USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Blockley > Historic Lower Merion and Blockley; also the erection or establishment of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 5
USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lower Merion > Historic Lower Merion and Blockley; also the erection or establishment of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 5
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
Thomas Duckett, clerk of Schuylkill Meeting, and a member of the First Pennsylvania Assembly, died of fever in 1699.
69
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Pennsylvania from the beginning was an agricultural State. The great land holders built solid stone mansions and lived in the midst of their broad acres, cultivating their own "plantations." This section of Pennsylvania never had the ignorant, stupid, loutish farmers, of which we read so much in stories and novels. The old families of Penn- sylvania are all able to point to some old stone farmhouse, in some old county, as the cradle of their American clans, for the very good and historic reason that the first pur- chasers took up large tracts of land and laid out plantations. The Welsh were stone masons and wherever they settled they built their houses of stone. In New England, where stone is plentiful, we see frame houses because those who settled New England were carpenters by trade.
Among the old mansions of Blockley, still standing, and outside Fairmount Park, may be mentioned the Wynne mansion, or "Wynnstay" (recently restored), near Bala ; the Joseph George mansion, Overbrook (now a fashionable school for girls) ; the Jesse George mansion, near George's Hill, close to the Schuylkill Valley R. R. (now fast falling to decay) ; the David George and Edmund George mansions in the same neighborhood, and the Amos George mansion on the Christ Church Hospital property. Another old man- sion on the same property is now used by the Rabbit Club.
In 1708 Richard George, with his wife, Margaret, and many children, arrived from Wales. Richard purchased a portion of the Wynn tract in Blockley. Some of his chil- dren settled near him, others proceeded to Chester County. His descendants intermarried with the descendants of Willian ap Edward. In this way the Georges became pos- sessed of a large tract near Overbrook, as well as George's Hill.
The best-known members of the George family were the philanthropists, Jesse, Rebecca and Joseph. This last founded the George Industrial School. Jesse and his sister Rebecca, perpetuated their name in their noble gift of eighty-one acres to Fairmount Park. They also founded the George Institute and Library, Hestonville.
70
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
The Georges were quite numerous and all lived to be very old. Christ Church Hospital, a home for old ladies, is built on a portion of the George estate. The lofty steeple
HOME OF JESSE AND REBECCA GEORGE Still standing
of this fine old building can be seen from many points in Blockley and Merion. This is one of the oldest institutions of the kind in the country. It was founded by Dr. John Kearsley long before the Revolution, in a house on "Church Alley," opposite Christ Church. The hospital was removed to the new buildings in Belmont in 1854. The term "hos- pital" is still used in a colonial sense, meaning not merely a refuge for the sick, but a "house of entertainment." Dr. Kearsley, the founder, was the architect of Christ Church.
West Park
No history of Blockley Township would be complete without particular mention being made of West Fairmount Park, which is included in old Blockley. This vast pleasure ground extends along the Schuylkill from City Avenue at
71
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Pencoyd, to Fairmount Dam, and beyond. The portion of Fairmount Park, and the grandly romantic and picturesque Wissahickon on the east bank of the Schuylkill (with its stories of mystics, hermits, poets, Indians; its old monas- tery, its luxurious foliage, a harbor for many rare birds ; its cascades and gorges), is in what was, before the city's consolidation, the "Northern Liberties" and Roxborough Township.
Many noted historic spots are included within the West Park, among them a number of old-time mansions. We are deeply indebted to the late Charles S. Keyser, Esq., for the preservation of much of the historical lore connected with the Park.
The Centennial Grounds .- Here the one hundredth anniversary of the nation's birth was celebrated in the sum-
MEMORIAL HALL
One of the buildings erected for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. In it may be seen a fine collection of objects of art, and antiquities, includ- ing the famous Wilstach Art Collection. The building is of white marble, 365 feet long and 210 feet wide.
72
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
mer of 1876. The grounds are in the West Park, extending from "Lansdowne" to George's Hill, and bounded on the north by Belmont, and on the south by Girard and Elm (now Parkside) Avenues. These were part of the 5,000 acres granted in 1681 to Dr. Thomas Wynne, of Caerwys, Wales, friend and physician of William Penn. A portion of the same land was presented to the city of Philadelphia by Jesse George and his sister Rebecca in 1868.
The Garrett Mansion .- In the West Park near the Falls of Schuylkill, now called "The Lilacs." The Garrett family are of Swedish descent, their ancestor being one Garretson, who came to Delaware at an early date. The Swedes set- tled at Wilmington in 1683, and claimed both banks of the Delaware River as far north as Trenton, and both banks of the Schuylkill as far as Reading. The domain consti- tuted "New Sweden." William Penn recognized the claims of the Swedes to ownership in the land. The Welsh who settled Lower Merion and Blockley, in the summer of 1682, made friends with their Swedish neighbors. The Garrett family retained their plantation up to the time that the city of Philadelphia acquired it for park purposes. In extending the park the city became possessed of a number of old Swedish and Welsh land claims. At the time of the Revo- lution the Garrett mansion was occupied by Captain, after- wards Major, Morton Garrett, of the Philadelphia County Militia. The Ford Road passed up from Garrett's Ford, which was just at the foot of the hill below "The Lilacs."
Brunnenwald .- This old mansion stands on the crest of Cedar Hill, in the West Park, long the property of the Ott family. The Otts were of German origin. The Germans, under Francis Daniel Pastorious, settled Germantown in 1683, thence spread into the neighboring townships of Rox- borough, Blockley, Lower Merion and up the Schuylkill Valley. They were among the best citizens Pennsylvania ever had, their record being quite as creditable as the Welsh and Swedes. At the time of the Revolution, Brunnenwald Farm was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott, of the Phila- delphia County Militia.
73
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
"BRUNNENWALD"
Faces the Speedway and is used as a club house by the Road Drivers' Asso- ciation. During the Revolution it was occupied by Lieutenant Peter Ott, of the Philadelphia County Militia.
Mount Prospect .- In the West Park, overlooking the Falls of Schuylkill, now called Chamounix, part of the old Swede domain of Swan Lums, long the property of the Johnson family. In this old mansion resided for a time Robert Morris, son of the Revolutionary financier, Robert Morris. The younger Morris well nigh impoverished him- self in the attempt to make glass.
Greenland .- In the West Park, on the slope of Cedar Hill, thence extending to the river bank : once part of the Garrett and George properties. (Here the trolley bridge now crosses the Schuylkill.) The house is built in the same solid style as the George houses in Blockley. From the Revolutionary period down to the time of its acquisition by the city, "Greenland Farm" was held by the Craig family. James Craig, a member of this family, was a soldier in the famous Philadelphia City Troop, in 1778-79. The troop still exists, and is said to be the oldest military organiza- tion in the United States.
74
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Belmont or Peter's Farm .- In the West Park, near the Columbia bridge. In 1745 William Peters of Yorkshire, England, purchased the property from the widow of Daniel Jones, a descendant of the carly Welsh. Here were born Richard and Thomas, the sons of William Peters. At the outbreak of hostilities with Great Britain William Peters returned to England, but his sons espoused the cause of the Colonies. Richard was the illustrious Judge Peters --
-
GREENLAND
As it looked before the back buildings were removed and alterations made.
patriot, wit, poet, scholar and Statesman-a captain in the Philadelphia County Militia and Secretary of the Board of War and a friend of Washington. Judge Peters performed many acts of service to his country. After the war he went to England to induce the high dignitaries of the established Church to confer Episcopal Ordination upon the Rev. Wil- liam White, of Philadelphia, in which mission he was suc- cessful, thus becoming one of the founders of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America.
Richard Peters was the first President of the Pennsyl- vania Agricultural Society, and introduced many improve- ments in farming. In 1782-83 he was a member of Congress,
75
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
and from 1789 until his death on August 22, 1828, U. S. District Judge of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Peters was a soldier in the Philadelphia City Troop. Belmont Mansion still stands on a high eminence in West Park, commanding a beautiful view of the Schuyl- kill. The Peters coat-of-arms, in stucco, still adorns the dining-room ceiling. A stone slag set in the wall, on the north end of the old library bears the letters, J. W. P. 1745. In 1794, September 11-20, a troop of Pennsylvania Militia encamped at Belmont, on the way westward to suppress the whisky insurrection.
BELMONT MANSION Built 1745
Near the mansion is a white walnut tree which Lafa- yette planted during his visit in 1824. It is enclosed with an iron railing. On the broad field lying back of the house, near Belmont Avenue, stands a magnificent walnut tree planted by Washington.
The Belmont plateau is a favorite site for military demonstrations today. Here was held the Historical Pageant, October 7 to 12, 1912. Here, during the World War, a great demonstration urging the sale of Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps was held at which several noted opera stars sang, while aeroplanes flew overhead (1918).
76
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Tom Moore's Cottage .- A small, low, stone structure on the river bank at the foot of Belmont Hill, once part of the Peters property. A winding pathway leads down through the "glen" to the River Road near this spot. The Irish poet, while a guest of Judge Peters, played hermit for a short time, by secluding himself in this cottage. Here he wrote a number of poems, among them those beginning with lines, "Alone by the Schuylkill a wanderer roved," and "I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled."
HORTICULTURAL HALL One of the buildings erected for the Centennial Celebration of 1876. This great conservatory is 380 by 190 feet. It is 55 feet high. The collections show plants from all parts of the world, many of very rare character.
Lansdowne .- Upon the spot now occupied by Horticul- tural Hall, in the West Park, stood the residence of John Penn, grandson of William Penn, and the last royal gover- nor of Pennsylvania. Although a Tory, he was not at all aggressive, and spent the last years of his life in Pennsyl- vania, dying in 1795. The name "Lansdowne" is derived from John Penn's English title of Lord Lansdowne. Wash- ington visited Ex-Governor Penn at Lansdowne, in 1787, during the sitting of the Constitutional Convention. After the death of John Penn this estate became the property of William Bingham, the well-known patriot. During the
77
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Revolution he was agent of the Continental Congress in the West Indies ; afterwards captain in a troop of dragoons ; also Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and United States Senator. His wife was Ann, daughter of Thomas Willing, member of the Continental Congress, and the Supreme Executive Council. Joseph Bonaparte, Ex-King of Spain, lived at Lansdowne in 1816.
The last owner of the place, before it passed into the hands of the Fairmount Park Commissioners, was Lord Ashburton, whose family name was Baring. the noted bankers. (Baring Street, which winds through a portion of West Philadelphia, once known as Hamilton Village, was named for this family.) Lord Ashburton, with Daniel Webster, arranged the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which fixed the 49th parallel as the northwestern boundary of the United States.
Camp Ground of the North Carolina Battalion .- Early in July, 1777, the North Carolina troops, under General Francis Nash, encamped at Lansdowne. The Continental Armny then occupied both banks of the Schuylkill, from the Middle Ferry (Market Street) to the Falls. General Nash was killed at the Battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777.
Camp Ground of the British .- While the British held Philadelphia, 1777-1778, one of their camp grounds extended between Lansdowne and George's Hill, in the West Park, that is, where the Centennial Exposition was held-where the overthrow of the British was destined to be celebrated nearly a hundred years later. (The English, evidently bear- ing no malice, built a "Queen Anne" house in the Park for that celebration, and after it closed presented the house to the city. It still stands and is used as a guard head- quarters.)
George's Hill .- A commanding eminence in the West Park, a part of the large tract of land presented to the city by the Quaker philanthropist, Jesse George, and his sister, Rebecca George. The George property was a portion of the Wynne tract, but it passed into the hands of Richard George, of Wales, in 1708. (Near the foot of the Hill, just
78
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
outside the Park, close to the Schuylkill Valley branch of the Pennsylvania R. R., the old George mansion still stands (1918), but it is fast falling to ruin.) There were several other old mansions in the vicinity, of the same substantial style, once held by various branches of the George family. During the Revolution the Georges were patriotic. Jesse, an ancestor of the later Jesse George, was a member of the Committee of Correspondence. William George was a Lieutenant in the Philadelphia County Militia. John George was another patriot of the name.
...
"RIDGELAND"
Another old-time mansion in the West Park, above Belmont Glen, near Belmont Mansion.
Jesse George died in 1872, aged 90 years. His sister Rebecca, a few years younger, died in 1869.
The State in Schuylkill .- In May, 1732, a fishing club located itself at Eaglefield, which is just above the Penn- sylvania Railroad and Girard Avenue Bridges, West Park. The club was called the "Colony in Schuylkill," and rented an acre of ground from William Warner, whom the mem- bers dubbed "Baron Warner," in order that "he might properly receive their homage." The organization was
79
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
kept up until the outbreak of the American Revolution, when, as the members of the club were all eminent patriots, the name was changed to the "State in Schuylkill." Among those eminent patriots were Samuel Morris, Thomas Wharton, Thomas Mifflin, John Dickinson and Richard Peters. The Philadelphia City Troop was largely an out- growth from the "State in Schuylkill." The club still exists, although located on the Delaware, in Bucks County. It is believed to be the oldest social organization in the world. The club has always been famous for its good dinners. The gentlemen, themselves, act as cooks. They are said to possess a great number of secret recipes, which have been handed down from Colonial and Revolutionary times, and which have been tested by the most illustrious warriors and statesmen of those periods, and later enter- tained as guests. It is accepted as a fact that the organiza- tion wielded a great influence in behalf of the American Independence. John Dickinson, author of the "Farmer's Letters." did more for the Colonies than did any other one individual.
Fort St. Davids, founded by the Welsh, was an- other fishing club, with a clubhouse, or "Castle," on the east side of the river above the Falls. This was afterwards merged in the "State in Schuylkill." Near the original home of the latter-named club stands a mansion known as "Sweet Briar." This was built after the Revolution by Samuel Breck who resided there for more than fifty years. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and one of the framers of the bill providing for the establishment of public schools.
Solitude .- Now the Zoological Garden, which is, itself, part of the West Park. The mansion, still standing, was erected by John Penn, a nephew of Governor John Penn. The younger John Penn was a poet and philosopher. This house and grounds were among the last pieces of property
80
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
held in Pennsylvania by the Penn family, who retained it until purchased by the City for park purposes.
Shad Fisheries .- Before the Fairmount Water Works and dam were built, the Schuylkill was as famous for its shad as the Delaware now is. The breast of the dam pre- vented the fish from ascending the river, hence the fish-
-
-
"SWEET BRIAR"
The villa built by Samuel Brecht in 1797, and occupied by him until 1838. It is just below the Fortieth Street entrance to the West Park on Lans- downe Drive. Nearby, facing Girard Avenue, is the Letitia House, the original home of William Penn. It formerly stood on Letitia Street near Second and Market Streets. In 1899 the house was carefully taken down and removed to the Park.
eries were abandoned in 1824. One of the best-known shad fisheries was at Willow Point, at the foot of Green- land Hill, below the Ford. For many years it was oper- ated by Jacob Sorber, who was, during the American Revolution, an Ensign in the Philadelphia County Militia. Several other fisheries were at the Falls of Schuylkill. The most noted was the one conducted by Godfrey Shronk, also a Revolutionary soldier. The descendants of Godfrey
81
Historic Lower Merion and Blockley
Shronk still claim a "fishery right," which in early days was considered property quite as much as real estate. The claim, however, is of no value today, as there are no longer any shad, and the river banks are within the Park limits.
Roberts' Hollow .- A romantic piece of woods, partly within the West Park, and extending along the river bank to the City line at Pencoyd, for more than two hundred years in possession of the Roberts family, descendants of Hugh and John Roberts, who were among the Welsh emi- grants. The old mansion stood until recently. Here resided in 1704, Edward Roberts, one of the first mayors of Phila- delphia, and a son of Hugh Roberts, the eminent Quaker preacher. At the time of the American Revolution the place was occupied by the patriot Phineas Roberts, who was one of a committee to purchase clothing for the relief of soldiers' wives and children. To the same family be- longed Lieutenant-Colonel Algernon Roberts, Lieutenant Jesse Roberts and Lieutenant Robert Roberts, all of the Philadelphia County Militia. A Mr. Roberts, of this family, carried to Washington, at Valley Forge, on the morning of June 18, 1778, the news of the British evacua- tion of Philadelphia, thus enabling the Americans to follow promptly and defeat the enemy at Monmouth.
The Monument Road .- The Old Monument Road ex- tended from what is now Forty-ninth Street and Lancaster Avenue, crossed the Pennsylvania Railroad, thence up through West Fairmount Park, then out into Montgomery County, terminating near Manayunk Bridge. For years the main entrance to "Belmont" or Peter's Farm, was a lane leading off the Monument Road, near the present North Wynnefield. This road, which ran diagonally from Forty-ninth and Elm (now Parkside) Avenue, passing where the English Building now stands in the West Park, was partly obliterated when the Centennial Grounds were laid out. At the present time (1918) a portion of it appears
82
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
at North Wynnefield, ending at the Christ Church Hospital Grounds. Again, starting at Belmont Avenue, it runs be- tween the Methodist Home and the School for the Deaf and Dumb, past the "Five Points," crossing City Avenue and continuing to Righter's Ferry Road, at one of the entrances to West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
From the Revolutionary period until about 1860-65 there stood at the point where Peter's Lane left the old road, a rough stone monument or obelisk. This rugged obelisk was scarred and seamed; it bore no inscription, and what it really commemorated was somewhat of a mystery. Some say Judge Peters erected it in memory of the horses killed during the Revolution; others, that it was to mark the spot where he first met his future wife, and still others, that it merely indicated the entrance to "Belmont," his country place. However, the monument was there for generations, and this old roadway was, and still is, called the "Monument Road" for that reason.
Reed's Map
John Reed made a map dated 1733, not published until years later. This came between Holmes' map of 1681, and Scull and Heap's of 1750. The list of landholders in Blockley and Kingsessing as recorded on Reed's map is as follows :
Swan Lums, 400 acres; John Bowle and T. Scotsink, 400 acres; Wood and Sharlow, 100 acres; Wm. Wood, 400 acres ; Jon Winn, 214 acres ; Wm. Peters, John Simson, Ed. Martin, Wm. Smith, T. Parsons, Wm. Moore, Jno. Warner, David George, John Warner, Wm. Orien, Wm. Warner, Geo. Scotson, Jona Winn, Edward Jones, Burz Foster, Wil- liam Bedward, alias Edward, David Jones, William Warner, Israel Morris, John Simcock, Richard Marsh, Wm. Smith. William Powell, Barnabus Wilcox, Thomas Duckett, E. Pritchard, - Maris, Francis Ficher, Haverford Friends,
83
R. Robinson
Falls
Schuylkill
Swan Swanson
S
Abel Thomas
Jona? uu:M John BoAle
1. Scot sink
P. bury
Marmor
Pike
Hugh Roberts
J. Simlock
Is ?
Morris
Road
Smith Upper F.
Creek
F. Smith
Wm
Powell":
Duckett
Wm.
Thos
B. Wilcox
Road
MiJUICE.
Mill
Marshall's
Haverford Friends
Peter
Thus
Cocke
Jno
Gee
Lloyd
Paschall
L. Mill
Humphry
THE
Liberty Lands.
dre
Dan! Humphry
je
till =/= Et:LA
From Reed's Map 1774.
Gray's F .
Dens Rochford
John Mifflin
Springgatts;
Indian David
Jones
Lancaster
Wm. Peters
D. George
J. Warner W. Drien
VE Jos.
W. Warner
Adam Roads
Haverford
Road
George shore
Creek
John Marshall Those
PHILA
Danl.
John Ball
11
=
K
Griffith Jones John Roberts
Swan Lums
Geo. Scottson
Bedward
Drawn by Margaret B. Harvey
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
P. England, John Bristol, Benj. East. John Waight, Thomas Lloyd, Dan'l Humphrey, Win. Herns, John Gee and Co., Wm. Brown, Peter Coke, Peters Mord, Thos. Paschall, Saml. Richards, James Peter. John Chambers, B. Chambers. Richard Peirce & Co., Edward Penington & Co., John Ball. Pearson Watson, Win. Cuerton, John Marshall, James Richard, - James, Richard Haynes, George Shore, G. Ashmead. D. Deweling, S. Bulkley, I. B. Fen, A. Roads. Francis Smith, Saml. Allen, John Ward, Allen Foster, Penl Lehman, R. Webb, Hugh Roberts, George Ashbridge. Joseph Pike, Thomas Wickersham, Thomas Woolrick, Wm. Roberts, Hana Musgrove, Phil Howell, Thos. Reese, Dan. Thos, Abiah Taylor, Benj Furlow, R. Hart.
Swan Lums' 400 acres included all the land from City Avenue along the Schuylkill to near Chamounix, or "Mount Prospect," now in the West Park. John Bowle and J. Scotsink's 400 acres, the West Park opposite the Falls of Schuylkill and Laurel Hill. Wood and Sharlow's 100 acres and William Wood's 400 acres, that part of the Park adja- cent to the Peters and Wynne property. Jonathan Wynn, William Peters, John Simson, Ed. Martin, Wm. Smith, T. Parsons, Win. Moore, John Warner and David George owned tracts of various sizes in what is now that part of the Park near to and including the Centennial Grounds.
John Warner, William Warner and William Orien owned the greater part of West Philadelphia, between the Park and Kingsessing.
Out near Overbrook, Haddington, and City Line the landholders were Johnathan Winn, George Scotson, Edward Jones, Buz Forster, William Bedward, alias Edward (ap Edward) and David Jones. Several thousand acres were divided among these six men.
Other landholders lived near the boundaries of Dela- ware County, all of these following names being located in the neighborhood of what is called on this old map "Mill .
85
From Faden's Map 1777.
Wissahickon Road
Levering
Wissahickon Creek
v ? kill
W
E
River
Ferry
Robeson
S Merion Meeting
Garrett
I
Evans
Tunis
Roberts
Griffiths
Falls
Tunis
& Bealert
GarTEH
Estadelman
Ferry a Ford
He Wynn
Llewellyn
Peters
Hood
Roza
from
Hughes
E. George
Shute
Bevan
Jones
D. George.
Mifflin
berts
Schuylkill Compy.
Roadshow
Haverford
Warner
Moore
Meredith
Wilcox
Saunders
Roop
Scull's Ferry
e
Fulling Mill
Coulton Turner
Marshall
Midale Gardner. Ferry
Map of Lower
Lee
Merion and
Blockley
Townships
ams
Thomas
Cobs Creek
Willi
Penn
R. George
Humphries me
Gov.
Scheetz Paper Mill
Road from Lancaster
Drawn by Margaret B. Harvey.
And Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Creek, or some of its branches." Peter Coke, Thomas Paschall, Samuel Richards, James Peter, John Chambers, B. Chambers, Edward Penington and Co., A. Rhoads, Abiah Taylor, Benj. Furlow, R. Hart.
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.