USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 3
USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 3
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invention. Visit the field, the workshop, and the ocean; visit the city and the country; how much do we behold at these respective places that either owe their discovery or improvement to the ingenuity of our countrymen, and go to verify our previous asser- tion as being fully the equal of any other nationality. Let then the memories of the past and the love we
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cherish therefor, bring us to the Bucks county bi-cen- tennial to witness the glorious progress and prospects of this good old bailiwick, where was the home of - William Penn, Phineas Pemberton, Jeremiah Lang- horne, Joseph Growdon, Edward Marshall, Daniel Morgan, George Taylor, John Lacey, John Fitch, Robert Morris, Jacob Brown, Zebulon Montgomery Pike, and how many more could yet be mentioned to swell the catalogue as the fruit from this "Tree and a Vine."
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The Bird of Happy Omen.
Among the remarkable mysteries of the past, and in which numbers believed, was the bird of happy omen. This was said to be a snow white dove from the spirit land, come to announce to the sick their ap- proaching death and their speedy departure to a bet- ter world and a happier state of existence. During the whole of the last century and even into the begin- ning of this, when the country was far less settled and woods greatly abounded, this faith had its fullest sway, influenced as it was by several local causes, now no longer existing. Thus it is that even prevailing opin- ions may undergo a change with natural agencies, or surrounding circumstances, out of which they grew and were even fostered.
Need we wonder that in an age of little education, of simple habits, and living isolated as our ancestors did, that they should now and then be deceived by external objects. No people are entirely free from superstition, for no mortal man possesses the power to draw a line as to where it begins or ends, and so with all other knowledge. I have alluded back to over a century and a half ago, and we know not in that time hence what judgment posterity will pass on us. It.
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was something for Isaac Newton to discover at an advanced age and give us his opinion upon; that he had found out at last that he knew very little, even of . that which was immediately around him.
A request was made to the author in 1852, by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, to prepare an ar- ticle on "Local Superstitions," particularly those that had prevailed in Bucks and Montgomery counties, whose traces were passing away, and in consequence likely to be sooner or later forgotten. The object was not to represent the dark side of human nature, for I rejoice that even its most odious feature, witch- craft in Pennsylvania, did not, like at other places, be- come an instrument of terror, bloodshed and perse- cution to its inhabitants. It was here just as harmless as its people were simple and inoffensive in their man- ners and customs. The article was accordingly pre- pared and published the following year in the Society's ' collections, and, it appears, attracted some interest. The result, however, was at least a complimentary let- ter from a distinguished American author, urging me to persevere still further in this line as a field as yet but little investigated. As is well known, some of the choicest creations in literature have been based on this subject by Shakespeare, Schiller, Goethe, Scott and Irving, besides others, as for instance our distin- guished poet and staid Friend, J. G. Whittier, who is stil lliving.
In said article mention was made for the first time to my knowledge of the bird of happy omen. In all
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THE BIRD OF HAPPY OMEN.
my researches since, though all of one-third of a con- tury has passed in the interval, I have not yet suc- ceeded in finding anything to the contrary. My atten- tion was first called to this subject in a very singular manner when a small boy, now nearly half a century ago. A near relative and another woman of about middle age had a conversation respecting the death of an aged aunt of one of the parties under very pe- culiar circumstances, to which I was an attentive lis- tener, and at the time made such an impression on me as to keep it in mind for future consideration or even investigation.
It was stated that about midnight in winter with a tolerable snow on the ground, one of the aforesaid acted in the capacity of a nurse to the said aged wo- man, who was at the time lying very low and not ex- pected to recover. A light was kept burning in the chamber on a stand near a window. Being otherwise alone and to beguile the wearisomeness of the time and as appropriate to so serious an occasion, she took up the family Bible and after reading therein probably for about half an hour she heard a peculiar noise at the window. Turning around to observe the cause, she observed distinctly a beautiful snow-white bird the size of a full grown domestic pigeon standing outside on the window sill nodding its head and gently tap- ping against the pane at least five or six times. She sat quietly without any fear, determined to observe it closely. After being there about two minutes it flew off and suddenly disappeared.
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The good woman had often heard of several family traditions respecting the bird of happy omen coming to the sick chamber window even at midnight to an- - nounce a speedy and a happy death to the unfortunate sufferer, and this under the circumstances must be that messenger. On seeing the bird, as may be well expected, she somewhat excitedly went to the bedside to be now satisfied that her patient could not possibly long survive. She therefore hurriedly aroused the several members of the family, and related to them that she had seen the long-spoken-of white dove at the window, where he had left his token. Such an an- nouncement, as may be well imagined, created some consternation, for the woman was actually dying and in less than two hours thereafter breathed her last.
This must have taken place at least over half a cen- tury ago, and could not fail under the circumstances to cause considerable comment in the family and among their numerous relatives. It was also the means of reviving quite a number of traditions of sim- ilar occurrences that had happened within a century previous, and all had prognosticated with an equal certainty. What else, reasoned they, could this be but a messenger from the spirit world? Who had seen a similar bird in the daytime that would be thus likely to be abroad even at midnight? I confess I never have, and I here now state that I question if even a single reader of this that has seen this bird alive and abroad, unless in very severe winters as stated. Now
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THE BIRD OF HAPPY OMEN.
well may it be asked, What bird can this be possess- ing so marvelous a character and yet really exist?
I may state that after I had ascertained the afore- said information, and believing the respectable sources from which it was received, that it could not by any means be all fiction or, if you will, superstition, I de- termined on solving the mystery, though it might take time. Some ten years afterwards, I had heard of a neighbor finding in midwinter, concealed in his hay loft, a white owl which he unfortunately killed in cap- turing, which I went on purpose to see, and was re- garded by all as a remarkable curiosity. I was at once impressed with its appearance, and thought here was an explanation for the bird of happy omen. Wilson's American Ornithology was consulted for further information, and I therein ascertained that the white or snow owl was a native and resident of Hudson's Bay and of the far North, and only came as far south as Pennsylvania in very severe winters for the sake of food, being only abroad at nights, in the day time re- maining securely sheltered. That it was owing to this circumstance that the dazzling light of the sick chamber at late hours had occasionally attracted them, particularly on unusually dark, snowy or drizzling nights, and thus given rise to this beautiful if not ro- mantic fiction bordering on the supernatural.
Going to Town.
When a lad of nine or ten years of age it was my lot to reside in Springfield township, Bucks county. The time I speak of was about the years 1834-35, suf- ficiently remote to observe the great changes that have since taken place in men, matters and things. The people of the neighborhood were chiefly of Ger- man extraction, descendants of the early settlers, and engaged in rural occupations. Their principal market at this time for the sale of produce was Philadelphia, forty-two miles distant, to which the larger farmers would make sometimes as many as three or four trips in a year, chiefly in the fall and winter, but a majority of them would rarely venture to make more than one.
As I revert to this period I cannot help but smile at the immensity of this undertaking and what an amount of talk, planning and preparation it required before the wagon was set in motion and the journey entered upon. The horses for instance would have to be stuffed with extra feeding some three or four days in advance so as to be enabled to endure the fatigues of so long a journey. In this time also would the pork and the poultry be got ready and the flax, butter and eggs packed. But the boy that would be per-
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GOING TO TOWN.
mitted by his parents to go along would be made more than ordinarily happy. To raise the means to purchase for his wants, he would take along hogs' bristles for the brushmakers, bladders for the snuff- manufacturers, the rabbits and partridges he may have trapped, also chestnuts, shellbarks and walnuts that his industry had gathered. For these he would be likely to purchase a pocket knife, a harmonica, and sometimes a cap, a book and candy. But on his re- turn to school he would be the envy of the pupils who would flock around to see his purchases and hear him tell of the marvelous wonders he had seen. In fact for weeks afterwards he would be known and re- garded by his less unfortunate comrades as the boy who had been to town.
At that time we readily admit that "going to town," as it was called, was a much more arduous undertak- ing than now. Turnpikes were hardly known and bridges few. The market wagons were huge and heavy, and elliptic springs had not yet been introduced. Most of the farmers would take their wallets filled with provisions and beds along, the latter of which at night would be unrolled on the inn floors. The horses from being overfed, particularly with corn and cut feed, would occasionally be attacked with cramps, which occasionally would prove fatal. From custom, neigh- bors occasionally would arrange it so as to go in com- pany, sometimes would thus be seen from five to twelve wagons together from one neighborhood. There was an advantage in this, for should either stand
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in want of mutual assistance, as for instance the break- ing down of a wheel, getting stuck in the mire or stalled on a hill, they would readily have aid at hand. To lighten their loads it would be customary for them to perform half the journey on foot. On those occa- sions many anecdotes would be told and city experi- ences given. These would be particularly dwelt upon for the benefit of those now on their first trip. Most marvelous stories would be told how pockets had been picked, turkeys stolen, game devoured by cats, pocket books apparently well filled found before their eyes, and gold watches secretly offered very cheap be- cause stolen. There too was the much dreaded clerk of the market, who would confiscate anything found too short in weight. No wonder then, with so many perils nigh, did these simple, honest and unpretentious folks deem a journey to town as an event in their lives.
Boys on their first trip were led to believe that the city was surrounded by a massive iron chain which it was necessary for them to bite or gnaw through be- fore they would be allowed to enter. Many a poor boy has been tantalized on this subject and instead of entering with the ardent expectations he had set out approached it with dismay. It has been to me a mat- ter of wonder how this story of the chain could have originated and obtained such a widespread notoriety. I have never been able to find the least foundation on which to base it, and am therefore led to believe that it was brought with many other strange and singular things with the early settlers from the fatherland and
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GOING TO TOWN.
when once introduced grew and fostered here with their growth. So well indeed was this circulated that even down to this day every native person found in that section of country knows of this marvelous story of the chain.
Children sometimes would absent themselves from their parents, while the latter were busy attending the sale of their produce to see the sights of the town and in consequence would get lost. Well do I remember having been lost under the following circumstances : I had been left to stay in the city for a week with an acquaintance of my father's. A boy in the family, a trifle older than myself, went with me to see the State House. After we had been through the build- · ing we entered the square adjoining where we unthink-
ingly trespassed on the grass. This had no sooner been perceived by the keen-eyed superintendent than we were, as I thought, severely reprimanded. I now told my companion in alarm that I wished to return and begged of him to accompany me. This he de- clined doing, so in consequence I set off and after walking some distance, and had turned into several streets, I become sensible that I was lost. I now be- came sadly perplexed and after asking several persons where the gentleman's residence was, and receiving no satisfactory answers, or such that I could properly un- derstand, I at length approached an elderly gentleman, and as I spoke burst into tears. He compassionately enquired whether I was from the country and a stranger in the city. On telling him I was, he bade
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me cheer up, that he would see me safe to where I wanted to go. He took me by the hand, and going a short distance went into a corner store and asked for a directory, which being handed him he sought the name I gave him, when we started for the desired place. While on our walk he told me that he had also come from the country, and when about my age had also got lost, and was now doing for me what had once been done for him. No parent could have proved more solicitous, for he did not rest satisfied till he saw me in the door and sure I was at the right place, when he shortly took his leave and soon dis- appeared in the crowds of passers-by. To me this kind-hearted gentleman was of course an entire strang- er and this was my first and last knowledge respect- ing him.
In said section of country at the time I speak of, light wagons were almost unknown, and in conse- „ quence pleasure trips to the city rare. To go to town, was to go on business, to realize a certain amount from the sale of produce and for the purchase of ne- cessaries, and then return home. Though many of them had heard doubtless of the Navy Yard, of the Mint and above all of the Fairmount Water Works, yet they had not sufficient curiosity to visit either. But they had been to town, and what they thus incidentally happened to meet with or see would in their families and with their neighbors for some time after form con- siderable matter for conversation and wonder.
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Legend of Huckleberry Hill.
Often no doubt as the traveller has journeyed over the well-made turnpike, he has observed but a short distance north of the Willow Grove, either on the Old York or Doylestown road, the fine prospect there af- forded of the surrounding country, which is undula- ting and abounds in that diversity of scenery which constitutes an elegant and highly interesting land- scape. Of the several hills in view, there is one that the eye dwells on with peculiar satisfaction, as con- stituting a beautiful and elevated feature of the back- ground, as he gazes in an eastern direction. This is the conical eminence of Huckleberry Hill, so named by the carly settlers of the vicinity about a century and a half ago, from the abundance of whortleberry bushes covering its surface. To its summit from where we were speaking the distance may be nearly two miles, and from whatever direction it is viewed, still presents the same general outline. Within the past fifty years a public road has been constructed over its highest part, running east and west, dividing it in nearly two equal parts. Its summit and north side is still covered with forest, consisting chiefly of oak, hickory and chestnut, and extending in that di-
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rection to its base at which flows the Pennepack, re- maining at this day the wildest section of country for . miles around. Its southern declivity is cultivated, and on which are situated several farms.
The Willow Grove is situated in a charming valley through which flows a winding stream, which is known in our Colonial Records of 1722 as Round Meadow run. This empties into the Pennepack, and forms the western boundary of Huckleberry Hill, which will be thus seen is situated in the angle formed by the two aforesaid streams. The village just named is well and favorably known as a summer resort by the citizens of Philadelphia, as well as of our other large cities. It follows that parties of pleasure are oc- casionally made up, and in which the people of the neighborhood sometimes join for an occasional stroll to the top of the hill, where they think themselves amply repaid by the magnificent prospects afforded of the surrounding country. The hills of New Jersey are seen fading away till lost in the far distant blue, while those of the Neshaminy and Schuylkill are nearer at hand. To enumerate the various hills and streams, as well as towns, villages and other improve- ments that may be here seen, would require more space than we are willing to give. The seasons, too, with no sparing hand, are lavish of attractions on Huckleberry Hill. In the spring innumerable violets, geraniums and azeleas are scenting the air, amid the reverberations of the wood robin and the melody of the thrasher and catbird. Summer makes its woods
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LEGEND OF HUCKLEBERRY HILL.
only the more shady, its breezes more invigorating as it adorns with snowy beauty the laurel flowers or ripens the raspberries, blackberries and whortleberries. Autumn, too, has its charms for the sportsman and the gatherer of nuts. Even winter, with its frosts, as the schoolboy well knows, is sure to give increased flavor to the persimmons, nannaberries and chicken grapes.
Having now described the hill, as well as several of its surrounding attractions, it becomes us on ac- count of our story, to carry the reader's attention back to about 1760, a remote period in our history, when Pennsylvania was but a colony of a distant but power- ful empire. Round Meadow run, of which we have spoken, at about half a mile from its mouth, on its northern side on an elevated position, stood a stone . house, one and a half stories high with a hipped roof, at one end of which peered out a huge chimney top. Adjoining this was a low one-story addition of logs, which now answered all the purposes of a kitchen. This latter portion was the most ancient of the whole, having once served as an original dwelling to the first settler ; a few yards in front, and quite conspicuous from its position, stood a ponderous well-sweep with a bucket at one end dangling in the air. Adjacent was a garden well stocked with kitchen vegetables, at the lower end of which and beneath a cover of boards stood six or eight straw hives swarming with bees. The whole was enclosed with a neat clap-board fence, whitewashed. Not far off stood a log barn with a
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
threshing floor; adjoining was a smaller building covered with straw, which served as a wagon shed. Near the house was a crib for Indian corn, and several other small outbuildings. In the rear were several stacks of hay and grain. Around were four or five cultivated fields and a long strip of meadow by the stream. All betokened neatness, order and thrift. Here lived Derrick Kroons, a plain substantial farmer.
Derrick was of German descent: his father came from the Palatinate, and shortly after his arrival at Philadelphia, settled near Germantown on an exten- sive tract of land he had purchased from one of his countrymen. As years passed on Derrick grew to be a man and finally took to himself a wife, a daughter of one of the burghers of Germantown. In the course of time a family was found growing around him, and so he began to think of emigration. He concluded to move farther up the country where greater induce- ments were offered than in the neighborhood he lived. Land, he was aware, could not only be purchased much cheaper, but from its newness was more fertile than that by long continuous farming had become ex- hausted. From these views he at last became the possessor and occupier of the place just described, and which had become so on his part by dint of hard labor and rigid economy. At his first removal hither he found of eighty acres but twelve of clearing, as it was called, and enclosed with a rude substitute of blackened logs, poles, stumps and brush as a fence, near the centre of which was a rude log cabin and
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LEGEND OF HUCKLEBERRY HILL.
rickety stable. This change had been effected in less than fifteen years. His cleared lands had spread far- ther around him, his buildings were enlarged and comfortable, his stock and cattle had increased, and his garners were filled, and above all the whole had been paid for. Surely the owner of this, with his con- tinued prosperity, should have been thankful if not really contented.
The people at this time, as the country was but thinly settled, lived remote from one another, and from their situation more dependent for assistance from their neighbors than now, and this begat more familiarity and freedom in their social intercourse. A wood-chopping, flax-pulling, house-raising, corn-husk- ing, or a similar occasion would often bring together a neighborhood. At such places, whatever was most current, would be sure to be talked over, and of course would furnish much food for subsequent re- flection. Our wise ancestors thus had a glorious sub- stitute for the newspaper press of the present day. . From this isolated manner of living, the fact is the people loved these assemblages as much from hearing the prevailing news as from any other cause. Human nature and human curiosity we must confess are pretty intimately associated. Now, Derrick Kroons had been at one of these gatherings, and when nearly everything else had been exhausted, the conversation turned on no less a subject than Anthony Larry's massive silver shoebuckles. But to relate even an iota
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SKETCHES AND LEGENDS.
of these will require my patient reader a new para- graph.
A tradition had been extant that in 1697 Captain Hans Moens, Niles Laerson and Peter Rambo of Ramsdorp, on the Delaware, had followed the Penne- pack up into the region to search for mines from in- formation derived from the Indians. What success attended their efforts has been lost in the mists of an- tiquity. But it was generally believed that the exist- ence of these mines had been certainly confirmed by Anthony Larry. Anthony had been a pupil and as- sociate of the renowned Dr. Christopher De Witt, and through him became skilled in physics, magic, con- juration and the divining rod. His residence was about two miles from Derrick Kroons, where a maid- en sister for many years kept house for him; for we must know he was a bachelor. Often was he called upon to go twenty miles to cure bewitched cattle, find hidden treasures and lasting streams of water. Why . scarcely a well could be dug without his having been first consulted, and his skill practically applied so as to insure success to the enterprise ! Thus with years he acquired considerable reputation for his success in the aforesaid arts.
We of this age may smile at our forefathers' credul- ity, but who knows in a century hence another gene- ration may equally do so of us? Towards his latter years, and while in the midst of an extensive practice, he wore a pair of massive silver shoebuckles, that wherever he went caused the admiration of the peo-
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LEGEND OF HUCKLEBERRY HILL.
ple, and finally led to the most extravagant con- jectures. What Anthony said concerning their origin and possession we do not know, but rumor had it that - through his acknowledged skill and divination, he at length found the silver mine, and from the virgin ore by his order, these buckles had been made in Phila- delphia, and where he enjoined the strictest secrecy. The probability, however, is that the whole would have been clearly ascertained if a sudden death had not made the matter short. His aged sister declared to her inquisitive neighbors that she knew nothing about either the silver mine or how he came in pos- session of the buckles. So the silver mine still re- mained enveloped in the greater mystery, a subject of much speculation as to its locality and existence even down to this enlightened age.
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