USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Littlestown > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > East Berlin > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Oxford in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > York Springs > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Berwick in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 13
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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
*See Appendix.
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front wall" in Black's graveyard, three miles west of Gettysburg. They were removed to Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, about twenty years ago, and placed, with the old, crumbling blue stone, so long at their head, in a block on the first avenue leading south from the entrance.
Among the laws agreed upon in England by the Proprietary for the government of the Province of Pennsylvania, was one providing for a registry of marriges, &c. The only ministers appearing on the list of ap- plicants west of the river, were Thomas Barton and Michael Schlatter, the former of Huntington, the latter once of the German settlement of Kreutz- Kirche. Only four volumes of these records are now in existence. Among the names are many that are now familiar through the county, such as Shultz, Swope, Wolf, Lilly, Adams, Baker, Jenkins, Eichelberger, Scott, the Mc.'s in almost endless columns, but whether they were the ancestors of any of the present families of the same name, is impossible to tell, as no date or place of residence is given. The names of Thomas Barton and Patience Eldridge occur on the marriage registry, and may have been the minister and his wife of Huntington.
A list of persons partaking of the Lord's Supper also appears, from which we take the following : Peter Schrieber, Germany, Sept. 20th, 1762 ; Theo- bald Shallas and Jacob Salbach, Berwick, Sept. 4th, 1763 ; Charles Fred- erick Wildbahue, Heidelberg, Sept. 18th, 1764; Jacob Kuntz, Germany, and Christopher Schlagle, (Slagle, father of Henry Slagle,) Berwick, May 20th, 1768 ; Nicholas Bittinger, Berwick, Sept. 18th, 1768.
In the progress of the struggle of the Revolution, the people became more and more incensed against the crown, and resolved on entire Inde- pendence. A conference of delegates from all the county Committees, was called to meet at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, June 18th, 1775. Among the representatives of York County, were Robert McPherson, of Cumberland Township, and Henry Slagle, of Berwick, who were also delegates to the convention of 1776. Each representative was required to take the following oath : "I - -, do declare that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to George III., King of Great Britain, &c., and that I will not by any means, directly or indirectly, oppose the establish- ment of a free government in this Province by the convention now to be chosen ; nor the measures adopted by Congress against the tyranny at- tempted to be established in these colonies by the Court of Great Britain."
The "long-tailed" oath was that of abjuration to all Foreign Rulers or Powers, and promising to acknowledge thereafter that of the United States only. The Germans were much opposed to oath-taking. On their arrival in this country they were compelled to swear allegiance to the crown, and held that oath inviolable. In May, 1778, James Nailor, Wm. Chesney, Thomas Stockton, and Thomas Lilly, were appointed a "board of commis- sioners of attainder" for the County of York. Among the persons whom they notified to deliver themselves to the Justices of the Peace, were John Wilson, of Huntington township, and James Bracken, of Tyrone.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
The following were State Senators from this section, for the district com- posed of the counties of York and Lancaster: Thomas Lilly, 1794; Wm. Gilliland, 1809 ; James McSherry, 1813; Wm. McIlvaine, 1823.
Members of the General Assembly for the county of York, elected in October of the years named, were, from 1753 to 1759, John Wright and David McConaughy ; from 1760 to 1764, David McConaughy and John Blackburn ; 1775, Robert McPherson ; 1776, Archibald McLean, David Dunwoodie; 1778, Thomas Lilly and Henry Slagle ; 1779, Henry Slagle and David Dunwoodie ; 1780, Thomas Lilly and Moses McLean ;* 1781 to 1783, Thomas Lilly, Moses McLean, Robert McPherson, Patrick Scott and David Grier, and David McConaughy in 1773; 1784, Robert Mc- Pherson, David McConaughy, and Joseph Lilly ; 1785, David McCon- aughy, Joseph Lilly, and David McClellan ; 1787 to 1789, Joseph Lilly and David McClellan; 1790 to 1794, Wm. McPherson and Thomas Lilly ; 1756, Wm. McClellan and Philip Gardner; 1797, Jacob Hostetter and Wm. McPherson ; 1798, Wm. McPherson and Wm. Albright ; 1799, Alex. Cobean and Jacob Hostetter and Wm. McPherson ; 1800, Jacob Hostetter and Frederick Eichelberger; 1806, Wm. McClellan; 1807, John Mc- Clellan.
Robert McPherson was Sheriff in 1762; David McConaughy in 1765 ; Samuel Edie in 1771, and John Edie in 1786. In October, 1789, the two candidates were Conrad Laub and Wm. McClellan; the first had 2130 votes and the second 211I. McClellan was Sheriff in 1795, and Nicholas Gelwick in 1798.
Wm. McClellan was Commisioner Oct. 30th, (date of commission) 1750; Hugh Dunwoodie, 1767; Robert McPherson, 1756-John Frankenberger filling his unexpired term.
Among the Justices of the Peace were, Hance Hamilton, 1749; John Blackburn, 1751 ; Herman Updegraff, 1755; Archibald McGrew, 1761; Samuel Edie, Robert McPherson, Henry Slagle, 1764, David McCon- aughy, Wm. Scott, Wm. McLean, 1774; David McClellan, Robert Mc_ Pherson, Henry Slagle, (Schlegle,) Wm. and Josiah Scott, Wm. McLean John Hinkle, 1776-77, also Archibald McLean; Thomas Lilly, 1784; Jacob Rudisill, Wm. Gilliland, Robt. McIlhany, 1788. Some of the above held commissions for many years. We have seen deeds that were written by, and acknowledged before, the following : Henry Slagle, Robt. McIlhenny, Thomas Lilly, John Hinkle, and one, in the possession of Samuel Little, Esq., of Conewago, written and witnessed by Col Richard McAllester, the founder of Hanover. The other witness is James Bolton, surveyor, who done the surveying in the laying out of Oxford. These old scribes were excellent penmen, notwithstanding the great want of educa- tional facilities at that early date, and many of their "Indentures" bear ,
*Moses McLean was wounded during the Revolution, and carried a bullet in his leg for thirty years.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
marks of skill in penmanship, rarely equaled by the "full course" grad- uates of our colleges and academies.
John Edie was Prothonotary, Clerk of the Courts, Recorder of Deeds, &c., in 1794, and Archibald McLean in 1777; Henry Slagle, Aug. 20th, (date of commission,) 1784; Thomas Lilly, Sept. 17th, 1784; Wm. Gilli- land, of the November term : Robert McIlheny, Feb. 26th, 1789.
John McClellan was collector of excise Dec. 7th, 1786. David Mc- Clellan was the first collector of excise in York county, having been ap- pointed by the General Assembly, Aug. 19th, 1749.
Oct. 14th, 1777, John Swiney, of Tyrone township, of Capt. Thompson's Company, Hazen's Regiment, having been taken prisoner and having es- caped, was permitted to return to his home for eighteen days.
Application being made by Col. Davis, Nov. 19th, 1777, for a number of wagons, the civil officers in York county were ordered to assist in pro- curing them from the townships, those now in Adams county furnishing the following : Huntington, 6; Reading, 3; Germany, 6; Berwick, 4; Mountjoy, 3; Mountpleasant, 3 ; Straban, 3; Tyrone, 4; Menallen, 3; Cumberland, 3; Hamiltonban, 3 ; (total in York county, 118.)
Berwick Township .- This township originally belonged to Lan- caster county, and included what is now Oxford and Hamilton townships. It is a border township, the York county line bounding it on the east and the north. It joins Oxford on the south and on the west Hamilton. Its greatest length is seven miles, and breadth three miles, and has an area of 10,240 acres. The soil is red gravel, and the surface is principally level. The Pigeon Hills rise in the southern part of the township. Ber- wick township has seventy farms and ten manufacturing establishments; the population is 514. Abbottstown, along Beaver creek, is the only town.
Butler Township .- Butler was organized Aug. 20th, 1849, out of parts of Franklin and Menallen townships. It borders Cumberland and Franklin on the south, Straban on the east, Menallen on the west and Ty- rone on the north. Population, 1386.
Beechersville is a small village, on the road from Arendtsville to Gettysburg, one mile east of the former place. It contains a woolen fac- tory, tannery, &c. Texas is also a neat village, near Beechersville. Centre Mills is a post-office in Butler township, on the road from Gettys- burg to Idaville, along Opossum Creek. Menallen P. O., is on the Ben- dersville road, a few miles from Centre Mills.
Middletown. (Bigler P. O.) Middletown is situated seven miles north of Gettysburg, three miles south of Bendersville, six miles west of Heidlersburg, three miles east of Arendtsville, on the Gettysburg and Newville, also the Chambersburg and Berlin roads. The town was origi- nally laid out by S. White, and lots were sold by tickets in Nov., 1817. The new town made no further progression for many years. Capt. Henry Hartzell became owner of the land about 1839, and in 1843 he built a
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house on the cross roads ; houses were soon after erected by Frank K. Knouse, a Mr. Lower, and others. The lots were sold on very liberal terms, -the proprietor in many instances taking trade from the business men and mechanics who became purchasers. The town has a population of about 150 inhabitants.
There is a U. B. Church in this place, and belongs to the Bendersville Circuit, the pastor of which resides in the town. The circuit is composed of five churches, with a membership of 249 communicants. This charge was first organized Jan. 19th, 1859, and the first pastor was Rev. J. C. Weidler. Cline's church, near Idaville, was built about eight years pre- vious to this date, under the labors of Rev. Fohl. The other churches were built since that time: Centre Mills, in 1860, was blown down soon after it had been dedicated, but was rebuilt the following year. The church near Cashtown was built the same year, and was dedicated Nov. Ioth, 1861, Presiding Elder Colestock being present. The church near Bendersville was built in 1861, and dedicated Jan. 12th, 1862. The church in Middletown was built in 1872. The membership of this charge was small in the beginning, but they were earnest and energetic, full of faith, and did their work well. No indebtedness was allowed to remain on any of the churches. The buildings are in good condition, some having been remodeled during the year.
Table Rock, a post-town on the Gettysburg road, six miles from Get- tysburg, nine from Petersburg, five from Bendersville and four from Hun- terstown. The postmaster is Hiram L. Harris. There is a grist and saw mill here owned by Conrad S. Lower, Cornelius Weaver, miller ; a black- smith shop by Henry R. Lower, Levi T. Stallsmith, blacksmith; and a store-house owned by Henry R. Lower, the business carried on by Hiram L. Harris.
Conowago Township .- Conowago was formed May 25th, 1800, out of those parts of Manheim and Heidelberg townships, York county, which fell in Adams county when the division was made. It is bounded on the east by the York county line, on the west by Mountpleasant, north by Ox- ford, and south by Union. Its greatest length is seven and three-fourth miles ; breadth, three and one-half miles; area in acres, 8,320 ; surface is level; soil, limestone. The population is 1213.
Brushtown is a little hamlet on the Hanover and Gettysburg road, about one-half mile west of McSherrystown. The first house was built in 1811, by Peter Little. The business men are, Pius Neiderer and Daniel Staub, stores; J. D. Neiderer and J. S. Weaver, cigar manufacturers ; Jacob Little, son of the founder of the town, carpet weaver; Thos. Adams, blacksmith. The land originally belonged to a large tract, surveyed by George Stevenson, on Penn's warrant, for Thomas Boyd and William Maclay, Dec. 24th, 1759.
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I24
ADVERTISEMENTS.
DRUGS ! DRUGS !! DRUGS !!!
Customers may rely on obtaining
PURE DRUGS, MEDICINES AND CHEMICALS,
as well as an endless variety of
FANCY AND TOILET ARTICLES,
PATENT MEDICINES,
TRUSSES, of every description,
and everything else to be found in a first-class drug depot, at
SNIVELY'S DRUG STORE, S. W. Side Fountain Square,
Hanover, Pa.
L. B. JOHNS, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN
Harness, Saddles, Collars, Bridles, Whips, Flynets, &c.
MIDWAY, Between McSherrystown and Hanover.
Custom work made promptly. Repairing neatly and thoroughly done. Only the best work and material used.
Persons in need of anything in my line will find it to their advantage to give me a call before purchasing elsewhere.
FINE BUGGY HARNESS A SPECIALTY.
P. O. Bex No. 267, Hanover, Pa.
FOR THE BEST AND CHEAPEST
DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, GROCERIES,
Queensware, Earthenware, Hats, Caps, Boots, Shoes, &c.,
in Mountpleasant Township, go to
S. G. LAWRENCE'S STORE, AT THE Cross Roads, near Hershey's Mill.
125
ADVERTISEMENTS.
F. X. SMITH,
DEALER IN
Dry Goods, Notions, Groceries,
HATS, CAPS, BOOTS, SHOES,
and everything kept in a first-class store,
McSHERRYSTOWN, Adams County, Pa. ALSO
Manufac- turer of and dealer in
AND DEALER IN
ALL GRADES
OF
Cigars
Leaf Tobacco
Call on or address
F. X. SMITH, McSherrystown, Pa.
ESTABLISHED 1848.
Farmers look to your interests, and get your lime at the
MOUNT ROCK LIME FACTORIES,
FRANCIS POHLMAN, Proprietor.
This is the oldest established lime factory in this section, and has always been noted for the production of the Purest and Best Lime. Every facil- ity has been provided for the accommodation of customers, and lime of the best quality is constanly kept on hand. Rails taken in exchange for lime.
Thankful for past patronage, it is hoped by making every effort to give customers satisfaction, to merit a liberal share of public favor in the future.
FRANCIS POHLMAN,
Mount Rock, Adams County, Pa.
Centennial P. O.
I 26
ADVERTISEMENTS.
P. J. NOEL, CHEAP GROCERIES & FINE LIQUORS, PROVISIONS, CONFECTIONERY & NOTIONS, ALL KINDS OF TOBACCO AND CIGARS. S. E. Corner of Diamond, NEW OXFORD, PA.
ALWAYS ON HAND AT
J. L. EMLET'S DRUG STORE,
No. 8 Carlisle Street,
HANOVER, PA.,
A fine and well-selected stock of
Drugs, Patent Medicines Dyes, and
PERFUMERY & FANCY TOILET ARTICLES,
Trusses and Shoulder Braces ;
Tooth, Cloth, Hair, and Shoe Brushes ; Lamps & Lamp Goods of every description.
PHYSICIANS' PRESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY COMPOUNDED.
J. A. POIST, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN FINE AND COMMON CIGARS, McSHERRYSTOWN, PA.
All orders promptly filled. The trade through Adams and adjacent coun- ties regularly supplied by our traveling salesman.
-ALSO- POIST & KEAGY, DEALER IN All Grades of Foreign and Domestic Leaf Tobacco, McSherrystown, Adams County, Pa.
W. F. POIST, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN
HARNESS, SADDLES, COLLARS, BRIDLES, FLYNETS, Near Band Hall, McSHERRYSTOWN, PA.
Custom work made promptly. Repairing neatly and thoroughly done. Only the best work and material used.
GIVE ME A CALL BEFORE BUYING ELSEWHERE.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
Conewago Chapel .- The following sketch of the old Catholic set- tlement of Conewago, is not claimed to be anything like a history of this, one of the oldest Catholic churches in America. Its history has never been written, nor will it be ever. One of the first fields cultivated by the Jesuit Missionaries in America, it has fortunately remained in their pos- session ever since, and with few exceptions, the soil has been tilled by their hands only. Characteristic, too, of this order, all accounts and traces of their works and deeds have only been recorded in heaven. Evidences of their zeal and success are not wanting, it is true, for we be- hold congregations organized and churches built in every new town and settlement established since the colonial period, all of which was originally included within the bounds of Conewago, even as far distant as Loretto itself, founded by the humble Prince Gallitzen in the beginning of the present century. The Jesuits may have evangelized nations, discovered and explored continents, excelled in the arts and sciences, our knowledge of which, however, is not dependent upon them, for from experience we have concluded that they do not even know where they were born, or by whom begot, nor anything, whatever, immaterial to the performance of the duties of their holy calling. The baptismal records of Conewago, date back into the eighteenth century ; the entries are all in Latin, and the first priest whose signature appears, is Rev. Michael Dougherty, about 1830. Under these difficulties, then, the present sketch of Conewago has been written, and acknowledgment is due to M. Reily, Esq., for informa- tion kindly furnished, as also for the interesting history of McSherrystown.
The Conewago Valley is a continuation of the famous farming region which, commencing in the Chester and Lancaster Valleys, stretches across the Susquehanna river, and runs into the Monocacy and Catoctin Valleys in Maryland. The soil is productive, and in few parts of the country can be found a section in which there is less of the American rage for change, and where the population has been less migratory. People here cultivate the farms which their grandfathers and great-grandfathers reclaimed from the wilderness, and the family names of the old settlers are represented by a numerous progeny, who still cling to the locality. It is not without his- torical associations. In late days the near proximity to Gettysburg has made this section of the country well known, and it has also its reminis- cences of the colonial times, when it was in the debatable ground between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and claimed by both until Mason and Dix- on's line ended the dispute. Part of the valley was included in "Digges' Choice," and was the cause of considerable trouble and annoyance to the first settlers .* The name Conewago is derived from the Indian word Caughnaughwaugha, and aside from the local significance it may have, was the name of a tribe of Indians along the St. Lawrence, whom the Jesuit missionaries had converted, and where there was a Catholic church
*See Appendix.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
of that name, now called Sault St. Louis. By means of the Indians the missionaries of the St. Lawrence and those of Maryland kept an inter- course with each other, between whom there was, as Bancroft says, a pious rivalry. This tribe was eventually subjected by the Five Nations, when some roving bands made their way into Pennsylvania, where they inhabited the valleys of its principal streams, and to which they left their name.
In those colonial times, when the country was supposed to be included in Lord Baltimore's proprietary grant, a settlement of English Catholics was made in the valley, where Conewago Chapel is now located. It has been asserted on good authority that the Maryland missionaries had a chapel in this vicinity as early as 1700, but nothing definite is known until Father Grayton* passed through here in 1720, on his way to Philadelphia.t It is probable that he met with some Indians (whose wigwam was his first chapel) already instructed by former missionaries, but who roamed from place to place, and were never in charge of any particular pastor.
There is a tradition, that when the first settlers of Kreutz-Kirche came
*Father Grayton's name is also spelt Grayson and Creighton, as in the following : "But it is not only from the fury of the 'sons of the forest' that the Catholic mission- ary has had to suffer. The penal laws of Europe crossed the ocean with those who came to America for 'conscience's sake,' and when Protestant conscience persecuted Protestant conscience, it cannot be wondered at if Catholic conscience suffered like- wise. It is from this kind of persecution, growing out of an ignorance of Catholic doctrines that the early Catholics of Pennsylvania suffered most. The 'tolerant spirit' of Wm. Penn was not participated in by all the men who followed him to the colony he founded upon the banks of the Delaware. Hence it is that Father Creighton first came to Philadelphia in the garb of a Quaker, and Father Schneider was sometimes obliged to travel 'incognito' under the name of 'Dr.' Schneider. * Besides Father Creighton we have Rev. Wm. Wappelar, S. J., who founded the mis- sion at Conewago; Rev. Theodore Schneider, S. J., the father of the mission at Goshenhoppen ; the Rev. Robert Molineaux, S. J., and Rev. James Pellentz, S. J., who, together with the Rev. Ferdinand Farmer, S. J., Rev. Luke Geisler, and the Rev. Joseph Ritter, S. J., appear to have attended all the stations comprised within the present Dioceses of Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Newark. Father Farmer ex- tended his excursions as far as New York."-"Catholicity in Pennsylvania prior to 1800," 'Cath. Record,' April, 1877 ; see also "Life and Times of Archbishop Car- roll," 'Laity's Directory for 1822,' Bancroft on Pa. and Md., &c. Father Ritter was also at Conewago, under the name of Father Rutter or Ruyter, and is often con- founded with the Father Reiter or Rider of a much later period.
Father Josiah Grayton, S. J., resided at St. Migoe's, in Maryland, and meeting a Catholic family near Lancaster, he inquired the names of a few Catholics in Phila- delphia, where he erected, contrary to the statute of William III., a "Roman Mass- house." Kalm, the Swedish traveler, says it was "a great house, which was well adorned within, and had an organ." Father Grayton was born about 1680, entered the Society of Jesus July 5th, 1708, and was ordained 1719. After laboring up- wards of twenty years in the City of Brotherly Love, he returned to Maryland, and died at Bohemia, Sept. 19th, 1752.
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
through here about 1735, they passed a "Mass-house," constructed of un- hewn logs, near a dense swamp, through which they cleared a pathway, that still remained after a number of years. Rev. John Ault in his re- searches of Christ church says, that the Irish were not pleased because the Germans located so near their settlement. This, of course, may have been, but they certainly soon became friends, as Ludwig Schreiver, a son of one of the first settlers of the upper valley, located near Conewago Chapel, where he built a mill (now O'Bold's,) and when the second church was built, aided the Catholics, with many of his friends, in hauling mate- rial for the new building.
Among the first Catholic settlers in the valley was Samuel Lilly, who in 1730 took up a large tract of land now north and west of the chapel. He was followed by Robert Owings, about the same time. The farms now owned by the Sneeringers, originally belonged to Robert Owings. On the farm of Leo Sneeringer there was a graveyard many years ago, and here, too, most likely, was the first place of worship. The Jesuits now obtained a large tract of land, over eight hundred acres, of which they yet possess about six hundred acres. The first of this land was doubtless obtained from the proprietaries of Maryland, as Digges Choice ; though granted in 1727, was not located until 1732. Patrick McSherry, who owned all the lands contiguous to the chapel tract on the south and west, purchased from the Diggeses, and had besides a release from the Carrolls. The Catholics at Conewago were at first attended by priests from a Catholic settlement in Harford county, Md., called "Hickory." When the German settlers began to pour across the Susquehanna, about 1735-40, two German Fathers were sent to Pennsylvania to labor among them. These were Fathers Schneider and Wm. Wappeler, "men, full of zeal and prudence," says John Carroll Brent, the biographer of his great namesake. Father Wappeler was born in Westphalia, Jan. 22nd, 1711, and entered the So- ciety of Jesus in 1728. He only remained about eight years in America, during which he "converted and reclaimed many to the faith of Christ," says Bishop Carroll. Bad health compelled him to return to Europe. He died in Benges, 1781, at the age of seventy. Father Wappeler built a small log church at Conewago, in 1740, near the site the present edifice occupies. This church was built so as to appear as a private dwelling, the stringent penal laws requiring Catholics to worship in an humble and unostentatious manner, if at all, and such places of worship were termed "Mass-houses." This humble church had three rooms, one in which ser- vices were held, and two for household purposes. Father Wappeler had also purchased land at Lancaster for the erection of a church, but in con- sequence of fears of a war with France, he became an object of suspicion, and the matter was brought before the council by Gov. Gordon.
After the departure of this zealous missionary, Conewago was favored with a resident pastor in the person of Rev. Matthias Manners, a German, whose right name was Sittensberger. At this time the congregation at
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
Conewago was yet small, but the missionary field was extensive-com- prising the whole of southern Pennsylvania, and part of Maryland. He had in his charge 116 German and 73 Irish Catholics, including "only such as received the sacraments." Father Manners was succeeded by Fathers James Frambach, and Father Deitrich, a Frenchman. Father Frambach was afterwards sent to Harper's Ferry, in Virginia, where priests were not allowed to hold services. He was discovered one day, and "owed his life only to the fleetness of his horse, which swam the Po- tomac amid a shower of balls, which the fanatical Virginians discharged on the fugitive Jesuit." During the ministrations of these Fathers, the log church was somewhat enlarged and improved, but to what extend cannot be ascertained. This old church (removed in 1787,) reminds one in imag- ination of "Old St. David's at Radnor," which the author of "Evangeline" has immortalized in verse :
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