USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Norristown > The Centennial celebration of Montgomery County : at Norristown, Pa., September 9,10,11,12, 1884 : an official record of its proceedings > Part 2
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from Thy Gospel, and that have been faithfully sown and maintained in our midst. O! help us to remember with grateful hearts how largely we are indebted to them, and above all to Thee through them, in these respects. May we prove worthy of the holy and blessed inheritance that has been secured and handed down to us. May we not forsake the God of our fathers nor the gospel of our fathers, never turn our backs upon the grace which gave them such peace, such power, and influence for good. We thank Thee for the educational institutions which they found- ed along-side of the churches they built here years ago, and praise Thy name that what was thus planned has been carried forward and that we enjoy the improvements that have been so se- cured. And now, Lord, we invoke Thy blessing upon this occasion. Throughout these days of joyous festivities, help us to fear Thy name, and amidst all our gladness to praise the Lord, and may our purpose to serve Thee be deepened and confirmed, that we may go forward into the fu- ture a people full of the fear of the Lord, sober, righteous, God-loving, cleaving to the great truths of the gospel, handing them down in Thy name unaltered and uncorrupted to generations to come, that when another centennial shall oc- cur our descendants may rise up to magnify Thy name for what Thou hast through us accom-
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plished on their behalf. Hear our prayer and accept of us in Christ, our adorable Redeemer, unto whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, we will give immortal praise. Amen.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
After music by the band Mr. Fornance said :
The Burgess of the town, John H. White, was to have been here to welcome you this morn- ing. Unfortunately he is prostrated on a bed of sickness. In his absence the Solicitor for Town Council, J. P. Hale Jenkins, Esq., of Norristown, will address you.
Mr. Jenkins delivered the following
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
In behalf of the Burgess of the borough of Norristown, now stricken with disease, I speak to you, Mr. President, and to you, ladies and gentlemen, fellow-citizens, all, welcome.
To-day closes the first century of our exist- ence as a county. There can be no hesitancy in saying that none of those who lived within its borders at the time of its organization, imagined that the close of the first century would find it the home of a hundred thousand happy souls. It is but proper, therefore, that we should meet to inaugurate the ceremonies about to take place, and eminently fitting is it that these cer- emonies should commence by dedicating a meridian stone to the greatest son of her soil, the father of olden science.
The men of one hundred years ago knew nothing of steam as a motive power. To-day
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iron roads traverse our county from end to end and from side to side. Little did they know of the mechanical arts, but now, by the aid of in- ventive genius, our beautiful valleys are dotted all over with the busy mill and work-shop. The Constitution of the United States was not framed when our county was organized. Now, secur- ing to all political freedom and religious toler- ance, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- ness," it is an assured fact-a union of States which none can sever.
Let me then say in welcoming you to our county seat on this gala day, that we should de- voutly thank an indulgent Providence for the many blessings bestowed upon us in the past, and pray that the institutions which made these blessings possible be secured to us, our child- ren, and our children's children forever.
Again I bid you, in the name of the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Norris- town, a hearty, thrice hearty welcome.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
At the conclusion of Mr. Jenkins' remarks, Mr. Fornance, President of the Association, de- livered the following
ADDRESS.
To-day closes the first century of the exist- ence of Montgomery county. We are here from all parts of the county to celebrate the event. Not only from our own county have you come, but also from adjoining counties some are here to rejoice with us. You have just been wel- comed by the representative of the municipal authorities of Norristown. On behalf of the Centennial Association, and speaking for the people of Montgomery county, I also give you a welcome.
It is proper for us to come together and cel- ebrate the occasion in a manner befitting the event. We have cause to rejoice. The century just rolled by has brought us great prosperity. In forming the county, the chief idea was near- ness to the Court House. The act of Assembly, establishing the county, states that the cause for cutting off three-fourths of Philadelphia county and making Montgomery county of it, was its great distance from the courts at Philadelphia. That seems a strange reason now; for railroads and telegraphs and telephones have annihilated distance. The easy access to this Court House
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is shown by the presence of many of you who have left your distant homes to-day, and are here at this early hour. By railroad, the remotest station in the county is but two hours ride from the county seat, while Norristown itself is but forty minutes ride from the heart of Philadel- phia.
There is a tradition to the effect that it was urged that the county seat should be located where the Egypt road diverges from the great road from Philadelphia, at Jeffersonville; but it was finally decided to locate it some three miles further down, where a road branched off to Swedes' Ford. Here they built the county build- ings ; a village sprang up around them, and here is to-day the great town of Norristown.
Of the five men who were authorized one hundred years ago to buy a piece of land in Nor- riton township, near Stony run, and contiguous to the Schuylkill river, and erect thereon the county buildings for the new county, not one would have dreamed of prophesying the growth that has followed their selection. The county has grown from 20,000 to 100,000 in population. The town has grown from nothing to nearly 15,000. Our growth has been great in the past ; it must be greater still in the future. Situated as we are, in the centre of a network of rail- roads, near to the great coal beds of Pennsyl-
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vania, with easy access to the two largest cities of the country, in the midst of fine scenery, with fertile land, and healthful surroundings, we have every element for future development.
Montgomery county was established Septem- ber 10, 1784. Franklin county was established September 9, 1784. There is but one day differ- ence between our ages. At Chambersburg, the county seat of Franklin county, they are to-day celebrating their centennial. It is proper that we should send them some greeting. On your behalf I will therefore send them this telegram :
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., September 9, 1884. To the Centennial Association of Franklin Co., Chambersburg, Pa. :
Montgomery county congratulates her twin sister on her one hundredth birthday.
CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION OF MONTGOMERY CO.
As we mark this era, we contemplate the past, and part of our centennial celebration is the Antiquarian Exposition. Here are displayed the possessions of our own ancestors for com- parison with things of to-day. We have collected from our own people the prized treasures of a century. Here are revived fashions of times so different from ours. Here are the works of once busy hands that have long since crumbled into dust. We see their works, we are reminded of their ways in many respects simpler and more fru- gal than ours. We are proud of their achieve- ments. We honor and respect their memories.
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On behalf of the Centennial Association, I declare this exposition now open.
After music by the band, the people in large numbers sought admission to the Antiquarian Exposition.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
DEDICATION OF RITTENHOUSE ME- RIDIAN STONE.
The history of the Rittenhouse Meridian Stone, as well as a description of it, is so fully set forth in the report of the Memorial Com- mittee, that it would be vain repetition to go over the same ground here.
At eleven o'clock a. m. on Tuesday, Septem- ber 9th, in the presence of a large concourse of people, the ceremonies of unveiling the mono- lith took place. Joseph Fornance, Esq., Presi- dent of the Association, standing near the gran- ite stone, said :
A committee was appointed by the Centen- nial Association to erect a suitable memorial to the memory of David Rittenhouse. Is that com- mittee ready to report?
Hon. Jones Detwiler, chairman of the com- mittee, spoke as follows:
Mr. President: In behalf of the Memorial Committee, appointed by the Montgomery County Centennial Association, and at their request, I present the following report as their action. [Report handed to Mr. Fornance.]
Mr. Fornance, in receiving the report, said :
The committee appointed present the follow- ing report.
The report was then read.
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REPORT.
At a meeting of the Centennial Association of Montgomery County, Pa., held February 22, 1883, Jones Detwiler was appointed chairman of the Memorial Committee of said Association.
After due consideration and deliberation, on the part of the chairman, the following addi- tional members of the committee were appointed, viz .: Dr. Hiram Corson, of Plymouth; John Hoffman, Esq., Hon. Hiram C. Hoover, ex- County Treasurer Samuel F. Jarrett, and Sam- uel Rittenhouse, of the township of Norriton.
At a meeting of the committee, held July 24, 1884, all the members present, it was unani- mously
Resolved, That a monolith, to be styled the memorial stone, be erected to the memory of the eminent philosopher, astronomer, and math- ematician, David Rittenhouse, once a resident of the township of Norriton, Montgomery county. The stone to be of solid Quincy granite, seven feet in height, twenty-four inches at the base, and eighteen at the top, with four sides polished for inscriptions, and to be planted in the ground to the depth of four feet, imbedded in masonry of stone and cement.
After consultation on the part of the com- mittee with the different stone cutters of Norris-
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town, it was agreed to award the contract to George W. Smith.
Dr. Hiram Corson was appointed a com- mittee to prepare a suitable inscription for the same.
John Hoffman was appointed a committee to superintend the erection, to have the privi- lege to call to his aid such assistance as should be required.
It was agreed to erect the stone at the north end of the present meridian line, and to extend the said line about four feet without disturbing the present stones already planted, and to have the ceremonies connected with the unveiling, and passing it over to the proper authorities, to take place on September 9th, 1884, at eleven o'clock a. m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a cor- rect copy of our proceedings.
Jones Detwiler Chairman. Jeliler Chairman.
HIRAM CORSON, M. D., JOHN HOFFMAN, HIRAM C. HOOVER, SAMUEL F. JARRETT, SAMUEL, RITTENHOUSE.
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Mr. Fornance then said :
Colonel Bean, as President of the Historical Society of Montgomery county, which society has appointed the Centennial Association, I de- liver to you this report of the committee which we have appointed.
Col. Theo. W. Bean said :
Mr. Chairman, in the name and in behalf of the Historical Society of Montgomery county, it affords me great pleasure to receive and accept the report of this Memorial Committee. It shall become part of the records of the society refer- red to, and shall ever be cherished as an inter- esting memorial of the event which it reports.
By courtesy, it is now my pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, in furtherance of this memorial service, to introduce the Hon. B. Markley Boyer, who will make an appropriate address upon this interesting occasion.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Being thus introduced, Judge B. Markley Boyer made the following
ADDRESS.
Fellow-Citizens : It was a happy inspiration to have engraved upon the meridian stone planted upon the Court House terrace, and dedicated this day to its appropriate uses, the name of David Rittenhouse.
Born in the county of Philadelphia, of which Montgomery was then a part, he resided in youth and manhood, during most of his life- time, within the present limits of our county. In Norriton township, within about five miles of this Court House, stood his patrimonial man- sion. There lies the farm upon which, as a farmer boy, he grew to manhood, and there, throughout most of his life, he afterwards re- sided.
There, in a little shop by the wayside, without other instruction than the intuitive promptings of an extraordinary genius, he taught himself to make clocks and mathematical instruments. His clocks, remarkable for their accuracy and the beauty of their workmanship, are still treasured as heirlooms in many a household. There, in Norriton, he erected his observatory ; there, with instruments in a great measure constructed with his own hands, he explored the heavens.
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There learned scientists went for consulta- tion and to participate with him in his observa- tions. There it was he constructed his wonder- ful orrery, illustrating mechanically the move- ments of the solar system, upon a scale more elaborate and exact than had ever before been attempted, and which was a marvel of mechan- ical skill, exhibiting, by the simple turning of a winch, the relative positions of the planets and their satellites in their respective orbits at any given point of time during thousands of years in the future and in the past. No description can impart any adequate conception of this marvel- ous achievement in mechanical art.
In alluding to it, Thomas Jefferson, who was a philosopher as well as a statesman, wrote: "We have supposed Mr. Rittenhouse second to no astronomer living; that in genius he must be the first, because he was self-taught. As an art- ist, he has exhibited as great a proof of mechan- ical genius as the world has ever produced. He has not, indeed, made a world, but he has, by imitation, approached nearer its Maker than any man who has ever lived from creation to this day."
In his observatory in Norriton, he observed and calculated the transit of Venusin 1769, which gave him a world-wide reputation for the accu- racy with which his observation had been made
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
and mathematical deductions achieved. At that time the whole scientific world had been aroused by the vast astronomical importance of the tran- sit of Venus over the Sun's disc, in determining the parallax of the Sun and other scientific re- sults depending thereupon, especially as this phe- nomenon can occur but twice in a century, and in some centuries not at all.
If, among the contemporaries of Rittenhouse, there were those in Europe who left behind them the record of more original discoveries, it was owing to their ampler means and more favor- able surroundings, rather than to any superiority of genius.
Our self-taught philosopher unfortunately was not allowed to pass his life merely in philosoph- ical contemplation and experiment. Hewas also a man of affairs, and participated largely in the active transactions of his countrymen. Heserved his country in various important and useful pub- lic capacities. He was a member of the conven- tion which framed the first Constitution of Penn- sylvania, and was elected the first Treasurer of the State, and was annually elected to that po- sition by the unanimous vote of the Legislature for thirteen successive years.
For the acceptance of such offices he was re- proved by his friend and correspondent, Jeffer- son, who wrote to him in 1778 as follows:
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"Your time, for two years past, has, I believe, been principally employed in the civil govern- ment of your country. Though I have been aware of the authority our cause would acquire from its being known that yourself and Dr. Franklin were zealous friends of it, and I am myself duly impressed with a sense of the ardu- ousness of government and the obligations of those who are able to conduct it, yet I am also satisfied that there is an order of geniuses above that obligation, and therefore ought to be ex- empted from it. Nobody can conceive that na- ture ever intended to throw away a Newton on the occupations of a crown. *
* I do not doubt there are in your country many persons equal to the task of conducting government, but you should consider that the world has but one Rittenhouse."
Nevertheless, for more than ten years after -. wards, he continued to serve in the office of State Treasurer. Recognized as the first among sci- entific surveyors, he was successfully employed as commissioner in the settlement of an alarm- ing boundary dispute, between the States of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania, and also in determining the dividing lines between the States of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
When the United States Mint was estab- lished, David Rittenhouse was appointed by
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Washington its first director, and it was he who arranged the machinery and successfully organ- ized that institution.
His was, therefore, a busy life apart from the pursuits of pure science. What he might fur- ther have accomplished for astronomy, if his genius had been afforded exclusive and untram- meled scope in the sphere of his favorite science, none can tell. But a man so admirably equip- ped for practical life, and so ready and consci- entious in the discharge of every duty, could hardly escape his share of the extraordinary re- sponsibilities of citizenship in Revolutionary times, and in the organization of a new nation, struggling through its transition state from co- lonial to independent government.
At such times the public services of the great- est and the best are in demand. As the result, therefore, of the public confidence in the exalted character of David Rittenhouse as a man, as well as the fame of his attainments, official employ- ments of high civil trust, although unsought, were thrust upon him. And so, for long years, sci- ence lost the undivided devotion of his trans- cendent genius.
As an astronomer and mathematician, amid all his other multifarious employments, he re- tained the foremost position in his own country. and as such was recognized in Europe. He suc-
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ceeded Dr. Franklin as President of the Ameri- can Philosophical Society, and was a fellow of the Royal Society of London. He died eighty- eight years ago, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.
Such is a brief sketch of the citizen we honor by the simple memorial inscription which marks this granite monolith. It is not intended as his monument. It is erected, primarily, for another practical and useful purpose, but of a nature kindred with his pursuits in life. As a monu- ment to his memory, merely, it would be too in- significant. But the memorial inscription is es- pecially significant and appropriate when we con- sider the practical uses of the stone. To this monolith, firmly planted in its immovable foun- dation, our county surveyors will make their an- nual visitations, to compare and correct the va- riations of their instruments by the true merid- ian ; and the dedication, recorded by the inscrip- tion it bears, will ever testify to them and to all, our grateful remembrance of David Rittenhouse, once the chief among surveyors; and the honor- able pride we feel in counting him, the illustri- ous astronomer and artisan, among those who have distinguished and adorned the history of our county ; and in thus honoring him, we honor ourselves.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
At the conclusion of this address, Rev. Isaac Gibson pronounced the following
BENEDICTION.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Denne Gibson
Music by the Norristown band followed, which concluded the exercises of that day.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The meridian stone thus unveiled contains the following inscriptions :
On the east face :
DAVID RITTENHOUSE, EMINENT ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN. BORN APRIL 8, 1732. DIED JUNE 26, 1796.
On the north face :
HE CALCULATEI) AND OBSERVED THE TRANSIT OF VENUS AT HIS HOME IN NORRITON, 1769.
On the west face:
ERECTED BY THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION.
On the south face :
I784. 1884.
SECOND DAY.
MEMORIAL EXERCISES.
The exercises of Wednesday, September 10, were held in Music Hall. The building had been tastefully decorated, both within and with- out. The stage was ornamented with hot house plants and flowers, producing a very pleasing effect.
Before ten o'clock, the time of opening, every available seat in the auditorium and gallery was filled, while great numbers crowded all the aisles and other spaces. The parquet and two rows of seats in the circle had been reserved for the several committees; the balance of the hall was occupied by the holders of season tickets to the antiquarian exposition.
The curtain rose at ten o'clock. The follow- ing persons were on the stage: Joseph For-
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
nance, Esq., William J. Buck, Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., Rev. H. S. Rodenbough, Hon. George N. Corson, Hon. B. Markley Boyer, Hon. J. Smith Futhey, of West Chester, Col. Theo. W. Bean, Hon. Jones Detwiler, Robert Iredell, J. A. Strassburger, Esq., Dr. Hiram Corson, F. G. Hobson, Esq., Gen. John H. Hobart, Hon. I. N. Evans, and Major William H. Holstein.
In the rear of the stage, arranged upon ele- vated seats, were the vocalists, who, with the or- chestra, were under the leadership of Prof. J. V. Bean.
The exercises commenced with the rendition of an overture by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Norristown, after which the hymn, "Before Jehovah's Awful Throne," to the tune of "Mig- dol," was effectively rendered by the Centen- nial chorus and the orchestra.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Rev. H. S. Rodenbough, pastor of the Provi- dence Presbyterian Church, of Lower Provi- dence, the oldest pastor in continuous service in the county, offered the following
PRAYER.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, the whole earth is full of Thy glory. Great Creator, we magnify Thine infinite wisdom. All Power- ful Supporter and Preserver, we rest in Thy strength. Sovereign Ruler, we own Thine au- thority. We bow before Thy throne. Omnis- cient Judge, we stand at Thy righteous bar. Kind, loving Heavenly Father, through Christ, Thine only begotten son, our elder brother, we, Thy children, seek Thy tender care. Accord- ing to Thy good pleasure, Thou settest up and Thou puttest down. Thou hast highly exalted this nation, and we would exalt the glory of Thy great name. Thou hast bountifully blessed this Commonwealth, and we would sincerely honor Thee. This county, whose centennial we now celebrate, Thou hast richly blessed in every spir- itual, moral, intellectual and material interest. For so great favors we would most devoutly bless Thee, while we would humbly ask for grace, rightly to use, diligently to cultivate, and hand down in undimmed brightness to those who shall follow after. We thank Thee for the
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
excellent men and women raised up and em- ployed by Thee in the great work Thou hast done for us. Help us to honor their memory, by cultivating their spirit, copying their exam- ple, and faithfully carrying forward the work they have left in our care. And now, kindly vouchsafe to favor all the exercises of this me- morial occasion. Let nothing mar ; make every- thing contribute to the desired success. May impressions be made, healthful and lasting, a perennial fountain, sending forth an unfailing stream to gladden and refresh this our heritage, not only throughout another century, but until time itself shall be no more. These favors, with every other needed blessing, grant for Jesus' sake, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, honor, might and dominion, now and evermore. Amen.
H.J. Rodenbrough
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
At the conclusion of the prayer, Joseph For- nance, Esq., President of the Centennial Asso- ciation, said :
The idea of celebrating the Montgomery county centennial started in the Historical So- ciety of Montgomery county. They appointed a committee for that purpose, composed of citi- zens from the various districts of the county. That committee met, organized, called itself the Centennial Association of Montgomery county, and got to work. I am here as President of that committee, and it is my duty to call this as- semblage to order, and to preside over its exer- cises. In working up the cause, at first we met with little encouragement; but as the anniver- sary day approached, interest was aroused, and the people of the county responded nobly. They needed but a little stirring up to show that they were full of patriotism.
Yesterday, on behalf of the Centennial Asso- ciation of Montgomery county, I sent a telegram to Franklin county, congratulating it on reach- ing its one hundredth birthday. I have received this telegram in answer to it:
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