USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Middletown > The chronicles of Middletown : containing a compilation of facts, biographical sketches, reminiscences, anecdotes, &c., connected with the history of one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania > Part 18
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XXXIX.
In 1825 a schism occurred in St. Peter's Lutheran church under its pastor, Rev. Peter Sahm. A great religious revival was in progress in the town, and meetings were nightly held in the lecture room, which was always well filled. Many members of the church made professions of
Levytype Go
-Phila_
Ann Street M. E. Church.
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a change of heart. This was an innovation, and some of the more con- servative members looked upon the movement as heretical. Finally the opposition to the meetings became so great, that many of the members left the church, and started a new congregation, called "Christ Church."
In 1838, Philip Ettele, Adam Hemperly, Henry Brenneman and John Wolf, trustees of Christ church, bought from John Bomberger, Jacob Bomberger, Jonas Metzgar, John Snyder, Christian Lehman and Ben- jamin Kunkle, a lot of ground on the northwest corner of Spruce and Water streets, for $150.00, built thereon a brick church, and continued to worship here for many years. The membership gradually declined owing to deaths and removals until it was no longer able to support a pastor ; and finally those remaining connected themselves with other churches.
On December 13th, 1861, the trustees of Christ church sold the build- ing to Rev. C. J. Ehrehart, who conducted a flourishing private school here, known as the Middletown Academy, for several years.
January 17th, 1866, Ehrehart sold to James Young, M. B. Rambler, Jacob L. Nisley, W. R. Alleman, John C. Carmany and G. W. Etter, for $906, and April 5th, 1867, these gentlemen sold to Valentine Baum- bach, David Peters and John Snyder, trustees of the United Brethren in Christ church for $1,200.
This congregation had, in 1852, erected a frame church on Duck street south of Water a lot belonging to John Shoop. It gradually in- creased in membership, until it was able to effect the purchase aforesaid, which after it came into their possession was entirely renovated and re- modeled. For many years only a circuit, this is now a prosperous sta- tion.
On August 23rd, 1872, the surviving trustees of Christ church, viz : Benjamin Kunkel and Adam Hemperly, conveyed to Solomon L. Swartz, Joseph Weirich and David Detweiler, trustees of the United Brethren church, the cemetery north of the church.
In 1892 the congregation having grown too large for the building, the church built the present edifice. It is a large and handsome structure with a belfry tower and all modern appliances, steam heat, electric lights, stained glass windows, etc.
The first Quarterly Conference of this station met May 2nd, 1874. The following names were placed upon the roll as members. Rev. J. Baltzell, Rev. H. C. Phillips, Rev. Jacob Focht, Rev. Solomon Swartz, Augustus Parthemore, A. H. Reider, John Mathias, John H. Baker, Howard P. Focht, Benjamin Bletz, John Maginnis, David A. Detweiler and Harry S. Roop. A. H. Reider was elected secretary.
The first stationed pastor was, 1874-76, Rev. H. C. Phillips; 1876, Rev. J. R. Reitzel; 1876-77, Rev. Israel Groff; 1877-78, Rev. H. W. Zimmerman ; 1878-80, Rev. James M. Lesher (who is now a missionary in Africa) ; 1880-83, Rev. James G. Fritz; 1883-85, Rev. A. H. Kauff- man; 1885-86, Rev. Theodore Wagner; 1886, Rev. Z. C. Mower; 1888-
II
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89, Rev. Thomas Garland ; 1890-95, Rev. J. G. Smoker ; 1896-1904, Rev. E. Ludwick; 1904, Rev. D. S. Eshleman, the present pastor.
A flourishing Sunday school is connected with the church. Its super- intendents since 1871 have been: 1871-73, E. B. Bierbower ; 1873-76, Andrew Poorman; 1876-77, J. R. Reitzel; 1877-78, John H. Baker; 1878-79, D. A. Detweiler; 1879-80, Aaron Robb; 1880-93, D. A. Det- weiler ; 1894-96, Charles Orth; 1897-1900, J. C. Detweiler; 1901-2, J. R. Snyder ; 1903-5, D. B. Kieffer, who still holds that position.
Immediately north of the church is a new and neat parsonage.
THE MENNONITES.
A congregation of New Mennonites afterwards purchased the aban- doned frame church on Duck street south of Water. The membership was small and meetings were held once a month. After a short interval the services were discontinued and the building removed.
Speaking of the Mennonites, as the members of this denomination were, next to the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, the earliest settlers in this county, and as they are still numerically strong in the neighborhood of Middletown, a short sketch of them may not prove uninteresting.
The Mennonites are a set of German Baptists, who derive their name from Menno Simonis. He was born in Friesland in 1505. In 1537, hav- ing been previously a Catholic priest, he united with the Baptists. A few years previous to his union with them, this sect had been led away by their zeal into the most fanatical excesses at Munster. Menno col- lected the more sober-minded into regular societies, who formed an in- dependent church under the name of Mennonites, or Mennonists.
Menno traveled through Germany and Holland, disseminating his doctrines and gathering many followers. He died at Oldeslohe in Hol- stein, in 1561. Before his death his followers had divided themselves into two parties, differing in regard to the rigor of discipline. Other sub-divisions occurred after his death. These sects were only tolerated in Europe on the payment of exorbitant tribute, and still suffered many grievances and impositions. William Penn, both in person and in writ- ing, first proclaimed to them that there was liberty of conscience in Pennsylvania. Some of them, about the year 1698, and others in 1703 to 17II, partly for conscience's sake, and partly for their temporal interest, removed here. Finding their expectations fully answered in this plen- tiful country, they informed their friends in Germany, who came over in great numbers, and settled chiefly in Lancaster and the neighboring counties.
In 1770 Morgan Edwards estimated that they had in Pennsylvania 42 churches and numbered about 4,050 persons. They are remarkable for their sobriety, industry, economy and good morals, and are very useful members of the community.
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THE AYMISH.
The Aymish, or Omish, are a sect of the Mennonists who profess to follow more rigidly the primitive customs of the apostolic church. They derive their name from Aymen, their founder, and were originally known as Aymenites; they wear long beards, and reject all superfluities, both in dress, diet and property. They have always been remarkable for in- dustry, frugality, temperance, honesty and simplicity. When they first came over and settled near Pequea creek, land was easily acquired, and ·it was in the power of each individual to be a large proprietor, but this neither agreed with their profession nor practice.
In the year of 1720, a thousand acres were offered to 'an influential member of the Aymish faith by the proprietary agent, but he refused the grant, saying: "It is beyond my desire, as also my ability to clear; if clear, beyond my power to cultivate; if cultivated, it would yield more than my family can consume; and as the rules of our society forbid the disposal of the surplus, I cannot accept your liberal offer ; but you may divide it among my married children, who at present reside with me."
When the sect came to the country they had neither churches nor burial grounds. "A church," said they, "we do not require, for in the depth of the thicket, in the forest, on the water, in the field, in the dwell- ing, God is always present."
Many of their descendants, however, have deviated from the ancient practice, and have both churches and burial grounds.
During the Revolution, owing to their refusal to take up arms, pay the fines imposed on them, or swear allegiance to the Continental gov- ernment, they were continually embroiled with the authorities; as a reference to the early State records will show. According to the census of 1880, they had 300 churches, 350 preachers and 50,000 members.
THE DUNKARDS.
As a few of the earlier inhabitants of Middletown belonged to this sect, and as there are yet some remaining in its neighborhood, I append a short account of them.
The word Dunker of Tunker is a corruption of Taeufer, Baptist.
In the year 1708, Alexander Mack, of Schreisheim, and seven others, in Schwardzenam, Germany, met together regularly to examine the New Testament, and to ascertain the obligations it imposes on professing Christians, determining to lay aside all preconceived opinions and tradi- tional observances. Their inquiries resulted in the formation of the so- ciety now called Dunkards or First-day German Baptists.
Persecuted as they grew into importance, some were driven into Hol- land, some to Creyels, in the duchy of Cleves, and the mother church voluntarily removed to Scrustervin, Friesland; and thence emigrated to America in 1719, and dispersed to different parts-to Germantown, Skippack, Oley, Conestoga and elsewhere. Soon after a church was established at Muelback (Mill creek), Lancaster county. One division
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of this sect, that at Ephrata, Lancaster county (about thirty miles from here), deserves special mention, from the fact that they succored and comforted the distressed families of Paxton during the French and In- dian wars. Although opposed to bearing arms, they opened their houses cheerfully to the fugitives. The government tendered them its thanks, and Governor Penn offered them a whole manor of land, but they would not receive it.
This society owned a farm, a grist mill, paper mill, oil mill and fulling mill; they established a printing office-the second German press in the State-where they printed many books, tracts and hymns.
During the Revolution they were decided Whigs, and after the battle of Brandywine, the whole establishment was thrown open to receive the wounded Americans; their Sabbath school house was converted into a hospital, and great numbers of the sick were transported there in wagons. The army sent to the mill for paper for cartridges, but finding none seized the printed sheets, and they were fired off against the British, at the battle of Germantown.
XL.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In July 1899, Dr. Hope, then rector of Steelton, held the first service of this church in Odd Fellows' hall. In a few weeks Ward Reese was sent to Middletown by Bishop Talbot and continued to hold services regularly at the same place. Early in September there was a meeting of the congregation, at which Archdeacon Baker was present. The name St. Michael and All Angels was then given the church. The Middle- town mission, in October, was made part of the Steelton mission, and placed under the care of Rev. W. H. Holloway. (Mr. Reese, after getting the Middletown mission in working order, left here to con- tinued his studies at school.) After Mr. Holloway took charge of the work, a room in Smith's Hall was rented and services held there regularly until the spring of 1903, when the hall, having been sold, the mission was removed to the frame building at the southwest corner of Union and Brown streets, where they still continue to worship. Rev. Holloway remained until January, 1902. He was followed by the Rev. F. Lyne. He was succeeded in January, 1903, by Rev. J. H. Earp, who remained until April, 1904, his successor being the present rector, Rev. R. F. Gibson.
OLD SAW MILLS.
Just north of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's stone bridge over the Swatara river, lately stood a large sawmill. Originally this was the site of a warehouse built by Mr. Mckibben. It was turned into a sawmill. It was first run by Church, Landis and Kunkle, then by Chris- tian Landis and Washington Etter, then by Etter, Carmany and Siple,
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then by Cramer, Mann and Company, then by L. M. Condriet. It was abandoned and torn down about 1886.
In 1856-7, E. and J. McCreary built a sawmill on the Susquehanna river, near the old ferry house. In 1866 they tore down this mill and removed to Royalton. It was burned down in 1873; was rebuilt and en- larged and sash and door factory and planing mill attached. Had circu- lar, gang and upright saws. Sawed sixty-five rafts in one year. Burnt down in 1885.
William Murray and Martin and Daniel Kendig built a sawmill at "the point," where the Susquehanna and Swatara rivers join, in 1846. They were succeeded by Kendig, Lescure and Zimmerman. This was a large mill. Sawed in one year one hundred and four rafts. Was burnt down twice.
A dilapidated looking building, still standing on the south bank of the Swatara, near Frey's grist mill, was a planing mill, built and run by Boynton and Co., then run by Christ and Brown. Burnt down. Then Kendig bought out Brown and rebuilt. Afterwards run by Kendig, Bricker and Lauman. Abandoned in 1892. Where this mill stands was once a foundry built by McBarron and Jenkins, afterwards D. Peterson ran it. (He was a burgess of the old borough before consolidation.)
West of this mill stood a sash and door factory, owned first by Shott and Rohrer, then by Shott and Ulrich. Afterwards sold to the planing mill firm of Kendig, Bricker and Lauman.
Wm. Rewalt (Dr. J. W. Rewalt's father), built a lot of cars on the ground now occupied by the Middletown Car Works.
E. and J. McCreary had a boatyard at the weigh lock in 1850.
John Watson had a boatyard where the Reading Railroad freight depot now stands. (Here Elijah McCreary learned his trade, March Ioth, 1844. )
Henry Frick had a boatyard where C. H. Hoffer's barn now stands.
On Hill Island, opposite the town, was built, in 1844, the largest mill on the river, by the firm of Jacob M. Haldeman (of Harrisburg), Harry Etter (of York), Martin Croll and George Crist. Croll and Haldeman bought out Etter, then Crist and Haldeman bought out Croll. Then Daniel Lamb bought out Haldeman. Then Croll bought out Lamb. This mill cut principally ship timbers, which were shipped by arks to Port Deposit, thence by schooners to Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York. Its capacity was over one hundred rafts per annum. It had four run of saws, also lath and pale saws, and one set of gang saws. In one year it cut one hundred and five rafts. The mill was subsequently run by Crist and Brandt. During their ownership, the building, which was then full of tobacco, went down the river in the flood of 1865, and lodged above Marietta, and was a total loss. It was the only mill run by water power. Crist at this time had two other sawmills at New Cum- berland. In addition to his Middletown properties, he owned a farm on the island.
A sawmill was built on Brown street and the Union canal by Watson,
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Johnson and Yingst in 1857. It ran in connection with the boatyard until 1868, when it was bought by W. D. Hendrickson and V. C. Cool- baugh, and run under the name of Daniel Kendig and Company, in con- nection with planing mill and lumber yard until 1873, when the two last mentioned properties were sold to Kendig, Bricker and Lauman. The sawmill was run under the name of Daniel Kendig and Company until 1876. Then under the name of Coolbaugh and Hendrickson, until 1888, when the Pennsylvania Railroad closed the Union Canal and obliged them to quit business.
A planing mill and lumber yard were located on the ground where Sweigard's coal yard is now, in 1869, by Rider and Ramsey. In 1870 John L. Nisley joined the firm. This mill was burned down in 1871.
Fisher and Ramsey had a planing mill and sash factory on Wilson street about where the Weaver blacksmith shop now stands. Watson also built a boatyard and screw-dock about where the iron county bridge crosses the Swatara. He built many large canal boats here, which being too large to pass the locks of the Pennsylvania Canal, were floated down the river during high water to Havre de Grace.
Farrington and Mumma had a mill at Royalton, where Tom Hol- land's property, known as "Brenneman's store" is. There was a rope- walk owned by T. Jackson and Son near the mill at Royalton.
XLI.
BURGESS AND COUNCILMEN.
The first Record Book of the borough was destroyed by fire in 1855, when the residence of Henry Stehman, then burgess, was burned; con- sequently the records are incomplete, and we can only give a list of offi- cials and the dates of their election subsequent to that time.
March 16th, 1855. Burgess.
Henry Stehman. Council. Isaac Bear, Christian Fisher, Adam Hemperly, Jr., John Co- George Rodfong, Samuel Det- baugh, Abraham Landis, Eli May, weiler. David Lehman, George W. Elberti, Joseph Brestle.
March 2Ist, 1856. Burgess. Henry Stehman. Council. Henry Croll, G. W. Elberti, Wil- liam Croll, George Barnet, Dr. John Ringland, Adam Hemperly, Jr., Levi Hummel, John Yingst.
March 20th, 1857. Burgess. John K. Shott. Council. North Ward-Wm. M. Lowman,
Middle Ward-John Monaghan, John E. Carmany, James Young. South Ward-Stephen Wilson, Elijah McCreary, Charles McClain. 1858 (Lost). Burgess. John K. Shott. March 18th, 1859. Burgess. Jeremiah Rohrer.
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Council.
North Ward-Jacob Rife (I year), Abraham Brandt (3 years). Middle Ward-Henry Smith (3 years ).
years), James Hipple (3 years). March 17th, 1860. Burgess. Thomas Wilson. Council. North Ward-Christian Fisher.
Middle Ward-John Monaghan. South Ward-Elijah McCreary. March 16th, 1861. Burgess. E. J. Ramsey. Council. North Ward-J. H. Nisley.
Middle Ward-James Young.
South Ward-M. B. Rambler. March 2Ist, 1862. Burgess. E. J. Ramsey. Council. North Ward-Jacob Ebersole.
Middle Ward-M. Buckingham.
South Ward-Daniel Hake. 1863 (Lost). Burgess. Edward S. Kendig. March 18th, 1864. Burgess. Yetman Eves. Council. North Ward-John Hendrickson.
Middle Ward-Henry Detweiler.
South Ward-Henry Baumbach. March 16th, 1865. Burgess. E. J. Ramsey. Council. North Ward-Jacob Ebersole. Middle Ward-William Hen- drickson. South Ward-Joseph Stewart.
March 16th, 1866. Burgess. Charles Churchman. Council.
North Ward-Joseph Brestle,
South Ward-George Whitman (2 Frederick Koerper.
Middle Ward-John Monaghan,
John Ringland. South Ward-James Witherow. March 15th, 1867. Burgess. George Smuller. Council.
North Ward-Dr. M. Brown, Levi Hummel.
Middle Ward-John Raymond.
South Ward-M. B. Rambler, C. W. Churchman. March 20th, 1868. Burgess. John McCreary. Council. North Ward-Caleb Roe.
Middle Ward-Samuel Landis.
South Ward-Joseph Stewart. October 12th, 1869. Burgess. D. J. Boynton. Council.
North Ward-(John F. Rife, Eli May)-(?)
Middle Ward-Kirk Few, Sr., John Carmany.
South Ward-Henry Hipple, D. J. Hake.
October IIth, 1870. Burgess. Henry Raymond. Council. North Ward-Jacob H. Baxtres- ser.
Middle Ward-Joseph Campbell. South Ward- Ziegler.
October 10th, 1871. Burgess. Henry Raymond.
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Council.
North Ward- A. N. Breneman, J. W. Rife.
Middle Ward-Kirk Few, Sr.
South Ward-George D. Yent- drickson.
zer.
1872.
Time changed to third Friday in March, 1872; all borough officers hold over till then.
March 2Ist, 1873. Burgess. Henry Raymond. Council. North Ward-Henry Hinney.
Middle Ward-W. D. Hendrick- son, John Klineline.
South Ward-George Yentzer,
Samuel Brandt, Al. Fortney.
February 17th, 1874. Burgess. H. C. Raymond. Council.
North Ward-Dr. A. N. Brene- man.
Middle Ward-Samuel Landis. South Ward-F. P. Norton. February 16th, 1875. Burgess. William H. Embich. Council.
North Ward-George Rodfong, Sr., Joseph Brestle.
Middle Ward-John K. Shott.
South Ward-A. Myers.
February 15th, 1876. Burgess. H. C. Raymond. Council. North Ward-J. A. Swartz.
Middle Ward-John Klineline. South Ward-A. B. Fortney. February 20th, 1877. Burgess. John W. Rife.
Council.
North Ward-Lauman, Kauff- man.
Middle Ward - Landis, Hen-
South Ward-Norton. February 19th, 1878. Burgess. John W. Rife. Council. North Ward-C. H. Hoffer.
Middle Ward-C. W. King.
South Ward-A. Poorman,
February 19th, 1879. Burgess. Christian Shireman. Council.
North Ward-William Lauman.
Middle Ward-D. A. Detweiler.
South Ward-H. L. Rehrer. February 17th, 1880. Burgess. Charles Churchman. Council. North Ward-Jacob Rife.
Middle Ward-W. H. Siple.
South Ward-Joseph Stewart. February 15th, 1881. Burgess. S. L. Yetter. Council. North Ward-C. H. Hoffer.
Middle Ward-Elias Earisman.
South Ward-A. Roush.
February 2Ist, 1882. Burgess. S. L. Yetter. Council. North Ward-John Few. Middle Ward-W. H. Kendig, D. A. Detweiler. South Ward-E. Nagle.
February 20th, 1883. Burgess. Henry Hipple.
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
Council. North Ward-John Baker. Middle Ward-H. B. Campbell. South Ward-H. L. Rehrer, Jo- seph Stewart.
February 19th, 1884. Burgess. Joseph Hewitt. Council. North Ward-Frederick Wag- ner.
Middle Ward-Elias Earisman. South Ward-H. L. Rehrer.
February 17th, 1885. Burgess. J. H. Cobaugh. Council. North Ward-D. W. Stehman, J. V. Heistand.
Middle Ward-Martin Kendig.
South Ward-John Kohr. February 16th, 1886. Burgess. J. H. Cobaugh. Council.
North Ward-John G. Fisher.
Middle Ward-H. B. Campbell.
South Ward-J. J. Norton, H. H. Parsons.
February 15th, 1887. Burgess. J. H. Cobaugh. Council. North Ward-Dr. W. H. Beane, Dr. D. W. C. Laverty.
Middle Ward-L. C. Keim.
South Ward-George Gotshall. February 2Ist, 1888. Burgess.
C. H. Hutchinson. Council. North Ward-E. K. Demmy. Middle Ward-H. Hipple. South Ward-E. McCreary.
February 19th, 1889. Burgess. C. H. Hutchinson. Council.
North Ward-J. McDonald.
Middle Ward-A. McNair.
South Ward-E. K. Demmy. February 18th, 1890. Burgess. C. H. Hutchinson. Council.
North Ward-H. Croll.
Middle Ward-A. J. Lerch.
South Ward-R. Benson.
February 17th, 1891. Burgess. S. L. Yetter. Council.
North Ward-H. Croll.
Middle Ward-F. K. Mohler.
South Ward-John Beachler. February 16th, 1892. Burgess. S. L. Yetter. Council. North Ward-J. McDonald.
Middle Ward-J. Atkinson.
South Ward-E. K. Demmy.
February 2Ist, 1893. Burgess. James H. Nicely. Council.
First Ward-R. Benson.
Second Ward-A. J. Lerch.
Third Ward-M. B. Schaeffer. February 20th, 1894. Burgess. J. H. Nicely. Council. First Ward-F. B. Hampton.
Second Ward-J. L. Nisley. Third Ward-L. Fenical.
During Nicely's incumbency the official term of the Burgess was ex- tended to three years. Nicely dy-
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ing, W. W. Kurtz was elected to fill out his unexpired term.
February 17th, 1895. Council. First Ward-M. H. Hartman.
Second Ward-I. K. Longe- necker.
Third Ward-E. O. Hendrick- son. February 18th, 1896.
First Ward-G. W. Botts.
Second Ward-W. H. Bausman.
Third Ward-M. Schaeffer.
February 16th, 1897. Burgess. Jacob Welsh. Council. First Ward-J. Hubley.
Second Ward-J. Ackerman.
Third Ward-J. L. Nisley. February 15th, 1898. Council. First Ward-W. C. Bowers.
Second Ward-W. M. Hipple.
Third Ward-C. Ashenfelter. February 2Ist, 1899. Council. First Ward-G. W. Botts.
Second Ward-H. W. Bausman. Third Ward-M. Snyder.
February 20th, 1900.
Burgess. Oliver M. Swartz. Council.
First Ward-M. Schaeffer.
Second Ward-C. Long.
Third Ward-J. L. Nisley.
February 19th, 190I. Council. First Ward-W. H. Martin.
Second Ward-J. Atkinson.
Third Ward-D. Seiders.
February 18th, 1902. Council.
First Ward-W. Hipple.
Second Ward-W. C. Fleming.
Third Ward-E. J. Swartz.
February 17th, 1903. Burgess. John L. Whisler. Council. First Ward-J. Clouser.
Second Ward-W. Weaver.
Third Ward-J. L. Nisley.
XLII.
WATER RIGHT OUT OF FREY'S MILL RACE.
This indenture made the twenty-fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one. thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine, between George Frey, of Paxton township, in the county of Dauphin and State of Penn- sylvania, merchant of the one part, and John Fisher, of the township, county and State aforesaid, yeoman of the other part. Whereas the said John Fisher and Margery, his wife, by their indenture bearing equal date herewith, for the considerations therein mentioned, did grant and convey unto the said George Frey, his heirs and assigns, the privilege of cutting a canal or mill race through a certain piece or plot of ground for the purpose of conveying water to turn a mill or mills or other water works, which piece or plot of ground is commencing on the western bank of Swatara creek bounded and described as followeth, viz: Be- ginning at a post on the western bank of Swatara creek, near the divis-
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
ion line of the said John Fisher and Blair McClenachan's land, extending along and near the division line aforesaid, south sixty-six degrees, west thirty-eight and a half perches to a post, thence by various courses and distances thhrough the other lands of the said John Fisher (party hereto), to the lot of ground on which the mill of the said George Frey now stands, and did also grant to him the said George Frey, his heirs and assigns, the sole and exclusive right of all the water that can be conveyed out of Swatara creek by the above mentioned canal or mill race through the lands of him, the said John Fisher, his heirs and assigns, as in and by the above mentioned indenture indented to be recorded, reference thereto being had, may more fully appear.
Now this indenture witnesseth that the said George Frey, for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings to him in hand well and truly paid by the said John Fisher, at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowl- edged. As for other good causes him thereunto moving hath granted, bargained, sold and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bar- gain, sell and confirm, unto the said John Fisher and his heirs, the lib- erty and privilege of laying one pipe or tube the bore of which is to be six inches in diameter at any one place between the place of beginning aforesaid and the post which makes the first corner in the above men- tioned line, the distance whereof is thirty-eight perches, for the purpose of conveying from and out of the said canal or mill race so much water as will pass through the said pipe or tube for the watering the meadow of the said John Fisher contiguous to the race aforesaid, but for no other use, interest or purpose whatsoever ; and also to permit and suffer the said John Fisher and his heirs to erect and build a bridge or bridges at, upon and across the canal or mill race aforesaid, for the convenience of him, the said John Fisher, but in such a manner as not to injure the said canal or mill race or to impede or obstruct the passing and repassing of boats or other craft thereon.
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