USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 28
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"And as Concerning all that my twenty-five acres of " Land wch I Purchased of Daniel Geissler in Germantown127 "sd together with all & singular the Messauage building " & appurtinances part in the possession of Doctor Witt, I "Give & Divise the same unto my Daughters Christiana " & Elizabeth their Heirs & assigns for ever, in equal pro- " portions between them to commence on & immediately "after the Determination of iny Wifes Estate as afsd and " the term & Estate therein of the afsd Doctor Witt & " Daniel Geissler their lives being also Expired."
'That Doctor Witt still kept in close touch with the now scattered members of the former Community is shown by the Ephrata records, and by the different wills upon which he figures as either witness or executor.
426 A son of Magister Zimmermann.
427 This land was a part of the tract bought from Reynier Jansen the printer, October 20, 1701. "Pennsylvania Magazine," vol. iv, p. 37.
405
The Widow Zimmermann.
A notable instance of the latter is the case of the widow Zimmermann, who died in Germantown, wife of Magister Jolın Jacob Zimmermann, who originally organized the Community.
Upon this occasion Dr. Witt came into possession of some of the personal belongings of the late Magister, among which were :
"A sondry sort of books, 2 Bibles & some latin Boocks, 33 in number besides the latin bocks."
These were valued at £3-16-0.
"An old Vorginall." 428
"A little old box, with some brass things, and an old Cheinter."
History and tradition are both silent as to what became of either the books or the old " brass things," which were no doubt some of the Magister's philosophical or astronomical instruments.
It is known that the two philosophers, Witt and Geissler, continued to live in a house on the Warmer lot until the death of Daniel Geissler, which took place in the summer of 1745. In his will, proved August 10, 1745, he gives and bequeaths "all his moveables or personal property estate, wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to bless his endeavours, to one Maria Barber Schneiderin, widow, in Germantown."
During all these years Geissler attended to matters requiring manual labor, such as the cultivation of the medicinal herbs and plants for the use of the doctor in his profession, thus leaving the latter free to devote himself to his practice and study.
After the death of his faithful companion, Dr. Witt
428 This was without doubt the first Virginall (a kind of piano) that was brought into the Province.
406
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
changed his quarters to the large mansion house 429 which had in the mean time been built by Christian Warmer the younger, and when the latter died in the fall of 1749,430 the son, like unto the father before him, left an ample provision in his will for the old Theosophist, who was now past three score and ten.
" gthily, I do hereby give and bequeath unto my affection- "ate and loving friend Christopher Witt with the full free " use liberty, and Priviledge of any fruits or garden Erbs "Growing or belonging to any part of my sd lotts, lands "and tenements aforesd. As also the sowing, planting "such trees Quick setts & Erbs as he shall think proper " and shall have occasion of on the same with all necessary "use of ye S. E. end of my Mansion house diet firewood, "attendence & finally all that he may or shall reasonably "require or have occassion for during his natural life. "All which my sd wife children & their Trustees shall "truly & faithfully fulfill & perform as aforesd."
His wife Lydia, together with Dr. Witt, are named as sole executors.
Dr. Witt was a skilled botanist, and upon his removal to Germantown after the deatlı of Kelpius, he started a large garden for his own study and amusement, and to him pro- bably is due the honor of starting the first botanical gar- den in America. This was about twenty years prior to Bartram's purchase on the Schuylkill for a like purpose.
Dr. Witt was for many years the friend and correspondent of the celebrated Peter Collinson of London, whose letters to some of the leading men in the Province all mention the high esteem and regard in which Dr. Witt was held by
429 Tradition seems to point to the house still standing at the south-east corner of Main and High streets as the homestead of the Warmers and of Dr. Witt.
430 September 12, 1749.
407
John Bartram.
that celebrated English naturalist and antiquarian. In later years there was a frequent intercourse between Dr. Witt and John Bartram. The following letter from the latter to Peter Collinson gives an interesting insight into the private life of the learned Theosophist :
"JUNE IIth, 1743.
"FRIEND PETER :
"I have lately been to visit our friend Doctor Witt, where I spent four or five hours very agreeably-sometimes in his garden, where I viewed every kind of plant, I believe that grew therein, which afforded ine a convenient oppor- tunity of asking him whether he ever observed any kind of Wild Roses in this country, that was double. He said he could not remember that ever he did. So being satis- fied with this amusement, we went into his study, which was furnished with books containing different kinds of learning; as Philosophy, Natural Magic, Divinity, nay, even Mystic Divinity ; all of which were the subjects of our discourse within doors, which alternately gave way to Botany, every time we walked in the garden. I could have wished thee the enjoyment of so much diversion, as to have heard our discourse, provided thee had been well swathed from hips to arm-pits. But it happened, a little of our spiritual discourse was interrupted by a material object within doors; for the Doctor had lately purchased of a great travellar in Spain and Italy, a sample of what was imposed upon him for Snake Stones, which took me up a little time beside laughing at him to convince the Doctor that they were nothing but calcined old horse bones.
"Indeed to give the Doctor his due, he is very pleasant, facetious and plaint, and will exchange as many freedoms
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The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
as most men of his years, with those he respects. His understanding and judgement, thee art not unacquainted with, having had so long and frequent intercourse with him by letters.
" When we are upon the topic of astrology, magic, and mystic divinity, I am apt to be a little troublesome, by inquiring into the foundation and reasonableness of these notions which, thee knows, will not bear to be searched and examined into; though I handle these fancies with more tenderness with him, than I should with many others that are so superstitiously inclined, because I respect the man. He hath a considerable share of good in him.
" The Doctor's famous Lychnis, which thee has dignified so highly, is, I think, unworthy of that character. Our swamps and low grounds are full of them. I had so con- temptible an opinion of it, as not to think it worth sending, nor afford it room in my garden; but I suppose, by thy account, your climate agreeth so well, that it is much im- proved. The other, which I brought from Virginia, grows with me about five feet high, bearing large spikes of dif- ferent coloured flowers, for three or four months in the year, exceeding beautiful. I have another wild one, finely speckled, and striped with red upon a white ground, and a red eye in the middle, the only one I ever saw.
"Our worthy friend, Colden, wrote to me he had received a new edition of Linnaeus's Characteres Plantarum, lately printed. He advised me to desire Gronovius to send it to ine. I should be very glad to see it. The first I saw, was at the Doctor's, and chiefly by it he hath attained to the greatest knowledge in Botany, of any I have discoursed withı.
JOHN BARTRAM."
Dr. Witt the Botanist. 409
The following interesting references to Doctor Witt are from the Bartram papers now in the collection of the Penn- sylvania Historical Society :
PETER COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM.
"LONDON, AUGUST 16th, 1735.
"I am glad to hear that the Medlar grows. It is the large Neapolitan sort, which produces a large fruit. Doctor Witt, at Germantown, wants it much. I sent him some at the same time ; but whether he has any luck, I can't tell."
"LONDON, SEPTEMBER 20, 1736.
" But on the other side of the question, I have received from my ingen- ious friends, J. Breintnall and Doctor Witt, very particular accounts of the power it has over creatures, by charming them into its very jaws."
" LONDON, FEBRUARY 3rd, 1736-7.
"I am pleased to hear thee art acquainted with Dr. Witt, an old cor- respondent of mine, and has sent me many a valuable, curious plant. But I am afraid the old gentlemen has been too cunning for thee. Those fine Lady's Slippers, which make my mouth water, have slipped beside it. The Doctor says he would have sent them me, but that lie was afraid they were spoiled in bringing home, for want of proper care to wet the roots by the way."
"LONDON, DECEMBER 14th, 1737.
" This we call the small mountain Ranunculus, as it really is. I had it formerly sent me, by Dr. Witt, but I should be glad of a few roots more. It is a pretty plant, and keeps a long while in flower."
" LONDON, JANUARY 3Ist, 1738.
"The pretty white Ranunculus (Anemone thalictroides, L.) that Dr. Witt sent to me, some time agone, is a neat, delicate, double flower ; but I never knew before, it was a Snake-root. It is described by the cele- brated Plukenet, who has most of your country plants. He names it- "Ranunculus nemorosus, Aquilegioe foliis, Virginianus, Asphodeli radice."
"LONDON, APRIL, 6th, 1738.
"I have received three sorts of Jaceas from Doctor Witt. He distin- guishes them by Early Jacea, Elegant Jacea, and Gigantic Jacea. I wish thee could find them out, to send specimens of them, as they grow in your country."
52
410
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
" LONDON, JANUARY 26tl1, 1738-9.
"There is a small packet for Doctor Witt. Pray, somehow or other, convey it to him. Some fine Melon seed for Thomas Penn ; some Bur- gundy Trefoil (Medicago sativa, L. or Lucerne), for J. Logan ; and pray, where there is sufficient, let him have a share of the other seeds."
" LONDON, JULY Ioth, 1739.
" It differs from the great Marslı Martogon, for that will not flower till the middle of August, and another sort, I had formerly from Doctor Witt ; but that was a smaller sort, and never had but four or five flowers on a stalk."
"LONDON, JULY Ioth, 1739.
"The pretty Spiroea, that thee sent me a specimen of in the quire before last, that I doubted if it was of your natural growth, I have now a plant in flower, that Doctor Witt sent me, which shows that it is."
"LONDON, JULY 22nd, 1740.
" Doctor Witts hollow-leafed Lavender, is, no doubt, the Side-saddle flower ; but what relation it lias to Lavender, I must leave to him. The plant with Tricolor leaves, I amin well assured, is your fine Clinopodium. Our late severe winter has carried all mine off; so pray send me some more seed, and of the Lychnis with Crosswort leaves.
" The doctor did not carefully distinguish, or observe, the fruit he mentions, which I take to be no more than an excrescence raised by insects, like Galls and Oak-apples; which have a pulpy substance in them of a beautiful complexion."
" LONDON, OCTOBER 20tl1, 1740.
"I am much obliged to thee for the account of Dr. Witt's rarities. Thee las unravelled the whole mystery."
"LONDON, SEPTEMBER 16th, 1741.
" Pray send some Ginseng seed ; but roots will be better. I had great expectation I had this rare plant, but don't find it proves so. The young leaves of the Prenanthies, or Doctor Witt's Snake-root, I took for it."
"LONDON, JUNE 16th, 1742.
"I have a Lychnis, from Doctor Witt, different from any yet that I liave seen. It seems to be the King of that tribe. Its stalk is near as thick as my little finger (which is but sinall, for a man). It is now about two feet highi, and yet no flowers appear. The stalk is most finely spotted, which is very distinguishing from all the rest that I have seen."
41I
Mechanical Ingenuity.
" LONDON, JULY 20th, 1759.
"I am concerned to hear poor Dr. Witt, my old friend, is blind. A well-spent life, I doubt not, will give him consolation and illuminate his darkness. I must conclude, my dear John, against my inclination.
JOHN BARTRAM TO PETER COLLINSON.
"JULY 24th, 1744.
"Our friend, Doctor Witt, is as well as usual."
" MAY 22d, 1761.
" Doctor Witt and Alexander went on purpose and fetched seeds and roots ; but both miscarried."
"JULY 19th, 1761.
" I have now a glorious appearance of Carnations from thy seed,-the brightest colours that ever eyes beheld. Now, what with thine, Dr. Witt's and others, I can challenge any garden in America for variety. Poor old man ! he was lately in my garden, but could not distinguish a leaf from a flower."
Dr. Witt, it is said, built the first stone house in German- town (it was next door below Andrew Keyser's house) ; he was also an ingenious mechanic, and during the long winter, when botanizing was out of question, he constructed the first clocks made in Pennsylvania, if not in America. One of these he made for his own use: it struck the quarters, and was quite a curiosity at that early day. These timepieces were made of brass and steel, they were set on two brackets against the wall, and ran for thirty-six hours, with one weight and an endless chain ; being wound by merely pulling the chain, which would raise the weight. The long pendulum, as well as the weight and chain, were exposed, as were also the works behind the dial; the bell on which the hour was struck was placed immediately above the works.
At that time these timepieces were valued at from 15 to 25 pounds currency ; they were known as wall clocks, or Wand-uhren, and were the precursors of the high-case
412
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
clocks so common in the early years of the present century, many of which are still preserved as heirlooms.
With his other accomplishments Dr. Witt combined that of an artist and musician. He possessed a large pipe organ, said to have been of his own construction, and the only instrument of the kind in the possession of a private individual in America, He was also a skillful performer on the " virginal," a keyed instrument, of one string, jack and quill to each note, like a spinnet, but in shape resein- bling an upright piano. Notwithstanding his mechanical and extensive professional labors and scientific researches, he kept up his studies in the occult sciences as well as the Theosophical speculations of the old Brotherhood long after the state of affairs brought around by the growth of the new country had scattered most of his former associates, as well as deprived the Quaker element of its supremacy. He also was an adept in astronomy, having a fine large telescope. His reputation as an astronomer was of a high order, and his deductions were generally accepted as final by the various scientists of the day.
A good illustration of his observations is shown by his description of the "great " comet of 1743, and it is by far the best that we have of that celestial phenomenon. 431 His observation was made through his eight-foot telescope, a few days after the comet's appearance on Christmas night of that year ; it then appeared as large as the planet Jupi- ter. Dr. Witt says :
"His atmosphere or tail is not long, but directing itself to the S. E .; his motion but slow, making to the N. W. He rises about 34 past 10 in the morning in the E. N. E., and passes our Meridian 34 after five p. m. in latitude 15.
431 For a full account of the "great " comet, see " An Ephirata Legend," by the present writer, in Christian Culture, Lancaster, Penn., 1891, vol. i, No. II.
413
The Hexen-meister of Germantown.
30 N .; and sets 34 after night in the W. N. W. His lati- tude with respect to the eliptic is 21 D. 30 in. His longi- tude from Aries 14 D. 30 m."
The learned Doctor also practised horoscopy, and would as the occasion required, cast nativities according to the position of celestial bodies, and he was wont to use the hazel rod in his divination. These facts, together with his wrinkled features and bent figure in his later years, made him an object of fear and terror to the naturally supersti- tious Germans of the settlement, whose favorite occupation after dark was the telling and retelling of ghost stories. Whether sitting in front of the fire on the spacious hearth, or on the benchi under the stoop in front of the house, spook-stories were always the favorite theme. In many of these legends the hexen-meister, as Dr. Witt was univer- sally known among the Germans, figured as the chief actor, The doctor, however, minded not these idle tales and rumors, and willingly went into any of their houses to alleviate their suffering, even if he saw them making three crosses in the air or on the door-jamb as he entered, or knew that while he was ministering to the ailing child, the anxious parent was saying a Vater Unser to keep off the Evil One. To make matters worse for the local gossips, on one occasion Dr: Witt returned from Philadelphia ac- companied by a slave whom he had purchased there. This man was a mulatto with a sharp, piercing black eye, light skin and curly hair, and was known as Robert. He became the trusty servant and companion of his master, and when- ever Dr. Witt went out after dark Robert invariably pre- ceded him with a lantern. It was not long before it would have been hard to say whether master or servant inspired the most fear with the simple-minded Germans ; some of whom honestly believed that Robert was really a familiar
314
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
spirit, sent from the regions below at the request of his master. Robert, however, proved a reliable and trust- worthy servant, competent to wait on the table, curry horses, clean knives, boots and shoes, lay a table, shave and dress wigs, and carry a lantern; and in addition to these multitudinous accomplishments, being of a mechanical turn of mind he soon mastered the science of clockinaking.
Doctor Witt accumulated considerable property, and, as before stated, about the middle of the century, after the death of Geissler, took up his abode in the large stone house which had been built by Christian Wariner (2d). The old house, however, was not rented, but was used by the doctor as a workshop or laboratory, and in the course of time became an object of dread to all passers by after dark. The many gruesome tales connected with this old house were only equalled by those told in connection with the old Hexen-meister and his Teufels-bursche. The mys- terious sounds and lights said to have been heard and seen there frequently during the long winter nights, if probed, no doubt would have been found to emanate from Robert's turning-lathe, or the Doctor's brazier, as he was preparing some of the medicaments used in his profession.
When the Doctor was eighty years old his eyesight failed him, and this in a few years resulted in total blindness.
During the years of his affliction he was tenderly cared for by his slave Robert, who not only proved his devoted servant, but acted as his agent.
Before his eyesight had entirely failed him, he sent for three friends in whom he had the fullest confidence, viz., Hugh Neile, Charles Witherholtz and Jolin Knorr, 432 and
432 John Knorr was a son-in-law of Ludwig Biedermann, one of the leaders of the original Community. His wife was Hannah Ludwig Biedermann, and her mother, Maria Margaretta Beidermann, was a daughter of Magister Zimmermann, who died at Rotterdam.
415
Curious Burial Custom.
in their presence he made and executed his last will and
Christ
testament, Novell- ber 7, 1761. He could then hardly see to write his name to the docu-
SIGNATURE TO WILI ..
ment. He appointed Richard Johnson and Christian Warmer (3d) as his executors.
But few particulars are known of the end of this old mystic and' philosopher, or even the exact date of his death. It appears from some fragmentary documents that it was in the latter part of January, 1765, and that the last offices were performed for him by the third generation of the Warmer family.
His remains,-wrapt in a spotless linen sheet and resting upon the shavings made in planing the boards, 433 in the plain, unvarnished deal coffin, without lining or ornament, inade by Robert for his late master,-were buried in the family's private ground, situated on the top of the hill beliind the Warmer homestead, and which is fully described in the next chapter. At liis request his remains were lowered into the ground just as the winter sun suk beneath the horizon.
The old magus had outlived all of his former associates and friends. In the three score years that he had passed in
433 This custom has survived until of late years and is still occasionally insisted upon in the burial of decendants from the early Sabbatarians in Pennsylvania. Poplar wood, however, is usually used in place of pine. The superstition about the shavings made in building a coffin is an old one. It was believed that in case that a shaving from a coffin would find its way into any house death would result in the near future. Both shavings and sawdust were therefore always carefully swept up by the cabinet-maker and placed in the coffin before he delivered it. A modern instance of this custom is described by the writer in the Philadelphia Times of August 3, 1893.
316
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
Germantown, he had witnessed probably greater changes than almost any one, and the tradition may be a true one which tells us that the sincerest mourner at the funeral was the trusty slave Robert. The following obituary appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1885, February 7, 1765 :
"Last week died at Germantown Dr. Christopher De Wit a Gentleman long and well known throughout this and the neighbouring provinces for his great services and abilities in his profession of a physician."
'Although Doctor Witt lived and died in the home of the Warmer family, it appears that he was not without kinship in this country, as he had a nephew, William Yates, 434 living in Germantown. Just how great the intimacy was between these two men is difficult to surmise, as all that is known about the latter is gleamed from a deed of gift to Yates, and the reference to him in Witt's last will.
From the former it appears that when Dr. Witt felt that he was approaching the end of his earthly career, he gave to his relative a stone house and tenement witli a lot of ground containing 5434 perches, fronting on the northeast side of the main street. This gift, for such it was (as the consideration was only a nominal one) was evidently in lieu of all and any claims Yates might eventually make against the estate of his uncle. The conveyance is dated Novem- ber 2, 1758, and is recorded in Deed Book H, 11, page 186.
It sets forth that, " For and inconsideration of the natural love and affection which the said Christopher Witt hath and doth bear unto and towards his said nephew William Yates and for his the said William Yates better and more comfortable subsistance in this world and for divers other good causes him the said Christopher Witt (as uncle) there-
434 William Yates was a wheelwright by profession, and was a son of Witt's sister.
417
William Yates.
unto especially mooving, as in consideration of the sum of Five Shillings lawfull money of Pennsylvania unto him the said Christopher Witt well and duly in hand paid by his said Nephew William Yates, &c."
A tradition that the writer hias thus far not been able to verify intimates that the house given by Witt to Yates formerly stood upon the site now known as 5073 Main Street. It is described as liaving been a quaint little building, and subsequently for a time served as the local post-office.
After De Witt's death, when the will was admitted to pro- bate, February 4th, it was found that after a bequest to " Wil- liam Yeats, commonly called my relative," of "One English shilling," he manunits his trusty servant Robert (Clay- more) absolutely ; further giving him the lot on which the old house stood, describing it as " the certain tract of land in the Township of Germantown, on the north side of the lane commonly called Keyser's and bought of Adam Holt." He further gives liim " all tools, instruments and utensils belonging or appertaining to the making of Clocks, also the feather bed and bedstead, a bolster-pillow and other furniture ; also my great Clock which strikes the quarters, also all household goods belonging to me which shall be found in my old house, where I formerly lived next door below Andrew Keyser's alias Pistorius. That is to say 2 chairs, a Black walnut table, Chest of drawers, a press cup- board, with all that is contained in the same. Also all other goods and effects of mine which shall be found in the same old house at the time of iny decease."
After thus liberally providing for his trusty servant, he bequeaths £60 cash, then in the hands of one Leonard Frelich, to the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, an institution then in its infancy, " the said legacy to be for
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