USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Historical sketches : a collection of papers prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1921-1925, Volume VII > Part 9
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
.
96
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Port Indian road; the Jeffersonville road. The road which formed these along the river was not the original road.
It may be of interest, in passing, to note that the old road that passed the home of Hancock, where it skirts the western bank of the small run west of Buttonwood street and south of Jackson street is partly in evidence today ; it is in the copse of wood at that point, although large trees now grow in its bed.
The River road may have been an Indian trail, and later, the original site for the Egypt road, before it was located on its present site.
The construction of the first bridge over the Stony Creek on its present site changed the location of the old road which, as stated, ran from a point near Airy street, and climbed the steep hill to a point above the present location of Astor and Egypt streets, and then continued its winding way up to the old residence of John Chain on Egypt street, west of George.
Near the site of the first bridge over the Stony creek, there was located one of the first dams, with a mill-race running down the eastern bank of the Stony creek, thence in a diagonal line to the foot of Swede street, where was located the first grist-mill. From this old mill-race unques- tionably came Water street and Schuylkill avenue. Water street still exists from Washington to Egypt streets, but from that point down to Green street it has been vacated, and only that part of it now known as Schuylkill avenue, between Green alley and Mill street, is in existence today. At one time, there were rows of stone houses on each side of the old street, from Swede street to Stony creek; not one is standing today.
Close to Water street and parallel to it, was Harper's alley, with stone houses on each side of it, from Swede street west to Hickey street; now the street and houses are gone. The same may be said of the houses on Hickey street, which ran south from Washington street. It remains today as the eastern entrance to the Norristown Insurance and Water Company's plant. On the south corner of Hickey and
.
PLATE F SHOWING THE OLD RIVER ROAD PROM STONY CREEK TO SWEDES FORD ABOUT 1820 BEFORE THE DAM WAS ERECTED NORRISTOWN PA SCALE GOOD1"
1
MAIN ST
EGYPT
-
M
LAF
VETTE
-
M
WASHINGTON
HICKEY
705MS
SCHUYLKILL
OLD RIVERROAD
SCHUYLKILL ISLAND
BARBADOES ISLAND
.
-
SOINS ANDIS
BANCADOES
FRANKEIN
DEKALB
OSTEOP ST NORAITON TOWNSHIP E-E-JOHNSON HIGHWAY IT
LOGAN
ROBERT'S
Rov
CEOLEY
ILE
UNE
woon
JAGODY
PLATE "À" OLD SWEDESFORD ROAD
1838
447
VORRISTOWN PA FROM NEW HOPE, BUCKS CO PA TO THE MARYLAND LINE"
97
OLD ROADS OF NORRISTOWN
Washington street stood the first Catholic church, which was burned down, many years ago.
Prior to 1834, there was an old road out of Norristown, described in old books as being along the east bank of the Stony creek, yet some distance therefrom, and it was called the Swedes Ford road. Over it the British marched, and, in fact, camped for a time along it; and over it Washington marched on his way to Whitemarsh.
In 1834, the State ordered a road opened from New Hope, in Bucks county, to the Maryland line. I have seen that old map, and from it copied the description as is passed through "the village of Norristown." The only portion of it left, as it was then, is from the northern borough line to Roberts and Markley streets; also that part of Markley street from Roberts to Wood street, a part of Swede street from Wood to Elm street, a part of Swede street below Airy street, Main and DeKalb streets, when it passed over the new bridge (1830). The old road from the northern borough line to Roberts street has, this year, been widened to sixty- six feet. In going over this old road and re-plotting it on one of our up-to-date maps, I made several discoveries. The first one was, that it was not a straight line from Wood street to Elm, as is our present Swede street, but there was a decided angle at or near Beach street; that it continued south of Elm street on a straight line from a point north of Beach street to a point just east of the south side of Jacoby street, which would be over a hundred feet from the present west side of Swede street; then in a southerly direction, but not parallel to Swede street to Airy and Swede streets, the west line cut- ting the Airy street line nineteen feet from the present Swede street, this distance being given on the old map. The old State road continued on down to Egypt street, east to DeKalb street, thence south and over the new bridge (1834), over the Schuylkill river, etc. Neither the description nor the plan show the width of that old road. It scaled thirty- three feet, which was the normal width; viz .: two rods. Then Swede street was opened as it is today, but known as The State road-not Swede street. And by this opening the old Swedes Ford road, from Elm to Airy streets, was va-
98
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
cated, as the opening order so states. I have since been told by several attorneys that in going over old deeds they could not make the distances reach the present east side Swede street, but when I published a descrip- tion of this old Swedes Ford road and State road, they made a new effort, and their charts checked up fairly well.
From a point at, or near, the intersection of Swede street and Beach street, there was another old road known as the Paper Mill road; it followed, practically, the lines of Beach street, passing the three old houses near the Stony creek, then by ford over the creek, where there was also a foot-log; then up the west bank of the Stony creek, passing, in the early days, several old stone cotton mills and stone houses, to a point about two hundred feet north of the present wooden bridge leading over into Elmwood Park, to the north side of a small stream where the old paper mill was located. This old paper mill, prior to 1854, was known as Stanbridge's cotton mill; it was destroyed by fire in 1854, after which, when rebuilt, it was the paper mill. Thence along this stream, passing the old stone houses now in a gully at Stanbridge and Steriger streets, to a point near the residence of the steward of the Hospital for the Insane; thence in a northeasterly direction to Scheetz's mill, passing it, then over to and parallel with the present entrance into the Norris City Cemetery, to Swede street, or Swedes Ford road. From the steward's residence, this old road ran north-west, and joined the present road leading to the White Hall road.
An incident in my boyhood recalls an old lane leading from the old Swedes Ford road into the old Scott farm, a hundred feet or more north of Wood street, and on down to the Stony creek. It was over this old lane that farmer Jacquette passed to his death, when he was shot by the brother of the man who owned the tract on the west side of the creek, on to which Jacquette's cows had strayed. Jacquette had gone over after the cows, when he was shot down in cold blood, and died the next day.
A
WEST NORRITON TOWNSHIP
PURO
MARKLEY
LOGAN
ONIA
SAKEN.
ROBERTS
-
BROWN
COOLISE
BLVD
STONY CREEK
FREEDLEY
IYON TIIW ZAJEANS
PLATE B = C SHOWING OLD PAPER MILLROAD AND SCHEETZMILLROAD NORRISTOWN PA
WARREN
FORNANCE
SCALE GOD'S 1.
POPLAR
ASTOR
WOOD
STERIGERE
STERIGERE
DAN
JAMES
ODOMIVOLANO
2700N
BEACH
SMUN
FORD
KLM
ADTYNOW
JAMES
PAPER MILL ROAD
I
·
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP
JOHNSON HIGHWAY
LOGAN
ROBERTS
-MONDTALL
CE
PLATE "È" SHOWING OLD GREEN ALLEY ROAD NORRISTOWN PA 1040
COYOT ON MAIN
WASHINGTON
11
SCHUYLKILL
99
OLD ROADS OF NORRISTOWN
Another more pleasing incident occurred at the point where Scott lane entered Swedes Ford road, north of Wood street. This point was away out in the country, when I was a boy. The incident referred to was, that I went out there, with other boys, early in the morning, and sat on the fence waiting for "Porgy O'Brien's" Circus to come in with his one elephant, one lion, one tiger, one ring, and, in fact, one of everything. As a coincidence, this "show" was held on the lot on which my father later built a house (at Swede and Powell streets). The tent blew over; father had to cut his way out, and he saved me from the one ring, one elephant, etc., etc.
Green Alley road begins at a point somewhere between Penn and Airy streets, on Green street. There was an old road following the west bank of Saw-Mill Run, to Brown's mill, at the foot of Brown street, passing the former resi- dence of the late Norman Egbert; also the old Steinmetz property, now occupied by John Bickings, to the borough line. From Green and Airy streets to Elm street, this old road has been vacated. All traffic in a northeasterly direc- tion passed over the old road, which is now supplanted by DeKalb street and Arch street. From Brown street to the Steinmetz property, it is also vacated. At a point close to the intersection of this Old Green Alley road and Basin street, Kersey road started, and ran eastwardly to Sandy street, at the north end of Cook's woods. Over this old road passed many teams delivering cotton and wool to the old "Blue Mills," now owned by the Schatchards. This old road has been vacated for many years, but in its stead we have Basin street, opened practically on the same lines as the old Kersey road. But from Treemount avenue to Sandy street it would be hard to find any semblance of a road today; it is so overgrown with underbrush that the terminus of Basin street seems to be at New Hope street, except for a narrow lane that ascends the steep hill, passing the Mellor resi- dence, from Tremount avenue to New Hope street. From New Hope street to Sandy street, this old road is absolutely lost, where it passed through Cook's woods. I have made several examinations with the aid of an old map of the
100
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Kersey road, and another of Basin street. If Basin street was ever opened through Cook's woods, there is now no evidence of it.
It may be of interest to note here, that early in the history of Norristown, running water in the old town was desired, as the old pumps were found inadequate for the growing community, and the only source of supply, by gravity, was the splendid spring on the Miles Kersey prop- erty, now the Mellor property. Surveys were made, and the air line distance from the spring to the "high ground near the Episcopal church on Airy street" was measured and levelled; the fall, or gravity, ascertained, and this was reported to Borough Council. Then a committee was ap- pointed to obtain the cost of constructing the pipe line and the reservoir, and laying pipes on certain streets. There were several reports, but nothing was done. Several ob- jected that "the spring may go dry," but I have never heard of its ever having gone dry.
One part of the Green Alley road is still in use, from Elm street north to Brown street. In reference to the pipe line, the proposed reservoir would have been on the site of the jail, which reminds me of another old road, close to the jail-I refer to Morris street. In going over some old papers and maps from I. P. Knipe, Esq., I ran across this old map, on which is shown Morris street, extending north- wardly from Airy street, and known, for years, as Prison alley. This old street was intersected by an alley ten feet wide, running from the Episcopal Cemetery across to DeKalb street, and was at the north end of the old prison wall. Morris street was named for a woman who, at one time, owned all the land east of the Episcopal church, to the Academy property, now DeKalb street.
While on the subject of roads and streets, I would like to call your attention to our "twin streets": for instance, Ford street, from the river to the point in the cut just north of Main street; then it is High street to its terminus. Then there is Franklin avenue, and Haws avenue, or Cot- tage avenue; Spruce street, east of Powell; Beach street, west of Powell; James street, west of Markley; Basin
L
.. 10,000 27605
VONMOLSIUVON OLD KEESEY ROAD SNIMONS PLATE "D'
TTUNS818W1
LANDISNT
OAK
SANDY
NJIH
SUmore
VALORY
NEW HOPE
LNNOWEJALL
TOWNSHIP
SOOOM COOKS
KEESEYS ROAD
GOM
197611
DONUNVOS
PLYMOUTH
OLD GREEN ALLEY ROAD
WALNUT
ARCH
A UTONOWY
NMOVE
SAWMILL RUN
ELM
BASIN
101
OLD ROADS OF NORRISTOWN
street, east of Markley. From Markley street, at the present time, we have the "Old Paper Mill road," Beach street and the Boulevard, all forming the entrance to Elmwood Park. Green street, below Main street, is of the same width, twenty-four feet, as was laid out by William Moore Smith, in 1784, as is also Cherry street south of Lafayette street. Lafayette street was formerly known as Briar alley, twenty- four feet wide; it was changed, in 1834, as was also Airy street, first known as Jail lane. I might add that the present system of house-numbering was subsequent to 1860.
As to the names of our streets, I am unable to find the origin of all of them, but from our records I have given you Egypt street. And the names given to other streets are de- rived from the following sources:
Jackson street, from General Andrew Jackson. Washington street, from General George Washington.
Lafayette street, from the Marquis de Lafayette.
Penn street, from the Proprietor, William Penn.
Airy street was originally Jail lane, but it is presumed that from its general altitude they called it Airy, either in 1784 or 1812.
Marshall street, from Chief Justice John Marshall.
Chestnut and Oak streets, from forest trees.
Jacoby street, from William Jacoby, who owned much of the land through which it was opened.
Elm street (I am informed) was named for a giant elm that stood at the intersection of Elm street and Swedes Ford road, in 1812.
Greene street, from General Nathaniel Greene.
DeKalb street, from the Baron DeKalb.
Swede street, from the Old Swedes road.
Cherry street, from a fruit tree.
Barbadoes street, from the West India Islands of that name; it was also the name of the largest island in the river, opposite Norristown.
102
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Markley street, from John Markley, who owned much of the land along Stony creek.
Astor street (I have been unable to learn the source of its name).
Chain street, from John Chain, who resided in the large house on Egypt street, just west of George street.
George street (I have not learned the source of its name).
Kohn street, for Gabriel Kohn, a large land-owner.
Haws (or Haas) avenue, for the family of Haas, not Haws.
Stanbridge street, for the owner of a mill on Stony creek, located near the junction of the east and north branches of Stony creek. Mr. Stanbridge did build a dam just north of Elmwood park. This dam was washed away, about 1870.
Noble street (source unknown).
Buttonwood street, for a tree.
Hamilton street, for Alexander Hamilton, first Treas- urer of the United States.
Selma street,1 evidently a woman's name.
Forest avenue, because it was all forest there, in 1853.
Old Cemetery lane's name was changed by Town Coun- cil to Hartranft avenue.
James street, from a farmer of that name.
Sterigere street, named for John B. Sterigere, a promi- nent lawyer here.
Corson street, named for Lawrence E. Corson.
Wood street, so-called for the family of that name, prominent here.
Fornance street, for the family of that name, among whom Joseph Fornance was a member of Congress, and his
1 "Selma" was the name of the home of General Andrew Porter, at west end of Norristown .- Ed.
7
103
OLD ROADS OF NORRISTOWN
son Joseph a president and an honored member of the His- torical Society of Montgomery County.
Knox street, for the distinguished family of that name residing here, descendants of General Knox, Secretary of War.2
Freedley street, for John and Jacob Freedley, extensive land-owners at the time the borough was enlarged, in 1853. One was the progenitor of Henry Freedley, Esq., and of Mrs. John J. Corson.
Roberts street, named for Isaac Roberts.
Logan street, named for Albanus C. Logan, who owned land just north of the 1853 line.
Ellis street, for a family of that name.
Powell street, from the owner of much of the land through which it passed (but on information from a mem- ber of that family, the name is Welsh and should be spelled POWEL-with one "1").
Willow street, named for a familiar tree.
Brown street, from the owner of Brown's mill.
Arch street (not known from what source3).
Walnut street, named for a tree.
High street was named for the grandfather of Samuel High, Esq., whose name was also Samuel High.
Violet street, so called for a flower, probably.
New Hope street, possibly in honor of New Hope, in Bucks county, Pa., which street eventually leads into Swedes Ford road. From Ford street east, and Main street, all of the streets laid out in 1853, with the exception of Washington street, have been vacated by Borough Council.
2 Henry Knox. Born at Boston, July 25, 1750; died at Thomaston, Maine, October 25, 1806. An American general, distinguished as an artillery general in the Revolution: secretary of war, 1785-95. (The Century Cyclopedia of Names.)
8 It may have been from the arch that spanned Saw-Mill run .- Ed.
104
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Treemount avenue, on old maps, is spelled "Tremont", and it is unquestionably named for the old Seminary which was started in 1844, nine years before the borough was extended; it has always been "Treemount" to the students of that old seminary.
There is no action necessary by Borough Council, or by any other legislative body, to compel people to call Main street, "Egypt." That is its given name. All old maps and records give it that name. There are many street markers of stone built into old buildings on which will be found Egypt street. Every village has its "Main" street, and I fully appreciate the fact that it should be called "Egypt," but who can compel people to use that word? Franklin street, in the east end of town, was called Ralston street; there was a station of that name on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and at one time Council took up the question of changing its name permanently, because the same name had been given to Franklin avenue, in the west end. These two streets of the same name often cause confusion to strangers.
Many people today speak of Markley street, north of Wood street, as Swede street, for the reason that it was known as the Swedes Ford road, and for many years it was the continuation of our present Swede street, which really stops at Wood street. I have a long letter from Dr. Burke, who resided on Swede street, midway between Chestnut and Oak streets, in which he states that he found the foundations of an old blacksmith shop in his yard. This old shop stood on one side of an old road, or lane, running from a point near Oak street, diagonally down and over the hill, passing the old shop, to the rear of the brewery along Stony creek, thence on down to the grist mill at Egypt street. I can find no record, or map, showing such a road, but I have been informed that before the construction of the dam at the foot of Swede street, there was a ford across the river, passing over the two islands to the Bridge- port side; that this old road was shut off many years ago, but the southern end of it is still in existence from 4th street south toward Paoli, along the base of Eastburn
105
OLD ROADS OF NORRISTOWN
Hill, and parallels the Chester Valley Railroad for some distance. It is also stated that this was the real Swedes Ford, at which Washington crossed on his way to Valley Forge, in December, 1777.
The sketch map mentioned in the introduction is pre- sented to show you more clearly the location of the old roads herein described.
I might add that the ford on the Schuylkill, at or near the boundary line of the two cemeteries, led to the south side of the river, over the island. That road is still in exist- ence on the south shore. Practically all of the information given above is authentic history, but of the river road it is traditional, and I have given it to you for what is is worth. Other than that portion from Red Rock, which was located at the foot of Buttonwood street, on down to Stony creek, with Hancock's lane, I firmly believe all, as given above, to be correct, as it was from my father, and when he told the story of the ox team, he had no motive in telling an untruth.
Report of Annalist For 1922*
By CLARA A. BECK
The anniversary exercises of the French Alliance were held in the Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge, at which time M. Jules Jusserand, Ambassador of the Republic of France, was invested with the insignia of the Valley Forge Historical Society, and made a Perpetual Patron thereof. M. Jusserand, however, was unable to be present, but was represented by M. Maurice Poillard, French Consul at Philadelphia.
Miss Ruth Montague, of Norristown, was awarded the Stokowski Medal, and recommended for membership in the Philadelphia Orchestra, as the result of a singing contest in that city.
It has been estimated that of the 30,000 persons who were present at the laying of the cornerstone of St. Mary's Home, at Lansdale, 2200 were from St. Patrick's parish, at Norristown. Lansdale, by the way, celebrated its sesqui- centennial on the 19th of August.
In October, the Historical Society of Montgomery county conducted its annual outing to the Schwenkfelder Historical Museum and Library, at Pennsburg, Pa.
An unusual feature in religious worship in one of our local pulpits was the conducting of the services at the First Methodist Church, by Mrs. Sarah T. Hoffman, in the ab- sence of the pastor, her husband, Rev. C. T. Hoffman.
The large stables belonging to Ivins C. Walker, on East Main street, were destroyed by fire on August 6th. Loss estimated at $55,000. Another fire, occurring on October 30th, destroyed the East-End Junk Warehouse, belonging to Mr. Tuilo. Loss about $30,000.
*Read before the Society, April 29, 1922.
106
107
REPORT OF ANNALIST FOR 1922
The Tremount Alumni Association held its Ninth An- nual Reunion early in October.
Mr. Roy A. Hatfield has succeeded C. Townley Larze- lere, Esq., as president of the Norristown Operatic Society.
Prof. Harry Sykes, choir-master of Trinity Lutheran Church, has accepted the invitation to be the musical direc- tor at Trinity Church, Lancaster, Pa., and on November 10th was the guest of honor at a testimonial dinner tendered him at City Hall, Norristown.
Borough Council has been notified to vacate the old Wyoming Mills, at the foot of Swede street, which have housed the electric power plant from which the borough lights all streets. City Hall, the Public Square and Elmwood Park-about 1200 lights in all.
Miss Frances M. Fox has resigned her position with the Historical Society and intends to take up her residence in Doylestown, Pa.
The local banks and trust companies have distributed, under the Christmas Saving Fund accounts, approximately $428,000, this season.
Miss Emily Shainline, of Main street, entertained the Norristown newsboys with a "Christmas Party."
The Good Roads Association of this county celebrated the opening of the new State road between the borough line and the William Penn Inn, Gwynedd, by a dinner, and addresses by Hon. John Faber Miller. Theodore Lane Bean, Esq., and William Buckland, at the Fire Hall, Centre Square, December 9th. Incidently Centre Square Grange received first prize for their exhibit at the Food Show, at City Hall.
.....
"Erdenheim" and John George Hocker*
By SAMUEL YEAKLE
In presenting this paper, I have endeavored to avoid repeating, as much as possible, matters already published in connection with "Erdenheim," or what is known concern- ing John George Hocker, who owned and occupied the farm, called by that name prior to the Revolution, and until the time of his death in 1820. This farm, or tract of land, is situated in Whitemarsh and Springfield townships, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, and east of and along the famed Wissahickon creek.
In the first half of the 18th century, up to the time of the American Revolution, there was a large influx of immi- grant population from Europe into the Province of Penn- sylvania, owing to the mild and peaceful government of that province under William Penn; and a very large num- ber of German and Dutch immigrants arrived during that time, and located within the bounds of Pennsylvania, from the Delaware to the Susquehanna rivers, and even west of the Susquehanna.
The character of these Dutch and German immigrants was of that sturdy industrious type that went to make good and useful citizens, as was afterward demonstrated, although the authorities of the State at one time seemed to fear the influence of this class of people upon the welfare of the Commonwealth. ("Watson's Annals.")
Among the immigrants who arrived during the years mentioned, was John George Hocker, the subject of this sketch.
*Read before the Society, April 29, 1922.
108
109
"ERDENHEIM" AND JOHN GEORGE HOCKER
William A. Yeakle, in the first volume of "Sketches" issued by the Historical Society of Montgomery County, tells mostly of what is known of the life and history of this early immigrant. He came from Wuerttemberg, Germany, land- ing in Pennsylvania, September 16, 1751 (Rupp's Collec- tion). He went to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where some of the same name located. An immigrant, Hans Adam Hocker, who arrived in 1749 (Rupp's Collection), whose descendants are numerous in Lancaster and adjoining counties, was undoubtedly a relative-perhaps a brother to John George, although I have no evidence of this, except that they arrived nearly the same time, and both went to Lancaster county.
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.