible for any damage that misht ensue. CHARLES Vv'ILLSON PEALE Commodore James Barron, who served with distinction dur- ing the War of 1812 and who was in command at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from August 11, 1824, to May 6, 1825, and again from May 20. 183 1, to July 3, 1837,-^ became a resident of Ger- mantown soon after the unfortunate duel in which he killed Commodore Decatur. ^1 From the official records through the courtesy of Capt. T. C. McLean, U. S. N. 70 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN John Fanning Watson, "the Annahst," became cashier of the Bank of Germantown in the year 1814, at which time he took up his residence in Germantown. He held this posi- tion for over thirty years, when he resigned to become secre- tary and treasurer of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad. His "Annals of Philadelphia" was first published in 1830, but was revised and published in two volumes in 1842, and in 1856 it was again revised. He also wrote annals of New York city and of New York state, as well as of the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, he was the author of a dictionary of poetical quotations and of works on theology. He died De- cember 23, i860. William Ashmead, a Germantown blacksmith, conceived the idea of an open front and much lighter carriage than the great lumbering coaches of his day. The first carriage he built was hired out by the day and kept very busy until it was bought and taken to the South. Others were then made and sold, and the Bringhursts, who up to this time had been chaise-makers, took up their manufacture and further extended the improvements. Watson wrote, "Germantown has been pre-eminent for its su- perior build of carriages and vehicles, but in late years the work- men of Newark have drawn off the business by their reduced prices." Ashmead also made himself a plough with a wrought- iron mould-board. This great improvement over the old style wooden mould-board was so much admired by Lafayette that he had four of the improved ploughs made for his LaGrange farm in France. Ashmead did not patent his idea, and some one took the hint from it to make the cast-iron mould-boards that are now so universally used on ploughs. Lack of space permits the mere mention of Abraham Rex. of Chestnut Hill, and Leonard Stoneburner, of Germantown. who, Watson claims, were the first to use plaster of Paris and cloverseed on their farms ; Cap- tain Douglass Ottinger, inventor of "the life-car," who was born in Germantown in 1804; Louisa Alcott, who was born in Ger- mantown and whose father resided there for several years after her birth ; Samuel Longfellow, brother of the poet, who was for several years pastor of the Unitarian Church in Germantown ; and precludes referring to the many residents of this beautiful suburban town who within more recent years liave been well known in the business, political or literary world. CHAPTER V RELIGION The early settlers were a religious people ; in fact, they had been attracted to Pennsylvania largely because, in his invi- tations to settlers and in the "Laws Agreed upon in England By the Governeur and Divers of the Freemen of Pennsylvania," Penn had guaranteed freedom of worship to all. In these laws MENNONITE CHURCH he says, "That all Persons living in this Province who confess and acknowledge the One Almighty and Eternal God to be the Creator Upholder and Ruler of the World, and that hold them- selves obliged in Conscience to live peaceably and cjuietly in Civil Society, shall in no wayes be molested or prejudiced for their Religious Persuasion or Practice in matters of Faith and Worship, nor shall they be compelled at any time to frequent or maintain any Religious W^Drship, Place or ^linistry whatever. '^ This seemed like freedom almost to the point of laxity in those days, but meetings were at once established by the settlers, the 72 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN first ones being held in private houses. In 1686, the first church building was erected. It was probably a Friends' meeting house and of wood. This meeting seems to have been organized in the house of Thones Kunders as early as 1683. The log church was replaced by a stone structure in 1705. The following record, in the minutes of the Philadelphia Meeting, indicates that that body assisted in this work : "ist month, 1705. Daniel Pas- torius and Arnett Clinken from Germantown, request the assistance of this Meeting towards their building a new meeting-house, which ffriends^ seem very ready and willing to do, and it is agreed that a subscription may be begun at the beginning of the next monthly meeting." The build- ing fronted on the Main street and was within the limits of the present graveyard of the Friends' Meeting. Pastorius, although a Pietist, had evidently allied himself with the Friends' Meeting in Germantown from the first. A log church for the Mennonites was built some time be- tween 1703 and 1708- on ground given for that purpose by Arnold Van Vossen. Their first preacher was Wm. Rittenhouse. The following is the list of the members belonging at that time : OLD MENNONITB COMMUNION TABLE Wynant Bowman Ann Bowman Cornelius Claassen Peter Conrad Civilia Conrad Gertrude Conrad Johannes Conrad Jacob Godsclialk and wife Joliannes Gorgas Margaret Huberts Conrad Jolmson and wife Harmen Kasdorp and wife Martin Kolb and wife Heinrich Kassel and wife Johannes Krey Helena Krey Paul Klumpges Johannes Kolb Jacob Kolb Barbara Kolb Arnold Kuster Elizabeth Kuster Hermannus Kuster Peter Keyser Catherine Kasselberg Jan Lensen initial letters to take tlie place of capitals iThe practice of doublins was common at tliis time. 2Watson in liis Annals of Pliiladelpliia, gives 1709 as the date. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 73 Jan Neuss Hans Neuss Wm. Rittenhouse and wife Altien Rebenstock Mary Sellen Hendrick Sellen Hermen Tuynen Mary Tuynen Margaret Tyson Altien Tyson Christopher Timmerman Civilia Van Vossen Arnold Van Vossen Isaacs Jacob Van Bebber Jacob Isaacs Van Bebber Isaac Van Sintern and wife Sarah Van Sintern The present church was built in 1770, as the date stone in the front gable indicates. Twenty families of Dunkers, or German Baptists, came from Germany, in 1719, and settled in Germantown. Christopher Lehman claims that their first church building was the log DUNKER CHURCH AND SEXTON'S HOI^SE house of John Pettikofler, and that it stood in front of where the present building stands. He further states that, this being the first house in that part of the Germantownship and Petti- koffer having begged the materials for it, the early inhabitants called this portion of their settlement "Beggarstown."^ Between 1719 and 1729, the whole of the Dimker sect came to America and formed many prosperous settlements in Pennsylvania and the adjoining colonies. IMany schisms occurred in this sect ; one of them gathered about Conrad Beissel at Ephrata and 3Sachse denies this. See his "German Sectarians of Pennsylvania, 1708- 1742, p. 21s. See also a further discussion in the History of the Dunker Church, g-iven in Vol. II of the present work. 74 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN formed there a communal brotherhood which estabhshed the Monastery of Ephrata. They were German Seventh Day Bap- tists, and had many curious customs. Lehman speaks of how "they used to dress all alike, and without hats, and covered their heads with hoods of their cloaks, which were a kind of gray surtout, like the Dominican friars, also girt about the waist, and barefooted with sandals. Old persons now living remember when forty or fifty of them would come thus attired on a religious visit to Germantown, walking silently in Indian file and all with long beards." They set up a printing press and a bindery at Ephrata and had many intelligent men among their numbers. The church in Germantown was one of the strongest and most prosperous ones connected with the Dunker faith. Christopher Saur, founder of the noted publishing house, was an elder in this church. In 1694, there arrived in Germantown a band of about forty Pietists who were not only followers of Spener but also had absorbed much of the mystical theology of Jacob Boehm, "the inspired shoemaker of Goerlitz." They had embarked under the leadership of John Jacob Zimmerman, but he died on the way and Henry Bernard Koster then became leader. They tarried in Germantown for about two months, when, having received a gift of land on "the Ridge." near what is now Rox- borough, they settled there and established a community known by the peculiar name of "The Society of the Woman of the Wilderness." This name was adopted because they believed in the near approach of the Second Coming of Christ leaning on the arm of the "woman of the wilderness," as referred to in Rev. XII, 6. The community soon became more or less scat- tered, many of its number settling in Germantown. Among these were Daniel Falkner, Henry Lorenz, Peter Schaeffer. and Ludwig Biderman. The latter in order to marry Zimmerman's daughter, Maria Margaretta, separated from the community and took up his residence in Germantown. Another of their band, Johannes Kelpius, "The Hermit of the Wissahickon," spent most of his time apart from them in prayer in a cave, near the banks of the Wissahickon. A cave still exists which is pointed out as Kelpius' Cave, but there is some doubt as to its being the one occupied by him. Kelpius left a Journal in which he kept a copy of some of the most valued letters of his voluminous cor- HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 75 respondence. One of these is a very interesting twenty-two page letter in German, written to Maria Elizabeth Gerber, of Virginia, Oct. 10, 1704. Another is an English missive of eleven pages, written to Hester Palmer, in which he describes the "Threefold Wilderness State." — See Sachses "German Pietists." Doctor Witt, a noted Germantown physician, from frequent visits to Kelpius and John Seelig (Latin Seligius), another of these mystical Pietists who was known as "the last of the hermits," adopted many of their beliefs and prac- tices. Although he was a man of science and a great trav- eller, he was superstitious and credulous and anticipated many of the beliefs of the Spiritualists of our day. He is said to have taught Christian Lehman and Henry Fraley the mys- teries of the horoscope, and to have "cast nativities" and prac- tised divining. He came to be known as a "majus," diviner, or conjurer. He is buried near the chancel in St. Michael's Church in High street. An interesting though pathetic episode in the history of these German Sectarians, is furnished by the life of Peter Cor- nelius Plockhoy, of Zurick Zee, who in his last days lived in Germantown. Plockhoy believed in the equality and brother- hood of man, and that great advantages were to be derived from living in communal houses and from working in common. He secured the attention of the great Protector, Oliver Cromwell, to his plans ; but, unfortunately Cromwell died before acting in the matter. Plockhoy then printed a pamphlet setting forth his views, in 1659, with which he unsuccessfully petitioned Parlia- ment. He now turned his thought towards the New World as the most favorable place in which to test his plans. As the Dutch then owned New Netherlands, he selected a place on the South River* for his settlement, and published a pamphlet at Amsterdam, in 1662, setting forth his plan and inviting settlers. The same year he reached the shores of the Delaware with twenty-four Mennonite companions and began a settlement which they called "Swaanandal," the Valley of the Swans. But war soon broke out between England and Holland ; and a boat was sent out from an English fleet, which, under Sir Robert Carr, had entered the Delaware, and carried ofif or destroyed all that "belonged to the Quaking Society of Plockhoy to a very 4 The Delaware; the Hudson being the North River. 76 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN naile." What became of the remainder of the people is un- known ; but, in 1694, the unfortunate Plockhoy, poor and bhnd, appeared with his wife in Germantown and was given his citizen- ship free of charge. They were, also given a small lot on which to build a little house and where they might have a small garden. Jan Doeden and William Rittinghausen then took up a free-will collection to have the house built. ^ 5 See Vol II. for a full account of Plockhoy in Germantown. CHAPTER VI SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS Although the early settlers of Germantown were undoubt- edly of the better class of German immigrants, some seventeen years elapsed before they organized a school for their children. Conditions in Germany before their emigration had been adverse to education, and the arduous life of the new settlement did not foster thought upon the subject. But, in 1701, that veteran scholar, Pastorius, did organize a school which he conducted until his death in 1719. Aret Klincken, Paul Wulff and Peter Schumacher, Jr., were the "overseers" who collected the sub- scriptions and provided for the opening of the school. Pastorius' sons, in a letter to their grandfather, state that they attended S'chool for eight hours each day except on Saturday when they had school only in the morning. The following entry in the minutes of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting indicates that Pastorius taught a Friends' school in Philadelphia previous to 1701 : "28th day of the nth month 1697. Samuel Carpenter makes Report to this meeting that several ffriends met together according to the Desire of the last monthly meeting to treat with Daniel Pastorius and Thomas Makins for keepmg a Public School. And the fifriends then met agreed with them, provided the meeting approved the same. That the monthly meeting engage to Pay them Forty Pounds each year during the time they continue in the said School, iYriends providing a school house. Which being approved of, the Money is to be raised by way of Subscription, and Samuel Carpenter and James Fox are desired to get the subscriptions and to bring them in to the next monhtly meeeting. It is agreed also that they shall begin the School the ist of the ist month next and that Samuel Car- penter and James Fox do acquaint them of it, and that prepara- tions for the School be made in the Inner Chamber over the 78 HISTORY OP OLD GERM AN TOWN meeting house. "^ Pastorius, probably finding the distance from Germantown to this school too great, was succeeded in it the 29th of the 1st month, 1700, by John Cadwallader. During the time of his service Pastorius was employed to do the writing of the Society and Reiner Jansen was engaged to do their printing. Pennypacker names the following as having sent pupils to Pastorius in his Germantown school :- Lenert Arets Benjamin Armitage W. Baumann Joseph Coulson James De la Plaine Wilhelm Dewees Cornelius Dewees Jan Doeden Jan DeWilderness Paul Engle Jacob Gottschalk Hans Graeff Wilhelm Hosiers Richard Huggin Jurgen Jacobs Howell James Conrad Jansen Dirck Jansen Hendrick Kassel Paul Kastner Peter Keurlis Peter Keyser Anthony Klincken Aret Klincken Tunes Kunders Aret Kuster Jan Lensen Anton Loot Jan Lucken Hans Heinrich Mehls Matthias Milan Benjamin Morgan Hans Neuss Jan Neuss Jonas Potts Thomas Potts Samuel Richardson Claus Rittinghuysen Conrad Rutter George Schumacher Isaac Schumacher Peter Schumacher Hendrick Sellen Walter Simons Wilhelm Strepers Cornelius Tisen Richard Townsend Abraham Tunes Herman Tunes Arnold Van Fossen Isaac Van Sintern Christian Warner Christopher Witt Paul Wulff Few schools have ever had a more learned schoolmaster. "This remarkable man, Francis Daniel Pastorius, was born in Somerhausen, Germany, September 26, 165 1, and died Sep- tember 27, 1719. He came of a good family, of official standing, and he himself was well educated at the University of Strasburg, the high school at Basle, and the law school at Jena. He w^as well accjuainted with the classical languages, and such modern tongues as French, Dutch, English and Italian. He began the practice of law in Frankfort, then traveled for two years in Hol- land, England. France and Switzerland, and his own country, returning to Frankfort just in time to hear of Penn's new-born province and put himself at the head of the German movement towards it."^ Watson says of him: "Francis Daniel Pastorius i"The Great Meeting House" of Friends, and Market streets. southwest corner Second 2See his "History of the Settlement of Germantown." SScharf and Westcott's "History of Philadelphia." Vol. I, p. 116. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 79 was a chief among the first settlers ; he was a scholar, and wrote Latin in a good hand, and left a curious manuscript work called 'The Bee,'* containing a beautiful collection of writing, and vari- ous curious selections." He was made a Doctor of Laws at Nu- remberg in 1676, and combined within himself the various attain- ments of statesman, linguist, scholar, prose writer, poet and humorist. And yet he sleeps in an unknown grave. A few years later, probably in 1708 — for, September 3, 1708. they wrote to the Brethren in Amsterdam for "some catechisms for the children and little Testaments for the young," — a school was started in the old log Mennonite Church. Christopher Dock, who arrived in this countr}^ in 1714, and who came to be called "the pious schoolmaster of the Skippack," became its teacher, probably soon after his arrival, for we know that in 1718 he was teaching a school on the Skippack and in 1741 was devoting three days of each week to it and the remaining three days to the school in Germantown. After his scholars had gone and the trials and disappointments of his day's work were over, this pious teacher was in the habit of kneeling in prayer in behalf of his recalcitrant pupils. He was deeply impressed with the value of moral training and has the honor of writing the first work on general pedagogy published in America. It was "A Simple and Thoroughly Prepared School Organization,"^ and was published by Christopher Saur in Germantown in 1770. Dock also wrote "A Hundred Necessary Rules of Conduct for Children," which was published in Saur's magazine in 1764, and is America's first work on etiquette. Death found this pious teacher while at his customary prayer after the dismissal of his school. The kind hearted Anthony Benezet taught school in German- town from 1739 until he went to teach in the Friends' Public School in Philadelphia, in 1742. Contrary' to the custom of the time, he discarded rules, rods and rulers as barbarous, and governed his school by kindness. Watson says, "The good Anthony Benezet taught his scholars at ten shillings a quarter." Becoming deeply interested in the education of negroes, he pro- vided in his will for their free instruction. He desired that no 4"The Alvearium or Bee Hive" is the correct title. 5"Eine einfaeltig-e und gruncUich abgefasste Schul-Ordnung-," by Chris- topher Dock, of Germantown. Gedruckt und zu flnden bei Christopher Saur, 1770. 8o HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN tombstone mark his grave, but, if his friends insisted upon erect- ing one, that they should inscribe upon it : ANTHONY BBNEZET was A Poor Creature and Through Divine Favor was Enabled To Know It. The Moravians, who made their first settlement at Bethle- hem in 1 741, but who had missionaries at work in the colony of Pennsylvania as early as 1734, opened their first school in the colonies in German town, in the spring of 1742. Their leader, Count Zinzendorf, had been anxious to have a school here, and, on the 17th of April, decided "To commence a school in Ger- mantown on the model of the Brethren's schools in Germany." It was opened as a boarding school in the Ashmead house,*' and was in charge of Zinzendorf and his sixteen-year-old daughter, the Countess Benigna. This school was transferred to Bethle- hem, in June, 1742, and there developed into one of the most famous boarding schools of Colonial times. Count Zinzendorf seems to have been somewhat Quixotic, especially in religious matters, and to have seriously offended several worthy German- town families by "taking off their young and maiden daughters to Germany as members of his congregation."' James Logan, in a confidential letter to a friend in 1743, does not hesitate to denounce him as mentally unbalanced and as a mere knight- errant in religion.^ But the school which he established was so successful that another Moravian school took its place when it was removed from Germantown to Bethlehem. This school v/as held in the Bechtel house,'' and, in 1747, was attended by fifty boys and girls, among the number being two Mohegan Indian girls. One of the many rules for the government of this school reads as follows : "Parents are desired not to visit their children frequently, as it does them no good ; parents are desired c Now No. 5454 Germantown avenue. T See Bradford's Mercury for August 14, 1743, for Zinzendorfs replies to two such complaints. s The Pennsylvania Journal of December 20, 1750, and Rimius' work on Zinzendorf, published in London, in 1753, give a full account of his life and teaching's. 9 Now No. 5226 Germantown avenue. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN not to give their children expensive presents, and thus avoid dissatisfaction ; the children are to attend meeting Sunday morn- ing and afternoon. "^° Some of the best successes of the Moravian Church in America came from its missionary efforts, through church and school, among the Indians; and the complete subjec- tion of the savage Indian character to the gentle tuition of this sect will always remain one of its most glorious tributes. The next school of which we have any record was that of Hilarius Becker who "for some time past has kept a German school to general satisfaction," This was prior to the opening of the Germantown Academy ; for then he took charge of the GERMANTOWN ACADEMY German portion of that school, a position which he held until 1778, when he was succeeded by John Augustus Edert. The Germantown Academy, located "in the lane or cross- street leading towards the Schuylkill, commonly called Bensil's Lane," was built 1760, on ground purchased from John and George Bringhurst for one hundred and twenty-five pounds. It probably opened the nth day of i\ugust, 1761. From the min- utes of the Trustees, we gather that there was "a meeting of several of the inhabitants of Germantown, and places adja- cent, at the house of Daniel Mackinett in said town, the 6th day of December, 1759," when "it was unanimously agreed upon loSee Wickersham's "History of Education in Pennsylvania," p. 152. 82 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN by those present that a large, commodious schoolhouse should be erected in said town, near the center thereof, two rooms on the first floor whereof should be for the use of English and High Dutch, or German schools, and be continued for that use, and no other, forever ; and there should be convenient dwellings built for the schoolmasters to reside in." The fact that there were two languages then in use in Germantown presented a difificulty which was settled by having two schools, one for Eng- lish speaking children, the other for German. In 1762, there were sixty pupils in the German school and seventy in the English, about twenty of the latter being boarding pupils. It was called the Union School House, Becker having charge of the German school, the English school being placed in charge of David James Dove, an eccentric Englishman who had taught languages for several years in the Academy on Fourth street, Philadelphia. A house was given the German master to live in and it was agreed that he should "have the half of the school- house to keep school in, and to teach reading, writing and arith- mrric, at what price he can agree with the parents or masters of the scholars." Tuition for the English school was "40 s. per annum." Dove received a salary of one hundred pounds and, in addition, was allowed to take some boarding pupils, a privilege he seems to have abused, for, in 1763, complaint was made that he had twenty boarders. For this and other abuses it was decided that he must leave ; although three months' grace were allowed him, "provided he conducts in a sober, decent and regu- lar manner during that time." Jwdge Peters, one of Dove's pupils, says he was called Dove ironically, "for his temper was that of a hawk and his pen was the beak of a falcon pouncing on innocent prey." But he was also a humorist and usually substituted disgrace for corporal pimishment. Instead of flogging, his birch was stuck into the back part of the collar of the unfortunate culprit, who, with this badge of disgrace towering up like a broom at the mast of a ves- sel for sale, w^as obliged to stand on a desk before the school. For late pupils he would dispatch a committee of boys with tinkling bell and lighted lantern to escort them to school. Being just, he did not refuse to be so escorted upon one occasion in which he himself was late, "to the no small gratification of the HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 83 boys and entertainment of the spectators. "^^ He once used the following reproof, delivered in his highest voice, when one of his pupils did not open his mouth wide enough when speakmg: "Why don't you speak louder? Open your mouth like a Dutch- man. Say yaw !" At a meeting held in ]May, 1763. a committee was appointed to employ "a proper school-mistress" for "their daughters and young children in reading, writing, etc., etc.," provided a suffic- ient number offered to enable them to secure a mistress. On the 14th of October, 1762. a night school was opened in the building, under the Usher, John Woods, "school to continue from 6 to 9, each scholar to find his own candle and to pay 2-6 for firewood." At a meeting held IMarch 3, 1764, the trustees decided to enlarge the curriculum. The following scale of prices was then adopted for the English school : "The Dead Languages per annum £3.10 s. The English Tongue Grammatically £3 Reading, Writing, etc., in the common manner 40 s." During the Revolution the work of the school was badly broken by the masters insisting upon entering the Continental army and by the British occupation of Germantown. Upon hearing of the skirmish at Lexington, the people of Germantown at once issued the following call to arms at the L'nion School House : To the Inhabit afits ofGER u A N TO w N. ■*^r HEREAS it appears fron-r repeated Ex-prefleS; that l:avc arir- ed at Philaddrhia, ; that d:^ Kings- Fovciis and tlie iioftoiiiuns ^vere in actual Engaocnienf w,l;iv,li makes ithighiV incumbent for Perfons who have an}v;i\cgard*ifT.tlfcu\'tb>iw«-v, their Likny md Property, to meet and enter on ilicli- Mealimes .as "mav be' a jMems to avert me impending Riiin Uiac thrcsten'^ ourCoanrrv, and it is hoped that every Friend m AmtTica> Fre-^holdei's and others will aaendac the Union School-houle in laid i cm, on Monday the Frd Da\' of May next, ai^3 o'Clock in the Afternoon, to enter 'on fiich Meafures as may feem nioft proper in the preknt Emergency. Genmntomh April the 2yth lyis- ""' ■- - . CALL TO ARMS AT THE UNION SCHOOL HOUSE iiSee "Memories of a Life Chiefly Passed in Pennsylvania," by Alex- ander Graydon. 84 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Although Watson, in his "Annals of Philadelphia," Vol. Ill, p. 462, states: "In August, 1777, the school was about to be used as a hospital for the sick of Washington's army, but Israel Pemberton saw President Hancock, and the sick soldiers were taken to the hospital in Philadelphia, and the school was not interrupted," from the minutes of October, 1778, we learn "on account of the distressed times no Ger- man or English school has been kept this good while." There is a blank in the minutes from this time until November i, 1784, when school seems to have been resumed. In 1793, the building was oiTered by the Trustees to the Federal Gov- ernment for the use of Congress. There were also negotia- tions with the State authorities for its use by the Assembly. Both offers, however, were rejected; possibly becavise both gov- ernments felt themselves too poor at that time to make the badly needed repairs to the building. At the first meeting for establishing the school, subscription lists were prepared and the following were appointed to receive subscriptions : Christopher Meng Daniel Mackinett Charles Bensil Christopher Sower John Jones Daniel Endt Baltus Reser Richard Johnson was appointed treasurer of the company. The managers of the building operation were : Christopher Meng Jacob Coleman John Bringhurst Conrad Weaver Peter Seibert Jacob Engle Baltus Reser The first trustees were : Christopher Sower John Bowman Joseph Galloway Thomas Rose Thomas Livezey Jacob Neglee John Jones David Deshler Charles Bensil Daniel Mackinett George Alsentz Benjamin Engle Jacob Keyser The citizens in the upper end of Germantown, finding the distance to the Union School House too great for their children in winter, in 1775, built on a portion of the Upper Burying Ground, the Concord School House, from funds raised by sub- scription. John Grimes was its first schoolmaster. Much of the space in the old account-book of this school is taken up in recording the expenses for wood for heating it. There is a curious entry in this book referring to tuition for "a black boy." In 1830, Rev. Dr. George Junkin established a Manual Train- HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 85 ing School in Germantown. In reality, it was a trade school in which the pupils were taught how to make trunks, boxes, etc. But the cost of transporting material from the City to German- town and of shipping the finished goods back to the City being too great, owing to high tolls and bad roads, in 1833, the school was removed to Easton for the sake of the cheaper water trans- portation. Here the manual training idea was abandoned and the school developed into Lafayette College. On the lower side of Haines Street, near Germantown avenue, stood a quaint old house, originally the First Metho- dist Church of Germantown, in which was held a school at- tended by very young children. This was an outgrowth of Froebel's Kindergarten idea and was known as the German- town Infant School. It was opened in or about the year 1852. That the discipline was kind is evidenced by the fact that the children were supplied with bread and molasses when they grew hungry and with a bed if they fell asleep. Tuition cost ten cents a week. At the time of Consolidation with the City of Philadelphia, in 1854, Germantown (borough and township) became a part of the Sixth Ward and contained five public school-buildings with an average attendance of eight hundred and forty-one pupils. The names of the schools with their teachers follow : Rittenhouse School on Rittenhouse Street, Germantown: Charles Bowman, A. M., Principal of Boys' Department Catherine K. Large, Assistant Sarah A. Alcorn, Principal of Girls' Department Susannah Rittenhouse, Assistant Maria McClelland, Principal of Primary Department Elizabeth Roop, Assistant Elizabeth Sommers, Assistant Bringhurst Primary School on Bringhurst Street, Germantown: Adaline Williams, Principal Annie M. Campion, Assistant A. M. Rittenhouse, Assistant Harmony School, Chestnut Hill: Henry K. Smith, Principal of Grammar Department Rebecca E. Rex, Assistant Mary Craig, Principal of Primary Department Augusta Haas, Assistant West Unclassified School, Allen's Lane, Upper end of Germantown: Daniel H. Sellers, Principal Susan Haas, Assistant Cresheim Primary, Franklinville: Ann Hesser 86 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN The yearly salaries of teachers in Philadelphia at that time ranged from $150 to $300 per year for females, and from $400 to $1000 for males. The Rittenhouse School was erected in 1844 on what was then known as Poor House Lane. It took the place of several small schools which were being carried on in rented buildings. The Bringhurst School opened in 1853 and took the place of the Manheim Primary at Spring Alley and Manheim street. The first Harmony School was located on the Bethlehem Pike nearly opposite Roberts' Lumber Yard. As it was used jointly by the people of Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, THE OLD POOR HOUSE ON RITTENHOUSE STREET it received the name of "The Harmony School" to commemorate this amicable arrangement. In 1846, a new building was erected on the site of the present Fire House on Highland avenue and the school removed to that place, where it remained until the present Joseph C. Gilbert school building was erected. The corner-stone of the second Harmony building was placed in the wall of the Fire House and may there be seen, bearing the date 1 846- 1 894, the latter marking the date of the tearing down of the old school building and the erection of the Fire House. The first so-called public schools in the County of Philadel- phia were established by "Act of 6th of March, 1818, for the HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 87 Education of Children at public expense within the City and County of Philadelphia." Their purpose was to provide for the education of those whose parents or guardians were too poor to bear the expense of tuition and books. This stigma of poverty was not removed until in 1836, when public schools as we now use the term were fully established by legislative enactment. Lancaster's System of teaching was adopted for the City but not for such outlying districts as Germantown. By this system, one teacher, aided by monitors from among his own scholars, v/as con- sidered sufficient for 300 pupils. But the cheapness of it seemed to be about the only thing to recommend it, and a committee appointed to investigate its workings reported, in 1838, that, wherever they visited a crowded school, they found that a very large proportion of the scholars rarely or never received direct instruction from the master himself. They therefore advised that an adequate number of well qualified teachers be appointed to provide for the separation of pupils into the proper sized schools. The first mention we find of a Lancasterian or "Mono- torial School" in Germantown was in 1836, when the "German- town School" had 74 boys and 60 girls under such instruction. But the plan must have proved unsatisfactory, for the next year it was closed and the children distributed in schools "more con- venient to their residences." The first schools established by the German settlers were connected with their churches and often held in the church building, the schoolmaster usually being also the preacher. The school buildings were usually small, poorly lighted, and fitted out with home-made furniture of the crudest sort. Long benches, without backs, arranged around the open fire-place, or around the wood stove after it was invented, with shelves fast- ened to the wall for those who could write, for many years con- stituted the furniture in the schools attended by colonial boys and girls. Occasionally the building was in the shape of an octagon, with the stove in the center. The desks for the larger pupils were then placed around against the walls facing the win- dows ; the backless benches for the little folks formed an inner circle nearer to the stove. A desk for the teacher, a bucket for water, and a small paddle with the words "in" and "out" on its opposite sides and which was suspended near the door, completed the furniture of the room. This octagonal arrangement made HISTORY OP OLD GBRMANTOWN the master's desk convenient of access to those desiring to have a new nib cut on their quill-pens or to have assistance with an example. It also placed the small children nearer to the stove in cold weather. Here they could look at the rows of thawing bottles of ink, home-made out of bruised nut-galls and water with some rusty nails dropped in to give it the proper degree of blackness, and envy those old enough to use them. Black- boards and slates were unknown, paper was dear, and school books exceedingly scarce. The pupil was expected to bring any book which he might have at home, to use as his reading book. Most of the reading was done from the Bible, the New Testament or the Psalter. The ABC method was used in teaching reading and the ''horn- book" was the only primer that most of the children saw. This consisted of a sheet of paper the size of the leaf of a small book, on which was printed the alphabet, the Lord's Prayer, and the Roman numerals. The sheet was fastened to a small board with a handle cut on one of its ends, and was covered with a thin sheet of transparent horn to protect it from the soiling and destruction of little fingers. The Pastorius primer of 1698 has already been mentioned. But it was in English, and it was not until 1738 that Saur pub- lished for German pupils an "A B C und Buchstabier Buch" (A B C and Spelling Book). In 1755 he issued another German primer and in 1761 still another. In 1771 he published the "New England Primer Improved." Anthony Benezet published a primer in 1778 which had an extended use among the Friends. These old primers contained lists of words for spelling as well as matter for reading, and sometimes rules for punctuation, some grammar, and a little geography. For a long time the only arithmetic in the school was in the hands of the teacher. The pupils copied the rules, the problems to be solved under each rule, and their solutions in a "cyphering book" made at home out of sheets of paper sewed together. The first arith- ELWOOD (ARMITAGE) PUBLIC SCHOOL HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 89 metic published in Philadelphia, was an edition of "Dilworth's Schoolmaster's Assistant," in 1768; it had been first published in England in 1743. In 1774, Saur published in Germantown Daniel Fenning's "Der Geschwinde Rechner" (The Ready Reck- oner) ; and, in 1779, Cocker's Arithmetic, which was published in Dublin in 1677 and which is the parent of all modern arithmetics, was reprinted in Philadelphia. In 1753, Saur issued Theophilus Grew's "Description of the Use of Globes ;" but there was no general work on geography until in 1795, when D wight's Geog- raphy appeared. It was only the size of a spelling book and had no maps. Saur published "Eine Deutsch und Englische Grammatik" in 1747. and "Anleitung zur Englischen Sprache" (Guide to English Speech) in 1750; but for many years the study of grammar was confined to a few select schools. Any- thing approaching uniformity of text books, even for use in the same school, is of comparatively recent date. Nor was there any attempt made in the early days to form pupils into classes ; and hence there was no attempt made to grade pupils or to form a system of schools. All that the master was expected to do was to keep order and to give instruction in the merest elements of reading, writing and arithmetic. Some idea of the method of conducting a school in the colonial days, may be gathered from a letter written, in 1730, by Rowland Jones to the Rev. Dr. David Humphreys in regard to his method of teaching: "Sir, you require an account of my method of instruction in school. I endeavor, for beginners, to get Primers with syllables, viz., from one to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. I take them several times over them till they are perfect, by way of repeating according as I find occasion, and then, to some place forward according to their capacity and commonly every two or three leaves. I make them repeat perhaps two or three times over, and when they get the Primer pretty well, I serve them so in the Psalter, and we have some Psalters with the proverbs at the latter end. I give them that to learn, which I take to be very agreeable, and still follow repetitions till I find they are masters of such places. Then I move them into such places as I judge they are fit for, either in the New or Old Testament, and as I find that they advance, I move them not regarding the beginning nor the end- ing of the Bible, but moving them where I think they will have 90 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN benefit by. So making of them perfect in the vowels, consonants and diphthongs, and when they go on in their reading clean without any noising, singing or stumbling, with deliberate way, then I set them to begin the Bible in order to go throughout. And when I begin writing, I follow them in the letters till they come to cut pretty clean letters and then one syllable and so on to 2, 3, 4, and so'on to the longest words, and when they join handsomely, I give them some sweet pleasing verses, some per- haps on their business, some on behavior, and some on their duty to parents, etc., of such I seldom want at command, and when they come to manage double copies readily, I give them some delightful sentences or Proverbs or some places in the Psalms or any part of the Bible as they are of forwardness and also to other fancies that may be for their benefit. And when I set them cyphering, I keep them to my old fancy of repeating and shall go over every rule till they are in a case to move forward and so on. And I find no way that goes beyond that of repeat- ing both in spelling, reading, writing and cyphering, and several gentlemen, viz., Ministers and others have commended it and some schoolmasters take to it, and though I speak it I have met with no children of the standing or time of mine, could come up with them on all accounts or hardly upon any ; I also give them tasks, when able, to learn out of books according to their ability, but one girl exceeded all. She had a great many parts in the Bible by heart and had the whole book of St. John, and hardly would miss a word. I put them to spell twice a week and likewise to Catechism, and likewise I catechise every Satur- day and often on Thursdays. Sometimes I set them to sing Psalms." Watson records the lively picture drawn by his facetious friend, "Lang Syne," to portray one of his well-remembered schoolmasters. It is a description of J. Todd, "master of schol- ars," who taught in the Friends Academy, Fourth below Chest- nut street; and, no doubt, fairly illustrates the customary method of discipline of many of the teachers of that time. The record is as follows : "After an hour, may be, of quiet time, everything going smoothly on — boys at their tasks — no sound, but from the master's voice, while hearing the one standing near him — a dead calm — when suddenly a brisk slap on the ear or face, for some- thing or for nothing, gave 'dreadful note' that an irruption of HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 91 the lava was now about to take place — next thing to be seen was 'strap in full play' over the head and shoulders of Pilgarlic. The passion of the master 'growing by what it fed on," and wanting elbow room, the chair would be quickly thrust on one side, when, with sudden gripe, he was to be seen dragging his struggling suppliant to the flogging ground, in the center of the room — having placed his left foot upon the end of a bench, he then, with a patent jerk, peculiar to himself, would have the boy com- pletely horsed across his knee, with his left elbow on the back of his neck, to keep him securely on. In the hurry of the mo- ment he would bring his long pen with him, griped between his strong teeth (visible the while), causing the both ends to descend to a parallel with his chin, and adding much to the terror of the scene. His face would assume a deep claret colour — his little bob of hair would disengage itself, and stand out, each 'particu- lar hair,' as it were, 'up in arms and eager for the fray.' Having his victim thus completely at command, and all useless drapery drawn up to a bunch above the waistband, and the rotundity and the nankeen in the closest affinity possible for them to be, then, once more to the 'staring crew,' would be exhibited the dexterity of master and strap. By long practice he had arrived at such perfection in the exercise, that, moving in quick time, the fifteen inches of bridle rein (alias strap) would be seen, after every cut, elevated to a perpendicular above his head ; from whence it descended like a flail upon the stretched nankeen, leaving, 'on the place beneath,' a fiery red streak at every slash. It was cus- tomary with him to address the sufferer at intervals, as follows : 'Does it hurt? — (O ! yes, master, O ! don't master), then I'll make it hurt thee more — I'll make thy flesh creep — thou shan't want a warming pan to-night — intolerable being ! — Nothing in nature is able to prevail upon thee, but my strap.' " Only a boy with leather breeches could set such a master at defiance. Saur's English Almanac for 1758, then being published by Christopher Saur the second, who, like his father, was an Elder in the Dunker Church, published an article on education which was probably written by Saur himself. Its title is "Some Useful Remarks on the Education of the Youth in the Country Parts of this and the Neighboring Provinces." The writer emphasizes the need of care "to make the children spell true" ; "to make them read with proper Emphasis and punctuality" ; "That such 92 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN part of Grammar as is applicable to the English Tongue be taught those boys who are fit for it in order to make them write properly" ; "That in writing care be taken to promote a strong free round Hand" ; "That in Arithmetick it be recom- mended to the Master to teach in the first place the most plain and practicable Rules, etc." The article indicates that the Dunkers were already contemplating a general system of schools of their own. But the interest in education was now general among the Germans, and, before the end of the century, as careful an observer as Dr. Rush was able to say: "There is scarcely an instance of a German, of either sex, in Pennsylvania, that cannot read, but many of the wives and daughters of the German farmers cannot write. The present state of society among them renders this accomplishment of little consequence to their improvement or happiness." As the percentage of illiteracy in the state was then quite large, his observation was very favorable to the intelligence of the Germans. But it has been claimed that, while they be- lieved in and supported elementary schools, the German settlers were opposed to higher education. It is true that they had suffered so much in the Fatherland from ecclesiasticism, dogma- tism, and arrogance as manifested by learned men, that they had good cause to look with suspicion on the kind of institutions that had helped to give such men their intellectual power. They soon saw, however, that under the new conditions of civil and religious freedom, and because of the demand and possibility for building up new institutions founded upon new ideas presented by the nev/ commonwealth, there was a meaning and a force in the higher education which made it extremely desirable. While it took time to educate the mass of their people to appreciate this new conception, the Saur Press ; the work of the Moravians ; the Germantown Academy, in whose establishment Saur was deeply interested ; the work of the Rev. Dr. Henry Muhlenberg in founding Franklin College at Lancaster, in 1787, in order that the Germans might have the most favorable opportunity for college training; and the positions of prominence in all fields deservedly won by sons of the early German settlers ; all fur- nish the best answer to such charges. ^^ 12 For an account of Saur's successful efforts in balking what he regarded as the schemes of the Rev. Michael Schlatter to denationalize the Germans, and which apparently arrayed Saur against higher educa- tion, see Wickersham's "History of Education in Pennsylvania," pp. 65-73. CHAPTER VII THE SPROGELL TROUBLE The welfare of the Httle colony was seriously threatened, at the beginning of the Eighteenth Century, through the un- principled actions of Daniel Falkner and John Henry Sprogell. Pastorius, having grown tired of the management of the Frank- fort Company's affairs, or possibly because of some expression of dissatisfaction with his administration of them, resigned in 1700. Daniel Falkner, Johannes Jawert and the hermit Kelpius were appointed to the management in his stead. Kelpius re- fused to act and Jawert would not serve with Falkner, posting a notice in the Meeting house at Germantown that nobody should pay any rent or other debt due to the company "unto the said Falkner" because of his ill administration and because, as Pasto- rius afterwards said of him. he "turned into such a spendthrift and Ever-drunk Ever-dry that he made Bonfires of the Com- pany's flax in open street at Germantown, giving a bit (of silver money) to one Lad for lighting his Tobacco-pipe, and a Piece of eight to another to show him in his drunken Fit a house in Phila- delphia, wdiich in his sober fits he knew as well as his own. etc." Matters remained in this state until the arrival of John Henry Sprogell. "a cunning and fraudulent fellow." whose parents were "to be pitied for such a scandal to their Family." Sprogell claimed to have bought the interests of certain of the Frankfort Company before coming to America. Falkner, wdio was heavily in debt, came under his influence and together they sought a plan for getting possession of the lands and fees of the German settlers. David Lloyd, a contentious attorney who was a thorn in the flesh of the Proprietor of the Province, agreed, in consid- eration of a consideratile tract of land, to try to secure an act of ejectment from the county court. In this he was successful; for, they "did fee all the known attorneys, or lawyers, of this Province either to speak for ym or to be silent in Court," in 94 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN order to deprive the settlers of all legal advice. They also bribed the Queen's Attorney to all possible secrecy in the proceedings. The very boldness of the attempt probably aided in its success, and, though the clerk of the Colonial Council afterwards de- clared the scheme to be so heinous that he could scarcely con- sider it credible, judgment was secured in their favor in a Court for the County of Philadelphia, held the 15th of January, 1708. Although the action seems to have involved only the lands still held by the Frankfort Company, it alarmed the remainder of the German settlers as to the security of their possessions. Through Pastorius and his friend James Logan, they sent urgent appeals to Penn. He at once arranged for the naturalization of all foreigners who had purchased land in Pennsylvania, by act of the House of Representatives of the Province, in order in this way to establish their rights as citizens to hold and dispose of property. There is no evidence that the settlers were further disturbed in their rights ; but, even though Pastorius and Jawert on behalf of the Frankfort Company, brought the matter before the Governor and his Council and secured favorable action against the decision of the Court, Sprogell seems to have secured, at least temporarily, the Company's land, for we find him at once beginning to cut their timber and, in 1714, he held their German- town lots. That the settlers were anxious about their land- titles even before the Sprogell trouble, is evident from the fol- lowing entry in the Court Record of Germantown : "The 30th of September, 1701, it was ordered that the confirmation of our Charter by the ruling of the now sitting Assembly shall be sought ; as also Through another Request to the Governor our naturalization in England be secured. Daniel Pastorius shall place the said requests before the competent Authorities and The necessary gold Therefor receive from the Rentmaster." Also in the following : "Ye 15th of the 3mo, 17C6. A Petition of Johannes Koster and about 150 other high and low Germans, to the Govr. and Council was read, setting forth, that the Petrs. with many other aliens to the Kingdom of England, by the En- couragement of the Propr. had Transported themselves into this Pro- vince, «& by their Industry had changed the uncultivated Lands they had purchased into good settlemts., & for Twenty two years past had be- haved themselves as Liege & Loyal subjects of England, that above 60 of the said Ptrs. at one time, viz.: the 7th of ye 3mo 1691, had in open Court, promised allegiance to K. William & Q. Mary, & fidelity to the HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN 95 Propr., besides many others who had done the Like, &c., that such as have not already obliged themselves are ready to do it when they shall be admitted. They therefore request that (seeing that they are not at present believed to be secure in their Estates), for remedying the unhappiness they may be engaged in, if they be still considered as for- eigners, the Assembly may be convened with all Convenient speed, & a Bill recommended from this board for naturalizing all & every of the said Ptrs., that they may have an undoubted right to hold, enjoy, alien- ate, sell & dispose of any of their Lands, as the natural born subjects of England may or can do in this Province, & also that they may be capable of Electing, & being elected to serve in Assembly and other Offices: * * * also that some of the Petrs., being Mennists, who (with their Predecessory for above 150 Years past) could not for Conscience sake take an Oath, the same provision may be made for them by law, as is made for those Quakers in this Province, and that the said Law may be sent home with the rest, past by the late Assembly, in Order to obtain the Queen's Royal Approbation." In accordance with this petition the petitioners were given leave to procure the Attorney-General to prepare a bill of na- ttiralization to present to the board. Bttt no action was taken in the matter until 1709. In the meantime the following correspondence in regard to the matter had taken place between Penn and James Logan : Letter of Logan to Penn, the 24th of the 4th month, 1708: "All foreigners, the Germans and Dutch especially, are exceeding uneasy here for want of better assurances to their lands, being told that they must all escheat, and that they have no right to them, which is of very ill consequence." Penn to Logan the 29th of the 7th month, 1708: "About the naturalization, it will be necessary that the parties send 10s. per head over, per first opportunity, which will be an easy purchase of their freedom, and I will be held responsible for its disposal." Penn to Logan the 3d of the ist month, 1709: "Fail not, pray, to send me over the names of all our foreigners not born in the country, and I will put them into one Act, or at least patent, for denization, to put them out of their trouble that villain Lloyd put the Saxons and others into, as the chief est of them (Pastorius?) told me, and gave it under his hand, which I have to show." In accordance with this, a bill was prepared and passed the House of Representatives of the Province and was brought to the Governor for his assent, as appears in the following: "At Council held in Philadelphia, the 29th of September, 1709. The Govr. acquainted the Board, that last night the speaker attended ■with several members of the House, and brought him the Bill for natural- 96 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN izing the Germans, which he now desired to pass, and accordingly he was pleased to give his assent to the said bill, Intituled an Act for the better Enabling of Divers Inhabitants of the Province of Pennsylvania., To Hold and Enjoy Lands, Tenemts. and Plantation in the same Pro- vince, by which are naturalized the persons following, vizt.: ffrancis Daniel Pastorius John Jawert Caspar Hoodt Dennis Kunders and his three sons Cunrad Cunrads Mathias Cunrads & John Cun- rads Dirck Keyser & his son Peter Keyser John Lurken (Jan Lucken?) Wm. Strepers Abraham Tunnis Lenhart Arrets Reiner Tysen Jno. Lensen Isaac Dilbeck & his son Jacobus Dilbeck John Doeden Cornelius Siorts ** Henry Sellen Walter Simons Dirck Jansen, Junr. Richd. Vanderwerf and his son, John Roelofs Vanderwerf John Strepers, Senr. Peter Shoemaker Jacob Shoemaker Geo. Shoemaker Isaac Shoemaker Matthis Van Bebber Cornells Vanderbach Peter Clever George Gattschick Paul Engell and his son Jacob Engell Hans Neis Reiner Vander Sluys & his son Audrian Vander Sluys Jacob Gaetschalk Vander Heggen & his son Gaet- schalk Vander Heggen Casper Kleinhof Henry Bucholtz Herman Tuymen( Herman Tunen?) Paul Klumpges and his son Jno. Klumpges John Neus & his son Matthis Neus & Cornelius Neus Claus Ruttingheysen Caspar Stalls Henry Tubben. Wm Hendricks and his son Hen- drick Hendricks & Lawrence Hendricks Henry Kessleberry Johannes Rebenstock Peter Verbymen John Henry Kersten John Radwitzer John Cunrads, Senr. John Gorgaes Senwis Bartells and his son Henry Bartells John Krey and his son Willm. Krey Cunrad Jansen Claus Jansen & his son John Jansen and Wm. Jansen Evert in Hoffe & his sons Ger- hard in Hoffe, Herman in Hoffe & Peter in Hoffe Peter Jansen John Smith Thos. Echlewich Johannes Scholl Gabriel Senter William Puts Matthis Tysen All of the County of Philadelphia and Johannes Bleikers of the County of Bucks The preceding March, Pastorius and Jawert had presented petitions to the Governor and his Council, in which they com- plained of the iniquity of Sprogell, Falkner, and Lloyd; and HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 97 through which they secured action adverse to that of the Court, as is seen in the following: "To Cha. Gookin, Esqr., Ltt. Govr. of ye Province of Pennsylvia.. &ct. & his honble. Council. The Earnest Peticon of ffrancis Daniel Pastorius Humbly Showeth: That whereas your Petitioner is not only a Co-partner of a Certain Compa. called the Frankford Compa., but also had served the same ye space of Seventeen Years and Five Months, without ye least pamts. from ye said Compa. of a reasonable sallery promised unto him out of ye Revenue of their Pennsylvanian Estate, and moreover hath Consid- erably disburs'd on their acct., &ct. one Jno. Henry Sprogel, thro" the Contrivance or Plotting of Daniel Falkner, in ye last adjourned Court, held for the County of Philadia., the 13th of Janry., by means of a Fictis Juris, as they term it (wherewith your Petitr. is altogether unacquainted), hath got a Writt of Ejectment, wch it doth not affect your Petitioner, yet the said Sprogel would have Ejected him out of his own home, &ct. ; Therefore your Petitr. humbly intreats the honble. Govr. & his Council to be pleased to take into your serious Consideration; 1st, that the said Falkner, what he hath done in this Case, did so solely by himself, be- yond his power, & contrary to the mind and will of his Joynt Attorney, Johannes Jawert; 2d, That Sprogel can't show any Deed of Sale from your Petitioner's Co-partners in Germany, ye wch if ye French had taken, (as he sometimes will say) might by him have been procured afresh, he afterwards lying still in Holland several months; 3d, That suppose he had bought the shares of those in Germany, then ye said Compa. or their Attornies here ought in honesty to make up their accts, with your Petitr., and satisfy what was Justly owing to him and others, pur- suant to their contract of Society; 4thly, That the sd. Sprogel, having at once in the Last adjd. Court above mention'd, gott the said Writt of Ejectmt., so as to finish this his Contrivance in the County Court, to be held third day of the next month, between wch and the former no Provincial Court doth Intervene, for a Writt of Error, &ct hath further feed or retain'd the four known Lawyers of this Province, in order to deprive as well your Petitr., as likewise Johannes Jawert, of all advice in Law, wch sufficiently argues his cause to be none of the best. And so finally your Petir., notwithstanding he was the first of all Germans that came into this Countrey since it is a Province, yet being but poor and unable to fetch Lawyers from New York or remoter places, makes this his humble application to the Gov. & his Council for any such effectual Relief as you in Justice and Equity shall think Expedient, both in restraining the said Sprogel's further procedings, before he prove his Title, and also that your Pettrs. Accts. & further rightful Demands may be settled & accomplished with ye Attornies of the Abovesaid Compa., according to the Way & Method by themselves agreed upon in their contract of Society, & your Petitr. shall thankfully ackrowledge Your Justness towards him in this his helpless Condicon, and ever pray, as in duty bound. FRANCIS DANIEL PASTORIUS." "To his Honour, Cha. Gookin, Esqr., Ltt. Govr. of ye Province of Pennsylvia. &c. & his Honble. Council. 98 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN The Petition of Johannes Jawert humbly Sheweth: That whereas your Petitr. by a Letter of Attorney, a Copy whereof is here enclosed, hath been Impowr'd together with Daniel Falkner, (& Johannes Kelpius, now deceased) Jointly to administer a Certain Estate in this Province consisting of 25,000 acres of land, & belonging to some persons who live in Germany, as by the said Copy doth more fully appear; And seeing of late one Jno. Henry Sprogel, upon his arrival from Holland, first told your Petitr. that he had bought the said Estate of those persons residing in Germany, but afterwds. Denying it, again pre- ferred to buy ye same of your Petitr., (who is a partner thereof,) and his Joynt Attorney, Danll. Falkner, and when your Petitr. could not accept of his terms, he offering a very inconsiderable summ, then he promised one hundd. pounds to your Petitr. gratis, or to put up for himself; But your Petitr. not willing to betray his trust, broke off; «& so before he was aware, & without ye least of his knowledge, the said Sprogel, under a Pretence of a Debt owing him by the said Falkner under hand solely by the Connivance & Collusion of ye sd. Daniel Falk- ner, who nevertheless, was not Inabled to Act, without your Petitr. Ejected the said Germans out of ye sd. their Estate at the last County Court, held ye 12th of Janry. not giving any notice thereof, to your Petitr., or any other person Concerned. And besides, he, ye said Sprogel & Falkner, to make this their abominable Plott to bear, did fee all the known attornies, or Lawyers of this Province, either to speak for ym. or to be silent in Court, in order to deprive your Petitr. of all advice in Law, even so much as to find none to signify this your Petitr.'s Com- plaint, or to draw a Peticon to your Honour & Council in due form from your English method. Therefore your Petitr. most Earnestly intreats your Honour, ye Govr. and Council to take ye Premises into your serious Considerations, & for ye preventing of ye scandal, which by ye above menconed treacherous Plott between Sprogel & Falkner, will be caused to be cast upon ye Proprys., Governmt. & Courts of Justice of the Province, in several parts of Germany, where your Petitrs., Imployers & Copartners do dwell. To put a timely stop to ye Wasting of Timber on ye aforesaid Estate, which ye said Sprogel hath already begun to make, and to left or hinder both his receiving of the Rents or arrears of Rents, due to the said Persons in Germany; and more Especially the selling of the whole or any Tract or parcel of the above sd. Estate, till your Petitrs., Imployers & Copart- ners in Germany, may be acquainted with ye foul & unanswerable fact of Dan'l Falkner, their untrusty Attorney, and Letters may be had from them Concerning this business, and your Petitr. not only for himself, but also in behalf of those in Germany, shall ever acknowledge this Your Justice & favor, and pray as in Duty bound. JNO. JAWERT." And the record now continties to say: "And the mentioned attempt being so heinous, that it was scarce accounted Credible, they were called in and examined upon ye Circum- stances of the case, by which it appear'd that David Lloyd was principal agent & Contriver of the whole, and it was affirmed that he had for his pay a thousand acres of Benjamin Furley's land, which he, the said Ben- jamin was so weak as to intrust Sprogel with the Disposal of. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 99 Ordd. hereupon, that notice be given by all ye Conveyances that may be to the francfort Society of Purchasers, yt they forthwith send full powers to reverse ye Judgment according to Law." Notwithstanding this decision of the Council, Sprogell seems to have secured the Germantown lots still owned by the Frank- fort Co. at the time of his suit, and also the lots of Johannes Kassell, Isaac Shaffer and Henry Bucholtz. Kassel's and Shaf- fer's land probably because they were not among the number included in the act of naturalization of 1709, and therefore not so well prepared to protect their rights ; Bucholtz's land for no reason which is now apparent. The following records from the minutes of the Philadelphia [Monthly Meeting of Friends, presents David Lloyd's connection with this afifair in its most favorable light, because he himself Avas a member of this meeting and the decisions were those of his associates : "The 29th of the 3d month, 1713. A letter from one John Jawert, a German in Maryland, was sent to this meeting, setting forth the injury he and the German Company had sustained, wherein he blames David Lloyd as chief instrument therein, which was read. It being now late and the meeting near conclusion, it is thought fit to be left for further inquiry and consideration. Anthony Morris, Wm. Hudson and Pentecost Teague or any one of them, are desired to acquaint David Lloyd with the contents of the sd. letter." "The 26th of the 4th month, 1713. The minute relating to David Lloyd and the letter sent to this meet- ing by John Jawert having beeen under consideration, and David Lloyd still continuing his request for a Certificate, the sense of this meeting is that David Lloyd should appear at our monthly meeting, to give them satisfaction in relation to the complaint of Daniel Pastorius and John Jawert." "The 31st of the 5th month, 1713. David Lloyd according to this meeting's Desire gave his account in writing how far he has been concerned in the proceedings against the German Company's lands as follows. Viz.: that Falkener, one of the said Company's agents, came with John Henry Sprogel to advise how the said Sprogel could have a title to the said Lands, which he had purchased. And the said Falkener produced certain powers from sev- eral of the said Company which the sd. David Lloyd conceived were not so Effectual to make the sd. title without the help of the Court of Common Pleas. They said they had applied to council who were of the same opinion, but desired David Lloyd would draw up the record therein. He went to the Court and saw the sd. Falkener prove his amount upon Oath and saw also a letter which he verily believed was Benjamin Fur- loo HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN ley's writing, purporting that the sd. Falkener must not Expect to be paid his demand against the said Company without he sold so much Land as would do it. Also that Sprogel showed the sd. David Lloyd a paper in Dutch or German which, as he rendered it in English, did import an agreement of some of the said Company to Sell him their lands here for a Certain Sum of about the same Value, he was to give the said Falkener for it. And that he the sd. David Lloyd conceived the sd. intended purchase to be upon a Valuable Consideration and that he knew not nor was ever privy to any manner of fraud in the said purchase Directly or Indirectly." "The 2Sth of the 6th month, 1713. The relation that David Lloyd gave last monthly meeting being under consideration, concerning conveying the Germans' Lands, and be- ing again read, Daniel Pastorius being present, desired that the further consideration thereof may be continued until there may be an oppor- tunity for some friends to hear him and David Lloyd together. In order thereunto the meeting requests Nicolas Walln, Anthony Morris, Wm. Hudson, Jonathan Dickinson, Richard Hill, Isaac Morris, Pentecost Teague and John Warder, or any five of them, to hear the matter be- tween them and to make report thereof at our next monthly meeting." "The 30th of the Sth month, 1713. The friends appointed to hear David Lloyd and Daniel Pastorius, five of them met and heard what they had to say, and upon the whole matter they reported themselves not fully satisfied, therefore those friends that were absent and the friends before appointed at the last hearing with the assistance of Samuel Preston, or any six of them, are desired to labor further with David Lloyd and endeavor to convince him that there is a fraud in the recovering of the said Germans' Lands whether he was then apprised of it or not." "The 27th of the 9th month, 1713. The matter relating to David Lloyd concerning the Germans' Lands being discoursed at this meeting, David Lloyd being here, upon the whole It lies thus at present that David Lloyd doth still say and also by a paper under his hand to the same purpose that he was not con- scious of any fraud therein, but if any hath taken offence at him concerning it, he is sorry for it, and if it should hereafter appear to be so, he will endeavor to discourage it as much as in him lies. However, it seems to the meeting to be that which is not of a good report and therefore Desires David Lloyd that he may forbear to have anything further to do towards strengthening the parties concerned therein." CHAPTER VIII INTERESTING EVENTS The affairs of the village now moved along in a very even way for some time. With the exception of marriages, funerals, occasional fires, and frequent visits from bands of Indians on their way to Philadelphia, nothing occurred to cause unusual excitement until the breaking out of the French and Indian War. To prevent fires, the regular inspection of chimneys and hearths was provided for by the authorities. Householders were required to keep their chimneys free from dangerous collections of soot, which formed very rapidly owing to the great quantities of fire-wood consumed. The usual method of cleaning a chim- ney was to thrust a long tapering bundle of burning rye-strav\" up the throat of the chimney, in order to burn out the soot which could not be reached with a scraper. In i/Oi, the Assem- bly of the Province passed a law to prevent the firing of chim- neys to cleanse them, and which also directed that each house- holder should keep at his dwelling "a swab twelve or fourteen feet long and two leathern buckets, to be ready in case of acci- dent by fire." IMagistrates were also directed to procure "six or eight good hooks for tearing down houses on fire." The first organized effort for the putting out of fires in Philadelphia, and probably the first in the country, was the establishment of the Union Fire Company in that city, in 1736. This was a volunteer organization, which had to rely upon the leather buckets and the swabs and the fire-hooks for its success. The small fire- engine purchased by the City, in 1718, was regarded as a great improvement, although its lack of power required it to be so close to the fire that the water usually had to be carried to it and poured into its little tank. From this it was sucked up by one motion of the pump and forced out by the other motion. Its small intermittent stream could, however, be thrown to I02 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN greater heights than water from a bucket. The first engine of this type used in Germantown was the "Shagrag," whose rather unclassical name gives no idea of the service it rendered the httle community after it was procured in 1764. In that year, Germantown was divided into three fire districts, with a volun- teer fire company in each. These were known as the Upper Ward Fire Company, the Middle Ward Fire Company, and the Lower Ward Fire Company. Later the first of these became FIRE ENGINE "SHAGRAG " the Franklin Fire Company No. 6, the second became the Wash- ington Fire Company in 1834, and the third became the Columbia Fire Company. Hooks and ladders were also kept at convenient points, the hooks being especially valuable in pulling down houses. They were 'Very much like immense ice hooks, at- tached to poles some thirty feet long, heavy and strong, the powerful hook being of course driven into one end, while to the other two chains were attached ; to these chains, when necessary, long ropes could be fastened, so that when the hook was driven into the top of a small frame house, a string of men could topple HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 103 it over and drag it away, if desired ; so, too, with hay-stacks or other similar objects." ^ As there were no fire insurance companies at that time, anyone so unfortunate as to have a fire had to depend upon the help of his fellow-townsmen to save his property, or sulTer a total loss. In this all showed a commendable spirit of helpfulness and, when the volunteer organizations were formed in 1764, many of the best citizens joined them. All submitted gra- ciously to the rules adopted for their control. One of these rules required each member to "provide Two Leather Buckets" at his own expense, to be "Kept ready at hand and applied to no other use ;" the fine for the neglect of this duty was five shil- lings. Another rule required that "upon our first hearing of Fire in the Night Time we will immediately cause two or more Lights to be set up in our front Windows, and Such of our Company whose Houses shall be thought to be in Danger Shall place Candles in every room to prevent Confusion and that their Friends may be able to give them speedy and effectual Assistance ;" the fine for the neglect of this regulation was two shillings. The lights in the front windows served to guide their comrades along the dark streets, and were also a sign that the member vv^as awake for duty. The Shagrag was stationed at the lower end of the village and, as each of the other divi- sions also wanted a fire engine, a subscription for their purchase was at once taken up. To this probably nearly all of the citi- zens contributed something, so that the list of subscribers which follows is also a fairly correct list of the families living in Ger- mantown at that time (1764) : Samuel Ashmead, Esqr. Hartman Adams William Ashmead Barbara Adams Paxon Alsence Mathias Adams Peter Ax John Adams Jacob Bowman Charles Bensel Lewis Bidding George Bringhurst Peter Bokeus John Bokeus Jacob Bowman Henry Bengel George Bickess Ulrick Buttner Elizabeth Boyer Martin Beck Bart W. Beninghousen Michael Bergentaller Henry Beil Barbara Bensel Hilarius Baker Peter Bonno George Bergman Jacob Coleman James Dellworth, Junr. James Dellaplain William Dewees, Esq. Elizabeth Deshler David Deshler Jacob Engle Paul Engel George Everhart Ludwig Englehart Benj. Engles' widow John Engle 1 See Thomas H. Shoemaker's article in tlie Pennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. XVIII, p. 429. 104 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Paul Engle, Senr. Jacob Enters Jacob Fisher Lenhart Fraj'lich John Gorgas Joseph Gorgas Abraham Griffith Catherine Gensale Adolph Gillman Conrad Good Christopher Gaufman Daniel Hess Fronica Hagerman Moses Hall Jacob Hall John Hesser John Jones, Junr. John Jones, Sr. Christopher Jacobus John Johnson Richard Johnson George Keamor Jacob Knor John Koch John Keyser Martin Kreiter George Karst John Knor Mathias Knor Peter Keyser Nicholas Rittenhouse Charlotta Roush Leonard Stoneburner George Schreiber Michael Streets Henry Sharpnach John Keyser (Cordwainer) Jacob Snyder Jacob Keyser Arnst Kurtz David Knor Paul Kripner Peter Leibert John Lehman Christian Lehman Christopher Leist Daniel Lukin Melchior Meng Wollree Meng Sarah Macknet Jacob Moyer Christopher Meng Ann Peters Daniel Potts Thomas Rose Widow Raybold Peter Smith Christian Snyder George Sterner Adam Shissler John Starr Jacob Trout Jeremiah Trout George Unrue John Unrue Christian Warner Lenhart Wintergarst Phillip Weiver Casper Wetherholtz Palatial Webster Richard Wain Kelian Wise Jacob Whiteman After the completion of the Germantown water works in 1851, the Fellowship Hose Company and the Germantown Hose Company came into existence and partly supplanted the older fire companies, because of the greater convenience and force of the stream of water which could then be taken directly from a fire plug. In the early days, invitations to funerals were sent by a special messenger, who called in at the door "Thyself and family are bidden to the funeral of at 3 o'clock to-morrow." After the interment, the relatives and friends were invited to return to the home of the deceased to partake of the funeral feast. A solemn, dignified behavior was expected throughout this feast, but, as wine and beer were not excluded from it, this was not always maintained. There were four principal burying grounds in Germantown at this time ; these were the Lower and the Upper Burying Grounds, the one connected with the Mennonite Church, and the one belonging to the Quaker Meet- ing. Some families preferred to bury their dead on their own grounds, so that private burying grounds were then common. Sad to relate, many of these private burial places have been badly neglected and in some cases entirely obliterated, even though HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN lO- their graveyards were the objects of the greatest interest and care to the early settlers. One of the best preserved private graveyards in the vicinity of Germantown is that of the Logan family at Stenton. Marriage among the German settlers was not the hasty, lightly regarded affair that it too often becomes in our modern days. For months before her wedding day Gretchen was spin- ning, weaving, bleaching, and dyeing the linens and woolens which were to prevent the shame of her coming empty handed to her husband. Hans on his part was laying up in store, and BURYING GROUND OF THE LOGANS AT STENTON working and planning so that Gretchen and he might have a home which they could call their own, albeit one but partly wrested from the virgin forest. Three times their banns had to be published in church and then, after their marriage by their favorite minister and the usual marriage feast with its some- what rough festivities,- off to the new home with its toils and rich though cjuiet rewards, both of which Gretchen had been well trained to share. "The Germans take great pains to produce 2 OccasionaUy, in accordance with a German custom, a pair of poplar trees was planted in front of tlie house in which a marriage was being- celebrated. io6 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN in their children, not only habits of labour, but a love of it. They prefer industrious habits to money itself ; hence, when a young man asks the consent of his father to marry the girl of his choice, he does not inquire so much whether she be rich or poor ; or whether she possess any personal or mental accomplishments ; as whether she be industrious and acquainted with the duties of a good housewife."^ The little colony at Germantown experienced none of the horrors of Indian warfare. The bands of Indians which entered their borders were friendly ones that de- parted with many expressions of good will, after being feasted in the Market Square by the generous-hearted citizens. However, the depredations of the Indians on the western frontier of our State at the opening of the French and Indian War, gave to the village of Germantown its first great war excitement. The Indians had destroyed so many frontier homes and committed so many ruthless murders that there was grave danger, on account of the general indignation, to the friendly Indians, who had been converted through the efiforts of the Moravian missionaries. One such band of friendly Indians, which had fled to Lancaster for safety, was attacked, even while under the protection of the authorities, and wholesale slaughter of its defenceless people followed. Another band, which fled to Philadelphia to put themselves under the protection of Governor John Penn, was followed by a company of several hundred men with the avowed purpose of destro3dng them. This force was composed of Scotch-Irish frontiersmen from Paxton township, which was then in Lan- caster county. The pastor of the Paxton church made an effort to dissuade them from their purpose but they had been greatly enraged by Indian outrages in their vicinity, which was then on the frontier, and were too firmly fixed in their desire for revenge. They were met, however, at Germantown by Franklin and other prominent men who, backed by the determination of the Governor to defend the Indians, were able to dissuade them from their purpose. So that, aside from terrorizing the women and children of the little community and leaving some evidences of their skill with the rifle upon the weather-vane of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Market Square, no further harm was 3 Benj. Rush, M. D., Essay on "Maniiers of the German Inhabitants of Pennsylvania." io8 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN wrought by this bloodless campaign which has gone down into local history as the "Invasion of the Paxton Boys." A more serious cause for alarm occurred in 1777 when, after defeating the x\merican army at the Brandywine and taking possession of Philadelphia, General Howe determined to leave the main portion of his army at Germantown rather than sub- ject it to the allurements of the City. The inhabitants had already experienced many of the excitements and distresses of the war, but they were soon to be visited by its actual horrors. The prudence of Washington had led him very early in the war to form a general plan of lines of retreat, each having some easily defended position as its stronghold. This has come to be known as his famous "quadrilateral", and the "strong ground near Ger- mantown" is where he expected to make his final stand wlien he retreated across New Jersey in 1776. Accordingly, he sent Gen- eral Putnam to fortify Philadelphia and this "safe place"* which extended from Germantown and Chestnut Hill around to the P^erkiomen Creek. The day following his defeat at the Brandywine, Washington retreated to Germantown, where he allowed his army two days of rest. He then moved towards Reading, fearing an attack on his stores at that place. Howe took advantage of this move to march his army to Germantown, where it arrived on the evening of September 25, 1777. The villagers and the citizens of Phila- delphia were in terror from fear of a repetition of the outrages and wanton destruction of property committed by the British army on its march through New Jersey. But, through Thomas \\^illing. Howe assured the citizens that those who remained quietly in their homes would not be molested. The next day Cornwallis with 3000 men took possession of the City; the main portion of the British army being left at Germantown. The 40th Regiment, under Colonel Musgrave, was stationed in the field opposite the Chew Mansion. The main portion of the army was located on the street which crosses at Market Square, with the left wing under Knyphausen reaching to the Schuvlkill, and the right wing under Grant and Matthews extending towards 4"Here the campaig-n of Trenton and Princeton was planned; here the army was swung around to meet Howe at Brandywine; here again it waited to decide between New York and Yorktown for the closing- campaign; here was the outpost of Valley Porg-e, and the key that held Howe a prisoner in Philadelphia until the Monmouth retreat ended almost in a fox-chase." — Scharf and Westcott's "History of Philadelphia." HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 109 the York Road. The advance, composed of the 2d BattaHon of Light Infantry, was a mile beyond at Alt. Pleasant, with their pickets thrown out as far as Mt. Airy. Washington in the meantime marched to Pennybacker's Mill and from thence to Metuchen Hills, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. From here he determined to make one more efifort to save Philadelphia ; and, on the morning of the 4th of October, the inhabitants of Ger- mantown were aroused by the evidences of a deadly struggle going on in their midst. Washington had surprised Howe's army and his troops had penetrated to the center of the village. But, after a series of conflicts, particularly severe at the Chew Mansion, and on what is now the Elwood Johnson property, as well as in the neighborhood of the Mennonite Church, he was driven back and withdrew by the way of Chestnut Hill and the Perkiomen Pike. The horrors of the battle were increased by the dense fog which prevailed that morning and which helped to conceal the movements of the armies and the fate of friends and homes involved in the conflict. Little occurred after this to ruflle the peaceful current of affairs in the village until the yellow-fever became epidemic in Philadelphia, in 1793, when Germantown became the Mecca of the government officials and for those who were wealthy enough to be able to remove to this healthful locality. The growth of Germantown was now more rapid, although the question of transportation to and from the City was a serious one. Great was the excitement when, in 1830, it was announced that a rail- road was to be built from Germantown to Philadelphia. On the morning when the subscription-book was opened, the official in charge was almost mobbed by a throng of eager investors who believed their little town had a future of great promise. CHAPTER IX GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Although Germantown received a large proportion of the German immigrants up to and including the year 1702, not over two hundred German families came to Pennsylvania during that time, and most of them during the period from 1683 to 1685. Many of the immigrants who did not settle in Germantown, took up land belonging to the Frankfort Company along the Skippack Creek, in what is now Montgomery County. "They were nearly all Plattdeutsch, Low Germans, from Cleves, a Duchy in West- phalia." Pastorius wrote that, in 1684, Germantown had twelve houses and forty-two people and, late in 1687, that the cellars of sixty-four houses were being laid. The "Raths-buch of Ger- mantown", which was kept by Pastorius, says that, in 1701, there were "three score families, besides several single persons" in Germantown. This would seem to indicate that the first twelve houses were temporary structures, the more permanent buildings having been erected after the more accurate survey and division of lots in 1687. Townsend Ward, probably quoting from Zim- merman, says that "in 1745 Germantown had about 100 houses scattered along the Main Street to Whitemarsh." Like in Ger- man villages, the houses were in clusters and the farms extended back from them in long strips. There were few cross-streets because of the unwillingness of the farmers to have their land divided by roads. Germantown very early became noted for its healthfuhiess. It stands on high ground and, in the early days, was surrounded by picturesque forest scenery. After the Revolution, it began to be a favorite summer resort for rich Philadelphians. Hence, when that city was visited by the Yellow-fever Epidemic of 1793, the Federal and State governments promptly removed to Ger- mantown. Washington rented the large house. No. 5442 Main Street, from Colonel Isaac Franks. Jefferson and Attorney Gen- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN iii eral Randolph occupied the building afterwards used by the Ger- mantown Bank.^ Congress does not seem to have been in ses- sion during this period, although both it and the State Assembly were negotiating for the renting of the Germantown Academy building for their purposes. Governor Mifflin and Secretary of Commonwealth, Alexander J. Dallas, used the building 5504 Main Street for the State business. When the yellow-fever again appeared in Philadelphia in 1798, both the Bank of North America and the Bank of Pennsylvania removed from the City to the Germantown Academy building. Previous to 1812. great numbers of Conestoga wagons, drawn by from six to eight horses, passed through Germantown on THE OLD CONESTOGA TEAM. The Heaviest Load ever hauled across the Alleghany Mountains, with Six Horses, weighed 10,013 pounds. their way to the City. The roads were bad, the Germantown Road in particular got the reputation of being the "worst road in the U. S.", having at all times frequent "holes filled only with mud and the curses of the teamsters", many going around by Frankford to avoid its ruts. These were the days of large gen- eral stores — "great stores". — for the teams would rather sell their loads in Germantown than attempt to reach the City in bad weather. The badness of the great roads leading into the City caused these "great country stores" to develop and prosper. Farmers sought a market for their surplus produce and would naturally have taken it to Philadelphia, but the roads were at times almost impassable. "To avoid such," Watson says, "farmers bringing produce could sell out their whole loads to Rex, and others, on Chestnut Hill, or at Stoneburners, Frvs and Millers, in German- 1 Vice-President Adams lived in the Hamilton Mansion at Bush Hill. 112 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN town. In return they could get salt, fish, plaster of Paris, clover and grass seed, all kinds of groceries and dry goods. Such stores were granaries for all kinds of grain, and received and cured hogs and beef. They all made money. You might see a dozen country wagons at a time about their premises. All this con- tinued until turnpikes insured safe passages." Then the farmers began to carry their products directly to the City and the pros- perity of these great stores began to wane. The condition of the road connecting Germantown with Philadelphia interfered seriously for many years with ready communication of any kind between the two places. As Ger- mantown was on the direct route from Philadelphia to Reading, as well as from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, and as its own indus- trial interests were of growing importance, this condition proved a detriment to its development. "The travel between the City and that borough being so great that heavy ruts were cut in the highway, which became a slough of mire in wet weather. In the spring of the year, especially, the way was only passable with the greatest difificulty. Wagons were bemired, stalled, and broken. Horses were sprained and weakened by the extraordi- nary efforts necessary to drag their loads ; and such was the bad character of the roads that practically, at certain periods of the year, there was non-intercourse between Philadelphia and Ger- mantown.''- This was true, at least, for wheeled vehicles, although even people on horseback had difficulty at times in getting through the mud. Hence, the building of turnpikes proved a great boon to Germantown. The first of these to be incorporated was "The Germantown and Reading Turnpike Road"; the act of incorporation being signed in March, 1799. It was to begin at the intersection of Front Street and Ger- mantown Road, and to pass through Germantown to the top of Chestnut Hill, and thence through Hickorytown, the Trappe and Pottstown to Reading. On February 12, 1801, "The German- town and Perkiomen Turnpike Company" was incorporated. This road began at Third and Vine Streets. Benjamin Chew was chosen as its president and John Johnson as its treasurer. A third turnpike company was incorporated in 1804, to be built "from Chestnut Hill through Flourtown to the Spring-House Tavern in Montgomery County." The first of these to be com- 2 "History of Philadelphia."^ — Scharf and Westcott, Vol. I, p. 496. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 113 pleted was the Germantown and Perkiomen road. Watson gives Casper Haines great credit for bringing it to a successful issue. There were few stage-lines in the Colonies prior to the French and Indian War. Scharf and Westcott mention the first one in Philadelphia as follows : "The new stage, in November, 1756, left John Butler's sign of 'The Death of the Fox', in Straw- berry Alley, for New York. The trip was made in three days, and a return in three days more, made one trip weekly between city and city — fare two pence per mile."^ Watson speaks of one lunning between Germantown and Philadelphia, in 1761, — "In 1761 Jacob Coleman began, from the King of Prussia Inn, the first stage with an aivning, to run to Philadelpliia, three times a week, to the George Inn, southwest corner of Second and Arch streets. He afterwards ran a stage to Reading." This was fol- lowed by other stage lines and by the Reading and Bethlehem stages making Germantown one of their stopping places. But what between bad roads and cold and springless'* stage-coaches the travellers of early days had a disagreeable and tedious time of it. And the people of old Germantown had little in the way of easy communication with other places to change their provincial character and make evident their proximity to the largest City in the Colonies. Carriages were scarce and the old rumbling stage-coach running between Germantown and the "Old Rotter- dam Inn," at Third and Race Streets, and the occasional stage from Reading and Bethlehem, were not to be depended upon for anything but vexatious delays. But the coming of the railroad changed all this and was the means of greatly altering the aspect of the village. Some Germantown gentlemen had visited the gravity rail- road at Mauch Chunk, in 1827, and had come home filled with the idea of better communication with the City for Germantown. Accordingly, they secured a charter, sold their stock to eager pur- chasers, and, in 1832, completed a railroad from Ninth and Poplar Streets to Shoemaker's Lane. The rails were laid to German- town by the beginning of June, 1832, and the road was opened for trafi^ic on June 7th. "There were nine cars built in the style of the mail-coach of the day, except that they were much larger. 3 Before 1806, when the bridge over the Delaware at Trenton was built, passengers going- to New York went by boat from Pliiladelphia to Burling- ton or Trenton, and from tlience to New York by stage. 4 Steel springs were not used on stages until about ISIO. THE MAIL STAGE, From Philadelphia for Bethlehem, Tforthampton, ISa- zftreth, Wilkesbarre, Montrose, Owego, Geneva, Itha- ca, Canadaigua, Buffaloe, and Niagara, Three times a week. Will start fi'om Mr. Oeor^e Fehe's Hotel. Si-^n of General Washington' No. 6, -north 4th street, and Mr. nanid Lebo's White fiwan Inn, No. iOC, Ravc sUeet, Philadelphia, every Sunday, Tuesday and Tbursday, at 4, A. M. awl proceed by the following routes, tl.rougli Germantown, Flouertown, Wliitemarsh, Montgomery sqare, Quakertowti & Ferysbarg, and arrive at Beilikliem at 5 p. m. leave Btihlcheni the next mormng, & arrive at WUkis- barre in the evening, leave fVUkesbarre the succeedieg day at 4, a. m. and arrive by 7, p. M.ai Owfgo, and in the same manner continue through the whole ronte. Persons desiring to go to Dnffaloe^ the Falls of JVYagaro or Canada, can by this line perform the journey in five days, and lodge ev- ery night at the first-rate houses. Returning THE GnEAT .rORTHERX STAGES, Via Buffaloe, &c, will arrive at their offices in Philadelphia every Jfonday, Wednesday and Friday, by 5, p. m. BERWICK. The Stage for Berwick, will leave Betlilehetn every Friday immiing, acd di rive at Berwick t!ie next day, at 2 p. m. leave Berwick on Taeaday, ami arrive at Bethlehem, on Wednesday, at 1 p. m. There is likewise a line of Stages from Bethlehem to JVe.w Fork, Beading, Lancaster and Easton, Persons whose wish it is to visit tiie Mineral Svrings at Schoolet/^s Jlountahi, arc ini'orraed that this i» the best route, and that they can be ac- commodated at Bethlehem on reasonable terms. The Fioprietois respectfully inform the public, that theyhaTC good horses and Stages, throughout this extensive line — the drivera,sober,«xperienced and ol>liging-The diflerent Stage-houses are noted InaSi-and moderate in ♦heir charges la order to conform to tke times, the proprietor* have Reduced fJie Fare To Bethlehem, only Three Dollars, From Bethlehem to IFtZfcesfcarre, Four OollarSf And so proportioned throughout the whole route — Ba^age at the risque rf the owner. Way Passengers 6 cents per mile. The proprietor* cannot but flatter themselves from the superior accommo- dations, that the above inducements will insure the continuance of tibe public favor. The Bethlehem ^ Philadelphia 7 Stage Proprietors, \ April SI 18«0i MAII. STAGE ADVERTISEMENT HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 115 with a driver's seat in front, and with another seat at the back. The tops of the cars were also fixed with a central double bench, running from the front to the back, with iron guard-railings at the side. There were seats for twenty inside passengers and fifteen or sixteen outside.""' This was the first Philadelphia rail- road and, although the cars w^ere for awhile drawn by horses and the time to Germantown was three-quarters of an hour, this was great speed as compared with the usual rate of that day. Horse power was used on this railroad for about six months. In No- vember, 1832, the "locomotive-engine", known as "Old Iron- sides," which was built by Matthias W. Baldwin, took the place "OLD IRONSIDES" of the horses, a horse having been required for each car. It readily drew four cars loaded with passengers to Germantown, making the six miles in twenty-eight minutes. The railroad was then extended so that passengers were landed in the road where Price Street has since been opened. The ticket office was in a little building at the side of the Main Street. A gravity car used to run unaided from Germantown to the City at 6 A. M., each day. There was a bell on the front platform to give warn- ing of its approach. The wheezy little engines. "Eclipse" and "Fort Erie", were afterwards placed on the road and rendered excellent service, although they occasionally required the assist- ance of the passengers at the steep grade near Duy's Lane. The growth of the place vv^as now more rapid so that, when it was consolidated with the City in 1854, it could boast of 6500 in- 5 See Scharf and Westcotf s "History of Philadelphia," Vol. Ill, p. 2177. ii6 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN habitants. But even then Captain Oldmixon, R. N., possibly because he looked through English eyes, thought its railroad rather an inconsequent affair. He visited Philadelphia the next year (1855) and wrote, "I have glanced at the short, little, domes- tic, easy railroad of six miles to Germantown, with its serious conductor, the Major. Its station is in Ninth Street; coming in from the country, along the center of the street its quiet speed slackened to a gentle trot, ringing its bell, perhaps a wagon or a cart trotting along amicably beside it." And again "this Ger- mantown is a great blessing to all those easy enough to have a country house ; indeed, a great many clerks o£ late years, and tradesmen well off live here, coming backwards and forwards six miles by the railway in half an hour, for it is a slow domestic bit of road, and its smoking fiery horse goes quietly, to allow the boys to run on before it, occasionall}^ to cross it, and laugh at the danger if any. Some of the numerous passengers pay by the year, a single fare is fifteen cents." The coming of the railroad did a great deal toward American- izing Germantown, which up to that time had been largely Ger- man in its characteristics, with the German tongue still heard in most of its churches and commonly on the street. Consolida- tion completed this work and the inhabitants rapidly took on city ways, although the place still retained something of its village- like appearance, possibly because most of its houses were built along its one long main street. "Germantown, a long straggling village six miles off, the healthiest spot anywhere around the city. This Germantown for many years remained in its old stone-housed, steep-roofed, farm-yarded state, in one street of three miles long, for a space out of the memory of the oldest in- habitant: but they are now (1855) building m it like mad; a single line of rail runs to it, north, out of Ninth Street, and everybody wants to live there, very naturally. Worn out as farms it cuts up well in building lots * * '■= Here the coun- try is very agreeably undulated ; the hills and valleys are cutting out on each side of the one interminable Dutch street, into lanes full of fine villas and cottages ornee." — Oldmixon. Watson gives the following interesting description of the ap- pearance of Germantown as he first knew it : "Those who now visit Germantown, and notice the general neatness and whiteness of the front faces of the houses, and see the elegance of some HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 117 of the country-seats, can have httle idea of how differently it looked in 1814, when the writer first became a resident in the place. Then, most of the houses were of dark, moss-grown stone, and of sombre and prison-like aspect, with little old- fashioned windows, and monstrous corner chimneys, formed of stone. Now the chimneys are rebuilt of brick, and taken from the corners ; and nearly all of the front walls are plastered over in imitation of marble ; besides this, the whole town is laid with good foot-pavements," thus relieving the street-walkers from the great annoyance of muddy feet. These changes were affected by the frequent expostulations and suggestions of writers in the Germantown Gazette, among whom the present writer was to be numbered. Numerous shade-trees were also introduced along the streets, so as to add to the charm of the promenade, the whole length of this remarkably long town ; — sometimes called Long- villc, in reference to this, its peculiar characteristic. Many of the old houses, now of two stories, have been raised from one and a half stories. Before the Revolution the most of the houses were but one and a half stories, with high double-hipped roofs." The period of prosperity following the Civil War greatly in- creased the business population of Germantown, and the influ- ences of the Centennial Exhibition gave it. in common with other parts of Philadelphia, quite an impetus in its building operations. The people of Germantown continued to prosper and their numbers steadily to increase until the Civil AA^ar began. During that dark period they gave their thought and interests to the loyal sons who went out from among them to fight for the maintenance of the Union and for the welfare of the nation which their ancestors had done so much to bring into being. 6 "An ordinance for the Regulating- and Paving of Footways in the Borougli" was passed December 9, 1S45. Tills ordinance was re-enacted after Germantown became officially a borough in 1847, and reciuired "Pave- ments of good hard bricks or smooth flag-stones well jointed and laid on sand." CHAPTER X MANNERS AND CUSTOMS The German settlers were a sociable people and very fond of their homes, over which they exercised the most rigid rule. Although they were industrious, hardworking and frugal, they were liberal in providing that which was substantial and com- fortable for the body, and especially generous in provision for the visitor and invited guest. Their first houses were no doubt built of logs and were small. Following a Dutch custom, they had their gables towards the street. This street was at first little more than a road through a "clearing" and full of stones and stumps. But the thrifty villagers soon had it lined with peach trees and with evidences of the industrial pursuits followed by their craftsmen. After securing the titles to their properties, they erected more substantial houses ; but even these were built small, owing to the difficulty of heating them. "Germantown in 1720 was a rambling village of but few houses, extending along a single street officially known as the North Wales Road, a mere dirt lane without paving or kerbing. Their houses were almost without exception plain one-story structures, the ground floor consisting of two rooms. The front room was generally built of stone, and the back or kitchen of logs.^ This was in reality the living room of the family. The front part of the house was covered with a high hipped roof, which formed a low bed chamber ; the gables were of clap-boards and pierced for a small window, which gave light and air to the chamber. Many of the roofs v/ere covered with brick tiles after the German fashion ; others, again, were of split oak shingles. The front or street doors were all divided in the middle, so as to admit air and at the same time keep out any domestic or other animals. The doors were furnished with a porch and a bench at either side of the door-jamb. The small windows were closed by two- iWatson says the first houses were plastered with clay ard straw mixed. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOWN 119 hinged sashes, opening inside and having small panes of glass set in the leaden sash. It was not an unusual thing to find in the rear of the houses thin sheets of horn substituted in lieu of glass, as this had the advantage of being cheaper and unbreakable. "- By 1748, many more pretentious houses had taken the place of these smaller ones, judging from Kalms account upon visiting Germantown at that time — "this town has only one street, but is near two English miles long. It is for the greatest part in- DUTCii DOOiaVAY OF THE JOliXSoX HOUSE habited by Germans, who from time to time come from their country to North America and settle here, because they enjoy such privileges as they are not possessed of anywhere else. Most of the inhabitants are tradesmen and make almost everything in such quantity and perfection that in a short time this province will want very little from England, its mother country. Most of the houses were built of the stone which is mixed with glim- mer (mica?) and found everywhere towards Philadelphia, but is more scarce further on. Several houses however were made 2"The German Sectarians of Pennsylvania" — Saelise, Vol. II, p. 44. I20 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN of brick. They were commonly two stories high and sometimes higher. The roofs consisted of shingles of the white cedar wood. Their shape resembled that of the roofs in Sweden, but the angles they formed at the top were either obtuse, right-angled, or acute, according as the slopes were steep or easy. They sometimes formed either the half of an octagon, or the half of a dodecagon. Many of the roofs were made in such a manner that they could be walked upon, having a balustrade round them. Alany of the upper stories had balconies before them, from whence the people had a prospect into the street. The windows, even those in the third story, had shutters. Each house had a tine garden."^ At first furniture and clothing were home-made and necessar- ily plain, though always strong and durable. The German house- wife spun the tow, flax, and wool which her husband raised. The itinerant tailor came into the home and helped her to make clothing for husbands and sons from the goods woven from her threads and yarns by herself, by the hired weaver, or by the village weaver if the home contained no hand-loom. Home-made tables and benches of pine or maple, with the inevitable high- backed settee and deep chest for the Sunday clothes, formed the furniture of the room, which was at the same time kitchen and living room. The family ate their breakfast of rye-bread* and cheese, toast and home-brewed beer, or bread and a good-sized wooden noggin of porridge, from wooden trenchers. The serving-maid, inden- tured servant, and "redemptioner" ate with them ; for, though classes of society were well defined in these early days, each was so dependent upon the other and the teachings of their churches were so emphatic on the vanity of rank, that great freedom and good will prevailed between the serving and the served. Besides, the redemptioner was often both a scholar and a man of means, who allowed the captain of the vessel m which he came to sell his services for a short term into a family where he could learn the language and ways of the new country, or he was in temporary distress because his goods had been care- lessly detained or lost. The practice of indenturing children to 3 "Travels Into North America." — Peter Kalm, Vol. I, p. S9. 4There were three kinds of rye-bread made by the German colonists: Schwartzbrod or black bread; Kuemmelbrod, rye-bread witli caraway seed in it; and Pumpernickel, rye-bread made into large loaves without yeast and regarded as especially nutritious. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN 121 service, in order that they might learn trades or because the size of the home family made their services there unnecessary, was followed quite generally. Dinners and suppers were more preten- tious meals ; for them pork and game, which was abundant, to- gether with the products of the home vegetable garden, were mixed with various forms of dough and formed " dishes the SPINNING mysteries of which are knoAvn only to the Dutch and German cooks. Those engaged at hard manual labor had a substantial lunch furnished to them in the middle of the forenoon. After supper, the family gathered around the wide mouth of the open fire-place, where the cooking had been done in large iron and 122 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN earthenware pots. These pots were hung upon cranes or set in the hve coals ; the "Dutch oven" was so formed that coals could also be heaped upon its lid. Meat was roasted before the fire in primitive days, suspended by a strong hempen string which was fastened either to the mantel or to the low kitchen ceiling. Then iron supports for the roast, such as jacks and turnspits, came into use. "In well-to-do kitchens these were superceded by 'the roast- ing kitchen', or Dutch oven. These succeeded the jacks ; they were a box-like arrangement open on one side which when in use was turned to the fire. Like other utensils of the day, they often stood up on legs, to bring the open side before the blaze. A little door at the back could be opened for convenience in basting the roast. These kitchens came in various sizes for roasting birds or joints, and in them bread was occasionally baked. The bake- kettle, which in some communities was also called a Dutch oven, was preferred for baking bread. It was a strong kettle, standing, of course, on stout, stumpy legs, and when in use was placed among the hot coals and closely covered with a strong, metal, con- vex cover, on which coals were also closely heaped."^ After bricks came into general use, the German housewives had "bake-ovens," built either as part of the huge kitchen chimney or in the yard nearby. These were large arched ovens with a flat floor, made of brick, and either connected with the flue of the kitchen chim- ney or built with a chimney of their own. They were thoroughly heated by a fire of long, dry wood ; the coals and ashes were then quickly scraped out and the bread, cakes, and pies deftly made to take their place. The iron door of the oven was then closed and the chimney-draft shut off until the baking was nicely completed by the heat retained in the bricks composing the oven. Often the only light in the room was that coming from the burning logs of the huge fire-place, though sometimes it re- ceived the assistance of a dipped tallow-candle v/hich stood on a shelf held up by wooden pegs driven into the wall. In later days, lamps that burned melted tallow or lard and, in wealthier homes, lard-oil, sperm-oil, or burning fluid/' came into use. At first these lamps were simply flat receptacles for tallow, lard, or grease with a loose cloth or cotton wick hanging from the point of the bowl, the whole lamp being very much on the style of the old Roman 5 "Home Life in Colonial Days." — Alice Morse Earle, pp. 65-66. "Porter's fluid" was one of the last of these used before they were all supplanted by the use of petroleum. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 123. hiccrnac. But later on they were made more nearly of the shape of our modern oil lamps with the exception that the wick, which commonly was a round bundle of thick cotton threads, was con tained in a cylindrical tube. The lamps using oils and burtiing fluid usually had two or more such wick-tubes. In all of these lamps the wick had to be regulated with a large iron needle or some similar pointed instrument. Brass was a favorite material for the later forms of candlesticks and lamps, although glass and pewter also came to be used extensively for lamps. One of the most serious problems confronting the colonists was that of obtaining fire. As friction-matches were not in- vented until 1827, up to that time friction and "sparking" were the only means of obtaining fire. Various appliances were used for securing fire by friction. They were all based on the principle of producing sufficient heat, by the twirling of a small stick of hard wood against a hollow spot in a piece of soft wood, to kindle loose dry material lying in this hollow place. But the main de- pendence was placed upon securing a spark, of sufiicient intensity to ignite some inflammable material, by striking a flint a cjuick slanting blow with a piece of steel. Some resorted to the ex- pedient of flashing some powder in the flint-locks of their mus- kets to ignite a twist of tow hanging from the pan of the lock. As it was so tedious a thing to secure fire, great pains were taken to retain live coals on the hearth by covering them carefully each night with ashes. If by any mischance the fire went out an obliging neighbor, if near enough, was often called upon for the loan of live coals to renew it. Bedrooms were unheated. But this was no great hardship, for they slept between heavy feather- beds filled with down plucked from geese and ducks raised by the provident housewife. In cold weather a warming pan was drawn slowly over the sheets of the bed of the invited guest. For his benefit, and on festival occasions, the gudewife also took down her well-polished pewter and brought out her bits of rare china which were cherished treasures of the fatherland. The farmer and laborer wore coarse linen shirts, flannel blouses, breeches of tanned deerskin, woolen stockings and neat- skin shoes closely set with flat-headed nails driven into their heavy soles. In summer, children and many of their elders went barefoot. The artisan could be distinguished by his heavy leather apron reaching from his chest to below his knees. Caps 124 HISTORY OP OLD GERMANTOWN and hats made from the skins of muskrat, raccoon or beaver, or three-cornered hats of coarse wool, formed the favorite headgear of men and boys. The short dress of the woman was made of worsted, hnsey-woolsey, or Hnen, according to the season. On her head she wore a white linen cap, it being, so affirms Watson, a rare thing to see a bare-headed woman. On Sunday, the man dressed in linen or worsted, and put on a broad cravat and shoes with silver or brass buckles ; while the woman added a "stom- acher," a bright apron, a bit of ribbon, and whatever heirlooms she might have in the way of laces or jewelry. There was no diiTerence in these early days between the dress of Quakers and others, as the Friends had not yet found it necessary to protest against the extravagances in dress which appeared later. As ampler means accumulated, and the settlers felt secure in their property rights, solid stone mansions replaced the smaller and more temporary dwellings. Mahogany sideboards, and fur- niture covered with damask and Paduasoy were purchased; heavy silver waiters, bowls and tankards, together with Delft- ware and English china, appeared in the dining-room ; a high clock was secured for the hall ; and in the parlor was seen afi occasional little table or cabinet of marquetry work and a har- monica, or perhaps even a harpsichord. Carpets now (about 1750) replaced the old sanded floors; but they covered only the center of the room, the furniture being arranged around the edge. Pictures painted on glass, and mirrors set in narrow frames, also became more common ; and the whitewashed walls were, a little later, covered with paper above the wainscoting. The Germans had brought with them the idea of cast-iron fire-boxes or stoves, which were built into the wall and supplied wuth fuel from the adjoining room. At first the settlers adopted the idea of the English open hearth, because of the abundance of fire-wood ; but, by 1741, they were casting rectangular stoves, which had deco- rated plates that were either set into the wall of the room or into the jamb of the chimney. These came to be called "German stoves", and were cast in open sand. The Bible scenes with texts, the pictures with morals, and the other ornamentation of their outside plates,'^ furnish good evidence of how the decora- tive impulse was transferred from the valley of the Rhine to the 7See "The Decorated Stove Plates of the Pennsylvania Germans," by Henry C. Mercer, HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 125 forests of the new world. Christopher Saur is credited with casting some of these stoves in Germantown about the same time (1742J that FrankHn first made his metal open-grate. By 1760, six-plate stoves, which were detached from the wall and connected with the chimney by means of a stove-pipe, had sup- planted the German wall-stove. These were known as "Dutch stoves", and were the first form of what developed into the ten- plate stove with its oven for cooking and baking, as well as its great capacity for heating. These improved iiieans of heating, combined with the larger windows with their little panes of glass set in lead frames, greatly added to the cheeriness and comfort of the homes. The young people now began to dress more gaih'. My lady appeared on the street in flounced petticoat vv^ell distended by hoops, tightly-laced stomacher richly embroidered in gold, with point-lace falling over her wrists, with high-heeled satin slippers on her dainty feet, and having either a little hat perched upon her high-dressed hair or a green silk calash bonnet which she could raise or lower over her head by means of a cord which she held in her hand. The young gallant strutted by her side in lavender silk or velvet coat, cut square and having overlapping tails stiffened with wire or buckram. The coat was left wide open, to show his richly embroidered low-cut waistcoat with its wide pockets for his snuff-box and bonbonniere. The sleeves of his coat were short, in order to show the ruftles of his fine linen shirt. The waistcoat was long that it might meet the short blue silk small-clothes which, lacking suspenders to hold them up, reached but little above the hips. Silk stockings, square-toed shoes with high red heels and small silver buckles, point-lace cravat, a tie- wig surmounted by a small cocked hat laced with gold or silver galloon, and a richly decorated sword, completed the outfit. While the early Friends were not adverse to bright colors, as early as 1726, some of their women found it necessary to send out the following protest from their Yearly Meeting at Burling- ton against "that immodest fashion of hooped petticoats, or the imitation of them, either by something put into their petticoats to make them set full, or wearing more than is necessary or any other imitation whatsoever, which we take to be but a branch springing from the same corrupt root of pride. And also that none of our friends accustom themselves to wear the sfowns with 126 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN superfluous folds behind, but plain and decent ; nor go with aprons; nor to wear superfluous gathers or plaits in their caps or pinners; nor to wear their hair dressed high behind; neither to cut or lay their hair on their foreheads or temples. "xA.nd that Friends be careful to avoid wearing striped shoes, or red or white-heeled shoes or clogs, or shoes trimmed with gaudy colors. "Likewise that all Friends be careful to avoid all superfluity of furniture in their houses, and as much as may be to refrain using gaudy flowers or striped calicoes and stuflrs. "And also that no Friends use that irreverent practice of taking snuff, or handing snuff-boxes one to the other in meetings. "Also that Friends avoid the unnecessary use of fans in meetings, lest it divert the mind from the more inward and spiritual exercise which all ought to be concerned in." Although Friends now began to dress in graver colors, they used the finest sort of materials. "They are remarkable for the choice of the finest linens, muslins,^ and silks. Elegant fans play between their fingers." So testified a writer of that day. And he added that the young clung to their bright colors and "Ribbons please young Quakeresses as well as others." For many years there was little change in the general cut and appearance of the clothing — what change there was being confined mainly to the colors worn and to the style of arranging the hair — but a great variety of materials and articles of adornment, many of them with names strange to us, came into use. The following IS but a partial list : grograms, harabines, sooloots, grassetts, chinus. belladine silks, cotton romals, penascas, double and single sleetas, broad and narrow cadis, damask Florells, garlix, watered barrogans, striped ducapes, mantuas, cherryderries. silk dun- nadars, chex. bunts, chelloes, seletins, cawls, mantlets, pilareens. and spencers. The variety of wigs worn by men at diff'erent periods is also large — English periwigs, perukes of English hair, bob-tail wigs or simply "bobs", bag-wigs, scratch-wigs, scratch bob-wigs, cut-wigs, long grisette dress wigs, and tie-wigs. Whatever our thought about the dress of our Revolutionary and pre-Revolutionary ancestors, we must admit that there was an air of dignified refinement m it which no stvle of dress since 8 These muslins were imported from India, no cotton being raised in America at that time. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 127 that time has equalled. It was a time of stately manners and dignified behavior, to which the plainness and straightness of the furniture no doubt contributed ; and, dearly though our German- town burgher loved to lean over the lower half of his Dutch door and gossip with a passing neighbor or to sit on his stoop, smok- ing a long pipe of a summer's evening, with his family gathered about him, if we could have met him on the street with his three- cornered hat, powdered wig, "swallow-tail coat" with gold or silver buttons, his black silk vest, his knee-breeches, black silk stockings, silver-buckled shoes, and with a staff in his hand, we would have instinctively bowed to him as to one of gentle birth. The French Revolution greatly changed the manner of dress in America, because of the sympathy of its people with the cause of liberty in France. Their ardor led them to adopt many of the fashions of dress of the nation that had so recently shown us such effective friendship. Trowsers or pantaloons now began to supplant the small-clothes which had been the fashion for so many years. These pantaloons were sometimes loose and baggy, at other times skin-tight with a bell-shape at the ankles. The vest was greatly abridged in length and made either single or double breasted. A great variety in styles of head-gear came in rapid succession. The "poke" bonnet was first worn about the year 1800 — at the lime when men were wearing hats with cone- shaped crowns not unlike those still worn by the Tyrolese. Sil- ver watches of large size were carried by men ; Avhile women car- ried gold snuff-boxes, each with its small mirror, on the inside of the lid, for a sly peep to see if the head-dress and rouge were intact. During all this time the beard and mustache were rigidly barred from society ; a smooth face being one of the marks of good breeding. "Blackball", a mixture of lamp-black and suet, and "dubbing", a grease used by tanners, were in use in lieu ol shoe polish. And my lady is said to have cleaned her teeth with a rag dipped in snuff. Hunting, fishing, swimming, and skating — a favorite pastime of the Dutch in their home land — afforded the principal amuse- ments for many years. To these must be added such pleasures and excitements as came from marriage-feasts ; from such gala days as Butcherings, when the neighbors gathered to help kill the hogs and to make the liver-puddings and sausages ; Corn- huskings or Husking Bees ; Apple Butter Frolics, when apples 128 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN. were pared, and sliced, and boiled in cider until converted into a rich jam ; Cellar Diggings and Raisings, when ihey helped to dig the cellar or to raise the framework of house or barn. On all such occasions the gudewife's cooking and the pleasures of neighborly intercourse and friendly competition were the only rewards expected or that would have been accepted. Horse- racing, cock-fighting, and even bull-baiting were not unknown ; the yard of one of the old Germantown inns being pointed out as a favorite place for the latter. Young people played games and danced, although there were no schools for dancing much before 1750. Then came dance-parties and balls at which contra- dances and the stately minuet were the favorites, although vari- ous French dances also soon began to appear. Sleighing parties and singing-schools came in after the Revolution ; and spelling schools became very popular as a profitable evening diversion after the publication, in 1783, of Webster's Spelling-book — a book which has had by far the largest circulation of any work pub- lished in America.^ Although the strong Quaker element in Germantown served to give a more or less sober tone to its society, yet the social in- clinations of the descendants of Dutch and German ancestors, who formed the predominating element of its population up to 1830, led its people to make the most of all holidays and festive occasions. The wealth, travel, and social intercourse resulting from its important manufactures and trade soon raised many of its people to a high social plane; the attractiveness of the beau- tifully located village brought from Philadelphia some of its best citizens; and the interest in education manifested even before the Revolution in the unusually large percentage of schools in the place ; all combined to build upon the industry and moralitv of its early settlers a history, for this suburb of a great city, which is indeed unique. We are indebted to our German fore- fathers for the introduction of the Christmas festival and New Year's calls. We are also indebted to them for the excellent cooking which made Germantown inns in the good old davs places of favorite resort for many a merry party of young people from the "City." These were the days, in Germantown, of solid stone houses with hand-hewn timbers, hand-carved wood-work, and hand- sUpwards of 31,000,000 copies of this book have been sold. HISTORY OP OLD GERMAXTOIVN 129 wrought nails, hinges, and locks— the days when everybody worked hard, ate heartily, and often drank too freely from the punch-bowl and decanter found in every home ; but yet the days when its people were bound closely together — master and apprentice, mistress and bound-girl — by their common interests and their common knowledge of each other's strong points and failings. And these were the people of whom Governor Thomas said, in 1738, "This Province has been for some years the asylum of the distressed Protestants of the Palatinate, and other parts of Germany; and I believe it may with truth be said that the present flourishing condition of it is in a great measure owing to the Industry of these people ; and should any discouragement divert them from coming hither, it may well be apprehended that the value of your lands will fall, and your advance to wealth be much slower ; for it is not altogether the goodness of the soil, but the number and the industry of the people, that makes a flourish- ing country." PART II Detailed History of Germantown hy C. HENRY KAIN DR. NAAMAN H. KEYSER INTRODUCTORY The original limits of Germantown were from a point four- teen perches south of Wister Street to Washington Lane, but in the present work the name will be considered in a more general sense. The settled portion of the old town lay almost exclu- sively along the line of Germantown Avenue, or Alain Street, as it was then called, hence the present plan contemplates the fol- loAving of this main thoroughfare with but little divergence. The various properties are treated in consecutive order, as far as pos- sible, although there are some deviations because of the divis- ions of property which have taken place, and the consequent alteration of property lines. In the charming papers of Townsend Ward, originally pub- lished in the Pennsylvania Magazine under the title of "77;r Ger- mantozvn Road and its Associations;" the numbers of the various properties are given as they existed at that time. The number- ing was also given in "Ancient and Modern Gcnnantoivn and Chest- nut Hill" by Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, and in "The Inhabitants of Ger- niantouni and Chestnut Hill in i8op," by Thomas H. Shoemaker, published in Vols. 15 and 16 of the Pennsylvania Magazine. Since the publication of the works mentioned, the numbers of the houses have all been changed, in some instances more than once, so that it is frequently difficult for the reader to identify places of importance. It has therefore been thought that it would be of general interest to indicate, in connection with each property, its numbering as given by the authorities named. One serious difficulty that confronts the writer in dealing with the early history of the German settlements in Pennsylvania is the extreme variation in the spelling of proper names, even in deeds and other legal documents. Individuals were not even uniform in the signing of their own names. An attempt has been made, however, to follow the form most frequently used by the individual himself, except in the case of quotations from other sources. STENTON Just upon the southern border of Germantown, and but a short distance east of Wayne Junction, still stands old Stenton, the ancient home of the Logans, and one of the most interesting colonial mansions in the vicinity of Philadelphia — interesting not only because of its historic associations, but also because it is an exceedingly well-preserved specimen of colonial architecture. Built by James Logan, the friend and secretary of William Penn, it has continued in the Logan family ever since. The historian Watson gives the date of its erection as 1727, l)ut an inscription on the fire-back of one of the fire-places is "1. L. 1728." It is certain that James Logan was residing there in 1732, although it is probable that the main dwelling was not entirely finished until 1734. The stately old mansion has not been used as a residence for many years, but since May, 1902, it has been in the care of the Colonial Dames, who have leased the place for a term of years, and are doing much to restore the property to its original appearance. The ladies of the association have also made con- siderable progress in bringing together and arranging in the old mansion a valuable collection of relics of colonial days. In the reception room to the right of the main entrance is a collection of old fire-arms such as were used in colonial and Revolutionary times. Among the articles of interest especially pertaining to the Logan family may be mentioned a sofa, a child's cradle, chairs, and a quaint old mahogany side-board. The last named is a queer old piece of furniture. It is so arranged as to conceal each separate piece of silverware in a compartment especially fitted for it. Pewter platters, marked with the monograms of James Logan and their successive owners, are also exhibited. In one of the rooms is a life-size oil portrait of James Logan, copied from the original, which is in the possession of Albanus C. Logan, who is also the owner of several other portraits of members of the Logan family. Beside the Logan relics, there are many others belonging to the colonial period. The members 136 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN of the association regard these reHcs and mementoes as only the nucleus of a greater and more comprehensive collection which they expect ultimately to accumulate. The Logans trace their lineage back to an ancient Scottish family — the Logans of Restalrig. The last Logan. Baron of Restalrig, died in 1600. Eight years after his death he was tried lor being concerned in the "Gowrie conspiracy." It seems rather an absurd thing, and not at all in accord with American ideas of justice, to place a man on trial in court some years after his death ; but there was a canny purpose in the trial, which was to secure the confiscation of the dead man's estates. As a result of the legal proceedings, the Logan estates in Scotland were de- clared forfeited, and the sons of Sir Robert Logan settled in Ireland, taking up their residence at Lurgan. The family was evidently in very moderate circumstances, for James Logan, when quite young, was bound apprentice to a linen draper in Dublin. The indentures were broken, however, and he ac- companied his parents to Edinburgh, London and Bristol. In 1698, when he was twenty-four years of age, he engaged in mer- cantile life, and was achieving considerable success when he came under the notice of William Penn. This distinguished m.an, thinking that he discerned in him the characteristics he desired, invited young Logan to accompany him to America as his secretary. Logan's friends and relatives were considerably opposed to the step, but he concluded to accept the offer, and taking passage on the "Canterbury,'' he arrived at Philadelphia late in the autumn of 1699. In connection with this voyage an anecdote is told which shows that although Logan had linked his fortunes with the Quakers, he had not yet, at least, become a thorough convert to their well known principle of non-resist- ance. It seems that the "Canterbury" was chased by an armed vessel, and when it appeared that a fight was imminent, the Quakers, unwilling even to fight in their own defence, went below. Not so James Logan, for he took his place at one of the guns to render what service he could in the expected encoun- ter. The ship, however, on getting nearer, proved to be a friendly vessel, and Logan immediately went below to convey the welcome news to his Quaker friends, whereupon William Penn began to rebuke him for his inconsistency in being willing to engage in fighting. Logan immediately responded, "I being HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOJVN 139 thy servant, A\'illiam, why did thee not order me to come below? Thee was wilHng enough that I should stay and help fight the ship when thee thought there was danger." If Penn made any reply to this home-thrust there is no record of it. If James Logan had lived in the days of the Revolution he would un- doubtedly have beeen found arrayed on the side of the ''fighting Quakers." AYhen war broke out between England and France in 1744. there was great alarm throughout the colony. French priva- teers made their appearance ofif the Capes of the Delaware, and Philadelphia was believed to be in imminent peril. The Indians, too, on the western frontier, were restless and threatening in- their attitude. So critical was the situation that Benjamin Franklin wrote a powerful pamphlet entitled "Plain Truth," in which he argued that it was the plain duty of all the people to organize for the defence of their homes and families. In a few days, more than ten thousand men were under arms, and ])repara- tions for defence were carried on with great vigor. The Qua- kers, between the instincts of human nature and their non-re- sistant principles, were in a terrible dilemma. ]\Iany of them, including Logan, openly took sides with Franklin, declaring that self-defense was equally the dictate of nature and religion. Logan, too old to serve in the field, subscribed five hundred pounds for the purchase of cannon, besides affording Franklin the support of all his powerful influence. In a letter to Franklin he said, "A government without arms is an inconsistency." The great body of the Quakers, however, were more disposed, as I\Ir. Logan remarked, to get estates than they were to defend them. Some of the younger men resorted to an artifice in order to contribute money to the defence of the town without offending their elders. They agreed to raise money for a "fire-engine." and to entrust the fund to Benjamin Franklin, who proceeded to buy with it a great gun, "which," said he, with a twinkle in his eye, "is certainly a fire-engine." There is no better evidence of the high regard which Penn had for his 3'oung secretary than is contained in the letter which he sent to the latter in 1701. at the time when he found it necessary to return to England. At that time he placed Logan in charge of all his interests in this country. In this letter he said : I40 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "I have left thee in an uncommon trust, with a singular dependence on thy justice and care, which I expect thou wilt faithfully employ in advancing my honest interests. For thy own service I allow thee what is just and reasonable, either by a commission or a salary. But my dependence is on thy care and honesty. Serve me faithfully, as thou expectest a blessing from God or my farm, and I shall support thee to the utmost as thy true friend." In the course of his life James Logan filled many important offices in Pennsylvania, being successively Secretary of the Province, Commissioner of Property, Member of the Provincial Council, President of the Council, and Chief Justice of Pennsyl- vania. He gave much attention to literature and science, especi- ally in his later years, corresponding with many of the learned men of the time. In the course of his studies he accumulated a fine library of scientific and classical books, many of them be- ing rare editions. These formed the nucleus of the Loganian Library which he established, and which is now merged in the Ridgway Branch of the Library of Philadelphia. Logan did not marry until several years after his arrival in America. He early formed an attachment for Ann Shippen, daughter of Edward Shippen. the first Mayor of Philadelphia, but she did not reciprocate his feelings and married Thomas Story. He eventually married Sarah Read, and their married life appears to have been one of singular happiness and peace. It seems probable that Stenton was at first used by Logan as a country residence, but it soon became his permanent abode. In deeds made prior to 1730, he describes himself as "James Logan of Philadelphia", but in 1732 he began to style himself "James Logan of Stenton." On approaching the mansion the attention is at once at- tracted to the singular looking stone steps, which are semi-circu- lar and fastened together with iron clamps. The heavy front doors open into a large brick-paved hall, at the far end of which rises a large open stairway. In the southeastern corner of the hall is an open fire-place. The massive wooden front door, with its large wrought-iron hinges, its heavy oak bar, and its immense lock and key, are objects of interest, and remind us that in the early days of the colony it was considered a matter of great im- portance to make dwellings secure from attack without. The wooden window seats and the wainscoting are in excellent con- dition. We notice, too, that the heavy wooden window shutters HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 143 open inward, and, like the outer doors, are secured inside by heavy bars. There is a fire-place in every principal room, and some of these have ornamental borders of Dutch tiles illustrating scenes in Scripture history. Unfortunately, many of these tiles have long ago been destroyed or removed by vandal hands, but in the northwest room of the second story they are well pre- served. Many features of the old mansion indicate that the security of the household was a matter carefully regarded in its con- struction. About the center of the southern side of the house there is a box staircase, occupying but a very small space, which extends from the attic to the cellar. Although it could scarcely be called a secret staircase, yet one can easily pass all through the house without noticing it. This staircase afforded an easy means of communication from every floor of the house with an tmderground passage extending from the north side of the cellar toward the barn. This passageway is now obstructed, but it is believed that one branch of it extended to the barn, and another to the graveyard which lies a few rods east of the mansion. In the northeast room of the first floor is a trap door which also afifords a short cut to the same retreat. The old-fashioned closets are quite interesting. The one on the left of the fire- place in the northwest room on the first floor is concave at the top, and on the surface of this concave space is painted in yellow a picture of the rising sun. This was doubtless the china closet where the finest table ware of the mansion was kept. It is uncertain what, if any, significance is attached to the presence of this emblem of the Rising Sun at Stenton. That emblem forms part of the Arms of Ireland, and James Logan emigrated from Ireland. A large iron treasure chest standing in the hall is one of the most interesting relics in the collection. The family plate used to be stored in this. It is so heavy and massive that it would doubtless have defied the best efforts of burglars in those early times. In the rear of the main building is an annex in which were the offices and the servants' quarters. It is supposed that the bricks used in the construction of the building were made mainly upon the premises. In the pavement leading to the back annex, on the north side of the house, may El"ill be seen some bricks in 144 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN which are visible the imprints of a litle child's feet and hands. It is believed that these imprints were made by one of the little Logans. In the later years of his life James Logan was greatly afflicted, suffering much because of a fall, as well as from other infirmities which were the natural accompaniments of advanced age. He now retired as much as possible from the active cares of life, and spent much of his time in meditation and literary Avork. In speaking of his death, Mrs. Deborah Logan says : — "He finished his useful and active life at his seat at Stenton, Oc- tober 31, 1751, having just entered into the 77tli year of his age. He was buried in the Friends' Burying Ground, at Fourth and Arch Streets." After the death of James Logan, his eldest son, William, who was born at Stenton, occupied the ancestral mansion. He married Hannah Emlen, and September 9, 1753, their son. Dr. George Logan, was born. Dr. George Logan married the gifted Deborah Norris, a grand-daughter of Isaac Xorris, Senior, the close friend of William Penn. This unusually intelligent and accomplished lady, with her distinguished husband, long pre- sided over the affairs of the Logan estate at Stenton. In their time, within the walls of the stately old mansion were often gathered in social intercourse many of the most distinguished men and women of the period. The literary labors of Mrs. De- borah Logan have been of great importance. In the attic at Stenton, she found, all dusty and neglected, a large amount of James Logan's correspondence. With loving and devoted care she collated and arranged this mass of material, adding such ex- planatory notes as were necessary. The Penn and Logan cor- respondence has been published in two volumes, under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and has been the means of throwing much light upon the condition of affairs in Pennsylvania during the earlier years of its history. When the Revolutionary War broke out. Dr. Logan was in Europe studying medicine, and the place was in charge of a col- ored woman named Dinah. She proved herself a "faithful steward", indeed, and on one occasion, by the exercise of her ready wit, she was fortunate enough to be the means of saving the mansion from destruction. After the battle of Germantown, the British, greatly angered at the unexpected resistance they HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 145 had met, became very much incensed at those who adhered to the cause of the colonies, and, feehng now secure in the posses- sion of Philadelphia, they commenced to put into effect measures of retaliation. It was determined to destro}' a number of estates, and a force of soldiers was detailed for that service. Between Germantown and Philadelphia seventeen important houses were destroyed, one of the most noted of which was Fairhill Mansion. the home of the Norris family, which had been erected by Isaac Norris between 1717 and 1719. At the time of the Revolution it was the home of John Dickinson, who had married Mary Norris, the grand-daughter of Isaac Norris. Dickinson was particularly obnoxious to the British. It is worthy of note that a portion of his library escaped destruction, and became the nucleus of the library of Dickinson College, which institution was founded by John Dickinson. When the soldiers charged with the destruction of Stenton arrived, Dinah was alone in the house. They informed her of their errand, and told her that they had just burned the house of "that d d rebel Dickinson." She protested against the destruction, but in vain. They gave her permission, however, to get out her personal belongings, telling her to be quick about it, while they went to the barn to get some straw. While they were in the barn, a British patrol came up and inquired of Dinah if she had seen any straggling soldiers or deserters. "Oh, yes, you will find them in the barn," she said. Despite the ^-ehement protests of the supposed deserters, they were carried off by the patrol, and no further effort was made to destroy the mansion. Dinah spent the remainder of her days in the Logan family, and at her death she was buried under an old pine tree southeast of the house. Just previous to the battle of Germantown, Stenton was occupied by General Howe as his headquarters ; his guard was stationed on the northern part of the estate, the First Battalion being encamped about where Little Wakefield was afterwards built, and the Second Battalion about where the Reading Rail- road cuts through the hill above Fisher's Lane Station. August 23, 1777, the American army, while on its way to the Brandywine, encamped for a single night at Nicetown, and Washington for the time made his headquarters at Stenton. Dr. George Logan was a man of considerble prominence and 146 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN devoted much of his Hfe to public affairs. From 1801 to 1807 he filled the position of U. S. Senator. He died in 1721, but his widow survived until 1839, living at Stenton with her son, Al- banus Charles I.ogan. The remains of both Dr. Logan and his wife lie in the family burying ground of the Logans, which is situated a short distance east of the mansion on a hillside over- looking the Wingohocking. The location is a beautiful one, and the excellent condition in which the place has been kept renders the spot quite attractive. The plot is surrounded by a substantial stone wall. We leave the old mansion with lingering regret. Strange thoughts crowd upon us as we tread these now deserted halls. What memories cluster round the spot ! Wdiat varied scenes these walls have looked upon ! Hither, in the early days, used to come the red men of the forest to visit their friend Logan. It is said that they even used to sleep in the large ball and upon the stairs. In Revolutionary days, occupied by an English General and thronged with his soldiers, it again became the abode of peace, learning and refinement. Within its walls have been gathered some of the most distinguished men and women of the nation. The place seems almost sacred. One by one these old mansions, reminders of our colonial days, are disappearing. The increase of population and the onward march of business enter- prises are rapidly crowding them out. In some way Stenton should be preserved to the City and the State. THE ROBERTS ESTATE A little south of Wayne Junction formerly stood two inter- esting old colonial structures, which, by reason of their quaint architecture and evident age, always used to attract considerable attention. One of them, situated at the northwest corner oi Wayne Avenue and Cayuga Street, was torn down in 1899. The other, on the lot immediately south of the railroad station, was demolished early in 1902, by the Reading Railroad Company, to whom the property now belongs. The land on which it stood has been leveled and transformed into a small park or lawn. The little stream or brook which formerly floAved in front of the property and was beautifully shaded by overhanging willows, is now made to flow through a sewer, and every trace of what was formerly called "Willow Glen" has disappeared. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN 147 These two dwellings, generally known as the "Roberts i\Ian- sions", formerl}' belonged to Joseph Roberts, the cashier of Stephen Girard's bank. The date of their erection is not known, although the successive ownership of the land is comparatively easy to trace. Indeed, this fact is generally true. The record- ing of deeds renders definite the dates of ownership so far as land is concerned, but there are no similar data to guide one in determining the date of the erection of a building. This Roberts property was part of a tract of yy acres (usually spoken of in deeds as "80 acres more or less"), granted on the ROBERTS MANSION AT WAYNE JUNCTION (Torn down in 1902) 27th of Second month, 1702 (Recorded Pat. Book A, Vol. 2, p. 2J4), by William Penn to Susannah Brandt, widow of Albertus Brandt, and the only daughter and heir of Jacob Tilner. In the docu- ment of naturalization, granted May 7, 1691, the name of the lat- ter is given as Jacob Telner, and it is generally so spelled in all documents since. Susannah Brandt afterward married David Williams, and in 1706 sold the land to Peter Kewrles (Kewrlin). From Peter 148 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Kewrlin it passed to George Gray; thence to Richard Hill; thence to Martin Jervis ; thence to Anna Eckerlin ; thence to John Neglee (Naglee) in 1727. On the map of 1751, the locality is marked "Naglee," so it is evident that the mansion must have been in existence at that time. In 1 75 1 John Naglee died, and his will, proved October 7th, 175 1, provided for the division and sale of his estate in order to enable his executors to pay off his debts and legacies. Since that time there have been several subdivisions of the estate, the portion that came into the possession of Joseph Roberts having been deeded to him by the executors of Henry Homiller in 1824. The property finally passed entirely out of the hands of the Roberts heirs in 1887. The house nearest to the railroad was the one in which Joseph Roberts made his home. In his time, as well as during its earlier days, dating back at least to the time of the Naglees, the old mansion, with its roomy halls and lofty porches with their tall pillars, was considered a fine dwelling, but so much patching had been done to the old structure that in its last days it presented rather a pathetic appearance, when one contrasted its modern condition with its early magnificance. NAGLEE HOUSE Nos. 4518-20. This interesting old double house, which is situated just north of the railroad bridge at Wayne Junction, was the early home of the Naglee family. It presents quite a unique appearance, the lower portion being a substantial stone structure and the upper part a frame addition. Although the date of its erection is not definitely known, it must be very old. for James Logan lived here while he was building Stenton, which was com- pleted some time between 1727 and 1734. There can be but little doubt that it is one of the oldest buildings in Germantown. After the battle of Germantown it was robbed by stragglers from the British army. The property is now owned by Orlando Crease, and is occupied by John Kulp, gardener and florist. Some branches of the Naglee family spell the name Neglee and Negley. The long ascent, at the foot of which the dwelling is situated, is still known as Naglee's Hill. In early days it was considered rather a lonesome place, as a dense wood occupied both sides of the road and several robberies took place there. Before HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 149 NAGLEE HOUSE (Prior to Alterations.) the street was graded and paved, it was difficult of ascent by loaded teams, and they avoided it as much as possible. STENTON AVENUE No. 4600. This avenue was the old township line. Opposite Berkley Street it diverges from Germantown Avenue towards the northeast. BERKLEY STREET West from No. 4532. This street was opened through what was known on the map of 1751 as Willow Glen. APSLEY STREET West from No. 4600. This was opened through the James Huber property, which was formerly called "Silver Spring I50 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Farm." The famous spring that was on the north of the place supphed the people of the neighborhood with pure water for more than a century and a half. At times when the city water was too muddy for use, people came from far and near to this spring for their supply. When Rockland Street was opened west of Greene Street the spring was destroyed, as it stood directly in the line of the street. The small stream that formerly ran through the meadow is now diverted into a sewer that lies be- neath Greene Street. Willow Glen was on this stream, and extended past the Roberts mansion which was situated just south of the station at Wayne Junction, and was torn down by the Reading Railroad Company in 1902. Dr. George H. Cox states that in his boyhood what is now called the Huber property was known as the Homiller property, and that Silver Spring was so named because of the white sand in the bottom of the spring. Dr. Cox also states that "Loudoun" was then known as the John Skerret property. John Skerret was connected with the Logans by marriage. LURAY STREET East from No. 4637 to Stanton Avenue. This was formerly called Wyalusing Avenue. "LOUDOUN" No. 4650. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4356). This old mansion, built in colonial style, is situated at the very summit of Naglee's Hill. Set as it is in the midst of beautiful grounds and surrounded by tall trees, with its tall Grecian columns, it presents quite an imposing appearance. It was erected about the beginning of the nineteenth century by Thomas Arrnat for his only child, Thomas Wright Armat. Thomas Armat came to this country from Cumberland, England, and settled at first in Loudoun County, Virginia. He afterward re- moved to Philadelphia, where he engaged in business. At that time he resided at Fourth and Arch Streets. An epidemic of yellow fever having broken out in Philadelphia. Thomas Armat, fearing for himself and family, determined to remove to Ger- mantown. He purchased five acres of land at the summit of Naglee's Hill from the heirs of Solomon Bush, and here he HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOJVN 151 erected the mansion which he called "Loudoun", in honor of the Virginia county in which he first settled, and of which he evi- dently must have retained pleasant recollections. He had mar- ried into the Logan family soon after taking up his residence in Philadelphia. He appears to have become attached to German- town, as in 1807 he occupied the house at No. 5450 Germantown Avenue, and continued to reside there until his death in 1831. He was one of the founders of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and was always a liberal contributor to its support. Throughout "LOUDOUN " the community he was held in high esteem on account of his public spirit and philanthropy. The mansion is now the home of Albanus Charles Logan (2d) and his sister, Miss Maria Dickinson Logan, wdio are de- scended from the Logan, Xorris, Dickinson and Armat families. John Dickinson, ancestor of the family of that name, was Presi- dent of Delaware in 1780, and President of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1785. The Logan family is still in possession of many of the valued heir-looms of their ancestors. Among these mav be mentioned the portraits in oil of some of the most noted of the Logan, Dick- inson and Armat families. One of the most interestino: relics 152 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN possessed by Mr. Logan is James Logan's gold watch. It is not unusually large in diameter, but is very thick and bulky. The key by which it is wound is shaped like a crank. Inside the case is a bell which strikes the hours. The case is punctured with small holes, which are supposed to be for the purpose of allowing the sound of the bell to escape easily. Another relic of great value is the commission given to Logan by William Penn, by virtue of which Logan became Penn's land commissioner. The large wax seal, about three-eighths of an inch in thickness, which is attached to it, was formerly enclosed in a box. It is now much broken, but in other respects the venerable document is in an excellent state of preservation, and Penn's signature is as distinct as when first made. Autograph letters from Benja- min Franklin to James Logan are among the interesting papers treasured by the family. It is impossible to gaze upon and handle these most interesting mementoes of the past without experiencing very peculiar emotions. The old mansion also contains many interesting mementoes of John Dickinson, the great-grandfather of the present owner of Loudoun. Among these may be mentioned the Order of Cincinnati, and the Order of St. Patrick, to both of which socie- ties he belonged. After the death of Thomas Wright Armat the house was rented for a time. One of the tenants was the distinguished Madame Greland, who established there a school for young ladies. It is said that after the battle of Germantown some of the dead were buried on the rear of the property. WYOMING AVENUE East from No. 4700. LOUDEN STREET West from No. 4800. This is an obvious misspelling. The name should be Loudoun Street. WAKEFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In August, 1856, Miss ]\Iary Fisher, afterward INIrs. George W. Carpenter, was instrumental in establishing a Sunday School in one of Fisher's mills, called Wakefield Mill, in Fisher's Lane. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 153 T. Charlton Henry was the first superintendent. Christian men and women of several denominations took part in the work and it greatly prospered. On the 20th of December, 1857, a new house for the school was opened on Fisher's Lane, with sixty children present. In this building, evangelistic meetings, unde- nominational in character, were occasionally held. William Adamson became the superintendent, November 6, 1864. On the 14th of October, 1872, an association of pastors and elders of the three Presbyterian churches in Germantown referred to its Executive Committee a resolution to start a new church in the neighborhood of Cayuga Street. January 13, 1873, William Ad- amson, chairman of that committee, reported that if they would consent to the building of a frame chapel on Main Street, near Fisher's Lane, instead of at Cayuga Street, he would give a lot of ground for that purpose. The offer was accepted, and by May, $5300 had been subscribed for the new church, which, on motion of Air. Adamson, was named the Wakefield Presbyterian Church. December 16, 1873, ^^^- Adamson reported the completion of the building, at a cost of $6000. The church was dedicated Decem- ber 28, 1873. There was no regular pastor until September 8, 1874, when Rev. Nathaniel S. AIcFetridge became the pastor. He continued in that capacity for more than ten years. The sudden death of Mr. Adamson. June 16, 1879, was a great loss to the church, whose interests had been very dear to him. His widow and children faithfully carried out what they knew were his intentions with regard to it. It became evident, after a time, that a new structure was necessary, and the present building was erected. It was dedi- cated, free of debt. September 17, 1882. The present pastor is Rev. F. Cornwell Jennings. Attached to the original chapel was a small building in which the infant school met. It was originally the Kindergarten building of the Centennial Exhibition. It was the first building erected on the Centennial grounds, and was at first used for meetings of the various committees. At the close of the Exhibi- tion Mr. Adamson purchased the building at a cost of $600, which included the cost of moving it to Germantown. It was moved bodily on wheels, by a route that brought it up Broad Street. It had been the intention to move it across the Logan property, but the ground proved too soft to admit of so doing. It was there- 154 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN fore brought out Fisher's Lane. When it reached the Reading railroad bridge, it was found that the building could not pass beneath, so the earth was dug away sufficiently to allow its pas- sage. The contractor complained that he lost money by the operation, so Mr. Adamson gave him another hundred dollars. When the new church building was completed, Mrs. Adamson moved the little house back of her residence, where it still does service as a carriage house. Incidentally, it may be mentioned here that the Wingohock- ing Station of the Reading Railroad was also one of the school buildings at the Centennial. It is interesting to know that the locality of Wakefield Church was one of the favorite camping grounds of the Indians when they visited Germantown. Watson speaks of this fact as follows : "A person, now 80 years of age, relates to me that he well remem- bers seeing colonies of Indians, of twenty or thirty persons, often coming through the town and sitting down in Logan's woods, others on the present open field, southeast of Grigg's place. (This is the place which now belongs to Mrs. Adamson.) They would then make their huts and stay a whole year at a time, and make and sell basket's, ladles, and tol- erably good fiddles. He has seen them shoot birds and young squirrels there, with their bows and arrows. Their huts were made of four up- right saplings with crotch limbs at top. The sides and tops were of cedar bushes and branches. In these they lived in the severest winters; their fire was on the ground and in the middle of the area. At that time .wild pigeons were very numerous, in flocks of a mile long; and it was very common to kill twenty or thirty of them at a shot. They then caught rabbits and squirrels in snares."' — (Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 31.) Watson also mentions other places in Germantown as Indian camping places. "Mr. K. (Jacob Keyser) remembers very well, that when he was a lad, there was yet a little company of Delaware Indians (say 25 or ciO persons), then hutted and dwelling on the low grounds of Philip Kel- ley's manufactory ground. There was then a wood there through all the low ground, which now forms his meadow ground and mill race course. Some of the old Indians died and were buried in Concord burying ground, adjoining Mr.Duval's place. After they were dead, the younger Indians all moved off in a body, when Keyser was about 14 or 15 years of age. Indian Ben among them was celebrated as a great fiddler, and every- body was familiar with Indian Isaac." — (Annals, Vol. 2, p. 34.) "In the house of Reuben Haines, built by Dirck Johnson (Wyck), a chief and his twenty Indians have been sheltered and entertained. Andrew Johnson, when a boy, has seen nearly two thousand Indians at HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 155 a time on the present John Johnson's place, in a liollow adjoining the wheelwriglit shop. They would remain there a week at a time, to make and sell baskets, ladles, fiddles, etc. He used to remain hours with them and see their feats of agility. They would go over fences without touch- ing them, in nearly a horizontal attitude, and yet alight on their nimble feet. They would also do much shooting at marks. One Edward Kei- mer imitated them so closely as to execute all their exploits. Beaver and beaver dams A. Johnson has often seen." — (Annals, Vol. 2, p. 35.) The great esteem which the red men had for James Logan and their frequent visits to Stenton are matters that are well known. Even after he endeavored to retire from public life by reason of advanced years, Logan was frequently pressed into public ser- \'ice again in cases relating to Lidian affairs, for the reason that he retained the confidence and affection of the Lidian tribes. The celebrated Indian chief, "Logan," whose eloquent speech has been preserved, was so named by his father, Shickalleniy, a Mingo chief, because of his regard for James Logan. It was not an unusual thing for quite large bodies of the Indians to call upon their friend Logan at Stenton, and remain in camp on his prem- ises sometimes for months. Upon the occasion of these visits it was not an uncommon occurrence for them to sleep in the large hall, and on the stairs, at Stenton. The following family tradition has been handed down, and is here given in the words of Mr. Horace J. Smith, who is a lineal descendant of James Logan : "Logan was a warm friend of the Indians, and they used to come and camp on his place. Once an Indian proposed that, as an evidence of friendship, according to Indian custom, they should exchange names. Logan, not wishing to put aside the proffered courtesy, turned it off by a tour d' adresse, saying that it was not possible for him to change his name, as it was written down in deeds, etc. 'But,' he said, 'do thou take my name and we will give thy name to this stream which flows at our feet, and will continue to flow as long as suns rise and moons wax and wane. "The conceit pleased the Indian; he took the name of 'Logan,' and the stream is known as 'Wingohocking' to this day." There may be some foundation for this pretty tradition, as the red men of the forest undoubtedly had great affection and profound reverence for their friend Logan, and yet it is a fact that the stream was called "Wingahockonck Creek" as early as 1686, thirteen years before Logan's arrival in America, as will appear from the following extract from a deed dated 12th mo. 1 2th, 1686: 156 HISTORY OP OLD GERMAN TOWN "Griffith Jones, of Philadelphia, merchant, and Joan, his wife, of the one part, and Joseph Wilcocks, second son of Barnabas Wilcocks, of Philadelphia, Gent., and Ann Powell (daughter of the said Joan by a former husband), of the other part, WITNESSETH that the said Griffith Jones and Joan, his wife, for and in consideration of a marriage to be had between the said Joseph Wilcocks and Ann Powell, and in consideration of four hundred acres of land settled and assured by the said Barnabas Wilcocks unto and upon the said Joseph and Ann by virtue of a certain conveyance bearing even date herewith, and for other good causes and consideration. HAVE GRANTED unto said Joseph WilcocKs and Ann, his intended wife, all that tract of land situate in the Bristol Township, in the County of Philadelphia, now called by the name of "Annsberry Farms," Beginning at a corner marked white oak standing on Toaconincki Creek, thence West by North 382 Perches by the land of said Barnabas Wil- cocks to a corner marked white oak, thence by street of said Town South by West 15S Perches to a corner marked White oak standing in Wingahockonck2 Creek, thence down the several courses of said creek by Philadelphia Liberties to Toaconinck Creek, thence up sevei'al courses of said creek to first mentioned white oak, containing five hundred acres, being part of five thousand acres sold and conveyed by William Penn to said Griffith Jones, December 26, 1682.— (Deed Book E, Vol. 5, p. 505.) The names of several chiefs of the Lenni L.enape Indians are still retained in a number of creeks that empty into the Dela- ware, as for instance, the name of Nesliaming is retained in Neshaminy Creek; that of Rankokas in Rancocas Creek. In the vicinity of Philadelphia are several other streams Avhich still perpetuate the Indian names. Dr. D. B. Brinton thinks Wissahickon may have been taken from either of two Indian words, IVisainicJiaii, meaning ''cat-fish creek." or Wisancksickau, meaning "yellow-colored stream." The same atithority gives the meaning of Tulpchockcn, or in true Indian pronunciation, Titlpcjiaki, as "land of turtles." JJ'ingohockcn, he states, means "favorite planting land," and ma}' have been derived from Winakaking, meaning "sassafras land." It is also the native name of Eastern Pennsylvania. It may have been construed from Winn, "ripe and good to eat," and aki, "land:" or possibly from Wingi, "willingly," and oki\ "land." The authorities differ greatly in the spelling of Indian names, but they generally agree in ending them with on or en, rather than iiig. It has been stated that the name Wingohoching, on the station of the Reading Railroad, is a mistake of a railroad clerk, who made 1 Tacony Creek. See Scharf and "V^^estcott, Vol. 1, p. 9. 2 Wing'ohocking'. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 157 the termination ing. AA'hen the attention of the officials was called to the matter it was deemed too late to change. In the Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Historical Society for June, 1847 (Vol. i. No. 11), is a paper presented to the So- ciety by Maurice C. Jones, of Bethlehem, Pa., entitled : "Memo- randum of the Names and Significations which the Lenni Lenape, otherwise called the Delawares, had givCn to Rivers, Streams, Places, etc., within the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Maryland and Virginia, together with the names of some Chief- tains and eminent men of their nation. Taken from the papers of the Rev. John Heckewelder, during his mission among the Indians of Pennsylvania." In this he gives the "Indian Names of Rivers. Streams, and other noted places in the Counties of Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Buck." He also gives the following: "Wingohocking or Frankford Creek. "Wingekocking. The name implies "choice spot of land for cultivation ; a favorite spot for planting on ; fine land." Charles S. Hagner, in his "Early History of the Falls of Schuylkill," says : "Traditions say, and I have no doubt of the fact, that the Falls of the Schuylkill was the last place deserted by the Indians who inhabited this part of the country; it being the head of tide-water, and consequently such fine fishing grounds had, of course, peculiar attractions for them. That it must have been a favorite resort of theirs is proved by the fact that innumerable Indian relics have been found in the vicinity. I have seen and found, myself, many stone axes, arrow heads, and other instru- ments made of stone, the use of which could not be conjectured. Many of these were deposited in the old Philadelphia Museum. (Peale's.)" "In 1758, the Colonial Congress gave the Indians a reservation, and provided comfortable homes for them at Wyoming, and Tedyuscung, the chief of the Lenni Lenape tribe, took his people and went there to live." (Watson.) After the removal to AVyoming, Tedyuscung frequently visited Philadelphia, and always made it a point to stop over at the Piper House, on what is now Chestnut Hill Avenue. John Adams Piper was a friend of the Indians, and there was a strong tie of friendship between him and the chief. The Piper House is now a barn owned by Charles Newhall. Across the street from this barn is what at one time was a burial place of the Lenni Len- ape Indians. The mounds have all disappeared, however, and the ground is overgrown with a thick tangle of small trees and bushes. 158 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "After the conference of 1757, the Pennsylvania Assembly offered to enact a law which would settle the Wyoming lands upon Tedyuscur.g and his people forever." * * * * "^ force of fifty or sixty carpen- ters and masons built at Provincial expense, ten wooden houses at Wyoming. These houses w-ere on stone foundations, and were sixteen by twenty-four feet." — ("Conrad Weiser, or the Indian Colonial Policy," pp. 3G3-364.) No. 4746. (Old number, 4400). This Avas orig-inally the farm house of the Toland property. It now belongs to the Pot- ter estate. TOLAND HOUSE No. 4810. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4418). This was built in 1734. George W. Toland, in early days a member of Congress, Jui^^p h)..,y once lived here. He was, at one time, engaged in the East India trade, and there are still in the house some pictures of Chinese origin that he then obtained. For many years two aged sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret Toland, resided here. Margaret died in 1S80, aged 89, and Elizabeth in 1881, at the age of 84. At the time of the Revolution George Miller lived in the house. He became a colonel in the army. His son Jacob was about sixteen years of age at the time of the battle of German- town, and in after years he used to relate many interesting inci- dents connected with that event. On the night of the arrival of the British army, more than a dozen of the officers took up their quarters in the house. They questioned young Miller closely HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 159 in regard to his knoAvledge of localities. He, however, resented the term "rebel," which they applied to the Continental troops, and was chary in his replies to their inquiries. His mother was required to l^ake for the officers ; but in this matter she fared very well, for they only expected her to furnish them as many pounds of bread as she had received pounds of flour. 7'his left her quite a balance for the use of her family. At the close of the conflict, young Miller, with another lad, made his way across the back lots toward the Chew House, where the heaviest of the fighting had occurred, but a renewal of the fighting drove him back toward home. When he reached there he found the British about organizing a hospital at the house of his next door neighbor, Mechlin (now Wagner). He was ordered to assist the surgeons ; but, not liking the occupa- tion, he made his escape. The interior of the house is very interesting. Like all dwell- ings of the period, it was arranged with an eye to defense. The heavy shutters closed from within, and were secured by means of iron bars. The open stairway is quite unique, and in the parlor is a Franklin stove, very few of which are now in exist- ence. In the same room is a harpsichord of ancient but excellent workmanship. The wood work of the window sashes is very heavy, and many of the original window panes still remain. In one of the front windows there was formerly a pane on which was engraved, with a diamond, an equestrian statue of Frederick the Great. It had attached to it the signa- ture : "M. J. Ellinkhuysen fecit, 1783. Philadelphia." The pane is now in the possession of the Pennsylvania His- torical Society, to whom it was given by Mr. Toland. For a long time the drawing was supposed to be the work of a Hessian officer, but the date, 1783, shows that it was made several years subsequent to the time of the British occupation. Justice Blair Linn, of Bellefonte, Pa., in a letter to Townsend Ward, has thrown much light upon the matter. He states that Carl Elling- huysen. of Amsterdam, Holland, held the title to all the town lots in Lewisburg, Union County, Pa., except seventeen, and that i6o HISTORY OP OLD GERMAXTOWN he sent his son to this country to look after his interests. His son is said to have visited friends in Philadelphia before proceed- ing to Lev^^isburg. He died at the latter place, and was buried in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church. The following in- scription is upon his tombstone : "Here lies the body of Mathias Joseph Ellinghuysen, Who departed this life July 17, 1792, Aged thirty-eight years and three months." The property now belongs to Mrs. ]\Iargaretta E. Potter, and Is occupied by Charles M. Ballantyne. ROCKLAND STREET West from No. 4812. This was opened through the Wagner property in 1901, destroying the old tannery. LORAIN HOUSE No. 481 1. (Old number, 4421). The beautiful mansion of Mrs. Adamson is situated upon the site of the house of John wk m '?'i 1 i' i-'i W' * m lull - A" iLiljWiiiK lis- 'i THE MEHL AND LORAIN HOUSES Lorain, Sr. The Lorain house was erected some time after the Revolutionary war. At the time of the battle of Germantown there was an old house on the same site. Jacob Miller, a lad who then lived in the Toland house, on the opposite side of the street, and a companion, hid in the cellar during the fight, and while HISTORY OP OLD GERMANTOWN i6i there saw Sir A\^illiam Howe and several other British officers ride by on their way to the front. An entry in the account book of James Stokes shows that Lorain purchased the property from him. It reads as follows : "January i, 1803, John Lorain, Sr. I sold him my house and lot of ground at the lower end of Germantown. this day, for $4000." It is uncertain whether this was the original house that he sold, or the one represented in the accompanying cut. Here John Lorain and his eight daughters lived for many years. The youngest of his daughters was Octavia. Some of them married, and two of the single ones kept a school in the old Shoemaker house, at Shoemaker's Lane, after their father's death. In 1840 the property belonged to John Grigg, wdio sold it to William Royal. William Adamson purchased the property in 1868, and altered the house by putting on it a ^lansard roof. Finally, in 1874, he tore down the old dwelling and erected the present handsome and commodious structure. In preparing the founda- tions a great deal of very hard rock Avas encountered. MEHL HOUSE No. 4817. (\\"ard and Hotchkin, Xo. 4429; Shoemaker, No. 4441). Shoemaker speaks of this as being the residence of ]\Iar- tin Mehl in 1809. Townsend Ward, who wrote in 1881, states that it was the residence of William Mehl. It belongs to the Henson estate, and was, for several years, the office of the Henson Hosiery Mills. It is now the office of the Joseph H. Alasland Mills which are situated in the rear. It is said that soldiers who fell in the battle were buried where the gateway now is. No. 4821. (Shoemaker, No. 4443-) This belonged to the estate of \\'illiam Y. Birch in 1809. In 185 1 it was the home of \Mlliam Henson, the father of Dr. William F. Henson. The grandfather of William Henson lived to the age of 98. He was a frequent visitor to the shop of "Freddie" Fleckenstein, and is represented in the picture of the interior of that shop which was painted by George B. Wood, Jr. OTTINGER HOUSE No. 4825. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 443I-) The following important letter in regard to this interesting old i62 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN house was originally published in the Germantown Telegraph, and afterwards republished by Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, in his work on "Ancient and Modern Germantown" (p. 98). "To the Editor of the Telegraph: A letter I received to-daj-, tells me you are publishing things re- lating to the old inhabitants and to the houses they built in German- town. The house No. 4431 Germantown Avenue was built by Christopher Ottinger, my father, as I have been told, soon after he came out of the Revolution, about 17S1. I heard him tell about the battle of Ger- mantown and the whiz of the bullets: he fought in that battle. For his services as a soldier, a land warrant, No. S0027, Avas issued to his widow, my mother; in it he is ranked as a non-commissioned otRcer. He volunteered before the age that would have subjected him to draft. My father afterwards was a master coachmaker. His shop was on the lot near where our old house is." DOUGLASS OTTINGER. Erie, Pa. An inspection of the masonry and structure will easily con- vince one that the rear portion of the dwelling is much older than the front part. Which of these portions was built by Mr. Ottinger it is difficult to decide. There are good reasons for thinking that the rear part was built a considerable time before the Revolution. Hotchkin also gives the following interesting information: "Captain Douglass Ottinger, a son of Christopher, was born in the old house in 1804. He made his first voyage in 1822, on the ship Thomas Jeft'erson. of Philadelphia, and was com- missioned a lieutenant in the United States Revenue Service in 1832, by President Jackson. By order of the United States Government he expended the first appropriation for the Life Saving Service, and invented and named the 'life-car.' In 1849 he constructed and furnished with a complete and efTective life- saving apparatus, eighteen stations on the New Jersey coast, from Little Egg Harbor to Sandy Hook." P'^or a long time one of Captain Ottinger's life-cars lav on the rear of the premises, but it was removed a few vears ago. A writer in the "Philadelphian" (June 20, looi) gives a fac- simile of an inscription made with a diamond on one of the north AvindoAvs. He infers that it was made by one of the Hessian soldiers, and interprets it to be : Governor Shootts Germ HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 163 A close study of the inscrip- tion, however, can scarcely fail to convince one that it is really : Governer Shoolts Germ John Andrew Shulze was Governor of Pennsylvania from December, 1823, to December, 1829, and there can be but little doubt that the inscription was intended to refer to him. Mrs. Susan W. Coulter is the present occupant of the property. MECHLIN— WAGNER HOUSE No. 4840. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4434-) This house, as well as the stone out-buildings still standing, was ■•AIECIILIN-WAGXEK" HUl'Sli: built in 1747, by John Zachary, who established a tan-yard here. A pent-house formerly extended around the dwelling, but many years ago this was removed, and the exterior changed so as to present a more modern appearance. 1 64 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN In 1764, the executors of John Zachary sold the property to Samuel Mechlin. The latter died in 181 7, at;d left it to his nephew, Jacob Mechlin. In 1824, Jacob Mechlin died and left the property to his mother for life, with a provision that at her death it should descend to his nephew, George Mechlin Wagner, who occupied the place for many years. The property still re- mains in the Wagner family. When the British occupied Germantown in 1777, Mechlin removed his family to the interior of the State. After the bat- tle of Germantown, the British took possession of the house and out-buildings for hospital purposes. It is said that blood stains may still be seen upon the floors, — ghastly reminders of that terrible battle day in October, 1777. Many of the dead were buried on the brow of the hill, just back of the house. Besides taking the house for a hospital, the British also took possession of all movable property about the premises, in- cluding a lot of untanned hides in the tan-yard. These were hauled into the city and sold. After the British evacuated Phil- adelphia, the hides were recovered. DEDIER HOUSE No. 4839. On this site formerly stood a hip-roofed house that was built in 1733 by John Dedier. On Matthias Zimmerman's map of 1746 it is marked, "Late John Lansing, now John Dedier's land." This map of Zimmer- man's was copied by Christian Lehman in 1766. The last owner of the old house was named Thulis. The brown-stone house erected on the site is owned and occupied by Dr. William F. Henson. WEST LOGAN STREET West from No. 4900, This street was opened in 1898. EAST LOGAN STREET East from No. 4900. That part of this street which lies in the Forty-second ward is called Lindley Street. At the present time the street is much better known as Fisher's Lane, a name that it has borne for many years. It was so called after Thomas Fisher, who, in 1771, married a daughter i66 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN of William Logan, and erected a small stone residence on the northern part of the Stenton estate which had fallen to them as their inheritance. This house is still standing on the south side of the street, a little west of where the Wingohocking crosses it. He afterwards built Wakefield, so named after the residence of one of his ancestors in Yorkshire, England. Joshua Fisher, the father of Thomas Fisher, was well-known in Phila- delphia, long before the Revolution, as the owner of a popular line of packet ships that sailed regularly between Philadelphia and London, The road was originally laid out to Busby's mill in 1747. This mill was built by Harper & Brinton in 1730, and was situated on the Tacony Creek at Rowlandville. It was Morris' mill from 1775 to 1825. AA^ard speaks of the road as being near Potts' corn mill, which was purchased of John Roberts by AA^il- liam Logan, May 6, 1755. The purchase consisted of fifteen acres of land and two water corn mills. The Potts corn mills were situated on the AA^ingohocking where it crosses the Old York Road. On Christian Lehman's copy of Zimmerman's map, this street is described as a public road, 24 feet 9 inches wide, "lead- ing to the late Christian Kantsing's mill,. now Chas Flav's mill." On John AA^ister's map of 1768, the name is spelled Christian Kintzing, and the road is called "Chas. Hay's mill road." The mill referred to was situated where the AA^ingohocking crosses Fisher's Lane, and was erected by Christian Kintzing in 1735. Thomas Fisher established a cotton mill here about 1834. WACHSMUTH— HENRY HOUSE No. 4908. (AA^ard, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4436.") AYard says this house was erected about 1760, but that consid- erable additions to it were made by a later owner, John Gott- fried AA'achsmuth, a merchant who died about 1826. He had married a widow named Dutihl, but left no descendants. In 1828, the executors of AA'achsmuth sold the property to John Snowden Henry. He died about 1835, but his widow survived until 1881. Their son, Alexander Henry, served three terms as Mayor of Philadelphia, from 1858 to 1865. It is doubtful whether Philadelphia ever had a chief magis- trate who possessed in a greater degree the confidence of the HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 167 public than did Alexander Henry. Those were troublous times — the days of the Civil War, and the period of exciting events that led up to it. It was a time when there was the greatest need for a man thoroughly conservative and yet a man of extra- ordinary executive ability and personal courage. Such a man was Alexander Henry. In the early days of the Civil Wzlv, so tense was the state of feeling that the least public utterance of a treasonable nature was likely to provoke a fight, and even a riot of considerable dimensions. Under the leadership of a man of less ability, acts of violence would have become very 1 68 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN numerous ; but all through the years of that trying period Mayor Henry guided the municipal affairs of the city with rare judg- ment and success. His power and influence over the people was shown in the following instance : A paper called the "Palmetto Flag" had been published for several years at a place on Chestnut Street, below Fourth. It was conducted by Southern men in the interests of the South, and had repeatedly given utterance to the most treasonable doctrines. Just after the Confederates had fired upon Fort Sumter, it published an article defending and com- mending that act. A few hours after the paper was issued, the ofifice was surrounded by a howling mob. Beginning with shouts and groans of derision in the street, the crowd soon forced its way up the stairs and began demolishing the office furniture. Presses, type, paper and pieces of office furniture soon went flying out of the windows, and the terribly fright- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 169 ened employees who had fled to the roof were in danger of being thrown to the street. Just when the excitement was at its greatest height, the form of Mayor Henry appeared upon the scene. The crowd gave way before his stately stride, and, mounting the steps of the building, he began to address the infuriated assemblage. The shouts and bowlings gradually died away into murmurs ; the murmurs faded into a respectful silence ; and after a short, but earnest address, the crowd gradually dis- persed. Few men could have swayed a mob in so remarkable a manner. After his retirement from the Mayoralty in 1866, he declined any further office, although his name was brought forward, once for the office of Governor, and once for that of United States Senator. He was unwilling, however, to allow his name to be used as a candidate for either office. His later years were de- voted to the practice of his profession — that of the law. He died December 5th, 1883, leaving a record for energy, honor, and usefulness rarely if ever surpassed. LOWER BURYING GROUND This old cemetery, in which lie the remains of many who were prominent in the affairs of Germantown in its earlier days, is situated at the northeast corner of Fisher's Lane (East Logan Street) and Germantown Avenue. It is upon "side land lot No. 4, towards Bristol," which was drawn in the name of Leonard Arets in 1689. It has been generally believed that the land for this ground was given (presented) to the Borough or Corporation of Ger- mantown by Jan Streper, of Holland. Townsend Ward makes this statement in his papers on "Germantown Road and its Asso- ciations," as does also Christian Lehman, on a draft which he made at the time he surveyed it, February 4th, 1744-5. Leh- man's endorsement on the draft is as follows : "A PLAN of the LOWER GERMAN TOWN BURYING GROUND Containing one-half an Acre and one Pirch of Land Antiently given by Leonard Arets and before him by John Streper in Germany unto Ger- mantown for a Burying Ground, the Limits and Dimensions of which said Burying Ground were at the Request and in the presence of Sundry of the Lower German Town Inhabitants on the fourth Day of ffebruary. Anno Domini one Thousand Seven hundred and Forty-four-five, properly I70 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOJVN Surveyed, fixed, ascertained and Confirmed to be and thus remain the same forever. SURVEYED and Laid out at the Request and in the Presence aforesaid The Same Day and Year afs'd. by me CHRISTIAN LEHMAN. German Town Inhabitants Present as afs'd. John Reser, Sen'r Jacob Miller John Zachary Bernard Reser Jno. Kraft Riestein Godfryd Harlacher Peter Miller, Sen'r George Dannehouer Philip Marewine Theobald End Balltes Reser George Ries" John Dittier Adam Hinter Neither Lehman nor Watson mention any particular date as the time when this gift was made. Diligent search has thus far failed to reveal any documentary evidence of the gift of this land. If the tract was originally gkrn by Jan Streper, by what right did Leonard Arets afterwards give it? It seems pos- sible that Christian Lehman used the word giz'cn to denote an ordinary transfer for a consideration, rather than to indicate a free gift. The following brief synopsis of transactions re- corded in the Germantown Grnnd iind Lagcr-Buch indicate that the land was sold, or traded, to the Commonalty of Germantown by Paul WttlfT, as was also, at the same time, the land for the Upper Burying Ground : On the 12th of February, 1691-2, Leonard Arets conveyed this half acre to Paul Wulff for "one pound Holland Gold," providing, however, that it shall "be used in no other way than as a burying place." March 3d, 1692, Paul Wulff conveyed it to the Commonalty of Ger- mantown, at the same time that he also conveyed to them one half a-cre of his side lot at the upper end of the town, also to be used solely for a burying place. For these two half acres, the Commonalty granted him in return "one-fourth acre" * * * * "contiguous to William Streper's land." This fourth acre was a portion of a whole acre that had originally been reserved for "a Market, Burying Place and Public buildings." Paul WulfT had drawn "lot No. 5, towards the Schuylkill." which also entitled him to a side lot of the same number, just north of Washington Lane. Lot No. 5 was just south of Queen Lane, and fronted on the Main street in the very heart of the town. The reservation of one acre of this lot by the Borough for public purposes seriously lowered the value of the tract, which was otherwise so eligibly situated. It is not wonderful, HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 171 therefore, that Paul W'ulff was glad to make an exchange which would leave his lot No. 5 complete. Another document of the same date shows that Paul W'ullT paid the Commonalty "four pounds current silver money of Pennsilvania" for the three-quarters of an acre which remained of the original reservation of one acre. It is an interesting matter which should be mentioned in passing, that this same "four pounds, etc.," paid to the Com- ENTRANCE TO HOOD CEMETERY monalty by Paul AA'ulfif, was by that body paid to James De la Plaine for the tract now called "]\Iarket Square." Some additions to the Burying Ground have been made by purchase, so that at present the ground measures 180 feet on German town Avenue, by 150 feet in depth. The ground is now frequently called "Hood's Cemetery," in honor of \\'illiam Hood, a former resident of Germantown, who acquired a considerable fortune in Cuba, and died in Paris in 1850. In his will he made provision for the erection of the imposing front wall, a feature which adds greatly to the beauty of the ground. 172 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Mr. Hood's grave is just inside the entrance. It has the fol- lowing inscription upon it : WILLIAM HOOD BORN PHILADELPHIA SEPTEMBER 2ncl, 1786 DIED PARIS January 18, 1850. ELIZA A. HOOD BORN AUGUST 18, 1783 DIED AUGUST 15, 18G6 MARY ANN ROBERTSON JAN. 30, 1803 NOV. 8, 188G Underneath the arch that forms the entrance is inscribed Wm. Johnston, Architect 1849 Strrthers, Marble Mason. This date would indicate that the wall was erected before the death of Mr. Hood. Set in the southern wall at the corner of Fisher's Lane, is a curious looking old stone bearing the emblems of mortality — a skull and cross-bones — and the phrase "Memendo Mory,"^ an odd spelling of the Latin motto, "Memento mori," — "remember death." The stone is evidently very old, but the writer has been unable to find any one who knows its history. One of the most interesting graves in the yard is situated just to the right of the main entrance. It is that of Rev. Chris- tian Frederick Post, who labored many years among the Indians as a missionary, and who had great influence with them. It was mainly through his efforts at the time of the French and Indian war, that the Indians of Pennsylvania abandoned the cause of the French and allied themselves with the English. General Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel Bird, two distin- guished British officers who fell in the battle of Germantown, were originally buried here, and nearly half a century after- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN 175 ward the historian \\''atson erected a stone over their graves. It is now certain, however, that soon after their interment, the bodies were secretly removed to the family burial ground of the DeBennevilles on Old York Road at the corner of Green Lane. This removal was made with the full knowledge of General Howe, and was in consequence of a fear that the graves would be desecrated, owing to the popular indignation against the British. The oldest tombstone in the yard is that of Joseph Coulston, which bears the date of February i, 1707-8. It is an unfortunate circumstance that the old record book of this cemetery has been lost. It used to be kept in the vault of the Germantown Bank, and Dr. W^illiam Ashmead, who wished to make use of it, obtained an order from George Fling, who was then secretary, to get it from the bank. Shortly afterward Dr. Ashmead was taken sick and died. When the trustees sent for the records, the book could not be found, and it has thus far not been recovered. According to the statement of Captain Waterhouse, the late President of the Board of Trustees, the cleanly and legible character of the records was remarkable, and showed that many of the secretaries were skillful wielders of the pen. On the 28th of December, 1868, AMlliam Ent, William R. Bockius, John Allen, Benjamin Allen, and Edward T. Royal, Trustees, gave a deed for the property to "The Hood Cemetery Company of Germantown." — (Deed Book, J. T. 0., 210-42^,.} The members of the Board of Trustees are elected by the lot holders at the annual meeting held in February of each year. A number of changes have recently been made in con- sequence of the death of members. Captain John R. Water- house, who served for several years as President of the Board, died March 14, 1903, and Christian Kinzel has since died. The present organization is as follows : President. Charles S. Bringhurst, Secretary, David J. McAleese, Treasurer, John J. Waterhouse, Henry W. Elvidge, Jacob C. Dedier, Robert Wallace. (One vacancy.) 176 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN The Site and Relic Society of Germantown has recently placed in the wall on the south side of the entrance a tablet with the following inscription : "THE LOWER BURYING GROUND Was presented to the Borough of Germantown in 1G93. In 1SG8 it was conveyed to the Hood Cemetery Company. Here rest the remains of many of the early settlers and their descendants. Here were buried General Agnew and Colonel Bird British officers killed at the battle of Germantown. Also Christian Frederick Post, a noted Moravian Missionary to the Indians. The Site and Relic Society of Germantown, 1903." No. 4921. (Old number, 4459.) This property, now occu- pied by Robert Hurst, is on the site of the building which was once the shop of William Stephens, a watchmaker. Nos. 4925-7-g. (The old house must have occupied Nos. 4461-65.) These three brick houses occupy the site of the Dedier house, which was built in 1748 and torn down in 1881. Shoemaker says that in 1809, William Dedier, a carpenter, lived in the house and that it belonged to Peter Dedier's estate. He speaks of it as the second house above the Lower Burying Ground. In the rear was a fine pear orchard, and a few of the younger trees still remain in the 3"ards of the new houses. Nos. 4935-37. A house built in 1747, and torn down in 1872, occupied the site upon which these two hottses are btiilt. and also the yard of No. 4931. This house, as well as the house above which stood where Mechlin (now Clapier) Street was cut through, belonged to William Wagner in 185 1. The old house had a pent roof and the old-fashioned half doors ; at the front entrance seats were placed on each side of the doorwa}^ On the drawings made b}^ John Richards, the number of the first-named house is given as 4447, and that of the latter as 4471. There is an apparent discrepancy here which may pos- sibly be a missprint. John Richards was a Swede who, for a long time, was the sexton of Calvary Episcopal Church, on Man- heim Street. He made many sketches of the old places in Ger- mantown, most of which now belong to Horace F. McCann. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 177 He speaks of this old house as the ^lechHn House. John Cramer at present occupies the house which is located most nearly on the site of the Alechlin house. The houses on the south side JOHN RICHARDS of Clapier Street occupy a part of the ground that belonged to this property. EAST CLAPIER STREET East from No. 4937. This was originally called IMechlin Street. It was opened through the Wagner property, and was probably named Mechlin after William Wagner's mother, who was a Mechlin. The old house that stood on this site was built by George Danenhower about 1745. In 1753 he sold it to 178 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Thomas Roberts, and it was occupied by four generations of the Roberts family. It was afterward sold to William Wagner. No, 4939- (AA^ard, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4473-) The drug store on the northeast corner of Germantown Avenue and East Clapier Street belongs to the estate of Samuel Toplis. It is upon the site of an old house that was occupied by Jacob ^Miller in 1809. He was the son of George Miller who lived in the Toland house at the time of the battle. In 185 1 the place be- longed to Matthias R. Aliller; in 1871 it belonged to John R. Miller. In the rear of the old dwelling was a bake-house where bread was baked for the British troops during the Revolution. Naaman K. Ployd has a watch that once belonged to Cap- tain John Miller, who was connected with the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion, and who fell at Fort Washington, N. Y., November 16, 1776, while serving under General Washington. The watch became the property of his son, Alatthias Miller (i) of lower Ger- mantown, and at his death was willed to Jacob, the father of Naaman K. Ployd. Mr. Ployd has kindly furnished the follow- ing information in regard to Captain John Miller and the Miller families of lower Germantown : "The breaking out of the Revo- lution interrupted the prosperity of the citizens of Germantown. Many of the inhabitants were engaged in agriculture and all business came to a standstill. IMoney and provisions became very scarce, and great demoralization existed. The settlement was made up largely of Mennonites, Friends and Dunkers, many of whom, having conscientious scruples against war, refused to lake up arms against the mother countr}^, in consequence of which they suffered many indignities at the hands of the Ameri- (an, as well as the British soldiery. Among the number who took up arms was Captain John Miller. He raised a full com- pany from Germantown and the surrounding country, and was commissioned in January, 1776. (See "Pcnna. in the JVar of tlic Rcz'olufion, 1775-178^." Vol. i, p. 145.) The records, although incomplete, give the names of a number from Germantown, who, like Captain Miller, sacrificed everything to fight for freedom. Among the number we find the names of Lieutenant Andrew Dover, H. Stoughton, G. Applen, G. Segar, J. Mansfield, G. Seifer, P. Williams, and Hugh Craig. The Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion to which the company was attached was commanded by Colonel Robert Mayan. (Ibid, p. 142.) HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOJVN 179 "After much marching and many privations they again occu- pied their old ground at Fort Washmgton, X. Y. On Xovember 16, 1776, the fort was attacked by a superior force of General Howe's army and a bloody struggle followed. Captain Miller and many of his men were among the slain. "Captain Miller left a family of six children, viz. : Susan, ^lary, Elizabeth, Jacob, Rebecca, and ^latthias. Susan became the wife of David Ployd ; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Pfeifer ; Jacob, the husband of Elizabeth Rose. Mary and Rebecca died in infancy, and Matthias died a bachelor. The last named was well known to the old-time residents of Germantown for his simplicity of manners, his kindness of heart, and consistent Chris- tian character. The writer well remembers 'Uncle Matty' taking his usual walks from lower Germantown to visit his invalid sister, Susan Miller Ployd. who lived with her daughter, Mrs. John Shriver, on old Haines Street. He w^ore a long brown coat, the spacious pockets of which were always well filled with 'Mushler's big ginger cakes,' and a stock of fruit selected for his sister Susan. After his departure, 'Granny Ployd' would treat her little grand- children to the Mushier collection. It greatly pleased 'Granny' to see the little folks 'get down to business." She died July 3, 1846. ]Matthias, who was born October 15, 1776, died November 17. 1854. "Susan :\Iiller Ployd was a communicant of the old Market Square Church. She was very much embittered against the English on account of the killing of her father in battle, never- theless, a numl)er of her descendants got, as she said, 'mixed up with the English families.' Her son, Jacob Ployd, when a boy, became interested in the early jMethodist Church, and became a member of that then persecuted denomination. This course was offensive to his mother, who threatened to give him a 'dose of the broom,' but the boy, like his old 'Grand-daddy' Miller, was firm in his convictions, and remained faithful to his 'meeting' for over fifty years, when he died in the cause he loved so well. His sister, Eliza Shriver, sustained him amid all the opposition to which he was subjected. "Jacob once became the owner of a small house which he took in trade, and rented it to a young mechanic with a wid- owed mother. They lived in the cottage for a long time, but Jacob got no rent. He was too good-hearted to turn the widow i8o HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN out. Finally the son secured a more convenient cottage and left the landlord the 'pig,' together with a message telling him to go to a warm region. Jacob, in disgust, disposed of the property for less than cost, saying that he was unfit to be a landlord. "Matthias R. Miller owned considerable property in the vicin- ity of what is now called ]\Iiller Street. He was anxious to dispose JACOB PLOYD. of it in building lots. Jacob B. Thomas, then an old-time auc- tioneer, wanted five dollars for crying the sale, but 'Uncle Miller' thought this entirely too much for one afternoon's work. Finally, Thomas agreed to sell the lots at so much per lot. When night came nearly all the lots had been sold and Thomas's old 'shot bag.' which he used for a money purse, contained just $50. The wily old auctioneer had the laugh on Uncle Matthias, who in turn was much pleased at getting rid of the lots. "The members of the various branches of the ]\Iiller family, HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN i8i all closely related, were at one time very numerous in lower Ger- mantown, and embraced also the Pfeifers, Bruners, Reeds, Steels, Ployds, Shrivers, Coulstons and others. As a rule, the Aliller descendants held to the Presbyterian faith. In the war of the Rebellion, numerous members of the family took part upon the Union side, in one capacity or another. Some served upon the Christian and Sanitary Commissions, some served in the hos- pitals, numerous others were at the front for years, suffering privations, and returning to their homes disabled by wounds or disease. Some yielded up their lives in the cause. J. Miller Wliartenby fell defending the flag; of the three Shriver boys, Reuben, of the 150th Pennsylvania, and William, of the 114th Pennsylvania, were brought home dead ; George W. received a dangerous wound. The Ployds were represented by Tennis, Ed- ward, Xaaman K. and William, the latter being dangerously wounded before Petersburg. And so, the spirit of patriotism that led the ancestral Alillers to aid in establishing the independ- ence of America, led their descendants to give their services for the maintenance of the liberty so dearly bought." No. 4949. A house that formerly stood on this site was occu- pied by W\ H. Stoever in 1840. It was situated a little back from the street line, and had a very attractive old-fashioned garden in front, the walks of which were handsomely bordered with box- bush. The house was two stories in height, and a beautiful vine- clad porch extended across the front. On the map of 1851. the property is marked as belonging to J. Daniels. The house was torn down about 1890. EAST SEYMOUR STREET East from No. 5000. It was at first called Alehl Street. WEST SEYMOUR STREET West from No. 5000. This street was opened by E. S. Rich- ards through the Royal property. The low ground, extending as far as Wayne Avenue, used to be known as "Frog Hollow." CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST N. E. Corner of Seymour Street and Germantown Avenue During the time when Rev. John Rodney, D. D., was rector of St. Luke's Church, there was a movement to provide church 1 82 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWK services for the lower end of the town. This movement at last took shape in a resolution of the vestry of that church, and a mission was established under the pastoral care of Rev. William Nicholas Diehl. The first services of the mission were held in the Odd Fellows' Hall on \A'ister Street, and week day services were held in the public school building- in Fishers Hollow. Finally a lot was obtained, and the present edifice was erected at a cost of $10,000. It was opened for service January 2, 1859. PHILOMATHEAN HALL, I. O. O. F. WISTER STREET In 1866, a chapel and Sunday School building was erected upon the property, at a cost of $3300, but on account of its faulty construction it was torn down in 1873. On the 25th of June, 1875, ]\Ir. Diehl dropped dead at the nursery of :\Iiller and Hayes, Mount Air}-. Rev. William Ely, now bishop of Georgia, suc- ceeded to the pastorate, but he remained only a short time. He was followed by Rev. C. K. Nelson. The present rector is Rev. G. W. Lincoln. No. 5007. This old building, noAv a laundry, was long known as "Alick Royal's Carriage Factory." In 1871 it was occupied by C. Chambers as a coach factory. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 183 No. 5010. (W^ard and Hotchkin, X"o. 4506.) George Royal built this house in 1747 for his son Edward. The latter bought the low ground on the west side of the avenue just north of the Wachsmuth property. The tract used to be called "Royal's EDWARD ROYAL HOUSE meadow." During the time when the British occupied the town, this meadow furnished pasturage for their cavalry horses. The house now belongs to George W. Paul, Jr. GARFIELD STREET East from No. 5009. No. 5011. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 451 1.) George Royal, a butcher, once lived in this house, as did his son Jacob. It is now owned and occupied by G. H. Marsden. Nos. 5015-19. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4515.) There once stood upon this site a house that belonged to the Duy fam- ily. It was purchased by George Royal and occupied by him 1 84 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN i^^''- mmi ii7jiics^«^^m,L 3:^^.r^ ^^.:^ ^^i^^^^^ . <^ mmt:i^?^^ DUY'S HOUSE AND GEORGE ROYAL'S HOUSE about i860. A row of small brick houses now stands upon the spot. REGER STREET West from No. 5034. This street was formerly called Spring Alley. No account of Germantown would, be considered in any sense complete that omitted to mention Spring Alley, for in the "olden days" it was one of the best known localities in the town. It is to be regretted that our city fathers saw fit to change its time honored name to that of Reger Street, for the old name is inti- mately associated with many interesting memories in the minds of many old residents of Germantown. It received its original name from a famous spring at the southwest angle of the alley. The following extract from a recent letter received from Dr. George H. Cox, an aged gentleman who formerly resided in Ger- mantown, shows how afifectionately the old spot was regarded. He says : — "The old spring that gave the name to Spring Alley should not be forgotten. I went down the alley on purpose to see it in February, 1893, but it then had a pump in it. That did not look right. That spring, in the early days of Germantown, supplied all the vicinity with water. It slaked the thirst of the British as well as the patriot soldier In the days of the Revolution. It never should have been desecrated with a pump. I am sincerely sorry for the change." HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "FLECKENSTEIN'S" 185 No. 5034. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4528.) Just north of Reger Street (Spring Alley) stands the old house, much altered in appearance, in which three generations of the Fleckensteins lived and died. They were skilled mechanics and were especially noted for their exceedingly moderate charges. Townsend Ward has given a most interesting account of their character and pecu- liarities. Their work included general repairing of almost every kind, and their invariable charge for a job was three cents, no matter how long a time they had been engaged upon it. 37Kh^^\ ''•Aj?'''^"^"^- "^/iM^^^V- ml -«^ -^ _j— - ■-xKklf^^^^'"- 'FLECKENSTEIN'S ' It was the first Samuel Fleckenstein who made the iron parts for the type moulds of Christopher Saur. He was succeeded in business by his son Samuel. The latter, when a lad, was in the cellar of Lorain's house with Jacob Miller, at the time of the bat- tle of Germantown. He lived to an advanced age, and yet it is said that he was never in Philadelphia. During the anti-Catholic riots in 1844, he witnessed the burning of St. Michael's Church at Second and Jefferson Streets, from the top of Naglee's hill. The last of the line was Frederick, the son of the second Samuel Fleckenstein. Eccentric as he was in many respects, he had a large circle of friends, and probably no one of his time was better known than "Freddie" Fleckenstein. His shop was a popular resort. Here, especially on stormy days, the men of the 1 86 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN neighborhood were accustomed to gather and discuss the news of the day. The place could, with the greatest propriety, have been appropriately styled "the old curiosity shop," for all over it were hung or strewn bunches of keys, old locks of every size and description, bolts, nuts, buckles, odd fragments of harness, car- riages, plows, and farming gear of various kinds ; in fact, odds FREDERICK FLECKENSTEIN and ends of almost every imaginable description. "Freddie" was on good terms with the chickens and pigeons who frequently visited him. George B. Wood. Jr., the artist, has preserved its appearance in an excellent picture of the interior. When the Civil War broke out all the necessaries of life advanced greatly in price and "Freddie" was reluctantly com- pelled to raise his price for a job to five cents, in order to save z . -A o M be ^ s- ^ o ^ S ^2 fa HISTORY OP OLD GBRMANTOWN 189 himself from absolute beggary. This step is said to have weighed heavily upon his conscience. Although he could not boast of much of an education, "Freddie" was far from being an ignorant man. Loving nature as he did, he derived from her much knowledge not obtainable from books. He was particularly fond of botany and mineralogy, and in his frequent walks within a radius of twenty-five or thirty miles about Germantown, he learned where to find the rarest and most interesting specimens of plants and minerals. In these excursions he was almost always accompanied by his intimate friend, George Redles. For flowers "Freddie" possessed an almost child-like aft'ection. He was a bachelor and lived alone in the same building in which his shop was situated and in which his ancestors had lived and labored for so many years. About 1880, he contracted a severe cold that soon developed into pneumonia. Some of his neighbors, learning that he was ill, called to see him, and in a spirit of kindness cleaned up his sleeping room and gave him a bath. The sudden shock of the bath was too great for his en- feebled condition and additional congestion ensued which re- sulted in his death. He was about eighty years of age when he died. After his death an examination was made of his trunks, when it was found that he possessed a considerable supply of elegant clothing and underwear that had doubtless belonged to his father, as he was never known to wear it. No. 5031. In 1809 Jacob Duy owned the tavern still stand- ing on the southeast corner of Wister Street and Germantown Avenue. The place was afterward kept by Baltzer Naphley, and he was succeeded by William Stallman. The present owner and proprietor is Hamilton Boyer. It is now known as the Farmers' and ]\Iechanics' Hotel. Nos. 5040-46. This is the site of the old Star Hotel which was kept by William Jarvis in 1840. He was succeeded by Wil- liam Hargraves. A row of stores now occupies the site. It was in this hotel, about 1853. that the first cricket club in America was formed by a number of Englishmen who frequented the place. It was called the Star Club. William Jarvis, Daniel Jarvis, William Jarvis, Jr., William Dimmick, George Hargraves and John Provest were some of the original members. The 190 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Handsberrys and Buckbys also belonged. It eventually had a large membership and became quite an influential organization. GENERAL WAYNE HOTEL No. 5058. This old building on the southwest corner of Ger- mantown Avenue and Manheim Street has long been one of the noted landmarks of Germantown. Its original appearance has been greatly changed, however, by reason of the addition of a third story which was built in 1866. The land upon which the GENERAL WAYNE HOTEL (original appearance) AND SOMMER'S CARRIAGE SHOP hotel was erected was originally drawn in the name of Jan Stre- per. Dr. George H. Cox, of Missouri, a son of William K. Cox, who kept the hotel from April, 1838 to 1859, makes the following interesting statement with regard to it : "My undei'standing about the place has always been that it was built for a tavern in 1803, it previously having been a blacksmith shop occupying the Main Street part only. As a tavern it was first kept by Samuel Butcher, then by John M. Bockius, the father of Edmund Bockius. John M. Bockius was Captain of the 'Germantown Blues," whose place of meeting was the tavern. On account of his peculiar manner of speech he was known as 'Captain Dis' and 'Captain Dat.' He used to say, 'Come around dis a way," and 'Do dat a way.' After Bockius. my father became the proprietor. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 191 "If you will go on the yard porch and examine the window nearest the bar-room, and the shutter on the window nearest the bar-room, you will see a piece of tin, or perhaps sheet iron, that covers a hole about five or six inches in diameter. It used to be said, when I was a boy, that the hole was cut for the purpose of selling the stock of the Philadelphia and Germantown Railroad Co., about 1830-33. It was what is now known as 'boom stock,' and people fought to get to the window to invest their money. It afterward sold for fifty cents a share, with but few buyers at that. "At that time the old tavern was a very important place. The militia used to be mustered there. The 'Blues' had their armory in what was known as the 'Society room,' on the Manheim Street (then Bockius's Lane) side. Two beneficial societies met there, and the Columbia Fire Co. had its house and apparatus in the yard. No rent was charged for any of these things. Oh, how they used to spit tobacco juice upon the floor! Those old shoemakers used to chew a lot of the weed. "In my young days there was, on each side of the old sign, a picture of 'Mad Anthony' with drawn sword. It was said that the sign was painted by Stuart, the celebrated portrait painter. "The present proprietor is John B. Maxwell. His father, Andrew Maxwell, was the son-in-law of John Bonnell, who owned and lived on a small place of about four acres, at the corner of Greene and Manheim Streets. Maxwell had been a soldier in the United States army during the Florida Indian War. He also belonged to the 'Germantown Blues,' and in the Southwark riots of 1844 he played an important part in bringing them to a close. Mallory's Artillery, from up about the old J. P. Johnson Tavern, and the 'Blues' were called out and both organizations prompt- ly responded. The rioters took up one of the old iron cannon that guarded the corners along the wharf, and putting it on a dray, loaded it with powder and scrap- iron. This they fired, and John Guyer and Harry Troutman, of the 'Blues,' were killed. The artillery- men, being new and not well drilled, ran away and left their gun. Max- well, being an old artilleryman, volunteered to handle the gun if Captain John D. Miles, of the 'Blues,' would give a permit and furnish a file of men. The request was complied with and Maxwell kept the gun going all night, loading it with musket balls and touching it off with cigars, for Mallory's men in the stampede had carried away all the match rope. That ended the riot. CAPT. JOHN waterhousk;. 192 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "Maxwell was a friend to everybody in trouble or distress, and was loved by every one. He died of consumption when John B. was a very small boy, and was buried in the Hood Cemetery with the honors of war. His funeral was probably the largest ever seen in Germantown. Everybody walked in those days, and the funeral cortege reached from the house to the cemetery. "Captain John Waterhouse, of the 114th Penna. Volunteers, was a private in the 'Blues,' and during the riot was wounded in the back of the neck. Edmund Bockius, First Lieutenant, had a missile pass through his hand. To use the expression of one of his friends, 'that shot him into the Market Square Church,' where he remained a valued and consistent member until his death. He was a very good and kind friend. To me he was always 'Pappy Bockius.' " WISTER STREET East from No, 5100. This used to be called Dtiy's Lane, and before that Danenhower's Lane, as it led to Danenhower's Mill on the Wingohocking Creek between Duy's Lane and Shoe- maker's Lane. This mill was afterward owned by James Arm- strong, and it was then called Armstrong's Mill. It was de- stroyed by fire December 14. 1866. Peberdy's extensive mills are now situated upon the site. On a map made by Nicholas Scull, Surveyor General, in April, 1751, this street is designated, "Road leading to the Township Line, commonly called Reazer's Road." MANHEIM STREET West from No. 5100. This street was opened by the Ship- pens about 1740. On some old deeds it is called Shippen's Lane. At various times it has also received the names of Pickus's Lane, Betton's Lane, and Cox's Lane. Two very i^ausible theories have been advanced in regard to the way it received the name of Manheim Street. According to one account, Jacques Roset gave the street its name in honor of the ladies of Manheim. Germany. Others have believed that it took its name from the town of Manheim which was laid out by Henry Fraley on the site of what is now the grounds of the Manheim Cricket Club. It is certain, however, that it was called Manheim Street as early as 1780, for in a deed from John Dedier to Jacob Sommer, dated January 24, 1780, it is mentioned as "a street 60 feet wide, left open forever, which is called Manheim Street." (Deed Book D, No. 5, p. 529.) Now as Roset did not come to this country until 1792, and did not come to Germantown to live until 1821 ; and as HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 193 Henry Fraley did not lay out the town of Manheim until 1796. it is evident that neither of the theories mentioned is tenable. Manheim Street should not be passed without reference to one of the early inhabitants of Germantown who is affectionately remembered and who was intimately associated with this locality. Jacques Marie Roset came from France to America in 1792, at the ag-e of twenty-seven. He became a merchant in Philadel- phia, and lived for a time at the northeast corner of Seventh and Arch Streets. He then made his home at the Falls of Schuyl- Star Hotel. Gen. Wayne Hotel. Manheim Streeet. 4. Schaeffer & Chatburn's Paint Shop. 5. Jacob Sommer's House. kill for three years. In 1821 he removed to the Toland house, No. 4810 Germantown Avenue, where he resided for the next twelve years. He then took up his residence in a house on the north side of Manheim Street, about one block west of German- town Avenue. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying' in 185 1 at the ag-e of eighty-six. Some have supposed that he lived in the old house on the southwest corner of Portico Street (Spring Alley) and Manheim Street, but this does not agree with the account given by Townsend Ward, who states that he lived 194 HISTORY OP OLD GERMANTOWN on the north side of Manheim Street. Dr. Cox confirms the statement of Ward in regard to location. He says: "I knew the old man Roset very well. I don't think he ever lived on the south side of Manheim Street. The house in which he lived on the north side was two houses made into one. There were two front doors. The street was considerably lower at the time than it is now. There was a large platform with three or four steps at -each end, but no rail at the front doors. The old man used to sit on the platform with his legs hanging down to the side- walk, and he was generally surrounded by little girls. His house was nearly opposite the Jungkurth blacksmith shop. I used to stand off and feel very jealous of him, and many a time wished that I was a girl. I remember a party he once gave to the little girls, and there was a large clothes basket full of cakes and other good things carried in, but not a boy was allowed inside, nor did any of the good things get to the boys' insides. Dr. Cox also gives the following interesting information about this locality : "On Manheim Street, between Spring Alley and the Jungkurth blacksmith shop, there are two three-story houses. In the third story of these buildings was the Lodge room of No. 10, I. O. O. F., previous to their building on Wister Street, then Duy's Lane. In the front room of the building nearest to the blacksmith shop was kept the primary department of the first public school of which I have any knowledge. It was taught by Miss Margaret Provest, who afterward married Charles Bockius and went to Marysville, California. She was, I think, a sister to Paul Provest. The grammar department of the school, presided over by Charles Wilson, with Sam Culp as assistant, was in the first building on the right in Spring Alley, about seventy-five yards from Manheim Street. The school was afterwards moved to a building, formerly a wheelwright shop, belonging to Henry Heckroth. It was next to the Jungkurth blacksmith shop. This building was moved on rollers for the purpose, (I witnessed it) to its present site (or what was its site nine years ago) a little west of the old spring in Spring Alley. The school in the building was known as the Roset School until the Rittenhouse School was built. The lower floor was used for the primary depart- ment, and the upper floor for the grammar pupils. Miss Provest was down stairs and Wilson and Culp occupied the upper floor. When the Rittenhouse School was opened this school went out of existence. Charles Wilson became principal of the Rittenhouse School." THE TOWN OF MANHEIM The following account of the laying out of the town of ]\Ian- heim has been kindly furnished by Mr. J. H. Bockius : HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 195 "In 1796 Henry Fraley and his son John purchased of Joseph Ship- pen a tract of land on what is now Manheim Street, in the neighbor- hood of the 'Manheim Criclvet Grounds.' They immediately divided it into about fifty building lots, and styled it the village of Manheim. (See Deed Book D, 63, p. 304.) A cross street which was called Federal Street ran at right angles to Manheim Street, and was evidently intended for the main street. A street parallel with Manheim was called Columbia, and another was called Tammany. Quite unexpectedly, the lots were purchased by persons of means from Philadelphia, and instead of a populous village, the lots were consolidated into a few large country seats. Thus Henry Fraley became one of the first, if not the very first, of the proprietors of Philadelphia suburban towns. "Henry Fraley was born in Switzerland, March 27, 1744, and died in Germantown, August 20, 1821. His parents were Heinrich and Eliza- beth Froli. Henry learned the trade of a house carpenter, and suc- ceeded his father in the business which he carried on for many years. Some of the houses built by him are still standing. Among these may be named the large stone house to the right of the entrance of the Manheim Club, and the Women's Club House. The Boys' Club House is his old barn remodeled." GERMAN SQUARE. When Manheim Street was opened, all the ground on both sides of the street was owned by Joseph Shippen, Sr. It included town lots Nos. I, 2, and 3 "towards the Schuylkill." and the greater part of the corresponding side land, as well as side lots Nos. 4B and 5S "towards the Schuylkill." His land was de- scribed as the "Germantown plantation which Joseph Shippen, Sr., late of Germantown, gentleman, deceased, by deed, February 27, 1740, granted to his three sons, Edward, Joseph, and William Shippen." Later on they made a partition of the estate. (Sec Deed Book I, No. p, p. jji.) On a portion of the tract they laid out a square, 300 feet on a side, with Manheim Street running through the center. Its eastern side was 217 feet west of Greene Street. Around the sides of this square, lots were laid out, six on each of the east and west sides, and three on each of the others. The lots on the east and west sides were 40 feet in width, and those on the north and south sides were 100 feet. Little or no attempt was made to build upon the square, and it appears to have been an almost com- plete failure. A comprehensive plan of the German Square may be found in Deed Book I, No. p, p. §jj. 196 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN "WHITE COTTAGE" This property, which has long been known as the "Betton property," is situated at No. 153 Manheim Street. The mansion with its broad porches shaded by fine old maples has much the appearance of a countr}' gentleman's residence. In 1 81 2 the place was owned by Colonel Thomas Forrest, of Pomona. His daughter married Dr. Samuel Betton and upon their marriage came here to live. Colonel Forrest died in INIarch. 1825, and his estate was administered by Dr. Samuel Betton. Dr. WHITE COTTAGE (BETTON HOUSE.) Betton had come to this country from Jamaica, and settled in Germantown. After he became the owner of this property he added extensively to the grounds. He also built the oc- tagon shaped room on the east side of the house. It was used as a dining room. It is said that in this room solid silver forks were used for the first time in Germantown. At one time Dr. Betton had in his employ a Swiss gardener named Jacob Janney. (On his passport which is in Swiss, and his indenture which is in English, the name is given as Janney; on his daughter's marriage certificate, which is in German, the HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 197 name is Yenner.) He had been a silk stocking weaver in Ged- derkind, Switzerland. While on his way to America the vessel in which he sailed was wrecked and he lost all his property, including a silk ribbon machine which he was bringing with him. On account of this misfortune he was compelled to com- plete his voyage as a "redemptioner." He arrived in Philadel- phia in December, 1805, and he and his wife then bound them- selves to William Bonnell for a term of four years, the con- sideration being one hundred and seventy-three dollars, that being the cost of their passage from Amsterdam. Upon the expiration of his term of service with ^Ir. Bonnell he came to Germantown, where Dr. Betton gave him employment. His fate was quite pathetic. One of the grain fields belonging to the estate caught fire just as the grain was ready to be har- vested, and Janney was so greatly alarmed that he was fright- ened to death. Dr. Samuel Betton died in 1850, and left his library and sur- gical instruments to his son. Dr. Thomas Forrest Betton, all the rest of his estate being left to his wife, Mary Forrest Betton. Dr. Thomas F. Betton married Elizabeth, daughter of Alba- nus C. Logan, of Stenton. They built the large house, recently torn down, that stood east of "AAHiite Cottage." Mary Forrest Betton died in 1856, and letters of administra- tion were granted to her son. Dr. Thomas Forrest Betton. Dr. Thomas Forrest Betton died in 1875. leaving his library to be sold to the Philadelphia College of Ph3'sicians, and the rest of his property to his wife for life. The property has been di- vided and much of it sold. The homestead is now owned and occupied by Samuel Betton, a son of Dr- Thomas F. Betton. TAGGART'S FIELD A tract opposite the Betton property, on the south side of Manheim Street, was for many years known as "Taggart's Field." Watson refers to it by this name in describing Jacob Miller's recollection of Revolutionary events. It did not, however, have this name at the time of the Revolution, for it then belonged to the Shippens. It was purchased by Joseph Taggart (spelled Tagert in the deed) about 181 2. Watson makes the following statement in regard to it : "On Taggart's ground were a great many of the British encamped 198 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN in huts made up from the fences and overlaid with sods. On the same ground, he (Jacob Miller) afterwards saw Count Pulaski's cavalry, of four hundred men, in their whitish uniform, where they made a grand display of military evolutions, in exercising in a mock battle. They were formed mostly from the prisoners of Burgoyne's army, Germans, and others. Their exercises made a deep impression on his youthful fears; for when he beheld their frequent onsets with drawn swords, he felt persuaded that they must turn it all to eainest. One of them got killed in the onset. "At one time, it was said that the British were intending to take into their service all the half grown boys they could find in the place; to avoid which, he and others got off to a public house near Flourtown. He supposes that it was a false report." October i, 1795, Joseph Shippen granted to Edward Bonsell four lots of grotmd which are described as lots Nos. 55, 56, and 57, fronting on German Square, and another lot situated along- side of these. There was a house on lot No. 56 at that time. This house, No. 5031 Knox Street, is still standing. These lots col- lectively, or some portion of them, formed the property after- ward generally known as "Taggart's Field." The succeeding transfers were as follows : April 15, 1797, Edward Bonsell to Daniel King, May 19, 1798, Daniel King to Edward Lynch. June 15, 1804, Edward Lynch to William Mitchell, April I, 1804, William IMitchell to Joseph Taggart. (Deed Book G. W. C, 73-140.) At this time Joseph Taggart was making extensive pur- chases of ground in this vicinity, buying some of Samuel Mechlin. (Deed Book J. C. 20-476, D. p-302.) Shoemaker says that Joseph Taggart was President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank. He paid taxes on the property in 1812, but did not live here. In November, 1850, the property was sold by Taggart's ex- ecutors to Edward Carpenter. (Deed Book G. IV. C, 73-140.) Knox Street has been cut through the property and rows of modern houses erected upon it. No. 5100. (Old number, 4552.) Probably no greater changes have been made anywhere in Germantown than at the west corner of Manheim Street and Germantown Avenue. The present brick building is upon the site of several frame and stone buildings. The ground upon which it is built is a part of the Shippen tract. After Joseph Shippen, Sr., granted land in this HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 199 locality to his three sons (See German Square), they made a division of the tract, and this lot fell to the share of Edward Shippen, who conveyed it to Henry Ernst, January 21, 1743-4. Henry Ernst died intestate, whereupon the lot descended to his children, subject to the widows dower. (Sec Deed Book D, No. 5, p. j2p.) His widow, Susanna, married John Dieder (Dedier). The deed from Edward Shippen to Henry Ernst contains the following interesting provision, which will give some idea as to how valuable a well of good water was considered in those days : "Reserving to him, the said Edward Shippen, his heirs and as- signs forever, the privilege of the well on the premises, he or they paying half the expense of windlass, buckets and ropes and other necessary and reasonable charges either for digging it deeper or cleaning the same ; subject to the payment of the yearly rent or sum of three and three-quarters Spanish pistoles in gold, each pistole weighing four pennyweight and six grains, Troy weight or value thereof in current money of Pennsylvania unto the said Edward Shippen, his heirs and assigns on the twenty- fifth day of March yearly thereafter as in and by the said recited indenture relating, being thereunto had more fully appear." On the 24th of January, 1780, the surviving heirs of Henry Ernst conveyed the property to Jacob Sommer. The deed was signed by John Dedier and Susanna, his wife (Susanna Dedier being the former wife and widow of Henry Ernst, cordwainer, deceased); Henry Ernst, ropemaker ; John Ernst, of Reading, a hatter; Jacob Ernst, tailor; Balthason Ernst, hosier; Peter Edenborn, hosier, and Elizabeth, his wife ; and Susanna Ernst, spinster. (Deed Book D, No. 5, />. j2p.) Jacob Sommer carried on the business of coachmaking in a frame shop that stood on this corner. He married Anna Mary Dauber January 9, 1772. Eleven children were born to them. The young daughters had a great reputation for their beauty. It is even said that Sarah was exhibited as a beauty in Peale's Museum, Philadelphia. When the Revolutionary war broke out Jacob Sommer joined a company raised in Germantown. (Peuna. Archives, 2d series, ]^oL /j, pp. 738-/S9.) Henry Fraley belonged to the same company. The wives of these men were great friends. Mrs. Sommer had four small children at that time. The oldest was but five, and the youngest but a year old and very delicate. When the battle of Germantown commenced these two 200 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN women with the children hid in a bake oven. As a result of hardship and exposure, the youngest child, Ann Martha, died a few days afterward, and the two women were obliged to carry it at night to the burying ground of the German Reformed Church at INIarket Square and bury it themselves. Jacob Sommer died in 1817, leaving no will. Two large lots on Manheim Street, that had belonged to him, were sold by his executors to Samuel Betton. The property on the corner of Manheim Street was made over to the mother by the children. She opened there a general store that was very popular in the neigh- borhood. A parrot which she kept in the store was very watch- ful over her interests. Woe to the luckless fellow who ventured to pilfer any of the old lady's stock, for Polly would instantly raise the loud cry, "Stop thief! Stop thief!" Mary Sommer died in 1827 and left the property to her son Jacob. In order to satisfy a mortgage it was sold by the Sheriff to Christopher Mason, September 30, 1829. In the deed given it is described as a lot 61 feet by 217 feet, situated on Germantown Road, at the corner of IManheim Street. "There are on the prem- ises a one and a half story stone house and a two-story brick house fronting on the Germantown Road, one two-story frame building used as a coachmaker shop and a two-story frame house, 26 feet fronting on Manheim Street, with one stone and one frame kitchen, and a stable fronting on ]\Ianheim Street, partly stone and partly frame ; also ground rent of three and three-quar- ter Spanish Pistoles, but has not been claimed for more than 70 years." "N. B. There are erected on said lot one stone house one and a half stories high, 26^ feet front by 20 feet deep, used as a store for many years, a stone kitchen joining the same 15 feet by 12 feet, one-story high, one two-story stone house with brick front of 17 feet front on the said Turnpike by 33 feet deep and with the gable ends weather-boarded joining the last mentioned house." (Deed Book A. M._, No. 52, p. 666.) The old coachmaker's shop referred to was occupied in 1832 by George Redles, a wood turner. He was an intimate friend of Frederick Fleckenstein, and the two were frequent companions on botanical excursions in the vicinity of Germantown. At a later period the building was occupied as a paint shop by Schaef- fer and Chatburn. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 20 1 The little store once kept by Mrs. Sommer was afterward kept by a Mrs. Shingle. Christopher Mason died in 1855, leaving the property to Elizabeth Jacoby. She died intestate, and the place descended to her son, Christopher H. Jacoby, who sold the property to Jo- seph A. Sanborn, of Redfield, Maine, for $11,500. (Deed Book J. A. H. No. 140. p. 2iy.) Soon after this time the old building was torn down and the present one erected, the corner being first occupied as a drug store by Sanborn and Butler, and afterwards by Mahlon Kratz. The latter has recently been succeeded by Samuel D. Crawford. ONCE THE RESIDENCE OF COMMODORE BARRON COMMODORE BARRON HOUSE No. 5106. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4558.) This belonged to John Foos, a shoemaker, in 1809. In 1842 it was the residence of Commodore James Barron, who was com- mandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard from August 11, 1824, 202 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN to May 6, 1825, and again from ^lay 20, 1831, to July 3, 1837. In the events that led up to the war of 1812, it will be re- membered that Commodore Barron was the unfortunate officer in command of the frigate Chesapeake when she was attacked by the British man-of-war Leopard off the capes of Virginia. His vessel had been ordered to sea in no fit condition to meet an enemy, and he was therefore powerless to prevent the search- ing of his vessel for deserters, which took place after receiving several broadsides from the British vessel. Three of the crew of the Chesapeake were killed and eighteen wounded. Because of the event Barron fell into deep disgrace in the estimation of the public, and a court martial suspended him for five years. He always blamed Commodore Stephen Decatur for the result of his trial, and finally a duel between the two resulted, in which Decatur lost his life. On account of his brilliant naval record, Decatur was almost idolized by the American people, and the unfortunate termination of the duel added to Barron's unpopu- larity ; he never regained the confidence of the public. The property was afterward successively occupied by Capt. Henry Adams, a naval officer from Pennsylvania, and by Col. John Watmough, who was wounded in the attack on Fort Erie during the war of 1812. It is now owned and occupied by Mrs. S. H. Warner. THONES KUNDERS HOUSE. No. 5109. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4537-) On this site stood the house of Thones Kunders, one of the original settlers of Germantown. The various spellings of this name are quite puzzling. On Zimmerman's map of 1746 it appears as Tunis Conrad. The name appears to have undergone several transformations before appearing in its present form of Dennis Conrad. Henry C, Conrad, Secretary of the Delaware Historical Society, who has written the genealogical record of one branch of the family, speaks of him as Thones Kunders, a wool dyer from the banks of the Rhine. Thones Kunders died in 1729. It is worthy of note that he signed his will Dennis Kunders. His oldest son signed his will Cunrad Cunrads. His second son signed his will M. Mathias Cunrade, and the sixth son signed his will Henry Cunrad. Sir Samuel Cunard, the founder of the cele- HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 20' brated Cunard line of ocean steamers, who died in London in 1865, was also a descendant of Thones Kunders. In speaking of the Friends. Watson says (Annals, Vol. II, p. 2^}, "Their meetings were held at Dennis Conrad's house (then spelt Tennis Kundert), as early as 1683. Part of the wall of that ancient house may still be seen on the northwest end of the two houses rebuilt and occupied by Lesher as an inn." At one time the place was known as Lesher's Tavern.^ The tavern occupied the present building together with one below which has since been torn down. Just below the tavern was an open lot which was very popular with those fond of rustic sports. Tradition says that a favorite sport was bull-baiting, and that LESHER'S TAVERN this cruel amusement was the means of attracting large gather- ings. In the rear of the portion that was torn down stood an old building in which Hiram Lodge of Free Masons met. Pub- lic sentiment was so much prejudiced against Masonry that Lodge meetings were always held with the utmost secrecy. Access to the Lodge room was had by means of a ladder, and the Lodge was always "closely tiled" by drawing up the ladder. The accounts of the Treasurer of the Lodge show that the Widow Lesher received for the rent of the room, $60 per an- 5i WiUiam Lesher died Oct. 19, 1793. The inn was then conducted by his widow and was known as "Widow Lesher's Tavern." 204 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN This old l)uil(lins: in the rear num, dating from June i, 1800. Avas torn down about 1888. The house now standing was occupied by Christopher Kin- zel as a barber shop for over forty years. It is probably not generally known that at one time the matter of making Germantown the National Capital was seri- BUILDING IN REAR OF LESHBR'S TAVERN, WHERE HIRAM LODGE, F. & A. M., MET ously talked about. The following extract from the diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer (page 139), gives an account of a meeting held here for the purpose of considering the subject, at the time when the place was Lesher's Tavern : "December 4, 1787. "Went with Captain N. Falkner, in my ctiair, to William Lesher's in Germantown. Then I went out and brought to the house Leonard Stone- burner, — a number of the inhabitants and landholders of Philadelphia County, to consult concerning the offering to cede a part of the county to the Federal Government for their residence and exclusive juris- diction. "Mr. Mathew Clarkson was called to the chair, and Mr. William Hall made secretary, and after some debate, it was agreed that the question be put. The chairman told the gentlemen present that those who are in favor of making Congress the offer should show their assent by holding up their hands, — which was done by all in the room. A num- ber of blank petitions were then handed to gentlemen residing in differ- ent parts of the county, to get them signed. A number of gentlemen signed at the table." It was in the house of Thones Kunders that the first public protest against slavery made in America, was signed in 1688. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 205 Through the efiforts of I\Ir. William Kite, late librarian of the Germantown Friends' Library, an excellent fac-simile copy of this celebrated protest has been made. The document appears to be in the handwriting of Pastorius, and it was signed by gerrit hendricks, Francis daniell Pastorius, Derick op de graeff, Abraham op den graeff. A further account of this interesting paper will be given in the third part of this volume. Nos. 51 12-14. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4562; Shoemaker, Nos. 4562-4.) In 1809 this belonged to Daniel King's estate. It was afterward occupied by three generations of Greens, who were hatters. The last of these was Charles U. Green, who occupied the house and store. No. 51 14 (4564). He died in 1899. "HEFT'S " No. 5122. (Ward, Shoemaker and Hotchkin, No. 4612.) This beautiful property embraces the site of the once famous "Roebuck Tavern." It is supposed that the old building was erected by Joseph, a son of Edward Shippen. about 1716. It is not certain, however, that he ever lived in it. There were also other houses on the property. In 1740 Joseph Shippen deeded the property to his sons, Edward, Joseph and William. In that deed the house is styled the "Roebuck Tavern." It was still known by that name in 1788, as it is thus called in a deed from Joseph Shippen (2) to his brother William. In 1819 George Heft purchased the property and changed the name to the "But- tonwood Tavern." One of the stately l)uttonwoods from which it took its name is still standing. In December, 1854, Caspar Heft, who had purchased the place, tore down the old building and erected the present beautiful mansion. Nos. 5131-33. This is on "lot No. 3 towards Bristol." The brief of title from William Penn down to the present owners is very interesting, as the property is part of the tract of 275 acres which the Commissioners of Property sold by patent to John Strepers (Jan Streper), of Kalte Kirchen, in Germany. (Patent Book A, p. 245.) John Strepers sold to John Lensen 50 acres out of the tract. John Lenson, on "Gth day of 1st month, 1G85," sold to Denis Kon- ders, 114 acres out of the 50 acres. HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 207 March 27, 1730, Cunrad Cunrads and Ann his wife; Barbara, widow of Mathias Cunrads; John Cunrads and Elizabeth his wife; Henry Con- rads and Catharine, his wife; Ann Strepers, widow; Samuel Powell and Agnes his wife; Griffith Jones and Elizabeth his wife; heirs of Dennis Konders, sold the property (that is, the li^i acres upon which this house was built) to John Frederick Fende. The house must have been built during Fende's ownership, between 1730 and 1758, as a messuage, is mentioned in the deed by his executors to "John Eckstein, rope maker, of Ger- man town," in 1758. DEED. — Jan. 7, 1758. John Eckstein to Ferdinand Fende. DEED. — October 9, 1759. Ferdinand Fende (cooper) to Godfrey Bockius (storekeeper). (Deed Book H, 20-344.) In this deed the land is described as "beginning at a corner stone on the northeasterly side of Main Street being also a corner of land for- merly Dennis Cunrad's, late Jacob Weiss, by the said street N. W. 4i/^ perches to corner stone of John Lenson, now Wm. Biddis"s land, by the same N. E. 43 1^ perches to corner stone and further by said Biddis late Lensen's land. S. E. 41/2 perches to corner stone in the line formerly of Dennis Cunrad, late Jacob Weiss' land, thence by same S. W. 43i/4 perches to beginning, containing 11,4 acres." Godfried Bockius conducted a general store. He died in 1780, and in his will, dated December 15, 1771, he left to his wife Philypine, the rent for her natural life, specifying that "while she has the benefit of the hotise, she is to keep the same in good repair." To his eldest son, Francis, he gave the choice of any of his stocking frames or looms. The executors were also instructed to bind his children out in order that they might learn trades. The will also provided that if the wife should marry she should be entitled to receive one-third of the property, and the remainder was to l^e divided among their five children. Francis, Godfried, Mary, John and Jacob. (Probated March 6, 1780. Will Book R, p. 26^/.) On the gtli of April. 1802, the widow being dead, and John, one of the sons, having died itnmarried, Francis, Godfried and Mary conveyed their shares to their brother, Jacob Bockius, tanner, of Richmond, Virginia. (Deed Book E. F. A\h 8. p. 228.) In the tax list of 1809 the property is recorded as belonging to the estate of Jacob Bockius. DEED.— May 28, 1828. Samuel M. Bockius, of Richmond, Virginia, 1 PLAN SHOWING DIVISION OF LOT No. 5 Lower Burying Grounds for one-quarter of the acre that had been reserved. No. 4. Shows in what way Paul Wulff secured the remain- ing three-quarters of an acre of the reservation on lot No. 5. No. 1. Paul Wulff bought, July 29, 1685, from the Frankfort Land Co., through Francis Daniel Pastorius, 50 acres — 2114 acres in the town eastwardly to William Streper's land, and N. W. to the Cross street, the remaining 28% acres lying in the side land towards Plymouth (16 rds. 12 ft. wide) S. B. to Wm. Streper's and N. W. to Johannes Blicker's land. Acknowledged in open court at Germantown, 27th November, 1693. ( Germantown Grund und Lager Buck, p. 206. ) HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOIVN 229 {Literal Translation.) No. 2. — The present deed of record, made the 20th day of the 12th month (called February) in the year 1691-2, between Lenert Arns (this undoubtedly refers to Leonard Arets; the name occurs, even in important papers, in several different ways.) Inhabitant of Germantown, in the County of Philadelphia, as seller, on the one part, and Paul Wulff, also an inhabitant of the same place, on the other part, acknowledges that the said Lenert Arns, for and in consideration of one Pound Holland gold, which to him is to be given on demand, acknowledging to the Buyer and his Heirs on account of this payment herewith a full release and renunciation to the holder, Paul Wulff, yields, alienates, and aban- dons a half acre of land situated and lying on the east side of said Town towards Philadelphia, with all right, title, and interest, belonging to him, Lenert Arns, as granted by Deed of William Penn's at Rotter- dam, the 11th day of June, 1G83. Thereupon this and all appertaining to it in such manner to the said Paul Wulff, his Heirs and assigns, in such Half acre of land as free and unmolested by every one, in per- petuity to possess, own, and Command and distress as his property. However, in no way other than as a burying place, to use without the least molestation. Opposition or hindrance by the said seller, Lenert Arns to Paul Wulff, his heirs and Assigns. The said Lenert Arns also promises to Paul Wulff, his Heirs and Assigns, particularly for 7 years the costs (quit-rent?) to entirely remove, and his own legal confirmation of such granted half acre to give and to furnish. To the recording and confirmation of this Sale both the contracting parties to the present deed have autographically and graphically placed their hands and seals, at Germantown, the day and year above men- tioned. LENERT ARNS, PAUL WULFF. Done in open Court of Record held in Germantown. 2Sth Nov. 1683. {Germantown Grund und Lager Buck, p. 207.) ( Litercd Translation ) No. 3. According to that of the First Plan of the town of German- town for Paul Wulff, his land, as to the required Earth release (Brdtlos) an acre of land for the public burying place and market place of the neces- sary public report and notice ordained according and to the Germantown articles part No. 10, with several others found. SO WITNESS the present contract of exchange. That on the 3d day of the First month called March, 1692, in a general Court held in Germantown, the present Burgess orders and deputes for the Commonalty for the aforesaid acre of land, a fourth-acre (contiguous to William Streper's land) in such manner to Paul Wulff has turned over, granted, and ordered possession to Paul Wulff. His Heirs, Successors and assigns in such quarter acre of land in perpetuity to hold, possess, and there- with as his or Their Property may hold and dispose of without the least hindrance, opposition, or molestation from the Commonalty. The rule and control on the contrary (or opposite side) has the said Paul Wulff yielded for the aforesaid ceded quarter acre to the Germantown public and their Posterity, likewise forever appertaining, released and surrendered a whole acre of land, namely a half acre on the east side 230 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN of said Town lying towards Philadelpliia, and the otlier half acre in the West side of said town towards Plymouth, to this effect and in such manner that either half acre can, without opposition (or legally) be laid out for a public burying place. Ordered that the aforesaid exchange by the general Court be writ- ten in the public Rathsbuch and fixed (signed) for the confirmation and ratification of such. Done in open Court of Record held in Germantown, 28th Nov. 1683. {Germantown Grund und Lager Buck, p. 209.) {Literal Ti anslation.) No. 4. "Whereas the first settlers of Germantown aforesaid. Anno Domini 1683. have laid out and reserved before the sixth lot on the west side of the said Town, One Acre of land for a Market, Town-House, Burying place and other publick buildings, uses, behoofs, whatsoever, the said Sixth Lot then being the midst or Center of the abovesaid Town On the third day of the First month called March, in the year 1693, have granted and exchanged to and with Paul Wulff one quarter of the aforesaid One Acre of land for and in Consideration of One whole acre, whereof half an acre is situated at the East Side of said Town and the other half acre at the West Side of the Same Town, as by the said Deed more fully appears. Now know ye that ye above mentioned Bailiff, Burgesses and Commonalty of Germantown for the Common good, and to purchase a Place nearer the now midst or Center of the said Town, as also for and in Consideration of Four Pounds Current Silver money of Pennsilvania, to them in hand paid by the sd Paul Wulff Have given, granted, aliened, bargained, sold, enfeoffed, and Confirmed, and herewith do Clearly and absolutely give, grant, etc., to the said Paul Wulff all the remaining three quar- ters of the above said one acre of land." V Germantoion Grund und Lager Bnch, p S09.^ In connection with the account of Market Sqtiare, a Hteral translation of the original Court record is given, which shows that the four pounds received from Paul Wulff for this remaining three-quarters of an acre of land was on "the 6th of the nth month, 1703-4," paid to James De la Plaine, for the land afterward called "Alarket Square." In record No. 4, quoted above, it is not clear why the sixth lot should be alluded to. This transaction is with Paul Wulff, and Paul Wulff never owned lot No. 6. It may be that the ex- pression "before the sixth lot" really means the lot which precedes the sixth, namely, the fifth. JOHN BECHTEL HOUSE No. 5226. (Shoemaker, No. 4646.) This was once the home of Rev. John Bechtel, the close friend of Count Zinzendorf, and ir^'arj:/ ^^f «^: HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 233 the first pastor of the original church built at Market Square. It was to his labors that the organization of that church was chiefly due. An old draft records this place as belonging to Jacob Ritter in 1772, and to Noah Townsend in 1774. Alexander Provest lived here in 1809. John Bechtel was born October 3, 1690, at Weinheim, in the Palatinate, and came to Germantown in 1726, where he re- sided for nearly twenty years. His parents intended to train him for the ministry, but this purpose was frustrated by their death while he was yet but a child. He became, however, a very devout man, and as early as 1728, while still a layman, he began preaching at Germantown. The congregation which he gath- ered around him eventually built a church at Market Square, and in 1733 called him to become their pastor. On the i8th of April, 1742, he was regularly ordained by Bishop David Nitzschman, acting under the advice and direction of Count Zinzendorf, "to labor with the Reformed Brethren who were connected with the synod." One of the most important services rendered by Bechtel was the preparation of a Reformed Catechism for the use of the Re- formed Congregation in Pennsylvania. This was printed by Benjamin Franklin in 1742, and is said to have been one of the finest specimens of the printer's art executed in America up to that time. In 1741 Count Zinzendorf arrived in Germantown, and al- though Bechtel met him with some hesitation at first, yet they eventually became fast friends, the Count taking up his residence with Mr. Bechtel. The first sermon that Count Zinzendorf preached in America is said to have been on the 30th of December, 1 741, in the church on Market Square, of which Bechtel was pas- tor. In the course of time it became more and more evident that a large proportion of the congregation worshiping in the Market Square Church Avere not in harmony with their pastor, many being distrustful of his intimacy with Count Zinzendorf, and on the 9th of February, 1744, Mr. Bechtel was dismissed from the pastorate. From this time forward his affiliations appear to have been with the Moravians, ^^d-len, in 1746. a number of the resi- dents of Germantown petitioned the Moravians at Bethlehem to establish a school for their children, lohn Bechtel offered his 234 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN house and lot to the Mo- ravian Brethren for that purpose. His offer was accepted, and the school was opened on the 26th of September of that year, with provision for boarding as well as day scholars. Rev. James Greening, of London, was placed in charge. It opened with five girl students who boarded, but soon nearly all the children of the Brethren in Philadelphia attended. It is an interesting circumstance that about the same time he trans- ferred property to the Moravians to be used for the purposes of a school, he also deeded to Cornelius Weygant* and wife, for a mere nominal consideration, and for the love and affection that he bore them, the property immediately ad- joining his residence on the north. Weygant had married Bechtel's eldest daughter, Mary Agneta, July 5, 1739. Upon that occasion Bechtel presented the young couple with a high case clock which was made by Augustine Neisser, a well known early clock maker of Germantown. This clock has been in the possession of the family ever since. It is now owned by Mr. Cornelius N. Weygandt. In 1747 ]\Ir. Bechtel also gave a piece of ground in the rear Kurzer CATECHISMUS Vor etliche Gemeinen JESU Aus der Reformirten Religion In Pe NNS YLyANIA^ Tiiifich zum alt en BernerSYNODO balkn: Herau5gegeben von Johannes Bechteln, Dieuer des Worts G o T t-es. PHILADELPHIA, Gedruckt bey Benjamin Franklin, 174* TITLE PAGE OF THE ORIGINAL (GERMAN) EDITION OF JOHN BECHTEL'S CATECHISM •I Such is the spelling in the deed. This, like many of the German family names, appears in several different forms. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN A Short 235 of his house and lot for a Moravian burial place. itv of John \\\ Jordan (Historical Xotcs relating to the Fennsylvania Re- formed Church, by Henry S. Batterer, p. 96), "sev- eral burials were made in the garden of the Bechtel lot." The his- tory of this part of the Bechtel property is not altogether clear, for on April 9, 1759, Mr. Bech- tel deeded this portion of his property to Jacob C. Clyme. (Deed Book H 10, p. 142.) Soon after the trans- ferring of his property in Germ an town, Mr. 1') e c h t e 1 removed to Bethlehem, where he lived in retirement un- til his death, which oc- curred April 16, 1777. He had married. Febru- ary 15. 1 71 5, Maria Apol- lonia Marret. She died at Bethlehem in 1758. Of their five daughters, Mary Agneta married Cornelius VVeygant (Weygand, Weygandt) ; Ann Margaret was mar- ried by Count Zinzendorf to Rev. Gottlob Buttner, the In- dian missionary, in 1742. She afterward married Rev. John G. Youngman, who was also a missionary among the Indians. The third daughter, ?^Iary Susan, married Rev. John Levering, a grandson of Gerhard Levering, who was one of the founders of Roxborough. Maria Apollonia, another daughter, married Chris- tian Weber, of Bethlehem. Of the other daughter there appears to be no record. FOR SOME Congregations af jfESUS Of T H E Reformed RELIGION In PENNSTLFANIA, Y'ho keep to the ancient Sy^ioooi BERN, Agreeable to The Doctrine Of the MORAVIAN CHURCH Firfl publillicd In G E R MAN, B y JOHN BECHTEL, Minifter of the Word of G O D. P H HAD E LPHIA Printed by Isaiah Warner, almoft oppofuc to Charles Brockden's in C^(/««/- ^irat. MDCCXLU TITLE PAGE OP THE ENGLISH EDITION OF JOHN BECHTEL'S CATECHISM 236 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Alexander Provest, a stone mason, resided here in 1809. He afterward moved two doors below to what is now the Howell house. He is particularly remembered for having built some of the most important bridges in and around Germantown, notably the Township Line bridge over Paper I\Iill Run, and the abut- ments of the Reading Railroad bridge at Wayne Junction. He also built the bridge over the Wingohocking Creek at Church Lane. When the street was graded and the creek diverted into a sewer, the bridge was allowed to remain, and the earth was filled in on both sides. In 1901, the masonry was uncovered in the process of lowering the gas main, when the arches under- neath were found to be dry and dusty, showing how thoroughly the masonry had been built. About 1845 the place came into the hands of Henry Wolte- mate, who left it to his wife. It is now owned by Henry C. Wol- temate. NOTES The deed to Cornelius Weygant and wife is still in existence, and is in tlie possession of Dr. N. H. Keyser, of Germantown. It was made Nov. 5, 1745, and was acknowledged before Justice of the Peace Thomas Yorke, February 19, 1745-46. The witnesses were Imanuel Kalckgloser and Christian Lehman. There has been a considerable amount of confusion in reference to the schools of the Moravians or Brethren that were established in Germantown. Townsend Ward says, "The first school conducted by Moravians in this country was opened in the spring of 1742, in the house occupied by Count Zinzendorf. In March of that year he rented the house numbered 4792 (now 5454) belonging to an early Ashmead." He also states that on May 14th, "The school was opened by Count Zinzendorf with twenty-hve girls and teachers, Zinzendorf's fair daughter, the Countess Benigna, at this time just passing the age of sweet sixteen, being one of them. In June of the same year the school was trans- ferred to Bethlehem, where it remains." Rev. Joseph Henry Dubbs, D. D., in his "History of the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania," published in the "Proceedings of the Penn- sylvania-German Society," Vol. XI, has the following foot note on page 121: "The Moravians opened a school in Germar.town in 1742, in the house of Brother Ashmead. (Jordan's 'John Bechtel,' p. 12; Reichel Mem., p. 49.)" It is certain that on ]\Iarch 22, 1742, a call was issued invit- ing those interested in establishing a school to meet at Bechtel s or Lehman's in Germantown. The following is a fac-simile of the circular, the translation of which has been kindly furnished by Miss Hannah Wister : HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 237 "For the benefit of the children of all German parents residing in the country, who would be glad to have them better taken care of without neglect of their households, it is proposed to make a simple and heartfelt appeal on the following sixteenth of April, 1742, in the after- noon at one o'clock. In furtherance of which the fathers and mothers in all Townships who are desirous for the welfare of their children are asked to present themselves at the appointed hour at Bechtel's or the potter Lehman's house. Those who cannot be present can express their opinion through some one else. Germantown, March 22, 1742." |££en teutfc^en Sftetn mif tern 2m itt ml^t itixt ^inkt getnc bejfet teforget fd^en o^ne^inberimg i^re^^aii^ W(ftnh geJencf et man baju einen einfd^ tisen uvS> m^li^tn ^Borfc^ilag jii thm m nec|)ftf(>Igen&en 6"" i^pri(i742. 3?ad()^ mittage urn i ll^r> SBovnacb fi* ki #?utter in aKen^ott)nfcf)ip^ ju tic^tenfce^ Mmi mi ft* &ep6al5en m kia^x 3eit unb (Stmk an ^tWi ober M^ap ner^ I5e^man^ ^mft in ^ermantomn mtlkn mUtn. SBer itM nic^t f ommen fan/ kv mUt feine 3)?e9nimft itmrnh mkt^ aufrtagen. CALL FOR MEETING WHICH ORGANIZED THE FIRST MORAVIAN SCHOOL It is reasonably certain that, as a result of this call, a school was established, as has been claimed, in the Ashmead house, May 14, 1742, and that it was transferred to Bethlehem in June of the same year. It seems also probable that the Brethren in Ger- mantown, dissatisfied at the removal which left them unprovided 238 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN with the school facihties they desired, prepared the petition in 1746 that resulted in the establishment of a school in John Bech- tels hovise. This school was discontinued in May, 1749. (For a full and clear account of the labors of Rev. John Bechtel in Germantown, see "The Early History of the German Reformed Church at Germantown," by Rev. Prof. William J. Hinke, given in another part of this work.) SITE OF THE RESIDENCE OF THE VAN LASHETS; NOW OCCUPIED BY WOLTEMATE'S GREEN HOUSES Nos. 5230-32. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4646; Shoemaker, No. 4650.) "The Lasche (Laschett) family was scattered by the persecutions of the Revocation period. One branch found shel- ter in a secluded place in Italy, and from thence they removed to Saxony, Prussia, and Switzerland. In 1736 arrived John Jacc»b (Van) Laschet, who was then fifty years of age, and his sons John Peter, and Christian, aged 25 and 18 years respectively. This branch had located at Crefels, in the Duchy of Cleves, ■where it became identified with the "Brethren," and of which society they became prominent members, several being minis- ters. The immigrant located in Earl township, Lancaster county, where he died prior to 1754. He was a delegate to the famous Union Synod held at Germantown in 1742. The family was established at Germantown and on the Conewago in York county, and also at Aimwell, New Jersey, at an early day." ("Memoirs of tlic Huguenots in America," by Rev. A. Stapleton, A. M., M. S., pp. 114, 115.) This tract of land was deeded by John Bechtel to Cornelius Weygant in 1745. March 4. 1772, Christian Van Lashet bought considerable land in this vicinity. He was undotibtedly the one mentioned as a son of the original emigrant, John Jacob Van Laschet. Included in the purchase made by Christian Van Laschet was land belonging to Cornelius \\>ygant, Jacob Ritter, and Imanuel Kalckgloser. He also purchased some lots fronting on the road to Schuylkill Ferry (now Queen Street) in 1774, from Jacob Bowman and Joseph Morris. Shoemaker says, "Christian Van Lauchet was a carpenter and pump-maker, and there was a Christopher living here in 1809." He also says, "The old house had the regulation half HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 239 door. The upper half had a deep cut running diagonally across it, made by a British officer with his sword. A man who was standing inside had offended the officer, and had just time to pull the door to and let it receive the blow intended for his head." Townsend Ward, who wrote in 1882, says, "Christian and John, grandsons of the long ago Barbara Van Lauchet, have re- cently died. They were the last of the name." On the north side of the house was a little shop that John Van Lashet occupied as a carriage shop. It was afterward oc- cupied by Henry Brunner as a carpenter shop, and still later by Schaeffer and Chatburn, painters. It stood where No. 5230 now stands. The last occupant of the old house was Christian Klein, a cooper. The house was torn down in 1881. at the time when Albert Woltemate erected his large green-houses upon the site of the house and shop. Nos. 5234-36. (Old numbers, 4054-56.) This is also one of the properties that originally belonged to Paul Wulff's "lot No. 5 towards the Schuylkill." In 1743 this lot and the one above were owned by Imanuel Kalckgloser,^ a stocking weaver. In a mort- gage given by him to John Wilkinson, the property is described as "two lots between Jacob Bowman's land and John Bechtel's land. This mortgage was satisfied October 25, 1748. (Deed Book G. 5 — 32.) A new mortgage given to Rebecca Edgett October 22, 1748, speaks of a house and two lots. (Deed Book G. 10 — 2^C).). The rear of Nos. 5234-36 is very old, as is also the rear of Nos. 5238-40, but it is difficult to determine which is the older. The property of Imanuel Kalckgloser was sold at Sheriff's sale, June 4, 1751, the purchaser being Christopher Meng. July 27, 1752, Christopher Meng deeded the property to Christian Van Lashet, a storekeeper. June 14, 1795, Christian A"an Lashet deeded the property to his only son. Christopher A^an Lashet. In this deed the property is described as two stone houses. (Deed Book EF 20—35^.) February 21, 1834, John and Harman Van Lashet, adminis- 5 This name appears in several different ways: Kalckgloeser, Kalkgleser, TCalckg-leser, and Kalckg-loser. Not infrequently more than one of these forms is found in the same document. He signed his name Kalckgloser. 240 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN trators of Christopher Van Lashet, deeded the property to Chris- topher Van Lashet. (Deed Book AM, ^0-461.) August 26, 1845, Christopher Van Lashet sold the property to Cephas G. Childs, and August 30th of the same year the latter sold it to John Straley, a farmer, who opened a saloon in the old building. December 12, 1868, John Straley deeded the property to his daughter, Hannah ]\L Straley, who married Morris Umsted. (Deed Book JTO 222—342.) ]\-\\y 8, 1876, Morris Umsted and wife Hannah deeded the property to William F. Magee, an "Innholder." Nos. 5238-40. (Old numbers, 4058-60.) This house is on the upper lot of Imanuel Kalckgloser's. The property went through as many hands as the one below it. In 1805 it belonged to Christopher Bockius. In 1876 it was still recorded in his name. It was afterward sold to William C. Ro3'al. About 1850 Pattie Maxwell kept a boarding house here. In the rear is an old house that was once occupied by an old Ger- man couple named Adam and Barbara Swope. They were much annoyed by the children of the neighborhood, who thoughtlessly made them the targets for their funny pranks. About 1880 the front house was occupied by a colored man named Samuel Rob- inson, who kept an oyster saloon. ''Sam" was known to every- body in the town, and as he made his rounds in delivering oysters he caused much merriment and laughter because of his funny sayings. The place is still kept as a restaurant. No. 5229. This house, now occupied by Dr. Edwin I. Becker, was built by Jabez Gates on the site of a frame dwelling which was once the home of George Watson, a popular carriage builder. He eventually became insane, and his wife was accidentally burned to death by reason of her dress catching fire from a char- coal furnace. SITE OF THE "BRINGHURST BIG HOUSE" Nos. 5233-37. At the time of the British occupation, Lieu- tenant-Colonel John Bird occupied the Bringhurst house, and he was there lying sick when on the morning of October 4, 1777, the attack on the town was made by the American army. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 241 Notwithstanding his weak physical condition, he rose from his sick bed and promptly took his place at the head of his men. During the battle he was mortally wounded and was carried on a stretcher to the porch of Melchoir Meng's house situated on ^vhat is now a part of Vernon Park. He was there tem- porarily treated by the regimental surgeon, and was then re- moved to his quarters at the Bringhurst house. W'atson states that just before he died he exclaimed to the woman there, "Woman, pray for me. I leave a widow and four children." Jabez Gates bought the house and altered the northern part BRINGUUKST'S "BIG HOUSE" of it into a store. Some years later he built an entire new front to the property : The following account of John Bringhurst. from "The Gene- alogy of the Bringhurst Family'' by Josiah Granville Leach, will be of interest in this connection : "John Bringhurst, born Feb. 19, 172.5, died March 18, 1795. His estate consisted of 19 acres. Some years after his deatli his heirs divided his estate into building lots, and opened through the land the street bearing the family name. 242 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN "Mr. Bringhurst was a prominent citizen of Germantown, and there conducted an extensive business as a coach and chaise builder. He was one of the first to build what was known as the 'Germantown wagon,' in the construction of which he largely engaged after the Revo- lution. In 1780 he built a 'chariot' for General Washington, who, on the 20th of March of that year had written from the Headquarters of the Army to John Mitchell, deputy-quartermaster-general, as follows: 'You will do me a favor by enquiring and letting me know as soon as possi- ble if any good coach-maker in Philadelphia or Germantown (Bringhurst for instance), will engage to make me a genteel chariot with real har- ness for four horses to go with two postilions. I wish to know the terms and in how short a time it can be done.' Two days later he wrote further: 'In case you should purchase, please to have my arms and crest properly disp'd of on the chariot.' Four days afterwards, Mr. Mitchell wrote to Washington as follows: 'This day I went to German- town and have prevailed on Mr. Bringhurst to let you have a chariot he has on hand. It appears to be good work and well seasoned timber. The size 3 ft. 6i^ in. high and 3 ft. 10 in. wide, — and will have a very good second cloth or better if to be got. This will be ready in six weeks.' From other letters that passed between Washington and Mitchell we find the price paid was 210 pounds in gold, that Mr. Bringhurst had purchased Gen. Washington's old coach, for which he paid 27 pounds, and that the chariot was used the first time in the latter part of June to carry Mrs. Washington from Philadelphia to Mount Vernon. Mr. Bringhurst was recognized as the foremost man in Philadelphia County in his line of business." The "Germantown wagons" alluded to in the preceding arti- cle were, for a long time, very popular. They were at first called "calf wagons." being a sort of compromise between an ordinary market wagon and a carriage. They were much used by farmers for the conveyance of calves to market, and also for carrying small lots of farm produce. They were afterward elaborated and improved upon, and expensive carriages, called "Germantown carriages," were built after the general style. BRINGHURST STREET East from No. 5237. Opened through the Bringhurst property. Nos. 5239-41-43, (Old numbers, 4641-43-45.) These stores were erected upon the site of three stone dwellings built by Alexander Provest, who was at that time living in the house above. They were originally occupied by his married children. The corner house was the home of Katherine. the widow of HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 243 Paul Provest ; it was afterward occupied by her son Paul after his marriage to Annie Sommer. The middle house was Jacob Provest's. The upper one was occupied by Isabelle Provest after her marriage to Naaman Keyser ; they afterward moved to the Indian Queen Inn which Mr. Keyser had bought and re- modeled into a grocery store. The next occupant of the upper house was Rev. William Nicholas Diehl, the first pastor of the PROVEST HOUSES church of St. John the Baptist. Its last occupant was Christian Klein, a cooper. He lived there until the buildings were sold in 1895 and then moved to a part of the King of Prussia Inn which had been converted into stores and dwellings. The three houses stood some distance back from the street, and while the Provests lived there a beautiful lawn studded with trees extended along the front. In later years, when tenants came to occupy the houses, the lawn gave place to vegetable gardens. These were always well cared for and were very attractive. Sometimes, 2zH ■ HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN peeping through a covering of snow, the green shoots of early lettuce and peas could be seen. Nos. 5245-47, In 1840 this property belonged to Alexander Provest, and he continued to reside here until his death, which occurred January 5, 1845. I^ ^he rear of the house he planted a number of choice pear trees, two of which are still standing and bearing fruit. For a number of years the house was occu- pied by James Taylor. The Provost (Prevost, Provoost, Provest) family were French Huguenots and came originally from Normandy. They trace their hneage back to William Provost, who, when he was twenty-seven years of age, being warned by a Colonel in the army of the King, fled into Holland and escaped the JMassacre of St. Bartholomew,, which occurred August 24, 1572. His brother Augustine escaped to Geneva, but the other members of the family perished in the massacre. The descendants of Augustine retained the French form of the name, Prevost, but the descend- ants of William, living as they did, in Holland, naturally took the Dutch form of the name, Provoost, which, in the language of that country, signified judge, marshal or mayor, and was the equivalent of the French word Prevost. Among the descend- ants of these families who emigrated to America, the change to the form Provost began to appear about 1750. John Provost, who is believed to have been a descendant of William, came wdth his family to America and settled on the Brandywine. Alexander, the youngest of his three sons, settled in Germantown and married Margaretta, daughter of Jacob Som- mer, March 11, 1798. He was a tax payer in Germantown in 1809. He always wrote his name / SIGNATURE OF ALEXANDER PROVEST It occurs thus on legal documents and on his will. The present generation of the family, however, prefer the form Provost, as most of the EnsfHsh and American descendants have done. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 245 Alexander and ^Margaretta Provest had nine children. Alexan- der, the eldest, followed the same occupation as his father, which was that of a stone mason. He prospered well in Germantown, but he finally removed to W^ashington, where he did much work for the United States Government. Mr. John R. Butcher gives the following recollections of John Provest's school : On Germantown Avenue a little above Bringhurst Street, still stands the old dwelling that was formerly owned by Alexander Provest. It has been remodeled and the front part has been converted into two stores, numbered 5245 and 5247. More than fifty years ago, John, the son of Alexander Provest, kept a pay school in the rear of the building. His school was on the second floor. It was a two-story frame structure, and is in good condition at the present time. Instruction was given only in those branches which at that time were considered the essentials of a plain English education, viz: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic. He was very strict with us, but we respected him for his good qualities as a teacher. Our writing was done entirely with quill pens, for in those days we did not even know what steel pens were. Good, clear goose quills, suitable for pens, then commanded a very fair price. Mr. Pro- vest's sister Margaret always prepared these pens, and so regular was she in making her appearance in the school room with them that we could tell the time of day by her coming. As we had no large school yard, at recess we were apt to overrun the yards in the immediate neighborhood in playing the various games in vogue at that time. But our best patronized play-ground was the old Germantown Pike that ran in front of the building. How different were the games of those days from those popular at the present time. "Hide-and-whoop," "I spy," "Tiger," and "Himk-a-dee," were some of our favorite games. "Corners," "Single-handed-cat," "Double-handed-cat," and "Ring-cat," were the ball games of that period. The last named developed later into "Town-ball," and afterward into "Base-ball." Charles J. Wister, Sr., who lived opposite Indian Queen Lane, was evidently fond of children, for often, when he was taking his walks down the old "pike," he would stop and enjoy our fun when we were playing at recess. Sometimes he would fling a handful of pennies otit among the crowd and enjoy seeing the wild scramble for them. At other times, when top spinning was in season, he would bring some of his dogwood and lignum vitae tops with him and scatter them among the boys in the same manner. No one enjoyed the contest for their possession more than Mr. Wister himself. He was an expert turner and made many of these tops for the boys of Germantown. Four of these tops that I received in 1844 I kept until 1902, when I gave them to Dr. N. H. Keyser, to add to his collection. Mr. Provest was very much opposed to the use of tobacco, and was especially indignant if he discovered any one using it in school. Tobacco was low in price at that time, and some of the boys would secretly indulge in its use, taking the chance of incurring the teacher's anger. Some of the pupils that attended the school are still living; among them were James R. Gates, Edward Royal. Thomas Jones, 246 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Robert McKinney, Luke Williams, George Finkle, William Dedier, and John R. Butcher. INDIAN QUEEN INN. Nos. 5242-44, As has been previously stated, this land, to- gether, with all below as far as the southern boundary of the Handsberry property, constituted the Main Street front of "lot No. 5 towards the Schuylkill," which was drawn in the name of Paul VVulff in 1689. December 20, 1706, Paul Wulff sold it to Conrad Jansen. At Jansen's death the property was divided NAAMAN KEYSER'S STORE (ONCE THE INDIAN QUEEN INN) and sold. His will is dated 1717. Jacob Bowman appears as the next owner of the corner lot, and it was after him that the street was named Bowman's Lane. The next owner was George Smith, and in 1766 it belonged to George Losh. In 1809 it was owned by Michael Riter, and was then known as the Indian Queen Inn. After Riter's death it was kept for a time by the father of "Squire" Joseph King as a temperance hotel. Naaman Keyser afterward bought the place and established himself in the grocery business. His grounds extended as far back as the lot of Polly Watts. Her house is still standing, nearly opposite the sawmill of Watson and Robinson. Alary HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 247 L. \\^atts was murdered by a neighbor, Christian Berger, who broke into her place with the intention of robbery. The old lady was knocked senseless, and, on partially reviving, recog- nized "lier assailant and called out, "I know you," whereupon he returned and cut her throat. Naaman Keyser continued at the corner until 1864, when NAAMAN KEYSER he concluded to give up the grocery business on account of the store order system then in vogue. He sold the property to William C. Royal. February 20. 1864. The deed mentions the place as the ''^Messuage known as Indian Queen and lot." Since that time it has had several occupants. The original building has been divided into two stores, so that the appearance of the property has been considerably changed. 248 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN The following anecdote is told of Naaman Keyser. On one occasion he drove into the city for the purpose of laying in a supply of fireworks for the Fourth of July. On the way home he accidentally dropped his cigar in the wagon, and in an instant he was astonished at finding himself in the midst of a most remarkable display of pyrotechnics amid the solitude of Naglee's Hill. An amusing story was long current in regard to Betsy Shuster, one of Naaman Keyser's customers. It had its origin in the fact that she was the mother of a fun-loving boy who was so notoriously careless in regard to his attire and personal appearance that his fond parent was often driven almost to the verge of despair. The extraordinary facility with which this youngster could tear and almost entirely destroy a new pair of pants was something remarkable. After much experiment his mother discovered that he only material which could with- stand his efforts was the coarse canvas of an old salt sack. It was said that she used to buy these sacks from Mr. Keyser. They were carefully washed and laid away, and when the young gentleman stood in need of another pair of pants, his mother used to spread one of the sacks upon the floor, and then making him lie down upon it at full length, she marked out his shape with a piece of chalk. A\^ith a pair of heavy shears she cut along these lines, and when she had stitched together the edges of the two pieces thus cut out, the youngster was in possession of a garment that could withstand the heaviest ser- vice, being especially adapted to one of his favorite sports, that of sliding down cellar doors. SITE OF THE DWELLING AND PRINTING ESTABLISH- MENT OF CHRISTOPHER SAUR Nos. 5253-55. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4653. Old num- bers, 4645-53.) On the site of this mansion once stood the dwelling and printing establishment of Christopher Saur. The dwelling extended out to the street line ; the printing establish- ment and bindery was situated in the rear. (The name has been variously spelled as Saur, Sauer, and Sower. The last form is that accepted by his descendants as the family name. It is worthy of note that in books printed in German by the Saurs HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 249 the name was spelled Saur ; in English editions it was given as Sower.) Christopher Saur was born at Laasphe, Wittgenstein, West- phalia, in 1693. He came to Germantown in 1724, together with his wife Maria Christina and his only son Christopher ( 2). In the same company with them came also Charles Mackinet, John Adam Gruber, Charles Glein and a number of others. In the spring of 1726 he removed to a place near Ephrata, but returned to Germantown with his son in April, 1731. While residing in RESIDENCE OF CHRISTOPHER SOWER, FIRST AND SECOND, ERECTED IN 1731 (The Printing- Establishment, Bindery, etc., occupied the building- in the rear.) Lancaster county his wife became a convert to the doctrines taught by Conrad Beissel, and left her husband in 1730 to join the mystical community of which Beissel was the leader. She became the sub-prioress of the sisterhood under the name of Sister Marcella. After a separation of over fifteen years she rejoined her husband at Germantown. June 20, 1745. largely owing, it is thought, to the influence of her son. It is not im- probable, however, that her illusion had, in a manner, been dis- pelled, as their after life is known to have been one of harmony and happiness. 250 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Mr. Saur was a man of unusual ability and fertility of at- tainments. He is said to have acquired proficiency in about thirty different pursuits. In some legal papers he is recorded as a "clock and mathematical instrument maker." His financial prosperity at Germantown must have been rapid, for in 1731 he built the large stone house that stood on the site of Xos. 5253-55. The dwelling was situated close to the street and was torn down about i860. By means of movable partitions the rooms on the second floor could be thrown together so that meetings for religious worship could be held there. It was also used, when occasion demanded, as a hospital for the sick. Upon one occasion Mr. Saur learned that a vessel had arrived at Phila- delphia from Germany with a number of sick passengers on board. With the assistance of his friends he gathered together conveyances and brought the sufferers to his house. Here they received medical treatment and were nursed and supported until they recovered and were able to labor for themselves. Mr. Saur soon perceived that the settlement was lacking in facilities for printing, and he therefore determined to become a printer. A supply of type and necessary material was secured from Europe, and in 1739 he published the first German Almanac issued in this country, and the same year the first German news- paper, under the title of ''Dcr Hodi-Dcutscli Pcnnsylvanischc Gc- schicJit - Schreihcr;" or "High German Pennsylvania Historian, or collection of nezvs from the Kingdom of Nature and of the Chureli." In 1743 he published the first German Bible printed in America, forty years before an English edition was published in this country. The German population of the colony was now very large, and a German Almanac had long been earnestly desired. It is difficult for us, at this day, to comprehend the importance of the publication of this Almanac. Abraham H. Cassel, a descend- ant of Christopher Saur, has given an extended and interesting account of it in the Pennsylz'ania Magazine, J\il. 6. Among the more ignorant of the community it was regarded as a great novelty and with something of a feeling of awe. Its prognosti- cations of the weather, especially, were relied upon implicitly. This feeling of confidence was no doubt partialis due to Mr. Saur's well known integrity and veracity. jMr. Cassel relates the following amusing story to illustrate the embarrassments to HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 251 which Mr. Saur was frequently subjected on account of these predictions of the weather. "A man named Welker, from above Sumneytown, had occasion to go to Philadelphia; so he referred to his almanac, which promised a 'row' of fair weather. In consequence he started without a cover to his wagon, but had not gone far until it began to get cloudy, and soon com- menced to rain, and was very disagreeable. The man was sorely vexed at being thus deceived and fooled just on account of 'that silly weather book,' and thought if he could only get hold of 'that old Saur,' he would give him a complete reprimand for publishing such lies. So, whe'n he came to Germantown, he stopped at the printing office some- what in a passion to give the printer his intended lecture. But Saur in his accustomed meekness replied: 'O Friend! Friend! be not thus angry, for although it was I that made the Almanac, the Lord God made the weather.' Whereupon the man cooled off, and went his way pretty well satisfied, especially when it soon lighted up again, and he had fair weather for the rest of his journey." In consequence of frequent occurrences of this character, Mr. Saur finally issued an explanatory preface, in which he showed what an almanac was, and what its proper uses and intents were. He excused himself as not blamable for any of the inaccuracies, as he was not properly the almanac maker. Christopher Saur died September 25, 175S. In those early days, it was not unusual for property owners to be buried upon their own land, and there are strong- reasons for believing that Mr. Saur and his wife were both buried a little m the rear of the present dwelling. Mr. Saur was succeeded in business by his son who bore the same name. Considerable confusion has arisen in conse- quence of this identity of names, many matters pertaining to the son having been erroneously ascribed to the father. It was the son who began to cast his own types, the moulds for which were made by the elder Fleckenstein. This was a little before the Revolution. It seems that he not only made them for his own use, but he must have also sold them to others, as the following notice from the Pcnnsylronia Ga::cttc, Feb. i, lyij, will show : "As Printing Types are now made to a considerable degree of per- fection by an ingenious artist in Germantown; it is recommended to the Printers to use such Types, in preference to any which niay be hereafter imported." Among the many important inventions of the second Chris- topher Saur were the janih stoves, which were greatly superior to the old-fashioned tire-places, then about the only means in use 252 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN for warming dwellings. These were afterward improved upon, and led up to the invention of the "ten-plate" stove, which was capable of being used for cooking purposes, as well as for heat- ing the houses. At the time of the British occupation of Germantown, Mr. Saur had just completed the printing of an edition of the Bible. The unbound sheets were stored in the loft of the Dunker Meet- ing House, but the soldiers discovered them and scattered and destroyed the greater portion, using some for gun wadding and some for bedding for their horses. After the British left, a part of the sheets were recovered and bound. It is said that some of the pages bore the imprints of horses' hoofs. ]\Ir. Saur was finally suspected of being disloyal to the cause of the colonies, and in 1778 his property, worth about £15,000, was confiscated and sold for about one-third of its value. He was treated with great cruelty by the soldiers who arrested him. being stripped of his clothing and otherwise mal- treated. So forlorn was his condition that Michael Keyser, moved by his sufferings, gave him a hat and coat, as well as the shoes which he took from his own feet. There does not appear to have been any evidence against him other than that, in accordance with his religious belief, he was opposed to war, and was known as an earnest advocate of peace principles. It is probable that his influence as a preacher and leader of his people caused his case to be regarded more seriously than it otherwise would have been. He never recovered from the financial disaster wrought by the war, and he died in poverty, August 26, 1784. Some of his children became printers, and his descendants have ever shown a decided predilection for the printing business. The Sowers of the noted Philadelphia pub- lishing house of that name are lineal descendants of the great pioneer printer of Germantown. The old dwelling of the Saurs came into the possession of Charles J. Wister many years ago. He remodeled it, but did not take down the walls because of their substantial character. At one time "Squire" Baynton lived in the house. About i860. Dr. Owen J. Wister, who then owned it, tore down the old building and erected the present mansion on its site. In 1876 it belonged to Moses Brown. Jr. At a later period it was owned by Robert Pearsoll Smith. The present owner is T. Wistar Brown. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 253 QUEEN LANE West from No. 5300. This was originally known as the "Cross Street." (See note on Market Square.) It has also at various times been known as Bowman's Lane, Riter's Lane, and Indian Queen Lane. On a map published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1852, it is called Falls Lane. A deed dated April 21, 1837, mentions "Bowman's Lane, now commonly called Whit- tell's Lane." (Deed Book R. L. L., No. 5^, p. 620.) "SMEARSBURG" In former days, the lower part of Germantown was collo- quially known as "Smearsburg." The origin of the name is not certainly known. It may be that one of the following accounts is correct. One statement is that about 1840, Harry Endt, a coachmaker, was walking along Manheim Street, and near the old pump, he came across several women engaged in a fierce wrangle. He made the remark, "This is a regular Smearsburg." Christian Kinzel, who lived in this neighborhood for about fifty years, claimed that the name had a much earlier origin. His statement is to the effect that, in the early days, the people of this part of the town were somewhat better oft' in this world's goods than were the residents of the upper part, so the "down- towners" called the upper part of the town "Beggarstown." The "up-towners," in retaliation, called the lower part of the town "Smearsburg," the term conveying the idea of a dirty, greasy town ; "wagon-smear." for instance, refers to the dirty, impure stufif used for greasing wagons. Although the name must have been in quite common use at one time, yet it is doubtful if many of those who used it knew much if anything about its origin. Dr. George H. Cox, who was brought up as a boy in the neighborhood, says, "I never heard anything about the origin of the name Smearsburg. There used to be an old iron cannon that for a long time was stored in the yard at the General Wayne Hotel. It was known as the Smearsburg Artillery. There was no regular organiza- tion of this name, however. The gun was used for a great many years in firing salutes on Washington's Birthday, and on the Fourth of July, at which time a collection was taken up to fur- nish funds for the purchase of powder and flannel for making 254 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN cartridges. The salutes were generally fired very early in the morning. It was a great thing for the boys to be up in time to see the cannon fired. I remember that on one Fourth of July, my brother Bellangee, Charley Bringhurst, (he of the Fort Sumpter garrison of 1861), and myself, slipped out from home and staid up all night in order not to miss the fun. The prin- cipal gunners were Nathan Thomas, Henry Endt, Ed. Dice and William Corwell. I have frequently heard those old gunners say that the boundaries of Smearsburg were all below Bringhurst Street and Queen Lane. I think they made it a rule to avoid asking pow- der subscriptions from persons living above those lines. Fisher's Hollow was excluded. The lower boundary was the turnpike bridge." There are few persons so well acquainted with the early history of Germantown as Charles J. Wister. Not only has he done much in the way of preserving the old traditions of the place, but he has also been instrumental in saving from destruc- tion and consequent oblivion many of the old landmarks and relics of the past, which, on account of their associations, are of almost priceless value. Naturally of a retiring disposition, and not fond of publicity, he is, withal, a charming conversa- tionalist, and it is a rare pleasure to listen to his reminiscences of the past, especially those which relate to the vicinity of Queen Lane, in which immediate neighborhood he has spent most of his life. He relates the following anecdote about Dr. Bensell. who once lived at the corner of School House Lane, and in his profession was one of the foremost men of his day: "When I was a boy, the building on the southwest corner of Indian Queen Lane was a tavern called the 'Indian Queen.' The Lane led to the Schuj'lkill Ferry. My father used to tell the following story about Dr. George Bensell— him who married Miss Robeson, of Wissahickon, and who was the father of Ned Bensell. On one occasion the Doctor started to visit a patient who lived out some distance on the Lane. He was accustomed to make most of his professional visits on horseback, and in this instance he rode down Main Street, when, upon turning into Indian Queen Lane, he was dismayed to see a bull rapidly approaching him in what appeared to be a very threatening manner. Now from child- hood the Doctor had been particularly afraid of bulls, and the sight of this one caused him to become terribly frightened. Wheeling his horse HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAKTOWN 255 rapidly around he prepared for flight, but seeing the door of the Indian Queen open, he dashed through it and rode through the hall to the back of the house. Imagine his extreme discomfiture, as he emerged from the back door, to see the dreaded animal entering the side gate. He hecame almost panic stricken. The stable men, however, were soon able to drive the beast out into the road, to the Doctor's very great relief, when a calmer investigation revealed the fact that it was only the poor old stray cow of a neighbor that had stirred up all the com- motion. "In my earlier years," said Mr. Wister, "the snow storms were much more severe than those we have now. Sometimes the great drifts entirely covered the fences. I remember hearing my father say that on one occasion he had to lead our horse through the house in order to get him out on the road. People who lived in the back part of the town were sometimes snowed up for weeks. There was an old lady that we used to call 'Mammy Kepley,' living back on the Lane just this side of the township line. She was very poor, and during a severe winter was almost entirely dependent upon the charity of her neigh- TDors. Once after a deep snow, my brother, William Wynne Wister, mounted his horse and took a basket of provisions to her. When he reached her house he found it entirely snowed up, and she was without anything to eat. What mysterious influence or power could have turned liis thoughts in that particular direction just at the time of greatest need? Could it have been solely mere chance or accident?" PARSONAGE OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH No. 5300. This house, as well as the adjoining church, stands upon part of "lot No. 6 towards Schtiylkill," which was drawn in the name of John Blickers. By 1766 the original lot had been divided, as several owners are then recorded, but the second Christopher Saur was the owner of this part of it. Ac- cording to an old draft by Christian Lehman, dated 1745, the lot was owned by George Arnald after Herman Tunen. Shoe- maker states that the property belonged to the estate of Joseph Bullock in 1809. The date of the erection of the house is uncer- tain, but it is known to have been remodeled by Dr Bullock, a son of Joseph Bullock. "Squire" Baynton lived here before he removed to No. 5208 (4630). It was in the cellar of this house that the first type ever made in America was cast about 1772 or 1773, according to the statement of Dr. Julius F. Sachse, who has thoroughly inves- tigated the matter. It has been stated that this event occttrred in 1743, and that the domestic type was used on the Saur Bible which was issued in that year, but Dr. Sachse is satisfied that this statement is incorrect. He says the venture in type making w^as made by the sons of the second Christopher Saur, and that 256 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Alexander Mack was interested in the enterprise. The proof of this statement is furnished by Alexander Mack himself. He composed a poem of a hundred stanzas upon the occasion, and it was printed in "Gcistlichcs Magasien," Vol. II, Xo. 12. At the close of the poem there is a foot-note which reads : "Printed with the first type ever cast in America." A copy of this issue is now in the possession of Dr. Sachse. In the course of his in- vestigation, Dr. Sachse states that he found evidences in the cellar that it had been used as a place for making type. He also disputes the statement that any part of the hand mould used in the manufacture of the type could possibly have been swedged on a blacksmith's anvil, as the parts are all very delicate. One of these moulds is in the collection of Mr. Samuel Alacmeney, of Philadelphia. L^jip..^ (ORIGINAL BUILDING.) TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Trinity Lutheran Church is an offshoot of St. Alichael's Lutheran Church, at Germantown Avenue and Phil-Ellena Streets, Mt. Airy. It was established in 1836. The first ser- vices were held in the old portion of the brick house at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Church Lane, which is now occu- pied by the AVomen's Christian Association. The early pastors HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 257 were Rev. William X. Scholl, Rev. S. M. Finckel, and Rev. Wil- liam E. Eyster. Rev. Dr. Luther E. Albert succeeded to the pastorate in the autumn of 1851, this being his first and only parish. The same year that the church was organized, the lot at the corner of Queen Lane was purchased of William Wynne Wister for $3000, and preparations were immediately made for the erec- tion of a church building. The corner-stone was laid May 15, 1837, and the dedication took place Dec. 31. 1837. The cost of the building was $2699.68. This first church building stood in the rear of the grounds near the sawmill. The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid October 11, 1856, and the building was dedicated October 12, 1857. The original debt upon it was entirely discharged in 1865. Various minor improvements were subsequently made to the church property, and m 1886 the whole interior of the building was remodeled at a cost of $14,000. The clock in the steeple was put in position in 1858 or 1859, and, being the first of the kind in Germantown, was considered a great in- novation. Rev. Dr. Luther E. Albert, pastor emeritus, was born in 1828. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College at Gettys- burg, in 1847, and after spending two years in the Theological Seminary at that place was ordained as a preacher. He assisted his father, who had a pastorate at Centreville, Pa., until Xovem- ber, 1851, when he was called to the pastorate of this church. Gettysburg College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity about thirty years ago. At that time he was considered one of the most scholarly ministers of the Lutheran denomina- tion in this country. Henry Goodman, the father-in-law of Dr. Albert, was one of the first vestrymen of Trinity Church, and was superintendent of its Sunday-school for thirty-five years. The large stone cross, an imposing monolith about twenty-five feet in height, which stands in the graveyard in front of the church, marks the resting place of Henry Goodman and his wife. The present pastor of the church is Rev. Luther De Yoe. No. 5310. (Old number, 4666.) This stands upon the site of the Fox homestead, on what was originally lot No. 6. In 1766 it belonged to Justus Fox, and in 1809 to Emanuel Fox, who was a manufacturer of lampblack. In reference to this, Shoemaker 258 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN says, "This product was so fine that 'Germantown lampblack' is the title bestowed on that of the highest quality still." The busi- ness was continued by his son George. Part of their land is in- cluded in the tract that now belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. Emanuel Fox married Anna Margaretta, the youngest daughter of Alexander JMack, the Dunker preacher, July 22, 1784. A daughter of this union married Peter Rittenhouse. The present building belongs to Jacob M. West. Along the wall that now separates his place from the Lutheran graveyard is a slight depression in the ground that marks the site of an old well that belonged to the Fox property. WISTER HOMESTEAD ("GRUMBLETHORPE") No. 5261. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4661). Probably no residence in Germantown has more of interest con- nected with it than this substantial old stone mansion that was built by John Wister in 1744 as a summer residence. The extensive families of the JVistars and the Wistcrs trace their origin to Hans Caspar and Anna Katerina Wister (Wuster), of Hillspach, near Heidelburg, Germany. The Wis- tars are descended from Caspar, the oldest son of this couple, who was born in 1696 and came to America in 1717. In emi- grating to this country he abandoned his right of succession to the hereditary office of forester. He was naturalized as a sub- ject of the King of Great Britain by special act of the Pennsyl- vania Assembly, passed May 9, 1724. (See Colonial Records, iii, P- -'35-) He had no intention of changing his name, but through the error of a clerk his papers were made out in the name of Wistar, and his holdings of property were thus recorded. The Wisters are descended from the second son, John, who came to America in 1727. In the "old country" the family name had taken the form of Wister, and John retained this spelling. Many • have wondered at the tenacity of the two branches of the family in regard to the exact spelling of their names, but it will easily be comprehended that as Caspar acquired property under the name of Wistar, and John under the name of Wistrr, it seemed important to retain this orthography on account of possible legal difficulties connected with the transfer of property. Thus, this whole matter, which has excited considerable curiosity, was HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 259 not the doing of the parties themselves, but originated solely in the mistake of a clerk. It was this second son, John, who built the "Big House." He died in 1789, leaving two sons, Daniel and John. Daniel's son, Charles Jones Wister, resided here for many years, having made it his permanent residence about 1812. He died in 1865, in his eighty-fourth year. His son. Charles J. Wister. is the present owner and occupant of the house. Although advanced in years, Mr. Wister still retains a lively interest in the affairs 26o HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN of Germantown, and has done much in the way of preserving the recollections and traditions of its earlier history. He is the honored president of the Site and Relic Society. Although the external appearance of the old mansion has been materially altered by the removal of the pent-roof and bal- cony, yet Mr. Wister has taken care to retain the essential feat- CHARLES J. WISTER, SR. ures of the interior. The old-fashioned fire-places, the strong doors Avith their heavy hinges and massive locks, still remain. The same old barn and the old-fashioned garden have been re- tained. The place was named "Grumblethorpe" by the first Charles J. Wister. If the old walls could speak, what strange tales would they tell of the people and scenes upon which they have looked. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 261 CHARLES J. WISTER, JR. During the time of the British occupation, in 1777, General Agnew took up his residence here, and after receiving his fatal wound in the battle he was borne back to this house, where he died in the north parlor. Stains made by his blood may still be seen upon the floor, although some of the stained boards were removed bv order of Mr. Wister's grandmother. 262 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN At one time the Wister house was rented to John Lukens, who had been Surveyor-General under the crown, and here, in T779, his daughter Tacy was married to Major Lenox, of the Philadelphia Light Horse, now the First City Troop. The marriage took place in the same parlor where poor Agnew died. A circle in the decoration of the ceiling is immediately over the spot where the bride and groom stood. William Wister, the father of William Rotch Wister, was married on the same spot. On the 4th of October, 1779, while sitting at dinner, word was brought "to Major Lenox of the attack on Fort Wilson, at Third and Walnut Streets. (For a full account of this affair, see Penna. Mag.. J^oL 2, p. 392.) Major Lenox at once hurried into the city and succeeded in dispersing the mob without the shed- ding of blood. He then returned to Germantown, under the belief that he was so far removed from the scene of the disturb- ance as to be out of danger ; but a night or two afterward a mob surrounded the Wister house and demanded his surrender. He temporized with the mob and endeavored to have them wait until daylight. In the meantime, his cousin, IMiss Sallie Kean, a great aunt of the late Thomas W. Evans, left the house at the rear, and hastening across the fields soon gained the main road. She then made all possible speed to the residence of Captain Samuel Morris, who commanded the City Troop. That officer at once sent a detachment to the assistance of Major Lenox, and the crowd dispersed. Standing in the hallway of the Wister residence is a very interesting relic of the days of the Revolution. It is a wooden figure of a British grenadier, nearly life size. Connected with it is an amusing story which is told in a very sprightly way by Sally Wister in her Journal. The family had spent the summer of 1777 at their country home (opposite Queen Lane) in Germantown, and in the fall returned to their city residence at No. 325 ]\Iarket Street. A little later they removed to the Foulke residence at North Wales (near the present Penllyn Station on the Reading Railroad, on a gentle elevation east of Wissahickon Creek.) The American army was encamped near by, and the family became acquainted with a number of the officers. One of these was a Major Tilley, who on account of his extreme bashfulness furnished consider- able amusement for the young ladies. He appears to have been, HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOJVN 263 on the whole, rather an excellent kind of a fellow, but the ladies thought it would be rare fun to play a practical joke upon him. Another officer, Major Stodard, seems to have been the one who suggested to the girls the idea of playing the joke on Tilley, and he at first wanted them to place the figure in Tilley 's bed room. The plan was changed after some consultation. But it is best to have Miss Wister tell the story in her own way : "Dec. 12, 1777. "We had brought some weeks ago a British grenadier from Uncle Miles' on purpose to divert us. It is remarkably well executed, six feet high and makes a martial appearance. This we agreed to stand at the door that opens into the road (the house has four rooms on a floor with a wide entry running through), with another figure (a Turk) that would add to the deceit. One of our servants was to stand behind them, others were to serve as occasion offered. In the beginning of the event I went to Liddy (Lydia Foulke) and begged her to secure the swords and pistols that were in the parlor Liddy went in and brought her apron full of swords and pistols. When this was done, Stodard joined the officers. We girls went and stood at the first land- ing of the stairs. The gentlemen were very merry and chatting upon public affairs, when Seaton's negro (observe that Seaton being apprized of the scheme was indisposed) opened the door, candle in hand, and said, 'There's somebody at the door that wishes to see you.' 'Who? All of us?' said Tilley. 'Yes, sir,' said the boy. They all arose and Vi'alked into the entry, Tilley first. The first object that he saw was a British soldier. Then a thundering voice said — 'Is there any rebel officers here?' Tilley darted like lightning out at the front door, through the yard and over the fence. Swamps, fences, thorn-hedges and ploughed fields no way Impeded his retreat. He was soon out of hearing. The woods echoed with 'Which way did he go? Stop him! Surround the house!' We females ran down stairs to join in the general laugh There sat poor Stodard (whose sore lips must have received no advan- tage from this) almost convulsed with laughing, rolling in an arm chair. He said nothing; I believe that he could not have spoke. 'Major Stod- ard,' said I, 'go to call Tilley back. He will lose himself. — indeed he will;' every word interrupted with a 'Ha! ha!' At last he rose, and went to the door; and what a loud voice could avail in bringing him back, he tried. Figure to thyself this Tilley, of a snowy evening, no hat, shoes down at the heel, hair unty'd, flying across meadows, creeks, and mud-holes. Flying from what? Why, a bit of painted wood. "After awhile, we being in more composure, and our bursts of laughter less frequent, — in full assembly of girls and officers, — Tilley entered. The greatest part of my risibility turned to pity. Inexpres- sible confusion had taken entire possession of his countenance, his fine hair hanging dishevelled down his shoulders, all splashed with mud; yet his bright confusion and race had not divested him of his beauty. He smiled as he tripped up the steps; but 'twas vexation placed it on his features. Joy at that moment was banished from his heart. He briskly walked five or six steps, then stopped and took a 264 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN general survey of us all. 'Where have you been, Mr. Tilley?' asked one officer. (We girls were silent.) 'I really imagined,' said Major Stodard, 'that you were gone for your pistols. I followed you to prevent danger,' — an excessive laugh at each question which it was impossible to restrain. 'Pray, where were your pistols, Tilley?' He broke his silence by the following expression: 'You may all go to the D — 1.' I never heard him utter an indecent expression before. At last his good nature gained a complete ascendance over his anger and he joined heartily in the laugh. I will do him the justice to say that he bore it charmingly. No cowardly threats, no vengeance denounced." It is reasonably certain that this figure of a British soldier was painted by Major Andre. The old Southwark Theatre, which was situated at the corner of Cedar (South) and Apollo streets, was closed by a resolution of Congress in September, 1774, but when the British occupied the city it was reopened by them. Tickets of admission were sold and the proceeds devoted to the relief of the widows and orphans of soldiers. The scenery was painted almost entirely by Major Andre and Captain De- laney. The curtain representing a waterfall was painted by Major Andre, and remained in use until the burning of the the- atre, May 9, 1823. A wooden figure of a Hessian soldier that stood outside the door to answer the purpose of an advertising poster, was also painted by Major Andre ; it is this figure that is now owned by Mr. Wister, and the same one referred to by Miss Sally Wister in connection with the practical joke played upon Major Tilley. Another interesting relic in the possession of Mr. Wister is the weathercock that formerly surmounted the original German Reformed Church on Market Square. At the time of the Indian troubles in 1764, when the "Paxton Boys" were marching to Philadelphia, intent upon taking the lives of the Indians who had fled to the protection of their Quaker friends, they halted for a time in Market Square. While there they amused them- selves by shooting at the weather vane of the old church. The numerous patches by which the bullet holes have been covered still furnish evidence of the accuracy of their marksmanship. At the same time that he secured the weathercock, Mr. Wister purchased the bell of the old church. For nearly a century it was the only church bell in Germantown. It bears the date of 1725, and the inscription, "Gott allcin die Bhrc/' ("To God alone the honor"). After retaining possession of the bell for a number of years, Mr. Wister gave it to the Market Square Church on HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 265 condition that it should never be altered, and that it should always be placed in a prominent position in the church. In his early days Air. Wister was very fond of athletic sports ; he was especially noted for his skill as a skater, and his fancy skating was sure to attract a large crowd whenever he made his appearance on the ice at Harper's Dam. He also had consider- able merit as an artist, and his home contains a large number of sketches and paintings of old Germantown buildings that have long ago disappeared. No. 5267. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4665.) In 1809 Anthony Gilbert, a blacksmith, lived here. He was noted for his remarkable strength. Shoemaker speaks of his having killed a man named Rittenhouse, at Bayer's race course, with a tent pole. He died in 1817. His son Charles resided here after his father's death. FRY HOUSE No. 5273. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4667.) Townsend Ward says, "An antiquated, low building, now de- molished, formerly occupied this lot." A portion of this old building is rather imperfectly shown in the engraving of the \\'ister Homestead. (See also Pcnna. Mag., Vol. V., p. 383.) The first deed of record for this property Vv'as given June 7, 1683, by Benjamin Furly, agent for the Frankfort Company,, to Abraham Tunis. It formed a part of a tract of two hundred acres granted by this deed. The tract was known as "lot No. 7 towards Bristol," and extended from the lower line of the Wister property to about Penn Street, and from Main Street to Town- ship Line. (Deed Book B, Vol. 3, p. 82.) March 3, 1701, Abraham Tunis sold 50 acres of the tract to Isaac Shoemaker. (Acknowledged in Germantown September 15, 1702.) October 21, 1702, Isaac Shoemaker sold the 50 acres to Jacob Gottschalk. (Acknowledged in Germantown June 13, 1704.) Jacob Gottschalk arrived in Germantown in 1702. He Avas a minister of the Mennonites. and it is believed that he occupied the little house mentioned while he lived in Germantown. He was still living in Germantown in 1708, and at that time was serv- ing the Mennonite congregation at Skippack. On the 3d of Sep- 266 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN tember in that year he joined with his brethren in a letter to their friends in Amsterdam, requesting their brethren in Europe to send them some catechisms, besides psahii books and Bibles, as there was but one copy of the Bible in their whole membership. His name appears among the sixteen ministers who served Skip- pack, Conestoga, Great Swamp, Manatany and Germantown in 1727. Tune 15, 1714, Jacob Gottschalk sold the property to Richard Lewis. He died possessed of 22^ acres, and his only son and heir, James Lewis, sold the property to Thomas Hood, April 3, 1729. (Deed Book E. F., No. 21, p. 336.) January 6, 1730, Thomas Hood sold the property to John Henry Kalkglaser. (Deed Book E. F., No. 21, p. 559.; January 19, 1730, John Henry Kalkglaser sold the place to John Bartholomew. (Deed Book E. F., No. 21, p. 342.) April 21, 1743, John Bartholomew sold the property to John Fry (Frey), a tinsmith and brass founder. In 1766 the original lot of 200 acres was owned by John Wister, George Heyer, John Fry, Michael Eges and others. Fry's portion was the 22^ acres which had been owned by Jacob Gott- schalk. Johannes Fry or Frey came from Germany at a very early date. He died in 1765, and July 8, 1768, John Fry. his eldest son, and Eve, his wife, sold the property to Gotlieb Fry, a tinsmith. John Fry kept a store at the west corner of Penn and Main streets, and another brother, Jacob, kept a store where the build- mg of the Germantown Trust Company now stands. They had an extensive trade with farmers. The old house was occupied by four generations of the Fry family, and it was popularly known as the "Fry House." In his notes on the tax list of 1809, Shoemaker says: "Rachel Fry's house stood where No. 4667 now is." He thinks William Fry, a coachmaker, who lived at the same address, was probably a son of Rachel Fry. There was a Heinrich Frey who came to Philadelphia before the landing of Penn. (Exemplification Records, Vol. i, p. 61.) Heinrich Frey and Joseph Blattenback were the first German emigrants who came to Pennsylvania. They emigrated in 1680 and settled in Philadelphia. (Hallische Nachrichten.) (See Cas- sel's "History of the Mennonites," p. 65.) HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 267 The original family name of Frey has been transformed into Fry. The house which now stands upon the site of the old dwell- ing of the Frys was built by Emlen Pleasant. BANK OF GERMANTOWN AND HOME OF JOHN FAN- NING WATSON Nos. 5275-77. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, Nos. 4669- 71.) This house is particularly noted for having long been the home of John Fanning Watson, the historian, and it was here that by far the greater part of his literary work was done. He began to collect historical material about 1820. and in 1830 he published the first edition of his "Annals of Philadelphia." The work was revised and republished in 1842, and again in 1856. In 1879 Edwin S. Stuart republished it in excellent style, and added a third volume, which was edited by Willis P. Hazard, a writer well known on account of his contributions to the local history of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. This great work of Watson's life is a marvel of patient, dili- gent and conscientious research. His researches in regard to Germantown possess especial value on account of his familiarity with the places about which he w^ote. Besides his labors as a historian, there is another work of Air. Watson's life that should receive more than passing notice. It is that of erecting, at his own expense, suitable memorial stones over the graves of some who fell in the battle of Germantown — in the Lower Burying Ground, one to mark the resting place of two British officers, General Agnew and Lieutenant Colonel Bird, and in the Upper Burying Ground one over the remains of Major Irvine and eight other Americans who fell in the battle. Full accounts of these are given in connection with the his- tory of these two burial grounds. The large heart of the man is manifest in his treatment of friend and foe alike. In addition to the monuments mentioned, Mr. Watson was largely instrumental in having erected a monument over the re- mains of General Nash and others in the Mennonite Burying Ground at Kulpsville. (Sec account given in JVai son's Annals, J^ol. [I, pp. 3p-6o.) The inscriptions on this monument are as follows : 268 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN SOUTH SIDE. "Erected by citizens of Germantown and Norristown in 1844." WEST SIDE. "Vota via mea Pro Patria. In memory of Gen. Nash, of North Carolina, mortally wounded in the Battle of Germantown. Interred October, 1777, in the presence of the army near here encamped." NORTH SIDE. "Honor the brave." J. F. W. EAST SIDE. "Per acuta belli. In memory of Col. Boyd, Major White, of Philadelphia; Lieutenant Smith, of Virginia, American officers wounded in the Battle of Germantown, and interred side by side in the order above named, southward from Gen. Nash." When the Bank of Germantown was organized, in 1814, I\Ir. Watson was elected cashier. At that time it occupied the build- ing at what would now be No. 5504 Germantown Avenue. The tipper end of the present bank building stands upon the site. It was removed to what is now Nos. 5275-77 in 1825 and continued here until 1868. Mr. Watson occupied the rear and upper portion of the building as his residence. He held the oflfi.ce of cashier until 1847, when he resigned to accept the position of secretary and treasurer of the Germantown and Xorristown Railroad Com- pany. He resigned this position in 1859, for the reason that he •did not wish to hold any office after his eightieth year. He died December 22,, i860, in his eighty-second year. An evidence of the remarkable preservation of his physical powers until a late period in life is shown in a letter of his, dated April 30, i860, to Mr. Abraham H. Cassel, of Harleysville, and which ]\Ir. Cassel still has in his possession. In this letter Mr. Watson says : "I write this without glasses, although pass'd four score." In speaking of this building during the Revolution, Watson says : "The house in wdiich I now reside was once honored with the presence of Generals Washington, Knox and Greene, shortly after the battle of Germantown." At the time of the British occtipation a court-martial was held in the large parlor on the second floor. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 271 A little later the house was occupied by William Gerhard de Braham, "His ]\Iajesty's Surveyor General of the District of North America." He was the author of the "American INIilitary Pocket Atlas,'' which was published in 1776. He had previously lived on the Old York Road, but during the later years of his life he made his residence in Germantown. He was evidently deeply impressed with the religious beliefs of the Friends, for although he never made any public profession of such opinions, yet he faithfully attended the meetings of the Friends, and conformed to their plainness of attire. His writings indicate that he was also considerably in sympathy with the spirit of mysticism, so prevalent around Germantown. On account of this he has fre- quently been spoken of as a "distinguished astronomer." He was buried in the Friends' Burying Ground. So great was his fear of being buried alive that he directed his friends to leave his grave open, and place a watch over it until it became certain that his body had begun to decay. In 1793, when Philadelphia suffered so terribly from an epi- demic of yellow fever, Washington and several members of his cabinet took up their residence in Germantown. Thomas Jeffer- son, Secretary of State, and Edmund Randolph, Attorney Gen- eral, resided in this house. Some time after this the place was purchased by an English- man named Richard Bayley. He had made a fortune in the East India trade, and after coming to Germantown he embarked in the enterprise of brewing ale for the East India market. The experi- ment proved a financial failure, and he sold the property to the Bank of Germantown, which soon afterward occupied the build- ing, as has been previously stated. Nos. 5281-83. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4677-) What is now the drug store of Lewis A. Treichler, belonged to the estate of William Folwell in 1809. About that time, and later, it was occupied by the Misses Donaldson. From 185 1 to 1857 it was the residence of ]\Ir. Francis Heyl, and for a short period afterward it was rented by Dr. R. H. Shoemaker, who altered it into two properties. Dr. Shoemaker afterward removed to Man- helm Street, where he lived for several years prior to his removal to Los Angeles, California. Rev. Dr. Francis Heyl gives the following interesting ac- 272 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN count of this house and of several other matters in the vicinity of Penn Street: "In answer to your request it affords me great pleasure to give you from memory some details in regard to the house No. 5281 Germantown Avenue, and the immediate neighborhood. This house, and the one next above on the S. B. corner of Penn Street (Shoemaker's Lane), now occu- pied by the drug store, was orginally one double house, and remained such until alterations were made in 1877, by Mr. Treichler, with a view to open the store. The lower half was made into a separate dwell- ing, taking in the original front door and hallway. It was in the month of April, 1851, that I stood for the first time on the steps of this house which was to be my home for the next six years. My father, Mr. Francis Heyl, of Philadelphia, had rented the house from Mr. William Hacker, a merchant of Philadelphia, who re- sided in the city at Seventh and Pine Streets. The house, as I remem- ber it, was a double house, with a wide hall in the center leading to a porch at the back extending the whole width of the house. This porch opened on to a large, old-fashioned garden extending back some dis- tance, and separated from Penn Street by a board fence. The garden abounded in numerous shade and fruit trees, and contained two latticed summer houses such as were common in the gardens of that day. In the spring time the trees v/ere full of blossoms, and birds built their nests in the branches. A winding path led to the back part of the gar- den. There was no back building to the house, but in lieu thereof a low frame building stood on the lower side of the garden near the boundary fence, and a short distance from the house. It was known as the wash-house. The upper wing of the house on the corner of Penn Street, was evidently built some years before the lower wing, as the carved mantels and large open fire-places in the former indicated a very early date; the latter was more modern. In the front room of the lower floor of this wing was a low down grate for coal, and the room back of this contained a range and was used for the kitchen. Under the spout which ran from the roof on to the lower end of the porch, was placed a large hogshead to catch rain water. A hydrant stood near the entrance of the garden path on the paved way which extended the whole length of the porch. This house, some time in the twenties and previously, was the residence of Miss Mary Donaldson and her two nieces, Miss Sallie Donaldson and Miss Rosanna Roe. She was very hospitable, and often entertained her friends. Her favorite seat was in the corner of the front parlor vv^here she could look out of the side window into Shoemaker's Lane. Back of the garden was an enclosed field, the property of Mr. John Jay Smith, who a few years before had built for himself a substantial residence known as Ivy Lodge, just oppo- site on Penn Street. In 1851, Mr. Smith built upon the above mentioned field a cottage that is now occupied by Mr. Robert Morton. It was first occupied by Mr. Morton's mother, widow of Dr. Samuel George Morton, of Philadelphia, with her children. Below the house No. 5281 was the Bank of Germantown, embracing the three properties, 5279, 5277 and 5275. Two of these, Nos. 5279 and 5277 were included in the residence of Mr. Samuel Harvey, Jr., the cashier of the Bank. No. 5275 was the office of the Bank. The northeast corner of Penn Street in Cottage Row was occupied HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 273 by Mr. David Styer, a contractor. Opposite our house on the south- west corner of what was then Linden Street (now West Penn Street), was a property fronting on Main Street, and extending some distance in the rear on Linden Street, belonging to Mr. John Bunner, an old resident of Germantown. With him resided his daughter Susan, and his son John Bunner, who was a widower with several children. They kept a small confectionery store on the corner, and the portion of the house not occupied by them was rented to lodgers. The entrance to the rear was from a gateway on the lower side of the house. Next door below stood a two-story yellow rough-cast house with a garden in front, the property of Mr. Benjamin Lehman and occupied at that time by one of the Stadelmans. Just below were two good sized houses built of stone, and rough-cast, the plaster being cut into squares so as to represent stone. They had high steps in front. The first was occupied by the Dyce family, and afterward by George Livezey, the undertaker. George Fox, the owner of the properties, lived in the second one. His father, Emanuel Fox, had lived there before him, ajid conducted an establishment for the manufacture of lampblack which was celebrated for its excellent quality. His establishment was destroyed by fire. George Fox, the son, for many years performed the duties of sexton at Trinity Lutheran Church. The properties finally passed into the hands of the Lehman family. In March, 1851, the Rev. Dr. Albert, then a young man, was called to the pastorate of the Lutheran Church, and some time after his marriage took up his residence in the parsonage at the corner of Queen Lane. In 1856, the original church, a plain stone building, was replaced by the present edifice which was opened for Divine worship in 1857." EAST PENN STREET East from No. 5300. This was formerly called Shoemaker's Lane, as it was opened through the Shoemaker property. On Christian Lehman's map it is recorded as the road to Conrad Weaver's mill. On the deeds to this mill property the name is given as Conrad Weber. Weber's mill was situated on Mill Creek, or the Small Wingohocking, as it was sometimes called, just where it is crossed by Thorp's Lane. When Issacher Thorp established his print works there this portion of the road was named after him. This street forms the dividing line between lots 7 and 8 "towards Bristol." Lot No. 7 included the Wister property and extended up to the line of Penn Street (Shoemaker's Lane.) It was drawn in the name of Abraham Tunis, and he sold it to Jacob Gottschalk. There appears to have been a readjustment of the line at the cross street, as the following extract from the Court Records shows : "The 22d of 2d month 1704. This Court sold to Haac (Isaac) Schu- macher the cross street between him and Jacob Gottschalk, before the 274 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN creek, and to a set line at Samuel Cart's (?) land, — 8 acres for 30 shillings (?)."* The creek referred to was the Wingohocking. "COTTAGE ROW " Nos. 5301-13, This row of dwelHngs was bttilt upon a por- tion of "lot No. 8 towards Bristol," which was originally drawn in the names of Gerhard Heinrich (Hendricks) and David Sher- ges. The lot extended from Shoemaker's Lane (Penn Street) to near Church Lane, and from Main Street (Germantown Avenue) to the township line. The "Rock House," still standing, on Penn SHOEMAKER HOUSE (SITE OF "COTTAGE ROW") Street, just east of the railroad, was near the middle of the prop- ert}^ Isaac Shoemaker married Sarah, the daughter of Gerhard Hendricks, and after the death of the latter the property came into the possession of the Shoemakers and became known as "Shoemaker's Farm." The old "Shoemaker Mansion," which formerly stood about where Nos. 5301 and 5303 now stand, is believed to have been built by Isaac Shoemaker. For many years this old house was one of the landmarks of GermantOAvn. It was a long building, *These words are Indistinct in the original record. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 275 constructed of stone, and two stories high. After the manner of the old country, the main entrance was from the rear, but there was also an entrance into the cellar, which gave the house the appearance of having three stories. Upon the death of Isaac Shoemaker, in 1732, the property passed to his son Benjamin. Benjamin Shoemaker was a man of considerable note. He was invited to a seat in the Provincial Council at the same time as James Hamilton. After considering nearly two months, he de- termined to accept, and was qualified February 4, 1745. He was Mayor of Philadelphia in 1743, 1752 and 1760. He also appears to have filled the office of City Treasurer from 175 1 until his death in 1761. His son Samuel married the widow of Francis Rawle, and upon the death of his father succeeded to the owner- ship of the homestead. He also succeeded his father in the offices of Treasurer and member of the Provincial Council. In 1769 and 1 771 he was Mayor, and in 1771 and 1773 he served in the Assem- bly. He was Justice for the county from 1761 until the Revolu- tion. He was also a member of the American Philosophical So- ciety. Like most Friends, he disapproved of the Revolutionary War, and as a consecjuence his property was confiscated. He finally went to New York, where he was of great service to American prisoners during the war. Afterward he went to Eng- land, but returned in 1789 and got back a portion of his property which was secured to him by the treaty of 1783. He died in 1800. When in England he had an interview with George III at Windsor, under guardianship of his friend, Benjamin West. The King asked him why the Province of Pennsylvania improved more than the neighboring provinces, some of which had been earlier settled. Samuel politely replied to this German King, "It was due to the Germans," and the King as politely answered that ''the improvement was principally due to the Quakers." The King was pleased that Samuel could speak German, and the Queen wept when he spoke of the death of his children, showing a warm heart. Samuel concluded that so kind a husband and so good a father as George III could not be a tyrant. Samuel's daughter married Robert Morris, son of the great financier of the Revolution, and their daughter, ]\Irs. AA^ilkins, with her whole family, were lost at sea while on their way from Savannah to take up their residence in the old Shoemaker ances- 276 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN tral mansion. A few years subsequent to this the property was sold to George H. Thomson. The old house had, at various times, other occupants than members of the Shoemaker family. Just before the Revolution it was occupied by Samuel Burge. After the battle of German- town, the British made use of it for a hospital, which was under the charge of a Dr. Moore. It is said that every room was filled with his patients. In after years it was known as "the prison." For some years it was occupied by the De la Roche family. At one time it was occupied by the Misses Loraine, who had a school there, which in its day was very popular. One of the pupils of the school was Miss Maria McClelland, who was one of the first public school teachers in Germantown. She taught in a school that was opened in the Knox (First) Presbyterian Church, which stood where the building of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion now stands. The old mansion was torn down about 1838 or 1840. at the time when "Cottage Row" was built. "Cottage Row" was the first "bonus" building operation in Germantown, and was under the management of a man named Husband. It is said that he had but little difficulty in selling ofif the houses. They were well built, and for a long time were referred to as a fashionable resi- dence section of Germatown. They have retained their indi- viduality during all these years, and break the continuity of busi- ness structures on that side of the street. THE "ROCK HOUSE " The old dwelling popularly known as the "Rock House," still standing on the north side of East Penn Street, just east of the Reading Railroad bridge, is believed to be one of the oldest build- ings in Germantown. It stands upon "lot No. 8 towards Bristol," which was drawn by Gerhard Heinrich (Hendricks). It has been thought that this house was erected by Hendricks in 1682, but this is doubtful. It is more probable that it was built for Isaac Shoemaker, who married Sarah, the daughter of Gerhard Hen- dricks, in 1690, and that the original Hendricks house was a some- what older structure. At all events, the present dwelling is cer- tainly more than two centuries old. The historian Watson, in writing to Samuel M. Shoemaker in 1842, says : "The original family house marked 1682 on its lintel was taken down two years 278 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN ago by Mehl. It was at this house that Wilham Penn had stood at the door and preached. It was described as a very low house with a high roof; it was situated in a beautiful, natural meadow, and was so picturesque that I had a drawing taken of it." Town- send Ward says of this old house : "Its walls were of stone, one story high ; and straw, yet well preserved in 1835, had been mixed with the mortar used in their construction. The building had a very high, peaked roof — so high that it (the roof) occupied two stories and a loft." It will be readily understood that the house derives its name from the fact that it is built upon a high and solid rock. Through the beautiful meadow that formerly existed, and around the base of the rock, used to flow the Wingohocking Creek. At the time of the British occupation their cavalry pas- tured their horses in the meadow, which was then known as "Alehl's meadow." The huts of the soldiers were located upon the higher ground. An old resident of Germantown gives the following interest- ing facts relating to this property : "Some years ago there was a little one-story building about fourteen feet square that stood alongside of a barn, on the site of what is now Belfield Avenue. At that time the property belonged to Samuel H. Collom, and when it was proposed to put down the big sewer Mr. Collom thought it would be a shame to destroy the little one-story struc- ture in which AA^illiam Penn is said to have preached from time to time. Accordingly, Mr. Collom had both the old-time meeting house and the barn moved across the way to his ground, with the sole purpose of preserving them. The buildings remained in their new location for a little while, until the row of brick houses on Belfield Avenue was contemplated, when they were torn down to make room for the march of improvement. After they were razed some parties came forward and bewailed their destruction, saying that the destruction of the old house should not have been allowed, and stating that they would have had it moved and re- constructed in the Park to save it for future generations to look upon. It was too late. Previous to the Civil War this house was one of the most prominent stations of the so-called "underground railroad" in Pennsylvania. At one time a colored man named Moses Lewis and his wife occupied the "Rock House." His wife was a pretty mulatto HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 279 woman, a runaway slave from the South. One day there ap- peared at the Lewis home a deputy United States Marshal with a requisition for Mrs. Lewis. Of course there was trouble, as Mrs. Lewis had three children, and they, too, came under the requisition of the slave owner's demands. Lewis protested, and threatened to fight for his wife and family. The neighbors soon became interested, and in a short time the good people of Ger- mantoAvn began to rally around Lewis and his family. With lit- tle effort, twelve hundred dollars were raised, the slave owner bought off, and the Lewis family was free. Some of the descend- ants of this family are living in Germantown to-day. On another occasion a very large family occupied the "Rock House." It would seem almost impossible to crowd twenty or more people into this old structure, but such was a fact. It came about in this way : A family named Smith, with twelve children, occupied the old house. j\Ir. Smith had a brother who lived in another part of the town, and this brother, also, had twelve chil- dren. One of the Smith brothers died, and the wife of the other Smith died shortly afterwards. There were twenty-four children in all to be cared for. The widower Smith and the widow Smith were married and they all moved into the "Rock House" with the exception of the older children, who were able to shift for themselves. While they were somewhat crowded, they all lived happily in the historical old structure for some years. Within the last two or three years the meadow has been filled in, and the rock upon which the house is built is now so nearly covered as to be scarcely discernible. No. 5320. (Old number, 4676.) The old house that for- merly stood upon this site was occupied in 1809 by AA'illiam Bun- ner, a carpenter. It was a low stone house and stood back from the street. AA^illiam Bunner's son John afterward built a small house in front of it. For a long time a large stone pile laid in the back part of his lot. In opening Linden Street it became necessary to remove this heap of stone, and in doing so a cannon ball was found almost in the center of the pile. It is thought that it was fired at the battle of Germantown. The hotel now standing upon the site was built when the Germantown Bank was situated on the opposite of the street below Penn Street. It was opened by George Hardy and kept by 28o HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN him until his death, August 5th, 1884, under the name of the "Bank Hotel." WEST PENN STREET West from No. 5320. This was opened by Thomas Alagar- gee and was at first called Linden Street. No. 5321. In 1840 this was the residence of John and Thomas Roberts. It now belongs to Nathan Alarple. Nos. 5322-24. This property belonged to John Frey in 1809. In 1840 Charles Johnson lived in No. 5322, his store being at No. 5324- No. 5329. Leonard Nutz, a tanner, resided here in 1809. His sons, John and William, continued the business after his death. The tannery extended all the way to what is now Coulter Street. The dwelling is now the residence of Nathan Marple, and a row of brick stores stands upon the site of the tan-yard. No. 5330. Luke Williams owned this property in 1840. It now belongs to Oliver Jester's estate. No. 5338. (Old number, 4714.) This is upon the site of what was once John Mushler's bakery. He was an old Ger- man who retained an intense love for his native land. Any of his fellow countrymen were always sure of a hearty welcome at his home, and he frecjuently entertained them, much to the dis- comfort of his family. In going his rounds he was accustomed to summon his customers by the aid of a tin horn. He was a great favorite with the children on account of the delicious honey cakes which he made. He was blind, and the children who came to his shop would frequently try to deceive him by hiding their money on the counter, but he never handed over the desired cake until he found the money. His son Jacob, familiarly known as "Jake" Mushier, succeeded him in business. In 1885 Patrick McGarrigle built his house and office upon the site. No. 5342. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4718.) This was once the residence of Captain John Stadelman, who commanded the "Germantown Blues" during the war of 1812. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 281 John Kyle remodeled the place and changed it into a store. Cap- tain Stadelman also owned the place below (No. 5340). This was afterward owned by his son Augustus, who built the brick front to it. He was living there in 1840. "THE MARKET HOUSE" No. 5344. Now the Manheim Laundry. (Old number, 4722.) The old building that formerly stood upon this site was occupied by William Sommer in 1840. It was a two-story house, partly frame and partly stone. In the yard was a never-failing spring that was a favorite stopping place for thirsty travelers. The market house was built some time between 1854 and i860 by a stock company, of which "Sciuire" Joseph King was one of the originators. The building had a brick floor and the spring mentioned was in the basement. Its cooling influence was used very much as in the old-fashioned spring houses, for the preser- vation of perishable articles. The stalls in the market were let out to farmers and butchers. It was usual for the farmers at that time to draw 'up their wagons in the tavern yards. The Washington Hotel was a favorite stopping place for them. Be- fore ice was so plentiful it was customary for butchers to sell their meats on Sunday mornings in the yard of the General Wayne Hotel. The market house proved a financial failure, as the butchers and hucksters would not rent the stalls. Only a very few of them were taken. Issacher T. Somer and George Mullen were two of the butchers who did rent stalls. After the failure, the place was fitted up as a comic theatre and was called the "Melo- deon." Popularly it was called the "Bull's Head Theatre," after the two bulls' heads that adorn the front of the building. The theatre did not succeed very well, and for several years the build- mg was vacant. Then George Wood, a stair builder, occupied it. Afterward the Lance Brothers converted it into a mat and oil- cloth factory. The spring in the cellar still remains. EAST COULTER STREET East from No. 5400. The houses of Joseph and Thomas Waterman stood where East Coulter Street now is. Thomas Waterman was living here in 1809. His house was once the resi- dence of John Book, a celebrated Quaker preacher. In 1840 282 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN it was occupied by Thomas Silvers, a hatter. At that time an old German doctor used to make a short stay here every six months to attend to patients who lived in Germantown. SITE OF EAST COULTER STREET WEST COULTER STREET This was opened through the properties of John Bockius and Ann, the widow of John Coulter. In opening the street it be- came necessary to tear down an old house that was occupied at the time of the Revolution by a family named Woermer. It is said that Mrs. Woermer was making '^Fctt Kuchc" (fat cakes, or doughnuts) when a detachment of British soldiers went by, and there is a family tradition to the effect that the soldiers came into the house and helped themselves to the cakes by fishing them out of the fat with their bayonets. In 1850, this house was occu- pied by William Fullforth and James Sandiford, the latter occu- pying the rear portion. In the upper part of this building Wil- liam Fullforth and Charles Spencer began business. This was the beginning of the Leicester Mills. When excavations were being made for water pipes in 1902 the workmen uncovered the foundations of this old building. :|; ;|; A * ;|; * * We are indebted to Dr. William H. Trueman for the follow- ing interesting account of Coulter Street and its vicinity : HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 283 THE SITE OF COULTER STREET IN 1846-47 The land on the west side of Main Street, througli which Coulter Street now passes, was owned and farmed by the late Jesse Bockius. His holdings began at the lower boundary of the Orthodox Friends' Meeting House property, and extended to about one hundred feet below the present line of Coulter Street, extending back quite a distance and forming a fair sized farm. The family mansion, a well-preserved two- story stone house, fronted upon the Main Street at the upper boundary line. It was built in much the same style as the few original German- town houses now standing, having a wide front with the door in the middle. Below this, at an interval of some twenty or thirty feet, stood a much more ancient dwelling, at that time divided into two tenements; that fronting upon Main Street was occupied by William Fullforth; the part fronting upon Bockius's Alley (now Coulter Street) was the resi- dence of James Sandiford, a gardener in the employ of the Armat family; below this the land was vacant. The alley mentioned was the driveway to the farm buildings. At its end, about a hundred, or a hun- dred and fifty feet west of the Main Street, was another ancient stone and frame dwelling which was divided so as to accomodate two families. Opposite to it, on the lower side, Mr. Bockius had erected a two-story frame building in which he had installed a fulling mill and a set of mill-stones, the motive power being a small steam engine. At this time stocking making was an important industry in Germantown, all the work being done on the old-fashioned hand looms, which had undergone but little improvement since first invented by a poor English curate a century or more before. Many looms were located in the homes of the weavers, who either did business on their own account in a small way, or worked for some one with more capital, who, in addition to a few looms in his own shop, supplied these home workers with yarn, receiving at the end of each week the product of their labor. The out- put of each loom was quite small, as it was customary for such workmen to wind the yarn from the skein onto the bobbins from which it was taken by the loom. At times the whole family was employed, the children doing the winding and the wife the sewing which was done by hand. Fulling was a necessary process in preparing woolen stock- ings for the market. Those who made but few did their fulling in a hand machine, very much like a modern washing machine, in which the goods were rubbed between two corrugated surfaces by moving back and forth a heavy box suspended upon pivots. Others placed the goods in a keg-like tub which was shaped very much like an upright churn, and pounded them with a: heavy wooden paddle. In either case the work was very hard, and as but a small quantity of goods could be operated upon at one time, the process was a very slow one. Mr. Bockius was an ingenious mechanic and constructed a machine by which this fulling could be done by steam power. His mill proved an accept- able and useful help to the stocking manufacturers of Germantown, none of whom at this time had been accustomed to employ any other than hand power. After a few years, finding that he still had steam power to spare, he added to his plant a circular saw for re-sawing lumber used in house building, constructing the necessary machinery from draw- ings in Smith's "Panorama of the Arts and Sciences," a book loaned to him by Mr. William Trueman, a stocking weaver, who was one of his 284 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN tenants. At that time lumber was not sent to market in m.any con- venient forms for the house-builder's use as at present, and much of a carpenter's time was spent in sawing and planing. Mr. Bocl^ius pro- posed to assist the workman by relieving him of this very laborious part of the work, by sawing the planks and boards to the required sizes, and also by taking off the rough surface by means of a planing machine. At first the workmen did not appreciate this, claiming that he was tak- ing the bread and butter out of their mouths by his labor-saving ma- chinery. His reply was that in a very short time they would refuse to work for any one who required them to do such slavish work; but this reply, prophetic as it was, failed to satisfy them. Threats of burn- ing the place were made, and to prevent this the property was patrolled CIRCULAR SAW USED BY BOCKIUS for many nights by Mr. Bockius, assisted by his friends and neighbors. Fortunately, Germantown was on the eve of a building boom. Farms were being divided into building lots, new streets were being opened, and many were becoming ambitious of owning their own homes. The carpenters had plenty to do and were glad to accept the products of the new planing mill. Mr. Bockius finally gave up farming and devoted all his time to these new lines of business. One of his larger barns he moved to the Main Street, and placing it on the side of the alley . opposite to Mr. Fullforth's house, furnished it with a brick front, lathed and plastered the rest of its exterior and converted it into a very respectable looking dwelling. It served for this purpose a little more than half a century, few suspecting that it had once been a barn. An- other smaller barn was moved so as to front on the alley, and for many years it made a comfoi'table home. Just back of the mill John Caldwell established his carpenter shop, and there began what has proved a prosperous business careeer. "Mr. Fullforth was a stocking weaver and used one of the back rooms of his house as a shop. He was sufficiently prosperous to employ HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 285 several journeymen who had their looms in his shop. He married a sister of the late Charles Spencer, who a few years previously came from England with his father. In England Mr. Spencer had been a schoolmaster, but on coming to this country he entered the service of a mercantile firm in Philadelphia. With this firm he not only learned business habits and methods, but his aptness, his close attention to business details, and his gentlemanly depor^^ment won for him many firm friends. He entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Fullforth, and was ambitious to put the business of stocking making upon a more profitable basis. The little back room soon became too CHARLES SPENCER small, and they moved to a larger room over the hall of the "Sons of Temperance," on Mill Street (Church Lane). Mr. Spencer proved too progressive for Mr. Fullforth and the partnership was soon dissolved. The small industry transplanted from the little room in the house at Bockius" Lane and Main Street, through the business ability of Mr. Spencer became in the course of time a very large and important busi- ness concern. Jesse Bockius deserves great credit for introducing into Germantown the use of steam power in manufacturing stockings, for although fulling was only part of the process, it was an important one, and his fulling mill was the first step towards substituting, in this im- portant industry, the power of the steam engine for that furnished by human muscles. 286 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN "Mr. Bockius was undoubtedly the pioneer, in Germantown, in intro- ducing labor-saving machinery for preparing lumber for house building. From both of these industries Germantown has reaped a rich harvest, and that they had their birth in this locality gives to this portion of Coulter Street considerable historic interest." COULTER INN No. 5400. Until recently this was known as "The Lin- den." AMien first built it was known as the Coulter House. It is situated upon the site of the farm house of Christo- S^V.,.^.)>di!a«//i'(«>>Ma'\...v».'- HOUSE OF CHRISTGI'HER BOCKIUS pher Bockius. He owned about twenty acres, his land ex- tending to the Coulter property. He was usually called "Stuf- fle" Bockius" by the boys who used his fields as a short cut to the Academy. He lived to a ripe old age, and after his death the house was occupied by his son Jesse, who was its last occu- pant. In the tax list of 1847 Jesse's occupation is given as a skin dresser. In the preceding sketch by Dr. William H. Trueman he has given an account of Jesse Bockius. The fulling mill spoken 6 The name was really pronounced "Stuffle Buekus." Even at the pres- ent time many old residents of Germantown pronounce the name Bockius as if it were spelled Buekus. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 287 of by Dr. Trueman stood somewhat back from the street, and was torn down when the street was opened. Nos. 5401-3-5. (Ward, Nos. 4737-38.) Shoemaker says that Jacob Baisch once hved about here. In 1840 Pennell and ^lagar- gee occupied the premises. They kept a general store, dealing in dry goods, hardware and groceries. Before their time it had JAMES S. JONES been known as Runker's store. In 1847 Janies S. Jones purchased an interest in the business. It is now the dry goods store of James S. Jones & Co. About No. 541 1. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, Nos. 4747-49. Upon this site formerly stood an old house that was occu- 288 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN pied in 1809 by Rev. John William Runkel.who had been pastor of the German Reformed Church at Market Square from 1802 to 1805. In 1840, the place belonged to Abraham Keyser, a Quaker, He died at an advanced age and was succeeded by his cousin, Charles Keyser. Later than this it was known as the "King Property," from the name of its owner, Joseph King, who married a sister of Tabez Gates. The spot where the dwelling stood now forms part of the lawn of St. Luke's Church. ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Standing somewhat back from the Avenue, in the midst of extensive grounds, is the beautiful church property of St. Luke's. It was the first Episcopal church organized in Germantown, and five other churches owe their origin to this mother church. It was organized in 181 1, although Rev. Mr, Neill, who was temporarily residing in Germantown. had held services in the Lutheran and German Reformed churches as earlv as 1760. He was at that time a missionary of the Church of E'ngland stationed HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN 291 at Oxford and Whitemarsh. In the following letter he gives an account of these early services : "Germantown, May 12, 17G0. "I liave an invitation from some of the Englisli people in German- town to preach for tliem, as tliere is no land of English worship in the town, except a Quaker Meeting House, and, indeed, this is something extraordinary, as I don't know a family of the Church of England in the town but one, although it contains three hundred houses; but as they are divided into so many sects that no single sect is able to support a minister. — I mean the English people — and as I have offered to preach for them for nothing, Sunday evenings after the service is over, of my other churches, they readily embraced the offer. The use of the Lu- theran Church of the upper end of Germantown, and of the Calvinist in the middle of the town, are both offered to me by their respective ministers and people, as they appear more willing to have a minister of the Church of England to preach to their people that understand English (as most of the young people do) than any other denomination. Since I have had the misfortune of having the Glebe House, at Oxford, and the best part of my valuable effects destroyed by fire, I have re- moved my family to Germantown." In 1793. Rev. \Mlliam Smith, D. D., the successor of Mr. Neill at Oxford, also preached in Germantown. On Trinity Sunday, June 9, 181 1, Mr. Scott preached in Germantown. During this year services were held on Sunday afternoons and occasionally on week-day evenings by Rev. Jack- son Kemper. During this year it was thought the time had ar- rived when there should be a regular church organization, as there were now twelve families in Germantown who were con- nected with the Episcopal church. Accordingly, on the 28th of June, 181 1, a meeting was held at the house of Thomas Armat, which resulted in the organization of St. Luke's Church. During the first year, Rev. Jackson Kemper, afterward Bishop of Wis- consin, served as pastor. Rev. Mr. Warren of South Carolina served the church dtiring the summer months of 1812. Rev. Mr. Ward of Trenton supplied the pulpit for five months in 1813. The first extended pastorate was that of Rev. J. C. Clay, who was in charge of this interest and that of Norristown from December, 1813. ttntil February, 1817. The following is a list of the pastors since that time : Rev. Charles M. Depuy, from June 22, 1817, to March, 1824. Rev. Edward R. Lippitt, from March, 1824, to August, 1825. Rev. John Rodney, from September 5, 1825, to October, 1867. Rev. B. Wistar Morris, from November, 1867, to January, 1869. 292 HISTORY OF OLD GERM ANT OWN Rev. Albra Wadleigh, from February 4, 1SG9, to May 25, 1873. Rev. W. H. Vibbert, D. D., from November 30, 1873, to December, 1882. Rev. Samuel Upjohn, D. D., the present Rector, took charge De- cember 2, 1882. It is interesting to trace the growth of the membership and congregation. In i8i6 the church reported a membership of six- teen communicants. The first representation in the convention was in i8i8, when Thomas Armat and James Stokes were the delegates. At the time of organization the first meetings were held in the Market Square Church, but later in a house belonging to James Stokes, situated on Market Square opposite School House Lane. This building proving too small, a change was made to another house belonging to ]\Ir. Stokes, at the northwest corner of Church Lane and Market Square. In iSiS Thomas Armat presented a lot of ground to the church and the first church building was erected. In 1840 this was enlarged, and again in 1851. In 1876 additional land was purchased and the present building erected, it being opened for service the first time on the 8th of June, 1876. In accomplishing this latter work it is worthy of note that the work was paid for as it progressed, and when the church was dedicated there was not a dollar of debt remaining upon it. SITE OF THE HOUSE OF GEORGE WILSON About No. 5417. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4755-) The house was built in 1796, as that date is shown in lead letters on the rain spout board which is still preserved. Wil- son was a shoemaker, and conducted his business in a part of the house. He acquired considerable notoriety at one time because of a suit he brought against the Portuguese ^Minister to the United States for an unpaid bill for shoes. As foreign ministers are exempt from legal proceedings, AA'ilson not only lost his suit, but was also heavily fined. In his notes on the tax list of 1809 (Pcnna. Mag., Vol. if^, p. 4^8), Mr. Shoemaker states that the lot upon which St. Luke's Church now stands, and which was given to the church by Thomas Armat, was assessed at $289, and the property, No. 4755. at $513. The latter he mentions as still standing in 1891, and as being owned by the descendants of Thomas Armat. In the tax list both properties are given as HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 293 belonging to the "estate of Thomas Armat." This would convey the impression that Mr. Armat was no longer living in 1809. But, as he really lived until 183 1, it seems probable that when, in this tax list, a property is mentioned as belonging to an estate, it is not intended to imply that the owner was no longer living. The last occupant of the Wilson house was a sewing machine agent. In 1890 the building was torn down and the ground leveled for the lawn of St. ^Margaret's House of St. Luke's parish. The AVilson house was considered haunted, and old ^Irs. Gravenstine, who lived in the next house above, and which stood a little back from the street, is credited with the following story: ''A woman who once lived here one day went to court and swore falsely. On reaching home, and while standing by the pump in the yard, she boasted about what she had done, and immediately dropped dead. Ever afterwards the house was haunted, and a strange sound, like the rustling of silk, could be heard in the quiet of the night. The noise always began at the garret and rustled down the stairway to the cellar. There was trouble for a number of years in getting tenants to remain here for any great length of time." The Reiss family moved into the house in 1882, and were much disturbed by the strange noises that were heard almost nightly. These noises appeared to sound like some one coming down the stairs, and were so loud that the family were not un- frequently awakened by them in the night. One night a noise started from the garret and everything in the house seemed to be shaken by the disturbance. The wind was not blowing, but the weather outside was very cold. Nearer and nearer came the noise until finally the latch of the door was lifted. A cat that had been lying with her kittens in a box behind the stove jumped out of the box, raised her back and advanced towards the door switching her tail, evidently in a tense state of excitement. The door did not open, but the cat continued to sit there for a long time intently watching it. After a time everything became verv quiet. About three weeks before the death of Mrs. Gravenstine, who lived in an adjoining house, there was a great rattling of crock- ery in the Wilson house, as if all the preserve jars had bursted at once. The Gravenstines heard the noise and searched their house from top to bottom, but could discover nothing. They 294 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN afterwards thought the noise came from the old salt vault in the house above, but they never investigated further. The cause of these noises was never discovered, as the members of the fam- ily never visited the attic, but one not superstitiously inclined would be likely to suggest "RATS !" in view of the fact that when the house was torn down there was found in the attic in a rat's nest, a long gold chain attached to a locket studded with diamonds and containing a lock of hair. There were also found in the attic a number of old silk dresses and several other old-fashioned arti- cles of apparel. About No. 5419. (According to the Directory of 1887 the number of this property used to be 4775. This is doubtless a misprint, and was intended for 4757 — the last two figures having been transposed.) An old house that stood back from the street on the site of St. ^Margaret's House was the home of the Graven- stines. The eldest Henry Gravenstine was the first sexton of St. Luke's Church ; his son Henry, and his grandson, who bore the same name, were also sextons of the same church. The last named died but a few years ago. He was also janitor for the Young Men's Christian Association when that body was first organized, and occupied the Stuckert house (Xos. 5431-33). About No. 5421. (Old number, 4757.) The house which formerly stood here, and which was last occupied by Samuel Mc- Nicholl, was at one time occupied by Bishop Morris, and after- ward by a man named Robinson. It is said that Robinson made a business of catching runaway slaves, an occupation at which he was quite successful. The house was occupied at one time by Samuel Butcher, who kept the toll gate at Chestnut Hill. Grandmother Gravenstine, who was living at the time of the Revolution, used to tell her grandchildren that a large vault in the cellar of the house was used by the people of Germantown as a place in which to hide their salt, during the time when the town was occupied by the British. This building was one of those which were removed to make way for the lawn of St. Mar- garet's House. FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE The first meetings of friends in Germantown were held in private houses, but a frame meeting house was constructed at a HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 295 very early date. It was upon Lot No. 8, drawn in the name of Jacob Shoemaker, according to Matthias Zimmerman's explana- tion of the location, dated 1746, but according to an old deed dated January 4, 1690, Abraham Isaac op den Graef conveyed two lots to Jacob Shoemaker, and, in 1693, Shoemaker conveyed them to the Friends for a meeting place. The first meeting house, wdiich is believed to have been a frame structure, stood about twenty-five feet back from the street FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE ON COULTER STREET (Third Meeting House.) and just north of the buttonwood tree which still stands upon the front of the lot. A few years ago, in making an excavation, some remains of the original structure were found. A second buttonwood stood a little north of the meeting house, but this disappeared several vears asfo. 296 HISTORY OF OIM GERMANTOWN A new house of stone was built upon the same site in 1705. It was in this house that the first Isaac Norris died in 1735. In 1812 a third meeting house was built, somewhat further to the west, probably about where the school house stands. All of the first lot was afterward used as a burial ground. The present, or fourth meeting house, was erected in 1871, still further to the west. An old tablet that had been attached to the third house has been preserved and placed in front of the committee room of the present building. It reads as follows : In the course of time, most of the land in the original tract of fifty acres has been sold, but a portion has been repurchased, and a lar- ger burial ground has been laid out on grounds fronting on Greene Street. FRIENDS' LIBRARY No. 5418. The Friends have long recognized the import- ance of maintaining a collection of good literature which should be easy of access to the general public, and for more than half a century they have had a library attached to their meeting. It was at first located on Coulter Street, and was entirely free. About 1870, Alfred Cope and some others added to this collec- tion, and bought the slaughter house of George Rose, just north of their grounds, which they tore down and erected the front portion of the present library building. The slaughter house belonged to George Rose as early as 1840. About 1898, more ground was purchased, and the library building very much en- larged. The structure stands upon what was the southern part of Lot No. 9, drawn in the name of Isaac van Bebber. The library now contains about 21,000 volumes, but no novels. Among these may be found many standard works of German and French authors. In order to meet the needs of the Italians in Germantown, an Italian department has recently been added. Much of the success of this library is due to the good judg- ment and excellent management of William Kite, who, after many years of service as librarian, died in 1901. No. 5420. (Shoemaker, No. 4760; old number, 4762,) George Rose's house stood upon this site in 1840. When the HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 299 present building was erected, the old house was turned around and used as a part of the back building. The old part was finally torn down when Geo. Wills enlarged the present struc- ture. It is now owned by George Pelstring. WIT.LTAM KITE No. 5422. (Shoemaker, No. 4762; old number, 4764.) On this site stood a frame house in which Jacob Emhardt lived in 1809. The following year he moved to Nos. 5508-10, which he had bought. In 1840-5 this property belonged to Harman Osier, a tailor and prominent IMillerite. He was one of those who, believing the second coming of Christ was at hand, gave away all of his property, even to his cook stove. It is said that a few days before the time of the expected advent a gentleman 300 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN came into Osier's place and gave an order for a new suit of clothes. Osier gravely informed him that the order was quite useless, and informed him of the great events that were expected to happen in a short time. When the present house was erected, the old building was turned around and moved to the rear. It now forms part of the back of the present house. OSLER HOUSE MULLEN (HARMER) HOUSE Nos. 5424-26. (Shoemaker, No. 4766.) This is the site of the Mullen homestead. The property belonged to Samuel Har- mer, a shoemaker, in 1809. On the tax list of that year his name is given as Harman. He was one of the most prominent Metho- dists in Germantown. He died October 21, 1854. In i860, the place was bought by Joshua Mullen, and it remained in the possession of the Mullen family until 1898, when it was purchased by Harry Righter, who built the present house. When the old building was torn down, a number of coins of the date of 1795 were found; also a Portuguese coin of a date prior to the Revolution. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN 301 MASONIC HALL Nos. 5423-5-7. (Ward and Hotchkin, Nos. 4761-63.) This is on the site of "Pine Place," or the "Rookery," as it was some- times called. It received the latter name from the circumstance that Rev. James Roocker, of Baltimore, who was then pastor of the Presbyterian Church, married a lady named Smart, who resided in the house, and went there to live. He died about 1830, after which A. Bronson Alcott occupied the place and started a school there. His daughter, ^liss Louisa M. Alcott, the gifted authoress of "Little Women." and other popular books, was born in the house. Other places have been claimed as the place of her birth, but ]\Iiss Alcott herself, on the occasion of a visit to Germantown, made careful inquiries about the matter and satisfied herself that this was the place. The Alcotts re- moved to Massachusetts when Louisa was about two years old. No. 5430. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4772; Shoemaker, No. 4770.) This house was built for Albert Ashmead, as a wed- ding gift, by his father, John Ashmead, who lived in the house above. The manufacture of carriages was conducted on a part of the place in the rear. The house was afterward occupied by Charles R. Bockius. He died in 1901, and his daughter, Mrs. Edward A. Knight, resided in the house for a short time. The property is now owned by Elliston P. Morris. In the early part of 1903 the place was completely re-modeled. Nos. 5431-33. (Old numl)er, 4767.) This was built in 1800; in 1809 it was occupied by John Stuckert, a storekeeper. In 1840 it was the residence of Charles Ralph, a cotton broker. He was noted for his love of fine horses. He was especially proud of a large roan horse named "Zack Taylor." The old German- town plank road (now Wayne avenue) was then the favorite locality for trying the speed of horses, and here "Zack" carried off the honors, doing a mile in the then unprecedented time of two minutes and forty seconds. This was regarded as a remark- able performance. The building was used at one time by the Young Men's Christian Association ; it was afterward altered into a tavern by Ambrose Reiber. In 1902 it was again re-modeled. 302 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN No. 5434. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4774.) This was the residence of WilHam Ashmead, the father of John, and the grandfather of Albert Ashmead. He resided here, when, soon after the Revokition, he began the manufacture of the well known Germantown wagons. Watson, in his Annals (Vol. II, p. 65), gives the following account of the carriage building in- dustry in Germantown : "The first introduction of carriage building was somewhat curious. Mr. William Ashmead, a smith, observing the heavy build of the coaches of his day, and that they were mostly imported, if intended to be of a superior kind, bethought him to form an open-front light car- riage on his own plan. When it was done, it was admired by many, and was often called for by the wealthy who wished to travel to dis- tances: — among these was Mr. Bingham. They engaged it at one dol- lar a day; and it was in constant demand. At last, a gentleman from Maryland, who had seen it, came to the place to buy it. It was not for sale; but he offered £120 for it, and took it. Then another and another was built, and orders were renewed upon Mr. Ashmead. Soon increased demands occurred, and his son John being a carriage maker, received numerous orders for many kinds of light carriages, and espec- ially for phaetons. About the same time (the time of the Revolution and afterwards) Mr. Bringhurst, who was at that time a chaise maker, went largely into the making of carriages. Coaches and chariots were made for £200 and phaetons for £100. The same William Ashmead, as a smith, had made for himself a plough with a wrought iron mould- board, which was found to be a great improvement; and was so much admired by Lafayette, who saw its utility, that he purchased four of them for his La Grange farm in France. No patent was taken, and in time some other person, following the hint, made the same thing of cast iron. — such as is now in general use." The place was owned by John Ashmead in 1809. On Hopkins' Atlas of 1876 it is given as belonging to the estate of Albert Ashmead. It is now owned by E. P. Morris. Nos. 5439-41. Site of the house of Dr. Abraham Rex, who married an Ashmead. No. 5445. (Old number, 4779.) Prior to 1800 the Main Street front of this lot belonged to the Wayne family. It after- ward came into the possession of James Stokes, who had married into the Wayne family. Shoemaker says that in 1809 James Stokes's estate owned a house on the east corner of Main and Mill Streets. The lot had a frontage of 120 feet on Main Street, and extended back to about where Lena Street now is. The back part of the lot was a favorite exhibition ground for the cir- HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 303 cuses that occasionally came to town, and it was also famous as a place for fights between the "bullies" of "Dogtown" and "Smearsburg" on Sunday afternoons. Stokes finally sold the front of his place to three parties : Frederick Axe bought 40 feet on the corner; Dr. Abraham Rex bought the next 40 feet, and the last 40 feet was sold to Mr. Rose. Frederick Axe erected a one-story frame building, with loft above, on the corner. Here he established a store where, it used to be said, anything could be bought from a Bible to a fiddle. There were odds and ends for school children, cigars of his own manufacture for the man, butter and eggs for the housewife, spruce beer for the thirsty. and a great variety of other goods. It used to be said of "Freddy's" place that if you could not find what you wanted in it there was no use in looking any further. "Freddy" was a grandson of John Frederick Axe, who was for so long a time the keeper of the accounts of the Upper Bury- ing Ground. "Freddy's" parents and grandparents lived on a piece of ground near Washington Lane, which afterward be- longed to the late Gideon Keyser and Henry Freas. When he was a small child, "Freddy" was run over by a sled, and his in- juries were of such a character as to render him a cripple for life. This misfortune caused him to become the victim of the wild pranks of mischievous boys, not only around his store, but also while attending to his duty as weigher at the hay scales in Market Square. He was a prominent Millerite, and it was in his little shop that the faithful ones assembled on the night when the expected second coming of Christ was to occur. But, it is needless to say. the night passed away in an uneventful manner, and the sleepy and disappointed watchers dispersed to their homes in the early gray of the morning. About 1850, Frederick built a more commodious house and moved the little building to the rear of his lot. Some years later he moved into the Brownhultz property on Church Lane, and sold his stock to James Colladay, who kept the place for a few years. In 1863, Charles L. Eberle, a druggist, bought the property and moved the frame building to the rear. In this posi- tion it was first occupied by Edward Markley as a shoe store, and after him by James Goslin, an upholsterer. In 1872, it was rented by AA'illiam Knight, a barber, who occupied it until it 304 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN was torn down in 1900. The property is now owned by William Thomas. Robert Thomas, in his "History of Methodism," mentions this corner as the site of an old frame house in which the Metho- dists held their first organized class meetings in 1796, under the leadership of Joseph Jacobs. Joseph Jacobs lived at that time in a small frame house on Main Street, near what is now West Haines Street. Frederick Axe was at that time a leading Methodist. CHURCH LANE (East from No. 5500 ) This street took its name from the German Reformed Church that stood on the site of the present Market Square Presbyterian Church. It was formerly called Mill Street, and before that, Townsend's Mill Road and Lukens' Mill Road. Mr. William H. Emhardt, who has been familiar with this locality from boyhood, says : "On the south side of Church Lane, or Mill Street, as it was for- merly called, there was but one cross street between Main Street and Old York Road, viz.: — Stenton Avenue. The railroad crossed the street on a low wooden bridge that was floored and covered with gravel. From Church Lane to Shoemaker's Lane, on the west of the railroad was Thompson's woods, where open air temperance meetings were held. At one of the meetings an exciting incident occurred. A well known "Ger- mantowner," a giant in stature and strength, who was under great ex- citment, came upon the ground and interrupted the meeting. He drove the speaker from the stand, and the audience scattered in every direc- tion. He then mounted the platform and attempted to harangue the crowd. Ellet Brown noticed that a child was near the stand and in danger. He stooped to remove the child, when the excited individual bit part of his ear off. Afterward, the man was backed against a tree, when George W. Rose seized his arms from the other side and held him firmly until others overpowered him. He was then removed to a place of safety. "Freddy" Axe, who had a store on the southeast corner of Church Lane and Main Street, together with Harman Osier and many others, were infected with the Millerite craze which reached its culmination in 1843. Osier was a tailor, and gave away his stock preparatory to his departure. By certain signs and tokens, it was decided that the world would come to an end on a certain night. Freddy Axe, and others of their faith, met on the night designated, clothed in white, and awaited the arrival of a chariot of glass which was to take them to Heaven. Dawn arrived before their carriage, and they concluded that their mathe- matical calculations were in fault somewhere." HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN MORRIS HOUSE 30s No. 5442. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4782.) Hotchkin speaks of this as the Deshler — Washington — Morris House. Several authors have mentioned it as the property of Robert ]\Iorris. This, however, is incorrect. Its name of the "Morris House" is derived from the family in whose possession it still remains. It has had an eventful history, and very inter- DESHLER-MORRIS HOUSE (Once the Residence of General Washington) esting are the associations that cluster around it. It was built by David Deshler in 1772-^. He had come to this country from Baden, where his father, whose wife was a sister of Casper and John Wister, was an aid-de-camp to the reigning Prince. He engaged in business in Philadelphia, his place being situated on the north side of Market Street west of Second. He was very successful and was noted for his strict integrity. "As hon- est as David Deshler" became a common saying. Deshler's salve, which is still extensively sold by druggists of the present day, owes its name to him. Mrs. Deshler purchased the receipt from a butcher and it was at first sold under the name of "Butcher's Salve." 3o6 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN After the death of David Deshler in 1792, the property was sold to Col. Isaac Franks, who had served in the Continental Army. At the time Philadelphia was visited by the yellow fever in 1793, Col. Franks had taken his family to Bethlehem to re- side. On account of the epidemic it was deemed best to remove the Federal and State offices from Philadelphia, and German- town was chosen as the place of retreat on account of its known healthfulness. Washington rented this house of Col. Franks, the amount paid for rent being the very modest sum of $131.56, including "Col. Franks' traveling expenses from and back to Bethlehem, the hire of furniture and bedding for his own family, the loss of one flat-iron valued at one shilling, of one large fork, four plates, three ducks, four fowls, one bushel of potatoes, and one hundred pounds of hay." It is also very amusing, in this connection to note the following extract from the diary of Col. Franks : "Cash paid for cleaning my house and putting it in the same condition the President received it in: — $2.50." Washing- ton again occupied the house from July 30th to September 20th, 1794. In the General's cash book the following entry occurs, dated September 24th, 1794: "Isaac Franks in Full for House rent &c. at German town pr rect, $201.60." In 1804, the place was purchased by Elliston and John Perot, who had previously rented it for a summer residence. They were of French Huguenot descent. Elliston Perot died in 1834, and the Deshler house, which was part of his estate, was sold to Samuel B. Morris, of the shipping firm of Wain & Morris, who had married Mr. Perot's daughter Hannah. Mr. Morris died in 1859, and left the property to his son Elliston P. Morris, who now resides there. Great care has been taken to preserve the original appear- ance of the interior of this stately and interesting old mansion. The antique furniture, paintings and bric-a-brac always com- mand attention. Of the old sofas and tables, none have been in the family for less than a century, while in the hall-way a two-hundred-year-old clock solemnly ticks away the hours. The grounds, also, are extensive and are kept in perfect condition. At the time of the battle of Germantown, General Howe had his headquarters at Stenton, but as the fight progressed he moved forward to Market Square and issued his orders from that HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 307 point. It is possible that at that time he noticed the Deshler mansion, for, immediately after the retreat of the Americans, he established his headquarters at that house. It has been stated that while living here, Gen. Howe entertained as his guest, Prince William Henry, a midshipman in the Royal Navy who afterward became William IV, King of England. Mr. Ward shows that this cannot be correct, as the Prince did not enter the Navy until 1779, and as he did not come to New York until 1781, he could not have been in Germantown in 1777. When Samuel Morris owned this property it extended all the way back to the Academy grounds. Near the rear end of the place there were two graves that were said to have been those of British soldiers. The mounds were very distinct and' Mr. Morris planted bushes around them. Greene Street was afterward cut through at this point and the rear portion of the land was sold. No. 5448, (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4784.) This property is said to have been in the Bringhurst family as early as 1725. It was owned by George Bringhurst in 1752. He was b>orn in 1732 and died in 1797. His mother was Anna Ashmead. In his will dated April 7, 1797, he styled himself a saddle-tree maker. His wife, who was Sarah Trump, survived him until 1812. Shoemaker says that George Bringhurst lived here in 1809, and that Robert and William Bringhurst, brothers of George, and like him, coachmakers, apparently lived with him at this time. Shoemaker's information was the tax list of 1809, and it is probable that the property should have been assigned to the estate of George Bringhurst on that list. The Robert and William who lived here at that time were George's children. Robert was the owner after his father's death. Robert died in 1832, and the property came into the possession of Tudor Rob- erts Bringhurst. He died in 1843, and the place was then sold to Susan Mason. At one time an extensive carriage manufac- turing business was carried on here, and from the appearance of one of the front rooms it seems to have been used as a sales- room. In 1876 the property belonged to the estate of George Ashmead. The Ashmeads and Bringhursts were closely re- lated. In 1875 Rev. Charles W. Schaeffer made this his resi- dence. He died ^larch 25, 1890. His wife, who was Elizabeth 3o8 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Frey Ashmead, died November 22, 1892. While living here Mr. Schaeffer had the peaked roof changed into a Mansard roof. No. 5450. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4788.) This is supposed to have been built about 1790 by a Mr. Morgan. In 1806 it was sold by Anna Morgan, Robert Wain and others. It was presumably bought by Thomas Armat, as he made it his residence in 1807 and continued there until his death in 183 1. His family remained until 1841. Mr, Armat's philanthropic char- acter has already been referred to. St. Luke's Church received from him very material aid in addition to his contril^ution of the land upon which the church was built. Ward says, "At his own cost he erected the hay scales at Sixth Street and German- town Road, and also those at the Market Square, opposite his house, and gave them to certain beneficial societies to collect the returns as a part of their revenue, he, however, keeping them in repair." For many years this was the home of Dr. AYilliam Ashmead, According to the Directory he was living here in 1885. He was the owner of a relic of the "olden time," in the shape of a large table which had a very curious history. In the days when the Indians used to pass through Germantown on their way to and from Philadelphia, it was their custom to spend the night before reaching the city, and also the first night on their return, in the Market House that stood on the "Green." On such occasions it was the custom of Mr. Ashmead to bring this large table over to the market house, and then he and the neighbors used to spread upon it a bountiful repast for their dusky friends. The table is still in the possession of the family, and is owned at present by Dr. William Ashmead Schaeffer. No. 5452. (^^^ard, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4790.) The old building that stood on this site was built by John Ash- mead. About 1809 it was used by James Ashmead as a store. He lived in the house next above (5454). In 1876 the place belonged to the estate of George Ashmead. Dr. William Ash- mead, who lived at No. 5450, used this little building as a labo- ratory. It was afterwards used by Dr. Robert L. Pitfield as a bacteriological laboratory. It was torn down in 1904. HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 309 JOHN ASHMEAD HOUSE No. 5454. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4792.) Upon this site stood, until recently, one of the most noted of the old houses of Germantown. It was torn down in 1904 for the purpose of enlarging the building of the Germantown Saving Fund. The rear portion of the house was built in 171 1 by John Ashmead. The front part was rebuilt in 1790. The Ashmead family came from Cheltenham, England, in 1682, and settled in ■*;^..*^;;;2SS^ -«8»«% JOHN ASHMEAD HOUSE (Where the first Moravian School was organized) what is now Cheltenham Township, ^Montgomery County. The family consisted of John Ashmead, ]\Iary Ashmead his mother, his wife and two children ; also with them came his brother-in- law, Toby Leech, with his family. Ashmead and Leech had pur- chased a large tract of land from William Penn. On the 21st of October, 1688, John Ashmead died there and his wife died on the following day. Two years later his mother died, and letters of administration were granted to her son-in-law, Toby Leech. The family afterward separated, one part going to Philadelphia, where they bought half an acre near what is now Fourth and 310 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Market Streets. John came to Germantown, where he pur- chased five hundred acres and erected the original house, which continued in the same family for nearly two hundred years. Captain John Ashmead was born here. It is said of him that he made over a hundred voyages. During the Revolution he did good service for his country by bringing in many cargoes of much-needed powder. On one of his voyages to China his ves- sel was caught in a sudden and violent storm. So unexpected was it that, before sail could be taken in, the vessel was thrown nearly on her beam ends. Just at the critical moment Captain John whipped out his knife and cut a rope, whereupon the vessel righted. But for his presence of mind it is probable that the HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 311 ship would have gone down with all on board. Captain John Ashmead was the third of that name ; his father, John Ashmead the second, died October 7, 1742. After the father's death his son \\"illiam lived in the house. In this house, on the 14th of May, 1742, the celebrated Count Zinzendorf organized the first Moravian school established in this country. It was, however, removed to Bethlehem in June of the same year, and became the foundation of the cele- brated school that still llourishes there. (See note following, No. 5226.) GERMANTOWN SAVING FUND S. W, Corner School House Lane and Germantown Avenue On this site originally stood a frame house built by Jacob Telner. It is mentioned as being a frame building tilled in with brick. Telner was a member of the Mennonite Church, but, as the Mennonites and the Friends were very closely allied, joint meetings of the two denominations were often held in his house, as they were also at the house of Thones Kunders and at what is now called the "Rock House," which is still standing on Penn Street, just east of the Reading Railroad bridge. It is said that William Penn spoke at some of these meetings. It is particu- larly mentioned that he did so at the "Rock House," and at the house of Jacob Telner. Jacob Telner was a merchant in Amsterdam prior to his coming to America. He first came over between 1678 and 1681, and the knowledge then obtained resulted in the purchase of the tract of which Germantown forms a part, also in the organiza- tion of the Frankfort Company that was formed for speculative purposes. Jacob Telner was one of the first burgesses of the town, according to the charter signed in London, August 11, 1689, by William Penn. He did not come over with the original thirteen families, but was one of those who drew for lots in 1689. His portion was the upper half of "lot No. 9 towards the Schuyl- kill," the other portion falling to Isaac Van Beeber. The Telner portion was owned by John Jarrett in 1714, and in 1766 by Christian Meng, William Ashmead and C. Bensell. About 1795, the Telner house was torn down, and upon the site Dr. Georee Bensell erected his residence. Dr. Bensell was 312 ■ HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN born in Germany in 1757, and was the grandson of Hans George Bensel, who owned the property on the opposite corner. Dr. Bensell was, for many years, the only physician in Germantown. In 1832 Dr. Wilham Runkel occupied the property. In that year the Asiatic cholera was very bad in this part of the country, and a number of cases made their appearance in Germantown. As illustrative of its sudden and fatal nature, Miss Rebecca Milner, at that time the teacher in the Germantown Infant School, once stated that on her way to school one morning she saw Hannah Runkel leaning on the fence, and when she passed again in the evening on her way home from school, the girl was dead of cholera. At the time of the Civil War the house was the residence of Col. Rush, well known as the commander of Rush's Lancers. It was afterward occupied by Dr. George Malin for a number of years. Still later it was occupied by the Workingmen's Club. In 1880 it was torn down for the purpose of erecting the present building. Dr. Wiliam R. Dunton purchased the handsome colo- nial doorway, and it is now the front doorway of "The Laurens," at the southeast corner of Walnut Lane and Germantown Avenue. The cornice was bought by E. I. H. Howell, and placed upon his residence at No. 5218 Germantown Avenue. The par- lor mantel was purchased by Dr. William Ashmead Schaeffer, and now adorns the parlor of "The Greystone." No. 5501 (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4781.) This building, now occupied by the Women's Christian A'^so- ciation, has rather an interesting history. At the time of the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, the United States Bank was removed from Philadelphia to this building. In fitting it up for the use of the bank, massive vaults were built in the cellar. When the institution was again transferred to Philadelphia, at the close of the epidemic, the doors of the vault were sold to the Bank of Germantown, and when that corporation removed to its present location they were sold to the Germantown Mu- tual Fire Insurance Co. and were used by it until the company took possession of its present building. The tax list of 1809 shows that the property was still owned by the Bank of the LTnited States up to that time. It was after- wards bought by James Stokes, and in 1814 he offered the use HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 313 of it to the newly organized Episcopal Church, now St. Luke's. The congregation had previously met in a smaller house belong- ing to Mr. Stokes, that is now in the rear of James S. Jones' residence, on the southeast corner of School Lane. When the church took possession of this building the two lower rooms were thrown together, thus providing for a congregation of about two hundred. Alorning services were held here until the erection of the permanent church building, some five years later. The afternoon, or evening services, continued to be held in the old German Reformed Church, the use of which had been freely granted. There appears to have been an excellent under- standing between the two congregations, for sometimes, when the pastor of the Reformed Church was absent or indisposed, the Episcopal pastor conducted a joint service of the two con- gregations in the building of the Reformed Church. In 1829 the place became a hotel and was kept by a man named Wade. It subsequently changed hands a number of times. In 1871 it belonged to Thomas Garrett. No. 5503. This property, now owned and occupied by Dr. J. R. Shellenberger, was occupied by Miss Rooker's school in 1840. She was succeeded by a ]\Iiss Campbell. A careful examination of this building and the one below will easily satisfy any one that the two were at one time used as but a single building. The one below is built into this at the back of the parlor. There is also evidence in the front hall- way that there was a communicating door between them. The two were probably the first brick buildings erected on the IMain Street. MARKET SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH This stands upon the site of the German Reformed Church erected in 1733. AVatson says of the old church: "The front half part was first built; the back part was added in 1762. This old church in the Market Square originated as a Dutch Reformed, and was built and used as one directly under the Reformed Church in Holland. From thence it had its first pastor. It had an ancient shingle-roofed steeple after the Dutch manner, and was sur- mounted by a well-finished iron cock, being the Dutch sign of a church. From its low elongated form, of stone, with its adjunct additions and affixes, and bare beams to the gallery — with high and narrow pulpit and sounding board — it was in itself a venerable specimen of the olden 314 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN time, and for that cause was to be prized for its associations. It seemed in itself calculated to bring up the recollections of the forefathers who once worshipped there. It seemed the very place to inspire the descend- ants with the hallowed reminiscences of those who had gone before them. Among its recollections was that of being the place where, in 1793, General Washington and his family regularly went, as often as they had English preaching, which was sometimes done by Doctor Smith, from the Falls of Schuylkill." When the alterations were made in 1762, a qtiaint Dutch organ was one of the acquisitions. On each side of it was a figure of an angel with a trumpet. Children sometimes im- THE CHOIR ANGELS. agined that the music which filled the church proceeded from these figures. These Dutch angels have been preserved and remain in the possession of the Market Square Presbyterian Church. In the steeple was a bell that was cast in 1725. Upon it was the inscription in German. "Gott allein die Ehre," — ("To God alone the honor.") The steeple was surmounted by a weather vane that looked like a game cock roosting upon it. When the "Paxton Boys" encamped in Market Square, at the time they marched to Philadelphia in pursuit of the terrified Indians who had fled to their Quaker friends for protection, they amused themselves by shooting at this weather-cock. HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 315 The "Paxton Boys" were so called because they came from Paxton. near Lancaster. For several years there had been some trouble with the Indians around Lancaster, and great hostility to them had developed. The excited people made the great error of condemning all Indians because of the unlawful conduct of a few criminals amongst them. As a matter of fact, they were, as a class, entirely peaceable and earnestly desirous of living in amity with their white brethren. On one occasion a number of Indians fled to Lancaster for protection upon being pursued by the whites. [^ For their better security, they were placed m the prison, but in broad day- light an armed party of horsemen e n t e re d the town, attacked the prison. and put all the Indians to death, not even sparing the women and children. Other Indians, hearing of this cruel outrage, fled to Philadelphia, and bringing with them their Mora- vian ministe''. The "Pax- ton Boys" who were pursuing them, several hundred in number, came as far as Germantown and the opposite bank of the Schuyl- kill. A delegation of citizens, headed by Benjamin Franklin, went out to meet them, and after great effort succeeded in per- suading them to return home. On their homeward journey they terrified the whole country by their lawless acts. The poor fugitives had a hard time of it in securing protection, even in Philadelphia. They were several times removed from place to place for better security. At last the excitement died out. and they remained in Philadelphia for several months. During this time they kept up their habit of regular Christian worship. Fifty-six of their number died of smallpox and were buried in what is now Washington Square. In the spring, accompanied by Aloravian missionaries, they departed and took up their resi- dence on the Susquehanna near Wyalusing Creek. THE OLD BELLi 3i6 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN When the old church was taken down in 183S, the bell was purchased by the late Charles J. Wister. He obtained the ueather-cock at the same time. They afterwards came into the possession of his son, the present Charles J. Wister, who pre- sented the bell to the Alarket Square Presbyterian Church in 1874. When the weather-cock came into the possession of Mr. Wister, he had it placed upon his chicken house. It was blown down a few years ago, and it has since reposed upon the top of a tall clock in the library of the old Wister homestead. The holes made by the rifle balls of the "Paxton Boys" have been carefully patched. At the time of the battle of Germantown, a battalion of Vir- ginians commanded by Col. Matthews were taken prisoners and temporarily confined in the church. They were in some degree the victims of their own enthusiasm. They had just captured a party of British sol- diers, and, elated with their success, they began cheering. The morning was very foggy, and they therefore did not discover that they were really within the British lines. Their loud hurrahing soon brought down upon ^ , them a large force of the enemy and they were easily captured. This cap- THE WEATHERCOCK ^ure took place at Kelly's Hill, which lies between Chelten Avenue and Church Lane and east of Morton Street. On the 31st of December, 1741, it is said that Count Zinzen- dorf preached in this church his first sermon in America, and here, too, he preached his last one, on the 17th of June, 1742, just before he returned to Europe. In 1857, the building completed in 1839 was considerably enlarged. The present building was dedicated on the 17th of June, 1888. The way in which this chvirch, originally German Reformed, became a Presbyterian Church, was as follows : Soon after the Rev. Jacob Helfifenstein became the pastor, doctrinal controver- sies arose within the German Reformed Church, growing out of a fear that "Romanizing tendencies" were threatened. The pastor and people finally unanimously resolved to withdraw from HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOIVN 317 the communion of the Reformed Church. For three years, sub- sequently, they worshipped as an independent church. In 1858 they made apphcation and were received into the fellowship of the Presbyterian Church. The following extracts from a letter written by Rev. Joseph Henry Dubbs, D. D., throw considerable light upon this period of the church's history : "The Market Square Church, Germantown, was originally connected with the 'Reformed Churcli of tlie United States,' formerly known as the German Reformed Church. There never has been a denomination called 'High Dutch Reformed Church,' though in German tlie title ap- pears sometimes as 'Hoch Deutsch,' which really means the same as 'German.' The claurch was founded about 1726. Some persons have supposed it to be older, though the proof for an earlier origin is not satisfactory." "The following ministers are known to have been pastors of the congregation while it was connected with the Reformed Church: "John Bechtel, who came to Germantown in 1726 and was called regularly to the pastorate in 17S3; J. Bartholomew Rieger; Michael Schlatter, 1746; J. Conrad Steiner, William Stey, John George Alsentz, J. T. Faber, C. Frederick Foehring, J. C. Albertus Helffenstein, Samuel Dubendorff, J. C. Albertus Helffenstein (second time), Frederick Her- man, William Runkel, Charles Helffenstein, Frederick van der Sloot, Casper Wack, John H. Smaltz, Albert Helffenstein, Jr., Truman Osborn, Jacob Helffenstein. "During the pastorate of the last named, the congregation was separated from the Reformed Church. Mr. Helffenstein dissented from some of the teachings of the professors of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, then in Mercersburg, now in Lancaster. On the 2th of March, 1853, he preached a sermon entitled 'A Perverted Gospel." which was, in fact, a declaration of independence. Under his influence the church separated from the Reformed Church and was sub- sequently received by the Presbyterians. "Lancaster, Pa., February 8th, 1902." The church was organized as the 3*Iarket Square Presby- terian Church, July i, 1856. There have been but few changes in the pastorate since that time. The following is a complete list of the pastors : Rev. Jacob Helfifenstein. D. D.. from 1842 to 1869. Rev. Edward Payson Cowan, D. D., from 1870 to 1882. Rev. John Eliot Wright. D. D., from 1883 to 1892. Rev. Thomas McBride Nichols from 1893 to May, 1905. Rev. Herbert Hezlep took charge in May, 1906. NOTES Although it is stated upon apparently good authority, and generally accepted as a fact, there may be a reasonable doubt 3i8 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN as to whether the first sermon preached in America by Count Zinzendorf was that which he preached in the Alarket Square Church. He arrived in New York about November loth, 1741. He arrived in Philadelphia December loth, 1741. He preached in the German Reformed Church at Market Square, Germantown, December 20th, 1741 (Old Style) or December 31, (New Style). He spent one Sunday in Philadel- phia before he preached in Germantown. What did he do? Is it probable that a man of his well known active disposition spent the day without gathering around him some of the Brethren and holding some kind of a service? The following extracts also throw some light upon the movements of this remarkable man : "Zinzendorf arrived in New Yorlv in November, 1741. After visiting friends on Long Island he came to Philadelphia, where, after being the guest of the late venerable John Stephen Benezet, he hired a house, in which he held regular religious services for his immediate adherents, and any others who might feel inclined to avail themselves of these means of grace." "Having preached in various places, but for a season located in Germantown in and about Philadelphia, he settled down for the Luther- ans, whose pastor he continued to be tor about nine months." (History of the Moravian Church, by Abraham Ritter, p. 19.) MARKET SQUARE, OR, "THE GREEN " This pretty little park, originally called "The Green," is one of the most interesting features of Germantown, not only be- cause of its own intrinsic beauty, but also because of its historic associations. As its name implies, it was primarily intended for a market place, although it was also put to other public uses. This site, however, is not the one first chosen by the settlers for a market place. The place first selected must have been south of Queen Lane, and about where No. 5226 now is, as will appear from the following statements : On the 29th of July, 1685, Paul Wulfif purchased from the Frankfort Land Company 2134 acres of land in the town, which was situated "eastwardly to William Streper's land, and N. W. to the cross street." (What is now known as Queen Lane was at first called the Cross street of the town.) This statement. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 319 as well as the records from old deeds, definitely fixes the locality of Paul Wulff's purchase as the land at the southwest corner of Queen Lane. From the Griiiid iiiid Lager Biicli we learn that in 1683, the first settlers of Germantown had laid out and reserved "One Acre of land for a Market, Town-house, Burying place and other publick buildings." In another document this one acre is spoken of as being "contiguous to William Streper's land." This would fix the locality as being along the eastern side of Wulff's land, and hence at about where Xo. 5226 now is. From some cause the site selected does not appear to have been satisfactory, for on the 3d of March, 1692, we find that the JptOiDl\AKK'^r'l\"vi Commonalty granted one-fourth of this reserved acre to Paul Wulff, in exchange for two lots of one-half acre each, "one-half acre on the east side of said Town lying towards Philadelphia, and the other half acre on the west side of said Town towards Plymouth." These two tracts of a half acre each, granted to the Com- monalty by Paul Wulff, could have been no other than the tracts now known as the Upper and Lower Burying Grounds. In the deed of conveyance it is distinctly stated that these tracts are especially for the purpose of burial places. To quote exactly from the deed : — "to this effect and in such manner that either half acre can, without opposition, be laid out for a public burying place." 320 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN By another document of the same date, the BaiHff, Bur- gesses and Commonalty conveyed to Paul Wulff the remaining three-quarters of an acre of the reservation "for and in con- sideration of Four Pounds Current Silver Money of Pensilva- nia to them in hand paid by the s'd Paul Wulff." In the docu- ment the statement is made that this is done "for the common good, and to purchase a Place nearer the midst or Center of the s'd Town." The original reservation must have been objectionable from some other cause than mere lack of proximity to the center of the town, for in 1701 we find the people petitioning the Pro- prietor for permission to hold a street market temporarily near the same locality. It is quite probable that the greatest objec- tion to the tract was because of its shape, which was long and narrow, with but a small frontage on the Main street. The petition spoken of reads as follows : "To William Penn, absolute Proprietor and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties thereunto annexed in Counsel met. "The Petition of the Bailiff, Burgesses, and Commonalty of German- town' Humbly Sheweth, That whereas it has been the good-will and Pleasure of their Honorable Proprietor above named, in the year 1GS9,. to grant by his Charter unto the said Commonalty 'To have, hold and keep, one Public Market every Sixth day of the week, in such con- venient place and manner as the Provincial Charter doth direct.' Now, Forasmuch the aforesaid Petitioners do conceive that it would redound to the benefit both of the Inhabitants of their Township, as also of their Neighbors round about them when a Weekly MarKet on the appointed day were kept in the Road or Highway where the Cross, street of Germantown goes down towards the Schuylkill. They there- fore herewith do humbly Intreat the Governor and his Counsel to f^stab- lish and confirm the now mentioned place to have and keep a Public Market therein, till your Petitioners hereafter may be able to procure a Place more agreeable to the Purpose, and the said, your Petitioners, shall ever pray, as in duty bound. "By Order of a General Court held at Germantown, the 2Sth day of the 4th Month, 1701." FRANCIS DANIEL PASTORITtS, pt. Cler. Cur." (From the Logan papers. Published in Vol. 1, No. 4, of the "Collec- tions of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania." P. 274.)* The original of the reply to this petition is now (Feb. 22, 1904) in the possession of the .Site and Relic Society of Ger- mantown, having been deposited by Miss Sally W. Johnson.. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 321 It reads as follows : "Pensilvania BY the Governr and Council "WHEREAS, The Proprietary and Governr by his Charter under the Great Seal, did in the Year 1689 grant unto the Innabitants of Ger- mantown to have, hold and keep one publick Market every Sixth day of the week in such Convenient place and manner as the Provincial Charter doth direct; and "Whereas, The said Inhabitants not having yet procured any par- ticular place for that purpose, requested the Governr and Council to establish and confirm that part of the Road or Highway where the Cross Street of German Town goes down towards ye Schuylkill for a pr.blick market to be weekly held on the sd day therein. "Ordained therefore that the said publick Road or Highway where the said Cross Street of German Town goes down to the Schuylkill, be an allowed and Established Market place, and that a Market be weekly held the said Sixth day of Every Week therein, till such time as the said Inhabitants shall be able to procure a place more agreeable and fit for the purpose." Signed by Order 23d 6mo 1701. JAMES LOGAN, Secry." The tract now called "Market Scjtiare," is a part of the original "Lot No. 10 towards Bristol," and was drawn in the names of Dirck Kolk and Wiggart Levering. It after- wards came into the possession of James de la Plaine, who sold it to the Commonalty, the consideration which he received being four povmds — these four pounds being the amount re- ceived from Paul Wulff for three-quarters of an acre of the one acre originally reserved for a market place, etc., below Queen Lane (the Cross Street).' A literal translation of the original Court Record in rela- tion to this transaction reads as follows : "The Gth of the 11th month, 1703-4, in a full general Court from which nobody but Heinrich Tuben was absent, through general consent nomine contradicente, for the 3 fourths acre by Paul Wulff's house, and the same sold to him for four pounds, was for these 4 pounds from James de la Plaine bought a half acre of land, namely to the sortheast street 14 rods, and to the little street 5 and % rods wide. This half acre to be used for a Market place and the Prison House, Stocks, Pound, etc., thereon to be built." 7 In early times Queen Lane wa.s called "the Cross Street to the Schuyl- kill." or more frequently, "The Cross Street." Some have supposed that School Lane was the original Cross Street, taut the evidence ftirnished by old deeds, drafts, etc., conclusively establishes the fact that the "Cross Street," could have been no other than Queen Lane. On a draft drawn by Christian Lehman, and accompanying- a deed from John Bechtel to Corne- lius Wevgant, in 1745, for land just south of this street, the road is recorded as "A Fifty ffeet Lane or Cross Street to Schuylkill." School Lane did not lead direct to the Schuylkill, but to Robeson's mill on the Wissahickon. 322 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "Further a contract was made with Herman von Bon and James de la Plaine to build the Prison House and Stocks, each to receive 3 sh. 6 d. per day and hoard himself and have 2 quarts of rum bought. William DeWees agreed to build the Pound out of good wood, and Peter Schumacher and Isaac Schumacher were ordered to see that the prison and stocks were erected as soon as possible." Some delay appears to have taken place in the delivery of the deed, as from another extract from the Court Records we learn that : "On the 2d day of the 3d month called May, 1704, James de la Plaine delivered a deed of sale concerning half an acre of land in Ger- mantown unto Aret Klincken, Bailiff, for the behoof of the corporation." The Pound was at the southeast corner of the square, and the Prison, which was built of logs, was situated near it. This log prison could not have been very secure. Adam Hogermoed was at one time confined in it for intemperance, but his friends came in the night, pried up one corner of the building and set him at liberty. This adventure had an amusing sequel, for, when the town lost its charter, the prison was sold and Hoger- moed bought it. He then removed it to a spot near where Armat Street now is and occupied it as a residence. He was living there in 1807. The square was at first called "The Green," but, after the IMarket House was built in 1741, it gradually came to be called "Market Square." The lot was surveyed by Benjamin East- burn, Surveyor General of the Province, September 14th, 1740, preparatory to the erection of the Market House. This Market House stood at the northwest corner of the square. Here, also, stood the hay scales erected by Thomas Armat for the benefit of certain beneficial societies. We often speak of the "good old times," and perhaps fancy that the human race, or at least the younger part of it, is greatly degenerating, but evidently Germantown boys of the past were as fond of mad pranks as are any of the boys of to-day, as the following story will show. A farmer, on one occasion, had to leave his hay wagon all night near the market house. During the night, the boys of the neighborhood unloaded it, took it apart, and raised it up on the market house, where it was again put together and reloaded. The surprise of the neighbors, and the anger and annoyance of the farmer, when they saw the strange sight in the morning, can be imagined. HISJVRY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 325 The market house was also used for the storage of fire ladders and other apparatus of the Middle Ward Fire Company. By the side of it they built an engine house, but in 181 9 both the engine and the house were handed over to a set of young men who organized another company, which was called the Fellowship Fire Engine Company. August 29th. 1833, the old engine house was sold for $4, and a new one erected at a cost of $95. In 1850 the Fellowship Fire Engine Comany moved to Armat Street, and the little building was sold to Paschall H. Coulter, who moved it to his grounds on School Lane near Wayne Street. Mr. Coulter's house has since been torn down, but the old engine house still stands and is used as a tool house. The old engine that was stored in this house was one of two that were imported from England in 1764 by the members of the Middle Ward Fire Company. It w^as given bv them to the Fellowship Fire Company at the time of its organization in 1819. It is popularly known as the "Shag Rag." Since 1871 it has been in the care of William H. Emhardt, President of the Germantown ?*Iutual Fire Insurance Co., and is deposited in the building of the company, at the northeast corner of School Lane and Germantown Avenue. In the Germantown Independent-Gazette, of Ji-^ne 8th, 1900, the following description of this interesting old relic was pub- lished : "Prominently displayed in the business apartment of the Mutual Insurance Company's building, is the oldest fire engine in America. It is called the 'Shag-Rag,' and was brought to this country from England in 17C4, for the Middle Ward Fire Company of Germantown. A descrip- tion of this old engine, now a decided curiosity, will doubtless be read with interest. It was built in London, by Newsham & Rag, prior to 17G4, and is so arranged as to act either as a suction or force engine. The body is a wooden trough five feet long, eighteen inches deep, ar_d twenty-one inches wide, lined with copper sheathing. It rests on iron axles, which are permanently attached to the bottom, hence, as there is no fifth wheel, it was necessary, when a corner was to be turned, to lift the front wheels from the ground and make the wheel turn on the hind ones. The wheels are solid wooden ones, seventeen inches in diameter, and two and three-quarter inches thick, bound with heavy iron hoops for tires. In the rear of the engine are two upright copper cylinders, fourteen inches high and four and one-half inches in diame- ter; in these the pistons alternately worked, being forced up and down by two handles five feet six inches long, which run parallel to the engine on either side. As many men as could, laid hold of the handles, and, working them up and down with a quick, rapid stroke, accomplished what they then considered wonderful work. Between the small cylin- 326 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN ders is a large one, also of copper, three feet six inches high, five inches in diameter at the bottom, and increased to seven inches at the top, out of which comes a pipe, having attached to it by a movable screw joint the copper branch-pipe called the 'goose-neck.' By the pecu- liar arrangement of this joint, the branch-pipe, which is five feet long and tapers to a half-inch nozzle, can be turned in any direction. When the engine was to be used for suction there was an opening in the bottom to which a pipe or a hose could be attached and lowered in a well or other body of water from which it was desired to draw a sup- ply As the engine had to be very close to the burning building, it was seldom that the water could be obtained in this way, the dependence being then on what could be passed along the line of men, women and boys, in leather buckets To prevent damage to the cylinders from pieces of wood or other objects that might be in the water, there was at either end a space partitioned off by a perforated sheet of copper, into which each bucket of water was poured, and was thus strained before passing into the cylinder of the engine. "Along the side of the engine was, and still is, printed in large letters, 'Germantown, 1764.' On a printed paper set in a panel, and thus protected somewhat, though unfortunately not enough to preserve it, are what remains of the directions how to work the engine. When well manned, the engine can still throw a stream half an inch in diame- ter fifty feet high. "The 'Shag-Rag' was probably the pride of the Middle Ward Fire Company until 1796, when a new engine was purchased. The two en- gines were used by this fire company till 1819, when the 'Shag-Rag' passed to the Fellowship Hose Company, an offshoot from the parent company. By 1822 the Fellowship found it too antiquated, and asked permission from the Middle Ward Fire Company to sell it and use the proceeds towards paying for a larger engine. This was granted, and in 1871 it passed into the possession of Mr. Emhardt." An Act of Assembly dated April lo, 1848, authorized the demolition of the old market hotise, but several years passed before it was torn down. The same act also authorized the erection of a town hall. There had been a strong movement in 1847 i^ favor of erecting a town hall and a safe lock-up. Major Philip R. Freas offered a resolution in the Borough Council which provided for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the expediency of having constructed, at the expense of the borough, a town hall and lock-up. The committee was accordingly appointed, and they reported in favor of building a town hall and lock-up on IMarket Square. It was proposed to locate the building in the centre of the square, beginning two feet from the line of Main Street. It was also proposed that a street 28 feet 10 inches wide should be set off in the rear of the hall, and that a street 30 feet wide should be set off on the northwest side, in front of the property of Charles M. Stokes, now the location of the Germantown Mutual Fire Insurance HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN 327 Company. The movement, however, came to naught, largely due to public opposition. Some years later, in view of the proposed consolidation of the borough with the city of Philadel- phia, the matter was again agitated. The Borough Council purchased land of Samuel Harvey at that time and erected the present town hall. Until within a few years there were several fine trees within the square. At the east corner was a beautiful weeping willow. It blew down durins: a storm in 1888, and the wood w^as sold SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, MARKET SQUARE to a maker of shoe lasts. In the picture of Market Square shown in Watson's Annals, this tree is shown as a small sapling. Along the Avenue there were several buttonwoods and two white ash trees. The latter were destroyed by the electric light people, who cut ofT the tops and larger limbs in order to per- mit the stringing of their wires. The largest buttonwood is all that now remains, and this was only saved from destruction with considerable difficulty, through the efforts of several influ- ential citizens, at the time the granolithic pavement was placed around the square in 1901. The trees that stood along the 328 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAN TOWN Avenvie were planted about sixty years ago by Samuel B. ]\Iorris. the father of Elliston P. Morris. He placed boxes around them for their protection, but the mischievous boys of the neighborhood gave him serious annoyance. For several evenings, just about the time he sat down to supper, word would be brought to him that the boys had pushed over the boxes. At last he secreted himself, one evening, in the old market house, and when the boys made their appearance he came out of his hiding place and called to them. He told them not to run as he did not mean to harm them in any way. He then went on to tell them that he had planted these trees for their benefit, so that long after he was dead and gone they and their children might enjoy their beauty and shade. The lesson proved effec- tual, for the boys never molested them afterward. A man once informed ]\Ir. E. P. AJorris that he had been one of the mischiev- ous crowd, and that the boys were much impressed by the gentle way in which his father had dealt with them. In the center of the square stands the soldier's monument, erected in 1883 through the efforts of the members of Ellis Post, No. 6, G. A. R. It is built of Quincy granite, with a top piece of granite from Devil's Den, Gettysburg. It is surmounted by the granite figure of a soldier at "parade rest." The fence sur- rounding the monument is made of old musket barrels and bayonets. In the enclosure are many relics of the Civil War in the shape of old cannon, mortars and shot. The two mounted cannon in front of the monument have an interesting history, They were among the materials of war secured by the South from U. S. arsenals at the outbreak of the Civil War, and were used against the National forces, but were finally captured by Union troops. One of them has upon it the name of a Confed- erate officer who was killed while serving it. The inscription reads : Colour Bearer Q. T. Mitchell 1st Tenn. Vols. Brig. Gen. Geo. Maney's Brigade Killed at Perryville Oct. 8. 18G2. Within the railing, on the north side, is an old cannon broken oft' at the trunnions, which was recovered from the wreck of the British frigate Augusta in 1876. This vessel, it will be HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 329 remembered, was blown up near Fort ]\Iifflin on the morning following the battle of Red Bank in October, 1777. Upon the sides of the monument are the Coats of Arms of the United States, of Pennsylvania, and of the city of Philadel- phia ; also a badge of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1900, bronze memorial tablets were placed at the four corners. The first tablet contains the names of those Germantown soldiers who died in battle or of disease during the Civil War. The second and third tablets contain the names of soldiers who died between 1885 and 1900, arranged alphabetically. The fourth tablet is to contain the names of those dying subsequent to 1900. Since the monument was erected, there have been some efforts to have the place called Monument Square, but this change is not likely to be made. Germantowners are properly fond of maintaining old traditions, and it is to be hoped that the old name will be handed down to the generations to come. The square was greatly improved in the spring of 1901, City Councils having made an appropriation of $2500 for that purpose. In order to replace the old trees that had been de- stroyed, several small buttonwoods were planted inside the coping. In the spring of 1906 these were replaced by pin oaks, the gift of several citizens. One of the earliest pictures of Market Square was painted by William Britton some time prior to 1835. It shows the market house, the fire engine house and the corners of School Lane as they then appeared. A number of photographic copies of this have been made. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the same artist made all the Germantown pictures used by AVatson to illustrate his Annals. Several pictures of the square as it was in former times were also made by John Richards. SCHOOL HOUSE LANE No. 5500. This street is on a part of the trail followed by the Indians in traveling from the Wingohocking Creek to the Wissa- hickon. It was much used in going to Robeson's mill at the mouth of the AA'issahickon, and was, for a long time., known as the Robeson's Mill Road. It has also been called Ashmead's Road, Bensell's Lane, and School Lane. On a map of the Township of Roxborough published by M. Dripps of Philadelphia in 1848, it is marked "Manatawna or School House Lane." At one time it was called King Street, to correspond with Queen Street, but 330 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN the coming of the Revokition caused the name to become very unpopular and it was dropped. East School House Lane was opened by William T. D.. Roberts. It extends east from No. 5519. SITE OF THE DE LA PLAINE HOUSE Nos 5521-23. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4801. Old num- bers, 4801-3.) The building of the Germantown Mutual Fire Insurance Company stands upon the site of a dwelling erected at an early DE LA PLAINE HOUSE date by James De la Plaine, although the time of its erection is not definitely known. It was built of stone and was two stories in height. Like most of the Germantown houses of that period it had a pent-house and hipped roof. James De la Plaine was the son of Nicholas De la Plaine, a French Huguenot who set- tled in New York about 1657 and in 1658 married Susanna Cres- son. James De la Plaine settled in Germantown in 1691 and in ■ 1692 married Hannah Cock of Long Island. The ground pur- chased 'In Germantown by James De la Plaine was known as "lot No. 10 towards Bristol." It consisted of two lots of fifty acres each. One of these lots was sold by the Frankford Com- pany to Dirck op den Kolck (Kolk), August 18, 1689. (Deed Book F, Vol. 7, p. 143.) HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 331 This lot consisted of the land fronting on the main street be- tween Church Lane and School House Lane. The other lot of fifty acres was sold by the Frankfort Company to Wigard Levering August 10, 1685, and adjoined Kolck's land on the north. On May 6, 1691, Dirck Kolck sold his portion of lot No. 10 to James De la Plaine. On June 19, 1692 Wigard Levering conveyed his fifty acres to James De la Plaine. By these two purchases James De la Plaine became the entire owner of lot No. 10, and upon it he erected the house which was known for so many years as the "De la Plaine house." He was a prominent Friend and an in- fluential citizen. He died in 1750. His son James, who was born in 1695, succeeded to the property, or at least to that por- tion containing the old homestead. He was first married to Elizabeth Shoemaker and later to Ann Jones. On June 23. 1775, when 80 years of age, he joined with his wife Ann in con- veying the property to Joseph Ferree and Sarah, his wife, the lat- ter being the daughter of James De la Plaine. They were living here at the time of the Revolution, and the husband was general- ly known as "Squire" Ferree. He was of French Huguenot de- scent. In 1771-73 he was a member of the Assembly from Lan- caster County, and in 1774 he became a member of the county committee to consider the general dissatisfaction with the British government. Nothwithstanding the fact that he was generally regarded as an infidel in matters of religion, he appears to have had the confidence of the people as a man of integrity and one worthy of trust. On the 2ist of May, 1776, the Pennsylvania Council of Safety ordered that all the salt that was available should be removed to Germantown and stored there. The same Committee, on the 8th of July passed the following resolution : — "Resolved, That Dr. Charles Bensel, Joseph Ferree and Leonard Stoneburner be appointed to collect all the leaden window-weights, clock- weights, and other lead in Germantown and its neighborhood, for which the liberal price of six pence per pound will be allowed, and they are authorized to draw on this Board for the same." These stores were deposited in "Squire" Ferree's cellar. Some of the salt and saltpetre delivered here in the winter time was brought on John Ashmead's sleigh. This sleigh is now in the possession of Dr. William Ashmead SchaeiTer. The fact that "Squire" Ferree was the custodian of the government stores is shown by the fact that July 31, 1776, the Council directed Joseph Z2>2 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Ferree to "deliver to John Alitchell, Commissary for A^ictualling the Navy, 25 bushels of salt out of the stores at Germantown." On August I, he was also to deliver more salt and one ton of saltpetre to Henry Huber, When Rev. George Whitefield visited Germantown he preached from the balcony of this house to the people assem- bled in Market Square. After Ferree's time the house was owned by John From- berger. James Stokes purchased the property from him, as the following entry in his account book shows : — "Building and about three acres of ground, upper end of the Market Square in Germantown purchased of John Fromberger on 22d of Jan- uary, 1799, ninety-four on Main Street, and ninety-one feet on Market Square, $6000." The house was afterward divided, and Rev. B. Wistar ]Morris lived in a part of it until he was made a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, when he removed to Oregon. The building was then altered into three stores. In one of these A. P. Keyser started the first store in Germantown that was exclusively devoted to the sale of tea and coffee. E. B. Paramore was the last oc- cupant of the corner store. About 1885 the Mutual Insurance Company purchased the property, tore down the old buildings, and erected the present beautiful structure. While the picture gives the appearance of there being two houses, the building was doubtless but one dwelling. De la Plaine's old lantern was, a few years ago, in the pos- session of Jacob Stauss of No. 221 Penn Street. NATIONAL BANK OF GERMANTOWN Nos. 5500-2-4. That part of the Bank building which occu- pies Nos. 5500-2 is upon the site of the old Bensell house. That house is supposed to have been erected by Hans George Ben- sel. Townsend Ward states that the Bensells were descend- ents of a bishop of the Swedish Church at Upsal. The buildings on this side of the street, up to and includ- ing the "King of Prussia," are upon "lot No. 10 towards the Schuylkill," drawn in the name of Heivert Papen. He pur- chased 50 acres from the Frankfort Company, "according to the dimensions of the Statute made in the 33d year of King HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 333 Edward the First, viz. : 20^ acres broad as all the other lots, 14 perches and 4 feet, bounding at the Southeast to Cross Street and at the Northwest to Jacob Isaacs, and further 29J/ acres broad, i perch and 6 foot, bounding at the Southeast to Jacob Telner and at the Northwest to the said Jacob Isaacs, in the tract of side land." (Grund nnd Lager-Buch, p. 2ip.) The town lot had a frontage of 235 feet on the Main Street and extended to the Township line. The original deed con- tains the following interesting agreement in which Papen pledges his services for the 50 acres purchased : N. W. CORNER SCHOOL HOUSE LANE AND GERMANTOWN AVENUE (Site of National Bank of Germantown) "Whereas, Thomas Van Wyleck and John Le Brun, both partners, of Franckfort Company, by the 3d article of Indentur made with Heyvert Papen to 23d of the 1st month, March, 1685, ordered amongst other things that there should be assigned hereunto the said Heyvert Papen 50 acres of land to work thereupon one day every week during the four years of his service, and after they are faithfully finished to pay for the same the usual rent of this country. But in the aforesaid in- dentur the Sum of the yearly rent not being oyemstly (accurately?) expressed and the word usual ambiguous and of a divers construction, the above named Thomas Van Wyleck in a particular Letter under his own hand dated the 1st of the 2d month (April), 1688, did refer the difference to impartial arbitrators. In pursuance whereof afterward. Anno 1689, the 3rd of the 6 month (August), Francis Daniel Pastorius, the Attorney of the said frankfurt Company, in their name, and Heyvert Papen, in his own behalf, have putt & Committed the questionable point to hindray Waddy, John Hart, William Hudson, Henry Bartlett and 334 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Richard Helliard five unsuspected men laying the above sd Indentur before them and binding both Parties in the penalty of ten pounds to stand unto their determination which said five arbitrators by their accord in writing judged that Heyvert Papen shall pay yearly for the said 50 acres to the francfurt Company, or order, the sum of tv,'o shillings and one penny Lawful mony of old England, or this Country mony equalent." Heivert Papen died in 1707 snd left his estate to his wife and children. An inventory of his estate dated the 31st day of 1 2th month, 1707-8, gives the penal bond as valued at 60 £, and total valuation of goods and chattels as 142 £, I7sh., 6d. l-'apen's wife died in 1720 and the children sold the property to Griffith Jones, June i, 1720. As a messuage is mentioned in this deed of conveyance, it seems certain that the Patton house at No. 5506 was built prior to that date, and there is good reason for believing that it was erected during Heivert Papen's life time. January 7, iy22-2) Griffith Jones purchased the adjoining lot (No. 11), which was then owned by his father-in-law, Thones Kunders. This additional purchase made him the owner of 470 feet along the Main Street and extending back to the Town- ship Line. Griffith Jones was a speculator in land and at the time named was an extensive land owner. March 29, 1727, Griffith Jones and Elizabeth, his wife, sold to "Hans George Bensel, a weaver," that portion of lot No. 10 situated on the corner. It is thus described : "Beginning at corner of Cross Street towards Schuylkill, running South West 59 perches 5 ft. to a stone for a corner, then North West 6 perches 8 ft. to a stone. Thence North Bast by land of Griffith Jones 59 perches 5 ft. to a stone by Germantown Street, thence South East 6 perches 8 feet, containing 2 acres one quarter and a half a quarter of an acre of land, and ground on the side land amounting to 10 acres." (Deed Book D, No. 20, p. 447.) An interesting matter connected with this deed is the fact that it gives the recital of deeds back to William Penn. The 107 feet fronting on Main Street purchased at this time was afterward occupied by four houses ; the oldest of these was the present Patton property (No. 5506) ; the next one erected was the large double house on the corner, built by Hans George Bensel ; and the last was that upon which the upper portion of the bank building now stands (No. 5504), which was built by Charles Bensell, a son of Hans George Bensel. Hans George Bensel ultimately dropped the first part of his name and became known as George Bensell. He was a HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOWN 335 prominent member of the German Reformed Church, and was one of the trustees mentioned in the deed when that church purchased property on Market Square, November 9, 1732. In his will dated July 8, 1763, he left that church 20 Pounds. {IVill Book N, p. 60.) After he built the corner property he devoted half of it to the uses of a large general store, and in documents of the time he is styled a "shopkeeper." The inventory of his effects at the time of his death is a curious document. It is on file in the office of the Register of Wills. The account is filed by David Deshler and Leonard Stoneburner, and contains a long list of old time names. Among the articles enumerated are the following: "Scarlet knap, check black, drugget, linsey, flannels, Scarlet Sarge, superfine cloth, Bird Eye Tammy, Brieches pat- erns, oyl cloth." He left his Germantown property to his wife, Ann Bar- bara, for life, and at her death it was to go to his son Charles for life ; at Charles's death it was to be divided among his (Hans George Bensel's) four grand children, Charles, George, James and Sarah. To his son Charles, "dwelling house on German street, wherein he now dwells, containing in front of said Ger- man Street 3 P. 4 ft." To his grandson and namesake, George, was to be given a double portion. He also left to his son Charles, in trust for his daughter Elizabeth, for life, the house she was living in, which was situated upon his lo-acre tract in the side land. At her death this was to be sold and divided among her children, George, Ann, Eliza, Charles and Mary. This daughter, Elizabeth, married Anthony Deshler, and the house mentioned above is now known as the "Billmeyer House." (See No. 6505-7 Germantown Avenue.) The actual division of the estate took place ^lay 31, 1798, and the deed of partition is "Between Sarah Bensell, the elder, widow of Charles Bensell the elder. Physician ; George Bensell, Physician, and Mary, his wife; and Engle Bensell. Gentleman; George and Engle being the only two surviving sons of Charles Bensell the elder; and also Samuel Billing, Gentleman, and Sarah, his wife, only daughter of said Charles Bensell, the elder." (This deed is now owned by the Germantown National Bank.) In this division the corner property (double house) went to Sarah (Engle) Bensell; the "three-story high stone messuage ZZ6 ■ HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN or tenement" (No. 5504) went to Sarah Billing; and the pres- ent Patton property (No. 5506) went to Engle Bensell. Sarah Engle Bensell died in 1800, and in her will dated July 15, 1769, she left the corner property to her son Engle, who was an in- valid. Engle Bensell died in 1805, and in his will dated March 26, 1769, he left his estate, for life, to his brother George, who was a physician. Dr. George Bensell was now the possessor of the entire Bensell estate. He occupied the dwelling on the southwest corner of School Lane as his residence and rented the building on the northwest corner. As has already been stated, the latter was a double house, built of stone, in the then prevailing style of architecture, having a hipped roof and pent-house. Dr. George Bensell was born in 1759 and died in 1827. His will can be found in Will Book No. 9, p. 133. He had given a mortgage on his estate to the Bank of Ger- mantown, and, to satisfy this, sales were made by the Sheriff and recorded as follows : (0]d District Court BooV: — Prothonotary's office, Book E, pp. 241 and 249, in 1828; pp. 254, 257, 301, 312, 347, in 1829; p. 444, in 1830.) The corner property was conveyed by Sheriff's deed to James Stokes, October 9, 1828, for $1960. At the death of James Stokes his estate was divided, and in the partition the corner property was sold to Edward C. Wayne, December 31, 1832. (Book F, p. 228— District Court.) Edward C. Wayne evidently acted in the capacity of what is called a "straw man," as he conveyed the property to Hannah Stokes, widow of James Stokes on the same date (December 31, 1832). 'Hannah Stokes, by will dated January 21, 1836, left the corner property to Jacob B. Bowman. The upper end of the double house on the corner went to St. Luke's Church. The front of each of these properties is specified as being 24 feet 4 inches on the Main Street. January 20, 1840, Jacob B. Bowman granted to Mary L. Burt for and during her life, and at her death to her children, the corner house. (Deed Book R. L. L., No. 51, p. 463.) June 19, 1867, the heirs of Mary L. Burt, viz.: Clarissa Burl and George M. Wagner and wife (formerly Eliza Burt) sold the corner to the Germantown Bank. (Deed Book J. T. O., No. 68, p. 451.) September 14, 1865, the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Luke's Church sold that portion of the double house belonging to the church to Thomas C. Garrett. (Deed Book L. R. B., No. 112, p. 428.) July 5, 1867, Thomas C. Garrett and Frances B., his wife, sold the property to the Germantown Bank. (Deed Book J. T. O., No. 68, p. 399.) Under the various owners the properties were often rented. At the time when Hannah Stokes was the owner, the house on the corner was occupied by the Germantown Library. The Library was in charge of the daughter of Stephen Boisbrun. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN 337 who kept a little store. The Library remained here until about 1842, when it was disbanded. The next occupant was William Van Horn, who kept an ice cream and confectionery store. After him came Frederick Brownholtz, and he was followed l^y Frederick B. Rittenhouse. The last occupant was Joseph Van- derslice, who kept a grocery store ; he vacated it at the time it was purchased by the bank. He was descended from one of the early settlers named Van der Sluys. Soon after the purchase of the property by the bank the lower or southern portion of the present bank building was erected. No. 5504 (Ward and Hotchkin, Xo. 4804.) The upper half of the building of the National Bank of Germantown is situated upon the site of a three-story house built prior to the Revolu- tion by Dr. Charles Bensell, the elder. In the partition of his estate this house went to Sarah Bensell, who married Samuel Billing. She was the owner in 1809. At one time the Ger- mantown Library occupied it. Later it was the dwelling of Paschall Coulter. In 1840 it belonged to Hannah K. Lehman. In 1870 it belonged to James R. Gates, and he sold it to the Germantown Bank. The last occupant was E. B. Paramore, a grocer. When it came into the possession of the Bank, it was torn down for the purpose of extending the bank building. During the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 this building was occupied by the United States Bank. In regard to this Watson says : "In 1793, when General Washington dwelt in Germantown, the town was held as the government place of ihe Stat-e of Pennsylvania and of the United States, and this was because of the necessary retreat of the officers and offices, from the city of Philadelphia, where the yellow fever was raging with destructive effect. At that time the office of State, etc., of Pennsylvania, was held in the stone house next above B. Lehman's. There you could every day see Governor Mifflin and his Secretary of S+ate, A. J. Dallas. The house, now the Bank of German- town, was occupied by Thomas Jefferson, as Secretary of State of the United States, and by Mr. Randolph, as attorney general. The Bank of the United States was located in the three-storied stone house of Billings, and when its treasure was brought, it was guarded by a troop of horse." Mr. Watson also fixes the location of two other well known banks at the time of the" epidemic of 1798, as follows: 338 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN "It was then expected that the next, or future j^ears, might be again visited by yellow fever; and, therefore, numerous engagements of houses and purcliases of grounds at increased prices were made, to insure a future refuge. In this way, the Banks of North America and of Pennsylvania found a place in the Academy in the next fever, which occurred in 1798." (Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 41.) At the time of the Revolution Dr. Charles Bensell was an active patriot, and when it became certain that the British were likely to occupy Germantown, he wisely concluded that it would be best to take a trip up into the country, as the follow- ing extract from the diary of Mr. John Miller will show : "September 23, 1777. The alarm this morning is very great. The militia are returning in great haste; tell us the British passed the Swedeford last night, and are in full march for Germantown. From this news many fled this night. Among them was Dr. Bensell and family, which went to Horsham. He left a well furnished house and a large shop of medicines, which the enemy, as he was a known whig, de- stroyed, or carried off." (Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 68.) The Bank of Germantown, now the National Bank of Ger- mantown, was chartered by the State of Pennsylvania in 1813, and went into operation in July, 1814, in the parlor of this house which had been fitted up for the purpose. It is rather an interesting fact that the paying teller at present stands on the exact spot where the bank first opened for business. In connection with the occupation of this building by the Bank of Germantown, the following extract from the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors is of interest: "At a meeting of the Directors of the Bank of Germantown held agreeably to appointment at Michael Riter's tavern, the following reso- lution was passed: "Resolved, That Richard Bayley, Charles Wister and Samuel Johnson be a Committee to procure and fit out a house suitable for a Banking House in the village of Germantown." At an adjourned meeting held on Saturday, July i6th, 1814, the Committee made the following report : "The committee for procuring and fitting out a Banking House report, that they have leased from Dr. George Bensell for the term of six years and six months from the 15th of June last, at a rent of $300 per annum, payable quarterly, a three-story stone house opposite the six milestone in the village of Germantown, stipulating to put it in the same state they found it (if required) at the expiration of said term. That they have purchased from Mr. James Stokes the iron doors belonging to the vault of the late Bank of the United States in Germantown. That they have employed masons and carpenters to make the necessary alterations which they expect will be completed by the 23d inst. The report was adopted and the committee continued." HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 339 The following members of the Board were present at the first of the meetings referred to : Samuel Harvey Richard Bayley Peter Robeson George Bensell John Johnson Edward Russell William R. Rodman Robert Adams Samuel Johnson Conrad Carpenter John Ragers Charles J. Wister The old minute book contains many interesting items. At one time there was a discussion in regard to employing a watch- man for the bank. The discussion terminated in passing the following brief but expressive resolution : "Resolved, That we employ a watchman to sleep in the bank." No. 5506. (Ward and Hotchkin, No. 4806.) The original part of this house was, in all probability, built by Heivert Papen prior to 1707. His heirs sold the place to Griffith Jones in 1720, and March 29, 1727, Griffith Jones sold it to "Hans George Bensel, weaver," the purchase including all the property to School Lane. (See account given in connection with the cor- ner property.) Mr. Bensell died in 1763, and in the partition of his estate this property went to his wife Barbara for life, then to his son Charles for life, and then to Engle, the son of Charles Bensell. This was one of the properties belonging to Engle Bensell which he left, at his death, to his brother George. (Will Book No. I, p. 340.) It is a curious fact that although Engle Bensell died in 1805, in the tax list of 1809 he is still recorded as the owner of this property. June 3, 1829, one-half moiety in the property was sold by the Sheriff to satisfy a mortgage held by the Bank of German- town. The record reads as follows : "For $970 sold at Bowen's Hotel, sign of the King of Prussia, on Thursday, October 9th, at 10 A. M., to Jonathan Fowle, sold as the property of George Bensell dec'd, Mary Bensell, Jonathan Robeson, executor of the Bensells." (Sheriff's Deed Book E, p. 301.) December 31, 1832, Anna B. Fowle, administratrix of Jona- than Fowle, conveyed the property to John Jones. (Deed Book A. M., No. 30, p. 621.) May 22, 1840, John Jones, surgeon, and wife, conveyed the property to Abraham Rex. (Deed Book G. S., No. 5, p. 442.) 340 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN August 27, 1842, Abraham Rex, druggist, and wife, con- veyed it to William Hodgson, Jr., druggist, and Richard Rich- ardson, for $1425. (Deed Book G. S., No. 4s, p. 373-) April 12, 1869, William Hodgson and others conveyed it to Annie E. Patton, wife of W. W. Patton, paperhanger. (Deed Book J. T. 0., No. 235, p. 217.) It is traditional that the State offices of Pennsylvania were located in this house during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. (See the extract from Watson's Annals given in connection with No. 5504.) Watson says these offices were "in the stone house next above B. Lehman's." This was the next stone house hclozv (that is, toward Philadelphia) B. Lehman's, and it is probable that Watson's use of the word above was either an inadvertence, or else he employed it in a sense different from that in which we use it. Early in the nineteenth century a Quaker named Benjamin Davis resided here and had a school for girls in the house. During the occupancy of Mr. Davis the Germantown Library was located in this house under his charge, having been trans- ferred from the Academy building. Later on it was removed to the building on the corner. Some twenty years ago, just before her death, the mother of John Wister, of Belfield, called upon the present owner one day and asked to be shown a particular room in the house. She said that when a little girl she had attended school there. She pointed out the place where she used to sit, and also the loca- tion of the teacher's desk. The property came into the possession of the present owner, W. W. Patton, in 1869, and was then quite ancient in appearance and much out of repair. A pent-house extended along the entire front. Before moving in Mr. Patton had a number of alterations made that greatly changed its appear- ance. The pent-house was removed and a mansard roof took the place of the old one which was dilapidated. At one time this house communicated with the one below. The framework of the old doorway may still be seen in a closet on the south side of the front room, but the doorway itself was walled up at the time the Bank was built. Something over thirty years ago, in making some alterations, a large chimney on the southern end of the house was torn down clear to the foundations. AMien HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOJVN 341 the workmen reached the cellar they uncovered a sort of pocket in the wall which contained papers and other articles. The papers were unfortunately destroyed before Air. Patton knew of the finding, but he recovered a soldier's gauntlet, a toy whip, a toy brush, and a small wooden hammer. There are many things which indicate the ancient character of this house. In the very early days of the settlement it was customary, in plastering houses, to mix chopped hay or straw with the plaster for the purpose of binding it together, just as SO-CAL,LED "INDIAN HEAD/" 5506 GERMANTOWN AVENUE. we now use hair for the same purpose. The plastering ni this house is of that character. The "Rock House," on Penn Street, shows the same peculiarity. The laths are all made of split wood, and in fastening them, in order to save nails which were expensive in those days, the ends of the laths were chamfered (or beveled) and then, by lapping the end of one lath over the next, a single nail could be made to fasten both. In the upper part of the north wall may be seen a remark- able specimen of crude sculpture in the shape of a human head. 342 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN The tradition runs that it was found in 1707, while digging the cellar for the house, and was built into the wall at that time. A close examination will convince one that it was certainly placed in its present position at the time the wall was built. It has been called an Indian head, but the features do not appear to be those of an Indian. The material is soapstone. By whom and for what purpose the figure was executed will probably always remain a mystery. The nose has been broken ofif. A very old resident of Germantown, who once lived next door, states that he was with the crowd of boys by whom this mischief was done, nearly seventy years ago. They had all been throwing stones at the head for some time Avith little suc- cess, until finally one of them threw a large stone with great force, breaking the nose. Thoroughly frightened at their un- expected success, the mischievous urchins took to their heels. John Wister had a painting of this house as it originally appeared. It is believed that this painting is still in existence. No. 5508-10. (Old number, 4808.) Jacob Emhardt pur- chased this property of Michael Riter in 1810, and occupied it as his residence until 1866, when he sold it to George Ashmead. It is now owned by Dr. William Ashmead Schaeffer. Jacob Emhardt was a tailor who came from Mehringen, Germany, in 1806. He was the head of a society that left Ger- many on account of religious persecution. For many years after his arrival the emigrants who came to Germantown from that part of Germany were accustomed to make his house their headquarters. Most of these people eventually settled at Blooming Grove, Lycoming County. When they came over they brought with them great trunks covered with rawhide, finished with the hair on. In these trunks, together with other property, could usually be found a feather bed. On account ot the large number of these emigrant visitors it was not unusual for Mrs. Emhardt to make coffee for them in her wash boiler. So numerous were they that a large barn on the premises was frequently filled with them. This barn was accidentally de- stroyed by fire in 1850, caused by Albert F. and William H. Emhardt setting fire to a pile of shavings while playing with matches, at a time when their mother was in the city. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 343 KING OF PRUSSIA INN Nos. 5516-18-20. (Ward and Hotchkin, Nos. 4512-14-16.) This old building has had a varied history and has undergone many changes. It was built about 1740-41, but its early his- tory is not definitely known. The first knowledge that we have in regard to its use as a public house is contained in the following advertisement from thePennsylvania Gazette, of Decem- ber 15th, 1757: "Andrew Weckeser begs leave to inform the Publick, that he has opened a House of entertainment in Germantown, at the Sign of the King-of-Prussia, near John Jones's, Esq., where all Gentlemen, Ladies, Travellers, etc., may depend on the best usage. Their favors will be gratefully acknowledged by their humble Servant. ANDREW WECKESER." At a later period it was kept by Alexander Carraher. Frederick the Great. King of Prussia, at that time had about reached the zenith of his fame. He had become very popular in America because of his long struggle against the combina- tions of Russia, Austria and France, and his final triumph over them. Several inns, of which this was one, were named after him. The village of King of Prussia, about three miles west of Norristown, received its name from its old hotel. Thomas Vapault kept the place after Carraher, and he was succeeded by Michael Riter who had previously kept the Indian Queen Hotel. It was in his time that Jacob Coleman began to run "the first stage coach with an awning" from the King of Prussia Inn to the George Inn, at Second and ^Mulberry (Arch) Streets. This was cjuite a popular enterprise, as three trips a week were made. How amusing all this seems to-day when we consider the present enormous amount of travel by means of railroad and trolley cars between Germantown and the central part of the city. A trip between Philadelphia and Germantown was a serious undertaking in the early days, of whose difficulty those who are now whirled rapidly over the route have little conception. Naglee's Hill was much dreaded, not only because of its steepness, but also on account of the bad roads at its foot, the ground being very marshy. There were other bad places near Nicetown and Rising Sun. For many years the King of Prussia was the most popular hotel in Germantown. It was a favorite stopping place for driving parties from the city, and was much in demand for the 344 HISTORY OF OLD GERMAKTOWN holding of important public meetings. The meetings of some of the Fire Companies were held there, as were also some of the meetings of the Masonic fraternity. The following advertisement from the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser of Wednesday, May i, 1776, seems to in- dicate that the property changed hands about that period. "To be LET and entered on directly. The Noted Tavern in Germantown, the KING PRUSSIA with 8 acres land, greatest part of which is orchard, with barn, stables, shade, &c., &c.. Enquire of Paul Cox, in Front-street, below Walnut-street. N. B. None need apply but what would keep tavern." The new owner must have been subjected to great tribula- tion, for the British took possession of the property at the time they occupied the town. They used for a slaughter house a long barn that formerly stood in the rear. About a century after the Revolution, while repairing the roof, a carpenter found a brass musket ball embedded in a rafter on the west side of the house — the one next to the lower sash jamb of the north- ern dormer window. Its location was a little over four feet above the garret floor. Nothing certain is known as to how the ball came there, although several theories have been formed. From its position it would seem as though the shot was fired from the outside at some one standing at the window. This has led some to suppose that an American sharpshooter may have fired it at an English soldier who chanced to show him- self at that spot. A colonial coat was also found between the rafters, but it fell apart on being handled. The buttons, how- ever, were preserved. In 1795, Gilbert Stuart, the famous artist, stopped for a while at the Inn, and it was one of his eccentric impulses to paint for the place a sign adorned with an equestrian figure of Frederick the Great, the King of Prussia. There was an under- standing, however that the artist's name was not to be made known. But such a secret could not be easily kept for a long time, and this gradually leaked out. The circumstance added considerably to the popularity of the hotel in after years. A number of paintings, also supposed to have been executed by Stuart, are on the walls of the north end of the first floor. They are Pennsylvania scenes, embracing views in the Allegheny HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN 345 Mountains, along the Wissahickon. and in old Germantown. They are now all covered with wall paper. According to Shoemaker, the place belonged to the Taylor estate in 1809. Between 1825 and 1838 the various circuses and other shows that came along, held their exhibitions on the hotel grounds. Some important political mass meetings were also held there. G-BOSWELI, OLD SIGN OF KING OP PRUSSIA HOTEL. Michael Riter became the proprietor after Jacob Tripler, and about 1823 he was followed by Abraham Schrack. The last named concluded to have the sign renovated, as it was getting rather dingy in appearance, so fancy mouldings and hangers were attached, the work of the artist covered with a thick coat of paint, and the words "King of Prussia, A. Schrack, 1830," displayed upon it. G. Boswell was the next proprietor. 346 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN He tacked a piece of tin over Schrack's name and painted his own in its place. It was so neatly done that the substitution can scarcely be discovered. About 1838 the place ceased to be a public house, and was occupied by Charles F. Ashmead, who kept a grocery store in the southern end. A frame portion extended over the driveway at the south- ern end of the building. The places where the joists were in- serted in the walls can still be plainly seen. The room above the driveway was used as a billiard room at the time the house was occupied as a hotel. Entrance to this was had by means of an outside stairway at the back; it was also accessible from the second story of the hotel. After the grocery store was established, this driveway became to some extent a place of storage. Along the wall were ranged the grocer's pickle and mackerel barrels, also his barrels of sand — a commodity then usually sold by grocers, and one for which there was a considerable demand, it being in general use for spreading on kitchen floors. In this driveway, too, the boys of the neigh- borhood not unfrequently congregated to smoke their cheap cigars — "commons" being sold at the rate of three or four for a cent. "half-Spanish" at two for a cent, and "sixes" at a cent apiece. It was considered rather a mark of extravagance to indulge in "sixes." "Commons" were rank and strong, but were quite popular. There was always a box of them on the counter of the grocery, from which the customers were privi- leged to help themselves. They sold for sixteen to eighteen cents per hundred. In those days it was quite a common occurrence for a youngster on his way to school to leave the molasses jug at the grocer's to be fillled, and to be called for on his way home. It took too much time to wait, for the old-time molasses was thick and hard to move at the best of times, but especially in cold weather. After Mr. Ashmead vacated the grocery, that part of the building was occupied by the Germantown Library for several years. In 1864-5 ^ French lady conducted a school in the same place. From 1865 to 1885, the north end was occupied by Miss Horstman. During the winter of 1889-90 the family of the late Lewis C. Cassidy, Attorney-General of Pennsylvania, lived there. Afterward it was occupied by Dr. George W. Williams. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 349 Notwithstanding the many changes that have been made in its appearance, both internal and external, the building re- tains many of its old time features. In its erection split lath were used ; these were fastened with hand-wrought nails which were expensive, hence it became a matter of importance to be economical in their use. In order to save nails the lath were chamfered at the ends, and one nail was then used to hold two laths. In making the partitions, the laths were interwoven like basket work. At the posts a cleat was nailed across the ends of the lath to hold them in place. The interstices were filled in with clay and afterwards plastered. In later years the walls were papered. The brass door knockers, the wrought iron latches, and the carved mantels still remain. In the north front cellar, which was, in former times, a basement kitchen, is a large fire-place, with an iron crane upon which pots and kettles used to be hung over the fire, but it is now so covered with rust that it cannot be moved. On the north side of the cellar, a door leads to a vault in which provisions were kept at the time when the building was a hotel. A large doorway, with broad stone steps, leads from it to the yard above. In the rear, extending almost the entire length of the building, is a broad veranda. The property is now owned by Dr. William Ashmead Schaefifer, and the building is divided into two dwellings and a store. CHRISTIAN LEHMAN HOUSE No. 5524. (Ward( Hotchkin and Shoemaker. No. 4818.) lliis old stone house, standing back from the street, is prob- ably best known to the people of Germantown as "Christian Lehman's." Ward says: "At some time in the last century, one Jones, a Friend, lived in it, but afterward it was occupied by Christian Lehman, a man of considerable note in the affairs of Germantown. He was a son of Godfryd, grandson of George, and great-grandson of Henry Lehman. The latter was born about the year 1535, and became "Steward of the Revenues" of the Manor of the Borough of Trebgeh, eight English miles from Dresden. Christian Lehman was born in Germany in 1714, and in 1731, with his father, came here with a "passport on parch- ment, elegantly engrossed with golden ink." The passports of the first German emigrants were usually of this character. In those early days there was considerable work for a land sur- 350 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN veyor m and about Germantown, and to this occupation Chris- tian Lehman early turned his attention. In this respect his name frequently appears in connection with Germantown properties. One of his most important services was the preparation of maps of Germantown. Some of these were copies of maps made by Matthias Zimmerman between 1700 and 1740. His road map is according- to a survey made by Nicholas Scull, Surveyor General, in 1751. A number of his maps are original; among these are maps of the Upper and CHRISTIAN LEHMAN'S HOUSE Lower Burying Grounds, Market Square, and Potter's Field. Too much reliance should not be placed, however, upon the spelling of names upon these maps, as they will be found to vary considerably. This is not wonderful when we consider the many transformations which the family names of some of the early settlers have undergone. In those days, too, there was not a strict regard for consistent or accurate spelling. Deeds and papers drawn up by Mr. Lehman are models of ex- HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOWN 351 cellent penmanship, and were evidently made with the greatest care. Air. Lehman was also actively engaged in the nursery busi- ness. He early recognized the importance of advertising his stock of "choice fruit trees and plants," as his advertisement appears in the Pennsylvania Chronicle of 1768. He is especially noted for having introduced English walnut trees into German- town. In common with most of the early German emigrants, he was a strong believer in the occult sciences. "The Germans of that day, and indeed many of the English, practised the casting of nativities — and as this required mathe- matical and astronomical learning, it often followed that such a competent scholar was called 'a fortune teller.' Doctor Witt 'cast nativities,' and he was called a conjurer, while Christopher Lehman, who was a scholar and a friend of Witt, and could 'cast nativities,' and did them for all of his nine children, but never for hire, was called a notary public, a surveyor, and a gentleman." (Watson's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 22.) Benjamin Lehman succeeded his father, and is recorded as owning the place in 1809. He carried on an extensive lumber business. In 1849 he built the large double house on the front of the property (Nos. 5528-30). Nos. 5528-30. (Old numbers, 4828-30.) On the site of this large double house which was built by Benjamin Lehman in 1849, formerly stood two small buildings. About 183 1 one of these was occupied by Leonard Benkert. He afterward re- moved to the city, where he acquired a widely spread reputa- tion for the making of shoes of an excellent quality. His son, George Felix, who became a noted pianist, was born while the Benkerts were living in this house. The other house was occupied by Frederick Gutekunst, a ■cabinet maker, and here, in September, 183 1, was born his son Frederick, now so well known throughout the country for his skill in photographic portraiture. In one of these buildings Sarah Carter kept a school in 1835. In the construction of the present building, Benjamin Leh- man was very particular in his choice of lumber. It was his custom to select choice pieces from the stock as it came into •his yard, and lay them away to become properly seasoned. 352 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN This was continued until he had sufficient to build his house. The roof, which was of selected cedar shingles, lasted for more than half a century. Thomas Wright, the builder, who as an apprentice helped to lay the roof, renewed it something more than fifty years afterward. Benjamin Lehman's lumber yard was formerly situated on the rear of this lot, but it was destroyed by fire in 1833. This fire was long remembered on account of its dangerous character. So perilous was the situation at one time that it was thought much of the surrounding property would be de- stroyed. A call was made for assistance, and several fire com- panies from Philadelphia responded. At that time the engines had to be supplied from the neighboring wells, and so vigor- ously did the firemen work that the wells were all soon pumped dry. Abraham Schrack then kept the King of Prussia Inn, and he sold peach brandy to the firemen. It was carried to them in the leather fire buckets. During the progress of the fire a most lamentable accident occurred. John Bruner, son of Cap- tain Henry Bruner, who lived at what is now No. 5537 Ger- mantown Avenue, placed his hand upon a post just as Captain Albert Ashmead, of the Middle Ward Fire Company drove his axe into it. Bruner's hand was completely severed by the blow, and he died from the effects of it. . The yard was afterward re-established, and Benjamin Leh- man was succeeded by his nephew, James T. Langstreth, who, about i860, moved the yard to the rear of No. 5614. It ex- tended to Greene Street. The firm then became Ashmead and Langstreth, and they were succeeded by Theodore Langstreth. Benjamin Lehman occupied the lower end of the house until his death, and then his wife, Catharine (whose maiden name was Fry), succeeded to the property. It extends through to Greene Street. Benjamin and Catharine Lehman had a large family of children, but only one — Hannah Keziah — survived infancy. She married wStephen Benton, whom she survives, and is the present owner of the property. There is still standing on the rear of the place an old barn in which William Ashmead tried to conceal his cow at the time the British occupied the town. Most of the inhabitants had taken the precaution of removing their most valuable property, and especially their horses and cattle, to places of safety be- HISTORY OF OLD GERM ANT 01 FN 353 yond the British Hues. ]\Ir. Ashmead thought he could suc- cessfully hide his cow in the cellar of the barn, but he forgot that the animal had a voice, and her bawling soon revealed her whereabouts, whereupon, the soldiers, with much laughter, soon secured the prize. At that time the headquarters of General Howe were at the Morris house, and Air. Ashmead's cow was awarded the honor of furnishing the supply of milk for the General's table. HARRIET LIVERMORE Harriet Livermore, the gifted but eccentric evangelist of a past generation, frequently preached in Germantown, and on the occasion of her visits she was accustomed to make her home with the family of Benjamin Lehman. It was to her that the poet Whittier referred in "Snow- bound," as "A not unf eared, half-welcome guest." 354 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN She was undoubtedly a woman of great natural ability, and intensely devoted to the advocacy of her religious views, but extremely eccentric withal. She unfortunately possessed a hasty and ungovernable temper which obscured her great talents and better qualities. It is said that she fell in love with Moses Eliot, a young surgeon who served during the war of 1812. He re- ciprocated her affection, but realizing that no permanent happi- ness could result from a union with one of so violent a temper, he went South and soon afterward died there of yellow fever. After his death she became more than ever devoted to religious matters, and embracing the doctrines of the Second Adventists, she became intensely impressed with the idea that it was her duty to proclaim the speedy coming of the Lord in all lands. Her eloquence and personal magnetism were remarkable, and wherever she went she invariably attracted large audiences. She believed our Indians were remnants of the lost tribes of Israel and at one time she went on a mission to them. Later on she became the friend and companion of Lady Hester Stan- hope, and lived with her on Mount Lebanon, in Syria. They finally separated in consequence of a quarrel about the use of the "holy horses" which Lady Stanhope kept waiting in the stables for the Lord's use when he should ride to Jerusalem at the time of his second coming. A friend of Whittier's found Miss Livermore, when quite an old woman, wandering with a tribe of Arabs in Syria. Her relatives had disowned and disinherited her, and as her religious convictions prevented her from acquiring property, she became peniless and homeless in her old age. She died in Philadelphia, at the Blockley Almshouse, March 30th, 1868, and was buried in the ground of the Dunker Church, on German- town Avenue, above Sharpnack Street. In accordance with her desire, no stone marks her place of burial. She lies by the side of her unfailing friend, Margaret Worrell. Whittier's verse indicates that he recognized the contradic- tory sides of her strange nature, and it was a kindly blessing that he wished her in the lines : "Where'er her troubled path may be, The Lord's sweet pity with her go!" No. 5527. (Old number, 4805.) This is upon the site of a small one-story frame building that was built against the De la HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 355 Plaine house. It was occupied about 1848 by the Gerraantown Mutual Fire Insurance Company. This company was organized in 1843. In 1846 they rented from Wyndham H. Stokes a build- ing situated where Stokes's block now stands. In 1847 they rented of Benjamin Lehman one of the small buildings that stood opposite Armat Street. In 1848 they removed to No. 5527, then owned by Charles M. Stokes ; here they remained until they built upon the corner of Armat Street. The build- ing was subsequently considerably altered and occupied by the Mechanics' Library. The present building was erected by Edward Potterton •t ' ft flpti «) » ^Siw^;/: J "THE PINES" Nos. 5531-33. An old building back of what is called the Germantown Market House was the residence of the children of Charles Stokes in 1840. It received the name of "The Pines," from three large hemlock trees that stood in front of the house. In 185 1 Benjamin Lehman lived in it. Thomas Magarge, teller of the Germantown Bank, also once resided there. The store property on the front was built by William L. Clower, and was occupied by him as a meat and provision store. For a short time he used the old house as a residence, but afterward as a domicile for his employees ; it is now a store house. 356 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Edward Potterton, who, for many years, was in the crockery business at No. 5527, started business in front of the old Stokes house. He was accustomed to arrange his wares along the picket fence, turning the pitchers and mugs upside down on the pickets. Bowls and dishes were arranged on a long shelf. No. 5535. This was built in 1868 by Henry Stutz, on what was the driveway to the house above. Nos. 5537-39. (Ward, Hotchkin and Shoemaker, No. 4813. Old numbers, 4809-11.) On account of the date, 1804, on the rain spout, it has been supposed that this house was erected in that year, but a deed dated November loth, 1795, mentions a house in the transfer. This may refer to the rear portion of the pres- ent building, possibly, which is very old. The stone walls of this part are very heavy, and in one place they are hollow, the space left being sufHciently large for a child to crawl through from one closet to another. It has also the old-fashioned half- door, a style that was quite common in the early houses erected. The back part has a sloping roof that projects over the door. This back portion has no cellar under it. If it were not for the absence of a cellar, we might infer that it was at one time a farm house on the estate of James De la Plaine. The following deeds relating to the property are of interest in this connection : DEED. — June 2S, 1775. James Delaplaine and Ann liis wife conveyed to Joseph Ferree and Sarah his wife and daughter of James Delaplaine, certain messuages and ground situated on Main street and Market Place, bounded by the said Main Street, Market Place, the German Reformed Church, Mill Street, Shoemaker's Mill Dam and lands of Daniel Mackinet and Jacob Summers, respectively, containing twelve acres more or less. (Deed Book I, Vol. 14, p. 479.) The property was divided and the following deed refers to the property now Nos. 5535, 5537 and 5539: DEED. — November 10, 1795, Joseph Ferree and Sarah, his wife, con veyed to John Fromberger, a certain stone messuage or tenement and lot or place of land thereunto belonging. (Deed Book D, No. 54, p. 134.) DEED. — September 1, 1796, John Fromberger, merchant, and Ann, his wife, to John Salter, Jr., shop keeper. John Salter, Jr., sold the property to Jacob Roset, who owned it until 181 1, so that if the front part of the building was erected in 1804, it was done during Roset's ownership. Alany have supposed that Jacob Roset and Jacques Marie Roset HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOIVN 357 were one and the same person, but this cannot be the case, as the latter did not take up his residence in Germantown until 1821. ]\Iarch 25, 181 1, Jacob Roset and wife conveyed the prop- erty to Joseph and Jacob Green. {Deed Book J. C, No. zj, p. '366.) ' Joseph and Jacob Green carried on the hat business for several years. November i, 1866, Catharine Green, William Green and Charles W. Otto, executors of the estate of John Green, conveyed the property to Henry Stutz. Henry Stutz opened a wine house here. Wine was served on tables in the old fashioned parlor. After a time he closed out the wine business and opened a store for furnishing shoe findings, as shoemaking was once an important industry of Germantown. This he also gave up and went into the hard- ware business. Among the changes Air. Stutz made in the place was the tearing out of the old corner fire-places and chimneys. He did this because of the great amount of room which they occupied. Henry Stutz transferred the property to his son, Henry Stutz, Jr., who sold it to the present owner, George W. Wills. No. 5541. (Old number, 4813.) Around this immediate vicinity cluster numerous interesting associations connected with "old-time" Germantown. In the second house above this, in 1804, Robert Thomas, the father of the venerable Robert Thomas, of No. 6109 Germantown Avenue, established the shoe business. It was afterward removed to this building. Among Air. Thomas's apprentices was David Bowman, who married his daughter and succeeded to the business in 1825. Joseph Murter and Samuel Collom, both of whom are still living, were apprentices of Mr. Bowman's. The property afterward came into the possession of Robert Cherry, who was a son-in-law of Air. Bowman. The place is now the men's department of Cherry's store. In front stands the old six-milestone, which, says Hotchkin, "by reason of the city growing toward German- town, was changed in 1840 to five miles" (5 to P). This really means five miles to Laurel Street, the terminus of Germantown Road. These measures are only approximate, as they were made by going over the ground with a marked wheel. When 358 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN the stone was planted in 1801, it indicated the distance to Mar- ket Street, which was then the center of the city. No. 5543. (Shoemaker, No. 4815.) Upon this site the bakery of David and Wilham Meredith stood in 1809, the first named being the owner. The present building was erected by Robert Cherry, and it now forms part of his store. At the time when the Meredith building was standing, there was an alleyway between this and the house above. The ovens were beneath this, as Meredith's deed called for land to the north side of the alley. His neighbor, Robert Thomas, had a room that extended over the alley to the Meredith house, as his deed called for ground to the house line of Meredith. The alley-way was held in common. The Merediths baked bread for both the American and British armies prior to and during the battle of Germantown. The old ovens used then were torn out by Robert Cherry more than twenty years ago. No. 5545 occupies the site of the alley-way referred to. No. 5547. Robert Thomas lived here and kept a shoe store. The place was afterward successively occupied as a general store by Jacob Senseman, William G. Spencer, Abraham Birch and Frank D. Heyman. Joseph Vanderslice occupied it as a grocery store after he moved from the corner of School Lane in 1867. After this it was occupied by Bradley, and then by Robert Hurst as a confectionery. The present building was erected by Robert Cherry in 1904. No. 5549. In 1840 the owner of this was David Harmer, a shoemaker. It was afterward the dwelling of Edward T. Jones. For many years it was Frank Lutz's cigar and tobacco store. It has lately been much altered in appearance. No. 5553. A family named Miller lived in an old house that once stood upon this site. The mother's name was Betsy Miller, and she had three children — Peter, Elizabeth and Cassie. Elizabeth married Henry Troutman and they lived in the rear part of the house. He was a corporal in the "Germantown Blues." The company was called out on Sunday morning, July 7tli, 1844, to aid in quelling the riots then raging in Phila- Mil I'l'i'i'''' HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 361 delphia. He was killed and his body was brought home on Monday night. Cassie Miller continued to live in this house until she was quite an old woman, supporting herself by knit- ting socks. She was noted for her peculiarities which were the cause of much annoyance to her at the hands of the children of the neighborhood. It was one of her customs to always wear a sun bonnet, whether in-doors or out. It was another of her peculiar fancies to always stand by a small window when she was knitting or sewing. The present building was built by Edward T. Jones, and is now occupied by his daughters. No. 5555. This is the site of an old log house that once stood on Market Square, and was used as the prison of the borough. It was built in 1741, and stood at the east corner of the square. In the history of Market Square an account has been given of the confinement of Adam Hogermoed in this prison and his subsequent purchase of it. He removed the building to this locality and was occupying it as a residence about 1807. Later it became "Peggy" Wolf's candy shop. The present building was erected about 1856. by Henry Giese, a tailor. It was afterward occupied successively by Irvin C. Moore, tailor; \Y. W. Patton, paperhanger, and David Boggs, a teacher. The sisters of the last named kept a trimming store. The building has recently been remodeled and enlarged. In Edwin S. Stuart's edition of W^atson's Annals is a pic- ture of the old prison after its removal and use as a dwelling. It is also the first picture in Hotchkin's "Ancient and Modern Germantown." Referring to this picture is an article in Wat- son's Annals, Vol. 2, p. 606, of the edition of 1857. It reads as follows : "LOG PRISON AND ANCIENT GROUP OF HOUSES IN GERMAN- TOWN. The picture which we have given of the last of the old houses still remaining in Germantown, — now belonging to the family of John Green, presents a picturesque group, and stands in interesting contrast with many modern houses built there. These houses seem to have been built at several interesting periods. The front house on the right of the picture, now faced with white mortar, is the original Log House. It was brought and placed there, as the dwelling house of John Adams Hoger- moed, who had before passed a night in it — for some occasion of intem- perance, while it occupied the Market Square as the Prison. When it was afterwards sold, the same Hogermoed became the owner. One of the higher houses in the rear, it may be seen, is diagonally boarded. The whole group seems to be formed of four different constructions — a 362 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN part is of stone. All such remains of the primitive times, are fast fading from the things that be." The point of view in the picture is from Germantown Ave- nue and Armat Street, looking down the Avenue. To the left of the centre may be seen the spire of the church on Market Square, and on the extreme right is the Bensell house at the corner of School House Lane. No. 5559- This frame building, built about 1820, was Thomas Marple's private house. ARMAT STREET (East from No. 5600) This was opened through Armat's meadow. No. 5601. The ground upon which this building stands was formerly a part of Armat's meadow, and was considerably lower than the grade of the street. About 1854, the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. erected a building upon the lot. It stood somewhat back from the street and had a small yard in front. They afterward built a brownstone front that extended to the street line. The Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was organized in 1843, ^i^cl ^t first the office was in a small frame building that was on the north side of Charles Stokes's (De la Plaine) house. In 1844 they moved to the new building on the northwest cor- ner of School House Lane. The building on the corner of Armat Street was then sold to the Columbia Bank, a branch of which was established here. MAPLEWOOD AVENUE (West from No. 5600) This was opened by Charles Stokes. Nos. 5600-12. (Old numbers. 4830-48.) Stokes's block was built upon the grounds of Wyndham H. Stokes. In 1809 John Moyer lived in a small house on this tract. It stood some dis- tance back from the street and had large pillars in front. It was torn down at the time Maplewood Avenue was opened. There was at one time a tannery where the stores were after- wards built. It was on very low ground, and a branch of Honey Run flowed through it. This stream received its supply from a pond on the site of the First Presbyterian Church and a large spring on William Fry's place. Between Armat Street HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJVN 363 and Chelten Avenue the road was so bad that planks were laid in order to enable wagons to pass. In building the large sewer on Germantown Avenue to drain this territory, about ten feet below the surface the workmen unearthed a number of these planks. They also came upon an old vat of the tannery with one hide still in it. Previous to the building of the large sewer the low ground was frequently overflowed. At one time, when the water was about knee deep, a large Newfoundland dog jumped in for a swim. He was soon caught in the flood and sucked into the inlet. The boys who saw the occurrence ran HOUSE OF WYNDHAM H. STOKES to the outlet of the stream on the Spencer mill property, ex- pecting to see a dead dog come out, but presently he made his appearance, very wet and thoroughly astonished, but none the worse for his extraordinary experience. WOODLAWN AVENUE (East from No. 5609) This avenue has also been known as Grout's Lane, Stuck- ert's Gourt, and Laurel Street. Nos. 5611-13. In 1840 this was John Bringhurst's house and grocery. It was afterward bought by Gephas Ghilds, edi- tor of the "Gommercial List," and converted into a dwelling. 364 HISTORY OP OLD GBRMANTOWN Dr. Charles King, a dentist, afterward lived there. He built a large house (No. 5609) on the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and moved into it. Nos. 5615-17-19. Walker Hall, occupied by Walker Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was built upon the site of a building that, in 1840, belonged to William Crout, a cabinet maker and undertaker. 5nL/W^L<^M^H. No. 5621. (Old number, 4843.) This is upon the site of the yard of George Stuckert. There was a house built upon the spot about 1818, the last occupant of which was Alexander Ballantyne, a jeweler. The present building was erected by George Darrow, a dealer in painters' supplies. No. 5622. In 1809 this was the house of John Fry, a tin- smith. His son, William K. Fry, succeeded him in business. He lived with his two maiden sisters. The property extended back as far as Knox Street, and "Tinker Fry," as he was called, was put to considerable expense and annoyance when Chelten HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 365 Avenue was cut through, on account of the large amount of paving and curbing required, because of his property running parallel with the street. He declared, on one occasion, that he would willingly pay the city two thousand dollars to be let alone. After the street was cut through he was asked why he did not improve the corner where his shop was. He replied REV. CHARLES KARSNER, M. D. that he would not have any building put there, as it would obstruct the view from his bedroom window, which was on the third floor. It is said that he slept in the attic all his life. The floor of his bedroom was destitute of carpet save a single strip in front of his bed. When he was taken sick, it was with great difficulty that he was persuaded to allow himself to be brought to the second floor. He only lived abo;it a week afterward. His two sisters had died before him and left him their property. At his death he left an estate worth about $150,000. 366 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN Even now, tinsmiths occasionally find a piece of work that William Fry did, and yet he gave up active business about 1855. He was very particular about the quality of his work, and he exacted like care from others about him. On one occa- sion he made John C. Lightfoot hunt for nearly a day for two locust posts at the lumber yard. These he had set in a certain way, and about two feet in the ground. Upon these as a foun- dation he built his front steps, and they are standing to-day without the slightest sagging or pulling away from the building. SOUTHEAST CORNER OF CHELTEN AND GERMANTOWN AVENUES Fry had a fine spring on the place, and near it was one of the first swamp magnolias planted in the town. No. 5623, About 1840 this was the residence of George Stuckert. In 1844 he rented it to Thomas W. Evans. During the Civil War it was occupied by the Union League of German- town. For a number of years prior to 1883 it was the residence of Rev. Charles Karsner, M. D., a graduate of both the allo- pathic and homeopathic schools of medicine. At the time he took up the study of homeopathy in 1859, he was pastor of the Haines Street M. E. Church. He relinquished his charge on HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 367 account of bronchial trouble, but he remained among his par- ishioners and built up an excellent practice. No. 5624. The old one-story frame shop of the Frys was on the site of the drug store at this number. No. 5627. (Old number. 4847.) Shoemaker says that in 1809 Alexander Armor, a carpenter, lived here. For many years it was the residence of Dr. Theodore L. Williams, one of the earliest homeopathic physicians to practice in Germantown. It was afterward occupied by Dr. George ^lalin, another homeo- pathic physician. About twenty-five years ago it was pur- chased by Uriah Mattis, meat and provision dealer. In 1904 he sold the property to the Germantown Trust Company. ^o- 5^33- The building of the Germantown Trust Co. is on the site of Jones's house and feed store. George Herges- heimer owned the place in 1840. It was then occupied by the Post Ofifice. Jones's old building was of brick, with an inside lining of stone. EAST CHELTEN AVENUE (No. 5700) This was opened in 1855, and was called ^Market Street on the first plans. In opening East Chelten Avenue, it became necessary to tear own a large stone house that, in 1840, belonged to Jesse L.arge. In commenting on the tax list of 1809, Shoemaker says: "Jacob Fry's property extended from the middle of Chelten Avenue south a hundred feet on Germantown Avenue, east side. He was a farmer and storekeeper, doing a large business, principally wholesale, with the farmers, who brought their pro- duce to Germantown to trade for groceries, etc." There was a stone wall in front of this place, where the "John Dick boys" were accustomed to congregate. Upon one occasion, one of their number, Frank Acufif. commonly called "Coon" Acuff, got into an altercation with an Irishman who was passing by. The latter soon found himself landed on the other side of the wall. "Coon" was arrested and taken before "Squire" Thomas, who demanded to know the cause of the trouble. The Irishman replied: "Boo Hoo ! says I. Boo Hi! 368 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN says he, and over the fence I goes." The "Squire," knowing the reputation of the "John Dick" boys, held "Coon" under bail. Joseph Bentz, a baker, agreed to go his bail until his father came home in the evening. Just before the train upon which the father was expected became due, the boys stationed themselves along the street within signaling distance of each other, and as soon as it stopped the signal was given and Mr. Bentz notified. He at once went to the "Squire" and asked for the bail piece, as the boy's father was coming up the street. It was given to him, and before the father arrived the boys had "Coon" safely away. The father then refused to go his bail. As a result of this escapade, the "John Dick" Club had to bear the expense of "Coon's" board at some remote place until the trouble blew over. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN WEST CHELTEN AVENUE (No. 5700) 369 This street was placed upon the town plan in 1854 by the burgesses, under the name of Market Street. It was the site of the Kurtz or Barr house. Originally the property belonged to the Hookers. Wyndham H. Stokes opened the street and thereby greatly offended William Fry. The large house that formerly stood on the west side of Germantown Avenue where Chelten Avenue now is, was owned in the early part of the century by a German named Kurtz. He was noted for his eccentricities in dress. His tight fitting BARR OR KURTZ HOUSE clothes, cocked hat, and peculiar walk gave him a military bear- ing. He was always attended by six large dogs. His property extended from the Longstreth Building to about where Mitchel & Fletcher's store now is, and back to the County line. He had sufficient income to enable him to indulge his taste for hor- ticulture and botany. Almost every rare tree, plant or shrub that he could obtain found its way into his garden. He died in 1816, and by 1854 it is said that there was but little trace of his trees or his garden. He was a friend of the eccentric Mathias Kin, Some of the trees that Kin planted on the Kurtz 3/0 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN place are still standing. After the death of Kurtz his property mostly came into the possession of George Barr, who sold it to a party who intended to erect a factory for rendering fat and making soap. A large number of citizens protested against having a soap factory in the centre of the town, and petitioned the burgesses to condemn the property for street purposes. This was finally done, and Chelten Avenue (then called Mar- ket Street) was placed upon the town plan. The small building above the Kurtz place was Miss Rooker's School. Mr. Charles J. Wister was at one time a pupil there. Shoemaker says in regard to the Kurtz property : "Henry Kurtz is remembered as wearing small clothes, and being at- tended on his walks by six dogs. John Fry had a tin shop on a portion of the Kvirtz property, on the corner of the Avenues. He was executor for Kurtz and purchased the property, being succeeded in business by his son, William K. Fry." It must not be understood that John Fry purchased the entire Kurtz estate, but only that portion of it on which his shop was located. Mr, William H. Emhardt has kindly furnished the following interesting information in regard to Chelten Avenue : "Chelten Avenue, under the name of Market Street, was opened on the west side through the Hocker property, which extended from Main Street to Morris Street. A double house on Main Street was occupied by George Barr, and on the other by William Copestick. A fine orchard was on this farm. Beside the barn which stood on Chelten Avenue, there was a cider mill, just about in front of where now stands the First Presbyterian Church. It was built of stone, and the mortar was composed of clay and straw. A fine spring on the north side was filled in later with rocks and Portland cement, in order to form a solid foun- dation for the front wall of the church. "Benjamin L. Langstroth, son of Piscator Langstroth, who married a daughter of Benjamin Lehman, purchased the Hocker farm, and erected all the buildings, except one on the northwest side of Chelten Avenue, to Knox Street. Benjamin L. Langstroth was in the wholesale wine and liquor business, in partnership with Count Figuira, who married a daughter of Piscator Langstroth. His daughters still own a number of Walnut Street properties. Another daughter of Piscator Langstroth was married to a Drexel, and was the mother of the present 'Sister Katharine.' HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 371 "The property on the south side of Chelten Avenue, from Main Street to half way between Greene Street and Wayne Avenue, belonged to William K. Fry, who was a tinsmith. He had the reputation of doing only good work, refusing to put on a tin roof if the preparatory work was not up to his standard of proper construction. "Next adjoining was the property of Wyndham H. Stokes, which extended to within a hundred yards west of Wayne Avenue. "Next to this was Coulter's seven-acre lot, reaching to what is now Pulaski Avenue. This lot was popularly known as 'Horse Heaven,' — it being the custom to haul dead horses there, where they speedily became food for the crows. "Next to this came Stokes's orchard, which extended to the town- ship line." PART III Contributed Articles Relating to the History of Germantown THE OLD ROBERTS MILL (See Frontispiece.) For the following interesting sketch we are indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Elwood Roberts, of Norristown, a prominent member of the Montgomery County Historical Society : The old Roberts Mill, for many years one of the oldest landmarks of Germantown, was the second oldest in Pennsyl- vania, and the grists of several generations of the vicinity were ground there. Its location was on the Wingohocking Creek, a mile northeast of the [Market Scjuare, in Germantown, on the thoroughfare now known as IMill Street, or Church Lane. It was erected in 1683, by Richard Townsend, a minister of the Society of Friends. He came to America from England in the year 1682, being one of the fellow voyagers of AVilliam Penn in the "Welcome." He "set up" a grist mill in that year on Chester Creek, which was the first in the Province of Pennsyl- vania. He brought the material for that structure ready framed from London, as he states in a "testimony" which he published in 1727, when he was in his eighty-fourth year, he having resided nearly forty-six years in the Province. As soon as Germantown was laid out, Richard Townsend removed to the place, and settled on the tract on which he built the mill, and to wdiich, there being but few horses at that time in the settlement, the people often brought the bags of grain on their shoulders to be ground as food for man or beast, as the case might be. Townsend left only one child, a daughter, who married a man named Cook, but he had a brother, Joseph Townsend, from whom numerous descendants have come. The Roberts ^lill was on the north side of ]\Iill Street, or. as it was called in earlv times, "The Road to Lukens' jNIill." The structure in its considerably altered conditions compared with the original building of Richard Townsend, jutted some- what into the street. It was torn dow^i in 1874, after being in existence for nearly two centuries. The Wingohocking, like other streams of the vicinity, became much reduced in volume as the land was cleared and more thoroughly cultivated, and it Z7^ HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN gradually declined in power until it became comparatively use- less as a means of grinding grain. There is a tradition, appar- ently well authenticated, as to the origin of the name of the creek, that the Indian chief, Wingohocking, was a particular friend of James Logan, the intimate associate and counselor of Penn, and that, according to the Indian custom, he suggested SPENCER ROBERTS that they exchange names by way of continuing their friendship. Logan answered that the chief might appropriate his name, but that he preferred to retain it also and to give the Indian's name to the beautiful stream that flowed through his estate. It thus became the Wingohocking, although often known in subsequent years as Logan's Creek, and occasionally Mill Creek. HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 2>77 The mill passed from Richard Townsend to John Peters, who sold it to Matthias Lukens, who left it by will to his son, John Lukens, the oldest of his children. December i, 1764, Jacob Brown purchased it from the Lukens family. He sold it to Nicholas Burkhart. Burkhart having died, the mill prop- erty was sold, April i, 1797, to William Holby, from whose administratrix. Susanna Holby, it passed, February 16, 181 1, to Hugh Roberts. From that time until it was torn down it was known as Roberts' Mill, being held in the family up to that time. Hugh Roberts was succeeded as owner by his eldest son, Spen- cer, when he came of age, as the phrase goes, the elder Roberts having died in 1821, when still a young man. His widow, who was Sarah Spencer, of an old neighboring family, assisted in its management during the minority of the son. The property which contained about 33 acres of land, was a valuable farm, and later passed to a building and land association, which divided it into lots, and the entire tract is now covered with ordinary dwellings ; the old Roberts mansion, erected at great expense by Hugh Roberts in the "dear" times subsequent to the War of 1812, having become dilapidated, it was finally demolished to make way for new buildings in 1904. Hugh Roberts was the son of Amos and Margaret (Thomas) Roberts, and great-grandson of Edward Roberts, the founder of the family in America, who came from Wales in 1699, when he was twelve years of age, settling at Byberry. and removing in 1 716, on his marriage with ]\Iary. daughter of Everhard Bolton, of Cheltenham, to Richland, Bucks County, now Oua- kertown, where he became a minister of the Society of Friends, serving in that capacity for more than forty years. He left a large family. Spencer Roberts purchased the property at administrator's sale for a low price in 1835, and operated it until 1858, when he purchased a steam mill at Mill Street and the railroad, from Charles Spencer. Many pictures of the historic old structure have been preserved, which show it to have been a typical colo- nial mill, and it has been often regretted that it could not have been saved from destruction. THE TOWN OF MANHEIM The Alanheim Club grounds are on a part of what was laid out by Henry Fraley in 1796 as the town of Manheim. The grounds are on the rear part of lot No. 2 "towards the Schuyl- kill," drawn in the name of Dirck op de Graeff, and lot No. 3, drawn in the name of Abraham op de Graeff. In 1714 lot No. 2 was held in the name of the widow of op de Graeff, and lot No. 3 was in the name of Joseph Shippen, Sr. In 1766 there were several owners of lot No. 2, — Hittmer, Shippen and Weid- man. The names of Joseph Shippen, Jr., Edward Shippen and William Shippen appear at that time as the owners of lot No. 3. Joseph Shippen, Jr., must have owned the rear part of both lots 2 and 3, as in 1796 he is recorded as selling that portion to Henry and John Fraley. Mr. Charles J. Wister has kindly furnished the following interesting account of the locality : "My earliest recollection of Manheim, originally named Caernarvon, was in my childhood, about seventy-five years ago. It was then a most charming, retired country seat, occupied by my aunt, Susanna Wister, and my uncle, Col. John Morgan Price. I do not know to whom it be- longed originally, although I am under the impression that it was a portion of a large tract of land taken up by the Shippen family, for 1 know that they owned much property in that neighborhood, and that several properties on the Township Line (now known as Wissahickon Avenue) and Manheim Street, are traced to them in the early settle- ment of that part of the country. "About the year ISOO, Susanna Wister, daughter of Daniel and Lowry Wister, married Col. John Morgan Price and purchased Caernar- von, now Manheim. Both of them being of Welsh extraction accounts for their selection of a Welsh name for their summer residence. Mr. Price had a strong military bias — for he was not a Friend, as was his wife — and being a very handsome man and an excellent horseman, he made a striking appearance, when mounted, in his uniform. He was also much interested in horticulture and in the cultivation of fruit. Many of the fruit and ornamental trees at Manheim were planted by him — exempli gratia, Virgilia lutia, vulgarly called yellow wood, owing to the color of the wood when stripped of its bark. Two of these old trees, of gigantic dimensions, still remain along the southeast border of the grounds. The effect of these, when covered with long pendant racemes of white flowers in early June, is beyond description. The lot was intersected by paths bordered with box. The latter had grown so large and dense as to almost close the paths. Scattered about the lawn were numerous pear trees of old time varieties, such as sickel and but- HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 379 ter, always in abundant bearing in the summer season. Of course all these attractions of Caernarvon are gone now; the one object of con- verting the lawn into a pleasure ground, where all obstructions were neces- sarily removed, having been accomplished in a most masterly manner. The old house has also been altered and enlarged so as to accommodate It to altered circumstances, but its quaint old hexagonal shape has been conscientiously preserved. I must express my acknowledgement to the managers of the institution for the good taste they have displayed in the preservation of the antique character of Caernarvon, so associated with my early days, in converting it from a retired country seat into a vast and noted pleasure ground. As the Manheim Club increased in popularity and numbers, the extension of the grounds became necessary, and adjoining grounds were absorbed in it, one of the most extensive properties thus absorbed being that of Mr. John S. Littell. This part included an excellent dwelling house which was afterwards used for a club house. This house was at one time occupied by Mr. Coleman Fisher as his country residence. "Col. John Morgan Price did not live to a very advanced age, and Mrs. Price survived him many years — her life extending to her ninetieth year. I have said that she was accustomed to spend her summers at Caernarvon; she, however, generally made a tour of a few weeks with her daughter in true old-fashioned style, in a carriage drawn by a pair of horses, with her faithful colored servant for her coachman. She was among the last, if not the very last, in this part of the country to con- tinue this manner of traveling, for railroads and steamboats added nought to her accommodation; they were altogether ignored. In this respect her prejudices resembled those of her brother, John Wister, of Vernon, who, although residing directly opposite a railroad depot, never traveled in a railroad car in his long life of eighty-six years. He died in 1869. "Mrs. Price was a lady of great dignity of manner and appearance. She was a perfect representative of old school stateliness, courtesy and hospitality. She was accustomed to spend her winters in the city. She died November 29th, 1SG2, and was interred in the burial ground of Christ Church, in Philadelphia." C. J. WISTER. Germantown, 3d mo. 13th, 1903. It may be stated that the Price estate was situated at the south corner of the Club Grounds. It comprised about one-fifth of the present grounds, and belonged to Susan Price in 1871. The Ladies' Club House, near the entrance to the groimds, is the old Price house. It was standing before the Revolution. A new club house for the ladies has recently been erected near the large Club House. AVhat was formerly the old barn has been fitted up for the Boys' Club House. The rest of the grounds belonged to John S. Littell in 1871. His old mansion still stands to the right of the Manheim Street entrance. It has been claimed that this is the old Fraley house. 38o HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN The managers are to be commended for preserving these historic buildings, notwithstanding all the changes that have been necessary in making such vast improvements. About the middle of the last century, one of the most in- teresting places in this part of Germantown was the nursery of Peter Baumann, on Manheim Street. Peter Baumann came to Philadelphia as gardener for Stephen Girard. He was after- wards employed by Louis Clapier, at Fern Hill, about 1835. Soon after this he started in business for himself at Manheim Street and Plank Road (now Pulaski Avenue). His nurseries extended as far south as what is now Seymour Street. Two of his sons, George and Louis, commenced business in the same neighborhood. They are now both dead. This nursery of Peter Baumann's is said to have been the finest of its time. THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH AT GERMANTOWN An Address Delivered Before the City History Club of Philadelphia, May 7, 1903 By Rev. Prof. William J. Hinke You have invited me to speak to you to-night upon the history of one of the most ancient and historic organizations of Germantown, the old German Reformed Church, which is now the Market Scjuare Presbyterian Church of Germantown. Allow me to preface my address with the general statement that the Reformed Church had its origin in the mighty Refor- mation which swept over Europe in the sixteenth century. While Martin Luther in Germany started a movement against the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church, which led to the establishment of the Lutheran Church, other leaders in France, Switzerland and Holland began a similar movement which led to the founding of the Reformed Church. William Farel and John Calvin at Geneva, Ulrich Zwingle at Zurich, Frederick the Pious, Elector of the Palatinate ; John Knox, Reformer of Scotland ; Admiral Coligny, leader of the Huguenots in France ; William the Silent, the founder of the Dutch Republic ; Frederick William, the Great Elector of Bran- denburg, — these are the names of the great men who have established the Reformed Church in Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland and Scotland, and whose names live lustrous upon the pages of history. To the oft-repeated question — What is the Reformed Church? — we can now give the satisfactory answer, "It is the church to which Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States, belongs." The Reformed Church was brought to America by the Hol- landers, when they settled on Manhattan Island in 1623. One of the first Governors was Peter Minuit, an elder of the French Reformed congregation at Wesel on the Rhine. As Governor of New Netherlands, he introduced fair dealing with the Indians 2>^2 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOIVN long before William Penn was born. Afterwards he entered the service of the Swedish West India Company, Under its auspices he was sent to the Delaware river, where he estab- lished the colony of New Sweden in 1638. Here he continued the same humane policy towards the Indians, by purchasing" from them all the land from Cape Henlopen to the falls of the Delaware at Trenton, including the very site on which Phila- delphia and Germantown stand to-day. In this territory, thus acquired for the Swedish crown, the first Reformed congrega- tion was organized in 1654. Rev. John Theo. Polhemus, while on his way to New York, organized in that year, the Hollanders at Newcastle into the first Reformed congregation which was »«?' MARKET SQUARE, SHOWING GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH established on the west bank of the Delaware River. W^hen the colony of Pennsylvania was granted in 1681 by royal charter to William Penn, there were not only a considerable number of Germans living in the province, but also some who belonged to the German Reformed Church. Henry Frey reached America about 1680. while a tradition in the Reiff family distinctly as- serts that John George ReiiT, the ancestor of the family, came to America before the arrival of William Penn. Francis Daniel Pastorius says in a letter which I had the good fortune to discover in Switzerland, and which is printed in Governor Pennypacker's "History of the Settlement of Ger- mantown" (pp. 133-151), that among the early settlers were HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 383 found "some Germans who had already been in this country twenty years, namely, people from Schleswig, Brandenburg, Holstein and Switzerland." In the same letter he also remarks with reference to the ocean trip, "The religious beliefs of the passengers and their vocations are so varied that the ship might be compared to Noah s Ark. In my company I have fallen in with the Romish Church, with the Lutheran, with the Calvinis- tic, with the Anabaptist and with the English, and only one Quaker." Francis Daniel Pastorius arrived at Philadelphia on August 20, 1683. A few months later, on October 24, 1683, he founded Germantown. Let me give you the story in the words of Pas- torius himself as he has given it in another letter dated ^larch 7. 1684, which I discovered at Zurich. He says: "On the 24th of October, 1683, I laid out a town, and as it is settled by Ger- mans, I have called it Germantown. It is only two hours' walk from Philadelphia, and consists of 6000 acres. Twelve families, consisting of 42 persons, live there at present very contentedly. Most of them are tradesmen and weavers,, for I noticed that people could not get along without linen. The main street of this town is 60 feet wide, the cross streets are 40 feet. The space granted to each house and garden is three acres. For my own use I have reserved again as much." The first settlers of Germantown could not complain of being squeezed together, there was ample room for all. With regard to the religious condition of the community, Pastorius says in a later report (Geograpliischc Bcschrcibiuig. p. ^4), ''We have built here in Ger- mantown, in the year 1686, a small church for the community. We did not aim at a large imposing edifice, but rather at build- ing the temple of God (which we believers are ourselves). The first church of Germantown was therefore built for the commu- nity, and not for any particular denomination. During the following decade the number of settlers in Ger- mantown largely increased. Among them were also some who belonged to the Reformed faith. In the same ship with Daniel Pastorius came Isaac Dilbeck, afterwards a prominent elder of the Reformed Church at White- marsh. About 1690 came William De Wees, in whose house at Whitemarsh the congregation, organized there in 1725, wor- .shipped for many years. 384 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN Evert Ter Heiiven (now De Haven) came in 1698 from Muehlheimer on the Ruhr. He was also a Reformed elder at Whitemarsh. Hendrick Pannebecker, the ancestor of Gover- nor Pennypacker, who also belonged to the Reformed Church, arrived at Germantown at least as early as 1699. Hans Hen- drick Meels came in 1701, and John Rebenstock in 1702. These were some of the most prominent men, whose connection with the Reformed Church is absolutely certain. Other Reformed settlers came with or shortly after them, whose names history has not transmitted to us. During the first three decades no attempt was made by the Reformed people, as far as we know, to establish religious worship in their midst. The omission was no doubt due to the fact that no Reformed ministers were in the province. We have no documents to prove that they were ever visited by the Dutch Reformed Minister of Newcastle. The year 1710 marked a turning point in the history of the Reformed people at Germantown. Two ministers arrived. through whom the first organization of the German Reformed people in the present limits of Pennsylvania was accomplished. On September 22, 1710, Rev. Samuel Guldin arrived in Philadelphia with his family after a long and dangerous voyage. He came from Switzerland. He had been born and educated at Berne. In 1696 he was elected assistant minister at the Cathedral in Berne, a prominent position, but as he was a revi- valist he was compelled to leave Berne in 1699, and some time afterward he bade his native country farewell to emigrate to the New World. He has left a long and interesting letter describing his trip across the ocean. This letter was among the papers which I discovered at Berne. It was a dangerous jour- ney. Chased for many miles by French warships, they were compelled to sail around the northern coast of Scotland to escape their enemies. Several storms also threatened their safety. Thus he writes on August 17th, 1710: "We could only keep half a sail hoisted. The rudder had to be tied securely, and during the whole night we had to leave the ship to the mercy of the wind and waves. The waves were like mountains, and the ship- was sometimes so high that we thought we would capsize, and again we went down so deep that it seemed as though we would be hurled into the depths. And yet, with all that, I and mv HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 385 children had no fear, but looked upon the waves from the deck of the ship." When the emigrants arrived at Newcastle on Sep- tember 20th, 1710, they received a royal welcome. The people of the town gave them not only to eat and drink, "but also apples and peaches, as many as we could take back to the ship." Dur- ing the following winter Guldin lived with his family in the house of a friend, Conrad Matthaei, the well known hermit of the "Ridge," but on January i6th, 171 1, he bought 275 acres along the Wissahickon Creek. Being settled so close to Ger- mantown, it is but natural to suppose that he preached occa- sionally for the Reformed people, as we know he did at a later period of his life. In 1718 he wrote two books, which he pub- lished perhaps in Germany, in which he defended his life and doctrines in Switzerland. From them we learn the story of his early life. In 1743 he published a third book, against a union movement of all denominations in Pennsylvania, inaugurated by Count Zinzendorf. But as Guldin lived at Rocksbury rather the secluded and contemplative life of a Mystic, it was left to other more active men to bring about the actual organization of a Reformed congregation. I. — The Ministry of Paulus Van Vlecq There is an old, almost illegible record in the Dutch archives at New Brunswick, N. J., which gives us the desired information. (Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Soeicty, Vol. i, pp. iii-ijp.) On page 13 of this record we read: "In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1710, Mr. Paulus Van Vlecq was elected pastor, or shepherd, and teacher in the Church of Jesus Christ at Shacuminie, Bensalem, Germantown and surrounding villages." The consistory at Shameny and Bensalem was installed by Dr. Van Vlecq on May 21, 1710. The church at Whitemarsh was established on June 4th, 1710 with Hans Hendrick ]\Ieels, Senior Elder; Evert Ter Heuven, Junior Elder; Isaac Dilbeck. Senior Deacon, and William DeWees, Junior Deacon. In the following year the congregation had 21 members, whose names are given in the record. Here then we notice the first evidence of an organization. Ven Vlecq organized two congregations, one at Neshaminy, which is to-day the Dutch Reformed congregation at Church- ville, Bucks County, and the other at Whitemarsh. This latter congregation evidently included "Germantown and the surround- 386 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN ing villages." There was, therefore, no separate organization at Germantown, but the Reformed people there attended church at Whitemarsh. But let us look for a moment at the pastor of this congre- gation, the Rev. Paulus Van Vlecq. He appears first in the State of New York in 1702. The Lieutenant-Governor was in- formed "that one Paulus Van Vlecq hath lately wandered about the country, preaching, notwithstanding he has been formally forbid by his Excellency to do the same, and is lately called by some of the inhabitants of Kinderhook to be their clerk (min- ister), without license." In his defence Van Vlecq produced a testimonial of the people at Kinderhook, which stated that he had satisfactorily performed among them the duties of precentor and schoolmaster. (Documentary History of Nezv York, Vol. j, /•. 8()4.) In 1709 Van Vlecq appears again in the Journal of the New York Legislature. His name was at that time offered as a person willing to accompany the expedition to Canada in the capacity of chaplain or reader to the Dutch troops. The Dutch Reformed ministers of New York were accordingly ordered by the Assembly to examine him, and if found orthodox, to ordain him. They refused most positively to do this, as they had no orders from the church in Holland. However, it seems that Van Vlecq was ordained privately by Dr. Freeman, although the latter, in his letter to Holland, denied it. It is true, hoAvever, that when Van Vlecq appeared in Pennsylvania in 1710, he cair.e as a fully fledged minister. It is therefore probable that Dr. Freeman, who was his close friend, and suspected of ordaining him, really performed this rite, in spite of his public denial. On September 21, 1710, Van Vlecq asked the Presbytery of Phila- delphia to admit him and his congregation to the Presbytery. The minutes of that meeting state : "After serious debating thereon, it was put to the vote to admit him as a meml^er of the Presbytery or not, and it was carried in the affirmative." The Presbytery would hardly have taken this action unless he had presented satisfactory evidence of his ordination. By this act Van Vlecq became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his congregation, consisting of Dutch and German settlers, passed under the care of the Presbyterian Church. The min- istry of Van Vlecq was neither long nor successful. On Sep- tember nth, 171 T, he was married to Jannetye Van Dyck by HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 387 Rev. Mr. Andrews, the Presbyterian minister at Philadelphia. Shortly after his marriage, rumors began to circulate in his congregation that he had left a wife in Holland, from whom he was not divorced, and although the charge was never defi- nitely proved against him, yet he preferred to leave the congre- gation in 1712. What became of him afterward is not known. After the removal of Van Vlecq the congregation at White- marsh seems to have disbanded. II. — The Activity of John Philip Boehm. 1725-7 A new period of activity for the Reformed people of Penn- sylvania began in 1725, when John Philip Boehm, a former school teacher in the Palatinate was persuaded by the people to assume the ministerial office among them. Bachen himself has left us the record of these important events in a report which he sent to Holland on July 8th, 1744, which was brought to light from the Dutch archives at the Hague a few years ago. The story of Boehm is as follows : Formerly, when there were no Reformed services in this country, the Reformed people at Falkner Swamp, Skippack and Whitemarsh came together and when they took communion it was with the Presbyterians in Philadelphia in the year 1725. But because this appeared to some as not in accord with our Reformed Church, they stayed away and became much scattered, as wandering sheep having no shepherd, which was very distressing to observe. Accordingly they resolved once more urgently to request me (J. Ph. Boehm), although for full five years I had declined to do so, that I would become their pastor. This was so touchingly represented to me by two of their number thereunto commissioned, that our hearts melted together in tears, and in the name of all the people it was pressed upon my con- science whether I had the courage to answer for it at the last judgment if I should leave them thus without help and allow so many souls to remain scattered among all kinds of sects. I thought indeed that it would be better for me if I could escape this yoke and support my fam- ily with my work, but I was convinced by my conscience that I could not refuse. I allowed myself, therefore, to be persuaded to this work. With humbleness of heart I addressed myself to the Lord's work and drew up with my brethren, as well as we could, a Constitution of the church, so that all things might be done in good order. We divided the charge into three congregations, and when the Constitution had been presented to and accepted by the whole people, I was regularly elected by each one of the congregations and a formal call was extended to me by the elders. Whereupon I begun the ministry of the Lord among them. After I had preached a few times to my dear congregations, namely, Falkner Swamp, Skippack and Whitemarsh, we celebrated the Lord's Supper, and then commenced for the first time, on October 1.5, 1725, at Falkner Swamp, with 40 members; in November at Skippack, 388 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN with 37 members; on December 23, at Whitemarsh, with. 24 members. That was the beginning of our worship." ("Minutes and Letters of the Caetus of Pennsylvania," Pliiladelphia, 1903, p. 17.) That these congregations of Boehm's were a continuation of the work of Van Vlecq is shown by the fact that the elders of Boehm had been elders in the congregation of Van Vlecq. In 1728 we find as elders of Whitemarsh Isaac Dilbeck, William De Wees and John Rebenstock, while Gabriel Schuler and Ger- ret Ter Heuven were elders at Skippack. The names of all these men are found in the church record of Van Vlecq. These five men are therefore the link which joins the congregation of 1725 to that of 1710. III. — The Ministry of George Michael Weiss. 1 727-1730 The work of Boehm continued uninterruptedly and pros- perously for two years, when the arrival of an ordained minister threw his congregation into great confusion. On September 21st, 1727, there appeared at the court house of Philadelphia a motley crowd of 109 Palatine immigrants, who, according to Act of Legislature, passed shortly before their arrival, were required to render the oath of allegiance to George II, King of England. They, together with their wives and children, had been imported in the ship William and Sarah; having last sailed from Rotterdam. The leader of the colonists and the first to sign the Declaration was the Rev. George Michael Weiss, who had accompanied them from the Palatinate to the New World. A contemporaneous report in the Minutes of the Deputies of the Synods of North and South Holland, dated October 31, 1735, states definitely: "The ministry of the churches (in Pennsylvania) has been in charge of the Rev. Mr. Weiss, who came over with a colony of these Palatines." As soon as Weiss heard that an unordained layman was ministering to the Reformed congregations of the province, he became very violent. With letters and public denunciations he tried to stop his preaching. He declared that Boehm had no right to persist in his unlawful ministry. For these reasons he denounced him as "a man unfit for the ministry whom I do not consider worthy to administer the sacraments." This un- fortunate controversy caused great commotion in the churches, but in the end it served a very useful purpose. The members HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJJ'N 389 of Boehm's congregations, who were much attached to their faithful leader, appealed, through the Dutch minister of New York, to the Classis of Amsterdam for permission to have him ordained. The request was granted and Boehm was ordained at New York on November 23d, 1729. On the following day a reconciliation between Boehm and Weiss w^as effected, in which the latter promised to interfere no more with the work of Boehm, but to confine himself to Philadelphia and Germantown. A record of this event is preserved in a minute book of the Con- sistory of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church of New York, from which I may be allowed to quote a few sentences : "That henceforth there shall be a brotherly friendship between Dr. Boehm and his congregations with Dr. Weiss. That they will both act as servants of the Lord towards each other — Dr. Weiss for the honor of Dr. Boehm's ministry, and Dr. Boehm for the honor of Dr. Weiss's ministry at Philadelphia and Germantown. Dr. Weiss also binds himself to endeavor to bring his congrega- tion in Philadelphia and Germantown into subordination to the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam." This statement proves con- clusively that during the ministry of Rev. ]\Ir. Weiss a separate German Reformed congregation was organized at Germantown, either in 1727 or 1728. Since that year the existence of the con- gregation has been continuous. In spite of the more peaceful relations between himself and Boehm, Weiss found it difficult to maintain himself. His con- gregations were so poor that they could neither pay him a suffic- ient salary nor erect a house of worship, but he was compelled to preach as Boehm, in barns and private houses. In order to increase his income he advertised in eight successive issues of the Philadelphia Mercury, beginning with February 10, 1730, for students to teach them Logic, Natural Philosophy and ]vleta- physics. The instruction to be given in the house of the widow Sprogel, where he may have boarded. But it is doubtful whether the young men of Philadelphia cared for such a splendid oppor- tunity to be introduced into the mysteries of philosophy. Like himself, they had probably all they could do to make a living. Consequently we find him a few months later casting about for other means to improve his condition and incidentally that of his congregations. In answ'er to a report and appeal w^hich he had sent to Holland, he learned that some monev had been col- 390 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN lected by the Dutch Synods. He at once resolved to secure this money. Without delay he started on his journey to Holland in May, 1730. Boehm did not look very kindly upon this newr move of his fellov^ laborer, for he wrote to the minister of New York on May 17, 1730: "He (Weiss) is now bent upon new trouble, for he has resolved to cross the ocean stating that he wants to go to Holland to secure the money which is said to have been collected there in answer to his letter. He wants to put this money on interest, so that he can live on it. * * * Now we believe nothing to be more certain than that, together with Jacob Reiff, who accompanies him, and who was the first to in- troduce him into our congregations and helped him to create the harmful division, he will do all in their power to oppose our work." The prediction of Boehm was fully borne out by later developments. Not only did Weiss take along with him several letters of complaint against Boehm from the discontented people at Skippack, which he laid before the authorities in Holland, but also while in Holland used every opportunity to slander a man who was every inch as good as he. Space does not permit us to enter into the details of the collecting tour of Weiss and Reifif. We can only say that as the result of their mission about 2200 Dutch Guilders, or 880 dollars, were collected, which Weiss on his return to America in the spring of 1731, entrusted to his companion, Jacob Reifif. (For details see History of the Rciff Case, in Historical Notes, edited by Mr. Dotterer. Vol. i, p. 133 fif.) IV. — The Ministry of John Peter Miller September, 1730 — Summer, 1731 After the departure of Weiss, the congregation remained without a pastor for several months. But on August 29, 1730, a new candidate of theology arrived in Philadelphia — John Peter Miller. Thus far it was not possible to prove that Miller was ever pastor at Germantown, but from a letter of Boehm's dated November 12, 1730, discovered at Amsterdam, we learn this in- teresting fact. As Boehm reprodvtces in this letter an interesting conver- sation which he had with Miller, and as these are the only state- ments of Miller while pastor at Germantown, I may be par- HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 391 doned for quoting them entire. They certainly throw a flood of Hght upon the character of Miller. Boehm writes as follows : "No person can be expected for the congregations, because this fall another man has arrived, named Miller, whose father is minister in the Palatinate and belongs to the inspectorate of Kaiserslauten. He avails himself, like Weiss, of the liberty of this country, for he has preached hitherto to the seceders at Skippack and promised them as well as *he people in Philadelphia and Germantown to take the place of Weiss till his return. In order to do this the more successfully, as he is not yet ordained, he appealed to the Presbyterians in Philadelphia to be ordained by them, as he told me himself at my house on the 19th of October, and that in the week before he had handed in his confession of faith, hoping to have his desire granted in the following week, which, however, as far as I know, has not yet been done. "I gave Miller the friendly advice to apply to the ministers of New York and endeavor to be ordained according to the order of our Re- formed Church, so that the affair might stand a better test before the world. Whereupon he answered me: "That way were far too round about for him, if he could have a nearer way he would certainly take it, besides, there would be no real difference at any rate. Moreover, he liked to know who had given authority to the Classis of Amsterdam to rule over the church in this country, he thought the King of England were more important than the Classis of Holland. Then I told him that he was asking too much, who had given the Classis the authority, and it did not concern me at all, btit I thought that if the Classis had no right in this matter, they would never have received us and given us instructions. I had submitted my- self to them and would always and gladly live according to their eccles- siastical direction. He then gave me a fine bit of sarcasm. That were indeed a glorious liberty in this country where the people themselves could appoint a minister, elect him and depose him again according to their pleasure. It would not be right to deprive them of such liberty by placing them under a Classis which would afterward send these ministers as she saw fit. The Christians in this country were under no head, — Christ alone was their head in heaven. Then, he declared, the people had only called me provisionally, tmtil they could get another minister. I showed him my call. He said the call did not state that they had called me for life, whereupon I answered, the Reverend Classis had recognized the call as valid, if he were wiser than the Classis he would have to take it up with her. Besides, I represented to him, that I also recognized Christ as the only head of his Church on earth through means, for which reason I would rather, for the sake of good order in the Church, submit to divinely instituted authority than stand on my own freedom. On this question he did not agree with me." Shortly afterwards ]\Iiller was ordained by the Presbyteri- ans. Rev. Mr. Andrews paid him the following compliment: "He (Aliller) is an extraordinary person for sense and learning. We gave him a question to discuss about justification, and he answered it on a whole sheet of paper in a very notable manner. He speaks Latin as readily as we do our vernacular tongue." 392 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN Miller himself has left us a record of his ordination in a letter written late in his life. He informs us: "In August, 1730, I arrived in Philadelphia, and was there at the end of the said year upon the order of the Scotch Synod, ordained in the old Presbyterian Meeting House by three ministers — Rennent, An- drews and Boyd." Nothing else is known about the ministry of Miller at Ger- mantown. Only at Goshenhoppen he has left a record of his work, consisting of 69 baptisms which he entered into the church record from June, 1731, to July, 1734. {Pcrkiomcn Regions, Vol. Ill, p. Q4.) During the same time he also supplied Tulpe- hocken. In May, 1735, he left the Reformed Church and by public baptism entered the sect of the Dunkers. The rest of his life was spent behind the cloister walls at Ephrata, in Lan- caster County. His ministry at Philadelphia and Germantown seems to have come to an end in the summer of 1731, perhaps at the return of Weiss from Europe. But as Weiss soon after his return accepted a call to Schoharie County, in the State of New York, the congregation was again without a minister. V. — The Ministry of John Bartholomew Rieger September, 173 1 — April, 1734 Exactly four years after Rev. Mr. Weiss had presented himself at the court house in Philadelphia, to sign the oath of allegiance, on September 21, 1731, another Reformed minister stood at the same time to go through the same formality. It was John Bartholomew Rieger. Like Weiss he was the leader of a colony of Palatines. This is distinctly asserted in a report of Rev. Mr. Wilhelmius, the friend of the Palatines, at Rotterdam, which he laid before the Deputies on October 31st, 1735. In it he states that the third minister serving the Reformed people "is Candidate Rieger, who went over with another colony and became minister there." Shortly after his arrival Rieger was elected pastor at Phila- delphia and Germantown. On November 22, 173 1, Dr. Jacob Diemer, a prominent member of the congregation at Philadel- phia, wrote to the Synod : "In trying to raise the salary of our pastor, we found in three congregations — Philadelphia, German- town and Skippack — not quite 200 families. These have not HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN 393 been able to pay more than thirty-eight pounds towards the minister's salary." In a later letter of Rieger himself, dated March 4, 1733, we find the following statement: "The congrega- tion at Skippack, Germantown and Philadelphia, has accepted as its minister, Barth. Rieger, who arrived here a year and a half ago. He preaches on one Sunday at Skippack, the second at Germantown and the third at Philadelphia." In September, 1734. the congregation numbered, according to the statement of two elders, Minck and Bentzel, thirty mem- bers. (See "Minutes and Letters of the Coetus of Pennsylva- nia," p. I.) The ministry of Rieger at Philadelphia and Germantown became eventful through the remarkable occurrences of the now famous Reifi' case Let me give you the story in brief in the words of the pastor and elders as submitted to the Synod of Holland on February 23, 1734. They wrote as follows: "We are at present in a lamentable condition because of the collected money sent over to us, which had been given for the upbuilding of the Reformed Church, and is still in the hands of the dishonest Jacob Rieff, who with Dr. Weiss was in Holland in 1730 and 1731. We thought we could compel him to render an account and learn whether the collection book agreed with his statements, but it was all in vain. He insists that he received no more than 750 Dutch Guilders from Dr. Van Asten, whereas, according to the statement of Dr. Weiss, the collection book shows more than 2000." In order to compel Reiff to render an account, the case had been taken into the Court of Chancery, but as the prosecuting members did not have sufficient evidence to prove their contention, nothing was gained by the move. Finally a climax was reached in April, 1734. A congregational meeting was held at which ReiiT was present. Then the con- gregation learned that the members who had prosecuted Reiff before the cotirt had done so at their own initiative without any authority from the congregation, that they were really the cause of the whole trouble, having advised Reiff by letter to invest the collected money in merchandise. When the congre- gation learned these astonishing facts, they resolved at once to depose the whole consistory and elect new men who would serve the congregation more faithfully. This resolution was carried out and a new consistory was elected. This action of the congregation displeased the pastor. Rev. Mr. Rieger, very 394 HISTORY Of OLD GBRMANTOWN much, because he sympathized with the deposed members, and as a result he left the congreg-ation and went to Aimwell, N. J. VI.— The Ministry of John Bechtel 1734— 1744 While all these events had been going on in the two congre- gations, another man had been quietly working at Germantown, who, after the departure of Rieger, took full charge of the con- gregation. It was John Bechtel. Like Boehm himself, he was a layman, a turner by trade. According to his autobiography, preserved in the archives of the Moravian Church, at Bethlehem, he emigrated with his wife and three children to Pennsylvania in 1726. He settled in Germantown. In referring to his min- istry among the Reformed, he states in his autobiography : "I served my Reformed brethren in Germantown and neighbor- hood for more than sixteen years. In answer to their call and its written confirmation from Heidelberg, I conducted their religious services and acted as their pastor. Finally they began to persecute me and at last dismissed me on Sunday, February 9, 1744." Counting back sixteen years from 1744, we are brought to 1728, and as he says that he served them somewhat longer than sixteen years, his ministry must have begun in 1727. At first he acted only as a lay reader, while Weiss, Mil- ler and Rieger were the regular pastors. As they preached at most once every three weeks, there was enough opportunity for a lay reader to make himself useful in the intervening Sun- days. But he did not only lead the congregation in spiritual things, he also endeavored to advance the material interests of the congregation. Under his leadership the congregation purchased a lot on Market Square for a church. It was a lot containing one eighth of an acre. It was conveyed on Novem- ber 8, 1732, by Henry Frederick, of Germantown, carpenter, and Anna Barbara, his wife, to John Bechtel, turner ; Christopher Meng, mason ; Jacob Bauman, carpenter, and George Bensel, yeoman, in trust for the Reformed congregation. In the decla- ration of trust made by these persons on the following day, November 9, 1732, it is stated that "said land and premises were so as aforesaid conveyed unto us by the direction and appoint- ment of the inhabitants of Germantown aforesaid, belonging to the High Dutch Reformed Congregation in trust, to the HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 395 intent only that we, or such or so many of us as shall be and continue in unity and religious fellowshinp with the said High Dutch Reformed Congregation, and remain members of the same shall hold it for the benefit, use and behoof of the said congregation forever, and for a place to erect a meeting house for the use and service of the said congregation." In the following year, 1733, a church was built on the ground, which Boehm describes as "a well built, large stone church." In a report to Holland dated October 28, 1734, Boehm refers to the church as follows : "The congregation at German- town has undertaken to build a church. They have made con- siderable progress with it, l)ut they have contracted a debt on account of it, so that they are not much farther advanced than if they had to begin anew, because the collections in this country bring, according to our opinion, not much result. However, the church stands upon a piece of land definitely bought by them. It is also well situated, almost in the centre of that place." Here I have to stop a moment in the history to correct two misconceptions into which nearly all of our historians have fallen. In the first place it is usually thought that when the church was built, John Bechtel was really the pastor of the congregation. This I consider as not only as improbable, but also opposed to all the evidence we have. In the first place Ave have seen that Bechtel is not called the pastor in the deed, but only "John Bechtel, turner." Moreover, there are two letters of Rev. Mr. Rieger in existence, one dated March 4, 1733. and the second February zt^, i734, in both of which he signs himself as pastor at Philadelphia and Germantown, and finally we have the definite testimony of Boehm that Bechtel assumed the pas- torate after the departure of Rieger. Thus he writes on July 8. 1744: "When Bartholomew Rieger, who also preached for them occasionally, had left them, they allowed John Bechtel to preach constantly to them." (See "jMinutes and Letters of the Coetus of Pennsylvania," p. 21). We are therefore forced to the con- clusion that in 1732 and 1733 Bechtel was still lay reader. Again it is stated by many historians that Germantown had a Reformed Church as early as 1719, and that the Swedish minister, Dylander, laid the corner stone. (Hallesche Nach- richten. New edition. Vol. I, p. 41). 396 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMANTOWN This statement is certainly incorrect, for Dylander did not come to this country till 1737, eighteen years after the supposed corner stone laying. Again, in a letter which Arent Hassert, Jr., long a resident of Philadelphia, wrote on January 9, 1733, to the Synod of Holland in answer to a request for information, he enumerates all the churches then built in Germantown, but makes no mention of a Reformed Church. He states: "German- town is six English miles from Philadelphia. It has a large Quaker meeting house, a High German Alennonite Church and a similar one in which the Crefeld dialect or a broken Holland- ish is used." Finally on July 14, 1744, the members of the congregation at Germantown sent a letter to Holland in which they wrote : "About ten years ago four members of the con- gregation used their best efforts to build a church for the same, hoping that the congregation might there conduct its services. Whatever these members contributed for its erection from their own means, they hoped the congregation would in course of time refund to them, but thus far their hopes have not been realized." It is noteworthy that in this letter there is only a reference to the church of 1733. Why this total silence in these letters as well as in the long reports of Boehm? Evi- dently because no earlier church existed. How the story origi- nated is not known, but there is no uestion but that we can dismiss it as unhistorical. From 1733 to 1740 the congregation has left but few traces in history. A statement of Boehm is our main source of infor- mation for this period. On January 14, 1739, he wrote to the Classis as follows : "With Germantown I have had no personal relation, nor have I any exact knowledge about its condition, because, although it was often proposed to them, they would never submit to any church order. Yet this much is known to me (because I asked two of the elders, Clinch and Benzel), that in the month of September, 1734, there had been about thirty communicants. Since then John Bechtel has preached for them and has undertaken to administer the Sacraments. Then they also allowed the old Guldin to preach in their church and now the Lutherans also make use of it, and thus the Re- formed people there are at present in a rather poor condition." The years 1741-1742 became memorable in the history of the congregation through the visit of Count Zinzendorf. He arrived in Philadelphia on December 10, 1741. He had learned HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 397 from frequent reports the deplorable condition in Pennsylvania, and that there was practically no ecclessiastical organization among the various sects. Hence he determined to bring, if possible, order out of this chaos by uniting all Protestants into one body, irrespective of their denominational affiliations. When he arrived in Pennsylvania he found that the same long- ing for union had there been entertained by a body of men called "The Associated Brethren of Skippack." When one of their leaders, Henry Antes, "the pious man of Frederick town- ship," explained to him his plans for a union conference of all the churches, Zinzendorf readily assented, because he saw in it a means to carry out his own ideas. As a result, Antes issued a circular, on December 15, 1741 (old style), calling a general conference to meet in Germantown on January i, 1742 (old style), in order to treat peaceably concerning the most import- ant articles of faith, and to ascertain how far they might all agree in the most essential points, for the purpose of promoting mutual love and forbearance." On December 20, 1741 (Decem- ber 31, 1741, new style), Zinzendorf preached for the first time in the Reformed Church at Germantown. When he met Bechtel for the first time, shortly after his arrival, he asked to see his workshop. Bechtel, not accvistomed to figurative language, thought at first he meant his turner shop. But when he found out that the Count meant his church, he showed it to him wil- lingly. The Count asked "how many persons does it hold?" Bechtel replied. " about a thousand." 'T see," said the Count, 'T shall have a great deal of work when I return." The work proved indeed larger and harder than he anticipated. Although the first union meeting, which was held in the house of Theobold Endt, was largely attended, soon dififerences of opinion appeared, which led to heated discussions. They were repeated at later meetings, till gradually all but the Moravians, Lutherans and Reformed withdrew. At the third union meeting, at Oley, the actual organization of the movement took place, and it was called "The Congregation of God in the Spirit." This organiza- tion was still further completed at the fifth Synod, held in Ger- mantown, April 6-9 (old style). At this time a catechism was published for the Reformed Church under the editorship of John Bechtel. That this catechism was not written by Bechtel himself as all the Reformed historians state, is evident from the following entry in the Bethlehem diary, under date of July 11-22, 398 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 1/42. "Afterwards Bro. Andrew Eschenbach and Gottlob Butt- ner read from the catechism for the Reformed congregations in Pennsylvania, which Bro. Ludwig (Zinzendorf) wrote and Bro. John Bechtel edited." Shortly after the Synod, on Palm Sun- day, 1742, John Bechtel was ordained by Bishop David Nitzsch- mann and appointed overseer of the Reformed congregations in the province. This ordination of Bechtel was in course of time followed by ordinations of other men from the Reform contingent until there were in all five Reformed missionaries laboring in the various German settlements — Bechtel, Ranch, Brandmuller and Antes. At first these missionaries were gladl}' welcomed, but when the Reformed people began to realize that in accepting the ministrations of these men they would grad- ually drift into the ^Moravian Church, most of them refused to listen any longer to their preaching. Such was also the experi- ence of the Reformed people at Germantown. Shortly after his ordination, Bechtel announced that all the Reformed people of Germantown and its neighborhood should assemble in the Reformed Church on Monday after Pentecost. At this meeting he informed them that he was willing to organ- ize a Reformed congregation, and that all who wished to be members of the congregation and adhere to the decrees of the Synod of Berne, should sign their names. He also promised to administer the sacraments after the Reformed custom and instruct the children in a Reformed catechism, either the Heidel- berg, Basle, or Berne catechism, whichever they desired. As a result, seventeen or eighteen signed their names. (See "Boehm's Getreuer Warnungsbrief, Philadelphia, 1742, p. 86.) A regular election for a pastor took place on January 27, 1743, when Bechtel was elected for one year, with the under- standing "that he would henceforth adhere to the Reformed doctrine and always teach the Heidelberg catechism in its purity in all its points." But hardly a week afterwards he objected publicly to the eightieth and one hundred and fourteenth ques- tions, saying the first (on the Catholic Mass) was not necessary in this country, and the latter was not true because those whO' were converted no longer committed sin. By such and similar statements he ofl:ended many of his people, and when the year agreed upon was up, he was dismissed on Sunday, February 9, 1744. Two years afterward he removed to Bethlehem, where he spent the rest of his life in retirement. Although a pious HISTORY OP OLD GERMANTOWN 399 man, he was not born to be a leader, but rather preferred a hfe of contemplative seclusion. After the retirement of Bechtel, the people held another con- gregational meeting to consult what should be done next. They concluded unanimously to call Rev. John Philip Boehm, pastor of the Reformed congregation at Philadelphia, Falkner Swamp, Skippack and Whitemarsh, who had been the most violent oppo- nent of the union movement of Zinzendorf, and through whose instrumentality most of the Reformed congregations had been kept within the Reformed Church. But when Boehm demanded that they should draw up a regular contract, accepting as their constitution one prepared by him and in force in his other con- gregations, they objected. They had enjoyed their freedom too long, and were not willing to submit to strict rules and regu- lations. The congregation was then without a regular pastor, and was only occasionally supplied by visiting ministers. Rev. Peter Henry Dorsius, of Neshaminy, Bucks County, visited them, for instance, on Easter Sunday, 1744. Shortly before, an unordained preacher from Raritan. N. J., had been with them. (See the extended account by Rev. Mr. Boehm in "]\Iinutes and Letters of the Coetus of Pennsylvania." Philadelphia, 1903, pp. 27-30.) On July 14, 1744, the members of the congregation sent the following letter to the Synod of Holland: "Very Reverend, Very Learned and Most Honored Deputies of the Reverend Synods of North and South Holland: "Whereas, The Rev. Mr. Dorsius, after receiving the letter of the Reverend Deputies of the two Synods mentioned above, which was addressed to all the Reformed congregations of Pennsylvania, very kindly made the same known to our Reformed congregation here in Germantown, we could but acknowledge, with most humble respect and gratitude, your kindness in offering to establish and care for our Re- formed congregations in the country. We also feel encouraged to report briefly to the Reverend Deputies of the two Synods, the distracted and ruined condition of our congregation. About ten years ago, four men and members of the congregation did their best, according to their ability, to build a church for the congregation, hoping that thus it would be in a position to conduct its regular worship, and that if it secured a regular pastor, it would be able gradually to refund to them whatever they had spent of their small means in the building of a church. But since, after the erection of the church, the congregation remained too weak, owing to the lack of a pastor (although several years ago the Rev. Mr. Rieger preached here for a short time, as also several others occasionally), it was not able to pay off the costs of the newly built church, much less to pay a regular salary to a minister. This was 400 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN especially the case because one of the men mentioned above (John Bechtel) who, during almost the entire period had read (sermons) to the congregation, about a year ago went over to the party of Zinzendorf, or the Moravian Brethren, and endeavored most persistently to draw our church and congregation secretly to the same party. But several of our members, without expecting any temporal reward, did their utmost to prevent this and to maintain our poor and needy congregation. "We, therefore, address our most humble request and petition to your Reverences to take the condition of our congregation into your kind consideration, and we take the liberty to humbly assure your Reverences that your accustomed kindness and fatherly care for these very distant Evangelical Reformed congregations of Jesus Christ (who has appointed you as our fathers and guardians), causes us to entertain the glad hope that the Reverend Deputies will effectually make known our circumstances to the Honorable Synods, and will assist us through deeds and with counsels, and thus graciously support our poor congre- gation, which we recommend to your favor and benevolence. The Rev. Mr. Dorsius has indeed preached for us lately several times in High German, but this is rather difficult for him (he was a Dutch Reformed minister), although he did it out of love to help our congregation, which kindness we gratefully recognize. At other times a working man, a member of our congregation, reads to us a chapter from the Bible, or a sermon, in order not to discontinue our services altogether. "Finally, we all wish most heartily that Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd of all his congregations, may abundantly fill your Reverences with His spirit and power, in order that each congregation may share, according to its circumstances, the blessing with you. Thus we remain most humbly, your Reverences' most submissive elders, officers and members of the Reformed congregation at Germantown, whose names are hereunto subscribed. Germantown, July 14, 1744. Nicholas Ochs, elder, Adam Muller, Frederick Gartner, elder, Frederick Lorentz, Jacob Bauman, Conrad Weidner, George Bensel, Hans Kuber, Christopher Meng, Henry Bard, Daniel Kroninger, John Von Sanden. Jacob Knecht, Jacob Madori, Jacob Weidman, John George Reiss. Sebastian Muller, Jacob Maag." This petition did not have an immediate effect, but two years later Rev. Michael Schlatter arrived in Pennsylvania,- sent over by the Holland Church to organize the Reformed Church in this countrv. This organization was effected on September 29, 1747. at Philadelphia. Michael Schlatter also organized the Reformed congrega- tions of Philadelphia and Germantown into one charge, on September 18, 1746. when sixty men at Germantown promised twenty-four pounds for a pastor's salary. A few months later, HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 401 on December 21, 1746, Schlatter was installed by Rev. Mr. Boehm as the regular pastor of this charge. AVith the arrival of Schlatter the congregation passed into a new stage of existence. The period of irregular ministers came to an end and the period of a regular ministry began REV. MICHAEL SCHLATTER henceforth. The congregation remained an integral part of the Coetus of Pennsylvania, and enjo3^ed for more than a century the ministry of regular Reformed pastors. Finally we may be permJtted to append the first complete list of the Reformed ministers, who served the Germantown cono-resration : 102 HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN REV. ALBERT HELFFENSTEIN, JR. REV. JACOB HELFFENSTEIN PASTORS OF THE GERMAN REFORMED CONGREGATION AT GERMANTOWN 1. — 1727-1730, George Michael Weiss. 2. — 1730-September-1731, summer, John Peter Miller. 3. — 1731, September-1734, April, John Bartholomew Rieger. 4.— 1734-1744, John Bechtel. 1744-1745, Supplied by Peter Henry Dorsius and others. 5.— 1746-1749, Michael Schlatter. 6.— 1749-1756, John Conrad Steiner. 7.— 1756-1757, Henry William Stoy. 8. — 1758-1767, John George Alsentz. 9. — 1767, October-1768, September, John Christopher Faber. 10. — 1769, Spring-1772, Christian Frederick Faehring. 11.— 1772-1776, John Conrad Albert Helffenstein. 12.— 1777-1779, Samuel Dubbendorf. 13.— 1779-1790, John Conrad Albert Helffenstein. 14.-1790-1800, Frederick Lebrecht Herman. 15.— 1802-1805, John William Runkel. 16.-1807-1809, Charles Helffenstein. 17.-1811-1813, Frederick William Van der Sloot. 18.-1813-1824, Caspar Wack. 19.-1825-1829, John H. Schwaltz. 20.— 1830-1836, Albert Helffenstein, Jr. 21.-1838-1842, Truman Osborn. 22.-1842-1856, Jacob Helffenstein. In 1856 it passed over into the Presbyterian Church. THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF GENERAL AGNEW AND LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BIRD In the history of the Lower Burying Ground, mention was made of the burial of General Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel Bird, and of the fact that Watson, the historian, erected a stone over their graves. There has long been considerable doubt in the minds of many as to the real place of sepulture of these two unfortunate British officers, although a few people have always known the true facts. In 1902, in opening the continuation of Broad Street, it became necessary to cut off a portion of the eastern end of the de Benneville graveyard, at Green Lane and Old York Road. This necessitated the removal of a few bodies in that part of the yard, and among them were those of the two ofificers mentioned As this removal was under the supervision of the British Consul, there can be little or no doubt but that their remains rest in the de Benneville yard. We are indebted to Mr. F. L. Englebert for the following account of the death and burial of these two officers : During the battle of Germantown, which occurred October 4th, 1777, General Agnew's brigade lay with those of Lieutenant-General Knyp- hausen, Major-General Stern and Major-General Gray, on the south side of School House Lane, and west of Germantown Avenue, extending to the Wissahickon Creek. Wister's house was convenient, and General Agnew took possession of it, but did not remain as a tenant very long. The British Army, under General Howe, occupied, on the evening of September 23d, the north side of Stony Run, between the Ridge Road and the Schuylkill river, and on the 25th removed in two grand divi- sions. The next day General Agnew became a tenant of the Wister house. On October 4th he was summoned from the house by the noise of the American attack, and hastily responded to the call of duty. Thompson Westcott, in his "Historic Mansions of Philadelphia," quotes the following letter from Lossing's Field-book of the Revolution, of Alexander Andrew, a private soldier and principal servant of General Agnew, written to the widow of the General, and bearing date of March 8, 1778. "The army then proceeded to that important place called Germantown, the 4th of October being the particular and fatal day of which your ladyship has cause to remember, and I have much reason to regret. But 404 HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN to let you know the particulars of that day. Being between the hours of nine and twelve as the brigade was following the Third in an oblique advancing line, the General, with the piquet at their head, entered the town, hurried down the street to the left, but had not ridden above twenty or thirty yards, which was to the top of a little rising ground, when a party of the enemy, about one hundred, rushed out from behind a house about five hundred yards in front, the General being then in the street, and even in front of the piquet, and all alone, only me. He wheeled around and putting the spurs to his horse, calling to me, he received a whole volley from the enemy. "The fatal ball entered the small of his back, near the back seam of his coat, right side, and came out a little below his left breast. Another EASTERN END OP DE BENNEVILLE GRAVEYARD AS IT APPEARED IN 1904 ball went through his right hand. I at the same instant received a slight wound in the side, but just then got off in time enough to prevent his falling, who, with the assistance of two men, took him down, carried him in a house near by and laid him on a bed, and sent for a doctor who was near. When he came he could only turn his eyes and look steadfastl\' on me with seeming affection. "The doctor and Major Leslie just came in time enough to see him depart this life, which he did without the least struggle or agony, but with great composure and calmness, and seeming satisfaction: which was about ten or fifteen minutes after he had received the ball, and, I believe, between ten and eleven o'clock. HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAKTOWN 405 "I then had his body brought to his former quarters, took his gold Watch, his purse in which was four guineas and half a Johannes, which I delivered to Major Leslie as soon as he came home. I then had him genteely laid out, and decently dressed with some of his best things, had a coffin made, the best the place could produce. His corpse was decently buried the next day in the churchyard, attended by a chaplain and the officers of the Forty-fourth Regiment." Next, w^e will see what Watson says: "General Agnew rode at the head of his men, and when he came as far as the wall of the Mennonite grave-yard he was shot by Hans P. Boyer, who lay in ambush and took deliberate aim at the star on his breast. He fell from his horse and was carried to Mr. Wister's house, where he died in the front parlor. The man who killed him was not an enlisted soldier, and died not long since in the poor house." The statements of the two historians are materially different. Thompson Westcott claims, by Andrew's letter, that "there were at least one hundred of the enemy," — meaning the American soldiers — "who fired at General Agnew." Watson's statement corresponds with that of the de Benneville family records, in that he was alone, and was fired upon by Boyer, who was not a soldier, but a native of the village. "He is the hero of his own story, and was evidently a miserable boasting fellow," and history credits him with being weak-minded or half-witted. He said "that he was con- cealed near an old wall of the Mennonite Church, on Main street, and when he saw Agnew coming, he took deliberate aim at the bright star on his breast and fired." Another point in favor of the first records. "In time he came to the almshouse, and was supported at the public expense for years, a privilege which he took care to insist that he was entitled to, as he was one who had fought for his country. According to tradition. General Agnew was taken to the Wister house, where he died, and the stains are yet shown on the floor which were from the blood of his wound. Andrew says "he died within fifteen minutes after he was shot, in a house near by." Two conflicting state- ments. The facts tend to show that he was instantly killed by the one shot, fell from his horse and was carried to Wister's on Germantown avenue, opposite Indian Queen lane. Andrew further states that he was "buried in a church-yard," which is a mistake to be attributed to the writer's want of knowledge of the locality. He was interred in the Lower Burying Ground. Lieutenant-Colonel Bird, killed at about the same time, was buried with him, he having "died in Bringhurst's big house." Vv"at3on again says, "General Agnew and Colonel Bird, of the British Army, are both buried in the Lower Burying Ground, side by side, next to Mrs. Lamb's gravestone, southwest side of it, about ten feet from Rapp's wall in a line with the southwest end of his stable." This is not correct. They were not buried side by side, as the mound lies between the single graves of "Sirem and wife Margaret," and that of "Charlie, infant son of G. W. and A. E. Fox." There is only sufficient space for one grave between those two. 4o6 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAKTOWN After long years Watson procured a plain stone, and placed it over the graves of these unfortunate officers, "in order to preserve a recollec- tion of the place of their burial." The inscription reads as follows: "No More at War Genl. Agnew & Col. Bird British Officers Wounded in the Battle of Germantown. J. F. W. NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF DE BENNEVILLE GRAVEYARD, AVHERE GENL. AGNEW AND COL. BIRD WERE BURIED The Germantovi^n Telegraph, in March, 1858, said in relation to the subject: "The remains of General Agnew lay in the lower cemetery. Some years ago a carriage drove up to the residence of one of our most prominent citizens, and inquiry was made as to the resting place of his bones — the inmates of the carriage being grandchildren of the General — with a view to the erection of a monument over them. They were shown the unmarked spot where the remains lay buried. They went away, but never returned, and no monument has been reared to point out the place, known only to a few individuals in advanced life, where the body of this brave and accomplished man is inhumed." The writer seems not to have known, or to have forgotten, that the place was, and yet is marked by the stone placed there by John Fanning Watson. In reference to that visit, the following is a copy of the letter kindly loaned to the writer by Mrs. Anna de B. Mears: San Francisco, July 11. 1S86. Mrs. Anna de B. Mears, Dear Madam: — -Your letter of the 19th ult. reached me just before I left Boston. I highly value your very polite attention in writing, and I am much oblig'ed for and interested in your letter. ■ I have always supposed that the body of my great-g-reat-great-grand- father. General James Agnew, rested in the grave at Germantown as stated by you. And I have understood that when my great-great-grandaunt. the late Mrs. Herman Blannerhassett. came to this country long ago, she and hei husband visited the grave. If the body had been taken back to his native land, they "would hardly have taken the trouble to have visited German- town, having nothing else to call them there. I have heard that it was their intention to erect a monument to General Agnew in place of the stone that now marks the place (or perhaps that was before the scone was put there). But the troubles Blannerhasset got into later through Aaron Burr put the plan entirely out of the qviestion for them. If at any time I am in Germantown I will certainly avail myself of your very polite invitation to call. And I am extremely interested at your account of your illustrious great-grandfather, the late Dr. de Benneville. Allow me to express thanks to you as his descendant for the courtesy accorded to the late General Agnew's remains. Yours respectfully. HENRY MacLEAR MARTIN. HISTORY OF OLD GERMAXTOJJW 407 The removal of the remains of the two officers is without doubt, so that they do not now repose in the marked grave in the Main street ground, but are in the de Benneville plot, and only recently re-interred in the same place upon the appropriation of a sufficient width for Broad street. The two graves laid side by side in the extreme northeast cor- ner, by the stone wall, but they are now in the front section. The records of the family in possession of Mrs. Mears show that her great-grandfather, George de Benneville, who was born in England in 1703, and came to America in 1741, was present when the interments took place in his private plot, and he was conversant with the causa of the change. After ^he battle of Germantown had been a success to the British, it so incensed some of the inhabitants that violence was threatened to the remains of these two unfortunate officers, which caused General Howe to issue orders for their removal to a more secure spot. This was just before the British Army evacuated Philadelphia. The Nedrow house on the York road was occupied by the officers, and as the father of George de Benneville, also George, was well known in England, France and Germany, it did not require any great effort to find a safe resting place for these unfortunates. As a final settlement of the controversy ,the statement in the hand- writing of Mr. Heaton, the undertaker in charge of transferring all the bodies, says: "The remains of the British officers, General Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel Bird, were found — there remained only the bones and some hand-made nails — the skull of one more intact than that of the other — several teeth in very good condition. The remains of one were about a foot or more lower than those of the other, and side by side. Both were carefully placed in one box, and re-interred in another part of the de Benneville burying ground, a mound made, and visited by the Philadelphia British Consul, Mr. Powell, who is going to communicate with his government in regard to placing a stone at the head of their grave. My friend, E. B. d"Espinville Picot, kindly saw for me that every- thing was done in a proper manner." So this decisive settlement of the matter, based upon facts of record, should remove all doubts from the mind as to the last resting place of these gallant men, and let us hope it will be their final one. THE "CROSS STREETS" OF GERMANTOWN Ancient Germantown was almost entirely built along what was called Main Street — now known as Germantown Avenue. The original plan, however, must have provided for six cross streets, as will be seen from the following extract from the '"Lazvs, Ordinances and Statutes of the Community at Germantown, Made and Ratified from Time to Time in the General Court at that Place f "Of the cross streets only two at first, namely the Schuylkill and Mill Street, shall be opened and fenced off, and both shall be cleared by compulsory labor, from this present date on to the end of next Octo- ber. The other four, any one who is willing to clear and sow them, may hold and use for six years after he has taken possession, provided he leaves ten feet for the public highway." This was one of the ordinances promulgated to the com- munity, 4 mo. 14, 1692. (Pennypacker's Settlement of German- tozvn, p. 271.) Mill Street was the present Church Lane, but the identity of the other street mentioned is not so clear. The oldest deeds and other records indicate that the "Cross Street to Schuylkill" indicated in the above quoted ordinance was Queen Lane. School Lane appears to have been originally an old trail leading down to the Wissahickon, which without having been formally laid out, was, nevertheless, used for a long time "on sufferance," and was also frequently spoken of as the "Cross Street," and sometimes as the "Cross Street to Schuylkill." This confusion of names seems to have existed at a very early period as the following extracts from the Court Records show. These records also throw considerable light upon the matter and confirm the idea that the original "Cross Street" must have been Queen Lane : MARCH SESSIONS, 1723. Palmer's Lane, now Indian Queen Lane, to Scott's Lane. GERMANTOWN AND ROXBOROUGH. And now here at this day, viz.: At the Sessions of the Peace held at Philadelphia for the said County, the 2d day of March, A. D. 1723, the aforesaid Peter Shoemaker, Hugh Evans, Robert Roberts and Andrew Robinson, return that pursuant to the aforesaid order of the Court that HISTORY OF OLD GERM AX TOWN 409 they have laid out the road from the Market Place in Germantown to Robert Roberts's Ferry, "Beginning at the lower end of the market place in Germantown, and running thence along the Market Street S. E. 74 perches, thece according to the ancient records of Germantown along a Cross street of the said town, between the land of Herman Tunen and Paul Wolfe — South west 258 perches, thence South 9 degrees West 17 perches, thence South 68 degrees West 29 perches, thence South 33 degrees West 227 perches, by a line of marked trees to the line of Wil- liam Palmer's lands. This part vacated by act of Assembly, March 20, 1730 — Thence S. by E. 52 perches to William Palmer's house, thence S. 12 degrees W. 12 perches, thence S. 36 degrees W. 20 perches, thence S. 61 W. 20 perches. Thence S. 32 W. 28 perches to the road leading from Andrew Robinson's (Robeson's) mill to Philadelphia, thence along said road South; thence N. 69 degrees W. 22 perches, thence S. 73 de- grees W. 30 perches, thence N. 18 degrees W. 14 perches, thence 13 degrees E. 24 perches by the side of the river Schuyllvill to the place of landing. And now, Ludwick Christian Sprogell objecting against the confir- mation of the said road, — it is ordered that he have time till the next session to show wherefore the said road should not be confirmed. And now at this day, to wit, at the Sessions of the Peace held at Philadelphia the 1st day of June, 1724, the allegations of the said Sprogell being considered, the said road as it is now laid out is by this Court con- firmed. (Road Docket, Vol. 2, p. 104.) The fact that the said Cross Street referred to in this docu- ment is declared to be between the lands of Herman Tunen and Paul Wolfe, shows that it could have been no other than the present Queen Lane. There was an e^'ident misunderstanding about the laying out of this road, many supposing that what is now called School Lane was intended. This is shown in the following petition : JUNE SESSION, 1723. This petition of the inhabitants of Germantown humbly showeth, That, whereas, there was an order of the last Court to lay out a road from the market place in Germantown to the new Ferry over the Schuyl- kill, and in pretence to the pursuant of the said order, the persons appointed to lay out the said road have instead of going along the lane from the market place which is the common road to Robeson's mill and the paper mill, and was as we humbly conceive the true intent of the said road if confirmed according to the return of the last survey, will be prejudicial to the neighborhood that it will cut their lots (being but fourteen perches and four foot broad, and nearly one mile long) there- fore we humbly pray that the said road may be laid out from the said Market Place to run up Schuylkill Lane by John Ashmead's as we hum- bly conceive was the intent of said order and was our own request, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray, etc. (Road Docket, Vol. 2, pp. 105-6.) O' " "('fUtlcmrU^ J {/A . / , •■U./^U ^jt. -vl-A,,-- «~/ -.JLj/v^^ ^ji/^ ^r~e-U^-^' Ji-^.^ ,• ^''A^i^^i ' ^ff- n--^ fv--^ "'■ J c: - -^ "■ 1 i rvtr ca 6" /jeY '\ ,/ FAC-SIMILE OF GRANT TO HOLD MARKET ON CROSS STREET HISTORY OF OLD GERMANTOWN 411 It is evident that this last petition refers to School Lane. It seems probable that the confusion arose from the fact that m both instances the starting place is mentioned as being from the Market Place in Germantown Now, the original tract set apart for a market place was in Paul Wulfif's lot, just south of Queen Lane. From some causes the people did not regard this as the proper locality for a market place, and in May, 1704, the Commonalty purchased the presnt Market Square from James De la Plaine. It is probable that the name of the "Mar- ket Place" may still have clung to the old locality below Queen Lane for some years after the removal of the market to Market Square. It is most likely that this use of the name "Alarket Place" in connection with the two localities w^as the cause of this misunderstanding. The following from the Court Records will show that al- though what we call School Lane had been used as a road, yet it was only "on sufferance:" DECEMBER SESSION, 1723. Divers of the inhabitants of Germantown, Roxborough and Merion, by their petition desiring that the road from the Market Place of Ger- mantown to Andrew Robinson's (Robeson's) mill and Ferry, and from the landing place of said Ferry through Merion ito the great road leaa- ing from Conestoga (Old Lancaster Road) to Philadelphia (the said road having been used with great conveniency to the said petitioners for upwards of 30 years last past, but being only on sufferance), might be confirmed, which being considered by the Court, they do appoint Robert Evans, Robert Roberts, William Palmer, Jacob Duberry, Henry Scull, and Anthony Klenking to view the said road and make return to the next Court in order to be confirmed. (Road Docket, Vol. 2, p. 108.) The following references are also of interest in connection with the laying out of these two streets : DECEMBER SESSION, 1723. GERMANTOWN. Upon the petition of divers of the inhabitants of Germantown, etc., requesting that a road might be laid out from the Market Place of the said town to Roberts' Ferry as might be most convenient to the said inhabitants. The Court having taken the same into consideration do appoint Hugh Evans, Robert Roberts, Andrew Robeson, Martin Jarvis, Peter Shoemaker, and Edward Farmer or any four of them to lay out the same and make return to the Court. — (Road Docket, Vol. 2, p. lOS.) DECEMBER SESSION, 1759. Upon the petition of divers of the inhabitants of Blockley and Ger- mantown, setting forth that there was a great necessity for a road to be laid out from the Wissahickon Road near a ferry lately erected by 412 HISTORY OF OLD GBRMAXTOWN Phineas Roberts above the Falls to the upper end of the lane commonly called Palmer's Lane, and Germantown Road in the best and most con- venient place for wagons or timber wheels, and it will be a much nearer way than from any other ferry from Conestoga Road to Germantown, and also from Germantown to the neighboring part over Schuylkill, and very useful and convenient to the inhabitants of Germantown and parts adjacent to carry their timber to and from William Palmer's saw mill and praying that he Court would be pleased to appoint persons to view and lay out said road. The Court do order that James Coultas, Edward Jones, Jacob Keyser, James Jones Baltus Raser, and William Thomas, or any four of them, do view, and if they see occasion, lay out the said road and make report of their doings to next Court, and whether it be for public or private use. (Road Docket, Vol. 3, p. 248.) MARCH SESSION, 17C0. From the Wissahickon Road to the Germantown Road. Pursuant to the within order to us, the subscribers directed, we have viewed and laid out a road, Beginning at the easterly side of the Wissa- hicken Road thence on Redman Robinson's land, north fifty-one aegrees east nine perches to a stake, thence north sixty-three degrees east, four- teen perches and a half to a stake, thence north seventy-two degrees east fifteen perches to a stake, thence north eighty-four degrees east, thirty- seven perches to a stake near the northeast corner of William Smith's land, thence on the lands of George and William Palmer, north sixty-six degrees east fifty-eight perches to Palmer's road leading to Germantown; the whole being one hundred and thirty-three perches and a half, which we think will be of public use and benefit, but submit it to the Court for confirmation — a plan of the said road being annexed. JAMES COULTAS, EDWARD JONES, JACOB KYSER, JAMES JONES, BALTUS RASER. The Court confirmed the road and ascertained the breadth of it to be forty feet. (Road Docket, Yo\. 3. p. 256.) SEPTEMBER SESSION, 1765. School House Lane and Merion Road, Montgomery County. This is merely a record of the courses and distances of "a road laid out from the Market Place in Germantown to Andrew Robinson's (Robe- son's) mill and Ferry, and from thence to Merion to the great road lead- ing from Conestoga to Philadelphia." (Road Docket, Vol. 3, p. 337.) Merion, Roxborough and Germantown. "It is an order of the Court, on the motion of Benjamin Chew, Esq., that the breadth of the aforesaid road be forty feet, it being neglected to be recorded by the former clerk." (Road Docket, Vol. 3, p. 338.) JUNE SESSION, 177S. Germantown and Roxborough. "The petition of John Redman and Nathaniel Falconer was read, set- ting forth that at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held at Philadelphia for the County of Philadelphia, aforesaid, the first day of HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 413 June, 1724, the Court confirmed a road beginning at tlie lower end of tlie marlvet place in Germantown and running thence according to the ancient records of Germantown along a Cross street of the said town between the land of Herman Tunen and the land of Paul Wolfe, South- west 253 perches, etc." Then follows a list of the courses and distances. "But the breadth of the said road was not ascertained, and it was not mentioned whether it was intended for public or private use, and pray- ing that the Court will be pleased to ascertain the breadth of the said road, etc." The Court therefore appointed a commission to "lay out, ascertain breadth and whether for public or private use." (Road Docket, Vol. 4, pp. 41-42.) SEPTEMBER SESSION, 1773. The petition previously given w^as reported upon, fixing the breadth of the road at forty feet. Then follows a list of the courses and distances. "To the road leading from the late Andrew Robeson's — now John Van- dever's mill to Philadelphia — nearly in the place where the road is now in use, which we apprehend ought to be for public use, and forty feet wide from Roxborough line to the road leading from Vandever's mill to Philadelphia." The Court confirmed this report. (Road Docket, Vol. 4, PP- 54-55-) From the foregoing Court Records it seems clear that the street we now call Queen Lane was laid out. that is, the various courses and distances were definitely fixed June i, 1724, but that its width was not a matter of record until September, 1773. It is also clear that what we now call School Lane was laid out, definitely, and confirmed by the Court in March, 1760, the breadth of it being fixed at forty feet. A draft of Christian Lehman's, drawn ]\Iarch 4, 1772, gives the width of Queen Lane as fifty feet. It seems possible that this survey by Christian Lehman may have created some dissat- isfaction, and led to the petition of John Redman and Nathaniel Falconer, which was presented to the Court at the June session, in 1773. A draft of Christian Lehman's made February 26, 1759, records School Lane as "A 40 Feet Lane or Cross Street leading to the Skullkill." THE FIRST PROTEST AGAINST SLAVERY Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, Governor of Pennsylvania, in his "Settlement of Germantozvn," speaks of the signing of this remarkable document as an event which at that time produced no commotion and attracted but little attention, and yet, "A lit- tle rill there started which further on became an immense torrent, and whenever hereafter men trace analytically the causes which led to Gettysburg and Appomattox, they will begin with the tender consciences of the linen weavers and husbandmen of Germantown." It has been thought that the document was written by Pas- torius, as the handwriting resembles his, but the remarkably curious spelling is quite unlike the spelling in other documents written by Pastorius, who was a well-educated man. The protest is usually spoken of as having been issued by the Friends or Quakers, and much controversy has arisen as to whe- ther it can properly be claimed to have been issued by that body. In affirmation of the point, the late AA'illiam Kite, the venerable librarian of the Friends' Free Library of Germantown. in a paper entitled "First Gcnnan Friends" makes the following statement : "That Pastorius was not only a member, but one in full unity with the Friends, is clearly evinced by the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting appointing him and two others of the original signers of the Protest, representatives to the Yearly Meeting to deliver it on their — the Quar- terly Meeting's behalf. We will note also that both Francis D. Pastorius and Derick up de Grave, in the year 1692, four years later, signed the protest against George Keith and his schism, in the Yearly Meeting, an act they would not, and could not have done if they were not in mem- bership with Friends. We find other of the first German Friends remain- ing in after years among the Society. Thus, in 1695, we find Reiner Tyson serving Germantown Preparative Meeting as an overseer, and in 1705 subscribing to the "New Meeting House." Tennis Kunders also helped to build that house. In 1716-17 F. D. Pastorius and Peter Shoe- haker signed a release of claims on behalf of the Germantown Prepara- tive Meeting. In 1729 Thomas Chalkley records in his Journal being at Dennis Conrad's funeral, adding, "The first meeting for worship was held at his house." An excellent fac-simile copy of this protest has been made by the Friends at Germantown, through the influence of Wil- liam Kite. The original is much stained and is difficult to read, but the following is as nearly a correct transcription of it as can be made : HISTORY OF OLD GERM AN TOWN 415 This is to ye Monthly Meeting held at Rigert Worrells. These are the reasons why we are against the traffic of mensbody as followeth: Is there any that would be done or handled at this manner? viz. to be sold or made a slave for all the time of his life*? How fearful & faint- hearted are many on sea when they see a strange vessel being afraid it should be a Turck, and they should be tacken and sold for slaves in Turckey. Now what is this better done as Turcks doe? Yea rather is it worse for them, who say they are Christians for we hear, that ye most part of such Negers are brought heither against their will & con- sent, and that many of them are stoUen. Now tho they are black, we cannot conceive there is more liberty to have them slaves, as it is to have other white ones. There is a saying, that we shall doe to all men, licke as we will be done our selves; macking no difference of what gen- eration, descent of Colour they are. And those who steal or Robb men and those who buy or purchase them, are they not all alicke? Here is liberty of Conscience wch is right & reasonable, here ought to be lickewise liberty of ye body, except of evil doers wch is an other case. But to bring men hither or to robb and sell them against their will, we stand against. In Europe there are many oppressed for Conscience sacke; and here there are those oppressed wch are of a black Colour. And we who know that men must not commit adultery, some do commit adultery in others, separating wives from their husbands, and giving them to others, and some sell the children of those poor Creatures to other men. Oh, doe consider well these things, you who doe it, if you would be done at this manner? and if it is done according Christianity? you surpass Holland and Germany in this thing. This mackes an ill report in all those countries of Europe, where they hear off, that ye Quackers here doe handel men, Licke they handel there ye Cattle; and for that reason, some have no mind nor inclination to come hither. And who shall maintaine this your cause or plaid for it! Truly we can not do so except you shall inform us better hereof; viz, that christians have liberty to practise this thing. Pray! What thing in the world can be done worse towards us then if men should robb or steal us away & sell us for slaves to strange Countries, separating huband from their wife & children. Being now this is not done at that manner we will be done at, therefore we contradict & are against this traffick of men body. And we who profess that it is not lawful to steal, must lickewise avoid to purchase such things as are stolen, but rather help to stop this robbing and stealing if possibel and such men ought to be delivered out of ye hands of ye Robbers and set free as well as in Europe. Then is Pensil- Yania to have a good report, in stead it hath now a bad one for this sacke in other Countries. Especially whereas ye Europeans are desirous to know in what manner ye Quackers doe rule in their Province & most of them doe loock upon us with an envious eye. But if this is done well, what shall we say, is don evil? If once these slaves (wch they say are so wicked and stubborn men) should jonit themselves, fight for their freedom and handel their masters & mastrisses, as they did handel them before: will these masters and mastrisses tacke the sword at hand & warr against these poor slaves, licke we are able to believe, sonie will not refuse to doe? Or have these negers not as much right to fight for their freedom, as you have to keep them slaves? /^7 :: o /^ A^--^ .^^^j ^- -^ - - ^«- C,?/!, ^s*^ cjix-at^'i/-^ \ J^&oj Ma' jMc^ ^1^ ^^^ i,7 ' / J^ T^ t'V ^^f fCi-r<- ^ft'A.th / »t£/t, I--uA£j f"^ /&.«J>^/- J^K, ;^ / ^-{^'(^''Ui^'r^'^ .^'^ V ^'•'^ > 7/ C^te-^ wTS> t.^*-'''-^ ■'-'■ ''-^ .T*"^^ L A^*«y#; ,^'v , /r-J,^'^' ^'/"y^ I .-/..... ,.^,) '/ f FAC-SIMILB OF FIRST PROTEST AGAINST SLAVERY' J f; -^ ■ ^ a-J -r^ tS^-T'^-e-- -.