History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 192

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 192

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" That he bas made a considerable advancement in the erecting of a building at Horsham, in the County of Philadelphia, in order to carry on the manufacture of grain, etc., and that it is necessary some convenient roads and highways through the woods, to and from the said settlement, be laid out by order of this board.

" It is therefore, at the Governor's request, ordered that Robert Fletch- er, Richard Carver, Thomas Iredell, John Barnes and Ellis Davis, or any four of them, do run ont and make return of a convenient public road and highway from the Governor's settlement at Horsham to the Meeting- Honse there, and from thence to a small Bridge, commonly called Round Meadow Run, where it meets again with the Abington or New York road. And also, that the same persons do run out and make return of a road and highway, to begin at the intersection of the said New York road at the Division Line between the counties of Philadelphia and Bucks, to be continued upon the said Line upwards as far as they shall judge convenient or necessary for accommodating that neighborhood ; and it is ordered that the returns of the said Roads be made in thirty days after this date."

On April 23d following the road was laid out by the aforesaid jurors by way of the meeting-house to its termination, at the present Willow Grove. From Nicholas Scull's report, as surveyor, we learn

that from "the Governor's new Building" to the meeting-house was eight hundred and seventy-five

perches to " Ronnd Meadow Run,"-making the total distance five and a quarter miles. The next day the road was laid out on the county line from the York Road northwest twelve hundred and seventy-four perches, or four miles, "to a Black Oak tree standing by a path leading from Richard Sanders' Ferry, on Neshaminy Creek, to Edward Farmer's mill." From the distance, it must have passed a little beyond the Governor's place. The drawing of a direct line from the mill by this termination establishes the interesting fact that Richard Sanders' ferry on Neshaminy Creek was at the present Bridge l'oint, nearly six miles dis- tant. The road from here was extended northwards April 23, 1723, to the south corner of John Dyer's land, about a mile above Doylestown, and thus from there, by the Governor's place, was now a continuous road from Philadelphia in this direction for twenty-six miles, showing that settlements were rapidly extend- ing northwards.

A question arises as to what did the Governor mean by carrying on here "the manufacture of Grain." At first we supposed a grist-mill for making Hour was meant, of which the branch of the Neshaminy flow- ing near by would have been large enough to furnish the power, but no evidence exists of anything of the kind being erected here for the purpose. Among the Governor's effects enumerated here in May, 1726, we find mention made of a large copper still, two smaller stills and "a large quantity of wooden vessels for distilling and brewing." It is known that he had a brew-house here, which was a common thing at this period with those whose cir- cumstances could afford it, when but little tea or cof- fee was consumed. William Penn had his brew- house at Pennsbury, and James Logan at Stenton, beer as well as cider serving as a substitute for our present table drinks.

The Governor no doubt at first made this his sum- mer residence, but when he was deprived of the office he made it his home altogether until his final de- parture for England. It had become apparent to the Assembly in the fall of 1725, chiefly through the in- stigation of James Logan, that the Governor had in- curred the displeasure of the proprietary family, and was likely to be removed for passing the act emitting a paper currency. As a result, that body sent an ad- dress to the latter in England, dated December 7, 1725, vindicating the policy of his government. In June, 1726, his successor, Patrick Gordon, arrived, and on the 22d of said month entered upon the duties of the office. Thus closed his administration of the chief executive powers, after holding the office for nine years. No doubt, in anticipation of this re- sult and the payment of his debts, he sold, in the previous spring, all his personal effects here to Dr. Thomas Græme and Thomas Sober, merchant, both

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of Philadelphia, for the sum of five hundred pounds. Having become a member of the Assembly April 25, $ 1728, he sent in his resignation to that body, who ex- eused his absence, "being called to Great Britain on affairs of importance."

Before Sir William's departure he left his wife, Lady Ann Keith, in possession of the Horsham estate by virtue of a power of attorney, enabling her to re- ceive and apply all the rents and emoluments arising therefrom to her sole use and support. Finding it, however, inadequate for one of her condition, she ap- plied to her husband to have the whole vested in her right, that she might thus sell it for the payment of her debts and the overplus to remain for her future support. In consequence he executed a deed of trust at Westminster, London, dated April 20, 1731, to his eldest son, Alexander Henry Keith, and three other gentlemen, in conjunction with his wife, in which he conferred his whole right and title to the said planta- tion for the sole use and benefit of the latter, her heirs and assigns forever; which was accepted before the mayor of Philadelphia, on the part of Lady Keith, July 20, 1731, and duly recorded.

After several unsuccessful efforts to sell the place, it was put up at public sale at the "Coffee-House," in Philadelphia, August 12, 1737, and purchased by Joseph Turner, a merchant there, for the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds, it comprising eight hun- dred and forty-eight acres. A draft had been pre- viously prepared by Jacob Parsons, afterwards sur- veyor-general, of which a copy from the original was made in 1857. The bounds of this tract were thus set forth,-

"Beginning at a marked Black Oak on the line dividing the Connties of Philadelphia and Bucks, at a corner of John Jarrett's land ; thence extending, by the same, southwest 192 perches to a stone ; thence by a line of marked trees northwest 220 perches to a post, southwest 36 perelies to a largo White Oak, northwest 72 perches to a post, southwest 90 perches to a stone, northwest 61 perches to a post or stone ; thence by land lately owned by Richard Shoemaker north 58 degreeseast 55 perches to a post, northwest 129 perches to a stone and southwest 195 perches to a stone ; thenee along lines of marked trees northwest 60 perches to a stone and northeast 460 perches to a marked hickory in the county line afurcsaid ; thence along the same line southeast 528 perches to the place of beginning."

In the American Weekly Mereury of September 15, 1737, is found an interesting advertisement giving a very good description of the place, with the improve- ments thereon as made by the Governor. The amount of cleared land does not appear great when we come to consider that it had been occupied some fifteen years, but the labor necessarily involved to effect even this must have been something.

"To be let to farm in Philadelphia County, twenty miles from town, a Plantation called Horsham, consisting of 500 acres of land, 75 of which are clenred and improved ready and fit for fall grain ; besides 12 acres of well-improved meadow. Together with a large stone House, three stories high, 60 feet in length, and 35 wide, each story well floored and lighted, originally designed for a Malt-llonse, but at present seems better calculated for a Company of Linen-Weavers, having a largo stream of water passing by the end of said House, and a fine spring running by the back part thereof, whereon is a very good bleaching green, which ren- ders the whole extremely commodious for a Linen. Factory. For further

information, inquire of the Printer hereof, or of Thomas Darroch, tenant on another part of the said Plantation."

The whole of the tract, with all its improvements, was conveyed by Mr. Turner to Dr. Thomas Græme, for the sum ofseven hundred and sixty pounds, Decem ber 22, 1739. This gentleman, then a distinguished physician of Philadelphia, was a son-in-law of Lady Ann Keith, and had been appointed one of her attor- neys before her husband's departure. On account of his having purchased the Governor's personal prop- erty in 1726, and to escape from the heat of the city, he was induced to spend his summers here with his family and Lady Keith. Thus his attachments be- came formed to the place, of which he had now be- come the sole owner, and which he was to retain for one-third of a century, or to the end of the life he was to close here at an advanced age. He commenced greatly improving this extensive estate, with a view of rendering it much more attractive as a place of retire- ment to himself and family in his summer sojournings, and to be in consequence known theneeforth as "Græme Park."

In a letter to Thomas Penn, one of the proprietaries in England, and son of William Penn, dated July I, 1755, he thus speaks of the place,-

" You are pleased to compliment me abont Horsham, which, as you observe, I have endeavored to make a fine plantation in regard to fields and meadows and enclosures, not much yet regarding the house and gardens. I have a park which encloses three hundred acres of land, which is managed in a manner quite different from any I have seen here or elsewhere. It is very good soil and one-half lies with an easy descent to the south, besides avenues and vistas through it ; there is now just done about one hundred and fifty acres of it quite clear of shrubs and bushes, only the tall trees and good young sappling timber standing. This I barrow, sow it in grass seed, then brush and roll it. 1 expect it soon capable of maintaining a large stock of sheep and black cattle ; it would be one of the finest Parks for Deer that could well he hnagined. I have double-ditched and double-bedged it in, and as a piece of beauty and ornament to a dwelling, I dare venture to say that no nobleman in England but would be proud to have it on his seat. It is true it has afforded me a good deal of pleasure. The charges have been considerable and the returns but small, though I think cannot fail answering the pur- pose. I am greatly pleased to find my hrother Peter interested with your correspondence and sends his greatest personal regard and best good wishes."

Miss Eliza Stedman, on her coming out here with the family to spend the summer, appears to have been highly delighted with this retreat, judging from the following extract of a letter to Elizabeth Græme (af- terwards Mrs. Ferguson), then in England, dated

" Græme Park, May 17, 1765. My beloved friend will see by the above that I am now in a most agreeable retirement, my mind disengaged from the trifling gaieties which claim the attention in the city. llere I am surrounded with tranquility, nothing to disturb that happy composure with which the infancy of Spring is attended. All is gay and blooming, Nature seems to rejoice, each field and grove is dressed in rich attire to delight the eye. The little feathered tribes praise their Creator for re- turning good in harmonious anthems. the Hlenting flocks, emblem of innocence, wait the hand of cov . to is man . " deprive them of their warm robes. Rending and walking, by turrs, e o ley my time, and when in one of my solitary rambles thr och he Park or the little grove by the milk-house, I recollect the many harun , i un we have passed together there in innocent chat, I am & lest as >will fanry you are with me, till I go to address my companion, va Ices of field."

Dr. Græme died in the fall of 1772, having out- lived nearly all his numerous les. endants. By his

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883

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP.

will made Jnne 14, 1769, he devised the whole of the Græme Park estate to his only surviving child, Eliza- beth, on condition that she pay the sum of eight hun- dred pounds, unto John and Anna Young, and two hundred pounds, to their father, James Young, the husband of her sister, Jane, who had died in 1759. Unknown to her father, Miss Græme was married to Hugh Henry Ferguson, a Scotchman by birth, in Phila- delphia, only a few months before his decease. The couple now took possession of the estate with the view of leading there a farmer's life. In the Pennsylvania Packet of October 27, 1773, seven hundred acres are advertised for sale in several tracts, no doubt to meet the aforesaid payments. In the same paper of May 6, 1776, we find the following advertisement giving a more complete description of the aforesaid tracts :

" Valuable Farms to be sold .- The greater part of that highly-improved estate commonly called Græme Park, late the property of Dr. Thomas Græme, deceased, is to be sold in farma of any quantity, from 100 to 300 acres, as may best suit the purchaser. A proportionate quantity uf ara- ble meadow and timber lands will be allotted to each farm, the Proprie- tor intending only to reserve the mansion, house, offices, etc., with a small portion of lands adjacent. The arable lands have been greatly in- proved by manurings and the best culture. The meadows produce the best kind of hay in great quantities, and they may always lx kept in a flourishing state by being watered in the dryest seasons. The timber lands are of the best quality. A considerable quantity of excellent orchard can be allotted to one or two of the farms. Each of these farms, from its situation and quality, is calculated both for the amusement of the man of fortune and the profit of the industrious farmer- They will be sold for a reasonable price and an indisputable title given. For terms and further information, apply Elizabeth Ferguson on the premises, Charles Stedman at Philadelphia or Richard Storkton nonr Princeton, New Jersey."

" I am desirons of selling the farm. I am conscious of moral rectitude in the whole of my transactions. I have contracted debts within these few years on a supposition of speculation. I am in debt to those who want their money. Mr. Ferguson's dislike to writing and to all accurate explanations is a peculiarity in his temper that has ruined our domestic peace and will eventually separate 18."

It will be seen by the aforesaid late that Mrs. Fer- guson still continued on the place, and no doubt re- mained there until either just before or after Dr. Smith's sale.

There is not a doubt that on the removal of Samuel Penrose here the farm had become greatly exhausted from long and continuous tillage by tenants. He, as a practical farmer, at once set to work to have the lands made more productive and the buildings and fences improved. On his death it descended to his son, William Penrose, who had married, in 1810, the daughter of William Jarrett, a wealthy neighboring farmer, and a descendant of one of the old landed families of Horsham. Mr. Penrose died on his estate in 1863, aged eighty-one years, and while in possess- ion of the property made extensive improvements upon it. It is now owned by his son, Abel Penrose, who has taken due pains to preserve the old mansion, though unocenpied, having had a new roof and re- pairs made to it about five years ago, costing nearly one thousand dollars. Several efforts have been made to purchase it, but in vain. From a long acquaint- ance we are inclined to believe that they intend eele- brating there ere long a centennial of possession, and that is a credit for any family to take pride in. The Indian chief Gachradodow, in a speech made at Lan- easter, this State, in 1755, said, " What little we have received for our land goes soon away, but the land lasts forever."

In September, 1775, Mr. Ferguson sailed for Eng- land, and did not return until September, 1777, about the time the British took possession of Phila- delphia. They appointed him commissary of prisoners, We have now briefly noticed the ownership of Græme Park from its first purchase and settlement to the present time. It yet remains for us to give short biographical sketches of the principal characters con- nected therewith, including some of its interesting associations. As a collector on the subject for over a command, wefeel it no easy task to extract therefrom a well-condensed history, limited to but a few pages. It is its literary treasures that we now more particu- larly regret in thus withholding from those readers who may take a delight in this general subjeet, for it is doubtful whether, in this respect, any other spot in the country can approach it within the last een- tury. which no doubt greatly tended to induce him to espouse their cause. Mrs. Ferguson used her utmost endeavors to have him remain at the park, but her efforts all proved unavailing, and the result was that they never subsequently lived together. She, however, continued on the place until a very short time before . third of a century, with the amount of material at her death. For his joining the British he was attainted of treason against the commonwealth, and the Legis- lature, by an act passed April 2, 1781, vested the en- tire premises in Mrs. Ferguson's right. The latter sold the estate, then reduced to five hundred and fifty- five acres, April 30, 1791, to Dr. William Smith, of Philadelphia, the husband of her ward and niece, Anna Young, for £3500, equivalent to $9333 of our present currency. The latter, with his family, was now in the practice of spending his summers here with Mrs. Ferguson, who remained at the park. During the ownership of Dr. Smith he sold off several tracts, which reduced it, by 1801, to two hundred and four acres, which, with the mansion, he disposed to Samnel Penrose, of Riehland township, Bucks Co.

In a letter from Mrs. Ferguson to Samuel W. Stock- ton, of Trenton, N. J., dated Græme Park, March 16, : George I. he was displaced, and, while making a. brief 1788, she says, --

SIR WILLIAM KEITH .- This gentleman was de- seended from the Keiths of Ludquahairn, in the north of Scotland, baroneted in 1629. He was the son of Sir William Keith, and was appointed by Queen Anne surveyor-general of the customs in Amer- ica at a salary of five hundred pounds. While holding this office it is known that for a part of the time he resided in Virginia. Shortly after the accession of stay in Philadelphia, soon became intimately ae-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

quainted with its most influential people, on whom he made so profound an impression from his general knowledge and condescending manners, that they exercised their influence with the proprietary family to appoint him Deputy-Governor of Pennsylvania. When their minds had been made up they learned that he had left the city for Virginia, when two members of the Council at once dispatched a letter which reached him at New Castle, inviting him to return and hear their proposals. Mr. Keith came back, and matters were satisfactorily arranged be- tween the parties.

SIR WILLIAM KEITH.

A letter of recommendation, in consequence, was prepared the 25th of Second Month, 1716, by the Coun- cil, and addressed to Hannah Penn, from which we make a brief extract :

" It has been hinted to him that, seeing a change is necessary here, whether under you or the Crown, could he obtain this government it might in some measure countervail his disappointment. To be under an easy administration of Government in America contributes highly to the enbject'e happiness ; that we may be excused we hope, if, from our acquaintance with thie gentleman, we should wish to be particular of that ease under him which we believe all men might promise themselves from bie administration if happily entrusted with it. As we have already acquainted you with the necessity we think there is for a change, what we intend by this principally is to give you our sentiments of this gentleman. If the proposal be approved, the further prosecution of it will naturally fall under his own management, in which we cannot but wish him success, as we are the Proprietor's and thy faithful friends."

It is in the handwriting of James Logan and signed by him, Robert Assheton, William Evans, Jasper Yeates, Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, Sammel Preston and Jonathan Dickinson. William Penn gave his consent, October 25th, for his appointment, subject, of course, to the royal approbation.

In a letter dated the following 12th of Twelfth Month, Hannah Penn communicated to James Logan the result of the application, as follows:

"Overlooking all other difficulties, have at your requests, got William Keith commissioned by my husband, and approved by the Crown ; and with a general consent, he now goes deputy-governor over that province and territories, Though he was pretty much a stranger to me, yet hie prudent conduct and obliging behavior, joined with your observatione thereon, give me and those concerned good hopes to believe that he will prove satisfactory, He is certainly an understanding man, and seems to have himself master of the affairs of your province, even beyond what one might expect in so short a time. Colonel Keith has obtained his appro- bation by so general a consent thet, whatever becomes of the Proprietary governments, we think he will be continued over you, if hie conduct anewere his character."

On his appointment Governor Keith was forty- seven years of age, and his family at this time, as far as has been ascertained, consisted of his second wife, Ann Newberry (widow of Robert Diggs), who was aged forty-two; her only daughter, Ann Diggs, aged seven- teen ; and his sons,-Alexander Henry, Robert and William Keith. They embarked with Captain Annis in the beginning of May, 1717, and arrived in Phila- delphia at noon on the 31st of said month. On June 3dl the Governor wrote to Henry Gouldney, wherein he stated that he had arrived "after a tolerable but fatiguing passage," and his family increased by a boy, born May 10th at sca. It is stated that the party was also accompanied by Dr. Thomas Græme, a native of Perthshire, now in his twenty-ninth year and unmar- ried. Colonel Keith was received at his landing by Gov- ernor Gookin and his Council, attended by the alder- man and officers of the city government. Having produced his commission and approval, it was ordered that it should be forthwith proclaimed and published in due form at the court-house, the mayor and cor- poration and inhabitants attending. Colonel Keith proposed to the Council that, for preventing any fail- ure in the administration of justice, a proclamation should be forthwith issued for continuing all officers of the government till such time as new commissions may be issued, and the secretary was ordered to pro- pose the same by ten o'clock, at which time a Council would be appointed.

From the minutes of Christ Church we learn that on February 3, 1718,

"Colonel Keith has been pleased, at a considerable charge, not only to erect a spacious pew right before the altar, to be appropriated in all time to come for the conveniency and use of the Governor and his family for the time being, but also to promise and voluntarily agree to pay the yearly rent of £5 per annum for the same, to the use of the church."

It is supposed that at this time the floor was of brick, for mention is made that they "were taken up to lay the foundations of the Governor's pew."

To show the indifference of the Penn family to matters of government whenever their interests were not concerned, we give here an extract of the Gover- nor's letter, addressed to Hannah Penn, dated Phila- delphia, May 1, 1718,-

" I can't but say it gives me some concern that I have never yet had the honour of a line from your family since I came hither. The Proprie- tor's death has been frequently surmised here of late, but I doubt not

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HORSHAM TOWNSHIP.

we shall he able to huffle the doings of those who industriously set about to raise such reports."

It will be observed that on writing this he had been in the government here eleven months. William Penn died the following 30th of July, having been rendered, through paralysis, for some time previously incapable of attending to affairs of state. Hannah Penn, in a letter to Governor Keith, dated London, 8th of Eighth Month, 1720, thus expresses herself respecting his administration of affairs,-

"I am glad, however, to hear that in general thy administration of the government has been easy and satisfactory to the people, and that there is so good a harmony and unanimity among you which I desire may be kept np."

Governor Keith's transactions with the Indians during his administration are unusually interesting, and we regret that the want of space will only permit a brief mention. On the 5th of July, 1721, he pro- eeeded to Conestoga, and on the following dav held a council, in which he delivered to them a beautiful address, commending peaceable relations, as hereto- fore, and that they refrain from going to Virginia to hunt or in any way meddle with the Indian affairs there. This was replied to next day by Ghesaont, "in behalf of all the Five Nations," in eloquent re- marks. He repeated his visit in June, 1722, and on the 15th of said month he gave them another address respecting the intrusion of the Marylanders on their lands, which he would endeavor in the future to pre- vent. Respecting this trip, he sent a letter to the Governor of Maryland, dated from Newberry, on the Susquehanna, June 23, 1722, in which he says,-

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 192

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534