USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 34
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The villages of the township are: Line Lexington, situated on the county line, partly in Bucks county ; Hatfield, Colmar and Hockertown. These were the old-time villages, but have mostly become defunct, with the building of the railroad through the township, from Lansdale in the southeastern corner to the northwest corner, with the borough of Hat- field en route, and which place has come to be a good sized mart. Orville Station, Orville, Unionville and Trewgtown, are simply hamlets, with a few business interests. The borough of Hatfield now has thirty-three business houses. (See chapter relating to Boroughs of the county.)
Horsham-Horsham, probably named for one of its earliest settlers, Thomas Iredell, whose birthplace was Horsham, Sussex county, Eng- land, and who located here not later than 1709, bought two hundred acres of land and built a residence a half mile north of the meeting- house. He was married, says the Philadelphia records, in 1705, and died in 1734. Robert Iredell, one of his descendants, was many years proprietor of the "Norristown Herald," and in the eighties was post- master of his borough. The date of his birth was October, 1809.
This is one of the eastern townships in the county, and is bounded on the north by Bucks county. It is regular in form, being from five and one-half miles long by three miles wide; it has almost 10,000 acres within its limits. It is well watered and drained by several branches of the Neshaminy. Milling on these water-power streams used to be very common and profitable. The Doylestown and Willow Grove turnpike passes through this township; also the Whitehall and Bethlehem pikes touch its territory.
The pioneer settlements were effected by persons including these : Samuel Carpenter, Mary Blunston, Richard Ingels, Thomas Potter, Sarah Fuller and John Barnes. Their tracts included half of the town- ship. The next set of persons who here found homes for themselves were George Palmer, Joseph Fisher and John Mason. These all came in just before 1710. It should be added that one-third of the township was taken up by Samuel Carpenter, who had more than five thousand acres, obtained of William Penn. The Kenderdine and Lukens families were early in this township and left their lasting impression on the county, as characters sturdy and of the real worthwhile type of manhood and womanhood. Another was Evan Lloyd, who came from Wales in 1719; he was the minister among the Friends, and built near the meeting-house.
The United States census reports for various enumerating periods have placed the population here as follows: In 1800, 781 ; in 1840, 1,812;
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in 1880, 1,315; in 1900, 1,157; in 1920 it was 1,189. In 1883 reports gave the number of business places as one hotel, three general stores, two dealers in flour and feed. There was then a Friends' meeting-house, and two small public halls within the township, where lectures and mass meetings could be held. The villages were then, as now, Horsham- ville, Prospectville, and Davis Grove. A post office was established in 1816, at Horshamville, with Charles Palmer as postmaster. Forty years ago the village of Prospectville contained eight houses, a store, hall and several shops. A post office was secured here in 1858. The first of all business enterprises at this point was in 1779, when Thomas Roney kept an inn. In later times this place was known as Cashtown. Another place is Davis Grove, within a half mile of the Bucks county line. Here Mary Ball kept an inn in 1790, and her sign was "The Yel- low Balls."
With less than sixteen hundred inhabitants, and an agricultural dis- trict, at that, there can scarce be found in the country a people of more intelligence and generous social qualities than lived in this township during the last two centuries. Here have been the homes of such noted literary and otherwise distinguished men and women as Sir William Keith, Dr. Thomas Graeme, Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson, John and Anna Young, Dr. Archibald McClean, Robert Loller, David and Joseph Lloyd; Samuel and John Gummere; John, Abraham and Isaiah Lukens, Hiram McNeal, and the Simpson family, of whom John Simpson was great- grandfather to General Ulysses S. Grant. This Simpson was tax-col- lector in the township in 1776, and was a landowner of considerable means. The father of General Grant was Jesse R. Grant, who died in 1873 and the mother in 1882. Mrs. Jesse R. Grant was the daughter of John Simpson, of Montgomery county, and remained here until nineteen years of age, then settled in Ohio, where she married, and among her children was he who was to command the armies of his country and finally be made its President for two terms.
Limerick-This township is bounded on the northeast by Frederick, southeast by Perkiomen and Upper Providence, south by the borough of Royer's Ford, southwest by the Schuylkill river, west by Pottsgrove, and northwest by New Hanover township. It is about four and one- half by five miles in size, and contains close to 14,000 acres-among the most extensive in Montgomery county in its area. July 14, 1879, Royer's Ford borough was wholly taken from the territory of this township, reducing both extent of territory as well as population. Along the Schuylkill river the soil is excellent, but most of the territory is a stiff clay, which at times is unproductive. The streams are not as large in volume of water as most parts of the county afford ; in fact, only a saw- mill was ever attempted to be run by water power in the township, and that not entirely successfully.
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In 1741 the number of taxables within Limerick was fifty-eight; in 1828, 315; in 1882 it was rated with 646. The population at various census enumeration periods has been : In 1800 it was 999; in 1840, 1,786; in 1880, it was 2,365 ; in 1890, 2,224; 1900, 2,250; in 1910, 2,267; and in 1920 it was about 2,350. The census of 1850 had returns showing 373 houses, 403 families, and 248 farms. The Reading turnpike crosses for five miles through its center and the Limerick and Colebrookdale pike three miles. The former improvement was made in 1815, and the latter in 1855.
Soon after 1709, the first real settlement of the township was made, and by 1734 had increased to twenty-one residents, and landowners: John Davy, 300; Enoch Davis, 300; Edward Nichols, 600; John Ken- dall, 300; Owen Evans, 400; William Evans, 300; Joseph Barlow, 400; Peter Umstead, 250; Oliff (or Adolph) Pennypacker, 250; Henry Rey- ner, 100; William Woodly, 150; Jonathan Woodly, 300; William Malsby, 200; Henry Peterson, 200; Peter Peterson, 100; Nicholas Custer, 7; Hironemus Haas, 250; Lawrence Rinker, 50; Stephen Miller, 170; Barn- aby Coulson, 50; Martin Kolb, 150. In 1876 the returns named among the citizens of the township, blacksmiths, joiners, weavers, tailors, card- winders, and inn keepers.
Parker's Ford is about five miles above the present village of Lin- field, about five miles below Pottstown. The road from here to the Trappe is five miles and a half, and was laid out at a very early day. The land rises gradually from the river, but on the Chester county side is more elevated. It was at this place, September 19, 1777, that the fol- lowing incident took place, as mentioned in the journal of Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, residing at the Trappe:
In the afternoon we had news that the British troops on the other side of the Schuylkill river had marched down towards Providence, and with a telescope we could see their camp. In consequence of this, the American army, four miles from us, forded the Schuylkill breast high, and came upon the Philadelphia road at Augustus church. His Excel- lency, General Washington, was with the troops in person, who marched past here to the Perkiomen. The procession lasted the whole night, and we had numerous visits from officers, wet breast high, who had to march in this condition during the whole night, cold and damp as it was, and to bear hunger and thirst at the same time.
What a fit subject for a painting, methinks, the title to be "The American Army Breast-deep Crossing Schuylkill River." Indeed, it would be a suitable counterpart to "Washington Crossing the Delaware."
The borough of Royer's Ford is located on land formerly being the southeastern corner of Limerick township. To-day there are no incor- porated boroughs within the township, but the villages, past and pres- ent, may be described as follows: Forty years ago the villages were Limerick Station, Limerick Square, Fruitville, and Stone Hill. The
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first two named were post office points. Since 1838 the township elec- tions have been held at Limerick Square. To modernize the villages here, it should be said that in June, 1884, application was made and the court granted, that it was wise to incorporate into a borough, and the name selected was "Linfield," as known to-day as the railroad place on the Reading road. It only contains about a dozen houses and a small amount of business. Limerick Square, a little east of the center of the township, contains a post office, a few houses and stores. The post office of Limerick was established here in about 1828. Widow Lloyd kept an inn here at the junction of the two pike roads as early as 1758, and in 1776 it was conducted by John Stetler, and the locality was then known many years as Stetler. In 1858 it contained a steam gristmill, two smith shops, a sawmill, sixteen houses, a number being large three- story brick buildings. A trolley line now passes through the place, with frequent cars going and coming to the nearby cities. Fruitville, another small village on the Colebrookdale pike, about a mile and a half from Limerick Square to the northwest, has the usual number of small busi- ness houses and a few good residences. Of the schools and churches within this township the reader is referred to the general county chap- ters covering such topics.
Lower Merion-This is the most southeasterly township in Mont- gomery county, and previous to the taking off of what is now the bor- ough of West Conshohocken, the greatest in extent and number of pop- ulation of any in the county. This division was effected in 1874. It has within its present limits several vigorous, rapidly growing villages, but only one borough has been carved from its territory aside from West Conshohocken, and that is Narberth. Its villages are Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Wynnewood, Rose Glen, and smaller hamlets. The surface of the township is ideal in many ways. Its soil in most sections is excellent for farm and garden purposes. Its beautiful small streams are ever a joy to the beholder. Not less than thirteen of these creeks empty into the Schuylkill river within the borders of this township. So plentiful are the streams of pure water that it has been said many times that there was not a single farm of any considerable area within the township that did not afford at least one strong, cold, never-failing spring of water. The largest of these streams above named is Mill creek, which rises and unites with the Schuylkill all within the confines of the township, and in its course has flowing into its channel fourteen lesser streams. This main stream, Mill creek, was noted for having a paper mill before the Revolutionary War. "Roberts' grist and paper mills" was noted by the writers of 1758. In 1858 its waters propelled one plaster mill, two grist and sawmills, besides eleven manufactories. Before 1822 the Merion Cotton Mills, with 949 spindles, was also run by the falling waters of this stream. Rock creek, Indian creek, Trout
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run, Rock Hill creek and Cobb's creek are included in the list of streams that have gladdened the heart of man for a long period of decades.
As to the population of the township, it should be said that the United States census reports give these significant figures: In 1800, it had 1,422; in 1840, 2,827; in 1860, 4,423; in 1880, 6,287; 1890 it had 10,092 ; in 1910 it was 17,671 and in 1920, the figures given were 23,827. As early as 1883 there were seven post offices in the township, but the advent of rural carriers cut these down somewhat, but with the spring- ing up of new villages others were established until to-day all villages in the township have excellent postal facilities. The public schools are numerous and of the truly worthwhile type. The private educational institutions are many ; there are a half dozen select schools for girls, and the great almost world-famed Bryn Mawr College for females, which was established in 1880, together with the select private schools, gives the township more female pupils in higher schools of learning than can be named at any other place in America. (See Educational chapter.) Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches are among the very early denominations to be found within Lower Merion township (see Church chapter for further account of the religious denominations). It should be here mentioned that the Society of Friends was the earliest to worship within this township, and an account of the Old Meeting House appears in the Church chapter referred to.
The township derives its name from Merioneth, in Wales, from which country so many of the pioneers of this township emigrated. In 1685 the boundary between Merion and Chester county was ordered determined. It is also known that Upper and Lower Merion obtained prior to 1714. On the original survey maps the names of purchasers include such families as the Hollands, Pennocks, Roberts, Woods, Hum- phreys, Ellis, and Jones. These names are well known through their numerous descendants in this township at the present day.
The local historian, William J. Buck, says in his history: "During the Revolution, particularly while the British held possession of Phil- adelphia, from September, 1777, to June, 1778, the inhabitants of Lower Merion, in consequence of their nearness, suffered severely from the raids of the enemy. Though no striking events of interest occurred here during the exciting struggle, yet it was compelled to bear some of its trials. Shortly after their departure an assessor was appointed to value the damages, which amounted to $8,565 in our money. During this period twenty-nine persons stood attainted with treason within the present limits of the county, yet only one of the number was from this township, thus showing that the mass of the people here must have been generally disposed to independence." This spirit of unflinching loyalty came on down through the periods of the War of 1812, and the Rebel- lion, as well as in the last World War.
WASHINGTON MEMORIAL CHAPEL, VALLEY FORGE
PENNSYLVANIA COLUMNS, VALLEY FORGE
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One can hardly avoid traveling over sacred ground in passing through Montgomery county. Nearly everywhere one turns is some association with the Revolution, apart from the preeminent one of all America, that of Valley Forge. Yet it is to be regretted that these historic spots have as a rule never been appreciated enough by the citizens to even place proper "markers" of wood, stone or bronze, to tell the traveler that he is passing over historic, almost sacred ground. But it is of Valley Forge that we write at this time. Cornwallis remarked at Yorktown to Washington: "Sir, your greatest victory was not at York- town, but at Valley Forge." Then no wonder the residents in and sur- rounding this spot should take on a just pride and delight themselves by showing the stranger the sights at hand and pointing to the everlasting hills and majestic windings of the channel of the Schuylkill, on whose charming scenes the eyes of Washington rested in the "times that tried men's souls"-1777-78-when the destiny of a nation was being determined.
The Valley Forge Park is the direct result of the untiring working of the Valley Forge Park Commission appointed by the General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania in June, 1893, and provided "for the acqui- sition by the State of certain ground at Valley Forge for a park." What was styled the Valley Forge Monument Association began its work in 1882, and men like George W. Childs became its charter members. Congress was appealed to for aid, but nothing was accomplished by such efforts. Then Pennsylvania was appealed to, to throw out its protecting arm around the sacred spots about Washington's Headquarters at this point. At first it was asked that a befitting monument like Bunker Hill and Washington Monuments to be erected by the commonwealth, but a better judgment prevailed, and the idea of preserving the entire grounds, containing over fifteen hundred acres, was developed and the bill appro- priating for such purchase was passed in 1893. There is always some brave, far-sighted person who has to do with the beginnings of all great accomplishments and public institutions. It was the case here. Just who this person might have been, it is certain that as early as 1842 (the late Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker says), Dr. Isaac Anderson Penny- packer wrote in behalf of the preservation of this encampment, and in 1845 suggested the erection of a suitable monument on Mt. Joy. To this end came the great Daniel Webster, William H. Seward, Neal Dow and others to Valley Forge. But such enthusiasm soon died away with the greater interests of a Nation that was destined to be baptized in the blood of her own people, before true liberty and freedom could be vouched safe.
The first act passed, as above stated, in 1893 provided $25,000 for the purpose of the Commission, and in 1895 $10,000 were appropriated. Pennsylvania has now expended several hundred thousand dollars in
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purchasing the lands, building of excellent paved roads, etc. But prior to all of these efforts was the celebration of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the Evacuation of Valley Forge. To bring about this "Centen- nial," a society was organized, and known as "The Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge," of which Mrs. Anna M. Hol- stein was elected regent. Subscriptions and the sale of membership tickets to the Association were carried on successfully until the old stone headquarters house of Washington and an acre and a half of land sur- rounding it had been secured at an expense of $6,000, one-half being secured by a mortgage. Later it was impossible to pay the interest on this mortgage by the Association, and an appeal was made to the Patri- otic Order of the Sons of America in its convention in Norristown in 1885. Six months later this worthy order had paid off the debt and received 3,600 shares of stock, which gave them a voice in the management of affairs at Valley Forge. In 1887 the State gave $5,000 to further the work, and in 1887 the Headquarters building was restored to its original condition. Additional lands were purchased in 1889 and in 1904. A small fee had always been charged to visit the "Headquarters Building," that fine ancient stone structure, but in 1904 the Park Commission sug- gested that the State take over the property, and in August, 1905, it was so possessed by the State. The amount paid the Association by Penn- sylvania was $18,000, which the courts held must be forever held in trust by the Association and could not be alienated or divided.
Since the State took possession of this immense natural park, with its numerous buildings, vast improvements have been effected. But so great have come to be the interests centering around this national shrine that outsiders are desiring to have a part in the making more perfect this spot, visited annually by its tens of thousands of people from our own and foreign lands. Just at this time (1923) a chime of thirteen bells, one for each Colony, is being placed at Valley Forge. The first bell was donated by the Massachusetts Society of the Daughters of the Revolution ; this is named "Paul Revere." The great tenor bell, weigh- ing over a ton and one-half, was to be given by the Pennsylvania D. A. R., and the New Jersey Society will soon have the fund raised for their bell; the Colonial Dames of Delaware are to furnish one bell for their State. New York will have one of the heaviest bells in the chime, and it will cost $5,000. Each bell will be endowed, so that a ringer will be present every day of the year and every hour will be marked by a patriotic air. The national anthem will be played each day at sunset.
The Valley Forge Park Commission recently endorsed and approved the plan of building an historic shrine at Valley Forge in honor of the heroes who fell in the late World War, and the project is being backed by the American Legion, War Mothers, and other patriotic societies. It is to be a memorial of rare size and exquisite beauty. Such buildings
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WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, VALLEY FORGE
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WASHINGTON'S BEDROOM-THE HEADQUARTERS-VALLEY FORGE
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are much more practical and truly useful than the old-fashioned monu- ments of marble or granite. With the completion of the above chime of bells and this Victory Hall, the improvements around a spot almost neglected and forgotten by the average American up to thirty years ago, will indeed be a credit to Pennsylvania, Montgomery county, and the location so long known as Valley Forge.
As one visits Valley Forge, his eye will be greeted, as he passes over the thousands of acres within the State Park and its surrounding farm- ing lands, with many an interesting and truly historical object, nearly all of which have been provided within this present generation. Among these may be named: Washington's Headquarters, the fine old stone residence given over to the "Father of His Country" by pioneer Potts during that long, memorable winter of 1777-78; the earthworks; the Washington Memorial Chapel, an Episcopal church of rare and costly design, within and without, which is open daily from 8 a. m. to 6 p. m., and which has been made possible only through the untiring zeal and natural ability of the present rector, W. Herbert Burk, D. D., who is also president of the Valley Forge Historical Society; the Cloister of the Colonies; Valley Forge Museum of American History ; the Soldiers' Hut; the old Camp School; the Waterman Monument; the Wayne Mon- ument; the Muhlenberg Monument; the Delaware Marker; the Maine Marker; the Massachusetts Monument; the New Jersey Monument ; the Pennsylvania Columns; the Monument to the Unknown Dead; the Brigade Hospital (reproduction) ; the Headquarters of Commanding Officers (no admission) ; View from Observatory in Mount Joy; the Defender's Gate, near the Chapel, and Museum.
The greatest object of interest to the thoughtful visitor at Valley Forge is the original field tent General Washington used as headquar- ters the first week he spent upon the exposed hillsides at this point, before Mr. Potts took pity on him and gave him quarters in the now historic stone house, the first building one sees after alighting from the railway train when entering the little hamlet of Valley Forge. To look upon the real genuine canvas tent which the great commander used as his sleeping room and general headquarters, rivets the attention of the visitor upon its every thread and fold, as it is seen in the museum. in the last place where one would think to find so valuable a relic. It was secured by Dr. Burk from Miss Mary Custis Lee, the daughter of Mrs. Robert E. Lee, widow of General Robert E. Lee, and the owner of the tent, first on an option for its purchase of $5,000, and on August 19, 1909, the first payment was made, amounting to $500. The remaining $4,500 was to be paid from money raised by exhibition of the tent, and the money was to go to the support of the "Old Confederate Woman's Home," Richmond, Virginia, of which Miss Lee was president. This tent is in fine condition, and is about ten by fifteen feet in size and high
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enough to walk under easily. The Washington Memorial Library now contains about fourteen thousand volumes, awaiting a proper home for safekeeping and use.
The Valley Forge Historical Society was organized by the Rev. W. Herbert Burk, D. D., June 19, 1918, to collect and preserve documents and relics relating to Valley Forge, and the history of the United States of America and other objects. But as has well been said by another, "The exhibition of the character of Washington is the crowning glory of Valley Forge."
Bryn Mawr is among the more important unincorporated places within Lower Merion township. The name is borrowed from the Welsh dialect, and signifies "great hills." As will be observed presently, it is chiefly known by reason of its modern, fully equipped, up-to-date female college and select private schools for young ladies. To possess a diploma from Bryn Mawr College means much to be justly proud of by any lady of the land.
Concerning the early history of this section of Montgomery county, it may be stated that it was settled in the fifties to considerable extent for these times. In 1858 it had twenty-one residences, and was then known as Humphreysville. It is nine miles from the city of Philadel- phia, and joins Delaware county. For many years the place was sought out by summer boarders from the city, it being a delightful place to spend the summer months. But this was all changed when the great educational wave struck the place in the early eighties, after which the girls' private academies and finally the great college, of which further mention is made, were established, and a fine group of magnificent buildings of stone graced the always beautiful spot. To-day the place has near 6,000 population, and is the seat of many well conducted schools, including the public schools with two buildings. Bryn Mawr Female College is the one important factor in the place, for here are hundreds and added hundreds of young ladies coming from all parts of the globe. Now there are several students from Japan and other far- off islands of the sea. There are also five boarding schools for girls.
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