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 11
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Bristolians Drafted Into Military Service in War of 1812 .- Under date of October 17, 1814, the following record is made : "The inhabitants of the Borough of Bris- tol were notified to a meeting at the council chamber, at 3 o'clock, to consider the best mode of relieving those families of drafted militia that may be in want. It was the opinion of the meeting, that the burgesses and coun- cil were the most suitable to provide the means and ap- point the committee to inquire into the wants of their families. The borough officers agreed to meet at the house of John Bessonett, at 6 o'clock in the evening, to consider on the above business. The borough officers met agreeably to agreement : 'Whereas it appears necessary that a certain sum of money should be appropriated for the use of the drafted militiamen's familie's; Resolved, that $100 be appropriated for said use.' "
Jones' Ship Yard .- In the early part of the last century, a shipbuilding industry was founded at the junction of the Delaware River and Adams Hollow Creek, by Messrs. Kirk and Lamb. They were succeeded by a man named Thompson. The latter sold his business to Risley and White, and they, in turn, were succeeded by Captain William Jones. Although the industry has been discontinued for upwards of thirty years, yet the name has clung to the location, and to those of this generation it is still known as Jones' shipyard. During the years when the yard was in operation, many large and costly schooners were built and it is the purpose of this article to give the names of as many as can be remembered by
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some of our oldest citizens, to whom the writer is in- debted for the information here given.
Between 1840 and 1850, two schooners were built for Terrence Brady, Sr., a resident of Bristol Township. One was named George Washington, in honor of the "father of our country," and the other the Enterprise, the latter one being in charge of Captain James McClain. Both schooners were of 150 tons each. The next one built about 1852, was a large schooner, perhaps 250 tons, named Adele Felicia, for a daughter of James Johnson, an old resident of Bristol and a stockholder in the vessel. She was commanded by Captain Rackett, a prominent resident of New Jersey.
The following schooners were next built in the order named: Harriet and Sarah, named for the two daugh- ters of Captain William Tice; Thomas C. Worth, about 300 tons, built for parties in Philadelphia and lost on her first voyage; Mary A. Bromley, Captain Daniel T. Muncey, a resident of Bristol, and owned by New Haven, Conn., parties; Increase, which also went to an Eastern port ; Isaac Anderson, owned by residents of New Jersey ; Allan Downing, built for Captain Edward Rice and other Bristol residents; Emeline Rickey, Captain Lewis Tice, named for a daughter of Kirkbride Rickey, a farmer in Bristol Township and a stockholder; Reindeer, owned by Captain Lemuel Jarvis and others.
The James Buchanan, a 300-ton schooner was built in 1856, for Captain Albert De Groot and other residents of Bristol. She sailed from here in the fall of 1856 with her first cargo of coal for New Orleans, where she arrived safely, and was subsequently sold at a good figure to parties who sent her to Cuba. From there she sailed to the coast of Africa, bringing back a load of slaves for Cuba. Twice afterwards, she sailed to Africa and brought back a cargo of slaves. On her last trip she was chased by a British man-of-war, but being a fast sailer, she reached her destination first, landed her slaves, then ran into the Bay of Honduras, and was burned by her crew, who made their escape in small boats.
The next schooner to be built was the Nathan Tyler, named for one of the stockholders. She was commanded
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by Captain George D. Hunter, a promising and well built young man. In December, 1857, the vessel encoun- tered a severe gale of wind. The Captain, who was at the wheel, gave orders to heave the anchor overboard and ran to help the crew. In the excitement, Captain Hunter picked up the anchor himself and threw it into the water, thus saving the schooner from damage, but injuring him- self internally, from which injuries he died in a few days, leaving a widow and one child, a little boy. His remains were interred in the M. E. burial ground, of which church he was a much respected member. The schooner Wm. H. White was next built and commanded by Cap- tain John Montgomery. This was followed by the "An- thony Burton, Captain Levi Johnson commanding, and the sloop Catch Me If You Can, belonging to D. Lan- dreth & Son, and commanded by Captain Henry Hibbs.
The Lucius H. Scott, a schooner of 300 tons, and owned by her Captain, Lemuel Jarvis and other resi- dents of Bristol, was built on the upper side of the Hol- low Creek. She was loaded with coal and went down one calm morning off Fire Island, near New York, caused by a break in her water pipes in the state room. Her crew escaped in small boats.
The following schooners owned by Bristol parties were built elsewhere: Mary Tice, Captain James Tice; Jessie W. Knight, Captain Charles Fenton; Ellwood Doron, Captain Lemuel Jarvis; Gilbert Green, Captain John Fisher; John C. Henry, Captain Herbert M. Fenton; Hannah Warwick, Captain Somers Warwick; Ellwood Burton; Margaret Mary, Captain Morris Lawrence; Hile Wright, Captain John Fisher; Lizzie D. Small, Captain Lewis Tice; Mattie E. Hand, Captain E. C. Hand; John Dorrance, Captain Edward Rice. The last named boat left New York, December 23rd, 1864, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of loose barley. While near- ing Cape May a violent wind and blinding snow storm was encountered and after three unsuccessful efforts to enter the capes, the vessel was blown on her beam ends and the barley getting wet shifted, rendering the schooner unmanageable and driving her some 500 miles toward the Bahama Islands. The crew were kept at the pumps day
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and night. Their provisions being spoiled by the salt water, they lived on roasted barley for sixteen days, when they were rescued by a passing steamer and car- ried to New York. William Munce, Sr., was the steward on this vessel and during his life, gave many thrilling accounts of the disaster.
Captain Heiss, who lived in the house now owned and occupied by. Jessie W. Knight on Radcliffe Street, oper- ated a boat yard which extended to the property owned by G. M. Dorrance at the corner of Radcliffe and Mul- berry streets. Captain Jacob Johnson, Sr., who fol- lowed the water many years, bought the sloop New Jer- sey, brought her to Bristol and had her repaired and en- larged on the ground where Dr. Lehman's residence now stands. The sloop was wrecked on Cornfield Shoals.
Joseph Bonaparte, ex-King of Spain .- It is said that on the arrival of Joseph Bonaparte in America in 1816, in looking at several properties with a view of purchas- ing, he was much pleased with two in the neighborhood of Bristol ; the one owned by D. Landreth & Sons above, and the place called China Retreat, below the borough, one of which he would have purchased had it not been that the laws of Pennsylvania prohibited a foreigner from holding real estate. New Jersey had a similar law. The legislature repealed it as an inducement for him to settle in their state. He purchased a large tract of land at Bor- dentown and spent many thousands of dollars in build- ings and improvement of the land. New Jersey has since been called Spain.
Major Lenox and the Keene Mansion .- Major Lenox who represented the government of the United States at the court of St. James, was a resident of Bristol for many years. He built the splendid mansion known as the Miss Keene's residence, which she occupied many years after the major's death. It was built in 1816 during the residence of the major and his lady in Bristol. They were visited by many distinguished men of this country and Europe. Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain, whose residence was at Bordentown, N. J., was a frequent vis- itor. He would come down the river in his splendid
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barge accompanied by his nephew, Prince Murat, rowed by four oarsmen, with the American and French flags flying fore and aft. Some times he would drive down, coming by way of Trenton. On one of his visits he met with an accident that came near being a serious matter. In those days it was a custom in repairing the roads by the supervisors, to scrape out the dirt so that the water could pass from one side of the road to the other; they
THE KEENE MANSION, RADCLIFFE STREET.
were called fall-backs. In crossing one, the driver, not noticing it, was thrown from his seat. The horses be- came frightened and started on a run. Bonaparte opened the door of the carriage and jumped out. He fell on his head and was unable to rise. Dr. Phillips, who was re- turning from a visit to one of his patients in Tullytown, overtook the driver who informed him of the accident. The doctor whipped up his horse and found the ex-king sitting by the roadside. After examination, finding no fracture of the limbs, he brought him to Bristol. He remained at the Delaware House under the treatment of the doctor until the next day, when he returned home.
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The horses and carriage reached Bristol before they were overtaken, and upon examination it was found that no serious damage had been done. It was said that a few days after the return home of Bonaparte, the doctor re- ceived a letter containing a $100 bill.
Major Lenox's neice, Miss Sarah Lukens Keene, who was one of his family, fell heir to his estate. She was a lady of personal beauty, as well as mental culture. Dur- ing the residence of her uncle in England, she frequently attended the receptions given to the foreign ministers by the king, who, on one occasion led her in the dance, after which he complimented her on her beauty and graceful- ness. During her stay in England she was known as the American beauty. Shortly after the major's return home, John Hare Powell made her acquaintance and courted her with a view to marriage. When he solicited her con- sent she referred him to her aunt. When he called upon the old lady she listened to his pleadings and replied : "Mr. Powell, you ask my consent to your mar- riage with my neice. My answer is Miss Sarah L. Keene is intended for the son of a duke or a lord and not for the son of a brewer. The gentleman picked up his hat and departed and the courtship ended.
John Hare Powell married and became one of Phil- adelphia's honored and enterprising citizens. Miss Sarah died an old maid. She devised her beautiful mansion on the river bank, its furniture and several thousand dollars to the Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the diocese of Philadelphia, in trust, for the maintenance of five, six or more aged gentlewomen, widows or single women of respectability and decayed fortunes, who had become destitute in old age. Since the death of Miss Keene down to the present year the property remained as it was at the time of her departure. Nothing apparently had been done to carry out the noble bequest of a benevo- lent hearted lady. Last year (1910) the heirs of Miss Keene endeavored to set aside the will, on account of the failure of the trustees to fulfill its provisions. A few months ago, to the great surprise of the Bristol people, who for years have looked upon the property as "the haunted house," the shutters of the building were thrown
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open, carpenters and painters have plied their trades on the inside and outside, until today it resembles somewhat its former glory and grandeur. This action of the heirs has forced the trustees to at last carry out the wishes of the testatrix.
The house is white plastered on the outside and con- tains large rooms and windows. All the fixtures, mantel pieces and staircases are of the colonial style. At the front and over the large door is a hood of colonial archi- tecture, on the front door is a knocker in the shape of an eagle and just to one side is an old fashioned door bell, all of which add to the beauty and quaintness of the house. A large lawn surrounds the house. In the rear the lawn slopes gently down to the river. Here an open- ing is seen overgrown with vines but upon closer examin- ation it appears to have been a passageway which led to a large cave under the ground. Many stories are told about this cave. It has been said that at one time, during the Revolutionary War, Washington and some of his men hid therein. Others say it once had an entrance to the house and was used as a secret passage to the river, but the most likely story is that at one time it was used simply as an ice house. Entering the house by the front door one first comes into a large reception hall where a staircase of pure mahogany leads to the upper floors. In this hall a large tablet is seen upon the wall, placed there by Sarah Lukens Keene, the owner, in memory of her aunt, Tracy Lenox. The tablet bears the following inscription :
"Sarah Lukens Keene bequeathed and dedicated this house to which it is by her will directed from devoted affection, to the memory of her dearly beloved aunt, Tracy Lenox, who died in it on the twenty-fourth day of August, 1834, and it is consecrated to her memory to be a monument and perpetual memorial of the testratrix, love and reverence for her who was her parent in every deed, the tender, affectionate guardian and guide of her infancy, and the true and faithful friend of her mature years; whose warm heart glowed with benevolence, sympathy and feeling for the unfortunate and destitute, and whose open hand was always ready to extend relief, and her kindly voice to utter words of consolation to the bereaved and afflicted." IO
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From the reception hall one next enters the reception room, then the parlor and lastly the dining room, all of which are spacious and beautiful, with marble mantels and large windows. Out from the dining room is a bal- cony which commands a fine view of the river. Going up the winding stairs a balcony is seen with the railing of pure mahogany. This leads to the hall on the second floor, where doors on each side lead into four bedrooms, all the woodwork being plain and painted white. The rooms on all the floors have white plastered walls. A still narrower stairway of the same design leads to the third floor, which has five rooms and two hallways. In the ceiling of one of the halls is a trap door leading to a loft where it is said the servants were made to sleep. Going back to the basement one sees two rooms and a hallway. Over the building many closets are seen which were made after the pattern of those used in colonial days.
Lafayette's Visit, Monday, September 27, 1824 .- Lafayette was met at Morrisville by Governor John An- drew Shultze, of Pennsylvania, who extended him a hearty welcome as he stepped upon Pennsylvania soil. Lafayette rode in a splendid barouche drawn by six dark, cream colored horses, with two outriders on horses of the same color. The First City Troop of Philadelphia, under Captain John R. C. Smith, acted as the immediate escort of the general. Other troops from Philadelphia and Bucks Counties and a numerous cavalcade of citi- zens, attended him to Bristol, where he arrived at I o'clock. Governor Shultze followed Lafayette in a barouche drawn by four black horses. The whole sur- rounding country poured its inhabitants into Bristol to witness the arrival of the "nation's guest." William F. Swift, Dr. John Phillips and David Dorrance had been appointed a committee to give him a grand reception. A triumphal arch was erected at the Hollow Bridge, with the inscription, "Welcome Friend.". The citizens turned out and formed on both sides of the street, mothers with babes in their arms and old men leaning on their staffs. After the reception he was escorted to Mr. Bessonett's
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private mansion, the house now occupied by Curtis How- ell, at the corner of Radcliffe and Mill Streets. The com- mittee had prepared a splendid lunch for the general and his suite; speeches were made and good hearty hurrahs given. After the crowd had gone, Mrs. Bessonett was introduced and related the circumstances of her having nursed him during his former stay in Bristol, from the effects of his wound received at the battle of Brandywine. He recognized her and expressed great pleasure in meet- ing one who had been so kind and attentive to him during his sickness in Bristol. After a rest of two hours, the line of march was formed and the procession marched to the Philadelpiha county line at Harrowgate, under com- mand of Major General John Davis, who commanded the Bucks County Militia, and Joseph Hough, of Point Pleas- ant, Bucks County, lieutenant-colonel of the Thirty-third Regiment, and reached Frankford at quarter before 7 o'clock Monday evening.
The arch disappeared for a number of years, but when Andrew Shaffer took possession of the Badger farm, near Bristol, some years ago, the old arch and a life-size oil painting of General Lafayette were found stored away in one of the barns. The painting was destroyed several years ago by a party of tramps, who entered the barn and maliciously cut the canvas into ribbons. Upon the arch is the inscription: "Welcome Friend," which greeting was intended, when the paint which formed the words were new and fresh, for General Lafayette. Several times 'since the finding of the arch, it has been used upon im- portant occasions in Bristol. The arch is still well pre- served, and is now in the custody of Henry Clay Beatty Post, No. 73, G. A. R.
A Tale of the Stage Coach Days .- Dr. Howard Pursell hands down the following story, having received it from the late William Kinsey. It relates to the old house, 213 Cedar Street, next to Masonic Hall, now occupied by Samuel Scott :
"Some time in the twenties of the last century, a gentle- man took the stage in New York, intending to travel to Philadelphia and thence to Washington. The stage ar- rived at Bristol about midnight and the journey was
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halted at the Delaware House. Here the horses were changed and the passengers given an opportunity to seek refreshments.
"The gentleman left the conveyance to take a short walk in order to relieve himself of the stiffness occasioned by the long journey. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn night and the brilliant moon cast its gentle sheen upon all surrounding objects giving them a startling distinctness. The man walked up Radcliffe Street towards Market. When he reached Market he was startled at the sight of a young woman who appeared suddenly from the dark shadows thrown by the old town house. The moonlight shone full upon her as she reached Radcliffe Street, and the traveler could see that she was young and very fair. Her face was pale and her eyes were flashing with a strange fire. She was clad in a loose gown, which fluttered in the cool breeze. Suddenly she saw the stranger on the opposite side gazing at her curiously. She had walked out Market Street as if with the intention of crossing Radcliffe, but upon noticing the gentleman, she turned sharply and stepped with a quick nervous step up Radcliffe Street. The stranger thought the matter somewhat extraordinary, but finding his time too short, returned to the stage, which was about to resume its way towards Philadelphia. On his trip to Washington he mused over the matter, the recollection of which con- stantly reverted to his mind with that inexplicable per- sistency with which certain occurrences will annoyingly obtrude themselves in one's thoughts at inopportune moments. Several weeks later he returned to New York by the same route. The stage as was customary, stopped at the Delaware House to afford the passengers time to dine. The gentleman betook himself to mine host, who was John Bessonett and rallied him upon the improprie- ty of Bristol's young ladies, walking about unattended at midnight. Bessonett appearing confused, the man ex- plained the occurrence of a few weeks before. The land- lord then told the stranger the remainder of the story. The young lady lived in the house on Cedar Street, No. 213. That night, at midnight, she had risen from her bed, doffed her street apparel and walked down Market Street to the point where the traveler had seen her.
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"The following morning several articles of women's clothing were found on the wharf at Walnut Street. It was soon learned that the young woman was missing, and it was naturally presumed that she had done away with herself in the Delaware. Subsequently the proof of the supposition was demonstrated by the appearance of the body floating in the river."
Rowland Stephenson .- Among the residents of Bristol, 1825-1856, was a man quite distinguished because of the social position which his family occupied in England, and because of an unfortunate notoriety which he him- self gained by reason of some charges of embezzlement. This man's name was Rowland Stephenson, a man of high attainment and distinguished appearance. He was a son of an Englishman of rank, and at one time a banker in the City of London.
His confidential clerk speculated in trust funds, and lost $150,000; upon which Stephenson made the mistake of leaving home. A writ of outlawry was taken out and the law officers followed Stephenson to America. These officers arrested him, without a warrant, and pressed him on an English vessel sailing from the port of New York for London. The ship becoming disabled at sea was finally taken to the port of New Orleans. Here Stephen- son was released, and returning to New York City met Captain John Myers, of Bristol, who had transacted busi- ness with him at London.
Captain Myers invited Stephenson to his home at Bristol, and in 1825 he took up his permanent residence in Bristol, where he remained until his death in 1856. He was buried in the churchyard of St. James.
His son, a captain in the British Army, in 1852 had the outlawry process revoked, but his father would not return.
He was a member of the celebrated Beef-Steak Club of London, an interesting reference to him will be found in Volume No. 1, Colburns' Clubs of London, 1828.
His executors were Lucious H. Scott and Robert C. Beatty, who forwarded $20,000 to his son, Sir Rowland Stephenson. (Contributed by Captain Burnet Landreth.)
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EPOCH VI.
BRISTOL A COALPORT TOWN.
From 1827, the Construction of the Canal, to 1861, the Opening of the Civil War.
History of the Canal .- In 1886, the late William Kin- sey, who was a local historian, furnished the Bucks County Gazette with the following history of the Dela- ware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal. The scenes and incidents described were of personal knowledge to Mr. Kinsey and are therefore authentic.
In 1827, the legislature of Pennsylvania passed an act for the construction of a canal from Bristol to Easton. In October of the same year a large number of people, in pursuance of public notice assembled at Bristol to cele- brate the opening of one of the first canals constructed by the state.
The day was beautiful and unusually warm for the time of year. At II o'clock some 500 men, under the command of William F. Swift, who had been appointed marshal by a meeting of the people for the occasion marched to the ground now owned by the Dorrance Brothers, near lock No. 3. At noon prayer was made by the rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church, after which an address was delivered by Peter E. Brown, a prominent member of the Philadelphia bar. George Harrison, of Hulmeville, and Peter Ihire, of Easton, appeared, one with a wheel- barrow and the other with a pick and shovel. Ihire com- menced to dig a trench and throw the dirt in the barrow. Harrison then wheeled it a short distance and dumped it in a heap. The marshal then made a speech congratu-
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A HISTORY OF BRISTOL BOROUGH.
lating the citizens of the county on the opening of one of the grandest enterprises of the age. The band played "Hail Columbia," and the people gave three cheers that made the welkin ring. The procession re-formed and marched to the Delaware House, kept by Mr. Bessonett, where some 200 people dined and made speeches.
There had been much contention on the part of the people living between Morrisville and Bristol as to the proper place for the terminus of the canal. Those living in the neighborhood of Tullytown advocated Scott's Creek, near that town, as the best place for its connection with the river. The citizens of Bristol contended for
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PURSELL'S LOCK; DELAWARE DIVISION, PA., CANAL.
Bristol borough. The canal commissioners held several meetings to hear the parties. The surveyors of the route favored Scott's Creek and it began to look as though that would be the place. The citizens of Bristol desired an- other hearing, saying that they wanted to present some facts to the board that had not been possible to get up to that time. The commissioners adjourned to meet at the Delaware House to make final decision. The citi- zens employed Counselor Swift to appear before the
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