USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A history of the townships of Byberry and Moreland, in Philadelphia, Pa. : from their earliest settlements by the whites to the present time > Part 12
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SOMERTON HILLS CEMETERY. CRYPT.
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situated just out of the village, and the serenity and quiet beauty of the spot
"Affords a calm for those who weep, A rest to weary pilgrims given, Where they may softly lie and sweetly sleep Beneath the vault of Heaven."
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
THE minds of many of the Byberry people seem to have taken quite a literary and scientific turn in the early part of the nineteenth century. They had been educated by such men as Watson Atkinson and John Comly, who had taken great pains to impress their minds with a proper estimate of the value of scientific and literary knowledge to all persons, whatever their walk in life might be. They comprehended the broad bearing of the sciences upon their social callings, and had made good use of the valuable but small library just started in their midst, during the long winter evenings, when, released from their daily toils, they gathered round the social board; but this did not satisfy them, and some of the more enthusiastic con- ceived the idea of forming a society having for its object the diffusion of scientific knowledge. While this matter was being discussed, Joshua Hoopes, of West Chester, through the invitation of some persons in the neighbor- hood, proposed giving a course of twelve lectures on Astronomy. A class of thirty members were soon ob- tained at two dollars each, and the lectures were delivered in Byberry School-house. At the close of these lectures Dr. Isaac Comly proposed "that an association be formed for the purpose of delivering lectures on scientific sub-
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jects." After some further conference on the matter, a constitution was adopted Tenth month 26, 1829, the pre- amble of which states that the "Society is for the acquisi- tion and promotion of scientific knowledge," and is to be designated "The Byberry Philosophical Society." The meetings were held weekly during the winter season, when some one of the members usually delivered a lec- ture to the Society. The first course was upon Natural Philosophy, and it appears to have been very popular, for the meetings were regularly attended by many who were not members. These proceedings continued until Twelfth month, 1832, when the constitution was so altered that the Society could form a cabinet of natural curiosities, and the work of collection commenced at once. The cab- inet was at first placed in a room belonging to Isaac Comly, where it remained until 1834. It was then re- moved to James Thornton's house, and afterwards to a school-house in the neighborhood, where it remained until 1840, when the Society erected a convenient building for it near the Meeting-house, and removed it thereto. Lectures have at different times been delivered in the Society's room, and when these were not going on, con- versational meetings were frequently held by the mem- bers. From 1854 to 1860, popular lectures were deliv- ered at "Byberry Hall," under the auspices of the Society, and were well attended by members and others. Considerable interest was manifested when the cabinet was first started, and everything of interest that could be found was collected and neatly labelled, then placed in the collection. Great pains were taken to procure and stuff all the birds found in the vicinity; many curiosities were
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also obtained from various sources; and the science of mineralogy, in particular, received the close attention of many of the members, so that in a short time the collec- tion became quite valuable, and annual contributions were rendering it still more so. But as the originators of it either left the neighborhood or were removed by death, a lukewarmness sprung up, and as the younger members care but little about the matter, nothing has been added to the museum for several years. The specimens have been left uncared for until many of them are entirely spoiled ; and unless some of the young members give it a little attention, the whole collection will soon be worth- less. The specimens number about two thousand, and they should be the pride of every one who is in the least interested in the works of nature. 34
ADELPHIAN SOCIETY.
IN the latter part of 1799, a number of the younger portion of the community met and formed a literary society, to be called "The Adelphian Society," the object of which was the "promotion of useful knowledge among the members." Orations were frequently delivered by the members, and discussions upon various subjects often engaged the attention of the association. Much interest was manifested in it, particularly by the young, and many of the written essays read at these meetings have since been published, and reflect no discredit on their authors.
34 This collection is now kept in the library room in the school ing. Although a valuable collection, its value is much impaired through lack of care. Of late years but few specimens have been added to the collection.
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After a time the interest at first manifested began to wane, and at the end of two years it was discontinued, yet it was undoubtedly productive of much good to those who took a part in its proceedings.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.
ALTHOUGH Byberry and Moreland have but a limited territorial area, yet they have become somewhat renowned in history for having been the birth-place and residence of some of our most distinguished men. In early times, Benjamin Gilbert, a polemic writer of considerable note, resided here. Since then William Cooper, afterwards a member of Congress, and father of the distinguished nov- elist, J. Fennimore Cooper ; Dr. Enoch Edwards, an offi- cer in the army of the Revolution, and subsequently a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia ; and Dr. Walmsley, a prominent medical and scientific man-have all dwelt within the limits of the township. The gallant Decatur, and his father, Captain Decatur, with his family, were residents for several years previous to 1798, when President Adams called them into the service of our country. Byberry can also boast of having given birth to Dr. Benjamin Rush and his brother, the Hon. Judge Rush, both of whom are too well known to need any encomium here. The house in which they were born is still standing on the farm now owned by Reuben Parry. They were both much attached to their place of nativity, and frequently visited it during the latter part of their lives. Besides these was Edward Duffield, of Moreland, who was noted for the high posi- tion he held among scientific men.
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AUTHORS.
SEVERAL of the people of this district have at different times given their thoughts to the world in the form of lectures, essays, addresses, poetical effusions, and elabo- rate works upon various subjects. It is not our intention to narrate all these; but we shall mention only a few of the most prominent ones. Some of these works still sur- vive their authors, while others have passed into oblivion, along with the ephemeral literature of their day. Of the merits of these productions we are unable to speak, having met with but few of them; but many are highly spoken of by contemporary writers, and others have stood the test of time, and are still acknowledged as among the best works on the subjects of which they treat.
The first of these, of which we have any account, was John Hart, who, in conjunction with Thomas Budd, pub- lished an "Essay on the Subject of Oaths," in 1692.
Benjamin Gilbert published "Truth Defended," 1748; "Discourses on Perfection," 1769; and "Further Dis- courses on Sin, Election, Reprobation and Baptism," 1770.
Dr. Edwards published "A Charge to the Grand Jury," and "An Essay on Agriculture," in the "American Museum," 1788.
Edward Duffield, "Some Observations on the Applica- tion of Plaster of Paris," 1797.
James Thornton, preacher, left a memorandum of his Life and Travels, which was published in "Friends' Mis- cellany."
Peter Yarnall, M. D., left a "Journal of his Life and
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Ministry," portions of which have been published in "Friends' Miscellany."
John Townsend published an "Essay on Education," and "Some Observations on the Ministry," in the same work.
Grace Townsend wrote several poetical essays which evinced considerable talent, but were not published.
Dr. Walmsley published "An Essay on the Absorption of Medicine," 1803, and, subsequently, several other medical papers in "Barton's Journal."
William M. Walmsley, "An Account of the Wheat Moth," in "Barton's Journal," 1804.
William Walton, the original narrative of "The Cap- tivity and Sufferings of the Gilbert Family."
Joshua Gilbert, several excellent essays, signed a "County Friend," in the "Advocate of Truth," about 1827.
Warder Cresson, "An Address to the Select Members of Ahington Quarterly Meeting," 1827; "Babylon the Great is Falling," 1830; "Jerusalem, the Centre and Joy of the Whole Earth," 18.44.
John Comly, one of the most gifted of Byberry authors, published, among other things, English Grammar, 1803; Spelling Book, 1806; Primer, 1807; Sermons, 1827; Epistle to Friends, 1832; Spelling and Reading Book, 1842; Book of Useful Knowledge, 1844; and, with his brother Isaac, edited and published "Friends' Miscel- lany," in monthly numbers, twelve volumes, from 1831 to 1839.
Isaac Comly published several "Sketches of Byberry;" also, "Easy Lessons for Juvenile Readers," 1807; "Phila-
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delphia Primer," 1808; and "A New Assistant," 1809.35
DISEASES.
THE early part of the year 1793 was somewhat remark- able on account of the prevalence of typhus fever in both townships. It was a dangerous form of the disease, and many who were attacked died. In the latter part of the same summer the yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia, and many persons removed to the country to remain until the danger had passed. There was scarcely a house in either township which had not some boarders from the city.36 One of these died of the fever at John Gilbert's, and was buried on his farm without even so much as a coffin. The neighborhood was a second time visited by the typhus fever, in the summer of 1813, and many per- sons were afflicted with the disease; but from the skilful treatment pursued by Dr. Worthington, of Moreland, then the principal physician, very few died. A danger- ous form of dysentery prevailed in 1819 and 1820, and
35 Dr. Martindale, the author of this work, wrote the following: A History of the United States; A Series of Spelling Books; First Lessons in Natural Philosophy and Anatomy; Physiology and Hygi- ene, and also in manuscript a Catalogue of the Birds, Animals and Plants of the Locality.
36 In 1793, and again in 1798, yellow fever made ravages in Phila- delphia. In the All Saints' Church yard are buried in one grave Elizabeth Westcott and Lucy Breck, two friends who are supposed to have died of the disease in 1798.
John Carver mentions the story of a Byberry man who visited Philadelphia during this epidemic and became intoxicated. He was, while lying in the streets, picked up for dead by a passing funeral cart and thrown into the pit on the outskirts of the city. On becoming sober again, he scrambled out from the heap of dead bodies and returned to Byberry. Strange to say, he never con- tracted the disease. John Carver, in telling the story, would always refuse to give the name, saying that that had better be forgotten.
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several persons died, one of whom, Ezra Townsend, was a valuable citizen, and his loss was much felt in the com- munity. In 1849, the cholera broke out and caused great consternation among the people. Many were attacked by it, and a few died. Rachel, daughter of James Knight, was attacked while in Byberry Meeting, July 15th, and could not be removed to her home. She died there, July 20th, and was interred in the new graveyard. During that summer nine cases of cholera occurred in Somerton, four of which proved fatal.
Intermittent and bilious fevers were common many years ago, but since the forests have been cleared off, the lowlands drained, and the soil generally cultivated, these diseases have nearly disappeared. The townships, how- ever, have always been remarkably healthy, and the inhab- itants have enjoyed as long and as happy lives as the people in any other section of the country.
MILLS.
AT the present time there are six mills within the limits of Byberry township, two of which have saw-mills attached. Five of these mills are located on the Poques- sing Creek, and one near the centre of the township, on the Byberry Creek. This latter mill is now known as Comly's Mill, and is owned by Charles B. Comly, one of the most enterprising citizens of Byberry.37 The first mill at this place was built by Benjamin Gilbert, in 1759. It was a small structure, and probably remained standing until it was purchased by Robert Phillips, in 1837. Pre-
37 This mill is now owned by Thomas Husband, Jr.
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vious to this time it had been in the possession of Ephraim Howell and Amos Hillborn. In 1838, Robert Phillips erected the present building. It is a convenient mill, and has an eighteen-foot overshot wheel, with four run of stones. In the year 1846 this property was again sold, and John Comly, Sr., became its owner. In 1850, at his death, it passed into the hands of his son, Charles B. Comly. The stream upon which it is located is rather small, and during the dry weather of summer does not furnish sufficient power to run the mill. In order to obvi- ate this difficulty, in the summer of 1855 an addition was built to the mill, and a steam engine of twenty horse- power placed therein, and so arranged as to be used when there was a scarcity of water. Since that time the busi- ness at this mill has been much increased, and now does more work than any other mill in the township. In 1857 many of the farmers had begun to raise sugar-cane ( sor- ghum accharatum), and in order to accommodate them wooden rollers for crushing the cane were attached to this mill. After the cane was crushed the owners took the juice home, and boiled it down in their kitchens; but the result was so unfavorable that they became discouraged, and no more was raised for several years. In the spring of 1863, John Comly, who now has charge of the mill, became interested in this matter, and distributed sugar- cane seed to the farmers in the vicinity, at the same time offering to put up suitable machinery for manufacturing the syrup, etc. This machinery consisted of a heavy iron crusher, with three rollers, and a furnace over which is a copper evaporator twelve feet long and four feet wide. In the autumn of that year these works were put in opera-
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tion, and eight hundred gallons of syrup and fifty pounds of crystallized sugar were made that season. This was the first sugar made from sugar-cane in either township. In 1864 the amount of syrup made at this place was 5500 gallons. The steam engine at this place is the only one in use in the townships, and judging from appearances it has been a profitable investment.
The mill in the northern part of Byberry, on the Po- quessing Creek, known as Carter's Mill, was built by James Carter, Esq., in 1838. It is run entirely by the stream on which it is located, and is now occupied by Elmer Carter.38 A saw-mill is attached to it; and at both it and the flour-mill considerable business is done. In 1864, machinery for crushing sugar-cane and making syrup was obtained, and is now in successful operation.
The next mill below this, on the same stream, is known as Townsend's Mill. From information obtained through Mahlon Carver, a descendant of the first John Carver, and much interested in the ancient affairs of the township, the first mill at this place was built by Lawrence Growden. It was on the Bensalem side of the Poquessing, about three hundred yards above the site of the present one. In order to obtain water-power for this mill, a small dam was constructed on the Poquessing, opposite to the farm now occupied by Edwin Tomlinson. From this dam the water passed through a race over a mile in length before it reached the mill. No traces of either the dam or the old race now remain. The present mill on the Byberry side is fed from a dam about two hundred and fifty yards
38 This mill is still owned by Elmer Carter, who is engaged in mak- ing hay rakes.
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up the stream. This was for many years in the possession of the Townsend family, and was sold about 1845. It has since been owned by Edwin Knight, Jesse James and Levis Levis.39 About one mile below this mill, at Mechanicsville, a saw-mill was built by Evan Townsend in 1794. For many years it was used as a saw-mill only, and part of the time owned by William Bennett, who carried on an extensive business there. After Noah Shull purchased it, a hominy mill was attached, and some of the farmers raised white corn, expressly for making hominy. The present owner, Charles Buckman, has attached a mill for grinding feed.4º Farther down the stream, about one and a half miles, is Gordon's Mill, built by John Hillborn, in 1825. For several years this was owned by John Gordon, but since his death has passed into other hands. Ephraim Howell said that the first season he lived at what is now called Gordon's Mill, the dam broke. It had no waste-place originally, except at the east corner. He erected a framework there, but in the morning after its completion he was surprised to find that the water had forced a passage through it, and the dam was nearly empty. Plenty of fish were caught in what was left, and he found the track of an animal in the mud supposed to be that of an otter. He then dug stone and got Jesse James to build the present stone-work of the breast of the dam, about 1776. The only mill not yet mentioned is on the same creek, in the southern end of the township. It was long owned by Samuel Smedley, and often goes by the name of Smedley's Mill. It is now owned by Jona-
3º This mill is now owned by James McMullen.
" This mill was torn down about twenty years ago.
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than Knight,41 and is conveniently located for doing business. Being located on the Poquessing, within two miles of its mouth, its wheels are seldom still from want of water. It is probably the oldest mill site in the town- ships, but we have been unable to find any account either of the time when a mill was first erected there, or of its subsequent history.
NEW COUNTY.
THE people in the rural parts of the city have, for many years, desired to be separated from the built-up portions, and various attempts have been made to accomplish that end. In 181242 it was proposed to make a new county from portions of Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties, and the Legislature petitioned to that effect ; but it was a failure. In 184143 the project was revived with some hope of success; but the Legislature thought pro- per not to grant their request. In 1856, soon after the Consolidation Act went into operation, a third attempt at separation was made, and nearly every person exerted himself to obtain what all so much wished. Many meet- ings were held, and delegations sent to Harrisburg; but all without avail. The people of the townships are too valuable not to be citizens of a great city like Philadelphia, and therefore the representatives of the people concluded that it would, for the interest and welfare of said inhabit- ants, be best for them to remain connected with the
" This mill is now owned by Mrs. Knight, widow of Jonathan Knight.
42 This should be 1809.
43 This should be 1831.
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"largest city in the world ;" and "Penn County," with all its advantages, lives only in the wishes of the people.44
REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES, ETC.
IN the autumn of 1812, a violent hurricane passed across the townships, and did much damage. The roof of the academy at Bustleton was blown off; Jacob Wil- son's barn, in Byberry, was blown to pieces; Joseph Knight's wagon-house was overturned, and a part of Thomas Gilbert's house unroofed; fences were blown down, trees uprooted or snapped off a few feet from the ground, and orchards nearly destroyed. In 1820 and '2I similar storms visited the townships, and did equally as much damage. On the 2d of April, 1841, a very violent storm occurred about sunset. It unroofed Asa Walm- sley's barn, destroyed a threshing-machine house for Charles Martindale, moved two long rows of sheds at the meeting-house, and blew over several trees in different parts of the townships. On the 12th of the same month snow fell all day and part of the night, and was on an average about twelve inches deep.
Since 1841 the townships have been visited by several hurricanes, which have done much damage by uprooting trees, etc.
A remarkable instance of the sagacity of a dog is men- tioned as occurring in 1820. Jesse Knight removed with his family from Byberry to Zanesville, Ohio, and took his
# Robert Purvis was very active in his opposition to this separation from Philadelphia. This attempt in 1856 was for the purpose of uniting with Bucks County rather than the formation of a new county.
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dog with him. After arriving at his destination, the dog was very uneasy, and appeared dissatisfied with his new home. Accordingly, he took "French leave," and started for his old friends and comrades in Byberry, where he arrived in due time, having travelled more than four hundred miles, and crossed several large streams of water in his journey. He was very tired and quite thin when he reached his old quarters, but in other respects he was none the worse for his long journey.
LARGE TREES.
AMONG the large trees in Byberry and Moreland we find mention of a large chestnut tree on the farm of the late Franklin Comly, Esq. It was twenty-seven feet in circumference. It was struck by lightning and killed, after which it was cut down by Isaac Krewson.
A very large willow tree was blown over on Jabez Wilson's house,45 April 2, 1841; and during the same year a large white oak, about eleven feet in diameter, was cut down. It stood between the house and the creek, and made over seventeen cords of wood.
A very old pear tree on Watson Comly's farm was cut down in the year 1854. It was nine feet nine inches in circumference, fifty feet in height, and made over three cords of wood. It was over one hundred years of age, and produced fruit until it was cut down.
A large chestnut tree, six feet in diameter, on John Carver's farm, was cut down by Watson Comly in 1855. It made ten cords of wood and one hundred and eighty posts.
45 This house now belongs to Dennis Mahony.
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The largest tree of any kind in the townships was, without doubt, the "old elm" which stood in front of John Carver's house, and about one hundred yards dis- tant. It was, on account of its great size, a curiosity, and sojourning strangers often went to view its gigantic form. It stood alone in all its majesty away from surrounding trees, and was a noble specimen of that noble species now so seldom seen around our dwellings. It measured twenty-five feet in circumference, was forty feet up to its branches, and its topmost limbs were one hundred and ten feet high. How long it had stood none could tell; but for several years previous to its destruction it had been gradually decaying. In the autumn of 1856, the "old elm" took fire from some burning brush, and, being dry, it burned so rapidly that it fell the next day. The limbs burned for three days, and were finally extinguished by a shower of rain; but the roots burned for over one week. Mahlon Carver states that the tree made twenty- five cords of wood. For many a long year the branches of this venerable old elm were waved by the passing breeze, and beneath its shade thousands of human beings stood to view its gigantic form; but the old tree-a con- necting link between the present and the long-since past- has, like a mighty monarch, fallen.
"Then hail to that elm! that brave old elm! Our last lone forest tree, Whose limbs outstood the lightning's brand, For a brave old elm was he!
"For seven score of full-told years He bore his leafy prime, And like a relic of the past He told of the olden time. --
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"But the raging fire felled his giant form, And we ne'er shall see him more; So here is a tear to the memory Of the elm before the door."
A large poplar tree formerly stood on Nicholas Hel- verson's, now James Tomlinson's farm. It was 130 feet high, 50 feet up to the lowest limb, and 16 feet in circum- ference near the ground. It was cut down by Silas Roads, and sawed up for bedsteads. It stood near Jacob Saurman's line some distance back from the turnpike.
A very tall hickory tree grew in Jacob Saurman's woods.46 It was 120 feet high, and when cut down made over four cords of wood.
On John Carver's, now Colonel Burling's farm are two pear trees, still standing, which were brought over from England by the first John Carver in 1682, and are conse- quently over 174 years old. One of them is still alive and bears fruit.
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