History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 222

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 222

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Moses Auge, in his " Biography of Men of Mont- gomery County," said of him, " He was justly distin- guished for high moral qualities, being a most untir- ing anti-slavery man and temperance advocate." Few men have exerted a better influence in a neigh- borhood than the subject of this sketch. Though never a member of Friends' Meeting, he was a fre- quent attendant there, and his family were brought up in accord with the principles of the society.

On engaging in the lime business, where the men em- ployed had been in the habit of whipping and abusing the horses, he exercised a marked influence for good. Not a man was allowed to strike or maltreat a horse ; even drivers in the employ of other people were often stopped in their abuse of animals by his fearless in- terference. No threat of injury from the driver for a moment checked him. Often were whips and even clubs raised to strike, but those who raised them quailed before the courage and demands of the friend of the noble animal.

At this time, too, every workman in the quarries and at the kilns had to be supplied with whisky, as much as he chose to have. He at once announced that no liquor would be furnished ; none allowed at the works. The skilled workmen at once left. In pres- ent parlance, there was a strike. Nothing daunted, he called raw hands to the work, supervised the parts which demanded skill in management and succeeded in his purpose. No kiln of lime had been burned be- fore that time but by the aid of whisky.

In 1830, Benjamin Sundy, the little, meek New Jersey Quaker, the first of American Abolitionists, came to Plymouth to speak about slavery, to show that Southern slave-holders were contriving to embroil us with Mexico, in order that we could then have a pretense to sever Texas from that country, so that slavery could be spread over a new and fertile coun- try of great extent. He had traveled through that then sparsely-settled region, had mingled with South- ern slave-holders and had become cognizant of their schemes. Ilis visit North was to get subscribers to the "Genius of Universal Emancipation," which he was then publishing in Baltimore occasionally, and to awaken here an anti-slavery sentiment. He came to George Corson's. A meeting was called ; only a few persons came. Alan, George and Hiram Corson, Jon- athan Maulsby and two or three others. This was the beginning of George Corson's giving a home and en-

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PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

tertainment to anti-slavery lecturers,-the beginning of a generous hospitality which was continued to them for thirty years. From that time George Corson and his wife threw open their house to all the anti-slavery speakers. It was there that Garrison, McKim, Lnere- tia Mott, Mary Grew, Abbie Foster (née Kelly), Charles and Cyrus Burleigh and many others were welcomed and entertained. . This will seem a trifling thing to many to speak of now, but to those who know how Abolitionists weredenounced by nearly the whole people, even by the ministers in their pulpits, who called them infidels, and that even Friends treated their members who joined the Abolitionists with ex- treme coldness, how the vulgar people cursed and threatened them,-those who know these things, know that no faint-hearted, cowardly man was then an Abo- litionist. While every brother and sister of George Corson was an outspoken Abolitionist and warm in the cause, there was not one of them that entertained the despised members of the Anti-Slavery Society so much as his family did. But this was partly owing to the fact of its greater convenience to the lecturers to stay with them. And this brings me to another event worth naming. Even the Friends at Plymouth, after the anti-slavery crusade got fairly started, refused the meeting-house to the anti-slavery people. Every church and school-house, with rare exceptions, was shut against them ; and even when granted, the meet- ings were disturbed, not only by men sometimes drunk and noisy, but often by "persons of property and standing, " as was the " Boston mob." The sub- ject of our sketch therefore determined to build a hall, over which he could have control. He made quite a large one and furnished it well with seats, warmed and lighted it at his own expense. And now we can see how convenient it was for the lecturers to make his house their temporary home. Astime wore on more and more neighbors and friends were attracted to themeet- ings to hear the eloquent and earnest men and women who pictured the atrocities of slavery. Many, too, were the fugitives fleeing from slavery whom his fam- ily entertained, by night and by day, in his home and in the hall.

Time flew along. George Corson, worn down with consumption, died in -. The war which sunk slav- ery forever and gave freedom to four million human beings, was brought on by John Brown in 1861. Be- fore his death George had sent his young daughter to the School of Design, in Philadelphia. After complet- ing her studies there she spent several years studying art in Paris, then returned and made the old hall her studio. A few years later she was married to Thomas Hovenden, an artist, whose beautiful picture entitled " Elaine" had attracted much attention. Mr. Ho- venden was sought by a gentleman in New York to paint him a picture of John Brown. The most liberal offer was made, and Mr. Hovenden undertook the work, on a design of his own. The old hall then became the stu- dio of Mr. Hovenden, and there was designed aud

completed the great painting, now on exhibition in New York, "John Brown coming from the Charleston Jail with a rope about his neck, on his way to execu- tion."

It may not be deemed inappropriate to introduce here a brief extract from a published criticism of Mr. Hovenden's picture, just as it was about being sent from the studio,-

"George Corson, one of the fathers of the present generation (of Corsons), was an earnest Abolitionist, and dwelt in an ancient homestead immediately opposite the Hicksite Plymouth Meeting. His home was a centre of the active agitation which friends and foes united in regarding as a harbinger of war. To furnish accommodations elsewhere denied for the gatherings of the faithful, he erected on his premises a good-sized hall, wbere many notable meetings, conferences and conventions were held and much weighty business transacted. His place, too, became an important Undergound Railroad station, and the entertainment of unexpected guests of dusky hue at breakfast is one of the memories of the family. This old homestead is to-day the residence of Thomas Hovenden, the historic painter, and his wife, also a distinguished artist, Helen Corson Hoven- den, the daughter of George Corson.

"That old anti-slavery centre is now a centre of artistic interests, and the gatherings of fleeing slaves and their Abolition friends have been succeeded by weekly levees attended by painters, sculptors, literary folk and lovers of art, the traditional hospitality of the household being de- lightfully maintained. By one of those coincidences which canuot tai 1 to excite interest, whether regarded as significant or not, it was to this home that Thomas Hovenden came, two years ago, wben he received a commission for a picture of John Brown. Amid the association and memories which cling about this Underground Railroad station the picture has been painted. The ' Anti-Slavery Hall' was converted into a studio, and there the first sketches and drafts were made. Mr. Hovenden built a studio especially adapted to his purpose when he determined what conditions would be required, but the tentative work, deciding ou the subject, composition and treatment, was done in the Abolitionists' meet- ing room."

That room is still the studio of Mrs. Hovenden.

There is another incident which shows the zeal and courage of him of whom we write, which we may mention here. As he was one day coming home from his brother's, Charles Corson's, on the back road east of Shannonville, he overtook a man riding on horseback, while behind him walked a black man with a rope around his neck, one end of it being fast to the saddle of the rider. Mr. Corson was also on horseback, and on coming alongside the stranger asked him why the man was thus tied. He replied that he had been his slave, had run away and that he had found him and was taking him home. After some more talk George hurried on to Norristown, and when the master and slave arrived had them arrested and taken before a magistrate. The slave-holder procured a lawyer; the magistrate's office was filled with people indignant that a "Southern gentleman" (?) should be thus in- sulted and Norristown disgraced by such an unwar- rantable proceeding. The magistrate decided that "the master had a right to his property," and the prosecutor had to pay the costs. "The master has a right to his property,"-"You want to rob him of his property,"-was the battle-cry of the opponents of the Abolitionists at that time. George Corson was a small man, and in his latter years a weak one, but a braver, truer man never stood by a friend in his hour of peril. Of the children of George and Martha Maulsby Corson a few brief words. Mary died in infancy.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Susan died in her fifteenth year. Dr. Marens H. died in his twenty-third year, of consumption. This son was a youth of remarkable talents, but fell a victim to disease soon after his graduation at the University of Pennsylvania. Possessed of a remarkable memory, and having a great craving for knowledge, he gave promise of eminence in his profession, but the hopes of his friends were soon blighted by his early death.

Samuel M. graduated in the Literary Department of the University of Pennsylvania, afterwards studied law in -, and began practice in Philadelphia. Like his brother, Marcus H., he was a brilliant scholar, but was not fitted for the law; it was distasteful to him.

Helen Corson, the oldest living daughter, now wife of Thomas Hovenden, has already been sufficiently referred to in this history of her father and mother. She and her husband occupy the old homestead, and both are earnest and aspiring in their profession. They have two children.

Miss Ida Corson is a graduate of Vassar College, and quite remarkable for her mathematical ability. She resides at Washington, D. C., with her uncle, Dr. George Maulsby, surgeon in the United States navy.

THOMAS LIVEZEY.

His father, Samuel Livezey, was of Welsh origin, a

Thomas Swerey

Literature was his delight. He was a book-worm. For several years he taught school in Whitemarsh town- ship, near to his old home, with great success, and while so engaged wrote many interesting articles for the public papers. A modest, kind gentleman and scholar, he died in 1883, and was buried, as were all his father's family then deceased, in the Friends' burying-ground near his birth-place.

There are of George Corson's children still living only Ellwood, Helen aud Ida.

Dr. Ellwood M. Corsou is the only surviving son of George and Martha Corson. A sketch of his life appears in the chapter npon the Medical Profession.

minister of the Society of Friends, and with his wife, Mary, settled in Plymouth township, Montgomery Co., in 1788, where he reared his family and died. The children of Samuel and Mary Livezey were Thomas, Martha (married Jacob Albertson), Rachel (married Jonathan Maulsby), Samuel, Mary (married Lewis Jones), Joseph, and Ann (who married William Ely).

Thomas Livezey, born the 27th of Fourth Month, 1803, died in his native township, Plymouth, on the 2d of Tenth Month, 1879. A friend of Thomas Livezey paid him the following tribute at his death :

" His brothers selecting other business, he became

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

1039

a farmer and store-keeper. The estate left him by his father he kept intact, having died on the farm on which he was born, and he leaves a good estate be- sides. He was a director in the Bank of Montgomery County during its controversy with the late David M. Conkey, in which the bank came off victorious, also a director in the First National Bank of Norristown, and for many years he was a school director.

"He was a member of Friends' Meeting at Ply- mouth, and though he did not have a gift in the ministry, as his father had, yet he wielded a large in- fluence in the meeting, and his opinions were always respected. As a business man he lacked nothing in ability or integrity. He lived to see the flail, the rake, the scythe and the pitch-fork, which he had wielded

from England about 1784, and setted at Peale Hall, in Philadelphia. She survives in 1885. Their chil- dren are seven sons, viz .: Dr. Edward Livezey (1833- to 1876), studied medicine with Dr. Hiram Corson, was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in the spring of 1859, served one and one-half years in Wills' Eye Hospital, one year in the Pennsylvania Hospital, afterward in the Government Hospital at Broad and Cherry Streets, and subsequently located at 507 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, where he continued to enjoy a large practice until his death. Samuel, in the packing business, Chicago.

Joseph R., engaged in the real estate business in Philadelphia.

John R. (1842-1867), studied conveyancing with

JONATHAN JONES.

on many a weary day, give place to the threshing- machiue, the horse-rake, the mowing-machine and the horse-fork. He saw the dirt road substituted by the turnpike road, and it, in turn, give way to the rail- road ; his leather and wooden springs supplanted by the steel springs under his carriage, and they, in turn, by the passenger car ; the mail-bags on horse- back by express trains ; and the special messenger by the telegraph. Finally, he lived to see his country redeem herself from the sin of slavery, and re-enter upon a new career of business prosperity."

Nathan R. Potts, of Philadelphia, where he had a lu- crative business.

Henry (1843-1846).

Henry, 2d. (1847-1873), read law with Judge F. C. Brewster, of Philadelphia, and D. H. Mulvany, of Norristown; was admitted to practice at the Mont- gomery County bar, November 10, 1869, and at the time of his death he was associated with the present Judge Boyer.

Thomas Ellwood, a farmer on the home-stead.

His wife, Rachel, born at Attleboro', Bucks Co. Pa., JONATHAN JONES. on the 27th of Eighth Month, 1808, whom he married Isaac Jones, the father of the subject of this bio- on the 18th day of the Tenth Month, 1832, was the ; graphical sketch, resided at Conshohocken, where he daughter of Joseph and Mary Richardson, who came . cultivated a productive farm. He was three times

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

married, his first wife, the mother of Jonathan Jones, being Elizabeth Yerkes, whose children were John, William, Jonathan, Ann, Susan (Mrs. Thomas Hopkins), Charles, Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Sheppard). Jonathan was born on the 10th of January, 1800, in Whitemarsh township, and in youth received a eom- mon school education, after which his time and skill were devoted to the farm which his father owned and cultivated. At the age of twenty-five he married Eliza, daughter of John and Anna Davis, of Plymouth, and had children,-Anne J. (Mrs. Samuel Foulke), Evan D., Elwood (deceased), Esther, Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Wil-

liberal in his estimate of the character and motives of others. These qualities caused him frequently to be made arbiter in the adjustment of differences among his neighbors, and rendered his services invaluable as guardian and trustee. He was a Whig, and later a Republican in politics, but not active as a politician. He was by birthright a Friend, and one of the most useful representatives of that denomination at the time of his death, which occurred October 5, 1867.

JESSE SHEPARD. The Shepard family are of English descent. Thomas

Jefse sShepard

liam Webster), J. Davis (deceased) and Rachel (de- Shepard, the father of the subject of this biographical sketeh, resided in Whitemarsh township, where he followed his trade of carpenter, combined with which were the frequent duties of an undertaker. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Streaper, whose children were Debo- rah (Mrs. Henry Zern, of Indiana), John, Thomas, Charles and Jesse. The death of Mr. Shepard oc- curred on the 4th of October, 1821, in his fifty-fourth year, and Mrs. Shepard died on the 20th of the same month during the year following. Their young- est son, Jesse, was born September 30, 1814, in White- marsh township, and during his youth attended the ceased). Mr. Jones, on his marriage, removed to a farm located in Plymouth, owned by his father-in-law, Mr. Davis, which for twenty-one years he cultivated, and on the death of the latter removed to the Davis home- stead, where he resided during the remainder of his life, his widow and two daughters being now the occupants of the farm. Mr. Jones possessed excellent business qualifications, combining mueh judgment and sagacity with the most absolute integrity. In connection with his farm, he conducted a successful lumber trade at Conshohocken. Mr. Jones was a man of benevolent and kindly instinets, with a keen sense of justice and , paid schools of the neighborhood, after which he

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POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP.

learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, under the direc- tion of his brother fohn. While still pursuing his trade he, at the age of twenty-one, removed to the farm. which is his present residence, and combined the labor of the farmer with that of a cabinet-maker. In 1866 he retired from the latter occupation, and has since devoted his time exclusively to the superintend- ence of his farming interests. Mr. Shepard was mar- ried to Harriet Y. Schultz, granddaughter of Chris- topher Yeakle, of Chestnut Hill, and daughter of Henry W. Schultz, of Whitemarsh township. Their children are Sarah, Anna E. (Mrs. Abram A. Yeakle), Henry W. S., Charles E. and John S. Mr. Shepard votes the Republican ticket most frequently, but re- serves to himself the right to cast an independent hallot when party measures or candidates challenge his approval. Though the incumbent of various minor township offices in the past, he usually declines such distinctions. In religion he worships with the Friends at Plymouth Meeting.

CHAPTER LXIX.

POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP.

THIS township is situated in the extreme western corner of the county, and the uppermost on the river - and is bounded northeast by Douglas and New Hanover, southeast by Limerick, south by the Schuyl- kill and the borough of Pottstown and west and northwest by Berks County. Its length is five miles, average breadth three and a half miles, with an area of eleven thousand six hundred square acres, or about eighteen square miles. The entire southern portion of the township, especially that portion which lies be- tween the Reading turnpike and the river, is fertile and well cultivated. The eastern part is more rolling, and towards the Douglas, New Hanover and Limerick line is quite hilly. Among the most prominent eleva- tions can be named Ringing Hill, Stone Hill, Prospect Hill and the Fox Ilills. The soil on these elevations is generally thin and very stony. Pottsgrove is pretty well watered by the Manatawny and Sprogel's Creeks, Sanatoga and Goose Runs and their various branches. The Manatawny is the largest stream, which rises in Rockland township, Berks Co., and after a general southeast course of about eighteen miles empties into the Schuylkill at the borongh of Pottstown. Of its length, two miles are in this township, in which dis- tance it propels three grist-mills. The earliest mention we have found of this stream is from a visit of Gover- nor Gordon in its vicinity in 1728. He calls it the " Mahanatawny." It is an Indian name, and Heek- ewelder says in their language it signified "where we drank." Sprogel's Run is wholly in this township, rising in the Fox Hills, and after a southeast course of four miles empties into the Schuylkill. It propels

only a clover and chopping-mill. It is called by this name on Scull's map of 1770. Formerly, on its banks, near the centre of the township, a copper-mine was worked. Sanatoga Run, though only about three and a half miles in length, furnishes valuable water-power. It rises by two branches in New Hanover township with a general southwest course, and propels in Potts- grove four grist and three saw-mills. This stream has an Indian name, and we find it variously spelled,-on Scull's map of 1770, Sanatoga; on Howell's map of 1792, Sanatoga ; and the same on the county maps of 1849 and 1857.

Among the natural curiosities of Montgomery County may be mentioned the Ringing Rocks, as they are called, on Stone Hill, which are situated about three miles northeast of Pottstown. They consist of a bed of trap rocks; exceedingly hard and compact, which, on being struck with a hammer, ring like iron. The rocks are piled on one another and cover about one and a half acres of ground, within which space no trees or bushes are found growing. It is supposed that the largest rocks would weigh from five to twenty-five tons each, and some of the apertures are visible to the depth of twenty-five feet. A number of impressions can be seen on them, among which are three closely resembling the human foot, from three to six inches in depth, and also a number resembling the tracks of horses, elephants, and cannon-balls of from six to twelve inches in diameter. The sounds emitted by these rocks are various, depending on their size and shape. Some, when struck, resemble the ring- ing of anvils, others of church-bells, with all the inter- mediate tones. In fact, there is not a note in music that has not here a corresponding key. As Aristotle has stated that in every block of marble there is a statue, but it took a sculptor to find it, so it might be said of these rocks, in every one there is some note in music, but it would still require the aid of a musician to verify it. The German inhabitants of the neigh- borhood from an early period have given this hill the name of Klingleberg, signifying Ringing Hill. On the west end of Stone Ilill, about two miles from Pottstown, a fine view is obtained of the surrounding country. The hills of the Schuylkill can be traced in Chester and Berks Counties for thirty or forty miles.

Pottsgrove was erected into a township in 1807, and its territory was taken from the townships of Douglas and New Hanover. William Penn, the 25th of Octo- ber, 1701, conveyed to his son, John P'enn, a tract of twelve thousand acres of land, which the latter, the 20th of June, 1735, soll to George McCall, a merchant of Philadelphia, for the sum of two thousand guineas, or, in our present currency, nine thousand three hun- dred and thirty-three dollars. On a resurvey it was found to contain fourteen thousand and sixty acres. This purchase comprised all of the present township of Douglas and the upper half of Pottsgrove and the whole of Pottstown to the Schuylkill. According to

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the records, it was commonly called " McCall's Manor" down to 1753. George McCall was a native of Glas- gow, Scotland, and after his arrival here became a successful merchant in Philadelphia. There is reason to believe that he first built the iron-works in this township, which he called after the place of his nativity, and which has been retained to this day. Judging by the extensive purchase he made here, he must have been a man of some means. In 1722 he was elected a member of the City Council, and died in 1740. Among the first settlers of the township was John Henry Sprogel, who, with his brother Lodwick Christian Sprogel, by invitation of William Penn, came to this country from Holland. They were both naturalized in 1705, and John Henry purchased here about six hundred acres, on which he settled with his family. The present Sprogel's Run was called after him and flows through this tract. From the dates upon different stones in the ancient burial-ground, east of the borough line, it is inferred that he must have been amongst the first that resided in the town- ship. John Potts, in 1753, lived in Pottsgrove (now called Pottstown), after whom both the borough and this township have been named.

By the act of April 11, 1807, it was enacted

"That the Sixth Election District shall be composed of the township of Pottsgrove, lately erected from a part of New Hanover and a part of Douglas, and shall hold their electious at the house of Wm. Lesher, Pottstown, and the electors of the remainder of the township of Doug- las and New Hanover at the house of Henry Kreps, New Hanover."

The Court of Quarter Sessions, June 10, 1875, divided the present township into what is called the Upper and Lower Election Districts.

Pottsgrove, according to the census of 1810, con- tained 1571 inhabitants ; in 1820, 1882; in 1830, 1302; in 1840, 1361; in 1850, 1689; and in 1880. 3985. The number of taxables in 1828 was 252; in 1849, 351 ; in 1858, 406; in 1875, 937 ; in 1884, 1225. By the tri- ennial assessment of 1858 the real estate was valued at $348,511, and the horses and neat cattle at $15.136. In 1884 the value of improved lands was $1,588,830 ; value of unimproved lands, $116,535 ; value of 443 horses, $26,125 ; value of 950 cattle, $24,000 ; value of all property taxable for county purposes, $1,884,510.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 222

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