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1800
HISTORY
OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
PENNSYLVANIA.
EDITED BY THEODORE W. BEAN.
PHILADELPHIA : EVERTS & PECK. 1884.
x26-6
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....
10
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PREFACE.
THE " History of Montgomery County" is presented to the public as a memorial of the first century of its corporate existence. Material facts have been diligently sought after and patient labor cheerfully bestowed upon the work. Events are chronicled in narrative rather than in controversial form, and truth, gleaned from a thousand sources, has been condensed in order to make it a valuable work of reference for the present and future generations. It has been prepared with care and liberality and a determination to make it as complete and accurate as possible. It is submitted to a generous and intelligent people, in the belief that it will meet their approval.
The labor of the editor has been shared by William J. Buck, who has devoted many years of his life to the collection of material for the history of the county. Although in enfeebled health, his contributions exceed in number those originally contemplated for the work. His chapter upon Bibliography, the first published in the county, is one of the most valuable contributions to the volume. For assistance furnished him in his present labors, he expresses acknowledgments to John Jordan, Jr., and F. D. Stone, of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; to Samuel L. Smedley, Howard M. Jenkins, and Prof. O. Seidensticker, of Philadelphia ; M. Ange, of Norristown; Dr. George W. Holstein, of Bridgeport; Mark H. Richards and B. M. Schmucker, D.D., of Pottstown; William Henry Cresson, of Conshohocken ; Hon. William A. Yeakle, of Whitemarsh ; S. K. Grimley, of Upper Salford ; A. H. Cassel and James Y. Heckler, of Lower Salford, and Charles Mather, of Jenkintown.
The acknowledgments of the editor are due to Prof. Osear C. S. Carter, for his contribution on Geology and Mineralogy; to Charles Z. Weber, M.D., for the history of the Medical Profession ; to P. Y. Eisenberg, M.D , for the chapter upon Botany ; to J. P. Hale Jenkins, E-G., for the history of Charitable and Benevolent Associations; to Rev. J. S. Hughes, for the history of Methodism in Montgomery County ; to Hon. Jones Detwiler, for the history of Whitpain ; to Henry S. Dotterer, for the history of Frederick ; to F. G. Hobson, Esq., for the history of Providence, Upper and Lower; to Mrs. Anna M. Holstein and Mrs. Sarah S. Rex, for information concerning the Patrons of Husbandry ; to Hon. Isaac F. Yost and Philip Super, Esq., for valuable information and suggestions concerning the early German settlements and church his.ory the northern townships, and to Professors R. F. Hoffecker and J. K. Gotwals, for assistance in the collection of historical data of common schools. The thanks of the editor are gratefuli dered to Hiram Corson, M.D., Hon. Hiram C. Hoover, William M. Clift, Esq., L. H. Das En, George W. Holstein, M.D., Rev. Charles Collins, D. M. Casselberry, Esq., J. K. Harles mal George Lower, Esq. To Moses Auge, author of " Biographies of Men of
iii
iv
PREFACE.
Montgomery County," the editor and publishers return special acknowledgments for the free us of the work tendered. To the editors and publishers of the local Press of the county our sense of obligation is herein expressed for their aid and encouragement in the work, and for the use of their retained files, when in search of valuable material for township histories. To F. G. Hobson William J. Buek and Henry S. Dotterer, committee on publication of proceedings and antiquariar display of the County Centennial, acknowledgments are due and credit given for the arrangement and classification of the exhibits, the order of which is preserved in this work.
And finally, to my danghter, I owe the deepest obligations for a careful and intelligen" co-operation and cheerful assistance in the revision of both manuscript and proof, and for many suggestions and notations of important historical faets.
T. W. B.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Thy
I
CHAPTER II.
erals, Geology and Lime 8 Railroads 330
CHAPTER III.
The Aborigines.
33
CHAPTER IV.
Early Voyagers and Traders-First Settlements on the Delaware aud Schuylkill Rivers.
49
Bibliography
348
CHAPTER XXIV.
The First Swedish Settlements
57
CHAPTER VI.
William Penn-" The Holy Experiment, a Free Colony for all Man-
kind "
82
CHAPTER VII.
Penn's Arrival in America-His Colony Founded on the Delaware . 91
CHAPTER VIII.
Material Improvements
102
CHAPTER IX.
The Schuylkill
I18
CHAPTER X.
Stage Lines
129
CHAPTER XI.
The Germans
133
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Welsh
139
Journalism.
458
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Colonial Era
143
Banks and Banking.
470
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Charitable and Benevolent Associations . 488
CHIAPTER XXXIV.
The War of 1812 and the Mexican War 180
CHAPTER XVI.
The Great Rebellion
195
CHAPTER XVII.
The Grand Army of the Republic .
285
The Bench and Bar.
528
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
'n tioners, Slavery and the Underground Railway .
297
Manufacturing Industries.
563
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Ton lu aces of the United States Military and Naval Academies .
313
CHAPTER XX.
PAGE
"Country Squire."
317
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXII.
Manners and Customs-Sports and Pastimes -Local Superstitions-
Inns.
335
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER V.
Early Poetry
360
CHAPTER XXV.
Religious Denominations-Church History .
366
CHAPTER XXVI.
Educational .
392
CHAPTER XXVII.
Flora of Montgomery County
423
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Zoology of Montgomery County .
435
CHAPTER XXIX.
Agriculture
430
CIIAPTER XXX.
Township and Borough Organization-Post-Offices-Roads .
417
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV. .
The Revolution
158
CHAPTER XV.
The Insane Hospital and Poor-House.
498
CHAPTER XXXV.
Past and Present Politics of Montgomery County.
502
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Medical Profession
630
Montgomery County Established-Municipal
Government-The
vi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
CIIAPTER LXI.
Abington Townehip .
678
CHAPTER XL.
Borough of Bridgeport .
707
CHAPTER XLI.
Borough of Conshohocken .
713
CHAPTER XLII.
Borough of East Greenville
719
CHAPTER XLIII.
Borough of Green Lane .
721
CHAPTER XLIV.
Borough of Hatboro'
721
CHAPTER XLV.
Borough of Jenkintown
733
CHAPTER XLVI.
Borough of Lansdale
742
CHAPTER XLVII.
Borough of Norristown
747
CHAPTER XLVIII.
CHAPTER LXX.
Providence Township .
1044
CHAPTER LXXI.
Lower Providence Township .
1049
CHAPTER LXXII.
1.
Upper Providence Township .
1056
CHAPTER LXXIII.
Springfield Township
I071
CHAPTER LXXIV.
Towamencio Township ,
1064
CHAPTER LXXV.
Douglas Township
825
Franconia Township
CHAPTER LIV.
827
CHIAPTER LV.
Frederick Townsbip
83I
Upper Merion Township
1116
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
CHAPTER LXXIX.
Hatfield Township .
868
Whitemarsh Township
I137
CHAPTER LVIII.
IIorshan Township.
874
Whitpain Township
II62
CHAPTER LXXXI.
Worcester Township .
Appendix-Centennial Celebration.
Index
PAGE
Lower Salford Township .
CHAPTER LXII.
Marlborough Township
CHAPTER LXIII.
Montgomery Township
Moreland Township .
CHAPTER LXIV.
New Hanover Township
CHAPTER LXV.
CHAPTER LXV1.
Norriton Township
CHAPTER LXVII.
Perkiomen Township
I019
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Plymouth Township
1028
CHAPTER LXIX.
Pottsgrove Township
I041
Borough of North Wales .
, 777
CHAPTER XLIX.
Borongh of Pottstown .
784
CHAPTER L.
Borough of Royer's Ford
797
CHAPTER LI.
Borongh of West Conshohocken
799
CHAPTER LII.
Cheltenham Township
802
CHAPTER LIII.
Upper Dublin Township .
1092
CHAPTER LXXVI.
Upper Hanover Township .
1105
CHAPTER LXXVII.
CHAPTER LVI.
Gwynedd Township
853
Upper Salford Township.
1131
CHAPTER LVII.
Limerick Township
CHAPTER LIX.
915
Lower Merion Township
CHAPTER LX.
923
CHAPTER LXXX.
-
-
J
1
1
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
PAGE
Aaron, Samuel
404
Corson, E. H.
1153
Albertson, J. M.
477
Corson, Hiram
643
Ambler, David J
1102
Corson, William
646
Antes, Col. Frederick, residence of.
852
Conlston, James M 1158
Apple, John D.
959
County Court-House
326
Ashbridge, Joshua.
940
Crawford, John Y.
937
Ashbourne Presbyterian Church
803
Cnster, Anthony \
1071
Auge, Moses
776
Custer, David.
1191
Autographs William Penn and witnesses to charter.
145
Custer, Jacob G
1055
Bank of Montgomery County
473
Davis, Jolın J.
739
Baldwin, Norman B
965
Davis, William
801
Barley Sheaf Barn
317
Delaware Indian Fort
48
Bate, William T.
505
Delaware Indian Family
Bean, Theodore W.
554
Delaware Indian
11
Beaver, D. R
667
De Vries, David Pietersen
56
Bellows, Il. M
670
Diagram of Bone Cave, Port Kennedy
18
Berkhimer, Allen
867
Diagram of Transit of Venus
6
Betts, Sarah T
816
Dismant, Benjamin F
673
Biddle, Thomas A., residence of.
1162
Dodd, Robert J
641
Binder, Samuel B
955
Ely, Gilbert W
911
Binder, W. J
4G4
Engle, A. J.
815
Bisson, James W
866
Ervien, Jolın A
634
Blake, William.
G99
Evans, David ..
921
Bomberger, J. Il
411
Evans, Oliver
330
Boorse, John C
1091
Evans, Oliver, Steam-Carriage
33]
Bosler, Charles.
634
Evans, Thomas B
920
Bonquet, Henry
150
Farmar, Edward, seal of
1139
Boyd, James ..
540
Fegely, Isaac.
604
Bradfield, Abner
704
Fenton, John M
814
Branin, George
813
First National Bank, Norristown
478
British Stamp.
151
Flat Rock Dam
126
Brunner, S. U.
122
Fort Casimir
68
Brooke, William
1043
Fort Christiana
59
Buckman, Thomas, Sr
702
Fort Mifflin
164
Buck, William J
351
Franklin, Benjamin
149
Bullock, George ..
601
Franklin's Press
458
Bullock, George, residence of.
800
Freas, Jesse W
1155
Burd-Wilson Mansion
405
Freas, Joseph.
1154
Cascaden, Robert.
577
Freedley, Samuel
640
Casselberry, John W.
481
Friends' Meeting-House, Lower Merion
428
Chadwick, Robert.
615
Geatrell, Thomas B
914
Chase, Thomas
418
Geller, Jacob S
7.13
Clay, J. C
1128
Geological Map.
8
Conard, James P
1182
Germantown, Map of Approaches to.
165
Cleaver, Silas,
1156
Germantown, Map of Battle of
166
Cleaver, John
1156
Godshall, A. C .. 622
Corson, Alan W.
1034
Goentner, William K. 729
vii
viii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Goshenhoppen Church, Old
1135
Kendall, Daniel
923
Græme Coat of Arms
892
Kennedy, Jolın
1130
Græme, Elizabeth, Book-Plate of.
891
Kennedy, William R
Græme Park
90]
Kenderdine, Benjamin
1104
Græme, Dr. Thomas
637
Kepner, D. K
793
Hallowell, Benjamin T
690
Kirk, Jacob
912
Hallowell, Israel.
989
Kirk, Joseph
700
Hallowell, John J
691
Knenle, A
462
Hallowell, Joseph W.
692
Koipe, Jacob O
664
ITamiel, George.
697
Krause, David.
540
Hamilton, Andrew
530
Kriehle, Charles.
1183
Hamilton, W. C ..
624
Kulp, Samuel N.
698
Hamilton, W. C. & Sons, Paper-Mills
1148
Larzelere, J. B
987
Hancock, General Winfield S.,
314
Larzelere, N. H
557
Harley, Jonas M
783
Leedom, E. C.
648
Hartranft, General John F
196
Lenhart, John F.
817
Harry, Benjamin
718
Livezey, Thomas
1038
Heebner, Christopher
588
Lloyd, John.
992
Heist, David
812
Loller Academy
728
Henzey, W. P., resid ence of.
926
Longaker, R. B
795
Hillegass, John G
655
Loux, Hiram R
675
Hobson, Frank M
1066
Lukens, Abel,
Hoffman, John
1019
Hood, John M
922
Lukens, Lewis A
596
Hoover, Hiram C
1007
Map of West Jersey and Pennsylvanie, 1698
120
IJudson, Henry.
50
Markley, A. D
66]
Humphrys, Seth
617
May, Benjamin
771
Huosicker, Charles
552
McDermott, William ...
482
Hunsicker, Henry G
1069
McLane, A. W.
177
Hunsicker, Philip M.
1028
Meschter, G. K
672
Hunter, Joseph W
738
Meschianza Procession.
178
Independence Bell
158
Meschianza Ticket.
178
Iredell, Robert
461
Miles, Samuel.
808
Jarrett, Samuel F
1018
Miller, Charles T
551
Jarrett, William L
908
Mintzer, William
450
Jenkins, Charles Todd
964
Missimer, George
797
Johnson, B. K
663
Mitchell, Joseph, Jr.
970
Jones, John.
719
Moir, James.
602
Jones, John B
731
Monument Marking Site of Treaty Tree
144
1103
Moore, George W
632
Jones, Colonel Owen
200
Morgau, Andrew 1193
Jones, Colonel Owen, residence of.
930
Morris, Oliver G
87]
Krely, Ephraim P
799
Morison, William T.
693
Keith, Sir William, Seal of.
900
Moorhead, J. Barlow
600
Keith, Sir William
884
Mowday, David Y
772
900
Kenworthy, James
585
Gresh, W. K
589
Kinzie, Daniel
1131
Hallowell, Jonas W
988
Knipe, Jacob
642
Hallowell, William J
909
Knight, William, Sr.
1015
Hamer, Jamee.
649
Kratz, Henry W.
1070
Ifarper, Smith
Lefferts, Simon V
990
Heehner, Isaac D
620
Lodge, Thomas G
941
Ileller, G. K
820
Longaker, Daniel.
773
Hobart, John II
548
Lowe, T. S. C.
579
Lukens, Joshua P
904
Hooven, James
478
Map of New Sweden,
70
Hughes, Benjamin B
712
March, T. J
609
Hunsicker, Abraham,
1068
Mny, Selden T
770
Hunsicker, Henry A
407
McFarland, Elbridge ..
611
Indian Siguatures.
46
Miles, William
942
Jones, John L
Jones, Jonathao.
1039
More, Nicholas, Seal of.
978
PAGE
PAGE
1016
Græme Park, Vane at.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
IX
PAGE
Mud Island.
162
Saylor, Andrew J
1195
Muhlenberg, lIenry M.
1063
662
Mublenberg, Peter, Tomb of.
1064
Schlatter, Michael
1166
Scholl, Seth L
745
Schrack, David
668
Newberry, Milton
659
Schrack, John.
653
New llanover Lutheran Church
793
Selser, John
968
Newport, David.
694
Shannon, George 479
Shaw, James
584
Norristown High School
753
Shaw, Robert
969
Norristown Churches
750
Shearer, A. K.
Norriton Presbyterian Church
1003
Shearer, A. W.
1050
North Wales Academy
421
Shepard, Jesse
1040
Oath of Allegiance.
168
Shoemaker, Charles
651
('Brien, Michael
598
Shoemaker, C. K
1179
Outline Map of Montgomery County
1
Shoemaker, Enoch
1083
Paoli Monument
163
Shoemaker, Joseph A
741
Paxson, Charles
1099
Shoemaker, Mathias
1177
Penrose, Ahel
906
Shunk Monument
1065
Penrose, Jarrett
905
Sibley, William
943
Peun Coat of Arms
88
Singerly, William M.
I175
Penn, John
150
Singerly, William 31., sheep farm of
$58
Peun's Treaty Tree
I43
Singerly, William )1., home farm
1176
Penn, William
82
Slingluff, Jobn
476
Pennsylvanische Geschicht Schreiber
136
Slingluff, W. 11.
471
Perkiomen Bridge. 1045
Smith, Isaac W
502
Potts, Joseph D
605
Smith, Jobn.
701
Potts, William C
1100
123
Providence Friends' Meeting. 1. 61
Smith, Jonas
Randle, William II 676
Smith, Oliver P 1060
Ratcliffe, Thomas
591
Soldiers' Monument
768
Read, L. W.
65%
Soldiers of 1812.
187
Reading, Edward
659
St. James' Episcopal Church, Perkiomen.
1051
Reed, Michael Il.
1011
Stahler, William
774
Reese, John L
1013
State Hospital for the Insane 498
Reese, William
I014
State Hlouse, Philadelphia, 1744
154
Reid, John K
656
Renuyson, William
468
Stiles, George M
669
Rex, Sarah S 446
Stinson, Mary H 674
Rhoads, Jacob B. 865
Stuyvesant, Peter
67
Rice, Andrew J
703
Super, Philip. I115
414
Rittenhouse, Christopher.
578
Sutton, W. Heury
518
Rittenhouse, David.
Swedes' Church.
711
Rittenhouse Observatory
4
Swedes' Ford
711
Rittenhouse, Samuel
1009
Swedish Block-House.
57
Rittenhouse, William
1010
Thomas, Allen 868
Robeson, Samuel L
944
Thomson, Charles
172
Roberts Enos
1184
Thomson, Charles, residence of 172
Thropp, Joseph E. 62
660
Rogers, George W
550
Trappe Church,
1059
Rorer, Charles S
903
Rosenberger, Isaac R
873
Royer, J. Warren.
654
Trucksess, David
1197
Royer, Lewis. 522
Tyson, Jacob P 696
Rowland, Thomas
635
Van Buskirk, William A 650
St. Peters Church, Barren Hill
1150
Upland Meeting-Place
101
Sanitary Fair Buildings 296
Van Pelt, John 732
Sargent, G. P. 666
Walt, Henry S 922
Roberts, Jesse
1012
Roberts, Richard K
967
Todd, John
Trappe Church (interior). 1059
Tremper, Jacob 830
PAGE
Scheetz, J. II.
Myers, Jacob,
633
Nace, Francis, 1017
Noble, Samuel W.
484
Richardson, William
746
Super, Henry W
Frontispiece
Smitb, John C
Steele, J. Dutton 606
.
x
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Walton, John ..
984
Wills, Morgan R.
460
Washington's Headquarters, Worcester
164
Wilson, S. M.
819
Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge
170
Wilson, Thomas,
972
Washington Headquarters, "James Morris'"
1164
Wood, James
594
Watt, William
583
Woodward, Evan M
985
Weaver, C. P.
575
Wright, Charles B
822
Weaver, Joseph K ..
671
Yeakle, ('harles
1081
Weinberger, J. Shelly.
415
Yeakle, Christopher, residence of.
1073
Weiser, Clement Z.
1112
Yeakel, Daniel
1078
Wentz Reformed Church.
1186
Yeakle, Jacob,
1079
Wentz, Abram
1180
Yeakel, David W
1157
Wertsner, Benjamin P
485
Yeakle, Joseph
1080
Wheeler, Charles
936
Yeakle, Samuel
775
White, Bishop Willian
1052
Yeakle, Thomas C
818
Whitefield, G.
373
Yeakle, William
1082
Williams, Anthony
824
Yeakle, William A
521
Williams, Charles.
1160
Yost, D. M.
277
Williams, Henry J
1077
Yost, Isaac F
998
Williams, John J
810
Yost, Jacob S
52
Williams, Thomas.
811
PAGE
HISTORY
OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHY.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, originally a part of Phil- adelphia County, was created by act of the General Assembly approved the 10th day of September, 1784.1
1 AN ACT for erecting part of the County of Philadelphia into a separate county.
SECT. I. WHEREAS a great number of the inhabitants of the county of Philadelphia by their petition have humbly represented to the As- sembly of this State the great inconvenience they labor under by reason of their distance from the seat of judicature in the said county : For remedy whereof,
SECT. II. Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That all and singular the lands lying within that part of Philadelphia County bounded as hereinafter described, beginning on the line of Byberry township and the township of the manor of Moreland where it intersects the line of Bucks County ; thence westward along the northern lines of Byberry, Lower Dublin, and Oxford townships to the line dividing the townships of Cheltenham and Bristol ; and thence along the said line dividing Germantown town- ship from the township of Springfield; Bod thence along said line to the line dividing the township of Springfield aforesaid from the town- ship of Roxbury to the river Schuylkill; thence down the said river to the line dividing the townships of Blockley and Lower Merion ; and thence along said line to the line of the county of Chester ; thence by the line of Chester County to the line of Berks County ; thence by the line of Berks County to the lioe of Northampton County ; thence by part of the line of Northampton County and the line of Bucks County ; thence along the said line of Bucks County to the place of beginning ; be, and hereby are, erected into a county, oamed, and hereafter to be called, " Montgomery County."
SECT. III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the inhabitants of said county of Montgomery shall, at all times hereafter, have and enjoy all and singular the jurisdictione, powere, rights, liberties, and privileges whatsoever which the inhabitants of any other county in this State do, may, or ought to enjoy hy any charter of privileges, or the laws of this State, or by any other ways and means whatsoever.
SECT. IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the inhabitants of each township or district within the said county quali- fied by law to elect shall meet at some convenient place within their respective townships or districts, at the same time the inhabitants of the several townshipe of the other counties within this State shall meet for like purposes, and choose inspectors ; and at the time appointed by law the freemen of said county of Montgomery shall meet at the house of Hannah Thomson, innkeeper, in the township of Norriton, aod there elect representatives ; and the freemen of the county of Philadelphia shall meet at the State-House, in the city of Philadelphia, and there elect representatives to serve them in Assembly [one counselor], two fit persona for sheriffe, two fit persons for coroners, and three commis- Bioders, 88 by the Constitution and laws of this State Bre directed in respect to other counties, which representatives eo chosen shall be members of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
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It is bounded on the southeast by the line of the city of Philadelphia, on the northeast by Bucks, on the north and northwest by Lehigh and Berks, and on the west and southwest by Chester and Delaware Counties. It is thirty miles in length from the south- east to the northwest line, and about fifteen miles in breadth from the northeast to the southwest line.
vania, and shall sit and act as such, as fully and as freely as any of the other representatives of this State do, may, can, or ought to do ; [and the said counselor, when so chosen, shall ait and act as fully and as freely as auy of the other members of the Supreme Executive Council of this State do, may, can, or ought to do.
[SECT. V. And be it further enicted by the authority aforesaid, That the county of Montgomery shall, until otherwise altered by the Legislature of the State, be represented in the General Assembly by four members, and the county of Philadelphia shall be represented in the General As- sembly by five members. ]
SECT. VII. And be it further enacted by the authority oforesaid, That the justices of the Supreme Court of this State shall have like powers, juris- dictions, and authorities within the said connty of Montgomery as by law they are vested with and entitled unto in the other counties within this State ; sod are hereby authorized and empowered, from time to time, to deliver the goal of the said county of capital or other offenders, in like manger as they are authorized to do in other counties of this State.
SECT. X. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for HIenry Pawling, Jun., Jonathan Roberts, George Smith, Robert Shannon, and Henry Cunuard, of Whitpaine towo- ship, all of the aforesaid county, yeomeo, or any three of them, to pur- chase and take assurance to them, and their heirs, in the name of the commonwealth, of a piece of land sitnated in some convenient place in the neighborhood of Stoney-run, contiguous to the river Schuylkill, in Norriton township, in trust aod for the use of the inhabitants of the said county, and thereon to erect and build a court-house aud prison sufficient to accommodate the public service of said county.
SECT. XI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such part of the money as shall arise from the sale of the old prison and work- house, and lot of ground thereto belonging, in the city of Philadelphia, as directed by an act of General Assembly of this commonwealth to he sold for the use of the city nod county aforesaid, he apportioned for the defraying the charges of purchasing the land, building aud erecting the court-house and prison aforesaid, in the ratio or proportion of taxes A8 paid between the said county of Montgomery and the county of Phila- delphia and this city ; but in case the same should not be sufficient, it shall and may be lawful to aod for the colomissioners and assessors of the said county, or a majority of them, to assess and levy, and they are hereby required to assess aod levy, in the same manner as is directed by the act for raising county rates and levies, so much money as the said trustees, or any three of them, shall judge necessary for purchasing the said laod and finishing the said court-house and prison.
SECT. XII. Provided, always, That the sum of money so to be raised does not exceed three thousand pounds current money of this State.
SECT. XIII. Provided, also, and be it further enacted by the authority afore- s tid, That no action or suit now commenced or depending in the county of Philadelphia against any person liviog within the bounds of the said county of Montgomery shall be stayed or discontinued, but that the
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
The lands are agreeably diversified by well-marked ranges of hills, and with beautiful and fertile valleys. In the southeastern portion of the county these ele- vations are known as the "Gulf Hills," "Barren Hills," and " Chelten Hills." In the centre of the county the "Providence" and " Skippack Hills" are most notable, and in the northern part the "Stone Hills" are prominent, rugged, and somewhat moun- tainous in their character and appearance. All of these ranges of hills are habitable, and all but the Stone Hills are in a high state of cultivation. The latter are heavily timbered, and when cleared of trees and rocks respond liberally to the husbandmen who possess and till them.
The valley lands of the county have been a source of perpetual wealth to agriculturists, who prize them not only for their surface products, but also for the useful minerals that abound in them. The Schuyl- kill, Plymouth, and Perkiomen Valleys are the most noted in the county, and present the most beautiful and picturesque scenery. But there is much to ad- mire in following the Wissahickon, Indian, Swamp, and Manatawny Creeks to their sources, draining as they do large areas of rolling country, improved by elegant and commodious residences and farm-houses, with barns and improvements unsurpassed by any agricultural people on the face of the globe.
Montgomery County has an approximate area of four hundred and seventy-three square miles, or about three hundred and three thousand and eighty acres. It is divided into thirty townships and sixty election districts. There are twelve boroughs in the county, all of which will be referred to in subsequent chapters of this work. The Schuylkill River forms the southwestern boundary line between Montgomery aud Chester Counties until it reaches the Merion
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