USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 35
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The churches found here with good congregations are the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Colored Baptist and Colored Methodist Episcopal, United Brethren, and Roman Catholic, all having edifices except the United Brethren. The lodges include Red Men, Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Moose, Legion and Grand Army posts. The local newspaper is the "Home News," the history of which will be found in the News- paper chapter. The Public Library and the one conducted by the W. C. T. U. organization afford ample books for the community. The com- mercial interests are such as a college and school center demands. The manufacturing plants are confined to the Thomas M. Royal Company, makers of all kinds of paper bags and sacks for merchandise purposes. More than two hundred persons find steady employment in this factory,
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THE MERICH TITLE & TRUST CO
-
I. PUBLIC SCHOOL
3. MASONIC HALL
2. LOWER MERION HIGH SCHOOL 4. THE ARDMORE NATIONAL BANK
5. THE MERION TITLE & TRUST COMPANY ARDMORE, PA.
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the product of which is known the country over. The other factory is the artificial ice plant, which is of large capacity. Of the hospital, bank- ing, etc., other chapters will include all in the county.
Ardmore is on the old Lancaster turnpike and Pennsylvania railroad, seven miles out from the city of Philadelphia, and is the seat of local government for Lower Merion township, the township hall being situ- ated there. An historical account given of the hamlet in 1884 has this paragraph: "It contains nearly one hundred houses, two hotels, one grocery, two drug and three general stores, a Lutheran church, a steam planing mill and shutter and door manufactory, a lumber yard, and has a Masonic Hall for Cassia Lodge, No. 273, Free and Accepted Masons, and Chapter 262, Royal Arch Masons; an Odd Fellows' Hall, Banyan Tree Lodge, No. 378, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Haverford College, belonging to the Orthodox Friends, is only a half mile distant, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The village in 1858 contained only twenty-eight houses and in 1880 its population was five hundred and nineteen."
Before the Revolutionary War, the "Red Lion Tavern" was estab- lished here and kept by John Taylor over a quarter of a century. Before the building of the railroad, more than fifty teamsters with their cargo of frieight to and from the nearby city used to stop all night at this tav- ern. The village was originally called Athensville, and the post office was Cabinet. In 1855 the Athens Institute and Library Association was incorporated, but in the early eighties disbanded and sold the property. At this writing, the population of Ardmore is placed at 12,000, and its business interests, outside the retail general stores and ordinary shops, consists of two well capitalized banks (see Banking chapter), and the extensive manufacturing plant of the Auto-car Company, where more than one thousand employees are engaged the year round. The local newspapers are the "Ardmore Chronicle" and the "Main Liner," both wide-awake papers of which mention is made in the chapter on News- papers of the county. There are church organizations owning edifices and supporting a minister, as follows: Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Evangelical Lutheran, Colored Baptist (two), African Methodist Episcopal, and Christian Scientists. The civic orders include the Masonic, Chapter and Eastern Star lodges; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Independent Order of American Mechanics. The public schools are situated in two fine school structures, and an- other is being planned. A public library, under the auspices of the Woman's Club of Ardmore, is a valuable adjunct to the public schools of the place.
Other villages of Lower Merion township are: Rosemont, near Bryn Mawr; Pencoid, in the extreme northeastern corner of the township; West Manayunk, at the mouth of Rock Hill creek, opposite Manayunk, the Schuylkill dividing the two places; Merion Square, located in the
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center of the township; Libertyville, to the northeast of Ardmore; Wynnewood, below Ardmore proper; Academyville, a mile southwest of West Manayunk; Lower Merion Academy, Flat Rock, and possibly a few hamlets, constitute the villages or towns within the limits of Lower Merion township, which exist to-day, or have in the past been known on the maps. Some were making their history away back before the Revolutionary struggle, while others are of more recent date. None of these places in the nature of things could be expected to be large in population, as they are in a sense but suburbs of the city of Philadelphia.
THE LAKE, SANATOGA PARK, POTTSTOWN-MANATAWNY BRIDGE. POTTSTOWN-WEST SHORE, SANATOGA LAKE
CHAPTER XXIV. TOWNSHIPS: MARLBOROUGH-MONTGOMERY-MORE- LAND-NEW HANOVER-UPPER HANOVER- NORRITON-PERKIOMEN.
Marlborough-This is one of the northwestern townships in Mont- gomery county, is bounded by Bucks county on the northeast, south and east by Upper Salford, southwest by Frederick and the borough of Green Lane, and northwest by Upper Hanover township. It is three by five miles in extent, and contains about one hundred and fifty square miles. It was reduced in 1875 by the incorporating of the borough of Green Lane, which took from its territory one hundred and fifty-four acres. The Perkiomen flows along its southwest boundary, and East Swamp creek in the eastern portion. Also Ridge Valley creek is an important stream in its class This township was named for the Duke of Marl- borough, noted for his military career in about 1706, and who died in 1722. The township was organized in 1745, and the first settlement known to have been made was by Thomas Mayberry, who bought a tract of land in 1730, containing about twelve hundred acres. He erected a forge there, the location being near or exactly at the present site of the borough of Green Lane. According to government reports, the population at different periods has been as follows: In 1800, it was 645 ; in 1830, was 952; in 1850, it was 1,174; in 1870, 1,303; in 1880, 1,212; 1890 was 1,151 ; in 1900 it was 1,129; in 1910, 1,195; and in 1920 it was 1,514.
The Sumneytown and Spring House Turnpike Company was incor- porated in 1845 and opened its highway in 1848 through this township. The Perkiomen turnpike passes through the southwestern part of its territory from Green Lane to Perkiomenville. The Green Lane and Goshenhoppen, and the Sumneytown and Gerrysville pikes also pass over the township. The early forges and powder mills, also oil mills, erected on the Perkiomen and its tributaries, and the large amount of freighting necessary in conducting them, induced the people to construct hard roads.
There are three villages-Hoppenville, Sumneytown and Marlbor- ough. Sumneytown is the largest of the three, and was named for Isaac Sumney, who in August, 1763, purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Marlborough township, which included a part of the present site of the village. This is a very ancient settlement for this county; history mentions it, and speaks of Dorn's Inn as located at the forks of the road. Dorn later conducted a regular hotel, and the large stone building was standing not many years ago. A map of the county in 1792 is the earliest we find the name Sumneytown. A post office was
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established there prior to 1827. In 1832 it is shown by a gazetteer that the place had at that date a tavern, two stores, and twelve dwellings. In 1870 the place had not improved greatly, although it then had a sugar factory, a gristmill, machine shop, and numerous stores. Here was launched the first German newspaper in Montgomery county, it being founded in April, 1821, by Samuel Royer, and called "Der Advocat" (see Press chapter). It was here that John Dast built the first powder mill in this section, near East Swamp creek, about 1780. The business flourished until 1858, when eleven powder mills were running at one time in this township, making twenty tons of powder daily. At that same time seven linseed oil mills were in operation here. Some of the finest teams of both mules and horses ever seen in the State used to draw these two necessary products to the cities. Much powder was then used in blasting rock and timber, but as the railroads were completed and the great giant trees all leveled to mother earth, a decline was felt in the powder market. But other industries later came in to take the place of the two mentioned, and all along down the passing years the village has kept pace with her neighboring villages in carrying on a profitable busi- ness in other productions.
Hoppenville is located in both Marlborough and Upper Hanover townships. It has never grown to any considerable extent, but always had numerous small stores and shops. A hotel and a post office usually give color for a store or two, and here this constitutes a village and is so placed on county maps. The same can truthfully be said concerning the other village named, Marlboroughville; although it takes sixteen letters to spell the name, the place has never grown much more than its sister village. A post office and a few local interests tell the story of serving a happy, prosperous and contented people for generations.
Of the pioneer milling interests of this township, it may be stated that several of the earliest mills in this part of the county were on the Perkiomen, within Marlborough township-a gristmill by Samuel Shuler in 1742, the first ; and in 1825 a large brick fulling-mill by George Poley was installed and operated until 1860. Here woolen goods were made in large quantities for many years.
Montgomery-This, a namesake of the county of which it is one of the townships, is of regular form, nearly square, and is bounded on the northeast by Bucks county, southwest by Gwynedd, southeast by Hor- sham, northwest by Hatfield, and on the west by the borough of Lans- dale. Its area is 7,170 acres. Its surface is elevated and slightly rolling. It is drained by the Wissahickon, which has its source near Montgom- eryville. This township was organized as a separate government, from other parts of the county, soon after 1700. The earliest survey effected here was in September, 1684, by Thomas Fairman, for William Stanley, of the 2,500 acres purchased from William Penn. John Evans and wife
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settled in or very near this township in 1710, and a year later John James and wife. There are numerous documents to show the nationality of the pioneer settlers in this township. Of the twenty-eight names of the property list in 1734, three-fourths denote a Welsh origin, and probably not a single German; but changes were wrought out, for in 1880 it was found that one-half of the land owners of this township were German. In 1800 this township had a population of 546; in 1840 it was 1,009; in 1880 it had decreased to 876; in 1900 it was only 724, and in 1920 was placed at 787. This has been considered rather singular. Its territory has not been encroached upon by making other boroughs or townships from any of its domain, railroads have been built all around its location, and yet it has actually been losing population for many decades. But financially it has been gaining steadily. In 1880 the aver- age per capita taxable was $3,212, making it ninth in rank in wealth in the entire county.
Only two villages have existed within this township. Montgomery- ville, the largest collection of houses, in the early eighties contained one store, one hotel, and twenty-seven dwellings. Gordon in his "State Gazeteer" said in 1832 that this place had then ten houses, two taverns, and two stores. A post office was established in 1851, which in the autumn of 1869 was removed to Montgomery Square. With the flight of years, with advancement on every hand, but slight improvement or growth has taken place in this village.
Montgomery Square, the other village of the township, is but little different from its neighbor. It has its few stores, shops, post office, pub- lic school and churches. A post office was established in 1827 in the township, and has been on wheels much since then. It was first moved three-quarters of a mile to Montgomeryville, and in 1869 brought back to its present location. A Methodist Episcopal church was erected here in 1842. (See Church chapter in this work.) The palmy days of this burg were back when taverns were fashionable, and the carriage was known, but not the swift whirling automobile. If one had the true his- tory of all country inns in this northern part of the county, including those of marked note in this township, he would certainly possess a wonderful volume, if all or even a half of the truth could be detailed. But these things have all changed, and will never again return!
Before leaving this township's history, the writer would fail of a duty not to record something concerning the birthplace of the illus- trious Hancock, of Civil War fame, for it was right here in Montgom- ery township. The following is from the pen of William J. Buck, one of the authentic writers of Montgomery county history, and was written by him in 1884:
There is in the lower part of Montgomery Square, on the east side of the pike, a two-story stone schoolhouse, with a dwelling attached (which was enlarged in 1876), that possesses an interest. The late Ben-
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jamin F. Hancock, Esq., of Norristown, kept school in it during his married life with Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Mary Hoxworth, of Hatfield township, and while residing in the dwelling part his twin sons, Winfield Scott and Hilary, were born, February 14, 1824, the for- mer being now Major General Hancock, of the United States Army, and late Democratic candidate for the Presidency. In the spring of the fol- lowing year the father removed from here to Norristown, where he soon after entered on the study of the law, to which he was admitted to prac- tice in September, 1828. In the list of 1734, Arnold Hancock is taxed for one hundred acres in Perkiomen township, and William Hancock, in Moreland, for a house and lot of one acre. Among the pupils attend- ing here were Samuel Medary, a native of the vicinity, afterwards Gov- ernor of Ohio, and Samuel Aaron, subsequently of Norristown. [It should be added that at his death his body was brought back to his native county and now lies buried in the Norristown Cemetery.]
Moreland-This township is in the extreme northeastern portion of the county. It is bounded on the north by Hatboro, on the northeast by Bucks county, on the southeast by Philadelphia, southwest by Abington, and northwest by Horsham and Upper Dublin township. It is three by six miles in size, and contains an area of 10,960 acres. Its territory was reduced in 1871 by the incorporation of Hatboro to the extent of five hundred acres. The largest stream flowing in the town- ship is the Pennypack, the meanderings of which are about six miles, and its waters have for scores of years turned the mill-wheels for numerous mills, including four large flouring mills. It receives eleven tributaries within its fall through this township. Pennypack creek has the distinc- tion of forming the boundary line of four distinct purchases of lands made with the Indians by William Penn or his immediate agents. At Willow Grove the natural scenery is fine. Here, too, are found mineral deposits, the iron ore, fire-clay, kaolin, quartz, and feldspar. Also black-lead (graphite) has been known to abound here, and was worked some a century and more ago. There are numerous turnpikes in the township, including the Cheltenham and Willow Grove, finished in 1804; the Doylestown, in 1840; the Middle road, in 1848, which leads to the "Sorrell Horse," and the Warminster in 1850. The Northeast Penn- sylvania railroad has two miles of main trackage in the township, with stations at Willow Grove, Heaton, Fulmore, and Bonair. The Newton railway has three miles of track with stations at Huntingdon Valley and Yerksville. Census returns give the population as follows : In 1790, it was 1,824; in 1830, it was 2,044; in 1880, 1,746; in 1920 it was given as 2,129. This is practically an agricultural district, and the villages are small.
The name Moreland was chosen by William Penn in respect for a physician of London, England, named Nicholas More; he was president of the Free Society of Traders, and the first chief justice of Pennsyl- vania, who arrived here in 1682. In 1734 Moreland township had seventy- one taxables, of which number forty-three were landowners. In 1794
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Thomas Longstroth built a paper mill near the center of this township. In the assessment list of 1785 mention is made of 343 horses, 373 cattle, four bound servants, nineteen negro slaves, fourteen riding chairs, three family wagons, one phaeton, ten gristmills, three sawmills, one fulling mill, one oil mill, two tanneries, and one distillery.
Willow Grove is situated at the junction of the Doylestown and York road, thirteen miles north of Philadelphia. In 1711 the York road was laid out from Philadelphia to this point. The stream flowing through here in 1722 was known as Round Meadow run, over which a bridge had been constructed. A hotel here advertised "good stabling for a hundred horses," showing what travel was expected over that route. "The Red Lion" was a noted hotel there. At Rex's tavern was a fine spring heavily charged with mineral, and later it became a fortune to its Philadelphia owners. A summer resort was there many years.
Huntingdon Valley, another village, is situated on the Middle road, near Pennypack creek, a short distance from the Abington line. Forty years and more ago it had its various business places, its churches, lodges, schools, a railway station, two hotels, a post office, and was a well organized village. On the completion of the railroad from here to New York, in 1876, the station was named Bethayres, a contraction of Eliz- abeth Ayers, who was born here and mother of one of the directors of the railroad.
Yerkesville is situated not far from the center of the township, near Terwood run, and has also been known as Blaker's Corner. Richard E. Yerkes carried on a cotton factory business here in 1850. To-day there is no more actual business transacted than there was a century ago. The manufacture of paper has been one of profit at various periods in this township.
A venerable-looking milestone stood as late as 1850 on the eastern bank of the roadside, about forty yards up the hill from the present bridge, having cut on it "15 M. to P." It came away in making the turn- pike and was removed.
An interesting sight was witnessed on this hill on the morning of the 23rd of August, 1777, being no less than the crossing of General Washington and his army, accompanied by a lengthy baggage and artil- lery train. They had just broken up their encampment at the Cross- Roads, near the present Hartsville, six miles from here, where they had been the previous two weeks waiting to hear of the landing of the Brit- ish. They were now marching to Philadelphia, and from thence towards the enemy, whom they finally encountered on the field of Brandywine.
The "Montgomery County Society for the recovery of stolen horses and bringing thieves to justice," originated in this township and the adjoining parts of Horsham and Upper Dublin in 1799. From an early period they have held their annual meetings chiefly at the Willow Grove. The officers in 1856 were, Joshua Y. Jones, president ; T. Elwood
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Comly, secretary; and William Hallowell, treasurer; the society con- sisting of forty-five members.
New Hanover-This township is bounded on the northeast by Upper Hanover, south by Limerick, east by Frederick, north and northwest by Douglas and southwest by Pottsgrove township. Its area is about 12,900 acres, the fourth in size of all in the county. Its streams include the Deep creek, Swamp creek, and their several branches. The waters of Swamp creek have for generations turned many a waterwheel in pro- pelling the saw and gristmills, as well as small factories.
The name of this township, Hanover, is derived from Hanover, a capital and kingdom of Germany. That was the home of many Luth- erans who came to America and settled in the township now being con- sidered, and they very naturally named the township after some geo- graphical name in the Fatherland. But at one time others styled this locality "Falkner's Swamp," after Daniel Falkner, an agent of the Frank- fort Land Company. But certain it is that from 1734 it was known gen- erally as New Hanover. At first it embraced all of its present territory, as well as Upper Hanover of to-day, also Douglas, and Pottsgrove and borough of Pottstown. In 1741 the domain was divided into the first three townships, which then contained only two hundred and forty-two taxables. The number of landowners was one hundred and thirteen.
Henry Antes, among the sturdy band who first invaded this part of Montgomery county, came from Hanover, Germany, before 1726, settled in Philadelphia, then moved to this township. He was a useful man and very ingenious. He built the first gristmill at Bethlehem, in 1743. He died in this township in 1755. His son, Frederick Antes, was an iron founder, and cast the first four-pounder guns for the Revolutionary army. On account of the British, he removed to Northumberland county, where he became presiding judge, and in 1784 a member of the Assembly. His wife was the daughter of Governor Snyder.
The population of the township has been as follows: In 1800 it was 1,505; in 1880 it was 1,905; in 1900 it was 1,611, and in 1920 placed at only 1,305. The first church was built about 1720, it being the Reformed church. New Hanover became a separate election district in 1827. In 1785, when the first county assessment was made, there were in this township four taverns, five gristmills, two sawmills, three tanneries, and one slave. In 1792 there were two hundred and sixty-one landown- ers. Of the churches and schools, separate general chapters in this work will treat, in common with all others in the county. It may here be said that it is claimed the first Lutheran congregation ever assembled in the United States was in this township about 1703.
That the pioneers of this part of Montgomery county looked well to the care and comfort of those less fortunate in possessing worldly goods, the following item is inserted in this as a perpetual record to be placed
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to their credit, so long as the printed page shall be in evidence: "The overseers of the poor are ordered, by a number of the inhabitants of New Hanover, to furnish Frantz Epple, with a linsey jacket, a pair of new trousers, a new shirt, a pair of new stockings, a pair of new shoes and a linsey underjacket. (Signed) John Richards, John Brooke, Benj. Markley, Cassimer Missimer, Andrew Smith. March 20. 1784 A. D." Other instances similar occur in the records down as late as 1807.
The villages of New Hanover are Swamp (long the township seat). Fagleysville, New Hanover Square, and Pleasant Run. Fagleysville appears to have been settled very early. It is located on the turnpike, two miles south of New Hanover. It is mentioned by historian Schull as having an inn here in 1758, called "The Rose." Like most of the inland townships, the villages here are quite small and are not produc- tive of many highly interesting events of later years, and but little does this generation care for the incidents of the long ago, before steam and electricity had invaded the haunts of busy men.
Upper Hanover-This civil township has had three boroughs carved from its territory-Greenlane, Pennsburg, and Red Hill. The township proper was formerly a part of New Hanover. It is situated in the extreme northwestern part of the county, bounded on the north by Lehigh county, northwest by Berks county, and east by Bucks county, south by New Hanover and Frederick townships, and southeast by Marlborough, west by Douglas township. It is four and a half by five and a half miles in size, containing about twenty-three square miles. Its streams are the Perkiomen, flowing seven miles through the township in its meanderings, and which at one time propelled by waterwheels five gristmills and four sawmills. Hosensack, another stream, is a tributary to the first named. Other creeks are West Branch and Macoby, the last named in the east part of the township. Ever since 1850 the highway improvements in this township have been excellent, and are well pre- served to-day. The Perkiomen railroad has a trackage of about five miles in this township, and its stations include Welkers, Hanover, Penns- burg, Palm and Hosensack. The first gristmill on the Upper Perkio- men was without doubt constructed in 1738. The machinery was brought from beyond the Atlantic and carted over bridle paths to the wildness of this township from Philadelphia.
The population at various census enumeration periods by the Fed- eral government has been as follows: In 1800 it was 738; in 1880 was 2,418; in 1900 was 1,997, and in 1920 it was reduced to 1,386. These figures, however, did not include the boroughs found in the main township.
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