USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 1
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Gc 974.801 B85b 1921419
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
= ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01144 9540
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/localsketchesleg00buck
LOCAL
Sketches
and Legends
PERTAINING TO
BUCKS AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES,
-
PENNSYLVANIA.
BY
-
WILLIAM J. BUCK. -
-
MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Author of "History of Bucks County," "History of Moreland," "History of Mont- gomery County Within the Schuylkill Valley," "History of Montgomery County," "Life of Chief Justice Langhorne," "Contributions to the History of Bucks County," " The Cuttelossa," " The Local His- torian," " History of the Indian Walk," "Early Discovery of Coal in Pennsylvania," "Early Accounts of Pe- troleum in the United States," &c., &c.
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1887.
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1
1921419
Edition limited to Two Hundred Copies.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1887, by WILLIAM J. BUCK, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
1
Edition limited to Two Hundred Copies.
1
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1887, by WILLIAM J. BUCK, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Southern - $ $7.50
Eduarda
PREFACE.
The object of the author has been to bring together, for this work, his lighter and more entertaining articles either heretofore published or specially prepared as illustrative of olden-time customs, designed to show rather the bright side of human life, and while amusing should also be instructive. Though they can not all be regarded as of an historical character, yet they are founded on fact. Most of the subjects have been familiar and written from his own personal knowl- edge. In some cases, from the remoteness of the period, the proper names have been supplied, which cannot fail to give increased interest.
Had it not been for his long-continued success in securing the materials, the strong attachments for the scenes of his early life, it is very probable the work would not have been undertaken. The first of these sketches was prepared in 1861, and as intervals of leisure were secured the number was increased. Thus as he kept on writing the interest grew the stronger and what at first required some mental exertion and labor to his
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PREFACE.
surprise became eventually a pleasure if not an amuse- ment. The reminiscences thus revived produced so agreeable an incitement that he almost forgot the present and was living over again the happiest period of the past. Such impressions could not possibly make him feel dull or tedious, and if these sketches are equally as free from the same it can be attributed to his enthusiasm.
Having attained to three score with an experience in authorship extending considerably beyond a third of a century, a retrospection affords gratification. That he would ever have produced a volume of this kind he could not have fancied, or that the local scenery of Bucks and Montgomery counties could be proven so rich in traditionary and legendary associations and of so striking and novel a character. A further knowl- edge thereof it is hoped may inspire our native inhab- itants to love not only their homes but the hills, valleys and streams around them. They not alone impart interest and variety to the landscape, but also through their combined influence on the antiquary are a source for additional admiration and pride. An inexpressible charm and love of country may thus be imparted that cannot fail to be acknowledged by every person of taste and sensibility.
W. J. B.
Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pa., September, 1887.
CONTENTS.
NUMBER PAGE
I .- A Pennsylvania Wedding in 1684, 9
II .- A Strange Adventure, 21
III .- Interrupted Napping, 30
IV .- The Tree and the Vine, . 33 V .- The Bird of Happy Omen, 41
VI .- Going to Town, . 46
VII .- Legend of Huckleberry Hill, 51
VIII .- The Old School-House Near Pipersville, 68
IX .- Indian Cave,
.
75
1 X .- Nockamixon Rocks, 81
$
XI .- Butchering Fifty Years Ago, 86
XII .- A Novel Subject for Dispute, 95
XIII .- A Novel Way of Obtaining Money, 101
XIV .- A Leap for Life, .
109
114 XV .- An Olden-Time Corn Husking, 120 XVI .- Durk Hollow ; Its Mysteries and Marvelous Traditions,
XVII .- Sampson's Hill, 132
XVIII .- Legend of Sumpson's Hill, XIX .- Buckwampun, .
138
143 XX .- Buckwampun Revisited, . 156
XXI .- Tho Early Fairs at Bristol, 163
XXI .-- Amusements at the Fuirs, 172
XXIII .- George Honmen and His Taufscheins, 178
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CONTENTS.
NUMBER PAGE
XXIV .- Uncle John and the Squirrels, . 184 XXV .- Put to the Test, 193
XXVI .- A Thrilling Incident, 196
XXVII .- Holicong ; Its Traditions and Mysteries, 201
XXVIII .- Excitement About a Bear,
215
XXIX .- The Old Haycock Run School-House, 219
XXX .- Lost in the Night, 227
XXXI .- Threshing with the Flail, 234
XXXII .- The First of April, 240
XXXIII .-- A Farmer's Kitchen of a Century Ago, 244
XXXIV .- Humor in the School-Room,
251
XXXV .- Round Meadow, 256
XXXVI .- The Blackbirds of Round Meadow, 263 XXXVII .- Horseheaven, . 271 XXXVIII .- The Crows of Horscheaven, 281
XXXIX .- The Traditions and Wonders of Horseheaven, 290
XL .- The Learned Blacksmith and the Enchanted Gun, 307
XLI .- Pleasant Memories Through Early Associations, 322
XLII .- Alone at Abington Meeting-House, 328
XLIII .- Reflections in Hatboro Cemetery, 332
Jennie K. Edwards May 1º 1899-
A Pennsylvania Wedding in 1684.
Among the papers of the late William Homer, of Upper Dublin, was found an ancient document written in an antiquated style and considerably time-stained. As might be well expected in almost any family, so it was with his, a general desire was manifested to know its contents. With a flattering unanimity it was agreed that it should be handed over to the author to decipher if possible the mysterious meanings that had so long remained hidden in such strange, outlandish characters, intended to represent letters in the alpha- bet. Now, whoever is familiar with the handwriting of the period referred to will know that several styles prevailed. This was in the Elizabethan age, which was about this time becoming more and more obso- lete, while one much resembling the present German text was taking its place.
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
Reader, did you ever see a fac-simile of Will Shaks- peare's autograph? If you have, then you will get a better knowledge of the style of writing particularly alluded to than it is possible otherwise for us in words to express. The size of the parchment was seven by eight inchies, and there evidently had been pains taken to preserve it for nearly two centuries as a valued fam- ily treasure by its different possessors, as it was found snugly enveloped in a piece of venerable-looking buck- skin, which no doubt helped to protect the animal that once roamed in our forests in the good old days of Tammany and Miquon. Cheerfully did I proceed to the work, urged on by a curiosity to unravel word by word the literal reading of the whole; and not an hour, taken altogether, was thus spent in my leisure of two days before the whole was complete. I must confess, however, that if I had not been previously somewhat familiar with the names of the early settlers of Bucks some of the signatures would have defied me.
In presenting these contents to the public the reader will please bear in mind that it is a true, literal copy, letter for letter and word for word. Excepting proper names it will be observed that the spelling is gener- ally modern, much more so than one would be apt to expect from the remoteness of the time and the then unsettled state of orthography, when perhaps the use of a dictionary of the English language was unknown. Persons of this period, as will be observed, were often careless in writing their names, the same individual spelling it in several ways, as Pen for Penn, Benet for
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A WEDDING IN 1684.
Bennet, and Huff for Hough, thus sometimes render- ing it at this day very perplexing in making researches as to whether such names denote the same family ori- gin. The following is given as the contents of the an- cient document referred to, and which proves to be a marriage certificate of the earliest days of the colony :
Ye 31 of ye 3m. 1684.
William Sandford And ffrances Humer both of the County of Bucks in the province of Pennsylvania, hav- ing intentions of taking Each other in marriage, did publish their said intentions according to Friends of the said province, and no objections have been made but that they may proceed to the consumation thereof.
These are therefore to certify to all people that the said William Sandford and ffrances Humer upon the thirty first day of the third month, one thousand six · hundred and eighty four, att the house of the said Wil- liam Sandford did take each other in marriage, sol- emnly witnessing that they will be true and faithful to each other as husband and wife so long as they both did live; in witness whereof the said William Sandford and ffrances his wife have hereunto put their hands the day and year above written.
WILLIAM SAFORD
Ye mark of F FRANCES SANFORD).
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
These whose names are unto subscribed were wit- nesses to the said solemnisation and subscription.
Rich: Noble
John Otter
Henary Burrham
Ed. Benet
James Boyden
Samelloll Wolley
Robert Dove
Elizabeth Otter
Michael huff
Judith Noble
ffrances Rossell
Margaret Hanes
william clark
Hana Benet
Stephen noble
Mary Earlyeman
James Rede
Lidia noble
James Spencer
Ann Burrham
Through the help of additional materials at hand we can furnish not only some particulars concerning the parties of this marriage but of those present. How strange, after a lapse of upwards of one hundred and eighty-seven years, to be enabled thus to speculate on . the strongest probability, of the day, the occasion, the parties, the witnesses and ceremony, as if we had been really there on the solemn but joyful occasion! And after having gone to a long, long nap with the rest of that company, had suddenly awakened now to commu- nicate our impressions to those living. Wonderful in- deed is the faculty that thus enables us, as it were, al- most insensibly to commune with the far distant past and connect it with times existing.
In the immediate vicinity of the present borough of Bristol lived William Sandford, on a tract containing one hundred and sixty-two acres of land, which was
205
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A WEDDING IN 1684.
taken up by him several years before the arrival of William Penn, and purchased with a yearly quit rent of one bushel of wheat per hundred acres. Here, amid the forests, inhabited from the remotest period by the red man, and where roamed the prowling wolf, the shaggy bear, and the noble elk, he made himself a humble cabin and effected a clearing. Very few and very distant were his neighbors, but with a stout heart, a willing arm, and a firm reliance on Him who cares for all, he was inspired with vigor and renewed hopes for the future. England, that land of dearest associa- tions to him, he had been loath to leave, but the con- tinued persecutions of the established church against the tenets of his sect and principles had brought him in safety here, and was yet to bring thousands more of his countrymen within the space of less than half a century; here to perpetuate their honest convictions, found new homesteads, new towns and new empires, and by peaceful principles to make the wilderness to blossom as the rose.
After having lived rather solitary for several years in his log dwelling, William Sandford began to feel the loneliness of his situation. When he. had done his day's work either in clearing or cultivating his land he thought there should be some one waiting at the door with affection, while the cheerful meal was smoking on the table. He thought, too, as he came from the chase with a saddle of venison on his shoul- der or a wild turkey dangling from his gun, that there should be some one to participate; but above all he
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
must have thought seriously, as he tanned his buck- skin, that there should be some one to fashion them into good enduring breeches. With these and other - grave thoughts there came a growing desire that it was not good for man to be alone, and so he began to meditate like an ambitious general of conquest.
Fortunately in this emergency there had recently arrived from England a widow with a son and daugh- ter, who made her abode in his immediate neighbor- hood. In a country so unsettled under the circum- stances, it could not have been a difficult matter for William Sandford to form an acquaintance. We know that young little Cupid is a sly old archer, and there is generally something very mysterious in his first approaches that subsequently lead to conjecture. So in this instance, the tender passion-the affair of the heart, or whatever else it may be termed, for we pre- tend only to surmise. So I surmise, then, that on one occasion as William Sandford, under the influence of some of these impressions, met Frances Homer, who was somewhat similarly situated in life, much so in habits, and the same in religious convictions, which soon led to mutual friendship, and this into further acquaintance, which at length ripened into a sincere and devoted affection. We further surmise from the very few inhabitants around, there could have been but few or no busy-bodies to caution friend William to "beware of the widders." This too would help to make matrimony casier, and arrangements were ac- cordingly made between them to enter into this state
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A WEDDING IN 1684.
according to the requirements of their sect and the law.
Now it must be borne in mind that even with these primitive settlers and Friends-a period, usually al- lowed, when people were so much better than of this age-the road to marriage was made not only toler- ably long, but well and carefully guarded by the way, for no premiums or extra inducements were held out to encourage the institution that promotes population. Our present hasty marriages, often the result of a vio- lent and sudden ebullition of the tender region, ac- companied by a few short and simple forms, what are they but a cunning improvement for expediting busi- ness to let you have time to repent at leisure for what you have been doing in haste? Learn then, ye mod- erns, and gather wisdom from the past as a remedy for divorce. In the laws agreed upon in England, the 5th day of May, 1682, and signed and sealed by the Governor and freemen of this province, we find the following: "That all marriages (not forbidden by the Law of God as to Nearness of Blood and affinity) shall be encouraged, but the Parents or Guardians shall be first consulted, and the marriage shall be published before it be solemnized, and it shall be solemnized by taking one another as Husband and Wife, before creditable witnesses, and a certificate of the whole, under the hands of the Parties and witnesses, shall be brought to the proper Register of that county, and shall be registered in his office."
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
William Sandford and Frances Homer, having agreed to take each other for man and wife, now pro- ceeded to the preliminaries attending the affair as re- quired from members of their faith, and confirmed by" the customs of the time. Their intentions were next publicly declared before two monthly meetings, when a committee, consisting of the most discreet, as they certainly should be, of both sexes, were appointed to inquire, examine and report to the said monthly meeting, whether these parties were clear of all former marriages, or under any present engagements to others in that relation, and whether by a marriage it would be likely to prove beneficial to their future wel- fare. After these matters were duly investigated and satisfactorily ascertained, a favorable report of course followed. Then a certificate was issued allowing the parties to proceed with "their marriage in ye unity of friends according to ye good order established."
With the aforesaid preparations and accessories we at length approach the wedding-day and the crowning event of our story. This took place; according to our present time, on the 11th of June, 1684. For this happy day at his own house did William Sandford make ample preparations after the manner of his time, not with useless ostentation, for that word itself was not generally known, but in a plain, hospitable and unaffected manner. All his neighbors far around had been respectfully invited to attend, and these from the remoteness of the period could at most have been but few, from the sparseness of the population. On this
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A WEDDING IN 1684.
day then, and for the occasion, the guests were ob- served coming in various directions through the woods towards his house. Those on horseback came by the- Indian and deer paths as the best traveled routes; those afoot came by less frequented ways in a more direct line by rocks and bushes, while the balance came by canoes, which they pulled well up on the river's bank to prevent their going astray by the advancing tide. Though few the settlers, there was no need for them to come armed on account of the Indians still among them, for from their continued peaceful relations hith- erto they well knew that they were really Friends.
The company at length assembled in the house and seated on a number of rudely constructed benches ex- pressly provided. After the first few greetings of friendship and a few inquiries they became silent and absorbed. After due decorum William Sandford and Frances Homer, the bridegroom and bride, arose, and taking each other by the hand repeated each solemnly and sincerely, according to the specified form, "that they will be true and faithful to each other as man and wife as long as they did live." While this was being done we must call the reader's attention to that piece of stout parchment lying on a small table in one corner of the room, now crowded from its dimensions. This was the identical marriage certificate ready prepared for this occasion, and which we have already described and given. The ceremony being concluded the parties advanced to the table where William Sandford with a quill pen affixed his name to the aforesaid certificate,
SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
but from the agitation of the moment, we presume, was not aware that in so doing he had omitted a letter. Next came the turn of Frances, whose personal charms no doubt were far superior to her intellectual, and having been written "ye mark of frances Sanford," the spot was pointed out where she should place it, exactly under that of her newly chosen husband. Now it came the turn of the invited guests, or of those at least who were able to write, to acknowledge by their signatures that they were, witnesses to the marriage contract.
Richard Noble, sheriff of the county, heads the list. He lived on.an extensive tract of land on the Dela- ware, about a mile above the Neshaminy. We pre- sume Stephen, Judith and Lydia Noble were members . of his family. James Boyden, one of the first mem- bers of Assembly, resided on the north side of the Neshaminy. Robert Dove, son of Francis Dove, a young man, resided in Middletown, near Langhorne's. Michael Hough was probably from Makefield, where Richard Hough had settled the previous year. Wil- liam Clark resided on the north side of the mouth of the Neshaminy, and James Spencer in the vicinity of William Sandford's. John Otter at this time resided on his plantation of two hundred acres in the present Bristol borough, where one of its earliest streets still bears his name. Edmund Bennet resided in the pres- ent Bristol township, where he was an extensive land holder. At his house Mary Earlyman was married to Nehemiah Allen, of Philadelphia, in 1686. Samuel
-
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A WEDDING IN 1684.
Walley was probably related to Shadrach Walley, re- siding in the present Newtown township. Of Henry Burham, Frances Russel, James Reed, Elizabeth Otter, . Margaret Haines, Hannah Bennet and Ann Burham, we can furnish nothing additional. The aforesaid twenty having now signed the certificate as witnesses, one matter still remained for a satisfactory conclusion. The monthly meeting again interposed its authority by requiring that all such certificates should be cop- ied by the clerk, Phineas Pemberton.
Having now followed the wedding from its incep- tion, there still remains some curious matter for specu- lation. There was then of course no fashionable wed- ding tours, for these could not well be in the absence of public roads, steamboats and railways. The honey- moon, however, was an enjoyment chiefly spent in a visiting round among relations and friends, who were ever pleased from their isolated life to receive and en- tertain company. No doubt in the introduction of a wife to his bachelor home a change for the better was soon observable. Here William Sandford lived high- ly respected, and usefully employed in agricultural improvements and cattle raising for several. years, as we know from the records, when in the autumn of 1692 he departed this life. His will is dated March 25, 1689, and from which we learn that he had two children, William and Mary, the former not likely seven years of age. From the same we learn that his wife's children before his marriage were William and Esther Homer. He ordered when the said two sons
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
arrived at age, that the "lands, houses, meadows and orchards" be equally divided between them. In it is this wise provision: "I further charge them that they do not quarrel and contend or go to law one with the other about the estate as they shall expect God to bless them." We have proof here that at this early date he was already possessed of orchards, and that strife among heirs was not a stranger even among Friends. William Homer subsequently sold his plan- tation, and in 1713 purchased two hundred and fifty acres in Byberry, "on Poetquesink creek," to which he removed. This remained in the family for a long period, and where William Homer, the father of the last possessor of the marriage certificate, was born. It is probable that some time after the widow returned to her kindred, and thus came the document to be treasured in the Homer family.
There are several things that came to pass concern- ing that original certificate that William Sandford and Frances Homer could not have even dreamed. Could they have ever in the least imagined that its date by a change in chronology would in the future become the eleventh of June? . Would it be likely that they could have ever supposed that the instrument itself would be preserved, even a long, long century after a Franklin or a Washington had been born, and that when over two hundred years had elapsed would thus afford a theme for the antiquary, be published in a book and read, as we hope, with entertainment and instruction ?
A Strange Adventure,
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About the year 1835 there resided in a remote sec- tion of Bucks county a journeyman tailor whose first or given name was Bartholomew, but for convenience sake was almost universally called Sauly. He may have been about forty-five years of age, slightly under medium height, but of a heavy set and a tendency to corpulency. In this rural community, at this time, it was a general custom in pursuing their avocation for tailors to go round among their patrons, taking with them their requisite tools, the other materials to work upon being supplied by the household, being generally of their own manufacture, and the products of their flocks and fields. Villages then were few, and under the circumstances this mode possessed several advan- tages. Shoemakers, spinners, tinkers, clock repairers, as well as several other occupations, would thus follow itinerant callings. We may well imagine among a more home-bred and social people what a spirit of romance was thus presented and fostered. With what interest too could now a journal be read of some one of those knights of the shears, the awl or the soldering iron, in their numerous adventures whilst on this
P
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
boarding round. This was certainly a picturesque phase in our former life and evidently introduced from Europe, most likely Germany through its handwerks- burschen. Yes, to me, one such journal would pos- sess more attraction than all the novels written by a Dickens, Marryatt, Bulwer, James, and I know not how many more, though so lauded in their day.
Sauly, as will be observed by his age, must now have pursued his occupation for a considerable time, and as a long resident in that section had thus ac- quired an extensive acquaintance, greatly promoted by his social disposition. Towards the latter end of July of the year mentioned, through his needle and partly by assisting a farmer in with his crops, he had almost made a continuous job of five weeks-a long period for our hero to give his constant daily attention at one stretch. However, he had for all this labor and painstaking something consoling in view, definitely conceived and arranged only a few days before its ex- piration. Now we well know when the arduous labors of harvest are over, for relaxation some seek a trip to Saratoga, the sea-shore, Niagara Falls, or a fishing ex- cursion; others, again, the race course, the pool table, the billiard saloon, and various other places. But no such ideas entered Sauly's head; if they had he would have thought them either too expensive or luxurious. His taste was entirely different. What he had studied and resolved upon for his enjoyment, however, at this time, may have been as customary or fashionable as any of the above named recreations in these latter days.
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