USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Norriton Presbyterian Church, Montgomery County, Penna : regarded as the oldest church in Pennsylvania, claiming connection with the great Protestant Reformation ; including historical gleanings > Part 4
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The old tunes of Norriton church were St. Martin's, Duke Street, Wells, Shirland, St. Stephen's, Arlington, China, Peter- boro, Warwick and Old Hundred.
Mr. McGlathery was also a genius in his way. To assist him in leading the singing he had invented and made with his own hands a small, neat, wooden mouth organ, which, by placing to his lips, he could at once obtain the pitch or proper sound. This he carried with him to the church as carefully as he did his hymn book, and which, too, he found to be help- ful in raising the songs of Zion. Robert Stinson, John Mc- Crea and Joseph Armstrong, assisted in leading the singing.
I may add, that I had the pleasure of conversing with Wm. McGlathery and some of his family with reference to the Norriton church many years ago, when they resided near Washington Square, northeast of Norristown.
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William McGlathery, just referred to, was the father of Mehelm McGlathery, a worthy and respected citizen of Nor- ristown. The latter is still living, with mind and memory in healthful exercise, genial and communicative, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years, having been born November 2, 1803.
It should be mentioned, that John McGlathery was among the early settlers in this county. He came from Scotland, doubtless with those worthies who sought a refuge from per- secution, and brought with him the established principles of the Christian religion, as held by Calvinistic Presbyterians. He was born in 1693 and died in 1784.
Isaac McGlathery, son of John, became distinguished as a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. He was born in 1749 and died in 1834.
William, alluded to in the above paragraphs, was the son of Isaac. He was born in Norriton in 1775, died in 1850; and had six children, viz., Mehelm, Samuel, John, Ann, Martha and Rachel.
An incident may be introduced here. During the Revo- lutionary War this old church was used by the soldiers for quarters, and later, in 1777, for the purposes of a hospital. It was currently reported that Gen. Washington, while tarrying at the Peter Wentz Inn, located on the Skippack road, in Oc- tober, 1777, made one or two visits to the church.
In consequence of the damages that said church suffered during the war, the Assembly passed an act in 1785, on Sep- tember 17th, allowing a lottery, to raise money to pay for necessary repairs to the church.
The writer has also a clear recollection of several con- versations with some of the older residents living near the church, about 1833 to 1838. The grand-parents of these per- sons were the first white settlers of Norriton. They had com- municated to their children the fact of the Rev. Geo. White- field having preached in the church in 1743.
Thirty years before, Rev. David Evans, and a little later, Rev. William Tennent, preached there; also, the name of Rev.
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Richard Treat and Nathaniel Irwin, were familiar as among the useful ministers.
From their own memories, going back to 1780-'85, they assured me that they could distinctly recall the presence of Benjamin Franklin in attendance at the church, both before and after his return as Minister to France. He was accom- panied each time by the astronomer, David Rittenhouse, who enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Franklin, as his guest.
The grave-yard was on the extreme western corner of the Rittenhouse farm. The oldest histories of Pennsylvania ex- tant, as well as Watson's Annals, briefly refer to this ancient church and cemetery.
The old church property adjoined, and was once part of the Matthias Rittenhouse farm. He purchased the place in 1734, and evidently found the place of worship already located there, and conveyed the property three years later, although himself a worthy member of the Mennonite denomination. David Rittenhouse was at that time but two years old, having been born in 1732 in Germantown. In 1764 Matthias con- veyed to his son David this same farm.
The ancient, time-worn deed is dated March, 1737, and recites that this property is a part of 7.482 acres of land, com- ing from William Penn, proprietor and Governor of the pro- vince of Pennsylvania, made to John Penn, Jr., which the latter sold to Isaac Norris and William Trent. Subsequently, Isaac Norris became the owner, and conveyed about one hun- dred acres to Matthias Rittenhouse in 1734.
The contract is made between Matthias Rittenhouse and Elizabeth, his wife, of the township of Norrington, county of Philadelphia, and "ye said Presbyterian Profession of ye town- ship, aforesaid, conveying seventy-two poles of land" (giving the boundaries) "for a meeting-house and grave-yard for ye use of ye said Presbyterian Profession of ye township afore- said," adding, "Now this indenture witnesseth by ye said Matthias Rittenhausen and Elizabeth, his wife, for and in con- sideration of one silver half crown, current money of England,
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to them in hand paid by ye said Presbyterian Profession, that they do hereby convey and confirm," etc., etc.
The probability is, that Matthias Rittenhouse, having found the meeting-house and old grave-yard upon the corner of his farm, and having been located there before Wm. Penn's purchase, was prompted by generosity, as well as honorable motives, to convey the ground to "ye said Presbyterian meet- ing-house," as the above deed defines.
In his boyhood days, upon this farm (then owned by Samuel Gouldy, who purchased it in 1811), the writer remem- bers what was left of the old frame observatory, together with its foundation of stone, which had been built and used by David Rittenhouse in his astronomical researches; and, also, an English box-wood tree, that had been brought by Franklin, from London; and was growing and flourishing near to the dwelling house, on the farm of his familiar friend Rittenhouse.
Although nearly a hundred years have passed since the death of David Rittenhouse, it may be recorded truthfully to- day, that in scientific research and astronomical ability, he has not been excelled since. And, while not designing a bio- graphical sketch of the deceased, the circumstance of his home and surroundings being contiguous to the old Norriton church, and the same having been the gift of his parents, will explain the reason, for the following additional paragraphs.
The farm house is still standing on the opposite corner, about two hundred feet southwest from the church, where Rittenhouse, at seventeen years of age, made his first wooden clock. Here, also, he attempted his first astronomical observ- ations; having a superb view of the heavens, especially look- ing north and south, from this point of Fairview. For many years this farm was owned by Jacob Harley.
As I remember this house, in 1835, on its west end Philip Harley kept a country store. He took delight in calling at- tention to the above, and showed me the identical second- story front room, which still retained some memorable marks, left by Rittenhouse. Later, as I was informed, in the same house, he manufactured the first large eight-day clock, termed
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his Astronomical clock; exhibiting the changes of the moon, with moving calendar; which in these modern years have been sought after, simply known as the David Rittenhouse grandfather clock.
The year 1769 is memorable in the annals of astronomy. During that year, his successful observations and subsequent reports, pertaining to the transit of Venus, made him world- renowned. The same year there was also a transit of Mer- cury ; when along with such names as Dr. Smith, Lukens, Owen Biddle, and others, he rendered his observations, which were published by the American Philosophical Society ; when again, David Rittenhouse, of Norriton, equalled them all.
In 1770 he conceived the idea of endeavoring to report by machinery the planetary system. The relative situations of the members of the solar system, at any period of time, for five thousand years back, could be shown in a moment.
This was pronounced a great success. President John Adams extolled him. Rev. Dr. Samuel Miller, of Princeton College, spoke in high praises concerning his invention. Dr. Gordon, the English historian, said: "There is not the like in Europe." Dr. Morse, the geographer, eulogized him.
His friend Thomas Jefferson said: "Surpassing in in- genuity, contrivance, skill, accuracy and utility, any thing of the kind, ever before constructed. * He has not, in- deed, made a world; but he has by imitation, approached nearer his Maker, than any man who has lived, from the Cre- ation, to this day."
For this wonderful instrument, the Orrery, two univer- sities vied with each other to obtain it; the University of Pennsylvania, and Princeton College; while the former, Dr. Smith, desired to have it, yet, Dr. Witherspoon, of the latter institution, secured it by the payment of $300.
These facts lend interest to the spot, made memorable by the works, and inventive faculty of David Rittenhouse at Norriton ; with the near prospect of the old church, being always in sight from his country home, and the attractive for-
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est-covered Mehacton Hill (usually pronounced Methatchen), lying in the near south-west.
He was born April 8,1732; retained this place as his rural residence, until 1796, being 62 years ; and departed this life in Philadelphia, June 26, 1796; aged 64 years.
Another family name, more intimately associated with the early years of the old Norriton church, was that of Arm- strong.
The writer is favored as the recipient of an old manu- script, giving many interesting items.
The Armstrong family were of the Scotch-Presbyterian persuasion. The possibility exists that the elder Armstrong came over with his family about the time of Penn's landing. This record has been lost. Joseph Armstrong, Sr., the son, was born in 1686, died 1766, aged 80 years. Ephraim Arm- strong, son of Joseph, was born 1730, died 1804, aged 74 years. Joseph Armstrong, son of Ephraim, was born 1762, died 1844, aged 82 years. Benj. E. Armstrong, son of the last named Joseph, was born 1798. He removed to the state of Ohio, from Pennsylvania, in 1849, and died there, about 1876. All the above (excepting only Benjamin) together with some thirty members of the family, all lie buried in the old Norriton church ground.
Ephraim, inherited the old farm from his father in 1767 ; who had settled upon the land, about 1710.
To incourage rapid settlement, this land was not sold; but was let out on perpetual lease, at the low price of ten bushels of wheat per year, as a consideration for each 160 acres ; said wheat, to be delivered at Robison's mill, on the Wissahickon, five miles north of Philadelphia. Then, there were no surveyed roads; and the delivery was by pack horses. In 1815, the lands were relinquished from the leases, and a fee simple deed issued, in its stead.
Ephraim was father to eleven children ; five sons, and six daughters. The Revolutionary war found him with this large helpless family.
He was in comparatively easy circumstances; but the
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fortunes of war, during the severe winter of 1777-8, palced him, as it were, just between the winter quarters of the con- tending armies.
Washington's suffering and almost starving troops at Valley Forge, four miles distant, and the British outposts be- ing only eight or ten miles distant on the Philadelphia side, made him subject to the frequent visitation of the enemy's marauding parties, while distressed also, at the famishing wants of the American army. This state of affairs continued for more than six months; and the surrounding country, as a consequence, was not only reduced to a state of actual desti- tution, but many lacked even the necessary comforts of life.
But this was not all. During the horrors and desolation of the war, in addition to the trial of being despoiled of a means of subsistence, Ephraim was drafted in the army which Washington was recruiting with a view of dislodging the British from Philadelphia.
This was an emergency; a condition of things to try one's soul.
To leave his family in an unprotected condition at such a time, was to leave them to perish.
Joseph, his first born son, was then in his sixteenth year, A recruit, particularly as a substitute, was required to be eighteen.
In this dilemma, Joseph, who was of large stature and manly appearance for his age, resolved to use the pardonable deception of passing himself for eighteen years, and taking the place of substitute for his father, in which plan he succeeded, and thus entered the army.
He was subsequently in the battle of Monmouth, N. J .; which was fought on the 28th day of June, 1777, ten days after the evacuation of Philadelphia. He stood faithfully to his duty, in skirmishes, and battles, throughout the war; and to the admiration of the officers, established his well earned military reputation.
When peace was restored he returned to his father's farm, where he remained until he was married; except a period
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of two years, spent in the employ of the Commissioners, David Rittenhouse, of Pennsylvania, and DeWitt Clinton, of New York; appointed to settle the boundary lines of those two states.
Joseph Armstrong had five sons and one daughter. One son only, B. E. Armstrong, survived him. He lived with this son, for the last fourteen years of his life on his farm, located in Upper Merion township, Montgomery county; there Joseph Armstrong died in 1844, aged 82 years.
His remains repose in the Norriton church graveyard.
Returning to Ephraim Armstrong, father of Joseph, it was said, that he lived about twenty-six years, after the close of the Revolutionary war, and was held in high repute, as one of the community in which he dwelt. He was a strict Cal- vinistic Presbyterian, uncompromising in his religious convic- tions, decided in his actions and purposes, yet thoughtful and charitable towards those who differed with him.
Withal, he was kind and benevolent at heart, as he had opportunity, yet regarded as rigid and austere in the training of his family.
As was customary with old men of that time, he wore a red and white striped cap, manufactured out of silk; from the crown of which hung a large tassel.
He died at the old family homestead, Norriton, November 6, 1804, aged 74 years. Much respected and lamented, he was buried in the old Norriton Presbyterian graveyard.
To his memory it may be added, that he was one of the most devoted and useful members of this church. The writer long years ago, listened to commendatory words from an aged lady, who spoke of him, as the faithful Elder, always ready to extend the kindly smile, and the friendly grasp of the hand, at the services upon each recurring Sabbath. He also contributed generously to support the church, and willingly gave his ser- vices as precentor, or leader of the singing, for many years.
The location of the old Armstrong farm, containing about 100 acres, was near the church, on the southwest side of Manatawny road; now, Germantown and Perkiomen turnpike, opposite to the renowned David Rittenhouse farm.
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This place was owned, 1835-45, by one Woodley; later Wanner, Anderson, Freas, Bean, Miller and now Jos. Cassel.
The Thompson family evidently were early associated with the old Norriton church. Occasionally, we find the name printed Thomson.
William Penn by his deed, as the first proprietory of Pennsylvania, on the 20th of April, 1689, conveyed to Major Robert Thompson 10,000 acres of land in Chester county, Pa .; covering a large part of Vincent and Coventry townships. By his will 14th April, 1691, he devised all the said land to his son Joseph Thompson, the son of his son Joseph, for life, etc.
It is thought that some near of kin (perhaps a brother of Major Thompson) about the same time chose Montgomery county and Norriton as his future home. They came from the north of Ireland, and were distinctively old stock Presbyterians.
The graveyard gives evidence that of the Thompsons there were several in Norriton, as residents, during the eigh- teenth century. The families of Archibald, Samuel, Robert, Joseph, Moses, and again Archibald, were in their day and generation well known. Their farms were chiefly in Norriton, and perhaps one in Worcester township. James Thompson, who came from Ireland, about 1755, died in Pottstown, Pa , in 1782, aged 65 years.
A distinguished citizen was the Hon. Charles Thompson. He was born in Ireland in 1730, came over in 1741, and lived in Lower Merion, where he died in 1824, aged 96 years. He was a strict Presbyterian, and his remains were interred in the Presbyterian graveyard, near his residence; but afterwards, removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
His life, and the active part he took in the American Revolution, not only exhibited the manliness and courage of the Irish character, but he became conspicuous in our national councils; having been the Secretary of nearly all the sessions of our Revolutionary Congress.
The following paragraphs will furnish items of much in- terest, referring to the Norris family, also to one Archibald Thompson.
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The first of the Norris family, distinguished as among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and of whom any record has been preserved, was Thomas Norris, a merchant, of London, England, who had gained the Society of Friends, soon after the rise of that sect.
He emigrated about 1678, with his wife and large family, to the island of Jamaica, West Indies ; and perished in the great earthquake, which destroyed Port Royal, on the 7th of June, 1692.
Isaac Norris (said to have been the ninth child of the above named Thomas Norris) and founder of the family in Penn- sylvania, was born in the city of London, July 26, 1671, and was about seven years old, when the family removed to Jamaica.
In 1690 his father sent him to Pennsylvania by a sailing vessel, to examine the country, preparatory to the family settling there.
He returned to Jamaica, to learn the distressing fact, that his father and many others had perished in the earthquake. In 1693 he came back to Philadelphia (then only about ten years settled) with a fortune scarcely more than, £100, and entered into mercantile business; rising rapidly to be one of the colony's wealthiest and most successful merchants.
Purchasing, together with Trent, the manor of Williams- tadt in 1704, and later, having renounced political distinction, in 1709 called to a seat in the Governor's Council, 1712 elected Speaker of the Assembly, holding also many conspicuous offi- cial positions, he died suddenly, while attending Friends meeting in Germantown, Philadelphia, June 4, 1735, in his 65th year.
Charles Norris, son of the Councillor, and who married Eunice Gardner, at Nantucket, Mass., July 4, 1793, died on the farm, Norris Hall, Montgomery county, Pa., Dec. 24, 1813.
He and his wife, together with their children and children's children, are interred in the old family burial ground attached to said farm.
This property (1894) is now in possession of John Schrack, son of the late Charles Norris Schrack, and great-grandson of the last named Charles Norris.
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John Schrack, Sr., born in Upper Providence, November 10,1787, and who died, July 21, 1872, married Mary, daughter of Charles Norris last named ; and who was a lineal descendant of the family named Norris, after whom both Norriton town- ship and Norristown are named.
The old farm, with continental stone buildings, about 100 years old (which stands in the place of the log house of two centuries ago) has long been known as "Norris Hall;" and is a part of the patrimonial estate, which comprised several hundred acres on the west side of the Schuylkill river, south of Jeffersonville, and extending to Port Kennedy.
In bygone years, conversing at sundry times with John Schrack, Sr., and his sons David, Charles Norris, and John Schrack, Jr., M. D., many interesting items were recited, re- ferring to the days long gone by.
A little north of the land mentioned above, about 1730, and orignally owned by them, was a tract, also, called " the Norris farm."
In 1758, this Norris farm house, a roomy house, built of stone, had been converted into a tavern. It was leased subse- quently to different tenants, and became a convenient stopping place for the increasing travel on the main road to Reading. It stood at a point of land, being the junction of the old Egypt and Ridge roads, and for a time was commonly called the Egypt Inn. In later years, it was called the Jeffersonville tavern ; by which name it is known, up to this writing. As a traditional item, it was currently reported, that a District Court was held here, and a secure lockup was built in the basement for temporary convicts ; the remaining cell walls of which were to be seen there in later years.
In 1766 Archibald Thompson was the landlord ; and in his day was respected for his accommodating spirit as well as his family antecedents.
In 1776 said Thompson was assessed for eighty acres of land. This was during the exciting period of the Revolution- ary war; but he continued as the owner and host of this public house, while at the same time he was on duty as an esteemed
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Colonel, in the patriotic army, assisting most devotedly in de- fending American principles.
On the Ist of November, 1779, Archibald Thompson died. He was comparatively a young man, and formerly of a strong physical frame ; but his arduous and earnest personal efforts, during the war, were often days of danger, exposure, and sacrifice ; and it was thought these things possibly hastened his death.
His lineage was of Presbyterian Scotch-Irish stock; and probably he was the son of Archibald Thompson, Sr., who died in 1745; they both lie buried in the old Norriton Presby- terian church ground.
After 1779 Archibald Thompson's widow, Hannah, con- tinued to keep the Egypt Inn (now Jeffersonville) for a num- ber of years; for in 1784 she is still recognized as the pro- prietor.
Returning for a moment to "war times," one beautiful autumn day, September 7, 1777, a company of British soldiers appeared, and without any notice, yet with the display of huzzas and apparent malice, they deliberately set fire to the property, and burned the hotel and its contents, leaving only the blackened stone walls. As a miserable and most unsatis- factory plea, it had been reported that a certain noted rebel was interested in the ownership of the property.
As a result of this disaster, in after years, the widow, Hannah Thompson, received £870 from the State, as com- pensation for her loss.
A public vendue was extensively advertised to take place, at Archibald Thompson's Hotel, in February, 1777. It is not known with certainty whether at that time any sale took place. But the following September 17th the whole planta- tion, consisting of five hundred and forty-three acres, includ- ing and reaching southward from the tavern property just named, all the way to the site of the present Norristown, was sold by Charles Norris to John Bull. The latter was formerly a native of Providence township, having near family connec- tions in Chester county.
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He was likewise a colonel in the Revolutionary army; had been a justice-of-the-peace; and was considered in his day a brainy, intelligent man, of marked executive ability. Benjamin Thompson was doubtless his only son, who died April 6, 1829, aged fifty-three years. His wife, Elizabeth, also died in Norristown, December 28, 1878, aged a hundred and two years, one month and fourteen days.
In 1779 Colonel Bull sold the plantation to Dr. William Smith, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, for £6,000.
Soon after, Colonel Bull removed from Pennsylvania, and purchased lands in Berkely county, Virginia. He lived there with his family for a number of years; and report has since confirmed the statement that he died there.
The fact is well known, that Montgomery county was erected in 1784, out of Philadelphia county. William Moore Smith, son of Dr. Smith, had a town site laid out on part of this plantation in 1785; and later, public buildings were erected. The growth, and subsequent history of Norristown, reveals the excellent judgment and forecast of Dr. Smith.
It seems relevant to our narrative, to relate some items pertaining to others, who were early interested in the Norriton church. Of such were the Knox family.
David Knox, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 1700; and died 1780. He emigrated in 1732; and settled on a farm, located on the township line, west of Washington Square, in Whitpain township. This farm remained in possession of the Knox family, until 1862, one hundred and thirty years. Cap- tain Andrew Knox, son of David, was born in County Antrim, as above, 1728, emigrated 1732, and died in 1807. Andrew Knox, the second, was born August 13, 1773, died October 3, 1844. He had two sons, Thomas P. Knox and Andrew Jackson Knox, now both deceased. The former resided in Norriton, the latter in Plymouth township.
About the same time John McCrea settled in Norriton, three-fourths of a mile southeast of the church, on the turn- pike. Adjoining this, north, he also had a farm. He died March 3, 1823. On the first, for many years afterward, Fran-
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