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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
97
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
largely from the fact that on a single day he three times entered his objections to acts that were being passed with- out first having been published as required by law.
Nicholas Moore, also written Moor and More, a promi- nent lawyer of London, became interested in land in Phil- adelphia County on the 7th of 6 mo., 1684, through the purchase of a tract known as the Manor of Moreland, containing supposedly 9,815 acres. He was to pay a silver English shilling for each hundred acres.
It was found that he had received more land than the deeds called for. Therefore, on July 10th, 1689, Thomas Fairman was empowered to make a new survey. On re- survey, after deducting the necessary 6 acres to 100 for roads, it was found that Nicholas Moore had still about 500 acres more than the grant called for. Five hundred acres were accordingly sold to Thomas Fairman and Anne Salters. This strip was taken from the northeastern border.
Nicholas Moore had both a country and city residence His city residence was on the triangular lot at the south- east corner of Second and Spruce Streets on land belong- ing to the Society. Here he lived during the greater part of his time. In 1685, he erected a manor house near the present village of Somerton, at a place called Green Spring or Green Briar Spring. This was one of the first, though probably not the first house erected in Moreland. It is in- probable that a court-house or a jail existed here as the author states, although he may have heard local cases, or imprisoned a culprit in one of the outhouses for a night.
His death in 1689 was soon followed by that of a wife, Mary, a son, Samuel, and a daughter, Rebecca. Three 7
.
98
THE HISTORY OF
children survived. These were: Nicholas Moore, Jr., Sarah Moore and Mary Moore. Sarah Moore married William Sluby. Mary Moore married Elias Keach, a preacher at Pennypack.
In 1702, the estate was divided. Nicholas Moore took up land and resided in the lower part of Moreland. Sarah Moore took up the western part of the manor, but resided in Philadelphia. Mary Moore took up several thousand acres near Hatborough. It appears that she returned to Europe with her romantic husband, Elias Keach. They had a daughter, Hannah, who married Revitt Harrison. Hannah soon died but left a son, John Harrison. In 1738, he secured his mother's title and resided in Hat- borough.
But the Moreland of 1702 when the division occurred, was not identical with the "Manor" as it existed at the time of Nicholas Moore's death. It appears that addi- tions were made to its southwestern border. A large por- tion had also been sold to pay the debts of the estate, edu- cate his children and improve the manor. Among the debtors was John Holme, an ancestor of those of that name now residing in Holmesburg. In April, 1695, John Holme presented a petition to Councils to have them audit Nicholas Moore's accounts. They found Moore's estate indebted to John Holme to the amount of £270. John Holme therefore sold the plantation at Green Spring and other parts of Moreland. The Green Spring plantation was purchased by Robert Heaton, on September the 11th, 1697. He sold it to his son-in-law Henry Comly, Jr., who in 1704 erected a mansion near the old one.
In 1703, 1,200 acres near Willow Grove were sold to
99
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
Nicholas Waln of Bucks and Thomas Shute, by Moore's heirs. They, in turn, sold it to smaller purchasers; so that, by 1738, this tract contained about ten or twelve families.
Moreland appears to have been settled slightly after Byberry. Among the earliest settlers were: John Sim- cock, Jacob Dubree, James Dubree, Thomas Hallowell, William Dunn, Ralph Dunn, John Waln, Nathan Bewly and Thomas Pennington. Among those who settled around Hatborough before 1712 we have : Thomas Lloyd, John Salters, John Swift, Jacob Izelstein, and William Allen. Among those who settled between the Old York Road and Byberry may be mentioned : Benjamin Cooper, Thomas Parry, William Walton, Thomas Wood, Jacob Boileau, Ralph Morgan, Thomas Kirk, Walter Moore, Harmon Yerkes, Josiah Yerkes, Cornelius Wyncoop, John Harrison, John McVaugh, Samuel Boucher, William Murrey, John Butcher, Caspar Fetters, Joseph Mitchell, Jonathan Comly, Richard Maple, Derrick Hewson, Wil- liam Roberts, Albertson Walton, William Tillyer, Henry Comly, Nicholas Moore, Jr., John Bradford and Benjamin Duffield. By the year 1740, Moreland contained a popula- tion of 600 inhabitants, many of whom were slaves.
In 1728, limestone was discovered near Abington. This was immediately utilized for fertilizing purposes and to inake mortar in erecting new houses to replace the old and less substantial ones. A great many of our old houses of to-day date from this period.
For 75 years the people traveled chiefly on horseback. Their grain was generally taken to James Logan's Mill
100
THE HISTORY OF
near Germantown, or to Lewis' or Gwinn's Mills on the Pennypack.
Luxuries appear to have been almost unknown. Like the people of Byberry, mush was their principal article of diet. Doughnuts were eaten only on Christmas. Calico was worn only on Sunday.
The people of Moreland shared the superstition of the Byberry people. The glens of the Pennypack were, ac- cording to them, haunted by ghosts and malicious spirits. A red ribbon was often tied on the horns of the cattle to make them impregnable to any supernatural influence. To discover the proper place for a well, the sweet apple crook was used. This was a two-pronged stick cut from a sweet apple tree. The person using the stick would hold it by the prongs with the other end projecting in air. Where- ever the stick chose to turn toward the earth, water was to be found. Such was thought to be the power of this stick, that the operator's bones would be broken if he attempted to prevent it from descending.
At first learning was on a low level. Few of the chil- dren of the first settlers could read or write. Schools were soon started, however, and, according to William J. Buck, by the year 1776, we have five schools in Moreland. The first was near Hatborough and was established about 1730. The second was in the southwestern corner of Moreland, on the Welsh Road. The third was near Parry's Mill on the Newtown Road one mile northeast of Willow Grove. The fourth was the Middle Road School House below the Sorrel Horse Hotel, built before 1745 and still used for school purposes. The fifth was near the Byberry line in the lower end of the township.
P
C
IOI
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
Soon after the Revolution, Montgomery County was created. In so doing, Moreland was divided in such a manner that about one-fifth of it remained with Philadel- phia County and four-fifths of it went to help form the new county.
e e
IO2
THE HISTORY OF
PART II.
FROM THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME.
CHURCHES.
As we have already seen, Byberry, Horsham, and Ab- ington Meetings were united to form "Abington Monthly Meeting;" but in the year 1782 Byberry and Horsham were detached from Abington, so as to form a separate Meeting, to be called "Horsham Monthly Meeting," which was to be held alternately at the two places. In 1786 the Monthly Meetings of Abington, Horsham, Gwynedd, and Richland, which had previously been attached to "Phila- delphia Quarter," were united to constitute a new Quarterly Meeting to be known as "Abington Quarter." The select members at Byberry at that time were James Thornton, a minister, Thomas Town- send, John Townsend, Susannah Walmsley, Grace Town- send, Agnes Walmsley, and Mary Knight.
In the same year the Preparative Meeting, having no Book of Discipline, paid £5 14s. for a manuscript copy of the same, and it was agreed to circulate it among Friends, "with caution and care to return it again in one month."
It is a matter of regret that so little is known of the
P N
T
103
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
religious labors of the ministers at Byberry, or of those who visited the place. Henry Tomlinson, who kept an account of many of the more important events in the neighborhood, in some of his notes on Byberry, makes mention of one Arthur Howell, preaching at Byberry Meeting, "and that he preached well, though a Whig." The same person states that in 1788, James Thornton, who was the most prominent minister at Byberry, obtain- ed from the Meeting a certificate to go on a visit to his friends in England. On the occasion of his departure he preached a farewell sermon to a very large congregation of people, who had assembled in the meeting-house to hear him. He was absent about sixteen months; and on his return, the people again gathered in great numbers to show the respect they felt for him, as an honored neighbor and a worthy minister of the gospel.
In the year 1796, a census of the members of Byberry Meeting was directed to be taken for the use of the over- seers ; when it was found that there were three hundred and eighty-five members, including adults and children.
The old meeting-house, which was built in 1714, and reconstructed in 1753, began to have a very dilapidated appearance before the close of the eighteenth century, and by the year 1308 was in such a tottering condition that it was no longer tenable, and Friends in that year erected a new house near the locality of the old one, of the di- mensions of 66 by 36 feet, and at a cost of about $2,600.1 The whole of this sum was raised by subscription among the members, except about $60, which was given by Ab-
1 This meeting-house was erected by Samuel Paul.
104
THE HISTORY OF
ington Meeting in consideration of a like sum formerly received from Byberry for a similar purpose.
About this time some Friends felt much concern in re- gard to the changeable modes of dress; and much was said to discourage Friends, and particularly the younger portion, from following the fashions of Philadelphia. High-crowned hats, narrow-waisted and sharp-tailed coats, lappel coats and sharp-toed shoes, were particularly animadverted upon. The girls were hardly allowed a cape to a black silk bonnet, a hood to a cloak, or any deviation from the old-fashioned shape and cut of a long gown ; and Warner Mifflin was so much exercised in regard to orna- mental show, that he carried a chisel and saw with him when travelling about, so as to remove the superfluous carvings, etc., from furniture found in Friends' houses. At James Thornton's, he attempted to remove some orna- ments from the clock; but the old lady interfered, and friend Thornton told Warner he had better give up the business.
About the time this matter claimed the attention of Friends, some discussion in regard to the use of spirituous liquors was introduced into the Meeting. Many Friends became very active in the cause; and through their in- fluence the custom of handing around wine at social gath- erings and furnishing distilled liquor to hands in harvest- time, was to a great extent abolished, and probably much good was done thereby.2
2 Although the temperance movement began about 1825, yet the use of whiskey in the harvest field and at elections was continued until about the time of the Civil War. It was thought impossible to harvest the hay or win an election without it. An old resident of Byberry spoke of whiskey as "The Great Curse of Byberry."
h la
1
105
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
The subjects of courtship and marriage also occupied the minds of many Friends, who urged the discontinu- ance of the custom of keeping company at unseasonable hours, after the rest of the family had retired, and some labored heartily to accomplish this end. Parents, who were very strict, enjoined the matter upon the young peo- ple; but others treated the subject rather indifferently, and kept to the good old-fashioned way in that very im- portant and rather agreeable business.
The young people, contrary to their usual custom, were not in favor of the innovation, and expressed themselves as satisfied with sometimes waiting, when two only were in company, until the "wee sma' hours" when all but lovers are asleep. The old folks had served an apprentice- ship to the delightful business, and why should not their children take pattern after them?
The number of members belonging to Horsham Month- ly Meeting had increased so much, that, in 1810, it was thought desirable to separate the two Meetings, and since that time Byberry has had a Monthly Meeting consisting of its members only. From a census taken at this time, the members of the Meeting numbered four hundred and forty-six.
This year (1810) might be considered rather an im- portant one in the history of the Meeting, as it was in the latter part of it that John Comly, afterward one of the most noted preachers of the Society, came forward in the public ministry. Some others followed his example; and the Meeting seems to have been more prosperous that at any other period, and all things passed smoothly on until the war of 1812, when a number of the members were
1
106
THE HISTORY OF
drafted. Most of these refused to go, and were accord- ingly court-martialed, and fined from twenty to one hun- dred dollars each. They could not conscientiously pay these fines, and therefore suffered distraints of their prop- erty, which, in some cases, was taken and sold.
The prosperity of the Meeting at Byberry, and indeed of the whole Society, continued for many years ; but there had been a difference of opinion upon some important doctrinal points for some time, and this spirit of dis- cussion gradually increased until 1827, when it reached the crisis, and a final separation was the result. Byberry Friends seem not to have taken much part in the discus- sion until the time of the division. There was then some difficulty in the Monthly Meeting, as both parties desired to retain possession of the Meeting's property ; and to be considered the Monthly Meeting ; but it finally ended with the Orthodox party withdrawing, and leaving the Hick- site portion in peaceable possession. After their with- drawal the Orthodox organized a Meeting for worship, which was held at David Comfort's house,3 in Byberry, until they had time to erect a meeting-house, which they did in the latter part of the next year, 1828, on a lot then belonging to Watson Atkinson, about a half mile south of the old meeting-house, for which they were to pay a yearly rent of one ton of hay.4 In the year 1834, David Comfort, having purchased the property of Atkinson, deeded the lot to James C. Comfort and Thornton Com- fort, in trust, for the use of the Orthodox portion of Friends living in Byberry, both as a meeting-house lot
3 This was the house now occupied by Jacob Eckfeldt.
* This building is no longer standing.
5
2
IO7
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
and a burying ground. It contained about one hundred square perches, and was given with a proviso that if the said meeting should be discontinued, and no meeting held there, the trustees were to sow it with grass seed, and with the proceeds keep it in good order. They continued to hold their meetings at this place for several years, and until death had removed most of those who took an active part in the separation. The others then sold out, and left the neighborhood ; and, in the year 1859, meetings ceased to be held at this place. The property is now under the control of trustees appointed by Frankford Monthly Meet- ing of Orthodox Friends.
This meeting-house is situated about fifty yards from what is now the Byberry and Andalusia turnpike, and persons unacquainted with the circumstances would never think of its having been used as a place of worship; but here, those who believed in the Orthodox creed, met to- gether to worship the God of their fathers twice a week for many a year. Their numbers were indeed few, and their house small; but probably they felt as if a small house with a few choice Friends was preferable to a larger edifice, filled with strangers. My recollections of this spot when a schoolboy, are, that seldom more than a dozen persons congregated there in the middle of the week, and about twice that number on First-days. Asa Walmsley was their preacher, and often have we seen him going to and from the Meeting. He was a portly old gentleman, his hair silvered o'er with age, his dress neat but plain, and strictly corresponding with his profession, and his whole manners bespoke the kindness of a humane heart. He sometimes stopped to speak to us, when passing
108
THE HISTORY OF
through our play-grounds, and the impressions made upon my mind on such occasions still remain. There were two or three sheds connected with this house, but they have been taken down, and the old frame meeting-house now stands desolate and alone, without a single tree or shrub around it; and all those who met here in days gone by- the Walmsleys, the Comforts and the Parrys-have either removed to other localities, or are numbered with the dead.
At the time of the separation the members of Byberry Monthly Meeting numbered five hundred and four, only thirty-nine of whom withdrew. The old Meeting still continues well attended ; but to a casual visitor it seems to be somewhat on the decline. It is a large stone edifice, two stories high, and surrounded by a number of stately Lombardy poplars, which are peculiarly interesting as rel- ics of former times, as most of this species so common as shade trees around every farm-house twenty years ago have since been cut down and the more fashionable kinds planted in their place. The exterior of the house is neat but plain, and its appearance is sufficient to tell the stranger that this is a place of worship for Friends. In front of it, and only a few yards distant, is the "old grave- yard"-the resting-place of many of the ancient inhabi- tants who now lie in undisturbed repose within its crum- bling walls; to the south is the "new graveyard," which is fast filling up, and where every narrow cell will soon be tenanted; and to the north is the "old school-house," where many of the present generation were educated, and in and around which many of the scenes of our early life are remembered with exquisite pleasure. The meeting-
0% a S
109
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
house yard contains about three acres of ground, all of which is nicely planted with shade trees, giving it a pleas- ant appearance and affording building places for numer- ous birds, which, in return, make the spring and summer air vocal with their music. Long rows of sheds nearly surround the place, affording to the horses protection alike from the summer's sun and the winter's cold. The mem- bers being generally in good circumstances, go to meet- ing in their carriages; and on a fine summer's morning from eighty to one hundred neat vehicles, drawn by hand- some and well-fed steeds, may be noticed occupying these sheds or fastened in the shade of the trees, while their owners and families are listening to the words of coun- sel and wisdom spoken within the sanctuary. Well do I recollect these scenes, and often does my spirit yearn to mingle with them once again.
Nearly all the more numerous families in and around Byberry worship here, and the descendants of the Comlys, the Carvers, the Knights, the Gilberts, the Waltons, the Townsends, the Walmsleys, the Worthingtons, and the Tomlinsons-names found away back in the primitive settlement of the place-still compose the principal part of the congregation. Some of the names, familiar then, have not now a single representative left; and others, of whom we then had no account, now take an active part in. the Meeting's affairs. The interior of this house is ex- ceedingly plain, but there is withal a feeling of comfort that makes even a stranger feel that he is among friends. As I sat in the house a short time since, my thoughts wandered back to those who formerly occupied seats at the head of the Meeting, and it seemed to me that I could
0
IIO
THE HISTORY OF
mentally see John and Isaac Comly, James Walton, and Joshua Gilbert, each with his own peculiar countenance, still sitting in the gallery, gazing at the back benches to keep some of us rollicking youngsters within the bounds of propriety and good order. I remember the solemn still- ness that pervaded the whole assembly until John Comly arose to preach, when a slight bustle followed, but quickly died away, and the audience waited with suspense for the words of encouragement which all expected from his lips. All gave attention to the preaching ; and as he proceeded in his discourse, one might see by their countenances that he was touching some of the many strings that are found in the human heart. The walls of the old meeting-house have at different times reverberated with the voices of most of the great preachers belonging to the Society, since 1808-such as Elias and Edward Hicks, Priscilla Hunt, Mary Lippincott, Henry Ridgeway, John Hunt, and a host of others-some of whom came a long distance to fulfill their "missions of love." This spot is now, as it ever has been, since the seventeenth century, the cyno- sure of Byberry, and we hope that many ages will yet pass away ere its walls shall crumble or its reminiscences be forgotten.
The great majority of the people of Byberry are Friends, or friendly inclined, yet several of other societies have of late settled there. In the village of Somerton and vicinity many of the Methodist persuasion have settled, and feeling the want of a convenient place for religious worship they started a meeting in that place at the old school-house, several years since. As the society con- tinued to increase in numbers and in wealth, they, in the
III
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
year 1848, erected a substantial stone church in the east end of the village, and which ranks among the improve- ments of the place. At first this church was united with the one at Bustleton, and a minister placed in charge of both of them, who preached alternately at each place; but the circuit was divided in 1858, and since that time Somer- ton has supported a minister alone. This meeting and the one at Byberry, are now the only ones within the limits of the townships, yet many of the inhabitants attend service at Pennypack Baptist Church near Bustleton, or at All Saints' Church on the Bristol turnpike, a short dis- tance from the southern extremity of Byberry.5
PREACHERS OF BYBERRY MEETING.
While the meeting was held near the Red Lion, in the southern part of Byberry, an old account says that a man preached there, and mentioned that, "as he was at the plow, the Lord came to him and told to go to such a place;" that another man who was present immediately told the preacher "he lied ; that the Lord did not come to him when at the plow, and tell him to go to such a place."
The first approved minister we hear of at Byberry was William Walton. In the minutes of Abington Monthly Meeting, mention is made of dealing with one William Hibbs, for not taking off his hat when William Walton was at prayer. William Walton was at the head of the Meeting for many years, and until his death, in 1736.
Thomas Walton, a nephew of the above-mentioned William, sometimes preached, especially when no other
" This history was first published in the year 1867. Since that time Byberry Chapel and St. Andrews in the Field have been erected.
II2
THE HISTORY OF
minister was present. He took a distinguished station in the meeting, but was never recommended. He was dis- owned about 1763, for not paying his debts.
Samuel Jackson preached about the year 1737, but probably was not recommended.
Ann Moore was an approved and celebrated minister. She resided in Byberry three or four years, but removed thence to Mayland, in 1753. She was one of the most pop- ular and powerful preachers of her time, although she had but little education.
Walter Moore, husband of Ann Moore, sometimes at- tempted to speak in public meetings, but his moral char- acter was exceptionable. He received but little encour- agement from the Society to which he belonged, and was not held in much esteem by them.
Jacob Scott appeared in the ministry about 1751. He took some short religious journeys. He was of the Scott family in Bensalem, and afterward moved to Maryland.
Job Walton, son of William, made some attempts at preaching in 1752. His conduct was irregular, and he was disowned, probably for intemperance, after which his life was unhappy.
Sarah, daughter of Isaac Bolton, of Southampton, was acknowledged as a minister of Byberry in 1752. About 1757 she married and removed to Maryland, where she died in 1783.
Abraham Griffith, an approved minister, became a mem- ber of Byberry Meeting in 1752. He remained there about three years, and died near Mount Holly in 1798.
James Thornton, an approved minister, settled in By- berry in 1752, and became the most distinguished char-
II3
BYBERRY AND MORELAND.
acter of the place. He was much esteemed at home, and was generally known throughout the country.
Mary Comly, wife of James Comly, and sister to old John Paul, was a frequent preacher, but her sermons were generally short. She was not an approved minister.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.