History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 115

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 115

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Spring Garden Hotel was erected by Henry Worst, Sr., in 1852. Since that time Dr. H. M. Diller and Peter Worst have built snug cottages, and quite a number of houses have recently been erected. John R. Wilson's store is near this place.

taurant, the large store of Weiler & Robinson, har- ness manufactory, and tin-shop. Dr. Aaron Martin's residence and office and Pequea post-office are here.

Limeville takes its name from the leading business of the place, Lime-burning has been extensively carried on for many years by Jacob Barr & Sons. The smith- and wagon-shops of John II. Robinson are at this place.

Roseneath, now owned by William G. Livingston, was onee an active business place. "Archy" Owens had a. distillery here early in the present eentury. The property was then purchased by Enoch Pass- more, and a chopping-mill erected and a distillery and brewery established, and several dwelling-houses were built for the accommodation of the workmen. Subsequently the property came into the possession of C. & H. Umble, who, about the year 1850, supple- mented the water-power by a steam-engine. Corn- meal was ground and packed for exportation, and the distillery business revived. They also erected a store building, and for several years did a large busi- ness in the sale of general merchandise. The present owner of the property is an extensive dealer in live- stock.

Salisbury Village was the principal business place in the township in the early part of the present een- tury. A large hotel, now the property of Clinton Hines, was erected by Amos Slaymaker, soon after the turnpike was completed. The stage passengers took supper and breakfast here, and the accommodations were second to none on the road. A store was also kept at the place, and Salisbury post-office was the only one for miles. But the glory of the place has long since departed, and the business houses are all used as private residences.

Cambridge is partly in Lancaster and partly in Chester County. It was laid out in 1811 by Abraham Dierdorf. It is part of a tract of two hundred acres of land which Thomas and Margaret Pierce conveyed to Dierdorf in 1802. Although it has been laid out for nearly three-fourths of a century, but few of the lots are occupied by buildings, and the hopes of the founder have never been realized. There are two stores, smith- and wagon-shops, carpenter, butcher, shoemaker, tailor, and painter in the place.

Schools .- Of the earlier common schools there are no records to be found. In the early part of the present century an old log school-house stood in Brinton's Hollow, on land now owned by Joshua Brinton. It was for a time taught by an Irishman named Hambleton Locker. He had a patch of to- baceo near the school, which he sedulously hoed during recesses, and manufactured his own chewing tobacco. fle married a girl in the vicinity, and all went well until a "surprise party" of a wife and

The White Horse Hotel was built prior to the Revolution. It was owned and kept at that time by John Hopkins. When the British army oceupied Philadelphia, and Congress sat in Lancaster, George Washington and wife, on their way to the latter place, stopped and stayed over night at the White Horse. The elections are held here, and most of the township business is transacted at the White Horse Hotel. The present landlord is John Mason. White . eight children arrived from the " Old Country." Horse village is a place of considerable business. It Salisbury was one of the first districts to adopt the contains a merchant- 'and grist-mill, wagon- and | public school system, and the schools at present are smith-shops, furniture-store, cigar manufactory, res- "not inferior to any in the county.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

Prior to or about the time of the Revolution a clas. sical and theological school was conducted by Rev. Robert Smith, D. D., near Pequea Church. The prop- erty is now owned by Jacob Wanner, and the part of the house used for a school is removed. Many emi- nent men received their instruction Here. Three sons of Dr. Smith-Samuel Stanhope, John Blair, and William -- were his pupils, and also Dr. Martin, John McMillan, D D., and Divid Caldwell, D.D.

In the spring of 1839 a school was commenced at Salisbury village by Miss Lydia Haines, and success- fully continued one year.

From 1840 to 1843, Rev. P. J. Timlow conducted a . school in the basement of Bellevue Church. It num- bered from thirty five to forty pupils, many of whom are now eminent in the various walks of life. Thomas M. Crawford, D.D., George Whitfield, D. O. Timlow, J. Hayes Linvill, John Brinton, Peter Reist. Rev. W. C. Best, Judge John B. Livingston, and the late Rev. William Noble were some of his pupils.

" In 1718, William Clark was the owner of three hundred and fifty acres of land ou branch of Pequea Creek, near Waterloo. After his death fifty acres of this land came to be owned by his son-in-law, Jona- than Jones, who sold it to Moses Minshall, and he to John Cowen and William Darlington, trustees of St. John's congregation, for the use antl behoof of a cler- gyman 'rightly ordained and regularly licensed and authorized to officiate in said church, under the juris-

diction of the Lord Bishop of London.' This land was to be used by the minister and church wardens, with the approbation of Martha Bizaillon, who was a 'principal benefactrix' of the church, and there were to be no other trustees appointed to manage and exe- cute their trust without first consulting her. She was the wife of the old Indian trader, Peter Bizaillon, who resided in East Cain, Chester Co. Both are buried in St. John's churchyard." The witnesses to this trust deed were Thomas Halliday, Richard Lee, Gabriel Davies, Henry Iletherston, and Jacob, Morgan.

The lot of land, containing one acre and one perch, on which the church stands was deeded in trust by John Miller and wife to Rev. George Craig, Thomas Holliday, Esq., John Cowen, William Darlington, Thomas Dawson, John Douglas, E-q., Isaac Rich- ardson, and Thomas Douglas -.

In the old record-book, now in possession of John W. Wagner, vestryman of the church, is the follow- ing quaint entry :

St. John's Episcopal Church .- The following, from the Lancaster Eruminer of Jan. 13, 1882, by Samuel Evans, Esq., is a brief history of the found- ing of the church : " We, adventurers from those parts of His Ma- jesty's dominions called England, Ireland, and Scot- land, transplanting ourselves and families into Amer- ica, and taking up our first settlement in the town- "A few days ago I came across a curious item in connection with St. John's Episcopal Church at Compassville, at the line between this county and Chester County. There have always been a number of members belonging to this church who reside in | without a place of public worship, wherein we might Salisbury township, and previous to the organiza- tion of the Bangor Episcopal Church at Church- town, between the years 1744-48, a number of Welsh Episcopalians from that valley attended St. John's Church until the organization of the former. . therefore, according to our small abilities, did erect This church is located a few yards east of the Lancas- ship of Pequay, Lancaster Co., and in the township of Salisbury, Chester Co., both in the province of Pennsylvania, we, from a due sense of duty to God, and finding no part of the universe agreeable to us perform divine adoration to the great Creator of the universe after the manner and form of the Episcopal Church'of England, and that for the good of our own immortal souls, as well as those of our posterity ; we, in the year of our Lord 1729 a wooden frame church, ter County line, and in West Caln township. It is of about twenty-two feet long and twenty feet broad, beautifully situated, and at present a very attractive . upon a plot of ground containing about one acre." spot, but in its earlier days it must have been a wild.' .Rev. Richard Blackhouse,' living at Old Chester, was the enrate, and conducted services at St. John's looking place and not easy of access. To the east and north side the Welsh Mountains tower up several ; on the first Tuesday of each month for ten years, at hundred feet, which must have rendered travel in that direction hard indeed. I presume this church was erected near the heart of the Episcopal community. It was built in 1729, the structure being a log one. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1753, and again rebuilt and enlarged in 1838. The present building is stone, forty by fifty-five feet. As this building is in Chester County, I am not able to state when or from whom they purchased the land. But the parsonage being in this county its history can be traced. the expiration of which time, 1739, Rev. Jolin Black- hall became the rector of the parish, and continued in that position for three years, when he moved to Lancaster, and the Rev. Mr. Blackhouse resumed the charge, and continued until his death in 1750. For a year the parish was without a rector, but lay ser- vices were held. In 1751, Rev. George Craig eame from England as a missionary, and he was able to officiate at St. John's eight Sundays a year. Not- withstanding the irregular supply of clergymen the parish continued to grow, and in 1753, twenty-four years after it was organized, a new and larger church was commenced of stone, twenty-two by forty-eight feet in size, more than double the size of the first one. The parish was ten years in building this church. In 1769, Rev. Mr. Craig was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Barton, who was rector of this parish, as well as those

1 From the Ilistory of Chester County.

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SALISBURY TOWNSHIP.

of Caernarvon and Lancaster, until 1776. At that first minister. The church was probably organized time, his health failing, he started home to England, in 1724. Mr. Boyd was succeeded in the fall of 1733 by his father-in-law, Rev. Thomas Craighead. It is thought" the first meeting-house was built about this time. It was a log structure, and stood in the present burying-ground. Mr. Craighead died in June, 1739, and was buried where the church now stands. but died on the passage. From 1776 until 1783, the Revolutionary period, the pulpit was vacant. In 1784, Rev. J. Frederick Illing, of the Lutheran Church, was made pastor of St. John's, but in 1788 the Rev. Elisha Riggs was installed as rector, and continued until 1793, when he was succeeded by Rev.

April 11, 1738, Rev. David Alexander accepted a Levi Heath. In 1799, Rev. Joseph Clarkson took | call, having been promised his " lodgings for a year." charge of the parish, and remained until his death, Hle ministered here until his death, in 1749 or 1750. It was during his ministry that the celebrated White- field labored here, preaching either from or under some of the trees which still stand in front of the church. thirty-one years afterward: In 1822 he obtained an assistant, Rev. William Augustus Muhlenberg, who, after two years' service, was succeeded by Rev. Sam- uel Bowman, who remained until 1827. Rev. John Baker Clemson then became assistant rector, and con- tinued so until 1831. In that year Rev. Richard Umstead Morgan succeeded Rev. Joseph Clarkson as rector, and had charge of the parish three years.

In 1835, Rev. Edward Young Buchanan began his rector-hip, which lasted until 1845, when there was a vacancy for a year. In 1846. Rev. Henry Tullidge assumed charge of the parish, and remained eight years. In 1854, Rev. E. P. Wright became rector, and after two years was succeeded by Rev. William G. Hawkins, who after two year, was followed by Rev. George G. Hepburn, who resigned in 1860. Rev. Henry R. Smith then became rector, and re- mained ten years. Ile also held services at Inter- course, Parkesburg, Churchtown, and Morgantown. During his rectorship St. John's Church was re- modeled and renovated. In 1872 he resigned his charge, and in 1875 was drowned while bathing at ' Beach Ilaven, N. J. For two years after his resigna- tion St. John's had no regular clergyman, when, in 1874, Rev. Thomas Mce became rector, but left the next year. Rev. Henry Tullidge, who had been rector from 1846 to 1854, was recalled, and still re- mains in charge.

The present church building is of stone, forty by fifty-five feet, and was erected in 1838. It is an im- posing-looking structure from the outside, and the interior is very beautiful. During the Revolutionary war a troop of English cavalry occupied the old church building as a barracks. In the graveyard adjoining the church several hundred person- have been buried ; and, although the inclosure is quite a large one, it is almost an impossibility at this date to open a new grave without exhuming parts of human remains. There are many quaint and curious headstones, with skulls and cross-bones and angels' head, and old- time epitaphs engraved upon them.

Pequea Church.1-Of the early history of Pequea Church but little is known. From what can be gleaned from tradition and the few records extant it appears that the Rev. Adam Boyd, who emigrated from Ireland about the year 1722 or 1723, was the

The influence of the revival element at that time produced a schism or division in the ranks of Pres- byterianism. It lasted for seventeen years, from 1740 until 1758.

Oct. 9, 1750, Pequea and Leacock united in a call 1 for Rev. Robert Smith, who was ordained and in- stalled over these churches March 25, 1751. Robert Smith was born in Londonderry, Ireland, 1723, and came with his parents in boyhood to America and settled at the head of the Brandywine. At the age of fifteen he was converted under the preaching of Whitefield on his first visit to America. He studied with Rev. Samuel Blair at Fagg's Manor. His min- istry terminated only with his life, in 1793.

He received the degree of D.D. from Princeton College in 1760. It was during Dr. Smith's ministry here that the church at Cedar Grove was organized, about 1785.

Feb. 8, 1785, Pequea Church obtained a charter. The trustees appointed were Isaac MeAlmont, Amos Slaymaker, James Armor, Thomas Slemons, Andrew Caldwell, Robert Buyers, David Jenkins, Thomas Patton, and the Rev. Robert Smith, D.D., under the title of " The trustees of the Presbyterian Congrega- tion of Pequea, in Salisbury township and county of Lancaster." At a meeting of the board, held June 30, 1785, Dr. Smith informed them that he had re- ceived last Jannary, according to order, from James Galt, son of Thomas Galt, twelve pounds ten shillings, being a legacy bequeathed by said Thomas Galt, in his last will and testament, for the support of the gospel ministry in this congregation.

April 6, 1784, a congregational meeting was held, when Dr. Robert Smith and the Hon. John Whitehill reported that, according to order, they had received of Jasper Yeates, attorney-at-law, one hundred pounds, being a legacy bequeathed to the Pequea congrega- tion by Robert McCally, in his last will and testa- ment. All this is included in the meeting of the board of trustees, under date of June 30, 1785. "Or- dered that the sums bequeathed to the congregation be received by the corporation and applied to the use of the congregation. It was unanimously agreed by the members present to appropriate the annual in - . terest of the aforesaid sum for the support of our

1 Condensed from historical sermons by Rev. P. J. Timlow and Rey. W. C. Alexander.

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HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY.

he lives on. Accordingly, Mr. Smith gave a mortgage upon said place."

At a trustees' meeting, held May 6, 1793, " it was moved, seconded, and unanimously agree to, that on the first day of October next, the trustees do pay to Mrs. Sarah Smith, widow and reliet of Dr. Smith, late | Whitehill Reel, and Z. C. Mower, minister. pastor of this church, the sum of fifty pounds as a donation from the congregation, in testimony of that respect and esteem justly due to singular merit."

For two years after the death of Dr. Smith, the church was without a pastor.

His successor was the Rev. William Arthur, born in April, 1769, in the south of Scotland, in the town of Peebles. Receiving his education at Edinburgh, he ; was ordained to the gospel ministry at Paisley. Jan. [ 5, 1796, he was installed pastor of Pequea Church ; May 1, 1818, his pastoral relation with that congrega- tion was dissolved. Ile died near Zanesville, Ohio, in February, 1827.

The first records of the church bear date June 10, 1806. The number of members in communion April, 1819, was seventy-four.

Mr. Arthur was succeeded by Mr. Amazi Babbit, who was ordained and installed April 5, 1821.

The successor of Mr. Babbit was Rev. John Wal- lace, who was born about four miles from Parkesburg, Chester Co. He assumed the pastorate of Pequea Church Nov. 5, 1833. He resigned Sunday, July 8, 1866, and preached his farewell sermon October 3d. following. The last sermon Mr. Wallace preached was at Compassville Hall. He died Oct. 29, 1866, aged seventy-five years.

The successor of Mr. Wallace, the Rev. Thomas S. Long, was born near Sadsburyville, Chester Co. He Robert Ennis, of Schenectady, N. Y., in September, 1871, who, after four years, was succeeded by Mr. W. C. Alexander.

Methodist Church .- The Methodists had no place of public worship in Salisbury prior to the year 1847. when the Mount Airy Evangelical Church was organ- ized. Jacob Swartzwelder, an early and zealous mem- ber of the society, was largely instrumental in found- ing Asbury Church in Sa sbury township, and many of the most influential persons connected with that congregation were from Pequea. Four or five miles was not, at that time, considered a very long distance to walk to church.

Millwood United Brethren Church. -- The United Brethren Mission held meetings at Millwood school- house during the years 1877-79. In the fall of the latter year they elected a board of trustees consisting of seven members, viz., Z. C. Mower, A. Benedic, John Berkeheiser, David Doutrich, Daniel Warfel, Jeremiah Futer, and William Ilamtlton. Under their superintendence a church was built, and was dedi- cated Nov. 30, 1879.

Limeville United Brethren Church was dedicated

pastor, the Rev. Robert Smith, and to let him have ; the use of the principal upon a mortgage of the place | May 21, 1882. Trustees, John Il. Robinson, Israel Doutrich, C. K. Kurtz, Millard E. Barr, and Z. C. Mower, minister.

Mount Zion United Brethren Church was dedi- cated 1881. Trustees, Daniel E. Lee, Esq .. John Berkcheiser, Samuel Berkeheiser, George W. Martin,

Mount Airy Evangelical Church was erected in 1848 or 1849. Nicholas Harting donated the ground for the building and graveyard. Nicholas Harting, Elias Diem, Jonathan Kurtz, and William Dewees were the founders of the church. The roof was blown off' in 1878, and the building was repaired and re- dedicated.

Pequea Church of the Evangelical Association was chartered April 29, 1874, and dedicated in 1877. Charter members, Albert V. Hurst, Thomas F. Spence, Reuben Martin, George S. Kautfroth, Peter Reeser, Josiah March, Samuel Rife, Daniel Warfel, John Yoder, David M. Groff, Jonathan Kurtz, and Benja- min Keenen.

Mennonite Church .- Itisonly within the last half- century that the Mennonites have become numerous in Salisbury. Peter Eby, afterwards Bishop Eby, moved into the township in 1791, and the Hersheys soon afterwards. For a time they held meetings in private houses. A church building was erected near Hess' mill in 1837, and rebuilt and enlarged in 1877. The meeting-house at Old Road, east of White Horse, was built in 1841. The society has now large con- gregations at these places.

Amish Church .- The Amish were few in number here at the beginning of the present century. The tax-list of 1770 contains the names of three or four persons who were probably of that sect. The township. Their meetings were formerly held in private houses, but there has recently been a schism in the church, and a portion of the members have erected a neat and commodious house for their meet- ings. The other portion continue to meet in the private houses of the members. Those who took an active part in building the new church were Samuel . L. Kauffman, C. L. Kauffman, Jac. Umble, Gideon Stoltzfus, and Samuel Lantz. The last two are min- isters.

Pequea Baptist Church .-- Thischurch was founded in 1844 by Rev. John Jenkins. The Baptists have but one place of public worship in the township. The congregation at present numbers about one hundred.

Philos Lodge, No. 152, K. P., at White Horse, was chartered May 25, 1869. Charter members : 1. Diller Worst, Isaac H. Mason, Joshua Roop, Philip D. Handwork, William Baxter, Samuel S. Rissel, George F. Shultz, D. Roseboro, John II. Diem, Isaac Diller, John Mason, George Duchman.

Salisbury Township Mutual Insurance Com- pany was chartered in January, 1877, and has its

was installed May 7, 1867, and was succeeded by Rev. | church has now a large number of adherents in this

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SALISBURY TOWNSHIP.

office at White Horse. The first policies were issued on the 6th of March following. The following are the charter members : David F. Stultztus, John C. Linvill, William Mentzer, Joseph Hamilton, Chris- tian Wanner, John K. Miller, Henry Souders, Jacob Umble, William Martin, John Mason, B. S. Weiler, George G. Worst. Present board of directors: Jolm K. Miller, Jacob Umble, A. J. Montgomery, B. F. Weaver, Peter Souders, George G. Worst, William Martin, M. P. Cooper ( president), and John C. Linvill (secretary ).

Mills and Manufactories .- The exact dates of the building of the first mills have not been obtained. Daniel Cookson undoubtedly built the first mill on the Pequea. It was a log structure, and was on the site of the fine mill built in 1832 by Thomas G. Hen- derson near White Horse. Galt's mill was built at an early time by one of the Galt family. A mill was erected near the Leacock line by John Houston in the year 1752 or 1753. The present building was erected by Christian Iless about 1800. Frantz's mill was built by John Anderson, probably between 1791 and 1800. Wilson's mill was erected by John Wil- son about 1825, on the site of an old distillery. Ship- pen's fulling-mill was built prior to 1820 by Samuel Martin. The water-power was afterwards used for grinding corn. The building was burnt some years ago, and has not been rebuilt. Joshua Haines' clover- mill once did a large business hulling clover-seed. It is now used as a saw-mill. It has lately been re- newed by M. P. Cooper, and is the best saw-mill in the eastern part of the county. Eby's mill, at Mill- wood, was built by David Henderson, date not known. It was rebuilt by F. Diller Baker in the year 1844. Seldomridge's mill was erected by Leonard Ellmaker, and rebuilt by John Newhauser about thirty years ago (1853). Buekley's forge was built by Daniel Buckley, probably before the year 1800. The iron business was continued for many years by his son, George W. Buck- Jey. The property is now owned by David F. Stoltz- fus, and the water-power is no longer used.

was made a member of the Continental Congress, in which he served till 1782. In 1780 he was appointed lieutenant of Lancaster County, and in 1783 he was elected councilor of the same county. In 1784 he was one of the commissioners to ratify the Indian treaties of Forts Stanwix and Melntosh. He was elected to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1782, 1785, and 1786. Hle died suddenly in Novem- ber, 1786. llis wife, to whom he was married in 1762, was Miss Sarah Richardson.

Robert Armor emigrated from Ireland, when a boy, with his grandfather, Robert Gault. Jan. 8, 1734, he took up a tract of two hundred acres of land near the head of Pequea Creek, between James Gault and William Wilson. His children were John, Mary, Samuel, Martha ( who married Robert Jenkins), James (who served with distinction as lieutenant in the Revolution), and Jane (who married Robert Buyers, grandfather of James A. and the late John M. Buyers).

Robert Baldwin came from Chester County in the year 1827, and taught school until 1830, when he turned his attention to mercantile business. In 1843 he erected a large brick store and dwelling, where he has continued in business to the present time. He was elected a member of the Legislature in the years 1849 and 1850. Hle was also elected to the State Sen- ate in 1857. Mr. Baldwin is a publie-spirited citizen, and has long been identified with the moral, intellec- tual, and social advancement of the community in which he resides.

Moses Brinton moved to Salisbury from Leacock in 1789, and purchased a part of the James Whitehill tract. His first wife was a Whitson, and their chil- dren were Caleb, who mharried first Ann Fox, and second Ann Richards; Elinor; Elizabeth, married Robert Eby ; Hannah ; Mary ; and Jacob, married Ann Bernard. His second wife was Hannah Cham- berlin, and they had children,-Samuel, married Elizabeth Lewis; Joshua, married May Passmore ; and Joseph.

Daniel Buckley built Buekley's forge, and carried on the manufacture of iron for many years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1794, 1798, 1799, and

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History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 115

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Evans, Samuel, 1823-1908, joint author
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1320