USA > Pennsylvania > The German Pietists of provincial Pennsylvania : 1694-1708 > Part 29
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418
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
the use of the poor in said Hospital." 435 After a few minor bequests, he leaves the rest of liis estate, including the large house in which he lived, to his friend Christian Warmer (3d), the grandson of the emigrant. 436
Thus Doctor Christopher Witt, the Rosicrucian Mystic of Germantown, the last of the Kelpins community, lived and died charitable even unto death, not only rewarding his trusty slave with his liberty, and his old benefactors, the Warmer family, with a home and fortune, but leaving a legacy for the alleviation of human misery for ages to come. Comparatively, his bequest to the Hospital will prove a more enduring monument to his worth and memory than perishable stone or corroding brass.
435 This is said to have been one of the first legacies left to the embryo institution. In the Hospital records the estate of Dr. " Wilt" is credited with $160.00.
436 His personal property was appraised at a total of £314, 5s, od. Among the items we find :
Telescope,
£1-10-0
Maps and Pictures,
I-5-0
Organ, .
.
40-0-0
Virginal, I-15-O
Belongings to apothecaries and Doctor's way, 60-0-0
Two Clocks, . 30-0-0
One Clock,
15-0-0
Clockmaker's tools,
3-0-0
THE ROMANCE OF SPOOK HILL.
HRISTIAN WARMER and his wife were not only solicitous for the =Deu JONATHEN WARNER who Departed this Life .December 24 1725 Aged 22 Years al Menth bodily welfare of the indivi- dual members of the Theoso- phical Community, and ten- derly cared for such as were sick or distressed in the early days of the experiment on the Wissahickon, but they went even further, and set apart a piece of their land in German- town #37 as a burial-place for ONE OF THE WARNER TOMBS ON SPOOK HIL.L.438 themselves and such Theoso- phical Brethern as should die in the vicinity. This cemetery, within the very heart of Germantown, has for some reasons thus far escaped the notice of antiquarians and local historians. It is located upon the high ground within the square bounded by High and Haines Streets, and Morton and Hancock Streets, and
437 A seemingly well-founded tradition indicates that the ground was originally set aside for burial purposes by Dr. Witt, who held title to the same for two years before he conveyed it to Warmer. See page 404 ibid. 438 The name of the W'armer family about the middle of last century was Anglicized to Warner, vide signature of emigrant, page 245, supra.
420
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
is reached either by the old lane leading from Haines Street into Mechanic Street, now called Col- well Street,439 or by the patlı be- tween St. Michael's Church and the parsonage.
Within the narrow bounds of this plot rest, so far as is
known, at least four genera- tions of
the War- iner family; besides the re- mains of Dr. Christopher Witt, his mu- latto servant Robert Cole- man, Daniel Geissler, the famulus
Şof Kel- pius, and sev- eral other mem- bers of the original Kelpius party who died in German- town.
A complete list of the burials with- in this little Fried-
ENTRANCE TO THE OLD WARNER GROUND.
421
Ghostly Legends.
hof was still in existence a few years ago, and not only contained a list of all who rest within its bounds, but also a short synopsis of the ceremonial with which they were committed to the earth.
Unfortunately for our purpose this list cannot now be found. The writer has during the past two years made untiring efforts, without avail, to trace and obtain this document, but although four persons have at different times seen and examined the list, all trace of it now seems to have been lost.
This piece of ground on the hill-top in Germantown was originally forty feet square, stepped out and consecrated according to the mystic ritual. Many are the vicissitudes that have passed over this little plot during the past two centuries. For a number of years it was merely known as a private burial ground, such as was set apart by John Bechtel from his own ground upon the west side of the Main Street opposite Fisher's Lane; in later years for the use of the Unitas Fratrum or Moravian Brethren.
From the very day when the first body was interred within this enclosure on the hill, the spot was assumed to be haunted by the credulous German population. This was probably on account of the mystic ceremonies with which the last rites were performed.
As the time passed and additional interments took place, the gossip as to uncanny sights and sounds increased, as did also the belief in their re-occurrence at certain intervals. Many were the strange tales told by the lionest Germans as they sat upon their hearth-benches (ofen-bank) during the long winter nights, all about this quiet spot, now sur- rounded by a low stone wall. Brave indeed would even a strong man have been, when crossing the fields after dark, to have cast his eyes toward the haunted spot.
439 As the order now stands, Colwell Street-Mechanic Street.
422
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
An old legend is to the effect that frequently during the geister-stunde, or ghostly hour of midnight, shadowy forms were to be seen flitting about in the dim moonlight, clad in outlandish attire, some being robed in light, and others in black garb. Upon such occasions, it is stated that the shrivelled and bent form of old Dr. Witt could be seen slowly toiling up the hill-side behind his house to the ghostly spot where he would join the supernatural visitors, until the clock in the little German church steeple struck the hour of one, when all would vanish except the old Mys- tic, who would then slowly retrace his steps toward his house, being inet at about half the distance by his faithful servant. It was mainly on account of these weird happen- ings that the spot became known as der Spook-bühel or Spook Hill.
After the death of Dr. Witt, in 1765, and his burial within the enclosure, the fear of the uncanny spot increased. Tales were told which have survived even to the present time, how upon the night following the burial of the old Mystic, spectral blue flames were seen dancing around his grave,440 which it is said continued for weeks.
Another matter which increased the mystery was the nocturnal visits made by the dusky Robert to his late master's grave. The latter, liowever, ceased after a certain period, when the place was rarely visited by any one, except now and then by a wunder-doctor or witchi-doctor, who went to gather lichen from the mossy tombstones, or certain plants plucked from a grave, to be of service in incantations for the cure of persons or cattle supposed to have been bewitched, or in some cases for the discovery of hidden treasures.
After the battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777, a
440 This seems more strange when the season of the year is considered.
423
A Weird Story.
number of soldiers, English as well as Hessian, are said to have found their last resting-place within the little cemetery on the hill. For many years afterwards a weird story was current in addition to the many tales connected with this gruesome spot. It was of a spectral horseman, dressed in the uniform of a British officer, mounted upon a grey horse, who upon certain nights was to be seen riding around the enclosure, and motioning as if rallying his men, and after encircling the wall a certain number of times he would vanish into the air.
A few years ago there were yet some aged persons living in the immediate vicinity who declare that not only did they hear of these uncanny doings and sights from their parents and friends, but in days gone by saw them upon different occasions when passing the spot.
Toward the close of the last century and in the early part of the present one, the Wariner estate was gradually divided into lots and sold, and as the adjoining ground changed ownership and the family which was immediately interested in its maintainance left the vicinity, the old graveyard became neglected and overgrown with noxious weeds and brambles, and it alınost seemed as if the gener- ations of Wariners, together with the dead Mystics and Theosophists, buried there were left to care for themselves.
While the ground was in this condition, the weird ghost stories connected with it lost nothing by being repeated over and over, but on the contrary multiplied among the naturally superstitious inhabitants, where every well-regu- lated household had a spook or two of its own. Conse- quently the place was avoided more than ever after nightfall. Eventually it became a mere receptacle for rubbish, and on account of its wretched condition the name by mutual consent was changed to "Mount Misery."
424
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
In all the sales and conveyances of the surrounding ground care, however, was taken by some interested parties to preserve the old cemetery, as well as to make a provision for the narrow lane that formed an approach to it.
In the conveyance recorded in Deed Book D 56, page 231, Lydia (Powell) Wariner, widow of Christian Warmer (2d) and her daughter Elizabetlı, December 7, 1776, convey to John Bringhurst a part of their land, in which they reserve for "themselves, their heirs and assigns forever one perch or sixteen foot and one-half in breath along one side of said premises, along Jacob Keysers lot or land in his possession, said reserved perch of land or breadth across the said lot of land to be for a road for the use and behoof of the said Lydia Warmer and Elizabeth Warmer and their Heirs and Assigns forever." This is the reservation for the lane leading to the cemetery.
In his will dated September 28, 1793, Jonathan Warner, 441 son of Christopher (who was the godson of Dr. Witt, son of Christian (2d), and great grandson of the emigrant), charges his mother Elizabeth, the widow of Dr. Chris- toplier Warner, who had intermarried with one Leibert, with the special care of "forever hereafter upholding and maintaining the Graveyard and Graveyard wall or fence adjacent to Germantown, commonly known by the naine of Warner's Graveyard."
Jonathan Warner, who was also a "Doctor of Physic," died quite young, and was unmarried. He left all his property to his mother, and she and his step-father were appointed his executors.
The writer has been further informed by trustworthy persons, who have lived all their lives within sight of the old ground, that Dr. Christopher Witt had ordained that
441 Vide note 438, supra.
ST. MICHAEL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. BUILT UPON THE OLD WARMER GROUND.
THE PIETISTS OF PRO, VC 4. ZASYLVANIA
425
A Desolate Spot.
the whole top of the hill adjoining the enclosure should be given free, for the purpose of building a meeting-liouse, ##2 to any Christian Protestant denomination that should make demand. It was also stated that this bequest was on record. Diligent search, however, has failed to discover any documentary evidence which would substantiate thiis tradition.
As the years rolled by and no organization claimed the above privilege the ground became more neglected than ever ; a stone-quarry was opened just outside the southeast corner of the walls and encroaching upon its bounds, one angle of the wall fell in and was carted away for building- stone. It now became known as " Vinegar Hill," and was only used for the occasional burial of a negro. It is stated that the last one of that race buried there was a servant in tlie Leibert household.
But when the little piece of consecrated ground seemed to be in its most neglected condition, with graves sunken, tombstones broken and crumbling wall, a turn was reached in its history. Together with the surrounding property it came into the possession of the Morris family, and eventu- ally of Miss Elizabeth C. Morris.
In the course of events a condition of affairs arose which was destined to redeem this plot of consecrated ground from its neglected and desolate state, and to fulfill the alleged wishes of the old Pietist and philosopher, as expressed in the foregoing tradition. It came about in the following manner :
A few years before the outbreak of the Civil War, a spirit of religious revival arose in the ancient village of Germantown which, at that time incorporated as a part of
442 Wording according to an old deed examined by the Rev. J. K. Mur- phy, D.D.
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426
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
the consolidated city,413 had become the most fashionable suburb of Philadelphia. Then the desire arose among the new residents from the city, as is usually the case under similar circumstances, to form congregations, institute new parislies and build churches.
Among these new congregations was one under the leader- ship of the Rev. J. Pinckney Hammond, who secured a lot on Coulter Street near Wayne, and proceeded to build a church. Its corner-stone was laid with considerable cere- mony December 5, 1858, by Bishops Bowman and Doane, and it was called " the Church of the Holy Cross."
This act upon the part of the new congregation gave rise to a serious complication with the adjoining parish of Calvary, which had erected a church in the vicinity.4# This trouble led to the abandonment of the location by the new organization, whose services were once more trans- ferred to the Town Hall.
The promotors of the new enterprise in nowise dis- heartened at once looked about for a new location,-one that would be suitable, and at the same time would not interfere with any existing parish. This coming to the knowledge of Miss Elizabeth C. Morris, she extended an offer of that part of her land adjoining and including the old cemetery to Rev. Mr. Hammond, provided a church were erected in union with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and to be free from pew-rents forever.
When the parties interested went to view the proffered land it was found to be as desolate a spot as could well be imagined. Its surface covered with rubbish and overgrown with rank briars and weeds, it looked anything but a favor-
443 Philadelphia city and county was consolidated in 1854.
444 Manheim and Pulaski Avenue. The late Rev. Thomas K. Conrad, D. D., was the first rector.
427
St. Michael's Church.
able spot for a church. The ground fronted on High Street, and was on the high ground about two squares east of the main street. 415 The most prominent object upon the church lot, which was to be 150 feet front on High Street, with a depth of 125 feet, was a large spreading mulberry tree (morus multicalus), while here and there among the growth of briars was to be seen a leaning or broken tonib-stone, to indicate that the spot was one of sepulture. The name by which this tract was locally known was well chosen : "Mount Misery." The proffered gift, however, was ac- cepted with its provisions by the parties interested, and preparations were made forthwith to erect a neat church.
The first piece of sod was turned on the 18th day of April, 1859; on the 29th of the same month the corner- stone was laid by Bishop Bowman, and so diligently was the work prosecuted that just five months later, on September 29th, St. Michael's Day, the first service was held within the walls, when it was named after the day, " St. Michael's."
In planning the church it so happened that the chancel extended over a part of the old cemetery, and in digging the trench for the foundation, traces of interments were found. Care was taken, however, not to disturb any of the graves more than could possibly be avoided. As a result the remains of the elder Warmer, Geissler and Dr. Witt, members of the original band of Pietists and mystic philoso- phers, now repose beneath the chancel of the church, with an altar erected over them at which prayers are read daily, anthems sung, responses chanted and the Gospel preached according to established forms of Christian worship, which their Community was so instrumental in establishing within the Province. 446
445 Now known as both Main Street and Germantown Avenue.
428
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
Outside the church a part of the original enclosure can yet be traced by the foundations of the old wall. Within the bounds of the enclosure, to the south of the church, are still to be seen the tombstones of father and son, the third and fourth generations of the Warner family. The inscriptions are as follows :
" Doctor
Memory
Christopher Warner
Doctor
Who departed this life
Jonathan Warner
Who departed this life
February 17th 1783 Aged 39 years & 4 months
December 24, 1793
Aged 22 yrs & I month "
446 After the consecration of St. Michael's at Germantown, September 29, 1859, it continued under the rectorship of its founder, the Rev. Dr. Ham- mond, until his resignation of the parish on the 8th of August, 1861, to accept the position of chaplain in the U. S. Army. After an interval of a year, the Rev. Levi Ward Smith was called as rector, he also became chaplain in the army, and was assigned to duty at the Cuyler General Hospital, Germantown. He hield both positions until he was prostrated by a nervous disease, and "met his deatlı at midnight, December 23, 1863, aged 43." He was a good, gentle, lovable clergyman, and, strange to say, made an attempt to have a burial vault made at the rear of the chancel of the church, alongside the Warner grave-yard, for the temporary reception of the remains of soldiers who died under his sympathetic ministrations. The ground was too stony to allow the work to proceed. After another year of vacancy, the Rev. Edward Hyde True was called, and entered upon his duties December 9, 1864 ; he resigned December 31, 1867. The following day (New Year's Day, 1868), the present rector, the Rev. John K. Murphy, D.D., assumed the position, having been elected to the office upon Mr. True's resignation. Mr. Murphy has continued in uninter- rupted charge for nearly 28 years. He has had a united and prosperous congregation.
A large lot has been secured to the east of the plot of land laid off by the will of Dr. Witt " for the use of any society of Christians who would build a meeting house upon it," and so the sacred spot of his burial is now more guarded from intrusion than ever. A beautiful and cominodius rectory thus protects it on the north, and a large and handsome stone parish building has been constructed to the south of it. It will thus be seen that the grave-yard need never be disturbed as it is completely pro- tected by the group of buildings now surrounding it.
429
The Old Mulberry Tree.
The elder of the two was a grandson of the emigrant, and was named after Dr. Witt; the other was his son.
There are also a few rough unlettered stones, such as it was the custom to place at the head and foot of graves to prevent any interference in the future.
These remains of the old cemetery are overshadowed by the wide-spreading berry tree, before planted there by Dr. Philadelphia physi worin excite
branches of the mul- mentioned, which was Physic, a well-known cian, during the silk- ment half a century ground ago. The
not covered by
the chan-
cel is now in cluded
within the @ church lawn, andy carefully sodded and kept in order. The spot, but a few decades ago so
desolate and
neglec-
ted, is now
one of
beauty
and at-
traction, and
upon the feared and
very ground once
avoided can now fre quently be seen A COLONIAL DOORWAY worshippers of the IN GERMANTOWN. church strolling over the velvety sward or sitting upon the benches under the shadow of the old mulberry, enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the scene.
The lands surrounding the cemetery, which but a few years ago were nothing but worn-out pasture fields, are now crossed by regular streets, lined with ornate mansions and costly improvements ; the church and its parsonage being a picturesque feature.
430
The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
While Kelpius, Seelig and Matthäi rest in the place of their selection, now unmarked; Köster sleeps within the consecrated precincts of Lutheran ground in the Father- land; the Falkner brothers, in unknown graves in differ- ent provinces ; and while even the sepulchre of Pastorius remains a matter of conjecture, it was appointed by destiny that at least such as were gathered within this ancient Fried- hof on the hillside were to have erected over thein, after the lapse of two centuries, so glorious a monument as a Christian temple of worship.
It may be argued that this fact was merely accidental, and so it may be. The ways of good providence, however, are inscrutable, and the fact still remains that under the chancel of St. Michael's in Germantown repose the ashes of some of the German Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania, whose influence in the early days of our province was so widespread, and whose labors were exerted in the interests of piety, their chief aim being once more to establish relig- ious services according to orthodox church forms within the bounds of Penn's domain.
St. Michael's Church is a fitting monument to the memory of these early pioneers. May its career upon old "Spook-Hill" be a long and active one; and may the truths taught within its sacred walls take root and bring forth fruit as plentifully as did the efforts of the old Pietists who flourished here in days gone by, and whose history, tradition and legends have formed the subject of these pages.
MANETTO INDIANORUM,
APPENDIX.
.
1
This picture representing an early meeting of the Quakers, has of late years, been claimed to represent a meeting held at the " Bull and Mouth " in London, at which William Penn and the Duke of York (afterwards James II) were said to have been present. There is no evidence whatever to support this theory, and almost conclusive proof that the picture represents a Quaker Meeting in Holland ; for while the costume of two prin- cipal figures would seem to show they were Englishmen, they were certainly not of the same nationality as the others present.
From information received from the authorities at the British Museum, the original was a painting by Egbert Hemskirck the younger, (1645-1704) and was engraved for the Dutch market by J. Gole .- It was lettered :
E. HEMSKIRCK PINX.
J. GOLE, 'SCULPSIT. "DE QUAAKERS VERGADERING."
Subsequent to the year 1727, the well worn plate 21 x 1512 inches was bought by J. Bowles, a print seller of London, who had the Dutch inscription obliterated and re-lettered
E. HEMSKIRCK PINX. I. BOWLES EXC. THE QUAKERS' MEETING.
LONDON, SOLD BY J. BOWLES AT MERCER'S HALL IN CHEAPSIDE.
The reproduction is from one of the latter impressions in the collection of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Prints even from this condition of the plate are extremely scarce.
According to the best European authorities the scene repre- sented is laid in Benjamin Furly's house in the Wynstraat in Rotterdam. The principal portraits are said to be those of William Penn, George Fox and Benjamin Furly, which would indicate one of the meetings mentioned in Fox's Journal, held between July 28 and October 20, 1677. An opinion which is without doubt correct.
THE PIETISTS OF PROVINCIAL PENNSYLVANIA.
BENJAMIN FURLY,
CONCORDIA RESPAIVA. CRESCUNS
ENJAMIN FURLY, + the friend of William Penn and promotor of the first German emigra- tion to America, was a native of Colchester, England, where he was born April 13, ROYAL ARMS OF HOLLAND, A.D, 1694. 1636.417 He began life as a merchant there, and became identified with the early Quakers. Subsequent to the year 1660 he immigrated to Amsterdam, " but afterwards made Rotterdam his permanent
447 According to a Dutch account (Unger, in “ Rotterdamsch Jaar- boekje," 1890, p. 114), he was born at Rotterdam, of English parentage. There is, however, nothing to substantiate the above claim, as the learned writer evidently confuses Benjamin Furly with his son Benjohan.
#* " Gerhard Croesens Quaker Historie, von deren Ursprung bis auf jüngsthin entstandene Trennung." Berlin, bey Johann Michael Rudiger, 1696, p. 644. The title of the English edition reads, "The General History of the Quakers &c. Being written originally in Latin by Gerard Croese." London, 1696.
Two editions were printed in Latin,-" Gerardi Croesi Historia Quaker- iana,"-viz., Theodore Boom, 1695, and Amstelodamie, anno M. DC.IVC. Copies of all editions are now in the library of the writer, also vide pp. 43, et seq. Supra.
55
434 -Of The Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania.
home, where he engaged in the mercantile and shipping business, his first establishment being in the Scheepmaker- shaven. 449
Although an Englishman by birth, he soon became iden- tified with the land of his adoption, and married "Dorothe Graigne," a Dutch maiden. His eldest child by this mar- riage was a son Benjohan, born January 6, 1681. Furly, by his honesty and industry, became known as one of the leading merchants of Rotterdam, and removed his residence and warehouse to the Haaringvliet,150 then the chief com- inercial centre of the city. He, however, did not confine himself exclusively to his commercial life and to the accumu- Benjamin Büny lation of wealth, but continued his interest in literary pursuits, and, as Croese intimates,451 "to thoroughly perfect himself in the various branchies of learning," he cultivated the society of the leading critics and scholars of the period, and subsequently became a patron of letters.
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