USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 33
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Probably the earliest township that bore a name within the present limits of Montgomery county was "The parish of Cheltenham," so called in a survey made by Thomas Fairman, July 1, 1683, for a purchase made by Patrick Robinson. Moreland was not called a township before 1718.
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Whitpin was called a township in one record as early as 1701, which was no doubt an error in transcribing the date. Springfield township was located in 1684, but was still known as a manor as late as 1704. White- marsh was organized as a township in 1704, as were also the townships of Gwynedd and Abington; Plymouth in 1705; Skippack and Van Beb- ber's in 1713; Upper Merion, 1714; Montgomery, 1717; Limerick, 1722; and Salford in 1727. The minutes of the county commissioners com- mence in 1718, and this record shows assessors appointed for Chelten- ham, Merion, Upper Merion, Abington, Whitpin, Perkiomen, and More- land; Upper Dublin and Plymouth in 1719; Whitemarsh and Spring- field, in 1720; Gwynedd in 1722.
A new era was ushered in by the passage of an act of March 24, 1803, which instructed the "Courts of Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in their respective counties, shall, from and after the passing of this act, have authority, upon application by petition to them made, to erect new townships, to divide townships already erected, or to alter the lines of any two adjoining townships so as to suit the convenience of the inhabitants thereof."
The power to erect boroughs was vested entirely in the Penn family, and remained thus until the Revolution, when it was confined to the Legislature of the State, in whom it continued until April 1, 1834. This act authorized Courts of Quarter Sessions, with the concurrence of the grand jury, "to incorporate any town or village within their respective jurisdiction containing not less than three hundred inhabitants." The act of April, 1851, abolished the clause limiting the population. An addi- tional act was passed in June, 1871, to arrest hurried proceedings, which required that due mention of such application be published in the county newspapers at least thirty days. Norristown was incorporated originally in 1812, Pottstown in 1815, Conshohocken in 1850, and Bridgeport in 1851, by special acts of the Assembly. The later boroughs have been authorized by the Courts of Quarter Sessions, also townships, wards, election and school districts. The dates and locations of the several townships and boroughs of the county will be given in the detailed account of these parts of the county which here follows:
Abington-This township, in the extreme southeastern section of the county, is bounded on the northwest by Upper Dublin, northeast by Moreland, southeast by Philadelphia, and southwest by Springfield, Cheltenham, and the borough of Jenkintown. The last named was made a borough in 1874. The township was organized prior to 1704. The soil is a fertile loam, and contains limestone sufficient to produce excel- lent crops. For many years the making of lime was a leading industry in this township. Its streams are inclusive of Pennypack, and Sandy Run. Cheltenham, Willow Grove and Middle Road turnpikes traverse the territory in several directions; the first named was completed in
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1804, and the second in 1857. These highways cost $8,000 per mile. For railway lines, see chapter on Railroads. The township had a popu- lation in 1790 of 881 ; in 1840 it was 1,704; 1880, it had reached 2,125, and in 1920 it was 8,864. Next to Springfield, in 1882, this township was highest rated of any in the county, the amount of taxables being $2,655,030.
Among the first to effect a settlement here are known from record to have been the Fletchers, Morrises, Jenkins, Parry, Thomas, Bonds, Jones, Thompsons, Kenderlines, Pauls, Roberts, Hufty, Williams, Dor- land, Kirke, McVaugh, Tysons, Hallowells, Knights, Waterman, Trott, Weems, many of whom still have descendants in the township and county at this date. Germany, England and Wales all had their share in settlements here. Gordon, in his "State Gazeteer," stated that Abington village had in 1832, "ten or twelve dwellings, a tannery, a boarding school for boys, a tavern, two stores, and a Presbyterian church." A post office was established here in 1816 and continued two years. A hotel was kept here by Mary Moore, having a sign reading "Square and Compass." At the little hamlet of Weldon in this township occurred a skirmish between the British and Washington's forces, resulting in the killing of more than one hundred persons. An anti-tramp association was organized here in 1877 to protect the people against roving bands of would-be laborers, but who were worthless fellows making their way through from one part of the county to another and who were for the first time known (that year) as "tramps." Five officers were employed by the citizens to see that this lawless gang did no harm.
The churches and schools are treated in special chapters of this work, and include those of Abington township. One of the first Friends' meeting-houses in Pennsylvania was situated here, and was formed in 1683. The former historical volumes, especially Bean's "History of Montgomery County" (1884), give detailed accounts of many interest- ing things which this work has no space to insert.
Cheltenham-This is the extreme southeastern township in Mont- gomery county, bounded northeast by Abington, southeast and south- west by Philadelphia city, and on the northwest by Springfield. It is about one and one-half miles wide by five and one-half long, and con- tains 5,400 acres. It has a rolling surface, and a fair soil composed of gravel and loam. It is well watered by small streams and many never- failing springs of the finest water. Tacony creek is the largest stream that courses through its territory, emptying into the Delaware river at Bridesburg. Along its banks in early times there were numerous small mills and factories propelled by its waters, either direct or by mill-races. This portion of the county is peculiarly noted as being rich in many minerals, including excellent stone for quarrying purposes and for a good grade of pure mica. The York road passes through this township
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and was completed for general use in 1804. The Willow Grove and Ger- mantown road was built in 1857. The North Pennsylvania railroad was a highway through the township that materially aided the better devel- opment of the location. Ashbourne, York Road, Chelton Hills and Abington are all villages within this civil township. The railroad from Philadelphia to Newton also passes through the territory, and has for station points Shoemakertown, Edge Hill, Cheltenham, Ashbourne, Camptown and Harmer Hill. The common school system was adopted here in 1838 by sixteen majority. In 1880 there were thirteen excellent school buildings within the limits of the township. The population for periods has been : In 1800, 630; in 1880, 4,561 ; in 1900, 6,151, in 1920, 11,015.
There is no doubt about the township receiving its name through Toby Leech, one of the earliest land-owners and actual settlers, and a man of considerable influence. On his tombstone at Oxford Church is found a statement that he "came from Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, England, in the year 1682." It is also believed that there was no part of the county named at an earlier date than this township. In the month of July, 1683, Patrick Robinson had two hundred acres surveyed for him by Thomas Fairman, so reads the early county records. The name is also found in the eleventh month of said year in the records of the Abington meeting. In other works may be found a list of scores of names of pioneer settlers in this township, but for our purpose, the above is sufficient, so we will hasten on to matters concerning the town- ship, and especially its various towns and villages in a more recent day. Forty years ago the following were referred to as being the chief vil- lages within the township: Ashbourne, the largest of all, about a half mile from the Philadelphia city line, then had sixty-five houses, a store, post office, and one church. The census in 1880 gives it a population of 342 persons. This place was the outgrowth of the railroad having passed through that part of the county in 1856. A grist mill was the first to give coloring to early history here; this was erected in 1750.
Besides Ashbourne, already given, there are other hamlets or vil- lages, including the following, worthy of mention: Cheltenham, long known as Milltown, situated on Tacony creek, near the east corner of the township, and within eighty rods of the city line of Philadelphia, in 1882 had sixty residences, a few stores, and several churches. In the census of the county in 1810, mention was made that the only tilt-ham- mers in Montgomery county were those being operated by Benjamin Rowland, by means of which he was enabled to make twelve hundred dozen of spades and shovels in a single year. In 1832 the "Gazetteer" mentioned that that year there had been manufactured there 14,500 dozen of spades and shovels, using a total of one hundred tons of iron.
Shoemakertown, near the center of this township, on the York turn- pike, forty years ago had thirty houses, a merchant mill, a carriage fac-
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tory, hotel, Episcopal church, two halls, several machine shops, and the passenger station for the North Pennsylvania railroad. The charming country surrounding the village is noted for its many valuable and truly handsome country-seats and mansions built of stone, most of which are still standing and in use. The post office was established in 1857. The York road was laid out through the place in 1711. The famous stone bridge here was constructed in 1746. A tannery stood near the site of the bridge in 1776, and was no doubt there several years prior to that. What was in record as "the corn grist water mill" at about this point, was erected in 1746 and remained in the Shoemaker family many years.
Edge Hill village, in the northwest corner of the township, stands on a very elevated tract of land, hence its name. It is almost three hundred feet above tide-water of the Delaware river at Philadelphia. A post office was established here in 1851, the first in the township. The old Edge Hill iron works were located just over the line, in Springfield township. Other villages are Harmer Hill and Camptown, of more recent origin and without much development.
Douglas-This civil township is found within the southwestern part of the county, adjoining Upper Hanover, New Hanover and Pottsgrove townships. It also unites its territory with portions of Berks county. Its total area is fifteen square miles. It has had population at various times as shown here: In 1800 it was 1,297; in 1880, 1,676; in 1900, 1,650; in 1920, 1,599. The surface is rolling, and the soil usually red shale. Springs of never-failing water abound, and from them the numerous streams take their rise. Many of these creeks have for years provided excellent water power, as their fall is great per mile. In 1707 William Penn conveyed to his son John Penn a tract of twelve thousand acres within what is now Douglas township. In 1735 John Penn sold the land to George McCall, a merchant of Philadelphia. Upon a new survey it was discovered the tract described really contained about two thousand acres more than was originally conveyed. This land was known many years as the "McCall Manor," and later was in Douglas township, which appears to have been erected in 1741, when there were eighty-five tax- ables. In 1776 it was well settled, for here is where Colonel Burd's battalion of infantry was credited to. In 1785, a year after Montgomery county was created, this township had among its taxables four hotels, four gristmills, five sawmills, one paper mill, one tannery, and one good sized iron forge, hence was a very early industrial portion of the county. The villages of this township are Gilbertsville, Engleville, Douglas, and Niantic. These, except Gilbertsville, have never been known other than hamlets and post office points where a few business houses have been and are to-day to be found. Gilbertsville in 1883 had about seventy dwellings and the usual number of shops and stores. From an early day
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this place had its smiths, its wheelwrights, weavers, tinsmiths, and a large number of cigar factories. The village was also noted for its many large public auctions of live-stock.
But the great feature of this part of the county is its agricultural resources, and the manner in which the soil has been cared for and cul- tivated for generations by a thrifty set of German farmers, whose farms have been graced by massive barns and farm-houses, all built of native stone which has not changed in solidity in the passing of more than a century. Here the farmer has ever been king, and he has aided in build- ing up the county with fine highways, and supported all that was good for a community to have and enjoy. Perhaps no better roads, fences, barns and general buildings can be seen in Montgomery county than those in this township.
The religious denominations are largely made up from the member- ship of the Lutherans, of Huber's Church, near Niantic, and another combined Lutheran and Reformed church at the village of Douglas. The burial grounds of the township show what great love and devotion the citizens have always had for the departed dead.
As to elections it should be said that the township was first created by an act of the General Assembly, approved April 16, 1827. The first election was held at the public house of Abraham Stetler. The town- ship was divided into two election districts March 5, 1873, and are known as East and West Douglas. Special chapters in this work will treat in a general way on the schools and churches found within the township at this time.
Franconia-In the northeastern part of the county is one subdivision known as Franconia township, which joins Bucks county on the north- east, and joins the townships of Upper and Lower Salford and Hatfield of this county. It has an area of almost fifteen square miles. Its streams are small, but in early days afforded ample water-power to run the ordi- nary mill. Among such streams are the Skippack, Indian creek, and East branch of the Perkiomen creek, all of which still have fair stages of water.
One of the best of earlier historians for this county said of the name of this township: "The name Franconia is derived from an old duchy which afterwards formed a circle of the Germanic Empire, and signifies 'Land of the Franks,' whence also France. On Holme's map of 1682 it is called 'The Dutch Township,' from which we infer that the Germans were its first settlers." In 1734 this township had listed thirty-four tax- ables, nearly everyone German. Christian Meyer arrived in 1727; Fred- erick Sholl, in 1728; Hans Jacob Oberholtz, George Hartzel, Ludwig Hartzel, and Johannes Fry, in 1730. It is believed that the first actual settler here was Christian Funk, of Indian creek neighborhood, below the old mill of George S. Reiff. The Souders also came from the same
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family lines and are still represented in this township. One of the land- marks here is the old tannery, one mile south of Souderton, which was built in 1780 by Jacob Leidy, whose grandson was still operating it in 1885.
The population of the township, according to the United States cen- sus reports, has been : In 1800, 629; in 1830, 998; in 1850, 1,270; in 1870, 1,950 ; in 1880, 2,556; in 1890, 2,036; in 1900, 2,036; in 1910, 2,339; and in 1920 it was less than 1,700, but this was outside the boroughs.
The villages and boroughs made up from the territory of the town- ships are as follows: Franconia Square, near the center; Franconiaville, in the southern part; and Souderton and Telford, situated on the line of the railroad in the eastern portion of the township. The two last-named are now sprightly incorporated boroughs, of which see chapter of bor- oughs, within this work. Concerning Franconia Square and Franconia- ville, it only needs to be said that these old landmarks were founded by the opening of hotels, a few stores and shops, with a post office in each locality, and even the oldest living person knows nothing save by dim tradition of the comings and goings of those who formerly dwelt in the hamlets, except that such places did exist at one time.
This civil township was made by act of the General Assembly. approved March 16, 1847, to become a separate election district. The first election was ordered to be held at the store-house of Daniel E. Moyer.
Frederick-This township is bounded on the northwest by New Han- over and Upper Hanover townships; on the east by Perkiomen creek, flowing from north to south, separating it from Marlborough and Upper Salford townships; on the southeast by Perkiomen township; and on the southwest by Limerick and New Hanover townships. Its area is 13,440 acres. Its central part is fifteen miles distant from Norristown, and thirty-two miles from Philadelphia. The general surface of this part of Montgomery county is decidedly rough and rolling, yet there are hundreds of well kept farms where good crops are annually produced. The valley lands are blessed with an extra good soil for various crops. As a stock growing section, it is ideal for Pennsylvania. Concerning the several streams of spring-fed water, it only needs to be said that they must be seen and fully utilized in order to duly appreciate their beauty and value to the residents of the township. The rapid flowing water of these streams dashing over the well worn flattened stones of their valleys, are indeed a fit subject for the artist. In the past these streams abounded with fine game fish, but not to any great extent in the times of this generation. The first forests have long since been destroyed, but second and third growths of these forest kings still cover many a hill slope within the township. These trees include the oak, ash, elm, hickory, walnut, butternut, chestnut, maple, gum, hemlock, pine, spruce, and smaller growths.
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This township was prior to 1731 without an official name, neither did it possess a local government. It was commonly known as Falkner Swamp, in common with the remainder of the territory drained by Swamp creek and its numerous tributaries. But at the last date named, its citizens found the necessity of a local government and they petitioned the court for such government. The record is silent as to who the township was named in honor of, but it is natural to suppose that it was for the line of middle-age emperors, and because the petitioners, with but a single exception, were of the Teutonic stock.
Before the arrival of the first actual settlers to this green, glad soli- tude, the choicest of the land had been taken up by speculators from Philadelphia and other parts; even many in England invested in these wild lands at a mere song per acre. Among the first pioneers to invade the township for actual settlement were these: By virtue of a warrant dated December, 1716, there was laid out to James Shattick five hundred acres, a part of the tract William Penn had granted to Richard Pearce, May 4, 1682. To follow down with the long list of those who settled the township the first fifty years, will be of no general interest to the reader, suffice to say they were largely of German speaking people, and by reason of this the township in more recent generations, has been styled a "Pennsylvania German section." The Federal census returns show a population here as follows: In 1800, it was 629; in 1810, 828: in 1820, 927; in 1830, 1,047; in 1840, 1,217; in 1850 it was 1,431; in 1860, 1,783; in 1870, 1,818; in 1880, 1,944; in 1890, 1,850; in 1900 it was only 1,690; in 1910, it was 1,512, and in 1920 given as 1,405. Hundreds of the present generation have caught a vision of possibilities for bettering their circumstances by going on west toward the setting sun, and thus has the population decreased materially. In the returns of 1840 this township showed in its classification: 229 employed in agriculture; 8 in commerce ; 106 in manufacturing ; 3 in navigation ; 5 in the learned professions ; 2 persons were blind, and 4 of unsound mind. In 1860 there were listed in the census returns 17 colored persons in this township.
It should not be lost to the view of the readers of to-day that this part of the county has few mills of importance in operation, although the numerous streams afforded abundant water power which was utilized to a large degree by the pioneer band of Germans who first set foot on this soil. Before January, 1736, Henry Antes and George Heebner had erected a grist mill on Swamp creek. It has been described in milling journals as "a grist mill with two pair of stones under one roof." Joseph Goff erected a mill in 1737, on Perkiomen creek; in 1759 George Nyce established a tannery at New Hanover and Frederick township line. In 1785 the township had its five gristmills, four sawmills, two tanneries and two hemp mills. Peter Smith owned a powder mill, which later was converted into an oil mill and subsequently was allowed to go into
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decay. Many of these mills stood the test of a full century and more before they gave way to others. One of the more recent industries here was the creamery established in 1880 by a company of citizens, under the title of "Green Tree Creamery."
There are no boroughs within this township's territory, but the vil- lages are Zeiglersville, Frederick, part of Perkiomenville, Frederick's Station, Delphi and Obelisk. Some of these places are railway stations and others inland hamlets, where there are a few small stores and shops and usually a post office. Each and all of these places have been the scene of many historical transactions and events dating back to Revolu- tionary times, all too lengthy for reproducing in this connection.
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CHAPTER XXIII. TOWNSHIPS: HATFIELD-HORSHAM-LIMERICK- LOWER MERION.
Hatfield-This township is on the line of Bucks and Montgomery counties, with Towamencin on the southwest, Franconia on the north- west and the borough of Lansdale on the south. Its area is eleven square miles, or 7,040 acres. When Lansdale was incorporated in 1872, much territory was taken from Hatfield township. This subdivision of the county is situated on the divide between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Smaller streams rise both in and outside the township, flow through its domain, and empty their waters into either one of the two larger streams named. The general character of the soil is red clay mixed with fertile loam. It was the opinion of historian Buck, in writ- ing on this township, that its name originated from a town and parish in Hertfordshire. He also says one John Hatfield lived in Norriton town- ship as early as 1734, and possibly the court named this township after him. In 1785 the township had within its borders: two gristmills, one sawmill, one tannery and a hotel. Its population has been at various periods : In 1880, it was 520; in 1830, 835; in 1850, 1,135; in 1870, 1,512; in 1880, 1,694; in 1890, 1,833; in 1900 it was 1,497; in 1910 it was 1,600, and in 1920 was 1,789.
The date of organization of this township is not really known, but from records it is certain that it was not until after 1741, but was known at the close of the Revolutionary War, as damages were assessed to Jacob Reed, forty pounds, and Isaac Wisler, twenty-five pounds, both residents of Hatfield township, resulting from incursions of the enemy ; this country was open to foraging parties during the winter of 1777-78, and scattered farmers doubtless suffered much loss at their hands. It was mostly by reason of Lord Howe's army quartered in Philadelphia during the winter season just mentioned, that caused most of the trouble. John Fries, of "Fries' Rebellion" notoriety, was born in Hatfield town- ship in 1750. He resisted the English ideas of taxation, refused to pay under the house and window tax law, and was sentenced to be hung, but through the kindness of friends influencing President John Adams, he was pardoned.
By act of the General Assembly, approved March 24, 1818, the town- ship of Hatfield was formed into a separate election district, and the elections ordered to be held at the house of John Buchanan; in 1825 it was ordered held at the house of Peter Conver, and again it was changed to the house of Jacob C. Bachman. All later elections were at some public hall or schoolhouse.
The schools and churches are treated under the general chapters on
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such topics elsewhere in this work. It may be said here that this town- ship adopted the free-school system about 1840, early after it was created within the commonwealth. The German Baptists and Mennonites were early in the religious field in this part of Montgomery county.
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