History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 74

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 74

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).

This organization was probably in existence for twelve years, when it was abandoned and the charter returned to headquarters. On April 10, 1880, applica- tion was made for another charter, which was granted with the following charter members: Samuel Yoder, John B. Boyer, Warren C. Missimer, S. E. Missimer, Jacob S. Charles, John Corbett, Henry E. Levengood, Isaac J. Decker, Samuel P. Bertolett, Mifflin A. Camp- bell, Wm. P. Bach, Jesse Deough, Daniel F. Graham, M. A. Withers, M.D., John Yergey, Jacob G. Endy, Wm. M. Mintzer, Rev. Geo. S. Broadbent, Henry Swoyer, William E. Schuyler, Elijah Dearolf, George L. Reifsnyder, Levi Miller, Hiram Iback, Thomas Knowles, Howard Kunkle, Rev. Daniel K. Kepner, Harrison Rigg, Hiram Jones, John B. Guest, James Henry, Isaac Hoyer, George W. Harner, M. M. Mis- simer, Abraham Dearolf, Horace A. Custer, John (). Leighter, Henry P. Davis, Charles Lachman, Thos. C. Steel, Samuel S. Daub, Samuel Fronheiser, John O. Burdan, Lewis R. Bland, Augustus B. Shirey.

This charter was granted by Department Com- mander Chill O. Hazzard, J. M. Vanderslice, Assistant Adjutant-General.

The post was active for a year, then weakened until its present Post Commander, D. S. B. Swavely, infused new life into the organization. In 1882 he rented a hall on his own account and collected the G. A. R. boys together. The room is well furnished and the post is prospering. The present membership is one hundred and fourteen comrades.

Under the original charter the post was influential, and its members were active in procuring the erection of a monument in honor of their deceased comrades, dedicated July 4, 1879, and in securing a burial-lot in the cemetery near the town.

Present officers, 1884: P. C., J. B. Swavely, M.D .; S. V. C., John B. Guest; J. V. C., Benj. F. Delcamp; Adjt , John A. Elliot; Q. M., Jacob G. Endy ; Surg., S. B. Swavely, M.D .; Chap., John Corbett; O. D.,

295

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

Thos. C. Steel; O. G., Levi Miller; S. M., Adam Lessig; Q. M. S., John Yergy.

Lieutenant John H. Fisher Post, No. 101, De- partment of Pennsylvania, G. A. R. (HIatborn', Pa.), was organized April 28, 1884, by Thomas J. Stewart, assistant adjutant-general.

The post was named in honor of Lieutenant John H. Fisher, Company I, One Ilundred and Thirty- eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, while gal- lantly leading his men in a charge against a rebel battery.

He was a son of the Rev. P. S. Fisher, an esteemed cleryman of the German Reformed denomination of Sellersville, Bucks Co. Lientenant Fisher was a bright, cultured, heroic patriot and military genius, and about twenty-one years of age when he was killed.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

Jonathan T. Rorer, commander, 31 months' service ; byt. maj. C. S. V. : . William Ortner, Co. H, 96th Pa. Vols. capt. Co. 1. 138th l'a. Vols. J. M. Boorse, Co. C, 179th Mil.

Jonathan P. Iredell, senior vice-commander, 34 months' service : capt. Co. K, 138th Pa, Vols.

James Clark, junior vice-commander, 26 months' service ; 20 lient Co. K. 13th P'a. ('av.

Edward Sprogell, quartermaster, 34 months' service ; corp. Co. 1. 13sth l'a. Vols.

HI. C. McIntosh, adjutant, 18 months' service ; private l'o. 1, 213th Pn. Vols.

George R. Todd, chaplain, 9 months' service ; corp. Co. L. 27th N. J. VoIN.

Arthur D. Markley M.D., surg., 12 months' service ; asst. surg. bark " Release, " U. S. N.

Charles Craven, officer of the day, 35 months' service ; private Co. I, Gsth Pa. Vols.

Jesse O. Fitzgerald, officer of the guard, 34 months' service ; private d'o, 6, 138th Pa. Vols.

Rush Griffith, 35 months' service ; private d'o. A. 1st N. J. C'av.

Joseph M. Krewson, 10 months' service; private l'o. B. 15th N. J. Vols.

William H. Mower, 50 months' service ; corp. Co. 6. 33d l'a. Vols. George W. Emery, 39 months' service ; private D'o, 6, 5th P'a. Cav. William Miller, 39 months' service ; private Co. L, 5th Pa. C'av.

William I1. Watson, 34 months' service ; private Co. 1, 13sth l'a. Vols. George K. Palmer, 34 months' service ; sergt. Co. K, 138th Pa. Vols, Hiram M. Puff, 34 months' service ; private Co. K, 138th l'a. Vals. Jesse Wagner, 34 months' service ; wagoner Co. (, 138th l'a. Vols. Edwin Twining, 35 months' service ; sergt. Co. A, Ist N. J C'av. William Raah, 9 months' service ; private Co. HI, 104th Pa. Vols, Jacob Webb, 24 months' service ; private Co. 3, 2d Pa. II. Art. David Firman, 12 months' service ; Ist lieut. Co. K, 174th Pa, Vols. Pierson Jones, 34 months' service ; private Co. 1, 82d Pa. Vols. Joseph W. Levis, 37 months' service ; private to. A, Ist N. J. Cav. Benjamin Propert, 34 months' service ; private Co. 1, 114th l'a. Vols, Warren W. Corson, 35 months' service; 2d lieut. Co. K, 13th l'a. C'av. Lewis Peze, 15 months' service ; private Co. K, 186th Pa Vol4 Isuac K. Mann, 32 months' service ; private (o. K, 104th l'a. Vols. Issachar Morgan, 9 months' service ; private Co. G, 91st l'a. Vols, Charles II. Fitzgerald, 34 months' service ; sergt. Co. (, 138th l'a. Vols.

Post meets the second and fourth Monday evenings of the month at Fluek's Hall, York Street, Hathoro'.

Colonel Edwin Schall Post, No. 290, Depart- ment of Pennsylvania, G. A. R. (Lansdale, Pa.) .- This post was organized November 10, 1882, in honor of Colonel Schall, who fell at the battle of C'old Ilarbor on the 3rd day of June, 1864, while gallantly leading the Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Vet- eran Volunteers into action. It was musterel with

eighteen charter members, from whom its first officers were elected, as follows :

William Ensley, post commander, Co. 1, 158th Pa. Vols.

Repre E. Lewis, senior vice-commander, C'o. G, 82d Pa. Vols.

Charles T. Miller, junior vice-commander, Co. F, 196th l'a, Vols.

11. L. Gerhart, adjutant, Co. F, 51st Pa. Vols.

George Hause, quartermaster, Co. 11, 53d Pa. Vols. Charles Johnson, surgeon, 6th Pa. Cav.

Charles Foy, chaplain, Co. A. 51st Pa. Vols.

George MI. Lnkens, officer of the day.

Abraham News, officer of the guard, 198th Pa. Vols.

Jacob Reed, sergeant-major, Co. F, 51st Pa. Vols.

John Ford, quartermaster-sergeant, Co. A, 3d Pa. Cav.

Charles Bouvette, Co. C, 9, th l'a. Vols.

Joseph Bowker, Co. E, 88th Pa. Vols.

John Wagner, Co. A, Indiana Battery. John Diehl, Co. G, 30 Pa. Art.

William Wolschuh, Co. F, 28th Ohio Vols.

Frank Strasser, Co. F, 29th N. Y. Vols.

Sammel White,? Co. G, 119th Pa. Vols.

Jordan Cooper, Co. C, 104th Pa. Vols.

Andrew Grodwohl, Co. G, 9ist Pa. Vols

Howard Scarlette, Co. C, 24 P'a. Res. Corps.

Henry Cash, Co. H, Ist N. J. Cav.

William Grosseup, Co. H, 28th l'a. Vols.

William B. Woodward, Co. B, 57th Wisconsin Int.

Conrad Schaffer, trans, to Co. D, 53d Pa. Vols.

Ellison Stackhouse, Cu. I, Ist (. S. Vol. Eng.

Garrett Mattes, Co. F, 105th P'n. Vol -.

Christopher Ernst, Co. E, 27th l'a. Vols.

Christian L. Cook, Co. F, 104th Pa, Vols.

William IT. Lnkes, Co. 0, 129th Pa. Vols.

John H. Carver, Co. C, 215th J'a. Vols.

David Scott, Co. II, 54th Pa. Vols.

Seth C. Smith, d'o 1, 138th Pa. Vols.

Martin W. Wireman, Co. G, 179th Pa. Vole.

Present officers, 1884: P. C., Reese E. Lewis; S. V. C., Chas. T. Miller ; J. V. C., Henry Cash ; Adjt., H. L. Gerhart; Q. M., Geo. Hause; Surg., Chas. Johnson; Chap., Chas, Foy; O. D., Abm. News; O. G., Wmn. Gross-up; S. M., Jacob Reed; Q. M. S., Ellison Stack hous ?.

Lady Attendants Upon Hospitals .- Immediately upon receipt of the news of the battle of Antietam a call was made in behalf of the wounded who needed nurses and supplies of food and raiment. Among the first to respond from Montgomery County to the call were Mrs. Rachel P. Evans, of Bridgeport ; Mrs. Alice H. Holstein, Mrs. Anna Carver and Miss Sal- lie L. Roberts, of Upper Merion ; Miss Sarah Priest, of Bridgeport ; and Miss Lizzie J. Brower, of Norris- town. These patriotic and humane ladies freely gave their services to the sick aud wounded men who fell iu battle or were stricken with disease resulting from exhaustion and exposure. Many of the men of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers received atten- tion from the ladies named, who remained on the field of battle and near Sharpsburg for some two weeks. A number of the men of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers were also eared for by them at or near the village named.

Mrs. Anna M. Holstein, who followed the example of these six pioneer and heroic women to fields of human horror, and who, with her husband, Major

1 The first eighteen were the charter members.

296

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

William 11. Holstein, remained in this sacrificial ser- vice until the close of the war, in 1865, thus refers to her sister co-workers in her "Three Years in Field Hospital :" "From our midst six women felt called upon to offer their services for a few weeks to nurse the wounded. Though strongly urged to make one of their number, I declined. The idea of seeing and shrank instinctively. But when my husband re- turned from the battle-field of Antietam, whither the six women had gone, with the sad story that men were dying for food, home comforts and home care, I hesitated no longer." Although not among the first to enter this truly good service to the country

Gettysburg had been fought ; the terrible loss of life, the waste and desolation and human anguish which resulted quickened the sense of patriotism felt by all those in sympathy with the Union army and the success of the national administration in its efforts to crush out the Rebellion.

From the commencement of hostilities to the close waiting upon wounded men was one from which I | of the conflict the loyal women of Montgomery County were devoted to those who volunteered in de- fense of the country.

The world will possibly never know of all the friendly acts toward the men in the field and their lying by the road-side, in barns, sheds and out-houses, families at home bestowed by the Christian and benevolent women of the country; to them is emi- nently due the liberal contributions to the Sanitary and its defenders, once engaged in it, a conviction of . Commission from this vicinity, and from which duty detained both herself and husband in field and the sick and wounded on the fichl and in hos- through all the long and weary years of the strug- gle.

hospital duty until the conflict ended. Mr. and Mrs. , pitals received needed supplies of food and raiment Holstein followed the Army of the Potomac in its deadly and discouraging campaigns in Virginia, at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg, accom- panying it in its bat- tles of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, South Anna, Cold Harbor, south of the James River, Peters- burg, Five Forks, and at the base of supplies, with acre 119 upon acre of field hospitals, when the gład news of the surrender of General Lee at Appomat- tox was flashed over GREAT SANITARY FAIR BUILDINGS, PHILA., 1864. the wires to City Point, and from thence to a loyal and rejoicing North.

Among the first six who are above mentioned, Mrs. Evans became very ill from over-work and exposure, and suffered long and dangerous illness. Her place was promptly taken by her sister, Miss Lizzie Brower, who remained with Mr. and Mrs. Ho]- stein for the greater part of the three following years.

We may here say that among all the hundreds of self-sacrificing women who gave their time and serviees to the government during the long years of that cruel war, none have received the slightest practical recognition from the government they up- held and contributed so materially to save in its day of great peril.

The Women's Loyal League of Montgomery County .- The invasion of Pennsylvania in the sum- mer of 1863 aroused the loyal blood of the women as well as the men of the State. The great battle of

Many of these good women felt that this was not enough, but that their feelings should find public expression, and that their influence also should be unitedly exerted in sustain- ing a strong pub- lie sentiment in sup- port of the govern- ment. To this end, in July, 1863, they formed a branch in the Loyal League, and published a de- claration of pur- poses, viz. :

" DECLARATION OF PURPOSES IN ORGANIZING THE WOMEN'S LOYAL LEAGUE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

" Believing that the women have it in their power to exert a very great influence in the destiny of this Nation, and being satisfied that more can be accomplished by united action than individual effort, we drem it expedient to form a Society to be called the Loyal League of the Women of Montgomery County.

" Resolved, That we will use every means in our power to aid in sup- porting the Government in its s'ruggles for existence, by the develop- ments of love for the Union and respect for the constituted anthurities, and to this end we will constantly labor for the uprooting of all treason- able sentiments and the disconragement of those who are endeavoring to foster them.

" Resolved, That our efforts for the comfort and benefit uf the soldiers in the field and in the hospital shall be unceasing, and that while en- denvoring to soften the hardships they must endure, we will turn to them only the cheerful and hopeful side of everything, and we will strive to have brave hearts at home, in order that their hands may be strength- ened, remembering we may yield up a few superfluities for the sake of those who have preserved to us our homes and other comforts.

" Resulred, That we will pledge ourselves to unite our best inthenice, not only toward the brave in the field, It to exert every kindly freling toward the families at home ; tu Imild up their faith in the Goverment, and to give them every encouragement which woman only can give.

" Resoleed, We will, while redundding every effort, rely first upon our

297

REDEMPTIONERS.

only strength, and be earnest and untiring in prayer to God for the success of our canse, and the triumph of Truth, Justice and Liberty. We ask all to unite with us by signing their names, and contributing a small sum to maintain and carry out the objects of the League.

their arrival in an American port they have the right to sell their time for a certain number of years, to repay the cost thus necessarily incurred, "MRS. JONATHAN ROBERTS. President. " MRS. ROBERT IREDELL., " Vice-President. and be of some profit to those engaged in such ventures. With the growth and settlement of the country this business greatly increased, throngh " Miss ANNAC. YERKES, the demand for laborers, and, perhaps, just before " Secretary. "MRS. L. 11. JONES, the Revolution attained its greatest height. How- ever, on the return of peace it did not slaeken " Treasurer. "MRS. C. EVANS, Bridgeport. " MRS. B. B. HUGHES, Bridgeport. '. MIRS. C. P. HARRY, Norristown. much, even to the commencement of this century. Such a matter, of course, would also receive some attention from the government, and the special " Executive Committee." legislation thereon, upon which as yet but little has The members held their stated meetings in the , been written, will demand a brief consideration.

In the Charter of Laws agreed upon in England, and confirmed the 25th of April, 1682, by Penn, we find this mention in the twenty-third article: "That there shall be a register for all servants, where their name, time, wages and days of payment

rooms on the second floor of the old Washington Inn. They were rented by the gentlemen belonging to the " Loyal League" (not, however, the one organized by the ladies), and usually under the care of a janitor, and open at all times, especially during active cam- paign periods. It was general headquarters for all infor- , shall be registered." In the laws prepared on the 5th mation touching army affairs. Files of newspapers were here kept, and general and special correspondence een- tred in the "League Rooms." It was a place of great public interest immediately after battles fought, as the people from all parts of the county would visit there to have the news from the front and obtain tidings from their personal friends in the different armies. In those days " war correspondents " flashed along the wires the long list of " killed, wounded and captured" always sure to follow a movement of the " Army of the Potomac," Sherman in the Southwest, or Sheridan in the Valley. Bright faces were often saddened, and trembling hearts here first heard news of victory or defeat, and with it the loss of those near and dear to them. The organization exercised a healthful influence during its existence, and dissolved by mutual consent upon the termination of the war.

CHAPTER

REDEMPTIONERS-SLAVERY-THIE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

Redemptioners.1-From the early settlement of Pennsylvania a considerable business was carried on, chiefly by ship-owners and captains of vessels, in importing from Europe persons who were de- sirous of emigrating to this country, and were too poor to pay for their passage or have a com- peteney for an outfit in so long a journey. With this class, who generally came from England, Ire- land and Germany, arrangements would be made, through agents, to contract and bring them over, furnish them with food during the voyage and per- haps some other necessaries, on condition that on

of the following month the proprietary wisely re- marks: "That all children within this Province of the age of twelve years shall be taught some useful trade or skill, to the end that none may be idle, but the Poor may work to live, and the Rich, if they have become poor, may not want. That servants be not kept longer than their time, and such as are careful be both justly and kindly used in their service, and put in fitting equipage at the expiration thereof, according to custom." Penn, for the justice here displayed, certainly de- serves credit. "The Great Law," passed at Ches- ter, December 7th, contains this clause: " That no master or mistress or freeman of this Province, or territories thereunto belonging, shall presume to sell or dispose of any servant or servants into any other province, that is or are bound to serve his or her time in the Province of Pennsylvania or territories thereof, under the penalty that every person so offending shall for every such servant so sold forfeit ten pounds, to be levied by way of distress and sale of their goods." Strange to say, the aforesaid excellent enactments, on William and Mary reach- ing the throne, were abrogated in 1693. In the beginning of 1683 "A bill to hinder the selling of servants into other Provinces, and to prevent runa- ways," was passed by the Council. On the 29th of August the Governor, William Penn, " put ye ques- tion whether a proclamation were not convenient to be put forth to impower Masters to chastise their servants, and to punish any that shall in- veigle any servant to goe from his master. They unanimously agreed and ordered it accordingly.""

The Assembly passed an "Act for the better Regulation of Servants in this Province and Terri- tories" in 1700, which provided

" That no servant shall be sold or disposed of to any Person residing in

1 By Wm. J. Buck.

2 Colonial Records. i. p. 79.

298

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

any other Province or Government, without the consent of the said Ser- vant and two Justices of the Peace of the County wherein he lives or is sold, under the penalty of Ten Pounds, to be forfeited by the seller. That no Servant shall be assigned over to another person by any in this Prov- ince or Territories, but in the Presence of one Justice of the Peace of the county, under penalty of Ten Pounds. And whoever shall appre- hend or take upany runaway servant, and shall bring him or her to the Sheriff of the County, such person shall, for every such servant, if taken up within ten miles of the Servant's abode, receive Ten Shillings, and if ten miles or upwards, Twenty Shillings reward of the said Sheriff, who is hereby required to pay the sune, and forthwith to send notice to the Master or owner, of whom he shall receive Five Shillings, Prison fees, upon delivery of the said Servant, together with all disbursements and reasonable charges for and upon the same. Whosoever shall conceal any Servant of this Province or Territories, or entertain him or her twenty- four hours without his or her Master's or Owner's knowledge and consent, and shall not within the said time give an account to some Justice of the Peace of the County, every such person shall forfeit Twenty Shillings for every Day's concealment. That every Servant who shall faithfully serve four years or more shall, at the expiration of their servitude, have a discharge, and shall be duly clothed with two complete suits of apparel, whereof one shall be new, and shall also be furnished with one new axe, one grubbing-hoe and one weeding-hoe, at the charge of their Master or Mistress."

This latter clause was abolished in 1771. The object of this undoubtedly was to encourage the removal of timber, that the land might sooner come into enltiva- tion. An act was passed May 10, 1729, "laying a duty on foreigners and Irish servants imported into this province."

Masters of servants were regarded for the time be- ing as holding property subject to taxation. The rate in 1776 was fixed at one and a half pounds each, which was increased in 1786 to ten pounds. The State passed an aet March 12, 1778, making com- pensation to those masters whose servants or appren- tices had enlisted in the army. Among those that were taxed in the eonoty for holding servants in 1776, we find the names of John Bull, Esq., of Norri- ton, two servants; Robert Shannon, one; Henry Pawling, Jr., two ; Jacob Miller, Cheltenham, three; Jacob Leach, two. In 1785 there were eighty ser- vants taxed within the present limits of the county. The highest number was in Abington, 13; Provi- dence, 10; Cheltenham, 7 ; Upper Merion, 7 ; Douglas, 5; Horsham, 5; Whitemarsh, 5; Moreland, 4; Mont- gomery, 4; and Lower Merion, 3. None were re- turned as being in the remaining townships. That they were diminishing at this time, like negro slaves, can be observed in comparing earlier lists. "The labor of the plantations," says the " Historical Re- view" (attributed to Frankin, 1759), "is performed chiefly by indented servants, brought from Great Britain, Ireland and Germany; because of the high price it bears, can it be performed any other way. These servants are purchased of the captains who bring them ; the purchaser, by a positive law, has a legal property in them, and, like other chattels, they are liable to be seized for debts."

Servants from the Palatinate were disposed of in 1722 at ten pounds each for five years' servitude. Prior to 1727 most of the Germans who immigrated were per- sons of means. In the years 1728, 1729, 1787, 1741, 1750 and 1751 great numbers were brought hither. A

shipper advertises in 1728, " Lately imported, and to be sold cheap, a parcel of likely men and women ser- vants." On the other hand, it happened sometimes that those that had been well-to-do in the Fatherland, in their desire to immigrate, were taken advantage of in various ways by unprincipled men, their chests rifled or their property taken or put on board the wrong vessels, and in such cases, from their destitute condition on arriving in America, would be compelled to sell themselves as redemptioners to meet their ex- penses. It was also the practice for over half a cen- tury that those that had the means should be re- sponsible, and pay the passage of their poorer com- panions, and thus reduce them to a common level of dependency or beggary.

They brought but little property with them, says Dr. Rush, in his account of the "Manners of the Ger- man Inhabitants in Pennsylvania," written in 1789. A few pieces of silver coin, a chest with clothes, a Bible, a prayer or hymn-book, constituted the chief property of most of them. Many bound themselves, or one or more of their children, to masters after their arrival for four, five or seven years to pay for their passages across the ocean. The usual terms of sale depended somewhat on the age, strength, health and ability of the persons sold. Boys and girls had to serve from five to ten years, or until they attained the age of twenty-one. Many parents were necessitated, as they had been wont to do at home with their cat- tle, to sell their own children. To be released from the ship the children had in some cases to assume the passage-money with their parents. Children under five years could not be soldl. They were disposed of gratuitously to such persons as agreed to raise them, to be free on attaining the age of twenty-one. It was an humble position that redemptioners occupied. " Yet from this class," says Gordon, in his " History of Pennsylvania," " have sprung some of the m st re- spectable and wealthy inhabitants of the State."

Robert Sutcliff, an English Friend, in his "Travels in America," thus speaks of the redemptioners in a visit he paid, in the summer of 1804, to his relative, William Bakewell, who was at the time residing on a farm of three hundred acres in Lower Providence township, opposite Valley Forge,-

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 74

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