USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. I > Part 42
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Bristol, the oldest town in the county, and one of the oldest in the state, occupies an eligible situation on the west bank of the Delaware, fronting nearly a miile on the river with fifteen feet of water in the channel. A settlement at this point naturally followed the establishment of a ferry across the river to Burlington, and, at an early day, a road was laid out from the King's high- way down to the landing.
The site of Bristol is on the grant of two hundred and forty acres by Sir Edmund Andros to Samuel Clift, in 1681, who sold fifty acres to Richard. Dungworth, sixty to Walter Pomeroy, and one hundred to Morgan Drewitt. The remaining thirty acres Clift left to his son-in-law, John Young, by his will dated November 29, 1682, which his son conveyed to Thomas Brock and Anthony Burton, February 20, 1695, for f20 currency. Upon this tract, which extends northward from Mill creek and also on a portion of John White's land, adjoining, the town was laid out, 1697. It had the following metes and bounds: "Beginning at a post standing in the line of John White's land. south forty-eight degrees east, eighteen rods to a corner post : then south fifty-eight degrees west, to a corner post standing by the creek called Mill creek ; then by the said creek to the river Delaware; thence up the river Delaware ninety-four rods to a post ; thence north thirty-nine degrees west, fifty-one poles to a post; thence west thirty-two degrees south, eighty-six poles to the place of beginning, being in Buckingham."1 It is thought that a por- tion of the Clift tract had been previously laid out into building-lots. The
I It was called New Bristol down to 1714.
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
road then leading down to the ferry was the same as the present Mill street, one hundred and twenty perches long and three perches wide.
On the roth of June, 1697, "the inhabitants and owners of land in the county of Bucks, but more especially in the township of Bucks," petitioned the Provincial Council, Held at Phineas Pemberton's below the falls, to establish a market town "at the ferry against Burlington, with a weekly market and the privilege of wharfing and building to a convenient distance into the river and creek," and that there "may be a street under the bank to the river and ercek." The council ordered the town to be laid out, and Phineas Pemberton was directed to make the survey and draft according to the plan submitted. The original lot-owners were Joseph Growden, Phineas Pemberton, John White, Robert Brown, John Smith, Thomas Musgrove, John Town, Samuel Carpenter, Thomas Brock, Henry Baker, Anthony Burton, Samuel Bown, probably Samuel Bowne who married Mary Becket, William Croasdale, and Samuel Oldale, fourteen in all, who no doubt went into the investment as a speculation. In 1790 Isaac Hicks was requested to draw a plan of the borough, and fix stones at each street corner which was done. No doubt there was a house or two about the ferry before the town was granted, and after that, the erection of buildings was probably accelerated. Bristol was incorporated into borough by letters patent from the crown, the 14th of No- vember, 1720, on the petition of Anthony Burton, John Hall, William Watson and Joseph Bond, "and many other inhabitants of the town of Bristol, owners of a certain tract of land formerly called Buckingham." Joseph Bond and John Hall were the first burgesses, and Thomas Clifford, high-constable. As the charter came direct from the Crown, instead of the Provincial Assembly, the independence of the Colonies dissolved the corporation, and restored by the Legislature, 1785. The charter has been several times amended and enlarged and the borough limits extended.
The charter of Bristol provided, among other things, for the holding of two annual fairs, two days in May and three in October. "in stich place or places as the burgess, from time to time, may appoint." These fairs were attended by all classes, some going to make purchases, the great majority for a frolic. Horse-racing, drinking, gambling and stealing prevailed to an alarm- ing extent. The young men generally went on horse back in their shirt sleeves. with their sweet-hearts behind them, their coats tied up behind the saddle, with their thin-soled shoes for dancing wrapped up in them. They wore two pairs of stockings, the inner white and the other colored yarn, the tops of the latter turned down to exhibit the inner pair and protect them from dirt. The negro slaves were allowed by their masters to attend the last day of each fair, when they flocked thither in large numbers and held their jubilee. Aiter the fairs had continued three-quarters of a century, the people of Bristol and vicinity petitioned the Legislature to abolish them, on the ground they were "useless and tinnecessary and promoted licentiousness and immorality."
We know but little of Bristol in its infancy, in fact it was only a feeble frontier river village, and had no history. The inhabitants may or may not have been threatened with fires but, in 1701, the Assembly passed an act to prevent thiem.3 Oldmixon, who visited Bristol in 1708, speaks of it as the capital
2 Act of April 14, 1796.
3 What is spoken of as a "great fire" broke out, 1724, but the value of the prop- city destroyed is not known. The Friends at Abington raised money for the relici of the sufferers.
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
of Bucks county, containing fifty houses. Graydon's memoirs, published in 1811, says of Bristol about 1750: "Then, as now, the great road, leading from Philadelphia to New York, first skirting the inlet, at the head of which stand the mills, and then turning short to the left along the bank of the Dela- ware, formed the principal, and, indeed, the only street marked by anything like continuity of buildings. A few places for streets were opened from this main one, on which here and there stood an humble, solitary dwelling. At a corner of one of these lanes was a Quaker meeting-house, and on a still more retired spot stood a small Episcopal church, whose lonely graveyard, with its surrounding woody scenery, might have furnished an appropriate theme for such a muse as Gray's. These, together with an old brickyard, consti- tuted all the public edifices of this, my native town.". Captain Graydon, the author of this early sketch of Bristol, was the son of an Irishman who came to this country about 1730. His father, Alexander Graydon, born at Long- ford, and brought up under the care of his maternal grandfather near Dublin, was educated for the church but declined to take orders. At one time he was President judge of Bucks county. He was twice married, his second wife being Rachel Marx, daughter of a merchant engaged in the West India trade, and a German by birth, but living in Philadelphia at the time of her marriage to Graydon, and where they became acquainted. She was the youngest of four daughters, all connected by marriage, to some of the most influential families of Pennsylvania. He was patriotic, and in 1747, when a general Indian war was threatened, was Colonel of the associated regiment of Bucks county. He died, March, 1761, his wife and four children surviving him. Captain Graydon was born April 10, 1752. After his father's death his mother removed to Philadelphia and opened a boarding house, the resort of the leading Colonial worthies of the day. When the Revolution broke out Graydon espoused the cause of the Colonies and was appointed captain in Colonel John Shec's Pennsylvania regiment, January, 1776. He recruited for his company at Attleborough, Newtown and New Hope. He was made prisoner at Fort Washington, and exchanged at the end of two years, but did not re-enter the military service. After the war he was appointed Prothonotary of Dauplin county, 1785, and died there. He was a gentleman of culture and ability and maintained a good position in society.4 At the time of which Captain Gray- don wrote. all the inhabitants of Bristol were Friends, with the exception of the De Normandies and two or three other families.
Bristol was the first seat of justice of the county, where it was established 1705.414 The same year the Assembly authorized the erection of a court-house. a two-story brick that stood on Cedar street nearly opposite the Masonic hall, with court room above. prison below and a whipping-post attached to the out- side wall. The lot was given by Samuel Carpenter. The building was used as a school-house after the courts were done with it, and years ago the house and lot was bought by William Kinsey. In 1722 a house of correction, with a whipping post attached, was erected at the expense of the county, and replaced by a new one, 1745. The testimony about the workhouse is con-
4 Hugh Murray Graydon, the oldest member of the Dauphin county bar, died at Harrisburg, March 14. 1900, at an advanced age. He was a descendant of Alexander Graydon, and probably a grandson of Captain Graydon.
414 The courts had previously been held in Falls township and Middletown, but Bristol was the first designated "seat of justice."
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
flicting, one authority stating it was removed. 1724 of 1725, two years after it was built. The building is still stamling.+1=
The Friends' meeting at Bristol is one of the oldest in the county. For several years the Friends settled there attended meeting at Falls, Neshaminy, now Middletown, and sometimes crossed the river to Burlington. In 1704. Falls meeting granted the Bristol Friends a meeting once a month, increased to twice a month, 1707, held at private houses. In 1706 complaint was made of the want of a meeting-house, and one was erected, 1710. The un- paid balance of the cost of building. £86, was assumed by Falls, Middle- town and Buckingham. The lot was the gift of Sammel Carpenter and the deed executed to Joseph Kirkbride, Tobias Dimocke. Thomas Watson, Edward Mayos, and Will- iam Croasdale, in trust. The meet- ing-house was enlarged, 1763, the expense being borne by the month- ly meetings and an addition pur- chased to the lot, in 1814. The building being out of repair, in 1728, George Clough and Thomas Chiford were appointed "to procure the same to be mended before the next quarterly meeting." It was used as an hospital during the Rev- olution. The Orthodox Friends have a small frame meeting-house. erected at the time of separation, in 1828. The Episcopalians were not ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BRISTOL. 1557. long behind the Friends in planting a house for religious worship in Bristol, who built St. James' church,3 1711. which has had an eventful history and yet gathers within its walls a large and flourishing congregation."
412 The workhouse was authorized by act of Assembly of February 22, 1718, to be built at the expense of the County within three years, to be managed by a president, treasurer and assistants, and not more than froo were to be raised yearly for its support. As the house was not built within the three years specified, it must have been crected under a subsequent act. By act of March 1, 1745. the common council of Bristol was authorized to erect a workhouse in the town, which is probably the one now standing.
5 For further account of St. James' church see chapter entitled "Historie Churches." 6 "Bristol, August 6. 1785. At a meeting of the Congregation of St. James' church, held this day, the following choice of the pews were made: No. 1. Col. Merck Bird (John Deverel !4) ; 2, Peter Vanhorne, p .; 3, Miller and Stockham, p; 4. George Sweetman; Richard Rue (Middletown) : 6, Swift and Green, p. p; 7. Philip Johnson 8, Clark and Beneset, p; . Dr. James De Normandie; 10, Rodman and Gibbs (Samuel Kinser) ; IT, Kinsey and Kennedy ( B. Bessonett ) ; 12, Cox and Mellvain, p: 13. Dodet and Malcolm (John MeElroy) : 14. Mr. John Boon, p: 15, Jonathan libbs, p ; 16, Larzalere and
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
Of the present Bristol families the Burtons have been in that vicinity from first settlement. Anthony, lately deceased, was the fourth in descent from the Anthony who married Susan hean, in 1725, and, on the maternal side, the great-grandson of Ann, daughter of John and Mary Sotcher. Charles Swain traces his paternal line back for four generations to Benjamin Swain who married Eliza Rulon about 1743-5, and the seventh in descent from William and Margaret Cooper through four generations of Woolstons. On the maternal side of the male line he is the sixth in descent, through the Briggses, and Croasdales from Ezra Croasdale who married Ann Peacock, in 1687. The De Normandies, Bessonetts, and Williamses were among the early inhabitants of Bristol, but the names of the first two families have become extinct.
The De Normandies were a princely family of France, holding feudal tenures in Champagne from the earliest times, the heads of the house being the Lords de la Motte, and one of the most distinguished families that immigrated to this country. In 1460 Giulliaume De Normandie was made royal gover- nor of Noyon, in Picardy, and founded the chapel of St. Claire in the church of St. Martin. He married a De Roye, princess in her own right, and daugh- ter of the Lord of De Mailly D'Aisilly and Montescourt. From Giullia mnie De Normandie descended Laurent De Normandie, the warm friend and sup- porter of Calvin, and the executor of his will, who fled to Geneva, and, as did . his sons after him, filled some of the highest offices in that republic. From Laurent came Jean De Normandie, one of the deputies sent in 1603 to conclude a treaty of peace with the Prince of Savoy, and from Jean came Joseph, named after his uncle and godfather the celebrated Duc De La Tremouille. These were all Counsellors of State and syndics of Geneva, as was Michael, son of Joseph. From Michael came Andre De Normandie, the confidential agent and lieutenant of Frederick the Great at Neufchatel. In his old age, this Andre De Normanic. born at Geneva in 1651, came to America, in 1706, with his two sons, John Abram and John Anthony, and settled at Bristol where he died. in 1724. Of the sons of Andre De Normandie, John Abram, in 1688, and John Anthony. in 1693, married Henrietta Elizabeth, and Mary, daughters of Doctor Francis Gaudonette, Marguerite, one of the daughters of Andre, born in Geneva, March 13, 1686, married Louis Jolly, and, from her, through the Becket family, are descended the families of Ross, Clark and Sims. The late John C. Sims, Philadelphia, was descended from this line. He was an accomplished man, and possessing many excellent qualities, and had been Secretary of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company several years at his death, 1901. Of the two daughters of Dr. Gaudonette. Henrietta Elizabeth died at Bristol, in 1757, and Mary in 1748. The remains of father and sons repose in Saint James' church-yard. The children of the two sons married into the families of Bard, of Burlington, and Anderson, whose whereabouts is not known. Some of the DeNormandies sided with England in the Revolution- ary struggle and got into trouble, while with others Washington was on terms of warm friendship. The families were valuable citizens in the church and out of it. Some of them were physicians and men of science and culture, and owned considerable real estate in the county. Dr. James De Normandie, a physician of large practice in Penns Manor, was the last of the family to
Wright, p; 17. Charles Bessonett Bodine; 18, Riche and Kidd; 19, McElroy and Clunn ; 20, l'almer, p; 21, Elwood and Vanskiver : 22, Gabriel Vanhorne, p; 23, Richard Rue ( Bensalem) ; 24. Flower and Gale."
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
leave the county, some 60 years ago, and settled in Ohio. His son James was a Unitarian clergyman at Roxbury, Mass. The father married a sister of Samuel Yardley, formerly of Doylestown. Her name was Sarah, a daughter of Thomas Yardley, and also a sister of George and Edward Yardley. Late in life Dr. John Abram went to Geneva, Switzerland, to claim property left him and his cousin, by an old nobleman. There he met Voltaire, who was so pleased with his society he made some preparations to return with him and make his home here. The Doctor brought home a miniature given him by Vol- taire, which is yet owned by the descendants of the family. Arthur Sands, of Trenton, is a descendant of the De Normandies.
Charles Bessonett, a son of John, a Huguenot refugee, who came to this country about 1731,7 was an active citizen of Bristol a hundred years ago, and was probably born there. He was a celebrated stage, proprietor, and the first to establish a regular line between Philadelphia and New York ( 1773) the through trip being made in two days, at the low fare of four dollars. This line was kept up until it was succeeded by steam and rail. Believing the toll across Neshaminy was too high, he purchased the right of way to the creek by a new route, and built a bridge over it; but a heavy freshet came about the time it was finished, washed it away and well-nigh ruined him. In 1785 he kept what is now known as Pratt's hotel. Before the Revolution it had the head of George Il for a sign, but when the American army was passing through on its way to Yorktown, the soldiers riddled his majesty's head with bullets. The name was then changed to The Fountain. The ancestors of the late Robert Patterson were early residents of Bristol, and his grandfather, Robert, was an officer in the Revolutionary army.
The Williamses were there early in the last century, possibly members of old Duncan's family, who established Dunk's ferry. Ennion Williams, a thrifty cooper and baker, and a leader in Falls meeting, married Mary Hugg. in 1725. It is related of him, that while he owned the property, many years afterward known as the "Willis house," he set some men at work to dig the foundation for an addition to the dwelling. Hearing the pick of one of them strike a hard substance that did not sound like a stone, he threw the laborers some change and told them to get something to drink. When they returned they saw the print of an iron pot in the earth. He said he had changed his mind about bnikling and discharged them. After this he grew rapidly rich. lle subsequently built the front portion of the Willis house, putting in the west end the letters and figures, "E. W .. 1735." in blue brick.' This house was afterward in the Buckley family and used as a hospital during the Revolution- ary war.
Bristol, lying on the great highway between the North and South. was often traversed by bodies of troops, and on more than one occasion armies passed through it. On the 9th of November. 1757, two hundred men of the 35th British regiment were billeted in the town over night. The bill was pre- sented to the county commissioners, but as they refused to pay, the borough had to foot it. These troops were soon followed by a large body, en route for winter quarters. Bristol bore her share of the tribulations of the Revolutionary
7 As the record on his tombstone says he died in 18o7, at the age of seventy- three, and was not born until 1734, he could not have come as carly as 1731. This would make the date of his arrival uncertain.
8 Query : Was Major Ennion Williams, of the Pennsylvania line, a descendant of the Bristol Ennion?
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
war. In December, 1776, General Cadwallader lay there with three thousand men, and in 1777 fifteen hundred were billeted on the inhabitants at one time. Armed boats guarded the river in from of the town to prevent the enemy pass- ing. On one or more occasions the inhabitants felt the weight of the enemy's depredations.
On Good Friday, 1778, Bristol was surprised by a party of refugee light- horse from Philadelphia at daylight. Coming out of the city the evening before, they secreted themselves in the bushes about the ford at the Flushing mills. Then muffling their horses' feet and waiting for the sound of the morning gun, when they knew the sentinels would be drawn in, they dashed into the town. Placing guards at the doors of the principal citizens, they compelled them to come into the streets, where they afterward permitted them to put on their clothes. They did not tarry long, but returned to Philadelphia with what little plunder they could gather, and some of the inhabitants were kept there prisoners several weeks before being released. At the time of the attack Bristol was garrisoned by a company of militia, but they made no defense. The royalists were anxious to capture their captain, but he showed his discretion by hiding in a friendly garret. In 1799 a portion of the troops which assisted to quell the "Fries rebellion" rendezvoused at Bristol before marching to the seat of war.
James Thornton, a distinguished minister among Friends, passed several ycars of his life in Bristol. He was born at Stony-Stratford, Buckingham- shire, England, in 1727, and landed in Philadelphia in 1760. He afterward married and settled in Byberry, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there June 24, 1794. in his sixty-seventh year. He was probably the ancestor of the Thorntons of Byberry.
The Bristol of today is a place of considerable wealth and business. Among the industrial establishments are, the Bristol rolling-mill, erected for a forge in 1851, but changed to its present uses a few years ago at a cost of $50,000, and employs sixty-five hands with a weekly pay-roll of $Soo, woolen- mill that cost $90.000, employs two hundred and thirty hands and pays $2,000 per week; felt-mill, cost $75,000, employs one hundred and sixty hands and pays $2.900 weekly: Keystone forge, cost $65,000, and employs twenty-five hands when in operation; box and sash-factory that cost $15,000, employs eighteen hands and pays $200 weekly. The last has turned out, in a single season, two hundred and fifty thousand packing and fruit boxes, besides a large amount of other work. Her citizens have invested largely in vessels and steam- boats. They have built twenty-one schooners, sailing out of that port, ranging from two to six hundred tons burden cach, at a cost of $260,000. Her steam and ferry boats, barges and tugs cost $153.000 more. Seven of her schooners have been lost at sea, involving a loss of $53.000 to the owners. The improve- ments on the river front consist of three public and six private wharves, built at a cost of $33.000. The borough has a board of trade. The flouring andI saw- mills that Sanmel Carpenter owned nearly two centuries ago are still in opera- tion.
Of late years there have been great changes in Bristol industries and some additions. The active ageney in the erection of new business plants was the "Bristol Improvement Company." organized. 1876, with a stock capital of $233.000, and by the annual report. January, 1808, the assets were $284.370.30. an excess over the stock of $51.370.36. The company erected its first piall'. IS --. the Bristol Worsted Mills-the main building being 328 by 86 feet. the stories high, with a floor space of 05,00 square feet, and a capacity of Joy hands. It soon passed into other hands and is now operated by William 11.
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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.
Grundy & Co. A wall paper mill was built in 1882, occupied by Wilson & Fennimore, until 1893, when the business was sold to the "National Wall Paper Company." It is not operated at present but held as a reserve mill to be put in motion in case of emergency. It cost $70,000, is three stories high, with a foor space of 100,000 square feet. The Keystone mill, for the manufacture of fringe, consists of a main building, 102 by 50 feet, two stories high and neces- sary outbuildings. In 1870 a mill for turning out woodwork was erected, burned down in 1891, but immediately rebuilt. Probably the most valuable manufacturing plant is the Bristol carpet mill, built by the company and turned over to Thomas L. Leedom & Co., April, 1838, and employs 550 hands. The main building is 229 by 54 feet, two stories high, the whole occupying a floor space of 160,000 square feet. It makes carpets and rugs, the wool mostly coming from China, Russia, Persia and Mediterranean ports. The Thomas B. Harkens Foundry company employ twenty-five men and apprentices. In addition to these larger establishments, Bristol is equipped with the various minor industries found in a prosperous town, and water and rail furnish conve- nient facilities for reaching markets."+
Besides the two Friends' meeting-houses and the Episcopal church already mentioned, there are four other places of religious worship in Bristol -- Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic and Baptist. The first named is the oldest of the four, its foundation being probably laid by Captain Webb, one of the fathers of Methodism in America, who preached here before the Revolution under a chestnut tree on the spot where the church now stands. Bristol was one of the birth places of the denomination in this country. Captain Webb, a dis- tinguished officer of the British army, who lost his right eye at the siege of Louisburg, and scaled the Heights of Abraham with General Wolfe, joined a Methodist society in England, 1765, and was preaching in Philadelphia be- tween that time and 1769. John Adams said he was one of the most eloquent men he ever listened to. He was authorized to preach by John Wesley, and when he retired from the army became an itinerant. He gathered the first con- gregation in Philadelphia and laid the foundation of St. George's chapel. He joined John Embury in New York, and worked zealously in the cause until the war broke out, when he returned to England. The earliest Methodist ministers in Philadelphia, after Captain Webb, were Messrs. Pillmore and Boardman. The congregation of the former was joined by Mrs. Mary Thorne. a Miss Evans of Bristol, who was the first female class-leader in Philadelphia. The first Methodist church, outside of the city, was built at Montgomery Square, about 1770: by Mr. Supplee. Bristol was one of the earliest points where Captain Webb preached. and no doubt he formed the nucleus of the Methodist church there. A society was organized and the Bristol circuit formed by Bishop Asbury, Sept. 10. 1778, and the Rev. William Dougherty the first pastor, his parish extending from Philadelphia to the Pocono mountains. Regular circuit preaching was established in this county by the Philadelphia conference in 1700, and the old court house was often use.l for that purpose. The first church building, a small brick, was erected in 1804. mainly through the efforts of Mary Connor. and dedicated by the Rev. David Bartine ; enlarged in 1827, and rebuilt in 18.44. at the cost of $7.ono. In 1805-96 a new church builling was erected, the cornerstone being laid November 17 and dedicated October 25, 1806. The church and chapel have a seating capacity of twelve
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