USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > A history and geography of Montgomery county, Pa., together with county and township government > Part 2
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* Howe, however, did not sail till some time in June.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
thence to Plymouth meeting-house, where they halted at daylight the next morning. While the movement was in progress on the left, General Grey with a strong detachment advanced up the Ridge Turnpike and took possession of the ford next below Matson's on the Schuylkill, while the main body under General Howe advanced to Chestnut Hill.
15. During the night of the 19th, Captain McClane cf La Fayette's command captured two prowling Brit- ish grenadiers at a place then called Three Mile Run. From these men the Captain learned of the move- ments of Generals Grant and Grey. Immediately conjecturing the purpose of the enemy, he sent Cap- · tain Parr and some troops to check the advancing column up the Schuylkill, and another in the direc- tion of Chestnut Hill, while he himself, at lightning speed, hastened to the headquarters of La Fayette to apprise him of the danger now evidently surrounding him. The young Marquis conceived of skillful manœu- vres by which he conducted his troops, artillery and wagons safely to Matson's Ford, which he crossed in safety, leaving the enemy in sight on the opposite side of the river.
16. Washington, in his camp at Valley Forge, had been apprised of the movement against La Fayette at Barren Hill, when he at once put his army in readi- ness to move at his command. Accompanied by his aids and field officers, he rode to the top of the hill,
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from the summit of which he could witness the scene of action through a field-glass. He soon saw that the entire detachment had crossed the Schuylkill in safety.
17. Immediately upon the evacuation of Philadel- phia by the British, their route having become known to Washington, he ordered Major-General Charles Lee, with the advance of the army, consisting of six brigades, to follow the retreating enemy. General Lee left Valley Forge on the 18th of June-the same day the British left Philadelphia-and on the 20th eressed the Delaware at Carrell's Ferry, Washing- ton, with the main body of the army, broke camp on the 10th, and arrived at Doylestown in the evening, where he encamped for the night. His march hither was much retarded by heavy rainfalls. On the 20th the entire army crossed the Delaware, and on the 28th the memorable battle of Monmouth was fought. Thus it will be seen that the Continental army occupied Valley Forge six months, having formally encamped there on the 17th of December, 1777, and left the 19th of June, 1778.
18. Proudly may we remember that General Wash- ington gave one of the most important commands at Valley Forge to General Peter Muhlenberg, of Trappe. He was in the habit of occasionally visiting his father at Trappe, and for that purpose he would start in the evening and return early next morning. These visits became known to the enemy, and on one occasion he
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
was saved from being captured only by the fleetness of his horse.
19. From official reports it is ascertained that Washington and his army spent five days less than nine months within the present limits of Montgomery County. Remains of the entrenchments then thrown up may be seen on the hills of Whitemarsh and Up- per Merion to this day.
20. The Revolution at last came to a close and the country obtained its independence. Peace reigned supreme. Industry soon brought prosperity. Up to this time the whole county was comprised in that of Philadelphia, where the county affairs were trans- acted. It was a long distance for those attending to them to travel, and at so great inconvenience, in con- sequence of which petitions were signed praying for the formation of a new county. These were consid- ered and acted upon by the State Legislature; and, accordingly, a law was passed September 10th, 1784, "for erecting part of the county of Philadelphia into a separate county, named and hereafter to be called Montgomery." Thus did the present county, rich and populous as it now is, spring into existence one hun- dred and seven years ago.
21. By the same act, a committee was appointed " to purchase and take assurance to them, in the name of the Commonwealth, of a piece of land* situated in
* The land purchased by this committee, chiefly belonged to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania .- Buck,
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some convenient place in the neighborhood of Stony Creek, contiguous to the Schuylkill, in Norriton Town- ship, and thereon to erect a Court-House and Prison." Thus the large and populous borough of Norristown was founded and became the county seat.
22. In the late war, Montgomery County responded nobly to the respective calls made both by the Gen- eral and the State Governments. According to sta- tistics, the total number of men furnished was about 7,850, including substitutes, re-enlistments, cavalry, and those in the naval service. Of the brave men who, in the national defense, left the county, many fell on the field. In the Public Square at Norristown stands, to their lasting honor, the "Soldiers' Monu- ment," a silent yet eloquent cenotaph.
23. The centennial of the formation of the county was celebrated at Norristown in September, 1884. At this anniversary were displayed the products of the various industries of the county, many old and rare relics, and the customs and manners of former days. Literary exercises and splendid parades formed an important part of the proceedings.
IMPROVEMENTS.
1. The improvements in the county from its organ- ization are marked. The Philadelphia and Lancaster
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Turnpike, running through the southern portion of Lower Merion Township, was the first road of the kind constructed in Pennsylvania. It was com- menced in 1792 and finished in 1794. The German- town and Perkiomen Turnpike was commenced in 1801 and completed in 1804; the Cheltenham and Willow Grove, in 1803, and completed the following year; the Chestnut Hill and Spring House, in 1804 and 1805; the Perkiomen and Reading, between 1811 and 1815; the Ridge, in 1812 and 1816, and the Spring House and Bethlehem, in 1814. The total number of miles of turnpike road in the county is about two hundred.
2. The Schuylkill Navigation Company was incor- porated March, 1815. The canal, one hundred and ten miles in length, extending from Fairmount, Phila- delphia, to Port Clinton, Schuylkill County, was commenced immediately after its incorporation, and finished in 1826, at a cost of nearly three millions of dollars. It is not much used now.
3. The Pennsylvania Railroad (6 miles in the county) was first built by the State from Philadelphia to Columbia, and opened for use April, 1834. In 1857 the State sold its right to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, under whose control it now is.
4. The Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad (7 m.) was commenced in 1831, and opened to Norristown in August, 1835. In 1856, the Com-
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pany built a large depot at Norristown, and laid the entire road with a double track.
5. The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was incorporated April 4th, 1833, and opened for travel to Reading in 1839, and to Pottsville in 1842.
6. The North Pennsylvania Railroad was completed to the Lehigh River in 1857. . The other railroads of the county are as follows: Colebrookdale, running from Pottstown to Barto Station; Doylestown, from Lansdale to Doylestown, Bucks County; Perkiomen, from Perkiomen Junction to Allentown ; Stony Creek, from Norristown to Lansdale; Chester Valley, from Bridgeport to Downingtown; Plymouth, from Con- shohocken and interseets with the N. P. at Oreland ; Northeast Pennsylvania, branch from the N. P., through Abington and Moreland, and through Bucks County ; Delaware and Bound Brook, through Ab- ington and Moreland, to the Delaware River and New York, and the Newtown Railroad, through Cheltenham and Abington, with the Schuylkill Di- vision of the Pennsylvania, opened to Reading in 1884 and to Pottsville the next year; the Trenton cut-off, branch of the Pennsylvania, from Glenloch, Chester County, through the lower part of Mont- gomery to Trenton, N. J. Other roads are under construction. There are now finished and in use no less than 236 miles of railroad in the county, one- half of which is double track. These, with the numerous telegraphic lines, are important factors in the modern improvements of the county.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
1. NAME .- The name Montgomery was given to this county in honor of the gallant General Richard Montgomery, of the Continental army, who fell, mortally wounded, at the battle of Quebec, December 31st, 1775.
2. POSITION AND EXTENT .- Montgomery is one of the southeastern counties of Pennsylvania. It is bounded on the northwest by Berks County, on the northeast by Bucks and Lehigh, on the southeast by Philadelphia, on the southwest by Delaware and Chester .* Its area is 484 square miles, or about 309,760 acres.
3. SURFACE .- Its surface is generally rolling ; hilly in the northern part, along portions of the Perkiomen, Skippack, Branch and Swamp Creeks. Through Hatfield, Towamensing and Gwynedd it is comparatively level.
4. DRAINAGE .- The Schuylkill River washes the western shore of the county for about forty miles, flowing in a southeasterly direction. It is spanned by fifteen bridges. These are now free.
The Perkiomen, with its numerous branches, drains half of the area of the county. Itrises in Lower Milford Township, Lehigh County, and is about thirty miles in
* From the irregular position of the county, it is regarded best to bound it as above.
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length. The word, Perkiomen, means a cranberry marsh.
Other streams of the county are the West Branch, Macoby, Swamp, Deep, Northeast Branch, Skippack, Mingo, Stony, Pennepack, and Wissahickon.
5. SOIL .- The soil of the county is generally of a good quality, especially along the Schuylkill and Perkiomen. In Upper Dublin, Springfield, White- marsh, Plymouth, and Upper Merion the limestone soil prevails.
6. POPULATION .- Montgomery County nas (1890) 123,290 inhabitants, being, iu population, the eighth in the State. It has more inhabitants to the square mile than any other county in Pennsylvania, but three.
In the northern section, the German language is still much spoken; whi e in the southern section, comparatively few can speak it.
7. RESOURCES .- The water-power afforded by the numerous streams, nature of the soil, metals, min- erals, and position of the county, constitute its natural resources. These give rise to the varied and exten- sive employments of the people.
8 INDUSTRIES -The chief occupation is farming. Dairy products are the principal, which find a ready market in Philadelphia and the larger borough -. Numerous creameries are in operation, which manu- facture large quantities of butter, mainly for Phila- delphia markets. Not a sufficiency of all grains is
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raised for home consumption. The manufacture of iron, cotton and woolen goods, machinery, etc., is car- ried on in the larger boroughs. Iron-ore mining, and marble and limestone quarrying, form a considerable branch of industry.
9. BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS .- There are fifteen incorporated boroughs in the county, and thirty-three townships. These form eighty-three election dis- tricts and fifty-four * school districts.
10. EDUCATION .- There are 469 public schools in the county (1891). There are several flourishing institutions for higher instruction. Montgomery is among the foremost counties in the State in educa- tional interests. The public schools are receiving due attention, and are in a flourishing condition. Many of the districts (28) have adopted a Graded Course of Study, under which the schools are making much progress. The system was first formally adopted in Lower Providence, on June 6th, 1882, and the first class in the county was graduated, under the sys- tem, on May 9th, 1883. The school term averages 8.49 months.
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE COUNTY.
1. Give an account of the Indians who originally lived in the county.
*Of this number, fifteen are boroughs, six independent school districts, and thirty-three townships.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
2. Give the Indian names now in existence in the county.
3. In what purchase was Montgomery County in- cluded ?
4. Who was William Penn ?
5. Who was Peter Muhlenberg ?
6. What prevented the battle at Warren's Tavern ?
7. What was the condition of the army at White- marsh ? Valley Forge ?
8. What were the names of the different fords across the Schuylkill, and where were they ?
9. Where is Valley Forge ?
10. When was the county organized ?
11. Describe the establishment of the county seat.
12. Discuss General Lacey.
13. Tell the story of the revelation of the proposed attack of the British upon Whitemarsh.
14. Describe the attack upon La Fayette at Barren Hill.
15. Who principally settled in Montgomery County ?
16. When was Philadelphia evacuated ?
17. How long was the Continental army at Valley Forge? in the county ?
18. What part did Montgomery County take in the late war ?
19. Name the different turnpikes in the county.
20. How many miles of turnpike in the county ?
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
21. When was the Schuylkill Navigation Company organized?
22. From and to what places does it extend ?
23. When was it finished ? What did it cost ?
24. Name the railroads of the county.
25. Discuss the Pennsylvania Railroad.
26. Discuss the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad.
27. Discuss the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.
28. Discuss the other railroads of the county.
29. Bound Montgomery County.
30. What townships of the county border on the Berks County line? Lehigh County line? Bucks County line ? Philadelphia ? Delaware County line ? Chester County line ?
31. What townships in Berks County border on Montgomery County ?
Ans .- Douglass, Colebrookdale, Washington, and Hereford.
32. In Lehigh County ? Ans .- Lower Milford.
33. In Bucks County ?
Ans .- Milford, Rockhill, Hilltown, New Britain, Warrington, Warminster, and Southampton.
34. Philadelphia ?
Ans .- The City of Philadelphia.
35. What townships in Delaware County border on Montgomery ?
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Ans .- Haverford and Radnor.
36. In Chester County ?
Ans .- Tredyffrin, Schuylkill, East Pikeland, East Vincent, East Coventry, and North Coventry.
37. Name all the townships in the county in their alphabetic order and locate each.
38. Which is the largest? smallest ?
39. Name the creeks in the county, and tell in what part they are.
40. What river ?
41. Name the boroughs in the county and locate each.
42. What is the population of the county ?
43. What boroughs in Chester County, immediately across the county line ?
44. In Berks County ?
45. Name all the bridges you can that cross the Schuylkill. The Perkiomen.
46. Where is the limestone region ?
47. Where are the iron-ore regions ?
48. What other metals are found in the county and where ?
49. What do you understand by a county seat?
Ans .- A county seat is the place where the courts are held, and the county officers transact their busi- ness.
50. What is a township seat ?
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Ans .- A township seat is the place where the elec- tions are held, and the township officers generally meet to do their business.
51. Who are the present county officers ?
QUESTIONS ON STATE GEOGRAPHY.
1. Name the counties of the State in their alpha- betic order, and give the county seat of each.
2. Locate all the different counties.
3. Give the population of each county.
4. Name the cities of the State, the population of each, and in what county located.
5. Name the counties bordering on the bounding States.
6. What counties of the bounding States border on Pennsylvania ?
7. Name the counties on the east side of the Sus- quehanna River. West.
8. Name all the railroads of Pennsylvania you can,
9. By what railroad would you travel to the follow, ing places :
a. From Norristown to Lancaster ?
b. From Allentown to Franklin ?
c. From Pottstown to Corry ?
d. From Bridgeport to Carbondale?
e. From Lansdale to Altoona ?
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
0
f. From Norristown to New York ?
g. From Jenkintown to Pittsburg ?
10. Name the counties in which iron is found. Coal. Oil.
11. How many Normal School Districts in the State, and where is each school located ?
12. Name all the colleges of Pennsylvania, and in what county each is located.
PART SECOND.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ABINGTON.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- Abington Township is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the county, and joins Philadelphia on the southeast. Its area is 15.5 square miles, or 9,920 acres. Population, 2,703.
2. PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The surface is generally rolling, and Edge Hill is the most considerable eleva- tion. The Pennepack Creek flows through the eastern part, and receives several tributaries from this town- ship.
3. RESOURCES .- The soil is a fertile loam, and where the limestone abounds is among the best in the county. In the northeastern part the limestone and iron- ore belt commences and extends in a southwestern direction to the Schuylkill.
4. INDUSTRIES -Farming, the manufacture of lime, and mining iron-ore for the neighboring furnaces constitute the principal industries.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
5. EDUCATION .- There are ten schools in this town- ship, and it is among the foremost townships in edu- cation. The term is ten months.
6. VILLAGES .- The borough of Jenkintown is in the southwest central part. The villages are Abing- ton, Mooretown, the township seat, and Weldon.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Abington. 2. What railroads in the township? 3. What creek in the township ? 4. Name and locate the villages. 5. Name the post-offices in the township. 6. Name the present township officers .*
CHELTENHAM.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- Like Abington, this township is situated in the southeastern part of the county. It is noted for its great numbers of fine country residences. Its area is 8.5 square miles, or 5,440 acres. Population, 4,746.
2. PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The surface is consider- ably rolling. The Tacony Creek, rising in Springfield and flowing through Cheltenham and Abington, empties into the Delaware. It has numerous tribu- taries in this township.
3. RESOURCES .- The soil is rich and productive, being composed of loam and gravel. The various
* This and similar questions may be answered by the pupils of that township, or by referring to the Author's County Map. Some of the questions are omitted for want of space. Tho newer railroads are not noted in the text on account of the necessity of making too extensive changes in the plates.
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strata of rocks, as exposed by cuttings of the N. P. Railroad, afford a very fine geological study.
4. INDUSTRIES .- Farming, gardening, and manu- facturing which is extensively carried on, are the prin- cipal industries of the people.
5. VILLAGES .- The villages are Shoemakertown, the township seat, Edge Hill, Cheltenham, Waverly Heights, and Ashbourne.
6. EDUCATION .- There are eighteen schools in the township, with a term of ten months. All of the schools are graded.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Cheltenham Township. 2. What is the township seat ? 3. What railroads in the township? 4. What creeks? 5. Name the present township officers.
DOUGLASS.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- This township is situa- ted in the northwestern portion of the county. Its area is 15 square miles, or 9,600 acres. Population, 1,667.
2. SURFACE .- The surface is rolling and the soil red shale. The principal streams are Swamp, West Branch, and Middle Creeks, which afford some water- power.
3. INDUSTRIES .- Farming is the chief business of the people. A few engage in mining and manufac- ture.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
4. VILLAGES .- The villages are Gilbertsville, the township seat of the western district, Douglass, and Engleville. There are ten schools, term six months. Map Questions .- 1. Bound Douglass Township. 2. What creeks in the township? 3. Name and locate the villages. 4. What post-offices in the township? 5. What townships in Berks County opposite Douglass ?
FRANCONIA.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- Franconia is situated in the northeastern part of the county, joining Bucks County. Its area is 14.875 square miles, or 9,520 acres. Population, 2,258.
2. NATURAL FEATURES .- The surface is generally level. The soil is red shale, and in some parts of a clayey nature. The Northeast Branch of the Perki- omen, the Skippack, and Indian Creeks flow through the township and furnish water-power.
3. INDUSTRIES .- Farming is the principal business. The North Pennsylvania Railroad passes through the township for a distance of 2} miles, with stations at Souderton and Telford.
4. VILLAGES .- The villages are Telford, Souder- ton, Franconiaville, and Franconia Square, the town- ship seat. There are ten schools, term six months.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Franconia. 2. Name the villages and locate them. 3. What railroad in the township ? 4. What streams in the township ? 5. What is the township seat ? 6. Name the post-offices. 7. Name the present township officers.
FREDERICK.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- This township is situa- ted in the northern part of the county. Its area is 15 square miles, or 9,600 acres. Population, 1,850.
2. PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The surface is rolling, and in some places hilly. In the southern part the elevations are called Stone Hills, and are covered with huge rocks called bowlders. The Perkiomen and Swamp Creeks are the principal streams furnishing water-power.
3. INDUSTRIES .- Agriculture is the principal indus- try. There are also different manufactories. Copper mines are found in the southern part, and they were worked about 1830.
4. VILLAGES .- The villages are Zieglersville, Green Tree Hotel, the township seat, Perkiomenville, Fred- erick, and Spring Mount.
5. SCHOOLS .- In the township there are ten schools. The term is six months.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Frederick Township.
2. Name the villages and locate them. 3. Name the
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post-offices. 4. What is the population ? 5. Who are the present township officers ?
GWYNEDD.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- This is one of the central townships of the county. Area, 19.25 square miles, or about 1,240 acres, having been reduced by the incorporation of the boroughs of Lansdale and North Wales. Population, 2,367.
2. SURFACE .- The surface is rolling, and the soil clay, approaching loam, and is well cultivated. The Wissahickon flows through Gwynedd, receiving several tributaries that rise in the township.
3. INDUSTRIES .- Farming is the occupation of the people. The North Pennsylvania Railroad passes through the township for a distance of six miles, with stations at Penllyn and Gwynedd. The Stony Creek, for three and a half miles, with stations at Acorn, Lukens, and Kneedler.
4. VILLAGES .- The villages are Spring House, township seat of upper district, Penlyn, Gwynedd Cor- ners, township seat of lower district, and the borough of North Wales, taken wholly from this township.
5. SCHOOLS .- There are six public schools in the township. Term, nine months.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Gwynedd. 2. What can you say of the shape of the township ? 3. Name the railroads of the township. 4. Who are the
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
present township officers? 5. Name the township seats.
HATFIELD.
1. POSITION AND EXTENT .- Hatfield is the central township on the northeastern line of this county. Eleven square miles, or 7,040 acres, is its area. Popu- lation, 1,833.
2. PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The surface is generally level ; the soil of a clayey nature. The Neshaminy Creek rises in Hatfield and flows through Bucks County into the Delaware. Several branches of the Skip- pack also rise in this township. This is the culminat- ing township in the county, judging by the direction the streams of water flow.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
3. INDUSTRIES .- The occupation of the people is farming, with some manufacturing. The North Penn- sylvania Railroad passes through the township for about four miles, with a station at Hatfield; and the Doylestown branch, three miles, with a station at Colmar.
4. VILLAGES .- The villages are Hatfield, the town- ship seat, Line Lexington, Colmar, and Hockertown.
5. SCHOOLS .- The township has eight public schools, including the independent district of Line Lexington. They have a seven months' term.
Map Questions .- 1. Bound Hatfield Township. 2. Name and locate the villages. 3. What post-offices in the township? 4. What borough ? 5. What rail- roads ? 6. Name the present township officers.
HORSHAM.
POSITION AND EXTENT .- This township is situated in the eastern part of the county. Its area is 9,966 acres, or 15.5 square miles nearly. Population, 1,239.
2. PHYSICAL FEATURES .- The surface is generally level and the soil a loam. The West Branch of the Neshaminy drains part of the township. The Penne- pack rises in the township.
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