USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Bristol > A history of Bristol borough in the county of Bucks, state of Pennsylvania, anciently known as "Buckingham"; being the third oldest town and second chartered borough in Pennsylvania, from its earliest times to the present year 1911 > Part 10
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The First Sunday School .- The first Sunday School opened in Bristol was by two maiden ladies, members of the Society of Friends, and daughters of Phineas Buck- ley, about the year 1811. The school was held in their
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father's house, which stood on the river bank near Penn Street, and was called a First Day School. Children were taught in the New Testament scriptures only. The wife of the late William Kinsey attended this school in 1813.
In the year 1816, a Union Sunday School was organized by the Rev. Richard D. Hall, rector of St. James' Protes- tant Episcopal Church, John Adams, a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, John McElway, Joseph King, Henry Tomlinson and other members of St. James' P. E. Church and the M. E. Church. It was held in the upper room of the old courthouse, on Sunday afternoons, and was continued until 1822, when the Rev. Hall re- signed his pastorate and was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Jaquette, who opened a school in the rectory of St. James' Church, which was held on Sunday mornings. The mem- bers of the M. E. Church organized their school in 1822, in their church on Wood Street, the session being held on Sunday afternoon. John Adams and Henry Tomlinson were the first superintendents.
Bristol's Old Time People .- Among the wealthy and enterprising men who resided in Bristol in the early part of the last century was Joseph Head. He lived in the house previously occupied by the Spanish Minister, now owned by Ernest Lawrence. He was a man of fine per- sonal appearance, of gentlemanly manners, and an ac- ceptable companion in the higher orders of society. It . was through his influence and liberality that some of the finest residences on the river bank were erected. He built the mansion, later removed by Messrs. Pursell and Feni- more, to make room for the erection of their two beauti- ful mansions, one of which is still occupied by Dr. Pur- sell, and the other by Stanford K. Runyon. The house was built in 1815 and was occupied for several years by Major Kneas, of the United States Army. Mr. Head also built the house now occupied by the family of the late Henry Morris, on the river bank. Mr. Head removed from Bristol to Philadelphia about the year 1824. His de- parture was regretted by the citizens, but to none more so than the boys to whom he was a friend. Many a dollar
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he contributed to the celebration on Fourth of July, and on other public occasions.
George Breck, one of Bristol's noble citizens, pur- chased the Major Kneas property and occupied it until his death at an advanced age. Mr. Breck was active in all good works and was a brother of Samuel Breck, one of Philadelphia's wealthy and enterprising citizens, who, while a member of the senate of Philadelphia in 1832, pre- sented the first resolution for the passage of the common school law.
Thomas A. Cooper, the celebrated actor, purchased the property now occupied by the family of the late Henry Morris, and resided in it for many years. Mr. Cooper was an actor of reputation in England as well as America. He married a Miss Farley of New York, whose death was the cause of much sorrow by those with whom she was intimate. Mr. Cooper had several children; his son graduated at West Point, entered the army and was sta- tioned in Georgia. He resigned his position to accept the office of chief engineer of a railroad. One of Mr. Cooper's daughters married Robert Tyler, son of Presi- dent Tyler. The female department of the White House was entrusted to her care and management. Her en- tertainments excelled in tasteful and ornamental display, such was the testimony of those who visited the Presi- dent's mansion. A writer on the Reminiscences of Wash- ington, speaking of Mrs. Tyler, says : "that since the days of Mrs. Madison, no one of the eminent ladies who pre- sided over the affairs of the White House, were more dignified and lady-like than was Mrs. Tyler." Mr. Cooper was a man of fine appearance but a little austere in his manners. As an actor, none had a higher reputation. He was kind hearted and liberal in his intercourse with his neighbors, loved a joke, none of which he enjoyed more heartily when relating it, than the one that was passed upon him while walking up Broadway, New York. On one occasion at one of the cross streets, stood two black boys, chimney sweeps. As he passed them one remarked to the other. "Sam, thar goes Cooper, the play actor." His companion replied : "Pshaw, nigger! what you want
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to talk like dat? You don't know what you may come to 'fore wou die."
Joseph and Abraham Warner owned and operated the Bristol flouring mills, and did an extensive business in grain and lumber. They had the confidence and esteem of all with whom they associated in public or private life. They filled the highest offices in the borough and were prominent actors in all matters that related to the welfare and prosperity of the people. They gave liberally to the poor and for the relief of all who were oppressed, bond or free. Both were members of the Society of Friends and strong abolitionists. At one time, in 1839, when the school board had granted permission for an abolitionist, name Burleigh, to speak in the school building on a Sun- day afternoon, and his entrance was blocked by an angry mob, Joseph Warner, who accompanied the speaker was thrown to the ground and received severe bruises. He afterward addressed the people and, finding it impossible to reason with them, announced that the meeting would be held in the Friends' Meeting House, and invited all to go and hear the speaker. Joseph Warner was elected chief burgess in 1825 and again elected in the years 1826, 1827, 1829, 1830 and 1831.
A Queer Custom .- Evidently in the early history of Bristol, the question of finding fuel was stipulated in the contract or lease of rented property, between the landlord and tenant. In proof of this, Mr. C. Wesley Milnor has in his possession a paper reading as follows:
"Bristol, Pa., January 10, 1799.
"To Ann Brelsford:
"This is to inform thee, that if thee stays in my house another year, thee must pay me £16 pounds per year, and find thy own firewood, and thee must come here shortly and let me know whether thee concludes to stay or no."
There is no signature attached to make it complete, but we infer that it was written in good faith in accordance with the customs of that period.
A House With a History .- The old house situated on Radcliffe Street near Jefferson Avenue, now owned by the St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church and used as a
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home for the sisters who teach in the parish Parochial School, is one of the most historical houses in Bristol. A short history of the premises and the man who built the house and the purposes for which it has been used makes an interesting story.
The ground is a part of a tract of land of 1,000 acres, conveyed by deed of Wm. Whittecar and wife to Alexan- der Graydon and William McIllvain in 1752. Wm. Mc- Illvain was a brother of Bishop McIllvain, of the P. E. Church. Both Graydon and McIllvain were residents of Bristol and members of St. James' P. E. Church. The original tract was subsequently sold to different parties. A part, containing fifty-one acres, was bought by John
ST. MARKS' R. C. CONVENT.
Reed, who built the Mansion House in 1816, and occu- pied it until he removed from Bristol to Maryland, about the year 1821. His life was an eventful one; he never knew his parents, his mother, in his infancy, placed him in a bunch of reeds on the banks of Mill Creek, in Bris- tol, and abandoned him. It was near the residence of William Davis, a ship carpenter, whose wife, just before retiring to bed, said to her husband : "I hear the cries of a baby," and wanted him to go out and see what was the matter. He thought she must be mistaken, as he heard
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nothing unusual. She insisted. A lantern was lit, when on opening the door the cries were plainly heard. Fol- lowing in the direction of the sound they came to a bunch of reeds in which lay a bundle. It was carried into the house and proved to be a male infant about six weeks old. Can a mother forsake a suckling child? Yes, she may, but in the providence of Him who said "suffer little chil- dren to come unto me," there is always a kind-hearted woman to care for the little waif. Nothing was ever heard of his parentage. He was adopted by his foster parents, educated and learned the trade of his benefactor, who, on his coming of age, delivered up to him his business and retired. He carried on the business for many years, be- came one of Bristol's most enterprising citizens, was a large owner of property ; he built some of the finest brick dwellings erected in his day. He bought a farm in Mary- land and became a farmer, living to a good old age, loved and respected by all who knew him.
Many eminent men owned and occupied the place, among whom was James Johnson, who went south, made a fortune at carriage building, returned and occupied the premises several years. He sold to a Dr. Martin, a retired physician, from Philadelphia, who sold to a Mr. Richard- son, a merchant, who realized a handsome fortune from his trade with the West Indies. He sold to a Mrs. War- ren, an English lady, who sold to Cyrus Peirce, a retired farmer ; he occupied it for many years, during which it was the abiding place of the oppressed. Many a poor slave from the south on his way to the land of freedom in the north, found food and shelter in that hospitable home. After the death of Mr. Peirce, and his wife, at the good old ages of 90 years, the property was divided among his children. The homestead came in possession of his daughters, who opened a boarding and day school for girls, which was extensively patronized, so that it became necessary for them to enlarge their building for the accommodation of their pupils. The property was sold to a syndicate and the school was continued by Miss A. Merriam for some time, when she was compelled to give it up on account of her health.
The house was next bought by a noble-hearted gentle-
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man, who after putting everything in complete order for the comfort and happiness of the inmates who should be admitted, within its precincts, presented it to the Wom- an's Christian Association, of Philadelphia, as a home for girls. It was continued for some time under the name of the Whelan Home for Girls, but was finally sold to St. Marks' Church for the purpose heretofore mentioned.
"Yet still will memory's busy eye retrace, Each little vestage of the well-known place."
Dick Shad, the Runaway Slave .- There lived in Bristol about the year 1818, a colored man named Richard Rus- sell, alias Dick Shad. He was a runaway slave from Virginia, and made his way to Attleborough and stopped at the house of a friend, who, learning that he had run away from his master, gave him employment and kept him on the farm for a year. There being no travel from the Southern states in those days to that part of Bucks County, the underground railroad upon which so many of the South's valuable chattels escaped from bondage to the land of freedom, had no existence in that early day. Dick remained undiscovered by his master. Believing himself to be safe in his new home, he married and started in business. He succeeded in getting a horse and wagon and commenced the business of huckster. In the fishing season his principal business was buying and selling shad. He was industrious and saving. Being fluent in speech, he made many friends, who assisted him in his business. He moved to Bristol, bought a piece of ground on Market Street, erected a home and lived there many years. He was reluctant to tell his last name, preferring to be called Dick, hence he became known as Dick Shad. He estab- lished the first hack line for the transportation of pas- sengers, which proved a success, but in the midst of his prosperity there came a sore trial which nearly deprived him of his liberty. On one occasion a gentleman from Virginia came to Bristol to attend the races. He em- ployed Dick to drive him to the race course. On the way the gentleman said : "I think I have seen you before. Did you not once live in the South?" Dick, not suspecting his passenger knew anything of his once being in slavery,
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replied that he had once lived in Virginia. The gentle- man on his return home, living in the neighborhood of his master, informed him that whilst on a visit to Bristol he had met his old slave, who drove him to the race course. Colonel Russell desirous to recover his property, came to Bristol with his overseer and stopped at the Delaware House. While he was standing on the portico Dick drove down to the steamboat landing. He was recog- nized by his master, who immediately went to Esquire Bache's office and took out a warrant for his recovery. When Dick appeared before the Justice, the Colonel said : "Richard I am glad to see you again. I have missed you very much during the years you have been from home." Dick replied, "I don't know you. What you want with me? I never saw you before. I never was your slave." It soon became known that a man from the South had ar- rested Dick Shad, claiming him as his slave who had run away from his plantation in Virginia. Among the citi- zens who flocked to the Justice's office were Joseph and Abraham Warner, Friends, who with others, were de- termined Dick should not be taken back into slavery if they could prevent it. Colonel Russell, in supporting his claim presented a certified copy of his father's will in which it stated that Richard, with other slave children were willed to him. His overseer testified that he had lived with Colonel Russell over twenty years; that he knew Richard as his slave; that he was his master's coachman for several years before he ran away. Abraham Warner acted as counsel for Dick. He contended that the testimony was not clear enough to warrant the Jus- tice in deciding to send this man into salvery. Some of the people became very much excited and counselled re- sistence against his being sent back. During the investi- gation Dick became greatly enraged. He declared he would die fighting for his liberty ; pulled off his coat and dared any man to lay hands on him. It began to look, from the sympathy manifested for him by those present, that there would be an effort to prevent his being taken back into slavery, should the Justice decide in favor of his master. Friend Warner requested the people not to commit a breach of the peace. Should the Justice decide
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to deliver him up, they would appeal the case to court. Colonel Russell, fearing from the excitement on the part of the people, that resistance would be made to his tak- ing Dick back into slavery should the decision be made in his favor, made a speech in support of his claim to Richard as his slave. He said he had produced a certi- fied copy of his father's will, showing that he had been willed to him, and the testimony of the overseer estab- lished the fact that he had been in his possession as a slave. Friend Warner said the testimony of the over- seer had not been supported by other witnesses and this man ought not to be sent into slavery on the testimony of one man. The Colonel then said he would mention an- other circumstance-that at the time Richard ran away he missed a gold watch that belonged to his father. Dili- gent search had been made for it, but it was never found. He suspected Richard had taken it as he had access to the house. A part of his duty besides taking care of his horses was to wait on the table. That from what he had seen when Richard had his coat off on the present occa- sion, he was in possession of a watch, the chain of which bore resemblance of that attached to his father's watch, which was a double case gold watch; that it had the ini- tials of his father's name on the inside of the case, "R. T. R." That the chain was made of plaited hair, on which was a gold clasp and a large gold-rimmed key, enclosing a reddish stone, on which was engraved a man with a gun and dog; he desired that the watch be produced. Dick declared he had no such watch in his possession. One of the citizens present said he had seen a watch in his pos- session. The Justice told him he must produce it. He persisted in saying he had no such watch. Friend War- ner said to him, "Richard, if thee has a watch let me see it." He then handed him the watch, saying he bought it from a colored man. Upon examination it proved to be the watch described by the Colonel. The Justice said the testimony was sufficient to warrant him in delivering Richard to his master. The Colonel asked for a commit- ment to take him to jail until he could take him back to Virginia. Dick became very much excited and plead with the people not to suffer him to be taken to Virginia.
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He would rather die on the spot than be taken back. A proposition was made to raise by subscription, money to purchase his freedom. A committee was appointed to wait on the Colonel to ascertain on what terms he would grant him his freedom. He said he was a valuable man to him, that he not only had a right to his services, but he had a claim upon his son, a boy about 14 years old, but if they would pay him $500 and deliver up the watch, he would give him his freedom papers. The committee then waited on the citizens soliciting donations. They suc- ceeded in raising $150, the most of which was given by the Warners. The committee again waited on the Colonel to see if he would agree to take a lesser sum, as they could not raise the amount demanded. He said Richard and his son would be worth to him in Virginia $1,500. The committee said the boy's mother, on hearing the Justice's decision had packed up his clothes and bade him run for his life, and that he had left the town. The Colonel finally agreed to take $350 and the watch. A Friend said he would loan Richard $200. The money was paid with the watch and Richard Russell, alias Dick Shad, became a free man. Thus ended the first and only slave case ever tried in Bristol. Dick's son never returned to Bristol. His parents never heard from him or knew what became of him.
The Farmers' National Bank .- The Farmers' Bank, the first in the county, was organized in 1814. The books for subscriptions were opened at various points from August 8th to the 19th, and the commissioners met at Doylestown on the 20th. The stockholders met at Har- mon Mitchener's, Milford (now Hulmeville), in Middle- town, December 5th, to choose directors and fix upon a place for locating the bank. The directors chose John Hulme the first president, and George Harrison the cashier. Joseph Pickering was elected clerk. A portion of the house of George Hulme was occupied as a bank- ing room, and the president was directed to procure a large chest made of strong plank, covered with sheet iron, and secured by strong locks and bolts in a secret manner. This box is still in the possession of the bank, kept as a
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relic of its early days. Joseph Hulme became president in 1818, John Newbold in 1821, Anthony Taylor in 1823, John Paxson, Anthony Burton, Caleb N. Taylor and Benjamin Taylor subsequently. George Harrison was succeeded as cashier by William Newbold in 1823; Rob- ert C. Beatty was elected to this office in 1827; C. T. Ire- dell in 1867, and Charles E. Scott, the present incumbent, in 1882. The original capital was $60,000. This was in- creased to $90,000 in 1836, and to $92,220 in 1837, at which sum it has since remained. It was reorganized as a national bank January 13, 1865, and has been rechartered. The surplus fund is
FARMERS NATIONAL BANK.
almost three times as much as its capital. The bank re- mained in Hulmeville until 1830, when it was removed to Bristol and located in Dr. Pursell's building on Mill Street, now occupied as a bakery by Axel Swain. In 1833 it was removed to its present location The building it now occupies was built in 1818 by James Craig, of Philadelphia, for a summer residence at a cost of $15,000. Mr. Craig resided in the building until his death, and it was afterward occupied by his sisters. During their
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occupancy Lieutenant Hunter, of the navy, who killed young Miller of Philadelphia, in a duel, and his second, Lieutenant Burns, were both secreted in the building un- til public indignation had subsided and they were sus- pended. They were both afterward restored and Hunter became the somewhat celebrated "Alvarado" Hunter.
First Woolen Mill .- A woolen mill was erected in 1815 by Joseph and Abraham Warner, at that point on the south side of Mill Street now occupied by the canal and the railroad. It was a three-story frame building, forty by eighty feet, and comprised 780 spindles, with the requisite cording and other machinery, two hand looms for weaving satinets, and six looms for plaids and checks, employing twenty-four hands. The mill was leased to Isaac Pitcher. A dispute arose between him and the owners, involving his right to use the water power when there was not sufficient to run both mills. Pitcher was defeated in the courts. He removed his machinery to Groveville, N. J., and the abandoned building was after- ward destroyed by fire.
Sime Ento, the Spanish Minister .- Among the many families of wealth and social position, who have lived in Bristol from time to time, was one Sime Ento, the Span- ish Minister of the United States. He lived on Radcliffe street in the house now owned by Ernest Lawrence, next door to the Elks' Home. It is related that he built a miniature fort at the foot of his grounds facing the river, upon which two small brass cannon were mounted. There were two sets of halyards upon the flagstaffs, one for the flag of Spain and the other for the national colors of this country. On a certain Fourth of July occasion William Gosline, who had charge of the munitions of war, was directed to run up the flags. He did so in such a way as to place the stars and stripes above the flag of Spain. Sime Ento inquired with some surprise why they were not run up together, upon which Gosline replied, "His country's flag first, and those of others afterward," a sen- timent which his master was generous enough to appre- ciate. He was recalled after some years and succeeded as
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minister by Don De Onis, who took up his residence on Radcliffe Street, and laid out the grounds adjoining with care and taste. It is said that the marriage by proxy of his daughter and a Spanish army officer was the first cere- mony so performed in this country. It occurred at high noon in both countries, Father Hogan, of Philadelphia, officiating at Bristol. Augustus Claudious, the German consul at Philadelphia; Baron Ludwig, of Prussia, and Captain Piquet, of the French navy, all resided here and as the representatives of their respective governments, added much to the wealth and respectability of the community.
Don de Onis lived in the house adjoining the residence of Robert Clark, on Radcliffe Street, two doors north of the old Presbyterian Church. The lot embraced all the land between Radcliffe, Mulberry and Cedar Streets, to the line of the property now occupied by E. W. Minster. The grounds were laid out in serpentine walks, artificial bridges and planted with beautiful shrubbery. Don de Onis had two daughters and they could be seen morning and evening with their governess, promenading through the garden sketching whatever was beautiful and attract- ive. The elder daughter was an artist of considerable merit. Her drawing of the scenery along the river bank, the island opposite, with Burlington in the distance, was a beautiful picture. She took it to Spain to show her friends the beautiful home she occupied in Bristol.
Augustus Claudius the German Consul, lived in the house recently demolished, where the Elks' new home is now erected. He bought the lot at the corner of Rad- cliffe and Walnut Streets, enclosed it with a high wire fence and laid it out in beautiful plots for a playground for his children. He became involved in financial diffi- culties and his property was sold, and Paul Beck, of Phil- adelphia, who advanced him large sums of money, be- came the owner, and Claudius returned with his family to Germany.
Baron Ludwig, the Consul from Prussia, with his wife and daughter, boarded with J. R. Scott, who kept the Cross Keys Hotel, now occupied by Franklin Gilkeson
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as a real estate office, and Emil Martin as a drug store. The daughter died of scarlet fever and was buried in St. James' graveyard. A broken column marks the place where the little one is interred.
Antonie Furey Piquot, Knight of the Order of St. Louis, captain in the French navy, came to Bristol from Boston. He stopped with Mr. Bessonett, who kept the Delaware House, where he remained a year and then rented a house. He was wounded in a duel with a fel- low officer, which rendered him unfit for duty in the navy. He died in 1845, and was buried in St. James' churchyard.
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