USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Historical sketches : a collection of papers prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1921-1925, Volume VII > Part 2
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
9
REVIEW OF HISTORY OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY CO.
follows: "In the name and in behalf of the Historical Society of Montgomery County it affords me great pleasure to re- ceive and accept the report of the Memorial Committee. It shall become part of the records of the Society referred to and shall ever be cherished as an interesting memorial of the event which it reports." After listening to an eloquent and patriotic address by Judge Boyer, the exercises closed with the benediction by the Rev. Isaac Gibson.
The memorial exercises of the second day, held in Music Hall, sweetened by the fragrance of flowers and plants, amid elaborate decorations within and without, proved in- teresting and impressive. The first musical rendition was given by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Norristown, which was followed by the singing of that soul-inspiring hymn, "Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," to that fitting tune, "Migdol," by the Centennial Chorus and Orchestra. As a contributor to the music on that occasion and being a par- ticipant, and in position to see and feel the effect, I can say that the singing of the hymn was a most complete success, in its rendition and effect. The enraptured audience so en- tirely appreciated the performance that their silence and attention were a wonderful and interesting exhibition of suppressed emotion and delight. Rev. Henry S. Rodenbough, the oldest pastor in continuous service in Montgomery County, then offered a prayer full of pathos, earnestness and patriotism. At the conclusion of the prayer, Joseph Fornance said that the idea of celebrating the Montgomery County Centennial started in the Historical Society of Mont- gomery County. In working up the cause, at first we met with little encouragement; but as the anniversary day ap- proached interest was aroused and the people of the county responded nobly. They needed but little stirring up to show that they were full of patriotism. After the singing of Whit- tier's Centennial Hymn, the historical oration was delivered by William J. Buck, author of the first history of Montgom- ery County, published in 1859. The oration was an exhaustive history of the county, the character and habits of the early settlers, and the people now, and of the improvements that have taken place during the past hundred years. Among the
10
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
many declarations that were interesting and contained much that was new, the following patriotic sentiment de- serves quotation : "Montgomery County has furnished gal- lant officers and men, not only in the Revolution, but in the War of 1812, and with Mexico. In the late Rebellion it fur- nished its share again, and a monument in the neighboring square contains the names of 547 men that gave their lives in that terrible struggle, that the union of our forefathers might still be preserved and perpetuated." His concluding remarks referred to our honored county. He emphasized the peaceful side of its history by saying that in the long course of the centuries not an instance can be found that either white man or Indian had here shed each other's blood. Mobs have never here prevailed, the most violent reformers have had their way, and no churches or other buildings have been destroyed under such temporary excite- ment. Though peopled by the English, Welsh, Germans, Swedes and Irish, speaking various languages, and holding different religious and political views, they resolved to live here peaceably with each other, while they diligently lab- ored to improve their possessions, till they have become as we now behold and enjoy them at this day. The Festival Hymn was then rendered by the chorus, after which the Hon. George N. Corson read a most pleasing original poem. The most pertinent allusions in said poem are the following :
"Our fathers surely were wiser men Than we are, for they were nearer Penn, And not afraid to make a nation, Found a state, or excite creation With a creed engrossed upon a scroll, That gave liberty to man and soul: To carve a county from an old one, Build a borough, aye, and a bold one,
From a village straggling up and down,
Make a county seat of Norristown.
And bless the parents that gave us birth On this favored spot of mother earth, Where schools are free, and the air serene; Where summer's harvest and winter's sheen
-
1
REVIEW OF HISTORY OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY CO. 11
Fill the garners and bless the yeoman Along the Schuylkill, the Perkiomen, And thru' all the bounds of the bounty Bestowed by Montgomery County."
Then followed the singing of that famous "Hallelujah Chorus," by the choir, accompanied by the orchestra.
Doctor Weiser followed with an eloquent and well- prepared oration. Among the prominent lofty and cheery thoughts brought out by the orator, he said: "This is an Eastertide. Some unseen power has touched the dry bones of its hills and dales, breathed upon them and wrought the miracle of resurrection. What an aroma collects around and diffuses from the shades and handwork of our ancestors! Norristown is filled with shrines, as Athens once stood filled with altars and gods. Our proud shire is of age; has 100,000 inhabitants; 500,000 acres and 500 square miles of terri- tory. Montgomery's Centennial jubilee needs no words of justification, no defense; not even an apology. It does not confront us as an historical novice, an event solitary and peculiar. It is but another building-stone that we bring for the walls of the temple of immortality, which is rising heav- enward, since the creation of man, 'in the image of God.'"
With the oration and benediction, the very interesting events of the second day closed.
Under Colonel John W. Schall, Chairman of the Com- mittee on Parade, the third day was made the greatest day of the celebration. The bright, clear weather, the dustless streets, the elaborate and costly decorations, the represen- tation of the Indian children, the Grand Army of the Re- public, the National Guard of Pennsylvania, the benevolent and fraternal societies, firemen, manufacturing, trades, etc., all conspired to render the affair a complete success. A not- able feature of the day was the address made to the delega- tion of Indian children by our lamented president, Colonel Theodore W. Bean. In behalf of the people of Montgomery County, he cordially welcomed them and the Christian phil- anthropist who had them in charge, to the memorial festivi- ties of the celebration. In the address they were recognized
12
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
as the descendants of a race who once were the proud pos- sessors of the ground we now occupy, honorably and peace- ably acquired of them by William Penn, the founder of our great Commonwealth. He proclaimed that 200 years more had elapsed since Christian civilization confronted their forefathers in the Schuylkill valley. That their hunting- ground had been turned into areas of agricultural wealth and commercial splendor, and the rude implements of their simple mode of living were on exhibition as antique curiosi- ties. Like unto a father he admonished them to carry with them to their westerm homes the potent agencies of a lib- eral Christian civilization, and expressed the hope that they would all become active factors for the redemption of their tribes and race ; that they would become good husbandmen, industrious artisans, devoted teachers and peaceful men and women.
Viewing the Antiquarian Exposition occupied the fourth day. So great was the interest and so universal the pleasure and approval by the people of this display, that a request was made that it be kept open from one to three days longer. This, under all the circumstances, had to be denied.
The favorable condition of the finances proves the wis- dom of the plan adopted to raise money, and attests the care with which the affair was managed. J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Treasurer, in his statement, showed that $6,216.93 had been received, and that $5,013.44 had been disbursed, leav- ing a balance of $1,203.49 on hand, which was paid to the Historical Society of Montgomery County in trust, to be invested in good real estate security, the principal sum to remain in trust, and the interest only to be used for the pur- poses of the Society.
Now, while the work of this memorable and most cred- itable event devolved upon the Centennial Association, a name adopted for euphony and practicability, it was never- theless the direct outgrowth of the active measures adopted by the Historical Society. In the prosecution of the work, all labored earnestly and faithfully in the cause, until their efforts culminated in a success which was grand and com- plete. This Society, therefore, by its quiet early career, as
REVIEW OF HISTORY OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY CO. 13
by its valuable achievements during the Centennial cele- bration, established itself upon a firm and enduring founda- tion. It demonstrated the fact that there is much more infor- mation and instruction derived from such a local enterprise. It taught the lesson that is so often ignored, that knowledge of our native county, its people and their possessions, is of much value and a source of pleasing satisfaction. The anti- quarian exposition was educational in effect. It revealed what otherwise would have remained concealed and un- known to the people forever. The Indian relics and antiqui- ties of the first settlers and early purchasers, relics and records of the Colonial period, relics of the Revolutionary War, relics of the War of 1812, relics of the Mexican War, relics of the War for the Union, implements of early hus- bandry and the many other curious and interesting articles exhibited, standing in contrast with articles of modern de- sign and make, afforded useful and important information. In that exhibition, every era of our history contributed ob- jects that were select and typical. It stimulated a taste for the artistic and the beautiful; a desire for the preservation of the antique articles and for the preservation of historical records, evidence of which can be seen on every hand throughout Montgomery County to this day. The published proceedings of the Centennial Celebration of Montgomery County, if placed in the schools of our county, to be used by teachers for lecturing purposes, would teach the children many lessons of local history, a branch of education which is much neglected. As a rule, very little knowledge of local character is imparted and therefore information of county, and even of state, nature is very limited.
To summarize in detail the items which make up the historical record of this Society, in order to demonstrate its achievements and labors, would be an unnecessary occupa- tion of your time. I am constrained to say, however, that the success which attended its labors in the consummation of that memorable event, the Centennial Celebration of Mont- gomery County, has rendered its name and history illus- trious. This Society can also point with proud satisfaction to what many of its members contributed in money and effort
السوداء
14
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
toward enabling the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge to purchase the old historic mansion in which Washington established his headquarters while the Continental Army was cantoned on the banks of the Schuyl- kill river, in the winter of 1777-78, for the purpose of improving and preserving the mansion and grounds around it as a cherished memorial of the sufferings and trials of our forefathers in achieving independence and founding the Republic.
Let us hope and believe that today's exercises and the retrospect of our achievements may furnish sufficient inspir- ation to prompt us to go forward in the effort of continuous and fuller development.
Let us cherish these happy reminiscences of our past history, realize them, their relations to civil justice, and en- deavor to gather such inspiration from our education and historical achievement as will stimulate our zeal and inter- est in the cause and, if possible, increase our labors in order that we may reach a still nobler and higher development.
On the Trail of Washington*
By FRED PERRY POWERS
The "shot heard 'round the world" was fired by "th' . embattled farmers" on the morning of April 19, 1775. On that same morning, "near 10 of the clock," as the message is dated, the Committee of Safety of Watertown started an express rider for New York and Philadelphia with the news. Two hours later the messenger rode into Worcester, thirty miles distant, at full speed, shouting, "To arms! To arms! The war has begun!" "His horse, covered with blood and foam, fell exhausted at the church. Another was in- stantly produced and the tidings went on."
There were not relays of horses for maintaining such speed, and the message left New York at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, having been overtaken in Fairfield, Connecticut, by news written on Thursday. Elias Boudinot receipted for the message in Elizabethtown, Sunday evening. Monday, about 10, the messenger reached Trenton, and at 5 P.M., as we learn from the journal of Christopher Marshall, member of the Committee of Safety, the rider dismounted at the City Tavern, Second street, near Walnut, in Philadelphia.
Two days later, Friday, April 21st, a fuller account of what had happened near Boston was started from Walling- ford, fourteen miles from New Haven, to go to the southern- most of the colonies, and in "The American Archives" is preserved the itinerary, day and night, of this message, from 2 P.M. Tuesday, April 25th, till at half past six Wed- nesday evening, May 10th, the Committee of Safety of Georgetown, S. C., started the message on its last stage of sixty-odd miles to Charleston.
The message received in New York at 2 P.M. Tuesday, was received in Elizabethtown at 7 o'clock, at New Bruns-
*Read before the Society, January 20, 1921.
15
W Ilo
.
16
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
wick at midnight, at Princeton at 3.30 A.M., at Trenton on Wednesday, at half past six, and forwarded at seven; at Philadelphia at noon, and forwarded at once; at Chester at four; at New Castle at nine; and at midnight of Wednesday it was receipted for at Christeen Bridge by Thomas Couch, who endorsed on it the next address, at the Head of Elk, with the mandate that it was "night and day to be for- warded." On Friday, April 28th, at 8 P.M., it reached Alex- andria, and it is not likely that the news was long in reach- ing Mount Vernon. Among the further endorsements on the papers were these: at Wilmington, "For God's sake, send the man on without the least delay, and write to Mr. Marion to forward it by night and by day." At Brunswick, "Pray don't neglect a moment in forwarding." At the next station, "Pray order the express you send to ride night and day."
"Speed, Malise, speed! Such cause for haste Thine active sinews never braced.
Herald of battle, fate and fear, Stretch onward in thy fleet career.
For danger, death and warrior deed Are in thy course! Speed, Malise, speed!"
Before the message reached Charleston, even before it reached Georgetown, the Second Continental Congress met on May 10th, and later in the month John Adams wrote to his wife, "Colonel Washington appears in Congress in his uniform."
New England had started the fire, and turned to the rest of the colonies to help put it out. To facilitate the necessary assistance, the command of the army at Boston was offered to a Virginian who had more military reputation than any other man identified with the Colonial cause, and who had won the complete confidence of his associates in Congress. He was chairman of all committees on military subjects. In the letter already quoted, from Adams, he wrote: "His
17
ON THE TRAIL OF WASHINGTON
great experience in military matters is of much service to us." Patrick Henry said that Rutledge was the most eloquent man in the Congress, but Washington stood far above all the others in his solid information and weight of judgment.
In a letter to the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, the rector of the parish which included Mount Vernon, dated May 21, 1772, Washington thus playfully speaks of having his por- trait painted : "Inclination having yielded to opportunity, I am now, contrary to all expectation, under the hands of Mr. Peale ; but in so sullen a mood, and now and then under the influence of Morpheus when some critical strokes are making, that I fancy the skill of this gentleman's pencil will be put to it in describing to the world what manner of man I am."
John Adams proposed Washington for Commander-in- Chief, but the motion to elect him was made at a later date by Mr. Johnson, of Maryland. The date of the commission is June 17th, the day of the battle of Bunker Hill, the news of which reached Washington on his journey to Boston. On the third day of July, under an elm tree whose venerable age is reverently guarded, in the town of Cambridge, Mas- sachusetts, George Washington assumed command of the Continental armies.
Dr. Thacher, an army surgeon, enters in his journal :
"July 20, 1775: I have been much gratified this day with a view of General Washington. His excellency was on horseback in company with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to distinguish him from all others; his personal appearance is truly noble and majestic; being tall and well proportioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff colored fac- ings, a rich epaulette on each shoulder, buff under dress and an elegant small sword; a black cockade in his hat."
Elsewhere Dr. Thacher tells us that this hat was three- cornered.
When Washington reached Cambridge he was installed in the residence of the president of Harvard College, but on the sixth of July the Provincial Congress directed the Com- mittee of Safety to "desire General Washington to let them know if there is any house at Cambridge that would be
18
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
more agreeable to him and General Lee than that in which they now are; and in that case the said committee are directed to procure such house and put it in proper order for their reception." Two days later the Committee of Safety directed that the house of John Vassall, subsequently known as the Craigie House, belonging to a refugee loyalist, should be immediately put in a proper condition for the re- ception of his excellency and his attendants. He is supposed to have moved into the house a few days later, and he remained there till he went to New York, in April, 1776.
This house, built in 1759, is second to no house in Amer- ica in its distinction. Talleyrand and Lafayette visited there. Besides Craigie, who seems to have impressed his name upon the property more deeply than any other owner, it was the home of Sparks, Everett, Worcester, and is best known in modern times as the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The evacuation of Boston by the British was followed by the removal of both armies to the vicinity of New York; the American disaster on Long Island; the disgraceful conduct of an American brigade in the presence of the British land- ing at Kip's Bay, where Washington is believed to have invited death from British bullets because he could not stop the flight; the small success at Harlem Heights; the drawn battle of White Plains; the surrender of Fort Washington with a couple of thousand soldiers, which was the conse- quence of an act of treachery; the evacuation of Fort Lee in such haste that the guns and a part of the stores were left behind; and then the slow retreat across New Jersey, with a ragged and unfed army, melting away by sickness and desertion, until, although Washington had written to Gov- ernor Livingston (November 30), "I therefore entreat that you would without loss of time give orders to the officers of militia on the roads and ferries over Delaware to take up and secure every soldier that has not a regular discharge, or pass," he crossed the river from Trenton. December 8, 1776, with less than 3,000 men called "fit for duty," but about as unfit for active service in winter as can be imagined. He wrote to John Augustine Washington: "Be-
-
19
ON THE TRAIL OF WASHINGTON
fore I removed to the south side of the river I had all the Boats and other Vessels brought over or destroyed, from Philadelphia upward for seventy miles," and when Corn- wallis marched down to the river side only a few hours behind Washington he found no means of crossing. Sted- man, an officer of the British army, and an historian of the war, says:
"At Prince Town the British General (Howe) waited seventeen hours, marched at 9 o'clock in the morning of the eighth, and arrived at Trenton at four o'clock in the afternoon; just when the last boat of General Washington's embarkation crossed the river, as if he had cal- culated, it was observed, with great accuracy, the exact time necessary for his enemy to escape."
At Morrisville, Pa., Washington's headquarters were at the house of Thomas Barclay, who bought the land in 1773 and presumably erected the house. After the Revolution it became the property of Robert Morris, for whom Morris- ville is named, and still later, of George Clymer, another signer of the Declaration.
The situation in December, 1776, was so desperate that nothing could make it worse; the army might as well be defeated as scattered in any other way, and for some time Washington had been turning over in his mind a bold dash. For that he needed all the troops he could get together. He sent the most urgent orders to General Charles Lee, who had a division in Westchester County, New York, to join him. But if Washington were crushed, Lee would succeed him in the command, and Lee was an unconscionable time starting, and marched his division with incredible slowness. From this house, Mr. Barclay's "Summer-Seat," Washing- ton wrote: "Do come on; your arrival may be happy, and if it can be effected without delay it may be the means of pre- serving a city (Philadelphia) whose loss must prove of the most fatal consequence to the cause of America."
From Barclay's house overlooking the Delaware, Wash- ington removed to Keith's house in Upper Makefield town- ship, Bucks County, Pa., from which he wrote to his brother, John Augustine, a week before Christmas: "If every nerve
20
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
is not strained to recruit the new army with all possible ex- pedition I think the game is pretty near up. . . . You can form no idea of the perplexity of my situation. No man I believe ever had a greater choice of difficulties, and less means to extricate himself from them."
The story of Trenton and Princeton reads almost like the miraculous. Washington risked all because there was nothing to lose. Two days before Christmas, he wrote to General Joseph Reed: "Our numbers, sorry I am to say, be- ing less than I had any conception of : but necessity, dire ne- cessity, will, nay, must, justify my attempt." Dr. Benjamin Rush has left this memorandum :
"In December I visited Gen. Washington in company with Col. Joseph Reed at the General's quarters about 10 miles above Bristol and four from the Delaware." [That was the Keith house.] "I spent a night in a farm house near to him, and the next morning passed near an hour with him in private. He appeared much depressed and lamented the ragged and dissolving state of his army in affecting terms. I gave him assurance of the disposition of Congress to support him under his present difficulties and distresses. While I was talking to him I observed him to play with his pen and ink upon several small pieces of paper. One of them fell by accident upon the floor near my feet. I was struck with the inscription upon it. It was "Victory or Death." ... I found that the countersign of his troops at the surprise of Trenton was "Victory or Death."
The diary of an officer of Washington's staff records at 3 A.M., December 26th, on the New Jersey side of the river:
"I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the river, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected but very determined. The storm is changing to sleet, and cuts like a knife. The last cannon is being landed, and we are ready to mount our horses."
On the march a staff officer reported from Sullivan to Washington that the storm was wetting the muskets, ren- dering them unfit for service. "Tell General Sullivan," said Washington, "to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."
21
ON THE TRAIL OF WASHINGTON
If other troops had crossed at Trenton and Bristol the success of Washington would have been overwhelming. That they did not get across is due, I think, not to the pres- ence of ice, but to the absence of Washington.
The following week Washington was back on the Jersey side of the river again, and at Trenton Bridge he met the British with militia and time-expired Continentals, who overstayed their service for ten dollars, and a large part of whom had been under arms for forty hours. I like to think that Sir William Erskine spoke of him as "the old fox," that night, and predicted that he would not be there the next morning. He was not. The next morning he was at Prince- ton, where Colonel Fitzgerald, of his staff, turned his back lest he should see the Commander-in-Chief shot, for Wash- ington had that instinct that tells the great commander what is the moment for exposing himself.
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.