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1.19.21
LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
PRINCETON. N. J.
PURCHASED BY THE MRS. ROBERT LENOX KENNEDY CHURCH HISTORY FUND.
Division
BX956L
Section
.P4HE
.
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
Vol. I
.1
92 (11)
11
56
71
7.75 75
PENNSYLVANIA DOCUMENTS IN ARCHIVES AT THE HAGUE, HOLLAND.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY WM. J. HINKE.
JAR TO Teg
A History
of the Goshenhoppen TReformed Charge
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727=1819)
PART XXIX OF A NARRATIVE AND CRITICAL HISTORY PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY
BY REV. WILLIAM JOHN HINKE, Ph.D., D.D. Professor of Semitic Languages and Religions in Auburn Theological Seminary, Auburn, New York
NS
Y
LANCASTER 1920
Copyright, 1920 BY WILLIAM J. HINKE
Autograph Edition, 230 copies No ...... 220
PRESS OF THE NEW ERA PRINTING COMPANY LANCASTER, PA.
PREFACE.
Reformed Church History in this country has long been a subject of study. It is interesting to note that the first printed history of the Reformed Church in the United States was published not in America but in Germany. In the year 1846, the Rev. Dr. J. G. Buettner, the first pro- fessor of the first Theological Seminary in the State of Ohio, published “ Die Hochdeutsche Reformirte Kirche in den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord-Amerika," in Schleiz, Germany. But even before that time, the Rev. Dr. Lewis Mayer, the first professor of the Reformed Theological Seminary at York, Pa., had been busy gathering materials for the history of the Reformed Church. Unfortunately he died at York, in 1849, before he had fully utilized the documents he had so carefully collected and copied. Only a brief sketch from his pen appeared in I. Daniel Rupp's "History of the Religious Denominations in the United States," Philadelphia, 1844. A few years afterwards the Rev. Dr. John W. Nevin included a sketch of the German Reformed Church in America in his "History and Genius of the Heidelberg Catechism," Chambersburg, 1847. In it he lamented that the Journal of Michael Schlatter was "the only record we have on the general state of the American German Reformed Church in the middle of the last century."
In 1849, the Rev. Dr. Philip Schaff published in his " Kirchenfreund," Vol. II, a series of three articles on the "History of the German Church in America," in which he traced the origin and growth of the Reformed and Lu- theran churches through three successive periods.
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Preface.
But the man who may well be called the father of Re- formed history in America was the Rev. Dr. Henry Har- baugh. He not only secured the manuscripts and docu- ments of Dr. Mayer for the use of the church and added to them many others which he collected himself, but upon the basis of these documents he wrote two splendid vol- umes, which told the story of Reformed history in America with such real enthusiasm and beauty of style, that they have always remained sources of inspiration for later students. They were: "Schlatter's Life and Trav- els," Philadelphia, 1857, and "The Fathers of the Re- formed Church," Vol. I, Philadelphia, 1857. In 1872, Dr. Harbaugh added a second volume to the "Fathers" of the church. In these volumes the lives and labors of the most important German Reformed ministers in Amer- ica were set forth.
It remained for a former president of the Pennsylvania German Society, the late Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Dubbs, to write the first connected history in his " Historic Manual of the Reformed Church in the United States," Lancaster, 1885. Later he corrected and completed the story in his contribution to the "American Church History Series," Vol. VIII, New York, 1895, and especially in his beauti- fully illustrated and well-written work "The Reformed Church in Pennsylvania," published by our Society in 1902 as part IX of its "Narrative and Critical History."
A new era was ushered in, however, in 1895-1898, when the rich treasures of manuscripts and documents, stored in the archives of the Reformed Church of Holland, were discovered and made accessible to American students. It was in this connection that the writer first became inter- ested in Reformed Church history. In the summer of 1897, his friend and colleague, the Rev. Dr. James I.
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Preface.
Good, asked him to go to Holland, in order to copy and photograph the records which had been found. He car- ried out this commission in the summers of 1897 and 1898, with the result that, on the basis of the newly found docu- ments, the history of the Reformed Church in the United States could be entirely rewritten. This was done by Dr. Good in his important book "History of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1725-1792," Reading, 1899.
The writer himself had the privilege of translating and editing two volumes of documents, in 1903 the "Minutes and Letters of the Coetus of Pennsylvania," and in 1916 the "Life and Letters of the Rev. John Philip Boehm." They have placed German Reformed Church History in America upon a safe foundation.
But there are other sources of Reformed history which ought to be made accessible to students. By no means the least important of them are the church records of the oldest Reformed congregations. This volume may be re- garded as a contribution to that subject. These church records have long been an object of serious study by the writer. Even before the year 1900 he had copied the first volume of the Goshenhoppen records. It was published in 1900 in Mr. Dotterer's "Perkiomen Region," volume III, and later, with notes, in the American Monthly Maga- zine of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Vol. XLII, 1913. It is now republished, with some corrections, together with the other volumes of church records, which, when combined and correctly inter- preted, tell the story of the Goshenhoppen Charge. It is such a complicated story, that the records by themselves were insufficient to unravel the various difficulties and per- plexities. They became intelligible only when studied in the light of all the evidence which had become available in
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Preface.
Europe and America. In the history of the Goshenhop- pen churches the writer has made use of all the documents which have come to light, with the result that he has been able to piece together a fairly complete and well-authenti- cated history. The manuscript was prepared in 1914, hence many letters of Boehm are quoted more at length than they would have been if written after the appearance of Boehm's letters in 1916.
There only remains for the writer the pleasant duty to express his deep obligation to the pastors of the churches whose records are published in this volume. They placed most readily and gladly all their records and other his- torical documents at his disposal. They answered letters and sent photographs, most of which could unfortunately not be utilized, because of the high cost of engraving at the present time. The completeness of the book owes much to their kind cooperation. The writer is under spe- cial obligation to his dear friend, the Rev. John B. Stoudt, who first encouraged him to undertake the writing of this history, and then gave his most loyal assistance in every difficulty that arose. To him the book is most fittingly dedicated as a token of the author's indebtedness and appreciation.
WILLIAM J. HINKE.
AUBURN,
October 15, 1919.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION .5-18
The Goshenhoppen Region-Its Extent-Its First Appearance- Forms of the Name-Old and New Goshenhoppen-First Immi- gration in 1710-The Rev. Paulus Van Vlecq-The Reformed Church at Whitemarsh-Its First Members-First Reformed Set- tlers in Perkiomen Valley-Immigration about 1720-The Rev. John Philip Boehm-His First Churches-Earliest Reformed Set- tlers in Goshenhoppen-Indian Legend.
CHAPTER I.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. GEORGE MICHAEL WEISS, 1727- . 19-70
1730
First Service of Weiss at Goshenhoppen-Peter Miller's Refer- ence to Weiss-Weiss at Heidelberg University-The Weiss Family at Eppingen-Arrival of the Ship William and Sarah- Captain's List of Passengers-Signers of Oath of Allegiance- Weiss the Leader of the Colony-Certificate of Weiss's Ordina- tion-John Philip Boehm in the Perkiomen Valley-Opposition of Weiss to Boehm-Mr. Andrews on Weiss-Ordination of Boehm- Weiss at Goshenhoppen-Book against Newborn-Book on Indians -Condition of Reformed people at Philadelphia-Weiss adver- tising for Pupils-Collecting Tour of Weiss and Reiff to Holland -Its Origin-Its Object-Reiff's Account of Tour-Power of Attorney given to Reiff-Letter of Skippack Church-Weiss and Reiff in Holland-Expenses of Tour-The First Printed Report on Reformed Church of Pennsylvania-Departure of Weiss from Philadelphia.
CHAPTER II.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. JOHN PETER MILLER, 1730-1734.71-95
His Matriculation in Heidelberg University-His Life in Ger- many-His Father-His Arrival in Pennsylvania-His Meeting with Boehm-His Activity at Skippack and Philadelphia-His
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Table of Contents.
Ordination by the Presbyterians-His Pastorate at Goshenhoppen -In the Conestoga Valley-Letter of Conrad Tempelman-Pastor at Muddy Creek, Reyer's, Zeltenreich and Cocalico-His Activity at Tulpehocken-The Three Reformed Churches in the Goshen- hoppen Region-His Conversion in May, 1735-Provost Acrelius regarding Miller-Miller and Conrad Weiser-Miller's Own Ac- count of his Conversion-Boehm's Account of Goshenhoppen in 1734-Miller's Death and Tombstone.
CHAPTER III.
MINISTRY OF JOHN HENRY GOETSCHY, 1735-1740. . . . . 96-130
Arrival in Philadelphia-Rev. Maurice Goetschy-Departure of Colony from Zurich-Journey down the Rhine-Their Expe- riences in Holland-Emigrants in Goetschy's Colony-Letter of John Henry Goetschy-Application to Presbyterians for Ordina- tion-Activity at Old Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp-Boehm regarding New Goshenhoppen-Boehm regarding Goetschy- Goetschy's Missionary Activity-Goetschy Circulating Letter of Wilhelmius-The Goshenhoppen Churches Subscribing for Pas- tor's Salary-Ordination of Goetschy by Dorsius in 1741- Goetschy's Activity in Dutch Reformed Church-His Death in 1774.
CHAPTER IV.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. PETER HENRY DORSIUS, 1741- 1744
131-148
The Dutch Reformed in Bucks County seeking Pastor in 1730- Wilhelmius Secures Dorsius-His Studies in Holland-His Family at Moers-His Journey to America-Boehm and Dorsius-His Activity at Goshenhoppen-His Journey to Holland and Return to Pennsylvania-Boehm's Account of Goshenhoppen in 1744-Decla- ration of Trust by Elders-Return of Dorsius to Holland.
CHAPTER V.
MINISTRY OF FREDERICK CASIMIR MUELLER, 1745-1748. 149-157
Schlatter regarding Mueller at Goshenhoppen-Arrival of Mueller in Pennsylvania-Schlatter and Weiss at Goshenhoppen-Letter of Mueller to Schlatter-Departure of Mueller from Goshenhoppen- His Ministry at Berne-At Longswamp-At Muddy Creek-At Coventry-At Hain's Church-At Lebanon and Swatara-Muel- ler's Doubles.
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Table of Contents.
CHAPTER VI.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. GEORGE MICHAEL WEISS, 1746- 1761 . 158-192
Weiss in New York State-His Return to Pennsylvania-Weiss in the Coetus-Schlatter regarding Weiss-Letter of Weiss to Schlatter-Debt on Old Goshenhoppen Church Paid-Events of the Year 1750 at Goshenhoppen-Church Farm at New Goshen- hoppen-Weiss Welcoming Schlatter and Six New Ministers- Schlatter Bibles Distributed-Division in Coetus-Donations from Holland-Congregational Activity-Subscriptions for Church Land at Great Swamp-Disposal of Mr. Weiss's Property-Inventory and Account of His Estate-Will of Mrs. Anna Weiss-Letters of David Schultze.
CHAPTER VII.
THE PERIOD OF SUPPLIES, 1762-1766 193-214
Otterbein Called but Declines-(1) Ministry of John Philip Leydich-His Pastorates-His Activity in the Coetus-His Home -His Death-(2) Ministry of Philip Jacob Michael-His Arrival in Pennsylvania-His Pastorates-His Appearance Before Coetus -Chaplain in the War of the Revolution-His Activity After the War-His Will-(3) Ministry of Jacob Riess-His Arrival in Philadelphia-His Pastorates-His Activity at Goshenhoppen- His Death-(4) Ministry of John Rudolph Kittweiler-His Arri- val-His Pastorates-His Activity and Death at Great Swamp- Patent for Great Swamp Church Land.
CHAPTER VIII.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. JOHN THEOBALD FABER, SR., 1766- 1779 215-223
His Birth and Training in Germany-His Certificate from Palatinate Consistory-Letter of Alsentz to Faber-His Marriage- His Activity in the Goshenhoppen Churches-Called by Lancaster Church-Faber Preaching at Tohickon-Progress of the Goshen- hoppen Churches under his Ministry-Call to Lancaster Church.
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Table of Contents.
CHAPTER IX.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. JOHN WILLIAM INGOLD, 1780- 1781 224-229
His Life in Germany-His Arrival in America-His Checkered Career-His Activity at Old Goshenhoppen-Supplies at Great Swamp and New Goshenhoppen-His Pastorate at Reading-At Indianfield and Tohickon-Death of His Wife-Leaves Ministry.
CHAPTER X.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. FREDERICK DELLIKER, 1782-1784, 230-234
The Delliker Family at Zurich-His Parents-His Ministry in Europe-Arrival in Pennsylvania-Pastorate in New Jersey-His Pastoral Activity at Goshenhoppen-At Falkner Swamp.
CHAPTER XI.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. FREDERICK WILLIAM VAN DER SLOOT, SR., 1784-1786 235-237
His Life in Europe-His Ministerial Descent-Arrival in Penn- sylvania-Activity at Goshenhoppen-Ministry in Northampton County.
CHAPTER XII.
SECOND MINISTRY OF THE REV. JOHN THEOBALD FABER, SR., 1786-1788 .238-240
Pastorate at Indianfield and Tohickon-His Return to Goshen- hoppen-His Pastoral Activity-His Sudden Death.
CHAPTER XIII.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. NICHOLAS POMP, 1789-1792. . 241-248
Call of Rev. N. Pomp-Letter of Pomp to Goshenhoppen Churches-Autobiography of Pomp-Pastorate at Goshenhoppen- At Indianfield and Tohickon-At Falkner Swamp-His Book against Universalism.
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CHAPTER XIV.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. JOHN THEOBALD FABER, JR., 1791- 1807 249-255
His Youth and Training-Licensure and Ordination-Letter of Delliker to Faber-Pastoral Activity at Goshenhoppen-School- masters at Old Goshenhoppen-Activity at Great Swamp-Letter of Senn to Faber-Call to New Holland.
CHAPTER XV.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. ALBERT HELFFENSTEIN, 1808- 18II 256-258
His Birth and Training-Examination and Ordination-Pas- toral Activity at Goshenhoppen-Later Pastorates-His Death.
CHAPTER XVI.
MINISTRY OF THE REV. FREDERICK WILLIAM VAN DER SLOOT, JR., 1812-1818 259-266
His Life in Germany-Arrival in Pennsylvania-Licensure and Ordination-Pastorate in Northampton County-His Marriage- At Germantown-At Goshenhoppen-His Appearance-Pastorate in Philadelphia-In Virginia-In York and Adams Counties-His Death.
CHAPTER XVII.
DIVISION OF CHARGE AND SECOND PASTORATE OF THE REV. JOHN THEOBALD FABER, JR., 1819-1833 .267-271
Call of Goshenhoppen to Faber-Old Goshenhoppen Separates from Charge-Rev. Jacob William Dechant at Old Goshenhop- pen-Upper Milford Added to Charge of Faber-Faber's Sudden Death.
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Table of Contents.
SECOND PART. GOSHENHOPPEN CHURCH RECORDS.
NEW GOSHENHOPPEN RECORDS 272-385
A. Volume I, 1731-1761 272-31I
Lists of Members 272
1. Baptisms by John Peter Miller 277
2. Baptisms by John Henry Goetschy 281
3. Baptisms by Peter Henry Dorsius 284
4. Baptisms by Frederick Casimir Mueller 286
5. Baptisms by George Michael Weiss 288
6. Marriages by George Michael Weiss 301
7. Catechumens of George Michael Weiss 307
8. Miscellaneous Entries by John Henry Goetschy 311 B. Volume II, 1762-1832 312-384
I. Baptismal Records 312-353
I. Baptisms by Jacob Riess 312
2. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 314
3. Baptisms by Supplies 329
4. Baptisms by Frederick Delliker 330
5. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr. 334
6. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. . . 335
7. Baptisms by Nicholas Pomp 340
8. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Jr .. . 341
9. Baptisms by Albert Helffenstein 345
10. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Jr. 347
II. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber,, Jr .. . 348
12. Baptisms by Later Hands 352
II. Burial Records .353-362
I. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 353
2. Burials by Frederick Delliker 359
3. Burials by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr 359
Table of Contents. XV
4. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 360
5. Burials by Nicholas Pomp 361
6. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Jr. ... 361
III. Marriage Records .362-369
I. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Sr .. 362
2. Marriages by Frederick Delliker . 366
3. Marriages by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr. 367
4. Marriages of John Theobald Faber, Sr .. 367
5. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Jr .. 368
6. Marriages by Albert Helffenstein 369
IV. Catechumens, 1767-1808 370
V. Communicants, 1809-1815 379
OLD GOSHENHOPPEN RECORD, 1764-1833 .386-436
I. Baptismal Records 386-417
I. Baptisms by Jacob Riess 385
2. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 386
3. Baptisms by John William Ingold 399
4. Baptisms by Frederick Delliker 400
5. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr. 402 6. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 402
7. Baptisms by Nicholas Pomp 405
8. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 408
9. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Jr. 409
IO. Baptisms by Jacob W. Dechant 410
II. Burial Records 418-423
I. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 418
2. Burials by Frederick Delliker 422
3. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 422
4. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 423
III. Marriage Records 424-428
I. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 424
2. Marriages by Frederick Delliker 427
3. Marriages by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot. Sr. 427
4. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 428
2
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Table of Contents.
IV. Catechumens, 1767-1794 428
V. Communicants, 1813-1815 434
GREAT SWAMP RECORD, 1736-1833 · 437-479
I. Baptismal Records 437-464
I. Baptisms by John Henry Goetschy 439
2. Baptisms by George Michael Weiss 439
3. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 442
4. Baptisms by Frederick Delliker 450
5. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr. 452
6. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 453
7. Baptisms by Nicholas Pomp 456
8. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 457
9. Baptisms by Albert Helffenstein 458
10. Baptisms by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Jr. 460
II. Baptisms by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 461
II. Burial Records 464-469
I. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 464
2. Burials by Frederick Delliker 467
3. Burials by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr .. 467
4. Burials by Nicholas Pomp 468
5. Burials by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 468
III. Marriage Records 469-472
1. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 469
2. Marriages by Frederick Delliker 471
3. Marriages by Frederick Wm. Van der Sloot, Sr. 471
4. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Sr. 471
5. Marriages by John Theobald Faber, Jr. 472
IV. Catechumens, 1767-1795 472
V. Communicants, 1814-1818 477
INDEX 480
Table of Contents. xvii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
AUTOGRAPHS.
PAGE
John Philip Boehm 40
George Michael Weiss
45
John Philip Boehm 51
John Bartholomew Rieger 78
Peter Miller 92
John Henry Goetschius 118
John Conrad Wuertz 120
Michael Schlatter 161
John Philip Leydich 195
TITLE PAGES.
Book of Weiss against Newborn 42
Circular Letter of Reformed Ministers 167
Pomp's Book against Universalists 248
LIST OF PLATES.
FACING PAGE
Frontispiece. Pennsylvania Documents in Archives at The Hague, Holland
Title Page of New Goshenhoppen Record, 1736.
Old Goshenhoppen Church, built 1744. 142
Cornerstone of Old Goshenhoppen Church, 1744. 144
House of William Dewees, Whitemarsh 144
The Rev. Michael Schlatter. 150
New Goshenhoppen Church, 1770-1857 220
Organ of New Goshenhoppen Church. 222
The Rev. Clement Z. Weiser 270
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
HE region commonly known as Goshenhoppen extends along the Perkiomen Creek, in the upper end of Montgomery County, Pa., and covers also small strips of land in the adjacent counties of Berks, Lehigh and Bucks. Ac- cording to Dr. C. Z. Weiser1 it is a tract "perhaps ten miles long and five miles wide" which ex- tends "from Treichlersville [Lehigh County] to Sumney- town [Montgomery County], north and south and from the Bucks County line to the Perkiomen, east and west. It is a region rather than a township."
The name first appears in the public records of the prov- ince in the year 1728,2 when on May 17, 1728, the inhabi- tants of Colebrookedale addressed a petition to the gover- nor, asking for relief against the Indians. They report that " we have Suffered and is like to sufer By the Ingians, they have fell upon ye Back Inhabitors about falkners
1 See C. Z. Weiser's Monograph of the New Goshenhoppen and Great Swamp Charge, 1731-1881, Reading, 1882, p. 5; also his statement in Dotterer's Perkiomen Region, Vol. I, p. 64.
2 See Pennsylvania Archives, First Series, Vol. I, p. 213 f.
5
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History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
Swamp, & near Coshahopin. Therefore, we the humble Petitioners, With our poor Wives & Children Do humbly Beg of your Excellency To Take It into Consideration and Relieve us the Petitioners hereof, Whos Lives Lies at Stake With us and our poor Wives & Children that is more to us than Life. Therefore, We the humble Peti- tioners hereof, Do Desire An Answer from your Excel- lency By ye Bearer with Speed, so no more at present from your poor afflicted People Whose names are here Sub- scribed."
Among the 48 signers to this petition are several, like Christian Neuschwanger, John Mayer, Christopher Schmidt and Peter Bohn, who appear also as members of the Reformed church at Skippack.3
The name of the district was variously spelled. In the Journal kept in the Land Office of the Proprietaries4 it appears as Cowessahopin, Cowessehoppen, Cowissehop- pin, and other similar forms. Mr. Boehm uses5 Goschen- hoppen, Goschoppen and even Goschenhakken. Dr. Weiser quotes® in addition : Quesohopen, Cosshehoppa, Coshen- hoppe, Coshahopin, Cowissahopen, and Coschehoppe. As the second part of the name appears in the names of two Indian chiefs, Enschockhoppa and Shakahoppa, Dr. Weiser concludes that the name is of Indian origin.7
The Goshenhoppen region included from early times
3 See Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society, Vol. I, p. 122; Vol. VII, pp. 48. 60.
4 See Perkiomen Region, Vol. I, pp. 105, 118, 119, 140, 141, 151, etc.
" See Journal of the P. H. S., Vol. VII, pp. 56, 122, 124.
6 Weiser, Monograph, p. 5.
? In the Perkiomen Region, Vol. III, p. 145, Mr. Dotterer raises the ques- tion whether " Goshenhoppen " might not be a German name, by calling attention to the German place name " Goshenhof." But the Dutch form of " Hof," namely "hoeve," shows that the final "f" in High German be- comes " v " or "w " in Low German, but not a single or double " p."
7
The Goshenhoppen Region
two sections, one nearer Philadelphia, known as Old Gosh- enhoppen, comprising part of Upper Salford township, the other farther north, in Upper Hanover township, known as New Goshenhoppen. Which one of these dis- tricts was settled first has not as yet been determined, so much is certain that, as we shall show later, ecclesiastically New Goshenhoppen was the first, for the first traces of a Reformed church organization appear in the New Gosh- enhoppen section.
As the Goshenhoppen region is a part of the Perkiomen valley and the latter a part of Montgomery County, we shall preface the history of the Goshenhoppen churches with a brief survey of the general field.
In the Journal of the Land Office of the Proprietaries,8 the Perkiomen valley, called Perqueaming, appears as early as 1717. On March 15, 1718, "Peter Wents " of Skippack paid quitrent for 100 acres for a period of ten years and for 50 acres for a period of 14 years. Hence he must have settled at Skippack as early as 1704. This makes him one of the earliest settlers of the Perkiomen valley. In 1730 his name appears9 as a member of the Reformed Skippack Church. His son Peter Wentz was one of the founders of Wentz's Church in Worcester Township in 1762.10
But the full tide of German immigration into the Per- kiomen valley did not begin till the second decade of the eighteenth century. In July, 1728, the elders of the Re- formed congregations of Falkner Swamp, Skippack and Whitemarsh wrote to the Classis of Amsterdam :11
8 Perkiomen Region, Vol. I, p. 28.
9 See an article by the writer in Dotterers Historical Notes, p. 102 f.
10 See " History of the Wentz's Reformed Church " in the Journal of the P. H. S., Vol. III, pp. 332-346, especially p. 339.
11 The full letter has been printed repeatedly, first in the Mercersburg
2
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History of the Goshenhoppen Charge
The first settlers in this widely extended region of Pensylvania were Christians bearing the name of Quakers. Hither came also men holding all sorts of opinions. About eighteen years ago [1710], there began to come in occasionally and to settle here and there, in places widely separated from each other, certain ones of the Reformed church. These came from different parts of Ger- many and from other places, and a few also from the neighboring provinces of New York and New Jersey, etc. In time these greatly multiplied, but, in order not to fall into the errors of those among whom they dwelt, they provoked one another to good works, by encouraging each other to hold religious meetings on the Lord's Day, etc., according to the doctrine and order of the Reformed Church, as far as it was understood by us.
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