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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
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 19
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The German Reformed congregation of New Chester worshiped for a number of years in the same building with the Lutherans. They have now a handsome stone edifice in New Chester, the corner-stone of which was laid May 17th, 1862. The dedication services took place February 26th, 1863-Rev. E. H. Hoffheins pastor. Among the pastors in the brick church were Revs. Orndt and Hoffman. The successors of Rev. Hoff- heins were, Wm. F. Davis, Aaron Spangler, W. F. Colliflower, and Rev. David U. Wolf, the present incumbent. It belongs to the Abbottstown charge.
Plainview is a postoffice in this township, on the Gettysburg and Har- risburg road, seven miles from Gettysburg, seven from Petersburg, and two from Heidlersburg. The postoffice was established in 1876; Robert Mc- Ilhenny is the present postmaster, who also keeps a country store.
Tyrone Township .- Tyrone borders the townships of Menallen, Huntington, Butler, Straban and Reading. It originally contained 15,360 acres,-its greatest length being ten miles, and breadth four miles. The population is 986.
Heidlersburg is a smail village in this township, on the State road from Gettysburg to Harrisburg, ten miles from Gettysburg and twenty-five from Harrisburg. The State road and the Menallen road, leading from Chambersburg to York, intersect at Heidlersburg. The town was laid out about 1812, by a Mr. Heidler. In that year Michael Starry built the first house. The founder of the town offered a prize to the man who would have the first house completed, and Mr, Starry proved the successful com- petitor, The Lutheran church in this place was built in 1861, during the pastorate of Rev. Peter Raby. The members of this congregation for- merly attended services at Petersburg, and subsequently in the school- house of the town. Rev. Hensch was among the earliest Lutheran minis-
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
ters. In 1844 Rev. John Ulrich preached to this congregation. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Rentz, of New Chester. The U. B. congregation have worshiped in the school-house since 1840. The present pastor is Rev. Snoke, of Middletown. The business places and Men of Heidlersburg are, Wm. Sadler, Farmers' and Drover's Hotel; J. Hoffman, Travelers' Rest; C. Yeats, merchant ; Lewis Hoffman, merchant; Jacob Bolen, wa- gonmaker ; D. F. Starry, shoemaker ; J. M. and Johnson Pittenturff, chair- makers.
Union Township .- Union was formed from parts of Conowago, Ger- many and Mountpleasant townships, Jan. 25th, 1841. It borders the York county line on the east, the Maryland line on the south ; and the townships of Conowago, Germany and Mountpleasant. The population is 1181.
Christ Church .- The Kreutz-Kirche settlement is one of the oldest in the county. The first settler was Andrew Schreiber, who came here in 1734, and took up about one hundred acres of land, now the farm of George Basehoar. His nearest neighbor was a man named Forney, who lived near where Hanover now stands. Among other settlers, who came in 1735, and subsequently, were the Kitzmillers, Sells (Sellen), Sheelys, Furneys, Koontzs, Yungs, Duttros, Kleins (Littles), Millers, Feltys, Wills, &c. They were all of the German Reformed denomination. There are a number of "historical sketches" of Christ Church extant, the statements of some of them being very conflicting. Many of the writers of these lay partic- ular stress on Christ Church being the oldest place of religious worship in Adams County. While this is rather a difficult matter to determine, yet there are other denominations in the county which have equal claims to this dis- tinction, as "Christ Church, Huntington," the earliest ministers of which labored among the Indians, and also Conewago Chapel, where the wig- wam of the Red Man served as the first place of worship. We take these extracts from Rev. John Ault's researches.
Christ Church was organized May 4th, 1747, by Rev. Michael Schlatter, of St. Gall, in Switzerland, who, in consequence of information he had re- ceived of the destitute condition of the German Reformed churches in the new country, left his pastoral charge, and obtained a regular appointment to visit and organize the members of his denomination through the Prov- ince of Pennsylvania, and also in Maryland and Virginia. He arrived in Philadelphia Sept. 6th, 1746, and at once started out upon his mission. He was a useful man, and a missionary in the true sense of the word. His name heads an address to Hon. Robert Hunter Morris, Lieut. Gov. and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, dated Nov. 20th, 1754, in behalf of the German Protestants of the Province. There was then no other Reformed church, except York, west of the Susquehanna. He began a baptismal record of Christ Church, May 6th, 1747, on the fly- leaf of which he wrote: "Kirchen Protocol Der Hoch-deutsch Reform- ierten Gemeinda in Conawake, Augefaugen von dem Schreiber deises Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., Hoch Deutsch Reformierten prediger der
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
Gemeinden Philadelphia und Germantown." The land on which Christ church now stands forms part of a tract surveyed March 22d, 1759, for Michael Will. in trust for the German Reformed church of Little Cone- wago. The deed is given by John and Thomas Penn and calls for 37 acres, the price of which was 10 pounds, 13 shillings and 8 pence. Adam Sherman, Michael Dotterer, John Will and Ludwig Miller are appointed in this deed as the successors of Michael Will, in trust of this land for the congregation. It was the opinion of Rev. Ault that these men at that time constituted the consistory of the church.
The exact time of the building of the first church cannot be ascertained, "but there is sufficient evidence to justify the statement that it was built before the year 1755." It was built of rough, unhewn logs, with no plas- tering between the logs, or anywhere else. This church was afterwards enlarged in the form of a cross, from which it is probable it derived the name of Kreutz church. There was a school-house here aboutt his period, in which John Kreutz taught school. Kreutz was a man of considerable dis- tinction, and the church, when enlarged, may have been named in his honor. Rev. Schlatter called it "Die Hoch Deutsch Reformierten Ge- meinda fur Conewago." The first church was removed in 1798, and a brick edifice erected on the same site. The elders then were Andrew Schreiber and Jacob Parr, who, with Conrad Duttera, Ludwig Mouse and Jacob Will, composed the building committee. The Secretary was John Dysert. Colestock and Kuhns were the carpenters, and Peter Baker the mason. The church was incorporated under the title of "Christ Church," March 5th, 1828. Gov. Shultze signed the papers of incorporation. The trustees then were, John Wintrode, Michael Crouse, George Will, John Young, Samuel Schriver, John Snyder, George Duttera, Christian Heller, and John Study.
A graveyard was laid out on the east side of the church, soon after the purchasing of the ground in 1750. It was at different times enlarged, and now contains about five acres. The oldest tombstone bears date 1772, but there are many graves of earlier date. In this graveyard rest the remains of Peter Klein, the founder of Littlestown. The inscription on his tombstone reads: "Here ruhet in Gott weiland Peter Klein. Ist gebohren dur 27 Aug. 1724. Ist gestorben den 7 den Ap. 1773. Seines alters 48 ia, 7 m, II d. Seina frau is eina be borna Sheblern. Gott gebe ihne und uns eina frælicha auferstehung."
The preaching at Christ church was exclusively in the German language, up to the year 1848. Through the efforts of Enoch Le Fevre, Esq., a change was then brought about, and it was determined that every third sermon should be in English. Christ church building of 1798, remained, with few alterations, until the year 1877, when the entire structure was pulled down, and a beautiful and greatly enlarged edifice was erected in its place, at a cost of $5,000. The building committee consisted of Samuel Schwartz, (chairman,) Eli Bollinger, J. Henry Felty, Daniel Sell and Ed-
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
ward Rebert. The building of this church is due to the zeal and labors of the then pastor, Rev. John Ault.
Rev. Jacob Lischey was pastor of Christ church from 1749 to 1751, and was also pastor of York, Creutz Creek and Bermudian. Rev. Theodore Frankenfield was pastor from 1753 to 1756. He resided at Frederick, where he had a congregation, also organized by Michael Schlatter. He died young, and is buried at Frederick. Rev. John Conrad Steiner, also from Frederick, was his successor. He was pastor until May, 1759. He was by birth a Swiss, preached twice in Philadelphia, where rest his remains. He served a number of churches, in an account of which he says: "The congrega- tion at Conewago, I visited on the 30th of May, IIth of June, 26th of July, 18th of August, 18th of September, 15th of October, and 17th of November ; traveling each time 70 miles ; in all, 490 miles." After Rev. Steiner, there was no settled minister for a period of fifteen years, during which the con- gregation was served by Revs. Wm. Otterbein and Charles Lange, pastors of the Frederick charge. In the year 1775, Rev. Charles Lewis Boehme became pastor. He also served Hanover, Abbottstown and Bermudian, at a salary of 125 pounds, and dwelling, in all about $300; of this Christ church paid 35 pounds, about $90. He afterwards became pastor of a congregation at Baltimore, but was compelled to quit the ministry on ac- count of ill health. Now comes a long pastorate in the history of the church-that of Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht, who settled here in 1779, and remained twenty-eight years. He was born at the village of Augus- tien, near Gottingen, Germany, and came to this country in 1753, in his 20th year. He died Nov. 6th, 1815, and is buried in the Reformed grave- yard, at Hanover. "Under him," says Rev. Ault, "this church and entire charge was much strengthened in numbers and vital godliness." . Rev. Charles Helfenstein was the successor of Rev. Gobrecht, and served from 1809 to 1813. He was a man of many peculiarities, and during the war of 1812 expressed himself very much in its favor, for which he was looked upon as a "political preacher." He was nevertheless a zealous pastor, and is said to have been "a man of deep, child-like piety-humble and unassuming." He died at Reading, in December, 1842, and his last words were, "O Lord Jesus, Come !" The successor of Rev. Helfenstein was Jacob H. Wiestling, from 1813 to 1824. He was born near Harrisburg, studied under Rev. Dr. Becher, of Baltimore, and moved to Hanover in January, 1815. He wrote a history of Hanover, generally called "Wiest- ling's Account." He was a popular pulpit orator, and though expelled for some reason by the Synod, was retained by the congregations as pastor. He died in 1826, and is buried at Hanover. During his pastorate, in 1820, Zion's Classis of the Reformed Church was organized. A newly-arrived German, named Frederick William Bindeman, followed Wiestling as pas- tor from 1826 to 1827. He is believed to have been an impostor, and never received ordination. The congregation were glad to get rid of him, and what became of him is not known. From 1828 to 1837, Rev. Samuel
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. 177
Gutelius was pastor of Christ Church. Father Gutelius was born in Lan- caster county, in 1795, and died July 17th, 1866. During his ministry of 44 years, he preached in Northumberland county, Gettysburg, Baltimore, and other places. In a book belonging to Christ Church, he subscribed to the following entry, June 13th, 1837 : "After a peaceful and blessed con- nection of nine years and four months the, undersigned, on account of bad health, felt himself constrained to withdraw his ministerial services from Christ Church congregation. The separation to him is a painful one ; the hope of meeting many of those who were his members where parting, is no more, is his only consolation. "Lord Jesus forsake not this church." After his resignation Rev. Jacob Sechler became pastor, and continued until 1866. During his ministry, a parsonage was erected at Littlestown, the English language and Sunday-schools were introduced throughout his pastoral field ; two new congregations were also formed, St. Luke's, near White Hall, and St. James', on the Emmittsburg road. Rev. Sechler died at Hanover during the summer of 1880, and the same number of the Reformed Messenger, that contained a biographical sketch of this vener- able minister's career, furnished by Rev. John Ault, also recorded the death of the writer, one of the most zealous and dearly beloved pastors, we may say, Christ Church ever had. Rev. John M. Clemens succeeded Rev. Jacob Sechler, from 1867 to 1869. He was a young man, lately ordained, and went from here to St. Clair's, Schuylkill county, thence to Conyngham, Luzerne county. Rev. Casper Schul succeeded as pastor, and served from 1870 to 1872, in- July of which year he left for a charge in Ohio, and located later at Middle Lancaster, Butler county, Pa. "Owing to various circumstances beyond the control of these two last mentioned ministers, their pastorates in this (Christ) church were not remarkably pleasant or very successful, and on this account their sojourn was brief."
On the 22d of Sept., 1873, Rev. John Ault took charge of the entire pastoral field of Christ Church, and it may be said that from the begin- ning the blessings of God rested bountifully upon his labors. The Board of Trustees then consisted of Samuel Schwartz, Andrew Sell, William Duttera, Jacob M. Bollinger, Jacob Rittase, Daniel Whaler, Edw. Rebert, George Hesson and Eli Bollinger. The following composed the consist- ory of the church: Elders, Solomon Schwartz, Michael Kitzmiller, Daniel Sell and Philip Sterner ; Deacons, William Bogan, W. A. Sell, Amos Car- baugh, Cornelius Wolf, Geo. F. Swartz, Amos Cump, Jeremiah Baer, and Wm. Sell. The members of his congregations, then united, prosperous and happy, are even yet mourning the death of their affectionate pastor,. who was called to his eternal reward in July of the present year.
"Our sincere prayer and hope," says Rev. John Ault, in his historical sketch of Christ Church, "is that this 'church of Little Conowago' may continue to exist exerting an influence for good, far and wide ; and that it may live to witness the time, eventually, when the blessed religion of Jesus Christ shall triumph and prevail over the whole land and over all
23
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
the earth ; when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of Almighty God, and Christ shall be all in all."
Hostetter's Meeting House,-The "Menosimon meeting house" was built in 1854. It is a brick structure, in this township, on the Littles- town and McSherrystown road, about three miles east of Littlestown. The Menonites formerly worshiped in an old school-house which stood near where the present church stands. Previous to this they held worship in the respective houses of the members, at appointed times. They were few in number, but the congregation has considerably increased, and reside for the most part in the vicinity of Hanover, and through the lower part of Adams county. John Hostetter was one of the earliest ministers, and hence the church is familiarly called Hostetter's. His son, Jacob, was also a minister. Rev. Isaac Hershey preached for many years. He was born Jan. 28th, 1800, and died in the beginning of the present year. His remains are interred in the graveyard adjoining the meeting-house. He was greatly esteemed by every one, and was a prominent citizen of Ox- ford township, residing at Hershey's mill, formerly Senft's now Noel's. The pulpit is now supplied by Jacob Hostetter, a descendant of the first members of this congregation. These people are peaceful, law-abiding citizens, and for the most part, in good circumstances.
Sell's Station is a postoffice and station of the Littlestown railroad, four miles from Hanover and three from Littlestown. The postmaster is C. A. Sell, who also keeps a store.
APPENDIX.
The First Election held in York County .- "The candidates for the office of Sheriff at the first election held in York county, were Hans Hamilton and Richard McAlister. At that time, and at the elections for some years following, all the voters assembled together at York, as there were no election districts as at present. The first election, which was in October, 1749, was held in Yorktown, at the house formerly occupied by Baltzer Spangler, and afterwards by Samuel Spangler, as a public inn. The building was of logs and was not quite finished. There was but one place at which the votes were received, and that was at an opening be- tween two of the logs of the building. During the forenoon everything was peaceable ; but in the afternoon the blood was warmed up, and men were now ready for action. Hamilton, who lived in what is now Adams county, was the 'Irish candidate,' and McAlister, who lived where Hanover now stands, was the 'Dutch candidate.' McAllister's Germans pressed hard, and were, in the stillness of voting, overpowering the friends of Mr. Ham- ilton. Displeased with this, two or three stout Irish boxers took possession of the place for handing in votes, and were determined that none but their own friends should enjoy the liberty of suffrage. A lusty German being anxious to offer his vote, went determinedly to the place of voting, and tripped up the heels of one of the Irish guards. An affray immediately commenced, and in less than five minutes the action was general. Furor administrat arma. A large quantity of saplings near the house were soon torn up and cut from the ground to be used as weapons of offence and de- fence. Blows were dealt with an unsparing hand; each party giving hot battle. But victory at length perched upon the banner of the "Dutch party," for the friends of McAlister not only discomfitted the Irish, but completely routed their whole forces, and put them to flight. They drove them all beyond the Codorus; and not a member of the defeated party was to be found east of the creek the remainder of the day. There were a few limbs broken, and considerable blood shed, but fortunately for the honor of the county, no life was lost in the affray. The Germans, keep- ing possession of the ground, gave in their votes without molestation ; whereby McAlister had an overwhelming majority. But this availed not : Hamilton was a great favorite of the Executive, and was, shortly after the election, commissioned as Sheriff of the county, and as such he continued until the Ioth of October, 1752."-Glossbrenner & Carter's History of York Co.
That the second election in York county was not conducted in a less fierce spirit than the first, appears from the following extract from the record of the Court of Quarter Sessions for the 30th of October, 1750 : "Whereas, Hans Hamilton, Esq., High Sheriff of this county, hath by his
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APPENDIX.
remonstrance in writing to this Court set forth, that by reason of the tumul- tuous behaviour of sundry persons at the last election held here for this county, and of the ballots or tickets not having been delivered to the in- spectors on three several pieces of paper, as directed by an act of the General Assembly of this province, entitled 'an act for raising the county rates and levies,' he could not make such returns as by the aforesaid act is enjoined : It is therefore considered and ordered by the court here, that the commissioners and assessors who served this county in their several sta- tions the last year, shall, (in pursuance of the act aforesaid,) serve for the ensuing year, or until there shall be a new election."
Boundary Difficulties .- By the grant of Charles II. to Wm. Penn, the southern boundary of the Province of Pennsylvania was made a "circle drawn at twelve miles distant from New Castle, northward and westward to the fortieth degree of northern latitude, then by a straight line westward." Lord Baltimore's northern boundary was also the forti- eth parallel; but the circle twelve miles distant from New Castle would not intersect this line-the distance being more than the twelve miles, prescribed by the charter. Consequently, each party claimed the inter- vening strip; and the adherents of both parties, ignorant of real or as- sumed lines, claimed much more than their lords and masters.
These dissensions involved the settlers in many troubles, which, how- ever, were often turned to their own advantage. In 1752, the Governor of Pennsylvania sent word to York county to assess no taxes on people who held lands under Maryland titles, even if they dwelt north of the Tempor- ary Line, mentioning among others, the names of Peter Shultz, Nicholas Forney, the Sells, Youngs, Morningstars, and Schrivers. Some of these settlers now paid taxes to neither Province, at the same time claiming immunity in either. "They were not very conscientious," says M. O. Smith, in his Annals of Hanover. "Many who had taken up their lands under Maryland titles, and thereby owed allegiance to that Province, re- fused to pay taxes to it, or to acknowledge its jurisdiction. At the same time, as citizens of Maryland, they refused to be taxed by Pennsylvania, and petitioned against her assessments as a great grievance. This being granted, they thus escaped taxation altogether, though they claimed all the time the privileges and protection accorded to other citizens from either of these Provinces, as they thought best would suit their purpose. Thus they would sue for and recover debts, and protect their persons and property in the courts of either Pennsylvania or Maryland, and yet ac- knowledge allegiance to neither.
"Not all the settlers were thus minded, however; many were steady, well-disposed peopie, inclined to submit to lawful authority, but much puzzled to know to which Province they really belonged. Ignorant, as many of them were, of the language in which provincial affairs were con- ducted, they were long compelled to take their information second-hand, from parties often interested in representing matters incorrectly."
ERRATA.
Page 24-36th line-for "1736," read 1836.
59-32d line-for "Geo.," read Gov.
76-22d line-for "Baring," read Barring.
90-32d line-for "Clergy," read Clerk.
1 92-last line-for "Glosobrenner Carter's," read Glossbrenner & Carter's.
" 117-13th line-for "flood," read brood. 128-40th line-for "Migoes," read Inigoes.
I29-33d line-for "Benges," read Bruges.
130-Ioth line-for "extend," read extent.
134-3d line-for "1845," read 1843. 134-27th line-for "belfries," read belfry's. 134-38th line-for "poste," read hoste.
66 138-29th line-for "Randanue," read Randanne.
138-31st line-for "Kenrich," read Kenrick. 142-18th line, et al .- for "Bushey," read Busbey. Page 137-27th line-for "1858," read 1758.
137-37th line-for "Ben.," read Brn.
167-32d line, et al.,-for "Herout," read Heront.
168-16th line, et al .- for "Delnol," read Deluol.
1
J. E. SMITH.
V. A. LAWRENCE.
J. E. SMITH & CO., DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, HOSIERY, HARDWARE,
OILS, QUEENSWARE, TIN AND EARTHENWAAE, HATS, CAPS, BOOTS, SHOES,
and everything kept in a first-class store.
MOUNT ROCK, Adams Co., Pa.
Also Manufacturer of and Dealer in all grades of CIGARS AND LEAF TOBACCO.
Orders promptly filled and satisfaction guaranteed.
Address J. E. SMITH & CO., McSherrystown, Adams County, Pa.
ADAM NOEL,
DEALER IN BUTTER, EGGS, POULTRY, &c., Mount Rock, Adams County, Pa. Also PEDDLING BUTCHER, Sells always the best Beef, Veal, Pork, &c., at the lowest prices.
J. M. O'NEIL, DEALER IN DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, GROCERIES, QUEENSWARE, EARTHENWARE, HATS, CAPS, &c. BOOTS AND SHOES a specialty in our line.
When in need of anything, be sure to call and examine goods, as we keep the best and sell the cheapest.
CENTENNIAL STORE, Mount Rock, Adams County, Pa.
Also Manufacturer of and Dealer in FINE AND COMMON CIGARS.
Satisfaction guaranteed. Try our brands. Orders promptly filled. Address,
J. M. O'NEIL, Centennial P. O., Adam's County, Pa.
898
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